Destiny Wears Spurs

by Harmon, Kari Lee

  Nat speechless? Monica thought. That was a first.

  “Why not? You’ve been like a second daughter to me for so long, and we all know you’re more than qualified. Hell, you’re the most qualified. The position’s yours if you want it.”

  “Hell, yes,” Natalie blurted. “I mean, thank you sir, I’d be honored.” Her gaze shot to Monica. “That is if you don’t want it.”

  “Congratulations, Nat. You deserve it.” Monica gave her a hug. “You’d be doing me a favor.”

  “I can’t believe it. I can’t wait to call Drew.” Nat hurried out of the board room toward her office.

  “Now that that’s settled, what about you, Monica? Isn’t it time you did what you wanted for a change?”

  “I just wanted to help you. I don’t know what’s next for me.”

  “Consider me helped. Now, stop worrying about me. Just know that whatever you decide to do with your life, I’ll be right here to support you.”

  “Thanks, Dad. That means more than you’ll ever know.” She gave him a hug and kissed his cheek, stepping back to say, “Let’s eat. I’m starved. Firing idiots gives me an appetite.”

  * * *

  Wendell closed his office door as security waited for him in the hall. He slammed down a box on his desk and proceeded to stuff his belongings inside when his cell phone rang. Great, just what he needed. “What?” he snapped.

  “Don’t you take that tone with me. What crawled up your ass and died?” his father asked.

  “My career, that’s what.”

  “What do you mean your career?” Charles went into a coughing fit.

  Wendell closed his eyes with dread. Telling his father he’d failed would undoubtedly push him over the edge. “Hammond canned me. He found out about all of it.”

  “But ... but ... it can’t be over. What are we going to do?” His father barely whispered, sounding weaker than he’d ever heard him.

  Rage filled Wendell. “There’s nothing we can do because of that little bitch. They think they are so smart, but they can’t hold a candle to me. I went to Harvard, for Christ’s sake.”

  “A lot of good it does you now. I’m going to die, never having seen justice. I hope you can live with yourself.”

  “Dammit, I did everything I could. What the hell do you want from me?” Wendell had spent a good share of his life building a career he didn’t even want, just to avenge his father. “I wasted years on these idiots, and they don’t give a damn about me.” Not that he cared about them, but he cared about his father. Just once, he’d like to hear Charles Miller say he was proud of him.

  “You failed me. I knew I couldn’t count on you.” Charles’s voice was void of emotion. “You’re dead to me, just as I will be to you before long.”

  Wendell swallowed hard and tried not to let his emotions consume him. “It’s not over. Somehow, I’ll make them pay.”

  A pause filled the line. “How? What are you going to do?”

  “I’m sure as hell not going to start over.” Wendell continued around the room, cleaning out closets, filing cabinets, desk drawers, basically everything, as he talked. “I’ll be damned if I leave them anything. All of the work I’ve done, all of my contacts, all of the potential clients. They’re all going with me.” Where the hell was it? “Shit.”

  “What?”

  “Someone took one of my files.” He slammed his fist on the desk. “Goddammit.”

  “Maybe another company will hire you, and you can take Hammond down bit by bit.”

  “You bet your ass they will. And then I’ll find a way to ruin his company for good. They aren’t going to get away with this. Not if I have anything to say about it.”

  “Well, make it quick. I don’t have much time left.”

  “It may take longer now that I don’t have that file, but I’ll find a way. I promise. I’ll catch up with you later.” Wendell snapped his cell phone closed and gritted his teeth until his molars ached. Hammond had known about Worldwide Pharmaceuticals, yet even after firing him, he still hadn’t called the cops. The only reason he’d been fired in the first place was because of one person. Monica.

  If she hadn’t gotten suspicious, Hammond wouldn’t have started digging. It was because of Monica, and the ridiculous deal she’d made with her father, that Wendell had lost his spot in running the agency. Because of her, he was out of a job.

  A rage like he’d never known filled him. He was shrewd and conniving, but he’d never been violent. Until now. He wanted her to pay for what she’d done to him. He wanted her to lose everything like he had. He wanted her to hurt. And he wouldn’t rest until she did.

  Feeling better than he had all morning, he grabbed his overcoat and briefcase. Then he picked up his box of belongings and sailed out the door of Hammond’s Advertising Agency for good.

  But not out of Monica Hammond’s life.

  * * *

  Monica couldn’t believe it. Cody had actually liked her campaign and was planning on using it. He’d lied to her, yes, but now that she knew why, she could understand. She should have listened to him when he’d tried to tell her.

  She’d been doing a lot of thinking the past couple of days. Nat was right. Cody had lied about loving her to protect himself. He had to have known she would be devastated when she found out the truth, but what he hadn’t counted on was her understanding. She would do anything for her father. She should have known Cody would do the same for his.

  God, her heart ached without him. She remembered the intense way he looked at her and felt its impact clear to her soul. And the tender way he touched her made her tingle all over. She missed the way his face lit up when he talked about his land, and the fact that he’d do anything for his men moved her deeply. She even missed his moodiness. She loved him. She even loved the country, and she’d never thought in a million years that she would want to live in small-town USA. The fresh air, the amazing view, the wide-open beauty that stretched on for miles. Her life had gotten crazy since she’d left. She’d give anything for the peace and quiet of the ranch right now.

