by Reese Ryan
So why didn’t he feel good about what they’d done?
Because their grandkids were absolutely miserable.
What kind of grandfather could rejoice in the heartbreak of a beautiful girl like Alexis?
“Hello, Gus.” Rose had sidled up beside him, and ordered a white wine spritzer. “The kids didn’t look too happy with each other just now.”
“That’s an understatement, if ever I’ve heard one.” He gripped his glass and gulped from it. “They’re in downright misery.”
“Is it that bad?” She glanced over at him momentarily, studying his pained look, before accepting her glass of wine and taking a sip.
“Honestly? I think it’s even worse.” He scrubbed a hand down his jaw. “I feel like a heel for causing baby girl so much pain. And despite all our machinations, neither of us has found a suitable mate for our respective grandchildren.”
She nodded sagely. Pain dimmed the light in her gray eyes. And for a moment, the shadow that passed over her lovely face made her look closer to her actual years.
“I’m sorry that they’re both hurting. But it’s better that they have their hearts broken now than to have it happen down the road, when they’re both more invested in the relationship.” She glanced at him squarely. “We’ve both known that pain. It’s a feeling that never leaves you. We’re both living proof of that.”
“I guess we are.” Gus nodded, taking another sip of his whiskey. “But maybe there’s something we hadn’t considered.” He turned around, his back to the bar.
“And what’s that?” She turned on her bar stool, too, studying the crowd.
“Daniel and Alexis share our last names, but that doesn’t make them us. And it doesn’t mean they’re doomed to our fates.”
Rose didn’t respond as she watched her grandson Daniel being fawned over by the woman who’d bought him at auction. He looked about as pleased by the woman’s attentions as a man getting a root canal without anesthesia.
“We did what was in their best interests. The right thing isn’t always the easiest thing. I know they’re hurting now, but when they each find the person they were meant to be with, they’ll be thankful this happened.”
Rose paid for her drink and turned to walk away.
“Rose.”
She halted, glancing over her shoulder without looking directly at him.
“What if the two of them were meant to be together? Will they be grateful we interfered then?”
A heavy sigh escaped her red lips, and she gathered her shawl around her before leaving.
His eyes trailed the woman as she walked away in a glimmering green dress. The dress was long, but formfitting. And despite her age, Rose was as tantalizing in that dress as a cool drink of water on a hot summer day.
After all these years he still had a thing for Rose Clayton. What if it was the same for Daniel and Alexis?
He ordered another whiskey, neat, hoping to God that he and Rose hadn’t made a grave mistake they’d both regret.
Seven
Ryan twirled Tessa on the dance floor and then drew her back into his arms as they danced to one of his favorite upbeat country songs. Everyone around them seemed to be singing along with the lyrics which were both funny and slightly irreverent.
Tessa turned her back to him, threw her hands up, and wiggled her full hips as she sang loudly.
His attention was drawn to the sway of those sexy hips keeping time to the music. Fortunately, her dancing was much more impressive than her singing. Something his anatomy responded to, even if he didn’t want it to. Particularly not while they were in the middle of a crowded dance floor.
Ryan swallowed hard and tried to shove away the rogue thoughts trying to commandeer his good sense. He and Tessa were just two friends enjoying their night together. Having a good time.
Nothing to see here, folks.
“Everything okay?” Tessa had turned around, her beautiful brown eyes focused on him and a frown tugging down the corners of her mouth.
“Yeah, of course.” He forced a smile. “I was just...thinking...that’s all.” He started to dance again, his movements forced and rigid.
Tessa regarded him strangely, but before she could probe further, Alexis appeared beside them looking flustered. Her eyes were red, and it looked like she’d been crying.
“Alexis, is something wrong?” Tessa turned to her friend and squeezed her hand.
“I’m afraid so. I’ve been looking everywhere for you two. Would you mind meeting with James and me in the office as soon as possible?” Alexis leaned in, so they could both hear her over the blaring music.
“Of course, we will.” Tessa gave the woman’s hand another assuring squeeze. “Just lead the way.”
Alexis made her way through the crowd with Tessa and Ryan following closely behind.
Ryan bit back his disappointment at the interruption. If the distress Alexis appeared to be experiencing was any indication, the situation was one level below the barn being on fire. Which triggered a burning in his gut.
Whatever Alexis and James wanted with the two of them, he was pretty sure neither of them was going to like it.
* * *
“Tessa, Ryan, please, have a seat.” James Harris, president of the Texas Cattleman’s Club, gestured to the chairs on the other side of the large mahogany desk in his office.
After such a successful night, he and Alexis looked incredibly grim. The knot that had already formed in her gut tightened.
She and Ryan sat in the chairs James indicated while Alexis sat on the sofa along one wall.
“Something is obviously wrong.” Ryan crossed one ankle over his knee. “What is it, James?”
The other man hesitated a moment before speaking. When he did, the words he uttered came out in an anguished growl.
“There was a problem with one of the bids. A big problem.”
“Gail.” Tessa and Ryan said her name simultaneously.
