Unmasking the Maverick Prince

by Kristi Gold

  Buck’s senility had obviously set in. “No thanks. If I decide to get married, I want my own service. And that’s a big if.” Mitch couldn’t believe the words had left his mouth with such ease. He couldn’t believe he was actually considering something as insane as proposing to Tori. Now he was getting ahead of himself. First, he had to find her and then convince her to talk to him. That could prove to be an enormous challenge. One he was ready to undertake. Now.

  He started to leave the room before Buck called to him, “Where are you going in such a hurry?”

  Mitch stopped at the open door and faced his grandfather. “I’m going to go pack a bag so I can head to Dallas.”

  “She won’t be there, Mitch.”

  Mitch turned to find Bob standing in the hall, baseball cap in hand. “How do you know?”

  “She called Stella yesterday and said she was coming here tonight. We’re supposed to meet her at Sadler’s around 8 p.m. because she’s driving in.”

  “Did she say why she was coming back?”

  “You know women, boss. Stella only told me what she thought I needed to know. But I have a sneakin’ suspicion she wanted me to pass the information on to you so you’ll show up.”

  “I might just do that.” No might about it. He’d be there and nothing would stop him, not even the case of cold feet threatening to work its way beneath his boots.

  In a little over eight hours, Mitch would grab some courage and lay it on the line. In eight hours, he’d finally see Tori again, this time in person instead of in his dreams. Eight hours seemed like a helluva long time to wait.

  He guessed if he’d waited half his life to find a woman like her, he could wait a few more hours.

  “He’s not coming.”

  Stella patted Tori’s hand from across the same table they’d occupied the first night she’d met Mitch, only tonight, Janie and Brianne had been replaced by the now-absent Bobby. “Sure he’s coming, sweetie,” Stella said. “It’s only been an hour.”

  An hour that had seemed like a millennium to Tori. “Now tell me again what Bobby said to him?”

  Stella rolled her eyes. “He told him to meet us here at eight, and Mitch said he would be glad to.”

  “Are you sure that’s all Bobby told him? He didn’t say anything about me being here?”

  “As far as I know, that’s all he said. But you know how men are. They don’t go into great detail unless it involves sex or sports. If you want, you can ask Bobby as soon as he gets back from the restroom.”

  As if Bobby would really tell Tori if he’d slipped up and mentioned her appearance. She rested her cheek on her palm and glanced around the crowded bar. If Mitch happened to come in, she would have a hard time seeing him immediately among the local masses. And if he had wandered in earlier and seen her, he might have left before he’d been discovered. That just made her plain depressed.

  “I’ve got an idea on how you can pass the time, Tori,” Stella said.

  Cry? That’s exactly what Tori wanted to do at the moment. Her roller-coaster emotions were threatening to leave the track for the umpteenth time in a week. “Maybe count Carl’s chest hairs spilling out from his T-shirt?”

  Stella yanked the spiral lock of hair Tori had been twisting like an old-time washing machine wringer. “You should sing. You know you want to.”

  Oh, sure. Like she really had something to sing about. “No, thanks. And might I remind you, it’s Saturday night. Karaoke’s on Friday.”

  “Carl would probably make an exception. You were really popular the last time you performed. Besides, it would help you to relax.”

  Tori let go a mirthless laugh. “Singing in front of a jam-packed room is not my idea of relaxing, especially in my nervous state.”

  At that moment, Bobby returned to the table, saving Tori from having to further argue the no-singing point with her best friend. For once, she was glad to see Stella’s other half.

  He hitched up his pants, yanked back his chair and dropped into it. “I don’t think he’s coming, girls.”

  Tori was no longer glad to see Bobby Lehman, even if she did agree with him. “I just said the same thing a minute ago.”

  “You want Bobby to go call him, Tori?” Stella asked.

  Frustrated, Tori slapped one palm on the table, rattling Bobby’s beer bottle and startling the couple. “I feel like I’ve been thrust back into high school study hall when everyone passes notes. I should’ve just gone out to the ranch and taken my chances instead of coming here.”

