Her mom grinned. “Something about a change in plans.”
“Oh. Thanks.” Eden took her cup of coffee and the plate her mom handed her and walked around the bar counter to a stool. “Where’re Dad and Gramps?”
“They ate and left already. You’re late.”
“I forgot to set my alarm.” She glanced over when Blake entered the kitchen. The smile he shot in her direction warmed her insides faster than the fragrant brew.
“Morning, Dahlia.”
“Good morning, Blake. Would you like some breakfast?”
“I’d love some, but I missed a couple of calls from my agent, and John just texted me. One word. Urgent.” He rolled his eyes. “I’d better go see what he wants.”
Eden paused with her fork halfway to her mouth. “You’re missing out. Mom’s pancakes are almost as good as her cookies.”
He dropped a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll get something at the food truck just as soon as I talk to John. Then I should probably check in with the sheriff to see if he’s made any progress.”
Her euphoric mood evaporated. “I’d actually forgotten about the drain cleaner. Damn.” She dropped her fork back on her plate. “Please be careful.”
“I will.” He glanced toward her mom. “Thanks for your hospitality last night.”
“You’re welcome here anytime, Blake.”
“I appreciate that.” The hand on Eden’s shoulder tightened for a moment. “See you later.”
“I’m going to work with the Pintos this morning, but I’ll find you afterward.”
“Sounds good.”
Her gaze followed his broad back until he disappeared through the doorway.
Cup of coffee in hand, her mom leaned against the counter facing her. “You two seem to be getting along well.”
The backdoor opened then shut with a thud, and booted footsteps sounded in the hall.
Eden turned her attention back to her mother and nodded. “We are. Blake wants me to come out to Hollywood. I told him I would just as soon as I sell the Pintos.” She met her mom’s direct gaze. “If you don’t mind helping out on the cattle drive. I know Zane will need an extra hand for that.”
“Actually, Boyd may need two extra hands.”
Eden sipped her coffee and met the hard look in their foreman’s eyes head-on when he stopped in the doorway and crossed his arms over his chest. “Morning, Zane. What’re you talking about?”
“I gave notice last week. Boyd’s been trying to talk me into staying on for a while longer, but I don’t think that’s an option at this point.”
Eden’s jaw sagged. “You’re leaving the ranch? But this is your home.”
Dahlia rounded the end of the counter. “I’m sorry my husband wasn’t able to convince you to reconsider, but I know you have your reasons.”
Eden glanced between her mother and Zane. “Am I missing something?”
His lips tightened. “Nothing you’d consider important, obviously.”
“I think I’ll let you two talk.” Her mom gave her a sympathetic glance then left the room when Zane stepped through the doorway into the kitchen.
Eden eyed him warily as he advanced. “Why would you quit? You’ve been with us for what, ten years? I thought you loved your work.”
“This isn’t about the job.”
She pushed back her plate, her appetite gone. “Then what is it about?”
“Don’t be dense. It’s about you. Us. Me passing your lover as he leaves the house in the morning.”
Eden held on to her temper. Barely. “There is no us. We broke up over a year ago, and I should never have agreed to date you in the first place. I knew it would be awkward after we ended things, but you were so damn insistent. I caved in and agreed to give a relationship between us a shot. Who I spend my time with now isn’t any of your business.”
“I backed off to give you time to come to your senses and realize we’re perfect for each other.” A scowl drew his brows together. “You haven’t dated anyone else since we split up, at least not seriously. Let’s see, you went to the movies once with Terry from the feed store, but that was a double date with a friend. I heard you turned down the guy from BLM who arranges the transfer of your wild horses when he asked you out. And, last but not least, you went to dinner with Roman last fall before the shit hit the fan over his father, and then again after your dad rehired him, but those dates never amounted to anything.”
“Probably because the second time we went out was just because he needed someone to vent to. Anyway, Roman’s too young for me.” She thumped her coffee mug down on the counter. “I can’t believe you’ve been monitoring my every move.”
“Not a hell of a lot to monitor, which is why I figured you were about ready to see what was right in front of your nose this whole time. At least you were until Benedict turned your head. I would never have believed you, of all people, could be so shallow.”
She clenched her fists and tamped down the urge to scream, just to release a little of her frustrated anger. “Is that why you’ve been trying to maim him, so he’d leave the ranch?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“The chisel in the hay. The glass under Flint’s saddle. The drain cleaner in Blake’s shampoo bottle.”
“Are you crazy?” He backed up a step, eyes wide. “I didn’t have anything to do with those incidents.”
“If you were angry because I was dating him, talking to me about the situation would seem like the sane response.” Her voice rose. “Not trying to put him in the ER.”
His brown eyes darkened. “I’m not that desperate to win you over, Eden. The simple fact that you would sleep with a man like Benedict tells me I was the one who’s been delusional all these years. You’re not the girl I believed you to be. I don’t want a woman with so little substance, not to mention a lack of morals.”
Eden counted to ten. Twice. Her head throbbed, and she spent a moment wondering if it really could explode. Still, she refused to sink to his level and hurl petty insults in response. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly. “I guess it’s best you’re leaving, then.”
