Carter escorted her up the steps, through the massive front doors, and inside the mansion. A sea of people filled the immense open foyer. Violin music floated above the buzz of conversation. Sparkling chandeliers dotted the ceiling like glimmering clusters of jewels, and a double staircase wound up to the second floor mezzanine, then to the third floor, and what looked like a fourth. Plants and greenery, huge vases overflowing with exotic flowers, marble floors, waiters with silver trays laden with flutes of champagne….
Since Aiden, Kat, and she had come to live with their grandparents in Cedar Valley after their parents had died, they’d attended the occasional Christmas gathering when the Winters had invited the town to an open house. Even now, the opulence overwhelmed her just as it had on her very first visit. She tried not to gawk, but everywhere she turned something drew her focus.
“I’ll never understand,” he murmured.
“What?”
“Randall. Why he chose to fight fires and sleep on the lumpy mattresses in the station house when he could’ve taken over the family real estate and investment firm is a mystery to me.” Carter smirked and urged her toward a long tiled wall with water running down it. Inset into the floor was an indoor pool filled with koi. He shook his head. “Why is he working as a firefighter when he has all this?”
Sure, the guy came on a bit strong. He’d even hit on her over the years, asking her out repeatedly. But she’d never accepted. Not because of his wealth—that would’ve been an easy lure for a lot of women—but because there’d been no spark between them.
She eyed him. “How do you know about the Winters’ financials?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “I have my sources.”
She laughed. “Well, apparently, your sources didn’t tell you that everything is in a trust until he turns thirty. His dad built his empire from the ground up and believes his son should know what it’s like to work hard.”
A frown slipped across his features then vanished just as fast. “Good for Mr. Winters.”
Is he jealous? Of Randall? She wanted to reassure him he had nothing to worry about, but held back. Instead, she scanned the crowd. “Kat and Dante should be here somewhere.”
He reached out, snagging two flutes from a passing waiter’s tray. He handed one to her. “Good luck finding them. This place is huge. You could probably wander around for weeks and never see them.”
“My grandparents should be here, too.” She glanced around. “Somewhere.”
He’d met Mac MacKay when he volunteered to fly with Brigit as a spotter and instantly liked the man. Once he explained he’d been a member of civil air patrol, the guy had nodded. “You should’ve set up a rendezvous point with them.”
She laughed. “You think?”
They wandered around for two hours, mingling, engaging in small talk here and there. Everyone spoke to Carter, politely asking what he did, where he was from. She didn’t miss that he kept his responses vague, answering but never really telling them anything. Always shifting the focus from himself to someone else.
“How about another glass of champagne?” he asked as they strolled away from the mayor and his family. “I think I saw a snack table a few rooms to the east.”
“A snack table?” She giggled, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm. “Yes, we must keep up our strength. Lead the way.”
He guided her to an empty chair and eased her into it. “Why don’t you stay here, enjoy the quartet, and keep an eye out for your family. I’ll get us something to eat and drink.”
She smiled up at him, impressed with his thoughtfulness. “It’s been two hours and I haven’t seen them yet. I’m beginning to think they didn’t come.”
“This place is huge. You never know.” He headed toward the buffet.
“Don’t get lost,” she called after him. Lord knows you could in a place like this.
Left on her own, she glanced around, hoping to spot Kat and Dante. She pulled her phone from her clutch. When they’d spoken last, she hadn’t been ready to discuss Carter. But now? Well, she wouldn’t mind showing off the handsome man who’d come as her date.
Brigit: Where are you?
Kat: Heading home.
Brigit: Traitor
Kat: Dante’s fault
She grinned. She just bet Dante was the reason her sister left the party early.
Brigit: Was going to introduce Carter
Kat: Sorry I missed him
Brigit: Later maybe
Kat: I’d like that
Brigit: Night
She tucked her phone back into her purse. The music changed to a livelier tune, and she tapped her foot to the beat. She peered in the direction Carter had gone, wishing he’d come back.
