Chapter Seven

An angry hiss carried across the space, filling in the companionable silence following breakfast.

Lily turned from the dishwasher where she was busily stacking dirty dishes. “Oh, boy. Here we go again.”

Cale glanced over to the living room, watching the small kittens arch backs, growl, and pounce toward one another. In a matter of seconds, Faith jumped on top of Charity and the wrestling match began. Tufts of fur flew as the girls dove in, trying to pin the other down, gain the advantage, and win the present skirmish.

Feeling eyes on him, he glanced down to find Hope staring up at him with an expression of patient annoyance that seemed to say, ‘See what I have to put up with?’ Giving her a quick commiserative scratch behind the orange ear, he stood, dutifully carrying his coffee mug to the sink.

Lily’s antics this morning hadn’t gone unnoticed by him. In fact, he had found himself relaxing, opening up, and actually enjoying the morning meal with her. She gave as good as she got, even as she blushed crimson red at his lighthearted bantering.

Innocent.

He’d bet his last clip of shells she’d never been with a man. Cute and peppy, she stood out as a novelty to him. After all, his brushes with the fairer sex these days revolved around one-night stands and a hot fuck here and there. With his intense schedule and lack of interest in another long-term commitment, he didn’t have the time, patience, or interest in spending weeks or months wooing and dating a woman. Instead, he much preferred to get down to the basics—pump and dump then move on.

Once more he studied Lily and mentally shook his head. No, he didn’t have the least experience with her kind. That didn’t stop his cock from standing at attention as she had stared at him earlier that morning while he and Dillon had rested in bed. Each place her eyes had touched felt like a tiny caress, enough to stimulate his libido and waken his desire.

Maybe if things were different, he’d consider taking her to bed and initiating her. Just as well Dillon stood as a buffer, because he needed to keep his sights on the ultimate goal—getting out of there before they were caught in a trap—and finish the original mission before Lansing could hurt anyone else. A tall order, but not impossible.

One small detail bugged him. By leaving, would they put Lily at risk? Cale’s chest tightened at the thought.

From what he’d witnessed thus far, she deserved better than to have danger fall on her head for his and Dillon’s sins. Protective instincts rose. “What do you have to do today?”

After taking the cup and sliding it on the top shelf, Lily closed the dishwasher door before answering his question. Her gaze found Dillon. “Give him another antibiotic and change his dressings. Oh, Carson said for him to sit in the bathtub if he can manage it. It will clean out his wound more.”

Cale followed her gaze, noting the lines of pain on his brother’s face along with the fatigue in his dull eyes. The slight activity this morning had worn him completely out. “His belly’s full now. I’ll get him something for pain then get him back to bed for a nap.”

“I keep telling you guys I’m not deaf.” Dillon frowned up at them. “And I don’t need anything for pain. I’m fine.”

Cale opened his mouth to disagree, then quickly shut it. More than once he’d stood where Dillon now stood, and nearly every time had refused pain medications. Soldiers needed a clear head, no room for a cloudy judgment in his line of work—too many lives at stake. Besides, pain was a common occurrence to be shrugged off most of the time. “Fair enough. But I think the nap is certainly in order.”

Dillon didn’t protest.

Once more he prodded Lily. “What else do you have to do?”

She pushed the start button on the appliance before turning to meet his eyes. “I have to fill the water tank for the livestock, walk the fences to check for breaks or down wire, finish the laundry, and set a pie shell and frozen berries out to make a pie.”

“Livestock?” He knew cattle and horses grazed in the pastures behind the house—that fact came from his quick surveillance of the place. But his gut told him she didn’t have the money or time to care for large animals, nor the land to harbor them on.

“Carson’s. This is his rental house,” she hastily explained while wiping down the kitchen table with a damp rag. “In exchange for a lower rent, I make sure they have plenty of water, check the fences around the house, and do head counts.”

That puzzle piece snapped into place in his head. No wonder she idolized her boss. Not only did he give her a job, but he provided a roof over her head and a manageable way of paying rent without busting her limited budget too. He could easily understand the low wages encountered in a small town doctor’s office that existed off poor insurance reimbursements. If major hospitals struggled with finances, this area had to feel the strain all the more. He credited Carson greatly for finding alternative ways to supplement her income without breaking his business bank account.

If the woman had money, nothing he could see hinted in that direction. He would say in absolute faith that she simply made ends meet with not a lot of flexibility in that tight belt. “I’ll go with you.”

“You don’t need to. I do it every day.”

“I want to check things out, just to be sure.” His tone discouraged argument. He could see Lily struggle with the need to ask more questions and the curiosity behind her eyes, but she wisely kept her mouth shut. Smart woman. “After we get Dillon back to bed before he falls asleep at the kitchen table.”

