Penance

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An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com Penance ISBN # 1-4199-0785-9 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Penance Copyright© 2006 Lorie O’Clare Edited by Mary Altman. Cover art by Syneca. Electronic book Publication: October 2006 This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.®1056 Home Avenue,AkronOH 44310-3502. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously. Content Advisory: S – ENSUOUS E – ROTIC X - TREME Ellora’s Cave Publishing offers three levels of Romantica™ reading entertainment: S (S-ensuous), E (E-rotic), and X (X-treme). The following material contains graphic sexual content meant for mature readers. This story has been rated S-ensuous. S-ensuouslove scenes are explicit and leave nothing to the imagination. E-roticlove scenes are explicit, leave nothing to the imagination, and are high in volume per the overall word count. E-rated titles might contain material that some readers find objectionable—in other words,

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almost anything goes, sexually. E-rated titles are the most graphic titles we carry in terms of both sexual language and descriptiveness in these works of literature. X-tremetitles differ from E-rated titles only in plot premise and storyline execution. Stories designated with the letter X tend to contain difficult or controversial subject matter not for the faint of heart. PENANCE Lorie O’Clare Trademarks Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: AP Wire: Associated Press, The CorporationNew York Bronco: Ford Motor Company CNN: Cable News Network LP Lincoln: Ford Motor Company Styrofoam: Dow Chemical Company Chapter One The Lake Front Estates looked the same as he’d remembered them. Luke Roge turned on to the perfect blacktop road that circledPearlLake. Growing up, he and his brothers had brought their rafts and coolers out here, their minds focused on nothing more than enjoying the scenery of string bikinis.PearlLakemay have been surrounded by some of the more prestigious homes in the area, but it had been prime territory to land a young piece of ass too. Suntan oil and bottles of cold brew had been the only tools he’d needed back then. Luke shook his head, frowning. That had been another life. And it had all been a fantasy life as well. None of it had amounted to anything. Slowing to the twenty miles an hour speed limit, he downshifted, listening to his Bronco growl. More than likely, a new transmission would be in order before the year was out. A slight throbbing started behind his left temple. He ignored it. Dwelling on expenses that hadn’t even occurred yet was a waste of time. He had paying jobs right now, and that would be all that he’d think about. Luke cast a quick glance at his clipboard sitting in the passenger seat next to him, and then he squinted, focusing on the matching mailboxes as he began to circle around the lake. Number twenty-one would be a house on the other side, if he remembered correctly. Moving back to his home in Windy Hills, Nebraska, hadn’t been an easy decision. It was as if he were regressing in life. But after his parents’ deaths, he and his brothers inherited the home they grew up in. It had to be sold or lived in. Peggy was out of his life. She had moved on to bigger and better things, or so

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she’d told him. “We just met too young,” she’d said with a shrug. Well, she’d shrugged her way out of their marriage without so much as a tear. The city lights, pursuing her modeling career and rubbing shoulders with fake and pretentious people appealed to her. It hadn’t been for him. And he’d had to admit that. It still hurt. They could have made their marriage work. But that hadn’t been what Peggy had wanted. Hell, he should probably thank God he’d had the time he’d had with her. There had been some good years, whether Peggy wanted to admit it or not. Not all men could say they’d had true happiness like he’d experienced. Ignoring the pang in his heart, he came up on the driveway for number twenty-one. The drive matched the black paved road that surrounded the lake—a requirement of the homeowners’ association out here. Luke had never understood the desire for people to have their homes all look the same. Seemed to take away a bit of their freedom. Not the life for him. The driveway curved and climbed. Luke threw the Bronco into first and worked his way up toward the lakefront property. Pulling to the side of the drive that formed a u-shape in front of the log cabin-style home, he parked and grabbed his clipboard. “Is Susan Whittaker here?” Luke asked when an older woman answered the door. The woman gave Luke a once-over. A little on the chunky side, with her gray hair cropped short and weathered skin with few wrinkles, she looked like she belonged on one of the rural ranches surrounding Windy Hills and not Lake Front Estates. “What do you need?” she asked. “I’ve got an appointment to do a bid on a new deck. Name’s Luke Roge.” He waited patiently while she stared at him a moment. Again he got the feeling this woman was out of place. The Lake Front Estates, the city folks’ idea of country living, were for the successful up-and-coming entrepreneurs of Lincoln, Nebraska. This woman’s appearance and calm and assessing mannerisms fit the type of people he’d grown up with. “Susie didn’t tell me about wanting a new deck.” The woman closed the door in his face. Luke let out a sigh. Turning his back to the door, he looked around the large yard that surrounded the circular drive where his Bronco sat. It would be a warm day, although looming clouds to the west told him they might get rain. Springtime in Nebraska was more unpredictable than women. Susan Whittaker, a young-sounding lady, quiet-spoken, had called him yesterday asking if he would come out and tell her how much it would cost to add a deck. “And maybe a hot tub,” she’d added after hesitating a moment. Ever since setting up shop, working to revive the business his father had made so lucrative, he’d taken all his own calls. His mother had worked as receptionist for his father when Luke and his brothers were growing up. They had been such an incredible team, giving Luke hope that true love really existed, that a

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man and a woman could be best friends and live out their lives together happily. There was no way he would dwell on what could have been, on his own inability to find a woman who would walk by his side always. Pulling a card out of the glove box of his Bronco, he returned to stuff it in the front door. Maybe next time this Susan Whittaker would think to tell her staff when she’d made an appointment. He tried sticking his card into the edge of the closed door when someone opened it slowly. “Are you Roge Builders?” The quiet voice matched that of the woman who’d set up the appointment on the phone. Too often folks mispronounced his name, using a soft g. The young lady, who refused to make eye contact, impressed him by saying his name correctly like the rogue he’d been accused of being one too many times in his youth. Luke held his card out to her. The woman, maybe thirty at the most, took it from him. Her fingers were plain—not long and painted like Peggy’s had always been. “Are you Susan Whittaker?” he asked, watching as she stared at his card briefly and then looked up at him. A slight breeze picked up, bringing the smells of the lake and blossoming spring flowers floating in toward him. “Yeah. That’s me.” She sucked in her breath, almost like she hated admitting her identity. Well, he met all kinds in this line of work. Growing up running around with his dad and brothers on jobs, he remembered how his father simply shook his head at some people. “Follow me and I’ll show you what I had in mind.” She stepped out of the door and closed it behind her. For a moment, she stood next to him before walking down to the circular drive. She had twisted her auburn hair into a bun on the back of her head. He wondered how long it really was. Long hair always appealed to him. “It doesn’t have to be anything too fancy,” she said, leading him around the side of the house. Ms. Susan Whittaker wore sweatpants and a sweatshirt that completely concealed any figure she might have. Luke found himself trying to figure out if she were thin or chunky like the woman who had answered the door. When they reached the back side of the house, she turned and looked at him with large green eyes. They complemented the color of her hair. The woman was kind of pretty. But damn, she hid it like it was some kind of sin. Luke looked away quickly. Shit. He was as bad as his brothers. Not every woman needed to be analyzed and rated on the sexy and doable scale. After Peggy, there was no such thing as a doable woman. He turned his attention to the yard, forcing himself to do mental calculations on how feasible a deck would be. “I just want something simple.” Susan walked toward the back door and then glanced in the direction of the neighbors’ yards, fairly hidden by trees and natural undergrowth. “The homeowners’ association doesn’t allow privacy fences in the backyards. So could you build a deck, maybe with trellises or something so that when I’m outside, I’m not seen?”

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Luke jotted down notes on his clipboard, walking around Susan as he took measurements and noted her specifics for privacy. More than once he noticed that she looked around her nervously, as if worried someone might walk up on them. “You just move out here?” he asked while he scribbled down measurements. “Just focus on building the deck.” Her voice was still quiet, but suddenly firm. “I’ll pay the bill. Don’t worry.” “Just trying to be friendly,” he muttered under his breath. Don’t piss off the customer, he told himself, once again reminded that women were a mysterious lot best left alone. He needed the work, though, if he were going to build up the ranch again and revive his father’s business—well, his business now. He would have guessed her to be from somewhere back east by her accent. The few times he’d gone to New York with Peggy, he’d noticed the same “cut to the point” mannerism in those big-city people. Nothing like the laid-back Midwesterners that he’d grown up with. Susan moved next to the house, crossing her arms over her chest while she leaned against the back door, staring at the ground. She pressed herself against the screen door as if she couldn’t wait to get back inside. He glanced at her occasionally while hurrying to get the bid ready for her. She was definitely hot. The woman was doing her damnedest to hide that fact from the world though. She wore baggy clothes that completely hid her figure. She wore no makeup, although she had a pretty face without it. And she’d twisted her hair up tightly behind her head—he couldn’t think of a way to more hide a woman’s natural beauty. Her neck was slender though, her cheekbones high and her lips full and almost pouty. Long lashes fluttered over large green eyes and he’d bet that auburn hair of hers was her natural color. Yup. Susan Whittaker could be a hell of a lot sexier if she’d give it a little effort. There was something else about her, like a dark secret she fought to hide. The way she huddled next to the back door, as if she could blend in with the side of the house. She continually looked around her, acting scared someone might see her. Maybe she was some movie star in hiding. If that were the case, she was damned sure safe with him. Just ask Peggy. She’d be the first to announce to the world that Luke didn’t have a clue who the prominent people were. And he’d be the first to admit that he didn’t give a rat’s ass about the rich and famous. People were people. “I’ve got to get final prices on supplies,” he told her once he was finished. “How about if I call you later today and give you the final quote?” “I want the deck. When can you start?” Her question surprised him. Luke cocked his head at her. Susan Whittaker was a strange lady.

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“Well, I need to buy supplies and order the wood. Is Monday okay with you?” “Monday is fine,” she said, and then turned and disappeared into her house, closing the door behind her without even as much as a goodbye. “Interesting,” he mumbled, staring at the closed door for a moment before turning to head back to his Bronco. For some reason, he had the urge to know Susan Whittaker a bit better. Mysteries appealed to him, and this woman was one hell of a strange mystery. Chapter Two Susie Winestone leaned against the back door, her heart still pounding a mile a minute. She spread her fingers in front of her, watching them shake. No way would she be able to pull this off! “You can do this,” her aunt said firmly, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel as she stood next to the sink. Susie sucked in a breath. “I can’t help it, Aunt Lisa. I’m scared someone will know me. I almost hesitated when he called me Susan Whittaker. If Rick finds me…” “Hush.” Aunt Lisa moved to her side quickly, wrapping an arm around her and guiding her away from the back door. “Your father agreed moving to a small town in the Midwest, starting over, would be the best thing for you. Has your father ever been wrong?” “No.” Susie had hated the look in her father’s eyes when she’d finally confessed to him and told him the atrocities she’d lived through. And she hadn’t told him the serious nightmares she’d endured in her marriage. “You’re not going back to him.” Alfred Winestone had used that tone that no one argued with, his expression hard yet pained. His only daughter, his only child and heir, Susie hated that she’d let her father down. Her choice in men just sucked, plain and simple. Richard Angsthworth III had seemed the perfect candidate for what she thought her father would want in a son-in-law. Throwing away her business degree and ignoring the nice young men who tried to date her, she’d gone after the smooth-talking, good-looking Rick who’d wined and dined her at all the right places. She shivered at the thought of her husband, and Aunt Lisa tightened her grip on her. “You’re safe here. Trust your father.” Aunt Lisa sounded convinced, but Susie wished she could find the same comfort. The next morning, Susie stretched under the large comforter in her king-sized bed. Glancing around her oversized master bedroom, she’d never felt more alone in her life. She was so far away from home—from the only way of life she’d ever known. Her father had decided sending her aunt with her would offer some solace in her escape. And Aunt Lisa was a wonderful woman, but Susie couldn’t make

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the lump in her throat go away. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she thought of the only life she’d ever known and how terribly she’d fucked it up. Even after showering and nibbling on some of the muffins Aunt Lisa made for breakfast, the empty feeling inside her wouldn’t go away. “I’ve got to do something. If I spend another day inside this house, I’m going to go nuts.” She stared at her aunt who focused on the newspaper and nursed her coffee at the kitchen table. “I don’t see any harm in going into Windy Hills.” Her aunt didn’t look up. “What’s Windy Hills?” “Asking a question like that would raise suspicion for sure,” her aunt scolded and then looked at her niece while sipping her coffee. Her pale blue eyes glowed with amusement. “Windy Hills is the town closest to us. A small farming community from what I gather, but they might have some shops. Anyone who would buy a home here would know about the closest town. You don’t want anyone thinking you never laid eyes on this place before purchasing it.” “What if someone recognizes me?” Her picture had been on more than one society page growing up. Even recently, she’d attended charity functions and dinners with her husband and father. The press seemed to love plastering her picture in their columns. The articles were so boring though, she couldn’t imagine why anyone would ever want to read them. “No one will recognize you in a community so small and so far away from home.” Her aunt sounded reassuring. “It might appear more normal if you get out some, open a bank account, do some shopping.” It wasn’t the first time in the month that she’d been here that Aunt Lisa had suggested she get out. But just making the step to call someone out here, to try to turn this house into something she could call home had set her nerves over the edge. If Rick found her, he would kill her. Susie stood up quickly, dumping her half-nibbled muffin into the trash compactor. She had to do something—anything—or she would go crazy fearing for her life. “Okay. Let’s go check this town out.” She had to smile when her aunt quickly folded the paper and looked absolutely thrilled. She’d kept her aunt shut up in this large house for too long. Aunt Lisa had always been active. Ever since Susie had lost her mother from a heart attack when she’d been a teenager, she had spent many weekends and summers at her aunt’s country ranch. Aunt Lisa wore her out. She was always on the go, laughing and smiling no matter the circumstance. Her enthusiasm at the moment was contagious, and Susie’s cheek muscles ached when she smiled. Damn. It had been too long since she’d relaxed and tried enjoying life. It shouldn’t hurt to smile. Pretty damned sad. The small, compact car that her father had advised her to buy ran pretty well along the two-lane highway into Windy Hills. If life had only been different, Susie would have headed for Lincoln without even thinking about it. All she’d ever known were big cities. But she was starting a new life, and this one she wasn’t going to screw up.

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Downtown Windy Hills had some cute shops. Susie’s mood picked up quickly, and she actually got into shopping. “Those are adorable on you.” Aunt Lisa admired the new skirt and blouse Susie had tried on in the small corner clothes shop that smelled like cedar. “Why don’t you wear them for the rest of the day, and we’ll go get a bite to eat.” “I noticed a small café down the street,” Susie said several minutes later when they managed to put all of their bags in the backseat of her small car. Aunt Lisa smiled. “You look more alive than you have since we got here,” she said quietly. “Your cheeks are glowing, sweetheart.” “Maybe we should have done this sooner.” She glanced up and down the street, aware of how quiet it was here compared to the hustle and bustle of back home. This was nice though. It was like having a town all to herself. They strolled toward the café and she wondered what life would be like in such a small-town atmosphere. There was hardly a soul to be seen anywhere. Her peaceful thoughts disappeared with the warm breeze when they walked into the air-conditioned café. The first person she noticed was Luke Roge, the builder who’d been at her house the day before. Susie didn’t realize she’d stopped walking and simply stared at him until Aunt Lisa took her arm. Tall and so well-built, he had to be the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on. Susie blinked, her mouth suddenly way too dry. He’d distracted her yesterday when she’d watched him bend and stretch while measuring her yard for a new deck. She stole another quick glance before following her aunt to an empty table. Luke Roge stood out among the other patrons of the diner by a long shot. Soft brown, windblown hair fell around his weather-tanned face. She noticed instantly his bright blue eyes and shiny white teeth when he laughed at something another man at his table said. And that laugh…so full of life and confident, like he owned the café. “If this table okay?” her aunt asked, pulling her out of her thoughts. “Umm…sure.” The café wasn’t that large. She could drool over Luke no matter where they sat. And that was exactly the kind of thinking that would get her in trouble. The last thing she could afford was to get all hot and bothered over some local. His world wasn’t for her. There was no way she could enjoy the relaxed existence of this small town, to become part of them. Suddenly she was no longer hungry. It just wasn’t fair. She glanced around the café at the people sitting at the tables, enjoying their meals and looking content and happy. What would it take to get a life like this? “How you two doing today?” A woman about Aunt Lisa’s age plopped laminated menus down and then placed glasses of ice water in front of the two of them. “Chicken fried steak is the special today. You two passing through?”

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Susie studied the motherly looking woman for a moment. Not too tall with a stout body, she looked like your average American farm wife. Susie was too full of stereotypical images of people. Hadn’t judging Rick by his good looks gotten her into this mess? “We’re doing some shopping today,” Susie said, not directly answering the question, and then turned her attention to her menu. “I am pretty hungry. Chicken fried steak sounds perfect.” Aunt Lisa put her menu on the table and grinned at the waitress. “Give me an iced tea to go with it.” “Aunt Lisa,” Susie whispered. “Think of the carbs, the fat.” “Oh. You’re one of them, are you?” The waitress chuckled and then flipped Susie’s menu over, pointing to a small section on the back side. “We’ve got a few low-fat items here. Not that I personally think you need any of that stuff.” Aunt Lisa made a tsking sound. “It’s their generation. They starve themselves when all they need is to get out and exercise from time to time.” “I completely agree.” The waitress picked up Aunt Lisa’s menu, pressing it to her chest while waiting for Susie to decide what she wanted. “Where are you two from? You sound like you’re from New York, or something.” Susie about choked. Suddenly her heart raced so hard she couldn’t breathe and her palms broke out in a damp sweat. Fear wrapped around her like a wet, itchy blanket. It was the first time she’d left her house, wanting nothing more than just a quiet afternoon to do something fun, and a waitress had pegged her for exactly what she was. Aunt Lisa pushed the glass of ice water in front of Susie closer to her. “We sure are,” she said, smiling. Susie could barely sip at the water without choking again. She looked at her aunt, stunned that she would admit where they came from. “Never been out that way myself. What brings you to Nebraska?” “Just moved here.” Aunt Lisa looked over at Susie. “Oh.” She managed to regain some of her composure, remembering she needed to order. “I’ll have a house salad, and the ice water is fine.” Aunt Lisa didn’t say anything, seeming content to stare out the window after the waitress left. Her conversation with the waitress had been normal enough. More than likely, Susie would have been less social, which probably would have raised more suspicions. She sighed, gaining her aunt’s attention. Susie didn’t meet her gaze but glanced around the friendly looking café. Checkered red-and-white tablecloths hung over each square table. Large ferns in pots grew along the walls and by the huge front windows. A long counter stretched from one end of the café to the other, with swivel stools in front. A huge menu hung on the wall behind the counter, advertising almost everything imaginable.

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“Simple conversation with these people will attract less attention,” her aunt said quietly. Susie nodded, now taking in the people who sat at the different tables. There weren’t many in the café, and the man who’d come out to talk to her about her deck, Luke Roge, wasn’t one of them. She wondered where he’d gone. “I’m sure you’re right.” She sipped her water, her heart still beating too fast. “It’s going to take some time to get accustomed to being someone else, I guess.” Susie didn’t realize how hungry she was until the waitress placed their food in front of them. After finishing her salad, which was huge, she sat back and contentedly munched on toasted bread, knowing her ex would have slapped her for eating such sinful food back home. She bet there was even real butter smeared over it. “We need to come up with answers to typical questions so we’re on the same page,” she said quietly, even though no one sat too close to them. “That’s a good idea.” Her aunt swiped her bread through the gravy and then closed her eyes as she put it in her mouth. “This food is wonderful.” Male laughter grabbed her attention, and Susie watched Luke Roge and another man come through a door that led to the kitchen. The other man patted Luke on the back while talking to him. Luke looked her way, pinning her with those large blue eyes that brightened instantly when he saw her. He made a parting comment to the man, then sauntered toward them, focusing on her the entire time. Long, thick muscles bulged against his jeans as he moved closer. Once again Susie’s heart started beating way too fast. Luke stopped when he reached their table and gripped the back of the chair between her and her aunt. Her breath caught in her throat when she thought he’d pull it out and join them. She stared at his long fingers, her insides quickening with him so close. “I was just talking about you.” His deep baritone sent chills down her spine. But more than that, his words gave her the shivers. Who would he be talking with about her? And what could he possibly have to say? “You were?” She forced herself to look up that amazing body, so perfectly sculptured with not an ounce of fat anywhere. “Yup. Not often we have someone new around here.” He smiled down at her and his blue eyes twinkled. Susie’s mouth went dry. The waitress walked up to them and placed their bill on the table. “Luke, you know these two?” “How you doing, Betty?” He had a winning smile. “Just getting to know them. Going to build Susie here a new deck.” “You’ve got the best man for the job,” she told Susie while gathering their dishes and stacking them on

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her arm like she’d done so for most of her life. “Where did you say you all moved to?” “They’re in one of the estates out at Pearl Lake,” Luke offered before Susie could say anything. The waitress gave both Susie and her aunt an odd look. Her smile faded, although not completely. “Well, I sure thank you for stopping into our little café. We don’t get many big-city folk out this way.” Luke stood until Betty finished clearing their table. “Don’t mind her,” Luke said, flipping the chair around backward and sitting. He draped his arms over the back of it. Roped muscle stretched under tan skin that was covered with fine, dark hair. God. Luke was sexy as hell. “Folks in Windy Hills don’t often see a lot of people from Pearl Lake. Most folk out there spend their money in Lincoln.” He spoke so easily, as if the three of them had been friends forever. Susie felt her stomach twist into knots, the large salad she’d just eaten not sitting as well as it had a minute before. “We’re not big-city people,” Susie found herself saying. Her heart raced so hard in her chest, she was sure he would be able to hear it thumping. Reaching for their bill, she glanced at her aunt. “We should be going.” She didn’t mean to sound rude, but her aunt gave her a funny look and Luke slid his chair back. “Sure. Didn’t mean to impose. I had just mentioned that I was starting on your deck to old Beaux over there. He’s Betty’s husband. They run this place.” Susie nodded and stood, her legs almost too wobbly to hold her. Damn it. She needed to get a grip on things or she would spend the rest of her life hiding from people. Betty greeted them at the register, smiling once again as she rang up their meal. “Let me tell you, anything built by a Roge is going to be top of the line.” “That’s good to know.” Susie’s fingers were almost too damp and she fumbled with her wallet. They managed to pay their bill and leave the small café without Susie making a complete ass of herself. It tore at her that she didn’t know if her nervous turmoil came from fearing someone would recognize her or from getting wet staring at Luke. “I don’t know,” her aunt mused, breaking the silence. “But I think that Luke Roge has an eye for you.” “Aunt Lisa…I’m married.” Susie turned toward their car and at that moment noticed Luke was right behind them. He stopped in his tracks, his smile fading as he simply stared at her. Chapter Three Luke should have known. Recovering quickly, clearing his throat, he smiled from Susie to her aunt.

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“While you’re here I thought I’d confirm when you wanted me to start on your deck.” He knew they’d discussed him starting on Monday, and that hadn’t been what he was going to say, but it was the best he could come up with on a moment’s notice. Damn it to hell. Why hadn’t it crossed his mind that she was married? She was so fucking hot. Her calm, sultry air hinted at good breeding and sophistication. Susie was everything he was attracted to. And one of these days he’d learn that women like that were no good for him. He was a small-town Nebraska boy and women like his ex, and Susie, would never see anything in him other than that. “Whenever you can start would be great,” Susie said, sounding almost timid. She wouldn’t look at him, instead seeming to focus on his boots. There was something about her. He couldn’t place it. Susie gave the impression that she was shy, but there was more than that—more than her being married. And where was the husband? If he was hidden in that house and she was the one who contacted contractors, made arrangement for all home improvement, maybe he was an invalid or something. Kick him twice for being old-fashioned, but where he came from, a man took care of his home, making it a happy place for his family—unless he wasn’t able to. Whatever was going on, Susie Whittaker didn’t wear a wedding ring. Either way he had to know. “I couldn’t help just overhearing that you were married,” he prompted. She looked up at him quickly, some hard emotion glazing over those pretty green eyes. Her aunt rocked up on her heels, obviously willing her niece to answer for herself. Susie nibbled her lip and then looked back down at his boots. “Yes. I am.” She turned toward the car, reaching for the handle and then slipping inside and closing the door behind her. “Sorry if I was out of line.” He offered his best sympathetic smile to the older woman. She walked to the other side of the car. He noticed their Nebraska tags and wondered why they wouldn’t have out-of-state tags if they’d just moved from out of state. Betty in the diner had quickly informed him and anyone else who would listen that the pretty young lady was from New York. “Things haven’t been easy for Susie lately. You weren’t out of line. We’ll see you out at the house whenever you’re ready to start.” The older woman winked at him and then climbed into the car. He watched the two of them drive off. Interesting. A brand-new car. A brand-new house. Something was up with Susie Whittaker and he had every intention of finding out what it was. The first day working on her deck, Luke didn’t see Susie. He’d hired one of the Wilson teenagers to help him, and the lanky boy proved an eager learner and hard worker. The second morning when he pulled up, realizing that with the boy’s energetic help they would be through with the deck a lot sooner than he’d thought, he stared at the sky, noticing the dark clouds hovering toward the west.

