Rebecca Zanetti - Against the Wall

Jake grinned. “Yeah, Quinn has a knack for it, I guess.”

“You’re not in cahoots?”

“No.” It was his turn to glance sideways. “But…you won’t tell anyone?”

“I promise.” For once, she‘d be in on the joke.

“He has a formula.”

“A formula?”

“He takes last year’s time, subtracts two seconds for Buttercup’s aging a year, and then multiplies it by a factor of how many injuries I’d sustained the past year.”

“Really?”

“Yep. He’s won the last four years in a row.” Jake’s deep chuckle sent a skittering along her nerve endings.

“Do you get injured a lot in court?”

“Not usually in court. I work my ranch, and injuries are common. But my brothers and I have the routine down, so we’re fairly safe.”

“You and your brothers seem really close.” Longing flowed through her as she realized she’d missed out on something important by being an only child.

“We are. If for no other reason than to keep Dawnie safe. That woman’s a menace. The second she started noticing boys, one in particular, life changed for all of us.”

“Hawk seems like a decent guy.” A group of horses caught her attention, their manes spraying a myriad of colors through the wind as they galloped over hills.

Jake flashed her a surprised glance. “He’s way too old for her. And a dead man if he goes near her. Besides, his job’s screwing him up as bad as—” Jake’s jaw snapped shut.

“Screwing him up as bad as the Rangers did you?” Would he let her in? Actually let her know him? The desire for his trust caught her unaware.

“Who’ve you been talking to?” His attention was riveted completely on her.

Man, he probably nailed witnesses on cross-examination. “Nobody.” Sophie struggled not to squirm.

Jake turned his focus to the road and she relaxed. “I’ve made my peace with the things we did in the service. And no,” he noted as she leaned forward to speak, “I won’t tell you about it right now.”

“Oh.” She sat back, way too much pleasure coursing through her at the idea that they had more than “right now.” “Were you married while in the army?”

“No. I married Em one month after my discharge.” He frowned. “She was too young. Wanted a big life in the big city. I just wanted a normal life. After the army.” He turned the truck through the massive logs standing vigil at the foot of his parents’ ranch. “We had dated in high school and ran into each other my first night back. I hadn’t even seen my parents yet. Tequila led to bourbon, and one thing led to another. We found out she was pregnant three weeks later.” He shook his head. “Leila is the biggest blessing of my life. But I wish things had been different for Emily.”

“How did she die?” Sophie kept her voice low. He was trusting in her, whether he knew it or not.

Jake sighed. “I’m not sure what happened. I knew she was unhappy here, but it could’ve been postpartum. It was the dead of winter and I was back east arguing a case. She asked my mom to watch the baby. Then Emily packed her bags into a little two-seater sports car I’d bought her during the summer and headed out. In a blizzard. In a summer car.” His voice turned hoarse. “She slid off the road and down an incline. Doc said she was dead on impact—that she didn’t suffer.”

Sophie’s heart clenched. “I’m so sorry, Jake.” She ran a hand along his tense arm, the muscles rippling at her touch.

Jake nodded. Then he stopped the truck in a circular drive of the two-story log home and turned toward her. “Enough bad memories. We’re supposed to have fun tonight.” His knuckle brushed her cheekbone. “And you’re supposed to be deciding to sleep with me.”

Tom saved Sophie from having to reply when he hurried out a massive double-wooden door and opened her door. She accepted his hand, and he helped her to the ground. Sophie smiled at her savior and turned to admire the large, custom log home. A wide, gleaming wood porch ran the length of the front and invited people to sit on swings or comfortable-looking chairs.

“Sophie, we’re so glad you could make it.” Tom took her hand and led her up the porch and into the warm interior of a stoned entryway. The smell of apple pie filled the air while soft country music floated throughout.

Directly ahead, floor-to-ceiling windows showcased Mineral Lake and the surrounding mountains. A massive stone fireplace took up one wall while beautiful Western oils filled the other. Sophie took a moment to admire the deep colors of a Gollings painting of barely tamed horses stamping the snow around a circle of teepees, then swept her gaze around the rest of the room.

Leather couches and hand-carved wooden tables sat comfortably on a thick Native American rug. Several coloring books and a smattering of crayons scattered across the largest table, and the smell of leather and pine mixed with the apple pie scent.

An excited feminine shriek made Sophie jump when Leila flew into her with Colton on her heels.

“Help, Sophie, help me.” Leila shielded herself behind Sophie’s body, her tiny hands tight on Sophie’s waist.

“She can’t protect you,” Colton growled out in a low, monster-like voice.

“Yes, she can.” Leila poked her head around to stick her tongue out at her uncle. “I’ll tell the sheriff on you, Uncle Colt.”

Colton grabbed for her just as she dodged to the other side of Sophie, who struggled to keep her balance. “Then I’ll have to tickle both the sheriff and you, squirt.”

“Don’t let him get me.” Leila giggled from behind her.

“I’m pretty sure we can take him, Leila,” Sophie said solemnly, trying not to laugh.

The game ended when Jake yanked his daughter into the air to smack noisy kisses along her face. “Is Colton picking on you, precious?” He shut the front door with a click.

“Yes, Daddy.” Leila giggled again. “Beat him up.”

“Ah, Leila, it’s just too easy. A man my age needs a challenge.” Jake swung her onto his back.

“A man your age needs a walker,” his brother retorted. Then he turned vibrant blue eyes on her. “Hi, Soph.”

His easy hug brought a lump to her throat. They were just like the families she used to watch on television.

“Oh, hello, Sophie.” Loni walked in from the left, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. “Come give me a hand in the kitchen, would you?” She nodded to the men. “The salmon isn’t going to barbecue itself, boys.”

