Chapter Seven
For several days now, Maddy had been climbing the walls. She missed Chase, and she hated that she missed Chase. Riley remained convinced Chase was coming back soon, and every day he begged to go to the next AEBR event in Missoula to watch the riders.
Maddy had told him Chase wouldn’t be at the event, but Riley wasn’t deterred. It was clear bull riding made him feel closer to his father. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. She wanted him to remember his real father. She didn’t want him to keep mixing the two men up.
Then Piper offered to go with her to Missoula. It was the weekend of the teenage campout, and the trip would keep the sullen Tristan out of town while his friend partied. Maddy was desperate enough to agree. And Tristan had a learners’ permit, so offering to let him do part of the driving was just enough of a carrot to overshadow the campout.
Maddy had double-checked the roster to confirm Chase wasn’t riding. He’d said he planned to spend some time in Wyoming before rejoining the tour, so she decided it was safe to go watch Zane.
Early Thursday morning, they’d piled in Piper’s minivan for the nine-hour drive. On the way, they’d stopped in Billings for dinner. By the time they hit Bozeman, Tristan was worn out from driving. And by the time they hit Butte, both Riley and Tristan were sound asleep in the back seats.
“Quietest I’ve seen him in months,” Piper said from behind the wheel. “Well, except for Saturday and Sunday mornings. I swear a bomb could go off and he wouldn’t wake up.”
“I remember sleeping like that as a teenager,” Maddy said. “Well, up until I got pregnant. Morning sickness is no fun.”
“Is that why you and Chase got married?” Piper asked. “Tell me if it’s none of my business.”
“That’s okay,” Maddy said, focusing on the line of headlights passing the other way. “It wasn’t a real secret. My brothers never said anything at the time, but a baby that comes two months early doesn’t weigh eight pounds.”
“I guess not.”
“Funny, though. We never ever did talk about it. I hadn’t realized that until Chase pointed it out.”
“After Riley was born?”
“Last week.”
“What?”
Maddy became momentarily flustered. How could it be that her default Chase was now Chase Garrett?
“Maddy?”
“It was Chase Garrett who said something.”
“The Chase who just stayed with you?”
“I told him we hadn’t told my brothers that I was pregnant before the wedding. And he said they weren’t stupid. They knew. And he’s right. They had to have figured it out.”
Piper gave her an odd look. “You and Chase Garrett discussed your marriage? You getting pregnant with Riley?”
“We did. Does that seem weird?”
“It seems interesting.”
Maddy had said a lot of things to Chase Garrett, things she never would have imagined saying to a stranger, never mind a bull rider. But Chase hadn’t stayed a stranger for long. They’d been thrown together under the most personal of circumstances. Perhaps it was inevitable their relationship would become intimate.
“So, did you sleep with him?” Piper asked with studied casualness as she gazed out the windshield.
“Well, that was blunt,” Maddy said.
“And that wasn’t a no.”
Maddy glanced into the backseat to make sure Tristan was sleeping soundly.
She lowered her voice. “If I did, would that be bad?”
“I hope not.”
Maddy wasn’t sure how to take Piper’s answer.
“I’m guessing,” Piper continued, “that Chase was the first guy you slept with after Chase died. That was confusing, but you know what I mean. So I hope it was good. I hope it was very good.”
“He was,” Maddy said. “And it was.”
“I’m glad.” Piper glanced at her. “You don’t feel guilty, do you?”
“I don’t. Maybe I should. But… well… Chase, my husband Chase, wasn’t… exactly…”
“That good in bed?”
“What?” Maddy couldn’t hide her shock. “No. That wasn’t what I was going to say at all. I mean, he wasn’t great. He was fine.” She was getting more flustered by the second.
“Fine?”
“Okay. I’m going to say this. I’m just going to say it.”
Piper waited.
“I’m not sure I was his first choice as a lover.”
“Did he tell you that?” Piper sounded aghast.
“No. He didn’t. But I know he slept with other women. On the road. At events. I saw some text messages, and when I confronted him, he didn’t deny it.”
“Oh, Maddy.”
