Her mind made up, she struggled to remove her clothes and lie down. The movements jarred and her bones renewed their painful assault on her system. Jimmy woke her when he came in to check on her, and passed over one of her painkillers, gently lifting her to a sitting position.
“Thanks, Jimmy. How did you know I needed one?” she asked as she lay back against the pillows.
He removed a small flashlight from his pocket and shone it in her eyes. “Chalk one up to moaning and groaning in your sleep. Hope they work fast. Your pupils appear normal, so no trouble there.”
“That’s good.”
“Is there anything else you need?”
“Some company until the meds kick in. Can you stay for a while?”
“Sure. You want the TV on?”
She shifted her position so she could see him better. “No, just talk to me. I’m real sorry about Sherry. Any word on the bloodline yet?’
Jimmy shook his head. “I have a call in to the breeder I bought her from but there’s no word yet. I’m not too worried, though. As Sheila wisely said, nature will run its course, regardless of our wants and needs.”
“True, but it hinders your plans somewhat.”
“Not so much. If I can train a few of those Mustangs and sell them, I can always buy another purebred or two. Actually, the rodeo would probably love to get their hands on some wild horses for bronc busting. I’ll have to check into it.”
“I’m glad you’re not mad anymore.”
“I was more worried about my horse than mad, but I hated the tension that incident caused between us.”
“Me too. I think I can sleep now.”
“That’s my cue to leave. See you in a couple of hours.”
Awakened by birds chirping, Jimmy rolled over and tried for more sleep. He had sat at Melissa’s bedside for most of the night and only when he felt she’d be all right did he crawl into his own bed. Yesterday’s happenings and the conversation last night came back to him with a vengeance. Why had he shared his life story with Melissa? Nobody in his professional life knew him for anything other than what he was, a successful accountant and financier. He’d left his poor beginnings behind when he graduated high school and went off to college on a scholarship. His life wasn’t a secret, per se, just something he never spoke of. He respected and trusted Melissa. Was that why he’d shared? Or was it to warn her off?
He turned over to lie on his back, stretching out some unaccustomed stiffness as he did so. Melissa didn’t weigh much, but he’d exerted muscles he hadn’t used in a long time. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat upright before pushing to his feet and heading for the shower. He emerged to pull on camouflage khaki shorts and a muscle shirt, both in army green, slipped his feet into brown, leather sandals, wrote a note and crossed the courtyard to tape it on Melissa’s door. He made a tent with his hands against the glass and saw that she was still sleeping. Good. The body heals much better when at rest.
His gaze strayed as he pulled away from the window, and he took a second look. The blankets had slipped off, exposing one creamy-skinned, satiny leg to his view. Her hip was exposed too, sporting a huge purplish-black bruise. He winced. That had to hurt. Her cast rested on a pillow and beneath her raised arm he saw the bandages wrapped around her midsection. She’d really done a number on herself.
He still didn’t have any answers as to what had spooked her horse. He’d ask her later, maybe go do some investigating. This area wasn’t known for rattlesnakes, but he wouldn’t rule them out. He’d talk to Brian and the wranglers too. They knew the property a lot better than he did.
His stomach rumbling in want of nourishment, Jimmy headed for the kitchen, ate, and took his coffee to the office where he booted up the computer and resumed entering data. About an hour later, his cell phone rang. “Hello, James here.”
“Jimmy, could you come help me? I’m in my bedroom.”
“Be right there.” The sound of her voice, so velvety soft, had his heart pounding harder. He strode from the room, knocked once, and entered Melissa’s bedroom to find her sitting at the vanity table. She was dressed in yellow shorts today and a white tube top. Good choice, since it didn’t have to go over her busted arm.
“You’re looking better this morning. Did you sleep well?” he asked.
She grimaced. “It took a while to get comfortable, but yeah. Under the circumstances, I slept pretty good. Thanks for keeping me company.”
Jimmy could have told her how he’d sat at her bedside for hours, watching and worrying, but he didn’t. “No problem. You never told me what spooked your horse.”
