by Lauren Dane
Daisy shrugged and Mary rolled her eyes, knowing that Daisy wouldn’t let it go until she was good and ready.
“Don’t eat those. That’s for an event later today. I made you extra. There’s a tray in the walk-in that has your name on it and a bag in the pantry for you as well.”
Mary took care of the people she loved. It made her happy to cook for them. Made her satisfied to know they got sustenance from what she prepared. Knowing she did it for them.
“What would I do without you?”
“Eat takeout a lot more. But you have no such worries because you’re stuck with me.”
“Thank God for it.”
* * *
She needed to run by her parents’ place to check in and take over some food. Her dad met her at the door, taking the bags from her.
“What’d you bring me, Bess?” No one else called her Bess but her dad. Her given name was Mary-Elizabeth. When she was little, her father had said Mary seemed such a serious name for a girl like her and he’d taken to calling her Bess. It had stuck.
“Gazpacho. Goat cheese tarts. Well, Jules made those. Roasted beet salad. Don’t make a face. Beets are full of wonderful stuff and I made them so you should give them a try.” She thrust the totes at him and moved past, toward the kitchen where her mother would be. “There’s salmon patties in the bag as well. Don’t eat them all at once.”
“Bless you.”
She shook her head, still smiling when she entered the room.
“Hello, you.”
Her mother turned her face up to receive Mary’s kiss.
“Hey.” The huge puzzle on the table was nearly finished. She’d taken up puzzles back when they were kids. Their dad had told them she needed it to calm her nerves after parenting them all day. Which was probably true.
“He’s probably already eaten four of those salmon patties.” Her mother spoke absently, her glasses perched on her nose as she looked over the remaining puzzle pieces.
“Probably. But they’re good for him. I made a batch for Ryan too, but took them to his house first. I know they’d never get out of here.”
Her mother laughed. “You’ve got your dad’s number. How’s business?” She looked up, taking a sip of her tea. “There’s tea. Freshly brewed.”
Mary got up to get herself a glass and to top off her mother’s. Her father wandered into the room and began putting things in the fridge.
“Good. I’ve got jobs for the next several months. I can pay my staff without stress. An agent called me three days ago. Said she thought I should put a cookbook together.”
“That’d be something now, wouldn’t it? Our Bess being a published author? And why shouldn’t people want to buy a cookbook with her recipes in it?”
She loved her parents more than anything. They were kooky, no doubt. But they were good, solid people who’d raised her and her siblings well. Always proud and supportive of them.
“I’m working up a proposal. We’ll see. I need to talk to Daisy about doing the photography for it.”
“You have your own talent with a camera. You might be stretched too thin though, so I’m sure Daisy would be a huge help. How’s that boyfriend of hers?” Her mother shot a glance in her dad’s direction as he opened up the second container of the salmon patties. “At least use a fork.”
“He digs her. She’s not quite sure what to do with him.” Mary snorted. “He’s big and bossy and handsome and sort of overwhelming. But he adores her. He buys her things. Takes her places.”
“She’d be bored shitless with a man who wasn’t like that. Girl’d run right over a lesser man.” Her mother had a way about her. Always seeing to the heart of things. It was sort of scary, and yet Mary admired it all the same and hoped the best parts rubbed off on her.
“Probably.”
“And why shouldn’t he buy her things? It’s not like she expects it. But he’s got the money and wants to treat her. I hope I raised you well enough not to turn down gifts from people when they want to do for you.”
“I don’t know. I guess I’ll have to land a rich older boyfriend to know for sure.” She winked at her dad, who glowered for a moment.
“Jeanne, you stop it now. Bess makes her own way.”
Her mother sighed. “Of course she does. She’s not a whore. I’m saying that people should be able to do for others. Mary brings us food how many days a week? We never pay her for it because it’s her way of taking care of us. She does it for everyone. Levi does for Daisy because he can. I bet you the girl makes amazing art for him and gives it to him as a gift. Given her talent, that’s sort of the equivalent of jewelry or a trip. Generosity is important.”
* * *
She was tucked into bed with a book hours later when her phone buzzed with an incoming text.
Damien.
Sitting here drinking an excellent glass of red wine after an awesome steak. Was thinking you’d probably have something far more tasty to accompany it than the plain old potato they served.
She picked her phone up and started to type.
Probably. But I’m gifted that way. What city are you in?
Her phone rang.
“I’m in St. Louis.”
There was a lot of noise in the background.
“Sounds like it’s busy where you are.”
“I’m in my hotel room. Well, actually, Paddy’s room. They’re blowing off steam. Big show tonight.”
She blew off steam in really different ways, apparently. It sounded loud and wild and she was glad she wasn’t there. Well, mostly, though she wouldn’t mind jumping on Damien if she had him in the flesh.
“Ah.”
“Little word for all you’re feeling.”
She laughed. “Just thinking that my blowing off steam usually means I make ice cream or go for a bike ride or hike. But I remember the last story I saw about you guys, so . . . ”
“Don’t believe everything you read.”
He didn’t sound amused.
