Luke swore again and crushed the cigarette out in a full ashtray atop the table.
“That’s not exactly right,” said T.J. “Star, I guess your mother didn’t tell you all the details.” His seething smile was unnerving. “If she had, you’d know that it’s later than you think. Actually, your ranch goes up on the auction block tomorrow.”
“What? That soon?” asked Star in shock. “No, it doesn’t. Not yet. You’re lying. We still have some time to pay our back taxes.”
T.J. shook his head and, in her heart, Star felt that it was the truth. Her mother knew about all this, yet let her go to Teddy’s anyway. She was probably hoping Star would marry the jerk after all. This angered her, even if her mother was only trying to set her up with a future. Daisy didn’t know Luke owned a ranch. She probably thought he’d never be around for her and have too many girls at his door. After all, she’d called Luke a womanizer. Still, Star couldn’t accept her mother’s deception.
T.J. scratched his neck and looked to the ground. “Well, it looks like I’ll be owning not only Circle T, but Bright Star Ranch as well. I’m going to buy it tomorrow.”
“Like hell, you will,” spat Luke, pulling Star by the arm toward his room. “Get dressed, Star. Then pack your things, mount your horse, and hightail it back home. I want you off this ranch immediately.”
“Luke, what are you going to do?” asked Star after she and Luke went into his bedroom and closed the door. She still felt like a fight was going to break out between the men.
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle T.J..”
Star quickly got dressed and handed Luke his shirt.
He snatched the shirt away from her and stomped across the room. To her surprise, he dug through a dresser drawer and pulled out a gun as well as a handful of bullets.
“What’s that for?” she asked, her body stiffening. She had never seen Luke with a gun before. She wasn’t sure she liked it.
“Same thing yours is for.”
“Mine is for protection only.”
“Mine is for whatever I need it for,” he told her, loading the gun.
“You’re not planning on using that on Teddy, are you?”
“I can’t promise anything.”
She watched as Luke strapped on a gun belt and put the weapon in place. “Time for you to leave, Star.”
“Luke, come back to Bright Star with me. Please.”
“I’ve got some things to take care of here first.”
“Then I’ll stay with you.”
“No. I want you out of here and don’t you dare return behind my back,” he warned her.
“I have a feeling either you or Teddy is going to get killed. Leave him alone, Luke. Please.”
“You have no idea what you’re asking. My stepbrother has been a pain in my ass for too long. I’m going to do something about it.”
“Don’t touch him. This isn’t like you. Just turn and walk away.”
“I don’t need you telling me what to do. If something happens between me and my stepbrother, it is none of your concern.”
“I think it is.”
“It’s not. Now get going. I’m not going to tell you again.”
“No. I am not going to leave without you. I am a part of this whole mess, too.”
“Dammit, Star, if I have to carry you out of here over my shoulder and tie you to the damned horse, I will. Now go, and never return here again. Do you hear me?”
Star didn’t like this side of Luke. He sounded vengeful and angry and she wasn’t sure what would happen. All she knew was that if he killed Teddy, he’d be sent to jail and, once again, she would be all alone. She didn’t want to lose Luke and neither did she want him to do something stupid. But he was stubborn and wouldn’t listen to her at all.
“I don’t like this side of you,” she told him. “You are no different than Teddy, after all.”
His face became red and he gripped her arm tightly between his fingers. He talked through gritted teeth. “I am nothing like that bastard. If you think I am, then maybe you’re not the girl I thought you were. Now, leave!”
“Don’t worry, I am,” she spat. She started to go but then, on second thought, she turned back and slugged him in the eye.
“Ow!” he cried. “What was that for?”
“It’s my trademark to remember me by,” she said in frustration. “And don’t you forget it. Do whatever you want, Luke Tyler, because I can’t be with a man like you anymore.”
“What do you mean?” He reached out and grabbed her by the wrist but she broke free from his grip and ran from the house. As she rode away on Licorice, she heard him calling from behind her, but she didn’t turn around. With tears in her eyes, she rode away from Circle T like a bat out of hell.
