Wyatt

by Fisher-Davis, Susan

  Olivia knew Becca was getting angry but no words would come out to explain. When her cell phone rang, Becca picked it up, looked at the name on the screen, and answered it.

  “Wyatt Stone, what did you do to Olivia?” Becca yelled into the phone. Olivia shook her head again as she listened to Becca’s end of the conversation. “She’s very upset about something. I assume you two had a fight or something. I can’t get anything out of her.”

  Olivia reached for a tissue and blew her nose. When she reached for the phone, Becca held it away from her.

  “Okay. See you in a few minutes.” Becca hung up and looked at her. “Wyatt’s on his way.”

  Olivia sighed and shook her head again, swallowed and cleared her throat. “It’s not Wyatt. I’ll tell you both once he gets here. You’re not going to believe it.”

  When Wyatt came through the door, Olivia stood and wanted to throw herself into his arms so when he didn’t stop until he was in front of her, she threw her arms around him. He took a seat on the sofa with her on his lap hugging her to him.

  “What’s going on, darlin’?” he asked her, caressing her hair with his large hand.

  “My mother…no, that’s not right. The woman who gave birth to me is here.”

  Becca leaped up. “Here? In Clifton?”

  Olivia snorted. “Here…at the B and B.”

  “What?” Becca yelled.

  “Why?” Wyatt asked.

  “I have no idea. She said she was here to see her daughter which is a crock since she hasn’t wanted to see me in twenty-eight years.”

  “How did she know where to find you?” Becca asked.

  “I have no clue but she showed up last night. She had a reservation. Sharon Winters is what she’s going by now. I remember being told her name was Charlotte, but certainly not Winters.” She began to giggle for no reason and couldn’t seem to stop. She knew she was getting hysterical.

  “Liv, sweetie. Calm down.” Becca squatted down in front of her. Olivia stared at her through more tears. “I want to talk to her.” She stood and started out the door of the apartment.

  Olivia jumped off Wyatt’s lap. “No, Becs.”

  But she was talking to air, Becca was already gone heading to the front desk. She ran after her and heard Becca talking to someone as she came around the corner. Surely, it wouldn’t be that easy for Becca. Olivia came to a stop when she saw Sharon standing at the desk with Becca on the other side glaring at her.

  “Can I help you? I’m Becca Stone. I own this bed and breakfast.”

  Olivia stepped up beside her and glared at Sharon.

  “I was on my way out when you stopped me, Mrs. Stone. I don’t need…” Her words faded off when her eyes shifted to the doorway behind Becca and Olivia. A grin suddenly lit her face. “Well, hello gorgeous. Who are you?”

  Both Olivia and Becca turned to see Wyatt leaning in the doorway staring at Sharon with a not so friendly scowl on his handsome face.

  Olivia slapped her hand on the desk. “Do you want something?” She watched as Sharon ran her eyes over Wyatt and it pissed her off.

  “You could certainly say that, Olivia.” Sharon’s eyes didn’t leave Wyatt.

  He stepped up alongside Olivia and wrapped his arm around her. Sharon grinned.

  “Well, well. It seems you’ve done pretty well for yourself, Olivia.”

  Olivia strode around the desk. “I’d like to know why you’re here. For once in your life, tell the truth.”

  “I told you. I came to see you—my daughter.”

  “You don’t have a daughter,” Olivia screamed at her.

  Sharon stepped back but straightened her shoulders. “Whether you like it or not, I’m your mother. My name’s on your birth certificate.”

  Olivia gritted her teeth. “Oh yeah? Who’s my father then, or did you forget which one it was?” She wasn’t ready for the slap but once she recovered, she raised her hand to hit her back only Wyatt stopped her. Olivia glared up at him but then the air went out of her. He was right. Hitting Sharon wasn’t worth it.

  “Well. I’ll be here for two weeks. So there’s plenty of time for us to get to know each other again.”

  “Again? We never knew each other before and I have nothing to say to you now or ever.” Olivia spun around and left the foyer with Becca following right behind her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Wyatt stared at Sharon Winters. She was an attractive woman and he could see where Olivia got her looks, but this woman was up to something, and he planned to find out what it was.

