by Regan Black
It was the coziest she’d been in ages. “You’re better than a pregnancy pillow,” she whispered.
“I don’t want to know what that means,” he said. “Go to sleep.”
How could she possibly sleep when he surrounded her this way? “And if I can’t?”
“Then odds are good we will definitely wake the baby.” He nuzzled the back of her neck with his lips, soft, feathery touches that set her on fire.
“It’ll be your fault,” she teased. “You dragged me over here.” She traced the bones and tendons in the hand that kept her snug against him.
“I dragged you over here to sleep.” His thumb caressed the curve of her breast. “We can talk in the morning.”
She wanted to talk now. Questions and wishes and what-ifs bounced around like popcorn through her mind. She knew what she wanted and knew that she was overthinking his every action, hopeful that he was changing his mind about what he wanted. From her, from life. From them.
Please, let there be a them.
Could there be anything here but wishful thinking on her side? He kept showing her this incredible tenderness and a protectiveness she could get used to. She never thought protectiveness would be a turn-on, but it ranked high on her list right now. Easy enough to explain that away because Regina threatened everything Mia held dear.
If her stepmother found out about Jarvis helping her, he would become a target. The idea made her queasy.
Shifting to talk with him, she realized his breath was deep and even and his hand was slack on her belly. He really was sleeping as soundly as the baby. The awareness delighted her. He trusted her. Resting her palm over his hand she held him close as an unprecedented contentment lulled her.
She’d always found the saying “home is where the heart is” trite. Here, in this modest bunkhouse surrounded by grassland, she was living it. Jarvis felt like home, the home she’d treasured before her mother had died. Back when the Graves family was strong and solid, and the house a haven where she was welcome to be herself.
If there was one thing she categorically resented about Regina, it was the way she’d razed all those memories in favor of the “right” colors and “refreshing,” updated style.
Mia dashed away a tear.
There had to be a way to knock the blinders from her father’s eyes. Only when he saw Regina for the snake she was would Norton and Silas have a chance to know each other. Only then would their broken communication and crushed expectations have enough room to heal.
Chapter 9
Jarvis stopped digging long enough to swipe the sweat off his forehead. He was a fool for continuing this search on such a hot day. Opening another bottle of water, he considered calling it a day. Isaiah had waited years to tell him the whole story, assuming it was true. Another few months wouldn’t change anything.
The day after the party, he’d eliminated one long stretch of possibilities that fitted Isaiah’s story and the deed records for parcels less than a mile away from the warming hut. In the days since, he’d searched areas based on Mia’s research and recommendations, hoping to find something conclusive. It was frustrating to know he could miss the box by only a few yards. Unless he brought out heavy equipment to turn over every square inch, he would have to settle for one average hole at a time.
From his back pocket, his phone chimed and he smiled when he recognized Mia’s number. He slid the icon and said hello.
“Hi.”
Her voice trembled on the single syllable and he froze. “What’s wrong?” He tucked the phone between his chin and shoulder and started filling in the hole. He’d brought the horse this afternoon, enjoying the slower pace and the quiet solitude. Now he regretted the decision. It would take him forever to reach her if she was in trouble.
“I’m okay,” she said in a rush. “There’s another text from my dad a-and I’m letting it upset me. Sorry for bugging you.”
“You never bug me,” he said. It was more than reflex; it was the truth. He’d have to wrestle with that later. “Was it another demand to come home?”
“Yeah.”
A few days after the party, Norton had reached out to Mia, surprising them both. Jarvis wanted to be encouraged, but he was guarded. When he was talking to Norton that night, it had seemed as if Mia’s dad had all but given up on seeing his daughter and grandson again. They suspected Regina was behind the new text messages somehow, but they weren’t sure how to respond.
No matter how he much he assured her of Spencer’s discretion, Mia wasn’t ready for him to share any of this with his brother. She was too fearful her dad would pay the price.
“No email, not a phone call?”
“No.” She sighed. “I’m being silly and impractical to take it at face value.”
“You’re being a hopeful daughter,” he said. In the background he heard Silas gurgling. “How’s the little man today?”
“Goofy.” This time he heard a smile in her voice.
Since the night of the party, when she’d let him hold her while they slept, he was getting better and better at reading her, in person and over the phone. He spent most of his nights with her on that narrow bunk. On the rare occasions when he couldn’t get out to her, he missed her and the baby more than he was ready to admit.
Sleeping beside her didn’t eliminate the clawing desperation to make love with her, but it was better than not touching her at all. Although she’d made her willingness to get physical with him clear, he resisted taking that leap while her life was still in turmoil.
“How goes the search?” she asked.
“I came up empty here,” he said. “It’s too hot anyway, though it might be worth a closer look tomorrow. You’ll be okay a while? I need to get back, stable Duke and clean up. I’ll be there as soon as possible with dinner.”
“I’ll be fine,” she replied. “Thanks, Jarvis. I really appreciate you.”
