by Cora Seton
Myers appeared at the bottom of the stairs as Alice and Jo ran down them.
“The General wants to know—”
“I don’t have time. See you later!” Alice kept going, ignoring him. “Jo, do I look all right?”
Jo laughed. “Do you ever not look all right?” She followed Alice into the kitchen. So did Myers.
“Alice, the General wants to know—” Myers began again.
“She’s busy,” Jo said, getting between them. “Have a good dinner. Be safe,” she added to Alice.
“I will.” Alice shut the door on Corporal Myers’s questions and quickly covered the ground to the carriage house, where Landon was waiting for her. She passed Will, who was heading toward the house, tools in hand. He was either stumped by the problem of the knocking pipes or was extending the job with the hope of wooing Wye. Alice wished him well, knowing that Corporal Myers wouldn’t be happy to see him again.
When she reached her workshop, Landon was seated at one of her tables, but she had the uncomfortable sense he’d been picking through her costumes while she’d been gone.
Trying to find the ones she’d made for him?
Good thing she’d hidden them away.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Ready.”
Landon ushered her to his town car, and soon they were on their way. He drove a little faster than Alice cared for, but she had to admit he handled the car well and followed her directions. Halfway to town, however, he slowed down. “I’m in no rush to eat. You could show me around a little.”
“Oh.” Alice was embarrassed. She hadn’t foreseen this request. “Fila’s doesn’t usually take reservations, but I called ahead, and they’re saving a table for us. It’s kind of a big deal, given how crowded they usually are.”
She quailed at the silence that followed her answer, but a moment later, Landon nodded. “Of course. You keep country hours. I’m used to eating a little later.”
“Sorry.” Alice hated how small her voice had gotten. She was falling all over herself trying to impress Landon, and all she’d done was irritate him. This was like being with Howie all over again. She needed to assert herself, but if she was honest, she found Landon intimidating. When they’d first begun to talk, she’d assumed he would be much older than he’d turned out to be. In person he was far more… masculine… than she’d expected. He filled the car, all muscles and long legs, and his energy was relentless. This was a man who got what he wanted, and she wondered what he would be like if he was crossed.
“Don’t worry about a thing. You went out of your way so we wouldn’t have to wait. I can’t argue with that,” he said, and Alice let out the breath she’d been holding. She hadn’t pissed him off too badly yet.
The rest of the drive to Chance Creek would have been awkward if Landon hadn’t smoothed over their silences with stories of his business career. She’d already known he was new to movies, but she’d never met a man who’d worked so many different jobs before.
“Car lots, real estate, franchises, day trading… import/export. What haven’t you done?” They were just coming into town, slowing at a four-way stop before heading into the main shopping district. Landon hesitated, his hand resting on the turn signal, as if he’d changed his mind about their destination and was about to take a hard left. That way would take them north of town, out into ranchland.
“Fila’s is straight ahead,” she reminded him.
He waited just a moment too long, and a truck to their left sounded its horn before surging forward into the intersection. Alice gritted her teeth. Landon would think this was a hick town.
Instead, he chuckled. “Was trying to think of something I hadn’t done,” he said smoothly before accelerating forward. “Guess there isn’t anything.”
“Costume designing,” she teased him and was rewarded with a smile.
“Got me there. Costume designing. That’s where you come in.”
Chapter Ten
‡
“I can’t believe he was casing the joint,” Jack said as Connor gunned his truck’s engine and roared down the country highway after Alice and Landon. They’d both watched in shock as Landon photographed every angle of Alice’s studio and many of her costumes while she was getting ready in the house. Jack was more determined than ever to stay close to Alice as long as Landon was around, and they’d hopped into Connor’s vehicle just moments after Landon pulled out and headed for town, leaving Max at home.
“He might have been trying to steal Alice’s costume designs,” Connor pointed out.
“Shh!” Jack fiddled with his tablet and turned up the volume in time to hear Alice say, “Turn here.”
“You bugged your girlfriend?” Connor said.
“I bugged her purse. What else was I supposed to do?”
“She’s not going to be happy.”
A crackling sound made them both wince. It continued, and Jack swore. “It’s not going to pick up enough. I’m going to have to go into the restaurant when they get there.”
“I’m coming, too.”
“Like hell—”
“You need me.”
“Really. In what way?”
“If you show up at Fila’s alone, Alice will know you were tailing her, which is creepy. If we show up there together, we’re just two hungry guys picking up dinner for the family.”
Jack had to admit he was right. “Fine. Don’t talk to them, though. Leave that to me.”
“This should be fun. Better call Cass,” he went on. “Tell her we’re taking care of dinner.”
When they entered Fila’s fifteen minutes later, it wasn’t hard to spot Alice and Landon. It was a small restaurant, which meant Alice spotted him just a moment after he walked in. Her eyebrows shot up. Jack feigned surprise right back. He crossed the restaurant to their table.
“Small world, huh? We’re getting takeout. Hi, I’m Jack Sanders.” He put out his hand to Landon, who shook it, giving him a long, assessing look. Jack moved close to Alice. “What did you get?” He attached a bug to the underside of the table.
