Harlequin Blaze June 2015 Box Set: Midnight ThunderFevered NightsCome On OverTriple Time

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  “Possibly.” She gave him a deceptively bright smile. “For now I have to run into town since I can’t seem to keep track of a darn thing.” She swept a gaze over the ridiculous number of packages. “Need anything?”

  He relaxed. “Condoms.”

  Yes, they had more to discuss than she’d thought initially. But no point in making him tense—

  “What? Condoms?”

  “Get the big box.”

  The Food Mart and Abe’s Variety were the only two places she’d find them. “You couldn’t have told me yesterday when I was in Kalispell?”

  Trent laughed. She glared, and he only laughed harder.

  “You’re a sophisticated city woman. I didn’t think you’d have a problem with—” he lowered his voice to a whisper “—s-e-x.”

  She blushed, but couldn’t say why. Well, except...small town. No anonymity.

  Pretty good reasons why she was a smidge embarrassed. “Fine.” She scooped her purse off the floor. “I’ll buy the biggest box they have.”

  “I was just teasing.” He lowered his chin and gave her a contrite puppy-dog look. “We’re okay until I go in to pick up my feed order on Friday.”

  “Nope. Already on my list. A supersize box. Just so long as you can live up to the order.”

  He laughed again, put an arm around her waist and planted a noisy kiss on her cheek. “Darlin’, I’ll do my best.”

  Trent had asked for the large box, she thought, smiling all the way to her car. Look at her, making plans, looking forward to a future with Trent. Was she...falling in love? With the man who might lose his ranch, his home, because of her?

  God, very scary thought.

  Unfortunately, that didn’t make it less true.

  * * *

  TRENT HAD JUST swapped out the rusty metal fence post for a sturdy cedar pole when he heard a car. It didn’t sound like Violet’s truck—he’d been praying she’d come home before Shelby so he could speak with her in private. No, this engine was smooth, the rich purr similar to Shelby’s sedan.

  He rounded the barn just as a black car pulled to a stop. A Mercedes? Sweat trickled down his forehead into his eye. Damn weather was being fickle. Yanking up his T-shirt, he blotted the sweat from his eye as he approached the sedan.

  The driver had climbed out. A tall thirty-something man with dark blond hair was staring at Trent as if he was part of a freak show. He pulled down the hem of his shirt, grabbed his hat off the wheelbarrow and watched the stranger pan the house and stable with a critical frown.

  “Afternoon,” Trent said, setting the Stetson on his head and pulling down the rim against the sun. “Can I help you?” The second the words left his mouth he noticed the Colorado plate.

  Shit.

  “I’m not sure.” The man checked his phone, glanced back toward the house. “Do you know Shelby Foster?”

  “I do.”

  His faintly patronizing smile stuck in Trent’s craw. “Is she here?”

  “Nope.”

  “Do you know where she is?”

  Trent was tempted to just say yep. “Who’s asking?”

  “Donald Williamson. Her fiancé.”

  “Huh. Sorry.” Wiping his palm on his jeans, he walked around the hood with his grime-streaked hand extended. And thoroughly enjoyed watching Donald’s look of disdain turn to dread. “I thought you two split up.”

  The man’s gaze shot up to meet Trent’s. He seemed barely mindful of Trent firmly pumping his hand. “Is that what Shelby told you?”

  “She didn’t tell me you were coming.” Trent stood back, folding his arms across his chest, feet planted shoulder-width apart.

  “She wouldn’t have. It’s a surprise.” To give him credit, he didn’t inspect the grime Trent left on his palm. “Would you mind me asking how you two know each other?”

  He scratched his jaw, trying to act perplexed. This was tricky. Trent had no idea what she’d told the guy. Obviously she’d told him something, though, or he wouldn’t be standing here making Trent sweat. The guy was good-looking, he supposed. Rich. And he’d come running after her. Women liked that shit.

  Jesus. Trent wasn’t feeling so smug all of a sudden. “Haven’t you two talked since she’s been here?”

