“The trust endows the arts, charities, medical research and makes political contributions. Whoever controls the trust has enormous power.”
“Why didn’t Sandra tell me?”
She didn’t know. “Until recently, I didn’t know, either.”
“Power is what your grandparents want?”
“Power is what they don’t want to relinquish.” At his frown, Alexa paused in the braid she was twisting her hair into. “Apparently our grandparents administered the funds and never told Sandra about it. But that duty now belongs to you. Or it will, once the custody is finalized.”
“My attorney doesn’t think I can lose the boys.”
“Don’t be so sure.”
His gut churned, but he didn’t let his anger or suddenly rising fear show. Instead, he forced patience into his tone. “What do you mean?”
“Suppose the Barringtons’ lawyer proves you’re unfit?”
Despite his determination to remain patient, he couldn’t keep the growl out of his tone. “And just how would they do that?”
Alexa faced him, her eyes sympathetic, her words hard. “You’re raising your children in the wilds of Colorado, on a ranch.”
“They can’t take my kids from me because we live in Colorado.”
“You’re a busy medical doctor who almost lost his children to a loose bull…”
Was Alexa threatening him? Warning him? Or just showing him how a smart lawyer could twist things in court? Before Alexa’s arrival, Cam hadn’t realized the stakes. He’d thought the battle was over his sons, not his sons and their trust fund.
Should he bargain with the Barringtons? Give them control of the fund if they’d agree to drop the custody battle? Cam didn’t care a flying fig about administering the trust, but was it fair to his boys to give away control of their inheritance?
“Cam?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re awfully quiet.”
“You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
“Well, think about this.” At the sharp edge in her tone, he paid close attention. “Could someone have set that bull loose to discredit your parenting ability?”
For a moment he wondered if the scare had addled her thinking, seeing conspiracies where none existed. But she’d been too logical, too methodical in leading this conversation where she wanted him to go for him to believe she was overreacting out of fear. He sought to reassure her.
“Most likely a hand forgot to bar the gate.”
“But it could have been left open deliberately, couldn’t it?” The way she kept insisting the accident had been intentional sent a chill down his spine. That little stunt could have cost her and his boys their lives.
Still, he couldn’t buy her line of reasoning. Setting the bull loose was like firing a gun without aiming. No one could have predicted where a loose bull would go or whom it would attack. True, Alexa had been wearing a flapping red skirt, but how could anyone have known that before she’d arrived?
Unless someone had seen her at the airport and driven to the ranch while they’d eaten burgers in town.
Cameron looked around uneasily, wondering if someone was spying on him this minute, taking pictures with a telephoto lens.
“If my sons don’t survive—” he could barely speak the words “—who controls the trust?”
Alexa’s face paled. “My grandparents. But I don’t think they would resort to…”
“Murder?”
Chapter Three
Cameron couldn’t believe how long it took Alexa to dry herself, dress and accompany him to the house, although he had to admit she was worth waiting for. He didn’t expect a woman who seemed comfortable showering in a horse stall to be such a perfectionist about her appearance. He couldn’t decide whether to be annoyed or fascinated, especially when he was anxious to check in on the twins. Soothing his impatience by telling himself the hands would shout from the house at any sign of trouble, he paced, waiting for Alexa.
Finally she joined him and he took her suitcase. She had twisted her hair into some kind of fancy braid that showed off the delicate diamonds in her ears and the lovely arch of her neck. She’d reapplied makeup, and her glossy pink lips now matched a pastel shirt, form-fitting cream slacks and sandals. She’d even switched purses to match her shoes. He supposed he should be grateful she hadn’t made him wait so she could reapply matching nail polish, too.
As he walked alongside her, however, he couldn’t help appreciating the reapplication of her exotic perfume. And his mouth watered.
Uncomfortable with his thoughts about Alexa, uncomfortable with the suspicions she’d planted in his head, he broke the silence, striving for normalcy. “You’ve become comfortable with children.”
Her lips turned up with pleasure. “I’ve been practicing.”
