by Sarah Smith
“I’ll make sure your room is ready,” Brenda grumbled.
Yeah, and as far away from you as possible, I hope, Mia thought sourly as Brock walked her to the door. “I really don’t think my staying here is necessary. Your aunt certainly doesn’t.”
“It’s what I think that matters,” Brock told her happily as Mia climbed into her car. “Are you sure you can make it back to town?”
“It’s in my GPS. I’ll be fine,” Mia told him through the open window of the driver’s side. “What time should I be here tomorrow?”
“Enjoy your breakfast. Mid-morning should be fine.”
Mia nodded and put the car in gear. “Good night, then.”
“Good night,” Brock said. He chuckled as he watched her drive out of sight. She did not like being outwitted, and he’d done exactly that. He bet he’d pay for it a little over the next few days.
A sound drew his attention. He looked over and saw David ambling towards him. He met him at the porch steps. “Evening, Boss.”
“Hello, David. Have you eaten? Brenda made fried chicken,” Brock told him.
“I’m heading in in just a second. She called me to let me know. Thought we could chat first,” David answered. He gestured to the chairs on the front porch, so they sat down together.
“Chat? About what? Is the foal all right?” Brock asked, his first thought going to a problem with an animal or the ranch.
“That foal is up and running like any other. The mare is struggling a bit after the difficult birth, but she’ll be all right in a day or two.”
“Do we need to call Doc Stone out here for her?” Brock asked. Doc Stone was the vet all the ranchers used in the area. He had an office but spent most of his day making house calls to care for the smaller animals brought into his practice.
“No need, like I said,” David told him. “No, I wanted to talk to you about that young lady.”
“Young lady, huh? Now I know why Brenda called you. Can’t that woman mind her own business?” Brock shook his head.
David chuckled. “You know she can’t. She loves you.”
“She loves you, too, but she doesn’t butt her nose in your business,” Brock pointed out.
Brenda and David had been an item for years, although no one was supposed to know about it. Brock only knew because he’d overheard a conversation between the two of them. The clandestine couple were planning a getaway together but were creating lies so their simultaneous vacations wouldn’t look suspicious. Most of the time, Brock pretended he didn’t know, but every now and then he’d make a comment, though only to David. Brenda was still under the impression that Brock was blissfully unaware of their relationship.
David chuckled again. “We stay out of each other’s business. That’s why we’re still able to stand each other.”
“I’m not sure why the two of you don’t make it official,” Brock said. “I wouldn’t mind calling you Uncle David.”
“You called me that as a kid. And you chose to stop,” David reminded him.
“Seemed weird to call you that in front of the other ranch hands,” Brock commented. He propped his feet up on the railing of the porch as they talked.
“Yeah, that’s the truth,” David said. “And I saw what you did there. Changed the topic, moved the conversation away from yourself. You’ve always been good at that.”
Brock grinned at him, “I didn’t realize you noticed it.”
“You’ve done it since you were little.” David reached into this pocket and pulled out a stick of gum. He’d quit smoking several years ago, around the same time he and Brenda began their relationship, but he missed it sometimes. He always had gum in his pocket. “Which is why I find it strange that you’re talking to that gal reporter.”
“I know. But there’s something about her, something that pulls me to her.” Brock shook his head, a sardonic laugh escaping his lips. “I sound like an idiot.”
“Not really, but you sound like you’re in danger.”
“Danger?”
“Brock, you know what happened to your aunt, why the two of us will never be more than what we are. She gets in your business because she’s scared for you.”
“I do know. But I also know that Mia isn’t the least bit interested in dating me. Although I aim to change that if I can,” Brock said with a little eyebrow wiggle.
“I’ll tell you what she is interested in, and that’s a story. Don’t let her use you,” David warned. He rose and patted Brock’s shoulder. “I better go on in before she comes out here looking for me.” He turned to leave, but stopped and faced Brock again. “One more thing. According to Brenda, that girl is hardcore city. She won’t fit here, and she probably won’t like it.”
