The Maverick Cowboy

by Kate Pearce

  “What money?”

  “The five grand I was offered if I would meet with you.”

  “You’ll have to take that up with my older brother. He’s the one with the cash, and I’m going to make sure he knows the ‘information’ you passed on amounted to diddly-squat.” He tipped his hat to Big Mike. “Nice meeting you again. Come on, Jenna.”

  Outside the shop he took deep breaths of the fresh sea air, but nothing could stop the frustration and rage of decades of loss bubbling up inside him.

  “Blue . . .”

  “What?”

  Jenna was biting her lip. “I think you should go back in there.”

  “What the hell for? He doesn’t know anything. He’s just using us for some sick purpose of his own.”

  “I don’t think that’s true. If you could just calm down—”

  He rounded on her. “I’ve waited twenty years to find out what happened to my mother and sister. Don’t you think I have a right to be angry when that loser is messing with us?”

  He slammed his hand against the brick wall. “I am so fucking done with all this.” He swung around again in time to see her flinch away from him. “Shit, Jenna, I didn’t mean—”

  She started speaking fast, as if she was afraid of him cutting her off, or worse. “Perhaps he knows more than he maybe realizes. Think about it. If he really was that drunk, who drove him away from the ranch?”

  Blue stared at her for a long time. “I . . . don’t know.”

  “Would you let me talk to him?”

  “You think you’ll do better?”

  “I tracked down my birth parents and had to deal with a lot of denial before they’d admit to even being my parents.” She raised her chin. “You can stay out here if you’d rather.”

  “You mean if I can’t control my temper.”

  Her cheeks reddened but she didn’t need to say anything. He already knew how much she hated violence. What a great time for him to lose his cool and scare his favorite woman in the universe.

  “It’s better if I do it. I’m not involved.”

  “I’m not going to hurt him.”

  She held his gaze a faint question in her eyes that made him feel like hitting the wall again, which would just confirm her opinion that he was out of control. She also looked poised to run away, which made him feel like a heel. He took a slow breath.

  “Did your dad hit you?”

  She stilled. “What did you say?”

  “You heard me.”

  She blinked and looked away from him. “That has nothing to do with the problem in hand. Do you want me to try and talk to Big Mike or not?”

  He nodded.

  “Sometimes you have to put your personal feelings aside and concentrate on the goal, Blue.”

  “You think I don’t know that? I’m a goddamn Marine.”

  “Then act like one and stop jumping to conclusions,” she snapped. “Maybe you could call Chase and get some information about how the money is supposed to be delivered to Big Mike, and then come and join me.”

  She opened the door into the coffee shop and went back inside, leaving him staring after her in shock.

  * * *

  Jenna was aware that she was trembling. Violence or rage always made her feel sick, but she didn’t let that stop her from reaching her target. Luckily for her, Big Mike was still sitting in the booth, getting his money’s worth out of his carafe of coffee.

  She slid into the booth opposite him and summoned a smile.

  “Blue’s upset. He really wants to find out what happened to his mother and sister. I’m sure you can understand that.”

  “Sure, but there’s no need to try and double-cross a man.”

  “He was telling the truth about the money. His older brother is the one who arranged this meeting, and then wasn’t able to be here. Any financial arrangement you made will have to go through your contact with him.” She tried to sound sympathetic. “Blue’s out there right now trying to contact his brother and see what the situation is, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  A waitress came by and Jenna ordered a glass of lemonade, a refill for Big Mike’s coffee, and an extra cup for Blue.

  “The night you left the ranch, you said you were really drunk, right?”

  “Yeah. With good reason.”

  “So how did you manage to drive?”

  Big Mike sat back and contemplated Jenna before shaking his head. “I dunno.”

  “Is it possible that Annie took advantage of your drunkenness and stole a ride with you?”

  “I suppose she could’ve done that.” Big Mike appeared to like that idea. “Yeah, that’s probably what she did. There’s no good those Morgans saying I stole her away or blaming me or anything.”

