by Sara Orwig
As they drove away from the house, Wyatt took her hand. “Congratulations, you did it.”
“Thank you. I’m so excited. I know this isn’t what you wanted to have happen, but it’s great as possible material for a show and it definitely will be material for my book.”
“The news will be big until it’s replaced by something else. Verity will go right along,” he said.
“You’ve certainly mellowed about it.”
“I can’t fight you. You had the governor’s permission. Besides, you’ve brought excitement and fun to Verity—and, I’ll have to admit, maybe into my quiet life.”
She laughed and squeezed his hand. “I could say the same back to you.”
Flashing her a quick grin, he turned his attention back to the road. “You found the letter and the money, which I didn’t think existed. I’ll tell you what I really want. Let me pick you up tonight so you can stay at my place and I’ll take you home tomorrow.”
“Or take me home tonight and come in for a long nightcap,” she said, placing her hand on his knee. “I’m excited, Wyatt.”
“I am, too, just for a different reason.”
She stroked his thigh lightly. “Not altogether a different reason,” she said in a breathy voice, letting her fingers trail up the inside of his thigh.
“Maybe you should wait on that. I’d hate to explain why I drove off into a ditch in the official sheriff’s car.”
She laughed softly. “I’ll take a rain check. It’s nice of you to have us all for a party. It’s short notice for your cook.”
“Lawrence will rise to the occasion. He always does, and he can get additional people to help him tonight. He has a list.”
Wyatt scanned his mirrors and then shot her a glance. “I’ll pick you up at half past six so we will definitely be there when everyone else arrives. At the hotel, you can make another of your grand appearances. Or go out the side door and avoid the reporters. By the way, since this is short notice, I said it would be casual tonight.”
“That’s fine. I can do casual. Maybe you’re right this time about avoiding reporters.”
As they drove back to town, Destiny thought of the party that was to come, and then her time alone with Wyatt. Two or three more nights with him and then she would say goodbye. Would it really be goodbye? The realization put a damper on her excitement over her discovery. She shook away the dread of something she didn’t know for certain and caressed his thigh, feeling his warmth through the thick cotton of his uniform.
“Do you really think that many people will keep this quiet?” she asked him.
“Yes, I do. I know my family can and Jake said his would. My deputies and Dwight will and Horace Pringle definitely will. I don’t think there will be any problem.”
“I’m amazed, but okay. I’d like to read the letter again tonight so all present can hear. They’re all involved in small ways and not so small.”
“Go ahead.”
“It won’t be the end of the world if word gets out,” she reasoned. “By the time it’s passed around, news of the find will be all garbled anyway. Next year’s coming quick, so if the show is produced, it’ll be timely.”
It was another hour before they finished at the bank and Wyatt accompanied her to the door of her hotel suite. “I have the copy of the letter with me and I’ll bring it tonight,” she told him. “If we do the show, I’ll want the original back just for the show.”
“You found it. When this is all settled, it’s probably yours, although I’m sure the Verity Historical Museum would appreciate a copy.”
“They can have the real thing then.” She opened her door. “I’d invite you in, but I am covered in dust.”
“I can help you shower.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “This time I need to scrub.”
“I’ll pick you up at six-thirty. Sure you don’t want another grand exit when I pick you up?”
“No, I’ll slip out the side.”
“Then I’ll come up and get you. See you then.” He pulled her inside quickly, taking her into his arms and leaning over to kiss her.
“Now you’ll be covered in dust,” she said when he released her.
“It was worth it,” he said and left.
She closed her door and put the copy of the letter on a table in her entryway. Excitement still danced in her, but part of it was because she was going out with Wyatt tonight and they would either both stay at his place or both stay in her suite.
How was she going to tell him goodbye?
She didn’t want to think about that moment. The evening was ahead of her and she had no intention of adding a sour note.
She hurried to get ready.
At six-thirty she heard the light tap on her door and opened it to face Wyatt, whose appreciative gaze went from her head to her feet in a look that made her toes curl. Her insides heated as she gazed at him. In a dark blue shirt, black slacks, black boots and a black wide-brimmed hat, he made her want to forgo the party and be alone with him for the entire evening.
“You’re gorgeous, Destiny,” he said in a hoarse voice, his gaze going over her red silk blouse and matching slacks with matching high heels again.
“Thank you. I’m ready,” she said.
“I’m ready for you,” he whispered. “What I’d like to do is carry you off to bed.”
“I’d like that, too, but we can’t. Too many people are waiting and the party is at your house so you have to go.”
“Aw, gee whiz,” he joked and she smiled.
He took her hand and they went to his car, which was parked by the side door.
“Now I get to see your Verity house,” she said.
“I like it, though I like the ranch better. You may view it as the end of the world and almost totally isolated.”
“If it’s yours, Wyatt, I’ll love it.”
A little while later she was impressed when he pulled into an exclusive community. He waved at the gatekeeper as they drove through the open black iron gates and wound up a long drive to an impressive house with lights blazing.
