In spite of Kate’s protests, Riggs insisted on following her to the inn to make sure she got settled safely, then walked her inside.
She admired the changes Celeste, the owner, had made on the exterior before she went inside. Last year, when Kate had first broached the local business owners and town council with the idea of inviting all former alumni to the dedication ceremony and combining it with a class reunion, Celeste had jumped on the idea of a renovation to the inn.
Celeste had lived in Briar Ridge for over twenty-five years. She remembered the glory days of sipping sweet iced tea on the porch with neighbors, when locking the doors to your house and car were things other people did, not the friendly trustworthy residents of the small town who loved one another and welcomed strangers into its fold with open arms.
The town had embraced Elaine McKendrick as a single mother. Half the ladies in town had babysat for Kate at some time before she reached school age. The local church had put on fundraisers for needy families, organized Habitat for Humanity projects and each year hosted a charity Christmas party for the hospital.
When Kate was in elementary school, she had helped her mother decorate and read to the sick children, after which they’d passed out cookies, hot chocolate and presents.
Celeste had allowed families to stay at the inn, either free or at a discount rate, while their children underwent medical treatment.
She’d given the same loving care to restoring the inn by replacing rotting boards, painting the two-story country farmhouse a pale yellow, and adding flowerbeds and crepe myrtles which made the place postcard-pretty. New rocking chairs and porch swings added homey touches to the wraparound porch, and a gazebo and seating areas in the garden gave it even more charm. Purple, pink and white petunias filled one section while sunflowers danced in the breeze in another. She’d even stocked the small pond behind the gardens for guests who wanted to fish.
Judging from the parking lot, the inn was bustling tonight. Still shaken by the pipe bomb, Kate headed to the front desk and greeted Celeste.
“The inn looks beautiful,” Kate said. “The rosebushes in front are gorgeous.”
Celeste blushed. “I had to have roses,” she said. “The garden has several different varieties.”
“You’ve done a wonderful job,” Kate said, remembering how much her mother loved roses. “But tonight I had a fire at my house and I’m looking for a room.”
“Oh, my gosh.” Celeste glanced at Riggs, then back at Kate. “Are you all right, dear?”
Kate faked a smile. How could she be all right when someone wanted her dead? “It was scary, but I’m okay now.”
Celeste tapped a pen on the guest registry. “I’m sorry, hon, but I don’t have any rooms available this week. The reunion drew so many alumni to town that we’re completely booked.”
Kate should have expected as much. But what was she going to do? She couldn’t go home...“Thanks. I’m glad you’re busy and hope you will be from now on.”
Celeste fanned her face. “My nephew is so smart, he made a website and posted pictures on Facebook. He even ran Facebook ads, and we’re asking folks who stay here to leave online reviews. So far, I have two more weeks filled this month.”
“I’m really happy,” Kate said. “I hope this week gives you the business boost you need.”
The older woman squeezed Kate’s hand. “I’m proud of what you’re doing,” Celeste said. “Shame on those folks at the meeting for giving you a hard time.”
Kate thanked her again then stepped away and glanced at Riggs. Her stomach twisted.
“The offer still stands, Kate,” Riggs said. “Just follow me to my place. You’ll be safe there.”
She sighed but didn’t have a choice so she nodded.
Woody Mathis staggered through the door, spotted Kate and snarled something ugly beneath his breath. Riggs started toward him, but Kate clutched his arm and moved aside to avoid him. Orson Johnson, who’d lost his arm from the elbow down in the shooting, followed Woody in. Orson was balding, his face pudgy, his expression bitter. In high school, he’d played football, but his family had moved away after the shooting. She’d heard he raised chickens in North Georgia somewhere.
But she hadn’t seen him in years. “Hi, Orson,” she said. “Welcome back to town.”
He shot her a look of resentment. “Only reason I came is to see that damned old building torn down.”
“Then you’re in favor of the new school?” Kate asked.
Orson shoved his Falcons hat up on his head. “Sure am.”
Woody jerked his thumb at Kate. “She ought to be telling everyone how sorry she is,” Woody said, his words overlapping. “She’s the reason Ned pulled the trigger.”
Riggs eased Kate behind him. “Kate is not any more responsible than the rest of us who ignored or teased Ned. I don’t recall you being friends with him, Woody.”
Woody staggered sideways, his shoulder bumping the wall. “Hell, he wasn’t in love with me...”
