Mason (Remington Ranch Book 1) (Contemporary Western Romance) (19 page)

“Do all the Remington boys look like sex on a stick?” Cassidy asked as she, too, watched Mason's muscular frame make his way through the crowd.

Gina laughed as she turned to her friend. “Let's go say hi to Monique and then we'll find Carter and Beau so you can judge for yourself. I have a feeling you'll still like Shane the best.”

“Who said I like Shane?”

Gina shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe it's that little smile you get on your face every time you talk to him, no matter how mean you're being to him.”

“I am not mean! I'm just honest, that's all.”

“Whatever you say. Come on. Let's go see Monique.”

When they finally escaped the ladies in the kitchen, Gina dipped them each a glass of punch and led Cassidy out back to a quiet spot behind the garage.

“Phew! I think I'm ready to escape,” said Cassidy. “That was a lot of ladies with a lot of questions.”

“Yes, but they all loved you. Hopefully now that they've met you, you've dispelled some of the mystery.”

“I hope so.”

“Don't be surprised if they start coming in the gallery now. And don't be surprised if they start buying. Newcomers are an object of mystery for a while and then they're either accepted or rejected. I think you've just been accepted.”

Cassidy nodded. “I thought I'd been rejected from the outset. It seemed that none of the locals ever came in.”

“That's because they didn't know you and what you were about. Now they do.”

Cassidy laughed. “Now they know everything about me, and more. That was an inquisition, for sure.”

“Ha. You got off lightly. You're good at deflecting, plus they were more focused on me and Mason. We've been a source of gossip and conjecture for years. You should think yourself lucky.”

Cassidy shuddered. “Ugh. If this is lucky, I'd hate to be unlucky. Can we go find that hot cowboy of yours and get a burger? I didn't eat this morning and this punch is going to go right to my head.”

Gina was only too happy to go find Mason. He was right where he'd said he'd be, with Carter.

When Mason introduced them, Cassidy shook Carter's hand warmly. Gina noticed that Carter wouldn't meet her eye. She still wished that he could meet a good woman. He hadn't been the same since Trisha. Gina had never liked her. She hated the way Carter had changed. He'd always been the quietest of the Remington brothers, but he used to be so warm and funny, too. These days he was much more reserved. From what she'd seen and heard of him since she'd been back, he didn't have much of a social life unless you counted the gym.

“So you're the Remington Nurseries brother?” Cassidy asked him.

Carter nodded. “That'd be me.”

“Oh good. I've been meaning to give you a call. I want to get some work done at my place, but I have no clue what I'm doing in this climate.”

“What kind of work?”

“Planting…landscaping. The way the wind blows all the time at my place, I was wondering about planting trees.”

“Where are you?”

“Down by the river at the bottom of Mill Lane.”

Carter's eyes widened. “You bought the Allen house?”

Cassidy nodded. “You know it?”

“Know it? I used to work with old Mr. Allen before he passed on. There was so much he wanted to do, but after he got sick, his kids didn't want him spending money out there. They wanted to move him down to Colorado to be closer to them. I have so many ideas for that place. There's so much you could do down there.” He stopped himself. “Sorry. As you can tell, I love what I do. Give me a call when you're ready and we can talk about what
you
want to do.”

Gina smiled at Cassidy's reply. “Please don't apologize. I only work with people who love what they do. I drive normal people nuts. I'd love to hear your ideas. Give me a call tomorrow?” She handed Carter her card, just as Shane came to join them.

He shot a look at Carter. “I've been trying to get her number for weeks.”

Cassidy pursed her lips and turned back to Carter. “So call me? I have to be leaving now, but I can't wait to see you again.”

Gina exchanged a grin with Mason at the expression on Shane's face as he watched Cassidy leave.

“What the...?”

Carter grinned at Shane and lifted a shoulder. He saw what was going on and was happy to play along. “What can I say, bro? You win some, you lose some. I guess she prefers the strong silent type.”

They were all surprised at Shane's angry response. “Thanks, Carter. Thanks a bunch.” He turned on his heel and left them staring after him.

“Oops,” said Carter. “I didn't realize it was a big deal to him. I guess I fucked up again, huh?”