  “I don’t think they want to blame you. They just want to understand what happened.” Jenna thanked the waitress and took a sip of her lemonade. “When you woke up in the motel, was there any sign that Annie might have been with you at any time? Somebody must have cared enough to make sure you were in a safe place, so it might have been her way of thanking you for the ride.”

  Big Mike stared off into space for so long that Jenna began to worry. Eventually he sighed and looked across the table at her.

  “Diaper stink.”

  “What?”

  “In the bathroom trash. I almost puked when I went in there.” He shook his head. “I only just remembered that.”

  “Do you remember the name of the motel you stayed in or which town you were in?”

  Big Mike’s gaze hardened as he looked past her to the door. “Your boyfriend’s coming back.”

  Talk about bad timing. “Do you remember the town?”

  “I’ll have to think about that.”

  Blue sat down beside her. “Sorry I took so long. I had trouble getting hold of Chase.” He held Jenna’s gaze. “Chase said we are authorized to pay him up to five thousand dollars, depending on the usefulness of his information.” Big Mike started to interrupt, and Blue held up his hand. “Chase also says that Big Mike has already been paid five grand to even grace us with his presence, so he’s talking shit if he says he hasn’t.”

  “Good to know,” Jenna said. “Blue can you confirm that your family has no intention of involving the police in this matter, and that Big Mike is not being held accountable for kidnapping or stealing Annie away from the ranch?”

  “I can confirm that.”

  “See?” She turned back to Big Mike. “Now if you want to earn some more of that 5K, perhaps you might try and remember the name of that hotel and the town?”

  * * *

  By the time the taxi was almost at the San Diego airport, Jenna was running on fumes. After she’d filled him in with the relevant new details, Blue had remained uncharacteristically silent. He was still distracted now as he picked up her backpack.

  “I just texted Chase. We’re staying here tonight. He’s got us a hotel room.” He leaned forward to talk to the driver. “Can you take us to the Fairmont Grand Delmar?”

  Jenna sat back and closed her eyes against the beginnings of a headache. It had been a stressful day. Far worse than she had anticipated. She hadn’t even realized Blue had a temper. He was usually so in control . . .

  “Jenna? We’re here. Give me your bag.”

  Someone opened the door of the cab and she was bowed into the lobby of the hotel like a visiting celebrity, Blue at her side. The suite they were shown into was huge and faced the ocean. After using the bathroom and washing her face, Jenna stared longingly at the huge California king–sized bed.

  “Want to take a nap before dinner?” Blue emerged from the second bathroom wearing just his unzipped jeans. He suddenly stopped about six feet away from her. “By yourself, I mean.”

  She was too tired to work out what that meant and simply climbed onto the bed, rolled onto her front, and buried her face in the pillow. Within seconds she was asleep.

  * * *

  When she woke up she opened her eyes to a room in
half darkness. The drapes remained open, giving her a fine view of the ocean and the lights dancing along the seafront. Blue sat in one of the easy chairs, his legs stretched out in front of him as he contemplated the view. The pillow next to hers hadn’t been touched.

  “I’m just going to shower.”

  Jenna escaped into the bathroom and spent quite a while using all the lotions and potions that were heaped in a basket beside the bath. When she came out wrapped in a velvety soft white bathrobe, Blue had disappeared. She wandered out onto the balcony and admired the view. Having a multimillionaire for a brother was obviously a useful thing. She wasn’t sure how she was going to deal with going economy again.

  Her cell buzzed and she took it out of her pocket.

  Why didn’t you tell us you were in San Diego, darling?

  Jenna pulled a face and texted back. Sorry, Mom. It was a totally unplanned trip.

  Understand you are staying the night. We will be at your hotel to take you for breakfast tomorrow morning. No excuses! x

  “What’s up?”

  Jenna looked up as Blue came toward her. He’d obviously been in the shower as well.

