Gil climbed in behind the wheel. “What is this obsession you have with being arrested?” he asked, the words barely audible.
Wincing, she remembered using the very same words only an hour before...when she and Gil had stood stark naked beneath the afternoon sun. She closed her eyes, still able to see in her mind’s eye the two of them tangled together on an old, dusty quilt.
Ignoring Gil’s provocative mutter was her only option. “I have an idea,” she said. “Why don’t I ride in the back with Cade? That way he won’t be all alone.”
Cade squealed with delight even as his father’s face darkened with frustration. “If that’s what you want.”
Cade chattered nonstop three-fourths of the way back to Royal, and then without warning fell sound asleep, his little body slumping against Bailey’s shoulder trustingly.
Her eyes met Gil’s in the rearview mirror. “Poor thing is exhausted.”
“Well, I haven’t slept much for the past ten days. And you don’t seem to be worried about me.”
“Gil!”
“I’m not going to let you pretend nothing happened, Bailey. Things are different now.”
“How?”
Fortunately for her, the question stumped him. Either that or he wasn’t willing to talk about it in front of his son. Her blunt question put an end to any conversation at all. She leaned her head against the window and dozed, enjoying the feel of Gil’s son pressed up against her side.
It was getting dark when they made it out to McDaniel’s Acres. Lights in the farmhouse created a welcoming glow. Cade never stirred when Gil opened the passenger door and helped Bailey climb out of the backseat.
When her feet hit the ground, he continued to hold her. “We have to talk about this. But now is not the time.”
Her heart swelled with hope and longing. Was he going to tell her something important? Something that could change her life forever? For the better?
She knew he was right about timing. Serious conversation required privacy. But when he bent his head and kissed her so very gently, she wanted to blurt out the truth. I love you, Gil.
Any anger and frustration he felt had melted away or had been stuffed into a box marked Don’t Spoil the Moment.
She strained against him, feeling the urgent hunger that was never far from the surface. He didn’t try to hide his arousal. Knowing he needed and wanted her was almost enough. But not entirely.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she tried to read a deeper meaning into his tenderness. Did he feel anything for her beyond simple lust?
At last he released her. Breathing harshly, he rubbed a thumb over her cheekbone. “Don’t fret, sweetheart. Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”
What did that mean? What was he planning?
Before she could press for answers, he was gone...the taillights of his truck shining red in the gathering darkness as he headed home with his young son.
She walked up the steps slowly. Would it matter if she asked her boss for one more week? Or would that simply prolong the pain of walking away from Gil?
It startled her to realize that Chance was sitting on the front porch swing. And he was not alone. Cara Windsor stood abruptly. To Bailey’s trained eye and with the illumination from the porch light, it was easy to see that the beautiful blonde had been crying.
Before Bailey could do more than say a quick hello, the other woman dashed down the steps, got into her car and drove away.
Chance spread his arms across the back of the swing, his long legs outstretched. “Was that Gil I saw bringing you home?”
Her cheeks flamed. She and Gil had kissed on the far side of the truck. Chance couldn’t have seen much. But it was still embarrassing. “Yes. I rode with him to Midland to pick up Cade.”
“Cute kid.”
“Yes.”
“I hope you haven’t planted doubts in Gil’s head about me.”
What could she say to that? “Gil makes his own decisions. And he’s very loyal to his friends.”
“Yes, he is. But men can do irrational things when a woman is involved.”
Here was her opportunity. She dropped her tote on the floor and leaned against a post. “Is that what you did, Chance? To be with Cara?”
The smile faded from his face. “Things aren’t always what they seem, Bailey. To be honest, I had no idea I was still on your list.”
“She’s not wearing her engagement ring anymore, is she? I like you, Chance. But it’s hard to overlook the fact that she’s been hanging around here instead of helping her fiancé regain his memory. Is there anything you want to tell me?”
He stood in one fluid motion and faced her, topping her by several inches. His move could have been threatening. But in her gut she knew it wasn’t. “You’ve already questioned me, Bailey. Twice, if I remember correctly. And I told you everything I know about Alex’s disappearance. Which is pretty much zero.”
“And was everything you told me about Cara the truth? Did you perhaps leave out some pertinent details?”
“I did not. There’s nothing more to tell.”
“That tête-à-tête I interrupted a few minutes ago didn’t look like nothing. Why don’t you tell me what you were talking about? Why was she crying? Was it because the man she thought she loved doesn’t even know who she is? Is that it?”
He folded his arms across his chest, his expression grim. “Cara’s business is her own. If you want answers, you’ll have to ask her.”
“She didn’t look like she wanted to talk to me.”
“Perhaps not.”
