by Leanne Banks
“Alrighty,” the sales agent said. “And would you like insurance on—”
“No insurance. I have insurance.”
“Okeydokey. Now what about gas? We have a special plan—”
“I'll pump my own,” Michael said. “Do you know who was working last night?”
“That'd be me,” the man said. “We're short-staffed, so I'm working ten days straight. It seems like everyone decided to come to Texas at the same time and…”
Despite the Valium haze Katie was still fighting to clear, she could sense Michael's tension growing tighter with each superfluous bit of information the sales agent imparted.
Michael pulled out a photograph of Wilhemina. “Did you meet this woman?”
The sales agent eyed the photo, then shot Michael a look of scrutiny. “Well, maybe I did and maybe I didn't. Why do you want to know?”
Michael paused a half beat “I need to know where she is.”
The sales agent shrugged. “I don't know. She rented a car for thirty days. It's her business where she drives it.”
Thirty days. Katie practically heard Michael's patience snap in two, and long sworn-off instincts came crashing in. She leaned in front of Michael. “You'll have to excuse him. He's in charge of his sister's safety and he gets upset at the thought of anything happening to her,” she said in the Texas drawl she had sworn would never infiltrate her speech again. “I can see that you're a good judge of character, so I'm sure you could tell Wilhemina was naive. And her cat—”
The sales agent's eyes grew wide. “Cat? That animal was a cat? She had it in as kennel.” He lowered his voice. “I was afraid to ask, but the poor thing looked like it had been skinned.”
Katie nodded. “Ugliest thing you've ever seen, isn't it?”
“You're right about that.” He gave Michael another once-over. “You're her brother? You don't look a thing like her.”
“Different fathers,” Katie said smoothly.
Michael jerked his head toward her so quickly he wondered if he would get whiplash. What had Katie turned into? With a Texas drawl that flowed like honey and a smile that could charm the skin off a snake, she moved her body like a woman who fully understood her attributes.
“Wilhemina was very upset when she left.” She leaned closer as if she were confiding in him. “A guy dumped her. We don't want anything to happen to her. We really need your help,” she said, stroking his ego the same way this guy would wish she was stroking something else. “Did she give you any idea where she might be headed?”
“Well, I did give her a couple of maps. She said she wanted to know where the cowboys were.”
Michael swallowed a groan.
“And I'm betting you already know we have several different kinds of cowboys in Texas.”
Katie nodded and smiled. “You're so right. Rodeo cowboys, nightclub cowboys, ranch cowboys.”
“That's right. I told her she might try some nightclubs in Dallas and Cowtown. Then she might want to head on down to Bandera, the cowboy capital of the world. I gave her this list of hotels, bars, and dude ranches.” He smiled at Katie. “I wish I could do more for you.”
As the sales agent assessed her breasts, Michael knew exactly what the man wanted to do for Katie. Tamping down a shot of impatience mixed with something dark and vague, he extended his hand and a business card. “We both appreciate your help. Thank you. Do you know what kind of car she's driving? And her license plate number?”
“White Cadillac,” the sales agent said, and glanced at his computer screen. He scratched out a number on a piece of paper and gave it to Katie. “Here you go.”
“If you should remember anything else or if Wilhemina should contact you, please don't hesitate to call me.”
“Yes, please do,” Katie said. “You've been a tremendous help.”
“Anytime, honey,” he said.
Michael led the way out of the terminal to the shuttle and turned to look at her.
Katie looked at him, glanced away, then met his gaze. “What are you staring at?” she asked, no trace of Texas in her voice.
“I'm just wondering if you're inhabited by some southern belle alien that pops out at strange moments.”
She crossed her arms over her chest “I could see you weren't likely to get anything out of him. It may be a pain in the butt, but it's still a truth that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”
“Is that something your mother said?”
She paused a moment, her expression turning guarded. “What makes you say that?”
“You mentioned her on the plane,” he said, wondering exactly how much she recalled from the flight.
“Great,” she muttered, looking away.