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“Think we’ll get rained out?” Jimmy Wilson ran his fingers through long curls. “Hard to say. Right now we’re under a thunderstorm watch, according to the weatherman. We’ll just pace ourselves, and if it turns ugly, we’ll shut down for the day.” Jimmy had been born in the area, just like Luke. Dark, forbidding skies were just part of spring. The news would announce a thunderstorm watch or warning almost daily until summer arrived. Nothing to bat an eye at. The two of them launched into their work. Two hours later, Susie walked out of the house, the coolness of the air-conditioning surrounding her when she crossed her arms and stared nervously at the sky. “There was just a weather update on the TV.” She sounded nervous as she hugged herself. It dawned on Luke that New Yorkers probably weren’t accustomed to their weather. “We got a tornado coming?” he asked, immediately feeling bad about his teasing comment when her pretty green eyes grew large. “They said conditions were likely for a tornado. Then they said we were in a tornado watch.” She glanced nervously at the sky again. “Maybe you two should quit working for the day.” The thick humidity was all Luke needed to know that something was brewing. Nothing any weatherman on TV said mattered much to him. He smiled at her, trying to sound reassuring. “That’s just normal weather for around here. I’d say we could put in another hour before any bad weather hits.” He put his hammer down and adjusted his work belt around his waist. He’d stepped closer to her before realizing what he was doing. That’s it. Charm her with body sweat. She’s married,big guy.And we don’t charm married women. “Tornadoes are normal around here?” Her tone rose a little and she ran her tongue over her lips. “I thought Kansas got the tornadoes.” All thoughts left his head when she licked her lips like that. Such a small movement, yet so damned sexy. It wasn’t like him to give married women a second thought. Before he’d been married, and even now after his divorce, married women were off-limits. He had all the respect in the world for the institution. Why was it he couldn’t get his body to accept the simple fact that Susie Whittaker wasn’t available? “We get a lot more tornadoes than Kansas does.” Jimmy Wilson sounded proud of the fact. “Oh.” She nibbled her lower lip, her gaze locking with Luke’s. She looked so damned vulnerable. “Is there going to be a tornado?” “I wouldn’t worry about it.” He wouldn’t tell her there wasn’t much she could do to prepare for one. “I’m willing to guess we’ll get a storm—beyond that, there’s no reason to get scared about something you can’t control.”

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She surprised him when she straightened, her hands falling to her side. Her chest puffed, causing the material of her cotton dress to stretch over her curvy breasts. She didn’t wear baggy clothes today. It was a damn nice view. “I’m not scared, Luke Roge.” Her lips formed a thin line as her gaze narrowed on him. “Just keep working if you aren’t worried about the weather. Sorry to bother you.” She turned around, her auburn hair fanning over her shoulder and swaying down her back as she marched into the house. The strongest urge to slap her behind, give her just a bit more teasing, overwhelmed him. He curled his fingers into a fist, getting pissed that he seemed unable to accept that she wasn’t available. His mood darkening just like the sky, he turned around and grabbed his hammer. Miss Smarty Pants had a quick temper. He’d seen the fire in her eyes. The timid lady who’d appeared so shy when he’d asked about her marriage had transformed. And no matter what mood she displayed for him, he found her more and more appealing. Something was seriously wrong with him. He pounded nails a bit harder than needed, throwing his energy into his work. He’d met some gorgeous married women before and he’d never reacted to them the way he was to Susie. After working and stewing for almost an hour, a loud clap of thunder did nothing to ease his nerves. He hadn’t been raised to drool over married women. Images of what she’d look like with her hair flowing down her back and how her tits would feel in his hands wouldn’t leave him alone. He scowled at the sky, knowing they would do best to clean up and head out before it started raining. More than likely he would have to knock on her door and inform Susie that they would finish tomorrow. And actually, that might not be a bad idea. Maybe it was time to meet Mr. Whittaker. “I reckon we should clean up for the day,” he told the teenager. “Exactly what I was thinking.” Jimmy had already started rounding up tools. “I’ll load the truck.” Lightning streaked across the sky and the humidity suddenly dropped. A stillness surrounded him, not even the birds making any noise. Sign enough—it was about ready to cut loose. Luke took a moment to stare at the large sky. Clouds slowly turned above him, the potential for a tornado growing. No matter how many storms he’d endured growing up—and he’d seen a fair share of tornadoes—he never got tired of the beauty of a good storm. It was nature in her rawest form—untamable, wild and just the way he’d imagined a good woman would be. He shook his head. Looking down at the ground, he couldn’t help smiling. Sophisticated and refined women were obviously more than he could handle. He sure didn’t need one as wild as a nasty storm. One large drop of rain splashed on his scalp, soaking in quickly with the sweat that covered him. Within less than a minute, it was pouring. “I better tell them we’ll be back tomorrow to finish.” Luke turned to Jimmy who simply waved at him while darting for Luke’s truck. Luke went to the back door and knocked. No one answered. He knocked again, a bit harder. The rain

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came down hard now, making his shirt cling to him. When he still didn’t get an answer he chanced the doorknob. It wasn’t locked. That seemed rather odd considering how much Susie Whittaker wanted her privacy. Once he closed the door behind him, all sound of the heavy rain outside faded. The house was well-built. He glanced around the clean kitchen. Everything was in place and the counters were almost bare. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear no one ever used this room. The sinks sparkled and the floor looked clean enough to eat off of. Except for the growing puddle around his feet as he stood there. Damn it. But then he picked up on a conversation in the other room. Susie was speaking, and she sounded worried. This was wrong. He needed to announce himself or leave. “Aunt Lisa. If he finds me, he’ll kill me. You would be in danger too.” Susie’s words pinned him where he stood. “That isn’t going to happen. Didn’t you hear what your dad just said?” Aunt Lisa spoke quietly, her voice harder to hear. “I know. He thinks Dad is spending all of his money on the investigation. But Dad should know he can’t be trusted.” Susie’s worried tone wavered while she spoke. “Believe me. We all know he can’t be trusted. Your dad is working with the police too.” “They can’t come here. Doesn’t anyone see this?” Susie’s tone rose, her ranting chilling Luke’s blood. “If the police come here and ask questions, it will bring more attention to me. I swear, Aunt Lisa, there are days when I just want to disappear again. No offense, but maybe if no one knew where I was, I would finally be safe.” Luke had heard enough. He fought the urge to head into the living room and demand answers. Answers to questions that were none of his damned business. He looked down at the puddle surrounding his feet. There was no way he could leave and they not know someone had been in the house. And he didn’t see a towel lying anywhere in the large kitchen. Thunder clapped and lightning hit just as quickly. That was a close one. Susie shrieked in the other room and then laughed nervously. “Well, at least I don’t have to worry about cops showing up at my door today. No one is going to come out here in this weather.” The TV broke into another severe weather update, announcing that tornadoes had been spotted along the state line. They were south of here and probably wouldn’t head up this way. That wasn’t how their weather usually traveled. “Maybe we should make sure the batteries all work in the flashlights,” Aunt Lisa suggested. “This storm can’t even take my thoughts off of Rick. I can hear him now laughing, mocking the weather as if he were challenging it to take him on.” Susie’s entire tone had changed.

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She sounded sad, as if plagued by something or someone. Was this Rick person her husband? “Susie. No one is suggesting that you had any knowledge of how he would turn out to be. Remember, we all met him before you were married. You know your father would have put a halt to the wedding if he had any clue that Rick would turn out to be such a monster.” “Don’t insult monsters.” Susie’s laugh was anything but amused. “And just because we all know what he’s capable of doesn’t make him any less dangerous. It would be just like Rick to know if police came to question me. He would use them to find me.” “That isn’t going to happen,” Aunt Lisa reassured her. “With Rick, anything is possible.” “Your father didn’t build Winestone Enterprises without being a shrewd person. Put some trust in him. He’ll make sure we remain safe.” Aunt Lisa’s voice trailed off as she moved into another room. From the sounds of footsteps, the two women headed down a hallway deeper into the house. Luke had heard enough. Puddle or no puddle, it was time to leave. Turning, he opened the door quietly and left the house, this time making sure the door was locked behind him. Later that day, Luke leaned back in his office chair, staring at his computer screen. He wasn’t paying attention to his e-mail though. The conversation he’d overheard this afternoon between Susie and her aunt plagued him. He had some answers. But there were hundreds of questions too. Susie had run. Apparently some abusive husband had given her cause to get lost in the good old Midwest. Yet she was still terrified. Terrified of some monster named Rick. None of it was any of his damned business. He shouldn’t have entered her house. And he shouldn’t have stood there listening. If she was in that much danger though, anyone could get into that house. It was built so damned well that not one floorboard squeaked. If she forgot to lock her door again, it could be someone entering who wasn’t there just to tell her he’d be back the next day to finish a deck. Leaning forward in his chair, he decided to do some more snooping. He’d never been a quick typist—his fingers were too damned big—but he found the right keys and typed in Winestone Enterprises. Amazingly, quite a few sites appeared on his page. He scrolled down, clicking on each link and glancing at the pages that appeared on his screen. Alfred Winestone, entrepreneur, owned quite a few successful businesses. He found one page and clicked on personal information. A society page popped up and Luke found himself staring at the pretty daughter of Alfred Winestone, Susan Winestone. Susie Whittaker was really Susan Winestone. Suddenly on a mission, Luke scrolled through several more pages. Finally he found a recent newspaper article on the society page.

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And the successful Winestone millionaire said in a recent interview that he has the best detectives searching for his missing daughter.Speculation has it that she is probably prancing around Europe and that her husband has funded the respite. The reporter went on to add that rumors had it that the Winestone giant and the husband of the pretty young Susan Winestone weren’t on the best of terms. Some thought foul play might be at hand. The local law enforcement wouldn’t comment. Luke’s phone rang and he reached for it absently. “What are you doing, big brother?” Matt Roge sounded like he’d just heard a good joke. “We saw the news. Figured I’d call and see if that old roof is holding up under the storms.” Luke’s younger brother Matt was always the mother hen. Not to mention that he was an incredible carpenter, almost as good as Luke. “I just put all of Mom’s pots out in the kitchen earlier to catch the leaks,” he teased in response. “Figured it would give me fresh drinking water for the rest of the week.” Matt laughed. “I could see you doing that.” “Seriously though, so far she’s holding up. Dad knew how to build a house.” As a matter of fact, Luke knew his father had helped put up at least a few of those houses out around Pearl Lake. “Well, I might be up later this month. Robin has another business trip and she says she might send the kids to her mother’s. Better to pester you than hang out here all weekend eating frozen food.” Luke wondered how solid his brother’s marriage was, but he didn’t ask. “You know you’re welcome anytime. Mom and Dad left the house to all of us.” He talked to his brother a few more minutes and then hung up the phone. Once again staring at the computer screen, Luke found himself wondering what he should do with the information he’d just learned about Susan Winestone…alias Susie Whittaker. Chapter Four Susie stared at the puddle on the kitchen floor. Her aunt had opted for a nap, the storm having seemed to settle a bit, but Susie was amped with energy. Too much energy. She walked over to the drawer where the washcloths and hand towels were and pulled out two small towels. It was a good-sized puddle. At first she thought they had a leak. The ceiling didn’t seem damp though. Squatting, she began cleaning it up, her thoughts plagued by the conversation she’d had with her aunt earlier. There was no way she could continue leading her life terrified that Rick would show up at any minute. It would take her down, make her crazy. She’d be an old lady before she was thirty-five. “And that’s not going to happen,” she told herself with conviction as she rubbed harder over the tile.

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Her father was doing everything in his power to protect her. More than likely Rick was glad that she was gone. He probably had a different woman in his bed every night. She wasn’t foolish enough to think he’d just let her be though. No. Rick would have someone looking for her. He wouldn’t trust her father. Hell. Rick didn’t trust anyone. And in spite of the fact that she didn’t want the knowledge, Susie had enough information on Rick to put him away for life. The man was a drug lord. He was a thief. He did everything his own way with little concern for the law. Everything about him made her skin crawl. They hadn’t been married more than a few months when she began overhearing conversations, catching glimpses of letters on his desk, seeing e-mails that she shouldn’t have seen. More than anything she wished she didn’t know what she knew. It would be perfect if she could just quietly divorce him and let him go his own way. People like Rick would go down sooner or later. The law would catch up with him. He would play his dirty games until one day he slipped. She wanted nothing to do with any of it. Standing, she carried the soaked towels over to the washing machine. There wasn’t enough yet to do a load, but she dropped them inside the machine anyway and then stared at them for a minute. Why had there been such a large puddle at her back door? Turning, her stomach twisting in knots, she stared at the tiles that had just been covered with water. Fear suddenly swept through her and she walked slowly over to the spot. Once again she looked up at the ceiling. There were no signs of moisture anywhere. Maybe it had seeped under the back door. If that were the case, she would need Luke to fix that for her. She ran her fingers over the wood of the door, but it seemed dry. Where had the water come from? Susie reached for the handle to open the door and froze when she realized it was locked. The thumb lock was turned down. An uncontrolled shiver raced through her. Her stomach twisted. “I left you unlocked.” She stared at the door, hesitating before twisting the lock in the doorknob. She’d intentionally not locked it in case the storm suddenly got so bad that Luke and his helper could get inside quickly if they’d needed to. Her legs wobbled when she opened the door, too afraid to go outside. Quickly she closed it again and relocked it. Someone had been in her house. The puddle on the floor was from wet feet. Only two people could have entered—Luke or the teenage boy working with him. Susie rushed down the hall to her aunt’s bedroom. She stopped in the doorway. Her aunt slept soundly on her bed, snoring quietly, looking peaceful and relaxed. None of this had been easy on her aunt either. She’d given up her life, a life that wasn’t all messed up like Susie’s. Aunt Lisa deserved a good nap. Susie turned from the doorway, worrying her lower lip with her teeth as she walked slowly back down the hallway. She and Aunt Lisa had discussed Rick and her father earlier. If Luke or the boy entered her home and overheard their conversation…oh shit!

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She grabbed the home phone. There was no dial tone. “Oh hell.” Susie dropped the phone on to the cradle and glanced outside. Heavy rain created streams of water down the windowpane. She walked over and flipped the light switch. Nothing. Hurrying into the kitchen, she stared at the appliances that should be glowing with the correct time. “Power lines must be down.” Wind blew outside and she hurried over and grabbed her cell phone. With a glance she saw that there was no signal. There was no way she could sit out this storm wondering if Luke had entered her home and heard them talking. She would go insane—and she wasn’t far from that point as it was. If she headed into town, she could use a pay phone and call Luke. All she needed to know was if he’d entered her home. He wouldn’t bat an eye at such a question—anyone would want to know if someone entered their house unannounced. She wouldn’t make a big deal out of it, just casually ask. If he told her he’d been inside, then she’d know he’d overheard her conversation with Aunt Lisa. And if he had overheard, then what? On an impulse, she grabbed her keys and purse. Scribbling a quick note for her aunt so she wouldn’t worry, she grabbed her purse and her cell phone and hurried out the door. Thick humidity soaked through her clothes before she could even start her car. The ground was damp and moisture seeped through her canvas shoes quickly. By the time she had the air-conditioning in the car blowing cold air, she was already covered with perspiration. Trees so tall they had to be over a hundred years old lined either side of the two-lane highway as she headed toward town. The sky was a dangerous dark blue and hung so low she swore she could reach out her window and touch the clouds. Although the weather made her nervous, she had to admit that the contrast of color, the rich green of the countryside contrasting with the different shades of blue in the sky was incredibly beautiful. She could get used to living like this. A small town, a house in the country, life just a bit slower and calmer than what she’d had before. A peaceful calm settled through her as she slowed to the speed limit inside Windy Hills. The town was different than when she’d been here before. The place seemed like a ghost town. There were no people on the street and the shops all looked empty. Pulling into the small parking lot of the grocery store, the rain stopped as she noticed a pay phone outside the entrance. Once again, humidity thick enough to cut with a knife wrapped around her as she got out of her car. Her simple dress clung to her body. Just walking from her car to the pay phone had perspiration beading between her breasts. “Damn it.” She didn’t have any phone numbers. A quick, hot gust of wind soared past her as she headed toward the store entrance. “Do you have a phone book I can borrow?” she asked the clerk who stood by the cage where there appeared to be a small post office.

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“You having car trouble?” The woman’s badge, which hung crooked on her polyester shirt, read Maudine. “No.” Susie smiled, the store’s air-conditioning chilling her damp body. “I’m doing some work on my house and need to find someone to help me with some of it.” She’d figured out already that these small-town people liked knowing other folks’ business. Offering a bit of information might keep the older woman from asking more questions. Maudine looked at her oddly. “You live here in Windy Hills?” Susie shook her head. “No. Out at Lake Front Estates.” Now the woman frowned. She walked around the cage and searched under the counter. “Your phones out up that way?” Susie nodded. “I had to come into town anyway, so figured I’d make phone calls while I was here.” Maudine produced a very thin phone book and placed it on the counter. “Well, I do know that old Danny Roge helped build most of those houses around that lake before he passed away. Luke Roge is back in town after divorcing that Miss Priss he fell for. I’d say any kind of work you need done on your house, you should call him. Word has it he’s started up the Roge business again.” “I didn’t realize he was divorced,” Susie said quietly and then bit her lip when Maudine lifted her eyebrow with interest. “So you’ve met our Luke,” she said, suddenly sounding like his mother. “He’s quite the good-looking man, and very handy around the house. But he had his heart yanked out by that Peggy girl. Had her mind full of big-city lights and all. She wasn’t right for him. We all knew it.” Susie nodded, accepting the small phone book and flipping through the pages. Maudine’s weathered fingers took over the book, flipping through it upside down. She pointed to a business ad. “That’s still his daddy’s ad, but the number is the same. You call Luke if you need anything.” A flash of light from outside grabbed Susie’s attention. At the same time, thunder roared loud enough to shake the building. “You do know we’re in a tornado warning, don’t you?” Maudine hurried from behind the cage and walked over to the glass doors leading to the parking lot. “They changed it over from a watch to a warning. They spotted a tornado touch ground just southwest of here.” “I didn’t know.” She stared past Maudine toward the outside, imagining the woman thought her an idiot for venturing out in such terrible weather. “I mean I heard the weather on TV before leaving, but didn’t know they saw a tornado.” “They’re as unpredictable as a man,” Maudine said, chuckling. “And there’s not a damned thing you can do to change how either of them are.” It looked like night out there.

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She’d turned off the television when her aunt had gone to lie down. The weather had simply made her even more nervous, and after discussing her plight with her aunt, she’d just wanted a break. Turning the television off had been like turning the weather off in her mind. Unfortunately, just like with the problems in her life, turning her back on them didn’t make them go away. Maudine turned toward the cage again and then glanced around the store. “I’ve got a radio going behind the counter there. Let’s see if we got tornadoes heading our way. Half the time they go around us.” Maudine’s eyes glowed as if a tornado was simply a break in her mundane life. Susie could hardly move from the thought of being hit by such intense weather. She’d never given tornadoes a lot of thought, but from what she did know about them, they weren’t something she ever wanted to experience. “If I were you I’d hurry on home. I’d be there myself if I didn’t have to work.” Maudine disappeared behind the cage and Susie turned her attention toward the phone book. Luke’s number stared up at her. She quickly took it to memory. She hurried back outside. It was hard to believe how drastically the weather had changed. Instead of a dark blue, the sky almost had a hazy green shade to it. And the humidity had broken. Everything around her was so still. It was as if there wasn’t a soul around for miles, or a bird or a squirrel or anything. She slid into her car and smiled when she realized she had a signal. Susie punched in the numbers to call Luke. She noticed a calm had settled over her as well. Luke Roge would be able to take care of things. The lady inside the store had faith in him and Susie sensed that he was trustworthy as well. Maybe he could put an alarm system into her house. She’d grown up with them all her life and should have had one installed immediately when she’d moved here. Luke already knew she was from the big city. He wouldn’t question why she would want one. More than likely he would think all big-city people had them—which was pretty much the truth. The phone rang once and Susie felt herself relaxing even more. He would be the kind of man she could trust. Capable and strong, he was nothing like Rick. Luke was honest and hard-working—hell, he’d probably never broken the law in his entire life. He ran his own business, a family business. The town thought highly of him from what she’d seen. “Hello?” a deep baritone said. Warmth rushed from her head to toes that had nothing to do with the weather. A sudden pulse began between her legs and she shifted, fighting the desire to rub herself and make it go away. She cleared her throat. “Luke?” she asked, her mouth suddenly too dry while her pussy got way too wet. “Yes. Who is this?” Concern took over his tone. She must have sounded like some desperate woman, unable to take care of herself. Susie took a deep breath and exhaled quickly, working to put determination into her voice. She didn’t want to be thought of as some helpless female. “Hello, Luke. This is Susie Whittaker.” She spoke slowly and calmly.

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As if defying her tone, a wicked wind slapped the car and large raindrops began pelting her windshield. “Where are you?” He almost yelled into the phone, making Susie jump. Susie straightened. The rain began falling harder. Nonetheless, she held her dignity and kept her voice calm. “I just happened to be in town. I thought I’d give you a call about doing some more work on my house.” Now to figure out how to bring up the puddle on her kitchen floor. “You’re in town? Don’t you realize we’ve got tornadoes heading this way?” Something in the way he emphasized tornadoes had her squinting through the rain toward the sky. Everything looked very dark. “Where are you? I’ll come get you.” “I’m perfectly fine. I’m at the grocery store here in Windy Hills and decided I would get some bids to have an alarm system put into my house. I think someone entered my home earlier, and I really value my privacy. There was a puddle on my kitchen floor, but no one announced they were in my house.” “That was me in your house. I left the puddle, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m sorry.” A vicious chill hardened every muscle in Susie’s body. Luke might have heard her talking about Rick. If only she could ask him if he overheard her talking. “Why were you in my house without telling me?” Her voice cracked and a fear she couldn’t control made her shiver. “I’m sorry that I scared you,” he said quietly. “I meant to announce myself, but when I heard you and your aunt talking, I didn’t. I have no excuses. Susie. I know who you are.” Lightning cracked so close to her it raised the hairs on her arms. A yelp escaped her when thunder followed immediately, shaking the car and leaving her trembling. “Susie?” Luke said into the phone when she didn’t answer. Suddenly rain pelted her car with so much intensity she couldn’t see, couldn’t think. She’d never seen such large raindrops. It was as if someone threw cups of water at her windows. They hit hard and fast. “I’ll talk to you later,” she said, hanging up the phone. Lightning coursed through the air, its powerful electrical charges surging through her body. In a brief moment it lit up her world, showing her a dark town being doused with intense rain. Not a soul was around her. Everyone else had enough sense to stay inside during the storm. Feeling stupid and just a bit nervous, she sat and stared at the intense storm. She couldn’t drive in this stuff. Rain pounded so hard against her car it was hard to think. It sounded like multitudes of tiny drummers beating savagely against her roof and windows. Visibility was shot. Turning on her headlights didn’t do a bit of good. For the time being she was stuck sitting in her driver’s seat outside the small grocery store.

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A sinking sensation that she was trapped left her feeling more than unsettled. And it took a moment for her to recognize the ringing of her cell phone. Looking down at the glow inside her purse, she reached for the phone. She exhaled when she recognized her aunt’s number on the small panel. Aunt Lisa was probably wondering where the hell she was. And what the hell she was doing here. “Hello.” “Are you all right?” Her aunt’s concerned tone immediately made Susie feel bad for wandering out when the weather was so bad. “I didn’t realize it would pour like this when I left. And yes, I’m fine. But it looks like I’m going to be sitting here until this storm passes through.” Susie gulped in breaths to calm herself. “The phone wasn’t working when I left the house.” “It’s working now. Where are you?” “In Windy Hills, outside the grocery store.” “Susie. I’m watching the TV. They say there’s a tornado just five miles from here.” Her aunt’s quiet tone grabbed Susie more than her words. Aunt Lisa was really scared. As if to add to the severity of the conversation, a gust of wind rocked Susie’s car, and she grabbed her steering wheel. Her tummy did a flip-flop and she stared wide-eyed through her windows. She couldn’t see a damned thing, not even the grocery store, the rain fell so hard. Everything outside just looked gray, like a solid cloud had descended over her, pelting her car with rain more intense than she’d ever experienced before. “Well, there’s no way I can drive.” She couldn’t even see the end of her hood. “What possessed you to go out in this weather anyway?” “It wasn’t doing this when I left. I’ll be fine, Aunt Lisa.” She decided not to tell her aunt about the puddle or the conversation she’d just had with Luke. His words unnerved her almost more than the storm did. The first person she’d sought out in her new life now knew who she really was. “I’m going to get off of here, Aunt Lisa. I’ll call you when it clears enough for me to drive.” “Be careful.” Her aunt’s worried tone rang through her head even after she disconnected the call and slipped it into her back pocket. She’d tried being careful ever since she’d left New York. Leaning her head back against the driver’s seat, she blew out a breath of frustration. Her skin began itching from moisture and humidity clinging to her. Her clothes weren’t hanging on her right. And the thoughts that plagued her made her ache to take off, get out of this situation, leave—go anywhere. At the moment she’d run back into the store, if she could only see the building. Closing her eyes didn’t help. Her conversation with her father on the phone earlier, then with her aunt afterwards and most recently the disturbing words Luke had said to her…all of it swam through her

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brain. There was no escape. She’d already run in the night. Running didn’t solve anything. Her problems came right along with her. Susie opened her eyes and then rubbed the moisture from her eyelids. Rick was one hell of a dangerous man, but somehow she had to fight him. If she didn’t, her life would fade away and there would never be happiness again. And she wouldn’t give Rick the satisfaction of destroying her. Or worse yet, of killing her because of the knowledge she had in her head. Two beacons of light faded in and out of her vision through the windshield. Susie focused on them, watching them blur out of sight and then brighten again. It took her a moment to realize they were headlights. Their brightness grew stronger until she worried they wouldn’t see her and run right into her. She pressed her hand on her horn, but the pounding of the rain against her car made it impossible for her to hear herself honking. There was no way anyone else would hear it. Her driver’s door opened suddenly, tearing a scream from her throat as she dove toward the passenger seat. She hadn’t even seen anyone walking toward her. Large soaked hands grabbed her arm, sliding down her skin as she was yanked out of the car. Immediately blinded by the rain, she panicked, her heart exploding in her chest while she gasped for air. And got a mouthful of water for her effort. “Come on. Let’s go.” Luke’s demanding tone surrounded her as he reached around her and pulled her purse out of her car and then slammed her door. She could barely see him from the wind slapping her hair in her face and the rain beating against her so hard that it hurt. Water splashed against her legs as she struggled to walk. Luke half carried, half dragged her through the storm. She wanted to fight him and at the same time cling to him. More than anything, she hadn’t wanted to brave this storm alone. But the last conversation she’d had with Luke chilled her blood, and she wasn’t sure if she was seeking out sanctuary or walking into more danger. The next thing she knew, Luke shoved her into the passenger seat of his Bronco and slammed the door behind her. Once again inside a vehicle, this one larger and saturated with the faint smell of fresh wood and car oil, she wiped her hair from her face. She was so damned wet it seemed her entire world was nothing but water. “At least you had the sense not to drive in this shit,” Luke said as he climbed into the driver’s seat and threw his truck into gear. “Where are we going?” She couldn’t take her eyes off him. Soaking wet, his hair clung to his head, droplets falling to his broad shoulders. The T-shirt he wore clung to him like a second skin, showing off corded muscles that rippled against the fabric. Luke was all man. And he was sitting way too close to her. His jeans were just as wet, hugging muscular legs. Someone with so much strength could take on a storm like this and weather it out without a moment’s fear. His jaw was set with determination, his mouth forming a thin line. Droplets of water clung to his eyelashes as he focused ahead, his large hands gripping the steering wheel as he navigated through zero visibility like he did it every day. “I’m taking you back to my house. It’s closer than trying to drive to yours.”

