Strong Craving [The Strong Cowboys of Wilde, Nevada 5] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Read online

  “That’s true,” Heath answered.

  “Do you typically carry spark plugs with you on rides?”

  Heath shook his head. “No. I don’t.”

  “Didn’t think so.” The sheriff rubbed his chin. “This is quite the conundrum. Son, do you have any explanation how your spark plug turned up only a few feet away from the two bodies on your family ranch?”

  “I have no idea, Sheriff.”

  Tobias scanned the people in the room. Even his dads were at a loss at how to proceed, which was so unlike them. His mother was an utter wreck. Time to take charge and act like a big brother. “Sheriff, I’m sure you’ll know more once you identify the victims. Until then, holding my brother seems pointless, don’t you think?”

  “Maybe, but the state boys will want to talk to him once they get here.”

  “Fuck them. This is Wilde business and you know it.”

  “Tobias, I know you are all upset, but there is protocol to follow, even in Wilde. I’m sheriff of Silver County, but I am not the ultimate authority, especially in murder cases.”

  Chapter Two

  Charly couldn’t believe Darren Blue had found her to ask for forgiveness, but he actually had. She would need time to process that, but right now, she and Nate had bigger fish to fry. Heath was in trouble. As they walked down the street toward the jailhouse, her cell phone went off.

  Charly didn’t look to see who it was, expecting it to be one of the Strongs. “Hello.”

  “Hi, this is Dr. Thompson at the Renewal Center in Malibu.” The voice on the other end was deep and serious.

  Her nerves went into overdrive. What else is going to happen today? Dr. Stephen Thompson was one of the founders of the center, along with Dr. Richard Carlton. “Hello, Dr. Thompson. This is Charlene Wynn.”

  “Ms. Wynn, I just learned about the mix-up with you and the position that was offered to you being pulled back.”

  Hoping to come off as professional as possible, she said, “I understand that these things happen.”

  “They don’t at my center.” His tone let her know he was more than a little irritated by the occurrence. “Unfortunately, that position isn’t available, as you well know.”

  “Thank you for calling me, but you didn’t have to do that.”

  “But I did, Ms. Wynn. I’ve seen your resume. Quite impressive. While that position is gone, I have another that I would like to offer to you. I hope you will consider it.”

  Her heart raced, and her mind whirled. She didn’t need something else to deal with. All she could think about right now was getting to Heath. “Dr. Thompson, I appreciate—”

  “Hear me out, Ms. Wynn. I have put together a team that I would like to have you on. It’s more research than patient care, but you would be on the forefront of some things I believe are going to revolutionize the practices on addiction recovery. The salary is double that of the position you applied for, Ms. Wynn. I’ll e-mail you the full job description with the official offer. You let me know.”

  They were within steps of the jailhouse. She needed to end this call. “Thank you. I will.”

  “I think you’ll love being here at the center, Ms. Wynn. You won’t regret choosing us.”

  She couldn’t think about his offer right now. There was only room in her mind for one thing, and that was getting Heath cleared. “Good-bye, Dr. Thompson.”

  With Nate beside her, Charly walked into the small office. She was still reeling from seeing Darren Blue and being offered the job, but her focus shifted immediately once she saw the whole Strong clan gathered in the room with the sheriff and his deputy. The air was thick with uneasiness.

  The sheriff sat behind his desk, and the deputy stood beside him, showing the sheriff some paperwork.

  Heath sat on a chair to the left of the sheriff’s desk, surrounded by his parents. His mother, Maude, was leaning down talking to him quietly.

  Dax and Drake spotted Charly first and came over and hugged her. Their joint embrace comforted her. God, she loved the twin cowboys, though she’d never fully confessed it aloud to them. She also loved Nate and Heath. There were a ton of questions to work out before she could admit to any of them her true feelings, but first, Heath needed to be cleared of these murders.

  Sitting on the sofa, Seth looked up. For an instant, his stare unnerved her. Was there more to his gaze than just casual interest? She didn’t know.

