“Hey, boss! You got another visitor.”
Ryder let his sister go. “My my, somebody is popular today.”
Odd, considering she only knew a handful of people in town.
“Send ’em on back,” she called. Normally, she would ask who it was, but since she was back here with the sheriff of Peak Town, there was no reason to worry.
“Hey.” Dade’s deep, sexy voice filled the room as he stepped into her increasingly crowded little office.
“Hey.” She smiled, her heartbeat racing at the sight of him.
“And that’s our cue to leave.” The sheriff nudged his sister, tipping his hat. “Lizzy. Dade.”
Remembering her manners—a hard thing to do when her brain was clouded with cowboy lust—she stood.
“Thank you both so much.”
Julie smiled. “Not a problem. The guy doesn’t have a leg to stand on, and not to brag, but I am very good at my job. You’re in good hands.” The woman’s dark brown eyes slanted speculatively toward Dade. Then, leaning toward Lizzy, she whispered. “Very good hands, I imagine.”
Darn right with that assumption, sister, she thought with a knowing smile.
Ryder and Julie left, leaving her alone with Dade. No hanky panky this time. It was the middle of the day, and both Jamie and Tony were working.
Too bad.
“So, I take it the lawsuit thing is going well?”
“Yup. Julie says they don’t have a case, and she’s prepared to counter-sue if they try to take it to court.”
He snorted. “I don’t think Dornes has the balls to argue a case in an actual court.”
She agreed. Carr and Dornes used scare tactics to get settlements out of people. A vile thing to do, but hey, they were vile guys.
“So, what’s up? I’m surprised to see you away from the ranch during the day.”
Broad shoulders—shoulders she very vividly remembered clutching in the throes of passion last night—shrugged. “I had some supplies to pick up here in town. I, uh, also wanted to ask if you’d maybe like to go to dinner tonight.”
He shifted back and forth on his feet, looking adorably nervous.
Since when did Dade do nervous?
“You mean at the ranch?” Her mouth began to water. “What’s Maggie making tonight, pot roast?” She loved pot roast. Some days, she really missed having Maggie as a roommate. Her dinner selection had taken a serious nosedive after her best friend moved. One could only eat so much microwaved pizza.
He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “No, I mean…I have no idea what Maggie’s making. I wasn’t inviting you to the ranch. I was inviting you to have dinner out. With me.”
He could have asked her if she wanted to ride an elephant to the moon and she would have been less surprised.
“You mean…like a date?”
He gave her a sheepish grin. Since when did Dade do sheepish?
“Yeah, a date.”
He couldn’t be serious. She’d had too many cupcakes today and was having a sugar-induced fantasy. Because Dade Denning wanting her—beyond the amazing sex—was a fantasy, wasn’t it? What happened to not offering anything other than a physical relationship?
“Hmm. I don’t know. A date sounds like more than sex to me.”
She tried to hide her hopefulness. No reason to get ahead of herself. Just because she was starting to develop feelings for him didn’t mean he was developing feelings for her. He said he could never love her, but a date meant more than just sex. Right?
He stared her right in the eye, his face that mask of stoicism he wore so well. “What if I want more?”
Hoo boy! That was pretty clear.
For some reason, he wanted to move their involvement forward into an actual relationship. Maybe she had finally gotten through to him that he deserved a second shot at happiness. Maybe he realized even though Rachel was dead, he wasn’t. Who knows? She wasn’t going to question it. She would just thank her lucky stars.
“Sure, Dade. I’d like that.”
His shoulders relaxed. Leaning in closer, he brushed his lips over hers in the barest of kisses. “Great. I’ll pick you up around six-thirty?”
“Sounds perfect.”
He left, and she sank back down into her chair. A puff of surprised laughter escaped her. Well, this day had certainly gone from good to spectacular. Her lawsuit was going to disappear, and the man she was sleeping with—while secretly harboring feelings for—just indicated he might have feelings for her, too. Everything was looking up.
