Temptation on His Terms

by Robyn Grady

  “But when you all come back to visit again…” With a contrite look, her dad changed course. “What I mean to say is, learning how to use a hammer and nails isn’t a waste of anyone’s time.” Her dad bent over to retie his boot. With a wince, he caught the small of his back. “Darn arthritis.” He withered into a chair. “It’s usually worse in the mornings.”

  “Maybe we could go to town for you, sir?” Dex said and added, “When we come back with the supplies, I’ll help you mend that leak.”

  Zeb slid his daughter a look; Shelby had suddenly become very interested in the jug of milk sitting in the center of the table.

  “No. It’s fine. I’ll go to town,” Zeb said.

  Dex looked between the two and joined the dots. Shelby didn’t want to risk bumping into Reese. But he’d be there, walking right alongside her. Today was as good a time as any to show the world of Mountain Ridge that she’d moved on.

  “I’d really enjoy seeing the town,” he told her with a supportive look.

  “You saw it when we drove in.”

  “Not the hardware store,” Zeb said.

  Dex had a feeling Shelby would know her way around one, too.

  She studied the depths of her cup before her frown turned into a stoic smile.

  “I have to go to town anyway,” she said, “to get some supplies. I ran out of shampoo this morning. We need more coffee, too.”

  “And chocolate,” Tate chipped in.

  Arthritis apparently gone, her dad pushed out of the chair. “Let me get my list together. Can you drive a shift, son? Save using the rental.”

  “I can drive a shift,” Dex replied.

  “Pickup’s keys are on the dash.”

  When Zeb left the room, and Tate downed his milk then followed him, Dex willed Shelby to look over at him, which she eventually did.

  “It’s not a new truck,” she said. “It’s got a few dings in the back. Maybe I should drive.”

  So she’d be in charge of a quick getaway?

  He reached across and held her hand. Her father obviously hoped Shelby would face up to her fears before leaving Mountain Ridge again. He did, too. But, “Are you okay with us doing this?”

  She sent over a playful frown. “Well, sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  As Shelby strolled off to find her tote, Dex sat back in his chair. He had screen-tested a lot of actors in his time and that lie had to be one of the best performances he’d ever seen.

  * * *

  As Dex helped her out of the pickup, he nodded at the cotton dress she’d changed into before driving into town.

  “That color suits you,” he said. “Tangerine.”

  Remembering their amazing time spent in her secret place earlier, she tilted her head and smiled. “You look mighty fine, too.”

  His brows fell together as he tipped closer. “Do people really talk like that around here?”

  “You can pick ’em easily enough. They’re usually chewing tobacco and wearing six-shooters to chase off marauders. In fact—” she pretended to study him “—a straw of hay between your teeth might help you blend in more.”

  He ran a thumb and finger around the rim of his hat. “I got a fair-dinkum Stetson sitting on my head, ain’t I?”

  “Fair-dinkum?”

  They headed off down the pavement. Already some heads were turning.

  “Aussie for authentic. Real. You ought to see my hometown sometime. Foreigners still expect to find kangaroos bouncing down the main streets.”

  “And Crocodile Dundee wielding his knife.”

  “These days you’re way more likely to see Hugh Jackman playing with his kids at Bondi.”

  “Do you surf?”

  “I surf some.”

  “Bet you look sexy, riding a wave.” Her lips twitched. “In fact, you look pretty sexy now.”

  “If you’re trying to butter me up to get in my pants, you should know that I’m absolutely available.”

  When he tried to nuzzle her neck, she laughed and slapped his chest.

  “Maybe not in the middle of town, cowboy.”

  “What? You shy? I’m sure I have an app to help that.”

  He whipped out his cell, pretended to thumb a few buttons before swooping his arm around her and grazing his jaw up her cheek while she wiggled and blushed. If people weren’t looking before, they sure as hell were now.

