“All hell. This is just a mess. I was nowhere near Lisa when she drowned, so I don’t know why they’re holding up my visa. Any idea how long this is going to take to get straightened out?”
“I don’t know, but it sounds like you’re not getting on the plane with us tonight. At least not in until we get something figured out.”
“Fuck!” Ross shoved his hands through his shaggy hair. Lisa was haunting him from the grave. He had nothing to do with her accident but was just as trapped as Nick in Gone Girl. Damn, he really had been losing himself in books too much lately.
“Relax. The tour doesn’t start for another two weeks, so there’s plenty of time to work this out.” Maddie put her hand on her hip and blew a strand of her brown hair out of her face.
He was glad she seemed so calm about it all, but what the fuck! This sure was a shit show.
Darling came in from the deck with William toddling behind her and looked first at her friend, and then him. Her eyes narrowed as if she’d seen something distasteful. And, well, why not, when it rained it poured. She’d been given him the stink eye all day, and he wasn’t sure why. One kiss that got interrupted by the little one should never have been enough for her to feel like her virtue had been snatched away. He’d stayed the gentleman, even though it nearly killed him. When she fell asleep snuggled into his shoulder, her hands cuddled into his lap, he thought he was going to explode. It had been a miracle he’d finally managed to doze off for a while on that couch, but damn if Darling didn’t jump as if he was some kind of monster when Link and Madison got home from their night out. She started squawking and stammering and practically did the hundred-yard dash up the stairs to her own room. He’d been surprised she hadn’t slammed the door or something. Maybe even try to push the dresser in front of it for good measure. He just didn’t get women.
“What’s going on? Everything okay?” Darling addressed her question to Madison.
Maddie shook her head. “Nope. There’s a problem with Ross’ visa, and he can’t leave tonight with us.”
“What? Well, what can he do, doesn’t he have to be in Europe by tomorrow morning for the start of the tour or something?” Darling looked from Madison to Ross and back to Madison again. And if he hadn’t been glancing at the right woman at the right time, he would’ve missed that little gleam that sparked in Madison’s eye. Her expression was in such contrast to Darling’s. Darling’s mouth was in a slightly shocked open O, her eyes round and wide.
Madison let her eyes narrow and bit on her lip. She did a quick head tilt and pointed her finger toward the ceiling. “I have a brilliant idea. It’s perfect.” She paced between Darling and Ross for a moment, letting the tension build. “Ross, why don’t you stay here with Darling while this whole passport visa mess gets dealt with?”
Darling was the first to find her voice. “Oh no, I’m sure he’d be more comfortable in the city rather than stuck here with me in Uniontown. At least there’d be things to do.” Darling crossed her arms over her chest.
Ross picked up the cue and began his own comments. “Yeah, I don’t want to be any more of a nuisance to Darling, especially since she’s got stuff to do and family to reconnect with around here. I can go up to Boston and stay at a hotel while things get worked out.” He stuffed his hand into one of his jean pockets, not sure why he felt such disappointment. Was it over being late to join the tour or leaving a certain pretty blonde New England girl behind?
“No, no, no. This is a great idea. You won’t get stuck hanging out alone in another horrible hotel, and Darling won’t be alone in this beautiful but slightly eerie house. It would make me feel better knowing you were here for a bit longer. She’s gotten one crank call already, and that neighbor guy seems a little creepy—or maybe he’s just a crazy drunk—but whatever. I think you should stay here, and I’m sure Link will agree.” Madison stepped over to where William had plopped his butt down on the wood floor. She picked him up, straddling him easily on her hip. “See, it’s all settled. You’ll stay and keep her company on a slightly extended vacation. The lawyers will get the paperwork and immigration issues dealt with. Easy peasy.” She nodded happily and walked out the door onto the deck without even a glance back.
“What crazy drunk guy?” he asked after the door clacked back into its frame.
“Oh, nothing to worry about. We just met David’s dad this morning,” Darling replied crossly.
“And?” he prompted.
