Somebody Like You (24 page)

The bodyguards stayed in the car when they arrived at the ranch. They parked where they had a good view of the comings and goings, but stayed out of everyone’s way.

Good thing, Cash thought, or he’d have run them off. As if Annie needed a bodyguard here on the ranch. Geez, Louise. Staubach, tongue hanging out, had barked and jumped up on him the second he’d stepped out of his vehicle.

“Hey, boy, you’d think I’d been gone a year instead of one night.” He ruffled the dog’s head and scratched between his ears. Then he threw a stick, and his pet ran after it in fits of doggy glee.

“Hey, son. Have a good time?” His father tipped his hat at Annie. “Welcome home.”

Cash saw the burst of happiness before Annie had a chance to rein it in. His dad had said exactly the right thing.

“Got a lot going on today,” he added.

With that, the workday began.

She’d been right about coming in to work today. They needed her. With the preparations under way for the barbecue, every hand on the ranch was busy. Rosie, her salt-and-pepper hair secured in a bun, ran around giving orders in a style that would have put General Patton to shame. She knew what she wanted and expected it would be executed exactly as she said.

And that’s exactly what happened.

Yet Annelise realized the men weren’t scurrying to do her bidding out of fear, but from love. When a table didn’t end up exactly where Rosie wanted it, she cuffed one of the younger ranch hands who turned and gave her a big smile and a peck on the cheek. Laughter rang out, loudly and often.

Annelise had never seen anything like it. Huge sheets of plywood spread over sawhorses to form tables. Benches appeared out of nowhere for seats. A huge fire pit was cleaned out and filled with wood, ready for action. Wind chimes and bells hung from trees. And everywhere, red, white, and blue streamers fluttered in the breeze.

Oh, she’d attended similar events. But she’d never, ever seen what happened behind the scenes. The timing was always impeccably planned so she arrived only once everything was perfect. She discovered she liked this part best.

She’d unloaded a bale of hay from the back of a pickup when her cell phone rang. She dug in her pocket and glanced at the display screen. Thelma Hanson. Her heart ratcheted up to fifth gear.

“Hello, Thelma?”

“Yep, it’s me. I talked to Cornelia, and she’s agreed to meet you tomorrow morning, nine o’clock. She said don’t be late.”

“Cornelia. Is that my aunt’s name?”

“Yep.” Thelma gave Annie directions to the house, then said, “Don’t get all stirred up now and go in there like a kid heading into a candy store. This ain’t no family reunion. Them’s my words, not hers. She’s a mite fancier than that. Still and all, I’m telling you, things might not go quite the way you’re hoping. She’s not near as excited as you about this. Can’t see what any of your family’s business has to do with her after all these years.”

Even with Thelma’s warning, Annie practically floated to the barn. Tomorrow morning, she’d meet her great-aunt.

Cornelia.

E
very person Annelise bumped into reminded her to be at the ranch early tomorrow to get the most out of the day. She smiled and assured them she would be. Truth, though, she might not make it at all. She had something far more important to do.

She had to talk a complete stranger into helping her. Had to plead her case to her grandfather’s long ignored half sister and talk her into being tested for a bone marrow match.

Annelise tossed another hay bale to the ground and wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her gloved hand. It had turned out to be so much easier than she’d ever dared hope to find her great-aunt. Cornelia. Anyone could have found her—if her grandfather had let them. But he hadn’t. Even if she could convince this stranger, this relative, to help, he might still refuse.

“Let me give you a hand with those.” Cash came up behind her and hopped up into the back of the truck. He tossed the rest of the bales over the side in no time flat, then helped her lift them in place. Rosie wanted to use them for seating.

“Thanks.” She closed the tailgate and took off her gloves. “I might not make it till later tomorrow.” She explained the call she’d had from Thelma.

“You want company?”

She shook her head. “No. This is where you need to be. You can’t give a party, then not show up. Besides, I think it might go better with only the two of us.”

“You’re probably right.” He kissed her cheek. “Let me know if you change your mind.” He started to walk away, then stopped and turned back to her. “Hey, were you still going to stop by tonight to show Rosie the pictures from last night?”

“Yes. I’ll go home, grab a quick bath and change, then come back. She promised me dessert.”

“Then you’re one lucky lady. Need anybody to scrub your back?”

She looked around quickly, but no one had been close enough to hear. “Shame on you.”

He laughed and headed to the barn.

Feeling remarkably better after she’d cleaned up, Annie pulled her bike up to the main house. From her saddlebag, she retrieved the photo album the event planner had presented her that morning, then strolled up the walk. It was a beautiful summer evening. Crickets chirped close by, and she heard a horse neighing in the stable, the lowing of cows farther away. The temperature had backed off enough to make her reasonably comfortable in her shorts and tank top.

She felt at peace—even though Rufus and Silas had pulled in behind her. There was something about this place.

The front door stood open, the screen letting in the relatively cooler breeze. The scent of cinnamon and fresh-baked apple pie wafted out to her.

Annelise knocked on the door, and that sense of well-being disappeared when Vivi answered it, her hair disheveled, her blouse partially unbuttoned. She looked well and thoroughly mussed.

