I don’t understand, Griffin. Where are Brooke and Hunter?”
“Hmm, the last time I saw them, along with Max and Marcie, they’d challenged your father to a hot game of Monopoly. I have to believe some of my development genes may have been passed on. At least if the fact that Brooke had hotels on both Boardwalk and Parkway is any sign.”
Tara laughed at the thought of her imposing father surrounded by four young children. She wasn’t surprised that Max and Marcie, Tatiana’s darling children, were there. They adored their doting grandfather, or Papa Sheriff, as they called him. But that he had brought Brooke and Hunter into the charmed circle the day they’d arrived in Sierra Vista spoke to his charisma. She didn’t want to burst Griffin’s bubble, but if anyone knew the ins and outs of Monopoly, it was Titus Trouble. But then, he should given the countless hours he’d spent playing every conceivable game with her and her sisters.
A surge of emotion caught her off guard at the memory. But the tears she fought were happy ones. She realized she must have betrayed her fragile emotions when Griffin nodded as if she had spoken.
“Yeah, Tara, that is some father you have. When he called and asked if Brooke and Hunter would like to come to a board game party, I shouldn’t have been surprised. I’m beginning to understand that the sheriff of Cochise County is a softie at heart. The fact that he added my shell-shocked children into the mix speaks to a man of uncommon intuitive insights.”
“Yes, I have a remarkable father. My sisters and I could have been damaged irreparably by our dissolute mother. But, like you, Griffin, my father took some hard steps to ensure that we not only survived but thrived.” Reaching for his face, she held it between her hands. “This is what you’re doing for Brooke and Hunter. Trust me, they will thank you for the rest of their lives.”
“Thanks, Tara. I appreciate that. And you’re right, I couldn’t have a better role model than Sheriff Titus Trouble.” Griffin cocked a brow and added with a sly smile, “As wise a grandfather as he is, Titus is also an astute and protective father. Do you think maybe one of the reasons he invited Brooke and Hunter to the Monopoly party was because he knew we needed some serious alone time?”
Tara pursed her lips as if in thought, then grinned at him. “Considering how you all but dragged me out of the Bitter n’ Twisted after threatening to castrate that disgusting jerk who was harassing me, I’d say, yes, it’s an understatement that we need time alone.”
As if reminded of the altercation, a hard frown tightened Griffin’s brow. “Goddammit, Tara. I can’t believe what that asshole said to you. It’s a good thing that I had some provocative plans for you or I would have taken him out. Trust me, he wouldn’t be doing much harassing after I’d delivered a series of knife strikes followed by a spinning front snap kick or two between his legs. While it wouldn’t have been a full-fledged castration, he’d remember me every time he took a piss.”
“I don’t know if I should be impressed or scared. I didn’t know that on top of everything else you’re a martial artist.”
Griffin gave a tight smile. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Tara. Which reminds me, given what I have planned for tonight, now that we have a curfew, we’d better get started.”
Realizing that he was leading her over to the Harley that was parked by the side of the lot, she asked tentatively, “Where are we going, Griffin? Somewhere that is available by automobile, I hope.”
His face lit up in a grin. “C’mon, Tara. Admit that you like the hum of that powerful engine between your legs as much I do. At least the last three times you’ve ridden on this crotch rocket, we barely arrived at our destination before you began attacking me.”
“I attack you?” she shrieked in mock horror.
He laughed as he picked her up and settled her on the back of the bike. “How about we call it a mutual attack? As for where we are going, we’re going somewhere where I can strip you naked and take up with you where we left off. The last time we were naked together, that is. Let’s head for your house. I think it’s high time we christen your bed—if I can get through the front hall without tearing your clothes off and having my perverted way with you against the wall.”
“Griffin, I really don’t like motorcycles. They scare me. I told you that.”
“So you did. I also remember you saying that you didn’t like being blindfolded or tied spread-eagled to my bed. Which is why I brought these.”
He opened the side saddlebag, revealing several cuffs and a blindfold along with what looked like a riding crop among other esoteric items she didn’t recognize.
“What . . . are all of those?”
Griffin chuckled as he put her helmet and began to tighten the straps. “Just some equipment I need to convince you that all those dislikes of yours are actually things that, at a very deep level, you want.” He pinched her cheek and said with a sly grin, “For example, things that you thought you’d never do, such as allowing me to take your ass. Although, when I did, I seem to remember that the only cries that were more ecstatic than mine were yours.”
