“So we plan to label it, King Beef, and I’ll wager if I put one of those steaks next to a Kobe, you’ll be hard-pressed to know which one is ours.”
“Sounds great Kenny. I’m looking forward to this. Clay, good to see you.”
“My apologies if I kept you waitin’,” Clay said walking forward and shaking Jeremy’s hand.
“No problem. Your dad here was boasting about this new beef you’ve been telling me about. As you know, I’ll be opening the flagship restaurant in two months. It’s time for me to find the best meat in the country.”
“It’s the perfect day to tour the area where I’ve developed this product. Do you still want to take a look?” Clay asked.
“You bet, but of course the real test will be at dinner tomorrow night,” Jeremy remarked.
“I promise, it’ll knock your socks off,” Clay grinned. “Come with me. We’ll drive up in the Range Rover.”
“Kenny, good to talk with you, and I guess I’ll be seeing you and Martha over that steak tomorrow,” Jeremy said, slapping Kenny on the back.
“You sure will, and how’s Katy?”
“As usual, she’s busy shopping. That woman shops better than anyone I know,” Jeremy chuckled. “Since this new restaurant is going to be called Katy’s Kitchen, I figured she should be with me on this great national food hunt.”
“I’ll catch you later, dad,” Clay said as he and Jeremy started towards the door.
“Yep, later, son.”
“Tell me, Jeremy, what else are you looking for besides beef?” Clay asked as they walked out of his office.
“After we leave here we’re shooting up to Alaska for the Salmon, Maryland for the crab, Napa to look at some organic farms, I could list a dozen destinations. There’ll be an introduction at the top of the menu that will say something like, Jeremy and Katy Clark traveled across the United States in search of the finest goods available to provide you with exceptional cuisine.”
“Sounds excitin’,” Clay remarked, “both the restaurant and the searching out of the best in the country. I’m pretty sure you’ll find what I’ve done here will fit that description. It’s truly exceptional.”
As Kenny watched his son guide the important client through the wide hallway and out the front door, he shook his head and ambled into the kitchen. In spite of having a cook on call, Martha, his wife, insisted on preparing most of the meals. Kenny saw her as a throwback to a bygone era. She was a domestic Goddess, and loved being a wife and mother.
“Hey, sugar.”
“Kenny, why the worried look?”
“Clay was late to meet Jeremy Clark.”
“Clay? No! Clay is never late.”
“It’s that girl he told us about this mornin’. What did he say her name was? Diamond?”
“Crystal,” Martha said.
“Yep, that’s it. Crystal. I saw them drive in. She was followin’ him up to his house.”
“Now, Kenny, he’s a grown man. It’s about time he settled down. Lord knows he’s been out with half the women in this county.”
“None of them have ever made him late,” Kenny grunted.
“You sit at the table and I’ll fix us some coffee. I just pulled a cinnamon cake out of the oven and I’ll cut us a slice.”
“Is that what smells so darn good?”
“Yes, that’s what smells so darn good,” she smiled. “Go on now, sit down. Don’t be getting under my feet.”
“First time he’s announced he was havin’ a girl stay up there,” Kenny muttered as he walked across to the kitchen table.
“It’s good, Kenny. Why are you so worried?” Martha asked as she poured the coffee.
“I’m worried, Martha, cos he was late!” he replied testily.
“Heavens. How many years has he been running things? He’s allowed to be late once and while.”
“Not for a meetin’ with a man like Jeremy Clark.”
Martha put the coffee mugs on the table, then returned to the counter to cut the cake, and as she carefully placed a large slice on a plate, she glanced across at her husband. He was strumming his fingers on the table as he sipped his coffee, a sure sign there was more to his mood than Clay running a few minutes behind time. Grabbing two forks from the cutlery drawer, she placed the cake in the middle of the table and sat opposite him.
“All right now, Kenny, tell me what’s really going on.”
“Remember when he came in this mornin’ and told us about her findin’ the dog, and how she was gonna come and stay and nurse it back to health?”
