Текст книги "Redemption Road"

Автор книги: Katie Ashley

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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

“Hello,” Annabel replied with a smile.

Bending over closer to my ear, Willow whispered, “Did you bring home your girlfriend?”

While Annabel’s cheeks tinged pink, I couldn’t help laughing. “You’re a nosy little shit.”

“Well, it’s about time you had a girlfriend,” Willow answered in a matter-of-fact tone.

Now it was Annabel’s turn to laugh. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but your uncle and I are just friends.”

Willow appeared genuinely let down at the news. “But you might grow to like each other. My mommy and daddy didn’t like each other at first, but then they grew to love each other.”

I shook my head at her. “You’re too much, you know that?”

She giggled. “Daddy says that all the time.”

“Come on. Let’s get inside and get washed up for dinner,” Mama Beth suggested.

I gazed over Willow’s head at Annabel to gauge her reaction to the invitation. When she nodded, I knew she was fine with having dinner with Mama Beth.

I eased Willow down to the ground, and she bounded straight over to Annabel. “What’s your name?”

“It’s Annabel.”

“Does anyone ever call you Belle like in Beauty and the Beast?”

Annabel laughed. “No. Not really.”

“I think that’s what I’ll call you.”

“That’s okay with me.”

At the sight of Willow slipping her hand into Annabel’s, I held my breath that the touch would be okay. While I knew she was still gun-shy about men, I didn’t know how she felt about strangers in general.

But Annabel didn’t shrink away. Instead, she squeezed Willow’s hand tight. The small gesture made my heart swell. Glancing back at us, Willow said, “I’ll show Belle where to wash up.”

“That would be very nice of you.”

“That way you’ll have time to get my present out of the car,” she replied sweetly.

I groaned but obediently nodded my head. As the women disappeared up Mama Beth’s walk, I went back to the car and got out the ballerina alligator. I would worry about our luggage later.

When I got into the house, Willow was chattering incessantly to Annabel about ballet. Annabel was nodding as she tried to keep up with Willow’s fast-paced conversation. As soon as she saw I had returned, Willow abandoned Annabel in midsentence and came galloping over to me. I knew there was not a chance in hell I could wait until after dinner to give her the stuffed animal. So I merely thrust it at her instead. “Here you go, rug rat.”

She grabbed the alligator and squealed with delight. “Ooh, it’s a ballerina just like me.” She then wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me tight. “Thank you, Uncle Rev.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

“All right, it’s time to wash up,” Mama Beth instructed.

“Yes, ma’am,” Willow replied. She once again grabbed Annabel’s hand. “I’ll show you where the bathroom is, Belle.”

“Thank you. I would appreciate that,” Annabel replied.

“And I’ll show you my old room. I get a whole new room at my mommy and daddy’s house.”

After Annabel and Willow disappeared down the hall, I walked over to the sink. As I lathered the soap up to my elbows, I could feel Mama Beth’s eyes boring into my back.

“What is it, Mama?” I questioned without turning around.

“Bishop told me not to be too surprised when you showed up with a girl.”

“Did he?” I held my tongue about saying any more.

“Yes, he did. I’m surprised you didn’t tell me as much when I spoke to you the other day.”

“I figured it could wait. Besides, she was with me when I was talking to you.”

“Is Annabel in some sort of trouble?” she asked. When I threw a glance at her over my shoulder, she pursed her lips at me. “Is that why you brought her here?”

“Yes, she was in trouble.”

“Is she the reason you left?”

“No. She isn’t.” I turned off the water and grabbed a hand towel. I realized then that no one had told her about Breakneck and Sarah. Since I didn’t know how long Willow would keep Annabel occupied, I gave Mama Beth a condensed version of the story.

When I finished speaking, her kind eyes were filled with tears. “I had no idea.”

“It hasn’t been made well known because it’s his story to tell. I’m sure Breakneck will be letting the rest of his brothers know soon.”