Appreciation was safe. Smart. So why did he want her to say something more meaningful? He hadn’t said anything of the kind to her. “Text me if something sounds good.”
“Okay.”
After ending the call, he stowed the shovel and climbed back into the saddle. He urged the horse into an easy canter, eager to see Mia’s face. And the text message. When he reached the stable, he forced himself to take his time with Duke. Routine tasks kept him grounded. Always had. He’d been one of the weird kids who liked doing dishes and vacuuming because it gave his mind time to wander. It really shouldn’t have surprised him that this straightforward life as a cowboy would fit so well.
Not easy, not simple, but straightforward.
Mia was tied to all of it. And she shouldn’t be. She kept researching the questions in the Colton family tree and land records while he dug up small pockets of the Triple R. She wasn’t doing anything he couldn’t have done alone, but it was going a whole lot faster with her as his partner. They had a system, a friendship with the promise of heat, more than a relationship.
He reminded himself of that fact every single day. He wasn’t relationship material, though this time with her and the baby eroded his confidence in that theory. Her sunny outlook and persistent hope in the face of her stepmother’s manipulations made him reconsider options he’d sworn off years ago. Her philosophy challenged him and made it increasingly difficult to remember why he shouldn’t follow the example his siblings set, taking chances on love and life.
The difference, he reminded himself, was crystal clear. Eventually, Mia would go back to her life and raise her son. They wouldn’t need him to bring her groceries and supplies or watch their backs. Eventually, a woman like Mia would find the right man, a man who believed in love and plans, and all the possibilities of the future rather than all the pitfalls.
As nice as he felt with her, he knew himself. He enjoyed her and this interlude in part because it couldn’t be permanent. Women from Mia’s background did
n’t look for the long-term gig with cowboys who were raised on the lower end of middle class. She came from money, was used to luxury.
Sure he’d made a name for himself in business for a time, but he’d tossed that reputation aside for a quest to prove his Colton name was as valuable as those who sat around the Colton Oil boardroom.
As he took the older truck into town, he was grateful it was still here. Since coming to the ranch, he’d become fascinated with broken things, things that could be fixed with time and patience and elbow grease. He’d assumed an operation with Payne Colton at the helm wouldn’t bother with repairs, tossing out anything that didn’t function and replacing it with something new. But he’d discovered that Asher had an eye for profit that included being practical and he didn’t throw money or men around without careful thought and planning.
Driving toward Lucia’s Italian Café to pick up a pizza, he thought about taking Mia on a real date. Mustang Valley was a step down from parties in New York City or Paris. Still, he’d enjoy going out, just the two of them, or going somewhere with Silas. Dancing could be fun. Or maybe a baseball game, in honor of how they’d met, he mused as he parked and headed for the café.
Distracted, he didn’t notice Regina walking over until she was practically on top of him.
She raked him with a hungry look that chilled his skin. “Jasper, isn’t it?”
“Jarvis,” he corrected again, smiling politely. He wouldn’t let her feel like she had any advantage. “Nice to see you again.”
“You’re certainly casual this evening. How...rugged.”
“Everyone needs a bit of downtime,” he replied diplomatically.
She emitted a tiny, brittle laugh. “I suppose so.” Something was off. She didn’t appear as polished as she’d been at the party. “Is Selina meeting you? I’d love to say hello.”
“Not tonight,” he said. “I’ll pass that on when I see her.”
Regina’s delicate eyebrows arched. “So the two of you aren’t exclusive.” She inched close enough that the skirt of her dress brushed around his jeans. “That’s fascinating.”
“I’m flattered you think so.” He didn’t add any of the warmth or charm that consistently amused Selina. “Give my best to your husband.”
She blocked him when he moved toward the pickup counter. “Norton mentioned you,” she said, her gaze searching him for any reaction. “After the party,” she clarified. “He was sure he’d met you before.”
“I have one of those faces,” he said.
“No.” She tilted her head, studying him. “You really don’t.”
“My brother is on the police force here in town,” he said. “People confuse us all the time.” It wasn’t true, but she didn’t know that. This time he managed to sidle past her to the counter.
Regina hemmed him in. “Maybe I should speak with your brother.”
“About what?”
“Our missing daughter.” She enunciated each word.
He swallowed the urge to correct her. Regina had no right to claim any piece of Mia. “You mentioned her at the party. Still no word?”
She clutched the pendant on her necklace. “It’s tragic the way he misses her and our grandson. I’m sure she’s just acting out, but with every day that passes, Norton worries that she’s actually gotten herself into trouble.”
The kid at the counter called his name. “I’m sure Spencer can help. Good luck,” he said, using the bulky pizza box to give him some distance as he scooted around her. “No one in town wants to see Norton unhappy.”
It was the only warning he dared to give her, since he was supposed to be just Selina’s current fling. Dressed as he was tonight, she’d probably figured out he worked at the Triple R. How else would Selina have met him? There was no reason for her to think Mia was hiding at the ranch, but he sure didn’t want Regina coming by and poking around.
