Less-than-Innocent Invitation (12 page)

She turned it on and the radio squawked to life. Grabbing the handset, she pressed the side button and shouted, “I don't know if anyone's out there, but I need help! Someone's shooting at me.” Releasing the button, she fought for calm as she listened to see if anyone had
heard her. Though there hadn't been any more shots, she wasn't about to stick her head up and risk becoming a target.

Her ears still humming from the sound of the bullet piercing the glass, she looked up. The window on the passenger side had a spider-web effect, with a hole the size of a bottle cap in the glass.

When the radio remained silent, she tried again. “Help! This is Melissa Mason. I'm in Logan Voss's truck at the entrance to Lucas Devlin's ranch. Someone shot at the passenger window. I need help!”

“Melissa?”

“Yes!”
Oh, God.
“Hello, can you hear me?” She wasn't sure who was speaking, but she knew she'd heard his voice before. “Who is this?”

“Melissa, this is Mark Hartman. I'm with Jake Thorne.”

“Thank God.” They were Logan's friends. She could trust them. “Don't lose me,” she begged.

“I'm not going to lose you, Melissa,” Mark stated, his voice composed and encouraging. “But I need you to calm down and tell me where you are again. This time slowly.”

Her nerves shattered, Melissa bit her lip as she tried to collect herself. “Mark, I'm in Logan's truck at the entrance to Lucas Devlin's ranch. Someone shot at me,” she said, her voice trembling.

“Are you hurt?” Mark asked.

“N-no. I'm just scared.”

“Okay. Now listen to me, Melissa. Jake and I aren't far from you. We'll be there in a few minutes. Stay down until we get to you. Understand?”

“Y-yes. I will. Hurry, please!” Clutching the microphone in her hand, she prayed they'd get to her quickly.

 

As Logan walked out of Lucas's home, he ran into Tom Morgan who lived in a guest house on the property. “Your uncle insisted your family has nothing to do with the trouble out at the Windcroft farm,” Logan told Tom.

“That's pretty much what I expected him to say. Thanks for coming out, though.”

“I hope things will quiet down.” He started for his pickup. “I need to be heading back. Melissa's waiting for me.” At least she'd stayed at home. With her determination to get a story, he'd half expected her to show up at the Devlin's ranch. With a sigh, Logan opened his door.

“N-no. I'm just scared,” a voice cried out on his radio.

“Okay. Now listen to me, Melissa. Jake and I aren't far from you. We'll be there in a few minutes. Stay down until we get to you. Understand?”

Logan froze. Melissa? That couldn't be possible. She was back at the house waiting for him.

“Y-yes. I will. Hurry, please!”

“God, that's Melissa!” Logan shouted. Jumping into the truck, he snatched up the microphone. “Melissa, this is Logan. Where are you?”

“Logan!” Melissa screamed, her voice raw with fear. “I'm at the entrance to the Devlin ranch. I'm in your truck. Someone shot at me. The passenger window's shattered.”

He muttered an oath. “Are you all right?” he demanded, his chest feeling as if it might explode.

“Yes, I'm just scared. I wasn't hurt.”

Logan turned the key and the engine roared to life. “I'll be right there, sweetheart. Stay put and stay down!”

“Please hurry,” she whispered, her teeth chattering as icy fear traveled down her spine.

“I'm going with you,” Tom said, dashing around to the other side of Logan's pickup. He'd barely made it inside before Logan floored it. Rocks and dirt flew in their wake as the vehicle bolted down the dirt road.

“Logan, this is Mark,” his friend said over the CB. “Jake and I are about five minutes away.”

“Thanks, guys. I'm closer, maybe two minutes from her. I'll meet you. Keep an eye out for anyone suspicious on your way.” He turned his attention to Melissa. “Sweetheart, can you hear me?”

“Yes, Logan. I can hear you.”

“I'm almost there.” The vehicle rounded a curve practically on two wheels. Logan spotted his pickup parked at an angle off the dirt road. “I can see you now. Have you heard any more shots?”

“No.”

“I'll be there in seconds,” he promised. He'd never heard her sound so terrified.

