Bewitching the Reclusive Billionaire Cowboy
Page 11
“Gina and I will help you change into something more comfortable,” Mrs. Brodie said.
“How did he know this was the room I’d be staying in?” Sylvia asked.
“He helped us get it all straightened up for you. The bed needed to be rearranged so you can get up and out easier. It’s going to be so much fun having you two ladies with me. I miss my daughter.” Mrs. Brodie patted Sylvia’s hand. “I’ll go get lunch ready. You two come out and join me whenever you want.”
“Are you staying here, too?” Sylvia asked.
“Yes.”
“I thought you and Graham had something going.”
“No, just your imagination. Being here I can help you, and we can talk.”
“I have nothing to talk about.”
“Fine. I’m going to the library tomorrow morning. I’ll get you some books.”
“As soon as I’m stronger we’ll leave this place,” Sylvia said.
“When the time’s right.” Gina helped her sister into jeans and a short-sleeved red shirt. She brushed her sister’s hair out, and it lay in waves down her back.
“You are so beautiful,” Gina said.
“Don’t say that. I’ll never be pretty with my face like this.”
“There is so much more to you than your face,” Gina protested.
“Sorry to interrupt, but Gina’s right.” Sam gave Sylvia a gentle smile. “I see your beauty, as does your sister.”
“Why are you listening to our conversation?” Sylvia frowned at him.
“Didn’t mean to, Mom sent me to tell you lunch was ready if you are.” He turned on his heel and left.
Gina crouched down and faced her sister. She took Sylvia’s hands in hers. “Don’t let this make you bitter. Then you won’t look pretty. You were so brave. I know you took those beatings to protect me. You’re my hero.”
Sylvia hugged Gina and cried. “I love you so much, baby sister.”
“I know. All the bruises and injuries you suffered were because of your love for me. I’ll always remember that.”
“You’re still a much better person than I’ll ever be.” Sylvia wiped her eyes. “We’d better go and not keep Mrs. Brodie waiting. I think I might have a little appetite.”
Gina led her sister into the small dining alcove off the kitchen. Mrs. Brodie had fixed a light lunch, fruit and a sandwich.
“Sit and eat,” she directed Sylvia. “You look better already, and once I finish with you you’ll be back in good shape.”
“Not unless you know of a brilliant plastic surgeon who can make this face as good as new,” Sylvia said.
“I don’t know, it looks good to me,” Sam said.
Gina had heard footsteps but none of them had noticed him come to the door.
“Is there enough lunch for me to join the ladies, Mom?”
“Of course, Sam.” She placed the platter of sandwiches and the bowl of fruit on the table.
Gina watched as Sam sat between them but closer to Sylvia. Her sister had another admirer. She hoped Sam wouldn’t get a broken heart. Frontier City was much too tame to contain Sylvia’s restless spirit. It was very similar to the small town where they’d grown up, and Sylvia had fled from there the minute she’d graduated from high school.
Why was she worrying about her sister’s love life when hers was in such disarray? Her plan was falling apart. She had to make a decision, devise a new plan, and stay to try to win Graham, or go back home and pick up her old life. Was she ready to give up on her reclusive cowboy?
Chapter Fourteen
Graham paced around his small cabin. The empty house echoed with silence. What had given him peace before made him insanely restless now, but he’d get past it.
He got a cup of coffee and stopped to stare at the new curtains, the clock, and the tablecloth. He’d meant to take them down as soon as she’d left. He kept putting it off. Right now he needed to pack up his manuscript and send it to his agent. Then he’d check with Rand or Dirk about fishing.
When he called Dirk, Chelsea said he was busy branding cattle today. Next he tried Rand’s office. Their new receptionist answered. Marian was in the last trimester of her pregnancy and planned to be a stay-at-home mom, so she had recently quit.
“Dr. Brodie is off today,” the receptionist said.
“Thanks, I’ll call him at home.”
Rand answered his phone. “Hi, what’s up?”
“I hear they gave you a day off.”
“I get one once in a while. I’m on call this weekend is the reason.”
“Great, how about doing some fishing at your place?”
“I’d love it. Come on out.”
“I have my manuscript to take to the post office then I’ll be there.” He hung up the phone and hurried to pack up the sheets of paper. He wouldn’t even think about Gina today, not at all.
* * * *
“So tell me why you really called,” Rand said as they settled by the stream at his ranch. Rand threw out his line.
“My book’s finished, and I had some free time to bond with my brother.” As he expected, Rand doubled over in laughter. Anything to change the subject.
When he could catch his breath, Rand eyed Graham. “Bond with your brother?” He started laughing again.
“It isn’t that funny.” Graham was getting irritated.
Rand struggled to get serious. “Sorry, I thought we’d accidentally bonded years ago.”
Graham’s head jerked around from where he was looking at his fishing line. “What do you mean, accidentally?”
“Through no effort on your part, but we all bonded as you said, anyway. We had to practically beg you to come out and play. You’ve liked your own company since birth. But we didn’t give up on making you join us, and when you did you appeared to have a good time.”