  Tobias, the eldest Strong brother, stood in the corner and fixed his eyes on Charly, giving her a chilling rush. He was totally cowboy through and through. “Rugged” could easily be his middle name. His face had a five-o’clock shadow. His eyes were a deep dark brown, and for the first time, she spotted a single fleck of gold close to the pupil in his left eye. So very sexy. Webster’s Dictionary might’ve benefited if they would place a picture of Tobias by the definition of the word “manly.”

  “Charly, come sit here,” Heath said, smiling. He stood and pointed to the seat he had just vacated.

  Nate kept his arm around her shoulders and guided her to the now-empty chair.

  “I’ve never seen so many people come in for a questioning before, Sheriff. Have you?” the deputy asked sarcastically.

  “These are the Strongs, Deputy. They always stick together.”

  Charly had experienced a little of that herself. Four brothers were on board to go against the mainstream for Wilde’s max ratio of three men to one woman. Of course, Jessie and her guys got a pass since they owned the main employer in the county, the Wilde Mine. The whole concept had seemed so odd to her when she’d first found out about it from Jessie on the phone several weeks ago. Now it was growing on her and capturing her heart. Hell, she was already a woman in love with four cowboys, and possibly on her way to loving two more.

  “Heath, is there anything you’re not telling us? Help us out here. How the hell did your precious spark plug end up next to the two victims?” the deputy asked.

  “They weren’t exactly right next to the bodies,” Tobias barked.

  The guy snapped, “Maybe not, but they were close.”

  “That’s quite enough.” The sheriff held up his hands. “You have to understand how difficult this is, folks. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation as to why the spark plug was there by the two bodies. Once we get IDs on the two victims, I bet things will clear up straightaway.”

  The deputy snorted. “I’m sure when the place is gone over again, more evidence will show up. For Heath’s sake, I hope it doesn’t point to him again.”

  “If you’re not charging my brother, Sheriff, then we’re leaving.” Tobias had suddenly taken charge, and no one in the room, including Charly, was stopping him. He held out his hand to her. “Stand up, Charly.”

  She took his hand and looked into his eyes, feeling his strength of will and self-confidence wash over her. As Charly stood, she glanced at Maude, who was now smiling. Somehow Tobias had taken the reins and turned everyone around, if only for now.

  “Wait a second,” the deputy argued. “We’re not done here. The state will be here by two this afternoon. They’ll want to question Heath, too.”

  Tobias shook his head. “Have them contact our attorney. You know our cousin, Jackson Wilde, Sheriff. Let’s go, family.”

  “Where to, bro?” Seth asked.

  “Let’s go to the Horseshoe,” Tobias answered.

  “Good idea. I’m starving. A burger and beer will be just perfect,” Seth said, standing up. The office was so small that he brushed into Charly’s arm, causing a spark to shoot through her from where they touched.

  She looked into Seth’s face. It was darker than before, like it was filled with dangerous desire. Their eyes met and Charly’s heart melted. He turned and walked out of the small office without another word. She must’ve been crazy to think he was into her. Clearly, he wasn’t.

  “Let’s go, sweetheart. I’m hungry, too.” Tobias put his arm around her shoulder and led her out of the sheriff’s office.

  * * * *
>
  Tobias enjoyed the feel of Charly next to him. Her long, soft tresses enticed him beyond reason. She had the curves he loved, too. But her body was only part of the draw. She was fiery and so very loyal. She’d come to Heath’s questioning with absolutely no qualms.

  This woman was the one for Tobias. At least for him, Nate, and Heath. The ridiculous plan that Heath had cooked up would never fly. Tobias knew it. The town would never smile on a marriage with six men and one woman. Ever.

  Some resisted tradition—Nate sure did, ever ready to push the envelope—but Tobias wasn’t one of them. The tried-and-true conventions were in place for a reason. Wilde’s way of life wasn’t easily accepted or understood outside its city limits. Generations had set up the accepted practices in the town, and he wasn’t about to fight convention. Being from the outside, Charly wouldn’t understand the limits that even the open-minded folks around here followed, but she would come around.

