Your'e Still the One (8 page)

“Ready?” he asked.

“No.” She breathed in deeply, closed the door behind her and dragged her palms down the front of her jeans. “Where is he?”

“In the den.”

“Drunk?”

“Not yet.” Matt waited for her to join him on the stairs and then slid an arm around her shoulders. “You have the upper hand,” he whispered. “You say whatever you want. I’m with you all the way.”

“Thanks.” She exhaled. “Go first.”

He took his time, then waited at the bottom, his heart twisting with each slow painful step she took. When she motioned for him to enter the den first, he took the lead, panicking for a second when he didn’t spot Wallace. Then he saw him, sitting in the longhorn chair near the bar, small and frail, his hands clasped between his thin legs.

It was gonna take some doing for Matt to get used to the new image. His father had been a virile handsome man well into his fifties. Next to him on the side table was the Jim Beam bottle and the empty glass.

“Come on.” Matt gestured for Nikki when he realized she was still at the bottom of the stairs.

She lifted her chin and moved to stand alongside Matt, her cynical gaze slowly finding the man who’d fathered her.

“This is Nikki,” Matt said, switching his attention to Wallace’s drawn face.

He stared, the prominent Adam’s apple in his thin neck bobbing with a convulsive swallow. Leaning slightly forward, he blinked at her rapidly then squinted, as if struggling to focus. His lips moved, but nothing came out, and the desperation in his tortured eyes actually got to Matt.

“Wallace Gunderson,” Nikki said, her voice flat. “You look nothing like your picture.”

He slowly shook his head, as if in disbelief. And then the strangest damn smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. “Rosa,” he whispered, and tried unsuccessfully to stand.

Nikki jerked.

Matt took hold of her arm. They’d come too far for her to run just because Wallace had mistaken her for her mother. Of course Matt hadn’t seen this coming either. She resembled Rosa some, but not enough for his father to be confused. But then Matt hadn’t seen her as a young woman. And Rosa had lived a hard life, largely thanks to Wallace.

He gave up trying to stand. Just sat there smiling, and whispering Rosa’s name again.

“Wallace, this is Nikki. Not Rosa.” Matt tried to urge her into the room but she wouldn’t move.

She held up a finger, glaring at Wallace, her anger so potent it seemed to suck the air from the room. “You aren’t allowed to say her name. Ever. You understand me?”

“But—” His shocked gaze darted to Matt. “Why?”

“Nikki is your daughter, Wallace. Yours and Rosa’s.”

She twisted away from Matt, her body tense and ready to bolt. “I can’t do this.”

“Wait.” He sent her a pleading look. “Please, Nikki, for me.”

“Don’t, Matt.” Her lashes fluttered, trying to stop the moisture from seeping down her cheeks. He’d only seen her cry once, even though she’d had plenty of reason for tears. “Damn you, Matt, don’t ask this of me,” she begged softly.

“I’ve only loved two women,” Wallace said, drawing their attention back to him. “My whole life. I know it was wrong, but I loved them both so much that I...” His voice trailed off and he slumped back, his shoulders sagging in defeat, his chin dropped to his narrow chest.

Matt stared at him. Yeah, the old man admitted to loving Rosa. But it was the first time Matt had heard Wallace say he cared for Catherine Gunderson, the woman who’d loved him blindly and devoted her life to him. Not even at her funeral had he said the word. Yet he had loved her...in his own warped selfish way....

Something weird shifted inside Matt’s chest.

“I’m sorry, Matt.” Nikki had already backed into the foyer.

“Hey,” he said, following her. “We knew this would be rough.”

“It’s stupid and hopeless, and I can’t stay here.” She grabbed the railing. “I have to go back to Houston.”

“Let’s take a minute. I’ll come upstairs with you.” He glanced back at Wallace, who’d found the energy to tip the bottle to his glass.

“Fine.” Sniffing, she turned to find her footing on the first step. “You can watch me pack.”

He stayed on her heels. “How about the Sundance? Would you feel comfortable staying there?”

She stopped halfway and cautiously met his eyes. “Just being in the same room with him makes me sick.”

“I know.” Matt scrubbed at his face. “I understand,” he said, lying, because he was at a complete loss. He didn’t know what the hell was going on in his brain. Nikki, Rachel, Wallace, his mother...everything was a damn jumble. “Give me...give this thing with Wallace a few more days?”

