Concealed Attractions: Cedar Island Tales, #1

Chapter 1

Dannilynn Kelly opened her dorm room door and tossed her sweater onto her bed.

Her roommate Sarah looked up and frowned. Another date gone bad? Why are you still going out with him?

Maybe it was a mistake. I was going to tell him we were done. She sighed. I started to.

Sarah slid her chair back. But you didn’t, did you?

Not exactly. Danni opened her biology textbook. She had three finals the next day. I shouldn’t have agreed to meet Steve. A big mistake.

She’d walked with him on campus, but then they went to his car, where he slid her blouse off her shoulders and began kissing her. Her plan to break up was swept aside when his fingers worked their way under the waistband of her shorts, his other hand fondling her breast. He knew how to make her body hum, even when she didn’t want it to. Why she hadn’t said she couldn’t see him anymore.

He takes my breath away, Sarah.

Like every other girl he has sex with. What’s that mark on your neck? Did he give you another hickey?

Steve had pressed his fingers against her throat, whispering it would help her come. But it hadn’t. Danni’d almost passed out before she managed to push his hand away. All that remained was a bruise and how she felt.

Steve’s trouble, Danni. He picks up freshmen every quarter and drops them after he’s notched his belt. He may have stayed with you longer than most, but you’re just the latest... He suckered you good.

He’d said he loved her that first time. Was it just so she’d say yes? Danni frowned and picked up a highlighter. She had to stop thinking about Steve and concentrate on her biology final. Not on biology with Steve. His or hers.

~ ~ ~

Two days later, Dannilynn met Meagan and Ellen in the parking lot and they drove to the campground near Mount Baker to celebrate the end of her Freshman year at Buckley College in Shoreville, Washington.

Meagan had said it would be fun. And it was—cooking hot dogs and burgers over an open fire, sleeping in the open, looking at the stars, surrounded by the evergreens that scented the air. But the second day, Steve and two other men joined them, doffed their shirts and shoes and jumped into the nearby lake donned in only their Jockeys.

Didn’t I tell you the guys were coming? Meagan answered Danni before she and Ellen, both from her dorm, headed for the lake. Let’s race them to the diving platform! Meagan pulled off her top and waded in.

Ellen, a junior Danni didn’t know that well, soon followed.

Come on, Danni!

She didn’t want to go swimming, but when Meagan yelled at her, she waded to waist depth and dove in. The guys were soon splashing the girls as they swam for the platform. When they reached the big wooden structure, Ellen’s boyfriend pulled off her bra and tossed it to Steve, daring her to retrieve it. Soon Meagan was playing the same game.

First one to catch it gets her, Steve shouted as he reached for Meagan. She leapt off the platform and swam toward shore.

Hey, do your own, stud, Meagan’s boyfriend challenged resentfully.

Steve swam up to Dannilynn and covered her breasts with his hands as he pressed her against the edge of the diving platform. Right. You’re here. Give me some, Danni, he murmured in one ear as he fumbled with the hooks on her bra.

No, I don’t want to. Her face burned with embarrassment. And I don’t think we should see each other anymore.

His eyes glittered when his hands slid lower and began pushing down her panties. Since when? His hands continued to explore before she could push him away.

Stop! She splashed his face, her heart racing with fright and anger, wishing he would stop staring at her. His eyes reminded her of ebony stones in the fading light of early evening. Why was he always pawing her, even when she didn’t want him to? No. I mean it.

His grin faded to an angry scowl. He grabbed her hand and jerked her toward his chest as he bobbed in the water in front of her. Hey. Girls don’t say no to me, Danni. He mashed his lips against hers, a kiss that hurt, before he let her go and climbed onto the diving platform.

Sloan laughed. You’re not good enough for her anymore, stud? I thought you said she puts out every time.

Never mind what I said, Steve growled.

The rest of the afternoon, Danni kept her distance from the guys, hoping Steve would leave her alone, debating whether to leave early and hitch a ride into town. She reconsidered when Meagan said she’d drop her off if Danni stayed until the next day.

That evening, over beer and other drinks, the six of them ate dinner. Steve spent most of his time chatting up the other girls until they headed for the small tent they had erected closer to the trees.

You sure you want to sleep in the open? Ellen asked.

It isn’t camping if I can’t see the stars, Danni replied.

Steve rose from where he was kneeling next to the fire, toasting a marshmallow. He slid the flaming lump of sugar off the stick, and offered it to Danni.