Maddy slouched down in her seat. “He had to marry me. He never said it that way, but looking back, I know he would have been intimidated by Lucas, Eli, Wyatt, and Zane. In the circumstances, the smartest thing he could do was pretend to love me.”
“I’m sure he loved you.”
“I’m not.”
Maddy had never said it out loud. She’d feared it more and more for the past couple of years. But she’d never admitted it to anyone.
“Are you okay?” Piper asked.
“Yes. I’m fine. Thanks for listening.”
“Of course. I’m happy to listen. I’m happy to do anything that helps.”
“It feels odd to admit it. And I do miss him, for my sake as well as Riley’s. But sometimes I don’t know how to act. I’m grieving, but not in the way most young wives would grieve.”
“There’s no set way to grieve. And all marriages have their problems. Scratch that. All lives have their problems.” Piper glanced in the rearview mirror at their sons.
“Riley thinks Chase Garrett is his father,” Maddy blurted out.
“What?” Piper swerved the minivan and quickly corrected. “What did you say?”
Maddy gave Piper the story in a nutshell. “Since the direct approach was an abject failure, I’m going to keep dropping breadcrumbs. I think I’ll have to wait for him to figure it out for himself.”
“He will,” Piper said with conviction.
“Eventually.” Maddy agreed with that. “But it’s so hard to watch. We miss Chase Garrett so much.”
“We?”
Maddy nodded, tired of holding it inside. “I miss him, Piper. He was pretty wonderful. He was great with Riley. He fixed things up around the house. He held me. I haven’t been held like that in… well, ever, I think. He’s got this big strong hug, and when I put my head on his shoulder, I could swear nothing is ever going to hurt me again.”
There was a smile in Piper’s tone. “I don’t need to ask if he was a good lover. He was a great lover.”
“He was a great lover.”
“I had that once,” Piper said. “It was so long ago, I can barely remember it. And it didn’t last.”
“Tristan’s dad?” Maddy asked, knowing Piper had been pregnant while she was in college.
“Tristan’s dad.”
“What happened to him? Did you ever consider getting married?”
“No. It was a fling. He went to a different school.” Piper flipped on the signal to take the coming exit ramp. “He doesn’t know,” she said softly.
Maddy wasn’t sure she heard right. She glanced back at Tristan again. He was stirring with the deceleration of the van.
She leaned close to Piper. “He doesn’t know?”
“He never will,” Piper whispered in return.
“Are we there?” Tristan asked from the backseat.
“Not yet,” Piper said louder. “We’re stopping for fuel.”
“You okay?” Maddy asked Piper in an undertone.
“It’s been a long, long time. And I’m better than okay.”
Maddy couldn’t help but admire Piper’s upbeat attitude. It had obviously been years since she’d seen Tristan’s father. And it was clear from her tone that she’d missed him.
Maddy tried to picture years without seeing Chase. She tried to picture years without experiencing the strength of his embrace. It left her feeling hollow and bleak.
She hadn’t even made it a week, and she missed it all so very badly.
*
Missoula had seemed like a natural meeting point when Lucas asked Chase to meet with him and his three brothers. Lucas told him that Zane was riding at the AEBR event, Eli was working just one state over, and Wyatt had been able to make a stopover on a cargo flight to Wyoming. Lucas, it seemed, could set his own schedule and had the resources to travel anywhere he wanted.
Chase had said goodbye to Riley a few days earlier, letting him think he was going to a bull-riding event—which he’d known then would eventually be true. His plan was to gradually pull away from Riley, maybe stop by in a month or so, just for the day, just to keep in touch. It would be hard on both of them, but he couldn’t see any other path forward right now.
Maddy had already told Lucas she’d take his money. But the brothers wanted to meet with Chase anyway. Chase was curious. He wondered if Lucas might not have all the cash flow he needed to follow through with his offer to Maddy. Chase supposed he’d find out soon.
He walked into a bar and grill off Main Street in downtown Missoula to meet the four Merrick men. It was a clean place, working class, with lots of wood, practical tables, and a gleaming bar that stretched around the center of the room.
