Duty or Desire Read online

  There, he had admitted it. According to Zane, the first step in fighting your desire for a woman was admitting it. Until just now, Pete had refused to do so. But it had become clear to him when she’d gotten out of the car today.

  How could he desire a woman this much? He wished he could blame it on something he ate or drank, or on his lack of sleep. He knew it was none of those things.

  When he heard footsteps coming down the stairs to the basement, he quickly straightened up on the sofa, rested his arms on his thighs and leaned toward the huge flat-screen television on his wall. He needed to present the impression that the football game had been holding his attention for the past hour and a half.

  Glancing over at Ciara, he saw she was wide-awake and looking at him. If he didn’t know better, he would have said she’d known what he’d been thinking a few moments ago. He was tempted to say, Yeah, kid, your uncle wants your nanny, but she’s off-limits and needs to stay that way, so don’t worry—I got this.

  “Peterson?”

  He cringed. Why was Bonnie calling him by his full name again? Heck, he hadn’t done anything. She had no idea about the naughty thoughts that had crossed his mind. If she had, she would have reminded him Myra was there for Ciara and not for him.

  He turned to the two women, giving them a look as if he was annoyed being interrupted. “Yes?” he said, standing to his feet.

  Bonnie gave him the same kind of look his niece had given him just seconds ago. It was one of those I’m-onto-you looks. “I’ve shown Myra around and will leave you to cover the rest.”

  The rest? What else is there? Instead of asking, he said, “All right. I can do that.”

  “Great! I’ll put Ciara down for her nap while you do.” Bonnie took Ciara out of the swing.

  “I would hate to interrupt you watching the game,” Myra said.

  He looked at her and wished he hadn’t. Standing in the middle of his man cave she looked like that was where she belonged. That didn’t make sense. They called it a man cave for a reason. Women didn’t belong.

  “No problem. My team is so far ahead I doubt the Gators can make a comeback.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned at him. “I guess that means you’re for the Buckeyes.”

  “Yes, that’s what it means.”

  “Too bad. I’m Florida all the way.”

  He lifted a brow. A woman who liked football? “That’s too bad.”

  “We’ll see.”

  Bonnie chuckled. “I think the two of you need to take it outside, and while you’re out there, Pete, please show her around.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He watched Bonnie climb the stairs with a sleeping Ciara in her arms. He then turned back to Myra. “After you.”

  He couldn’t help feasting his gaze on her curvy thighs and delectable-looking backside in her jeans as she climbed the stairs. Drawing in a deep breath, he gave himself a second to compose himself before he followed.

  * * *

  “All this land is yours?” Myra asked, glancing over at Pete.

  He nodded. “Yes, every single acre we covered is mine. All two hundred of them. My great-grandfather bought it back in the early nineteen hundreds. He, Raphel Westmoreland and another man by the name of Titus Newsome all settled here together.”

  Pete had given her a walking tour of the area around his house, which included a huge barn and several smaller houses. They had saddled up and were now on horseback, covering the outer areas. He told her he leased the majority of his property to others, preferring to spend his time on law enforcement.

  “How close are you to the Westmoreland property?” she asked him when they brought the horses to a stop near a creek.

  She looked at him and there was that smile again, the one that curved his lips while making her acutely aware of him as a man. He sat beside her on his horse, a huge chocolate-brown bronco he called Satin, and she knew why. His coat was so smooth and shiny it looked like satin. Although she’d assured Pete that she was a pretty good rider, he’d still given her a docile mare named Tally. She’d tried keeping her eyes off Pete during the ride, but he looked more cowboy than sheriff today, wearing a Stetson, sitting on the back of a horse.

  “Do you see the roof of that house through the trees?”

  She leaned forward and squinted. “Yes, I see it.”

