Can't Wait, page 4
“Summer,” he yelled, and ran for her. He beat Jack and fell to his knees beside her. Without a thought, he wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her up to his chest and held her close, examining the gash on her head at her hairline. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
She grabbed his shoulders to steady herself and gave him a tentative smile. “I’m okay. A branch caught me on the head when I fell.”
“You could have been really hurt.” He crushed her to his chest and held her close, giving his pounding heart a minute to settle.
Summer wrapped her arms around Caleb and set her chin on his shoulder, loving the feel of him so close. She looked up and caught Jack watching them with a strange look on his face. Caleb’s concern for her touched her deeply, and she couldn’t hide how that made her feel.
“You sure you’re okay?” Jack asked, not coming any closer.
“I’m good.” Being safe in Caleb’s arms made her feel better than good. She felt loved.
Jack gave her a nod.
Caleb stiffened and pulled away, holding her by the shoulders at arm’s length.
“Caleb, put some snow on that gash. It’ll stop the bleeding and take down any swelling. I’ll go up and check on the horses. Meet me up there when you’ve got her squared away.” Jack turned to leave, but looked back at her and smiled. “You were right about sticking to our traditions. The snowball fight was a lot of fun. You’ve gotten better.”
“I know. I won.”
Jack headed up the short hill, laughing. “Yeah, you did.”
Caleb’s head fell to her shoulder. “I thought you were really hurt.”
Surprised he didn’t comment about Jack seeing them in an embrace, she slid her fingers through his hair to the back of his head and held him to her. “It’s just a small scratch. Nothing to worry about.”
“Jack’ll kill me for putting a mark on you.”
“Not your fault. I slipped and fell.”
Caleb raised his head and met her gaze. “You’re bleeding. I can’t stand to see you hurt.”
The moment stretched and his eyes narrowed. He swore and crushed his mouth to hers. Something primal sparked inside both of them and they dove at each other, their lips meeting in a frenzied need denied far too long.
His hands remained gentle, cradling her face, but his lips took possession and consumed. His tongue slipped past her lips to taste and slide against hers. Her fingertips dug into his shoulders, pulling him closer.
Caleb broke the kiss first, holding her head between his two hands. He didn’t open his eyes right away, but gathered himself. They gulped in deep breaths and let them out on wispy gasps into the cold, crisp air.
He brushed a soft kiss on her forehead, her temple, and the small cut at her hairline. He pressed his forehead to hers and held her close. She covered his hands on both sides of her head with hers.
“Caleb, honey, it’s okay.”
“Jack’s going to kill me.”
“I think he knows there’s something between us.”
“He suspects, but if he caught me kissing you . . .”
“What? He wouldn’t be your friend because you like his sister?”
“What I feel for you goes far beyond like, sweetheart.”
“Then shouldn’t he be happy for us, that we’ve found something special together?”
He stood and turned his back on her. The stab of pain in her heart hurt. She brushed her fingers through her unbound hair and realized that during their kiss he’d somehow knocked off her cap and undone her braid. She giggled, drawing his attention.
“What’s so funny?”
“You.” She pointed to her head.
“What?”
“You couldn’t wait to get your hands on my hair.”
The look on his face and the hot gaze he swept over her body said he’d like to get his hands on a lot more than her hair.
“It’s really soft and always smells like spring flowers.” His massive shoulders went up and down in a dismissive shrug he didn’t really mean. The moment they shared meant something deep and profound. As much as it meant to her.
She took his offered hand and he pulled her up to her feet. He took the cap from her hand and slid it over her head, making sure it covered her ears. His fingertips brushed the small cut.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine. Are you okay?” she asked, knowing he needed some rest and, unfortunately, more time to figure things out.
Without a word, he took her into his arms and held her close. She settled her chin on his shoulder and hugged him.
“I’m leaving in a couple of days.”
She fell back onto her flat feet, reached up, and cupped his rough cheek in her palm. “Trying to convince me, or you?”
She walked up the hill, met Jack by the horses, and pointed out a beautiful spruce. “That one is just the right shape and height. Let’s get it.”
“How’s the head?” Jack asked.
Her heart hurt more over losing Caleb before they’d ever really had a chance. “I’ll be fine,” she said, as much for his benefit as her own.
Jack’s gaze fell on Caleb coming up behind her. He wore that same strange look.
“Grab the saw. Let’s get Summer her tree.”
Caleb grabbed the two-man saw from the sled. They worked together to cut the tree down and load it. The bond between them showed in the way they joked and teased, and the easy way in which they worked in unison. They’d spent years working together, bonded by what they’d seen and done in the name of freedom. For the first time, she really understood and saw why Caleb clung to his friendship with Jack, instead of following his heart. They shared a bond born of need and necessity, forged during a time when trust and loyalty meant life or death.
Caleb stopped midstride to his horse and stared at her. She met his steady gaze and silently let him know she understood with a simple nod. He frowned, planted his hands on his hips, and nodded once to let her know he understood. She felt the wave of grief roll off her and blend with the wave of anguish he let out with a heavy sigh.
