"Conner actually lives here in the city?" Caroline asked, voice full of awe.
The driver chuckled, “No ma’am he grew up on his family’s ranch just outside of the city.”
“Is that where we are going?”
"Yes, ma'am."
It didn't take very long until the cityscape turned into rural farmland. The cattle and horses that they passed made Caroline nostalgic as she remembered her family trips through France and visiting her grandmama's own little farm. Large open fields stretched endlessly on either side of her. She was so lost in her musings that it took her a minute to realize that Samual had spoken to her.
"Almost there, Ms. Leroy."
Caroline looked out the window and her breath caught in her chest when she saw the house that Conner grew up in.
It was beautiful, all white with sky blue lining the windowpanes and the wrap around porch. Outside there was a large oak tree that shaded a black motorcycle and a tire swing hung from the branches. There was a shed a little distance away and the house was in front of what looked like thousands of acres of land, cattle dotted the far distance and cowboys mounted on their horses seemed to be moving them from one location to the next.
Caroline was startled when her door opened and Samuel smiled down at her.
"I'm sorry ma'am, I didn't mean to startle you, but we have arrived."
She smiled sheepishly, “It’s fine, I was daydreaming I should have paid more attention.”
She got out of the car and went around to retrieve her luggage, but Samual waved her away.
"I've got it, ma'am, I'll just set it in your room. You go inside, Mrs. James is expecting you."
Caroline was confused, but nodded and made her way up the steps. She hesitated at the large doors, not sure if she should knock or just walk in. But with the door standing wide open she nervously stepped into the house. When she took in the front entryway, her breath caught in her throat a little bit. The inside was very big with a spiraling staircase that led upstairs. Past the vast open space of the foyer, she noticed the entrance that obviously led to the kitchen and up ahead was the living room.
"Hello?" she said tentatively, not sure where to go. A woman with bright silver and blonde hair wrapped up in a twist appeared. She was wearing a yellow dress that went all the way to her calves and flared out at the waist. Her face was youthful but showed signs of age around the eyes, which were born from many years of smiling. Her eyes gave her away as Conner's mother; slanted with deep blue irises.
The woman approached her with a wide smile and her arms outstretched, “You must be Caroline,” she said embracing her, “You can call me Mary.”
Mary clasped her hands over Caroline’s and tugged, “I know you must be very tired, but there are some things that we need to discuss before you get settled.”
Caroline found her voice then, “I thought that Conner wanted to talk to me.”
Mary glanced at Caroline with a mischievous smile, “Oh he does, we all do, dear. You must be wondering why I wrote asking you to come here.”
“Wait, you emailed me? That wasn’t Conner?”
Mary’s smile turned apologetic, “I’m sorry for the little trick darlin’ but I had to get you over here, it’s very important.”
Caroline didn't know what to say so she just let Mary lead her into the kitchen and sat her down at a long wooden table. There was already a man sitting there who could be none other than Conner's father. He had the same brown hair, albeit a streaked with a little bit of gray. Same strong jaw line and large hands and when he smiled at her he had dimples in the same places as Conner did. But his eyes were dark brown.
"Caroline this is Frank, Conner's father," Mary introduced her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Caroline," he said and then turned to his wife and sighed, "This is a bad idea, Mary. Dragging this poor girl all the way here under false pretenses."
Caroline looked between the two of them, puzzled by what was going on.
“Hush Frank, I know what I’m doing.”
Frank raised a skeptical eyebrow, but didn’t comment, he stood up, put his hat on and made his way out the door.
“I’ll go get him,” he said.
When the two ladies were alone Mary clapped her hands and smiled, “I’m sure you must be thirsty, I have a pitcher of lemonade in the fridge just for you.”
Caroline smiled at the woman and nodded, “That sounds lovely thank you.”
Mary poured them both a generous glass and sat down across from her. They were quiet for a second until Caroline spoke up.
"Why am I here exactly?" she asked.
Mary sighed and looked down before meeting her eyes, "I am sorry for the deception, but I am at my whit's end. The reason I brought you here is because..." she was cut off by the door banging open and two men walking in, Conner in front and an exasperated Frank trailing behind.
It had been a long time since they had seen each other but Conner was every bit as handsome as he was then. He was covered in sweat and his dark hair was plastered to his head. His jaw had some stubble on from a few days’ growth and ran down his strong neck. He was wearing a red flannel shirt that was open, framing a white t-shirt that stuck to his well-defined abs. His jeans were well-loved and light blue with a couple small rips in them.
Caroline was speechless for a second at seeing him again, all the memories she had kept hidden in the recesses of her mind steamrollered forward in a collage. She remembered everything they had shared and how she loved him so deeply, for a second she forgot why she ever left.
"So you actually went through with it," Conner sneered, "I told you I didn't want to see her."
Suddenly Caroline remembered why she left. And right now she was ready to sprint out the front door.
“It’s nice to see you too Conner,” Caroline said sarcastically.
Conner rolled his eyes, “Cut the shit we both know you don’t want to be here,” He narrowed his eyes at her, “Unless you’re in on it too.”
Caroline glared, “I don’t even know why I am here.”