Sophie grinned as the men headed through the kitchen and gathered around a humungous silver barbecue on the outside deck with Leila still perched on her father’s shoulders.

“What can I do?” Sophie glanced around. Chopped vegetables sat on a large cutting board near a deep red bowl.

“Sit at the bar and keep me company.” Loni nodded toward thick brown barstools on the other side of the spotless silver granite countertop. Sophie took a seat while Loni poured them both a glass of wine.

“How are the designs coming?” Loni asked while resuming her chopping.

“Great. I should have something concrete for you by tomorrow’s meeting.” The buttery chardonnay tasted of smooth sweetness.

“Perfect.” Loni looked up with serious eyes. “The council met, and we all really like your golf course design.”

“But?” She steeled herself for the news.

“But we don’t like it in that location. We’ve put out some feelers for alternate places. Sorry.”

They were rejecting her design and not her, but her stomach rolled. “I was afraid of that. Jake already warned me the council wouldn’t support the project.”

“Really?” Loni raised an eyebrow.

“That’s the only property the Charleton Group owns, and they’re pretty determined to develop it.” There had to be a way to convince the tribe to back the design. What if her uncle lost his business? Failure tasted like ashes.

“Well, the county commissioner meeting should be interesting, then. Though I have to tell you, the land always wins.” Loni scraped the veggies into the bowl. “Let’s head out to the deck.”

Sophie took a deep breath. She’d enjoy dinner with a nice family, and then go back to her room and figure out another angle. They could still win without the tribe’s backing.

She grabbed the other salad sitting on the counter, followed Loni to the deck, and settled into a cushioned chair between Jake and Leila at the round glass patio table. The sun set to the west, spreading fingers of pink and orange across the sky. Colton sat across from her, and the disappearing sun highlighted the myriad of colors in his hair. She should’ve brought her oil paints.

They all dug into the fish and salad, and Loni passed homemade rolls around that smelled better than anything found in the city. After a short time, Sophie relaxed and started to enjoy the excellent meal.

The casual teasing between Jake and Colton made her laugh; their easy camaraderie was something she’d missed, being an only child. Both brothers growled when she asked about Dawn’s absence. Apparently the girl was on a date. So maybe having older brothers had its drawbacks.

“Who is she out with?” Sophie took another sip of wine after Tom topped off her glass.

“Some college senior.” Colton said the word college like an expletive. Jake and Tom nodded. “She’s just out with Frankston to make Hawk jealous.”

“Hawk’s too old for her.” Jake reached over to tug his daughter’s ear. She squealed and slapped him playfully before digging back into her apple pie.

“He’s only a few years older.” Loni slid another piece of pie onto Colton’s plate.

“I wasn’t talking birthdates, Mom.” Jake’s eyes hardened as he stared at something only he could see.

“He’s a good kid.” Tom pushed his plate away from himself and groaned. “But Jake’s right. He’s too old for our girl.”

“Our girl knows her own heart, boys.” Loni grinned as Jake yanked on his daughter’s braid again.

“Knock it off, Daddy.” Leila grinned around a mouth full of apples. “Or I’ll tell the sheriff on you.”

Colton frowned. “What’s up with all this telling the sheriff talk, kid? I’m the cool uncle.”

“Yeah, but Uncle Quinn has a badge. And a gun.” Leila’s eyes lit up as Colton sat forward.

“I’m way tougher than the sheriff,” Colton said.

“Yeah, but he really loves me, Uncle Colt.”

Sophie didn’t miss the sly grin Jake gave his mother.

“I love you more, baby doll,” Colton said.

“Enough to give me that new pony Merriment foaled last month?” The little girl pursed her lips.

Tom guffawed in laughter. “Boy did you walk into that one, son.”

“I was thinking the new foal would make a good Christmas present for a really good little girl.” Colton raised an eyebrow at Jake, who gave an imperceptible nod.

“I’m really good.” Leila widened her eyes to pure adorable innocence.

“Hm. I don’t know.” Colton shook his head.

“You’d be my favoritest uncle, Colton.” The little girl flung herself onto his lap and wrapped tiny arms around a strong neck.

Colton’s eyes softened as he gazed at the little minx. “You are going to be one very dangerous woman someday, baby doll.”

“Then it’d be good to be my favoritest uncle, wouldn’t it?” Leila smacked his cheek with a wet kiss.

“Without question.” Colton pecked her on the nose before Leila jumped down, a successful grin on her face as she returned to her seat.

So this was what families could be. Should be. A pang hit Sophie in the solar plexus.

“Speaking of the unfavoritest uncle, where is Quinn?” Colton finished off his pie.

Tom shrugged. “I heard that maybe he was dating someone from Maverick.” Tom rolled his eyes at Loni.

“Her name’s Juliet, and she tolt Uncle Quinn to take a flying leap,” Leila piped up. All eyes swung to her and she grinned.

“I knew it!” Loni exclaimed, leaning forward. “How do you know that, sweetheart?”

“I axed him.” The little girl pushed her plate away. “When me and Uncle Quinn got smoothies at the ice-cream place, Juliet was just leaving. I tolt Uncle that she was pretty and he should take her to the movies, and he said he’d already axed, but she said to take a flying leap.” Leila screwed her face into a frown. “But he didn’t say where he was ’posed to leap to.”

“The plot thickens,” Colton murmured with a pointed look at his brother.

“Nah, she somehow got the gist of his sparkling personality.” Jake exhaled and grinned.

Sophie shook her head. The family was so involved with one another, whether they all liked it or not.