Dude Interrupted (G-Man Next Generation Book 2)

by ANDREA SMITH

  “Now let me know when they’re ready to be mailed. I’ll get the money for postage out of petty cash. Just come down to my office when you’re finished.”

  “Sure thing, Mrs. Johnson.”

  “You can call me Becky, remember?”

  “Oops, sorry. I keep forgetting. My mother always pressed us to address our elders as Mr. or Mrs. Hard habit to shake I guess.”

  Becky rolled her eyes as she left the cubicle. This girl was a piece of work, no doubt. In the time Becky had been working with her, Mandy Reynolds never let down her guard.

  She put on a prim and proper facade, didn’t converse unless spoken to, and it was quite obvious she didn’t intend to share any of her personal information with Becky. There was no reference to the baby; and in fact, when Becky had questioned her on her due date, names picked out, or any baby-related topic, Mandy was quick to change the subject.

  Strange.

  Very strange.

  The only thing Mandy had done which struck Becky as odd was to ask questions about the sale of horses. Becky had asked Mandy to take the photographer from Warm Bloods Gazette over to the barn to photograph Baron for the upcoming bid notice for the December 1st edition. When Mandy returned to the office, she was full of questions about the sale of horses. She wanted to know what kind of money they brought in, and which breeds were worth the most. Becky told her she didn’t know much about that part of the business, and she needed to ask somebody like Avery.

  She’d stopped her questioning once Avery’s name had been mentioned. Becky was glad. She had enough to worry about with the upcoming audit. She didn’t have time to be answering questions that didn’t really concern Mandy or the tasks she’d been given to complete.

  Becky was just putting away the records and locking up the filing cabinets when the door to her office opened. She half-expected it to be Mandy, but the masculine voice behind her belonged to Carter Sims.

  “Hey Becky, I’ve got the material quoted for the next three cottage renovations, along with the addition Mr. Sinclair wants on the press box over at the track. Here’s the requisition I filled out.”

  Becky took the form from him and perused it. The expenditure came to fifteen grand. It surpassed her requisition approval level. “I’ll have to have Mr. Sinclair sign off on this. It might take a day.”

  “No problem. Just let me know when it’s ready and I’ll call it in.”

  “I’ll have Mandy call you when the purchase order is processed so you can pick it up here.”

  “Sounds good,” he said as he was leaving her office. “She’s a nice addition to the staff. Seems competent.”

  Becky wondered how well Carter Sims knew Mandy now that they were neighbors.

  Chapter 26

  “None but ourselves can free our minds.” - Bob Marley

  Avery

  It was Thanksgiving break. I had the entire week off from school, so I was using the time to catch up with things at the stables.

  Okay.

  Specifically, I was using the time to stalk Bryce.

  Just a little.

  “So it looks like you’ve started the weaning process with Baron and Tula, how’s that going?” I asked coyly as he was spreading fresh straw into each of the stalls. I was perched on the wooden gate that separated the adjoining stalls. This was specifically used to facilitate the weaning of the foal from the mare. It wasn’t always an easy process.

  “He’s done his share of whining,” Bryce replied, “But Tristan said that’s to be expected.”

  “Oh, you’ve talked to Uncle Tristan?” I asked.

  “Yep. He stops over a couple times a week. He’s arranging the bid listing for this little guy I guess. It’s gonna be kind of sad for Tula when he sells. And for me too for that matter.”

  “Yeah. It always is,” I replied, struck with how he’d obviously become attached to the foal. That was actually really sweet.

  “So, how are things going with you, Bryce?”

  He stopped raking the straw and looked up at me, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. “How do you think, Avery? Damn it, I feel like I’m stuck between two worlds here. One that I never asked for and one that I used to belong in. It’s like I don’t fit anywhere and it’s fucked up.”

  My heart ached with his words. But I had to admit what he was feeling was familiar to me. I felt much the same way. Why couldn’t I tell him that? Why did I feel like I’d choke on those words? He was waiting for my response.

  I jumped down from the gate and looked up into his troubled eyes. “I miss you too, Bryce.”

