Lip Service

by Susan Mallery

  “Do you know how long he was working for Garth?” Izzy asked.

  “Does it matter?”

  “It might,” Lexi said. “If this is a recent development, then maybe it’s not so bad.”

  Skye raised her eyebrows.

  “At least he wasn’t lying before,” Dana added, then shook her head. “Sorry. I’m trying to be supportive, but I’m just too cynical. Mitch turned into a real jerk and I’m sorry about that. He used to be one of the good ones.”

  Before, Skye thought angrily. She would bet that if they were to talk, Mitch would blame all this on her. He would say she’d earned it.

  She could accept that he’d slept with her to lead her on and punish her. She could accept a lot of things. But she’d gone to him and asked for help. He’d agreed, the whole time knowing he was going to betray her. He’d set her up.

  “He’s not the man I thought,” she whispered. “That’s what gets me the most. I was wrong about who he is on the inside.”

  He used to be so honorable, she thought sadly. So earnest.

  “I really don’t like this,” Izzy grumbled. “I had a crush on him and now he’s an asshole.”

  “Because it’s all about you?” Dana asked.

  “Well, yeah.”

  Lexi chuckled. Skye tried to smile and failed. Then she reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out the ring she’d dug out of her jewelry box that morning. She tossed the ring onto the kitchen table.

  The diamonds glittered in the overhead light. The gold still gleamed. All four women stared at the ring.

  “It’s beautiful,” Lexi said.

  “It was.” Skye sipped her coffee. “The one Ray gave me was bigger, but this is the one that mattered. Mitch and I were outside. We’d been riding and the clouds had come in. I said it was going to rain and we should get back. He teased me about not wanting to get my hair wet and while we were laughing, he pulled out the ring and dropped to his knees.”

  The image was so clear. She could smell the cut grass, see Mitch’s dark eyes, his gaze so intense. She’d stopped breathing and all she could hear was the pounding of her heart.

  “He told me loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. He said that I was the best thing that ever happened to him, then he asked me to marry him.”

  Tears trickled down her cheeks as she remembered how much she’d loved him. How she’d known they would be together forever.

  “When I told him I couldn’t marry him, I gave him back the ring,” she continued, her voice shaking. “He took it and threw it in the dirt. I was horrified. We fought and he walked off. I was crying so hard, I could barely see, but I was determined to find the ring. I clawed at the dirt until I saw it.” She touched it with the tip of her finger. “I thought it meant something.”

  Dana crouched down next to her. “Do you want me to beat him up for you? I could take him.”

  Despite everything, Skye laughed. “That’s really sweet of you, but I don’t want you to hurt him.” Skye wiped her face. “Is that stupid or what? After all this time and everything that’s happened, I don’t want him hurt. Stupid, stupid me.”

  “You didn’t know,” Lexi said. “You couldn’t have known.”

  “He betrayed me.”

  “He’s not over you,” Izzy said. “He can’t be. These aren’t the actions of a man who doesn’t care. He’s really pissed off.”

  “He blames me for the loss of his leg. If I hadn’t dumped him, he wouldn’t have gone into the navy and so on. It’s my fault.”

  Yesterday she would have said there might still be something between them. A chance, maybe. But now? Today? There was only anger and treachery.

  “What if he’s sorry?” Izzy asked.

  “What if he’s not,” Dana said, then swore. “Why did it have to be Mitch? I could handle someone else, but not him. Not like this.”

  Skye stood and wiped the last of her tears. “We’re not going to fix this. It happened and we’ll deal. Mitch isn’t one of the good guys anymore. End of story.”

  She sounded strong, she thought, pleased she was faking it so well. She left the kitchen and found Erin sitting on the stairs. Her daughter had pulled her knees to her chest. The girl looked sad and scared.

  “What’s wrong?” Skye asked, sitting next to her and smoothing her hair.

  “You’re mad at Mitch.”

  Skye winced silently. “You were listening.”

  Erin looked at her. “Not on purpose. I just heard a little and then I left.” Her daughter leaned against her. “You were crying, Mommy.”

  “I’m done now.”

  “I don’t feel good.”

  It was the tears, Skye thought. They reminded her of when Ray had died. Skye had cried for weeks.

  “Does your tummy hurt?”

  Erin nodded.

  “It will get better. You want to go riding? We could go for a long ride and that will help.”

  “I’m supposed to practice my jumps with Arturo.”

  Which put her on the Cassidy Ranch. Skye didn’t know what to say. While she didn’t want her daughter coming into contact with Mitch anytime soon, she didn’t want to forbid her from visiting with Fidela and Arturo. They both meant a lot to her and she needed them in her life.

  “I’ll drive you over,” Skye said. “Go get your boots.”

  Fifteen minutes later she pulled up to the barn. She didn’t see Mitch anywhere, which was a good thing. She didn’t feel strong enough to face him right now.

  Arturo was waiting. He opened the car door for Erin. “You have a horse to saddle,” he told Erin. “Then we’re jumping.”

  Her daughter grinned. “I’m ready,” she yelled as she hurried to the barn.

  Arturo bent down and looked at Skye. “You okay?”