  “My mom thinks I’m close enough to take out to breakfast. What time does our flight leave?”

  He looked amused. “I think that’s up to us. What time do you need it to leave?”

  “I’d better see her. It means she’s less likely to hunt me down at the ranch.”

  “Go ahead. There’s no rush to get back.”

  Sure! We’re at the Fairmont Grand. Ask for Blue Morgan’s suite.

  We’ll be there at seven thirty sharp. Can’t wait to see you!! xxx Bring your young man.

  Jenna put down her phone. “You’re invited as well, by the way. Seven thirty.”

  He sat opposite her. “Do you want me to come?”

  “It’s up to you.”

  He held her gaze. “You impressed me today.”

  “Really? I thought I just annoyed you.” She kept her tone civil and light.

  “I was angry with Big Mike, not with you.”

  “I get that.” She hesitated. “I didn’t know you had a temper.”

  His hand tightened on the chair rest. “I don’t.”

  Jenna just looked at him.

  “I mean I try really hard not to lose it, okay? Today was just . . .” He shook his head. “So frustrating. I had this stupid idea that we’d meet Big Mike and he’d take us to his home and there would be Mom and Rachel and . . . Ruth told me not to get my hopes up.”

  “But we did learn something. Annie definitely left with Big Mike, whether he realized it or not, and left him somewhere near Humboldt. Maybe Chase’s detectives can find out who paid for that room and trace your mom from there.”

  “It was twenty years ago. What’s the chance of that? Maybe we should just let it go.”

  Jenna studied him carefully. “Maybe you should.”

  “You didn’t.” He suddenly looked up at her. “You found your birth parents.”

  “Which is why I’m suggesting you don’t make the same mistake. They weren’t how I pictured them at all. And neither of them wanted anything to do with me.”

  “That sucks.”

  “Yeah.” She forced a smile. “But at least I knew, and it helped me appreciate how lucky I was to be given a new family.”

  “Jenna, darling, they were lucky to have you.” He stretched out his legs and yawned so hard his jaw cracked. “I just want to know whether they are alive. I’d even sacrifice seeing them again if I knew that.”

  “Blue Morgan, you are such a liar. If you found them you’d be knocking on their door in a heartbeat.”

  “Chase wouldn’t let me.”

  “Like you’ve ever let anyone stop you doing whatever you’ve wanted in your entire life.”

  “Okay. So maybe I’d check up on them, but I can be discreet.” He frowned at her. “Why are you smiling?”

  “‘Discreet’ is not a word I associate with you.”

  He grinned and rose slowly from his chair like the big predator he was. She shrank back in hers. “What are you doing?”

  “Closing the drapes and checking the doors are all locked.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m taking you to bed.” He raised an eyebrow. “Is that discreet enough for you?”

  When he returned to her side he had already discarded his jeans and was naked. He ran his fingers over her shoulders and down to the sash at her waist.

  “You want me?”

  She met his gaze. “You know I do.”

  He cupped her chin. “I’d never hurt you, Jenna. I’ll do my damndest not to lose my temper, but I can’t promise it won’t ever happen again.”

  “That’s honest of you.”

  “I don’t want to be that man—a mean-tempered drunk who thinks it’s okay to take his rage out on those he should be protecting. If I ever laid a finger on you or any kids of mine, I’d kick myself out.”

  “Did Billy hit you?”

  “No, but after Mom disappeared he drowned himself in whiskey. It was frightening, you know? Because my dad was the most awesome person in my life and then suddenly he wasn’t, and he’d get drunk and lose his temper and . . .” He shrugged. “You know how it goes.”

  “Yes.”

  “So I’d never do that.”

  “Okay.”

  His thumb traced the curve of her jaw. “So please tell me you’re not scared of me.”

  She kissed his mouth, and with a sigh, he kissed her back, his hands sliding beneath her robe to caress her bare skin and make her shiver. He backed her toward the bed, his mouth never leaving hers, and she allowed him to lay her down on the crisp cotton sheets and straddle her hips.

