Forever in Haven's Crossing Read Free Page B

he grinned.
    “You sure are a feisty one, aren’t ya?”
    “I am when you hit me, you son of a—”
    “Uh, uh, uh,” he said, waving his finger and shaking his head, wearing a smirk on his lips. “I’m warning you right now, sweetheart. There’s gonna be no more name calling or cussin’ out of you. If either one of us hear another inappropriate word— or gesture —then you’ll be getting more than just one swat. You’ll go over my knee and get a real spanking. And that’s not hitting—no man in Haven’s Crossing would ever hit a woman, but you can be damn sure a spanking is another story. So have I made myself clear?”
    Kim was in shock, but she nodded.
    “No, ma’am—I want to hear you say it.”
    “Yes, it’s clear,” she mumbled, not looking him in the eyes.
    “Good girl. Now do you want something to eat? Logan said you didn’t eat anything earlier.”
    “No, I’m fine, thank you,” she respectfully replied, making Caleb chuckle.
    “Well, I do appreciate the good manners, sugar, but I’m fixin’ you a sandwich anyway, ’cause you need to eat. Is ham and cheese okay?”
    “Yes.”
    “Mustard or Mayo?”
    “Mayo, please.”
    “Do you like tea?”
    “You mean like hot tea? No, not so much.”
    “Sweetheart, this is Texas. We drink iced tea around here.”
    “Okay, I’ll try that, thank you.”
    Caleb brought her a sandwich and glass of tea and she started to eat. “I guess I was hungrier than I thought,” she said between bites. “The tea is really good, too. Thank you.” When he smiled at her she thought, God, you’ve got a nice face.
    “You’re welcome, little one.”
    She looked down at the tea glass she was holding. “Why do you call me ‘little one,’ when I’m not really little?”
    “Well, compared to us, you are little. Does it bother you to be called that?”
    “I guess not. It’s just that nobody has ever called me that before. So, are you and Logan brothers?”
    Another smile. “You sure are curious all of a sudden.”
    “I guess I’m feeling better. My head isn’t hurting anymore, either. I’m really sorry for being so much trouble. And I’m sorry for calling you names. I usually don’t act like that.”
    The way he watched her made her want to talk more. It was like he had some hypnotic powers and she couldn’t resist. He asked her why she was on the road so late at night and she started to blab everything from the time she walked in on Michael, up to waking up in the ditch. She then noticed Logan, now standing in the doorway, listening. She saw sadness in their eyes when she finished. Well, that’s just great, Kim. I’m sure they wanted to know your whole life story. She suddenly felt very self-conscious and embarrassed. Now they’re going to feel obligated to help me—Stupid, stupid, stupid! “Uh, I just want to thank you both for all you’ve done and I see the sun coming up now, so could you call a cab or give me a ride to town so I can find a hotel and look for a mechanic?” She threw back the blanket and started to stand. The dizziness hit her so fast she fell backward before she could even fully get up. Both Caleb and Logan were at her side in a second.
    “You’re not goin’ a damn place, darlin’,” Logan said, as he laid her back against the pillow.
    She heard Caleb on the phone with Doc and then heard him say “Will three days be enough?” Three days? I can’t stay here three days!
    “ Logan, I can’t stay here three days. Tell him, I can’t.” She could feel the panic flushing her body again. What the hell is wrong with me? I never get this many panic attacks at once. It’s them. I feel so damn flustered around those two. I’ve got to get out of here. Myka—I need to talk to Myka.
    “If Doc says you need to stay here, Kimberlee, I’m sorry, but that’s what’s gonna happen. We have plenty of room. It’s not a problem,” Logan said.
    “How do you know my name?” she asked, looking at him cautiously as he got up