Chapter 2
Tani used her butt to close the bedroom door, she wished that it would slam but instead it clicked closed with barely audible click. Had her hands been free, she might have been able to push it closed with enough force to make at least some noise, but they were full of clothes, compliments of Marissa Terrell and her warehouse of clothes. Of course, Leslie Terrell had been the contributing force behind her current situation, a pile of clothes and shoes she’d never have normally worn in her arms, and a full week of being forced to accompany a man she had never met to all the wedding festivities.
She should be mad at the two of them for forcing her to do this, but she knew that it was only because they cared. Leslie had long been her rock, the one who had always been there for her when she needed to talk or just cry, without her she might not be where she was today. Marissa had proven to be a smart woman who truly cared about the people around her and they’d bonded almost immediately, partly because she was staying in the main house at Honey Hills and partly because of the kind of woman Marissa was.
When Leslie and Marissa had cornered her after breakfast, she’d known that something was up, she’d been aware of their whispered conversations whenever she was around, which had only grown more frequent after the night she’d gotten home so late from her ride in the mountains. It was her own fault for getting flustered when she mentioned Flynn Montgomery’s name; they’d immediately jumped on her, all but accusing her of having a crush on him. She’d laughed it off but had to admit that Flynn Montgomery was a very good-looking man, but she certainly didn’t have a crush on him, which she’d made very clear to them.
Even if she did have a crush on him, she was far from the kind of woman he’d want. Far too tall for most men, Tania knew that her size 14 figure wasn’t exactly what most men were looking for in a woman and she couldn’t help wonder about the fact that she was black. Of course, she wasn’t exactly up on what men wanted, but she knew that a man like Flynn would be looking for something besides her, and that was fine with her because she had no interest in anything romantic with anyone. That part of her life had died all those years ago in the sands of Egypt and on that day, she’d promised herself that she’d never be so vulnerable again, it just wasn’t worth the pain.
But Leslie and Marissa had decided that her solitary life wasn’t enough evidently, because they’d arranged a companion for her, someone to go with to all the wedding events. Wedding events she’d been planning to skip, socializing with a bunch a people she didn’t know not high on her list of things she wanted to do on her forced vacation.
“You can’t skip all the fun. You’re on vacation. What harm can come from attending a few dinners and parties?” Leslie had protested when she’d told them she wasn’t going. “You need to get out of your comfort zone and experience a little life.”
“My life is just fine the way it is.” Tania protested.
Leslie gave her a long look, “We’ve been over this. It’s time to rejoin the real world.”
Marissa had been silent during the conversation but she jumped in, “I can’t pretend to understand what you’ve been through Tania, but I do know that sometimes to heal we have to take a few risks. All you have to do is keep a very nice man company for the next week. I promise it won’t be that hard, he really is a nice guy.”
Tania studied Marissa, trying to decide why it was so important to her then realized that it was because she cared about the man, whoever he was. “If he’s so nice, why doesn’t he already have someone to go with him?” She asked, a last bit of defiance left.
Leslie and Marissa looked at each other, “Well, he could have had a date but he waited until too late.” Marissa finally said, stretching the truth a bit.
Tania still wasn’t convinced, but she also knew when she’d been beat. “Fine I’ll do it, but if it’s the least bit uncomfortable I get the option to cancel.”
“Agreed.” Leslie and Marissa said in unison, then exchanged triumphant grins.
“We’ll meet you at the red barn in an hour. You know the one behind the horse barn.” Leslie said, then grabbed Marissa’s arm and pulled her down the hall and out the door before Tania could ask why.
It became all too clear why they wanted her to meet them at the red barn, until then she hadn’t given the building much thought, but when she walked inside to find a full beauty salon as well as racks and racks of clothing she wondered how she’d missed it. Hours later she’d emerged, her hair freshly washed, cut and styled, her makeup done, and an arm load of clothes she’d have never thought of wearing before Marissa got her hands on her.
She threw them onto the bed, wondering if she’d have the guts to actually wear them, even though she had to admit that she looked good in them. Still, she’d never worn anything quite like the outfits Marissa had picked out for her to wear, from the very casual jeans and sweater to the cocktail dress for the rehearsal dinner. It was obvious why Marissa had made a name for herself in the fashion business, her ability to see what would look just perfect on someone was uncanny.
Taking a deep breath, because she knew that she’d go through with it in the end, she began to hang up her new clothes, wondering if she’d ever have a need for them once she left Coldwater Canyon. This week of whatever you wanted to call what she’d agreed to would be the last time she’d have a need for anything like them. She liked her quiet life on the ranch, one that she’d worked hard to develop since coming home to America, and the less she mixed with people the less likely the men who were looking for her would be to find her.
Everyone one was convinced that the threat was long past, but she knew the kind of men who were after the tomb her father had discovered. They wouldn’t quit until they found her and she didn’t want to make it any easier than it had to be. The ranch offered her the kind of security she needed while still allowing her to live a full life with friends and people she could connect with. Until the day came that she found someone she trusted with the map her father had hidden in her suitcase that night all those years ago in Egypt, she had to be careful.