“Hey, Annie. I was upstairs welcoming Cash home. I missed him last night.”

Annie literally felt the blood drain from her face. Oh, God, had she been a complete fool to believe Cash when he’d told her there was nothing between him and Vivi?

Even as she was trying to talk her feet into fleeing, Cash came down the stairs, his hair still damp from a shower, buttoning his shirt. “Annie, come on in. I’ll tell Rosie to put the pot on.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t,” she said through bloodless lips. “I don’t want to interrupt anything.”

Vivi draped an arm around Cash and curled into him. He stepped away, frowning. “What’s going on?” His gaze moved from one woman to the other.

Trailing her long red nails over Cash’s arm, Vivi said, “Think I’ll run upstairs and freshen up.”

Still in the doorway, keeping her voice low, Annie said, “I know we never made any promises, Cash, but aren’t you the man who said when you slept with someone, you wanted to be the only person in her bed?”

Cash’s eyes turned hard. “I did.”

“Does that only work one way? There’s no reciprocity? Have things changed between you two?”

He jerked his thumb at the stairs. “Is this about that little display of Vivi’s?”

She said nothing.

A muscle ticced in his jaw. “What’d she do? Tell you she and I were upstairs in the sack?”

She felt empty, half-sick.

“Come on, Annie. You’re smarter than that. She staged this, hoping for exactly the response she got.”

Still she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

He thumped the doorjamb with the side of his fist. “Oh, for Pete’s sake. I intended to grab a quick shower at the stable, but I realized I didn’t have any clean clothes there. I always keep some upstairs.” His brow rose. “In the spare bedroom. I didn’t want to spend the evening with you smelling of horse and sweat.”

“I want so badly to believe you.”

“Then do. It’s as simple as that.” He held the door open for her. “Come on in. Did you bring the pictures?”

“Yes, I did.” Her voice still sounded chilly, but she couldn’t help herself. And she couldn’t believe she’d let Vivi get under her skin like that. Not again. Cash was right. She did know better.

She’d never considered herself a jealous person, but the thought of Cash and Vivi—Well, she wouldn’t think about it anymore.

They walked back to the kitchen where Rosie had perked a fresh pot of coffee and had a warm apple pie, minus one piece, sitting on the counter.

Hank was there, too, a cup of coffee and the missing piece of pie already in front of him.

“Hank. Didn’t realize you were down here.”

“I came while you were upstairs.” He poked at the pie with his fork. “Promised Rosie I’d come try this out, make sure she wouldn’t poison anybody with it tomorrow.”

“You old coot.” She swatted him with a dish towel. “Don’t know why I put up with you.”

“’Cause I’m irresistible.”

“Irresistible in a pig’s eye.” She fetched two more cups. “I noticed the boys are still following you around.” She pointed down the hall to outside. “You think they might want some pie and something to drink?”

“Rosie, that would be very nice of you. I’m sure they’d love it.”

She cut a couple of huge wedges and poured them iced tea. She and Hank carried it out to the bodyguards while Annelise and Cash settled in at the table.

“They make a nice couple,” Annelise said.

“Rosie and Hank? Yeah, they do. They dated before she married his friend, a friend he introduced her to. A few years after she was widowed, they finally quit pretending they weren’t in love. Good thing, too, because they belong together.”

“Some people do.” She glanced up, caught Cash’s intense gaze.

The screen door opened and Hank and Rosie came back in.

“They certainly are big boys,” Rosie said.

“That’s why her daddy hired them,” Hank growled.

Staubach dragged himself up from the rug in front of the back door and plopped down at Cash’s feet. Two minutes later, his snores serenaded them.

They sat around the table, enjoying themselves over pie and photos. “Dottie looks stunning,” Rosie said. “This dress is fantastic.”

The sound of heels on the hardwood floor preceded Vivi. She stopped in the doorway to make her grand entrance, then sauntered into the room.

“Well, well. Looks like the gang’s all here.” Pulling out a chair, she sat down at the table and grabbed Cash’s coffee.

“Make yourself at home,” he said.

“Don’t mind if I do, especially since it’ll legally be mine real soon. I talked to my lawyer today. He tells me you’re willing to let things stand.”

“Cash?” Annie asked.

“Never mind,” he said. “Nothing for you to worry about.”

Vivi’s brows arched. “Haven’t you told her?”

“About what?” Annie laid down her fork.

Rosie bristled and slapped another cup of coffee on the table in front of Cash. “Want a piece of pie, Vivi?”

“No, I don’t.” A cat-ate-the-canary smile on her face, she said, “Vivi’s Valley has a nice sound to it, don’t you think?”

“Cash?” Annelise asked again. “What’s going on?”

“Yes, Cash, what’s going on?” Vivi parroted. “Changing your mind? Thinking you might want to hang on to Whispering Pines? I know.” She clapped her hands. “You’re planning to use our Annie here as your ace in the hole, aren’t you? Are you going to propose first, make sure she’s all roped and tied before you spring the terms on her?”