As he came out of the turn, he stomped on the accelerator. The tires kicked up clouds of dust as it shot down the road toward her. When they got close enough, Logan slammed on the brakes and jerked the pickup to a stop. Jumping out, he raced toward her, Tom hot on his heels. He yanked open the door, then reached inside and gathered Melissa into his arms.

“Melissa, sweetheart, are you okay?” Logan's body sheltered hers as he held her tight against him.

Relieved to be in Logan's arms, Melissa clung to him. “Yes,” she said breathlessly, her body trembling.

Another vehicle pulled up. Mark and Jake hopped out and ran toward them.

“Is she all right?” Jake asked.

“I think so,” Logan called back.

“Stay low while we check around,” Mark told them.

Logan held Melissa and calmed her as Jake, Mark and Tom, armed with rifles, investigated the surrounding area.

Melissa stayed by Logan's side as she repeated her story, explaining the shot had come as she was turning onto the dirt road.

Searching Melissa's face, Logan kissed her. “God, I was scared to death when I heard you on the radio. Are you sure you're not hurt?”

Burrowing closer to him, she whispered, “No, but I'm glad you were nearby.”

“What were you doing out here? I thought I told you to wait at the house for me?” He silently berated himself for leaving her behind. If he hadn't, this wouldn't have happened.

She met his gaze and the intensity of it shocked her. “I know you did. I just wanted to tell you that Daniel called. He wants me to—”

His muscles tensed.
Her job.
“You risked your life for a story.”

She searched his tight expression. “No, Logan, it's not like that. I've faced difficult situations in the past, but I—”

“So this is nothing new,” he cut in, annoyance creep
ing into his tone. “You put yourself in danger all the time.” He knew her job was demanding, but the awareness she'd almost been killed twice—both in relation to him—made him shake with alarm.

Melissa stared at him in silence, thinking it was best if she left as soon as possible. Logan would never have to know that she'd been coming for him.

He didn't love her. His disparaging tone told her that. Her last-minute attempt to be with him was only putting off the inevitable. Logan wasn't going to ask her to stay.

Taking a breath, she said, “Some stories are more risky than others.” Melissa didn't know where the strength to say the words came from. “I've been in some pretty tough circumstances before, but I've never been shot at.”

His eyes narrowed. “Doesn't that bother you?”

“Yes, it does,” she admitted. “I try not to think about it. It's a risk every reporter takes.”

He set her away from him. “But the risk doesn't stop you from investigating?”

She shook her head, her words coming harder than she'd planned. “I do what I'm assigned. I don't always get to pick and choose. I've worked for a long time to earn a promotion. This story is my ticket.”

“Your work is that important to you, isn't it?” he asked.

She looked him straight in the eyes, knowing that without Logan, her work was all she had. “Yes, it is. As a matter of fact, Daniel wants me back in Houston tomorrow. My promotion came through. I'm going to be a news anchor beginning this weekend.”

“I see.” His lips compressing, Logan felt as though
he was being ripped open. She'd been waiting for this call. It was time for her to leave Royal.

And him.

Someone cleared his throat and they both turned to see Mark, Jake and Tom standing behind them. Logan felt his face flame with heat as he took in the speculative looks on their faces. “Did you find anything?” he asked, hoping to stave off comments about what they'd heard.

“No. It appears the shot came from across the road in those woods,” Jake said, pointing in that direction.

“Whoever it was is long gone,” Mark added.

“Why would they have shot at me?” Melissa asked. “I don't know anything.”

Tom shoved his hands in his pockets. “I'm not sure they were shooting at you. Since it was Logan's vehicle, whoever did this might have thought he was driving,” he suggested. “They might have done this to scare Logan off.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“We're trying to settle things between the Devlins and the Windcrofts. It looks like someone is doing their best to make sure that doesn't happen. The reason is still a mystery.” Jake looked at Logan. “What did Lucas have to say?”

“He claims his family isn't responsible for anything happening at the Windcrofts' and he'd like nothing better than to see the feud between the two families settled for good.”

“Did he know anything about the map?” Mark asked.

“Only that it had been stolen. He doesn't believe a Devlin had anything to do with it.”

Melissa looked away from Logan. “So you still don't know who took the map?” she asked Mark.

“No, but we're showing the picture around. We'll find the woman who took it.”