  “Once. Briefly.”

  Trent’s gut knotted. Time to decide which road to take. The low road was looking mighty good. “We’re friends. Old family friends. Our great-grandfathers knew each other.”

  “Ah.” Donald seemed vaguely relieved. “And this is the Eager Beaver ranch?”

  “Correct.”

  “How long has she been staying here?”

  No. No way. He wouldn’t discuss Shelby. “Tell you what... It’s Donald, right?” Trent waited for the nod. “Why don’t you come inside, have something cold to drink. She should be back at any minute.”

  Donald didn’t look overjoyed with the suggestion. He brushed something off his tailored navy blue sports jacket, turned and glanced back at the road, probably hoping to see Shelby’s car turn down the driveway, then said, “Thank you.”

  Waiting while Donald pressed his key fob and locked the Mercedes’s doors, Trent held in a snort. “So, Donald,” he said, clapping the guy on the back and steering him to the porch, “you like beer?”

  * * *

  SHELBY NEEDED TO be smarter about planning her trips to town. Now that she knew a few people, there was no such thing as dashing in and out of a store. Some of the folks in Blackfoot Falls liked to chitchat about absolutely nothing. For goodness’ sake some of them already recognized her car.

  It was sort of nice, so she wasn’t really complaining. But it would be much nicer when she didn’t have a gazillion orders to fill, or a giant box of condoms to buy. She just had to laugh as she turned down the driveway. This sure wasn’t Kansas anymore.

  She saw a black car and couldn’t remember Trent mentioning that he was expecting company. As she got closer, and recognized the familiar Mercedes, her heart leaped into her throat. How was this possible? Donald couldn’t know she was here. She’d spoken to him only once and had never said a word about the Eager Beaver, or Montana for that matter.

  Her cell buzzed. She parked, read the text. It was Trent, warning her about Donald. A little late. Could mean he’d just arrived. God, she really hoped so.

  She got out and went around to the passenger side for her packages. Her hands shook, so she hefted the bags into her arms. The stupid box of condoms was sitting right on top. She threw everything back on the seat, not caring that the contents spilled onto the floor. She drew in a deep breath and took only her purse with her.

  Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.

  How long had Donald been here? What were he and Trent talking about? How had Donald even known she was here? He had no right to track her down, much less show up without warning.

  This was bad.

  Okay, she needed to calm herself. Slow down her heart rate. Anger and nerves, not a good combination.

  God, she wished she knew if they’d seen her. She lingered on the porch, away from the living room window, drawing in long deep breaths.

  Finally, she opened the front door.

  Trent was lounging in the recliner, his expression unreadable. Donald was sitting on the couch, leaning forward. Looking out of place in his sports jacket. Both men turned toward her.

  Donald smiled, and got to his feet.

  She closed the door behind her. “What are you doing here?” she asked, annoyed when he approached to kiss her cheek. No need to make a scene, she reminded herself. And stood still as a statute for the light peck.

  He reached for her hand, but she moved it back. Too bad Trent couldn’t see her reaction from where he sat. God, she hoped he didn’t think she’d invited Donald.

  “You haven’t told me wh
y you’re here,” she said, unsmiling. “Or how you found me.”

  “Shelby, honey, I think we should have this conversation in private, don’t you?”

  Frankly, she couldn’t imagine that they had anything to say to each other, period. Her resentment and disappointment toward him had started to fade since leaving Denver. But showing up unannounced and uninvited? She was pissed all over again.

  But she needn’t be rude, or make Trent feel uncomfortable. That was the last thing she wanted to do. She gave Donald a stiff nod.

  “Guess that’s my cue to leave. I got a lot of work to do outside, anyway.” Trent stood and stretched. “I offered Donald something to drink when he got here ten minutes ago. You might want to get him something now that he’s had to listen to me go on about our families being friends for three generations.”

