Pursued by the Rich Rancher

by Catherine Mann

  “In what way? There’s every convenience possible.” She couldn’t imagine anywhere more restful or entertaining.

  “There are no theme parks or casinos. A high-rise could fit a lot more people into the space, make more money, attract big acts to perform.”

  The mention of high-rise tourism made her think of her in-laws, the last people she wanted intruding on this moment. “You can’t possibly agree with that. It would take away the authenticity and the charm.”

  “It’s good to hear you say that.”

  The fierce intensity of his kiss took her breath away and made her wonder about the reason for his sudden shift in mood.

  She gripped his shoulders, questions filling her mind. But before she could ask, a cell phone rang, jarring her. Not her ring tone. His. Sounding from his jeans on the floor.

  He murmured against her mouth, “Ignore it.”

  Oh, how she wanted to. “It could be your sister. Cody might need me.”

  “You’re right. Of course, we can’t ignore it. I should have thought of that too.”

  Rolling from her, he sat on the edge of the bench and scooped his jeans from the floor. Nina stroked his broad back and traced the light scratches she’d left along his shoulder blades.

  He answered the cell phone. “Amie, is something wrong with Cody?”

  Alex clicked on the speakerphone and Nina sat up beside him, concern and maternal guilt chilling her warmed flesh.

  “No.” His sister’s voice was tight with nerves. “Not at all. He’s fast asleep.”

  Nina relaxed against him, resting her cheek on his shoulder, her hand on his chest.

  “Glad to hear it,” Alex said, sliding an arm around Nina. “Then what’s up?”

  “Prepare yourself,” she said with a heavy sigh. “Mom and Dad are returning home from their trip a day early. They’ve already landed in Fort Worth but didn’t want to make the drive out to the ranch tonight. They’ll be here first thing in the morning.”

  His jaw tight, he turned off the speakerphone and brought the receiver to his ear. “We’ll need to band together to keep things calm for Gran...”

  Curiosity nipped. He’d mentioned issues with his parents, but his reaction seemed...strong. It was only a day early. Surely that wasn’t a big deal. But the muscles bunching along Alex’s back told her otherwise.

  Nina pulled a towel from the stack and wrapped it around herself. But there was no escaping the sensation that her Brigadoon was fading.

  Eight

  Alex hadn’t eaten breakfast yet and he already had indigestion.

  He paced restlessly around the family lanai, brunch prepared, he and his sister waiting with Gran for their parents’ arrival. The morning sun steamed droplets of water off the lawn from the sprinkler system. Making love with Nina had been everything he expected and more. He’d always been such a methodical man. But the instantaneous combustion between him and Nina rocked him back on his boot heels. And before he could get his bearings, his parents opted to put in an early appearance.

  His mother had a way of being less than pleasant to the women he dated, which was strange, since Bayleigh McNair wasn’t what anyone would call an overly adoring parent. Regardless, he didn’t want Nina subjected to that, especially not now while they were still finding their way around whatever it was they had going.

  A persistent crick pinched at his neck. He should have been better prepared for his parents’ arrival and how he would handle them meeting Nina. They’d been due in tomorrow anyway, but he’d been taking things one day at a time this week. That sort of impulsive living wasn’t his style.

  Gran reclined in a patio lounger sipping tea, her breakfast untouched on the small table beside her. His indomitable grandmother was so frail she looked as if a puff of wind would whisk her away. He needed to make sure this breakfast—the whole wedding weekend—went smoothly. No drama. This was his family and they were at their best for his grandmother.

  Stone’s mother would be a wild card. Her behavior was always hit or miss depending on if she was using drugs or fresh out of rehab. Thus far she’d been clean for six months. If she followed past patterns, the fall was due any day now.

  Maybe it wasn’t fair of him to expect Nina to put up with his family’s volatile dynamics, especially since weddings always multiplied drama. Except after last night with Nina, he couldn’t bring himself to waste even a minute of the remaining week. He needed to persuade her they had something special—because he was going to have to come clean with her about the stocks soon.

