by Cindy Kirk
But as the COO of JMF Financial, and at one time the man most likely to take over the company when his father retired, Shane found it more difficult to leave the company he loved.
He stood at a crossroads, not sure which direction to take. He’d invested so much of his time and attention into JMF Financial that he wanted to be absolutely sure that leaving was in his best interests. Shane had hoped speaking with Jeanne Marie last night would provide clarity. Unfortunately, that encounter had left him with more questions than answers.
Perhaps having lunch with Sawyer and his friend was what he needed. “Who’s this Nick Lamb? Have I met him?”
“I don’t think so.” Sawyer shrugged. “He’s a real-estate developer from San Antonio. A friend of a friend, really. I’m sure he wants to see what he can do for us and what we can do for him.”
Shane grimaced. He’d dealt with many such men and already knew what the guy was after—Fortune money to fund some of his more risky projects. “On second thought I’m too busy for lunch.”
“You’re not too busy.” The determined look on Sawyer’s face reminded Shane that his brother could be a formidable adversary. “This will be good for you. Trust me. There’s nothing like a two-martini lunch to take your mind off woman troubles.”
* * *
Lia dressed with special care for the birthday lunch with Stephanie. The arabesque-print dress in navy, beige and aqua with a V-neck showed off her increasing décolletage. Navy espadrille wedged sandals made her look taller. She’d slipped on the watchband of stones and beads she’d made the other night, hoping it would draw attention to her slender wrist and away from her belly.
She’d suggested they eat at Red but Steph had insisted on meeting at the Red Rock Country Club. When Lia had told her friend she wasn’t a member, Steph had told her not to worry. She had connections.
It appeared, Lia thought with a wry twist to her lips, that nothing had changed.
Because they were meeting at the country club, Lia knew it would be a long lunch. That was why she’d gotten the okay from Sawyer to take additional time.
Lia arrived a few minutes early and parked her car herself. Though using the valet parking would be more convenient, she barely had enough money to pay for both meals and the tip. Her gift to Steph was in her purse: a watchband made out of lapis lazuli stones.
As she stepped onto the curving sidewalk, Lia caught sight of Steph waiting for her at the entrance. Steph’s long blond hair, the color of buttermilk, now hung past her shoulders. Her blue linen dress showed off the curves men liked. Though her face was classically beautiful, there was a girl-next-door friendliness to her features that made you want to pull her close rather than take a step back.
Stepping back was actually what Lia had done over two years ago when she’d moved out of the condo they’d shared in Canyon Springs. Yet, seeing her now made Lia remember all over again the good times they’d shared.
“Lia.” A genuine smile lifted Steph’s shiny pink lips. She opened her arms. “It’s been too long.”
Steph’s voice was melodious and smooth. Even though she was a lifelong Texan, there was only the merest hint of a drawl. She pulled Lia close for a quick hug then held her at arm’s length. “The layers in the hair are très chic. And that dress is gorgeous. But there’s something you didn’t tell me...”
Her friend’s eyes lowered and Lia could feel herself blushing. Just like she had when she was fifteen and her mother had caught her French-kissing the boy next door.
Lia lifted her chin. “I’m due in September.”
“Congrats.” Steph linked her arm through hers. “Who’s the lucky man?”
“A friend.” Lia realized as she said the words they were true. She did think of Shane as a friend. “You don’t know him.”
“I’m sure I don’t, since it’s been a while for us.” Steph gave a throaty laugh. “But I’m glad you agreed to see me, to keep the birthday lunch tradition going.”
There was an odd catch in Stephanie’s voice, leaving Lia to wonder if today was about more than keeping that tradition.
Instead of eating inside, they chose a table on the patio. A large green awning, along with discreetly placed fans and misters, kept the area cool and comfortable.
They quickly ordered and the conversation turned to mutual friends from UT and what they were doing now. Surprisingly, Steph had kept in contact with quite a few of the women they’d known in college.
