by Carsen Taite
Her voice shook, and Peyton could tell she was holding something back, but she didn’t want to push. Not now. Not when all she wanted was to act like neither of them had a care in the world, that they were on their third date, still getting to know each other, still under the spell of an undeniable attraction.
These moments might not constitute a third date, but the electricity between them was more powerful than ever. She wanted to run her hands through Lily’s dark tresses, taste her lips, lose her way in the heady scent of her spicy perfume. The wall she’d erected between them was crumbling, and she was helpless to hold it in place.
As if she could sense her vulnerability, Lily leaned closer. “Peyton?”
“Yes?” The sound of her voice sounded distant, hazy.
“Kiss me. Please.”
She did, and at the first touch of their lips, everything she’d guarded against fell away. Gentle at first, she kissed her way closer, driven by the burn of desire that flooded her entire body. Lily arched against her, and when their tongues met, she groaned with pleasure, losing her mind in the sweet taste of this woman who’d captivated her from the moment they met.
She had no idea how long they’d been kissing before she heard a sharp knock at the door. Lily smiled as she pulled away. “Better get that before someone walks in,” she said.
Peyton kissed her on the cheek. “I suppose. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” She stood and smoothed out the wrinkles in her suit, looking back at Lily and savoring the memory of her touch. She cracked the door and was greeted by Ida’s inquisitive eyes. “Hi, Ida.”
“I rang your desk, but you didn’t answer.”
Peyton willed herself not to blush. “Sorry. What do you need?”
“Your mother needs to talk to you. Said it’s an emergency. Do you want me to put her through?”
Peyton’s thoughts flashed to her father. She glanced back at Lily whose eye’s reflected concern. Lily mouthed “Do you want me to go?” and Peyton shook her head and then turned back to Ida. “Yes, put her through.”
A minute later, with Lily at her side, she picked up the handset. “Mom?”
“Peyton, I know you’re busy, but we’ve got trouble.” Her mother’s voice was calm, but laced with urgency. “Neil’s got a drilling crew here ready to break ground, and Jim’s not taking it well. I suggest you get here as fast as you can.”
Peyton knew her normally stoic mother wouldn’t ask her to come if it weren’t important. Her mind raced as she processed the few words she’d spoken. Neil had apparently chosen to answer her ultimatum with a brazen act. She only hoped her father’s reaction wasn’t threatening his precarious health. “I’ll be right there.”
Lily was still watching her as she hung up the phone. “Are you okay?” she asked.
“I guess today’s the day for family conflict.” She offered a strained smile.
“I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do?”
Peyton looked at the closed door, and then crossed the room and took Lily in her arms. “I have to go.”
“I know.”
“Kissing you. It was—”
Lily placed a finger across her lips. “I imagine you’re going to say it was amazing, but the tone of your voice sounds like a good-bye. You can say good-bye for now, but if you pull that stunt where you promise to call me later, but then you don’t, you’ll be missing many more amazing bouts of kissing. And you don’t want to do that. Are we clear?”
Lily smiled, and Peyton couldn’t help but smile back. “We’re clear.”
“Now go. Deal with whatever you need to. Take as long as you need. I’ll be waiting and, if you need my help, just let me know. Okay?”
Peyton nodded. Seconds later, they walked out of the building together and parted ways, but she knew for sure this time it wasn’t for good.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Peyton skidded her truck to a halt on the gravel drive and slammed it into park. Her mother was waiting on the front porch and Peyton took long strides toward her. “Where is he?”
“They’re setting up below the back pasture. Zach left a little while ago to talk to Neil, but I haven’t heard back from him. Signal’s no good down there.”
Peyton nodded and started to walk back to her truck, but her mother stopped her. “Andy has Ranger saddled and ready to ride. You’ll get there faster if you cut through.”
Peyton paused to consider. Even though the area she was headed to was relatively close to the house and accessible by car, to reach it, she’d have to go back out to the main road and take the long way around. “Good thinking.” She jerked her chin toward the house. “What about Dad?”
