Have a Little Faith Read online

  “It will be awesome, and you’ll come across men you can trust, and who have your vision and want to help other soldiers, too,” she said confidently.

  Then one of the guys was calling her brother over. The second he walked away, Hunt pressed closer. He placed his hand on her hip. “You need to take this seriously, sweetie,” he said to her and she seemed shocked by his actions and his words. She had to be feeling this attraction. She had to be.

  “I’m fine, Hunt. I’ll take the proper precautions.”

  “We’ll work it out. What time are you leaving here Thursday?”

  “No later than ten. I need some rest before work and I have to hit the store to grab some food for the weekend. I’m working three days in the row. Sunday I’ll be dead to the world,” she said and chuckled.

  “We’ll leave the same time as you and be sure you get back to your place okay. Maybe we can have Louis and Voight check it out. Do they know your address?” Hunt asked.

  Her jaw literally dropped. She looked so cute as she pushed her hair behind one ear and her face went flush. “I don’t need you doing that. I’ll be just fine,” she said before she walked over to an empty chair and took a seat.

  One look at Worin, and he could see his concern. “Stubborn thing, and she has a bad attitude.”

  “Her attitude is fine. She’s independent and used to taking care of herself. I’ll text Louis and ask him to make sure her place is secure. They can find out where she lives from Genesis or Athena.”

  When Brian leaned in closer to her and whispered something, she chuckled and nodded her head and they began to talk. He couldn’t believe how jealous he felt. He didn’t like women who played games, and maybe she was flirting with Brian to make him and Worin jealous? The woman didn’t know who she was dealing with. As he thought that and felt how fired up he got, he reminded himself that she didn’t belong to him, or the team. She wasn’t their woman. That God-awful feeling hit his gut. He didn’t like that feeling at all. Son of a bitch. We’re screwed. Big time.

  * * * *

  “You should move out here, and into the big house. If you want your own space, you can live in the back part. There’s even a small kitchen back there,” her cousin Randal said to her as they sat by the fire. Toby was on her other side, and most of the guys headed off to bed, or to play pool in the game room that was set up in the bunkhouses.

  “I know you all want me, too, and I miss being around you guys, and working in the kitchen side by side with Aunt May and Aunt Gracy. It’s been so much fun,” she said and leaned back in the chair.

  “You’re welcome, and we would love you to live out here with us. Unless there’s something holding you to Cherry Hill that you want to share?” Toby pushed and Randal sat forward and squinted at her.

  She had her palms on the arms of the chair. She squinted back. “What do you mean?”

  “You tell us. Seems those two men Worin and Hunt have a thing for you.”

  “What? No they don’t,” she replied.

  “They told us they were following you back to Cherry Hill and would personally make sure that your place was safe. They watch you like men who are interested and trying to figure out what you’re thinking,” Toby said to her. “Poor guys don’t know what hit them. No one can figure out what Faith is ever thinking,” he teased her.

  “Very funny,” she replied.

  “You like them, and they have brothers or other team members? You considering a ménage?”

  “Jesus, Toby, really?” Her cheeks went flush.

  “Now I know it’s an uncomfortable conversation to be having with your brother and cousin, but you’ve been on your own for a while now. No steady boyfriends. It’s natural to want to explore a bit, no strings attached,” Toby said.

  “Oh Lord, someone kill me now,” she said and covered her face with her hands.

  Toby and Randal chuckled. “Quit it, Faith. We worry about you. Did you do something with them?”

  “No. We’re just sort of friends. I mean they’re good friends with Genesis, and you know what she went through.”

  “So they’re being protective?”

  “I guess so.”

  “There’s more to this. You affected them somehow, and they’re older. Like older than us, so what gives?” Toby pushed.

  She exhaled and told them about the day in town and Worin having an episode.

  “You calmed him down?” Randal asked. She nodded. “That is awesome, but he sort of hurt you when he grabbed you?”