  As they entered the front door of the Horseshoe Bar and Grill, the savory smells inside made his stomach roll. “Let’s take the big table so we can all sit together.”

  The table could seat twelve comfortably and came out only during the day. It was in the middle of what would be the dance floor at night.

  “Good idea, son.” Dad Greg nodded. “Enough for all of us and more private.”

  Tobias wasn’t worried about eavesdroppers, as the Horseshoe was sparsely populated. Odd, since it was straight-up noon.

  “Maude, you sit here, sweetheart.” Dad Grant pulled out a chair for his wife to sit in.

  “But I need to get everyone’s order and get it to Carol,” she argued.

  “No, honey. You’ve been through enough today. This isn’t your kitchen. You and Charly sit. Let the men wait on you.”

  “How can a woman not love this town?” Charly’s gorgeous lips curved into the most beautiful smile Tobias had ever seen, as he made sure he took a seat beside her.

  Heath grinned, clearly aware of Tobias’s obvious attraction to her.

  “What would you like to eat, Charly?” Tobias asked.

  “I’m famished. I know it’s crazy but I would love a cheeseburger and fries with a chocolate milk shake.”

  Charly was so direct. She wasn’t the kind of woman who beat around the bush about what she wanted. Tobias liked that about her.

  “You got it, sugar.” He brushed her hair out of her eyes. From the moment she’d arrived in Wilde for his cousins’ wedding to Jessie, he’d been stunned by Charly’s incredible beauty.

  Everyone else placed their orders, and Dad Grant typed into his iPad.

  “Until our food arrives, let’s play some pool, boys, and get our minds off of this until Jackson shows up.” Dad Greg turned to his wife. “Besides, it’s going to give you women a chance to get more acquainted.”

  “You go on, sweetheart. We Strongs have handled much worse than this.” Tobias’s mother reached out and touched Dad Greg’s hand. “Heath is going to be okay.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. “Yes, he is.”

  Dad Grant went to the bar and placed the order with Carol. Dad Greg, Tobias, and his brothers gathered around the pool table.

  “Okay, boys, we’ve got our work cut out for us on this one for Heath. I don’t want to alarm your mother, but this isn’t looking good,” Dad Greg said in a low tone.

  “Why do you think that, dad?” Drake asked.

  “Ted isn’t Barney Fife. He’s got brains, and I can tell he has Heath in his crosshairs.”

  “No wonder,” Seth whispered. “I’m sure Heath has given Ted reasons to want to bring him down.”

  “Cut it, Seth,” Dad Greg scolded. “I know you and Heath have issues, but this isn’t the time to hash them out.”

  “How the hell can a spark plug convict me?” Heath asked, placing the balls in the rack on the pool table. “I’m not guilty of murder.”

  Seth leaned against the pool table, not saying a word. Surely, he couldn’t believe Heath was capable of such a crime, but Tobias wasn’t certain.

  “Son, it won’t be just the spark plug when the deputy is finished. I’m not saying he will plant evidence, but who knows? A successful conviction would look good on his résumé.”

  “What do you want us to do?” Dax asked.

  “I want some of you boys out on the ranch and the others at Heath’s place combing for any shred of evidence before the state fellows show up.”

  Dad Grant walked up beside Tobias. “We may have to get this killer ourselves.”

  Tobias agreed. Jackson would handle the legal aspects with the state and the sheriff, while he and his brothers would handle making sure justice really was served. He also liked the idea of having a chance to talk privately to his brothers. Charly didn’t need to hear any more about Heath’s issue. She was obviously worried, and that was the last thing he wanted for her.

  “Works for me,” Drake said, picking up a cue stick. “If you can keep tabs on mom and talk to Jackson once he gets here, we can make tracks.”

  Nate stepped up beside their dads. “I want to talk to my brothers about Charly before we head out, though.”

  “Ah, Ms. Wynn.” Dad Grant smiled. “I see the competition is in full swing.”

  “It’s not about that.” Nate’s tone was dark and serious. “A guy she sent to prison showed up at her door before we met you at the sheriff’s office.”

