Rescued by the Ranger (18 page)

Rachel shook her head. “No. Thanks, but I couldn’t eat anything now.” Her smile was slightly strained, but she was clearly trying to keep it together.

“Rachel, this is Jase Richards. We’ve been friends since we were kids, enlisted together, and went through Ranger training side by side. You can trust him.”

“Hey, beautiful lady. Garrett wasn’t lying.” Jase shook the hand she offered.

“I don’t think we were expecting you until tomorrow. Is something wrong?” As usual, Rachel cut through the bullshit.

Jase glanced at Garrett, obviously not sure how much he should share.

Garrett wanted to put them both at ease. “You can tell Rachel anything you’d tell me.” He cupped her chin and turned her face so he could study her eyes. “But maybe not tonight. I think I’ll take you back to the hotel.” He kissed her lips gently and looked up in time to see Jase grinning at his own feet.

“Jase.” The word was a warning.

“What? I didn’t say anything.”

Garrett snorted a laugh. “Where are you staying?”

“Comfort Inn near the freeway.”

“We’ll pick you up at six, have breakfast, and hit the road.”

“I’ll be ready.” He gave an informal salute. “It’s damn good to see you, Garrett.”

“You know it.” Garrett shook his hand and then the two of them bumped elbows as they’d done as part of their secret handshake when they were kids. Then they both broke up in laughter. Damn. It really was good to see him. Maybe leaving the army wouldn’t be the worst thing that ever happened.

“Goodnight, Jase.” Rachel waved her hand as Garrett led her up the path toward the street and the Explorer.

As soon as they left the crowd behind, he unhooked the leash from Cowboy’s collar and gave him the command to heel. A few minutes later, Garrett let the dog clamber over the front seat and disappear into the back before he closed Rachel inside the cab of the Explorer and strode around to the other side. He hadn’t missed the fact she’d started shaking about halfway back. On the off chance she was only cold, he started the engine and turned the heater on high as soon as it warmed up. It didn’t seem to help.

He was about to pull away from the curb when Rachel’s phone chirped. It took her three rings to fish it from her bag. Her shaking hand, holding the device, made it clear to Garrett who was calling. He reached for the phone. “Let me take it.”

Rachel shook her head. “No. Jeremy can’t know you’re here. I have to do this.” She pressed the speaker button. “What do you want now, Jeremy?”

Garrett was proud of the strength in her voice when he knew how her insides were quaking. This answered their question. Jeremy wasn’t under house arrest at the lodge tonight. He could be anywhere.

“Rachel. I’m glad to see you getting out again. It’s been a long time.” His voice, muffled and clearly disguised, filled the cab.

She glanced sharply at Garrett, fear in her eyes. Sitting up straighter, she pulled the phone closer to her mouth. “I couldn’t care less what makes you happy. When are you going to stop hiding and face me?”

Garrett raised his hand and brought it down slowly in a gesture he hoped would warn her not to intentionally annoy him. He didn’t want the jerk upset with Rachel. If Jeremy needed someone to take out his anger on, Garrett would gladly accept that role.

“Patience, my love. It won’t be long before we’re together. However, I’m a bit exasperated with you. Have you forgotten what I did to the last man who had the audacity to take what was mine?
Have you?
”

Rachel’s face had gone white. “No, I haven’t forgotten.”

“Yet you flaunt your new boyfriend in front of my face?”

“He’s not my boyfriend. We’re just friends.” Panic edged her voice.

“And you’re willing to lie for him. You can see that I have no choice, right?”

Garrett reached for her hand that held the phone, pulling it toward him. “Come and get me, Jeremy. Let’s finish this.”

“You’ll be sorry, Rachel.” Jeremy was gone, the connection dead, before either of them could say more.

“Turn it off.” Garrett released her hand, knowing full well she was pissed as hell at him.

“Why did you do that? I could have convinced him that there was nothing between us.”