Lucas was there with Zane and the other two. All were tall, fit, with dark hair and what looked like trademark blue eyes. Lucas was urbane in a suit. Zane was scruffy in dusty jeans and plaid shirt. Chase guessed Wyatt was the one with neatly trimmed hair, wearing cargo pants and a khaki green T-shirt. While the brawniest of the four had to be Eli, unshaven in rust-colored, double-front work pants.
Lucas introduced Eli and Wyatt, confirming Chase’s guess, and Chase took a seat.
“Do they know the whole story?” Chase asked Lucas.
Eli sat up straight, his shoulders square. “We know you offered to buy the house, that Riley thinks you’re his daddy, and that you didn’t sleep with our sister. Are we missing anything?”
“I was referring to the house,” Chase said.
He didn’t have any intention of delving into his relationship with Maddy. He supposed he wasn’t surprised they’d discussed the situation with Riley.
“We don’t like guys messing with our sister,” Eli said, gaze narrowing on Chase.
The comment seemed to come out of left field and Chase didn’t know how to react.
“We didn’t much like what the other Chase did,” Eli continued.
The vehemence in his tone caught Chase off guard. Was this some kind of an intervention? Had they appointed themselves the family vigilantes?
“Good thing I’m not him,” Chase said evenly, tensing, waiting to see where the conversation would go.
“Good thing,” Eli said.
“This isn’t what we’re here to do,” Lucas told Eli, tone firm. He switched his attention to Chase. “We have a proposition for you.”
“You want me to buy the house?” Chase guessed.
Lucas looked surprised by the statement. “She already agreed to let me help.”
“I know.” Chase glanced around at the four men. “I thought maybe you needed the extra cash.”
Zane spoke up. “Speaking of cash, exactly how much money do you have to invest?”
Chase turned to Zane. “I can afford the house.”
“Well, we have a different proposition for you,” Zane said.
“I told you I’m not sure about this,” Eli said.
“Let Zane talk,” Wyatt said.
Chase waited, curious for Zane to elaborate.
“You’ve met Rory Douglas.” Zane referred to the oldest bull rider on the circuit.
“Sure,” Chase said.
Rory was a gregarious guy. Jokingly called Gramps, he had advice for all the young cowboys. And his advice was good.
“Rory has a place for sale in Montana. Well, it might be for sale. There’s story behind it. But—”
“But”—Lucas stepped in, talking overtop of his younger brother—“our story is that we can’t get the Merrick land back. We looked hard for a loophole in the original lien, but it wasn’t there. The new owner has title, fair and square, and he’s not selling. Even if we were willing to pay above market value, he won’t budge.”
“We’re not going to be held hostage,” Eli said.
“So, back to Rory,” Zane said. “His spread is for sale below market value.”
Eli pushed back in his chair with a huff. “And there’s a good reason for that.”
“It has a bad history,” Wyatt said.
“And this has to do with me how?” Chase asked.
He was following the conversation just fine. Trouble was, it hadn’t yet made any sense.
“We thought you might be interested in the real estate investment,” Lucas said.
“In your house,” Chase said again. He assumed they meant to use the proceeds from the sale of the house to help buy the Rory Douglas spread.
“In the Douglas Ranch,” Lucas said.
“You want me to buy a ranch?” Chase already had a ranch he wasn’t using. He couldn’t see buying another.
“As an investment,” Lucas said. “You wouldn’t run the ranch. We would. You’d be our partner.”
Chase paused. He looked around at the four men, gauging their expressions, wrapping his head around the unexpected offer.
Wyatt flagged the waitress. “Can we get another pitcher of draft?”
Noting the other men were all halfway through their beer, Chase filled the empty glass in front of him so the waitress could remove their pitcher.
“Back to my original question,” Zane said. “How much do you have to invest?”
Chase took a drink then set his glass back down in front of him. “Enough.”
Lucas smiled.
Eli scowled.
All Chase could think of was Maddy. If he went into partnership with her brothers, he’d be sticking around on a permanent basis. The confusion with Riley wouldn’t last. And he’d miss having the kid call him Daddy. But he could still be in their lives.
