A Cowboy in Disguise

by Victoria Ashe

  The dreamy look on his face gave away his changed stream of thought and Alexandra shot him a wide-eyed look of concern. “Are you feeling okay?”

  He smiled with that sexy, sweet, lopsided grin of his. “I’ve never felt better. Really and truly. The world seems just about perfect tonight. But we’d better get some sleep while we can. It’s a long trip back to D. W. Songstram.”

  “But it’s not that long until our presentation,” Alexandra called down from the stairway. She paused on the steps and watched Scott pile his paperwork into a briefcase. She knew he’d be upstairs as soon as he straightened up the mess he’d made in his father’s living room. Now that she’d admitted her feelings to herself and promised to talk to Scott about having a relationship, the anticipation of after the presentation bubbled over in her. For once, she had more than a career victory to look forward to. She had her heart on the line. If this feeling was coffee-related, she hoped it would never wear off.

  “We’re in the home stretch,” he whispered to himself. “Sweet dreams, Alex.”

  Chapter Eleven

  The day of their big presentation to Rio Safari had arrived at long last. Alexandra sat in her office and let the sensations she’d felt with Scott in Montana rush over her. She could scarcely believe how her life had changed since the morning she’d been so angry with David for forcing her to share her project. She smiled to herself. David didn’t know he’d given her a blessing in disguise that day he’d let Scott Falconer into her project. He’d given her a cowboy in disguise, too.

  After the few days she’d spent with Scott on his family’s ranch, Alexandra’s heart overflowed with love and longing for the man. She knew without question he desired her, but did his feelings tip over into love? After all their time together, she couldn’t imagine anything that could make her doubt him again. She wasn’t sure if she was more nervous about the presentation or the discussion she knew they would have after it.

  Alexandra pinned her hair up in the most sophisticated style she could arrange and smoothed the wrinkles out of her sharp, black suit. If all went well, she would secure the biggest contract of her career and the greatest love of her life all in one day. She drew in a shaky breath of anticipation and excitement.

  As Alexandra drove toward Rio Safari headquarters, she didn’t even care if she’d have to face Duncan Phelps and Mac Stevens. They seemed insignificant compared to the emotion running through her. All she could imagine were Scott’s laughing blue eyes, his strong hands, his kind smile …

  •

  Scott arrived early outside the locked conference room doors at Rio Safari. He’d gone over the materials one final time that morning with a feeling of joy. Whether Alexandra was allowed into the room with him or not, he would have her support and that special flair of hers with every slide and every line he spoke.

  He was somewhat troubled by the expression he’d seen in David’s eyes when he had handed him the list of real estate research they had gathered in Montana. Scott had the keen sense David was hiding more than he was letting on about the purpose behind that trip and the presentation itself. Were the two connected?

  Scott had never told Alexandra the extent of Mackenzie’s deception while they were dating. If Mac’s business tactics ran true to form, he was developing an inkling about what David had stumbled upon. He hoped Alexandra would arrive early enough for him to share his suspicions with her before the presentation.

  “Hello, darling.” The familiar, sugarcoated voice pulled him out of his thoughts. The platinum blond with her too-red lipstick sauntered over to him and placed her hand on his arm as if they were the closest of friends.

  “Mackenzie.” He nodded, happy to leave the conversation at a simple greeting.

  “I’m so glad I ran into you before the others got here. I wanted to give you a little insider advice before going into that great big room.”

  Scott removed her hand from his arm. “I don’t want any ‘advice’ that isn’t given to the other team, too. You know the rules.”

  “You hurt my feelings, darling. But I’m going to tell you anyway.”

  “With your take on business ethics, I’m somehow not surprised.” He tried to walk away, but Mac stepped in front of him, posing to emphasize her prized curves.

  “Scott Falconer,” she purred, “there’s only one way D. W. Songstram is going to win this contract, and believe me, it has nothing to do with the dog and pony show you put on in there.”

