Someone to Watch Over Me (7 page)

“He’s right,” Kelly said. “Maybe your guy did locate you. This place was intact when I did my walk through.” He stuck his head in the bathroom, stepped right back out, and then motioned for her to join him.

If for no other reason than to give himself something to do, Cash kept his arm around her waist. He’d felt this kind of anger before, wanted to kill somebody with his bare hands, but that was war. Well, the sonofabitch who’d done this damage had declared his own personal brand of warfare. Cash would answer that call too.

Scrawled across the mirror with lipstick were the words, “Now you’re dead.”

“It’s Ray. He’s crazier than I thought.” Stacey paled, and Cash pulled her closer.

“I need you two to wait outside,” Kelly announced. “If you want to hang around until we sort this out, fine. Or I can call you when you can come back.”

“I need clothes.” Stacey balked.

“We’ll get you some new things tomorrow.” Cash steered her toward the hall. “For now, let’s go to the ranch. You’re dead on your feet.”

“Last chance to withdraw your offer.” Her gaze locked on his. The fear in her eyes cut a hole in his chest. “Be sure.”

“I am.” His heart double clutched at the frustration and underlying terror in her voice. “For what it’s worth, I intend to keep you safe.”

She glanced over her shoulder at the carnage. “That means more to me than you can imagine.” She lowered her gaze to her feet. “If Ms. Winston and Lance were killed because of me, you could be in danger. I feel guilty asking you to risk your life.”

“You’re not. I volunteered.” Cash gathered her in his arms and crushed her to his chest. Her sad eyes and downturned lips had ripped him apart. Leaning down, he slid his thumb under one of her eyes, catching a single tear that had escaped. “It’s late. Let’s go home.”

Chapter Six

The phrase “Let’s go home,” replayed in Stacey’s head, wrapping around her like one of her mother’s homemade quilts. She’d never heard sweeter words. She tucked them away in her heart for safekeeping. She prayed they’d find Ray before he did any more harm. No one else could die because of her. The thought of putting Cash and his employees in danger turned her stomach into a churning caldron.

“Hey.” Cash’s fingers on her cheek sent a warm shudder through her system. “Where’d you go?”

“If something happens to you because of me...” She swallowed back the rest of the sentence. He’d just brush off her concerns and worry more about her safety than his own.

“Nothing’s going to happen.” His tone was self-assured and confident.

“I hope you’re right. Locating Ray would clear up a few questions. I really don’t think Dad would break his promise and tell anyone I’d moved home, but I have to call and ask.”

Cash jerked his hand away as if touching her shocked him.

“There’s no need to involve him.” Cash parked next to the house, turning to face her. “Unless you want your dad to come to Oak Hill.”

“You’re probably right.” She blanched at the darkness of Cash’s tone. What was he not saying? Would he tell her if she asked? Maybe she should wait until he was ready to open up.

The house was dark except for one exterior light. Memories of sitting out on the porch counting fireflies rushed her. She was thrilled he’d bought this place and made it his own.

He unlocked the door and led her down the hall, stopping outside her old bedroom.

“You okay staying in here?”

“Of course.” She flipped the light switch unsure what she’d see. Decorated in pastels greens and white oak furniture, a wicker chair occupied the space her old lounger used to fill. The space resembled a picture from a Better Homes and Garden spread. “It’s lovely.”

“Wait.” His arm went around her shoulder. “I should have my ass kicked for not realizing this room would have too many memories. Come to one of the other guest rooms.”

“No. This is fine.” A strange sadness settled on her heart. Did he consider her just another guest? “You don’t want me to sleep with you?”

“More than you can imagine.” His gray eyes darkened like storm clouds. “But when or if you come to my bed, you need to be sure. Positive. We’re not kids any longer, I want more.”

She stood mesmerized by the man in front of her. He was right. She hadn’t had a rational thought since hearing Ms. Winston was dead. Bone tired and scared out of her wits wasn’t conducive for making good decisions.