Chapter 19
Bright Star Ranch was oddly quiet when Star returned home the next afternoon. She’d stayed at a motel overnight, not wanting to face Luke again so soon. Actually, she was frightened to return home because she feared hearing the news that Luke either killed Teddy or that he’d been killed himself. When she left him, he was so consumed with rage that she wasn’t sure what he’d do. She was also filled with anger, and now regretted leaving before she’d had a chance to cool down and try to talk some sense into him.
If Luke died or was sent to prison, she felt like she was the one responsible for it. If she had never gone to Circle T and made love to Luke again, Teddy wouldn’t have walked in and maybe things between the men would have been different.
Garvey ran out of the house, a smile on his face at seeing her return. Zeke spotted her from the barn and came running, also.
“Star, you’re back!” Garvey tried to hug her but she didn’t want to be touched. She felt dirty and sleazy like Velvet now. The vision of Teddy staring at her naked body was engraved upon her brain. She handed Garvey the saddlebag instead of hugging.
“Can you guys take care of Licorice for me?” she asked.
“Sure, we’ll handle it,” said Zeke, taking hold of the reins.
“Where’s Mother?” she asked, her eyes scanning the grounds. “And where is Buck? Tending to the chores?”
“Why, no,” answered Zeke. “Buck left with your mother and Mr. Valens in the limo a couple of hours ago.”
“That’s just great!” Star couldn’t believe it. Their ranch was about to be auctioned off and her mother and Brent probably decided to go out to eat. “Did she seem upset at all?”
“No, I don’t think so. Do you, Garvey?” asked Zeke.
“Naw, she wasn’t upset,” said Garvey. “She and that movie producer were laughin’ and holdin’ hands when they got into the limo.”
“Laughing? Holding hands?” Star fumed. Was her mother taking Brent for a ride or was it the opposite way around? Either way, it no longer mattered. It was too late to save the ranch and it seemed like no one cared about it but her.
“Where are the cast and crew?” asked Star, noticing the lack of people and that no one was working on the film today.
“Well, Ms. Velvet is sunnin’ herself over yonder.” Garvey pointed toward the back of the house. “And Mr. Valens told the rest of the crew to take some time off, since Luke wasn’t here and they couldn’t shoot the love scene.”
“Luke’s not here either?” she asked, her heart beating wildly in her chest. Visions of him loading his gun flashed through her head.
“No. I wonder where he’s been lately?” asked Zeke. “I saw him come in late last night and he spent the night in the barn again. But when I came out to the barn to wake him this mornin’, his Jeep was already gone.”
Star felt like retching. She knew exactly where Luke had been yesterday. He’d been shooting a love scene of his own with her. And then he’d probably been shooting Teddy with his gun. “Did he . . . did he ask for me?” She had to know.
“I don’t think he talked to anyone,” said Zeke. “Everyone was asleep when he came in and he left before anyone awoke.”
Something wasn’t right. It wasn’t
like Luke to sneak around and not talk to anyone. She felt like something must have happened and maybe Luke was hiding so he wouldn’t have to answer questions or maybe he was avoiding being hunted down by the law. At least he was still alive, but that didn’t mean he’d stay that way either. “Did Mother say when she was coming back?”
Zeke scratched his head. “I don’t think so. Do you, Garvey?”
“Naw.” Garvey shook his head and ran a hand over the side of her horse. “She only said to keep up the ranch until you got back.”
Well, that did a lot of good. That could mean anything from she was returning tonight to maybe she wouldn’t be back until the middle of next week.
“Thank you, guys. Now get back to your chores,” Star ordered and headed toward the house.
Maxi ran up to greet her. Baby pecked around on the ground, warding off Velvet’s cat. Star bent down and ran a hand over Baby, and then threw her arms around the dog. Maxi’s fur smelled like Luke’s aftershave, and she breathed in his scent, wanting him back. She regretted leaving when they were in the middle of an argument and wished she could go back and change things.