“You heard him. He already knew about us.” He let his fingers trail down her arm to rest on her thigh. “I think it’s safe to say he’s been watching for a while now. But we’ve got something going for us that Chance didn’t have. We know Jeremy’s coming.”

Rachel covered her face with her hands, slid them upward through her hair, and turned toward the window. The sun had set, and dusk’s gray light settled quickly over the trees around the lake. Garrett pointed the car toward the hotel.

Rachel’s silence was broken only by intermittent bouts of shaking. Shock, probably. It’d been one hell of a long day, physically and emotionally. He should have seen this coming and called a halt to anything but rest a long time ago. That’s what she needed, and that’s what she’d get for the remainder of the night.

On the way up in the elevator, she clung to him and trembled. As soon as the door opened, he swung her into his arms and strode down the long hallway to their door, unlocked it, and pushed it open. Cowboy followed them in and guarded the door until Garrett set her on her feet, handed her something flannel from her bag, and pointed her toward the bathroom. Then he retraced his steps to lock the door, gave Cowboy a biscuit, and scratched the dog’s ears as he moved alongside him to the center of the room.

Garrett waited until he heard the water running in the bathroom sink before he stepped out onto the deck with his cell phone in his hand. Cowboy pressed against his legs as Garrett leaned into the railing and dialed Luke’s number. Part of him wanted to keep the news about the senator’s impending arrival to himself on the chance he’d change his mind and stay the hell away. But it wouldn’t be like his father to say one thing and do another. Garrett had to warn the occupants of the lodge, because unless he missed his guess, at least one of them would be very unhappy.

“Hey, Garrett. I didn’t expect to hear from
you
tonight. Everything okay?” The familiar warmth of Luke’s voice made him homesick.

“Depends on your definition of
okay
.” Garrett paused and raked a hand through his hair. “Jase showed up early.”

“Any particular reason?” A hint of concern came through in Luke’s tone.

Garrett laughed scornfully. “Came to see me personally to tell me Dad would be showing up at the lodge tomorrow.”

“Oh shit. What’s goin’ on?” Tension flooded Luke’s voice.

Garrett switched gears. “Have you spoken with Aunt Peg about Amanda?”

Luke sighed heavily. “Yeah.”

“Do you believe her?”

“I don’t know. I want to because she’s a damn fine lady, but Dad— Yeah, he’s a hard-ass and an SOB but . . . to cut Mom loose without trying to help her—I just don’t know if I can buy that.”

Garrett closed his eyes and the silence between them lengthened. He respected Luke’s opinion. His honesty was exactly what Garrett needed in order to give his father a chance to be heard tomorrow before sending him packing. “I didn’t want you or Aunt Peg to be surprised by the senator. He’s somehow involved with the man you’ve got locked up. He’s arriving there at noon by helicopter. If I’m not there by then, you’ll have to break the news to Aunt Peg and Jonathan so no one shoots the old man before he says his piece.”

“Jeez, Garrett. Do you think that’s a good idea?”

“Hell no. I think it stinks, but I don’t have any control over him.” Garrett turned at a sound behind him. Rachel was backlit by the light from the bathroom, and Garrett’s heart took on a wild rhythm of its own. Reluctantly, he turned his attention to the phone. “One more thing, Luke. This means your captive isn’t Rachel’s stalker, so keep your eyes open.”

“Got it. I’ll let Jonathan know.”

“Good idea. By the way, how’s Sally? I noticed you couldn’t keep your eyes off her this morning.” A smile curled Garrett’s lips and humor vibrated in his voice.

Luke chuckled. “Isn’t it time you hung up, bro?”

“Could be. See you tomorrow.” Garrett ended the call, and knelt to pat the dog vigorously before motioning him inside, following him, and closing the slider behind them.

