by Stone, Piper
“Hell if I know. I’m worried about leaving her here. No matter her injury, my guess is that she’ll push everyone’s boundaries, especially with me being gone.” I could just imagine her antics.
And her mouth.
“Well, if you want my opinion, a little offsite training, especially at a working ranch just might do the little city girl some good. Plus, if you just happen to run into Monica, well...” Winking, he leaned in. “Would serve the bitch right.”
“You are one evil man.”
Riley patted me on the arm. “That’s why we’re friends.”
I scanned the deck, watching the crew work. “It’s not a bad idea. She can’t work anyway. Maybe I can get to the bottom of why Summer is hiding from her stepfather. From what she’s told me, the man is a real prick.”
“Stepfather? What are you talking about?”
“Some guy named Jonathan who owns a business. He’s been actively threatening her. Tried to marry her off to some creep. There’s more to the story.”
“Threatening? Jesus. No wonder she’s jittery as hell. Careful getting in the middle of this. I know how you are.”
I chuckled and patted his shoulder. “Yeah, you do, but I can’t help wanting to protect her.”
“Uh-huh. You really like this girl.”
“I do and don’t give me any shit about it either.”
Riley held up his hands, his eyes twinkling. “Not a peep.”
“Taking her with me is a damn good idea.”
Rubbing his jaw, he had a quizzical look on his face. “So, Summer actually said she has some stepfather?”
“Yeah. Why?” When he exhaled, I folded my arms. “Out with it.”
“Well, I did some digging like you asked. I found very little on Summer Carter. There’s no Facebook page, no other social media that I could find. Matter of fact, I didn’t see any reference to family at all in what little I was able to locate.”
“Given the hatred she feels for her stepfather, my guess is she’s pushed him as far under the radar as possible. As far as social media, she went to Yale, so my guess is she didn’t have time for playing around.”
“Sure. Guess you’re right. Maybe those big Ivy League schools frown on partying on Facebook,” Riley snorted. “Hey, I did find a certificate for a welding class. Recent too.” His grin was full of mischief. “Book learning she’s got.”
“Just as I figured.” I gathered a sense that Riley wasn’t buying anything about what limited information he’d found. I hadn’t been born yesterday. There was a distinct possibility she was playing me for a fool. I loathed the thought, but I wasn’t going to be taken advantage of ever again. Having her all to myself would certainly help me find the truth. “Yeah, I’ll take her with me and make certain she understands the importance of following rules.”
Bursting into laughter, Riley beamed. “That’s the spirit. Maybe this trip is exactly what you need as well, my friend. A healing of sorts. Hot babe. Some time on a horse. You know the drill.”
I glanced out toward the ocean, watching the rolling waves. “Maybe. I only hope I can stop the foreclosure.”
“Maybe this is karma’s way of kicking you in the right direction, Mr. Cowboy.”
All I had to do was give him a look.
“If you believe in that kind of thing,” Riley said quickly. “I’m serious though. Do what you need for you. This gig will be here when you get back.”
“Or I get fired anyway.”
“Nah. Not gonna happen. We’ll make it all work. Mike is raring to go. Tough motherfucker.”
I thought about Summer’s insistence. “Have the engineers check on his repairs, just to make sure they were done with precise accuracy.”
“Hmmm... Okay, boss man.”
“Try and find this Jonathan Carter. My bet is he’ll be easier to find since he owns a business. I want to know why he thinks he can threaten Summer. I also want to know what hold she has on him. She has a half-sister, by the way. That might help you find her.”
Riley narrowed his eyes. “You are serious about this girl. In all my free time, I’ll see what I can do. Let me try and get a chopper for you.” His grin returned.
“Thanks. Now, it’s time to have a conversation with my feisty tigress.”
“Something I have no doubt you can handle and if asking doesn’t work, you can always toss her over your shoulder like a caveman would do.”
“Very funny.” I laughed softly and realized, I would have no issue in doing exactly that.
