Catherine had been studying accounting at college when her adopted sister started dating her biological brother. Only when she’d come home to visit had her biological family found her again after twenty years of being separated. In her state of shock she hadn't noticed Tess and Mitch having any issues. “I vaguely remember.”
Tess said, “So if you want to leave town, take one of the family jets. Go shopping in Paris. Do anything to get your mind off Maverick.”
Walking along the Seine or shopping were just outward activities that didn’t cure her heart. Nothing would. She'd given it to Maverick and she’d never get it back entirely. She walked her sister toward the door. “A change of address won’t make me forget him.”
Her sister opened the door to let herself out. “Fair enough. Listen, you don’t have to go to Peter’s second wedding to Belle if it is too much.”
“I disappeared over the blackmail that was paid anyhow.”
“Rafe ensured you’ll never be contacted or hurt by that man again. You have nothing to worry about.”
And once again no one really saw who she was or what she wanted. She let out a small cry internally. “We still paid him.”
“I know. You don’t have to go if you’re mad at the family.”
A wedding would be hard--celebrating the sacred union of two people in love. She wished she had a different life. She hugged the door and said, “I won’t let my family down, ever again. Scandals are the thing of the past for me. Thank you so much for coming--you really helped. Good night.”
“You do seem more sure of yourself, Catherine.” Tess headed toward the elevator and Jess closed the door behind her.
Until recently, she hadn't thought about being a bride, but now she imagined saying ‘yes’ to Maverick and what that might be like. Her entire body wanted to curl into itself in retreat like a turtle into its shell.
She’d never be a bride. She’d never see Maverick or Carter again. She’d lied and ruined everything.
Maverick checked to see that his son was under enough shade provided by the pop-up canopy, and that he had a bottle ready to go for when he woke up from his nap.
Some fresh air was hopefully good for his baby. In the afternoon he had interviews with nannies, caregivers, part-time, forty hours a week, or possibly live-in for a few women well past their prime.
In a few minutes he needed to be on the phone with his staff to explain his shipping strategy without David and Callie.
Luckily Carter was already passed out so he opened his laptop and took a seat on the picnic table he generally used as his office when touring the lands. The board was going to have to sign a short term contract for higher shipping, upping their costs until he found a solid alternative.
The harvester was being moved into place so he put his computer down on the table and stood next to the baby as the engine roared on.
His son didn’t even blink as he continued to sleep.
Hopefully Carter would never lose the ability to sleep through anything.
The crew worked the harvester and Bob walked toward him, a job well done.
Maverick went back to the picnic table and picked up his computer.
Bob took his work gloves off as he nodded at him. “Maverick, you look horrible.”
His boy had been up half the night crying, with no Jess to soothe him.
So had he but he wouldn't say that out loud.
Jess wasn’t even real. She was one of the richest single women on the planet.
There was no way a woman like Catherine might ever be happy on a farm. Not really.
He knew better. So, he focused on finding a solution.
It started with finding out how many investors were leaving if Colt got the deal, and how much he would have to get out of savings to cover the loss. He ignored Bob's comment and said, “The banks open at nine. I need to set up meetings and come up with a contingency plan.”
“I don’t envy you, boss.” Bob took off his hat. It was an accepted fact that Bob was a great foreman. When it came to dealing with banks and growth of the business side of things, Bob preferred to get his hands in the dirt and stay out of anything related to paperwork.
Maverick had grown up understanding both sides of the business had to thrive to keep Appleton’s competitive. He needed to understand how to plow the sandy soil of Florida and deal with pencil pushers. “I’ll handle it, Bob. You need to be focused on my avocados and oranges now that the harvester is fixed.”
“I’m on it.” Bob put his hands in his pockets. “What happened with you and Jess?”
Jess. The dream that didn’t actually exist. He let out a small sigh of frustration and looked at Carter, who was still sleeping the morning away. “She went back to Miami. I’m sure you saw the news report that she was safely home.”
Bob also glanced at Carter as he said, “I’m disappointed that you let her go. She was good for both the Appleton men.”
Yet she wasn’t part of his world and never would be. He shrugged as he said, “She’s a Morgan. She was spying on me.”
The words out of his mouth felt like a betrayal but he kept his head on straight.
Bob flinched. “You don’t know that.”
How could his foreman be so sure? He'd given him great advice on Alicia that Maverick hadn't listened to--maybe there was another side to the problem that he didn't know but he owed Bob a listen. “How did Colt get involved in my peaches deal if not from her?”
Bob kicked the dirt and bobbed his head. “I don’t know, but that girl seemed way too into you to ever betray you. I could see that she cared.”
Her words of love echoed in his ear like he'd heard a ghost. Impossible. He pointed toward the harvester and showed Bob his watch as he said, “It’s nine now. You take care of things in the field. I have to call the bank.”
Bob saluted him and walked off.
Maverick checked on Carter who was still asleep. He dialed his local branch who handled all the paperwork. He was transferred to the business department in under three minutes. He finally spoke to Miss Marian, with her gravelly voice, who he always imagined was well in her sixties though they'd never met in person. “This is Maverick Appleton. I’m calling about the Peaches project.”