For children of her own? So there was someone special in her life. Although he couldn’t imagine Alexa giving up her life of constant traveling, perhaps she’d found a househusband amenable to staying home with children while she was away. He didn’t know why the thought of her finding someone bothered him, but it did.
Seemingly unaware of his disapproval, she strode by his side, her long legs having no trouble keeping up. “Sandra once told me if I didn’t try with children, I’d never learn. So this past year, I’ve been reading every book I could get my hands on, practicing on my friends’ kids. I was surprised to have so much fun.”
“They can be a hell of a lot of work, too. The way you handled Flynn and Jason, I’d say you’re now a pro.”
“I started learning because Sandra dared me.” Alexa stopped walking and looked at him. “Does it bother you when I talk about her?”
The direct question took him aback. Alexa’s forthrightness kept catching him by surprise, and he found his respect for her upping another notch. He kept forgetting that behind the delicious-looking package was a woman with keen intelligence.
“Actually I find the memories comforting.” Still, Cameron made an effort to turn the conversation back to Alexa. “So are you taking Sandra’s advice and getting married? Raising a few kids of your own?”
Alexa frowned at him with as much confusion as if he were a three-headed calf. “Where’d you get that idea?”
He thought he heard a flicker of pain in the sharpness of her tone and didn’t understand what caused it. “I’m sorry. I just assumed you were preparing…”
“I was preparing for my next visit with the twins.”
From the closed look on her face, Cam knew he’d touched a nerve. He didn’t pry. They started walking again in silence, but he refused to let it go on too long.
“Sandra hated this ranch. She always called it primitive, but I thought the boys would grow strong out here. I want them to come to love this place as much as I do.”
Alexa surveyed the muddy driveway, the puddles, and then raised her eyes past the house to the verdant sun-drenched valley, the towering mountains, and breathed deeply. “There’s a peacefulness here you can’t find in the city.” She turned to him, her mood changing with lightning swiftness. “But if you think for one moment I’m walking through that mud…”
He restrained a chuckle. “It’s the only way to get to the house.”
“One mud bath a day is enough for any woman.” She stepped closer and placed her hands on his shoulders. “So carry me?”
There was no sexual innuendo in her tone, her demeanor or her actions. And yet every nerve in Cam’s body went on full alert. He didn’t want to touch that skin, flushed, creamed and perfumed after her shower. He didn’t want to hold her close enough for her to feel his heart racing. He didn’t want to think of her as a woman. He didn’t want to want her.
But he’d be a cad to refuse her simple request. She was a tiny woman with a delicate frame. But lifting her into his arms wasn’t effortless. How could it be when it took all his effort to steady his breathing, to act as if he couldn’t feel the soft curve of her breast against his chest and the wisps of silky hair that h
ad escaped her braid teasing his neck?
She placed her arms around his neck, and he started along the driveway knowing that after holding her in his arms, he’d go to bed tonight wondering what would have happened if he’d lowered his mouth to hers. And damning himself for his urges. Although Cam wasn’t pleased by his newly awakened interest in the opposite sex, the timing could have been better; the woman could have been someone more appropriate.
Alexa was not for him. She was Sandra’s cousin. A woman who traveled the world for her career. She was direct and sassy and trouble. He told himself not to look at her, not to breathe in her scent, not to think how good she felt in his arms.
He would react this way to any woman. He’d simply neglected certain needs too long.
He was lying to himself. He didn’t know how, but she’d kindled an ember from the ashes of his heart.
Those glossy pink lips were irresistible. Impulsively he lowered his head until their mouths were inches apart. He felt her quick shiver in his arms, saw a flicker of surprise and need in her eyes, knew she could avoid his mouth if she wished. Instead, he saw interest blaze, a spark flare, which fueled him on.
He nibbled softly at her upper lip. Once. Twice. When that teasing taste warmed his blood, he crushed his hungry mouth to hers.
