Your'e Still the One (9 page)

In spite of her crankiness at being bested by her mom, Rachel couldn’t help but laugh. “Matt is leaving. Nikki is staying. I’m taking her to her room. We’ll be right back. Hilda won’t tell you anything before then.”

Hilda smiled, shaking her head and already putting away groceries.

“Yeah, okay, I’ll remember this, Rach. Next time all you get is a postcard from Europe,” she called after them even though they’d left the kitchen.

“Europe?” Nikki said. “Is she kidding?”

“It’s her job. She’s a travel blogger.”

“Wow. Cool.”

“She lives here now...moved from L.A. last month,” Rachel said absently, too busy sneaking a peek at her mom and Matt standing at the front door.

Neither of them spared her or Nikki a glance when they stopped for the small bag sitting at the foot of the stairs. Rachel grabbed it first. The duffel was light, maybe only three days’ worth of clothes inside.

Her mother patted Matt’s arm and she had that soft maternal smile full of concern and reassurance at the same time. A smile reserved for times when one of her children was having a rough go and she wanted to make it better but couldn’t.

“I can take it.”

“What?” Not paying attention, she nearly missed the first step but recovered quickly. “Oh, no problem.”

“I don’t know what they’re talking about,” Nikki whispered as they ascended the wide staircase together. “I really don’t.”

“That obvious, huh?” Rachel looked at her and sighed.

“What, you think I won’t ask him what that’s about?”

Rachel chuckled. “Will you tell me?”

“Depends. He is my brother. Half brother,” she amended. “But he doesn’t like it when I make the distinction.”

“I noticed, and I’m not surprised.” Rachel smiled, liking that Nikki was loyal and wouldn’t rat him out. Because he’d return the favor in spades. If anything, he was loyal to a fault. “I’m so glad he has you. Matt is...he’s just a great guy.” Rachel blushed. “But you already know that.”

“I do, but I still give him a hard time.” Nikki sniffed. “I shouldn’t. It’s not his fault Wallace is a prick.”

“Uh, yes, he is.” Good word choice. “That man never deserved his wife or his son—that’s for damn sure.”

“Guess I’m the lucky one,” Nikki said wryly, and Rachel wanted to kick herself yet again.

She was talking to his daughter, for God’s sake. “I think you’ll like your room,” she said, quickening her pace. “It’s small but it faces the Rockies, and it may snow tonight, which will be pretty.”

Nikki’s face lit. “I hope it does. I’ve never seen snow fall.”

Rachel ushered her into the room, then went straight for the blinds. She opened them to show Nikki the view, but deep down she knew she wanted to catch a glimpse of Matt.

Her pulse leaped when she saw him heading for his truck. She hated that he wouldn’t stay and refused to give a reason. Not that he owed her one. Maybe she was wrong to hope for more kisses in their future.

And then it hit her...the kiss might have meant nothing more than an apology for having left.

Another small piece of her heart chipped off as she watched him leave again.

9

M
ATT
KNEW
HE
WAS
TAKING
a chance showing up at Rachel’s front door and expecting her to go for a drive with him. She had a dude ranch to run, guests to worry about...and since it had snowed last night, their planned activities were probably shot to hell.

He had time to call her. He was still ten minutes away from the Sundance. Though at the speed he was driving, five might be more accurate. Breathing in deeply, he lifted his foot off the accelerator. The roads were relatively clear, no ice anyway, but that wasn’t the point. He knew better than to drive fast on this road, hell, any road. It was plain stupid and reckless, and unfortunately matched his mood. He could lie to himself all he wanted that he wasn’t that hotheaded guy anymore...until Wallace entered the mix.

Shit, he’d spent ten lousy minutes with the bastard this morning and he’d let Wallace get to him. The old man had made no bones about his indifference to Nikki. Said he hadn’t acknowledged her before, why should he now. But he’d asked about Rosa, which pissed Matt off even more, and thank God Nikki hadn’t been there to hear that.

