Chapter Thirteen

 

 

 

 

After the longest twenty-minute drive back Carolina had ever endured, they were at Evermore. Matt still seemed deep in thought. With a sigh, she turned her attention to the land. It really was beyond beautiful. It was easy to get lost in the view of mile after mile of grasslands. The ranch lands weren’t flat though. She held up her hand, squinting in the late afternoon sun. Over to the south, there were areas of rolling hills, some were actually a bit steep.

At his parent’s home, Matt pulled up alongside the Range Rover. He got out, walked around the car, and held open her door. His fingers grasped her hand, helped her up and let go.

“Just follow me,” he curtly instructed. A muscle spasmed along his sharp jaw. Guess it would take more than a ride to clear the dust storm between them.

Thanks,” she said, wanting to say more but his expression brooked no further reply. Instead Matt held the driver’s door open on the SUV and she climbed behind the wheel, without another word exchanged. While she gunned the engine, she watched him retreat to his car. The brake lights flashed and he turned out onto the main roadway, she followed.

Matt turned before they reached the outbuildings. The drive wound around the ranch over a section toward the west. Pine trees dotted the landscape and a wide river rushed alongside, intersecting the street under a cement bridge. He pulled off onto a narrow road that rose up and over a hill. The driveway to his house stood up ahead.

To the side, she spotted the ridge she’d seen before. What a view! She gazed over the valley below. Without waiting for him to open her door, Carolina got out and met him at the rear of the SUV.

“I’ll get your bags,” he said.

Maybe he forgotten how much she’d brought. He lowered the tailgate and she replied, “I’d better help.”

It took several minutes to unload the SUV. In order to do it in one trip, they both were loaded down by several suitcases and bags.

“This is it?” he asked as if she’d forgotten something.

“Same luggage from before. Was I supposed to bring more?”

“It wasn’t a judgement, Carolina.” His voice sounded hard and forced.

She softly supplied, “I was only joking.”

He tersely replied, “Let’s go.”

Unlike his parents’ sprawling ranch home, Matt’s house was something she’d expect to see in a lush almost tropical oasis back in Miami. They walked along a paved driveway with a fountain on one side. A wide-open porch adorned the front of the house bordered by thick granite columns and an arched inner doorway. Tall, stately double doors were flanked on either side by professionally landscaped areas. Besides exotic grasses, there were various species of palms and colorful bromeliads in bloom.

Matt opened the front door and stood aside, waiting for her to enter. The foyer was large, the interior cool and airy. The floors were polished hardwoods that gleamed underfoot. Down the foyer and beyond, the light cast a warm golden glow from the sidelights along the front door and the early evening sun.

From what Carolina could tell, the interior was decorated in muted earth tones but it was the light that caught her attention. There was so much, especially in the great room that lay before them. More than likely, most of the light came from the French doors that overlooked a patio complete with an inground pool.

“I’ll get you settled in one of the guestrooms,” Matt announced but stopped and frowned.

The sound of women’s voices could be heard from somewhere within his home. They must’ve come as a shock since he cursed under his breath.

Matt strode forward, wearing a stern expression. He was met by a pretty young woman with fiery red hair. She wore tight jeans, a striped navy sleeveless top, and flipflops. She marched—it was the only word for how the woman moved, swinging her arms as her feet slapped the floor—into the foyer. At the sight of the young woman, Carolina faltered, stopping dead in her tracks.

“Becca, I didn’t expect you to be here,” Matt said in a flat tone.

“We didn’t expect you back so soon. It was supposed to be a surprise.” The young woman’s face beamed. She continued staring at Matt and didn’t even appear to realize anyone else was here. If infatuation could be bottled and sold, this young woman would be very, very rich.

Matt stepped aside and motioned with his arm that held one of her suitcases. “Carolina, this is Becca Sheridan, my housekeeper. Becca, Dr. Carolina Rodriguez.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said in turn.

“Carolina? What a pretty name.” Becca smiled at her with a warm and inviting open expression. “Come in.”

“Thank you,” she replied, setting down her suitcase.

Becca came forward to shake her hand. It was impossible not to like the woman. “Oh my word, let me help you with them bags. You sure must be staying awhile.”

“Only two weeks.” Carolina was overpowered by the other woman who insisted on taking more than half of what she carried.

Undeterred by the baggage, Becca was in the lead down the foyer. “Can I get you something to drink, Carolina? We’ve got a full bar. As well as pop, juice, and of course, water.”

“I’m fine.” Carolina absorbed the ‘we’ in Becca’s comment, after the fact. She tried to take in the varied facets of Matt’s home. It all seemed a bit overwhelming, coming at her in one fell swoop.

“Welcome back, Matt.” The second greeting came from an older woman standing in the great room with a measuring tape like a seamstress used slung around her neck.

“Aunt Shawna, what are you doing here, too?” Matt asked.

Too? Carolina wondered if people just popped in and out of his house at will. She met Matt’s gaze and tried not to arch her brow. From his shuttered expression, Carolina wasn’t sure if she was successful.

“You hired me to do your window treatments. The orders came in and I’m installing the wooden blinds. Isn’t that right, Becca?”

“Yessum.” Becca replied, shifting from foot to foot.

Both of the women peered over a Carolina and she returned their gaze, smiling pleasantly. Something was off.

“We’ve gotten the den done,” his aunt commented. “The room has an eastern exposure and it’s too bright in the morning. You were right about the blinds. And before you ask, we didn’t touch your computer or printer. Heaven forbid.”

“Carolina, this is my aunt, Shawna McLemore. She lives in Paris where she runs a very successful business, Four Square, Windows and Blinds.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. McLemore.” Carolina nodded in appreciation of a fellow businesswoman.

“Aunt Shawna, may I introduce, Dr. Carolina Rodriguez. She’s my friend and will be staying with me for a while.”

“Nice to meet you, Carolina.” The older woman didn’t just shake hands, she hugged her before stepping back, laughing. “I take it you’re not from around here.”

She warmed to Matt’s aunt as well. “No, Ma’am. I’m from Florida. Miami.”

“Gracious. Coming all the way from Miami. My husband and I once took the kids to Disney World. We never made it all the way down to Miami. No, I take it back. We did take a cruise from the port, but we didn’t get out to see the city.”

“Maybe someday you’ll come and visit.” Carolina noticed that Becca went back to watching Matt’s every movement.

“One never knows,” his aunt agreed. “I’d better finish up.” She pulled two straight pins from her shirtsleeve, put them into her mouth and bit down.

Becca touched Matt’s arm. “I was thinking the guest suite at the far end of the house.”

“The yellow corner,” Shawna chimed in, walking back toward the hall. “It’s off the pool and has a private garden and sitting area. A favorite for guests.”

It sounded divine if this were a spa, Carolina thought. But why did Becca and his aunt take the position of ladies of the house?

Matt shrugged. “Yeah, that’ll due.”

“Just follow me,” Becca said breezily.

“Becca, go on. We’ll catch up.” Matt reached out to stall Carolina. “I thought we’d stop here and get your things put away then decide what to do. I didn’t realize anyone would be here.”

“Hey, you don’t have to explain.”

“But I want to—”

“Matt, did you want me to stick around? Do anything for ya?” Becca interrupted from down the hall.

Carolina glanced at the other woman, then back at Matt. For a man who seemed hellbent on finding out answers to his dwindling cattle, he also had secrets that he held back. Something was going on here, and she intended on figuring out what it was, sooner than later. “Cowboy, I can take care of myself. I don’t need a handler.”