“I think I’d like to meet this mystery woman of the professional washing.”
“You’d have to come over very early.”
“I guess I’d better get used to waking up early if I’m going to milk Heidi’s goats.”
“You should probably spend the night, just to make it easy on yourself.”
She found herself getting lost in his dark eyes. This was the Shane she liked most, she thought, wanting to lean in and feel his mouth on hers. The teasing, fun guy who made her heart beat faster.
Nearby, someone cleared his throat. Annabelle saw that Marcus had returned. She took a quick step back and sipped her coffee.
Shane didn’t look the least bit chagrined. “We were discussing the digital temperatures in the shower.”
“Ah, I see. You should look at this one. It changes color as the temperature changes.”
Shane grabbed her hand and drew her along after Marcus. “It changes color. I like that. Maybe we can find one that makes the water different colors, too.”
* * *
“YOU DID REALLY WELL,” Annabelle said four hours later as they drove back to Fool’s Gold. “We got everything you needed from the store. It will be shipped to the job site and make your contractor very happy.”
“Good. Because she has serious attitude if she’s not happy.”
Annabelle didn’t want to think about how much money Shane had spent in a single afternoon. All those fixtures added up, especially since he tended to choose high-end materials. She supposed she was going to have to integrate the fact that he wasn’t just a guy who worked with horses. He was a successful breeder and racehorse owner. She had a feeling he paid more in taxes than she made.
“With the measurements for what you bought, construction can continue,” she said.
“Yeah. I’ll get a two-day break and then she’ll be on me about lighting fixtures.”
“The electrician is going to need to know what goes where.”
He turned off the main highway for the road to the ranch. “Want to pick them for me?”
“No, but I’ll go with you.”
“Thanks.”
Their eyes met for a second and she felt the familiar flutter in her chest. He was good, she thought. Better than good.
As he made another turn, they passed a flatbed truck with the name of a delivery service going the other way. Shane groaned.
“What did she buy now?”
“At least it’s not an animal,” Annabelle said, looking at the flatbed, hoping to see a clue. “They always come in enclosed trailers.”
“Unless it was in a cage or something. Like a lion.”
“Your mother wouldn’t buy a lion.”
“You sure about that?”
Annabelle thought about May’s eclectic menagerie. “Um, no. Not really.”
They drove onto the ranch only to see a shiny new red truck parked by the house. It was big, with massive tires and an extended bed.
Shane slowed his truck and stared. “Because the Cadillac wasn’t enough?” he muttered.
“Cadillac?” She stared at the truck. “You think Clay bought it?”
“No one else would want anything that flashy. That has my little brother written all over it.”
“When does he arrive?”
Shane came to a stop and turned off the engine. “Earlier this afternoon.”
She glanced toward the truck and saw a man standing on the porch. He was obviously a Stryker brother—with dark hair and eyes. The same broad shoulders and long legs. But he was also different.
He wasn’t just good-looking. He was handsome in a whole other league, his features just a little more perfect than everyone else’s. And his appeal didn’t stop there. The man had an amazing body, expertly shown off in tight jeans and a formfitting T-shirt.
“You can close your mouth now,” Shane grumbled.
Annabelle tore her gaze away from Clay. “My mouth wasn’t open.”
“It kind of was. Don’t worry. We’re used to it. Clay has always been the pretty one in the family. Try not to drool. It makes things awkward.”
He was joking. Sort of. She looked at Shane and thought of how much she enjoyed everything about him. Then she undid her seat belt and leaned toward him.
“You’re very concerned about my reaction to your brother. I think the person you really have to worry about is your bathing lady.”
As she spoke, she put her hand on the back of his head and drew him to her. When he was close enough, she leaned in and kissed him. She thought about how he made her laugh and how she looked forward to spending time with him. Then she thought about all the ways he amazed her in bed and let her kiss do the talking, so to speak.
When she finally drew back he smiled. “Nice.”
She raised her eyebrows.
“I got the message,” he added.
“Good. Remember that.”
As she got out, she wondered if Shane’s reaction to her looking at Clay had been about her or if this was another example of his dealing with his ex. Had she been a little too interested in Shane’s brother? Because if she had been, this was more proof of Annabelle’s uphill journey to prove she was someone Shane could trust. That she would never betray him or trick him or hurt him.
Easy enough to say, she thought. But much, much harder to prove.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“I’M SO HAPPY,” MAY said, checking the roast she’d put in the oven, then closing the door and straightening. “All my boys are home with me.”
Shane collected plates and flatware to set the table, as instructed. “Were you this excited when I moved back?” he asked, his voice teasing.
“Of course,” his mother assured him.
“Only Clay’s a little more special,” Rafe called from the sideboard by the table. He pulled the cork from the bottle of wine May had insisted they would have with dinner.
“He’s rarely here,” May told them both. “That makes it special.”
“Face it,” Rafe said, returning to the kitchen to get the wineglasses. “He’s her favorite.”
May put her hands on her hips. “I love all my boys the same. You two know it, too.”
Rafe paused to kiss her cheek. “We do, Mom. But sometimes it’s fun to mess with you.”
It was just the four of them for dinner that night. Heidi and her grandfather had gone into town to leave the Strykers to enjoy their reunion in private.
Clay strolled into the kitchen and walked up to his mother. “You’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you,” he said, pulling her close and hugging her. When he released her, he turned to Rafe. “Hey, there’s some white dress upstairs. You know anything about that?”
Rafe narrowed his gaze. “You didn’t touch it, did you?”“No.” Clay held up both his hands. “I just looked.” He winked. “Marriage, huh? What does she see in you?”
