by Lexi Post
His tone had risen and Mac moved a step closer.
“Mac, he’s not worth it.”
That seemed to get through to her. She stepped back and her shoulders relaxed a bit.
“Mom doesn’t want to see you. She’s left you for good. She’s filed for divorce. In fact, if you hadn’t left, you probably would have the papers in hand right now.” That was a bit far from the truth, since her mom didn’t even have an appointment until next week, but Fred didn’t need to know that. He was a lying bastard. She could be, too, to him.
“A divorce? She can’t divorce me! How’s she gonna live? Get a job?” He laughed, the sound guttural and nasty ending in a cough. “She can’t divorce me. She needs me to keep a roof over her head.”
What an asshole. He thought he had a live-in slave with her mother. Time for a reality check. “Actually, she doesn’t. I’ll take care of her until she can get on her feet.” And damn if she didn’t suddenly feel proud that she could do that.
“Nice try, but I know she’s got them stinking dogs and there’s no way in hell you’d have dogs in your house.”
She crossed her arms, enjoying her opportunity to prove how powerless he was after all the years he made her mother feel that way. “Obviously, you didn’t notice in the dark, but there’s more than one residence on this property and mom has her own. She doesn’t have to share with anyone, and never again with a lazy, selfish bastard like you.”
Fred paused at that before his brow lowered. He looked mean, but as she’d discovered early in her life, he was all bark and no bite. “You can’t talk to your father like that.”
She laughed. She couldn’t help it. Obviously, Fred’s brain was the size of a pea. No wonder he thought more with his dick than his head. “Mac, where’d you find him?”
“He must have come while I was checking the staff casitas. By the time I finished my rounds by the stables, he was past the fork and headed for the bar.”
“Yeah, I heard a party going on over there. Figured I could find someone to tell me where Donna was.”
She glanced at the clock. She’d been gone way over the ten minutes she’d told Wade. She needed to get back and Fred needed to be gone. She turned her attention to Mac. “Escort him off the property.”
“What? You’re not going to offer me a place to stay? Where am I supposed to go? It took me all day to get a ride up here. It’s not like I have a car.”
And that was the solution to their problem. She looked at her security guard, who towered over Fred. It made her think of a fantasy movie she saw once when a mythical Amazon held a scared troll over a cliff. “Do you still have mom’s keys?”
“Yes.” Mac patted her lightweight sweats.
“And is all of mom’s things out of the car now?”
Mac nodded.
“Then give him the keys and show him where the car is and make sure he leaves.” She opened her top drawer and pulled out the keys to Wade’s truck. Her colt slid into view with the force of her pull. She threw the keys to Mac. “Follow him to be sure he makes it to the Carefree Highway.” She reached down and pulled out the gun. “You can take this to make sure he doesn’t give you any trouble.” She knew he wouldn’t, but she needed him to know how serious she was.
Mac shook her head. “I don’t need that. I didn’t need it with the last man I killed. Besides it doesn’t look good for an ex-con to have a gun.”
Fred snapped his head around to look at Mac. When he finally looked at Kendra again, his skin had paled considerably. “No need for violence. I know when I’m not wanted.”
“Good.” She made a show of putting the colt back in its place and closing the drawer. “Here in Arizona, we shoot first and ask questions later, so you better not show up sneaking around my property again.”
Already forgetting Mac’s presence. Fred scowled and took a step in her direction, his posture menacing. “You think you’re some kind of big shot now, don’t you?”
She didn’t move a muscle, disgusted with the pathetic man her mother had married. “Mac, get him out of here.”
As Mac grabbed hold of Fred, he started cursing all over again. After she hauled him out the door, Kendra dropped her head. The man had killed so many brain cells with alcohol, there was a good chance he wouldn’t remember anything they’d said. She’d have to let Mac know that and alert Hunter.
Lifting her head, she turned off her computer and strode to the door. It opened before she could grab the handle.
Wade stood there, his brow furrowed. “Everything okay in here? I just saw Mac walking a man away. Did we have another trespasser?”
She nodded. “Yeah, my biological father.”
Wade’s eyes widened. “You had him escorted off the property?” His incredulity reminded her that he didn’t truly understand her relationship with Fred.
“Yes, and I told him not to come back. But I don’t think that’s going to work.”
“Are you sure that’s the right way to handle it. You’re his only daughter. Maybe he wants to be a part of your wedding.”
She snorted. “He only mentioned the wedding because he used mom’s plane ticket. He just wanted mom back and his car. He’s getting one of those. Trust me. This is how he needs to be handled.”
Wade studied her then nodded. “I do trust you.”
The tension in her shoulders since seeing Fred walk through the door finally released. “Thank you.”
He wrapped one arm around her waist and led her into the hall. “Are you ready to face the jovial masses?”
She took a deep breath. “I am, but…”
“But what? Tell me.”
She looked into his warm brown eyes and almost forgot what she was going to say. She felt as if she’d been dealt four aces and a king. “Do you think we could find some time to be alone tomorrow? Maybe go for a ride?”
His smile was so wide, she could almost feel his answer before he said a word. “Yes. To our special spot on the creek.”
