“You met me at the hospital too.”
She studied my face and smiled. “I was so out of it. I’m sorry. I do remember now. Judson introduced us. Please excuse me.”
“And we sort of met one other time before that. I’m pretty sure you don’t remember.”
She welcomed me inside. Before shutting the door and locking it, she peered into the hallway. Someone was in the shower.
“Judson will be out shortly. How can I help you?”
I didn’t know where to start. I had so many questions. Was she a family friend? Why was Judson keeping her a secret?
“Has Judson ever talked about his family?” I asked.
She sat on the bed and took a sip from a coffee cup she was holding. I decided she was Meggie’s age.
“I work for his brother. I know he has nephews.”
I took a deep breath. “Are you dating him?”
Her face flushed red. It matched her wild hair.
“I’m sorry. I forgot your name,” she said.
“It’s Avery Ross.”
“Avery, dear, why is it any business of yours? How do you know Judson?”
Someone wiggled the lock on the motel door. I could hear Judson’s shower running. He was singing something unintelligible amidst the noise of the bathroom fan.
“Excuse me. It’s those wretched reporters.”
I followed her to the door. She looked into the peephole and jerked her head back. Then she looked again as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
A fist pounded on the door. “Av’ry!” Gabe shouted and banged. “Av’ry! I saw you go in the motel. I know you have the room card. Open the goddamn door!”
“Who is that?” Elizabeth asked. Her voice was both confused and fearful. “Is he going to harm you?”
I shook my head. “No. He’s my boyfriend. He wouldn’t hurt me. He must have followed me.”
“I’d rather not let him in until Judson comes out. I don’t want any trouble.”
“He’s not trouble,” I said as I took a look into the peephole. Gabe had his hazel eye pressed into the hole. I laughed and stepped back. Elizabeth stopped me when I went for the lock.
“He’s not coming in,” she said firmly and touched my arm.
“Av’ry!”
“Just a minute, Gabe,” I said.
Judson was still singing in the shower.
“His name is Gabe? Isn’t Gabriel Joel’s son?”
I leaned on the wall. “Can I let him in? He’ll explain. I swear to god he’s not dangerous. He’s worried about me. That’s all.”
I reached for the lock, and she didn’t stop me. Gabe was standing a few feet away from the door with his cowboy hat on, wearing a scowl the size of Texas.
“What the hell are you doing in there? Who is she?” he drawled when he got a look at Elizabeth.
I stepped into the hallway. He planted his fists on his hips. “She’s with Judson. This is his room.”
“I know,” he replied.
“How?”
“Deliah said you grilled her about the card, and then she told me where she got it from. So I came here when I couldn’t find you. You left your phone under the bed at Lane’s,” he said and slapped his back pocket. “Is she the redhead you saw in our bed?”
I reached around his side to grab my phone, and he stopped me.
“I want some answers first,” he said.
“Okay, okay. I think we’re about to get some soon. Judson’s in the shower.”
Gabe charged past me and into the room. He walked all the way to the window and stopped without saying anything to Elizabeth.
After a moment, he turned. “So you’re the naked redhead Av’ry found in my bed?”
The woman covered her mouth as she examined the boy who looked like Judson.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” she replied, her cheeks blushing.
“I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. You’re the stripper who was in my cabin the other night. Jud brought you there for a good time. I’m no fool, lady. He keeps you here when he’s in town.”
“Gabe, I don’t think that’s it. We might have been jumping to conclusions.”
“If she’s not a stripper, then what is she?”
My heart was throbbing in my throat. I wanted to tell Gabe to sit down and shut his big fat mouth, but I knew he was too stubborn to listen.
“My name is Elizabeth. I’m an international oil and gas transactional attorney for the Halden-Remington Corporation. I find it humorous that you got the impression that I’m a dancer of some kind. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. I’ve got two left feet. Judson will attest to that.”
“You work for HalRem?” he asked.
She tapped a finger on her chin as Judson turned off the shower but kept singing.