Mama Beth chewed her bottom lip like she wanted to say more—it was a trait Bishop had inherited. I was sure I was exasperating her with my short responses.

Finally, she couldn’t keep it in any longer. “She isn’t like us.”

“Excuse me?”

“What I mean is unlike Sarah, Annabel isn’t from an MC family, is she?”

“No, I guess you could say she’s about as far away from us as is humanly possible.”

“Is that why you’re keeping her at arm’s length?”

Tossing the towel back on the counter, I replied, “What is it with all the questions?”

“I watched you two out there. The way you look at her, the way she looks at you. You care about her very deeply.”

“Yes, I do care about her, but it’s not what you think.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“I’ve known her less than a week, Mama. And there’s been nothing intimate between us. Not after what she’s been through,” I countered.

Her blue eyes flashed defiantly at me. “And I knew I wanted to marry your father after three days when we hadn’t even kissed. What’s your point?”

I closed my eyes and tried to control my temper. I’d never imagined my mother would think Annabel and I had feelings for each other that ran any deeper than friendship. “Would you listen to yourself? I just walked through the door, and you’re giving me the fifth degree about a girl I barely know and one you’ve just met. A girl who has been through hell and back.”

“You left in the middle of your brother’s wedding reception and told no one where you were going or why. Then when you do show back up, it’s with a strange girl! A beautiful one, I might add, but one who looks two steps above even Alexandra. Considering all that, I think I deserve to give you a little grief.”

“Not when that girl is just down the hall.”

“Then you will tell me everything later?”

I nodded. The truth was, I had so much to tell her, more than she could probably imagine. Once I had told Bishop, I realized I should be honest with Mama Beth and Deacon, and I would do that just as soon as I could get a moment alone with them.

Our conversation was thankfully interrupted by the back door blowing open. “Over my dead body are we naming our son Diesel or Axel,” Alexandra huffed as she stepped into the kitchen.

“Just what the hell is so wrong with those names?”

Alexandra didn’t respond. Instead, she just threw him a death glare. Deacon’s eyes lit up at the sight of me. He crossed the room in two long strides to meet me. “When the hell did you get back?”

“About an hour ago.”

Deacon gave me a tight hug. “Glad you’re home.”

I thumped his back, appreciating his show of emotion. “Thanks. It’s good to be back.”

Once Deacon released me, Alexandra quickly replaced him. When she pulled away, she tenderly kissed my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

I could see the concern for me in her eyes, and I hated that I had been the cause of it. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“It’s okay. Just don’t do it again,” she replied with a smile.

“I’ll do my best.”

She smacked my arm playfully. “You’d better.”

“So what’s this I hear about a boy?” I glanced between her and Deacon. “You two have some news for us?”

Alexandra shook her head. “Not yet. But we did get to see the baby at today’s appointment.” She thrust a grainy black-and-white image in front of my face. Once her hand steadied, I surveyed the picture of my future niece or nephew. My heart swelled with pride at the sight of the new life.

“Looks strong and healthy.”

Beaming with happiness, Alexandra replied, “The doctor said everything looks great. The baby is even measuring a few days ahead of its due date.”

I smiled at her. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“Tell him about the heartbeat,” Deacon urged.

With a slight roll of her eyes, Alexandra huffed, “Just because the ultrasound technician commented it might be a boy because of the heart rate, Deacon has it in his head it’s one hundred percent a boy.”

Deacon grinned as he placed a hand on Alexandra’s stomach. “I’m telling ya, that’s my son in there.”

Jutting her chin out, Alexandra countered, “It could just as easily be a girl.”

Deacon grunted. “We already have a girl. We need a boy—a son to carry on the Malloy name.”

“You’re impossible,” she muttered.

“But you love me anyway,” he countered. He then wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her closer to him.

She grinned up at him. “Yes, I do.”

