He was surprised by how hard that revelation hit him. She was talking fancy wedding dresses and bottom lines while he sat in jail for slugging her ex? He mentally shook himself, knowing that he wasn’t being fair. After all, she’d been there for him as he worked toward building his business, even given him a lot of good ideas. And he knew how much she loved her store.
But when Chloe dropped him off at the ranch and he found out that Linnea had left without saying anything to him, he felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. And then fear swamped him.
“She’s gone to confront Michael.” He spun to retrace his steps. The guy was crazy. What had she been thinking going up there alone?
“She’ll come back,” his father said, stopping Owen in his tracks.
“Did she say that?”
When he saw the look in his father’s eyes, Owen realized what his storming toward the door had said without him speaking a word. Though he’d tried to tell himself it wasn’t possible, he’d fallen in love with Linnea. The question was, did she feel the same way? She’d said she only wanted a fling, but he’d had no-strings sex before. What they’d shared lately was a lot more than that.
“Not in so many words.”
Owen didn’t move as that sank in. It didn’t matter. Even if their time together was over, there was no way he was letting her put herself in danger because of him.
* * *
LINNEA TOOK SEVERAL SLOW, deep breaths before she entered the downtown building that held the offices of Michael’s financial services firm. Her heels clicked on the marble lobby floor as she crossed from the security desk to the elevator. She’d dressed in one of her favorite outfits, making sure she looked the way Michael was used to seeing her so, hopefully, this time the message got across. Of course, the carefully crafted plans she’d mapped out in record time were really her ace in the hole. The edge of her mouth twitched as a well of empowerment rose inside her. She was putting Michael in his place, and he’d damn well better stay there.
When she stepped off the elevator into the lobby of Wiseman Financial Group on the seventeenth floor, she took another breath and walked past the empty receptionist desk, straight into Michael’s office. He was on the phone, but his eyes widened when he saw her and he quickly ended the call.
He smiled as he leaned back in his leather chair. “I knew you’d come back.”
Anger burst to life like an inferno inside her, but she didn’t let it show. “So confident that you had to have Owen arrested.” She made a dismissive sound.
Michael’s smile faded. “You needed to see him for what he really is, a violent man.”
“I’ve learned a lot about seeing people for who they really are lately, and Owen Brody is a million times better man than you’ll ever be. You will be dropping those charges against him.”
“I won’t.”
“That’s what I expected you to say.” She reached into her handbag and pulled out an envelope and held it up. “You will drop the charges, and you will stay away from me, my family, the Brodys, all of my friends and my business. You will not contact or harass any of us in any way. It will be like you don’t exist. If not, I’ll march down the hall and give this to Mr. Wiseman. It details how you tried to marry me even though you are already married, how you’ve harassed me on more than one occasion since I found out about your duplicity and that you trespassed on land owned by the Brody family.”
He started to speak, but she held up her hand.
“There are identical letters already addressed and ready to be sent to every member of your board of directors and every major media outlet in Dallas and San Francisco.” She smiled. “Yes, I know where your other life is.”
“You’re bluffing. You aren’t this type of person.”
“What, the type to stand up for myself? That’s where you’re wrong.”
Michael’s expression darkened. “You even breathe a word of that to anyone, and you’ll regret it.”
Linnea smiled slowly. “I was hoping you’d say something like that.” She tapped the lapel of her jacket. “I’m recording this conversation. Oh, and I left another letter with the sheriff in Blue Falls. Should anything even remotely suspicious happen to me, my friends or my family, I’ve named you as suspect number one. And if I’m not back downstairs within ten minutes, Katrina has instructions to call the police and tell them I’m being held against my will. How would that look when the police storm the office and haul you away?”
Michael looked as if he were staring at someone he didn’t recognize. At least he knew what it felt like now. “You’re serious?”
“As the proverbial heart attack.” She waved the envelope. “Now, do we have an understanding?”
Michael sat and stared at her with hatred burning in his eyes, but he finally nodded.
“Say it so I have it for the recording.”
His eyes narrowed as he said, “We have an understanding. I won’t bother you, your family or friends again.”
“Good.” She slipped the envelope back into her bag. “I, in turn, will not contact you in any way. I have, however, provided Danielle with a full, written account of events that was requested by her attorney.”
“You did what?” Michael’s anger bubbled over.
She caught his gaze and held it. “I told the truth, Michael, which is more than I can say for you. Be glad I’ve given you the option of keeping your fancy position here. But don’t doubt for an instant that if you slip even a fraction of your toe across the agreement lines we’ve drawn here today, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you lose that, as well.”
With that, she headed toward the door with a sense of satisfaction that was off the charts.
“I’m glad I didn’t get stuck with you,” Michael said, sounding petty and childish.
When she looked back at him, she smiled just to irritate him further. “I assure you, the feeling is mutual.”
She strode through the lobby and into the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, it was all she could do not to perform a little victory dance.
