“You know, for that kind of money, I could find you something you might like better. Something you wouldn’t have to renovate.”
He liked this woman. Not out to nab his millions, but to make sure her clients were happy.
“I appreciate the offer, but from the list of properties you gave me, this is the closest to ideal. I don’t have a problem with tearing out a few walls.”
Star offered her hand. “I wish all my clients were as easy to sell as you.”
“I think Garrett had his mind made up before we ever got here.” Natalie shook her head.
“Not a word,” he whispered as they followed Star on a tour of the five bedrooms and three baths.
“Location and size are perfect.” Nat lowered her voice for his ears only. “Fits right into your devious plan. This place is big enough to keep Jenna busy for months. I don’t know if I can keep this from her.”
“All I want is a chance to spend time with her. A chance to win her back.”
“If you hurt her again—” she jabbed a finger at him “—you’ll have to deal with me.”
“I plan on making her the happiest woman in the world.”
“That was some kiss in the video.”
Some kiss indeed. Garrett grinned. He could live on the memory of it—for a while. But the memory was wearing thin.
If Jenna would fall for his plan, maybe he’d have a chance at another kiss. Not stolen this time.
* * *
Everyone had left the Galleria store for the night and Jenna did a final walk-through to make sure nothing was out of place.
Life was good. She straightened a lamp. Mere days after her grand opening and she was already in the black. If business continued to boom, she’d have to expand her factory and hire more workers.
After grand-opening week, she planned to split her time between both stores. The cowboy decor no longer grated on her nerves since her elegant line was now just as popular.
Her only problem—she missed Garrett. She hadn’t heard a thing from him since she’d called to vent about Rick. And watching their video kiss over and over certainly didn’t help her forget him. Pathetic.
The phone rang. After closing, but she answered anyway.
“Worthwhile Designs at the Galleria.” A thrill shot through her even after getting to say that for a week.
“Could I speak to Jenna Wentworth?”
“Speaking. How may I help you?”
“This is Darrin Collins. I’m a general contractor. My client recently bought the Rolling J Ranch and wants to hire you to redecorate.”
The Rolling J? That huge, multimillion-dollar horse ranch in Aubrey with hundreds of acres, several houses and multiple barns?
If her career hadn’t already been made, this would do it. “Can we meet to discuss the project?”
“Of course. When would be convenient for you?”
She checked her schedule. “How about breakfast tomorrow at Moms on Main in Aubrey?”
“Nine?”
“Yes. I’ll bring a couple of my designers.”
“My client requested your services to personally oversee the project. Exclusively.”
“I’m not sure I can do that.” She checked her commitments. “Such a large project could take months.”
“My client is aware of that. I assure you, you’ll be well compensated. And my client plans on hosting gatherings when the ranch is finished. Gatherings of wealthy, influential people.”
“I see.” Was God opening another door? “We’ll discuss things over breakfast and see if we can come to an agreement.”
“I’ll see you then, Miss Wentworth.”
“Wait.” But the call ended. Who was his client?
* * *
Garrett paced the tiled floor he hated at the ranch. Now that all the walls had been taken out, construction had halted. Now completion of his project hinged on Jenna. Shouldn’t Darrin be back by now?
The doorbell sounded. He was tempted to answer it himself, but it could be some random delivery person and word would get out who’d bought the place. Not only could he lose this chance with Jenna, but also his privacy.
The housekeeper stepped into the great room. “Mr. Collins to see you, sir.”
“Thanks. Send him in.”
Darrin stepped in the room.
“Did she sign the contract?”
“Yes.”
“She agreed to exclusively oversee the project?” Garrett smiled.
“Yes. She was quite intent on learning who I’m working for.”
“And?”
“I told her the paperwork was buried in a huge corporation. So deep that I don’t even know who my client is.”
“Excellent work. When will she be here?”
“Next week. She requested time to wrap up current projects and assign tasks to her other decorators.”
“Excellent. I appreciate all your hard work. I’ll be happy to give you a recommendation after you finish here.”
“Thank you, Mr. Steele. I’ll check with you next week.” Darrin exited.
Garrett settled in the leather chair he’d bought. The only furniture in the house other than his bed. Jenna would be here next week. And she’d be livid when she saw him. Should he wait a few days before revealing himself?
That would only make her madder. And besides, he didn’t want to put off seeing her any longer.
* * *
Jenna stopped her car at the closed iron gate. The terra-cotta fencing with Austin stone pillars spanned as far as she could see on each side. “This place is amazing.”
“You better stay on the phone with me until you see if this person is a nut or something.” Caitlyn’s tone sounded leery.
“Hang on while I figure how to get inside.” She pushed the button beside the gate.
“Yes,” a woman answered.