“So—” Steph leaned forward “—tell me about your ‘friend.’”
“I will—” Lia took a sip of water “—after you catch me up on what’s new with you. You said you’re still working for Kimber?”
“I am.” Steph toyed with her food. “But just between us, I’ve grown weary of all the...socializing. And I’ve met someone...”
“A client?”
“Someone I met at a party. I was there with...a different man.”
A client, Lia thought to herself, filling in the blank.
“Anyway, Paul and I chatted briefly and really hit it off. I thought I’d never see him again.” Steph started talking fast, the way she used to when she was nervous. “Then I ran into him at the grocery store. The connection was still strong and he asked me out.”
“Love at first sight.” Lia kept her tone light.
“Yes.” An adorable blush colored Steph’s cheeks. “Does that sound corny?”
Lia thought of Shane. She remembered the attraction that had sparked the instant her eyes had met his. Her lips curved upward and she shook her head. “Not corny at all.”
“I’ve seen Paul several times and...” Steph’s expression grew dreamy. She sighed. “Anyway, we’re so happy.”
“Does he know about your job?”
“No,” Steph snapped then immediately gave Lia an apologetic smile. “And he’s not going to find out. He’s a decent guy, Lia. He wouldn’t understand.”
“I’m excited for you, Steph.” Her friend had a good heart and Lia wanted nothing more than for her to be happy. “But you can’t build a life with this man on a lie.”
Steph looked away, but not before Lia saw the sheen of tears in her eyes. “I’m afraid he won’t want me if he knows.”
Lia reached over and took her friend’s hand. “Give him a chance. He might surprise you.”
“I don’t know—”
“You must tell him.” Lia met her friend’s troubled gaze. “Texas may be a big state, but it’s also a small world. He’ll find out eventually. It will be better if it comes from you.”
“Hel-lo, ladies.”
Steph pulled her hand back at the deep baritone. Even though a friendly smile graced her lips, Lia sensed the sudden tension.
“Nick.” Steph gazed up at the man, her welcoming tone giving nothing away. “What a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect to see you in Red Rock.”
Nick appeared to be somewhere in his late thirties to early forties. Dark hair. Handsome features that had begun to turn soft from too much good food and drink. The imperious way his assessing gaze swept over Lia told her two things: this man had money and, sometime in the past, he’d been one of Steph’s clients.
“I didn’t expect to see you here, either.” He smiled at Lia. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”
“Natalia Serrano.” Steph pointed to her and then to him. “Nick Lamb.”
“What a pretty name. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Natalia.” He rested his hand on the back of Steph’s chair. “Do you and Stephanie work together?”
“I don’t want to be rude,” Lia said in a cool, dismissive tone she knew Steph couldn’t use with a client, “but my friend and I were discussing some important business. So if you don’t mi—”
“Nick, I got us a table inside—” Sawyer stopped when he saw Lia. His gaze shifted, taking in the scene before him and lingering on Steph for several seconds before returning to Lia.
“Hi, Sawyer.” Though her stomach churned, her voice sounded surprisingly comp
osed.
Nick raised a brow. “You two know each other?”
“Natalia works for me,” Sawyer said.
Nick’s smile widened.
“She’s a CPA,” Sawyer added.
“Is that so?” The predatory gleam in Nick’s eyes made Lia’s skin crawl. “Well, honey, you can work on my...books...anytime.”
Sawyer cocked his head. “I didn’t realize you and Nick were acquainted.”
“We’re not acquainted,” Lia told him then shifted her gaze to Nick. “And I’m not your honey.”
“Actually, it’s Steph and I who are old friends,” Nick said easily, though his gaze remained on Lia.
Something flared in Sawyer’s eyes. “Steph?”
“That’s me.” Steph held out her hand to Sawyer. “Stephanie Roberts.”
He took her hand, a strange look in his eyes. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Roberts.”
