Pressure Point (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 3) (8 page)

“Pft. Heart’s fine,” Joshua said as he showed the doctor out.

Nash looked through the open double doors into Joshua’s office. Em met his gaze and motioned for him to come in. Stretched out on the leather couch, her eyes were swollen and red from where she’d been crying. He hated seeing her like this.

“Thank you for staying, Nash, but you can go home now,” she murmured. Her tears stained cheeks were rosy.

“I can stay. Is there anything you need me to do?” he offered.

She shook her head against the cushion. “No. I’ll be fine.”

Nash doubted she’d be fine any time soon. “I’m sorry, Em. It’ll be okay though. If the horse was sick or in pain, this was for the best.”

She blinked. “Do you believe John didn’t do this on purpose?”

Nash shrugged, “I don’t know. But don’t worry.”

Em pushed herself to a sitting position on the corner of the couch. She looked vulnerable and frail huddled in the corner. He wanted to make her feel better, to reach out to her. “He’ll get what’s coming to him.” Her cold voice dripped of animosity.

“I’m sure he will, in good time.” Nash agreed. “Yet, it’s not your problem anymore. You did what you could.”

She blinked. “Again, thank you for everything, but you should leave.” She looked away.

“Look, we made an agreement. I’m sticking with it,” he held his tone lowered so Joshua wouldn’t overhear.

“If you’re worried about the barista Katy, I’ll stick to that side of things.” She played with a string on her shirt.

“No, Em, that’s not my concern.”

“Oh my, Em, what happened?” Nash looked over his shoulder as Ruby swept past him and bent to her knees next to the couch. Tears filled Em’s eyes as if Ruby turned on the switch. “What happened?” Ruby looked at Nash in question.

“She passed out,” Nash answered.

“I’m holed upstairs in the bedroom pounding away on my laptop and no one thought to come get me?” Concern made Ruby’s eyes turn darker.

“Sea Breeze died earlier,” Joshua said as he came into the room.

Ruby’s expression pinched. “Died? How?”

Em’s bottom lip quivered as she grappled with her emotions. “I’m sure John murdered him.”

Nash backed toward the door. Ruby and Joshua crowded around Em. Although he didn’t belong here, he also hated that he didn’t.

CHAPTER SIX

EM LOOKED PAST Ruby. Nash had already gone.

She tried not to be hurt. After all, she did ask him to leave.

A boatload of emotions sped through her. From the heat of the moment she’d shared with Nash before her father interrupted them, to the loss of Sea Breeze. She’d been reeling from the heat of anticipating Nash’s kiss and, when she was told about Sea Breeze, she’d lost it. If she could get past the sadness of Sea Breeze, she knew she’d be ten shades of red in embarrassment. What made her weak when Nash was near?

Now whatever they’d shared would no longer matter. The façade ended before it began. One heartbreak at a time. She had to keep rolling with the punches. She would need to erase the memory of whatever he’d uncovered within her.

But she wouldn’t forget what happened to poor Sea Breeze.

She sniffed and tried focusing on Ruby’s words. “Em, are you certain Sea Breeze didn’t die of natural causes?”

Em sniffed loudly. “I-I don’t know, but I told him I’d come later and get him.”

“I’m so sorry, sweetie. What can I do for you? What do you need?”

“She needs rest,” Joshua sat down on the end of the couch. “Doc Travis said you’ve been working too hard and have too much stress, honey. You have a lot going on with the horse and now the engagement. It’s time to let some worry go and concentrate on that fella.”

Em couldn’t meet her father’s gaze. She moistened her lips, preparing for the right words. When she opened her mouth, her sanity shot out the window. “You’re right. I should enjoy the here and now.” Why didn’t she tell her father the truth? She should, but when she looked up at him, noticing the tired lines around his eyes, she couldn’t do what needed done.

“How about planning a wedding?” Joshua asked. “That certainly entertained your sisters.”

Ruby’s narrowed gaze met Em’s. “Yeah, cuz, why not plan a wedding?”

Em wanted to throttle Ruby. “I don’t know if now is the right time—”

“What better time?” Joshua scoffed and clasped his wrinkled hands together. “It’ll get your mind off other things and you can move forward. In fact, I’ve already spoken to your sisters. They’re a little surprised, but excited as I am to see you happy.

Her mouth fell open. She realized she’d created this mess and now the arms of deceit held her in a spider’s web. “Any suggestion for a great honeymoon spot?” she asked Ruby sarcastically.

“I hear Maui has a top notch nude beach.” Ruby wagged her brows.

Joshua cleared his throat. “Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First things first. Whatever brides-to-be do, go ahead and do. Indeed.” Joshua smiled and he’d never looked prouder. “My first gift to you is this.” He stood up, went to his desk and opened a drawer. He took out a check and waved it in the air. “You have enough money to plan your dream wedding, and book a nice honeymoon spot.”

Em’s heart twisted. The money set aside to buy Sea Breeze. Tears blurred her vision but she forced them back. She couldn’t remember her father being so happy. In fact, she couldn’t understand why she was suddenly a blubbering idiot. “Dad, you seem awfully proud to be getting rid of me. Haven’t you heard that once the last child flees the nest, it’s too quiet and the parent ages?”

He chuckled. “That came from someone who didn’t have three daughters who like to carry guns and steal horses.”

“I don’t carry a gun.” Em interjected.

“No, you don’t need one.” He strolled back to the couch, placing the check in her lap. “I love you, honey, but there are some things in life you need to let go of, and Nash isn’t one. I’m your father and I know you think I’m too old to understand things, but I saw how that young man looked at you in the kitchen and when he placed you here. He was a worried man. He’s a keeper.” He winked.