She shook her head. No thanks.

He leaned closer. You’re not still mad at me, are you? How about a truce? His voice had that sexy growl she’d found so exciting when they’d begun dating.

He slid his arm around her waist, gave her a chaste peck on the cheek and offered her a beer.

She took a sip. Okay, truce. But she had to be firm about not wanting to see him again. Sarah was right. He wasn’t the kind of boyfriend she wanted anymore, even if he’d been her first.

Two more sips and she began to feel odd, dizzy. She stood up, swayed, and nearly fell down. I don’t feel good.

Let me help you. Steve walked her to her sleeping bag, his hands grasping her around the waist. She collapsed onto her sleeping bag.

Steve began unbuttoning her shirt.

No. She feebly tried to push his hands away. Why did she feel so weird, like her eyes couldn’t focus?

Chill, Danni. I’m just trying to get you comfortable. It was the last thing she remembered before descending into unconsciousness.

~ ~ ~

It had to be near dawn when she finally stirred and found her sleeping bag unzipped and open, barely covering her legs. She shivered in the cool air. She pulled the bag over her shoulders and fell asleep.

Hours later, someone shook her shoulder. Danni, you awake? Meagan asked. Ellen is sick. I’m taking her home. Can Steve drop you off? So I don’t have to come back?

Dannilynn rolled over and rubbed a hand across her face. The lake sparkled in the early morning light, blinding in its intensity as she squinted at Meagan. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay. What time is it?

Nearly eight. I think she had too much beer last night.

Danni nodded. She didn’t feel that great herself. A headache had begun to pound her temples.

Better put some clothes on. I guess you and Steve really got it on last night. She turned on her heel and headed for the cars parked at the trailhead.

Danni sat up. She was naked? She reached for her blouse, saw that three buttons were missing. How’d that happen? she murmured to herself. She pulled on her bra, damp from the morning dew. Her panties seemed to have disappeared, and her shorts, lying nearby, were also damp. Why hadn’t she folded her clothes under the built-in pillow in her sleeping bag? She shrugged into her blouse and shorts, grimacing at their clammy feel, and headed for the bath house on the other side of the campground. The fire was out in the pit they’d used, a caution her father always insisted upon.

Danni was in the shower, rinsing her long tresses when Steve’s voice intruded.

You in there, Dannilynn?

She turned away from the water spray and opened her eyes. I’ll be out in a minute. She reached around the shower curtain for the towel, touching instead his hand.

Here it is, he replied.

Thanks. She dried herself off, wrapped the towel around her hair and reached around the curtain again, this time for her clothes on the hook next to the shower curtain.

The curtain flung back, and Steve stood there, grinning.

Her heart leapt in her throat. He reminded her of a carnivore ready to attack his prey. He held her shorts and shirt in one hand, her bra dangling from his wrist. Come out and get them, Danni.

She pulled the towel off her head and wrapped it around her body, blocking his view. Steve, come on. I’m cold. I need to get dressed. Meagan said you would drive me home. Did the other guys leave?

Sloan’s still here. His voice lowered. But you need a lesson.

She edged out of the shower and angled in the direction of his hand and her clothes.

You embarrassed me in front of my friends. I don’t like bitches who tease. You’re not turning into one, are you, Danni?

Her heart thudded in her chest. Something about his tone reminded her of her father whenever he was angry, insisting that she follow orders, do things his way. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Give me my clothes.

Why don’t you come unless you’re knocked out? He dropped her clothes on the far bench. Come and get them, and he backed up two steps.

She darted toward the bench, clutching the towel around her, but Steve grabbed one end and stripped it away. With his other hand, he slammed her against the wall. Her ears rang and she slid to the floor, stunned.

I should fuck you right here. He straddled her, one arm pressing against her shoulders, preventing her from getting away, his other hand forcing her legs apart.

Her eyes widened and her pulse began to race.

No! Steve! Let me go.

But her words seemed only to antagonize him further. Do I have to tell you again? No slut tells me no.

She managed a scream before he slapped her once, twice and was fumbling with his zipper when voices were heard outside the bath house. Sloan, maybe? Steve released her and tossed the towel in her face. No one tells me no. Remember that. He turned on his heel and left.

