Rescued Love (Sweetwater Valley #7)

CHAPTER 3

NATHAN

Waking up on my first full day in Sweetwater Valley made me realize just how stressed out I’ve been for years. It shouldn’t have taken someone forcing me to take some time off for me to do it, but I thought driving toward my goal of partner was the most important thing in my life. Even one night away from the hustle and bustle of the city and being surrounded by quiet, even though it’s not silent, is soothing something inside of myself I’ve been ignoring for far too long.

Is this self-care? Is this why some people preach about work-life balance?

I haven’t considered even being concerned about anything beyond my job and what I was working toward for so damn long, I don’t have a single hobby or anything I do for just me. And how sad is that?

There should be something to life beyond work. Intellectually, I know that, but I certainly haven’t been putting the notion into practice.

The worst part is that I’m not the only one either. Everyone at the firm works themselves to exhaustion and doesn’t think twice about it. Is it because there isn’t another option or because we’ve simply been conditioned that way?

Taking a deep breath as I look around the barn on my grandfather’s property reminds me there is so much more to life than work. Hell, even just arriving last night was a stark reminder of how much I’ve neglected beyond the office.

Even though Grandpa sounded skeptical when I called him a few days ago and asked about visiting, as if he didn’t believe I’d come, he greeted me with a huge smile. When he hugged me, I was reminded of endless, hot days when it felt like summer would never end.

It always did come to an end though, and that lesson was a difficult one. The truth is that I always wanted to stay. There was a longing inside of me for something simple paired with the gentle smiles on the faces of the people of Sweetwater Valley. They all seemed to know each other and it never felt like they were hurried in their days, their joys, their togetherness.

I was always a little sad when I would get back home after spending time in Sweetwater Valley and I wasn’t the only one either. Mom and Dad seemed to be wrapped in a bit of melancholy for a little while, but then their jobs pulled their attention, and they were right back to the grind. It was much harder for me to accept that I was home again and couldn’t hold onto the settled feeling I had when visiting Grandpa.

When he greeted me last night, his arms wrapped around me, that feeling was back again. And it was stronger.

He gave me a quick tour of his land and all the animals. At first, I was a little shocked with how different everything was. Sure, he had a few animals when Grandma was alive, but nothing like he has now. It became very clear very quickly that the animals were his way of filling his days and giving himself purpose since he’s all alone out here.

I made sure to ask extensive questions over dinner last night about the chores required to take care of the animals and then started in on them first thing this morning. My back is screaming at me and my hands ache, but this kind of work makes me feel different. Alive.

It makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something. The feeling has seeped deep inside my bones, a feeling of purpose and rightness. I thought I knew what both felt like considering how hard I’ve been working toward becoming partner; it’s the only thing I’ve been focused on since even before I graduated from law school.

Now? What I’ve accomplished today feels so much bigger than any case I’ve won. It feels so much bigger than the accolades and praise from my bosses at the firm.

I’m not even sure how that’s possible.

There’s also a sense of pride growing in me while looking deeper at everything my grandpa built for himself. He always had a big heart and it’s given him something to fill his days with and a reason to go on day after day.

Thinking back to last night, the satisfaction and joy on his face was so damn easy to read. It made me realize my job, what I thought was my purpose, doesn’t make me feel half of what this animal sanctuary makes him feel.

I want to protect this for him and help him for as long as I’m here. He deserves some support and I’m more than capable of giving it to him.

If you had bothered coming around sooner, you would have known about this place.

The thought slams into me as I finish cleaning the last stall in the barn along with a heavy side of guilt and shame. I should have been here. I should have reached out. I should have tried.

I push those feelings away because ‘should have’ never changed anything and only make you heartsick. I can’t change the past, but I can do something about what I do going forward.

Making different choices and putting forth an effort is something I can do. And I will.

Other than my parents, Grandpa is the only family I have left. I don’t have siblings, and my parents didn’t either. My mom’s parents, who I barely remember now, died when I was young, and Grandma is gone too. I make a silent promise to myself to make time, to make an effort.

I should have done it a long time ago.

With a shake of my head, I look around the stall again, a feeling of satisfaction washing over me. This is the largest stall and it’s taken me the longest, but I don’t mind. Grandpa told me this is the pen the two alpacas share.

I shake my head and mutter, “Fucking alpacas. I swear Salt is going to charge me the moment she gets the chance. Or spit at me. Alpacas spit, right?”

