Forces of Nature

Chapter 6


The week leading up to Douglas’s visit to Hughes Farm, Crystal wanted to call everything off, because for the last six days her mind had been clouded with fantasies of kissing him, touching him, and making love to him. Stalking across the room and peering out the window, Crystal watched an unfamiliar pickup truck pulling into the driveway. As the vehicle stopped, she was mesmerized by the man, clad in fresh blue jeans, a crisp white T–shirt, and a New York Yankees baseball cap, as he hoisted a duffel bag over his broad shoulder. She’d never seen Douglas dressed like a regular person and she was sure the outfit was new. That man has probably never owned a pair of jeans in his life.

As Douglas raised his hand to knock, Crystal opened the front door, not caring that it was obvious she’d been staring at him from the window. “You’re early,” she said.

“Isn’t that better than being late?” he asked as he gave her a slow once-over, admiring her T-shirt and the way it clung to her breasts.

“No, it isn’t. Either way, it’s rude. I don’t even have your room ready in the guest cottage,” she said as she stepped aside, allowing Douglas to enter the house.

He stood in the middle of her living room, which was decorated with a southwestern flair. Nodding, he said, “Nice touch. Classic.”

“If you have your way it will be rubble,” she said as she closed the front door. “Where are my manners? May I take your bag, get you something to eat or drink?”

Douglas smiled and shook his head, and then he headed for the caramel-colored leather sofa. Sitting, he dropped his bag on the floor.

Anger cruised through Crystal’s body as she watched Douglas pick up the remote and turn the television on. Just seeing him sitting there as if the house belonged to him rattled her to the core, especially when she wouldn’t mind joining him on the sofa and losing herself in his sweet, hot kiss.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she snapped as she picked up the bag and threw it in his lap. “This isn’t stately Wellington manor and I’m not one of your servants.”

Douglas furrowed his brows as he looked up at her. “I thought you said my room wasn’t ready? What did I do?”

“Oh, I . . . I . . .” Crystal’s face grew hot from embarrassment as she turned away from Douglas. “I’m going to go check on the room.”

Dashing out of the living room, Crystal headed out back to the small cottage where Douglas would be staying. As she opened the door, she felt a masculine presence behind her.

“You expect me to live here for a week?” Douglas said. His lips were so close to her ear that she shivered as he spoke. “This is a cute dollhouse, but I’m a big man, darling.”

She looked around the space and had to admit that “dollhouse” was an accurate description of the cottage, with its lacy slipcovers over the sofa and love seat and the matching curtains. Crystal always thought the cottage was a comfortable place, but she wasn’t a man of large proportion. However, there was no way she and Douglas could sleep under the same roof. Not with the way she was feeling and thinking about him. Folding her arms across her chest, Crystal glared at him. “What am I supposed to do, give up my house for you?”

“No, we can share a bed,” Douglas said with a grin.

Crystal turned toward the door. “I’ll bring you some clean towels.”

He blocked her exit by pulling her into his arms; he brushed his lips against her neck. “I hope you don’t plan on sneaking in here tonight and violating me as I sleep.”

Pushing away from him, she pulled the door open and dashed out. I can do this, she thought as she walked up the back steps to her house. Douglas Wellington isn’t going to take my land or my heart.





Douglas wondered what to expect for the week as he stood up and walked to the front windows. Interestingly enough, the cottage faced Crystal’s bedroom. He watched as she walked into the room and flicked on the light. He dropped the curtain quickly so that she wouldn’t see him. Staying in the small cottage was starting to look better and better, he thought as he headed for the bedroom. Turning the light on, Douglas shook his head at the sight of the twin bed and old English dresser. This is definitely a dollhouse.

Dropping his bag on the small bed, which had a yellow and white comforter on it, Douglas began to unpack his clothes and wondered how he could stop thinking about Crystal. After getting settled in, he decided that he might as well explore the property, even if he’d rather be exploring every tantalizing inch of Crystal Hughes. He looked up at the house, hoping to catch a glance of her as he started his walk. When he didn’t see her, he decided to head for the garden. The beauty of the scene before him instantly took his breath away.

Crystal was dressed in a pair of dusty overalls with her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, kneeling down with a basket of corn, peppers, and tomatoes trying to help a young girl with another basket. Douglas rushed over to her, grabbing her basket before she lost her grip on it.

“Thanks,” she said, lifting the smaller basket into her arms. “Mercer, are you all right?”

“Yes, ma’am, I just can’t do anything right. I can’t even pick vegetables to make the soup with.” With her shoulders slumping, Mercer started to walk away, but Crystal stopped her.

