by Tessa Layne
“It’s perfect. I’ll hang it in the office.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “So. I have news for you.”
“Yes?”
“Big news.” He smirked.
All right. If he wanted to play coy, she’d go along with it. “How big?”
His smirk spread into a grin. “Huge.”
She giggled. “Let me guess. Your fundraising ace in the hole?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I’ve told you a thousand times, Rangers lead the way.”
“Except when they play Navy in football?” she teased, knowing that would get a rise out of him.
He pinched her playfully. “Even then. Never, never, never give up. Right?” He winked. “But since you asked, Army will crush Navy in fundraising.”
She straightened, fully alert. “Those are big words. You got the goods?”
He rolled his hips beneath her. “You doubt me, Goldilocks?”
“Show me the money, cowboy.”
“I have two words for you.”
He looked like the cat that just ate the canary, but she couldn’t resist egging him on just a bit more. “Let me guess… lottery ticket.”
He leaned back, chuckling. “I guess you could call him that.”
“Him?”
He waggled his eyebrows, clearly enjoying this way too much. “Trace McBride.”
She squirmed off his lap and onto her knees. “What?”
“Did I remind you never to play poker?”
“You got Trace McBride?” she squealed. Trace McBride was only the hottest ticket in Hollywood right now, coming off three seasons of consecutive blockbusters. “For real?”
Sterling scowled at her. “You don’t have to be that excited.”
She bounced on the couch, blanket slipping off her shoulder. “Are you kidding? It’s Trace McBride. Do you know what that’s going to do for the visibility of Resolution Ranch?” Even as she spoke the words, warning bells sounded in her head. Kate was here to hide from the paparazzi. Trace McBride was as big a draw as Kaycee Starr, if not more. Paparazzi would be crawling through Prairie while Trace was here, and that would be bad for Kate. The realization dampened her enthusiasm.
“What was that look for?” Sterling asked, concern lacing his voice. “Did I just fuck up?”
She shook her head. “No. No. This is incredible. But I have news for you too.”
He shifted, bracing an elbow on the back of the couch. “You’ve been talking to one of McBride’s former girlfriends?”
“No, nothing like that, but it’s big. As big as yours.”
“Lay it on me.” Curiosity lit his eyes.
She liked seeing him like this. Excited. The shadow of grief that regularly haunted his eyes, gone for the moment.
“Can you keep a secret?”
“Of course.”
“I mean it. This is very confidential. I need to know I can trust you.”
“My top-secret security clearance isn’t enough?”
She hopped off the couch and grabbed her phone out of her bag. Settling herself back under the blanket, she pulled up the video she’d taken of Kate. “Look who it is. And listen.”
He shot her a confused look. “I don’t understand. It’s obviously Kate.”
“Just listen.”
He hit play, and Kate’s husky sweet voice played back at them. He paused the video to look at her, still confused.
“Keep listening. And imagine blonde hair.”
He pressed play again, then after a minute, stiffened. “Holy shit. She’s Kaycee Starr, isn’t she?” He glanced at her for confirmation.
“Yes. And I’m trying to convince her to give a concert here.”
He put down the phone. “Does Travis know?”
She shook her head. “I promised her that her secret was safe with me.”
Sterling narrowed his eyes. “We have to tell him right away.”
“Why? She’s terrified of being discovered. I only found out by accident.”
Sterling’s mouth flattened into a thin line. “Think about it Em. Paparazzi will be crawling all over town with McBride here. What’s going to happen if they discover another superstar is in Prairie? Especially with the way she just disappeared? They’ll go crazy. It will ruin the exhibition game. All the focus will be on Kaycee.”
“But they won’t be here at the ranch, will they?”
“One thing I’ve learned from Jason is to never underestimate the craziness of the paparazzi.” Sterling stood and paced toward the door leading to his bedroom.
“Wait.” Emma scrambled up, dropping the blanket and donning her clothes from where they were strewn across the floor. “You want to talk about this now?”