Something moved in the distance. She frowned. Wait, is that him going up the foyer stairs? She stood. It is him. Is he lost?
Brigit moved through the crowd, following him. She climbed up to the second floor mezzanine and glanced around. Where had he gone?
A glimpse of dark-blond hair and a dark tux caught her eye. Where was he going? She trailed him down a hall, and just as she started to call out to him, he opened a door and slipped into a room. Curious, she went after him, her heels lightly tapping the marble floor, her tight dress severely hobbling her quick strides.
Click, click, click, click.
Grasping the ornate doorknob, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, plush carpet masking her entrance. To her right, at the far end of the room and behind a desk, a large painting on hinges hung open to the side. Carter stood at a safe embedded in the wall.
Beep. The safe door clicked. With gloved hands, he pulled it open and reached inside.
She blinked, her mind struggling with the scene before her. “Carter?”
He twisted toward her, eyes wide.
“Brigit.”
Chapter Nine
Shit. Carter moved away from the safe. “I told you to wait downstairs.”
She lifted her chin in that defiant way he’d grown to love. “What are you…?” Her gaze shifted between him and the open safe and back to him again. She backed up a step. “Acquisitions.”
Damn it, he didn’t have time to deal with this. Rounding toward the safe, he peered inside. The item he came for wasn’t there.
“You’re a thief.”
After a final once-over just to make sure, he closed the safe then swung the painting back into place. When he turned, she stood toe-to-toe with him.
“It’s not—”
“What it looks like? Because finding you in here breaking into a safe is pretty damning.” She jabbed her finger into his chest. “Tell me you’re not a thief. Tell me you didn’t just try to steal from one of the wealthiest men in Cedar Valley.” Tears glistened like chips of ice in her arctic eyes. “Tell me you didn’t use me to get through the front door.”
“Brigit, I—”
The door swung open, and someone entered. Moving into action, he swept Brigit into his arms, bent her back over the ostentatious desk, and crushed his mouth to hers. Rigid at first, she softened under his fervent attention. You’re a first-class asshole, Kohl.
Someone cleared their throat. Reluctantly, he looked up.
“This room is supposed to be locked.” Some body-builder dude stared at him with beady eyes.
“Oh? It wasn’t.” Not after I picked the lock. He helped Brigit to her feet, her swollen wet lips offering the perfect alibi. “We were just looking for a private spot to…. You know.”
The guy sneered. “This room is off-limits.”
“Of course. Come on, darlin’. Let’s take this party somewhere else.” He grasped her by the elbow and steered her toward the door, praying she didn’t say anything that might give him away.
They scooted past the hired security and out into the hallway. Slipping his arm around her waist, he guided her to the mezzanine. “Thanks for not saying anything. I’ll—”
She jerked free from his grasp. “You’ll get your hands off me.” Her quiet tone hel
d a punch, and fire blazed in her eyes. “And don’t ever touch me again.”
Turning, she marched down the stairs. He rushed after her.
Ting! Ting! Ting!
Someone tapped a glass, calling attention. The guests gathered at the base of the stairs, effectively cutting off Brigit’s escape. Carter caught her at the bottom, standing next to her as everyone stared up at the mezzanine they’d just left.
Winters, Sr. stood at the railing, champagne flute in hand. A curvy blonde at his side. “Thank you all for joining us here in our home this evening. But tonight is all about our son.” He held out his hand toward the opposite staircase.
Randall marched up the stairs, bringing a fashion-plate brunette along with him. The girlfriend. They joined his parents. “Thanks, Dad.”
They gave each other a man-hug, patting each other exactly twice on the back. Not much would’ve made the moment more awkward. When they broke apart, Mr. Winters turned to the crowd and broke into song.
“Happy birthday to you….”
