Once Burned Read online

  “Henry!” Nick growled. “Would you give him a break?”

  “Why? It’s been almost five years, Nick. I miss Erica, too—we all do—but she’s gone, and he needs to get that through his head.”

  “Jerry Mackey’s getting out on Friday,” Nick explained, “but you’d know that if you had bothered to talk to him instead of heading straight for the bar at the Bedspread as soon as you rolled into the valley last night.”

  He ignored the flash of guilt. Learning that the brother of the man who’d accidentally killed Erica would soon be released from prison had undoubtedly brought the agony of her death back to the surface of Aaron’s thoughts, but Henry was in no mood to offer sympathy. He spared only a moment to pray the dumb kid had learned his lesson and wouldn’t foolishly try to come after Aaron again because the last time hadn’t turned out so well for him; he’d ended up with a black eye and a return trip to prison to serve the remaining two years of his original sentence. Curtly, he responded, “We’ve all got problems, Nick.”

  “You were at the Bedspread last night?” Aaron asked.

  Henry eyed him warily. “Yeah, I was. Pat had to drive me home.” He looked up at Pat with a humorless smile. “Thanks, by the way, in case I didn’t say it last night.”

  “You did,” was Pat’s reply. He offered to help Ben unload to give the brothers a chance to talk.

  “It’s been a long time since someone’s had to drive you home,” Aaron remarked, suddenly concerned. “What’s going on, Hen?”

  “Don’t ask like you give a rat’s ass any more than anyone else in this family.”

  “You’re my brother, Henry. Of course I care.”

  “Bullshit. Since Erica died, you’ve been too lost in your own sorrow to care.” He glanced at Ben Conner, then added, “For a little while, when you dated June, I thought you might be starting to come back, but then you gave up and slunk away with your tail between your legs.”

  “Oh, come on, Henry, I haven’t been that bad.”

  “Maybe I’m exaggerating, but you sure haven’t been the same Aaron who used to party with me back in high school and college, the Aaron who was up for anything, any time.”

  “I have a daughter.”

  “Yeah, you do.”

  Aaron studied him for a moment with narrowed eyes, and Henry looked away as his anger fizzled and left a hole that filled too quickly with despair.

  “You and Melanie on the outs again?” Aaron asked.

  Henry hesitated before he answered. This was not how he’d planned to break the news to his family, but it was too late to stop the conversation from happening now, so he said, “That’s one way to put it. You remember me telling you that everyone always says Dylan looks nothing like me?”

  “I do. I’ve thought the same myself.”

  “Well, that’s because he’s not my son.”

  “Ah, hell. You’re sure?”

  “Yep. She isn’t sure who his father is, but the paternity test confirmed that it’s not me.” Henry’s voice faltered, and he swore under his breath. He’d had three weeks to come to terms with that piece of information, so he should be able to keep a tight grip on his emotions, but his eyes stung with the threat of tears. The memory of the moment he drove away, when he’d foolishly looked back to see Dylan reaching and screaming for him, crashed into his mind and made it difficult to speak. “He’s a year old, and she’s had me thinking all this time that he’s my kid.”

  “I am so sorry, Hen.”

  “I am, too. I love the little stinker.”

  “That means you’re over for good, right?” Nick asked.

  “Yeah.” He forced the memory away and sought anything that might help him swallow the pain. Suddenly, an entirely different image popped into his head… and a plan. Recalling that interesting look between Aaron and Lindsay’s friend Skye, he wondered if he could turn Luke’s football game into a double date. That might keep him from acting on the raging desire to take the pretty redhead to bed and might also be good for Aaron. He hadn’t seen that particular look on his twin’s face in a long time, so he plunged ahead with his scheme. “Have either of you met the new tenant in Mom and Dad’s rental yet?”

  “We met her briefly last night,” Nick replied. “And you met her just a few minutes ago—she’s the brunette. I get the feeling she’s going through a divorce right now, so go easy on her, all right, Henry?”

  “Hey, I’m always easy.”

  Aaron and Nick both laughed.

