Somebody Like You (7 page)

Maybe she could do both herself and her grandfather a favor here in the Lone Star State.

Half an hour later, Cash pulled up in front of her new home. Grabbing bags, he headed up the steps, taking them two at a time. The man had energy to burn, Annelise thought.

She scooped up the last two bags from the backseat and trudged behind him. Her muscles ached, reminding her she’d shoveled barn stalls all day. She didn’t know what Cash had done today, but he hadn’t mucked stalls.

As the cashier’d rung up her purchases, she’d been appalled at the total. She hadn’t bought that much. Hadn’t bought anything that was really fun. Again, the reality of how sheltered her life had been hit home. She’d never grocery-shopped. Never had to be concerned with the basics. Someone—one of the staff—simply made certain those things were always there, always available.

And these basics had taken a healthy nip out of her piggy bank tonight. Well, she was a working girl now. Eventually, she’d recoup her expenses.

Except she really wouldn’t be here that long, would she?

At the top of the outside steps, Cash moved to one side while she unlocked her door, then moved into the small kitchen area and dumped everything on the counter. Her laundry, neatly folded, lay on her table beside a small plate of Dottie’s wonderful homemade cookies. Smack on top of the pile were her bra and panties.

Cash’s gaze traveled over her lingerie, and he grinned. With one finger, he hooked her bra strap, dangled it. “Very nice.”

She snatched it from him and picked up the pile of clothes, hugging it to her chest. Heat radiated from her face, and she gave him her boardroom stare. “I like it.”

“Bet you do.” Unfazed, he snitched a cookie and took a huge bite. “Mmmmm, mmmm. Can’t beat these, can you?” Then, scanning the cramped space, he asked, “You good to go now?”

“Yes. I think I have everything I need. Thank you.”

“Lock up behind me.”

Her brows rose. “Is there much crime here?”

“In Maverick Junction?” He laughed. “Nah. But just the same, when you’re here alone, it wouldn’t hurt to throw the lock.”

She nodded.
Throw the lock.
If he only knew.
Her everyday life revolved around elaborate security systems, video cams, and ever-present bodyguards.

Not anymore. She was on her own now. For the short-term. But she would take his advice. No sense being stupid.

“Dottie doesn’t.”

“I know. She should. I’ve told her that.”

After setting her laundry back onto the table, lingerie-side down, she followed him to the door. He opened it and paused to give her a quick, friendly peck on the cheek.

She turned her head at that instant, and his lips missed their mark, landing squarely on her mouth.

Both pulled away as if burned, and she stepped back. Their eyes met and locked. Heat swept through Annelise; her breasts felt heavy. The man was potent!

His voice gravelly, Cash said, “Night, Annie.” Without another word or a second’s hesitation, he hurried down the stairs and into the night.

Annelise laid her fingers over her lips. Her tingling lips. Innocent. Accidental. The kiss had meant nothing. So why was her heart racing?

His car door opened, closed. The Caddy’s big engine roared to life, drowning out the cicadas’ incessant chirping.

Leaning against the stair railing, she watched his red taillights disappear into the darkness. He’d given her a job, helped her find a place to live, then spent his entire evening taking her to dinner and grocery shopping. Who was this man?

Used to people doing for her, she understood this was innately different. This was personal—and Cash Hardeman was very good at it. Good at making her feel welcome. Special.

With those skills, he’d do well in the boardroom—far better than she. He’d have everyone eating out of his hand. And at stuffy, formal dinner parties? Closing her eyes, Annelise breathed in the heavy night air. Oh, yeah. She could see him. A tailor-made tux that fit his muscular build to perfection, his black Stetson, and his cowboy boots. And a smile with dimples sure to dazzle every woman within a sixty-mile radius. Her most of all.

The killer Texas heat spiked another twenty degrees.

H
ot enough under the collar to ignite a brush fire, Cash stalked toward the big house. Damn Vivi all to hell. This latest fiasco was her way of getting back at him for last night. He knew it as surely as he knew his own name.

So now he had to take time out of the middle of the workday to smooth things out with Rosie. The Fourth of July was coming up fast, and the little league ball team he coached, along with their families and half the rest of the county, would be here expecting to eat and celebrate their country’s independence. It took a lot of planning and organization to pull off the annual event. If Rosie, his housekeeper and cook, wasn’t happy, that wasn’t gonna happen.