“That’s how I look at it. I’d planned to stay until after your brothers’ weddings, but the way things are…” He shrugged. “I told your dad this morning I’m out of here. I can’t stick around to watch you and Benedict—” He broke off. “Whatever. I’d wish you happiness with him, but I’m pretty sure you’re in for nothing but a whole lot of heartache. Good luck with that, Eden.” Turning on the heel of his boot, he stalked out of the room.
Her hand shook as she picked up her coffee mug. When her teeth clicked against the rim, she set it back down. “Damn, Zane. Self-righteous ass!”
“Are you okay, honey?” Her mom paused for a moment in the doorway, her eyes filled with concern.
Eden let out another long breath. “I’m fine. Zane had a few snide, vindictive words for me that got under my skin.”
“I’m sorry.” Crossing the room, she rested a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “I knew he talked to your dad about leaving. I guess that’s final now.”
“Effective immediately, thank God. I don’t know if I could be polite around him after that sanctimonious tirade.”
“When Zane gave notice, your father put out a few feelers, even though he hoped he’d change his mind. Still, it may take a while to find a qualified ranch foreman.”
“I know, and I’m sorry since this situation is all my fault. I guess I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Dad’s going to need my help around here.”
“Don’t blame yourself for someone else’s false expectations. You aren’t responsible for Zane’s feelings.”
“Maybe not, but dating him in the first place was definitely my mistake.” She closed her eyes for a moment and rubbed her temples. “I’d better go talk to Dad…and Blake.” She slid off the stool. “Neither one will be happy.”
“Eat your breakfas
t first.”
“I’m not hungry.” She gave her mom a hug and clung for a few seconds. “This sucks. Just when I’d decided to try to make things work with Blake, our plans get scrapped.”
“A slight hiccup. This doesn’t have to be the end.”
A sigh slipped out. “I hope not. I’ll see you later.”
Eden left the house and crossed the backyard, noting how lush and green the newly irrigated lawn where the ceremony would take place looked. The double wedding would still go off as arranged, but her brothers might have to arrive early to make it happen since her parents would be tied up with the burden of extra ranch work. She’d pitch in to cover for Zane as much as she could, but his timing couldn’t be worse. Then again, maybe he knew that and had walked out now just to spite her.
“Eden.”
She paused on the way toward the barn when Blake waved and jogged toward her. “Did you miss me already?” Her smile of greeting felt forced.
He stopped in front of her and touched her cheek as his gaze searched hers. “What’s wrong?”
“How did you know there’s a problem?”
“You look tense.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Zane just quit. I can’t leave the ranch shorthanded to hang out with you in Malibu.”
He slid an arm around her and squeezed. “Complications on my end, too. I have to leave here tomorrow. John’s all bent out of shape because he has to rearrange his schedule to shoot my remaining scenes today and tomorrow morning before I can catch an afternoon flight to L.A.”
Her chest tightened. “Why?”
“Promo for my movie releasing next Friday.”
“Is that the one you filmed on the rafting trip with Sawyer?”
He nodded. “Raging Waters. My agent signed me up for a late night talk show appearance and forgot to tell me. When she couldn’t reach me yesterday evening, she called John.”
“Are you coming back after the interview?”
“By the time I complete my promo obligations for the new release, filming will be finished here, and we’ll be working at the studio to wrap up production.”
Eden pressed a hand to the ache beneath her breast. “I’d hoped we’d at least have a few more days together.”
“And I was counting on showing you around my home turf next week.”
“I guess we’ll both have to settle for being disappointed.”
He tilted her chin with one finger. “Maybe your dad will find someone to replace Zane right away.”
“That would be ideal, but I don’t see it happening. He has a lot of experience, and finding the right man—or woman—for the job won’t be easy. And, we still have the cattle to move next week. Honestly, I don’t realistically imagine I can take any time for myself before my brothers get married.”
His gaze held steady on hers. “Then I’ll see you for the wedding at the end of the month. I’m not going to give up on us over the first little conflict.”
“Why do I doubt it’ll be the last?” Her tone was dour.
“Because you’re a realist.” He bent to kiss her. “I’m an optimist.”
She couldn’t help smiling in response. But her smile faded when Zane left the barn by the side door, carrying a saddle and an armful of tack, gave her a look that should have frozen her where she stood, then turned toward the bunkhouse.
“I have to go talk to my dad. There’s plenty of work that needs to be attended to.”
“And I’m due in makeup.” He grimaced. “The artist is giving me a festering wound on my chest.”
“Sounds lovely. Will I see you tonight?”
“Definitely.” After kissing her slowly and thoroughly, he strolled away.
Heart pounding in an erratic rhythm, Eden let out the breath she’d been holding. “Wow.”
When a throat cleared behind her, she spun around. Her dad stood beside the barn door. He raised one brow.
“Uh, sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. I’m not so old I don’t remember what it’s like to be young and in love.”
She nearly choked. “We’re not in love.”
“No? What would you call it, then?”
