All I Ever Wanted (3 page)

Kayla offered a bite of sausage to Teddy, then took a bite herself. “Dr. Richard was coming, but he had to take care of a sick animal.”

Fallon grinned. “Emmm. The good vet with the Y factor.”

Naomi barely kept from squirming. The
Y
was for “yummy.” “You know he’d be here if he could.”

“I know. I just wish he was here with us.”

Naomi wished he was there, too. His presence seemed to make everything easier. She wasn’t as tense when he was with them. Not daring to look at Fallon, Naomi reached for her fork.

* * *

Richard loved being a veterinarian. It was the only thing he’d ever wanted to do with his life. Since he was single and not in a serious relationship, there were few times in his life when his profession had interfered with his personal life.

Today was one of those rare times.

He turned into the gate of the Bar S ranch and continued down the dusty road. He’d wanted to be there today for Kayla, but also for Naomi. There would be a lot of people at Catherine’s signing.

The citizens of Santa Fe had embraced her not only because she had married into the beloved Grayson family and she was famous in her own right, but because they could tell she genuinely cared about children. More than once he’d seen a concerned mother approach her while she was eating to ask a question or get an autograph. She always responded with a smile.

One day he hoped Naomi would be that free and easy with a smile. She was doing better, but she still didn’t like crowds. She had good reason for wanting to know who was near her. He hoped his presence helped. Until the unexpected phone call this morning, he’d thought he’d be there for her.

Seeing the ranch house, he continued around back to the barn. Several ranch hands were there. Their facial expressions warned Richard that Ted, the owner of the Bar S, might have reason to be worried. One came to the door of the truck before he stopped completely.

“The boss is inside with Foxtrot, Dr. Youngblood. He raised him from a colt. I’ll show you.”

“Thanks.” Grabbing his bag, Richard followed the short, wiry man into the barn. Sunlight streamed through the hayloft opening, but it was still dim inside. A short distance farther on, he saw Ted and his signature black Stetson.

Opening the stall door, the ranch hand stepped aside. Richard’s gaze went to the horse’s bloody flank first, then to the worried eyes of the owner. “’Morning, Ted.”

“’Morning, Doc,” the older man greeted, his voice thicker than usual. “Thanks for coming.”

“Thanks for the extra light and the blanket.” Placing his bag on the blanket, Richard snapped on a pair of gloves. “I’ll try to be gentle, but this is going to hurt a bit.”

Ted nodded. “Doc’s gonna help, Foxtrot, so don’t act up.”

Richard probed the deep lacerations on the animal’s flank, stopping occasionally as the horse shied away. Ted had been right. The lacerations would have to be sutured. There was no way he’d make it back to Santa Fe in time.

“Damn horse, she’s too old to be so stupid,” Ted growled, but his voice was as shaky as the hand that repeatedly brushed down the trembling horse’s blazed face. “You should have picked up the cat’s scent and run like the other horses.”

Richard snapped off the gloves, then clasped the older man on the shoulder. “I’ll be as quick and as gentle as I can.” He placed the soiled gloves into a bag and reached into his open medical bag. “I’m glad you found her or those lacerations would have become infected. She’s not going to like what we have to do, but she’ll be all right.”

The older man swallowed visibly. “You hear that, you old nag? Doc Youngblood is going to fix you up, and next time you better run.”

Richard sanitized his hands, prepared a hypodermic needle, then put on a fresh pair of gloves. Some wounds were easier to treat and heal than others. He couldn’t help but think of Naomi. He just prayed that one day she could put the past behind her and look at him as more than just a friend. He hoped it was soon. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could hide his feelings for her.

He pushed to his feet. “Let’s get this done.”

Chapter 2

Later that afternoon, Naomi, Fallon and Kayla entered the famous La Fonda hotel in downtown Santa Fe. People with children in tow hurried past them. Kayla’s hand firmly in Naomi’s, they followed the signs and helpful people positioned in the hallways leading to the Conquistador Ballroom.

“This is one of my favorite hotels,” Fallon said, looking at the overhanging balconies, wooden beams, and specialty shops. “I think I could happily live here. They picked a great locale for the signing.”

“It is pretty,” Naomi agreed, marveling that Catherine could return to the hotel where an embarrassing incident could have ended her career, if not for Luke’s quick thinking. At the time, they’d just been dating.

“Looks like a line out the door,” Fallon murmured. “Hope we can find a seat. No wonder they held it in a conference room.”

