Badland Bride (Book 2 - Dakota Hearts) Page 4

  “Hopefully not for the rest of the day. That way we can get through the list.”

  “You’re going to come with me?”

  “Yes. If it means you’re not going to hurt yourself again. Look, I know the area better than you. I also know the terrain. If there is any place that is too difficult to walk on or can cause you injury, I’ll go and take the pictures. Then you won’t get too far behind.”

  She looked up at the strong features of his face, scrutinized the blue eyes she couldn’t stop thinking about, just to see if he was kidding. He was serious.

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked quietly.

  “Why not?”

  “You just met me. You don’t even really know me.”

  He nodded and pointed out into the distance. “But I know them. And I do know that doing this right is important to you. So I figure the best way for me to help people I know and care about is to help you. It’s a win-win situation. Is there anything wrong with that?”

  She drew in a slow breath, unable to find words of gratitude that seemed genuine.

  “Thank you,” was all she managed.

  * * *

  The truck smelled like Regis. They’d been to three properties already on their way to the mill and each time Hawk climbed into the truck, the scent of her filled his head.

  “Right over there is the Maitland ranch. That’s where I got on my first bull.”

  Regis gave him a quick glance. “You were a bull rider?”

  “I didn’t say that. I got on the bull and it immediately bucked me off. I don’t even think I lasted a second. But I did give it a second and third try, mostly because my brother, Wade, dared me to.”

  “Wade?”

  He caught himself. It wasn’t often he talked about Wade. And it occurred to him that Wade probably would’ve been angry at him for closing himself off that way. But even after nearly five years, losing his brother still felt as raw as it did the day they got the news.

  “My oldest brother. He’s first, then me, then Sam, then the twins, Ethan and Logan.” He drove in silence for a few seconds, allowing himself to think about things he hadn’t thought of for a long time. “Wade was good at bull riding. He was never serious enough to go pro, but he had no fear of that bull.”

  Regis smiled at him. “You admired him a lot.”

  Hawk nodded. “He was the best friend I’ve ever had.” And Hawk had let him down.

  His hand went to his chest to feel the small medallion and chain that Wade always wore from the time he was a teenager until before he’d gone on that trip with the Peace Corps that last time.

  “I’m an only child,” Regis said. “I can’t even imagine what it would have been like to grow up with a houseful of boys like you all did. You must have driven your parents crazy.”

  “We’re McKinnons,” he said laughing. “I can’t imagine what it would have been like growing up without noise and chaos. My parents seemed to thrive on it. You said you lived on military bases growing up. What was that like?”

  She shrugged. “Different.” She turned her head to look at the side of the road. Hawk didn’t push it.

  “Did you go to this high school?” she asked as they passed the school.

  “Yes. On really hot days in the spring, Sam and I used to skip class and head down to the pond on through the woods with some of the other kids in school. Denny’s house was out there.” He pointed to a long driveway that disappeared into the woods. “Denny was really Ethan’s friend but we all hung out. And we always got caught when we did.”

  Laughing, Regis asked, “By who?”

  “My dad mostly. And believe me, he wasn’t too happy about it. But when the principal would call him at the drilling company and tell him that four of his boys had suddenly disappeared from the school, he wanted to take care of things in person, especially since he knew my mom couldn’t leave the diner during the day back then. She has a lot more help running the diner now. But my dad always knew where to find us.”

  “Drilling company. You mean, as in MW Oil? That big plant I saw a few towns back when I came into Rudolph?”

  “That’s the one. Started by my father’s grandparents and passed down the line.”

  “Did any of you boys join the family business?”

  He made a face and looked at her.

  Her beautiful eyes widened. “No?”

  “Dad gave up hoping long ago and is now trying to convince my four year old nephew that it’s up to him.”

  “No pressure though,” she said, with a giggle.

  Regis looked on her tablet at the list of properties she had to inspect.

  “Do you have the Coleman property on the list?” Hawk asked.

  “Yes, but not for today.”

  “Good.”

  She gave him a questioning look.

  “Bob Coleman isn’t always happy to see me.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m not sure he’s ever forgiven me for driving his tractor into the side of his barn.”

  “What?

  “Don’t listen to any stories about it either. I swear it was a faulty brake. I didn’t do it on purpose.”

  “Were you and your brothers always trouble?”

  He chuckled with the memory. “Let’s just say people in town new the name McKinnon. It’s good thing they all loved my mom.”

  Regis's chuckle turned into a full-blown laugh and Hawk decided that he'd found his new favorite sound. He wanted to hear it more. But then it changed and she was quiet again.

  “I envy you knowing so much about where you live. Knowing everyone. I barely remember some of the names of people I lived with.”

  “How many did you live with?”

  She drew in a deep breath. “Too many. Every time my father had to leave I got placed with a new family on base to stay with. It was a lot like living in a foster home, I suppose.”

  He nodded as if he understood, and yet, Hawk couldn’t imagine a life like that.