Her eyes burning, shocked at his actions, Danni remained where she was for a long minute before scrambling to her feet and returning to the shower stall, not caring that the water was cold, as she tried to wash away the feel and smell of him. The terror he’d generated replayed in her mind.

When she walked out of the bath house and scanned the area, she was alone. She rolled up her sleeping bag and ran to the parking lot and the road. The second car that passed her slowed, stopped and offered her a ride home.

Chapter 2

There you are, sweet thing. Her mother embraced Dannilynn when she opened the back door into the kitchen. Two days after being home on Cedar Island, she still hadn’t landed a summer job.

Joel Taylor called to ask if you’re interested in working at his clinic this summer. Or did Mr. Cosimo at the grocery store have an opening?

He already hired someone. I should have told him I’d be home after finals. But the vet clinic would be more fun. Danni smiled. Something good to look forward to learning her job at the grocery store wasn’t available.

And someone named Steve called. He said he’d see you when you’re back at Buckley.

As if she wanted to see him. Fall quarter at Buckley would be way too soon. Not after what he’d tried. She bit her lip and retreated to her room to change clothes, wishing she’d never gone that camping trip.

~ ~ ~

Danni parked her bike at the back entrance of New Harbor Animal Hospital and walked to the front entrance. She grinned at Bronwyn, the receptionist, who waved her toward the general treatment room.

A tall, slim guy—almost a head taller than the veterinarian—stood next to Joel, who was administering an injection to a brindle-colored Great Dane.

Hold still, Tiny, Joel grunted. Got it. Thanks, Ben, for holding him. Take him on back. We’ll check him in an hour to see if he’s calm enough for the procedure.

Ben lifted the leash off the dog’s back. Tiny immediately pulled him toward the exit door.

Wrong direction, Tiny. Danni reached for the dog and stroked the top of his head. Hi, baby.

The dog stopped, wagged his tail, and tried to lick her hand.

"I’ll take him, Joel. He walks just fine for me." She smirked at the tall guy. He watched her in silence, his mouth curving upward.

When she returned, Joel was wiping down the table. Danni, you just earned your job back, if you’re available.

As long as it’s fulltime. Not like last summer.

It is. Ben, this little lady with the long black braid is Dannilynn Kelly. My part-time vet-assistant-wanting-to-be-vet-tech-extraordinaire last summer before she flew the coop and took off for snooty Buckley College. Danni, this is Benjamin Edwards, my new extern. For reasons he has yet to fully explain, he wants to be a vet, so he’s spending the next eleven months with me to see how it’s done. His name is almost as long as he is, but we’ve shortened it to Ben so he won’t get too big for his britches. Joel pushed his half-glasses up his nose and brushed his coppery forelock out of his eyes in one smooth motion.

Ben reached out to shake her hand while Danni craned her neck upward, the better to focus on his face.

Green eyes. Like the ocean after a rain. He had a craggy face, not exactly handsome, and his nose sat slightly off-center. Had he run into someone’s elbow on the basketball court? "How tall are you?" she asked.

Six six. You?

A foot shorter. Does that matter?

His thick sandy hair needed a trim. He gave her a sidelong grin. She felt her cheeks flush.

"Not to me—except you are kind of short." His mouth curved upward again as he sat down, his head now nearly the same level as her own.

Ben, why don’t you go check that husky in the back and see if he’s calm enough for us to trim his nails. You may need to muzzle him. He tends to snap when people handle his feet.

Right. Ben exited the office, but not before looking over his shoulder at Danni as he left.

Joel shoved two file folders to the side and propped his feet on the edge of his desk. How was it, Danni? School, I mean. We missed you.

She thrust images comparing Steve to Ben out of her mind. Pretty good. I’m glad to be home. I was hoping you would let me work this summer. Buckley’s expensive. My dad expects me to help out as much as I can.

You know the hours—eight to six with an hour for lunch Monday through Friday and a half day on Saturday if you can come in then. Does nine to two, or ten to three, on Saturday work for you? I’m guessing you’ll want time with your folks.

She nodded. I can do that, and as many hours as you need on Saturday.

We’re tight for office space with Ben here, so when you write notes in the charts, you’ll have to share the desk with him. In the same spot as last year. Think you can handle that? He removed his half-glasses and rubbed his nose where the bridge rested.

Sounds good—as long as he doesn’t take up all the space.

That’s my girl. Joel’s feet hit the floor with a muffled bang. Time to get to work. You need a lab coat to wear over your regular duds. He led her out of the office and into the treatment area. Can you stay till closing today, or do you have to get home?

