“Not even close, sweetheart.”
Chapter 21
Plates clanked, water boiled in brassy pots, and angry shouts filled the hot muggy air in the kitchen of La Central.
“Caroline, I just had a complaint on your Soubise sauce. That’s the fifth complaint this month,” a tall rotund man yelled from the counter in the center of the kitchen.
People scurried about the kitchen, chopping, cooking, and generally moving in fear of the man in the center of the room. He seemed to be the one in charge.
Perfect. Just the man he was looking for.
James Carr elbowed his cousin in the side, nodding his head toward the bellowing man.
“Come on people, this is La Central not Joe’s Chicken Shack. If you make my food taste like crap, I will toss you in the trash with the rest of the garbage!”
Threats to put the people in line. A man after his own heart. James smiled and made his way toward the chef in the center of the kitchen. Mike followed, holding his briefcase in front of him like a shield, as they made their way around hot stoves and flaming pans.
“Excuse me?”
The big man turned. He scowled when he caught sight of them.
“Who are you? How the hell did you get back here? Travis, who let these assholes into my kitchen?”
A young man dragging a mop and bucket looked over, his eyes rounding with fear. James could almost see the boy’s knees shaking as he shook his head.
“I don’t know, Mr. Collins. I—”
“Useless,” Collins grumbled, waving a hand in the air. “Well, who the hell are you and what do you want? We had our health inspection last month, so if that’s why you’re here, you can just hightail your asses out.”
“We’re not from the health department.” Mike cowered like a scared little girl when he spoke.
Imbecile.
“Then who are you? Be quick. I’ve got a business to run, and I’m short staffed at the moment.”
Mike pushed his glasses up his nose, swallowing nervously before he spoke. “We are here representing an injured party—”
“Oh shit. Is someone suing me?” the chef interrupted. The man seemed to do that a lot.
“No, nothing like that.” The spineless lawyer fumbled with his briefcase, placing it on the counter and trying to open it.
James ground his teeth, counting to ten. His patience with his inept cousin was wearing thin. After this, he would find another lawyer. One with a little more backbone.
“Actually, your short staff is why we are here.” It was time he took over the explanations. If he left it to his pathetic relative, they’d be here all night. The man really was becoming dead weight.
The restaurant owner crossed his arms over his meaty chest. “Go on.”
“We know all about Ms. Hayworth and how she left you in a bind.”
The red-faced chef squinted, his lips pulling back in a snarl. “Bitch left me high and dry. Years of employment I gave that woman. I gave her promotions, raises, and what did she give me in return? She left. Not even two weeks’ notice. Just up and left. Now, I’ve had to run this place and look for her replacement at the same time.”
The man was angry. Good. He could work with angry. Rage was his bread and butter. Irate people were easy to manipulate. Turn their fury toward what you wanted and they would do almost anything.
“I’m sad to say, I’m not surprised.”
One gray, bushy eyebrow rose. “You know Elizabeth?”
Hatred seethed at the sound of her name, but he pushed it down. “I’m acquainted with her, yes. I know how selfish she can be. She will do anything to get what she wants. Lie, manipulate, break contracts.”
Collins rubbed a beefy hand across the back of his neck. “Well, she didn’t really break her contract. California is an at-will state so—”
“But,” he interrupted. If Collins could do it, so could he. “She signed a contract indicating she would give two weeks’ notice, at least, when she started working. Didn’t she?”
The big man grunted. “Yeah, I have all the employees sign one.”
Gotcha!
He curled his lips in a devilish smile. “My name is James Carr and this is Michael Dornes. He’s a lawyer who is representing other parties wronged by Ms. Hayworth.”
Other parties being him, but this man didn’t need to know that.
The guy stuck a big, meaty paw out, shaking both his and his cousin’s hands.
“So, what do you want from me?”
Here it was. Time to put his plan in action and show Elizabeth she shouldn’t mess with him. Nobody messed with James Carr. Nobody.