Though interested in learning the details, Melissa found her mind couldn't focus. All she wanted to do was return home with Logan and curl up in the safety of his arms. Instead, she had to face reality and pack.

She extended her hand, her fingers still trembling. “Thank you so much for coming to my aid. I really appreciate it.”

Mark briefly shook her hand. “No problem, Melissa. We're glad you're okay.” He shot a look at Logan. “You have this under control, buddy?” he asked.

Logan glowered at them. “Yeah. Tom—”

“I'll drive this truck to my place, Logan,” Tom said, reading his thoughts. “You can get it tomorrow. I'll also call Gavin and report what happened.”

“Thanks.” Hustling Melissa to his ranch truck, Logan helped her inside, then climbed behind the wheel, started the engine and stepped on the accelerator, flying past Mark and Jake who were just getting into Mark's vehicle.

F
rustrated that he hadn't protected Melissa, that she'd almost been shot, Logan kept his mouth shut on the way to the Wild Spur. Though he'd never let himself truly believe they could have a life together, the idea had taken shape in the back of his mind.

He'd been dreaming. But loving her, his heart had hoped. How could he ask her to give up what she loved, what she'd worked so hard to achieve? He understood what drove her to pursue her career. His entire life had been devoted to the ranch. Without it, he'd feel empty.

The trouble was, without Melissa, the ranch didn't go far in filling the hole in his heart. He glanced at her. She sat beside him with her hands clasped in her lap, her face pale. He wanted to be angry with her, wanted to shake her and tell her no job was worth her life.

You don't have that right.

No, he didn't.

They were lovers. Nothing more.

Since her return to Royal, she'd made it perfectly clear her life, job and future were in Houston.

You love her.

Yeah, he did. But he wasn't part of her equation, was he? He wrestled with telling her how much she meant to him, telling her that he couldn't live without her.

Asking her to stay.

Begging her to marry him. To live with him here. To have his children. He could easily imagine her with their child in her arms. A little girl with her mother's beautiful green eyes.

God, how could she even think of leaving? They'd lost many years of being together, loving each other, sharing ups and downs—endless nights of making love.

Over the past few weeks, they'd recaptured part of their past, but it hadn't changed the present course of their lives. He toyed briefly with the idea of combining their worlds, but in his heart he knew that would never work. She didn't belong here on the Wild Spur any more than he belonged in Houston. And he couldn't operate his ranch long-distance. He had no right to hold on to his dreams and ask her to let go of hers.

“When do you have to leave?” he forced himself to ask, breaking the tense silence between them.

Melissa looked at Logan and shuddered. His hands were nearly white as he gripped the steering wheel, and he hadn't even looked at her when he'd spoken. She
turned her head and stared out the window. He was so handsome, so strong, so confident and in control.

She wished she felt the same way.

But she didn't. When Logan had walked up to her at the anniversary ball, her entire existence had changed. She'd never stood a chance.

Leaving him years ago had broken her heart. Over time, she'd picked up the pieces and vowed never again to allow herself to be hurt. But the pain she'd endured then was nothing compared to the pain ravaging her soul at this moment.

“In about an hour.” It cost her dearly to say the words. Though Daniel had said to be in Houston by tomorrow, Logan didn't know that. With everything between them, there was no way she could postpone her departure until the morning. She needed a clean break. It was the only chance she had of leaving Royal in one piece. “I'll pack my things as soon as we get back.”

“I see.” Logan could barely squeeze the words past the knot in his throat. What they'd shared the past few weeks came down to one final hour together. He didn't want to spend the time at odds with her. Pulling into his driveway, he parked his truck and turned off the key. “Is there anything you need help with?” he asked in an effort to diffuse the strain between them.

Melissa shook her head. “No, I don't have that much to do.” Opening her door, she got out. They walked inside together. As they stepped into the house, she turned and said, “Logan, I'm really sorry about your truck. I'll pay for the damages.”

A frown creased his brow. “You think I'm upset about
the damn truck?” he growled. He embraced her. “Ah, sweetheart, come here. Melissa, I'm not angry at you.”

She looked up at him, her eyes searching his. “You're not?”

