Rory Read online

  The thought of going back to Montana both thrilled and scared her. She was born there, and her heart would always be in Big Sky Country. However, all the bad things that still played in her head had happened there. It was the reason she’d moved to Tacoma. However, she never been wise enough to realize that while you could physically run, your mind could never escape the past no matter how far away you got. The now older Cass knew it was up to her to heal and move on. Maybe going home would do that, or perhaps it would make it worse.

  “You just let me know if you need anything,” said Rory jarring her out of her train of thought. She glanced out of the window and realized they’d left Tacoma and were already in the air.

  “I think I might just try to get some sleep.” She was tired, but she really just wanted to sit in silence and mentally prepare herself for how she’d feel when she saw Timber Creek again.

  “You want me to turn these overhead lights off?” asked Rory.

  “No, that’s fine.”

  She closed her eyes and pretended to be sleeping. The plane hit some turbulence, and she dug her fingers into the armrest hoping Rory didn’t see her reaction. She could count on one hand the number of times she’d been in a plane, so she wasn’t the best traveler. She shifted her body to the left a little, regretting it immediately when her leg got twisted a little, and it began to throb. The doctor said she was healing nicely but would need to start physical therapy soon. A sharp pain shot through her calf as she tried to get more comfortable.

  Painkillers. Maybe if she took one of those it might numb her before she arrived in Montana, and would take the edge off the ride to Timber Creek. A tear slid down her face, but she quickly swished it away with the edge of her hand before Rory spotted it. He never missed a thing.

  Pretending she was asleep wasn’t working. She tried to sit up some more and once again her leg let her know it didn’t like her making quick movements any more.

  “I think I’ll take one of my pain pills,” she said.

  Without saying anything, Rory reached up into the air and pressed the call button while she dug out her bottle of medication the doctor had given her when she’d been discharged a little over three hours ago.

  The stewardess soon stood by his side.

  “Could you bring both of us a soda?” asked Rory.

  “Sure, I’ll be right back with those.”

  Cass struggled to sit up some more and Rory must have noticed her fussing. He put his arm behind her back and within minutes she was in the most comfortable position so far. He was the strongest guy she’d ever known. One hell of a great looking guy too. She loved the way his temples were now grey with little flecks of the same color sprinkled throughout his thick, wavy locks.

  He had to be close to forty-seven. She knew lots of women had been hoping they’d become his girlfriend and then wife, but he’d carried the responsibility of the Malone family on his shoulders since his father had passed away. He’d held them together, and for that she admired him, but she knew because of it he lost out on having a family of his own.

  The stewardess brought their drinks, and Cass quickly downed the pill and swallowed, washing it down with the lime soda, the bubbles traveling up her nose.

  “Did you drive to the airport when you flew to Tacoma?” she asked. She wondered if Shane or Flynn might be there to pick them up.

  “Yes and I took the truck, so I’m thinking there will be enough room for you in the back so you can spread your leg out.”

  That was Rory always thinking of others before himself.

  “I’ve told everyone to expect us home around seven, but to let you rest up a bit, at least for a day or two before they stop by. I know everyone’s real excited about you coming home. When I called Flynn this morning he said that’s all Emily’s been talking about.”

  Cass smiled. Emily was a sweetheart. She and Ryan had often taken her into town for ice cream. She had to be a teenager now, which reminded Cass that she’d been away from Timber Creek for three years.

  “Ladies and Gentleman, we’re about to begin our descent into Missoula, so please fasten your seatbelts and put your chairs into an upright position.”

  “Lucky thing it’s a quick flight,” said Rory.

  Too quick. She just wasn’t ready to be back in Montana quite yet.

  Rory pushed her chair up for her, and she caught a whiff of his spicy aftershave that clung to his denim shirt.

  “We’ll be in Timber Creek before you know it,” said Rory.

  Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.

  Chapter Six

  Cass had been quiet most of the way home. At first he’d thought she was just tired, but when he’d glanced in the rearview mirror he’d seen her looking miles away, and simply staring out of the truck window.

  He could only begin to imagine what was going through her head. The pain, the memories, and the loss. The Malone family’s loss too, but it had been much worse for her because she’d had to deal with the guilt over her father’s alcoholism too. No matter how many times they’d told her it wasn’t her fault, that she wasn’t to blame for Ryan’s death, she’d insisted that she could have and should have stopped him from being a hero. He glanced in the mirror again.

  Maybe he should have opted to stay in Tacoma with her while she mended, but that was next to impossible because he had a ranch to run. He couldn’t let Flynn deal with it all by himself, especially now he had more family responsibilities.

  There was a shortcut through the center of Timber Creek to the ranch, but Rory decided to go the long way. Yeah, he was tired and was sure Cass was too, but if he went that route it meant driving by the spot where the house used to be. Today he didn’t want her thinking back to that night.

  He glanced at her again. Now she had her head leaned against the side panel, her eyes looked heavy like she was about to fall asleep. He put his foot down a tad, trying to get home as soon as they could.