  Scott felt anger rising and tightening in his chest. “What are you saying, Mac? That you’ve rigged the whole thing? Because if that’s what you’re admitting …”

  Mac wiggled a step closer, uncomfortably invading his space. “No, silly. There’s nothing that sinister to admit. It’s just that the rest of the board of directors and I have been talking. No matter how good your numbers are on this project, what we really need is customer service first and foremost.”

  Scott wasn’t following her and wanted to end the conversation. “Then our approach will go over very well with all of you. Excuse me.” He gently moved her aside and took a step away when her voice stopped him again.

  “You’re not understanding me.” She narrowed her cat-like eyes, knowing she finally had his attention. “You see, we want personalized care. We want someone on site—one of your team located right there in Rio Safari’s office.”

  Her meaning slowly sunk in on him. Her argument made no sense for this project. What Mac Stevens wanted was either Duncan Phelps or himself seated in an office next to hers. Business was obviously the farthest thing from her self-indulgent, spoiled mind.

  “I won’t be anyone’s puppet, Mackenzie. And you have some nerve even suggesting it.”

  •

  Alexandra walked briskly down the empty hall, shoes sinking softly into the short, cushiony carpeting. She’d seen Scott’s car parked in the lot outside, and couldn’t wait to see him before the review panel and the competition arrived. It was hard to go even a day without hearing his voice, seeing his face …

  As she neared the corner, the hum of heated whispers reached her ears. She leaned quietly against the wall and slowly peeked around the corner. The first thing she saw was Mackenzie Stevens with her exaggerated posture leaning toward Scott. Decked out in a scarlet red suit, Mac’s aggressive body language was enough to make Alexandra want to rip the woman’s white-blond hair out. Alexandra almost revealed herself when it looked like Scott could use some help. But then Mackenzie’s next words drifted toward her.

  “Scott, my darling. It all boils down to this. You need to change your presentation and fast. If we don’t hear that you’re committing to relocate to my office, you won’t win. It’s that simple. I want you at my disposal, day and night. If I don’t hear you making yourself available to my—to Rio Safari’s needs, the contract goes to Duncan. I think we can bring new meaning to ‘it’s a pleasure doing business with you,’ if you know what I mean.”

  Alexandra couldn’t believe she had heard the words she’d just heard. Was Mac Stevens for real? She was still seething when she heard muffled footsteps coming toward her. She composed herself quickly and pretended she had just come from the restroom.

  Duncan walked past her with a smug, contemptible look on his face. “Eavesdropping, Ms. Hunter? How unladylike.”

  “Drop dead,” she hissed at Duncan with a plastic smile affixed to her face. With the rest of the Zellez team and Rio Safari executives close behind, she walked over and stood beside Scott.

  •

  “I’m sure glad to see you,” he whispered to her. He was stunned at the interaction he had just had with Mac. The woman was even more tactless, brazen and despicable than he’d remembered. Next to Alexandra, she looked like a cheap imitation of corporate class. Did she actually think he’d prostitute himself and lose Alexandra just to win a contract? Alexandra meant more to him than all the millions in the world. Especially after their visit to the ranch, nothing could change that for him.

  Mac unlocked the
conference room doors and interrupted the greetings in the hall. It was clear to Scott that she wanted to prevent him from having a chance to confer with his partner before the presentation. He wouldn’t have expected anything lower from her.

  “Gentlemen,” Mac said, “if the Zellez team representative could step inside and go on back to the private waiting room. The D. W. Songstram presenter can go ahead and set up.”

  Scott touched Alexandra’s shoulder lightly. “Sorry, Alex. I wish we could talk, but apparently, duty calls.”

  Duncan and Scott stepped inside and Mac clicked the heavy double-doors shut behind them, not missing the chance to give Alex a look of unmasked hostility. Clearly the woman thought she’d beaten her at some self-imagined game.

  Alexandra sat in the hall with Roger and Mike chatting about small things with them for the first time since the Rio Safari holiday gala. They smiled and nodded, vying for her attention, though she didn’t notice.