It was at that moment Willow came into the kitchen leading Annabel by the hand. From Annabel’s lighthearted expression, I could tell she enjoyed being around Willow. That wasn’t surprising to me. Despite all the horrible shit she had been through in life, Willow possessed a carefree nature that was infectious.

At the sight of Annabel, both Deacon’s and Alexandra’s brows rose in surprise. Then they both looked from Annabel over to me.

Swinging Annabel’s arm back and forth, Willow said, “This is my mommy and daddy. This is Belle.”

“Actually, that’s Annabel,” I corrected her.

Both Deacon and Alexandra continued to stare at Annabel and me. Finally, Alexandra shook her head slightly like she was shaking herself awake or out of a stupor. “Hello,” she said as she took a step forward.

She offered her hand to Annabel. After Annabel shook it, Deacon came over. “I’m Rev’s brother, Deacon.”

Annabel smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Deacon’s lips curved in his signature smirk. “I hope it was all good.”

“Yes. It was. Your daughter is delightful. She’s been so sweet to show me around.”

Like the proud father he was, Deacon beamed at Annabel’s praise of Willow. “I see she was showing you her good side.”

“Daddy!” Willow protested with a pout.

He reached over and ruffled her hair affectionately. “Just teasing you.”

“Why don’t we all sit down?” Mama Beth suggested.

“Bishop not coming?” I asked as I steered Annabel over to the table.

“Nah, he’s getting shitfaced up at the roadhouse,” Deacon replied.

“David, honestly,” Mama Beth chided.

Unlike with the rest of us, he didn’t dare argue with Mama Beth. Instead, he took a seat next to Alexandra. After we had all gathered around the table, Mama Beth asked Deacon to say the blessing. During dinner, the conversation remained light. Deacon and Alexandra told us about their honeymoon in Hawaii—or at least they shared the G-rated details with us. Willow filled us in on all we had missed while we were gone. Luckily, no one pressed Annabel with any questions that were too personal.

When we finished dinner, Deacon and I went outside for him to have a smoke. I could tell there was something he wanted to say to me in private. I figured it had to do with potential blowback from what had happened with Mendoza. Of course, I should have known Deacon would never cease to surprise me.

“What do you say we go up to the roadhouse and see the boys?” Deacon asked.

“I would, but I really need to get Annabel settled in.”

“My phone was blowing up during dinner with texts. They’re itching to see you, Prez. You’ve been gone almost ten days,” Deacon argued.

I snorted. “You act like the brothers have been pining away for me like some lovesick teenagers.”

He laughed. “They have been deprived of the Malloy brothers all at the same time for the first time ever.”

“What a tragedy.”

“Come on, man.” He glanced over his shoulder back into the house where we had left the girls. “Not that I would want her to know, but I’ve missed being with the guys while I was off honeymooning.”

“Your reputation as the ultimate lover is waning in my opinion if you were missing the guys while with a beautiful and sexy woman on your honeymoon.”

“Cocksucker,” he muttered as he smacked my arm. “Spending all that time just with Alexandra has made me miss having beers and shooting the shit with the guys.”

“I really don’t think it’s a good idea for me to leave Annabel tonight. She’s in a new place with a bunch of strangers.”

“I think I’ll survive a few hours for you to go just up the hill,” Annabel said.

I whirled around to see her propped against the doorframe. “You weren’t supposed to hear that.”

“And according to your mother, you boys weren’t supposed to duck out on drying the dishes,” she replied with a smile.

Deacon grunted. “I’m a grown fucking man who is still being bossed around by his mother.”

“And now by your wife,” Alexandra said from the doorway as she crooked her finger at him.

“Fuck me,” he muttered before he went into the house.

Annabel came out on the deck to join me.

“Would you really be all right staying here for an hour or two?”

“Of course I would.”

“You’re not just saying that, are you? I know how women will say one thing when they totally mean another.”

Annabel laughed. “Rev, I’m a politician’s daughter. I’ve been raised to work a crowd of strangers. Regardless of what I’ve recently been through, I think I can handle a few hours with the girls.”