“Your family likeness is beyond perplexing to me. I’m fascinated by the similarities.”
Gabe stuck out his chin. “I’ve never heard that before,” he said with a load of sarcasm. “I guess you know the lieutenant since you work for him.”
“I’ve worked for your father overseas for the last five years. I go between Houston and Munich.”
“Joel’s not my father.”
The bathroom door opened, and Judson came out securing a towel around his waist. His hair stuck out in all directions. He was whistling as if he was the happiest man alive. Then he saw both Gabe and I standing by the window. The look on his face made me tremble with nerves. He stopped whistling and walked back into the bathroom, leaving us with a clear look at the welts on his back. He shut the door. I heard the click of the lock.
“Judson, don’t play games. These kids are here to see you.”
“They weren’t invited,” he shouted.
“I got questions,” Gabe shouted back. “You don’t answer my calls.”
“Y’all need to get in line,” he replied. “This place is just for me and my Betsy.”
“We’ll leave. It’s not right for us to be in here,” I said and made an apology to Elizabeth with my eyes.
“Nah, hold up,” Gabe said as he stopped me. “I’m sick of waiting around.” He set his hat on the desk and pulled out a chair. “Sit.”
“Judson, honey, please come out.” Elizabeth set her head against the bathroom door.
The door opened. “I don’t have my damn pants on,” Judson said.
Elizabeth handed him his jeans, and he went back into the bathroom. I got another view of his bullet wounds.
“Thank you, doll,” he told her. “Now what the hell are you two doing in my private sanctuary?”
“What were y’all doing in my cabin on the ranch?” Gabe countered.
“My Betsy was ill. I was lookin’ for your candy ass. I told you I was bringing somebody by.” Judson finished zipping his pants and stepped closer to Elizabeth and squeezed her neck.
“So y’all are a couple?” Gabe asked. “You could have told me and Deliah you had a girlfriend and that she worked for HalRem.”
Elizabeth gave me a funny look. “I thought you said you were Avery.”
“This here is Av’ry. Deliah’s my sister.”
“I wasn’t aware that Joel had two daughters. I saw the photo of his baby girl, Emmeline.”
“He’s got one daughter,” Gabe replied.
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”
Judson took Elizabeth’s hand. “Maybe we could meet up later. Me and Betsy have plans.”
“Nope,” said Gabe as he crossed his arms over his T-shirt. “No more disappearing acts. I’ve got all day. I wanna know what happened on my property, what’s in Oklahoma—and what you were doing with Brigg Barrett,” Gabe said smugly. “Ready, set, go.”
“Judson,” said Elizabeth in a quiet voice. “Why do you owe your nephew an explanation?”
“Nephew?” Gabe asked. “This is just a casual hook up? She doesn’t know your dirty secrets, huh?”
Elizabeth’s voice turned serious. “I’d like an expla
nation, Judson.”
“I’m not his nephew,” Gabe answered.
I stood up. I was so uncomfortable I was sweating through my clothes. “We should go, Gabe.”
He shook his head like my sister always did, slowly and dramatically.
Judson lifted his arms into the air as if to quiet us. “Enough of this bullshit. It’s dragging at my spirits. He’s my son—she’s my wife,” he announced boldly as his hands crossed in front of him and pointed at each of them. “Now y’all can shut up.”
I fell back into the chair. Gabe didn’t flinch, but I thought I heard his breath catch. Judson didn’t make another move until Elizabeth grabbed her purse off the television stand and ran to the door. She struggled with the handle and then made her escape.
“Heavens to Betsy! Look what y’all made me do.” Judson snatched Gabe’s truck keys off the table and stomped out after his wife.
Eleven
I found Gabe stretched out on the grass in front of the lodge. He had his guitar case open, but he wasn’t playing. I sat down, crossed my legs, and drew my gaze over the fields. The helicopter was still flying over on a regular basis.
I leaned my head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
He snorted and took a drink from the Dr. Pepper bottle he had between his legs.
