Less-than-Innocent Invitation (11 page)

“One of us could talk to Lucas,” Tom suggested. “That might be enough to calm her down.”

“Good idea,” Gavin agreed. “But since you're just getting acquainted with your family, let's keep you out of it.”

“I could go to see Lucas and his family and ask a few
questions,” Logan offered. “I won't suggest the Devlins are behind anything, but it would interesting to gauge their reactions to all of this.”

Gavin nodded. “That's a good idea. We'll meet after you've talked to Lucas. In the meantime, everyone keep an eye out for a woman matching our suspect's description. So far she's our best lead in solving this mystery. And Logan, stay close to Melissa. We don't know yet if she's in danger.”

Logan nodded, but he'd already made that decision. Someone was going to be with her whenever she was away from the ranch. Whether she liked it or not.

 

Two days later Melissa sat back in her chair at WRYL's editing facilities and smiled at Rick. “We're done with this part of our story.”

“The editing went faster than I anticipated,” Rick said.

“Yes. I need to talk to the sheriff to see if he has anything more on the Devlin murder.” If something concrete didn't turn up soon, she'd have to start digging more into Jessamine's past. Melissa had already delved into the story about the gold heist Jessamine had engineered. In the process, Melissa had read something about Jessamine possibly being involved with a man—the town sheriff. Supposedly they'd had a love affair, but Melissa hadn't been able to discover if it was true or what had happened between them.

But if Jessamine had suffered a broken romance, Melissa knew how she felt. Her own heart ached at the thought of leaving Logan.

You knew it was only an affair,
her mind taunted.
She'd told herself that she could enjoy being with him temporarily, that she could deal with a brief affair.

She'd been wrong.

Sighing, she stood. “I'm going to find Joe and thank him for giving us access to their equipment. I'll let him know we're finished.”

She found Joe in his office. When he saw her at his door, he waved her inside. “Rick and I want to thank you again for the use of your facilities.”

Joe nodded. “You're more than welcome. Come back if you need to.”

She and Rick had finished editing all the footage they had so far. But Gavin had promised to keep her updated on his investigation, so it was possible she'd need access to the studio again.

She and Joe spent a few minutes chatting. He asked her about her career, and Melissa told him a little about her work. He seemed quite interested and even mentioned a documentary she'd done on battered women which had won an industry award. She was surprised he even knew about it.

Joe stood. “I enjoyed talking with you.”

“It's been a pleasure.” Melissa smiled and shook Joe's hand as she started to leave.

“Look, I can't let this opportunity go by without mentioning that I'd be interested in talking with you about working at WRYL.” He took out his card and handed it to her.

“I don't know, I—”

“Oh, I know there's less prestige working in Royal and the pay wouldn't match what you make in Houston
because we're a smaller market, but we'd do our best to make it up in perks.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your interest.”

“Feel free to call me anytime,” he said, coming around his desk. He walked with her back to the editing facility. Rick appeared to be waiting for her, his camera and a couple of tapes in his hands. He handed them to her as she approached and she tucked them into her bag.

As they left, Melissa thought about the differences between her station in Houston and this smaller one in Royal. The pace was definitely slower here. She'd had the chance to catch a couple of their newscasts and found their presentation was topnotch, their field reporters professional. The quality of her work certainly wouldn't be jeopardized in the smaller market.

In Houston she lived and breathed her job, rushing to assignments, racing to meet deadlines. All of that effort built her profile so that, one day, she could see herself working for a major news network. That's what her focus in life up to now had been. And, she was on the verge of a major promotion.

Could she even consider staying in Royal? Could she slow down her professional pace and start filling in all those pieces—home, family…love—that had been missing in her life? Could she make a commitment to Logan?

For a moment her heart soared with the possibility of marrying him. She would be greeted by his kisses the way she'd dreamed the other day. She would love him, and he would… Her thoughts paused there. She didn't know if Logan loved her or not. He desired her, yes. But
did he love her? Was she really considering changing her career path without the certainty of a future with him?

