by Leslie North
Her mom started to sit up, but Lucy put a hand on her shoulder. “Momma, don’t worry. I’ve got your list.”
She looked up, her eyes dark and big. “Really? You’ve got it safe?”
Lucy tapped her heart. “I’ve got it for you, momma. I’ll take care of the good things for you.”
She lay back down and smiled. “That’s good. That’s real good. You know, you look a lot like my daughter, Lucy. Course she looks like her daddy. Was there ever a man who could make me smile, that was him. But such trouble.” Her mom’s eyes began to close. “Should have married a better man than him. That was on my list....that and so much...more.”
Lucy kissed her mom’s forehead. “I’ll see you soon, okay.”
Her mom shifted on the bed, already asleep. Lucy turned off the overhead lights but left the TV on for a nightlight. Maybe it gave her mom some comfort to see the colorful images and know she wasn’t alone.
Heading out, Lucy nodded to the night nurse at the front desk and stepped into the parking lot. A light breeze had come up and Lucy shivered. Standing under the glare of the parking lights, she wondered what did she do now.
Go back to Charlie’s? And what—have another fight with Zach?
She shook her head. But she had nowhere else to go. Since she hadn’t eaten, she stopped at the burger joint and got the biggest, greasiest cheeseburger on the menu. It sat like lead in her stomach, but she felt better for having eaten. And having gotten her own dinner. She considered sneaking in back, but that seemed far too childish and she was already feeling bad enough for how she’d treated Zach.
She could be an adult about this. So what if he was rich—that didn’t mean she was going to let him run her life or buy her.
Throat tight and stomach knotted—the cheeseburger jumping now inside—she drove to Charlie’s. She parked in front. She saw Zach’s horse trailer still parked to the side, and Sunny jumped down from the porch to greet her, but when she stepped inside the house seemed quiet.
Heading into the kitchen, she found Charlie in a robe, making tea.
Charlie looked up and waved at the table. “He left that for you.”
“Left? But his horse trailer—Sunny?”
Charlie smiled. “This is now Sunny’s new home. Zach said he couldn’t take Sunny back to the city when it was obvious he was born to be a ranch dog. As to the rest, better read.”
Frowning, Lucy picked up the white envelope addressed to her. She had to admit Zach had nice handwriting. She tapped it on the table. “Do you think I went too hard on him?”
The kettle whistled. Charlie poured the hot water into a china teapot and put the lid on. “My momma always told me it was just as easy to love a rich man as a poor man. But what I’m thinking right now is that you want to find a good man to love. Up to you to figure out if that’s Zach or not.”
Lucy pressed her lips tight. “I don’t know—it’s so fast.”
“Honey, so’s lightning. That doesn’t make it any less real.” Charlie poured herself a cup of tea. “Now I’m for bed. Stay up as late as you like. Zach’s caught the red eye out of here, so you don’t have to worry on his account.” She strode out of the kitchen, her slippers flapping on the floor.
Turning the envelope over in her hands, Lucy wondered if she should read it—or burn it. Was she just being contrary? Or scared? She thought about what her mom had just told her tonight, about not waiting too long. She also thought about Zach’s smile and how she felt when he touched her. Sitting up, she tore open the envelope and pulled out two sheets. One looked like an electronic airline ticket to New York. The other had Zach’s handwriting.
Lucy—I won’t call you dear since I think that’d only piss you off even more at this point.
Lucy smiled. Well, at least he knew her that well.
Since you wanted me gone I am. If that’s what I have to do to show you I do listen and I’m not here to run your life—or ruin it. I think we could have something good, but the next move is yours to make. Use the ticket, burn it, or trade it in for cash—and give that away, too, if you don’t want anything from me. I know money is important to you—and now you’re going to say it’s only because you don’t have it—but I also know what we have between us is...well, that’s not something I can put in a note. Come see me if you’re up to taking a risk on a guy who wants you more than he needs you.
