Suited to be a Cowboy (6 page)

“Figured as much. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help there,
but my priority was to pay the men.”

“Understood. I didn’t see any time cards with the payroll
sheets. How do you keep track?”

“I keep a book in the barn office. If they don’t sign in
and sign out, they don’t get paid.”

“Good enough. As long as there’s a record. What’s the
cut-off for the next pay?”

“Saturday. We get paid the following Friday.”

Jimmy nodded and gave his horse one final pat. “Then I’d
better get to work. See you around.”

He took the long way around, walking through the courtyard
until he reached the patio door to the office. Melissa was talking with someone
on the phone and he didn’t want to interrupt, so he sat by the fountain and
waited. Not much time elapsed before the glass doors slid open and Melissa came
out to greet him.

She was smiling, looking confident and pleased with
herself.

“Mr. Danby returned my call. He was totally appalled at
the news, and not knowing Marcus at all, told me I was doing the right thing by
having him investigated. He’s sending a letter to the police in Kentucky to have him
escorted off the property and questioned on suspicion of fraud. He also told me
that he’d file an order to freeze his accounts until an audit has been
completed. Not having access to reports or bank accounts serves as reasonable
cause for action.

“Other than his salary, Marcus isn’t entitled to any
monies since we separated. Danby was also puzzled as to why this hadn’t been
seen to during the divorce proceedings. Quite frankly, I am too. I thought
about firing him when he walked out, but he
is
Aaron’s father.”

“The proverbial ‘rock and a hard place.’ Did you have a
lawyer for the divorce?”

“No, he filed. I just signed the papers and sent them back.”

“Did you read them? Was there any mention of the track?”
he asked as they headed back inside.

“Yes, I read them. Other than giving up all rights to
Aaron so he wouldn’t have to pay child support, there was nothing in them to
interest me. If there had been mention of the track, I would’ve remembered.”

“Do you still have your copy?”

“Yes. Danby wants me to fax the papers over.”

“Good. It does sound like he’s looking out for your best
interests. Let me know when the police pick Marcus up and I’ll have a man on
standby, ready to audit.”

“Thanks, Jimmy. I appreciate your help in all this. Fraud
investigations are not part of your job description.”

She smiled at him and he was lost for words, lost in the sensuous
curve of her lips, and the sparkle in her eyes. Melissa was fast twining a rope
around his heart. Did he want to be lassoed? He gave his head a mental shake.
Don’t go there, McGovern
.
You have nothing to offer a woman with her
heritage. Nothing at all.

“That’s okay, but if there’s nothing else, I need to get
back to the job you
are
paying me
for.”

Melissa laughed. “I can take a hint. It’s time I checked
on Aaron anyway. That boy spends too much time alone these days. I’ll be around
if you need me.”

“Thanks.”

His gaze rested on her firm derriere in those tight white
shorts as she walked away. Her long, lovely legs carried her out the door all
too soon. Jimmy was certain he could watch her all day and never tire of the
view. But there was more to it than that. Despite the mistakes she’d made, or
maybe because of them, he felt the need to hold her close, be there for her.

Melissa wasn’t stupid, not by a long shot. She’d just
trusted the wrong person. Her ex-husband was about to get his comeuppance and
Jimmy wished he could be there when the police showed up.

His mouth curved in a wicked grin as a vivid picture of
the man’s outrage came to mind. What a great start to his new job. He was still
grinning as he entered data into the computer, so immersed in his work that
when the phone on the desk rang, he jumped, reaching for the receiver.

“Thoroughbreds R Us. James speaking. How can I help you?”

“Who are you?” demanded an angry voice.

“Excuse me?” Jimmy asked, not liking the man’s tone.

“I need to speak with Melissa Dehavilland.”

“May I ask who’s calling?” Jimmy didn’t like the peeved tone
of the man’s voice.

“Tell her it’s Marcus.”

He’d already suspected as much. “Please hold.” Tempted to
leave him hanging while he finished entering data for the week he was working
on, Jimmy thought better of it and rose to find Melissa. Her personal problems
were really none of his business.