“Mama, we can get in, can’t we?” Kayla asked, worry on her face.

Naomi squeezed her hand in reassurance. “Catherine said she wanted you on stage. You know you can depend on her.”

Kayla’s arm tightened around the waist of Teddy. “She gave me Teddy.”

“She certainly did,” Naomi said, thinking she’d also given them hope and a chance to start over.

“Now, that is what I call a man,” Fallon whispered in an aside.

Since her friend seldom noticed men, Naomi lifted her head to see who she was talking about and looked straight into the steady black gaze of Luke Grayson. She didn’t drop her head as she had when they first met. He still made her a bit uneasy because of his height—well over six feet—and his brawny build, but she’d learned to trust him as she did few men.

“That’s Luke Grayson, Catherine’s husband,” Naomi whispered.

“Then I’d say she’s a
very
lucky woman,” Fallon replied quietly. “Any brothers?”

“Three and all married,” Naomi told her.

“I just bet they keep a smile on their wives’ faces.” Fallon laughed wickedly.

Naomi didn’t know what to say. She knew Fallon was talking about sex. Naomi didn’t like sex, dreaded the times her husband had reached for her. She was saved from commenting when Luke started toward them.

“Hi, Mr. Luke,” Kayla greeted when he was at least two feet away. “Mrs. Catherine didn’t forget about me, did she?”

“Ladies.” Tipping his Stetson, Luke squatted in front of Kayla. “How could she forget about you, the prettiest girl in the state and the bravest?”

Kayla grinned. “Me and Teddy wanted to look extra nice.”

“I’d say you pulled it off.” He straightened, tipped his Stetson again. “Hello, Naomi, miss.”

“Hi, Luke,” Naomi greeted, still holding Kayla’s hand. “This is Fallon Marshall, my next-door neighbor. Fallon, Luke Grayson.”

Smiling, Fallon extended her hand. “Hello, Mr. Grayson. Looks like your wife’s signing is going to be a huge success.”

“Looks like.” The handshake was brief and firm. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Marshall.”

Fallon tilted her head to one side. “How do you know it’s not Mrs.?”

Luke smiled easily. “No wedding ring.” He turned to Naomi. “I’m to take you to your seats.”

Naomi threw an anxious look at Fallon. “We’re together.”

“I expected as much. Ms. Marshall can have my seat. It will save someone trying to look over or around me.”

“With those shoulders and your height, you’re right about that,” Fallon murmured, then rolled her eyes. “Sorry. Sometimes my mouth gets ahead of my brain.”

“That’s all right. I know someone else just like you.” He extended his hand toward the way he had come. “There’s another door we can go in.”

Inside the room, Luke beckoned a young usher. “These are Mrs. Grayson’s special guests, Kayla and Teddy. Could you please take them to the stage?”

“My pleasure.” The young woman reached for Kayla’s hand.

“’Bye, Mama.” Kayla started forward, then stopped because her mother still held on. “Mama, you have my hand.”

Naomi glanced around the crowded room. Her hand flexed, but she didn’t release Kayla.

“I’ll be close by and your seat is directly in front of the stage,” Luke said softly.

Pushing the fear of the nightmare aside, Naomi kissed Kayla on top of her head and released her hand. Her daughter happily left without a backward glance.

“This way,” Luke said, following the usher. “Afterward, we’re all going to the Mesa at the Casa de Serenidad for an early dinner. You’re both invited, of course. Kayla is a big part of today. We’ve outgrown the family booth at Brandon’s restaurant since we’re all married.”

Fallon stopped and palmed her forehead. “Grayson. You must be Brandon Grayson’s brother.”

“Guilty.”

Fallon laughed. “I’m a travel writer. I spotlighted his restaurant, the Red Cactus, in one of the first articles I wrote about Santa Fe. I didn’t get to meet him the day I was there. The food was fantastic. He deserves the high reputation he’s garnered.”

“If you do meet him, don’t tell him,” a woman said with laughter in her voice. “His head is big enough already.”

Naomi had been paying more attention to the usher guiding Kayla in the crowded room than to her surroundings. She recognized Luke’s sister’s Sierra’s voice even before Naomi turned. With her were two men. Sierra was as beautiful and as well dressed as usual in one of the designer suits she favored, this one mint green and black. Both men with her were as broad-shouldered and tall as Luke. One wore a smile, the other a dangerous mystique.