  The simple question told her he knew what had happened. Maybe not the specifics, but enough that he was concerned about her.

  “I will be,” she said.

  “I’m sorry. That’s not who he is.”

  “Apparently it is.”

  Arturo sighed. “I’ll bring Erin home when she’s done. She’ll want to see Fidela so it will be a couple of hours.”

  “That’s fine. Thanks for bringing her back.”

  “No problem.”

  He stood and closed the passenger door, then turned toward the barn. Skye put the car in Drive and headed back home. She saw movement out of the corner of her eye but didn’t turn or look back. There was nothing there for her to care about anymore. The sooner she realized that, the better for everyone.

  MITCH KNEW it was going to be bad when he walked into the kitchen for lunch and found a can of tuna sitting on the counter. Fidela was nowhere around, but the message was clear. He was to get his own lunch.

  He couldn’t remember her ever not cooking for him, no matter what he’d done.

  She’d seen him talking to Garth that morning, had seen Skye run away and had asked questions. When he’d told her the truth, she stared at him as if she didn’t know him anymore, then had gone back inside. Apparently she was still angry.

  He wanted to find her and tell her it wasn’t as bad as she thought. He’d never actually given Garth any information. He’d been a halfhearted accomplice at best. But did any of that matter? Wasn’t it all about intent?

  He’d been so angry, he thought now as he searched the refrigerator for something to eat. Angry because he’d been forced to come back. Angry at the loss of his leg and angry at Skye for a list of transgressions, some of which she’d even done. Finding out Erin wasn’t his had pushed him over the edge.

  An explanation, he thought grimly. Not an excuse.

  He gave up on lunch and went outside. He followed the sound of hoofbeats and laughter until he stood at the edge of the corral where Arturo worked with Erin.

  The girl took the practice jumps easily, then begged for them to be higher. Arturo was patient with her, pointing out what she should do differently, praising her when she got it right. Mitch was sure they’
d both seen him, but neither of them acknowledged his presence.

  Arturo made sense. Fidela would have told him about Garth. But Erin? What did she have to be mad about? Had Skye said something to her about him? He didn’t want to believe it, but what else could it be?

  Mitch left them and went into his office. Okay—so he’d blown it. He was sorry. Didn’t that count for anything?

  He spent the next half hour feeling sorry for himself, then Erin walked into his office.

  She was four feet of eight-year-old fury as she stalked up to his desk and glared at him.

  “You made my mom cry,” she said, obviously outraged. “I wasn’t supposed to be listening but I was and she was crying because of you. Heroes aren’t supposed to be mean. You’re supposed to take care of us.”

  It was as if the strength suddenly left her and she sagged a little. Tears filled her eyes and poured down her cheeks. “You made her cry,” she whispered.

  Watching her was the worst thing he’d ever been through. The sense of guilt and helplessness drove him to his feet. He circled around the desk and tried to reach for her, but she backed up.

  “Don’t,” she yelled, wiping her face.

  “I’m sorry,” he told her. “I didn’t mean to hurt your mom.”

  “But you did hurt her.” She sounded shocked by the concept. As if she hadn’t known he was capable of that sort of thing. “You’re a bad man.”

  “I’m not. I made a bad choice. They’re not the same.”

  “Yes, they are.”

  He knew in his head she felt betrayed by someone she hadn’t known could betray her. But he didn’t know how to make it better.

  “I’m sorry, Erin.”

  She shoved him, as if trying to push him off balance. As if trying to make him fall. He didn’t go down but he was stunned she would do that. Which was maybe a little of what she was feeling.

  The tears came faster now. She covered her face with her hands. He bent down and grabbed her around the waist and set her on his desk. She sobbed and kicked her feet against the wood.

  He waited until she’d quieted some before speaking. “You can’t stay mad at me forever.”

  “I can,” she said, and wiped her face.

  “I’ll make it right with Skye.”

  Erin looked doubtful. “You’re a hero,” she murmured. “You’re special. But you’re not. You’re just…”

  She jumped down and glared at him. “You’re just mean and I don’t like you anymore.”

  In Erin’s world, it was probably the worst thing she could say. She left him. Sitting there alone, he knew he’d lost something very precious. Something that wouldn’t easily be replaced or mended.

  The hell of it was, he hadn’t had to do anything for Garth. The other man had won the round without even trying. Mitch had played right into his hands. Now Skye was feeling more isolated and Garth was that much closer to getting everything he wanted.

  SKYE SPENT a terrible weekend pretending to be strong for Erin and feeling as if she’d been sucker punched in her heart. By dawn Monday morning, she’d given up trying to sleep and was grateful she had work to deal with. At least going into the office would be a distraction.

  She showered and dressed and was just about to go down for coffee when Izzy came into her room.

  “You’ll want to see this,” her sister said, handing her the morning paper.

  The headline made Skye’s head spin—Titan Executives Charged With Smuggling.

  “This isn’t happening,” she whispered as she began to read.

  The article was light on facts, but heavy on speculation. Apparently the shipping division of Titan World Enterprises was under investigation. Not only had company employees been charged with bribing foreign officials, they’d brought in ships with illegal cargo.