“Mercer, don’t let what other people say about you cloud your self-esteem. You can do anything you put your mind to and when you and the other girls make this soup, there are going to be several people who appreciate it.” Wrapping her arms around the girl, Crystal hugged her tightly.

Douglas couldn’t help but be touched by Crystal’s gentle way with the girl. He could see the girl beginning to smile as they embraced.

“You go on inside,” Crystal told Mercer before ushering her toward the greenhouse.

“You’re pretty good with these girls,” he said as she took her basket from his hands.

“It’s not hard to be nice to people. You should try it sometimes.”

Douglas smirked, sarcastically thinking how nice he would like to treat her if he could get one night alone with her. “I am nice to people,” he said. “Why do you think I’m such a monster? I’m just a businessman.”

“Who wants to monopolize this town and county,” she shot back. “And why? How can you look at this place and think it would be better served as a business park? What about the beauty of the land and what it means to these girls?”

Turning his back to her and running his finger across a cornstalk, Douglas said, “Why are you making this personal? It’s a standard business deal. Something that my company and I do all the time.”

“Can you hand me those cabbages over there?” she asked, ignoring his last comment.

“Changing the subject?” Douglas closed the space between them and pulled her into his arms. “This doesn’t have to be painful.”

“But it is. This isn’t just about me and my family’s legacy, it’s about the community in general. This place is one step away from being Welcoville and you know it.”

Shrugging his shoulders, he passed her the vegetables. “Who else is trying to turn this rural place into a viable city? Crystal, people are suffering here. They need jobs and money and Welco is just stepping up to the plate and giving the people what they need.”

“People need more than money and jobs; they need to know someone cares about them.” She pressed her hand against his chest, attempting to push away from him. But Douglas grabbed her hand and kissed it.

Unable to pull away, she fell against his body and their lips brushed against one another’s. Douglas capitalized on the rare opportunity to kiss her as he captured her lips, savoring the sweet taste of her mouth. He expected her to fight him, but to his surprise she melted against him. Their bodies fit together as if they were destined to be one. He roamed his hands up and down her back, feeling every luscious curve as he glided down her hips. A soft moan escaped his throat as the kiss became deeper, wetter, and hotter—until Crystal pulled away.

“This is so wrong,” she said, freeing herself from his embrace.

Douglas reached out and grabbed her arm, “Crystal, you want me just as much as I want you.”

Wiping her hand across her face, Crystal snatched away from Douglas and returned to the house. As he watched her walk away, he fingered his lips, reliving the searing kiss he shared with her. He made up his mind to have her, no matter what.



Crystal wished she could explain away her attraction to Douglas Wellington. She knew this man wanted to take her land away and would probably sleep with her to do it. This is crazy! Why am I letting this man get to me? she thought as she poured herself a glass of water, hoping that it would cool the fire burning inside her body. Slowly she sipped the liquid, but her mind couldn’t get past the sensation of Douglas’s lips against hers, his hands all over her body. The back door opened and as Douglas appeared in front of her, she dropped her glass.

Bending down to scoop up the broken glass, she asked, “What are you doing in here?”

Douglas knelt down and took the sharp glass from her hand. “I need towels and an extra blanket. I guess I should have knocked.”

“You think?” she snapped.

Douglas seemed to ignore her attitude as he walked over to the trash can and dumped the shards of glass in it. “So, what do you have planned for dinner?”

Crystal folded her arms across her chest and eyed him incredulously. “Whatever my plans are, they don’t include you.”

“How am I going to see the majesty of this farm if you keep me tucked away in that little dollhouse? I want to taste the fresh veggies and whatever else you grow here.” A smile spread across his face as if he wanted to say something else, but restrained himself.

Crystal returned his smile with a wry one. “Fine. If you want majesty, then we can have dinner at the Starlight House—that is if you don’t mind dining with delinquents.”

Folding his arms across his chest, he said, “You’re not going to let that go, are you?”

“You said it. Have you changed your mind about the girls?”

“I didn’t mean what I said. I was angry and that reporter twisted my words. You know, Welco would happily relocate the girls. I’d even be willing to let some of the girls do an internship with the company.”

“Is that supposed to give you absolution for destroying my property?”

Looking away from her, Douglas reached for a dish towel and wiped the water from the floor. “Let’s get something straight,” he said. “My business park is going to go up, whether you like it or not. But there is something bigger here than business. You feel it every time I touch you, every time I kiss you.”