“There was more to Ned’s problems than Kate rejecting him for a date,” Riggs snapped. “And, I thought you were in jail.”
“Bail,” Woody said, slurring the word. “Can’t keep a man locked up for something he didn’t do.”
“You shot at Stone,” Riggs pointed out.
Woody chuckled. “That was an accident. My finger slipped.”
Kate shifted and wrapped her arms around her waist.
“Come on, Kate, let’s go.” He tugged on Kate’s arm, coaxing her toward the exit.
“That’s it, run and hide behind Riggs,” Woody taunted.
Kate wanted to scream at him that she wasn’t doing that. Except she was.
“Go sleep it off,” Riggs growled.
Kate pushed open the door and stepped into the fresh air, her lungs straining.
Woody cursed as he gripped the rail to go upstairs, and Orson followed, mumbling something about wishing the whole damn town would burn down.
Riggs heaved a sigh as he joined Kate on the front stoop of the inn. “Woody is a jerk, but he’s all mouth and stays drunk most of the time. I don’t think he’s got the guts to make a bomb and throw it in your house.”
“He needs AA,” Kate said.
“Yeah, or to be locked up for his own good.”
“I didn’t realize Orson was so bitter,” Kate said, unsettled by his comments.
“Sounds like Woody’s been feeding his anger. And that comment about him wanting the town to burn down makes me wonder.” Riggs scrubbed a hand through his thick hair. “I’ll call Stone once we get to my place, tell him what Woody said and ask him to look into Orson.”
They hurried down the steps, and Kate veered toward her vehicle while Riggs climbed into his truck.
A gust of wind whipped through the trees, thunder rumbling. Just as Kate unlocked the door, a car door opened and slammed shut. Nerves on edge, she glanced up to see Trey vault from a black Range Rover and stalk toward her. His broad body was just as intimidating as his sinister expression.
“Trey.” Kate gripped her keys in a self-defense move.
Trey curled both beefy hands on her shoulders and squeezed hard. Then he pushed his face into hers, nostrils flared. “What happens between me and my wife is our business, Kate. You may think you own this town, but you’ll never tell me what to do, so stay away from me and Macy.”
RAGE HEATED RIGGS’S blood at the sight of Trey’s hands on Kate. He jumped from his truck, crossed the distance in two strides, and yanked Trey away from her.
“Take your hands off of her,” Riggs stormed.
Anger radiated from Trey in palpable waves. “I’ll do what I damn well please, Benford.”
“The hell you will,” Riggs growled. “Touch her again, and you’ll pay for it.”
Trey barked a nasty sound. “Right. Like you’re going to beat me up?”
“At least I know how to treat a woman,” Riggs snapped. “Kate and your wife both deserve respect, not to be manhandled.”
“You don’t know anything about my wife or me.” Trey shoved Riggs backward.
Riggs started to retaliate, but Kate grabbed his arm. “Don’t,” Kate said softly. “You’re not like him, Riggs.”
Maybe he wasn’t. But he sure as hell didn’t intend to let the jerk hurt Kate.
“Let’s just go,” Kate said. “He’s not worth it.”
Riggs ushered Kate into her SUV. “Start the engine and drive out of the parking lot. I’m right behind you.”
“Riggs, please,” Kate said.
He squeezed her hand gently. “Go. I’ll follow you.”
Trey’s boots crunched gravel as he stepped toward Riggs.
Riggs held up a warning hand. “I don’t want to fight with you, Trey. This town has seen enough trouble. Just stay away from Kate.”
Trey heaved a breath. Every muscle in the man’s body was wound tight with the urge to fight, as if he was barely holding on to his rage.
Riggs didn’t give him time to make a move. He strode to his truck, got in and cranked the engine, keeping his eyes on Trey the entire time. As he drove from the parking lot, he checked his rearview mirror to make sure the bastard hadn’t pulled a gun or followed him.
He caught up with Kate as she turned onto the road. Using his hands-free app, he called Stone. When Stone’s voice mail responded, Riggs left a message relaying what had happened with Trey, Woody and Orson.
Remembering Kate had never been to his place, he maneuvered around her so she could follow him.
He wanted her safe at home with him tonight.
KATE COULDN’T SHAKE Orson’s comments as she followed Riggs around the curvy road. How in the world had she made so many enemies?