* * *
“This is where your dad lives?” Summer asked, craning her neck as she lifted her sunglasses and stared out the windshield. Hot and dry wind filtered dust from the parched earth in through the open windows, creating a haze in the cab. She’d insisted on being able to smell the various Texas fragrances. “This is so different. Just beautiful country.”
“Different?” I asked, chuckling under my breath. “Than the rig?”
“Than Dallas or even Houston, my sweet sir.”
I noticed she seemed fidgety, but I guess that was to be expected since I’d refused to take no for an answer regarding the trip. “You’re right. I never liked the big cities. We’ve always lived just east of El Paso. My folks settled here when they were young. Lot of ranchers here. A hell of a lot of hard times as well.” I couldn’t help but notice the ‘sold’ signs popping up on far too many of them, making my skin crawl. Summer was right. The landscape was breathtaking. The sun had just dipped below the horizon, leaving strings of tangerine and fuchsia dancing in the sky. The tug on my heartstrings increased, leaving me antsy as hell.
The contract my father had sent seemed ironclad. How could he had been so foolish to sign something like that?
“Why are so many ranchers selling?” she asked, innocently enough.
“Hard times. The ranching life isn’t what it used to be.” The poor folks were easy pickings for a shyster.
“Well, it’s gorgeous here. Totally different from...” She stopped herself, her gaze turning toward the passenger window. Leaning out, she took another deep breath. “From where I grew up.”
I heard the words, even as they were whispered. “Florida? Palm trees and a turquoise ocean to tumbleweed and cattle.”
She huffed. “I only lived there until I was five then boarding school. My stepfather hadn’t been able to ship me away fast enough.”
The nagging anger returned. “Your mother allowed that?”
“She had no choice. By then, Jonathan’s claws were firmly dug in.”
The snippet of information refueled my need to hunt the asshole down.
“Anyway, I’m glad you asked me to come with you,” she purred, another smile crossing her face as she seemed to drink in the warm breeze.
“I’m glad you’re here and you’re right, it’s a special place that I cared less about when I was growing up. I was a kid who couldn’t wait to get out of town. I left and came back more than once.” I pulled the rental car into the entrance, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. We’d been lucky to get a chopper to Laredo, then a jumper plane. Still, it was nearing dusk and for several reasons, my skin crawled. Seeing my dad under these circumstances wasn’t going to be easy.
“You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” Summer eased back onto her seat, inching closer. “You seem tense.”
I snorted as the gravel driveway seemed bumpier than normal. “Last time I left wasn’t under the best circumstances. Add that to the fact my father is hardheaded and there you go.”
“Hardheaded just like you?” She tipped her head in my direction, giving me a sinful and very provocative wink.
“Watch your mouth there, young lady.” The girl had a way of making me smile. “Okay, fine. A lot like me.”
“Are you going to tell me why you dragged me along? Not that I mind being with a hunky cowboy, but this isn’t just a social visit. Is it? Your dad’s not ill, is he?”
“Oh, no. Dad will live longer than I will just ou
t of sheer meanness if nothing else.” I eased the car next to my dad’s Ram, shoving the gear into park and killing the engine before leaning closer. Maybe the girl could read me far too well. Grinning, I slipped my index finger under her chin, lifting. “And the reason I brought you here? Because I don’t trust that you won’t try and get yourself killed.” I tickled her nose before jumping onto the ground.
Even in the darkening shadows, I could see how much work really needed to be done to the main house, let alone the barns and stables. But there was nothing like the sound of horses’ hooves, racing in our direction.
“Very funny.” Snapping the seatbelt, she opened the door, climbing out. “Everything is just amazing.”
I noticed the way she stood staring at the corral, a longing look crossing her face. As a few of the horses whinnied, she seemed mesmerized. “They were always my peace. I used to ride every day.”
