Jake (Men of Clifton Montana Book 1) (11 page)

“Did you find
anything, Chief?” Becca asked.

Chief Browne nodded
his head. “Our arson specialist will be out tomorrow but I could smell
gasoline, so I’m pretty sure it was deliberate. I believe it started in the
loft.”

“I don’t understand
what’s going on. First someone steals my horses, and then my barn is set on
fire.” Becca put her hands over her face in despair.

No one said a word.
No one had any answers.

The fire chief and
Sam put their empty cups in the sink and after telling Becca they would be in
touch, thanked her for the coffee, and left. Jake and Gabe sat down at the
table. Emma turned away from Gabe. Becca could see she was unnerved with Gabe
sitting so close to her. She didn’t blame her. All of the Stone men were bigger
than life.

Then, as if to
speak of the devil, the back door opened and a tall man walked in. Becca’s eyes
widened and her mouth dropped open slightly. Jake and Gabe were gorgeous, and
this man was certainly no exception. When Emma met her gaze, Becca mouthed,
wow
. Emma put her hand over her mouth to
stifle a laugh at her friend’s expression.

His black Stetson
sat low on his forehead, shadowing his eyes. His nose was straight and narrow. He
had high cheekbones and a strong, chiseled jaw covered in stubble, which seemed
the norm around Clifton. Removing his coat, he took off his hat, uncovering
shiny ebony hair, which gleamed like a raven’s wing and touched the collar of
his cotton T-shirt.

“Becca, this is
Wyatt Stone,” Emma told her with an amused grin.

Wyatt smiled at
her. Deep dimples creased Wyatt’s cheeks, and his smile flashed straight white
teeth. She couldn’t get over how gorgeous the Stone men were but in her eyes,
neither Gabe nor Wyatt could hold a candle to Jake. She suddenly noticed Wyatt
had his hand out to her so she blushed and put her hand in his.

“It’s nice to meet
you, Becca,” he said in a deep voice. Wyatt was as tall as his brothers were
and had a body to match. The testosterone in the room was staggering.

“It’s nice to meet
you too.” She grinned then realized Jake was frowning at her. She shrugged at
him, but he moved away from the counter and reached for his coat.

“I think we all
need to get some sleep. Stan put Daisy in the other barn and I know he’ll keep
an eye on her. I don’t think anything more will happen tonight.” He looked at
his brothers. “You all ready to go?”

“I was hoping for a
cup of coffee,” Wyatt told him.

“Then go home and
get one,” Jake said, nearly growling the words as he narrowed his eyes at his
unsuspecting brother.

Wyatt grinned at
him and Gabe laughed. Jake moved to stand near her. “Call me if you need
anything, Red.” Jake ran his hand tenderly over her hair.

Becca nodded. More
than anything, she really wanted to ask him to stay with her but she couldn’t. Looking
up at him, she gave him a sad little smile. He smiled back then herded his
brothers out of the house. Wyatt and Gabe said goodnight as Jake shoved them
out the door.

Chapter Six

Two weeks later,
Becca drove to the Bert Mooney Airport in Butte to pick up Olivia. Emma rode
with her. There hadn’t been any more problems since the night of the fire. The
barn roof had a temporary tarp over it until the weather cleared. The vast
countryside remained covered in snow. The roads, however, were clear for now
but with more bad weather coming, they wouldn’t stay that way for long. She
followed the curvy two-lane blacktop, passing snow-covered fields and wood
barns, some of which looked as if a small gust of wind could easily topple
them. Occasionally, they would pass a dirt road with a sign announcing what
ranch lay beyond. This was definitely horse country.

“You’re awfully
quiet.” Emma glanced at her.

Becca smiled. “I’m
just thinking about getting there in time to meet Liv. The woman has the
patience of a hungry bear. The term
patience
is a virtue
does, in no way, apply to Olivia Roberts.” This wasn’t exactly
true because she’d actually been thinking about Jake. He had called her a
couple of times to check on her and each time Becca had clung to every word.
Honestly, she didn’t know what she wanted. The turmoil of the last few weeks
was taking its toll. But she was excited to see
Liv, that
she couldn’t deny.
   