  “God, I’m sorry, Jenna.” He bent to kiss her breast, his breath hot, his stubble rough against her sensitive skin.

  “It’s okay.” She wrapped one arm around his neck, holding him as close as she could. “You’ll find them. I know it in my soul.”

  And then all she could do was make love to him, and hope that his experience went better than hers and didn’t make the pain even harder to bear.

  * * *

  By the time Blue got out of the shower and dressed in the clothes he’d worn the previous day, Jenna was already up and pacing the suite, her high ponytail swinging back and forth. He paused to button his jeans and kept a wary eye on her.

  “You okay?”

  “Sure! Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “I don’t have to come with you.”

  She stopped walking. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.”

  For a moment they locked gazes until Blue sighed. “This is stupid. I want to come, but not if it’s going to make things awkward for you.”

  “Things will be awkward anyway. They don’t understand what I’m doing out in Morgantown, and Lily will have just made everything worse.” She puffed out a breath. “Come with me. We might as well get it over with.”

  “How about I just call Chase and give him the details of our chat with Big Mike and then I’ll text you to see if you want me to join you?”

  “Blue . . .”

  She looked way too vulnerable. He turned away to unplug his phone from the recharger they’d borrowed from the front desk. Apparently guests left them behind all the time.

  “You’d better go. I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”

  She bit her lip and he resisted the urge to go to her, hold her in his arms, and make everything right for her. He was learning that sometimes he had to let other people work shit out for themselves. And this was definitely one of the occasions when she needed to face her fears without him butting in.

  She slammed the door on her way out, so he guessed she didn’t feel quite the same way. He called Chase, who was also on California time, and gave him the bullet points about the meeting with Big Mike. In return he found out that Jake was doing okay and was out of intensive care, so that was good.

  Reassured that Chase would get on tra
cing the hotel records, Blue sent Jenna a text and quickly received a reply.

  We’re at the breakfast buffet. Come and join us.

  Blue went down in the elevator and into the crowded restaurant. He soon spotted Jenna’s burnished hair and made his way through the packed tables to her side. She shot to her feet when he approached.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Blue Morgan.”

  Blue studied Jenna’s adoptive parents. Mr. McDonald looked very like his brother Ron and wore a polite smile as he held out his hand to shake Blue’s. Mrs. McDonald was blond and petite and radiated positivity and energy. She went on tiptoe to kiss his cheek and then patted his arm.

  “It’s good to meet you, Blue. Lily told us all about your lovely family ranch.”

  She waved him to the seat beside Jenna and they spent the next few minutes ordering drinks and getting up to check out the offerings on the buffet, which turned out to be excellent. It wasn’t until everyone was seated again and tucking in that Blue answered her.

  “It’s not my ranch. It still belongs to my grandma, but we all take an active part in helping it prosper.” He smiled. “It’s our family business. Jenna’s been a real godsend these past few months.”

  Mr. McDonald smiled. “So I hear from my brother. It was kind of her to step in and help out for a few months.”

  Ah, the first salvo had been fired. Blue forked up a sausage. “Well, we’re hoping to persuade Jenna to stay on much longer than that.”

  Beside him Jenna cleared her throat. “Chase, Blue’s brother, offered me the job of full-time vet on the guest ranch.”

  “How super sweet of him,” Mrs. McDonald exclaimed. “I’m not surprised, though, you must be the most educated person in that neck of the woods.”

  “I’m certainly the most recently qualified vet around, but as I keep telling you, there’s nothing like the knowledge you gain on the job, and that only happens with experience.”

  Blue nodded slowly. “You know, Jenna’s got a point. There’s no denying she’s as smart as a whip, but Big Mac’s been practicing in our valley for over forty years. He knows everything a man needs to know about doctoring cattle, and Dave’s almost as good with the horses.”