  “I so want to make a smart-ass remark right now about you and Melanie, but I won’t because I can see it’s still a tender subject.” Aaron gave him a good-natured pat on the back. “Contrary to your earlier accusations, I do care.”

  “I know you do,” Henry replied. Then he chuckled and relaxed some more. This was more like it—the lighthearted teasing between brothers, just like the old days. “Thanks for sort of not being a smart ass.”

  Aaron pushed to his feet and went back to work. As he strode away, Henry said to Nick, “I wasn’t asking about the tenant for me. I was asking about her for Aaron because the man seriously needs to get laid. Besides, I’m a little partial to that redhead in the yellow dress.”

  Nick grinned but said, “Let’s leave things alone for now and get back to work.”

  “Fine.” Henry grabbed one side of a table, and Nick grabbed the other. “I haven’t told Mom and Dad.”

  “You should probably do that soon because you know how Northstar is. It won’t take long for word to get out, and it’d be best if they heard it from you.”

  “Last night, Pat said he didn’t think they’d be too surprised, said he overheard Dad telling Old Matt I should ask for a paternity test. Did he ever say anything like that to you?”

  “No, but he and Mom have both commented on Dylan’s lack of resemblance to you. Look, Hen, it’s a gorgeous day, so don’t let this get you down, all right? Go back to daydreaming about that redheaded friend of Evie’s if that’ll keep you in a good mood.”

  Henry laughed. “Now, that is a wonderful suggestion.”

  “Just… be careful with her. You’re probably not in the best state of mind at the moment to be diving into a relationship with a new woman, and it wouldn’t be fair to mislead her.”

  “Something tells me she’s a pretty sharp cookie and she knows exactly what she’s getting into with me,” Henry said. “But I will be gentle with her.”

  “I take it that wasn’t the first time you’ve met her.”

  “Nope. Last night at the Bedspread… and we set out the chairs for the wedding together. She’s a very fascinating woman. Football fan.”

  “Why don’t you ask her to Luke’s game?”

  “I already have, but Aaron interrupted. I thought maybe he should ask Skye, too, and we could turn it into a double date.”

  “That’s an interesting idea.” Nick glanced at their brother. “There was definitely a spark there. Good luck convincing him, though.”

  Thoughts of Luke’s football game and Lindsay carried him all the way through setting up and decorating the reception area. When it was finally time for the wedding, his troubles had been pushed far enough to the back of his mind that he was able to fully appreciate the stunning August day and accept that his decision to come home to Northstar was the right one. The quiet of the valley, which could not be disturbed by even the boisterous wedding preparations, was a soothing balm after the constant noise of Denver, and it was refreshing to again gaze upon clear, sapphire skies undimmed by pollution. Maybe he’d drag his old Harley out of his garage and take it for a ride over the pass to Wise River to blow the spider webs, dust, and carbon off the valves. Maybe he’d ask Lindsay to join him. And maybe he’d take her horseback riding across his family’s ranch and give her a proper introduction to Montana’s beauty.

  The woman who had so firmly captured his attention strode down the aisle with her hand resting lightly on the arm of Vince’s friend from college, and Henry noted the smug gleam in the man’s eye.
He couldn’t blame the groomsman because Lindsay was breathtaking in that deep red, floor-length sheath with her hair piled in loose curls at the back of her head. Her hair was a dark enough auburn and the red of the dress was cool enough that the colors didn’t clash, and the rhinestones glittering from the pins in her hair threw dazzling sparks of rainbow-hued light and added a glamorous quality to her.

  That, or I’m just smitten. The thought didn’t concern him as much as it probably should. No harm in that as long as we keep it casual and remember to resist any expectations of more.

  He figured they’d be safe as long as he kept telling himself that and as long as he adhered to it. Of course, plotting a week of adventures with her definitely wasn’t the best way to keep it casual. Still, watching her throughout the ceremony and catching the occasional, coy glance she tossed his way, he went on plotting.

  It wasn’t until the reception was underway that he finally got a chance to put his plan for Saturday into motion. He joined his twin and a very pregnant June Conner near the refreshments tent.

  “Wow, June,” Henry announced, striding over. “You are looking absolutely stunning these days.”