The worst part of the morning was that nothing Wallace did or said had shocked Matt. So what kind of idiot did that make him? Why in the hell had he even considered that the asshole would change his stripes and do right by Nikki? Not one speck of logic existed for Matt to have made that leap. He had firsthand experience of Wallace’s miserable failure as a father. As a husband. As a human being. For nearly nineteen years Matt had done everything he could to please his father...even now it made him sick to think of himself as a kid, practically kissing the man’s boots trying to get his attention.

He realized he was speeding again, exhaled sharply, easing his foot off the pedal. Damn good thing he’d gotten rid of the Corvette last year. He’d only done it because of Nikki. She’d referred to the car as his coffin on wheels. Told him how cruel it was for him to come into her life and then be careless with his. Said it right to his face that if he did something foolish that ripped them apart, she’d hate him even in his grave.

She’d been good for him, made him give a damn again after his mother’s death. And he was a total ass because every selfish inch of him wanted only to be alone with Rachel. Of course he’d ask Nikki to go with them. If she did, fine, but that’s not what he wanted. Even after ten years, Rachel was like a soothing, addictive tonic. Being with her made everything better. His brain told him that was crazy thinking, but every other part of him clung to the certainty that accepting her friendship was the sanest thing he’d ever done.

The private road to the Sundance had been plowed. He took the turn easy, already feeling calmer knowing he was going to see her soon. She probably had another commitment. But he’d get to look into her pretty green eyes, bask in her smile, and if he was lucky, touch that silky soft skin of hers. His stupid heart started pounding like a junkie about to get a fix.

He parked his truck next to a small SUV and a red compact, rentals belonging to the guests, he figured. Then, instead of climbing out, he reached into his jacket pocket for his phone.

He hit speed dial for the cell number she’d given him. Then he put the phone to his ear and stared at the front of the house.

Rachel answered on the fourth ring, her voice a breathless whisper.

“Question,” he said, relaxed, sinking back against the leather seat.

“Um, yes.” Sounded like she was smiling.

“Your mama let you date, darlin’?”

“Depends.”

“On?”

“What you have in mind.”

“Well, my truck does have a big backseat....”

An upstairs curtain moved. “Matthew Gunderson, is that you lurking outside my house?”

“Depends.” He tugged down the brim of his hat, thinking he might not mind a little phone sex as a warm-up. “You gonna call the sheriff?”

“Three’s a crowd, silly cowboy.” She laughed. “I’ll be right down.”

“Rachel, wait—”

She’d already hung up. Damn, why couldn’t she be like most women...walk and talk at the same time?

He hit Nikki’s number. He had to hurry and call her so she wouldn’t think he was blowing her off. They’d spoken last night because she’d been excited to watch the snow come down. But he’d been distracted by what Lucy had told him about Wallace yesterday when she’d stopped by the Lone Wolf with groceries.

It had been good to see her, though Matt hated that she was really showing her age. Three years ago, with his mom so sick, the weeks he’d spent at the ranch had been a blur. Or maybe Lucy hadn’t been so stooped and slow then. But she was still a spitfire, and they’d talked at the kitchen table for three hours while Wallace stayed locked in his office drinking.

Nikki didn’t answer. Odd, because she was rarely separated from her smartphone. He hoped that meant she was off having fun and left her a voice mail as he got out of the truck.

Rachel was already standing with the door open waiting for him by the time he made it across the gravel walkway. “Hurry up,” she said, her arms wrapped around herself and shivering. “It’s freezing.”

“It’s Montana and it’s February, darlin’,” he said, taking the porch steps two at a time, while reaching for his hat.

“Leave it on.”

“What?”

“Your Stetson.” She grabbed his arm when he stopped short, and drew him into the house.

“Because?”

She closed the door then turned around and leaned against it as if holding back the cold. “You know,” she said, that teasing glint in her eyes. They seemed darker probably because of her snug black sweater, which molded every curve.

