"But, I—"
"Are you having a problem with my request?” he asked, his tone anything but questioning.
She had no desire to become a part of the main event, but Logan didn't sound as if he would consider a compromise. Selena sighed. “No, I'll help you. I know it will thrill Ellie."
He tugged her wrist, forcing her back into her seat, then stretched across her and shut the door, effectively putting them in darkness. “We didn't finish our discussion about my father. Why would he send me to invite you out of town?"
The glow from the streetlight above them gave the car's interior an intimacy Selena found hard to resist. A sublime warmth from his hand ignited a rush of heat in her belly, in her breasts, lower.
"You know him better than I do. I'm certain he can explain what he believes, explicitly.” Slowly, she unwrapped his fingers from her wrist. She had to get out of there. “Ask him about his meeting with me Friday night, Logan,” she said, opening the door again. This time he allowed it, and Selena slid away from him; away from where she wanted to be, was meant to be, and into the cool breeze of the night.
She closed the door and leaned her arm on the open window, not wanting to miss hearing his reply. Though she couldn't see his eyes, she could sense them boring into her. “I'll do that,” he said. “Then, we'll talk again. Good night, Selena."
He couldn't have heard her response because his car's engine sparked to life, it backed up, and its tires squealed, spinning against the blacktop.
"I love you, Logan,” she said into the night breeze, watching him leave, wishing she were with him.
* * * *
"Hello, Mom,” Logan said into the pay phone. He had guided the car around the corner from the clinic before patience left him and he parked to make the call. “Is Dad around?"
"He's not here, Patrick,” her quiet, perfectly modulated voice replied. “He won't be back from Sacramento until late Sunday. You sound upset. Is it anything I can help you with?"
He watched a rusty, back-firing pickup pass him. “No,” Logan said impatiently. Had she ever noticed the tone of his voice before? He couldn't remember. “Just tell him I want to talk to him the minute he's back."
There was a long pause. “I'll tell him."
Logan dropped the phone back on its base. He wanted to drive to Selena's house. He wanted to yank her against him, run his hands over her silky skin, see her sienna eyes glow with desire for him.
When he slid back into the car, he slammed his fist against the steering wheel in frustration. First he needed to confront his father. After he'd come to the office with his warning to stay away from her, his father must have talked to Selena. Since he was a master of manipulation, he may have threatened her. Logan would listen to all his father's excuses, then make certain he left her alone. Discovering what Selena planned, or was not planning, was his problem not his family's.
Logan started the car and drove down the street toward home. His father's contempt for Selena wasn't new; it had kindled sixteen years ago—excepting then, Logan had listened. He shoved a hand roughly through his hair. He'd always listened. Then he had discovered Harvard wasn't for him—his father's way of doctoring wasn't for him—the woman his parents approved of, and he married, wasn't for him.
"That girl is from the poorest, most illiterate family in this town, son,” his father had said. “You have Harvard to look forward to. You can't get involved with someone who can never become acceptable to your friends or family. It wouldn't be fair to her, or you."
At the time, his father didn't know Logan had selected Selena to help him get what pleased his father most—a place in Harvard society. He didn't realize Logan never intended to get ‘involved’ with her.
Then, Logan had held her in his arms, made love to her, discarded her because he didn't have the stamina at eighteen to take on a wife—and been damned with the memories ever since.
Logan flipped the steering wheel, guiding the car up his well-lit driveway and slowing as Tanya came bounding from the house to meet him.
Maybe letting Selena do the exploiting now would be just deserts.
Maybe. If he married her, there were always ways to keep her from ever attaining family assets, and what was his own was his to do with as he pleased.
Logan couldn't say he didn't love it when Selena Flynn took the initiative. Oh, God, what her sweet, exquisite hands and mouth and body could do to him.
He was halfway to the house when he remembered Gregg. A relationship with Selena wasn't going to be especially easy, because going as far as marriage wouldn't just be a gamble for him and Selena.
Logan slipped the key in the door.
He wasn't father material.
After removing the key, Logan shoved the door open, letting Tanya enter before him, and switched on the light. Hell. He might as well admit it wasn't simply his lack of parental ability daunting him, provoking him. It went deeper. It was more tormenting.