“We’re here on your behalf to help you get justice.”
He could tell the restaurant owner was still confused. Mike had finally gotten all the paperwork out of his briefcase and stared at him expectantly. At his nod, his cousin thrust the papers toward Collins.
“This is a civil lawsuit detailing how Ms. Hayworth wronged you by breaking her contract. We are prepared to take her to court, but we believe that Ms. Hayworth will settle. She violated your agreement and must be held accountable for it. She owes you monetary compensation, Mr. Collins, and we are here to help see you get what you deserve.”
At his cousin’s words, the big man’s eyes lit up. Yeah, mention money and everyone’s your puppet. He knew Elizabeth would try to fight this, but he also knew it was going to be one big headache for her. If she happened to lose thousands of dollars in lawyer bills, court fees, and travel expenses, well then, that would just be icing on the cake.
She’d been a thorn in his side, twice, and now the time had come to repay the favor.
“You can’t let her get away with what she did to you,” he told Collins, affecting his very best sympathetic guise.
“Yeah.” Light gleamed in the other man’s gaze. Taking the papers from Mike, he glanced over them. “She had a contract, and she broke it. She needs to pay.”
James swore he could see dollar signs in the other man’s eyes. Whatever motivated the restaurateur was fine with him. As long as Elizabeth Hayworth would be on the receiving end of that cold, greedy stare.
“You are absolutely right.”
Oh yes, Elizabeth needed to pay. “And we will make sure she does.”
“Where do I sign?” A mean grin spread wide across the other man’s face.
Mike went over the paperwork as James silently congratulated himself. His plan was set in motion. Maybe now Ms. Stick-Her-Nose-In-Other-People’s-Business-Hayworth would learn to mind her place. If not…
He smiled as he watched a cook battle the high reaching flames of an alcohol-laden dish.
I can always turn up the heat another way.
Chapter 22
Lizzy woke to an empty bed and the smell of fresh coffee. Smiling, she rolled over. She couldn’t remember the last time she slept this well. Her entire body felt relaxed.
The rich aroma of her special Cuban blend called to her. Rolling out of bed, she winced. Okay, maybe not so relaxed. She was sore in places she didn’t even know existed. Dade had explored every inch of her. Then started all over again. She lost count after the fourth climax. It was more like they rolled into one big orgasm that lasted all night long.
Grabbing her silk robe off the door hook, she put it on and tied the sash as she left in search of coffee and Dade.
She found one.
A fresh pot of coffee sat in the coffee maker, but a glance around the small apartment revealed no sexy cowboy. The coffee had just finished brewing, so he couldn’t have been gone long. Maybe he went out to get some breakfast. All she had was cereal and half a loaf of bread.
I really need to hit the grocery store.
She’d have coffee while she waited for him. Taking a mug from the cupboard, she added creamer and sugar to the dark brew. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply. Lips parting, she savored her first sip, letting the caffeine wake up her sleep-fogged mind. How had people existed before coffee? When she opened her eyes ag
ain, she noticed a note next to the coffee maker.
Had to get back to the ranch. Didn’t want Maggie or Colt to worry. Last night was amazing. You are amazing. See you soon.
Dade
Okay, so he wasn’t out getting breakfast. He’d woken up and hightailed it out of there. At least he left a note. And made coffee.
Coffee not tasting so sweet anymore, she put her mug down. There was no reason to be hurt. He made it clear what this was: sex. Just two adults having a good time. Okay, she could deal with that. So, why did he mention Maggie and Colt worrying? They wouldn’t worry if they knew he was with her. But they didn’t know he was with her, because Dade didn’t want them to know. Was it just those two he wanted to keep in the dark or…everybody? They really needed to sit down and hash out the rules of what they were doing here.
Lizzy picked up her coffee again. Now, she really needed the caffeine wake up. This thing between her and Dade was far too complicated for her liking. If the man wasn’t a veritable sex god, she would call the whole thing off. Remembering last night—the ways he made her scream with pleasure—she figured she could deal with complicated.