  It was all I could manage without getting emotional and melting into him which was so close to happening at this very moment. I fled the barn and headed back towards the house when I saw Hannah pull up in the lot. I felt a sense of relief. Hannah was a great distraction from this whole mess. At least I thought she would be but I was about to find out differently.

  “Hey Hannah what’s up?”

  She jogged over to me, her eyes flashing mischievously. I knew the look. “Uh oh,” I muttered, “I guess I should ask what are you up to? I know that look.”

  She grinned ear to ear. “Listen Avery, I was just over at the Belle. Stopped in the office to make sure Aunt Becky was coming for Thanksgiving dinner Thursday. And guess who was working in the office there?”

  “Um… Mandy?” I asked feigning surprise.

  “You mean you knew that already?”

  “Yeah. I asked Becky if she needed help with anything. Mandy asked me if there was anything around here she could do.”

  Hannah was aghast at my words. “Why in the hell would you help that girl get a job? Especially here on your turf? Avery, sometimes you seriously blow my mind!”

  I shrugged and tossed her a grin. “I figured it might help your aunt out. She seems frazzled about that audit next month.”

  “Like hell you did,” she said, laughing. “Aunt Becky gets frazzled every three years. You already knew that. Not buying it, Cuz. You did it for Bryce. I know how you think.”

  “Well maybe I did it for both of them. A win-win as my father would say. So is that your big news?”

  “Well it was, but now I’m thinking we’ve got an opportunity here.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “You’ve got keys to all the cottages, right? Why don’t you go in and grab them. Let’s check out her cottage. I heard her telling Aunt Becky how much nicer it is since Carter remodeled it,” she finished, her voice pitching higher to mimic Mandy’s.

  “Are you serious?” I asked, “Why would we want to poke around in her cottage?”

  Hannah shook her head back and forth, looking disappointed. “If you need to ask, then you’re not the cousin I thought I knew so well. She’s hiding something. We both have said as much to each other. Let’s see what’s under her bed.”

  I looked over at Hannah and smirked. “She’s a slob. I’m sure we’ll find a herd of dust bunnies under her bed,” I replied, but we headed up to the house so I could grab my keys. Hannah was right. She knew me well. I kicked myself in the ass for not thinking of it first.

  We were inside Mandy’s cottage, tiptoeing around like thieves in the night. Hannah had knocked on the door of Carter’s cottage first to make sure he wasn’t there before we backtracked the ten yards to Mandy’s.

  “Wow, you were right,” Hannah whispered, “She is a slob.”

  “Why are you whispering, Hannah? There’s nobody here,” I giggled heading into the kitchen. There was no doubt that the upgrades to the cottage had made it nice. New countertop, sink and fixtures in the kitchenette, as well as overhead lighting. “Nice,” I commented, looking at the stuff strewn all over her counter. There were gossip magazines, snack wrappers and empty Diet Coke cans. A couple bottles of nail polish, and a used tissue balled up.

  I checked the fridge. Junk food, and a couple bottles of wine that had been opened. She was drinking while pregnant?
How reckless was that?

  Hannah was already checking out the bedroom by the time I walked in there. As I stepped through the doorway, she whirled around, holding up a pair of men’s underwear. “Look,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “God, tell me these aren’t Bryce’s,” she continued, tossing them over at me.

  “Eww… no,” I said, stepping aside so they fell to the floor. “Nope. He doesn’t wear tighty-whities. And for God’s sake he wipes his ass,” I finished, pointing downward at the underwear now pooled on the floor. A racing stripe was clearly visible.

  “Oh yuck,” Hannah said, wiping her hands down the sides of her jeans, “I didn’t see that.”

  We both giggled and then stopped at the same time. “Then who?” she asked.

  “Somebody from the Belle, maybe?” I suggested. “She works over there now. Lots of guys working in the stables.”

  “Or maybe somebody right next door,” she offered, arching an eyebrow, and tossing her thumb in the direction of Carter Sims’ cottage.

