Prairie Heat (Cowboys of The Flint Hills #1)

by Tessa Layne

  “It’s not my preferred anything.”

  “Fine, fine. But according to my notes, we’re actually ahead of schedule on our research. I fail to understand why there is a problem.”

  “To put it bluntly, Ms. Hansen, we’re uninterested in paying a salary to an absentee researcher.”

  “But I’m doing my job.” She spoke loud enough a few heads turned. Dr. Richardson always seemed to push her buttons. She smacked her forehead. Of course. He was the scientific version of her father. No wonder he irritated the heck out of her.

  His voice was clipped. “You are an Associate Scientist whose work is valuable to this community. You are absent. I suggest… Dr. Hansen, that if you value your position here, that you will find a way to get yourself on the next plane to Chicago. And in the future, if you have family matters that need to be settled, you may use Skype.”

  He cut the connection.

  If she’d been anywhere but Dottie’s Diner, she’d have thrown the phone across the room. Damn his arrogant, condescending ass. Despair sank deep into her bones.

  Whatever beauty magazine or celebrity had sold the idea of having it all – of having love and a career, should be selling oceanfront property in Kansas. It was impossible. At least in her field.

  Hot tears threatened to spill over, and she pushed up her glasses, focusing her vision on the little bits of creamer floating on the top of her coffee.

  She couldn’t quit. Her dad needed her help financially. And she didn’t want to. She loved her research. But she couldn’t quit Blake either. Not after what they’d shared. And she didn’t want to.

  Where was the balance everyone talked about? Didn’t she deserve to have both love and a career she loved? Why should she be forced to give up one for the other?

  She picked at the sticky bun, licking a caramel coated pecan off her finger and letting the sugar dissolve over her tongue as she turned the problem over in her mind.

  Was this an unsolvable paradox? The way light “knew” to become a point or a wave? Did people just “know”?

  She covered her mouth, holding in a sob. The last thing she wanted to do was draw attention to herself. She would have to go back to Chicago. At least for a few days until she could figure out a solution. Blake would understand. He had to. He’d as much as promised last night. Her aunt, uncle and cousins could handle her father. She didn’t feel great about that, but they’d manage for a few days.

  She took a sip of the coffee, not tasting it, bitterness sitting heavy in her gut. For one bleak moment, she wished she’d been born different. Less smart, less ambitious… less… her. But that Hansen stubbornness reared its ugly head and slapped her. Hard.

  She would never leave her job. She’d worked too hard to get there. She was a fool for thinking she could have love, too. A damned fool.

  CHAPTER 27

  Blake stepped out of the bank and into the late morning sunshine, and checked his watch. He had just a few minutes before he was supposed to meet Maddie back at the diner for an early lunch.

  He’d hated leaving her this morning, but he’d had to make a special trip into Manhattan and needed an early start. They’d stayed up most of the night, making love, talking, making love again. His muscles were pleasantly sore, but he’d do it all over again, knowing she was staying.

  They’d checked the river before walking up the hill to where he’d parked the truck the night before. It had burst its banks, but the homestead wasn’t in jeopardy.

  Yet.

  A few more rains and it might be. At least the hunting lodge was planned for higher ground. And with the deed to the Sinclaire land finally back in pocket, he’d have crews breaking ground within a week.

  Thanks to the new clients from his last trip to Chicago, he’d be able to run double crews and get the lodge up and running before midsummer. Question was, who would run it? Ben had suggested Brodie, but he wasn’t so sure. Although maybe it would be the kick in the pants he’d need to finally step up and become a full partner on the ranch.

  “Well, well. What’s got you looking like the cat that ate the canary?”

  Instantly his guard went up. “What do you want, Kylee?”

  Her eyes narrowed as she stepped toward him holding a cup of coffee. “I want to know what I saw going on at the bank a little bit ago.”

  “None of your Goddamned business. Now, if you’ll excu–”

  “I think it’s very much my Goddamned business.” She glared at him, eyes full of malice, and took a sip of her coffee, refusing to budge. “It looked like you and Warren were getting all chummy at the bank.”

