Kiss Me (Fool's Gold series)

by Susan Mallery

  She was going to find out, she told herself. She was going to talk to Zane and tell him how she felt and then hear what he had to say. He was too important for her to simply accept whatever might happen.

  “Phoebe, are you about done in there?” Maya called through the door. “You need to come out right now. But put some clothes on first. Reilly’s here, and I don’t want you to give him a heart attack.”

  “I think I could stand the shock,” the old man said with a chuckle.

  “What’s wrong?” Phoebe asked, her mind instantly going to Zane.

  “When I logged on to your computer, you got a couple of emails. You need to read them.”

  Phoebe wrapped herself in a fluffy towel, then tugged on a thick, terry-cloth robe that had been hanging on the back of the door. She stepped into the bedroom.

  “Who’s sending me emails?” she asked.

  Maya sat on one of the beds with the laptop beside her, while Reilly leaned against the door frame.

  “Read this one first,” her friend said as she turned the laptop to face Phoebe.

  Phoebe scanned the contents. Jonny Blaze had sent a signed offer for the property. The dollar amount nearly made her eyes bug out. After she saw that he had cc’d Reilly, she glanced at the old man.

  “Are you going to accept?”

  “I was thinking I might. I see you held out a certain piece of land. I’m guessing it’s for that young man of yours.”

  She sighed. “Zane isn’t my young man, but, yes, I want him to have it. Are you going to fuss with me about that?”

  Reilly smiled. “I never fuss.”

  “Good.”

  While she couldn’t make up for Zane’s past, she could do a little something to ease the hurt. At least he would have closure. After all he’d been through he deserved that.

  She read the rest of the email. “Jonny’s giving you forty-eight hours to consider his offer. You don’t have to respond right away.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m really his agent on this property. You’ll want to talk to someone else. Maybe a real estate lawyer.”

  “I trust you, Phoebe.”

  His words made her feel good. “Thanks.”

  Maya groaned. “I really hate to spoil the feel-good moment, but you need to read the next one, too.”

  “What?”

  Phoebe clicked the next button. The first sentence made her heart stop. The second had her collapsing on the bed.

  The hearing to revoke her license had been moved up to tomorrow at noon.

  Tears filled her eyes. “I’ll never make it.” And if she wasn’t there, the board would rule against her in absentia.

  “Sure you will,” Reilly said briskly. “I’ll call Finn Andersson. He runs a charter company. Pack your things. I’ll drive you to the airport, and you’ll be in Los Angeles by midnight.”

  “You can grab a couple of hours of sleep, then be at the meeting in plenty of time,” Maya told her. “You’ll be fine.”

  Phoebe didn’t feel fine. She didn’t feel anything but empty.

  She didn’t want to have to fight for her license, not when she hadn’t done anything wrong. Not when fighting meant leaving.

  “We have to get going,” Reilly told her. “There’s another storm coming through. You’ll need to be wheels up in less than an hour, and it’s a half an hour’s drive to the airport.”

  Phoebe stared at him. “But I have to say goodbye to everyone.”

  “You don’t have time,” Maya said. “I’ll give them all hugs and kisses. Come on, Phoebe. This is your real life calling. Now get dressed.”

  * * *

  THE NEXT FOURTEEN hours passed in a blur. Phoebe managed to scramble into clothes and jump into the car with Reilly. She hadn’t had any time to find Zane and talk to him, not that she was sure what she was going to say. Would he consider her affections important or just an inconvenience? Had she managed to touch him in any way, or would he simply be grateful to have her gone?

  A problem she would deal with after she saved her career, she told herself. She’d managed a few hours of sleep, then got up, showered and dressed in her best suit. There was still time before she had to leave for the meeting, so she began to make phone calls.

  When this had all started, she’d accepted her fate without a whimper. But not anymore. She wasn’t the same passive, accepting person she’d been in court. Somehow she’d learned she was strong, and that she mattered. Jeff might try to take her down, and he might succeed, but not without a fight. This time there wasn’t a warmhearted steer to save her butt, so she was going to have to do it herself.

  She finished her last call at eleven, which didn’t give her much time to get to the noon hearing. She made it to the licensing offices quickly and waited in the foyer. So far no one had shown up, but she told herself they would. They’d always believed in her—now she just had to believe in herself.

  When she walked into the conference room, Jeff was already there. One look at his face told her that there was nothing she could say or do to convince him to change his mind. For reasons she didn’t understand, he wanted to destroy her.

  He’d been the one to lie and cheat in their relationship. So why was he punishing her? Why—

  Who cared why, she told herself. She’d just spent a week on a cattle drive. She’d saved fifty steers from drowning. She’d crossed a raging river and had lived to tell the tale. Jeff was beneath her notice.

  If she lost her license, she would find something better to do with her life. Something that made her just as happy. Because she’d learned that she could do anything.

  The board entered the room and called the meeting to order. Phoebe was asked to stand and state her name. She rose to her feet, but before she could speak, the rear doors flew open and several dozen people entered.