“Of course.”
“You know that was an excuse, right? You know he just wants her with him.”
“Well, sure, and like I said, it’s good. You know he keeps that side of his life real private and does his entertaining at his lake cottage. It’s a big deal that he’s brought her here. He must really like her.”
“That’s my point! She’s a city girl,” Kenny declared. “She’s never even sat on a horse. He told me. He said she’s a writer, and from San Francisco of all places!”
“What is wrong with being from San Francisco?” Martha frowned.
“You think a girl like that will be happy livin’ on a ranch? Don’t you remember how much Clay loved bein’ at school in California.”
“But, Kenny, he came back. This is his home. He told us he’d never want to be anywhere else. Why are you fretting?”
“Things can change,” he glowered, “and if he’s so nuts about this girl that he’s brought her to stay here, what if things get real serious and she decides she wants to go back to San Francisco? She could end up takin’ him with her? I mean, a woman can turn a man’s head, and like you said, he’s dated half the women in his county. Now he’s finally met someone and who is she? A girl from San Francisco. She’ll be trouble, she is already. He was late, Martha, he was late!”
“Kenny, you have some cake and calm yourself down,” she said firmly. “Your face is turning purple.”
Picking up his fork he reached across and pulled off a large chunk.
“Damn, that’s good,” he mumbled as it dissolved in his mouth.
“You’ve gotta have more faith in your son. He’s not gonna leave this place? This ranch is his home. He loves it here.”
“I just hope he loves it more than he ends up lovin’ that girl.”
“I’ve never seen you so upset about something like this,” Martha said reaching out her hand and taking his.
“I’ve never seen that look in Clay’s eyes,” he muttered.
“You really are very worried?”
“I am, Martha,” he said gravely, lifting his gaze from his cake and looking at her intently. “I am. I figured he’d find some nice local girl and they’d settle here on the ranch, but there’s nothin’ country or local about her. At best, she’ll break his heart, at worst…damn, I don’t even wanna think about it.”
Martha leaned back in her chair and poured some cream into her coffee. Could her husband be right? Was it possible that if Clay fell in love he could be lured away from their home?
“We haven’t met her yet, so let’s not jump to any conclusions,” Martha said slowly. “She’s here in Whitefish for a reason. A lot of people leave the city in search of a quieter life. Maybe she’s one of them.”
“That could be, I guess,” Kenny nodded. “Yeah, that could be.”
“What else did he tell you?”
“Just that she’s never been in a snowy winter. That’s why she’s here. She rented a house just outside of town so she could experience it.”
“She’ll love it. I’ll bet she’ll never want to leave,” Martha said optimistically. “Let’s not forget, a young woman’s head can be turned just as easily as a young man’s. Have some faith. We’ve raised good boys. Clay especially. He’s got a level-head on his shoulders.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re right,” Kenny sighed. “Damn, woman, I do love you.”
“I love you too, you old curmudgeon.”
�
��Hey, who are you callin’ a curmudgeon?” he said indignantly. “Cut me some more of that cake, woman. I need a second piece.”
“Happy to,” she grinned, but as she rose from the table and picked up his plate, she paused, and after thinking for a moment she said, “I going make a suggestion, and you’re going to call me a foolish woman.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” he remarked, shooting her a wink. “What is it?”
“Maybe we should invite her over to have dinner with us tomorrow night.”
“With Jeremy and Katy Clark?” he said, shocked at her idea. “Martha, we don’t even know her.”
“But we know our son, and we both know how particular he is,” she said, moving to the counter to cut his second piece of cake. “I’ll bet she’s about as polite as God can make a young woman.”
“You’re right about Clay bein’ particular,” Kenny muttered, “but why have her join us?”
“Think about it,” Martha said soberly. “Jeremy is from New York, but Katy is from California, and don’t they have a house there?”
“Yeah, I think it’s one of the beach cities, maybe Malibu or Newport, some place like that.”
