Authors: Jennifer Ryan
Dressed and feeling fatigued, she went downstairs, careful of every step she took on her sore feet. The living room lights were still on, but she veered to the kitchen to make a cup of tea to calm her nerves and help her sleep. Maybe she’d splurge and make a cup of her favorite hot chocolate. There might even be a can of whip cream in the fridge.
The glass had been cleaned up. Her broom and dustpan sat next to the stainless steel garbage can. She turned to the cupboard to take down the hot chocolate when she realized she didn’t hear the truck any longer. Owen must have left. Her stomach tightened and her heart sank. Despite not knowing him well, she’d hoped he’d stay, or at least say goodbye.
She found the hot chocolate and turned to get a mug from the other cabinet.
“Hey,” a deep unfamiliar voice said from behind her. Every nerve went on alert. Her heart pounded with fear. Instinct told her to run, but how far could she go with him so close? She grabbed a knife from the butcher block beside her and spun around, hurting her sore feet but not really feeling the pain.
“Stay where you are. Don’t come any closer.”
Somewhere in her muddled mind he looked familiar, but the fear stole her rational thoughts. Her hands shook and she backed up into the counter, looking everywhere for an escape that seemed impossible.
“Hey now, you’re okay. I’m not going to hurt you.”
Tears filled her eyes. Too much to take in one night, she stammered, “Get out. Leave me alone.” The stranger took a step toward her, and she took one toward him. “Get out, or I’ll gut you where you stand.”
One side of his mouth cocked up in a slanted grin. His eyes flashed with admiration, confusing her.
“I’m not going to hurt you. I’m looking for Owen.”
“He doesn’t live here. Why does everyone think he lives here?” she yelled.
A flash of movement came from her left; she swung to face the new danger and inhaled when Owen rushed her, pushing the knife out of his way and pulling her close. She immediately dropped it and grabbed hold of him as he kept his back to the stranger, her back to the counter, and his big body protecting her.
“You’re okay, sweetheart. That’s my brother, Brody. He came to help me board up the glass door.” He hugged her closer when she grabbed fistfuls of his shirt and held him tighter, crying all over the front of his shirt, her face buried in his chest, her bravado from a moment ago drained away, overwhelmed by her fear. Owen was here, holding her, keeping her safe. She needed him and refused to let go, even when he tried to back away.
“Brody, man, you want to give us a minute.”
“Sure. I just wanted to let her know I’m here. She’s got a lot of guts, facing off with me with that knife. I like her.”
“Yeah, I like her, too.” Owen brushed his hand over her head and settled into her, holding her tight and close.
Brody left with a chuckle and an “I bet you do.”
All of a sudden she felt foolish, but it didn’t stop her from staying in Owen’s arms. She shifted on her feet, and he slid his big hands down her back to her waist, hoisting her up onto the counter. His warm hands settled on her thighs, spreading them wide so he could stand between them. Close. Intimate. Their eyes met, and he reached up and swiped his thumbs across both her cheeks, taking away the tears.
She got hold of herself enough to say, “Your brother is huge.”
“You just faced off with an ex–Army Ranger. He could take you out with one lethal smile.”
“He wasn’t smiling.”
“He doesn’t much, since he got home. Unless he’s with Rain. She’s bringing him back to himself, but it’s a long and slow process when you’ve seen and done the kinds of things he has during the war.”
“You admire him.”
“He’s a tough guy with a big heart. He suffers from PTSD, so wielding a knife in front of him, or sneaking up on him—not a good idea, sweetheart, if you want to live.”
“You really were protecting me.”
“I don’t think he’d hurt you, definitely not on purpose, but you never know what will set him off. He gets lost in flashbacks. He may not have seen you, but an enemy his mind is still fighting. I didn’t want to take a chance. Like I said, he’s better now that he’s back with Rain and the girls.”
“What if that other man comes back?” Tears clogged her throat and made her words stilted and shaky.
Owen cupped her face. Their gazes locked. They held their breath. She thought he’d kiss her, but he never moved. Despite standing between her thighs, he maintained a protective yet safe distance. He didn’t crowd her, or press into her like a lover. No, he stayed on that side of the boundary of comfort versus intimacy.
“It’s late,” she mumbled to break the lengthening silence.
He didn’t move away, but the ready-to-pounce muscles relaxed and an ease came over him. She wondered how he held himself back like that, when all she wanted to do is leap into him and every hot encounter his eyes promised.
“Yeah, too late to pretend I don’t want you, and you don’t want me.”
“I don’t even know you.”
“Yeah, you do, or you wouldn’t have let me back into your house tonight. We’ll get to the details over time.”
“You’re not a man who takes no for an answer.”
“Sweetheart, you never said no, either with words or actions, judging by the way you’re holding tight to me right now.”
She unfisted her hands from his shirt, like she’d been holding on to a snake. He wanted her back. Bad.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m not. Get used to me hanging around, because I’ll be watching out for you until they find Dale and lock him up for hurting you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“He threatened your life. I take that very seriously, especially from a guy like him, who is willing to come here and nearly run you over with his car in the dead of night.”
“Bad choice of words.”
“Sorry.”
“He was looking for you.”
“Yeah, drunk and stupid he showed up to take me on with nothing but his bad attitude. Sweetheart, I’d have demolished him if I was here. When he sobers up, he’ll realize that, and next time he might not be so stupid and come better prepared.”
“You really think he’ll be back.”
“If he wises up, no. But Dale has yet to prove he uses his brain for more than basic survival.”
“Great.” She leaned her head to his shoulder and sighed heavily.
“See, you’re already getting used to having me around.”
