“And I brought you because I don’t know cars.”
At that remark he stared at her pointedly.
“I don’t know cars, but I know I don’t want one this expensive.”
“Okay.” He turned to the salesman. “Thanks for your help. We’re going to look around a little more.”
The next dealership was more like it. It still seemed an extravagance to buy a brand-new car when slightly used or even mildly dented would get her around just as well, but she fell in love with a new Blazer, gold in color.
“You said image, and this is image. It’s gold,” she said to Riley with a grin.
“But you’ve driven a Blazer for the last—how long?—twelve years? Don’t you want something different? Sportier maybe?”
“I need four-wheel drive in winter. It’s practical.”
“I agree, but you could get both. This plus something sporty.”
She directed her palm at his suggestion. “Don’t. Uh-uh. One is plenty. Baby steps, remember?”
The salesman was nearly jumping up and down over the sale with a check in full as payment, but when Riley started talking about two vehicles, she thought the fellow was going to hyperventilate.
“Easy.” Lisa turned to him and explained in a serious tone, “I’m only getting the Blazer. Period.”
The man looked to Riley, who shrugged. “She’s calling the shots.”
It took longer than she thought it should have for the transaction and for the service department to do their thing. She was itching to get the keys and her bill of sale.
“How about dinner?” Riley asked. “By the time we get back, they’ll have your new wheels ready.”
She had asked him to take time from his day to help her make this choice, though she’d pretty much made all the decisions herself. Riley was her measuring stick, however, and as long as she stayed just under his suggestions, she felt comfortable. She owed him for his patience. “Okay.”
“Let’s go make sure they didn’t sell my car while I was looking with you.”
With a grin Lisa joined him. The salesman had been disappointed when he’d learned Riley’s Jag was not a trade-in.
“Where to?” she asked a few minutes later.
“What are you hungry for?”
“I’ll eat anything.”
“I’ve noticed.”
She cast a frown his direction. “You’d rather take a picky eater to dinner?”
“Definitely not. Unless it was you. I just want to take you to dinner.”
“Good cover.”
“Yeah.”
Lisa chose the restaurant—a casual steak house with a salad bar—and paid for their meals while Riley was using the restroom.
“Why’d you do that?” he asked as they took seats and the waitress handed them plates.
“You helped me today. It was the least I could do.”
The waitress walked away.
Lisa leaned forward. “Besides, I’m rich.”
She got up and went to prepare her salad. Riley followed and stood beside her. “This is a date, so I’m supposed to pay.”
She barely glanced up from her plate of lettuce. “Who says?”
“Who says what? That it’s a date or that I’m supposed to pay?”
“Both.”
He made his salad and returned to the table with her. “You don’t make anything easy, do you?”
She hoped not. It was her goal to stay a giant leap ahead of him at all times. She was not going to be sucked into his scheme. She’d always been attracted to him, so she had that working against her. She could never let him know how she really felt about him. But besides that she was having the time of her life.
“Remember this Saturday evening is the ground-breaking reception,” he said.
She had forgotten.
“You agreed to come.”
She nodded. “I’ll drive myself.”
Their dinners arrived. “Have you scheduled your interview?”
“I’ve been putting it off. I was thinking I’d call tomorrow and arrange it. If they keep up their part of the deal and leave me alone for a week, it will be pure bliss.”
“You can always use my cabin. Feel free to take your dogs and stay as long as you like. There’s only one lock—the one that gets you in through the garage—and I’ll have a key made for you.”
The offer was so tempting, she hadn’t allowed herself to think about it. Time away from prying eyes would be welcome. Maybe she had a few qualms about returning to the place where she’d lost her virginity, but she’d have to deal with that eventually. “I don’t know how I’d find it myself.”
“I could take you out. Or lead the way.” He looked up.
“If you planned to take off during the week the reporters were leaving you alone, they wouldn’t see you to follow.”
She leaned forward. “The last day of the reprieve I could go out and take as many days undiscovered as I like.”
He nodded.
Lisa laid down her fork. “How long can this last, Riley? I mean, wouldn’t you think they’d be bored with this whole story by now?”
“There’s something fascinating about the whole rags-to-riches story,” he said, then paused with an apologetic look. “Not that you wore rags, but—”
“I get it.”
“Your evasiveness is like an aphrodisiac to them,” he said. Maybe he knew firsthand?
“I’ve heard of celebrities who go ahead and stop and pose for photos and then the paparazzi leave them alone because they got what they wanted.”
He nodded as he finished his steak.
“Maybe this interview will have that effect.”
“That’s what we’re counting on.”
He had been a big help. She’d have been even more lost without him. But after what had transpired between them, things were more tense. Lisa had wanted what had happened. She was honest with herself—she could admit she wanted more. She just had to guard her heart. That was her first priority. If she could do that and still let him as physically close as she sensed him working toward, she would have it all.
“Saturday night,” she said.
Riley had finished eating, and the waitress poured them cups of coffee. He smiled at the woman, and she blushed as she walked away.
“Saturday night,” he prompted.