“How does something like this happen?” Ryan asked after James had filled them both in. “Can anyone just walk in off the street and bid a bogus hundred K?”
James grimaced.
Tessa felt badly for him. James hadn’t been president of the Texas Cattleman’s Club for very long. She could only imagine how he must be feeling. He’d been riding high after putting on what was likely the most successful fund-raiser in the club’s history. But now he was saddled with one of the biggest faux pas in the club’s history.
“It’s a charity auction. We take folks at their word when they make a bid,” James replied calmly, then sighed. “Still, I don’t like that this happened on my watch, and I’ll do everything I can to remedy the situation.”
Tessa’s heart broke for the man. She didn’t know James particularly well, but she’d heard the tragic story about what had happened to his brother and his sister-in-law. They’d died in an accident, leaving behind their orphaned son, who was little more than a year old, to be raised by James.
He was a nice enough guy, but he didn’t seem the daddy type. Still, he was obviously doing the best he could to juggle all the balls he had in the air.
Tessa groaned, her hand pressed to her forehead. “I knew Gail had a thing for Lloyd Richardson, but I honestly never imagined she’d do something so reckless and impulsive.”
“No one thinks you knew anything about it, Tess. That’s not why we asked you here,” Alexis assured her.
“Then why are we here?” Ryan’s voice was cautious as he studied the other man.
“Because we have another dilemma that could compound the first problem.” James heaved a sigh as he sat back in his chair, his hands steepled over his abdomen. “And we could really use your help to head it off.”
“Was there another bid that someone can’t make good on?” Ryan asked.
“No, but there is a reporter here, who
m I invited.” Alexis cringed as she stood. “He’s intrigued by that one-hundred thousand dollar bid, and he wants to interview Gail and Lloyd.”
“Damn. I see your dilemma.” Ryan groaned sympathetically. “Instead of getting good press about all of the money the club did raise, all anyone will be talking about is Gail and her bogus bid.”
“It gets even worse,” Alexis said. She blew out a frustrated breath as she shook her head, her blond locks flipping over her shoulder. “We can’t find hide nor hair of either Gail or Lloyd. It’s like the two of them simply vanished.”
Ryan shook his head. “Wow. That’s pretty messed up.”
“What is it that you want Ryan and me to do?” Tessa looked at James and then Alexis.
“The reporter was also very intrigued by everyone’s reaction to you and all the drama of how Ryan beat out Clem and Bo’s bids.” A faint smile flickered on Alexis’s mouth. “So we suggested that he follow the two of you on your little date.”
“What?”
Panic suddenly seized Tessa’s chest. It was one thing to play dress up and strut on the stage here at the club. Surrounded mostly by people she’d known her entire life. It was another to be followed by a reporter who was going to put the information out there for the entire world to see.
“We hadn’t really intended to go on a date,” Tessa said. “Ryan and I were just going to hang out together and have fun at the game. Grab a bite to eat at his favorite restaurant. Nothing worthy of reporting on.”
“I know.” There was an apology in Alexis’s voice. “Which is why I need to ask another big favor...”
“You want us to go on a real date after all.” Ryan looked from Alexis to James.
“Going out with a beautiful woman like Tess here, who also just happens to be your best friend...not the worst thing in the world that could happen to a guy.” James forced a smile.
“Only...well, I know that the date you’d planned is the perfect kind of day for hanging with the guys.” Alexis directed her attention toward Tess. “But this needs to feel like a big, romantic gesture. Something worthy of a big write-up for the event and for our club.”
“I d-don’t know, Alexis,” Tessa stuttered, her heart racing. “I’m not sure how comfortable either of us would feel having a reporter follow us around all day.”
“We’ll do it,” Ryan said suddenly. Decisively. “For the club, of course.” He cleared his throat and gave Tess a reassuring nod. “And don’t worry, I know exactly what to do. I’ll make sure we give him the big, romantic fantasy he’s looking for.”
“I’m supposed to be the one who takes you out on a date,” Tess objected. “That’s how this whole thing works.”
“Then it’ll make for an even grander gesture when I surprise you by sweeping you off your feet.”
He gave her that mischievous half smile that had enticed her into countless adventures. From searching for frogs when they were kids to parasailing in Mexico as an adult. After all these years, she still hadn’t grown immune to its charm.
“Fine.” Tessa sighed. “We’ll do it. Just tell him we’ll need a day or two to finalize the arrangements.”
“Thank you!” Alexis hugged them both. “We’re so grateful to you both for doing this.”
“You’re saving our asses here and the club’s reputation.” James looked noticeably relieved, though his eyebrows were still furrowed. “I can’t thank you enough. And you won’t be the only ones on the hot seat. Rose Clayton persuaded her grandson Daniel to give the reporter an additional positive feature related to the auction.”
Alexis frowned at the mention of Daniel’s name, but then she quickly recovered.
“And about that bid of Gail’s...no one outside this room, besides Gail and Lloyd, of course, knows the situation.” James frowned again. “We’d like to keep it that way until we figure out how we’re going to resolve this. So please, don’t whisper a word of this to anyone.”
