Wrecked (24 page)

CHAPTER 26

CeCe stared out the window of the plane that was taking her away from Texas and Wade.

The ringing of the phone interrupted her misery. Glancing at the unfamiliar number on the screen, she missed the days when there were no phones on planes and a person had a few hours of peace and quiet.

Those days were over. Sighing, she answered, “Hello?”

“Mrs. Cole? It’s Verna Parks.”

From the rider charity. This call, CeCe was happy to take. “Ms. Parks, it’s good to hear from you so soon. Did everything work out?”

“It did indeed. The ranch was surprised but really happy to be part of your idea. And of course, the gentleman we put up for the job is very grateful.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it all worked out.” At least something good would come out of her trip to Texas. Besides her getting more attached to the man she’d left behind. “You didn’t mention my name, correct?”

“Correct. We handled it just as you requested.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“Of course. It was a very generous thing to do and wanting to do it anonymously, it’s just amazing.”

Not so amazing. Paying a man to work for a year on a ranch cost less than her last vacation with John had. “Thanks for keeping me updated.”

“My pleasure. Have a good day, Mrs. Cole and thank you again.”

“You’re welcome.” CeCe disconnected the call but didn’t put down the phone.

Instead she dialed Dr. Stein’s number. The one for his cell phone. She’d long since stopped going through his receptionist. Yet another perk of the wealthy.

“Hello, CeCe.”

“Hello, doctor. Um, is this a bad time?”

“Not at all. I’m in the car driving but I can talk if you need to. Is everything okay?”

“Yes. That’s the problem.”

“Would you like to elaborate?”

“I spent the night with Wade and it was perfect.” Or near perfect except for the intrusion of his brother. And even that had only given her more insight into what was behind Wade as a man.

“And you feel that’s a problem because?”

“Because I like him. A lot.” CeCe more than liked him.

If she let herself, she’d fall head over heels for Wade. Too fast. Too hard. Then she’d crash and burn when it ended.

On the other end of the phone the doctor was silent.

“Doctor? Are you there?”

“I’m here.” He drew in an audible breath. “CeCe . . .”

His tone wasn’t encouraging. She wasn’t going to like what he was going to say. She felt it to her bones.

“To anyone who’s gone through a major life change, such as a divorce, I recommend they take time to get used to their new life before starting a new relationship. But for you, with your propensity for jumping into relationships too fast, I think that advice is doubly important.”

“So you’re saying . . . what?”

“That you need to be alone for a little while. Get comfortable with yourself. Learn to love yourself before you try to love someone else.”

She tried to take a deep breath but her chest felt too tight. “How long?”

“A year at minimum. Ideally, I’d recommend two years.”

Two years alone? Even one year sounded like an eternity.

“CeCe, I can only give my advice. I can’t make you take it. But if you want to heal and grow and to break out of this cycle of dependency on others that you’ve been living with basically your entire life, I strongly suggest you do as I suggested.”

“Okay.”

“I’m going to have to hang up. Are you going to be all right?”

“Yes. I’m perfect. You’ve given me a lot to think of. Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome. I’ll see you next week for our regular appointment?”

“Yes. Good bye, doctor.” CeCe disconnected the call and stared at the phone.

A year of no contact with Wade. By then he’d have forgotten all about her and moved on to the next woman he picked up at the rodeo.

It was probably for the best. If she ignored the doctor and pursued anything more with Wade she’d get clingy like she always did. He’d get tired of it and her. Then she’d be alone again anyway.

Best to cut her losses early this time before she got in any deeper.

The problem was, she was already in too deep.

CHAPTER 27

“And the crowd has really gathered here today for the Salt Lake City, Utah event. After being off for a couple of weeks, the contenders in the race for the number one slot should be well rested and ready to go. Only five hundred points separate the number one and number two riders in the standings . . . ”

Wade only half listened to the announcer’s amplified ramblings as he stretched behind the chutes.

He wasn’t as young as he used to be. To be quick and limber required he stretch. Even if stretching didn’t help, it certainly couldn’t hurt. A pulled groin muscle could take a man out—in so many ways.

Thinking of those ways inevitably brought Wade’s thoughts back to CeCe. Not that that was anything new. The damn woman was on his mind day and night.

Even if he had been able to forget about her, the damn red hairs he kept finding everywhere would remind him.

CeCe’s hair was in his truck clinging to the back of the passenger seat. In his bathroom at home. Even inside his suitcase—he’d found one on his T-shirt that she’d worn for barely an hour when she’d gone to the kitchen.

Each and every time he discovered one of the long strands sent him into a tailspin. He’d find himself smiling at the reminder even as his gut twisted from missing her.

Hell, once he even almost teared up.

“Aaron, we’re in Salt Lake City, for God’s sake. Relax. Why would CeCe Cole be here?” Garret James’s voice behind him traveled down Wade’s spine like the sound of nails on a chalkboard.

“Because she’s crazy?” Chase suggested.

“Or just obsessed with Aaron because he showed her such good loving for those two nights.”
 

Wade spun around in time to see Garret grinning wide. A grin Wade would like to knock off the cocky kid’s face.

