Suspicions of the Heart (12 page)

Candy could feel color rising in her
cheeks. "I didn't encourage this. Honest. I didn't take him
seriously when he said he wanted to come out here for a visit. I
mean, why should he? He has a full life back in the city. What
would he want out here?"

"That's a good question," Roscoe
muttered.

Candy came to stand beside him, putting
her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. He knows how I feel about
him. I don't really think it has anything at all to do with me.
Maybe there's something in Dad's will he didn't tell me. Maybe he's
part owner, or something."

"God let's hope not. But I wouldn't put
it past him."

"Uncle Roscoe?"

"Too late to worry about it now. Might
as well sit back and find out what he's up to." Roscoe glanced
about the trailer as though something were suddenly bothering him.
"But where do you reckon we're going to put him?"

Candy shook her head. "I don't know. He
can't stay here tonight. I didn't expect him to come, much less
stay. I guess we'll have to check the hotels in
Channing."

"Unless you'd like a little privacy. I
could bunk somewhere else for a day or two."

"Don't be ridiculous, Uncle Roscoe.
He's not staying here and that's all there is to it."

Despite all the misgivings about
Fargate's visit, Candy found herself dressing for the occasion. Not
that she wanted to impress him, but it might not hurt to let him
see what he really missed. She wore her newest outfit, a sundress
with matching heels. It would do her ego a world of good to see him
drool just a bit.

It worked too, because when he saw her
he was practically drooling.

"Wow, you look terrific. Come on in,
honey." He pulled her into his hotel room and shut the
door.

"Aren't you ready to leave?" she
hesitated.

"Not until I get a proper greeting," he
answered, pulling her against him and planting a kiss to her
lips.

Alarm bells rang in her head as he
manipulated her. Pushing away, she broke the embrace before the
kiss could ignite. Not that she had any leftover feelings for him,
but he could be charming when he tried.

She eyed him perceptively. "Look, I
don't know what you are up to, but I'm really in no mood for
games."

"The only thing I'm up to is getting
you back into my life, Candy," he murmured trying to pull her back
into his arms.

"Let's get something straight," Candy
warned, pulling out of his reach. "This isn't some kind of reunion.
What we had is over."

"Is it?"

When she rolled her eyes he shook his
head and held up his hand. "Okay, okay, I'll behave. There's plenty
of time. But I might as well tell you I plan on changing your mind
about us."

"There is no us," she inserted almost
angrily. "Not anymore."

Did he honestly think he could invite
himself back into her life? After what he had done? Then he
certainly didn't know her. There was no emotion left for him. She
felt lifeless in his arms, yet strangely, in danger, too. But why
should she fear him?

How she ever imagined herself in love
with this cold, calculating man, she didn't know. Fargate was
nothing more than a game player, a charming, good-looking game
player. But the only way to find out what he was really up to was
by playing along to some extent. It might be amusing, especially
since he no longer had the ability to hurt her.

Once they were in the car, he put his
arm along the edge of the seat and glanced at her. "You're
surprised to hear from me, aren't you?"

"To say the least. I hadn't taken you
seriously."

"I figured as much." His hand wandered
over her bare shoulder, making the thin strap fall away. She yanked
it up, wishing she hadn't been so foolish to wear something so
revealing. As she drove she occasionally cast him a wayward
glance.

It was easy to see him for what he was
now. Easy to see that she had fallen in love with an image her
father had painted of him. The real Charles Fargate was far removed
from that man.

Funny, but in ways he had a lot in
common with Doug Chapman. Why Doug came to mind, she didn't know.
Looking at Fargate now, she was able to see him objectively. He
wasn't the most handsome man, but he was attractive and he knew how
to be totally charming. Plus, he was a definite success. And money
bought a lot.

So, what was he up to? Why did he sit
there and pretend such great interest in the countryside for most
of the trip? Why he bothered was beyond her. He wouldn't be caught
dead living in such an isolated area. No, Fargate was all city. But
it was almost as though he had some personal interest in the land
around him. She could see his mind working.

He looked out of place in that business
suit. So, when they arrived, she told him to change into something
more casual. Then she went to find Roscoe.

"I'm really sorry about this, Uncle
Roscoe, for bringing him here, but what could I do?"

"Nothing…I guess." Roscoe didn't look
at her.

"You really don't like him, do
you?"

"I don't know the man. And I'm pretty
sure I don't want to get to know him."

"You may not know him, but you do have
an impression, don't you?"

"Maybe, but for your sake I'll keep my
mouth shut and my eyes open. All I really know is that he ain't
right for you. And I don't understand why he came all the way out
here to visit when you didn't encourage it."

"He acts like he wants me back." She
bit her lower lip when her uncle's head jerked up and he glanced at
her.

"Is that what he told you?"

"Yes."

"Don't that seem a little queer to you?
And I reckon that could be the reason I don't cotton to the idea of
him being here. He damned sure ain't no cowboy. He's about as at
home here as I would be in his office. But I'm a little surprised
at you letting him wrangle his way in here. Just where the hell we
gonna put the man?"

Candy threw her hands in the air in a
helpless gesture. "We'll have to make some arrangements in town."
She felt guilty about letting Fargate come out, but what could she
do, short of being rude? Why hadn't she just refused when he asked?
She felt somehow the problem would resolve itself.

Fargate had donned a pair of slacks and
a short-sleeved shirt when he joined them.

"So, you interested in ranching,
Fargate?" Roscoe quizzed suspiciously as the three of them began a
short tour of the immediate area.