  And Buggy. Oh, how she missed her baby. Poor thing probably thought she’d abandoned him for good. She hadn’t even said good-bye.

  Monica had fought hard to save her father’s company, so why not fight harder for something she wanted even more? Her father had said he would support whatever she wanted to do. He’d said so the day he’d given her his blessing to live her own life. And he liked Cody, which was a huge plus. Her father didn’t like many people.

  So she’d decided it was time. Time to live out her dream. She’d contacted an art gallery in Denver and set up an appointment to meet with the director to show them her drawings. Now she just had to go back to Colorado and get them. And while she was there, it wouldn’t hurt to try to convince Cody she belonged on the ranch. She planned to just show up because if he knew what she was up to, he’d never let her come. Well, she could be as stubborn as he was.

  Now, about another matter that had been plaguing her lately. She stared at the wall clock, pacing around her living room, wondering if it could be possible. One minute had gone by, but it seemed like an eternity. The instructions said wait three minutes. She wasn’t taking any chances. She was waiting five. She hoped she did it right. She was so nervous. She had to be sure. She glanced at the clock again.

  Two minutes.

  This test wouldn’t change a thing. She had already decided to fight for Cody, but it would be a wonderful gift she could give him.

  Three minutes.

  She loved him and knew he was the only man for her. And she’d show him this city chick belonged right by his side, whether he liked it or not.

  Four minutes.

  Who said the man had to come after the woman? It was a new age. Why couldn’t she go to him, sweep him off his feet and ride off--okay, maybe drive off--into the sunset? She still wasn’t that good with a horse ... yet.

  Life without him was unbearable. The thought of never seeing his face, never hearing
his voice, never touching his body ... never, ever making love so beautifully again took her breath away. She couldn’t do it. She could not, would not live a life filled with that kind of pain.

  Five minutes.

  Taking a deep breath, she walked into the bathroom to check the test. There, before her, were two pink lines forming a plus sign. As she looked at herself in the mirror, the realization struck that she had Cody’s baby tucked deep inside her womb. A burst of pure joy spread through her, welling up in her throat and bringing tears of wonder to her eyes.

  She was going to have a baby.

  They’d used protection, but apparently she was the one percent it didn’t work for. And her cycle was never regular, so she hadn’t thought anything of it when she was two weeks late. It was only when she’d gotten sick to her stomach and her breasts had grown tender that she began to wonder. Her smile grew bigger as she repeated to herself, “I’m going to have a baby. Me, a mom. Wow. Who would have pictured that just a few short months ago?”

  Then again, who would have pictured her falling in love with a cowboy? Time to pack her bags and follow her passion, because like the slogan said ... her destiny awaited her at Rafferty’s Remote Ranch.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Cody hung a large picture of the Rocky Mountains on his office wall. It covered the hole he’d punched through it the day Monica had left him. One miserable week ago.

  That same day, he’d called her father. He told him he loved the campaign she had come up with, and that he planned to use it whether Hammond liked it or not. She was damn good, and he ought to take her more seriously. Her father had filled him in on Wendell and what he planned to do at the meeting. At the time it had assuaged Cody’s guilt, but it still left an empty hole in his heart. He had to face what Jake and Cassie had both tried to tell him.

  He was in love with Monica.

  He could admit it now. The problem was he’d ruined any chance he had with her. He’d told her he never loved her. A lie. Probably the biggest lie he’d ever told, and it had killed him to do it, but he’d thought she’d hate him when she found out his deception. He didn’t want to get hurt, so he’d hardened his heart. Problem was he was hurting anyway.

  Cody would never be able to convince her to come back to the ranch now, but he could at least call her and tell her he’d lied. Tell her he really did love her, and that he was sorry. He owed her that much, even if she did hate him.

  God, he missed her. He missed her so much his arms ached from not holding her. He missed hearing her laughter, smelling her honeysuckle scent, touching her soft skin. Hell, he even missed her rambling. Life was damn boring without her. This past week, he’d been lost. He wasn’t the only one. Buggy was miserable, Rusty and Hank were disappointed in him, and Festus ... well, hell, the cook flat-out refused to speak to him.

  Cody had to hear her voice just one more time, so he dialed her apartment, but she didn’t answer. Where could she be on a Saturday? The agency was closed, but he took a chance and dialed the number. It only rang once.

  “Nat, I don’t have time to talk. I told you I’m--”

  “Monica? It’s Cody.” He heard the phone drop. Maybe she’d hung up on him. Hell, he wouldn’t blame her if she had.

  “Sorry,” she said a minute later, filling him with relief. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine. And you?” He hated small talk, but he couldn’t seem to get the words out.

  “Fine. Great. Never better.”

  “Monica, there’s something I have to tell you. I--”

  “Oh, hang on. I, I, excuse me.” She gagged.

  “Monica?” No answer, but she hadn’t disconnected. He could hear her heaving in the background. “Dammit, Monica, answer me.”

