Hawke's Salvation

H
awke Kapshaw can't stop fantasizing
about the new ranch psychiatrist Jeannette Hall. A city girl with more education then common sense, she is the polar opposite of the ranch-raised Crawley Creek brothers. He knows he should stay away from the fiery, uptight woman, but he’s captivated and can’t keep his distance. If only he could figure out a way to show her he can be the man of her dreams.

Dr. Jeanette Hall didn't come to North Dakota to find a man, but she’s surrounded by them at the Crawley Creek ranch. Her dreams have been invaded by the oh-so-potent, Hawke Kapshaw, but she’s heard of his exploits, and she's not interested in being another notch in his belt.

Can a girl with trust issues accept a man who hides his emotions behind sarcasm and innuendos? How long can they deny the sparks flying between them? Will Hawke be Jeanette's downfall, or will she be his salvation?

W
eeks of avoiding
the attentions of one randy cowboy had left Jeanette Hall completely exhausted. She was always listening for his deep, booming voice and seductive words before entering a room, and her dreams were overrun by visions of the sexy man. Her dream job had become a nightmare, and it had nothing to do with her patients or her employers.

“Dr. Hall? Are you okay? You look a little pale.” Payton Storm stared at her curiously from across the coffee table.

The realization that she’d just been caught daydreaming about Hawke Kapshaw once again was almost as humiliating as the fact that she’d missed the last ten minutes of Payton’s scheduled appointment lost in her own thoughts. She’d never been so unprofessional with a patient before.

“I’m so sorry, Payton. I’m a bit distracted. What were you saying?” Plastering a well-practiced smile on her face, she lifted her pen as if ready to transcribe every word Payton said.

To her dismay, Payton snorted and shook her head making her copper colored ponytail bounce. “Nothing. I wasn’t saying a damn word. I was watching the clock and wondering how long it would take you to notice that I wasn’t speaking, and then your face suddenly turned a funny shade of white, and I figured it was time to wake you up.”

“Oh God, this is embarrassing. I sincerely apologize—”

Payton lifted a hand, “Don’t. I get it. You have a lot going on now with those two new guys coming to the ranch. I didn’t imagine I’d be your only patient forever. Besides, I don’t have a whole lot to say these days.” Pushing herself to her feet, Payton reached for her walking cane and steadied herself for a moment. “Actually, I’m feeling pretty tired myself. I think I’m going to go lie down for a little while.”

“Before you go, I wanted to talk to you about something.” Jeanette rose, and moved as close as she could to Payton without making it obvious she was worried about the other woman falling. “I reached out to a colleague of mine who has connections with a group called Dogs in Service. They specialize in training service animals for veterans. I was thinking that a service dog might help you with the night terrors and PTSD incidents.”

“A dog?” Payton wrinkled her nose skeptically. “I don’t know, Doc. I’m not that big on animals, and right now, I don’t really have a place to keep a dog. Until I get through treatment and figure out where I’m going to land permanently, I’m better off alone.”

“I’ve already approached Drannon and Lacy about it, and they’ve agreed to allow a service dog on the property as long as you and the dog have completed a training course together. I realize it’s a big commitment Payton, but I really think it would help you in ways you can’t even imagine. So many veterans have found some measure of peace with their service animals at their side, and I don’t like the idea of you being alone in the middle of the night when you have an episode.” Jeanette softened her professional manner so that her tone was more friendly and relatable.

“Can I think about it?”

Relief washed over Jeanette, and she smiled back at Payton, “Of course. In fact, they won’t have a dog ready for you for a couple of weeks after you’ve gone through the selection process, and then you and the dog will go through another few weeks of training together.”

“That long?” Disappointment was etched into the other woman’s face. “I was hoping to be done with treatment before Christmas.”

Jeanette’s heart clenched. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to be in treatment until we can find a way to control the PTSD better. I’d be willing to sign a pass for you if you’d like to visit with family for the holidays though.”

Payton hesitated for a moment, and Jeanette waited expectantly. She knew the woman had a large family back home in Tulsa, and she’d fully anticipated Payton wanted to spend the holidays with them. To her surprise, Payton shook her head and quietly responded, “No, thanks. I’m good. I’ll see you tomorrow, Doc.”

Holding the door open, Jeanette watched as her patient hobbled away from her office. Payton was a beautiful woman in spite of her scars, and as usual, Jeanette’s heart ached for the pain she was going through. A decorated military career had been shattered in the blink of an eye when her Humvee hit an IED. Payton relived the nightmare every day, and so far, Jeanette had been unable to help her through it.

Letting the door close, she went to her desk to enter her notes from the appointment. Sadly, there weren’t many, both because of her own distractions and because Payton was still struggling to open up about her issues.

