All Summer Long

“The cast on my leg was a big clue, but thanks for the clarification.”

“You’re in Fool’s Gold. In Rafe’s house.”

That got her to look at him again. Now irritation flashed in her green eyes. He figured it was better than nothing.

“I have a fractured leg, not a head injury. I know where I am. What I object to is being here at all. You had no right to drag me here without even asking me.”

He wanted to point out that technically he hadn’t been part of the dragging team, but didn’t think that would facilitate communication.

“You’re injured. You should be with your family.”

“And that’s you?”

“Sure. We talk.” He knew he stayed in contact with her more than anyone. “Why are you taking this out on me? I didn’t even know you were a cheerleader. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“When was I supposed to do that?”

“We’re on the phone every couple of weeks.”

“Right. Those meaningful calls. ‘Hey, sis, it’s me. How are you? Need any money? Great. Gotta go. Love you.’” Her mouth twisted. “Not much of a chance to share the personal details you’re suddenly so interested in.”

Clay wanted to say it wasn’t like that. Except he knew it was. When he remembered to call Evie, the contact was brief. From her perspective, meaningless. A duty call.

“Tell me about being a cheerleader,” he said. “I want to know.”

She motioned to her leg. “Does it matter? I’m not going to be back on the squad anytime soon.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Me, too.”

He didn’t know how to help or what to say. “Evie, you’re my sister. I care about you.”

“Then get me out of here. Take me anywhere that isn’t near Mom or anyone else I know. I’ll recover in peace.”

“You’re going to need help. The fracture isn’t deep, but it’s tricky. Then you’ll have physical therapy. Mom wants to drive you.”

“I’d rather never walk again.”

Clay’s instinct was to defend May, but he knew better. Her relationship with Evie had always been difficult. Not just because of the mother-daughter thing but because May had always felt guilty about her one-night stand a few months after the death of her much-loved husband. Evie had been the result.

Clay had been too young to understand what had happened. All he knew was that one day he had a baby sister. As he was the youngest brother, he’d been the closest to her. A sad state of affairs, he realized, thinking about how much everyone else had ignored her.

He knew this wasn’t the time to tell his sister that Rafe and May were packing up her apartment and moving her things to Fool’s Gold. She would be healing for a couple of months and everyone had decided she would be better off closer. Not that she would appreciate the decision.

“I’m sorry,” he said, aware the apology was lame at best and insulting at worst.

“You’re just being a guy.” His sister sighed. “You can’t help it. I miss Diane.”

“My Diane?”

Evie nodded. “She called me a lot and we would talk. She remembered my birthday and sent presents. Silly stuff, but it was nice.” Her expression momentarily softened. “You so didn’t deserve her.”

“I know. I never understood what she saw in me.”

“She loved you a lot.”

“I loved her, too. I was very lucky to find her.” He risked taking Evie’s hand again. “Speaking of significant others, is there someone I should call? Anyone who’s going to be looking for you?”

“No. There’s no one.”

The stark loneliness in those words made his gut twist. Evie was in her mid-twenties. She should be having fun with friends, falling in and out of love. She shouldn’t be alone or cynical. She shouldn’t hate her family or want to be anywhere but with them.

He swore under his breath. “I’m sorry,” he said. “What the hell happened between us?”

Evie slowly, deliberately, pulled her hand away. “You didn’t want me. None of you did. I was never a part of this family and each one of you made sure I knew it. So don’t get all surprised and righteous now that I don’t want to have anything to do with you.”

Clay wanted to tell her that she was wrong, only she wasn’t. About any of it. The four of them had been a unit and Evie the odd man out.

“I love you, Evie.”

She closed her eyes. “I’d like to sleep now.”

It wasn’t the shouting match she’d had with Shane, he thought as he stood. But it was just as destructive. She’d taken him down with little more than the ugly truth.

He walked to the door and paused. Realizing there was nothing else he could say, he walked out.

* * *

CHARLIE HONEST-TO-GOD didn’t know where to look. She’d been called out to some truly horrific accidents, had pulled bodies out of burning buildings and been present at the birth of a baby. None of which had prepared her for the Fool’s Gold Firefighter calendar shoot.

There were good-looking guys everywhere. Twelve in total, in various states of undress, styling and um, oiling. Yes, one overly plucked woman in her forties walked around with a bottle of oil and rubbed it over the exposed flesh of the models. And there was a lot of exposed flesh.

Charlie wasn’t sure if she should enjoy the view or make her escape. Clay was supposed to join her, but he’d phoned to say he was running late and she should make herself comfortable. Charlie didn’t think that was possible.

A low stage stood in front of a backdrop of a barn. Lights with upside-down umbrella things were all around. There was a fan, lights on the floor and several props including a saddled horse. She couldn’t figure out the best place to stand, let alone where to look. She was pulling her truck keys out of her pocket when the back door of the studio opened and Clay strolled in. Charlie surged toward him, eager to find some small measure of comfort or even protection.

“You’re here,” she said. “Thank God. This is a nightmare.”

He grinned, then pulled her close and kissed her. “Miss me?”

“Yes. This is not my comfort zone.”

He glanced around, then looked back at her. “You’d rather be fighting a fire?”

“Of course. I understand fire. This is madness.”

“It’s a photo shoot.”

“You say that as if I’ve been to twenty.”

He put his arm around her. “That’s my girl. Speaking her mind.”

“It’s the only mind I have. How are you? Evie get settled okay?”

His good humor faded. “She’s here, but she’s not happy.”

