Trace sauntered into the front lobby, looking more relaxed than he’d ever seen his friend. Showing him this letter would kill him. He knew Trace felt the same way about Diana.
Or should he say Laurel.
“What’s up? Someone die?”
“Close.” He grabbed Trace’s arm and led him out to the front away from everyone. “Read this. It’s from Diana.”
Chapter Eight
Dear boys,
I know you hate that reference, but you will always be the seventeen-year-old high school football stars of Flagstaff Prep. This is the hardest letter I’ve ever had to write, but I have to explain why I left. My full name is Laurel Diana Bowman. I called myself Laurel in high school. You might not remember me, as I was not the kind of girl you noticed. We both were in the same English class. (Remember Mrs. Sayers and the geeky girl with the glasses and braces who you asked to write the paper on Shakespeare when you two were getting ready for districts? That was me.)
Anyway, I was one of your biggest fans. I went to every game and cheered you on. You two lived in my dreams each night. When I came to the resort, you were the last two men I expected to see. I wanted to hate you for excluding me, for ignoring me when I was a young girl, but then I found out you’d changed and had become real men. Men I could fall in love with.
I’m sorry I deceived you, but if I had said who I was, I know you would have run.
I hope you have a fulfilling life.
Love,
Diana
Jack waited for Trace to say something. He would have crumpled the paper, burned it in fact, had Trace not been there.
Trace fisted his hands. “How could she?”
“Lie about who she was or leave us like that?”
“Both. Couldn’t she tell how much she meant to us? That it didn’t matter who she used to be?”
Jack shrugged. “You go tell her.” No way could he face her. “We were jerks back in high school. I can see why she hated us all those years.”
Trace laughed, but his tone held no humor. “You got that right. We had two goals back then. Win games and get laid.” He looked off in the distance. “She’s wrong about one thing. I do remember her. She had lots of freckles and was a little overweight, but I liked her. She was always supportive and always told me what a great game I had, even if I sucked. I always thought she was too good for me since she was so damned smart.”
His gut soured. Diana, or rather Laurel, had been nothing but sweet to him, too. “Doesn’t she understand that if we’d asked her out we’d have been the laughingstock of the team?”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t matter. We should have been nicer to her.”
Jack shoved his thumbs into his waistband. “We were stupid teenage boys.”
“True, but we’re not any more. We need to make this right.”
Jack knew Trace would do the right thing. “Go for it.”
His eyes widened. “You’re not coming?”
“No. She has the hots for you, not me.”
“Bullshit. She was always looking at you. I’m too moody for her, too domineering. She liked you a lot. I think I made her do things she didn’t want to do.”
“You? I tried to have sex with her in the ass. A girl like her would think that was disgusting.”
“She didn’t act disgusted last night. In fact, she seemed sad she couldn’t have us both at the same time.” Jack leaned against the entranceway pillar and dropped back his head.
“I’m not so sure. Deep down, she loved everything you did. I could tell by the way she looked up to you.”
“You’re wrong.”
“You go to her. She has a good life in Flagstaff, but I know you could convince her to stay with you.”
“You planning on being here forever?”
Not anymore, not since he met Diana. “We both agreed we’d give it six months before deciding where to go. Our time is past up. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I realize I need to mend my fences with my family. If I don’t, I’ll have nothing to offer her.”
“Like I do?”
“You’re an entrepreneur. You have lofty goals, like Diana. Other than help you with the Internet site, what have I accomplished since coming home from Africa?” He dragged a hand down his chin. He needed a shave. “I think I’m ready now to take on the responsibility of running the ranch.”
Trace arched his brows. “I’m not pleased you don’t want to at least talk to Diana, but I respect what you’re going to do. When you figure it out, let me know. I can’t stay here until I give it a try to win her back.”
His hands fisted at his side. Jealousy was an ugly trait, but if Diana had to love someone, he wanted it to be Trace. He’d make her happy for sure.
Jack probably should have explained to his best friend how much his family didn’t understand his need to be his own man. It was one of the reasons why he spent two years in the Peace Corps, getting away from the enormity of the cattle business. Now, he was ready to go home and fight his demons. He needed to act like a man instead of a scared kid hiding for life. He was thirty-two years old and needed to stop screwing around with his life. It was past time to grow up.
Trace turned around and strode back into the resort. Jack inhaled, his thoughts nearly crushing him. Without Diana, life would not be complete. But first, he needed to tell Rod he was moving on.
* * * *
The meeting with Rod was civil, but he could tell his boss wasn’t happy about losing him.
Rod shook his hand. “You know you always have a place here. You’re part of our family.”
“I appreciate that.”
He wasn’t sure how Trace would handle the employment situation, but he was a grown man and could make his own decisions. Diana might tell Trace to get lost, in which case he’d probably want to stay at the resort. Jack knew he’d never be able to touch and tease another woman if it wasn’t Diana.
He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t called his family to let them know he was coming. It was probably because he wasn’t even sure if they’d welcome him back with open arms after staying away these past few years. Yes, he’d called and sent birthday cards, but he’d never visited. Even Christmas came and went without him going home. Judging from his mother’s letters, his absence hurt her.
