Sam sighed. “No, he doesn’t because we had a fight this morning, but Connor’s just an old high school friend, Norma. Nothing more.” Why did she feel the need to explain herself?
“So, this blast from your past shows up while you are dating a billionaire movie star and you don’t find that odd?” Norma’s eyes narrowed as she shot another look at Connor.
“No, why would I? It’s not like I get any money from Brent. Connor stated he saw me on TV and was passing by Soda Spurs, so he stopped in.”
“I still don’t like it.” Norma shook her head. “There’s just something about him I don’t like, but I’ll be nicer to him. For your sake.”
“Thank you.” Sam returned to Connor, but Norma’s words cycled through her head. Could Connor have a nefarious reason for seeking her out now?
Chapter 20
Brent had just finished paying for the large bouquet of flowers when his phone rang. He shifted the flowers to his left arm and dug the phone out of his pocket with his right. “Hello?”
“Brent, it’s Julia. I know you’re not acting right now, but I just got word that you’re in the running for an action hero award. The ceremony is next week. Do you think you can make it?”
He put the phone between his ear and shoulder so he could flash a wave at Rose before exiting the shop. “Uh, this really isn’t a good time right now, Julia.”
“It never is, Brent, and this isn’t really a request. If you ever finish that story and want it published, you need to stay visible or it will be much harder to get it published. This is a chance to come out for one night, be seen, and stay relevant. You do want it published, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then you need to do this. You know your previous books sold better when you became famous. You’re starting to disappear. If you don’t stay relevant, it will be much harder to publish. You know how it goes.”
Brent nodded though he knew she couldn’t see it over the phone. He did need to stay relevant. And this was a great opportunity since it would only be appearing at an award show and not giving up months of his life to be in a film. “Can you give me a day to think about it?” he asked Julia. “I need to discuss the offer with Sam.”
“Absolutely, but, Brent, it's a good offer. You really should think about taking it.”
“I will.” Brent ended the call and slipped the phone back in his pocket. He looked up and realized he was on the edge of town and near Fanny’s house.
“When are you going to ask that girl to marry you?” Fanny was in her usual afternoon spot - the rocking chair - with her latest knitting project on her lap, but from the short time he spent with her, Brent knew that she spent her mornings in the kitchen making breakfast, cleaning, and having devotional time. Her evenings were spent in the living room watching reruns of Matlock on TV, but her afternoons were reserved for knitting, the front porch, and the rocking chair.
“Fanny, it’s only been a little more than a month.” Brent didn’t tell her he had been scoping out rings. Online of course. Soda Spurs didn’t have a decent jewelry store.
“It only took me a week to know I wanted to marry Frank.” Fanny’s needles clacked in her weathered hands. Frank was her late husband. He had been dead for ten years, but Fanny still spoke about him as if he were still with her. At first Brent had wondered if Fanny was losing her faculties, but she’d told him it was like talking to Jesus.
“You’ve got flowers,” she continued when Brent didn’t answer. “Does that mean you messed up?”
Brent shook his head. “You are an astute woman, Fanny Murphy. Sam and I got in an argument this morning.”
“Bout money.” Her needles never missed a beat and Brent wondered if she knitted because she needed whatever item she was making or because it was her form of release and relaxation.
Brent chuckled. He shouldn’t be surprised Fanny would know all about it. She seemed to know about a lot of things for someone who didn’t venture far from her house often. “Yes, about money. How did you know that?”
“Cuz it’s always about money when couples fight. Or an ex, and since neither of you have one of those in the picture, I figured it must be about money.”
“Well, you’re right. I tried to give Sam money, and it didn’t go over well, so I’m hoping the flowers help when I apologize tonight.”
“You might try wearing a hat too.” A tiny grin pulled at the corners of her mouth.
Brent bit back a smile. He should never have told Fanny about his wish of having a hat the first day he was in town, but she’d weaseled it out of him one afternoon when they were having tea together.
“I don’t have one yet, but I’ll be sure to get one.” With a final wave goodbye, Brent continued to his rental house. Since Sam had probably gone to work after he left and kept the shop open until six, he figured he could use the time working on his story. It was almost done now that he’d returned to Soda Spurs and had his muse back.
As he opened the door to the small house, a sigh escaped his lips. The first thing he had done when he decided to move here was to scope out property and contract a builder, but it would still be another few months before the house he wanted was built.
Sam tapped the table as she thought about what to say to Brent. After lunch, she had returned to the shop and thought more about Connor’s offer. It seemed to be a good idea even though Norma didn’t like him. It wasn’t a long-term solution, it would buy her some time.
The knock announcing Brent’s arrival sounded on her door. Sam took a deep breath. She was glad he had agreed to still come over after their angry morning words, but now she needed strength.
When she opened the door, the first thing she saw was not Brent’s face, but a large bouquet of colorful flowers. Red roses, daisies, and yellow buttercups filled her vision.
“My apologies, my lady, for trying to fix your problem this morning.” Brent held the flowers out and bowed.
Sam chuckled as she took the flowers. “Come in, you silly man.”