Fuck, I hope I don’t get hit with an alpaca loogie. I’m kind of glad Salt and Pepper, the two alpacas are out of the barn. I swear Salt is plotting against me even though I didn’t do anything to the animal. I guess time will tell on that one, but I’ll be keeping my distance when I can.

As I’m putting everything away and spreading the last of the hay in the alpaca’s pen, while trying to stretch my back out a little since it aches with every movement, I hear a vehicle approaching. Grandpa said he would be a few hours when he left not that long ago, which makes me wonder who has shown up. I’m sure as hell not expecting anyone, but that’s not saying much.

Before I left the city, it became glaringly obvious I didn’t really have anyone to inform of my plans or where I was going. I don’t even have plants in my apartment that need to be taken care of. I’m not friendly with my neighbors beyond a nod of acknowledgement if we’re at the mailbox at the same time. I don’t even think I could pick out the people who live on the same floor as me in a line-up.

It was a fucking depressing thought.

Considering I don’t know anyone in Sweetwater Valley, I’m sure no one is here to see me. So, who could be here?

It better not be someone out here to bother Grandpa.

“I have some dried blueberries for you, Penny,” I hear a woman’s voice call out and even though it’s well hidden, there’s a slight warning along with panic in her tone.

That has me walking faster to see who the hell is talking. Sure, her voice has a sweet rasp in it that has my cock perking up and taking notice, but I ignore it. No need for my neglected dick to get involved in anything.

Talk about asking for trouble.

When I round the corner of the house, the first thing I notice is the woman standing next to the bed of the truck with her eyes fixed on Penny, Grandpa’s best friend who just happens to be a peacock. She reaches into the bed of the truck, which isn’t super easy considering she’s on the shorter side. Her dark brown hair is filled with lighter highlights which catch the sun. She’s slim and dressed for comfort in a simple shirt and jeans.

But, fuck, it looks like those jeans are painted on her body. My cock twitches with the desire to peel the denim over her hips and down her legs. She’s staring at Penny as she tosses a handful of something in his direction.

I realize, way too fucking slowly, that I’m no longer moving. No. Instead, I seem to be mesmerized by the vision in front of me. The miniature pony, Mr. Whiskers, is neighing from the fence of his enclosure, clearly impatient, but I’m not sure if it’s because he knows this woman or not.

Does he expect his own treats? I wouldn’t mind for her to give me a treat. Preferably, her. Underneath me and writhing in pleasure.

I shake my head to try and clear my dirty thoughts. As I do, I realize her truck has a logo on a large magnet and stuck on the side of the driver’s side door. I bristle when I read ‘Loudon County Animal Rescue’.

What the actual fuck?

“Hey,” I shout, my feet becoming unstuck as anger swirls in my gut.

Why the hell is someone from the animal rescue here? What is her goal? If she’s here to take away Grandpa’s animals, she better think fucking again.

I won’t be letting that happen. Not now, not ever.

Grandpa needs these animals just as much as they need him. I might not have known about the work he’s been doing for years, but it became painfully obvious that it has kept him going. These animals would be shit out of luck if they weren’t on his land.

The woman looks startled when she turns toward me. Her eyes widen and when I’m close enough I see they’re a gorgeous brown which makes me think of cozy nights and comfort. Which I should not be thinking of at a time like this. The way she looks me over has me wanting to pull her against my chest, but I ball my hands into fists instead.

I won’t be touching this woman. Not when she must be here to make life harder for Grandpa. If the county has him jumping through hoops for helping animals, there will be hell to pay. I’ll make sure of it.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” There’s an edge in my voice and the woman pales slightly.

I should feel bad about it, but I don’t.

“Uh, I, um,” she stumbles over her words and shakes her head as her eyebrows pull together in confusion.

I cross my arms across my chest as I plant my feet and stare down at the woman, my anger growing. Did she want to slink up here and find the place unguarded? Is that why she has treats for Penny? So she can get up here and find things that violate some county code while Grandpa isn’t here to stop her?

Fuck.

The thought of anyone taking advantage of Grandpa has me narrowing my eyes at the woman in front of me. How fucking dare she.

The woman’s shoulders pull back and she clears her throat before sticking her hand out in the space between us. As if I’d shake her hand. “Hi,” there’s a brightness in her voice which makes my gut churn, “I’m Kimball.” She tilts her head, curiosity filling her words, “Who are you?”

“I’m Nathan Jacobson,” my voice is flat with an edge of malice.