Even after he’d learned Dad was ill, he didn’t return. Maybe he didn’t want to see his fairly young dad, who was always in control, look weak. His younger brother Tim, he knew, could run the operation in a pinch, but he understood Tim, who was only twenty-five, didn’t really want to. He needed to spread his wings, too. It was now or never.
Mt. Elden came into view to the north of Flagstaff, and he wondered if Diana took her clients there to climb.
Diana. Diana. Diana. Why did all his thoughts revolve around her?
He missed her, but she needed to remain in his past for now.
The sign over the entrance to the ranch looked like it needed some repair, and the road could use a little leveling, but the large spread brought back good memories. He chuckled. The long, daily drive to the prep school always used to piss him off.
He’d been such a jerk back then. He’d acted entitled, like when he told his father the family should get a home in town so it would be easier for him to make weekend practices. Good thing his parents hadn’t tossed him on his ass long before he graduated.
There was one benefit of living so far outside of town. His fellow classmates never learned that his father owned the Double-D ranch, one of the largest cattle ranches in the state. Most of his friends’ families were well-off, but they weren’t obscenely rich like Dad. Flaunting his wealth would have alienated too many of his friends. Only Trace knew his roots.
He enjoyed the view of the plains, of the cattle and horses off in the distance. The three main buildings came into view. Nothing seemed to have changed. He pulled his truck up to the side of the house where the door led to the kitchen. Two new dogs were outside, barking up a storm. Buster and Chester had died last year, accordi
ng to one of Mom’s letters. Guilt assaulted him for waiting this long to come home.
The front door opened and his mom stood there, shielding her eyes. He had the same beat-to-shit truck he had when he left for the Peace Corps, so she was sure to recognize her long-lost son.
His palms were sweating despite the dry air, and his heart raced. He didn’t deserve a welcome home after he basically abandoned his family, but his mom was always about forgiveness. He wished he could forgive himself so easily.
He eased out of the truck, picked up his duffel from the back, and strode toward her. Only when she grinned did he drop his bag and run into her arms.
“Jack?” She laughed and stepped out of his embrace, holding him at arm’s length. “My, but you look good, son. Someone must have finally pounded some sense into you.”
Diana. “You could say that. You look as beautiful as always.”
She swatted his arm. “You always were the sweet-talking one in the family. Are you home to stay or are you here just to see your daddy? Tim wrote you, didn’t he, that your daddy isn’t doing well?”
“Yes, but that’s not why I came. I want to stay and work the ranch.”
“I should have written to you about your dad’s condition, but I didn’t have the heart to put my pain on paper. I kept praying he’d get better.”
“He will.”
Her grin became wider than the Grand Canyon. “So you’re here to stay. That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time.”
“You going to invite me in or what?” He smiled and winked, hoping to charm her.
“Like I could ever stop you from doing what you wanted?”
Sad, but true. “I hope to change that bad habit.” He picked up his bag, gave her a kiss on the cheek as he passed her, and stepped into the large kitchen. It smelled like bread. “You know stores sell bread. You don’t have to make everything from scratch.”
“You know I love to cook. It keeps my mind off your daddy.”
“I’d love a slice in a bit.” He needed to see his dad, to set things straight. “Can I see him?”
“He’s in our room, but you might want to freshen up first. Your room is like you left it.”
No surprise there. If his mom cleaned out his room, it meant he wouldn’t come back, and Mom was the eternal optimist. “Thanks.”
He showered off the sweat and changed into a pair of worn boots and a faded pair of jeans, just the kind of outfit his dad wore every day. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, inhaled, then trudged to his parents’ bedroom and knocked softly.
“Come in.” While the voice didn’t sound strong, at least his dad answered.
It took all his acting skills to smile. His father was in bed, looking gaunt and way too old to be sixty. “Hey, Dad.”
His father’s eyes sparkled for a second then dulled. “You coming to see if I’ve died yet?”
His gruffness wouldn’t put off Jack. “Mom just told me you were a bit under the weather.”
“Under the weather? I’m dying. I have damned liver cancer.”
His heart stopped. Tim never said why his dad was ill. In all his years, he never expected the strong John DeMarco to die before he turned one hundred. He was too damned stubborn.
“I’m sorry.”
“You just stop by to say your final farewell then?” The pain in his dad’s tone nearly did him in.
Both were proud men, but Jack wanted to change. He slipped a hip on the bed and picked up his dad’s paper-thin hand. “No. I’m back for good. I want to help with the ranch, if you’ll let me.”
His father cocked a brow. “You didn’t know I was down for the count?”
“I actually came to give Tim a break. He’s young and needs to sow his oats. I’m ready to do my share.”
His father smiled, and the man he knew showed through. This was right. This was good.