“Happily.” He stepped over the threshold. With one arm, he closed the door behind him, and with the other, he caught Sam about the waist and pulled her to him. “I really am sorry. I had a long talk with Pastor Ron this morning and realized I was trying to fix your problem when all you wanted me to do was listen.”
“Thank you.” A feeling of renewed adoration swept over Sam. Would he ever cease to amaze her?
“You’re welcome.” Brent’s eyes stared into hers before closing as his face leaned closer. His lips touched hers, sending a tremor of excitement through her.
Sam returned the kiss with every ounce of her being. She had no idea what was going to happen after she told him her plans, so she wanted to enjoy this moment fully.
“Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting that,” Brent said when they parted. “Maybe we should quarrel more often if this is how we make up.”
“Funny.” Sam batted his arm as he released her. “I do have news though.” She paused and bit her lip as she tried to muster her courage. “Come into the kitchen so I can put these in water.”
“I have some news too.”
“Really? Do you want to go first?” Sam asked. Now that he was here, she wasn’t sure she wanted to tell him. What if he didn’t take it well? What if this ended their relationship?
She opened a cabinet and stood on her tiptoes to reach the vase on the top shelf, but her hand was just shy. Brent’s form filled the space behind her and he pulled the vase she was reaching for down. Sam tried not to breathe in his intoxicating woodsy scent. If she let herself get too swept up in his presence, she might not have the guts to go through with this, and she really did think it was the right move.
He handed the vase to her and held her eyes. “No, you go first.”
Sam nodded and turned the faucet on as she gathered her thoughts. When the vase was three quarters full, she shut off the water and placed the flowers in. “So, an old friend showed up in town today after you left this mornin
g.” She turned to face Brent. “We went to high school together, and he owns a dealership in Dallas now.”
“That’s nice.” Brent’s left brow rose as he spoke, belaying his confusion in her statement.
“It is,” Sam continued, “We got to talking, and he needs a mechanic.” Understanding dawned on Brent’s face, and his posture shifted. His arms folded across his chest as he leaned back. “It would just be for a few days, maybe a week.” Sam shot the remaining words out in a hurry. “I can earn enough to cover the shop for a few months.”
“And then what, Sam?” Brent asked. “The bill isn’t going away.”
Sam crossed her arms and leaned back against the counter, creating more space between them. “I know it isn’t a permanent solution, but it’s a solution for now. He’s even putting me up in a rental house of his, so I don’t have to cover rent while I’m there.”
“He? Who is this guy?” Brent asked cutting her off.
Sam cringed at the harsh tone in his voice. This was not going as she expected. “I told you. He’s a friend from high school.”
“So, let me get this straight.” Brent’s eyes narrowed. “This friend from high school you haven’t seen in what, a decade, shows up and offers you a job and a place to live in one of his houses and you think it’s a good idea? How did he even find you?”
Sam squeezed her arms a little tighter. “He saw me, I mean us, on TV and was attending a conference near here, so he thought he’d stop by and say hi. When I told him about the shop, he offered the job.” Why was Brent acting this way? While she hadn’t expected him to be super excited about the time apart, she had thought he would at least understand.
“So, this guy you haven’t seen in years walks in and you just tell him about your troubles? I had to practically pry it out of you. Then he offers you a job and you jump on it? I could offer you a job, Sam, and you wouldn’t have to go anywhere.”
Sam shook her head. Tears stung her throat but she refused to let them fall. “It’s not the same. He’s offering me a mechanic job. You’d be creating some job to give me money. This way I can earn it.”
“Why is it so important that you earn it?”
Sam’s eyes dropped to the floor. “I let Greg help me get the loan for my first shop. I think I didn’t see some of the signs of his cheating because I felt like I owed him. Maybe it’s stupid, but I didn’t think I could break up with him while money was still owed.”
“Sam, I am not Greg. I have no intentions of cheating on you.” Brent grabbed her hand and she could feel the sense of urgent honesty emanating from him.
“I know you don’t, but does anyone really mean to do it? I don’t want the issue of money between us and I don’t have any customers right now, Brent. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to get more - branch out into a new area or something, but I’ve come up short. I just need this to buy more time.”
“So, you’ve already decided?” Brent’s volume dropped to just above a whisper and the pain was evident in his voice as he said, “I thought we were in this together, Sam.”
“I don’t see another option, Brent, do you?” He stared at her with a pointed expression. “Other than you giving me money?”
His shoulders rose as if he were going to speak and then fell in defeat. “No, I guess not. I just hoped we would discuss something as large as this. It’s what I had planned to do.”
“What do you mean?” Sam asked.
“Nothing.” Brent sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “It doesn’t matter now.”
“Brent,” Sam began, “please tell me.”
He stared at her for a moment as if deciding if he wanted to share. “Julia called earlier. I was nominated for an award and they want me to attend the ceremony this next weekend. Julia suggests attending so that it keeps me relevant for when I finish the story, but I told her I needed to discuss it with you first.”
“Oh.” Sam’s heart fell to the floor. Here Brent was asking about taking a day - true it was a day in the spotlight which would affect her as well, but she had presented her week as if it were already decided instead of asking him. She felt selfish. “Are you going to do it?”