  “Not really. He was caught up in the moment and totally embarrassed. He walked away. Hunt gave me attitude and didn’t know what happened so I walked away, too. Then a couple of nights later their other team members Voight and Louis showed up at Harper’s. We exchanged a few words. Some guy got a little handsy. That situation I mentioned with Candice that I was so bent over.”

  “Yeah, you didn’t really explain things,” Toby said.

  “Not going to get into great detail either. She said something insulting and it embarrassed me. So I kind of feel like they just want sex. End of story, nothing more to say.”

  “Oh no you don’t. You better fess up, girl. We haven’t been able to talk like this and be part of your life for a few years. Come on. What happened?” Toby pushed.

  “It’s embarrassing,” she said and looked around them. No one was really within earshot.

  “Come on. It’s obvious you like them, so what gives?” Randal said to her.

  She didn’t know how to feel about this. Was it obvious she was attracted to Worin and Hunt? She was really trying to be polite and not overly friendly.

  “What happened?”

  She explained exactly what occurred at Harper’s and what Louis and Voight overheard. Both Toby and Randal widened their eyes, and then looked at her. “It’s true?” Randal asked.

  “Jesus,” Toby said and ran his fingers through his hair.

  “The point is, it was embarrassing. I was so pissed off at Candice. I couldn’t believe she said that aloud.”

  “And Hunt and Worin know this, too?” Toby asked.

  “Well duh, they’re men, team members. Louis and Voight probably went back to their house and laughed about it. Told Hunt and Worin how immature and inexperienced I am, and then decided hey, we could pop her cherry so let’s pursue her. No thank you.” She raised her voice, crossed her arms in front of her chest and her cousin laughed.

  “She’s in over her head with those men. They’ll eat her alive,” Randal teased.

  “You’re not kidding. Jesus, Faith, I’d hate to say this, but I think their attitudes are from not knowing how to handle you, or the attraction they all feel. More than likely Hunt and Worin aren’t ready for anything serious because they feel like they don’t have control of their lives. You should know this from other soldiers who recently returned from serving and are now retired,” Toby said to her.

  “Yes, and the whole PTSD is hard to get a hold of. Worin probably felt like he hurt you or could hurt you if things got more intimate. It’s one of the major fears men have. That they could hurt a woman they care about or even love because the episodes take over their mind completely,” Randal reminded her.

  She thought about that. It made sense. She felt like she had so much to think about.

  “Well then, definitely it’s not a good time to explore these feelings. They need time to re-adapt to life and get over those fears, and I don’t know how long I’ll be living in Cherry Hill. The truth is, I’ve been considering moving back to Warriorville for the last several months. My friends are getting into relationships, and the few I have left that are single have had bad experiences or just bad luck. Candice? I don’t know what she was thinking with those men.”

  “Well, you stay clear of them and follow your gut. Maybe talk to Candice and enlighten her. She could just be lonely.”

  “I’ve seen that before, Randal.”

  “They’re consenting adults. She wants to spread her thighs for some guy she barely knows
just so she doesn’t feel lonely, then that’s her thing. Not yours, little virgin,” Toby teased her.

  She threw her hands up as she stood up. “Great. Thanks a lot,” she said and they laughed.

  “We’re teasing you. It’s something special and you should share it with a man or men that are special and mean something. Hey, it may not be the man or men you end up with, but there should be true, deep feelings there. Maybe even love, before you let go and give that away,” Toby said very seriously to her.

  “Hey, you sound like you have some experience in that area.”

  “I’ve done a few virgins before,” he said and Randal started laughing aloud.

  She gave her brother a shove. “You’re such an egotistical moron. My God, the woman who falls for your lines of bullshit will need her head examined.”

  “I haven’t met her yet, but one day I hope to. Maybe look at her the way Hunt and Worin look at you,” he said calmly and it shocked her. She had to change the subject.

  “So, what exactly would I do if I moved back here? I need to make money and it doesn’t grow on any trees, at least none I’ve seen,” she said.

  “Cook, what else?” Randal asked.