“Don’t you see? They’ll have things in common with her,” Martha continued, returning with the cake and placing it in front of him.
“That might be true,” he said thoughtfully.
“Let’s make it a point to meet her later this afternoon, and if you like her, ask her to join us. It’ll make Clay happy, and she’ll feel welcome. The best thing we can do is embrace her. If we don’t, it’ll only upset Clay and that’s the last thing we need.”
“You’re right about that,” he nodded. “All right, we’ll ask them down for a drink later. Will that suit you?”
“That will suit me just fine,” she smiled.
Back at Clay’s house, under Lucky’s unwavering gaze, Crystal had just finished unpacking her suitcase into the empty guest room closet, and was walking back to the kitchen to retrieve the leash and collar Clay had bought at the vet’s office.
“You want to go for a little walk, Lucky.”
For the first time since she’d found him he barked. It was a deep, powerful, guard dog bark, and he looked so earnest she began to laugh.
“You know the word walk?”
He barked again and lifted his paw.
“Fantastic. Okay, let’s do it. Look at you, you’re feeling so much better.”
Placing the collar around his neck, she attached the leash and headed out the door. As she stepped on to the lawn she was astounded at the view. Not only could she see all the outbuildings and paddocks below her, but all the way to the lake in the distance, and the mountains beyond.
“It’s amazing up here,” she mumbled. “Look, Lucky. There’s the track.”
Up ahead she could see the well worn trail winding down the knoll, and as she started walking she discovered it was almost flat as it meandered down to an area of white-fenced paddocks. About half-way down she stopped and stared. Several horses were leisurely grazing in the lush, green fields.
“Wow, look at that,” she mumbled, pausing to gaze at them. “They’re so beautiful.”
“They sure are.”
She jumped, startled by the unexpected voice, and turning around she saw a man hiking down the hill behind her. Lucky, too, was startled, and released his bark.
“It’s okay boy,” she said quickly, stroking his head. “Sorry. I just rescued him yesterday and that’s only the second bark I’ve heard. It’s fearsome, but he’s a sweetheart.”
“He looks like you rescued him yesterday,” the man remarked.
“I know, the poor thing. He was a real mess. I just picked him up from the vet about an hour ago.”
“Do you work here?”
“Me? No, I’m just visiting. I’m actually here to play nursemaid to this adorable guy. My name’s Crystal.”
“Hi, Jeremy. I didn’t think you were a cowhand,” he laughed.
“Are you visiting too?”
“Yes, I am. I was touring a special area of the ranch where they’re raising a unique herd of cattle. It was very impressive. I haven’t been here in a while and I felt like a short hike so I walked up to the top of this hill. It’s a truly magnificent property.”
“Isn’t it though? I don’t know much about acreage, but it’s got be, what, a hundred, two hundred acres?”
He burst out laughing, then quickly apologized.
“Sorry. You don’t know much about ranches, do you?”
“No, not a thing. I’ve never even fed a horse a carrot.”
“This ranch is about ten thousand acres.”
“What?” she exclaimed, completely aghast. “Did you say ten thousand acres?”
“It’s spread all across this area. Do you want to know a little history?”
“Definitely,” she replied, stunned that Clay was in charge of such a huge operation.
“The man who homesteaded the property over a hundred years ago, laid claim to the maximum allowed by law at time which was three-hundred-and-twenty acres. He was a smart guy, and any money he made he used to buy more land. His sons did the same, and now his grandsons. They’re quite a family.”
“I didn’t know any of that. It’s fascinating.”
“Where are you from? You’re not from around here obviously.”
“No, I’m from San Francisco. I fell in love with the town and I’ve never been through a white winter, so I decided to stick around and see what it’s like. What about you?”
“New York and Southern California.”
“Bi-coastal,” she grinned.