  “Did I tell you that Mr. Pinkerton retired to Florida last year?” he asked her.

  “No. Did he sell the ice cream parlor?”

  “Yeah, some couple from Oregon purchased it. We’ll have to go there one day to check it out and see what they’ve done with the place.”

  She nodded. He thought that might cheer her up, going back to the place she’d worked. Damn, he’d forgotten that’s where she’d met his brother. Shit, he’d have to think before he opened his mouth.

  Rory turned down the dirt road that led to the ranch, driving slowly so the bumps didn’t jar Cass’s leg. He glanced in the mirror one more time. She was twisting a lock of her hair wildly around her finger and biting her bottom lip. He knew none of this could be easy for her, but he and the rest of the family were here for her. There was no way he was letting her go through all this rehab all by herself.

  He pulled up in the driveway and switched off the ignition.

  “Don’t you move an inch until I’m there to help you out okay,” said Rory.

  He got out of the truck and opened back the door for her.

  “How about you put your arms around my neck and then I’ll walk you to the front door. You can sit inside while I unload your things.”

  She scooted forward and leaned into him. He knew he shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but he loved the feel of her arms and hands on his body. She was so soft and smelled like spring rain. He put his nose close to her hair. That smelled wonderful too. Rory wrapped his arm around her waist. She’d lost some weight while she’d been in the hospital, but she was still the curvy girl she’d always been. Strange how the Malone boys had a soft spot for women who, like their mother, had generous hips and thighs.

  They took only one small step toward the house, and he already sensed she was struggling so he lifted her up and carried her the rest of the way.

  “Rory, you’re going to put your back out. I’m not the lightest of females.”

  “You think I’ve grown weak since you’ve been gone?”

  “It’s not that, but I’
d hate to see you laid up with an injury too.”

  “Now wouldn’t that be a sorry sight to see.”

  He’d gotten a laugh out of her. The first one in days. Shit, he’d forgotten just how pretty she really was. Rory put her gently down, and she leaned against the doorjamb as he opened back the door and helped her inside the house.

  “Now you sit down on the couch, and I’ll have all your things inside in no time. After that, I’ll get you something to eat and drink.”

  “I don’t want you to go to any trouble because of me.”

  “It’s no problem at all. Flynn’s taking care of the ranch today, and Shane said he’d help out too for a few days until we get you settled in.”

  He sat her down and then went out to the truck and began bringing in her stuff. First her crutches, followed by the suitcases, and finally some boxes of items she didn’t want to leave behind, one of which he knew included the framed photo of her and Ryan. If she needed more clothes, he’d take her into town or shopping in Missoula when she went to the hospital for her physical therapy. He wasn’t sure how long her rehab would take, but secretly he wished it was long enough for her to fall in love with Montana again. While she was under his roof he was going to do his best to convince her that Tacoma wasn’t the place for her. Timber Creek would always be her true home.

  She was twisting her hair again when he got back inside.

  “Do you still paint?” she asked. Cass was looking at his latest one that hung on the wall opposite the couch. It was of the ranch and valley.

  “Yes, and I should paint one of you. I always said I would.”

  “Yeah, maybe you should while I can’t do anything else but sit and have my portrait done.”

  “Don’t you worry; you’ll be back on your feet in no time. I’ll take these through to your bedroom and then I think we’ll eat because I’m starving.”

  ****

  Cass had never known that Rory could cook so well. The steak he’d grilled and the tossed salad were both first class. No wonder the man had never needed a wife to take care of him. He was basically self-sufficient.

  “Maybe we can grab a meal in Missoula when you go to your first rehab session,” he said cutting into the steak.

  “Ryan asked…”

  She stopped. It was too painful to remember the cozy little restaurant they dined at when he’d proposed to her.

  Rory put his hand on top of hers and squeezed it as if he knew the pain she was going through. He’d always been such a sensitive soul. She glanced down at his hand. It was calloused but warm, and she didn’t know why but she suddenly wondered what it would be feel like to have him touch every inch of her body.

  She coughed. She’d never had those sorts of thoughts about Rory before. Maybe it was her pain medication doing funny things to her head. Or maybe she hadn’t been around a man this much since losing Ryan. It could be that all her sexual energy was pent up inside her, coiled and ready to spring forth to the first man she was with, and how ironic that it happened to be the guy who was supposed to have become her brother-in-law. She glanced at Rory, not realizing how handsome he’d always been, and it scared her.

  She’d be living under his roof, sleeping in the room next to his, and sharing his bathroom so she’d have to tone down the whole horny libido thing or it could get embarrassing for both of them.

  He looked at her, and she was sure he was blushing. If she didn’t know better, she’d say that Rory Malone could read her mind. She pulled her hand away, cut into another piece of steak and ran it through the generous amount of steak sauce she’d poured onto her plate.

  Rory shifted on his chair, his leg bumping into hers. They looked at one another.

  “Hope that wasn’t your bad leg,” he finally said.

  “Nope, the good one.” She popped the steak into her mouth and chewed. It melted on her tongue.