She bolted upright again and glared at him, making him laugh. He’d pushed far enough and gave her some space, taking the mug beside her and going to the ancient fridge and filling it with milk. He put the mug in the microwave and set the timer.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking care of you. You’ll get used to that, too.”
“Owen.”
“Claire, relax. Take a breath. It’s been a long night. The sun will be up in about two hours. I feel guilty as hell about what happened and you getting hurt. Let me do this for you.”
She planted her hands on the counter and let her head fall between her shoulders. She didn’t so much acquiesce as she didn’t argue further, which gave him an opening to get to know her better.
He stirred chocolate mix into the mug of hot milk, grabbed the whip-cream can from the fridge, and squirted a generous mound on top. Just for fun, he squirted a heap into his mouth and ate it up, smiling. She smiled back and took the mug, licking the sweet cloud and sighing.
“Better?” he asked.
“Getting there. Thanks.”
“Stay put. Let me help Brody with the door. It shouldn’t take but a couple of minutes, and I’ll be right back.”
“I don’t have any wood.”
“He’s renovating the cabin up at Clear Water Ranch. He brought some with him.”
“Well, ask him what I owe for the wood and his help. I’m happy to pay.”
“Claire, relax. I’ll take care of everything.”
“But . . .”
He stared her down until she relented and took a sip of her hot chocolate. He left her sitting on the counter, cup in hand, a resigned look on her face, but not a trace of fear. Not anymore, but it would come again when she tried to sleep. He’d stay and chase away the ghosts if they intruded again tonight. This morning? God, he needed some sleep. If he hurried, maybe he’d get to bed by five, sleep until eight. He’d pulled all-nighters before, he could do it again.
“Got your girl squared away?” Brody asked when he stepped out onto the back patio.
“She’s not my girl. I just met her. Besides, after what happened tonight, she’ll probably kick me out of her life for good.”
“Don’t bet on it. She’s been checking you out for the last few minutes from the kitchen window.”
Owen wanted to turn and look, but stayed put. His cocky smile gave away too much, and Brody laughed at him.
“You two looked real cozy in the kitchen. She’s a little banged up and on edge, but she’s got fight and heart. She’s a beautiful woman. Why aren’t you seeing her?”
Owen laughed. “Because up until a couple months ago I was taking care of your soon-to-be fiancée and children.” Everyone knew Brody and Rain were getting married, but his thick-headed brother had yet to ask her officially, making it a running gag between them.
“Don’t put your lack of a love life on me. Rain can take care of those girls, herself, and an army all on her own. While I thank you for all you did while I was gone, you’re the one who didn’t put yourself out there. I’m just saying, she seems like a nice woman. You should take her to dinner.”
“Yes, I’ll take her to dinner, and she’ll completely forget that bastard attacked her because of me.”
“You take on too much for your clients. You’re not to blame for what happened. Don’t feel guilty for something that you didn’t do and couldn’t have prevented. Do everything you can to find that guy and put him where he belongs, but don’t blame yourself that she got hurt.”
“I like her,” Owen admitted.
Brody had a piece of plywood at his feet and a tape measure stretched across it. He marked a spot and grabbed the skill saw. He tossed the extension cord to him. Owen stepped back into the dining room and plugged it in on the side wall. He walked back out to help Brody hold the wood while he cut it.
“What if he comes after her again?”
“Do what you can legally to keep him away. If that doesn’t work, put him down.”
“Rain hasn’t smoothed out all your rough edges, I see.”
“You woke me up in the middle of the night, took me out of Rain’s bed, and your girl pulled a knife on me. Sorry if I’m not more agreeable.”
“I appreciate you coming over to help me out.”
“I’m just giving you a hard time. You knew I’d come. I owe you for taking care of my girls. Did she nick you?” Brody cocked his head to indicate the three-inch gash in his shirt.
“She missed, thank God. I don’t think she realized she took a swipe at me.”
“Adrenaline. She’s going to have a hard crash. Soon.”
“Yeah, so let’s get this done so we can both get some sleep.”
“You’re staying with her tonight.”
“I just can’t take a chance Dale gets a bug up his ass and comes back.”
“Is Dylan trying to track him down?”
“Yeah, but who knows where Dale went after he harassed Shannon at her place.”
“If you need my help keeping an eye on Claire, say the word and I’m there.”
“Thanks. I’m going to keep my eye on her until this thing is resolved.”
“As good excuse as any to spend time with her.”
Owen ignored Brody’s knowing smile and hefted the heavy board and took it over to the door. Brody brought the drill and screws. They made quick work of the task.
“That should work for now.” Owen stood back and surveyed their work, satisfied. “I’ll call her insurance company and get the door replaced tomorrow first thing.”
“You need to talk to your client. If this guy is fixated on you and her and now Claire, you need to warn your client about saying something that could make this worse.”
“I’m afraid she may have already said something about us.”
Brody’s eyes narrowed on him.
“Nothing is going on with my client,” Owen defended. “Well, on my part anyway. I’ve stood between her and the ex and helped her get away from him. She’s grateful and sees me as her protector. She’s started to rely on me and pushed for me to help her with things outside my scope of lawyerly duties.”
“Put a stop to it now. Set her straight.”
“I’ve tried to gently nudge her to do things on her own.”
“Give her a shove. You don’t need her life dragging yours down.”
“I will. I’m also going to make damn sure nothing else happens to Claire. She didn’t deserve this.”
“No, she didn’t, but it’s not your fault.”
“You said that already.”
“Apparently you need to hear it again because I can see the guilt written all over your face.”
“Thanks for your help. Go home.”
“I’m headed that way.” Brody stopped in the middle of rolling up the extension cord around his hand and arm. “Owen, don’t ever think you don’t deserve what I’ve found with Rain and the girls. Whatever we did in our past, that doesn’t mean we can’t make something good for our future.”