Winter Harvest (9 page)

He ran over to the door, jerked it open, and stood there slack jawed as Victoria fishtailed down the lane toward the main house.

"Damn her." Andrew slammed the door shut and rounded on Traye. "This is all your fault. She'll probably hit the ditch, and I'll have to rescue her again."

"Your sister has a mind of her own I've never pretended to control. That's your deal."

"Excuse me?"

"You never let her just
live."
Traye found an insulated flannel shirt and dragged it on. Thanks to anger that matched Andrew's, he fumbled with the buttons. "She can't even
have
a life without you trying to control it."

"You mean like keeping her away from the likes of you?"

"Jeez, I always thought you liked me… or at least, you did at one time. I have no idea what your deal is, Andrew, but I care about your sister. Maybe more than I have a right to. I had no plans to take her to bed. It just happened."

"Oh, really? You just happened to jump her bones and soil her for life." Andrew touched his bruised lip. "I can't believe you did it. I don't think much of you anymore, but I never thought you'd stoop this low and bed my sister just to get into this family."

"What are you talking about?" Traye sighed and touched his already swelling eye. "Are you that afraid I'll take over your life? You have it way better than I do."

"That's right, I do." He couldn't quite pull off a smirk with his bruised lip. "And it's about to get even better."

"You don't say." Traye studied him.
Might as well play along.
"Why is that?"

"I'm going to tell Dad what happened here, and he's going to throw your sorry ass off this farm. I'll be free and clear of you for good, and Victoria will have plenty of time to recover from whatever this was." Andrew pointed toward the rumpled bed.

"Look, it was a mistake. A weak moment. It won't happen again," Traye said. He'd just lied, but he could never tell Andrew how much he'd enjoyed the night with Victoria. Traye couldn't let Robert hear about this. He'd never get over the shame of letting his mentor down.

"It's too late, my friend. You blew it this time."

They both knew their friendship was over. Traye had to find a way to get to Robert first. Smooth it out before Andrew could spin his tale and make it even worse.

"Did you even bother to look at your sister's bruised face?"

"What, did you do hit her, too? She fought you, so you beat her up?"

"Shut up. You know I'd never hit her. She came here drunk and fell down the front steps. I had to nurse her. Her clothes were soaked, and I think she had a concussion. I washed her up, got her sober, and watched over her."

"Okay. Then why were you both naked?"

"Forget it. You're not going to listen to me." Traye shoved his feet into his boots. "Your father will see the truth."

"Don't count on it." Andrew looked around. "Where are your keys?"

"Like I'm going to let you take my truck."

"I have to get out of here somehow."

"You can walk." Wanting to strangle Andrew, Traye put on his jacket.

Andrew glared at him. "After what you did to Victoria, you owe me."

"I'm beginning to see. I owe you nothing. I've given you way too much as it is. Go ahead and tell your father what you think is the truth. I'll do the same, and we'll see who he believes." Traye knew the idea was a longshot, but he couldn't let Andrew see how scared he was. With Victoria's help, maybe he could get himself out of this mess. At least now he knew Andrew was gunning for him. He'd have to trust Robert would see his side of the story.

"Fine, I'll walk," Andrew said. "Won't be much longer, and you'll be gone anyway."

"We'll see." Traye's heart sank. Chances were, Andrew was right. Traye might as well start looking for another job.

Andrew left and started off down the lane. As the other man bucked the wind with his head down in snow up to his crotch, Traye felt some satisfaction.

Once Andrew had gone a good long distance, Traye bundled himself up and went outside to shovel out his truck. With any luck, he'd come up with a solution for the mess his life had become. He'd just gone down in flames and been the one to light the match.

*****

Victoria struggled to keep the truck in Andrew's tracks. Wishing she could floor the vehicle and race back home, she bounced on the seat. Every jolt produced a groan from her lips. In her haste to leave, she hadn't realized how much her body still ached. Having the two men go after one another without any thought to her had fueled her anger. The battle centered around their male pride. Neither of them had even noticed her exit. No, they'd been too busy dodging each other's flying fists. Traye would never let her into his life now. His stupid integrity wouldn't allow it. He loved her. She'd felt it every time he'd touched her when they'd made love. He could deny it to his dying breath, but she knew. Only, it wasn't enough. Like it or not, she had to let him go and move on.

