Chapter 12

Chapter

Twelve

Sloan slipped into a funk as she walked away from Rhett that night. That touching of their lips had been like dynamite and then they’d been yanked apart again.

It was for the best, but it didn’t make her happy. They’d been having a great time together. Even stuffed with sushi, she would’ve happily gone for ice cream with him.

She and Rhett were not meant to be and did not have any kind of future. She had to wrap her mind around that.

Even though it felt instinctively wrong and hurt all the way through.

She felt achy, as if she had the flu. When she was in college, she’d had the flu and Kathy had taken care of her, made her herbal teas, filled their bathtub with warm water, essential oils and Epsom salts, gone to the store for medicine, and warmed up blankets in the dryer. She’d never experienced someone ministering to her before.

Rhett had ministered to her in very different ways. Protected her from her cousins, rescued her from the mud, showed her how fun flirtatious banter could be, made her feel desirable and feminine. Being without him was causing this flu and he was the only cure. Sadly, she couldn’t turn to him.

Her hotel room had been refreshed and her coat and now-clean clothes were hung in the closet, miraculously with no mud or stains on them. She’d have to leave a good tip when she checked out tomorrow.

She changed into comfortable pajamas and forced herself to find a short-term rental. She found a studio apartment above a garage in what looked to be a gorgeous area on the Flathead River. A park called Leisure Park ran through the backyard. From what she could tell on Google maps, this Leisure Park was a running trail. It was perfect. She wouldn’t be alone, but she’d have her own space and be in a very nice neighborhood. She booked it for a month and felt settled, about that at least.

She found herself Googling Rhett Coleville next. There wasn’t a lot about him, some about his construction company and some accolades for football in high school. He didn’t even have social media accounts. Dang. There was a lot about Lieutenant Miles Coleville, Navy SEAL, who’d married the famous actress Eva Chevron. Some about Easton and Walker Coleville, who were a bull rider and steer roper of some notoriety. Walker had also married a bestselling author named Marci Richards.

For hours, Sloan let herself click on links, read articles, and stare at photos. She was blessed with a few family pictures with Rhett in them, but he was pretty scarce online. Every time she looked into those blue eyes, even in a picture, she longed for him.

His family was impressive. Each of the brothers had different careers and incredible wives. Only Rhett and one other brother were alone in the photos. She thought his parents looked just perfect—his dad was broad, handsome, and protective looking, and his mom was smaller, slightly rounded, beaming, and lovely. Millie Coleville reminded her of her new friend Annabeth.

What would it be like to be part of a loving and large family? Would she not be such a mess emotionally if she had anchors like that? It explained how Rhett could be so grounded, tough, and all-around perfect.

If only she would’ve made a rude gesture to his friend Josh and kissed Rhett long and hard outside the sushi restaurant.

No. She smiled to herself. If they ever kissed, she wanted it to be meaningful, not something to spite his friend who didn’t like her.

As she thought of Josh and how embarrassed his wife had looked, she knew she had a lot more work cut out for her.

Settling into bed, she made a plan for the morning and fell asleep with renewed purpose.

Sloan was up with the sun—well, the sun didn’t show its face; she wasn’t certain the sun ever broke through the clouds in Montana in the spring—but the sky was lighter. Tomorrow she would run on that river trail. Today, she should get plenty of movement with her plan.

She got ready, opting for the flannel jacket over a T-shirt and her new jeans instead of her red sweater. She’d save that for when it didn’t have a risk of getting muddy. She put her new baseball hat on and pulled her long, dark hair out from under her jacket. Her curls would be a soppy mess, but she wanted people to know she was female.

She loaded up her suitcases, checked out of the hotel, and left a tip for the maid and whoever had washed her coat. Putting all her things in her car, she drove to the nearby Ceres Bakery where she placed her orders for five boxes with at least a dozen of whatever sweets they could get ready fastest, and one cinnamon roll.

Eating the cinnamon roll, she waited for her order, then loaded up the delicious-smelling boxes of cookies, donuts, assorted pastries, cupcakes, and mini-pies in the back of her Sonata and drove toward her development in the drizzling rain.

Half an hour later, she parked her car just off the main road in a turnout, not risking the mud of her unfinished road and another stuck vehicle. She realized she’d never thanked Rhett for rescuing her car or asked if he’d washed it. She wanted to start with Rhett’s site, but she strode past the opening that led to his lot and headed north.

Trekking through the muddy road above the river almost a mile, she carried a box of treats to the just-started new build closest to Grandpa’s house, itching to know if those brutes Jaxon and Preston had returned to the cabin but not risking getting too close.

She walked up to a crew clearing land. The men stared at her like she was a wraith. She introduced herself to the foreman and his men—unfortunately the general contractor wasn’t there—and handed over her treats. They all took a break and ate the cupcakes that were in the box, some of them shyly thanking her, others still looking at her like she was from another planet.