Nikki studied him, as if he’d spoken to her in a foreign language she had to translate. Her lips slowly curved in a worried smile. She hesitated, then rubbed his arm. “Sure, Matt. I can do that.”

8

R
ACHEL
’
S
DAY
IMPROVED
a hundred percent after she answered Matt’s call. Hilda and her mother had offered to cover for her in the kitchen so she could ready Nikki’s room. They probably suspected she was anxious to race upstairs to touch up her makeup before Matt arrived within the hour. Not that she cared. They knew about the casserole she’d taken to the Lone Wolf, and when she returned she might’ve been a bit flushed and chattered on about Matt a minute or two longer than prudent....

Oh, well, it seemed her teenage crush on him hadn’t been the secret of the century she’d imagined. No big deal. And if her mom’s and Hilda’s shared glances meant they thought she might still have a crush on him, that didn’t bother Rachel either.

That kiss.

The new hard body Matt was rocking.

And holy crap, that huge bulge behind his fly this morning... If her adrenaline hadn’t been pumping before, it was now.

Reaching the top of the stairs, she sighed happily. Oh, they were so going to do more than kiss. Location could be a problem. Plus there was Nikki to consider. They couldn’t ignore her. Trace would eagerly step in and keep her entertained, but Rachel wasn’t sure if Nikki would like that. Ninety-five percent of the single women in the county would offer to have Trace’s firstborn. Just Rachel’s luck, Nikki hadn’t been dazzled.

She slowed her pace, thinking that if she had a shred of decency she’d be more concerned about why their plans had changed. Why Nikki no longer wanted to stay at the Lone Wolf. Matt had sounded a little off during their brief conversation, but Rachel figured it was because he wasn’t alone.

The downstairs grandfather clock chimed and got her moving again. She was putting Nikki on the same floor with the family. One room was still available in the guest wing, but only for a couple of days and then the Sundance would be booked for the rest of the week.

Passing her own room somehow reminded her that she hadn’t shaved her legs in a week. Wow, remembering at the last second would’ve been awful. Though she was jumping the gun. Matt could simply drop off Nikki, and Rachel wouldn’t see him again until they were ready to leave Blackfoot Falls.

No, she couldn’t let that happen. Matt wouldn’t let that happen, not after this morning. But he’d left before, without warning.

Just like that her mood plummeted. Logically she understood this time was different. They were both leaving eventually. He’d be going much sooner, but that didn’t matter because she had no expectation he would stay. She opened the door to the room, relieved to see Hilda had already changed the sheets and dusted the oak dresser and matching nightstands.

Rachel had no idea how long she’d been standing there, her thoughts drifting back and forth to Matt, when she heard the doorbell. Quickly she grabbed towels from the linen closet and set them on the bed, then hurried down the hall despite knowing someone would beat her to the door.

Her mother was hugging a very somber Matt when Rachel started down the stairs. Nikki stood off to the side, her face pale and tense. Seeing her made Rachel feel like crap. Obviously something horrible had happened, most likely Wallace- related, while Rachel had been wrapped up dreaming of Matt.

“Hi, Nikki, I’m sorry I missed you earlier.” Rachel stopped in front of her, hesitant yet longing to hug her because she seemed so small and lost.

“My fault. I was hiding in my room.” Nikki managed a faint smile. “Not from you,” she added quickly and drew in a shaky breath. “Thanks for putting me up. Really, I know y’all are busy. Do I pay now or when I leave?”

“Oh, my goodness, Nikki.” Barbara McAllister had no qualms about ignoring boundaries. She pulled Nikki into a hug. “You’re our guest. You and Matt are always welcome here.”

Nikki turned to Matt for help. “But—”

He was staring at Rachel, his face grim enough to make Rachel’s heart thud.

She broke eye contact first. “Forget it,” she said to Nikki. “Mom’s had practice arguing with four kids. She has final say.”

Nikki moved back. “This isn’t supposed to be charity,” she murmured.

“It’s not.” Matt finally weighed in. “I’m paying for Nik’s room.”

“I can pay for my own,” she said, and gave him a blistering look.

“Ah, Jesus.” He plowed a hand through his hair, then winced. “Sorry, Mrs. McAllister.”

She laughed. “Matthew, I have three sons.”

Rachel tried to look innocent.

Her mom arched a brow at her. “And this one.”

Nikki laughed a little at that.