“Don’t speak too soon. Willow can wear anyone out in a matter of minutes.”

At the mention of Willow, Annabel’s eyes lit up. “She’s adorable, and I love how she has all the men around here wrapped around her little finger.”

“Yes, I can see where you would find it amusing that three hardened bikers are totally owned by a little six-year-old girl.”

“Exactly.”

Deacon appeared in the doorway. “I did your part, too, brother. So are we on?”

Annabel threw a look at Deacon over her shoulder. “Yes, he’s on.” Before I could argue with her, she added, “Make sure he has a good time. He deserves to unwind and cut loose.”

Deacon grinned at Annabel. “It will be my pleasure.” He came over and grabbed my arm. “Come on.”

Although I was still a little reluctant, I allowed Deacon to drag me off the porch. As I got to the bottom of the steps, I glanced back at Annabel. She smiled and waved.

Our boots crunched along the gravel road. Deacon lit up a cigarette, and when he offered one to me, I decided to take one. I needed to settle my nerves a bit for what I was about to do.

We passed by Case’s place, which had been rebuilt in the six months since his death. Kim and her kids still resided there, even though there wasn’t a patch member in the house. Part of the Raiders creed was to care for our old ladies, and until she remarried, Kim was still an old lady.

I realized then an overwhelming sense of irony that the house had burned down. Before it had been Case’s, it had been Miss Mae’s. The physical dwelling where I had lost my innocence in such a brutal way no longer existed. By telling first Annabel and then Bishop, I had begun to demolish my own house of secrets.

When we reached the back door of the roadhouse, I stepped in front of Deacon. “You got a minute before we go inside?”

He took a long drag on his cigarette. “Yeah, sure. What’s up?”

I flicked the ashes off mine before I spoke. “There’s something I need to tell you—something I should have told you sixteen years ago.”

Deacon’s expression darkened in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s the reason why Breakneck called me, out of all the guys, when Sarah was in trouble.”

“I’m listening.”

My chest tightened as I braced to once again unburden myself. Maybe the third time was the charm—it seemed to go a little easier this time. When I finished, I didn’t have the quickening, anxious breaths or the erratic heartbeat that I’d had before.

I took another drag on my cigarette and waited for Deacon to respond. What he did next shocked the hell out of me. With all the strength he had, he shoved me against the back door. “What the fuck?” I demanded.

His dark eyes narrowed on me. “Why? Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t tell anyone. Not even Mama Beth knows. Once I told Annabel, I realized my brothers and my mother had a right to know.”

“Jesus, Rev,” Deacon muttered through gritted teeth.

“This wasn’t exactly the reaction I expected you to have.”

He released my shirt and took a step back. After jerking a hand through his hair, he shook his head. “I’m not mad at you, brother. I’m mad at myself.”

“But why?”

“I’m just so fucking angry that I couldn’t protect you from being hurt.”

Tears burned my eyes at his words of remorse. “You were just a kid yourself.”

“I was a fighter before Preacher Man got me. I could have taken that fucking pervert out.”

I shook my head. “No one could have done anything to stop it from happening. Thankfully, Preacher Man ended it.”

Deacon threw down his cigarette and stubbed out the glowing embers. “More than anything, I hate that you thought you couldn’t tell me. That I would think differently of you or something.”

“I’m sorry. Preacher Man thought it best not to tell anyone.”

With a snort, Deacon replied, “I think the old man’s greatest fault was his fucking secrets. It was one thing for him to keep them, but he shouldn’t have imposed them on his kids.”

My brows furrowed with confusion. Was Deacon hiding a secret of his own?

He reached in his cut and lit up another cigarette. I fought the urge to tell him he needed to cut the shit out now he had a kid and one on the way. “When I was fifteen, Preacher Man found where my real father was. He offered to let me be the one to put a bullet in him.” Deacon stared at me straight on. “So I did.”