“Thank you.”

He pulled her against his rock hard chest and held her for a second. Seemed like he’d done that a lot over the past few hours. She couldn’t find words to tell him how much that simple action meant to her.

“I’ll probably be in the barn when you get up.” His finger hooked under her chin, lifting until her gaze met his. “You’ll come down?”

“Sure.” She could’ve stayed inside his strong arms forever, but after a soft brush of his lips, she was alone with her thoughts.

She undressed for bed, fighting back the depression of probably being responsible for two people lying in the morgue. The reality of the possibility pressed hard on her heart.

She slipped between the sheets, thinking the soft colors of the room were soothing. She was safe here with Cash. Tall, proud, and successful Cash. A very different person than the boy she’d known. The horse ranch made her think he’d come home to stay, but had he?

Crickets sang outside in the yard, lulling her to sleep. She drifted off, wondering if this was firefly season.

****

The aroma of cinnamon had pulled her out of a troubled sleep earlier than she normally rose on the weekend. It afforded her not only the chance to eat the best sweet roll she’d ever had, she’d met Cash’s housekeeper, Ginger. Short and round with a twinkle in her eyes, she’d welcomed Stacey. They chatted and laughed like old friends.

She made the short walk to the barn remembering mornings when it would’ve been her dad she was hunting. She entered the building and forgot about the past. Cash was backing out of a stall pulling a wheelbarrow. Her mind whirled at the sight before her. His shirt, damp with sweat, clung to him, outlining his muscular stomach and shoulders.

“Morning, Sug.”

His words slid down her spine, sending chill bumps across her skin. He removed his leather gloves and western hat, and then wiped sweat from his brow. She concentrated her energy on delivering the iced tea she’d brought him.

“For me? Careful you’ll spoil me.” He took the glass and then drank the contents without coming up for air.

“I can’t take credit. Ginger sent it.”

“Her method of delivery has improved.” He settled his hat back in place. “Did you sleep okay?”

“Like a rock. Something about this place always made me feel safe.” She rose on tiptoes for a kiss. “Might’ve been because you were just down the hall.”

“Hmm.” He smiled down at her from under the brim of his hat. “Knowing you were that close had the opposite effect on me.” He eased into her space, lowering his face close to hers. “I smell cinnamon.”

“Ginger saved me a roll. I love her by the way.”

“Good. ’Cause she’s got a heart big as Texas.”

“I could tell.” Stacey glanced around the barn. “This place must take a lot of work. Where are your ranch hands?”

“Ramon’s gone to town to pick up a load of feed, and Henry’s around here somewhere.” An impish grin slid across Cash’s face. “We’re not alone, but I could arrange it.”

Heat churned low in her belly every time he dropped his voice to that sexy whisper. “I do have a few hours before I have to be at work. Don’t tempt me.”

“But I like tempting you.” He moved back to the wheelbarrow, lifting it without effort. “I’m finished here. Let’s drive into town and get you some clothes. I had a text from Kelly this morning. He’ll meet us and let you past the crime scene tape to gather a few things. The rest we’ll buy.”

“I’ll try to piece together enough to get by, but I really need my boots. Do you think while he’s there, Kelly will tell us if he’s investigating Ray?”

“Probably not.” Cash rolled his shoulders and slipped on his gloves. “Let me dump this manure and get back to the house. I’ll call Ash Hunter. He’s an old Army buddy who’s on the Houston police department. Maybe he can covertly dig into Ray’s past and whereabouts.”

She leaned against a stall gate and watched him finish his work. A myriad of emotions swirled through her with every ripple of his muscles. Cash triggered surges of hormones, flirted shamelessly, and bent over backwards to watch over her. Still, she couldn’t read behind that storm cloud in his eyes. He’d said he’d want more if they made love. How much more? Was he hinting at a commitment? Could she trust him with her heart? Or should she protect herself?