She nodded, her whole body finally relaxing. “There’s a certain shelf above the water I’d like to visit.”
He laughed and pulled her along the hall. “Definitely, a well-deserved treat after having to hang out with my family.”
She stopped their forward progress. “Oh, no. I love your family. I just want to take advantage of the resort being closed to be with you.”
He looked into her eyes with so much love that her own heart swelled. “I knew there was a reason I loved you.” He lowered his lips to show her in a gentle kiss that he meant every word.
She sighed, finally finding some contentment as they walked through the Great Room and out to the bar where a cheer went up at their return.
~~~~~
Tuesday
Kendra crossed her fingers as Wade knocked on Selma’s door. After three days without her leaving her casita with all the curtains and blinds drawn, they couldn’t wait any longer. They had both tried to get her to open the door, but she hadn’t responded.
Kendra listened intently, hoping they’d hear something, footsteps, a moan, anything.
Finally, Wade shook his head. “We have to go in.”
Removing her master key from the loop on her jeans, she inserted it into the lock and slowly opened the door, half expecting an object to come flying at her head.
There were no lights on as they stepped into the open concept main living area, but the daylight seeped in between the blind slats to reveal the contents of the room.
“Wow.” Wade’s whispered word echoed her own thought.
Stuffing from couch cushions was scattered about like a mountain lion had shredded them. Broken vases, picture frames and lamps were scattered across the space. Every piece of furniture was overturned.
Worry turned to real fear. Had Selma hurt herself?
Wade put his hand on her shoulder as if he knew what she’d been thinking. Either that or his thoughts had gone in the same direction. “Selma?” His deep voice carried throughout the space.
“Que?”
Relief washed through her at the sound of Selma’s voice. “Selma, can we talk to you?”
“Madre dios, there’s no privacy at this place anymore.”
The door to Selma’s bedroom opened and she shuffled out. She wore a pair of jeans and a colorful short sleeved top. She looked perfectly fine. “What do you want to talk about?”
Wade frowned as he opened his arm to encompass the room. “How about this for starters?”
Selma waved her hand aside. “That’s my temper. When I’m done. I’ll clean it up.”
They looked at each other. Done? She had to ask. “Done with what?”
Their cook moved into her galley kitchen and pulled out a jug of orange juice and set it on the counter before looking at them. “With your wedding present. I want to finish it before I leave.”
Kendra stepped carefully as she moved toward the counter that separated the kitchen area from the living area. “Where are you going?”
Selma shrugged. “I don’t know. But I can’t stay here.”
Wade joined her. “Why?”
She pointed. “She fired me.”
“I didn’t fire you.” She frowned. “At least not yet. You know I always give people a second chance.”
Selma stopped pouring her orange juice and stared. “But you hire a new cook.”
Now how did she know that if she had stayed in her casita the last three days, unless… “Selma, have you been spying on us?”
The older woman looked away and finished pouring her glass of juice. “You want some?”
Wade turned toward her and gestured toward Selma. “That was a yes.”
She nodded. Selma had a habit of avoiding admitting anything. Here they thought she’d been starving to death in her casita or had done herself damage and she was lurking about the resort. That’s why they didn’t hear anything when they knocked. “I want to know why you destroyed my kitchen and dining room on Friday, and be sure to tell the truth in English or you will be fired.”
Selma, who had opened her mouth to answer, closed it. Instead she took a sip of her juice. When she put her glass down, she looked first to Wade. She finally shifted her gaze to meet hers straight on. “Jorge. He break my heart.”
“I spoke to Jorge. He said he asked you to dinner, gave you flowers, and even fixed your window, but you weren’t interested.”
Selma took another sip of juice, clearly avoiding eye contact. “I didn’t want him to think me easy conquest. Mama say, easy for sex, hard for life. I don’t want just sex. I know how men treat women for sex.”
Kendra looked at Wade, not sure how to answer that. Selma had run a brothel in Nevada. She’d probably seen a lot.
“Do you like Jorge that much?” Wade leaned his elbows on the counter next to her.
Selma silently nodded.
“He thinks you’re crazy now.”
Their cook’s head snapped up. “I’m not crazy.”
Kendra pointedly looked around the room. “Really?”
Selma didn’t say anything.
Kendra looked at Wade. “So what should we do with her?”
“She owes us a lot of money for broken dishware in the main building, plus the wall in the kitchen will need to be repaired and there were at least three pots that need to be replaced, according to Natasha.”
“The dancer?” Selma’s exclamation had them both looking at her. “What she know about cooking? She nothing but skin and bones. She don’t even fucking eat enough.”
“Yes, Natasha. She was raised helping her mother cook.” He gave Selma a piercing look. “And she doesn’t throw dishes.”
Kendra ignored Selma’s outburst. “Are you saying we should let Selma keep her job and garnish her wages to pay for the damage?”
Wade nodded.
“But what about her temper? Can we trust her again?”
Wade looked at Selma. “If she does it again, then we fire her. Just like you did with Rachel.”
The look on Selma’s face at the chance to keep her job was heartbreaking, but Kendra stayed firm. “I think she needs to do more than just resume her duties.”
Before Wade could answer, Selma jumped in. “What?”
