by Donna Alward
Everywhere he looked he saw Meg’s image. Next to the stove, serving up eggs and bacon. In the laundry room, folding his clothes. In the family room, watching television. Even the stables didn’t provide him with an escape. Her memory lurked in every inch of the Tumbling Weed.
While doing some overdue soul-searching he’d realized he had accomplished something his father never had—he owned his own home. And he couldn’t imagine ever demeaning anyone the way his grandfather had done.
Could Meg be right?
Had he avoided the Sullivan curse?
Cash sighed. What good did the knowledge do him now? He’d already turned Meg away, and each day he regretted that decision even more.
He’d tried to move on with his life, but it was so hard when he was working night and day to make her new career a huge splash in all the news outlets. It was his parting gift to her and the sweet baby she was carrying. Sadness engulfed him as he thought of all he would miss.
The telephone buzzed, drawing him from his list of regrets. He grabbed the phone, but before he could utter a greeting he heard, “Cash, what exactly did you do to my sister?”
The female voice was familiar, but it definitely didn’t belong to Meg. “Ella? Is that you?”
“Of course it’s me. How many women do you have calling you about their sister?”
The implication of her initial accusation sank in. “What’s wrong with Meg? Is it the—?”
He stopped himself before blurting out about the baby. He recalled how Meg had planned to keep the pregnancy to herself for a while. The last thing he wanted to do was further complicate her life.
“The baby is fine,” Ella said, as though reading his thoughts. “She had a doctor’s appointment earlier this week and she got a clean bill of health.”
“What’s wrong with Meg?”
“She doesn’t laugh,” Ella said in an accusatory tone. “She doesn’t smile. She wasn’t this way until she stayed at your ranch. What happened? Did you break her heart?”
Was it possible Meg missed him as much as he missed her? Was there still hope for them?
Nonsense. She’d hate him by now.
“Meg will be fine.” It was what he’d told himself every day since she’d left the Tumbling Weed. “She’s probably just nervous about the new job. Wait until she sees everything that’s planned for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.”
“That’s another thing. Do you know how hard it’s been to keep her away from the internet? I think we should let her in on all of the details.”
“Is everything in place?”
“Yes.”
He supposed there was no longer a reason to keep Meg in the dark. “Go ahead and tell her how her publisher has agreed to go public at the ceremony with news of her three-book deal. It’ll cheer her up.”
“I hope so. Nothing else has.” Ella sighed. “I could show her the outpourings of caring viewers on the new blog we set up for the Jiffy Cook cookbook series. The response has been huge. I can’t believe we pulled this off.”
“You did most of it,” he said, not wanting to share the spotlight. He preferred to remain the man behind the curtain.
“You know that’s not true. You’ve worked round the clock, drumming up support and lining up press coverage. It’s amazing what you’ve been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. When Meghan finds out how you went above and beyond for her she’ll be indebted to you.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no?”
“I don’t want her to know I’m still involved. She’ll think I’m trying to control her life.”
“No, she won’t. She’ll be grateful.”
“Trust me. I know your sister, and the less said about my involvement the better.”
“You’re acting just as strange as Meghan. I’m thinking there was a lot more cooking at your ranch than those recipes for the cookbook.”
“The past is the past. Leave it be. After tomorrow afternoon Meg won’t have time to think about her stay at the Tumbling Weed. She’ll have a classy kitchen to run and a baby to plan for.”
“You’re going to be at the ceremony, aren’t you?”
He shouldn’t go. For his sake as well as Meg’s. But the thought of seeing her just one more time—even from a distance—was too tempting to pass up.
“I promised my grandmother I’d drive her.”
* * *
Meghan rushed into the bedroom of her Albuquerque apartment, clutching the now signed custody papers. She’d just come from a meeting with Harold. He hadn’t changed his mind about the baby—he didn’t want to be involved in any part of its life, and had willingly signed away his rights.
She couldn’t believe she’d come so close to marrying a man so different from herself. And then there was Cash, who’d missed out on a chance to be a father—something he wanted. She was certain he’d make a fine parent if he would give himself the chance.
“About time you got here,” Ella said, entering the bedroom. “You’ll have to hurry or you’ll be late for the ceremony.”
Meghan stuffed her copy of the custody papers in her purse before going to touch up her barely there make-up. Her hand trembled, smearing brown eyeliner.
With the custody issue settled she should be focused on her career, but all she could think about was Cash. Every time her phone rang she hoped it would be him. But not once in the past few weeks had he attempted to contact her.
Was it possible he’d dismissed everything they’d shared so easily? The thought whipped up a torrent of frustration. Did he have to be so stoic and resolute about his lonely life?
Her wounded pride was willing to wallow in his rejection, but her heart wasn’t ready to lie down and accept defeat. His spine-tingling kisses had contained more than raw hunger. They’d been gentle and loving. And she recalled how he’d opened up to her about his past. He’d let her in and revealed his vulnerable side. He wouldn’t have done that with just anyone. He cared about her, and somehow she had to get him to admit it.
