Chapter Ten

The days were so packed with work, she seemed to fly through them, only realizing as she fell into bed at night just how much she had done in a day. Laura and Phyllis got along well, they shared the chores, each doing what they enjoyed most, and it seemed to be working out just fine for everyone.

Caleb had been even busier, tying up loose ends before the trip so he could relax and enjoy the reprieve from the ranch for a few days while they were gone. Laura didn’t see him much—usually only for a short bit in the evening before he went back out to the office to get paperwork and payroll done.

Today, she had worked with Mary Grace to get their schedule straight. In a few hours, she and Caleb would be headed to Wyoming for the conference with Jasper, whom Laura had still not met, and Phyllis.

Laura wasn’t so worried about the goons from Chicago anymore. She felt safe here on the ranch, knew if she stayed near Caleb at the conference and surrounded herself with other people, she would be fine. But she was still troubled about her heart, fearful she might lose it completely to Caleb, a serious man who valued his freedom and enjoyed the solitary isolation of his Nebraska ranch. He was a man who didn’t seem to need a woman, except as a housekeeper and to help raise his son.

And she was losing her heart. Caleb tugged at her heartstrings every time he ruffled his son’s hair. When he’d touched her hand under the table the day before, she’d melted, and when he kissed her, she just about fell to pieces.

She had been alone for three years, maybe four. She could hardly recall her last date, just knew it happened soon after Bella Vita began to succeed. Men were interested, she knew, but intimidated by her reputation, poorly earned, as an ice princess. She was a businesswoman, driven by the desire to make Bella Vita the best restaurant on or near Michigan Avenue in the heart of Chicago. She’d done it, met her goals, had finally made a profit, and then she’d been forced to abandon it.

She was looking forward to the new challenges at the ranch, perhaps not as difficult or taxing as planning a dinner party for hundreds as she had at Bella Vita. This would be her life now: planning meals for twenty men, keeping a house organized, and caring for an adorable, little boy. Simpler but, hopefully, just as fulfilling.

Could she allow herself to fall for Caleb? The FBI guy never told her not to get involved with anyone—just to be cautious and not tell anyone about her past. She’d been honest with Caleb to this point, although deliberately vague.

She wanted to know what Caleb expected from her the next few days. Was she just a one-off like Jenny had been or was he playing for higher, more permanent stakes? And which would Laura prefer, if given the choice? Torn between the two options, she wasn’t sure which way she was leaning. She wanted him, felt desire for him clear to her core every time he was around, but was it too soon?

Laura looked up at the clock again, bored, drumming her fingers on the kitchen table, waiting for Caleb to come in from the office. She just wanted the cards laid out on the table so she would know what to expect. She hated surprises, and it wasn’t too much to ask for, to have him voice his intentions. At least, she didn’t think it was.

She packed light, knowing she would have to hit a department store or two when they reached Casper. She’d left all her pretty, fancy dresses behind, locked away in a metal storage shed in a ritzy Chicago suburb, where she was convinced her belongings would be safe. Caleb said the dinner was fancy; he was wearing a suit and a tie. She’d brought nothing that would remotely be suitable. She included her running gear, planning to keep up a bit with her routine, even in a hotel.

That was the next concern. The hotel. So far, they’d only kissed, nothing more, so he shouldn’t expect they’d have sex, right? Should she ask? She shook her head, angry she was obsessing about things that weren’t relevant at the moment.

She glanced at the clock on the wall yet again, wondered if the battery had died, as the hands seemed to have frozen. Why was she waiting for him? She stood, determined to go out to the office and get his butt moving. Mary Grace had been out to the ranch for Connor and had left over an hour ago. Laura was ready to leave too, and afraid if she had to wait much longer, she might chicken out—give in to her concern about going out in public—and stay home.

She pulled the phone from the hook and dialed the office number, which was posted next to the receiver on the wall. After four rings, voicemail picked up. She decided not to leave a message. Antsy and impatient, she snagged the truck keys off the nail by the back door, went through the breezeway and into the garage, where she found the extra truck parked. Climbing up into the cab, she fired the engine and pulled the truck out of the garage.

Two minutes later, she pulled up next to Caleb’s extended-cab pickup. Noting the light on inside the office portion of the building, she put the truck into park, cut the engine, and climbed out. She opened the heavy steel door to the building and followed the sound of twangy country music, hoping the sound would lead her to him. She rapped on the door of the office and went in when he told her to.