“Mr. Whitaker is probably the town drunk, but he’s harmless. The cops cleared him of my mom’s disappearance years ago.” She dropped a hand to her hip.
“Oh great, so he’s probably two steers shy of a stampede, and he lives walking distance from you?” Ross shook his head and sighed. It dawned on him that he didn’t want her staying here alone, spooky-house history, strange neighbors, and all. But that wasn’t the sum total. He just didn’t want to leave her, and it really wasn’t his call. She’d made it pretty clear today that she wasn’t much interested in his company. “I’m sorry about all this. It’s okay, though. I could get a hotel. If it makes it easier, I can rent a car to drive to one after they leave so that Madison doesn’t go on and on and send us both batty with this idea of hers.”
Darling dropped her hand from her hip and straightened her posture. “It’s okay, Ross. You can stay here if you want to. Besides if you don’t, she’ll make me crazy. You may have noticed that once she gets a plan in her head, there’s no deterring her.” Beauty Belle joined them at the foot of the stairs, her food bowl in her mouth. “I think Belle wants her food, if you’ll give me a minute.” Darling grabbed the bowl from the retriever’s mouth and headed toward the kitchen.
What the fuck was he supposed to do? It was that old song ringing in his head, “Should I stay or should I go…”
Chapter 13
A couple of days went by in a blur. He had been busy taking phone calls from various realtors trying to close a deal in Dallas. The two-hour time difference was just enough to make things annoying, but he loved investing in property—probably because he never had any before. Ross always feared getting too used to the money he made from Becket, so even in the first couple years he had diversified his holdings. He didn’t know much about investing or what to do with money, but he wasn’t so stupid that he didn’t know how to find competent people who would. Sure, he’d made millions through tours, merchandising, and downloads, but some very talented financial whizzes had helped him catapult that nest egg into many, many millions. Enough that he and his clan would never worry about where their next meal was coming from or ever have to wear secondhand shoes again. It had not been so long that he’d forgotten the miseries of living in a trailer park or the rarity of having a decent amount of food. He was a Texan and believed bigger was better; land was where it was at, Atlas Shrugged, and all that. He had quite the real estate enterprise going, mostly office buildings and shopping malls. He’d bought a rather sprawling farm in upstate New York and had started trying to figure out what to do with it. There was no furniture or anything yet. He’d only been there once, but after this next tour wrapped up, he would spend his time and attention setting the place up. It would be his first real home that he’d chosen. The location was perfect, rural yet still within a couple hours’ drive for when he had to get into the city for recording.
He wasn’t quite sure what had gotten into Darling, but she’d been avoiding him almost as if she was afraid he was going to jump her in the hallway. She’d been busy cleaning the large house, going through boxes of old family stuff, and writing something on her laptop. All that and baking, like, constantly. The woman sure loved to bake. She didn’t seem to eat much of what she made, but she could have. She certainly wasn’t fat, just beautifully rounded in all the right places. He wasn’t sure how she resisted because, damn, her baked goods were fabulous. Cookies, cakes, muffins, brownies, tarts, and everything. He really needed to stop trying a little of each, or he was going to wind up fat. He wasn’t getting the exercise of ho
urs of drumming a day, but he had made sure he kept up his jogging routine and did some simple push-ups and sit-ups to keep his shape. You wouldn’t make it through a three-hour concert if you let yourself go, and Ross had always taken good care of his body. He made a last couple of notes on his tablet and swiped it off.
He glanced across the living room into the open kitchen in time to see Darling pulling another tray of pastry out. The dog was curled up in the corner but watching each time some new treat was displayed. “You ever consider opening a bakery or something if you like to do all this cooking?” he called to her.
“Actually I’m working on a cookbook, but I doubt anyone will ever publish it,” she answered, wiping a stray strand of her hair out of her face. She smiled brightly, a dusting of flour on her cheek.
“Well, if you can write a recipe that lets somebody make stuff this good, you’ll be all set,” he reassured. Ross got off the couch, preparing to journey into the kitchen to try just one more treat.
