It Had to Be Fate (An It Had to Be Novel Book 3) (10 page)

She turned her hand over and wove her fingers through his. “You too.”

He closed his heavy lids and drifted back to sleep. And then the recurring dream that had haunted him for years played on his closed lids.

He tried to force his eyes open, to make it stop. Instead he found himself on that narrow path again, the one he’d been hiking with his father and brother all those years ago.

But this time he was alone. The fog and mist swirled at the edges of the path, forming figures that looked like people he’d known over the years for a brief moment before they’d disappear again. He had to catch up with his dad and Nick.

Making his way up the steep, narrow path, he tried to move faster, but his feet weighed a ton. He called out for the others, but got no answer in return. Maybe if he could catch up, his dad wouldn’t die this time.

He powered forward as pain shot through his whole body. When he grabbed onto a boulder to pull himself along, his hand was covered in blood. He glanced down and his clothes and shoes were soaked too. Was it his father’s?

Zane wiped away the blood and sweat dripping into his eyes with the back of his hand and started up the path again, ignoring the searing pain in his head and the soft voices whispering in his ears from the mist people. They chanted “Murderer. Murderer.”

But it had been an accident! He hoped his dad had known that before he’d fallen to his death. His dad was his best friend. He and his father were so much closer than Zane and his twin had ever been.

Weak from pain, he dropped to all fours, crawling to get away from the voices. He slowly made his way up the trail, hoping he’d wake from his dream soon. He didn’t want to see that look in his father’s eyes again the moment they both knew he’d never survive.

Finally reaching the summit where they’d stopped to rest that day, Zane collapsed onto the ground as his blood mixed with dirt to make a reddish, muddy puddle around him. Looked like he was going to die too.

Maybe he already had and was in hell.

One of the mist people taunting him turned into his brother. Nick’s sneer slowly tilted into an evil grin. “This is what you get for abandoning me, Zane. For throwing me into that God-awful place to rot for two months while you chase after a beautiful woman. Now you’ll know just what our dad felt as he fell to his death.”

Nick kicked Zane in the side and rolled him closer to the edge. “Murderer.”

The pain made speaking in more than a whisper impossible. “It was an accident, Nick. I didn’t mean for Dad to fall.”

“Liar!” Nick kicked him again. “You were jealous because Dad was paying more attention to me that day than precious, perfect you.”

Another breath-stealing kick from his brother had Zane peering over the edge of the cliff, preparing to die. “No! I loved him. It was an accident!”

As he kicked Zane’s side one last time, Nick called out, “See you in hell, bro.”

Zane sucked in his last breath, bracing to fall to his death in the canyon below like he had so many nights before, when Casey’s gravelly voice filled his head. “Zane. Wake up. You’re dreaming.”

Forcing his heavy lids open just before he hit the canyon floor, he stared into her whiskey-colored eyes. Her body was entwined with his, and he’d wrapped his arms around her in his sleep. His heart still pounded as he panted for enough air to say, “Sorry I woke you.”

Casey laid the back of her cool hand on his forehead. “You’re hot and clammy. I’d better call Ben.” She threw the covers back and untangled her legs from his.

He tightened his grasp to stop her. “No, just a bad dream. Give me a second.”

Her brow creased, but she stopped her retreat. “Are you sure?”

“I have them now and then.” He gulped in much-needed air. “No big deal.”

“We’ll give it a minute or two, then decide. But I must be hurting you. Sorry.” Casey slid from his embrace and moved under the sheets beside him. “Who’s Nick?”

Crap. All the heavy pain medicine must’ve made him talk in his sleep. “My brother.” He sat up and tugged off his sweat-soaked T-shirt, tossing it on a nearby chair, then moved beside her again.

Casey whispered, “You were mumbling about an accident. And your dad dying.”

Was it the meds making him want to tell her what happened? Had to be. He’d never told anyone about that afternoon other than his mom and the police. But if his brother went to the media, Casey might think Nick was telling the truth. He couldn’t bear Casey thinking he was a murderer on top of all the other false impressions she already had. Maybe it’d be best to wait until he was coherent. “Yeah. His accident still haunts me now and again.”