Jarvis hated making Mia wait, but he refused to take a chance on Regina having him followed. He carried the pizza into his room and dropped it on the table. He wanted to call, but he sent a text so no one could possibly overhear him.
He was officially paranoid.
Got hung up. Will be there in a bit.
Her reply came back immediately.
Can’t wait.
Pacing like a wildcat, he forced himself to sit down and think it through. What did he know and what could help Mia?
There was no reason for Regina to assume he had any connection to Mia. Regina had been at Lucia’s without Norton, making this a prime opportunity for Mia to reach out to her father. He sent her another quick text suggesting she call her dad, explaining why.
If they could just find a way to get Norton somewhere safe long enough to trap Regina with that disgusting video, this entire mess could be over. Then Mia could explain everything to his brother and Spencer could take it from there.
He really wanted this to be done—for her.
* * *
Mia stared at the text message, her earlier worry replaced by hope. Jarvis wanted her to call her dad while Regina was too far away to interfere. What would she even say to him?
It didn’t matter—she had to act. She dialed quickly, swearing when it went straight to Norton’s voice mail. She didn’t dare leave a message, certain her stepmother had a way to review those as well. Instead, on a hunch, she dialed her dad’s office.
“Norton Graves.”
Her knees went weak at the sound of his voice. “Dad. Hi.”
“Mia? Where are you?”
His shock shamed her. She should have done this weeks ago. “I’m, um, away,” she said. “Visiting friends in Tahoe.” She didn’t have any friends in Tahoe that Regina could hurt.
“Without listing the country house? Mia.” She could picture him turning toward the panoramic view outside his window, his gray eyebrows pulled into a disapproving scowl. “That’s disappointing.”
Of course it was. “I did meet with the buyer I mentioned. No offer yet. Then I had a problem with my phone and didn’t see your messages until today,” she improvised, babbling. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“Messages? Honestly, Mia, you’ve been so flighty I didn’t bother reaching out.”
A chill slid over her skin. So all of those messages were more traps set by Regina.
“As Regina reminded me,” Norton continued, “you should be focused on the baby. Our contract with you expires at the end of next month, anyway. I’ll just relist it with someone who has the time and focus.”
“Dad.” Tears clogged her throat.
“Enough business. We both know things don’t always work out. You’ll land on your feet. Tell me about my grandson.”
She shared the latest milestones, including how Silas was smiling often, enjoying time on his belly, and babbling. “You’ll see it all for yourself soon,” she promised.
“I want to believe—” Another voice interrupted and she heard him give her name. “Mia? Regina just brought over dinner. We’ll have to finish this later.”
“Sure,” she managed. “We love you,” she added only to see her screen flashing that the call ended.
Her nerves rattling, she berated herself for failing. That had been her chance to explain it all and she’d blown it. It was like getting tossed back in time to her teenage self. No authority, no influence with the one adult in her life who mattered.
She sat down at the computer, hoping Jarvis would be here soon. It was time for her to either give up and leave Mustang Valley or call Regina’s bluff. With Silas still sleeping and no sign of Jarvis, she reviewed the notes she’d made since catching Regina at the country house.
She’d carefully documented every threat, direct or implied, against her, her son and her father. She’d downloaded her call and message logs as a precaution, taking screenshots as well. Over the past weeks, she’d spent hours poring over Regi
na’s social media posts, looking for any pictures of the man she’d been cheating with, the same man Jarvis had seen at the courthouse.
Jarvis had urged her time and again to speak at length with his brother and let the police set up a secret meeting with her dad. It was time to use that connection and create an advantage. With her report complete, she uploaded it to a cloud file until she and Jarvis could decide how to proceed.
They’d been out here, playing an odd version of house and becoming something more than friends and not quite lovers. Eventually, someone else from the Triple R crew would wander out this way, and then where would she go?
She didn’t want to go anywhere. Since leaving Roderick, she’d planned on creating a real home for her and Silas. A home close enough to her friends and father, right here in Mustang Valley. Free to be the mother and professional woman she’d always envisioned. She wanted to zip into town for business meetings or playdates, or even enjoy a butterfly-inducing date with a certain sexy cowboy. Whatever simmered between them should have a chance to grow once she was out from under this mess with her stepmother.
She’d find a way to triumph over Regina’s plans. Silas deserved all the love, family and roots she could give him.
At last she heard the truck. Her heart skipped ahead and her stomach rumbled. She was hungry for dinner, but hungrier for the man delivering it. Pausing just long enough to be sure it was Jarvis, she dashed outside and gave him a hug.
“Did it go well?” he asked, his arms coming around her.
“No.” She pressed her cheek to his solid chest, taking the comfort he offered. “He’s still effectively brainwashed, but hearing his voice helped me. Thank you.”
He smoothed a hand over her hair, then tipped up her chin and gave her a soft kiss. The tears she’d held back escaped now as his tenderness surrounded her. She forced herself to smile before she turned into a watering pot. “You smell like pizza.”
