Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Hutch slips his hand into mine as we climb the porch steps. From inside the house, chatter and laughter and water running and the whir of a blender fill the quiet night.
I tell myself to forget about the events of the afternoon and focus on enjoying what’s sure to be a rowdy evening with Hutch’s family.
Hutch opens the door for me, and we slip into the entryway. Heavy scents of garlic and lemons bathe my senses, and I take a slow, grounding inhale. Toby comes loping from the living room, tail wagging so hard he could helicopter right off the ground. He darts between me and Hutch while we slip off our shoes, barely standing still long enough for me to pet him, his tail thwapping my thigh.
“Rye’s home!” Thea calls from the kitchen. Beth peeks around the corner, her bright expression turning apprehensive when she sees me.
“Ava’s here too!” she calls out while ducking back into the kitchen.
Hutch pulls me to him for a quick hug. “I’m glad you’re here.”
I sigh into his chest, then slip away for the living room.
“Ava!” Louisa screams. “I finished ‘Second Chance Cowboy’ this morning! Why didn’t you tell me about that little surprise at the end?”
“That’s called a spoiler and you know me better than that,” I scold, stopping at the sink to wash my hands. Though I changed clothes and washed my face when we stopped at my house, I still feel dirty. Tainted. Even though nobody’s touched me but Hutch.
A shiver travels down my spine but I shake it off and join Louisa clearing the big dining room table, bypassing Thea and Dylan, who are doing more flirting than salad-making.
“How are you feeling?” I ask Louisa.
“Good! A little tired still, but I can feel my energy coming back.”
“That’s great!” I carry a box of quart-sized canning jars to the living room and add it to the pile Louisa has started.
“And just in time, too,” she says. “Brandon and Kelly’s wedding is next weekend, can you believe it?”
Though I don’t know Brandon and Kelly, I feel like I do thanks to the affectionate way Louisa has been talking about them. Brandon is a mechanic with Finn River Ranch and Kelly works in the nursing home as an occupational therapist. They met at the animal shelter when both of them wanted to adopt the same puppy.
“It’s at Bear Mountain, right?” We shuttle more boxes to the pile on the floor.
Louisa wipes her brow. “Yup. They rented the lodge at the top. It’s going to be so beautiful!”
“Huh.” A twinge of worry niggles the back of my brain. “You sure you’re ready for that?” Bear Mountain is at nine thousand feet. Even people without heart conditions have a difficult time with the elevation. I’m not sure Louisa heading up there is a good idea.
“Plus I need to get cracking on my strawberry jam,” Louisa continues, as if she didn’t hear me. “I had the kids freeze what they picked but I need that space in the freezer for the quarter of a cow I’m getting in trade from Crescent Bar Ranch.”
“I’m pretty sure Dr. Shelby reminded you to take time to rest too.” I eye her across the table as I wipe it down with a clean rag from the kitchen.
“You know how it is,” Louisa says, not meeting my eye.
I glance at Hutch, who is bantering with Beth at the stovetop while she stirs whatever’s in the pan. Is he aware of Louisa’s plans?
My phone buzzes in my back pocket, and I give the screen a quick glance. It’s a message from The Three Musketeers.
SOFIE:
Heard about what happened at the cemetery today. You doing okay?
Zach probably told her, and though I’m not upset, it reminds me of Hutch’s words, and my stubbornness when it comes to letting people in.
ME:
Better now
KIRILEE:
I’m glad Hutch was there for you
SOFIE:
They’re going to find out who did this
ME:
I hope so
KIRILEE:
You’re not alone tonight, are you?
ME:
I’m staying at Moonbeam Farm
KIRILEE:
Good idea
A knock on the door sends Beth dashing from the kitchen, only to return with two lanky young men in tow. I give my Three Musketeers a heart then tuck my phone back in my pocket .
Beth’s guests heads straight for Louisa, each of them wrapping her in a soft hug.
“Thanks for inviting us over with your family,” the first guy says.
“It’s good to see color in your face again,” the second one says with a smile.
“Ava, this is Cam Rumsey and Wilder McKay,” Louisa says.
I give them a wave.
Cam’s eyes light up. “My brother Sepp works with you.”
It takes me a second to put it together, probably because the Rumsey boys were adopted and look nothing alike. “That’s right. Everett’s your older brother?”
“Yep.”
If Cam’s aware that Everett was just searching my house for signs of a creep, it doesn’t show on his face.
“Sepp talks about you all the time.”
“You sure you don’t mean Vivian?”
A curious look fills his eyes, making me think I’ve missed something, but he smiles, and it’s gone. “He talks about her, too. But he really loves working with you. Much more than that dinosaur.”