“I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“I’m sorry. You didn’t. It’s just . . . it gets old having the tabloids follow you around and make stuff up. You never know who’s gonna say what.”
She got that part. Knew Gillian had to deal with it now. But at the same time, what she heard in the background didn’t sound like they were playing backgammon.
“Adrian said you guys were coming out to MSG next month.”
He wished he hadn’t snapped at her. Their ease had stiffened up a little. And god knew she was mainly right.
She answered, not sounding angry or hurt at least. “Yeah. Looking forward to it. Adrian even managed to get me some really wonderful reservations at my coveted restaurants. Be nice to me and I might let you be my plus one.”
He realized he wanted to see her enjoying food from the standpoint of the consumer, not the producer. What would she be like in a restaurant? He knew she wholeheartedly embraced enjoying sex; he bet she was like that when she ate out too.
He found himself smiling, really smiling, for the first time in a few days. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. If you’re not busy you can come along. That way I can try more things off the menu and no one will think I’m a hog.”
She made him smile. A lot. “You have an ulterior motive? I’m scandalized.” He had no plans. Once he heard from Adrian that she’d be there, he’d kept his schedule clear during non-show hours so he could be with her.
“I do. I’m sneaky that way.”
He grinned, though she couldn’t see it. “Okay then. Good to know that in addition to all your other . . . talents, you’re also sneaky. It’s a good quality.”
They spoke for a little while longer before he hung up and went back into the main room where his brothers drank, smoked and shot the shit about the day’s events. A few women lounged around and he couldn’t find it in him to invite anyone back to his room.
He told himself it was that he was tired. But really, he knew on some level that Mary would disapprove if
he was fucking other women right before he fucked her when she visited New York in a few weeks. And to be truthful, he wanted her to think well of him.
The specter of his past rose. He wasn’t ashamed of his hard living. But because he’d been that way and openly so, it had played in the media. He wasn’t just the drummer of Sweet Hollow Ranch. He was the party-boy, sex-hungry, hard-drinking drummer.
From the outside, he could see it all bringing pause to Mary. He liked her. He wanted to know her better. And he wanted very much for that reputation to not get in the way.
5
Jeez, a private plane too?” Jules waggled her brows as they got settled in for their flight to New York.
“Erin, I wager. She loves to give presents,” Daisy said. Levi sat next to her, his hand in hers.
“I bet you Levi is no stranger to private planes. Look at him.” Mary winked at him and he snorted. They had a good back and forth. Once she accepted that he was good for Daisy and would continue to be so. She also liked that Levi had wanted her to approve. Some guys wouldn’t have cared.
“I did my time in coach.”
“You make it sound like prison,” Daisy scoffed.
Mary laughed. “It is! If I could do this every time you’d never see me in coach ever again jammed in the center seat for seven hours while I begged for peanuts after having to take my shoes off in an airport.” She shuddered.
“Jules says you’re doing a food-truck tour tomorrow. Is there room for me?” Gideon Carter, Jules’s other man, looked at her hopefully.
“Definitely.”
“Is the rock star coming?” Cal asked, trying to be casual.
Ryan, their brother, groaned. “You have no finesse at all.”
“And you do?” Cal tossed back. The two of them bickered a lot, but it was a front. They were, as her mother often said, thick as thieves. But they did love to poke each other.
“I could have found out if Damien Hurley was coming along way smoother than you. And I wouldn’t have agitated her in finding out.” Ryan shrugged.
She snorted. “Boys, please. Yes, he’s coming along. I think he is, anyway. I think one of his other brothers is coming too.”
She was admittedly a little nervous about that. Sure, they were just having fun and all, but she knew he was tight with his family. Didn’t want them to think ill of her.
“So what do you envision this thing between you being anyway?” They took off easily as she sat back and let Ryan pepper her with questions. She’d probably want to know if their situations were reversed so she’d answer until she thought he went too far.
“Look. He’s an adult male with a busy schedule. I’m an adult female with a busy schedule. Occasionally, for however long this works, we meet up and hang out awhile and then go back to our busy schedules. I like him. He’s sexy and funny and talented.” She shrugged.
“I’ve seen the celebrity news.” Ryan was calmer than Cal, but no less intense. Maybe more once you scratched the surface. She heard the warning and wanted him to know she understood.
“So have I. I know what he is. But I think he’s more than the shorthand we know from the Internet. Anyway, I’m not going to marry him, for heaven’s sake. I’m going to fuck him and let him make me laugh and enjoy his company. I’m not stupid.”
Ryan closed his eyes and she winked at Daisy, who tried very hard not to laugh.
“Surely you didn’t think we were playing Yahtzee and making s’mores.”
“I try very hard not to think about whatever you get up to with your boyfriends. You’re our baby sister, we worry.”
She squeezed her brother’s hand. “Thank you. I appreciate it. But I’m good.”
“If he hurts you, I’m going to crush his nuts.”
That made her laugh. “Deal.”
* * *
Amazing how fast a flight went when you were on a private plane. Mary made a note to herself to make Adrian something yummy in thanks.