One thing about Vivi, her timing was spot-on. She knew exactly when to throw her little snit fits to cause the most damage.

His boots thudded loudly on the wooden porch steps. Without stopping to knock, he barged through the door, the screen banging shut behind him.

“Vivi!”

“What?” His grandfather’s widow poked her head out of the living room. Every hair in place, her makeup applied perfectly, she’d no doubt expected him. The short white shorts showed off miles of tanned legs, and the neon-pink tank top hugged a perfect pair of breasts.

Cash guessed he could see what had tempted his grandfather. But at seventy-two, the old codger should have had the sense not to buy the cow—especially with a forty-four-year age difference between himself and that cow. Unfortunately, Gramps hadn’t been using the head on his shoulders and had rushed headlong into matrimony, creating one hell of a mess.

If he’d waited, even a little while, he’d have seen through the façade to the wicked witch inside that showgirl’s body.

Maybe. He hadn’t really been himself the last year or so. He got confused easily, forgot things. They’d never have let him go to Vegas alone if they’d known that’s what he’d planned to do.

They’d been frantic when he disappeared, then reassured when he’d called to tell them he was fine. Too damn bad one of them hadn’t hopped in the plane and flown to Vegas after his call because, while he’d claimed he simply needed to get away for a couple of days, he hadn’t run nearly fast enough. Vivi, damn her hide, caught him.

Gramps had been an easy target. Lonely and disoriented.

They’d buried him three months ago. A fist of pain squeezed Cash’s heart. God, he missed the old man.

“I see your girlfriend’s here again.”

“Annie’s not my girlfriend.”

Vivi rolled her eyes. “Um-hmm. Could’ve fooled me.”

“Don’t start, Vivi.”

“Where’d you find her?”

“She’s new to town.”

His
grandmother
curled a strand of highlighted blond hair around a finger. “She looks awfully familiar. I could swear I know her from somewhere.”

“I seriously doubt that. Don’t think you two run in the same social circle. Besides, it doesn’t matter. As long as Annie does her job, there’s no problem.”

“Exactly which job are you talkin’ about, Cash? Her nine-to-five one here at the ranch or her nighttime job takin’ care of you?” She tipped her head to one side. “Doesn’t it strike you strange she just happened to show up needin’ a job when you’re countin’ down to the big three-oh? When you’re runnin’ out of time to—”

“Stop. Right now.” Anger flared.

“Ah,” Vivi purred. “You’ve already wondered about it. I can see it in your eyes.”

“What? You worried about your inheritance, Vivi? Think Annie knew exactly when I’d be in town so she could lure me in?”

“Maybe. Maybe that part was luck. But I’m telling you, Cash, the lady has her line in the water, and she’s trollin’ for you.”

“Well, you’d certainly be the expert on that, wouldn’t you?”

Vivi simply smiled at him.

“What in the hell was Gramps thinking when he got mixed up with you?”

“Oh, come on, Cash. You know the answer to that. It’s the same thing you’re thinkin’ every time you look at Annie.”

“Go to hell.”

“I already have. It’s called Maverick Junction, Texas.”

Cash kneaded his forehead and took a long, slow breath. “What’s going on between you and Rosie?”

“She’s lazy.”

“Lazy?” He rocked back on his heels. “The woman’s sixty-eight and can work rings around you. And does.”

“She won’t take direction.”

“Excuse me?”

“She’s stubborn. She won’t do as she’s told. I made a couple itsy-bitsy changes in the menu, and the way she took on, you’d think I committed the crime of the century.”

He kept his eyes on hers. “Itsy-bitsy changes?”

Vivi stomped her sandaled foot. “I don’t see why, just because something’s been done a certain way in the past, it has to be sacrosanct.”

“Ooh, big word, Ms. Vegas. You been studying up at night?”

“Damn you to hell and back, Cash Hardeman.”

“Thank you.”

“’Sides, what else have I got to do at night, hmmm? All alone in that big old king-size bed.” She pulled a pout.

A muscle twitched in Cash’s jaw. “I’m going back to the kitchen to talk to Rosie. See if I can settle her down.” He pointed a finger at Vivi. “And you stay the hell away from her.”

