“Right now, you’re here to eat,” Christina says.
I laugh. “You’d better sit. Christina won’t stop until you pull up a chair.”
He holds up dirty hands. “Need to wash up first.”
“You know where the bathroom is.”
He leaves the room, and my friends are all over me. “Oh my god,” Tara says. “He’s even hotter in person.”
“You’re telling me you aren’t all over that?” Christina says. “Victor is hot, but this guy.” She fans herself. “And he’s a cowboy.”
“He’s a bartender from New York. He’s just playing cowboy until his daddy decides what to do with this place.”
“Who cares if he’s playing?” Christina says. “I’d play cowboy with that man any time, any place.”
“I think I have to agree,” Tara says.
Christina gives her a biting stare. “Already cheating on Owen, are we?”
“Shut up.”
“Will you quit trying to set everyone up,” I say. “He’s leaving in a few months, and I’m—”
“You’re what?” Maddox says from the doorway. “With Victor?”
I pick up a plate and pile food on it. “We have a date tonight, in fact.”
“Is that so?” he says, like he has no idea. “Where’s he taking you? Mini-golf? Laser tag?”
I shove the plate at him. “He’s not taking me anywhere. I’m taking him on a sunset ride to the ridge.”
“You don’t say? Kind of a bold move, Andie.”
“Well, I do live here, and you said I could have the run of the place.” I give him a pointed look. “You did say that, didn’t you?”
“I suppose I did. I hope the weather doesn’t turn on you. I’d hate for it to rain and ruin your night.” The right side of his face turns up in a half-grin. I can’t help but smile back, thinking of our night in the shed.
Christina and Tara stand back and watch us continue to banter. I’m not sure why we put on a show for them. They wouldn’t care if I was dating both Victor and Maddox. Judging by the way they are hanging on our every word, I think they’d prefer it.
“We could leave,” Christina says. “Give you two a minute.”
“Eat,” I command.
They fill their plates and sit. I say, “I’ll get some lemonade.”
Maddox follows. “I’ll help.”
“What are you doing?” I whisper in the kitchen.
“Having a little fun.”
“Well, don’t. They would like nothing more than for me to be dating both of you. They have no clue about Victor. They think this is funny.”
He leans against the counter. “It is kind of funny.”
I cringe. “My dating Victor is funny?”
“I was talking about the way they think you’re juggling two men. What did she call me outside?”
“Never mind.”
“McHorny?”
I choke. “Kill me now. No, not McHorny. If you must know, it was McHottie.”
He laughs quietly. “What do they call Victor?”
“They don’t call him anything.”
His smile is full of pride. I hand him two lemonades. “Don’t get cocky, Connecticut.” I walk away.
“Tell me why your family doesn’t want the ranch,” Christina asks.
“We’re from New England,” Maddox says. “My dad runs a production company there. He owns a gym, too, and my mom runs her author business from there.”
Tara looks curious. “Your mom is an author?”
I fetch a book from the coffee table. “She writes bestselling romances.”
Surprised, she gushes, “Oh, I saw this movie. Your mom wrote this?”
He nods.
She thumbs through the book. “Can I borrow this? Books are always better than movies.”
“Sure. I’ve got more in the bedroom if you want them.”
Maddox’s eyebrows shoot up. “Just how many of my mother’s books have you read?”
“All of them.”
Tara holds the book open and points. “Your dad must be some guy if he inspires her to write this.”
Maddox rarely gets embarrassed, so it’s adorable to see him blush.
“Maddox doesn’t read his mom’s books,” I say.
“Why not?” Christina asks.
He shovels sweet potato into his mouth, then speaks around it. “I prefer movies.”
“The movie is pretty hot, too,” Tara says.
“Don’t remind me. Listen, this is my mother we’re talking about. I’d prefer not to believe she thinks that way.”
“She’s a woman, Maddox,” Christina says. “We all think that way. Men don’t have a corner on the market.”
He glances at me. “Is that a fact?”
I stand. “If we’re finished, I’ll wrap up the rest and take it to the bunkhouse kitchen. The guys will appreciate this amazing food.”
Maddox gets out his wallet. “Since you’re feeding them, I want to reimburse you.”
Christina bats his hand away. “Totally my pleasure.”
“No, really. Will a few hundred cover it?”
“She’s a Thompson,” Tara says. “She eats hundred-dollar bills for breakfast.”
Maddox stiffens and gets a sour look on his face. “You’re the friend who’s married to Jon?”
“I take it you’ve met my infamous husband.” Christina sighs. “Why do I feel like I should wear a sign saying I’m a Thompson in name only?”
“He threatened me the other day,” Maddox says.
“I’d say it’s more like the other way around,” I tell her. “You should have seen the way he stood up to him.”
Christina touches her cheek. “You might want to think twice about doing that. He doesn’t take kindly to those who question him.”
Maddox snorts. “I gathered, but he was on my land, and your husband or not, I won’t put up with that shit.”
“Wow.” Christina looks impressed. “I didn’t think I could like him any better.”
“What am I missing?” Maddox says.
