Silencing Memories

by Desiree Holt

  It was obvious the Romeros had expected to play Lindsey and Delaney against each other, and she’d neatly sidestepped their plan. He was amazed at how together she was considering the situation. His admiration for her was growing exponentially. This was indeed a very special, very unique woman.

  At last, she deftly drew the meeting to a close, exchanging smiles with everyone.

  “I’ll have an addendum drawn up for each of you to sign,” she said, rising to shake hands with each of them in turn. “Thank you all for coming in today.”

  She was so gracious about it that, when her clients left, they didn’t even know they’d been hustled right out the door. Nick had to stifle a laugh.

  ****

  As soon as everyone left, Lindsey made notes in the folder and buzzed Brianna to come in.

  “Have this ready for me to go over first thing in the morning,” she told her assistant.

  Bri stood there for a moment, studying Lindsey. “You okay?”

  “Fine, fine.” She ran her hands through her hair, shoving it away from her face, and pushing her glasses up on her nose. “Just ready to end the day.”

  Mark brought in some sketches to be checked. They chatted about them for a moment before Lindsey put them on her worktable.

  “I’ll go over them again in detail tomorrow,” she assured him.

  At last, everyone was gone. Lindsey slumped down on the couch, pushed her hair behind her ears, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes. “All I want at this particular moment is to go to sleep and wake up when everything is over.”

  “I’d like to say your day is over,” Nick told her, “but you have one more thing to do.”

  “What?” She asked the question in a voice edged with fatigue and pushed herself upright. The dull ache in her head that had been building earlier now seemed to be spreading its wings. “Oh, damn. McCune.”

  Nick nodded. “He’ll be here in a few minutes. He’s had his men checking out sites where the photographer could have been, and we’re going to compare notes.”

  “Okay.” She rubbed her forehead. “Just let me take some aspirin and wash my face.”

  When McCune arrived and heard what Nick had to see, he agreed the stalker had been in the hotel that backed up directly to Lindsey’s building. From the angle of the shot, the police as well as Nick’s men had even figured out which floor was used.

  “I don’t know if that’s much help,” McCune began when his cell rang, interrupting him. He spoke briefly, then shook his head. “That was the team I had checking all the rooms that were possibilities. They came up with exactly what I expected. Every one of them had new occupants.”

  “Same here,” Nick told him. “My guys have been pulling copies of the registration cards, and we’ll check them out, but that will take time and I think it’s probably a dead end.”

  “We can help, but I tend to agree with you.”

  “Great,” Lindsey sighed. “Just great.”

  “I’d be sure and keep those drapes closed at all times,” McCune cautioned.

  “No kidding.” Lindsey rubbed her forehead, wishing the aspirin would kick in.

  “Sorry for the lack of progress, Miss Ferrell,” McCune told her. “But I assure you, we’ll keep at it.” He nodded at Nick. “And we’ll coordinate with the Guardian people.”

  It was obvious to Lindsey that Nick’s presence gave the case an entirely different priority as far as McCune was concerned.

  It’s not what you know. It’s who.

  “Thanks.” Nick gestured toward the outer office. “Come on, I’ll walk you to the door. I need to lock up and set the alarm, anyway.”

  In seconds, she heard Nick’s footsteps on the carpeting.

  “Lindsey?”

  She was still sitting on the couch, head leaned back again, her eyes closed. “Mmm? What?”

  His warm hand closed over hers, flooding her with a feeling of sanctuary. Of protection. Of trust.

  “Come on, get up. We’re leaving.”

  “No, no, no,” she moaned. “Can’t I just roll through the door into my bed and go to sleep?”

  “Nope. No can do. For one thing, the alarm system isn’t complete. The techno twins will finish tonight and then meet us here in the morning with the key cards and the codes. We’ll get here before anyone else does.”

  “Where are we going?” she asked, almost too tired to even care

  “We’re going out to your ranch. No way am I letting you stay here tonight, even with my diligent guard duty. Anyway, you need a change of scenery.” One corner of his mouth kicked up in a smile. “I assume you have more than one bedroom there?”