When she slipped into Katrina’s car a couple of minutes later, her friend looked relieved.
“How did it go?”
“I don’t think I’m going to have to worry about Michael anymore.”
“Are you sure?”
“He might have fooled me about a lot of things, but I have absolute confidence that the one thing he won’t risk is his posh position.” And it struck her how incredibly sad that was, that Michael was so used to getting what he wanted through lies and smooth talking that he’d actually thought he could convince her to return to him even after she knew the truth. But even more important than her was the lifestyle he was accustomed to living. She was ashamed she’d gotten so caught up in it, as well, but spending time at the Brody ranch had reminded her of what was really important.
“Well, I’d say this calls for a celebratory lunch,” Katrina said.
Linnea shoved away thoughts of Michael, telling herself that as soon as his building faded in the rearview mirror, she was well and truly done with him. “That sounds like an excellent idea.”
After they’d ordered their meals and a bottle of champagne at La Fontaine, Linnea took a deep breath, one that felt so free she couldn’t help but smile. Now for the next phase of her plan, the part that had changed as she drove to Dallas. “I’d like to talk to you about something.”
“Okay, that’s your serious tone.”
Linnea smiled. “Nothing bad. Actually, it could be something quite wonderful if everything goes as planned.”
Katrina leaned forward. “I’m sufficiently intrigued.”
“How would you feel about buying out my portion of the shop?”
“What?” Katrina couldn’t have looked more shocked if Linnea had told her she was going to live among gorillas in Africa like Dian Fossey.
“Staying in Blue Falls has made me realize that I’m ready for a big change, and there’s a storefront there that I’m hoping to acqui
re and start a new shop. I’ve already got so many ideas that my brain can barely contain them all.”
“You’re serious?”
“I am, but if you don’t want to do this, we’ll work something else out.”
“But you’re moving to Blue Falls?”
Linnea paused for a moment, wondering if she could be making another mistake with such a leap so soon after being hurt by Michael. But she’d thought about it all the way to Dallas, and she’d realized that even if she and Owen didn’t have a future together, she needed this change of venue. And the more she thought about starting a new store, the more excited she became. If it didn’t work out with Owen, it would hurt but she’d survive. She’d already been through one fire and lived to tell the tale, had come out the other side even stronger than before.
Finally, she nodded. “Yeah, I am. I really like it there. It’s small but has a nice tourist trade. The people are wonderful, and a bridal shop would fit in perfectly with the eclectic mix of downtown businesses.”
“Does this have anything to do with Owen?”
The question startled Linnea. “Why would you say that?”
“Because when you’ve called the past couple of times, you talked about him more than Chloe.”
Linnea leaned against the back of her chair. “Only partially.”
“You’ve fallen for someone else?” Katrina sounded worried, and Linnea couldn’t blame her.
“I think so, but I would want to make this move even if I knew we wouldn’t share one more minute together. I can’t fully explain it, but the moment I walked into that empty store space, I felt as if it was meant to be mine. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s the truth.”
“It’s not crazy to go after what you want. I just worry about you getting involved with someone so soon after the worm who shall not be named.”
Linnea smiled at her friend’s description of Michael. “I know. Don’t think I haven’t thought about it a lot, but Owen Brody is as honest as they come. He’s hardworking in a real, hands-on sort of way. He’s funny, down to earth. Protective, but not overbearing.”
“So basically the polar opposite of you know who.”
“Yeah.” Linnea grinned at the flood of memories of her time with Owen. “Not to mention he’s very good in bed.”
Katrina gave a short burst of laughter that was so loud it drew the glances of other diners before she covered her mouth. After a few seconds, she leaned forward. “Well, I can’t recall ever hearing you say that.”
Michael hadn’t been a bad lover, but Owen had woken something inside her, a sort of primal wildness that she hadn’t known existed. There were times she was with him when it was really difficult to keep her hands to herself. And the fact that he seemed to feel the same way only fueled her desire.
“And your face is getting red.” Katrina laughed a little. “I hope it works out for you.”
“So, you’re interested in becoming sole owner of the shop?”
“If that’s what you want, then yeah.”
They talked about the specifics of the sale and transition while they waited for their food. By the time the waiter placed her halibut and risotto in front of her, she realized she was starving. Since leaving Blue Falls, she’d had nothing more than a bag of peanuts from a gas station. She’d been, by turns, too nervous or too angry to eat anything. But now that the anxiety about confronting Michael and broaching the subject of selling her business to Katrina was behind her, she felt she could put away as much food as a football team.
Before they returned to the shop, they made stops at the attorney’s office and the bank to get the ball rolling on the transition. The sooner they could sign on the dotted line, the sooner she could start working on her new dream in Blue Falls.
When they finally did return to the shop, it felt as if she’d been away forever. While what she’d built could still bring a smile to her face, the comfortable rightness of it wasn’t quite the same as it had been before. Whether this was because she was here when she’d found out about Michael’s marriage or the fact that her heart was already somewhere else, she wasn’t sure. Maybe it was a little of both.