I’ll just call my mom. She donned the lab coat, pleased to see it was the same one Bronnie had embroidered her name on last summer, and went into the reception room to use the phone.

~ ~ ~

Joel Taylor gunned the boat through the swirling water near the tip of the island. Ben glanced at his mentor, whose dark-red hair was tousled by the wind, his brown eyes shining as the boat struggled against the current.

Come on, baby! Joel yelled as the thirty-five foot Bayliner skimmed the waves against the incoming tide. Ben, watch that side. Don’t want to hit the bridge. The muscles in Joel’s arms flexed as he fought to keep the boat away from the uprights that soared nearly two hundred feet above the waterline. When they entered quieter water, the veterinarian reduced the speed of the Pride’n Joy and the two men took in the view of the far mountains, the last of the remaining snow shining just below the clouds building behind the peaks.

I thought for a minute we weren’t going to make it. Ben brushed his hair out of his eyes.

Trust, my man, trust. And knowing the currents helps. I’ve done it often enough. Almost got creamed one day, though. Joel laughed and pointed. Look!

As if welcoming them to the less sheltered western side of the island, the triangular dorsal fin of a male orca broke the water thirty feet ahead of the boat. Then two smaller killer whales, females from the size of their more rounded fins, hove into view. The male breached, and three other orcas broke the water, one with a little one at her side.

A baby! Take the wheel, will you, Ben? Grabbing his camera, Joel snapped several shots as the boat bucked against the oncoming swells.

See them a lot? Ben held the boat on a steady course as they followed the big mammals.

Not every time I’m out. Several pods live here year round. Joel took the wheel. So what do you think of this side of the mountains? Different from the dry side, isn’t it?

I like it. Maybe enough to consider staying, once I’ve done Boards.

No girlfriends or family calling you home?

He shook his head. I’ve got responsibilities to my kid sisters. The sooner I get my degree and am working, the sooner I can send money home to put them through school.

That shouldn’t stop you from having a social life.

I was seeing somebody last year, but she opted for pharmacy school and went off to the University of Idaho. She and I... we didn’t see eye-to-eye on certain important things, like family. And, I’m here to concentrate on what you’re going to teach me.

Joel squinted into the sun. So, what do you want to know about the practice? When we came aboard you mentioned questions about the business end. Now that you’ve been here almost six weeks, you probably know what to ask.

Ben eased back in the seat next to Joel’s captain’s chair. Staffing. You’ve got Bronwyn at reception—

Bronnie. A gem. From across the pond. You probably guessed that from her accent. Married a Navy guy. When his plane went in on some kind of training flight in Japan, she stayed.

Does she always stay up front?

And keeps the books, makes sure bills go out on time, keeps track of the patients, that sort of thing.

What about the techs? You have two, three?

Joel nodded. Kate comes in almost every day, but she asked for time off during the summer, and with you here, that shouldn’t slow us down. Has two little kids at home, so mostly I’ll use her on an as-needed basis until fall. Then there’s Pia. Very new, doesn’t do a lot of clinical stuff yet. Has a dog grooming business—independently, even though she uses one of our rooms—and some minimal tech work. My best assistant is Danni. Last summer she toyed with the idea of becoming a vet tech, maybe even applying to vet school. Don’t know if she still wants to do that. She has three more years of undergrad first. But she has good hands and isn’t afraid of blood or hard work.

"How old is she?"

Joel’s brows rose. Twenty, I think. We celebrated her birthday last summer. Maybe twenty-one.

I—she’s very pretty. She’s not through undergrad yet?

Her old man is kind of old-fashioned. He made her work at least a couple of years after high school before he’d let her go to college. She was full time at the grocery down the street for a couple of years, and part time for me the last two summers. Her old man keeps her on a tight leash, from what I saw. And she picked Buckley, that private school on the mainland. More expensive than the state schools.

She seemed younger when she was talking about the dog training she did last year.

Ben recalled the look on Danni’s face two days earlier when she had talked about the dogs she had trained. Her eyes had shone and her cheeks had flushed in her enthusiasm, calling attention to a sprinkle of freckles across her nose. Her long hair was almost black, a startling combination with her sky-blue eyes. She seems to know how to handle animals.

