Your'e Still the One (16 page)

“This won’t take long,” Nikki said, her blank expression somehow communicating something to Matt, because he sighed as if he’d just gotten an answer he didn’t want. “You can stay.”

“I probably shouldn’t,” Rachel murmured, moving back. Yes, she was nosy as hell but she wouldn’t intrude.

“We fired them,” Matt said before Rachel could escape. “Eddie and Tony are both gone. And Wallace asked to see you.”

“We?” Nikki frowned. “He made you do it? He didn’t have the guts to—”

“It wasn’t like that. He figured it would give me some satisfaction.” He shrugged, a hint of a smile tugging at his mouth. “Wallace didn’t argue. He was pissed that Eddie had touched you.”

Rachel stared at him. He seemed really relaxed. She doubted it had to do with firing the men, but rather he was pleased with Wallace’s response. It wasn’t so much his words but his tone of voice that made her take notice. So had Nikki, it seemed.

Her chin lifted. “If I go over there, will he be drunk?”

“Said he’d try and stay sober.” Matt concentrated on pressing the rim of his Stetson with his thumb and forefinger, then looked up. “Give him another chance. Can’t hurt.”

Nikki breathed in deeply. “Well, he did fire those guys.” She sighed. “I haven’t thanked him for the money. I suppose I should do that at least. Doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven him, though.”

At the mention of money, Rachel noticed Matt stiffen. But he maintained a neutral expression, and she doubted Nikki had caught the slight shift. She was too busy sorting her own emotions.

“I told him you were probably busy with the dance tonight, and he seemed whipped himself. Lucy is over there now,” Matt said, clearly distracted. “Maybe tomorrow morning...”

“Yeah, that’s better than today. I need to psych myself up.” Nikki pushed her hair back. “Rachel, I do want to help. It keeps my mind off stuff. If you want to go with Matt—”

“It’s not that.” Rachel glanced regretfully at him. “I wanted a little time to get ready.”

“Ah, girl stuff.” Matt smiled, and threaded a lingering hand through her hair. “You look damn good to me already.”

She rolled her eyes. “Give me an hour. I’ll call.”

“I’ll be waiting.” He kissed her again, this time lightly brushing her lips. “Can I do anything?”

“Yes, get out of here.” Rachel hadn’t realized she’d put her hands on his chest. She gave him a small shove toward the front door. “You’re distracting me.”

Nikki had already headed for the kitchen, but not before Rachel caught her grin.

“All right.” He settled his hat on his head. “I’m going.” But he didn’t move. “One more kiss first?”

“No.” Rachel walked him backward through the foyer. “Okay, one,” she said, grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him down for a quick peck. What a fool. Of course now she wanted more. She opened the door. “Goodbye.”

He just laughed, walked onto the porch and turned to give her a wink before she closed the door.

She’d been silly enough over him before they’d made love. Now, Lord have mercy... Even if she’d tried to keep their relationship low-key, she doubted she could hide a thing. She actually felt giddy around him, like she had at sixteen. Tonight would be interesting. Half the people in town had probably heard about the fight. She wondered just how many knew they’d spent the night at Noah’s.

Sighing, she took a peek out the window at his retreating back, then spun around and met her mother’s concerned gaze.

“Oh.” Rachel put a hand to her chest. “You startled me.”

“I’m sorry, honey. I just came from the kitchen.”

Rachel wondered how much she’d seen, though it didn’t matter...except why the worried frown? “Did you need me?”

“Actually, Jamie was looking for you.” She glanced toward the window. “I’m sorry I missed Matt.”

“You’ll see him at the dance tonight.” Rachel moved closer to her mom. “I meant to ask...that day he spoke to you privately—”

Jamie came bounding down the stairs. “Glad I caught you. We need to talk,” she said, then did a double take on Barbara to her left. “Sorry, I didn’t see you. Am I interrupting?”

“No,” her mom said quickly, then to Rachel, “I’m not comfortable discussing the conversation.”

“I understand.” Rachel blushed. “I shouldn’t have asked.”

Jamie turned and started back up the stairs.

“Wait,” Rachel said, at the same time her mom said, “You girls talk. I have an errand to run in town.”

Rachel and Jamie watched Barbara leave before Jamie said, “I have to book Tahiti by Monday at the latest so I need to know what you want to do. The trip’s only three weeks away.”

