by Ciana Stone
*****
"Oh hell," Riley caught her as she fell and lifted her into his arms. She hung there, limp.
"Maybe you better run her over to Doc's." Tom suggested.
"Billy's is closer. Call Doc and have him meet us there."
"Will do."
Riley started in the direction of Billy's house, which was less than a block away. Hannah was just getting out of her car when he strode into the yard. "Oh my god! Riley, what happened?"
"Woman passed out. Can I use your sofa?"
"Of course!" Hannah hurried up the front steps to open the door, yelling for her mother. "Mama! Call Doc. Someone's hurt."
Stella ran into the front room as Riley was easing Analise onto the sofa. "What happened?"
"Her vehicle broke down in town. Tom and I went to check it out and when we walked up she fainted."
"Let me get a cool cloth. Be right back." Stella hurried off.
"I'll get water and call Doc." Hannah hurried off as well.
Riley didn't quite know what to do, so he sat on the edge of the sofa beside Analise. She was prettier in person than in the photo she'd sent with her and the voodoo doll. He knew she was in her early 40's but she looked younger.
As he watched her, her eyes fluttered and opened. The moment her gaze landed on him her eyes flew open wide and she gasped. "Oh my God."
"Are you okay? Do you hurt anywhere?"
"Here honey." Stella hurried in with a cool cloth and placed it on Analise's forehead. "Now you just lie still ‘til the doctor gets here. You want some water?"
"No. Thank you."
"Okay. I'll be on the porch watching for the doctor. Riley you yell if she needs anything, hear?"
"Yes ma'am." He turned his gaze from Stella to Analise. "You okay, Annie?"
Analise couldn't form any more words. Her brain simply wasn't prepared to see Nate Bridges sitting there looking at her. This had to be a dream. Oh god, what if she had been in an accident and was hallucinating as her body was shutting down. Was she dying? That made her break out in shivers and a sweat at the same time.
"Analise, are you okay? Can you talk?"
She managed to shake her head back and forth in quick jerks. Nate reached to take her hand. "Squeeze my hand if you understand."
Squeeze my hand? For the love of God, she could barely breathe. Nate Bridges was holding her hand.
"Listen to me. It's Riley. You're in Cotton Creek and your rig broke down. You fainted. But you're safe. I just need you to squeeze my hand if you understand what I'm saying."
Blood must have returned to her brain, or her neurons had started firing again because she had least had the where-with-all to follow his instructions. She squeezed his hand and was rewarded with a smile that literally took her breath away.
But it couldn't be real. Her friend Riley was a rancher in a small town, a man who had cattle and played in a little hometown band and made furniture. The man sitting beside her, holding her hand was a movie star.
The longer she lay there staring at him, the more questions her mind conjured up. Why was he playing this game with her? Where was she and why was he pretending to be her friend, Riley? Finally curiosity overpowered shock and she opened her mouth. "Who are you?"
"Riley. Analise it's me, Riley Morgan."
"No." She pulled her hand away from his and pushed into a sitting position. "No, you're not Riley. You're …. You're …"
"Riley."
"No!" She pushed him out of the way so she could stand. "My friend Riley isn't … isn't …"
"Isn't what?" He stood to face her, forcing her to tilt her head back to look up and meet his eyes.
"Isn't you!"
"Well, if I'm not me then who am I?" God help her it was Nate Bridges. She’d listened to that voice a thousand times.
"You know who you are. You're him."
"Him who?"
"Nate Bridges!"
Riley physically stepped back at that. He didn't know whether to turn tail and run, lie to her face or fess up and tell the truth. For a few moments they just stared at one another. Her with her fists clenched by her sides, face flushed and her chest rising and falling rapidly – and him feeling like the last tin can standing on the wall at target practice.
Finally he blew out his breath, swept off his hat and ran his hand back through his hair. "I'm not Nate Bridges, Analise. At least not anymore. And my real name is Riley Morgan. I haven't been Nate Bridges in a long time."