Turned out he didn’t need phone sex to get warmed up. “Uh, nope, I don’t.”

She ducked to look behind him where the living room extended toward the den, then glanced toward the dining room and stairs. He hadn’t seen anyone but he heard voices.

“Are you here for Nikki?” she asked, which was weird because why would that be a secret?

“No,” he said, “for you. What’s the deal with the Stetson?”

She grabbed the lapels of his suede jacket and pulled him down while she pushed up onto her toes. “You’re too damn handsome for your own good,” she murmured close to his mouth, her warm sweet breath mingling with his startled exhale.

“You gonna tease me or kiss me?” His voice came out a gruff rasp. Her house, her rules, but only for a few more seconds.

“Kiss you.” She smiled. “Just not here.” She let him go.

He stumbled back a step and palmed the crown to keep from losing the hat. “To be clear...the Stetson turns you on, and without it, you’d kick me to the curb.”

“Something like that,” she said with a cheeky grin and moved toward the approaching voices.

“Funny,” he said, keeping his voice low. “I was thinking how I’d like to see you without that sweater.”

She jerked a look at him, her lips parted and her eyes blazing with desire.

He touched her hand. “Come for a drive with me.”

“Give me a few minutes.”

“Whatever time you need.” He smiled. “But take too long and I might start begging.”

“Tempting,” she muttered, then at the sound of the swinging door to the kitchen, pasted on a smile for the trail of chatty women streaming through the dining room toward the foyer.

Hell, seeing them reminded him. How, in the span of a second, could he have forgotten about Nikki? He’d have to include her in the outing. Rachel would understand. Or better he level with his sister. The risk there was that she could feel neglected and want to return to Houston.

“Hi, Matt.” It was a chorus. Several of the women obviously knew his name.

He recalled the tall blonde, Sandy, only because she’d gotten him a beer the other night. He whipped off his hat. “Mornin’, everyone.”

They were all smiles and fake tans, and they were probably very nice women but he still had to fight the impulse to run and hide in the barn.

Before any of them could strike up a conversation with him, Rachel called for their attention and started reviewing the day’s activities. Nikki and Jamie emerged from the back. He hoped they’d been hanging out in Cole’s office or else it was a good bet they’d heard him and Rachel.

Nah, it was all good because Nikki looked surprised to see him. He was just being paranoid.

“I didn’t know you were coming,” Nikki said, and motioned for him to meet her in the living room away from the others.

“I left you a voice mail.”

“We don’t have plans, do we?” she asked, glancing back, he assumed to Jamie, who’d waved then disappeared.

“No. I figured I’d check if you and Rachel were interested in taking a drive with me.”

“Is she going?”

“Said she would.”

“Good. I’m not.” She elbowed him. “I
know
you don’t mind.”

He shook his head, recognizing the mischievous gleam in her eye. She was hoping he and Rachel would end up doing a little boot-knocking. Hell, so was he, but he wasn’t about to admit it.

Nikki grinned. “I have a playdate with Jamie and two of the guests.”

“Doing what?”

“She’s showing us how to cross-country ski.”

“You don’t have the right clothes. You’ll freeze your backside off.”

“Don’t worry, Dad,” she said with an eye roll. “I have it covered.”

“You going shopping?” He reached for his wallet in his back pocket.

“Stop it, Matt.”

“What?”

Her hands on her hips, she glared at him. “You try to give me so much as a dollar, I will be so pissed at you.”

“Don’t get your feathers ruffled. You can’t wear jeans. You’ll get ’em caked with snow. When it melts the wet denim will stick to your skin, then freeze again. And ski gear isn’t cheap.”

Some of her bravado slipped and she moistened her lips. “I’m not going to buy a bunch of clothes I can’t wear when I get home. If my jeans freeze, I’ll change.”