“Jesus,” I muttered. I’d had no idea anything like that had ever happened. I just knew Deacon’s biological father disappeared after he killed Deacon’s mother.

“Guess you could say I started early with my body count.”

“You had every right to take that motherfucker to ground, Deacon. Just like Preacher Man had every right to kill Kurt.”

Deacon exhaled a puff of smoke and then grinned. “Don’t think I’ve spent one single night wishing I hadn’t killed my old man.”

“I didn’t think you had. It’s just a lot for a fifteen-year-old kid to have to deal with.”

“You can say that again.” Then, in a totally uncharacteristically Deacon move, he pulled me to him for a hug. “I love you, brother. Always have and always will.”

It took me a moment to process his words. Deacon and Bishop hadn’t told me they loved me over the years, but then again, they hadn’t needed to. I just knew. But knowing now that both my brothers would have defended me, would have killed Kurt for me, branded me with a different strength. Solidarity within family as well as within the Raiders. I did, however, fear how Mama would react. This would break her heart.

I smacked his back and squeezed him tight. “I love you, too.”

As he pulled away, I thought for a second I saw a tear in his eye, but I quickly dispelled that thought. Nothing made Deacon cry. He jerked his head at the door. “Enough of the emotional bullshit. Let’s go in there and get shitfaced.”

I laughed. “Sounds like a plan.”

With a wink, he said, “First round’s on me.”

TWELVE

ANNABEL

The next morning once again found me in a strange room and a strange bed. When the familiar feeling of panic began to creep over me, I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the fact that it wasn’t completely foreign, since it was Rev’s room and Rev’s bed. Even though I had protested that he shouldn’t sleep on the couch, he had refused to hear me out. I felt dwarfed as I stretched in the massive king-sized bed. When the comforter brushed across my face, I instantly smelled Rev’s masculine scent, and I finally felt safe, protected . . . cared for.

A knock at the door had me shooting up in bed. “Yes?”

Rev poked his head in. “I just wanted to see if you were awake.”

I offered him a smile. “I woke up a few minutes ago, but I’m lying here being lazy.”

“I wouldn’t call it being lazy. It’s more like you need the rest.”

“Yes, Dr. Malloy.”

“Anyway, I came in to see if you wanted some breakfast.”

“Yes, but I can fix it. I don’t want you to wait on me.”

A sheepish expression came over his face. “Actually, Mama Beth cooked. She called earlier to see if we wanted to come over.”

“I would love to. I’ll be ready in five minutes.”

“Okay,” he replied before closing the door.

I threw back the covers and hurried into the bathroom. Rev had informed me last night how he and his brothers had worked on remodeling the old duplexes into one house. Next door to us was Deacon and Alexandra’s house, and on the other side of them was Bishop. Apparently some of the other club officers lived in the other houses.

While he might’ve been worried about what I would think of his house, I found it gorgeous. If you had walked inside not knowing the occupant was the member of an MC club, your first impression would have been that someone highly intellectual lived there. Like me, Rev seemed to love anything old, so the furniture could have fit in among the contents of any antiques store. I couldn’t wait to explore the wall-to-wall bookshelves in the living room.

After I brushed my teeth, splashed some water on my face, and threw my hair, which was about one wash from being back to its natural color, into a ponytail, I came out of the bathroom and slipped into the clothes I had worn the day before. I was hoping in the next few days to find a local branch of my bank. I didn’t want Rev to continue paying for food and clothes. I already owed him far too much.

When I came out of the bedroom, I found him in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. It was when he turned around to face me that I did a double take. “Your beard,” I gasped.

He ran his hand over his smooth, hairless face. “Yeah, I don’t usually wear one. The guys gave me some shit last night about it, so I figured it was time to get rid of it.”

It was surprising how different he looked—younger, softer, and maybe more approachable. As I continued staring at him, he ran a hand over his face. “Do I look that bad?”