  He clenched his fist and unclenched it, keeping a lid on his temper. He would not let her get to him. Not today. “What’s your point, Kylee?”

  “I think you finagled your property back.”

  His lips flattened. He would not give her the satisfaction of seeing him lose his temper.

  “I’ll say again. Anything that happened between me and Warren is none of your business.”

  He stepped aside.

  She stepped in front of him. “Not so fast, Blake. That property should go to me and you know it.”

  Widening his stance, he crossed his arms, glaring down at her. “And what makes you think that?” He clenched his jaw so tight his teeth ground.

  She gave him a sly glance. “Jake promised it to me.”

  “Like hell he did,” he bit out. “The only thing he promised you was a spanking. I know. I heard.”

  Her eyes widened at the disclosure, but she held her ground.

  “You know as well as I do who that land should go to.” Her features fell and her lip stuck out.

  So now it was manipulation. He was done letting her manipulate him. He’d have been better off letting the shit hit the fan as a young man instead of keeping quiet and protecting his family’s honor.

  He stepped forward. Throttling the urge to shout, he lowered his voice. “Let’s get one thing straight, Kylee. No one is going to tell me what to do with Sinclaire land. Not you or anyone else.”

  She crossed her arms, glaring back at him. “I told you once before I need more money.”

  “And we’ve already discussed this. I give you more than enough money for Simon, and you know it. Are you spending it on yourself? How do you think that would appear to the family court judge?” He was so angry he couldn’t see straight. She was rotten to the core.

  “It’s time this town knew the truth about you Sinclaires, Blake.” He didn’t miss the threat in her voice.

  He didn’t bother to hide the menace in his. “I’m going to tell you this once. And once only. If you do anything, anything at all that hurts my family, you’ll be back in family court so fast your head will spin.” He crossed his arms, resisting the urge to get in her face. “You know you’re already on thin ice with Judge Walker, and I think he’ll not take kindly to your more… questionable activities.”

  She paled and crossed her arms.

  “Don’t you threaten me, Blake Sinclaire. I’ve had enough of your family’s attitude.”

  He stepped around her, jamming his Stetson down further on his head. “Goodbye, Kylee.”

  “I’m not done with you, you hear?” she called after him.

  He kept walking. He’d be damned if he gave her one more second of his time today. He had more important matters to attend to.

  Her voice carried half the block as he heard her trying to follow after him. “Don’t you walk away from me. You’ll regret this.” He already did. If he’d been smart years ago, he’d have drop kicked her completely out of his life the second he’d had the chance. But he’d chosen honor over prudence. And look what it had earned him for his trouble?

  It would all be water under the bridge, just as soon as he spoke to Maddie this afternoon. He could finally explain everything. He touched his hand to his pocket as he pushed open the door of the diner, scanning the room for Maddie.

  She sat hunched over the long Formica countertop, her face pinched. Immediately,
his heart started pounding.

  “Maddie?” He rushed toward her. She turned her face turned to his, stricken.

  The door rang behind him again.

  “Don’t you dare threaten me and walk away, Blake Sinclaire,” Kylee cried. The sound in the diner dimmed instantly. “I’m not the only one in town with secrets.”

  “Kylee, you better not be stirring up trouble,” boomed Dottie’s voice from back near the coffee pots.

  The door rang again. He turned. Warren. Great. A perfect storm, and something seriously bothering Maddie.

  Ignoring them all, he stepped to Maddie, full of concern. “Sweetheart. Whatever it is, we can figure it out.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but Kylee spoke first, just loud enough to attract attention. “Fancy seeing Warren and Blake all chummy in the diner. What happened to make this happy little reunion?”

  Maddie flattened her mouth in dislike. “Why shouldn’t they be friendly? Blake saved his life.”

  “And got a wife and his property back as thanks, it seems.”

  “Now just a damn minute young lady,” Warren huffed. “That’s my–”

  Kylee sneered. “I know exactly who she is. Little Miss Perfect thinks she’s so much better than everyone.”

  “Enough.”