Because one thing
was
certain, for her career, it would be a move in the wrong direction.

“H
e's beautiful.” Melissa laughed as the young calf trotted after his mother in one of the Wild Spur's pastures. Needing to check his stock, Logan had invited her for a tour of his ranch.

Another week had passed. Daniel had called to ask how things were coming along. Melissa had done more research on the town of Royal than she'd ever dreamed she would. She and Rick had spent hours looking at newspapers on microfiche. Sheriff O'Neal had given her another interview, which Rick had filmed.

Today they were both taking a day off. Sharing Logan's love for his ranch, she was glad for the opportunity to ride along with him.

Leaning against the split rail fence, Logan propped his foot on the bottom rail. “He's from prime stock. His
father's a descendent in a line of champions. In the future, I'll use that little bull to breed.”

Logan's future—one that didn't include her.

Hearing him say the word stopped her heart. She looked around at the never-ending expanse of land, felt the warmth of the sun shining down on her, heating her skin. Yet inside she suddenly was chilled.

When she'd decided to take this assignment and return to Royal, she'd dreaded the thought of seeing him again. She'd never conceived that they would have anything other than animosity between them, let alone enter into an affair.

Amazingly, they'd managed to work through the pain of their past. Though they'd discovered that they had been manipulated by his brother and Cara, their fragile intimacy didn't change the stark truth of reality.

Logan had said he loved her years ago. She'd wanted to believe it. But he'd married another woman shortly after she'd left. If he'd fallen in love with Cara so soon after she'd moved to Houston, could he have truly loved her? Needing to hear his explanation, she rested her arm on the fence. “Logan, I know we talked about this before, but I need to hear some things again…get them straight in my mind.” She took a deep breath, struggling to find the courage to speak further. Then she finally faced him. “Did you love Cara?” She braced herself for his answer.

Ever since that night they'd confronted their past, Logan had dreaded this moment. He didn't want to hurt her, but how could he explain why he'd fallen so easily for Cara? “When I married her I thought I did,” he answered, his voice carrying an edge of anger at Bart's and
Cara's deception. “And that didn't happen until six months after you'd left.”

“Six months.” Disappointment and anger flashed through Melissa. Not long to grieve for a broken engagement with a woman he'd professed to love, a woman he'd planned to spend the rest of his life with. “Why didn't you call me?”

“Pride, I guess. And anger.” Bitterness mixed with regret in his tone. “I was so damn angry with you.” Hurt flickered through her eyes, and he hated being the one who caused it.

“That doesn't say a lot for your love for me, Logan,” she responded bluntly.

Heat flushed Logan's cheeks. “Your rejection stung, hitting me where I was most vulnerable.” A few moments passed before he forced himself to continue. “After my mother died, I didn't have anyone in my life who really cared about me. Until you.”

“And I left you.” She couldn't ignore that she'd played a part in their bitter breakup. Young and naive, she hadn't trusted her own instincts, her own love for Logan.

He shrugged as if it didn't matter, but it had. “Cara came into my life at my lowest point. To be honest, she pursued me, made me feel special. She began talking about marriage and I thought, why the hell not?”

“It wasn't long before I realized I'd married Cara on the rebound from loving you. I missed you and I thought I'd never feel whole again. They were all the wrong reasons for marriage. I felt awful and, as the weeks passed, I faced the fact that it wasn't going to work between us. We got divorced within a year. She didn't even fight it—
just took her settlement and walked.” He gave a hard laugh. “Now, aware of her and Bart's association, I know why.”

“Somehow that makes me feel a little better.” Though she accepted that he'd fallen for another woman and had married quickly, it still hurt. But she needed to move past her resentment to heal her spirit. She knew now that she had to give him her trust.

He expelled a harsh breath. “It makes me feel like an idiot.”

