“I saw Vaughn at the diner having coffee and he told me you’d be up and moving because when he left here last night, you were too wired to sleep.”
“Our brother’s got a big mouth,” Kellan muttered. “What’s up, Sophie?”
She sighed and flipped her hair out of her face when the wind gusted. “I couldn’t sleep last night, either. I kept thinking about the will and Miranda and us, and I guess I just wanted to talk to you. See what you think about all of it.”
He scowled and tugged his hat down firmer on his head. “I think I’m going to be going into town to talk to Kace later today. See if I can find a way to fight this will.”
“Okay, but what if he says there isn’t one?”
“Then we fight anyway,” Kellan said tightly. “Damned if we just hand over our home to Miranda.”
She nodded and smiled. “Okay, good. Because I was thinking maybe I could snoop around a little. Talk to people. See if anyone knows anything about Miranda. Gossip in Royal lives forever. Plus, I know Miranda’s come back to town more than a few times since the divorce. I mean, you and Vaughn and I, we haven’t really been spending any time at the house in years.”
True. They’d all avoided the house because they were busy avoiding Buck. Kellan lived in Nashville now, Sophie had her own house in Pine Valley and Vaughn was in Dallas these days.
“Maybe,” she continued, “there’s a reason behind Dad doing this to us. And maybe I can help find it.”
Three
Kellan looked into her eyes and saw the worry and the hurt there, and if he could, he would have reached beyond the grave to grab his father and curse him for giving Sophie pain. He knew she wanted to help him find answers and, hell, maybe she could. Women talked more easily to other women. If she could pry some secrets loose, it might give them something to use against Miranda.
“Sounds good,” he said and saw the flash of pleasure in her eyes. “Where are you going to start?”
“After my appointment, I thought I’d go to the ranch and talk to Irina.”
“No.” The one word shot from him before he could hold it back.
“Why not?”
Good question. The answer wasn’t something he wanted to share. Kellan didn’t want to risk his sister and his former lover having a private chat. God knows what Irina would have to say about him. He certainly hadn’t given her any reason to speak well about him.
“I’m going to the house later today.” That hadn’t been the plan, but plans change. “So I’ll take care of talking to Irina. Why don’t you speak to some of Miranda’s friends in town? Maybe some of the women she dragged here with her from New York.”
Sophie frowned thoughtfully. “That’s probably a good idea. I mean, she went to New York after the divorce, she probably had plenty to say about Dad when their breakup was fresh.”
It actually was a good idea. Then he had another one. If their little sister talked to Vaughn about all of this, maybe he’d change his mind. “Okay, then. And why don’t you give Vaughn a call? Tell him what we’re up to.”
“Oh, he won’t be interested.” Sophie shrugged. “Soon enough, he’ll be back in Dallas running his company. He said he doesn’t give a damn what Miranda does with her inheritance. It has nothing to do with him.”
So much for that. In a way, Kel understood the attitude. His brother had built his own fortune at Blackwood Energy Corp., so he didn’t need Buck’s money. But hell, neither did Kel. It was the damn principle of the thing that motivated Kellan. And he wished Vaughn would stick around long enough to stand with his siblings.
“Okay, then, for now, it’s you and me, baby sister.” He reached out with one arm and pulled her into a hug. She held him tight, then let go.
“I’ll let you know if I find out anything and you tell me if Irina has anything to say, okay?”
“Sure.” Nodding, he watched her hop back into her car. “And drive slower, will you?”
“Nope!” She grinned, slammed the door and gunned the engine. Whipping the red car around, she peeled off down the drive, leaving a fan of spun gravel in her wake.
“Damn it.” Sophie always drove too fast. As a teenager, she’d had her license pulled first by Buck and then by Sheriff Battle. And that hadn’t stopped her. The last time Kellan had been in town, Nathan Battle had told him that Sophie’s speeding tickets alone were paying for the remodel of the sheriff’s station.
Pushing that thought out of his mind, Kellan headed for the stables. What he needed was some hard work. Work that would keep his hands busy and free his mind to think about what his next step would be.
Though he already knew the answer.
He had to see Irina again.
* * *
“I’m meeting my friends in Royal for lunch,” Miranda said. “I’ve told them all about the Royal Diner for years and now they want to try it out in person. Would you like to join us?”
Miranda had been in Royal since a couple of days before the will reading, and in that time she and Irina had become friends. When Miranda was still married to Buck, the two women hadn’t really bonded. Irina was more shy back then, too. Less sure of herself. They actually had more in common than she would have thought. They were both divorced—though their situations were wildly different. They were both rebuilding their lives. And they both knew hidden truths about Buckley Blackwood. Each of them, in their own ways, owed Buck a lot.
It was good to be able to talk about the older man with someone who understood. Almost no one in Royal knew the real Buck.
In business, Buck had been ruthless, determined and unstoppable. But in private, the man had helped more people than anyone would guess. It really irritated Irina that his own children were clueless about that side of Buck. But she’d once promised him that she’d keep his secrets. Just because he was dead didn’t give her permission to talk. Did it?
“Thank you, Miranda,” she said. “I really appreciate it. But I think I’m going to work on my book this morning. I’d like to finish the chapter at least.”
