Chapter 10
10
T ansy’s vision of what would happen that afternoon had been foggy, but she had hoped, after experiencing Jake’s kisses, that the chemistry between them would continue to flare brightly.
Oh hell, yes. Bright. Dazzlingly bright. Super-nova, earth-shatteringly, blindness-inducing bright.
Jake’s torso was covered with stripes of mud, but his hands were still mostly clean. He held her with his right arm and cupped a breast with his left hand, squeezing and kneading as he made happy sounds and kept sucking. The edge of his teeth rasping over her tender skin sent a shot of pure lust directly between her legs.
“God, I don’t know if I want to haul you off so I can kiss you or keep you right where you are.” Tansy gulped as Jake switched sides, nipping and pinching and driving her wild. “Both,” she decided. “Somehow both would be good.”
He laughed, which sadly moved him off her body. The heat in his eyes was worth it, though. “We have time, Tansy. Don’t be blue. Or should I say yellow?”
Ignoring the fact her action streaked him with mud, she caught his face in her hands and tilted until they made eye contact. “You looked up what a tansy is.” Laughter bubbled at the back of her throat.
“On a naturalist blog.” He looked far too pleased with himself. “Don’t tell me that’s what you’re thinking about right now, though. Seems I have to up my game.”
Huge smile in place, he stroked his way down her breasts again, one hand drifting away to dip briefly into the mud pot. When he held up his thoroughly coated fingers for her approval, Tansy took another deep breath.
Time to go for it. “Do your worst.”
His worst was torment. One caressing touch after another, he painted. Lines on her ribs, circles around her breasts, zigzags on her sides.
When he meticulously drew a triangle around her belly button, Tansy growled at him. “ Jake .”
“Art class was never my favourite, but maybe I didn’t have the right canvas,” he said with amusement.
Torn between laughing and crying, Tansy went for hugging the stuffing out of him, which slicked them both with mud.
Jake chuckled, but he curled his arms around her and reciprocated the embrace. “You’re a nut,” he told her.
“You agreed to this, so, ditto.”
She kissed him then, slow and deep and hot, rocking over the thick length of his cock. Tongues and teeth and lips and heated breaths mingling, Jake caught her hips and added to the rhythm. Dragging her higher, harder, until gasps and grunts carried on the air with an animalistic soundtrack.
Tansy ground down hard and found that final kick she needed, an orgasm breaking over her with a hot, quick burst of pleasure. Gloating satisfaction followed a second later as Jake groaned, shaking under her as he too found release.
They stared at each other, grins stretching from ear to ear.
“I guess I’m sort of a stick-in-the-mud, aren’t I?” Jake asked.
Tansy leaned her forehead on his and stared into his shining blue eyes. “Pogo stick, maybe. Thanks for the ride.”
Laughter continued through their clean up showers and the shared ride home.
Thinking back on the afternoon a couple days later made Tansy beam. The aroma of garlic and curry filled the small, cozy kitchen, mingling with the scent of fresh baked bread cooling on the counter.
The ranch hands had changed the previous day. Don and Tony had been joined by two more men, Aaron and Brett, which meant with Kevin, the five rooms under the art studio for short-term visitors were officially full. It also meant cooking meals for eleven on a daily basis.
Not a problem. Her hands moved mechanically—chopping, seasoning, stirring—but her mind was elsewhere.
Jake. She’d admit it. After their time together at the spa, she wanted more. With him just across the hall, once her period was over, she was planning on walking in her sleep.
But more than sex, she was ready to keep upping their game in terms of growing closer. Which meant at some point she would have to venture into that scary territory Kelli had referenced. The wicked, nasty past.
Sharing was the right thing, no matter how hard.
Hmmm, hard .
Damn her brain for going back to Jake in those shorts and bemoaning the fact she never got to see him fully naked. Maybe she could convince him to do a sexy striptease for her…
The spoon in her fingers slipped. She scrambled and somehow smacked it in mid-air. The spoon flew away from her and hit the floor with a moist plop .
“Poetry in motion, Tans,” she poked at herself, stepping quickly across the room to pick it up. With incredibly bad timing, she kicked the handle, sending sauce splattering farther across the tile floor as the spoon made a break for it and vanished under the couch.
"Oh, for crying out loud," she muttered. "Get it together."
Amused at her Jake-induced clumsiness, she knelt beside the couch to find the spoon. Sweeping her fingers under the edge, she brushed against something cold and metallic, but not a spoon. Confused, she put her head all the way to the floor and used her phone to peer into the dark space.
Something glittered back at her.
