This Kiss (Made In Montana Book 12) (14 page)

She saw him discreetly adjust the front of his jeans and she tried not to smile. “What about Cara?”

“I don’t know. But she’s headed back this way.”

To make room for the other riders leaving the arena, Ethan and Sophie met Cara closer to the gate. Going beyond that would put them at the mercy of insistent fans. Sophie had really had no idea how much fan and media activity surrounded the riders. A minute ago she’d seen Cara get stopped for her autograph by two excited kids dressed like cowgirls.

“I just talked to Dad,” Cara said after chewing a bite of hot dog. “I told him you’re still in one piece. Nothing broken that I could see. He’s still pissed at you, by the way.”

Ethan shrugged. It seemed he couldn’t care less about his father’s disposition. Except Sophie saw his jaw clench long enough to tell a different tale.

“Mom and I just think you’re crazy.” She grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “If I were you, bro, I’d be sitting in an isolation chamber until five minutes before the finals started.”

“If you were me,” Ethan said, “you’d have the good sense to keep your mouth shut.” He turned to watch a rider lower himself onto a restless bull thrashing against the metal chute. “Matt has himself a good contender there with Tornado Alley. That sucker’s gonna be a high scorer.”

“I like Matt,” Cara said, ignoring her brother’s dismissal. “I always have, you know that. But I think it was shitty of him to ask you to ride this close to the finals.”

“The benefit was planned for September. Something got screwed up. When he told me it got pushed back, I could’ve dropped out. So don’t blame Matt.”

“Well, that just makes you even more stupid.” Cara tossed back her hair. “You get hurt between now and next weekend, and you’ll regret it. I’m taking home my second buckle from Vegas this year. You know I will,” she said with a nasty gleam in her eye. “And won’t your little corner of the family trophy case look lonely?”

Sophie fumed. She pressed her lips together to keep from saying something sarcastic to the little twit. How could she treat her brother like that?

“Too bad you drove all this way to tell me something I already know, runt.” Ethan ruffled her hair, which she obviously didn’t like. “Why are you here?”

Cara smoothed back her hair. “I told you, to make sure you’re in one piece and haven’t done anything stupid. Well, stupider than this,” she said, gesturing to nothing in particular. “Miss the finals again and you’ll feel like a big loser.”

“Wow.” Sophie couldn’t keep quiet a second longer. “I used to wonder what it would be like to have a brother or sister. If this is any example—” she shook her head “—I’m glad I don’t have any siblings.”

Cara glared at her, a deep red creeping up from her chest to her face.

Sophie tried not to glare back. She figured she’d said enough when Ethan put an arm around her and sighed.

“Cara didn’t mean anything,” he said. “Our family is competitive. And sometimes we egg each other on.”

“Would you ever call Cara stupid and a loser? You can’t tell me that doesn’t hurt, Ethan.” Sophie’s voice cracked at the end. Ethan visibly swallowed, and she knew she’d struck a nerve. She lowered her lashes, thoroughly ashamed of her outburst. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” She forced herself to look at Cara. “I really am sorry.”

The woman’s stricken expression made Sophie feel worse. “I wouldn’t hurt my brother,” Cara said, reverting to her bratty temperament with a contemptuous glare. The next second she deflated into a look of dismay. “Did I, Ethan? Did I hurt you?”

He left Sophie’s side to ruffle Cara’s hair again. “Hell, runt, you have to do a lot better than that to get under my skin.”

He was lying, of course. And Sophie for one was glad he’d done so. For now, it was better that the tension eased.

“Quit messing up my hair,” Cara said through gritted teeth. She made a show of smoothing back the long blond locks. Mostly, Sophie guessed, to hide the sheen of tears in her blue eyes. Sophie was right behind her in that department.

She glanced helplessly at Ethan.

He smiled and to Cara he said, “You still haven’t told me why you’re really here.”

Cara dumped the rest of her hot dog in the trash can behind her. “I thought we could drive to Vegas together. But you already have company, so no problem.”

“I’m going back to Wyoming first. I have some business to take care of in Casper tomorrow morning.”

“Are you serious?” Her eyes widened. “You have to be in Vegas in four days.”

“I know.”

“Ethan...” She darted a look at Sophie, who wasn’t about to say a word. “Can’t your business wait? I mean, you don’t want to cut it too close.”

