Winn had been hoping to speak with her for days. Though he told himself—again—that her personal life was none of his concern, once he got his coffee, he headed straight across the dining area to her table.
She looked up from her phone as he approached, her welcoming smile bringing an unexpected shot of light to his day.
“May I join you?” he asked politely.
She gestured to the empty chair. “Please do.”
“I didn’t expect to see you here this morning.”
“Ditto,” she said with an impish grin, relaxing against the back of her chair. “I haven’t seen you around lately. Were you out of town again?”
Winn took a sip of his coffee before answering, and was impressed by the rich, robust flavor. No wonder Hill of Beans was so successful.
“I was helping put up hay at my dad’s ranch.” Winn took another long drink and felt some of his tension ease.
“That’s hard work.” A doubtful look crossed Hailey’s pretty face. “You don’t seem like the physical-labor type to me.”
“I don’t know whether I should be insulted or flattered.” Winn chuckled. “The truth is, I enjoy getting hot and sweaty as much as the next guy.”
There’d been no intent to be suggestive, but for a second there was...something in the air. A spark, an awareness that he’d experienced before but had ignored. After all, Hailey was not only seven years younger than he, she was his neighbor. More important, he considered her a friend. One of the few he had in Jackson Hole.
That was why he had to be honest with her. Though he realized Hailey and Josh had only been dating steadily a couple of months, the guy was another Vanessa.
He’d tried to tell himself her jerk of a boyfriend was none of his business and to just let it go. Then he would think of Vanessa, a woman he’d dated for almost a year. A woman he thought he might love. A woman he trusted, who’d slept with another man when they were supposedly in a monogamous relationship.
Winn wished someone had told him the score. Hard as it would have been to hear, it would have saved him a lot of grief.
“I have something to tell you.”
“If you’re going to say you’re quitting the business world to be a rodeo clown, give me a sec to order a double shot of espresso,” she said with a teasing smile. “After the putting-up-hay revelation, I can’t take another shock. Not without a hefty dose of caffeine.”
Winn laughed and shook his head. From day one, Hailey had enchanted him. How could anyone not be charmed by this woman, with her winning smile and sunny personality? That was why he’d put off the task he now faced. The last thing he wanted was to bring her pain. “It’s not about me. It’s about Josh.”
The man’s name tasted foul on his tongue.
Her smile wavered, just a little. When she picked up her cup and took a sip, her hand trembled, as well. “What about him?”
“He’s not the man you think he is—”
“Oh, Winn.” Her laugh sounded brittle, like a fragile egg ready to shatter into a million pieces. “I think I know him pretty well by now.”
It only figured she wasn’t going to make this easy. He’d start with the basics and save the best—or rather the worst—for the finale.
“The man can’t be trusted, Hailey. He’s out for himself.”
To his surprise, Hailey looked slightly amused. “Is the pot calling the kettle black?”
Winn blinked. “What?”
“You and your father are masters at looking out for number one.” There wasn’t an ounce of censure in Hailey’s matter-of-fact tone. “It only figures you’d recognize those characteristics in Josh.”
What was he supposed to say to that? Did she even expect a response?
“You’re aware of Josh’s duplicity?” Winn spoke slowly, cautiously, feeling like a soldier making his way through a minefield.
“I am.” Though her tone gave nothing away, her eyes took on a sheen.
Winn’s gut clenched. Josh was a rotten little weasel for putting that look in her eyes. “How did you find out?”
Her strangled laugh told him she was close to letting those tears fall. “You mean, how did I finally wise up to the fact he was using me to get close to my brother?”
Now Winn was thoroughly confused. “I was talking about the woman he’s been dating in Idaho Falls.”
Hailey dropped her cup to the table with a clatter. But when she spoke, her voice was deadly calm. “What woman?”
“An attorney named Kelly. That’s all I know.” He paused as her earlier words sank in. “He was using you to get close to Tripp? Why?”
Before answering, she scrubbed her hands across her face. When she met his gaze, her eyes were dry.
“Apparently, Josh has political aspirations. Tripp is considering hiring a mayoral assistant.” She lifted the latte to her lips but only held it there. “What better way to get a leg up on the competition than to become personally acquainted with the man himself through his beloved little sister?”
Winn heard the pain beneath the sarcasm. Though he might admire Josh’s ability to think outside the box in pursuit of a goal, he decried his ethics. “How did you find out?”
“A friend of a friend.” Hailey raised one shoulder in a slight shrug. “He’d done some bragging. It got back to me.”
“He’s a fool.”
“I was the fool.” Hailey’s chuckle held no humor. “Up to now, I consoled myself with the fact that he liked me, at least a little. Now it appears I was truly only a means to an end. Tell me how you found out about the attorney.”
Winn hated the sadness that darkened her eyes. “She doesn’t matter.”
“I want to know.” Hailey reached across the table, clamped her fingers around his wrist. “Tell me.”
He looked into those baby blues and his heart wrenched. What he told her would only add to her pain and he was sorry for it.
“Last week I had a lunch meeting in Idaho Falls,” he began.
