by Joanne Rock
“Okay.” She switched on the phone. “No password?” She opened his messages easily, seeing the slew of new ones on the same group thread.
“I’m an open book.” There was definitely a hint of something defiant in his voice.
“Call me crazy, but I sense a story there.” She scanned the messages for him while he turned off the interstate onto the private road that led to the ranch.
“I found out my last girlfriend was cheating when her phone buzzed about fifty times while she was in the shower. I grabbed it to bring to her, thinking the constant messages could be important. But the screen filled with private texts from another guy.”
Jillian’s finger stilled on the glass surface of the screen. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s always better to know.” His scowl said otherwise, but she wasn’t going to argue. “She defended her faithlessness by saying I was too cold to love.”
Ouch. The woman must have been blind if she couldn’t see the way Cody showed his love for his family by taking on the role of protector and provider. Already Jillian had been swept up into that world now that she was pregnant with his child, landing on the list of people he wouldn’t let down.
“Some people go into attack mode when they feel cornered.” She flicked the screen on again to finish scrolling. “She probably would have said anything to deflect attention from her own shortcomings.”
“What about you?” he asked, glancing Jillian’s way. The muscle in his jaw twitched as he frowned. “I hope no one you ever cared about went into attack mode.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, remembering old hurts and finding they were nothing compared to all she’d been through since then.
“My ex-boyfriend bailed on me right after my first surgery.” She could see now what a pale shadow of a man he’d been, especially in comparison to Cody. Ethan had been interesting enough when their lives were easy, but a crisis had revealed his character. “He said the surgery had been hard enough. He couldn’t handle chemo and radiation, too.”
“He couldn’t handle it?” The outrage in Cody’s voice was strangely comforting.
“That’s a direct quote.”
“Good riddance.” His grip tightened on the steering wheel, knuckles flexing. “Although I’m sure it didn’t seem like it at the time.”
“I realized I hadn’t really loved him when my main worry after the breakup was how to get to my appointments when I was sick and tired.” She’d been so exhausted, and hadn’t liked relying on her aging parents, who lived in a small town in Northern California. “But I met a lot of truly lovely Uber drivers during that time in my life.”
Cody swore softly and rested a broad, steady hand on her knee for a quick squeeze. “You’re never going to have to drive yourself to another appointment again.”
The certainty in that promise rattled her, especially when she needed to tell him that Cheyenne couldn’t be her forever home. But she wasn’t ready yet. Not now. For all they knew, this pregnancy wouldn’t last out the month. She would be devastated if she miscarried, but considering the hell her body had been through, she wouldn’t be surprised.
As he pulled into the driveway in front of the main house, she was just as glad to sidestep that topic a little longer. Instead, she focused on the text messages from his family.
One that seemed important caught her eye as he slid out of the driver’s seat and came around to her side.
“Cody?” She flipped the phone for him to see, hoping she was misunderstanding what she was reading. “It looks like your father is worried that your stepmother has gone missing.”
“Impossible.” His blue eyes narrowed as he took the device, helping her down with his free hand. “Paige hardly ever leaves the ranch, let alone Cheyenne.”
“Maybe she went to see Scarlett?” Jillian remembered the exchange she’d witnessed between mother and daughter the night of the rodeo. Something had seemed off.
“But why?” Cody thumbed through more messages. “Scarlett has enjoyed being the center of attention since she was old enough to talk. Why would her mother worry about her dating some Hollywood dude? It’s inconvenient for us, maybe, but I picture Scarlett being thrilled right now.”
Jillian didn’t have any answers.
“Paige will turn up.” He turned off the phone again and slid his arm around her waist. “We’ve got more pressing matters to think about now. Let me make you dinner and we can figure out what to do if this baby is as stubborn a fighter as his mom.”
“His?” She shouldn’t allow herself to be charmed by Cody, but felt her heart soften a little anyhow.
“Or hers.” He planted a tender kiss on her temple. “If she’s as tough as her mom, we’re going to need to make some plans for life nine months from now.”
Jillian closed her eyes for a moment as they stood there on the front porch. She let herself imagine what it would be like to parent a baby with this honorable, responsible, thoughtful man. To stay in this awe-inspiring part of the country that had captured her imagination so thoroughly she was bringing a whole movie to town to share the beauty of it with the world.
But if ever she needed to be strong, it was right now. Because if this pregnancy lasted and they shared a child, Jillian wouldn’t accept a supporting role while Cody McNeill called the shots. No matter how charming he could be, she knew that keeping his child close was going to be his number one priority. She didn’t have any intention of giving up all her dreams to be stuck in a loveless relationship.
Cody might not be cold, the way his ex-girlfriend had accused him of being. But he certainly didn’t love Jillian. Which meant this conversation he wanted to have was not going to end well.
“Cody, I’m worried about your family.” It was the truth, she realized, as the words fell out of her mouth. Yes, she wanted to delay this conversation with him about the future. But she couldn’t imagine this strong Wyoming family of his messaging each other twenty times in a day unless something serious was happening. She didn’t want the pregnancy news to distract him from something important developing with the rest of the McNeills.