He’d been prepared for her to turn her head away, mutter a protest, or scream, or scratch, or slap. And he would have stopped, forced himself to be satisfied with just a quick sample. Although he’d once been a man of large appetites, he took no pleasure in forcing himself on an unwilling woman.
He’d been quite unprepared for Alexa to willingly kiss him back, creating an explosion of impressions. Searing. Sunny. Sensational. She was kissing him with a hunger that matched his own. Her arms wound around his neck and into his hair, drawing his head closer.
And their mouths fit perfectly, her lips giving and giving and giving. She radiated passion, warmth, desire, inflaming him and drawing him deeper.
A hot kittenish moan at the back of her throat demanded and surrendered. She wrapped herself tighter to him, her soft curves pressing against him, shooting waves of fire to his core.
“Ahem.” The interruption came from outside the web of passion she’d woven around them.
“Go away,” Cam muttered.
Alexa’s hands suddenly slammed into his chest, and Cam looked up to see his brother Chase sitting on a horse and looking down at them with sheer mischief in his eyes. “I hate to interrupt.”
“Then don’t,” Cameron growled, his thoughts hazy, dipping his head to reclaim those soft voluptuous lips.
“Stop.” Alexa’s hand pressed him back. “I said no.”
Chase chuckled. “You’ll have to forgive him—he’s out of practice.”
Hot blood pulsing through his veins made patience impossible. Cameron could have strangled his brother, would get rid of him as soon as he got his breath back, as soon as his hands were free.
In truth, he was angrier with himself than his brother. As the sensual haze cleared and he realized what he’d just done, Cam knew he’d mostly himself to blame for his actions. He’d been the one unable to halt his impulse to kiss her. He’d been the one who’d forgotten that Alexa had just gotten off the plane this morning and almost been killed. He’d taken advantage of her vulnerability.
Cam took most of the blame on his shoulders but the woman in his arms had to share some of it too. She could have turned her head away from his kiss. But she hadn’t.
Even now heat rose to Alexa’s cheeks as she peered at Chase, who tipped his hat. “Chase Sutton.”
“Alexa Whitfield.” Although Cam still held her tightly against his chest, she held out her hand to his brother. “This is crazy. I wasn’t kissing him.”
Chase raised her hand to his lips and kissed her wrist—no doubt to annoy Cam. “I wish I wasn’t getting kissed like that.”
“I’ll tell Laura you said so,” Cam warned.
Chase’s eyebrows rose, and he immediately dropped Alexa’s hand. Cam’s brother genuinely adored his wife and sons, and Cam would never follow through on his threat. But keeping Chase on his toes came as naturally as breathing.
Alexa refused to meet Cam’s gaze. “Cameron took me by surprise. I had no idea, he would…I’m not interested,” she explained weakly.
Cam eyed her skeptically. “Then why were you kissing me back?”
Alexa sputtered, radiating indignance. “You…you—”
“—Look, I hate to interrupt such an interesting discussion,” Chase said, “and you can be sure Laura will want details when I get back, but I didn’t ride over here for the air—however hot it may be,” he teased, then turned serious gray eyes on Cam. “Keith’s running a fever and Laura wants you to take a look at him.”
Cam shook his head to clear it, trying hard to think. “We’ve had a little trouble around here. I hate to leave the twins.”
“I’ll watch them,” Alexa volunteered.
Still carrying Alexa, Cam started walking toward the house, and his brother stayed mounted as he walked his horse beside them. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
Alexa huffed. “You don’t trust me?”
Cam explained to Chase about the loose bull and finished summing up by the time they arrived at the front porch. Cam eagerly set Alexa back on her feet, anxious to break the connection between them but missing the feel of her in his arms.
Chase rubbed his chin. “I’d bring Keith to you, but I don’t want the twins to catch anything. Why don’t I have some of the hands come in from the pasture and work close by? Alexa can phone if there’s a problem.”
Nodding in agreement as they walked inside, Cam grabbed his bag. “How high is Keith’s temperature?”
“A hundred and three.”
Alexa looked around the unfinished house, her eyes curious. “You live here?”