  Alexandra’s thoughts were divided between her present conversation and the one she’d just heard, and an insecure fear slowly crept over her. Scott wouldn’t cave to Mac’s sleazy demands, would he? This contract was worth millions. The glow of happiness she’d felt only minutes before began to dim. Just imagine what his share of the bonus could do for the family ranch. How much was that worth to him?

  She was ashamed of herself. The strong, honest man she’d come to know would never stoop to such a level. She had to stop doubting him at every turn. They would lose the contract, but walk away with their integrity. But, what if … ? That first drop of uncertainty was insidious. She’d promised Scott when they were locked in the supply closet that if she ever started to doubt him, she would wait. She’d give him a chance without jumping to conclusions. When Rio Safari announced Zellez as the winner of the contract, all her questions would be answered, her fears wiped away.

  An hour passed and then another while they waited in the hall. Roger snored quietly in the corner and Mike reread the newspaper. Finally, the door clicked open and one of the board members poked his head out into the hall.

  “We’re falling way behind schedule in here. We’re not going to need you folks inside later for the questions, so feel free to leave. I can’t give you any idea how long this is going to take.”

  Mike nudged Roger awake. “Sounds like we’re being politely dismissed.”

  Alexandra couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. “So it seems.” What could possibly be happening behind those locked doors? Frustrated, she drove back to the office.

  When she arrived, Sarah’s curiosity was visibly getting the better of her. “Well?” she asked, “what happened?”

  “Can you believe they still have Scott in there? The presentations ran over and they told the rest of us to leave.”

  “Ouch.” Sarah followed Alexandra into her office. “David has been by here a dozen times this morning. Guess he wanted to talk to you pretty badly. I wouldn’t worry, though. With Scott and Mac Stevens so close and all, I can’t imagine we’ll lose this one.”

  Alexandra turned around slowly to face her assistant. “What exactly do you mean by ‘close’?”

  There was no way Sarah could miss the look on her boss’ face. She was on shaky ground. “Well, you know that day you were out with food poisoning?”

  Alexandra remembered it well. That was the day Scott had found the fax from Rio Safari, the fax that had eliminated her from her own presentation. She nodded.

  “I overheard him calling up Ms. Stevens,” she stammered nervously as Alexandra’s expression grew darker. “Actually, he had me get her on the line for him. I just overheard him saying how much he needed to see her.”

  “Could you have interpreted it wrong?” Alexandra asked. The lingering doubt from earlier that morning threatened to take over her common sense.

  “I don’t know. He shut the door like it was a private conversation, though.”

  Alexandra shook her head. She’d been down this road before, and it never led to the right conclusion. “Sarah, I’m tired of the gossip. I really am. I was wrong to ask you and I won’t do it again. Now could you close my door on the way out? Unless it’s David, I don’t want to see anyone.”

  Alexandra covered her face with her hands and moaned.

  “Nerves?” David’s familiar voice came from behind the door.

  “Come on in, David. I’m just waiting. And putting an end to my own stupidity once and for all.” She smoothed her hair back and smiled at him. “What’s up? I hear you’ve been by a few times.”

  David sat down and grinned at her. “When Scott gets back, I have a lot to tell the two of you.”

  “So mysterious, David? Must be juicy.”

  “Oh, it is. Very juicy. But not as tantalizing as the news I just got a minute ago.”

  Alexandra scooted to the edge of her seat. “I can’t stand the drama,” she said.

  David leaned forward and whispered. “We just won the Rio Safari contract.”

  Alexandra’s heart plummeted then soared. Should she laugh, cry, scream?

  David stared at his vice president in confusion. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

  “Congratulations, David. This will be very good for the company.” She opened her mouth to say more and then snapped it shut.

  “There’s more? I hope there’s more because that wasn’t the happy reaction I expected.”

  “Here’s what bothers me, David. I heard Mac tell Scott there was no way we’d win unless he—”

  “Oh. Yes, I get the picture. But I don’t think that’s why we won.”

