Her boot kicked something on the floor and she glanced down, head cocked. Hadn’t disturbed anything except her lipstick, apparently.
She crouched down and snatched the tube from the floor, feeling behind the toilet for the lid. Then she stood up and faced the sink.
Gasping, she stepped back as she read the words scrawled in pink lipstick across her mirror.
Not done with you, Lana.
Chapter Ten
Logan shook Humberto’s hand. “Thanks, man. With dirtbags like Jaeger around, Lana needs all the protection she can get.”
Logan trudged back to his rental car, parked on the other side of the trees that blocked Lana’s house.
Why had she been so prickly about going to Texas with him? It solved a lot of her immediate problems. The money comment really set her off. He knew it had been a mistake as soon as the words left his mouth, but he still couldn’t figure out why. If she came to his family’s ranch as a horse trainer and picked up Charlotte’s lessons, why wouldn’t she get paid for that?
He never claimed to understand women any better than the next guy, but Lana was like the Rubik’s Cube of women.
As he walked past her house, the screen door banged and flew open.
Lana charged down the two steps of the porch and changed course when she spotted him. She rushed at him, hair flying behind her, and he dug the heels of his boots in the dirt to prepare for the impact.
As Lana launched herself at him, he wrapped his arms around her. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
She tilted back her head and her eyes looked like dark pools of fear. “I’m coming to Texas.”
“Why? What’s going on, Lana?” He stroked her hair. As much as he wanted to believe she’d changed her mind based on his well-reasoned proposal, the panic coming off her in waves suggested another reason.
“In the house.” She turned and pointed. “A message. They left a message for me on the bathroom mirror.”
His arms tightened around her. “How the hell did I miss that when I went in there?”
“They didn’t touch the bathroom, otherwise. You wouldn’t have noticed unless you stood at the sink right in front of the mirror.”
“What did the message say?”
“D-do you want to come back inside and look?”
“Lead the way.”
She took his hand and half dragged him back to the house, as if afraid the message would disappear.
He followed her into the bathroom and faced the mirror with its lipstick message. “They know already, Lana. They know they can’t figure out Gil’s code without you. I could kill Bruce for letting them at you.”
Dark eyes met green ones in the mirror. “The message made me realize I’m not safe here, Logan. Not Humberto and Leggy, not my gun, not even you can keep me safe at this ranch. Now that you humiliated Jaeger, there’s no telling what he might do with Bruce gone. He could set me up just to get back at us. He thrashed a woman within an inch of her life before, and that was someone he professed to love. He’s not going to show me any mercy.”
Logan took his fist and smeared the words on the mirror. “Then we’re Texas-bound.”
* * *
THE DOUBLE H RANCH, Hugh Hess for Logan’s grandfather, father and brother, put the McG to shame. Lana tried not to let her mouth drop open as Logan’s brother drove across their land, which had to have a house somewhere amidst all the acreage.
Hugh rested his hand on the top of the steering wheel and pointed to the right. “The horses are out that way, Lana. It sure was a stroke of luck when Logan ran into you. We were in danger of losing some of Charlotte’s students when she went on maternity leave.”
“I’m surprised you bother giving riding lessons on a ranch this size.”
Logan, sitting behind her in the Jeep, poked her arm where it rested on the center console.
“We’ve always done so. We have folks coming in from Dallas and Fort Worth to get lessons and ride. It’s a tradition for us and people have come to expect it of the Double H.” Hugh waved out the window at a couple of men repairing a fence.
“Thanks for giving me a chance on such short notice.”
“A recommendation from my brother is good enough for us.” Hugh adjusted his rearview mirror. “You’ve known each other long?”
“Not long at all.” Logan hunched forward in his seat. “I told you, Hugh. Lana is the sister of a friend. I heard she needed work, knew about Charlotte and thought this would be a solution for everyone.”
“It is.” Hugh nudged Lana’s shoulder. “Just thought Logan might be using the employee angle to bring in one of his girlfriends.”
Lana swallowed. “Oh? Has he done that before?”
Hugh’s gaze darted to the mirror as Logan punched the back of his headrest. “You’ll have to ask him about that.”
“There’s Charlotte’s house.” Logan rapped on the back window. “A lot of the ranch hands live beyond it down that road.”
Lana peered out the window at the neat cottage. “Was Charlotte living there full-time? Will she mind a stranger moving in?”
“Charlotte and her husband live in Fort Worth. He’s a software engineer. Charlotte would use the house on and off, nothing permanent. She won’t mind. All the furniture and household items belong to the ranch.” Hugh swung the Jeep to the left and rolled up in front of the house. “Home sweet home—for now.”
Lana stepped out of the car while Logan circled to the back to get her bags. “You can go ahead, Hugh. I’ll get Lana settled, and then I’ll bring her up to the house. I’m assuming the old man wants to meet her?”
“Of course.” Hugh winked at Lana. “Our father likes to think he still runs the place and wants to know everything that goes on.”
“That’s understandable.” She cupped a hand over her eyes and turned toward a large, rambling house in the distance. “That’s the family house?”