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“Oh.” She looked ahead through the windshield but couldn’t see a damned thing. The windshield wipers slapped back and forth across the windshield so hard that it made her sick to her stomach watching them. But she couldn’t look away either. Her only other option was looking at Luke, and he made her tummy twist into knots also. He was taking her to his place. She’d never asked if he lived alone or not—there hadn’t been reason to. But if he was divorced, she guessed that he might. They would be alone, soaked and riding out this storm together. Butterflies danced in her already nerve-racked stomach. Suddenly, enduring this storm didn’t seem to be as big of a deal. Her mind went to the possibilities of what it would be like being alone with Luke Roge. She shouldn’t be having such thoughts. Her divorce wasn’t even final. Legally at this moment, she was still married, although she couldn’t wait for her father to call saying papers were ready to sign. They would be faxed to her the moment they were finalized. She dared to glance over at Luke again. His aggressive manner as he drove ruthlessly through the storm suddenly made the space inside the Bronco way too warm. When they stopped and Luke cut the engine, he turned to look at her. It was so dark outside his blue eyes seemed to glow with satisfaction as he stared at her for a moment. There was no way to tell what he thought, although she swore he looked pleased with himself. She couldn’t look away though. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she studied his solid muscle tone, his high, broad cheekbones and the intense look he gave her. Without a word, Luke turned from her, opening his car door and disappearing into the storm. “Wait,” she cried out, turning to open her own door. He was there by her side before she could get out. Once again his large hands were on her. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her against him. Unable to see where she was going, she ducked her head and allowed him to lead her through the rain. Wind had picked up and it blew against her so hard she stumbled. Nothing she’d experienced matched the intensity of this storm. And she’d been caught in a thunderstorm or two during her life. Even blinded by snow and the cold, she’d managed to handle herself. Her heart pounded in her chest and every breath she took was filled with water. It seemed they walked sideways. No matter how many steps she took, the wind tore at her, fighting to yank her away from Luke. His grip on her tightened and he yelled something, although the pelting rain and high winds made it impossible to hear him. She climbed steps alongside Luke, realizing they were suddenly on a large front porch even though wind still slapped her hair against her face. Her clothes hung so heavily on her they made it harder to move. And she was cold—damned cold. In the next instant they were inside, Luke closing the solid wooden door behind her. “I guess paybacks are due. Now you can leave the puddle at my door,” he told her, leaving her standing at the entrance as he hurried into the darkness of the house. His words twisted through her. She shook desperately from nerves and chills while struggling to shove

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her hair from her face. It was so soaked it weighed a ton. She didn’t like the coolness of his words though, spoken so casually as if they were a joke. Looking around her, taking in hardwood floors and solid, old furniture that filled the large living room, she wondered again exactly what he might have heard standing in her kitchen earlier that day. Lightning briefly lit up the room, making it easier to see pictures that hung on the wall, as well as a large fireplace at the other end of the room. She shivered, wondering where he’d disappeared to. “Luke?” She looked around her, nerves making her heart pound in her chest. She was so damned soaked that she wondered if she’d ever be warm again. “Power’s out,” he informed her when he hurried back into the living room. “Here. Dry yourself off and put this on. Bathroom is down the hall. I’ll get the generator started.” She swallowed heavily as she absently took the thick towel and heavy bathrobe that he offered her. He’d changed clothes and now wore loose-fitting sweatpants and no shirt. Sprays of dark hair spread over his chest—a chest so fit and muscular it made her mouth go dry. “Umm, okay.” He left her alone again, hurrying off into the darkness of the house. She walked through the large living room, entering the hallway and heading toward the open door that fortunately proved to be the bathroom. Shutting the door enclosed her in complete darkness. It proved somewhat of a chore to strip out of her wet clothes, towel dry and then slip into the large robe. She put the towel over her shoulder, allowing her hair to dampen it instead of the robe, and felt a bit silly when she walked back out of the dark room, barefoot and practically naked, to search for Luke. Chapter Five “It’s going to be a bad storm.” Luke carried a small generator with cobwebs stretched over it. “I haven’t had to use this thing in a few years. Let’s hope it still works.” A crashing sound outside tensed every muscle in her body. Susie jumped, tugging on the collar of the thick bathrobe as she hugged it to her. “How long will the power be out?” It looked like he was going through a lot of work to get the generator going. There were bad storms in New York. And she’d lived through more than her share of power outages. But they always just rode them out, waiting until the electric company took care of things. “It looked like most of the town was out of power when I came in to get you,” he said. “Might take a day or so before they can get to the rural houses.” “Hmm.” Susie looked around the dark kitchen while Luke moved easily, opening drawers and making a pile of small supplies on the table. He’d put the dusty generator on the floor next to the table. Rain beat the windows, rattling the panes. Thunder shook the old house. More than likely this place had endured many storms. And the way Luke moved, like he’d done this many times before, relaxed her a bit.

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Luke handed her a small white radio that looked like it had to be a good twenty years old. “Here. See if you can tune that in to ninety-four point five. They should be all weather during a storm like this.” Grateful for something to do, she pulled out the antenna and sat down on one of the kitchen chairs. In the dark, it took a minute to find the power switch and then the volume knob. But she had the thing filling the room with static before long and then finally tuned in to the station. “Repeat. Everyone in Clay, Fillmore and Saline Counties need to take shelter immediately.” The radio announcer had an urgent tone in his voice, sounding almost breathless. “Spotters have reported a funnel on the ground just outside of Saline County moving approximately fifty miles an hour northwest.” Luke stopped what he was doing and stared at the radio. She didn’t like the expression that crossed his face. “What?” she asked. “Come on.” He grabbed her arm, scooped up the flashlight on the table and headed down the hallway. “Is it bad?” She clung to the radio, the announcer continuing to advise on how to properly take shelter during a tornado. “Yup.” He pushed open a door and pulled her into a dark room. “Watch your step.” She barely had time to realize they were at the top of a flight of stairs. A crashing sound shook the house and Luke froze, swore under his breath, then pulled Susie down the stairs. Mildew-dampened air filled her nostrils. The radio lost its signal. “Damn thing never did work down here,” he mumbled and then flicked on a flashlight. More rumbling shook the house. “We’re going to be okay, right?” She followed the glow of the flashlight, taking in shelves of empty Mason jars and massive amounts of cobwebs. “Sorry. I haven’t been here long enough to take on this basement yet. The accommodations are the best I have to offer at the moment.” When he looked at her, the glow of the flashlight highlighted his strong cheekbones. Blue eyes glowed in the darkness. Something roared overhead, sounding like the rumble in the subway. Crashing glass made her jump and she let out a yelp, then covered her mouth with her hand. Luke turned his attention toward the stairs, looking anything but pleased. The entire house seemed to shake. She glanced up at the cobweb-laden ceiling as more thunder seemed to crash directly above them. The basement was creepy. But her fear didn’t come from being stuck down here in the darkness. The sounds coming from upstairs sounded a hell of a lot worse than anything that might be in the basement.

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A strange, whistling sound filled the air. Then a door opened upstairs, banging against the wall behind it. Susie jumped, her heart suddenly racing so quickly that it hurt. Luke pulled her into his arms, his warmth encompassing her while hard muscle suddenly distracted her senses. “It’s okay,” he whispered into her hair. “Susie.” She looked up into his concerned eyes. His tongue darted over his lips while he adjusted her in his arms. The heavy bathrobe pulled open and she felt his coarse chest hair rub against her skin. Tingles rushed through her, giving her chills although she suddenly was anything but cold. Luke lowered his mouth, brushing his lips over hers. Susie sighed, responding to the kiss. The banging upstairs matched the thud of her heart. The fear that trembled inside her suddenly waned as her pussy throbbed and swelled. His arms tightened around her and he dove into her mouth, a growl escaping him. It rumbled through him, his muscles tensing and flexing against her. She should adjust her bathrobe, fix it so that not so much of her was exposed. And she did feel exposed. All thoughts of the storm vanished as she tasted him, felt him pressed against her. A sudden wash of vulnerability made her knees grow weak. Instead of reaching for the bathrobe, pulling it more securely around her, her fingers snaked up his bare chest. Muscles quivered under her touch. Coarse dark hairs tickled her fingertips. Her insides boiled and heat pooled between her legs. A fiery need rushed through her that she’d never experienced before. Something so intense, so mind-consuming that it left her dizzy. And all from one kiss. Damn. Luke’s hand spread over her back, brushing over the bathrobe and somehow still burning her skin. His touch robbed her senses, stole her ability to think or to hear anything other than her breathing. He cradled the back of her head. Turning her, his fingers gentle yet determined in their grip, he adjusted her head to deepen the kiss. Her hands gripped his shoulders, holding on, feeling thick, solid muscle. His strength fed her, empowered her. So much confidence, so much calm resolve. It was as if Luke knew when he brought her down here that she’d end up in his arms practically naked while he devoured her. He broke off the kiss, creating a hot trail down the side of her face to her neck. “You taste so good. Better than I imagined.” Knowing he’d thought about her made the heat inside her reach the danger point at record speed. He nibbled at the sensitive part of her neck. The bathrobe itched and she leaned in to him, not caring so much this time when it opened farther. Every inch of him was hard-packed steel muscle. From the top of his shoulders by the base of his neck all the way down his bulging arms. Susie’s fingertips tingled, loving the exploration when she felt his coarse hair on his forearms.

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“This crossed your mind too.” Heat burned in her cheeks at the truth of his words. “Maybe,” she confessed, letting her head fall back so that he could devour her neck. His teeth scraped her flesh. Chills rushed over her, giving her goose bumps. Luke’s hands moved, suddenly touching her skin. Had her bathrobe fallen open that far? “Luke?” “Hmm.” Her bathrobe slipped from her shoulders. Luke’s hand pressed into the small of her back, keeping her bathrobe from puddling at her feet. Her mind tumbled over too many thoughts at once. Was she asking him to continue? Maybe she should suggest they stop. She didn’t know this man, this Luke Roge. But the way he kissed, what his mouth did to her body… “Oh God,” she cried when he lowered his mouth to her nipple. His teeth latched on, tugged slightly and her world toppled to the side. Thunder might have rumbled above them, or maybe the noise came from inside her. She held on, digging her nails into solid muscle, clinging as her knees trembled. He sucked and licked, feasting on her like a starving man. His fingers pressed into her hips, the bathrobe crumpled over his hands and bunched up around her waist. It draped down her legs, brushing against her oversensitive flesh. She moved her feet, aware of the cold, damp floor underneath them. Every inch of her turned into one overexposed raw nerve sensitive to his touch, his breath, his teeth and his powerful hold on her. “I love how you taste, how you feel,” he whispered between her breasts and then began another wicked trail down her middle. Her vision blurred, but she looked down, focusing on the top of his head. Light brown hair formed soft curls. Susie moved her hand, stroking his head. Once it occurred to her that she’d encouraged his action, she didn’t know whether to stop or continue. Luke growled, lapping at her bellybutton, which about did her in. She bucked, not accustomed to the small hole being invaded. He purred his delight, adjusting his large body and kneeling before her, adoring her further until she worried she’d double over on him. “That tickles,” she cried out, and then added on a breath, “I think.” He chuckled, undaunted, but left her bellybutton moist and tingling while continuing his journey. Luke adjusted his hands, allowing the bathrobe to part farther. He spread his fingers on the backs of her legs, just below her ass. He spread her open, she was sure of it. Certainly she didn’t part her legs, inviting him in. Once he found her most tender area, she never wanted him to leave. The man had a tongue and mouth that worked magic. She pressed her hands on his head, holding him in place, and thrust her pussy forward, needing him, craving what he offered.

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He hummed and stroked her clit tenderly. Then he thrust deeper, parting her already soaked labia with his tongue. Susie clearly would die, or pass out and collapse completely on top of him, making an ass out of herself. Never had anything felt so incredibly wonderful. He devoured her, lapping at her juices and then plunged inside. His tongue was like a miniature cock, just rough enough to over-sensitize the insides of her pussy. But then his lips found her clit and he sucked. That warm suction wrapped around the most sensitive part of her body sent a pressure rushing through her insides. Susie grabbed his hair, tugging, not sure whether to yank him away or thrust harder against his face. She cried out, her voice echoing in the dark basement, while she erupted inside. The pressure broke, wave after wave of luscious sensations rushing over each other. Something that sounded like an explosion rocked her world. The concrete basement floor shook. The wooden panels above her head creaked and moaned. The sound of glass shattering barely registered when she toppled over Luke, her pussy tingling and soaked. Her legs were no better than noodles and she shivered, the aftershock of her orgasm leaving her breathless. Luke grabbed her, straightening and keeping her against him while he somehow managed to pull the robe up her back. She went rigid in his arms. Her body was numb, swollen and tingling. What the hell had she just done? A storm…a tornado…a man who claimed to know her true identity. Dear Lord. What was she thinking? Her mind whirled with too many thoughts. She backed away from Luke, adjusting the bathrobe around her. Then there was silence. His breathing sounded as labored as hers. But other than that there was nothing. No wind. No thunder. No sounds of things breaking. Just silence. “I hate to think what it looks like upstairs.” His mouth glistened from her come, the view making her crave him. Damn. She wanted him to fuck her. “Is it over?” she asked, her voice a scratchy whisper. Luke stepped closer, reaching between her legs and rubbing a calloused thumb over her swollen pussy. “This isn’t over. I have every intention of fucking the shit out of you.” Her heart skipped a beat. She looked up at him but he leaned over and grabbed the flashlight, then turned toward the stairs. The beam glowed over the wooden steps while he hurried up them. Well, he sure wasn’t going to leave her down here in the dark.

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Hurrying after him, she almost ran into his back when he reached the hallway. An eerie silence filled the dark house. Luke moved quietly from one room to the other, assessing the damage. A kitchen window had exploded, glass covering the counter and sink. He glanced at it briefly before walking through the rest of the house. When they reached the living room he halted. A large tree lay where the front porch had been. Part of a branch thrust through one of the living room windows, drops of water from its bark and leaves soaking the floor and furniture. “Let’s go out the back door.” He turned and looked down at her, assessing her for a moment. “You better put on your shoes.” Once they were both properly attired to take a look outside, he led the way out the back door. In all her life, Susie had never seen a sky like the one that greeted them. Clouds hung so low she swore she could reach out and touch them. All shades of green, pink and blue flooded through them. The clouds were small and seemed to rotate like hundreds of tiny funnels. And the air around her filled with patches of cold and warm. She followed Luke around the house, stepping over small branches that could easily be gathered later. When they reached the front of the house, Luke groaned. The front porch was gone. “Damn.” She tightened her robe around her and stared at the large tree that had been uprooted, its mangled roots stretching toward the sky like a deformed arthritic hand. The trunk of the tree lay several feet off the ground. Its branches twisted over the front of the house. “I wonder how everyone else fared.” Luke squinted at the sky with an unreadable expression. “My cell phone is in my clothes.” She should call her aunt and make sure she was okay. “You aren’t going anywhere yet.” He still didn’t look at her but instead stared at the damage done to the house. His comment sent shock waves charging through her. Every inch of her body screamed for more of him. But it had been a mistake to come into town. And even a worse mistake to allow him to bring her over here. Had they gone to her house, they wouldn’t have almost fucked the shit out of each other. She wouldn’t want a man whom she probably should have nothing to do with. Getting involved with anyone right now would be a huge mistake. “I need to get home.” He turned on her, his mouth tightened into a thin line. “No.” “You can’t just keep me here.” “I can for now. The storm isn’t over.”

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As if on cue, a large white streak of lightning cracked through the sky. Glancing around them, Susie wrapped the bathrobe tighter around her. No matter where she turned, it was as if she looked at a different sky with each glance. So many colors faded together. Different shades of green clouds faded into blue and lavender clouds with hints of pink made the panoramic view incredible. The turbulent sky matched the feelings in her mind, and the wild rushes were still lurching inside her. If he wouldn’t take her home, she had no choice but to stay. Luke’s house stood high on a hill with open land spread out in every direction. Other than trees surrounding the house, nothing blocked her view, enabling her to see around them for miles, it seemed. She’d been in the country before many times at her aunt’s house, but there the countryside was rolling hills. This was wide-open, flat land. Even with the sky looking damned dangerous, it was beautiful and intense. When Luke reached for her, she almost jumped, her heart coming to a quick halt before beating rapidly. “Look over there,” he told her, pulling her into his arms and turning her at the same time. Her back pressed against his chest while his arms tightened around her like a belt. Stroking one of his large hands over her belly, the heat from his touch soaked right through the thick bathrobe. He pointed with the other hand, leaning his head forward so that his cheek almost touched hers. Susie looked where he pointed. On the horizon, a thin brown line dipped down from the sky, curving slightly like a string and dancing as it moved slowly over the ground. “What is it?” she asked. “That’s a tornado.” “Oh fuck!” She jumped, twisting furiously in his arms. For a moment it was as if she tried to climb over him. Tornadoes were bad. The worst. This man just pointed one out to her as if he were asking her to look at a tree or a particular flower. He grabbed her, this time touching flesh when the bathrobe once again fell open. He gripped her under her arms, his thumbs touching the swell of her breasts, and she froze. “It’s okay, Susie. That one isn’t coming this way,” he whispered in her ear. His thumb did a slow, wicked dance over her flesh. For a moment, she couldn’t move. Her chin rested against his chest and she inhaled his scent. So masculine, so confident, the fading scent of fabric softener and soap mixing with something unique to him. They should go inside. They should do something. “Is it gone?” she whispered. “No. I still see it.” His thumb barely brushed over the bottom of her breast. Susie jumped, too many sensations rushing

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through her at once. Danger lurked around them. But there was danger wrapped around that small stroke of his thumb as well. Wanting him to keep touching her and wanting to run at the same time, she took a step backward, adjusting her bathrobe. She was an action kind of gal. Waiting for someone else to tend to matters when she could take care of herself had always bothered her. And with everything in her life so upside down right now, leaning against this stranger, this man who beckoned her, was too much. “I’m going to see if my cell phone works.” It was a decision made instantly and a damned good excuse to put some distance between them. She didn’t look where the tornado had been as she retraced her steps back to the house. Luke didn’t let her go. He held her close while leading the way. Just as they turned toward the back door, a fierce wind picked up, almost knocking her backward. Luke grabbed her hand, rushing toward the house. As they reached the edge of the house and turned toward the back door, the wind intensified, pushing the flesh of her face back. Luke yelled something, but she didn’t hear him. As they reached the back door, Susie stared at another tornado. This one was a lot closer, on the other end of the field that came up to his backyard. The tip of it tore up the ground as it raced over the land like a bulldozer ripping through earth, sending debris flying in its wake. The screen door flew open when Luke grabbed it, slamming against the back of the house. The loud bang brought her to her senses. She ran into the house with Luke, hurrying back down the basement stairs. Her call to her aunt would have to wait. Susie stared at the time on her cell phone when they drove into town later that day. Finally she had a signal and she couldn’t believe what time it was. Hours had passed since she’d left her aunt. Hurrying to push the buttons, she called her aunt, relief washing over her when she answered. “I wondered where you went.” Her aunt sounded amazingly calm. None of the hysteria Susie had expected rang through in Aunt Lisa’s voice. “We were stuck in Luke’s basement for hours, it seemed.” “Luke the carpenter? Stuck in his basement?” Her aunt’s tone hit that shrill note Susie had anticipated when she’d first answered the phone. “What were you doing in his basement?” “Hiding from tornadoes.” Among other things. “Did they hit you?” “Tornadoes? No. I don’t think so. The power flicked a bit and it rained so hard I could hardly hear myself think.” Her aunt paused for a moment and then asked quietly, “You’re okay, aren’t you?” “Oh yes. I’m fine.” She looked out the window of Luke’s Bronco at the town as they drove slowly toward the grocery store where she prayed her car was still parked.

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Trees had fallen all over the place. Windows in shops were broken and debris lay in the streets and on sidewalks. People wandered around, taking in the damage. “Windy Hills doesn’t look so good though,” she added. Luke flicked his turn signal and then moved around a fallen street sign in order to get into the grocery store parking lot. They bumped over part of the curb and Susie braced herself. “Oh God,” she cried out when she saw her car. “What is it?” Her aunt sounded more and more worried the longer they were on the phone. A large tree, roots and all, lay in front of the grocery store, the one-story building barely visible around it. Broken glass and parts of the store sign lay scattered around her car. One of the security lights had fallen directly on top of her car. The vehicle was smashed down the middle. Her vehicle now resembled the shape of a V. “My car…it’s destroyed.” “What?” Her aunt didn’t scream. Instead her voice sounded too calm. “We’re going to have to call your father.” And that would draw more attention to her. “The insurance is in my name. Everything can be handled locally.” Luke gave her an odd look when they pulled up alongside her car. She turned away from him though, climbing out of the Bronco. “I’ll call you back, Aunt Lisa.” As long as her aunt was okay, Susie had other things she needed to worry about. Darkness had shrouded them by the time the police showed up. Luke knew the officer, which somehow wasn’t too surprising. The two of them talked more about damages around town and in the surrounding county than they did her car. Finally the officer, Dan Murphy according to the small, gold-plated nametag on his uniform, finished a police report and handed it to her. “Claims are going to be backed up for weeks,” he told her. She guessed he’d repeated that statement many times over the past few hours. “I’ll call my insurance company in the morning.” And pray that all paperwork about the claim would come to her new address. The less correspondence she had with her father, with anyone in New York right now, the better. Hopefully someday she would be able to build the closeness she’d always had with her dad again. But for right now, she had to walk through life alone. That knowledge left an empty feeling inside her, but as she stared at her destroyed car and then around her at the devastated town, something hardened inside her. She would make it. Even in the darkness, people had joined together, walking down the streets and picking up debris.

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The officer commented on another call he needed to head out on and then left them. She found herself standing alone in between Luke’s Bronco and her car when Luke hurried to the other side of the lot to help a couple other men pull the destroyed grocery store sign into the grass. People around here had lost their homes, their businesses, and in the night rallied together to help clean up the mess. Her life was in a mess too. But she had a home. She had money in her account. She would pull through this. Just like those around her who didn’t pause for a moment before picking up the pieces, Susie wouldn’t pause either. She would pick up the pieces and move forward. Hurrying over to where Luke was, she grabbed part of the huge, broken plastic sign and helped the men move it over to the grassy area alongside the lot. Chapter Six “The bad part of all of this is we got another front headed this way.” Beaux Miller rubbed his thick belly, squinting past Luke down the street. Susie stood next to him, her once damp clothes now wrinkled and dirty. She’d worked alongside him every time he’d stopped as they drove through town. Granted, he was in no hurry to return her to her aunt’s house. With more bad weather headed this way, it would be a long night. Having her with him ensured her safety. “There’s going to be more tornadoes?” Susie asked in disbelief. “This town won’t survive it.” Beaux chuckled, which made his belly wiggle. Years of cooking in their café had made him a pretty thick man. “We’ve survived worse than this. Hard to say if they’ll come this way or not. Just know what the weatherman said,” he told her and then offered a reassuring wink. “Those weathermen are seldom right anyway. They didn’t predict this.” He waved his hand around them. “We didn’t get any notice of tornadoes until half an hour before they hit us.” Luke shook his head. “As if that’s supposed to reassure her.” Beaux shrugged and then looked over his shoulder when Betty, his wife, hollered at him from the entrance of the café. “I think we’re going to need to clean out the basement just like we did in ‘93,” she said with a frown. “What have you heard?” Luke walked toward her with Beaux and Susie on either side of him. “Pearl called me from over at the Gaslight Apartments. None of them have any power and they all have electric stoves in that place. Without refrigerators or stoves, there will be a lot of families scrambling to get their kids fed. We’ll be busy tonight, I’m sure.” She eyed Susie for a moment, but then turned and looked up at her husband. “We need to get the generators going. Some folk are going to be homeless tonight.” Beaux scratched his head and looked at Luke. “You got time to help me move some supplies around downstairs?”

