10. Soren

10

SOREN

F inley didn't say anything when she got into the truck, but her eyes were red and her makeup smeared.

"Hey. You okay?" I asked.

She turned to look at me. "Not really."

"Anything I can do?"

"Is it okay if we go out a different night?"

I'd completely forgotten the date we were supposed to have with all the drama the day had brought. "Of course. We can go any time."

"This is not how I hoped the day would go," Finley said.

"I know. Me either."

"Can we get ice cream to take home?" Finley asked.

"That I can do." I started the truck and pulled out of the motel parking lot. "What kind do you want?"

She appeared to think through the question as if it had great importance before asking if peppermint ice cream still existed. "I used to get this kind that had peppermint candy chunks when I was a kid."

"Let's find out."

Soon, we were at the grocery store, staring into the freezer where quarts and gallons of ice cream were displayed by brand. A quick perusal came up empty.

"They don't have it." Finley's voice wobbled. "Maybe no one makes it anymore."

No, we couldn't have this. There would be no tears on account of ice cream. Not on my watch. "I have an idea. How about we get vanilla, and we chop up peppermint candies to stick on top?"

Her face lit up with a smile. "Yes, let's do it."

God help me, she was pretty. It wasn't just her outside appearance, although God had clearly blessed her in that way. The more I got to know her and observed her, the more of her inner beauty shone through. Her sweet disposition was completely genuine. She was as kind and considerate as anyone could hope for in a friend or a girlfriend. Or a wife.

A protectiveness over her had taken hold of me. I wanted to know everything that had gone down between her and her twin, but I would wait until she was ready to talk.

"Should we get a bone for Dog?" Finley asked. "He might need something comforting too."

I agreed and told her to wait for me near the checkout line. "I'll be right back." It took me no time to locate the pet aisle, where I grabbed a bone and a box of treats. Then, passing through the meat section, a pair of thick steaks caught my eye. On a whim, I added those to my cart. Ice cream, dog treats, and steaks. What else did a man need?

The love of a good woman.

I told the whispering voice in my ear to be quiet and headed back to Finley.

"I'm grilling tonight," I said to her, when she raised an eyebrow at the items in my basket. "That I know how to do."

"But the weather's so cold."

"I'm from Montana, baby. We can grill in any weather."

"Right. How dare I question you?" She chuckled under her breath before giving me a thankful smile. "Thanks for this. For everything."

Soon enough, we were home. Dog greeted us with a wagging tail when we came through the mudroom door.

"Hey, Dog," I said.

Finley knelt to pet him. Dog licked her hand and leaned against her knees. I left them and went into the kitchen to put everything away.

Finley and Dog wandered into the kitchen. She grabbed the bone from the counter and gave it to our furry friend. His tail twitched happily before he sank to the floor to gnaw away with great enthusiasm.

Although I was curious, I didn't press her for details of the time she'd spent with her sister. Instead, we chatted about food. Did we want baked or mashed potatoes? Mashed was the clear winner. Salad or canned green beans? We decided on a salad with blue cheese dressing.

"Isn't it lucky we like all the same things?" Finley asked, flashing me one of her radiant smiles.

"It is." I lost myself in her eyes for a moment. My stomach did a somersault like an Olympian gymnast.

She turned back to the pile of potatoes, picking one up to peel. While she did that, I put a pot of water on the stove, then seasoned the steaks.

"She cut a deal to stay out of jail," Finley said quietly. "Claims she's clean."

"How did she seem?"

"Clean. Clearheaded. Like she used to be." She went on to tell me more details of what she'd learned about the boyfriend's illegal activities. "Danielle says he essentially trapped her out in the middle of the countryside. By then, he had her addicted to drugs, so she was helpless to figure a way out. According to her, he forced her into helping him and got her into drugs. But she's been to rehab and says she's determined to stay clean."

"How did she find you?" I asked.

"Private detective."

By then, she had the potatoes submerged in the pot of boiling water. She started putting the salad together as I went out to light my gas grill. It occurred to me how good it felt to have someone to share simple things like making dinner. I'd never considered myself a man who wanted to marry. Quite frankly, I never really thought about romance at all. However, enjoying an evening like this one made me think about what a relationship could bring into my life. Not with anyone, mind you. With Finley.