  She knew what Dex was doing. She’d been apprehensive about coming into town, showing her face after that incident. Dex was letting her know, as well as the rest of the town, that she didn’t need to feel awkward about that failed love affair. That was yesterday, this was today. She felt good about pulling up her strides and taking up her father’s veiled challenge to come into town. And she was enjoying this play tussle…having Dex bring out into the open what they felt for each other. Which was comfortable and physical and all those things she had wondered if she’d ever feel again.

  Still fooling around with Dex, she managed to yank his hat down over his eyes and break away. Dragging the “ten-gallon” back up, he chuckled. “You’re on notice. As soon as we get home, and I’ve helped your dad with the roof and we’ve eaten that superb roast dinner you promised…”

  His words faded as Shelby caught sight of a woman across the street. But the pounding fist that had pushed up her throat soon dropped again. The sudden heat faded from her cheeks. She’d been mistaken. It wasn’t who she’d thought.

  Dex was holding her shoulder. “Hey, you okay?”

  She tacked up her smile and, exhaling that pent-up breath, pretended to check out the cloudless blue sky. “I should have worn a hat. That sun’s still got some heat in it.”

  He wasn’t prepared to let it drop.

  “When we drove in last week, there was a blonde walking out of the hairdresser. You seemed to know her.”

  Her cheeks heated as they started walking again. “It’s a small town, remember?”

  “Was that your friend Reese?”

  She didn’t want to go into that here. “Look.” Diverting his attention again, she waggled her finger at a shop front. “Here’s the hardware store.”

  Inside, the familiar smells of paint thinner and freshly sawn lumber drifted into her lungs. Behind the cluttered counter, Mr. Oberey, the store’s owner, recognized her at once. He rubbed his palms down the front of his calico apron.

  “Mighty-my, how are you, young lady? I heard you’d left us all to go to California.”

  “Over two months ago,” she replied, happy that no one else was in the store. Mr. Oberey had been there that final night when she’d made a fool of herself but he’d only bowed his head as she’d stumbled out of the room. His wife, Millie, however, was one of the biggest gossips in town. Street corners, church lunches, bongo drum recitals—if there was juicy news around, she was spreading it.

  Shelby introduced Dex Hunter as her friend and—God bless Mr. Oberey—he never batted an eye.

  “So, what can I get for you?” The older man came around the counter. “Or should I say, get your father.”

  Dex was stroking his chin, perusing the hammers as if they were some strange species from another galaxy.

  She answered Mr. Oberey. “Dad’s repairing the barn roof.”

  On a nearby wall hung rows of plastic packets containing nails. His finger slid across them before he wiggled a packet off its hook. “Tell him to try these. Remind him my grandson would be more than happy to do a complete reroofing for a darn good price.”

  Mr. Oberey turned his attention to Dex. “You liking our little patch of the world?”

  “So far, I’m enjoying my stay very much—” he flicked Shelby a cheeky look “—particularly the barns.”

  “I came here forty-one years ago come April. I was passing through but then I met Millie
and Mountain Ridge became my home.”

  Shelby paid for the packet.

  “It’s good meeting you, Mr. Hunter.” Mr. Oberey tipped his head. “Maybe one day you’ll come for a visit and decide to stay.” He winked at Shelby. “We could always have this young lady back.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Oberey,” Dex said, moving forward to slip an arm around Shelby’s waist. “But I won’t be leaving L.A. My family owns a company there.”

  Mr. Oberey rubbed his sleeve to polish the top of his key-cutting machine. “Is that so? A souvenir shop?”

  “Dex runs a movie studio,” Shelby explained.

  Mr. Oberey’s bottom lip popped out. “Plenty of room around here to build those back lots.” He leaned back on that machine. “Remember that one…set in the West but in the future. Gunslingers and cyborgs all wrapped into one.” He straightened his apron. “If you made one of them out here, I could be an extra. No charge.”

  Dex shook Mr. Oberey’s hand. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Back on the street, Dex confessed, “I can see Mr. Oberey, head shaved, all in black, reaching for his holster and growling out, ‘Draw.’”