“I’m so nervous I can’t hold my hand steady enough to put on my make-up.” Meghan tossed the eyeliner pencil on the counter. “At this rate I’m going to look like a clown.”
Ella walked over, handed her a tissue, and propelled her toward the bathroom. “Wash off your face and we’ll start over. We don’t want the Golden Mesa’s executive chef looking anything but phenomenal in front of the press.”
“I can’t believe you pulled all this together. I couldn’t have asked for a better sister.”
“Hey, what about me?” chimed in her little sis Katie.
Meghan peeked her head around the doorway. “Correction. I couldn’t have asked for two better sisters. You guys rock.”
She added a few drops of water to the tissue and some facial cleanser. Even though she’d made a mess of her life her sisters were right there, rallying behind her. Thank goodness. At last her siblings had set aside their problems and banded together. Why in the world had she thought she had to go through all this alone? She should count her blessings, but a part of her wished Cash could be there for her too.
Her mother, on the other hand, had been mortified when she’d learned the reason for Meghan’s disappearing act. Meghan scrubbed at the messed-up make-up with more force than necessary. Her mother hadn’t been quiet about her disapproval over the way Meghan had handled the situation with the wedding. In fact she’d flat out refused to attend today’s ribbon cutting.
What surprised Meghan the most was her ability to accept her mother’s decision to stay away. She might love her mother, but it didn’t mean they were good for each other. They’d always had a strained relationship. There was no reason to think it would change now...or ever.
“If you scrub your face much longer there won’t be anything left,” Ella called ou
t. “And we’ve got to go soon.”
Meghan glanced in the mirror at her blotchy complexion, noticing the dark shadows under her eyes. Her sister had her work cut out for her if she was going to make her look more human again instead of like something the cat dragged in.
“What’s up with you? You sure don’t look thrilled about finding such a great job,” Katie said.
Ella elbowed their younger sister, frowning at her to be quiet.
Meghan pulled her shoulders back and tried not to frown. “Sorry, guys. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“I thought landing the top position at a five-star restaurant would be a dream come true.” Katie flounced down on the bed next to her and crossed her legs. “I’d love it if someone would give me a kitchen to run. Can you imagine all of the chocolate desserts I could create?”
Meghan found herself smiling at her little sister’s different take on life. “We could swap places today.”
Both sisters froze. Their smiles faded and they turned startled glances in her direction.
“Would you guys quit staring at me like my face has broken out in an ugly rash?” Meghan pressed her fingers to her cheeks, relieved to find no hot bumps.
Ella turned to grab some foundation from the dresser. “It’s just that we’ve never heard you talk like this before. Your career has always been so important to you.”
“Yeah,” Katie chimed in. “You don’t seem the least bit excited about today.”
Meghan mentally admonished herself. Her sisters had chipped in with her boss to make this grand opening a huge event, and she was being nothing but a downer. “I think it must be these hormones. They have me moody most of the time.”
Ella dabbed make-up on her cheeks. “I’d be willing to bet it isn’t hormones. In fact I’d wager my bakery that your problem has something to do with a cowboy named Cash Sullivan.”
“I agree,” Katie piped up as she started to brush Meghan’s hair.
The breath stilled in her lungs. How had they found out? She’d made sure to say very little about him since she’d come home. “What do you two know about him?”
Ella flashed her a guilty look. “I promised not to tell you, but...”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“STEP ON IT, Cash,” Gram insisted.
He chanced a startled glance at his grandmother. “Aren’t you the one who usually tells me to slow down?”
“This is different. It’s an emergency.”
Since when had a ribbon-cutting ceremony qualified as an emergency? But he wasn’t about to argue. He pressed harder on the accelerator. It felt like an eternity had passed since Meg had left. Enough time for him to realize that she’d not only invaded every part of his life but most especially his heart.
He’d finally had to accept that life was a series of choices. And now he had to face the most important choice of his life. Stay secluded on the Tumbling Weed and miss out on the good things life has to offer, or go after the woman he’d come to love—the woman who’d given him the desire and courage to admit he wanted to be a family man.
He chose to have Meghan in his life.
One question still remained: would she still want him?
His chest tightened with nervous tension as he braked for yet another red light. They were only seconds away from the Golden Mesa Restaurant.
Until now he’d been so anxious to set things straight with Meg that he hadn’t taken time to contemplate the scene he’d have to face. The parking lot would be swarming with press. He’d made sure of it.
With each passing second the churning in his gut grew more intense. When the light changed, he tramped on the gas pedal. He’d wanted Meg to get as much coverage as possible to undo the damage her canceled television show and runaway bride episode had done to her reputation. While he’d been talking to the reporters over the phone about the ceremony he’d been able to cover up his own identity. But once he stepped anywhere near Meg the camera flashes would start, followed by probing questions.