  He has the sexiest smile I’ve ever seen. Holy shit! What is wrong with me?

  Lindsey shook herself back to reality but couldn’t help smiling back. “You can even take your pick. Let me call Mary and tell her we’re on the way, though. She thought I’d be staying in town tonight. She’ll be ecstatic to have someone besides me to feed.”

  “I think it’s best if you leave your car here,” Nick told her. “I’m sure whoever’s stalking you has it identified and will be watching for it.”

  Lindsey shivered, her stomach tightening in a knot. “You think so?”

  “It’s entirely possible. Anyway, we’re not taking chances. I’ll drive. You can direct me. Come on.” He pulled her to her feet. “Let’s get out of here.”

  With her hand firmly in his warm one, Lindsey felt safe and protected. Nick was smart, savvy, solid, and she’d bet, fearless. She’d be well taken care of.

  Chapter Six

  “Are you sure we need all this cloak and dagger stuff?” Lindsey frowned at Nick as he explained what he was going to do.

  “Always better to be sure,” he told her. “I want to see if there’s anyone out there showing special interest in me.”

  “But why would this…person target your car?”

  “He—or she—could have seen me going in and out of your office,” he explained. “Maybe watched to see what car I got into. Let’s just do it my way this time, okay?” He winked, easing the severity of his statement.

  Lindsey sighed and made herself almost invisible in the elevator alcove while Nick drove around the garage by himself two or three times.

  His precautions reminded her—as if she needed reminding—that someone was out there with a camera trained on her, maybe capturing her every move. She was glad when, at last, Nick pulled his SUV right up to the elevator door in the garage. She jumped into the vehicle, and he drove up the ramp to the street.

  Adjusting her seat belt, she settled herself in place more comfortably. “I’m surprised that you drive a big SUV. I wouldn’t think this kind of vehicle was your style.”

  “Oh?” He turned to her, but the aviator-style sunglasses he wore blocked his eyes. “Just out of curiosity, what did you think I drove?”

  “Mmm, maybe a racy red sports car or a black Corvette. Something along that line.”

  “Those are great cars,” he agreed, “but not very practical in my line of work. For one thing, they’re too visible and easy to spot. For another, I need something that can go off road and also carry a lot of gear when necessary. All the agency cars are SUVs except for two pickups.” A grin teased the corners of his mouth. “Think this doesn’t suit my image?”

  Lindsey could feel her face flush with embarrassment and stared straight out through the windshield. “I’m sorry. That was a stupid remark.”

  “Not at all. I get the same thing from our friend Quinn. He loves to give me a hard time, too.”

  “I’m not giving you a hard time,” she protested. “Seriously, Nick. That was a stupid thing for me to say. I owe Quinn big time for sending you to me.”

  “The pleasure is all mine,” he assured her and reached over to squeeze her hand.

  She slid a glance at him, but didn’t pull her hand away. Something was definitely happening here, something that excited her and at the same time made her afraid. Her track record with relati
onships was poor to say the least. On the other hand, she’d never met a man like Nick Vanetta. There was definite sexual sizzle between them, but also, she thought—hoped—a mutual respect. She just hoped she wasn’t reading something into it because her emotions were upside with the stalker.

  “Don’t you need to get some clothes or something to take with you?” They’d headed directly out onto the Interstate.

  He grinned and pointed a thumb toward the back of the vehicle. “I’m like the Boy Scouts, always prepared. Seriously, I never know when I might have to get on a plane or drive somewhere. So a long time ago, I got in the habit of keeping a travel case packed and ready. What we call a go bag.”

  “Oh.”

  They drove on in a comfortable stillness broken only by her directions until the ranch came into view.

  If Lindsey had asked for a better picture to show off her home on first sight, she couldn’t have gotten one. The setting sun bathed the house and surrounding land in a golden glow. Several of the horses were out in the penned area, nibbling at the grass. The soft breeze made the prairie grasses dance slightly, and all around the house, where Mary Medana had scattered seeds, bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush were just beginning to bloom.