Mason put a hand on his shoulder. “No, you didn't. I think the problem is that Shane didn't realize it was a big deal to him either, and now he’s realizing he doesn't know what to do with it.”

Gina nodded at his assessment. “Don't worry about it, Carter.” She gave him a hug. “Shane will be fine.”

Carter nodded. “I know. She likes him. I can tell.”

Mason laughed. “Jesus! Are Shane and I the only ones who don't pick up on what women mean?”

Gina slapped his arm. “You're certainly not the only ones, but you might want to take some lessons from Carter. He could probably help you both out.” She loved building Carter up and had done so instinctively since they were all kids. The other three brothers could and would toot their own horns at any opportunity. Carter was less confident and more caring.

“I don't think my track record qualifies me to be giving anyone lessons.” He gave them a sad smile. “But you know I'm here if anyone needs me.”

Gina hugged him again.

“Okay, enough with the mushy stuff.” Even as he said it, Mason slapped Carter's back. They all knew the subject was better changed, but it seemed none of them knew how.

“Sorry,” said Gina. “I'm going to leave you to it and go see how Shane's doing.”

She pecked Mason's lips then made her way through the crowd in the direction Shane had gone.

Gina smiled at people and waved as she made her way through the crowd. She figured Shane had probably gone out to his office. It wasn't like him to be snappy or to walk away. She wanted to talk to him.

“Hello, Gina.”

The voice stopped her in her tracks. She'd heard it so many times in her dreams over the years. Heard him asking Mason about getting back with April. She felt the shiver run down her spine as she turned to face him.

“Guy.”

He let his eyes wander over her, making her shiver again. She wanted nothing more than to walk away from him and not look back. However, she did at least want to tell him that he would not be coming out to view the ranch. Hearing his voice had confirmed that she would never sell to him, and it made her decision. She couldn't sell at all. She'd accept Cassidy's offer of a loan to keep her going.

“You're looking good, Gina. Good enough to...I bet you're quite something between the sheets.”

God, he was disgusting. “Well, you'll never know, will you?”

He grinned at that. “Actually, I thought we should find out. I hear you've been seeing Mason since you came back, but we both know how that ended for you last time.”

How dare he. She wasn't going to let him come between them again. “Mason and I are just fine thank you very much, and it's really none of your business.”

The sneer on his face made her stomach turn. “I'd say it is kind of my business since I've been raising his kid all this time.”

She sucked in a sharp breath and felt her heart stop. What the hell was he talking about?

“I thought you came to your senses back then, figured out what he was like and got away from him. Poor April wasn't as smart as you. She let him knock her up and I picked up the pieces. I've raised the boy as my own, but...” His grin was sickening. “Don't tell me he hasn't told you? I thought that was why you walked out on him at Pine Creek the other night.”

Gina's mind was racing. When she'd watched Mason talking to April, it had looked like a lot more than a
Hello, how are you.
Mason had even said he still felt responsible for her. Was that why? She shook her head. No, it couldn't be. After everything they'd talked through these last few days, everything they'd promised each other about being open and keeping no more secrets, there was no way he would have omitted to tell her that he had a child—with April no less.

Guy put a hand on her shoulder. “Sorry, I didn't mean to shock you. I thought you knew. He's an asshole. Always has been. I'd hate to see you get involved with him again after you had such a lucky escape. He makes me out to be the bad guy, but it's always been him, Gina. I'm the one trying to buy your dad's ranch to help you out. What's he doing for you? Nothing.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Why don't you get out of here with me and I'll tell you everything I know. We could get some dinner and...” He ran his gaze over her, letting it linger on her breasts, making her skin crawl.

“No.” She turned and walked away. She couldn't bring herself to say another word to him.

She didn't want to find Shane anymore. She just wanted a moment to herself. She kept walking until she came to the barn. She made her way to Annie's stall and buried her face in the mare's neck. As she breathed in the warm reassuring scent of horse, she felt the trembling start to subside.