As he stepped briskly down the hall he heard sounds coming
from the game room. Sure enough, Melissa and Aaron were playing a video game.

“Melissa, there’s a call for you on the office phone.”

“Thanks. Can you transfer it to this extension?”

“Ah, no. I think you should take it in the office. I’ll
take your turns with the game until you return.”

“Okay, but don’t you dare lose,” she warned, a smile on
her face.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” As she stood to go, Jimmy sat
down. “So, Aaron, what game is this and what do I do?”

Melissa’s laughter echoed back to him as she headed for
the office.

*
* * *

On her walk to the office, Melissa wondered if it was her
lawyer calling back. That was one call she wouldn’t take within Aaron’s
hearing. She reached for the phone as she sat. “Melissa Dehavilland. How can I
help you?”

“You can start by calling off the dogs.”

That whiny, petulant voice grated on her nerves, but she
couldn’t resist a secret cheer of victory. “Nope. Not going to happen. You’ve
been telling me the track hasn’t been showing any profits, so I’ve requested an
audit.”

“Was having me arrested part of your plan? I can’t believe
you’d do that after all we mean to each other.” Now he was beginning to pour on
the charm.

“Meant. Past tense. Your current predicament is not my
problem. And I think it’s customary for the police to question people when
they’re suspected of fraudulent behavior.”

“Darling, help me out here. I’ve tried to make you
understand that I’m sorry. Walking out was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. I
miss my family. Please reconsider and come back to me.”

“That is so not going to happen.”

“At least let me come visit, see my son.”

“No, I don’t want you here. Goodbye, Marcus.” After
disconnecting the call, Melissa went to the kitchen in search of some comfort
food.

“What’s got you looking so down, Missy? Sit yourself at
the table and I’ll make us some tea,” said Sheila, always the mother hen.

“I just received a call from that low-down ex of mine. He
wants to reconcile.”

Sheila turned and with a stern look said,” I wouldn’t give
that man the time of day after he went and run out on you and the boy. You
deserve better and so does Aaron.”

“He says he misses us,” Melissa said, feeling a sudden
chill and wrapping her hands around the hot mug of tea that Sheila set in front
of her. “Are there any sweets to go with our tea?”

Sheila busied herself loading a plate with homemade
goodies as she spoke. “He misses you? He never paid any attention to either of
you when you were together. Mark my words, he’s after your inheritance. I know
you can’t seriously be considering it. That snake couldn’t charm his way out of
an open basket.”

“He wants to see Aaron, but I told him he wasn’t welcome
here.” She picked up a date-filled cookie and sank her teeth into it, chewing
thoughtfully. “
Mmmm
, these are really good.”

“Thanks, Missy, but don’t go changing the subject. And
good for you. That’s telling him!” Sheila boasted as she sank into a chair
across from her.

“Yeah, except now he wants us to go back to Kentucky. Maybe I
should—for Aaron’s sake—at least consider it.”

“Hogwash. Your place is here. That’s the way your Grandpa
wanted it. How is Aaron going to learn ranching in the city?”

“True. Thanks for helping me make sense of things, Sheila.
I’ll think on it a while.”

“I don’t know what needs thinking about. You and Aaron are
happy here, aren’t you?”

“Yes, much happier, at least I am. But you’re right. Marcus
hasn’t once inquired about Aaron since he left. There’s been no contact at all
until the sale. Still, I’ll think about it and maybe talk to Aaron. A boy needs
his father, and if Marcus is finally willing to step up to the plate, well…”
She rose to place her now empty cup in the sink. “Thanks for listening, Sheila.
I
think our place is here on the
ranch. This is the life
I
want for
us. But I can’t see Marcus here at all.”

“Then that should tell you something. Think on it then,
but make sure you come to the right decision. You have employees counting on
you.”

“Whatever that is, but yeah. See you later. I have some
decisions to make.” Melissa’s thoughts automatically zeroed in on Jimmy. Her
son was developing a case of hero worship and she…well, she wanted to explore
the sizzle between them. She no longer loved Marcus. That died when he ran off
with his secretary, so what kind of life would they have by reconciling?

