by Tina Leonard
“I didn’t have anything to do with that!” Carter screamed. “You’ll never be able to tie me to the fire on that bitch’s land. And anyway, that Indian woman had it coming to her. She thinks she’s a frigging queen. But I’m too smart to leave evidence lying around, and even if the two of you try to pin it on me, it won’t stand up in court. You’ll never tie me to it.”
Zach looked down at his prisoner. “I don’t have to. You and your filthy mouth just did.” He flipped out a recording device that had been in his pocket. Carter stared, shocked, before hanging his head. A police cruiser that had been waiting for Zach’s appearance with Carter rolled to the curb, and two officers got out.
Sam and Zach handed Carter over to them. Carter went peacefully, obviously realizing the futility of struggling now that every angle had been completely covered by Zach. Before getting in, he turned to look at Zach one last time.
“This isn’t what I thought would happen, back when we were in college,” he said.
Zach looked at the man who had once been his friend. He shrugged. “Me, neither.”
Carter nodded. Then the policewoman helped him into the car. Zach handed over the recorder to the officer’s partner. “We’ll be getting in touch with you, Mr. Rayez,” the officer said.
“You do that,” Zach replied.
Within seconds, the cruiser had disappeared, taking away the man who had tried to ruin Zach’s life. He stared after it, glad the whole thing was over. But deep inside, it sickened him that it had ever had to happen.
Sam slapped him on the back jovially. Zach turned to look at his friend. “I can’t thank you enough for coming with me today, Sam. Carter wouldn’t have cooperated nearly as well without you.”
Lindale chuckled. “You seemed to be doing fine to me. Although you worried me a little with the gun business. Couldn’t figure out what I was going to have to pull out of my pocket for that one.”
Zach laughed. “Sorry. I got a little crazy.”
They got in Zach’s car. “Well, now what?” Sam asked. “What are your plans?”
Zach didn’t hesitate as he started the car. “I’ve got a few more loose ends to tie up. But as soon as I do, I’m heading toward Desperado.”
“Time to fire up your salsa factory?”
“Yeah. Feel like attending a wedding any time soon?”
Sam laughed out loud. “Hell, yeah, I feel like it. I just got my tux ready for the wedding you were supposed to have last weekend.”
Zach smiled. “Keep it out. If I have my way about it, I’ll be eating wedding cake very soon.”
In Desperado, Annie and Mary sat by the fish pond, quietly feeding the fish. The smaller ones were beginning to be cautious about humans, but they still weren’t as shy as the bigger fish. The corn kernels were just too enticing to be passed up.
Mary laughed happily as a fish splashed in the water. “They’re playing,” she said.
Annie smiled, gazing at the daughter she loved so much. “Yes, I think they are,” she replied. After a moment, she said, “Mary, you didn’t have a chance to know your grandmother. But she was a beautiful woman who loved your grandfather very much.”
“I know. But she got sick,” Mary said. Sadness stole into the little girl’s eyes.
Annie wrapped her arms around her daughter and pulled her into her lap. “Yes. But I have some good news to tell you. Ms. Gert and Grandpa Travis are getting married.”
Mary turned around to peer at her mother. “Are they really?”
“Yes.” Annie nodded at the delight in Mary’s eyes.
“Can I go to the wedding?” she pleaded. “I’ll be really good and not sleepy or anything.”
Annie laughed. “Better than that. Gert wants you to be her flower girl.”
“Oh, my,” Mary breathed. “Will I look just like Cinderella? With flowers and everything?”
Tears jumped into Annie’s eyes. “With flowers and everything. It’s going to be small and simple in the chapel at our church, but Gert has even picked out a flower halo for you to wear in your hair. You’ll be every bit as beautiful as Cinderella, sugar.”
Mary clapped her hands. “I’m so excited! I can’t wait!” But just as quickly her face fell. “I’m happy for Grandpa, I really am. But I wish it was you, Mama,” she said softly.