There’d been a limo waiting for them at the airport as well. It took them straight into the city to the hotel Adrian had arranged for them. She loved New York City. Loved the lights. Loved the way the city simply never stopped. She loved the restaurants, the clubs, loved the museums and the shopping. The next few days would be so much fun.
She’d barely gotten her toiletries out and on the counter in the bathroom before people were at her door. She smiled as she opened up to admit them.
Levi and Daisy stood with Jules, Gideon, Cal and Ryan.
“We want to see your view.” Ryan came in and everyone followed. The view was pretty spectacular, she had to admit.
“One, I’m starving and two, it’s not that late, especially on West Coast time. I want to go the Empire State Building. I hear it’s open late.”
Jules nodded. “I looked it up. It is. I want to go.” She pulled her phone out. “I want to check in with Gillian first.”
Of course she’d looked it up. “Good idea.” Mary’s phone rang at that moment and she saw that it was Damien.
“Hello.” She knew she grinned, but he made her giddy, so why not.
“I hear your plane arrived. We’re making our way back to the city. Do you have plans yet?”
“We were just talking about dinner and the Empire State Building. Jules is checking in with Gillian to see what’s up with them.”
“Will you call me and let me know where you’re having dinner? I’ll come down and meet you.”
“Sure. We’re doing the touristy thing first, I imagine. Then dinner.” She wanted to see him. Felt that little zing his presence had brought with it. And then she was so getting naked with him.
“I’ll see you in a bit, then.”
She hung up to find everyone staring. “No.” She sent Cal a warning glance.
“No what, Tiny?”
“Tiny, my patootie. You hush. You have a boyfriend and a girlfriend. You don’t get to be judgy about my life. I support your choices, butthead.”
Cal stepped closer, kissing her cheek. “Aw now, I’m not being judgy. I just want him to be perfect. He’s got a reputation. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Big brothers. Even when they were all adults they wanted to protect her. Which she usually thought was sweet. “We went over this on the plane. I’m not getting hurt. I know what he is. This is fun. This is sex and hanging out with someone I enjoy. I have a life. I’m not giving that up to hitch my wagon to some hot-stuff bachelor. When I settle down, I know the difference between right now and Mr. Right. I’m not stupid. We have good chemistry. That’s all. And that’s all it needs to be.”
“Leave her be, Calvin. Your sister is a smart one. She’s perfectly capable of managing her life.” Jules sent him a look and he rolled his eyes before giving Ryan a different sort of look. They’d keep an eye on things, she knew.
Which was fine as long as they didn’t act like jerks.
“Gillian says they’ll meet us in the lobby in fifteen minutes. Miles is all over the Empire State Building idea.” Jules nodded toward Daisy. “Did you bring your camera?”
Daisy, who loved to take pictures, held up her bag. “Brought the little one for tonight.”
Mary had left hers at home, sitting on her dining room table. Damn.
“Let’s get moving. I’ll treat you to a drink before everyone meets us down there.” Cal linked his arm through hers.
* * *
“Hurry the fuck up.” Paddy’s driving left something to be desired. He drove like an old woman, not in any great rush to get back to Manhattan. They’d been out at the Hamptons looking at a place they were thinking of buying and giving to their parents.
“You got a date or something? What’s the hurry?”
“As it happens, Mary just arrived and I want to have dinner with her.”
“Oooh, the famous Mary. Can’t wait to finally see this chick you’ve been mooning over.”
Vaughan shifted his legs. “Ignore him. He’s just jealous. She sounds pretty fabulous. Gillian was talking a
bout her last week. Saw some pictures. Hot.”
“She is. Hot, that is. Smart too. Talented. Don’t tell Mom but she’s the most amazing cook. Anyway, I like spending time with her. Is that a crime?”
“No. Can we come to dinner too? I’m starving.” Vaughan rubbed his belly.
“You’re always starving. But yes, you can come. I think Adrian and their friends will be there too. I’ll get her alone later.”
They dropped the car off twenty minutes later and he called to see where they were.
“We’re in the lobby still. Trying to get all these people moving is like herding cats. Poor Jules doesn’t deal with chaos well. She’s the organizer of the group.”
He walked around the corner and saw her there, smiling at her friends as she spoke to him.
“That works.” He hung up and tapped her on the shoulder. “Hey there.”
Her confusion melted into a smile and he leaned down to kiss her.
“Welcome to Manhattan.”
“Are you the official welcome wagon? I can’t imagine the budget for such a thing.”
He kissed her once more quickly because he had to taste a little more.
“Just for you.”
“Aw, does that mean we don’t get to kiss her?”
He looked over his shoulder. “Don’t think so. Mary Whaley, this is my older brother, Patrick, but everyone calls him Paddy, and my younger brother, Vaughan. Guys, this is Mary.”
She shook their hands and made introductions as well.
“I’m so hungry. We need to go now. Take pity on me, please.” She headed toward the doors and everyone followed. He took her hand and she smiled up at him.
“Have you eaten at the Gramercy Tavern yet?” They’d eaten there the last time he and his brothers had been in Manhattan. He figured she’d love it.
Her face lit and he was glad he’d suggested it. “I’ve wanted to but didn’t have time the last visit.”