Rachel sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed. Her hair was brushed and shining, hanging in ringlets across her shoulders. The
something flannel
he’d handed her to wear wasn’t the warm, practical sleepwear he’d had in mind. A teal-colored short-sleeved top hugged her breasts in stark relief and stopped about three inches short of her waistline. The cute little plaid boxers she wore with it were tight and brief, and he ached to touch her where the fabric stretched across her skin. He swallowed hard and dragged his gaze to her face.

She was apparently inspecting something below his waist, and Garrett had a pretty good idea what it was since the past thirty seconds had resulted in a raging hard-on. Continuing her perusal upward, she eventually met his gaze and a teasing smile erupted on her beautiful face.

Cowboy padded over to the bed and laid his head near her leg. She stretched forward and scratched the dog, crooning to him about what a good boy he was. Her top slid farther up her back, revealing even more skin. Garrett was sure he would bust out of his zipper, all the while wishing she was rubbing her hands over him and telling him what a
bad
boy he was.

“Are you feeling better now?” He turned away to get a grip and kicked off his shoes. Rest. That was what she needed. Isn’t that what he’d told himself?

“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks for asking. I think everything got to me all at once when that guy wouldn’t let go of my arm and then Jeremy called. I get a little panicky in crowds anyway. I’m better now.”

“That’s good.” He unbuttoned his shirt, shrugged out of it, and tossed it across the back of a chair, weighing the benefits of a cold shower to his present situation.

Rachel sighed and Garrett glanced toward her to make sure she was all right. She was looking down, toying with a piece of string or something on the comforter. “Um . . . were you talking to Luke? Is everything okay at the lodge?”

Garrett sat on the edge of the bed and slid his hand down her satiny-smooth legs, noting an instant too late that touching her probably wasn’t the best idea. “Everyone’s fine.” He paused, searching for the right words. “I have to tell you something, and you’re not going to like it.”

She didn’t reply, so he glanced over his shoulder. Her eyes met his, all seriousness now. “What is it?”

Garrett gave her a quick overview of his conversation with Jase and then again with Luke. He didn’t know what her reaction might be, but he wouldn’t be surprised if she blew up and tried to forbid the senator from entering the lodge. Instead, she scooted closer so she could explore his biceps with her small hands. His blood heated at her touch.

He remained motionless until he couldn’t withstand the torture of not touching her back. “Okay, that’s enough. You’re going to get some rest tonight if I have to sleep in the car.” He tried to sound authoritative and convincing, but she moved closer still.

Leaning her breasts into his back, her arms encircled him, dragging the tips of her fingernails across his chest, down his abs, to where his jeans rode low on his hips. A growl rumbled from his throat as what was left of his control crumbled into fine dust.

Chapter Sixteen

“W
HY ARE YOU
staring at me?” Rachel stretched sleepily seconds after waking to find Garrett propped up on his elbow, leaning over her.

His disarmingly sexy smile made her heart thump as he slowly covered her lips with his in an amazingly tender kiss. Then he grinned. “I’m used to waking up with a dog in my face—literally. I’m just taking a few minutes to appreciate my change of fortune.”

She laughed. “Always nice to know who the competition is, but how could a girl possibly contend with Cowboy?” She moved closer, kissing Garrett’s neck just below his ear.

He moaned and enfolded her in his arms, drawing her toward him until the thick, hard ridge of his manhood pressed against her stomach. Warm lips met hers, sucking and sipping, until time seemed to stand still. “Cowboy, who?” he breathed against her lips at one point, and she giggled, the sound muffled by his tongue intertwined with hers.

Then he rolled onto his back, lifting her effortlessly until she straddled his hips. “I believe you said something about wanting the top?”

“You remembered.”

“I remember everything,” he said as desire darkened his eyes.

Rachel leaned forward and he lifted her again, one hand on each side of her waist, impaling her slowly and deliciously on his rigid staff. When he was fully seated and they were both breathing heavily, his grip on her backside set the rhythm. Heated friction drove her nearly mad with desire, and she closed her eyes, letting the sensations transport her to a world of unimagined delight.

