Secrets and Lace (Lonely Lace #2) (11 page)

Chapter 13

The pain hit her at the same time the heat did. Stabbing knives covered her body, taking her breath away as the numbness disappeared. She cried out, unable to stop the sobs as her body begged for relief.

“Here, drink this.” Robbie hovered over her, holding something to her lips. She couldn’t fight him. The pain crippled her. And then he poured something into her mouth that felt like fire, but like a warm fire, more like how fire looks than feels. As she swallowed, the effects of the brandy spread, reaching her fingertips and toes, seeming to push the pain back just enough she could breathe again. Just enough she could manage it without losing her sanity.

Fighting the sudden weariness that seeped so far into her, even deeper than the cold, Amelia blinked up at Robbie. She swallowed again, trying to get her throat into a manageable state. “Where’s Mac?” The croak that came out of her mouth horrified her, but it was the best effort she could give.

Robbie brushed hair from her forehead, tucking blankets tighter around her shoulders. “He’s fine. I already called the clinic and checked in with Doctor O’Donald. Nurse Shelley is watching him, spoiling him with candies and treats and Cats Cradle. I’m surprised that old lady is still around.” His smile seemed relieved as he looked at her, but Amelia could have imagined it. Who knew what kind of damage she’d sustained in the cold. “Doc’s coming out as soon as she finishes with Slate and two other patients that came in with emergencies.”

“How’s Slate?” Two words at a time. She’d conquer the damn freeze with two words at a time. Damn it.

“He’s conscious, but I don’t know if that’s good or bad. Doc wouldn’t give me more specifics than that. She should be here soon. I’m supposed to get you into the bath as soon as you’re awake – which is now. Are you ready?” He studied her intently with eyes so blue she could have fallen into their depths.

Water. More water. The bath would be warm and wasn’t rushing around her, thrusting her against boulders and rocks, but the tremor of trepidation at the idea of water tensed her and she closed her eyes. Yet she nodded. If Becky suggested it for Amelia, then it would be good for her.

She pushed on the bed with arms that still felt weighted. Wobbly, she got a half-inch at best. She sagged back against the mattress, exhausted.

“I got you.” Robbie reached under her and lifted her with one arm, the other he held close to his side. She’d never noticed how he favored one arm over the other. With most of her weight carried by his side, they reached the bathroom. In the bright light, she realized she was in her underwear. Not her best-sexy-black-don’t-you-regret-leaving-me underwear either.

She groaned. Why did she even care about her panties?

“What’s the matter? You still hurt?” Robbie pushed the door shut and sat on the toilet lid, pulling her down to his lap. He looked her over, the heat in his gaze both discomfiting and sweet at once.

“You look fine. Well except for your scratches. Do they sting a lot?” He watched her with a slight smile on his smooth lips.

Alarm filled her. He could see her
body
. He could see what had happened to her young skin. How did she hide her stretch marks in the bathroom light? From him? He’d never see her as sexy again, if he saw the damage the pregnancy had done. She crossed her arms over her waist, hugging in her insecurity, not caring about the sharp pain each movement brought. She inhaled but that hurt her ribs and her throat. No matter what she did, she caused herself more pain. Where was the numbness when she needed it?

Robbie reached the short distance to the faucet of the bathtub and turned on the water, testing it for heat. Once he got it where he wanted it, he dropped the plug in. His eyes focused on hers. And the sudden seriousness of the moment struck her.

He’d saved her life. He came for her. Suddenly, she didn’t want to feel numb. She wanted to feel everything.

Robbie didn’t look away as he reached with one hand to the waistband of her panties and slid it down over the curve of her hip. He held her gaze as he lifted his leg which raised her butt so he could draw the underwear down over her curves and thighs.

She couldn’t breathe again and it had nothing to do with cold. Heat warmed her and she tried ignoring the fact that she sat on his lap with no underwear separating her from his touch.

She didn’t balk though, and held his gaze with her own as if daring him to do his worst – or his best. He arched an eyebrow as he reached for the clasp of her bra at her back, answering the challenge. Unhooking it, he pointedly looked down at her chest as her breasts sprang free, the material sliding down until it caught on her arms where they crossed over her stomach.

Amelia lifted her chin. She’d be damned if he’d embarrass her. She shed the bra with a flick of her wrists, recrossing her arms for her sanity.