The men got back to work, but she chatted with the foreman for half an hour, telling him the progress she’d made with the county and the road base coming soon, asking what concerns he had, and feeling she’d at least broken down some barriers as she walked away. She did hear a few wolf whistles and thought of Rhett telling his men to knock it off, but she could handle it. She kept her head high and navigated the mud with her new but already filthy boots.

The next site went all right. The general contractor was there, and the men weren’t quite as friendly, but they did accept the mini-pies, and at least the general thanked her when she explained the road base would be laid next week and the county had promised she was at the top of the list for power installation.

She left after only a few minutes. The trek felt like it took longer back to her car to grab a box of cookies. Maybe because there was too much mud on her shoes, or because she hadn’t gained a relationship or broken down barriers at the last site. Or maybe it was from only eating sugar for breakfast two mornings in a row.

The third site was further along in the building process than even Rhett’s house had been. They were closed in and had electricians and plumbers working inside. She had plenty of sugar, chocolate chip, and raisin oatmeal cookies for the men to each take multiple and thank her. Some with shy smiles, some with flirtatious ones. The general was a large and jovial man named Paul Nash. He teased and joked with her about not being a man like they’d all thought, then thanked her over and over again for sweet-talkin’ the county and finding the road base guy. He was as friendly and nice as anyone she’d met besides Rhett and Annabeth.

As she almost skipped away from that site and retrieved the box of donuts from the car, she realized Josh Francis was the next site. Her good mood took a hit, especially as the rain increased. Thank heavens for her hat to keep the moisture out of her eyes.

She trudged along the muddy road, slipping and recovering before she went down. Her heart beat faster and faster as she navigated through the mud and the trees and then she was looking at a home that didn’t even have the roof sheeting on. No wonder Josh was grumpy. His men were working in this rain with no covering at all.

She straightened her shoulders, said a prayer to be kind, and stomped up the board that was the front steps. She’d barely entered the archway where a set of double doors needed to be installed when a gruff voice said, “We don’t need any sweets here.”

Glancing around, she saw Josh wearing a tool belt, jeans, a T-shirt, and a baseball cap. Men stopped pounding hammers or using nail guns to get a look at her and listen in. Only the drizzly rain filled the silence.

Sloan held his gaze. She didn’t have any words to convince him to give her a chance, but she wouldn’t back down either.

He finally looked around the skeleton of framing and roof trusses and hollered, “Get back to work.”

Hammers and nail guns started up and the generator that was supplying the power kicked on.

Josh took the box from her hands, murmured, “Thanks,” and set it on the ground. He tilted his head. “Let’s talk outside.”

Sloan’s hopes rose. Maybe he wouldn’t just turn her away.

They walked out of the house, across the wide porch, and down the ramp. When they were far enough away his men couldn’t overhear, he turned to her. “Sandy was ticked at me last night.”

Her own brows rose. “For honking your horn?”

He nodded. “And giving Rhett such a hard time when he came to visit us.”

“He came to visit you last night?” she clarified. She waited for the feelings of impatience and annoyance. Rhett going to see his friends was his choice, but trying to fight her battles for her was stepping on her independence. Strangely, all she felt was warmth. Rhett hadn’t tried to ‘be the man’ and step on her toes. He cared deeply and was trying to help her.

“Yeah.” The man studied her, his hazel eyes guarded. “Rhett is one of the best men I’ve ever known. I shouldn’t have given him a hard time.”

She nodded her agreement to both statements.

“The jury’s still out on you.”

Sloan smiled at that. She didn’t mind somebody making her earn their respect. “I apologize for the mistakes I’ve made with this development. I’ll work hard to fix the problems up here that are in my control and hopefully change your opinion about me.”

Josh studied her and then dipped his chin and even smiled slightly. “I appreciate that.” He turned to walk away but glanced back. “If you’re only here to make a load of money, then head back to Vegas. Don’t mess with Rhett’s heart.”

She blinked at him, not sure what to say to that. She had no desire to go back to Vegas. She’d told Rhett last night she’d move on to somewhere similar to this location, but where she didn’t have such a run-through-the-mud name. But if even Josh would give her a chance to make things right and prove she could handle this, maybe she could stay here. The thought made her heart feel light.

“I’m here to stay,” she said confidently. “And Rhett is pursuing me, not the other way around.” She gave him a sassy smile.

He let out a half-laugh. “Men are stupid fools about a pretty new face.”

Her back went ramrod straight. “Mr. Francis, I am a lot more than a pretty face.”

His eyes flashed with respect. He nodded to her. “I think you may be. Tell Rhett I said hi.” Turning, he walked back into the house.

Sloan felt optimistic. Very optimistic. The rain hadn’t let up, but she appreciated her hat and her jacket. She appreciated even more that the contractors were giving her a chance. She’d keep on the county and the road fill and asphalt guys to do their part, and she’d help any way she could.

Sliding through the mud, she unlocked her car and opened the back door, pulling out the last batch from the bakery, a variety of pastries, two dozen in this one. For Rhett and his men. She smiled as she straightened out of the car.

