The Heiress and the Cowboy Contractor

by Maggie Carpenter

  Sitting for a minute, thinking about what had happened with Gerald and the coincidence of Joseph Pantera’s arrival, he decided on an ounce of prevention, and picking up the phone he called Tyler.

  “What time is your shift over?” he asked when Tyler answered the call.

  “The usual time, four p.m. Why?”

  “I’m meetin’ Nickie’s father at the Hollister at four. I’m not happy about leavin’ her here by herself. Gina’s with her but-”

  “Say no more. George and I will come by when we log out. We’ll probably roll up about ten after.”

  “I’m leavin’ for the hotel 3:55 p.m. so she’ll have a fifteen minute window. I’ll make sure she and Gina have your number just in case, but as long as I know you’ll be there shortly after I leave that’s great.”

  “If I can get us there earlier I will,” Tyler promised.

  “Thanks, Tyler. I’ve gotta get the shutters up. I’ll let them know you’ll be here.”

  A howl of a wind caught his attention as he hung up, and hurrying from his office he returned to the kitchen.

  “It was no big deal, Nickie. Your dad was extremely cordial and I’m meetin’ up with him in an hour.”

  “You are? Why? Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “It’s fine, I’m a big boy,” he replied grabbing a jacket from the coat rack. “Tyler and George will be comin’ over after their shift, so you’ll only be by yourselves for a short time, and right now I have to get the shutters closed up. I’ll be right back.”

  “You know,” Gina said kindly, seeing the worry on Nickie’s face, “your dad is doing what all dads do.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Rich or poor, all dads want to keep their little girl close to home. This Gerald guy sounds like a total jerk, and your father probably doesn’t want to see you jump from the fire into the frying pan.”

  “I think dad likes Gerald,” Nickie retorted, “besides, he has no idea I’m seeing Beau. As far as he knows, and Gerald too for that matter, Beau’s just my new contractor.”

  “That may be true of your father, but not Gerald, not after what you just told me. Anyone seeing the two of you together…well…it’s obvious you’re crazy about each other.”

  “Do you think he told my dad?”

  “I don’t know, maybe your father wants to meet Beau just to talk to him about the house. You’ll find out soon enough, and why do you think he likes Gerald?”

  “He pushed me into marrying him,” Nickie frowned, “and then he tried to talk me into staying with him. I think that’s proof enough.”

  “Your father probably supported the marriage because he’s old-fashioned. He didn’t know how it happened, right?”

  “Of course not, I wasn’t going to tell him it was a one-night stand.”

  “Exactly, so he gave you his blessing because Gerald is from a family he knows, and he thought you two could make a go of it. He’s probably mystified that you want a divorce so quickly, and thinks you’re being hasty and over-reacting. I have a feeling you do that, right? Shoot first?”

  “Well, yeah, kind of.”

  “My advice, trust Beau, and give your father the benefit of the doubt. He might surprise you.”

  “Huh, maybe, I’m not completely sold, but maybe.”

  “One step at a time,” Gina said warmly.

  “Maybe you’re right. I can see why Beau likes you so much.”

  “Well, thanks, Nickie, I appreciate that. You want some more coffee?”

  “I want that lasagne, I wish he’d hurry up, but sure, I’ll take some more coffee while we wait.”

  As Gina rose from the table to fetch the coffee pot, Nickie stared out the window just as Beau was closing the shutters. Catching her eyes, he paused to wave at her.

  My dad will like you, how could he not? Maybe this is going to work out after all.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Beau wanted to devour the delicious lasagne sitting in front of him, but allowed himself only a small serving.

  “This is my appetizer,” he announced. “Your father invited me to eat with him and it would be rude to arrive and order coffee.”

  “Gina, it’s fabulous,” Nickie sighed. “I wish I could cook.”

  “If you’re around a while I could teach you a thing or two,” she offered, “but it’s like anything, to be good at something you have to enjoy it.”

  “I’d like to try,” she said. “I’ve never done anything except make toast. Wow, that wind, I wish I could see out the windows.”