Tears pricked her eyes. At least she'd made it home. She left the truck in the driveway and tromped inside.

"Dad? Where are you?"

Silence.

The house phone rang, and Victoria found it in the kitchen beside a phone book and an open laptop. Andrew must have called everyone as he tried to locate her.
Good
.
Serves him right
.

She brought the phone to her ear. "Hello?"

"Victoria?"

"Dad. Where are you?"

"At the hospital."

"What?" She pushed her hair back and winced when she grazed her bruise. "Why?"

"I had a little accident. Collided with a plow."

"Are you okay?"

"I have a broken leg and I'm a little bruised, but I'll be fine. Where were you?"

"At Traye's." Victoria's heart pounded. Humiliation caused her cheeks to heat.

"Oh. Why didn't you just let us know that? I was worried sick when I saw you hadn't come home last night in such a storm."

"I-I should have." Guilt washed over her. Now her father was hurt all because she'd wanted Traye.
How could I have been so selfish?
"I'm sorry, Daddy."

"I'm just glad you're okay. Did Andrew find you?"

Oh, God. Andrew.
She'd have to swallow her pride and go back and get him. "Yeah, he did. Let me shower and change, and I'll be right there. Do you have to stay long?"

"No, I should be out of here by tomorrow. They just want to keep me overnight for observation. Frankly, I think it's ridiculous."

Victoria smiled. Her father would be fine. She got her stubbornness from him. Not a bad thing. She hung up the phone, rushed to take a hot shower, and washed all traces of Traye from her body. He would forever be branded in her brain. She'd carry last night with her for the rest of her life. If scrubbing her skin raw wouldn't hurt so bad, she'd do it. Unfortunately, all of her bruises and bumps prevented her from putting herself through such torture.

She changed into jeans and a sweater, then dried and styled her hair, careful not to touch her bruised eye. No makeup in the world would be able to cover the mark. She'd have to give her father some explanation.

Her heart hurt more than her head. She wouldn't let this be the end of her life. She'd go on and survive either on her own, or with someone else.

The front door opened, and a stiff, snow-covered man entered the house. His eyes peeked out from between his scarf and hat. She'd know those glaring eyes anywhere. They belonged to her brother. Traye hadn't come with him. She let out a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding. No doubt she'd see him soon enough, but for now, she wanted to put off that meeting as long as possible. Andrew took off his scarf to reveal a purple bruise at the corner of his mouth.

"I was just about to go pick you up, Andrew. How'd you get here?"

"Disappointed?"

Victoria shrugged.

"I walked. Traye wouldn't even give me a ride after what he did."

"We don't have time for this. Dad's in the hospital. I'm on my way over there."

"What?"

"Yeah. He got into it with a snowplow. Thankfully he's just a little beaten up, and he has a broken leg. He was out looking for me." She held up her hand. "Don't say it, Andrew. I feel bad enough. Are you coming?"

"Of course I am. You're responsible for this. You should never have spent the night at Traye's."

"I know, okay? Just let it go. It was a mistake, and it's over."
Before it even had a chance to start.

"Damn right it is. He's out of here."

Victoria spun, and her head pounded. She winced. "What do you mean? He's leaving?" She didn't want to face him right now, but it didn't mean she wanted him gone.

"After Dad hears what he did, he'll kick Traye off this farm for good."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"Yep. He doesn't belong here. He's not one of us." He started for the door. "Come on, let's go."

Dragging her feet, Victoria followed him. Now she'd have no choice but to tell her father what had happened before Andrew destroyed Traye. If she hadn't gotten drunk and gone over there, none of this would have happened and everything could have remained the same. She had started this, and now she had to protect Traye.