Annie lowered her head, brushing a kiss against Mary’s little forehead. Zach had never mentioned marriage to her. It wasn’t likely that he would choose her to be the woman to fit into his world. But she said to Mary, “Maybe one day, sugar. But if I ever do get married, I promise you’ll be my flower girl.” Then she hugged her daughter close and wondered if she’d ever hear from Zach again.
Thirty minutes later, Mary ran up to house to get a soda. Annie stayed where she was, lazily enjoying a moment of contentment by the side of the pond.
She might have even started to doze off, but a masculine voice spoke out in the stillness. “You look just the way I always think of you.”
“Zach!” Annie sat up quickly, repressing the urge to throw her arms around his neck. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”
“Did you doubt me, Annie Aguillar?” Zach asked. “Did you think I wouldn’t come back?
Annie didn’t really know what to say. He looked so tall and wonderfully handsome standing there, his mouth quirked into a cocky grin, that she hesitated. She wanted to tell Zach how glad she was that he’d come, but the words stayed inside her. “Um…it wasn’t so much that I doubted you, but I knew that there were a lot of things working against us.”
“Precisely why I had to come back.” Zach sat down next to her, pulling a piece of paper from his pocket. “I have a lot to tell you. First, I think you’ll be happy to know that the plans for the state highway were redrawn some time ago, I discovered. From the looks of it, the highway will run in a northwest line, only marginally close to that line of your property.”
“I can breathe a sigh of relief about that,” Annie said. She was grateful to have the news.
“Second, I have a gift to give you that I hope you’ll accept.” He extended his hand, holding out the piece of paper to her.
“You shouldn’t give me anything else, Zach. You’ve already given me so much,” Annie protested.
He didn’t say a word, but his hand stayed where it was. Gingerly, Annie took the paper, quickly scanning it. “This is the deed to the property south of mine?” she asked. “Why is it in my name?”
“Because I’m giving it to you, if you want it,” he said. “I, ah, talked Carter out of it.” Annie raised her brows and Zach shrugged. “He wasn’t cut out for country living, anyway.”
“Hmm.” From the pleased expression on Zach’s face, it seemed that there were parts of the story she wasn’t going to hear.
“Me, however,” Zach said, “I’m looking for a new enterprise to back. Somebody gave me a tip that a smart, sexy, beautiful woman was looking for an investor in her salsa business. I happen to think salsa’s an excellent venture to back right now.”
Disappointment flooded Annie at his words. She was glad to see him, but apparently, he only had business on his mind. “Oh, Zach,” Annie said softly, “You don’t have to do that. I’ll find a way—”
He interrupted her with a long kiss that stole her breath and made her heart beat faster. “I have to have something to do with my time. Otherwise, I’ll just lay around and make love to you every day, and that won’t put money in the bank, you know.”
“It would be nice if it would,” Annie agreed, pulling away after a moment, “but I guess you’re right.” She looked down at the paper again. “But, Zach, you shouldn’t give this to me. It’s yours.”
He shrugged. “Nah. I’m not interested in becoming a landowner.”
Intently, he leaned over to take her in his arms, tracing his fingers over her hips. Annie tried to ignore the thought that Zach’s interest seemed focused on her—sexually. “If you’re sure about giving this away, can I give it to Papa? With him and Gert getting married
, they might like to have a place of their own. It would be so convenient, just a truck drive across the fields.”
Zach paused to look into the distance. “I think giving the property to Gert and Travis is an excellent idea. Honeymooners should have their own place to move in to.”
“Yes. They’ll be delighted with your generosity.” Annie took a deep breath, not trying too hard to get away from the searching kisses Zach was trailing along her neckline and shoulders. “By the way, you may have been right about the oil.”
He lifted his head and looked at her, instantly alert. “What are you saying?”
Annie took a deep breath. “I’m saying that I appreciate you wanting to back my business, but you may want to go into oil production instead of pushing salsa. I read my grandmother’s journals, and,” Annie stared at him solemnly, “apparently, she and my grandfather had always known it was there.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Zach was stunned. “Are you positive? I mean, could your grandmother have been certain?”