Robbie’s gaze devoured her, burning her with intensity. But he didn’t stop there, he took in all of her, and an embarrassed heat raced up from her toes to her hair. Not one mark or fat spot escaped his notice.

Amelia wanted to cry. He could see her imperfections, her flaws. Everything she’d tried hiding the night before in the dark when she’d been in his arms. She closed her eyes, fighting the urge to break down right there, and show more weakness than just her looks. He’d always told her how beautiful she was. Now, he wouldn’t have any reason —

“I wish I’d been here to see you pregnant. I bet you were spectacular.” Husky with a dash of velvet, his words did more for her body than the alcohol he’d given her. “Look at you. You’re even more beautiful than before.” He pulled her head to his lips, kissing her forehead long and slow. “I’m so sorry I missed it. I don’t have… words, you know?”

Carefully, Robbie stood, helping her to stand and then step into the almost-full bath. He turned the water off. “Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be in the other room so you can have privacy.”

She watched him, unsure of what exactly had just happened. He’d missed her. Just those simple words thawed her anger toward him.

Lowering herself into the hot water, she sighed.
Oh thank you!
The pain of the heat stung at first, but melted in the cloying warmth of the water. Lapping at her skin, the water tugged and seeped away the frozen parts. A small shiver escaped her as the cold dissipated.

She leaned her head back, trying not to focus on the conflicting emotions roiling inside her.

Robbie’s voice carried through the bathroom door, muffled, the words unclear. His brief conversation ended abruptly. Seconds later, he knocked softly on the door before opening it. Careful to avert his eyes from her form, he focused on a spot just over her head. “That was Ronan. They found where the men had been but it looks like they slipped over the mountains just before Ronan’s posse showed up. The fire was still smoldering. They might’ve had a lookout.”

Amelia raised her knees. “Can you hand me a wash-cloth, please?”

He tossed one of the rolled blue squares from the sink to her. She covered her breasts the best she could in the water, thankful that at least he had only turned the light-dimmer to fifty-percent.

“So, can I ask you what’s going on? Who were those guys?” Throwing etiquette in the trash, Amelia jumped in to finding answers. “I mean they’re obviously here for you. That’s what they were yelling about. They said you owed them money and you did something to some guy named Johnson and now he’s dead.”

Robbie stepped back, alarm stealing the calm from his expression. He shook his head, lifting his hand as if to say stop. “I’m not the bad guy here, Amelia. I didn’t do anything intentionally.” He closed his eyes, pausing in the thick, expectant quiet. “That’s not true.”

“What is true? Why are you back? Is it because of them? I know I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t… can’t help hoping…” She swallowed, and tried to ignore the fact that she was extremely naked and vulnerable, maybe her head wasn’t working well yet, and there she was trying to confront Robbie MacAllister on intentions and plans and past deeds – in her birthday suit! “I don’t know what I was hoping for. Maybe for you to be here and active in Mac’s life? Maybe mine?” She’d said it, the words desperate to be heard. Her longing more controlling than any fear of rejection could be.

His jaw clenched, evidence that he held back what he really wanted to say. The potential that she didn’t want to know what his thoughts were was high, but she had to hear what he said, or she’d make herself sick worrying about it. “Just say it. Whatever it is, just – say it.” She tightened her thighs together, pulling her legs closer to her chest but slow so not to draw undue attention to her body.

“It’s not exactly the best time to talk about this.” He waved over her and the bath in general. “I mean, you’re not exactly well enough to speak coherently.”

Amelia sat up, water splashing over the side of the tub. “I’m not what?” She stood, the washcloth sloshing into the water at her calves. “The hell I’m not. I’m fine. Thank you. I’m just fine.” She sluiced the water off the planes of her body and stepped from the tub. True, she was a little weak and maybe even extremely tired, but the cold wasn’t a problem anymore.

She’d be damned if she’d bend over and unplug the bath to drain it. She reached for her robe hanging from the back of the door, not giving into the need to mask her nakedness with her arms until she was properly covered. “And for your information, there
isn’t
a better time, ever.”

Pushing her hair from her face, Amelia slid the green terrycloth robe around her. The tie knotted at the side, its tails slapping softly at knee height. She didn’t turn around or look back when the water gurgled in the drain. He’d pulled the plug while she’d dressed and stomped from the bathroom.

The light turned off behind her. He followed her out into the bedroom and living space.

