Read No Strings Attached (Last Hope Ranch Book 1) Online

Authors: Amanda McIntyre

Tags: #Romance, #Contemporary, #Western, #Westerns

No Strings Attached (Last Hope Ranch Book 1) (15 page)

BOOK: No Strings Attached (Last Hope Ranch Book 1)
7.21Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

“I know. I just feel so bad for her. She wanted that baby so much.”

“Another short stack with two sunshines and bacon,” Betty said as she carried some empty plates to the sink. Her eyes were red, swollen. “Aw, sweetheart. Why don’t you go on home? You’ve been here since dawn. Go on and tend to your family. They need you right now.”

Angelique left and after lunch the crowd finally dwindled. Clay was about to take a break. He hadn’t seen or heard from Sally since Saturday night. He also hadn’t slept a great deal between thoughts of her and the terrible news from Rein and Liberty. He looked up when he heard the back door open. There stood Sally, without a coat, her keys dangling in her hand. Her expression was grief-stricken. She’d been crying.

“You heard?”

He nodded and held out his arms.

She didn’t hesitate, but ran to him, burying her face in his shirt. Her hot tears soaked through his T-shirt.

News that Liberty had lost the baby spread quickly through town. He expected Sally wouldn’t take the news well.

She sniffed and stepped back, wiping her eyes. “I feel so selfish, Clay. And scared, and selfish that I feel scared, because I’m thinking more about me and I should be thinking about Liberty and… poor Rein.” Her sad, red-rimmed eyes looked up at him. She opened her mouth to speak, but shook her head.

Clay took her by the shoulders. He couldn’t at this moment go into how it made him feel that she’d sought him in her time of need. He wondered if she even realized it herself. “Sally, this doesn’t mean it’s going to happen to you, or to Angelique.” He tipped her chin to meet his gaze. “Or that you have any less of a right to want to have a baby of your own.”

Her chin wobbled and she stepped into his embrace. God, the wall around his heart was crumbling by the moment. A sobering thought settled in his brain and it might refute some small print clause in their contract, but he needed to tell her. He held her close, resting his chin on the top of her head. “If anything like that were to happen, Sally. I’d be there for you. I want you to know that.”

Her tears subsided and she leaned back to look at him.

“I mean that,” he said, searching her sweet, tear-blotched face.

She took his face in her hands and drew his head to hers in a soft, lingering kiss. “I know you do.”

The taste of her warm lips fanned a need inside him. He reached back, holding her head to his as he captured her mouth again. This had nothing to do with her mission and everything to do with how he’d not been able to get her out of his mind these past few days. Maybe on some deeper level, he was afraid of losing something so precious and fragile—something he never thought he’d find again in his lifetime.

“Going on a break,” he called to Betty as he gently steered Sally toward the tiny employee bathroom in the corner. It was bright, decorated in typical down-home fashion. A cross-stitch, framed in a large embroidery hoop, hung on the wall, touting this was the first day of the rest of your life. A small cabinet, sink and old wooden bench holding a mason jar of fake spring flowers welcomed those who rarely used the room in comparison to the public facility.

It smelled of disinfectant and lavender, and Clay had never been so turned on as when he bolted the door and turned in time to see Sally half undressed.

“This is probably against health code,” she said against his lips as she worked on his jeans.

He dragged his shirt over his head. “I’ll take care of it.” He lifted her to the counter, unfastened her bra, about to burst as he watched her breasts bobble free. He couldn’t get enough of her mouth, coming back for more, his desire heating to her reaction of his rough caresses. She held his head as he sampled her sweet flesh, her sighs punctuated as he gently tugged her taut nipple between his teeth.

“Should we be doing this?” Sally asked in a breathless whisper.

She wore a cute plaid skirt, tights, and boots. The oval mirror behind her wobbled as he removed the latter in the blink of an eye, and she spread her legs. Sliding his hands over her thighs, she shifted closer to the edge and he moved his thumb back and forth over her clit, bringing a groan from her lips. He was about to burst. “Still wonder if we should be doing this?” he grinned against her lips.

She curled her hand in his hair. “Oh, no, this is going to happen,” she said in a breathless whisper. She hopped off her perch and reached for his waistband. He finished, eyeing her as he shoved his jeans to his knees. Need consumed him, it was more than lust driving him to bend her over and enter her, relishing in her warmth. He swallowed hard from the sheer ecstasy of their joining. Maybe it was ego. Maybe pride. Maybe it was to satisfy the loneliness he hadn’t realized was inside him. It wasn’t pretty, least of all romantic. It was raw, powerful, I-need-to-have-you-now type sex. The most amazing, erotic sex he’d ever had. In the tiny bathroom of a small town restaurant. Who knew?

A knock sounded on the door. Sally’s eyes met his in the reflection of the mirror. Both scrambled to find their clothes and get dressed.

