Armored Hearts (The Town of Pearl 7)

“We’ll take care of this. Why don’t you rest and then you can sit outside for a bit.”

She smiled and then walked toward the dishwasher and helped them anyway. She was a strong, stubborn woman. Maybe that was why they were all attracted to her? She was so much like them in that way.

* * * *

The following day India sat outside on the porch swing, the sound of country music echoing softly around her from the speakers outside. She knew that Ford and Flynn had gone to town for some groceries, that Fenton was over by the barn with the dogs, and that Grey and Fisher were headed to the house for lunch soon.

She snuggled under the blanket Ford had insisted she cover herself with so she wouldn’t catch a chill in the crisp fall air. Truth was she loved the fall weather and everything about it. It was different here. The leaves were turning such gorgeous red, gold, and orange colors. The sounds of the wooded area in the distance made her think of pumpkin patches and apple stands. She had no idea why because the house itself was more like an estate than a house found on a ranch. But what did she know? She was a city girl.

She closed her eyes, feeling so very tired. She hadn’t wanted to take the sleeping pills but it seemed to her that her nightmares were getting worse. Maybe if she closed her eyes right now and had a short nap, it would be enough to get her through another restless night?

She glanced around. No one there. And she would surely hear the trucks pull up or Grey’s deputy patrol car when he stopped in for lunch.

She snuggled deeper, rocked the bench swing, and closed her eyes as she absorbed the peacefulness around her.

* * * *

r />

The dogs started whining as Fenton put away the balls and the other toys they usually messed around with. He wanted to check on India to see if she wanted to wait for Grey and Fisher to get there to have lunch or if she wanted to have something with him. His gut tightened as he thought about seeing her. He couldn’t get her off his mind, especially at night when he lay in bed alone with thoughts of her. She was incredibly gorgeous. She was sweet, sophisticated, witty, had those damn blue eyes, and of course that body of hers made him fantasize about having her every night. He’d awoken a few times in a cold sweat and swore he smelled her perfume in his room.

He was becoming obsessed with the woman and trying so hard to ignore the attraction he felt. She would be leaving here sooner than later. Things in Chicago were already looking promising.

The thought of her leaving their home made him feel sick. Magnum barked and then hightailed it toward the front of the house. The other two dogs followed and seemed to be concerned. He hadn’t heard any vehicles pull up and as he walked toward the porch his eyes locked onto India. The blanket was hanging from the bench, while she was moaning and crying in her sleep. Clint placed his head on her lap as Magnum and Charles whined next to her.

Fenton called them away and he knelt down near the bench swing. Her blouse was opened slightly, and he got a glimpse of her large breasts and the lace bra she wore. His body reacted immediately.

“India? India, honey, wake up,” Fenton told her. He didn’t want to touch her. He was afraid to feel more, and to want more. But she didn’t respond to his voice. He spoke to her again as he caressed her cheek and tried to wake her. She popped her eyes open and gasped then looked around her. She immediately appeared embarrassed as she used the back of her hand to wipe her wet eyes and cheeks.

“Are you okay?”

“Fine. Fine. I must have dozed off,” she said, sounding startled and her voice appeared shaky.

He knelt down and kept a hand on her thigh.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” She pushed a strand of her platinum hair behind her ear.

Just then the trucks pulled up. First Grey’s patrol truck and then Fisher’s.

“I should head inside. I think I need to take some aspirin.” Fenton reached for her to help her up and their gazes locked.

“How about some lunch? Maybe some food might help?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered, and so badly he wanted to kiss her.

“Hey, did you wait to have lunch with us? We brought some homemade jarred pickles from Clyde’s place,” Fisher told her and she smiled softly.

“You practically ate the entire jar yourself, India. Aren’t you glad we got more?” Grey teased her and then brushed his knuckles down her cheek softly.

“I didn’t eat them all, Flynn did. He snacks on them during the day while he’s working in his studio out back,” she tattled on him.

“Oh man he’s so busted,” Fisher replied and took India’s hand to lead her into the house.

She glanced back over her shoulder at Fenton. He nodded his head, letting her know he was coming. The dogs followed behind. It seemed everyone was able to show India how they felt about her but him. Making a move was a mistake. India would never go for a man like him. She would never give up the life she has in Chicago for the simple life they shared out here. This was only temporary.

* * * *