Em tossed her father’s word around inside her head. Her dad’s smile warmed her heart. She couldn’t disappoint him. He looked older over the last year and she didn’t want to contribute to his heart disease. She picked up the check and forced a smile to her lips. “Well, Ruby, can you help me plan a wedding?”

****

Nash stabbed the button on the treadmill and worked himself into a sweat.

Hell, he didn’t know why he planned this crazy scheme. He’d never been to this particular gym before, a bit upscale for his taste, but Musgee swore Nazarene would be here this evening.

If things go as planned, he’d owe Musgee a job at the Walters R&R.

He also hoped he didn’t have to walk on the machine long. His workout usually consisted of old weights in the barn and a beam across a threshold. Not fancy equipment, walls lined with ceiling to floor mirrors. Yeah, this fit Nazarene though. The man probably had the same set up at his mansion but came out in public to show off what a large bank account and plastic surgery could do.

Anger slid through Nash.  After what Nazarene did to Em, Nash wanted to slap the other man, hard, but he wouldn’t lay one finger on the guy. He didn’t need to. He had something much better, and a juicier, planned. An advantage of his own. Nazarene believed he held the upper hand, but Nash planned to show him he needed to think again.

Nash had spoken to Nazarene’s veterinarian and, after a little sweet-talking, he convinced her to tell him what happened to Sea Breeze. From her story, the horse did indeed die from complications from his illness and not by Nazarene’s hand, at least not directly. Still didn’t make Nash feel better.

Pushing the button on the digital panel, the treadmill picked up speed and Nash started to jog. He needed to work out some of the tension.

His mind automatically wandered to Em and the moment they’d shared yesterday before her dad walked in. Nash had wanted to kiss her, and he had a good feeling that she wanted him to kiss her. He’d held her, not wanting to let go. That scared the shit out of him. He didn’t know Em, and he certainly didn’t like her…or maybe he did.

Through the mirror, he spotted Nazarene. Nash clenched the bars of the machine. He’d never been a violent man, but something about Nazarene rubbed Nash the wrong way—rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. It had nothing to do with money and everything to do with his bullying behavior.

Nazarene headed toward the locker room and Nash shut off his machine, stepping off toward the corridor. When he walked into the room, he found Nazarene stuffing his expensive loafers into a locker. He looked up and it took him a good two seconds to recognize Nash. Nazarene’s grin grew. Yeah, the man knew exactly why Nash was here.

“Nash, right?” Nazarene slammed the door to the locker.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Nazarene’s smug smile ripped through Nash. “Did you join the gym?”

“Let’s not pretend that you don’t know why I’m here.” The air turned stagnant.

“I’d like to get to my work out. Call and schedule an appointment with me at my office.” Nazarene took a step, but Nash blocked his path. The area between his brows scrunched.

“That’s not going to work,” Nash said calmly.  He’d wanted to meet the other man away from Nazarene’s comfort zone. No way would Nash go to the man’s office.

Nazarene’s jaw tightened. “Let’s not let this get ugly.”

Nash laughed. “Only if you make it that way.”

“What is it you want?”

“Look, I won’t mince words. You might not have had Sea Breeze killed, but you might as well have pulled the trigger. Is this your sick way of getting back at Em? Holding the horse over her head as a way of getting her back?”

Nazarene’s smile deepened. “The horse died. He was sick. She should be glad I didn’t send him to Rhinestone. She would be swimming in vet bills.” He tossed his towel over his shoulder.

“And so you say.”

“Now, I’m heading to the gym—”

“Not until we’re done here.”

Nazarene’s smile faded. “What exactly do you want?”

“You owe Em.”

“Not when the horse is dead.” He scowled.

“There’s something else I think you have that she’d want.”

Nazarene chuckled. “And why would I even discuss her needs or wants with you? If Em wants, or needs, something, she knows she can call me. Believe it or not, I do care for her.”

“We all get that you still want her, but that’s over. You don’t deserve a woman like her and you know it.”

“And you have what she needs?” He scoffed. “I find that interesting. I don’t think we have anything to discuss.” Nazarene stepped past Nash.

“Sea Breeze’s mother sired a horse last year. I think that would be a very nice gift for Em.”

Several emotions flitted across Nazarene’s face before settling on humor. “I see where this is headed.” He smoothed his fingers over his jaw. “Trojan is my horse and worth more than you can imagine.”

“Then we can strike up a bargain that works.”

“I don’t think you’re hearing me right, son. This isn’t up for consideration. Now let this go before I forget that I like your father.” His lips thinned.

Nash stood his ground. “I didn’t expect this to go any better than it has, so let’s try Plan B. It’s common news that you are striking up a land deal with Hubert Markum to expand your cattle company.”

“I haven’t hidden that detail. It’s business.”

“From what I’ve heard, this land development is worth a few million, or more, to you.”

“I don’t plan on speaking to you about my business.”

“You might once you learn that my dad is best friends with Markum.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

EM PULLED INTO Walters R&R and noticed Nash’s truck parked next to the barn. She pulled up next to it, killed the engine and got out. Her boots hit the dirt and her stomach twirled. The ranch was beautiful and the scent of wildflowers scented the air.

Her gaze naturally steadied on the barn. Her limbs refused to move across the grass, but she had to face Nash. He’d given her a gift, one that had shocked her down to the marrow of her bones and she needed to say thank you.

When John had called her telling her Trojan belonged to her now, Em had almost peed herself in surprise. She’d known from the get-go John hadn’t given her Trojan out of the goodness of his heart. She often questioned if he even had a heart. John had told her, “Keep your boyfriend on a short leash, or this could get ugly.” She knew exactly who’d bought Trojan for her. Nash.