  “Why are you here?” he asked her.

  Sharon smiled. “She must get her good taste in men from me. If I were ten years younger, I’d give her a run for her money over you.”

  He smirked. “You’d never get the chance.”

  “Never say never, gorgeous. I usually get what I want.”

  Wyatt never moved. He stood with his arms crossed and didn’t take his eyes off her. Then he jerked his head toward the door, telling her to go. After a slight hesitation, she turned and left through the front door. He returned to Olivia’s apartment where he found her on the couch with Becca beside her.

  “You can go home, Becca. I’ll stay with her. You and Jake have to leave early tomorrow morning.”

  Becca stood. “But so do you. You’re going to the sale, aren’t you?”

  “I can leave from here. I’ll have Lucky pick me up.”

  Becca hugged him. “You’re a wonderful brother-in-law.”

  He chuckled and sat down beside Olivia.

  “Call me if you need anything, Liv. I mean anything. Perhaps even a shotgun?” Becca grinned and after kissing Olivia’s cheek, left.

  “Are you really staying here?” Olivia asked him.

  “I am.” He kissed her forehead.

  “I only have a queen size bed. It’s not like your big king,” Olivia teased.

  He made a face. “I guess that means I have to sleep right next to you.”

  Olivia threw her arms around him. “If you have to, you have to.”

  A few hours later, Wyatt heard something in the main kitchen. Olivia was asleep beside him. He eased out from the bed and pulled his jeans on. He zipped up but didn’t snap them. He crept through the apartment, opened the door quietly, and stepped into the B and B’s kitchen. He flipped on the light and saw Sharon Winters standing there in her robe. She started, but then grinned when she saw him.

  “You’re not allowed in the kitchen. None of the guests are,” Wyatt told her.

  Sharon smiled at him and slowly walked toward him. “You really are something—tall, dark, and gorgeous. Those eyes are amazing.”

  Wyatt leaned back against the fridge and folded his arms across his bare chest. “You need to go back to your room.”

  “How about you? Would you like to go back to my room?”

  His mouth twitched in distaste. “Not likely.”

  Sharon moved closer to him. “I’m really not that much older than you. I’m only forty-six—a cougar.” She laughed.

  “I’m not into…cougars. But I will tell you this…if you hurt her, you’ll deal with me.”

  Sharon ran her fingernails down his chest and smiled when he stiffened. “I’d love to deal with you, gorgeous.” Her fingertip trailed through the hair surrounding his belly button which arrowed down to disappear inside his jeans. “I’d love to follow this happy trail,” she whispered.

  Wyatt sneered and pushed her hand away.

  “Not a chance.” He straightened up and glared down at her. “Now, get out of the kitchen and don’t ever come back in here again or you’ll be asked to leave the B and B.”

  She stared up at him, and then licked her lips. Wyatt clenched his jaw and gave her a terse nod. She fled from the kitchen. He blew out a breath, turned to go back into the apartment, and almost ran over Olivia.

  “How long have you been there?” he asked, hating the thought of what she’d seen.

  “I came out right when she said she’d love to
follow your happy trail. I wanted to filet her.”

  “Shit. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault that you’re tall, dark, and gorgeous,” Olivia snickered.

  Wyatt growled, picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder, and returned them to her bed.

  * * * *

  The next morning, Olivia stepped into the kitchen and smiled at Evelyn. She poured herself a cup of coffee and turned to go back into her apartment when out of the corner of her eye, she saw Stan outside talking with a man who had his back to her. Frowning, she walked to the door and looked out. She knew that back all too well.

  She opened the back door. Wyatt turned toward the door. He smiled when he saw her. She narrowed her eyes at him with suspicion.

  “What are you doing here? I thought you were going to the sale?”

  Wyatt strolled over to her. “I decided not to.”

  “I don’t need a babysitter, cowboy,” Olivia snapped, knowing he’d stayed behind because of what had happened the night before.

  Wyatt halted and raised an eyebrow at her. “I didn’t say you did.”