“No.” Ethan inhaled deeply. “No, I don’t. But I’ll get to Vegas in time. No matter what it takes.”

“I hope so,” Cara said with a concerned frown.

Jitters flared in Sophie’s tummy. She hoped so, too.

14

S
OPHIE
WASN
’
T
THRILLED
about leaving her Jeep behind, but it would be safe in Blackfoot Falls. The main thing worrying her as they drove toward Wyoming was Ethan’s uncertain future. It was possible he’d have to fly to Vegas to get there in time. And it was also possible that he wouldn’t make it to the finals at all. The thought made Sophie’s stomach turn.

If that crazy Wendy Fullerton refused to drop the charges and Ethan ended up spending time in jail, not having a car would be the least of Sophie’s worries.

Sophie adjusted the truck’s air vents for the hundredth time. They were only five miles outside town. Maybe they should turn around and get the Jeep. The sensible thing was to follow Ethan to Wyoming. No, they were both too tired to drive separately.

“What’s wrong?” Ethan took her hand. “You’ve been quiet and edgy. Are you still upset about Cara?”

“I’m mad at myself for butting in,” Sophie admitted. “And I hope your sister doesn’t hate me forever, but I’m okay. Just tired.” She liked that he had twined their fingers together. “So are you. Don’t forget I can take over driving anytime.”

“Cara doesn’t hate you. And she’s really not a bad kid.”

“I doubt she’d like being referred to as a kid,” Sophie said. “She’s only four years younger than me.”

Ethan frowned. “Really? Only four years?”

“Technically, four and a half. But we women of a certain age have let that half thing go.”

He smiled. “Cara can be a spoiled brat at times. That’s for damn sure. And sometimes her teasing can get out of hand, but you have to understand, we were raised in a competitive environment.”

“You mean, like riding in junior rodeos and stuff?”

“No. Well, yeah, we did some of that later on. But I’m talking about our parents and how they viewed childrearing. Always pushing us to succeed, to be the best. They can be fairly intense at times. I don’t know that I agree with their method. I think using more praise would’ve been better, but I wanted to explain where Cara’s coming from.”

Sophie didn’t dare say a word. She wouldn’t dream of bad-mouthing his parents. But they sounded like bullies and they might’ve turned Cara into one. Lucky for Ethan, he’d taken the opposite path. No wonder as a teenager he’d championed the underdogs and misfits who’d been picked on. He’d understood what it was like to be bullied, though she doubted he saw it that way.

Her chest hurt suddenly. So much made sense now. His need to win that second title. Even the kids’ camp he wanted to build. More than taking the opposite path, Ethan had turned out to be a really good man. Did his family value him for
that
? He did the right thing, and not the easy thing. Like riding for the Safe Haven Benefit even if it ended up costing him a trip to the finals.

“Did you fall asleep on me?” he asked, lightly squeezing her hand.

“No.” She managed a small laugh. “I’m just thinking.”

“Uh-oh. That doesn’t always turn out so well.”

“You got that right,” she muttered, her brain beginning to speed ahead. “I have an idea.” She forced herself to slow down. “First, may I totally butt into your life again?”

“So, now you’re asking?”

“I’m being serious here,” she said, looking at him.

He gave her a sober nod before turning back to the road and putting both hands on the wheel.

“I know you said your agent would find you an attorney, but it won’t be quick enough.” Sophie had done a brief search on the man. He was good, had an A-1 client list. Big sports names who made a lot of money. Like the football star he was currently tied up with. If push came to shove, Ethan wouldn’t be the agent’s priority. Not that she’d tell Ethan any of that. “I should call Craig.”

“The La Maison guy?”

“Yes, but I promise that’s not important. He’s local and good. If there’s a way to nip this thing, he’ll figure it out. Next, Wendy Fullerton needs a wake-up call. She has to know, or at least believe, that you’re willing to let the media have a field day with her accusation and the arrest, everything. Her husband may pull a lot of weight in Beatrice County, but you have fans across the country and a lot of other parts of the world.”

“Jesus. I’m trying to keep it out of the media.”

“She doesn’t have to know that. And anyway, if the charge messes up your chance to go to the finals, you won’t have any choice about what’s reported.” She saw his lips thin and she touched his arm. “I’m sorry, but that’s the truth. And honestly I’m thinking it won’t go that far. Even if it’s a matter of getting a continuance.”