I can do this. Just say what I’ve been dying to tell him for so long.
Amelia bit her lip. In the dark protection of her room, she’d had the courage to tell him off over and over – sometimes yelling sometimes whispering. But right then, after he’d done some pretty great things for her, said some even better ones, she couldn’t find the fight that she really needed to spout off to him.

He moved close to her back, placing his hands on her shoulders. Turning her toward him, he met her gaze in the soft lamplight. “Hey, I’m not sure you are fine until you’ve had a chance to get checked out by Doctor O’Donald. She’ll be here soon. Just give us time, okay? I just want to make sure you’re one-hundred-percent better before we take on anything too serious or try to solve the future.” Robbie rubbed up and down on her biceps, the movement slowly rocking her back and forth.

“How long are you staying?” She’d pass on his bullshit. Stepping to the right, she jutted her hip to the side and shook off his hands. She wasn’t one to be “handled” and especially not by a man – not this man either, no matter how much she craved him.

He dropped his arms to his sides and looked to the ground. After a shrug and meeting her gaze, he said. “I don’t know. I’d like to say forever, but I have bigger problems out
there
than I do
here
.” He ran his fingers through his thick, dark hair. “If you can believe that.” He raised the corner of his mouth in his famous side-smile, the one that had snagged her their first day in high school. She’d known him forever, but he’d never looked at her quite like that.

She thrust her jaw forward, speaking through tight teeth. “I can’t believe that you’re referring to your wife and child as problems.”

“My what?” Robbie stepped back, eyebrows tight.

Amelia had always referred to him as her husband, so it wasn’t too far off for her to blurt that out. She covered her mouth with her hand, eyes wide. 

Oh, crap, what had she just done?

Chapter 14

Had Robbie really just heard her right? Maybe she wasn’t getting better. Maybe he needed to run her into town immediately. She’d escalated to thinking that they were married?

While nothing would’ve made him happier – once upon a time, but she’d had Ronan send him away so long ago, her mental facilities might not be intact, if she thought they were. And he’d know, because nothing dashed hopes for a happily-ever-after faster than being told you weren’t wanted anymore.

“Um, well, there’s… well…” She mumbled from behind her palm, eyes wide.

“I can’t hear you. Why would you think we’re married?” Robbie scrunched his eyebrows together, pressing his lips into a tight line. Every time he talked to her, something new came out or she made up something. Truth was, it was getting ridiculous. 

She lowered her hand, revealing her chewing on the side of her bottom lip. Amelia took a deep breath, lifted her chin and met his gaze. “Because we are.”

Robbie jerked back, shock at the blatant lie and attempt at what? To control him? Make him stay? “The hell you say. I’ve never been married. See, I told you, you aren’t right in the head. Not yet.”

In a fierce display of anger, Amelia thrust her finger toward his chest, eyes bright. “No, damn it, Robbie. I’m fine! And I
am
your wife. Legal and lawful. I even have a paper to prove it.”

Conviction in her tone gave him pause more than the phrases. She really believed her story.

He wasn’t married. Of the two standing in that room, only one could be right but there was only one who’d just minutes earlier suffered from severe hypothermia, may still have lingering effects – and it wasn’t him. Robbie held out his hands. “Okay, Amelia. Fine. We’re married. Why don’t you lie down? I’m going to get something to eat and check to see if the doc is here.” If he stayed, she might make up more. Next thing he knew, he’d probably be a woman dressed for a ball in the eighteen-hundreds.

“What? That’s all you have to say? Fine?” Tears sparkled on her dark lashes. She ran her hands down her face, throwing her head back. “Is that it? Really? I don’t understand.”

“If we’re married, then I need to take care of you, right? So go lie down, now that you’re warmer, and get some rest.” He moved toward her, carefully directing her with an arm around her shoulders. Helping her to bed, he pulled back the covers and sat down after she’d climbed in. Tucking her in had too intimate a feel, even after their time together the night before. After her claim of marriage. He cleared his throat.

But Amelia leaned forward, grabbing his wrist. “But we are married. I swear.” And tears started to flow down her cheeks, falling like promises to dot the grey Egyptian cotton sheets. Her captivating scent pulled him, like the work of a love potion or magical dust. The pain in her voice crushed him, because he couldn’t be present in her alternate reality. She begged him to hear her and he tried. He really did. “We’re married. You and I belong together. We have a son. He’ll lose everything. You have to believe me.” She sagged against his arm, crying into the soft flannel of his shirt. “I have papers!” 