“Tahiti?” Rachel frowned, having trouble shifting gears.

“We talked about it, remember?” Jamie’s voice lowered. “About you taking the trip while I cover for you here.”

Rachel had completely forgotten. Four days ago the idea had sounded fabulous. But that was before Matt showed up. And, God help her, now she couldn’t think of anything or anyone else.

16

M
ATT
TURNED
THE
TRUCK
into the gravel driveway of the ranch he’d found on an online real estate site. He hadn’t told Rachel yet why they were here, and he’d misjudged how much time it would take to cross the county line. Damn his impulsiveness. They’d have to turn around in five minutes to make it back to the dance.

It was nice having her sit close, being able to touch her when he wanted, steal a kiss when he could take his eyes off the road. A couple times, even when he shouldn’t have.

“Where are we?” She twisted around to look out the back window. “I saw a For Sale sign back there.”

“Yep, it’s been on the market for over a year. Only twelve hundred acres, but that’s decent.”

She remained quiet for so long, he looked over at her. She stared back, her expression confused but also worried. “Are you looking for yourself?”

Matt shrugged. “I mentioned I want to raise rodeo stock at some point. I always figured it would be in Texas, but I’m weighing my options.”

They drove in silence until a barn came into view. There were several other buildings to the right, but he wasn’t half as interested in them as he was in the reason for her silence. He’d expected more enthusiasm.

“Are you meeting with a Realtor?” she asked finally.

“No, we don’t have time. I just wanted a look-see before I made an appointment.” He glanced at her tense profile. “
If
I make one. I haven’t really decided.” Did she feel that he’d wasted her time? “Sorry I brought you out this far.”

“Don’t be silly.” She laid a hand on his thigh and smiled at him. “I enjoyed the ride.”

He was disappointed, no getting around it. He didn’t know what she was thinking, and he didn’t want to ask. What bothered him most was that he couldn’t figure out what was going through her mind. He’d been better at it ten years ago.

This was not turning out to be his day. First, Nikki mentioned the money both he and his mother had secretly sent, about which he’d neglected to set her straight. And now Rachel wasn’t reacting at all like he’d pictured. Did she think this sudden change of heart was about her? That he might be trying to pin her down?

Hell, even if some part of him wanted to return to Montana on account of her, he knew better. Not only did she have too much going for her, she’d made it pretty clear the first night what she thought about guys from Blackfoot Falls. He couldn’t be mad, though. He’d always known he wasn’t good enough for her.

He found a place to turn around and swerved the truck into the small clearing.

“What are you doing? Don’t you want a closer look?”

Matt finished the U-turn. “I found it online this morning while I was screwing around. No big deal.”

“It’s me, right? I ruined it by not being more excited.”

“What?” he drawled. “Come here.” He slid an arm around her shoulders, drew her close and kissed her hair. “You didn’t ruin anything.”

“I was just surprised, is all. I swear.”

He believed her. He also knew there was more to her reaction, but he didn’t have it in him to ask. “This morning, when I was looking for my father, I found a stack of clippings in his office. The son of a bitch has been following my career all along and never said a word to me.”

Rachel lifted her head off his shoulder and looked at him. “Did you say anything?”

“Nah, what’s the point? I was just glad he didn’t give me grief over firing those two idiots. I could tell he didn’t want to do it, and I know why from Lucy, but he manned up, so I give him credit for that. He actually called me ‘son’—did I tell you?” He glanced at her when she didn’t respond.

She had that worried frown again. But then she smiled and it was gone. “What did Lucy say?”

“Wallace can’t drive anymore, or at least shouldn’t be driving. Eddie and Tony took him everywhere, even to doctor’s appointments. She asked if I planned on sticking around and taking up the slack.” He knew Rachel was watching him, waiting for him to elaborate. But it was her reaction that interested him.

“Can’t Lucy drive him to his appointments?” she asked.

“Yeah, but she’s not going to take him to barhop in Kalispell.”

“Would you?”

“No,” he said, sharply. “I can stick around awhile, and only because he’s been acting decent. But I have to ride in Houston in a couple of weeks. Then there’s Nikki to consider. They’re gonna talk tomorrow, and I hope my dad doesn’t screw it up. No telling which way that’ll go.”