  “Four,” she said without thinking. She wanted to kiss him for sliding in the heads-up. That was so like Trent. What a wonderful, caring man. She should kiss him. Right now. In front of God and Donald. “Thanks.” She gave him a small smile. “I shouldn’t be long.”

  With a slow nod and lingering look he walked past her to the door. “Nice meeting you, Donny.”

  “Yes, likewise.” Donald’s troubled eyes stayed on her. He waited until Trent had left and said, “What the hell’s going on with you, Shelby?”

  She huffed a laugh and evaded the hand he extended. “What the hell’s going on? That’s what I want to know. How did you find me?”

  “Your mom. Between the two of us we figured out you must have come here.”

  Shelby did a quick mental replay of the two conversations she’d had with her mom. Montana might’ve been mentioned, but— It didn’t matter. “That you had to figure out where I was should have been your first clue. Why on earth would you think you could just show up like this?”

  “Because I love you,” he said with a hint of impatience, a dash of arrogance.

  “Donald...” She sighed, suddenly so drained she could weep. “Let’s sit.” She waited until he was reseated on the couch and then took the recliner. It was obvious he didn’t like it. But she didn’t particularly care. “Because you love me isn’t enough. I hope that doesn’t hurt your feelings, but it’s true.”

  Donald stood up, and she recognized his frown and his pacing. He’d been all ready to sweep her off her feet, forgive her silly tantrum and win her back with his heartfelt plea. As if.

  “Look,” he said. “I know why you left, okay? I get that now. But you didn’t even give me a second chance.”

  “A chance for what?”

  “To convince you we deserve to try again.” He stilled in front of her. “You have to admit we had a lot of good times together, Shel. And you’ve got your job just waiting for you. Along with a nice raise, of course.”

  “Of course.”

  “We’ll start fresh.” He pulled a familiar box from his jacket pocket. The diamond was an extraordinary three-carat round solitaire, nearly flawless, mounted on 18k white gold. And it could be hers, just for marrying Donald—right after she signed a document stating it would go back to the family if they should ever split up.

  “Put that away, Donald,” she said. “Please.”

  He sighed. “If we can’t work it out, then okay. But we have to at least try,” he said, gripping the velvet box in his hand. “I meant it. I do love you. I never stopped loving you.”

  It was her turn to stand. Aside from giving him a pop in the nose for showing up here without an invitation, she didn’t want to hurt him. He’d grown up in a world of wealth and privilege and she was sure he had no idea why she would choose anything else. “You said you understood why I left.”

  He nodded, moving closer, but stopping before she had to rethink popping him. “I didn’t understand how important your hobby was to you, all right? We can work around that. I swear. Besides,” he said, lowering his voice as he touched her arm, “You shouldn’t have to live in this godforsaken place.”

  Hobby? He so didn’t get it. He didn’t get her. And he never would. Despite everything, it made her a little sad. Still, it was tempting to tell him to just go back home and lose her number and address. But she really couldn’t. After signing over a quitclaim deed to Trent, it was possible that she wouldn’t have a place to live, or a job. Trent was still recovering from his divorce. They hadn’t even known each other for a whole month. And one county fair did not a successful business make.

  Her and Donald? That was over. But if she had to work for his parents for a while, it wouldn’t kill her.

  Then again it might.

  “Tell you what,” she said, taking Donald’s hand. “I’ll think about it, okay?”

  He looked slightly appeased. “I knew you’d be reasonable about this.”

  She didn’t bother pointing out that she was only agreeing to think about it. “I won’t take too long to make up my mind.”

  His sigh this time was one of relief. She felt somewhat guilty for giving him false hope because she honestly couldn’t see them fixing anything. But he’d caught her off guard and that wasn’t fair, either.

  * * *

  TRENT WANTED TO kick himself across three states. He’d known eavesdropping was a bad idea when he’d walked over to the side window. Though technically the window was on his list of chores. It needed new grout, which meant he could hear pretty much everything from the living room.

  He couldn’t see them, of course, which was the only part that worked in his favor. Because if he’d seen them kiss or do anything, he surely would’ve lost it.