All the guests joined in. And at the far side, the crowd parted like the Red Sea to allow a chef, complete with white uniform and a toque blanche on his head, to push in a large cart carrying a cake big enough to feed a small country. Sparklers flared bright in the corners of the cart, spilling fountains of bright-silver rain, and on the cake, candles flickered. Everyone smiled and clapped.
When the applause died down, Randall waved. “Thank you all so much for coming. And though tonight is to celebrate my birthday, I’d like to share the greatest gift I received today.” He faced the brunette and smiled. “Victoria Florentino accepted my proposal of marriage. We hope you’ll all come to the wedding.”
Applause broke out again. Randall’s dad slapped him on the back, appearing to approve the union. His mom hugged him then air-kissed the soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Everyone in the whole damn mansion was happy—except him and Brigit.
“Oh, and one more thing.” Randall dug inside his tuxedo jacket. “As you know, our family was one of the first to endure the arduous trip across the vast Wild West, long before even the railroad had been built. But, eventually, they made it to California and settled right here in Cedar Valley. To commemorate my engagement to Victoria, I’d like to give her this.”
He opened his hand, and an object dropped free to dangle on a gold chain from his fingertips. The guests ooohed and ahhed.
“This is an authentic hand-carved ivory cameo mounted on a black fire opal rondel and set in gold—the same gold that was panned from the Bravo River that winds through Cedar Valley.”
As he hooked the clasp behind his fiancée’s neck, the guests clapped.
He recognized the necklace. “Son of a bitch. Jessica isn’t going to be happy about this.”
“Excuse me.”
He turned just in time to see the people shuffling to the side as Brigit made her departure.
Damn it. He went after her, shoving his way through the crowd. When at last he made it out the front door, he spotted his sexy helo pilot exchanging a slip of paper for her Jeep keys. He dug around in his jacket pocket, coming up empty. When had she swiped that from him?
He rushed down the steps then sprinted toward her car just as she slammed the door closed. He banged on the window. “Brigit, open the door. Stop. Listen to me.”
“No.” Tears welled in her eyes. “You lied to me. Used me to get into that party.”
“I didn’t.” Yes you did.
She shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I was an idiot for falling for you. An even bigger idiot for spending day after day in your bed. The sex was great. So thanks for that.”
“Brigit—”
She started the engine.
“No.” Panic clawed at his chest. “Stop.”
“Good-bye, Carter.”
“Brigit!”
She drove away, the darkness swallowing the taillights as she wound down the driveway. She took his heart with her—which wasn’t really much of a prize for her.
He sighed, his shoulders slumping. He’d be leaving Cedar Valley soon anyway. And he’d never wanted a relationship—especially one strung across the country. It was better this way, right? A clean break. She hated him, so she’d get over him faster. Move on to the next guy. Fall into his arms. Smile at him. Give him her love.
The thought didn’t appeal to him in the least.
Shoving his hands into his pockets, he followed her. He had a long, cold walk ahead of him.
Chapter Ten
For the next several days, Brigit floated through in a fog. She washed her helicopter—twice—inspected the Bambi Bucket as well as the attachment points and release mechanisms, called an A&P mechanic in Sacramento to schedule a helicopter annual inspection, and helped the guys check their gear. And on her brother’s recommendation, she’d called Jax Malloy at Station 58 in Dallas, Texas, about some long overdue training she needed to complete. He’d been great, setting her up for the next session in two weeks.
“Let me know your flight schedule, and Skye and I will come pick you up,” he offered. “We’ll take you out to eat and show you around Dallas.”
“Oh, you don’t need to go to all that trouble.”
“No trouble at all. And I’m sure Skye won’t mind a bit.” His warm Southern drawl put her at ease. “Aiden spoke highly of you and your sister. Said your granddad, Evan MacKay, started out here at 58.”
“Yes, he did.”
He chuckled. “Then it’s a done deal. We’ll see you in two weeks.”