Matt’s mood hadn’t lightened at all, and it broke Rachel’s heart. The problem had to be Wallace. For Matt it had always been his bastard of a father. She had a good mind to jump in her car and go give him a dressing-down that was late in coming. He had this great son who’d defended him all his childhood, who’d broken his back to earn Wallace’s approval, and the stupid idiot had never once...

“Rachel?”

She blinked at Matt. He was staring at her. So was everyone else.

“Rachel,” her mom repeated gently. “Why don’t you show Nikki to her room?”

“Sure,” she muttered, heat climbing her neck. “Of course.”

“Actually, if you have a few minutes, I’d like to talk to you,” Matt said. “I mean everyone. You, too, Hilda, if you have time. I assume the guys are out working.”

Rachel turned to see their housekeeper standing near the door between the dining room and kitchen. She’d been with them so long, she was practically family.

“Please, come.” Rachel saw the embarrassment in the older woman’s dark eyes, probably worried they thought she was eavesdropping, and motioned for her to join them.

Nikki glanced toward the back of the house, then toward the stairs. “We can’t talk out here.”

All the guests were gone, enjoying outdoor activities, but the foyer was airy and huge and it didn’t matter that they were alone in the house. It could feel intimidating for a personal conversation.

“We can go to Cole’s office,” Rachel said. “Or have coffee in the kitchen. No one else is home. Jamie ran into town an hour ago. I don’t know when she’ll be back.”

Matt glanced at Nikki, who nodded. “The kitchen is okay, and if Jamie shows up, that’s fine.”

They settled at the table in silence. Hilda seemed nervous. Rachel definitely had a jitter in her belly. Oddly, her mother didn’t even seem curious, as if she already knew what Matt was going to say. Strange, really strange. She hadn’t seen or talked to him last night, or since he’d arrived.

Matt had taken the chair next to Nikki, and with a fond smile, reached over to squeeze her hand. Rachel had some nerve feeling jealous, but there it was.

“Nikki,” he said, “is my sister.”

“Half sister,” she corrected, giving Rachel time to close her mouth.

His shoulders lifted in a slight shrug, and he looked at Rachel and Hilda. “No one else knows. Not Lucy or any of the Lone Wolf hands. Wallace just found out. We left him halfway into a bottle.”

After an awkward silence, Rachel knew she should say something, but what? A few weird thoughts flitted through her head. Of course Nikki had to be Wallace’s daughter, not Catherine’s. She’d lived her whole adult life at the Lone Wolf. Everyone in Blackfoot Falls would have known if she’d had a second pregnancy. Besides, insane as it was, Catherine Gunderson had adored her husband. With a sinking feeling, Rachel wondered if she’d known of his infidelity.

She focused on Nikki. “If you don’t mind my asking, did he know about you before today?”

The younger woman nodded, her lashes briefly lowering, then she tossed her hair in a gesture of defiance. “He did, not that it mattered.”

Dammit, Rachel wished she’d kept her mouth shut. “I shouldn’t have asked.... I’m not sure why I did...sorry....”

“It’s okay.” Nikki laughed nervously. “Y’all know him better than I do. He’s a piece of...a jerk. Can’t hide that in a town this small.” She sighed, slanting a glance at Matt. “I want to leave. Matt doesn’t. I have to calm down, and we’ll see.”

Rachel met his eyes, but quickly turned away, not wanting him to see the panic that rose in her throat and probably showed in her face. God, he couldn’t leave so soon. They’d just reconnected.

“Would you like to stay with us, too, Matt?” her mom asked. “Everyone would love having you here.” She leaned in, lowering her voice, a trace of amusement making the skin around her eyes crinkle. “Some of our paying guests can be somewhat persistent, but I think we can count on Rachel to keep the women away from you.”

She glared at her mother, then out of the corner of her eye saw Nikki and Hilda fighting smiles. Rachel switched her gaze back to Matt. His serious expression had faded, the slight twitch of his lips unmistakable.

Oh, brother... “You better believe it,” she said with a defeated laugh. “You are officially off-limits. I’ll post signs.”

“Thanks, but...” Matt slowly shook his head, mouth now tight. The light moment was gone, though he didn’t seem the least embarrassed. Ten years ago his face would’ve been beet-red. But he was a celebrity now, which Rachel kept forgetting, and a guy as hot as Matt could probably have his pick of women.

Was Rachel fooling herself that he was interested in her? Though he had kissed her first. And it would just be sex—they both understood that. The subject of forever after would never have to come up.

“Matt?” Nikki found his hand. “It would be fun to stay here. Please.”