  For the first time, none of her insecurities surfaced. She smiled broadly. “You know, I don’t think so either. Scott isn’t like that. Ha! Can you believe it? I know he isn’t like that. And I know this comes out of the blue, but I’d like to take the next few days off, David. Would that be all right?”

  She heard David hesitantly agree to her request for time off before she grabbed up her purse and walked briskly from her office. Life looked bright. Very bright. She felt the weight of the world lift from her shoulders.

  “Life is good.” She waved as she walked away.

  “But I need to talk to you later,” David called after her. “I’ll be back.” The Terminator himself couldn’t have said it better.

  She’d just helped earn the biggest contract of her career. She’d just been part of D. W. Songstram’s biggest team presentation ever. And then there was Scott …

  •

  When Scott returned and learned Alexandra had gone without an explanation, David suffered another strange reaction from him. His executives had either gone insane or fallen in love with each other somewhere along the way, that much was obvious. In fact, he had begun to suspect the latter some while ago. David thought back to when he and his wife had first met and recalled that there wasn’t much difference between those two conditions.

  When Scott had muttered something to him about Mac Steven’s last-minute demand, the pieces fell into place.

  “She didn’t believe you’d stoop to that demand for a minute, Falconer.”

  Scott nodded. “Then we’ve come farther than you can imagine. Wow. Just—wow.”

  David put his hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “Far be it from me to interfere in your personal life. But from what I can tell, there’s sometimes been a breakdown in communication between you and Alexandra. Go to her and celebrate everything that happened today. She doesn’t have all the details yet and I’m sure she’d love to hear them from you. She also asked for a few days off. She’s never done that before. Just thought you should know.”

  “I think I could use a few days off myself.”

  “Fine. I’m getting soft in my old age, but I think you’ve earned it.”

  As Scott’s footsteps disappeared down the hall, David’s eyes lit up with an idea and he picked up his phone. His wife, Connie, wouldn’t believe what he was about to do, but he wouldn’t miss this moment for the world.

  Chapter Twelv
e

  She’d barely returned home from work when she heard the voicemail from David asking her to meet him in the lobby of their building. As she’d seen him only an hour before, she couldn’t imagine why he wanted her there again so soon. He promised in the message their meeting wouldn’t take long, but even a few minutes at the office seemed like too many for her. Her phone showed another missed call from Scott. She just wanted to call him, go shopping, have dinner, start a life that involved something other than the inside of that building …

  When she looked in the mirror, the face staring back at her seemed the same as it always did. Only Alexandra knew it was a public image constructed very carefully over the years. But upon closer inspection, now that image looked happy. She fairly glowed. She’d never loved anyone the way she did Scott. She remembered the touch of his hand as they danced under the stars. Her heart almost hurt as she thought of the slight wave of his dark hair, rumpled from fingers run through it too many times while working numbers.

  Just as she was headed back toward her car, Mary came over with coffee and muffins to lend her moral support—just in case the presentation had gone badly. “Well?”

  “We won! And I think Scott might— I think I might …”

  “Aw. My little girl is growing up.”

  “We’re the same age, Mary.” She rolled her eyes.

  “But I have you outweighed in experience.”

  “So should I go for it?”

  Mary shook her head. “Duh. You’ve got it bad for this guy, and with good reason. Let me put this into perspective. He’s a family man who’s amazing to look at, good with cars, crunches numbers and feeds cattle—think you’ll find that combination again? He just slips right back and forth between two worlds effortlessly. He’s amazing.”

  Oh, she needed to find Scott and she needed to find him now. David sure had timing, didn’t he?

  “Go, Alex. Live a little. Get out of here!”

  She laughed as she drove past the place on the freeway where she’d had the flat tire and Scott had come to her rescue. He’d caught her attention even then. When Mary was right, she was really right. Alexandra took out her phone and dialed Scott. Straight to voicemail. She tried the office.