Rescued Love (Sweetwater Valley #7)

CHAPTER 7

KIMBALL

I might have put up a fight when Hailey insisted that I come out to The Goose, but I’m glad I did it. It’s been nice to get in some girl time. Between the school year starting back up, which always means more work and stress for her since she’s a teacher, and the time she spends with Wesley, we haven’t had a lot of nights like this one.

I’m so damn happy for her. I swear she’s glowing right now.

It’s a good look on her and she deserves every single bit of happiness she has in her life right now. I know there is more happiness on the horizon for her. I’m just waiting for Wesley to propose, and I bet it won’t be long now. I’m kind of surprised he hasn’t done it already considering they’ve been head over heels for each other for about a year now.

“You two are disgusting,” I tease them.

They share a look with each other that is so lovey-dovey and over the top that I’m tempted to gag. I don’t only because I respect their relationship and want the kind of love they have. I’m not sure I’ll find the same love for myself, but a girl can dream.

“You love us,” Hailey sasses me.

“Whatever,” I lob back at her and stick my tongue out.

When we share a look, one we’ve shared so many times before, it feels like we’re girls again and all we need to worry about is homework and if there’s anything fun going on. We certainly weren’t worrying about bills and jobs and juggling high-level problems and needs.

It was simple.

It was easy.

Even though it didn’t feel the way at the time.

Part of me wishes I could go back to that time, but then I remember how I had to live under someone else’s rules. My parents were cool, but they still put their own expectations on me. It wasn’t as oppressive as it could have been, but the freedom I experience now means I don’t really want to go back.

Hailey leans forward a little bit, her eyes curious, “How’s the rescue?”

“Great,” I chirp. “It’s been steady and on the quiet side.”

I almost grimace, superstition riding me hard. Now that I’ve said it’s been quiet, watch us get inundated with animals who need homes or strays who are underfed and full of fleas and ticks. With a shiver, I send up a little wish to avoid all the fleas and ticks. No fucking thank you. I can do without either of those.

Not to mention, those animals are always so sad and pathetic. It’s not their fault at all and I hate their circumstances the most.

“Should you have said that?” There’s a look of horror on Wesley’s face with his question. “The q-word is the last thing you ever say at the firehouse.”

I giggle softly. “You can’t even say it now?”

He holds his hands up with a grimace. “Look, I’m not tempting fate. I might not be on shift, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to rain hell down on the guys who are. I hope they would do the same for me.”

“So superstitious,” I tease.

He just smirks and shrugs one shoulder, not even arguing the point. It’s not like he can. This isn’t the first little quirk I’ve heard about the firehouse. Beyond that, wasn’t I having the same thought that I shouldn’t have said the word about the rescue?

“I don’t blame you,” I admit. “I was just thinking I shouldn’t have said it about the shelter and now I’ll have some huge influx of animals.”

“As long as they aren’t covered in fleas and ticks,” Hailey muses with a shiver. “Those are the worst.”

I laugh heartily and nod, “My thought exactly. They’re the worst and I’m always worried about a flea escaping when they’re treated and then it’ll bring the whole rescue down.” I huff out, “A flea infestation is the last fucking thing I need in my life.”

Hailey shivers and Wesley’s face is a mask of horror as he mutters, “Yeah, I’ll a take a burning building over that any day.”

“Oh well if those are my only two choices, I’ll take the fleas,” I counter.

“I think you’d buckle under the weight of the equipment anyway,” there’s amusement dancing in his eyes.

I scrunch my nose up at him, but I have nothing to say because he’s not wrong. I’m more than willing to put in hours of work, but I don’t have to do any of it in the heavy suits or air tanks Wesley and the guys at the fire station wear.

“Probably,” I grumble, not too pleased with being called out on my lack of strength. “But you guys like train and run drills and work out and shit.”

His bark of laughter has my best friend’s eyes glittering as she takes him in. A streak of jealousy hits my heart, but I bat it away. There’s no room for that feeling in our friendship and I wouldn’t want my friend to go without the man who was meant for her just because I’m feeling a little lonely. That just wouldn’t be right.

I glance over when the doors to The Goose open and a man’s laughter floats our way. I grin when I see Ansel and Dixon walking in. They scan the room before finding us at a table near the bar. Ansel gives me a chin lift when he meets my eyes before they head to the bar to grab a drink.

I’m sure they’ll be joining us even though they could probably sit elsewhere or hit on any of the single women at the bar. But the last time I saw Ansel, he mentioned that they were planning to head out the sanctuary today to help and they know I always want an update when they go out there.

The memory of Nathan’s pissed off face hits me hard. Is he going to force the issue and insist I leave Mr. Jacobson alone even though I’ve never done anything malicious to the man whose love for animals rivals my own? I haven’t mentioned my encounter with Nathan to anyone except Hailey.

I wince slightly when I realize that I probably should have called Ansel and let him know about the surly grandson being on the property. Hailey notices my reaction and arches an eyebrow at me in question. I can only shrug in response because she has probably guessed what I’m thinking about; more like who I’m thinking about.