The last of the day's light filtered through the trees, shedding an orange autumnal glow over the back patio. I turned on the grill and waited for it to heat up, enjoying the musty scents of fall. I thought through the day's events, worried about Finley. She seemed all right, but the trauma was bound to resurface with her sister here.

I poked my head back inside the kitchen. "How do you like your steak?"

"Very well done," Finley said. "But don't tell Caspian. He wouldn't approve."

"I promise to never share your shameful secret."

"How do you like yours?" Finley asked, handing me a glass of wine from a newly opened bottle. "Elliot says you can tell a lot about a person by how they like their steaks cooked."

"Medium rare," I said. "I don't know what that says about me."

She laughed. "Actually, I don't either. About either of us."

I left her to put the steaks on, happy to have heard her laughing. Today had been gut-wrenching for her. I wouldn't have blamed her if she'd retreated to her room and buried her head under the covers. But that wasn't Finley. She was tougher than that.

When our dinner was ready, we sat down to eat. Worried, I stole surreptitious glances at my dinner companion. "I'm here if you want to talk, but we don't have to."

"She's staying a few more days." Finley cut into her steak but didn't lift the bite to her mouth. "If I want to see her again, I can."

"Do you?"

"I can't. Not after all this time. I've worked so hard to move past it all, to try to approach life like I always have. It hasn't been easy."

"You make it look that way," I said gently. "You're a person of great strength."

"There's a part of me that still wants to forgive her, but I know it's not wise. She may present as innocent and redeemed, but I can't let myself believe her. She's hurt me too many times. I told her I wouldn't be seeing her again, and I meant it. I have to protect myself. For once."

"In my experience, people don't change," Soren said. "You're wise to look after yourself."

Finley's gaze moved to the window, a forlorn look in her eyes. "I keep thinking about my mother. She'd be so disappointed to see us this way. But I can't let my guilt rule my actions. Danielle ceased being my sister when she let me take the fall for what she did. Even if she claims she knew nothing about it, I can't trust her. There's a part of me—a big part—that's sure she's lying. Who knows if anything she told me was the truth today? She's been lying to me all her life." She turned to peer down at her plate, clearly thinking. "I've fought too hard to risk letting her in. Here, with all of you, is my new home. My new family. There's nothing I wouldn't do to protect myself and the rest of you against her."

My new family.

Had any words ever sounded as good? I'd venture to say, no they hadn't.

After we finished cleaning up, we dished up our ice cream and went to the family room. Dog felt well enough now that he followed us in, plopping down in front of the fireplace with his bone. An American football game was on, but I could tell my companion was not paying much attention. I could almost feel the heaviness of her heart in my own. If she wanted to talk about it, I figured she'd come to me. Pushing her felt wrong, and I might not be the smartest guy in the world, but my instincts told me not to give her time.

"Where do you think Dog came from?" Finley asked me during a commercial break from the game.

"Who knows? Anyone could have dumped him."

Dog, as if knowing we were talking about him, raised his head to peer at us. A few tail wags later, and he was back to his bone.

"Do you believe in fate?" Finley asked.

"In regard to dogs?"

She giggled, setting aside her bowl and snuggling into her end of the couch. I handed her a throw blanket, which she tucked over her legs.

"Yes, in this case, let's limit it to dogs," she said. "As in, do you think God sent him to you for a reason?"

"I'm not sure," I said. "Do you?"

"Yes, without a doubt."

Had he sent Finley to me too? Was Mama right? God always knew what one needed? A dog and an amazing woman showing up at the same time seemed like a certain truth.

We returned to watching the game, both of us lost in our own thoughts. Or at least I was.

The game was almost finished when I looked over to see she'd fallen asleep, curled up in the fetal position with her head on the throw pillow. I watched her, marveling at her beauty as well as how young and at peace she looked.

She stirred and opened her eyes, asking me how long she'd been out.

"I'm not sure. A few minutes?"

"I should head to bed. It's been a long day," she said, yawning.

"Me too. Morning will be here all too soon." My days almost always started with a bang. Animals needed to be fed and exercised. My ranch hands, although hard workers, were not accustomed to making decisions and relied upon me to give them direction. Guests asked for tours of the barn or early-morning rides. I'd never minded the busy, physical nature of my work, yet at times it felt more like a burden than a calling. There were not many days off for ranchers. Even those who ran a dude ranch for tourists.

