She slowed her pace, thinking that if she had a shred of decency she’d be more concerned about why their plans had changed. Why Nikki no longer wanted to stay at the Lone Wolf. Matt had sounded a little off during their brief conversation, but Rachel figured it was because he wasn’t alone.
The downstairs grandfather clock chimed and got her moving again. She was putting Nikki on the same floor with the family. One room was still available in the guest wing, but only for a couple of days and then the Sundance would be booked for the rest of the week.
Passing her own room somehow reminded her that she hadn’t shaved her legs in a week. Wow, remembering at the last second would’ve been awful. Though she was jumping the gun. Matt could simply drop off Nikki, and Rachel wouldn’t see him again until they were ready to leave Blackfoot Falls.
No, she couldn’t let that happen. Matt wouldn’t let that happen, not after this morning. But he’d left before, without warning.
Just like that her mood plummeted. Logically she understood this time was different. They were both leaving eventually. He’d be going much sooner, but that didn’t matter because she had no expectation he would stay. She opened the door to the room, relieved to see Hilda had already changed the sheets and dusted the oak dresser and matching nightstands.
Rachel had no idea how long she’d been standing there, her thoughts drifting back and forth to Matt, when she heard the doorbell. Quickly she grabbed towels from the linen closet and set them on the bed, then hurried down the hall despite knowing someone would beat her to the door.
Her mother was hugging a very somber Matt when Rachel started down the stairs. Nikki stood off to the side, her face pale and tense. Seeing her made Rachel feel like crap. Obviously something horrible had happened, most likely Wallace- related, while Rachel had been wrapped up dreaming of Matt.
“Hi, Nikki, I’m sorry I missed you earlier.” Rachel stopped in front of her, hesitant yet longing to hug her because she seemed so small and lost.
“My fault. I was hiding in my room.” Nikki managed a faint smile. “Not from you,” she added quickly and drew in a shaky breath. “Thanks for putting me up. Really, I know y’all are busy. Do I pay now or when I leave?”
“Oh, my goodness, Nikki.” Barbara McAllister had no qualms about ignoring boundaries. She pulled Nikki into a hug. “You’re our guest. You and Matt are always welcome here.”
Nikki turned to Matt for help. “But—”
He was staring at Rachel, his face grim enough to make Rachel’s heart thud.
She broke eye contact first. “Forget it,” she said to Nikki. “Mom’s had practice arguing with four kids. She has final say.”
Nikki moved back. “This isn’t supposed to be charity,” she murmured.
“It’s not.” Matt finally weighed in. “I’m paying for Nik’s room.”
“I can pay for my own,” she said, and gave him a blistering look.
“Ah, Jesus.” He plowed a hand through his hair, then winced. “Sorry, Mrs. McAllister.”
She laughed. “Matthew, I have three sons.”
Rachel tried to look innocent.
Her mom arched a brow at her. “And this one.”
Nikki laughed a little at that.
Matt’s mood hadn’t lightened at all, and it broke Rachel’s heart. The problem had to be Wallace. For Matt it had always been his bastard of a father. She had a good mind to jump in her car and go give him a dressing-down that was late in coming. He had this great son who’d defended him all his childhood, who’d broken his back to earn Wallace’s approval, and the stupid idiot had never once...
“Rachel?”
She blinked at Matt. He was staring at her. So was everyone else.
“Rachel,” her mom repeated gently. “Why don’t you show Nikki to her room?”
“Sure,” she muttered, heat climbing her neck. “Of course.”
“Actually, if you have a few minutes, I’d like to talk to you,” Matt said. “I mean everyone. You, too, Hilda, if you have time. I assume the guys are out working.”
Rachel turned to see their housekeeper standing near the door between the dining room and kitchen. She’d been with them so long, she was practically family.
“Please, come.” Rachel saw the embarrassment in the older woman’s dark eyes, probably worried they thought she was eavesdropping, and motioned for her to join them.
Nikki glanced toward the back of the house, then toward the stairs. “We can’t talk out here.”
All the guests were gone, enjoying outdoor activities, but the foyer was airy and huge and it didn’t matter that they were alone in the house. It could feel intimidating for a personal conversation.
