From the other end of the house, her cell phone trilled. She hurried back to her bedroom to where she’d left her phone charging.
“Hello?”
“Good morning, Paige. It’s Marc.”
Paige sat on the edge of her bed. “Good morning, Marc.” She wasn’t disappointed that it was him, but she found that her heart didn’t race at the sound of his voice. He was a nice guy. Considerate. Handsome. Smart. She could do worse.
And at that thought, her eyes rolled toward the ceiling. Much worse.
“I hope you slept well.”
“Like a baby.” If the baby was a newborn with colic.
“I wondered if you had plans for today. I know it’s short notice, but an old friend and his wife are having a last-minute Memorial Day cookout this afternoon, then going to watch the fireworks downtown. I told him I’d come. I’d love if you’d go with me.”
“This afternoon?”
“I know. Short notice. I’m sorry about that. But I had such a nice time last night. I wasn’t ready for it to be over. Say you’ll come.”
“I…” What did she have on her schedule today? Running the vacuum was about it. Let’s see…running a vacuum or a date with a good-looking, nice guy? Is that even a contest? “I’d love to. What time?”
“I’ll pick you up about three. Does that work?”
“Sure. See you then.”
She had to get on with life. Other than a couple of kisses—damn hot kisses, but still just kisses—Cash had pretty much let her know he obviously found her attractive, but he didn’t have a need for her in his life. The sooner she could convince herself of that fact, the sooner she could move on and find someone to start a life with. It might not be Marc Singer, but at least she was doing something, getting out there, meeting people. No telling where that could lead.
Cash waved the waitress over for a coffee refill. As soon as she left, he looked at Mitch Landry. “So I guess you’re wondering why you’re here this morning.”
Mitch yawned. “Not really. Olivia said you wanted to discuss our business. You ready to get your hands dirty?”
“That’s just the thing. I’m not.”
Mitch set his coffee down and frowned. “I don’t get it. What do you mean you’re not?”
Cash fiddled with the handle of his coffee, trying to find the right words until he realized there were no right words, only blunt ones. “I don’t want to be in the bull business. Not anymore.”
“I see. This was your idea. Remember?”
Cash shrugged. “Sure, but let’s face it. My life hasn’t exactly gone according to plans over the past eight months or so.”
“So what? You want me to buy you out?” Mitch shook his head. “I’m cash short. Everything I’ve got is tied up in land and cattle. You want to tell me why you’ve changed your mind?”
In Cash’s mind, the baby Brahma bull sneered. “I just don’t want anything to do with bull riding, at least not right now.” He crossed his arms on the table and leaned forward. “I don’t want you to buy me out. I want to stay your partner, or at least your investor. You’re a hell of a cattleman and an even better businessman.” He leaned back in the booth. “I’ve just lost my interest in the cattle ranching business.”
The men sat quietly in the booth at the Chew Shop. Cash took a bite of his everything-but-the-kitchen-sink omelet and waited. How the hell could he tell his brother-in-law that the thought of being around bulls made his balls pull up into his abdomen?
Finally, Mitch nodded. “Is this why you won’t come to our house for dinner? I don’t know how many times your sister has asked you. You weren’t ready to discuss this yet?”
“Something like that.”
Mitch leaned forward, his voice pitched so low Cash could barely hear him. “Let me make something clear, Cash. My wife loves you. I love my wife. I’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy. If dragging your ass to our house for dinner is necessary, I’ll do that. I’d rather not. I’d rather you tell me the truth on why you’re avoiding Olivia.” Cash could see the muscles in his brother-in-law’s face tighten and he suspected Mitch was gritting his teeth in anger.
“Fine,” Cash said, his tone resigned. “It has nothing to do with Olivia. Or you, for that matter. I…” He glanced nervously around the room then leaned closer to Mitch. “You’re gonna think I’m crazy. It’s the fucking bulls. I…I can’t stand to be around them. There. Are you satisfied?” He drew back and crossed his arms. “Are you happy now? You know my big secret. I can’t stand being around the fucking bulls.”
