by Susan Crosby
And because I’m falling for him.
Victoria had to sit and let the idea sink in, without letting her cousins see anything they might report to their mother or hers.
“Are you going to see him again?”
“Yes.” That much she knew.
“You have to know a relationship with him would only be short-term,” Emily said, looking worried. “And if by some chance it does go beyond that, do you really think you could live his kind of life? Or that he could live yours?”
“No, but I’m also not a starry-eyed teenager. Don’t worry. I won’t come crying on your shoulder.”
Wendy reached out and grabbed Victoria’s hand. “You can always cry on my shoulder. I won’t say I told you so.”
“Me, neither,” Em said. “And we won’t be talking to our mom about it again, either.”
“Thank you,” Victoria said with a sigh of relief. “I think maybe I should move to the hotel so you can honestly say you didn’t know anything. I feel like I’m crowding you, anyway.”
“You’re welcome here,” Wendy said. “But do what makes you feel comfortable.”
“I’ll think it over. Thank you.” She stood. “I’m going to take a walk. Clear my head.”
She grabbed a jacket and headed out. Again it occurred to her that she wouldn’t do this at home, not at night, although more from caution than experience. It was quiet here, a car passing by now and then, but no one honked. She could look up and see a starry sky.
Victoria kept walking, ending up at Red. She peeked in the window. Almost every table was full, and in a corner booth was Tanner Redmond, a man whose photo she’d only seen once, when Jordana showed his website to her, but she was positive it was him. He was laughing with a beautiful dark-haired woman who touched his arm now and then as she spoke. When he sipped from his glass, his eyes held her gaze.
She pulled out her cell phone and called her cousin Jordana. “Did I wake you?” Victoria asked.
“It’s okay. I always seem to be napping.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Better. I’m into my second trimester. It’s good. How about you? Are you home?”
“I’m taking an extended vacation in Red Rock—where you should be, I might add.”
“Have you seen Tanner?” she asked.
“I’m looking at him right now. He’s having dinner at Red with a very attractive woman who’s flirting like crazy with him. Jordana, I’m about ready to go in there and tell him he shouldn’t be dating anyone since he’s going to be a father.”
“You can’t do that!”
“Then you get yourself down here and tell him the news. You really can’t wait any longer.”
“I just need a little more time. But I will. Soon.”
“What are you waiting for? You are one of the strongest, smartest women I know. It isn’t like you to avoid such a major issue.”
“You haven’t been pregnant and unmarried, so don’t lecture me.”
Victoria blew out a breath, calming herself. “You’re right. I haven’t.”
“I’ll deal with it in my own way.”
“All right.”
“And you won’t interfere.”
Someone tapped Victoria on the shoulder. She spun around. “Marcos! You scared the wits out of me.”
“Are you spying on someone?”
She held up a finger. “I have to go, Jordana. Talk to you soon.”
Jordana was still sputtering when Victoria ended the call—without promising she wouldn’t interfere.
“What’s going on?” Marcos asked.
“I was out for a walk, and I decided to call Jordana.”
“I heard the tail end of your conversation. Wendy’s very worried about her, you know.”
“She doesn’t have to be.”
Marcos gave her a long look. “All right. Um, one thing I thought of after I left the house. Garrett had some trouble out at his ranch a couple of years back. Had to do with a woman, but I don’t know more than that. The sheriff was called. But you know small-town gossip. The truth is in there someplace, but you’ll have to search it out for yourself at the source.”
“I will. Thanks. Oh, Marcos,” she said as he turned to leave. “Is that Tanner Redmond at the corner table?”
“Sure is.”
“And the woman with him?”
“Don’t know. I’ve never seen her before.”
Well, shoot. She was tempted to hang around until they left and check if they were cozy or not as they walked to his car, but that could be hours and she wanted to be up bright and early.
She had a big day planned for tomorrow. It was time to start taking some risks.
Chapter Five
It was Garrett’s first breakfast at Estelle’s since Victoria had come to town. He’d expected to be the subject of a few raised eyebrows, maybe even a couple of comments. What he hadn’t expected was to find Victoria seated at the counter, reading the newspaper and eating pecan waffles and ham, maple syrup coating everything on her plate, as if it was something she did every day.
She didn’t look up until the whole place went quiet, then she glanced toward the door, saw him standing just inside it, looked surprised and then waved him over.
He nodded at various customers as he headed toward her, then he took the seat next to her. “You’re in my seat,” he said.
She looked one way then the other. “I don’t see anything indicating that.”
“Everyone knows that’s my place on Saturday morning.” He couldn’t tell whether she’d planned the moment or was as innocent as she looked. She wore jeans again and red boots he hadn’t seen before. Her blouse was new to him—red-and-white stripes with pearled snaps, like something she’d wear to a hoedown. Not that he’d been to one anytime recently… .
“Do you want to trade seats?” she asked.
“Hell, no. Not with everyone watching.”
Estelle set a mug of coffee in front of him. “Your usual?” she asked.