“Jenna Wentworth. I’m an interior decorator. I’m supposed to meet...” Ridiculous—she didn’t even know whom she was meeting. “I’m supposed to meet with someone to discuss decor.”
“Yes, ma’am. We’re expecting you. Drive straight ahead up the hill to the main house with the Spanish-style clay roof.” The gates swung open.
“Thank you.”
“Jenna?” Caitlyn’s voice tugged at her.
“It’s fine.” Jenna pressed the phone to her ear again. “I’m driving in.”
“I’ve always wanted to get behind those gates. What’s it like?”
“So far, miles of fencing, lined by pines, with rolling hills on one side and a gigantic lake on the other.” She saw the house in the distance. “I’m approaching the house now. It’s white Austin stone like the fencing with a red-clay tiled roof. Definitely Spanish style.”
“Don’t you dare hang up.”
“Relax. I’ve got my pepper spray.” She neared the house. “And there are a dozen vehicles here. I doubt my client has plans to murder me with all these witnesses.”
“I can’t believe Natalie didn’t think this was weird. I should have sent Mitch with you.”
“I’m fine.” Jenna got out of her car and approached the house. “There’s a fountain with a decorative pool and courtyard. If the inside’s as impressive as the outside, I’m not sure why I’m here.” She rang the bell. “I just pushed the doorbell.”
“Pepper spray first. Ask questions later.”
The door swung open.
Garrett.
Her phone slipped from her hand and clattered on the tile.
Chapter 9
Garrett flashed a smile in hopes of charming her anger away. “You dropped something.” He stooped, picked up her phone and held it toward her.
But she stood there with her hand clasped over her mouth.
“You better answer. Sounds like the Texas Rangers are gonna be on me if you don’t.”
She jerked her phone out of his hand and shot him a glare. “I’m fine, Caitlyn. Garrett’s here. I’m assuming he’s here because he’s the top secret owner. On second thought, maybe you should send Mitch. If Nat knew about this, there’ll be two bodies in my wake. I need to go. I’ve got a murder to commit.” Jenna shoved the phone in her pocket, turned on her heel and marched jerky strides toward her car.
“Wait.” Garrett vaulted after her. “Let me explain.”
“Explain what?” She stopped and turned on him with fire in her eyes. “How you played me for a fool?”
“I wanted a place closer to my family. I fell in love with this ranch, but I hate the decor.”
“You could have bought anything you wanted.” Anger seethed in each word. “With all the enormous horse ranches in Aubrey, I’m sure you could have found something you liked as is. Or hired anyone else to decorate.”
“Yes, but this is the only place with enough acreage to provide complete privacy. I want to turn the office into a sound studio and open the arenas to offer roping and riding lessons. Maybe even bull-riding lessons. This place has everything I want.” He spun a circle. “But inside, everything’s white. An empty palette and you’re the best decorator I know.”
Curiosity danced in her eyes. Could she resist a peek inside the house?
“Come inside. Take a look and you’ll see how badly I need your help.”
“All right.” She sighed. “But I’m just looking.”
“It’s really quite something.” He pressed his hand to the small of her back to usher her inside. A jolt shot through him, the thrill of touching her.
“Wow.” She stopped in the entryway and surveyed the huge white stone fireplace in the living room.
“I love the layout and the spaciousness, but it needs warmth and color.” He captured her hand. “Let me show you what I’ve done so far.”
She didn’t pull away as he led her to the great room at the back of the house.
“There was a wall here.” He stopped at the tree-trunk-lined bar. “But I don’t want a bar, so the Realtor suggested I tear out the wall, which opened it to the kitchen, and use it as a breakfast bar.”
“I love the design. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a tree in a house.”
“Me either.” He grinned at the excitement in her eyes. “Think how much fun we could have in this place.”
She frowned.
“I mean decorating it. Making it the showplace it should be.”
“It’ll take months.”
“I’ve got time.”
“What about your next tour?”
“I decided to prolong my break.”
“Months of working with you.” She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“I promise not to be difficult.” He crossed his fingers behind his back.
“You know what I mean. I’m not sure spending so much time with you is a good idea.”
“Because?”
“Because my life is finally settling after the shock waves of the concert and the video.”
“No one knows I bought this place. My contractor and workers signed a contract not to reveal my identity.” And he held the trump card. “You signed a contract to decorate it.”
“You tricked me.” Her gaze narrowed.
“True.” He held his hands up in surrender. “But I knew you’d never come if you knew it was me. And I’m in desperate need of your help. I’m starting to dream in shades of white. Do you have any idea how boring that is?”
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, but she closed her eyes. “All right. I’ll do it. But only because I’ve never bailed on a project.” Her gaze met his again. “And I won’t start now.”
He calmly offered his hand. “It’ll be a pleasure to work with you. Again.”
Her hand clasped his and electricity flared straight to his heart.