  Manifests had been forged. What was supposed to be simple manufacturing parts turned out to be guns and ammunition. Jed Titan was being accused of being a gunrunner.

  “This is bad,” Izzy said. “They’re hinting at treason.”

  “It’s bad,” Skye agreed, knowing Garth was behind this. She’d worried about what the next attack would be and here it was.

  “Jed could go to jail,” Izzy said.

  Skye put down the paper. “If he’s charged with treason, there’s no way he’s getting out of this one, and going to jail will be the least of his problems.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  MITCH WAITED THREE days before trying to see Skye. He knew she was feeling hurt and betrayed, but as much he wanted to make things right with her, he knew first he had to give her time. There was no excuse for what he’d done but there was an explanation. One he would have to tell her—not that he could make her listen.

  Even though Garth had come to see him and had asked Mitch to spy on the family, he hadn’t fully understood how serious the other man was about his campaign. Garth would do anything to bring down the Titans. Hurt anyone. Even Skye and Erin. Mitch had to make sure that didn’t happen.

  He waited until he knew the school bus had been by. He still had to come to terms with Erin, but dealing with her would be a whole lot easier after he’d talked to Skye. At least that was the theory.

  He drove over to Glory’s Gate and was relieved to see her car by the back door. He got out of his truck and started toward the house. The back door banged open and Skye appeared at the top of the stairs, a shotgun in her arms.

  “Don’t even think about it,” she called as she walked down the two stairs and approached him. “You’re not welcome here.”

  She looked amazing, her long red hair blowing in the breeze. She’d dressed for work in a skirt and fancy blouse. He assumed there was a suit jacket somewhere but she hadn’t put it on yet. Still, the combination of conservative clothes and the shotgun was more of a turn-on than he would have expected.

  “We have to talk,” he told her.

  “We don’t have to do anything. You’re not welcome here.”

  “Skye, I know you’re pissed.”

  She shifted the gun and raised it to her shoulder, then sighted down the barrel. “Pissed doesn’t come close, Mitch. I trusted you. I came to you as a friend and you were working for Garth the whole time.”

  “It was more like fifteen minutes. I didn’t tell him anything.”

  “And that makes it okay? The fact that you didn’t do actual damage? I don’t think so.”

  He could feel her fury and see the fire in her eyes. She was incredibly beautiful—that hadn’t changed but every now and then he got a reminder.

  “Get your butt off my land,” she said forcefully.

  “This isn’t 1840 and I’m not here to rustle cattle.”

  “That doesn’t make you any less a criminal.”

  He looked at her. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. Garth showed up right after I found out about Erin. I was angry and I wanted you punished.”

  “For not keeping a child who wasn’t yours from you?”

  “Yeah, I know. When you put it like that, it doesn’t make sense.”

  “It never made sense.” She set down the rifle. “Dammit, Mitch, I wouldn’t have kept your kid from you. You should know that and me. You should have trusted me.”

  She was softening. “I needed an attitude adjustment.”

  “You needed a lot more than that.”

  He moved a little closer. She raised her hand.

  “Stay back,” she said.

  “I was confused,” he told her, knowing it was the truth. “I’d just lost my leg, I was angry and I needed…”

  “Someone to punish.”

  He nodded. “I’m not proud of what I did. It’s not who I am. You know that, Skye.”

  She swallowed. “Why didn’t you know I wouldn’t keep Erin from you?”

  “Because it wasn’t about that. I wanted her to be mine because I wanted something good in my life.”

  “You have the ranch and Fidela and Arturo.”

  “It didn’t seem like enough. If she was mine, th
en I had something to live for.”

  He walked toward her. He kept moving until her hand was pressed against his chest.

  “You’re going to have to shoot me,” he told her. “I’m not leaving.”

  He looked into her eyes. “Please let me in, Skye.”

  She turned and went into the house. He followed her.

  “I’m sorry about Garth,” he said as she sat at the round table and picked up a cup of coffee. “I didn’t know he was that serious. I saw the article in the paper.”

  “Jed could be charged with treason. This is serious. Not that I have any idea if my father has figured that out yet. He won’t talk to any of us about it. He’s never here. I’m not sure he’s even sleeping here. Maybe he has a place in Dallas. Or a girlfriend.”

  Mitch poured himself a cup of coffee and settled across from her. “Garth is playing hardball. I’m sorry about the party. I didn’t know he was going to pull something like that.”

  She sighed. “Honestly, in comparison to finding out you were working with him the fallout from the party was nearly manageable. I’ve spoken with some press people. I can’t tell them the truth, so we’re saying it was a frat stunt. The police are investigating, but because I told them it was Garth and he’s such a powerhouse in the community, they now think I’m hysterical. Or that I want him punished because he wouldn’t go out with me or something. Dana’s trying to find out something on her own, but Garth is good. I doubt he left anything for her to find.”

  “I could ask around.”

  “Uh-huh. Because I’d believe you.”

  “I’m not working for Garth.”

  “You were.”

  “I didn’t do anything.” He leaned toward her. “You have to accept my apology.”

  “Number one, I don’t. Number two, you haven’t apologized.”

  “I’m sorry.”