  “This is nothing. Give it a couple of hours,” Gina remarked.

  “I think you should stay over,” Beau suggested. “I’m not happy about you being at your house by yourself tonight.”

  “Yes, stay,” Nickie agreed.

  “You don’t have to twist my arm,” Gina smiled, “thanks.”

  “Damn, look at the time. I’ve gotta shower and change,” Beau said staring at his watch and rising quickly from the table.

  Saying nothing, Nickie watched head to the stairs, then leaned back in her chair and let out a groan.

  “I’m not happy about this. I wish I knew why dad came all the way here and didn’t call me first. Maybe I should go, or maybe I should call my dad before Beau leaves.”

  “Nickie, take another deep breath, just let this fall into place.”

  “It’s not easy,” she quipped.

  “Have some more lasagne and wine, it’ll calm your nerves.”

  “Thanks, I need to do something. I’m a nervous wreck.”

  As Gina dug the large serving spoon into the rich Italian dish, Nickie stared at her quizzically.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure,” Gina replied ladling the second helping on to Nickie’s plate.

  “I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but you and Beau, you’re so close, but you’re his maid. I don’t understand.”

  “Maid!” Gina exclaimed, then to Nickie’s relief she began to laugh.

  “What did I say?” Nickie asked breaking into her own smile.

  “I’ve never thought of myself as his maid, but I suppose I am,” she remarked still giggling. “I used to own this place. Beau bought it off me years ago.”

  “He did?”

  “He used to work here during the summer, he had a real gift. Ralph, my husband, would be having trouble with a difficult horse and Beau would walk up, take the lead rope from Ralph’s hand, real quiet like, no drama, and in a few minutes that horse would be like butter, all soft and sweet.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  “Nope, amazing talent. His dad was, still is, a big-time homebuilder in Dallas, and he really wanted Beau to join the company, but Beau’s heart was in horse training. His dad’s business, though, that’s how he learned about construction.”

  “How did he end up buying this ranch?”

  “Well,” Gina sighed staring at the table, “Ralph got real sick so Beau came down and worked for us full-time. Lived in the cabin with one other laborer, but he was really the trainer. Then Ralph’s illness took a bad turn and he never did come out of it. Beau stayed on, he was my rock, but I needed to sell up and Beau asked if he could buy it. It took some doing on his part, financially I mean, but it all worked out. I opened my bakery, it was something I’d always wanted to do, and that’s that.”

  “So, why do you do all his housework and stuff?” Nickie asked, still puzzled by their arrangement.

  “My business kept me busy, but I was lonely, and one morning I stopped in here to say hello, walked in the door, and Lordy, what a mess. I stuck around, did the laundry, the floors, and I found myself smiling again. I realized without a man in my life to take care of I felt lost. It was a win/win. I would gladly do this for nothing but he insists on paying me.”

  “Wow, that’s quite a story,” Nickie remarked. “No wonder you and Beau are so close.”

  “You talkin’ about me?” Beau asked as he wandered in.

  “My gosh, l
ook at you!” Nickie exclaimed, taking in the slacks, shirt and sports coat. “You could be on the cover of GQ!”

  “I thought I should make an effort,” he grinned. “I’m glad you approve.”

  “Approve, are you kidding? You have to take me out one night dressed like that,” she beamed.

  “You’ve got a deal,” he promised walking over and kissing her lightly. “I’ll call you when I’m leavin’, but I’m taking Betsy so it’ll be a quick call. Obviously she doesn’t have bluetooth.”

  “Why aren’t you taking the jeep?”

  “My truck is safer in this wind. She’s heavier for one thing, and the window glass is thicker and stronger.”

  “The wind is that bad?” she frowned.

  “Not yet, but it can get there. There’s a reason those shutters are up. Okay, I’m goin’. Tyler and George will be here shortly.”

  Rising from the table she gave him a hug and gazed up at him.

  “I still wish you weren’t going,” she said softly. “Dad is a very busy man. He must be really upset to send Gerald and then come down himself.”

