Forever After (Montana Brides, Book 3)

by Leeanna Morgan

  Emily must have realized that by Friday she’d need to play the damsel in distress card. Today’s outfit made her look young, innocent and available. She didn’t feel young, her innocence was a thing of the past, and she was still working on the available scenario. She had a feeling that today’s outfit would be another fizzer.

  Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s ensembles hadn’t gone much better. Sam had barely noticed the low necklines, tight bodices and flash of tanned legs in high heels. Call her desperate, but she’d been hoping for a better reaction than the cool, assessing glances he’d sent her way.

  The best part of each day had been Emily’s ‘daily inspirations.’ Today’s little gem said, ‘I’m not a bad girl…I’m a good girl with attitude.’ Attitude that had been taking a serious pounding.

  The elevator doors peeled back to reveal the same view she’d seen each morning for the past five weeks. The polished maple floor gleamed in the morning sun. Chairs in various shapes and sizes sat like a fruit basket of crisp colors around the open plan meeting area. Nicky waved at a group of staff already sitting down with coffee, ready to thrash out a project needing their input. Amanda sat at her desk, half way down the long, wide corridor, standing guard over her cranky boss’ office.

  Nicky’s high heels clicked across the room, heading straight toward Amanda. “Good morning. Is the board of directors meeting still scheduled for ten o’clock?”

  “Hi, Nicky. Yes, ten it is. They’ve moved the meeting to room three. I’ve put copies of your report on your desk. If you want me to distribute them at the meeting, just let me know.”

  “Thanks.” Her phone chirped in her bag. “Gotta go. I’ll see you later.” The caller display showed her Denver work number. She headed toward her office, answering the call as she opened her door.

  “Carolyn? Is everything okay?” Nicky had left Carolyn Brenner in charge of her consultancy firm while she was in Montana. With over fifteen years experience as a change management specialist, she was in her element making sure everything ran like clockwork.

  “Sorry to bother you so early,” Carolyn said, “but I need to talk with you. Toby’s been involved in a car accident and he’s not going to be back at work for a few weeks.”

  Nicky dropped her bag on her desk. “How badly is he hurt?”

  “He crushed his right leg. The surgeon operated on it last night, but he’s still going to need lots of therapy to get it working properly. He’s got stitches in his face and two black eyes from the airbag. He assures me his status as a heart throb will only get better with a few scars to bring out the Action Man factor.”

  Toby Daniels was five-foot-six, blonde haired, green eyed, and had the least amount of muscles Nicky had ever seen. “Tell Toby he’s right. A little bit of rough and tumble is bound to draw the ladies in.” Nicky sat at her desk. “Does he need anything?”

  “His family is with him and he’s doing okay. He’s worried about work though, so I told him I’d give you a call.”

  Logging her computer on, Nicky looked at their work schedule back in Denver. “Toby’s due to start on the McDonald project next week. Do you need any help?”

  Nicky could hear the hesitation in Carolyn’s voice. “I hate to do this to you, but we’re really stretched for staff. Is there any way you could come back a little earlier? I might be able to postpone Toby’s contract for a couple of days, but I know they want him to start as soon as possible.”

  Tapping her fingers on the edge of her desk, Nicky’s mind raced over what was left to do in Bozeman. “I’ll call you back in thirty minutes. Can you organize some flowers for Toby?”

  “Already done.” Carolyn’s rich laugh floated down the phone. “His status as an Action Man hero may be in jeopardy though. He nearly leaped out of his bed when a little spider crawled out of the box.”

  “Did he make you take them home?”

  “No. He made me squirt the whole bouquet with fly spray. The poor flowers will probably be dead by tomorrow.”

  “That’s Toby all right.” Nicky grinned. “Thanks for everything you’re doing. I’ll call you soon.” She hung up, staring at the project plan for Scotson Construction. If the board of directors approved her draft recommendations without too many amendments, she’d be able to have a final report ready by lunchtime.