  “Why didn’t you?” Stella asked.

  Good question. “I guess I thought this was a more neutral place, in case he decided to slug me for sticking his dad’s quote in the story.”

  Stella looked mortified. “Mitch would never hit a woman, Tori.”

  “I know that. I meant in case he wants to give me a large piece of his mind.” He already owned a large piece of her heart.

  Bobby streaked a hand over his square jaw. “Yeah. He wasn’t too thrilled about that.”

  Panic gripped Tori. “You talked to him about it?”

  “I kind of overheard him talking to Buck. He’ll get over it eventually.”

  Eventually. Maybe by the time their child turned twenty-one, if she ever had the opportunity to tell him about the baby. “I wouldn’t bet on it. He tends to hold grudges.” One of the few faults Tori had discovered, but a major one, especially if he turned his resentment on her.

  So far nothing was going as planned for Tori tonight. And it only got worse when Carl tapped the microphone and said, “Listen up, people. By special request, you’re about to enjoy an encore performance by Tori Barnett doing a little Patsy Cline number! Get up here, little lady, and sing!”

  Tori now understood the whole grudge thing. “Stella, if you weren’t in such a delicate state, I’d ask you into the parking lot.”

  She had the gall to laugh. “Oh I’m so sure, Tori, since you’re so tough.”

  Tori didn’t felt tough at all. In fact, she felt fragile and frightened, void of confidence in her singing or anything else, for that matter.

  The chanting commenced, rumbling through the crowd until Tori was forced to stand and answer their pleas. On her way to the stage, she gave Stella a look that said this was not over.

  While Carl put on the music, Tori adjusted the microphone and cleared her throat. If she’d known what Stella had been up to, she would have requested another song. But it was too late to even consider that as the intro began to play.

  Tori admitted the song was very appropriate. After she told Mitch about the baby—if she had the chance to tell Mitch—she might only have her sweet dreams of him, forced to start her life anew without his support or the prospect of his love. At least she would have a special reminder in her child, hopefully the best part of them both.

  When her cue came, Tori belted out the lyrics as if she had all the strength the world. Sang as if her life depended on the act. And cried despite her efforts to avoid that very thing.

  She closed her eyes, willing her voice to remain steady as the tears rolled down her cheeks and onto the red sweater she’d worn the first night she’d met her stubborn cowboy. She didn’t bother to brush them away, didn’t care who might notice.

  This might have been her mother’s favorite song, but right now Tori sang to Mitch Warner—wherever he might be.

  Standing back at the corner of the crowded bar, Mitch watched Tori give another heartfelt performance. She wore the same clothes and sang the same song from that first night he’d laid eyes on her. But this time, the feelings she stirred deep within him had nothing to do with lust and everything to do with his love for her. He wasn’t accustomed to having his control sabotaged by emotions, yet he had no will left to fight it. He was totally unarmed and ready to surrender. From now on, she would call all the shots.

  Several patrons greeted him, but he didn’t respond beyond an occasional nod. He moved closer to the stage to get a better look, concerned when he thought he saw moi
sture dampening her flushed cheeks. Yet her voice remained clear, almost reverent, and now that he knew this had been her mother’s favorite, he assumed that was the reason for the tears. But she hadn’t cried before, and that led him to believe it could be more than bittersweet memories causing her turmoil.

  Seeing her standing there in the spotlight, her sorrow bared for everyone to see, he wanted to go to her and hold her, protect her, yet he had no call to interrupt at the moment. He wasn’t even sure she would welcome the intrusion. But when her voice faltered and she stopped before the song’s end, he elbowed his way through the muttering crowd, practically shoving several people aside, strode to the stage and caught her hand in his.

  She opened her eyes and stared at him, as if she didn’t quite believe he was real. When she didn’t move, he clasped her waist, pulled her from the platform and into his arms.