She pulled it out, resting on her knees as she examined the piece of jewelry in her hand. The bracelet was beautiful—delicate yet sturdy, with intricate links of silver interwoven with small, sparkling gems. The design was elegant, and far too expensive to belong to anyone in her circle of friends.
Her mind raced as she turned it over in her fingers. Who did it belong to, and how on earth had it ended up under the couch?
She thumbed her phone on to message Petra, jerking upright as the front door burst open and slammed against the wall with a loud bang.
"Tansy!" Sasha Stone stood in the doorway, panic in her voice. “Where are you? We need you.”
Tansy reacted to the tone more than anything. In all the years she had known the girl, Sasha had never sounded this scared.
The bracelet was shoved into her pocket as Tansy shot to her feet and rushed toward the door, the cold winter air biting at her skin. “Hey kiddo, what’s wrong? Is Jinx okay?”
"She’s good, but we found someone," Sasha panted, leaning forward and clutching her sides as if she’d sprinted to the house. "He’s hurt. You need to come quick."
Tansy’s pulse shot up as she grabbed her jacket from its hook on the wall. “Where?”
"Behind the old haybarn on the edge of the property near our place," Sasha informed her as they hurried out the door and into the cold of winter twilight. "Jinx stayed with him. She tried calling Aiden, but her phone is dead and I didn’t bring mine. I was just walking her back from my house after we finished our homework.”
“You lead, I’ll call for backup.” Tansy dialed Jake’s number as she rushed after Sasha.
He answered on the second ring. “What’s up, gorgeous?”
“The girls found a stranger by the old barn, and Sasha says he’s hurt. You anywhere nearby, or do I call the shots on getting him help?”
“I’m less than ten minutes out but do what you think is right.” Jake spoke without a tremour of doubt, and Tansy appreciated his calm response. “You got this, sweetheart. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Tansy and Sasha struggled forward, the howling wind biting at their faces as they hurried through the swirling snow. The sky loomed dark above them, but Sasha led the way without hesitation. Tansy followed closely, questions darting through her mind. Who was this man? Had he somehow heard High Water was a refuge, or was him showing up here simply a coincidence?
After what felt like an eternity, and just as Tansy’s thighs were ready to give out, they reached the edge of the property where the old barn stood. The silhouette of someone crouching in the snow came into view, and Tansy’s stomach clenched.
Jinx knelt beside a figure lying very still on the ground. As they approached, the man came into focus. Young, maybe early twenties, his head resting awkwardly on a hunk of fabric, his blond hair streaked with blood. He was unconscious and covered with Jinx’s winter coat.
Tansy swore inside. Jinx would be frozen through.
Jinx glanced up as they approached, her face tight with worry. She had her arms wrapped around herself, shaking from fear and the icy cold. "He’s been like this for a while. He was shaking so hard I thought he needed to be covered up, but I didn’t think it was safe to lie down beside him. I didn’t know what else to do."
"You did the right thing, but now you’re heading home, stat," Tansy said quickly, kneeling beside the man and checking his pulse. It was faint but steady. "Jake’s on his way. He and I will get him back to the house. Sasha, take Jinx back to High Water. Jinx, hot shower right away. Sasha, Make hot chocolate, okay?"
“I can do that.” Sasha wrapped her arms around Jinx. “Will you be okay?”
As if on cue, headlights cut through the darkness, and Jake’s truck rumbled up the narrow road toward them.
“Yup. Now get.”
By the time the girls vanished around the corner and Jake had pulled to a stop and jumped from the vehicle, Tansy had dropped to her knees and done a quick scan on the injured man.
Jake’s breath puffed into the cold air. "What happened?" he asked, his gaze scanning the scene as he joined her on the ground.
"Don’t know," Tansy admitted. "But he’s hurt. Other than the head wound, I don’t see any major injuries. I think getting him out of the cold is the most important thing."
Jake nodded. He crouched then gently lifted the young man into his arms. "I’ve got him. Let’s move."
The fastest way back with the least jostling was for Jake to settle into the truck bed still holding the injured man. Tansy drove as carefully as possible, but every second of the journey was tense until she pulled to a stop outside the main house.
“Put him in the guest room,” Tansy suggested. “We can get him cleaned up a bit, but first, we should call Sydney.”
Jake hummed his approval. “She did offer to help us out in situations like this.”
“She’ll keep things quiet,” Tansy assured him, hurrying ahead to get the door for him. It swung open before she could touch the knob.
Sasha stepped back. Her eyes widened as Jake rushed past her with his burden. “Is he okay?”