“We can go to Cole’s office,” Rachel said. “Or have coffee in the kitchen. No one else is home. Jamie ran into town an hour ago. I don’t know when she’ll be back.”
Matt glanced at Nikki, who nodded. “The kitchen is okay, and if Jamie shows up, that’s fine.”
They settled at the table in silence. Hilda seemed nervous. Rachel definitely had a jitter in her belly. Oddly, her mother didn’t even seem curious, as if she already knew what Matt was going to say. Strange, really strange. She hadn’t seen or talked to him last night, or since he’d arrived.
Matt had taken the chair next to Nikki, and with a fond smile, reached over to squeeze her hand. Rachel had some nerve feeling jealous, but there it was.
“Nikki,” he said, “is my sister.”
“Half sister,” she corrected, giving Rachel time to close her mouth.
His shoulders lifted in a slight shrug, and he looked at Rachel and Hilda. “No one else knows. Not Lucy or any of the Lone Wolf hands. Wallace just found out. We left him halfway into a bottle.”
After an awkward silence, Rachel knew she should say something, but what? A few weird thoughts flitted through her head. Of course Nikki had to be Wallace’s daughter, not Catherine’s. She’d lived her whole adult life at the Lone Wolf. Everyone in Blackfoot Falls would have known if she’d had a second pregnancy. Besides, insane as it was, Catherine Gunderson had adored her husband. With a sinking feeling, Rachel wondered if she’d known of his infidelity.
She focused on Nikki. “If you don’t mind my asking, did he know about you before today?”
The younger woman nodded, her lashes briefly lowering, then she tossed her hair in a gesture of defiance. “He did, not that it mattered.”
Dammit, Rachel wished she’d kept her mouth shut. “I shouldn’t have asked.... I’m not sure why I did...sorry....”
“It’s okay.” Nikki laughed nervously. “Y’all know him better than I do. He’s a piece of...a jerk. Can’t hide that in a town this small.” She sighed, slanting a glance at Matt. “I want to leave. Matt doesn’t. I have to calm down, and we’ll see.”
Rachel met his eyes, but quickly turned away, not wanting him to see the panic that rose in her throat and probably showed in her face. God, he couldn’t leave so soon. They’d just reconnected.
“Would you like to stay with us, too, Matt?” her mom asked. “Everyone would love having you here.” She leaned in, lowering her voice, a trace of amusement making the skin around her eyes crinkle. “Some of our paying guests can be somewhat persistent, but I think we can count on Rachel to keep the women away from you.”
She glared at her mother, then out of the corner of her eye saw Nikki and Hilda fighting smiles. Rachel switched her gaze back to Matt. His serious expression had faded, the slight twitch of his lips unmistakable.
Oh, brother... “You better believe it,” she said with a defeated laugh. “You are officially off-limits. I’ll post signs.”
“Thanks, but...” Matt slowly shook his head, mouth now tight. The light moment was gone, though he didn’t seem the least embarrassed. Ten years ago his face would’ve been beet-red. But he was a celebrity now, which Rachel kept forgetting, and a guy as hot as Matt could probably have his pick of women.
Was Rachel fooling herself that he was interested in her? Thou
gh he had kissed her first. And it would just be sex—they both understood that. The subject of forever after would never have to come up.
“Matt?” Nikki found his hand. “It would be fun to stay here. Please.”
He didn’t answer, but he wasn’t going to stay. It was clear by the way he’d drawn back his shoulders. He was holding his ground. But why would he want to stay in the same house as Wallace? That was crazy.
“I’ll think about it,” he said finally.
“Well, that means no.” Nikki sighed and shoved his hand away. Apparently she did know her brother. “Fine.”
He tugged at her hair. “I’m still going to be around, so don’t be a sourpuss.”
Rachel smiled. They were cute together. She’d bet he actually enjoyed having a kid sister. “Nikki, the town’s annual Valentine’s dance is day after tomorrow. If you don’t have anything to wear, we’ll find you something.”
“They still have that dance?” Matt asked.