  She glared at him before stepping back inside and slamming the door. She grumbled as she sat down at the table and scooped up some of the scrambled eggs Evelyn had made for breakfast. She was shoveling a forkful into her mouth when the back door swung open. Wyatt pulled out a chair, turned it around, and straddled it.

  “Get up on the wrong side of the bed, sweetheart?” he remarked with a sneer.

  “No. I got up just fine. The bed was empty and I thought you’d gone to the sale.”

  Wyatt reared back. “I stayed because I didn’t like leaving you alone with that she-devil who calls herself your mother,” he said. His voice became a growl when he said the word mother.

  Olivia pushed her chair back, stood, and glared at him. “As I already said, I do not need a babysitter.”

  Wyatt stood. “It seemed like you needed one last night.”

  “That was low, cowboy. I was in shock last night. She is not going to run me out of here.”

  “Fine. I’m out of here,” he said through gritted teeth.

  “Good! Go catch up with your brothers at the sale.” She clenched her jaw so hard it ached.

  They stood glaring at each other until Evelyn cleared her throat. Olivia had forgotten about her being there and cringed at her witnessing the spat. Wyatt narrowed his eyes at her, spun on his heel, and went out the door, slamming it behind him.

  Olivia blew out a breath, and then sat back down. “Damn him. He makes me so angry. Why would I need him to stay here with me?”

  “If I was your age and had a man who looked like that wanting to babysit me, I would definitely let him,” Evelyn said.

  Olivia didn’t say anything but simply shook her head and returned to her apartment. She had work to do and she didn’t want to think about Wyatt. She was sure that once he calmed down, he’d see her side and know he was wrong. She smiled thinking about how they’d make up. She hoped anyway.

  * * * *

  A few days went by but there was no word from Wyatt. Olivia didn’t have the time to go see him. The B and B closed in a week, and they seemed busier than usual. She was in the kitchen helping Evelyn when Stacy came in.

  “There’s a woman at the front desk asking for you, Olivia,” she announced. “She says she’s your mother.”

  Olivia rolled her eyes and walked out front to the foyer. Sharon stood at the counter. A smile came across her lips when she saw Olivia.

  “Were you busy?” she asked.

  Olivia shrugged with annoyance. “I do have a job to do here. You know what a job is, don’t you, Sharon?”

  Sharon burst out laughing. “Sharon? You’re calling me by my name now?”

  Olivia leaned over the counter. “Well, I’m sure as hell not going to call you mother,” she said in a fierce whisper.

  Sharon shrugged. “Could we talk? Somewhere private?”

  Was it possible she was finally going to tell Olivia what she was really doing there? Olivia motioned for her to follow her and led her through the kitchen to her apartment. She waved a hand toward the couch, while she took a seat in the chair.

  “Where’s that gorgeous man of yours?” Sharon smiled, slyly glancing around.

  Olivia leaned forward gripping the arms of the chair. “Is that what you want to talk about? Wyatt?”

  “Wyatt.” Sharon seemed to purr his name. “Sexy name for a sexy man.”

  “Get out,” Olivia told her coming to her feet and pointing toward the door.

  “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” Sharon laughed. “Oh, Olivia, you’re such a fool. Don’t you know men only want one thing? Of course, if that man wanted it from me, I’d be more than happy to give it to him.”

  “I will not discuss Wyatt with you,” Olivia shouted. She didn’t care if every person in the B and B heard her.

  Sharon waved her hand. “Fine then…I want money.”

  Olivia’s mouth dropped open. “What makes you think I have any?”

  The woman snorted. “I know the Daniels’ left you money. I know your little coffee shop sold and you have a job here. You have money, Olivia, and I want some of it.”

  Olivia marched over to the door and opened it. “Get out. Now!”

  Sharon stood and moved toward the door, stopping in front of Olivia. “You will give me what I want. Trust me, because I can make sure you never see Wyatt again.” She leaned close to Olivia. “Don’t underestimate me and don’t go to the police. I know all the wrong kinds of people. People who will have no problem making things happen. Do we understand each other?”