“Could you devise a way to come back to my place after the reception? You never did get to look at those journals.”
He thought a minute. “You’ll be driving yourself to the ranch, so they’ll be following you home. What if I leave ahead of you and get to your place first? I can park a block or so away.”
She dug in her purse, smiled when her fingers touched the gold nugget and came up with her extra key. “The dogs won’t know you, so I’ll leave them in their runs out back. You’ll have to let yourself in the front.”
She met his eyes and warmth diffused her face, neck and chest. They were methodically planning a night together and they both knew it. Images of their last time snagged Lisa’s breath and made her heart jump erratically. She was in control and she was not a coward. So much of her life had already slipped by that she wasn’t willing to miss any more. She would only regret her actions if she let her heart get involved or if she didn’t grab on to this opportunity.
Lisa didn’t want any regrets.
Chapter Nine
It’s All About Gold for the Lady In Red.
Bernadine had spotted Lisa walking an Irish setter in the park, slid out of her car and run all the way, waving a magazine.
Lisa gave the woman a wide-eyed once-over, taking in her heels and taupe linen suit. “What’s this all about?”
“My partner brought this to me. Look!” She showed Lisa the front cover of People magazine with its usual assortment of stars and captions. In the lower left-hand corner beside Paris Hilton in a slinky pink gown was a picture of Lisa in her red dress. Lisa looked twice, then grabbed the magazine from Bernadine’s hand to get a closer look.
<
br /> “It’s me.” She looked up, then back at the glossy cover. “Oh, my—it’s me!”
“The story’s on page nineteen,” her lawyer said breathlessly.
Lisa flipped the pages until she came to the article that took an entire page. Half was a montage of color photos, the other half caption and text. “It’s all about gold for the lady in red,” she read aloud, her voice trembling. She went on to read the story, which played on local girl striking the mother lode. Lily Divine was of course mentioned, and there were quotes made by neighbors and people Lisa barely knew.
Mrs. Carlson was quoted as saying, “She’s always been a shy girl. Keeps to herself and dotes on those dogs of hers.” There was a small picture of her with Joey and Piper, taken from a distance, and it looked as though she was in her own yard. The biggest pictures were of her in the red dress—one with Riley at her side as they strode toward the cameramen outside the restaurant in Billings.
“Riley told me Chad Falkner sold pictures to People, but I thought he was putting me on.” She closed the magazine and stared at her photo next to Paris Hilton’s.
“I don’t believe this.”
“You’re a phenomenon, kiddo. Everyone aspires to win the lottery or the sweepstakes and become an overnight millionaire. You’re an American dream come true.”
“This is awful,” Lisa said as the reality of this latest publicity hit her full force.
“What? You put Thunder Canyon in the spotlight.”
“What does this mean, though? Will even more reporters come looking for me now?” She glanced around in dread.
Bernadine shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Come on, Brinkley,” Lisa said to the setter. “Let’s get you home. I have phone calls to make.” She headed for her new Blazer, and Bernadine kept pace beside her. “I’m going to schedule that interview Riley arranged. Will you be there?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, good. And then I’m going to disappear for a while.”
“You’ll have to stay in touch with me. Where will you go?”
“I have a place in mind.”
Bernadine handed her the magazine and admired the new SUV. “Nice vehicle.”
“Thanks.”
After taking the setter back, she went home and called Chad Falkner and the other local reporters to schedule an interview for the next day. She wanted the taping to take place in her home, where she was comfortable and where they could appease their fascination once and for all.
The salesgirl in Billings had given her a business card, so she called her and told her she needed something to wear on Saturday. The young woman had ordered a few things especially for her and offered to keep the store open for Lisa to try them on that evening. “Or I can come to Thunder Canyon,” she told her. “No problem.”
“No, I’ll be there,” Lisa told her. “I have a new car to drive now.”
Gwen had specially ordered at least thirty dresses and as many casual outfits for Lisa to try on and showed Lisa as soon as she arrived. She had excellent taste, had picked up on Lisa’s new metamorphosis and personality and had chosen garments accordingly.
“I saw you in the dress in the papers—and on the cover of People,” she told her excitedly. “I told you that was a great choice.”
“You did. I need something equally as…”
“Sexy?”
Lisa blushed. “Spectacular, anyway, for Saturday.”
“Look at this.” Gwen took the tissue from a slinky gown in shades of aqua and teal with tinges that shimmered pink in the light. “It reminds me of a butterfly,” she told Lisa. “And so do you.”
Lisa slipped into the dress and turned in front of the mirror. The garment dipped revealingly low in the back, and the side was slit up her thigh. Staring at herself, Lisa felt light and elusive—exactly the impression she wanted to convey. “You’re a genius,” she told Gwen. “I could never have shopped for myself this well.”
“I also took the liberty of finding accessories,” Gwen said hesitantly. “If I’ve overstepped bounds here, just say so. I can send back anything you don’t want.”
“Not at all. I need your help. I’ve never done this before.”