“That’d be fine, thanks.” He waited until she got out of range, then finished his answer to Victoria. “What I want to know is why Estelle didn’t say anything about it to you.” He cocked his head. “Or did she?”
Her teeth flashed white in a quick grin. “She might have mentioned it in passing.”
“So everyone here has been waiting for my reaction.”
“You would know better than I. Seems to me the people around here are overly involved in each other’s business, so you’re probably right. What’s your usual?”
He shifted mental gears. “Two eggs over easy, hash browns, a slab of ham and biscuits and gravy.”
She gave him the once-over. “I don’t see where you put it.”
“I don’t eat lunch on Saturdays.”
She laughed at that, raising her mug in a toast.
“Did you know I’d be here?” he asked.
“I told you before, cowboy. If you have a particular schedule you stick to, I’ve never been shown it.”
Her phrasing was just vague enough for him to take her answer either way. He decided to let it go, figuring it wouldn’t be so bad having breakfast with a pretty woman.
“Want the sports?” she asked, holding up a section she’d put aside.
“Thanks.” They sat next to each other, reading and eating, occasionally commenting on something in the paper. Their arms brushed now and then. The first time it happened, she froze for a few seconds. After that, he consciously pressed against her every so often, until she finally did the same. It seemed friendly, almost like an inside joke, but it felt arousing. He couldn’t remember a time when such a small, innocent touch had made him wish for a private room, a big bed an
d all the time in the world.
After a while, Estelle came over. “You two need to kiss, start a fight or take off. No one here’s gonna go until something happens. I’m gonna start losing business in a couple of minutes.”
They looked around. Customers were lining the walls, waiting for a table, because no one had left. Garrett pulled out some bills and dropped them on the counter. “My treat,” he said to Victoria.
“Why, thank you.” She had a bit of maple syrup stuck in the corner of her mouth. Licking it off wasn’t an option, so he gestured to her.
“What are your plans for the day?” she asked, dipping her napkin in her water and wiping her mouth.
“Errands, then back to see how many new residents have arrived.”
She looked contrite for a second or two.
They walked out together, him nodding occasionally, her waving and calling out goodbye. He’d lived quietly in Red Rock for years. He didn’t want life to change, yet she was already changing it.
“How did last night’s dinner go?” he asked as they neared her car.
“Somehow my mom and dad managed to set me up on a blind date. I love my parents, but they’ve been pushing too hard to get me married. It’s driving me crazy.”
“Did you like the guy?” Say no. If she liked him and ended up staying in town because of the man, Garrett would have to see her now and then. It wasn’t an option.
“No, but he didn’t go for me, either, so it ended just fine. Do you have a girlfriend?”
The question caught him off guard. He answered without thinking. “No.”
“Good,” she said, getting into her car. “See you around.”
Good? He didn’t want to get caught staring at her as she drove off—especially since everyone in the diner seemed stuck to the window, watching, holding their collective breaths—so he went to his truck without hesitating, putting an end to the crowd’s anticipation.
Good? he thought again. She should’ve figured out by now that he wasn’t a man who wanted ties, not even a girlfriend, much less a wife. Maybe he hadn’t been clear enough. He’d just have to flat out tell her.
He’d do that next time there was an opportunity so there wouldn’t be any confusion about the issue.
When he pulled up to the hardware store, he saw her car outside. This time he was more than a little suspicious. He couldn’t imagine a single reason for her to be shopping at a hardware store, but there she was, studying a rack of picture hangers.
“Well, hey,” she said, looking surprised, an expression she’d perfected. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“Come here often, do you, princess?”
“Wendy just framed a bunch of pictures of the baby. I volunteered to pick up hangers. What do you think? Which ones are the easiest to use?”
He grabbed a package and passed it to her.
“Thanks. What are you getting?”
“This ’n that.”
She laughed, then she tapped his chest with the packet. “See ya.”
When she was shining it on for someone, she was irresistible. Ray Cleft, who owned the hardware store, got swept up by Victoria’s charm to the point where he was blushing. Garrett shook his head, but he also moved to a place in the store where he could watch her get into her car. She had the audacity to smile knowingly and wave, then off she went.
By the time he reached the feed store, he was no longer surprised that her car was parked there. He was a creature of habit—Estelle’s, hardware store, pet food, then groceries, every Saturday, like clockwork. Despite what she’d said, someone must’ve told her.
“Marcos and Wendy get a new pet I haven’t heard about?” he asked as she stood contemplating doggy chew toys. “I’ve been trying to sell Marcos on a dog for a long time. He always says no.”
“Hmm? Oh. Yes, you’re right about Marcos. I’m getting these for your dogs. You know, so they can chew away their frustrations. And look at these adorable bandanas they can wear. I think I’ll get a dozen. The dogs will look even more adoptable when they look cute, too.”
Garrett didn’t try to talk her out of it, figuring there was no purpose in trying to change her mind. No one said no to her.