He could tell that she wasn't buying it by the way she shook her head and held her hands up in front of her like she was warding off an attacker. "No. Oh no. This can't be happening. You can't be Riley."
"Well sure I can, Annie." He gave her a smile. "The same Riley who told you how to stain your treasure box, and what calving season is and –"
"Oh. My. God." She took a step back. "You're him. I mean it is you. But you're him, too."
"Yeah, I guess I am."
Analise didn't know why but all of a sudden she was furious. Maybe it was precipitated by embarrassment. She had just gushed, after all, like a star-struck teenager. And God only knew that if the energy of the fantasies she'd had about Nate Bridges were turned to fuel, she could power a damn nuclear submarine.
And then there was the fact that he hadn't bothered to tell her that he was a freaking movie star.
"Well you could've been honest about it."
"Pardon?"
"About who you really are? I mean here for over a year I thought I was talking with some rancher from Bumfuck, Texas. Some guy who for whatever reason didn't have a family and was all alone, but knew a lot about ranching and making furniture and who was polite and kind and made me laugh and someone who-"
"Hold on there, Turbo, you might want to take a breath."
As much as she hated it, that sounded exactly like her friend Riley. She threw up her hands and made a loud roaring sound. "Do not be cute with me, Riley Morgan. I mean it. I thought you were just a regular guy, someone who was my friend and someone I'd come to care about."
"Well, I appreciate that, Annie, and I thought we were friends too."
"But not good enough friends to tell me the truth about who you are? Seriously. You invited me here. Surely you had to have known I would recognize you? For Christ's sakes, you're Nate Fucking Bridges!"
His jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed, and for the life of her she couldn't help but see Nate Bridges as he'd appear on film, that look he'd get right before he ripped into someone. It both excited and terrified her. Without being aware of it, she took two steps back and bumped into the couch.
Riley’s saw the fear on her face and it smothered the irritation gnawing at him. In a way she was right. He had deliberately kept that part of his life secret from her. But in his own defense, she was just a woman he chatted with online so what did he really owe her? That thought boosted his resolve not to feel guilty, but the fear on her face and the way she moved away from him cut right through his indignation.
"I'm sorry, Annie. You're right. I am Nate. At least that's my stage name. But I left that life behind almost a decade ago and now I'm just Riley. I didn't set out to deceive you, but honestly, I didn't know you. We're internet friends and you – well you could have been anyone for all I knew."
She crossed her arms in front of her chest, a move he'd seen more than once in his life and one that spelled trouble. When a woman did that, it was a pretty sure bet she wasn't letting whatever you were saying get in.
"Well, maybe so." Her words surprised him. "But … but God in heaven, it's sure not what I expected when I came here to meet my internet buddy."
Riley chuckled. "I guess not."
"So what now?"
"Pardon?"
"What now? I mean, I don't even know what to say to you. You might be plain old Riley to yourself but when I look at you I see Nate Bridges."
"And I can't be both?" Hell fire. Was his past going to screw up their friendship?
"Well … well yes, of course. I mean
you are, but it's different for me. I came here expecting to meet a middle-aged man with a kind heart, a good sense of humor and probably sporting a Texas- sized beer belly and not much hair."
That gave Riley a chuckle. "So you're saying I'm a disappointment?"
"Oh screw you, Riley. You know that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that it's hard to be normal around a heart-throb movie star."
He shouldn’t have let the heart-throb bit pump his ego but it did a bit. It’d been a while since a woman saw him in that light. "But I'm not anymore."
Her stance changed. The defenses came down, along with her arms. "You are to me."
The moment the words were out of her mouth looked away, towards the window.
A few seconds later, the sound of feet pounding up the steps had her turning her gaze toward the front door. It banged open and the dark-haired woman skidded to a stop in the room, breathing hard. She looked from Riley to Analise.
"Analise?"