As she organized the invoices on her desk, she ignored that small part of her brain that whispered a warning.
The highest part of the ride comes just before the fall.
Chapter 25
Five days had passed since Dade first took Lizzy out on an actual date. Every night since, they had gone out. Dinner, movies, shooting pool. She couldn’t remember a time when she felt this happy. Last night, they went to dinner at a cute little Italian restaurant called Ciao and then to a drive-in movie. She hadn’t even realized those still existed.
It had been a magical night. The dinner conversation flowed as if they’d been dating for years. The movie, well truthfully, she didn’t really watch most of it. She’d been too busy running her hands over every inch of her sexy date, or as he had accused, “teasing the hell out of him.”
They hadn’t lasted to the end of the show; Dade announced they needed to leave. Putting up no argument, she let him drive back to her apartment where he ravaged her body, twice, before they both fell into an exhausted sleep.
“Elizabeth Audrey Hayworth, you are in big trouble!”
Lizzy glanced up from the register she was counting the morning’s float.
“Maggie? What are you doing here? The doctor didn’t give you clearance to work yet, did he?”
Clearly upset, her best friend stomped over to the counter. “No, and don’t change the subject.”
What subject? Oh, right, I’m in trouble. “As I’m often in trouble, you’ll have to be more specific.”
Her best friend punched her, weakly, on the shoulder. “How could you not tell me you and Dade were dating?”
Oops.
“Oh, that.”
“Yes, that.”
Maggie crossed her arms over her chest. She recognized her friend’s furrowed brow and pinched mouth. It was Maggie’s “shit-list” look, and she was going to have to spill the beans to get off it.
“Who told you?”
“Ellen at Merle’s diner told me she saw you two at Buck’s, two nights ago. Then I ran into Jed at the hardware store, and he said he saw you two necking like teenagers at the drive-in last night.”
Stupid small town gossip.
“Jeez, Maggie, it’s not even eight yet.” And she had so not drank enough coffee for this confrontation.
She shrugged. “Colt had some errands he needed to run. I’m sick of being stuck at home, so I made him bring me along.”
Peering around her friend, Lizzy looked for the tall cowboy with eyes so similar to Dade’s.
“He dropped me off. I finally convinced him I’m doing well and will meet up with him later. But you can bet he’s as pissed as me. He’s going to tear Dade a new one when we get back.”
She groaned, covering her face with her hands. They kept their relationship secret because they didn’t want Maggie or Colt getting hurt if things went south, but in doing so, they ended up hurting them by keeping it a secret. Talk about irony.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you. It’s just…well, it’s complicated.”
Maggie narrowed her gaze. “So uncomplicate it for me.”
Her best friend wasn’t going to leave until she knew everything. Truth be told, Lizzy had wanted to tell her everything for a while now. Since they were dating—publicly now—she figured it was okay.
“Okay, but you have to sit down.”
The smug brunette grinned, knowing she had won. “That good of a story, huh?”
S
haking her head, she shooed her friend over to a table, making her sit and sank down in the opposite chair. The shop was open, but people usually didn’t come in for another half-hour or so. They had time for a long, overdue girl talk.
“All right, so about a week ago was technically our first date—”
“Technically? What do you mean technically?”
Lizzy huffed. “If you’d let me finish, I can explain.” She loved her friend, but the woman was not known for her patience.
Smiling, Maggie locked her lips with an imaginary key and tossed it away. Lizzy couldn’t help but grin. She really did have the best friend a girl could ask for.
Lizzy started with the first time Dade kissed her, the night he found her on the trail, and everything up until last night at the drive-in. She glossed over the more intimate details; there were things you didn’t share, even with your best friend. She also left out the part about Rachel. That was Dade’s heartache and not her place to share it.
After she recounted their strange journey to dating, the smaller woman sat back and let out a roar of laughter.
“I’m glad you find my relationship amusing.”
Maggie wiped tears away from her eyes with the back of her fingers. “It’s not that. It’s just so funny.”