Marian said in her no-nonsense tone, “Yes sir, everything is confirmed on our end.”
He winced. Had he misunderstood? He'd expected a disaster and had prepared to handle unhappy investors after he'd worked for months to buy that farm. Maverick massaged the back of his neck and said, “But I received a message an hour ago to call?”
“Interesting," she said, though her tone didn't change. "I’ll find out for you. One moment, sir.”
While he didn’t want bad news, perhaps Marian hadn’t checked her email or something yet. Maverick watched the harvester as it went further down the track. His farmhands checked on the oranges and avocadoes. This wasn’t the place for a socialite who could fund small countries with her bank account. Farms required people to dig their fingers into the dirt from time to time. Jess was better off as Catherine. Marian’s voice broke his reverie and he blinked as Marian said, “Okay, I’m back. I was just informed that you’re fully covered in your deal and that David and Callie signed this morning for the shipping costs agreed upon.”
Wait. They'd signed? He knew in his gut that somehow Jess was involved. How? He didn’t know, but she’d said ‘Morgans don’t fight with Morgans’ at least publicly. Maverick wasn’t a Morgan, so that family rule of hers didn’t count. His face heated as he argued, “But I thought David was backing out?”
Marian, in her ever-efficient business voice, said, “We were informed all your crops are ready to go and processing for shipment now.”
Last night he’d discovered that half of the stock owners wanted a deal with the Morgans because it would increase their own stock portfolio. He’d just wanted to keep his farms profitable and bring the best fruits and vegetables to market. Jess had to have done this but all he said to Marian was, “I see. T
hank you.”
“Maverick, we’re just waiting for your signature now,” she said. “I emailed you the forms just now in case you lost them in the pile.”
“Signing now on my computer.” He opened everything and saw her email. He clicked the PDF and his electronic signature without a word. Once he read over the contract which was exactly what he’d asked for initially, he signed and sent it back. He emailed it back immediately, completing the new deal that almost wasn’t. Perhaps asking the banker to confirm a rumor was in bad form, but he ran his hand on the back of his skull as he paced. “What happened to Colt Collins?”
Marian explained fast, “It seems his interest in the land was cursory. You're finalized now.”
“I see. Thank you.” He stopped walking.
The harvester was almost done with its row and the crew was taking it around to get the next row.
Life continued on the farm, but his adrenaline raced. Jess’s face kept showing up in his mind.
Somehow she must have done this.
But why? He’d told her to get out.
And she’d been the spy, right?
He replayed her protests of innocence, her tears. Her apology for not telling him sooner that she was Catherine. If she wasn’t a spy, then he was a fool.
He ended the call and went through his contacts, stopping at the number he’d given Jess.
She'd probably tossed the phone in the trash. Her own phone was in the top drawer of his desk, still turned off like she’d forgotten it.
Maverick scrolled up to the name of his competitor, in his business list. There was one way to find out the truth. On a whim, he decided to call Colt Collins.
He took his seat on the picnic table and dialed, waiting for someone to answer. On the second ring, a man said, “Hello?”
Right. The entire call might not lead to answers, but Colt was the source. So he took his hat off and asked, “Colt Collins?”
“This is Colt,” Collins said, confirming his identity. “Who's calling?”
So he answered the phone number on his business cards. He’d not seen Colt in years, so he stilled. His face was hot but he said, “I’m Maverick Appleton. We’ve never talked but we’ve competed for contracts, most recently for David and Callie Fleur’s shipping lines."
“I guessed it was you. I read my screen as I have your number too,” Colt admitted and exhaled before he said, “Good to finally talk. One day we should meet in person.”
True. Despite almost losing that deal a few months back, he’d never had a one-on-one conversation with another person who might actually understand details about producing the world’s harvest and selling in global markets.
However, he hadn’t called to chit chat. He planted his feet on the wooden bench under him and asked, “Why did you back out of the shipping for peaches contract?”
Colt said, “My bankers told me it wasn’t in the Morgan best interest and suggested alternate shipping options for peaches.”
Jess. He’d been right. This was all her doing. But he asked to be sure, “Your banker? As in the Morgans?”
“I am married to one of them, which has helped me grow my business to a global level.”
He thought back--Colt Collins had only recently become a real player a few years ago though his business was clearly booming. Maverick said, “And one of my biggest competitors.”
Colt then took a deep breath and sounded like he walked into an office or a house as he said, “Your name is one of the oldest, most well-respected names in global farming, Maverick. If you ever want to sit down and strike a deal where we work together, I’m game.”
And he’d lose the Appleton brand in a blink. Maverick stared at his son, determined to provide a legacy like his parents had for him. “I don’t have Morgan banks in my back pocket.”
Colt said, “My bankers all believe your brand is formidable and I was informed partnering with you would be in both our best interests.”
