Finally, Colin sat back with his coffee cup comfortably in hand, and addressed the mystery of the evening. “Why don’t I have Carter explain why he’s here?”
“Sure.” Carter Maxwell’s deep voice drew curious attention.
“I have been involved in the Eventing world for the past two decades. I competed through advanced level until I was injured two years ago. Since then, I’ve been sort of an itinerant teacher and clinician. Last year, I landed under the wing of your father.” He looked directly at David. Rio saw only hard-edged patience on David’s features.
“He’s a brilliant instructor,” Colin said.
Maxwell smiled his thanks. “I’ve learned a tremendous amount,” he continued. “But my goal has always been to have a permanent facility of my own or one I could run with a partner. Your father told me about Bridge Creek and how it’s the premiere stable in this area, and it sounded intriguing. When he explained about the financial issues you’re having because of the economy here, I had a bold thought. I’d like to solve both our problems. I’d like to buy into your stable, David, and help you run it, as a co-owner.”
In less than three seconds David’s face drained of color, and Rio’s breath caught in her lungs. Without warning David shot to his feet. As quickly as he’d paled, crimson flooded back into his cheeks.
“I’m sorry. Did someone give you the impression that any part of this facility is for sale? If so, he or she was quite mistaken.”
“Nobody has any preconceived ideas here.” Colin crossed his legs casually, as if the whole suggestion was no more than a flippant remark.
“If after you hear my offer, it isn’t of interest to you, so be it. Your father is simply guiding me to potential opportunities.”
“We’re here to give you something to think about and, perhaps, find a way out of your current dilemma. No more than that,” Colin added.
David sat cautiously back down.
“That’s fine to say, Da’, but you need to remember that I didn’t call for your help. Your devious ex-wife did that. I don’t need anything. I’m not looking for help. Or a partner.”
“Very well.” Colin exchanged a look with Carter that Rio couldn’t decipher, almost as if something were going according to a plan. “Then we’ll look forward to a relaxing few days and be on our way again.”
David nodded. “I’ve got a new young horse I think you’ll enjoy seeing. Take your time up with him.”
And that was that.
An hour more passed before Rio’s stubborn optimism accepted that there would be no illicit trysts that night. David, a captive to his overwhelming family’s endless stories, wasn’t getting away any time soon.
The conversation never waned thanks to Stella and Colin’s rehash of every family moment Rio had missed in her whole life. When she saw her four-thirty alarm would go off in just under six hours if she fell asleep within ten minutes, she had to call it a night.
“I’m heading upstairs,” she whispered to Bonnie.
“It’s still early.”
“Yeah, but I have to get up for work. You stay and eavesdrop; it’s fine.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s kind of cool you’re the new baker. Dawson says your pies are awesome. I already knew that, but . . .”
“Thanks, kid. I’ll save you a piece every day for that.”
She kissed the top of her sister’s head and headed toward the stairs. When she passed David, the impersonality of his smile stung. That wasn’t his fault—they’d made the agreement mutually. Still, when she waved her fingers and mouthed “good night,” he only nodded, and she wished it didn’t seem like he’d clicked back into passive mode so easily.
DAVID DESPAIRED OF ever breaking away from the troop of chattering monkeys his family and their two guests had become. It was as if they’d each arrived pre-programmed with every piece of news they’d gathered by phone, gossip, magazine, or carrier pigeon.
His heart sank further when Rio left. This was so far from what he’d promised her for tonight. He couldn’t even make do with having her close as part of the family, although he was beginning to wonder why. So what if it had only been three and a half weeks? In that amount of time you could know you liked someone. A lot.
The trouble was this mess his parents had laid in his lap—described in four words:
Kate. And Carter Maxwell.
He’d stopped the latter in his tracks, but it didn’t ease his mind. His father had capitulated far too quickly. Something was still up his suave and devious sleeve.
He managed to listen halfheartedly as long as Bonnie remained in her chair in the corner. Her presence reminded him Rio wasn’t far away. But when Bonnie finally stood to leave half an hour behind Rio, David couldn’t bear the pointless conversation without at least one of the Montoya sisters.
“Are you heading up?” he asked.
“Yeah.” Bonnie smiled. “It’s been nice meeting everyone, but since Rio has to get up so early, I said I’d help Andy in the barn in the morning, so it’s bed for me, too.”
“You two are such amazing little worker bees.” Kate smiled, toothy and calm.
“It’s fun. We always dreamed of having a ranch. We’re enjoying it while we can.”
“Good for you.” Kate sat back, one leg crossed elegantly over the other. “Turn adversity into a vacation.”
Even David thought that a callous comment.
“So, Bonnie,” he said. “How about if I come up now and fix that window blind you had problems with?”
He countered her confused frown with an exaggerated, hopeful wink, and she caught it with an amused smile. Intelligent girl.
“Um, okay, sure. I hate to pull you away.”
“It won’t take long.” He jumped up. “Carry on, you lot. I’ll be right back.”
Following Bonnie up the stairs felt like a release from prison.
“What’s this about?” she asked when they neared the top.
“Shhh,” he whispered. “Thank you so much, love. I was nearly ready to slit my throat.”