The roar of a motor announced a truck racing down the road through the muck. Sloan squinted through the rain and backed away, not wanting to get splattered as they roared past.

They didn’t roar past. The Chevy truck, dirty with mud but once white, slammed to a stop a few feet from where she stood. Her heart stuttered when she recognized Jaxon and Preston in the cab.

She should’ve jumped into her car and locked the doors. Instead, she dropped the pastries in the mud, turned, and ran toward Rhett’s building site. The truck took up pursuit, racing around her and forcing her to the side of the road. The truck spun and turned sideways in the muddy road. Jaxon leered from the driver’s window.

She pivoted and raced back toward her car, slipping but righting herself before she went down.

The truck doors popped open and slammed closed. Footsteps pounded toward her.

Her heart was beating out of control. If she pulled out her phone and called 911 would anybody come in time to help? Could she reach her car and get inside? Drive away? At least have a barrier? If she screamed loud enough, would Rhett hear her over the sounds of construction equipment, nail guns, the thick forest, and the rain?

She slid in the mud, banging into the side of her car with her hip and fumbling for her keys in the pocket of her flannel.

“Help!” she hollered at the top of her lungs, afraid no one would hear her.

“Pretty cousin,” Jaxon taunted. “Nobody will hear you.” Reaching her, he yanked her keys out of her hand just as she clicked the unlock button. He hurled her key chain off into the trees.

“Hey!” she yelled at him, her fear mingling with indignation. “You are such an imbecile.”

“Oh yeah?” Jaxon crowded her against the car, pushing his big body against hers.

Her stomach rolled over. Having him close was worse than a stinky skunk and a dangerous grizzly bear.

“You want to take that back?” Jaxon asked, glowering down at her.

She wanted to get far from here. He smelled like rank body odor and sour milk. His body was big but not as firm as Rhett’s. She prayed inside her heart and head that Rhett could please, please come.

“We hear you’re sweetening up the contractors,” Preston said. He picked up her box of dropped pastries and opened it. “Yum. Thanks for these.”

“You two are scum that have nothing better to do than harass me. Why don’t you both get a life, and take a shower? You stink.” She said all of this bravely, but her pulse raced, her hands trembled, and bile crawled up her throat. These two would hurt her first and explain their twisted purposes later.

“I don’t know why you were always Grandpa’s favorite. You’re a witchy little beast, even if you are beautiful.” Jaxon flipped her wet hair. “I’m gonna teach you some lessons while Preston eats your treats.”

Preston laughed and held up a glazed donut. “I’m gonna enjoy this show.”

Jaxon leaned down closer to her. His breath smelled of rotted tobacco and the sour milk she’d identified earlier.

“You are going to run scared out of town,” he snarled. “This property is meant to be ours. If you don’t listen and give it to us, we’ll track you down and kill you. Consider this your only warning.”

He lifted her off her feet and slammed her back into her car. She screamed as pain radiated through her upper back.

“I’m just getting started, pretty cousin.” Jaxon released his grip on her and lifted his hand. He glared down at her. “This is the part where you cower and cry.”

“I’ll never cower to you,” she screamed in his face, even as her stomach twisted in knots and her legs felt too weak to support her.

“Hey!” a voice yelled as footsteps thundered toward them.

Jaxon whipped around to face the man sprinting around their truck.

Preston dropped the box of donuts, squealed, and ran for the truck.

Sloan’s heart raced with joy and the dreary day lit up as she saw Rhett racing toward her and Jaxon.

Jaxon backed away from her, holding up his hands. “We were just talking.”

Preston jumped into the truck, slamming the door.

“Oh yeah?” Rhett said. “I’ll teach you to never talk to Sloan again.” He flung himself at Jaxon and drove his fists into her cousin’s face.

Jaxon was driven back into her car, his body slamming into it much harder than he’d done to her.

Preston started the truck and spun past them in the mud.

“Hey!” Jaxon cried out at his brother ditching him.

Rhett knocked Jaxon to the ground with another series of solid punches.

Jaxon lay there in the mud, looking up at Rhett, stunned and obviously terrified.

“Sloan.” Rhett’s voice was suddenly soft. He kept his gaze on Jaxon. “Are you all right?”

“Y-yes,” she admitted, hating that her voice quavered. He’d come for her. He was her hero time and again.

“Call 911. It’s time this idiot gets arrested. Then Sheriff Joe can track down his idiot brother. Sheriff Pollard told me just this morning both Lewis boys were trouble and on top of his list of problems.”

Sloan pulled out her phone and dialed with trembling fingers. Rhett had come for her. Jaxon was cowering in the dirt and Preston had taken off. It was over.

Why, then, couldn’t she stop trembling and staring at Rhett? He was her hero, once again. At the moment, she didn’t want to be independent. She wanted to be in his arms. She wanted to never leave his side. She wanted him.

What was happening to her?