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“I can help,” Susie said. His ex-wife never would have agreed to jump in and do a man’s work. In fact, last time a large storm had hit them, she’d wanted to drive into Lincoln, get a fancy hotel room and make a party out of it. Susie followed him as he and Beaux headed toward the large basement under the café. She got on her cell phone and explained to her aunt why she’d be away from home longer. And then she went downstairs with them, jumping right in and helping to move boxes of straws, napkins and all the supplies the café used. When he and Beaux went after some of the heavier boxes, she disappeared, but then was right back again with a broom, sweeping the floor. “If people are going to be down here for a while, they’ll want it clean,” she said sheepishly, a smudge on her cheek somehow making her look even more adorable. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss that shy smile right off her face. By the time they headed back upstairs the café was pretty full, displaced families sitting at the tables talking to each other, learning what damage had happened so far. Betty took a minute to pour them all coffee. “It’s good and hot. You better enjoy it. Without power it’s hard saying when you’re going to get another decent cup.” Susie sipped at her coffee, standing at the end of the counter and staring toward the blackness outside. “It’s pouring again,” she said unnecessarily when he stood next to her. The door to the café opened and a couple hurried in. Either that or the wind blew so hard that it simply pushed them inside. Water sprayed through the door and everyone inside quit talking and turned to acknowledge the couple. Camaraderie existed when tragedy hit Windy Hills. It was something Peggy never appreciated. And something that made Luke love this place even more. People stuck up for each other and made the effort to help out when times got bad. “They’ve got a twister down just outside of town,” Beaux yelled through the kitchen window where plates of food were usually set. “Everyone downstairs!” Luke moved to stand next to one of the generators that kept power on inside the café. Pulling Susie to his side, he watched while Betty calmed children and guided families toward the basement stairs. The large windows at the front of the store rattled in anger as the wind picked up outside. One of Polly Olson’s kids started crying next to him. Susie reached down and scooped up the little girl. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?” Her tone was soothing enough to calm the child. “Mommy’s lost,” the little girl said through sobs. “She’s here. Do you see her now?” Susie asked, adjusting the child so she could see better as everyone hurried by to the stairs. Luke spotted Polly scrambling toward the kitchen after one of her boys. The woman seemed to have a child every year. He nudged Susie, gesturing toward Polly’s back. “Over there, with the long ponytail,” he said, needing to put his arm around her to whisper in her ear so

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she could hear over the commotion. “There’s Mommy!” The little girl twisted in Susie’s arms, struggling to get down and hurry to her mother. Susie managed to hold tight until Polly made it to them, one baby in her arm and another holding on to her hand. “I can help you get them downstairs,” Susie offered. Luke wasn’t sure Polly would have agreed if she hadn’t seen his arm around Susie. Polly and Luke had gone to grade school and high school together. He’d been at her and Billy’s wedding. She smiled at Susie, already looking exhausted. “That would be nice of you.” Susie left his side, whispering to the little girl in her arms as she followed the others down the stairs. Beaux gripped the counter, waiting for everyone to head out of the diner before cutting the generators. Something crashed against one of the windows, making an exploding sound as glass shattered everywhere. Several of the women still on the stairs screamed. Beaux hurried to the kitchen, turning off one generator that enclosed half the café in darkness. Luke made it to the other, turning it off as wind and water sprayed all over him. “We’re going to get it bad,” Beaux yelled, hurrying toward Luke. The two paused at the top of the basement stairs. Everyone was safe downstairs and Luke understood Beaux’s need to be up here with his business while the worst happened. “You got a radio?” Luke didn’t want to miss any of the action. His father had been the same way, shooing the family downstairs during the bad storms and then riding them out by himself on the front porch. His father was gone now and it was Luke’s turn to ride out the storm. All he needed was a family to protect. But damn if Susie didn’t seem to take to children well. Shoving the ridiculous thought out of his head, he focused on the storm, on the intense rain that pounded the building and the whistling of the wind as it took out everything in its path. “There’s the radio in the kitchen I was listening to before we cut power. Come on.” Beaux led the way behind the counter and then found his radio. “Now to see if the batteries are any good,” he added with a chuckle. There was a large island in the middle of the kitchen with ladles and sharp knives hanging from a rack above it. They rattled back and forth while Beaux struggled to turn the radio on. “Does Betty keep batteries around here?” Luke asked when it became obvious the thing wouldn’t turn on. “Probably somewhere.” Beaux scratched his head.

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Something crashed out in the diner and the two of them began urgently opening drawers and cabinets, searching in the dark for batteries. “Found a flashlight,” Luke announced and then grinned when it turned on and offered a fair amount of light. “And here’s batteries,” Beaux added, tearing the plastic with his teeth as Luke held the flashlight and watched. It sounded like the chairs and tables were doing a dance out in the diner as the wind howled through the place. Outside, a car horn continued blaring. The noise didn’t let up. The entire café seemed to be shaking, which was sure not a good thing considering the café was part of the downtown buildings. All the buildings were attached to one another. Something creaked in the doorway, and the two men turned to look that way only to see one of the chairs slide forward, blocking the path. The radio crackled and let out a stream of static. Beaux fiddled with the dial but finally gave up. “My guess is the local radio stations are off the air,” he said. “We better get downstairs.” Luke beamed the flashlight toward the doorway leading to the main part of the café. “If we get killed up here, the women will have a fit that they’ve got to clean up the mess themselves.” The chair had lodged itself sideways in the doorway and Luke picked it up, setting it to the side. Debris flew around the tables and chairs. Both windows had blown out. Napkins fluttered around the room like a flock of birds, lost and trying to figure their way out of the place. “Damn,” Beaux breathed from behind him. “It’s probably worse than it looks,” Luke said and then realized he sounded like his dad. As they made their way down the stairs, everyone murmured their concerns and questions. The temperature rose considerably in the humid basement with so many people huddled close together. A few others had flashlights and focused their beams on the two men when they came down the stairs. “Good God, man, I thought you were a goner,” Betty hollered at Beaux when they reached the bottom. Luke found Susie sitting on one of the boxes by herself. She looked up at him wide-eyed when he made his way to her. “It’s bad, isn’t it?” she asked. “Yeah.” He wouldn’t lie to her. “But we’ll live through it.” “I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered so quietly he almost didn’t hear her. He pulled her into his arms and she didn’t fight him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, clinging to him.

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“I’m here to protect you,” he said into her hair. He meant it too. Without knowing her full story, even after the storm, he would make sure she was safe. He had a feeling that whatever she had run from might be a lot worse than the tornadoes that stormed their way through their town. She didn’t answer but nodded her head. That was enough for him. Having her trust was a start. Once the drama of the storm passed, keeping her trust would be the challenge. And he’d always been up for a good challenge. The sound of wood splitting above them, followed by a crashing sound, echoed through the basement. Screams filled the humid area and everyone was talking and yelling at once. “Sit along the walls,” Betty was hollering over the noise. “Cover the kids with blankets.” “It’s hot. I don’t want a blanket.” One of the children hit a pitch that grated through Luke’s system. He couldn’t blame the child. Fear climaxed in the cramped quarters. There were a lot of people down here. “We’re going to die! Oh God! We’re going to die!” Panic descended as the crashing upstairs continued. Looking up the stairs, Luke watched the door crash closed while something banged against it, trapping them. His insides twisted and he pulled Susie closer to him. A sensation of powerlessness rippled through him, twisting his gut. The feeling didn’t sit well with him at all. They were being buried alive by brick and mortar from buildings that were over a hundred years old. Susie twisted in his arms, freeing herself and wrapping her arms around her waist as she hugged herself. Her face glistened with sweat. Dirt streaked over her flushed cheeks and her green eyes were bright and large as she looked up the stairs and then at the ceiling. He followed her gaze, studying the beams above them. The place was solid, built to last. “We’re going to be okay,” he whispered to her. She met his eyes with a worried look. “Yup.” Noise seemed to reverberate through him. Frustrated and terrified comments around them, children crying, the crashing from above them…it all pressed in against Luke, tearing at his nerves. If he let go, surrendered to the panic that lay thick in the air around him, he’d lose control. And a damned tornado would not take control of him. “Listen,” someone said. A silence fell over the group in the basement. “I don’t hear anything,” one of the kids said. “Exactly,” Beaux said, pushing his way through the group in the basement.

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Luke was at the stairs before Beaux reached them. “The door is lying sideways here. And there’s something pressed against it.” “No. We’re trapped down here.” It sounded like old Rob Peterson’s wife wailing behind him. “Everyone stay calm.” Luke turned on the stairs, meeting the many people who watched him with anxious expressions. “We aren’t trapped. The door is stuck and it might take a few minutes, but we will get out of here. The calmer we are, the better off we will be. Please. Just relax and we’ll get this rubble moved.” “Rubble,” someone muttered. “Everything is destroyed.” “My house better still be there,” someone else wailed. Luke turned toward the top of the stairs, measuring the basement door that no longer hung on the hinges but instead pressed against the doorway at an angle. “I think the freezer is pushed up against the door,” he told Beaux, who stood behind him. “Oh hell,” Beaux cursed. “That thing is loaded down with frozen meat.” “See if you can get up here with me,” Luke said, making room on the stairs. “Maybe we can push it out of the way.” Beaux was a big man, and Luke knew he could carry his own weight. The two of them shoved against the door with little success. Luke stared through the small gap. There was no way he could fit through it. A child probably could, but he’d hate to send one of the kids out there when he didn’t know what to expect on the outside. “Luke?” Susie called from the bottom of the stairs. He turned to reassure her they’d figure a way out, but she climbed up the stairs to join them. “Move aside,” she said. “Maybe I can squeeze through that opening.” She wasn’t waiting for his approval but was moving around him on the stairs. Words of encouragement came up from below. “There isn’t a lot of room there.” Luke took her by the hips, bracing her as she joined them. “She might be able to squeeze through,” Beaux said, and then backed down a step or two. “Don’t hurt yourself, little lady. If you can’t make it, there will be help around soon enough. Hell, half the town is down here. We’ll be missed.” A dry chuckle came from below, followed by some friendly banter. Their spirits weren’t too low. Luke knew everyone hoped she would be able to squeeze her way out. Half the town’s watchful eyes bored through him as he let his hands stroll down Susie’s back when she hunched on all fours and worked her way through the gap between the door and the doorway.

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“I’ve squeezed through smaller spaces before,” she told him quietly, her gaze meeting his for a moment. A haunted look that he hadn’t seen before crossed over her face. Again a reminder of her tainted past, that she was running from someone, hiding and scared. “You don’t have to try if you don’t want to,” he told her, wishing he could make the expression on her face go away. “There will be help here soon.” “I can do it,” she told him, setting her jaw and then looking away from him toward the doorway. She crawled through the gap at the bottom of the door, her head and shoulders disappearing. “It’s a mess up here,” she told him. He couldn’t see her face, but leaned over her, his hands on her back, feeling her ribs and heavy breathing as she crawled further. “If I can twist my body,” she grunted. More of her disappeared, until his hands rested on her hips, her slender legs between his. Any other time he’d die to be in this position with her. If he bent over just a bit, his cock would rest on her ass. “I think I’m stuck,” she mumbled, her voice hard to hear since her body filled the opening. Luke gripped her rear end, the soft curves just the way he liked a lady’s ass to feel. Pushing against her rear end, he felt her body move forward. It took more effort than he realized not to stroke her roundness and allow his fingers to caress between her legs. More than likely if he did do that, she’d go flying through the tight opening, crying out in protest. The heat and confinement must be getting to him. He ran his tongue over his lips, tasting her still, and his cock hardened. “Push harder.” Her request ignited a fire deep inside him, his cock eager to fulfill the command. “Anything you say, darlin’,” he mumbled, and Luke swore he heard a comment from Beaux behind him. Hopefully Beaux’s large body blocked the view he had from everyone else at the bottom of the stairs. Susie’s sweet ass twitched and turned as she struggled to get through the opening. She cursed and grunted, trying to shift her body and go through sideways. Luke found one hand on her ass and the other at her front, stroking the heat between her legs. She almost kicked him in the face when she finally made it through, her legs and feet disappearing quickly through the small opening. “I can’t move the freezer,” she said from the other side of the doorway. “See if you can find help.” Luke knew damn good and well she couldn’t move that freezer. “Okay. I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” Her suddenly amused tone rubbed at his nerves. Feeling helpless wasn’t an emotion he enjoyed at all.

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Something crashed above them and everyone in the basement stilled. “Susie?” Luke called out, not liking the sound. He hated worse that he had no clue what caused it. “Yeah?” She sounded faint, faraway. “What happened?” “I just hurt myself a little bit.” One of the women below him cried out, initiating a stream of sobs as emotions peaked all around him. He fought the urge to yell at the lot of them to be quiet. “How are you hurt?” “I didn’t know there was something on top of the freezer. It fell.” Her voice wavered. More than anything, he wanted to bulldoze the freezer out of his path. “What was it?” Beaux asked from behind him. “What fell?” Luke asked. “It looks like an old stove or something. It’s on my leg.” “My wooden stove?” Betty asked from the bottom of the stairs. “Lord, the place is destroyed up there.” “We’re buried alive,” someone wailed. Once again cries exploded from the group below him. Something scraped over the floor above them. The sound grew, growing shrill and piercing until no one around him breathed. Muffled curses reached his ears and Luke clenched his fists until his fingernails dug into his palms. Susie shrieked and his heart exploded. He ignored the silence around him, fearing the worst. He’d let her crawl out of here and she’d hurt herself, possibly to the point where she couldn’t move, and he couldn’t get to her. Helplessness attacked him with a fierce blade. “Susie!” he demanded, unable to handle not knowing what was going on. “I’m okay,” she said in a forced tone. She sure as hell didn’t sound okay. “I’m free and I’ll go find someone.” It seemed he sat on the stairs for a good hour at least, wondering where in the hell she’d gone. Folks had settled in the basement, accepting their current state for the time being, and had attempted to get as comfortable as possible. Some of the older boys entertained themselves by annoying the girls while the younger children fidgeted around their parents. Everyone downstairs seemed to hear her at once. Luke almost stumbled on the stairs when he jumped up at the sound of her voice. “Over here,” she told someone.

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“Everyone okay down there?” It was Dan Murphy. “We’re fine,” Luke hollered. “Just need a little help getting out of here.” “We’ll have you out in no time,” Dan yelled back, and then there were other voices. Luke stood at the stairs, ready to push on his end, when the police officers upstairs rallied around the freezer, grunting as they managed to slide it away from the doorway. The freezer made a bloodcurdling sound as it was forced across the floor and Luke and Beaux were the first two to follow it away from the doorway. Moving out of the way quickly, Luke stepped over sheets of plaster that had once been the walls of the café, and broken glass. Tables and chairs lay haphazardly around the room. The front windows were gone, along with the front door and the entire wall. The café simply opened up onto the street, which was in just as much disarray. “The town is gone,” Dan Murphy told him as he followed his gaze over the destruction before them. Cries and wails filled the destroyed café as everyone left the basement. “There’s broken glass and sharp debris everywhere,” Officer Bentley, one of the older men on the force, warned folks as they stumbled around the destruction. “Watch your step and keep moving until you’re to the street.” Susie stood in the middle of the destroyed café, covered with ashes from the old wooden stove. “I’m okay,” she told him, smearing more dirt on her face when she rubbed her hand over her cheek. Several people stopped and thanked her for her heroic efforts. More than once she introduced herself, commented she’d just moved here, and shook hands and patted kids on the head. They made their way out of the café and stood in the street under the star-filled sky. In the darkness, it was hard to determine the extent of the damage. But from what he could see, Dan Murphy was right. The town was gone. “You’re going to be front-page news.” Jack Wright’s booming newscaster voice grabbed Luke’s attention. “Injured while fighting to save half the town’s lives.” The tall, skinny man who ran the newspaper and local radio station had snagged Susie with a fierce handshake. “I couldn’t find my family anywhere.” He stood with his wife and two daughters, and the small family surrounded Susie. “We’ll make sure to write you up as the young woman who helped save the town. It’s a real humanitarian story. Folks eat this kind of stuff up. It will make all the news. I bet the AP wire picks up this one.” Luke saw the fear swarm across Susie’s face. She looked like a doe trapped in headlights and trying to remember how to run. Joining the small group, he managed to free Susie’s hand from Jack Wright’s. “You’ll have plenty of news to cover from the looks of things,” he said. Jack was a few years older than Luke and had been out of high school before Luke had started. The

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man had settled into the town, working his way up until he ran most of the media the town had to offer. “Your girl here will help boost morale,” Jack said, grinning as he stared at the two of them. “With all of this devastation, folks will want to hear how we worked together. Susie…what did you say your last name was? Why don’t you give me a call tomorrow?” Amidst all the chaos and destruction, Jack Wright pulled a business card from his shirt, handing it to Susie. She took it, not saying a word, and then looked down at her dirty shoe as she began pushing a rock away from her foot. Luke managed to get her away from the family who quickly were distracted with confirming that everyone was okay. “There will be so much news to report, he’ll forget about wanting to interview you.” Susie stopped walking and looked up at him, searching his face as if she were trying to figure something out. There was dirt smeared down her cheek and her hair was tangled and damp. Her clothes were messed up and torn, and she either had a cut or a nasty bruise trailing down her arm. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman in all of his life. “Luke. Need your help over here,” someone called. He turned to see Dan Murphy and one of the other men trying to right a car that was on its side and shoved into one of the shops across the street. Jaunting over to help them, he turned around a few minutes later and realized that Susie was gone. Looking up and down the dark street, he didn’t see her anywhere. Chapter Seven Susie stood next to her aunt when the tow truck driver loaded what was left of her car on to the long, flatbed tow truck. “At least it was insured.” Aunt Lisa watched the driver work. Two days after the storm, the town of Windy Hills didn’t look much different. Rubble had been shoveled out of the grocery store parking lot. A large mound of concrete, broken trees and downed power lines had been shoved to the corner of the lot, making it safe for people to park in front of the grocery store again. Susie finished giving the driver her insurance information and then watched as he left with her totaled car. With all the destruction, the only taxi service in Windy Hills had repeatedly told them they didn’t have enough drivers to get out that far. They’d had to wait two days before a taxi had been willing to drive out to Pearl Lake and bring them into town. “Thank God this place is small,” Susie said, turning toward the street. “The insurance office is just a few blocks away. If I understand my policy right, we should be able to get a rental while waiting for the claim check to arrive.” Downtown looked like a bomb had hit it. Even if they’d had a car, they would have had to walk the distance. Road barriers were up at either end of the few blocks where once-beautiful old buildings had stood. Several of them were gone. Those remaining had signs on their doors saying they were closed.

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Murphy Owen’s name was on his door above the words “Home, Life, Auto”. It was one of the few businesses open downtown. The first thing Susie spotted inside was a small poster announcing that no claim could be processed in less than thirty days. “Susie,” the woman behind the desk said, smiling. “I don’t remember your last name.” Susie returned the smile, although she didn’t recognize the lady. “We were in the basement over at the café together,” the woman said with a laugh. “I’m Sheryl…Sheryl Brooks.” She still didn’t recognize the woman, but shook hands. “I hope everything is okay with you,” Susie said. “Lost everything,” the woman said, leaning back in her chair with a shrug. “It was a rental house, and thanks to Murphy I had renter’s insurance. A lot of folk around here weren’t that lucky. But what can we do for you? You’re new in town. I hope your house wasn’t hurt.” “Our house is out at Pearl Lake and there were very few damages.” There were two men standing in the doorway to an inner office and they turned to listen when she mentioned the Lake Front Estates. “Why wouldn’t you go into Lincoln if you got a claim to file?” The older man, his thumbs tucked into his overalls, looked at her with piercing gray eyes. It didn’t look like he’d cracked a smile in years. Susie had her reasons for wanting to stay out of the city, and none of them were this old man’s business. She ignored him, focusing on Sheryl Brooks. “Is there any way I can get a rental until my insurance pays up on my car?” she asked, pulling out her policy card and handing it to the woman. The old guy had obviously finished his business because he left without a further word. The other man, possibly ten years older than Susie, walked around Sheryl’s desk, looking at her screen when she pulled up Susie’s information. “Not sure we have any rentals here in Windy Hills,” he said without looking at her. “Murphy. Susie got half the town out of Betty and Beaux’s basement during the tornado. We were trapped down there in the Millers’ basement underneath the café and she crawled out and got help. She got hurt and didn’t give up until she found folks to get us out.” Sheryl looked up at her boss. “I know she lives out at Pearl Lake, but she helped a lot of us out.” Aunt Lisa sniffed. “I know we’re new to these parts, but you’ve got to clear something up for me. What’s wrong with Pearl Lake?” Murphy looked at Susie and her aunt for the first time. His face was round and he had a double chin. The suit he wore didn’t quite fit right, and he looked more like a used car salesman than an insurance man. He held out his hand, looking sincerely concerned when he greeted both of them. “Murphy Owen,” he said, almost slurring the two names together. “And to answer your question, ma’am, there’s nothing wrong with Pearl Lake. That land was bought out from several farmers a good twenty years ago now, I’d say. Left some hard feelings because the farmers who sold their property thought they got took on the price of the land. The developers out of Lincoln pulled in quite a few subcontractors out of Lincoln to build up those homes. A few of our folk got jobs while Lake Front

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Estates went up, but not many.” Sheryl nodded toward the door that the older man had just left through. “Since most out at Pearl Lake do their shopping in Lincoln, a lot of the townsfolk feel they got robbed of business that could have come our way.” “Now, you have a claim for me?” Owen said, changing the subject. Susie handed him the police report and receipt from the wrecker service. “We’ll get this processed, but I’m not sure about finding you a rental.” Owen scratched his head. “The only car lot we got where I could get you a car got wiped out pretty bad.” “It’s unbelievable how the town just seems to be gone.” Susie looked out the front window, amazed that it was intact when the building across the street was destroyed. “There’s too many without homes.” Sheryl shook her head, typing while she talked. “I know they are using the church basement for a shelter, and so many don’t have food.” “And half of them didn’t have insurance.” Murphy shook his head as if that were a sin in itself. Leaving the office with little hope of having a car anytime soon, Susie was lost in thought as they walked through what was left of downtown. “Guess we should be glad we got a roof over our heads,” Aunt Lisa said. “Yeah. Except at the moment, I’m not sure how we’re going to get back there.” Susie chuckled, not in any great hurry to return to the house she’d been forced to call home. She hadn’t seen Luke since she’d hurried away the night of the storm. She started out walking home, needing to get away from too many people crowding in around her, when a farmer had offered her a ride. These people jumped in to help anyone in need. Many of them welcomed her and her aunt without too many questions. She liked Windy Hills. Or what was left of it. “How far is Luke’s house from here?” her aunt asked. Susie gave her aunt an odd look. Having a reason to find him again sounded damned good to her. She hadn’t heard from him in a couple days and refused to call him. But at the same time, it scared her how much she wanted to see him. The more time that passed, the more she thought about him and imagined how it would be fucking him. So many possible endings existed to the time they had in his basement. She’d screwed him every which way possible in her mind and it was making her nuts. He’d sensed how frightened she’d become when the reporter had suggested he could make her front-page news. Telling herself a small-time newspaper wouldn’t gain national attention no matter the reporter’s enthusiasm for it to do just that hadn’t stopped the fear that somehow Rick would get word of it anyway. Her thoughts strayed back to Luke. He’d implied he knew more about her. She was dying to know what he knew and how he’d found out. But bringing the subject up would mean she’d have to answer questions. Already she knew Luke would demand to know the entire story. She just wasn’t sure that sharing it with him would be a good idea.

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Yet she’d shared her body. Did she have what it took anymore to share her mind? “He lives out in the country,” Susie said. “And you know, it was raining so hard I couldn’t tell you how to get there right now if I had to.” At the intersection, Susie stared down the street at church steeples that glowed against the sunlight. They could stand to hit the grocery store, and they’d need to find a cab driver willing to take them home. But curiosity bested her. “Let’s go see how many people are staying at the church.” Aunt Lisa smiled. “You know, maybe if we offered to help buy food, someone who had a car could help us with transportation.” “You think?” Susie looked at her aunt. Aunt Lisa shook her head. “I told your father time and again he should have been more involved with a church. People look out for each other in a community. Come on. Let’s see what happens.” Susie grinned and followed her aunt, knowing damned good and well the woman never went to church. She wouldn’t argue the community thing though. Already she’d seen how tight-knit this town was. When they reached the white wooden building with its tall steeple and the words “Christ the King” on the small marquee in front, Susie was amazed that it looked intact as well. There were several men using chainsaws on a large tree that lay across the small parking lot next to the church. Otherwise, there didn’t appear to be anyone around. Finding a door on the side of the building that said “office”, they walked inside, the fresh smell of burning candles greeting them. An older woman walked around the corner, looking tired. “We heard you were housing everyone who’s lost their home,” Susie said when the woman looked at them questioningly. “We’re at our limit,” the older woman told her. “I’ve got a few people offering their houses, but we already have a waiting list.” Susie nodded. It was bad. “We’d like to offer to help with buying food for everyone.” The woman’s entire expression changed. Obviously she was tired of turning people away. “I don’t think I know you.” Quickly Susie made introductions, getting the reaction she was getting used to when she told the woman they lived out at Pearl Lake. The woman’s smile faded only for a moment. “Well, any and all help is more than appreciated.” The woman told them her name was Joan Silverman. “We’ve got one problem though. My car was destroyed in the tornado. If you have someone willing to drive us, and help us get home, we’d be more than happy to fill your pantries with groceries.” Minutes later, Joan was on the phone making a handful of calls and explaining what she needed before

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finding a volunteer. Susie licked her lips, hearing her name mentioned again and again, and listened quietly while Joan explained who Susie was and what she’d offered to do. She clenched her hands in front of her, staring down at them, telling herself that she couldn’t be making a mistake since she was offering to help so many people. Nonetheless, her tummy twisted in knots. An older couple showed up within half an hour and the four of them went on a buying frenzy at the grocery store. Susie endured listening to the older woman of the couple, Majel Stone, tell everyone she passed how Susie was new to town and was filling the church pantry. Her husband, Roy Stone, never said a word. By the time they’d reached the checkout, the manager of the store told them he’d offer a ten percent discount on the purchase since it was for the community. It wasn’t until they were back at the church and unloading all of the groceries that her cell phone rang. “I hear you’re playing Good Samaritan,” Luke said when she answered. “Is your house still standing?” She decided not to ask how he’d found out so quickly what she was doing. The grapevine in this town obviously hadn’t suffered from the tornado. “Yes. Is yours?” “Yes. But what about your front porch?” “I can rebuild it.” He made it sound like it was no big deal. “Where are you right now?” She told him and he said he’d be there shortly, then ended the call before she could protest. “Looks like we’ve got our ride,” her aunt said, smiling as she stood next to Susie. Susie’s nerves tingled with anticipation as she helped unload groceries in the kitchen in the church basement. Hearing Luke’s voice on the phone made her insides swell. Now, knowing he’d be here soon turned her into an awkward klutz. Fortunately, there were quite a few people who’d created makeshift homes in the basement and almost all jumped in to help with the bags of food. Even though she’d made a hefty purchase at the store, the food wouldn’t go far with all of these people. “You’ve made quite a generous donation today.” An older man stopped her in the kitchen, his white collar giving her indication that he was the priest in the parish. “I’m Father Mike. And I can’t tell you how grateful we are.” “I admit it was done out of a bit of selfishness,” Susie said, speaking quietly as so many moved around them to help with the food. “It sounds like it’s going to be a while before insurance can replace my car. I was told the car lot in town lost most of their cars. We’re going to need a ride home.” The priest rocked up on his heels, his easy smile lighting up his watery green eyes. “Luke Roge called the office and said to make sure you didn’t go anywhere before he got here. I’m sure he’ll give you a ride.” The entire mood of the room changed before Susie could master a coherent response. Father Mike looked past her, straightening as if he anticipated an audience with someone he respected.