“Gunshot. Sounded close, too close for my liking. This is private property. No hunting allowed. I have signs posted all over.”
“Could one of the men have stumbled upon a coyote?”
“That’s possible. I’ll check with Brian. We usually carry a rifle when out riding, just in case. I’ve been forgetting lately.”
“You know how to shoot a gun?”
“Don’t sound so incredulous. Grandpa taught me to shoot when I was about twelve or so. Said I needed to be able to protect myself. There are plenty of wild animals roaming the woods hereabouts.”
“Yeah, I reckon. Ready for breakfast?”
She smiled up at him. “Coffee. I need coffee. A painkiller wouldn’t hurt either.”
“I left the prescription in my room. Once I get you settled in the kitchen, I’ll run into town and get it filled.”
“Okay, thanks, but I still have one or two in that envelope the nurse gave me. It’s on the side table by my bed.”
He stuffed it in his pocket. “Got it. Now, let’s get you to the kitchen.” Jimmy grinned lasciviously and leaned over to scoop her up.
“Jimmy, I’m too heavy,” she protested. “You can’t keep carrying me everywhere. I can walk. It’s not my leg that’s broken.”
“Shoot, lady. You trying to spoil all my fun?”
Melissa giggled as he pouted charmingly. “Have it your own way.”
“Oh, I’d love to, but I think I’ll wait until you’re in better physical condition.”
She giggled again. “Please, don’t make me laugh. It hurts.”
“Hey, now, what’s so funny about me having my way with you?” he teased as he walked toward the kitchen. With her arms twined around his neck, he could almost imagine carrying her to her bedroom, not away from it.
“Are you serious? You, the man who doesn’t want commitment?”
“Who said anything about commitment. I’m talking about fun, mutual satisfaction. I think we’d rock the night.”
“Maybe so, but what about the morning?”
He chuckled, deliberately misunderstanding. “Baby, we’d rock it anytime.”
He waltzed through the kitchen door, twirled around, and sat her on a chair. “I must depart, my Queen. I have an evil taskmaster who cracks a mean whip.”
“Oooh, sounds kinky.”
Sheila guffawed with laughter at their shenanigans. “Get to work, Jimmy. I’ll take over from here.”
“Okay. She needs water to take her pain meds. See you later. If you need me, call.”
He whistled merrily in much better spirits than he woke up in, as he walked the short distance to the office. Ugh! He’d left it unlocked again. The sound of her voice had removed all thought except for seeing her and having the chance to hold her again.
Get a grip, McGovern! The lady is injured and she’s rich. She doesn’t want you. Maybe not, he argued with himself, but right now she needed him. That was something at least.
Jimmy set to work on the accounts with increased energy. He’d soon have everything up-to-date and have more time to spend with the Mustangs. His decision to go into private account work was proving viable. Most of his clients at the firm were corporate businesses and he’d grown increasingly tired of it all. This way, he’d learn more about the costs of running a ranch, build a herd, and spend time with a beautiful woman. What more could a man ask for?
/> Family, said a little niggling voice inside his brain. You need a family. But he had given up on that a long time ago. Other kids in the system had been adopted, but never him. He’d never been wanted by anybody. He couldn’t help but envy Aaron the love of a mother…something he’d never had. Enough of that. The run into town for Melissa’s meds would take his mind off the past.
Through the open kitchen window, Melissa heard a commotion in the yard. “Sheila, can you see what’s going on out there?”
“Sure, chickie. Just wait a sec while I take the rolls out of the oven.” She took the pans out, placed four loaves of bread on the rack to bake, and set the timer before going to the window. “There’s a guy out there arguing with Brian. He keeps pointing toward the house.”
A sick knot of anxiety formed in the pit of her stomach. “What does he look like?”
“Average height, dark hair, paunchy, and wearing a suit. Looks like he got here in a swanky town car of some sort. A black one.”
Melissa groaned. “Sounds like my ex. I meant to circulate a picture of him to the men so they’d know to evict him on sight, but I forgot. Why would he be arguing with Brian?”