"Yes."
"I'm Cody."
That brought the first smile to her face since she'd entered Cotton Creek. "Cody!" She ran to meet her and they collided in a bouncing, dancing hug. When they broke apart, Cody eyed her and grinned.
"Oh my god, I thought you'd be taller!"
"I thought you would too!"
"I haz a big aura." Cody grinned and cut her eyes at Riley. "What's up with you?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing? Then why're you scowling?"
"I'm not."
"Like hell. Okay, someone said something about an accident but ya'll look okay so what gives?"
"My RV broke down."
"Oh shit. Where?"
"At the edge of town."
"Well shit. Riley, did you call Jimmy?"
"No, I –"
"Well damn, why not?" She looked at Analise. "Jimmy Johnson. Yeah, really. Just like the Nascar racer. Anyway, he owns the body shop and he can fix anything."
"I don't know if he can fix this."
"Why? You didn't total it did you?"
"No. The engine fell out."
Cody looked from her to Riley and back to her. "Say what?"
"The engine fell out."
"As in fell out?"
"As in laying on the pavement fell out." Riley offered.
"Well damn. Still, Riley call Jimmy and tell him to get it and take it to his place. If it can be fixed then Jimmy can fix it. Now, where were you planning on staying, Analise?"
"Is there a hotel here?"
"Nope."
"Oh, well, I'd planned on staying in my RV."
"Not gonna happen. You'll stay with me at the ranch."
"Cody I can't put you out like—"
"You're not. You'll stay with me and that's that. Now where are your things?"
"In the RV."
"Riley—"
"Cody, quit ordering me around."
Cody slammed her mouth closed and threw her hands on her hips. A second later she looked toward the front door."I can hear you Mama."
Stella and Hannah eased around from the front door. "We didn't want to interrupt." Hannah said. "You and Riley—"
"Her and Riley what?" Cody asked.
Stella and Hannah looked at one another and then at Riley. "Well?" Cody asked. "Will someone please tell me what's going on?"
Riley slammed his hat on his head. "Annie didn't realize I used to act."
"Oooooh." Cody drew out the word for a good three seconds and then frowned. "Why'd you call her Annie?"
"She looks like an Annie."
"Oooooh." Another drawn out syllable had Analise noticing the way Stella and Hannah glanced at one another and then at Cody. That look said something but what? She made a mental note to ask Cody later.
"Yes. He neglected to share that irrelevant bit of information."
“Oooh sarcasm. I love it.” Cody laughed and looped her arm across the top of Analise's shoulders. "Come on. Walk with me over to the bar. W'll take my truck and get your stuff from your camper and take it to the ranch."
"But I called Doc." Hannah said.
"She's fine." Cody dismissed it but then looked at Analise. "I mean, you are, aren't you?"
"Yes. Quite."
"Well, all righty then. Riley, you're calling Jimmy, right?"
"Yep."
"Okay, then we'll see y’all later."
With that she turned Analise and steered her out of the door. Once they were on the sidewalk, Analise looked over at her. "Jesus, Cody. He's Nate Fucking Bridges!"
Cody burst out laughing. "Ah ha! I knew it. You have a thing for him, don't you?"
"Who? Riley or Nate?"
"Well both, but since you never saw Riley before, let's say Nate. He does it for you doesn't he?"
Analise blew out a breath. "You have no idea."
Chapter Seven
Rodrick's father, Robert, waited until dinner was concluded and the men were in his private study with brandy and cigars. He closed the door and took a seat in front of the fireplace. Rodrick and Rolf settled onto the sofa.
"Rodrick, as you know we've run into a spot of trouble." Robert opened the conversation.
His father’s description annoyed him. It was more than a spot of trouble."You mean the FTC charges."
"Precisely. It appears that indictments will be handed down and there's a strong possibility that we could suffer – what did you call it Rolf?"
"A raid." The expression on Rolf’s face heightened his irritation.