  Why couldn’t Nina have come to one of the other camp sessions? Although she wouldn’t be here at all if his grandmother hadn’t orchestrated Nina’s arrival. He couldn’t imagine never having met her. So whatever it took, he would get through these next few days and maintain the peace for his grandmother.

  And figure out a way to keep seeing Nina after the camp ended.

  First, he had to get through welcoming his parents. They kept a suite here as well but were rarely in attendance. They preferred penthouse hotels around the world.

  A limousine cruised up the oak-shaded entry road, turning toward the private drive and stopping near the lanai. While the others drank mimosas, Amie drained her simple orange juice and refilled the crystal flute. Stone and Johanna—lucky ducks—had bowed out of breakfast claiming a meeting with the caterer.

  Clouds drifted over the sun as the chauffeur opened the door and Alex’s mother stepped out in a flourish. Bayleigh McNair believed in making an entrance.

  His mother breezed up the stairs. Collagen-puffy lips and cheek implants had changed her appearance until she looked like a distant relative of herself. Not his mother yet eerily familiar.

  Alex stepped beside Gran’s chair, wishing his presence alone could keep her safe and make her well. Her hand trembling, Gran set aside her teacup with a slight rattle of china, watching her grandchildren protectively. Alex patted her shoulder.

  His father stepped alongside his wife, wearing a crisp suit as if he’d dressed for work. Ironic as hell, since Garnet McNair carried an in-name-only title with the company, some kind of director of overseas relations. Which just meant he could pretend he worked as he traveled the world. Mariah only requested he wine and dine possible contacts and charm them. On the company credit card of course. His parents were masters at wringing money out of Gran.

  She was a savvy businesswoman, so Alex was certain she knew her son’s game. And equally certain it had to break her heart, given how hard she and her husband had worked to build the family business. It was no wonder she felt the need to put her grandchildren through tests before handing over her empire.

  Bayleigh swept up the lanai stairs—perfect. There was no other word to describe his mother. Not a hair out of place. Makeup fresh, a bit thicker each year. And always, always, she stayed almost skeletally thin—thanks to hours on the treadmill and a diet of cottage cheese and coffee. What the treadmill couldn’t fix, she took care of with liposuction and tummy tucks. The rest of her was beige—blond hair, tanned skin, and off-white or brown clothes depending on the time of year.

  He often wondered how his mom managed to keep those white outfits clean with kids around. Gran was always dusty and never minded if they’d just eaten chocolate ice cream when they gave her a hug.

  Gran and Nina had a lot in common.

  Bayleigh’s heels clicked across the tile as she briefly hugged each of her children, leaving a fog of perfume in her wake. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue as she swooped down on her mother-in-law. “Mother McNair, how are you feeling?” She kissed Gran’s cheek and then sat in a chair next to her. “I’m just so glad you’re still with us for the wedding.”

  “No need to start digging my grave yet.” Gran didn’t show any irritation, only a sardonic smile of resolution. “I’ve got some life left in me yet.” />
  Garnet knelt beside his mom. “Mother, please, let’s not talk about unpleasantries.” He took her hand in his. “I’m glad to see you looking so well, enjoying the sunshine.” She glanced up at the sky. “Well, what little bit is peeking around the clouds.”

  Her smile turned nostalgic. “You look so much like your father, Garnet. I miss him every day even after all these years.”

  Although her son hadn’t inherited much in the way of work ethic from his mother or father, Alex had heard his grandmother blame herself for pampering her children. He didn’t agree. Not completely. She might have been indulgent in those days, but his father and aunt should have taken responsibility for their own lives. Alex passed his mother a cup of black coffee.

  Bayleigh cradled the cup and inhaled the scent as if filling up on the smell alone. “We came early to help, since the bride doesn’t have a mother of her own. And Mother Mariah is so very ill. Of course we all know Stone’s mother can’t be trusted to show up sober. So I thought I should come a day early to make sure all is in order.”