* * *
After touring the main house, Jenna sat crisscross style in the middle of the great-room floor, facing the fireplace.
“You can sit in my chair.” Garrett sat on the floor across from her, leaning against the only chair in the house, hands resting on his jean-clad knees, barefoot. His hair loose.
“I’m fine.” She needed to turn her back on him so she could focus. “What about the fireplaces? Are you keeping them as is? Or replacing the stone?”
“It’s white, but I like the Austin stone. If we could keep it as is, but add some warmth and color with the walls and flooring. Maybe incorporate some Austin stone into a warmer-colored tile.”
“Good. I need to get some ideas for what you like.” She typed in natural stone floor tile in the search window of her laptop. “What color tile do you like?”
“I love the exterior of the house.”
“So maybe various terra-cotta tones mixed with white and beige?”
“Maybe. But mix it up. I don’t want boring.”
“What color furnishings are you planning?”
“Brown leather. Similar to this chair.”
“Okay. I recommend nothing too busy for the floor. Too much pattern might get on the nerves after a while.”
“But something that’s still interesting.”
“A diagonal herringbone with smaller beige and white accent pieces. Maybe a ruglike pattern in the entryway with a line of pattern at the entrance of each room.”
“I have no idea what herringbone is, but I’m certain it’s pure genius. I knew I needed you.”
Her gaze met his and her heart tripped. “Come look at this.”
Garrett scooted over beside her. His knee touched hers; his hair brushed her arm. Spicy, manly, yummy cologne threatened to turn her brain to mush. This job would drive her insane.
“Maybe something like this?”
“I like that.”
“Enough pattern to add interest, but not overwhelm.” She closed the laptop and stood.
“You’re leaving?” Garrett jumped up.
“I’ll be back tomorrow with tile samples.”
“Don’t we need to discuss the walls? The curtains?”
“Another day. We start with the floor.” She rushed out the door and bolted for her car.
As she roared down the drive, she punched in Natalie’s number.
“Natalie Gray, publicist.”
“You knew,” she growled.
“I know a lot of things. True. But what do you think I knew?”
“You knew Garrett bought the Rolling J.”
“Guilty.”
“And you didn’t tell me what I was stumbling into.”
“I couldn’t. I signed a contract as his publicist to uphold his privacy. Telling anyone he bought a ranch in Aubrey falls under that umbrella.”
“I’m your cousin. And you knew he was tricking me into decorating for him. And you knew I’d have never signed that contract if I’d known Garrett was the owner.”
“I didn’t force you to sign the contract when you didn’t know who the owner was.”
Jenna sighed. “You got me there. Stupid, stupid, stupid.”
“Listen, Jenna, I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I’m looking out for you.” Natalie’s tone was persuasive. “Decorating Garrett’s ranch will do wonders for your business. Movers and shakers will see your work and Garrett will be only too happy to toot your horn. And besides, you need to admit it—you’re still in love with him.”
“I am not.” But her words fell flat.
“Yes, you are.”
“But I can’t.”
“Rela
x. Decorate his house. Watch your career boom. Maybe working with Garrett will put things to rest with him. Once and for all.”
Or stir things up again.
Maybe this was a mistake, but she was a decorator with not one, but two successful stores, and Garrett Steele was her client. She’d keep this professional and she’d keep her heart safely buried in a pile of swatches.
* * *
Garrett could get used to this. He circled Jenna as she sat crisscross style in the middle of his great room again.
He should probably concentrate on the tiles laid out in front of her, but that was a tough one. Even if he wasn’t purposely procrastinating on every decision, all he could think about was Jenna.
Instead his gaze roamed over her slender jean-clad legs, her straight back and shoulders, the topaz-colored button-up blouse that turned her eyes the same color. If he ever found an excuse to buy her jewelry, that was what he’d get. Topaz. And diamonds.
“Hello? Do you like anything you see?”
His gaze caught hers. “Definitely.”
Pink splashed her cheeks.
“I need to get the tile ordered, so you need to make a decision.”
“I know.” He forced himself to focus on the tile. “But this is something I’ll have to live with for a long time. I want to make sure I like it.”
He circled several more times. “You know, I’m thinking I might like something a bit more neutral.”
“But I thought you wanted color?”
“I do. But not overwhelming.”
“Maybe more of a taupe shade.” She typed in something on her laptop.
“I have no idea what taupe is.”
She chuckled. “Here, take a look at this.”
My pleasure. Garrett settled beside her—his shoulder touching hers.
“This is taupe. It’s a grayish-tan color.”
“I like it. Maybe we should go with something like that.”
“All right.” She closed the laptop and stood. “I’ll bring samples tomorrow.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Didn’t we have this conversation already?”
Was she onto him? “Don’t you need to take the samples you brought back to the store?”
Rodeo Song Page 11