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Several people behind her greeted Luke. She refused to turn around, positive everyone expected her to do just that. Luke’s gaze seared her back. His solid footsteps matched the heavy thud of her heart. Every inch of her tingled with excitement. One heated, mind-blowing experience in his basement and she couldn’t wait to see him again. Heat flushed over her flesh, burning her cheeks and spreading down her neck. God. She hoped the priest and Aunt Lisa didn’t notice. “There you are,” Luke said, moving in too close to stand behind her while his hands gripped her shoulders. “I see you’ve met Susie, Father.” Father Mike smiled his approval as he looked at Luke’s hands on Susie’s shoulders. “She’s made a very generous donation today. How is construction going around the town?” “There’s quite a bit of damage.” Luke’s comment was instantly greeted by those around him, all sharing the destruction they’d endured. As he chatted, he kept her close to him, his hands always on her somewhere. It was damned unnerving. Quietly and subtly, he made them appear to be a couple. If Susie pulled away from Luke, the approving smiles of those around them would fade. Worse yet, Aunt Lisa didn’t seem to mind a bit when Luke ushered them through the room, continuing to stroke her back or caress her arm until the three of them were saying their goodbyes. They were stopped at the door by the church secretary. “You’ve been so generous already,” Joan began, smiling at Susie and then her aunt. “I have a favor to ask though, if I may.” “What’s that?” Susie wasn’t worried about her lack of transportation at the moment. There was no doubt in her mind Luke would see them home. She returned the lady’s smile. “If we can, we’ll help.” “Oh good. I hear the Gaslight Apartments are still standing. But they still don’t have power. I’m recruiting volunteers who might be willing to bring them hot meals. There’s a lot of older folk and families with young children who live there.” “We’d love to help with the cooking,” Aunt Lisa said quickly. “I can donate my kitchen.” Luke met Susie’s gaze when she would have protested. “Mom used to do all kinds of baking. It’s perfect and closer to town than your house.” “Excellent. Then it’s settled. I’m sure I can find a few ladies to drive out to your place and help prepare some meals.” Joan sounded completely excited with the idea as she grinned up at Luke. “Your mom would be proud to know you’re helping with the church again, Luke.” Luke nodded and then led the two of them outside to his truck. “She’ll have this blown into a full-fledged affair before nightfall. Probably be best if we gathered some of your things and I brought you two out to my place.” “Luke, I don’t think…” Susie began, but her aunt gave her a hard nudge in the side. “That sounds like a fine idea.” Aunt Lisa gave Susie a hard look, as if she was trying to tell her

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something. Susie frowned, feeling like she’d just missed something. At the same time, nervous excitement rushed through her. They were going to be staying with Luke. In just over an hour, Susie and Aunt Lisa had packed clothes into suitcases and loaded them into the back of Luke’s Bronco. It didn’t seem like it had been that long ago that she’d unpacked these bags and arranged her new bedroom. The strangest sensation that she was leaving this house and not returning plagued her. Entering Luke’s house again with the sun still shining outside also made her feel a bit weird. Emotions got a bit out of control with the incredibly destructive storm threatening their lives. It was almost like reliving an embarrassing moment as she entered the quiet home. In spite of her stomach twisting, anxious need swept over her too. Rays of sunshine created paths for dust bunnies in the kitchen when they walked through the back door. She glanced at the basement door and a tidal wave of lust washed over her so hard she almost tripped over her own feet. Pressure built quickly, soaking her pussy while images of what might have happened if they’d had a bit more time attacked her. Maybe if she’d fucked him, she wouldn’t be going nuts craving what she didn’t get. Looking away quickly, she focused on the large, airy kitchen that she’d barely noticed before. Long, tall cabinets surrounded half the room. There was so much counter space that she imagined years of family meals had been prepared on. Simple gray and white tile that showed signs of not having been scrubbed in quite a while made the room look larger. And a long wooden table with several matching chairs surrounding it was pushed up against the wall. Newspapers and what looked like a few bids and receipts were scattered on the table, with a carryout Styrofoam container sitting on top. A couple coffee cups were in the deep, white porcelain sink, and dust rested heavily on top of faded curtains. Mixed emotions rushed through her. This kitchen helped raise a family, but now it looked abandoned, forgotten. At the same time, she’d never had a family kitchen like this. She ate in front of the television growing up after her mother died, or in restaurants when her father had time to eat with her. “I’ve got the room at the end of the hall upstairs, but otherwise, you two can pretty much take your pick. There are four unused bedrooms up there.” He offered a shrug and an impish grin as he watched the two women take in their surroundings. “I guess I’m not the best housekeeper.” “This is a beautiful home,” Aunt Lisa said, following him through the kitchen toward the hallway. “Did you grow up here?” Susie brought up the rear as they headed up a wooden flight of stairs toward the second floor, which she hadn’t seen yet. The hallway upstairs was wide with a window at one end. Sunlight did its best to drift through dirty windowpanes. “Yup. My brothers and I were all born and raised here.” He didn’t say anything else but opened a few of the doors and pointed out the bathroom. “Take your pick of bedrooms, and there’s another bathroom downstairs. I can use that one and you two can have this one up here.” He opened the last door before the end of the hallway. There was one more door, slightly ajar, that he didn’t show them. Susie guessed that was his bedroom. As much as her mind told her to pick the bedroom at the other end of the hall, she found herself walking into the room next to his. Her body itched

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with energy so raw it pulsed through her with a life of its own. Taking her suitcase from her hand, Luke set it on the single bed, making it clear he wished her to have this room. Next to his, where he’d sleep. Did he sleep naked? In boxers? “These rooms are larger than ours at home,” Aunt Lisa called from down the hall. Susie jumped, hating how on edge her entire body was. “I’ve got to get back into town and take care of a few things before dark.” Luke grabbed her chin before she could protest and brushed his lips over hers, marking her, leaving the taste of him on her tongue before pulling away and whispering, “Make yourself at home and I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” He bounded down the stairs, leaving her standing there with her heart pattering and no response in her head. She licked her lips, wanting more of him. Darkness fell and Susie finally grew comfortable enough to help her aunt take on the kitchen, finding a few cleaning supplies and scrubbing cabinets, counters and the floors. She and Aunt Lisa found a vacuum, brooms and mops. Turning on the television for background noise, they moved from room to room, lifting layers of dust and making the place shine. A newscast on TV grabbed her attention while she swept the hardwood floors, gathering up tons of sawdust from the recently replaced living room window. “Aunt Lisa,” she called, leaning against the broom as she stared at the TV. “Come here.” Her aunt walked out of the downstairs bathroom, scrub rag in hand. “The governor of Nebraska has declared Saline County a disaster area. Predominantly a farming community, the largest town in the county is Windy Hills. Almost everyone lost their homes as five tornadoes ripped through the area earlier this week.” Aunt Lisa moved to stand next to her. “This is CNN,” Susie whispered, her fingers wrapped around the broom handle so hard they started to hurt. Her mouth went dry, panic ripping through her as the news report showed clips of the tornado and then after shots of the town and all the devastation. “Damages exceeded hundreds of thousands of dollars,” the reporter was saying. “The governor has asked the president for assistance in rebuilding several towns in this area.” The images flashed before them—pictures of their downtown and people she recognized. “We’ve rallied together. About all you can do in a time like this.” It was Jack Wright, the tall, skinny man who’d said he wanted to interview her. He focused on the CNN interviewer who held the microphone between them. “We’ve got a strong community, which helps in times like this. But even outsiders, like newcomer to our community, Susan Whittaker, stepped in and offered all the help she could to those who have lost everything.” Bile rose to her throat when she saw herself and Aunt Lisa helping to load groceries outside the grocery

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store. That happened just earlier today. Where had the cameraman been? How did she not know about it? “Oh God,” she whispered. Suddenly every muscle in her body shivered. For a moment she wasn’t sure she could stand. Staring at the TV, her eyes burning as she didn’t dare blink, she watched her safe haven go up in smoke as the reporter continued to show shots of Windy Hills, the destroyed homes and the comments of the people who lived there. “We have nothing left, nothing.” An older woman sobbed into the camera. “There is barely room at the church for all of us rendered homeless. And even less food. Thanks to Susie Whittaker’s generous donations, at least my children won’t starve.” “Aunt Lisa,” she cried, feeling the room spin around her. Her aunt said something but she didn’t hear it. Her aunt’s cool hand gripped her arm as she helped Susie to the couch. Susie plopped down without moving the opened magazines still scattered underneath her. She couldn’t take her eyes off the television. If CNN was in town right now, interviewing all of these people who’d obviously heard of her good deed, what would happen if the syndicated network tried to seek her out? What explanation could she give for not wanting to be interviewed? Rick would find her. He kept the news on all day long. Word would get to him, even if he happened to miss this report. Someone would recognize her and tell him. Her cover would be blown. She’d have to run again. Suddenly a phone started ringing somewhere in the house. She jumped and yelped, immediately feeling foolish. It pissed her off that even across the country, Rick controlled her emotions. “Would you calm down?” her aunt said. Susie looked at her like the woman had lost her mind. “Look. We aren’t at our house. We’ve just moved in here. Think, Susie.” Her aunt gripped her arms, giving her a firm shake. “No one will find us here.” Susie jumped up. “I know you’re trying to help.” There was nothing worse than being treated like a child. “But enough people know that we’ve come out here. Hell, in this town, just one person needs to know. Everyone will know before those reporters leave town. They’d probably drive them out here.” As if on cue, the sound of tires crunching over gravel grabbed their attention. Susie silently cursed the fact that they’d pulled down all of the curtains, the washing machine’s gentle whir in the other room suddenly annoying. She bolted to the hallway, gripping the doorway with sweaty palms as she stared at the large, brand-new window in the middle of the living room. She waited for the sounds of footsteps, then remembered they wouldn’t be able to come to the front door. With the front porch gone, Luke had roped off the area until he had time to fix it.

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“Now you just calm down, will you?” Her aunt sounded firm. “You can deny any interviews and the town will just think you’re humble.” “It doesn’t matter. They’ve already got me on camera.” Susie pointed to the television. She hated Rick for the power he had over her. But she gave him that power. Somehow she had to stand up to him or she’d be forced under a rock, watching her back for the rest of her life. No way would she live like that. Another car pulled up out front. Car doors opened and shut. The large windows throughout the house seemed to glare at her, watching her every move but giving no indication of who might be outside. Then there were muffled voices. She could see the front window and the kitchen window where she stood, but she had no idea if they could see this far into the house. Something flashed, and for a moment she feared it was a camera, then realized it was headlights. One of the cars left. She almost jumped out of her skin when the back door opened and closed. Luke appeared in the kitchen and moved in on her quickly. “No one is going to bother you here,” he said so quietly she almost wondered if she’d heard him right. “News does travel fast.” Aunt Lisa smiled when Luke wrapped his arm around Susie, pulling her away from the wall. “I was at the hardware store when the CNN reporters were spotted in town,” Luke told them. “We flipped it to the channel and that’s when I figured I needed to get home.” Susie nibbled her lip, fighting to concentrate. Hard muscle brushed against her while his fingers stroked her arms. He’d make her melt in front of her aunt with her world crumbling around her. “I got here just in time to shield you from Jack Wright. Seems he heard you were staying out here.” His blue eyes searched her face while one finger wreaked havoc on her system as he brushed it back and forth across her neck. “I told him you weren’t helping the community in order to gain attention and that you’d be offended if he tried to make a big deal out of it. Might have put him out a bit, but he’s gone.” “That’s amazing how you seem able to read my mind,” she said quietly, not wanting to sound unappreciative. It terrified the hell out of her that he knew something of her past, if not all of it. At the same time, unleashed lust attacked her senses. She was going nuts, insane. “Susie. I told you. I know who you are.” His soft words stilled every sound in the house. Chapter Eight The house was too quiet later that evening when Susie sat on the edge of her bed. Aunt Lisa had retired to her room almost an hour ago and was probably sound asleep by now. Susie wished she could do the same. She stared at the bedroom door, which was slightly ajar. The only light in the hallway came from Luke’s room. No matter how hard she strained to listen, she couldn’t hear a damn thing. But he wouldn’t be sleeping with his light on. Having kicked off her shoes, she still wore the shorts and shirt she’d put on earlier today. The small bag

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she’d packed had her nightgown in it. Walking over to push her door closed, she pulled out the simple white gown that fell almost to her knees. Pale blue curtains that she’d put up earlier hung over the two windows in her room. She pulled them shut before changing. Knowing Luke was in the next room distracted her too much. Her fingers shook as she untucked her shirt and pulled it over her head, took off her bra, then let her shorts and panties fall to the floor before stepping out of them. She ran her fingertips down her naked body before pulling her nightgown over her head. It was cool against her skin, which seemed to burn with a fever she doubted she could put out by herself. This was ridiculous. As early as tomorrow, Rick could be here. Or worse yet, simply send out hit men to be rid of her. Thoughts of Luke Roge should be the last thing going through her head right now. No matter how hard she tried to focus on something else, however, images of him—remembering how he touched her, how he kissed her, how he’d made her come harder than she’d ever come in her life—wouldn’t leave her alone. She needed a distraction. And with nothing more than a bed and a dresser in this room, she wouldn’t find it here. Opening her door quietly, she peered out into the dark hallway, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest. It was as if she were a child again, daring to sneak downstairs after having been put to bed. She needed answers. She craved a hell of a lot more than that, but at least if she knew what Luke knew, she might be able to sleep. Asking a few questions wouldn’t hurt. After all, the light was on in his room and his door was ajar. It wouldn’t be like she was slipping into his room so that she could climb in bed with him. But damn! That sounded like a hell of a good idea. Her legs were like wet noodles as she padded down the hallway, the hardwood floor cool against her bare feet. Hating the fact that her fingers trembled when she touched his door, she pushed against the hard wood, the door creaking and making her heart explode. Luke wasn’t in his room. Sighing, doing her best to get her heart rate to calm down, she licked her dry lips and turned to stare at the staircase. He had to be downstairs. Well, she’d gone this far. Now she had to find him. Her aunt’s bedroom door was closed, so she headed for the stairs, descending into the darkness below. All the rooms downstairs were dark except for one. At the end of the hallway, past the downstairs bathroom, was a room that housed a few bookshelves and a computer. She knew that from having vacuumed it earlier. With a little more determination, deciding it was safer to approach him in a room other than his bedroom, she walked the length of the short hallway and stepped into the doorway of the den. Luke sat with his back to her, staring at a computer screen. All thought of being alone with him faded as she stared at his computer. A newspaper article, dated sometime earlier that year—she didn’t quite remember when at the moment—was on the screen, complete with a picture of her and Rick. A lump swelled in her throat. Luke was researching to learn more about her past. She couldn’t breathe,

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could barely see as she turned around and raced down the hallway. Strong hands grabbed her before she reached the stairs. “Don’t ever run from me,” he whispered in her ear. She remembered Rick saying that to her in the past. Panic seized her and she fought him, opening her mouth to cry out. Luke turned her around and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his strong chest. Her cries were muffled as he held her to him. “I’m not your enemy.” One hand brushed over her hair while his other arm kept her pinned to him. “You don’t understand,” she mumbled, inhaling his scent, her mind racing with too many unappealing thoughts while his strength and the comfort of his embrace surrounded her. It was too much all at once. Tears welled in her eyes. “Then explain it to me.” He guided her down the hall and back into his den before she could stop him. “God,” she said, turning away from the computer as soon as she saw it. “Please take that picture off of your screen.” “Okay. Okay. Just don’t go anywhere.” He let go of her and she wrapped her arms around her waist, squeezing her eyes shut to stop the tears while she heard him move to the computer. “It’s gone now.” Again his hands were on her, slowly turning her around. His fingers brushed under her chin, raising her face upward. She blinked her eyes a few times, staring into his concerned expression. There was no way this man could be someone she should fear. Compassion and something a bit darker hardened his brooding expression. But she saw no hostility, no hidden agenda. Damn it. The last time she’d trusted her instincts, she’d ended up marrying a creep. Worse than a creep—a dangerous, hardened criminal. “You are really Susan Winestone.” It wasn’t a question. She licked her lips, nodding slowly. “Why did you come here?” he asked, his thumb stroking her chin. “Because I don’t want to die.” Something broke inside her, a dam of welled-up emotions. Suddenly more than anything, she wanted to believe that she could trust him, share every horrible detail of her past with him, lean against him and use his strength to make her strong enough to fight the battle she had before her. “Dear God.” Luke crushed her against him, holding her so tight that for a moment she couldn’t breathe. “What did that monster do to you?” It felt so good to be in his arms as she moved her face so that her cheek rested against his chest. For a moment she didn’t answer him. Talking about Rick was the last thing she wanted to do right now. Luke didn’t press her to answer, but simply held her, resting his face against the top of her head as he slowly caressed her back with several fingers. Finally she exhaled, relaxing into him. “You’re going to tell me what’s going on.” He didn’t let go of her, but spoke over her head. “Living in fear the rest of your life is no good. You’re safe here, but I need to know everything.”

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The words came out of her easier than she’d expected. “I married a monster. The divorce is almost final. But the knowledge I have in my head could put him in prison or worse. Rick Angsthworth isn’t going to quit looking until he finds me.” Luke let go of her but took her hand and guided her over to the computer with him. Sitting down, he pulled her on to his lap and adjusted her so that he almost cradled her in his arms. “Let him come find you.” The predatory tone in his voice stilled her heart. “I’d love to have a word or two with him.” “You don’t understand,” she began. He gripped her chin, lifting her face, and pressed his lips to hers. Fire. Heat scourged through her. Her world spun too fast as unleashed need, raw and demanding, consumed her with a fury she couldn’t control. Hell, she didn’t want to control it. All she could do was hold on. Letting out a cry as pressure that demanded release built inside her, her fingers worked their way up his chest. “It’s you who needs to understand, sweetheart,” he whispered against her mouth, and then burned a hot, wet trail to her neck. He found the sensitive spot under her ear and raked his teeth over the soft flesh. Susie was going to die. Right here in his lap. The man did something to her that no man had ever managed before. “Luke,” she cried out, holding on to him for dear life. His free hand brushed over her nightgown, teasing her nipples. Her breasts swelled, the pressure in them alone sending her over the edge. Without thinking, she arched her back, silently begging him to give her more. “Now is when you learn how safe you are with me,” he said, his hand sinking lower to the edge of her nightgown. “Oh God,” she cried out when his fingers glided over the sensitive, swollen flesh between her legs. All Luke wore were boxers, and the coarse hair on his legs tantalized her system. Brushing against her thighs, the sensation added to the slow massage from his fingers as he focused on the most tender spot between her legs. It had been almost a year since she’d been with a man, and then she hadn’t enjoyed it. Adjusting herself over Luke, she moved her legs so she straddled him. His warm skin was smooth when she ran her fingers over his shoulders, then wrapped her arms around his neck. Her vision blurred with need as she gazed into those glowing blue eyes—eyes that sparkled like rare sapphires. They’d turned a darker shade, piercing and determined.

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His cock turned to stone underneath her. Long and stiff, his need for her became more apparent every moment as he grew and stretched, pressing against the cotton fabric of his boxers. She moistened her lips, glancing down at the hardened pole that had made a tent out of his shorts. His fingers were between her legs, the top of his hand brushing against his own arousal as he stroked her. His cock danced with a fury that she knew had to be driving him crazy. Just watching made her insane with need. “I can’t make any promises,” she whispered, needing him to know that making love to him—no,fucking him—couldn’t bond them together. Her heart was in shambles right now. The physical release sounded too good to pass up. But he had to know, had to understand, that this would just be sex—mutual pleasure between consenting adults. When she dared to look up at his face, immediately she noticed his creased brow and the way his eyebrows had narrowed together. Her words didn’t please him. She looked away quickly, closing her eyes and focusing on what his fingers were doing between her legs. “Okay,” he said, the word coming out too quickly and not sounding like he meant it at all. Damn it. In another world, another life, Luke Roge would be the perfect catch—strong with good morals, good intentions, and better-looking than any man she’d laid eyes on in a long time. He ran circles around Rick in every aspect. Luke was a true man, hardworking, honest and respected. He would be a catch for any woman. Her own mistakes had ruined this perfect moment for her. Something in the back of her mind told her to scoot off him, stand up and back away. Apologize for getting them both aroused and hurry off to her bedroom. She had the power to stop this before it went any further. But hell, where that power was at the moment, she didn’t have a clue. Letting go of his shoulders, her fingers ran over his hard chest, enjoying the soft spray of hair that coiled against his skin. She paused when her fingertips touched the top of his boxers, brushing over the elastic band that held his erection under the fabric. “Can we just enjoy the moment?” Somehow she wanted him to say something—anything—that would help her justify the act they were about to commit. Never had she been the type of woman to indulge in casual sex. What she proposed was new for her. Luke needed to say something to make it feel right and like what they were doing was okay. “You’re calling the shots here,” he told her, his fingers not subsiding from the wicked caress against her soaked and oversensitive flesh. She sighed, her fingers trembling against his shorts. That wasn’t what she wanted to hear. He wasn’t making this easy for her. Maybe another angle. “I’m still legally married,” she whispered, testing his level of morality. “Yup.” Again nothing to make her feel like he would agree that this was just an act, that there would be no emotions wrapped up in it.

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Damn it. She had to have him. He wasn’t forcing her. He wasn’t pushing her into doing something she didn’t want. In fact, although his fingers ran back and forth gently between her legs, his other hand rested easily against the arm of his chair. He rubbed her moisture against her smooth skin, building a pressure that she’d either let him relieve or take upstairs and try to get rid of herself. Annoyance rushed through her. The sexy hunk of a man sat relaxed underneath her, allowing her to call the shots. He wasn’t pushing her away or telling her they should wait. All of her life she’d ached to be able to make her own decisions. And that was exactly the position she was in now. Get up and walk away or pull that cock out and ride it until she couldn’t take it anymore. God. She was only so strong. Biting her lower lip, she yanked at his boxers, freeing his cock. It bounced to life, ready and eager, strong and hard as its swollen head looked up at her. Even that part of him was perfect. Closing her eyes, she adjusted herself over him. He moved his hand out of the way, gently resting it on her hip, his damp fingers singeing her skin. She thrust herself down on him, letting out a gasp that matched the groan that escaped him. Slowly, her legs wobbly, she began moving over him. His other hand moved and rested on her hip. Gripping her, he kept her movements slow as he started controlling the act. His hips moved underneath her, filling her and receding. Daring to open her eyes, she met his gaze, realizing he watched her with an intense stare. She drowned in his gaze, unable to look away. Too many emotions ripped through her at once. He was beautiful, compassionate—and this was a hell of a lot more than just fucking. If this were just sex it should be wild, out of control, heated and crazed. But try as she might, she couldn’t help but sink into the sensual way that he looked at her. Unable to stop herself, she lowered her mouth to his, their kiss long and drawn out as he stretched and filled her with more feeling and love than she’d ever experienced in her life. Her orgasm ripped through her, making her want to cry, to cling to him, to say all kinds of things that she wouldn’t allow herself to speak. When he swelled inside her, his arms coming around her and holding her tight to him, she collapsed against his sweat-covered chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he released and poured everything he had inside her. For a long moment, she sat on top of him with him buried deep inside her, trembling occasionally until he started to relax. Her body was like rubber, her legs too weak to support her. If she weren’t careful, she could fall asleep like this in his arms, feeling safer than she ever had in her life. And that was just it. She lied to herself, but it somehow felt good, helped keep her shield up just a bit. It was the safety and comfort that Luke offered that attracted her to him. She had to believe that. If she didn’t, she would fall head over heels in love with him.