Annie nodded. “According to what Grandmother Day wrote, her parents—who had disinherited her from the family when she married my grandfather—were sure that there was oil under their land. They drilled, but nothing ever happened. In fact, my great-grandparents were nearly broke from the expense of it. And dreadfully disappointed, because the rumors had been so persistent for so long that they’d begun to believe they were going to become oil barons.”
Simultaneously, their hands touched, then wrapped together. “They’d really counted on it, then?” Zach asked.
“Well, as rich as they were, and owning half the county, I wouldn’t think they needed to be any richer. However, from my grandmother’s writing, it seems that her parents were rather greedy and liked to lord their wealth over everyone.”
“Including the daughter who didn’t marry to their standards,” Zach stated.
“I got that impression too.”
“So, they were feeling the financial effects of their treasure hunt and needed a strike to keep up their lifestyle.”
“Yes. And my grandmother and her husband, Two, were living on the fringe edge of her parents’ land, several miles away from her family and with no contact between them—this land we’re on now—with no real income and nothing more than what they could grow in the ground.”
Annie sighed. “One day,” she continued, “a man went to Grandmother Day and told her he’d miscalculated the property line. That he’d accidentally drilled on a portion of her property.”
The hanging willows edging the foreman’s shack blew softly in the light breeze. Zach looked at her silently, waiting for her to continue. “Although any place that had been drilled on her parents’ property was dry, for some reason they hit oil on Grandmother Day’s side.”
Zach chuckled. “So, the daughter they were so ashamed of came out the big winner.”
“Yes. Grandmother Day swore the man to secrecy and told him to cement the place where they’d drilled. Apparently, he never violated her trust, because her parents never suspected that the small parcel of one hundred acres they’d given to their daughter to assuage their consciences was the most valuable piece of their land.”
“I think I would have liked your grandmother. She was smart,” Zach said.
Annie smiled up at him. “This is the best part of the story, though. When she told my grandfather about the oil, he sat down and laughed for two days. He said that her parents shouldn’t have disowned their only daughter, and that everything had happened just as it should have. According to Grandmother’s journal, that’s why she nicknamed him Two Days Laughing.”
“Or it could have been two Days laughing,” Zach murmured, “if you consider that Nancy Day probably found the whole situation as amusing as her husband did.” He gave Annie a kiss that was meant to be supportive as well as loving. “So, why didn’t she ever have the oil brought up?” he asked.
Annie shrugged before standing up and walking onto the porch of the shack. She led him inside, turning on the lamp on the small table where Mary’s carousel had once sat. “It was her idea to save it for future generations. She wrote that she liked to think she was keeping something for her daughter, or granddaughter. And Two felt that the earth’s natural resources should be left as they were, anyway. Grandmother Day wrote that, because of their love, they wanted for nothing.” Annie sat down on the bed, an intent expression on her face. “Remember when I told you that Mother once allowed drilling on the property, just to satisfy the gossipmongers so they’d leave her alone?”
At Zach’s nod, Annie said, “Mother led them away from the spot that had been drilled before, closer to the original existing property line. Nothing was found, so it was never mentioned again. And she never told me, though she’d probably intended to one day. But when she got sick, she died so fast that…”
Annie’s voice trailed off. Zach sat down beside her, taking her hands in his. “So now you’ll have a story to tell Mary one day.”
She looked into his eyes. “Yes. I like knowing that my daughter’s inheritance is greater than I even dreamed. The land was enough, but…this is amazing.”
He was quiet for a moment, just looking at her. Then he turned his gaze away. “I’m just glad you didn’t sell out to me.”
Zach looked so distressed that Annie took him into her arms. “Oh, Zach, don’t even think about that anymore, unless you think of it in a good way. After all, if you hadn’t come here to buy me out, we would never have met.” She drew near to him, nearly touching his lips with hers. “And I would have lived my life without you,” she whispered. “I don’t even like to think about that.”