“I’m not the bad guy in this equation. Unless of course you really are guilty. In which case, you’re out of luck. Because I never give up until I solve a case.” She winced inwardly, because technically, that wasn’t true. Not this time. Thanks to her boss, she was not going to have the satisfaction of finishing this investigation.
“At the risk of looking guilty when I change the subject, I’d like to give you some advice.”
“Okay. I’ll bite. What is it?”
“Gil Addison is a hell of a nice guy. And he’s had some rough knocks. He deserves to be happy more than most anyone I know.”
“And this concerns me how?”
“Don’t let your passion for the truth hurt him. If you’re not serious about a relationship, then walk away.”
* * *
She pondered Chance’s pointed remarks as she climbed the staircase to the second floor where her room was located. Was she giving up too easily? Did Gil believe he and Bailey had a deeper connection than she was giving them credit for?
Tossing her tote and sweater on the bed, she pulled her phone from her pocket and saw that she had a text from the man who filled her thoughts so completely.
Is it possible for u to meet me at the club in the morning...11:00 a.m....so I can hand over my rambunctious son??
She frowned as she curled up on the window seat. Under the circumstances, she would rather not see Gil again until she’d had time to process her emotions. But she had made a promise, and she couldn’t disappoint the child caught in the middle of an adult conflict.
No problem. 11 it is. What will he want for lunch?
Gil’s reply was swift.
Anything that ends with ice cream.
She tapped the keys.
So the diner would be good?
Definitely.
Resisting the urge to ask him what he meant earlier when he said everything would be okay, she added one last note.
See you then...
She set the cell phone on the bedside table and began changing out of her dress and leggings. Moments later, the text alert dinged again. Curious, she glanced at the screen.
My bed looks empty without you...
Torn betwee
n caution and excitement, she debated answering. Perhaps he would think she was in the shower if she didn’t respond.
A second ding heralded another message.
I know you’re reading this. I can feel your anxiety all the way over here. Quit worrying.
Easy for him to say. Since she couldn’t think of an appropriate answer, she stood there staring at the prompt...
What we have is more than good sex, and you know it.
Her lips curled in a reluctant smile. How long would he carry on a one-sided conversation?
It’s going to be a long, uncomfortable night. Every time I close my eyes and think of you, sleep is the last thing on my mind...
Finally, bravely, she replied with what was in her heart.
I miss you, Gil...
This time the long silence was on his end.
After two full minutes, his answer came.
I miss you, too, sweetheart. Sleep well...
* * *
Gil plugged his phone into the charger and prowled his bedroom, pacing from one side to the other. He’d told Bailey the truth. Everywhere he looked he saw her. Naked, sprawled across his mattress. Laughing. Panting. Crying out when he made her come.
How could two incredible sexual encounters turn his entire world upside down? Before he had gotten to know this woman, he had learned to live with loneliness, with sexual deprivation. Hard work and dedication to his son’s welfare had enabled him to forget—most of the time—that he was a man in his prime, a man who had the same needs as any other man.
Now that the genie was out of the bottle, though, there was no way he could go back to the way things were. He stopped dead in the middle of the room, struck with the knowledge that he was falling in love with Bailey Collins already. His subconscious must have known long before now, because the intensity of what he was feeling didn’t happen overnight.
He’d been so busy stonewalling her and arguing with her that it had taken him all this time to admit she was exactly the woman he wanted. She was tough and strong and not afraid to do what was right. She was gentle with his son and passionate in Gil’s arms.
The fact that she wore boring suits with naughty undies enchanted him. Knowing that she was a positive, upbeat person in spite of her sterile upbringing only added to his admiration of her character.
He couldn’t wait to see her again. Was the emotion he had seen in her eyes this afternoon more than simple hunger?
Was it possible that Bailey cared about him in return?
He considered himself a fairly intuitive person, though he’d be the first to admit that women were complex creatures. Was Bailey leaving because Gil had given her no reason to stay?
From her perspective, he’d done nothing concrete to say that he wanted her in his life permanently. It shamed him that she could believe he saw her as no more than a good time.
The fact that she had a job and a life in another city complicated things. Was there any point in trying the long-distance thing for a while? Gil couldn’t walk away from the ranch that was his son’s heritage and his family’s roots. Not to mention the fact that the Straight Arrow provided a considerable number of jobs.
But was it fair to ask Bailey to give up everything and Gil nothing? He had a lot of thinking to do and not much time to do it. With Bailey being summoned home on Thursday, he had less than a week to analyze his gut feelings and make a plan. And then there was Cade. Gil was pretty sure what Cade’s reaction would be, but he needed to sit down with his son and tell him what was going on. That his father wanted to include Bailey in their family.
Imagining the three of them as a unit healed a lingering hurt in Gil’s soul. A dream had been stolen from him tragically long ago. Now he had a chance to start over, to have the traditional family he had always envisioned.