“But I do, sit down Conner,” Mary interjected.
Conner glared at his mother but she would not be intimidated. Finally, he grumbled but sat down a couple of chairs away from Caroline pointedly not meeting her eye.
Still, as childish as ever, Caroline thought to herself and fought not to roll her eyes.
Mary turned to Caroline, "I'm sure you are wondering why you are here, but it's really quite simple. I want you to marry my son."
Caroline's jaw dropped and she stared in shock at Mary for a long time, not quite sure if she heard that right. When Mary made no move to comment further Caroline realized she was waiting for her to respond.
“You want me to what?”
"Marry Conner," she said flatly.
Frank sighed, “Honey, is this really necessary?’
Mary glared at her husband but didn’t say anything.
Caroline tried to gather her thoughts, which right now was like a stampede heading for a gorge, "But why?" she blurted out.
"Because my mother has officially lost her mind," Conner muttered. He looked at his mother, "I will tell you again for the thousandth time, I do not want to get married. Not to Caroline, not to anyone. We had a fling, it ended, that's it," he said through clenched teeth.
His words stung and Caroline tried not to be offended, after all, she was the one who left, but she couldn't help but seethe with anger. They had something deeper than that and it hurt to hear how Conner so easily dismissed it. If he was going to be a complete ass about it, she may as well return fire.
“What makes you think I would even want to marry you anyways?” Caroline snapped.
Conner gestured to Caroline, “See? Even she thinks this idea is stupid.”
Mary looked between the them and sighed, “Caroline, please forgive my son’s rudeness. We raised him better than this.”
“This is all so confusing, why me? Why do you want me to marry your son? How
do you even know about me?”
Mary flipped her hand in the air, "How I know about you is not important, honey. What is important is that I am at my whits end with this boy," Mary glared accusingly at her son.
Conner rolled his eyes, "Ma, you're being a drama queen."
Mary ignored her son, "He is always gone and I worry, as any mother does, where he disappears to for days on end. I'm sure you've seen that awful motorcycle he insists on driving, that's enough to give any mother nightmares."
“So, you want me to be his babysitter?”
Mary smiled, "Contrary to what this may seem like, no, I want you to be his wife. My son is not getting any younger and I think it's time he settled down."
Caroline opened her mouth to decline, but before she could do that Conner shot up sending his chair scraping across the floor.
"This is absurd! I refuse to dance to your whim and go through with this and you can't make me Ma," he spat out in a rage that made Caroline flinch inwards.
Mary smirked, “You underestimate the power I have over you, son. I already told you, it’s either this or I cut you off.”
Caroline was shocked, this was the most absurd thing she had ever heard, and in Conner's defense, Mary was way out of line. How dare she fling a noose around so freely and force two people into something they would only regret down the line?
Conner banged his hands down on the table, face red with anger, "Ma, if you really mean it, which I know you don't, then fine, write me off and see if I care. But when or if I do ever get married, it would be on my terms, and my decision."
Then Conner turned his gaze to Caroline for the first time and she saw the disappointment that lay beneath the surface of those same eyes that once looked at her with such passion, she wanted to apologize for everything that had happened. But then his face transformed into a smirk and Caroline wanted to run. She watched as Conner rounded the table, like a predator sizing up its prey.
"Besides, she would make a terrible wife, she can't cook for one, she's clumsy as hell, and she can't drive to save her life. The woman is a complete and utter mess and me, or anyone else, for that matter, would be better off without her tagging along like a lovesick puppy."
He was talking to his mother, but he kept his gaze pinned on her and she could feel the blood draining from her face. Embarrassed and seethingly angry she gripped the glass of lemonade until her knuckles turned white. Right now she wanted to fling it at him and scar that pretty face of his permanently.
He rambled on, "You want someone to watch me? You won't find it in her if anything I'd be constantly watching her," he spat.
Caroline was speechless, but in her mind, she rambled off every curse word she could think of in both French and English. He was a conceited, arrogant, pathetic child. And she for one was not going to be subjected to his little tantrum. She had heard enough, it was time for her to return to her daughter and put the past behind her. She’d been a fool to come here, but at least she had kept Lisette out of this mess.
It was Frank who intervened,"Conner, that was uncalled for, you were raised to treat a lady better than that, don't forget where you come from, boy."
Conner pursed his lips as he glared at his father, and Caroline cleared her throat and stood up.
"I'm sorry but I refuse to be part of anything that involves Conner," she said, refusing to look his way, "Look you seem like very nice people, who clearly want what is best for your son, but it sure as hell isn't me. I only came here because I thought he wanted to talk and since that isn't the case, I will be on my way."
Mary shot up from her chair and reached for Caroline's hand, "Wait, please, at least stay the night, there won't be a flight back to Paris for at least a day and I already had your luggage sent up to your room."
Caroline wanted to refuse, she should refuse, but couldn't bring herself to do it. As angry and hurt she was by Conner' words, she didn't want to take it out on his kind mother.
"What!?" Conner muttered, "You're letting her stay?"
"Sweetheart," Frank started, "Maybe it's not a good idea, it's obvious that there is a lot of bad blood between these two." He turned to Caroline, "I can book you into one of the hotels if you prefer."
