Right Here Waiting Read online

  She threw one of her pillows across the room. It ricocheted off the wall and hit the dresser before landing on the floor. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t sleep. All she could think about was Blade Thorne. It angered her how much she wanted to be with him.

  Whenever she closed her eyes, she could see an image of Blade. His muscular frame seemed to fill his clothes out quite nicely. She kept imagining what it would be like to run her hands over his rock solid chest. She loved how he looked in jeans. She could still remember the long nights as a teenager when she laid awake in bed, daydreaming about him. Her thoughts of him back in the days were hot and steamy, just as they were now.

  She chided herself before kicking the blankets off. What she needed was a cold shower to calm her overactive hormones. But it would mean another trip back up to the ranch house, and a possible run in with Blade. Would it be so bad? Of course it would be. It was hard enough being around him during the day. Could she trust herself to be alone with him at night? No. It seemed too intimate.

  There was no use trying to sleep. She got out of bed and walked into the kitchen to get a cold drink of water. It was the next best thing to a cold shower. She drank it quickly, sat the glass down in the sink, and walked into the living room.

  She went directly to the small bookcase filled with books. She scanned the titles until a mystery novel caught her attention. As she pulled it out, dust filtered into the air, causing her to cough. She turned her head until the dust settled. Apparently no one read the books since the day they were placed in the cabin.

  She brushed it off before she walked over the sofa and sank down on it, curling her legs up under her. Soon she was lost in a world of murder and mayhem, trying to figure out who’d done it. It was a toss-up between the mailman and the paperboy, but she never did figure it out. Fifteen pages to go until the murderer was revealed and she fell sound asleep.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The next morning she met Martha and Blade out in front of the ranch house, dressed in the only church going dress she packed. They were quiet on the ride to the little white church several miles up the road from the ranch house. It was the same church she attended with her parents in her youth. Despite the somber mood she was in, she did her best to smile. The church held some of her favorite memories of her parents.

  Blade pulled up in front and parked. It all seemed so real now. She fought to hold back the tears threatening to spill. She needed to be strong and not cry until later when she was alone.

  It seemed as if the whole town of Hidden Oaks showed up to pay their last respects to her parents. They were well liked in the community and made a lot of friends over the years. It was evident by the crowd gathered there today.

  The memorial service began and when it was time for her to go up front to give the eulogy, her legs felt as if they were going to go out from under her. She could barely speak, and when she did, she heard her voice crack. How she managed to finish the eulogy was beyond her.

  When the service finally ended, she was relieved. Blade came up behind her as she was getting in the car. “Do you want me to drop you off at the picnic or do you want to go back to the ranch with Martha and me to get food?”

  “What picnic?” No one mentioned anything to her about a picnic before this.” She wondered how she would make it through a social gathering.

  “We’re having a potluck luncheon in the west pasture. The whole town is invited out to it.” She knew there would be a large turnout. She bit her lip nervously.

  She wanted to be alone, but she didn’t want to seem anti-social, either. She couldn't allow herself to become a hermit. Her parents wouldn't like that. She hated the thought of having to explain to everyone why she never returned to Hidden Oaks until now, but she would have to go to this picnic and face everyone. “I’ll go help you and Martha with the food, and we can go to the picnic together,” she said at last.

  He reached up and stroked her face, causing every nerve in her body to come alive. “I was hoping you would,” he said in barely a whisper. She felt the urge to kiss him and backed away from his touch. Getting in the car, she closed the door, which acted as a shield between them. She breathed a sigh of relief.

  In no time flat, they were parked near the west pasture where it appeared everyone in town began to gather. She felt a knot in her stomach. Was she really ready to face everyone from her past? A small part of her wanted to turn and run back to her cabin at the ranch, locking the door securely behind her. She forced herself to stay. She was going to be living here for a year. She might as well get it over with and face everyone now.

  As if sensing her uneasiness, Martha came up behind her and patted her gently on the back. “Everything will be fine, dear. A lot of people around town have been asking about you. They have been looking forward to seeing you again. It's a safe bet to say everyone here missed you while you were away.”

  She nodded before taking the pie Blade handed her. She followed Martha and Blade to join their guests.

  Martha spread a large red and white checkered table cloth down on the ground; while Blade began setting the food up on a picnic table several of the ranch hands placed there earlier. She set down the pie she was carrying and began helping Blade set the food out. Before long, people began to line up and help themselves to the spread before them.

  She excused herself and went and sat down on the blanket with Martha. Her eyes were drawn to Blade’s every move, no matter how hard she tried to look away. Martha noticed her watching him. “Some things never change, do they?” the older woman commented.

  She was startled by Martha’s question. She turned to Martha who wore a warm, gentle smile on her face. “What do you mean?” she quickly asked. She prayed Martha wasn’t referring to the crush she once had on Blade back when she was just a young girl.

  No such luck. “I’m talking about your feelings for Blade. I know you’re in love with him. I can see it in your eyes. He loves you too, you know.”

  “What makes you so certain I love him?” she asked on the defense. She knew Martha was right about her feelings for Blade, but as for Blade's feelings for her, she felt he wasn't exactly in love with her.