Clay found it strange that he was as aroused watching Sally put on her clothes, as much as seeing her without them. “Uh… be out shortly,” he told whomever was on the other side.

“No hurry,” it was Tyler who responded. “The other restroom was occupied. Betty said I could use this one. I can wait.”

Sally’s eyes grew wide. “He can’t find me here,” she mouthed silently.

Clay shook his head. This would require recon. “Ty, man, you still out there?”

“Yeah, need more toilet paper? It’s right here.”

“Uh, nope. A plunger. This one broke. Can you ask Betty if she has a spare?”

Sally covered a grin.

“Oh, man. I’ve got one in the truck. Be right back.”

Clay unlatched the door, peeked into the room, and found it empty. He waved Sally toward the back door and grabbed an apron to throw on over his jeans.

She stopped at the door, looked at him, and smiled.

The door pushed open and a surprised Tyler, plunger raised in warrior mode, looked at Sally.

“Oh, sorry, didn’t see you there.” He glanced at Clay. “You want me to take care of it?”

“Tell Betty thanks for the take-out,” Sally tossed out.

“What take-out?” Tyler frowned at her empty arms.

Clay opened the fridge, handed Sally a plastic container of prepped salad and plucked the plunger from Tyler’s hand. “I’ll handle this, man. Deadly. If you catch my drift.” Clay caught Sally’s eyes when Tyler’s back was turned and gave her a wink.

She ducked out, hiding a grin, but he prided himself that the glow in her cheeks was his doing.

As he disinfected the bathroom from the walls down, more to ease his conscience than anything, it occurred to him that he was in trouble. Serious trouble. He was falling for Sally Andersen and not just a little—the kind that had him thinking about someone to come home to every night.

Damn.

Chapter Eight

She hadn’t seen him since the hot encounter they’d shared in the tiny bathroom. It had happened so fast, obviously unplanned and she’d given no time or thought to the fact that she likely wasn’t ovulating—though it didn’t seem to be a topic either was interested in. Driving home from school that night, she’d just received the news from Aimee about Liberty and Rein. Her heart was breaking for them when she pulled up to the stop sign, looked across and saw his truck parked in the alley behind Betty’s. She’d reacted, needing to be near him, wanting to feel his arms protective around her. That had been her fantasy when she pulled in beside him. Neither had expected the hot fire that ignited between them, far exceeding any fantasy she’d ever had about any man—ever.

Now, nearly two weeks later, she sat at that same stop sign. The spot where he usually parked was empty. It was a little after four. The café would be quiet. She could use some of that. She pulled up in front and her heart—torn in many directions—took comfort in the familiar bell that tinkled above her head.

“Well, Sally, how good to see you, honey.”  Betty appeared from the kitchen. “Goodness, you look like you could use a cup of my chamomile tea and maybe a slice of peach pie. Rebecca brought it in fresh this morning.”

“Just the tea, thanks, Betty. I’m not very hungry.”

Betty brought her a cup with its own pot. She carried an extra cup of coffee on the tray.

“May I join you for a moment? The new girl I hired while Clay has been spending time with his nephews is working out beautifully.”

Sally took a sip of her tea and closed her eyes to the soothing honey sweetness Betty had added on her own. “This hits the spot, thanks, Betty. How’s Jerry doing?”

Betty pressed her palms to the table and let out a small sigh. “I can’t believe it’s almost been a month since his stroke. Fortunately, doctors don’t feel there will be any permanent damage. He’s regaining his strength and it had a mild effect on his speech, but that’s also improving.”

“That’s wonderful news. It could have been so much worse.”

Betty nodded and looked out the window. She dabbed her eyes with a napkin. “It would have been if not for Clay’s quick thinking and how fast the EMT’s got to Jerry to the Billings Clinic. Doctors said he was lucky. His stroke was caused by a clot, and they managed to use tPA within the time needed for it to be effective.”

“Tissue Plasminogen Activator,” Sally interjected. “I did some research on it as dad’s health declined.”

“That’s what they called it, yes. I call it a miracle.” Betty fisted her hands in front of her. “Jerry had angels surrounding him that night for certain. I’m so grateful… we both are.”

“How’s his rehab going?”

Betty chuckled. “I’m sure they are ready to get rid of him. He’s an ornery old coot. He keeps the staff and nurses in stitches, so they tell me. He may have to use a cane for balance, at least for a time. But they say he should be able to be back to work by summer.”

Sally teared up and reached out to squeeze Betty’s hand. “Jerry had a lot of prayers going up for him, and for you, too, Betty.”

She nodded. “That’s true. You know some folks might enjoy being able to blend into the woodwork, to enjoy their anonymity, but I don’t know. I feel maybe they miss out on the benefit of a close-knit community.”

