Black Hills Blessing Read online

  Garrett and Lena. His gut twisted and he tried to keep the grimace from his lips. There was no seeing the signs, especially when a person was too close. He absolutely hated the phrase that love is blind, because in his case, it was blind, deaf and dumb. Graduation night he got down on bended knee with eyes forward on the future and she had turned him down flat. Lena had said she didn’t love him and she wasn’t going to be a cowboy’s wife. Three days later, Garrett had left home for Rapid City without looking back in the rearview mirror. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway. Lena wasn’t there.

  “You can stop looking at me like I just puked in your favorite Stetson.” Rayne glared up at him and Garrett came back to the present with a start. He’d wandered too deeply into the past.

  “If that’s even a possibility, remind me to keep my Stetson on my head.” Garrett quirked the side of his lip into a grin and hoped it shoved off some of the gloom.

  “You’re probably wondering what I’m doing.” Rayne shrugged and gestured around the island of her couch. There had to be fifty pieces of paper cluttering the floor. He nodded his head.

  “I was starting to wonder.” He spied a wicker wastebasket in the corner and went to retrieve it.

  “I didn’t know what to say at the funeral so I was going to write something down. I’m still not sure what I’m going to say, but I feel a bit better now.” She restacked her papers and tapped them into line. She looked down at him as he stooped to throw all the discarded pieces away. Garrett warmed in the presence of those golden eyes, darkly lashed and watchful. He kept retrieving the paper balls just in case she wanted to keep talking. Sometimes he felt better talking things through. “Royal is going to ride with us to the cemetery.” She raised her eyes to his just as he was about to counter that idea. “Please don’t say no. He’s really the only family I have left besides my aunt.” Rayne’s plea hit him hard. He rocked on his heels before he straightened up.

  “If that’s what you want.” He knew he’d never deny her anything if she asked it of him. As much as he didn’t like her ex-husband, it was baggage she came with just like Lena was for him.

  “Thank you.” She offered a small smile before she swung her legs over the edge of the couch. He lifted his brows as she tried to stand up. He caught her elbow as she nearly toppled over.

  “Are you this hard headed? If you don’t stay off of this, it’s only going to get worse!” He waited until she was steady and she turned her face to look at him. “I think we need to find some crutches. I’ll call Nora and see if she can find us a set.” He fished out his cell phone from his jean’s pocket.

  “I can’t sit still, but crutches are such a pain!” Rayne whined and when he sent her a sidelong glare, she rolled her eyes. “Fine! Just don’t complain when I use them upside your thick skull.”

  “Thick skull, huh? That’s the pot calling the kettle black, darlin’.” Garrett chuckled when she stuck her tongue out at him and she sat back down on the couch. He found his sister’s number and hit send. It rang a couple of times before Nora picked up.

  “Hey, Garrett, what’s up?” His sister’s voice sounded a bit annoyed, but annoyed was her middle name. Garrett shook his head and then remembered Nora couldn’t see him.

  “Do you think you could round up a couple of crutches for Rayne to use for a couple of weeks? I can’t keep her off that ankle and it’s not going to get better if she doesn’t stop using it.” He felt like he was tattling to his mother about something his siblings were doing that they shouldn’t be. It was in the back of his mind that he was doing this because she rescued him from the snow storm, but at the base of it all, there was so much more than that.

  “Oh yeah, I can do that. No problem.” Nora replied quickly and he wondered from her tone if she was distracted by something.

  “When do we need to be at the ranch?” Garrett asked with more than a bit of apprehension himself. He’d have to face his dad. The topic of the ranch’s future wasn’t something he wanted to discuss right now.

  “An hour or so. I’m headed over there in a few minutes. I just need to pick Drew up from his friend’s house.” Nora was the ever efficient nurse, but even Garrett could tell something was up.

  “Is everything ok, Nora?” Garrett wasn’t good at comforting his sister since that was more Matt’s area of expertise, but he did care about her and his nephew. They’d been through a lot.

  “Not really, but it’s my problem, Garrett. I’ll figure it out.” She sounded sad and it made him wish that he’d tried harder to forge a better relationship these last few years. Maybe she’d have confided in him now. A voice in his head said maybe she wouldn’t confide in him either way.

