Three Little Words (19 page)

She nodded.

“No. We would go in, do what had to be done and leave.”

“Were you ever stationed in another country?”

“Lots of times. A few years ago, I was invited to be part of a task force. We pooled skills.”

“Any women?”

He raised his eyebrows. “What do you want to know?”

“I’m not sure. Nothing specific. Were you like James Bond, with a woman waiting around every corner, or more like in those war movies where the only women are waitresses?”

“Not a lot of women where I went,” he said. “No women on the team. Consuelo worked with some special forces units, but we never had an assignment together.”

“Then how did you meet?”

He grinned. “She’d been flown in for a secret assignment. My team was there for a different op. Quarters were tight and she had to bunk somewhere. I offered my room.”

Isabel put down her burger. “You slept with her?”

She tried to keep her voice calm, but it was difficult. Knowing Ford loved all women but committed to none was one thing. Thinking about him with beautiful, sexy, dangerous Consuelo was something else.

“Sleep with her?” He shook his head. “No way. Not only did she threaten to cut off my balls if I tried anything, she reminded me of my sisters. That wasn’t very appealing.” He shrugged. “We became friends. She wasn’t with me and Angel when we rescued Gideon, but she was waiting in the village. She’s the one who found Gideon the place in Bali.”

His dark eyes widened. “You’re not worried that I had a thing with her, are you?”

“Not anymore.”

“She’s not my type.” He put his hand on top of hers. “Hey, I’m faithful. I might not marry the girl, but I don’t cheat on her.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Do you believe it?”

She nodded.

They went back to their lunch. Isabel knew that she had to keep her heart safe when it came to Ford. That what had started out as something fun but meaningless had turned into something more. Not just because he’d helped her figure out what it really meant to be physically intimate with a man, but because she liked him. From the flames painted on his Jeep to the records he’d bought for his friend, to how he brought her coffee every morning, she liked him. But he was committed to staying and she was committed to leaving, so anything other than what they already had wasn’t possible.

She would be strong, she told herself. She would hold her heart separate and not let him touch her emotions. It was safer that way.

After lunch, they made a quick pass through the house, but didn’t see any furniture they had to have.

“Just as well,” Ford said. “We don’t have the room.”

“They said they’d hold it. We could have made a second trip.”

“I don’t go backward,” he said. “Move forward or die.”

“That’s a cheerful philosophy.”

He held open the passenger door for her. She started to climb into her seat, only to find a small box there.

“Did you want to put this in the back?” she asked, holding it out to him.

“No. It’s for you.” He shrugged. “It made me think of you, so I got it.”

She opened the box and saw a dragonfly pendant on a delicate gold chain. The dragonfly was made up of different-colored stones. Sapphires and amethysts, garnets and topaz. The small pendant was both beautiful and whimsical.

“I love it,” she whispered, then looked at him. “Thank you.”

“I know pretend-dating me has been hard on you.” One corner of his mouth turned up. “Not the sex. We both know I’m a god in bed. But dealing with my mom and family stuff. You’ve been great and I appreciate it. This is to say thank you.”

She took the necklace out of the box and handed it to him. After turning so her back was to him, she moved her hair out of the way.

He fastened the necklace around her neck and she released her hair.

“What do you think?” she asked.

“Beautiful,” he murmured. “Just like you.”

He lightly kissed her, before stepping back and closing the door.

She touched the small pendant, then reached for her seat belt. Ford got in next to her and started the engine. They discussed the best way back to Fool’s Gold, but her heart wasn’t in the conversation. It was, she realized, shifting loyalty. Her plan of keep it, and her, safe had a flaw she hadn’t noticed before. That flaw was Ford himself. A man it might be impossible not to love.

* * *

F
ORD
LOOKED
AT
the empty plate on the table. He and Angel had already eaten nearly a dozen cookies between them. Getting more would mean a harder run later. But the price might be worth it. The planning meeting was tough to get through. Sugar and another coffee might help.

“Don’t even think about it,” Angel said with a growl. “Keep your ass in the chair.”

“Are you talking to me, old man?”

Angel looked up from his pad of paper. “We have to get this done today. Justice has to present the obstacle course to the client.”

“And that would be your job,” Ford reminded him. “I’m the sales guy.”

“You’re bringing in too many customers,” Angel mumbled.

Ford leaned back in his chair. “Sorry, what? I didn’t catch that.”

“I should kill you where you sit,” his friend grumbled.