When Dillon didn’t argue, Cale moved to help him up, giving the extra strength and stability needed until the younger man could get his crutches back under him. Lily grabbed the medication from the small fridge, jumped over to grasp the pole, and agilely pushed it behind them as they made their way slowly but surely back to the bedroom.

By the time they’d finally gotten him settled and under the covers, Dillon’s eyes were closing as his breathing evened out. The quick sleep showed the level of exhaustion he suffered. Cale studied his brother’s face with worry, noting the paleness and deep sagging under his eyes. His gut clenched in guilt, knowing that if he hadn’t pushed so hard, Dillon wouldn’t be lying there suffering now.

Maybe it’s time to find a new career? As soon as the thought struck, he quickly dismissed it. What else would I do? Sit at a desk all day and watch my ass grow wider? Not in this lifetime.

By the time he pulled on his thick black jacket, Lily had attached the antibiotic, punched some buttons, and headed to her closet before tugging out an old ragged quilt material coat. His former wife wouldn’t have been caught dead in such a thing, scoffing it for being something that a street person might pick up from the Goodwill Store—the same with Lily’s hand-me-down scarce furniture in the house. Absolutely nothing he saw spoke of money or the wish for expensive things. In fact, the only article that appeared fairly new was the white tennis shoes she wore to work. Lily gave everything else a second life, making them work the best she could instead of replacing them. It only drove home the idea of how different the two women were and the simple fact that Lily didn’t have much, but not once did he hear her complain about her station or lack of monetary resources. Almost any other woman he’d ever known would’ve lamented and whined about their lot in life. Not Lily.

Not yet. He quickly reminded himself. He had known her less than twenty-four hours and his instincts weren’t always right. The majority of the time, yes, but in his field of work, ‘almost’ could easily get him killed.

“Ready?” She led the way to the garage door through the kitchen, marching by the dynamic duo, who were still busy honing their fighting skills on one another.

He shook his head, but couldn’t help hold back a smile at the adorable kittens trying to appear vicious and mean to each other, yowling and spitting in an endeavor to be alpha kitty. It had been a long time since he had had the luxury of downtime to watch kittens play. A lifetime ago. His spirits bolstered, he moved after Lily. He found himself eager to check out the land and learn more about this independent woman with the marshmallow heart who took in wounded animals and people, mending them back to health. Still cautious and hesitant, he couldn’t dampen the urge to prod into Lily’s life, learn more, and declare her a rough, rare yellow diamond or a typical self-centered female, well-practiced in deceit.

Just the negative words in the same sentence as her name rang untrue. He held to that hope and prepared for the worst. A practice he’d excelled at over the years.

Gray clouds covered the sun, leaving the morning chilly, damp, and dreary. Pulling his collar up, Cale stepped into the biting wind. His insulated jacket with multiple layers could handle this weather without a problem. Sliding a glance to his right, he considered Lily and her threadbare coat. Surely she had something better and warmer to wear? It could barely work for today, but deep in winter, Jack Frost could easily blow right through it like a breeze through a screen door.

She’s not my responsibility. He would be gone in a few days, anyway. So why bother?

The reminder soured his optimism.

Cale raked the terrain, searching for dangers, obstacles, hidden venues, and signs that someone had somehow followed them to this isolated spot on the map. The fresh air cleared his lungs, with the scent of hay and livestock spurring memories from eons ago. Good memories that he’d tucked away when he needed to remember some happiness existed in life.

Just inside the fence tilled dirt lay bare, probably in preparation for next year’s garden. He could see her on hands and knees planting and nurturing the seeds to grow, collecting the harvest, and preserving it for winter meals.

Lily pulled up on the water pump, letting water flow quickly into the large round metal water trough. Her eyebrows furrowed as she used a finger to count cows standing around a small barn that sat a couple of hundred feet away, with the doors pulled open. A half-eaten round bale sat nearby with three cows slowly eating off it while others rested in the litter it created.

“All here and accounted for?” Cale asked, noting the large boned, white to cream colored cattle. Muscles and sheer size impressed him, especially the herd bull. In addition to the extra bulk, a rounded hump sat just in front of his shoulders. These weren’t just average run-of-the-mill livestock. Unless he missed his guess, these were expensive beef cattle bred for the show ring as much as anything.

“Yep. All twenty-five.” She smiled, turned off the water, and ushered Cale through the small gate located to the right of the water pump, allowing them entrance into the field.

He glanced warily at the bull moving toward them, one hand automatically reaching for the handgun he carried in his shoulder vest under his jacket. He stepped forward to place himself in the animal’s path, only for Lily to walk around him, out to meet the trotting mammoth.

“Good morning, Hard Head.” She cooed to the bull, scratching his forehead and around his ears. The bull lowered his head and leaned into the caress, obviously used to and enjoying the fussing.