* * *
OWEN WALKED OUT of the barn after working with the new horse he’d bought with his proceeds from selling Galahad. He was thankful that Garrett had taken care of that sale for him, that he and his dad seemed to have had a change of heart where his horse-training business was concerned. He suspected that had a lot to do with Linnea, and he was thankful for her support, as well. That he had the support of his family should have made him happy, but it felt as if happiness had left town riding shotgun in Linnea’s car. He could kick himself for getting so involved with her when he’d known she’d eventually leave.
He looked up just before he barreled into Chloe.
“Hello, baby brother,” she said.
“Hey, Chloe.” He skirted her and kept heading toward the house.
“Glad you’re so happy to see me.”
He realized he was being an ass, and Linnea’s leaving wasn’t Chloe’s fault. “Sorry. What’s up?”
She crossed her arms. “What’s got you in such a nasty mood?”
“Lot on my mind.”
“That include Linnea?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Come on, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that your pissy mood started when she left.”
“Maybe I’m just ticked off because I got thrown in jail. Can’t say that was on my bucket list.”
“That wasn’t her fault.”
“I know that.” He sighed when he realized how much he’d raised his voice at Chloe. None of the feelings twisting inside him were her fault, either.
“You love her, don’t you?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does matter.”
He stared right into her eyes. “It doesn’t. I went to Dallas to make sure she was safe, and she was. The end.”
Chloe’s forehead creased. “Did she say something to upset you?”
“I didn’t talk to her.”
“You drove all the way to Dallas and didn’t even talk to her?”
He shifted his gaze to the Penningtons’ ranch across the road. “When I finally found her, she was at the shop. Laughing. I figured she must have gotten back to her familiar surroundings and realized how happy they made her.”
“So you left?”
“Yeah. It was just a fling between two consenting adults, no big deal.”
“That’s not true, and you know it.” Chloe took a few steps toward him. “You love her, and she loves you. It’s as obvious as that herd of cattle on the hill.”
“You’re smart, Chloe, but you’re wrong about this.”
“She’s not Katy Mulligan.”
He jerked his gaze to his sister’s. “I know that.”
“I know Katy did a number on you, and that’s why you’ve been Mr. Play the Field ever since.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“And I know losing Mom is part of the equation, too. You’re not the only one it messed with. I thought about how much it hurt to lose her when I started falling for Wyatt. It was part of the reason I fought it so hard.” She glanced toward the house. “Garrett’s the same, though he hides it a different way.”
“I should have stuck to how I’ve always done things. I’m the wild child of the family, right? The one who can’t settle on anyone or anything.”
“That’s not you anymore. You’ve got a business off the ground and running, and you finally gave your heart to someone again.”
He started to object, but she held up her hand to stop him.
“Don’t judge Linnea before you know all the facts.”
He looked at her and saw something just below the surface. “You know something.”
She held up both of her hands, palms out. “That’s all I’m saying.”
“Come on, out with it.”
Before she could respond again, his phone rang. With a
growl, he fished it off his belt and answered without even looking at the display.
“Hey, good news,” Simon Teague said in Owen’s ear. “Linnea’s asshat ex dropped the charges against you.”
It took a moment for the words to sink in. “Really?”
“Yep. You’re free and clear.”
After Owen ended the call, he stared at the phone for a moment.
“What’s wrong?”
Chloe’s question reminded him she was still standing there. “Michael dropped the assault charges against me.”
When Chloe didn’t say anything, he raised his eyes to find her smiling. “Linnea?”
She just kept smiling as she walked past him, playfully swatting him on the chest. “Told you so.”
Owen continued standing in the same spot as Chloe got in her car and headed home. Gradually, a smile took over his lips. Maybe he did have a chance with Linnea after all.
Chapter Fourteen
Linnea took a slow, deep breath to calm her nerves, then applied the pen to the paper that would make her the newest occupant of Blue Falls’ Main Street. She felt every bit as anxious and excited as she had when she signed for the loan to open the shop in Dallas. Telling herself this was the right thing to do, she signed her name on the stack of forms.
Justine took the paperwork and handed over the keys. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” She looked up into the smiling faces of Chloe, India and Keri, who’d all gathered around the small table next to the front window of the Mehlerhaus Bakery.
“I feel like I should have some confetti to throw,” Keri said.
“No need. But I will take one of those big devil’s food cupcakes.”
“Coming right up.”
After Justine left with the signed forms, Linnea’s friends pulled up chairs to the table, all with their own sweet treats to celebrate.
“So, how does it feel?” Chloe asked.
“Great and scary all rolled into one.”
“Well, I for one am glad it’s done. You have no idea how hard it’s been to avoid my brother’s questions while you were gone.”
“Sorry. I just wanted to make sure everything worked out before I said anything.”
“So, what are you going to say now that you are officially a resident?”
Her Cowboy Groom (Blue Falls, Texas Book 5) Page 16