He signed the note with a big Z. Lucy read it over twice more, trying to figure out what she’d do. Getting up, she headed out to the front porch. It wasn’t that cold a night, but she grabbed the Afghan off the couch and threw it over her shoulders. Sunny came over and sat next to her. She threw an arm over his shaggy back.
He gave her face a lick and she wiped that off with the back of her hand. “If you’re staying, we’re going to have to have some rules about dog spit.” Sunny panted back at her. “And what do you think of Zach leaving you? Think it’s an excuse for him to come back? Or was he really thinking about you?” Ears perking, Sunny turned. A bush rustled and a rabbit darted out. Sunny took off after the rabbit.
Lucy sat outside until the cold chilled her. She walked around the side of the porch, heading to her bedroom. A hot bath didn’t help any, and she stared up at the ceiling from her bed, trying to figure out what to do. When the sky started to lighten, she got up and dressed.
She was just making coffee when Charlie came downstairs again, yawning. Stopping in the doorway, Charlie blinked and said, “You’ve been up all night?”
Lucy nodded. “Do I look like it?” She put the coffee on to perk and faced Charlie. “I’ve been trying to figure out what I should do.”
Coming over, Charlie put a hand on her shoulder. “Well, there’s your problem right there. Thinking. What I want to know is what you’re feeling?”
Picking up the airline ticket Lucy held it out. “Like I’d be a dang fool not to at least see him one more time.”
Charlie patted her shoulder. “We’ll see about booking a flight out of here as soon as we can. I’ll even drive you to the airport. For now, you best go pack.”
Chapter Fourteen
It took Lucy three days to find a flight. Charlie finally told her to stop making excuses—one flight was good as another, and told her to pick a time or tear up the ticket. She picked a morning flight without connections. Now, looking down on the luggage that Charlie lent her for the trip, she wondered just what she was doing here in New York. Bright pink and girly, the wheeled overnight bag had to be the farthest thing from what Lucy would buy or what she’d pictured Charlie using. But it held enough clothes for a long weekend. She’d just about turned around at the airport when Charlie was dropping her off, but by then Charlie was pushing her, telling her she’d never forgive herself for chickening out.
“But, Charlie—a plane.” Lucy had shaken her head and had had to pull together all her courage. It turned out she didn’t need that much. The plane trip turned out to be a lot like riding in an overcrowded bus, and she’d been on enough of them as a little girl. But standing outside the airport, the smell of diesel and car exhaust in her nose and with the roar of traffic around her, she wasn’t sure what to do next.
She didn’t know anything about New York, except for what she’d seen of it in a couple of movies. She should have at least looked up a few things on the computer. There seemed taxies enough outside the airport, and she might as well head straight to Zach’s office. He’d put the address on the electronic airline ticket—it seemed she was flying courtesy of Collins, Collins and Abernathy.
What was she going to say to him when she saw him? What would he say back? Would he be happy to see her? Her nerves bunched tight. Well, only one way to find out.
Lifting a hand, she waved for one of the waiting taxi to come on over.
Ten minute later she still wasn’t in the city, but caught in traffic—and she knew she’d never be able to live here. Even with the taxi windows rolled up and the air conditioning blowing, she could hear the noise from outside. Sirens wailed,
people rushed past or leaned out of their cars to yell at other drivers. She’d never seen so many people—or such tall buildings. And the buildings just kept rising up around her, making dark canyons of the streets.
When the taxi pulled to a stop, she stared up at the glass and steel structure. It looked sleek and impressive—and made her feel even more out of place. The taxi ride had also take most of her cash—she was going to have to find another way to the airport to use up her return ticket if things didn’t go well. She pressed a hand to her stomach. Getting out, she pulled her luggage and her purse out with her. She also pushed her shoulders back and strode into the building.
Everyone seemed to be in a rush, and everyone seemed to have cell phones glued to their ears. Words sped past her faster than the people. Lucy blinked and glanced around—she wanted even more to turn tail, but she could hear Charlie’s voice in her head telling her not to be a dang fool.