He’d take it. Whatever that looked like, he’d take it.
“We have two million,” Lucas said. “The bank’s good for fifty percent. We need two million more.”
“You have to tell him the whole story,” Eli said.
“The Douglas Ranch, Marietta Montana,” Chase said. “I know part of the story. I doubt anyone knows the whole story.”
“He’s thinking about it,” Wyatt said to his brothers.
“I’m thinking about it,” Chase agreed.
He was way past thinking about it. If there was a dotted line, he’d be signing on it right now. He wasn’t put off by the tragic past of the Douglas land. They could build a new house. It wasn’t the land’s fault that a terrible crime had been committed there.
“You have the two million?” Zane asked.
“Does Maddy know about this?” Chase asked.
“You have a problem with our sister?” Eli asked.
The question struck Chase as absurd. How could anyone have a problem with Maddy? Maddy was wonderful.
“Stop it,” Lucas said to Eli.
“There’s something going on there,” Eli said.
“He’s not Chase Barrett,” Lucas said.
“I thought you all liked Chase Barrett,” Chase couldn’t help but asked them.
“She was eighteen,” Eli spat.
“Yeah.” Chase found something he could agree on with the combative Eli. “I can’t say I was impressed when I found that out.”
“They did get married,” Wyatt noted.
Eli was glaring at Chase again.
“Somebody want to tell him I’m the good guy?” Chase asked no one in particular.
He was trying to keep it light, but he sure hoped this didn’t turn into any pointed questions about his relationship with Maddy. He wasn’t going to volunteer information, but he wasn’t going to lie to them either. And if they knew the whole truth, he suspected things were going to get more than interesting.
“Can we talk about the ranch?” Wyatt asked.
Chase was coming to like Wyatt. “I want to talk about the ranch.”
“You have the two million?” Zane confirmed.
“I have the two million,” Chase answered.
“And you’re driving a twelve-year-old pickup?”
Chase chuckled. “Still works fine. I didn’t sell my spread to spend the money.”
“Why did you sell it?” Wyatt asked.
Chase considered how to answer the question. “Didn’t need it anymore.”
“There’s something going on with this guy,” Eli said.
“I sold it for a women,” Chase said. “Then it didn’t work out between us. Do you want my investment or not?”
“We do,” Lucas said, sending a glare Eli’s way. “We’ll have to go look at the land. But Rory’s got plenty of pictures, and it looks really good so far. Our thought was that Eli will manage it. The operation will service the debt, and we’ll split any profits.”
“And if there’s a loss?” Chase asked.
He wasn’t particularly worried about a loss. He’d take a loss if it kept him close to Maddy.
“You don’t think I can run a ranch?” Eli asked.
“It’s a logical question,” Lucas said. “I’d be worried if he didn’t ask.”
“I don’t know you,” Chase said to Eli. “We’ll need operating capital for at least the first year,” he said to the rest of them. “Probably more like three.”
“I can provide ongoing capital,” Lucas said.
“Wyatt and I will kick in what we have,” Zane said. “And I’ll work on the ranch between AEBR events.”
“Assuming the deal checks out, I’ll match whatever operating capital you put in,” Chase said to Lucas.
“Exactly how much money do you have?” Zane asked, a lilt of humor to his voice.
“Enough,” Chase said again, smiling back.
He was beginning to like Maddy’s brothers. Even Eli might grow on him over time. Chase was inclined to give Eli some slack. He was clearly the pit bull of the family, and he had no reason yet to trust Chase.
Eli was protective of Maddy. Chase could respect that. He was even glad about it. Maddy and Riley needed a few champions in their corner.
*
Maddy swiped the motel room key across the scanner in the open air walkway on the second floor. Riley was standing by her side, Piper and Tristan had just carried their bags into their own room next door.
“Daddy!” Riley cried out. In an instant he was off down the passageway.
Maddy’s stomach lurched with worry. “Riley, come back.” But as the words left her lips, she saw Chase at a room three doors down.
