My insides quiver, and I try to ignore the little voice in my head telling me that history is about to repeat itself.
I reach between us and grab his erection. “It’s time I pay my debt.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
Maddox
Sex with Andie has happened as often as supper with Andie. It’s our thing. Supper and sex. Sometimes sex, then supper. Being with her is a whole new ballgame. She’s unlike any woman I’ve ever been with. She isn’t shy about her body. She doesn’t try to impress me. She doesn’t hide the fact that she likes burgers and tacos and extra gravy on her potatoes.
All of it may be a product of our casual relationship status. What does it matter if I’m impressed or not? But her not trying to impress me has made the exact opposite happen.
I’m totally screwed.
I sip my morning coffee, Beau at my feet. Andie dances down her front porch steps with a smile, and I wonder if she’s always done that or if this is a new thing. She looks up. I tip my hat to her. She sticks her tongue out at me. Oh, how I love her tongue.
My phone rings. Dad’s face appears on the screen.
“It’s not too early for you, is it?” he asks.
“Up at dawn, Dad.”
“That’s a change. How are things going with Aaron?”
“He hates it here, but he’s doing what he’s told. Owen keeps him busy, and he’s been helping me clean out the old hunting lodge.”
“I didn’t think your grandmother ever used it.”
“She didn’t, which is exactly why it needs to be cleaned.”
“Sprucing the place up for the sale?”
I sigh. “Something like that.”
“Speaking of the sale, I’ve been talking a lot with Hugh Jenkins. I know his offer isn’t the best, but I like him. He knew your grandmother well and speaks of her fondly. I think he might be the one.”
“I’m glad you’re not considering the Thompsons.”
“Not after what you, and frankly, everyone else, has told me. It’d be a cryin’ shame to let all Nana’s hard work be for nothing. What the hell would we do with an extra few million anyway?”
I choke on a sip of coffee. “Are you serious?”
“The ranch is worth a good twenty million, Maddox. Haven’t you figured that out by now?”
“I… no, I had no idea.”
“Don’t get any ideas. You’re still going to have to work for a living.”
“Of course.”
“Listen, I have a meeting to get to, but I wanted to let you know Hugh will be bringing his main guys over this week to check things out. Make sure he has access to everything: houses, land, stables, offices, even the books, if they want to see them. I trust him, and I want this to go smoothly and quickly. I know you must be eager to get back home.”
“I don’t mind being here, and Aaron is supposed to stay all summer, isn’t he?”
“If probate keeps moving along at the current pace, it won’t be long before the deal is done. I really have to run. You’ll make sure Hugh has everything he needs? You’ll tell Matteo and Owen?”
“Sure, Dad.”
“I appreciate it. Enjoy the heat and humidity.”
The line goes dead, and I stare at my phone. Twenty million? I’d considered asking him not to sell the ranch. To let me stay and run things—not that I really run things. It’s the others who do it so well. But there’s no way. Twenty fucking million. Maybe Hugh Jenkins will give me a job, but where would I stay? The bunkhouse? I’m not an experienced worker, and it’s not like he’d give me a management job.
A truck pulls up, and my jaw tightens. I contemplate running for my gun. Victor exits and heads to Andie’s door. Beau stands at attention. “Sit.” I get up. “She’s not home,” I shout.
“Guess you would know.”
I jump off the stoop and go over. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I have something for her.”
“She’s not interested in your attempts to win her back. She’s moved on.”
“With you?”
I don’t answer, because I’m afraid the answer is no. He doesn’t even seem mad. He seems… sad.
“Whatever you have for her you can leave with me.”
He holds out a light-blue cardigan. “I found this in my truck. Thought she might want it back.”
I take it. “I’ll make sure she gets it.”
He nods and turns away, but before he reaches the truck, he stops. “Treat her right, man. She deserves the best.” He hops in and drives away, looking like he might cry.
None of this makes any sense. He sent flowers once, the day after she broke it off, but he hasn’t called or tried to see her until today. I don’t get it.
Andie comes out of the stable. “Did I just see Victor drive away?”
I hold up the cardigan. “He was returning this.”
“I wondered where it was. What did he say?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing at all?”
“Pretty much.”
“Huh. This is so not what I expected from him. Maybe he’s moved on.”
“He hasn’t. He looked broken up about it.” I glance at her hand. “I’m glad you still wear the ring. You never know.”
“It’s been over a week. You think he’ll still try something?”
“If he’s the lunatic they led us to believe, we have to assume he could.”
Aaron stomps out of the stable and throws his gloves off. “I’m tired of shoveling horse shit.”
“Nobody likes to shovel shit,” I say. “But it has to be done.”
“There are enough grunts around here to do it. I’d rather work on the lodge.”
“How about you finish up the south stable and later this afternoon we can go over there?”
Andie’s eyes light up. “You’re doing more work on it?”
I shrug and tell a lie. “Thought we should fix it up for the new owners.”
Her expression sours. “Of course.”
“I know the way,” Aaron says. “Been there a lot. I’ll take a four-wheeler. You don’t have to babysit me.”