Ford looked around the brightly lit interior of Brew-haha. “And ruin Patience’s store? The one she’s worked so hard on? Justice wouldn’t like that. Plus, with me dead, you can kiss your successful business goodbye.”

“We’d find another sales guy.”

“Not like me.”

Angel tossed down his pencil. “If you’re so damned special, you fix it.”

Ford took the pad and studied the design. “Who’s this for again?”

His friend swore. “Seriously? We’ve been talking about these customers for an hour and you don’t know who they are?”

“I was thinking about something else.”

Angel’s expression darkened. Ford recognized he might be hitting the breaking point.

“Corporate, right?” he asked hastily. “So we need to assume some of the team are out of shape.” He looked back at the course Angel had come up with. “Walk-arounds.”

The other man’s eyes brightened. “Walk-arounds. We get to build a challenging course and no one gets dead.”

“Or seriously injured.”

Angel took back the pad and started making notes. “You think they expect that? There has to be some blood. If there isn’t, how will they know they’ve had a good time?”

“Civilians don’t think like that, my friend.”

A walk-around would mean anyone could simply walk around whatever the challenge was. A rope bridge, a chin-up bar, anything they couldn’t physically do. But they’d stay with the group and enjoy the collective experience.

“Is rappelling too much?” Ford asked. “It’s hard but satisfying. It would give them something to talk about on Monday morning, when they’re back at the office.”

He paused, but there wasn’t an answer. He returned his attention to Angel to find his friend staring at a woman getting coffee.

“You know her?” he asked.

Angel didn’t speak. As far as Ford could tell, the man wasn’t breathing. Slowly, his expression tightened from interested to predatory.

Ford looked back at the woman. She was tall, with long dark hair that hung straight down her back. She had on a suit, so she worked in some kind of business, and she wore those really high pumps that he’d always thought were a good way to break a leg. Although he had to admit she wore them well.

She was attractive enough, he supposed. Nowhere near as pretty as Isabel, but few women were.

The woman paid for her latte, got her drink and left without once glancing at Angel.

“Who is she?” Ford asked.

“Hell if I know.”

“You’re going to find out?”

Angel gave him a slow, determined smile. “If it’s the last thing I do.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“S
HOULD
WE
SAY
something?” Patience asked as she and Isabel walked into Jo’s Bar for lunch. “Do you think she saw us?”

“I don’t think we should worry,” Isabel said. “We’ve had lunch at other restaurants before.”

“But not right in front of me,” Jo said, appearing out of nowhere and staring at both of them. “Really? Street food? Is that what it’s come to? Have I been wasting my money on things like tables and chairs?”

Isabel couldn’t tell if the other woman was kidding or not, and based on her silence, Patience wasn’t sure, either. Felicia walked in and moved toward them.

“Jo’s upset,” Patience murmured.

“Don’t be ridiculous. She has no reason to be upset. There’s no way to avoid competition, especially in a town this small. Maybe Ana Raquel shouldn’t park directly in front of Jo’s place, but other than that, she’s within her rights. Besides, the street food will be less appealing when it gets cold, and Jo’s customers will return. She hardly wants to chase them away by pretending anger.” She paused. “I could be wrong about all of that, too.”

“Nope,” Jo said, handing them menus and pointing to a table by the back wall. “I heard you were expecting a big crowd today, so I saved that space.”

“She was messing with us,” Patience said. “I don’t know how I feel about that.”

“I’d go with it,” Isabel told her. “We love coming here.”

They took seats at the table. Charlie and Noelle arrived next. Consuelo followed. Heidi and Annabelle Stryker took chairs and said how happy they were to join them for once. Taryn Crawford arrived last.

As the tall, gorgeous brunette walked up to the table, everyone went silent. Isabel motioned to the seat she’d been saving next to herself and rose.

“Everyone, this is Taryn. She’s new to town. Her business is moving here.”

“Officially after the first of the year, but I came early to get things ready.” She raised her eyebrows. “I was promised you weren’t especially nice and I’m hoping that’s true.”

Charlie chuckled. “Next time sit by me.”

“Sure,” Taryn said as she sank into her chair.

“I’m going to go around the table and introduce everyone,” Isabel said. “Then you’re on your own.”

“Great suit,” Heidi said when Taryn had been introduced to them all. “I never get to dress like that. It wouldn’t be practical.”

“What do you do?”

“Raise goats. I make cheese and soap.”

Taryn blinked. “Seriously?”

“Sure. I sell goat milk and manure, too.”