I shook my head furiously. “No, no, it’s not that at all. It’s just I’ve never seen you without a beard.”

“From your expression, it looks like you prefer me with one.”

“Actually, I think I like you without one just as much as with one.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, I do.”

He grinned. “Then you’d be one of the few who does like me with a beard. The guys were calling me Professor Malloy last night, like I was trying to be some pompous ass instead of a hard-ass.”

I waved my hand dismissively. “Don’t listen to them. Grow it back if you want.”

“I’ll take it under consideration.” He crossed the room to open the door. “Ready?”

“I am.”

We made the quick walk across the street to Rev’s mother’s house. Even after spending the evening with her, I still found it hard to call her Beth, as she had requested. “Mrs. Malloy” seemed to come off my tongue easier.

I wasn’t too surprised to find the table laden with food and occupants. Deacon was fixing Willow a plate while Alexandra helped Beth get the food on the table. A sleepy-eyed Bishop lounged in a chair, dressed in nothing but boxer shorts.

At the sight of his brother’s half-naked form, Rev cleared his throat. Bishop stopped rubbing his eyes to question, “What?”

“I think you can afford our guest a little more decency,” Rev replied through gritted teeth. I knew he was worried that seeing a half-naked man might be a trigger for me. The truth was a stranger might have bothered me, but I knew Bishop well enough to know he wasn’t a threat.

“Seriously?” Bishop questioned.

“Dead serious.”

As Bishop started to argue with him, Deacon smacked him on the back of the head. “I’m with Rev. You need to have a little more respect for the women.”

“I thought we were all family here,” Bishop argued.

Alexandra set down a plate of bacon. Then she patted Bishop’s shoulder. “Your brothers are just worried that they might look bad in front of us after we’ve seen your magnificent form.”

Her lighthearted response was just what the room needed to ease the tension. Bishop immediately hopped out of his chair. “When you put it like that, I’m more than happy to cover up so these douchebags can save face.”

I laughed and Alexandra smiled, while Rev and Deacon only shook their heads at their brother’s antics. “What’s a douchebag?” Willow asked innocently.

Deacon groaned. “It’s not a nice word, and your Uncle B should get in trouble for saying it.”

When I noticed that Willow had the alligator Rev had given her in the crook of her arm, I nudged him. “Looks like someone really likes her present.”

Rev grinned. He then went over and bestowed a kiss on Willow’s cheek. “You like that ugly old alligator, huh?”

Willow nodded and then craned her neck to stare up at Rev. “You cut off your beard.”

“I did. Do you like it?”

“Oh yes. It tickled too much when you kissed me.”

Rev laughed. “Then I’m glad I shaved it off.”

Once Bishop returned in a shirt and jeans, Beth asked Rev to say grace. When he finished, I happily dug in. Beth had made pancakes, which were a favorite of mine. I had to wonder if Rev had somehow managed to tell her.

As I sat around the table with them, listening to their conversation and laughter, I tried to imagine myself a part of their world. While everything felt comfortable and familiar between them, I couldn’t help wondering how they handled the danger that came with being a part of the biker world. As unsure as I was about my future, I didn’t know how I could ever fit in here. After all, I’d experienced enough danger and violence in the last two months to last a lifetime. I craved peace and safety more than anything in the world.

When I was so full I thought I might pop, I placed my napkin on the table. “Did you get enough to eat, Annabel?” Beth asked.

“Oh yes. More than enough. Everything was delicious.”

Beth beamed at my compliment. “I’m so glad you enjoyed it.”

“Do you feel up for a walk?” Rev asked.

“Sure. What did you have in mind?”

“There’s somewhere I’d really like to show you,” he replied, with a shy smile.

I returned his smile. “Okay.”

Like the true gentleman he was, Rev held out his hand for me. I slipped mine into his and let him pull me up from my chair. “Wait, shouldn’t we help clean up?” I asked.

Beth shook her head. “You two go on. The fresh air will be good for you, and there’s a storm supposed to move in later today.”