“It’s time,” Jack called from up ahead.
She mounted her horse and followed them. Yes, time to let him and the sweet dream of a future with Caleb go.
Chapter Seven
CALEB HELD SUMMER’S legs just above the knee as she stood on the ladder and put the star at the top of the twelve-foot tree. She smiled down at him. He had to admit, he loved her idea of using only white, silver, green, and red decorations. The tree looked elegant, like it belonged in some home decorating magazine. White bows; silver, red, and green glass balls in varying sizes; and cranberries strung together by all of them. The smell of cinnamon and hot apple cider filled the air, mingling with the tangy pine scent. The fire crackled in the huge stone hearth. Country Christmas. Perfect. Just what Summer wanted. Home and tradition. Family and friends gathered together around the tree.
He wanted to stay. He dreamed of making love to Summer, waking with her in his arms on Christmas morning, and sitting with her on the floor next to the tree opening presents, sharing some laughs, and enjoying the company and the holiday together.
“Caleb, we need to get down to the barn and finish our work for the day,” Jack’s voice intruded on his thoughts. Dreams that would never come true.
He indulged his inner beast and slid his hands down Summer’s outstanding legs before he stepped back, watching as she came down the ladder, ready to catch her if she fell. She wouldn’t, of course; not agile, capable Summer. Still, the compulsion to keep her safe overrode good sense sometimes.
Summer stepped off the ladder and headed straight for Jack. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. Caleb wished that hug and smile were for him.
“Thanks, Jack. It turned out beautiful.”
“Cookies. You promised.”
Summer’s laugh hit him in the gut. He loved the sound of it and would remember it for the rest of his lonely days.
“I promise. I’m off to the cabin. I’ve got more presents to wrap.”
“Thanks again,” Caleb said, drawing Summer’s attention back to him. He placed the Stetson on his head and touched his finger to the brim.
“You’re welcome.” She bit her rosy lip, her gaze falling to the floor before she looked back at him. “You won’t leave without saying good-bye, right?”
He gave her a noncommittal nod, which didn’t please her, judging by the deep frown, but she let it go. He didn’t know if he could say good-bye to her. Not when everything in him wanted to stay and be with her.
They walked out of the house together. Summer took the road back to her cabin and he followed Jack to the barn, neither of them saying anything. Inside the house, everything seemed fine and normal. They walked through the barn to Jack’s office. When they entered, Jack turned and faced him, his eyes blazing with anger.
“Did you sleep with my sister?”
“No.”
“But you want to?”
Caleb didn’t answer that loaded question, which set Jack off, because anyone who’d seen him near Summer in the last few months knew he wanted her. No hiding something this strong and powerful.
Never underestimate an enemy or a girl’s overprotective brother. Caleb took the blow to the jaw in stride, surprised but accepting of Jack’s anger all the same.
He rubbed the side of his face and worked his jaw side to side until the sting subsided.
“I did not and I will not sleep with your sister, man.”
“What? She’s not good enough for you?”
Caleb wanted to laugh, but held it back. “She’s the best person I know. She’s smart and kind and cares about everyone around her.”
“So all you want to do is sleep with her.”
Anger flared, but he kept it in check. “You’re my best friend. I’ll forgive and forget the punch and that remark about my character. Let this go. I’m leaving day after next and how I feel about Summer won’t matter.”
“You can forget her that easily?”
“Man, what do you want from me? I’m trying to do the right thing here.”
Jack’s cell phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and checked caller ID, smiling, but not in a good way.
“Sam,” he answered with his twin brother’s name, putting the call on speaker. “Guess what? I’m here with Caleb . . .”
“Did he and Summer set the forest on fire yet?” Sam asked without Jack having to say anything.
“What?” Jack asked, confused and suspicious.
“You saw the two of them at Thanksgiving. Seriously, how long can two people who want each other that bad stay apart? I mean, I’m surprised the whole ranch didn’t combust the moment those two met.”
Jack and Caleb stood not two feet apart staring at each other, the silence between them lengthening.
“Jack?” Sam’s voice broke the awkward silence.
“You’re my best friend,” Caleb said. “You saved my life and gave me this job when I needed something to do beside sink into nightmares. We stick together and work side by side to make this place better, just like we fought side by side against our enemy. I would never do anything to jeopardize the trust we share, or dishonor everything you’ve done and given me.”
“Caleb, man, is this why you’ve been so down? You want to be with Summer, but because of our friendship you’ve stayed away from her? You’re leaving because you can’t be here with her and, well, not be with her?”
“Duh,” Sam said. “I for one think the two of you would be great together, even if Jack is too dense to see it.”
How could two people who looked and acted exactly alike see things so differently? Sam saw what was between Caleb and Summer, but Jack refused to see it all these weeks when it was right in front of him.