  “You’re such a natural liar, Henry, that I actually believe you,” she teased.

  “I never lie.”

  Her husband strolled over, and they gathered around a nearby picnic table. Shortly thereafter, Pat and his wife, Aelissm—who was nearly as far along as June—ventured over with their two children in tow. Moments later, Nick and his wife, Beth, and their son, Will, joined their party. They watched the goings-on in companionable silence until Henry noticed his twin’s preoccupation with the dark-haired photographer as she reviewed the shots Luke had taken of the ceremony. This may not be so difficult after all.

  “Ms. Hathaway sure is easy on the eyes, ain’t she, Aaron?” Henry inquired lightly.

  “Mmm,” Aaron replied distractedly. Without turning to Henry, he added, “Yes, she is. Beautiful.”

  “Fascinating,” Henry remarked.

  Aaron finally met his gaze with narrowed eyes. “Mind your own damned business, Henry.”

  “Can’t, bro. Sorry. Because I have an idea. You and I should take her and that sexy redhead out on a double date in Devyn or maybe Butte. Better yet, we can take them to Luke’s game on Saturday. A little birdie told me that Lindsay—she’s the redhead—and Skye both like football. Really like it, as in they were managers for their high school team. C’mon, Aaron, how can we go wrong with that? We’d better make our move fast, though, because the groomsmen are interested, and they already have a foot in the door, being part of the wedding party and all.”

  Henry waited for Aaron’s dismissal of the idea, but it didn’t come. Instead, his twin changed the subject to June and Ben’s son, Luke, who Henry learned was at last starting to recover from the hell Pete Landers’s second personality, JP, had put him through two years ago. Toward the end of the conversation, Jessie asked to go play with her cousin, Will, and the O’Neil kids.

  “Sure. Just stay out of the way of the photographer and the wedding party, okay?” Aaron told her.

  As talk shifted to more pleasant topics, Henry watched his niece stalk Skye, Lindsay, and Luke until Ben’s niece Becky joined them and dragged Luke over to his group’s table. Not half a moment later, Jessie did exactly what her father had told her not to do much to Henry’s delight.

  “Hey, Aaron, you might want to go get your daughter,” he said. When Aaron didn’t respond, he glanced at his brother, who was too busy staring at the photographer to notice what his daughter was up to. “Yo, Aaron! Are you asleep, or what?”

  He blinked at Henry and frowned. “No. Why? Did I miss something?”

  “Your daughter seems to have taken a sudden interest in photography,” Nick responded, inclining his head.

  “Oh, hell. What is she doing?”

  “Looks to me like she might be playing matchmaker,” Henry remarked. “Atta girl, Jessie.”

  “Keep it up, smart ass,” Aaron grumbled and jogged after his daughter.

  When he was gone, Nick leaned over and said just loud enough for Henry to hear, “I’d say it’s pretty low to let Jessie do your dirty work for you, but that may just be the key to getting Aaron to go along with your double-date idea.”

  Henry offered his older brother a sly grin.

  Bridesmaid duties kept Lindsay occupied through dinner, but as soon as she could sneak away, she joined Henry’s party.

  “Doesn’t the bride need you?” he inquired.

  “If her remarks earlier are any indication, I’d say she’s rather pleased Skye and I are opting to spend the rest of the evening with you and your family and friends. You and Aaron are twins, right?”

  “Yep. Used to be inseparable.”

  “Used to be?”

  “When he married Erica, that changed. He mellowed a lot. And then, when she died….”

  “Evie mentioned he was a widower. I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Me, too. Erica was a wonderful woman.”

  The DJ briefly interrupted their conversation when he announced it was time for the bride and groom’s first dance as husband and wife. Henry leaned back against the table.

  “Have you thought about that football game? Because I even tried to convince my brother to take Skye just incase you were feeling pressured.”

  Her smile was gentle. “That’s really kind of you, but since I’m the one who started this whole thing when I asked to join you for a drink last night, it would be a bit hypocritical of me to feel pressured. Besides, I may have tried to do a little convincing of my own. All I got out of Skye was ‘I’ll think about it.’ So, in answer to your invitation, I’d love to go. I wanted to go anyhow, and I will, but I want to clarify that I want to go with you.”