  “I think we can come up with something. We’d really like to expand what we offer but we would need staff, and some funding.”

  “Oh, I could totally talk to Charlie, that’s Kane’s sister. You know the Sheriff.”

  “We know Charlie, too. She recommended a few guys who used to be military and are now therapists,” Randal replied.

  “Great. I bet she knows ways to get some funding. Maybe even bring in additional help like soldiers working through their transitions and in need of a routine or jobs that pay money so they can care for themselves.”

  “Now I like the sound of this. We’re brainstorming. So, when can you move back?” Toby asked and she got quiet and was shocked that she thought of Louis, Voight, Hunt, and Worin. She didn’t know why, and she also couldn’t give her brother or cousin an answer. At least not yet.

  Chapter 4

  “If it was so great then why do the two of you seem pissed off and are even less talkative than normal? What went down?” Voight asked Worin. They were standing by the gated corral where the horses were roaming around and getting some exercise. Zedock and Freeman were hanging out on the other side and filling up the stalls with the bales of new hay. It was crazy how their friends took to caring for the ranch and wanting to set down roots here in Cherry Hill. Especially since meeting Genesis and claiming her their woman. That thought made Voight think about Faith, and he couldn’t help but to wonder if Hunt and Worin made some progress with her over the week in Warriorville.

  “We’re not being less talkative. There’s just nothing to discuss,” Hunt said to him.

  “I wouldn’t say that, Hunt. How about you following Faith back to her place to ensure she was safe? Is her place isolated like Genesis told Mills?” Voight asked.

  “It’s pretty isolated. During the day you can barely see it from the roadway, and the nearest house is a good distance across the fields, but she has a gun, seems prepared,” Hunt replied.

  “You don’t sound too convincing,” Voight said to him.

  “She thinks she’s so independent and can take care of herself. Not much we can do,” Worin said as he leaned on the top rail of the fence and watched the horses.

  “She won’t be able to handle some robber breaking into her cottage. When we were at Harper’s that night a couple of weeks ago, and that guy we mentioned got a little handsy and grabbed her, she looked shocked and couldn’t get free. She’s a petite little thing, and he was almost as big as me,” Voight said in annoyance. The memory of that night still ran through his mind, and especially the part about her being a virgin. He and Louis didn’t repeat that to anyone, not even Hunt and Worin. They could tell she was embarrassed, but he was just glad no one other than Ade heard. The thought just made Voight feel more protective of her. She needed a man, hell, men to watch over her and protect her. As much as he wanted to avoid that sensation and the attraction, it was getting harder and harder. He wanted to go to Harper’s and hang out, watch over her, and maybe spend more time with her. “I’m going to Harper’s tonight. I think Louis, too. How about you guys? You in or are you going to try to hide what you all are feeling?” he asked and looked at both of them.

  Hunt leaned his back against the corral fence and stared at Voight. Worin was still staring out toward the horses with his forearms leaning on the top rail of the fence because they were so tall. He looked at Voight. “If Louis is up for a few beers then I’ll go,” he said and turned away. Worin and Hunt were men of few words, but Voight read them loud and clear. They were thinking about Faith, too, and interested but resistant. What harm could going to see her do?

  * * * *

  Faith was working hard, and Harper’s was super busy both Friday and Saturday night. She could barely squeeze through the crowds, and someone just grabbed her ass. “God damn it!” she yelled out and then placed the tray over her backside to cover it as she walked toward the end of the bar to where Ade was but also Candice, who she said very little to. Apparently word was that she was hanging out with Lance and Benny, those two jerks she met.

  “It’s a madhouse in here,” Candice said to her.

  “One more guy sneakily grabs my ass and I swear I’m going to lose my mind and deck someone. I won’t even care who it is,” she said.

  Ade looked pissed off. “Who grabbed your ass?” he asked.