“Sh. I know.” Worried, Robbie patted her back. He’d never heard of hallucinations as an after-symptom of hypothermia, but he wasn’t a doctor and didn’t know every sign.

The digital clock on the nightstand displayed just after four in the afternoon. How long did it take to get a grown man stabilized before checking on other patients and then getting to a patient with a serious condition?

Robbie could’ve had her to the clinic by now with Slate’s truck. True, she’d be in worse condition, but that wasn’t the point. The point —

“Hello?” The front door slammed followed by loud boot steps on the wood floor. The pitter-pat of smaller feet echoed the bigger ones. “Amelia? Robbie?” Doctor O’Donald’s voice lowered but carried down the hall. “I’m sure she’s here, Mac. Let’s check your rooms first, okay?”

They burst through the door before the child could answer. His squeal of delight cut off anything else Robbie or Amelia could have said.

“Look, I’m sorry, but what the hell took so long? Hypothermia isn’t a joke.” Robbie stood, stepping to the side to allow Mac to his mother and he moved to the side to speak to Doctor O’Donald.

She nodded. “I understand your concern, Robbie. I came as fast as I could. You’re right, it’s pretty serious. But the two kids that came in after being trampled by a horse were pretty serious, too and their dad isn’t in town to help their mom. They deserved treatment, too. I’m not going to play favorites. You were capable of following directions, which you did.”

He nodded, instantly contrite. “You’re right, again, I’m sorry.” He touched her sleeve, speaking in low tones. “Listen, she’s fine physically, I think, but she’s having delusions or something. She’s adamant that we’re married. I’m not sure what’s going on in her head, but I need her to be okay, you know?”

Becky pulled back, looking him full in the face. “Married? You two? And what do you think of that?”

Robbie screwed up the left side of his face and scoffed. “I’ve never been married. I think something’s wrong with her.” He glanced at the clock again, next to the hugging mother and son – as they talked animatedly about their day. “I have some things I need to get done. I’ll be back in the morning. Is someone with Slate?”

Doctor O’Donald shook her head. “No, I brought him. He wouldn’t hear of letting me come out here by myself. He’s been bandaged and wrapped a ton – you boys have broad chests and shoulders which about wiped out my clinic’s supplies – he has medicine on board, too. Maybe before you leave, you could help me get him to his room?”

Robbie nodded, careful to avoid the sharp look Amelia threw his way at the doctor’s words. “Sure. I’ll grab some stuff to take with me first and I’ll meet you by your car.”