“Okay. If you’re sure.”

“I’m positive,” Beth replied with a smile.

With a nod to his brothers and mother, Rev and I walked out the back door. We headed down the porch steps and then into the thick woods.

Rev pushed slightly ahead me, and a rush of warmth flooded my chest when I realized it was so he could keep branches from hitting me. I fought the urge to reach out and pinch him to see if he was real. He was certainly unlike any man I had ever known, and that included the ones in my family.

“Where is this place you want to show me?” I asked, breaking the silence between us.

Glancing at me over his shoulder, he replied, “About a mile into the woods. Give or take.”

“We’re going hiking?” Since I was supposed to be taking it easy and Rev was still healing from his gunshot wound, I certainly hoped we weren’t about to do anything intense.

“No. Not really.”

“Then what is it that’s hidden away a mile into these woods?”

He cut his gaze over to mine. “It’s a surprise.”

I cocked my brows at him. “Seriously?”

“What? Don’t you like surprises?”

With a shrug, I replied, “I guess so. It’s just . . .”

“Just what?” he implored.

“You don’t impress me as the kind of guy who does surprises.”

He teasingly swept a hand to his chest. “I take offense to that.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

“In my line of work, it doesn’t pay to be impulsive and carefree. I guess that bleeds over to my personal life.”

“You shouldn’t be anyone other than who you are.”

“Obviously I should, since I’m being categorized as boring.”

“That is not what I said.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I countered, “If that’s the truth, then you should call me boring, too, because there’s no one I would rather be with than you.”

The look that flashed in Rev’s eyes almost made me regret my words. It was a mixture of both acknowledgment and longing. My chest rose and fell with harsh breaths as I rode the waves of my inner turmoil. Did I want Rev to feel something deep for me? Did I want to feel something deep for him? He was so very different from any man I’d ever known, least of all dated. But regardless of the differences, I was attracted to him—both physically and emotionally. With his good looks, gentle soul, and protective streak, who wouldn’t be?

But surely I was jumping to conclusions and letting my imagination get the best of me. Both in and out of his world, Rev was a catch. He couldn’t want someone like me. It was impossible for me to forget how the experience with Mendoza had tarnished me. And even if he did feel like I did, he deserved better.

In an effort to change the subject, Rev motioned around us. “Two hundred years ago, all this land belonged to the Cherokees. Within the acres and acres of land, there was a sought-after place where tribe members from all over the Southeast often made a pilgrimage.”

“What was so special about it?” I asked as we ducked under some low tree limbs.

“It was said to be a place of healing waters.”

My brows shot up in surprise. “There’s a lake out here?”

He opened his mouth and then closed it. Then with a sheepish grin, he replied, “You’ll have to wait and see.”

I couldn’t help laughing. “You’re terrible.”

“I’m pretty terrible at surprises. I’ve practically given it all away.” With a teasing wink, he added, “Of course, you do seem to be a very gifted manipulator.”

“Hey now,” I said before playfully jabbing him in the ribs. As we started up a slight hill, Rev reached out and took my arm to help guide me. “How do you know so much about the Cherokees?” I asked him.

“My great-grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee. She and her parents hid out in the mountains to escape removal by the government. She passed her knowledge on to my grandmother.”

After studying his profile, I said, “I can tell you have some Native American in you.”

“Seriously?”

I nodded. Reaching out, I ran my thumb across one of his cheekbones. “These are high, which is one of the characteristic traits.”

“Is that so?” he questioned in a low voice.

“Yes.” Breaking his stare, I gazed down his body. “Of course, your height certainly departs from the similarities.”

When my eyes lingered on his body, Rev cleared his throat almost painfully. “Come on. We’re almost there.”

Unable to speak, I merely nodded and followed him. I silently berated myself for staring at his body like I had. What was I thinking? What had he thought I was thinking? Once again, I was totally clueless on how to think and act in this new life I found myself in.