Sally thought of the numerous times she’d despised End of the Line for that very reason—choosing to see it from the life-in-a-fishbowl status, rather than as ‘close-knit.’

“And you, baby doll? How are you?” Betty patted Sally’s hand. “How did your evening with Clay Saunders go? I haven’t had the chance to ask. He certainly seems to be adjusting well to our little town.”

Sally took another sip, stalling with her answer. Her stomach suddenly felt queasy. She hated to think what some of her ‘close-knit’ neighbors would think of her clandestine affair with Clay for the express purpose of having a child. “It was a pleasant evening.” Sally smiled. “And we raised a lot of money for Miss Ellie, which was the best part of the evening.” She chose to set aside her personal opinion on what was
really
the best part of the evening for her. “You know, maybe I will take a piece of that pie to go. Oh, and maybe some soup? What do you have on today?”

“Your favorite,” Betty beamed. “Potato Wild Rice.” She stood, wiping her hands on her apron. “I need to get ready for the supper crowd, anyway. Let me box that up for you.”

Sally gathered her coat and purse, turning when she heard the bell over the door and saw Rein and Liberty walk inside. She’d spoken a couple of times on the phone to Liberty, but hadn’t seen her since the sad news. Liberty caught Sally’s gaze and walked over. The two shared a warm embrace, and Sally held her friend tight. No words were spoken. None were needed. She saw Rein standing near and reached for him, pulling him close.

“It’s going to be okay, Sal. It’s going to be okay,” he whispered as he hugged her.

“It’s so good to see you guys,” she said, moving aside so they could sit down.

“I was ready to get out of the house a little bit.” Liberty smiled, touching Rein’s arm. “Everyone is meeting here for supper. I needed a change of scenery.”

“Why don’t you join us?” Rein suggested, helping his wife out of her coat.

Sally loved the thoughtful gesture which, in her opinion, set apart the Kinnsion men in comparison to many others these days. She shook her head. “May I take a raincheck? I’ve got a night of entering grades ahead of me. They have to be in before Friday.”

Rein nodded and checked his watch. “We decided to come in early before it gets too crowded.”

Sally grinned. “Welcome to my world. Teachers and senior citizen’s hour. Best time to get a seat.”

“Is Clay joining us?” Liberty asked with a not-so-subtle glance at Sally.

“He was going to try. He took his nephews back to the airport today.  Their flight was four-thirty, I think.” He turned to Sally. “Did you meet those two? Good kids. They love their uncle, that’s for sure.”

She shrugged. “No, I’m afraid I didn’t get the chance.” She felt an odd disconnect that Clay had spent the last week with his nephews, but she hadn’t met them. School in End of the Line, however, was still in session. Even so, there was no real reason she should expect him to make the effort to introduce them to her. They weren’t exactly dating. Not even really close friends. It was kind of depressing in truth. “Hey, you all have a wonderful supper. See you soon.” She waved goodbye, picked up her supper, and as she pulled from the parking spot, noticed Clay’s truck turning the corner in her rearview mirror.

She sighed. Maybe it was best that their lives seemed on opposite paths, their lives intersecting only in brief moments of monumental sexual bliss. Yeah, hard to put
that
too far on the back burner.

Two days later, Sally sat in front of her laptop at her kitchen island. Stacks of papers surrounded her. She removed the reading glasses she sometimes used when working on the computer for extended periods of time. She glanced at her tea cup, then the microwave clock, taken aback when she noticed it was past eleven o’clock. Pushing her hair back, she stretched her arms overhead, working a kink out of her lower back. She hadn’t eaten, forgotten actually while focusing on getting her grades entered before the Easter break.

She walked over and placed her cup in the microwave, then punched in sixty seconds. Fifty. Forty. Thirty. Sally blinked at the realization that one minute had passed from her life. Gone forever. She stared at the numbers, seeing the stark reality of her life equated in a digital countdown.

An insistent sound pulled her from her reverie. There was a knock on her back door. Curious, she stood on tiptoe to look through the peephole and then opened the door.

Clay stood there looking at her. Fresh snowflakes glittered in his dark hair.

“Is that fried chicken I smell?” She nodded toward the bag in his hand.

“Probably my coat. It was hanging in the back while I was cooking.” He held up the bag. “Late night snack?”

She took the bag. “I haven’t eaten. Come on in.”

“Are you feeling okay? Betty mentioned the other night that you didn’t feel well.”

She placed the bag on the counter. Her tea had finished and she took it out. Suddenly the food didn’t hold the same appeal as when he was holding it.

“Clay.”

“Sally,” they said in unison, then laughed.

“Did you stop by just to bring me chicken?” she asked, wrapping her hands around the warm mug to stabilize her nerves.

“I don’t want to lie to you,” he said.