“The sales agent looked like he was ready to sit down and beg. That's quite a talent you have.”
She scowled at him. “It's not talent.”
“Female power play?” he returned, curious. The woman made him damn curious.
“It's a coping mechanism born of desperation. Undereducated, financially strapped women use all their available resources for the purpose of survival.” She slid a sideways glance at him. “Resources such as a smile, breasts, legs, and flattery can get a bill collector off your back, can get you an extra gallon of gas, can get questions answered.”
“But you hate it,” he said, seeing the flash of anger in her eyes.
“Yes, I do. I swore I wouldn't come back to Texas and I swore I wouldn't use my resources the way I'd been taught, but I'll do just about anything to find Wilhemina.”
Michael looked at the quiet, fierce resolve on her face and felt a click inside him. She was just as determined to find Wilhemina as he was. She might be kooky, but she was strong, the first truly strong woman he'd ever met He wondered why she wanted Ivan's bonus. He wondered why she was willing to do so many of the things she obviously feared or hated. He wondered, and he knew he would get his answers eventually. But first there was Wilhemina.
Wilhemina looked around the large dance hall filled with cowboys and was sure she had arrived in heaven. She'd successfully gotten herself down to Texas, rented a car, and used her credit card to get a cash advance. Although she'd gotten lost three times and learned that rush-hour traffic made her nervous, nothing could stop the euphoria racing through her. Not even her twinge of concern that Chantal was going to shred the curtains in the hotel room while Wilhemina was out tonight.
Wilhemina was on her first unescorted adventure, and she was going to make the best of it. Sitting at the end of the bar, she sipped a margarita and watched the dance floor longingly.
“How are you tonight, sweetheart?” a male voice ventured to me woman sitting next to her.
Wilhemina continued to watch the dance floor, wondering if she had the nerve to try to two-step. She'd never been particularly coordinated. She took another sip of her drink.
“Aren't you going to talk to me?” a man asked, moving into her line of vision.
Wilhemina looked to either side of her, then back at the man with the black hat and dimples. He was talking to her. Her heart raced. “I'm sorry. I didn't know you were speaking to me.”
The man tipped his hat and grinned, flashing his dimples. “’Sokay. I'm Chad. Pleased to meet you,” he said, extending his hand.
“I'm Wilhemina,” she said, so nervous she hoped she didn't spill her margarita.
“You've been eyeing the dance floor. You want to give it a spin with me?”
She bit her lip. “I haven't danced much.”
“Then you need to get started,” he said, setting her drink on the bar and offering his hand to her.
Liking his combination of pushy charm and manners, she accepted and allowed herself to be led on to the floor. She hoped she wouldn't embarrass herself. He took her in his arms and her heart pounded so hard she wondered if she would faint.
“You're not from around here, are you?” he asked.
Wilhemina concentrated on not stepping on his feet. “No, I'm from Philadelphia.”
“Here on business or pleasure?” he asked, his gaze dipping to her cleavage.
Stunned, Wilhemina felt a shot of feminine delight. She couldn't recall being the object of any man's lust. Men lusted after her father's money, not her. “Pleasure.”
He nodded. “What do you do in Philadelphia?”
Her mind went blank. She stared into his blue, blue eyes. “I-uh-I serve on the board of a charitable foundation.” That was true, she thought. Her father had arranged the appointment. Wilhemina attended all the meetings, but somehow she was never assigned any tasks.
“Well, that sounds like a nice thing to do.” he said as he” gently led her in a slow, easy shuffle. He touched her hair. “You have such pretty hair and your skin is so smooth. Is your husband here with you tonight?”
Flattered, Wilhemina felt her cheeks heat “I'm not married.”
He turned his head and looked at her, shaking his head. “A pretty girl like you? I don't believe you.”
“I'm not,” she said earnestly. “I haven't found anyone that wanted—” She broke off. “That I wanted to, really.”
He nodded, looking deep into her eyes. “I understand. It takes the right person. The “right touch. The right voice. The right everything.”