“What? They’re your parents and they’re hilarious. I could listen to them all night.”
“You’re just hearing the funny words,” he teased. “What they’re actually saying is excruciating. Plus, I—” He looked at her, debating. “I wanted to come up and check on your sister.”
A grin broke over her face. “I knew it. You liiiike her.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “What do you think? Is that all right? I mean, would it be all right with you if I liked her enough to, say, kiss her?”
“I don’t believe for a second you haven’t done that already.”
“Not admitting anything until I know you approve.”
“You are as weird as she is. I’m not her parent. You don’t have to ask me.”
“Of course not, but I know she doesn’t want to upset you.”
“Look, I dated a gang leader and I got into a car with a pimp. I’m not the innocent little girl she thinks I am. I know about life. Besides, you’re so much better than anyone she ever hooked up with in Minneapolis.”
“Thanks for that anyway.”
“Come on.” She took his arm firmly and dragged him toward Rio’s room.
“Bonnie, I don’t need—”
“Shhh.” She tapped her lips firmly. He grinned while she rapped on the closed bedroom door. “Sis, are you still awake?”
“Hey, Bons. Yeah, come on in.”
“Are you decent? I don’t need to see you naked.”
David glared at her as his pulse shot into hyper drive.
“What? What’s wrong with you? Get in here before someone hears you.”
“There’s your invite. Go get her.” Bonnie’s eyes twinkled like a bloody Christmas elf while she turned the doorknob and shoved him through the doorway.
“You—”
The door closed on his reprimand, and Rio screeched. He stared at her sitting in her bed, a sheet pulled up to her chin.
“Hi,” he sai
d.
“David?”
“Believe it or not, this was entirely your sister’s doing.” He turned to the door. “Go to your room now, Bonnie.”
“Going, going.” Her muffled chortle faded down the hall.
“Are you decent?” he asked.
She lowered the sheet, and the surprise in her eyes warmed. She wore the same skimpy tank she’d worn on the deck the morning he’d . . . He slammed a lid on his thoughts.
“I’m not going to stay,” he said unhappily. “They think I’m fixing a broken blind.”
“Well, dang.”
“You want me to stay?”
She patted the mattress. “You could . . . tuck me in.” She blushed prettily and looked away. “Jeez, I don’t say stuff like that.”
“You keep saying you don’t do and say all these cute little things, yet that’s what I see and hear.”
“You’ve messed up my brain. I can’t think normally when you’re around.”
“Okay with me.”
He sat. “It’s still a proper fiasco down there, and I didn’t know how to get away.”
“I know. If you and I had simply walked out it would have been . . . awkward.”
“I’ve spilled the beans to your sister. A little.”
“Obviously. She knows you’re here.”
“I asked if I could kiss you.”
“And?”
“She figured I already had.”
He placed his palm boldly against her breast. The white feather beside it peeked out beneath his thumb. Softly he kneaded, and she sagged back onto her pillow. Her shiver passed through his hand into his chest, trapping his breath.
“Tomorrow night,” he whispered. “I’ll figure out how to get away.”
“It’s your home. Just walk.”
“Okay.”
He leaned forward and kissed her, loving the mint and heat of her mouth and the very faint leftover musk from the barn. She moved her tongue to his and kissed him back, languidly, as if savoring the sweetest dessert. Warning flutters deep within his belly made him stop. He couldn’t afford to go further tonight.
“I’m serious,” she said, catching the back of his head and pulling it back so their foreheads touched. “You stood up to your dad once tonight. You know you can do it.”
“I’m tougher and meaner when I’m with you, remember?”
“Swell.”
He stood up. “I’m sorry to go.”
“If you knew how I felt right now, you’d be even sorrier.”
“Now that was just cruel.” He kissed her again and slipped away with only a promise in his eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Six
* * *
“WHAT IF WE did an Irish Christmas stew?” Rio asked absently, resting on a stool beside the bakery counter, chin in palm, looking at the row of cookies, cinnamon rolls, and pies freshly displayed in the case.
Apple, blueberry, and chocolate cream. A sense of warm accomplishment filled her. Bud hadn’t cared what besides apple pies she’d made, so she’d chosen what she wanted. And gotten praised! Now Bud was actually brainstorming menu ideas with her—new ideas for winter. He already liked the idea of a squash soup and a traditional Minnesota, meat-rich hot dish like she’d made for David her first night in his house. They’d been throwing ideas back and forth for half an hour.
“Or Swedish meatballs,” she said. “A hot dish with meatballs in it.”
“You ever made something like that?”
“No. But I have an idea. What if I try it out a few times the next couple of nights and see what happens? I’ll try the stew, too. We could have an employee tasting party next week after school starts.”
Bud laughed. “I’m sure up for that, and I’m sure Effie will love the ideas, too. She leaves the nursing home next week and can come down for an hour or so a day. I’ve been telling her about you, Rio. I don’t think she’ll want to lose you even when she does come back to work.”
His words both warmed and distressed her. Agreeing to stay on meant making decisions she’d put off since the fire. She’d assumed once Paul and Hector were found and the threat was gone, she’d be going back to Minneapolis. And after that . . .