  They held each other as the music continued, danced as they had that first night together, clung to each other, this time driven by a closeness they’d established during their time together, not chemistry. Mitch recognized their relationship went far beyond desire. Far beyond anything he’d ever expected.

  When the original version of the song began to play, several couples drifted onto the dance floor. Mitch didn’t care if the whole town decided to three-step. He couldn’t imagine letting Tori go, not yet. Not until he felt her continued tears bleeding through his shirt, where her cheek rested against his chest.

  He sought her ear and whispered, “Let’s get out of here.”

  She nodded and he took her hand, guiding her toward the exit through the gawking crush of people. On the way out, they passed by Bob, who gave Mitch a salute, and Stella, who grabbed Tori’s hand, winked, then let her go.

  By the time they reached the door, Mitch was determined to get as far away from this place as possible. He steered Tori toward his truck, opened the door for her and helped her up into the cab, amazed when she didn’t ask where he was taking her. He climbed in behind the wheel and shot out of the parking lot, sending a gravel hailstorm in his wake as he sped down the highway toward home.

  He tugged Tori close against his side and let silence prevail for the time being. When he arrived at his destination, then they could talk.

  After pulling up the drive that led to the old house, he diverted to his right and traveled down the makeshift road leading to the creek. A full moon had risen over the open field, guiding him to the spot that had served as his refuge on more than one occasion, including the day his mother had died. If he needed to come to terms with his feelings for Tori, and reveal them to her, this was the logical place to do it.

  After putting the gearshift into Park, he slid out of the truck, rounded the hood and opened Tori’s door. Again she didn’t refuse his offered hand or his direction, as if she totally relied on his guidance.

  He led her to the back of the truck, yanked down the rusty tailgate then seated her there. He stood before her, both her slender hands wrapped securely in his. The moonlight cast Tori’s face in gold, a face that Mitch wanted to see every day for the rest of his life. He’d never wanted anything so damn bad. Not his degree. Not his business. Not even his freedom.

  But first, he needed to find out what had her so sad, and he hoped like hell it didn’t have anything to do with him.

  Tori focused on their joined hands, still silent. At least her tears had dried, but that did nothing to alleviate Mitch’s concern.

  “What’s going on, Tori?”

  She blew out a shaky breath but failed to look at him. “It’s been a tough two weeks.”

  “I know. I’ve missed you.” More than he’d missed anyone since his mother’s death.

  “I’ve missed you, too” she said, keeping her head lowered.

  “Tori, look at me.” When she complied, he continued. “When I found out you’d be there tonight—”

  “Bobby told you?” Both her tone and expression reflected her surprise.

  “Yeah. Didn’t you know that?”

  “No. I asked him not to and he said he wouldn’t. I was afraid if you knew I’d be there, you wouldn’t come because of the quote from your father in the article.”

  “I’m not going to lie to you, Tori. I was pretty mad at first since I didn’t understand why you did it.”

  She raised her eyes to his. “I did it for you.”

  He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “I know. And I appreciate that more than you know.”

  She looked genuinely pleased, and as pretty as Mitch had ever seen her look. “I think you should try to work it out with him,” she said. “It’s important, especially since I’ve recently found out my father never knew about me. And I’ll never know him because he’s gone. He died when I was three.”

  He felt her pain as keenly as if it was his own. “You read the letter.”

  “Yes. That’s why I think it’s important you reestablish a relationship with your own father. He’s all you have.”

  “I realize that now,” he said. “But before I deal with that, I have a few things I need to say to you.”

  Her gaze drifted for a moment and then came back to rest on his eyes. “I need to say some things to you, too. You can go first.”

  Mitch had every intention of going first, before he lost his courage. “You’re going to have to bear with me because I don’t have a whole lot of experience with this kind of thing.”

  “You’re a smart guy, Mitch. And articulate. I’m sure you can handle it.”

  “Just a few simple words from a simple man, Tori. That’s all.”

  “I’m listening.”