They stared at each other without speaking. Matt was aware that the others could hear them if they were so inclined. He didn’t need to say anything, since Nikki knew he was hoping she’d like Blackfoot Falls and consider eventually making the Lone Wolf her home. He also knew that her finances were tight. Being here meant she wasn’t making tips at the bar where she worked.

He dropped his gaze to his wallet. “How about I give you a few hundred, just in case?” he asked, quietly.

She sighed. “You want kids, go make babies.”

“You’re more ornery than a bull.”

“And yet you continue to forget.” She spun around and walked away.

He watched her race up the stairs without a look back. He’d hurt her pride. Again. It wasn’t as if he didn’t admire her independence and her hard work to preserve it. But he wanted so much to help make her life easier. The money—he had so much, and it meant nothing to him. Nikki knew that.

“Don’t worry,” Rachel said, coming to stand beside him as he watched Nikki disappear down the upstairs hall. “Between Jamie and I, she’ll have the proper clothes to wear. I’ve already laid a few things out for her to choose from.”

He glanced toward the foyer, saw that the guests had dispersed, then looked down at the top of her head and smiled at the purple streak.

She looped an arm through his. “You ready? Before Trace ambushes me and begs out of taking some of our guests on a trail ride.”

“Let’s get outta here.”

Barbara McAllister appeared at the top of the stairs, and they stopped in the foyer. She looked pretty in gray wool slacks and a cream sweater. Auburn hair similar to Rachel’s skimmed her shoulders.

“Wow, Mom, where are you going?”

She seemed startled. “I thought you’d left with the others.”

“They didn’t need me so I’m playing hooky with Matt for a while.”

“You look nice,” he said to Barbara.

“Thank you.” She blushed, just like her daughter.

“So where are you going?” Rachel asked again.

“To meet a friend, then run errands.” She hurried down the stairs, keeping her gaze on her feet. “I left a couple pairs of insulated ski pants on my bed for Nikki if she’s interested. They aren’t trendy but she is closer to my height than yours.” She reached the foyer and glanced at her watch. “I’m sorry. I really have to scoot.”

“Where’s your coat?” A slight frown puckered Rachel’s brows.

“Oh, right. I’ll go through the mudroom.” Barbara flashed a smile. “See you later.”

Rachel stared after her for a long minute. “That’s the fourth time I’ve seen her with makeup since Thanksgiving. And did you notice she never answered where she was going?”

Laughing, Matt slipped an arm around her shoulders. “You’re as bad with your mom as I am with Nikki.”

She squinted up at him. “You hush.”

He caught her chin, tilting it up, and pressed his lips to hers. They immediately relaxed, turned soft and yielding, and he considered that now might be a good time to sneak into her room. Then he remembered that Nikki and Jamie were in the house. Hilda was probably in the kitchen.

But when Rachel’s mouth opened, his mind went blank. The tip of her tongue slipped out to touch his lower lip and his entire body tightened with need. He caught her hips, bracketing the tempting curves with his hands, and pulled her into him.

She let out a sexy whimper that spoke directly to his cock. He sucked the throaty sound into his mouth, and shuddered when she melted against him. Her arms wound around his neck, and he’d moved his hands to her firm round backside before it struck him that he was pushing his luck. One of her brothers could walk in on them. He doubted they wanted to see Matt shoving up their sister’s sweater, looking for a taste of those sweet full breasts pressing against his chest.

With a great deal of effort, he loosened her arms from his neck and set her away from him. “We have to go.”

“Where?” She blinked away the dazed expression, then bent to swoop his hat off the floor.

Hell, he hadn’t noticed it had fallen. “I don’t know.” He raked a hand through his hair, then resettled the Stetson. “Out of here. Jacket?”

“Jacket,” she repeated, but plainly without understanding. She drew in a shaky breath, then her eyes lit with awareness. “Right. That way,” she said, hitching her thumb toward the kitchen, which led to the coat hooks in the mudroom.