Falling for Owen (33 page)

She didn’t hear anything for thirty seconds and then she caught the sound of an engine coming up the drive. She didn’t know how Brody heard it that far away and over the sound of the late-night comedy show.

She jumped off the couch and ran for the door. Brody grabbed her hand and pulled her back.

“Not so fast, sweetheart. Let’s make sure he’s alone and all’s clear.”

“But it’s Owen.”

“Better safe than sorry.”

They watched Owen slide from the truck, looking tired and haggard. He let out a loud, odd whistle at Brody and gave him a wave.

“All clear, sweetheart.”

“Did you two work out some kind of signal?”

“Goes back to when we were kids and gave each other the ‘all clear’ if it was a good time to be home or not.”

“That’s sad,” she said.

“That’s the past. Go get him. Looks like he needs to see you right about now.”

Owen stood in the pool of light cast by the porch and security lights. She ran down the steps and flew straight into his open arms. Dirty, sweaty, he hugged her close and she didn’t care what he smelled like or how dirty she got. He was in one piece.

“Are you okay?” she asked, holding him close, her feet off the ground.

“I am now. How about you?”

“It’s been quiet here.”

“Thank God for that.”

Claire leaned back and cocked her head in the direction of the horse trailer. Brody opened the back gate.

“You found them.”

“It took a while, but with the full moon and some help from my friend, yeah, we tracked them down. They’re exhausted, thirsty, and hungry, but none the worse for wear.”

“Why are you such a mess?”

“I said we found them, I didn’t say it was easy to catch them. I need a hot shower and you. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the saddle for hours on end.”

“Go get cleaned up. Brody and I can handle the horses.”

“No. I need to check them over in the light. Make sure they aren’t hurt, brush them down, get them fed and watered and settled for the night.”

“Owen, you’re exhausted.”

“I am, but I’m better, knowing you’re safe and sound.” He crushed her to his chest again. “You don’t know how worried I was, even with Brody here to protect you.”

“I felt ten times worse thinking of you out there alone.”

Brody backed out Luke from the borrowed trailer. Owen kissed her on the side of the head, released her, and went to help.

“You look like shit,” Brody said.

“I feel like it,” Owen answered.

Guy talk. She shook her head and followed Brody and Luke into the barn. Owen came in behind with Bo. They worked in the quiet, settling the horses in their stalls. Owen and Brody worked them over, checking for any cuts, sprains, or other injuries. Luckily, the horses hadn’t suffered anything but a scare and exhaustion.

Two hours later, the horses settled, the gates and doors secured, they made their way back up to the house.

Owen shook Brody’s hand and pulled him in for a quick guy hug, complete with a slap on the back. “Thanks for coming, man.”

“No problem.”

“I’ll drive you down to my house where you left your truck,” she offered.

“Not necessary. I’ll walk.”

“You’re going to check the property again before you leave.”

“Just a precaution. Sleep good. I’ll see you both soon.”

Brody walked into the darkness and disappeared. “Shouldn’t we wait to be sure he gets back okay?”

“No need. I’d be more worried about anyone he finds out there. Then again, if Dale is out there, good riddance if he tries to go after Brody.”

“Do you think Brody would do something?”

“No doubt. If I get my hands on Dale, you can expect the same.” He took her hand and led her up the stairs and into the house. “We both need a shower now.” He pulled her up the stairs. “I might just have enough energy to make love to you before I crash.”

“Owen, you need to sleep.”

“I will. After.”

True to his word, he stripped her bare in the bathroom. She took her time doing the same to him, rubbing his sore muscles as she peeled off his shirt. The knotted muscles in his back relaxed as she kneaded and rubbed and he let out a heavy sigh. She pulled his jeans down his thighs and rubbed her hands up and down the corded muscles, making him moan. She smiled and stood; leaning in close, she pressed her naked body to his and reached around to grab his ass and massage. His thick erection pressed to her belly. He stood in her arms, his shoulders sagging, his eyes closed. He enjoyed all the attention, and because he needed it, she gave him more, working her hands up his spine to his tense shoulders.

“I am so lucky to have you in my life,” he whispered.

Held loosely in his arms, she laid her head on his chest and listened to the steady beat of his heart. “So am I.”

She led him into the shower and turned on the spray, turning him so it beat on his head and back. She grabbed the shampoo and washed his hair for him.

He smiled and shook his head. “I’m not that tired.”

“I don’t see you stopping me.”

“From touching me. Never.”

He pulled her under the spray with him. Soap and water cascaded over both of them as he took her mouth and kissed her deep. She held on to him, rubbing her hands over his body, made all the more easy to massage him with the water making his skin slippery. He loved it and in turn loved her, slow and sweet until the water cooled and their bodies exploded with an intense orgasm that had both of them breathing hard and clinging to each other.

“Told you I could do it,” he boasted. “Nothing and no one is going to keep me from loving you.”

She hoped he was right, but her worries stayed with her even when they fell into bed exhausted. She couldn’t sleep for listening to every sound, knowing danger was just a breath away with Dale out there somewhere, plotting to hurt them.

Chapter Thirty-Three

T
HE LARGE BUSH
at the edge of the park provided cover to spy on Owen. He and Claire had drawn ever closer, despite the many pitfalls in their way. Nothing worked to break them apart. Claire refused to leave him. Owen’s need to protect her, kept him close to her side, making it that much harder to cause them more trouble and pull them apart.

Time was running out. Something had to be done to show Owen the way.

Owen entered the jewelry store with Brody by his side. Everyone knew Brody and Rain were back together and headed down the aisle. They had to be there to buy Rain a ring.