“I’ve come this far,” she muttered. She saw a guy behind a desk who seemed to be staying put, so she walked over to him. “I’m here to see Zach Collins?”
The guy looked up and pointed to a short hallway. “Third elevator bank.”
“Third?” Lucy blinked. “Why do you need so many.”
He’d turned away, but now he looked at her again. Her cheeks warmed. She’s worn her best dress, a green wrap-around with a v-neck and a tight waist. Now she wondered if she looked out of place—most of the women here seem to be in suits, all of them looked to be wearing black. She tugged at the collar of her dress and adjusted her purse strap. The guy in front of her turned to a short, oriental woman. “Suze, will you show her to the right place.”
The other woman gave a nod and headed with a brisk step down the marble-clad hallway. Lucy had to hurry to keep up. Suze pressed the floor for her and stepped out of the elevator. “This is the express. It’ll take you straight up to Collins, Collins and Abernathy.” She flashed a strained smile and Lucy started to wonder if everyone in New York was grumpy. With all this noise and fuss, she could see why.
Palm damp, she gripped her luggage handle tighter. She should have gotten a hotel first, should have done some shopping and bought a nicer dress, should have...hell, she shouldn’t have even come here. She glanced over her shoulder, gave a gasp and stumbled back. Glass on the back of the elevator showed the entire city spread out. A wave of dizziness and nausea washed through Lucy. Turning back to the elevator doors, she wished this thing would go faster. Her pulse skittered—she so wanted her feet back on solid ground.
The elevator gave a soft ping and the doors opened, and Lucy stepped out into a lobby.
Even more people rushed past her, hardly even glancing at her, but giving her luggage a wide berth. Lucy headed for what looked like a receptionist. “I’m here to see Zach Collins.”
The girl behind the desk looked up, all polished nails and makeup and a cap of perfect dark hair. “Do you have an appointment?”
Lucy blinked. “Uh...no.”
The receptionist gestured to a chair. “Have a seat and I’ll see if he has an opening to see you.”
*****
“You haven’t even been back three days and you’re turning the place upside down.” Zach glanced up as his brother. He smoothed his tie and gestured for Mike to come in and take a seat. “I told you my plans when I got back.”
Mike perched on the edge of Zach’s desk. “I didn’t think you were serious. This place looks like a bomb went off.”
Glancing around, Zach tried to see his office the way Mike must be seeing it. He’d already packed half his bookcases, he’d pulled the art—most of it good Remington reproductions off the wall. He’d have gotten more done, but he’d had two new contracts to review, and he’d had the board meetings to hold to present his new vision for the company. He’d also had working dinners with Mike and long evenings with the lawyers, drawing up all the necessary documents. It was amazing things were moving so fast, and he was going to take that as a good sign.
He was not going to worry that Lucy so far had not shown up.
But he kept waking up in the middle of the night and thinking of booking a flight back to her, just so he could ask her why she hadn’t come to New York.
Mike flashed a smile. “You sure about this, bro? I mean, you’re giving up a lot.” Mike waved a hand. He had the same dark hair as the rest of the family, but Mike kept his slicked back. His eyes also had more gray in them than blue, a lot like their mother’s eyes. Two inches shorter than Zach, he also carried twenty pounds more, all of it solid muscle. Mike’s idea of a good time was a hard game of racquet ball followed by a workout with weights.
Leaning back in his chair, Zach pushed his computer laptop closed. “Not giving up anything—I’m getting the life I always wanted. You know that.”
Mike shook his head, stood and smoothed his tie. He’d left his suit jacket in his own office probably—he wore suits to the office every day, but the hated the damn things worse than Zach did. “In other words, I should have paid more attention to when we played cowboys and cowboys as kids. What if the girl bails on you?”
Mouth tight, Zach shook his head. “Then I’ll just have to work harder to convince her I’m the right guy for her. Now what about the papers—did the lawyers finish up the new article of incorporation.”