  Tobias’s jaw clenched. He’d heard about the guy from Dax. Charly had told his brother the story about the college man who had frightened her years ago.

  “The football player?” Heath asked through clenched teeth, clearly knowing the tale, too.

  Dax and Drake froze in place, apparently ready to smash the bastard’s face into the ground.

  “The one and only, but I think he’s harmless. He came in with Harry this morning to Wilde.”

  “Could be a ruse, Nate. Where is this asshole now?” Dad Greg asked.

  “Should be at the bus stop waiting for the two-twenty.”

  “Then I suggest a couple of you make sure he’s on that bus,” Dad Grant stated.

  “I got it covered, dad. I know what he looks like. I was ready to pummel him earlier but the guy really did seem sincere. I doubt he could harm a fly right now.”

  “But he almost harmed Charly,” Drake grumbled.

  Dax added, “That’s crime enough to have him leave Wilde with some broken bones.”

  “He probably is, bro.” Nate’s eyebrows shot up. “Ribs, I think.”

  “Good,” Heath stated flatly. “I’m going to tell Carol to bag up our burgers, dads. We can tell mom and Charly that something’s happened at the barn that needs our attention. That way they won’t be surprised when we run out of here.”

  “Great idea, Heath.” Dad Greg nodded.

  “Thanks. We can talk outside and figure out who is going where and who is going to be Charly’s bodyguard for the duration of this. We’ll send whoever we choose to be protector back inside.”

  “If the guy from her past leaves town, why would she need a bodyguard, son?” Dad Greg asked.

  Tobias’s jaw tightened. He knew full well why Charly needed a twenty-four-hour protector, and it had little to do with Heath’s plan. “There’s still a killer on the loose.”

  Chapter Three

  The burgers came, and Charly was surprised that all the brothers’ lunches were served to them in brown bags. “What’s going on?”

  “Trouble at the barns, sweetheart.” Heath smiled. “We’re going to run and take care of it. You stay here with our mom and dads. Jackson should show up any minute. I just got a text that he is headed this way.”

  “Shouldn’t you talk to him about what’s been going on?” she asked, completely confused.

  “I will, after we get this mess cleaned up…at the barns.”

  There was something about Heath’s demeanor that told her he was holding something back. She couldn’t be sure what.

  “Can’t it wait, Heath?” Maude asked. “This is ver
y serious.”

  Dad Greg sat on his wife’s left side. “Hush, honey. Let the boys get back to normal chores. We can handle the sheriff.”

  On her right side, Dad Grant added, “Jackson will have this cleaned up in no time at all. This is only a mix-up, nothing more. We’ll be having a slice of your delicious pie tonight and all of this will be behind us.”

  Charly sighed. Something about the Strong dads’ confidence gave her some relief. She watched the six Strong cowboys tip their hats to their mother and to her, and then they left with their lunch bags in hand.

  “See you shortly, sweetheart.” Nate smiled and winked.

  After the last of the brothers walked out the door, Greg Strong smiled. “Ladies, let’s eat. I know you’re both starving.”

  Charly took a few bites of the delicious cheeseburger and the thick-cut, made-to-order fries. Normally, she could’ve finished most of the meal, but her appetite disappeared as the worry about Heath’s situation bounced to the front of her mind. She looked at her three lunch companions, the Strong parents. They, too, seemed disinterested in the food on their plates. “Are you sure Heath is going to be cleared?” she asked them.

  “Yes, kiddo,” Dad Grant answered first. “He’s innocent.”

  “Of course,” Dad Greg joined in. “By dinner tonight, this whole thing will be just a silly story we will all be able to laugh about for years to come.”

  Maude gazed at her and smiled. “So, Charly, you’ve settled on the older boys?”

  Charly tensed. “What do you mean?” But she already knew what the mother of the Strong brothers meant.

  “I see how you are around Heath. You love him, don’t you?”

  “I do,” she confessed for the first time, and it felt great.

  Maude grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Nate, too?”

  Charly nodded, and her heart warmed.