by Debra Holt
“Good morning, beautiful. I’m sorry that I forgot to tell you earlier. I have to go to Amarillo today. However, we did get sidetracked last night. Forgive me if I got carried away. We need to talk later. Chance.”
Josie’s heart did a nose dive. She had an odd feeling that reality was about to set in.
*
“That about does it, Josie. Is there anything else we can get for you today?” Hank Honeycutt tossed the last fifty-pound bag of oats into the back of the ranch truck, then raised and secured the tailgate. He stepped back onto the loading dock of the H & H Feed Store.
“That should do it for this trip, Hank. Sorry I didn’t get to see Leslie when she was home last weekend. Maybe we can catch up at Christmas.”
Hank’s daughter, Leslie, and Josie had gone through all twelve grades of school together. Then Leslie had left for Dallas and college and medical school. They kept in touch via infrequent emails and grabbed a cup of coffee whenever Leslie made one of her few and far between visits to her hometown. She was in the middle of her residency, so the communication between them had been limited at best. Josie missed the girl talk, but she wasn’t surprised Leslie had moved on. She had a career, and they didn’t have all that much in common any longer. Still, it would be nice to see her again.
“I hope we’ll get to see her, too. She’s so busy finishing up her residency, her mother and I are lucky to hear from her every other week, and then maybe only for about three minutes on the phone,” Hank replied with a sad shake of his head.
“It must be hard, but soon she’ll have achieved her dream of being the best cardiologist in the state.” Josie sent him a smile and tried to brighten him.
“That’s true. That’s the best a parent can hope for their child, that they reach their dreams and are happy.”
Josie thought over his words even after she pulled away from the feed store. Her parents had been the same. They never tried to force their thinking or their dreams onto her shoulders. That’s not to say they didn’t hint broadly a time or two, but they had always been supportive in whatever she chose. When she had told them that she wasn’t going to college but staying on the ranch, she sensed their disappointment on one level but felt quiet approval on another.
She had told them what she learned daily working on the ranch itself was more valuable to her than sitting for four years in a classroom, reading out of a textbook. They hadn’t argued with her. They had simply loved her. She hoped she could be the same kind of parent one day.
That thought opened up a whole other train of images. For a few minutes, she allowed herself to dwell in a place where all dreams could come true. In that place, she and Chance would live happily ever after, surrounded by three or four sons and daughters, and live out their days on the land they loved. That dream ended with them rocking away in rockers on a wide front porch with grandchildren and great grandchildren coming to visit. A blast from a nearby car horn brought her quickly back to reality. Her eyes caught sight of the familiar figure behind the wheel of the silver Corvette.
Devlin Braxton. He was waving at her and motioning for her to follow him. Now what? A small voice inside her head told her that it might not be the best thing to do, but how often did she listen when she should? What harm could there be in broad daylight in downtown Braxton? Both vehicles pulled into two vacant spots across from Pete’s Pizza Pie Place.
Dev was out of his vehicle and had his hand on her door, opening it for her before she could do the same. A wide grin brightened his sassy blue eyes as he slid the dark shades off and hooked them into the vee of his shirt. The deep blue pullover was probably chosen for what it did to enhance his looks, along with the snug-fitting designer jeans and fancy leather boots. He was way too sexy for his own good. No way could he be mistaken for a local rancher…maybe the city slicker variety. Josie slid out of the truck, and he shut the door behind her.
“This is a pleasant surprise. I was just on my way out to the ranch to see if I could steal you away and here you are. That’s a sign.”
“A sign of what?” She returned his smile with one of her own simply because it was always easy to smile at Dev. A fleeting question came to mind. Did he ever have a serious bone in his body? She wasn’t given time to dwell upon an answer. His hand slid easily under her elbow, and he maneuvered her toward the pizzeria across the street.
“A sign that you and I are destined to have lunch together today. I admit that I would much prefer it to be dinner, but I will take this opportunity for what it is. Besides, dinner can come later.”
“You’re certainly one smooth operator, Dev. You could probably charm the barnacles off a boat if you put your mind to it.”
He threw back his head and let out a full-throated laugh. “Josie, you never cease to amuse me. Barnacles and boats. You do have a colorful way with words.” He pushed the door of the small eatery open and allowed her to enter ahead of him. They were soon seated in a booth, had placed an order and received their drinks.
“I really need to make this a quick lunch,” Josie said. “I need to get the supplies back to the ranch.”
“You shouldn’t have to do that. With all the men Chance has on the payroll, you’d think he would make certain his wife wasn’t doing manual labor.”
“I do manual labor because I run a ranch, and I choose to work my land, not just sit on it and watch others do it.” His words had definitely caused her to bristle. “What about you, Dev? Haven’t you ever wanted to actually do something, build something with your own hands?”
A scowl chased away his bright smile. “There you go again, sounding like my brother and dear, departed dad. Neither of them cared to find out that there is more to the world than the Braxton Ranch. It seems I’m to be treated like a turncoat for daring to want something else than to be stuck watching grass grow and cattle eat it.”