A moment later, Sterling returned in a pair of jeans, buttoning up a shirt. “The sooner we deal with this, the sooner we’ll have a plan in place and can be prepared.”
She liked this man of action side to him. And the way he looked out for the others on the ranch. Whatever his life in the Army had been, his calling now was clearly as foreman.
He paused at the door, extending his hand.
She studied him, then arched a brow. “We’ve graduated to holding hands in public now?”
“Those shoes may be sexy as fuck, but they’re impractical.”
Of course. Her heart squeezed a little tighter. “I’ll be fine. I have great balance,” she tossed back lightly.
“I don’t want you twisting an ankle as we walk across the yard.” He stretched his hand toward her. “Afraid of wagging tongues, Goldilocks?”
Her hand shot out to take his. “Never.”
He shot her a triumphant grin as he took her hand, and damn if it didn’t feel good, walking hand in hand across the yard with him, hand encased in his strong, warm grip. When they arrived at the farmhouse porch, he helped her up the steps then eyed her as he released her hand to knock on the door. His look taunted her, as if to say, See? No harm, no foul. When the reality hit her in that instant that she wanted more. Her stomach dropped like a stone. Wanting more from Sterling would result in heartbreak. Yet, she couldn’t help it. She was so screwed.
Travis answered, a welcoming smile on his face. “Crashing our place for dinner?”
Emma opened her mouth to speak, but Sterling was in full-on foreman mode, taking control. “We have a problem. Can you call Kate and Cash over? We need to discuss the fundraiser.”
Travis’s gaze flicked between the two of them. “What’s up?”
“Can we come in?” Sterling asked.
Travis opened the door wider, allowing them to pass. “Of course, of course. Have a seat. Let me get them over here.”
The minutes ticked by uncomfortably as Sterling paced in front of the fireplace, and Travis’s wife attempted to make small talk from the kitchen. Suddenly, Emma felt like this was all her fault. Like she was ruining everything by being here by having discovered Kate’s secret. All her old insecurities came flooding back, building with each minute. By the time Kate and Cash rushed in the door, perspiration beaded at the base of her neck. This could ruin everything.
“What’s going on?” Cash asked gruffly, surveying the room.
Emma shot an apologetic glance at Kate, who shook her head, looking terrified. “Wait, Sterling. I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“What’s a good idea?” Travis asked, looking more and more suspicious with each passing second.
“Umm, I wanted to give you an update about the concert,” she said brightly, drawing a smile from somewhere around her toes. “I got the K-State Symphony to come down and play a concert of classical American music.”
“Okay… And?”
Oh, this was bad. She was coming off looking inept. “Like a mini Symphony in the Flint Hills.”
Sterling scowled at her. She glanced at Kate, who also scowled at her. But Sterling was right, they couldn’t afford to have the paparazzi take them by surprise. Taking a deep breath, she crossed her fingers and spoke. “Kate. I know I’m betraying your confidence, and
I’m so very sorry, but there are some new developments with the ranch that concern you.”
“Will someone tell me what the fuck is going on?” Travis bit out.
Cash stepped forward, arms folded across his chest. “I should have told you sooner, Trav, but your ranch hand Kate, is actually Kaycee Starr.”
Kate’s face went white as she spun to Cash. “What? How did you know? No one knows.” She glanced across to Emma. “Well, except Emma.”
“I’ve known since the moment I laid eyes on you.”
“How?”
Cash cleared his throat and shot a stern glance over to Travis. “We can discuss that later.” Then he turned to Sterling. “But I want to know what’s so important that you’ve found it necessary to blow her cover.”
“Trace McBride,” Sterling answered.
“Trace McBride? The actor? Travis repeated incredulously.
Sterling nodded once. “He’s coming to play for Army at the exhibition game.”
Cash glowered.
“I see,” answered Travis. “That’s great news. But it does present some problems. We need to alert Weston. We’ll have to bump up security. Does he have a place to stay?”
“Not yet.”
“I’m sure he can stay at the hunting lodge,” Emma piped up. “I’ll check with Jamey and Brodie.”