Vivi threw him an icy smile. “She’s
my
cook.”

“Thank you for reminding me.” Frustration seeped into him. His hands fisted. “You don’t want to be here on this ranch any more than I want you here. What’ll it take, Vivi, to buy your half out?”

“We’ve already been through this, darlin’. The ranch isn’t for sale.” She stepped to him, laid a hand on his cheek. “Marry me, Cash, and the ranch is all yours.”

“I’d rather eat glass.” He removed her hand from his face.

“Well, if that’s the case, I’m sure Rosie will be only too happy to fix it for you.” Vivi turned and flounced up the highly polished oak staircase, her hips swiveling in her tight shorts.

Cash blew out a breath and headed to the kitchen, his boots loud on the shiny hardwood floors. He avoided the thick accent rugs in blues and orange that Vivi’d added. Too fancy by far, for his taste.

The minute he stepped into the bright, cheerful room, Rosie hustled to him, shaking the wooden spoon in her hand. As wide as Hank was thin, she looked practically apoplectic in her tomato-red housedress. “Cash, you’ve gotta do somethin’ about her.” Dark eyes snapping with anger, she nodded her head in the direction of the front of the house. “It’s her or me. One of us has to go.”

He scrubbed his hands over his face. “You know I’d send her packing if I could.”

“You can. You know what you gotta do.”

“Rosie—”

“Never mind. Have you had lunch?”

“Not yet.”

“Then wash up and let me feed you. Like I used to do before
she
moved in.” Again, she jerked her graying head toward the front of the house.

Cash went to the sink to lather up, scrubbing away the morning’s dust and letting Rosie vent before turning the conversation to the upcoming barbecue.

“That’s the problem. Look at this.” She dug a list out of her mammoth apron pocket and slapped it on the table.

He turned it around so he could read it. The menu. The one they’d used for as many years as he could remember. Whispering Pines’ Fourth of July barbecue was legendary. Angry red lines slashed through most of the items on the list. New dishes had been scrawled beside them. His eyes widened.

“Ah, Vivi told me she’d made a few small changes.”

“A few small changes?” Her stubby finger came down on the scratched-out barbecue pork. “We’re supposed to have prime rib instead. And see here? No apple pies. Instead, I’ve been told to make Baked Alaska.”

“Well—”

“Ain’t gonna happen. Baked Alaska,” she grumbled. She rested both hands on her hips. “Not in this lifetime. And potatoes au gratin instead of corn on the cob? At a Whispering Pines’ barbecue? Humph! The menu stays as it’s always been. Ms. Fancy Pants will have to make do.”

“That’s more than fine with me,” Cash said.

“Yeah, well, that’s real easy for you to say. You’re not cooped up with her here, day after day after day. She can get nasty.
Real
nasty.”

“I know she can, and I’m sorry, Rosie.”

“I know you didn’t make this mess. Mr. Leo’s responsible for it, bless his soul. But one more thing you’ve got to know. I’ve already talked to Hank, and he’s agreed. If that woman fires me because of all this, he’s gonna retire a little earlier than he’d planned. We’ll both be done.”

Hank retire? Rosie leave? Cash’s stomach burned, and it wasn’t from the extra coffee he’d had with breakfast.

“She won’t do that, Rosie. You and I both know she’d starve to death if you left.”

“We’ll see. The woman’s crazy. Like this here new floor. White tile in a ranch house kitchen? What’s wrong with her brain? Can’t keep it clean, but then she doesn’t much care about that. Ain’t her down on her hands and knees scrubbin’ it.”

“You shouldn’t be, either, Rosie. That’s what we hire the cleaning girls to do.”

“Uh-huh.” With that Rosie changed the subject. “Your mama and daddy will be here?”

She set a mammoth sandwich down in front of him, a pile of thinly sliced roast beef cradled between two thick slabs of homemade bread with juicy tomato slices nestled amongst the meat. His stomach rumbled.

“Yes, they will. I’m making an airport run to pick them up later today.” He lifted one slice of bread, saw the horseradish sauce she’d slathered on it, smiled, and took a bite. “Mmmmm. Good stuff, Rosie.”