Joel nodded. She’s smart, loves dogs, and they love her. Not very worldly-wise, in spite of working before heading off to school, but she’s less shy now than last year. I guess college matured her some. Look over there! He pointed to an osprey skimming the waves, a fish flapping in his talons.

The wildlife you see around here! Ben exclaimed. When did you say we were going to that sheep farm?

Joel brought the boat around the buoy as he entered the harbor. Tomorrow afternoon. We’ll check the boarders first. Can you handle the bumpers as we come in?

Sure thing. Ben moved to the stern.

~ ~ ~

An hour later, Joel gave a satisfied sigh and settled into an easy chair in his house after handing Ben a beer. You asked why I opened my practice in New Harbor. It was a pretty easy decision. I like the slower island life and I can keep my boat here.

Is that where you’d like to be most days, on the boat? Ben gazed at the vet who’d taken him on for the year.

It’s a nice hobby. My dad died a couple years ago and I used some of the estate funds to buy it. Rejuvenates me—especially when things start to pile up. With you here, I hope to use it more, maybe build the practice, too.

How will you do that? Ben leaned forward.

When I bought out Bud Olson three years ago, he told me I’d be hand-holding the owners and picking up road kill. But he said I could build the practice. Joel smiled. New blood, what I am.

I get it—the new vet brings in patients who might not have been happy with the old doc. What about me? Being here, can I bring in new people?

Sure, assuming you work well with the owners and their animals. You have to be able to do both in a vet practice. Bronnie’ll notice if the human customers don’t take to you. The hand-holding part is real. I don’t like the road kill part, though we do see a fair number of critters who’ve been injured that way.

How else will you build the practice?

Where the sheep farm comes in, and some of the other farms, too. Bud concentrated on small animals. I want to bring in business from the farms, too. Why I built that small barn last winter when business was slow on the three-acre pasture out back. I figured if we had some holding pens and a few stalls, it would signal the farmers that they could come here instead of shipping their problems to the mainland. We’ve had a few such customers already, but I want more.

What about going to them? At school, we often went to the big farms and ranches and delivered services directly. He picked up Joel’s empty beer can and tossed it into the trash can.

The vet waited for Ben to resume his seat. A good idea. Now that Danni’s back full time, once I’ve introduced you to the people I want to know about our services, you or I can do that without leaving the clinic shorthanded.

You accepted me so you could expand the practice?

Partly, and my way of giving back. He grinned. Wally and I—Professor Walker to you—we’re good buds.

What about after I leave?

I’ll either get another extern or hire an associate if the practice is big enough. You being here is a chance to see what we can do. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll go back to being a one-man show and bring in externs for comic relief—and to help out the program. The giving back part. Joel’s right eyebrow arched. Once you’ve picked my brain of all the important stuff, are you thinking of opening up a competing office down the road?

Ben smiled. I don’t really know yet where I’ll open a practice. My family—they want me closer—in the Okanogan.

What you do here will tell you the kind of practice you want. You’ll get lots of time with small animals and, depending on our luck with the farmers and horse people, maybe large animals, too. Joel looked at the clock. I hate to kick you out, but I’ve scheduled surgery at seven tomorrow, and I need my beauty sleep. You can take the Thing home. See you tomorrow bright and early.

Ben caught the keys Joel tossed to him and headed for the disreputable old yellow cab parked on the street.

~ ~ ~

Late the next day Joel checked his calendar, and picked up the phone after the last client of the day had departed.

Angela, you gorgeous hunk of womanhood. Pencil me in for dinner on Wednesday, will you?

Excuse me? Who is this?

You know who this is. Joel Taylor, ex-boyfriend, ex-fiancé, almost-husband, the best-looking vet on Cedar Island.

"The only vet in New Harbor. You have to stop assuming I’m going to jump when you call. What makes you think I’m free on Wednesday?"

Angela’s voice remained cool, like refreshing water, water Joel wanted to warm even as he mentally lapped it up, preferably off her bare skin.

Just hoping, Angie. You’ve been here six months already—working down the hill in that old doc’s office, and I’m dying to, you know, pick up where we left off.

Another assumption, Joel.

Tell me you’ll have dinner with me on Wednesday. He drummed his fingers on the desk.

Okay. Dinner. On Wednesday. Where and when?

You pick the place. How about seven, and, as further incentive, I’ll pay.

Of course you will. She laughed. Bye.

He grinned. A date with Angela and an extern who was fitting in nicely,