  Bayleigh sipped her coffee.

  Garnet stayed silent, not surprising, and filled a plate with quiche and fruit. The sound of crunching footsteps sounded just before Stone jogged into sight from around the corner of the house.

  Stone took the steps two at a time up to the lanai. “Sorry I’m late. Johanna is still working out details with the caterer. She’ll be here when she’s through. Thank you for coming, Aunt Bayleigh, Uncle Garnet.” He swept his hat off and kissed his grandmother’s cheek before loading up a plate of quiche, two danishes and melon slices. “I’m starving. Glad y’all saved me some food.”

  Amie sipped her crystal flute of orange juice. “Good thing you got here before Aunt Bayleigh drank all the coffee.”

  Bayleigh scowled. “Amie, must you be unpleasant?”

  “Always,” his sister answered without hesitation. “Mother, Johanna and Stone are adults. I believe they can manage to plan a small wedding on their own.”

  Bayleigh set her china cup aside. “Well, I imagine if they’re not set on impressing anyone, that’s just fine.”

  Amie’s eyes narrowed. “Then Johanna and Stone will exceed your expectations.”

  Garnet cleared his throat and slid a hand along his wife’s back.

  “Forgive me, Amie.” Bayleigh patted her daughter’s knee before picking up her cup again. “I’m just getting antsy to plan a wedding for one of my children, but neither one of them shows signs of settling down. I hope you don’t wait too long, daughter dear. Your biological clock is ticking.”

  “Mother, you surprise me. I thought you were concerned about me wrecking my figure.” Amie’s barb was unmistakable and there was no stopping the mother/daughter battle once it started rolling.

  Bayleigh eyed her daughter over her coffee. “Amethyst, your pageant days are long past.”

  Alex’s twin shot blue fire from her eyes at her mother. “Maybe I should look into a sperm donor.”

  Their father’s mouth twitched, but he didn’t look up from eating his food while reading his morning news on his tablet. “Don’t rile your mother. The weekend’s going to be long enough as it is.”

  Stone set down his fork long enough to say, “Alex has been seeing a single mother here with her son at HorsePower Cowkid Camp.”

  Alex grasped the change of subject with both hands, grateful to steer the conversation onto relatively safer ground—ground that wouldn’t upset Gran. “Hey, cousin, that’s no way to treat the man planning your bachelor party.”

  Not that he was really all that stoked about the party, which surprised the hell out of him. All he really wanted was to find Nina and Cody.

  Amie laughed softly. “She would have figured it out soon enough anyway when you showed up at the rehearsal dinner with your redheaded bombshell in tow.”

  Alex shot his twin a glare. “You are not helping, Amie.”

  “A redhead.” Bayleigh winced. “Well, if you have ginger children we can always fix that with a quick trip to the hair salon. Tell me more about her.”

  Alex didn’t like the gleam in his mother’s eyes one bit. Protective urges filled him. “Are those storm clouds overhead? Maybe we should move brunch inside.”

  His mother patted her hair. “Not even the threat of drenching will distract me from finding out more about this woman. You didn’t answer my question, son.”

  “Mother.” Alex leaned forward. “Her name is Nina and you will retract your claws and leave her alone. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. No interfering in my personal life. Period.”

  “Of course.” Bayleigh pressed a hand to her chest with overplayed innocence. “I just want grandchildren. I dream of the days I can buy little smocked dresses or tiny cowboy boots.”

  “That subject is also off-limits,” Alex said firmly. “As is your intent to choose their mother. I mean it.”

  His father looked up from his iPad for the first time. “This week’s going to be interesting.”

  His grandmother’s keen blue eyes took in all, and he hated that she’d witnessed the sparring, even if it was par for the course with their family gatherings. Alex wondered if maybe there was more to Gran’s test than he’d originally thought. Could this be some sort of reverse psychology? Maybe she didn’t want the stocks? Or had plans for another way to get them?

  Could she be testing his honor to make sure none of his father’s screwed-up values were running through him?

  Damn, that stung.