“I can see why.” She walked toward the horses and I couldn’t help but watch as the majestic beasts gravitated in her direction, five of them sticking their heads over the railing. I continued to be thrown how much I cared about her, no matter our age difference.
Or the secrets.
Freaking boarding school.
I grabbed the suitcases, easing them onto the porch. Hearing the front door hinges creak, I tried to put on a happy face as my father walked outside.
“Good to see you, son.”
“Good to see you too, Pops.” I pulled him into a hug, hating the palpable tension between us. When he stiffened, I eased back, darting a glance in Summer’s direction. I heard her lilting giggle and my cock stiffened, the hunger always just under the surface.
He moved toward the outer railing, studying Summer. “I see you brought company.”
“I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all but I thought you were spending your time on an oil rig way out in the middle of nowhere.” His eyes twinkled when he said the words.
“She’s a rigger. Not a bad one at that.”
“Uh. Huh. If I’d have known all riggers looked like that, I would’ve sold the ranch years ago. She’s a keeper, that one.”
“Same old flirt.” I laughed, surprised I was this happy to be home, an odd sense of relief flowing through my veins. Patting him on the shoulder, I gave her another look, enjoying her happy laughter. “We’re just getting to know each other. Don’t go ringing wedding bells.”
“Who said anything about wedding bells? Course, an old man would love to have grandchildren before he was too old to enjoy them.” His laughter was raucous. “Come on inside when you’re ready. I’ll grab your suitcases and set an extra plate.”
“Thanks, Pops.” I leaned against the siding, unable to take my eyes off her. For a few seconds, my mind drifted to the possibility of being able to keep the ranch, perhaps even building my own cabin close to the river. She finally walked toward me, looking very comfortable as a cowgirl in her worn jeans and scuffed cowboy boots. I was actually surprised she even owned a pair.
The vivacious brat obviously had several different sides.
“I’ll take the white one,” she said as she climbed up the stairs.
“That’s Duchess.”
“Ah, fit for a queen.”
“And not a bad girl. Try and keep that in mind.” I wound my arm around her waist, yanking her against my chest and inhaling her sweet scent. The fragrance was intoxicating, forcing my cock to press way too hard against my tight jeans. I brushed my lips across hers as I snaked my hand down to her backside, squeezing her bottom. “Time for dinner.”
“Do I get to eat you, Daddy?” She crawled her hand down my chest as she undulated her hips.
“I can tell you need a hard spanking.”
Wiggling, she shot a glance toward the door. “Shush. Not so your father can hear us!”
I kissed the top of her forehead. If only she knew that my mother had been disciplined since the day she was married to my father. The story was for another day. I needed to find out as much information from my dad as possible. I knew he hadn’t been forthcoming in everything. With only two days available, I had to make as much use of my time as possible. “Come on.”
Summer tugged at my hand. “Just remember, I’m happy to help you if you’ll confide in me what’s going on.”
I wanted nothing more than to share everything with her, but I knew dumping the dregs of my life onto her plate wasn’t in either of our best interests. “You need to recuperate. That’s your single job while you’re here, other than obeying me of course.”
“Yes, Daddy,” she whispered.
Why did I hear such a snarky tone? Swatting her on the ass, I pushed her inside. “Pops. This is Summer Carter.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Stone.”
Wiping his hands on one of the kitchen towels, he moved closer. I could almost swear there was a note of recognition in his eyes. “Summer. A pleasure to have you here. My name is John, by the way. I feel mighty old when folks call me Mr. Stone. I think petrified in fact.” He laughed, winking at me. At least Dad seemed to be in a good mood.
Smiling, she took his hand, surprised when he pulled her into a hug. “Oh!”
“Any time my son brings a beautiful girl around the place means she’s somethin’ special,” John said.
“Pops. Let’s not start.” I scanned the kitchen, unable to see any kind of papers lying anywhere, which mean he had them in his office. I’d brought a copy of the contract, but there had to be a hell of a lot more swirling around this.