She’d hoped the reunion would bring people together. Instead, her plan seemed to be backfiring.
Riggs veered onto a side road leading to a cluster of cabins offering privacy and views of the river and mountains. She parked in the graveled drive behind him, a frisson of nerves dancing along her spine.
She’d never been to his house and coming here tonight seemed...intimate. Made her wish for a real friendship with Riggs. Or more.
Shutting out the foolish thought, she climbed from her vehicle. A summer storm breeze stirred the air, bringing the aromas of honeysuckle and pine, heavenly scents that reminded her why she liked living in the area. Though she enjoyed vacations at the beach, the stunning peaks and ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains and closeness to nature filled her with a sense of peace and tranquility. This was home.
Although tonight those mountains looked dark and ominous, a reminder that the rolling hills and dense forests offered dozens of places for the person after her to hide.
Stomach knotted with anxiety, she retrieved her purse, overnight bag and briefcase from the back seat. A second later, Riggs grabbed the overnight bag from her and carried it to the house. She’d never been to Riggs’s place, having expected him to have a bachelor pad in town. But this rustic cabin with its stunning mountain view looked cozy and welcoming. The sound of the river behind his cabin was musical and reminded her of swimming in the summer as a kid. She imagined Riggs fishing out back or canoeing on a Sunday. The front porch held two rockers that called her name, but she was so exhausted, she bypassed them and followed Riggs inside instead.
As they entered, moonlight glittered off Riggs’s dark hair and glowed through the massive windows overlooking the river. The nine-foot ceilings made the open-concept living room and kitchen seem large and airy. A stacked stone fireplace climbed the wall to the ceiling, flanked by built-in bookcases in a rich dark wood. The kitchen cabinets matched, contrasted by white quartz counters. A peninsula added bar seating, the base of the stools made of tree trunks, the seats, a rich brown leather.
The dark leather couch, painting of wild Mustangs, and plaid club chair gave the room a masculine feel. Yet there was something missing here. No personal touches, no family pictures. “It’s beautiful,” she said.
A sheepish look crossed Riggs’s face. “Thanks. I built here for the view, and the seclusion.”
“I like the furnishings, and the view is breathtaking,” Kate said, although the way the moonlight through window framed Riggs’s tall, muscular body was just as breathtaking as the outdoor scenery.
“There are two bedrooms.” Riggs gestured toward the right. “A private bath is attached to the guest room. Make yourself at home.”
Kate admired the rustic shiplap as he set her bag on the bed. A blue and white quilt in a Dresden pattern adorned the four-poster bed.
She traced her fingers over the intricate pattern. “This is stunning, Riggs. Did your mother make it?”
“She did,” he said, a smile lighting his face. “I used to watch her quilt in front of the fireplace at night.”
“I saw some of her quilts at the festivals,” Kate said. “She was an excellent seamstress and really creative in her designs.”
“I hear quilting is a lost art,” Riggs said. “But they were popular with tourists back in the day, and she made enough for us to get by.”
That was the most personal thing he’d shared. “I think they’d still be popular if we had tourists coming in.” Kate blinked back tears. “I’d like to see the town lively like that again.”
Riggs grunted in agreement and then an awkward silence fell between them for a minute and they returned to the living room. Finally, Kate spoke. “Thank you for letting me spend the night.”
Riggs walked toward her, a protective gleam in his eyes. “There’s no way I’d let you stay alone, not after what happened today.”
A shudder coursed up Kate’s spine. “The dedication ceremony is tomorrow,” Kate said. “Once the publicity dies down, maybe whoever’s threatening me will give up and leave town.” At least, she prayed that would happen.
“Maybe. But if it’s Ned’s accomplice, he needs to pay for all the lives he destroyed.”
“That’s true.” Kate rubbed her arms with her hands, noticing the single picture on the bookshelf above the corner desk. A photograph of firefighters in uniform. “Did you become a firefighter because of the shooting?”
Riggs clenched his jaw. “Yeah. Took me a while to get my act together, though,” he said, rubbing at his thigh where the bullet had struck him. “I was bitter at first. Angry. I hated being disabled.”
Kate swallowed hard. “You lost your scholarship.”
He nodded. “That wasn’t the worst part, though. For a while, I thought I might not ever be useful.”
“Oh, Riggs, I’m so sorry.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Kate. My injury was nothing compared to what some others went through. At least I survived.” He heaved a weary breath. “I even felt guilty about that.”