Cale shook his head and relaxed his stance. A pet. Leave it to Lily to befriend such a creature. “Hard Head?” His lips twitched at the name.

Lily continued her ministrations while glancing his direction. “Well, that’s not his registered name, of course. But, it’s an appropriate nickname for this guy.” She giggled when, just like one of her cats, the bull rested his head against her belly, begging for more attention. Dutifully scratching, she talked to the bull, showering him with affection.

He would have sworn old Hard Head groaned in pleasure as her quick fingers rubbed over a particularly itchy spot. Just like I would if those same hands caressed me, stroking and molding to my body while she whispered words of endearment, praise, and longing. She would lean over, her shoulder-length blonde hair brushing over my erection before those teasing hazel eyes sparkled in mischief as her tongue reached out to sample from the liquid forming at the tip.

“I’m going to walk the fence line.” Lily started toward the metal barrier.

Cale yanked hard on the reins of his control. What was wrong with him? He was acting like a frisky teenager with his first taste of passion. Shifting, Cale bit back the discomfort from his body’s natural reactions to the stark images in his mind. One day with this woman and he was already imagining things he had no business even daydreaming about. Hadn’t he learned his lesson well enough before?

With Lily, he wasn’t sure one night would be long enough.

Muttering a curse, he set out after her.

And when the hell did she slip under his guard? He chastised himself for pronouncing her sweet, harmless, and in need of a good man to teach her about the birds and bees. Yet, as hard as he tried to resurrect that brick wall around himself, he couldn’t quite manage the task. Something about Lily called to him, reached inside and plucked at his long lost sense of humor. Fear of her ease at getting through his carefully constructed barriers would put him totally on the defensive if she didn’t ring true with each and every word and action. She might be lying, but she’d be the world’s best at doing so. He’d met his fair share, learned to detect untruths by many means after leaving his betraying wife, and vowed never to be taken in again.

Not ready to throw in the towel, he cautioned himself to proceed slowly before giving her a free pass. After all, more than one man died with a look of surprise on his face.

His long strides allowed him to quickly catch up as she walked north along the fence line. The echoes of cattle rustling and picking at late season grass along with the calls of a crow looking for breakfast were the only sounds he detected. In truth, the quietness of nature calmed him and eased the tension that had ridden him hard since Dillon had taken the bullet. One could easily forget the world’s problems, let their life slow down, and soak up the tranquility offered by the rural setting. Nature at its best.

They ambled in companionable silence for a while, making their way around the several acres of pasture, checking the barbed wire fence for breaks or damage as they progressed.

Cale broke the silence. “No calves?”

She shook her head. “Carson doesn’t want fall calves owing to the hard winter. Oh, they would probably be fine as much as he and Cody take care of them, but he’d rather just play it safe with spring babies.”

“Cody?”

“He’s Carson’s herd caretaker, for lack of a better word. Very nice guy. Hard-working and really cares about the animals. He’d give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it.” She paused to tug at a fence post, moving forward when it didn’t give.

He tried to read between the lines with her statements about Cody. If they were a couple, he couldn’t tell by the inflection in her voice. Instinct told him she had no man, at least at the present time. The knowledge soothed his surprising possessive tendencies surrounding the little nurse.

“You should see the babies in the spring—crisp white and cream colored, bellowing, butting heads, bouncing around the pasture. I could watch their antics for hours, just forgetting the world existed besides this little corner of paradise.” Her face glowed with a bright smile.

Cale’s breath caught at the sheer joy he saw in her expression. Not many women would be trudging out in the cold, walking along a fence, and blatantly happy with the thought of sitting in the grass mesmerized by calves at play. His heart tugged once more. Time for a subject change. “You aren’t from here?”

“No.” Her happiness fled with his question, bringing a more somber tone. “After Mother passed, all I had left were memories and loneliness. I decided I needed a new start in life with a new location, job, everything.”

“A new man?” He could have kicked himself when the question slipped out. Instead, he watched her body language closely, seeking truth in her words.

She paused, sending him a look of puzzlement. “I didn’t have a man then or now, if you must know.” A subtle bite of annoyance laced her voice.

Changing directions in the conversation, he pressed for more information. “What will you do after this?”

Lily rotated, now following the fence as it headed to the farthest corner of the vast pasture. “Cajole your brother into taking a bath to help clean out his wound. Hang more antibiotics. Dust, mop the floors. Get the turkey out of the freezer to thaw. Make that pie and feed the bottomless pits again.”

He couldn’t bite back the small grin. Leave it to her to take the question literally. “Actually, I meant life plans, like job, home, and family. And I’ll get my brother into the bath.”

“You’ll cajole him, huh?” She smiled widely up at him, batting her lashes in play.