  Warren raised his hand, his voice echoing off the diner walls. He waved Blake back. “Let me handle this son.” His eyes glinted at Kylee like two laser beams.

  “I know all ’bout you, young lady. Don’t you drag my daughter into your beef with the Sinclaires. My face may not be so pretty, and I’m old. But I still got fight left. And I know secrets that would turn your legs to jelly.” His eyes narrowed. “I even know some about you.”

  Blake’s stomach dropped. No. There was no way anyone knew. No one but him. Unless Jake had let something out in a drunken rage.

  Warren chuckled, and reached for a toothpick on the counter. He picked at a tooth, then chomped on the end, staring hard at him. “Jake Sinclaire was a lyin’, cheatin’ sonofabitch.”

  “Dad.” Maddie spoke sharply, her eyes wide behind her glasses.

  “And when he got drunk, he said things.”

  Blake’s hand started to shake, and he swallowed hard, working to keep his face neutral, even as the panic started to bulge up in his chest.

  Warren shook his finger at Kylee. “So don’t you be pickin’ on anyone anymore. You hear? I will not take kindly to that.” He took the toothpick out of his mouth and pointed it at her. “And you don’t wanna mess with me.” He cracked the tiniest of smiles back at him. “Hell, ask Blake.”

  No one moved in the diner. While no one was looking directly at them, they stayed silent, straining to hear every word. Hell, this would be all over town before the cows came home.

  “I’m not afraid of you old man,” she gloated, a triumphant smile slashing her face. “Not after what I saw at the bank.”

  “And what did you see, Kylee?” Maddie’s gaze burned intensely. “What exactly did you see?”

  “Warren signing over a deed to property.” Her voice held a note of triumph.

  Maddie stood, peering over her glasses at Kylee. “I see. And did you see exactly what was on the deed? Or are you just speculating?”

  “I know what I saw,” Kylee huffed, crossing her arms.

  “So it could have been a car, or a horse?” Maddie pounced. “Yes, Kylee, do you know all Hansen horses come with ownership papers? And Blake has purchased a horse from my family in the past.” She paused. “You have no evidence, do you? Just a hunch and a mean streak a mile wide.”

  Warren shuffled, looking at the ground. Blake had never seen the man look so uneasy.

  Shit.

  This was not what was supposed to be happening today.

  Maddie crossed her arms and glared at Kylee. “I suggest you run along. My lunch date was supposed to begin twenty minutes ago.” She pushed her glasses up her nose and turned back to the counter, effectively dismissing Kylee.

  Warren sagged into a stool next to Maddie. Kylee spun, whipping her head from Warren to Blake. “We are not done. Not by a long shot.” She gave him one last glare and stomped out of the diner.

  CHAPTER 28

  Had Blake and her father really been so stupid? Anger, betrayal, and bitterness raced through her. How could she have been so blind?

  After the door rang, and the noise levels resumed to normal, Blake came and sat on her other side, snaking an arm around her shoulders. “You were great, sweetheart.”

  She slammed her hands on the counter, and she glared at both men. “Do not sweetheart me. Did you really think I’m so obtuse that I wouldn’t figure out what was going on?”

  “Maddie, you don’t–”

  “I am not done.” She pushed up her glasses, her mind racing. Who to start on first? They were both on her hit list as far as she was concerned. Her heart was slowly squeezing tighter with every breath. She fought the rising panic as questions ricocheted through her head.

  She turned to Blake. “So is this why you wanted to marry me out of the blue?” She narrowed her eyes. “It had nothing to do with giving hope to an old man on the brink of death, did it?”

  “Maddie Jane–” Her father started to speak.

  “And you.” She spun around, ready for battle. “Stop talking. You can’t stop meddling in my life, can you? Can’t stand that I’m the one thing you can’t control.” All the years of frustration and resentment bubbled up and came spewing out of her like a volcano. She slid off the seat, glaring at him. “Did you fake the heart attack, too? So you could pull the puppet strings again?”

  “Maddie.” Blake spoke sharply. “I was there when it happened, and–”

  She flung up her hand. “I don’t care. I want to know one thing, and you better give it to me straight. Was this…” She waved her hands between the two of them. “All an act? Did you mean any of it?”