“My sister, Sierra, her husband, Blade Navarone, and their friend, Rio Sanchez,” Luke introduced. “Fallon Marshall, Naomi’s friend and neighbor. She’s a travel writer and she’s joining us for dinner.”

Greetings were barely exchanged before Fallon gasped, her hands reaching for the camera dangling around her neck. Her hand had barely closed over it before a larger hand covered hers. Her gaze snapped up to the man Luke had introduced as Rio. His gaze was flat, unblinking.

“No pictures, if you don’t mind,” Luke said. “This is a family outing.”

“Of course,” Fallon said, her smile returning as Rio moved back behind Blade in one smooth, graceful motion. “It was instinctive. I’m sorry.”

“No harm done,” Blade said easily.

Naomi had to admire Fallon. If Rio had approached her that way, she would still be shaking or running. Luke might not have smiled much, but at least there were emotions swirling in his intense black eyes. Rio showed no emotions, just emanated power and danger.

“Mr. Navarone, your properties are fantastic,” Fallon continued. “I did an article on one in Playa del Carmen several weeks ago. I hated to leave.”

“Thank you.” Blade’s grin was all male when he looked at Sierra. “So did we.”

“Luke and Naomi mentioned all of the Graysons are married,” Fallon said. “Seems like you have an interesting family.”

“You can say that again,” Sierra said, laughing. “You’ll meet Brandon and his wife. Her family owns Casa de Serenidad, a five-star hotel. We’re dining in their casual restaurant on the patio. Our brother Morgan will be joining us with his wife, the famed sculptress Phoenix Bannister. Pierce, the youngest brother, is married to Sabra Raineau, Tony-winning Broadway star. She also won an Oscar. Unfortunately for poor Pierce, he’s in New York with Sabra, meeting with her agent and the director of the next movie she’s starring in.”

“Why unfortunate? If you don’t mind my asking,” Fallon said.

“Because my youngest brother will never get used to having his wife do romantic scenes in the theater or movies,” Sierra explained. “He’s forbidden to be on the set or backstage during those times.”

“I can’t blame him,” Luke muttered, then looked at Catherine on the raised stage. “I’m glad she’s an author and in academia.”

“But you’d let her live her dream,” Sierra said with confidence.

Luke smiled. “Yeah, I’m just thankful I don’t have to go through what Pierce does.”

“Same here.” Blade turned his warm gaze on Sierra. “You might have to find another career.”

Sierra lifted a brow. “I bet I could talk you into it.”

Blade pulled her closer. “I’d enjoy you trying.”

Sierra leaned securely into his arms. “I picked good.”

Fallon frowned. “What?”

Luke just shook his dark head. “Inside family joke.”

“We better find our seats,” Rio said. His voice was quiet, yet somehow it demanded attention.

Naomi glanced at Rio. He was handsome enough to tempt any woman breathing. She had yet to see him pay the smallest attention to a woman or even smile. He had unflinching, all-seeing piercing black eyes. At least she sometimes forgot to be afraid and relaxed. He never seemed to. As the bodyguard of a billionaire, she guessed he had to be always on alert, but she couldn’t help thinking there was something else that made him so vigilant.

“See you at the restaurant,” Sierra said, her arm around Blade’s waist, his around hers. They moved away with Rio close behind.

Naomi watched them leave, then looked at Luke, who was staring toward the stage. Catherine smiled and waved. He waved back. Love and devotion, you could almost feel it. The Graysons weren’t so much interesting as they were blessed, Naomi thought. The strong family ties were obvious. That bond extended to their in-laws.

Naomi had been around them when they were all together, so she knew of what she spoke. How wonderful it would be to have an extended family that close who loved one another. She certainly hadn’t had one, and sadly, neither would Kayla.

Her mother-in-law thought less of her than her ex-husband. She was one of the reasons Gordon would never leave them alone. She openly goaded him about not being man enough to “control” his wife who had “shamed” him and, thus, the family. She hated Naomi. She wouldn’t walk across the road to help Kayla. She was a mean, bitter woman and, because of her, Naomi knew that one day Gordon would walk back into her life and try to destroy her. His mother’s anger and his wounded pride demanded it.

“Are you all right?” Fallon asked.

Surprised, Naomi glanced around. People usually tended to ignore her in a crowd, and that was exactly how she preferred it. She’d forgotten how observant Fallon was. She cared about people, had a close family. It was obvious from the way she talked about her family in Austin.