“Is that true? You told him my business?”
“Our business,” she corrected, “this affects both of us, remember?”
Bill poked his head around the kitchen doorway. “But the business is still yours, sweetheart, don’t you forget that. This place belongs to you.” He pointed at her.
“Yeah and everything in it belongs to me. I guess that makes this whole matter our concern – nothing to do with you.” Tyler scowled at him.
Bill raised his eyebrows. “Well that’s just where you’re wrong, mister. As my land borders this place I think I have every right to know just what’s going to happen with it. Who my new neighbors are going to be could have a direct affect on my own business. Communication is key in the world of commerce, Brannagh, you’d do well to remember that.”
“And you’d do well to remember that you are in the lady’s house and she’s just lost her uncle. She hasn’t made any decisions yet, and won’t be doing so until she’s good and ready. Until that time, I think it would be better if you left her alone to work things out – we’ll inform you of anything you need to know when it’s been finalized.” Tyler’s fists were clenched and his jaw was tight as he was clearly trying to keep control. He held the door open expectantly.
Bill tightened his lips, narrowing his eyes at Tyler. Then he looked over at Chloé. She bit her cheek, not knowing what to say. Her heart beat madly against her ribs as the silence closed in around her and she felt all eyes on her.
“It was very kind of you to bring me supper, Bill,” she said, managing a weak smile. “Obviously I haven’t made any decisions about the ranch yet. I think I need to sleep on it and see how things look in the morning. I’ll be able to think a bit straighter then.”
Bill’s face relaxed. He nodded. “That’s understandable. I wouldn’t expect you to make any decisions just yet. Think on what I said, though, won’t you?”
“I will,” she promised, shivering as the cold night air blew in through the open door.
Looking over at Tyler he said, “I think we should both leave and give the lady some peace. She’s had a long day and needs to get a good night’s sleep.”
Tyler huffed and took his coat from the hook and put it on. “I agree,” he said, evenly. He strutted into the sitting room and fetched his hat before joining Bill at the front door.
Bill gestured for Tyler to go first, which clearly annoyed the cowboy.
“Goodnight, Chloé, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, Tyler.”
He gave Bill a backward glance before leaving.
Chloé immediately moved closer to the door, afraid that Bill might have other ideas about leaving now that they were on their own. “Goodnight Bill. Thanks again.” She tried to sound cheerful as he reluctantly made his way toward the door.
“Are you sure you’re okay being on your own tonight?” Bill murmured as he passed her at the front door.
“She’s quite sure.” Tyler’s voice boomed up at them from his position at the bottom of the steps. Neither had noticed him in the dark, but Chloé sighed with relief.
“I only meant...” Bill looked annoyed to see he was still around.
“We all know exactly what you meant,” Tyler growled. “Now, leave the lady alone.”
“Says he who’s still lurking around her front door.” Bill sneered.
“As we’re both going the same way I thought we’d walk together, at least as far as the fence. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about,” Tyler replied, nonchalantly.
Chloé felt a little nervous about what they were going to discuss – hoping it wouldn’t end in a fight – but she still felt a lot more comfortable once Bill had left her house.
She closed the door slowly, watching them walk off together. Both looked stiff and uncomfortable and it was obvious they weren’t just having a friendly chat. When Bill turned and pointed at Tyler, raising his voice she knew it was time to leave them to it.
She went into the kitchen and took the pie out of the oven. Meat and potato. There was enough for two and guessed that Bill was hoping to find her alone and share the supper with her. She felt a little bad for him. It was a kind gesture, but the thought of having him here all evening made her shudder.
Taking half the pie she went into the sitting room to eat it by the fire. She turned the lights on and sat in Aunt Brenda’s chair. As the room was toward the back of the house, she was relieved not to have to listen to the guys arguing – which she was sure they would. Their body language had told her that this was more than just a casual chit-chat.