T
HEIR EARLY MORNING
antics had made them late. They’d had to get dressed and fly out the door in order to make it to Jase’s motel at the appointed hour. Now, sitting beside Garrett in the front seat of the Explorer, every time his steamy gray eyes rested on her, the reason for their distraction came back in living color. Based on the grin he tried unsuccessfully to hide, he hadn’t forgotten, either.

Rachel wasn’t likely to ever put aside the memory of waking this morning, curled snugly in the strong arms of Garrett Harding. For the first time in many years, she’d felt as though she wasn’t alone. That Garrett cared about her and was willing to prove it by standing beside her while Jeremy slammed them with the worst he had. She was falling in love with Garrett even though it was premature and irresponsible. In the end, she’d probably get hurt. Still, sometime between dinner last night, meeting Jase, and hearing the news about Senator Harding’s planned visit to the lodge, she’d accepted Garrett as a man worth fighting for. Forget that he’d spent a third of his life in the army, embracing the customs of a nomad. Never mind that the only home he knew was in California. He’d be returning there in the near future . . . unless she could change his mind. And wasn’t she always up for a challenge?

He leaned toward her as he pointed out her side window at a small herd of deer munching the tall grass of a meadow. His spicy aroma invaded her senses and intensified memories of the night before. Instantly, her breathing grew ragged, her heart drummed in her ears, and the temperature in her corner of the Explorer shot up to about a hundred degrees. All too aware of Jase sitting directly behind her, she shifted self-consciously as her barely there panties dampened.

She bore the heat for as long as she could and then hastily rolled down her window, letting the cool mountain air blow through her hair and fill the vehicle with woodsy scents. When she sneaked a peek at Garrett, feeling conspicuously like a schoolgirl, he reached to slide his fingers down her cheek, his eyes still on the road.

Within seconds, his gaze darted to her face, and he moved his hand to her arm, squeezing gently. “Damn, sweetheart, you’re awfully warm. What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

Rachel was sure she took on another shade of red while trying to signal him with her eyes to let it go. “I’m fine. I was just really . . . hot.”

His quizzical expression only deepened, and his gaze swept her face for a heartbeat before a heated flicker danced in his eyes and a crooked grin settled in place. “Shit. You’re killing me over here.” Garrett’s words were barely above a whisper.

Her lips curved involuntarily, and she shook her head slowly. “We should be bone tired and sick of each other.”

“Well, you’ve got the bone tired part right, but we’re just getting started, sweetheart.” Garrett winked and desire pooled low in her stomach.

Cowboy barked, and Rachel jumped.

Jase patted the shepherd’s side. “I agree, boy. They’re talking all hot and nasty like we’re not even here. Jeez, guys! Get a room.”

Garrett’s lips thinned and his eyes darkened as he glanced in the rearview mirror.

Rachel placed her hand on his thigh and shook her head discreetly when he focused on her. She laughed, maybe a bit too loudly. “Sounds like Jase is jealous.”

“Damn it to hell! You’ve got that right!” Jase slapped the back of her seat and chortled.

Garrett’s tentative smile gradually grew, and finally he joined in their laughter, but clearly, whatever had upset him still resided in the shadows around his eyes. What was it that had made him so instantly angry? He was protective of her, but did that extend to teasing remarks made by lifelong friends in fun? Or did he object to being paired with her in the minds of people he knew?

Rachel forced herself to leave that particular line of thought alone since it directly contradicted her need to convince Garrett to stay. If it turned out he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, then she’d know, but this was one case when she wasn’t going to read between the lines.

Cowboy squeezed through the narrow opening of the seats, greeted Garrett with a lick on the chin, then leaned against Rachel, his head and neck lying in her lap. She stroked his thick fur for several minutes until he plopped down between her and Garrett, apparently settling in for a nice nap. Between the warmth of the sun in the small cab and the world flying by outside her window, she was close to dropping off herself. She was aware of the guys speaking in quiet voices, but she hadn’t kept track of their conversation. Something about the letters and if they still existed. They had to be talking about the letters Amanda had written. Garrett sounded sad. Amanda had been sad much of the time as well. A family ripped apart by lies and deceit.