He offered a small smile to Amelia and Mac then left them to the doctor’s capable hands.

~~~

Drugging someone had to be illegal in every state – even Montana, but then again so was beating someone to death, even if it was to save your own life.

Robbie tucked the bottle of port wine under his left arm and rang the doorbell. He’d already laced the contents of the drink with a tranquilizer from Slate’s veterinarian stash on his way to Lacey Caverns. He’d had to run into town to get the wine. Apparently his brother had allowed the wine cellar to run dangerously low in Robbie’s absence. If Robbie stayed, he’d remedy that problem fast.

A sultry red-head answered the door in a satiny-robe-wanna-be-thing that showed more than it covered. Robbie averted his eyes from the shadows on her chest and beneath her belly. She raised an arm, sliding it up the edge of the dark walnut door and leaned provocatively against the frame. Looking him up and down, she purred. “Well, if it isn’t the long lost Robbie MacAllister. Wherever did you go, sugar? And how can we keep something as delicious as you around?”

Robbie swallowed. No way in hell was he sleeping with her. “Bethany? Wow, from the things I heard from Ronan… well, let’s just leave it at you’re a lot sexier than he let on.” Robbie offered his slow side smile – the one Amelia claimed had robbed her of her pants before they’d even gone on the first date.

A red heat swarmed up Bethany’s pale slightly freckled skin. She flipped long auburn locks over her shoulder and trailed a finger down her chest. Her eyes narrowed, she pursed her lips. “He said I wasn’t sexy? That’s too bad.” Robbie’s stomach rolled. Where had she been before him? She reeked of desperate sex. He’d only ever been around one other woman like that before and she’d belonged to Caracus’s gang for a month before they’d… ended her life. Desperation made people do crazy things.

He cleared his throat, holding out the bottle and jerking his head toward the barn. “Well, who cares what he says, right? Any man would be lucky to have you. I brought my favorite. It’s been forever since I’ve seen the James family.” Robbie leaned in a bit toward the interior of the home as if looking for Ronan. “Is he here? I was interested in some of the tack he has for sale.”

Bethany arched an eyebrow and lowered her arm to grab the bottle’s neck. She licked her lips, reminding Robbie of a bright orange orangutan. Even with her voluptuous hips and stare-at-me-now curves, the woman’s sluttiness came off her in waves, dimming any real appeal that she might have had.

Amelia’s freshness also contributed to the lack of interest Robbie had in the woman.

It didn’t matter how much Ronan paid, Robbie wasn’t sleeping with her. Something told him she might have more to give him than a good time.

“No, he’s not here tonight. Business. But I’d be happy to show you some…
equipment
in the barn.” She stretched, placing her hands on her hips with the bottle dangling from one and thrust her chest out. Yeah, a purchased chest. Nothing natural stuck up that round and firm.

Robbie grinned full out and tried to appear to be appreciating the view, taking a long slow look at her chest. He growled. “Yeah, Ronan’s an idiot.” An image of Amelia’s naked body on his lap filled his mind and he actually started to respond, the front of his jeans pulling more tautly from the pressure.

“I think so. Follow me.” She rubbed across his front, pausing as she came against the hardness of his lap. She looked down and then back up to his face. “Oh, this is going to be fun.” She reached around and patted his ass, then led the way to the barn, over-exaggerating the sway to her hips.

Um, no. His balls would probably shrivel up into his abdomen before he’d touch her in a sexual manner. He shuddered.

Revenge waited patiently tied to a post outside Ronan’s outbuilding.

Checking all around himself – for some kind of voyeur or spy or investigator that could at least claim to have seen Robbie with her dressed like a model for a naked pinup – Robbie groaned inwardly at having to go any further with the charade. But he had two new reasons to go with the other two-hundred-fifty-thousand reasons Ronan wanted to give him.

He’d done a helluva lot worse for money.

Bethany stood to the side of the door. A moment passed before Robbie realized she wanted him to open it for her. She batted eyelids at him that had more makeup on them than should be allowed in a Montana barn. Or any barn. Hell, or building.

Robbie opened the door and ushered her through while he looked around the interior which was decidedly
not
“barn”.

Ronan maintained his property with arrogance and pride. Where a simple wooden sawhorse would work wonders to hold saddles, stainless steel mannequin style posts grandstanded.

“Painted cement? Really?” Forgetting his act and the fact that Ronan was paying him a large amount of money without even blinking at the amount, Robbie gaped at the unnecessary expenditures all around him.

At the end of the common area set up between stalls on either side, a kitchen and bar beckoned. Filled with brushed stainless steel appliances, the kitchen’s mirrored back wall and recessed lighting gave the ambience of a gentleman’s lounge instead of a barn.

Rolling his aching shoulder, Robbie nodded toward the bar. “What’s with the fancy crap inside here?”

The door shut behind her and Bethany dragged the side of her belt through its first loop. “
He
spends a lot of
his
time out here.” She shrugged, releasing the silky material to slip down her shoulder. “Were you still interested in that tack?” She enhanced the “ck” sound, rounding her lips when it wasn’t necessary.

“How about some wine first?” Robbie’s boots slid over the painted surface. He couldn’t believe someone wasted so much money as to paint a floor that animal crap and piss fell on. Such a waste.

Real crystal goblets hung from intricately carved hooks that wrapped around the stem in such a way as to hold the glass aloft in an angled direction. Robbie recognized the handiwork of a Native American man who lived on the nearby Salish reservation… the one Kelsey was from. Sometimes Ronan’s weaknesses were just as obvious as everyone else’s.

Placing two of the ornate glasses on the counter, Robbie searched for a corkscrew.

Bethany dangled the stainless steel piece in front of him but when he moved to take it she pulled back and dropped it between her ample breasts. “You want to go find it?”

Robbie considered her, taking his time. It wasn’t something he would take advantage of – the bored wife of a ranch owner. Robbie tried to believe in the sanctity of marriage. Even when he was surrounded by so many people who didn’t.