Before she could get out, Wyatt stopped her. “It’s our last night together, Destiny. I want to send everyone home early.”
A sharp pain tore at her heart. Last night together...What did that mean to Wyatt? Did he really care or had this all been pure sex and nothing the slightest bit deeper? She had not penetrated that armor around his heart and now their affair was over. Did he care in the least?
Nine
Wyatt took her arm as they went up the steps to a wide porch with two-story Ionic columns. He opened the door and Destiny stood in a large circular entryway with an enormous crystal chandelier hanging over a round, ornate table. “Very pretty, Wyatt.”
“I’ll show you where you can put your purse,” he said, taking her arm and walking into a wide hall to go through the first door to his right.
They entered a formal living area with a fireplace, silk-damask-covered chairs and heavy, ornate furniture that was not at all what she had envisioned would be in Wyatt’s home. He closed the door and wrapped her in his arms to kiss her.
When she finally leaned away, she gazed up at him. “I think the others will be here soon.”
“C’mon. You can leave your purse in here if you want. We’ll gather on the patio because it’s a nice night or inside in the great room.”
She walked along the wide hall that opened into a large room with glass along one wall, giving a view of the pool, gardens with blooming flowers, fountains and a patio with an outdoor living area and kitchen.
“You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you. Ah, here are our first guests,” he said, greeting Jake and Madison.
As people began to arrive, waiters passed drinks. Destiny was warmly greeted by L
indsay Calhoun, who introduced Destiny to her brothers, Josh and Mike.
“None of you look alike, especially Lindsay with her blond hair,” Destiny said, looking at Mike’s curly black hair and Josh with straight brown hair.
Josh laughed. “She’s the odd one, our blondie. She doesn’t even have our brown eyes either,” he said. “We can’t wait to hear the letter and find out who shot who.”
“I’m guessing a Milan shot a Calhoun,” Mike said, smiling at her. “I can’t guess who shot Mr. Wrenville.”
Destiny smiled. “It’s interesting and I’m so excited over our discovery.”
“Wyatt said you crawled back in a corner of the attic and found it. He’s probably miffed because he’s looked for it before,” Josh said.
“We’ll read it as soon as all the guests are here.”
Josh was unrelenting. “All the Calhouns figure a Milan did the shooting and all the Milans probably think a Calhoun did the shooting. We figure whoever it was, he shot Lavita’s father because he wouldn’t give his approval for the wedding.”
Destiny kept her smile. “I’m not going to spoil your surprise by telling you.”
Jake and Madison joined them. “That letter better be read soon or there will be betting on who fired the fatal shots,” Jake said.
Destiny couldn’t help but laugh, though there was one thing that she, too, was wondering about. “Lavita had two men who wanted to marry her. After the shooting, she never married. Why? She was one of the wealthiest young women in the town—probably in the county or in the West even. Did no one else ever want to marry her or did she grieve all her life for a lost love?”
“I suppose we do have an interesting town,” Madison remarked.
Wyatt stepped up beside Destiny. “Let me have one guess what the topic of this conversation is,” he said and the others laughed.
“Probably the same as every other group at this party,” Mike said, shaking hands with Wyatt. “Thanks for having this tonight and inviting all of us. You had short notice.”
“Lawrence is always ready to cook. I’m glad everyone could come. Josh, I’m glad you were in town. We caught our hotel mogul in a rare moment of coming home.”
“Thanks, Wyatt,” Josh said, shaking hands with him. “This sounds like an interesting night. I’m glad to be here.”
“I guess by now Lindsay has made introductions all the way around.” Destiny nodded and Wyatt continued. “Destiny, my deputy Val just arrived and I think we’re all here, so this is the big moment.” He looked at Destiny. “Are you ready?”
“Of course,” she said, smiling at him. As she looked into his blue eyes, she was caught in a look of such longing that, momentarily, she forgot the others and the reason they were here. Her heartbeat quickened. In that moment she would have traded everything—her show, her books, her discovery—to have Wyatt’s love. Startled, she tried to focus on where she was and what was happening.
“Folks—” Wyatt said in a voice that carried, but wasn’t loud. Destiny wasn’t surprised though when everyone became silent. “If all of you will find a seat, our Chicago celebrity, Destiny Jones, will read Lavita Wrenville’s letter. I think everyone here now has met Destiny, so I don’t think she needs an introduction, but we can all welcome her—Destiny Jones.”
Wyatt stepped back and smiled at her and Destiny took a folded copy of the letter from her pocket.
“I’m delighted to be here and either meet you or get to know you better. You’ve welcomed me and my staff and made us feel at home in Verity. Today was exciting and I know you want to hear this letter and learn what happened that fateful night at the Wrenville house, especially all the Milans and the Calhouns.”
She unfolded the letter and read it. The only other sound as she read was the splashing of the fountains in the gardens and the pool. When she finished, she looked up. “There you have the truth of what happened.”