  “That was the Newsome property. In a way it still is since Dillon Westmoreland’s youngest brother, Bane, married Crystal Newsome. The Westmoreland spread begins where the Newsome property ends. However, because of the shape of my property, there is Westmoreland land that backs up to my line in the north pasture. That’s owned by Riley Westmoreland and he’s built a monstrosity of a house there. The Westmorelands own so much land in this area that we call it Westmoreland Country. I’m just a neighbor.”

  She heard what Pete said but knew he was more than just a neighbor. “I heard you’re best friend to both Derringer and Riley Westmoreland.”

  He chuckled. “Boy, how did I get so lucky?”

  She smiled. “I’ve met most of the Westmorelands.”

  “I understand you’ve been to one of their chow-downs.”

  “Yes. I enjoyed myself. They were kind and there are so many of them.”

  “Yes, they’re a huge family. I’m close to all of them since we grew up together. I can recall clearly the day the cousins’ parents died. I was hanging out with Derringer when he got the news.”

  Myra could just imagine. She knew how hard it was to lose both parents, but to lose your parents and your aunt and uncle at the same time had to have been devastating for all of them.

  They continued riding and he showed her a lake on his property. “This was originally called Magnolia Lake, but Derringer’s great-grandfather Raphel renamed it after the woman he loved, Gemma. Now it’s Gemma Lake and it runs through the properties owned by five neighbors.”

  “Why did the landowners keep the name?”

  “I’m told Raphel Westmoreland wasn’t the only one who loved Ms. Gemma. Everybody in these parts did. She had a big heart.”

  “Thanks for giving me such a personalized tour.” Myra checked her watch. They’d been gone for almost two hours.

  “You’re welcome. You’ll be here two months so it’s good that you know your way around. Even when I’m at work I’ll only be a phone call away. Ciara is my family. I want to do right by her and take care of her the way I know my brother would want.”

  Myra nodded as they trotted their horses back toward the ranch. “You and your brother were close.”

  “Yes. Extremely close. When our parents died, all we had left was each other. I was four years older than Matt, and he thought I was his hero. I tried not to let him down.”

  “I’m sure you didn’t.”

  He didn’t say anything for a moment, then, “I understand you have an older brother.”

  She wondered where he’d gotten that information. It wasn’t something she had mentioned to anyone in Denver. But then, she figured she didn’t have to mention it. Pete was the top cop in Denver. Regardless of Miss Bonnie’s recommendations, he would still check her out. She couldn’t blame him. She was thankful a routine background check wouldn’t tell him everything. It would definitely not reveal her deep, dark family secrets. She knew publicly Baron was trying hard to make it seem like their relationship was a close one. It was just the opposite. Definitely nothing like the one Pete had had with his brother.

  “We’re okay,” she finally said. “He’s my father’s son from another marriage and because his mother was always bitter about my father divorcing her, she tried turning Baron against Dad.”

  Why had she told him all that? She could have easily lied. Not wanting to think about Baron, but feeling the need to keep the conversation flowing between her and Pete, she said, “I understand Ciara’s grandparents found it difficult to keep her
.”

  “Yes, and after having her here with me for almost six months I can see why. They’re an older couple and Ciara can be a handful. Their intentions were good but I’m glad they decided to bring her to me.”

  He didn’t say anything for a minute and then added, “Granted I wasn’t in the best position to take on a baby either, but thanks to friends and Bonnie, I made it work. I had a lot to learn. I am still learning. Ciara keeps me on my toes and you will see there is never a dull moment around her. It seems she learns something new every day.”

  Myra could feel the love he had for his niece in his words. “I don’t want you to worry when you’re away. I will take good care of her.”

  “And that’s all I ask.”

  And she had no problem doing what he asked. She enjoyed Denver, and she was far from Baron’s ruthlessness.

  He had teamed up with Charlene’s present lover, who had somehow convinced him that if he kept Myra away that he could run the company without interference from her. Thanks to her sister-in-law, Cleo, who’d overheard the two men talking, Myra knew of those plans. And she knew about how he’d planned to get Rick to help him keep Myra away.