“What’s funny?”
“You. Usually it takes a guy months of dating to get you into bed. Dade got you in the sack before the first date.”
She raised her right eyebrow, glaring at her supposed best friend. “Are you calling me easy?”
Maggie stopped laughing and smiled softly. “No. I’m saying Dade has you twisted up in knots. He’s special. You care about him. Maybe even…”
“Don’t say it!” She held up a hand. “We’ve only been, you know, together for a few weeks, and we just started actually dating. Don’t you go cursinxing us.”
“That’s not a word.”
“It should be. A curse and a jinx all rolled into one. The worst thing ever. And if you say the ‘L’ word, that’s exactly what you’ll do.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
She didn’t like the smug expression currently being aimed at her.
“Okay, yes, I admit I have feelings for Dade. I care about him.”
Dark brown eyebrows rose.
“Probably more than I’ve ever cared about a guy. And yes,” she continued at her friend’s knowing gaze. “It might be heading toward the ‘L’ word, but I don’t want to rush anything. Dade just agreed to put this thing out in the open. I don’t want to get too clingy and scare him off.”
“You do love him,” Maggie accused, pointing a finger in triumph.
Lizzy blew out a heavy breath. She did. For days, she had been trying to deny it, but there was no point. She was head-over-heels, crazy in love with Dade Denning. How could she not be? The man was so sweet and caring. He was kind, strong, and sexy as sin. He gave her compliments, encouragement, and mind-blowing orgasms.
Yup. She loved Dade, but just because he agreed to date her didn’t mean he loved her back. He told her from the beginning he couldn’t love anymore. Just because they were now open with their relationship did not mean his previous warning changed. She told him she would take whatever he could give her, and she meant it. She would savor any time she had with her sexy cowboy, public or private.
The bell above the door rang out. Lizzy turned to see a very attractive, dark-haired woman in professional attire. She smiled at the familiar face. “Hi, Julie.”
“Hi, Lizzy.” She came over to their table, extending her hand to Maggie. “I don’t think we’ve met properly before. I’m Julie, Jake’s sister.”
“And the lawyer who is saving my butt.” Lizzy motioned for Julie to take a seat.
The lawyer sat at the table, placing a slim leather briefcase in front of her.
“Maggie Evans,” her friend replied. “Thank you so much for helping Lizzy out.”
“My pleasure.”
“I hate to run.” Maggie stood. “But I have to meet Colt over at the feed store now. Julie, it was nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” She smiled pleasantly.
Her best friend winked, calling back as she headed out the door, “Come by the ranch for dinner tonight. We’ll celebrate your and Dade’s new relationship.”
“Dade? He was the tall piece of handsome I saw in here last time, right?”
Lizzy’s face flamed. “Um, yeah. That would be Dade.”
“Good for you.” The lawyer winked one charcoal-lined eye.
Yes, he was good for her. So, so good.
“I’m glad things seem to be going well, and I believe I have even more news for you to celebrate tonight.”
Julie pulled some papers from her leather case and fanned them on the table. Lizzy sat forward in her chair, anticipation rushing through her veins.
“Not only did your ex-boss drop the lawsuit, but it appears Mr. Dornes and his cousin, a Mr. Carr, have warrants out for their arrest in three different states.” The woman glanced up from her papers, giving her a wry look. “Something to do with filing phony lawsuits.”
Holy cow! She knew they were weasels, but she didn’t know they were wanted weasels.
“It seems the FBI has been after them for over a year now. I have a buddy in the bureau. I gave him a heads up.”
“You are amazing.”
The lawyer waved away the praise. “Just doing my job.” Stuffing the papers back in her briefcase, she stood. “Now, go enjoy your celebration.”
“I certainly will.”
Lizzy had so much to celebrate—moving to Peak Town had been the best decision she ever made in her life. She had no idea she could feel this happy. Tonight, she would definitely celebrate, but first, she had to take care of something.
