by Linda Conrad
Merri kept her eyes down, took a deep breath and stretched out a hand. “How do you do, Ms. Ramirez.”
“Merri? Why…I…” Janie said with obvious confusion in her voice. But she took Merri’s hand and clung to it.
“Yes,” Merri broke in. “The name is Merri Davis. Jewel has told me so much about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Merri took a chance and glanced up through the top of her glasses to watch the other woman’s expression. Not good. Janie was studying Merri’s dress and shoes, all the while shaking her head in disbelief.
Merri decided to take another big risk and pray that the woman would take pity on her and keep her mouth closed.
Turning to Ty, she said, “Thanks so much for bringing me here for the appointment. But I’m sure our discussion about modeling clothes will be terribly boring. Maybe you could wander around the store for a little while and give us girls a chance to get acquainted.” She was desperate for a chance to talk to Janie—alone.
He frowned, but then checked with Janie. “If you need me, just call my cell phone. I should get decent reception while inside the store. And I’ve got a couple of calls to make in the meantime.”
Janie nodded to him, but she couldn’t manage a smile.
Ty turned to Merri with a grin. “Maybe I’ll swing by the men’s department. What do you think?”
“That’s a good idea. But…ask for a clerk’s help, okay?”
He laughed. “Yes, ma’am. I know where my talents lie…and where they don’t.”
Despite being a hairsbreadth away from total ruin, Merri’s brain took her on a fantasy ride of imagining what other talents Ty might just have—and to imagining where exactly on her body she would like for them to lie.
Ty touched her arm lightly and broke into her dreams. Then he nodded once, turned and walked away. When he was out of earshot, Merri swallowed back the inappropriate lust and turned to face the storm.
And it came instantly. “Merrill Davis-Ross, what in heaven’s name do you think you’re doing?” Janie hissed, and grabbed her arm. “This had better not be another one of your bad jokes or some game of dare…or else I swear…”
“Please, will you just listen while I explain?”
The other woman nodded, grabbed her elbow and stormed the two of them off in the direction of the private offices.
When they were secure in a tiny office with one small desk and two chairs, Janie let go of her arm and turned to face her. “This had better be good. You’re messing with a couple of people who mean the world to me and I won’t stand by and let you hurt them.”
“Wait a minute,” Merri said with a huff. “If Jewel and Ty mean so much to you, why didn’t you just give me up back there? Why not tell Ty who I was the minute you spotted me?”
Janie narrowed her eyes and shook her head. “At first you surprised me so much with the disguise that I couldn’t speak. But then…”
“What? You and I have never been that close. I mean, I like you, and I liked working with you, but…”
“It has nothing to do with you,” Janie told her. “And everything to do with the look on Ty’s face when he introduced you. The man’s seriously goofy about you, and I made a quick decision to go slow until I found out the situation. So now…you tell me the situation.”
“Goofy?” Merri asked with a laugh. “Tyson Steele—about me? I don’t think so.”
“No question about it,” Janie said. “And unless I miss my guess, you’ve got it bad for him, too.”
She plopped down on one of the chairs and motioned for Merri to take the other one. “I want the truth and I want it now. The last I heard about you, the tabloid headlines were screaming that you were a fake. Something about you deserting your gay boyfriend, wasn’t it?”
“What?” Merri sank down in the chair and closed her eyes. “I knew it. That is so not the way it was. Let me explain what really happened.”
She told Janie the whole story of how she’d agreed to become Brad’s make-believe girlfriend in order to throw the paparazzi off his trail. Merri had been trying to be a friend to Brad. But when that photographer caught him coming out of his boyfriend’s house and the whole thing blew up in their faces, Brad’s publicist asked her to take a vacation for a while.
She’d readily agreed. The “wronged” woman was not a role she had any intention of playing out in front of the entire world. Especially when it wasn’t true.