“As I recall, both your father and Chance went out into the world. They both served in the military. Yet they came back to Braxton as soon as they possibly could. I don’t think Chance holds it against you that you don’t want life here in your hometown. I think he wants to see you happy and settled in your life, regardless of how it might seem to you.”
“You’ve certainly changed, little Josie. You used to be a lot quieter and kept your thoughts to yourself. How did my brother get you to change your mind? Or should I ask?”
“You can ask, but it doesn’t mean I’ll answer you. You sound like you might wish I still was that shy girl with the huge crush on you. The one content to follow quietly in your immense shadow.” Josie caught herself as she said the words. She spent years trying to keep her “secret” crush just that…a secret, and especially so from the object of that crush. However, that seemed like a silly notion now. So much had changed in her life and most of it very recently.
Their conversation was interrupted with the arrival of the pizza. The soft drinks were refreshed and then they were left alone again.
“Let’s get back to what you just said a few minutes ago,” Dev spoke up, a gleam in his eyes. “So you admit you have a crush on me.”
Josie finished the bite of cheese pizza in her mouth before she corrected him. “Had is the operative word. I’m sure it had to do with the fact that you did leave the ranch and, each time you returned, you seemed to be more worldly and mysterious. You were almost secretive at times and larger than life in comparison to everyone else in Braxton.” Josie laughed at her own silliness in those days. “Thank heavens I had calmer heads to keep my feet grounded in reality.”
Dev frowned at that turn of phrase. “Calmer heads, as in my big brother, I’m sure. He isn’t my biggest fan. He used his being here with you to his advantage while I was gone.”
Josie finished off the slice of pizza on her plate and contemplated the man across from her. It was amazing how clearly she could see him now. Those rose-colored glasses had certainly been taken off and thrown away. She slowly shook her head. “You could have returned anytime. You didn’t. That was your choice. A
nd that is the past, and I prefer to think about the here and now.”
Dev covered her hand with one of his as it lay on the table beside her plate. “Yes, the here and now. That’s the thing that’s really important. First off, please accept my apology for barging in last night. I have the feeling I interrupted at the most inopportune time.”
He did know what they were about to do. Josie squelched any feeling of embarrassment. They were all consenting adults, and she wasn’t a naïve young girl. Certainly not after last evening. She wasn’t about to allow the memory of what happened once she and Chance did make it to their big bed bring on the heat of a blush across her cheekbones. Lucky for her, Dev changed the subject.
“Have you spoken to Chance about changing the terms of the trust for me? I really want to get started with the plans I told you about the other evening, before we were interrupted. As I explained, my future lies in your hands, Josie. Your very capable and beautiful hands.” He lifted the hand he caressed and actually placed a light kiss on it, along with a slow wink in her direction.
Josie became aware there were interested glances being sent their way by the few other diners during the late lunch hour. She didn’t care for the way his words and his touch affected her. She never cared for shallow people and insincerity, and she had just seen and heard both. Josie pulled her hand away and it joined her other one in her lap under the table.
“I haven’t spoken to him. It really isn’t my place. I’m afraid you’ll have to handle this on your own. Chance isn’t a monster. It’s how you approach him. Now, I really have to get back to the ranch.” She went to move, and Dev quickly changed his tone and the look on his face. She hadn’t seen such a serious intent in his features before. A shiver went down her spine. His next words froze her in place.
“If you won’t help me, Josie, you should do it for Chance. If you want to keep him healthy.”
Chapter Eighteen
Josie felt the blood drain from her head to her feet as the implication of Dev’s words sank into her brain. The look on his face then told her he was not making some sick joke. He was dead serious.
“Sorry I had to put it so bluntly, Josie. But this situation has gone beyond serious, and the clock is ticking down.”
“Then you better explain exactly what it is you’re talking about, and make it quick.” Her words were weighted stones as they fell across the table. The look in her eyes warned him to make it fast.
“It’s all very involved, but putting it into condensed form, it began when I broke off my engagement with Mariah, the latest fiancée. I met her because her family owns one of the casinos I liked to spend my time in. I was on a hot streak and winning big. As they often do with high rollers, they began to wine and dine me and put me up in the biggest, fanciest suite, and Mariah more or less devoted all her time to making certain I was shown a good time.
Well, Lady Luck has a fickle way about her. She began to reverse course on me. The casino was more than happy to increase my line of credit. I ended up owing them quite a bit for my markers. A few months passed. Since I was ‘family,’ they didn’t care about the money at that moment. That is, until I split with Mariah; then they demanded every penny on the spot. Money that I don’t have at the moment.”
“That explains why you want the trust amended, but it doesn’t explain why the remark about Chance’s health.” Josie felt another cold chill go through her even as she said the words.
“These people are business-minded. They don’t like to lose…especially lots of money. Mariah had told them about the trust fund. These people aren’t known for their patience. They figure that it could be just as easy for me to gain the money to pay them back by inheritance as by amending the trust. In fact, it would be faster and easier maybe.”
By inheritance. Those words and the implication stopped her heart. Dev inherited if his brother was out of the picture. Chance was in danger, and he didn’t even know it. They had to be stopped.