“He’s settled down. Neil asked him to sign some papers. I don’t even know what. Your father got agitated and Neil took off.” She clasped her hand on Peyton’s arm. “He’s out of hand.”
“I know. I’ll handle it. Call Roscoe. Ask if he’s up for a house call this weekend. I think it’s time for a family meeting.” She didn’t wait for a reply before heading toward the stables where Andy led Ranger out to meet her.
He handed her the reins, saying only, “He’s been waiting for you.”
Ranger pranced in place like he knew something was up, and after Peyton mounted and gave the signal, he took off like a shot. They breezed past the breeding stables, the grazing pastures, and the hayfields. The view from astride Ranger showcased the timeless wonder of the ranch, and Peyton’s commitment to maintain its glory grew with every gallop.
Just as she’d settled into the ride, they burst into a clearing full of large trucks and workmen. Peyton slowed Ranger to a walk and led him to a man who was holding a tablet and barking out instructions to the other men. She stayed in the saddle as she asked, “You mind telling me what you’re doing here?”
Before he could answer, Zach emerged from behind one of the trucks and walked in her direction. “Hey, Peyton.”
She nodded. “Hey, Zach. You already talk to these gentlemen about how they need to leave?”
He motioned for her to join him over to the side and she dismounted and walked toward him. “What’s up?”
“I’m not sure. I talked to Neil yesterday, and he didn’t mention anything about this, but today after lunch, he blurts out that he’s got to meet some workers down here and then he holed up with Dad for a while and got him all riled.”
“I think he’s still riled. You know what that was about?”
“Not entirely, but I think it has something to do with this.” Zach waved an arm toward the three huge trucks on site. “I just spoke with the foreman, and he’s got papers giving him permission to start setting up a well.”
“We’ll see about that. Where’s Neil?”
“That’s the thing. He’s not here. Foreman said he let them in and then took off.”
Peyton shook her head. “Okay, well, I need you to introduce me to this foreman.” She led Ranger and followed Zach over to the man with the tablet she’d seen when she entered the clearing. He smiled broadly and stuck out his hand.
“Ralph Winters, nice to meet you.”
Peyton shook his hand. “Peyton Davis. I wish I could say it’s nice to meet you too, but truth is I’m here to throw you out.”
Ralph’s smile didn’t falter. “Sorry, ma’am, but we have authority to be here.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out a thin stack of papers. “Mr. Neil Davis signed this agreement, and we’re in the process of setting up a rig. Now, we’re about to be making a lot of noise and I’d rather not spook your horse.”
Peyton took the papers and gave them a cursory glance. Sure enough, Neil had granted access to these contractors with Ray Explorations, but there was another signature on the document that took her by surprise. James Davis. She couldn’t tell if it was really her father’s signature or not—it’d been too long since she’d seen his handwriting. If it wasn’t really his, then Neil had forged his name, and if that were the case, he was a lot further gone than she’d imagined.
She fold
ed the papers and put them in her pocket. “We have a problem. I have reason to believe this agreement isn’t valid, and until it’s settled, I’m going to have to ask you to clear out.”
Ralph’s smile disappeared and his eyes took on a hard edge. “I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
Peyton glanced at Zach and he came over to stand behind her. “I apologize if I made it sound like I was giving you a choice.” She reached into her back pocket and Ralph and his men stiffened. She pulled out her wallet and reached for her badge. She didn’t want to use the trappings of her job for personal matters, but she wanted them gone and she wanted them gone now.
“Neil Davis doesn’t have authority to grant you access. I’ll be back with a court order to that effect, but in the meantime, I don’t think you want to run afoul of law enforcement. They might come looking to make sure this property looks exactly how you found it.” She held up her badge and waited for Ralph to back down.
Didn’t take long. He waved his men back to their trucks. “Fine, but we’ll be back. You can count on it.”