Guy Preston was a bastard. An evil, meddling bastard. That was all. She wasn't going to let him come between her and Mason this time. She knew what she had to do. She wasn't going to make the same mistake again. She needed to find Mason and talk to him. Ask him whether it was true. She didn't believe it was, but the nasty little voice in her head kept doing the math and telling her that it could be. She wanted to stay here for a little while, get over the shock. She ran her fingers through Annie's mane. “It isn't true, old girl, is it?” She hated the break in her voice. It shouldn't be there, she should sound—and feel—strong, convinced that this was just another of Guy's attempts to hurt Mason. She wished she didn't feel the gnawing doubt. But it was there. She knew from experience that it wouldn't go away until she talked to Mason about it, and this time she wasn't going to wait ten years before she did. She patted Annie one last time and made her way back out of the barn.

~ ~ ~

Mason knew something was wrong as soon as he saw Gina's face. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good. He started making his way over to where she was standing out by the barn. She was scanning the crowd, but she hadn't spotted him yet.

He tried to be as polite as he could in brushing people off on his way to her. He didn't want to talk about the weather or the party or even his horses. He just needed to get to Gina and ask her what the hell was wrong. He saw April sitting alone at one of the tables. She looked terrible, but he didn't have time to check on her at the moment... She looked up and saw him and called him over. Gina was still searching the crowd, he was pretty sure she was looking for him. April raised a hand to wave him over and he noticed the bruises on her arm. Damn. He had a pretty good idea how she'd gotten those. He had to make sure she was all right.

“Is everything okay?” he asked when he got to her.

She nodded but looked as though everything was far from okay.

“What is it?”

“I'm sorry, Mason.”

“What for, April. What is it?”

“He's really got it in for you this time. I can't stop him. I'm sorry, but I have to put my son first.”

The pulse in Mason's temple started to pound. “What are you talking about? What's he doing?”

As she looked up at him, he thought he could make out bruises under her makeup. What was that bastard doing to her? Mason had tried to get her to leave Guy many times over the years. She said she'd made her bed so she had to lie in it, that she believed marriage was forever and it would get better. He was pretty sure that Guy had some hold on her that she wasn't talking about. If he was hitting her, there was no way Mason would be able to stand back and do nothing. “I can't tell you, Mason. I just wanted you to know how sorry I am. You know I wouldn't do it if I had any other choice.”

“April, what are you talking about? You wouldn't do what? And why don't you have a choice? You're worrying me. I think it's time we get you away from him.”

She stood up suddenly. “I have to go. He's looking for me.”

Mason followed her gaze to where Guy was standing. How he hated that asshole. “Let me help you, April. You don't need to go with him.”

Her eyes were wide with fear. “I do, Mason. I just had to tell you how sorry I am.” She turned and fled before he could ask her again what it was she was sorry for.

He turned to see Gina staring at him. What was it with the women around here today? She looked as though the world was about to end, too! Oh shit, she had just seen him talking to April, but they were over that, right? Gina knew that all April had ever been to him was a decoy—didn't she? He crammed his hat further down on his head and made his way to her.

“What is it, G?” he asked when he reached her.

She took a deep breath and met his gaze. “I hate asking you this, but I have to. We promised each other we wouldn't keep any more secrets, that we'd be completely honest with each other, right?”

Mason nodded. “Whatever it is, just ask.” He had nothing to hide.

“Is April's son yours?”

He stared at her for a moment, the words didn't make sense. “Is April's son...what!?” As he spoke the words himself, he understood their meaning. “Jesus, Gina! Why in the hell would you think that? I told you. I never wanted back with her. I never got back with her. What the...”

She put a hand up. “Don't be mad at me. I had to ask. Guy told me the boy was yours. I knew it had to be a lie, but once the doubt takes hold there's nothing you can do. I had to ask you, Mason.”

He took a deep breath to calm himself then drew her to him and wrapped her in his arms. “Sorry, babe. I get it, you did have to ask. We promised no more secrets. That is not a secret I am keeping, nor would I ever keep. You know me. If I had a kid, I'd be taking care of him myself. I'm glad you asked me.” He held her a little closer. “If anything, we can thank Guy for making us stronger. You came straight to me. That means a lot.” He tipped her chin so she was looking up at him. What he saw in her eyes killed him, because what he saw was doubt. His heart raced. “You don't believe me?”