I’m almost surprised she didn’t ride off toward Mr. Jacobson’s sanctuary after I told her about my encounter with Nathan. I almost giggle at the mental image of her rolling up there with dust from the long drive swirling around her vehicle and smoke coming out of her ears before she gets in Nathan’s face.

She’s not someone who loves confrontation. People have underestimated her because of that and assumed she’s soft, but she’s not. She’ll walk away from confrontation when it concerns her, if she can, but when it involves someone that she loves? Watch the fuck out.

She’ll go full nuclear in about two seconds without a hint of remorse. It’s kind of a beautiful sight, though I’d never tell her that.

I’m sure the only thing that stopped her at the time was her focusing on me and making me feel better. That’s the kind of person she is.

If she comes across him in public, she won’t say anything, and she’ll be friendly and polite. Now, does that mean she won’t be judging Nathan in her head? Not even a little bit. I’m sure she’s already given him a scathing nickname.

When our eyes meet again, hers are filled with mirth and I know I’m right.

I hope Ansel and Dixon got a better welcome reception from Nathan than I did. The thought of Mr. Jacobson not having the help he needs because of misconceptions makes my heart ache. He might not ask for the help, but the man needs it, and the town is more than willing to provide it.

Mr. Jacobson gives so much more to the community than he receives anyway.

Dixon and Ansel, with beers in their hands, make their way over to us both grabbing chairs from nearby tables as they do. My eyebrows pull together in confusion because that means there is one empty chair at our table. I’m not expecting anyone else to join us.

When I throw a curious look at Hailey, she shrugs one shoulder as if she’s just as clueless as I am.

Well, okay then.

Ansel drops into the chair he pulls up next to me, wraps his arm around my shoulders, and gives a squeeze. “Hey darlin’,” he drawls. “How are you doing?”

I grin at one of my oldest friends. If Hailey weren’t in my life, he would have the position of best friend. There’s always been a sibling-like relationship between us, one where we sometimes annoy the other, but always have the other’s back. It’s nice, especially since I don’t have any siblings of my own.

“I’m good.” I flash him a smile before leaning around him and eyeing Dixon. He was in the same grade as Ansel, Hailey, and I in school, but we weren’t really friends back then. “How can you come in here on your day off?”

Dixon barks out a laugh and winks at me as he shrugs. “You know, when we met Nathan out at the sanctuary, he asked me the same thing when we mentioned we were coming out for drinks tonight after I mentioned where I work.”

My back goes ramrod straight at the first mention of Nathan’s name. It doesn’t go unnoticed by Ansel who leans into me and whispers, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I mumble and shake my head as I force myself to relax.

Hailey’s eyebrows scrunch up in the adorable way she has while trying to seem innocent like I haven’t told her about my encounter out at the sanctuary. “Who is Nathan?”

“I’m shocked this hasn’t already come through the town gossip mill,” Ansel’s voice is filled with amusement as he answers her, “but Nathan is Mr. Jacobson’s grandson.”

Hailey lets out a small huff as she sits back in her chair and makes a humming sound. The way she’s pointedly not looking at me is suspicious as hell. I’m just glad she’s not forcing me to mention my interaction with the man. “You know,” she muses, “I always assumed he doesn’t have any family. I don’t remember any visiting him.”

I shake my head at my best friend and murmur, “I don’t remember anyone visiting him either. His kid probably moved away and then didn’t come back.”

There’s a moment of silence around the table because we all understand exactly what I’m talking about. There are those who stay and those who leave. If someone comes back, it was because they always intended to, or something happened, and they needed a safe haven. Those who leave and plan to come back are in the minority.

I’m not sure I can blame them for wanting more than Sweetwater Valley can offer them. Part of me understands the appeal. I also know that would never be for me.

The pace of Sweetwater Valley is perfect for me. There’s a certain comfort in knowing the people around you and trusting them to have your back when you need it.

I clear my throat, my voice tentative as I try to avoid asking at Nathan directly, “How was it out at the sanctuary today?”

Ansel is looking at me curiously, but I don’t meet his gaze. Which probably only makes him more suspicious instead of less. Fucking hell.

“It was good. Nathan already had the stalls cleaned out in the barn,” Ansel adds on a muttered, “thankfully.”

Surprise fills me. Sure, Nathan might have been coming from the direction of the barn the other day, but his hands were so soft. It was hard to imagine him doing work with them. To find out that he’s been out there helping his grandfather makes something warm in the middle of my chest.

He was a royal asshole to me, no doubt, but he’s also helping someone who I look up to and try to help as much as I can myself. I can respect that while still thinking of the gloomy man as a dickwad.

I’m complex like that.

I force out a laugh along with a smile, both feel fake as hell. “Since you hate that job,” I tease my friend.

Dixon pipes up, “Who doesn’t?”

“It’s a necessary evil,” I point out.

