by Francis Ray
“Mr. Navarone, your properties are fantastic,” Fallon continued. “I did an article on one in Playa del Carmen several weeks ago. I hated to leave.”
“Thank you.” Blade’s grin was all male when he looked at Sierra. “So did we.”
“Luke and Naomi mentioned all of the Graysons are married,” Fallon said. “Seems like you have an interesting family.”
“You can say that again,” Sierra said, laughing. “You’ll meet Brandon and his wife. Her family owns Casa de Serenidad, a five-star hotel. We’re dining in their casual restaurant on the patio. Our brother Morgan will be joining us with his wife, the famed sculptress Phoenix Bannister. Pierce, the youngest brother, is married to Sabra Raineau, Tony-winning Broadway star. She also won an Oscar. Unfortunately for poor Pierce, he’s in New York with Sabra, meeting with her agent and the director of the next movie she’s starring in.”
“Why unfortunate? If you don’t mind my asking,” Fallon said.
“Because my youngest brother will never get used to having his wife do romantic scenes in the theater or movies,” Sierra explained. “He’s forbidden to be on the set or backstage during those times.”
“I can’t blame him,” Luke muttered, then looked at Catherine on the raised stage. “I’m glad she’s an author and in academia.”
“But you’d let her live her dream,” Sierra said with confidence.
Luke smiled. “Yeah, I’m just thankful I don’t have to go through what Pierce does.”
“Same here.” Blade turned his warm gaze on Sierra. “You might have to find another career.”
Sierra lifted a brow. “I bet I could talk you into it.”
Blade pulled her closer. “I’d enjoy you trying.”
Sierra leaned securely into his arms. “I picked good.”
Fallon frowned. “What?”
Luke just shook his dark head. “Inside family joke.”
“We better find our seats,” Rio said. His voice was quiet, yet somehow it demanded attention.
Naomi glanced at Rio. He was handsome enough to tempt any woman breathing. She had yet to see him pay the smallest attention to a woman or even smile. He had unflinching, all-seeing piercing black eyes. At least she sometimes forgot to be afraid and relaxed. He never seemed to. As the bodyguard of a billionaire, she guessed he had to be always on alert, but she couldn’t help thinking there was something else that made him so vigilant.
“See you at the restaurant,” Sierra said, her arm around Blade’s waist, his around hers. They moved away with Rio close behind.
Naomi watched them leave, then looked at Luke, who was staring toward the stage. Catherine smiled and waved. He waved back. Love and devotion, you could almost feel it. The Graysons weren’t so much interesting as they were blessed, Naomi thought. The strong family ties were obvious. That bond extended to their in-laws.
Naomi had been around them when they were all together, so she knew of what she spoke. How wonderful it would be to have an extended family that close who loved one another. She certainly hadn’t had one, and sadly, neither would Kayla.
Her mother-in-law thought less of her than her ex-husband. She was one of the reasons Gordon would never leave them alone. She openly goaded him about not being man enough to “control” his wife who had “shamed” him and, thus, the family. She hated Naomi. She wouldn’t walk across the road to help Kayla. She was a mean, bitter woman and, because of her, Naomi knew that one day Gordon would walk back into her life and try to destroy her. His mother’s anger and his wounded pride demanded it.
“Are you all right?” Fallon asked.
Surprised, Naomi glanced around. People usually tended to ignore her in a crowd, and that was exactly how she preferred it. She’d forgotten how observant Fallon was. She cared about people, had a close family. It was obvious from the way she talked about her family in Austin.
“Naomi?” Luke questioned, his full attention on her.
“I’m fine,” Naomi answered, careful not to look at Fallon or Luke, an ex-FBI agent and now a private investigator. He might have been looking at his wife, but he missed little. “Shouldn’t we take our seats as well?”
“This way.”
Naomi followed Luke, thankful neither pushed for an answer. One day she really would be fine, she promised herself.
She just wished she knew when that day would come.
* * *
Richard called Luke on his cell phone as soon as he reached his truck. He had asked him to look after Naomi even though he knew it wasn’t necessary. Naomi was a friend of Catherine’s and thus had Luke’s protection.