“You need to apologize to my mother and to Jorge.”
Selma’s eyes widened then she shook her head.
Wade stood at that. “Very well. Then you can pack your bags and be gone by sunset.”
“What? No.”
Kendra moved to stand next to Wade. “Yes.”
The older woman looked away, her fingers turning the juice glass as if she didn’t realize what she did. “Fine. I apologize.”
Kendra responded immediately. “Today.”
As if caught in her plan, Selma’s shoulders sagged, and she nodded. “Hoy.”
Wade smiled. “Good. That gives you today to clean this up and talk to Donna and Jorge. We’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning.”
Selma nodded, her mind obviously still trying to come up with a way out of the apology.
They walked around the debris to get to the door. As Wade opened it, Kendra turned back. “Today.”
Selma frowned and waved them out. Once outside, they heard the door lock behind them. Wade chuckled. “You do know how to pick your staff.”
She grinned. “Thank you. I do think I do an exceptional job with that. After all, I chose you.”
Laughing, he led her to the golf cart they’d taken from their house. Being together during the day, but not in the office, was a new experience. One she was enjoying.
As he drove them to the main building, she remembered their bet. “I was right.”
“About what?”
“About Selma being sweet on Jorge. That means I win the bet.” She was bursting with anticipation.
“You’re right, you did win. I just wish it wasn’t at such an expense financially or emotionally. Do you think Jorge will accept her apology?”
“I don’t know. He seemed pretty freaked out about her actions. Would you want to start a relationship with a woman who had done that?”
He stopped the golf cart at the main building and looked at her. “You mean would I ask a woman to marry me who was ready to kill a man?”
At his reminder of her own loss of control shortly after opening the resort, she closed her lips tight. Who knew? Maybe Jorge would be interested after all.
They were walking toward the main building when Dale and Tanner came out. Dale opened his arms wide. “There you are. We were looking for you.”
“You found me.”
Tanner grabbed him by the arm. “And now you’re coming with us.”
Wade resisted, looking at her in confusion. They were about to get a picnic lunch and go for their ride. “Whoa, where am I supposed to be going?”
Dale grabbed his other arm. “To your bachelor party.”
“What? I thought those happened at night and involved a stripper.” He tried to resist, but the two men started to pull him toward a golf cart.
Dale laughed. “How boring would that be to a man who sees naked women every day? Nope, thanks to Lacey, we’re going for a trail ride at Last Chance and then we’re going to roast marshmallows over a campfire while we roast you and sleep out under the stars.” His best man winked at Kendra.
Wade mouthed the word “sorry” to her, but she smiled and waved him off. It was tradition after all.
Wade still resisted. “Who else is going? I’m not sure I’ll be safe out there with you two.”
Tanner chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry. Dad, Luke, Lowell, Jorge, Chris, Hunter, and Buddy are all going. We’re going to make sure we rehash every embarrassing moment of your life, big brother.”
He groaned as he let them push him down into the seat. “If we’re not back tomorrow, call detective Anderson and report me as a missing person.”
Kendra laughed and waved as they took him down the dirt road. Though she was disappointed, she was happy for him. That’s what a Bachelor party should be, not three wo
men in bed for the entire night, like her ex had. He claimed he wore a condom, but she got tested after their honeymoon only to discover she had syphilis and needed to be treated, the asshole.
At least he’d have something to do for the next twenty-four hours. Now to figure out what she should do. She could always go into her office and review the fall marketing plans. After a full day off, she already didn’t want to do that. Maybe she should find her mom or Lacey and see if she needed to do anything for the wedding. After all, it was her wedding. Turning, she strode to the dark glass doors and pulled one open.
“Surprise!!!”
She halted in her tracks as the all the women left on the resort stood there smiling and laughing. Ginger and her mom grabbed each of her hands and pulled her toward the Great Room. “What’s this?”
Ginger squeezed her hand. “It’s your bridal shower, sweetie.”
Her bridal shower? What could they possibly give her that she didn’t already have?
Chapter Ten
Wednesday
Wade headed straight for his office. He’d bet a thousand dollars he’d find Kendra behind her desk working. He smelled like smoke and horse, but he wanted to see her before he showered.
It was probably the best bachelor party he could have asked for. The laughter was constant, mostly at his expense, and the whiskey flowed. He didn’t envy his brother Luke who not only had too much, but said too much, too, revealing more than he’d want known, if he remembered any of it.
Striding past the front desk, he slowed. Not having someone there greeting guests was strange. Picking up his pace, his boots echoing in the hall, he finally reached the closed door. Opening it, he smiled.
No one was there. What the hell? It was mid-afternoon, where else would Kendra be? Her mom’s? His mom’s? With Lacey? So much for his surprise entrance. Good thing he didn’t bet anyone.
Closing the door, he was headed back out when movement to his left caught his attention. Looking out the side windows of the Great Room, he saw Adriana serving a beer to Kendra. He took a double-take and strode closer. Holy shit! It was Kendra in a bikini! He’d never seen her in a bikini before. She rocked the simple tan bathing suit with white trim. The thought of other men seeing her like that cooled his ardor immediately.