“Well, I was hoping you would come with me if I decided to go, but it appears you’ll be in Dallas.”
A silence fell between them.
“I’m sorry, Brent. I should have discussed it with you instead of just deciding. I guess I’ve been so used to being on my own that I didn’t think about it, but I really do feel it is a good move for now. Until I figure out what else to do. Will you forgive me?”
“I guess.” Brent smiled. It was small, but it told Sam he had forgiven her. “You would have hated this award show anyway. Fancy dress, getting all dolled up, etc.”
Sam covered the space between them and touched his arm. “I would have done it for you, and maybe I’ll finish early and be able to go with you anyway. You would still send a plane for me, right?”
“Of course.” Brent held her gaze. “I’ll always come for you.” Then he leaned down and kissed her, and Sam’s fears flew away.
Chapter 21
Brent performed a final inspection of his Armani suit before he stepped out of the limo. It wouldn’t do for him to show up in public for the first time in a month covered in lint. The driver opened the door, and Brent blinked against the flashing lights. This he didn’t really miss.
He unfolded himself from the backseat and stood with a smile on his face. Attending this award show was like any other acting role. He would flash his brightest grin to appear he was enjoying himself even though his heart was miles away with Sam.
“Mr. McKasson, when are you coming out of retirement?” A voice yelled to him as he walked up the red carpet toward the entrance of the theater.
“Will there be another Night Ranger?” Another called.
“Is it true you’ve gotten back together with Tricia Daniels?”
Though he had ignored the rest, that one gave him pause. He was almost to the door. He should just let it go, but he didn’t want it getting back to Sam.
“Actually, that one is true, isn’t it darling?”
His heart stopped as he heard Tricia’s voice. How had she gotten here? With a feeling of dread, he turned and she sidled up to him. Her low-cut dress left little to the imagination as it hugged her frame. To make matters worse, the dress had a slit up the thigh that reached almost to her hip. Sam would never wear something so revealing and he forced his face to remain impassive.
“What are you doing here?” he hissed out of the corner of his mouth.
“Smile.” She batted her fake lashes at him. “You wouldn’t want to put out a bad image, now would you?”
Anger seethed inside Brent. Tricia knew the delicate game too well. She knew he couldn’t react now or the rag magazines would splash his face all over the headlines and claim he had some anger issue or pathological lying problem. His image would be ruined. “I don’t know what your game is, but we are not getting back together.”
In response to his cold whisper, Tricia placed a hand on his arm, threw back her head, and laughed. “You’re so silly.” Her voice was loud and carried to the photographers. Bulbs flashed around them.
He clenched his jaw and plastered a fake smile on his face. With her arm linked through his, Brent led the way into the theater. As soon as the doors closed behind them, he removed her arm and turned daggers on her. “What do you think you are doing? How did you even get here?”
Tricia smiled up at him and batted her lashes again. “I guess whoever is in charge of this event still thought we were together because an invitation arrived at my house. Don’t you see, Brent? It means we belong together.”
“It means someone made a mistake, Tricia. That is all.”
She shrugged. “Whatever. It worked in my favor. Now all the tabloids believe we are back together and as soon as your little girlfriend” - she scrunched her nose in disgust - “sees this, you’ll come running back to me.”
“T
hat’s where you’re wrong, Tricia. Sam watches little TV and she would never watch this.”
A haughty chuckle escaped Tricia’s blood red lips. “Maybe not on her own, but I’ve paid good money to make sure she watches tonight.”
Brent narrowed his eyes at her trying to make sense of her words. “What did you do?”
“Just made sure you realize we belong together.”
“The only thing you’ve made me realize is that I should have taken a restraining order out against you long ago. Something I plan to remedy as soon as this night is over.” He took a deep breath to calm the fire raging through his body. His hands curled into fists at his side, and for the first time he saw a flicker of realization spark in Tricia’s eyes. “Now, get out of my sight and don’t come near me the rest of the night.”
Tricia opened her mouth to protest, but thought better of it. “You’ll change your mind,” she called as she wandered into the auditorium.
After another few deep breaths, Brent uncurled his fists. He needed to contact Sam. She was still working with Connor in Dallas, so the only way Trish could have guaranteed Sam was watching the show was if she had somehow gotten to Connor.
He extricated his cell from his pocket and punched in her number, but the phone went to voicemail. “Sam? It’s Brent. I don’t know exactly what Trish did, but whatever you see tonight is not the whole story. Call me as soon as you can.”
His heart sank as he hung up the phone. Was it too late? Had she already seen? Surely Sam would know it was a setup, wouldn’t she? But she was still recovering from a lack of trust from her last relationship, and he knew that was the one area she was still unsure about.
With a sigh, he tucked the phone back in his pocket and headed into the auditorium. There was nothing more he could do now but paste a smile on his face and pretend everything was okay.
A knock at the office door where Sam was working grabbed her attention. Connor stood in the doorway. “Hey, you want to get some dinner?”
A Brush with a Billionaire Page 13