Only a handful of people at the ranch even knew that the map existed and although she knew that she could trust them, she didn’t think that anyone of them understood the danger she was in. Living in America was so different than Egypt, not for the first time she was glad that she’d come home, at least here she had some protection. The map had already taken the lives of her parents and her fiancé; she wasn’t going to be the last victim. Thinking of her fiancé made her stomach hurt, even after all these years his duplicity still made her sick to her stomach. She’d been so blind, so willing to believe anything he told her, to take his abuse so readily because he made her believe that she wasn’t good enough for anyone else.
Closing her mind to those thoughts, she took another deep breath and reminded herself that she was a strong independent woman who didn’t need the approval of any man. David had taught her that men don’t always tell the truth, especially when a lie will get them what they want. It had taken her years to learn that, years spent thinking that she was unattractive and undesirable, since then she’d come to terms with her curvy figure but occasionally, those old insecurities would pop up when she needed to be her strongest. Maybe a week spent all dolled up would do her self-confidence some good, even if she wasn’t looking for romance, it might be nice to pretend that she was just like other women.
Hating to admit that Leslie and Marissa had been right, she took off all her makeup and began trying to apply it all over again, a silly exercise that somehow had her feeling better as she worked. Life had a way of giving you exactly what you needed if you were patient and maybe she did deserve a little silly fun for a change. The man she was set up with couldn’t be all that bed if Marissa cared about him, she’d just grin and make the best of it, and hopefully have a little fun in the process.
Flynn looked at his watch again as he got dressed. He was going to be over an hour late to dinner, there was no way around it. At least he could take the truck since the clinic where he was now living was on one of the main roads through the canyon. If he’d had to take a snow mobile he would have been far later, although his would be one of the only vehicles there since most of the rest of the guests would have already arrived by sleigh. Marissa loved to add those little extras to her parties and a sleigh ride through the forest was a perfect example.
When he pulled into the yard, it was clear that the party was already in full swing, every light in the old farmhouse was lit up and he could see smoke coming from the chimneys. From the look of things, nearly everyone in the canyon was here to wish his brother and soon to be sister-in-law good luck. This was the first in a long string of parties he’d have to attend this week, the old wedding customs rejuvenated in the canyon, a natural thing since they all relied on one another so much. Any excuse for a party was embraced with all the gusto with which the people here lived their lives, especially in the winter when there was so little to do.
As Flynn walked in the door, he was surprised to find that he was nervous, an emotion he rarely felt, but then again, he’d never been on a blind date before and that was exactly what this was. Why he’d agreed to this crazy scheme he’d never know, but he had agreed and he’d just have to make the best of it. Wishing that he wasn’t late, he searched the room for Leslie and Marissa but couldn’t find either so he headed for the kitchen sure that Marissa would be there. Instead, he found Scott who was happy to take him to his date.
“I think I saw her go out to the deck a little while ago.” He said, leading Flynn out a side door onto the huge deck they’d built complete with a covered fireplace.
Looking around, he spotted a woman standing alone on the deck looking up at the stars, and his heart skipped a beat. From the back, she looked a lot like the woman he’d met up in the mountains, but he couldn’t be sure; that woman had been bundled up in so many layers. This woman was far from bundled up, the sweater she was wearing looked soft and warm and hugged her curves in all the right places. Even from across the deck, he could see that she was tall as well. A surprising wave of desire caught him off guard and he stepped back, colliding with Scott who was right behind him.
Scott shot him a questioning look but stepped around him and called out to the woman standing by the railing. “Tani, there you are.” He said, crossing the desk in long strides, “You must be freezing, come over by the fire.”
Flynn couldn’t seem to move as the woman turned around and her eyes locked on his. All the breath left in lungs in a sudden whoosh when he recognized the hazel eyes looking at him; it was the woman from the mountains. Still unable to believe that it was her, he waited as Scott escorted her over to the fire and motioned for him to come over. When he got closer, he could see the red highlights in her hair flashing in the firelight much as they had that day on the mountain when she took her hood off.
It only took a few seconds for Scott to escort her over to the fire, but in those few seconds Tani knew that she was in trouble because right behind him was Flynn Montgomery, looking just as handsome as he had that day on the trail. She’d sworn to Leslie and Marissa that she didn’t have a crush on him, but the way her stomach was doing flip flops told her differently and she felt a blush rise to her cheeks. Thankfully, it was dark enough that no one would notice, but with Flynn’s eyes locked on hers it was difficult not to think that he could see it.
Neither noticed the mischievous look on Scott’s face when he introduced them. “Tani Tamer, I’d like you to meet Flynn Montgomery. He’s going to be your escort for the week.”
There was silence for only a moment before they both said, “You?”
Tani hadn’t meant to speak, the word just popped out of her mouth. “I mean, I didn’t know it was going to be you.” She said, her cheeks flaming.
“I didn’t know either.” Flynn said, a huge smile blooming on his face.
“Well, since it looks like you two already know one another, I’ll leave you alone. Dinner will be served in about an hour; you’re seated at the main table.” Scott said, barely able to control the laughter that was bubbling up inside him, his wife had never been wrong in her matchmaking and it looked like she’d hit another home run. Both Tani and Flynn looked shocked and pleased to see who their dinner date was and he hadn’t missed the blush on Tani’s cheeks.
