Her defenses were low. Taking comfort from his strength for one moment wasn’t going to undermine her. It was a moment for herself. Then she would go back to standing alone.
His hand moved to her nape. A soft sound vibrated in his throat as he moved to kiss her along the jaw.
Pulling him closer, she absorbed his strength and gentleness. What was she doing? Squeezing her eyes shut, she balled her hands over his chest.
* * *
As much as she wanted to lose herself in him, she couldn’t. One deep breath, and she took three steps back. “You have a job to do, and I have my family ranch to save. This didn’t mean anything.”
“Belle—”
Crossing her arms, she turned from him. “It was a moment of weakness. I’m sorry if you took it as something more.”
“There is nothing weak about you. In over ten years I’ve only wanted to kiss one woman and she was my wife. Don’t belittle my feelings by saying it didn’t mean anything.” His hand went to her shoulder. “I get it. You see me as one of your enemies right now, but don’t tell me this is nothing. We’ll put it on hold, but we will revisit this thing between us.”
His warmth tugged at her as he stepped closer. His hands went to her upper arms. “Belle, we—”
“No. Even if we find a way to get around our opposite goals, you’re leaving in the next few months. Neither one of us can afford a casual fling. We have children, and they’ll get attached.” She stepped from him, her arms wrapped tightly around her middle. “I have cattle thieves, a long-lost mother and saving the ranch to deal with.” She waved her hands. “No time for this.”
He gave her a nod and went down the steps, then paused. “I’ll leave, but I’m not leaving you. It’s going to be okay.”
“You don’t know that. Sometimes life doesn’t work the way it is supposed to. That’s a lesson you know better than anyone.”
His mouth was set in a grim line. “Yeah.” His expression closed off.
She was tired and couldn’t read his expression. “I’m sorry.”
“Get some rest.” He left.
Not sure why, she stood on the top step until his Land Rover was out of sight. Feelings couldn’t be trusted. They steered her wrong every time.
No one was going to fight for her and her girls like she could. Elijah and Xavier had her back when they could, but they had their own issues to deal with.
Going to her room, she pulled her Bible from the side table. It had been too long since she spent any real time in prayer.
Between Quinn and her mother, everything she had worked so hard to build was about to fall apart.
God was the only way through this mess. She had lost her faith after Mari died, but God was always faithful. She went to her knees and opened her heart, giving everything over to Him.
Chapter Eleven
Quinn made a point to return each stare with a pleasant smile. There were more people at the County Commissioners Court than usual, but that was normal whenever landowners’ rights versus environmental issues were on the agenda. He had a feeling he would be seen as the bad guy.
He focused on the papers in front of him. The map highlighting sensitive areas in the county screamed silently at him. The Diamondback Ranch was the key to his plans. It was easy to say that land needed to be protected, but when that protection hurt families, it wasn’t as clear-cut. There had to be a way to save both.
Maybe he was missing something that could help all of them.
Never once in all his time defending the coastline and natural resources had he been this nervous. It was too personal. He looked across the room and studied her.
Belle’s worn denim was replaced with the light green floral dress he’d seen only on Sundays. The usual tight braid was gone. Her thick dark hair was clipped on top and fell down her back in long waves. The soft, feminine appearance was an illusion. He knew how strong and stubborn she was at her core. How strong she thought she had to be, anyway.
Xavier had his arm around her as they talked in low voices. Quinn wanted to be the one to encourage her and support her. But that was impossible right now.
She saw him as the enemy.
The last few days, she had made sure to avoid him. Which left him feeling strange. Belle had worked her way into his heart and mind. He was bouncing between guilt and weird happiness. There was no way this could end well for them all.
This morning, as the kids had prepared to head over to the ranch to help with the animals, Gina had caught him whistling.
He hadn’t whistled since his son was born. Regret had shut him down again when he’d realized what his mother-in-law’s smile meant.
He used to whistle all the time. It had annoyed Kari, but he would laugh and tell her she brought too much joy into his life not to whistle.
It had been five years, but he was whistling again. Belle and he might not have a future, but she had taught him an important lesson. He could honor the promise he made to his wife and love her while living his life in full.
He could love again. Maybe in the next few years, the timing would be right. The kids would be older, and he could be in a real relationship again. He missed his wife, but he also missed the companionship.
Elijah slipped into the chair next to him. “You don’t have to bring this to a public hearing tonight. With our mother just showing up, Belle doesn’t need more shadows to fight. She needs a friend.”
With a glare, Quinn let him know he wasn’t having happy thoughts about the De La Rosa men and the way they had abandoned Belle. “And she could have used a brother when meeting with that woman. Did you finally meet with your mother?”
The other man looked down. “Yes. Not that it did any good.” He brought his gaze up. “But we’re talking about what you’re doing to Belle. This is so unfair to her. She counted you as a friend and she doesn’t do that easily.”