“Don’t know yet,” Tansy offered truthfully. Another person who they’d need to discuss keeping things quiet with. “Take care of Jinx and stay out of the way for now, got it?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Down the hall, Jake shouldered the guest room door open then laid the injured man carefully on the bed. “Help me get this coat off him. It’s soaked through and only making him colder.”
They worked quickly then Tansy pulled out her phone and dialed Sydney’s number. When her friend picked up immediately, Tansy explained the situation quietly.
“I just hit the highway after a house call, so I can be there in under twenty minutes.” The sound of a turn indicator clicked in the background. Sydney’s no nonsense directions helped ease some of Tansy’s panic. “Take off his boots, but other than that, worry more about piling on the blankets. If the head wound starts bleeding again, gently press a facecloth to it, but otherwise, wait for me.”
“We got it.” Tansy met Jake’s gaze, and he nodded. “Come straight in when you get here. Sasha might be in the kitchen.”
“Well, shit. That’s a complication.” Sydney made a rude noise. “She’s a smart kid, though. Not a huge problem if you ask me. See you soon.”
Tansy slipped her phone away. “Extra blankets are in the hall closet.”
“You get them. I’m staying close in case he wakes up swinging.” Jake went to work on the laces of the man’s worn boots.
Ten minutes later, quilts were piled three deep on the shivering man who looked even younger now than before, his face pale against the white pillow. His head wound looked worse up close—a deep gash above his temple that had bled profusely before freezing in the cold.
"I should go wash my hands then check on the girls," Tansy said.
Jake slipped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed tight. “He’s going to be okay. You did well. All of you.”
She leaned into him for one more second then escaped the room. This was part of what she’d wanted—to be a helper.
Shocking how terrifying it was in reality. Helping meant another person hurting first, and as logical as that was, right now it felt as if the bottom had dropped out of Tansy’s world.
Struggling to find her mental balance, she soaked a face cloth and washed her face and hands. She smoothed down the front of her shirt and pants and hit the bulge of the forgotten bracelet in her pocket.
She pulled it out, turning it over in her hand. The gems caught the light from the bathroom mirror and turned it into a miniature light show. Another unreal moment. Another thing that didn’t make sense.
How had something so valuable ended up under their couch?
However it had happened, now wasn’t the time to ask those questions. With a small sigh, Tansy dropped the bracelet into her bathroom drawer to deal with later.
Jake stood beside the bed watching Sydney work. Every time she motioned, he eased forward, using a warm washcloth to help clean the dirt and blood from the young man.
Bullshit on that—the body sprawled in the bed belonged to someone barely more than a kid. If the stranger had reached twenty years old yet, Jake would eat his hat.
In spite of Sydney’s poking and prodding and Jake’s manhandling, their guest lay quiet. Shallow breaths, the faintest pulse at his neck. He looked as if he’d been worked over from top to bottom, and once again Jake was slammed with one of those delicate balancing acts.
This was what the ranch was all about, wasn’t it? Helping those who needed it. Offering shelter to anyone lost or desperate for safety. It felt right to be helping the kid, yet Jake couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling at the back of his mind. It wasn’t only the battered body lying unconscious before him?—
The fact people out there were willing to inflict pain on a fellow human made Jake sick to his soul. He would never understand how that was possible, and his instinct to protect grew stronger.
She would smack him upside the head if she knew, but worry rushed in for Tansy, and Jinx, and Sasha.
Hell, Sydney was right here. Her petite frame would be no match for an agitated patient who had clearly been in some sort of fight.
“Jake?”
Sydney’s summons pulled him from his thoughts. She’d moved the blankets away to access the young man’s legs, and Jake hurried to clean away the grime that clung to their patient’s bruised skin.
“See these marks?” Sydney spoke quietly as she gestured toward crisscrossing bruises and scars. “These aren’t from a single fall or accident. These are old. He’s been hurt before—lots of times.”
Jake’s concern shot skyward again. “You think he’s been in constant trouble? Like street fights?”
“I’d say they’re more likely beatings,” Sydney offered reluctantly. “Look at the patterns. Those are defensive wounds. He’s been trying to protect himself.”
Jake swore under his breath. The kid hadn’t only been hurt—he’d been running from something. Or someone. “What the hell did he get himself into?”
“We’ll figure that out once he wakes up,” Sydney said her tone soft but firm. “For now, he needs rest.”
Jake stood, running a hand through his hair as he paced the room. Tansy had promised to get the word out to his brothers, but until he had a chance to talk to them, he planned to stay on guard duty. “That’s fine. He can?—”
The young man groaned, stirring slightly. His head shifted uncomfortably from side to side.