  “If you need me…” He started to say as his sister cut him off.

  “Yeah, I know. See you in a while, huh?” Her voice sounded strained and he hated whatever it was that made his sister cry. He nodded his head.

  “Sure.” The line switched off after his reply and he looked at his phone, bemused by the problems of the world.

  Guess everyone has some problem or another. Perfect is too much to hope for. Garrett turned around to Rayne who was still seated on the couch. She watched him closely, eyes widening.

  “We aren’t all that different, are we? We each have our cross to bear.” Rayne’s voice was soft and thick with emotion. He lowered his eyes and then took a deep breath. He stuck his phone back in his pocket and sat down next to Rayne. The couch cushion sank abnormally low as he tried to get settled. Comfortable was out of the question! He threw his arm around Rayne and she settled into his side, her cheek on his chest. He held her quietly for many minutes.

  “No. We all have our problems, but you don’t have to face yours alone, Rayne.” He couldn’t help that his heart sped up at the utterance of those words. It was as good as a declaration as he was likely to speak. Although he was capable of surprising even himself at times.

  He had tried to tell Rayne that she didn’t need to fuss with her appearance when it came to his family. The Johnson’s were just a normal, Midwestern family where personality meant more than the clothes on a person’s back. Of course, Andy was a beautiful girl, but she still had quite a time winning their mother over. Probably more so because Andy was dating Matt and not that she wasn’t presentable. Garrett tried to be reassuring every time Rayne had changed into something different, but by the fifth outfit, he was about to haul her out in her underwear.

  Oh that could be fun! He smothered a grin. They’d never make dinner that way. As Rayne turned and caught his attention, he thought that staying here definitely had merit. The wonderfully molded blue jeans hugged her in all the right places and fell seamlessly down her legs to cover black boots. She had on a black camisole that soon disappeared underneath a black cable sweater. Garrett felt his lips twist in disappointment. Rayne was layering for the cold weather, but layering was far in the opposite direction of what he was thinking about now.

  “What?” Rayne asked him defensively. “You hate this one too?” She allowed her shoulders to slump and her eyes took on a hard glint.

  How can someone look defeated and annoyed at the same time? He wasn’t sure, but there it was looking back at him. He took a deep breath and shook his head.

  “No, it’s fine. What I want will have to wait for later, darlin’. We need to go.” Garrett got up from the couch and finished tucking in his t-shirt. He needed to grab some more things from the ranch anyway. He hoped he had something decent to wear to the funeral tomorrow. That thought dampened some of his drive to get Rayne back into bed.

  “Slave driver! What about my hair? Up or down?” She lifted her long hair off her neck and Garrett felt this ravenous pull to nip and kiss that soft skin. He fisted his hands and lifted a brow in her direction. Rayne stopped with her hand in her hair and her eyes riveted on his. She knew what he was thinking as easily as he knew she wouldn’t say no.

  “Down. Definitely down.” He waited for her to snap back to the present and limp towards him.

&nb
sp; Convincing her to rest her ankle had helped with the swelling, but he’d have to keep her close to him. He didn’t want her stressing the injury more than necessary. Hopefully Nora was able to get a set of crutches. If she didn’t, well, he’d have to tie Rayne down somewhere so that she’d stay off of it.

  Damn. His body reacted to the thought of Rayne tied to the bed. His stomach knotted and other areas rose in approval. He groaned and Rayne lifted a sculpted brow, then smiled slowly.

  There is no way she doesn’t know what I’m thinking now. Gruffly, Garrett took Rayne’s upper arm and escorted her to the mudroom for their coats. He had started the truck a few minutes ago and hopefully it was sufficiently warm. Completing their last touches, Garrett helped Rayne out to the truck and then boosted her gently when she couldn’t quite get in. Of course he accidently brushed her hips and the length of her outer thigh. He shrugged when she swatted at him. Stretching his long form into the driver’s seat, Garrett drove them to his parent’s ranch. Neither Rayne nor he said anything from the Randall driveway to the Crossing Pines yard.