  Since the sun would be setting in an hour, they decided to head over to the mill to inspect the property. Regis had called Ian, but got no answer, so Hawk called his brother Ethan, who agreed to meet them. Ethan’s police SUV was parked on the muddied road and he was standing outside.

  “You made it,” he said as Hawk parked his truck. “I was worried I’d get a call and have to take off before you got here.”

  “We got hung up at the Jordan property,” Hawk said, getting out of the car.

  Regis got out of the truck and limped over to where Ethan and Hawk were standing. Hawk could see that the busy day had taken its toll on her and she was fading fast.

  “Ethan, this is—”

  “Reggie Simpson,” Ethan said. “We met a few days ago at the diner.”

  “How are you doing? I didn’t realize you were Keith’s brother.”

  Ethan raised his eyebrows. “Keith?”

  Hawk shot his brother a warning glare, which earned him a laugh from Ethan. But instead of the normal ribbing he would have gotten, Ethan turned his attention to Regis.

  “Keith tells me you were a Navy Seal.”

  Ethan smiled with pride as he looked at the weathered red façade of the Buxton Mill. “Yes, ma’am. That’s why this place is so important.”

  “Well, let’s take a look and see what the damage is.”

  The terrain was rough on the exterior of the mill. Hawk extended his hand to Regis to give her support as she walked.

  “I’m fine,” she said in a quiet voice when they got to the stairs by the door. His hand lingered linked with hers for longer than he needed. But Hawk was in no hurry to let go until Regis pulled away.

  “I heard Poppy and Mom talking about a winter wedding here. Seems Poppy has her heart set on having the ceremony in the back by the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the river,” Ethan said.

  “Winter weather is unpredictable, but it’ll be a pretty spot if it snows.”

  Regis looked around the room. “But there are no floor to ceil
ing windows here.”

  “It’s all in the new plans that Ian drew up for the place. He’s put a lot of time and money into the design and use for the property and has worked with the building commissioner to make sure we can get the permits to get this dream realized.”

  They walked through the main floor of the Buxton Mill while Hawk and Ethan described the plans for the center. Every so often, Regis snapped pictures with her camera and made notes on her tablet.

  “How did you happen to come across this property for a community center?” Regis asked.

  “It was a small, family owned business for over a hundred years until about fifteen years ago when the oldest family member died and the company got squeezed out by the bigger mills in the state. The others were retiring and didn’t have a buyer who was interested in doing anything but tearing it down and putting up condos because of the river location,” Ethan explained. “The Buxtons were a family of veterans that went all the way back to World War I and decided they wanted to donate the property to the town for a community center as long as we established space in it for the Wounded Veterans Center.”

  “That was generous of them,” Regis said, stepping back and taking another few pictures as she listened.

  “Well, there was back taxes and debt to pay, but we managed to raise the money locally for that,” Ethan added. “Ian has been instrumental in working the cause. I think it saved him, to be honest.”

  Regis lowered the camera and looked at both of them. “Saved him?”

  Hawk thought of his cousin and how far he’d come. “He was a mess when he came back from Iraq. But this has given him a reason to get out of bed and for that alone, I’m grateful to the Buxtons for their gift. Now we just have to get this place up to speed.”

  They finished their tour of the mill, which took longer than the other properties because of its size and proximity to the river. Just as they were wrapping up, Ethan got a call over the police radio.

  “I have a call down at the high school,” Ethan said. “I’ve got to run.”

  “Are you going to stop in and see Maddie?”

  Ethan made a face that gave him his answer.

  “She’s got to talk to you sometime.”

  He shook his head. “No she doesn’t,” he said quietly. To Regis, he added, “Do you need anything else?”

  “We’re all set here,” Regis said. “Thank you for meeting with me.”

  “No problem. You know where to find me if you have any questions. And you have Ian’s number. I’m sure he can answer more than I can. He would have been here today but…”

  “I understand. It was last minute so I appreciate you taking the time.”

  A few minutes later, Ethan was pulling out of the parking lot in his SUV and the two of them were alone at the empty mill. They were losing light fast and the ground was disappearing in the darkness as they walked back to the truck, making it hard to see the ruts in the dried mud. Knowing Regis was already tired, and not wanting her to injure herself again, Hawk took matters into his own hands. In one fell swoop, he scooped Regis up into his arms.

  # # #

  Chapter Five

  The last thing Regis had expected when she’d agreed to have Hawk help her today was ending up in his arms. When he’d put a strong arm behind her knees and the other around her waist, she was in the air instantly. His jacket was open and she was pressed up against his rock hard chest before she could say a word of protest.

  “Don’t argue,” he said. His face was just inches from hers as he carried her effortlessly across the parking lot to the truck.

  “This isn’t necessary.”

  “It’s just insurance that you don’t get hurt again and wind up on my examining room table. I’d much rather see you outside my office than in it.”

  When they reached the truck, Hawk stood next to the passenger side door and held Regis in his arms, just looking at her. She could feel his warmth, see the mist of his breath against the cold air, and feel his heart beating against her.

  “You can put me down now,” she said, her heart beating wildly in her chest.