Something was bothering Rachel. Silence stretched between them, and he wished she’d put it out there already. He was about to ask when she said, “Is he well enough to be carousing?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t asked him about his prognosis. Figured I’d see how it went with Nikki first.” Matt applied pressure to the knot tightening the side of his neck.

Man, he hoped she didn’t bring up the money to Wallace. Odds were he’d piss her off in the first few minutes and that would be that. Matt would hate to see their meeting play out that way, even if it did let him off the hook. He probably should just get it over with and confess to Nikki. She’d be mad...that was a given, but if her bad mood carried over into tomorrow that would be on Matt.

It occurred to him to ask for Rachel’s thoughts on what he should do. At least it would break the damn quiet. “I need your advice. I might’ve done a bonehead thing,” he said, glancing over to see her lips curve in a smile. “Okay, no snide remarks.”

“Nope. Go ahead.”

“My mom secretly sent money to Nikki’s mother to help out. After she passed, I never saw a reason to tell Nikki that I took over and now she thinks it was Wallace sending the money orders. If she says something to him, I’m gonna be in hot water.”

“Yes, I imagine you will.”

He sighed. “She thinks he was decent enough to send child support. If I tell her the truth, she might not want to see him.”

Rachel looked away, drawing in a deep breath. “She’s a grown woman. She can handle the truth.” She turned back to him, her expression troubled again. “In fact, she deserves the truth, Matt.”

“But why hurt her if I don’t have to, especially if there’s a chance it won’t even come up?”

“It sounds as if you’ve made up your mind,” she said, a trace of sadness in her voice. Did she think he was a coward?

“Not true.” He sighed. “You’re right. I’ll tell her. Not tonight, though. Let her enjoy the dance. And me, too. I don’t need my ass kicked two nights in a row.”

That made her smile again. She slid closer, picked up his arm and adjusted it around her shoulders. “Did I mention you have a very cute ass?”

Matt laughed, squeezing her closer and soaking up her warmth, her mysterious feminine scent. Being with Rachel always made everything better. Always.

* * *

T
HEY
ARRIVED
AT
THE
DANCE
on time. Rachel had planned on being there early to help the Lemon sisters, prepare the punch, make coffee and set out heart-shaped sugar cookies and chocolate cupcakes with pink icing. But Jamie and Nikki were there pitching in.

The place looked nice with white tablecloths to hide the old folding tables, clusters of red balloons tied around posts and the red and pink foil hearts floating down from the beams. She expected to get a few complaints about the strobe lighting confined to one corner of the dance floor, but she’d convinced the other “committee members” to let some of the high school kids be involved this year. Even the band was made up of four senior boys.

More people than expected had turned out. Maybe it was the unseasonably warm weather, or the influx of available young women from the Sundance that brought in more cowhands than past years.

But Rachel suspected quite a few folks had come because they wanted to see Matt. He was a local hero, whether he liked it or not. He didn’t seem comfortable in the role, unless it was kids asking him questions about the rodeo circuit. And when one of the high school boys called him a rodeo rock star, poor Matt had actually blushed.

Grinning, Rachel stepped in to save him, “Hey, cowboy, how about a dance?”

He didn’t seem thrilled. “I must be getting old. What kind of music is that?”

She hadn’t really been listening and saw that the dance floor had thinned out. The band seemed to be having a good time, rocking out as if they were the only ones in the room. “Those boys...darn it...I told them no hip-hop. I’ll be right back.”

By the time she got the music back on track, Matt was surrounded by another group of admirers, two kids and a pair of guests from the Sundance. Rachel didn’t rush to his aid this time. First she scolded a couple of pranksters who were filching the red foil hearts and popping balloons, then she stood back, idly watching him while she thought about their ride earlier.

She was so worried for him it made her ache. After all that had happened, after all this time, he still yearned for his father’s approval. Oh, he’d deny it if she were to point it out. But it wasn’t her imagination that he’d lit up when talking about the newspaper clippings Wallace had saved, or how he’d called Matt “son.” She wondered if Matt realized that he’d referred to Wallace as Dad. It sure had surprised her.

The whole thing made her uneasy because she didn’t want to see Matt set himself up for another fall. And yes, she hated that he was willing to accept crumbs from the selfish bastard. The mere idea made her angry and so sad she didn’t know what to do with all the conflicting emotions.