“No cajoling about it. I’ll toss his ass in if he doesn’t cooperate.” Enjoying her teasing, he reached out to tug on a tuft of hair blowing in the stout breeze. “Now, back to those future plans?”

She shook her head, but didn’t hesitate to answer. “No plans, really. As far as I know, I’m staying here.”

“You never want to move or change careers?” He pressed for more.

“Nope. Right now I’m happy. Content. I enjoy my job and truly feel almost peaceful where I’m at. Who could ask for anything more?”

Who could? Lots of women probably would fit in that category, wanting to take a relatively easy role in life and let their man take care of them. Fine if that’s what worked for a couple. However, he avoided those types like the plague. Been there, done that once and never again.

“How about you? Got a man in your life?”

The phrasing caught him off guard, breaking his normally graceful stride to a near stumble. It took a second for him to realize her brand of bantering. He snorted loudly. “As if.”

“Okay. What about a woman in your life?”

Even though he realized the natural progression of the conversation would lead to that very inquiry, he flinched hearing it voiced. Jaw clenching, he clammed up, not willing to discuss such a hurtful period of his life.

* * * *

Lily shut her mouth, seeing the heart-wrenching pain appear for a split second on Cale’s face in response to her question. If she hadn’t been watching him so closely at the time, she would have missed the telltale cringe. He seemed to be relaxing and possibly even enjoying their walk and discussion until she had to ask about his prior relationships. Sure, most people had them and wore a few badges of courage to show for their efforts, but not often did she see such torment on a person’s face with a simple mention of the opposite sex. Guilt rose up inside, sending her gaze to the ground. What horrors must he have suffered to react so negatively? Quickly, she kicked her mind into motion, seeking something else to say, anything to put back the handsome smile he had flashed earlier. “You said you have parents?”

He only nodded in response.

Charging ahead, she tossed out the first response that came to mind. “Good to know. Here I was ready to strip you and Dillon down to check for belly buttons. I feared there would be none and then what would I do? Who do you call when you find a belly button-less person? And if there is no belly button, where does all that lint go to hide?” Holding her breath, she waited a tick, watching intently, hoping she cracked his stony façade once more.

Cale’s bottom lip twitched in the slightest motion.

Taking that as positive, she rambled on. “I can just hear the phone call now. Bureau of Alien Life, how can I help you? Yes, ma’am, I need to report two men without belly buttons. What do they look like? Well, tall, dark, and handsome, minus belly buttons. What do you mean that isn’t your department? Whose department is it? Oh, then can you transfer me? Hello? Department of the Interior, I need to report men without navels. Huh? What navy? No. No. Without navels. You know. Belly button. What? I’ve already talked to the Bureau of Alien Life, they sent me to you. Wait. I don’t think that’s the correct department that I need. Well, drat. Hello, is this the Department of the Mentally Deranged? Well, you see. I need to report navel-less men. Yes. As in no belly buttons. What do you mean do I hallucinate often?”

Cale burst out laughing, the sound literally music to Lily’s ears. “You’re right about the government.”

She had thought him handsome before, but the addition of humor added a glorious glow and softened his normally stern expression, which only added to his overall gorgeous status. Lily smiled with satisfaction and pride. He needs to laugh more. If it took silliness to get this present day warrior to laugh, then so be it. She was up to the task.

Not that she had much experience with men, but this one captivated her. She knew nothing about him or his brother, yet had begrudgingly allowed strangers into her home. Now, she dedicated herself to helping this way too serious guy to find amusement in his life again. Maybe I should be talking to the Department of the Mentally Deranged after all.

One look at Cale and her heart fluttered. He stood a head taller, muscular and toned, strong and sound. He probably could have been a male model if he had so desired. No. That didn’t seem to quite fit. His features were stark and sharp, beautiful in a rough, primitive way. Those light blue eyes reflected an inner demon, but flashed with mischief now and again, hinting at a deeply buried sense of playfulness. Something she desperately wanted to stoke.

The man is out of your league. Her inner voice reminded her that she didn’t stand a chance with the soldier. He’d move on in a few days, never once looking back or thinking about her. With his bold looks and strong nature, he would have the pick of the henhouse. She, on the other hand, would be outside in the trees, roosting with the less desirable females. Mentally, she shrugged. She liked him, and perhaps, with time and fate, it could progress into something more than a simple houseguest and nurse, but she dared not buy into those dreams. Even if he noticed her, he would kiss her, then dash away to save the world.

Is it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all? It wouldn’t be love on his part anyway. From what she could faintly see from his demeanor, he didn’t believe in love. She would be a physical release, nothing more.

Forcefully, she pushed that sobering thought aside. There I go again putting the cart before the horse. One day at a time. One smile at a time. This she would do. For him.