“’Course it is. Made it, didn’t I? Here’s a glass of cold milk to go with it. Drink it like a good boy.” She plunked it down on the table in front of him, poured a cup of coffee for herself from the old percolator on the stove, and sat down across from him. “It’ll be good to see your folks. It’s past time for them to come home.”

She sneaked a sidelong glance at him. “Maybe
they
can talk some sense into you.”

“Rosie,” he warned. “We’ve already covered this ground. I’m not gonna do it.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know.”

“You’ve got a lot to take care of in the next couple days. Anything I can do?”

“Yeah. You can gag and bind that woman upstairs and lock her in a closet.”

He grinned. “Anything else?”

“Nope. I’ve got the rest under control. Estelle and Mary are coming in the next couple days to help. They’ll be back early on the Fourth to finish things up. I’m making the apple pies myself, though. Can’t be trusting anybody else with those. Baked Alaska,” she muttered. “In a pig’s eye.”

He smiled and wiped his face with the napkin Rosie handed him. Leaning across the table, he kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”

“Ain’t no need to thank me. I’m just doin’ my job.”

“We both know you do more than that.” He hesitated. “Has Hank said anything about the new help I hired?”

“The old coot was madder than a banty rooster when she showed up. Thought I was gonna have to double up on his blood pressure meds. But after that first day, he settled down. Said even though the girl looked like some pampered princess, she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty or too good to put her back into what needs doing.”

“That’s pretty high praise, coming from your husband.”

“Yeah, it is. So I figure this Annie of yours must be okay.”

“She’s not my Annie,” he said quickly.

“Hmph.” She arched her brow. “Maybe she should be. Now get out of here and let me do my work.” She swatted him with a dish towel.

“Yes, ma’am.” As he let himself out the back door, he thought about what Rosie had said. His Annie. Somehow, the idea of that didn’t put him off nearly as much as it should.

And Vivi’s accusations about Annie? Absolute rubbish. Good move on her part, though, he admitted reluctantly. Make him doubt Annie, her intentions. Drive a wedge between them. The woman would do whatever it took to protect her interests.

Well, he wouldn’t think about it anymore. She was wrong.

Barbecue crisis averted, for now anyway, he meandered over to the barn. He’d check on Hank, make sure he was indeed taking things easier. He refused to admit his trip had anything to do with catching a glimpse of Annie.

Sticky hot and feeling more than a little grouchy, he stepped into the barn. Annie was nowhere in sight. Bathed in shadows, the building was a good ten degrees cooler than outside. It smelled of horse and fresh hay, familiar and comforting.

Crouched in a stall, Hank wrapped one of the mare’s legs. Cash leaned against the wood railings. “Annie around?”

“She’s out in the paddock.”

“Okay.”

He straightened to leave, but Hank, madder than a hornet, said, “You gotta do something about this mess.”

“There’s nothing I can do, Hank. You know I would if—”

“Don’t go givin’ me that, boy. You gonna stand back and watch everything your grandfather worked for go down the drain?”

“He did that himself.”

“No, by damn. You and I both know the old man wasn’t in his right mind.”

Cash sighed, took off his hat, and raked his fingers through his hair. “This whole thing is beyond ludicrous. I don’t think any of us understood how jumbled Gramps’s mind had become.”

“Rosie tried to tell me,” Hank said. “Even before Vivi. I didn’t want to hear it. Didn’t want to believe Leo’s mind was going.”

“None of us did.”

“You know,” Hank said, “in some twisted way that must have made sense to him, he was only givin’ you a nudge.”

“Well, I don’t want to be nudged.” Cash jammed his hands in his pants pockets. “And this is a hell of a lot more than a nudge. A hard shove off a rocky cliff is more like it.”

“Your grandpa was right about one thing. Time you settle down. Start a family.”

“Did you put this stupid idea in his head?”

“No, sir, I did not. Wouldn’t do anything to give the new missus a bit of ground. Your grandpa might have been willin’ to bet with the ranch, but not me. No siree.”

“I won’t get married, Hank, not even to keep the ranch. Marriage shouldn’t be a bargaining chip.”

“I understand that, but I sure as hell don’t want to work for Vivi. That gal wouldn’t know a stallion from a heifer! And you. What’re you going to do?”

Cash rubbed his chest. “She’ll have half interest. That’s it. You’ll still be working for me.”