She slowly moved a little closer, careful to keep her body a few inches from his aching one, and laid the back of her soft hand on his forehead again. “You feel a little cooler now.” She let her palm slide to his cheek. “So you have the dream often? Like a post-traumatic stress thing?”

Her eyes were filled with genuine concern for him. He couldn’t remember a woman ever looking at him that way. “I guess. I hadn’t had one in a long time. But the way Ty looked up at me earlier, with that fear in his eyes . . . I couldn’t save my dad that day. It was an accident. I’d misjudged and by the time I realized what had happened, I couldn’t hang on any longer. His hands slipped from mine.” He closed his eyes and tried to block out the image of his father falling to his death. “I’d never forgive myself if I let that happen again, Casey.” Damn the pills. He was probably just creating more questions by not telling her the whole story. He needed to shut his trap before he said something he shouldn’t.

She leaned closer and whispered, “You
didn’t
let another accident happen. And I’m sure your dad knows you did your best to save him. He’d be proud of what you did today, Zane. We’re all lucky you were there.” She sent him a smile so sweet he felt it in his chest. “But now you need your rest. Can I get you something to help you sleep? Tea or a glass of water?”

She believed him. That’s all that mattered.

He shook his head in answer to her question and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close again. When she’d asked if he needed anything, he’d wanted to say all he needed was her. He’d never felt such a tug on his soul like he did when he was with Casey. But Gloria had said to go slow. If Casey knew how strongly he felt about her, it’d probably scare her off. Good thing he hadn’t said that aloud.

Had he?

C
asey blinked her eyes open. How was it morning already?

She gently lifted Zane’s heavy arm from her waist and slid over to grab her phone from the nightstand. It was almost six. She must’ve hit the “Off” button instead of “Snooze” the last time the alarm had rung.

Luckily the kids wouldn’t be up for a while yet.

She rolled over and was just about to wake Zane when she caught sight of a tattoo on his slowly rising and falling chest. He was sound asleep, so she took a moment to study him.

The covers had slipped to his waist, revealing bruised, gym-toned shoulders and arms, but what fascinated her most was his chest. Most rockers had tattoos covering every exposed part of their body, but Zane only had a single small one over his heart. It looked like a Chinese symbol of some sort.

Maybe she’d Google it later and see if she could figure out what it meant. She could ask him, but when someone put a tattoo over their heart, it was probably something personal. And she’d gotten way too personal with Zane as it was. He was making it harder and harder to resist him.

Especially when he’d mumbled, “All I need is you,” as he’d fallen back to sleep.

When he’d pulled her closer, she’d gone freely because he’d been so upset about his dream and needed comfort. Or so she told herself. It was nice to snuggle with a man without sex on the table for a change. Beau had always hopped right out of bed after he’d gotten his fill, but Tomas had liked to snuggle. It’d been a long time since she’d been held in her sleep.

Not that she missed her cheating ex, but she did miss a few things about being in a relationship. One was waking beside a gorgeous man each day.

Ben had said he’d dosed Zane pretty heavily so he could sleep, so it had probably just been the meds talking. He hadn’t meant all he needed was her.

Especially because Mandy had mentioned Zane didn’t have time for anyone in his life. After his stay in Anderson Butte, he’d be gone and back to his workaholic ways, so what was the point of getting involved? And probably having her heart broken . . . again.

Ty’s small voice sounded behind her. “Mom? My arm hurts.” The bed shifted with Ty’s weight as he climbed up beside her.

Crap! She should have stuck to her original plan and slept on the couch. Maybe if she just acted normally, not like a guilty mother for having her kid catch her in bed with a man, he’d ignore the situation.

She rolled over and faced him. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Let’s go eat so you can take something for the pain. How about some eggs?”

He nodded and slid out of the bed.

She quickly followed behind. When she got to the door, she glanced over her shoulder at Zane, who’d awoken. He mouthed “Sorry.”

She acknowledged him by nodding and lifted her hands in a “what are you gonna do?” gesture, then caught up with Ty. She scooped her robe off the couch where she’d left it the night before and wrapped up in it as she stepped into the kitchen. “Scrambled or a cheese omelet?”

Ty pulled out a chair in the nook and sat. “Scrambled. Your omelets don’t turn out as good as Dad’s.”