She shook her head rapidly and tightened her arms around him. “It's not that. I do believe you. I'm just still in shock from hearing him say it. And...and I just saw you with her. What's going on between the two of you, Mase?”

“Nothing. There's nothing between me and her, not like that. I told you, I do feel responsible for her. Not responsible for her kid or anything, but as I said, she has a horrible life, and I feel as though it's my fault. I put him on her. You know?”

Gina nodded, but she didn't look convinced. “Do you still care for her?”

Mason gritted his teeth and let out an exasperated sigh. “Not in that way…no. I never did. We dated in high school, before you and I ever got together. She was a friend, Gina. I think he's hurting her, so yes, I do care. But then I'd care for anyone in that situation, especially since I feel like I was the one who put her there. I think you would, too?”

She met his gaze and he saw all the compassion in her eyes that made her who she was. “He's hurting her? Why doesn't she leave him? We have to help her, Mase.”

“I don't know how. I've offered to help her get away from him over the years. I knew she was miserable, but I never thought he'd hit her. He has some hold over her. Honestly, I think he threatens her about the boy, but I don't know that.”

“What did she say just now? Is she all right?”

Mason shrugged. “She kept telling me she's sorry. She wouldn't tell me what for. Just that Guy's really got it in for me this time.”

Gina nodded. “Well, if we hadn't already cleared things up between us, I hate to admit it, but I probably would have believed him.”

Mason nodded. Much as he hated to hear it, he could see why Gina would think that way. He dropped a kiss onto her upturned nose. “It's a good thing we already talked everything out then, isn't it?”

She nodded. “He can't come between us anymore, Mase. I love you. I'm not going to let anything destroy what we have this time. Especially not him.”

“I love you, too, babe. You did the most important thing, and you trusted me enough to come to me and ask. You trusted me to tell you the truth.”

She nodded.

“Babe, I want to put the past behind us. Please let me help you with keeping the ranch. I'll buy it if you need me to or I'll help you keep up with the cost of running it if you prefer. Just please say that we're back in it together?” He held her gaze. “You said we can make it up to each other every day for the rest of our lives. I want us back on track, and to me the rest of our lives mean we share them, as man and wife. Do you agree?” He'd been thinking for days about how and when he would ask her to marry him. He didn't want to ask her like this, now, motivated by Guy's meddling, but at the same time he needed to know that it was still what she wanted.

She nodded, but her eyes were troubled. “I told you I need to take care of this by myself. I need you to understand that. I love that you want to help, but I have to do it by myself.”

He stared at her. He could understand the pride side of it. What he didn't understand was how she felt about marrying him. He waited for more, but no more came.

“Do you understand?”

He nodded. He didn't want to, but her lack of an answer made it pretty clear.

“Thank you. We'll figure it out.”

Together, but not married? Was that what she meant? He had to be as strong as she'd just been and ask. “What do you mean? What are we going to figure out?”

She stared at him for a moment. “I mean about the ranch. I need to do that myself, what we need to figure out is how that fits in with us being us.”

“And how does it fit in with us being married?” He had to know. In his mind, a married couple shared finances, just as they shared everything else.

She searched his face. “We're not married though, are we?”

“Do you want to be?” He didn't want to ask her here and now. He wanted to ask her at the right moment, in the right way. But he did want--no, he needed--to know that it was what she wanted.

She nodded.

That was enough. For now. He'd hoped for a little more enthusiasm, but then she'd probably hoped for a proposal, too. “Okay. Do you want to get back to Mom’s party then?”

She blew out a big sigh. “Yeah.”

He took her hand and led her back into the crowd of people. It was late afternoon, but the party was still going strong. He knew more folks would show up into the evening and most would hang out until it got dark. His mom loved to have her firework display. She was fortunate that her birthday fell in mud season. This time of year, there was so much rain that there were no concerns about wildfires. The Fourth of July saw them head up into town to watch fireworks since most of the valley was under no-burn restrictions by then.

~ ~ ~

Gina spotted Shane sitting on the fence with Chance. She'd been going to find him and make sure he was okay when she'd been waylaid by Guy. She tugged on Mason's hand. “Can we go check on Shane?”