Flynn gestured to the couch that was placed in front of the fire, sitting there it would be nice and warm, the slight overhang protecting them from the snow that had just begun to fall. “Would you like to sit down? I’m sorry I’m late, there was an emergency at the barn and it was my turn to deal with it.” He said, guiding her over to the couch with a hand at her back.
Tani felt a shock when Flynn’s hand touched her back and it was all she could do not to suck in her breath as a wave of desire washed over her. His hand was warm where it rested on her back, the warmth quickly spreading through her body, making her shiver as she went from cold to hot much too quickly. Looking up at him, she let him guide her, sinking down onto the cushion amazed at her response to him and unable to say a word to him, afraid that her voice would betray her feelings.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, neither sure what to say to the other one. Flynn was frantically searching for something to say to Tani, he’d never been tongue tied in front of a woman before, but here he was suddenly unable to think of a single intelligent thing to say. Tani was still having a hard time dealing with the fact that with only one look Flynn had been able to penetrate the wall she put up around herself when David had betrayed her and her family in Egypt.
At first, that wall had been built of the guilt she’d felt at being the one who’d brought David into their lives, but later it had changed, composed of her need to protect herself from the world and all its cruelties, her psyche so fragile that it just wasn’t possible to let anyone in. Leslie and the rest of the Terrell clan had helped her to tear down those walls, helping her to forgive herself and open up to people again. But she’d carefully kept her heart well protected for all these years. It was frightening to suddenly have those feeling reawakened.
Finally, Flynn couldn’t take the silence any longer, “I probably shouldn’t bring it up, but what were you doing riding Devil like that the other day. I shouldn’t have blown up at you, but that was really dangerous. Devil is really dangerous; he’s taken all of us on at least one wild ride.”
At first, Tani was annoyed that Flynn was once again questioning her, but then she realized that he was only concerned and softened. “I promise you we were well under control. I missed a turn in the trail and saw the opening in the trees and knew that it would be safe. I’ve been riding for a long time and it was only for a short distance.”
Flynn still didn’t look convinced so Tani added, “I have a way with horses. I don’t know why but I’ve always been able to communicate better with them than most people.”
Flynn couldn’t help but snort, “So you’re a horse whisperer.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call it that.” Tani said, embarrassed that she’d said anything. Many people were skeptical about her ability to communicate with horses, and she’d long ago gotten tired of trying to explain it.
Flynn was instantly sorry he’d said what he had so he redirected the conversation, “What do you do at the ranch in Colorado? I hear that they raise cattle.” He couldn’t help the sneer that came into his voice when he said cattle.
“I take it you don’t like cattle ranchers.” Tani said, glad that the conversation had moved on.
“Not really, I mean we have to raise cattle on the ranch in Australia now, but that doesn’t mean I like it.”
“Well good thing I’m not a cattle rancher.” Tani said, then blushed realizing that she’d said too much.
“I think I might like you even if you were a cattle rancher.” Flynn was surprised by Tani’s joke but pleased to see her blushing. “So, if you’re not a cattle rancher, what do you do?”
Tani had been asked this question many times since she’d gotten to Coldwater Canyon so her answer was easy. “I work at the rehabilitation center on the ranch. I take care of the horses and work with the patients.”
Flynn was instantly interested, “What kind of people do you treat?”
Tani wasn’t prepared for his question, most people were satisfied with the short answer. “Well, I don’t really treat them; I am more like a riding coach. I take them on rides around the ranch, sometimes it’s only in the pasture and sometimes we take long rides, it just depends on the patient’s ability level.”
“So these are people with physical disabilities?”
“Not just physical,” Tani paused because she was about to describe herself when she first got to the ranch, “We also treat people who have suffered mental trauma as well.”
Flynn was even more interested, “You mean like violent crimes?”
“Yes, that would be one example.” Tani couldn’t help but notice how interested Flynn had become. “We have psychologists on staff who specialize in different problems, they help everyone, but we’re known for helping people heal from traumatizing events.”
Flynn was silent for a long time, what Tani was describing sounded wonderful to him, a way to use the knowledge he already had for some good. Before he could stop himself, he unloaded all his confusion about where his life was going on Tani, who sat quietly and listened. When he’d finished, he looked at her for the first time, shocked that he’d told her so much so quickly.
“I can’t say that what I do is perfect for everyone, I came to the ranch for a different reason, but if you like helping people and love horses, it might be right for you.” Tani said, realizing that the man sitting beside her was more than just a good-looking billionaire, he was kind and caring as well, the kind of man she’d always imagined marrying.
“I might just have to make a stop in Colorado when I leave here and check things out for myself, if that’s okay with you.” Flynn said, feeling hope about the future for the first time in a long time.
“I’m sure Leslie would love to have you, but don’t forget that you’ll have to put up with all the cattle.” Tani said, with a big smile.
“I think I can manage that.” Flynn said, returning her smile, thinking that she was even more beautiful at that moment.