"Who would—"
"Department of Justice."
"You mean the FBI?" Rodrick struggled to keep the fear out of his voice despite the desperation that tightened around his chest
"Yes."
That word echoed like a death knell in his head and Rodrick turned his attention to this father. "The last time we spoke you assured me that you and Rolf had things under control and that even if indictments were issued, we were protected. Is that still the case?"
"Not entirely." Robert dragged on his cigar and exhaled a billowing plume of smoke. "Unfortunately, we can't prevent them from tracing certain transactions. Rolf is working to hide what we can, but if they look – and they will – there will be evidence that incriminates us."
"I hope you have a plan."
"We do."
"We?"
"Rolf and I have been discussing this at length for some time. We must preserve the company at all costs. That's priority number one. Just as we must insure that our more – shall we say – volatile clients see the return of their investments. But as your brother pointed out we also have to give the Feds something or someone to hang their hat on. Someone to, as is said in the movies, take the fall. "For the greater good, of course."
"You mean Rolf."
"No, Rodrick. I mean you."
"Me? Why me? Rolf's the one responsible for bringing in gangsters. Let him take the fall. Or you."
"I'm too old and have a long-standing reputation. And Rolf has children."
"As do I."
"One. In college. Rolf's family is much younger. They need their father at home. He needs to be there with his wife. Unless I’ve been misinformed, your wife has left you."
"That still doesn't mean –"
"I am not asking. We will make sure the company survives and you will be well provided for, but you must do your part."
"You mean go to prison for something I didn't do?." Rodrick slammed his brandy glass down on the table and stood. "I won't do it." He pointed his finger at Rolf. "This is your mess, you own up to it."
"You aren't without guilt, big brother. Shall I remind you of the millions you funneled off Moretti?"
"I didn't know he was a crime lord. You told me he was legitimate."
"Some of his interests are."
"But not all."
"No, not all." Robert agreed. "Nevertheless, as your brother stated, you are not without guilt. And Moretti poses as much of a threat to the family as the government. He's made his position clear. Return his investment – t
o the penny or he won't only help to shut us down, he'll eliminate us."
"Eliminate? As in kill?"
"That was I took from the conversation, yes."
"So how are you going to get him his money?"
"Dear boy, I am not. You are. You took it, you put it back."
"I don't have it!"
"Then who does?"
"Analise. Well, actually David. She took half of it and put it into a trust for him."
"Then I strongly suggest that your first course of action is to get it back."
"And then go to prison?."
"If it comes to that, yes. Come now, Rodrick. Should you go to prison, it's highly unlikely that you'd be there for more than a few years. And it's not as if you would be sent somewhere that hardened criminals such as murderers and terrorists are housed. For god's sakes, act like a man for once in your life."
Rodrick was dumbstruck. "Act like a man? How dare you? How dare either of you sit there and tell me you're going to frame me for the shit you got us into? What if I say no? What then?"
“The decision has been made. If anyone looks, the trail will lead to you. Denying it will serve no purpose. It's done. You will be amply rewarded."
"Fuck you." Rodrick couldn't believe what he was hearing. What made it worse was the smug smile on his brother's face. "Fuck both of you."
With that, he stormed out of the house and jumped in his car. The moment he did, he pulled out his phone and called Gina. "I need to see you. Now."
Seconds later he roared down the drive of the estate, headed for the city. His mind whirled with futy. He had to come up with a way to thwart his father's plan because there was no way in hell he was going to prison.
*****
Riley spotted Cody when he pulled up at the ranch house. She was standing outside the paddock, one booted foot on the bottom rail of the fence, leaning on the top rail. He climbed out of the truck and made his way across the uneven ground.
He hadn't seen Analise since the day she arrived in Cotton Creek. They had texted a few times and had spoken once on the phone, but things felt strained and uncomfortable. That kicked him in the gut. Damn if he didn’t miss taking to her over the ‘net.