Authors: Candice Poarch
“I'm not that bad,” Noelle said. “I fed you.”
“Barely.” The men climbed the stairs and placed the mattress on the box spring and frame.
“I'll help Greg bring in the furniture. You just tell us where you want it to go,” Colin said.
In between directing the men, Noelle put linens on the bed and towels in the bathroom.
“Thanks for the help,” she said when they had finished.
“Think you'll be finished with the downstairs tomorrow?”
“Hope so.”
“Then I'll try to make it here around the same time to help Greg.” He turned to leave, then remembered a detail. “Dinner's at seven.”
“Good,” Noelle said. “Gives Greg time to hang the curtain rods before we leave.”
Gregory groaned.
Noelle walked Colin to the door. His hand gently brushed across her cheek just seconds before his mouth touched hers. He battled conflicting emotions. One part of him wanted to take it slowerâthe part that told him he wasn't ready for heavy and seriousâanother part wanted to hold her tightly and never let go. She had connections to George and he respected the older man, but slowly he savored her taste, trying to satisfy his endless need.
Her shiver flowed from her body to his. He tightened his arms around her. He couldn't stop a heated moan from escaping. “I've wanted you in my arms all day.”
“I missed you,” she said, intense desire brightening her eyes. She inhaled and whispered his name. “You smell like horse.”
“Better get used to it. I won't smell like horse tonight, though,” he said stroking her back. “You got a lot of work done today.”
She leaned back, putting a little distance between them. “Dad did most of it when he came. I wanted to see the campground today, but it's dark already.”
“Getting you settled in is more important.”
“True.”
“Well, if you're going to make it to dinner on time, I have to leave,” he said, but he didn't move. He drew her closer and kissed her once again.
Noelle was like a drug infusing his veins. His feelings for her frightened him in their intensity. Any other time he'd back off, not willing to lay his heart on the line, but with Noelle, he didn't have a choice. She stole his reason, his very sanity.
Reluctantly he pulled back and took in the luminous sheen of her eyes. “See you soon.” Heforced himself to leave, or they'd miss dinner completely.
Noelle watched Colin's truck drive away, the last ray of light catching the River Oaks Thoroughbred Farm logo on the side. She closed the door against the cold and leaned against it as she tried to control her desire. This was moving much too fast.
“Hey,” Greg called down. “You going to get into that shower or what? I'm starving.”
Noelle went upstairs where she found her brother hanging the curtain rods in her bedroom.
“I'll be finished here by the time you're out of the bathroom,” he told her.
“I'm so dirty, a hot shower sounds like heaven.” She wasted no more time. As the water washed away the grime from her body, so, too, did the desire clear from her mind. In its place were nerves as she realized the moment she'd been waiting for was finally here.
She was finally going to meet her grandfather.
Colin took his shower and decided to look in on Maggie Girl while he waited for Noelle. But as he was leaving, his father drove into the yard. Just his luck. He should have known his old man would come by to see the new mare. Not that his old man was interested in the horse.
Leander Mayes exited his Escalade and walked with Colin to Maggie Girl's stall. Colin took a carrot from a bucket and fed it to her.
“If this stud of yours is pulling in the money you want, I don't understand why it's necessary to buy the mare,” his father said. “You already have racehorses out there.”
“If we don't build on what we have, we'll end up the way we were when Grandpa bought in. Diamond Spirit is pulling in good money for the first time. His offspring are winning races and some are already producing their own offspring who are winning. He's one of the most sought-after thoroughbred sires.” Although Colin felt the necessity to explain everything to his father, he knew the older man didn't get it. His interest wasn't in thoroughbreds. Leander had fought his father bitterly about buying into the farm. It was a huge bone of contention between Leander and Colin. But Colin wasn't going to give his father a reason to sell.
“We have company coming,” he said, changing the subject. “Can you stay to dinner?”
“I'll stay,” his father replied. “I want to spend some time with George. How is he?”
“The same.”
George's nephew, William, was just getting out of his car. Colin always thought of him as Slick Willie.
When William saw Colin's dad, he came wearing a smile. “How are you, Leander? Good to see you.”
“William.”
“Just came to see how the old man was doing. Got to keep an eye on him.”
More like on his money,
Colin thought. William couldn't care two cents about George, but now that Mackenzie was gone, he hoped to become his uncle's main beneficiary.
Colin shook his head. As much as Colin wanted to see Noelle, the evening seemed to be doomed by the very people he didn't want to see.
Noelle didn't know what she had expected from George Avery, but not the impressive stone-and-wooden house. When she knocked, an older woman answered the door.
“You must be little Noelle,” she said. “How you've grown. You don't remember me, do you?”
“I'm sorry.”
“I'm Leila. Mackenzie used to bring you here when he gave you riding lessons. I used to make you clam chowder. He insisted on it because it was your favorite.”
“It still is.” Noelle tried to contain the dip in her stomach. “Have you met my brother?”
“Yes, I have. Mackenzie used to ride you both on his horse. You were too young to train.”
Greg extended a hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am.”
“Manners, too. What a nice young man you are,” she said. “They're all gathered in the sitting room.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Unexpected guests. I had to stretch out dinner. But don't worry, Gregory, I made plenty for you. You're a growing boy.”
Greg chuckled. “I appreciate that.”