Luke answered on the first ring. “Hello.”
“How is she?” Richard asked, backing up his truck and heading for the front gate.
“Fine. Her neighbor Fallon is with her. Kayla, as expected, was a hit.”
Richard was only marginally relieved. “Thank you.”
“Not necessary,” came Luke’s easy reply. “Even if I didn’t owe her, she deserves better than the hand dealt her.”
Richard couldn’t agree more. He pulled onto the two-lane highway and increased his speed. Neither Luke nor Naomi would discuss why he owed her. Asking again wasn’t going to get a different response. “Is the book signing almost over?”
“Getting there,” Luke said. “When Cath is finished, we’re all going over to the Mesa for an early dinner. Naomi and Fallon are coming as well. I already told Faith you’d be joining us.”
Richard chuckled. He might be embarrassed if it was any other man, but Luke knew what it meant to care for a woman. “Thanks. Is there room for one more? Lance is back in town.”
“For good?”
Richard’s hand flexed on the steering wheel. “We all hope so, but Lance can be unpredictable at best. He likes challenges, and unless he finds it in the auction house he just acquired, he’ll eventually move on to the next challenge.”
“There’s always a reason for a man being so restless. Something has ahold of him that he can’t shake. Keeping moving is the only way to deal with it. Whatever Lance’s reason, I hope he finds it this time,” Luke said.
Luke was right, but Richard would keep Lance’s secret. “I hope so, too. It will be nice having him back after all these years.”
“Bring Lance with you. Faith won’t mind the extra guest at the restaurant, and Mama always liked Lance,” Luke said. “Come when you can.”
“Will do. Thanks and bye.”
“Bye.”
Richard disconnected the call and placed the cell phone in the holder on his dashboard. Luke didn’t know how close he was to the truth about Lance—or maybe he did. Luke was good at reading people and their actions. His uncanny perception was the reason Richard had asked him to look out for Naomi. Lance needed someone to look out for him as well, although he’d never admit it and would become angry if you even suggested that he share the heavy burden he carried.
Richard blew out a breath. Life; you never knew what to expect from one day to the next. You just had to be ready.
Topping the mountain, he saw Santa Fe in the distance. He’d lived there all his life except when he went to college, studying to be a vet. He never had a desire to live anyplace else. Unlike many, he didn’t mind the influx of new people. Santa Fe had always been a haven for different cultures.
A mile out of town, he turned into a paved entrance and continued down the winding road. Just as he rounded a bend, a hacienda came into view. It was magnificent, with a fountain in front and a red slate roof. White stucco walls gleamed in the afternoon sun. Parking in front, Richard went to the recessed red door and rang the doorbell.
Almost immediately it was opened. A middle-aged woman in a black maid’s uniform smiled up at him. “Good afternoon. May I help you, sir?”
“Good afternoon,” Richard greeted, removing his hat. “I’m Richard Youngblood. Is Lance Saxton at home?”
“Mr. Saxton is not receiving guests.”
Richard wanted to hoot at the not receiving
guests. Lance had certainly come up from running barefoot through the woods when they were kids. “I’m his cousin. His only male cousin. I’m sure if you told him I was here, he’d see me.”
She didn’t budge. “I’m sorry, sir. Mr. Saxton was very specific—”
“Lance, get out here,” Richard yelled, the sound bouncing off the walls of the barrel ceiling in the tiled entryway.
The woman’s eyes rounded. “Sir!”
Richard grinned to put her at ease. “Uncouth, I know, but I couldn’t think of any other way.”
“Stop scaring my staff. That will be all, Carmen.”
Richard looked up to see Lance coming toward him. Lean and trim, he stood six foot four and could be intimidating. He was used to giving orders and having them carried out.
They’d both come from humble beginnings, but it was Lance who had shot to the top and paid the price. His first cousin had been through so much within the past three years, and it wasn’t over yet.
Pushing the unhappy thoughts away, Richard stepped forward, his hand extended. Yet when he was a couple of feet away, he saw the shadows in Lance’s eyes and hugged him instead. “You look good.”