“Lisa, you’re beautiful. You look great in gorgeous clothes and you can afford the best. Allow yourself to enjoy this.”
“I think I am. Thanks.”
Gwen showed her the handbag and shoes she’d chosen, as well as sparkling butterfly pins for her hair. “What do you think?”
“That you’ve spoiled me and I’ll need to hire you.”
Gwen laughed. “That would be a dream job. I should be so lucky.”
Lisa looked in the mirror again. “Think Paris Hilton has a personal shopper?”
“From what I’ve seen, she likes doing all her own shopping. She has a much different background and has always been a spoiled rich girl. Besides, designers are chasing after her to wear their stuff.”
“I’m really getting into this,” Lisa confessed.
“And why not? I heard about the big event Saturday night. I assume you’re attending the ski-resort ground-breaking reception.”
“Yes. I’ve never been around people like the Douglases and the mayor before. If I look good, I’ll feel confident.”
“You look good, honey. You definitely look good.”
Dressed in her new clothing and driving her new Blazer, Lisa arrived at the Lazy D on Saturday night feeling more like Cinderella than ever before. She’d taken every measure she could to assure she’d look the part of the town’s rich girl, but apprehension still fluttered in her chest. She pulled up to the house, and a parking attendant assisted her out, then took the keys to move her vehicle.
Lisa had been to the Douglas house before but never at night, when the windows were lit from within and strings of lights draped from posts to lead the way to the entrance. The door opened as she reached it, and a man in a tux motioned for her to enter.
“Good evening, miss.”
She stood in the two-story foyer and glanced at the grand sweeping staircase, then at the room to her left. Voices and the sound of stringed music carried out to the foyer.
Adele Douglas greeted her in the opening to the enormous room. “Good evening, Lisa,” she said with a smile. “How nice to see you again. You’re quite the news about town. I don’t know when there’s been so much excitement. You look so lovely, dear, I can hardly take it all in.”
“Hello, Mrs. Douglas.”
“Adele, please. Mrs. Douglas was my mother-in-law.”
Adele had always reminded Lisa of a gracefully aging Meryl Streep in her serenity and quiet dignity. She was one person who wasn’t treating Lisa any differently than she ever had. She’d always been warm and gracious.
Lisa recalled Riley’s revelation about his father’s affair and how Adele had only recently learned of her husband’s illegitimate adult son. Only a classy woman such as this could forgive and accept and move on. “I never thought I’d be here for an occasion like this,” Lisa admitted. “I’ll have to have a moment with Derek before the evening’s over.”
Adele laughed. “You’ll find him in the family room at the back of the house. It’s his hiding place when we have company. I know he’ll enjoy your attention, though.”
“I’ll look for him.”
Caleb approached Lisa. He extended a hand and closed it over hers in a firm hold. “Riley told me you’d be coming. This is an exciting evening for us. We’re finally going to see the resort take shape.”
“I know Riley’s excited about the project,” she replied. “It’s going to be a boost to our town’s economy.”
“That and the gold mine,” he said with a wink. “You hold an important position now, as well, supplying jobs and channeling money into the community. Riley is the best man to help you with that. He’s handled our finances for years now and he has a nose for making money.”
“And spending it,” she said under her breath.
She sensed someone at her
side and turned to find Riley in a white shirt and black suit. His appreciative gaze told her the dress was another hit.
“There’s nothing my boy doesn’t know about finance,” Caleb went on. “Trust him, and he’ll steer you right. He’s a good dancer, too.”
The string quartet, which was set up in the corner, had begun a new piece, and Caleb gestured for Riley to escort her to the area set aside for dancing. Riley took her hand and led her to where Emily Stanton and Brad Vaughn danced. Emily introduced Lisa to her new husband.
Lisa hadn’t danced since gym class in high school, but Riley put her at ease and smoothly led her in the steps. With one hand on her bare back and the other holding her hand, electricity sparked between them. He was more handsome than ever in his formal suit and tie. Looking at him made it difficult to breathe.
She was bold and confident when she’d made her plans, but when he held her like this, her self-assurance wavered. It took all of her considerable will to erect adequate barriers of protection. Riley was the demolition man, and she had to keep reconstructing the fortress that guarded her feelings.
“You do trust me, don’t you, Lisa?” His voice was low and seductive.
“Of course I do.” She trusted him to be persistent and persuasive. She trusted him to behave like the man he was born and bred to be. She trusted him to keep her on her toes.
“You’re doing a number on me in that dress, you know.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
He glanced down, his gaze traveling to her cleavage. “I can’t help wondering what you have on underneath.”
Her nipples tightened, and warmth tingled in surprising places. “Shall I tell you?”
He was silent a moment. “I’ll just keep wondering.”
She smiled and glanced away. “Suit yourself.”
For the first time she noticed that the two of them were cause for attention. Several curious looks were being cast their way. Adele and another woman were studying them with interest as they danced, and Lisa thought she spotted jealousy on a few female faces.
Her emotions ranged from pride to unease. “People are watching us.”
“They’re watching you. You’re beautiful.”
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