After the call, she’d texted Aiden to let him know her plans then spoke to her granddad about getting her shifts covered. Afterward, she went back to finding things to distract herself until she could escape Cedar Valley. She even cooked dinner for the firefighters on rotation. Anything to keep from thinking about Carter.
Which has worked like a charm, right? Not.
The smallest detail brought everything back, breaking her heart all over again. How he’d lied to her. Used her to get into the Winters’ home to steal…something.
Anger tore through her anew. She dumped the remains of her cold coffee into the station’s kitchen sink. How could I have been so stupid? He told me he was in acquisitions. Technically, not a lie. Just a fancy word for thief.
Brigit, you knew he was leaving from the start. It was a fling. You weren’t supposed to give him your heart.
But that was exactly what she’d done. And now a gaping hole had been left where the traitorous organ that had jumped ship once resided. Damn it.
“Hey, Brigit.”
She startled, her ceramic coffee cup clattering into the steel sink. Randall. Heat suffused her face as she reached for mug, thankful it hadn’t broken. “Hey.”
“Just wanted to say the spaghetti you fixed the other night was great.”
“Thanks.” She rinsed out the mug and set it in the drying rack. God, she needed to get out of here. She turned to leave, but he stood right in front of her.
“Haven’t seen you around much since the party.”
“I’ve been busy.” She looked anywhere but at him. She couldn’t meet his gaze—not after she’d escorted a criminal into his parents’ house.
“You looked real pretty.”
“Thanks.” She sidestepped him, heading for the door.
He grasped her arm, bringing her around to face him again. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
“I-I’ve got stuff to do.”
He glanced over her shoulder, his fingers still locked onto her arm, then met her eyes. “I was hoping you’d have a drink with me after I get off rotation tonight.”
“What?” She frowned. “But your fiancée—”
“She won’t care.” He moved closer. “She’s having dinner with her parents.”
What the…? She stared up at him, knowing her mouth hung open, unable to close it.
“Brigit. It should’ve been you standing up there with me. Just say the word and….” He lowered his head.
/>
Holy crap! He’s going to kiss me! She jerked her arm free. “No. Just no.” What was wrong with everyone? She whirled on her heel and fled the station, thankful for the cool air washing over her face as she stepped outside.
Bzzzzzzzzz. Bzzzzzz.
She pulled her cell phone from her pocket and checked the screen.
Kat: Lunch?
Brigit: Sure.
Kat: Pick you up in thirty minutes. Sacramento ok?
Brigit: Absolutely.
Anything to get out of Cedar Valley and away from everything that reminded her of Carter.
***
“Fill ’er up.” Brigit held her wine glass out to her sister.
Kat arched a brow. “Round two already?” She glanced at her watch. “It’s been less than ten minutes.”
“Trust me. I need it. Besides, you’re driving.” She brandished her glass. “Hit me.”
Her sister poured the rosé within a half-inch of the rim. “Man troubles?”
She snorted then took a deep gulp. “What would you know about man troubles? You’ve got Dante. He’s perfect.”
“He is wonderful. But this isn’t about me.” Her gaze shifted to the café entrance, her eyes widening. “So listen. I invited Jessica, too.”
Brigit raised her glass. “The more the merrier.”
“You may change your mind about that.”
“What?” She twisted to look at the slim honey-blonde who’d made their brother, Aiden, so happy. “Why?”
“We got to talking the other day, and—”
She rounded on her sister. “You didn’t.”
Kat shrugged. “It came up.”
“How?” she whispered in a harsh tone. “How did my love life just happen to come up in a casual conversation with our brother’s girlfriend? And you pinky swore!”
“Hi!” Jessica pulled out a chair and joined them. “You said one o’clock. Am I late?”
“No. Not at all.” Kat patted her arm then motioned to the waitress for another wine glass.
Dallas Fire & Rescue: Lighting His Fire (Kindle Worlds Novella) (MacKay Destiny Book 5) Page 6