Lance smiled. Dimples that had always made girls, then women, sigh, winked. “So do you. How’s Aunt Stella and Uncle Leo?”
“Enjoying seeing the country in their motor coach.” Richard grinned. “We keep in touch by text, Twitter, and Facebook. Who would have thought my parents would take to all things Internet so quickly?”
“And I can’t even get Mama to accept a cell phone,” he said.
Richard heard the disappointment, the mild anger in Lance’s voice. His mother had remarried when he was ten. He and his stepfather never got along, and his mother always took the side of her husband. Too many times women he cared about had given him the shaft. From the sudden narrowing of his eyes, it appeared as if Lance was thinking the same thing.
Richard grabbed his cousin’s arm. He couldn’t do anything about the past, but he could see that Lance didn’t bury himself in work while he was here. “Come on. Some of your old friends are having an early dinner, and we’re invited.”
Lance was already shaking his head. “I have a lot of work to do. Our first acquisition is scheduled in six weeks.”
“And you’ll be ready.” Determined, Richard tugged harder. “Come on. You’ll get to meet Luke, Morgan, and Brandon, and their wives. Pierce is out of town with his wife. Sierra will be there. You once thought she was hot, but I would advise you not to look too hard or you’ll find her husband in your face.”
Lance frowned. “I couldn’t believe she married Blade Navarone. He seemed too intense.”
“Believe it,” Richard said. “Neither of them goes to any social engagements without the other. You’re getting a chance few people have in Santa Fe, and I can promise the food will be delicious—Henri, Casa de Serenidad’s executive chef, is cooking for us.”
Lance eyed him. “And why are you going? You spend your free time at your ranch since you seldom have any.”
“Follow me and find out.”
“A woman.” Lance grinned and slapped Richard on the back. “You never mentioned her.”
“That’s because there’s nothing to mention.” Richard went to the door. “Coming?”
“You betcha. This I have to see.”
Chapter 3
Richard finally got a break. The attendant at valet parking for the Casa de Serenidad had barely driven away with his truck when he saw Fallon’s rental pulling up. What made his heart glad was the smile and wave Naomi sent him. He’d try not to be greedy for more, but he wouldn’t bet on it.
While the two valets reached for the two front doors, he opened the back door for Kayla. Her eyes rounded with happiness.
“Dr. Richard! You’re here!”
Laughing, he swung the little girl up in his arms. “Hi, pumpkin. Sorry I missed everything, but I heard you and Teddy were great.”
With one arm locked around Teddy’s waist, her grin widened. “My friends in my class wanted me to sign their book. Mrs. Catherine said it was all right.”
“I know a famous person.” He smiled, then turned as Naomi emerged from the front passenger side of the car. After all this time, her shy smile still got to him. Just as Catherine had first described her to him, she looked like a china doll with huge black eyes. She was beautiful in all the ways that counted.
“Hello, Richard.”
“Hi, Naomi. Fallon,” Richard greeted as she came around the car.
“Hi, Dr. Youngblood.” Fallon grinned, her sunglasses resting on top of her curly black hair. “Did you know you’re holding Santa Fe’s latest celebrity?”
“I heard.” Richard placed Kayla on her feet. “I get to say I knew her when.”
“I think you forgot about me, cuz.”
Richard ignored the teasing that twinkled in Fallon’s eyes and faced his cousin. “Sorry. This beautiful young lady is Kayla Reese, her mother, Naomi, and their friend and next-door neighbor, Fallon Marshall. My cousin, Lance Saxton.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Lance greeted, his gaze lingering on Fallon.
As long as Lance wasn’t turning his considerable charm on Naomi, Richard didn’t mind. Maybe it was time for Lance to think about a woman and not just business. Richard was just glad that woman wasn’t Naomi. After being patient with her so long, he wasn’t ready for his good-looking cousin to swoop in and take her from him.
“Let’s go in.” Richard reached for Naomi’s arm and Kayla’s hand. He didn’t have to look around to know Lance would probably take Fallon’s arm. Lance enjoyed beautiful things. It was past time he began to enjoy beautiful women again. In a strapless floral sundress that complemented her caramel-colored skin, showing off her long legs and laughing black eyes, Fallon might be just what Lance needed to pull him out of his funk.