Owen better not get any ideas about asking Claire to marry him. They barely knew each other. No, he wouldn’t do that. Would he?

Time dragged on. How long could it take for Brody to pick out a ring? Three customers went in the store. Two came out. Impatience and frustration only made the waiting more unbearable.

The door finally opened again. An hour after they entered the shop, Owen and Brody stepped out. Both carried the distinct black and gold bags with the shop’s name and logo. They exchanged words and happy smiles, touching the bags together in some kind of salute, or toast. They parted ways, Owen walking back to his office, and Brody to his truck.

No way in hell did Owen give Claire a ring, ask her to marry him, and the two of them lived happily ever after.

No fucking way.

Subtle hadn’t worked. This time, something permanent needed to be done.

Chapter Thirty-Four

O
WEN HELD THE
diamond engagement ring between his index finger and thumb. The diamond caught the light and shot rainbows of sparkles everywhere. He picked up the matching wedding band and held them together, imagining them on Claire’s finger every day for the rest of their lives.

“You sure about this?” Brody asked.

Owen smiled, glanced at the rings in Brody’s fingers, and said, “As sure as you are about that.”

Because there was nothing more sure and real than Brody and Rain together. Owen had found that kind of long and lasting love with Claire. They may not have Brody and Rain’s history, but they’d forged a deep and lasting bond over the last couple months, dealing with Dale. He’d brought them together, despite his best efforts to tear them apart.

The saleswoman stood before them, a knowing smile on her face. “The lucky ladies are going to love them. Classic. Elegant. Just enough over-the-top to be spectacular, but not ostentatious.”

Brody picked out Rain’s first. After Owen saw the rings he’d chosen, nothing else in the case compared. The saleswoman gave him a nod and disappeared into the back room and came out with a tray of rings that stunned the senses. “Brilliant and bright” didn’t begin to describe the array of rings. Brody took a look and reevaluated his first choice. He’d traded up and Owen picked out his set with Claire’s specification in mind.

He had no doubt she was going to love it.

He didn’t even care about the cost, just pulled out his wallet and handed over his credit card. Brody did the same. The saleswoman packaged the rings in red velvet boxes lined in white satin. Elegant and pretty. Claire would like that, too. She paid attention to such details at her shop. She’d appreciate it in this.

Bags in hand and several thousand dollars poorer, he and Brody exited the shop, excited and anxious.

“When are you going to do it?” Brody asked, standing on the sidewalk with him.

“I’m not sure. I need time to plan. I want to do it right and make it special. Something she’ll always remember.”

“What did Dylan say?”

“Nothing, as usual. They can’t find Dale anywhere. He hasn’t gotten a parking ticket or used his credit card. It’s like he’s disappeared and turned into some ghost who keeps haunting my life.”

“What are you going to do now?”

“Hire a private investigator. I’ve done it for a few of my cases. He’s like a dog with a bone on a case, he won’t let it go until the job is done and done right. I wanted to hire him weeks ago, but Dylan assured me they were on it and they’d get Dale. I’m tired of waiting on them to find him. I’m tired of waiting for the next bad thing to happen.”

“Get it done,” Brody said.

“I will. For good this time. No more fucking around.”

“I’ve got your back.”

“I’ve got yours,” Owen said with a smile. “Can you believe we’re doing this? Us. The bad-boy McBride brothers are getting married.”

“About damn time if you ask me,” Brody said, smiling.

“Damn right. Family. We always wanted it. Now we have it.”

They tapped bags.

“Catch you later, man.”

“See ya,” Brody said, turning to head back to his truck.

Owen tucked the bag under his arm and headed back to his office, smiling like an idiot. He took the stairs two at a time and entered the office happy to see Jeanine at her desk, typing away.

“Hey, pretty lady, wanna see what I just bought?” He pulled the ring box from the bag and held it up in front of her.

“Owen . . .”

He flipped the lid open, and her eyes went wide. “Oh. My. God. That is beautiful.”

“Yes, it is,” Shannon said, stepping out of the library.

“I tried to tell you. Shannon stopped by for an update on Dale.”

Owen clicked the box shut and stuffed it back in the bag. “I’m glad you stopped by, Shannon. I wanted to tell you I’m hiring a private investigator to locate Dale. If the police can’t do it, my guy will. He won’t be distracted by other more pressing cases. His sole focus will be to locate and detain Dale until the police can pick him up and arrest him.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. I don’t like the way things have escalated. Dale is a loose cannon. There’s no telling what he’ll do next. Claire’s safety and happiness are my top priority.”

“Yes, I can see that,” she said, her eyes going to the bag he set on Jeanine’s desk.

“I’m doing this for you, too, Shannon. He’s hurt you for the last time.”

“Yes, it’s time this ended for good.” She cast him a sideways glance. “How long do you think it will take the investigator to find Dale?”

“Depends on where he is. Someone knows where he is, or is helping him hide. He has to have some place to stay, some way of getting money, since he hasn’t used his credit card. The investigator will start with his last known whereabouts, his family and friends, and work from there. I expect with his single-minded determination we should have some good solid leads within a few days. Hopefully, Dale will be behind bars soon after.

“The investigator will probably contact you first. His name is Kevin Mehr. Tell him what you know. I’ll ask the police to show him Dale’s file. The more information we give him, the sooner he’ll find Dale.”

“All right. Um, I better get going. I’m looking at a new apartment today.”

“That’s great,” he said, meaning it. “I’m glad to see you’re moving forward.”