“Okay, I understand why you needed to start a new life,” Janie began. “And I certainly accept that you had to change your looks in order to escape the paparazzi. It’s true your face is recognizable all over the world, and they would’ve made your life a miserable hell. They’re hot on your trail as we speak, as a matter of fact.
“But what I don’t understand is why in Stanville, Texas?” she continued. “Why involve decent people like Ty and Jewel in your deception?” Janie lifted her head with a thoughtful scowl. “They don’t know, do they?”
“No,” Merri said sadly. “They don’t know. I came here to do something worthwhile with my life. I really wanted to help raise funds for Ty’s foundation. And before I met them I was afraid they would give me away if they knew the truth.”
Merri squirmed in her seat and continued. “I don’t expect you to believe this, but I also wanted to live a normal life. For once in my life, I wanted to know what it would be like for people to think I’m just a regular person. To maybe make a friend who didn’t want something from me or my family.”
Janie sat back in her chair and studied Merri’s face. “You did a damn good makeup job there, honey. If I hadn’t seen you just a few weeks ago before a show without your makeup, I might’ve missed the connection altogether.
“And I can almost understand your motivations,” Janie went on. “But…none of it excuses you from taking the chance of hurting Ty and Jewel. Why don’t you simply tell them the truth? I’d be willing to bet they’d keep up the charade for you.”
Merri shook her head. “Maybe it wouldn’t bother Jewel, but Ty would hate me. He can’t stand liars of any sort. It’s too late for me to go back now.”
Janie cocked her head and frowned. “Mmm. You can’t keep this up indefinitely, you know. You will have to tell him the truth someday.”
Merri dropped her chin. “Yeah, I know. But I thought if I could get by for a few more months…just until the paparazzi lose interest in me…that by that time Ty and Jewel would’ve grown to like me for who I really am. Then maybe they wouldn’t hate me so much when they find out the truth.”
Janie thought that over for a few seconds. “Well…It’s against my better judgment. I think that the longer you go on lying to Ty, the worse it will be when he learns the truth.”
“Please,” Merri begged. “Let me do it my way. I’m trying to walk a fine line with Ty—a line between becoming his friend and letting him get too close. Give me a few more months. And besides, I think I’m really beginning to make a difference for his kids. I just need a little more time.”
“All right,” Janie agreed grudgingly. “Making a better life for those abandoned and abused kids will give you a second chance with Ty, I know. But be careful. If you hurt him, I will hunt you down and ruin your life. This whole thing could go wrong at any turn.”
“I know,” Merri whispered. “Believe me, I know.”
A couple of hours later Ty strolled across the main floor of the department store and stepped onto the escalator. He hefted the packages in his arms and caught himself as he began to whistle an old Willie Nelson love song.
Whistling? Ty hadn’t whistled in years. Interesting that he was finding himself doing things he would not have contemplated doing only a few short weeks ago.
It must be Merri’s influence that was changing his lifestyle. He knew for certain that she’d been having an effect on his libido. The closer they became, the more he wanted her in his bed.
Well, he would just have to do something toward making that happen. And soon.
&
nbsp; He rounded the corner and spotted the two women off in the distance in the children’s department. Heading in their direction, he studied the differences in the two.
Merri was easy to spot. Tall and slender, she stood talking to Janie with an almost regal bearing. In fact, she looked rather statuesque from this distance. It was strange that he hadn’t noticed that about her before. She’d always seemed so shy and vulnerable to him. Today she stood like a queen.
Tiny Juanita standing beside her looked lost, though her jet-black hair was shiny and smooth compared to Merri’s dull brown wisps. And Juanita’s suit seemed sophisticated but flashy in a spring green shade, making Merri’s plain dress and clunky shoes look ever more homely. But none of that changed the fact that it was Merri who drew his attention.
It was almost as if she had a spotlight shining on her from above.
“Hey there, ladies,” he said when he got close enough to capture their attention. “Did you miss me?”