He lifted his gaze to meet hers, and a pressure wave seemed to race down the breezeway toward her, nearly knocking her back on her heels.
Chase was here. He was in Missoula. He was supposed to be stopping in Wyoming.
Riley launched himself into Chase’s arms, and Chase scooped him up, giving her son a hug.
“Are you ridin’, Daddy? Are you ridin’?”
“The doctor says I have to wait.”
Riley pouted. “Awww.”
Maddy set down her bags, drawn toward him.
He watched her progress.
“Hey,” he said when she got there.
“You’re here.”
“I am.”
“What happened to Wyoming?”
Chase got a curious look in his eyes. “Have you talked to Lucas?”
“Lucas? What’s Lucas got to do with anything?”
Riley frowned and batted Chase’s chest. “But you said you were gonna ride bulls again, Daddy.”
“Not this weekend,” Chase said. “Maybe next weekend in Tacoma.”
“I’m comin’ to Tacoma,” Riley announced.
Chase gave Riley his full attention. “Buckaroo, you remember what I said about some little boys have two daddies?”
“No,” Riley said, gazing down at the floor.
“Sure, you do.”
“Chase.” Maddy gave her head a small shake. “Not tonight.”
“You sure?” It was clear Chase was trying to do the right thing.
“It doesn’t have to be tonight.”
Chase gave a nod.
Piper’s voice sounded behind Maddy. “What’s going on out here?” Her footfalls echoed on the painted concrete walkway.
Maddy turned, putting on a smile as she struggled to come to terms with Chase’s presence. Obviously he was here to watch his friends and competitors. It made sense. And she was glad to see him. She didn’t want to be glad, but she was.
“Piper,” she said, “this is Chase Garrett.”
The interest in Piper’s expression amped up, making Maddy nervous about what she might say. “It’s very nice to meet you, Chase.”
“Mom?” Tristan’s voice was slightly whiney from the motel room. “I’m hungry.”
“Hello, Piper,” Chase said, offering his hand.
“Mom?” Tristan appeared on the breezeway.
“You’ll survive,” Piper called over her shoulder.
“Are you coming to the party tonight?” Piper asked Chase.
Maddy had mentioned that it was traditional for sponsors, bull riders, and their families to attend an opening party. With Zane on the circuit, they’d be welcome to attend.
“I hadn’t thought about it.” Chase looked to Maddy. “You?”
“Too late for this one,” she answered, reaching to take Riley from Chase.
But Riley clung tight.
“You must be getting sleepy, buckaroo,” Chase said.
“No,” Riley answered mulishly.
“It’s getting pretty late.”
“Tristan could babysit,” Piper offered.
“Me?” Tristan asked in obvious consternation as he arrived beside them. “I don’t wanna be stuck—”
“It’s nearly your bedtime too,” Piper said in a warning voice.
“That’s bogus,” Tristen complained.
“It’d be a paying gig,” Chase offered.
“Chase, no,” Piper said.
Maddy stepped in. “I don’t want to impose on Tristan.”
She completely understood that a fifteen-year-old boy would hate to babysit while everyone else went out to a party. Especially since he’d imagine all of his friends having a wild and exciting time back home.
“How much?” Tristan asked Chase.
“Tristan!” Piper admonished.
“It’s a fair question,” Chase responded. “He’s doing a job for us. He should be paid fairly.” Chase reached into his pocket and extracted a few bills. “I’ll even spring for pizza.” He handed the bills to Tristan, who looked down at them.
“Nice,” said Tristan, a smile growing on his face.
“How about this?” Chase said to Riley. “I’ll tuck you in while your mom gets ready. Then Tristan can stay with you for a while.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
Chase looked to Maddy. “Is that okay with Mommy?”
“Like Mommy has a choice.” Maddy knew she had been completely boxed in.
“Mommy will like the party,” Chase said with a satisfied smile.
“I know Piper will like the party,” Piper said.
Maddy shook her head, pretending to be annoyed. But she would like the party. Chase was going to be at the party, and she’d missed him a lot. They’d agreed it made sense for him to leave. But right now she wondered why. Why was being apart from him better than being with him?