“Hello?” Cash towered over her. An I-caught-you-daydreaming smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

Geesh, she was losing it. He’d finished and was ready to walk her back to the house. Must be fear bouncing her emotions and decisions back and forth.

“Sorry, my mind wandered.” She fought back the rush of blood to her cheeks.

“As long as it wandered to me.” He coiled his fingers around hers. “Come on, I need to grab a shower.”

Was it the sun or Cash that warmed her heart on the walk to the house? Stacey was pretty sure she knew the answer to that question.

Cash left her at the guest bedroom door and headed for the bathroom. She curled up in the wicker chair next to the bed to wait. She considered joining him but remembered her dad didn’t have her new phone number. She could at least give that to him. She grabbed her throwaway cell and dialed his number. Wait until he heard where she was staying. Talk about irony.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Stacey? Where the hell are you?” he barked.

“In Oak Hill, right where I told you I’d be.”

“Then why haven’t you returned my calls?”

“Sorry. I changed phones and forgot to tell you. It’s been hectic here.” She hoped
hectic
would suffice. She rattled off the new number. “So, how are you? How’s Marie? I don’t have long to talk.”

He’d gotten angry when she announced her decision to move home. Maybe she could change his mood. “Guess who bought our old home place and turned it into made a horse ranch?”

“I’m not good at games. Who are we talking about?”

“You remember Cash Butler?”

“Of course I know that white trash. Bastard kid’s mama didn’t have two dimes to rub together. How’d he pull off a deal like that?”

“What a horrible thing to say.” His tone shocked her. He’d always been a bit of a snob, but this was a new side of him. “Cash has worked hard to fix up the place.” She glanced around at the decor of the room. “In fact, I’m here right now.”

The line went silent. She had enough problems without him being unreasonable. “Hello?”

“What has he told you?”

“About what?”

“Stay away from him.”

“Why would I? And why are you acting this way?”

“Butler’s why you left Houston, isn’t he? I’ll not have that bastard worming his way into this family. You get your ass back to Houston.”

“Stop it. I’m not a kid that you can order around, and I’m not coming back,” Stacey snapped out of frustration. Her father had always tried to pick her friends, but his attitude toward Cash was beyond her understanding.

He grunted something Stacey could hardly make her mind believe what she’d heard. She picked out the words ‘should’ve sent him to jail.’

“Wait a minute.” Realization swept across like wildfire. “Talk to me, Dad. What did you do?” Everything thing fell into place. Cash’s negative reaction when the subject of her father came up. Brady’s and Bubba’s comments. They knew something she didn’t. “I mean it. Tell me.”

“I did what every good father would’ve done. I made damn sure he stayed away from you. I’ll not apologize.”

“He’s why we moved? Dad, how could you?”

Her question was met with silence.

“I can’t talk to you right now.”

She ended the call and stared out the window not knowing whether to cry or rage against the injustice. Her heart weighed heavy in her chest. All this time wasted. All this time, she’d blamed Cash for running out on her. She dropped her head to her hands and cried tears for the lost years.

The faint scent of soap and woodsy cologne pulled her attention to the open doorway. His long legs carried him across to her. Concern furrowed his eyebrows.

“What’s wrong?”

“I know what my father did to you. To us.” The pain of betrayal swamped her, flooding her cheeks. “He drove you away. Didn’t he?”

He knelt in front of her and thumbed away her tears. “It’s history. Forgotten. You’re here with me now, and that’s all that matters.” His facial expression revealed nothing.

“It’s not forgotten. How could you not blame me? I certainly blamed you.”

“Nonsense.”

The young Cash had been talkative and open. The grownup version seemed unwilling to talk about the past. Stacey had to understand what happened so long ago.

“I thought you’d abandoned me. Disappeared, preferring the military to me. At least that’s what I was told over and over.”

Cash stared out the window for a long time. Had she pushed too hard?

“Will you tell me what happened?”