  Nicky picked up the phone and started making calls. She’d already been working closely with the finance team and human resources, so staff training wouldn’t be a problem. If she could organize everyone for an afternoon meeting to go over the final report, she could be on a plane sometime over the weekend.

  Nicky groaned as her cell phone rung again. She glanced at the caller display. It wasn’t Carolyn this time, but Cody. “Make it quick little brother.”

  “He knows.”

  Nicky frowned at the phone. “I haven’t got time for riddles. Who knows what?”

  “Sam,” Cody whispered. “He knows about your plan to have him on his knees panting.”

  “What are you talking about?” Nicky screeched.

  “Ssh. I’m at work and half the ranch hands are listening.”

  “There were no knees or panting involved in any of our plans, you idiot.” Dropping her voice to an ominous whisper, she added, “And it isn’t his body I want. It’s his heart.”

  “Well I don’t think you’re going to get that either.”

  Nicky ran over to her office door and pushed it shut. “When did you see Sam? And how come he knows?”

  “Can’t talk now, sis. Dad’s arrived. Call me later.”

  Nicky stared at the silent phone. The whole world had gone crazy. Who needed a full moon to create chaos? Barring car accidents, packed work schedules, ditzy brothers and a boss in denial, her life was just dandy.

  And that wasn’t even considering Emily. With the thought of men in denial on her mind, she opened her office door. She needed to find Sam, figure out how much he knew and lie through her front teeth to keep plan B a secret.

  She turned toward his office and plowed into a wall of cotton and muscle. She bounced back, banging her head on the edge of her door frame. “Oww.”

  Sam grabbed her waist, pulling her into his arms before she added another dent to the back of her head. “Are you okay?”

  Her eyes started to water. Rubbing the back of her head she stared at his chest. It wasn’t a concussion that was causing her head to go all woozy, it was hormones. He still had his hands clamped around her body, and even if it was a bit desperate, she enjoyed the feeling of nearly being wrapped against his body.

  “How many fingers am I holding up?” He pushed three fingers in front of her nose.

  “For goodness sake, Sam. Anyone would think I’d fallen down ten flights of stairs. I knocked my head on the door. I’m fine.”

  “It sounded like you cracked your skull open. How many fingers?” His lips clenched into a stubborn line. “I’m not letting you go until you answer me.”

  Nicky almost purred. Until she remembered what Sam knew. And then she felt embarrassed.

  “How many?” he asked softly.

  “I’ve got an icepack.” Amanda planted a cold block of plastic against the back of her head. “How does that feel?”

  Nicky groaned. Her eyes watered some more. “As if I’ve just knocked the last bit of common sense out of my head.” She reached for the icepack, moving it until the stars circling her head faded to dull pinpricks of light.

  Sam choked on a laugh, staring at her like she’d explained the mystery of the universe. He stepped back, running his gaze down her body. With a shake of his head, he turned toward his office. “I’ll get a couple of tablets to help with the pain.”

  “I’ll be there in a minute. There’s something I need to urgently discuss with you.”

  He raised his eyebrows, but said nothing.

  Amanda passed her a handful of tissues. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

  With a forced smile, Nicky nodded. Then groaned. “Thanks, Amanda.” D
abbing her eyes, she watched Sam disappear inside his office. “There is something you could do for me. Can you go online and look at what flights are available between Bozeman and Denver this weekend?”

  “Return or one way?”

  “One way.” Nicky sighed.

  ***

  Sam looked up from his desk drawer. Nicky stood in his doorway with a shy smile on her face. Today’s outfit practically screamed, ‘Marry me, you fool.’ A creamy lace jacket hugged her body, the skirt flaring out into a soft whisper of silk around her thighs. “How does your head feel?”

  “Like I’ve got an alien inside me trying to break free.”

  He pushed two tablets and a glass of water across his desk. “Try these. They might take the thumping down a bit.” Nicky reached across and took the tablets. She sat in the chair opposite his desk, her skirt hiking up her thighs about as high as the heels on her feet. Dragging his gaze away from her long tanned legs, he stared at the frown on her face. Her gaze slipped toward the bunch of flowers sitting on his desk.