Puzzlement followed by understanding flashed on Mitch’s face. “I don’t know why I didn’t see this. It makes total sense. Of course it makes sense. Hell, Cash. You should have said something sooner.”
Cash rubbed his forehead, doing nothing for the headache that was starting. “Really?” he asked in a sarcastic tone. “You think I want everybody to know that Cash Montgomery is afraid of bulls. Oh hell, yeah. That’ll be great for my reputation.”
Mitch nodded. “Got it.”
“So this conversation remains between us?”
“It’s a business meeting. Of course it’s confidential.”
“Thanks, man.”
“So back to Kickin’ Bull Ranch.”
“You still want to pursue raising bulls for the PBR or were you just doing this for Olivia’s little brother?”
Mitch grinned. “A little of both probably. But without your influence, I’m not sure I have a solid plan.”
The two men spent the next two hours talking about the business, contractors for the PBR, the realities of raising the bulls and getting them on the rodeo circuit. At the end, it was decided that raising bulls was more Cash’s dream than Mitch’s. Mitch loved the land, loved raising the cattle. Without Cash as his business partner, Mitch confessed his heart wasn’t in raising rodeo bulls. Since most of Mitch’s liquid assets were tied up, and Cash didn’t really need his investment in Kickin’ Bull Ranch, the men agreed that Cash would remain as a minority partner. Seemed like a win-win for both of them.
“So now what?” Mitch asked as they walked out to their trucks.
“Don’t know. I’m enjoying rehabbing the Fitzgerald place for now. I’ve got a lot more to do. When that’s done, who knows? Maybe I’ll find another place that needs to be renovated.” He shrugged. “For now, I’m just taking it a day at a time.”
“You will come to dinner? Soon? Olivia misses you.”
“I’ll come,” Cash said with a smile. He held out his hand. “Thanks, Mitch.”
“No problem, man. See you soon.”
Cash waited until Mitch had driven off to start his engine. He didn’t want to go home, not yet. He’d replaced all the rotten wood. Rebuilt the front porch railing. Finished painting the exterior with a bright white. He decided to do the front door in a red. Somewhere he remembered red being a lucky color for a front door, and God knew he needed all the luck he could get.
The plan for this week focused on cleaning the patio area just off the dining room, which involved a lot of power washing of the brickwork and the wrought-iron furniture there. Years of neglect and rain had left the wrought iron corroded with rust. The furniture was in severe need of sanding to remove the oxide followed by rust-protective paint. But he wasn’t in the mood to do that.
He was in the mood to drink, to get rip-roaring drunk. So drunk that he wouldn’t see Paige’s face everywhere. Wouldn’t see her smile. Hear her laugh. Taste her in his mouth. He needed a fifth of Jack Daniels.
Instead, he called his brother.
“Hey, Travis.”
“Cash. Missed you at dinner last night.”
“Yeah, well. Listen, you still okay with me putting some of your money into the Singing Springs house?”
His brother chuckled. “Now what?”
“I’ve been needing to r
edo the small half-bath in the back bedroom, and with three more bedrooms upstairs, this room hasn’t been needed. But I thought maybe I’d make the half-bath into a full bath. Something nice. And then maybe add a hot tub outside the patio area off the dining room.”
“Uh-huh. What is this going to cost me?”
“Tell you what. I’ll run some figures by your place this afternoon. If it’s too much, I’ll just do what has to be done to repair that tiny, old, out-of-date bathroom.”
Travis laughed. “Come on by. Make it close to lunch.”
“Great. See you then.”
The lunch visit with Travis and Caroline evolved into a ride on horseback over to Singing Springs to show Travis the work Cash had already finished.
“This looks great, Cash. Seriously.” Travis walked around the exterior of the house. “I thought the house probably had good bones, but you’ve done an excellent job bringing her back to her old self.” He looked at Cash. “I bet even old grumpy Angus Fitzgerald would have to approve.”