“It’s Blackfoot Falls. Why would anything change?” Rachel regretted the sarcasm when she noticed her mom’s disappointed frown. “It’ll be fun.”
“I don’t dance,” Matt muttered.
Nikki shook her head. “Me, neither.”
“Tough. You guys are both coming. You can gorge on cupcakes and punch.”
“Still bossy,” Matt murmured, his gaze locked with hers.
“Yep.” Rachel’s heart skipped a couple of beats. The affectionate way he was looking at her, they could’ve been the only ones in the kitchen.
The sound of a distinctive engine from outside broke the brief spell.
“It’s Jamie,” Hilda said, and got up from the table. “She picked up groceries for me. I’ll go help her.” Matt immediately pushed back his chair, but Hilda waved him to stay seated. “It’s one bag. Nikki, I’m very glad you’ll be staying with us, chica,” she said with warmth and sincerity as she touched Nikki’s shoulder.
She gave Hilda a grateful smile then watched her head outside. “Is she from here?”
“Hilda lives with us.” Barbara shrugged. “She has for, gosh, I don’t know, since before Rachel was born.”
“Even before Trace. Isn’t Ben about Jesse’s age?” Rachel said to her mom, and then to Nikki, “She has a son and daughter. They moved here from Mexico with her. We grew up with them.”
“Here? All of you?”
Rachel nodded. “It’s a big house.” She noticed Nikki’s surprise, and that Matt seemed pleased. Of course he knew Hilda and her kids, so this wasn’t news, which meant he wanted Nikki to hear this. What was he up to?
“Hilda’s always been like everyone’s grandmother,” Matt said to his sister. “Remember when you asked me how I knew so many Spanish cusswords?”
“She did not teach you those,” Barbara said, her eyes narrowing.
“Well, that sucks.” Rachel snorted. “She didn’t teach me.”
“Hold on, ladies,” Matt said, grinning. “You didn’t let me finish. Ben was the one who rounded out my education and cussing seemed to be the only Spanish he knew. Where is he these days?”
Rachel and her mom both shook their heads, Barbara throwing a pointed glance at the back door.
Matt gave a small nod, and dropped the subject. “I’ll take your bag upstairs for you, Nik, then I have to get going.”
“Really?” Nikki and Rachel spoke at the same time.
“I have business to take care of.”
“Like what?” Nikki asked, and Rachel was content to let her do the badgering.
Getting to his feet, he gave his sister a patient but firm look. “I’ll call you.”
“When?”
“Later.” He paused. “Might not see you till tomorrow though.”
She folded her arms. “Fine.”
“Knock off the attitude,” he said, playfully tugging her hair again. “Or you’ll carry your own bag upstairs.”
“I’m doing it myself, anyway, so go.”
Laughing, Barbara planted her palms on the table and pushed herself up. “I’m having a cup of coffee. If anyone else wants one, it’s now or never.”
“You mind walking me to the door first, Mrs. McAllister?” Matt asked quietly.
“Of course, but I think you might be old enough to call me Barbara now.” She put an arm around his middle, appearing tiny next to him, and steered him toward the door separating the kitchen and dining room.
Rachel had already risen halfway out of her seat, then felt awkward because she’d wanted to walk Matt. “I’ll get you situated, Nikki,” she said, pretending that was her plan all along.
“Thanks.” Nikki smiled. “I still wish y’all would let me pay for my room.”
“Not going to happen.” Her gaze automatically went to the back of Matt’s head. He smiled at her over his shoulder before he pushed open the swinging door.
Hilda returned through the mudroom, followed by Jamie, whose gaze lit when she saw Nikki. “Hey.” Then she noticed the dining room door still moving. Rachel was leading Nikki in the same direction. “Where’s everyone going?” Jamie set the brown paper bag on the counter. “Did I miss everything?”
In spite of her crankiness at being bested by her mom, Rachel couldn’t help but laugh. “Matt is leaving. Nikki is staying. I’m taking her to her room. We’ll be right back. Hilda won’t tell you anything before then.”
Hilda smiled, shaking her head and already putting away groceries.