“Brenda has no idea what that girl is capable of,” Brock replied. “Neither do I, but I don’t plan to just dismiss her without getting to know her.”
David nodded. “Best thing about you, son. You’ve always followed your own mind. I’m going to go eat.”
***
On the thirt- minute drive back to the hotel, Mia reflected on the evening. While she and Brock had sat outside on the back porch, she’d felt as if she’d been on a date. When she tried to redirect the conversation, he’d managed, every time, to turn it back to her and her private life, and she hadn’t stopped him. She could have pulled the professional card, but that hadn’t seemed appropriate.
Of course, now she was stuck staying at his house for the next three days. Briefly, she had chewed over giving up the story and going back to Dallas to take her lumps from Hal, but that didn’t sound pleasant at all.
As she ruminated, her phone rang loudly. “Hello?”
“Mia! How are things going in Timbuktu?” Hal’s voice erupted over the speaker with boisterous energy.
“Hal, I may kill you when I get back to Dallas,” Mia grumbled into the phone.
Hal’s laugh hurt her ear, and she jerked her head away from the ear piece. “Honey, threaten all you want. Just tell me you’re getting what you need from Brock Maclancy.”
“Well, I met with him today. He insisted I stay there for the next three days so I could get to know him better,” Mia told him. “But if you tell me that’s unprofessional, I’ll head back home.”
“Hell no! You get your happy self out there and get the story!” Hal’s excitement could be felt through the phone. “Create a friendship with the man. You’ll get the story of the century. And you’ll save the magazine hotel expenses. Probably meal expenses, too.”
“Story of the century? He’s just a local rancher!” Mia exclaimed as she slowed to take the turn to head back to town.
“Mia, no one in the country has been able to get an interview with this man. You’re there for one day, and he asks you to stay and get to know him. I’m telling you, girl, you’ll have something nationwide magazine haven’t been able to get, a story with the richest rancher in the country who also happens to be the most eligible bachelor in the country.”
“Prize-winning?” Mia asked.
Hal chuckled. “Who knows? But you’ll be the first.”
Mia thought about it for a moment. “Hal, I don’t want people to think I slept with him or anything to get this interview.”
“Are you planning to sleep with him to get this interview?” Hal asked, somewhat seriously.
“Hal! Of course not!”
“Then don’t worry about what people think. Just get the story.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Mia pulled into the parking lot of the hotel about nine. The light in the front office was still on, so she walked there first to chat with Billie and let her know she’d be checking out the next morning. She wondered if rumors would spread about her staying there and decided it didn’t really matter. For one, she didn’t live here, so she didn’t care what people here thought. Secondly, and much more importantly, nothing would happen between her and Brock. People could believe whatever they wanted, but she would know the truth.
She stepped inside the of
fice, the bell tinkling to announce her presence. Billie turned to greet her guest, and her face lit up in a smile.
“Hello, Mia!” Billie greeted.
“Hi, Billie. What are you doing up so late?”
“I got an out-of-towner coming in late. How was your meeting with that handsome Brock Maclancy?” she asked loudly, grinning from ear to ear.
“It went well, although I didn’t get much out of him,” Mia answered, grinning back. “He’s invited me to stay out at the ranch for the next two or three days, so I’ll be checking out in the morning.”
Billie’s eyebrows shot up into her hairline. “You’re kidding?”
Mia frowned at the woman’s astonishment. “Not kidding.”
“But why are you staying there?” Billie asked, doing nothing to conceal her small town nosiness.
“Well, Brock said spending time there would help me write a better article since I’d get to know him,” Mia explained. “Why are you so surprised?”
“He’s never invited a reporter to stay out there, not that I’ve ever heard about.” Billie looked her up and down, causing Mia to seethe just the littlest bit. “There must be something special about you.”
Mia shook her head, pushing down her irritation about the fact that everyone assumed she was getting this interview based on her looks. “I don’t think so. We chatted and found out we have some stuff in common. I think he likes that I’m not just asking him questions.”