Eden grasped for an answer and came up empty. Lust might be part of the equation, but certainly not all of it. Her emotions were most definitely engaged. The thought gave her pause. She wasn’t sure she was ready to examine her feelings, let alone share them. “We have a connection.”
“Interesting.” Her dad stuck his hands in his pockets. “I guess Zane told you he’s leaving.”
“I’m sorry you lost a good foreman because of me.”
His eyes cooled to an icy blue. “I made it clear I wasn’t happy with the comments he made about you. He’s packing his gear now.”
She let out a sigh. “I really am sorry, and I intend to pitch in to keep the place running smoothly. Good thing I gave up my leatherworks.” She nodded toward the corral where the two Pintos swished flies with their tails. “After these horses are sold, I won’t get a new group for a while. I can focus my energy on the ranch.”
“What about Blake?”
“He’s leaving tomorrow.”
“Your grandpa mentioned you might want to visit him.”
“I’ll think about it again after we find a new manager.”
“I don’t expect you to make personal sacrifices for the ranch. We’ll manage just fine. We always do.”
She shook her head. “This is a non-issue, Dad. The ranch is my responsibility, too, and I won’t let you work yourself to death. So, what’s on the schedule for today?”
He didn’t respond right away, just studied her for a long moment. Her jaw clenched tighter.
“The vet’s coming later to vaccinate the new calves. We need to separate them from their mothers, round them up and herd them into a pen.”
The smile she tried to produce didn’t quite make it onto her mouth. “Let’s go do it.”
Chapter 17
Blake stepped out of the limo in a custom-tailored charcoal gray suit and waited while his costar in Raging Waters climbed out behind him. Lisette looked stunning in a silver dress that clung to her generous curves. Her auburn hair was swept up in some sort of fancy knot that left one long curl dangling over her bare shoulder. Six weeks ago, he would have been tempted to brush the artfully styled lock off her exposed cleavage. Now, his fingers didn’t even twitch.
Taking her arm, he smiled for the cameras as they made their way through the throng of onlookers lining the sidewalk into the lobby of the theater where the movie would premiere. After the oppressive humidity outside, the cool interior was a welcome relief. He let out a sigh of pleasure as the chilled air swirled around him, then guided Lisette to the backdrop where they would pose for photos.
Without breaking form, she muttered, “These shoes are killing me. I should have worn my slippers.”
His smile broadened as he glanced down at her five-inch stilettoes and imagined her in the fur-lined slip-ons she’d favored around her apartment. He and Lisette had dated for a few weeks during filming but had quickly realized they had nothing in common outside of work. They’d agreed to attend the premiere together at the urging of the studio’s publicist who insisted rumors of a rekindled romance would boost ticket sales. Blake hadn’t minded since the only woman he wanted to escort was Eden, and that wasn’t an option. His gut tightened. She’d ignored his calls for three straight days, and he didn’t have a clue why. He’d intended to explain the situation to her but hadn’t been given a chance.
“Perfect. Perfect. Love the pensive look, Blake. All right, you can head on into the theater now.”
He jerked his attention back to the photographer and realized Lisette was waiting for him to take her arm. “Sorry, my mind was wandering. Let’s go see how the finished product turned out.”
She gazed up at him. “You haven’t seen the edited version?”
He shook his head as he guided her down the row of
plush seats. “No, I’ve been in Wyoming for the last month.”
“Nice to get out of town for a while.”
“Definitely.”
They sat with the rest of the cast and settled in as the lights lowered. Despite the superb job the editors had done, Blake couldn’t focus on the movie. Worry nagged him as he tried to imagine why Eden hadn’t answered his increasingly pointed messages. When his cell vibrated in his pocket, anticipation soared. He practically leaped out of his seat and raced up the aisle, not bothering to glance at the display until he reached the lobby.
“Shit. Are you freaking kidding me?”
Not Eden. Pris. Again. With a sigh, he found a secluded corner and returned her call.
“Blake, I’m so glad you phoned me back. Finally. I was worried when I didn’t hear from you.”
He winced, knowing exactly how she felt. He should have called her sooner. “Sorry, Pris, but I’ve been busy since I got back from Wyoming. Right now, I’m at the premiere for Raging Waters. I wouldn’t have left the theater, but…never mind. What’s up?”
“I can’t wait to see your new movie. I’d love to come visit you—”
“My schedule is pretty full for the next couple of weeks, and then I head back to Wyoming. Eden’s brothers are getting married.”
“I remember her talking about it.” She paused. “What I was going to say before you interrupted is I’d like to visit you, but I can’t. I have a job now, and I won’t be able to take time off for a while.”
Relief flowed through him, and he relaxed against the wall. “You do? That’s terrific. Where’re you working?”
“At the museum. I was always good at history in school, and I know all about the Oregon Trail. My boss told me I’m a real asset.”
“I’m proud of you, Pris. Does old Mrs. Needameyer still run that place with an iron fist?”
“You bet. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I have my act together now.”
“I’m happy to hear that, but I’m afraid we’ll have to catch up later. Lisette is going to wonder what happened to me if I don’t head back to my seat.”
“You went to the premiere with your costar? Are you dating her again?”
Wilde Horses Page 19