Right Here Waiting Read online

  She was standing in the doorway of her cabin wearing a pair of cutoff jeans showcasing her long, lean, tan legs, and a halter top. She felt vulnerable as she watched him approach. What did he want? Would he be rude to her guest?

  She wanted to run, but there was no place to go. She was trapped. She felt like a deer in the headlights of an approaching vehicle. Even if she went inside and closed the door, locking it behind her, she knew it wouldn’t stop him from getting inside. She found it ironic Blade always got what he wanted, including in her bed with her. She cringed at the thought.

  “We need to talk,” he said when he was within a few feet from where she stood.

  “Is there a problem?” she asked innocently. She could tell he was upset about something by the spark in his eyes.

  “I know you noticed your friend arrived. Why didn’t you tell anyone he was coming?” He looked put off and for a moment she felt guilty, but she decided not to let him get to her.

  “I didn’t know I needed your permission.” She looked at her fingernails, giving him and anyone passing by the impression she was bored.

  “That isn't what I meant,” he said, sounding frustrated. She could tell he was having a hard time keeping his temper under control.

  “What did you mean?” she asked, smiling up at him.

  “Where do you plan for him to sleep? All the cabins are booked solid for months. There are no motels for miles around. I think it’s too much to ask any of our neighbors to take him in for a year.” Had she pushed things too far? No. This was her ranch. She just needed to take care of some technicalities to make it official.

  “I thought he could stay in my cabin. After all, Josh and I will be working together.” She couldn't deny the look of jealousy that crossed his face.

  “And where in your cabin is he going to sleep?” She could see a flicker of anger in his steel gray eyes. She thought about yanking his chain and playing around with him a bit, but she thought better of it. She could tell he wasn't in the mood for it.

  "It’s not any of your business, but I’m planning to let him sleep on the sofa. Do you have a problem with that?” she challenged him.

  “As a matter of fact, I do.” Before she could respond, he swept past her and entered the cabin, leaving her standing there in shock.

  * * *

  He didn’t fully understand why, but he always felt possessiveness when it came to Megan. Ever since the night he made love to her and slept in her bed, his feelings for her grew. He wasn’t sure of the type of relationship Megan and Josh shared, but he’d be damned if he’d let this Josh fellow sweep in here and take her from him now. He waited too many years for her return to lose her to another man.

  Of course they fought that morning after making love the night before, but he'd been so sure she would come around. It pained him when he realized she started avoiding him like the plague. There were times since that night when he wanted nothing more than to be close to her, but he knew she wouldn’t welcome it. It seemed as though she were going out of her way to avoid any contact with him.

  When he saw her standing in the doorway of the cabin only minutes before, dressed in those damn cut off shorts displaying her legs so well, it drove him crazy with want. He wanted to run his hands up and down those legs, and over the halter top showing off her midriff and outlining the soft mounds of her breasts. He fought the strongest desire to lift her into his arms, carry her inside the cabin, and make love to her forever.

  There was that word again. The word forever seemed to creep into his mind whenever he thought about her. When he thought about being with her forever, it didn’t seem long enough. Hell, an eternity wouldn’t be long enough. He knew she didn’t realize it now, but she belonged here with him. If it took the rest of his life, he’d spend it convincing her of this. There was no way he was going to allow her to return to New York at the end of the year. This was her home. It always would be. He couldn't stand by and watch her throw it all away as she seemed bound and determined to do.

  He walked into her bedroom and she was right behind him on his heels. He got her suitcase out of her closet where she stored it. He began packing her clothes for her. “Damn it, Blade Thorne, look at me,” she demanded. He was trying to avoid looking at her so he wouldn't give into the desire and make love to her right now, right here, regardless of who saw them. When he turned to look at her, her eyes were blazing with anger. Damn, she was even sexier when she got angry. How would he ever be able to keep fighting his desire for her with her looking at him this way? “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.

  “What does it look like?” He smiled at her, but regretted it. It seemed to make her even more upset than she already was.

  “But why?” she practically yelled as he turned and began packing her clothes in her suitcase again.

  “Because I’m moving you into the house and your friend can have the cabin.” Shock furrowed her forehead.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Did she hear him correctly? Did he say he was moving her into the house? Where did he get off thinking he was her boss. A new wave of anger washed over her. She stood her ground though. “I’m not leaving this cabin. I’m staying right here.”

  “You’re suggesting Josh stay in your parents’ old room?” he asked as he stopped packing to look at her. "The choice is yours."

  “No, I’m saying I’m staying right here and Josh is sleeping on the sofa.” She wasn't about to back down.

  He resumed packing her belongings. What choice was he giving her? From where she stood it looked as if he already made up her mind for her. She reached out to grab her clothing out of the suitcase. She made a big mistake. Blade reached out, grabbed her wrist and spun her around to face him. She was startled by the direct contact. Not even an inch of space remained between them. Their eyes locked. She felt the fight drain out of her.