The peaceful courtyard beckoned and she went outside into
a gorgeous summer day with just a hint of a breeze. Melissa ambled over to the
fountain and sat on the stone rim. The sound of the water running over the
rocks and splashing playfully into the pool below always seemed to ease heavy
thoughts. Not so today. Her thoughts were too dark. Giving up, she walked
around the courtyard on the path that led to the yard. Brian and a couple of
the wranglers stood at the fence, watching the new foals play.

“Hi, guys. How are our babies doing?” she asked when she
got to the rail. “They sure are beautiful.” She watched as the six foals chased
each other around the home paddock. Every once in a while one would stop to
check with her mama, but then went back to running with her playmates. “Is it
safe for Aaron’s Pride to be in the same corral as the fillies?”

Brian tipped his hat in acknowledgement of her presence. “The
foals are doing just fine, Boss. Won’t be long and we’ll have a couple more out
here. And Aaron’s Pride is fine for now. He tries to lead the ladies, but
that’s all he’s capable of at present.”

The wranglers beside them chuckled, probably because Brian
was taking such pains to tone down his language around her.

“It sure has been a busy year for birthing. Are Minnie and
Daisy in labor yet?”

“Yes, ma’am. Could be any time now. I’ve been keeping a
close eye on those two. And Marriott is running close behind.”

Melissa hated being called ma’am, but with the men, she
knew it was a sign of respect, so she let it go. “Great! Well, I’ll get back to
Aaron. Come get me if you need me.”

“Will do, Missy.”

*
* * *

The days went by fast, in large part due to the time he
spent in the office. Jimmy was glad there was so much work to catch up on. It
didn’t give him much time for thoughts of his lovely employer. Evenings
stretched out, long and boring, except for riding Sherry. But the nights, they
were the worst. He tossed and turned, his body aching with need. If he fell
asleep, he dreamed, and those dreams had him up and in the shower at odd hours.
He couldn’t win either way.

Jimmy had located Tippy, and he expressed an interest in
earning some extra cash during his off duty hours, so they’d been rounding up Mustangs
in the evenings. Jimmy was pleased to realize that he’d gained quite a herd.

Sherry appeared content enough on the ranch. Of course,
he’d often take her on morning rides to clear his head of the naughty dreams
he’d been having of late. Dreams that featured a blonde-haired, blue-eyed
temptress.

He’d shut down the computer, ready to call it a day, when
the phone rang. “Thoroughbreds R Us. How can I help you?”

“Hello, may I speak with Ms. Dehavilland, please?”

The voice was male, soft-spoken and polite. “Certainly.
May I ask who’s calling?”

“John Coates.”

“She’s not in the office at the moment, but I’ll see if I
can find her. Please hold.” Jimmy rose and stretched, then went in search of
Melissa. He found her in the living room, watching a movie with Aaron. “You
have a call on the office phone, Melissa.”

“Oh?” She stood and prepared to leave the room. “Did they
say who it was?”

“Some guy named John.”

She scrunched up her nose in apparent confusion. “I don’t
know any John that would be calling here.”

“Maybe he’s looking to buy a horse. Want me to take a
message?”

“No, that’s all right. Aaron, pause the movie. I’ll be
right back.”

“Okay, Mom, but hurry.”

“I’ll try.”

She headed for the office and Jimmy didn’t know whether to
follow or allow her to take the call in private. He stayed and talked to Aaron
for a few minutes, but when Melissa didn’t return, he went to check on her.

He found her slumped in the desk chair, staring at the
phone, unmoving.

“Melissa?” No response. “Melissa, are you okay?” He rushed
to her side, knelt beside her, and gently touched her arm. She stared as if she
saw right through him. “Who was that man? Did he threaten you in some way? Talk
to me.”

She blinked a couple of times and focused on him. “I have
an uncle.”

Jimmy breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “Most people
have uncles.”

She shook her head, clearly agitated. “No, you don’t
understand. Mom and Dad were only children. Neither of them had brothers or
sisters.”

“So how does this John guy figure in?” he asked, smelling yet
another rat in the rafters.

“He claims he’s Grandpa’s illegitimate child and rightful
heir to the ranch.”

“Did he give you particulars?”