“Oh, so now you’re a food critic, huh? Caleb told me your dad showed you guys how to make omelets this summer, so you’re welcome to make your own, mister.”

“I was just kidding.” Ty plastered on a big, innocent grin. “I love
your
cheese omelets the best, Mom.”

A barely audible knock sounded on their front door.

As she headed toward the door, she said, “You’re lucky you only have one good arm, or you’d be making us all omelets, wise guy.” She bopped Ty lightly on the head with her spatula as she passed by him.

She closed one eye and peered through the peephole, surprised to see Ben standing on the other side dressed in his scrubs. She yanked the door open. “Hey.”

“Hey back. I wasn’t sure if you guys would be up yet. Didn’t want to wake you.”

“It is awful early for house calls. Did your date stand
you
up last night?”

Ben’s lips thinned as he stepped inside and followed her to the kitchen. “No. Mrs. Jenkins had a heart attack last night. I flew her to Denver, but she’s so concerned about her dog I can’t get her to calm down and rest.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Can I do anything to help?”

“I called Meg, since she was the one who gave the puppy to Mrs. Jenkins. Eric will keep the dog until she gets home.” He sat next to Ty in the nook. “But I’ll have whatever this guy is having. I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday so I thought I’d see how my other patients are and bum a free breakfast while I’m at it.” He laid a hand on top of Ty’s head and mussed his hair. “How’s the arm today?”

Ty shrugged. “Okay.”

Casey shook her head and pulled out the fixings for omelets. Ty’s arm had hurt badly enough that he’d slid into bed with her a few minutes ago, something he only did when he was really sick these days. Now he’d suddenly turned all brave to look good in front of his uncle. But she wouldn’t rat him out. Instead, she’d show Ty who made the best omelet. Tomas had shown her a few omelet tricks too. She just didn’t usually have time to cook like that, but they were up plenty early this morning.

Ben asked, “How’d Zane do last night?”

Ty said, “Mom had to sleep with him, so he must be feeling pretty bad still.”

Ben’s eyes found hers and narrowed. “You slept with him?”

She couldn’t catch a break. And it wasn’t even six fifteen yet. “Ty, while this is cooking, why don’t you go find a marker so Zane can sign your cast after breakfast?”

“’Kay.” Ty slid off his chair and disappeared down the hall.

She whispered, “Nothing happened, Ben. And if it had, you’re not one to talk, Mr. One-Night Stand.”

He stood and joined her by the stove. “Ryan told me about Zane’s reputation. And Dad told me about Tomas’s latest stunt to get full-time custody of the boys. The worst thing you could do is get involved with Zane Steele, Casey.”

She slapped her hands on her hips. “You and Ryan need to back off. This isn’t high school anymore, where you can scare off the boys who like me.” She turned and flipped the eggs as she reeled in her temper. “I’m a grown woman, not sixteen, and I can make my own choices!”

Ben leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. “So we were wrong when we tried to warn you off Tomas?”

No, they hadn’t been wrong, but the last thing she’d do was admit it. She knew full well the men she was usually attracted to weren’t right for her. But Zane seemed . . . different. As much as her brain knew the risks, her heart begged to give Zane a try. Not to mention her hormones that heated up whenever he was within ten feet of her. “You two have never liked any of the guys I dated. You just got lucky with Tomas.”

Ben’s voice turned softer as he said, “I just don’t want to see you hurt again. It’s been hell watching you rebound with Beau while pretending you can handle a casual relationship. You’re not wired like I am.”

She’d kept her and Beau’s relationship secret for a while. But keeping a secret from the nosy folks in Anderson Butte had been no easy task. The natives all stuck together and kept the visitors’ identities from leaking for the betterment of the town, but when it came to the locals, all gossip was fair game. Her grandmother was the one who’d busted them, and she’d complained to anyone who’d listen because she’d never liked Beau. “You weren’t always wired that way either, Ben. With Kline you were happy to be in a real relationship. Until . . . well, we won’t go there. But I figured if you could change, then maybe I could too.”

He leaned closer and said, “Zane will just use you and then be out of here as soon as—” Ben cut himself off when Zane appeared in the doorway.

Zane glanced Ben’s way as his eyes narrowed. “If me being here is a problem, I can have Mandy help me in the guesthouse.” He turned to face Casey. “She hasn’t checked out yet, has she?”