Kimball blinks up at me before dropping her hand which I barely even glanced at. I’m sure Grandpa would throttle me for my lack of manners if he were here. My stomach clenches at the thought of this woman harassing him.

How long as this been going on? I probably don’t even have the right to ask him considering I had no idea he even had his animal sanctuary. Anger at myself for abandoning my family mixes with fear and rage at this woman for coming here.

“You didn’t tell me what you’re doing here,” I practically snarl the words.

Kimball takes a step back, but it does nothing to quell the fire inside of me. The scowl on my face deepens as I wait for her answer.

“You’re related to Mr. Jacobson?” She looks me over and nods like she just figured something out. “Her grandson?”

I grunt my agreement while continuing to stare her down. Our eyes clash and something sizzles in the air between us.

It doesn’t make any fucking sense, but it’s there, nonetheless. There’s something about this woman that makes me want to mold my body to hers, but I can’t do that. I don’t trust her.

I don’t even fucking know her.

When she remains silent, I bark, “If you’re here to make trouble for my grandfather, then you came to the wrong fucking place, lady.”

The way Kimball rears back, and her mouth opens in shock has guilt skittering up my spine. I ignore it. I have to. I won’t let anyone take advantage of Grandpa.

I couldn’t protect the people Culbert robbed blind, but I’ll be damned if I allow anyone to hurt my grandpa. It’s something I won’t fucking fail at.

“Um,” emotions play over Kimball’s face before her brown eyes harden and she pulls her shoulders back with determination. Her stance does magical things to her tits; not like she needed any help in that department to begin with, but damn.

She’s stunning.

My hands are begging me to reach out, grab her, and throw her over my shoulder. I could stalk into the house with her dangling down my back and right up to my room. My cock twitches with the idea, but I ignore it.

“Well,” she licks her lips like she’s nervous which does nothing to help my thick erection, “like I said, I’m Kimball. I run the animal shelter for the county.” She waves her hand toward the side of her truck like I hadn’t already seen the logo there for it to set my teeth on edge. “I come out here to check on Mr. Jacobson and to see if he needs anything for the animals.”

When she glances down at my clenched hands, I force myself to relax my fingers and shake out my arms. I’m still pissed, but the edge of fear in her voice makes me realize that I’m probably intimidating her. Don’t get me wrong, I want her to be intimidated, but not by the threat of violence.

That’s not my style.

And it would make me no better than some of the people I’ve had to defend over the years. There’s no way in hell I want to be in the same boat as them.

“Or are you out here to find some reason to shut down my grandpa’s sanctuary and take the animals away from him?” Her mouth hangs open in shock, but the idea of anyone hurting my family has me seeing red. “I won’t let that happen, so if it’s why you’re here then it would be best for you to turn right around and leave.”

“That’s not why I’m here,” Kimball’s voice is quiet, and her eyes plead with me to believe her, but I barely even notice.

I start shaking my head and point to her car, my tone is hard and final, “You should leave.”

Kimball holds her hands up in surrender and takes a step away from me. It’s a small action, but it does make my heart ache. How can I hate the thought of hurting this woman while also needing to protect Grandpa.

“Really,” she insists, “I’m just here to help. I think what Mr. Jacobson does out here is amazing. He’s given a home to animals who need it. I respect that, more than I can even express.”

My heart is pumping in my chest, and I feel torn between the desperate need to believe the woman standing in front of me and the fear of someone taking advantage of my grandpa. It’s a fear that grew while working on Culbert’s case.

“I’m not going to let you ruin what Grandpa has built here.” I glare at the woman in front of me. “I don’t want to hear your lies.”

Kimball’s face crumples before she turns and yanks open the door to her truck. When she’s seated and has started it up, something cracks in my chest. It doesn’t make any fucking sense. She glances at me through the window, there’s a fire in her eyes which has me regretting my words, even if they are true.

The way she shakes her head at me, disappointment echoing around me with that simple action, has me questioning if I’m right about her.

Before I can close the distance between her truck and me to try and find out if I’ve made a horrible assumption and accusation, she’s pulling away from the house and gunning it down the driveway. Dirt flies around her truck and Mr. Whiskers lets out a neigh that sounds like a plaintive yearning keen.

I glance over at Penny to find him looking at me. If I didn’t know any better, I would swear there’s derision in his eyes.

I find myself rubbing my chest and wondering if I fucked up. Hopefully, I didn’t, but the sinking feeling in my gut is a warning that my hope is misplaced.

What I can’t understand is why a sense of loss settles around me.