He wasn't the boy's father.
It seemed he was back to square one.
* * * *
By noon Sunday the area around the bazaar booths hummed with people shopping and excitedly awaiting the drawing for the beautiful Chevy . After returning from church, Selena stood and watched the men finish assembling the portable stage where the drawing would take place. A country band would use it during and after the barbecue for entertainment and dancing.
Logan was nowhere to be seen, and the drawing was to start in fifteen minutes. She turned and strolled over to a rectangle formed by the large barbecue pits Logan had donated for the day. Logan also donated the enormous hunks of beef three of his ranch hands shoved around the grills.
"If the smell of your cooking reaches them, Smitty, we could attract people from as far away as San Diego,” she said to the burly, bearded man hefting a heavy pot.
He laughed as he placed one of several massive pots of chili on an iron grid. “Ms. Ellie said we should do you proud, Mrs. Flynn. ‘Course, the boss picked the best cooks on the ranch."
"Don't let him fool you,” Logan's deep voice said near her right shoulder. “He may be superior at shoeing horses, and repairing ranch gear, but I'm the best cook on the ranch."
Smitty held up both hands. “It wouldn't be prudent,” he said, mimicking the Vice President's voice, “to argue with a prominent doctor. Especially since he pays me nicely to be prudent."
Logan drew his Stetson hat down on his forehead. “I'm glad to hear you know which side of the fence your steer's standin’ on, Smitty."
Smitty stepped back, placing his hand over his heart. “The food, Sir, is ready when you are."
Ellie was waving at Selena from the stage. Selena waved back; letting her know they were coming. “If you're ready, Logan, it's time for your speech and to give the Camaro away."
"I'm ready. Let's get it done.” His arm came around her shoulders, and for a moment Selena resisted her urge to move closer, then she took advantage of the opportunity to touch him, draping her arm around his waist as they detoured around a maze of people to the stage.
"These people are having a great time, Selena. I've had several patients suggest we do this again."
Selena nodded. “It would be nice to have more than a two-day notice.” She stopped him at the steps to the stage. “These people care about you and the clinic, Logan. They care about their community, otherwise, Ellie wouldn't get to hand you a check for a hundred and ten thousand dollars."
A frown twitched his dark eyebrows together as his arm left her shoulders, and his fingers brushed her cheek. “It just took a great organizer to pull things together. Thank you."
His tone was accusing, grumpy, and the subject annoyed her. “Communication is what brought things together.” Her anger building, Selena gestured at Ellie who was waiting for them on the stage. “If you want to thank a great organizer, then you'd better get up there and thank Ellie.” She took a steadying breath. “Please don't forget, Lois Price and Keller Motors made it all possible."
&
nbsp; Ellie's voice came over the loud speaker, and Selena turned and rushed away from him before he could object. He and Ellie would have to handle the thanking and drawing without her. Right now, what she needed was a place to cool off. He'd acted as if her helping to raise funds for the clinic was some sort of crime. It didn't matter; she had worked for the clinic's benefit, not his.
Selena hurried across the parking lot to her office. She entered just as Logan's low tones vibrated over the loud speakers, and he thanked everyone for the check Ellie presented to the Valencia Cove clinic.
She intended to remain out of sight, but curiosity tugged at her, and Selena glanced out the window of the office door just as Gregg and his friend Sonny Keller vaulted up the stage steps. She cracked the door open and listened to Logan speak over the loud speaker.
"Since the proceeds from Friday's football game were donated to the clinic, we've asked two of the players to draw the winning tickets.” Logan stationed the boys beside the massive barrel containing the ticket stubs. “Sonny, give that thing a crank,” he ordered amiably. “Then Gregg, here, can reach in for the third prize winner."
While Sonny cranked the barrel into a frenzied spin, Logan pointed to a 21” screened TV set placed on a red carpet near the center of the stage. “If this thing ever stops spinning, we'll find out who will own this beauty."