More reason to carry guilt around. “I know. Which is one reason I stayed with her when she faced your mother. She shouldn’t have had to do that alone. At least you’re here for her tonight.” He had more opinions on the subject, but he’d already said too much. It wasn’t his place to get involved in family drama.
Belle’s brother turned away from him. “That was my bad. It won’t happen again.” He gestured to the front of the room where the court would sit, including Xavier’s wife, Selena, who was a commissioner.
“But I don’t get how you could act like her friend and then do this. Trust doesn’t come easy to her. She let you into her family.”
He didn’t want to take it to a higher court, but with a De La Rosa in the decision-making process, he might not get the support from the local entity like he hoped. Did Selena regret introducing him to Belle? Pulling himself back, he made direct eye contact with Elijah. “I don’t do this lightly.”
“You could still excuse yourself and not speak today,” Elijah suggested.
“I can’t do that. This project has been in motion for over a year. Now your mother’s the biggest threat to the ranch. She wants to get the most money any way she can, and if we get the land protected, she’ll be cut off. If they agree to investigate my petition, the land sale will be put on hold. That’ll buy Belle time. Your mother can’t even take a loan against the land.”
Elijah sat back, jaw flexing. “We hadn’t considered her taking that action.”
Quinn cut a glance at Belle. She quickly jerked her head in the opposite direction. She had been staring at him. “Yeah, I don’t see her having a problem getting the loan, then letting the bank take ownership of the ranch when she stops making payments.”
Elijah’s fist tightened around the brim of his hat resting against his leg. “She’d do that, wouldn’t she?”
“That’s exactly what she would do. It would be the fastest way for her to get money.” Quinn rubbed his forehead and sighed. “I don’t want to hurt Belle. If
I could come up with another plan to protect the habitat while helping Belle, I’d do it.”
Surprised, Elijah glanced across the room at Belle. “Have you told her?”
“No. I don’t give empty promises, and right now, I don’t have enough to form a basic plan.”
“Talk to her. She’s smart and could see things you don’t.”
Tara, one of the Foundation’s scientists, cleared her throat.
“Elijah, this is Tara. She and a small team with the Foundation came in from Houston yesterday.”
Tara gave him a polite smile, then turned to Quinn. “I have a couple of adjustments I want to show you.”
Taking his leave, Elijah joined his family on the other side of the room.
Quinn was relieved to see Belle surrounded by her family today. He knew she had been dreading this town meeting. Turning his attention to Tara, he tried to listen as she once again went through the data she had organized and prepared for him to present. Calling her meticulous would be an understatement. It would be easier to let her do this, but that would be cowardly of him.
He had made the connections in town, collected local information and designed the program and suggestions. The people knew his face. He was the one who needed to stand in front of them and tell them why he was here.
Quinn forced himself out of his own head and regarded the roomful of people, most of whom he knew. Even Belle’s grumpy neighbor, Jacoby, was here.
Port Del Mar was the first place his family had wanted to make home, a place where they belonged.
People he wanted to claim as friends stared at him. The familiar faces ranged from curious and suspicious to downright hostile. They were all waiting for him to speak. Wanting to know what he was doing in their town.
This was the first place his kids had asked to stay. They loved the ranch and had friends. The girls got upset at the thought of leaving the horse club they had become a part of with Belle and her girls. That was the problem with getting involved and making connections; you didn’t want to leave.
But the promise he had made to Kari couldn’t be broken. The Foundation could make an impact, and it was part of his children’s legacy, too.
Tara nudged him and raised an eyebrow. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he’d forgotten where he was. Time to get his job done.
Hard stares waited for him to speak. If he couldn’t get local support in other places, he moved to higher courts. That wouldn’t work here. He didn’t want to make enemies of the people who had called him friend. He glanced over his shoulder. Belle would never forgive him.
Another plan started coming together in his mind. He scribbled a few notes quickly, then handed the piece of paper to Tara. She lifted a brow. With a grin, he nodded and mouthed for her to start the research.
With a deep breath, he approached the podium and gave his arguments for the protection of the fragile coastline. They were based on solid facts, but this plan would hurt Belle. He might be moving on to a new location, but he couldn’t walk away leaving Belle’s dreams broken.
* * *
Belle listened to every word Quinn spoke. Each syllable was so smooth and prepared. He answered every question with facts and a clear certainty that leaving the land undeveloped was the only option for the future of the wildlife that depended on their strip of coastland.
His voice showed his Texas roots but was flavored with the world travel he had done. She could listen to him all day. Everything he said sounded right and good.
If it hadn’t been her land in question, she would have supported him, but it was her livelihood, and she couldn’t let him take that from her and her family.
He was a tough act to follow. She wanted to hide, but instead, she gripped the edge of the podium and spoke from her heart.
The first few questions were easy. Damian had prepared her with pertinent Texas legislation, which leaned in favor of the private landowner, but it made her feel like the bad guy when she thought of the baby ocelots and sea turtles.