“Humph! You need your rest and Brian knows that,” she said, still watching out the window. “I’d say your ex won the argument. He’s heading for the house.”
“Just what I need. I don’t suppose you could tell him I’m not home?”
“Nope, but I can get rid of him.” A knock sounded on the front door and Sheila left to answer the summons.
Marcus wouldn’t give up that easy. She picked up her cell phone and hit speed dial for Jimmy. “Hi, Marcus is here. Can I ask you to run interference?” Relieved, she hung up the phone. Jimmy had gone into town, but said he was almost home. He would take care of Marcus, hopefully, before Aaron found out he was here.
“Dad! You came!”
Oh, no! The sound of Aaron’s joyous shout turned her inside out. Had he been in contact with his father? How? Why? The man had never given his son the time of day in all of the nine years since his birth.
She pushed up and managed to walk to the doorway without jarring her injuries too much. Marcus was holding Aaron in his arms and talking to him, smiling, as if Aaron was the number one person in his world. Melissa knew better. He was up to something. Jimmy walked up behind them, looking ready to toss Marcus out on his rear if he made a wrong move.
“Sheila, Jimmy, it’s all right. You might as well come into the kitchen.” She wobbled back to the table, relieved to sit once more.
Sheila led the way followed by Marcus, still holding Aaron, with Jimmy bringing up the rear. Sheila went straight to the stove to check on her bread.
Marcus’s eyes were hard as he glanced Melissa’s way. “What happened to you?”
“I fell. What brings you here?”
“Aaron messaged me on Facebook. Said he missed me, so as soon as I could, I made arrangements to come for a visit.” He hugged the boy, now seated on his lap at the table. Aaron’s smile struck panic straight to her heart.
“You’re not staying here,” she stated.
“Mo-om, why not? We have a spare room.”
“Aaron, your father and I are divorced. He can book a room in town…if he stays.”
“Not divorced, merely separated. I didn’t file the papers.”
“What? Why not? I signed them and sent them back to your lawyer. I’ve been waiting for the final papers to arrive at my lawyer’s.”
“There was a glitch, something I meant to talk with you about, but you moved and I couldn’t find you, until Aaron contacted me. He’s a smart one. If I’d remembered the name of the ranch, I would’ve been here sooner.”
“Yes, he is, sometimes too smart for his own good.” She smiled at Aaron when she really wanted to throttle him. How could he have invited this man here? He’d walked out on them, had never attempted to be a father to Aaron, so why now? “What kind of glitch?”
Marcus smiled a shifty, underhanded smile of pure greed. “Your inheritance. Seems like I get a fifty percent cut.”
“Over my dead body. I inherited after you walked out and filed for a divorce.”
“Indeed?” he questioned, as if he was considering the merits of her early demise. His glance strayed to Jimmy, standing at her side. “Who’s your boyfriend?”
Melissa dearly wanted to string him along on that assumption, but the truth won out. “James is my accountant. Hiring him was one of the best moves I ever made. He’s opened my eyes to a lot of things, encouraged me to make a few phone calls and check things out.”
Marcus shot a dark look toward Jimmy and Melissa almost laughed. Good thing Aaron couldn’t see it. His features became downright scary.
“So that’s how all this started.” Marcus turned to face Melissa. “I should’ve known you weren’t smart enough to act on your own.”
“Being smart had nothing to do with it, but being too trusting did. I can’t believe you’d steal from us.”
“Dad?” Aaron struggled to get down, but Marcus held him in place.
“Keep it civil. There’s a child present. And if Aaron wants to get down, you’d best let him go.” Jimmy’s voice was harsher than she’d ever heard it before.
“Or what Mister Accountant?” Marcus sneered. “What’s the matter? You don’t want my son to know you were responsible for me being arrested?”
Jimmy laughed. “Go ahead. Tell Aaron why you were arrested. He might be interested in hearing how you’ve been stealing money from him and his mother.”
This time Aaron succeeded in pushing away from his father. He came around the table to stand between her and Jimmy.