“Yep. Mom and Pop live there along with me and my wife, Angie, and our two kids, and our other brother, Cody, and his wife and their daughter.” He clapped Logan on the shoulder. “Only Logan went his own way to do his Delta Force thing.”
“Delta Force thing.” Logan snorted and balanced her smaller bag on top of her suitcase. “Why don’t you head on up.”
“Welcome to the Double H, Lana.” Hugh tipped his white hat and climbed back into the Jeep.
Lana waved her hand in front of her face at the dust kicked up by his tires.
Logan’s gaze followed it for a few seconds. Then he shrugged his shoulders, the previous tension seeming to slip from him, and wheeled her suitcase toward the house. “It’s a little bigger than your house at the McG, but same kind of setup.”
“I’ve come to realize everything at the Double H is bigger than at the McG. Even though I’d already looked up the ranch online, that info and pictures didn’t prepare me for this. Your family owns a lot of land and a lot of cattle, don’t they?”
“They do.” He jingled the big H key chain at her. “These keys get you into this house, and they unlock most of the gates on the property, including the big one in the front.”
She stood to the side as Logan unlocked the front door. Did his Delta Force thing make him somewhat of an outsider here? Something did. She could sense the strain between him and Hugh. She’d ask, but she didn’t want him to bite her head off.
He pushed open the door and gestured her across the threshold. “Make yourself at home.”
Lana took a deep breath. “A little musty, but nice.”
“As long as the weather is cooperating—for today anyway—we can get a little fresh air in here.” He walked around the room throwing open windows, the heels of his boots clattering on the hardwood floor. “This place has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, but one is the master, so I can wheel your bag into that room unless you want the other for some reason.”
“You can leave my bags in the living room for now.” She followed him down the hallway and poked her head into the first room, where a double bed and matching furniture presented a pretty picture. “Nice.”
He disappeared through another doorway and called out, “This is the master. The bathroom’s attached, so it’s more convenient.”
Lana stepped into the room behind him and touched the petals of a daffodil in a vase next to the bed. “This is a nice touch.”
“That would be Angie, Hugh’s wife.” Logan’s jawline hardened all out of proportion to Angie’s welcoming gesture.
“Very kind of her.” She pressed her fingertips against the mattress of the king-size bed. “I may have to move in here permanently.”
Logan jerked his head toward her and he tripped to a stop.
“I—I’m just kidding.”
“I know, but hey, if it works out.”
“I think Charlotte might have something to say about that when she returns from maternity leave.”
“If she returns.”
“When should I make an appearance before the royal presence?”
“It’s not like that.” Logan smacked the doorjamb of the bedroom door.
“Okay, what’s wrong?” Lana crossed her arms. He’d been a witness to all the drama at her home, and now she was in the same boat at his. “Ever since we landed, you’ve been on the edge—and I don’t think it has anything to do with Major Denver or Gil’s journal.”
“I’m sorry.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and hunched his shoulders. “It’s not you, either.”
“I didn’t think it was.”
“There’s some tension between me and my family.”
“Duh.”
His lips twisted into a smile, giving her a glimpse of the Logan she’d come to know—and like—a lot.
“They have certain expectations of me, and I don’t always fulfill those expectations.”
“That’s funny because there’s tension between me and my family for the exact opposite reason. They have certain expectations of me—take care of Dad, send money to Mom, handle the situation with Gil...give up my baby, and I always fulfill them. Where has it gotten me? Trapped in a job in a place that I detest.” She shook her finger at him. “So, whatever you do, don’t give in.”
“Come here.”
Her mouth felt like cotton all of a sudden, but it never occurred to her to refuse his request. The look in his green eyes demanded her compliance.
She uprooted her feet from the polished floor and crossed the room to him, never breaking eye contact.
When she reached his realm, he pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her. Her head fell naturally against his heart, thudding heavily beneath his chest.
He stroked her hair, and then he took her by the shoulders and gently pushed her away, looking into her face.
She blinked as if emerging from a sweet, sweet dream. “What was that for?”
“You looked like you needed a hug, and I know I sure as hell did.”
“Anytime, Tex.” Tilting her head, she touched her cheek to the back of his hand. “You ready to enter the lion’s den now?”
“As long as you stick by my side.”
“You’ve been by mine all this time. Where else would I be?”
His thumbs inched up the sides of her neck until he wedged one beneath her chin. He slanted his mouth across hers and caressed her lips with his.
When he drew away, he brushed his thumb against her throbbing lower lip. “Do I have to apologize for that?”
His voice, rough around the edges, had her parting her lips for another round. He didn’t take the hint.
“No apology necessary. Did the hug not do the trick?”
“The hug worked. I just wanted more.” He chucked her under the chin. “Call me greedy.”
She’d call him whatever he wanted her to if he’d kiss her like that again.
“Ready?”
“Ready for what?”
He raised one eyebrow. “Ready to go to the house and meet my father.”
“Oh, that.”