He stood and focused his full stare on her. Crystal felt hot underneath his penetrating gaze, and she wanted to tell him that if they were in another time and space she would have no problem sharing herself and her life with him. But he was her sworn enemy. He was big business and everything that she’d lobbied against. Falling for him was out of the question. Steeling herself, she faced him with her arms folded across her chest. “I’m a woman and I have hormones,” she said. “But there is nothing between us and there never will be.”

“Didn’t your mother tell you to never say never?”

“If you want to have dinner with me, meet me in an hour at the Starlight House. I’ll make sure you get towels and a blanket. You can leave now.”

Douglas closed the space between them. “If you say so. I’ll see you at dinner.” As he walked out the door, their bodies touched slightly, causing Crystal’s breath to catch in her chest. He winked at her as he closed the door behind him, and as much as she wanted to hate his arrogance, she couldn’t help but want him even more.

About an hour later, Crystal and Douglas headed over to the Starlight House to join the girls for dinner. She glanced at him as they walked across the yard, noting his change of clothes. He was wearing another fresh pair of jeans and a multicolored button-down shirt. His fresh scent of patchouli and Irish Spring soap was almost too much for her to bear.

Brooke greeted them at the door with a quizzical look on her face. “Crystal, I didn’t realize you were bringing a guest for dinner.”

She reached out and placed her hand on Brooke’s shoulder. “I thought if Mr. Wellington saw the good that goes on here, he would change his mind about building a business park on this land.”

Smiling at Douglas, Brooke stepped aside to let them in. “Mr. Wellington,” she said, “I hope you like meat loaf and potatoes.”

“I’m sure I will,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a home-cooked meal.”

“Well,” Brooke said as she led the couple into the dining area, “every meal here is prepared by the girls. Most of the time it’s really good. By letting the girls cook and clean, we are teaching them responsibility and adding a little discipline to their lives.”

Crystal pointed to where MJ and Renda sat. “This is my usual table,” she said. “But you are under no obligation to sit with me.”

Douglas smiled at her and before he could say anything, Brooke interjected.

“Mr. Wellington, I would love to discuss the history of Starlight House with you over dinner.” She pointed to a table in the front of the dining area. “This is where the staff sits and I would be honored if you join us.”

“All right,” he said, though his eyes were on Crystal.

She refused to return his gaze, afraid that her attraction would betray her.

MJ walked up to Crystal and wrapped her arms around her waist. “Miss Crystal, I knew you were going to save this place. Has that man changed his mind?”

“I’m working on it,” Crystal said as she sat down with MJ and Renda. She smiled at the girls and looked down at their plates. “So, what’s good?”

“That guy is good looking. Is he your boyfriend?” Renda asked.

“Not at all. He’s here because I want to show him how important this place is to all of us. Then maybe he won’t tear it down.”

MJ wrung her hands and focused an intense glare on Crystal. “What if it doesn’t work? If he tears this place down, where are we going to go?”

She wrapped her arms around MJ’s shoulders and squeezed her tightly. “I’m not going to let that happen; I’ll do whatever it takes to protect us and this farm. That includes Starlight House. You guys are extremely important to me.”

“We know,” Renda replied.

“Then you know I’m a fighter. But sometimes you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar,” Crystal said as she stole a glance at Douglas. He was seated at the table with the Starlight staff, looking back at her.

She quickly looked away from him before their eyes could lock. Crystal wished her hormones would stop racing.

After dinner, Crystal hurried back to her house, trying to avoid Douglas. She knew if she saw him again that she wouldn’t be able to resist.





Closing his eyes, Douglas was about to explode. He couldn’t listen to Brooke Fey talking about Starlight House anymore. He got it. The house was a last chance ranch for girls who weren’t bad but had been in bad situations. He understood that people in Reeseville didn’t want to give the girls a fair chance and despite this lack of trust, they proved themselves at the Starlight House. Sure, what she’d said made sense, and Starlight House seemed like a great place, but it didn’t offer as many jobs as the business park would. He would be more than happy to build a new house for the girls. Why don’t these women get it?

“Ladies, thank you for dinner and for telling me all about Starlight House, but I really have to go back to my quarters and freshen up.”

Douglas rose to his feet, shook hands with Brooke and the rest of the staff, then bolted out of the dining hall in search of Crystal. When he arrived at her front step, he stopped and glanced at the door. Should he just walk in and take her into his arms again? Or should he return to the little house and fantasize about her?

“Do you need something?” Crystal called out from behind him.

Douglas turned around and smiled. “I was wondering why you ran out on me over there.”

“Because I had to put towels and blankets in the guesthouse, per your request,” she said before pushing past him.