  “All right. We’re here. Ready or not!” Garrett shut off the engine and Rayne sat frozen in the front seat, looking straight ahead. He reached across the seat and took her hand in his. He noted the cold fingers that wrapped tentatively around his warmer ones.

  “I don’t want them to get the wrong idea, Garrett.” We aren’t a serious couple. He could almost hear the words that she didn’t say. He had expected it to sting, but it was more likely to bruise. He could only nod his head, because letting Rayne know exactly what he was up to would only scare her away.

  “They just want to show their gratitude to you for saving me from freezing to death.” He gave her hand a squeeze and opened his door. Reluctantly, she did the same. Her reticence gave him the chance to help her out of the truck and towards the house without her using her ankle too much.

  The porch light flipped on when they had pulled in and now his brother was holding the screen door open to the kitchen. Matt smiled boyishly at Rayne as she passed him and Garrett gave his brother a half slap on his cheek. Matt chuckled at the reminder that Rayne was all Garrett’s and totally off limits. Much to Garrett’s surprise as they entered the brilliantly lit kitchen, Andy was the first to greet Rayne and not his over-zealous mother. Andy welcomed Rayne and tried to thaw the ice that created some sort of protective barrier against the unknown. Garrett could totally relate and he mentally thanked Andy for it.

  “Rayne, let me introduce you to my husband, Matt, and our daughter, Harper.” Andy gestured to Matt who stood beside Garrett and a beautiful blonde toddler came into the kitchen carrying a bowl of Cheerios. Garrett bent down to his niece and she instantly plastered a cheesy grin on her little face. Running as fast as toddler’s run, Harper went to Garrett for a big bear hug. He had a soft spot for his niece and nephew, but Harper had her uncle wrapped around her little finger. Worst of all, the little angel knew it! She giggled when he blew a raspberry on her soft round cheek.

  “Gar-t! Gar-t!” Harper squealed as she tucked her chin into her neck. It caused everyone else to chuckle. He raised his eyes to meet Rayne’s golden ones shimmering with something he couldn’t quite place. A half smile was plastered on her lips.

  Something else I don’t know. Some other secret burrowed deep. Garrett picked up Harper and held her in his arms. Andy waved Nora into the kitchen and for the first time, Garrett noted his sister’s tired eyes. Stress lines creased her forehead and darkened the circles were under her eyes. He wished he could solve all the problems of the world, but if she wouldn’t confide in him, he hoped she had shared her problems with someone. Nora and Andy were as close as any sisters. Maybe Andy knew what was going on. He made a mental note to ask about it later.

  “It’s so nice to see you again, Rayne. I just love your name.” Nora said as she gave Rayne a hug. An unsuspecting and uncomfortable Rayne looked like she was totally out of place with affection of any kind. While he felt protective of Rayne, he knew if anyone could thaw the ice queen it would be Andy and Nora.

  “Thank you, Nora. I was told my mother loved the rain and my father made her change the spelling.” She rolled her eyes and shrugged. “Something about sounding too hippy-ish.”

  “It’s beautiful. At least your mother didn’t name you Sonora.” Nora stuck her tongue out in disgust as Lacey and Travis Johnson came into the kitchen from the living room. Lacey smacked Nora on the bottom, which got a laugh out of everyone, but the recipient. Garrett watched his sister step out of the way to let his mother greet Rayne. His attention lingered on Nora for a minute more and then he stepped closer to Rayne. She looked about ready to bolt for the door.

  “Welcome to our home, Rayne. We are so grateful that you rescued Garrett.” Lacey smiled, sincere and open. His mother was being far more gracious than he had expected. When she met Andy with some resistance it was, because Andy was dating Matt. Matt being the baby carried a different level of attention than the middle child. For once Garrett was glad of it. Rayne would have been out the door and demanding to be taken back to the ranch if her reception had been like Andy’s. He continued to stand at her side until the greetings were over and they had settled into the living room to wait for dinner to be ready. He could feel the anxiety coming off Rayne in waves and he hoped with some time she might get used to his meddling, but well-meaning family.