  Lindsey felt herself relax completely for the first time that day.

  ****

  Nick pulled into the graveled parking area in front of the house, turned off the engine, and sat for a moment, staring at the view. He’d been a lot of places and seen a lot of views that took his breath away. But this? This was better than a tranquilizer. He didn’t know how Lindsey ever left it to go into the city. “I think wow is too inadequate.”

  Beside him, Lindsey laughed, the first relaxed sound she’d made all day.

  “Everyone says that the first time they see it. I think it’s what sold my folks on it to begin with.”

  He pointed to an older couple who had come out to stand on the porch, shameless in their interest. “Your guard dogs?”

  Lindsey laughed again, and it struck Nick what a musical sound it was and how it could soothe even the most frazzled nerves. He’d love to have it soothe his nerves forever.

  Hold on, buddy boy. Aren’t you the confirmed bachelor? And by the way, right now she’s a client. Let’s save her ass first, okay?

  “I think you’re about to face the Inquisition,” she told him. “You’re the first person I’ve brought to the house—except for Kate and Quinn—in a long time, and their curiosity is killing them.”

  “That’s interesting.” Nick looked at her. “You don’t bring anyone out here? None of your…friends?”

  “No.” She released the seat belt and climbed out of the SUV, the one word reply leaving no room for further discussion.

  Nick tucked that away in his mind for future questioning. What kind of person never brought friends home with them? Even he had company once in a while, although he made it a rule not to bring any of his women into his personal space. He considered it too intimate. They left lingering traces of their presence that he didn’t want to deal with.

  He got out of the vehicle and followed Lindsey up the porch steps, carrying the small leather suitcase he’d retrieved from the back storage area.

  “Hi, guys.” She hurried up to the porch and hugged the waiting couple, then waved casually in his direction. “This is Nick Vanetta. Nick, come on and meet Ruben and Mary Medana, my family.” She turned back to the man and woman. “Like I said when I called, he’s doing some…work for me and will be spending the night.”

  Everyone did the polite thing, but Nick could tell the couple was biting back questions.

  “Lindsey, honey, take Mr. Vanetta upstairs and get him settled,” Mary ordered. “Put him in your old room. It’s always ready for company, and nobody’s stayed there since you did all that redecorating.”

  “Oh, I don’t think—”

  “And it’s got its own bathroom,” Mary continued, firm in her directions. She turned back to the house, giving Lindsey no opportunity to argue further.

  Nick grinned at Lindsey, smothering a laugh. “I’ll bet all the other guys will be jealous when I tell them I slept in your bedroom.”

  Lindsey didn’t answer him, just marched up the stairs with her back ramrod stiff, fire sizzling from her body. Nick restrained himself from laughing. Apparently she didn’t take orders well from anyone. Or teasing.

  She ushered him into a huge room with windows that had a sweeping view of the meadows and a sitting area in front of a small fireplace. The walls were a soft shade of green, the carpet an ivory shade, and one wall was covered with wallpaper scattered with bluebonnets.

  “Not bad,” Nick said, dropping his suitcase next to the bed. “The ranching business must be good.”

  “My folks built this house when they moved here more than thirty years ago,” she explained. “Apparently, my dad had investments that did really well or something. He bought the land, built the house, and went into the horse breeding business.”

  “Not cattle?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “He said he always had a yen for horses, and whatever he did, the business has always been profitable.”

  Nick started to comment, then changed his mind. He really needed to do some detailed research on the family to satisfy his curiosity about her before he said anything else.

  “I’m going to change,” she told him. “If you keep anything besides suits in that bag, you might want to do the same. The atmosphere is kind of hard on silk out here.”

  “I think I might be able to dress down,” he told her with another grin. “I’ll do my best.”

  She stood at the door, tugging at her lower lip with her teeth, her forehead wrinkled. “I haven’t said anything to either Ruben or Mary about this stuff yet, so they probably think I brought you out here for other reasons. We’ll tell them right after dinner. They need to be aware of what’s going, and I sure don’t want them getting the wrong idea about your visit. See you downstairs in a few minutes.”

