But Mrs. Brodie had been encouraging, and his siblings appeared to like her. Maybe it was time to keep Clay confused and surprised.
She’d work on a plan tomorrow.
Chapter Nine
Clay drove out to his new house. It was dark, but he had electricity and water. Grace said she’d done some of the decorating and bought the bedroom furniture. He’d stay in his new house tonight.
His home had been built in the open prairie with a few trees scattered to the front and sides. He unlocked the door, snapped on the lights, and stepped into a large living room. To his right, a huge fireplace took up a good portion of the wall. Two large windows faced the front yard and driveway. He liked the light-sandy shade of the carpet and cream-colored walls. As usual, Grace had done an outstanding job of finding the right colors. He walked past the fireplace and down a hallway. At the end was the master suite.
Here the colors were a variation of blues and white. Large windows looked out on the endless prairie and the mountains beyond. The moonlight lit a path in his bedroom and stars sparkled in the sky.
He found himself wondering what Suzette would think of the house. Pushing her to the back of his mind, he went through the living room to the dining room and kitchen. Grace and Sylvia insisted he have a larger kitchen than he’d planned. There was an eat-in area looking out at the mountains and lots of counter space, a two-oven stove, and a dishwasher. The large pantry, they said, was an absolute must.
“You might marry someday,” Grace had said.
When they suggested it, he’d had no thoughts of ever marrying. He still didn’t plan on having a woman live with him. When a woman got too close in the past, he withdrew and didn’t see her anymore.
I guess I’m more like Graham than I want to admit. After being around people for a while, I have to retreat and enjoy my solitude. I can’t imagine sharing my space with someone else every day. But what am I going to do about Suzette. I came here ahead of her hoping to get her out of my system. But when I take a deep breath, I still smell her scent. I remember the silky touch of her skin and the softness of her hair.
Suzette with the violet eyes that darkened to purple when they made love.
“No. She’s not my type.” He talked to himself and paced the floor. Then he spotted the coffeepot and discovered Grace had put a few items in his pantry and refrigerator.
He put the coffee on and took out the piece of chocolate cake she’d left. It’d be a good way to end the evening. He’d enjoyed seeing all his family. And I liked having Suzette by my side. The words popped into his head.
Damn, the woman’s haunting me.
* * * *
Clay arrived at nine, an hour early. As usual, just the sight of him made Susie catch her breath.
His mother smiled. “I bet you’ve come for breakfast.”
“You’re right. No one cooks as well as you, Mom.”
“You don’t have to butter me up. Join Susie at the table. I’ll put extra bacon in the frying pan.”
“Did you sleep well?” Clay asked Susie.
“Wonderful. Your mom put a new mattress on the bed. I sank right into it. The next thing I knew it was morning. How’s your new house?”
“Grace has done a good job. I need more furniture, but I’ll take my time finding what I want. She’s got the curtains up and pictures on the walls, and she furnished the kitchen and master bedroom.”
His mother glanced his way. “Are you sure you’ll like being here on a regular basis?”
“Yes. I got up this morning and sat looking out at the mountains while I had my first cup of coffee. I’d forgotten how much I love this place. I’ll get my fix for the big city when I fly in for a few days twice a month.”
“I’m certainly glad to have all my children so close,” his mom said. “Susie, pour us all a glass of orange juice.” She nodded toward an upper cabinet. “The glasses are in there.”
Susie got the juice glasses and went to the refrigerator. She was aware of Clay’s eyes on her. He’d never seen her in jeans and a shirt with her hair in a ponytail. I wonder if I’ve dressed too casual.
When she placed his juice in front of him, she asked, “Would you rather I dress professionally? I can change quickly.”
“No. You look fine. We’re just looking for an office and furniture for it.”
She put the juice bottle back in the fridge. “Can’t I help with something?” His mom had the eggs cooking and had pulled the biscuits out of the oven.
“Pour our coffee and put the biscuits on the table.”
“You baked a lot of biscuits for two people,” Clay commented and eyed her warily.
“Sam stops by and eats when Sylvia has to go into the office early. I love having family to cook for and enjoy seeing them eat.”
Clay took a sip of the coffee Suzette handed him. “I look forward to your coffee the most. No one else can beat it.” He glanced at Suzette. “Although”—he nodded at Suzette—“she comes the closest.”
Susie grinned. “I’ll take that as a high compliment since your mother is such a great cook.”
Mrs. Brodie sat their plates on the table and joined them. “I see Susie isn’t going to tell you, so I will. She made the coffee this morning.”
He looked surprised and a bit stunned. “You got me. Yours is as good as mom’s.” He stared at her for several seconds.
“Eat, you two, or it’ll be cold.”
Clay looked away and started eating. Susie smiled to herself. Maybe the way to Clay’s heart was through her cooking. But she didn’t want him to see her as like his mother.
I want him to see me as a desirable woman.
After breakfast, Mrs. Brodie shooed them off. “I can clean the kitchen. You have to find your new office. I have all day to do whatever I want.”