Travis nodded once, then cocked his head, studying Kate. “I wouldn’t have known you from Adam. But having you here does present some issues.” He furrowed his brows. “Can I still call you Kate?”
She nodded. “Please.”
“For Kate’s sake, and ours, it will be better if the press is camped out on the other side of town.”
“But this will impact the activities we’re planning at the ranch. What do we do for the poker tournament and the concert?” Emma asked before turning to Kate. “I still think Kaycee, Kate, should make a surprise appearance. The audience would be thrilled.” Maybe Kate just needed convincing from more of them. Surely the young woman didn’t believe in her heart of hearts that her career was over? Emma cringed inwardly. What must it be like to feel washed up at twenty-four? She didn’t envy Kate one bit. But still… she had the voice of an angel, broken or not.
Kate’s mouth flattened, and she shook her head. “I’ve already said no. As long as no one knows I’m here, I don’t see that activity on the ranch would invade my privacy. But if you’re worried… maybe it’s time for me to go home.” She spoke quietly, the weight of defeat permeating the room.
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you like, Kate,” Travis rushed. “You have a real gift with the horses. I’d hate to lose you.”
Kate nodded. “I appreciate that. But I can’t hide out here forever.” Her eyes drifted to Cash, whose face was a mask. Then she looked at the three of them. “Please don’t tell anyone I’m here,” she pleaded. “I…” she took a ragged breath. “It would mean a lot to me to have these final weeks of privacy before I have to face the music.” She smiled weakly at her joke.
Travis answered first. “Of course. We’re in agreement. We keep this under wraps.” His voice brooked no argument, not that any of them would betray her trust. Travis eyed each of them. “Kaycee’s part of our ranch family now. We do for her as we’d do for any of us.”
Emma loved how protective Travis was of his crew. Once again, it warmed her that she was able to help the ranch onto solid footing. “Kate, if it will make you more comfortable, I have additional copies of Royal Fountain’s non-disclosures,” said Emma. “They’re the same form that I signed for you, and I can modify them for the ranch. We can sign them right now.” She looked to Travis for confirmation. He nodded.
“I’d appreciate that,” Kate answered after a moment, looking guilty. “I hope you understand. It’s hard to know who to trust.”
Emma dug into her bag and produced the forms. Taking them to the table, she made the necessary changes for the men, and then signed her initials. Poor girl. How awful to live in a fishbowl and not know who to trust. “Don’t worry, Kate,” she said with a reassuring smile, handing the young woman the completed forms. “Your secret’s safe with us.”
CHAPTER 21
Sterling broke into a grin as Jason entered the small baggage claim area in Manhattan, then gave a surprised whoop as Macey and Sophie trailed after him.
“You son-of-a-gun.” He clapped Jason’s back as they embraced. Then he kneeled down, pulling Sophie into a hug, throat suddenly tight at the sight of Johnny’s bright blue eyes staring up at him. “So good to see you, beanie.”
“It was my idea,” said Macey. “Sophie wanted to see her uncles.” Her face twisted in pain. “And I did too. I need to start getting out.” She took a deep breath. “And this seemed like the right place to make a start. I think Johnny would have–” her voice caught.
Sterling caught her arm. “I know. I think about it every day, Mace.”
She brushed at her eyes.
“Well let’s get you piled into the truck. Are you staying here in Manhattan?”
She shook her head. “We got the last room at someplace called The Lodge at Steele Creek?”
That name had Emma’s handiwork all over it. “I bet that’s the hunting lodge at Sinclaires’. That’s where my–” he stopped. He’d nearly called Emma his girlfriend. Is that what she was? His belly clenched. He swallowed. “My friend Emma, she’s been helping with publicity for the ranch. That’s her family’s place.”
Jason shot him a look over Macey’s head. One of those you’re full of shit, you asshole looks. So what? If he introduced Emma as his girlfriend, it added a whole new layer of complication to their arrangement. He liked her. Loved spending time with her. But she wasn’t his girlfriend. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to flaunt a girlfriend in front of Macey. Not when she’d lost so much. It would be like pouring salt on an open wound. He shook his head. Jason glowered at him before turning to Macey. “Just a heads up, my friend Trace McBride is staying out there. He’s arriving tonight.”