“Christina and Jon don’t have a traditional marriage,” Tara says.
“What kind of marriage do you have?”
“The kind where he can do anything and anyone he wants, and I get to spend his money while he does it.”
He glances at me, and I shrug.
I pack the food into bags. Maddox takes them. “You enjoy time with your friends. I’ll take this to the guys. It was nice meeting you both.”
“Don’t be a stranger,” Christina says. “Her door is always open.”
“I live fifty feet south. Being a stranger isn’t really an option.”
He leaves, and I stare her down.
“What?” she says.
“Will you stop trying to fix everyone up? You and your questions and your pushing. You’ll scare him away.”
“You do want him,” she squeals. “I knew it.”
“Can we not do this again?” I wipe down the table.
Christina picks up a bottle of vodka and pours shots into our lemonade glasses. “Lunch with McHottie and a sunset ride with my gardener. You’re the most eligible bachelorette in three counties, Andie. Now tell us everything about the guy next door, and I mean everything.”
I take a drink and savor the burn. “There’s not much to tell. Or not much I can tell. Not yet anyway.”
They look at each other, confused. “Why are you being so secretive?” Tara asks.
“You guys are my best friends. When the time is right, I’ll share.”
“You’re trying to decide which one you want,” Tara says. “That’s it, isn’t it? Who better to help you than your best friends?”
“It’s not that, I swear.” I hit the table. “I hate this!”
“What do you hate?” Christina narrows her eyes. “Is one of them married? It’s Maddox. I knew he was too perfect. He’s running away from a bad marriage and hiding at his daddy’s ranch. Damn, I really wanted to like him. You know what? I
still like him. I’m the last person who should frown on someone staying in a bad marriage.”
“I should probably go to work.”
“It’s Sunday, Andie.”
“Horses don’t only have issues Monday through Friday.”
Christina stands to leave. “And he’s out there.”
I hug them and walk them out. “Thanks for doing this. See you guys for lunch on Thursday?”
“And you’ll tell us what’s going on then?” Tara asks.
“I think so. I hope so.”
“Are you working for the FBI or something?” Christina jokes. “Andie Shaw, undercover vet.”
I laugh awkwardly, then go inside to prepare for my undercover operation.
Chapter Twenty-three
Maddox
Katherine and I observe from my kitchen. Victor approaches the guesthouse with a bottle of wine. Andie sees him coming and steps onto the front porch. I’m amused that her shirt is buttoned almost to the collar. Not exactly a recipe for a romantic sunset ride.
He holds out the wine. “I thought we could bring it and have a toast at sunset.”
She puts the bottle inside the doorway. “Let’s save it for when we get back.”
He leans in and kisses her. “I like the sound of that.”
Beau appears on her porch, barks once, and worms between them. I like that dog more and more every day.
I turn to Katherine. “They are not going into her house after.”
“Agreed. We’ll figure something out.”
“If he reveals enough this evening, we may not have to. Are you ready to arrest him if he does?”
“We’ve been ready. Agent Watkins is already in position, armed and standing by.”
I lift my shirt. “So am I.”
“No. Take it off.”
“It’s my land.”
“Take it off, Maddox. You’re too close. This is personal for you. I’m not risking you hurting someone in the heat of the moment.”
“The only person I’m going to hurt is him.”
“We play this right, and nobody needs to get hurt.”
I look out the window. “They’re going. You ready to follow them?”
“Don’t be so eager. He can’t do anything while they’re on horseback. We can stay a safe distance behind and still hear them.”
“How was your meeting?” we hear Victor say. “Learn a lot?”
“Excuse me?” someone says.
“The meeting. Andie was teaching you basic first aid for horses.”
I feel ice cold. “Shit.”
“Zac wasn’t at the meeting,” Andie says.
“Who was it for then?”
“Some of the other guys. Zac has been here a long time. Here we are. They’re ready to go. You’ll be riding June Bug.”
He snorts. “Sounds like a girl’s name.”
“It is, but don’t let it fool you. She’s more of a workhorse than half the geldings around here.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve ridden,” Victor says. “Take it easy on me.”
“We’d better get going. The sun is due to set in half an hour.”
As they exit the stables and mount, Andie looks over at my house nervously.
“She’s going to be fine,” Katherine says.
“Did you ever find out about the girl in the picture?” I ask.
“A dead end. Either this guy is really good at covering his tracks, or he’s not the one we’re looking for.”
“Of course he’s the one. He’s hiding his identity, moves from place to place, and has zero personal ties.”
“He certainly fits the profile.” They ride away. “Take me to the four-wheeler. I’ll sit behind you so you can use one of my earbuds. If Victor sees us, it will look like we’re on a date.”
We follow Andie at a good distance. We’re so far back, they can’t see us, and Victor couldn’t identify us even if he did spot us. They make a lot of small talk. I can tell she’s trying to get him to open up, but he’s not biting.
“Have you lined up any houses to look at?” he asks.
“Not yet.”
“Why not? You like living here at the ranch?”