Turning on the TV to drown out the silence of the house, she snuggled back into the chair and pulled a quilted throw over her legs while she finished the delicious pie. There was someone droning on about the weather, but she wasn’t really listening. She gazed back at the sofa, remembering Tyler sitting there earlier.
He was so handsome, and it was good to see that he wasn’t being arrogant about having inherited so much of her uncle’s property and possessions. She had to remember that she had the upper hand here, she was in charge – but did she really want that? He was right about being at her mercy, but actually she was also at his. If Tyler decided to move out, rent his house to someone horrid and take all the livestock somewhere else what could she do? Nothing. She wondered if he realized just how many cards he was holding. If he did, he hadn’t mentioned it.
She glanced up at the screen in time to see a map of her area. More snow was on the way, and they were certainly in for a white Christmas. That was nothing new around these parts, although they usually had the worst of the weather in the New Year, not beforehand.
With a sigh she took her plate to the kitchen and washed it. If she was going to get everything sorted out here and get back home before the big day she would have to move fast.
Her thoughts drifted back to the pokey apartment she’d left behind in Atlanta. It was a furnished rental so she didn’t have much there, and she’d already decided it wasn’t worth decorating it for Christmas. It was a shame, as she’d always loved bringing in the tree and decorating it in the sitting room here, and she’d adorn the rest of the house and hang garlands in every possible nook and cranny. Christmas was always magical here at Mile End – even when Uncle John was grumpy there were always friends and neighbors popping in to wish them well and join them for a drink or two. It was the only time of year that they did once Aunt Brenda had gone.
As she put the rest of the pie into the freezer she thought how empty it looked. When Aunt Brenda was alive they used to fill the freezer to the brim with all sorts of festive goodies – home-made mince pies, creamy gateaux, ice cream and all kinds of meats. There would be a Christmas cake on the go by now with lots of brandy being added to it at regular intervals, along with several Christmas puddings, again being laced with the contents of the drinks cabinet.
Even after her aunt passed away, Chloé would continue the traditions. The house would be filled with the scent of cinnamon, brandy and pine-needles. She looked around the bare, dusty room and felt a lump form in her throat. The whole house felt dead now, just like her family.
With a sigh she went into the sitting room, noticing that the fire was just a few smoldering logs now, and she switched off the TV and the lights before heading for bed. It was still quite early but she was tired and knew that if she sat around moping she would only make herself miserable.
Tomorrow would be a new day and she could decide how to proceed when she’d learned a little more about her options – and her feelings.
* * * *
“Just what is your problem?” Bill demanded as they walked away from the house.
“I don’t have a problem,” Tyler said calmly. “I’ve just inherited a house and a load of livestock, that’s all. Now all I need to do is liaise with Chloé about how she wants to proceed with the ranch.”
“I’d say you’ve got a massive problem,” Bill sneered. “You’ve got a house that stands on someone else’s land a
nd a load of livestock you can’t afford to keep. Unless you’ve got a cool million stashed away somewhere – which I sincerely doubt – I’d say you’re right in the shit.”
Tyler frowned, not just at his words, but also at the condescending way Bill was pointing at him. He’d always been irked by this guy’s superior attitude and usually did his best to avoid him. It was a bit difficult to do that now that he seemed intent on sniffing around the place – and around Chloé.
“If the worse comes to the worse I can always sell up, I suppose,” he said, studying Bill’s reaction closely. “I’m sure there are plenty ranches and farms around here that wouldn’t mind a few more cattle or horses to add to their own.”
His eyes had become accustomed to the dark, and the snow afforded some light as the moon glinted off it as he watched his nemesis. He wasn’t disappointed. Bill’s eyes lit up and he stood a little straighter, slowing the pace as he immediately took interest.
“That might be the wisest option,” Bill said, nodding. “I told Chloé the same – her best bet is to sell up and get back to her job. She’s a high flyer now in the city – she doesn’t need to be tied down here, especially without her family.”
