Spark (Steel Brothers Saga 19)

That’s how I was raised, and I have no problem with it.

Still, though…I’m pissed.

Pissed at the fire that ravaged our property even when we did everything right.

Pissed that it took from us instead of the Steels who can well afford it.

Where is the fairness in any of that?

I don’t blame the Steels, of course. They’re not at fault, and they’re helping us rebuild through grants and loans from their foundation, which they certainly have no obligation to do. They offered more, but Mom and Dad turned them down. They don’t want any more charity.

Ugh.

I’m not a spoiled brat. I’ll do what I must for my family.

Doesn’t mean I have to like it.

“Callie?” Mom knocks on my door.

“Yeah? Come in.”

Mom peeks into my bedroom. “I just got off the phone with Jade Steel. Donny’s coming home.”

I perk up. Never mind that Donny Steel is living his big city lawyer dream that I want more than anything. Never mind that he’s also gorgeous and rich. “For a visit?”

Mom shakes her head. “He’s moving back to the ranch.”

“What for?” Not that I’m upset by the news, but why would he give up the big city life as a rising legal star? I certainly wouldn’t.

“He’s going to be the assistant city attorney, working with his mother.”

I widen my eyes. “Instead of doing corporate law in Denver?”

“Apparently so. I’m as surprised as you are.”

“I guess it’ll be nice to have him back.” I work hard to sound nonchalant. In reality, Donny Steel is a major babe who tried to get me in the sack the night of his brother’s wedding reception. I probably would have succumbed, except for the tragedy that followed. A man collapsed and later died at the hospital. Dennis James, Dale’s new stepfather-in-law.

The last month brought more tragedy than I ever care to repeat.

The fire. Then the death of a seemingly healthy thirty-three-year-old man.

What’s next?

I don’t want to consider the possibilities.

“He’s coming in tonight,” Mom continued. “The Steels are having a big welcome home party tomorrow night.”

The Steels and a party. Those people celebrate every time one of them takes a good shit, I swear. Donny’s mom, Jade, and her sister-in-law Marjorie are the sweethearts of the western slope. Between Marj’s culinary skills and Jade’s knack for event planning, their parties are legendary, and the Pikes never miss one. I certainly don’t plan to miss this one.

“We’re all invited,” Mom says.

“Okay.” Still trying for nonchalant. No need for Mom to know I’m feeling giddy at seeing Donny Steel.

Maybe Donny and I can continue where we left off.

Funny. I had a mega-crush on his older brother, Dale, growing up. Total puppy love, as I’m nine years younger than Dale, but he was such a conundrum. So quiet and withdrawn and magnificently good-looking with that long blond hair and those piercing green eyes.

I got over that years ago, and then I never gave Donny Steel a thought.

Until last week at their party.

His eyes are hazel, a warm brownish green, so much nicer than Dale’s. He doesn’t have that flowing mane of blond hair. His slightly darker tresses are cut in a lawyerly style, except for that thick lock that swoops over his forehead. Really sexy.

He’s tall, about six-three, and like all the Steels, built to the nines.

Good genes plus the ranch work they all do when they’re home make for amazing bodies, even for the ones who don’t share their gene pool, like Dale and Donny.

Plus those good looks…

It should be illegal to look as good as every Steel does.

My brother, Jesse, calls them our western slope royalty. He’s joking. Most of the time. He was in Donny’s class at school, and they still have a good-natured rivalry today.

Good-natured, that is, except when it’s not.

I’m not sure Jesse ever got over Donny being chosen as MVP in football their senior year. Jesse thought he was a shoo-in because he was the quarterback. He threw all the passes that resulted in Donny’s touchdowns. Honestly, I always felt it could have gone either way.

My brother still has a chip on his shoulder about it.

I’m not sure how my big brother will feel if I start something with Donny Steel. Then again, I’m a big girl. What do I care what my brother thinks?

“So you’re free?” Mom asks.

“For what?”

“The party at the Steels tomorrow night. Isn’t that what we were talking about?”

“Right. Yeah. I’m free. What else would I be doing?”

Mom sighs. “I know you’re disappointed about law school, Cal.”

I return her sigh. “It’s okay. I understand.”

“I know you do, but I also know you’re disappointed. This isn’t how it was supposed to be. Dad and I had much higher hopes for you and your sisters and brother.”

“Jesse and Rory are fine,” I say. My older brother and sister had no desire for graduate studies. “And Maddie still gets to be in college.”