“What’s up?” she asked him with a smile.

Several short stacks of paperwork surrounded him at the desk. And although he looked up at her briefly, she got the immediate feeling there was a problem. Or she wasn’t welcome in the office.

“Is there something I can help with?” Laura walked closer and rested her hip against his desk. “Anything?”

“You anxious to get going?” He didn’t look up from the spreadsheet in front of him, marking with pencil as he studied the numbers.

“I….” What could she say? “Yes, I guess I am.”

“What do you know about budgets?” In one fluid motion, he flung his pencil on top of the papers, sat against the back of his seat, and looked up at her.

“Enough,” she said. “Where’s the problem?”

“I was hoping we would finally be in the black after this harvest.” He glanced back at the paper.

“And you’re not?”

“Nope. Not yet.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “I’ll have to get financing for another year.”

“What about your plans for the guest portion of the house?”

He’d mentioned having guests in the near future, that she and Phyllis would have more duties when people started coming to stay.

“We’ll start in the spring. Start advertising after the first of the year. I’ve got all those costs figured in.” He stared at her and then held out a hand. “Come here, would you?”

She took his hand and let him pull her toward him, quickly getting comfortable on his lap.

“I needed a distraction,” he said. “How did you know?”

“Must be my psychic abilities.” She laughed, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and initiating a kiss.

His hand found the side of her breast and stayed still only a mere second before his thumb began to tease her nipple through her shirt and bra. The pressure made her wiggle on his lap, quick, hot desire soaring through her body.

She reached for the buttons of his rough denim shirt and slowly slipped them open. She wanted to feel his chest, knew she would feel hard muscles. He caught her hand before she succeeded and like a wet blanket, drew her back to the present, feeling hot and more than a little bothered.

“Whoa.” She exhaled.

“Whoa, is right.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “You’re beautiful.” He dropped her hand and caressed her cheek. “Passionate. I could lose my head pretty quickly with you.”

“Is that a problem?”

He laughed and pushed her off his lap. “It damn well could be, lady.” He clicked the desk lamp off. “I doubt my mind could focus on numbers like it should, so we might just as well head out. You go on ahead; I’ll be right behind you.”

 

* * *

 

Damn, he was hard. Too hard to even stand up without it being obvious. Glad she hadn’t argued when he’d told her to go ahead, he finally stood to turn off the computers and set the answering machine to pick up on the first ring.

She was a hot little thing, lit him up like a match. He’d wanted nothing more than to take her, then and there right on his desk. Screw the budget. He hadn’t felt his body come alive that fast ever, or not in years anyway.

She was so soft. Her breasts just fit in his hand and….

Why was he thinking like that? It was making the agony worse.

The next few days would prove to be interesting. Maybe if they did it, just once, he’d get the sex out of his system, and they’d be able to move on. Laura didn’t seem like the clingy type.

Who was he kidding?

She was the type of gal he’d never be able to let go. She was like a potato chip— once would never be enough.

If only he knew what she was hiding from him. Their conversations only went so far before she backed away into the shell she had created around herself. Maybe in time, she’d let him in. Maybe even sometime over the next few days when they were alone together, just the two of them, he’d get an insight into her secrets.

Caleb shut and locked the door to the building as he left, still concerned about the odd activity on the ranch. That morning, the vet had verified the dead cows Josh had found had been poisoned. Each had enough rat poison in their systems to wipe out five cows. To make matters even worse, three were cows missing and a fourth one had been found slaughtered—and not by a wild animal.

Bryan, the sheriff, said it looked like a strange ritual killing of some sort. This wasn’t the first time some sick bastard had come out to steal one of Caleb’s cows to use as a sacrifice for a pagan ritual. In fact, this was about the third such instance. The first time, he’d been freaked out; now, not so much. Being October, with Halloween coming, people had to expect that unusual things would start happening. But the poisoning made no sense.

Caleb drove the short distance home, glad he had packed his clothes that morning before heading out to work. Laura was excited to get going, and that made him happy, glad she wanted to be with him. He might need to put a few miles behind him before he would begin to unwind and forget about the crap happening at the Morning Glory, but Caleb believed Laura would have the skills to help him let it all go.