  As he crossed to the stable to disappear for a while, he cursed himself for being every kind of fool. He passed the stable and kept walking.

  She was going to think about it. About going back to that rich bastard and his rich bastard family. Why wouldn’t she? She’d have it made. And she wouldn’t have to live in this “godforsaken place.”

  He kicked a bush and it didn’t do him a damn bit of good, so he picked up the nearest rock he could find and threw it with all his might. He should go back to the stable, saddle up Solomon and ride until the sun went down. He wasn’t about to go back to the house.

  She was going to think about it.

  How could she? When they made each other laugh, and she was proud of him and he was proud of her. She’d already made friends here, and her business was off to a flying start, so what had he done wrong?

  Goddammit, how could she think about going back to Denver when he was gonna give her the ranch?

  When he’d already fallen in love?

  18

  TRENT HAD CAUGHT a glimpse of Violet’s rusted-out pickup turning off the driveway and felt equal parts relief and irritation. She was trying to sneak back and park on the other side of her double-wide before anyone saw her. The hell with that.

  He headed toward her parking spot at a fast clip, slowed so she wouldn’t see him between the barn and her trailer. Then as soon as it was safe, jogged the rest of the way. That’s when he saw the rearview mirror was gone, and there was another dent in the front bumper. Fender benders twice in two months. She was damn lucky nothing worse had happened.

  She’d barely shut off the engine when he opened her driver door.

  “Where the hell have you been for two days? Dammit, you can’t just take off like that, Violet.”

  She glared at him. “I can, and I did.”

  He scowled right back. “I swear to God I’m gonna make you carry a cell phone from now on.”

  “That’ll be the damn day.” With a snort, she stuck her pipe in her mouth. Normally he would’ve backed up. She wouldn’t hesitate to blow smoke in his face if it served her purpose. “Move.”

  He made his disgust known with a grunt and stepped back. She wasn’t as spry as she had been just a few months ago. It was hard watching her cl
imb down so slowly. He had to convince her to quit driving. It wasn’t safe.

  “You have bags you want me to carry inside?”

  “I carry my own things. You know that.” She shouldered past him.

  “Jesus,” he muttered under his breath. “I have to worry about you. Worry about Shelby. My life has gone straight down the tubes.”

  Violet stopped, her face creased in a frown. “What about Shelby? Why are you fretting about her?”

  He glanced at the house. She’d been working last he knew. Except it was becoming more and more obvious he didn’t know jack shit. Ever since Donald had gone, the two of them had hardly spoken. She’d grabbed food and drink when she needed it, then gone right back to working. “Can we go inside?”

  “Come on.” She had a Food Mart bag in one hand, a legal-size envelope in the other and a worried look on her face.

  He followed her up the steps to her porch, wondering if the deed to the Eager Beaver was in the envelope. Tomorrow was supposed to be the day of reckoning, which was something he needed to discuss with her.

  Reaching around her frail body, he opened the door. She didn’t object. Something else worrisome. He followed her inside, his gaze catching on the small wood-burning stove. “I left a stack of firewood for you in the back,” he said absently.

  Watching him closely, Violet set down the bag and envelope. “Well, go ahead and talk, seems you’ve got something you wanna get off your chest.”

  “I do. First, you’re gonna be mad, but so be it. You can’t drive anymore, Violet. You just can’t. You can barely see over the wheel. And your eyes aren’t so good. You’ve been lucky so far, and haven’t hurt yourself or someone else, but luck can’t hold out forever. Besides, even as ornery as you are, I don’t think you want to worry me like you did these past two days.”

  With a leathery hand she gestured for him to sit. “Next.”

  Shocked, Trent stared at her a moment then took a seat.

  “It’s Shelby.” Sighing, he rubbed his closed eyes. “I want her to have the Eager Beaver. I’ll sign whatever it is I need to sign.”

  “Why would you do a damn fool thing like that?” she muttered. “And you think I’m senile.”