Chapter 15
Silver swung contentedly in the hammock beside the river, the warm wind mussing her hair. The aspen leaves overhead rustled with a song, and the rushing water added its own melody to the orchestra of the outdoors.
Dustin hadn’t been willing to rest in the hammock next to hers but was stretched out on the ground, his back against the tree and his legs crossed at the ankles.
Even though he’d loosened up during their ATV ride up one of the short trails and during their fishing at another location, he’d still been alert, constantly assessing the surroundings.
She supposed being easygoing wasn’t in his personality.
She, however, had completely relaxed because she was confident Dustin would never let anything happen to her—not only because he was an excellent bodyguard, but also because that’s just the kind of person he was.
He would sacrifice his own safety for anyone.
“So that’s why I named the ranch Double H.” She finished the story of why she’d named her ranch Hopeful Horseshoes instead of Lucky Horseshoes. She wanted to believe that hope had more power in bringing healing than luck.
“I like it.” Dustin brushed his thumb against her ankle. “What about this? Your tattoo?”
His caress sent a ripple of pleasure along her nerve endings, and suddenly, all she could think about was his touch—how much she liked it and how she wanted more.
He shifted his gaze from their surroundings along the river to her, and his eyes filled with questions. The mahogany was so rich and deep that she wanted to get lost in them and never be found.
He’d asked her something, and she couldn’t remember what.
He dropped his hand from her ankle, revealing the tiny black horseshoe tattoo. Oh, right. The tattoo. He’d wanted to know about it.
“I chose it during the long days of my own therapy to remind me not to give up hope.”
He frowned as he once again examined the riverbank and the walking path beyond it.
She brought the hammock to a halt. “What’s wrong?”
He hesitated.
She glanced around. “Do you sense a threat?” She’d called both Franklin and Beryl, told them where she was, and asked them to keep her location secret.
Although she held to her conviction that neither one of them belonged on the suspect list, she’d cooperated with Dustin and Isaac anyway.
Surely she hadn’t been wrong about her two most-trusted friends?
“No, we’re fine.” His jaw twitched, showing off the classic lines and strength in his chiseled face. “I just don’t like thinking about the break-in and what could have happened.”
“But it didn’t. So let’s not think about that.”
He clenched his jaw again, then began to stand up. “We’ve been here too long. Time to head back.”
She took in a deep breath of the fresh air that held just a hint of sulfur from the hot springs on the property—hot springs she’d gone swimming in often during her summer visits.
Like most visitors, she’d heard the ancient myths about the hot springs having healing qualities and how the water had helped eliminate illnesses in the old-time McQuaid family on more than one occasion.
She had always loved the stories and believed that the hot springs could truly heal. Why not? If horses could heal people, then why couldn’t certain types of water?
“Can we go to the hot springs?” she asked without moving.
He reached his full height, brushed off his backside, then towered above her. “Probably not.”
“Please?” She peered up at him with what she hoped was her most winsome expression.
“Maybe.” A hint of a smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. “We’ll see how things go later.”
She let her own smile free and began to sit up in the hammock. “A midnight swim?”
“I’m not promising anything.” He took hold of her arm, then gently helped her out of the hammock and held on to her until she was steady on her feet.
He picked up her bag, which had some snacks, a sweatshirt, sunblock, and other items she’d packed for their excursion. He lifted it over his shoulder, carrying it just as he had the past few hours.
Her heart flip-flopped with a splash that sent warmth coursing through her body. He’d written to her. Six letters. He’d liked her and had wanted to have a relationship with her. Tyler had even claimed that Dustin had wanted to marry her.
He’d been barely eighteen when he’d first thought about having a future with her. She’d only been sixteen at that time, but in some ways, she’d already been in love with him then—or as in love as a young girl could be.
If she’d actually gotten the letters, she wanted to believe that the two of them would have drawn even closer, would have dated, and would have gotten married to be together during his time in the Army.
But a part of her also wondered if she would have eventually resented giving up her life and her plans and revolving everything around him.
Perhaps things had worked out for the best after all.
Even as that thought pulsed through her, resistance quickly chased after it.