A tiny voice in her head argued, no you can’t, but she shoved the voice aside.
Downing the rest of her coffee, she went back to her bedroom to get ready for the day. There were some orders coming in, and she needed to be at the shop early. She was not a morning person, so it was a good thing her work was only a short walk downstairs.
The day was a busy one. The orders came in. Tony spent most of the morning putting them away while she and Jamie helped the customers. The tourist crowed had been huge this summer, thanks to a great blog review Maggie received last month. Before she knew it, the day passed, and they were an hour from closing.
“You sure you don’t want us to stay and help close?” Jamie asked, once again.
Lizzy shook her head. “No. You two came in early today and opened for me yesterday, too. You deserve some time off.” She shooed both of them. “Go, be teenagers, have fun with your summer.”
The young girl slid a hopeful glance Tony’s way, but spoke to Lizzy. “Okay, if you’re sure.”
“Yes, I am. Now go.”
The employees hung up their aprons and left through the back door. Judging by the looks they’d been giving each other all day, she had a pretty good idea what they’d do with their free afternoon.
Oh, to be young and in love.
The bell chimed over the front door, so she put on her service smile and headed up to the counter. A small man in a pair of khaki slacks, blue button-up shirt, and black tie, stood at the register. He had a large manila envelope in his hands.
Something hinky tingled in her gut. The guy looked out of place, even for a tourist.
“Hi. Welcome to Cupcakes Above the Clouds. What can I get for you?”
The man’s face was tight and puckered, as if he had been sucking on lemons all day. He pulled at his tie while glancing around the shop. The hinky feeling intensified.
“I’m looking for a Ms. Elizabeth Hayworth. I was told she worked here.”
Warning bells went off in her brain.
“Who are you, and why are you looking for her?”
The man’s beady little eyes stopped glancing around and focused on her.
“Are you Ms. Hayworth?”
She didn’t see any weapons on him, but they could be concealed. This was the west. Lots of people had guns out here, right? Mostly, they were for hunting, but a hunting rifle could kill you just the same as a handgun. No way the guy could hide a rifle on him; handgun, possibly. Her throat tightened, fear starting to take hold.
“Who wants to know?”
Lizzy slowly reached into her pocket for her phone. She really wished she hadn’t let Jamie and Tony leave early. Would she have enough time to dial 9-1-1 if this guy proved to be a threat? Her heartbeat pounded frantically in her chest. Sweat started to gather on her brow. This was supposed to be a safe mountain town.
The man started to pull something from his pocket. Lizzy punched in the three numbers, but before she hit send, the man spoke.
“Langston Courier Services.” He placed the small business card he pulled from his pocket on the counter. “Now, are you Ms. Hayworth?”
Breathing a huge sigh of relief, she slid her phone back into her pocket. “Yes, I am.”
The small man nodded and handed her the envelope. “You’ve been served. Sign here please.”
Brain numb, she grasped the pen and clipboard he handed her, signing her name at the marked line without even reading anything.
He retrieved his items from her and dipped his head. “Have a nice day.” Then he turned on his heels and exited the shop.
Lizzy stood there, dumbfounded. Served? What in the world? She stared down at the envelope in her hand as if it was a bomb. Someone was suing her? Why?
Anger and fear churned her gut. The Chocolate Volcano cupcake she shoved in her mouth ten minutes ago threatened to make a reappearance.
Well, crap. Standing here staring at the thing like a moron wasn’t going to solve anything. Shaking off her confusion, she tore the envelope open with shaking hands and began to read. A paragraph in, her hands stopped shaking, and she gripped the paper tight then swore.
“You son of a bitch!”
“Uh oh, hope that comment wasn’t directed at me. I just came in to get cupcakes for the station.”
Lizzy glanced up to see Jake Ryder, in full uniform, smiling back at her.
When had he come in? She was so angry she hadn’t even heard the bell over the door chime.