  Henry grinned. “All right, then. It’s a date. And I may have a few other ideas for your vacation, too, but we’ll talk about them later. Right now… how about a dance?”

  “You dance?”

  “Not willingly, but for you, I’d like to make an exception. Are you up for that?”

  “I am.”

  Grinning and entirely pleased with himself, Henry offered to help her up and pulled her to her feet when she laid her hand in his. Keep it casual, he reminded himself as they stepped onto the dance floor and took Lindsay into his arms. She evoked a depth of desire he wasn’t sure he’d ever felt for Melanie, and he nearly snorted at his promise. Why do I get the feeling that’s going to be a lot easier said than done?

  * * *

  Stars glittered across the cloudless night sky, which was a glowing blue instead of the inky black Lindsay was accustomed to back home in Washington where the city lights dulled the brilliance of the heavens. There were so many even a full moon, and they mesmerized her nearly as delightfully as her partner. She danced and talked and laughed until she was breathless and enjoyed herself with a carefree abandon she hadn’t felt in years.

  She sat to take a breather with Henry at his group’s picnic table, leaning back with his arm propped on the table behind her. She wasn’t exactly tucked into his side, but the warmth of him chased away the descending cool of night.

  Today had been nothing short of marvelous. For once, she wasn’t worried about money or housework or Noah’s homework or any of the myriad of other troubles that took the joy out of life, and though Henry hadn’t yet broached the subject again, she looked forward to whatever plans he had for her.

  Since he seemed unwilling to discuss them with so many people around, she asked him to drive her home to Vince and Evie’s house. It wasn’t that she wanted the night to end—she certainly didn’t. She wanted him all to herself.

  “Won’t Evie be disappointed you’re leaving her wedding reception so early?”

  “Early? It’s almost ten. Besides, I’m still pretty tired from traveling yesterday, so I’m sure she’ll forgive me.”

  Lindsay said her goodnights to the newlyweds and Skye, who was preoccupied with Henry’s twin. No one
questioned her desire to head home, undoubtedly figuring she just wanted to catch up on the sleep she’d lost. Having satisfied her duties as a bridesmaid, she didn’t feel too guilty, either, and followed Henry into the main house. She quickly gathered her belongings, and then they headed out to his truck.

  They were quiet on the short drive to Vince and Evie’s home, and Lindsay wasn’t sure how to ask Henry to come in let alone how to invite him to sleep with her.

  Is asking for sex always this awkward, or is it just me? she wondered.

  Too soon, Henry pulled up in front of the cabin and shut the truck down, then climbed out and walked around to help her out. The confidence that had bolstered her last night and today evaporated, and she was suddenly overcome by shyness. Henry must have sensed it because he turned to face her with concern pinching his brows together. After a moment, he took her hand and led her up the flagstone path.

  They were nearly to the door when he stopped and turned her to face him. “I feel like I’m getting ahead of myself with my ideas for your vacation,” he said. “I don’t know what you expect of me except that you said earlier you were enjoying feeling like a girl instead of your son’s mother. So, I guess before I ask you out on a date, I—”

  “You mean, a date other than Luke’s football game?”

  “Yes. I need to ask what you want out of this, Lindsay.”

  She didn’t answer for a moment and considered how best to answer his question. She thought back to what had driven her to join him for a drink last night and reviewed their initial conversation. Recalling his remark about not wanting to land himself in trouble for buying some man’s woman a drink, she said slowly, “I have spent so much time alone or being Noah’s mom that I’m starting to forget that I’m more than that. I guess what I want is to remember what it’s like to be someone’s woman for a little while… even if it isn’t real.”

  Henry frowned, silent, and Lindsay chewed on her bottom lip. Had she turned him off? To this point, he seemed to have appreciated her frankness, but if she’d gone too far, he certainly wouldn’t be the first man to tuck tail and run. Defensively, she said, “I know I have no right to ask that of you, and I completely understand if you want to back out of… whatever you want to call this thing we’ve started.”