His thoughts already on his nephew, Cameron ignored the lack of furniture, drywall, plumbing and electricity. “I told you it wasn’t done. I’ll take you to the hotel after I get back.”
Alexa didn’t seem to hear him. She peeked into the kitchen—or what would be the kitchen, once appliances and cabinets arrived. “I love the beautiful tongue-and-groove oak ceiling. Mind if I rearrange a few things? Oversee your workers?”
What could it hurt? Cam didn’t have a knack for overseeing construction, and he knew it. And he hated dealing with hired help. However, the house was much closer to completion than it looked. One pipe connection would hook up water to the finished sinks, showers and hot water heater. All the electric wires had been run and just required attachment to the circuit box. The house lacked one window pane and the downstairs drywall could go up in a day. But the contractor gave him excuse after excuse. The plumber couldn’t find the right parts, and the electrician never bothered to finish the job. A few ranch hands and the baby-sitter, Julie, were his only reliable help.
Before Cam could agree to letting Alexa baby-sit, his cook, Ray Potter, barreled into the room, mopping his sweating face with a red bandanna. His face flushed with anger, his bushy eyebrows twitching, the cook exuded rage that blasted everyone in the room.
Beads of sweat dribbled from Ray’s forehead to his jowled cheek. “The contractor promised I’d have a kitchen by now.” The cook pointed at Cam. “You promised I wouldn’t be working under these primitive conditions for more than a week. Well, it’s been a month, and I don’t have a refrigerator or a stove or a sink. You have me outside in this heat, cooking over a camp stove. It’s bad for my blood pressure. Bad for my heart. I quit.”
Amusement twinkled in Alexa’s eyes as the cook turned on his heel and huffed out of the house. To give her credit, she didn’t crack a smile.
Cameron supposed Alexa couldn’t make a mess of setting up a household any worse than he had. “Feel free to take over. Make yourself at home.”
Alexa nodded. “I’ll just check in on Cody and the twins, and then talk to your contractor.”
“Uh-huh.�
� Glad to leave the entire situation in her hands, glad to put some physical distance between them, Cam checked his medical bag, making sure he had several antibiotic samples. Keith was prone to ear infections, but his temperature didn’t usually run so high.
Alexa’s soft voice interrupted his thoughts. “I might buy a few things. Groceries. A shower curtain, drapes.”
“Fine. Use the phone to order, and ask Cody to pick up your purchases in town.” Cam snapped his bag shut and grabbed a hat off the door. “My cell phone number’s nailed on the kitchen wall. Call if you need me.”
Alexa snapped her fingers. “Not so fast, Doctor.”
Her words stopped him and he turned to see a mischievous glint in her eye as she held out her hand to him, palm up. “You’re forgetting that I need something.”
Beside him, Chase restrained a smile as if he could read Alexa’s mind. Cam didn’t have a clue.
Slightly annoyed Chase knew something he didn’t and irritated she was delaying him with talk about the sad state of construction when he needed to examine Keith and return quickly, he restrained an impulse to snap at her.
“What do you need?”
“Your credit card.”
“You don’t have one?” he couldn’t resist asking, knowing full well how wealthy Alexa was.
“It’s your house.”
Cam opened his wallet and tossed it to her, anxious to be on his way. He’d avoided buying stuff. He hated making the decisions about the house when he was itching to open his medical practice. Besides, how much damage could one woman do with a credit card in just a few hours?
FOUR HOURS LATER, Alexa felt satisfied with the work she’d accomplished. Cameron’s house had a masculine architecture that simply needed a woman’s touch to make it home—that is, if the contractor ever finished the construction. Soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows invited the magnificent view inside.
Now all the house needed was drywall, flooring, interior carpentry, electrical hookups and plumbing. Then the real work of interior decorating could begin. Alexa couldn’t help imagining how she would emphasize the massive stone fireplace with a Moulie, the only living artist to hang in the Louvre. But art should have been the last thing on her mind.
Little Boys Blue Page 4