“Do we have to shake hands?” Taryn asked.

Heidi grinned.

“You are really beautiful,” Patience said. “That’s trouble. We’ve barely gotten used to Felicia.”

“My attractiveness is offset by social awkwardness,” Felicia reminded them.

“She’s really smart,” Consuelo added. “It’s a weird combination. But she’s fun. I, on the other hand, am only a pain in the ass.”

“That’s not true,” Annabelle told her. “You were seen with a certain someone recently. Going out to dinner with Kent. There was no report of kissing, but rumors are flying anyway.”

“So it’s true?” Isabel said. “You’re really dating him? His sisters said something at the family dinner, but I wasn’t sure.”

“
Dating
is a strong word,” Consuelo mumbled. “We’re seeing each other. It’s early.”

Isabel turned to Taryn. “Kent is part of the Hendrix family. They’re one of the town’s founding families. There are six kids, including Kent. Three boys and triplet girls. They’re all married now. Except for Kent and Ford.”

“Tell her how you’re fake-dating Ford,” Charlie called from across the table.

Isabel winced. “Don’t say that so loud. This is Fool’s Gold. What if someone reports back to Denise?”

Taryn’s eyes glazed over. “Fake-dating?”

“It’s complicated,” Isabel said, glaring at Charlie. “And a long story.”

“She’s sleeping with him, too,” Charlie added with a grin.

“What’s the point of fake-dating if you aren’t getting laid?” Taryn murmured.

Jo came up in time to hear the last comment. “Nice,” she said. “I’m going to like this one. What’ll you have, ladies?”

There were orders for diet soda and iced tea. Chips, salsa and guacamole were ordered for the table.

“I have specials,” Jo told them and explained what they were, then left.

“So what is your company?” Annabelle asked.

“PR and marketing,” Taryn said. “We handle a lot of sports-based companies, not surprising considering the boys. We have a couple of microbrewery accounts, but I swear it’s just so they can go off and taste samples.”

“The boys?” Patience asked. “They can’t be your sons?”

“Oh, sorry. I get so used to calling them that. Not boys in age, although a case could be made in emotional maturity. My business partners. I work with three former football players.”

“Anyone we would have heard of?” Charlie asked.

Taryn sighed. “Jack McGarry, Sam Ridge and Kenny Scott.”

Even Isabel had heard of Jack McGarry. “Wasn’t he some famous quarterback?”

“Unfortunately.”

Consuelo laughed. “Why unfortunately?”

“Because it goes to his head. Jack is very much the guy walking around thinking, ‘But hey, it’s
me.
’ Sam was a kicker and one of the best. Kenny’s a receiver. Good hands and he runs like the wind.” She smiled. “They are good-looking, handsome and single. Women are everywhere. One of the reasons I agreed to move here is because I thought it would be quieter. Fewer fans to interfere with work.”

“They’re all single?” Heidi asked. “What about you? Not interested? I mean, if they’re all you say...”

“They’re all that,” Taryn told her. “They’re also spoiled, petulant and disgustingly good at their jobs. Sam handles the money. I want to complain, but I can’t. Jack and Kenny are the rainmakers. There’s not a client alive they can’t charm into signing.”

“Which makes you what?” Charlie asked.

“The one who holds it all together. They bring me the client, I do the presentation. We have an in-house graphics team and account reps who are assigned various clients. That’s why I’m here. To find us office space that doesn’t include a basketball court or isn’t across the street from a strip club.”

“I don’t think we have a strip club in town,” Annabelle said.

“That’s a blessing.”

“CDS—the company where I work—remodeled an old warehouse,” Consuelo told her. “You might want to look by us. There are other old warehouses available. They have plenty of room and aren’t too expensive. You’re going to have to remodel anyway.”

“That’s an idea. If we’re not in the center of town, they can be as loud as they want.”

“They’re loud?” Patience asked.

Taryn shrugged. “They’re good guys, but think about it. They were football players who made it to the NFL. No one ever tells them no. If they can’t win it, they can buy it. But they’re sweet. Jack and Kenny especially. Sam’s a bit more reserved. But these are not men comfortable with losing at anything. Ever. It’s exhausting.”

“And you haven’t—” Heidi began.

“Slept with them,” Charlie interrupted. “She’s asking if you slept with them.”

“I didn’t say that,” Heidi said primly. “I was going to hint strongly.”

“No,” Taryn said. “Well, except when Jack and I were married.”

Isabel felt her eyes widen. “You were married to your business partner?”