Wilhemina felt a knot of nervous excitement form in her throat. “You sound like you understand.”
“Oh, honey, I do. I've been looking for the right person too,” he said, and drew her closer to him and spun her around. He lowered his head to hers. “You never know when you're going to meet the right person, do you?”
Exhilaration pumping through her veins, Wilhemina hung on for dear life. She liked the feel of his strong muscles and his shoulder beneath her hand. She liked the way he looked at her. As if he liked what he saw and wanted to see more.
The song ended, and she was immediately crushed. She didn't want Chad to leave, but there were scores of other women at the bar. She bit her lip, trying to think of a way to make him stay.
“Can I buy you a drink?” he asked.
Relief rushed through her. She took a careful breath. “Yes, I'd like that very much.”
“Let me find us a place to sit together,” he said and she felt literally caressed by his gaze.
He slid his arm around her waist and led her to a corner of the room. “You stay here and I'll get us a drink. Promise you won't leave,” he said.
She smiled with delight at his concern. “I'll be right here.”
He leaned over to her and lifted his fingers to her chin. “You haven't ever been to Texas before, have you?”
“No,” she admitted.
“I think I'd like to show you around a little bit,” he said, his gaze falling to her lips. “You think about that. Okay?”
His intensity made her light-headed. “I will,” she-said.
Pulling back, he tipped his hat, “I'll be right back.”
The rest of the evening passed in a lovely-margarita- and Chad-filled blur. He was so attentive to Wilhemina she kept pinching herself. He didn't even seem to be looking at other women. He told her all the places they could go together and danced all the slow songs with her. By midnight, Wilhemina struggled with wooziness from the margaritas, but she didn't want to miss a rninute with Chad. He brushed his mouth over hers and her heart sped into overdrive. She stumbled, and he caught her, pulling her against his long, lean frame.
“You're looking, a little tuckered out. You think maybe we should get you home?”
Loath to see the evening end, she lifted her shoulders. “I'm at the Marriott just a couple miles down the road.”
“Well, I can drive behind you to make sure you get there okay.”
Her heart twisted. “That's so sweet. You've been so nice all evening. I don't think I've ever met anyone like you.”
“My pleasure, Wilhemina,” he said. “Let me escort you to your car.”
Wilhemina allowed him to walk with her to her rental car. He gave a whistle at the white Cadillac.
“Nice ride,” he said, glancing at it in approval.
“It's a rental,” she said.
“What do you usually drive?” he asked.
“I don't usually—” She broke off, not wanting to reveal her lack of independence. “One of those little BMW convertibles,” she said, naming the car she would like to drive.
He grinned. “Roadster. I can see you in that. You sure you can drive?”
“I'll be fine,” she assured him, impressed again by his kind concern.
“Okay. I'll be behind you in my truck. It's red and kinda beat-up-looking, but it's temporary. I've had a little bad luck lately. You know how that goes.”
Wilhemina nodded. She completely understood about bad luck, although bad luck had never affected her mode of transportation. She unlocked her car door and Chad reached to open the door for her.
“Thank you,” he said, standing so close his aftershave played havoc with her senses. “I'll be right behind you.”
Wilhemina stepped into her vehicle and smiled while he closed the door. As soon as he stepped away, she fanned her face. Whew! That man made her hot. It took a couple of minutes for her to collect herself enough to start the engine and get the car into gear. Her mind reeling, she pictured all the places Chad had told her about.
Driving back to her hotel, she spotted his pickup truck in her rearview mirror. His left headlight was out, she noticed and made a mental note to tell him. She pulled into the parking lot and chose a space with no cars on either side. Wilhemina wasn't very confident of her-parking skills.
Her heart pounding in anticipation, she quickly rose from the car. She hoped Chad was going to ask to see her again. He pulled in beside her and was at her door just as she stepped outside.
The intent look in his eyes made it hard for her to breathe. She swallowed over a nervous lump in her-throat. “Thank you for following me,” she whispered.