Billie nodded her head sagely. “That’s good. Keep being straightforward with him. Be his friend. He’ll probably be straight with you if he likes you.”
“I think we are becoming friends, but I’ll tell you, his aunt sure doesn’t like me being out there. She nearly choked on her tongue when he asked me to stay there.” Mia waited for Billie to take the bait, and she didn’t have to wait long.
“Brenda?” At Mia’s nod, Billie chuckled and waved her hand dismissively. “That woman doesn’t like anybody who isn’t family. And even some of them she’s not too crazy about.”
“Are you friends with her?”
“Not more than to say hello when she happens to be in town. She’s always been nice to me, but she is very guarded since what happened with her fiancé,” Billie replied.
There it is, Mia thought. “What happened with her fiancé?”
“He was only with her for the money, though God knows that woman was a looker in her day. He used her, cheated on her, and created a big scandal. It was in all the papers. Poor Brenda hasn’t dated since,” Billie told her, her voice almost a whisper as if she told a secret.
“That’s awful,” Mia mused. “Poor Brenda. She probably thinks most women are only after Brock for his money.”
“I’m sure there have been a few, but Brock’s a pretty smart fella. He doesn’t keep those kind of gals around for long,” Billie told her.
“Does he date?” Mia asked, leaning in. “He gave me the impression he doesn’t.”
“Honestly, I have no idea. If he does date, the women aren’t from around here. That’d be all over town faster than a tornado!” Billie laughed at her own joke.
Mia chuckled as well. “Probably the smart choice.”
“Oh sure,” Billie agreed. The bell tinkled behind Mia, and Billie smiled at the newcomer. “Welcome, welcome! You must be Carly Horowitz?”
“Yes. I have a room reserved.” The woman spoke with a heavy New York accent, her haughty attitude coming through loud and clear. She looked around the office as if she were afraid her Jimmy Choos might be ruined by the carpeted floor.
Mia smiled at her but didn’t get one in return. She looked at Billie, her eyes wide, and winked. “Billie, I’ll see you in the morning. Have a good night.”
“You too, honey,” Billie said as she sat behind the computer and began typing up the woman’s name. “Spell that last name for me, would you, honey?” she said to the woman, who Mia heard sigh before she escaped out the door.
What a jerk, she thought. I hope I didn’t act like such a witch when I walked in. She tried to remember, and she was sure she hadn’t been that bad, although she had looked around at the place like she expected a mouse to run across her shoe. Just proof that looks can be deceiving, she thought, as she opened the door to her room.
The sheets had been cleaned and the bed turned down for her. Fresh towels waited for her when she was ready for a shower, and someone, probably Billie, had left a sweet note and some chocolates on the table for her. I like it here, Mia thought.
Deciding she’d pack in the morning, she had a quick shower and went straight to bed, where she pulled out her iPad and read over her notes, adding impressions she’d had here and there. She was determined to take more notes over the next few days, regardless of Brock’s preferences.
Not too pleased with what she had so far, she plugged the iPad in and turned off the lamp, determination in her heart.
***
When she walked into the office the next morning to check out, she asked Billie about the woman.
“No idea, honey,” Billie told her. “Not a very nice person, that’s for sure. And not a talker, either.”
“Strange,” Mia said. “Well, Billie, thank you for everything. I really enjoyed my stay here. You have a really nice place.”
“Thank you, honey. I sure like it. If you’re ever back down this way, make sure you come in and say hello, even if you don’t stay here,” Billie told her. “Hold on a sec.” She waddled around the counter and wrapped Mia in a hug. “Can’t leave without a hug, sweetheart.”
Mia hugged her back, feeling tears in the back of her throat. She swallowed and rolled her eyes at herself. No need to cry over a hug, she chided herself as she pulled away.
“Bye, Billie. It was so wonderful getting to know you.”