“Please,” she said, “call me Steph.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen you around Red Rock, Steph,” Sawyer said.
“That’s because I live in San Antonio.”
Nick smiled at Lia. “Do you live in San Antonio?”
Lia shook her head.
“Perhaps you could come down next weekend.” Nick’s gaze focused on the V of her dress. “I’m throwing a big party. Steph knows where I live. You could be my guest.”
“That won’t be possible.”
Lia inhaled sharply. A proprietary hand settled on her shoulder and she swiveled in her seat to find Shane standing behind her.
“Hello, sweetheart.” Shane leaned over and brushed a kiss against her cheek.
“Nick, this is my brother Shane,” Sawyer said quickly. “He’s the COO of JMF Financial.”
“Lia and I already have plans for this weekend,” Shane continued as if his brother hadn’t spoken, his unyielding gaze focused on Nick. “And for every weekend after that.”
“I didn’t realize—” Nick began.
“Now you know.” Shane’s blue eyes flashed a warning.
Lia relaxed against the back of her chair and took a sip of water. Once again all was right in her world. Her knight in shining armor would keep lecherous Nick at bay.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Serrano,” Nick said with a polite smile. “Steph, I’ll be seeing you...soon.”
Steph just smiled and after a few more pleasantries, the men strolled off.
“You’ve been holding out on me,” Steph said as soon as the men were out of earshot. “Tell me all about Mr. Tall, Dark and Delicious.”
“Shane is a good friend.” Lia’s gaze followed him until he disappeared inside the building with Sawyer and Nick. Then she turned back to Steph. “He’s also the father of my baby.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Tell me about Natalia,” Nick said after their lunch dishes were removed and he’d finished describing several of his current developments. “How did you two meet?”
Nick had a good grasp of business and he’d made some brilliant financial investments. But there was something about him Shane disliked. The way he’d looked at Lia was at the top of that list.
“We met at a party.” Shane found himself reluctant to give Nick any more information than necessary. “We’ve been seeing each other ever since.”
He was grateful Lia hadn’t stood up, because then he’d be fending off questions about the pregnancy. Then again, maybe that would have been what Nick needed to truly believe she was off-limits. Because she was. To Nick. And to any other man.
“She’s a beautiful woman.” Nick stroked his chin.
“So is Stephanie,” Sawyer interjected.
“I suppose so.” Nick waved a dismissive hand. “But there’s something almost exotic about those big brown eyes and all that dark hair. Is she open to seeing other men?”
Shane inhaled sharply.
“Nick.” Sawyer’s laugh sounded strained. “Didn’t you hear my brother say that he and Lia have been seeing each other?”
“I heard,” Nick said. “But some of the women see more than one man at a time.”
Shane could feel the blood draining from his body. “The women?”
“Isn’t she an escort?”
“Escort? Why would you think that?” Shane heard the words come from his lips, though he didn’t recall saying them.
“Because that’s how I know Steph.”
* * *
“An escort service.” Sawyer slanted a sideways glance at Shane on the drive to the ranch. “Odds are that’s how Lia was able to afford that high-priced condo in San Antonio.”
“She could have simply been living there while her friend paid,” Shane said, still trying to make sense of everything he’d heard.
“You don’t believe that any more than I do,” Sawyer scoffed. “When we walked up to the table I heard Lia tell Nick that she and Steph were discussing business. Business.”
“If Lia was an escort, she sure as hell wouldn’t be living in the dump by the Red Rock Medical Clinic. And she would have done a better job of protecting herself from getting pregnant.”
“Let’s assume for a moment that it is your baby. You both took all the precautions and the pregnancy still happened.” Sawyer’s gaze turned thoughtful. “Maybe she wanted to get out of the...business. When she got pregnant by you, that became her ticket out.”
Although what his brother was saying was plausible, Shane started shaking his head even before Sawyer finished speaking. He couldn’t believe the Lia he’d come to know, his Lia, had ever been a prostitute. “I’m sure there’s a logical explanation.”
