Chapter Six
Yukon showed her a spare room where she could sleep. At least they weren’t forcing themselves on her. In a small way, she was disappointed. Maybe a big way. If she couldn’t get a backwoods hillbilly to put the moves on her, she must have some serious desirability issues. She imagined she looked like shit after the hellish day she’d endured. As much as she wanted to check a mirror, she had no hair brush or make-up for damage control regardless.
“It’s not too big, but the bed’s comfortable,” Yukon said, holding the door open wide for her.
She entered the room. A lightbulb dangled from the ceiling, making the room appear to be moving on waves. It wasn’t what she was used to. Her circle of friends and co-workers demanded the best of everything. They’d never be caught dead in a room with water stains, peeling wallpaper, and questionable bedding.
“Thank you,” she said, walking to the head of the bed. Robyn fluffed the pillow and suddenly noticed her reflection from the dark curtain-less window. She looked like a fish out of water with her full business suit. It made her wonder what everyone else in this town thought of her.
He must have noticed her hesitation. “It’s probably not what you’re used to.”
“Not exactly.” Did that sound rude? She turned to look at him. He was a presence, most of the doorway filled with his strong body. His face had a sun-kissed glow, and even with the minimal lighting in the room, his blue eyes were piercing.
“Sorry about that, darlin’. We aren’t used to having a woman under the roof. Not that I’m complaining.” He licked his lower lip, and her pussy clenched.
“Hopefully I’ll be out of your hair first thing in the morning.” She just finished speaking when a loud rap at the window made her yelp.
“What in God’s name?” Yukon took a few brisk strides to the window and hoisted up the heavy wooden frame. It was pouring out, a mix of heavy rain and hail. The entire evening she’d been sitting outside the diner, it had been dry and dusty, not a cloud in the starry night sky. Now this?
Someone bounded up the stairs, the hollow echo reaching them in the little room. A breathless Parker rushed in, joining his brother at the window.
“I heard about this on the radio. It must be the storm tearing through the south end. I sure as hell didn’t expect it to pay us a visit.”
Yukon pulled the window back down and secured the lock. “Will the roof hold?”
Parker shrugged.
She could feel the tension and worry in the air like a living force. Robyn just stood there, an outsider looking in, and wondered if Shelly and Peter were okay.
“Shit, I haven’t finished clearing the east fields,” Yukon said.
“Nothing we can do about that now. I’m sure we’re not the only ones caught off guard.”
They both turned to her at once as if they’d both forgotten she was still in the room. She’d only seen these men as empty-headed flirts and didn’t expect anything monumental during her one-night stay. Now a new side to them unfolded in front of her—an intensity that took her breath away.
“Don’t worry, Robyn. We’ll take good care of you,” said Yukon. Parker said nothing, but continued staring at her.
“What’s wrong? It’s just rain, isn’t it?”
Parker ran a hand through his hair, moving toward her. “If it’s the storm closing roads south of us, we’ll wish it was just rain.” When he was right in front of her, she had to crane her neck to look up. Had she even seen a man with shoulders that broad? “Don’t tell me a tough-as-nails city girl is afraid of a country storm.”
Did he notice the tremble in her voice? Was she so transparent that he could see through her false bravado?
She shook her head. How could these simple cowboys have so much control over her? She’d always equated power and dominance with money and status, not the look in a man’s eyes. Parker had her speechless, his presence larger than life. The thin flannel of his shirt hugged those muscular shoulders. She guessed he’d earned every muscle from hard work rather than visits to a gym during lunch hour. It didn’t help that she’d already seen him in the bare flesh.
A screeching whine saved her from his spell. They all looked up as the lights snapped off with a resounding zap. She screamed and ducked her head as shards of glass rained down on them. Deafening silence blanketed the room once the drone of electricity was put to rest. Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed Parker’s arm in a death grip.
“Well, fuck me.” Parker growled his displeasure. “Get the flashlights and candles. I’ll secure the horses and windows.”
She heard Yukon leave the room, moving as if he had night vision, but she guessed he’d lived in this old house his whole life. It was something she’d never known herself, but could imagine. Parker turned her around and pushed her down to sit on the edge of the bed. “You wait here until we get sorted, okay? I’ll bring up a lantern.”
“Okay.”
She didn’t want to be left alone in the dark bedroom, but had no choice but to put her trust in these two strangers. Her lonely apartment in the city actually seemed appealing at this point. At least she had safety, electricity, and no unacceptable temptations tearing down her ideals. Without light, all her senses were magnified. Rain pelted the thin glass and tin roof. The rest of the world, including the one she’d left behind, all started to seem like a distant memory. She was once again a vulnerable young girl, her fate not yet mapped out for her. If only life was that simple.
She could hear the faint sound of voices from the brothers downstairs. They were moving around with urgency, window shutters slapping shut from outside, and cupboards being searched. Were Shelly and Peter stranded in the storm, trapped by a road block? Her mind tried to make excuses to ease the anger she held for them.
After a while, Robyn’s eyes adjusted to the darkness and she attempted to walk to the window. There was nothing but blackness beyond, no hint of a moon, stars, or life. She placed her hand on the glass—the cool, moist surface forcing her back to the past. A great sadness seeped from that locked place in her heart. She abruptly pulled away, walking backward until the backs of her knees hit the bed. She sat down on the mattress. I have to get out of here. Robyn couldn’t spend the night in another strange house in another strange bed. She was tired of new smells, new sounds, and trying to decipher new personalities. She never should have agreed to come to this little town.