  Did Baron really think she would let Rick back into her life? Still, she didn’t need drama in her life. That was when Myra decided to leave without Baron knowing where she’d gone. Her plan was to return after her birthday when she could take over the company. With the help of friends, she’d faked a trip to Europe and that was where Baron was presently looking for her. She was safe as long as he continued to be misled. She’d been careful about using a new phone and not using her credit cards.

  “Ciara and I are dining with the Westmorelands later. It’s chow-down Friday,” he said. “I would ask if you want to go but I’m sure you have a lot of unpacking to do.”

  There was no need to tell him about Bella’s invitation, which she had turned down for that very reason. Besides, Myra was certain the only reason he’d mentioned it was to be nice. “You’re right, I need to unpack.”

  Moments later, when they walked back inside the ranch house, they could smell Bonnie cooking dinner in the kitchen. “Did you forget to tell her that you and Ciara are going to the Westmorelands for dinner?”

  He removed his Stetson to put it on the rack by the door. He looked at her with his eyes a charismatic shade of brown.

  “I told her, but it wouldn’t matter with Bonnie. Besides, you have to eat. Any leftovers go to the freezer for another day.”

  A loud cheer made them look toward the kitchen to see Bonnie appear with Ciara in her arms. “Down BonBon,” Ciara said, trying to wiggle out of Bonnie’s arms.

  Bonnie placed her on the floor and the baby happily raced across the room to them. As if she couldn’t decide which of the two she wanted, she grabbed hold of one of each of their legs. But it was Pete who she smiled up at. “Up, Da-da.” Laughing, he leaned down and picked up her, placing her atop his shoulders.

  Myra had thought Pete’s smile from earlier was mesmerizing but the one covering his face now was so captivating it nearly took her breath away. To breathe she had to look away. Glancing across the room, she looked at Bonnie, who seemed to be watching her and Pete with considerable interest.

  Myra cleared her throat. “Do you need my help with anything, Miss Bonnie?”

  Bonnie smiled. “No, I’m almost finished. Besides, now that your tour of the place is over you probably want to unpack.”

  “Yes, I need to do that.”

  “Before putting the food away, Bonnie, make sure you leave some out for Myra.”

  Bonnie lifted a brow and shifted her gaze from Pete to Myra. “Aren’t you going with them to the Westmorelands?”

  Myra shook her head. “No, I need to unpack and get settled. You’re still going back to your place tomorrow, right?”

  Bonnie shook her head. “No, I plan on returning to my place tonight.”

  “Tonight? I thought you were staying until tomorrow evening,” Pete said, and Myra could tell he was just as surprised as she was. When Miss Bonnie had given her the tour, she’d said she wouldn’t be returning to her place until late tomorrow.

  “Yes, that had been my plan, but I got a call that one of my church members is sick. I want to check on her before I leave. Besides, I have no doubt in my mind that Myra is capable of handling things until I return.”

  Myra appreciated the vote of confidence. “Thanks, Miss Bonnie.”

  Myra glanced over at Pete at the same moment he looked at her. Their gazes collided and she felt a whoosh of air leave her lungs at the same time she heard him draw in a sharp breath.

  Had she imagined it?

  He quickly broke eye contact with her and asked Bonnie, “Do you know who won the game?”

  Bonnie smiled. “Derringer did call to see if you were licking your wounds so I guess that means your team lost.”

  “Yes!” Myra said, clapping her hands. “Go Gators!” She couldn’t help but laugh when Pete gave her a not-so-nice glare. “Sore loser, Sheriff Higgins?”

  “You win some and you lose some. In the end, my team will win more than lose. I can’t say the same for your team.”

  Myra fought back a grin. “We’ll see about that, won’t we?”

  “Yes, we will.” And with Ciara still sitting on his shoulders, he moved toward the hall leading to his bedroom.

  * * *

  Pete placed Ciara in the playpen he had set up in his room. They spent a lot of time in here or in his man cave whenever Bonnie returned home and it was just the two of them. Because his bedroom was so spacious, the playpen didn’t take up much of the room, although it was plenty big enough for his niece to enjoy herself.