“A long story for another day. Preferably over martinis,” she said as Jo arrived with the drinks and the chips.

“Now we all have to see them,” Annabelle said. “To check out what you’ve said. If they’re as hot as you say.”

“They’re hot. Great bodies and they look good naked.” Taryn sipped her soda.

“I thought you’d only slept with Jack,” Consuelo said.

“I have, but these are guys who have been in locker rooms all their lives. They don’t care about things like being naked. Plus, they’re proud as hell of their bodies. If I had a nickel for every meeting I had to attend in some damn steam room...”

“I know that one,” Consuelo admitted. “I work with a bunch of former military guys. They’re always walking around naked. It gets old.”

She and Taryn touched glasses in solidarity.

Isabel looked at Patience. “This is news to me. Is it news to you?”

“Oh, yeah,” Patience said, her expression determined. “Justice is going to have some explaining to do.”

Conversation shifted to other topics. Nearly two hours later, lunch was done and everyone left to head back to work or goats. When they were standing outside Jo’s, Taryn hugged Isabel.

“Thanks for inviting me. That was fun and it helps to know some people around here. After I pick the office, I’m going to be gone for a few weeks. At least until escrow closes. I’d like to call when I get back. Maybe we can hang out.”

“I’d like that.”

The tall, well-dressed woman walked away.

“She makes me feel short and casual,” Consuelo said. “But she’s hot.”

Isabel laughed. “Me, too, and I’m about her height.”

They started walking together.

“So, how’s the fake-dating going?” Consuelo asked.

“Good. It’s fun. We went to an estate sale.” Isabel touched the dragonfly pendant she wore.

“It’s not fake for you, is it?” her friend asked, her voice uncharacteristically gentle.

“I don’t think so. Not anymore. I like him.”

“Liking can be dangerous.”

“Feeling a little nervous yourself?” Isabel asked.

“Yeah. Kent’s a great guy and I like his son a lot. But who am I kidding? I’m not going to fit into their world.”

“Why not? You’re single, he’s single. You’d be terrific with Reese. Is it the small town? Are you still adjusting to living here?”

“Some. I just worry about my past.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Look, I need to go.”

Isabel wanted to ask her more. About her experiences and what she should know about Ford’s. But her friend was already walking away. Isabel wondered if she really had an appointment or if she was just trying to escape the conversation.

* * *

F
ORD
WALKED
INTO
Jo’s Bar and nodded at Jo. Because she ran the kind of bar that was easy to be in, she didn’t ask a lot of questions designed to make him want to bang his head against the wall. Instead her only word was “Beer” and that was in the form of a question.

“Great,” he told her and started for the back room.

Here the space was smaller, darker, and there weren’t any fashion shows on the damn TV. Baseball played, along with a car auction. Ethan stood at the pool table, racking the balls.

“Hey,” he said when he saw his brother.

“Hey.”

Kent walked in carrying three beers. “Jo gave me these.”

“Good woman,” Ethan said, taking one.

Ford grunted in agreement.

They stood in a loose circle and proceeded to use rock-paper-scissors to determine which of them would play first. Ethan lost and stepped away from the table. Ford and Kent both grabbed a pool cue.

“So, how’s it going?” Ethan asked.

“Good,” Kent said, taking his place to break.

“Same.” Ford sipped his beer, then glanced at Ethan. “You?”

“Great.”

Kent broke and the balls went speeding around the table. Two and three dropped into pockets.

“Nice,” Ford said.

Kent grinned. “Reese and I have been practicing.”

“So you want stripes?”

“Right,” Kent said, ignoring him. “Seven in the left front pocket.” He angled his cue and gave a sharp shove. The maroon ball sailed into the pocket without touching the sides of the table.

Ethan put down his bottle. “You bring cash?” he asked Ford.

“Yeah, but maybe not enough.”

Kent chuckled. “It’s your first time since you’re back, baby brother. I’m going easy on you.”

“Good to know.”

On the TV the Red Sox player hit what seemed to be a home run. The three of them stopped to watch the ball sail over the outfield and drop into the stands.

“Hell of a hit,” Ethan said.

“Great player.” Kent lined up his next shot.

Ethan walked over to Ford. “Things okay?”

“Sure.”

He turned to Kent. “You?”

“Fine. At your house?”

“All good.”

“Four in the corner,” Kent said, leaning over the table.

And with that, Ford thought, they were done. Emotional temperatures gauged, problems discussed, the world righted. Something the women in his life would never understand.