“Why didn’t you ignore me or say something?”
“We did ignore you at times and argued with you. But we’re guys. We don’t get into much of that touchy-feely stuff. Well, maybe a little more since some of us have married. Our women do have an effect on us.
“But back then we just figured you were you and stopped trying to change you. What we did say didn’t make a difference. What’s bringing on all these questions?”
“Nothing.”
“My guess, you’re missing a certain lady that moved into Mom’s house. Gina’s a special lady. I always thought it’d take a special woman to get inside your space.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I love my solitude.”
“Things can change.”
Graham frowned at him. “I know what you’re hinting at, and it’s not true.”
“I remember someone suggesting I not take too much time making up my mind about Marian. He was right. What will you do if she decides to leave and go back to her home? How will you feel?”
“I also told you I wasn’t your psychiatrist, and you’re not mine. Shut up and fish.”
“He protests too much.” Rand ducked when Graham threw a clump of wet dirt at him.
But Graham couldn’t stop thinking about what Rand had said. He missed two good fish. Finally he gave up.
“I’ve got to go.”
“What’s the rush? We usually fish all day. Are you going to start a new book?”
“Maybe.” Graham put his fishing gear in his tackle box and waved. “See you later.”
Rand yelled just as Graham got close to his car.
“I’m right. You’ve got it bad. Give up. You win by giving in.”
Graham gave him the finger, got in his truck, and drove away. Damn, he’s right. What am I going to do? I can’t seem to live happily without her, but how long could we live peacefully together? She had been pretty easy to live with and to love. But he’d wait. He wanted a marriage like his mom and dad had. The thought shocked him. He’d not believed he’d marry and hadn’t given it any thought, but he knew deep down his parents had a good, close marriage, and if he was going to ever jump in the deep end, he wanted the same.
He climbed out of the truck and studied the prairie and the surrounding mountains. It’d be a great spot for a larger house, and he could make a small pond at the bottom of the waterfall for swimming.
There wasn’t any reason he couldn’t have the local architect draw up some plans and start building the house while he decided about his future.
He drove back to the cabin and went inside to do a rough draft of what he’d like. Then he called the architect and made an appointment.
* * * *
“I’m going to town to see about something. Would you keep an eye on Sylvia for me?”
“Sure. I’m not planning on going anywhere, but I think Sam’s going to try to get Sylvia to go horseback riding.” She grinned.
“I bet your sons have no idea what a matchmaker you are,” Gina teased.
Mrs. Brodie put her finger across her lips, then said, “It’s a well-kept secret.”
“Sylvia’s still sleeping. You might knock on her door soon. If she wants to get a ride, she’d better wake up.” Gina headed to the door. “I’d wake her, but I have to hurry, or I’ll be late for my appointment.”
Gina turned the truck around and drove down the road from the house and onto the two-lane highway to town. She’d called the chief librarian yesterday and set up this time to talk with her. She’d also e-mailed her a copy of her resume.
Her plans regarding Graham had changed. She had no intention of leaving without knowing she’d tried all she could to make him admit he loved her. She believed he did, and his stubbornness and fear of change kept him from telling her.
The library had been built on the opposite side of town. She drove along the town’s main street and spotted Graham’s other truck at Millie’s. Her heart ached that she wasn’t there with him. He must be doing all right without her. He’d gone back to his old regime. Maybe she was the fool for hanging around.
When she parked outside the library, she took a minute to give herself a pep talk. She’d made a plan, and she’d stick to it. She got out, grabbed her purse, and straightened her skirt. She’d worn the most tailored outfit she had with her.
Once she entered the library, she felt at home. The familiar smell of books and the sight of people reading greeted her. This building could be set in one corner of the library in Orlando. But she liked it.
To the left was the children’s department, and a young girl read to a group of small children. Most were giving her their attention except for one small boy who squirmed around and then gave the boy next to him a push.
The girl reading stopped and looked across at him. “Danny, if you need to take a walk around the room, go ahead, but come back in five minutes. See the clock?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“When the large hand points at the one you come back.”
A grin wreathed his face. “Yes, ma’am.” He flew down the room.
“She’s very good with the younger patrons of our library.” A tall, slim, white-haired woman smiled and put out her hand. “I’m Bessie Garfield, and you must be Regina Piercy. Come join me in my office.”
Gina glanced all around as they walked toward the back and into a large office with a wall of windows. “I like this room.”
“When this building was built, I was thirty and the first librarian. They asked me for input. I said I needed an office with lots of light if they wanted me to stay very long.” She motioned for Gina to sit. “I guess they did. I’ve been here thirty-four years. Next year I’ll retire, and my husband and I are going to travel and find someplace warm to stay during the winter months.
“Tell me about yourself and your experience,” she added.
Gina talked about her job at the library and how she loved her work. “This library is smaller, but I like what I’ve seen of it. The design is well done.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t miss the city?”
“I grew up in a town about this size. I didn’t realize I missed it until I came here.”