Finley got to her feet, stretching her arms overhead. Her shirt shifted, allowing me a peep at her taut stomach. A punch of desire hit me hard. I wanted her. How had it sneaked up on me? I hadn't even realized what was happening until I landed in this state of admiration. The more time I spent with Finley, the more I wished to have.

I stood, tugging at the collar of my shirt, wishing more than anything I could pull her into my arms and kiss her.

"What?" Finley touched the sides of her mouth with the tips of her fingers. "Do I have something on my face?"

"No." I flushed with heat. Clearly, I'd been staring at her without realizing it. Why not just say the truth? Was it time to tell her what I really wanted from her? "I was just…thinking how pretty you are."

Her eyes widened and she touched the pad of her thumb to her bottom lip. "Thank you?"

"It's a compliment." I chuckled. "You can say thank you without the question mark."

"I didn't expect you to say it, I guess. But, yes, thank you. You're not so bad yourself."

"Yeah?" I grinned and inched closer. "Like not bad enough that you might welcome a kiss?"

"A kiss?" She stared at me with an appalled expression.

Should I pretend I was joking? For a split second I seriously considered it. But no. My feelings would only grow stronger if I didn't voice them. Finding out how she felt about me was terrifying, but I had to know. One way or the other.

"How could any man be around you and not dream of kissing you?" I asked.

Her mouth dropped open for a second, clearly dumbfounded. "I'm sure it's quite possible."

"Not for me." I peered at her, my heart in my throat. "I'd very much like to kiss you." Man, I was putting myself out there.

"I would not mind a kiss. From you."

"You wouldn't mind? Or would you say enthusiastically looking forward to it?"

"The latter," she said, grinning.

I took one last step toward her. "Would now be a good time?"

She nodded, swallowing. "Now is as good a time as ever."

"All right then." I stepped closer, closing the distance between us. For a second, I drank in her beauty as if it were water, and I a man dying of thirst. "So pretty." I traced my knuckle along her jawline, then dragged my thumb over her bottom lip. Touching her soft mouth sent a shiver down my spine.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she looked up at me, eyes searching mine as if she didn't quite believe this was actually happening. I could hardly believe it myself.

"I've been thinking about kissing you for some time now," I murmured, my voice low and husky.

"You have?"

"You're all I think about lately," I whispered. My thumb lingered on her lip, and I felt her breath warm against my skin. "I thought I might be granted a kiss after I took you out tonight."

"You got me ice cream. That counts." Finley tilted her head upward, her lips parting slightly. The world held its breath for a moment, the only sound a soft snore from Dog.

Our lips met in a kiss that was both hesitant and passionate. My hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her closer as I deepened the kiss. She tasted of peppermint and vanilla, the sweetness of the ice cream lingering. Finley's hand found their way to my chest, clutching at the fabric of my shirt.

When we finally pulled away, both of us were breathless, our foreheads resting against each other. My hand remained at the nape of her neck, my thumb caressing her skin.

"I didn't see this coming." Finley began, her voice shaky.

"Neither did I," I admitted, my voice equally unsteady. "But here we are."

"And to think I thought you didn't like me at all."

"As I've indicated, it's impossible not to like you. Not that I was trying that hard to resist you."

"You weren't?"

I shook my head. "It's not a good time to spring all of this on you. What with your sister showing up like this."

"She wrecked our plans tonight. Worse, she almost ruined my life. There's no way I'm letting her do any more damage."

I stroked her cheek. "Would you like to go out tomorrow night? We could try again? Nothing fancy, but it could be fun."

"I'd like that."

"Then it's a good night, and I'll see you in the morning."

She gazed into my eyes for a moment. "You're not going to try to take me to bed?"

"Not tonight. I may be alone here, but I have a feeling this could be something special, and I don't want to ruin it by jumping into bed."

"I couldn't agree more," she said, sounding breathless, before standing on her tiptoes to kiss me lightly on the mouth, and then headed out of the room and up the stairs before I had time to say anything further.

It was just as well. Because I might talk a big game, but when it came to Finley Sunnyside Baker, I was a weak, weak man.