  “I umm…” His plan to teach her a lesson suddenly seemed like something his teenage nieces and nephews would do. He forgot about the fake story he’d practiced all the way over from the florist. At least one of them could act like an adult. “I bought you flowers.”

  Nicky sighed. Even though she’d just whacked her head against a door the least she could do was say thank you. Especially given her plans to make him see the error of his ways.

  “I need to head back to Denver this weekend.”

  That wasn’t what he thought he’d hear. “Why?”

  Nicky left the glass of water on his desk. “One of my consultants has been involved in an accident. I have to take over his workload until he’s on his feet again. As long as there aren’t a huge number of changes to my draft report, I’ll be finished my contract by the end of the day. I’ve scheduled meetings with different staff this afternoon to go over the recommendations.”

  When he didn’t say anything, she continued, “I’m happy to come back in a couple of months to see how the new system’s working, but I really need to go back to Denver.”

  Sam stared at the determination on her face. He knew she’d almost finished her contract and knew there wouldn’t be many, if any, alterations to her recommendations. The draft report he’d read yesterday would not only strengthen their tendering process, but reduce the ability of anyone to steal from Scotson Construction again.

  “What time does your flight leave?”

  Relief washed across her face. “Amanda’s looking into flights for me. I’ll let you know as soon as I’ve booked my ticket.”

  He stared at the twelve red roses sitting on his desk, wrapped in gold gauzy fabric and black paper. “If you need a ride out to the airport, let me know.”

  Nicky’s hands rubbed against her skirt. “Thanks for the offer, but Emily or Cody will give me a lift. I’ll leave my apartment tidy and give the security card to the manager. And I’ll give Amanda the keys for my car before I walk home tonight.” She cleared her throat. “Well, I guess that’s all. I’ll see you at the board meeting.” Standing up, she straightened her jacket.

  “You forgot something.” He walked around his desk with the bunch of roses clutched in his hand.

  Nicky’s blue eyes focused on the bouquet. “No thanks, Sam.” She took a step back, flicking her gaze toward him. “I know Cody told you what Emily and I had planned, but it wasn’t as devious as he probably made out. I don’t deserve the flowers.” Her chin lifted. “I’m sorry about everything. I hope you find someone that makes you happy.” She walked out of his office, closing the door on his life.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “So tell me again why Sam has been calling you?” Emily’s feet dangled over the edge of her sofa, her curly red hair sitting in a wobbly knot on top of her head. Lumpy apricot scrub coated her face and a cucumber slice covered each eye. “And no fibs. Even though I can’t see you, I can sense a lie from a mile away.”

  “I always knew there was more to you than a pretty face.” Erin laughed. “Although looking at you now, it’s hard to tell.”

  Nicky grinned. For the last five weeks, Erin and Emily had pestered her until she’d agreed to come back to Bozeman for a long weekend. She’d ignored every message Sam had left on her phone, until Erin convinced her that he must feel something otherwise he wouldn’t keep calling.

  Emily lifted a slice of cucumber off one eye, peering across the coffee table at Nicky. “I’m waiting.”

  “He just wanted to discuss the new invoicing process they’ve got in place.”

  “And how long does that take?” Emily asked.

  Nicky grinned. “About an hour, a couple of times a week.”

  Erin put her foot on the edge of the coffee table, shaking a bottle of red nail polish in the air. “I’m telling you, the man’s positively smitten. He must have rung about twenty times before Nicky called him back. And that was only because he said it was work related.” She shook her head in disgust. “How anyone could ignore that type of perseverance is beyond me.”

  “If he persevered with other commitments I might be more inclined to speak to him,” Nicky muttered.

  “Okay, based on previous experience he’s not the most reliable person. Maybe you’re doing the right thing.” Erin wiggled her toes. “Talk is cheap. If Mr. Chief Executive hasn’t made a firm offer of togetherness after all this time, it isn’t going to happen.”

  “You’d better listen to her, Nicky.” Emily laughed from under her facial. “She’s got the most experience of any of us.”