And the thing with Nikki? Rachel had no doubt Matt loved his sister. Yet he was ready to test their relationship by hiding the truth about Wallace’s callous abandonment of his daughter. It wasn’t just about keeping the peace so they could talk or protecting Nikki. Matt was protecting Wallace, too. Protecting the fragile new bond Matt had always craved.

If it gave him the closure he needed, she supposed it wasn’t horrible for him to believe Wallace had changed. Perhaps faced with mortality the man had evolved to some degree. But something else concerned her. Yesterday he’d been resigned to the short time Wallace had left. Today Matt was looking to buy a nearby ranch.

She honestly didn’t know what to make of that. Or why he hadn’t even mentioned the Lone Wolf. All she knew for sure was that her reaction had disappointed him. She’d been too stunned to even fake enthusiasm. But she’d fix it later. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel he couldn’t confide in her.

“I thought we were going to dance.”

She blinked, startled that she hadn’t seen Matt come up to her. “We are, but I’d prefer something a bit slower.”

“Yeah, me too.” He glanced around at the couples sitting at the tables. Several older teenagers hovered suspiciously close to the punch bowl. “Weird how many people I don’t know.” His gaze briefly rested on two cowboys talking to Lisa, a blonde from Albuquerque, who gave him a small wave. “I’m not just talking about your guests.”

“Even I had trouble when I moved back. And I made it home every summer and holidays. Nikki seems to be having a good time.”

Matt followed Rachel’s gaze to the back corner and smiled when he saw his sister talking to three guys. Nikki wore a snug red dress that she’d borrowed from Jamie, and Rachel wished she herself had made the effort to wear something nicer than new jeans and a blue sweater. Trouble was, it was still winter and she didn’t own an appropriate dress. She had quite a few short strappy numbers from Dallas, bought when her plans had included a career someplace warmer and more exotic.

She thought about Tahiti, and Jamie’s terrific offer, and sighed. Why did the timing have to stink? Fat chance she’d get an opportunity like it again, but she couldn’t see herself having a good time thousands of miles away knowing Matt was here.

“What was that for?” He touched her cheek.

“Oh, were my eyes glazed over?” She laughed at herself. “I feel badly about earlier...when you showed me the ranch. I should’ve been more enthusiastic and not so selfish.” She smiled at his confused frown. “You’re making life awfully difficult for me. If you move back, how am I supposed to leave?”

He studied her face for what seemed like an hour before he turned his gaze toward the crowded dance floor.

Panic fisted in her chest. He’d kept his expression carefully neutral but she had the horrible feeling she knew what had spooked him. “You know I’m teasing, right? This thing between us—” She shrugged a shoulder. “I know it’s not serious, so you don’t have to rush home and pack or anything.”

Matt turned back to her with a smile. “You still want to dance, or go make out in the back of the hardware store?”

She laughed, the pressure in her chest easing. “No making out until later. And only if you’re good.”

He leaned into her. “I thought I proved that yesterday.”

The look on his face made her heart flutter, and she glanced around to see who might be watching. It was stupid because at this point almost everyone in town probably knew they’d spent the night together at Noah’s.

“Relax,” he whispered. “I won’t embarrass you.”

She huffed. “Why would you say that? Half the women here are envious as hell and would love to lock me in a closet so they can have you.” She wasn’t lying, despite his patronizing smirk.

“I don’t believe it.” Matt motioned with his chin.

She turned and saw that Jamie had gotten Cole on the dance floor, which was a shock. As usual, Trace was surrounded by his admirers, both local women and Sundance guests.

“Who’s that?” Matt asked, peering toward the door. “She’s not a local but she doesn’t look like a Sundance guest either.”

“Oh, that’s Annie Sheridan. I want you to meet her.” Rachel waved until she got the blonde’s attention. “She runs Safe Haven. It’s a large animal sanctuary east of Cy Heber’s ranch. Was the place there before you left?”

“Yeah, but somebody else ran it, a man from Boise, I think.”

“Annie’s been there about two years now. She’s done an amazing job. I don’t know where she’s from. She’s very private, hardly ever comes to town unless she needs something for the animals. Hey, you.” Rachel stepped back to include Annie. “I can’t believe you came.”