Douglas grabbed her arm. “Where’s the fire, Miss Hughes? I’m still waiting on my tour.”

She pulled away from him, smiled dryly, and walked up the steps of her house. “Why don’t you meet me here in about an hour? There is something I want to show you.”

He returned her smile. “What do you want to show me?”

“The magic hour.”

Skeptical, Douglas agreed to meet her. “Should I wear anything special?”

“Comfortable shoes, Mr. Wellington,” she said before disappearing inside.

Douglas couldn’t deny his attraction to her any longer, and he wasn’t going to. He was going to have her and his business park. Scampering off to the guesthouse, Douglas prepared for his evening with Crystal.

Before long the moon lit the sky and Douglas was ready for his excursion with Crystal. As he stepped outside and glanced up at the diamondlike glow of the stars in the sky, he was taken by the quiet beauty of the farm. It had the look of a postcard with water from the irrigation system glistening on the manicured blades of grass, and off in the distance the vegetables cast warm shadows over the land. The farm looked like something ripped off Little House on the Prairie.

A hand touched him on the shoulder. “Ready?” Crystal asked, looking down at his shoes. “Nice sneakers.”

“Are these comfortable enough?”

“Depends on you. Can you keep up?” She smiled, then took off running down a small dusty path.

Douglas followed, struggling to keep up with her because he was watching her behind bounce up and down.

She looked over her shoulder. “You’re kind of slow there, Mr. Executive,” she said.

“I’m not used to this. I usually do my running on a treadmill.” Douglas stopped and leaned against a tree.

“Luckily for you, we’re here,” she said, pointing to a small mirrored pond. “Look up.”

Douglas followed her directive and turned his eyes upward. The ink black sky resembled velvet sprinkled with jewels. “Wow,” he remarked as the light reflected from the pool. He glanced over at Crystal, who was awash in the glow of the moon and looking like an angel. “This is beautiful.”

“My parents said sunset is the magic hour. That is when God shows us His beauty and we should take time and reflect on it. That’s why they built this pond. We used to come out here and have dinner sometimes.” Crystal closed her eyes as she talked. “But for me the reflection of the moon and the stars were surreal and beautiful. Like an expensive painting that should be hanging on the wall of a museum.”

Douglas stepped closer to her, wrapping his arms around her slim waist. “It really is gorgeous.” His lips were dangerously close to her ear. He wanted to gently kiss her lobe, take it between his teeth and send chills down her spine.

She opened her eyes, facing him and shaking her head. “How can you possibly want to destroy this?”

“Do we have to talk business now?”

Before she could respond, Douglas captured her lips in a smoldering kiss. He felt her body tremble as if she was trying to resist him but couldn’t. Taking advantage of her lust, Douglas deepened his kiss, pulling Crystal so close to his body that she could feel every inch of him. Their clothing provided little barrier between their hot bodies, and he felt her feminine heat against his burgeoning groin. Placing his hands on her ample behind, Douglas tried to bury himself inside her.

She pressed her hand against his chest, breaking off their kiss. “You can’t keep doing that,” she exclaimed.

He gently stroked her arm. “Why? We both enjoy it. Crystal. I want you with everything in me. You are the most alluring and beautiful woman that I’ve ever met and—”

“Is this your new ploy, trying to get me to change my mind about selling this place in between kisses and caresses?”

Holding her face between his hands, Douglas stared into her eyes. “I have real feelings for you and I’m sorry that it has to be this way.”

She pushed his hands away and frowned. “Am I supposed to believe you, knowing that you want this land to become the latest acquisition of Welco Industries? If you are really genuine, you will drop this proposal or at least find a new place to build your park.”

“And then what? You have your farm and thousands of people still don’t have a job. I’m in a tough spot here,” he said, walking away from her. “You’re the first woman that I’ve met who doesn’t care about what Douglas Wellington represents. You actually hate it.”

She nodded and laughed. “You’re right. I actually think you’re rather sleazy,” she said.

Douglas encircled her waist and brushed his lips against the nape of her neck. “But you really love it.”

She turned around and smiled at him. “I wish you weren’t Douglas Wellington the third. Why couldn’t you just be Joe Regular?”

“Why couldn’t you live two miles up the road?”

Surprisingly, Crystal leaned in and kissed him, hard and savagely. His body erupted at her touch. And just as quickly as she kissed him, she pulled away. “This is so wrong. You’re my enemy and I should treat you as such.”

Crystal dashed away from him, leaving him standing there staring at his confused reflection in the pond.