by Robin Deeter
She giggled and did the same to him. “You’re right. That does feel nice.”
Opening his eyes, he gave her a grin and ran a hand through her messy, blonde locks. “God, you’re beautiful. It’s no wonder I want you all the time.”
Smiling seductively as she brushed her fingertips over the small of his back, she said, “We still have a little time before you have to leave.”
“Then let’s put it to good use.”
*****
Leaving Carly before dawn every morning was getting harder for Ray. His growing attachment to her surprised and pleased him. Although his desire for her constantly burned inside him, he enjoyed going out to dinner with her and visiting her at home, too.
He’d never had the opportunity to do those things with a woman before and he savored the experience. Properly courting Carly gave him insight into her as a person and the more he got to know her, the more he liked her.
Watching her in action as a mayor had proven to be highly arousing. Her tough, no-nonsense way of dealing with difficult people excited him. But she was also tender and caring with children and those less fortunate than her.
Her excellent accounting skills and ability to do complex math in her head amazed Ray, as did her astounding memory. One evening, he’d escorted her to a party and had witnessed first-hand how crafty and formidable she could be. The deft way she’d manipulated two of her council members had filled him with pride. All of this was foreign to Ray. He’d never gotten to know his clients on a personal level before and being with Carly was an education about what a normal relationship entailed, one which he was thoroughly enjoying.
Ray climbed down the trellis outside Carly’s balcony and dropped agilely to the ground. He smiled up at her and gave her a jaunty wave before jogging away from the estate to where he’d tied his horse. As he rode towards his new home, Sundance Ranch, he thought about what Sandy had said about him being in love with Carly. With a laugh, he thought that the gorgeous mayor just might have captured his wild heart after all.
*****
Carly attempted to comprehend the design for a new park on the east end of Chance City, but she couldn’t concentrate. Normally, she would’ve easily deciphered the plans, but she had other things on her mind. Giving up on the plans, she got up from her desk and walked to one of her office windows.
Looking outside, she saw a young mother walking along pushing a pram ahead of her. A boy of perhaps four walked beside the stroller. Longing for a child gripped Carly, and she put a hand over her flat stomach. How she yearned to be a mother! It was wrong, but she hoped with all her heart that Ray’s seed had taken hold in her womb.
Ray. The man she’d hated for a time, that hate fueled by a desire that had scared her. Fear wasn’t an emotion that Carly allowed herself to feel very often, so when Ray had intimidated her at Brock and Daphne’s wedding, it had angered her. His challenge to her about being untouchable had sparked the need to prove him wrong.
Although she had, she wasn’t proud of it given that her spiteful actions could’ve had a negative effect on an innocent person’s life. Ray had opened her eyes to what soiled doves and male prostitutes went through in order to make a living. When he’d told her the amount of Izzy’s tuition, Carly had agreed that a ranching job or other manual labor position wouldn’t have paid enough to cover the cost of her medical schooling.
Carly’s thoughts were interrupted by her father’s appearance. Loren smiled at her as he came into her office and shut the door. She watched him stride towards her, loathing for her sire filling her breast. He was the reason her sister was dead. His blackmail scheme against McDermott had cost Catherine her life and Carly felt physically sick from the anger that the sight of Loren caused.
“What do you want?” she asked coldly.
He sobered at her sharp tone. “I want to talk to you about Ray.”
“Ray is none of your concern. Nothing about me is your concern.”
Splotches of pink appeared on Loren’s face as his temper rose. “Last I checked, I was still your father, so you are my concern.”
Carly threw him a scathing look and sat down at her desk. “I don’t have time for this. I have a full day ahead of me.”
Loren sat in a chair. “He’s going to make a fool out of you, Caroline. He’s not the sort of man who can stick with one woman.”
She arched an eyebrow at him. “I hardly think you’re the person to judge Ray for his past indiscretions. After all, yours got my sister killed, or had you forgotten.”