* * *
Lance had noted his cousin’s possessiveness with Naomi. She seemed shy and sweet and exactly Richard’s type. Lance had always gone for cool beauty and sophistication—and look where that had gotten him. With ease of practice, he pushed the unhappy memory away. “Shall we?” Lance asked, extending his arm.
“Why not?” Smiling, Fallon hooked her arm through his.
“Are you a native, Fallon?” Lance asked as they went through the archway to the restaurant on the terrace.
“No,” Fallon answered, wondering if she should take Lance up on the signals he was sending. He definitely had a high Y factor. “You?”
“Summers only with Richard and his parents until I went to college,” Lance said as they entered the restaurant.
“Are you back for good or a visit?”
“That depends.”
Intrigued by the sudden narrowing of his midnight-black eyes, Fallon was about to ask more about his reasons for returning until she heard them being greeted by those already there. She looked around at the men there and blinked. She’d never seen so many gorgeous, physically fit men in one place. The women weren’t shabby, either. And best of all, they were secure enough that they genuinely welcomed her and Naomi. Fallon prepared to enjoy herself and possibly indulge in a little lighthearted flirtation with Lance. It had been months since a man had remotely interested her.
* * *
After greetings were finished, Naomi found herself seated between Kayla and Richard. Sitting beside him, their shoulders almost touching, she couldn’t imagine that at one time she’d been afraid of him. Usually she was leery of strangers. And with Richard there, his cousin hadn’t bothered her.
“How did things go on the call?” she whispered. She didn’t want Kayla to hear in case things hadn’t gone well.
“Good. I might have known you’d remember,” he said, leaning closer.
For some odd reason, her heart rate increased. She felt a bit breathless when he stared at her for so long. Flustered, she turned to check on Kayla.
To Richard’s immediate left sat Fallon and Lance. From the first, it was obvious he
was more interested in Fallon than he was in Naomi and Kayla. For once, Fallon seemed interested as well.
On Naomi’s immediate right sat Kayla, Catherine, and Luke. His mother, Ruth Grayson, and fellow Women’s League member Amanda Poole were seated at the head and foot of the table, respectively. On the other side were Rio, Sierra and Blade, Morgan and Phoenix, and Brandon and Faith.
Ruth Grayson came gracefully to her feet. Today she wore a beautifully cut teal suit instead of her usual casual attire. The men started to stand, but she waved them back to their seats. It was as clear as it had always been to Naomi that Ruth Grayson was loved as well as respected by her children, in-laws, and friends.
Quietness settled around the table. “I’m pleased you could join us this afternoon to celebrate another successful fund-raiser for the Women’s League, thanks to Catherine and Kayla.”
“Mrs. Grayson, don’t forget Teddy.” Kayla held up her bear.
Momentarily embarrassed, Naomi reached to push Kayla’s hand down, but applause erupted.
“Go, Kayla!” Richard shouted.
“Go, Teddy!” Catherine said.
“Go, Cath!” Luke yelled.
“And Teddy,” Ruth amended, smiling warmly at her daughter-in-law and Kayla. “I can’t thank you enough. We’ll be able to help more women in need because of your generosity and talent.” She turned to Faith. “Thanks to my other daughter-in-law for providing a lovely place for us to eat and wind down. “
“Go, Faith!” Brandon shouted; then he kissed his blushing wife on the cheek as more applause erupted.
“Now that the Women’s League has surpassed its budget expectations quite nicely, I’m turning my attention to another project.”
Groans were heard around the table, especially from the Grayson men. “Mama, no,” Luke said. “Not again.”
Naomi’s gaze swung to Richard. He was looking at Ruth with affection. Most of the residents in town knew of Ruth Grayson’s successful matchmaking efforts. Despite her children’s resistance, she’d found the perfect person for each of them—with the exception of Sierra, who was always quick to point out that she had picked Blade herself. Mrs. Grayson had even helped a few of their friends find love. Was Richard on her list? Naomi didn’t know why she felt a mild sense of panic at the thought.