Lizzy made her way behind the counter. Waving her hand over the freshly made cupcakes, she smiled. “I hope you’re hungry, Julie, because I’m giving you one of everything!”
Chapter 26
That stupid bitch!
James slammed his fist into the cheap drywall. It crumbled beneath his fury, causing a wide, fist-sized hole in the dilapidated motel room wall. Mike cowered in the corner, flinching, as bits of dry plaster sprinkled the dingy, brown-stained carpet.
Worthless coward.
He should have dropped him years ago. If he’d had a better partner maybe he wouldn’t be in this mess.
Collins had received a letter from some lawyer in Colorado claiming to represent Elizabeth. The lawyer, a Ms. Ryder, claimed the suit held no merit—or some bullshit—and went on to say they would counter-sue if Mr. Collins didn’t drop his suit immediately.
The spineless prick caved. He called to say he was dropping the lawsuit.
That smug bitch Elizabeth Hayworth. He needed a drink.
He wrenched open the mini fridge with much more force than necessary. Tiny bottles trembled on the shelves. Whiskey, vodka, tequila, at least this shithole was good for something.
He grabbed four bottles of Jack Daniels. That would help numb the rage burning inside him. Then he could start formulating a plan, because no way was he letting Elizabeth get away this easy.
Setting the bottles on the scarred wooden table that had seen better days, he turned to his cousin.
“I’m gonna grab some ice. Try to get your head out of your ass and think up some good ideas before I get back.”
As usual, Mike nodded his head, eyes wide with fear behind those ugly, thick glasses. The little shit better be afraid. He was done with his cousin’s pathetic ass. After they came up with a plan to ruin Hayworth, the leech was gone. He was tired of dragging around dead weight. There had to be a better lawyer out there. One who would—for the right price—gladly join in his brilliant scams.
Everyone had a price. You just had to find it.
The ice machine was around the back of the building. Empty beer cans and discarded cigarette butts littered the ground around the shoddy motel. He kicked at a can of cheap piss-water beer, his anger still seething.
Shitty beer for a shitty place.
Sirens screamed in the distance as he made his way down the walkway bisecting the building to the back of the motel. The hum of the large machine did nothing to drown out the wails. As he scooped the cold, round pellets of ice into his bucket with a chipped plastic scoop, he realized the sirens were getting closer. Much closer.
Three police cars pulled into the front lot. He peered around the ice machine. Maybe someone got murdered or something. With this hellhole, he wouldn’t be surprised. The place was a neon warning sign for the seedy side of life. Normally, he would never stay in such an establishment, but with losing out on the Denning Ranch scam and all the cash they used up traveling to LA—goddamn wasted trip now—they were running low on funds.
Through the narrow walkway opening, he could see half a dozen policemen, guns out, making their way toward…his room.
He hustled back out of sight, but could hear the officers shout at the door.
“James Carr and Michael Dornes. Come out with your hands up. We have a warrant for your arrest.”
Warrant?
Shit!
He knew he had a few warrants out. In his line of work, who wouldn’t? The question was, who tipped off the cops?
The ice started to clink softly, hitting the sides of the plastic bin as fury shook his body.
Who else? The stupid bitch who’d been ruining his life since the day he met her. Elizabeth Hayworth.
He didn’t know how, but he knew that somehow, someway, Elizabeth was responsible for this. He set the ice bucket gently on the ground. He really wanted to smash it against the brick wall—relieve some of this anger raging inside him—but that might cause the cops to come investigate. It looked like he was parting ways with his pathetic, sniveling cousin sooner than he planned.
“Sorry, cuz.” He wasn’t sorry at all. “I have places to be.”
And a bitch to punish.
Chapter 27
Dade stood at the kitchen sink washing his hands. Ranch work was dirty, but he loved it. He wouldn’t dream of doing anything else. His work made him happy. It had always been enough for him. But now, something else was making him happy, too.
Love on the Wild Side Page 16