Macey gasped. “The Trace McBride?”
Jason nodded. “He’s our ace in the hole for beating Navy. And a friend of mine.”
Macey socked him in the arm.
“Ow.” Jason grimaced, clutching his bicep. “What was that for?”
“That’s for holding out on me. Since when did you start rubbing elbows with Trace McBride?”
“About a year ago. He came to the winery.”
“Did Johnny know about this?”
The car fell silent. The heartbreak could be cut with a knife.
A small voice piped up from the back. “Daddy was sad for a long time.”
Grief knifed through Sterling, and he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He’d never get over the way grief just snuck up on him. In a comment, or a look. Sometimes without even prompting.
Macey sounded defeated when she spoke. “That’s right, sweetie pie. Daddy was sad for a long time before he died.”
“I miss Daddy,” Sophie said with a tremor.
Macey turned, giving her daughter a reassuring pat. “I know. We all do. And it’s okay to miss him.”
Little Sophie’s admission cut to the quick, and the remainder of the ride to the Sinclaire ranch was somber. “I’ll grab the bags,” Jason offered when they pulled into the drive in front of the hunting lodge and hopped out before Sterling could object.
“I’ll grab Sophie,” Sterling told Macey, coming around the front of the truck. “You go on in.”
“Can we see the horsies Unka Stewing?” Sophie’s chubby arms clasped his neck.
“I’m sure we can, poppet. If not here, then you can come to my ranch and I’ll take you on a ride. How’s that?” Sophie rewarded him with a beatific smile that looked so much like Johnny, it hurt. “C’mon punkin’, let’s get you inside to mama.” He carried her around the car and through the open door of the lodge. To Sterling’s surprise, Emma was waiting for them inside. Her face lit when she saw him, then fell, turning confused as she looked from
him to Sophie, then to Macey.
Shit. Sterling’s stomach sank like a stone. This looked bad. “Hi.” He gave her a tentative smile.
“Hi.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes and the cool mask of professionalism was firmly in place. She turned to Jason and offered a hand, and then to Macey. “I’m Emma Sinclaire. Welcome to the Lodge at Steele Creek. I’m thrilled you’re here this weekend for our exhibition game. This ranch has been continuously run by my family since before the Civil War. I hope you’ll find everything to your liking.”
Macey extended her hand. “I’m Macey, and Sterling has my daughter, Sophie. We’re friends of Jason and Sterling.”
“Thank you for making the trip.”
No one else likely noticed, but he did. The tight edge to her voice. The two slashes that appeared at the top of her nose. Shame burned in his chest. He should have told her. Explained about Johnny. But the times it had come up, he’d been too grief-stricken to talk about it. It had hurt too much.
“Is it okay for Sophie to have a cookie?” Emma asked Macey, and gestured to the credenza piled high with freshly baked snacks. “My sister-in-law is an excellent chef. She makes kitchen sink cookies filled with chocolate chips and much more, so they’re a little bit nutritious. My nephew loves them.”
Macey smiled at her, then opened her arms to receive Sophie “Would you like a cookie?”
Sophie burrowed into her mother, eyes wide and nodded.
He should say something. Explain. It all felt so awkward. But the words were stuck in his throat, and anything he said in front of Macey or Jason would pick at a scab that wasn’t fully healed. Jason raised his eyebrows and knocked his chin in Emma’s direction as she bent to retrieve a box from underneath the large farm table, then scowled when he shook his head.
“Sterling’s told me all about your work for the fundraiser,” Jason said, glaring daggers at him.
Emma turned and stood, a look of surprise on her face. “Really? Well, I hope it meets your expectations. I’m looking forward to the game tomorrow. And here.” She held out a shirt. “This is your team shirt for tomorrow.” She gave it to Jason, then turned to Macey. “I took the liberty of assuming you’d be supporting the Army if you’re with these two?”