“Least of all the reporter,” Alexis added, emphatically.
Tessa and Ryan agreed. Then Alexis introduced them to the reporter, Greg Halstead. After Greg gathered some preliminary information for the piece, Ryan insisted that he be the one to exchange contact information with Greg so they could coordinate him accompanying them on their date.
Every time Greg repeated the word date, shivers ran down Tessa’s spine.
The only thing worse than having a thing for her best friend was being shanghaied into going on a fake date with him. But she was doing this for the club that meant so much to her, her family and the community of Royal.
Alexis had worked so hard to garner positive publicity for the club. And she’d raised awareness of the need to fund research for a cure for pancreatic cancer—the disease that had killed Alexis Slade’s dear grandmother. Tess wouldn’t allow all of her friend’s hard work to be squandered because of Gail’s selfish decision. Not if she could do something to prevent it.
Maybe she hadn’t been aware of what Gail had planned to do tonight. But she’d been the one who’d invited Gail to tonight’s affair. Tess couldn’t help feeling obligated to do what she could to rectify the matter.
Even if it meant torturing herself by going on a pretend date that would feel very real to her. No matter how much she tried to deny it.
Eight
Ryan and Tessa finally headed home in his truck after what felt like an incredibly long night.
He couldn’t remember the last time he and Tessa had danced together or laughed as much as they had that evening. But that was before James and Alexis had asked them to go on an actual date. Since then, things felt...different.
First, they’d politely endured the awkward interview with that reporter, Greg Halstead. Then they’d gone about the rest of the evening dancing and mingling with fellow club members and their guests. But there was a strange vibe between them. Obviously, Tessa felt it, too.
Why else would she be rambling on, as she often did when she was nervous.
Then again, lost in his own thoughts, he hadn’t been very good company. Ryan drummed his fingers on the steering wheel during an awkward moment of silence.
“This date...it isn’t going to make things weird between us, is it?” Tess asked finally, as if she’d been inside his head all along.
One of the hazards of a friendship with someone who knew him too well.
He forced a chuckle. “C’mon, Tess. We’ve been best buds too long to let a fake date shake us.” His eyes searched hers briefly before returning to the road. “Our friendship could withstand anything.”
Anything except getting romantically involved. Which is why they hadn’t and wouldn’t.
“Promise?” She seemed desperate for reassurance on the matter. Not surprising. A part of him needed it, too.
“On my life.” This time, there was no hesitation. There were a lot of things in this world he could do without. Tessa Noble’s friendship wasn’t one of them.
Tessa nodded, releasing an audible sigh of relief. She turned to look out the window at the beautiful ranches that marked the road home.
His emphatic statement seemed to alleviate the anxiety they’d both been feeling. Still, his thoughts kept returning to their date the following weekend. The contemplative look on Tess’s face, indicated that hers did, too.
He changed the subject, eager to talk about anything else. “What’s up with your girl bidding a hundred K she didn’t have?”
“I don’t know.” Tess seemed genuinely baffled by Gail’s behavior.
Tessa and Gail certainly weren’t as close as he and Tess were. But lately, at her mother’s urging, Tessa had tried to build stronger friendships with other women in town.
She and Gail had met when Tessa had used the woman’s fledgling grocery delivery business. They’d hit it off and started hanging out occasionally.
He understood why Tess liked
Gail. She was bold and a little irreverent. All of the things that Tess was not. But Ryan hadn’t cared much for her. There was something about that woman he didn’t quite trust. But now wasn’t the time for I told you so’s. Tessa obviously felt badly enough about being the person who’d invited Gail to the charity auction.
“I knew she had a lightweight crush on Lloyd Richardson,” Tessa continued. “Who doesn’t? But I certainly didn’t think her capable of doing something this crazy and impulsive.”
“Seems there was a lot of that going around,” Ryan muttered under his breath.
* * *
“Speaking of that impulsiveness that seemed to be going around...” Tessa laughed, and Ryan chuckled, too.
He’d obviously uttered the words more to himself than to her. Still, she’d heard them, and they provided the perfect opening for what she’d been struggling to say all night.
“Thank you again for doing this, Rye. You made a very generous donation. And though you did the complete opposite of what I asked you to do—” they both laughed again “—I was a little...no, I was a lot nervous about going out with either Clem or Bo in such a high pressure situation, so thank you.”
“Anything for you, Tess Noble.” His voice was deep and warm. The emotion behind his words genuine. Something she knew from their history, not just as theory.
When they were in college, Ryan had climbed into his battered truck, and driven nearly two thousand miles to her campus in Sacramento after a particularly bad breakup with a guy who’d been an all-around dick. He’d dumped her for someone else a few days before Valentine’s Day, so Ryan made a point of taking her to the Valentine’s Day party. Then he kissed her in front of everyone—including her ex.
The kiss had taken her breath away. And left her wanting another taste ever since.
Tessa shook off the memory and focused on the here and now. Ryan had been uncharacteristically quiet during the ride home. He’d let her chatter on, offering a grunt of agreement or dissension here or there. Otherwise, he seemed deep in thought.