“Okay.” Her mouth felt dry, her throat tight, but she managed to get out the word. “Okay. Give him a chance.”
“Terrific.” He reached out to take her hand, but she pulled it back and slid out of the booth to get to her feet.
“You’ve talked me into giving up one big part of my life today.” She looked down at him, hoping the tears starting behind her eyes weren’t visible. “Leave the rest intact.”
Feeling rather like a wooden doll, she walked stiffly out of the restaurant and climbed into her pickup. As she started the engine and turned out of the parking lot, tears did come coursing down her cheeks. Get a grip. It’s a long drive from Moncton to the farm. Can’t drive safely if I’m this emotional. I have to toughen up. Come the end of August, I’ll be losing not only my brother but the man I love.
****
Aching with weariness, she stopped the truck at the barn and got out. It was nearing midnight. It had been a long drive from Moncton, but she’d wanted to get home. Andy Crowell strolled out to meet her, his affable grin in place.
“How’s everything in Moncton?” he asked. “Get all that shopping done? Travis and your hand haven’t come back yet. Where did you say they were going? To look at a horse somewhere?”
“A tryout, I said they were going for a tryout.” She brushed a stray curl back from her forehead and continued to stretch the half-truth she’d told him to explain their absences.
“Yeah, well, I hope they didn’t buy anything.” He drew a hand across his forehead. “You have all the stock you can handle right now.”
“You’re right. It was just something Travis wanted to do.”
“And he had to take your hand along with him?” She sensed the disbelief in his tone.
“Jake’s truck. He doesn’t like to lend it.”
“That piece of junk! God, Shelby, I’m surprised it got you to that accident the other day.”
“Nevertheless, his truck, his decision. Thanks for holding the fort once again, Andy. Now, if you say all is well in the barn, I’ll head up to the house for a snack. It’s been a long day.”
“Wait.” He caught her by the arm. “Shelby, I’m going to ask again. Marry me.”
“Andy, I…”
“Hear me out. I know how much you love this place, how you’d hate to leave it even to move next door to my farm. So marry me and I’ll move into your house…at least for a while. It’s only a few minutes’ drive to my place. I can commute. What say, Shelby? I love you, girl.”
She hesitated, looked into his brown eyes, brown eyes that had been asking the same question for years. She thought about being alone on the farm after Jordan and Travis left. She pictured the emptiness of her life.
“Okay, Andy. Yes, I will marry you.”
“Hell, you mean it, Shel? After all this time, finally a yes!” He caught her into his arms to kiss her so hard it hurt. When he released her and held her out at arm’s length, his face was bright.
“You’ve made me one happy man, Doctor. When? The sooner the better, as far as I’m concerned.”
“Give me a little breathing space, Andy.” A shrinking feeling enveloped her. That kiss had meant nothing, nothing at all…not after being kissed by Jordan Brooks. But, then, she’d never be kissed by him again, so why make comparisons? She was going to marry Andy Crowell, her friend and neighbor, and live contentedly ever after.
“Just don’t tell anyone…not yet.” She touched his cheek. “I want to pick the time and place, okay?”
“Sure, sure, whatever you say. Maybe we can have a party, a big barbecue, invite all the neighbors, and make the announcement at the end of the summer… The first of October, how does that sound?”
“Fine.” By that time Jordan would be gone and it wouldn’t matter who knew.
Chapter Sixteen
When the old truck rattled into the drive and stopped at the house, it was nearing two a.m. Shelby drew a deep breath. She waited as two doors opened and slammed shut, then footsteps sounded on the porch.
“Come in quick,” she called struggling for normalcy. “There are clouds of moths just waiting for a chance to invade.”
They stepped inside, shutting the screen door on the insects, Travis looking guilty, Jordan struggling against looking pleased.
“So how was it? Did you enjoy playing with Jordan’s band?” She was supposed to know that much, the reason for their trip.
“Yeah, it was great.” Travis went to the sink and got a glass of water.