She stood up abruptly and headed for the back of the house. If Velvet was there, she might know something. Surely, someone must have overheard where Daisy was going or knew why Luke was acting so mysterious.
Star rounded the corner and saw Velvet. Too much of the woman for her taste. Velvet was lying on her stomach on a chaise lawn chair. The thong of her bikini exposed her whole rear end. The bra of her bikini was untied with her bare breasts pushed into the chair.
Star cleared her throat and Velvet started to get up. She grabbed her top and held it in front of her as she looked Star’s way, using one hand to remove her designer sunglasses.
“Why, Star. I thought we’d seen the last of you for awhile,” said Velvet in that sultry voice she used for everything. “I should have known you couldn’t stay away from Luke for long.”
“Velvet, I’m looking for my mother. Do you know where she went or when she’ll return?”
Velvet made a face. “You mean, you don’t know?”
“Know what?” asked Star, feeling anxiety course through her. She had a feeling she wasn’t going to like what Velvet had to say.
“She and Brent eloped today.”
“What?” Star’s heart almost stopped. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Ask them yourself if you don’t believe me. I see the limo pulling up now.”
Star stormed over to the limo just as Buck opened the car door for Daisy. Daisy stepped out, smiling from ear to ear. Brent got out of the car smiling just as much.
“Mother, I need to talk with you,” said Star impatiently.
“Star!” Daisy threw her arms around her daughter. “When did you get back? Did you decide not to work for Teddy, after all? I’m glad. You don’t have to anymore, sweetheart, because Brent and I have gotten married.”
“Mother, how could you? You didn’t even discuss this with me first.”
“Well, it happened so suddenly and you weren’t here. Besides, I’m a grown woman and don’t need anyone’s permission.”
Star held back the tears that threatened to choke her. How could her mother marry a man she didn’t love? It was all about the money and she knew it. She hadn’t thought her mother would stoop so low.
“You didn’t even wait for me to return before you ran off and got married? Or did you think I’d object and that’s why you let me go to Teddy’s, to get me out of the way?” Her mother’s actions really hurt her. She didn’t feel as if she knew anyone anymore.
Daisy glanced at Brent and he put his arm around her. “Brent wanted to keep it a small wedding.”
More likely, he wanted to keep it inexpensive since he was so cheap, thought Star. “I thought you needed two witnesses at a wedding,” said Star, realizing that only Buck went with them.
“We did have two,” explained Daisy. “Of course, we’d almost forgotten about that, and had only brought Buck along.”
“That’s right,” added Brent. “Thank goodness we ran into Tyler in town, or else we would have had to ask someone off the street to be a witness for us.”
“Luke was there?” Star could barely breathe.
Before Daisy could answer, Luke pulled up in the driveway. He wasn’t driving his Jeep. Instead, he pulled up in an almost new blue pickup that looked like it was loaded down with options.
“Oh, good. Here’s Tyler now,” said Brent. “Daisy, can we hold off on the honeymoon until we’re done filming? We’re almost finished, but I’ve got to get Luke to practice that love scene with Velvet because it is slowing us down.”
“Sure, Peaches,” answered Daisy, giggling and kissing Brent on the nose.
“Peaches?” Star couldn’t believe her mother was acting like a lovesick teenager. What was the matter with everyone? She felt like the world had gone mad lately.
Brent ran a hand over his toupee, trying to hide his embarrassment. He excused himself and headed over toward Luke’s truck.
“Mother, we need to talk about your wedding, but first I want to talk to you about the ranch,” said Star.
“Oh, yes. It was up on the auction block today,” Daisy told her.
“You knew and you didn’t tell me?”
“Star, I neglected to tell you because I didn’t want you to worry. You already seemed so stressed out with everything that was going on lately.”
Suddenly, Star realized what her mother said. “Wait a minute. What do you mean it was on the auction block? You make it sound like it’s too late to do anything to save it.”