  He hadn’t shaved since yesterday and the dark stubble made her want to draw her fingers across it. He looked at her, and there was an uncomfortable silence again.

  Stop fantasizing about him.

  “I have some Rocky Road ice cream in the freezer if you’re interested,” he said.

  Ice cream; her favorite. She could imagine it melting on her tongue. Letting it melt and drip on her breastsand inviting Rory to lick every last drop of it off her nipples.

  She coughed. It had to be the pain meds doing something to her sex drive. She shifted in her seat, sensing her panties were growing damp, and now her pussy ached to be touched.

  Rory stood. “So can I bring you any of the ice cream?”

  “I’d love some.”

  Followed immediately by a cold shower.

  Chapter Seven

  Rory decided to turn in for the night. He yawned and stretched his arms in the air. He hated to admit it but the flight and drive to Timber Creek had worn him out.

  Cass had gone to bed shortly after they’d finished eating. She’d assured him she’d manage getting back and forth to the bathroom should she need to use it during the night, so there was no need for him to worry. He just hoped she didn’t fall and hurt herself some more.

  Rory glanced out of the window. Not a cloud in sight and the moon was full. The stars looked spectacular too. Maybe he’d paint a night scene next. He hadn’t attempted one of those, and he felt ready for a new challenge.

  As he turned off the living room light, he heard wolves howling in the distance. Maybe they were welcoming Cass home. She’d left her bedroom door ajar a tad, and he took the opportunity to peek inside. She was fast asleep, her chest failing and rising. Her face was gradually healing. The black eye was now green, and the abrasions not so fierce looking as when he’d first seen her in the hospital.

  She turned slightly causing a wisp of hair to fall over her cheek. She twitched her nose in response. He thought she’d wake, but she didn’t. He crept over to the bed and gradually pushed the hair away, hoping he wouldn’t startle her if she did open her eyes. But she slept on.

  Rory turned and walked out of the room, leaving the door ajar just in case she needed him in the night. He entered his own room and decided to leave his the door slightly open too. That way he’d hear her calling, and he’d also know if she fell over. He unbuttoned his shirt.

  He was pretty sure a little thing called sexual tension had been happening during dinner. The silence and the looking down at the plates when they caught one another glancing at the other one were telltale signs.

  He’d had some very sexy thoughts about her while she’d put the ice cream into her mouth. Like letting it drip and melt on her belly. Allowing it to slide over her belly button downward…

  Rory coughed. He was getting carried away.

  He sat on the bed and pulled off his socks. She was here to heal, and he needed to remind himself of that little fact. Yeah, he was like a big papa bear looking after a cub, which made him think about their age difference.

  He stood up and pulled down the fly on his jeans.

  No matter how hard he tried there was no doubt that having her sharing his house would be the biggest temptation of his entire life.

  ****

  Cass’s leg hurt like hell. When would the pain ever go away? She tried to sit up but struggled and got her feet entangled in the sheet.

  “Shit,” she said, her arms thrashing about trying to get the blankets back in place.

  Her mouth was parched. The doctor had told her it was one of the side effects of the medication he’d put her own. She’d seen a bottle of apple juice sitting on the shelf in Rory’s fridge when he’d put away the leftovers.

  She craved it so badly. She could call out to Rory to get it for her, but the poor guy needed his sleep. She’d heard him talking to Flynn on the phone and had told him he’d be back to ranching duties tomorrow which meant he’d be up early. Swinging her legs around the side of the bed and wincing, she was determined to go and get herself a drink.

  Cass edged her way to the end of the bed where she’d parked her cru
tches. She grabbed them and pulled herself up. It took some effort, but she made it out into the hallway. She glanced across the way and saw Rory had also left his door slightly open too. She didn’t want to wake him, so she went extra slowly down the hallway which, in fact, made her leg feel worse. And she wasn’t great at the keeping quiet bit either. It sounded like every other floorboard creaked under the crutches.

  She moved quicker thinking that might solve the problem, but in doing so she lost her balance and fell to the floor with a thud, knocking one of Rory’s paintings off the wall and onto the carpet.

  It was a sketch of the ranch, and one of her favorites. She fingered it and then looked up when she heard the floorboard creak again. Rory was now standing outside his bedroom door.

  When had he got so big and handsome? Oh yeah, right, he’d always been big and handsome, but now that she was single it was perfectly okay to acknowledge that fact without any feelings of guilt or betrayal.

  “You okay?” he asked. “That’s a stupid question. I don’t suppose you’re sitting on the floor like that by choice.”

  Despite the pain racking her whole body, she laughed. Rory had always had a dry sense of humor, but now she found it strangely appealing.

  “I was on my way to the kitchen, got too cocky with the speed I was traveling, and down I went.”

  He’d picked her up before she could say any more. He took the painting from her hand and set it down on the floor.

  “You want something to eat?” he asked.

  “Nope, I had my heart set on a glass of apple juice.”

  “I can get that for you. You should have called me.”