  Phoebe smiled as her former clients began to fill the room. Everyone she’d phoned had been more than willing to speak on her behalf. The Majoys who had three kids and barely got by. Betty Whiles, a single mother and diabetic. The Abbotts, the Tennants. Even Jonny Blaze had come. He gave her a big smile and two thumbs-up. She heard a couple of board members catch their breath when they recognized the movie star. Los Angelenos were not impressed by minor celebrity, but someone of Jonny Blaze’s stature still managed to get them excited.

  A clerk entered the room and handed Phoebe a thick sheaf of papers. The emails she’d asked for from the people who couldn’t make the meeting. There were over a dozen glowing testimonials. The last person to enter the room was April, her boss.

  Phoebe squared her shoulders and faced the board. There were seven of them, all well dressed and official-looking. She stated her name and gave them a copy of her license.

  Jeff waited until she’d finished before standing. “Ms. Kitzke isn’t allowed to bring witnesses to her hearing.”

  Phoebe ignored him. “I understand the rules of the hearing. However, as my competency is being questioned, there was no other way to prove myself. These former clients wish to speak on my behalf. I also have letters. They’re not only from clients, but also from financial officers explaining how I always went the extra mile to find the right loan at the best price.”

  Jeff glared at her. “It’s all bullshit.”

  “No, it’s the truth.”

  April cleared her throat. “I brought my signed affidavit, Phoebe. Just like you asked.” She turned to the board. “The mistake with the paperwork was mine. Phoebe caught it and wanted to correct it, but I didn’t listen. I was scared I’d lose my job, so I lied.”

  The head of the board, a stern-looking woman in her midfifties, dropped her half-glasses on the desk in front of her and stared at Jeff.

  “I’ve investigated Phoebe Kitzke myself. She seems to be a credit to the industry. Why exactly have you brought charges against her to revoke her license?”

  Just then the rear doors of the conference room opened. Everyone turned. Phoebe was stunned to see Maya walk in, wearing the elegant designer suit she’d bought for her
interview with the network. She was trailed by about a dozen people. C.J. and Thad were there with the kids, along with Eddie and Gladys and Andrea and Martin. And...Mayor Marsha?

  “How?” she mouthed to Maya. How had she convinced these people to come to LA on her behalf? How had they made it here so soon? Maya shrugged and smiled.

  Phoebe returned her attention to the board. “I don’t know why Jeff’s doing this. We had a relationship and it ended badly. So maybe this is personal.” She shook her head. “That doesn’t matter. What you need to know about me is that I love my job. I’ve always given a hundred and ten percent because that’s who I am. My clients mattered more than anything. Even more than myself.”

  She glanced at the people behind her, at her friends...in a way, her family. “Not that I didn’t love every minute.”

  She turned back to the board. “I’m here because I’m not going down without a fight. I do good work. I make a difference. I care and I’m honest. I matter.”

  There was more to say, but suddenly it wasn’t important. She crossed to stand next to Maya.

  “That really is a great suit,” she murmured.

  Her friend stared at her. “Great speech. You’re a new and improved version.”

  “A cattle drive can work miracles.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  Phoebe waited while the board deliberated. A calm had settled over her, and she felt that there wasn’t one thing they could say that would upset her. If they allowed her to keep her license, she would transfer it to the Fool’s Gold area. If not, she would move there and find another way to earn a living. She had no doubt that the small community would help her get on her feet. Maybe this was why she had never purchased a home for herself, because in her heart, she had always sensed that Los Angeles wasn’t her home. The home she’d been looking for was a small town with a heart big enough to welcome any wounded soul in need.

  It took less than five minutes for them to dismiss all charges. She was relieved but not particularly excited, even when the woman in charge called Jeff into her office for an explanation. Phoebe greeted her friends, thanked everyone for coming and promised to join them for a late lunch to celebrate.

  When her clients had gone, Eddie and Gladys rushed forward to congratulate her. C.J. and Thad followed.

  “I’m so happy for you,” C.J. said. “You’re an amazing person. I wanted to thank you for what you said to me at the beginning of the cattle drive. About Lucy and Tommy needing a home.” Her smile broadened. “Thad and I are going to adopt them. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  Phoebe clutched her hand. “You’re going to be a terrific mother.”

  C.J. shook her head. “I’m sure I’ll make a lot of mistakes, but the kids have promised to be patient with me. We’re going to take them as foster children while we work on all the forms and everything.”

  Thad winked. “I know a few people in high places. We’ll pull some strings.”

  “Good for you.”

  Phoebe walked with the group to the underground parking garage.

  “Aren’t you going to ask about him?” Maya paused by her car and grinned. “You know you’re dying to.”

  Phoebe shook her head. If she talked about Zane, she would start to miss him. And if she missed him too much, she wasn’t sure she could go on.

  “Not yet,” she whispered. “This is a happy time, and I don’t want to cry.”

  Maya’s smile faded. “Oh, Phoebe, I knew you had it, but I didn’t know it was bad.”

  Phoebe swallowed. “I love him and I don’t know if he loves me back.”

  “You need a drink. Follow me to the restaurant. After we have lunch and celebrate, you and I will hang out and get drunk.”