“No, I’m sorry. It’s not you. I’m—” She was so mad she could barely get the words out. “I’m being sued by my former boss.”
The sheriff winced. “That’s rough. What’s he claiming?”
“Breach of contract. It’s total bull, too. I had an at-will contract. I also forgave all the vacation time he owed me because I left without notice.” She had been so worried about Maggie after the shooting, she didn’t hesitate to hop on the first plane out of LA.
“Mind if I take a look? My sister is an attorney,” Ryder explained at her questioning glance.
Fuming mad—but grateful for any help he could give—she handed over the document. He spent a moment reading the paper before handing it back.
“I’m no lawyer, but that sounds, for lack of a better word, sketchy.”
It all looked like mumbo jumbo to her. Lawyer speak was not her forté.
Glancing over the paper once again, a name caught her eye. There, on the bottom of the document, the prosecuting lawyer’s name in bold black letters: Michael J Dornes.
Red-hot anger clouded her vision. Sketchy wasn’t the right word. Set-up was. That bastard Carr set this up with his cousin because she outed him when he tried to sue Dade. She wished the slimy weasels were still in town. She would kick their cowardly little butts.
“Oh, it’s sketchy, all right.”
Ryder’s brow lowered in concern. “Lizzy?”
“I know this lawyer. He’s a rat who runs scams with his cousin. I called them on it about a week ago when they were trying to sue the Denning Ranch. I think they want to get back at me, so they contacted my old boss and talked him into suing me. Bastards.”
The sheriff’s hands clenched on the counter top. “Give me the papers.”
“What?”
“I’ll have my sister take a look at it. She’s a damn good lawyer. If they’re trying to scam you, she’ll throw the book at them.”
Shocked at his offer, she shook her head. “Why?”
His hand unconsciously went to the gun at his hip. “No one messes with my people. This is my town. It’s my job to protect its citizens.”
She handed the paper over. Ryder folded it and put it in his uniform breast pocket. Gratitude washed over her. Dornes had no case, but fighting the lawsuit—especially from states away—would be a nightmare of a headache.
“Thank you, Ryder.”
; He smiled, looking so handsome she wished, once again, it was Ryder she lost her mind over and not the complicated cowboy who rocked her world then ran from her bed.
“Don’t worry about it, Lizzy. My sister is very good. She’ll have this whole mess figured out in no time.”
“You are so getting free cupcakes today.”
He laughed, his handsome face lighting up with the action. He was going to make some lucky woman very happy one day.
Lizzy gathered a variety dozen of cupcakes and placed them in a to-go box. She was so grateful for his help, she even added three extra Mint Madness cupcakes to the box, filling it to the brim.
“Wow,” His eyes grew round, taking the gift from her. “I’m going to be very popular at the station tonight.”
“I’m sure you’re popular anyway. From what I’ve seen, everyone around here loves you.”
He gave her a wistful smile. “Not everyone.”
Blushing, she glanced down. She wished she could feel something for him. The guy was kind, handsome, and fun. Everything she usually looked for. But he didn’t make her blood boil or her heat skip a beat. Only one man did.
The chime above the door rang out, and she snapped her head up in anticipation of another customer.
Speak of the devil.
There, standing in the doorway wearing a very pissed expression, stood the only man who had ever made her heart race.
Dade Denning.
Chapter 23
He was going to jail. His brother would have to find bail money because Dade was two seconds away from punching the smug, smiling sheriff right in the face.
What the hell is Ryder doing here?
“Dade. Imagine seeing you here.”
He didn’t like the way the other man said that or the knowing twinkle in his eye. What was Ryder’s game? Was he here to make time with Lizzy? Made sense. What red-blooded man wouldn’t want to spend time with her? She was amazing and sexy as hell.
But she was his. Maybe not forever, but for right now.
And Dade didn’t share.
“Sheriff,” he said, proud he could speak like a normal human being when a raging tornado whirled on the inside.
Love on the Wild Side Page 14