His jaw clenched several times and his eyes glittered with anger. “No, I haven’t forgotten. You won’t let me.”
Leaning forward, Carly put her elbows on her desk. “And I never will. I’ll keep reminding you every day of the rest of your pathetic life.”
Loren controlled his ire with great difficulty. “I’ve made some huge mistakes, Carly. I fully admit that, but I’m trying to keep you from making some disastrous ones. Ray is one of them. I know him from the Chowhound and he’s always running around with loose women.”
Carly asked, “And since he’s been courting me, how many loose women have you seen him with?”
Loren pursed his lips. “None, but it’s only a matter of time before he goes back to it.”
“So you’re saying that I won’t be enough for him?”
“Honey, men like him don’t change their habits overnight. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Carly said, “My relationship with Ray is none of your business.”
“Are things serious with him? Please tell me they aren’t,” Loren said.
She gave him a saccharin smile and cocked her head at him. “And what if they were?”
Loren’s nostrils flared and his breathing quickened. “He hasn’t asked to court you let alone marry you. He’d better come see me before he proposes. I won’t stand for you marrying him.”
Carly’s eyes spat blue fire at him. “You have no say in it! Grandfather left me firmly holding the purse strings, so there’s nothing you can do to prevent me from marrying whomever I want. He hasn’t come to you because you’re just a pathetic excuse for a man, who screwed around on his wife and caused his daughter’s murder! Why in the hell would Ray come to you for permission about anything?”
Loren’s hands fisted on his chair arms, rage stamped on his once-handsome face. “You little bitch! I won’t stand for him living at our estate! He’s not good enough to lick my shoes let alone marry into this family.”
Carly barely suppressed a snarl. “Then move out, because I have the suspicion that there are wedding bells in my near future, Father dear!”
Loren recoiled as though she’d whipped him. “Leave home? Never!”
“Then you’d better get used to the idea of Ray living under the same roof, because if he asks for my hand, I’ll accept his proposal,” she said.
Eyes wide, Loren froze. “Good God. Don’t tell me that you’ve fallen in love with that rake!”
Carly said, “That’s exactly what I’m telling you! Ray is good to me, sweet, kind, and incredibly handsome. He has many good qualities of which few people are aware. Now, I’m done discussing this with you. I have too much work to do. Get out!”
Loren fumed and remained seated.
Carly calmly picked up the handset on her telephone and waited until Janice picked up her extension. “Janice, will you please send Hector in? Thank you.”
The dark red shade Loren’s face turned pleased Carly no end. She knew how much Loren hated her personal bodyguard, Hector Ruiz, and knowing that he wouldn’t hesitate to toss Loren out on his ear gave Carly great satisfaction.
The handsome Mexican man entered her office, his dark gaze questioning. “How can I help you, Miss Branson?”
Carly said, “Please escort my father out. He doesn’t know when he’s worn out his welcome.”
Loren made an angry noise and quickly stood up. “You’re going to be sorry if you pursue this folly with Stratton. Mark my words: this won’t
end well.”
Hector said, “Mr. Branson, don’t make me hurt you.” His tone said that he’d actually enjoy hurting Loren very much.
Loren walked well out around Hector. “Don’t put your filthy hands on me.”
He strode from her office, anger in every movement. Carly breathed a sigh of relief that he was gone.
“You ok, boss?” Hector asked, coming to stand in front of her desk.
Carly smiled tightly. “Yes. I just hate him and I wish there was a way to get him out of my life.”
Hector said, “I know someone who could help out with that.”
Looking at Hector, who always projected an air of danger, she could believe that he would be acquainted with people who were capable of making people disappear. Hector might be wearing a suit and be nicely groomed, but there was still an uncivilized undercurrent to the man. Carly knew that Hector wasn’t a man to be trifled with.
“I appreciate the offer, but that won’t be necessary.”
Hector shrugged. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
Carly didn’t know what to say except, “Thank you.”
With a nod, Hector turned and left her office, closing the door after him.