  He shook his head, grinning as he recalled Myra’s reaction to hearing her team had won...and his had lost. Most women weren’t into football so having someone to watch the games with would be...

  He paused in the process of unbuttoning his shirt. What in the world was he thinking? They would not be watching football games together. He could just imagine sitting beside her on the sofa, sharing a beer or iced tea. He shook his head. That wouldn’t be happening. He had to make sure their relationship remained as it should be. He was the employer and she was the employee. This house was her workplace and taking care of his niece was her job.

  With that thought firmly planted in his head, he glanced over at his niece. She was playing with her blocks so he went into the bathroom to strip and shower. It had taken a lot of getting used to having Ciara here with him. He’d had to learn how to dress her, undress her, feed her, entertain her. Hell, he even sang to her before she went to sleep at night. He still thought the hardest thing he’d had to do was change her soiled diapers. It still was and he couldn’t wait until she was completely potty trained. He knew Bonnie had been working on that, and Ciara was catching on but wasn’t totally there yet. He hoped Bonnie had told Myra to continue the training during the time she would be away.

  Myra.

  As he stepped into the shower and moved beneath the spray of the water, he admitted she looked good sitting astride a horse. He figured she’d gone to riding school. That was pretty obvious by the graceful way she’d held the reins. Tally, the mare he’d selected for her to ride, had liked her. He could tell. Even Satin had liked her and usually his bad-tempered horse didn’t like anyone. But Satin had let Myra touch him without trying to bite her fingers off. Amazing.

  He would admit that at one point, when she’d picked up speed as if to get Tally to go faster, he’d panicked, hoping she wouldn’t try to race the horse anywhere. All he could think about was Ellen. Granted, a human element had caused her accident. Nevertheless, the memories still managed to invade his mind, causing him concern.

  Getting out of the shower, Pete dried off and slid into the clothes he’d taken out to wear to dinner at the Westmorelands. For years he’d had an open invitation to their chow-do
wns. However, he’d never made a habit of going because of work hours. And then, when the brothers and cousins began meeting women, falling in love and marrying, he preferred not to constantly be around a bunch of happily married people. Although he was happy for his friends, being around married couples only reminded him of what he would never have. What had been taken from him.

  Because Ciara should be around kids sometimes, he’d tried to attend the dinners at least once a month. That way she could play with the Westmoreland babies. There was quite a number of them and nobody seemed to be slowing down. Derringer had told Pete the other day that he and Lucia were having another baby and Riley and his wife, Alpha, had announced baby news, as well. It would be their first. But the biggest news had come from the youngest member of the Westmorelands, Derringer’s sister Bailey. She presently lived in Alaska with her husband. Bailey had called the family yesterday to let everyone know that she and her husband, Walker, would be having their first child in late spring.

  Pete shook his head, finding it hard to believe that Bailey Westmoreland, former holy terror, was having a baby. Hell, he was still reeling at the thought that she’d settled down and married.

  He glanced over at Ciara. She was still playing with her blocks. Then, as if she felt his presence, she glanced over at him and smiled. He smiled back and winked at her. She tried imitating what he’d done and instead she blinked both eyes, then laughed at herself. He couldn’t help but throw his head back and laugh, too.

  It had taken some getting used to, but he would readily admit that his niece had become the brightest part of his life.

  Four

  Myra closed the dresser drawer and glanced around. She had finally finished unpacking and had put all her things away. This bedroom was larger than the master suite of the house she’d been leasing the past few months. The huge window provided a stunning view of the mountains.

  Another thing she liked about the room, in addition to its close proximity to Ciara’s room, was the huge four-poster bed that reminded her of the one that had been in her parents’ home. She sighed wearily. That was another thing she had to do when she returned to Charleston. Reclaim her parents’ home. It was hers, but of course Baron felt he had every right to be there.