“I guess you have a new mother after all.”
He dropped his chin and laughed. Then he leaned back on his elbows and stared absently into the fields. “I’m having second thoughts about fixing this place.”
“It’s a lot of work.”
“I killed myself the other day. But for what? We should just put a dozen wells on it and walk away.”
“Where would we go?”
“Texas.” He fell back and placed his hands behind his neck. “I need to be there.”
“But my family just moved here.”
I set my head on his chest and listened to his heart. Then I looked up and watched his long lashes flicker in the sun.
“I miss my brother,” he said under his breath.
“We should keep your plan and live in here. I’m going to school in the fall, but I want to help out too.”
“Did you decide what you’re gonna go to school for?”
“I ask myself that every day. Sometimes I think I’d be better off as a camp counselor than in a real job.” I pushed up on my elbow and tightened my eyes on his tan face. “I just want to be with you. Someday I’ll figure out the rest.”
“I think you just did,” he said as he closed his eyes. I curled up under his arm.
A few minutes later he rolled over. I sat up straight as an arrow and reached around my back to close my bra that he had just managed to unfasten with one hand. We both heard the truck at the same time. The honking horn made my nerves scream.
“Why is he doing that? Make it stop.”
Gabe stood up and waved his cowboy hat in the air to show Judson where we were.
“Go pack a bag and be out here in ten minutes,” Judson ordered from the open window. “Both of you.”
“Where’s your wife?” I asked. “She seemed a little upset.”
“You really don’t like me, do ya?” he said in a way that sounded like he was teasing, but I knew he wasn’t. “Just go pack, missy. No questions.”
He pulled forward and then hit the brakes again.
“Glad you’re feelin’ better, son.” He spun a wide circle and tore up the path and left us coughing on powdered earth. Gabe took my hand as we hiked to the cabin without speaking. Judson continued to honk the horn until he was out of range.
I was relieved we had clean clothes left in the drawers. I balled up a sundress and put Gabe’s jeans and two T-shirts into a backpack. Then I hunted around for our necessary belongings. I topped the bag off with underwear and toiletries while he sat on the bed and watched me pack. “Don’t forget the books.”
“What is this all about? Should we just do whatever he wants? Where do you think we’re going? How long will we be gone?” I tried to make everything fit, but the bag was too full. “This is exhausting. Why aren’t you helping me?”
“You’d be in better shape if you ran as fast as your mouth.”
I stopped what I was doing and gawked at him. He reached for my leg and tripped me so I fell on the bed. The tote bag dumped out.
“You can pick it all up,” I groaned.
“We don’t have to go,” he replied and then wagged his eyebrows at me. “We can stay here. I can think of plenty of things we can do.”
“God, Gabe. Do you ever think about anything else?”
“Candy. I think about it just as much.”
I turned around so he couldn’t see me smile. “I have to tell Lane I’m going somewhere and I can’t go to work tomorrow.”
“Call him from the air.”
I turned back around. “We’re flying?”
He fished my phone out of his back pocket and set it on the bed. “Just a guess.”
“What about my parents? Should I tell them?”
Gabe fell back on the bed and trapped my legs in his legs. “Why are you so wired?”
“Because.” I set my hands on my hips. “Judson rubs me the wrong way. I don’t know what he’s planning and I’m nervous.”
“Take a shower. Cool off. I’m gonna take a nap,” Gabe said as he rolled over and hugged a pillow.
I had about three minutes to shower and change. Gabe was in jeans and cowboy boots when I walked into the bedroom. The honking started as soon as I finished combing out my hair.
“I’ll drive,” Gabe told Judson when we met him out front. They were both wearing cowboy hats.
“Nice try, boy. You don’t know where we’re going,” he replied.
I slid into the middle and Gabe slammed the door.
“I need to know where we’re going so I can tell my parents,” I told Judson.
“No need. Already got the stamp of approval.”