With a metro population well over a hundred thousand, Winn hadn’t expected to run into anyone he knew. Then, across the dining room at a trendy eatery on A Street, he’d spotted Josh with a pretty brunette.
He assumed it was strictly business between the two...until he saw them kiss. It wasn’t a little peck, either. Winn’s associate had noticed him staring and mentioned Kelly was an attorney at his wife’s legal firm. The guy with her was her boyfriend, Josh.
By the time Winn finished, Hailey’s face had gone stony.
She pressed her lips together. “A cheat as well as an opportunist.”
Winn took a sip of coffee and nodded.
“I don’t appreciate being played for a fool.”
“Who does?” Winn understood the sense of shock, betrayal and embarrassment. Even after almost eight years, the fact that he’d been played so completely still stuck in his craw.
“Thanks for telling me. I appreciate it.” Hailey’s lips lifted in a tremulous smile. “Some wouldn’t have said a word.”
“The way I see it, if you can’t trust your friends to have your back, what good are they?” Winn said casually.
But when he met her gaze, he had to fight back the sudden urge to take her in his arms, to kiss her until the sadness had vanished from her eyes and the sunny smile was back on her lips.
Friends, he thought with a rueful smile. Yeah, right.
Chapter Two
After the discussion with his boss and subsequent conversation with Hailey, the last person Winn wanted to see was his father. But he promised his dad he’d stop by the ranch at noon. And that, he thought sourly, gave credence to the saying that bad things came in threes.
Winn turned off the highway onto a long lane with white fences on each side. He mentally put his Mercedes on autopilot and considered how
much to divulge about his recent setback. While he might now be playing gentleman rancher, Jim Ferris was a businessman to the core. In his father’s eyes, if a man failed at anything it was his own damn fault. That was exactly how he’d view the project delay.
Though the golf-course development remained a political hot potato because of the environmentally sensitive guidelines it butted up against, the delay was on Winn’s back. He should have found palms to grease or, failing that, pushed harder. As his father was fond of saying, only a fool takes no for an answer.
Winn pulled his car to a stop in front of the sprawling ranch home and decided he’d answer his father’s questions honestly but not bring up the matter first. Barely noticing the beds of flowers in full bloom flanking the walkway, Winn stepped to the front door and knocked.
He’d been told many times there was no need for such formality, but walking unannounced into a home that wasn’t his didn’t feel right.
After a few moments, Elena Hernandez, his father’s housekeeper, opened the door with a welcoming smile. Though she was close to his dad’s age, the jet-black hair pulled back in a twist didn’t show the slightest hint of gray. Today, she wore dark tailored pants and a crisp white shirt.
Winn wondered if the outfit was her idea or his father’s. Regardless, she must not have an issue with the new uniform. From what Winn observed, Elena had a way of getting her way without the old man realizing it. That talent alone made Winn admire and respect her.
“It’s nice to see you, Mr. Ferris.”
“Good morning—ah—afternoon, Elena.” Winn glanced around the entryway with its beamed ceilings and travertine, stucco walls.
Normally by this time his father would be bellowing how he was late, even if Winn was early. But the house stood quiet, with only the soft swish from a ceiling fan and a faint, sultry salsa beat that appeared to be coming from the kitchen.
Winn lifted a brow and Elena flushed. “Mr. Ferris did not mention he was expecting visitors.”
“This place needs a little music.”
Relief washed over Elena’s face.
“Is he in his office?”
“I’m afraid your father isn’t here.”
The meeting time had only been set last night. Winn pulled his brows together. “Where is he?”
“In Idaho Falls, I believe. A business meeting.”
Winn fought a stab of temper. The old man could have at least called or texted the change in plans.
“The meeting was last-minute,” Elena confided. “A red-hot deal.”
Winn couldn’t help it. The wry amusement in her eyes when she drawled the words made him laugh.
“May I offer you lunch?”
“No, I—”
“I made chicken escabeche.”
The look in Elena’s eyes told him she’d filed the fact that the cold Mediterranean salad was one of his favorites from the time he’d lived at the ranch.
When Winn had first arrived in Jackson Hole, he’d planned to stay only a few weeks. Living at the ranch seemed to make sense. It hadn’t taken Winn long to realize he and his dad did better with lots of distance between them.
“Mr. Ferris?” Elena waited with a smile on her lips.
“I’m definitely staying for lunch.”
Elena started out of the room then paused in the doorway.” Would you prefer to eat in the dining room or on the terrace?”
“The terrace.” Winn pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’d like a glass of iced tea, too, please.”
“Yes, sir. Right away.”
Winn made his way to the flagstone terrace shaded by tall, leafy trees. He chose one of the comfortable chairs positioned strategically around a counter-high fire pit.
While he waited for his lunch, Winn made quick calls to city hall and let several high-placed officials know just how unhappy he was with the latest round of delays.
He turned at the sound of the French doors opening. Elena stepped out with a cut-crystal glass filled with ice and what he hoped was unsweetened tea.
“Lots of ice, just as you like.” The housekeeper placed the glass on the side table next to his chair. “Your lunch will be right out.”
“No rush.” Winn lifted the hand holding the phone. “I have calls to return.”
“You and your father.” Elena clucked her tongue. “Always working.”