  “Don’t try to deny it. I’ve been around long enough to know love when I see it.” Martha's words were pretty convincing, but still there were some lingering doubts.

  “Maybe I do love him, but what good does it do?" She felt helpless. "You’re wrong about Blade loving me. The only thing Blade is interested in is sex. I doubt he even cares what woman he does have in his bed with him as long as one is there. I just happen to be convenient for him at the present moment. Our history means nothing to him.”

  “You don’t really believe that, do you?” Megan could tell by the tone of Martha's voice she was concerned.

  “I most certainly do.” She tried to sound stronger than she was feeling at the moment, but she failed when her voice slightly cracked.

  “When are you going to be honest with yourself and Blade about how you really feel about him?” The question caught Megan off guard and she quickly pulled herself together.

  “Never,” she responded with a smirk. “The last thing I need to be doing is putting my heart on the line. Besides, haven’t we talked about this? This is sounding all too vaguely familiar.” She knew her words were harsh, but she couldn't help herself.

  “Come on now. Don’t be this way. You have always been stubborn, but would hate to see you mess up your entire life because of it. He never expressed this verbally, but whenever your name got brought up, just by the expression on Blade’s face I could tell he longed for the day when you would return home to the ranch and to him.”

  “Are you sure? You could be mistaken, you know.” She wanted to believe Martha's words, but how could she?

  “I know he has a funny way of showing it, but the man is one hundred percent crazy about you.” Could it be true?

  “Are you sure?” She felt a tiny spark of hope.

  “Trust me on this one. H
ave I ever steered you wrong before?” This was one question Megan knew the answer to without a shadow of doubt.

  She was more confused now, but she knew she needed to listen to Martha. In the entire time she knew the woman, she never knew her to be wrong about anything. “What do I do?” she asked helplessly.

  “What is it they teach you girls in New York? Haven’t you heard? The best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach." A smile settled on Megan's lips.

  * * *

  As the day progressed, she got reacquainted with the citizens of Hidden Oaks. She even met a couple new families who moved to the community after she left. She even saw Alex Corbin, the first boy she dated. He looked the same, except older.

  Alex was still attractive, but in no way did he come close to comparing to Blade. She doubted any man would. She tried to concentrate on what Alex was saying as he tried to catch her up on his life story, but her mind kept wandering back to Blade and Martha’s advice where the cowboy was concerned.

  Blade and the other ranch hands already excused themselves after eating to go back to the ranch to change clothes and meet the truck delivering a load of feed. She knew she wouldn’t be able to go grocery shopping today, which meant the romantic dinner she was planning in her mind for Blade would have to wait. Maybe tomorrow. How would Blade react to what she planned for him?

  “So, tell me Megan, what have you been doing with your life since you left Hidden Oaks?” Alex asked, breaking into her thoughts.

  She felt bad because she heard very little of what he said to her. “I work as an advertising executive for the leading advertising agency in New York City.”

  “Wow! Pretty impressive. How long are you in town for?” he asked. She could hear the hope in his voice.

  “One year.” It seemed almost like a prison sentence.

  He let out a low whistle. “You left a wonderful job back in New York City and you’re going to stay here in little Hidden Oaks, Idaho for a whole year?” The hope she once heard in his voice turned to shock and disbelief.

  She knew it sounded unbelievable. She could hardly believe it herself. She wished in a way it weren’t true, but the thought of going back to New York and leaving Blade behind suddenly bothered her. She couldn't explain why. “My parents left a stipulation in their will. I have two choices. I stay here for one year and run the ranch, or I lose the entire ranch to Blade Thorne. I can't allow my parents' ranch to be turned over to that man."

  Alex gave her a sympathetic look, and reached out to grab her hand. “That stinks. I know this is a weird time to ask this, but do you think maybe you and I could go out sometime? Before you have to go back, I mean.” He sounded sincere.

  Still, his question caught her off guard. She wasn't expecting it. The way she was confused about her feelings towards Blade, she didn’t feel right about accepting a date with Alex. She also didn’t want to turn him down completely, either. She wanted to leave her options open. “Look Alex,” she said, squeezing the hand holding hers. “I know you’re a really nice guy and all, but now is really not a good time for me. I need a little time to think it over.” It was a hard thing to do, but she felt a little bit of relief once the words were out.

  He looked crushed, but he accepted her answer. She felt bad, but she knew deep in her heart she was doing the right thing. There was no use in leading him on.

  Alex went off to join some of the other guests and she went back to join Martha on the blanket. She was glad when the day was finally over. Everyone pitched in to help clean up. Blade returned to drive her and Martha back to the ranch, while the other ranch hands collected the picnic table. She had to admit, she made it through the day better than expected.

  * * *

  It was a couple of days later before she was finally able to go grocery shopping. She tried to sneak off with Rex without Blade finding out, but no such luck. He spotted them as they were getting in the truck and came running towards them. This was just what she needed.

  After a few heated words with Rex, Blade was now behind the wheel driving towards the grocery store. She should have known he would pull this. She hoped he wouldn’t become suspicious. She wanted the dinner she planned for the two of them for the evening to be a surprise. She wanted tonight to be special.