“Enchiladas.” She shot him a look he couldn’t quite decipher, but it definitely wasn’t “come join us.”
“Nice. See you back at home. Good to meet you, Landon.”
“Nice to meet you, too.”
Jack had a feeling Landon would be asking some pointed questions after they left. Good. He figured the man had gotten the message. Alice was his girl. Hands off.
They ordered, and when their food was ready, Jack waved to the couple and sauntered out the door.
“Where are you going?” Connor asked him when Jack angled away from his truck and toward Landon’s fancy black car.
“Be right back.”
Connor caught up to him as he tested the car’s handle and found it locked. Connor pulled out a shim from under his jacket and popped open the lock a moment later. “Make it quick.”
“Where the hell did that come from?”
“Thought it might come in handy.”
“You’re full of surprises.” He ought to have brought one, Jack thought as he fastened a few more bugs in the car’s interior. At least a vehicle like this would run smoothly. Should be easy to hear their conversation in here.
“Still think this could backfire if she catches you,” Connor said as they finished up and made for their truck. “Alice won’t appreciate the interference.”
“Leave Alice to me.”
“Terrific meal.” Landon wiped his mouth, set his napkin down and pushed away his plate. “Have to admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect.”
“I’m glad you liked it.” Alice tried to smile, but it was hard when she was scanning the room. Someone was listening. She was sure of it. And yet, all around them, people chatted and laughed, thoroughly involved in their own conversations.
Jack was long gone, but she kept getting a flash—almost a vision, but not quite—of him gazing intently into the distance…
Listening.
But Jack wa
s nowhere near here.
A quick text to Jo while she was in the ladies’ room confirmed that the men had brought a huge takeout dinner home. “We’re all stuffing ourselves silly,” Jo had texted back.
Which meant whatever her intuition was trying to tell her about Jack, she wasn’t getting it right.
“That’s why Keith Baker is my hero. He’s a venture capitalist who’s a total genius when it comes to raising funds,” Landon was saying.
Alice tried to pay attention. “My hero is Kate O’Dell. She did the costumes for The Passing Hour,” she said distractedly. She loved that Regency film.
“Never heard of it,” Landon said.
That got her attention. “Never heard of The Passing Hour? I’d think anyone interested in period dramas would know it.”
Landon frowned. “I’m interested in blockbuster movies, Alice. I know what’s good when I see it.”
“Well, The Passing Hour is good. You should watch it.”
“Sure thing.” He flashed her a smile. “Maybe we can watch it together.” He touched her hand.
Alice squirmed. She didn’t want him touching her. She was already uncomfortable enough without that additional pressure on the situation. She had the horrible feeling she was about to fail monstrously, and she couldn’t shake the persistent image of Jack—
Listening.
For some reason Alice thought about the drone. It had been persistent, too, in its attempt to film the maze. When Jack wanted information, he tried to get it by any means necessary.
Landon took her hand in his. “I think it could be a real pleasure to work with a professional like you. You perform miracles, don’t you?”
“What? Uh… I guess.” She tugged her hand free and reached for her purse, pretending to look for something, still trying to get a handle on what she was feeling. How could Jack be eavesdropping when he wasn’t even here?
Had he planted a listening device of some kind?
A bug. That’s what they called it in the movies. That had to be it. But how could she find it without alerting Landon?
She put her purse aside and clasped her hands in her lap. Where would Jack have put it? She ran through his quick visit to their table in her mind and remembered the way he’d leaned in close. Keeping her upper body perfectly straight, nodding and acknowledging Landon’s continued praises, she ran one of her hands under the table.
Bingo. All her senses told her she’d found the culprit.
Alice plucked the small round device off, dropped it, found it with her foot and crushed it, never taking her gaze off Landon.
What had he been saying?
“How many more people do you need to interview for the position?” she managed to ask, kicking away the remnants of the bug.
“Only a couple. I’ve narrowed the field down to the best.”
He took her hand again, and Alice, uncomfortable, and still distracted by the thought that maybe there were more bugs around, decided it was time to leave.
“Alice, I—”
“It’s been a long day,” she announced suddenly and got to her feet, gently but firmly extricating her hand from his grasp. “I think I need to get home. Country hours, you know.”
“Of course.” Landon hid his annoyance well as they exited the restaurant and walked to his car, but Alice knew she now had a mark against her. She had far too much experience with this type of behavior from men not to know the signs. It couldn’t be helped. She had no plan to get intimate with him, and the sooner he knew that, the sooner he’d bring things back to a business relationship. Men seemed to have to try with her. Once they knew the answer was no, most of them behaved themselves.
She hoped Landon would, too.
Landon opened the door to his car and handed her in, before getting in on his own side. He didn’t start the engine, however. “Beautiful night,” he said conversationally.
“It is.”
“I don’t get to see so many stars in the city.”
Alice pitied him for that. She loved the stars. “They sure are a sight, aren’t they?”