“I'm just having a hard time accepting that your job puts you in danger.” A harder time believing that it didn't bother her.

Melissa caught her breath, realizing she'd pulled off her ruse quite well. He'd believed her when she'd said it was her job sometimes to walk on the edge of danger. “Oh.”

His arms tightened around her. “And I guess I always knew the time would come when you'd leave.” His chest rumbled with quiet laughter. “Being with you for the past couple of weeks was worth the worry you put me through.”

Pulling away, Melissa looked up at him, her fingers playing with the button on his shirt. “Thanks, I think.” She smiled, then pressed her lips together to maintain her composure. “It's been wonderful, Logan. I'll never forget you.”

His gaze met hers. “I want you to know I respect what you do, and I'm proud of you.” She was an amazing reporter. He couldn't resent that she loved her work.

“You'll never know how much that means to me.” Unsteady, she stepped out of his arms before she broke down and made a fool of herself. “I'd better start packing,”

He nodded and she walked away, step by fragile step. Her vision blurred. By sheer will, she reached her room and shut the door. Leaning against the solid, cold wood, she cried.

This time when she left, it would be permanent.
She'd never hold Logan again. As she dried her eyes, she told herself how fortunate she'd been to have the chance to be with him once more. It had been wonderful—more thrilling than she could ever have dreamed.

Numb, she called Rick, discussed Daniel's call and his request that they return to Houston, then told him she'd be ready in an hour. She stored her phone in her purse, and gathered her clothes. What didn't fit in the one bag she'd brought with her, she stuffed in the shopping bags she'd kept. Finished, she glanced around the room to be sure she wasn't leaving anything behind.

But she was.

Logan.

Every single fiber of her revolted at the thought of never seeing him again.

And then she could no longer hold it inside. Tears flowed hot and fast as she sobbed with soul-deep agony. She buried her face into the bed covers to muffle the sounds of her pain and cried until there was nothing left inside her.

Until she lay exhausted and emotionally spent.

A tap on her door had her sitting up and wiping her eyes.

“You ready?”

“One minute,” she replied to Rick, surprised at how calm she sounded when her life was falling apart. At least it wasn't Logan. She doubted she could have handled him now.

With what little life was left in her, she went into the bathroom, washed her face, then repaired her makeup.
Anyone looking at her would attribute her paleness to the shooting, not her heart breaking.

Now, all she had left to do was to face Logan and say goodbye.

Resolving to leave with her dignity intact, without dropping to her knees and pleading for his love, Melissa picked up her things and left the room. As she came out the front door, Logan was talking to Rick in the courtyard. Melissa focused her attention on her videographer. “I'm ready,” she said, joining them.

“I'll take your bags.” Rick left to put her belongings in his truck.

Pain stabbed Melissa as she turned to Logan. “Well, I guess this is goodbye.” Despite her attempt to keep her emotions under control, tears welled in her eyes.

Logan's gaze swept her as regret and sadness stole through him. A hundred men couldn't have stopped him from touching her. He stepped close, stroked her cheek with his knuckles, then cupped her neck with his hand and drew her to him. “I guess,” he answered on a rough sigh. Aligning their bodies, he embraced her, then lifted her mouth to his. From somewhere deep inside him he managed a brief smile. “It's okay, sweetheart. As you said, we both knew this wasn't going to last.”

Melissa choked back a sob. “I know.”

“Be careful out there.”

“I will.” With her whispered promise between them, she raised up on her toes intent on giving him a brief kiss. But the second her lips touched his, her control shattered. She gave herself to him, body, heart and mind.

Their kiss shifted, deepened until all that remained was sensation.

Hot.

Demanding.

Touching her to her very soul.

Logan devoured Melissa's essence. He wanted to make sure she remembered what they had shared, to show her with this kiss that he loved her. Words he had no right to say. He made love to her mouth, pouring himself into the only way he could to show how much she meant to him.

And then he found the strength to let her go.

He stepped away. “Take care of yourself, sweetheart,” he whispered on a harsh breath.

Aching to stay, Melissa nodded. She walked away, unable to look back. She got into Rick's truck and shut the door. As he started the engine, she caught a glimpse of Logan in the side mirror. He stood still in the courtyard, his hands on his hips, his head facing the ground.