  Olivia nodded, and then slammed the door behind Sharon as soon as she was in the hallway. She walked to the couch, collapsed on it, and started shaking as Sharon’s words sunk in. Would she really do something to hurt Wyatt? She really didn’t know anything about the woman who had given birth to her. That was, nothing other than she’d gotten herself pregnant at sixteen and two years later decided she didn’t want the child around anymore.

  She wrapped her arms around herself and rocked, suddenly frightened by this stranger. She didn’t know how much money Sharon wanted but she was sure it was way more than what she had. Despite what Sharon thought, the coffee shop hadn’t been a big payoff. After she paid off the mortgage, there hadn’t been much left. The Daniels’ had left her money, but she didn’t even know how much. She hadn’t wanted to know. All she knew was she felt she hadn’t deserved it. Sure, she had loved them and they had loved her but she wasn’t their blood, and she’d been terrible to them for a while.

  Sitting up, she came to a decision. No. She might not deserve the money she had inherited but she wouldn’t touch it, especially to satisfy this bitch. She wasn’t going to let Sharon run all over her. She was going to tell the bitch she wouldn’t get money from her and she wouldn’t hurt Wyatt or anyone else Olivia loved. With that in mind, she pulled herself up from the couch, squared her shoulders, and went to her little kitchen to get something to eat. Sharon Winters was not going to ruin anything for her.

  * * * *

  Wyatt stopped along the edge of the corral when he heard a truck coming up the drive. When he realized it was Jake’s, he knew this couldn’t be good. Jake rarely came over without calling first. He figured it had something to do with Olivia. He watched as the truck came to a stop but was surprised when Becca hopped out. Shit!

  He watched as she marched up to him, stopped, and then stood with her hands on her hips and glared at him. He sighed.

  “Why haven’t you gone back to see her?”

  “She’s the one who said she didn’t need me. I left. What was I supposed to do, Becca?”

  “You know how she is. She blows up, and then it’s over. I want to tell you about her life,” Becca said.

  “I know all about it. She told me. It doesn’t excuse the fact she threw my help back in my face.” Wyatt shook his head. “I’m done, Becca. I’ve had enough.”

  �
�You’re going to let your relationship fall apart because of her temper? Her mother has her so confused right now. She sure as hell doesn’t need you leaving her,” Becca said with anger.

  He put his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes. “First off, there is no relationship to let fall apart. It was only sex between us. Second, I’m not leaving her. She told me she didn’t need me.”

  “Sex? You think it was just sex?” Becca grabbed his arm when he started to move away.

  “Yes, damn it. It’s what we agreed it would be. Otherwise, it never would have happened. I’ve told everyone over and over again that I’m not looking for any kind of relationship other than sex, but none of you can get it through your heads. I had a relationship and look how that turned out.” He spun on his heel and stalked away from her.

  “You’re an idiot,” Becca yelled. He turned to look at her. “Yes, you are, Wyatt Stone.” She ran toward him and halted in front of him. “You want to live alone the rest of your life and let a woman like Olivia go, then you’re an idiot. She’s crazy about you. She has been since she first saw you and now you want to end it. Fine. Do that, but let me tell you something, you are going to break her heart. You think just sex would do that?” She whirled away from him, climbed into her truck, and drove away, leaving him standing there.

  * * * *

  Olivia was covering the counter when Sharon walked up to it. Olivia swore under her breath.

  “I’d like to take a drive. Where should I go?” the woman asked.

  Olivia burst out laughing. “You don’t need me to tell you where to go.”

  “I could always go find that man of yours and take his mind off you. I know I could get him, Olivia.”

  Olivia shrugged. “You’ll be happy to know we aren’t seeing each other anymore.”

  “You aren’t a very good liar. You’re just saying that thinking I’ll leave him alone. If it really is over between you then I’d love to find him.” Sharon leaned across the counter. “I don’t care if you’re seeing him or not. If I want him, I’ll have him.” She laughed. “You get me the money I want and I’ll leave you both alone. Of course, that saddens me.”