 

* * *

 

“Dang it!” Laura broke a freshly manicured nail as the zipper on her suitcase stuck. She gnawed off the remainder of the nail, wishing she hadn’t spent so much time on the foolish feminine primping.

She lifted the now-sealed bag off the bed and pulled it into the hallway and then down the staircase. Phyllis was waiting for her in the main room, looking at a People magazine.

“Hey.”

“Are you ready for the trip?” Phyllis asked.

“I think so. I need to stop at a store and get a dress for the dance, but otherwise, yep, I should be.”

“Did Caleb tell you he wants to keep us both as employees?” Phyllis asked her.

“Yeah.” Laura nodded and sat down across from Phyllis. “I think it’s a pretty good idea.”

“Sure you want to take care of Connor?” Phyllis set aside the magazine and crossed her legs.

“I like him,” Laura said. “A lot. It should be fine. I guess it will mean more housework for you, though.”

“Well, as I was expecting to do it all, splitting stuff with you should be just fine,” Phyllis said. “Less work, same pay. I’d say that’s a win-win.”

“Having another woman around to chat with will make it easier to live out here too,” Laura said.

“What’s going on with you and Caleb?” Phyllis whispered.

“I’m not sure.” Laura looked away, embarrassed to think about the man. She wasn’t ready to say what she thought was going on. She didn’t want to start something with Caleb she couldn’t finish.

“You like him?”

“Yeah,” Laura admitted. “He’s handsome and nice. Maybe a bit gruff, but I think that comes from being around men all day.”

“He’s got a nice smile.” Phyllis turned on the couch to lay down.

“I like his chin.” Laura laughed, meeting Phyllis’s eyes. “And his walk. Those bowed legs are kinda sexy.”

“That’s an understatement.” Phyllis giggled. “Jasper is pretty handsome, but he’s older, got grays running through his hair. He’s a happy guy. I think you’ll like him.”

“I’m sure.” Laura nodded. “If he and Caleb are friends, he must be a decent guy.”

“Will you share a room with him, ya think?” Phyllis’ eyes were shut.

“I don’t think so, no.” Laura shook her head, trying not to think about what had happened earlier in the office.

“I suppose we’ll share a room,” Phyllis said. “We’ve already slept together, so it’s not too much of a leap. I wonder if there’s a fancy lingerie shop in Casper.”

Laura laughed. That was the last thing she would have thought of. “I’ll bet in a city that size, there would be somewhere to shop for that type of thing.”

“All set, ladies?” Caleb called in from the kitchen. “I’ll meet you out at the truck.”

She and Phyllis exchanged glances, and Laura wondered if Phyllis was nearly as excited as she was. Her heart was pounding hard, threatening to leap from her chest, and she knew if she looked in a mirror, her face would be flushed. They left the house and headed toward Caleb’s pickup and waited to see where he wanted them to stow their bags.

“You’re lucky, Laura.” Phyllis shook her head. “I don’t know if you can see the looks that guy gives you.” She hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “But I think he’s in love.”

“Probably just lust.” Laura smiled.

Caleb joined them, his bowed-legged swagger making her crazy. That, and the cleft in his square chin. And his lips…and, well, other things….

“All set?” Caleb opened the passenger door, hung his suit bag on a hook in the back of the cab, and then loaded their suitcases into the bed of the truck, pulling the liner shut. He helped Phyllis crawl up into the back seat and then with a gentle hand on her rear, he eased Laura into the passenger seat. She looked back to see if he meant it as a grope and was rewarded with a sly wink.

She shook her head, reminding herself it was what it was…. Just lust.

“Jasper lives about a half hour from here.” Caleb climbed in behind the wheel. “He’s got a nice spread doesn’t he, Phyllis?”

“Spread?” Phyllis squeaked.

Caleb laughed and glanced at Laura, but she didn’t quite know what to make of the question, either.

“Nice land, house, buildings. Spread is a nickname for a ranch,” Caleb explained.

“Oh.” Phyllis chuckled. “Yes, he does. And a big truck.”

Caleb laughed again. “It’s a duallie,” he explained to Laura. “Four wheels in the back instead of two.”

“Yeah, that’s what he called it,” Phyllis answered. “It’s loud inside, a lot louder than your truck.”

The conversation trailed off there. It was starting to get dark, a beautiful sunset made up of pretty lines of pinks and mauves leading their way. Although the sky was calm, her heart was racing with the excitement of it all. Laura got lost in her thoughts, wondering what the upcoming days would bring. What if he wanted her to sleep with him?