Chapter Eleven
No sooner had Nora come in the door of Wheels’ house than Ollie was on her, jumping onto her shoulder from a kitchen chair.
“What’s gotten into you?” she asked, laughing.
Ollie made his bird-like noises and kissed her before leaping up on top of the cupboards and then across to the icebox. Wheels came into the kitchen, looking as excited as Ollie. His dark eyes shone with happiness and his broad grin made her pulse speed up.
“Hello, sugar. Did you have a good day?”
When she went to kiss him, he wound an arm around her waist and pulled her down onto his lap so he could kiss her soundly.
Nora was breathless by the time he released her. “You’re both full of yourselves.”
“Yeah. We can’t help it. I can’t believe it’s finally here. My release day!”
Nora hugged him and laughed as he performed a fast spin. “I’m so happy!” she said. “And now we can go to Benny’s and celebrate.”
Wheels stopped moving and embraced her. “I couldn’t have gotten through this without you. Thank you so much for helping to keep me sane.”
Nora ran her fingers through the hair at his temple. “You got a haircut today and you’re wearing a nice outfit. You look very handsome. What’s the occasion?”
Wheels said, “This is the first time I’ve been able to take out the woman I love, so I wanted to look presentable.”
She ran a hand down the gray paisley vest he wore over a white dress shirt. “Well, you certainly look presentable, man that I love.”
Their lips met and Nora closed her eyes, letting herself get caught up in the powerful attraction that flowed between them. Ollie scrambled up onto Nora’s lap and sat making chirruping noises at them. They laughed against each other’s mouths and broke apart. Ollie flipped over, coaxing them to pet his belly.
Nora grabbed him and wrestled with him for a few moments, making Wheels laugh. Ollie went berserk, leaping over onto the table and then up to the cabinets while he grunted and squealed.
“Now you did it,” he said. “You get to babysit him at Benny’s since you got him even more wound up.”
Nora kissed him briefly and got up. “I don’t mind.”
It amazed Wheels how much Nora loved Ollie. She played with him, cuddled him, and spoiled him as much as he did. Wheels got a kick out of the way she liked to tuck Ollie into his little bed at night and the way she constantly talked to Ollie. She’d even taught Ollie to do flips on command, clapping for joy whenever the monkey did them successfully and praising him for trying.
Ollie loved her back wholeheartedly, kissing and hugging her, and watching her whenever she was around. He liked to tease her by stealing things from her and then running away, setting off a game of tag.
Nora said, “I’m ready, Mr. Ellis.”
“What you are, is beautiful,” Wheels said.
She curtsied to him, fanning out the skirt of her deep blue dress. “Thank you, kind sir.”
“You’re welcome.” He put his coat on and clapped his hands together once. “Ready to go dance?”
“Yes, I am. Move out, Corporal!”
He saluted her. “Yes, ma’am!”
*****
Wheels’ return to society was met with great fanfare when he and Nora arrived at Benny’s. Nora loved watching Wheels surrounded by his friends, being greeted warmly and teased. Some of them had visited him during his confinement, but she knew that being at one of his favorite haunts again meant the world to him. Her gregarious beau was in his element as he traded good natured jibes and insults with people he hadn’t seen in a month.
Benny said, “Your money’s no good here, Wheels. You and Nora drink for free.”
Wheels shook his hand. “Thanks, Benny. Much appreciated.”
Suddenly he was pulled backward and spun around until he faced the piano. Looking behind him, he saw Cotton Lone Wolf smiling at him.
“Humor an old man and play a song. We’ve missed hearing you. Ollie has it all ready for you.”
During all of the celebrating, Wheels had lost track of the monkey, who now sat on top of the piano. He’d opened the lid to the keyboard and jumped up and down as Wheels rolled over to the instrument. Lovingly, he ran his fingers over the keys, saying hello to his old friend.