Jeanette looked around her tiny office, and her lips curled up in a small smile of pride. She loved her job. Working with people suffering from varying degrees of PTSD had been her goal, and finding the job at Crawley Creek Ranch in North Dakota had been a dream come true. Sure, it meant uprooting her entire life and moving from Philadelphia, but that was actually a relief. It meant she was able to put distance between herself and her own dysfunctional family.

Shutting down her laptop, she reached into the back of her bottom desk drawer and pulled out a chocolate bar from her emergency stash. The scent made her mouth water as she tore open the wrapper and took a bite. Heaven exploded on her tongue, and she moaned softly. Chocolate was her one true vice. She could barely make it through a day without the stuff, and living so far from everything, meant rationing her supply or making regular treks into Montford—the closest town to the ranch. Thankfully, the owner of the convenience store, Amelia DeWitt, had been ordering an extra carton of her favorite milk chocolate bars and holding them for her each month, so she’d yet to run completely dry.

By the time she’d savored the last sliver of chocolate on her tongue, Jeanette’s mood had greatly improved. She locked up her office and headed into the living quarters of the small cabin. Living and working in the same space had seemed daunting at first, but she’d grown used to it. Of course, she only had one real patient on the books until after the New Year, but she was determined to bring two of the longtime Crawley Creek residents, Destiny Warren and Vin Rhone, into her program, too.

A heavy knock on her front door made her heart jump, and her knees wobble. Only one person knocked like that, and it was the one person she couldn’t welcome in. For a moment she considered ignoring him, but she knew he’d wait her out. He’d done it before.

The icy cold doorknob shocked her skin, but when she yanked the door open and came face to face with Hawke Kapshaw’s sinful grin, she felt nothing but heat.

H
awke drank
in the site of Dr. Jeanette Hall as if he’d spent days in the desert without water and she was a crystal clear fountain. His eyes roamed over her, from the top of her short dark hair curling just above her ears, to the neat blue blazer and pale pink dress that reached her knees. Her calves were bare, and she wore a pair of killer blue high-heels that he would give anything to tug off of her. He stared at those shoes for a moment before drawling out a, “Morning, Doc.”

“Good morning, Hawke. Did you need something?” Her voice quivered just slightly, and lustful thoughts surged to the forefront of his brain. He could imagine her calling out his name in a slightly shaky, breathless tone as he sunk his cock into her—

She cleared her throat, interrupting his fantasies. “We both need the same thing, darlin’.” He said softly, giving her his most charming smile. Sadly, she was the one woman in a hundred mile radius it didn’t seem to have any effect on, and she rolled her eyes.

“Hawke, we’ve talked about this,” she said impatiently. He could almost envision her tapping her toe at the head of a classroom as she instructed petulant children to wash their hands and pick up their things. His cock twitched as he imagined tousling her perfect makeup and hair as he made her scream with pleasure.

He’d almost managed to seduce her into his bed once at Drannon and Lacy’s wedding—okay, second wedding, but an interruption had thrown his whole plan off course. Unlike the weeks before the ranch flooded, he’d spent the last month going to bed alone with a horrible case of blue balls. He wasn’t sure if he resented her or himself for it.

“Actually I came down here to get you. Lolly is about to have her foal,” Hawke explained, thrilled when her face lit up.

“Really? Oh my god, that’s fantastic! Can I watch?” Jeanette’s mood had done a complete one-eighty, and her enthusiastic response was infectious.

“That’s why I came. Drannon thinks it will happen within the next hour, so change clothes and let’s go.”

She glanced down at her outfit with a frown. “Change clothes?”

“You can’t wear those pretties into the barn, darlin’; you’ll just ruin them. Besides, if he needs an extra hand we have to be ready to assist,” Hawke explained.

“I wouldn’t think I would be any help, but I suppose walking around in the barn would probably ruin these shoes.” She tipped her high-heeled foot gracefully. It was astonishing how just that small motion set his insides ablaze. He wanted her more than ever, but now was absolutely not the time to push.

“Nope, put on those boots Lacy got for you and a pair of jeans. I’ll wait.” Hawke took a step forward, and she instinctively retreated back into the cabin, allowing him access to her private space. It was the first time he’d been allowed inside her private space since she’d moved in, and he took a second to soak it in.

It smelled like her, and it felt like her. All around were hints of the professional woman he knew, but he also caught glimpses of the passionate female inside just waiting to be set free.

“It won’t take me long.” She spun and hurried into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. He heard the lock click and grimaced. It didn’t set well with him that she felt she needed to barricade herself away from him. Like he was some sort of monster. Hell, he’d done nothing to her that she didn’t want.