*****

Victoria grabbed the dash to keep from being tossed around in the cab of the truck like a rag doll. The roads had been plowed, but they were far from clear. Superior Andrew stewed in silence. She wanted to break his nose and make it match his fat lip.

"Andrew, you don't have any say in what I do in my life." She should have kept her trap shut, but she couldn't. He had to know that although he'd won with Traye, he'd never control her.

He glared out the windshield. "I do when it comes to Traye."

"What makes you think so?"

"He's a user." Her brother continued to concentrate on the road.

"What are you talking about?
I
went after
him
. I was stupid, and I regret it, but it's
my
fault."

"The hell it is. He could've turned you down."

"He did. Didn't you see my face?" She pointed to the side of her head, but Andrew still wouldn't look at her. "I went charging out into the storm and landed in a heap at the bottom of his steps, and he took care of me. I won't let you do this to him."

"Victoria, he uses all of us. He lives free and clear on our land and in our house."

"That house belonged to his father."

"Who also lived free on our land. Dad gave him the shack because he was a drunk, and Dad felt sorry for Traye. His father drank up all the profits he made, and he hardly worked. He didn't do anything to deserve that cabin, and although Traye does work hard, he doesn't deserve to live on the farm for free, and then jump my sister. He has no respect."

Victoria knew Andrew couldn't see how much Traye respected their family and the pride he took in being different from his father.

"Why do you hate him so much? You used to be such good friends."

"That was before I saw what a user he is and how he turned out just like his father."

"Don't say that. He bends over backwards to be anything but. He carries a lot of guilt on his shoulders. You need to cut him a break."

"Why? So he can screw you again?"

"Don't make it sound so dirty." She slugged his arm, but he didn't seem to notice. "It wasn't."

"If you say so." Andrew shrugged. "I saw more of his father than you did. I know Traye doesn't want to be anything like him, but sometimes genes don't give you a choice."

"I don't see Traye turning into his father. Yet you have him so freaked out, he might."

"With Mom gone, it's my duty to see that
you
turn out right."

"Look, I know you take your role seriously, but I'm an adult, and I still have a dad. So quit it. Don't you want to see me happy?"

Andrew scoffed. "How can you be happy in a one room cabin living on your father's land on Traye's meager salary?"

"Someday it'll be
my
land. It's not all about money with me."

"Seriously?" Andrew eyed her with a scowl. "You'd be happy?"

"I might've been, but Traye is an honorable man. After your reaction, he won't want anything to do with me ever again." She sank down in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. "You're such an ass."

"I'm sorry, Victoria, but it's for the best."

"For whom?"

"For everyone. You'll get over him, and you'll both move on. Traye deserves a fresh start."

Victoria squinted at Andrew. She didn't believe for a second that he cared about either her or Traye.
What did keeping them apart do for him?

Didn't matter anymore. She and Traye were done.

They reached the hospital with no resolution. Andrew carried the O'Connor stubbornness gene just like she did.

Once they went inside, they found their father's room with no problem. He sat with his leg propped up wearing a cast from above his knee to his toes. He was in good spirits and teased and flirted with the nurse while she checked the cut on his forehead.

"Hey, kids."

"Hi, Dad. Are you in a lot of pain?" Hoping to hide her eye, Victoria ducked her head.

"Nah. They're keeping me pretty drugged up." He looked at her brother. "Andrew, what happened to you? Victoria… you too. Did you two get in a fight?"

"I got into a fight with Traye." Andrew drew his brows together. "I found your daughter in his bed, and he was in it with her."

Victoria groaned.
He sure didn't waste any time. Jerk.
"It wasn't like that, Dad."

"Okay, then. Just how was it?"

"I had a lot to drink and had someone take me to his cabin. He made me mad, and I left… but I fell down his steps and knocked myself out. He nursed me through the night."

"It's
how
he nursed that should concern us." Andrew sneered at her.

"Can't you see how hurt she is, Andrew?" Robert frowned. "Are you okay sweetheart?"

"Yeah. Just sore. Andrew found us and let his mind run wild."

"You were both naked in his bed. Doesn't take much to come to the conclusion that he accosted you in your weakened state."