  Despair welled up, forming a lump in her throat so hard she couldn’t speak. Tears pricked her eyes, and she blinked rapidly, holding them at bay. “Was it just some game to see if I could feel?” Her voice thickened with emotion. She hardly recognized the way she sounded. “To see if you could bring the cold, calculating scientist to her knees?”

  “Of course not.” Blake reached for her, eyes full of concern and… and… a flicker of guilt. Her gut twisted.

  “Maddie, you know that’s not true.” Blake leaned to Warren. “Ask Warren if you don’t believe me. I love you, sweetheart. Ask me anything.”

  “I already have.” Her gut twisted harder, and she shook her head. “And you won’t tell me.”

  Kylee strutted forward, a triumphant gleam in her eye. “Ask him what else he won’t tell you.”

  Maddie spun around. “Didn’t you just leave? This doesn’t concern you.”

  “Oh, I think it does.”

  Her heart dropped to her toes as a sick hole formed in her belly. A skinny young boy, maybe ten or eleven, with wide hazel eyes and overgrown dirty light brown hair, wove through the chairs. He stopped in front of Blake, his eyes twinkling and his mouth and pockets stuffed with penny candy from the Five & Dime.

  “Hi.” The boy reached out to hug Blake.

  Blake blanched, glaring at Kylee, but opened his arms to the boy, ruffling his hair. “Hey Simon. Why aren’t you in school today?”

  The boy shrugged, grinning, his mouth so full it was hard to understand. “No school today.”

  Warren’s eyes narrowed at Blake.

  Blake cast a wary glance at Maddie over the boy’s head. “I can explain.”

  “You have a lot of explaining to do, Blake.” Kylee’s voice dripped acid. “Why don’t you start by telling Simon who his father is. He’s been asking, you know.”

  “Don’t do this, Kylee. Not here.”

  The boy turned questioning eyes to Kylee, confused. “Mom?”

  Blake put his arm around the boy, pulling him close. Maddie’s heart tore a bit more.

  “Dottie? Can you take Simon
back and give him a piece of your best pie?”

  He gave the boy another pat, and Dottie hustled him to the back.

  Maddie finally found her voice. “Blake? What’s going on?”

  Warren stood up waving his finger at Blake. “Thought you could keep this from us, did yeh? Well I don’t take kindly to doing business with a liar.”

  “Is he yours, Blake?” Dread pooled in Maddie’s stomach. How could the child not be his?

  “It’s not what it looks like–”

  “It looks pretty obvious to me. He’s got your eyes. How did anyone not notice?”

  “Tell them Blake. Tell them who Simon’s father is.” Kylee’s voice was cold as ice, malice flashing in her eyes.

  Blake turned on her. “You’ve gone too far, Kylee. How dare you bring this up in public? In front of Simon? Is this really how you parent? I should have sued for custody years ago.”

  Maddie’s stomach lurched as if she’d been punched.

  “Just try me. I will make your life a living hell.”

  “You already have, Kylee. How many more lives do you need to ruin before you stop?”

  “Aren’t you glad this is all out in the open now, Maddie?” Kylee shot over to her. “How does it feel to know that your father sold you out, and your fiancé is nothing but a liar?”

  The ground tilted underneath Maddie as her vision darkened. She locked her knees and clutched the counter to keep from falling over. She would not give any of them the satisfaction of seeing her crumble.

  Kylee smirked. “I warned you Blake, if you messed with our arrangement, it wasn’t going to be pretty.”

  “We have no arrangement,” he stated flatly.

  “Hmm.” She shrugged with a half smile. “Tsk. Tsk. There you go again. Now that your little fiancée knows your big dirty secret, I wonder, would Brodie be interested in learning about who fathered Simon?” Her eyes narrowed.

  He reached out and grabbed her by the arm. “Leave him alone. You’ve caused him enough pain.”

  Kylee pulled her arm away, glaring at him with pure hatred in her eyes. “Don’t you threaten me, Blake Sinclaire.”