“I always thought you two had a lot in common. You relate to each other so easily. When she’s around you always seem lighter, like whatever troubled you eased away,” Jack said.
“She makes him happy,” Sam said.
Caleb refused to answer, because despite Jack finally understanding how he felt, he still didn’t look happy about it. Jack also didn’t give any indication that he’d be okay with Caleb dating his sister.
“Are you in love with my sister?” Jack asked the bold question.
Caleb evaded. “It’s like you said, you don’t date your buddy’s sister.”
“Forget what I said.”
“Yeah, what the hell does he know,” Sam teased.
“Would you really leave this ranch, go back to Montana, live five hundred miles away from her just to save our friendship?”
Caleb didn’t answer. His bags were packed, and Jack knew it.
“You’d leave my sister, make her unhappy, just so nothing would change between us?”
Again, Caleb remained silent.
“What the hell kind of friend are you? What kind of friend do you think I am that I wouldn’t want you to be happy? I saw the look on her face when she gave you that hat and when you held her after she fell and hurt her head.”
“What hat? Summer fell? Is she okay?” Sam asked, but Jack ignored him.
“In the house, she smiled down at you from the ladder.” Jack ran his fingers through his hair and stared hard at Caleb. “My sister is in love with you.”
Caleb understood Jack’s turmoil. When it hit him how deeply he loved Summer and discovered she returned that love, though neither of them acknowledged it to each other, it had taken him some time to get used to the idea and let it settle in. He’d waited for the rush of fear, the need to run from any kind of commitment, but found all he wanted to do was be with her. Sam nailed it. She made him happy.
“Catch up, Jack. It’s obvious they love each other, the only question left is, when’s the wedding?”
Jack sat on the edge of his desk and crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes, Caleb, when is the wedding?”
Caleb opened his mouth, but shut it again. He had no idea how to answer. Did she want to marry him? She said as much that night in the bar a week ago.
Jack read his mind. “That night at the bar. She said she wanted a simple ranch life, married with children. Did you knock up my sister?”
“No,” Caleb answered immediately, knowing death waited if he didn’t make that clear.
“Sounds to me like you’ve kept them apart,” Sam pointed out.
Caleb assumed that would make Jack happy; instead, he frowned even more.
“I’m sorry, man. I’m trying to wrap my head around this. My best friend and my sister. All this time, I thought you two were just friends.”
“The only reason a man wants to be that close of friends with a woman is because he wants to sleep with her.”
“Sam, you’re not helping,” Caleb said diplomatically, when all he wanted to do was tell Sam to shut up.
“Listen, Summer and I are friends. That’s all. Because of our friendship, yes, I’ve kept my feelings for her in check. Now that you know . . .” Caleb took a minute to collect his thoughts. “I care deeply for your sister.”
“Then stay. You’re the kind of guy I’d want with my sister.”
“You’re a good man,” Sam added. “I don’t know that I’d have put my friendship with anyone above the woman I want, but you did because of what you and Jack have been through together. That says a lot about you. Jack will agree, Summer can see through any guy who’s trying to play her. She knows her own mind and it’s set on you. If you leave, you’ll both always wonder what could have been.”
“If she’s what you want, if she makes you happy, and the same is true for her, stop worrying about what I think and go be with her,” Jack added.
“The thing is, I do care what you and Sam think. You’re her family. That’s important to her and me.”
Jack stood and held out his hand.
Caleb took it and they shook, but Jack didn’t let go. “It’s because you care that much about what I and the rest of the family think that I know you’re right for her. No matter what happens between the two of you, I know you have no intention of hurting her. That’s enough for me.”
“Me, too,” Sam reiterated.
Jack pumped his hand one last time and let go.
Caleb took a minute to let his mind wrap around the new reality he faced. “Um, I have to go. I have some Christmas shopping to do.”
Jack waited for Caleb to hightail it out of his office before he let his smile show.
“How much do you want to bet he buys her a ring?” Sam asked.
“No bet. Looks like Caleb really will be my brother.”
“You two have been that close for years. You’ll get over him being with Summer.”
“I’m over it already. I just needed to know he’s as serious as she is.”
“Did she say something to you?”
“No. During the snowball fight, she fell and scraped her head. He rushed to her, frantic she was hurt bad. He held on to her like his life depended on it. The look in her eyes. I knew.”
“Hundred bucks says we’re uncles within a year.”
“No bet. He had this look about him when he left here.”
“Yuck,” they said in unison, laughing together. Jack felt better for it. He envied his best friend. Finding someone special to share his life was probably not in the cards for him.
Chapter Eight
CALEB WOKE WITH a start, breathing heavy, his heart pounding so hard his chest hurt. He shook off the savage wartime nightmares along with the sweat-soaked sheets. Naked, he padded into the bathroom and ran cold water into the sink, scooping up handfuls and splashing it over his face. He grabbed a washcloth and soaked it, dragging it over his body to wipe away the sweat. Chilled, he dried off with a soft towel Summer had helped him pick out on one of their many supply runs in town.