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Letting out a sigh, she straightened, unable to look him in the eye. Although her leg muscles still trembled, she pushed herself off him. His damp cock rested against his shorts, catching her attention before she could look away. He wasn’t smiling. His attention was riveted on her and he watched her like a hawk when she backed up a step or two. “I guess we both needed that,” she said quietly, ready to turn and run to the bedroom where she’d probably spend a sleepless night. Luke didn’t say anything. Slowly he adjusted his shorts without looking down, continuing to watch her. Somehow it didn’t feel right to just walk out on him without saying something more. She glanced at the computer screen, chewing her lip. “You have to understand.” She paused. His body appeared hard as stone, looking like a dangerous predator ready to pounce at any moment. She wanted to reason with him, force him to see her side of it. “A man who has committed crimes walks free and is respected in this world. I have the knowledge to put him behind bars.” “Then do it.” His mouth barely moved when he spoke. Not a single muscle in his body twitched. She laughed, feeling more uncomfortable now that he’d spoken than when he’d remained quiet. “If only it were that easy. Rick doesn’t play by the book.” “You’re defending him. Maybe you still love him.” His blue eyes had turned a glassy, hard color, penetrating through her. It was as if she didn’t need to answer him, like he already saw the truth by just staring at her. “No. God. Hell no.” She shook her head. “You have to know that isn’t true.” He didn’t say anything. It was on the tip of her tongue to remind him they couldn’t possibly have just shared what they did if she’d been in love with another man. That knowledge broke the shield that she’d fought to keep up around her heart. No. She didn’t love Rick. She didn’t even like him. That wasn’t the issue. She had feelings for Luke. And they were more than just physical. That had been more than just sex. Luke stood, his tall body towering over hers as he closed in on her. “I’m not the one denying the truth,” he said simply. She sucked in a breath. He read her too damned easily. Those intense blue eyes wouldn’t leave her alone, boring through her to her very soul. No one had ever reached as deep inside her as Luke. Although she understood that he meant she was denying her feelings for him, that was too sensitive a topic to discuss at the moment. She put her hands on her hips, determined to take the conversation in a different direction.

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“A very dangerous criminal with too much power on his side probably now knows exactly where I am, thanks to the news.” She sucked in a breath, glaring into those intense blue eyes of his. “He’ll come after me, Luke.” He reached for her, and she took a step backward, her legs still so wobbly she had to grab the door to keep her footing. Luke frowned, his body hardening with anger while she watched. He didn’t scare her, she realized. No matter that he was so much bigger than she was, so much stronger, there wasn’t anything in him that made her feel he would suddenly throw her across the room or smack her across the face. He wasn’t like Rick. Again, the shield around her heart seemed to crumble. “That asshole isn’t gong to lay a hand on you,” he said through gritted teeth. “I already know that. Once you learn to trust me, then you’ll know that too.” With that he walked past her, leaving her alone in his den. She stared at the floor, too many emotions rushing through her to grab hold of any of them. She listened to him climb the stairs, the soothing quiet of his home sinking in around her. She did trust him. Damn it. She did. Chapter Nine Every muscle in Luke’s body screamed. Sweat soaked his back. “On the count of three.” He looked around at the men who all watched him, sweat and dirt smearing their faces. “One, two, three!” They pulled on the rope, grunting in unison and then stepping backward, watching as the large oak slowly lifted and dragged backward. Just a little more muscle and they’d have the thing off the house, then they could saw it into firewood. It was probably the fifth or sixth tree he’d lugged off property this week. Age must be setting in, because he was feeling it more today. “That’s it!” Billy Olson yelled. Slowly letting go of the rope, he rubbed his gloved hands against his jeans. The storm that had been brewing most of the morning was now apparent on the horizon. Humidity soared and the sun glared down whenever clouds didn’t cover it. He rubbed his forehead, knowing he probably looked like shit. “I really appreciate your help,” Freddy Wills told the group. He walked over to Luke. “You’re going to have to give me a bid on rebuilding that wall.” Luke stared at the house, the corner of it caved in from the tornado earlier this week. Every day he’d visited homes in the area, helping haul trees, or rebuild. “You know there’s no charge for this.” His dad had never charged for damage done during a spring storm. He’d eat the cost of materials before taking advantage of a family down on their luck.

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Freddy slapped him on the back. “You’re just like your old man. Well, I tell you, the wife’s been nagging at me to add on a back porch—somewhere for her plants.” Luke nodded. “You let me know.” Freddy gave him a firm nod. “Give me a month or so. I’ll have you out so you can give me a price.” Luke stared off toward the highway as two large cars passed, both looking rather official. Detecting the out-of-state tags, he watched them drive by. They were headed for Windy Hills. “Looks like someone’s lost,” Freddy said, laughing. Luke smiled, but he didn’t like the looks of the cars. Ever since earlier this week when he’d made love to Susie and held her as she’d broken down and confessed running from her lunatic ex, he’d kept his eye out. “Well, I’m headed out. No rest for the wicked.” Saying his goodbyes, he jumped in his Bronco, heading toward town in the same direction the two cars had gone. The AC felt like it needed charged. Turning it off, he cranked the handle on his door, rolling the window down. His Bronco had served him well for many years. He needed to make time to give it some much-needed maintenance. There were many things he needed to make time for. Getting up before five in the morning all week and not making it home until almost dark had been a life he’d thrived on ever since his divorce. Now coming home at night to find the place clean and good smells lingering from the kitchen made it seem more like the home he’d grown up in. There was one thing missing. Tension ripped through the place. Aunt Lisa was a sweetheart, and the two of them warmed to each other easily. Susie had been avoiding him though. She spent most of her time in her room and he hardly saw her all week. And he ached for her. Not just physically. She was scared, always glancing toward the windows, her expression lined with worry whenever the phone rang or someone knocked on the door. She was too young, too beautiful to have been taken down like this. He ached to get his hands on the monster who had done this to her. Slowing when he got into town, he searched the streets. Two large vehicles with out-of-state tags wouldn’t be hard to track down in Windy Hills. There were still buildings needing repair, but for the most part, they’d cleaned their town up nicely over the week. Downtown would take major work. And roadblocks still stood at either end of the two-block strip. A handful of shops were open for business, and the townsfolk parked at the grocery store and walked to the shops, giving local merchants their business just as they always had. Turning off the main drag, he started combing the side streets. There were only so many places those two cars could have gone. They’d been coming from the direction of Lincoln, but it dawned on him that they could have been out to Pearl Lake before coming here. Damn shame they hadn’t found Susie out there. Luke grinned, thinking how that must have pissed off her

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ex. His insides hardened, anger building as he turned corners, growing frustrated when he couldn’t find the two cars anywhere. And then he spotted them at the edge of town at Fry’s gas station. Pulling off the road onto the gravel lot, he parked next to the building and then simply stared at the two vehicles. They both had New York tags. Newer Lincolns with windows so dark he wondered if they were legal, the vehicles could have been straight out of some mafia movie. Did that asshole think that he could come in and terrorize this small town, doing whatever he pleased and then prancing out of here with Susie? If the bastard thought that, he could just think again. A tall, thin man walked out of the gas station, adjusting his suit jacket as he walked around one of the cars and got in on the driver’s side. Luke bet he was burning alive in this humidity wearing clothes like that. Hopping out of his Bronco, he hurried inside the gas station, keeping his eyes on the two cars which had yet to move. “Well now, Luke Roge, haven’t seen you ‘round these parts in a while.” Gary Fry looked the same as he had when Luke was a kid. Tanned and wrinkled, his age undetermined, Gary Fry had worked at this gas station all of Luke’s life, servicing trucks and offering diesel fuel—the only place in town that did. “Who owns those two cars?” he asked, gesturing with his thumb toward the vehicles outside. Gary Fry shook his head. “They’re all looks. Those newer cars are pieces of shit if you ask me. Be nothing but a headache before they got fifty thousand on them.” “That guy say anything to you when he came in here?” Luke watched as the cars started pulling out of the lot. “You should have heard the way he talked, all nasally and stuck up, like he was someone who mattered.” He needed to go after them but wanted any information Old Fry could offer. An anxious feeling ran through him. He wanted to reach over the counter and yell at the old guy to tell him what he needed to know. “They didn’t ask any questions or anything?” Old Gary Fry stared after the cars, not saying anything for a minute. Luke wanted to scream. “Put gas in those things. They don’t have as big of tanks as you’d want on a car like that. Folks say they’re good for travel, smooth ride and all, but then you got to stop and fill them up every couple hundred miles. And at the price of gas these days.” The old man shook his head. “So they didn’t ask about anyone around here?” Already he was heading toward the door.

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“You’re in too much of a hurry these days, young man,” Gary Fry scolded him. “Nope. Just asked if many out-of-towners came this way.” Luke was already out the door, waving his goodbyes and knowing Old Fry was probably mumbling about young people not having manners like they should. Jumping into his Bronco, he tore out of the lot, grabbing his cell phone. He would guess that the men in the cars were looking for Susie. They didn’t know where she was, but if they stopped enough places, someone would tell them. He punched in the numbers as he drove. Aunt Lisa answered the phone, her cheerful tone making Luke hate that he would have to cause her worry. “Aunt Lisa.” She’d insisted that he call her that. “Hello, dear.” He could just see her grinning as she spoke. “Aunt Lisa,” he repeated. “There are two Lincolns here with New York tags asking around about anyone who might be from out of town.” There was silence on the other end of the phone and Luke waited it out. When she spoke again, her tone was quiet, serious. One thing he’d learned about Susie’s aunt—she had a damned good head on her shoulders. The older woman might come across as being carefree, but she could figure her way through a situation and had proved it to Luke more than once during the week that she’d been out at his house. She reminded him of his mom. “Check the tags closely. All of Al’s cars have personalized tags. They will say WINE one, or two, or three and so forth. Last I knew, Rick didn’t have personalized tags. But his cars would all be out of King County. He’s from Brooklyn.” It hadn’t occurred to him that Susie’s father might have come out here. Nonetheless, his nerves didn’t settle as he accelerated down the road, working to catch up with the two Lincolns. “Is anyone out at the house right now?” he asked. “Just Susie and me.” Luke chewed his lip, his insides hardening with determination. Those damned cars had an unsettling habit of being able to disappear on him. “I want you to turn off all the lights in the house and make it look like no one is there. Lock all the doors and windows. And whatever you do, don’t answer the door. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” “Don’t worry, Luke.” But even Aunt Lisa sounded worried. “Aunt Lisa?” He hesitated. “Yes?” “You know where the shotgun is, don’t you?”

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“Yes. I know where it is.” “Do you know how to use one?” “If I have to, I won’t hesitate.” Luke’s heart constricted into a tight ball. He believed that she would use it. Susie’s life was at stake here. Luke spotted them again at the grocery store, both cars parked at an angle taking up two stalls toward the outer edge of the parking lot. Pulling up on the back side of the matching cars, he got a good look at the tags. They weren’t personalized. He punched numbers on his cell phone again. “This is Bentley,” the older police officer said when he answered. “This is Luke Roge. I need a favor.” “What’s up?” “You remember Susie Whittaker from out at Pearl Lake,” he began, watching the two parked cars in front of him. “I hear she’s staying out at your place now,” the officer offered. Everyone had heard it—one of the disadvantages of a small town. It would take little effort for that bastard to find her. A sense of urgency rushed through Luke. “I need a big favor. She’s got an ex chasing after her and he’s a real bastard. There’s going to be trouble if I can’t stop him.” “What do you need?” Bentley’s tone dropped, sounding deeper and suddenly very serious. “Can you run a couple of tags for me? There’s two new Lincolns just pulled into town.” “Where are they?” “At the grocery store.” He gave the cop the tag numbers, repeating them slowly while Bentley muttered and wrote them down. “Give me a bit and I’ll see what we can find.” Bentley paused and then added, “Luke, don’t do anything foolish.” He didn’t think it would be too foolish to punch the guy’s lights out, so he agreed. The tags on the back of the vehicle were New York, King County. He knew he had his man. A heavy, purplish cloud blocked the sun as he got out, darkening the place quickly and making it impossible to see anything but his reflection when he stared at the black windows of one of the Lincolns. He rapped on one of the windows. A moment passed before it lowered quickly and quietly.

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Luke stared into the face he’d seen on the Internet. Dark hair and eyes, a hard, chiseled face and thin lips—what the hell had Susie ever seen in this bastard? “Something I can do for you?” Luke asked, adrenaline pumping through his body. More than anything, he wanted the guy to get out of his car and say something that would merit Luke taking him out. Although at the moment, his being in town seemed grounds enough to beat the crap out of him. “No. We’re fine.” Rick barely gave him the time of day before rolling his window back up. Luke tapped on the window again. Irritation rushed through him, the thickening mugginess around him not helping as he slapped at a mosquito. This time the front passenger door opened and a large man, thick with a dark complexion, shut the door behind him and walked around the front of the car. “Leave the car alone,” the man said, not using the letter R when he said the word car. “Then tell your boss to get out and talk to me.” Luke glared at the brute who stopped in front of him. “Why do you want to talk to him?” “Why is he unwilling to talk to me?” Luke fisted his hands on his hips, glaring down at the window that he was sure the coward was staring out of at that moment. “He’s a busy man.” The guy stared at him, beady, dark eyes looking like slits through the thick muscle and fat on his face. “Busy in Windy Hills, Nebraska?” Luke challenged and then turned and tapped on the window again. “If I’d wanted to talk to the hired help, I would have rapped on the front window,” he yelled. Luke’s cell phone buzzed and then rang. Grabbing it from his waist, he glanced at the number. It was someone from his house calling. Glaring at the window of the Lincoln, silently cursing the coward who hid behind it, he pushed the button on his phone, then brought it to his ear. “Hello,” he said, ignoring the man looming in front of him. “Luke, it’s Susie. Where are you?” She sounded worried, nervous. She’d barely given him the time of day since they’d had sex and now she called him when he was ready to have a showdown with her ex. At that moment the back door to the Lincoln opened and Rick Angsthworth stepped out of the car. Tall and slender, wearing new-looking jeans and a light yellow pullover shirt, he sized Luke up quickly and then glanced past him at Luke’s Bronco. “What can I do for you?” he asked. “Oh God,” Susie cried into his ear.

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“I’ll call you right back,” Luke told Susie and then hung up before she could protest. “That’s the question I was going to ask you,” Luke said, clipping his phone onto his belt. Rick stared at him, dark brown eyes not swaying from Luke’s gaze. “Just passing through,” Rick said, relaxing and tucking his thumbs into his belt loops. “I’m picking up my wife. She told me about the tornadoes. Damn shame about your town.” Rick foolishly concluded he was talking to a simpleton, and one who was no threat. Luke took a step closer, glaring at the asshole while his palms itched to simply take the motherfucker out. “You’re not picking anyone up and you’d be smart to keep on passing through.” Rick raised an eyebrow. Maybe where he came from no one threatened him, but Luke wasn’t scared of some coward hiding behind expensive cars and well-paid thugs. Then Rick smiled and rage surged through Luke. “I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced,” he said, continuing to stare at Luke. “Introductions aren’t needed, Angsthworth. Get in your car and get out of town.” Rick’s smile disappeared. He glanced over his shoulder at the well-trained guard dog who watched Luke. Cars entered and left the parking lot—business as usual. Luke had noticed more than one curious stare and wouldn’t doubt he’d be asked about this later. “My darling wife didn’t wait long before finding herself a protector,” Rick sneered at him. “Tell me where she is now or bring her to me. Then we’ll leave town.” “Like hell,” Luke said when Rick moved for his door handle. Luke grabbed the man’s shoulder, at the same time hearing a growl from the oversized Neanderthal. A car pulled up alongside them and Luke quickly noticed Officer Bentley behind the wheel. So much for the pleasure he would have gained in punching the creep’s lights out. “What’s going on here?” Bentley asked as he got out, adjusting his pants around his waist as he looked at the three men. For an older man, he looked impressive in his uniform and not the least bit concerned about the thug who looked at him and then over to Rick. Bentley turned his attention to Luke. “Just giving these men directions so they can leave town,” Luke told him, focusing on Rick who’d turned around to look at the officer. “Actually, we’re here to pick up my wife, Susie Angsthworth.”

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“Name doesn’t ring a bell.” Bentley rubbed his chin with thick fingers, meeting Rick’s gaze. “We don’t get a lot of strangers off the beaten path. Maybe you could describe her.” Rick reached into his back pocket, pulling out a leather wallet that he opened, showing off a stream of credit cards. He flipped to a picture and held it out to the officer. Bentley looked at it and continued rubbing his chin. “Can’t say that I know her,” he said offhandedly. Luke got a glimpse of the shot of Rick and Susie, arm in arm. Rick held the picture to Luke’s face, giving him a better view of the smiling couple posing in front of an ocean, wearing bathing suits. Susie was stunning, and damn it, the picture actually made her look happy. Nothing like the woman who trembled in fear back at his house right now. “Maybe you have a more recent shot,” Luke suggested. Rick gave him a hard look. “We’ll be staying here until we find her.” “Damn shame you can’t keep better track of your wife,” Luke muttered, emphasizing the word wife. “She was kidnapped,” Rick told the officer. “We might have to have the local law help bring her to us.” Luke wanted to wipe that superior look right off the pompous asshole’s face. He clenched his fists, not sure he could stop himself from taking a quick punch. “Head up the road here to Millie. I’m sure she can put you up in a room.” Bentley gestured with his thumb, indicating the men should go to the only bed-and-breakfast Windy Hills had to offer. “We’ll do that.” Rick turned his attention to Luke. “Bring her to me,” he said under his breath. Luke was sure Bentley heard him as well. That Rick would insult the local law, implying Bentley lied when he said he didn’t recognize Susie’s picture, pissed Luke off. Too many emotions rushed through him at once. Susie didn’t belong with a creep like this. And for the first time since his divorce, Luke had found a woman he really wanted—enough to fight for her. Without hesitating, he pulled back and punched Rick Angsthworth square in the face. Morbid satisfaction rushed through him when the asshole spun around and collapsed onto his car. The thug jumped in, ready to defend his boss. Bentley was just as fast. “Enough,” he roared, holding his hands out. Rick turned around slowly, sporting a quickly swelling nose and a nasty sneer on his face. “Go get your room,” Bentley barked. Rick nodded to his thug, who returned to his side of the car. Rick gave Luke a nasty glare, looking like he would say something, but then got into the backseat and closed himself off from the world around him. Both Lincolns took off slowly, turning toward Millie’s.

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Bentley glared at Luke, which didn’t scare him at all like it had when Luke was younger. His temper still soared. “I’m following you out to your place now, and then you are going to tell me what the hell is going on.” Bentley didn’t wait for a response but turned and got into his patrol car. Chapter Ten Susie’s fingers shook as she punched the numbers on the phone. Her heart raced in her chest when silence followed before it started ringing on the other end. Two days ago she’d faxed the final divorce papers back signed. Today the paperwork announcing her divorce was final had arrived in the mail. Now, staring down at them, her vision blurring over the legal words that officially declared her a single woman, her heart pounded in her chest so hard it hurt. “You’ve reached Winestone Enterprises. If you know your party’s extension, please dial it now,” the automated voice said into her ear. Susie looked at the wall clock hanging in the dining room. Pacing into the kitchen, she pushed the extension to reach her father’s secretary. She’d punched these buttons a millions of times in her life without thought, but right now, it seemed yet another annoying task when she needed her dad right now. It was after four her time, which meant it was after five back east. She frowned when the extension went to her dad’s secretary’s voicemail. Pushing another extension she knew all too well, she waited for the complex voicemail system to put her through to his personal accountant. “Holloway here,” a crisp voice said. Susie sighed with relief. “Hi, David. This is Susie, Al’s daughter. How are you doing?” A second of silence followed, as if the accountant quickly switched gears from his work to acknowledge his boss’s daughter. “Well, hello there, Susie. I haven’t talked to you forever. Took me a moment,” he said, chuckling. “Your dad isn’t in the office.” “I figured as much.” She met his cheerful tone, gripping the phone way too hard while ordering her insides to calm down. “Do you know where he is? I really need to talk to him and he’s not answering his cell phone.” “He’s in Paris.” There was a brief pause. “More than likely he’s asleep—time difference and all. Are you doing okay? Anything I can help you with?” Susie shook her head, a sinking feeling rushing through her. “I left a message on his personal voicemail. I guess I’ll just wait for him to call me back. Thanks, David.” Hanging up the phone, she focused on the divorce papers announcing her freedom. Her signature stood out boldly. The end was here. And she should be thrilled. She didn’t feel too damned free though. Aunt Lisa came down the stairs, the floorboards announcing her before she turned the corner and met Susie’s gaze. Her aunt glanced at the papers and then at Susie, her expression showing her concern.

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“Are you okay?” she asked. “Hell no, I’m not okay.” It wasn’t too often she cussed in front of her aunt. “Rick is in town, and it isn’t to celebrate our divorce.” Her aunt didn’t say anything right away, instead pursing her lips and staring at Susie for a minute. “What are you going to do?” she asked. “I’m tired of running. And I’m sick to death of looking over my shoulder and being scared.” Susie shook her head, fighting off the sensation of panic that ached to rush through her. “But I don’t know what I’m going to do.” Aunt Lisa moved quickly, pulling her into a warm hug. It felt damn good in her arms, but this comfort wouldn’t solve anything. Susie patted her aunt on the back before letting her go. She met her aunt’s concerned gaze and slowly shook her head. “All my life either you or Dad has taken care of me, even after I was married. The smallest of problems and all I had to do was whimper for help and one of you was there for me.” “That’s what family does, my dear.” Her aunt’s smile didn’t match the concern in her eyes. Susie nodded. “For children, but I’m an adult. And now look at me.” She gestured at the tidy kitchen. “I’ve done it again.” Her aunt frowned, not understanding. “Don’t you see, Aunt Lisa? Luke will fight to take care of me.” A small grin appeared on her aunt’s face, giving light to a few wrinkles that appeared on her tanned cheek. She ran her hand over her short gray hair and then patted Susie’s shoulder. “That boy cares about you.” She shook her head, her smile increasing. “I know you might not be ready for it. But there’s nothing wrong with him caring enough to fight for you.” “And he’s a good man.” Damned good, but she wasn’t going to think about that right now. She turned from her aunt, desperately needing a clear head to think. “But it shouldn’t always be someone else fighting my battles.” “There’s nothing wrong with family and loved ones caring about you.” Her aunt didn’t say anything for a minute and then repeated her question. “What are you going to do?” Susie looked out the window in the kitchen, staring at the dark blue sky and the large oak tree branches in her view. It was beautiful land out here, but at the moment she didn’t see it. The spacious kitchen around her was clean, a faint smell of lemon from the freshly scrubbed floor lingering in the air. But the homey, relaxed setting didn’t calm her. Her mind whirled with possible scenarios. She’d called Luke and had heard Rick in the background. God only knew what those two had said to each other. Her stomach twisted when she thought of what Luke might have done. She’d seen the mounting anger when she’d told Luke about Rick the night they had sex. Something had hardened inside him. And she didn’t doubt for a minute that Luke would fight for

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what he believed was right. He was well-built, tall and in damned good shape. And he had a strong vein of goodness running in his blood. Luke would protect his own. A perfect man—one every woman dreamed of finding. He would defend her, see that she was protected and safe. And he wouldn’t ask her permission to do so first. Fear gripped her when she thought of what might have transpired between Luke and Rick. Rick wasn’t half the man that Luke was. He sure as hell wasn’t in shape. He had his thugs around him 24/7 And she didn’t doubt for a minute that if he and Luke had a showdown, he’d have his bodyguards do his dirty work. Rick didn’t play fair. He played to win. And winning in his eyes meant conquering all that was around him and taking whatever he saw fit to have. She grew sick to her stomach worrying that Luke could be beat up, hurt and bleeding, abandoned or worse yet, stuffed in the trunk of a car. God. Her imagination would have her puking in the toilet if she didn’t get a grip. But again, as it had been all her life, it would be two people fighting for her. She had to learn to fight her own battles. There was only one thing she could do. “Aunt Lisa,” she said quietly, not turning around. “I’m going to go into town. It’s time I took matters into my own hands.” “You aren’t going anywhere.” Her aunt’s tone had a severity to it that Susie didn’t hear too often. Slowly she turned around, seeing how upset her aunt was. Susie smiled, although she hardly felt happy. “Yes. I am.” She was going to settle things on her own, without the help of anyone. Only then would she truly be free. “Now, Susie,” Aunt Lisa complained and followed her when Susie headed up the stairs toward her bedroom. “You know as well as I do that you can’t just saunter up to Rick.” Susie went through her things, her suitcases opened over a coffee table that she’d brought up here and pushed up against the wall. More than once she’d thought of putting her clothes in the dresser and closet. But settling in to Luke’s home just hadn’t felt right. They’d just met and she had a home. Granted, she hadn’t been to Pearl Lake in over a week, but she wouldn’t let herself start thinking of this wonderful old house as her home. “Aunt Lisa,” Susie said on a sigh, quickly finding a comfortable pair of shorts and a modest blouse. “When I called Luke and heard Rick in the background, my first reaction was to call Dad. And that’s what I did.” Her aunt didn’t say anything. Susie needed her aunt to understand. She didn’t want to hurt Aunt Lisa and she felt the woman’s pain. Aunt Lisa had helped raise her since her mother died and for all practical purposes was as close to her as a mother would be. “Dad is in Paris and probably sleeping right now.” She still ached to talk to him, but she took it as a sign that she couldn’t reach him. “And I know you’re here for me, so don’t think otherwise.” “Of course I’m here for you.” Aunt Lisa crossed her arms, watching while Susie quickly changed clothes. “And at the moment, you’re acting crazy. Just what is it that you are going to do?”