When it finally stopped, Gregg lifted a small hatch in the barrel and reached in. He handed the ticket stub to Logan, and Selena hoped no one else noticed the glint in Gregg's eyes. She stepped outside the office. Maybe if he could see her, he wouldn't do anything embarrassing.
Logan's smile was slow, enticing. “Seems as though Miss Piggly has won herself a mega screen TV."
The audience laughed. “Let's see her,” someone yelled.
"Yeah, Doc. We don't get celebrities around here very often."
"Oops,” Gregg said, handing Logan another ticket. “I gave you the wrong stub. That's my date for tonight."
As the crowd roared their delight in Logan's bewildered expression, Selena breathed a sigh of relief. Gregg's antics seemed good-natured. Nevertheless, she'd watch the rest of the proceedings just in case he switched to his protective mode.
The Retirement Fellowship of Valencia Cove won the TV for their community club, the second prize, a vacation for two to Las Vegas for a week, went to a newlywed couple, and Selena could feel tense excitement fill the parking lot as Gregg jabbed his arm into the barrel for the final winner.
"And the winner of this magnificent Bel Air is Dennis Cody,” Logan said loudly. His steel-gray eyes searched the crowd, while shrill whistling, cheering and clapping broke loose as if someone had thrown a switch.
Selena recognized the name immediately. Dennis was the Cove's most decorated World War Two Vet. The crowd cleared an aisle as Dennis's wheelchair rolled diligently forward to the stage and his newly acquired car.
Lois, sitting with her husband and father near the rear of the stage, rose from her chair and whispered something to Logan. Logan looked at Dennis. “Well, Dennis, you'll be happy to know Keller Motors plans to outfit this car with whatever equipment you need to drive it."
Three men lifted Dennis and his chair to the stage, and Logan placed the microphone in Dennis's left hand. He didn't have a right one, nor did he have a right leg. He'd lost them saving the lives of his platoon. “Thanks, Lois,” he said gleefully. “How about taking a ride with me when it's all done?"
Lois laughed then she kissed him on the cheek. “I can hardly wait. Do you think Annie will mind my being the first to ride with you?"
The noise of laughter drowned out Dennis's answer about his wife Annie. But it didn't overpower Ellie's shout that if folks didn't head for the barbecue, the food would be ruined. The mass movement toward the delicious aromas coming from the open grills was like a wave in the ocean.
Selena spotted her mother and wandered with her to the food line. “I wondered where you were off to,” Selena said. “But I knew you'd show up when the steaks were ready."
Della chuckled. “I took some clients to see Logan's property. I may have an offer for him in a day or two. They might have made one this afternoon, but I told them I had an appointment with a side of beef."
"How come you didn't bring them with you?"
Della shook her head as she picked up two plates full of steaming food and handed one to Selena. “They are all-business cash buyers, Selena. I have a feeling they are not inclined to socialize with the town's inhabitants—at least not at this point."
Low sweet sounds from a guitar, drums, and a base fiddle, melded with a welcome breeze, and Selena glanced over her shoulder to the stage. Logan was no longer there. Neither was Gregg. Selena just hoped they hadn't disappeared to the same place.
Although she'd tried to avoid it, Gregg had seen the tears in her eyes when she'd gotten home Friday night. She told him she'd had a run in with Doctor Brian. However, Gregg felt inclined to blame her depressed reaction on Logan, demanding to know what he'd done to her. He seemed to accept her half-told explanations about her meeting with Logan; yet, he'd still seemed defensive.
* * * *
The boy leaned against Logan's car with his fingers jammed in his jeans’ pockets. He wasn't smiling as his gaze met Logan's. “You look like you might have a problem,” Logan said as he approached.
"I'm not sure yet,” Gregg challenged. “You'll have to tell me if I do."
"Excuse me?” Logan leaned against the car beside Gregg, crossed his arms over his chest, and surveyed the people juggling plates of barbecued beef, chili, and salad. “I'm a little dense, Mr. Flynn. I guess you'll have to give me a hint as to what you're talking about."
Gregg's hands came out of his pockets, and he crossed his arms as Logan had. “You saw my mom Friday."
Logan replied, carefully, “We talked for a while at the clinic."