Peyton waited with Zach while Ralph and his men cleared out and then she handed the papers to him. “You know anything about this?”
Zach leafed through the pages, stopping on the signature page. “That looks like Dad’s handwriting, but I can’t swear to it.”
“Dad wouldn’t sign this. Not on his own.”
Zach shook his head. “Maybe Neil made a good case.”
“Maybe Neil made such a good case, Dad didn’t have a clue what he was signing.” She looked at Zach, but he still appeared puzzled, as if he couldn’t understand why she would think things weren’t as they appeared to be. They weren’t going to get to the bottom of this standing in a field. Time for that family meeting.
*
“Why did you volunteer us for this again?”
Lily looked up from the table she’d just arranged and smiled at Courtney who’d just hung the final set of signs by the door to the convention center. They’d spent the last few hours with the rest of their Junior League chapter, helping decorate the venue for their annual holiday bazaar. “I’m trying to keep my mind off a few things, and you’re being a good friend by helping me out.”
“And you thought manual labor was the solution?”
“Oh, please. Don’t act like you’re such a princess,” Lily said. “We both know better.”
Courtney put her hands on her hips. “I’m not a princess, but if you’d asked me, I could’ve listed a million other things we could do to keep your mind off whatever’s bothering you.”
“Like shopping?”
“Maybe. Don’t knock the restorative powers of a day at Neiman’s.”
“All a day of high-end shopping would do for me is to drain my already dangerously low savings.”
“Something you’re not telling me?” Courtney asked. “Do I need to sell my oil company shares?”
“The family business is fine.”
“Whew. Now, if you would only dip into your trust, you wouldn’t have to worry so much. I know you’re feeling conflicted about it, but your grandfather wanted you to have that money.”
Lily knew she meant well, but Courtney had never understood her reluctance to embrace the trappings of her family’s wealth. “I’m not giving up my trust, but I’m also not touching it. I have enough of my own hard-earned savings to keep me afloat for a while.”
“Then why are you so hell-bent on keeping the trust if you’re not going to use it?”
While they’d been setting up, she’d shared some of the details of the waiver her father and Nester had asked her to sign and her reasons for holding off. “Just because I don’t want to use it now doesn’t mean I won’t want to pass it along someday.”
Courtney punched her in the arm. “I get it. Future Gantry-Davis babies. You and Peyton will be the best looking parents at the PTA.”
“Don’t be silly.”
“Tell me you haven’t thought about a future with her.”
“Oh, I’ve thought about it all right, but we’re a long way from making babies. I don’t even know if she wants children.”
“Then you better start asking. Do you two have plans tonight?”
“No. There’s something going on at the ranch and she needed to be there.” Peyton had called on Saturday just to check in, but their conversation hadn’t included any mention of whatever was going on. Lily was very curious, but she kept waiting for Peyton to bring up the subject. “Did Zach mention anything to you?”
“Nothing specific. He did cancel our date yesterday, but I’m supposed to see him later today. He said he’d call when he broke free.” Courtney’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I have an idea. Why don’t we both go out to the ranch and surprise them?”
“No.” Lily had a feeling Peyton wasn’t big on surprises. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Sure it is. He’s been promising me a tour of the place, which I hope is code for finding a secluded area to make out.”
“What are you, sixteen? Besides, I got the impression things were a little heated out there. Probably not the best time for guests.”
“Surely whatever was going on has blown over by now. Guests are good diversions. We’ll pick up one of those chocolate seduction cakes from Breadwinners. Who’s going to turn away guests bearing dessert?”
Courtney had a point. What was the worst thing that could happen? Peyton could turn her away, but after yesterday’s kiss, that didn’t seem likely. She spent the next few seconds reliving the feel of Peyton’s lips on hers, strong and sure, tender and soft. She savored the memory of being wrapped in Peyton’s warm embrace, and all she could think about was seeing her again. Soon.
She held up her hands in mock surrender. “It’s a date.”