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She really didn’t know. “I know what I’mnot going to do, Aunt Lisa. I’m not going to sit in this house, terrified, scared to walk in front of any window and jumping at the slightest of sounds. I can’t keep living like this.” Her aunt sighed, brushing a strand of hair away from Susie’s face after she’d changed clothes. “This will pass, Susie.” Aunt Lisa had always been compassionate to Susie’s pain. “But if you run to Rick, he’s going to take you back with him—or worse.” “I’m not running to him.” Susie met her aunt’s gaze and then quickly pulled the older woman into her arms. “Believe me, I’m not running to him at all. But I’m not going to have him chasing me to the ends of the earth anymore, either.” Her aunt looked more than upset when Susie left the house. Stopping in the shed before she went to Luke’s old truck that he left for them if they needed transportation, Susie walked up to the cabinet where Luke kept his guns. He’d showed them to her and her aunt shortly after they’d started staying here, and told both of them where the key for the shed was always kept, under a brick alongside the door. His mother had never approved of them being in the house, and this was where his father had always kept them, even the guns he used when he used to shoot at ranges. Susie envied the strong family ties Luke had, even with family that was no longer around. He respected his mother’s wishes even after she was dead. Taking a small handgun, her hands damp when the cold metal rested in her palm, she loaded it with shaky fingers and then headed to her car. She waited until she’d reached the highway and then pulled out her cell phone. Susie wasn’t stupid. She knew she was walking into danger. Encountering Rick wouldn’t be a casual visit. Damn it, she should have looked up the number for the police station before she left the house. There was only one alternative. Punching in 911, she waited for the Windy Hills dispatcher to answer the phone. “This is dispatch. What is your emergency?” a calm-sounding woman’s voice said on the other end of the line. She hesitated for a moment. What should she say? “Hi.” Nerves hit her hard and she slowed as she drove down the highway, needing all of her energy to focus on her driving. Her hand was damp against the steering wheel. “This is Susan…Whittaker.” She almost said Winestone. “I need help.” Taking the curve in the highway, she licked her lips, gripping her phone with one hand while navigating her car with the other. Large trees looked magnificent along the side of the highway. Everything looked crisp and fresh against the cobalt blue sky that looked way too large, but inside, dark thoughts hindered her from enjoying the beauty surrounding her. “What is your emergency?” the woman asked again. “There is a man in town,” she began, suddenly not sure how to explain what she needed. She wanted to scream,Send me protection .I’ll explain later. But that wouldn’t get her too far and she knew it.

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“He’s very dangerous and he’s looking for me. I’m scared.” “Where are you right now?” the woman asked. She was on her way toward this very dangerous man. That sounded ridiculous. “Would it be okay if I came to the police station and talked to someone?” she asked. “Sure. And you said your name was Susan Whittaker?” the woman asked. “Yes.” She slowed to the speed limit when the town came into view. Dusk would hit soon. People moved around her, tending to their daily activities, giving her no attention. Slowing to the twenty mile an hour speed limit, she turned at the first corner, heading to the police headquarters, which she knew were in the old courthouse. Hanging up her phone, she paid more attention to the cars around her, to the people walking along the sidewalks. Rick was somewhere in this town. Windy Hills wasn’t that big. He could be anywhere. But wherever he was, he would stick out, be easy to notice. People in this town didn’t drive fancy cars or wear top brand-name clothing from Europe. These people were hardworking, honest, and many of them had been here most of their lives. They drove past her, heading home or out for the night with calm, content looks on their faces. She envied their lives. Susie didn’t think for a moment that others had worry-free lives. Everyone had their challenges. But to simply worry about bills, be concerned about the rising price of gasoline and not have to deal with her life being threatened would be a welcomed change. She pulled into a vacant stall in front of the courthouse, taking a moment to actually see the vivid colors that surrounded her as well as the magnificent architecture of the old building before her. Windy Hills had an appeal to it that no place she’d been to in her life seemed to match. The town had people who cared for each other, looked out for each other, and had a very real bond. This was the life she wanted. She’d have to take a stand against Rick and put closure on her past life in order to truly be able to bond with this community. And that’s exactly what she was going to do. Her heart raced when she pulled the gun out of her purse and put it in her glove box. She got out of her car, locking it and dropping her cell phone into her purse. Nervousness trickled over her like icy fingertips brushing against her skin. Closing her purse, she clasped it under her arm. Glancing up and down the street, not seeing anything that would lead her to think Rick watched her, she hurried to the courthouse steps. “Susie?” a man’s voice called from behind her. Susie tripped on the courthouse stairs, turning around quickly as a gasp escaped her lips. It would have been a scream, but her voice gave out on her. Her heart wouldn’t stop pounding even when she realized with a wash of relief that an older, stocky police officer had called out her name. His nameplate read James Bentley and she recognized him as the cop who’d talked to Luke before.

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The older man walked up to her slowly, looking at her with concern. Her eyes must have shown her terror, or possibly the flushed look that had to be on her face caused him to wrinkle his brow and frown at her. “I…” she began, and then gulped in a breath of air. “I need help.” All he did was nod. It was as if he understood. Placing his thick hand on the middle of her back, he guided her into the courthouse. Their footsteps echoed through the large, high-ceilinged entryway as he guided her through glass doors into the police station. “I got a 911 call,” the dispatcher behind the counter said to them as a greeting. “It was from a Susie Whittaker.” “That’s me,” Susie said quietly. “I’ll talk to her.” Officer Bentley guided her through wooden swinging doors that separated the waiting area from the desks behind the counter. He led her to a desk in the corner of the large room. There were no doors or walls shielding them from anyone else in the station. Granted, only the dispatcher appeared to be present. Susie wondered how many officers were actually on the Windy Hills force. She decided not to ask. “You’re the young woman staying out at Luke Roge’s house, aren’t you?” he asked as he sat behind his desk and gestured for her to take the seat on the other side. She gripped her purse in her hand, fingering the clasp on it as she took the seat and nodded, working to form the words to tell him what she needed. “My aunt and I are staying out there.” She felt a need to stress that point. “We’ve been helping with some of the people who lost their homes in the tornado.” He nodded as if to say he already knew all this. “But that isn’t why I’m here.” She licked her lips, staring into pale blue eyes that studied her patiently. “Officer. I have a past. A past that I’m afraid is getting ready to creep up and bite me in the rear.” The only way this man could help her was if she told him everything she knew. Having never confided in anyone all the dirt she had on Rick, it didn’t come easy to her now. Her silence must have lingered a moment too long. The officer cleared his throat. Susie looked up quickly. “Let me ask you a couple questions,” he began. Trepidation oozed through her. “Okay,” she said quietly. “Have you ever gone by any other names?” Her stomach clamped into a painful knot. She stared at him for a moment. They wouldn’t arrest her for creating a fake name, would they?

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Slowly she nodded. Even though legally now she was Susie Winestone and not Whittaker, she didn’t mention that. “My married name was Susan Angsthworth,” she offered. The officer nodded. “One more question,” he said quietly, pulling out a notepad from underneath some papers on his desk. He found a pen. “Were you ever kidnapped?” “No,” she said quickly and probably too loudly. She looked around the quiet police station. “Officer. I’m told my ex-husband is in town. He’s very dangerous. And I want him to go away.” More than anything she wanted him to disappear—never to be seen again. Anger surged through her. She shouldn’t have to be worried about what she said to this man. Up until leaving Rick, she had never broken any laws. Her record was clean. Now she lived by a fictitious name and had falsified papers to prove it. She’d done nothing wrong, yet had resorted to breaking laws to stay alive. Clamping her teeth shut, she fought the ugly emotions that rushed around inside her. “My ex-husband is Rick Angsthworth. He arrived in town today. I know he did. And I know that Luke talked to him. Rick is a criminal. I don’t know what your computers will tell you, but I lived with him. And I know things. He isn’t going to leave town without me. And I’m not going with him.” She couldn’t believe how quickly she blurted out the information. Officer Bentley leaned back in his chair after jotting down a few notes. “I’ve met him.” His words hit her like a bombshell. Suddenly her phone rang and she jumped, staring down at her purse as if it had just bit her. Her fingers trembled as she dug her cell phone out and then stared at Luke’s number on the screen. “Hello,” she said, knowing her aunt had probably called him as soon as she left the house. “Where in the hell are you?” he yelled into the phone. The way Officer Bentley raised an eyebrow, she was sure he’d heard Luke through the phone. “I’m at the police station.” “I’ll be right there.” He hung up before she could say another word. “I guess Luke is on his way,” she said quietly. “Officer, the only way I’m going to put my past behind me is to talk to Rick.” The cop looked at her for a moment, as if digesting what she’d told him so far. Then leaning forward, he stared at the notes on his pad. “Let me do some checking before you do that. I sent him over to the bed-and-breakfast. Luke knows where it is.” Officer Bentley gave her a shrewd look. “Will you wait here while I pull his name up on our system?” Susie nodded, her mouth suddenly too dry to speak.

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Chapter Eleven Heading home didn’t sit well with him. More than anything, stopping in at the bed-and-breakfast and paying a more personal visit to Rick Angsthworth sounded like a damn good idea. Over the years, more than one punk had crossed Luke’s path. A bully was a bully. Luke had no problem bringing any of them down to size, no matter how big they thought they were. And Rick wasn’t any bigger than the others who had needed an attitude adjustment in the past. But he’d swallowed his urge to pound a few more bruises into Rick. Checking in on Susie, making sure she was okay, was more important. He’d only made it halfway home when Aunt Lisa had called. “She did what?” he’d screamed into the phone, pounding his dash at the same time. Quickly he’d apologized to Susie’s aunt. She’d kept her cool, again sounding so much like his mom, as she told him that Susie had left the house. Luke assured her that he’d find Susie, then quickly placed another call, letting Officer Bentley know there was no reason to follow him out to his house. The Bronco’s tires screeched when he’d pulled a u-turn in the middle of the highway. He sent out a quiet prayer of thanks when Susie answered her phone and told him she was at the police station. Barely slowing to the speed limit, he dared anyone to pull him over while he shifted and turned toward the courthouse. He didn’t relax any when he spotted his old pickup truck. Once he parked next to it, it took a minute to relax enough to release his steering wheel. Blind outrage would consume him if he didn’t get a grip on himself. Not so much anger at Susie—he’d hear her explanation for driving into town after she knew her ex was here later—but anger over the whole goddamned situation. Rick Angsthworth had a lot of fucking nerve strolling into Windy Hills and thinking he could just saunter out of here with Susie in tow. Hell would freeze over before that happened. He took the courthouse stairs three at a time, yanking open the heavy door. His boots echoed against the old marble floor. Entering the police station, he glared at the dispatcher when she looked at him like he was a madman. And that’s how he felt. Emotions stronger than anything he’d dealt with before pumped inside him like a serious narcotic. Susie had every quality he’d dreamed of finding in a woman. She was what he’d wanted from Peggy, what he’d imagined was in Peggy. Someone who cared. Someone who wanted to build a life and a home right here in Windy Hills. Someone with scruples, with a fire inside. Everything he’d dreamed of finding in a woman was wrapped up in Susie and then some. The way she moved, the way she felt, the way she made him feel. Damn it. Nothing would happen to allow her to escape from him. He’d fight every damn man on the planet to keep her. “What happened to you?” Penny Abbey, the dispatcher, wore an earpiece that wrapped over her dyed blonde hair. She gave him the once-over, several pounds of mascara clumping to her lashes. “You look worse than something the cat brought in.” “You’re looking lovely today too,” he mumbled, not in the mood for civilities.

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She raised an eyebrow. Penny was another local that Luke had gone to high school with. A bit younger, she’d been in one of his younger brothers’ classes. He wasn’t sure at the moment which one and didn’t really care. They hadn’t run in the same circles, although from what he’d heard, she’d left a cheating husband years ago and raised a couple of kids on her own. “I hear you’ve taken over your daddy’s business.” She tried for small talk, obviously deciding whatever he wanted, he would tell her when he was ready. Luke nodded but looked past her, spotting Susie sitting with her back to him, facing one of the corner desks. There wasn’t anyone else in the station that he noticed. “I’m here for her,” he said abruptly, walking over to the waist-high wooden swinging door. He pushed his way through it before Penny could say anything. “Luke. You can’t just …” Ignoring the dispatcher, he focused on Susie. Obviously hearing him, she turned in her chair. The worried look that tormented her face also fogged her large green eyes. Tears that hadn’t fallen yet welled in her eyes. She’d put her hair up earlier today, but at the moment, long strands framed her face, the bulk of it pulled back still. Susie started to stand. Reaching her, he pulled her up the rest of the way, wrapping his arms around her before she could speak. “What the hell were you thinking?” he whispered into the sweet-scented hair. She trembled in his arms and immediately he regretted his harsh greeting. “I’m not going to live the rest of my life being terrified of him,” she said into his chest. She exhaled and hiccupped but made no attempt to move out of his grip. “What did you think you would do?” he asked, sincerely curious as to what motivated her to leave the safety of his home. He’d met the asshole. Rick didn’t scare him for a minute. No matter that he was probably armed and that his thugs had more than likely killed more people than would ever be known. Luke had no hesitation, not one shred of doubt, that he could convince the man that leaving town would be in his best interest. But Susie. She didn’t stand a chance against the wasted excuse for flesh. Again he wondered what she ever saw in Rick Angsthworth. “I’m tired of hiding, Luke.” Her body tensed. Slowly she pushed away from him. He wasn’t ready to have her out of his arms though. Giving her space, he kept his hands on her, gliding them down her warm, soft arms. Her expression was haunted when she looked up at him. “I know this is hard for you to understand. I can’t imagine you ever running from anything in your life.”

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“Many women don’t run from abusive husbands,” he said quietly. “You’ve been brave through all of this. Don’t do anything stupid now.” She bristled, her lower lip sticking out when a stubborn expression crossed her face. “I’m not being stupid.” He wanted to smile. Something told him that doing so would offend her further. And he hadn’t said anything insulting. If anything, he was proud of her willingness to take a stand. But she was in over her head. And he’d be damned to hell if she’d take on that asshole without his help. The floor creaked behind them. Luke turned, meeting the tentative gaze of Officer Bentley. He cleared his throat, holding a piece of paper in his hand as he walked around to his side of the desk. Bentley nodded for the two of them to sit. Luke reluctantly let go of Susie and took the chair next to her. “Luke,” he said with a curt nod. Luke nodded, ready to take on the officer if he in any way suggested Luke back down. “Susie.” Officer Bentley turned his attention to her. “I ran a check on your ex-husband and made a few phone calls. I appreciate your waiting.” Susie nodded, fingering her purse nervously. Luke watched her while Bentley kept talking. “Rick Angsthworth has no criminal record. Nothing that I can find on the system. It’s late in the day and I left a few messages with the NYPD, just to see if there are any ongoing investigations.” Several strands of hair blocked her profile when she looked down at her purse. “You won’t find anything. I’m sure of it,” she said almost too quietly for either one of them to hear. “And why are you so sure of this?” Bentley asked. “I just am.” She answered a bit louder, and quickly. Letting out a choked sigh, she pushed her seat back, standing. For a moment she appeared to teeter, but then gained some inner strength. When she looked down at Luke, the pain in her eyes hadn’t receded. But she’d mastered some kind of shield, pulling off a blank expression that didn’t fool him for a minute. “I know you don’t like this idea. But I’m going to arrange to meet with Rick.” She held up her hand, taking a step backward when Luke jumped to his feet. Putting her chair between the two of them, she glanced at the officer and then looked back up at him. “Luke. Rick has found me. He’s driven all the way here from New York. I can run again, change my identity again, seek out a new life again, but eventually he’ll track me down. The smart thing to do is face him and find out why he’s here. And the sooner I do that, the better.” “What is this about changing your identity?” Bentley asked before Luke could explode. Luke sucked in a breath, gripping Susie’s chair hard enough to turn his knuckles white. Rick would destroy her. Admiration trickled through him that Susie would take him on. She was one hell of a strong woman. Nonetheless, allowing her to go to Rick was out of the question. He didn’t take his attention from her when she looked at the officer, surprise registering before she glanced down at her purse and licked her lips.

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“I should have told you sooner. And I’m sorry,” she said, giving the officer a small smile. “My real name is Susan Winestone. My father is Alfred Winestone, with Winestone Industries.” “Interesting.” Bentley gestured to the chairs. “Sit. Both of you.” Susie waited until Luke was back in his chair before sitting again. “Your father pulled off creating a new identity to get you away from this man?” Bentley asked, jotting something down on the notepad in front of him. “Are you going to arrest me for that?” Her fingers trembled when she brushed them over her lips. Bentley held his hand up in the air to stop her. Luke guessed that Bentley was figuring something out. Her ex had to be a real ugly bastard for Susie to go to all the work she had in order to get away from him. “I think I’d like to record a statement from you.” Bentley’s look was grave when he glanced up from his notepad. “You’re going to tell me everything that you know about your ex-husband. Everything that you believe he’s done that has you so terrified of him.” Her green eyes grew large. Obviously what Bentley had just suggested, pretty much just ordered, scared the daylights out of her. “Okay…” she said slowly, hesitantly. “Good.” Bentley nodded. “It’s getting late. We’ll do this first thing in the morning. You can come here. Or I can drive out to Luke’s place. Whichever is more comfortable for you.” “I’ll come here,” Susie told him without looking Luke’s way. “I’ll bring her in,” Luke offered. Susie looked at him as if she were about to say something but then didn’t. Her tongue darted over her lips, and again she looked down at her purse. “I’m going to meet with Rick,” she said. “Like hell you are,” Luke yelled, grabbing her arm. She looked down at where he held her, not pulling away. “I know his private cell number. More than likely it hasn’t changed. If it has, I’ll call the bed-and-breakfast.” She spoke quickly now, glancing from him to Bentley. “I’ll ask him to meet me at the diner, to come alone. He’ll do it. I want to talk to him. It’s better this way than waiting to see if he figures out where I am. I wouldn’t be able to stand it. And you both know that sooner or later he will find me. Let’s make it sooner.” Neither man said anything for a minute. Susie looked from one of them to the other and then let her gaze rest on Luke.

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“I…I’d like to make a life here,” she whispered. And those tears that had stubbornly remained welled in her eyes finally struck a path down her cheek. “But that can’t happen until I put my past to rest. Please understand that.” “Damn it.” Luke stood, pulling her up and into his arms. Seeing her cry outraged him all the more. He’d take that motherfucker out if he so much as laid a hand on her. Hearing her more or less admit she’d like to further their relationship, stay here with him, was the best news he’d heard in a long time. Rick Angsthworth would die a horrible death if he made any move to prevent that from happening. Bentley leaned back in his chair. “There’s no crime in seeing him. Go ahead and call. If you like, I’ll keep an eye on the café while you two meet.” “I’ll be there too,” Luke told her. She pushed away from him, the second time she’d done so in less than ten minutes. It took all he had not to yank her right back into his arms. “You can’t be there, Luke.” She shook her head and then placed her fingers, damp and salty from her tears, over his mouth when he would have protested. “Don’t you see? You’ve met him already. He’ll see you as a threat and it will prevent me from accomplishing anything. I’ve got to go alone. If you’re there, he’ll have his bodyguards nearby. I have to convince him to come alone, and that I’ll be there alone. I won’t have the Millers worried about their place. After the tornado, the last thing they need is a showdown in their restaurant. If I meet with Rick alone, publicly, I’m sure that won’t happen.” “You can sit in the patrol car with me,” Bentley told him. Luke knew the officer suggested that to keep an eye on Luke as well as on Susie. He didn’t like it. Not any of it. Nothing good would come out of this meeting. But Susie was determined, and he’d let her have her way. “Go ahead and call him.” Luke hated this, every bit of it. Susie nodded and fumbled with her phone, then impressed the hell out of him when she spoke with Rick, her tone cold and authoritative. When she hung up, a wave of emotion contorted her expression. “I meet him in an hour,” she told both of them. Luke had no appetite and doubted Susie wished to eat, but they had an hour and they wouldn’t dwindle the minutes away focusing on her ex. After agreeing to a meeting place with Bentley, a small tavern where he and his brothers used to unwind popped into his head. The Pit Stop hadn’t changed a bit over the years, and other than suffering some roof damage, it had worn through the storm rather well. Dimly lit and smelling of fried food and cigarette smoke, it wasn’t the fanciest place he could take Susie. After ordering himself a beer and her an iced tea, he ignored the curious looks everyone gave them and rested his hand against the small of her back as he led her to a booth in the corner of the establishment. “My brothers and I used to raise a lot of hell in here,” he mused, watching while she slid over the slick plastic on one side of the booth and then deciding to take the spot next to her.

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“You’ve had a good life here,” she said, turning to face him and resting her back against the wall. “I’m sure like yours, the good goes with the bad.” He took a drink of his beer, watching her over the rim of the glass. “I’m sorry that you’re seeing the ugliest part of my life.” Although the sleeveless blouse and shorts she wore were conservative, her slender shoulders, the firm curve of her breasts and her narrow waist made her a captivating picture. “If you’d shown up a year ago, you would have caught me in a similar situation. Divorce is never pretty.” “And I’m officially divorced now.” She met his gaze for a moment, her large green eyes glowing in the dimly lit room. She tucked a long auburn strand behind her ear and glanced past him for a moment. “I just wish I could feel that freedom.” He put his beer down and pressed his finger to her lips. “You are free. No one will take that from you. I promise. Whatever you want out of life, you can have it.” “Whatever I want,” she mused, her lashes hooding her gaze while her soft lips moved against his finger. He traced a line down her neck to her chest. Her heart thumped under his touch, soft and determined, although at the moment her expression showed hesitation. “What do you want, Susie?” His insides tightened, anxious to hear her answer yet dreading it wouldn’t include him. He’d fight Rick for her, but he would then let her go if she wished it. The latter didn’t sit well in his gut and he shoved the distasteful thought out of his head. She scraped her lip with her teeth, looking anywhere but at his eyes. Luke curved his finger around the top button of her shorts, tugging slightly to get her attention. “Tell me,” he urged. “I want to know you better,” she whispered and then swallowed slowly, daring to meet his gaze. His cock jerked in his jeans. Muscles hardened in his body, every inch of him exploding with energy he could hardly contain. He pulled her to him, demanding her mouth. When her hands gripped his shoulders, the tightening inside him exploded, releasing emotions too intense to let her see. He craved her, wanted every inch of her, but not just her body. He needed her mind, her heart, and her soul, every bit of her. Never again would he accept part of a woman. “Know this, Susie Winestone,” he whispered against her lips. “You’re going to know me very, very well.” Her lashes fluttered, and she moistened her lips before slowly moving her head and focusing on him. “Why are you doing this?” She searched his face. Her look of wonder, pooled in lust, made her eyes glow like emeralds.

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“You’re what I want.” She smiled, almost laughed. “I’m a wreck.” “No,” he corrected her. “Your past is biting you in the ass. But you, sweetheart, are anything but a wreck.” He could cite more than one incident since meeting her that would prove his point. Right now, she’d deny all of it. All he had to do was get her through this crap with her ex and Luke knew she’d never be unhappy again. “I just wish he’d go away,” she said, putting more distance between them and running her finger down her moist glass. “Don’t think about him. Not now.” He needed to give her a distraction. Sitting here allowed her mind to explode with everything that haunted her. He saw it in her torn expression. She nodded, a quick motion, and pursed her lips. He hated her closing herself off, carrying the pain and fear that he saw etched on her face. “Let’s go,” he decided, grabbing her hand while she looked up at him, astonished. “I have something to show you.” Walking through his past had always annoyed him. Within minutes of driving though, his mood changed along with hers. Susie’s face lit up when he pointed out where he’d gone to grade school and shared a story or two from his childhood. Then came high school and driving to the edge of town to the dirt road where they used to drag. “I got my first blowjob back in those trees.” He pointed toward a clump of large cottonwoods. She actually laughed. “I went down on a guy in my father’s den once.” “You’re kidding.” “Nope. He sat in my dad’s chair, behind his desk, and we pretended I was the naughty secretary.” She didn’t even blush when she told him, just grinned, her expression glowing from the memory. “A side of you I didn’t know about.” He wagged his eyebrows. “What else has my lady done?” She waved her hand in the air between them. “I didn’t have that many boyfriends.” “Then maybe we should start creating more memories.” He pulled onto the dirt road, barely glancing at his watch so as not to be obvious. They had half an hour before her rendezvous with Rick. What he wouldn’t do to mark her as his before she walked in to meet that asshole. Let her glow from good sex when the prick saw her. Although he doubted Rick would know what Susie looked like after mind-blowing sex. “What are you doing?” She straightened in her seat, looking ahead when he pulled to the side of the narrow country road. “Won’t someone see us?”

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Possibly, but he would bet most farmers were in for the night, and the town settled early. “Not at this hour.” She gave him a skeptical look. “It’s still daylight.” Susie didn’t say no though. Her eyes were wide, and she watched with interest when he maneuvered the Bronco off the road and jostled them over rough ground until he parked behind several large trees. Her hand gripped the handle when he parked. Luke hopped out and moved around the front of the car to her side. She stared at him when he opened her door for her so he took her hand and pulled her out. “This place hasn’t changed a bit.” “You came here often?” She looked around her nervously. “On the other side of the trees is a creek. A bunch of us used to hang out down here.” “I never even thought about heading out to the country to just hang out.” She stumbled over a small rock and gripped his hand harder. Luke grabbed the excuse to wrap his arm around her. “We didn’t have all the excitement a big city would offer.” “Oh my,” she said on a breath when they reached the rambling creek. Water scurried around large rocks. It looked a lot narrower then he remembered it being. Susie followed the water with her eyes, taking it in as she looked in both directions. “Big cities don’t offer this.” Her expression relaxed. She loved the beauty and peace of this countryside as much as he did. “Here it is.” He pointed and then guided her along the edge of the water to a hard, flat piece of ground where nothing grew. When he plopped down on the ground, stretching his legs out so that his boots almost touched the water, she looked at him questioningly. “Here what is?” “My spot.” He grinned up at her. Her shirt didn’t quite meet her shorts and the small amount of exposed tummy really turned him on. Add to that the way the setting sun captured the auburn in her hair, accentuating her highlights, and he knew he stared at the most beautiful creature on earth. They didn’t have much time, but already some of the stress had faded from her expression. Knowing he’d made the right move in bringing her out here, he held up his hand, reaching for her. “This is your spot?” She looked amused, and although she didn’t take his hand, she sat down next to him, curling her legs so that she leaned toward him slightly. “What makes this your spot?”