“Ted swears we’ll have it by end of the day. Oh, by the way, office gossip is already going crazy. So far I’ve heard we’re shutting down, we’re out of money, we’re being sued, and we’re being bought out and sold to the highest bidder. I’ve encouraged all of them, but we’d better make an announcement soon or our top people will have their resumes out on the street and probably be juggling ten offers each.”
Zach shrugged. “That’s fine. We only want those who want to stay staying.”
“Easy for you to say, man who won’t be here. Oh, hey, I told Tina I’d mention you seem to have someone waiting for you. Don’t know if it’s another interview or what.”
Zach rolled his eyes. “I should put it off.”
“Hell, no. We’re going to want press and lots of it. And you are still the man in charge.” With a sloppy salute, Mike headed out of the office.
Zach glanced at his laptop and then his watch. He hadn’t had lunch and breakfast had been a single cup of coffee. Maybe if this was an interview he could do it over lunch. He had a hundred loose ends to tie up and he wanted all of it done by end of the week. He smiled and shook his head—he’d be lucky to make it by end of the month.
Standing, he headed for the lobby to see who Tina had waiting for him.
***
Lucy sat on a leather couch, staring around her. Everything here made of glass or marble or steel or leather. Her pulse pounded unsteady and her stomach kept flipping over. She wanted to get up and run. She wanted to be anywhere on the ground where she had trees and open land around her. She did not want to be here.
The receptionist kept shooting her glances as if she was afraid Lucy was going to pick up one of the potted plants and walk off with them. Taking a deep breath, she repeated over and over inside her head that she could do this.
Oh, hell, who was she kidding. She couldn’t do this. This wasn’t her type of place—cities weren’t where she wanted to life. She stood up. She’d leave a message for Zach and head straight back to the airport. She’d catch a flight home and if he really wanted her, he’d come see her. She couldn’t stand this one second more.
“Lucy?”
Turning, she saw Zach. Except it wasn’t her Zach. The battered Stetson had disappeared. His dark curls looked brushed and orderly. No more plaid shirt, jeans and boots. Instead, he had on an open-neck polo shirt, gray slacks, and what looked like expensive loafers. Everything, in fact, looked expensive.
He came forward, but Lucy had the weird feeling she was meeting him for the first time. She stuck out a hand. “Mr. Collins.” She’d never called him that, but he looked more like a Mr. Collins and not at all like her Zach. Only his blue eyes seemed familiar,
but right now they clouded over.
Glancing at her hand, he took it. He didn’t shake her hand, but held hers between his two hands. “I’m glad you came.”
She pulled away and jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “I was just leaving.”
He grinned. “I’ve got a better idea.” Turning to the receptionist, he told her, “Tina, have everyone gather in the main conference room. I need to make an announcement.”
“Should I go?” Lucy asked.
“Hell, no. You need to stay.” He glanced at her luggage. “Is that yours.”
She propped a fist on her hip. “Yeah. You got something to say about it.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Nope. Not a word. But you can leave it here with Tina. Come on.”
Grabbing her hand, he pulled her with her, waving at different groupings of desks or offices. “That’s the art department. Publicity is over there, next to copy. But we’ll need to rearrange all of it. Or Mike will. Oh, you have to meet Mike. Mike!” He shouted the name. A guy turned and came over to them.
The world tipped as she looked at the young man. There were two of them. And Mike looked a lot like his brother. Same straight nose and firm jaw line. Same bright eyes, but Mike’s eyes held a touch more gray. He smoothed his tie and offered his hand to shake.
Zach pressed one hand to the small of Lucy’s back. “Seems like the time to make the announcement.”
Dragging his stare from Lucy, Mike looked at his brother. “You sure? It’s not too late to change your mind.”
Zach gave Lucy a grin. “Oh, it’s way too late for me.” He herded her into a giant room—one of the biggest she’d ever seen. As she watched, people drifted in, some by themselves but most in small groups. A large table of dark wood and comfortable chairs sat in the middle of the room, but everyone remained standing. With a last glance at Lucy, Zach stepped in front of the group.