  He’d always been the different one, not a part of Diamonds in the Rough. But he’d thought his grandmother respected how he’d channeled his own work ethic and values into turning Hidden Gem into an asset to the empire and a tribute to their land.

  Hell, he didn’t know what to think right now. He just wanted to get this breakfast over with so he could spend time with Nina.

  * * *

  Rain pattered on the barn roof, and Nina cradled a cup of coffee with rich cream and two spoons of sugar. Sitting at a rustic picnic table in the café corner area, she’d been eating a pastry while watching her son. The children were scattered throughout the stalls that had been set up petting-zoo style. Each kid had been partnered with his or her choice of a pony, donkey, dog, chickens or even a rabbit to brush, hold or pet. Four stalls down, Cody ran a bristly brush along a miniature donkey, a teacher close at his side, instructing.

  Nina wasn’t needed now. Her son was enjoying independent play. She should be happy and go back to her cabin to read or nap with the rain soothing her to sleep. She’d certainly gotten very little sleep last night. She set down her coffee with a heavy sigh.

  Her stomach had been in knots all day over the influx of McNairs and what that did—or didn’t—mean in regards to her relationship with Alex. Whether making love or just talking, she’d enjoyed being alone with him. Solitude would be all but impossible now and she felt that she’d been robbed of her last few days left for a fling.

  Except if it was just a fling, she shouldn’t be this upset.

  Thunder rolled outside, and Nina looked at her son quickly to make sure he wasn’t upset. Some of the other children covered their ears, one squealed, but Cody was lost in the rhythmic stroking of the donkey’s coat.

  The barn door opened with a swirl of damp wind, and Alex ducked inside, closing the door quickly. He shook the rain off his hat, scanning the cavernous space. His eyes found hers in an instant and he smiled, his gaze steaming over her in a way that said he was thinking of last night too. She started to stand, but he waved for her to stay seated as he walked past her to her son.

  Alex nodded to the teacher and let her angle away before taking the teacher’s place beside Cody. Nina threw away her coffee and padded over silently, curious about what he intended to say.

  And yes, eager to be near him.<
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  Alex picked up a second brush, smoothing it over the donkey too. “I wasn’t much of a talker either when I was younger,” he said softly. “I know it’s not quite the same as what’s going on in your mind. But I wanted to let you know I understand that even when a person is quiet, he still hears. That’s part of what I enjoy most about the animals here, in the quiet with them, it’s easier to hear.”

  “Yes.” Cody’s little hand smoothed steadily. “My mommy broughted me here.”

  “You have a smart mommy. But I don’t know you as well as your mom does. So, while I know you’re listening, I can only guess what you would be interested in hearing. For all I know, I could be boring you talking about fishing when maybe you prefer soccer. It’s okay for you to be quiet, but I would appreciate a hint on what you would like to talk about.”

  Cody set aside the brush and stroked the donkey’s neck. “Donkey’s nice.”

  “You like activities with horses, ponies, donkeys? You’re okay with me talking about them?”

  “Uh-huh.” He kept rubbing the donkey without looking away.

  “Okay, then. My cousin Stone has a quarter horse named Copper. My sister, Amie, has an Arabian named Crystal.” He listed them in a way that Nina realized gave Cody a connection to each McNair. Since Cody loved the animals, he would have positive associations with the person. “My favorite is the Paint, named Zircon. My grandmother has this thing about naming every person and animal after a gemstone. She likes themes and patterns.”

  “I like patter-ins,” Cody whispered, drawing the last word out so it had a third syllable.

  “Okay, let’s talk about the gem pattern names. People call me Alex, but my name is Alexandrite and my sister Amie is Amethyst. My grandmother even had dogs that had similar names.”

  “Dogs?” A spark lit in Cody’s eyes and he tipped his head toward Alex. “Where are the dogs?”

  “My grandmother is sick, so new families are taking care of three of the dogs. My cousin Stone has the fourth dog named Pearl, and my sister takes care of Gran’s cats.”