  “Carter Sims? He’s kind of old for her, isn’t he?” I replied. And I took a few seconds to ponder the possibility. “But maybe, who knows? Shit, she’s out to here pregnant,” I replied, my hands showing just how big her tummy was, “How in the hell would they even… do it?”

  Hannah rolled her eyes as she pulled open a dresser drawer rummaging through it, “Leave it to you to question the logistics. The real news is that she’s got a guy in her life. And how does that happen when you come from nowhere with nothing?”

  Hannah was right. “Let’s keep digging.” I moved to the closet, pulling open the bi-fold doors. Several pairs of shoes were on the floor. A laundry basket of dirty clothes next to them, and an assortment of shirts, sweaters, jeans and a couple of long skirts.

  “Shit look at this,” Hannah said from behind me. I whirled around to see she’d lifted the corner of the bed mattress and was thumbing through a stack of money. “There’s eighteen hundred bucks here! How much is Aunt Becky paying her?” she asked.

  “Not nearly enough for her to have earned that over the past month,” I replied. Hannah replaced it and we checked out the bathroom and living room with nothing more uncovered.

  “So, we got men’s undies and a stack of money. Guess it doesn’t prove anything illegal, but it sure does make the plot thicken around this bitch,” Hannah said as we locked the cottage and snuck back down the path towards the barn. “What do you think?”

  “I think we need to keep a closer eye on her comings and goings,” I said. “We’re off all this week. You up for it?”

  “Count me in. And hey, you’re coming to our house with Grandma and Grandpa for Thanksgiving, right? Are your parents coming up?”

  “Yep. Mom called me yesterday and she and Daddy are coming up on Wednesday. So, we’ll all be there.”

  “You know there’s always room for one more if you want to ask Bryce.”

  “Are you serious?” I asked. “I’m not about to have him in the same room as Daddy.”

  “Hey, c’mon! Your dad is a judge for heaven’s sake! He more than anyone subscribes to the fundamental presumption of innocence, right?”

  “Yeah. He does. I’m just not sure if he applies that to his daughters,” I replied meekly. “I would like to reach out to Bryce. I can’t continue with this casting him off charade. Even I don’t believe it.”

  “Good for you. Ask him, Avery. I think you know by now the poor guy is between a rock and a hard place. Give him some softness.”

  And with that I knew that I would.

  Chapter 27

  Bryce

  Thanksgiving Day

  I was kicking my ass for accepting Avery’s invitation to have Thanksgiving with her whole family. The truth was, I was so damned grateful she hadn’t totally written me off that I didn’t stop to think about what type of climate I was going to be walking into this afternoon.

  I was checking the feed and the water in the barn when the door opened and I heard Mandy’s voice, “Bryce?”

  “I’m over here,” I called out, “Over with Tula and Baron.”

  “I might have known,” she remarked. “You act like those horses are yours. I sure hope you bond with our baby half as much as you have with these two,” she said, nodding toward the stalls. “Baron looks like he’s doing well with eating on his own now. I guess it won’t be long before he finds a new home, right?”

  I felt my jaw tighten. “What is it you need, Mandy? I need to finish up here and go up to my cabin and clean up.”

  “Oh? Big Thanksgiving plans?”

  I didn’t respond to the bait.

  “The reason I was looking for you is I wondered if you wanted to stop by my place for dinner. It’s not the traditional Thanksgiving spread, but I did get a baked chicken and some potato salad from the deli if you’d like to—”

  “Got plans, but thanks anyway,” I interrupted. This was a first. I hadn’t seen her since she’d moved to her own cottage. I presumed if she needed anything she wouldn’t be shy about asking. “Have you seen a doctor yet?”

  “Plans, huh? Must be nice to still have a social life, Bryce,” she snapped. “And no, I haven’t seen a doctor yet. I’ll get to it when I can. No need to worry yourself. Your concern is really overwhelming. Have a nice fucking day.”