Strapping on his helmet, he shot her a sexy grin. “That said, Ms. Tara Trouble, we shouldn’t tarry. I don’t know how long the fearsome sheriff of Cochise County can keep his short-stuff company entertained. Plus, I have a lot of plans for you, sweetheart. In fact, so many it may take me at least a lifetime or two to implement them.”
****
Six months later, the crowd at the entrance to the Shadow Peaks development included dignitaries from the governor of the state and its entire congressional delegation as well as media representatives from across the country. A group of tribal leaders from Oklahoma and Utah were also present. After Robert Redhorse opened the ceremony, he turned to Griffin and Tara, who were standing together. A smile tugged at his lips.
“I was honored to accept the invitation to speak today from two special friends of mine, Griffin Black and Tara Trouble. I’ve known both of them for many years. But in all those years, the prospect of what appeared to be irredeemable differences between their views of land development made their partnership today as likely as General Custer winning the Battle of the Little Bighorn.” Allowing the laughter to settle, Redhorse continued. “I’ve always known that both Tara and Griffin were passionate about the land. Their challenge was how to share that passion in a way that speaks for them both. I’m pleased to say that in Shadow Peaks, as it is now conceived, they did exactly that.” He bowed to Tara and Griffin. “I congratulate you both for your vision and your willingness to challenge your long-held views and come together to make Shadow Peaks the truly groundbreaking development that it will be.” His grin widened, taking over his face. “And most of all, for those of us who love you, the announcement of your upcoming marriage confirms Shadow Peaks is but the first of many projects that will be blessed not only by your vision but by your love.”
Waiting for the deafening applause to end, his arm securely around Tara’s waist, Griffin stepped to the microphone. “Thank you, Robert, for blessing both Tara’s and my life with your friendship and good counsel. We treasure them both. Now, for all of you male chauvinists out there, I need to correct your certain assumptions. Knowing the arrogant asshole that I am, you no doubt think all I had to do was bark out an order or two and this little woman would eagerly obey.” At the disbelieving laughter, he nodded. “Apparently, many of you know my fiancée. Those who do will know that every concession she ultimately made, which were miniscule compared to how ignominiously I caved to her suggestions, were as hard fought as any battle I participated in Iraq. To make that point, take the time to study the blueprints of the project as it had been conceived by Black Enterprises and compare it to the current plans developed by B and T Enterprises. And yes, the ‘B’ comes before the ‘T’ but only because it is earlier in the alphabet. I’m confident that you will see that the project as it is now is infinitely better than what I originally proposed.”
Again waiting until the applause ended, Griffin pulled Tara closer to him. “I remember telling Tara’s father many months ago that I was humbled by his beautiful and powerful daughter. That is nothing compared to how humbled I am today, knowing that this extraordinary woman will soon be my wife.”
Tara stepped up to the microphone through the deafening applause and smiled at the crowd. “Most of you know me better than you know Griffin, who is a new arrival to our town. Now, I’m aware that I had a bit of an environmental activist reputation—make that an eco-nut. I’m also confident that to those of you who know me, seeing me accede to anyone’s wishes, particularly an arrogant, commanding man like Griffin, would be as likely as the sun rising in the West or putting out a forest fire with a squirt gun. But I’m glad to say that among his other traits—” She was interrupted by Tanya’s impudent shout, “Such as being Mr. Sex on a Stick and hitting a solid one hundred on a ten-point stud scale?”
Waiting until the laughter and wolf whistles quieted, Tara looked up at Griffin and said with a sly smile, “Well, yes, sis, there is that!”
She continued more seriously. “Griffin said that he is humbled by me and frankly he has reason to be. I have been blessed to have quite simply the finest father a daughter could have and two sisters that are my closet and dearest friends. But what is awe-inspiring to me is that Griffin, Brooke, and Hunter will soon be a part of our family, making it even better and stronger. I’m humbled and will be forever grateful.”
When the applause finally stopped, Tara looked up at Griffin and grinned. “Oh, and by the way, he truly is an arrogant asshole.”
Griffin waited for the laughter to end, then pulled her up close to him. Tipping up her chin, he kissed her, then said, “And yes, folks, it won’t surprise you that’s what this saucy little minx loves most about me.”
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