  Shelby was about to tell Dex that Mr. Oberey was the man behind the town’s monthly movie nights, set up on the high school’s athletics field, when they passed the real estate window.

  Pulling up, she tapped the glass. “That’s my hill. There’s my barn.” She pulled her cell out of her tote and swiped up the camera app. Leaning against him, arm extended, she called, “Say cheeseburgers,” and snapped them both. Then she turned to read the price in the window and her smile vanished. “He can’t be in too much of a hurry to sell. That’s way above what Dad sold that property for.”

  Dex was saying that was a good thing for her because she could secretly hold onto it longer when Shelby heard her name. It came from a soft, unsure voice that she recognized as well as her own. Her legs almost buckled as a hot, cold flush fell through her body. An album of images flashed through her brain, rapid-fire shots of two girls growing up, sharing secrets, falling in love.

  With the same man.

  When she heard her name again, Dex turned. Leveling her breathing, she turned, too.

  “I thought I saw you earlier.” Reese Morgan wobbled out a smile. “You look really well.”

  “Dad sounded as if he could use a visit,” Shelby explained in a remarkably steady voice.

  “And she brought me along.” Dex put out his hand and the two shook. “Dex Hunter. How you doing?”

  “Reese Morgan. I’m well.” But she didn’t look well. Shelby had seen Reese come out of the salon a week ago but her usually bouncy blond hair looked limp and thin, like she’d been losing it in clumps. And her eyes were red as if she hadn’t slept in a month.

  Reese lifted her handbag strap higher on her shoulder. “How long are you visiting for?”

  “Just a couple more days,” Shelby said. The truth was, she and Dex hadn’t made any firm plans, but now she was thinking it might be time to head back.

  “You’re probably all booked up this visit,” Reese said, making the excuse for her. “We can catch up another time.”

  “Yeah.” Shelby just couldn’t work up a smile. “Another time.”

  “But are you settled in?” Reese asked quickly. “Found an apartment?”

  “A nice place—”

  “But she’s moved,” Dex cut in.

  “Oh?” Reese looked between the two. “Rent too steep? I’ve heard that about L.A.”

  “She moved in with me.” He named the hotel. “My beach house is being renovated.”

  Reese’s strap slid down her arm. “Beach house?”

  “Santa Monica,” Dex said. “Ever been there?” Reese managed to shake her head. “You’ll have to fly out. Drop in.”

  Reese’s stunned look changed until a hint of personal pride flashed in her dark brown eyes. “Are you going to the dance tomorrow night?”

  “Are you?” Shelby countered.

  “Probably not. That is to say…Kurt’s feeling under the weather.”

  Shelby’s reply was monotone. Dead.

  “I’m so sorry to hear that.”

  “I’m picking up some fresh ingredients for a broth.” Reese took a deep breath. Time to wrap up. “Well…it was good bumping into you.”

  Shaking inside, Shelby let Dex guide her the rest of the way to the pickup. As the engine kicked over and they pulled away, she caught Reese’s reflection in the side mirror.

  Reese was leaning against the glass window, watching them drive away. Shelby couldn’t help but think that, with her wispy pale hair and chalky complexion, more than in that photo, her old friend truly looked like a ghost.

  * * *

  That night after dinner, when Tate had been tucked in, Dex was primed to get to the heart of the Reese/Kurt mystery. He bided his time while he, Shelby and Zeb sat together out on the porch, discussing how the roof repairs had gone that afternoon. Dex had enjoyed standing atop of the ladder, handing over nails and listening to the echoing thud of the hammer. He liked the reward of helping to mend what was broke.

  When Zeb rose from his chair and nodded a goodnight, Dex saw the approval in the older man’s gaze. It said, I’ll make a country boy out of you yet.

  As soon as Zeb was well out of earshot, Dex put it to Shelby. “Why did you leave Mountain Ridge?”

  She blinked twice then looked away. “All my life, I minded my own business…”

  “Until…”

  The tension locking her body intensified before it seemed to melt and drain away. She shrugged. “Until a year ago, when I met someone. A man. That man.”