She was so close to finishing the book she’d been driven to write. Her own personal background story was one she thought a lot of women could connect to. Maybe not the particulars of her experience, but the spirit of the story. Picking yourself up and starting over would be a clarion call to those who might be feeling hopeless.
And an agent and a publisher had believed in her, too. She’d sold her book six months ago and it was still a thrill to her. Soon, she’d be a published author and then an immigration lawyer, and her own American dream story would be complete.
Or as complete as it could be without the man she’d once believed to be the love of her life.
Miranda smiled and nodded. “I get it. And I know Buck was proud of you for everything you’ve accomplished.”
“Thank you,” she said. “That means a lot.”
“And,” Miranda added as she picked up her bag, “if you’re willing, I’d love to read some of your book.”
Irina almost choked. She hadn’t expected that rush of wild panic. Someone wanted to read what she’d written? Why was that terrifying? Soon it would be out on shelves and hopefully a lot of people would want to read it. But this was different. This was someone she knew. Yes, she’d submitted it to an agent and publisher, but that was business. Letting someone she knew and liked read it was something different.
Miranda laughed. “Okay, never mind. I can see how unnerved you are at the idea.”
“No,” Irina said, taking a step forward as she got a firm grip on the swirls of what felt like eagles in her stomach. Then she sighed. “All right, yes, I’m a little nervous at the thought. But I really would love for you to read the first chapter and tell me what you think.”
It sounded terrifying, of course. But one day soon, everyone in Royal would see it, buy it, read it. It might be a good thing to get an idea of what pe
ople would think ahead of time.
“Great!” Miranda gave her a quick hug. “I’m sure it’s wonderful, so don’t look so worried.”
Irina laughed a little. “I think worrying is what I do best.”
Smiling, Miranda said, “I’ll see you tonight. And remember, you’re not a maid here anymore, Irina. You’re a guest.”
Technically. But Miranda now owned the lovely house and Irina was Buck’s guest, not hers. So she would pitch in and help out as much as she could.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” She gave a look around the great room, with its plush but homey atmosphere, and at the Christmas tree, which she personally decorated every year. “But I’ve worked here for more than seven years now. While I’m here, I’ll continue to help the housekeeper.”
Miranda studied her for a long moment. “I get that. You don’t want to be beholden to anyone. You need to steer your own path. Pay your own way.”
“Yes,” Irina said.
“You know, I think you and I are very much alike.”
Irina smiled. She’d had the same thought. “Have a good time.”
“Right.” Miranda headed for the front door. “I’ll see you later.”
Alone, Irina thought about their conversation. About the secrets she held. About promises made and about Kellan, still holding so much anger for his late father. And she made a decision.
Working on the book would have to wait. First, she had to see Kellan. Tell him things he should know.
* * *
The diner was kitschy, with the decor set firmly in the fifties—black-and-white tile floor, red faux leather booths and an actual jukebox on one wall. Lulu was charmed. The waitresses seemed to know everyone in there and the camera crew following Lulu and her friends didn’t intimidate anyone. Instead, the locals were interested, excited even.
Except for one man.
Of course, he was gorgeous. His brown eyes were flashing with irritation and his rumpled dark brown hair was a little too long. The collar of his dress shirt was unbuttoned and his dark red tie loosened. He had a sheaf of papers spread out over the table in front of him and a cup of coffee at his elbow. The hostile looks he was shooting everyone involved in her reality show left no doubt what he thought of any of them.
Well, if he wanted privacy to work, Lulu told herself, he shouldn’t have come to a diner. The scowl on his face seemed to be a permanent fixture and she wondered idly why she found that appealing. A man that inherently cranky shouldn’t be so attractive. But he certainly was. He sipped his coffee, made a note on one of the papers and then frowned again at her group and the camera crew.
Fee and the rest of the girls were oblivious, joking together about another day of shopping or perhaps a spa day at the Bellamy, where they were all staying. But Lulu couldn’t stop watching him. So she was aware when Miranda came into the diner and stopped at his table. Briefly, the scowl on his face lifted and she wondered how Miranda had managed that small miracle. While they talked, Lulu scooted out of the booth and walked up to join them. She heard her friend saying something about Buck’s will, but she missed the context because both people got quiet as soon as she arrived.
“Hi, Miranda.” She smiled at her friend, then sent a deliberate wink at the crabby man frowning at her.
“Lulu!” Miranda gave her a hug and grinned. “Did you guys have another fabulous morning of shopping?”
“We did. It was wonderful. We went back to the Courtyard shops.” They’d all enjoyed it so much the day before, they’d returned to hit the stores they’d missed on their first visit.
“And your camera crew loved it, too?” the man asked snidely, inserting himself into the conversation. “Get every little purchase covered, did they? Want to make sure America sees you spending your exes’ money.”
“I’m sorry?” she asked, pointedly meeting his less-than-friendly stare.
“That would be nice, but I doubt you are,” he said.
“Um,” Miranda interrupted, confusion written plainly on her features. “Lulu Shepard, this is my ex-husband’s lawyer, Kace LeBlanc. Kace, Lulu.”