  “It’s okay, you’ve gotta trust me,” he said firmly, then kissing her again he headed out the door into the garage.

  “I’m sure this is all going to be fine,” Gina said reassuringly.

  “I hope so,” Nickie replied. “This is weird…I mean the shutters being closed. I don’t like not being able to see outside.”

  “It won’t last long. These winds come at the beginning of summer and in the fall. They whistle through and then they’re done. Two-three days at the most.”

  “I’m concerned about Trixie and the other horses. There’s no-one in the barn watching over them.”

  “My goodness, you really are a worrier,” Gina smiled. “I’m sure they’re fine.”

  “Well, I’m not, and I can’t just sit around here while Beau is off with my dad. I have to do something. I’m going over there,” she declared, and jumping from the table she marched to the coat rack and grabbed one of Beau’s jackets. “When Tyler and George show up I’ll come back.”

  “Are you crazy? It’s blowing hard out there.”

  “I’ll only be walking across the yard,” Nickie argued already on her way to the front door.

  “I’m coming with you,” Gina said quickly.

  “Good, you can help me feed them all carrots,” Nickie smiled, but as she pushed the open door she was shocked by the intensity of the gale that met her. “Holy crap! I can’t believe this.”

  “I told you,” Gina said raising her voice to be heard above the din.

  Battling through the door and making sure it was locked before they left, they fought their way across the yard to the tack room. Lifting the bar from over the front of the door they stumbled inside, hurriedly closing it behind them.

  “It came up so fast,” Nickie said breathlessly. “I mean, an hour ago it was kind of, I don’t know, like a strong breeze.”

  “That’s how it happens,” Gina panted.

  “Wow, that was amazing, still, I’m glad we’re here. Where’s that carrot bucket?”

  They each picked up a handful and started down the aisle, greeted by a cacophony of happy nickering; they were about halfway done when Nickie heard an approaching car.

  “That’s probably Tyler,” she remarked, and moving to the back of a stall she peered through a crack in the wood. “What the…oh, no!”

  “What is it?” Gina asked hearing the fright in Nickie’s voice.

  “It’s Gerald,” Nickie gasped turning to face her, “with two other guys. This whole thing was a setup. My dad lured Beau away so I’d be here alone. I wonder what’s happening to Beau. Do you think something’s happening to Beau?”

  “Calm down, you don’t know any of that,” Gina said steadily, “besides, Tyler and George will be here soon,”

  “We don’t know that,” Nickie protested her voice rising. “What if Gerald’s managed to, I don’t know, stop them from getting here somehow? Even if they do arrive what’s going to happen?”

  “Nickie, you’re not making any sense. Just calm down. We’ll stay here in the barn, we’re safe here. Call Beau, call Tyler, they’ll come right over.”

  “Fuck! I don’t have my phone, it’s on the kitchen table.”

  “What? Oh, no. Mine is too.”

  “Shit, I’m really worried about Beau. It’s too weird that Gerald should show up right after he left. I’m not waiting here, no fucking way, and you shouldn’t either.”

  “Stop, Nickie, you’re overreacting. Beau’s in a restaurant at the hotel, I’m sure he’s fine, and as for these jokers, they don’t even know me, what are they going to do? In fact, I could-”

  “You didn’t see Gerald pick up a piece of lead pipe to bash Beau’s brains in,” Nickie interrupted her voice almost hysterical. “My car’s right behind the barn. You can stay if you want but I’m outta here.”

  Taking one last look through the crack she could see Gerald banging on the front door while his two cohorts were skirting the house. Her panic growing, she darted out of the stall and began to run down the barn aisle.

  “Nickie, wait, I’m not letting you go alone,” Gina called chasing after her, but as she passed the tack room she paused, and frantically looking around she saw what she wanted.

  Nickie was already at the walkthrough door next to the large sliding one that opened up the barn, and was about to pull back the bolt when Gina reached her.

  “Here, put this on,” she said handing Nickie a riding helmet.

  “That dorky thing? Why, we’ll be in the car.”