His hands grew moist against the steering wheel. But he had to do this—there was no backing out now. Meg had finally opened his eyes and he accepted that he could never have anything worthwhile unless he was willing to accept the inherent risks.
He didn’t want to end up a lousy husband, like his father and grandfather. All he could do was promise Meg to do his best not to fall into bad habits. With her at his side, he believed he could be a husband and father worthy of his family’s love.
Parked cars lined both sides of the street. Couples, families, young and old all filed down the sidewalk headed toward the restaurant. The turnout was phenomenal.
“There!” Gram shouted. “Someone’s pulling out. Grab that parking spot.”
“But it’s a hike to the restaurant. I’ll drop you off and then park.”
Gram smacked his arm. “I’m not a helpless old lady. And we don’t have time for you to play the thoughtful gentleman. You have to find Meghan and set things straight.”
His grandmother was right. He was running out of time to find Meg before she took the stage. He glanced at his watch. Seven minutes until the ceremony began. The twisted knot inside him ratcheted tighter, squeezing the air from his lungs.
They parked and Cash rushed to help his grandmother out of the vehicle. Gram still got around quite well for her age, but as they started down the walk her modest pace held him back. He checked the time again. It would all work out. He forced a deep breath into his lungs.
“What are you doing?” Gram grumbled.
“Walking with you. What else would I be doing?”
“How about hurrying to the woman you love? Unless you’ve changed your mind about marrying her?”
He shook his head. He had doubts about being here, around all this press, but he didn’t have any doubts about proposing.
“Then go,” Gram said. “Don’t let her get away. Tell her how you feel.”
“Are you sure you’ll be all right walking on your own?” he asked, not wanting to leave her alone in this crowd.
“I promise I won’t get lost.”
“Thanks, Gram.” He kissed her cheek.
He sprinted up the walk, weaving his way through the throng of people. He couldn’t miss this chance to prove to Meg that he’d changed—that at last he was ready to take a chance. A chance on them.
The number of supporters in the Golden Mesa parking lot was impressive. Ella had been right about advertising free giveaways—who didn’t like something for nothing? They were also providing finger food, balloons and a Mariachi band. It was a very festive gathering, with lots of smiles.
The attendance surpassed Cash’s wildest estimations. In fact there were so many people he had trouble threading his way to the stage. Tex Northridge stood in the spotlight, holding the microphone as he extolled the virtues of the newly opening Golden Mesa. Cash didn’t have time to stop and listen.
He moved faster, bumping into people in his haste, yelling an apology over his shoulder. His gaze scanned left and right. Where in the world was she?
“Cash?” a female voice called out.
He stopped and turned, finding a woman waving her arms over her head. She looked familiar, but he couldn’t put a name to the face. He considered ignoring her, but she might know Meg’s whereabouts. He sidled over to the stranger and gave her a puzzled look. When she smiled, she bore a striking resemblance to Meg.
“Are you Ella?”
She eyed him and then smiled. “Good guess.”
“Do you know where Meg is?”
She eyed him again. “What do you want with her?”
He deserved her suspicion. He just didn’t have time to answer all her impending questions. “Let’s just say I came to my senses. Now, where’s your sister?”
“Well, it’s about time yo
u admitted it. She’s over there.”
He followed the line of her finger and spotted Meg just as she stepped onto the stage. The only way to convince her that he was willing to do whatever was necessary to make this relationship work was to step up on that stage with her. He had to show her that he was stronger than those tabloid stories—that at last he was willing to step forward and take chances.
The closer he got to the stage, the more his gut churned. His gaze swept over the sea of unfamiliar faces and the army of cameras. His chest tightened to the point where he could barely suck in a breath. Maybe he should wait here in the shadows until Meg had given her speech.
Yet if he fell back into his old routine and shied away from the public...if he didn’t make the choice to step outside of his comfort zone...how would he prove that he’d changed? If he couldn’t make the right choice now, what made him think he’d have the courage, the strength, to do right by Meg and her baby?
* * *
Meghan stood in front of the microphone. “Thank you all for coming here today.” She swallowed, easing the tickle in the back of her throat. “I’m so honored to have been offered the awesome position to head up the kitchen at the Golden Mesa, as well as to be offered a cookbook deal. Dreams really do come true!”
A round of applause filled the air.
Meghan’s insides quivered with nerves. As she stood there she was more certain than ever of what she had to do. She was about to tell everyone how much she appreciated their support, but she couldn’t accept the Golden Mesa position.
When Ella had spilled the beans about Cash being the mastermind behind this amazing ceremony it had confirmed that he still had feelings for her.
In the past couple of months she’d learned that life didn’t always have to follow a plan—sometimes the best things in life came when you least expected them. Her mind filled with Cash’s image. She knew exactly what she wanted—Cash. But first he’d have to admit he loved her. And the only way to find out was to go back to the one place she’d been happiest.