Tyler narrowed his eyes. “And what if she wants to be here? Have you considered that? Life’s not all about business, you know?” He’d thought as much; Bill wanted Chloé to sell up so there was no chance of them making a go of the ranch, despite the fact that it was actually doing quite well considering its size and the current state of the market.
Bill shook his head. “That’s just where you’re wrong,” he said scornfully. “Life is all about business. If you don’t have money you’ve got nothing. No home, no food, no life. If Chloé came back here now out of some misplaced loyalty to her dead relatives she’d be making the biggest mistake of her life. This place will never yield the kind of money she could make in the city. And, besides, she’s got a career out there; she doesn’t need to be cooped up here in the back of beyond with no friends and no money.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call it the back of beyond,” Tyler objected. “Rough Oaks is a beautiful little town, and she’s got lots of friends here. It’s where she grew up for Christ’s sake, why wouldn’t she want to come back here?”
“Because she can do a damn site better for herself in the city,” Bill snapped, stopping as they reached the gate in the fence that led to his land.
“And what if she doesn’t want to? What if she’s happy here?” Tyler felt his blood boiling.
“Why would she be? There’s nothing – and no-one here for her now, is there?” Bill’s voice was like sharp gravel.
“There might be,” Tyler said, with a sing-song attitude that he knew would grate on Bill’s nerves.
Bill’s whole face turned to a scorn. “Fancy your chances do ya? Now that she’s worth something you think you can get into her bed?”
“You know dang well we’ve got a past,” Tyler replied, raising his eyebrows. “It’s got nothing to do with money. We’ve had feelings for each other for a long time.”
“Had,” Bill snapped. “Way back in the distant past, maybe. But you blew it and she left you. Best thing she ever did in my book.”
“It was a misunderstanding, that’s all,” Tyler insisted, trying to curb his anger.
“Are you sure about that?” There was a mischievous glint in Bill’s eye that Tyler tried not to read as evil, though it was hard.
“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”
“It doesn’t matter. Admit it, loser, you failed. The girl saw sense and got a decent job with decent money in a decent area. She’s gone.”
“Well that’s funny, ’cause she didn’t look gone to me just a short while ago. In fact, she looked like she was glad to be home.”
“Fuck you.” Bill bellowed. “Face it – you lost her. Now leave her alone and let her move on.”
“Or what?” Tyler clenched his fist, longing to take a swing at the smarmy bastard.
“Or you’ll lose a lot more than just a girl.” Bill’s voice was menacing, as was the demonic glimmer in his narrowed eyes.
Tyler stared at him as Bill quickly opened the gate and stepped through. As he fastened the catch he looked back up at him with a sneer.
“Think about it,” he growled before stomping off into the darkness.
Tyler felt a shudder down his back that he knew wasn’t down to the weather. He would certainly be thinking about the fuckwad’s words for the rest of the night – and they wouldn’t be happy thoughts.
CHAPTER SIX
Chloé had a restless night. Thoughts of Tyler Brannagh plagued her dreams; memories of the way she used to feel about him, confusion about how she felt now. At one point she found herself stroking her body as she recalled the sight of him in her sitting room, the firelight glowing on his face, his eyes getting darker by the second, and that mouth just beckoning her for a kiss.
She’d wanted him for so long, but she had to remember that he stood her up. On her graduation day of all days. It was the cruelest thing he could do to her and she’d spent many nights crying over it. So why did she feel so differently now?
Her hand trailed to her breast. The nipple was as hard as concrete. She hadn’t played with herself quite like this before, but she sighed as she thought of Tyler’s soft lips around that tight little nub.
Her pussy got wetter as thoughts of him overtook her mind, and she moaned as her fingers slid between her folds, circling her clit and venturing inside her. She gasped. It would be Tyler’s tongue instead of her hand that would be pleasuring her, she thought. He would be expert at teasing her, prolonging her pleasure for as long as she could stand it.