“Who’s starting what? You know I’m right.” He turned his attention back to Summer. “Seems you kids are going to have to bunk together.”
I rolled my eyes at his mischievous expression.
“Your room is just down the hall, last door on the right if you’d like to freshen up before dinner. Damn hot and dusty day.” He noticed my gaze and frowned.
“I’d like that,” she said, narrowing her eyes and darting them back and forth between us. “May I... sir?”
The hesitation wasn’t lost on my father in the least. “You may.” My dad waited only long enough for her to move into the hallway before shaking his head. “What?”
He yanked out two beers, twisting the top on both and handing me one. “Does Summer know just how dominating you really are? I mean, that was the real issue with you and Monica, right? You were too controlling for her.”
“Don’t start with Monica either, Dad. I don’t need any additional shit on my plate. Summer is nothing like Monica.” I almost yanked the bottle from his hand.
“That much I can tell. Summer is lovely but awfully young. Still, she lights up around you just like you do around her. Might just be good for each other. That much I can tell.”
My entire body ached to keep her safe. I was at least glad she’d agreed to come, although insisting she be allowed to bring her phone with her. I had a feeling she was expecting another threat. “She’s been through a lot in her life, like one shitty card dealt for a family.”
John exhaled. “Hmmm... No doubt what you told her.”
“Please. Don’t ruin this trip. Let’s just cut the bullshit. Okay? I have a couple of damn days to try and get everything back on track then I gotta get back on that rig, at least for the time being. I’m trying to help you, Dad.”
“Help? I didn’t tell you to come here. Keep that in mind. I can handle this by myself.”
“Which is why you called me, right? Or were you just trying to rub the fact I haven’t been around in my face?” I bristled, hearing the nasty tone in my voice. Hissing under my breath given the strain, I rolled the cold bottle over my forehead, counting to five to calm my nerves. I was angry with myself more than anything. “I’m sorry, Pops. I don’t mean to take this out on you.”
“Then don’t. I don’t need that shit any more than you do.” Another round of tension slid between us, my father’s sad eyes making me grimace. He shoved his hand into his pocket and leaned against the counter.
I heard my phone and cringed. Eyeing the screen, I took a deep breath before answering. “Hey, Mark.” I walked toward the door, trying to act as nonchalant as possible. “No, I didn’t make up my mind yet. I’m actually home for a couple days. I’ll call you when I get back to the rig.”
I could just sense my dad was picking up on every word.
“No, I know I can’t hold you up. Should just be a couple days.” Perfect freaking timing. “A girl? No, it’s not about a girl.”
My dad cleared his throat.
I had a suspicion my dad knew exactly what we were talking about. “Thanks, buddy.” I took another deep breath before sliding my phone into my pocket.
“Who was that?” my father asked.
“An old buddy of mine from the Marines.”
“Sounds like he has a job offer for you.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, training Marines at Quantico and before you say anything, I didn’t go lookin’ for the job. He called me.”
“Go. Do it. Better than beating your body up riggin’ for a living.”
The coldness in which he said the words was surprising. “It’s not what I want for a career, Pops. The offer sounded good at first but being on a base in Virginia just isn’t something I want to do. Besides, the money from working on the rig is twice what I made and no expenses.”
“Maybe Summer is good for you,” he said, grinning. “Who knows. She might keep you coming back to visit your old father.”
“Very funny and she’s... spectacular.” For some reason, an awkward moment settled in.
He eyed me for a full minute before looking away. “So. Did you find anything out about the contract from the email I sent you?”
“Not enough. Yet. However, I don’t think what the bank is doing is legal. They can’t just foreclose after a missed payment and the concept of selling to that shithole of a company seems awfully shady to me.”
He took another pull of his beer. “A contract’s a contract, son. I may not be a whiz at business, but I’ve signed plenty in my life. Seems locked in, if you ask me.”
“Yeah, well, there’s also such a thing as fair housing. I don’t think what you signed is legal. I think I need to talk to an attorney.”