Even though Olivia
didn’t come into her life until age thirteen, Becca couldn’t remember what it
was like before meeting the spunky girl. As early as that, Olivia had a
reputation and while most of it was just talk, it hadn’t bothered her one bit.
Olivia couldn’t care less what people thought of her and the day she saved
Becca from a bully had sealed their friendship. A girl, two years older and a
lot bigger, had Becca cornered in the girls’ bathroom. Becca had been terrified
and almost wet her pants, but then Olivia walked in. Striding up to the bully,
Olivia just stared at her until the girl started fidgeting, making Olivia smile
slyly.

“What are you
doing, Carlisle? Trying to scare the younger classmen?” Olivia had folded her
arms across her chest and grinned. “You know, I’m a younger classman. Why don’t
you try your shit on me?”

To this day, it
amazed Becca that the bully backed down and left. She remembered looking at
Olivia and thinking how pretty she was, even though she wasn’t dressed in the
newest clothes. It hadn’t mattered. They’d looked at each other and smiled. A
friendship started that day and never stopped. Becca had never met anyone who
lived in a foster home before but when she finally talked Olivia into spending
the night at her house, Becca’s parents adored her just as much as Becca did.

The memories faded
as she pulled into the parking lot. Both she and Emma hopped out and hurried
into the terminal. The flight had just landed, making Becca breathe a sigh of
relief. The public address system announced at what gate the passengers would
be disembarking. Becca virtually ran to it. She was so excited to see her best
friend. Scanning the people coming through the gateway, at last she spotted
Olivia. Becca waved and saw Olivia’s face light up.

The woman demanded
attention wherever she went. Both male and female heads turned as she walked
through the terminal toward Becca. No longer did she wear hand-me down clothes
but instead wore skinny jeans tucked into
Ugg
boots, along with a purple sweater, which emphasized her curves. Her long black
hair hung in a silk curtain halfway down her back. The stylish bangs framed a
heart-shaped face. Her porcelain skin was flawless. A black pea coat hung open.

Becca laughed as
she looked into those beautiful amethyst eyes surrounded by ridiculously long,
thick lashes. A sexy mole complimented the right corner of Olivia’s lush lips.
She was a beautiful woman who swore like a sailor, and Becca adored her. They
wrapped their arms around each other and cried.

“I’m so glad you’re
here, Liv.” Becca wiped her eyes.

Olivia pulled back.
“Me, too, Becs.
I’ve missed you.”

“This is Emma
Conner. Emma, this is Olivia Roberts, my best friend,” Becca introduced them.

Olivia stuck her
hand out to Emma. “Please, call me Liv. It’s nice to meet you, Emma. Thanks so
much for staying with Becca while all of this shit was going on.”

Emma laughed. “You’re
welcome, Liv. It’s nice to meet you too.” She looked to Becca, who shrugged as
if to say,
that’s Liv
.

The three women
went to pick up Olivia’s luggage, and then walked together to the parking lot.
Olivia stopped in her tracks when she saw the large SUV Becca was driving.

Becca frowned at
her. “What?”

“This monstrosity
is yours?” Olivia raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Becca burst out
laughing. “Yes. I bought it right after I arrived. I loved the one I’d rented
and figured since I was going to be here during the winter, I needed something
to get around in.”

Olivia shook her
head as she stowed her luggage in the back, and then walked to the front
passenger door. She opened it, but had to reach for the handle above the door
to pull herself up into the truck. Emma hopped in the back. Olivia looked
around. “I feel like I’m in a Mack truck looking down on everyone,” she said
with a giggle. “I like it.”

They pulled out of
the parking lot and turned toward Clifton. It was a two-hour drive and gave
them plenty of time to catch up. However, when the subject of Steve came up
Becca tensed.

“He was in about a
week ago but after asking how you were, nothing else was said. I was really
surprised he gave up so easily.” Olivia shook her head. “I still don’t trust
him.”

“He’s harmless,
Liv,” Becca said, not voicing her own opinion on how Steve gave her the creeps.

“Who’s Steve?” Emma
asked from the back seat.

“A real asshole,”
Olivia muttered.

“Olivia,” Becca
scolded, and then looked into the rearview mirror. “Just a guy I dated back in
Maryland. Liv doesn’t like him.”