Annie’s cup clattered to the table, sloshing liquid over the rim.

“Damn you, Vivi.” Cash went rigid.

She took another sip of her coffee, eyeing Cash over the cup’s rim. Then she focused on Annelise.

“Didn’t he tell you he’s got a birthday coming up in a few months? A real important one. His thirtieth.” She played with her top button. “Thing is, Cash here always figured Whispering Pines would be his one day. Then his granddaddy and I got hitched. By rights, the place should be mine free and clear. But that Leo. He liked to mess with things. Wanted Cash here married and making babies.”

“Vivi, that’s enough.”

“Oh, but she hasn’t heard the best part, sweetheart.” She took a bite of his pie, licked her obscenely red lips. “See, Leo put a codicil in his will. If Cash is married by the time he turns thirty, he inherits. If not, half the ranch comes to me.”

She played with the wedding ring on her finger. “Didn’t seem as if much was going to happen. Then you came riding into town on that big Harley of yours and the sky opened up for Cash. The answer to all his prayers. He can marry you, save the ranch, and, no doubt, share your wealth. Hell of a deal for him.” She leaned toward Annelise conspiratorially. “Think he’s afraid you might put up a fuss at being used as a pawn, though.”

“I’m not using her. I’m not marrying her.”

Annie felt like she’d been knifed in the stomach. She couldn’t draw in enough breath. She didn’t expect marriage. Had never expected it. And, contrary to what Vivi said, Cash had made no moves in that direction. In fact, he’d been very up front about not wanting anything long-term. Still, to hear him announce it in such an ugly snarl hurt. Badly.

That she might have been considered as a pawn in this game, no matter how briefly, hurt worse. To be used for money, hers or someone else’s—unforgivable. This is what Cash meant over dinner the other night when he’d said Vivi viewed her as competition.

“Excuse me. I think it’s time I left.” Grabbing her purse from the counter, she stood. “Keep the pictures, Rosie. You can look at them later.” She hurried from the house, the screen door banging shut behind her.

It creaked open again as Cash followed her out onto the porch. She heard his sigh.

“Annie—”

“You could have told me, Cash.”

“I didn’t figure it had anything to do with you. You had enough problems of your own to deal with already.”

“That’s an excuse, and you know it.”

He had the good grace not to deny it.

“When I think how mad you got at me when you learned who I really was. All that moral outrage about keeping secrets.” She stomped her foot. “And you,” she stammered. “You had one of your own. One that involved me. One that, even after everything that’s happened between us, you didn’t trust me enough to share.”

“It has nothing to do with trust.”

She slapped a hand on his chest. “Now you’re going to stand there and lie to me?”

“I’m not—”

“Don’t. Don’t say anything else. I won’t believe you. Anything we might have had shattered in there tonight.” She tipped her head at the house. Her voice lowered. “You hurt me.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“Somehow that doesn’t seem to matter right now.”

He reached for her hand, but she smacked his away.

Looking up at the stars, he blew out a huge breath before he met her eyes. His head hurt. “Annie, our worlds are way too far apart. This thing between us. It can’t work. And I told you before. I’m not ready for marriage.”

“Even if it means—”

“Yes.” He nodded. “Even if it means I lose this.”

“How odd,” she said. “My grandfather forbid this search for his half sister, and neither my mom nor dad would even consider going against his wishes. Grandpa has threatened to disown me if I don’t leave off this hunt and come home. I’m not about to do that.”

She looked him dead in the eyes. “So, Cash Hardeman, it looks like you and I are both likely to find ourselves out on the street. And alone.”

Night had fallen. Her single headlamp cut a swath through the darkness. She breathed in deeply, trying to rid herself of the anger. The lights from the Olds shone dimly in her rearview mirror, reminding her that Rufus and Silas were there, but they stayed farther back than normal.

It just kept getting better and better, she thought bitterly. She slowed, leaned into a curve, then sped up again. Her eyes moved across the landscape, on the lookout for wildlife.

Who was Cash Hardeman? The man had a lot of hidden corners. And he was determined to deflect any light that might try to shine on them, exposing them and himself to her.

God knew, he could be both sweet and gentle. He’d certainly helped her out more than once, but that might only have been a Good Samaritan complex kicking in. He’d certainly been gentle when they’d made love. But then maybe he’d had an ulterior motive.

Had he, even then, been contemplating using her to gain the ranch? Or was he telling the truth now? Had the two not had anything to do with each other? She couldn’t think clearly.

She’d watched him with Rosie, with Hank, with his parents, though, and knew he was capable of love.

But not with her.

Love? Her throat tightened, and the asthma she’d thrown off in middle school threatened to return. She heard a wheezing sound as she took a breath.

Calm down, she told herself. You can’t change anything. Get home, turn on some music, maybe have a glass of wine. A nice long soak. She was loving that tub more and more. It put the best of therapists to shame.

Then the memory of her and Cash sharing it rushed over her, and she choked back a sob.

It was no good. She had to let it go.

She had to remember the reason she was here. She’d talk to Cornelia and convince her to go back to Boston with her. Back to her family.