“You too, honey. Be careful on your trip,” Billie replied. She squeezed her arms one last time, and Mia left the office.
Mia walked down the street to the same café to eat breakfast. She smiled when she saw Laura, who bustled over. “Hey, there, sugar.”
“Hi, Laura. I’ll have those pancakes again. I swear, if I lived here I’d be the size of an elephant! All I’d want to eat are your pancakes.”
Laura cackled and slapped her on the back. “Wait ‘til you try our meatloaf. Or maybe some of our chicken fried streak. You’ll move here!” Laura wondered off to put her order in and came back with coffee. “So did you bring a partner with you?”
Mia glanced up from the sugar packets she’d been emptying into her coffee. “Partner? No, why?”
“Another reporter came in here this morning. Pretty but rude. Not as pretty as you,” Laura said with a wink. “Said she was headed to Maclancy Ranch to talk to Brock as well.”
“New York accent?” Mia asked, her eyes narrowed. She’d missed the compliment entirely.
“Yankee accent, that’s for sure. She left here about an hour ago to head that way.” Laura saw the irritation in Mia’s expression. “Don’t you worry, sugar. Brock won’t like a woman like her. Too snotty for his tastes. You eat your breakfast and enjoy it. He’ll still be there when you get there, I guarantee it.”
Mia scrunched her nose in frustration. Everyone here talked like she was dating Brock. And another reporter? Why would a New York reporter be here? Mia was lost in thought as she drank her coffee. She thanked Laura when she brought her the pancakes, but she barely touched them. She didn’t want to lose this story, but she wasn’t going to compete like some tabloid paparazzi either. Dignity was important to her. So, she decided she’d head out to the ranch and see what was going on. If she lost the story to a New Yorker, so be it.
***
A Lexus was parked in the driveway when she arrived. Assuming it belonged to the woman, she parked directly behind the car, effectively blocking her in. Petty, yes, but a small irritation, Mia thought with a wicked grin. And just maybe when she needs to leave, I’ll be unable to find my keys for a bit. She shook her head, grinning at her silly, teenaged thoughts as
she climbed out of the car and walked to the door.
Brenda opened it before she had the opportunity to ring the bell. “Good morning, Ms. Maclancy.”
“Hello,” Brenda replied, glancing over her shoulder. “I guess you’re wondering who belongs to that car.”
“I know who belongs to the car,” Mia said. “She stayed in my hotel last night. Has Brock decided to give her the interview?”
Brenda looked confused. “What?”
“She’s a reporter from New York, right?”
“No. She’s a lawyer from New York. And I don’t like her. She’s a scam artist,” Brenda said as she closed the door behind Mia.
“A lawyer? What does she want?” Mia asked, wrinkles crossing her forehead. Brenda hesitated, and Mia assured, “Ms. Maclancy, I won’t print anything Brock doesn’t agree to. I’m not that kind of reporter.”
“I don’t know why she’s here. They’re in Brock’s office, have been for thirty minutes. We should interrupt them so Brock knows you’re here.”
Brenda turned abruptly and lead the way to his office. Mia tried to stop her. “Ms. Maclancy, we don’t have to interrupt.”
Brenda took her hand. “Oh yes we do. She’s here for nefarious reasons, I’m sure. Won’t hurt anything if we interrupt.”
Mia wondered why Brenda was being so friendly.
Mia chuckled and allowed herself to be pulled to a large door. Without knocking, Brenda walked right in and announced, “Brock, Ms. Mellis is here for your interview. You shouldn’t keep her waiting.” She looked pointedly at the other woman, who had risen with Brock when the door had opened.
Brock stared at his aunt, confused by her intrusion and her words, but he recovered quickly. “Of course. Hello, Ms. Mellis.” He turned to the woman. “If you’ll excuse me, Ms. Horowitz. I do have an appointment with Ms. Mellis and must make amends for keeping her waiting.”
“Call me Carly,” the woman said in a husky voice that grated on Mia’s nerves.