  She turned on her heel and stomped out of the barn. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. What the hell was I supposed to do? We weren’t in love; we’d never really even been in “like.” It was just a random hookup that now might change my life forever. I could handle that. What I couldn’t handle was a package deal that included Mandy. I actually looked forward to the birth of this baby so I would finally know the truth.

  I’d insisted on picking up Avery before driving over to her aunt and uncle’s place. She’d tried to protest, but I’d put my foot down with her. “You invited me to dinner as your date. A date picks up the girl, and drives to the destination. That’s just how it is Avery. This is non-negotiable.”

  “Wow, play the alpha card much?” she said with a pout, but a smile soon followed. “Fine, you win this time.”

  The afternoon hadn’t gone bad at all. Tristan and I had always been cool with each other. We talked a bit about Baron and the upcoming sale. He was pleased with the progress I’d made in getting him weaned. “You’ve done good, Bryce. I couldn’t have done better myself.”

  Avery’s mom, sister and brother were cool. Her dad though was another story. I didn’t miss a couple of the glares he’d tossed my way before I finally made my way over to him, holding out my hand. “It’s nice to see you again, Judge Sinclair.”

  Avery was at my side immediately. She must’ve thought a storm was brewing, but it wasn’t necessary. Her father promptly shook my hand and asked me how things were going. I filled him in on ranch stuff, but as soon as Avery stepped away he was quick to clarify. “I meant how are things going with the girl who showed up at our door looking for you?”

  “She’s staying in her own cabin. She’s helping out in the office. We’re not involved, Sir. But if her claims are true, I won’t shirk my responsibility to the child.”

  “That’s well and good, Bryce, and I hope things work out for all concerned, but I won’t see Avery hurt by your past. Just know that.”

  “Understood, Sir. It’s never been my intention to hurt her—or anyone else. Avery is special to me as well. I know you don’t know me, but please, trust me to do right by her.”

  “I will until you give me reason not to, that’s all I can promise.”

  And with that he walked away. I knew he was aware of my old reputation, but I wasn’t that person any longer and in time, he would see that as well.

  I was still thinking those thoughts when my cell rang. I’d already talked to my mom and dad today. The number that came up had the same area code as theirs, but it was a number I didn’t know, so I let it go to voicemail.

  We got through dinner. Avery was sea
ted on one side, and Hannah on the other. The banter between all the chicks was pretty entertaining. The afternoon went well, and as I said my thanks to our hosts and helped Avery on with her coat, her mother came up to me with a paper plate wrapped in foil, insisting I take it home.

  Once in my truck, Avery let out a sigh. “You’ve definitely won Mom over.”

  “Yeah? Well I won’t count it as a total win until I do the same with your father,” I replied, starting the truck. “But I aim to do just that.”

  Chapter 28

  Avery

  Okay so Bryce was a perfect date at Thanksgiving dinner. Too perfect if that was possible. It was strained at first around my family. Well not Aunt Gina and Uncle Tristan, or the kids, but I wasn’t sure how Mom and Dad would be even though I’d given them advanced notice that I was coming with him.

  So we got through it all. My father gave him a few tense moments, but it all worked out. The part that bugged me was when Bryce brought me back home. He walked me to my front door, gave me a kiss and a hug, thanked me and then BOOM, he was gone!

  I guess I had further expectations.

  Needs.

  I’d no sooner settled myself into a sweet bubble bath when my cell phone rang from the bedroom. I grabbed a towel and ran dripping into the next room hoping it was Bryce.

  It was.

  “Hey,” his deep voice said softly, “I just wanted to tell you again what a nice time I had today. I wish… well, I wish it didn’t have to end as soon as it did.”

  My heart fluttered like a million butterflies were trapped inside of it. My pulse raced. The ball was in my court and I was fine with it. “Me too,” I said softly, “Want me to come by?”

  “Can you? What about your folks?”

  “Are you inviting them too?” I asked coyly. His sexy laugh warmed my belly. “Gimme fifteen minutes and I’ll be there.”

  I finished my bath, pulled a sweater and a pair of jeans on and pulled my hair up into a messy bun. It was still damp, but I wasn’t going to waste another ten minutes blow drying it.