*
Peyton promised Bianca she’d be back at the office on Tuesday, and then she hung up the phone. Bianca had assured her the task force had been working around the clock since Friday in an attempt to find concrete evidence to tie the Vargas brothers to Cyrus Gantry. She itched to be back at the office, but instead she’d spent the weekend with her mother, reviewing all of the business records for Circle Six and developing a plan of action to wrest control from Neil. Bianca’s update made her feel even more guilty about staying here at the ranch, but family came first, and Bianca had assured her they had things under control.
What wasn’t under control was the operation of the ranch. Understandably, her mother had let Neil take a bigger role in ranch operations when her father fell ill, but he’d run up the debt in a way that was unsustainable. Likely, he thought this oil deal would be the quick and easy solution to the problem he’d created.
In the midst of her musings, Peyton heard a car approaching and looked at her watch. Roscoe had said he’d be there at four, but it was only two o’clock. She strode to the window, held back the curtain, and looked outside, surprised to see Lily’s car parked in the drive. As Lily stepped out of the driver’s side, Peyton felt a swirl of emotions. She touched her lips and resurrected the burning passion of that first embrace. All she’d wanted to do since Friday was go to her, kiss her again, and forget everything having to do with the ranch, her feud with Neil, and the investigation into Lily’s father. But, out of a sense of duty, she’d resisted. She had to get her own life in order before she could find room for Lily to be a part of it. More importantly, she’d have to tell Lily about her father, even if it meant risking fallout on the job.
But right now, all she wanted was to hold Lily in her arms and pretend everything around them was settled and sure. She dropped the curtain, walked to the front door, and swung it wide to find Lily standing on the front porch with Courtney Pearson beside her.
Lily could tell from Peyton’s expression the impromptu visit was a bad idea. She tried to catch Courtney’s eyes to signal they should leave, but after a quick hello, good to see you, Courtney plowed her way into the Davis house and Lily had no choice but to follow.
“I
s Zach here?” Courtney asked.
“He’s out back,” Peyton said. “I can walk you out there.”
Courtney smiled brightly. “I can find my way. Besides, I think Lily would like some time alone with you.”
Lily watched, mortified, as Courtney flounced out of the room. She closed her eyes for a second, hoping she might melt into the floor, before facing Peyton. “I’m sorry about that. She can be a bit…”
“Forward?”
“That’s a nice way of putting it.”
Peyton stepped closer and her voice was barely a whisper. “Forward can be nice.”
“I suppose. If you like that sort of thing.”
“I’m glad you’re here.”
“You didn’t look glad when you opened the door.”
“I’m sorry. It’s been a trying weekend and we have an appointment in just a bit. When I heard the car pull up, I thought you were the family attorney.”
“An attorney needs an attorney? Sounds serious.” A shadow crossed Peyton’s face, and Lily regretted her teasing tone. “Now it’s my turn to be sorry. We shouldn’t have just dropped by. I promise you I was raised better than that. I’ll go get Courtney and we’ll get out of your hair.” She took a step, but Peyton touched her on the arm.
“Wait.”
She looked back and tried to read the expression in Peyton’s eyes. Longing mixed with regret. Did she really want her to stay or was she just being polite?
As if she could read her mind, Peyton said, “I’m glad you’re here. Seeing you…well, seeing you makes me happy.” She pointed to the cake box Lily was still holding. “Besides, I’m very curious about what’s in that box.”
Lily could tell Peyton was torn about something, but she was equally certain Peyton really was glad to see her, and she resolved to enjoy the moment. She thrust the box at Peyton. “It’s called chocolate seduction. We brought it for the whole family, but having just said the name out loud, I feel a little foolish.”
Peyton grinned. “Maybe I’ll hide this in my room and pretend you brought it just for me.”
“Only if we can eat it together.” Lily covered her mouth. “Sorry, again. I seem to have a knack for putting my foot in my mouth around you.”