“I don’t think we need to worry about Scarlett.” His expression was resolute. “Besides, I’m not going to be the one who stops her from living her dreams.” He leveled a knowing look at Jillian, reminding her of their argument about personal freedom versus family duty.
“But what about your dad? Your stepmom? Shouldn’t you make sure they’re okay?” She had barely gotten to know his family, hadn’t even met his father or his grandfather.
She’d never had a big, extended family the way he did. And if they one day shared a child who’d be a part of that larger group, she’d want to know them all very well. It wasn’t too soon to start making those connections.
And his family would be all the more important to their child if she relapsed. The thought made Jillian’s throat dry up.
Stroking his palms over her shoulders, Cody stared down into her eyes. “I will do whatever you want me to, because I don’t want you to worry, and I don’t want you to have any stress. But first, be honest with me. Is this a stall tactic from talking about us?”
* * *
He needed trust between them.
After the way his last relationship had ended, having forthright communication was important to him. And although he’d gotten off on the wrong foot with Jillian when she’d mistaken him for Carson, he’d developed more faith in her character since then. He didn’t believe she was the kind of woman who would purposely deceive him.
“Yes and no.” Jillian’s hazel eyes locked on his. “I’m not ready to move into the ranch for good, but if I promise to stay here for the week, we’ll have time to talk about the future. But in the meantime, aren’t you a little worried about all the texts going back and forth among your family members today? You don’t strike me as the kind of family to spend the afte
rnoon texting each other.”
He guessed there was more to it that she wasn’t sharing, but maybe that was part of the reason she wanted to delay further discussion. He was new to all of this. And he was trying to navigate it with someone he didn’t know well enough.
“We definitely aren’t.” Cody had worries of his own. If his father was including all the family in his messages—even Carson, with whom he was barely on speaking terms—something was wrong. “If you’ll let me get you something to eat first, I’ll read all these texts and figure out what’s going on. I can ride over to my dad’s if it seems necessary.”
“I’m perfectly capable of making dinner—”
“Please.” He didn’t want to argue with her. The only thing he had any control over in this pregnancy was his contribution to Jillian’s welfare, and he refused to relinquish that role. “I want to help you stay healthy and get enough rest. Make yourself comfortable and let me feed you, then I promise I’ll check in with my family.”
At her nod, relief rushed through him. He opened the front door before she changed her mind. His gaze followed her slender figure as she retreated up the stairs to the bedroom where she’d spent the previous night.
His thoughts turned to dinner. The doctor had said maintaining a healthy diet was critical, and Cody intended to make sure she had plenty of variety so she could find foods that would appeal to her. Tomorrow, he’d find a chef who was a certified dietician. Someone more skilled in a kitchen than him. For now, he grabbed some steaks and a couple chicken breasts, then fired up the grill.
Jillian would have every possible advantage to help her through this pregnancy. He would see to it personally. She’d agreed to stay with him for one week. He’d simply find a way to romance her. To get to know her better and make her happy. Above all, to ensure that after their week together was over, she never wanted to leave.
Eleven
When Scarlett touched down in Cheyenne at the tiny private airport outside of town, she was surprised to see her grandfather’s limousine waiting nearby. The ground crew retrieved her bags while she walked down the steps of the Learjet. Hopefully, she hadn’t kept Malcolm McNeill waiting for his plane.
She lifted her hand to wave at the long, dark Mercedes with tinted windows. It had been a quick flight from LA, too quick because she was dreading facing her family when she got home. Her father hated publicity and the limelight in general, but he especially disliked the superficial kind that came from celebrity stalkers and paparazzi—the kind she’d garnered when she’d been in Hollywood. He’d messaged her a terse command to see him upon her return, and she planned to make his house her first stop so she could get the confrontation over with.
Which reminded her of the last showdown she’d had with a man: Logan King. She had held strong against thinking about him—sort of—last night. But when she woke up to the photos of them together plastered all over the internet, she had weakened. She’d stared at them far too long. Before she knew it, she’d found herself searching for articles about the film shoot in the Congo. Two supporting actors had quit during the grueling months shooting in Africa, a time made more difficult by a demanding director who’d closed the set to “bond” his team. After Logan returned to the United States, he’d said in an interview that it had been the most challenging experience of his life.
What if it wasn’t just a sound bite? Frustrated to still be thinking about him, Scarlett focused on her grandfather instead.
Just then, the Mercedes driver got out of the vehicle, hurried around to the back and opened the door to reveal Rose Hanson, Malcolm McNeill’s new girlfriend. The woman stepped onto the tarmac, holding a fistful of her long, colorful gauze skirt in one hand to keep it from blowing in the wind. Her long gray hair was in a thick braid draped over one shoulder. She waved at Scarlett while Malcolm emerged from the car behind her, his crisp blue suit making him look every inch the Manhattan business mogul.
“Hello, Granddad. Rose.” She hugged them both while the driver pulled their luggage from the trunk. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting. I’m so grateful for the use of the plane.”