“I’m not babysitting you. I like to work on the lodge, too.”
“I work better alone.”
“You know what needs to be done?”
“Sand and paint, same as we’ve been doing all week.”
“Okay. I guess there’s enough for me to do right here then.”
Aaron picks up his gloves and goes back to work.
“Typical teenager,” Andie says. “Bitching about everything and not wanting supervision.”
“He seems to be toeing the line for the most part. His attitude might suck, but he’s doing the work.”
She heads for her truck. “I’d better get going. Hugh Jenkins said he’s got a colicky mare.”
I follow and lean against the door when she rolls the window down. “About Jenkins. It seems he’s the one who’s buying this place. My dad has been talking with him for weeks.”
She slumps. “That’s good news.”
“Hugh likes you, and you already work for him. You won’t lose the ranch.”
She looks at me. “No, I won’t lose the ranch.”
Our eyes don’t stray from each other. Not even as she backs up. Not until she turns the truck and drives off. Even then, I swear I can feel her eyes on me in the rearview mirror.
Damn it, I’m just going to be another Bobby fucking Monahan.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Andie
“Why is Christina so late?” I ask Tara.
She picks up her phone and checks the time. “It’s unlike her to miss one of our lunches.”
I fidget. “I wanted to talk to both of you.”
Tara studies me. “You look about ready to burst at the seams. What is it?”
“Okay, but when I tell Christina, you have to pretend you’re hearing it for the first time.”
“Got it.”
“It’s Victor.”
/>
Her eyes roll up. “Oh my god, you finally slept with him.”
“No. Quite the opposite.”
Her jaw drops. “You broke up with him. Because of McHottie?”
“You don’t even know the half of it, girl.”
The waiter tries to interrupt us but Tara shoos him away. “How long do you plan on keeping me waiting? Spill.”
“I’m not even sure where to start. More than a month ago, the FBI showed up at the ranch.”
“What?”
I lean close and whisper. “Turns out Victor may have killed someone.”
“Killed someone?” she repeats loudly.
“Shh.” I glance around nervously. “He still doesn’t know he was being watched.”
“Was? I’m confused. What does this have to do with you?”
“They used me to try to get information from him.”
“You’re messing with me.”
We order drinks, and I tell her the whole story. She listens in disbelief. I can’t believe it myself sometimes.
“So he’s just walking around free as a bird, and that poor woman is still missing?”
“They don’t have enough evidence to arrest him.”
“Are you freaking out? I mean what if he tries to hurt you?”
I open my purse and show her what’s inside.
“You bought a gun?” she whispers.
“Maddox has been teaching me how to use it, but Victor—or whatever his name is—hasn’t bothered me.”
“But he said he loved you.”
I check the time. “I’m worried. Christina hasn’t answered any of my texts. Maybe we should run by her house.”
“Can’t. I have to be at work in an hour. She’s probably shopping in Dallas and lost track of the time.”
“But she hasn’t texted me.”
She picks up her phone. “I’ll call her.”
Maddox walks in and goes to the counter. He pays and then leans against a barstool, waiting for his food. I think of last night and the night before that. And the one before that. Each time we have sex, it’s in a different place. His house, my house, his bed, my couch, his stairway, my bathroom vanity. I squirm.
Tara laughs. “You should wipe up the drool.”
“I’m not drooling.”
“Your eyes are bugging out like one of those cartoons when their eyes jump across the room at the sight of a steak dinner.”
I glance at her phone. “She didn’t answer?”
“Nope.”
Maddox sees me and waves.
“Oh my god, Andie. You’re totally into him. He’s one hundred percent hot, but I’ve never seen you like this.”
Maddox joins us. “Ladies.”
Tara pats the chair between us. “Sit.”
“Thanks, but I’m waiting on my order. I’m picking up lunch for the troops today.”
“Feel free to wait with us,” I say.
He sits. “Aren’t you missing the third musketeer?”
“She’s not answering our texts or calls.”
Maddox studies my face. “And that worries you.”
I nod.
“McBride!” someone shouts.
He holds up a finger to the guy behind the counter. “How about I run this to the ranch and then we go check on her?”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“You’re sweet to offer,” Tara says. “I’ve got to get to work, but the two of you should definitely go.” The waiter puts our sandwiches down. “We’ll take those to go, please.”
Maddox stands. “I guess we’re off then. I’ll get my order.”
Tara and I pay, get our to-go bags, and follow Maddox out. He puts a large box of food in the back of his truck. “Follow me home, and I’ll drive us from there.”
Home. I know it’s a slip of the tongue, but deep down I wonder if that’s how he’s starting to think of it here.
“Nice to see you again, Tara.”
“You, too.” He drives away. She stares at me. “Oh, you’ve got it bad.”
“I do not.”
Tara’s phone pings with a text. Thinking it could be Christina, I look over her shoulder. It’s Owen. I suddenly feel guilty. “We didn’t even get to talk about your date.”
“Haven’t had one yet.”