“She’s hurt. That’s got to be upsetting.”

“I think she’s more pissed to be around us than she is about the broken leg.”

Charlie knew a little about the family dynamics. “She’ll come around.”

“I’m not so sure. We’re all guilty of not making an effort. I should have been there for her. More than I was.” He shook his head. “One more place I’ve screwed up.”

“Don’t say that. Evie could have tried, too.”

“Why would she bother?”

“Because in the end, everybody wants to connect. Look at me. I’m getting along with my mother and who would have thought that was possible?”

Clay touched her face as he stared into her eyes. “You’re right.”

She sighed. “Those words never get old. Want me to talk to Evie? Do you think it would help?”

“Maybe when she’s feeling better. Right now she’s pissed at the world. Especially the part where the Strykers live.” He glanced around. “Okay, let’s talk about why we’re here. Can I answer any questions?”

“Aside from when can we leave? No.”

He chuckled. “Want me to introduce you to any of the guys?”

“No, thanks. I already have my own handsome supermodel. One is all I can handle.”

“Good.” He took her hand. “Because this relationship is exclusive.”

She stared at him. “You’re kidding, right? You’re not seriously worried about me being attracted to someone else.”

“Why not? It could happen.”

“Have you looked in the mirror lately?”

His dark gaze settled on her face. “What does that have to do with anything? Cheating isn’t always about appearance. It’s about how you feel. Are you happy? Are your needs getting met? I meant what I said, Charlie. This is an exclusive relationship for me. I hope it is for you, too.”

She had to consciously keep her mouth from falling open. “You’re worried about me wanting to see someone else?”

“I want to make sure we’re on the same page.”

“We are,” she managed, wondering if the situation with his sister was bothering him more than he was letting on. While Clay was more insightful than the average male, he was still a guy. How could he think she would want to be with anyone else? He was the one who brightened her day and made her—

The truth could be a bitch, she thought as self-awareness slammed into her. The reason she wasn’t interested in looking at another man had nothing to do with appearance, as Clay had suggested, and everything to do with emotion.

She was in love with him. Wildly, desperately, madly in love with him. Somewhere between the laughs and the sighs, she’d given her heart. Just like her friends had warned her could happen. Talk about being a complete idiot.

“Charlie?”

“I’m fine,” she said. “Just wrapping my mind around you worrying about my fidelity.”

He leaned close. “I know what a wild woman you are in bed. If word gets out, you’ll have all the men in town begging.”

“Then we won’t tell anyone. I had that ad going out in the paper, but I should probably rethink it.”

“We’re ready,” the photographer called. “Jeremy, you’re up.”

Jeremy, a tall, well-built man, walked onto the low, wide platform. The photographer talked with him for a couple of seconds. Jeremy nodded. Without warning, he stepped out of his boxer shorts and handed them to an assistant.

Charlie nearly choked as she immediately looked away. “He’s na**d.”

Clay frowned. “Sure. The shots themselves will be family-friendly, but to get some of the sexy poses, you have to be na**d.”

She glanced at the ground, then at the lights, before staring directly into the model’s eyes. “That information doesn’t make him any less na**d.”

“You’re embarrassed.”

“I don’t know him. I don’t want to see his you-know-what. It’s Tuesday. I avoid that sort of thing midweek.”

Clay pulled her close. “Penis,” he whispered. “We’re all adults. You can manage the word.”

“Shut up.” She shoved him.

He laughed and grabbed her hands in his. She stared into his eyes, knowing she would happily spend the rest of her life getting lost in him. All of him. Not just the pretty bits, but the man inside. The heart and soul of him.

To her right, a light exploded. She jumped and turned. The photographer lowered the camera he’d pointed at the two of them and shrugged. “Sorry. Great shot. Couldn’t help myself.”

He turned back to the model. “You know what? Let’s put that plaid shirt on. With the hat.”

Someone handed the model the shirt and hat, which he put on. Although he left off his boxers.

“Really?” Charlie asked. “He doesn’t want to put on pants?”

The back door of the studio opened and Gladys and Eddie entered. The two old ladies got an eyeful of the model as he turned. Gladys put a hand to her chest.

“Someone get me a chair,” she said. “I’m going to faint.”

Charlie groaned, then glared at Clay. “This is your fault, isn’t it?”

“I thought they’d enjoy watching the shoot. And, frankly, this is a great distraction from everything going on out at the farm.”

“If either of them has a heart attack because of this, you are in so much trouble.”

He gave her a quick kiss. “Let me get them settled. I’ll be right back.”

Charlie nodded. When Clay stepped away, Charlie went looking for the photographer’s assistant.

“He just took a picture of me and Clay,” she said in a low voice. “Any way I can get a copy of that?”

“Sure. No problem. Give me your email address and I’ll send you a file.”

“Thanks.”

She wanted to have the photograph for later. In case things worked out...or even if they didn’t. Proof positive that she would find something special with the right person. No matter what, she would always have the memory of Clay.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“YOU’RE STILL SULKING,” Shane said cheerfully as he walked into the kitchen.

Clay glared at him over his cup of coffee. “I’m not sulking. I’m assessing my options.”

“I’ll admit you’ve had a few setbacks with the Haycation idea, but you’re moving forward.”

“Not today.”

His brother patted him on the shoulder. “You might want to check out your land.”

Clay glanced at the clock. It was barely eight in the morning. Charlie had kept him up late the night before and he was only halfway through his first cup of coffee. “What are you talking about?”