“It’s not that. I’ve been waiting because I’m not sure what my future holds.”
“What do you mean?”
“I might want a house big enough for more than just me, but you’ve said you won’t be here forever.”
I bring the ATV to a stop. “Turn it up,” I tell Katherine.
“Are you saying you might want to live together?” Victor asks.
“This is good,” Katherine says. “It might actually work.”
“Buying a house is a big decision. I want to know where I stand is all.”
“Andie, we haven’t even slept together. This is coming out of left field.”
“I know, but I have to know if you’re going to stay.”
“I want to. You know how I feel about you. But I’m not sure I can promise anything.”
“Why can’t you? It’s easy.”
“I can promise to try.”
“What does that mean? You’re so cryptic sometimes. I feel like I don’t even know you.”
“It means I want to stay, but there are reasons I might not be able to.”
Katherine grabs my shoulder. “Nice. Keep him going.”
“Like what?” Andie asks.
“I can’t talk about it.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“I’ve done things I’m not proud of. I’ve hurt people. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“This is it,” I say. “Let’s go.” I start the engine and take off.
“Slow down,” Katherine says. “This is not a confession. Wait, Maddox.”
I ease up on the throttle and listen intently.
“Can we get off the horses?” Victor asks. “This is not a conversation I want to have when we’re six feet apart.”
“Don’t do it,” I say.
“Michael, do you have eyes on them?” Katherine asks.
“Affirmative.”
“But we’re almost there,” Andie says.
“Andie, you all but asked me to move in with you. I think this conversation is a tad more important than the sunset. Now will you please get off your horse?”
“Okay.”
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” I say. “We have to get there.”
“Michael’s on top of it,” Katherine says. “Let this play out.”
“I’m off my horse. What do you want to say?”
“No matter what happens, I’m in love with you, Andie Shaw.”
Bile rises when they go silent. He’s kissing her. Possibly even hurting her. They’re in the middle of nowhere. He could do anything.
“You’re not going to say it back, are you?” he asks.
“I like you or we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Maybe one day I could love you. When I feel more secure about who you are and what you want.”
“I want you, Andie.”
“For now. You want me for now. Until you have to move on. What are you running from, Victor?”
The silence coming through the phone is deafening.
“Answer the fucking question!” I yell, driving faster.
“Stop here,” Katherine says. “We should be able to see them.”
I get out my binoculars and look toward the base of the ridge. “There, over by the oak tree.”
Victor is pacing. The horses are tied to a tree branch. Andie is looking around, trying to spot us.
“You have to tell me if there’s any chance of this working. Are you hiding from someone? Who did you hurt? You have to let me in.”
He shakes his head over and over. “I can’t. I’d be putting you in danger.”
“Why would I be in danger? Are you running from something? Is that why you have to move around? Someone is looking for you?” She pretends to be surprised. “Oh my god, are you married? Is your crazy ex stalking you?”
“I wi
sh it was that simple.”
“It is simple. Just tell me, Victor.”
“Why are you giving me the third degree? You treat me like I don’t exist. You make up excuses to get away, and now you want to know all my deep dark secrets so maybe one day we might move in together. Something’s not adding up here.”
“I’m trying to get to know you.”
He traps her against the tree. “And I want to know you, babe. For months you’ve been stringing me along. Are you ever going to let me be with you? Do you know how much I want you?”
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I say.
“Michael is close,” Katherine says. “If Victor tries anything, he’ll be there in ten seconds.”
Andie puts her arms around him. “I’ll give you what you want if you give me what I want.”
“Are you bribing me with sex?”
She touches his face, and I cringe.
“You’ll sleep with me if I tell you everything you want to know?”
“Yes.”
He lets out a deep sigh, steps away, runs a hand through his hair, and paces. Then he stops. “I can’t do this right now. Maybe not ever. I care about you too much to bring you into my problems.”
“Or you don’t care enough to let me in.”
He unties his horse and gets on. “I don’t feel much like seeing the sunset anymore. I’m going to ride back.”
“Victor!”
He looks over his shoulder. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Andie.”
He rides away. I hop off the four-wheeler. “Motherfucker. Now what? She has to sleep with him to get him to confess?”
Katherine’s phone rings. She steps away and gestures at Andie. “Go get her. I have to take this.”
I wait until Victor is out of sight, then take off. She’s sitting at the base of the tree, hands in her lap. “I was so close.”
I sit next to her. “I can’t believe you said those things.”
“He’s never going to tell me, is he? If you killed someone and then fell in love with someone else, would you tell her? It’s ludicrous to think he would blurt it out. What was I thinking?” Michael and Katherine pull up on Michael’s ATV. “What were they?”
She’s right. I’d never confess if it were me. I stand and stomp toward them. “You were never expecting him to flat-out confess, were you? Why would he risk her leaving him? You wanted her to provoke him. You wanted him to attack her, didn’t you? In a heated state, he’d say things about his other victim. That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?” I help Andie up. “They put you in danger. We’re finished here.”
Texas Orchids (The Devil's Horn Ranch Series) Page 19