  Their lips as if having minds of their own, moved toward each other and were soon locked together; as their tongues danced a timeless dance. Someone cleared their throat, startling her. She quickly came to her senses and realized what just happened. She and Blade pulled back at the same time, and stepped away from one another instantly. Her legs felt like rubber. Her cheeks burned bright red. What just came over her?

  “Is this a private party, or can I join in?” Josh asked them, a smirk on his face. Megan felt embarrassed.

  Blade glared at him. “We’ll be out of your way soon, Mr. Barton. I just need to finish packing Megan’s personal items so I can move her into the main house. The cabin will be all yours.”

  “Call me Josh. I didn’t catch your name.” Josh held out his hand to Shake Blade's, but Blade ignored it.

  “I didn’t throw it, but if you really need to know, my name is Blade Thorne. I’m in charge of things around here.” He needed to make sure this city guy knew who was boss around this place. If Josh had any plans off sweeping Megan off her feet, Blade planned to make it impossible for him.

  “Okay Blade,” Josh said, the look on his face showing he really wasn’t happy with the attitude Blade was giving him, and who could blame him, but Blade didn't care. It was Megan he cared about. “I really don’t think it’s necessary to move her out of the cabin," Josh explained. "I will be comfortable sleeping on the sofa in the living room.”

  “I’m sure you would be, but just the same, I’ll be moving Megan into the main house with me where she belongs.” Without another word, Blade closed the clasp on the suitcase, picked it up with one hand, grabbed her wrist with the other hand, and practically dragged her out of the cabin. She must have been too stunned to say anything because she didn't protest.

  * * *

  She looked around her parents’ bedroom. It was her first time in this room since before she left for New York and the lights of the big city. Not much changed. She could almost swear she could smell her father’s aftershave lingering in the air. She felt wrapped in a sense of comfort and she embraced it welcomingly, but she was still unsure about being i
n this room. Was she ready? Regardless, she was here now.

  She took a deep breath and sat down on the bed. It was a lot for her to take in all at once. She missed her parents deeply. The tears she was holding back rolled down her cheeks like identical waterfalls. She was grateful Blade brought her into the house, up the stairs, and into her parents’ bedroom and left without so much as a word after depositing her suitcase on the king size bed sitting in the center of the room. She needed this private moment to herself to reflect on the past and memories she treasured of her parents.

  The bed was made of the same cherry colored wood as the night tables, the dresser, the rocking chair, and the chest sitting on the floor at the foot of the bed. Not long after her parents were married, her father built this furniture with little more than his bare hands. He worked on it late into the night after putting in a full day’s work on the ranch. They didn’t have much money in those days, but her father always saw to it their family was well provided for.

  It didn’t matter what they needed, her father always worked hard to get the money to buy it if he couldn’t make it himself. She remembered the tree house her father built for her in the big oak tree in the backyard. She wondered if it was still there. She wiped the tears away and pulled herself together before jumping up and running over to the window to look out.

  Sure enough, it was there. So was the tire swing her father put up for her the summer she was ten. She was still mad at Blade for the way he treated Josh. She knew she should be helping Josh get settled in and helping him set up their equipment, but the old tree house of her youth seemed to be calling to her. What would a few minutes hurt to take a walk down memory lane?

  Like the child she once was, she ran down the stairs, taking them two at a time in a rush to get outside. She continued running, heading for the back door. She nearly knocked Martha down in the process when she literally ran into her. This brought her to a halt.

  “Whoa!” Martha said as she skidded to a stop. “Where are you off to in such a rush?” Breathless, Megan grinned up at Martha.

  “I just wanted to go out and see the old tree house,” she said as soon as she caught her breath.

  Martha’s eyes lit up. “Hey, I know, why don’t you and I have a tea party up in the old tree house for old time’s sake?” It sounded like a lot of fun. It was something she and Martha often did when she was a small child.

  She hated to disappoint Martha. She would love to have a tea party with Martha and reminisce about the past right now, but she couldn’t. “I’m sorry, Martha, maybe another time. I don’t have time right now because I need to help Josh get settled in and set up our equipment.” The expression on Martha's face changed. She seemed worried about something. What could it be?

  “Blade was just in here, telling me about your friend from the city. You run along now, and remember to be careful.” She could tell Martha was serious and meant what she said.

  “I will,” she said as she walked out of the house. She was puzzled. Was Martha warning her to be careful out in the tree house? Or was she warning her to be careful with Josh? It must be the latter. Josh was the least of her worries. He was safe as far as Megan was concerned. The one she needed to worry about was, in fact, Blade Thorne. He seemed to be able to work his way into her heart at the drop of a pin.

  * * *

  Blade just finished moving the last bale of hay and stepped out of the barn to be greeted by the bright afternoon sunshine when he noticed a lone figure emerge through the back door of the house. He raised his hand to shield out the sun so he could get a better look at the person. It was Megan.

  She was still wearing those dang cut off shorts showing off her perfect curves and the halter top which seemed to accentuate her perfectly shaped breasts. The halter top was made from scraps of bright yellow material, making her breasts look like large, golden globes. He ached to cup them in his hands.