“Yeah, okay, I’ll remember this, Rach. Next time all you get is a postcard from Europe,” she called after them even though they’d left the kitchen.
“Europe?” Nikki said. “Is she kidding?”
“It’s her job. She’s a travel blogger.”
“Wow. Cool.”
“She lives here now...moved from L.A. last month,” Rachel said absently, too busy sneaking a peek at her mom and Matt standing at the front door.
Neither of them spared her or Nikki a glance when they stopped for the small bag sitting at the foot of the stairs. Rachel grabbed it first. The duffel was light, maybe only three days’ worth of clothes inside.
Her mother patted Matt’s arm and she had that soft maternal smile full of concern and reassurance at the same time. A smile reserved for times when one of her children was having a rough go and she wanted to make it better but couldn’t.
“I can take it.”
“What?” Not paying attention, she nearly missed the first step but recovered quickly. “Oh, no problem.”
“I don’t know what they’re talking about,” Nikki whispered as they ascended the wide staircase together. “I really don’t.”
“That obvious, huh?” Rachel looked at her and sighed.
“What, you think I won’t ask him what that’s about?”
Rachel chuckled. “Will you tell me?”
“Depends. He is my brother. Half brother,” she amended. “But he doesn’t like it when I make the distinction.”
“I noticed, and I’m not surprised.” Rachel smiled, liking that Nikki was loyal and wouldn’t rat him out. Because he’d return the favor in spades. If anything, he was loyal to a fault. “I’m so glad he has you. Matt is...he’s just a great guy.” Rachel blushed. “But you already know that.”
“I do, but I still give him a hard time.” Nikki sniffed. “I shouldn’t. It’s not his fault Wallace is a prick.”
“Uh, yes, he is.” Good word choice. “That man never deserved his wife or his son—that’s for damn sure.”
“Guess I’m the lucky one,” Nikki said wryly, and Rachel wanted to kick herself yet again.
She was talking to his daughter, for God’s sake. “I think you’ll like your room,” she said, quickening her pace. “It’s small but it faces the Rockies, and it may snow tonight, which will be pretty.”
Nikki’s face lit. “I hope it does. I’ve never seen snow fall.”
Rachel ushered her into the room, then went straight for the blinds. She opened them to show Nikki the view, but deep down she k
new she wanted to catch a glimpse of Matt.
Her pulse leaped when she saw him heading for his truck. She hated that he wouldn’t stay and refused to give a reason. Not that he owed her one. Maybe she was wrong to hope for more kisses in their future.
And then it hit her...the kiss might have meant nothing more than an apology for having left.
Another small piece of her heart chipped off as she watched him leave again.
9
MATT KNEW HE WAS TAKING a chance showing up at Rachel’s front door and expecting her to go for a drive with him. She had a dude ranch to run, guests to worry about...and since it had snowed last night, their planned activities were probably shot to hell.
He had time to call her. He was still ten minutes away from the Sundance. Though at the speed he was driving, five might be more accurate. Breathing in deeply, he lifted his foot off the accelerator. The roads were relatively clear, no ice anyway, but that wasn’t the point. He knew better than to drive fast on this road, hell, any road. It was plain stupid and reckless, and unfortunately matched his mood. He could lie to himself all he wanted that he wasn’t that hotheaded guy anymore...until Wallace entered the mix.
Shit, he’d spent ten lousy minutes with the bastard this morning and he’d let Wallace get to him. The old man had made no bones about his indifference to Nikki. Said he hadn’t acknowledged her before, why should he now. But he’d asked about Rosa, which pissed Matt off even more, and thank God Nikki hadn’t been there to hear that.
The worst part of the morning was that nothing Wallace did or said had shocked Matt. So what kind of idiot did that make him? Why in the hell had he even considered that the asshole would change his stripes and do right by Nikki? Not one speck of logic existed for Matt to have made that leap. He had firsthand experience of Wallace’s miserable failure as a father. As a husband. As a human being. For nearly nineteen years Matt had done everything he could to please his father...even now it made him sick to think of himself as a kid, practically kissing the man’s boots trying to get his attention.
Your'e Still the One Page 9