She was about to agree, when Mary piped up, "Not happening Frank, she's staying here for the night."
Conner threw his hands in the air and did a ninety-degree eye roll and muttered something under his breath. She looked from Mary to Frank and then pinched her eyes closed and rubbed her temples. She was starting to develop a major headache. She wasn’t sure if it was the jetlag setting in, or this emotional land mine she was lured into. Or both. Probably an unholy combination of both.
"Fine," she agreed, "but I'm leaving tomorrow."
Conner glared at her disbelievingly and then spun around and stormed out slamming the door.
Frank sighed and got up to follow him out at a more sedate pace.
When the two women were alone, Mary got up and smoothed her dress out, “Now let me show you where you’ll be staying.”
***
Unbelievable, she thought as she unwillingly followed Mary up the stairs to the guest bedroom. She was going to lock herself away until the next morning and get on the first flight back to Paris.
Chapter 3
After he stormed out of the house, Conner tried to lose himself in manual labor. When that didn't work, he got on his bike and drove around the area, briefly debating whether or not he should just take off and disappear for good and then dismissed it immediately. He was worried what scheme his Ma would cook up then. He actually couldn't believe that she did that to him. Conner tried to tamp down the frustration at his mother and the mixed emotions he felt at seeing Caroline again.
It had been four years, yet it felt like yesterday. She was still breathtakingly beautiful, from her big green eyes and full pouty lips to her long brown hair that curled invitingly around her heart shaped face and ran down her back. Her body was that of a woman's, with full inviting breasts, and a waist that curved in like an hourglass, only to flare back out and stretch into beautiful, long legs. Conner shook his head as if to dispel the memories that he tried so hard to erase from his mind.
Hours later, he finally returned home, it was almost dinnertime. As he walked into the kitchen he forced down a growl at the sight, this day just kept getting worse.
His eldest sister, Rachel, was in the kitchen peeling potatoes her protruding belly making the task a little bit more difficult. His little sister, Macy was setting the table, and Keith was, unsurprisingly, at the stove. He didn’t see Dale anywhere but he wouldn’t put it past Ma to invite him over as well.
Did this humiliation have no end?
“Done pouting yet?” Rachel asked.
"Oh, come off it, Rachel," Jack, her husband said, walking into the room, "Can't you see that the man is miserable, hell if my mother pulled that trick on me, I'd be out of here like last week's garbage."
“It’s his own fault,” Rachel retorted flipping her long blonde hair, “If he hadn’t gotten Mama all revved up, he wouldn’t be in this situation.”
"He's a grown man he should be able to make important decisions like that on his own. And if he feels like riding his bike to the four corners of the earth, why can't he?" Jack stated.
Rachel raised her eyebrow at him, "You want to tell Mama that?"
Jack wisely refused to reply and instead smiled apologetically to Conner and shrugged his shoulders, "You're on your own here buddy."
Macy walked over to the sink and poured a glass of water, handing it to Conner with a small smile. Conner thought that he might have someone on his side until she spoke.
"I like her, Mama could have picked a lot worse. I'd say she did you a favor," she said with a smile.
“You’ve met her?” Rachel asked.
Macy nodded, “Yeah, I bumped into her coming up the stairs. I was surprised that she spoke English so well.”
"Really, is she pretty?" Rachel fished.
"Oh yes, she is and apparently, her family spent some time here when she was younger, so she learned to speak English quite well."
"Well then it's not so bad," Rachel said and looked at Conner, "I think you're just overreacting."
Macy nodded in agreement
Conner glared at her feeling betrayed. It was no surprise that Rachel would take the opportunity to tease her little brother, but he and Macy had always been close.
"And here I thought you would be on my side," he grumbled
“There are no sides when it comes to Mama, you knew better than to push her after what happened last time.”
“True,” Keith said, “She was about to send me and Dale out, she was so worried.”
"Dale and I," corrected Rachel.
Keith rolled his eyes, “Yes, Ms. English teacher.”
"Missus," Rachel corrected smoothly again.
Conner rolled his eyes, "As interesting as this conversation is, I have to go clean up and possibly jump out a window, wouldn't want the coroner to still have to bathe me."
Conner made his way to his room, dinner was destined to be a complete and utter disaster. He opened the door expecting to be welcomed into a comfortable and familiar space. What he didn't expect was to walk in and see his ex-wrapped up in a towel.
Conner wanted to growl for another reason all together this time. As much as he hated the woman, Caroline was a sight to behold. Her hair was twisted up into a messy bun and the towel that wrapped her body left little to the imagination. Judging by the way her generous breasts were practically spilling out of the top of the white fluffy towel.
It was official; Conner was in his own personal hell.
“What are you doing in my room?”
Caroline wrapped the towel tighter around her body, "Your mother said that I'll be staying in this room."
Conner pointed to the still open door, “Get out.”
She raised her brows and stood her ground.
“I mean it, I’ve had a bad enough day without having to walk in and see…this," he gestured to the practically naked body in front of him.
Cowboy's Barmaid: A Small Town Military Romance (Lucky Flats Ranchers Book 2) Page 42