Ansel drops his arm from around me and shifts slightly like he’s looking over my shoulder at something, but I don’t bother to turn around. Maybe he’s looking for someone to chat up. He’s not the kind of guy to do random hook-ups, never has been, but he’s had his fair share of girlfriends over the years. He’s been single for a while though and, honestly, it’s not the greatest look on him.

He’s the settle down kind of guy. Hell, he’s not even scared of commitment. I’m hoping someone comes along soon and puts him out of his misery. Whoever it is will be one lucky woman because he’s the kind of guy who will put his all into the relationship.

I can only hope she’ll appreciate him.

Ansel leans closer to me and murmurs softly, “What’s going on with you?”

Before I can acknowledge his words, Dixon grumps, “It might be necessary, but no one wants to shovel shit. Last time Ansel stuck me with the alpaca stall and those little demon pebbles have a way of sticking in my boot treads like none other.”

When I look over at him, he’s pouting slightly, and I genuine fucking amusement bubbles up inside of me. I throw my head back and laugh. Dixon smirks like he knows he just broke whatever momentary funk I was in.

Before I can tease him about needing to clean his boots, Ansel shouts, “Hey, man.”

A feeling of dread swamps me as I turn my head toward the entrance quickly. Nathan is striding our way, and I know, I just fucking know, the empty chair is for him. Ansel and Dixon invited him out tonight. It’s something they would do; and why wouldn’t they?

I’m sure if they knew he was an asshole to me just days ago that they wouldn’t have extended the invitation. But that would require me to tell them, and I didn’t. I figured I’d let Nathan blow into town and then right back out again.

Then, when the coast was clear, I’d go back out to Mr. Jacobson’s place. No one would need to be the wiser that his grandson was kind of a dick. There’s no reason to make waves like that.

Nathan’s eyes take in the table and then land on me. Guilt and something like remorse flash in his brown depths and cause an ache to throb in my chest.

Odd.

What the fuck is that?

I find myself rubbing the spot without thinking about it before shaking off the feeling.

Before I can even try and process that he’s here, he’s standing next to our table and his gaze shifts to Ansel and Dixon. He’s standing far too close to me. I can feel the heat coming from his body and it makes me want to curl up on his lap and snuggle in.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

I’m not snuggling with this man. Nope. Not happening. Not after the way he treated me without even knowing who I was or why I was there.

Assumptions aren’t a good look on a guy, and I don’t care how hot he is.

Nathan gives a slight chin lift to the guys, his voice deeper than I remember as he rumbles, “Hey guys. Thanks for inviting me out. I didn’t even realize how stir crazy I was getting out at the sanctuary.”

Ansel nods toward the chair, “No problem. Join us and I’ll introduce you.”

Nathan glances at me before noticing that everyone at the table already has a drink before he looks toward the bar. “I think I’ll grab a beer first. Do you all need another round?”

I think I hear a few murmured agreements, but it’s just background noise to me right now.

He’s here and is going to sit right next to me. Is he going to be a jerk to me again?

Somehow, I just know my heart can’t handle that. The damn fragile thing.

Dixon stands up, the grin on his face wide and welcoming. “I’ll come with you.”

As they walk off, my eyes find my best friend. Hailey is already looking at me, her eyebrows knitted together. She takes me in and tilts her head slightly as she studies me before she grins.

When I give a subtle shake of my head, her smile only grows.

Ansel whispers, “Interesting.”

I turn toward him and narrow my eyes, throwing him a glare that would scare someone who hasn’t known me as long as he has. “Nothing interesting in the least.”

He holds his hands up and smirks. “If you say so,” he tries to placate me.

It doesn’t work.

Within a few minutes, Nathan and Dixon join us again and pass out another round of beers for the guys and The Goose, the bar’s signature drink in all its peach gloriousness, for Hailey and me. As Nathan settles into his chair, his thigh presses against mine.

I expect him to pull away like the contact has burned him. He doesn’t.

When I glance up at him, his eyes are looking at me and filled with warmth. That can’t be right, can it?

He’s introduced to the table, and I give a small smile when it’s my turn like we haven’t met before. I don’t know what flashes across his face when I don’t call out the fact that we’ve met before. Relief? Confusion? Disappointment?

I don’t know. What I do know is that the warmth from his thigh seeps into me as the conversation flows easily around me. I engage when I need to, but it’s not easy to concentrate.

The only thing I can feel is him.

His nearness.

His warmth.

Then there’s the subtle spice of his cologne. I take it in with every breath and it muddles my brain. It’s a problem because I’m not one of those women who likes when a guy is mean. It’s not a turn on.

Then why are my panties wetter than they’ve ever been before?

And why do I feel the loss of him when, hours later, we all get up and go our separate ways?

It’s only later, when I’m in bed and surrounded by darkness that I can admit just how much I liked having him by my side and how it felt right. Not like it matters. He’s not sticking around, and he’s already made his decisions about what kind of person he thinks I am.

“What a shame,” I sigh as I roll over and try to get comfortable.

Thinking about his spicy scent is what allows me to relax enough to go to sleep and, thankfully, I’m too tired to even begin to think about why that is.