“If you’d rather do it later, get settled first, that’s fine, but he’s not an ogre. Hugh made him sound like some hard taskmaster. He’s not.”
“I’m not afraid to meet your father, but give me a minute to brush my teeth and hair.” She dragged her carry-on off the top of her suitcase and rushed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
She met her own wild eyes in the mirror and whispered, “What the hell are you doing?”
Had she really come to Texas for her safety or because she wanted to be with Logan? Maybe both, and she should just admit it and stop beating herself up over it. She deserved to be attracted to a man, enjoy some flirtation—and kisses.
She brushed her hair back and secured it into a ponytail. Might as well at least look as if she were here to work.
When she returned to the other room, Logan was studying a painting over the fireplace.
Without turning around, he said, “This is the ranch. My mother painted it.”
Lana strolled up behind him and peeked over his shoulder at the depiction of a blazing sunset over the Double H with a pack of wild horses in the distance. “It’s beautiful. Does your mother paint professionally?”
“Just as a hobby. My father has always been Mom’s job and always will be.” He swung around. “We can walk over. Do you mind walking, or we can call for a car?”
“After that plane ride and the long car trip, I really need to stretch my legs.”
The distance from her house to the family ranch was less than a quarter of a mile and the fresh air caressing her cheek rejuvenated her. As they drew closer to the house, it grew in size until she came face-to-face with a mansion. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this?
When they reached the front door of the white-columned house, Lana almost expected Logan to ring the doorbell but he grabbed the handle of one of the double doors and walked right in.
A woman poked her head into the foyer, and a smile broke out across her face. “Mr. Logan. It’s so good to have you home.”
“Thanks, Lupe. Nice to see you looking so well. This is Lana Moreno. She’s taking Charlotte’s place while she’s on leave.”
Lupe greeted Lana in Spanish and welcomed her to the ranch. “Do you want something to drink? Lunch? We’re serving lunch later, but I can get you something now.”
“Nothing for me, thanks.” Lana stared past Lupe, taking in the curved staircase and the cathedral ceilings with the natural light pouring through a glass dome at the top.
“I’m good, Lupe. We just dropped by to see Junior. He wants to meet Lana.”
“Of course he does.” Lupe dropped her chin to her chest. “He still has to know everything that goes on at the ranch. It’s good for him.”
“Is he in his library or the great room?”
“The great room.” Lupe’s eyes flicked to the right as she licked her lips. “Nice to meet you, Lana.”
“You, as well.” Lana watched Lupe until she disappeared to the left. Then she pulled on Logan’s sleeve. “Junior? You call your father Junior?”
“Everyone does.” Logan shrugged. “His father was Hugo Hess, my father was Hugo Hess Junior, and Hugh is Hugo Hess the Third and likes to call himself Hugh. My family usually has to make things difficult.”
Cupping her elbow, he pivoted to the right. “Great room is this way.”
Their boots clattered on what had to be marble tile and Logan swung open another set of double doors that revealed a large room that certainly did deserve the title of great room.
A crystal chandelier cast a sparkling light on the white-and-gold brocade furniture. A fire blazed in the grate of a fireplace that took up half the far wall, framed by a mantel of green marbl
e flecked with gold, almost the color of Logan’s eyes. The long, floor-to-ceiling arched windows afforded a peek outside where a covered patio with a bar and built-in barbecue stood at the edge of a sparkling blue pool with a waterfall.
Lana’s gaze swept along all the exquisite material objects in the room to avoid looking at the humans—all eight of them, each pale face turned toward her and Logan.
Lana folded her hands in front of her to keep from grabbing Logan’s arm, as she had a feeling that gesture would provoke these strangers staring at her, sizing her up—and she was just the help. She couldn’t imagine the reception for Logan’s girlfriend, even a pretend girlfriend.
Logan stiffened beside her. “Wow, what a welcoming committee. I thought I was bringing Lana over to meet Junior.”
“I’m here.” A man with salt-and-pepper hair above a rugged face lifted his hand and waved from his wheelchair.
Logan had failed to mention his father was wheelchair-bound.
“It’s been a while since you’ve been home, Logan. What do you expect?” A beautiful woman with a perfectly coiffed blond bob extended her hand, her diamonds catching the light from the chandelier. “Now, come and say hello to your mother.”
Logan stepped down into the room and strode toward the Hess matriarch. He took her proffered hand and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Mother, this is Lana Moreno.”
Lana, who’d been perched on that step almost held in thrall by the scene before her, jerked forward at Logan’s words. Her boot heel hit the step on the way down and she stumbled a little, but thank heavens she didn’t fall in front of this group.
She thrust her hand forward. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hess.”
“Welcome aboard, Lana.” She returned Lana’s handshake with a surprising grip of her own. “You can call me Dolly.”
Dolly and Junior?
“It’s a nickname, dear.”
Lana cursed her mobile face. “It...suits you.”
Junior guffawed and ended up with a hacking cough. “I like her already, Logan.”
Logan shuffled toward his father in the chair and shook his hand. “Junior, Lana Moreno.”
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