I leaned backward into Gabe to get a look at Judson’s profile. “You talked to them? Where are we going?”
In typical Halden fashion, the man didn’t respond. But I knew exactly where we were heading when we crested a hill on the outskirts of Williston.
“The eighth wonder of the world,” Gabe muttered as Halden Tower became visible.
“I assume my brother made the tower a mirror so he can check his hair as he flies in,” said Judson as we stopped momentarily at the gate and waited for it to open. There was a line of media vans waiting. Their doors slid open and reporters jumped out at the sight of Gabe’s truck. They scurried to the tailgate and flashed photos. The man in the security booth waved us through without checking for badges. Judson nodded and stomped the gas. Gabe’s truck tore down the main strip, aiming at Halden Tower.
“We’re flying out of here?” I asked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
He parked the truck in an empty lot at the end of the impressive runway. It looked much longer than when I saw it from fifty stories above.
“That’s what we’re taking?” I asked when I got a look at the private jet sitting in front of the hanger. The last time I flew on Mr. Halden’s jet I didn’t notice what it looked like. I was too busy crying my eyes out over being sent back to Syracuse.
The cabin was open on one side and the steps were waiting. “I’m seriously underdressed.”
“Y’all will be plenty comfortable,” said Judson.
“Good afternoon, sir,” greeted the man at the base of the stairs. He was wearing a business suit and handed Judson a to-go coffee cup before taking my bag and Gabe’s backpack. Judson and the man had a brief exchange, and then Judson led us up the steps into the cabin.
“He must be a butler. We’ll be traveling in style,” I whispered to Gabe as I felt my heart flutter with excitement.
He placed his hand on the small of my back. “We’re traveling tycoon-style.”
I stopped at the top of the stairs to take it all in. The compartment looked like a living room with beige leather
sofas set against the walls and swivel chairs in the front and back. Shiny wood paneling covered the walls. A table was set with drinks and fresh fruit.
“The lieutenant traded up,” Gabe said as he slithered by me and flopped down on a sofa.
“He bought a new plane?” I asked as the powerful engines whirred to life and the cabin started to vibrate.
Judson appeared at my back. “Nope. This isn’t his. It’s mine. Same one you flew in last month, lover boy.”
The humming grew loud as the engines spooled up, but we were still able to talk. I spun around to find him chewing on a plastic coffee stirrer the same way Gabe chewed on lollipop sticks. The shrill whistling sound quickly turned to deeper booms. It escalated to the point we were speaking above our normal voices.
“Funny,” said Gabe. “Mine’s parked out back.”
“Take a seat,” Judson told me. I sat on the sofa. Gabe dropped his hand on my shoulder and massaged my neck with his thumb.
“You don’t own a jet,” I said to Judson as I wondered how far he would take the joke.
“Sir,” said the butler, “we’re ready when you are. Please let me know if I can be of assistance.”
“Ready to go where?” I asked in a very loud voice, hoping the man would answer me. He just winked and then glanced at Judson. I stopped myself from rolling my eyes.
The pilot’s voice interrupted over the speaker system. “Mr. Halden, we’ve been cleared for takeoff.”
Judson sat down on a sofa across from us and crossed his leg over his knee. He took off one cowboy boot. Then he switched knees and tugged off the other. “Toilet’s in the head. Sleeping quarters and conference center to the rear. Exits on both ends.”
Gabe snorted under his breath. “The lieutenant does that.”
“What?” I asked.
“He’s wicked superstitious. He goes barefoot in the air.”
“Even if he’s the pilot?”
“Only when he’s the passenger.”
Judson pulled the seat belt out of the couch cushion and held it in the air for us to see. “Buckle up, buttercup.”
Gabe helped me find my seat belt and then fastened himself in.
“Another superstition?” I asked and stared at Judson until he grinned. The plane started to taxi, and I grabbed Gabe’s arm. “I forgot I don’t like taking off.”
The Luxury of Being Stubborn (The Stubborn Series Book 4) Page 24