“My pleasure,” he said, gently nudging her back against the Cadillac. “The whole evening has been my pleasure. I hate to see it end,” he said.
“Me too.”
“Maybe it doesn't have to end,” Chad said, lowering his mouth to hers. He pressed his lips against hers, slow and easy, as if he were waiting for her to protest.
Wilhemina's heart pounded so fast she hoped she wouldn't faint. He slid his tongue inside her mouth and she opened her mouth in shock. She felt his hand squeeze her waist and hoped he didn't think she was too chubby. He moved his hand up her rib cage to the bottom of her breast and she couldn't stop a sound of surprise from the back of her throat.
“Like that?” he asked in a sensual tone. “I've got what you're looking for, Wilhemina.”
Her head in a fog, she stared into his blue, blue eyes. Could this be happening to her?
“I can give you what you want,” he said. “And I'll give you a real good price.”
Her body still churning with desire, Wilhemina blinked. Real good price? She shook her head. “Price? Good price?”
He nodded, licking his lips as he skimmed his hand down to her wrist and fondled her diamond tennis bracelet. “I'll take you anywhere you want to go and give you anything you want for a hundred dollars a day. You're rich and lonely. I'm broke and available. You've got the money, honey. I've got the time. We're a perfect match.”
“Don't take a man back once he's done you wrong. It's like hoping the milk is still fresh after it's been sitting in the heat all day”
—SUNNY COLLINS'S WISDOM
Chapter 8
Shock stopped her speech for a full moment. She shook her head. “You want me to pay you to spend time with me?” she asked, incredulous.
He shrugged. “It could be a nice arrangement for both of us.” He grinned, flashing his dimple. “Think of me as your very own boy toy escort.”
Wilhemina felt as if she'd been kicked. Her throat tightened and she felt the threat of tears. Was she so weird that it would be impossible for someone to genuinely want to be with her? Why did she attract
so many jerks? She'd had such hopes for this trip.
She looked at Chad and something inside her snapped. She was sick and tired of being disappointed. She remembered years ago in elementary school when a fellow student taped a sign on her back that said “Kick me.” She wondered if she was still wearing that sign. A spurt of hot anger broke through her cold shock. Her fingers itched to slap him. She inhaled a quick breath of air. She wondered what Katie would do in this situation. Her father, she knew, would haggle over the price. “Boy toy escort,” she echoed, pulling back slightly.
“I could show you a really good time,” he promised with a nod of pride.
“For one hundred dollars a day,” she repeated again, wondering where he had acquired such arrogance. Filled with hot outrage, she backed farther away from him. “How do I know your equipment meets my specifications?”
He gave a lazy yet confident grin. “My equipment's fine. I've never had a single complaint.”
“But that's just your word,” Wilhemina said, her heart pounding with fury and exhilaration as she turned the tables on him. “I need proof in order to pay you a hundred dollars. A hundred dollars is a lot of money.”
The barest hint of uneasiness crossed Chad's handsome face. “Well, I might be willing to negotiate. I'm a reasonable man. How about seventy-five dollars a day?”
“I don't know. I still don't know if you have” the right stuff,” Wilhemina said, wondering why she hadn't seen how slimy he was from the start.
“Well, what do you want me to do? Show you?” he demanded, hands on hips.
She bit her lip, resisting her overwhelming urge to laugh. “You know, I think that may be best. It's always better for both parties to have full knowledge and agreement before proceeding into a partnership, no matter how temporary the partnership,” she said, reciting what she'd heard her father say a-gazillion times before. She backed another step away.
Frustration and desperation warring on his face, Chad looked from side to side. He sighed. “Okay,” he said, unzipping his jeans and dropping them along with his briefs to his knees.
Wilhemina bit her lip as she pretended to study his organ, which appeared to be shrinking in the night air. Already moving away, she glanced back up at his face. “I think I'll pass,” she said and walked briskly toward the lobby of the hotel. She heard Chad scream profanities at her and she picked up her pace.