  He tightened his hold on her hands to anchor himself. “Since I left college, I’ve carefully calculated my life, planned everything down to the last detail. But I’ve recently realized some things throw all those plans off course.”

  “I know what you mean. Sometimes things just happen.”

  “Yeah. I sure as hell didn’t plan on you. I didn’t plan to stay up at night for two weeks, dealing with this pain I didn’t understand. I sure didn’t plan to pick up the phone at least a hundred times to call you before I decided that wasn’t a good idea.”

  Now she looked hurt. “Why wasn’t it a good idea?”

  “First, you told me you didn’t want to see me anymore. Second, I didn’t know what I wanted from you until today.”

  “What do you want from me, Mitch?”

  “To be with you, and not only tonight.” He tipped his forehead against hers. “I can’t stand the thought of you walking away and never coming back. I don’t think I can take that a second time.”

  She released a small sob and bit her lip, he assumed to halt another round of tears. He planned to kiss those away eventually—if she let him after he said what he needed to say.

  He was down to the wire. The moment of truth had arrived—a moment he’d never thought to confront. “I love you, Tori. God knows I didn’t want to, but I do.”

  Tears threatened at the corners of her eyes but she blinked them back. “Are you sure?”

  “It’s real, Tori, and I don’t want to let it go. I don’t want to let you go.”

  “But there’s so much we have to deal with. You’re here, I’m in Dallas.”

  “Marry me and we’ll live wherever you want to live.” There it was, and not so difficult after all. Not when it was so right.

  When she tugged her hands from his grasp, she might has well have knifed him in the gut. “What did you say?”

  “Marry me, Tori. Be my wife. I would be honored to be your husband.”

  “Do you realize how crazy that sounds, Mitch? What are people going to say since we’ve known each other for such a short time?”

  “I don’t give a damn what anyone has to say about it, except for you.”

  She spun a lock of hair around her finger. “First, let me say what I have to say to you. Then we’ll see if your offer still stands.”

  Fear momentarily immobilized Mitch. Fear that he’d screwed everythin
g up by his unwillingness to acknowledge his feelings until now. “I don’t think you could say anything that would change my mind. Unless you don’t love me.”

  She dropped her hands to her lap. “Oh, I love you all right.”

  “But only halfway?”

  “All the way. That’s not the problem.”

  Relief reared its head. But frustration and impatience attacked him all at once. “Then what the hell is it?”

  “I’m pregnant.”

  Mitch waited for the urge to run. Waited for the cold sweat, the burning in his gut. It didn’t come at all. In fact, what he experienced at the moment felt a lot like pride and joy. “When did you find out?”

  “Earlier this week. Actually, the day I met with your dad. That’s why I’m here tonight, to tell you.”

  The same old mistrust came home before he could stop it. “Did you tell him?”

  She frowned. “Of course not. I wouldn’t tell anyone without telling you first. Even Stella doesn’t know. She thinks I’m here just to see you again.”

  Mitch rubbed his chin and grinned. “I’ll be damned.”

  “I’ll be damned? Is that all you can say?”

  “You know something, babe. I think subconsciously I wanted to get you pregnant. I could’ve pulled a condom out of my pocket that night in the truck.”

  “You had a condom with you?”

  “Yep, but I also had a woman in my arms that made me lose my mind because I wanted her so badly.” He touched his lips to hers. “I still want her.”

  Tori swiped at her eyes. “I’m so glad you do. I figured you’d be back at the house by now, locking yourself in.”

  Overcome with a sense of happiness he’d never before experienced, Mitch lifted her off the truck and set her on her feet, pulling her close. “Buck told me he wanted a great-grandchild before he was too old to enjoy one. Looks like he’s going to get his wish. Now am I going to get mine?”

  He saw pure love shining in her eyes, all for him. “Yes. I’ll marry you. Gladly.”

  “Thank God.” He kissed her again, this time more deeply to drive home his feelings for her. “I love you, baby. And I don’t want to wait to get married.”