“Is that true, Dad? Did you steal money from us?’
“Of course not. Your mother and I are married. We share everything, including money.”
“Mom?”
“Aaron, I’ve tried to keep you out of this until we know for sure, but I’ve hired an auditor to check into your educational fund and the accounting books at the racetrack.”
“But Dad works there. He can tell you. Why put him in jail?”
“Your father told me the racetrack wasn’t seeing any profits—making any money—these past few years. I believed him, but a simple Google search led me to believe just the opposite. If it’s proven that he’s stealing money, he’ll be charged. That’s why I hired an outside firm to look into things. Understand?”
“Yeah, I think so.” He stared at his father. “Is that why you friended me on Facebook? You lied to me. You didn’t want to be my friend at all.”
“Gee, you are smart,” Marcus replied, with a sarcastic sneer.
“That’s enough,” Jimmy said as Aaron burst into tears and burrowed his head into his mother’s shoulder. “It’s time for you to leave.”
“I have every right to be here.” Marcus remained seated.
Jimmy rounded the table. “I really don’t want to make a scene in front of the women and child, but I’m willing to make an exception. As to your having any right to this property, you don’t. Melissa inherited after the divorce papers were drawn up and signed. Now go and don’t come back. We don’t need the likes of you around here.”
“Then call the cops. I’m not leaving.”
“Sorry, Aaron, ladies,” Jimmy said before lifting Marcus bodily from the chair. Marcus swung at Jimmy, but once his feet cleared the floor he hung on for dear life. Melissa watched in amazement at the scenario unfolding in front of her, truly disappointed when they disappeared out the back door. Jimmy hollered for Brian. Then, “Escort this trash out to the road. He’s no longer allowed on the property.”
A few minutes later Jimmy returned. “Sorry about that. I took exception to his attitude. Brian and two of the wranglers assisted Marcus into his vehicle. He protested, shouting abuse, but Tippy ran for the tractor and chased him all the way to the main road. Marcus had no choice but to drive in reverse.”
Melissa started laughing, grasping her ribs. “I wish I could’ve seen that. Than
ks, Jimmy. It’s worth a stitch or two of pain to see him bested.”
“Any time. How are you holding up, sport?” he asked, reaching out and ruffling the boy’s hair.
Aaron had stopped crying and straightened up to face Jimmy. “I’m okay. You did good. Dad was mean.”
“Yes, he was, but I don’t think he’ll come back.”
“Good. I don’t want to see him ever again. I’m going to unfriend him.”
“Does that mean you’re not mad at me for roughing him up a bit?” Jimmy asked.
“Nope. He tried to hit you first and Mom says never to back down from a fight.”
“She does, eh? Smart mother you have there.”
Aaron beamed with pride. “Yep, she’s the best.” He gave her a quick hug and ran off in the direction of the game room.
Jimmy watched him go, amazed at the transformation. “Bounces back pretty quick.”
“Yes, he always has. Sometimes it worries me, but at times like this, I’m thankful.”
“I meant to ask you if he was allowed on Facebook. He left it open one day when I caught him in the office. I didn’t check to see who he’d friended. Wish I had.”
“Thanks, but what Aaron does or doesn’t do is not your responsibility. I’ll just have to keep a closer watch on him.”
“After what happened here today, I don’t think you need to worry. I’d better get back to work.”
Back at his desk, Jimmy sat in the chair, slightly befuddled and more than a little miffed at Melissa’s remark. Aaron wasn’t his responsibility. He knew that, but she hadn’t needed to spell it out for him. It was embarrassing, to say the least. Well, he might as well dive back into the job that was his responsibility.
He booted up the computer and settled in to work. So far, so good. The bank statements and ledger accounts balanced out. Payroll was a mess, but he had it almost straightened out. If only his personal life was such an easy fix.
Immersed in his work, a movement in his peripheral vision startled him into awareness. Melissa was sitting on a chair in the courtyard, struggling to get to her feet and waving furiously toward the office.
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