  Nick wouldn’t have minded a bit if they were out here for something other than business. The more time he spent with Lindsey Ferrell, the more he got to know her, the more he was drawn to her. He enjoyed women, no question about it, but forming attachments wasn’t his style. Even in bed, he always held himself apart, his sexual calisthenics almost a dispassionate performance.

  Until now.

  Lindsey Ferrell was a different breed altogether. Whatever it was drawing them together made him edgy, knocking down barriers he usually kept firmly in place. He couldn’t keep himself from imagining her in bed, wild and hungry and responsive. He wondered if he could convince her to keep her glasses on.

  Jesus, Vanetta. Cut it out. She’s off limits.

  Nick could tell she was as determined as he was to keep this thing on a professional basis and try to ignore the heat blossoming between them. But he had an uneasy feeling they were quickly reaching a tipping point that neither could ignore. His brain told him to call the office and get someone else out here, but his body was winning that fight.

  When he came downstairs, she was waiting on the porch for him. Her tight jeans and T-shirt, clinging to a finely toned body that was obviously accustomed to a lot of exercise, were far more revealing than her proper business suit. Nick had to fist his hands to tamp down the lust that threatened to rise up and embarrass him.

  ****

  Lindsey’s eyes skimmed over Nick. Worn jeans and a T-shirt clung softly to the muscular line of his body. Dressed up or dressed down, he was the most sinfully sexy man she’d ever met, and that alone made him dangerous. She’d have to be very careful. Her trust only extended so far. If they acted on whatever this thing was between them and he turned out to be like all the other men, more interested in proliferating their genetics, she wasn’t sure she could handle it.

  “Dinner will be a little while yet.” She handed him a glass of iced tea. “Mary decided you needed more than the salad she figured I’d want, so she’s pulling out all the stops. Would y
ou like to have a look around while we’re waiting?”

  “Thanks, that would be great.” His warm molasses voice rolled over her.

  At the paddock, she stopped and whistled for Jingo, who trotted up to the fence. The animal nickered softly and rubbed his nose against her outstretched hand as Lindsey made the introductions between horse and man. Then she led the way through the stable, the barns, the breeding barn, and the indoor exercise ring.

  Nick shook his head. “This is an extensive operation. Somehow I had the idea you kept a few pleasure horses and that was it.”

  She slid a glance at him. “Shows what happens when you make snap judgments. Breeding and training cutting horses is a big business around here. I guess my father made a smart decision, because we’ve always done very well.” She pointed to a medium-sized house about four hundred yards from the main house. “That’s where Ruben and Mary live.”

  “Not in the house with you?” The fact surprised him.

  Lindsey shook her head. “In the very beginning, when they first came to work for my folks, they were a lot younger, and I guess they figured they’d have kids and raise them out here. That’s the way it is on many of the ranches in Texas. But they never had kids of their own, which is too bad. If ever people were meant to have children it’s those two.”

  “But what about after your father died?” Nick persisted. “Wouldn’t it have been better for them to move in with you and your mom? More protection and closer if you needed them?”

  “I would have thought so, and Mom tried to talk them into it time and again.” She shrugged. “But they’re very specific about keeping ‘their house’ and ‘the big house’ separate. Besides, I think they like their own privacy. Who can blame them?”

  “Dinner in a few minutes,” Mary called as Nick and Lindsey came back into the house.

  “Okay,” Lindsey answered. “We’re definitely ready. Come on,” she told Nick. “We’ve just got time for the nickel tour of the house.”

  Nick carefully noted every detail, not just in case of trouble, but because it gave him a sense of Lindsey as a person. Twenty-four hours ago, he hadn’t even met her and already he hungered for every piece of information about her. He always liked to get a complete picture of the client because it often helped to pinpoint where trouble came from, but this was different. Personal feelings were unexpectedly creeping in, and the possibilities both enticed and terrified him.