“You weren't an idiot. You were fooled by Cara.” She laid her hand on his arm. “We both were.”

“And I was lonely,” he told her. “I wanted you and couldn't have you.”

Sadness stole over her expression as she withdrew her hand. “I wish we could go back.”

“We can't, though, sweetheart.” He wrapped his arms around her and tucked her head against his shoulder. She tilted her face and his gaze drifted over her, taking in the shadows in her eyes, the pain. “It took me years to get over you.”

Melissa sighed as he held her. But he had gotten over her. He'd moved on with his life. She leaned up on her toes and kissed him. “At least we both know the truth, Logan. Though it can't make up for the past, we've had this time together.”

“You're amazing. Only you could find something good in the tragedy of our past.” Amazing was how she felt in his arms. Logan tightened his embrace.

Stepping back, she favored him with a smile. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

He chuckled. “There haven't been many. My attempts at dating haven't gone very well,” he admitted. “No one could take your place.”

She blushed. “That a sweet thing to say.”

Unable to stop himself, he asked, “What about you? Has there been someone special in your life?”

Shaking her head, she met his gaze. “When I first started working I didn't have time in my life for a relationship. Later, I dated someone I cared about, but he resented my work and…” Unable to tell him the whole truth, she let her words drop off.

Because I loved you. I always will.

Melissa turned away, not wanting him to read her thoughts.

Logan glanced at his watch. “We'd better get back to the house. I have a meeting with Lucas at the Devlins' ranch.”

She entwined her hand with his and they walked to the truck Logan used on the ranch. Old and a little beat-up, its red paint was covered in several layers of dust, but the ride out to the pasture had been smooth. “What are you going to see him about?”

“Nita Windcroft insists the Devlins are behind some trouble she's been having out at her horse farm. Recently she found flat tires on several of her horse trailers. She's also had downed fences and their line shack broken into.”

“So you're going to see Lucas to ask him if his family is causing the problems?”

He started driving toward the house. “Not in those words. The last thing anyone wants is to encourage trou
ble between the Devlins and the Windcrofts. I'm going more to see if I can shed any light on it.”

“Great. I'll go with you.”

Logan gave her a sidelong glance, observed the determination written on her face. “You're staying at the ranch, sweetheart.”

Melissa glared at him. “Why?”

Pulling into the yard, he stopped the truck short, his mind made up. There was no way in hell he was taking her with him. After the accident with the chandelier, he wasn't placing her in any further danger. “Because.”

“That's not an answer, Logan.”

Because I love you.

But he couldn't admit that. She'd already told him one relationship had failed because of jealousy over her work. He wasn't going to make her feel guilty for making that choice.

“Because of the accident that almost took your life,” he finally said. “Besides, if you go along, Lucas may not be as open to discussing what's been going on at the Windcrofts'.” Logan reached across her and opened her door. “I respect what you do, Melissa, but I want you safe. I'm going to the Devlin ranch alone. With all that's been happening, I don't know what I'm going to be walking into.” He nodded. “I'll be back in an hour and tell you what I learned.”

“Can you at least ask Lucas if I can talk to him?”

“That I'll do. Stay here until I get back. There are a lot of hands around here who would notice anything suspicious in my absence.” It was an order. He could tell
she didn't like it, but if it kept her safe, that was what mattered.

Melissa didn't think anyone was after her, but she could tell she'd never convince Logan of that. Giving in, she said, “All right. I'll see you in a little while.” Without waiting for a response, she shut the door, then headed for the house.

As Logan pulled out of the yard, he caught a glimpse of her in his rearview mirror as she disappeared inside. He hadn't meant to be curt, but hell, he was worried for her safety. Couldn't she see that?

If something happened to her while she was here, he'd never get over it. Maybe he couldn't protect her in Houston, but here in Royal he could. Whether she liked it or not.

Houston.

Logan knew that the more information she gathered, the closer the time came when she'd be leaving. Having her talk to Lucas at a later date would buy him a few more days with her.

