Page 9 of Hard Rain Coming

But she still didn’t like him.

Benton tossed his bag in the back of Dallas’s truck, and the boys hopped inside. A few moments later, they headed down the lane, a trail of dust following behind them as Vivian watched from her perch inside.

Rosie appeared, tea towel in hand. “Where’d those boys get to?”

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell because Benton deserved it for being such an ass, but something inside quieted the anger, and instead, she smiled and shrugged.

“Don’t know.”

“Huh.” Rosie knew something was up, but with three other young ones to look after, she let it slide. “I’m making cookies this afternoon. The ones with cinnamon. Could use your help.”

“Sorry,” Vivian said, a plan forming in her mind. “Scarlett or Cal can help. I’ve got homework to do. I’ll be in my room for hours.”

Vivian was not a good liar, but luckily, Ryland appeared, covered in flour, and she was off the hook. She waited until Rosie disappeared with her youngest brother and then ran up to her room. She changed into a two-piece bathing suit and pulled on jeans and her riding boots.

Exactly ten minutes later, she was on horseback, headed up into the mountains toward Blue Ridge. It was a good two-hour ride to get to Founder’s Cabin, and by the time she got there, she was hot and sweaty and ready to dive into the river.

She spied Dallas’s truck parked in front of the cabin, as well as two others. She didn’t recognize the dark Ford, but the pink one was Darlene’s. She slid off Delta, her horse, and walked her down to the water, up from where she heard voices. Once Delta was tied to a tree, Vivian stood there, looking downriver. Now that she was here, what was she going to do? She was younger than her brother and his friends, and while Darlene was nice to her, Vivian suspected it was more about getting in good with Benton.

And Benton had told her not to come.

She eyed the cool water and thought, screw him. I’m here, and I’m going to enjoy the day. She shucked off her jeans and boots and walked into the river. Her bikini was new, navy blue with small yellow cornflowers. It barely covered her breasts (which finally had started to bloom last fall), and she liked how they swelled overtop. It made her feel grown up. Daddy would have a fit if he saw her.

The water was cold, shockingly so, even for this time of year. But it was refreshing, and she found a large rock to lie on and dry off. She closed her eyes and took the time to enjoy the warmth of the sun, the quiet of the wilderness, and the fact that her brother was not the boss of her.

She was almost asleep when she heard a noise and raised her head and shoulders, resting back on her elbows. Vivian glanced around and froze when she spied Dallas and Melody Lynn Weathers. They stood in the river, the water up to Melody’s waist. The girl was leaning into Dallas, flirting, and splashing when he grabbed her closer and kissed her.

He was so big and tall and muscular. He looked like a man, not a seventeen-year-old teenager.

Heat fanned up from Vivian’s stomach. She knew she should look away, but she couldn’t. They didn’t know she was on the rock, not more than thirty feet away. Because if Dallas had known, surely he wouldn’t have let his hand slip below Melody’s bikini bottom. He moved it back and forth, slowly, and it soon became obvious just exactly what it was he was doing, because Melody began to moan and move her hips into him.

Vivian couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t look away. Her body was hot and twitchy. A throb began between her legs, and she slammed her knees together. It was unfamiliar. Exciting. Taboo.

I need to go, she thought in a panic. I shouldn’t be here.

She slowly began to slide off the rock and was nearly clear of the river when she glanced over at them one last time. Her heart nearly shot out of her chest when she found Dallas looking her way. Their eyes clashed and held, and he didn’t let go as he began to untie Melody’s top. He had the bluest eyes she’d ever seen, and a slow, sensual smile rocked his mouth as he began to kiss Melody’s neck.

Vivian wanted to shout, Stop looking at me!

But she couldn’t speak. Her legs were like cement. Her heart was like a hammer. He moved Melody so that Vivian could see exactly what he was doing. His mouth was on her breast, covering her nipple, and his eyes…they were still on Vivian.

Something broke wide open inside her. Something scary. She ran as fast as she could, crashing through the trees until she got to Delta. She untied her horse and was galloping toward home before she was able to catch her breath. He’d been touching Melody Lynn, but it was like he was touching her. Vivian. And holy heck but she liked it.

Vivian woke up with a start, her thoughts still caught up somewhere in that dream that was full of memory. Her face was hot, her mouth full of sawdust.

“We’ve got to make a pit stop.”

“What?” She sounded like a frog was stuck in her throat, so she cleared it, then sat up.

“Mike Paul’s place. We’ve got a mare and foal there.”

She glanced over at Dallas. “The Appaloosa and her colt?”

He frowned and nodded. “I’m hoping for good news.”

Vivian was silent as they pulled into the driveway. Mike Paul was a veterinarian and, at any time, housed a number of sick animals. Dallas cut the engine and hopped out of the truck without another word. Like she didn’t count. Or didn’t exist.

She yanked on the door handle and slid from the truck. “Hey,” she said. “How long are you going to be?”