Cash laughed. “You think? That’s high praise.”
“So show me again what you’re wanting to do.”
Cash led him around to the side of the house where the patio off the dining room was located. “I found this while I was working.” He indicated an almost-hidden metal door. “It was completely overgrown with poison ivy. It wasn’t until I killed the ivy back that I saw it. The hinges were rusty and the door was hell to get open, but look.” Cash turned the handle and pulled up on the door. “Hold on. Let me grab a flashlight. Can’t see a thing without it.”
Cash made a quick dash into the house for a light, surprised to find the place empty except for Ruby and Buster. Paige hadn’t said anything about plans today, but then again, he hadn’t seen her since last night’s lapse of judgment.
He returned with a powerful six-battery flashlight and shined it down into the opening.
“What is it?” Travis asked.
“Tornado shelter, I think. Looks like it probably began as some type of basement or root cellar. Over time, Fitzgerald had it remade into a storm shelter. Did you know it was here?”
Travis shook his head. “I had no idea. You been down?”
“Yeah, and it’s pretty cool. Needs to be cleaned up, but I can’t imagine anywhere safer in a tornado. I don’t think anyone’s been down there in years though. Want to go look?”
Travis gave him a look of incredulity. “You’re kidding, right? Of course I’m going in to look around.”
Cash secured the hatch with a rope tied to the patio trellis. “I didn’t want it to shut behind us.”
“Good thinking.”
The underground bunker was a small twelve-by-twelve-foot room with concrete walls and floor. It was furnished with two folding chairs, a card table and a kerosene lamp. Two bunk-style beds were suspended from one wall.
“I’m surprised it’s not mustier smelling,” Travis said as he looked around.
“It was. I’ve had the door open for the past week airing it out.”
“So what are you wanting to do?”
“I’d like to run some electricity down here for some lights. I’m not sure about air circulation, but I’d like to get someone out here who knows more about storm shelters to look it over and advise me—us—on how to modernize it and make sure it’s up to code. No reason to have something like this and not have it usable.”
“I totally agree, and I have to admit, it’s not something I’ve ever thought about. But with Caroline and the two babies, well, maybe I should. Let’s go back up top.”
Cash followed Travis up the steep ladder back outside.
“Do some research, would you? Find out who’s the best company in this area.” Travis looked around. “I assume you’re going to clear out the path to get here easier.”
“Yup. Just hadn’t gotten to it yet. Come over here.” Cash walked off toward the patio, Travis following. “What would you think about me installing a hot tub out here? I’d probably extend the decking so to not lose any square footage from this patio area, but the privacy is perfect.”
Travis arched an eyebrow. “Privacy? A hot tub? Just exactly what’s going on over here?”
Cash slugged Travis’s arm. “Ha. If only. But nothing is going on. Absolutely nothing, as you well know. After all, you did have dinner with my roommate and the new sheriff department deputy.”
Travis grinned. “Just jerking your chain. I don’t care if you put in a hot tub. Besides, it’d probably be good for your leg.”
At the mention of his leg, Cash rubbed this thigh. “Probably.”
“You know, Caroline mentioned to me before we left that you’re walking a lot better. Your limp is barely there anymore. Are you still hurting?”
Cash shrugged, uncomfortable discussing his injuries. “Not much. Now follow me to the back. One more thing to show you.”
Cash led them inside to the back bedroom he’d called his own for the first few days. “This room is in terrible shape. The half-bath flooring is almost rotten through. In fact, the entire bath area needs a total rebuild. I was thinking that since I’ve got to tear it all out anyway, why not go ahead and make it into a full bath? Renovate this entire area, maybe make the room a little larger, a little nicer.”
“A little larger and nicer, huh? For who?”
“I don’t know. No one in particular. I just thought this house should have a nice master bedroom and bath, but never mind.”