R
ACHEL
’
S HEAD BANGED
against the door frame, and she came instantly awake.

“Welcome back, sleepyhead.” Garrett smiled and winked, the same desire in his eyes that she remembered from before she’d closed hers just to rest for a few minutes.

Again, her body responded in kind, but this time she stopped short of voicing her thoughts. Instead, she glanced over her shoulder to where Jase and Cowboy lounged. “How long was I out?” Obviously, she’d been asleep for a while. They’d just turned off the highway onto Cougar Ridge Road, which led directly to the lodge. They were home.

“A couple of hours,” Jase replied. “I was about to check for signs of life.”

Garrett turned toward her. “Feel better? Ready to meet my father? You realize you can opt out of this, right?”

“Are you kidding? I need someone to hold all that misplaced anger I tagged you with. I wouldn’t miss this.” She smiled reassuringly. “Besides, your father is only a tiny blip on my screen. Don’t forget I have to face Peg, too. I hurt her so badly by leaving the way I did, she may not forgive me. I may be looking for a new place to live after all.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that. Aunt Peg thinks you’re pretty special. Even I can see that. She may be a bit upset, but she’ll understand once you explain.” Garrett smiled encouragingly.

They turned the last corner and the lodge appeared before them. A sleek black helicopter sat in the middle of the meadow, and three men with ear gadgets and bulges beneath their suit jackets trampled the pretty wildflowers down to nothing in a circle around the craft.

A smaller, more businesslike version of Garrett stepped out of the chopper. Senator Douglas Harding was a good-looking man for his age. He had the tan of a hardworking outdoorsman, and it contrasted nicely with his full head of silver hair, although the aviator sunglasses were a bit much.

Rachel tensed, and Garrett reached for her hand. “I’m going to let you out at the lodge. Then I’m coming back and I’m going to set a few ground rules before we get started. One thing you should know—my father invented the intimidation factor, but don’t let him get to you because it’s all just part of the facade.”

Jonathan appeared at Garrett’s window as soon as they stopped in front of the lodge. He searched Rachel’s face before he focused on Garrett. “Peg’s pretty upset. Said she doesn’t want the senator in her home.”

Garrett raked a hand through his hair, glanced at Rachel, then toward Luke, who’d just joined the group. “Well . . . it’s her call. If she doesn’t want him in there, I’m happy to tell him he wasted his time.”

Jase leaned forward. “Your old man’s come a long way, Garrett. Let’s at least hear what he has to say. We can talk back there in the field if we have to.”

Rachel touched Garrett’s arm. “Jase is right. We could meet on the back patio. It wouldn’t be completely private, but there are plenty of chairs, and I can ask Dory to bring out some coffee and iced tea.”

Pride shone in his eyes as Garrett smiled. “Jonathan, do you think that would that be all right with Aunt Peg?”

Jonathan and Luke both nodded.

Garrett turned to Rachel again. “Will you talk to her? Explain why we have to hear him out?”

She opened her door and swung her legs out. “I’ll do my best. Give me ten minutes.”

Jase jumped out, and Luke hopped into the front seat. Garrett backed the Explorer out of its parking spot and retraced their path across the bridge. He stopped on the edge of the road across from where Senator Harding paced.

As soon as the car halted, Harding started forward. The two brothers stepped from the car and went to meet him. Rachel turned toward the house even though there was nothing she’d like better than to witness this reunion. Impatience had defined Harding’s body language, but heaven help him if he voiced his intolerance to Garrett today. A small smile surfaced before she wiped it away and focused on the task at hand.

Quickly she made the introductions between Jonathan and Jase. “Would the two of you check the patio, please? Make sure there are enough chairs and that they’ve been wiped down today. Can’t have the senator from California getting his ass dirty.”