  The last thing she wanted to do was celebrate, but Phoebe knew she should be very grateful for all that had happened to her today. Not only had she retained her license, but she’d found out that people cared about what she’d done. Her helping had really mattered. It should be more than enough.

  And it would be, she told herself. In time. It was just that right now she wanted to be with Zane more than she wanted anything else.

  Would he call, she wondered as she drove the two blocks to the restaurant. Would they stay in touch? Would they date when she moved to Fool’s Gold? Had their time together meant anything to him? Was she wishing for the moon?

  She pulled her car behind Maya’s and waited for the valet to hand her a ticket. But instead of a young man in a red jacket stepping up to open her door, a tall, handsome cowboy reached for the door handle.

  Phoebe didn’t know what to think. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t breathe. She could only stare unbelievingly.

  The door opened, and Zane held out his hand.

  She took it and stood.

  “What are you doing here? You hate LA.”

  “I’m here because you’re here.”

  God, he looked great. She wanted to stare at him for hours. She wanted to run her hands up and down his powerful arms. She wanted to laugh, to cry, to beg, to plead.

  “I heard what you did,” he said. “How those folks came through for you. I’m not surprised.”

  She smiled. “I was a little scared when I made the first call,” she admitted, “but then it was okay.”

  “You always lead with your heart.”

  “I don’t know any other way.”

  He smiled. “Not a surprise.” The smile faded. “I love you, Phoebe. You’re crazy and beautiful and you make me feel things I didn’t know existed. You’ve shown me possibilities. For the first time in my life I want to do more than just get by.”

  His words made her want to float or even fly.

  “Me, too,” she whispered as she stared into his blue eyes. “About all of it. I love you, too.”

  He cupped her face. “You’re the best person I’ve ever known.” He swallowed. “I want to marry you, Phoebe, and I’d love for you to come live on the ranch with me. But if you need the big city, we can settle in LA and I’ll put Frank in charge of the ranch.”

  She flung herself at him. He caught her in his arms and pulled her close.

  “I don’t want to live in a city,” she whispered in his ear. “I want to live on the ranch and learn about breeding horses and cashmere goats and have babies, and when we want some excitement, we can go to Fool’s Gold to have dinner. Or invite some friends over for a sing-along around the campfire. Oh, and I want to learn to bake bread. And maybe redo the dining room. But that’s all. No other changes. I swear.”

  She was lying, Zane thought happily as he lowered his head and kissed her. She would turn his world upside down, and he couldn’t wait.

  He drew back. “This isn’t about the land. You know that, right?” He kissed her again. “Although I’m grateful for what you did.” He grinned sheepishly. “Reilly showed me the contract with Jonny Blaze and said I’d be a fool not to take the land and just say thank you. I’m guessing he was right.”

  She stared into his eyes. “Can you do that? Make peace with the past?”

  He nodded. “I want to let it go, Phoebe. You’ve shown me what real love is. I can’t change what my father was, but I can stop being angry and start feeling sorry for the old man. He’s the one who missed out.”

  “Oh, Zane!”

  He kissed her again, pulling her up against him and running his hands up and down her back. As he deepened the kiss, he became aware of clapping, cheers and catcalls. No doubt Chase had gone into the restaurant and rounded up the whole Fool’s Gold crowd to come watch the show. Zane figured they might as well get their money’s worth.

  He pulled back slightly and took her hand in his as he lowered himself to one knee. He took off his hat and said, “Phoebe, will you marry me?”

  Her eyes widened, then filled with tears. “Yes, I will.”

  Contentment filled him, blending with the love already in his heart.

  He pulled the small box from his jacket pocket. While Maya had been busy running to the meeting, Zane
had spent some time on Rodeo Drive. The Tiffany’s store had a nice collection of engagement rings. He’d chosen a perfect round diamond set on a platinum band that looked like braided rope.

  He slipped the ring on her finger, and she gasped.

  “It’s so beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you like it. Now keep it away from the raccoons.”

  “I’ll never take it off. Ever.” She stared at him. “I really love you, Zane.”

  He didn’t doubt her for a second and knew that he never would. He and Phoebe would be together for the rest of their lives. It was going to be a hell of a ride, and he couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from HOLD ME by Susan Mallery.

  Love. Laughter. Happily Ever After.

  “[A] classic blend of lighthearted humor, intense emotional conflict, and a setting so real and appealing readers will want to start scoping out real estate.”

  —Library Journal on Until We Touch

  Look for Susan Mallery’s charming Fool’s Gold series:

  Thrill Me

  Kiss Me

  Hold Me

  Yours for Christmas

  Until We Touch

  Before We Kiss

  When We Met

  Christmas on 4th Street

  Three Little Words

  Two of a Kind

  Just One Kiss

  Halfway There (novella)

  A Fool’s Gold Christmas

  All Summer Long

  Summer Nights

  Summer Days

  Almost Summer (novella)

  Only Us (novella)

  Only His

  Only Yours

  Only Mine

  Sister of the Bride(novella)

  Finding Perfect

  Almost Perfect

  Chasing Perfect

  Available wherever ebooks are sold.

  Be sure to also catch the Blackberry Island series by New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery, available now!

  Barefoot Season

  Three Sisters