“What else is there?” he said automatically.
Elena opened her mouth then closed it and only smiled.
It was obvious she didn’t understand the drive he and his father shared. But then, not many did. Elena probably thought his emphasis should be on home and family rather than business. But that road could be a rocky one.
He thought of the look in Hailey’s eyes when he told her he’d seen Josh with another woman. And the unmistakable pain on her face when she relayed how the creep had been using her to get close to Tripp.
He thought of Vanessa, a woman he once thought he might love. She was a kindergarten teacher with a girl-next-door persona and zest for life. In some ways, she reminded him of Hailey. But just as Hailey had discovered that Josh couldn’t be trusted, he’d learned the bubbly Vanessa was a liar and a cheat.
Winn raked his hand through his hair, forcing air past the sudden tightness in his chest. He hated that Josh’s cheating on Hailey had caused him to think about Vanessa and her fiancé. He preferred to keep thoughts of that time in the back of his mind, locked tight in a rarely opened file cabinet.
Winn heard the doorbell chime and straightened. It appeared he wasn’t the only visitor his father stood up today.
“Come in, Miss Hailey.” Elena’s voice radiated welcome. The women spoke in lowered tones for several seconds. Other than the initial greeting, he’s in the barn were the only words Winn made out.
Curious as to who was the mysterious “he” Hailey had come to see, Winn pulled to his feet.
He reached the foyer and found Elena trying to convince the pretty blonde, still wearing the hot-pink hoodie, to stay for lunch.
“Thanks for the offer,” Hailey told the housekeeper, “but my parents are expecting me and—”
Hailey’s eyes widened when she saw him. “Winn. I didn’t realize you were here.”
He smiled quizzically. “My car is parked out front. Didn’t you see it?”
“I saw a sedan in the driveway. I thought it was your father’s.”
Winn winced. He loved the S550, but was going to have to see about exchanging it for a sportier model. Driving an old man’s car didn’t fit the image he wanted to project. After putting a new vehicle on his mental list for tomorrow, Winn refocused on Hailey.
“Reconsider Elena’s offer and join me for lunch,” he said with an easy smile, leaning against the doorjamb. “Did she mention we’re having chicken escabeche? I bet she could also scare up a glass of sangria for you.”
“I don’t think—”
“Don’t tell me you’re full,” Winn said. “The scone you had this morning can’t be enough to hold you.”
Winn ignored the gleam of speculation in Elena’s eyes. He could explain he and Hailey had shared coffee at Hill of Beans, but that was their business. Taking Hailey’s arm, Winn made an executive decision. He turned to Elena. “Miss Randall will join me for lunch on the terrace.”
“Yes, sir.” Elena hurried off, ignoring Hailey’s faint murmur of protest.
Two bright swaths of pink colored Hailey’s cheeks. “I didn’t come over expecting to be fed.”
“You made Elena happy.” Winn kept his tone conversational as he took her arm and ushered her through the house to the terrace. “Now, tell me about this man hidden in the barn.”
“Man?” Hailey stopped dead in her tracks, a frown furrowing her pretty brow. “What man?”
“Elena to
ld you he was in the barn.”
Hailey dropped into a chair. The peel of laughter that burst from her lips both puzzled and delighted him. Try as he might to fight it, the gregariousness of the woman seated across the table had always appealed to him.
“The he is a dog.”
Winn blinked.
“Barks. Four legs.” Hailey’s tone was serious, though she appeared to be struggling not to laugh again.
Elena appeared with a glass of sangria and a tray of tapas, including mixed olives and cheese. The housekeeper’s smile appeared to widen at the ease between him and Hailey. Elena slipped back into the house to finish the salad preparation with a light step.
“The dog is a stray.” Hailey took a sip of sangria. Pleasure sparked in her blue eyes. “This is good. Try it.”
She thrust out the sangria. Winn obligingly drank and wondered what it’d be like if, instead of the glass, his lips closed over hers? Would her mouth taste as sweet as the sangria?
Winn shoved the thought aside and handed the fruity drink back with an easy smile. “Very nice.”
When she placed her lips on the glass, Winn experienced a hard punch of lust. It wasn’t the first time he’d felt this, but she was his neighbor and just coming off a difficult breakup. He leaned back in his chair and forced a composure he didn’t feel. “Tell me about the animal you came to see.”
He listened as she explained the border collie mix had strayed onto his father’s property. No one had reported the dog missing. Apparently it had been hanging around for several weeks. The ranch hands hadn’t let him starve.
“The shelter said, based on the information given, he’d probably been dumped.”
“You came all the way out here just to catch a look at some stray?”
“His name is Bandit.” Hailey spoke almost primly. “It was engraved on a tag hooked to his collar.”
“Makes sense.” Winn lifted his glass of tea and frowned slightly. “I guess.”
“When the dog was found, your father told Bobby to take him immediately to the shelter, but Bobby—and some of the other guys—wanted to try to find him a new home. The shelter was full and there was a chance he’d be put down. From what I gather, he’s a smart, sweet boy, young though, more puppy than—”
Ready, Set, I Do! (Rx for Love) Page 2