Ethan gave a grudging nod.

Sophie took a deep breath. “Hell, if Wendy still refuses to tell the truth, I can always tell the judge you were with me that night. I’ll say you came over after you left the bar.”

He slowly turned to her. “Forget it. I won’t have you perjuring yourself for me.”

“I know it’s wrong, but so is what’s happening to you. I’d just be canceling out Wendy’s lie. Hey, what are you doing?”

He pulled the truck off the road, only there was no exit or turnout. And not all that much of a shoulder for anything other than an emergency.

Ethan left the engine idling and turned to her.

She twisted around to see if any cars were coming.

“We’re fine,” he said with a quick glance in the rearview mirror. “I want you to know I understand how much it took for you to make that offer. And how much I appreciate your belief in me. But I would sit in jail for a year before I’d let you do that.”

Sophie sighed.

He kissed her. “Thank you.” He stroked her cheek and looked into her eyes for as long as he dared considering where they were parked. “I mean it, you’re a special woman, Sophie.”

She dropped her chin, embarrassed and a little sad. Feeling helpless wasn’t one of her strengths. “Yeah, let’s go before I end up a special pancake in the middle of the highway.”

“I’ve been watching. You think I’d let anything happen to you?” he said as he got them back on the highway.

Oddly she truly believed that if it was within his power, he would do anything to keep her safe. Just as he’d done eleven years ago.

Somebody really needed to call Wendy and ask the lying cheat if she was prepared for a media circus. Not only would Wendy and Broderick Fullerton’s names be dragged through the mud, but who knew how many guys might come out of the woodwork willing to tell the world Wendy had picked them up in bars, as well? Sounded like a good job for Ethan’s agent.

Sophie was suddenly exhausted. All she wanted to do was stop thinking. About the past. About his sister’s taunts. About how his parents had failed to appreciate what a terrific son they’d raised in spite of themselves. She needed to turn off her brain. Maybe take a nap. At least they were on their way back to Wyoming.

She’d laid her head back as soon as they were on the highway again, but the shutting-down-her-brain thing? It wasn’t going to happen. She kept thinking over and over how this whole situation was so unfair on every level.

What if she was leading him back to the slaughter? He needed a top-notch lawyer, someone local who understood Fullerton’s reach. With enough pull in the DA’s office, Fullerton could be petty and have Ethan locked up long enough to miss the finals. Craig might be his best hope. “Ethan?” she said, and smiled at the hand he’d placed on hers. “We should get off at the next exit.”

“Sure.” He didn’t ask why.

“We need to talk,” she said, and stifled a yawn. Screw Wendy, screw his family, screw the unfairness of it all. “About turning around and going to Las Vegas. It’s your call. Whatever you decide, I’m with you a hundred percent.”

* * *

E
THAN
LET
HER
SLEEP
. It was already dark. They’d been driving for three hours and he knew she was exhausted. So was he, but not so much that he’d come up with the crazy idea to drive to Vegas.

Maybe he should’ve argued with her more. Or simply turned the truck around and headed back toward Wyoming after she’d fallen asleep. Hell, she’d made it clear that it was his career, his life, his decision.

It was weird because all along she’d been adamant about him showing up in court tomorrow, but now she seemed to think they could handle things— No, not they—he had to stop thinking of her as a partner in this nightmare. Not only was this his problem, but Sophie could get burned if things went sideways.

She had a lot of faith in this Craig guy, not him personally, but his legal skills. And she seemed confident that through him Ethan could take care of everything long-distance. Damn, he wished he knew what the favor would cost her. Beyond dinner at La Maison.

Ethan snorted. Like hell. He’d pay the hotshot attorney twice his fee before he’d let Sophie go on a date with Mr. Slick. What kind of man coerced a woman into going out with him by doing her a favor? For that reason alone, Ethan didn’t like the guy. But Sophie had convinced him to get over himself, that his situation was too serious for him to be a dumb ass. Her exact words. They made him smile.

Sophie
made him smile. A lot.

He saw their exit coming up. He hoped the motel he’d found on his iPhone was decent. In rural places like this part of Montana, you couldn’t be too choosy. But if they continued on to Vegas as planned, they didn’t have to rush. So no sense driving more than they had to tonight.