“And what about you, Jake? Were your kids all intact and ready for the next round of touring?”
“Seems like.” He crossed the kitchen and put a hand on Travis’s shoulder. “Come on, man. Tell her. The sooner the better.”
“You think?” Travis looked over at him, apprehension in his eyes and expression.
“Tell me what?” Shelby had to fight to feign ignorance.
“Shel, it was more than a chance to play with Jordan’s band.” He swallowed hard and looked her squarely in the face. “It was an audition…with his agent Ann Wise and another big-time agent.”
“Really? And how did that go?”
“Shel, you’re taking this kind of cool. I don’t understand…”
“Travis, I have a confession. I was in that church in Moncton. I heard you perform.”
“Shel…”
“You were great, little brother. And if you’re about to tell me you’ve been offered a contract, I say it’s well deserved.”
“Wow! Shel, you mean it? No kiddin’?” He stared at her.
“Yes, I mean it. It’s time you had your dream.”
“Yahoo!” In two strides he’d crossed the kitchen and was swinging her up into his arms. “Shel, you’re the greatest.”
He stopped abruptly. “But how will you manage with both of us gone…me and Jordan? We have to leave in two weeks.”
“I’ll see to it that Shelby gets a dependable hand.” Jordan grinned at the pair. “I promise. Now how about doing some serious celebrating? I have a bottle of champagne in the truck.”
He went out, and Travis became serious as he looked at his sister.
“I want to say thanks, Shel, but that’s not near enough.” His voice cracked with emotion. “I promise I’ll help you out financially just as soon as I start to make money. I’ll see to it you don’t have to work so hard, that the place gets a facelift, that…”
“You don’t have to promise me anything but to give this your best try and maintain a respectable lifestyle.” She put a hand gently to his cheek, loving him as she’d loved him since he was a baby entirely dependent on her after their parents’ deaths.
“I promise.” He stooped and kissed her cheek. “And, Shel, don’t give up on Jordan. I think he’s in love with you. He just doesn’t know it yet.”
“Enough!” She pushed him off playfully as Jordan came back into the kitchen with a bottle. “I’ll get glasses and we’ll toast Nashville’s soon-to-be latest sensation.”
****
“So I guess this is it.” Jordan Brooks stepped into the kitchen and pulled off his sunglasses to look at Shelby.
“I guess.” She turned from putting a frying pan to soak in the sink and faced him.
How could anything not physical hurt so much? Her chest ached, her head hurt, nausea trembled in her stomach.
He’s going…forever.
“Thank you…for everything.”
Oh, God, don’t keep him looking at me like that! He’s going to break my heart. Make him go…go now. “It’s been a pleasure.” Where had that come from? Inane or what! “Take good care of my little brother, or you’ll have me to answer to.” Oh, great, make things worse with a lame joke! She forced what she hoped was a decent smile across her face as Travis came into the kitchen, duffle bag in hand, guitar slung over his shoulder.
“All set.” He sucked in a deep breath and pulled back his shoulders. “Wish me luck, Shel.”
“Of course I do.” Recognizing nervous uncertainty in his
demeanor, she gathered him into a hug. “You’ll do just fine. And Jordan and his friend Joe will see to it that you mind your manners.”
“Thanks, Shel.” He breathed the words softly against her hair, and she fought the tears stinging behind her eyes as she shoved him away.
“Go! You and Jordan have a plane to catch and a new hand named Grady Wilson to meet and direct here. You haven’t got all day.”
“You sure you’ll be okay, Shel?” He produced a shaky grin.
“Of course I will. This Grady Wilson, according to Jordan, is great with horses. Has been doing it for years on movie sets and is completely reliable. He’ll make a good hand.”
“Okay, but if things don’t work out, I’ll come back fast, don’t worry.”
“I know you will. Now, both of you, on your way. I have patients due in a few minutes, and I’d like to grab a second cup of coffee.”
Travis went out, carrying his gear. Jordan, after a last look at Shelby, put his sunglasses on and followed.