“Have you ever been this far west, Laura?” Caleb asked her.

“Sure.” Laura turned toward him. “I’ve been skiing in Colorado and Utah. Been to Vegas and LA I went to Seattle once. Phoenix too.”

“Really? Man, somehow I pictured you confined to the Midwest.”

She laughed. “They did let me leave home every now and again for good behavior.”

Caleb and Phyllis laughed.

Thinking about those trips, mostly spent with her family, caused a sudden pang of loneliness. Going from a family of five to a singular existence was damn hard.

What was Mama Vita doing right now? Had she made friends in Florida yet? The FBI had helped her get set up in a penthouse overlooking the ocean. She loved the water and had to be in heaven. Mama didn’t like being alone, would certainly remarry. It hurt like the devil to think Laura could never hug her mother again and Mama wouldn’t be able to attend her children’s weddings or meet any of her grandchildren.

Laura had to get her mind on better things or she’d start bawling like a baby. She switched her thoughts to Barrow, Alaska, to what her sister Maria called the tip of the world, where she was squirreled away, teaching at a high school. And then poor Vinny, Laura’s twin, living large in a cabin on a beach on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. He’d gotten the good deal. Laura wasn’t sure why the FBI thought Maria would be happy in Alaska or why they’d stuck Laura on a cattle ranch, but surely they’d had their reasons. She was thankful the FBI had helped them at all, given the fact they refused to be fully integrated into the protection program.

Maria’s last email said Garbaldo had found Vinny. Laura wasn’t sure what that meant, other than it was in her best interest to watch her back. Vinny hadn’t testified against Garbaldo; instead, he’d just disappeared one day.

Caleb took her hand and squeezed it. “Your face is certainly expressive. One minute I thought you were about to cry, and now you seem to be laughing at something.”

“Just thinking.” She shrugged with a smile.

“I’m glad you came with me,” he said softly, meeting her eyes. “I haven’t taken anyone with me in years. Jasper is the same.” He glanced into the back seat at Phyllis.

“I like him, Caleb. He says you are one of the best friends he’s got.”

“I’d agree with that; he’s an all-around good guy.” Caleb nodded and raised this hand to point at the top of the hill. “That’s his place.”

Laura was in awe of what she saw. The house, lit up like a Christmas tree, perched on top of the ridge, overlooking a deep valley. “The view must be awesome!”

“It is,” Phyllis and Caleb answered in unison, and then both chuckled.

They pulled up to the house and Caleb climbed out. Jasper was waiting at the door for them. Laura watched as he and Caleb kenneled Jasper’s pretty yellow Labradors.

She turned back to Phyllis. “You want to cuddle with him, or should I scoot in back?”

“Come on in back. We’ll whisper about things and make them think we’re talking about them.” She laughed.

Laura opened the door and climbed out, then got into the back seat with Phyllis. “This is fun. I haven’t been on a double date in years. Well, really I haven’t been on a date in years.”

“You’re kidding me?”

Laura got cozy in the spot next to Phyllis. “No.” Laura shook her head. “Why are you so surprised?”

“Have you looked in a mirror lately?”

Laura rolled her eyes.

“I’m serious. I would kill to have looks like you.”

“Phyllis, you are—”

“Don’t say it.” Phyllis cut Laura short. “Because it’s not true. You helped me, by letting me borrow your clothes and by fixing my makeup and hair. You’ve helped me look better, but I am still not even remotely pretty.”

“Well, here comes one guy I bet would disagree with that.”

Caleb and Jasper walked to the pickup, joking about something, and then they split, Caleb stashing Jasper’s suitcase in the back and then climbing in behind the wheel, Jasper sitting in the front passenger seat.

“Hi ya, Phyllis.” He reached over into the back seat and squeezed her hand. “You must be Laura.” He smiled and shook her hand.

Caleb put the truck into gear. Jasper turned back long enough to put on his seatbelt and then sat sideways in the seat to see Phyllis and Laura.

They talked briefly, but soon, the only sounds were the murmurs of Jasper and Caleb, who were talking in the darkness of the cab, and the monotonous roar of the tires on the highway. Laura drifted off to sleep, catching sight of the lights of Ainsworth just before dozing off.