Jonathan snickered. “I’ll take care of it, Rachel.” His gaze settled on her for a moment. “It’s good to have you back.”

Rachel was certain his perusal had stripped her of any privacy. Surely he would guess what had transpired between her and Garrett. If he couldn’t tell just by looking, no doubt the blush that heated her features and did a slow burn clear to her ears would give him the rest of the details.

“Are Sally and Jen still here?”

Jonathan nodded. “Luke talked them into staying till the end of the week, just in case.”

“Good. That was thoughtful of Luke. Remind me to thank him when this is over.”

“I don’t think he did it for you, Rach.”

Jonathan’s amused grin confused her. It wasn’t until he and Jase veered off to head toward the back patio that Rachel got the meaning behind his words.
Huh! Luke interested in Sally?
Evidently a lot had happened in the day she’d been gone.

Outside the lobby, Alan Taylor stood talking with another familiar guest of the lodge. Hugh Findley had made it here for every early black bear hunt Rachel could remember. It was customary for two or three of his friends to also descend on the resort, and a good time would be had by all for the better part of a week.

The way Alan and Hugh were gesturing at the helicopter and the men in the field, it was obvious what they were discussing, but they both smiled as she approached. “There you are, Rachel. We missed you at dinner last night.” Alan’s greeting was friendly, but she got the feeling he was waiting for her to explain where she’d been, and that wasn’t happening.

She forced a cheery smile, glancing around for Mrs. Taylor, but didn’t see her. “Rest assured I’ll be there tonight, Alan, and Peg probably won’t let me escape again until the summer season is over.” She turned toward Hugh and offered her hand. “Welcome back. It’s so good to see you again. I’m just going into a meeting, but we’ll have time to catch up this evening. Have either of you seen Peg?”

Alan and Hugh eventually agreed that she’d been heading for the kitchen the last time they’d seen her, so Rachel excused herself and strode down the long hallway that led to the cooking and laundry facilities. Peg was alone in the kitchen, sitting at a long side table, her face buried in her hands, shoulders shaking with sobs.

“Peg?” Rachel hurried to her side. “What’s wrong?”

Peg’s head jerked up, and she hastily wiped her tears. She rose and wrapped Rachel in her arms. “Thank God you’re home. You mustn’t ever leave like that again, dear. My heart couldn’t take it.”

A blanket of guilt dropped over Rachel’s shoulders. “I’m so sorry, Peg. I’ll explain everything when we have more time. I had a good reason . . . or at least I thought I did, but no, I won’t ever leave again without saying good-bye.”

Peg’s struggle to control her emotions was obvious. About halfway successful, she turned her red-rimmed eyes toward Rachel. “He’s still here, isn’t he?”

“If you mean Senator Harding—yes. But Garrett is here, too, and he won’t let his father be disrespectful to you.” Rachel wiped away a stray tear that rolled down Peg’s cheek.

“I’m afraid—” She hiccupped and turned her face away.

Rachel sat in the chair next to her and pulled her into a tight embrace. “You don’t have to be afraid. Jonathan, Garrett, and I are here for you, and the minute Harding says something out of line, he’s out of here.”

Peg smiled through her tears. “I know, dear. I’m not afraid of Douglas.” She pulled a Kleenex from her pocket and wiped her nose. “Amanda told me the drugs affected her judgment—made her irresponsible. She slept a lot. She wasn’t there for the boys sometimes when they needed her. I’ve never told anyone, but I’ve always had a gut feeling there was more. In all the years we had together, Amanda never told me what really happened—what convinced her to go through with the divorce and sign away custody of her boys. Did one of them fall down the stairs when she wasn’t around to supervise them? Take a header off the swing set? Did she lose one at the supermarket? She never said . . . and I didn’t ask, because I knew deep down that it would change things between us. She needed me. I was all she had.”