“A lawyer,” Lulu said with feigned, over-the-top sorrow. “That explains it.”
His eyes flashed. “What does that mean?”
She shrugged and ignored Miranda’s growing confusion to continue the byplay with Kace. “I’ve rarely met a lawyer with a measurable sense of humor or any talent for finding joy in life.”
“Is that right? Well, my joy in life isn’t dependent on the presence of a camera.”
Their cameramen, Henry and Sam, maneuvered into position so they could capture this whole scene. The guys were experts at this and there was nothing that sold better on film than conflict. They were probably sensing a good one right here and they weren’t wrong. But Lulu didn’t care. She was starting to enjoy herself.
She tossed her hair back over her shoulder. “What do you like about your job, then? Evicting widows and orphans?”
Henry snorted a muffled laugh.
Miranda said, “Now, Lulu...”
Miranda was always the most altruistic of the Exes. The one who looked out for everyone else. She hated an argument; that was why she was the peacemaker on their show. Lulu sort of liked arguments. Especially when she was trading barbs with a gorgeous man with the most beautiful brown eyes she’d ever seen.
“Seriously?” Kace demanded. “That’s the best you’ve got?” He pushed out of the booth and stood much taller than her, even with her three-inch heels.
“Oh no,” Lulu assured him, a small smile curving her mouth. “I can do way better. I promise you. I’m just getting started.”
“Ah.” He nodded sagely and waved one hand to indicate Henry and Sam. “Had to wait for the cameras to get set. Have they caught your ‘good side’?”
“Every side is my good side,” she quipped and stared up at him.
He met her gaze and she saw a flash of interest spark in those amazing eyes of his before he said, “Is there some reason you have to have cameras in the diner? Do you guys eat with your feet? Do they need to document you chewing?”
“It’s a reality show,” Lulu reminded him. “They follow us around. And they probably want to catch some local color in Royal—which you’re currently providing. And no one but you seems to have a problem with it.”
“Everyone else is too polite to say anything.”
“Um...” Miranda’s voice slid into the fray but couldn’t stop it.
“But polite doesn’t occur to you, does it?”
“I’m too busy for social niceties.”
“So busy you have to work in a diner?” Lulu countered, really starting to enjoy herself now. He was angry, and that put a fire in his brown eyes that was both magnetic and irritating. “Where’s your office? Over a dry cleaner’s?”
His mouth worked, then tightened into a grim slash. “My office is being painted. I came here to get some work done, which would be easier if you and your fellow ‘actors’ weren’t making so damn much noise.”
“Um, maybe...” Miranda’s voice was barely noticed.
“Not actors,” Lulu told him. “Just people. Reality show, remember? Do you have memory problems?”
“Oh,” he said, glaring down at her, “there’s a problem in here, but it’s not with my memory.”
“Well, you’d think a lawyer would know that a diner wasn’t going to give him quiet. Why don’t you go to the library?”
“It was fine in here until your crowd showed up.”
“Okay, let’s just leave it there, all right?” Miranda took Lulu’s arm, clearly ready to drag her away. But Lulu wasn’t ready just yet. Honestly, she’d wanted to meet the gorgeous, cranky man, but she hadn’t expected such explosive chemistry between them. Everyone in the diner was watching them and she had no doubt the cameras had caught the entire exchange between her and
Kace LeBlanc. Kace. What a great name.
“We’ll let you work, then,” Lulu said as he sat down again. “Be sure to tell us if we’re too loud, though. Not that we’ll get quiet, but I don’t want to miss you being annoyed.”
His lips quirked briefly. “I don’t imagine you’re ever quiet.”
She gave him a brief, sly smile in return. “Nope. And in certain situations I’ve been known to scream.”
* * *
Later that afternoon, Irina pulled up to Kellan’s ranch and parked outside the main house.
With the engine off, she simply sat there and studied the place. Two stories, sparkling white with black shutters and black newel posts on the wide wraparound porch. Oaks surrounded the building, offering shade in the summer and stark definition in winter.
It wasn’t the first time she’d been there. Since Kellan left Royal for Nashville, she’d been here several times. Well, not inside, but she’d driven past it. Parked outside it. Not obsessively or anything. But the ranch had become a touchstone of sorts. The last piece of Kellan to remain in Texas. She could tell herself he hadn’t left entirely. And indeed, she knew that he came back from time to time to see his brother and sister. And to check in on his own property.
But he’d avoided Irina.
Knowing that had stung her deeply. But she’d gotten past it. She’d focused on work. On school. On building a future for herself. Now she didn’t think of him every day anymore. She didn’t dream of him every night. But when she did, it was with an ache of remembered loss that was so strong, sometimes she woke up crying. And that infuriated her. Why should she cry for a man who hadn’t wanted her? Why should she give her tears to Kellan when he’d made it clear that he was determined to stay out of her life?
She didn’t owe Kellan anything. But she did owe Buck. Irina had no idea how long Kellan would be here in Royal, so if she was going to tell him at least some of the truth about his father, she couldn’t wait for the perfect time.
“And,” she muttered, slanting a look at the fire-engine red front door of the ranch house, “you’re stalling.”
Tempting the Texan Page 4