Something about Tyler told her that he would be well-used to giving a woman the time of her life between the sheets. He was gorgeous enough to have had any amount of girls falling at his feet – in fact, she was surprised he didn’t have a current girlfriend, but that was a matter for another time. Tonight he was hers – in her dreams, anyway.
One hand rubbed her breasts together, tugging at her nipples and pinching them between her finger and thumb. She gasped with delight.
Her other hand was now delving in and out of her soaking vagina, getting faster as her heart throbbed and her breath panted.
She upped the pace as her passion mounted, flailing her head from side to side on the soft pillow, her eyes screwed up tight. She could scarcely bear it, and suddenly swiped her thumb right over her clit, sending herself into a spiraling crescendo.
Screaming into the darkness, she sat up with a jolt, amazed at the power of her own hands – and imagination. She was gulping in air, her skin hot and clammy. Her mind spun with the realization that this man was having such an effect on her. This man who broke her heart. Who had no right being in her head, let alone her dreams.
When she finally recovered her breath, she went to the bathroom and stood under the shower. Tears mixed with the stream of water that ran over her, and she busied herself with the soap and sponge, trying to cleanse her mind at the same time as her body.
After a few minutes she went back to bed. The tears continued to pour as she curled up into a tight ball and closed her eyes again. Tyler Brannagh’s handsome face looked back at her from her mind and she shook her head to get rid of it.
Exhausted from her exertion, she had hoped to fall into a deep sleep, not thinking, just resting. It didn’t happen like that, though. Tyler continued to taunt her through dreams which had no right being so beautiful and happy.
* * * *
Chloé awoke with a streak of sunlight squeezing through a gap in the drapes and landing on her pillow. She stretched, her body feeling energized and her mind content. As she sat up the memories of last night slowly entered her head. She sighed. It would seem that the shock of seeing Tyler again after all this time had played havoc with her recall; it had totally distorted the way she felt about him.
Running herself a warm shower, she jutted out her jaw as she tried to straig
hten out her befuddled brain.
“He’s not the man in my dreams,” she said aloud. “He’s a liar. He’s the man who ruined my life.”
Scrubbing hard at her skin, she began planning the day ahead. She dreaded seeing Tyler again. Somehow she felt that he knew how she had felt about him last night; how he had made her feel. She admonished herself, knowing she should never have allowed him to invade her thoughts like that. Well, it wouldn’t happen again.
Dressing in one of the smart suits she usually wore for work, she pinned up her hair and put on her usual ‘office’ makeup. She gazed at her reflection in the full-length mirror on the back of her bedroom door. It was strange seeing herself looking like the city dweller she had become, while standing in her old room.
She made herself some coffee and rang the bank. Luckily, the manager wasn’t busy and invited her to come down anytime. Replacing the receiver, she though how different things were here as opposed to Atlanta. She would normally have to wait for days for an appointment there, and even then she would have to see one of the less senior staff – bank managers were for high-finance customers and businesses only.
She breathed in the familiar scent of the house, walking through to the sitting room to open the curtains. Even though it had been years since Aunt Brenda sat in her old chair, there was still a faint smell of lavender, the old lady’s favorite perfume. It felt as though part of her, and Uncle John, were still here, embedded in the fabric of the house.
The drapes were dusty, and she made a mental note to take them down and give them a good wash as soon as she had the chance. Looking around the room, she thought how the whole place needed a good spruce up; fresh paint on the walls, maybe even a new carpet. It would be a shame to replace the furniture, but some of it was looking quite shabby now, she had to admit.
It was only a few days till Christmas and by now the whole house would be decorated with fresh holly, ivy and mistletoe. A large tree would already be shedding its pine needles in the corner by the window, adorned with ancient, sparkly baubles. The whole house would smell of pine and cinnamon, and she and her aunt would be making gingerbread men to hang on the tree and all around the room. Every visitor would be greeted with mince pies and fruit cake laced with plenty of brandy, and there would always be an extra tot of whisky added to every cup of tea offered.
Chloe's Christmas Cowboy: A Festive Second Chance Romance Page 5