“Then don’t.”

“And I don’t want to frighten you if you’re not ready to hear what I have to say.”

She tightened her grip, bracing for the inevitable. He wanted out of the contract. It was clear that spending time with his nephews had made him realize what he had. He was going to go back to California.

“I love you.”

The mug slipped from her grasp, shattering to the floor.

“Jesus,” he said with a sigh. “That’s how I thought you might react. Sorry about the cup.” He bent down to pick up the bigger shards at her feet as her brain puttered to jump start from its immediate shutdown.

She tapped his shoulder.

He glanced at her, stood, and tossed the broken pieces in the trash. He washed his hands.

“Did you say—?”

“I love you? Yes, Sally, I did.” He wiped his hands on a dishtowel.

She hadn’t moved. Couldn’t, actually. Her tongue seemed glued to the roof of her mouth. Even more when he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the back door.

“You need to get a broom to pick up the small pieces. Be careful going barefoot in there until you do.” He started to leave.

What the hell?
“Wait a second,” she said, finally finding her voice as she grabbed his coat sleeve. “You come in here and drop that bomb, then don’t even give me a chance to say how I feel about all this?”

He eyed her, then looked away, before speaking. “I don’t expect a response, Sally. I just felt I needed to tell you. I wasn’t sure how’d you feel about continuing with your plan.” He blew out a weary sigh. “I thought maybe you’d need to find someone… more detached.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what I thought. But I’ve been thinking a lot about this and, well, that’s what I concluded. I love you, plain and simple. You may think I’m crazy.” He raised a brow and shrugged. “Pretty certain you wouldn’t be the first.”

“And in all this consideration you’ve done, did it ever occur to you what it was I needed?”

“I only know what you’ve told me, Sally, and that is you want a baby.”

“I do, if its meant to be, but I want you, Clay.”

He shrugged again. “In my defense, you could do a hell of a lot worse than me… wait—what?”

“I said, shut up and kiss me.” She framed his face. Those exquisitely beautiful green eyes held hers.

“I want to be clear, Sally.” He paused, searching her eyes. “I need to know this… whatever it is, is more than just sex. He tossed her an impish grin. “Don’t get me wrong. Sex with you has been off the charts. But I want more. I always have. I wasn’t looking for this…you. But, I know I’ve never felt—”

“I love you, too,” she interrupted.

That silenced him. She smiled and kissed him softly. “I love you.”

He picked her up and held her tight against his chest. She hugged his neck.

She showered him with kisses as he tried to navigate down the narrow corridor to the stairway. She sat on the steps watching as he carefully hung up his coat and then leaned over, brushing his mouth to hers. His hand inched beneath her camisole, slowly stripping away her inhibitions, replaced by a familiar raw hunger that he brought out in her. Holding her close, he slipped his hand between her thighs, drawing her to another high, floating on pure sensory overload. She lay back on the stairs, her clothes askew, wanting him—surrendering her body to whatever the future with him entailed.

“Race you upstairs,” he said, grinning against her mouth

Sally didn’t think sex could get much better with Clay, until she realized they were making love. He wanted to be there, wanted her as much as she wanted him. Having a child with him had taken on an entirely different meaning. They hadn’t used contraception. Hadn’t talked about it.

“Clay?” Sally lay curled beneath him, cradled beneath his arm. She traced her finger over the heart-shaped flag and dog tag tattoo over his heart.

“Yeah,” he replied sleepily, his eyes shut.

“About having a child.”

He opened one eye and looked at her. “I still want kids, don’t you?”

Surprised by his sudden response, she smiled. “Yes, of course. I want your kids.”

“Our kids.” He shifted to face her, brushing her hair over her shoulder, before he leaned down to kiss the warm flesh.

“Our kids,” Sally repeated. She marveled how life could change so fast. It was like something Michael was always saying,
“Sometimes you just have to grip the reins tight and hang on for the ride.”
She touched the tattoo. “What do all the dog tags represent?”

He glanced down, took her hand and kissed it before placing it once more over his heart. “There’s one for every member of my team that day. I was riding on top of the armored vehicle. We were checking for civilians in a bombed city. None of us saw the rocket grenade until it was too late. I was blown off in the blast. The teams behind us were able to fall back. The truck carrying the launcher took off. We responded, but there were a lot of wounded soldiers needing attention.”

BOOK: No Strings Attached (Last Hope Ranch Book 1)
7.21Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Dragonfire by Karleen Bradford
Lana and the Laird by Sabrina York
New Species 10 Moon by Laurann Dohner
Lady Knight by Pierce, Tamora
Death Train to Boston by Dianne Day
The Arms Maker of Berlin by Dan Fesperman
Dragon Dance by John Christopher
Town in a Pumpkin Bash by B. B. Haywood
The Third Wife by Jordan Silver