“I’ll show you around, and then we’ll talk some more.” Mrs. Garfield escorted her through the main library. The south end had two rooms, a computer room and a quiet room, and the bathrooms were located in the short hallway. At the other end, there was one room as large as the other two. “This room is used for town meetings or groups that want to meet. We keep a calendar. We may be small, but we’re very busy.”
She guided Gina back to her office and sat in her chair behind a slightly cluttered desk. “We have one other librarian. She has a bachelor’s degree, and we have three assistant librarians. Two of them work the weekends. We’re closed a half-day on Sundays and all day on holidays.” She looked at Gina’s resume. “You have a dual degree in English and library science and your master’s in library science. You’ve been an ambitious lady. I see you’ve worked at the same place since you got your bachelor’s degrees.”
“I have. I started working toward an English degree in college. A friend got me interested in library science, and I switched. But since I only needed a few more credits to get a dual degree, I went for it.”
“I’d imagine you’re up for a promotion soon.”
“Yes, in a few months.”
“Why leave now? You’d make more money where you’re presently employed.”
“As I said, I’m ready for a change.”
“The local gossip line thinks you’re in love with Graham Brodie.”
“Ah, the famous gossip line I’ve heard so much about.”
“You aren’t going to tell me if I’m right?” Her eyes crinkled when she grinned.
“No.”
“I didn’t think so, but it was worth a try.”
“Let me guess, you are part of the telephone group.”
Mrs. Garfield blushed. “I’ll never say.” She took a deep breath. “But back to this position. The person will be trained to do my job. When I leave next year she’ll become the head librarian. I think in the near future there’ll be an extension built to the library. Whoever takes the job will stay busy.”
She pushed a sheet across to Gina. “That is the starting salary and what you’d get when you’re promoted. I think with your qualifications you’d be perfect. My only concern is whether you’ll stay.”
“Can I have a few days to think over your offer?”
“I’d prefer you take your time and be sure. Maybe you should fly home and stay a week or two. Be very sure before you make such a huge move.”
“I’ll be back in touch with you. I may take your suggestion,” Gina said. She shook Mrs. Garfield’s hand and left her office.
When she drove back through town, Graham’s truck was gone. What was he up to? She was tempted to pull in his drive and visit him, but it was too soon. Let him hear what she was doing from someone else. Her heartbeat accelerated at the thought. How would he react? If he could let her go, she had to give up.
When she got back, Mrs. Brodie poured her a glass of iced tea and suggested they walk down to the gazebo and relax. “Sylvia and Sam are riding. I was surprised, but Sylvia said she’d ridden often in the past and seemed eager to get outside. Her cast makes it awkward for her, so Sam helped her on the horse, and he’ll stay close to her. I warned him to not keep her out too long, or she’d be sore in more spots.”
At the gazebo, they sat in lounge chairs and sipped their tea. A cool breeze blew the scent of hay and wildflowers in the air.
“You must love this spot.”
“I do. My husband and the boys helped build it. It was an anniversary gift.”
“You miss him.”
“Yes, but I see snatches of him in his sons. Each one has some of his characteristics. So it keeps him alive in my heart.”
“What characteristic does Graham
have?”
“He wasn’t reclusive like Graham, but he had his quiet moments, and he loved to read. Graham has his quietness.” She smiled at Gina. “You love my son.” Mrs. Brodie stated. It wasn’t a question.
“He’s a hard man to love, but yes.”
“You’re a perfect match for him.”
“According to him, no woman would be right. We mess around with his solitary, comfortable life.”
“I know, but he let you go further than anyone and barely whimpered about it. Believe me, I expected him to call and rant about my allowing you to buy all the paint and pictures, all the ‘stuff,’ as he’d call it. Don’t give up.”
Gina told her about the interview and offer. “Is there a place I could rent if I stayed?”
“You’re welcome to stay with me.”
“No, I need to establish my own home. But thank you.”
“I understand. There’s an older home not too far out of town. The elderly lady died about two months ago. Her children want to sell it, but I’d bet they’d rent it for the time being.”
“It sounds just right for me. I am going to fly home first and talk with my supervisor. Just to be sure about my decision. Then I’ll pack my car and head to Montana.”
Gina’s cell phone rang. She glanced at the name. “It’s Graham.”
“Talk to him. I’ll take our empty glasses up to the house and see you there.”
“Hello.”
“Gina, how are you doing?”
His husky voice gave her shivers right through the phone. “I’m fine.” Her heart pounded. She wished he’d called to tell her how much he missed her, but that was probably expecting too much.
“And is Sylvia recovering?”
“She’s doing well. She went riding with Sam.” The phone went silent for a moment. “Did you finish your edit?” she said to fill the pause.
“I mailed my manuscript yesterday.”
“Wonderful.”
“The reason I’m calling is I wondered if you’d like to ride to Wagon Wheel with me late this afternoon. We can walk around so you can see the town, and there’s a great Italian place to eat. We could celebrate my finishing the book.”