“More than she’d see in you.”
Clay slapped him on the back then turned to Shane. “See my truck?”
“It’s hard to miss.”
“If you ask real nice, I’ll let you drive it.”
Shane grinned. “No, thanks. By the way, I took the Cadillac to San Diego. Got it all broken in for you.”
Clay’s dark eyes widened. “No,” he said slowly. “You didn’t.”
“That baby can corner and she’s got some speed in her.”
Clay lunged forward, Shane ducked out of the way, then caught his brother as he turned. The mock wrestling had May shrieking at them to stop. She grabbed a dishtowel and attacked them both with it.
“Not before dinner,” she yelled, slapping them in rhythm with her words. “Stop it, both of you. This is the first time our whole family has been together in three years and you’re not going to ruin it.”
Shane released Clay and straightened. He glanced at Rafe, who stared at May. Clay looked just as uncomfortable as he straightened his shirt.
“Not our whole family, Mom,” Clay said.
May’s happy expression shifted to wary. “No,” she said quickly. “I mean the four of us. Of course Evangeline isn’t here. Which is too bad.”
Shane felt the familiar boil of anger. “I’m going to check on the horses,” he said, heading for the door. “I’ll be back in time for dinner.”
“I’m just putting on the potatoes,” his mother called after him. “Twenty minutes. No longer.”
Shane went outside and drew in a deep breath. He told himself getting pissed off wouldn’t help anyone. That a case could be made he was as much to blame.
Behind him, the back door opened. He turned. Rafe stepped out beside him. The brothers stared at each other.
“It’s not your fault,” Rafe said quietly. “None of it. You were a kid.”
Shane shrugged. “If I hadn’t brought him home,” he began.
Rafe grimaced. “Don’t make me beat the shit out of you.”
“You really think you can?”
“I could make a dent.” Rafe moved next to him and leaned against the back porch railing. “You were eight, Shane. Eight years old. You’d lost your dad and heard your mom crying herself to sleep every night. You were trying to help.”
“It didn’t help. It made things worse. I’m glad we have Evie, but that guy…”
Some twenty-six years ago, after the death of their father, Shane had met a cowboy in town. At eight, he’d been unable to understand everything happening around him. All he knew was that his mom missed his dad and Randy, the cowboy he’d met, was nice and had agreed to come over for dinner.
Apparently Randy had stayed for more than dessert. Nine months later, Evangeline had been born.
“She should have given Evie up for adoption,” Shane said flatly.
Rafe stared at him. “How can you say that? She’s our sister.”
“I know who she is and I know what she’s been through. The youngest by enough years that we were all too busy for her. Mom never bonded or connected with her, or whatever you call it. Evie spent her whole life knowing she wasn’t welcome, wasn’t wanted. You think that was easy for her? Better for her to go to a family who wanted her.”
“She’s our sister,” Rafe insisted. “We love her.”
“Sure. From a distance and when it’s easy. I talk to her maybe once a month. Clay does the same. You haven’t spoken to her in what? Eight or nine years? And Mom does her best to pretend she doesn’t exist.”
“I saw her a couple of months ago,” Rafe said.
Shane turned and stared at him. “What?”
“Drove down to L.A. and found her. We had coffee.” One corner of his mouth turned up. “She wasn’t exactly happy to see me, but we’ve stayed in touch since.”
Shane had a little trouble believing the words. “You’re stubborn and pigheaded. She didn’t do what you wanted. Are you saying you’ve forgiven her?”
Rafe looked at him. “I’m the one who needed forgiveness. She was a kid who lost her way. I should have been there for her and I wasn’t. I feel bad about that.”
“None of us were really there for her,” Shane said.
His sister had always been the guilty secret of the family. May had always acted as if Evie didn’t exist and he and his brothers hadn’t done a whole lot better.
“Maybe you’re right,” Rafe said slowly. “Maybe adoption would have been a more rational choice. She would have felt that she belonged. I asked her to come to the wedding. She said no.”
Shane was impressed that Rafe had even bothered with an invitation. “You can’t blame her for not wanting to be here. I’m sure she doesn’t remember much about Fool’s Gold, so the town’s not a draw. As for a family event, that has to be her idea of hell.”
“I know, but it would have been nice to have her around.”
The back door opened again and Clay walked out. “Mom wanted me to check on you two.” He lowered his voice. “Talking about Evie?”
“Yes,” Rafe said. “I was telling Shane I invited her to the wedding but she refused.”
“Would you want to come if you were her?” Clay asked, then seemed to brace himself. “Hell, I wasn’t sure I would be welcome here.”
Shane knew the comment wasn’t directed at him. He waited while his younger and older brother faced each other.
“I’m glad you’re back,” Rafe said quietly.
Clay waited.
“I mean it,” Rafe added. “It’s good to have you home.”
Clay relaxed. “Okay. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Clay turned to Shane. “I can’t believe you drove my car to San Diego.”
Shane grinned. “You said for me to take care of it and I did. You never said not to drive it.”
“Didn’t think I had to.”
“Then that’s your problem.”
Clay started to say something else, then turned slowly and stared past the barn. “Is that an elephant?”
Rafe laughed and slapped him on the back. “Welcome home, kid. You’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
* * *
CHARLIE PICKED UP HER latte and took a sip. “You’re the one who called this meeting,” she said, as she set it down.
Dakota nodded in agreement. “I did and I have a reason.”
“I figured.”
Her friend’s hesitation was an indication that Charlie probably wasn’t going to enjoy the topic. Still, she liked Dakota and respected her. So she would listen. Then she would get upset.