  “My point precisely,” Erin nodded. “And after Emily’s near miss with Alex we’ve just about got every relationship disaster covered.”

  “You can say that again,” Emily muttered.

  “Well I’m off men for life. One baby phobic ex-fiancé is enough for me,” Erin shook her bottle of polish a little harder. “Does Sam know you’re back in town, Nicky?”

  Nicky blew on her pale pink fingernails, frowning at Erin. “We’re going out for coffee tomorrow.”

  Emily sat up. Hunks of apricot dripped down her shirt and the cucumber fell on the floor. “And when were you going to tell us that little gem?”

  “Maybe never,” Nicky sighed. “I don’t really know how I feel about seeing him again.”

  Erin’s green eyes swept to Emily, spearing her with an intense scowl. “Nicky doesn’t have to see him if she doesn’t want to.”

  “Not see him!” Emily squealed. “Are you nuts? You fell in love with him two years ago and you’ve never stopped loving him. Just because he dumped you twice, doesn’t mean everything will end in disaster this time around. He’s probably a slow learner.”

  “There’s nothing slow about Sam,” Nicky muttered. “And he didn’t dump me twice. It’s one all.”

  Erin’s jet-black hair swung forward. Sweeping the first coat of polish onto her toes, she said, “Well I think you’re being incredibly sensible not rushing things, especially after the baby and everything.”

  Emily frowned at the limp green slices dangling from her fingertips. “Sensible my ass. Haven’t you ever heard the saying, ‘an early bird catches the worm’? How would you feel if some other woman sniffed around your tasty worm?”

  “It’s been two years since I first sniffed,” Nicky huffed. “And no other woman’s made one bit of difference to my worm. He’s still the same stubborn, commitment phobic male I fell in love with.”

  Erin sent Nicky a stern look. “Have you told Sam about the baby?”

  “No. And I’m not going to. At least not until the time is right.”

  Emily groaned. “What do you mean, ‘when the time is right’? You’ve had over two years to tell him.” Another blob of apricot scrub hit the floor.

  “I don’t need to tell him anything.”

  Emily and Erin looked at each other and shook their heads. “It’s your life, Nicky,” Emily said. “But if you want to see more of him, you’re going to hav
e to tell him sometime about your miscarriage.”

  Nicky pursed her lips.

  Erin grinned at Emily. “There you go. Look at Nicky’s mouth. That means we’ve come to the end of our discussion concerning our best friend’s inability to be honest with her dearly beloved.”

  “He’s not my dearly beloved and I’m not being dishonest,” Nicky groaned. “I’m protecting myself.” She didn’t want Sam’s sympathy, she wanted his love. But only if that love came with a little thing called long-term commitment.

  “If Sam’s the man you want, then you need a plan,” Erin said. “And I’m an expert at making plans.”

  “Oh-My-God,” Nicky groaned. “You’ve been speaking to my sister, haven’t you?”

  “No she hasn’t,” Emily said. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten all about her life plan? You know the one. Married at thirty-one, three kids by thirty-five, retired at sixty and dead at ninety-two?”

  Erin chucked a cushion at Emily. “I’m not that bad,” she laughed. “Apart from my retirement plan, I haven’t thought past the year I turn forty-five.”

  “I rest my case.”

  “I’ve had to do a little reshuffling since Matthew dumped me for greener pastures.” Erin twisted the lid on her bottle of polish. “If Sam isn’t interested in a long-term relationship, tell him to come and see me.”

  Nicky pushed a box of chocolates along the coffee table. “It wouldn’t work. You’re more of a romantic than I am. We’re both doomed to be footloose and fancy free for life.”

  “Now that’s the most sensible thing anyone has said all night,” laughed Emily. “Pass that box of chocolates over here you two romantics and tell Aunty Emily what we’re going to do about Sam.”

  “Don’t take the hard caramels,” Erin growled. “And we’re not going to do anything about Sam. Nicky can handle him all on her own.”

  “That’s one of my main problems,” Nicky sighed.