“It is, Star. Brent and I went to the auction right after we got married but the ranch was already sold before Brent could even make an offer.”
Star’s heart lodged in her throat. Her home was gone now and she didn’t know where she’d live or what she would do. Her mother was married and Star was all alone. “The ranch is gone and this doesn’t bother you?” The Daisy that Star knew would be hopping mad to lose the ranch. Instead, her mother stood there with a cool, calm expression, acting like she didn’t even care.
“I’m Mrs. Brent Valen now, Star,” said her mother with a wide smile. “I’ll be well taken care of for the rest of my life.”
“It’s Valens, Mother, with an S,” Star told her, disgusted that her mother didn’t even know the last name of the man she’d just married.
“That’s what I meant.” Daisy waved her hand through the air in a dismissing manner.
“Why did you marry him, Mother?” Star felt like crying. “Did you do it thinking he would somehow save our ranch?”
Star could tell by the look on her mother’s face that her accusations truly bothered the woman.
“Maybe at first, that was the case,” she admitted. “But not anymore. I really care for Brent and he cares for me. I think we can be happy together.”
“Happy? What do you care about that? After all, you knew I couldn’t be happy with Teddy yet you let me go back there. You were also the one who told me to marry for money if I’m not mistaken.”
“Star, don’t talk to me in that tone,” warned Daisy, putting her hands on her hips. “You made the decision to go back to Teddy, so don’t blame it on me.”
“I only went back there to try to save the ranch,” cried Star. “I swear that is the only reason.”
“Really?” Daisy looked over toward Luke who was talking with Brent. “Somehow, I have a hard time believing that. At least I don’t run away from my problems.”
“I wasn’t running away from anything.” Star said the words but realized that she’d been lying to herself and that her mother was right. She had been running away, trying to make distance between her and Luke. Or was she really trying to get away from herself and her feelings for him? She didn’t know anymore and it scared her. She loved Luke, but she had never been in love before so she didn’t know what to expect. A part of her felt as if he would never love her back. She’d told him how she felt a
bout him and he hadn’t returned the profession of love. That worried her immensely.
“I think I could learn to love Brent, Star,” her mother said as if she really meant it.
“You don’t know the first thing about love, Mother.”
“Since when did you become such an expert on it?”
Star opened her mouth but closed it once again. Before she could say another word, Luke walked up with Brent. Luke’s gun was still strapped low on his hips and Star wondered if he’d already used it on Teddy.
“Star, I need to talk to you.” Luke reached out for her but she took a step away, not sure she wanted to hear what he had to say.
“Tyler, you can talk to Star later,” said Brent. “We need to go over that love scene with Velvet and we need to do it now.”
“It can wait, Brent. I need to talk to Star . . . alone.” Luke’s eyes met with Star’s and she felt a shiver run through her. Was he going to tell her that he killed Teddy or that he didn’t love her? She didn’t want to hear either of them right now.
“I can wait,” said Star. “You’d better go practice like Brent said.” She felt the emotions welling up inside her. She was so upset about her mother getting married and the fact they’d just lost the ranch that one more piece of bad news was going to push her over the edge. She needed to be alone right now and she needed to cry. She ran to the house, hearing Luke calling out to her but, once again, she just ignored him. Life was changing so fast that she didn’t know if she could handle it much longer.
She entered her bedroom and collapsed atop the bed and broke down. It was the second time in the last couple of days that she’d cried. The tears came pouring out of her from all her years of pent-up emotions.
Her window was open and she heard Velvet’s seductive voice carrying on the breeze.
“Luke. Help me tie my bikini, will you?”
Star got up to close the window.
“Have Brent help you,” was Luke’s reply.
“I’m a married man now, Tyler,” said Brent, raising his hands in the air. “Help Velvet and let’s go through the scene once right here. Then you can have the rest of the night off and we’ll shoot it first thing in the morning.”
Starstruck Cowboy (Working Man Series Book 1) Page 16