Stay strong, stay strong. It’s only for a little while longer.
“ ’Bye, Shel!” Travis waved out the window of Jordan Brooks’ old pickup as it rumbled down the lane toward the highway. “I’ll call you…every day!”
“I’ll look forward to it,” she called back. “Break a leg or whatever is supposed to mean good luck in show biz!”
Then they were turning left onto the highway and within seconds were out of sight.
Finally, it was over. Tears rolled down her cheeks, a sob jumped up from her throat. The two men she loved most in the world had just left her alone. And one of them she’d never see again outside of a movie theatre, an album cover, or a fan magazine.
Giving vent to her loneliness and heartbreak, she sobbed her way to the barn and into Fancy’s stall. The little mare whinnied a soft greeting and nuzzled her.
“They’re gone, Fance,” she choked against the gently arched neck. “Gone, and I’ll never see Jordan again. I’ll never, never again love anyone like I love him.”
A half hour later she headed back to the house. In the bathroom she washed her face in cold water, drew a deep breath, and tried to steady herself to meet her first patient of the day. She’d done the right thing in letting Travis go, she knew that, but she also knew it would be hard being alone until she found someone to replace him and (she had to admit) Jordan on the farm.
Jordan had said he’d take care of it, that a former movie set wrangler named Grady Wilson would be coming to take on the farm work. He was supposed to come off the incoming flight Jordan and Travis were taking out, but there was no sign of him yet.
She headed for the door. Like always, you’re the little red hen, Doctor, so hop to it. She drew a deep breath. She’d been right in accepting Andy Crowell’s proposal. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her life alone.
The phone rang.
“Dr. Masters.”
“Dr. Masters? Shelby? It’s Ann Wise.”
Someone I really don’t want to talk to right now, but she is Travis’s agent, so…
“Ms. Wise, what can I do for you?”
“Have Jordan and Travis left?”
“Yes, over an hour ago. Why? Has something happened? Haven’t you been able to contact them?” The words gushed out.
“No, nothing has happened. I wanted to make certain Jordan in particular wasn’t around when I made my confession. He definitely wouldn’t approve of what I’m about to own up to.”
“Confession? Own up to? What are you talking about?”
“It wasn’t that soap opera diva who’s been driving me crazy with requests to line her up with a movie producer who took your horse. It was me.”
“You! But why?”
“Can’t you guess? Because I needed to force you into taking Jordan on. You were so dead set against it, yet I knew you were the perfect one for the job…you on your isolated little horse farm.”
“You really are unscrupulous, you know.” Shelby caught her breath, outrage flaming through her. If it hadn’t been for this woman and her conniving, I’d never have had to come to know Jordan Brooks, never would have fallen in love with him. Damn her! “How did you manage it?”
“I was close to the rail while your brother and Midnight Black were performing. I heard him singing one of Jordan’s songs and figured that was how he controlled the animal. So I went into the barn while the guard was passed out. With a Jordan Brooks tune playing on my iPhone, it was simple. I had a truck and trailer waiting outside the fire entrance. Voila! Your beautiful horse was on his way to a stable in New York, where he was pampered like a triple-crown winner. By the time Jordan phoned to ask me to hire a private detective to look for the stallion, it was okay to let him be ‘found’ and returned. The contract was signed and I knew you well enough to believe you’d never go back on a deal. You have too much of your uncle’s blood flowing through your veins.”
“So you tricked me, and actually committed a crime to…” Shelby’s voice rose angrily, along with her blood pressure.
“Hardly a crime, when the object of the offense has been returned to you safe and sound. No harm done, and my client is now a believable cowboy.”
No harm done? No harm done! Only the rest of my life wrecked because I fell in love with your client…
Shelby longed to spit the words at Ann Wise, to call her every ugly name in the book of bitches, but she couldn’t, not without the risk of Jordan finding out the depth of her pain.
“And what about Michelle?” She swallowed hard and continued the conversation. “Did you get her an audition with a producer?”