“But he’s texting you?”
“Bootie call.”
“At one o’clock in the afternoon? And why is he texting you for a bootie call if you haven’t gone on a date yet?”
“I said we haven’t gone on a date. I didn’t say we haven’t had sex.”
My chin almost hits the pavement. “Tara Wegley, you never cease to surprise me.”
“He came by the diner the other day to ask me out. Said I smelled like bacon. Things escalated from there. We had a quickie in the men’s room.”
“Gross.”
She laughs. “Who do you think cleans the men’s room? Me. I knew it was spotless. Anyway, we both decided we didn’t want to be tied down. I have Trey. He has a lot going on at the ranch.”
“You’re sex buddies?”
“Nothing wrong with that, and boy has he removed those cobwebs. You should try it.” She glances in the direction Maddox’s truck went. “Maybe with him.”
I look at the ground and shuffle some dirt with my boot.
“You already have, haven’t you? We are going to need another lunch and soon.” When I don’t say anything, she narrows her eyes. “Jesus, Andie, you’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
“It’s casual.”
“You are totally in love with him, otherwise you’d have said you were sleeping with him. Remember when you hooked up with Tony? You couldn’t keep your mouth shut about it. You’re tight-lipped about McHottie, though. I’ve got your number, sister.”
“I am not in love with him, and I don’t plan to be. He’s leaving as soon as they sell the ranch. News flash. It looks like they’re selling it to Mr. Jenkins. So there you have it.”
She shakes her head back and forth, staring at me. “Good luck.”
“With what?”
“The not falling in love part.”
I stomp toward my truck. “I have to go. I’ll let you know when I find Christina.”
“I want details!” she shouts after me.
I wave and get in. While driving to the ranch, I wonder why I haven’t told my friends about him. The week I was with Tony, I told them all about it. Every last detail. I rationalize I was waiting to give them the news about Victor. I didn’t want them thinking I was sleeping with two men at once.
At the ranch, Maddox is leaving the offices when I pull up. He motions to his truck. I grab my lunch and join him. “That was fast,” I say. “Did you even have time to get something to eat?”
He starts the engine. “I’ll grab a bite later.”
I unwrap my sandwich and give him half. “Take this.”
He smiles. “Thanks. So you think something’s up with Christina? As in her asshole husband won’t let her out of the house?”
“Maybe. It’s happened before.”
“She’s a grown woman.”
“Who is controlled by the richest family around.”
“Why does she stay?”
“Wait until you see her house.”
He turns up his nose. “No house is worth putting up with people like that.”
“I agree, but she doesn’t. Christina didn’t have much growing up. Her parents barely scrape by. I’m fairly sure she gives them part of her allowance.”
“Allowance?” he says in disgust.
“You’re starting to get the picture.”
“How bad is it?”
“Bad, I think. She’s good at hiding it. Turn here.”
“I know where she lives.”
“You’ve been there?”
He shakes his head. “Just need to know my enemies.”
“And Joel?”
“I know his address, too.”
“Do you think they’ll ever get in
trouble for the poison or the hay?”
“I doubt it.”
“I wonder if they’ll do anything else.”
“You know them better than I do. Do you think they’ll give up without a fight?”
“Sadly, no.”
We pull up to Christina’s palatial estate and stop. “How will we get past the gate?” he asks.
“Press the button.”
A minute later, I hear Christina’s voice. “Yes?”
I lean over Maddox. “Open the gate, Christina.”
“Andie?”
“You missed lunch.”
“That was today? I must have lost track of time.”
“Open the gate.”
“I’m kind of busy.”
“Is Jon home?”
“No.”
“If you don’t open the gate, I’m going to scale the wall and probably break my leg. Is that what you want?”
The line goes dead, and the gate opens.
“You think she’s lying?” Maddox asks.
I nod.
We park and go to the front door. We wait for minutes. I call her but don’t get an answer. Finally, the door opens, and I understand the delay. My jaw clenches. A deep, dark bruise is evident on her jaw even under the heavy makeup she used to try and hide it. I walk in without an invitation. “That bastard.”
She sees Maddox. “Uh, hello.”
He focuses on the bruise. “Jon did this to you?”
She touches her chin. “It was an accident. We can get a little rough, if you know what I mean.” She tries to make it sound like they have an adventurous sex life when I know it’s anything but.
“Stop lying, Christina. Did he take your phone, too? Why didn’t you answer my texts?”
“No, he didn’t take my phone. Am I nine?”
I take out my phone and call hers. I don’t even hear it ring. “Where is it then? I’ve never seen it out of your hand or pocket.”
“I must have left it in the bathroom.”
“Mind getting it?”
She goes over to the bar and pours herself a drink. “Why are you doing this? Can’t you leave well enough alone?”
Maddox grumbles. “From the looks of it, nothing is well enough around here.”
“Maybe you should mind your own business, cowboy.” Three short beeps sound through the alarm system and she’s suddenly terrified. “You have to go right now.”
Texas Orchids (The Devil's Horn Ranch Series) Page 22