Once they arrived in Vegas, Sophie was going to be real happy with the suite he already had booked. He could almost hear her squeals when she saw the huge jetted tub. On second thought maybe he should find something off the strip. Damn, she could get loud when she came.

Almost on cue, she brought her head up and yawned just as he parked near the motel’s ugly stucco office. He surveyed the row of mud-brown rooms. Damn place looked nothing like the website pictures.

“Where are we?” she asked after a second yawn.

“Some motel I found online. They exaggerated by a lot. We don’t have to stay here.”

She blinked at him. “Have you slept?”

Ethan laughed. “Not that I’m aware.”

“Oh, right. You were driving.” She gave him a sweet drowsy smile. “Neither of us should be driving, so this is fine. We’re just going to sleep here.”

“I hope not,” he said, and opened his door.

She made a face at the overhead light.

“Stay here while I register.” He quickly got out and closed the door so the light turned off.

The owner seemed keen on making small talk, but Ethan took care of business quickly and drove them to the room at the end. He found out their closest neighbor was two doors down. Just in case.

“It’s not so bad,” Sophie said, glancing around at the queen bed with a green-and-tan floral comforter that matched the curtains.

Ethan put their two bags in the closet. “Brace yourself, they even have a luggage rack.”

“Oh my. Very fancy.” She seemed to be waking up. “I want to see the bathroom. The size of the shower is the true test.”

“Why?” He followed her inside and put his arms around her from behind. “What do you have in mind?”

“I don’t even know what to call that color,” she said, leaning back against him as they studied the ugly tile walls.

“Well,” he said, deeply inhaling her sweet scent until he felt as if he’d had one beer too many. “The bathroom is bigger than the one at The Boarding House, and so is the shower.”

“And everything is very clean.”

“No bugs.”

“Oh.” Her gaze darted across the floor and she shifted her feet. “Why did you have to say that?”

He laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

“Yes, you will. I don’t do bugs or mice.”

He kept the straightest face he could. “Now, if the bed isn’t lumpy or too soft—”

“And doesn’t squeak.”

He turned her to face him. “And since I have the most beautiful woman in all of Montana in my arms...”

“Right,” she drawled with a mocking sigh, and glanced at the ceiling.

“Hey, you’re talking about someone I happen to like very much. So knock it off.”

Sophie blinked and blushed.

Ethan smiled and kissed her nose. Man, he liked it when she blushed. He didn’t know why, but it got to him every time. “I’m thinking shower. Sex. Nap. More sex.”

She was smiling up at him, her hands flat on his chest, her brown eyes sparkling. “Individual showers.” He started to object and she pressed a silencing finger to his lips. “Only to save time.”

He sucked her finger into his mouth.

She pressed closer. “This isn’t working.”

He released her finger. “Pardon me, ma’am. Please continue.”

“Then sex.”

“Now we’re talking.”

“Then sleep for as long as we can. If there’s time when we wake up, then maybe...”

This wasn’t what he’d expected at all. “You’re serious?” He leaned back and searched her face. “This is, what...our third date and you’re already cutting me off.”

Sophie laughed. “Oh, sweetie, you think we’ve been dating?”

“Ah, that’s right. You’re just getting me out of your system.” The remark had pissed him off and apparently he was still getting over it. Now wasn’t the time to talk about it, though. He released her. “I’ll take a shower first if you don’t mind.”

Staring at him, she nodded. She stepped around him to leave the bathroom, then looked back. “I was just teasing about the dating thing. I mean, I did handcuff you.”

“I know.” He smiled. “If you change your mind, you can shower with me.”

“Actually I have to make a couple of calls.”

He nodded, closed the door and turned the water on in the shower, but he didn’t get in yet.

Looking in the mirror at the dark stubble shadowing his jaw, he thought about the past three days since he’d met up with Sophie again. Two days, three nights if he counted tonight. Jesus. Not long, but it felt like it. She was easy to be around, even when they disagreed. Or when things got prickly. His sister showing up, for instance.

He knew Sophie had gotten the wrong impression of his family. His parents weren’t self-centered ogres. They did what they thought was best. But since when did he give a shit whether a woman he was involved with liked his family? That right there was the problem. He was feeling things that he probably shouldn’t.