Read Her Lifeline: (A Romantic Suspense) Online
Authors: Danica Chandler
Her Lifeline: (A Romantic Suspense) (14 page)
Chapter Fifteen
Nick sat on the porch of the bunkhouse and watched as Noah played in the yard with the dogs. It was good to be back on the ranch after his hospital stay, and though his leg wasn’t one hundred percent, he was able to do small chores around the place. With John’s death, he worried for both Noah and Amelia and how they were taking the death of someone who had a major part in both of their lives. Noah hadn’t said much and Amelia had reassured him she was fine, but he knew it had to bug her some.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw her walking his way with two beer bottles in her hands. Reaching out, he gladly took one from her and unscrewed the lid, savoring the cold beverage. Sitting beside him on the swing, Amelia leaned in and pecked him on the lips.
“I just got off the phone with one of the detectives on the case,” she replied as she took a pull off of her beer.
“Yeah?”
“They’ve been working the case since you went into the hospital. Chris is getting locked up on several charges. Apparently there were several warrants for him and he somehow kept evading them all.”
Nick nodded and finished the beer, tossing the bottle into a nearby barrel. “And the debt?”
“It’s all gone. Clean slate. In the bank’s eyes, it’s all been taken care of. With Chris being brought up on charges, anything he had dealings with are gone. My dad should’ve never been involved with him, but he didn’t know any better.” Amelia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and bit her lip as she watched Noah. “It all sounds too good to be true and a part of me doesn’t want to relax too much. It seems too perfect.”
Nick caressed her hand and kissed the back of it. “Believe it, Amelia. It’s over. Noah is home safe and we can focus on other things now.”
“I can’t thank you enough for what you did for us. If we’d have waited, there’s no telling where they would’ve taken him.”
“I did what I thought was right. No need to thank me.” He kissed her hand again and leaned in, allowing her head to relax on his shoulder. The cool breeze was relaxing and with her nearby, it was perfect. Noah’s laughter in the distance was like music, and though the boy wasn’t his by blood, he felt a strong connection to him.
“I can’t believe Noah’s father is dead, but I also can’t believe he was capable of kidnapping his own kid for money. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but it had to be done. The cops told me he was seconds away from shooting you.”
Nick felt her shiver against him. “It all turned out okay, Amelia.”
She looked up at him, a smile parting her lips. “It did.”
“You two lovebirds have any plans for today?” Mr. Tucker picked Noah up and walked across the road, more hop in his step than Nick ever remembered him having before. “I thought I’d take Noah into town for some ice cream. Pump him full of sugar!”
Amelia sat up, her smile a full grin now. “Sounds good, Daddy, but don’t be too long. Noah’s gotta be up early for school tomorrow morning. I think Nick and I will stay back. He needs to rest.” She turned and winked at Nick, and he got her message loud and clear. It felt like it had been an eternity since they had been alone.
“We’ll bring y’all back something!” Noah yelled as they hurried for Mr. Tucker’s truck and sped off.
Nick pulled her in, her body fitting against his perfectly. Kissing her on the top of the head, he took in her scent. Her hair was soft and his fingers ran through the long strands on her shoulders.
“It’s getting a tad bit chilly out here. What do you say we take this inside?”
Standing, Nick had to remind himself to be easy on his injured leg. Guiding Amelia through the front door, he locked it behind him as she led him toward the bedroom, the sway in her hips noticeable as she peered over her shoulder at him. She was so seductive, so sexy, and he couldn’t keep his eyes off of her.
He placed his hand on the curve of her back and with his other, he cupped her ass as he gently pushed her against the wall. Still gazing at him over her shoulder, Nick pulled her hair to one side, giving him more access to her soft neck where he kissed and licked up to her ear. Again, she shivered, and a subtle moan vibrated in her throat.
Pushing back against him, she hinted toward the bed, where he moved backward, falling slowly against the mattress, making sure he pulled her down with him. Laughing, she rolled on her side and traced her fingers over his lips and down his jaw line, as if she were studying him.
Her smile faded and her brow creased as she looked into his eyes.
“What’s the matter, Amelia?”
“I never thought it was possible to love someone as much as I love you.”
“Well I love you just as much,” Nick replied as his hand ran down the side of her face.
“I know you do. No one else would’ve ever done what you have for this family. You saved Noah. You saved me. You saved this ranch. My dad hasn’t been near as happy as he’s been lately, all because of what you did.”
Nick felt his face heat up and he looked away. “I can’t take all the credit.”
“You should…” Before she could finish her sentence, Nick kissed her hard, but was caught off guard when she pushed him on his back and straddled him. Looking down at him, she slipped her hands under his shirt, touching him in all the right places.
“Remind me to be easy with your leg,” she whispered as she dipped her head, her breath tickling his ear.
“My leg is the last thing on my mind, Amelia.” He ground his hips into hers, enjoying the friction.
Reaching up, he tried to touch her breasts but she grabbed his hands and shook her head. “No sir. You just lay back and relax. This is all about your pleasure. This is part of your reward for being so good to us.”
Lifting his shirt up, she kissed his stomach and stopped at the top of his jeans. Nick felt his breath catch in his throat as she unbuckled his belt and unclasped his pants. The air was cool and her hand traced over his hips through the thin fabric of his boxers. Closing his eyes, he moaned when he felt his boxers slide down, revealing himself to her. Everything he was feeling was incredible and he still couldn’t believe that Amelia was his. How could a woman of such beauty and charm even consider being with a man like him? What they had between them wasn’t just sex. The emotional bond was something he couldn’t put into words. There was no way to explain it.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Amelia next to him, her beautiful smile breathtaking as she snuggled in beside him. Nick was so relaxed that he could fall asleep easily, but he didn’t want to miss a single moment with her by his side.
“What did I do to deserve you, Amelia Tucker?”
She kissed his chest and up to his lips. “You’re a good man, Nick Miller. Don’t ever think otherwise.”
“There is one thing we do need to change about all of this.”
Propping herself up on her elbow, Amelia arched her eyebrow. “Yeah? What’s that?”
“Your last name. That’ll be the final touch on something that’s already perfect. What do you say?” Nick was shocked at how bold he was being, but he couldn’t think of a reason not to consider it.
Amelia giggled as her eyes lit up at the suggestion. “Amelia Miller?” she asked, contemplating it. “Amelia Miller,” she repeated, nodding as if she liked it. “Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
“Sounds like heaven.” Nick never thought he’d get married, but just like old country songs say, it hits you blindside when you’re not even looking. “With everything we’ve already been through, the only way to look is up.” It was corny, it was mushy, and before he met Amelia, Nick imagined he’d have never even considered saying something like that. Funny what a good woman does to a man.
He couldn’t wait for what the future held for them. For once in his life, Nick had something wonderful to look forward to – a family and a home where he belonged.
THE END
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