  “For one thing, it’ll keep your hair from blowing in your eyes when we step out of here, and for another, it could save your life if a flying tree limb whacks you in the head, or smashes through the windshield. Stop being so damn difficult and do it.”

  “Jeez, okay, take a chill pill. You’re starting to sound like my mother.”

  Holding her hair up with one hand, Nickie pulled the helmet on with the under, buckling it under her chin, then taking a deep breath she slid back the bolt. Pushing against the wind she slipped outside, then desperately held the door open for Gina to follow. The car was just a few feet away, and fighting their way forward they were able to get the doors open and climb inside.

  “Okay, so where do we go?” Gina asked catching her breath.

  “Obviously we can’t drive out on to the street, we’d pass them on the way…wait…I know exactly where to go!” Retrieving the key from under the seat she started the car and rolled it forward, turning away from the barn and following the dirt track that would take them up to Flat Top Point.

  “Nickie, you’re not going up to the flat pad on the top of the hill, are you? You can’t, we’ll get blown over.”

  “I’d rather be blown over than thrown in a car and taken away by that asshole,” she exclaimed, “besides, this is a big SUV, we’ll be fine.”

  “We won’t be fine, you don’t understand. This is madness!”

  Outside their cabin Ben and Jeb were fighting with a loose shutter; Jeb trying to hold it in place while Ben was hammering in a nail. Finally getting the job done they were making their way back inside when Jeb saw a flash of white. Shielding his eyes he looked across the fields that separated them from the dirt road, and saw the white Lexus climbing the gently sloped hill.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  While Nickie and Gina were panic-stricken in the barn, Beau was wandering through the upmarket restaurant at the Hollister Hotel. Spotting a slight, attractive, mature man seated alone in a booth, he approached and extended his hand.

  “Excuse me,” he began, “Joseph Pantera?”

  “Beau Chapman, I assume,” the man replied standing up and firmly shaking Beau’s hand.

  Beau was immediately reminded of pictures he’d seen of the famous dancer from the golden era of Hollywood, Fred Astaire.

  “Mr. Pantera, it’s very good to meet you, Sir.”

  “Please, call me Joe,”
he offered.

  “Thank you, Joe,” and you are nothing like I imagined. Nothing at all.

  “I appreciate you coming out on this dreadful day. Had I known how bad the winds were going to be I would have waited until tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow won’t be much better. It’s usually a two day event,” Beau remarked. “I’m used to it, and besides, I was curious.”

  “Obviously you know I’m Nicole Harris’s father,” Joe Pantera said.

  “Yes, I do know that,” Beau nodded.

  “Nicole mentioned her college friend, Helen Meyer, had found a local contractor for her, and Helen was kind enough to give me your contact information. I came down to see what was happening. I understand that you’ll be finishing the house. Is that right?”

  “You found me through Helen?”

  “That surprises you?”

  “I thought Gerald called you.”

  “Gerald? Nicole’s husband? No, no he didn’t call me. Do you know him? Is he here?”

  “I can’t really say I know him, and I think I just derailed this conversation. You’re sayin’ you wanted to have this meetin’ to discuss the house?”

  “Ah, yes, back to the point. Nicole has had some problems building this vacation home of hers. I confess I did promise her that I’d stay out of it, she was determined to do it all by herself, but things have not gone smoothly, and every time things don’t go smoothly it costs more. It’s her money but I don’t like to see it being wasted, so, as much as I want to respect her wishes I decided it was time I stepped in. She’ll be mad as heck when she finds out I’m here, and I’ll try not to interfere too much, but I need to see the site, take a look at the plans and get a feel for what’s going on. I’ll step out when I feel confident things are moving in the right direction, but I simply can’t let her flounder any longer.”

  Try as he might, Beau could barely conceal his shock.

  I can’t believe it. Why was she so freaked out? This man appears to be totally reasonable, and it’s obvious he cares about her. This is very bizarre.

  “You look perplexed, Beau.”

  “I, uh, I’m not sure what to say. There was nothin’ else you wanted to talk to me about?”