I ignore the rub regarding my predecessor and focus on the warmth Cam’s comment brings me. “I’m happy to have him. He’s great with the littles.”
“He’s always been a caregiver,” Cam says with a warm smile.
“Go wash up,” Louisa calls out, nodding at the kitchen. “Supper’s about ready.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the guys reply, taking long strides into the crowded kitchen.
Dinner is a wonderful distraction, full of laughter and too many conversations to track. Next to me, Hutch’s thigh warms mine, the contact reassuring. He occasionally drops his hand to my knee for a gentle caress, like he wants me to know that despite the chaos going on around us, there’s a part of him focused only on me.
Louisa’s eyes shine and it’s so good to see her smile and hear her laugh. It’s hard to believe she’s the same woman I rushed to the E.R. just days ago. Gratitude for the physicians and Louisa’s determination that made tonight’s reunion happen zip through me.
After dinner, Hutch and I kick Louisa out of the kitchen and take over clean up. Thea and Dylan head out to the pasture to check on a colicky horse. Beth and her two companions leave in a cloud of hormones and clomping boots.
“I told her not to stay out late,” Hutch says as I hand him a rinsed plate to dry. “I also told her two sidekicks to stay close.”
“Somehow I don’t think they’ll have a problem with that.”
He releases a breath through his nose, like he’s trying to keep his cool.
“Does your mom know why I’m staying?” I ask.
“Why do you think she had me load up the shotgun?” he replies, arching his brow. “Don’t worry, it’s in the gun safe.”
A knock on the door sends a jolt through me, making me drop the plate I’m rinsing. It clatters into the sink but doesn’t break.
“That’s why Fiesta Ware is the only way to go!” Louisa calls out with a cackle from the living room while Hutch disappears from the kitchen.
The voice that booms into the entryway sends prickles over my skin, but before I finish drying my hands on the towel, my dad fills the doorway. With him is Everett.
“Uh, hi,” I say.
Dad’s bushy eyebrows knit together. “I couldn’t get ahold of you, so we came.”
My mom slips past him and draws me into a hug. “We heard about what happened today. Why didn’t you tell us?”
She’s shorter than me, but her hugs are legendary, so I soak it up. “I’m okay.”
“Of course you are,” Mom says, stepping back to frown at me. She glances at Hutch, her soft brown eyes filling with warmth. “I’m glad you’re letting someone look out for you.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “I’m staying here tonight, but I’ll be back home tomorrow. ”
My dad sends Hutch a sharp glare, then pulls me into a hug. “I don’t like this one bit.”
Louisa shuffles into the kitchen. “What a nice surprise!” She and my mom share a quick embrace. “Come in, I’ll put the kettle on.”
Dad releases me and follows Mom into the kitchen.
Everett offers me the keys I loaned him. “I just came by to tell you I finished at your place. Could you come down to the station tomorrow, maybe fill in some details?”
Hutch slides his hand into mine. I try to draw from his calm strength.
“I’m free until about eight-thirty, then again, after five o’clock.”
“Morning would be better,” he says.
We agree on a time, and he gives us both a sharp nod. “Thanks. I know this isn’t easy.”
“Appreciate you coming by,” Hutch says. After he’s gone, Hutch gathers me close and releases a soft sigh. I wrap my arms around his solid frame and will his strength to spill over into me.
“You’re probably exhausted,” he says, stroking my hair.
“Let’s visit with my parents for a few minutes, then I would really love a shower.”
He kisses the top of my head. “Please tell me I get to help.”
A pulse of anticipation travels through me. “Your shower is a telephone booth.”
“Stop giving me ideas.”
I laugh, and it helps to shake off another layer of tension I’ve been holding all night.
Hutch lifts my chin and kisses me, his lips plush and soft. Though it’s a simple, sweet kiss, it sends another pop of electricity over my skin.
When he pulls away smiling, I laugh.
“Come on.” He leads me into the kitchen, where Mom and Louisa are chatting while sorting through boxes of tea.
My dad leans against the edge of the counter, his stern gaze shifting from Hutch to me. “Any idea who’s behind this? ”
“Not yet,” I say. “But the deputies are working on it.”
Dad crosses his arms. “After tonight, what happens?”
My tummy knots tighter because he could mean…as in my safety, or he could be asking about the future, and the last thing I need right now is for Hutch to admit he’s leaving town in front of him and our moms.
“She’ll have protection,” Hutch says in a firm tone.
I glance at him in surprise.
“From you?” Dad asks, scowling.
“Or a deputy.”
Dad gives a slow nod. “Okay.”
Hutch slides his arm around my shoulders and presses a kiss to my temple. “We’ll make sure Ava’s safe.”
