Free Caleb by Cindy Stark Page A

whiskey in the back corner of one of the bottom cupboards. He had for years.
    She pulled hard on the creaky old door and stepped inside. The lights were on, so she knew he was there. But where?
    She stepped around the large tractor they used to cut hay, and she moved toward the back of the building. But he wasn’t there, either. It wasn’t like him to leave the lights on.
    She circled the large room again, stepping over an old engine block and past the riding lawn mower.
    “Bill?” she called, not expecting an answer.
    “What?”
    The deep voice startled her, and she whirled around toward the tractor, her gaze drawn by movement above her. She tilted her head and found him sitting in the tractor’s seat. Next to his feet was a half-empty bottle of whiskey.
    An uncomfortable shiver lifted the hairs on her arm. He’d been watching her the whole time.
    “Could you come down here so we can talk for a moment?”
    “About what?” He was angry and pouting.
    She kept her gaze on him but refused to respond until he met her face-to-face.
    After a few long seconds, he stood and navigated his way down. Instead of staying where he landed, he closed the few feet between them until he was directly in front of her. He had on the same dirty shirt he’d worn the past three days, and he was sorely in need of a shower.
    “What do you want?” The strong smell of whiskey clung to his breath, making her wonder if now was not the best time to talk.
    Still, this needed to be handled before things festered any worse. “We need to talk about what just happened.”
    He folded his arms and stared down at her, his eyes bloodshot and unhappy.
    She exhaled, trying to get her bearings. “You have to stop being so rude to Caleb and so angry with me.”
    “He’s an ass. He just wants you for your money and land.”
    “That’s not true. We’re both very much in love.”
    He stared, his eyes as hard as stone.
    “Have you considered how my upcoming marriage benefits you as well? Have you thought about what it would be like to have Franklin as a boss? You think Caleb is an ass? Take a close look at my cousin.”
    Bill’s gaze softened, and he nodded in acknowledgement. “Ain’t any of us that will work for him. You’re the only boss we want.”
    “See? So how about some consideration for my feelings?” Finally, she was getting somewhere. She’d ruffled his feathers and probably made him feel ostracized.
    He took hold of one shoulder and then her other, swaying slightly as he did. When he’d confronted her and Caleb in the barn, he hadn’t seemed drunk, but he must have started drinking earlier to be so wasted right now. “I never meant to hurt you, Rachel. But you know you don’t have to marry Caleb to save your land. There are other ways. You could marry me instead.”
    Her fear returned. “I love Caleb,” she reiterated and tried to step back. His firm grip held her in place.
    “If you let yourself, you would love me more. I know this land. It’s in my blood as much as yours.” Another wave of alcohol-infused breath hit her. “We belong together.”
    She fought to retain her composure. “You need to understand, Bill. I’m marrying Caleb because I love him, not solely to save the land. You’re like an older brother to me.”
    “Older and more experienced. I could show you a night in bed you’d never forget.”
    Revulsion nipped at her. “I’m going to leave now, and you’re going to let me go.” She hoped her authoritative command would convince him to release her.
    “You’re not going anywhere until I show you this.” He jerked her toward him and trapped her against him with strong arms. His mouth descended on hers, catching her lips before she could turn away.
    She clawed at his waist. Tried to knee him in the groin, but couldn’t lift her leg high enough. When that didn’t work, she brought her cowboy boots down hard on the tips of his toes.
    He grunted and loosened his grip just enough that she could smack him