A man alone.

A man she loved desperately.

Rick touched her shoulder and a sob escaped her lips. Melissa held her hand up to stave off any conversation. He gave her a gentle squeeze, then put the truck in gear. They traveled down the long drive, each second taking her farther away from the happiest she'd been in her life.

Memories of leaving long ago haunted her. She fisted her hands and fought off another wave of emotion as she looked out over the rolling hills and the cattle grazing in the distance.

Was she doing the right thing? Years ago she'd been a naive girl. Because she'd believed a vindictive woman, she'd doubted Logan's love. Truthfully, she'd never given him a chance.

Melissa thought about Jessamine Golden, the map and the rose petals from her purse. A woman whom legend told lived outside the law…a woman with secrets and a soft heart. A strong woman who had the courage to stand up for herself.

In every other facet of her life, Melissa faced challenges with strength and perseverance. Why not now? To leave without telling Logan she loved him would be reliving her past mistake all over again.

Logan hadn't said he loved her, but then, she hadn't confessed her love for him, either. So afraid of getting hurt by him again, she'd waited and hoped and dreamed. She hadn't given him any reason to admit his feelings for her.

She frowned. Why would he?

Ever since she'd arrived, she'd put up a front by talking about her job. Keeping a shield between them by mentioning her promotion. Though she loved her work, becoming an anchor would mean nothing without Logan in her life.

Sitting up, she wiped the dampness from her cheeks. She refused to leave without ever knowing what could have been. If there was the slightest chance that Logan loved her, it was a risk she was willing to take.

The truck cleared the cattle guard. Melissa grabbed Rick's arm. “Stop the truck!”

“What?”

They drove under the Wild Spur sign. “I said stop the truck!”

Rick slammed on the brakes and the truck skidded to a stop. A plume of dust churned past them, sweeping across the road that led to the highway a short distance away. His head whipped in her direction. “Melissa, are you all right?”

“Yes,” she cried, struggling to get her breathing under control. “I've never been more all right in my life.”

Rick shoved the truck into park, his expression wrought with concern. “What is it? What's wrong?”

She grabbed the handle and pushed open the door. “I can't leave.” Climbing out of the truck, she looked at Rick. “Go to Houston without me. I'm going back to Logan.”

Rick's eyes widened, then he grinned. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” And she was. She'd never been more sure of anything in her life.

Pride filled Rick's face. “Well, get in and I'll take you up to the house.”

She shook her head and stepped back. “No, I'll walk. I need the time to gather my thoughts. Just put my stuff on the side of the road,” she told him, then shut the door and started walking.

“Good luck, honey,” he called as he unloaded her bags.

Melissa looked back, waved, then smiled. “I'll call you later.” The engine revved behind her then faded as he drove away.

“I love you, Logan,” she whispered as she continued up the driveway.

She felt a sense of homecoming. Fear of being hurt
had stopped her from admitting her feelings for the past few weeks, but she wasn't afraid anymore. Melissa had never dreamed that she would see Logan again, or that they would have a second chance. She thought she'd made peace with that. Now she knew that she hadn't really been living.

Yes, she loved working, but there was more to life than chasing stories and reporting the news. There was loving deeply—as she loved Logan. There were friends, not just coworkers. There were birthday and anniversary celebrations and holiday dinners—the kind that left you with a feeling of warmth and togetherness.

As she walked, she thought of a million things she wanted to say to Logan—all of the things she'd kept locked inside for years.

Once, a long time ago, he had asked her to marry him. That day was still vivid in her mind, one of the happiest moments in her life. She wanted to put the past behind them, give them new and special memories to share.

As she neared the house, her pulse quickened as her gaze swept first the corral, then the driveway, then finally the courtyard.

Her heart ached when she saw Logan. He hadn't moved from the spot where he'd been standing when she left.

Oh, Logan, I do love you.

Her eyes began filling with a fresh wave of tears. He must have heard her footsteps, or the whispers of her heart, because he slowly raised his head and their eyes met. Shock flashed across his handsome face. Her footsteps faltered momentarily, then she recovered and con
tinued walking until she was only a few feet away. All the time he watched her, his eyes intense and questioning.