The last few questions were not so easy. One of the newer officials asked about the developers who were looking at the land and their plans for it.
Her throat was dry as she told them she wasn’t sure. That would be their decision to make, but she had to admit the land wasn’t likely to be left alone.
The hands on the clock had to have stopped a couple of times. How long was she going to stand here and answer questions? Sweat rolled down her spine.
She hated this. All she wanted was to be out on the ranch working with her hands, not standing in flimsy shoes at a stuffy community meeting.
Selena surprised her the most. She had to recuse herself on the vote, since it was her family’s property, but could give input.
There were a few softer questions about how she used the land for ranching now, and then, after what seemed like five hours, she stepped from the podium and found a quiet spot in the rear.
A few people spoke after her, including her neighbor, Jacoby. Growing up as a De La Rosa, it was more common to have the town angry at them for something her uncle did. Her heart beat harder and her throat burned as they took turns supporting her. That was unexpected. She blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.
The commissioners started on their agenda. They agreed that they needed more information and discussion before they voted on Quinn’s petition for the coastal land to be restricted from any development. It was on hold for now. They would place it on the agenda for next month. Her heart raced. She had another month of not being able to move forward with her plans.
She closed her eyes. Another month of not knowing. Which was still better than an outright yes to Quinn.
Most of the people left, and a few other agenda items were discussed and voted on. Then the meeting was called to an end.
She slipped out the side door before anyone could talk to her. There was nothing they could say that would make this better, and she couldn’t deal with people right now.
Standing at her truck, she dug in her purse for her keys. Where were they? She hated it when she didn’t make sure they were in the side pocket. She looked through the window to make sure she hadn’t left them in the truck. Her brain had been going over all the points she had wanted to make, so there was no telling what she had done with them.
No. They weren’t in the ignition. She emptied her purse on the hood. Footsteps came up behind her. She spun around, not sure who she was expecting, and found Selena and Xavier.
She didn’t want to talk to anyone, especially her cousin-in-law. Her emotions were too close to the surface.
Xavier put an arm around her. “Did you lose your keys? We can give you a ride home. You have an extra set there, don’t you?”
“They’re here somewhere.” Tears burned the backs of her eyelids. She hated being incompetent and needing help. “I have to figure things out on my own, anyway. That meeting didn’t go well.”
She glanced at Selena, hating the betrayal that burned. The woman she counted as a sister. The guilt in Selena’s eyes made it worse.
Selena joined her and carefully organized the notebooks, receipts, scissors, a variety of lip balms and all the other odds and ends that had been stored away in the big leather bag.
“You understand why I didn’t speak, right? As a member of the court and a family member, I won’t be able to vote because of a conflict of interest.”
“Sure.” She stuffed the items back into the bag. The keys weren’t there.
“Hey.” Selena put a hand on her arm to stop her movement. “It’s going to be okay. No matter what happens, you and the girls are going to be okay. Xavier and I won’t let anything happen to y’all.”
“You can’t say that. The ranch’s future is up in the air and you can’t guarantee that we will win this battle.”
“You’re not the ranch. There is so much more to you. You ne
ed to trust that God has this.”
“The ranch is the only thing I know.” Her eyes stung and her lungs hurt. “God’s plans haven’t worked out so well for me so far.” She wanted to yell at Selena that just because she got her happy ending didn’t mean everyone did.
That smacked of self-pity. She’d never given in to it before and she wasn’t going to now.
Selena put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “Well, I do have a plan. You know what we need to do? Easter is in two weeks and we haven’t done anything to prepare. Come on. I just happen to have a car loaded with supplies and a family ready to make a piñata and cascarones. We need to get ready for Easter, and the kids love making—”
“Belle.” They all turned at the sound of Quinn’s voice. In long strides, he cut across the now empty parking lot. “Are these yours?” He held up the key chain with the fluffy purple heart Cassie had made at summer camp.
A couple of the people who had sat with him were close behind. He had a whole team now to take her down. Holding her last meal in its place was hard, but she had faced worse and persevered. She’d survive Quinn Sinclair, too.
She took the keys with a nod. “Thanks.”
His fingers brushed hers, reminding her of the warmth he had offered her not long ago. When she had had that moment of hope that she could trust again. Had he done that on purpose?
Pulling back, she glanced at the small crowd now standing around her truck. “I’ll be going now.” Keys in hand, she clicked the fob to unlock the doors.
“Hold on, Belle.” Quinn stepped closer to her and braced his hand on her car door.
Was he serious? She glared at him.
He twisted to look behind him to a woman she didn’t recognize. “Tara, have you heard anything?”
He faced her, then shifted his gaze to Xavier and Selena before making eye contact with her again. “This is Tara Garza. She works with the Foundation. Behind her is Nate Moore. They’ve been looking into our project here at Port Del Mar.”
The Texan's Promise Page 11