“So what is this so-called plan you’ve worked out?” I ask Hutch once the house is quiet and we’re finally alone in his bedroom.
He tugs off his shirt and drops it into a laundry hamper in the corner, giving me a moment to drink in the lean, muscular planes of his back and sculpted curves of his shoulders and strong arms.
“Tomorrow, when you head to work, Zach’s gonna meet you at your building and check it out before you head inside. I’ll escort you home after, and there’ll be a patrol car in your neighborhood every few hours.” He slips off my sweater and folds it over the back of the chair in the corner. “If you wanna go for a run, I’ll go with you.”
I don’t like all this attention…and the limitations on my freedom, but I don’t exactly love the idea of being alone, either.
Will Everett and Zach catch the creep harassing me before Hutch leaves?
Stop it . I can take care of myself.
“Dad pulled you aside on their way out. What did he say?” I ask.
“He wanted to loan me his Glock.”
I gasp. “Did you take it? ”
He shakes his head. “Mom’s shotgun is plenty of firepower.”
He unbuckles his jeans and lays them over the arm of the chair, then comes back to cradle my face. “The important part is you’re here with me, and I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
He plants a soft kiss on my lips, sending little pleasure prickles over my skin. I place my hands on his waist, my thumbs brushing that firm V-line that disappears into his briefs. He’s so solid, but agile, like a dancer. I imagine him leaping from the back of a cargo plane and rocketing through the night sky, heading for a landing zone no bigger than this farm.
I caress his lower back, where the bands of muscles and tendons combine, giving him superhuman strength to carry fallen soldiers or swim in brutal seas or climb dangerous mountains. These things we do…so that others may live. It’s another reminder that he’s on loan from the life he’s chosen, and soon, they’ll want him back.
With his skilled fingers, Hutch slips my pants button free and glides both hands beneath the fabric to slide them down. The sensual brush of his palms on my hips and thighs tightens the cravings sparking to life inside me. He takes the same care to fold my pants and set them aside, then takes me by the hand and leads me into the tiny bathroom.
I laugh as he reaches into the stall and turns the water on. “There’s no way we’re both getting in there.”
He grins, and the playful gleam in his deep green eyes makes me melt.
“Only one way to find out.”
He slips off his briefs—slowly, like he knows I’m watching—and gives his erection a quick pump with his fist, then steps into the shower, giving me a perfect view of his toned backside. With a sigh, I strip down and join him. The space is so tight our bodies are touching everywhere, making me laugh.
“See? We can’t even take a deep breath in here.”
He pumps his citrus body wash into his palms, then pulls me close and scrubs down my back and shoulders, his erection thick and firm against my hip.
I take a pump and do the same to him while the water cascades over us. Having him so close, while so…slippery…makes this the most erotic activity I’ve ever participated in standing up. Gently, he spins me around and adds more soap to his palms. His lips brush my neck, working slowly up, to the place behind my ear.
I brace off the opposite side of the shower to steady myself as he caresses me everywhere with his soapy, soft hands. My nipples tingle under his touch and I press back into him, wanting to feel his firm, muscular body enveloping mine. Desire spirals tighter inside me. His caresses and those sensual, wet kisses and the heat of the water running over my skin has my pulse thumping low and hard, so that when his fingers slip between my thighs, I start to tremble. With me boxed in like this, there’s no escaping his expert touch and warmth, and I don’t want to.
“Still think this shower is a bad idea?” His throaty purr in my ear sends pleasure tingles under my skin.
“You’re next, so I guess we’ll see.”
With a chuckle I can feel in my toes, he glides the edge of his teeth against my earlobe. “I guess so.”
My breaths come faster and I close my eyes, giving in to his tenderness and the thrill of being the recipient of his care and focus. I come in a series of cries I know I should at least try to contain but the concept is so far out of reach it might as well be impossible. His touch lights me up, makes me feel safe and wild all at once, like I could leap for the moon and he’d catch my fall. Like I can let everything go and he’d somehow keep me from splintering apart.
I come down, panting.
He nuzzles my ear. “Fucking beautiful. I love that song of yours.”
I rub my ass against his erection. “I love the way you touch me. Like you’re never in a hurry.”
With a groan, he cradles my hips and gently spins me around. “ Every moment with you is precious.” He kisses me, his tongue flicking against mine.
I kiss him back and reach between us to stroke him. He’s so thick and smooth and ready . With the water crashing down and our bodies pressed close, his every breath and moan and tremor becomes a part of me. He grips my hand, urging me faster as his lips crash into mine. With a low groan, he comes, painting my belly. It shouldn’t turn me on, but it’s the opposite. I wrap my arms around him and sigh into his shoulder.
Every moment with you is precious.
How can he say things like that to me, knowing what’s waiting for us?