The old landline on the kitchen wall rang. Darling jumped as if someone had walked over her grave. She had to look around a couple times before picking up the old telephone from its cradle. Unfortunately her surprise at the house line ringing wasn’t enough to stop her from swatting his hand as he tried to grab a still piping-hot raspberry Danish from the cooling tray.
“Hello.” She paused and slapped his hand once more before calling out, “Hello,” again into the receiver. She turned his way, “I think something’s wrong with the phone line. I just hear static.” She moved her mouth back to the receiver to say hello a third time and narrowed her eyes. Her shoulders went straight back, and her mouth dropped open. Ross just watched her face. She sucked in her breath and bit her lip. Who the hell was on the phone? He was about to grab the receiver out of her hand when she slammed it down, knocking the cradle off its wall mount. She stood with her hands gently shaking.
“Who the hell was that?” he demanded.
“I think somebody who knows something about my mother’s disappearance just threatened me.”
Chapter 14
Darling wiped her flour-dusted hands on her jean shorts. “A hissing voice said I should leave here, or I’d wind up just like my mother—gone, gone, gone. Then the line cut off.” She wrapped her hands around her upper arms and rubbed as if she had a chill all over her body.
“You’re not kidding; you’re really scared shitless. Darling, it’s probably just some kook who knows you’re in town and just wants to spook you a bit. It’s awful, but it’s just a crank call.” He reached for her, pulling her rigid body into his arms. He held her and stroked his fingers up and down her back. Darling took a couple more deep breaths and stepped away from his embrace.
“I know you’re right. It just was really creepy. There are all kinds of people who probably think it’s fun to taunt the city girl who’s come back after all this time.”
“Probably, but how about I answer the phone next time? I’ll give them what for.” Ross bent over, picked up the mangled phone, doing his best to reattach it to the wall.
“Well, I should have expected this. An old childhood friend shared with me some of the local gossip about all that happens with this house.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, whatever did happen to your mom? You said she disappeared.”
Darling pulled out one of the breakfast barstools and took a seat. He followed suit in the other chair.
“I don’t really know the whole story. Nobody really does. It was summer. I was nine years old and had gotten sent to my room by my mom for breaking her special pearl necklace. It was really awful. I had snapped the string, and the pearls went all over the floor. My dad, Uncle Ryan, and a couple of their friends had gone out golfing for the day, so there was just mom and me at the house. My grandmother was away for the weekend, but I don’t recall where anymore. I got sent to my room, and I was crying in bed, so ashamed that I ruined the necklace. I was terrified of how much more trouble I’d be in when dad got back from golfing. I think I fell asleep for a while curled up on the bed. I thought I heard voices arguing at one point, but I don’t know—maybe it was a dream.”
Ross watched her, noting the faraway look in her eyes as she told the story.
“Anyway my father got home from his trip, woke me up, and asked where mom was, and I didn’t know. She would never have left me all by myself in the house, so something must’ve happened to her. The police got involved. Eventually they found her car parked over at a train station in another town. None of her credit cards ever got used; she didn’t take any clothes; nothing was missing but her. Years later she was declared dead. I don’t really remember what she sounded like anymore, it’s been so long. Dad and I never spent a summer at the house again. I think it was too painful for him, and I had nightmares for a couple years after that. I’d dream that I got taken and disappeared like she did.” Darling wiped a tear that had leaked out of her eye with her palm. “What is it with being around you? I always get teary-eyed, and we barely know each other. You must think I am a total watering pot.” She smiled weakly.
“Never. You’ve gone through a lot in your life. Whoever made that call is a first rate asshole. I hope they call back again so I can give them what for.”
“I know I should have said something a couple of days ago, but I actually do appreciate you sticking around while your visa gets worked out. Being in this house brings back a lot of good memories but a few bad ones too. It’s nice not to be alone.” Darling got up and resumed sliding the desserts onto the cooling rack.