  Looking around the front yard, with its derelict tractor and ancient oak tree, Dex lowered his voice to ask, “He wasn’t from around these parts?”

  “He said he’d lost his family, except for a sister he didn’t see. He wanted to settle in a small, close-knit town. He had experience in saddlery and wanted to set up a shop. There was a lot of talk, very convincing. It was easy to listen.” She sat up straighter. “We got closer. You know, started dating. After two months, he asked me to marry him.”

  Dex couldn’t take his eyes off her profile, so beautiful and proud. Suddenly so haunted.

  “I know you’re thinking two months is quick,” she said. “But he had that way about him. For the first time I saw my life shining out before me into a bright happy future. I’d fall asleep thinking how lucky I was that he’d come wandering through my town rather than some other girl’s. How blessed I was that he’d met me.”

  “Your dad approved?”

  “Kurt did the conventional thing. He asked to speak to my father alone. When they walked out from the drawing room, Dad gave his blessing. But his expression was…”

  “Suspicious?”

  “Sad.”

  She pushed out of the chair and Dex followed. When she gripped the rail, his hand folded over hers. Below them lay an uncared-for flower bed. The ground was weeded over, with a few chicories pushing up high between the stones.

  “I’ve wondered since,” she said, “what my mother would have said. She only ever wanted me to be happy and Dad knew I wouldn’t be happy with Kurt. Later, when it all ended, he said he’d read it in Kurt’s eyes. Calculating lizard eyes, he called them. I didn’t see that at all. Not in those first weeks.”

  Dex gently prodded. “So he gave you a ring.”

  “Kurt said he had to fix up his finances first.” She flicked him a glance. “He said he had a property in New York State. As soon as his money was through, he promised he’d put the biggest, most beautiful diamond on my finger. I didn’t care about diamonds. I only wanted to be joined with my soul mate. The person who seemed to understand me like no one else could.” A sweep of hair fell over her face as she bowed her head. “This
must make you uncomfortable.”

  Normally he tried to avoid uneasy feelings. Much easier to laugh at life than cry over it. But he’d wanted to hear this story for a long time…all of it. He wanted to at least try to understand. And he thought she might want that, too.

  “We were planning which part of the ranch Dad would give us as a wedding present,” she went on. “When Kurt pointed out we should be given the best acres because my father would leave it all to us one day anyway, I admit, my stomach rolled over. But instead of listening to intuition, I scolded myself. I shouldn’t be so judgmental. Kurt was only being practical. I’d found someone I wanted to spent my life with. I didn’t want to get all defensive, pushy and run him off.”

  “Then you got sick?”

  “Right after my father had the documents drawn up. I was planning the wedding for the following month when a cold I’d been nursing got worse. I couldn’t stop coughing. And I felt so incredibly weak.”

  “But your dad had signed? The land was Kurt’s?”

  She shook her head. “Thank God. I collapsed at work. Next thing I knew, I was in the hospital in a neighboring town. I didn’t come out for months.”

  “So dear Kurt shifted his attentions to a new victim.”

  “Knowing it was Reese hurt me more than anything. When I was well enough to come home, when my father told me before anyone else could, my world was torn apart. For the longest time, I just couldn’t believe they would do that to me. But when I was stronger, I took to riding again and I started to see things differently.”

  “Like you were lucky to have escaped being tied to a two-timing ass?”

  “I figured it simply wasn’t meant to be. Kurt wasn’t the one for me.”

  Dex growled. “You bet he wasn’t.”

  Her smile wavered and her eyes grew distant as she thought back again.

  “They sent me an invitation to their engagement party.”

  “Classy.”

  “Of course I decided not to go. I’m not sure why I changed my mind. Maybe I wanted to see for myself they were happy when I was…” She shuddered then went on. “I didn’t stay long.” She caught his gaze and lowered her voice even more. “Can I tell you something? No one knows.”