“The best I could do was get her a cameo in Jordan’s movie.” A sigh accompanied the sentence. “She’s only good at reading dialogue off cue cards. Movies definitely aren’t for her. I don’t think she was entirely satisfied, but now it doesn’t matter who she tells about Jordan being at your farm, does it?”
“I guess not.”
“Good-bye, Doctor. And thanks. Sorry I had to play down and dirty for a bit, but all’s fair in love and show biz. Your check is in the mail.”
The line clicked and went back to dial tone. Shelby sank onto a chair with a rush of feelings. Deceived and left to ache for the most wonderful man she’d ever met.
Images of him driving the tractor, riding double with her on Fancy, making comfort tea, risking his life to ride Midnight Black, sliding down a cliff to help her rescue an injured horse, helping her operate on an injured dog, making love to her on the beach in the most wonderful night of her life… No, Jordan Brooks definitely wasn’t a counterfeit anything, and she’d spend the rest of her life knowing it.
****
At four that afternoon she heard a familiar truck turning in at the gate.
Oh, no, don’t tell me Travis has decided to come back!
She hurried out of the barn to see the old truck bumping slowly toward her. Squinting into the sunlight, she saw that the driver was a stranger. He stopped the vehicle and got out, a slow grin on his weathered face. Middle-aged or older, he walked with a slight limp, wore ancient jeans, a faded plaid shirt, cowboy boots, and a dusty Stetson.
“Dr. Shelby Masters?” He stuck out a calloused hand. “I’m Grady Wilson. Jordan said you needed a wrangler and general man-of-all-farm-work. I’m applying for the job.”
“Mr. Wilson.” She found her hand clasped in a firm, work-roughened grip. “I’m glad to meet you, but I hope you understand this is a farm, nothing glamorous.”
“I’ve worked wrangling horses and other animals on movie sets for over twenty years. That’s where I met Jordan. Now I’m tired of it and want a place to settle down, no more gypsy living. Jordan tells me you have a nice little operation here, with a cabin a man can have all to himself. What say, Doc? Are you willing to take me on?”
She hesitated.
This weathered man seemed like a gift from heaven. And he must be trustworthy or Jordan never would have sent him to work for her.
“I certainly can use your
help, Mr. Wilson.” She smiled. “Consider yourself hired. Your cabin is right over there. I’ll leave you to settle in while I make supper. You’ll have to eat up here in the kitchen. I haven’t got time to bring your meals down to you.”
“I ain’t no prima donna movie star, Doc. I don’t expect to be waited on. Just the fact that someone will make me a home-cooked meal is enough to make me crazy for this job.”
“Well, then, good. We’ll get along fine, Mr. Wilson.”
“Grady, ma’am. Just one question—does the cabin have cable or satellite TV? I do enjoy TV at night.”
“Not yet, but I can have it installed in a couple of days.” Delighted to have help, Shelby would have agreed to any reasonable request. “Is that all?”
“Sure is. Well, along with peace and quiet, and I’m thinkin’ I’ll find lots of that here. Lord, I do love that ocean breeze.” He took a deep sniff, then held out a work-roughened hand. “Deal?”
“Deal.” Grinning, she grasped his hand in a firm grip, then watched as he climbed back into the old truck and rattled down to the cabin.
Things were working out without Jordan Brooks. Squaring her shoulders, she headed back inside to get fresh sheets and towels for the cabin.
****
She was putting Fancy through her paces in the corral when she saw a familiar white SUV raising a cloud of dust as it drove down the lane toward the barn. It stopped and Andy Crowell swung out.
“ ’Mornin’, Doctor.” He grinned, coming to lean on the fence and watch her.
“ ’Morning yourself.” She brought the mare to a halt in front of him, and Andy reached out to rub the animal’s nose. “What brings you over?”
“Just got some kind of interesting news.” He concentrated his gaze on straightening Fancy’s forelock.
“Really?”
Counterfeit Cowboy Page 16