“Always glad to be of service to a damsel in distress. However I think I could use one more of those raspberry thingies.” His tone was light, but his fist was clutched tightly. Now that he knew more of what she’d gone through, he wanted to pound the fuck out of whatever townie thought crank-calling Darling was a fun time. He’d enjoy watching that piece of trash feel like a cat locked in a dog pound. He followed her back to the oven.
“Only if you can tell me which batch was better. The first batch or the second batch?” Darling asked with a hand on her hip and a slight smile.
“Hmm, I might have to do more tasting for that. But I’m happy to taste anything from you,” Ross said, stepping closer to her.
“I guess so. You got a little smidgen of raspberry on your chin.” She reached out to wipe the fruit. Ross grabbed her hand and brought her finger into his mouth to suck the jam she’d touched. He should not be doing this. She was so young and had been through so much, but damn, he could only be tempted for so long and not bite. “You sure do taste sweet.”
Darling shut her eyes and bit down on her lower lip. It was more than he could take. He rolled her into his arms, covering her mouth with his. It had been torturous days since he had his lips on Darling, and he was like a starving man with a feast. He used his thumb to drop her jaw down a little bit to better access her mouth. His tongue swept in greedily—tasting, licking, swirling into her warm soft mouth. Darling let out a soft moan and tangled her tongue with his. She tasted of sugar and delicious woman. He couldn’t get enough. He pulled his mouth from hers to catch his breath and nipped along her neck. She tilted her head, giving him better access. He gently licked the curve of her ear, delighting in the little squeak of noise she made in response.
He released a growl, tightened his hold on the back of her head with one arm, and snuck the other one round to cup her full breast. He felt her nipple pebble hard against his palm, but that was just a reassuring tease. He had to get underneath the cloth and feel her skin with his. He took her mouth again in another deep kiss and carefully pulled off her tank top. He broke the kiss to glance down and examine his prize.
“Oh, God,” he muttered, new waves of desire shooting through his veins. The hard nipple he’d teasingly cupped a moment ago was straining and peaking just over the white cups of her bra. He used both hands to pull the lacy fabric down a bit more and fondled each nipple, rolling them roughly against his calloused fingers. She threw her head back
, her eyes drifting shut, and whimpered.
Fingers on her skin would not be enough for him now that he’d seen her bounty. Her swollen, rose-colored nipples on high, ripe breasts tempted him as little else ever had. Deft fingers unhooked her front-clasp bra. He slid it quickly open, letting the straps dangle from her shoulders. He feasted on each perky nipple in turn. She was clutching the counter with both hands, her knuckles white from exertion. He picked her up in one swift move, forcing her to let go and be placed on the granite. Her long legs dangled from the counter. He leaned in between them, pressing against her warmth. His erection strained against his jeans. He slid his hands down to slip under the waistband of her shorts and cup her sex. She let out a whoosh of air and grabbed his wrist, pulling it from her panties.
“I don’t think I can do this. I’m sorry, but I’m just not ready.” She used her other hand to push his chest away.
“What? Did I do something?” Ross asked, confused over the cold turn things had taken. He allowed her the space she wanted but watched her face intently, waiting for another clue.
“No, it’s just, I’m, well, I’m frigid you know.” She spoke quietly, looking down at his feet.
Ross let out a chuckle and sucked in a deep breath. “Ah, are you sure you know what that word means, Ivy League, ’cause, baby, you are as responsive as a cat in heat.” He reached for her, but she held her hand up to his chest again to keep the distance.
“I’ve only ever tried to do it once, and I was terrible. The whole thing was terrible. I don’t ever want to feel that vulnerable and stupid again. I don’t want to be anyone else’s disappointment.” She hopped off the counter, turned off the stove, and waited.
“What the fuck did Zack do to you?” He couldn’t stop the question from coming out.
She surprised him by turning around and answering. “Nothing I didn’t ask him to do. I just found out I’m no good at it—you know, the sex thing.”
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