"Is that all you did, Doctor Logan? Just talk?"
Logan didn't flinch an eyelash. “What's this leading to, Gregg?"
"When Mom came in Friday, she had tears in her eyes.” He half turned to face Logan. “Oh, she said she had a run in with Doctor Brian. But I can't imagine that making Mom cry.” He pushed away from the car, standing up straight. “I've seen my mom cry twice. She doesn't get bugged easily."
Logan inspected Gregg, studying his angry eyes and his grimly held mouth. He had to hand it to the kid; standing up to an adult wasn't easy. “You could imagine, though, that I have the ability to make her cry?"
One side of Gregg's mouth lifted in a testy smile. “Do you?"
With greed motivating Selena, Logan didn't think so. He had to agree with Gregg. He didn't believe his father could shake Selena's self-confidence much either; however, he meant to find out. “I think your mother is a big girl who can take care of herself."
Gregg shifted, leaning on one hip, hooking the thumb of his right hand in his pocket. “One thing about my mom and me, we're a family. We take care of each other."
The kid hit a sore spot. Logan felt tired; he'd had enough. He straightened, too, meeting Gregg's steady gaze, which looked much like Selena's. Unwelcome jealousy stabbed at him. “Then I suggest you go take care of her."
"I think,” Selena interrupted, appearing out of nowhere and stopping to stand between them, “that whatever you two are discussing will have to wait for a later time.” She gestured in the direction of her office. “I'm sorry to bother you, Gregg, but your grandmother needs your help. She's waiting for you in the office."
Gregg dropped his hands to his side. “Mom."
She spoke softly, undemanding. “Now, please, Gregg."
He scanned Logan, unblinkingly, courage in his features. “Doctor Logan."
"It has been a pleasure,” Logan lied. “We'll talk again.” It was inevitable.
"Yes,” Gregg said over his shoulder as he ambled away. “We'll talk again."
Selena was standing close enough Logan could smell the light scent of violets coming from her hair. “What does he kno
w about us, Selena?” Her sienna eyes scrutinized him, unwaveringly.
She hesitated, wondering where this was leading. “He understands I'm attracted to you. He knows we dated in high school.” She stepped closer so as not to be heard by the people passing near them. “What were you arguing about?"
"I wouldn't say we were arguing. He seemed concerned that I have the power to hurt you.” Logan took her shoulders between his hands. “Do I, Selena? Do I wield that much power?” He hadn't meant to touch her. It always caused him trouble when he touched her. Now, all he wanted was to be alone with her, feel her sweet body under him, her hands, stoking him, inflaming him.
She didn't pull away, instead, she rested her palms against his chest, balancing herself. His eyes seemed to mirror the desire she was feeling. “If I told you the truth, you wouldn't believe me anyway,” she explained softly.
"Try me,” he said, pulling her closer.
Her arms stiffened. Explaining her feelings would take hours and lots of privacy. “No. Not here, not now."
"I'm going out to the property, Selena. I'll be there several hours. Come out there."
She regarded the crowd; wishing she weren't so staunch about finishing things she started. “I have commitments here."
"When it's over, come to the ranch."
He released her shoulders, and she backed away. “I won't make any promises."
Logan nodded. He wanted her. She knew it. He dug his keys from his pocket and moved to open his car door. “I guess I'll see you when I see you.” He started the car. Selena didn't say anything, but was certain that her eyes were giving him the promises her lips were refusing to utter.
* * * *
It was six forty-five and the sun sat low in the western sky when Selena pulled onto the drive leading to the ranch once owned by Logan's grandparents. Her mind told her she was a total fool for exposing herself to the same misery she'd barely survived sixteen years before. And, in the same place.
Her heart wasn't listening.
She parked her Mercedes beside Logan's truck and slid out of the car. It had been August then, too, the first time he'd brought her here and told her how much he loved this piece of land. Her eyes traced the thick limbs on the sprawling buckeye tree where they'd parked the first time he'd made love to her. The last time, they'd made love inside the old house—then he'd announced he wouldn't be seeing her anymore.
Secrets and Lies Page 11