But she didn't have to know that, did she?

Trying to put thoughts of Melissa out of his mind, Logan crossed the cattle guard and drove up the dirt road toward Lucas's house. The large brick-and-frame structure only hinted at the wealth of the family living inside. Stopping the truck, he cut the engine, got out and went to the door.

He hoped the Windcrofts and Devlins could find a peaceable solution. But if the past was anything to go by, he had his doubts.

 

As Melissa worked on her story in her room, her cell phone rang. She glanced at her watch before answering,
surprised to find thirty minutes had passed. She frowned when her producer's name flashed on her caller ID.

“Hi, Daniel, what's up?”

“How's the story out there coming along?”

“There have been some new developments.”

“Great. You can fill me in when you get back. I've got some news for you,” he said, his voice excited. “Your promotion has come through. We're ready to put you on the air.”

“What?” Melissa's pulse quickened.

“I want you to wrap up your work there and get back here by tomorrow.”

His words caught her by surprise. Instead of the elation she'd expected at reaching her goal, panic swept through her. “Wait a minute. What are you talking about?”

“We're putting you on the air this weekend. You and Rick need to leave for Houston right away to be back here no later than tomorrow afternoon,” he ordered.

“Tomorrow?” Stunned, she stared at her notes. “But I'm still looking into Jessamine Golden's legend. As a matter of fact, there's been a murder in town and there's a possible connection to Jessamine's map.”

“Don't worry about that.”

“I've put a lot into this story, Daniel,” she said desperately. “It's only fair that I finish covering it.”

“The story's all yours. You can keep updated on the investigation through phone calls from here. If need be, we can send someone else there to do your leg work.”

A beep sounded from her phone, and she groaned
when she realized the battery was low. “Look, Daniel, my phone's going to die. Let me call you back.”

“Don't bother. Explain to Rick what's up and you two get back here stat. And congratulations!”

“Daniel—” Melissa stared at her phone in disbelief when it lost the connection. Her promotion had come through. By the weekend she'd be on the air as a news anchor. She'd have everything she wanted, everything she'd worked for.

But if that was true, why did she feel so miserable?

She set her phone in its cradle to charge, then sat back against the headboard of the bed. As she always known it would, the time had come for her to leave. Now, every single minute she could be with Logan counted. She wanted him here with her, wanted to spend her last evening with him in bed.

Touching him.

Kissing him.

Making love with him.

Except he wasn't here.

But she knew where he was. She'd go to the Devlin ranch. Logan had taken the ranch truck, but the keys to his pickup were on the foyer table. All she needed were the directions. Melissa hurried out of her bedroom to find Norah.

A few minutes later, Melissa drove away from the ranch. On the way to the Devlin's, she kept an eye out for Logan, hoping she'd see him and be able to flag him down. He'd been far enough ahead of her to have possibly finished his business and be heading home.

Seeing the name of the road Norah had given her,
Melissa turned off the main highway. She bumped along, then spotted a chimney standing alone on a hill signaling the entrance to the Devlin ranch.

As she turned right at a post with an iron D-V brand on it, she heard a sharp crack and something exploded through the passenger window of the truck. Screaming, she slammed on the brakes and jerked the wheel to the right. The truck lurched to the side of the road, nearly running into a ditch. Ducking, she pressed her face against the seat.

Someone was shooting at her!

The metallic taste of fear coated her throat. “Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!” Her heart slammed against her rib cage.

Were they still out there? Would they approach the truck to make sure she was dead? Logan had told her to stay home. Why hadn't she listened to him?

Oh, God, she was going to die here. And if she didn't, Logan was going to kill her when he saw her. Her hand shook as she frantically searched through her purse. Where was her damn cell phone! She groaned, remembering she'd left it at the ranch, charging.

Think, Melissa, think!

Looking around the inside of the cab she saw Logan's CB radio.

Thank God!