“I know what you mean.” Emotions clogged Kate’s throat. “But you still had reason to be bitter. Instead, you turned your life around and made something of yourself.”
He shrugged as if he didn’t deserve her praise. “I hated being helpless that day. I saw you running to help others, and wanted to do the same, but I couldn’t get up.”
“It was chaotic and I was terrified,” Kate admitted. “I didn’t want to leave Mom, but she told me to go, to help the others.”
An understanding smile crossed Riggs’s face. “That sounds like her.”
Kate’s heart warmed and some of her earlier tension melted away.
“Why a firefighter?” she finally asked.
Riggs cleared his throat. “Because the first responders rushed inside the school that day and were heroes,” he said. “Later, once I got past the self-pity, I realized I wanted to be like them. That I never wanted to be helpless again. That’s when I got serious about PT.”
Kate’s heart squeezed. Like many of their classmates, Riggs would be featured on the memorial wall she had planned for the new school. No one would forget that tragedy, but out of it, unsung heroes had been born.
She hoped their stories and the wall would inspire other students to overcome adversity. Amy had collected information on individual students for months to help with the project.
Kate pressed a hand over Riggs’s. “The last thing my mother said before she died was for me to make something good come of the shooting that day. It’s taken me years to figure out how to do that.”
Riggs’s eyes darkened. “And you are. You’re amazing, Kate.”
“So are you, Riggs.”
Riggs’s breath quickened and he traced a finger along her jaw. The gentle gesture was so erotic and comforting that Kate couldn’t resist.
She wanted to forget about today, about the fire and danger, about the town and the reunion. She wanted to forget that her two best friends were no longer speaking to her and she didn’t know how to mend their friendships.
Suddenly needy, she licked her suddenly dry lips and stood on tiptoe.
His mouth parted, his chest rose and fell unevenly, and he angled his head toward hers.
Kate closed her eyes and pressed her lips over Riggs’s. Need spiraled through her. For the last few days, Riggs had been a pillar of strength.
She didn’t want to be afraid anymore.
She wanted his touch, his kiss, his hands on her.
RIGGS ORDERED HIMSELF not to rush Kate, but when her lips met his, rational thought died a sudden death.
Kate tasted like the most potent combination of sweetness and spice. Heat coursed through his blood, need and desire splintered his control, and he pulled her against his body and deepened the kiss. She moaned softly, an invitation for more, and he teased her lips apart with his tongue then dove inside to explore.
She threaded her fingers through his hair and drew him closer. Her breasts pressed against the hard planes of his chest and drove him mad with want.
Being with Kate meant more than a night of sex. He liked Kate. Cared about her.
He hesitated a moment at that thought then realized he’d never allowed anyone to get close to him. Losing friends and his mother had taught him to protect his heart.
Kate whispered his name and ran her hands over his back, stroking his muscles, and he forgot about protecting himself. He dipped his head and planted kisses along her neck and throat. She moaned softly and tilted her head back, offering him access to the succulent skin between her breasts.
He itched to strip her clothes and take her right there. On the floor. In the doorway. On the couch. Anywhere she’d have him.
No... Kate deserved better.
She clung to him, and he walked them backward to the guest bed, wrapping one arm around her waist while he cupped her breast with his other hand. She felt full and heavy, her nipple puckering against the silk of her blouse.
His body hardened.
He whispered her name then eased the buttons of her blouse apart, this time revealing a thin, lacy black bra that barely contained her plump breasts. They were ripe now, begging for attention.
Riggs teased one nipple with his teeth while he raked his thumb over the other. She sighed again, breathy and needy, and raked her foot up his calf.
Her low moan of pleasure heated his blood, and he thought he might explode. But giving Kate pleasure overrode his need.
He tugged the lace aside, exposing her skin, and sucked in a sharp breath as passion exploded inside him. Kate moaned, and he closed his lips around one turgid peak and tugged it in his mouth. Cupping her rear with his other hand, he suckled her, deep and long, hard and hungrily, before he moved to the other breast and gave it the same loving attention.
“Riggs,” Kate whispered.
Her raspy voice made him pause, and he looked up to see her eyes glazed with passion. But something else lurked in the depths of her eyes—fear?
Pulse pounding, he gently tilted her chin up and forced her to look at him. “Kate, do you want me to stop?”