Clay helped Susie into his truck then went around to the other side. “We’ve got two places to see this morning, one in Frontier City and the other in Wagon Wheel. I looked at a few places the end of last week, in both towns. But I haven’t found what I want.”
“What didn’t you like about the other offices?”
“Most were too big for a small, part-time business.”
He turned left and Susie saw a sign noting they were ten miles from Frontier City. “What type of job does Sylvia have in town?” she asked.
“Sylvia works as a deputy and will probably be the next sheriff when our present one retires. I’ve heard he’s going to leave after this year.”
“Wow, how does Sam feel about her job?”
“He had a little problem with the idea at first. But she’s had good training, and he trusts her instincts. Also he realized he couldn’t tie her to the ranch, or she’d have refused to marry him.”
“They appear to be very much in love.”
“All my brothers and my sister made love matches.”
“Is that what you’re waiting for?” Susie asked.
“As I told you before, I’m set in my ways. I’m not looking for marriage.”
He said the words with emphasis, but Susie noticed he didn’t glance at her. She refused to be discouraged.
They met the realtor at the empty shop. The location looked perfect to Susie. A hardware shop connected to the left side of the office space and being on the corner there was nothing on the other side. Susie followed Clay around the large front room. Down a hall were two smaller rooms and a bathroom.
“I’ll keep this one in mind, but I prefer a smaller space,” Clay said. He started to walk out and glanced back at Susie. “Are you coming?”
“In a moment. I have a few questions for the realtor.” Clay shrugged and went on out.
“How can I help you?” the realtor asked.
“This building has an upstairs. What is it used for?”
“There are several apartments located over the four stores in this block.”
“How much would it cost to rent this shop and the apartment? I’m thinking I might like to open a bookstore that also offers tea
and pastries.”
The woman smiled for the first time. “You’d do a good business. The women in this town and the outlying countryside have wanted a bookstore. No one ever took the chance and opened one.”
“I thought if the men weren’t interested in books, they’d shop in the hardware store.”
“Absolutely,” the realtor said. “It’s an ideal location for what you want to do. I’ll talk to the owner and see if I can get you a good deal.”
“Thanks, but for now, can this be our secret?”
She grinned. “My lips are sealed.”
Clay stuck his head in the door. “We need to get going.”
Susie nodded and headed in his direction. When they got in the truck, Clay turned to face her.
“What was that all about?”
“I had some questions about the town.”
“You could have asked me or any of my family and they’d have told you what you wanted to know.” He backed out and headed back the way they’d come.
“By asking her, I made a new friend.” She was twisting the truth, but she had no intention of telling him her plans until they were in place.
“Are we going to the ranch?” she asked.
“No. Wagon Wheel is about twenty-five miles up the road in this direction.”
“In the winter you’ll have a long drive and the roads might be icy or covered in snow.”
“The county keeps the roads cleared pretty well. All the ranchers chip in together and pay to see we can get out and about.”
“It’s good to know the people aren’t so snowbound all those months.”
Clay looked at her and then back to the road. He’d started to speak. Apparently, he changed his mind.
Susie turned her head and looked out the side window. “I love the wide-open prairie and the mountains. And there are trees clustered together in certain areas. After being in New York I feel like I can breathe better.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s so close, with tall buildings and lots of people. I know many love it, and I won’t mind visiting my sister, but I’m not going to live there.”
“You haven’t given it a chance.”
She shrugged but let the conversation drop. When they drove into Wagon Wheel, she leaned forward. “What a lovely town. I like the shaded main street and the flowers. Why hasn’t Frontier City made these types of changes?”
Clay shrugged his shoulders. “I guess the town council didn’t see a need.”
“I’d bet more people would come to town if they did. It would help the businesses.” She started to say she’d talk to the town council, but that would bring on more questions. “Where is the office you planned to see located?”
“Just around the corner from the main street.” He made a left turn and drove into a cul-de-sac. In the middle, a small, grassy area had been decorated with a large shade tree and flowers. The tree shaded the benches placed under it. Stores faced the center of the cul-de-sac.
He parked the car in an empty spot near the store. When they walked to the front door, a man opened it.
“Hi, I’m Doug Clemson. I talked to you on the phone about this shop.” He ushered them inside. “This is it. It’s a bit small.”
Clay circled the room. He walked to the right into another empty space about the same size with a small bathroom off of it.
“As I said on the phone, I have bigger places you can check.”
“I like this, but go ahead and show us the others. Are they in this area?”
“One’s right around the corner and the other is two blocks off. Do you want to drive or walk?”
“I’d say walk. Is it okay with you?” Clay asked Susie.
“I’m all for walking.”
Doug Clemson strode down the sidewalk beside Clay, telling him the details of the next place they’d see. Susie held back, admiring the town. It even had a theatre.
The second place was too big. Susie saw from Clay’s expression that it wouldn’t do. It might work for her, but she wanted a shop in Frontier City. If things didn’t work out between her and Clay, it would put distance between them.