  A thought occurred to him. Did she wear that outfit special for Josh’s arrival? The thought burned him up inside. The city man reminded him of a snake. The thought of Mr. City Man looking at her, let alone touching her, caused anger to build up deep inside him. He sighed. What could he do besides what he already done? There was no way he could keep her away from this other guy. She worked with him for crying out loud.

  When she suddenly broke out into a run, he thought something horrible must have happened. His first instinct was to go to her, to protect her. But he noticed the direction she was running. She was headed straight for her old tree house out in the back yard that she played in when she was younger.

  He remembered the day as if it were yesterday when she announced she was too old for the tree house. Look at her now. All grown up and behaving as if she were a child again. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He loved watching her and wished he could spend the rest of his life doing that.

  He never noticed before this moment how athletic she appeared to be. She must have one of those gym memberships so she could workout often. He watched as she climbed the wooden ladder in record speed and disappeared inside the tree house. She seemed as carefree as she was as a teenager. He missed those days. He always enjoyed watching her every move in those days. She never seemed bothered by anything. Things were much simpler back then.

  She didn’t stay inside long though. She was only in the tree house a minute, if that, when she emerged and climbed back down the wooden ladder.

  He watched in amusement as she headed straight for the swing. She was like a child let loose in an amusement park. He wished he could join her, but he knew if he disturbed her now, it would put an end to all her fun, so he left her alone in her exploration of the past.

  He watched as she tested the rope to see if it were strong enough to hold her weight before she climbed on it. She didn’t need to worry about it. He reconstructed the tire swing with new rope at the beginning of summer when a guest’s little boy begged to swing on it. He wanted to please the little boy, yet he didn't want him getting hurt either.

  He wondered what it would be like to have children of his own someday. He imagined watching his and Megan’s very own child swinging on the exact tire swing. He tried to clear the image from his mind, but the truth of the matter was he wanted children, and he wanted Megan to be the mother of those children. The ranch would be the perfect place for them to start a family of their own.

  He knew it wouldn’t be easy, and there would be many struggles ahead, just like her parents faced, but he knew him and Megan could make it. If only she would come to her senses and realize they belonged together.

  Megan made the swing go in circles, her hair flying in every direction; she seemed lost in a world of her own. He enjoyed watching her this way. For the first time since her return to the ranch, Megan seemed happy and free. Despite all the years she spent living in New York City, and beneath her tough exterior, she still possessed a childlike innocence to her. He hoped no one ever did anything to her to change that.

  She suddenly stopped the swing and sprang to her feet. With one last look up at the old tree house, she turned and walked in the direction of the path leading up to the cabins. She made several friends among the guests, and he hoped she was stopping in to check up on any one of them, but instinct told him she was heading for Josh’s cabin. He was right.

  His heart sank as he remembered she didn't belong to him. She was free to choose any man she wanted, including Mr. City Man. “Not if I can help it," he whispered under his breath. “If I have anything to say about it, the only man she’ll choose is me.” He meant it. He wiped the sweat from his brow, tried to clear his head, and went back to work.

  * * *

  When she entered the cabin, she found Josh surrounded by a bunch of complicated looking computer components and cable lines, half of which looked alien to her. He looked up at her wryly. A feeling of guilt washed over her and she felt the need to explain.

  “I’m sorry about Blade’s behavior earlier and running out on you like I did instead of staying her
e to help you get settled in and get all this computer equipment set up.”

  When Josh didn’t say anything, she continued. “Blade isn’t the type of man who takes no for an answer and he’s used to getting what he wants, when he wants it.”

  “So I’ve noticed in the short time I have been here,” Josh said, looking up from the computer line he was connecting. “Has he won your heart yet?”

  His question caught her off guard and she nearly choked. She cleared her throat and composed herself before she asked, “What possessed you to ask me that?” What was he getting at?

  Josh laughed, and with a lopsided grin plastered on his face, he responded, “It’s only obvious the man has it bad for you. He’s jealous of me, wildly so, and extremely possessive over you.”

  “Get real, Josh.” She felt a blush creep over her cheeks.

  “Don’t you believe me?”

  She sighed deeply before she sank down on the sofa and drew her legs up, encircling them with her arms. “Oh please!" she exclaimed, waving a hand at him. "The only thing Blade Thorne wants from me is sex. You should know how it is. You're a guy.”

  “Has he gotten sex from you yet?” The color covering her cheeks deepened.

  “Don’t you think you’re getting too personal?” she asked, trying to hide her embarrassment.

  “Judging by the kiss I walked in on today, he was either sampling what he knows is to come, or he was trying to go for seconds of what he’s already gotten. He would have devoured you whole if I didn't interrupt you two, so I’ll place my bet he was trying to go for seconds.”

  Their relationship, even while they were dating, always leaned more towards platonic. They were more like brother and sister than anything else. From time to time, they bantered with each other and she was comfortable with it, but there were times when he’d push the envelope, the way he was doing now. She was out of her comfort zone and she knew she needed to do something about it.

  “Josh, please stop!” she pleaded. “I’m not comfortable talking to you about this.” She hoped he understood.