  Had it been so long since she actually had a family? Or was she threatened by what caring about someone really meant? His heart jumped at the thought of her caring about him. Silly organ hoped it was true and hadn’t it proven it was not to be trusted? Hell, he was already well over his head in his unearthly emotions for Rayne. Proceeding with caution was out of the question and that was something to truly be afraid of for Garrett Johnson.

  Chapter 14

  Rayne felt more than intimidated standing in that perfectly immaculate wood and stainless steel kitchen on the Crossing Pines Ranch. Matt and Andy were perfectly friendly and she had started to feel at ease. Their daughter, Harper, was precious with her cherub cheeks and goofy laughter when Garrett had tickled her. Nora was even a sweetheart and very welcoming, but it was Garrett’s mother that added only fuel to the dismay Rayne felt. She felt like an outsider and being in the presence of a woman who was reading every scar and every weakness only made Rayne feel judged.

  Had no one else seen it? Apparently not. Garrett had stayed beside Rayne, but never once deflected the scrutiny from her. Lacey Johnson was quite a formidable mother and it wasn’t belonging her stature. She was petite with long dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Blue eyes that Garrett did not inherit and Rayne was sorry to say she was glad he hadn’t. There was something about that particular shade that missed nothing and read everything. Rayne quelled a shiver that raced down her spine at the thought.

  “Dinner is ready, everyone. Come take your seats.” Lacey called from the kitchen and everyone moved as one. Rayne pulled her foot off of the leather ottoman and got to her feet just as Garrett’s hand wrapped around her elbow. She knew he was only trying to offer assistance, but she was starting to feel smothered. One sidelong glance had him releasing her arm. She instantly regretted the loss of his warmth, but she handled herself better without his distraction.

  “Rayne, you can sit by me.” Andy said as she pulled out the chair around the gleaming wood table. Rayne felt particularly drawn to the soft green eyes that were unassuming and yet accepting. She saw a friend and ally in the brown haired girl. Rayne acknowledged with some relief that Matt’s wife was once an outsider too. Garrett sat on the other side of Rayne. He didn’t try to touch her again and for that small gesture, she was relieved.

  “It smells wonderful, Mrs. Johnson.” Rayne offered to Garrett’s mother across the table and Lacey smiled in acknowledgement.

  “Barbecue beef is my boys’ favorite. Plus it’s just so easy to throw in a crockpot and forget about it.” Lacey scooped some green beans onto her plate and passed the bowl to her husband, Travis.


  “Anything you cook is great, Mom.” Matt said as he took the plate of homemade rolls and passed them around. Nora choked on her iced tea and Garrett chuckled.

  “What is so funny, Garrett?” Lacey asked her middle child and from the look on her face, she wasn’t finding anything comical.

  “Do you remember the time Mom tried to make homemade Chinese food?” Garrett cracked a grin and Matt threw back his head and laughed. Their father’s face turned red. Nora nodded in response.

  “She burnt the chicken with the sesame sauce so bad it reeked in the house for days!” Matt only got out before he couldn’t do anything but laugh. Nora hid behind her cup with a huge smile.

  “As I recall I had to throw out the pan.” Lacey commented dryly and it sent all of her kids into fits of laughter. Travis even joined in despite a narrow-eyed glance from his wife. Rayne looked at Andy to her left and widened her eyes. Andy bit her bottom lip to keep from offending her mother-in-law with laughter of her own.

  So this was a family. Rayne felt something down deep ache for wanting this easiness and camaraderie. Something else ached to forget just what it was that might have been. So she sat very still throughout dinner. Her appetite had completely fled and she spent more time staring down at her hands or the lovely oak table. A couple of times, Andy had tried to bring her into the conversation, but she quit trying. If any questions were directed at Rayne after that, Andy quickly deflected them. It was as if the girl were going for sainthood.

  Heck, she might just get there. Rayne was grateful for the thought anyway. The Johnson family went right on about their dinner. It was clear they loved each other. They never ran out of anything to say, or so it seemed, and everyone was included. At this table, no one was a stranger unless you wanted to be one. That realization only made her feel more out of place and ready to go home. Rayne was used to being alone. She might not like it, but it was familiar. In the middle of her inner musings, Rayne felt Andy elbow her gently. Green eyes widened fractionally in question.