The three stood by the chutes, working the resin into their ropes in preparation for their rides.

His blood pressure high thanks to their conversation, Wade strode toward the group.

“Hey, Wade. How you—”

Wade cut off Chase’s greeting. “I haven’t said anything before but I gotta say it now. You guys need to quit mouthing off and talking shit about Ms. Cole.”

The color draining from Chase’s face as Wade laid into them provided some satisfaction. It was quickly wiped away by Garret’s snort. “If you knew some of the crazy shit—”

Wade spun on Garret. “I don’t give a shit what she did or said. You start showing some respect for the woman who bears the name that paid for this event you’re riding in tonight. This is a small world we work in. Too small to be talking shit about anyone, but especially about a woman who’s been through what she has this past year. You got it?”

Aaron shot a glance at Garret and answered, “Yes, sir.”

Wade nodded. “Good.”

Still pissed, he pivoted and got the hell away from them before he said anything else to the kids.

Somewhere in the back of his mind he realized he was as pissed that he hadn’t heard from CeCe since he’d seen her in Texas, as he was mad at the kids for talking shit.

He’d been making an effort to get back to work, back to normal, seeing if he could survive without even the hope of CeCe in his life. Now the answer was clear.

~ * ~

“What are you doing?”

Maria glanced up from the kitchen counter. “Cooking dinner, Mrs. Cole. Am I doing something wrong?”

The woman thought she was in trouble, just because CeCe was in the kitchen questioning her. That just proved that CeCe usually didn’t do either—go into the room or bother to wonder what Maria was doing there.

“No, nothing is wrong.” She took a step closer. “What are you making?”

“Spinach salad with this on top.” Maria held up the plate with a thick, beautiful piece of raw Ahi tuna on it. It was one of CeCe’s favorite dinners.

The ingredients laid out in front Maria looked simple enough, yet CeCe wouldn’t have any clue how to go about making the meal even with as many times as she’d eaten it.

Maybe she could watch Maria prepare the meal and learn . . . and maybe not. One look at Maria’s face told CeCe the housekeeper would rather have her boss anywhere else besides the kitchen overseeing her preparations.

“Looks good.” CeCe turned and left the woman to it before she had a stroke from nerves.

She’d have to take a cooking class if she wanted to learn. That might be fun actually. And it would get her out of the house for a night or two a week. This self imposed ban on men and relationships had CeCe climbing the walls.

How many miles could a woman run or bike in the gym?

It hadn’t even been two weeks yet since the doctor’s decree and already she had cabin fever. A person wasn’t supposed to get that during the summer in California.

Of course, it had nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with the fact she wouldn’t let herself call or text Wade.

That didn’t stop her from thinking about him. Or craving him.

Her handheld shower massager had never gotten so much use. The doctor hadn’t said she couldn’t do
that
. Not that she’d specifically asked him. There were some subjects even she wasn’t willing to broach in therapy.

The sound of the doorbell had CeCe frowning. She didn’t generally get unplanned visitors. Especially now that John no longer lived in the house.

She heard Maria’s footsteps headed her way, but CeCe was already by the front door. “I’ll get it, Maria.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

CeCe pulled open the heavy door and felt her heart stop.

“Wade.”

A small smile tipped up his lips. “Hey, beautiful.”

God, how she’d missed hearing his voice. She couldn’t count how many people had called her beautiful throughout her lifetime, but hearing it from Wade’s lips had an effect on her she couldn’t explain.

“Hi.” Her voice sounded breathless. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

He snorted out a laugh. “Neither did I. I had an event so I decided to stop by after.”

“An event here in California?” She’d been trying to keep off the internet to avoid the temptation of searching for Wade’s schedule.

“It wasn’t exactly in California.” He looked uncomfortable, avoiding eye contact before he finally brought his gaze up to meet hers. “It was in Utah.”

She widened her eyes. “Utah? That’s far.”

And California wasn’t even close to being on his way home to Texas.

“Eh, not too bad. Besides, it seems we have some new help working at the ranch so I didn’t have to rush back.” He lifted one brow. “You happen to know anything about that?”

“Maybe.” She felt the blood rush to her cheeks even as she realized they were still standing in the doorway. “Come on in.”

Inviting him inside would hopefully make him forget the topic of conversation—her sneaking around behind his back and hiring help for his ranch.

Wade wasted no time coming in, not even waiting for her to clear the path. He pushed the door closed as he backed CeCe against the wall of the foyer.

She’d taken her shoes off after work and had to look up to see him as he towered over her. She saw the desire in his eyes as he lowered his head before claiming her mouth with a kiss.

It started out soft and got more thorough as Wade angled his head and stroked his tongue against hers.

She’d missed this with him too.

CeCe heard footsteps and the telltale gasp that had become a familiar occurrence whenever Wade was around and Maria was working. “Mrs. Cole. I’m sorry. Mr. Wade. You’re back.”

Hands braced against the wall, Wade pulled back enough to turn his head and smile at the housekeeper. “Hey, Maria. You’re looking lovely tonight.”

“Thank you, Mr. Wade.” The older woman’s cheeks flushed at his compliment.