Grumbling under his breath, he wandered her cabin aimlessly. The space wasn’t huge; it had been built as a guest cabin. The living room, dining room and kitchen were all in this one large space, and he knew that the two doors branching off the area led to two bedrooms separated by a bathroom. The furniture was the same, but the sofa was now decorated by girlie printed pillows, and a bouquet of flowers sat on the dining room table. For a moment, he wondered where she’d managed to find flowers in the middle of December, before his attention drifted again.

A dog-eared romance novel sat on the end table next to a lamp he didn’t recognize, and a bowl of chocolate kiss candies sat on the small coffee table. It was neat and well organized just as every aspect of Jeanette seemed to be, and he once again wondered how much of that was real and how much was a façade. She’d nearly scorched him through when they’d made out before, so he knew for a fact there was a molten woman under her surface, and he was determined to draw her out sooner rather than later.

He was reading the back of the romance novel when she threw open the bedroom door, and his mouth dropped open at the sight of her. Snug blue jeans covered her firm thighs and long legs, and a t-shirt emblazoned with the Eagles logo did nothing to hide her pert breasts.

“What are you doing?” she asked, frowning at the book in his hand.

“Waiting for you, and checking out your library. Pirates? Really? I wouldn’t have taken you for a pirate girl,” he teased, dropping the book back onto the end table. They were close enough to each other now that he could feel her body heat, and he hoped she could feel the fire rolling through him.

“I borrowed it from the ranch library,” she said, looking away quickly. “I was bored.”

“I’ll have to ask the guys about that one. I don’t recall any of them being into pirates, but they’re a kinky lot.”

“Are you done making fun of me?” she hissed irritably.

Sighing, he shook his head, “Oh sweet Jeanette, you just don’t get it. I’m not making fun of you at all. I’m trying to find out more about you. I want to know what makes you tick.”

“Why?”

“Why not? Is it so bad that I know you like a badass man who can make you swoon by saying ‘
aaargh
’?”

She giggled and hurried to cover her mouth, shaking her head. “Is that what you got from the book? Well, I’m sorry to disappoint, but it’s not the pirate’s lack of language that makes the book interesting. It’s the happily ever after in spite of all of the danger.”

Hawke stepped closer, pleased when she held her ground. Their chests were touching as he said, “So danger turns you on?”

Her breath hitched, and she swayed slightly. Instantly he gripped her hips, holding her steady as their gazes locked. Her lips parted, and for a moment, he thought she was going to let him kiss her. Within a millisecond, her demeanor changed and lightning flashed in her eyes as she pushed his hands away. “We’d better get to the barn.”

Stepping around him, she led the way back to the front door, and he took the opportunity to stare at her tight ass encased in denim. Damn, it would be fun to push her up against the wall and peel those jeans off her.

Grabbing her coat, she gestured him out the door first, rolling her eyes when she caught him checking her out. Once he was on the porch, she followed and quickly locked the door behind her.

“Scared of intruders, Doc?” he asked playfully, “I’d be happy to play bodyguard. I can guarantee no one else would touch your body with me around.”

“No, I have confidential patient records inside, so I’m required by law to keep them under lock and key,” she stated stiffly, joining him on the path to the ranch house. “Not to mention, it’s a hard habit to break. We lock our doors in Philadelphia.”

“We didn’t used to,” he said sadly. “When I was a kid, there really wasn’t such a thing as crime around here. I mean, there was the regular teenage stuff, but we didn’t have to worry about human trafficking, drug rings, and home invasions.”

“I know about the human trafficking and drugs, but I haven’t heard of any home invasions.” Jeanette said, her voice rising with concern.

“Not here, but I’ve read about it in the paper. I know it happens. That’s why we keep the empty cabins locked now. Well, that and after all that shit went down at the Kilmer pig farm everyone in the area is worried about vacant places being taken over by the bad guys.”

“I thought Bran said there had been no new leads on Destiny’s case?”

Hawke shook his head, “Nope, but that doesn’t change the fact that something could crack it wide open any day. We’re all praying that happens. For her sake, and for Franki’s sake.”

They turned before they reached the back patio of the main house, and followed the well-worn path around the building in the direction of the horse barn. Jeanette wrapped her arms around her middle, and Hawke realized she was shivering. Reaching out with one arm, he pulled her against his side, ignoring her muffled protests.

“I’m just trying to buffer the cold wind. It is winter in North Dakota, Jeanette; you really need to think about investing in some warmer layers,” he chided, wanting to bury his hands in the warmth of her coat so he could feel her body.

“I have a pair of coveralls Marilyn found for me in that room full of clothes, but I haven’t worn them yet. Seems silly to bundle up so much when I’m just walking a hundred yards to the main house most of the time.”