  A minute later, she came back on the line, sounding weak. “Sorry about that. Summer flu, I guess. But don’t worry. It’s nothing serious. I’ll--”

  Click.

  “Monica? Monica?” Dammit. They’d been cut off. He slammed down the phone, and the realization that she wasn’t any of his concern anymore plowed through him. The thought blindsided him, leaving him reeling. How had he let what they had come to this? I’m a jackass.

  He knew in his heart she wasn’t anything like Barbara. He sat down hard. What a fool he’d been. He’d thrown away the best thing that had ever happened to him out of sheer stupidity and fear. Well, no more. He’d wasted enough time being an idiot. He grabbed the phone book and called the airline to book a flight.

  He was going to New York City. Shaking his head over that, he wrote instructions for Jake and left a message for Cassie. He would bring back his bride. Today. His smile turned to a frown. He vowed to make her come back with him if he had to carry her over his shoulder. Because if she didn’t, he would wither up and die. He couldn’t live without her.

  Plain and simple.

  * * *

  Monica hurried out the door of her office several hours later and headed to the airport, praying she hadn’t missed her flight. She had stopped by her office to get the company’s affairs in order for Nat, when Cody’s phone call had caught her off guard. Then the line went dead. She’d tried to call him back, but the office phone had no dial tone. Then she’d tried him on her cell, but he wasn’t answering. Well she’d take her chances by just showing up. Once she was there, she was confident she could convince him to let her stay.

  If he didn’t, well, she’d bunk with Buggy.

  A while later, after she’d finished wrapping up her affairs, the company’s driver arrived to take her to the airport. She made it just in time and hurried to the ticket counter with her carry-on bag.

  The line Monica stood in wasn’t long, but she checked her watch anyway. The announcer came over the loud speaker, saying the flight from Denver, Colorado to New York had arrived and would be debarking at gate twenty. Gnawing at her lip, she thought of Cody and what his reaction would be when she got to Colorado. Would he still want her or would he still deny that he loved her? Either way, she’d find a way to prove to him they were meant to be together.

  The halls became crowded as passengers from the Colorado flight filed past the ticket counter. It was her turn. She stepped up to the counter, barely registering the tall, broad-shouldered man who sailed past her toward the payphones against the far wall.

  She paused and sniffed the air then whipped her head around and stared. A tall, black-haired man stood behind her, and her breath caught. Heat swamped her face. “Sorry. I thought you were someone else. I thought I ... smelled him.”

  “Let me know what cologne he wears. Maybe I’ll start using it if it’ll get me that kind of reaction.” The gentleman winked.

  “Oh, it’s not cologne. It’s a scent all his own ....” Her voice faded, and her ears burned. Some things never changed.

  “Lucky man.” The gentleman laughed.

  The lady behind the counter asked, “How many bags will you be checking?”

  “None, thank you very much.”

  “Ticket please?”

  “I have an E-ticket.”

  “ID, then.”

  Monica dug through her purse and gasped. “Oh, my God. I left my wallet on my desk after I purchased the ticket on the computer.” She had turned into a scatterbrain. She swallowed the lump in her throat, feeling so emotional these days.

  “How far is your office, ma’am?”

  “Too far.” Monica sighed.

  The ticket lady smiled kindly. “You still might have time.”

  “I guess I’ll have to make a run for it.” Only thing was, it could take forever to get through security, especially in New York. Hoisting her carry-on over her shoulder, she turned around and rushed toward the door only to freeze in her tracks. Was that a black cowboy hat bobbing at least a head above the crowd toward the payphones?

  It couldn’t be. But there weren’t many men that tall wearing them. Her heart began to race, and she dropped her bag. She bent down to pick it up and then stood, but the hat had disappeared.

  �
��I’m starting to hallucinate.” She shook her head and headed out the doors to borrow a phone and call for a ride. This day was turning into a nightmare.

  Cody scooped up the quarter he’d dropped on the floor then stood and adjusted his cowboy hat. He stopped in front of the payphone and picked up the receiver to dial Monica’s number. The phone rang ten times before he hung up.

  He hadn’t counted on her not being home. Inspiration struck, and he remembered her friend, Nat. He dialed information and got the number. Be home, he thought, and tapped his boot as the phone started to ring.

  “Hey, babe, it’s about time. I thought you’d never call.”

  “Sorry. Wrong number,” his voice rumbled.

  “Honey, you’re not who I expected, but with a voice like that, I’ll spare you a minute,” she purred.

  “Is this Natalie?”

  A pause filled the line. “C-Cody?” She choked.

  “You know who I am?”

  “Know you? Baby, I feel like I’ve slept with you. Sorry. Monica only mentions your name every other word.”

  “Where is she? I need to talk to her right away.”

  “Um, well, I can’t tell you. It’s a surprise.”

  “What? I don’t have time for surprises. I really need to see her if she’s not too sick.”

  “You mean you know?”

  “Yeah, she called me. How sick is she?”

  “Well, a little, but I think that’s normal. Listen, if you need to talk to her, try her office. She was there this morning, but you’ll have to hurry, she’s on her way--”