“So you’re going to what? Ask her and then believe what she says?”
“Why are you always so willing to think badly of Lia?” Shane frowned. “You hired her. Raved about her. I know you like her.”
“You’re right,” Sawyer admitted. “I do. But you’re my brother. And I don’t want to see her hurt you. I want you to be smart about this.”
Shane raked a hand through his hair. “So what do you suggest?”
“Trust, but verify. Ask her, but in the meantime we give what we know to Tom so he can get it to the investigator,” Sawyer suggested, watching him closely. “With this additional information, he should be able to verify whether or not she is, or has ever been, a high-priced escort.”
Shane wiped a hand across his face. “I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to like it.” Sawyer gentled his tone. “This is the only way to know the truth. Besides, look on the bright side.”
“There’s a bright side?”
“If she ever was a prostitute, and that baby turns out to be yours, your chances of gaining full custody just got a helluva lot stronger.”
* * *
Although doing the ranch payroll kept her busy the rest of the afternoon, the incident at the country club left Lia feeling on edge. She remembered the way Nick’s gaze had lingered on her breasts. When she’d complained to Steph that he’d looked at her as if she was a steak and he hadn’t eaten in a week, her friend had just laughed and said that was par for the course.
Thankfully Nick hadn’t returned to their table, but then neither had Shane. For a few seconds, as Lia watched the printer spit out checks, she worried Shane may have thought she’d welcomed Nick’s attentions. But she immediately chided herself. Shane knew her better than that...
The end of the day brought a dilemma. Lia wasn’t sure if she was welcome at the house tonight for dinner since Jeanne Marie was still around. She’d planned to ask Shane when she saw him.
But he hadn’t called. Or stopped by.
Not wanting to intrude on their “family” time, Lia headed straight home. By the time she’d recharged with a thirty-minute power nap and changed into a pair of yoga pants, her spirits had rebounded.
She ate a meal of high-fiber raisin bran, topping it off with a banana that tomorrow would be too ripe. She was just about to pull out her beading supplies when a crisp knock sounded at the door. The rap wa
s quickly followed by another one only a second later.
Lia’s lips curved upward. It appeared her impatient Prince Charming had arrived.
She jumped up, swiping her hand through her hair on the way to the door, a bounce in her step.
“Come in.” She waved Shane inside. Her smile faded when she saw the look on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“How was your lunch?” He crossed the room and took a seat at the table.
“Delicious,” she said slowly. “How was yours?”
“Not good.” His words were crisp, delivered with military precision.
“I’m surprised.” Lia hiked her yoga pants up over her belly and dropped into the chair across from him. “Though I haven’t eaten at the country club much, I’ve never been disappointed. Steph had the tilapia with Parmesan pasta. She said it was fabulous.”
Lia knew she was chattering when she went on to describe everything that had been on Steph’s plate as well as her own. Still, she couldn’t seem to stop herself. There was this bleached anger in the air that she didn’t understand.
“Tell me about your friend Stephanie.” His tone was the same as ever but the spark of good humor she’d grown used to seeing in his eyes wasn’t there.
A feeling of dread washed over her.
He’s simply tired, she told herself, and I’m overreacting.
Shane stared at her, an expectant expression on his face.
“Steph and I were roommates at UT. We were both there on scholarship and always short on money.” Lia gave a little laugh. “I think shared poverty brought us closer.”
“She looks like she’s doing pretty well for herself now,” Shane said in a casual tone. “Apparently Nick sees her at parties all the time. Yet, you were the one who caught his eye today.”
No, he wasn’t simply tired. Clearly something was on his mind.
It had been a long day and Lia was suddenly weary of the cat-and-mouse game he was playing. If he was jealous of Nick, he should just say it. Then she could tell him the truth—that she thought Nick was slimy—and they’d both have a good laugh. “Why don’t you just come out and say whatever it is you want to say?”