As he showered and climbed into bed, he realized that he was far too wired to sleep. By this time tomorrow night, God willing, he and Bailey would have an understanding. Perhaps he could fly to Dallas with her when she went back and they could shop for a ring.
He would use any means in his power to make her happy. Everything was going to be perfect.
Fourteen
Bailey arrived in town fifteen minutes early. She was genuinely looking forward to spending the day with Cade, but even more than that, she wanted to see Gil. His mysterious promises had lit a tiny flame of hope deep inside her, hope that he felt the same connection, the same craving to make their relationship more than a passing fancy.
When Gil’s familiar big truck pulled up at the club, he and Cade hopped out. The two males were dressed similarly, both wearing jeans and cowboy boots with light rain jackets. The skies were dull, and the forecast called for showers.
Gil’s coat was black to match his hair. Cade’s was bright blue and reflected his eyes.
The boy ran across the pavement. “Hi, Miss Bailey! I get to stay with you today.”
She grinned, kneeling to hug him. “Yes, you do. And I’m excited about that. I thought we’d start with lunch if that’s okay with you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Cade beamed.
Gil touched the child’s shoulder. “Take my phone and sit on the bench over there for a minute, please. You can play that new game we bought. I need to talk to Bailey.”
Cade did as he was told, leaving Bailey and Gil to face each other. She felt self-conscious about being seen by club members, given their location. When Gil smiled at her, though, all that faded away.
He reached out to touch her, but apparently thought better of it at the last minute, because he retracted his hand. “I want to kiss you, but I don’t want to embarrass you,” he said.
“It is a fairly public spot. Maybe later?”
“No maybe about it.” His gaze roved her face, his eyes burning with hunger. “I didn’t sleep worth a damn.”
“Me either.”
They stared at each other.
He raked a hand through his hair. “I want us to talk. Tonight. Serious stuff.”
“Sounds scary, but okay.”
“When you bring Cade home this afternoon, stay for dinner.” He paused, a spark of devilment in his brown eyes. “And breakfast. You can stay in the guest room if it will make you feel better. But you should know that Cade sleeps like the dead.”
“Won’t it look odd if I bring a suitcase with me?”
“Throw a few things in a shopping bag. He won’t pay any attention, I promise.”
Joy bubbled in her chest. There was no mistaking his meaning. This was as good as a declaration. “In that case, I’d love to come.”
He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to get going. You’ll be okay with him? If he gets too rowdy, time-out usually works.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.”
Bailey held Cade’s hand as his father backed out of a parking space and drove away with a wave. She glanced down at her charge. “You ready to eat?”
Cade nodded enthusiastically. “I’m starving.”
* * *
The kid could put away a lot of food. After consuming a full-size hamburger and a mountain of ketchup-laden fries, he declared himself ready for dessert.
“What does your father allow you to have?”
“Two scoops of ice cream with chocolate sauce and one cherry.”
“A man who knows his own mind.”
Cade cocked his head. “What does that mean?”
She grinned. “It means you are definitely your father’s son.”
* * *
After a brief rain shower that left the air sticky and the ground damp, the skies began to clear. Out at McDaniel’s Acres, Cade was in his element. He had grown up on a ranch, so much of the activity was familiar to him. But because Chance’s place was geared toward tourists, there were extras to entertain a yo
ung boy. Pony rides, a miniature rodeo-themed playground, and best of all, a new litter of puppies out in the barn, just begging for someone to play with them.
Fortunately the little canines were old enough to be away from their mother some of the time. Cade sat entranced, holding two of the six in his lap. They were mixed breed, part hound and part terrier.
For a young child, Cade was remarkably patient. He stroked their ears and talked to them with such sweetness that Bailey was hard-pressed not to get teary-eyed. She’d never been allowed to have pets as a child. A moment like this was one she would have treasured.
Cade looked up at her. “Which one is your favorite?” he asked, very serious.
Bailey studied the pups carefully. “That one,” she said. “The smallest one with the black patch on his ear.”
“He looks like a pirate.”
“I agree. If he belonged to me, I think I’d call him Captain Jack.”
“Do you have any pets, Miss Bailey?”
She shook her head. “I have to travel a lot for my job, and it wouldn’t be fair to leave an animal at home alone.”
Cade looked up at her with his trademark grin. “Whenever you’re at my house, I’ll share my pets with you. I have two dogs and a hamster.”
“That’s a very nice offer.”
“Dad told me before he left today that he asked you to come to dinner at our house tonight.”
She gnawed her lip. “Yes.” She wasn’t sure she was ready for this conversation.
“Do you like him?”
It was ridiculous that she felt her cheeks warm. “Of course I do. Lots of people like your dad. He’s a nice man.”
Beneath the Stetson Page 13