Two sets of eyes turned in his direction. Juanita’s dark eyes smiled when she saw him coming. On the other hand, Merri’s greens carried a fleeting look of panic behind the thick lens as she spotted him walking down the aisle. Instantly, she slouched back into the shy stance that he had thought defined her, but her face brightened and she tried for a weak smile.
“We’ve been too busy to think of you, Ty,” Merri told him with a sarcastic chuckle. “Janie and I have picked out some lovely mother-daughter dresses for the models. Janie has agreed to furnish all the clothes for the show. Isn’t that nice of her?”
He turned to Juanita and let the easy grin cover his face. “It sure is. I can’t thank you enough, Juanita. Are you sure it won’t be too much? Jewel would kill me if you got in trouble over my foundation’s need. Maybe I should offer to pay for the dresses out of my own pocket?”
Juanita rolled her eyes. “Don’t be silly. It will be worth a ton in publicity for the company. They always try to do their part for worthwhile charities. And I consider yours to be extremely worthwhile.”
She tilted her head and looked at the packages in his arms. “It looks like you bought out the store while Merri and I were busy. Trying to change your whole wardrobe?”
“Yes,” Merri chimed in with a smile. “Are you trying to do a complete makeover in one trip to the store?”
“No ma’am,” he said with a laugh. “But that wouldn’t be so bad, would it? My so-called wardrobe could stand making over.”
“What did you buy?” Merri asked. She looked horrified that he might buy all the wrong things without her along to advise him.
“This and that,” he said with a wink.
When Merri scowled and narrowed her eyes, he decided to tell them both what was on his mind. “Actually, this isn’t everything I bought. I bought a suit and a tux, too, but they’re being altered.”
“A tux? What on earth for?”
“Well, now, darlin’, I’m glad you asked. I spoke to Frank on the phone a while ago and he reminded me that tomorrow night is the governor’s annual charity ball.
“The governor throws these shindigs to honor all the charities that operate in the state, and this year the Lost Children’s Foundation has been invited to attend,” he explained. “It’s quite an honor and great publicity for the charities, but I wasn’t planning on going originally. Didn’t think it suited my personality.”
“So what changed?” Juanita asked.
“My wardrobe, for one,” he joked. “For another, I now have Merri to go along and advise me on the proper etiquette.”
Ty took Merri’s hand before she could shake her head. “You will go with me, won’t you? It’s important for the Foundation…for the children.”
Damn man, Merri thought. He could be just too charming for words sometimes. But emotional blackmail didn’t seem like his normal style.
“Sorry,” she said and pulled her hand free. “You’ll have to attend the party with someone else. I don’t have anything to wear to such a thing.” It was the best excuse she could come up with on such short notice but she knew it was pretty lame.
He looked stricken. As if her refusal had wounded him personally.
“Hello-o-o,” Janie spoke up. “Remember me? Clothes are my business. You need something to wear to a ball, I’m your man…so to speak.”
“Oh, no,” Merri exploded. “I mean, I couldn’t. I mean, I can’t afford…”
“What a really kind thing for you to offer to do, Juanita,” Ty broke in with a smile. “And of course, you can bill me. The Foundation needs Merri to be there. And so do I. Do you want her to try on a few things while we’re here? We won’t have much time to have alterations done. The ball is tomorrow night.”
“But…” Merri began, before she was interrupted.
“Not at all,” Janie said, waving Ty’s suggestion away. “I know exactly what size she— I mean, I can tell just by looking what will fit her. Not to worry. I’ll pick out something and have it delivered tomorrow when they bring out your alterations.”
“Thanks,” Ty said. Then he seemed to think of something else. “Could you pick out something really special? Something in red, maybe?”
“No!” Both women exclaimed in unison.
Janie shot her a quick look and Merri tried to surreptitiously let her know how mad she was about the whole stupid suggestion of a dress.