There was applause and conversation started again. “So a Milan didn’t shoot a Calhoun and a Calhoun didn’t shoot a Milan. Old man Wrenville did them both in,” Josh said, shaking his head.
“I don’t know the family named, the man that Lavita’s father wanted her to marry,” Mike added.
Josh and Mike looked at each other and then at Wyatt and all shook their heads. “No Graysons around here. Probably some older man Mr. Wrenville did business with and Lavita didn’t want to marry him,” Mike said.
“So you’ll do a television show about this?” Josh asked her.
“I have to take all this back to my producer. But it looks a lot more likely now that we’ve found the letter and have a story to tell,” Destiny answered. As she talked, she looked at Wyatt and for a second almost lost her train of thought. She wondered whether he would go back to the hotel with her or she would stay here with him tonight.
After a few moments, she moved on, going from cluster to cluster of guests to talk to each one. It amused her to see that Wyatt and Nick were doing the same.
Dinner was buffet style and tables had been set up on the patio that was large enough to easily hold them.
It was almost eleven before guests began to say good-night.
As Destiny’s staff was leaving, Amy stopped beside her. “Duke is taking us back to the hotel. I’m assuming Wyatt will bring you?”
“Yes, he will. I’ll see you tomorrow. We can fly out of here then.” As she said the words she had a hollow feeling. Flying home—away from Wyatt. How much would it hurt to tell him goodbye?
She suspected the real hurt was going to come when she was in Chicago and not seeing him again.
She told Duke and Virginia she would see them in the morning.
Finally she faced Wyatt and they were the only two in the hallway as the last of the Milans left.
“What about Lawrence and his help?”
“They left hours ago and when you read the letter I told Lawrence to keep them all in the kitchen, so they never heard the letter and don’t know anything about it except Lawrence. I told him we found the letter and he’d hear about it later.”
“Then you should tell him, too.”
“I really don’t think Lawrence cares.” He took her in his arms. “What I care about is now and you. We have this house to ourselves and we are wasting time.”
“I’m leaving for Chicago tomorrow, so I’ll have to get back to the hotel in the morning.”
“Cancel the flight and I’ll fly all of you home a day later or two days later or whatever you want.”
Her heart jumped because his offer meant he wanted her to stay longer. What was the depth of his feelings for her? Was there a crack in that barrier around his heart? “You don’t mind?”
“Wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to.”
“All right. Let me send a text to Amy and she can break the news.”
“Make it a short text,” he said, shedding his shirt.
She drew a deep breath. “How do you expect me to concentrate on a text while you’re stripping in front of me?” she asked, dropping her phone on a table and walking over to wrap her arms around him and stand on tiptoe to kiss him.
She didn’t know how long they kissed when he stopped her. “You send a text so they won’t be looking for you in the morning and then we’ll continue.”
She tried to avoid looking at him as she sent the text and got an immediate “Okay” in return. “Now, that’s done. I have other things to do,” she said and began to unfasten his belt.
He drew her into his embrace and kissed her, and all her worries over parting temporarily vanished.
They made love all through Friday and into Saturday morning. Sunshine streamed in the window and Destiny sat up. “Wyatt, they’re ready to go back to Chicago. I’ve stayed an extra day and I told them we would go back today.”
“You mean it, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she said, hurting because they were going to part now and he was going to let her walk out of his life and he wouldn’t look back.
She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him furiously, wanting to consume him, love him until he couldn’t get along without her, just as she couldn’t get along without him.
They made love again, so it was an hour later when she once again sat up and told him she needed to get back to the hotel. Stepping out of bed, she headed to a shower. When she emerged, she was dressed in her red slacks and shirt.
“Now I have to go back to the hotel.”
“Come eat breakfast and then we’ll go.”
She nibbled a few bites of toast and drank a small glass of orange juice, but that was all she could get down.
They were quiet as he drove her to the hotel. At her door when she faced him they looked into each other’s eyes. She could hardly believe the hurt she felt. It threatened to crush her heart. She wanted Wyatt to want her in his life. She didn’t know how they would mesh their very different lives, but she would find a way if only Wyatt loved her as much as she loved him.
He stepped inside, closing the door behind him as he kissed her.
Finally she stopped him. “I have to go, Wyatt. They’re just waiting for me to go home.”
“All right. I’ll talk to Duke and get someone to turn in the limo after you go to the Verity airport. They’ll take you to my plane.” He gave her one last lingering kiss. “I may see you soon, Destiny. I’ll call you,” he said.
Hurting, she nodded because she didn’t think he would call or that she would see him—unless she returned to Verity on business.
He turned and was gone, the suite door closing behind him. She hurt all over and she trembled, feeling chilled. She had to pull herself together because she didn’t want the others to see her this upset. It would be obvious it was over Wyatt.
She rinsed her face in cold water, then she changed and tossed her clothes into her bag so she would not keep them waiting.