He was surprised twenty minutes later when he pulled into the grocery store parking lot and didn’t see her car. He even admitted to himself he might be a bit disappointed. But when he came out of the store later there she was, standing next to his truck when he pushed his cart up to it.
“I didn’t want you to think I was stalking you,” she said, a twinkle in her eye.
He raised his brows.
She laughed. “I know. ‘And yet, you’re here, princess.’ That’s what you’re really thinking, right?”
“Close enough. What do you want, Victoria?”
“To come out to Pete’s Retreat and help with the animals.”
He started loading his groceries into the truck bed. “It’s up to you.”
Her big brown eyes widened comically. “Stop the presses! Garrett Stone didn’t tell me no!”
He didn’t give her the benefit of even a tolerant look. “You should probably change your fancy clothes first.”
“Already in my trunk. Be prepared, you know? I’ll follow you.” She turned away.
He cupped her arm, made her face him again. “I’m not ever gettin’ married, Victoria. Nor am I lookin’ for a girlfriend.”
An expression crossed her face that he couldn’t interpret, then she said, “You know, Garrett, I never would’ve thought I’d get such a kick out of getting muddy in somebody’s barn, either. I’m keeping myself open to new experiences, cowboy. Maybe you should try that yourself sometime. Change can be good.”
She was lecturing him? She’d just finished college, had been cloistered all her life, and she was telling him how to live?
Regretting he hadn’t discouraged her from coming to the ranch, he drove home, his temper simmering. She was right behind him.
Seven dogs greeted them—Pete, Abel, the three dogs who’d come a couple of days ago and two who’d been waiting in the yard that morning when he got up. He was down to three horses again, one more having been taken yesterday.
“Goodness!” Victoria said as the dogs surrounded her. “You’ve added more. Where do they come from?” she asked, all innocence.
“I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that word of my rescue operation has spread as far as San Antonio.”
“As well it should. A lot of people are having to give up their pets because of the housing downturn. Instead of leaving them behind, people are thrilled to find a no-kill site like this. I know I would be.” She gave Abel his rubdown as he rolled his eyes in rapture. “Won’t the word that you aren’t running a shelter spread, too?”
“Probably. It’s just being ignored because it’s convenient to some people’s way of thinking.” He grabbed the two grocery sacks with perishables then walked over to her. “Did you get my message earlier? I want to be sure you understand me, princess. I may be set in my ways, but I also know myself well. I’ve been to hell and back a couple of times and lived to tell about it. Having a woman around for more than a night doesn’t sit well with me.”
“What happened to you?”
“I try not to look back.” He headed toward the house, he could hear her following after a few seconds.
“If you lived to tell about it, why not tell me?” she asked when they reached the door.
He’d set down his grocery sacks to unlock the door. When he glanced back at her, he could barely see her face, hidden behind two bags as she was. Just her eyes. Her beautiful chocolate-diamond eyes.
“It’s an expression, you know? I don’t talk about it.”
“But you just did. So feel free to continue.”
&
nbsp; He ignored her, leading the way into his house, wondering what she thought of it. He’d seen pictures on the internet of her parents’ mansion when it’d been on a holiday home tour for some charitable organization. He could just about fit his place into their living room.
He liked his place a hell of a lot better.
In the kitchen they unpacked the groceries in silence. He couldn’t tell if she was mad or hurt. They seemed to have had long periods of silence between them, mostly comfortable. This one had an edge to it.
“I’ll get my clothes and change,” she said.
“Bathroom’s across the living room and down the hall.”
After she left, he leaned his hands against his countertop for a minute and blew out a long breath. He’d had women in his kitchen before—women always seemed to want to cook for him, as if showing off their wife potential—but he’d never felt as if anyone belonged, not until Victoria moved around the space with him. Maybe because she hadn’t been gabbing the whole time. Maybe because she seemed to know where things belonged without asking.
Maybe because he kept having images of her in his bed, naked and willing…
From the bathroom, Victoria heard the front door shut. Not slam, exactly, but shut more loudly than necessary. What was he so ticked off about? He hadn’t seemed to mind her popping up everywhere he went this morning. She’d been testing the waters with him, seeing what she could get away with, and he’d seemed, well, not unhappy, anyway.
One thing she’d learned—when his emotions were involved, he dropped his g’s. I’m not ever gettin’ married, Victoria. Nor am I lookin’ for a girlfriend, he’d said. She liked knowing that about him, figured it would come in handy sometimes.
She carried her clothes to the living room and hung them over a chair. His house was about what she’d expected—old, durable furnishings, but the rooms were spotless, a masculine decor with lots of wood, devoid of accessories or art except for one oil painting of his ranch. She got close enough to look at the signature—Liz. Was she one he’d spent a single night with?
Jealousy reared its ugly green head, so she joined him in the barn. Abel had been waiting at the door much like Pete did for Garrett. Abel bounced around her, as if making sure her attention would be on him and not the new dogs or the plethora of puppies and kittens.