“Something sedate would be more appropriate for a charitable function.” Merri told them both through gritted teeth. “I’d rather it not be terribly flashy.” It was too late and she was too outnumbered to keep from going to the ball now. She was stuck.
The other woman appeared to agree wholeheartedly with the sedate suggestion. At least she remembered part of her promise to keep Merri’s secret.
“Yes, dark blue or black would perhaps be a better choice for Merri’s coloring,” Janie told Ty with a straight face. “Trust me to make the right choice.”
“All right,” he said reluctantly. “If you say so. I do appreciate you taking care of the dress for us. I’d just as soon take Merri home now, anyhow. This shopping takes a lot out of you. It’s getting late.”
Oh, man, Merri thought with chagrin. You have no idea how really late it is. She was only just now finding out the truth of that herself. It was way too late for her to tell him the truth and manage to keep their relationship intact through it.
Sheesh. Heaven help her.
They were almost back home when Ty shifted his weight in the driver’s seat and spoke for the first time in over an hour. “Who are you really, Merri?”
Her head came up and her whole body shuddered in panic. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know anything about you. What your family is like. Where you went to school. How you ended up engaged to some guy you didn’t really care about.” Ty breathed deeply. “I want to get to know more about you. You know where I come from…who I am. My background is an open book.
“I want to know the real Merri Davis,” he added.
“The real Merri Davis is the person you know,” she told him. “The one that dreams of a quiet life in a small town and the opportunity to do something good for those less fortunate.”
Ty shook his head but didn’t turn to look at her. “There’s something else. I don’t know exactly what, but…” He hesitated then went on. “Did you attend boarding schools when you were a kid? Sometimes you sound European. And then there’s the way you stand. It seems almost like you might’ve gone to modeling school—or maybe charm school somewhere.”
“Uh…” Her mind was blank and her breathing had become shallow. “Yes, I went to boarding schools. Some of them were in Europe. That’s probably why I sound funny on occasion.” The truth. And hopefully a diversion from questions about modeling.
The man was beginning to ask insightful questions she didn’t want to answer. Couldn’t answer if she wanted to stay as truthful as possible.
No wonder he was a young self-made billionaire. Obviously, he had good instincts and was more th
an a little savvy. She would hate to have to face him from across a negotiation table.
She held her breath and wondered what on earth would be coming next.
Seven
“So your parents are rich?” Ty asked. He gave a slight nod of his chin to encourage her to talk, but the day-old shadow along his jaw looked deadly and made her squirm.
“Well…I guess some people would say that.” Merri shifted to stare straight out through the windshield and quietly fisted her hands in her lap. And damned near bit clear through her lip with nervous energy.
“But they don’t give you any money now?”
“Uh…no. We’re estranged at the moment.” Another truth—if you didn’t count her trust fund as money.
“I’m sorry. That sounds awful. No wonder you don’t want to talk about it.” Ty pulled up in front of her cottage and parked the truck.
He turned off the ignition and swivelled in his seat to face her. “No brothers or sisters?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s just me.”
Ty squeezed her shoulder and lowered his voice. “I can take a guess about the fiancé. I’ll bet he was someone your parents picked out for you, right? It must’ve been hard to break that engagement.”
Think, she urged herself in near panic. How was she going to keep talking about this and not come right out and lie to him any more than she already had?
“Um…well… The engagement was arranged, that’s true. And it was difficult getting out of it. Sort of.”
Ty ran a finger down her jawline and lifted her chin. “You want to tell me the whole story?”
“No. Thanks. I don’t.” Merri jerked her chin out of his grasp, flipped open her seat belt and hopped down out of the truck.
She beat him to her door, but he wasn’t far behind.
“Whoa, darlin’,” he said as he caught up to her and took her arm. “What are you running from?”
She spun around and held her purse between them like a shield. “Nothing. I’m just tired and I want to go to bed.”
Oops. The minute it was out of her mouth she saw the passion flare in his eyes. But she could also see his struggle to bank the desire.