* * * *
Trace only packed one suitcase, not sure how long he would stay in Flagstaff. With his mom dead and his deadbeat father in jail, there would be no welcome home for him. None of his close high school friends had stayed in town, and he hadn’t kept in contact with any of the other fellows, mainly because he hadn’t been back to Flagstaff in close to a year. While he always loved the town, the people, and the mountains, he hated where he lived and how he lived.
Until he knew where he stood with Diana, he wouldn’t speak to Rod about possibly leaving. According to Jack, Rod was less than pleased with Jack’s resignation, but he seemed to understand. The men who worked at the resort came and went, often ending up with the women they met there.
Life would be good once he told Diana he loved her and that he wanted to spend his life with her. He prayed he was strong enough to put the nightmares of his past behind him.
I’m not my father. I’m not my father. I will not harm women. Ever.
He slowed as he turned onto the famous Route 66. Finding Diana’s company on the Internet had been easy. There weren’t many adventure companies that catered to executives. During his search, he’d learned people came from all over the country to take her five-day trips. He was impressed with how she’d managed to create a successful company by herself.
Using the GPS on his truck, he found her office with no problem. She’d only left the resort earlier this morning, so he figured she wouldn’t have scheduled another trip already.
Inside the one-room office, the air smelled of pine, and his thoughts raced to their night in the tent. His cock had never been happier than when he was inside her, and he vowed nothing was going to stop him from having her again.
A sweet, pretty little thing stepped from the back room. “May I help you?”
Normally, his hormones would have spiked at seeing the cute girl, but today only Diana could scratch his itch. “I’m looking for Ms. Bowman.”
He wasn’t sure if she went by Diana or Laurel.
“Diana stepped out to get some coffee. She’ll be back in a moment. You can wait here if you want.” She motioned to two comfortable-looking chairs.
“I’ll come back.”
He had a better chance of taking her away if he waylaid her outside. Not wanting the assistant to see him pace, he moved in front of the clothing store next door.
A moment later he spotted her. His cock shot to attention and a grin captured his face. She hadn’t seen him as her gaze was focused on the ground. Hair bouncing, Diana walked straight toward him with a coffee in hand.
He closed the gap between them. “Diana?”
She stopped, looked up, and froze. Shit. He shouldn’t have startled her. Now he couldn’t gauge her reaction. He had planned to sweep her into his arms and ravish her, but he’d give her a moment to adjust to him being there.
“Trace?” Her lips faltered before turning into a smile.
His muscles unlocked and he moved toward her. He should have engaged in small talk, asked her why she left, convinced her she shouldn’t have left, but the brain in his head had stopped working. He took the cup from her hand, set it on the bench in front of the store, and pulled her to his chest.
Kissing her with all his love, he set her down when she didn’t return his affection. “What’s wrong? Not happy to see me?”
Her mouth opened then closed. Her gaze shot all around him. “Did Jack come, too?”
A bit of his heart stilled until he realized the three of them belonged together. “No. He had family business to attend to.”
“Oh. Why are you here?”
She couldn’t guess? He dragged a finger down her cheek and would have continued over her tit, but he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. “Can we go someplace quiet? More intimate?”
“I, ah, only live about a mile from here.”
He grinned. “Works for me.”
She stopped. “To talk only. Trace, we can never be. You do realize that?”
His gut exploded. No, he didn’t know that since he didn’t believe she understood herself like he did. Just because she was a psychologist didn’
t mean she had her act together when it came to her own needs. She was hiding from something, and he was determined to find out what.
“Trace Turner never quits. I want you, Diana, and always will.”
Chapter Nine
Once Trace got Diana alone, he’d show her she needed him as much as he needed her.
“Hop in.” His car was parked in front of her shop.
“No, I’ll drive.”
She stuck her head in her shop and let the other girl know she might not be back before closing. He wanted to grab her by the waist and make love to her in the front seat of her car, but she deserved to be loved slow and easy, at least the first time.
She pulled into traffic and headed west. “Did you get my letter?” From the way she sucked in her bottom lip, she had no idea how they took her deception.
“Yes, but you jumped to all the wrong conclusions. You thought it mattered who you were. It doesn’t, though we both wished you’d told the truth from the beginning.”
She rolled her eyes as if he and Jack were the clueless ones. “That’s not the only reason I left.”
She turned right onto a residential street. “Then tell me. I don’t understand.”
“You two might be in lust with me, but that’s all. I’ve fantasized about you two for years. I even followed your career, at least the first year in college. To you, I’m someone you just met. You know nothing about me.”
That was not true, but he couldn’t find the words to tell her.
She pulled into her driveway. The elegant, two-story, wood-framed house was landscaped impeccably. He had the money to live as nicely but chose to use his money in other ways, to give to those who needed it more.
He rushed to her side to open the driver-side door, but she stepped out before he had the chance to help. Instead of threading her arm through his, she strode to the front door and let herself in. She might not have welcomed him with open arms, but she hadn’t thrown her coffee in his face or slammed the door either. He followed her inside. Light poured in from the large picture window showing off what looked like local artwork on the walls.
Monroe, Melody S. - Deception Fantasy [Fantasy Resort 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 8