“Ya think?” Olivia
said with sarcasm. She turned in her seat to look at Emma. “Saying I didn’t
like him is like saying the Grand Canyon is a little hole. He always gave me
the creeps.” She gave a fake shudder before turning back toward Becca. “So, is
there anything more going on with you and Jake?”

Becca blushed, and
Olivia jumped on it. “There is, I knew it. Did you do the nasty?”

“Olivia Rene
Roberts! Stop it. You’re embarrassing me.”

Emma leaned forward. “Did
you, Becca? Have you and Jake slept together?”

Olivia
pointed her finger at Becca. “Sweetie, that blush gives you away. How was it?”

Becca
sighed. “It was…amazing.” She glanced back to Emma. “Please don’t tell anyone.”

Emma
laughed. “I knew there had to be something between you two. I think it’s great
and there’s no one I would tell. I don’t have a lot of friends.”

Olivia
turned toward her again. “Now why wouldn’t a beautiful woman like you have
friends, Emma, especially men friends?”

Emma
blushed. “I was a bookworm in school then I helped out at my dad’s ranch and
store. Between that and practicing for the barrel racing competitions, I don’t
have time to date much.” Her voice faded away.

Olivia and Becca
glanced at each other.

“Well, you have us
now. And trust me when I say, you can’t have two more loyal friends,” Olivia
told her. Becca smiled and nodded in agreement.

When they arrived
in Clifton, Olivia announced she was hungry so they decided to eat at the
Clifton Diner. After parking, they walked inside. It was crowded. Becca was
surprised when everyone smiled and waved at her. She looked at Emma with raised
eyebrows.

Emma shrugged. “I
happened to mention that you never knew about Hattie and it got around town. No
one blames you for not coming around. I told you they would get over it. Let’s
grab a booth in the back.”

The server brought
them menus and filled their water glasses. Becca looked around the small café.
It was a throwback to the fifties. The counter lined with round vinyl stools
sat in front of an open pass through window, which looked into the kitchen. She
could see the cook back there fixing orders, and then setting them in the open
window while calling out that the order was up. The booths, which surrounded
scarred tables, also had red vinyl seats and the floor consisted of large black
and white squares. The aromas filling the air were amazing. The scents of
coffee, hamburgers, fries, and onions permeated the diner. Her stomach growled.
They ordered hamburgers with fries and vanilla cokes.

When the orders
came, Becca’s eyes widened. It was the biggest burger she’d ever seen. It took
up more than half of the plate. Several fries fell onto the table since there wasn’t
much room on the plates. Lifting it up, she took a bite, closed her eyes, and
moaned. “Oh. My.
God.
This is fantastic.”

“They have the best
food here. No matter what you order, I guarantee you’ll love it,” Emma
proclaimed with pride.

Olivia chewed on a
fry. “I think I could get used to this,” she announced with a big grin. “But
then I’d gain like a hundred pounds.” She glanced around the diner. “There sure
are a lot of cowboys in here.”

Olivia shifted her
gaze to Becca. “So when do I get to meet yours? Oh, and don’t think I’ve
forgotten about you and him getting it on. I want all the details. I haven’t
had sex in, like forever, so I need to hear all of it.”

Becca knew Olivia
wouldn’t give up until she spilled all the details about having sex with Jake.
Her cheeks burned as she remembered. Maybe it hadn’t been as good for him as it
had been for her. After all, he hadn’t come around for more. He was there for
the fire but that was the last time she saw him, other than the few checking in
phone calls. She blew out a breath and looked at Olivia, and then Emma. They
were looking at her and smiling.

“What now?”

“You have a dreamy
look on your face. You were remembering, weren’t you?” Olivia asked with an
evil grin.

Becca nodded. “But
I don’t think he liked it. I mean, he hasn’t been back to see me…”

“He’s busy, Becca.
There’s been so much going on, what with the theft of the horses and then the
fire. Everyone’s on edge,” Emma said, making excuses for Jake’s behavior.

“I bet if you let
him know you wanted him again, he’d come around,” Olivia added with a smirk.

Becca wasn’t so
sure. She shrugged and continued to eat her lunch. Then again, what could it
hurt? She could go visit him and see what happened. Every night when she went
to sleep, she saw his face and imagined his touch on her skin. She wanted that
big body against her in the worst way.