“Let’s get you settled,” Chase said to Riley as he started towards their room.
This time, Maddy was able to make the key work.
While Chase helped Riley into his pajamas, and Tristan called for pizza, Maddy used the bathroom to change into a pair of skinny jeans and a butter yellow blouse. She pulled on a pair of tan, high-heeled ankle boots to jazz up the outfit. Then she brushed out her hair and applied some makeup.
It felt like she was going on a date. It wasn’t a date, of course. But she had butterflies in her stomach all the same. She couldn’t help picturing a dance with Chase. She wanted to do even more than dance, but with Piper along and Zane most certainly attending the party, they were going to have to be circumspect.
When she exited the bathroom, Chase looked up. His gaze took a tour from her hair to her boots, and he gave her an appreciative smile.
“Looks like you’re ready to go.”
“My mom’ll take an hour,” Tristan said, not bothering to look up from where he was scrolling through the channels.
“Something G-rated, please,” Maddy told him.
He glanced over and flashed her a grin. It was the first time Maddy had seen him smile.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I won’t broaden the little tyke’s horizons while you’re gone.”
“I appreciate that,” Maddy said.
“Tuck in my chin, Daddy,” Riley said.
She crossed to the bed, leaning down to give Riley a kiss. “Tristan’s going to stay with you while you sleep, honey.”
“Okay, Mommy. Daddy says you’re going to dance?”
“I’m going to dance.” She glanced at Chase to find his gaze fixed on her chest. She realized her blouse had gaped open, and she was giving him a view of her white, lacy bra. She quickly straightened.
“How about The Dog Who Saved Christmas?” Tristan asked from where he sat at Riley’s feet.
“It’s summer,” Riley said.
“It’s a funny movie,” Tristan said.
Riley looked to Maddy. “Can I really watch TV in bed?”
She ruffled his hair. “You can really watch TV in bed. But only because we’re in a motel.”
“Goody,” Riley said, grinning as he wiggled up from under the covers.
He propped his head on a pillow. His cheeks were flushed, and his eyelids were droopy. She’d be surprised if he lasted through the opening credits.
“Thanks,” she said to Tristan.
Tristan jabbed a thumb in Chase’s direction. “Thank him. I’m getting triple meat, double cheese, and a contribution to my new cell phone.”
“I’ll make sure I do.”
Then Maddy caught Chase’s hungry gaze.
She hadn’t meant the words to sound sexy. But they had. A shot of pure arousal raised tingling goose bumps on her skin. A pulse pinged low in her abdomen.
Dancing. It was nothing but dancing tonight.
Chase opened the door and she walked past him onto the breezeway. The air was sultry warm, the wind still, traffic below whizzing past under the streetlights. The big motel sign was yellow, bathing everything in a soft glow.
Then the door shut behind them and they were alone.
He looked to the left, and then to the right, then he pressed her against the painted concrete wall and kissed her thoroughly. She was instantly awash in passion. She’d missed him so much.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and absorbed the feel of his hard body against hers. The kiss was long and intimate and amazing.
“I want you so bad,” he whispered against her mouth.
“I know,” she said.
“I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
A voice sounded below them. A car door slammed, and he backed slightly away.
“It can’t be tonight, can it?” he said.
“It can’t be tonight.” She wished it could.
But there were too many people around them. Piper and Tristan were right next door. And she and Riley were sharing a bed. It couldn’t possibly be tonight.
The door to Piper’s room opened and Chase took a big step back.
“You look terrific,” he told Piper as she emerged.
She did a pirouette. Her jeans were black. She wore rhinestone high heels. Her hair was in a messy updo. And her sheer, blue blouse was unbuttoned halfway to reveal a lacy pink camisole.
Maddy suddenly felt dowdy.
“My truck’s in the parking lot,” Chase said, gesturing for Piper to go first.
As Maddy started to walk behind Piper, Chase clasped her upper arm, slowing her down.
“You look fantastic,” he whispered in her ear. “Nobody there is going to hold a candle to you.”
A little glow grew in her heart. She felt like she was on a date again. She liked the feeling.