  “I don’t know but it’s happened three times tonight and in different areas so not the same guy. I’m telling you right now that the next guy is going to get an earful.” She was practically shaking, she was so angry. Tears filled her eyes. She didn’t know why there were men like that out there. Why they felt they had a right to just touch a woman. She was pretty sure she was even more annoyed because she was thinking a lot about Hunt and Worin, Voight and Louis and wondering when they would show up. They had been coming here the last week, sat at the bar and watched her, or in her section like they did last night. It felt like they were watching over her and she liked it. Those thoughts made her think about Warriorville and her brother and cousin. She was really considering leaving Cherry Hill.

  “Hey, you know Lance and Benny really aren’t that bad. A little aggressive with the hands, but not pushy. I’ve been hanging out with them and a few of their friends. They belong to a biker gang.”

  “Are you out of your mind? They don’t seem like nice men at all, Candice. I wish you would be more careful.”

  Candice gave her the once over. “You don’t know how good sex is, or what it feels like to have a man or men hold you in their arms and protect you.”

  She stared up at Candice, who was a couple of inches taller than her. “I may not have had sex before, but I have had boyfriends. I just didn’t want to have sex with them and make that commitment. Call me old fashioned but it has to mean something,” she said to her and then took the full tray of drinks.

  “I’m sorry I blurted out what I did that night. We should hang out and talk. Clear the air. Maybe do lunch in Benter tomorrow?” Candice asked her.

  “I don’t know. All depends on tonight and how I feel in the morning. Maybe,” Faith said and Candice nodded, but Faith felt like she looked different. She wasn’t sure if it were just her mind and assumptions that Candice had sex with Lance and maybe even Benny, too, and that she was easily manipulated. Or was Faith just seeing things and people differently as she was trying to decide whether to stick around Cherry Hill or head to Warriorville to be with family? She wasn’t sure as she walked through the crowd to deliver some drinks. As she placed the drinks down and spoke to the guys at the table, they paid their tab and she thanked them for the tip and wished them goodnight.

  When hands landed on her waist and a large body pressed against hers she tightened up, was about to react as she heard the familiar voice and also saw the others. “We’ve been waiting to get a table
in your section for a while. How are you, Faith?” Louis asked and she was shocked at how instantly aroused she felt and how her body softened, and the fear immediately dissipated.

  She smiled. “Oh God, I was about to turn around and slug you,” she said and turned slightly.

  He lowered down and kissed her cheek hello. “So glad you didn’t,” he told her, holding her gaze with those big brown eyes of his. She had to turn away. The man oozed experience big time and it was unnerving. The last few times they came to Harper’s she took time to talk to them when she could. She was getting used to them, and also felt as if they were watching over her. It was so strange how instantly she did feel protected when they were around.

  “Pretty crowded tonight, huh?” Voight asked as she placed down coasters in front of each man and they kissed her cheek hello, placed a hand on her hip and inhaled like they enjoyed what she smelled like. Well, she sure did enjoy what they smelled like. Their colognes seemed masculine and not strong like perfume, but softer, cleaner like soap and masculinity. It was hard to describe but as she stood close to them she felt surrounded by their scents, as well.

  “It’s super crowded, and there are a lot of non-locals coming in lately so it’s hard to read some of these people, ya know? Anyway, what are you guys up to? Need a round of Heinekens?” she asked.

  “That will be great. We came by to see you. Make sure you’re feeling okay,” Voight said to her and looked her over. It was hot in here tonight and she wore shorts, a cut off tank top that revealed her belly and belly ring.

  Worin had his palm on her lower back and he was gently stroking her. She looked at him, still having to tilt her head slightly upward because he was so tall and big. The T-shirt he wore exposed more of his tattoos on his arms that were bulging with muscles. “You look really good, Faith. Didn’t know you had a tattoo,” he said and stroked her hip with his thumb. Her vine of little white and yellow daisies showed right along her belly and hip bone. He turned her and Hunt held her hips as Worin pushed the waist of her shorts down slightly to see a little more of it. She shivered and stared at him. “Daisies, huh?” he asked and licked his lower lip.