Betting the Rainbow (Harmony) (14 page)

Chapter 23

WALDEN CABIN

R
ONNY WALKED THROUGH THE TRAIL BETWEEN THE TREES
that separated her place from Hawk House. Kieran had used an old lawn mower to cut down a path so she wouldn’t have to circle down by the shore or get lost in the willows. Using the shortcut, she was surprised how close her cabin was to Austin’s place.

The evening sun seemed to just sit on the western horizon, in no hurry to leave. She’d planned to be at Austin’s house earlier, but the cookies took longer to bake than she’d thought they would.

One of the few secrets Austin had shared about himself was his love for cookies. Ronny had been told once by the Biggs boys, who had lived next door to her before she left to travel, that she made the best cookies in the world. Now it was time to test her theory on an expert.

It had taken an army to move Austin home from the hospital. Everyone agreed that by boat would be the least painful. Her ATV would be too bumpy, and walking down from the road carrying a stretcher would be impossible.

So they loaded supplies in her little blue boat and put Austin in the Delaneys’ fishing boat, and Kieran brought up the rear with Austin’s rowboat. The Scot handled rowing like an expert, and Ronny couldn’t help but wonder what the man couldn’t do. He was big, but Kieran handled himself like a man comfortable with himself.

Abby insisted on going as slow as possible, so Ronny went on and had most of the supplies unloaded before Abby pulled up to the dock.

Austin made it, with Kieran’s help and one crutch, to the porch, where he rested before hopping his way into the living room, where they’d moved his bed.

The big house seemed to melt down to a three-room apartment where he had everything he needed.

Everyone worked around him while Austin napped. He got so tired of telling them how he felt that he started saying, “I’m fine,” if anyone passed within three feet of him.

Ronny had finally left him with Kieran to go home and clean up while a roast cooked. Now, as she walked the path, the roast felt like it weighed twenty pounds inside the picnic basket she carried.

When she stepped into the house with her food, the place was silent. For a moment she thought something must have happened, and then she saw Austin leaning back in a recliner they’d pushed near the windows.

“You all right?” she asked, realizing he’d probably watched her walk up.

“Yeah. I’ve been moving around a little. Doc said to take it real easy until the stitches heal, so I’m becoming a bum. Until you came along I was thinking about taking up bird watching.”

“And after I came along?” she asked.

“I’ve decided it’s far more fun watching you. So I’ll be a bum who has only one hobby.”

“You’re allowed one day of being a bum, so just sit there and you can watch me bring in your supper. While we eat we’ll find something to watch on that old TV of yours.”

“I don’t even know if it works.” He didn’t sound very interested in finding out.

She hurried into the kitchen and began setting the dishes out. A big salad, potatoes, carrots, rolls, plus the roast smothered in onions and tomatoes. A fine family dinner, she thought. When they were finished, all leftovers would go in the fridge to make at least two or three more meals.

When she looked up, Austin stood three feet behind her. “You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.”

“I didn’t mind. I love to cook.” She almost said that she hadn’t really cooked since Marty died, but tonight she wouldn’t think about the past.

Austin slowly closed the distance with the help of the crutch. “I’ve been waiting all afternoon to be alone with you. There’s something we need to finish before we think about eating or even talking.”

His hand brushed over her hair and cupped the back of her head as he pulled her mouth to his. The kiss was hard and hungry, but she didn’t pull away. He was kissing her the same way she’d kissed him at dawn. All need, no polite tenderness.

When she broke free she tried to push him away, but he leaned against her, pinning her to the counter. “You shouldn’t be doing this, Austin. You’re supposed to rest.”

“I’m fine. I just have to touch you. All day long, I’ve been thinking about finishing that kiss you started. I can’t stop thinking about being this close to you, so stop talking and start kissing me, pretty lady.”

She circled his waist and did exactly what he suggested. When his mouth moved to her throat as if starving for a taste of her, she whispered against his hair, “If you fall, we’ll both tumble. I don’t think I could hold you up.”

His one free hand moved over her body, pulling her silk shirt away from her trousers so he could feel her skin. As his tongue invaded her mouth, he circled her middle and lifted her off the ground. He set her on the counter, spread her legs apart, and leaned against her. “Now if I fall, you can watch. Otherwise, I want you so close I can feel you breathing against my chest and smell your hair and taste your skin.” His hands moved over her as if starving for the feel of her. “I love touching you.”

When his fingers moved along the inside of her leg, he studied her reaction to his boldness. “I need both hands to do this. You wouldn’t consider moving to the bed, would you?”

“No.” She laughed. “I’m here to feed you.” Even as she pushed him an inch away, she loved the idea that he couldn’t keep his hands off her. A few times over the past year men had gotten too close while dancing at a captain’s dinner or hugging good-bye when she left a tour. All seemed to enjoy touching or hugging a woman, but Austin made it very plain that it was her he wanted, not just any woman. Only her.

Ronny thought both the Delaney girls were far prettier than she was. They were easy to talk to and fun to be around, but yesterday when they’d all been together Austin only watched her. Sometimes she wondered if he even saw the others in the room.

“One more kiss, then we’ll eat.” He cupped her head in his hand and moved her so that her mouth was exactly where he wanted it as he lowered his lips.

She didn’t want to argue with his request. She bowed her back slightly and pressed against him as their kiss deepened into something that would not, could not end fast.

The crutch clanked to the floor as he moved his other hand up under her shirt and covered her breast. Her lace bra did nothing to guard against the warm, tender advance.

Ronny moaned in pleasure as he molded his fingers around her flesh.

He swayed slightly as he tightened his grip. “You feel . . . you feel . . .” His words were mumbled between kisses.

She broke the kiss, wanting to see his face as he touched her. All she saw were dark green eyes rolling up in his head.