Aaron and Brock took up their instruments, ready to play whatever their buddy chose as his first song. Wheels struck up a lively tune, playing with flair and joy, which was felt by Benny’s patrons. Soon the dance floor was crowded with couples who spun and swayed to the beat.
At the beginning of the second song, Wheels heard a sound that made him grin. Glancing over his left shoulder, he spotted his little sister, Maggie, playing spoons. He didn’t know when she’d come in, but he was glad to see her. She grinned back at him and winked as she played, keeping up a rhythm that matched his playing perfectly.
Nora didn’t lack for dancing partners, being asked by a different man as soon as each song began. Wheels watched her off and on, smiling as she laughed with whomever she was dancing with at the time. After a few songs, he made Maggie take his place at the piano so he could go dance with Nora.
“C’mon, sugar. My turn,” he told her.
Nora eagerly sat on his lap. “I would be delighted.”
Wheels tipped back his chair a little and spun while Nora laughed and hung on tightly. All of the members of the Ellis and Guthrie families watched the couple, glad to see them so happy. When the song was over, Cotton’s nephew, Daniel, tried to dance with Nora, but Wheels started a game of keep away, backing away with Nora still on his lap.
Everyone laughed as Wheels performed both evasive and offensive moves that were impressive given that he held Nora on his lap as he did so. He put on a good show for several minutes before going back to playing piano. Nora got them both a couple of drinks and went to sit by the piano.
*****
“I can’t do this,” Carly said, turning around.
Ray took her by the shoulders and made her face Benny’s again. “Yes, you can. We’re just going dancing. You’re a great dancer.”
Carly groaned and almost stamped her foot. “Not this sort of dancing, Ray. I don’t know many of these people.”
Ray said, “I feel the same way whenever I go to one of those boring parties of yours, but you don’t hear me whine about it. You gotta get to know my friends, too. I’ve gotten to know some of yours and they’re not bad. You’ll find the same thing with mine.”
Closing her eyes for a moment, Carly called on her considerable inner strength and quelled her butterflies. Reopening them, she said, “You’re right. It’s only fair. Besides, it’s bound to be much more fun than the usual functions I attend.”
“Thatta girl. Let’s go have a good time, Mayor Branson.”
>
Ray offered her his arm and she took it, smiling up at him as they went inside.
When Benny saw Carly, he almost dropped a bottle of whiskey in shock. The mayor wasn’t known to frequent saloons and she’d never set foot in his establishment before. He gave Ray a wide-eyed stare, silently telling Ray that he was crazy for bringing Carly in there.
“Benny, I think you know this lovely lady here,” Ray said, grinning.
Benny nodded. “I certainly do. Mayor Branson, it’s good to see you, ma’am.”
Carly gave him a practiced conspiratorial smile. “I’m not the mayor tonight. I’m here to kick up my heels a little, so just call me Carly.”
Ray and Benny exchanged surprised looks.
Recovering, Benny said, “Well, you came to the right place. What can I get you to drink?”
“Whiskey,” Carly answered promptly, enjoying Ray’s unbelieving expression.
Benny gave her a shot, which she downed quickly. She handed her glass back to Benny, requesting a refill.
Ray got a beer and steered her away from the bar. “You might want to take it a little easy.”
She shot him an annoyed glace. “Don’t worry. I won’t get fall down drunk. I’m just loosening up a little. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Well, yeah, but—”
“But nothing. Show me how to do that dance,” she demanded, motioning towards the dance floor.
Ray grinned. “All right. You asked for a good time. I’m gonna show you one.”
He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Carly put her fear of embarrassment aside and concentrated on the steps Ray showed her, determined to master the dance. It didn’t take her long and soon she was enjoying herself, even when she made a misstep. She laughed with Ray and started talking to the other dancers.
Cotton cut in on their dance, which set off a chain of men who wanted to dance with Carly. Much to his consternation, Ray lost his dance partner for several songs. However, he also enjoyed watching Carly have a good time. He loved hearing her laugh and seeing her smile: two things she didn’t do enough.