Sydney rested a hand on his chest, soothing him. “Stay still. You shouldn’t be moving a lot right now.”
The kid’s eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first then narrowing as he took in his unfamiliar surroundings. He tensed, arms flailing instinctively.
“Shit.” Jake ducked forward, getting a fist in the face for his troubles. He cursed softly even as he held the kid down to keep him from hitting Sydney. “Stop. You’re safe. We won’t hurt you.”
“I’m a doctor,” Sydney said quickly. “And your doctor says you need to lie still.”
The young man blinked a few times, his gaze shifting between Jake and Sydney. Confusion etched his face, followed quickly by a wave of panic. “Who… Where…”
“It’s okay,” Jake said, ignoring the urge to press a hand to his throbbing eye. He kept his words as calm and steady as possible. “You’re at High Water ranch. My niece Jinx found you then got help. You’re safe now.”
The young man relaxed slightly, though tension lingered in his face. He met Jake’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”
“It’s okay, we understand,” Sydney assured him, patting his shoulder gently. “You didn’t know that this is a safe place, but we’ll take care of you.”
“I can’t stay. I need to go.”
Sydney raised a brow. “Nope.” She eased away, placed her hands on her hips, and gave the kid a doctor glare that didn’t invite argument. “You’re not going anywhere. You’ve got injuries that need tending to. If you push yourself too hard, you’ll make them worse. You’ll be taking it easy for at least a week.”
The kid’s jaw tightened, but this time he didn’t argue, exhaustion weighing him down. The kid was too tired to fight—physically and mentally.
Still, it’d be good to get some information before the kid crashed. “I’m Jake, and this is Sydney. You’ll meet my two brothers soon enough, and the rest of us who live here on the ranch.” The young man met his gaze straight on. Jake nodded his approval. “You got a name?”
“Logan.” He hesitated, probably debating whether he should include his last name or lie and make something up.
“You don’t need to rush to tell us much more. This place is safe. Nobody’s going to hurt you here.”
Logan’s eyes flickered, a hesitation in their depths. The kid was still holding something back—something that had him ready to bolt the moment he got a chance.
“You in trouble with the authorities?” Jake asked carefully.
Panic flashed across the young man’s face. He shook his head quickly—too quickly. His face contorted with pain, and Sydney snapped out a chastisement.
“Easy there, bucko,” she said. “No quick movements. Or that week I gave you will become longer. He’s not asking because we’re about to kick you out, but we need to know what to expect. Trust me, I will lie my ass off to keep you safe.”
“I’m not running from the cops,” Logan said, his voice week but sincere. “But I am running. There are people I don’t want to find me.”
Jake exchanged a glance with Sydney. That alone confirmed what they’d expected.
The door behind them opened, and Declan walked in. He scanned the scene and instantly moved to stand beside Sydney. He took a thorough look over Logan then met Jake’s gaze. He stared for a moment at the eye the kid had smacked, silently asking if everything was okay.
Jake gave him a reassuring nod, but the tension in the room was thick.
“Look, Logan.” Jake kept his voice steady. “Even if you are in trouble, you’re staying for now. We won’t let anyone hurt you. This is my brother Declan, and he’ll vouch for that as well.”
Instantly, his brother backed his play. Declan dipped his chin. “Jake’s right. This is a place of refuge for people who need it. We’ll help you if you let us.”
Logan glanced between the two brothers, uncertainty in his eyes even as fatigue rapidly slid in. For a moment, it seemed as if he might try to argue, but then he relaxed into the bed and let out a long, weary sigh.
“Thank you,” he whispered. His eyes drooped, exhaustion finally catching up. He muttered under his breath, barely audible. “Found by an angel.”
Sydney checked him over once again then pulled the blanket under the kid’s chin. She tilted her head toward the door.
“He’ll need a lot of rest,” Sydney offered as they paused in the hallway outside the door. “I’ll come back tomorrow to check on him, but you’ll need to wake him every few hours tonight to check for signs of a concussion. Watch for dizziness, confusion, anything out of the ordinary.”
Jake nodded, absorbing her instructions. “We can do that.”
Sydney took one last glance back into the room, gaze softening as she took in the sleeping figure. “He’s been through a lot,” she said. “Whatever he’s running from, I hope he finds peace here.”
Declan rested a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “That’s our goal. Thanks for being part of it.”
Her lips curled up at the corners. “Now you get to feed me. I talked to Tansy on my way in, and she said supper would be on the table once we were done. I’ll get washed, then we can figure out what comes next.”