“Yes, I’m one of those,” he admitted. “I’m the New York half. My wife, Katy, is from Los Angeles, so we have a house in Southern California, and speaking of my wife I’d better get back. I’m supposed to be meeting up with her about now.”
“It was nice to meet you, Jeremy.”
“And you, Crystal. Maybe we’ll bump into each other again sometime.”
“I hope so. We’d better get back too. Come on, Lucky.”
Turning around they started walking back to the house. They hadn’t ventured far so it was a quick trip, and once inside she put some of the special food Clay had bought from the vet, into his bowl. He happily devoured it, then heading back to the living room he laid down on his bed and closed his eyes.
“Sweet boy,” she sighed. “You sleep.”
She was about to return to the kitchen to make herself some coffee when her cell phone chimed, signaling a text. Pulling it from her pocket she began to read, and a surge of butterflies burst to life.
Wait for me on my bed, naked and with your eyes closed.
Quickly texting back that she’d be ready, she hurried down the hallway and into his bedroom. Pulse racing she peeled off her clothes, and as she laid on top of the soft, inviting comforter she heard the sound of his truck pull up. The busy butterflies suddenly became twirling dust devils, and she felt her fingers curl into fists.
“Ooh, I love this,” she muttered. “I love this so much.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The distant sound of the front door opening and closing caused Crystal to wriggle in anticipation, but there was no sound of Clay’s footsteps walking down the hallway towards the bedroom. Fighting the temptation to slip off the bed and peek through the door she strained to listen, and when she finally heard his approach she felt a flood of hot wetness between her legs. Moments later she sensed that he was there, and when his fingers suddenly grabbed her ankles and opened her legs, her heart began to thump against her chest.
“Leave them spread,” he quietly directed, and moving beside her he took both of her wrists and placed her arms above her head, softly adding, “don’t move!”
His voice had sent a warm chill down her spine, and when something soft laid itself across her eyes, she let out a long, soulful moan.
Clay gazed down at his naked beauty, and reaching across to the container of ice cream he’d plac
ed on the nightstand, he spooned out a mouthful and laid it against his tongue, and as the delicious cold cream began to melt, he lowered his lips around her nipple. Her quick intake of breath was followed by a short cry, then a squirm, and as he gently sucked he felt her hand around his neck. He paused, then jerking his head up he grasped her wrist and whisked it sharply back into place.
“I told you not to move,” he scolded, his voice a hot breath at her ear. “You get one warning. Next time I’ll spank you. Understood?”
“Sorry.”
She had mumbled the word, and as he briefly nuzzled her neck he felt her body stiffen. She was alive, every nerve crackling. Moving his hand against her sex he was met with a loud groan, and finding her gloriously wet he smiled wickedly.
“Rub yourself to a climax, but don’t come,” he said firmly as he circled her clit, “then count to twenty, take the scarf from your eyes and open them. Remember what I just said. Do. Not. Come.”
“I’ll remember,” she murmured.
As he rose from the bed he watched her fingers drop against her sex and begin to move. Smiling, he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and laid it on her stomach. He saw no reaction, and assumed she was either so caught up in what she was doing she didn’t feel it, or thought it was a touch of his finger. Picking up the ice cream and spoon he moved to the door and waited. It was only a short few minutes before she let out a frustrated cry and dropped her hand away. Slipping silently down the hall, with a quick stop to gaze fondly upon his sleeping dog, he put the ice cream back in the freezer, left the house, jumped into his truck and drove away.
Laying on the bed, Crystal was panting, aching to continue. Sure he would be standing over her waiting to ravage her, she counted to twenty then anxiously pulled the scarf from her eyes, but to her dismay she found the room empty.
“Clay?”
There was no answer to her call, and only when she sat up did she find the folded note he’d left. It had slipped off her stomach on to the bed, and urgently picking it up she read the two short sentences.
That was an appetizer. Tonight is the main course.
“Ooh, Clay. You make me absolutely crazy,” she groaned, and closing her eyes she squeezed her thighs together, longing to finish what she’d started.
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