Jess had once said Morgans never fight publicly with Morgans, but he was never going to be related to her family. While Maverick didn’t have his left, his father and father before him had slowly built an international base and throughout the world his family was known for paying farmers the world price for produce, ensuring the produce had high quality, and went organic before it was a trend.
With better backers, he could go much farther than his parents or grandparents ever had. Talking with Colt to find out more could benefit Carter and that meant a lot.
Besides, Jess was in Miami, and he needed to see her and apologize.
Last night all he'd thought about was her.
Now he realized he'd been wrong. If she was spying, why would she reverse course if she’d been caught?
Her words of love echoed in his heart. He swallowed, as it wasn’t Colt he needed to talk to but Jess. “I’ll be in Miami tomorrow. I’m willing to meet for lunch to discuss proposals.”
“Excellent," Colt said with surprise. "I’ll see you then.”
After a polite goodbye he hung up.
The harvester began to come back toward them down the field of oranges. The air smelled of the fresh fruit.
Carter stirred and Maverick brought him a bottle.
A few minutes later his boy slept peacefully again, thanks to Jess figuring out what was wrong.
If Jess wasn’t Catherine…
No, that was wrong. What her last name or first name was didn’t matter. He just wanted to know if it was possible that she wanted to come back home, to him. He took his phone and scrolled to the number he'd given to Jess.
If she had the phone on, they could at a minimum make a time for him to return her actual fancy cell phone he noticed in his office desk this morning.
But that was just an excuse. He massaged his skull and dialed. The phone rang twice. She probably had it off, but before it went to voice mail, he heard her sweet voice as she said, “Hello?”
His entire body grew lighter just from the sound. He wished she was here, beside him, so he could kiss her again. Heat rose in his face as he said, “Jess…”
“Maverick. I didn’t think I’d ever hear from you again.”
Stupid of him yesterday to not realize how hard he’d fallen for her already. He never intended to fall in love, not after Alicia, but Jess was a dream. He loved her and just wished she was here, again. “Did you talk to your family about my peaches deal?”
“Yeah," she said. "I don’t want you or Carter to ever be hurt. I love you both too much to be a part of anything that might be bad for you or the farm.”
Again, she'd said she loved him. Adrenaline rushed in his veins, urging him to act before he lost his chance, but he needed to see her in person.
Catherine Morgan had every right to shoot him down but he would be as brave as she had been to apologize in person.
He’d beg for a second chance if it meant his heart would be complete. He scratched his chin. “I believe you. I shouldn’t have kicked you out.”
She let out a small sigh. “It’s okay, Maverick. I never should have barged into your life.”
Her voice made his heart ache. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
She sounded like she was moving around. He imagined her dressed in all white silk like the angel she was and her blonde hair cascading down her back. “Packing my bags and getting ready to go to my brother’s wedding in Grand Bohemia.”
Maybe he’d lose his chance to apologize. His heart raced unsure how fast he could get to her. “When does your flight leave?”
“Tomorrow evening.”
He had to see Jess to apologize and figure out his best way to win her back. “I’ll be in town… for business. Can we go and get a coffee first thing in the morning, and talk in person? And I can return your phone.”
Her voice grew higher as she asked, “My phone? You want to see me?”
I love you too didn’t sound the same on the phone. He needed to beg her apology for what he’d done. He paced as he said, “Yeah. I… need to see y
ou in person.”
She then asked, “What about Carter?”
He was interviewing possible nannies today and maybe he'd fine one in time. “I was going to find someone to watch him.”
“Bring him," she said. "I miss him too.”
Maybe Carter was a way to get her to lower her guard. He wasn’t sure and hadn’t intended to bring his son, but he would since she'd asked. He walked toward his sleeping son to ensure the harvester noise didn’t bother him as it came nearer the canopy. “If you want.”
“I want,” she said fast, but the blades of the harvester shrieked near them. The hands turned the heavy machine to head down the next row of peaches and the noise was intense. He couldn’t say a word until it had started going the opposite direction.
Jess said, “I look forward to tomorrow.”
And then the line went dead. He'd hoped to say more, but Carter’s cry demanded his attention.
Tomorrow he’d see Jess again. Tomorrow was too far away, but it was the start to at least getting his heart put back together.
Catherine stared at her reflection in the mirror as she tried on a pair of black slacks and a silk blouse, adding diamond earrings and a pendant.
Maverick was coming. She glanced at her phone charging on the vanity near her jewelry and realized she had ten minutes left.
Her adrenaline raced.
If only this wasn’t a ‘just returning her phone’ politeness… no. Her skin zapped when she let herself think too much. She fixed a smudge of liner beneath her eye and prayed he still thought she was pretty.
She went down the hall, her black heels tapping on the marble floors until she stopped to knock on Valentina’s bedroom door.
"Enter!"
As she opened the door, both her roommates were there, going through Valentina's jewelry. She twirled and asked, “Do I look okay?”
Valentina smiled. “You look ready for the wedding--great blouse.”
Her stomach fell and she couldn’t breathe. She stepped back and ran across the hall as she said, “Drat. I don’t want to be too dressy.”
Secret Cowboy Page 14