Noelle tried to contain her apprehension as she was led to the back of the house. There were three older men, but the oldest must be George Avery. She could only stare speechless. He had gray hair and from his baggy clothes she figured he'd recently lost weight. He was a handsome man. The few pictures she'd seen didn't do him justice. But there was a dullness to his eyes. The laugh lines around his mouth suggested he was prone to laughter, although there was a sternness to him now.
Greg had to nudge her side before she extended a hand to Colin's father and then George's nephew before she shook the older man's hand.
“Welcome to River Oaks,” George said. “I knew your grandparents well. They were wonderful people.”
“Thank you.”
“The children's camp had changed hands over the years. I think it was a cheerleader camp for a while until four years ago. My son went to the camp when your grandparents owned it. He looked forward to it each summer.”
Noelle saw a photo on the table and nodded toward it. “Is that your son?”
“Yes.” There was a catch in his voice.
Her legs felt like lead as she walked across the floor to see a photo of Mackenzie for the first time. There had been plenty of grainy pictures of her grandfather in old newspapers, but Mackenzie had kept a low profile. She picked up the framed photo. Clearly he favored his father.
Colin came up beside her and handed her a champagne flute. She carefully placed the photo back on the table and took the glass from him.
“Congratulations on your first day home,” he said, clinking his glass to hers. After a sip he slid an arm around her waist. “I'm glad you're here.”
“Me, too.” She was thinking she had feelings for this man that she'd never envisioned. Maybe this could grow into a meaningful relationship, after all. She'd expected him to be ready to move on, especially now that he was home, where she was sure he had his pick of women.
Finally she was in her grandfather's home. She'd wanted this so long she had difficulty wrapping her mind around the fact that she was here. She was so nervous that she was sure she was going to make a huge social blunder, like spilling the champagne on his beautiful wood floors.
Leila called them to dinner half an hour later. Colin and George sat at each end of a table that could comfortably seat fourteen. The antique furniture was heavy and the wallpaper and curtains were elegant.
“I keep trying to get you to retire, Uncle George,” William said. “It's time for you to cut back and enjoy yourself.”
Colin tensed.
“You don't retire from the thoroughbred business,” George said.
“It's too much for you. Mama was just saying she wished she saw more of you. This job is 24/7. It hardly gives you time to enjoy your family.”
“Your mother is free to visit me whenever she pleases. We have plenty of room and we won't trip over each other. Just as long as she stays out of Leila's way.” George sighed, obviously thinking of his son. “My whole life is here. My wife and I lived our entire marriage here. My son lived here before he married, and he came back after the divorce. I don't want to be anywhere else.”
How selfish of William to suggest George give up the only thing that gives him pleasure,
Noelle thought.
“Still, you could make a nice little profit off this place.”
“You're right there,” Leander Mayes said.
George shook his head. “Colin and I are doing very well for the first time in a long time. Diamond Spirit's continuing to bring in money as a sire. And several of our other horses have been in the money on the track.”
William was unconvinced. “Then this is the time to sell, when you can make top dollar.”
“Once again,” Leander agreed.
“I'm not selling, William. So let's enjoy our company without a business discussion.” George changed his focus to Noelle. “What shape is the camp in?” he asked.
“I haven't had the opportunity to look at it yet, but Dad says it needs some work. I've moved into the house and I'm trying to get it in shape while Greg's here. Next week I'll tackle the camp.”
“If you need help with selecting carpenters and contractors, I know the good ones. I'll be happy to help you.”
“Thank you. I'm sure some repairs are in order.”
Noelle was watching Colin. She knew what this business meant to him and what a strain it must be having people in his family against it. She stretched out her foot and caressed his leg. His piercing gaze met hers. His expression quickly changed from frustration to arousal.
Colin followed Noelle home. “Finally I have you to myself,” he said.
“Why is William trying to convince Mr. Avery to sell his farm?”
“The greedy bastard wants George to leave everything to him.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. He doesn't care about George. Doesn't spend time with him to help him get over his grief. Doesn't make suggestions. Just wants him to sell the farm at a good profit and leave him a bundle when he dies. He knows the farm is valuable. We're cash-poor, but the assets are worth a fortune.” Colin shook his head. “You wouldn't believe the people coming out of the woodwork now that the farm is prospering. Right after Mackenzie died, some woman he dated claimed he had a child by her in college. Can you believe her? Said he owed her back child support.”
“What happened?”
“George's lawyer handled it. They could use George to test the DNA. When his lawyer told her they'd be willing to accept the girl, but first they had to DNA-test her, she backed off. Said maybe she was mistaken. You can't believe what that did to him. People are so thoughtless.”
Noelle's stomach roiled with tension. Why
would
someone lie like that? she wondered as they entered the house and headed upstairs to the little foyer where she'd put the couch and bookshelves.
Noelle took Colin's coat and put it on her bed.
“It's cozy up here,” he said.
“I like it.”
Greg had already disappeared into his room and closed the door. He was probably fast asleep by now. He'd worked pretty hard today.
“Another early day tomorrow?” Noelle asked.
Colin nodded. “I can't stay long, but I just wanted a few minutes alone with you.”
“And maybe you should rescue George from his nephew.”
“He's gone already. He never stays long. Just long enough for George to remember to make him the main beneficiary.”