“What have you done, Dev? Why haven’t you told Chance? He has no idea he could be in danger! We’ve got to call him right now.”
Dev’s grip was solid as he stalled her hand on her phone. His face no longer held any hint of a smile. In fact, it was a whole different tone. A strange change was visible in the man across from her. At first, it looked like there was an apology and a shadow of sorrow. But then it disappeared like smoke and a hardness was in its place. “Listen to me, Josie. Nothing is going to stop these guys until they have their money. And they don’t intend to wait much longer. I came here to try and persuade Chance to amend the trust.
“However, I had no idea about the changes happening around here…between the two of you. I know it would be easier to get him to cooperate if you talked him into it. Last time I tried to talk to him about the trust, he shut me down fast and said he didn’t want to hear another word about it. You seem to have a way with my brother. I don’t think he’ll turn you down.”
Josie’s mind was going a mile a minute. There had to be a solution. She didn’t care about the thinly veiled insinuation Dev just made about her having “a way” with Chance. There were more important matters at hand.
“How much do you owe them?” The amount he replied with made the situation seem hopeless…at first. Until the gears in her brain kicked in and the practical business-side of her got back on track. “How much money do you have?”
“Not much…four or five thousand maybe. It takes a lot to live on.”
“Particularly if you want to live in all those hot spots you love so much.”
“Guess I might have fallen down a bit in your hero worship of me.”
Hero worship? Dev? If there had ever been any hero worship, or anyone remotely worthy of that, it would have been Chance. The man who never had the opportunity to be a carefree kid, but grew up fast to shoulder more responsibility than he should have…given the fact he had an equally able-bodied brother in the same house. But then Dev had always behaved as if he were special. Why not? People always seemed to forgive him for anything and moved too quickly to make excuses for him. And Josie had been as blind as anyone when it came to him…overlooking far too easily things that might have given her an insight into the real person behind the perfect smile and dazzling blue eyes.
“Whether anyone worships you or not shouldn’t be your main concern right now. You should be worried about your brother and how you can stop this mess and protect him from the low-lifes you evidently thought so much better to be around than people like the ones who live in Braxton.” She felt an anger rising in her that she couldn’t stop. “You certainly hightailed it back here fast enough when you got yourself in trouble, though. Well, I have to say that I wouldn’t care what those people want to do about getting their money from you, except it involves Chance and that’s my only concern now.”
“Marriage has certainly changed you in more ways than one. I haven’t seen you so riled up before.” He did have the decency to look taken back and even apologetic. “And you know that I can’t just go to Chance and tell him about this…he is stubborn, and he’d end up doing something to make these guys a lot madder. And they don’t play nice, Josie.”
Josie wasn’t buying any part of his being contrite or sorry any longer. Standing up, she held Dev’s gaze with her own. “I have a couple of things to do right now. You need to go to the bank and withdraw your money in the form of a five-thousand-dollar cashier’s check. I’ll call you tomorrow morning.”
“Are you going to get the money from Chance?”
“I haven’t thought it all out yet, but we need to get this debt paid fast. You need to call those people and tell them they’ll have their money within the next two days.”
“I’ll wait for your call. Are you going to tell Chance about all of this?”
“I don’t know what I’ll say to him. You just do your part. I’ve got to get busy.”
Josie didn’t wait for him to follow. In fact, she was glad when he didn’t. Anger seethed inside her at Dev for
placing Chance in danger…for placing them all in a bad situation. All because he acted irresponsibly with little thought to consequences. She couldn’t let herself get bogged down in anger and the blame game. At the moment, she was going to have to use her wits and some believable acting.
*
Josie took several deep breaths before she got out of the truck after she parked in front of the bank. She replayed the idea in her head more than a few times as she drove from the pizzeria across town to the bank. The special account Chance had set up for her instantly popped into her mind when Dev had spoken the amount needed. Withdrawing the funds and placing Dev’s small amount with it, there would be enough to settle the debt. Of course, she had to hope that Mr. Chadwick, the president of the bank and a friend of the Braxton family would not ask too many questions or alert Chance to what she had done…if she could manage it at all.
Josie knew she simply had to try. From the moment Dev had told her about the danger Chance could be in, she had thought of nothing else. She had experienced an intense anger at Dev for being so thoughtless and cavalier with the fact that his recklessness had endangered his brother. And she also felt intensely sick each time she thought of the possibility of anything happening to Chance. Chance was worth a hundred of his brother, and she had been so blinded to that over the years. No matter what she had to do, she would do it to try to keep Chance safe. And Dev was right about not being able to let Chance in on any of this mess. He would take the bull by the horns, and that might not be the best course of action for these type of people. Her goal was to protect Chance first and foremost.
Being a Braxton had its advantages, and Josie found she experienced little resistance as she completed the paperwork for withdrawal of the funds. It went smoothly until the woman behind the desk reappeared from behind the office door with the bank’s president in tow. He stepped forward and shook Josie’s hand.
“Josie, it’s good to see you again. I want to say again how much my wife and I enjoyed the festivities at the ranch for your wedding.”