“Bet they’re even better out of town.”
She wasn’t dumb enough to fall for that trap, but as she raced for a way to deflect the conversation, nothing came to her, so when her phone buzzed, she answered it quickly.
“Alice? Coming home soon?” Jo asked.
“I’m on my way right now.” She was thankful for the chance to say that out loud. Now Landon knew someone was waiting at home for her. Maybe he’d stop flirting.
“Awesome.” Jo cut the call.
What had that been about?
“That was my sister,” she explained to Landon, grasping at the excuse eagerly. “They’re expecting me.”
Landon covered his displeasure again quickly, but Alice caught the anger in his eyes. This time her feeling of foreboding made sense. If he was the kind of guy who didn’t take kindly to a brush-off, it was a good thing she was learning that now. Maybe this sense of dread had more to do with Landon’s character than her job prospects. She could arrange not to be alone with him. Easy enough with everyone around her, and her quiet life at Two Willows.
She silently thanked Jo for her call. It was as if her sister had known she’d need the excuse—
No. Not Jo.
Jack.
He’d been listening in the restaurant, which meant he’d probably gotten the sense Landon was hitting on her. Still, Jo’s timing—
Was he still listening? He was, wasn’t he?
Landon turned on the engine. “If they’re expecting you, I suppose we’d better get you home. Your family keeps you on a short leash, don’t they?”
“I’ve never felt that way.” Not until Jack had arrived. She directed Landon back out of town.
“I’m an only child. Can you tell? No one’s ever reined me in.” He grinned at her, and Alice relaxed a little. Maybe she was overreacting. Landon had hit on her. So had a hundred other men, many of them with far less panache. He was lonely. Traveling. Starting a new business against all odds.
“I suppose siblings can be troublesome,” she said. “But you know what’s worse?”
“What?” Landon asked.
“Soldiers. They’re the lowest of the low.”
Landon shot her a puzzled look. “Your father’s a soldier. He’s served for over thirty years, right?”
Caught by surprise, Alice didn’t know how to answer. “How did you know how long he’s served?”
She braced herself as Landon took a turn a little too fast. He slowed down. “Sorry. Alice… look, I check up on all my possible employees. Old habit. I’ve been burned more than a few times in the past. This venture is important to me. I’m not going to let just anyone work on my first picture. When you mentioned your father, I looked him up. Impressive career.”
His explanation made sense, she supposed. “Yes, he has had a long career.” One that was probably over now. She knew a storm was looming in that direction, too. The General had been quiet so far—most of the time—but soon he’d get restless.
“Let’s get you home,” Landon said. “Family comes first.” There was an irony in his tone that contradicted his words, though. He was impatient, and he didn’t like being put off.
Back at Two Willows, Landon parked, opened her door and helped her out, but he didn’t linger. “I’ll be in touch tomorrow about seeing your costumes.”
Alice bit her lip, hoping she hadn’t ruined her chances for the contract but at a loss for how else she could have handled the situation. She didn’t want Landon to think the relationship between them could be anything other than a business one. If he was only here to hit on her, best to know it now.
Landon must have read her worry on her face. He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Don’t worry, Alice. I’ve been given the brush-off before. I’ve always lived to fight another day.”
He was gone before she could think of an answer, and as she turned toward the house, Alice told herself she was making a mountain
out of a molehill, but when she saw Jack near one of the columns holding up the porch roof, all her anger returned.
“What the hell was that?” she asked without preamble, climbing the steps to face him.
“Not sure what you—”
“You forget you aren’t the first man to try to control me. The General’s made it his life’s work. It stops now—from both of you.”
“Alice—”
“No. Don’t make some lame excuse, and don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. I deserve better. If I want to talk to Landon in private, I’ll talk to him in private. Even if I have to take him to the center of the maze to do it.”
She headed for the carriage house. She still had to finish her ball gowns—even if it took all night.
It had been past one in the morning by the time Alice returned to the house to make herself a snack, giving Jack the chance he’d been waiting for to slip into the carriage house and remove the camera he’d hidden in her studio. Back in the guest bedroom, he’d lain awake for several more hours before he’d finally fallen asleep. He woke again just after four-thirty in the morning to the knocking of the pipes and lay staring into the darkness, unsure what to do. Alice would barely get to rest before she had to get up again, and this was her big day. She was due to unveil her creations to Landon in a matter of hours, and even though he disliked the man, he didn’t want to ruin her chances at the contract.
On the other hand, he hated that they were fighting. He especially hadn’t liked what she said about soldiers to Landon on their car ride home. He didn’t know how much time he had to win her over—and beyond any concern about clearing his name, or winning a fifth of the ranch, he didn’t think he could stand the thought of moving on with his life and leaving Alice behind.
He looked forward to their trysts all day. A glimpse of Alice made his heart lighten and his pulse kick up. He liked listening to her.
Liked touching her.
Wanted a chance.
A soft knock on the wall had him surging up to a sitting position. It came again a moment later. A single rap.
That was her salacious purposes knock?