“Don’t get your panties in wad. Go ahead and knock out a wall or two. Caroline will be thrilled at all you’ve done.” Travis shook his head. “Honestly, I had no idea this place could be renovated like this. I’d actually thought about tearing it down.” When Cash looked at him aghast, Travis chuckled. “Yeah, that was my wife’s reaction too.” They walked into the kitchen. “You really have an eye for this, Cash. Just like that bar you rescued and sent home to Mom and Dad’s house. You’re good at this. Really, really good. Show me what else you’ve done.”
Once Travis had toured the rest of the house, he seemed pleased with everything that’d been accomplished so far. They rode back to the Halo M ranch, and after promising Caroline a tour of the house soon, Cash headed home. He found a note from Paige on his bed that he’d overlooked earlier.
Date with Marc. Be home later. Leftover meatloaf in fridge.
Well, damn. Yay on the meatloaf, but damn on the date.
Chapter Eight
“Thanks, Marc. I had a lovely time.”
“Me too. My friends were crazy about you.”
Paige smiled. “That’s nice. I enjoyed meeting them.”
Marc draped his arm across the back of her car seat. “Since I’m low man on the totem pole, I drew holiday duty through Tuesday, but I’d like to see you again.” He caught strands of her hair and rubbed them between his fingers. “I really like you, Paige. I hope you know that.”
Paige’s heart thudded like stampeding elephants in her ears. A tremor shook her legs. This is what she should want. A stable man. A man who wanted her. A man who saw her as an adult with no memories of her as a child.
He leaned toward her. Paige braced herself for his kiss. Not that he was a bad kisser, because he wasn’t. In fact, he was pretty darned good at it. But no matter how much she wanted to feel the same zing through her blood as when Cash kissed her, Marc’s kisses never did more than leave her mouth a little wetter than before.
“I like you too, Marc. Thank you for such a wonderful day. Your friends were great and I loved the fireworks.”
He slid the hand that’d been on the back of her seat down to the nape of her neck. He gently pulled her toward him and kissed her. It was a nice kiss. Soft. Non-demanding. Almost reverent with the respect he showed her. He never attacked her mouth as though he couldn’t live another minute without her taste. He never gripped her and jerked her against a rigid
bulge in his jeans, making her knees weak with need.
In short, he wasn’t Cash Montgomery.
“Can I come in?” he asked against her lips.
She shook her head. “Not tonight.” Pulling away from him, she smiled. “You have work tomorrow, mister. And it’s almost midnight now.”
He sighed. “You’re right. I knew you’d be good for me.” Linking his fingers through hers, he gave them a soft squeeze and then brought them to his lips. “Save Friday night for me. Since I have to work the rest of the weekend, I have the entire next weekend off. Let’s go somewhere. Do something special. Just the two of us.”
The muscles in her gut twisted into a painful knot. She forced the smile on her face to remain steady. Marc was so nice, such a gentleman. Maybe with a little more time she’d be able to let him into her heart. Her life would be so much calmer with him in it instead of some heart-stopping cowboy. “Sounds wonderfully interesting.” She leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss. “Thank you again.” She opened the door to leave. “Don’t get out. I can walk myself a couple of dozen feet to the door.”
“Paige.”
She turned back. “Yes?”
“I’m serious. I want to be alone with you. Think about going away for a weekend. Anywhere you want.”
“I’ll think about it. I promise. Goodnight, Marc.”
“Night, Paige.”
He waited until she shut her front door before he rumbled down the drive. The living room was dark, as was the rest of the house, except for her bedroom. The lamp beside the living room sofa had been left on. It was throwing just enough light for her to see her way down the hall. She wasn’t sure whether to deem Cash considerate for leaving a light on or pissed that he’d left a light on like he was her big brother, or worse, a good friend and considerate roommate.
Which brought up another point. Why wasn’t he down here tonight kissing her like she held the breath of life, and without it, he would die?
Texas Twist (Texas Montgomery Mavericks) Page 12