They kissed, long and sweet, as quiet settled over the cabin. After a moment, Annie pulled back just enough to look in Zach’s eyes again. “Would you think I was terrible if I said I would like to see what was there, just once?”
She saw he knew exactly what she was talking about by the understanding in his eyes. “You want to see the oil.”
Annie nodded.
“But it’s your grandmother’s soul you’re really going to see, isn’t it?” he asked. “And her dreams for the children of her line, who would inherit the wonderful legacy she’d left them.”
This time she didn’t nod, because he understood her need, and it was enough to know that the bond between them was this perfect. Somehow, she had known it would be this way between her and Zach.
“Well, if oil did come in, you could have it capped and plugged later. But no,” he said, pausing to brush a kiss against her cheek, “I don’t think you’re terrible at all. I think you’re a woman of rare insight and wisdom.”
Then he gently pushed her back against the pillows, and Annie pulled him against her, telling herself to be content that she could be with Zach for now.
It was later in the evening when Annie finally uncurled herself from the protective cocoon of Zach’s warm body. He put out a hand to stop her, but Annie gently pushed it away with a smile. “I have to get dinner on,” she said.
“I’ll help.” He stood up and began dressing. Annie did too, somewhat regretful that they had to leave their enchanted moment behind.
Five minutes later, they strolled outside and made their way up to the house, holding hands. Suddenly, Mary came running outside to hurl herself into Zach’s arms.
“Mr. Zach!” she cried. “You came back!”
He gave her a tight hug, laughing at her joyous greeting. “Did you think I wouldn’t?” He gave her a fake-stern look.
“No. I knew you would.” Mary’s answer was assured.
“Good. Because I’ve come to ask you a very important question.”
Annie saw Mary’s expression turn pensive. She felt anxious as well, as she looked at the handsome man kneeling down and holding her daughter. Please, please, she thought, let him stay this time forever. My little girl loves him almost as much as I do.
“I was wondering how you think I’d rate as father material,” Zach said.
&nbs
p; “Father material?” Mary looked puzzled as she repeated his words, then hopeful. Annie’s heart leaped in her chest.
“Do you think I’d be any good at it?”
Mary didn’t hesitate. “Good at it? You’d be the best, Mr. Zach!”
Zach chuckled, catching Annie’s eyes. “I don’t know about the best. But I’d give it my best shot, if you’ll let me.”
“Oh, Mr. Zach, I would like that more than anything. I’ll help you all I can.” Mary hugged his neck tightly once more.
Zach patted her back, never releasing Annie’s gaze. “Then there’s something I have to ask your mother, Mary.” He drew Annie down to kneel beside them.
With Mary still in his arms, Zach said, “Annie, Mary seems to think we’d make a pretty good family.”
Annie smiled. “I agree with her.”
Zach cleared his throat before looking deep into her eyes. “Well, then, will you marry me, Annie Aguillar, and make me the happiest man on the planet?”
Joy sparkled through Annie at hearing the words she’d only dreamed of hearing. But she wanted to know that the past was behind them. “What about the problems you were having in Austin? What about everything that was turning your life upside down?”
She held her breath.
“I’ve cleared up the problems that were in the way,” Zach said, his expression earnest. “But without you in my life, I don’t think my life would ever be whole.”
A luminous smile lit Annie’s face. “Then my answer is yes, Zach Rayez. Marrying you will make me the happiest woman on the planet.”
“Besides me!” Mary chimed in.
They all laughed. “I have something for the two ladies in my life, then,” Zach said. “Mary, would you reach into my pocket”—he pointed at his denim shirt—“and see what you find there?”
She put a small hand into the pocket and pulled out a gray velvet jeweler’s box. In wonder, she held it up.
“I had something I needed to return to the jeweler’s,” Zach said, taking the box from Mary. Annie knew he was talking about the emerald earrings that would never have been right for her. “And while I was there, I saw this ring.” He held up a stunning sapphire, nearly the shade of Annie’s eyes, that was surrounded by diamonds.