“No. And she’s worried sick about you, but you’re not the problem, Zane, this one is.” She poked her brother in the chest.

Ben sent her a stern warning look—he’d always hated when she poked him—and then turned to Zane. “How are you feeling this morning?”

Zane hobbled to the nook and sat. “Better than yesterday.”

When Ben gently tugged on her ponytail as a truce before he joined Zane at the table, it made her smile. She and Ben fought, but they could never stay mad at each other for long.

Ben pulled out a penlight from his front pocket and shone it in Zane’s eyes. “Watch my finger.” Ben moved it slowly from left to right. “You are better than you were yesterday, but you still need rest—and you need to keep your hands off my sister.”

“Last I checked,” Casey called out, “I’m the one who decides who puts their hands on me, Benjamin. And if you want an omelet, knock it off.”

While the men stared each other down like cavemen defending their property, Ty ran back into the kitchen with a marker. “Hi, Zane! Want to sign my cast?”

Zane tore his gaze from Ben’s warning stare. Seems both of Casey’s brothers had opinions on who she dated. Where were they when she’d been dating that Beau Bailey jerk?

He forced a smile at Ty. “I was hoping to be the first one!”

A sleepy Caleb, still dressed in his pj’s joined them at the table. “Why is everyone up so early?”

“Morning, Caleb.” Zane turned his attention back to Ty. “Now that you’re both here, I want you guys to promise you’ll stay away from that mine. I’m going to have my manager find a professional crew to go dig out those barrels for you. Do we have a deal?” After Caleb nodded, Zane stuck his hand out for a left-handed shake with Ty’s good hand.

“I’m not ever going back there,” Ty said. “When we told my dad about what happened yesterday, he got really mad. He said our mom gets too busy to watch us because of her job, so we needed to stop doing dumbass things.”

“Hey!” Casey whipped her head over her shoulder. “Watch your mouth, Tyler.” Then she exchanged a worried glance with her brother.

Zane asked, “Did you guys tell your dad about me?”

“No!” Caleb quickly answered. “We’re not allowed to talk about the guests. We left that part out.”

Casey’s shoulders visibly relaxed as she stood at the stove with her back to them.

“Thank you.” Zane accepted the marker Ty held out and then scribbled his signature “Z” surrounded by two circles. “I’ll call my manager about the barrels after breakfast. Hopefully they’ll find them so Eric can go to college and you and Caleb can get your new bikes.”

Ben said, “Is that why you guys went out there? What Eric hasn’t figured out yet is that he’ll have all the money he needs to go to college and more now that he has the recipe for the whiskey. Tara’s father is looking into local properties to open up the distillery again. Eric will be the majority owner when he turns eighteen.”

Casey laid plates in front of Ty and Ben and they both dug in. “Yeah. And I’d appreciate it if you two would refrain from telling people I’m broke! It’s not that I didn’t have the money for new bikes. You boys don’t need new bikes. Yours are perfectly fine!” Casey walked back to the stove and called out, “Zane and Caleb, do you want cheese omelets too?”

Casey wasn’t a happy camper. So as Caleb nodded around a yawn, Zane called out, “That’d be great, thanks.”

When Zane glanced Ben’s way again he caught Casey’s brother staring as he chewed.

Zane gave back as good as he got. The guy wasn’t going to scare him off of Casey. He intended to see where a real relationship with her might go.

Ben finally swallowed then said, “I imagine you’re bored by now and will be leaving soon, huh?”

“Ben . . .” Casey’s tone held a warning.

“You can’t leave yet, Zane,” Caleb said. “You promised to sing in Aunt Meg’s wedding.” Caleb’s gaze dropped to his hands fisted on the tabletop. “And I haven’t learned how to play that song yet for my dad.”

Ty’s forehead scrunched. “You wouldn’t leave before Aunt Meg’s wedding, would you, Zane?”

A strange, hot pang arrowed through Zane’s heart. The last thing he’d ever do was let Casey or her kids down. “I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.” He turned and stared into Ben’s eyes again. “When I give my word, I keep it.”

His phone rang in the pocket of his sweats, saving him from whatever retort Ben was clearly working up.