“Are you okay?”
She whirled around, still sitting on the edge of the bed. Yukon was only feet away, holding some sort of old oil lamp in an outstretched hand. The concerned look on his face made her realize her heart was racing and breathing rapid. She mentally tried to calm herself, to remember she was an adult in control of her own destiny.
“Yeah, I just… Yeah, I’m okay.”
He set the lantern on the wooden dresser and came to sit next to her on the bed. His weight made the springs whine and mattress dip. She started to slide into him, but righted her position.
“We’ve secured the house, the cellar is stocked full, and we have enough firewood to last four seasons if it decides to get cold. Nothing to worry about.” His voice was calm and reassuring. She started to feel guilty for judging these men on their social class without even knowing a thing about them. Her prejudice was deeply ingrained.
“I’m not worried.”
“But you’re crying.” Yukon reached out and ran the backs of his fingers along her cheek. She could see the moisture glisten on his skin in the lamp light. Had she actually been crying? She hated that a simple memory could strip her down to the marrow.
“I’m not,” she lied.
He narrowed his eyes. “Tell me what’s wrong. I’ll try my best to fix it.”
She chuckled without humor, and replied without thinking. “This, you can’t fix.” Then she thought better. “Forget I said that.”
There was silence for a couple minutes. The wavering lantern light made eerie shadows along the wall in front of them, demons of the past ready to devour her whole.
“My brother thinks you’re a spoiled little rich girl used to getting what you want. A lawyer with a bank account large enough to buy our town and then some. Is he right?”
“Sure, Yukon, whatever you say.”
He exhaled as if exasperated. “Tell me something, Robyn. I know there’s more to you than meets the eye.”
What did she have to lose? She’d never see these men again after tomorrow. “Well for starters, I’m not a lawyer. I’m a paralegal.”
“Those are different?”
She smiled. “Yes, very different. Well, when it comes to the bank account part.”
“And the spoiled part?”
Robyn shook her head. “Couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m not even sure how that would feel.”
“I don’t understand,” he said. She could hear the genuine concern in his voice, which was surprising since he barely knew her. Unfortunately for him, she wasn’t ready to share her dysfunctional life story.
“Never mind. I’m just tired. Way too tired.” She stood up and returned to the window to get away from Yukon and his questions. What was it about the night that brought out all her vulnerabilities? It was an endless cycle of highs and lows when all she wanted was stability.
“I promise I won’t bite,” he said. “You can tell me anything.”
She could feel his presence right behind her, so close. Her mental state was too fragile for kindness. City life suited her because nobody gave a shit about anyone else. Keeping her mental health under tight control, only her perfected exterior available for view, was her survival mechanism.
He touched her hair, and she instinctively flinched away.
“I told you she was skittish,” said Parker. She turned to see him entering the room with a broom and dustpan. Why was his shirt off again? Holy shit, he’s so ripped. Her mind became blank as she stared at the golden cowboy, his damp hair casually slicked back and his skin gleaming from the rain. “Don’t waste your time, Yukon. She thinks she’s too good for you. Maybe she is.”
Robyn frowned, her cheeks heating as she roughly tugged off her suit jacket. She balled it up and threw it down on the bed. “There, is that better? Stop judging me by my appearance. You don’t know anything about me.”
Rather than appear shocked or sobered after her embarrassing little outburst, it appeared to have amused him. The fact only made her angrier. Back in the city, it took a painful amount of effort just to squeak by when she was surrounded by human Barbie dolls. Here in the backwoods, she was judged as superior just for wearing a half-priced suit. It should have pleased her but rather it insulted her to the core. No matter where she was, she never fit in.
“Don’t stop there. Take it all off, baby girl.”
Robyn growled. “You’re impossible!”
How could a man be desirable and repellent at the same time? She wanted to fight and argue, but deep down she knew Parker wasn’t to blame. It surprised her how easily these men could break down the walls around her emotions. Or was it this place? She was a fucking mess.
“Leave her be,” said Yukon. “She’s been crying.”
Parker narrowed his eyes and moved close enough that he could tilt her chin up. She tried to move her head to the side but he wouldn’t have it. “You know I’m playing, don’t you?”
He actually sounded sincere, his playful quality no longer present. The scent of fresh rain and his musky cologne were an inviting aphrodisiac.
She exhaled heavily, suddenly realizing how fast her heart was racing. It was difficult for her to accept kindness, even though she craved it. “I’m sorry. I’m overtired and stressed out. This isn’t me.”
Parker smiled, tucking loose hairs behind her ear. “Nothing to be sorry about. I’m the one who needs to mind his manners. Come on…” He led her to the bed and pulled back the heavy patchwork quilt. “A good night’s sleep will do us all a world of good.”
They started to head to the door after Parker swept up the broken glass from the lightbulb. Yukon turned back briefly before leaving. “If you need anything, just shout. I’m in the next room over.”
Once alone, she flopped down on the bed and rubbed her hands over her face. Sleep would bring back her composure and a new day would give her the strength she desperately needed.
She hoped.