  “I don’t think so.”

  “What?”

  “I like you right where you are.”

  “Please put me down, Keith,” she said quietly.

  His lips lifted to a half grin. “I really like it when you say my name.”

  “I thought you didn’t like people calling you by your given name.”

  “I like the way you say it. In fact, I like it a lot.”

  “You do?”

  He had a full blown smile now. “I like you a lot.”

  “Keith?”

  “What?”

  “Please put me down.”

  “I kind of like having you right here in my arms.”

  She drew in a deep breath. “You don’t like me. You only think you like me. You don’t even know me.”

  He chuckled against her eye and whispered, “Then let’s get to know each other.”

  She turned away from him, feeling her resolve wither away. “I don’t like to get involved—”

  “You don’t like complicated. Well, I mean to change that.”

  He slowly lowered her so her feet were on the ground, but he kept his arm around her and pulled her closer with the other arm.

  “I want to kiss you.”

  “Are you always this direct?”

  With his hand, he pushed aside the hair the wind blew in her face, and bent his head so that his mouth was only inches from hers. “Only when I want something very badly.”

  And then his warm mouth was against hers, and to her surprise, Regis didn’t protest. Instead, she melted into the warmth that Keith provided, both in body and spirit. His hands were in her hair, pulling her closer as his mouth devoured hers. And she gave back what was given and wanted more.

  She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so completely undone by a man with just a touch or a look or a kiss. Keith’s kisses weren’t anything like she’d felt before. He wasn’t a man like anyone she’d ever known before.

  And it scared her to death and excited every single bit of her at the same time.

  He pulled away slowly, with his mouth still just inches from hers.

  “I could use a whole lot more of these,” he said. Even as the night grew darker, she could see his lips curled into a pleasing smile.

  “I don’t think that was such a hot idea.”

  “Regis, I’m plenty hot right now and I think the idea of kissing the woman who got me there is just fine.”

  She drew in a slow breath and took a step back, out of his arms. And he let her. He didn’t try to keep her where she didn’t want to be. Except, she’d liked it a whole lot better when Keith’s arms were wrapped around her. And that was just the problem.

  “What do you want from me, Keith? This can’t go anywhere good.”

  She couldn’t see his eyes or his expression in the darkness, but she could see his frown.

  “I don’t have a crystal ball. But I do know that I like you. And that hasn’t happened for me in a very long time.”

  Her heart melted with his words. It was as if he were reading her mind.

  “I know the feeling.”

  “Then don’t we owe it to ourselves to at least find out what this is?”

  Regis had a feeling she’d regret any answer she gave him.

  * * *

  “It’s only dinner,” she mumbled to herself as she drove to the clinic. Regis had managed to get some sleep, and work a full day setting up her space on a table in the large meeting room at the Senior Center next to the FEMA representatives and a number of other insurance adjusters who were in town to help. Despite having a full day of work, she was surprisingly energetic and decided all this energy was the lingering adrenaline rush after the kiss three days ago.

  She still couldn’t believe she’d kissed Keith. And then actually agreed to have dinner with him tonight, breaking the first rule of being on the road. Of course, he was
probably the most persistent man she’d ever met. In the days since they’d kissed at the mill, Keith had made it a point to stop by and see her at the motel to check on her. He never stayed long. He didn’t talk about the kiss they’d shared. He just spent time with her and then always asked her to dinner. And she’d always say no. Until last night.

  She liked him. Regis couldn’t deny it. And he said he felt the same way about her. In fact, Regis really liked the way Keith was not at all shy about admitting his feelings. She’d never been that open with a man before. And while it caught her off guard…she liked it.

  “You’re such an idiot, Reggie,” she mumbled as she pulled into the parking lot of the clinic next to his truck. Disgusted with herself, she killed the engine and sat in the car looking at the clinic. The light was on inside and she could see through the window that Nancy was standing inside the waiting room talking to someone. She had her heavy winter coat wrapped around her and her purse hiked up on her shoulder.

  “It’s just pizza. Even you can handle that.” Even as she tried to downplay the importance of this dinner, Regis struggled with the idea of actually going through with it. Still, her palms were sweaty and her heart was pounding through her chest as she pushed the car door open.

  She checked her reflection in the mirror for the umpteenth time since she’d left the motel, unable to stop thinking about the man she was going to meet. It wasn't just that Keith McKinnon was incredibly handsome. He was, and what was so charming was that, despite him teasing her about it the day they met, he didn’t seem to realize just how handsome he was. But she had met plenty of good-looking men over the years. The bases she’d lived on all over the world had provided lots of teenage crushes, and one hell of a heartbreak that was difficult to think about even now.

  But none of them had ever stuck in her mind the way Keith McKinnon has. There was just something about the man that had kept her awake last night. And it wasn’t just the constant replay of the kiss at the mill the other day. It would have been easy to blame her sleepless night on pain in her leg. But that hadn’t been the source of her restlessness last night. And as Keith had predicted, her leg was feeling a whole lot better today to the point where she hardly noticed it at all.