"Not as a career, no," Fargate began
with a big smile. "Only as an investment, Roscoe. Land is here to
stay, you know. You can't go wrong by buying land. But, I'll warn
you now, I'm seriously trying to persuade Candy to move back into
town. I might have a few intelligent suggestions to make. I know
Ol' Hank would appreciate any help I could give her."

He knew what he was doing, trying to
manipulate them both by throwing 'Ol' Hank's' name in there, Candy
surmised quickly. But obviously seeing Roscoe's wariness, Fargate
took the time to talk with him, as if gaining some sense of
confidence.

Along about sunset, Joe Munroe rode up
on his bay, quite unannounced. With one arm draped casually over
the saddle horn, he leaned forward in the saddle and flashed them
all a big smile, tipping his hat to Candy. His eyes narrowed
perceptively on Fargate.

"Afternoon," he called not dismounting
until he was invited.

"Afternoon," Roscoe replied, with a
friendly, extended handshake.

"Company?" Joe glared openly at Candy,
who hadn't so much as spoken to him, nor introduced
them.

"Oh," she snapped to attention,
uncomfortable under Joe's keen scrutiny of her frilly dress. She
wished her legs were covered and her breasts not so exposed, but it
was entirely too late to worry about it. "This is Charles
Fargate…Joe Munroe. Fargate's an attorney and a... friend." She
over-emphasized the word friend and looped her arm through
Fargate's.

"Fargate, oh, yes, the attorney I spoke
with about buying this property." He was deliberately fishing for a
connection.

"Munroe, of course you are the rancher.
Sure, now I remember," Fargate challenged.

"Didn't expect to see you out here.
Kinda out of place for a lawyer, isn't it?" He cast Candy a quick
appraisal, his eyes lingering on her neckline a little longer than
necessary. "I guess she's told you all about the rifle
shot?"

"Rifle shot?" Fargate's brow shot
upward and he pulled Candy front and center. "What's this all
about?"

"It's nothing really." Candy shot Joe a
look of angry indifference.

So, that was why Joe Munroe was here.
He was worried about that rifle shot becoming public knowledge. And
he wanted to snoop.

"Fargate's not here on business," she
said defensively.

"Really?" Joe's eyes met and held
Candy's with that same familiar laziness that held Candy
spellbound. He wore almost the same expression now as when she had
kissed Doug Chapman. "Staying long?" he asked Fargate.

"As long as I'm welcome." Fargate
squeezed Candy's hand.

Candy swallowed that information with
stunned silence, no longer able to meet Joe's scrutiny, or her
Uncle's disfavor.

"Oh? Where you stayin'?" Joe asked,
glancing at the small confines of the trailer, then at
him.

"Oh, we'll find him a room at the hotel
in Channing, I'm sure," Candy said.

Joe shook his head. "'Fraid not. The
big auction is coming up and they're remodeling the
hotel."

Pressing her lips together in a tight
line, Candy willed herself to remain calm, a far cry from how she
really felt. "I'm sure we can manage somehow."

Joe shot Roscoe a curious glance.
"Well, now, I don't mean to pry, but this is a small community.
People have a habit of using gossip as their main entertainment."
He saw Candy's dismay and continued with a broader smile, "But I've
got a suggestion."

Naturally, he would.

"He's welcome to stay at my place. It's
about as close to here as he can get, and I'd be happy to see he
gets a ride over every day." Joe stressed the "every day" and saw
Candy's eyes narrowed on him.

"Oh, I don't think--" she began,
refuting his offer before giving it proper consideration. She just
couldn't let him get away with arranging everything. This was none
of his business. Besides, with a convenient way of staying, Fargate
might stay longer.

But Fargate was already nodding.
"Sounds like a perfect solution, honey, as long as I'm not in your
way, Mr. Munroe?"

"Not a bit, you're very welcome. We
don't get enough visitors out this way," Joe murmured, shooting
Candy a satisfied glance.

Fargate smiled. "This is great. You
know I'd forgotten how unsophisticated country people can be. I
don't want to compromise you, honey, even if I am your
ex-husband."

Joe's head jerked up and his eyes
pinned Candy. The triumph should have been hers, but for some
reason she didn't feel her own victory.

"And, especially since you've made up
your mind to stay here and try to make a go of it," Fargate
conceded.

Joe's face lightened. "Have
you?"

"I never had any other intention. But I
don't honestly think my reputation is going to be
jeopardized."

Roscoe cleared his throat and shot
Candy a discerning glance. "Nonsense. It's very hospitable of Joe
to offer, and we accept. It'll make things easier all the way
around."

Fargate nodded and shook hands with
Joe.

"We country people like to help one
another as best we can." Joe mocked Fargate, his mouth twitching
with amusement.

"Great," Roscoe said. "Now that's
settled, why don't you hop down, Joe, and stay for supper. I got a
mess of south of the border beans on the stove that will light up
your insides. We're celebratin'."

"Thanks, Roscoe." Joe dismounted in one
smooth move, moving himself closer to Candy. "So, what are we
celebrating?"

"I figured the news would be all over
town by now. Candy got that loan."

As though someone broke the silence
barriers, Joe's face illuminated and pearl white teeth flashed
against the bronze of his face. "Now, that's something to
celebrate. You must have really charmed ole George, Candy. He's a
hard man to do business with. So, have you made any plans
yet?"

She shot him a caustic glance, ignoring
that question. It didn't seem to matter, for Roscoe soon had Joe in
hand and was walking away from her and Fargate.

But Joe suddenly stopped, turned and
glanced back at her. It was that same curling the toes look he had
sent her before. "I--brought you something. It's in my saddlebag.
Better not leave it there too long." As soon as he said it he
turned away, as though she were dismissed.

Fargate watched the interplay between
them and when Candy didn't move he prompted, "Wonder what it could
be?"