“Silly or not, it could save your skin, literally. Up here it gets cold enough that you can get frostbite in minutes. Don’t take that chance, darlin’, or I might have to paddle your sweet ass.” He was only half joking, but she didn’t laugh this time. Instead, she stiffened in his hold pulling away from him, and he nearly groaned out loud in frustration. Damn, she was a prickly woman.

J
eanette told
herself she was just keeping a professional distance from the man who was technically her employer, but in all actuality, she was trying to escape her own hormonal reaction to him. She hoped her arousal wasn’t obvious to the other people in the barn as they entered. Hawke held the door, blocking the wind so she could ease into the warm interior.

The fragrance of hay and scent of blood filled her nose and made her eyes water for a moment, but she blinked it away so that she could see what was happening. A pair of lights on large stands had been placed on either side of Lolly’s stall to illuminate the area, and Roman, Drannon, and the ranch foreman Daniel were inside with the laboring mare. Meanwhile a small crowd of family members and ranch hands peered over the walls. Lacy and Lauren beckoned her over making room for her to see in the stall.

“Where’s Franki?” She whispered, unsure if she was supposed to be speaking at all the room was so quiet.

Lacy giggled, “She’s watching Michael for me.”

Jeanette nodded, thinking that watching the foster child was likely just a good excuse for Franki to avoid the barn. Thankfully, Lauren voiced her thoughts exactly.

“I can’t believe she lives on a ranch and she’s scared of horses,” Lauren said, rolling her eyes.

“She didn’t grow up on a ranch,” Romeo countered with a firm glare their direction. “Now do you three mind? We’re trying to have a baby here.”

Exchanging grins with the other two ladies, Jeanette turned her focus to the action in the stall. Drannon and Daniel were near the horse’s haunches, while Romeo murmured soothingly and stroked her muzzle. They seemed to know exactly what they were doing, and she was fascinated by how well they worked together. It didn’t take long for the labor to progress, and Drannon’s voice rose as he helped pull the bloody foal free from its mother.

Jeanette felt her heart swell at the site of the tiny creature, still covered in goo and muck. The mare instinctively searched for her foal to begin the cleanup process as everyone cheered quietly for the successful birth.

Caught up in the scene before her, Jeanette didn’t notice how close Hawke was until he murmured into her ear. “Aren’t you glad I came and got you? You might have missed it.”

She jumped and realized that he was blocking her from behind, virtually pinning her against the wooden slats of the stall. His body was warm and hard against her back, and she felt her temperature rise quickly in response.

“Yes, thank you. It was beautiful to watch.” Her voice was more breathless than she would have liked. “When will the baby get up?”

“Within the hour. If it doesn’t, there could be something wrong. Right now, the guys will work to clean up as quickly and quietly as possible so as not to disturb them, and then the hands will take turns keeping an eye on the pair for the next couple of days,” Hawke explained.

“How many babies have been born on the ranch?” She ignored the hand he placed on her hip when she rose on her toes to get a better look. A moment later, his hand was covering her belly, holding her firmly against him.

“Horse or human?” he teased, making her huff with annoyance. “Dozens, maybe hundreds over the years, but every single one is a miracle. I never get tired of seeing it.”

“You’d feel differently if we were talking about human babies,” she replied.

Shifting, he pressed his hips against her ass, and groaned softly into her ear. “Depends on who’s having the babies. I think pregnant women are sexy as hell. The idea of creating and carrying life is a turn on.”

“Really? I thought you were the confirmed bachelor of the bunch,” she taunted, squirming until he backed up to give her more room. “A baby would definitely end those playboy ways of yours.”

He frowned down at her when she turned to face him, “I haven’t touched another woman since you stole my heart, love, and I have no plans to.”

“I didn’t steal anything, Hawke. You shouldn’t be waiting around for me. I have no plans to hook up with you.”

Shrugging nonchalantly, his lips curled up in a smirk. “Plans have a way of changing. You’ve been avoiding me for months, and I’m tired of the chase. Why can’t you just admit you want me? We’d be good together.”

“You’re an ass,” she snapped, stepping free from him and looking around, only to realize that almost everyone had disappeared. She only made it two steps before he grabbed her hand and spun her around, throwing her off balance so that she landed against his chest, his hands cupping her ass and pressing her against him.

“Stop running away.”

“Stop being difficult,” she threw back, shoving at his chest. He was unmovable, his muscles rock hard, and his grip tight. “I don’t want this. I don’t want you. I want to do my job, and live my life without having to hide from you and your lines.”

His nostrils flared, and his eyes narrowed, their green color darkening. He looked like a Greek God with his shoulder length blonde hair, sharp jaw, full lips, and muscular build, and that only made it harder to tell him no.