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“Nothing grows here. Don’t ask me why. Just never has. And you know how girls hate grass stains. It made this the perfect place to claim.” He sounded ridiculous, sharing his reasoning as to why he’d claim such a tiny piece of earth. But she smiled, barely glancing at him before searching the countryside around them. “You’re quite the considerate gentleman,” she mumbled. “It’s a good story. Truth be known though, usually it was just us guys and a twelve-pack hanging out down here.” “You said you got your first blowjob here.” He nodded behind her. “That was over there.” “Where?” He stood, pulling her up with him, and walked among the trees, searching while trying to remember the exact location. “My brother Mark was the jock, not me. I think it was the summer before my senior year that a bunch of us came out here during one of the games. This girl, Cindy, moved here to stay with relatives for a while. I think her family thought she’d gotten a bit too wild in the city and that country living would do her some good.” “She gave it to you?” “Yup. I had no problem with her being wild.” He found the tree with several bare patches of bark on it. “It was right here,” he told her, patting the tree like an old friend. “Hmm.” She licked her lips, glancing toward the road and then back to him, focusing her attention somewhere below his chest. He pushed a strand of hair away from her face, loving how smooth and warm her skin felt. “I think you should be the last woman to give me a blowjob by this tree.” The color that spread over her cheeks confirmed his thoughts. She’d already given the idea some thought. He reached for his belt, undoing it, then unzipped his jeans. Already his cock throbbed with anticipation. Her tongue moved over her lips, moistening them, and all blood drained down his body. Instantly hard as a rock, he freed his dick with one hand and cupped the side of her neck with the other. “Do you want me, Susie?” And he didn’t just mean sexually. Her eyes glowed when she opened her mouth, but her answer didn’t come out. He ached to know what she wanted to say, but held back. Her hands stroked his chest, sending chills rushing over him. “I think I owe you this,” she whispered as she knelt before him. She didn’t owe him a damned thing. But when her fingers wrapped around his cock and her tongue darted out, touching the tip, his toes curled up in his boots. Answering her proved too challenging a task. Luke grabbed her hair, holding on for dear life as she sucked him into her mouth. “Susie. Damn.” He almost came when her lips moved over his shaft.

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She groaned, the vibration from the sound building the pressure inside him even further. With time ticking against them, he didn’t fight the urge to come. If only he could just hold out a few more minutes. The way her teeth slightly scraped his shaft got him even harder. And then her lips brushing over where her teeth had just been…God! If only they had all day. He’d give her hours to keep doing this. Her lips stretched around his dick and his vision blurred. He fought to stay focused, wanting to enjoy every precious minute she gave him. But when she moved her hand, reaching underneath him and cupping his balls, every inch of him got so hard it hurt. Her fingertips barely touched his over-sensitized flesh, sending goose bumps rushing over him while fire engulfed his insides. She licked and sucked, making adorable humming sounds. His need to come, the pressure building to the point of exploding, consumed every inch of him. “I can’t hold out,” he managed to say, something in the back of his mind triggering that he should warn her—letting her decide if he could come in her mouth or not. Her mouth left his cock for a tortured second. “Then come,” she whispered and again wrapped her lips over the tip. She took him in deep, his cock burying in moist heat that soaked into his flesh, devoured him. He grabbed her hair, consumed with the urge to fill her, give her all he had to offer. His orgasm exploded inside him, releasing a pressure that would do him in otherwise. Ringing filled his ears. His heart pounded. Luke let go, suddenly lightheaded while he came in her mouth. Susie moved backward and her hair slid through his fingers as she pulled away from him. Licking her lips, she stood slowly, not meeting his gaze. “Susie.” He took her arm, keeping her from moving too far away. “Did you like it?” She wouldn’t look him in the eye. “I loved it,” he told her, pulling her closer. “Don’t pull away from me though.” “We don’t know what might happen.” “We control what happens between us. No one else. Just you and me.” She met his gaze then, and the powerful surge of emotions glowing in her eyes almost knocked him backward. He tightened his grip on her arm, pulling her to him. “And there is something between us,” he added. “Yes. I know,” she whispered, stretching against him and brushing her lips over his. The taste of his come on her lips seemed to seal her admission. Chapter Twelve Susie had put the gun back in her purse and now it seemed to make it incredibly heavy. Her hand shook and she tugged on the door, then entered the café. The supper hour was almost over and two waitresses busied themselves wiping down tables and clearing dirty plates. Betty Miller appeared from the kitchen,

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moving behind the counter. “Good to see you, young lady.” She smiled, dimples lining her plump cheeks. “Don’t tell me you’re eating alone tonight.” A few locals still sat at several of the tables. Most of them ignored her, although she caught one or two curious glances. Already the town viewed her as Luke’s woman. There was a place for her here. The potential for a new life, a life she would probably enjoy, was right at her fingertips. “No. A…umm…” Her voice caught in her throat. She’d been a damned fool to think she could go through with this. Already nerves attacked her so hard she couldn’t form a sentence. “An old friend will be joining me soon.” “Luke Roge is a good man.” Betty made a face. “Not that what you do is any of my business.” “Yes. He’s a wonderful man,” Susie assured her. For some reason the need to show Betty she’d be good for Luke took over. “And he knows I’m here. We talked about it before I got here.” Betty grinned, noticeably relaxing. Susie’s words did the trick. “We don’t know each other real well yet, but you’re good people. I can tell that when I meet someone. And Luke deserves the best. That previous wife of his was no good. I saw it all along.” Susie ached to hear more. If only Rick weren’t walking in that door at any moment. Rick didn’t need to know anything about her budding relationship with Luke. “Thank you. Maybe sometime we could sit and visit more,” she said, praying her smile looked sincere. She licked her lips, still tasting Luke. Her tummy flip-flopped when she remembered his words before they’d returned to town. She prayed this meeting would go well and be over with quickly. “I have to meet with someone though. Handle some…family matters.” “Come in any time during the middle of the day and I’ll tell you everything I know about that Luke of yours,” Betty told her with a wink. She waved a hand, gesturing toward the tables. “Sit wherever you like.” Susie’s leg muscles trembled and her mouth was suddenly too dry. All she did was nod and then stare at the tables throughout the café. It suddenly seemed too much of a decision to choose a place to sit. Would it be better to sit close to the door? In the corner? She didn’t want their conversation overheard, but she knew Officer Bentley and Luke were outside somewhere in the officer’s personal vehicle. She glanced out the large windows, noting the few cars parked out there. No one sat in any of them. But then they wouldn’t park in front of the place, visible to anyone who walked in. First of all, anyone walking by would stop and talk to them. And second, Rick would notice them immediately. Her gut twisted fiercely. She was scared to death. It had to be written all over her face. No way would she be able to pull this off. At the moment, she couldn’t even find a damned table. The cell phone in her purse rang. Its quick, sharp chirps about made her jump out of her skin. Almost dropping her purse, she clutched it desperately while her heart pumped so hard that it hurt. The waitress clearing the nearby table gave her an odd look and frowned. “Have a seat. I’ll be with you

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in a minute,” the woman told her, turning back to her task. Susie nodded, grabbing the nearest chair and almost falling into it while fumbling with her purse. It about fell out of her lap, and her muscles spasmed when she grabbed it hard enough to send jolts of pain through her arm. Several people had turned to glance at her as she fumbled with her purse, the gun getting in her way, until she found her phone and answered it on the fourth ring. “Hello.” Her voice didn’t want to work. “Are you okay?” Luke’s calm, hard tone helped her grab her breath. She licked her lips. The fading taste of him filled her mouth. Minutes before, he’d almost attacked her outside the police station. Kissing her savagely, leaving his mark on her lips, he hadn’t cared who’d seen them. Warmth spread inside her thinking about it. He’d almost bent her over, suffocating her with his mouth, his arms wrapped around her like steel grips. And when he’d let her up for air, his mouth not an inch from hers, his words had made her insides swell with need. “You’re mine,” he’d told her, the look in his gaze hungry, almost savage. She hadn’t been able to speak, to look away. All she’d done was drown in those deep blue eyes. Closing her eyes, failing miserably at clearing thoughts of him from her mind, she let out a deep sigh. “I’m fine,” she lied, doubting he believed her. Already she wondered how smart of a plan this was. At the moment, she didn’t have a damn clue what she’d say to Rick. Like he’d listen to any of it anyway. “Leave your phone on. Clip it to you somewhere and don’t hang up. I want to hear everything that is said.” She nodded and then cleared her throat. “Okay.” Struggling to clip her phone to her waist caused her purse to slide off her lap. It hit the floor with a loud bang. Her heart exploded in her chest, a scream lodging in her throat. It sounded like the gun had gone off. She didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. Her heart raced too fast in her chest. Rick wasn’t even here yet and she was so damned scared she couldn’t function. God. What had she been thinking? Staring at her purse as it lay sideways on the floor, its contents not visible, she finally found what it took to move. She adjusted it, her fingers too damp when she touched the leather and set it upright at her feet. It nudged against her skin. And regardless of how scared she was of the gun, knowing it was there somehow brought her a small amount of security. She tried for a soothing, slow breath while clipping the phone to her shorts. When she’d called the bed-and-breakfast, they’d put her through to Rick’s room without any problem. Their conversation had been brief. If anything, she hadn’t detected any emotion from him. Although she

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wasn’t sure what she’d expected—rage, compassion, pleading…no, not pleading. Rick didn’t beg for anything. She’d received nothing. He’d agreed to meet her, confirmed directions, and that had been it. “You want to wait to order until your friend gets here?” A young girl, probably still in high school, put a glass of ice water in front of her and another one across the table. “I’m here.” The voice behind her made her jump. “We’ll take two menus now.” Rick was all business, taking the seat opposite her and briefly giving his attention to the waitress. It shouldn’t have surprised her that she wouldn’t have even noticed him come in. Staring at him, her entire world seemed to turn sideways. It was all like one horrific dream. The man she’d run from, had feared more than anything she’d ever feared in her life, sat across the table from her, calmly instructing the waitress. Susie waited for the emotions to hit. She studied him—his dark hair, his dark eyes, his clean-shaven face with a hint of aftershave that lingered in the air around him. He wore a short-sleeved T-shirt and dark blue jeans. Nothing stood out about him. Nothing hit her either. Staring at him, the only feeling that registered was surprise over the fact that she felt nothing. Everything inside her seemed to have run cold. There was no fear, no hostility, no anger, no regret. Nothing. She watched the man she’d vowed to love and honor until death. Well, they as a couple had died. Her vow was over. There was nothing left. “You look good,” he said, finally turning his gaze to hers. Dark eyes that were dull, unpolished and almost black in color strolled down her. She’d never noticed that about him before—how lifeless his eyes were. Maybe she was truly seeing Rick for the first time. The man was dead inside. “Thank you.” Strength that had been well-hidden a minute before seemed to surface. She reached for her ice water, taking a long drink, its coolness adding further strength as it washed through her. “So do you want to tell me what this is all about?” he asked, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest. She put her glass down, her hand only shaking a little bit. He didn’t watch the movement. Instead he glanced around, either looking outside or at the activities surrounding them. She wasn’t sure. Another observation hit her at that moment. Rick had never focused in on her. He’d be seen with her, give her what she wanted when it was convenient for him, but that was it. She’d never meant anything to him. She doubted anyone meant anything to him. And that was really sad. But he had chosen his path. It was a bad path, a dangerous one, and one she’d have nothing to do with. “That’s my question for you.” She straightened, remembering at that moment that Luke heard every word through her phone. Managing to relax her expression, she knew that she could do this. She’d take Rick on, but on her terms, not his. She didn’t play games. “Why have you come here? What do you want?”

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“You know the answers to those questions.” He quickly looked exasperated. And there was a time when she would have responded to that look, done anything she could think of to appease him. Not anymore. She shook her head slowly. “No. I don’t. Tell me why you’re here.” “You’ve divorced me.” “Yes. I have.” The waitress approached them, her look hesitant. Either she suspected the sensitivity of the conversation or she’d noticed they hadn’t looked at their menus. Or both. “Do you two need more time?” she asked. “No. We’ll have two cheeseburgers, all the fixings, and fries,” Rick told her without looking up. His gaze remained locked on Susie’s. Susie looked away from him, smiling up at the young girl. “Not for me. How about a slice of warm apple pie? I’m not that hungry.” The girl smiled for the first time and then took their menus. Susie noticed Beaux standing in the kitchen, looking at them through the opening where orders were put. He wasn’t smiling. She didn’t see Betty anywhere. It wouldn’t surprise her if Officer Bentley had advised Beaux of the situation. Maybe she imagined it, or wanted to see it, but she swore she saw concern on Beaux’s face. “I hear you had a nice home not far from here but moved into an old farmhouse with one of the locals. Want to tell me why?” he asked, his expression hardening. It shouldn’t have surprised her that in such a short amount of time he’d figured out where she was staying. Questioning the people of Windy Hills wouldn’t be hard to do. She was a stranger here. Anyone would have offered any information they had on her. “The town endured a really bad storm. I moved closer to help.” She wouldn’t mention Aunt Lisa since he hadn’t. “And you’re fucking this Luke guy,” he added, his tone showing his disapproval. Susie looked down at her hands, noticing how tightly she had them clasped on her lap. She shook her head, not meaning to do it, but unable to keep her feelings under lock and key. This was how Rick worked, twisting a conversation to put her on the defensive until he had her apologizing and pleading to do whatever he wished to gain his approval. “That’s really none of your business,” she said, not looking up, fighting with everything she had not to fall victim to his game. “Susan,” he said on a sigh, sounding like he was ready to reprimand a child. “You aren’t part of this middle-class world. We don’t move in the same circles or follow the same rules. Now you know as well as I do that you can’t just run to Bumfuck, Egypt, and start playing house. That isn’t an option.”

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She looked up quickly, catching the ugly emotion in those dark eyes. Anger lurked. She saw it around his eyes, in the way he frowned, in the creases that appeared between his eyebrows, in the way he held his mouth and in the slight movement of his body. “This is my life. You telling me how to run it isn’t an option.” She wasn’t sure where she got the nerve. Her fingernails dug into her skin but she couldn’t unclasp her hands. Her heart raced and her breath quickened. Sweat trickled between her breasts, making her itch. She was more than uncomfortable. The strength she had when he’d first sat down was quickly fading. Taking Rick on meant gathering more strength than she might have. Running had been easier. Even though she’d been terrified, scared that he would kill her, fleeing him wasn’t as difficult as this. Rationalizing with him, making him see her side of things, convincing him to leave her alone, would probably prove impossible to do. So then what? “Divorcing me isn’t going to set you free,” he said in a deadly whisper. “You knew that entering into this relationship. We aren’t normal people.” “You might not be normal, but I am,” she said quickly. “Right now you aren’t even being rational. None of this is,” he said, raising his hands and gesturing at the café. “Do you really think for one moment that suddenly you can become some small-town girl? You? The daughter of a millionaire? These people will figure out who you are. They will ostracize you. You’re being a fool, Susan. And the longer you play this game, the harder it will be for you to step back into your own world.” “Well, then you should be happy that I’m no longer your problem.” Anger took over her fear. Once maybe she’d sit still and let him cut her down, insult her until she felt like nothing. “But you’re wrong, Rick. You’re so wrong. I can do what I want with my life and you can’t stop me.” He raised an eyebrow. The waitress chose that moment to arrive with their food, placing plates in front of both of them and then disappearing without asking if they needed anything else. Susie noticed at that moment that they were the only customers in left the café. She had no idea if that was normal for this hour. Beaux and Betty weren’t even anywhere that she could see. Suddenly she felt very alone. It was as if what Rick had said was true. Knowing who she was, the baggage she carried was enough to send the people of this town running. Their lives were simple. And who would want anything to do with someone whose life was as fucked up as hers? Rick stood, ignoring the cheeseburger and mound of fries in front of him. He took his wallet from his back pocket and threw a fifty-dollar bill down on the table. “You’re pathetic, Susan. But you’re my problem, not this town’s. You know where I’m staying. And I know where you are. If this town means anything to you at all, I’m sure you won’t want these good people’s lives disturbed. Gather your things and we’ll leave tomorrow. You aren’t staying here.” She would have stood too, but her legs trembled, so she clamped her fingers over her knees and glared up at him, trying her damnedest to keep her voice low and not draw attention to them. “Rick, we’re divorced. I am not your problem.”

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“That divorce means as much to me as our marriage did,” he hissed, pressing his fist on the table and leaning over her. “The knowledge in your head has sealed your fate. You should have been a good little wife and kept your nose out of my affairs.” “That was kind of hard to do when you were screaming your business throughout the house. You’re a crook, Rick.” For a moment she thought he’d grab her neck. Fire raged in his eyes and his expression turned so hideous she slid her chair away from him. Her attempt to create distance pleased him and he smiled and straightened. “And this is why you’re my problem. You can’t keep your fucking mouth shut.” And with that, he left her. She should have stood up and yelled at him. Told him that hell would freeze over before she went anywhere with him. Anger and frustration tore through her. She hated him, despised him with everything she had. But for the life of her, she couldn’t stand up, couldn’t turn and watch him leave. She just sat there, a lone tear tracing down her cheek before she realized she was crying. She jumped when arms wrapped around her. “Sweetheart, are you okay?” Betty asked. Susie glanced up and Beaux walked past them to the door, his face screwed into a determined expression. He turned, looking at the two of them, but didn’t come closer. Betty stroked Susie’s hair, smiling reassuringly. “Luke is a hell of a lot better-looking,” she whispered. Susie laughed, then nodded quickly. “You’re right.” “Did you say what you needed to say? Is he leaving now?” Susie remembered her phone was on with Luke on the other end. She pulled it from her shorts, then stared at the blank screen. Luke had hung up. “He wants me to go with him. But I won’t go.” She stood, searching the windows for Luke. “Did someone call you?” Betty’s hands were dishpan-rough but held affectionate warmth to them. “Beaux told me your ex would meet you here. We’re both proud you thought of our place as a safe haven.” Susie stared at the woman’s weathered face. Her heart constricted with too many emotions. “I worried you’d hate me if you knew I brought that monster here,” she whispered. “Oh baby.” Betty pulled her into bear hug. “All exes are monsters for a while. Trust me, it will get better and you’ve come to the right place. You give it a little work, and you’ll have a wonderful life here. I just know it.” Betty didn’t have a clue what kind of monster Rick was. But that she believed Susie belonged here, that she’d already accepted her as a part of their small, tight community gave her a sense of belonging she’d never experienced before. It felt good—damned good. And it didn’t feel like work at all with Luke. More like she’d finally found home.

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The second that asshole walked out on Susie, Luke slammed his cell phone closed and bolted out the car door. “Luke,” Bentley yelled when Luke jumped out of his car. They were parked a good block down the street. Too damned far away if anyone would have asked him. Before he was halfway down the block, Rick hopped in a car and drove off. Damn it. Susie’s car was parked outside the café. His truck was at the station—almost five blocks away. He marched into the café. “Everything okay?” Beaux was at the door to greet him. “Thanks for keeping an eye on her for me.” Luke knew the older man had a right to know what transpired in his own business. Someday he’d be sure to tell him the whole truth of the matter. Beaux had agreed quickly that nothing would happen to Susie while she talked to her ex. He hadn’t even asked for details when Luke had called and briefly explained the meeting to him. “How are you doing?” He ached to hold Susie. Betty had her arms wrapped around Susie, appearing to suffocate her. If Susie answered, Luke didn’t hear her. “Give me your keys,” he said when she was finally released. “My what?” Susie didn’t look okay at all. Tears stained her cheeks. Anger boiled through him. He’d kill the man who caused her such pain. “Your car keys.” He held out his hand. “Give them to me now.” She fumbled with her purse, pulling out a large keychain with several keys on it. “But why?” He grabbed the keys from her. “Watch her for me, please,” he yelled over his shoulder. He had an asshole to catch. “Luke. Wait.” The strain in Susie’s voice pulled at his heart. That any man would do this to her, make her feel this way, made his blood boil. Rick Angsthworth would pay for the heartache he’d put Susie through. He’d pay dearly. Allowing him another minute in this town thinking he’d pulled off some victory by intimidating and terrifying Susie was simply unacceptable. Her small car cramped his legs. Fiddling with the driver’s seat, he glanced up to see Susie dart out of the café after him. She pulled on the passenger door. “Let me in,” she yelled.

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“You’re staying here,” he told her after he’d unlocked the door. Susie climbed into the car. She adjusted herself in the passenger seat, clutching her purse to her chest. He hated her tearstained cheeks, the way her lips were pursed as she struggled to look strong. “Where are you going?” she asked, managing to pull the seat belt over her purse. “Just going to take care of some things.” He didn’t like taking her with him. But convincing her to stay with Beaux and Betty would take too much time. He didn’t want the asshole to get too far ahead of him. Backing out of the stall, he hightailed it out of there and headed for the bed-and-breakfast. His cell phone rang and he cursed. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Officer Bentley shouted into his ear. “Just going to go have a chat. I’ll keep it cool.” Unless that asshole decided to make a scene. But that wouldn’t be Luke’s fault. God. Luke prayed he would make a scene. “You know I’m going to call backup in on this.” Bentley sighed, sounding more than irritated. “Do what you have to do,” Luke told him. When he parked at the bed-and-breakfast, Susie jumped out before he had the engine off. Her being here would make matters even harder. If he could tie her down and keep her out of harm’s way, he’d do it in a second. “I don’t want you here.” He grabbed her arm before she could head for the door. The torment in her eyes ate at his gut. She looked away from him, focusing on the two cars parked next to them. Rick and his thugs’ cars. “This is my fight,” she murmured. “This isn’t justyour fight.” He gripped her arm harder, pulling her around to face him. “Rick will leave town. And he’ll leave without you.” Her lower lip trembled, just for a moment, before she set her jaw with determination. Large green eyes stared up at him, not blinking. There were no more tears. She was so beautiful and craved happiness enough to fight for it. No way in hell would she head into that bed-and-breakfast in front of him. He had to make sure she stayed safe. He let go of her arm, brushing his knuckles over her cheek. She sucked in her lower lip. Susie was a fighter. She viewed coming to Windy Hills as running, hiding, and saw that as cowardice. That’s not how it was at all. She was an incredible woman, and one he wouldn’t let get away. Her lips were soft when he brushed his finger over them. “You’ll stay behind me and stay quiet,” he told her.

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More than anything he needed to kiss her, needed to be inside her. Taking her away from this nightmare and burying himself inside her sounded a hell of a lot more appealing than what he would do instead. But it had to be done. For Susie. For them. And the sooner he ended this for her, the better. They walked inside the bed-and-breakfast. “How you doing today, Millie?” It took some effort not to appear ready to spring when he smiled at Millie Cartwright, the owner of the Windy Hills’ Bed-and-Breakfast. “Well, Luke Roge, I’ll be darned.” Millie smiled, her long dark hair showing streaks of gray that weren’t there the last time he’d seen her. She glanced past him at Susie and her smile faded. “What brings you here?” His grin was sincere when he realized what she thought. They weren’t here to get a room, although it was a damned good idea. He put a protective hand on Susie’s shoulder. “You’ve met Susie, haven’t you?” Millie shook her head, her gaze traveling down Susie while Susie stiffened, obviously feeling like she was being judged. He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I don’t believe I have,” Millie said. “Susie and her aunt moved here recently. Good people. They’ve worked hard to help after the tornado took out so many homes.” “Oh yes. Terrible storm. We had some roof damage here. That old spruce out back might have to get cut down now. Not sure. Storm about took it out by the roots.” Millie would have gone on, shared all the troubles of the place with him, but there wasn’t time for that. He managed a word in when she took a breath. “You’ve got Rick Angsthworth staying here. Can you tell us what room?” “Sure.” Millie gestured toward the stairs at the end of the entryway. “Second door on the right at the top of the stairs. Although he rented all of my rooms. I worried for a minute you wanted a room here. You wouldn’t want anything like that though, would you?” He gave her a pat on her arm, forcing her smile to broaden. “No room needed. Just visiting for a few. You call me if you need any help with anything.” “Always nice to see you, Luke,” she said when he’d turned Susie to the stairs. “And it was nice meeting you, miss.” Susie said something over her shoulder, mumbled gratitude. But Luke already had her hand and was leading the way up the stairs. After one solid knock, the door opened and one of Rick’s thugs filled the doorway. Susie seemed to shrink behind him. Luke glared at the guy. “Boss. It’s your wife. The creep is with her.”

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Luke wanted to correct the intentional oversight but heard Rick from beyond the door. “Let her in. He can leave.” Luke held her firmly behind him, gripping her arm to keep her from walking around him. “You scared of me?” he called past the thug. The thug grinned, showing a few gold teeth that he must have thought added to his fierceness. Made him butt ugly, Luke thought. He missed what Rick said then. But the thug stepped out of the doorway, allowing them both to enter. “What kind of fools do they raise in this town?” Rick sat in an upright chair at a desk with a black laptop in front of him. His intentionally bored look didn’t sway Luke in the least. He’d give the guy credit for being alert and ready to defend himself. Like that would help. The thug shut the door behind them and then stood there. Luke had to pull Susie beside him so that she wouldn’t be stuck behind him with Rick’s guard dog. Another man stood next to the bed, his expression unreadable. What surprised Luke was the young, dark-haired woman who wore a halter top that showed off a bit too much cleavage and shorts that hugged hips narrow enough to s