Austin hit the tile like a falling oak. His whole body seemed to bounce once, and then his head hit for a second time before silence.

Ronny screamed and ran for her phone. She dialed the Delaney place and yelled, “Come quick!” to whoever answered before she dropped the phone and ran to Austin.

Ten minutes later when Abby, Dusti, and Kieran stormed in, Austin was sitting on the kitchen floor holding his head. Ronny had managed to drape a wet towel across his neck and place a pillow under his leg, but she didn’t know what else to do.

“What happened?” Abby asked as she knelt and began running her hands up and down Austin as if looking for a switch to turn on the battery.

“I kissed him and I think he fainted.” Ronny stepped back, letting the others take charge.

While Abby and the Scot helped Austin to bed, Dusti asked Ronny, “You have that effect on most guys or just the wounded?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never kissed a guy like that.”

Dusti moved closer. “Like what?”

“All out. You know, like it’s more important to kiss him than it is to breathe.”

Dusti took her arm. “Maybe you should sit down, Ronny. You don’t look so good yourself.”

Ronny nodded. “I feel all messed up inside. My stomach hurts. I didn’t know kissing could hurt so much. How could something feel so good and hurt at the same time?”

“You’ve got to slow down, girl. Kissing is like eating ice cream, you can’t do it too fast. At this rate, if the kissing knocks him out, the lovemaking will kill you.” Dusti glanced into the living room. “Let me guess. He feels the same way you do. Can’t keep his hands off you. Has to kiss you or die kind of thing.” She leaned closer and whispered, “How many times have you two kissed?”

“Two, no, three. Then I kissed him in the hospital just because I couldn’t think of anything else all night. But that kiss was fast. I just wanted one taste. Only he said he wanted to do it right this time, and it was
really
right.” Ronny let out a sob. “Or it was until his eyes rolled back and he hit the floor.”

Dusti poured her a glass of tea and stared at all the food on the counter. “Did you two get around to eating first?”

“No.” Ronny shoved her tears aside and smiled. “I guess we had other things on our minds.”

Abby interrupted with her medical report. “He’s got a knot on his head the size of one of our eggs. Probably a mild concussion, so we need to watch him closely. Keep him awake for a few hours and make sure he eats when he takes the medicine.” She spotted the bruise on Ronny’s face. “When did you get that?”

“Before dawn yesterday, when he had a nightmare,” Ronny answered as she moved her hair back over the bruise. She didn’t miss Dusti’s frown.

“Were you kissing him at the time?”

“No. Just spending the night.”

Dusti shook her head. “I never would have thought it of the two of you, but maybe you should think about not seeing one another. This attraction you two have could turn deadly.”

Abby looked from Ronny to Austin and then back at her sister with that my-sister’s-gone-nuts look. Austin looked like death warmed over and Ronny wasn’t the passionate type at all.

Ronny almost laughed aloud. Austin with his unfriendly ways didn’t seem to want to be around anyone, and she knew they all saw her as a lonely lady who wouldn’t know how to handle a man’s attentions. She and Austin were an unlikely pair, but maybe Dusti was right. At this rate, they might kill each other. Even knowing that he was hurt, she couldn’t stop thinking about the way his mouth tasted and how good his hand felt moving across her body.

In fact, if he had a free hand right now and was interested, she had a body waiting to be touched.

Giggling, Ronny realized she’d gone mad.

He was forceful and demanding about wanting her, and gentle, too, like he was afraid he’d hurt her. Strange as it might sound, she wouldn’t have had him any other way. If he’d just lasted a few more minutes there was no telling where they might have gone with one hand on her breast and and the other moving up her leg to—

Austin’s yelling interrupted her hot daydream.

“I’m fine,” he complained. “You guys can go back and finish your game. I promise I’ll stay right here and eat my supper, take my pills, and probably attack Ronny if she comes near again.” He stared at her as if he’d just read her mind.

Ronny laughed but didn’t miss the Delaney girls’ glare. They had no idea Austin was kidding. Or maybe he wasn’t. She could always hope.

Kieran, who’d been standing in the archway between the rooms, looked at the food spread out on the counter. “We’re not leaving you, fella. You’re weak from loss of blood and there is no telling what this neighbor would do to you in your weak state. You need protecting.” The Scot grinned. “In fact, we’re staying for supper. You got any cards around this place? I could finish the lessons while we eat and watch over you so Ronny won’t try having her way with you again.” He didn’t seem the least worried about Ronny, only about the food getting cold.

While Austin complained, Kieran pulled plates out of the cabinet and began to fill one. Ronny giggled when he winked at her. There was nothing else to do but pull the bread from the oven and find napkins. Austin was having company for supper whether he liked it or not.

Halfway through the meal Dusti seemed to notice that Austin hadn’t said a word. She leaned back in her chair and patted his knee. “You know, Austin, you should get out more and let the people of Harmony get to know you. Then they’d have reasons not to like you.”

“Quit teasing him,” Abby snapped. “He must have a terrible headache.”

“It’s what he deserves, attacking sweet Ronny while she was bringing him food. If you ask me, he’s lived out here too long. Gone feral like the wild hogs.”

Ronny’s voice was almost lost in the laughing. “He didn’t attack me,” she said. “I attacked him first. He was just returning the favor.” She moved closer to the couch as if planning to protect him.

He watched her, then captured her hand when she meant to pat his shoulder. “You’re arguing with chickens,” he whispered, “and you can attack me any time.”

Ronny giggled. “Ditto.” It didn’t matter that no one understood what was between them. It was simply between them.

The group calmed as they began another lesson in playing poker. Austin pouted and glared at them, but no one noticed. They ate and talked and laughed like old friends. Austin might as well have been a picture on the wall. He sat on the couch, his leg stretched out on a box.