She’d always loved being with Dustin, and she loved being with him even more now that they were older.
Not only could she understand him better, but she was grown-up now too and wasn’t so easily intimidated by his powerful presence.
She slipped her sandals back on. “Let’s go to Cliffside Dining Room for supper. I’d love to see the waterfall.” The sky was just starting to turn a darker blue. Although she couldn’t see the mountain peaks in the west from where they were, she guessed they were glowing from the setting sun.
“We’re eating in the cabin tonight.”
“Just one meal at the Cliffside? Please? Maybe we can use a private dining room.”
“Even with a private room, it’s too busy there. But I’ve ordered our dinner from there to be delivered to the cabin.” He held out a hand to assist her up the slight embankment.
Although she didn’t need his help, she took his hand anyway, appreciating his kindness and unwilling to turn down an opportunity to touch him.
When they reached the paved pathway, the couple in the cabin next door to theirs was strolling toward them. The husband, who was thin and tall and gangly with the gray hair, had his arm around the young woman, who was perky and pretty and young.
At the sight of Dustin and Silver, the woman waved. “Hi, neighbors.”
Dustin seemed to hesitate in releasing Silver’s hand. If they’d been alone, he would have let go right away. But now, with someone else there? They would have to put on a little bit of a show to prove they were honeymooners, wouldn’t they?
Silver waved at the couple. “Hello. It’s such a beautiful evening, isn’t it? We were just enjoying the hammocks right down there.” She nodded toward the river and the hammocks they’d left behind.
Then, without giving herself a chance to overthink the situation, she slid her arm around Dustin and situated herself in the crook of his body. As if realizing the need to do some acting, Dustin returned the embrace by slipping his arm behind her.
“You’re going to love this place,” the young wife said as she reached up and began to rub her husband’s chest in small circles. “The romance is practically floating on the air here, making everything magical.”
Dustin released a scoffing sound. Or maybe it was a half laugh. Whatever the case, Silver lifted her hand and began to rub circles on his chest too, hoping to silence him.
It worked. Dustin glanced down at her hand but didn’t say anything to oppose her.
She liked that. What else could she get away with as his fake newlywed wife?
“I agree.” Holding back a smile, Silver walked her fingers up Dustin’s chest until she reached his chin.
“It’s so magical that I can hardly contain myself.
” She cupped Dustin’s cheek and then reached up and pressed a kiss to his chin.
His skin had a scruffy five-o’clock shadow and the hint of aftershave—a spicy bourbon scent.
His body stiffened against her, but she held herself in place and returned her hand to his chest, and this time drew circles more languidly with just one finger.
The other couple, the wife in particular, was watching Silver closely. “I can hardly contain myself either.” She began to massage both hands against her husband’s abdomen.
Silver shifted so that both hands were free, and she did the same, pressing her hands into Dustin’s abs.
They were just as hard as they’d looked every time his T-shirt had hugged him.
She flattened her palms and skimmed him.
She could feel him watching her intently, but she avoided meeting his gaze, guessing his eyes would chastise her to put an end to the display.
She was having too much fun with this, and she wasn’t ready to stop. “Isn’t newly married love wonderful?” she asked as she untucked Dustin’s shirt from his jeans.
He stiffened again and cleared his throat.
She just patted him, hoping to send the message to play along. Then she slipped her hand under his shirt and against his bare abs.
He sucked in a sharp breath.
As her fingers grazed the smooth hills of his muscles, something warm spilled inside her belly.
She didn’t have time to analyze that warmth, because the young wife was quickly unbuttoning her husband’s shirt, almost ripping it from him.
Silver ducked her head to hide a smile.
Dustin’s arm was still halfway around her, and he gently poked her side.
She glanced up and tried to wipe away her smile.
He raised both brows, as if to ask her what in the world she was doing.
She gave him what she hoped was an innocent shrug.
The perky young wife only got her husband’s shirt halfway off before he intervened and grabbed onto his shirt to hold it in place.
With a feral growl, the woman stood on her toes, threw herself against her husband, and kissed him full on the mouth.
She molded her mouth to his with passion, moving hard and fast, as though she was hungry and couldn’t quite get enough of the man.