He didn’t answer, but he wasn’t going to stay. It was clear by the way he’d drawn back his shoulders. He was holding his ground. But why would he want to stay in the same house as Wallace? That was crazy.

“I’ll think about it,” he said finally.

“Well, that means no.” Nikki sighed and shoved his hand away. Apparently she did know her brother. “Fine.”

He tugged at her hair. “I’m still going to be around, so don’t be a sourpuss.”

Rachel smiled. They were cute together. She’d bet he actually enjoyed having a kid sister. “Nikki, the town’s annual Valentine’s dance is day after tomorrow. If you don’t have anything to wear, we’ll find you something.”

“They still have that dance?” Matt asked.

“It’s Blackfoot Falls. Why would anything change?” Rachel regretted the sarcasm when she noticed her mom’s disappointed frown. “It’ll be fun.”

“I don’t dance,” Matt muttered.

Nikki shook her head. “Me, neither.”

“Tough. You guys are both coming. You can gorge on cupcakes and punch.”

“Still bossy,” Matt murmured, his gaze locked with hers.

“Yep.” Rachel’s heart skipped a couple of beats. The affectionate way he was looking at her, they could’ve been the only ones in the kitchen.

The sound of a distinctive engine from outside broke the brief spell.

“It’s Jamie,” Hilda said, and got up from the table. “She picked up groceries for me. I’ll go help her.” Matt immediately pushed back his chair, but Hilda waved him to stay seated. “It’s one bag. Nikki, I’m very glad you’ll be staying with us,
chica,
” she said with warmth and sincerity as she touched Nikki’s shoulder.

She gave Hilda a grateful smile then watched her head outside. “Is she from here?”

“Hilda lives with us.” Barbara shrugged. “She has for, gosh, I don’t know, since before Rachel was born.”

“Even before Trace. Isn’t Ben about Jesse’s age?” Rachel said to her mom, and then to Nikki, “She has a son and daughter. They moved here from Mexico with her. We grew up with them.”

“Here? All of you?”

Rachel nodded. “It’s a big house.” She noticed Nikki’s surprise, and that Matt seemed pleased. Of course he knew Hilda and her kids, so this wasn’t news, which meant he wanted Nikki to hear this. What was he up to?

“Hilda’s always been like everyone’s grandmother,” Matt said to his sister. “Remember when you asked me how I knew so many Spanish cusswords?”

“She did not teach you those,” Barbara said, her eyes narrowing.

“Well, that sucks.” Rachel snorted. “She didn’t teach
me
.”

“Hold on, ladies,” Matt said, grinning. “You didn’t let me finish. Ben was the one who rounded out my education and cussing seemed to be the only Spanish he knew. Where is he these days?”

Rachel and her mom both shook their heads, Barbara throwing a pointed glance at the back door.

Matt gave a small nod, and dropped the subject. “I’ll take your bag upstairs for you, Nik, then I have to get going.”

“Really?” Nikki and Rachel spoke at the same time.

“I have business to take care of.”

“Like what?” Nikki asked, and Rachel was content to let her do the badgering.

Getting to his feet, he gave his sister a patient but firm look. “I’ll call you.”

“When?”

“Later.” He paused. “Might not see you till tomorrow though.”

She folded her arms. “Fine.”

“Knock off the attitude,” he said, playfully tugging her hair again. “Or you’ll carry your own bag upstairs.”

“I’m doing it myself, anyway, so go.”

Laughing, Barbara planted her palms on the table and pushed herself up. “I’m having a cup of coffee. If anyone else wants one, it’s now or never.”

“You mind walking me to the door first, Mrs. McAllister?” Matt asked quietly.

“Of course, but I think you might be old enough to call me Barbara now.” She put an arm around his middle, appearing tiny next to him, and steered him toward the door separating the kitchen and dining room.

Rachel had already risen halfway out of her seat, then felt awkward because she’d wanted to walk Matt. “I’ll get you situated, Nikki,” she said, pretending that was her plan all along.

“Thanks.” Nikki smiled. “I still wish y’all would let me pay for my room.”

“Not going to happen.” Her gaze automatically went to the back of Matt’s head. He smiled at her over his shoulder before he pushed open the swinging door.

Hilda returned through the mudroom, followed by Jamie, whose gaze lit when she saw Nikki. “Hey.” Then she noticed the dining room door still moving. Rachel was leading Nikki in the same direction. “Where’s everyone going?” Jamie set the brown paper bag on the counter. “Did I miss everything?”