She hadn’t let herself dwell on the death of her Wyoming dream. It hurt. The Dream had been her future. She’d be lucky to afford the present once she left David’s.
Maybe she didn’t want to leave David’s.
Not that she could stay forever. She and Bonnie were no small burden on his finances. Besides, she really did want her own place. Her own horses, her own garden, her own peace and quiet. It was all she’d ever wanted. If only her attraction to him wasn’t complicating everything.
“Rio?”
“Huh? Oh Bud, I’m sorry. I went daydreaming about ingredients.”
“It’s nearly quittin’ time for you. Have I ever thanked you for being an amazing jack-of-all-trades?” He smiled and headed back for the kitchen without waiting for her reply.
By the time she left The Loon Feather half an hour later, her bout of depression had passed, and she fairly buzzed with excitement. Her first payday was only three days away, and she still had enough left in her meager bank account to pick up what she needed for one of her recipe ideas. She pulled out her cell phone to see if David could reserve the kitchen for her tonight, only to find she’d missed a call from him. She dialed quickly.
“Rio!” He answered within seconds, breathless.
“Hi. You okay?”
“Where are you, love?”
“Walking to my car. Heading for the grocery store.” She frowned at the urgency underlying his normally calm, soothing accent.
“Could you come home instead?
“Of course. What’s wrong?”
“Bonnie’s had a fright. She got some messages from Mr. Black.”
Her stomach lurched. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“She’s all right, Rio. We’re here for her, but she’d like to talk to you.”
“I’m on my way.”
All the way back she fretted. She should have told Chief Hewett about the call from Paul, but she hadn’t. She hadn’t even told Bonnie. Part of her had wanted to protect her brother until he called back. Part of her wanted to keep Bonnie from worrying. But now, with dread in her heart, she knew she’d made the wrong decision.
When she arrived home, David, Jill, Kim, Kate, Stella, and David sat gathered around Bonnie like a wagon train in defense formation, but if she’d expected to find her sister sobbing, she’d been wrong. Bonnie chatted with Stella, who held her hand nodding and smiling. Jealousy flared and Rio knelt in front of them.
“What happened, Bons?”
“More stupid texts.”
“How many?
“Three right in a row. That’s what got to me. But I’m fine. He still doesn’t know where we are.”
Bonnie held out her phone. Rio turned it on and scrolled to the top of the list on the screen. All three messages were from Paul’s number. Jealousy disintegrated in the wake of fury. How dare Paul ask her to trust him when he wouldn’t do as she’d asked? She read the first text.
So you’ve heard from your brother. I’m disappointed Rio didn’t have sense to do as he asked. You have something that doesn’t belong to you, Bonnie. Text us.
“Text us?” Rio pressed her lips together to keep from swearing and scrolled to the next message.
I haven’t heard from you yet. This is dead serious now.
She pursed her lips even more tightly.
If you don’t stop listening to your sister, your brother will pay the price. And then so will you and Rio.
“That’s it!” Rio stood and furiously hit the reply button. She hadn’t made the wrong decision, Paul had. “I’m done screwing around with these two. I’ll tell him whose dead serious now, the bast—”
“Rio. Stop.”
David took the phone from her and turned it off. Rio seethed at the interruption. “I’m done waiting.”
“Calm
down and let’s finish this without playing into their hands. Just talk it out for a sec. What did he mean, you’ve heard from your brother? Bonnie didn’t know either.”
She pressed her thumb and forefinger into the corners of her eyes and forced a deep breath. “Two mornings ago Paul called. He claimed Hector is forcing him to cooperate. It turns out Bonnie has something Hector wants, but there’s no way she could have known it. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything, but Paul promised to call back. I gave him a chance to make this right.”
“What do I have? He can have it whatever it is!”
“That money clip.”
A gasp escaped Bonnie’s open mouth. “It’s Heco’s?”
“No. It’s Boyfriend’s.”
She paled.
“I’m completely lost,” said Kate.
David peered into her eyes and put a hand on each shoulder. Comfort flowed from his fingertips. Briefly, Rio told the story she’d gotten from Paul.
“I warned Paul he was on his own if either Bonnie or I got another threatening text. Well, I was wrong. He’s worn me down. Give me the phone and let me get the stupid money clip back so Hector will lay off.”
“Just wait,” David said. “I’ve called the police. Chief Hewett will be out here within the hour.”
“You what!” Rio glared at him. “You had no right to call on my behalf.”
“I made them call,” Bonnie said. “But why didn’t you tell me about this? If I’d known I wouldn’t have been so scared at first.”
“I didn’t want you to deal with it yet. And I didn’t want you to think it was okay to call Paul yourself. I forget you’re not a child in all this. I really am sorry. I made the wrong choice. Again.”
Bonnie slipped her arms around her and hugged her. “No, you didn’t.”
Rio’s tears slipped free for the first time.
Chief Hewett arrived half an hour later. A dark blue Ford pulled in behind his cruiser, normal-looking outside but with a barrier behind the front seat and a light mounted on the dash inside the driver’s door. The driver emerged, wearing a plain suit. A uniformed officer exited the passenger side.
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