In the end, Clay decided on the first office they’d seen. He signed some papers in the realtor’s office, and they headed back to the ranch.
He glanced at the clock on the dash. “I got caught up in renting the office and wasn’t aware of the time. You must be starved. There were several nice places where we could have lunch in Wagon Wheel. Shall I turn around?”
“Take me to a restaurant in Frontier City.”
“There aren’t many. The best one is Millie’s. It’s on the edge of town. She’s had the restaurant for years and watched us all grow up. She’s like another aunt to us.”
“I can’t wait to meet her.” A woman who started her own business in town must have lots of good advice for a new entrepreneur. I’ll come back on my own and talk with her.
Chapter Ten
The food had been delicious and Susie liked Millie. When Clay excused himself for a minute, Susie took the opportunity to speak privately with her. “I’d like to come by in the next day or two and talk with you. I’d be interested in hearing how you got started in your business and to tell you about some new ideas I have for the town.
“You’ve aroused my curiosity. Come in anytime and we’ll visit.”
Susie saw Clay walking toward them. “Please don’t mention any of this to Clay.”
Millie grinned. “It’ll be our secret.”
Clay paid the bill and they strolled to his truck. He was quiet during the drive, and Susie wondered if he was worried about moving back home.
Clay turned into the drive to the ranch. “Would you like to see my house?”
His invitation startled her. She’d thought he’d be anxious to leave her with his mother. He certainly hadn’t shown any special interest in her during their day.
“I’d love to.” She agreed before she caught herself. I have it bad. I want to stay with him all the time.
“My sister stocked the fridge so when we get hungry, if ever, after all the food we ate at Millie’s, I can grill steaks.”
“Sounds wonderfully relaxing. I’ll call and let your mother know I won’t be there for dinner.”
Mrs. Brodie sounded pleased Susie would be having dinner with Clay and seeing his property. “Have a good time. Clay has a key to let you in if I’ve gone to bed.”
“Thanks.” Susie clicked off her phone. “Do you have horses?”
“A few. My brother’s been taking care of them while I was gone. Would you like to go for a ride?”
“I’d love to see all of your property and that’s the best way. Plus, it seems ages since I’ve ridden.”
“We’ll go for a ride after we look at the house.”
He drove down a narrow drive to a large opening. The house sat in the center. On the front porch were several rockers. The mountains towered above the house in the back and along the side. The sweet scent of wildflowers and clover blew in the truck windows.
“I like it already. The setting is lovely. Who designed the house?”
“I worked with an architect. I knew what I wanted.”
They got out and walked to the front door. Clay opened the door and motioned for her to enter.
The house had a comfortable feel to it even without all the furniture. The front windows faced the east. Clay led her to the left into the large kitchen. Susie walked from the small table at the end with windows facing the mountains to the other end with the large walk-in pantry. Over the sink were two smaller windows.
“I wanted a smaller kitchen, but Grace and my other sisters-in-law talked me into this one. I’ll probably seldom cook, if ever.”
“It’s a woman’s dream kitchen.”
“Do you like to cook?”
“I do all the cooking, whether I’m at home in New Mexico or at my sister’s. Yes, I love cooking.”
“If your food is as good as your coffee, I can see why they leave you in
the kitchen.”
He smiled warmly for the first time that day and Susie’s heart fluttered in her throat.
Clay stared into her eyes for several seconds before clearing his throat and saying, “I’ll show you the rest of the house. I didn’t want a big place, but I have plenty of property if I decided to add on.”
He directed her to the hallway to the right of the living room. He showed her a bathroom with a bedroom next to it. Then they went in the front bedroom facing the driveway. It was bigger than the previous one. “This will be a combination office and library.
“Now I’ll show you the last room at the opposite end of this hall.” He threw open the door to master suite. “It’s large, but I like it and the patio outside the glass doors.”
“The furnishings are perfect for the room.” Susie wandered around and opened another door. There was a large walk-in combination dressing room and closet to the left and straight ahead a huge bath with a shower and step-in tub. There were two sinks and lots of drawers in the cabinets. “Your sister must have helped design this part of the house.”
“She did look at my plans and made some suggestions. The architect agreed, so I let them have their way. I must admit I like the results.”
* * * *
Especially since I can visualize Suzette and I in the shower with her body wrapped around mine. I’ve watched her expression since we came in the house. She liked it. And I’ve noticed her body responds to me as much as mine does to hers. I have to remember I’m enjoying her company. There’s no place in my life for a wife.
“Are you ready to go get the horses and see the property?” His husky voice had her looking up at him. “Afterward there’s another kind of ride I’d like to share with you,” Clay said. He enjoyed seeing the rush of pink color to her face and her purplish-blue eyes.
“I’m looking forward to both rides.” Her sensuous tone sent heat rushing through him and his cock hardened. He slowly walked toward her.
“We may have time for only one.” This close her sweet scent went right to his head. “I vote you ride me.”
The Billionaire Cowboy's Christmas Surprise [Wives for the Western Billionaires 10] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 7