Malcolm waved aside the thanks. She noticed how his thinning gray hair was perfectly in place despite the breeze. “We timed our arrival so we could see you before we left. I talked to the pilot last night, so I knew your schedule.”
“Where are you going?” Scarlett had been under the impression Malcolm would stay in Cheyenne for as long as it took to make peace with his estranged son, her very stubborn father.
“I’m heading to Silicon Valley for a few days to visit my grandson Damon and his wife, Caroline. They have a son that I’ve yet to meet.”
“And my granddaughter, Brianne, will be there visiting with Malcolm’s grandson Gabe,” Rose added. “So we both get to see grandchildren.”
Scarlett had visited Gabe and Brianne and their adorable boy, Jason, on a trip to Martinique last winter. Brianne was just as warmhearted as her grandmother.
“And one shared great-grandchild,” Malcolm reminded her, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief as they exchanged smiles.
Rose patted Scarlett’s arm. “And one shared great-grandchild. My Brianne loves Gabe’s boy like her own. I’m so glad they’re coming to the States more now that Damon is in California. They want the cousins to be close.”
“That sounds nice,” Scarlett admitted, wishing her family would come together the way the rest of Malcolm’s heirs had. “I hope we have get-togethers like that one day.”
Even among the siblings there were disagreements, with Cody and Carson never seeing eye to eye. Brock coped by keeping them all at arm’s length. Since Madeline had started dating Sawyer Calderon, from a rival ranching family, tensions ran even higher.
“Malcolm will win over your dad one of these days.” Rose took his hand in hers and squeezed it. The gesture was so sweet that Scarlett found herself envying them.
“I left the keys to the house for you in the car, if anyone wants to use the place while we’re gone.” He’d rented a massive hobby ranch in Cheyenne for the year, in the hope of reconciling with Scarlett’s father. “I’m sending the plane back up here, too, in case you need it. Take the limo back home, honey, and we’ll see you next week.” Her grandfather nodded to the driver, who moved to take Scarlett’s bags from the ground crew workers who had carted them over.
After a quick goodbye, Scarlett retreated into the back seat of the spacious vehicle. She picked up the envelope with her name on it that contained the keys, and slid it into the back pocket of her purse.
Another piece of paper there caught her eye. She’d forgotten all about the note Logan had handed her at the club the night before. She’d been so distracted, so surprised that he would bother defending himself regarding her unreturned texts six months ago, the mystery note had slipped her mind.
Logan thought the man in the pin-striped jacket had passed it to her. How was that possible? She didn’t even know the guy.
Now, as the limousine pulled out of the private airport and onto the deserted the backroads that would lead her home, Scarlett unfolded the heavy parchment.
Inside, there was a brief typed message:
Do you know your mother’s true identity? You might be surprised to find out her real name. And to learn her marriage to your father was never legal. I will make trouble for your family if you continue your plan to let Winning the West be filmed on McNeill land.
Stunned, Scarlett reread the message two times.
It couldn’t possibly be true.
It must be a trick to stir up trouble. Possibly a prelude to blackmail. Her stomach, already in knots after the unsuccessful trip to LA and the public standoff with Logan that had turned into a paparazzi photo op, churned with fear.
Was there any chance her mother hadn’t gotten married using her real name? That Paige Samara McNeill had a hidden past? Normally, her mom was unfl
appable, the anchor of their family. The voice of reason when her father flew off the handle about something. She was stable. Grounded.
But she had seemed a bit anxious ever since the location scout came to town. And especially since Scarlett had mentioned her plan to fly to Los Angeles for a few days. She’d assumed it was because her mother didn’t want her to follow dreams that would take Scarlett out of Cheyenne. What if there was more to it than that?
One thing was certain: Scarlett couldn’t walk into her father’s house and face her mother until she had a plan. Pulling her phone from her purse, she punched in her sister Maisie’s number and prayed she would answer.
Maisie would make it all go away with a cynical comment about how gullible Scarlett could be. She’d probably say Scarlett was crazy to put any stock in a note from a stranger.
“Scarlett?” Maisie’s voice sounded strained when she answered. “Is that you?”
“Yes.” Straightening in her seat, Scarlett got ready to tell her all about the note, but Maisie rushed to fill the pause.
“Honey, get over to Dad’s house. Mom is missing.”
Too shocked to process much beyond that, Scarlett jammed the note back into her purse while Maisie explained that the whole family was gathering at their father’s house right now. That Scarlett needed to be home with them.
The mystery message would have to wait. She needed to be there for her father, who must be going out of his mind. If her mother had a hidden past, what if it did more harm than good to reveal the message to the whole family? What was important was finding her.
Scarlett decided to keep the note to herself a little longer. At least until she could speak to one of her sisters privately and ask what she thought about it. Just until they figured out exactly what was happening.
* * *
Alone in her suite at the Black Creek Ranch after dinner, Jillian let her fingers wander over the literature from the obstetrician. Pamphlets about a baby’s development. Brochures about maternal health. And yes, special notes for cancer survivors who were expecting a child.