  After they got to the grocery store, she got all the food in the cart without mishap. Right before they got to the checkout, she picked up some flowers to use as the centerpiece on the table. When Blade gave her a funny look, she said, “I thought they’d brighten up the cabin some.” She was glad he bought her explanation without any questions.

  When they arrived back at the ranch, Blade said, “I’ll help you with these groceries, and after we get them put away, I’d like you to come up to the ranch house and eat at least one more meal with us.” This time it was a request, not an order.

  She didn’t want to upset him like last time by flat out refusing his invitation to dinner, and yet she couldn’t tell him yes and ruin the evening she planned for the two of them. She simply said, “We’ll see,” and left it at that. He didn't argue.

  “Fair enough,” he said as he loaded his arms with groceries and followed her into her cabin. He sat the groceries down on the counter. She placed the flowers in a crystal vase before she began helping Blade put the groceries away. She could almost see them doing this as a married couple. She tried to shake the image from her mind. Even if tonight’s dinner was a success, marriage was not in the cards for them. His life was here on the ranch and hers was back in New York City. The thought almost made her want to cry. She was sure going to miss him. There was no question about it.

  * * *

  After the groceries were all put away, Blade promised to be back in an hour to see if she changed her mind on the dinner invitation. As he walked out the door, she knew she needed to act quickly if she planned to have everything prepared by the time he returned.

  She just set down a bottle of wine she chilled in the small refrigerator while she cooked and lit the candles when his knock came at the door. He must have noticed the lights turned off because he called out, “Megan, are you in there?”

  She walked over to the door and opened it. “Is there something wrong?” he asked as soon as she got the door open. "All the lights are off."

  She stepped back to allow him entrance. “Why don’t you come in and find out for yourself?” She didn't know why, but she felt flirtatious at the moment.

  “Don’t mind if I do,” he said, removing his cowboy hat and stepping inside, making the already small cabin seem even smaller, but this time she didn't mind.

  “What’s all this?” he asked when he spotted the romantic setting. She could have sworn with the little bit of light reflecting from the candles, she saw a hint of jealousy flash in his eyes. “Do you have a date tonight?”

  “You could say I do,” she said coolly.

  “What do you mean?” She watched him squirm uncomfortably.

  “You’re my date, Blade.” She didn't like the idea of playing around with him anymore than what she just did.

  “Are you telling me you did all this for me?” He seemed genuinely surprised.

  “I thought you’d like to share my first meal in the cabin with me.” She smiled up at him warmly.

  “It would be an honor. I just need to run back up to the house and let Martha know.” He turned to go, but Megan stopped him.

  “She already knows. This was actually Martha’s idea,” she revealed.

  Blade looked her up and down, as if noticing what she was wearing for the first time. She wore a pink dress with red embroidered flowers running around the neckline of it. “Should I go back up to the house and change into something more formal?” He sounded nervous. She never saw him act so uncomfortable before. It was somewhat charming.

  “Don’t be silly. You look great. In fact, you look downright sexy.” She never felt this bold around any other man. Only Blade could bring out this side of her.

  “Megan Marie Nelson, are you c
oming on to me?” he asked with a devilish grin.

  “Maybe, if that's what you want to call it, now let’s eat before the food I’ve worked so hard to prepare gets cold.” If they didn't, she doubted she could trust herself not to rip his clothes off.

  He followed her over to the kitchen table, and like a true gentleman, he seated her before taking his own seat across from her. If only we could spend every night like this for the rest of our lives, she thought. She knew it was impossible though. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind before she started crying and ruined their romantic dinner. She wanted to enjoy her evening.

  Dinner was lovely. They barely spoke a word, looking at one another as though they were really seeing each other for the first time. It put Megan in a state of bliss. When they finished eating, he led her into the living room. “Would you care to dance?” she asked, looking up at Blade with a grin on her lips.

  “But there isn’t any music.” He looked confused.

  “We’ll make our own music,” she said as she began to hum a soft tune.

  He swept her into his arms, but acted as if he didn’t know where to put his hands. Gradually, he began to relax. Twenty minutes later, he kissed her. It was a magical moment and she didn’t want to ruin it, so she kissed him back.

  Before long, they danced their way into the bedroom. Lost in a world all their own, she allowed him to slide her dress up and pull it over her head. He dropped it on the floor and it pooled at their feet.

  He continued kissing her, caressing her as a heat began building between them. A liquid heat surged through her and pooled between her legs.

  She kissed him back hungrily as she undid his belt. In one swift move, it was off him and dropped it to the floor before fumbling with the clasp of his jeans. As she unzipped them, she could feel the large bulge which seemed eager to be free of them.

  She pulled his pants down, and while continuing to kiss her, he stepped out of them. Her fingertips set to make short work of the buttons on his shirt. Her mind screamed for her to stop. She wasn’t into one night stands and the thought kept repeating itself in her mind like a broken record. But she couldn’t stop now. She didn’t want to stop. It was as if she were on auto pilot.