Once and Always (Women of Character) (6 page)

Randal turned to Tyler.
"Tyler Stanton," he said. The two men exchanged a look Anna couldn't
decipher, almost a measuring up on both sides. "It's been a long time,
son."

"You know each other?"
Anna asked.

Tyler stepped forward and took the
hand the older man extended, and then glanced at her. "Briefly. A long
time ago."

"I seem to recall you swore
never to be back in front of me again," Randal said musingly.

"At least not under the same
circumstances as our last meeting, Judge," Tyler came back, a slight smile
now easing across his lips. Anna saw that his color had returned to normal and
she became intensely curious as to what their past association might have been.

"That's a relief,"
Randal said. "For the record, I'm retired. I'm not a judge anymore."

Anna watched Tyler's brow go up.
"You'll always be Judge France to me."

"What a coincidence,"
Anna murmured, not sure how to take this. Had that been the reason Tyler had
looked ill, when he'd realized whose office they were in?

"Please come inside and take
a seat."

They followed Randal into his office,
a spacious room with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and a large wooden table with
chairs occupying the center of the room.

"I have the copy of the
agreement Anna faxed to me," Randal continued. "With the exception of
some minor changes in wording which I've made, I feel it's a well-thought-out
document benefiting both parties." He looked up from the papers and
directed his glance to Tyler. "I assume you've had your lawyer go over
this?"

Tyler nodded. "Yes."

He handed each of them a copy.
"Take a look at the minor changes I made on page two. If there's any other
changes either of you would like made, now is the time to let me know."

"Annie?" Tyler said.
"Didn't you have some questions about this?"

Anna stared at him, then at the
papers, her mind blank as to her earlier concerns about signing. She looked at
Randal. "To be honest, I was getting a little nervous." She pressed
her palms down on the table surface. "It's not that I have any specific
concerns, it's just this entire lease idea has been moving very fast. I thought
about Martin and how mad he'd be that it came down to this." Anna cleared
her throat. "You know how he felt about the ranch. I feel as if I've
failed."

Randal nodded in understanding.
"I can understand your worry, Anna," he said. "We both know how
close Martin was to the ranch, but you also know he'd want you to do whatever's
in your best interests. You're an intelligent woman, Anna, and you're used to
being in full control. Now, handing some of that control over to another person
can feel daunting. Let me remind you we did insert that escape clause, which
works for either party if you feel the lease isn't working. You can get out of
it with minimal notice, after the first six months. However, we're still
presuming you're both reasonable people and can work out any concerns the other
might have."

Some of the tension eased in Anna
and she nodded in agreement.

"I've also inserted language,
which Tyler's lawyer agreed with, if after ninety days you'd like to reevaluate
the lease, you both have that option." He looked at her across the table.
"Anna, do you have specific questions or concerns not covered?"

"I just want to make sure the
property is protected."

"Under the lease agreement,
you'll retain full rights to your property. The money you receive can be put
aside for taxes and whatever else you might need. If you need investment
advice, I can steer you in the direction of a good financial adviser. But if
you have concerns other than the ones I've addressed, now is the time to say
so."

"No, just what we talked
about, and of course Danny."

"I'm sure Tyler understands
your wanting to look out for Danny's welfare."

"Yes, we talked about it. I'm
okay with the contract now. At first, it just seemed so final."

Randal looked at Tyler.
"Tyler?"

"I'm ready to sign."

"Then if you're in agreement,
you can both do so."

Tyler perused the papers, signed
them and slid his copy across the desk toward Anna. Very carefully, she read
the papers. She initialed the first sheet as Tyler had done and penned her full
name on the last page's signature line. Carefully, she placed her pen on the
polished tabletop and looked at Tyler.

"We're in business," he
said, smiling at her.

Anna nodded in acknowledgement,
pressing her palms into her lap under the table. As she stood, the men rose
also and she reached out to shake hands with Randal. "Thanks for your
time."

"I'm always here, Anna, if
you need me." His glance encompassed them both. "I look forward to
hearing wonderful news about the Double B. I'll have my secretary make each of
you copies for your files."

"Thank you, Judge,"
Tyler said. Once they each had their copies he escorted her into the outer
office, his hand burning through the material at her shoulder as he touched her
briefly. Anna kept her eyes straight ahead, dismayed by her reaction to his
closeness.

Outside in the hallway, the quiet
of the lawyer's office was left behind. Anna rolled her papers, keeping her
gaze away from Tyler as she hid her trembling hands. How could his proximity
give rise to so much reckless wanting? Reckless, because she'd surely gotten
over him a long time ago. It had to be a fluke, a residue of the old
attraction. She had to figure out how to squash it for her own piece of mind.

"Let's get out of here."

The rate of Anna's heart slowed.
He sounded very matter-of-fact and she realized she was making a fuss out of
nothing. Steadying herself, clutching her copy of the lease, she looked at him.
"Yes."

Just then someone jostled her and
she turned. A man apologized, and Anna was once more back in the real world as
she noticed the man's glance linger on her face. Feeling stiff, she
nevertheless managed a smile as he muttered an apology, and then he walked away
down the corridor.

As if he knew about the mixed
feelings in her head, Tyler grabbed her hand and tucked it carefully in his
own, pulling her close to his side. "How about lunch before we go
back?" he asked quietly.

She stared at him, her mind beginning to race and knew her
hand jerked in his. She said the first thing that came into her head. "Somewhere
quiet?" She swallowed with difficulty. "Maybe you'll tell me how you
know Judge France." There was no break in Tyler's stride, but Anna sensed
something different about him, and it distracted her from her own fears and
wanting to return immediately to the ranch. Apparently, she didn't know
everything there was to know about him, not if the tension she now felt was any
indication. What secrets could he be hiding?

Tyler eased the
car
through
the late morning traffic, his mind going over the meeting they'd just left.
He'd been thrown a curve to find himself once more in Judge France's presence.
He hadn't seen the Judge since he was a kid and in trouble with the law.

Judge France had been one of
several people who had stepped in and helped him out. The entire town probably
knew his past history, and he'd always thought Annie was aware of it, but she'd
never mentioned it. He hadn't brought it up, not when she'd looked at him years
ago like he was ten feet tall. He hadn't wanted to do anything to hurt or
disillusion her. He'd done enough of that to people when he was younger. His
mother and later her family had washed their hands of him, no doubt thinking
he'd come to a bad end, but luckily for him, his father had taken him in hand.

"The light's green."

Tyler looked up at the
streetlight, then drove through the intersection, telling himself to pay
attention before he caused an accident. He'd seen Annie's careful scrutiny of
the building where her lawyer worked, and then the way she'd avoided letting
the receptionist see the scarred side of her face. She wore makeup which
concealed the worst of the scarring, so he wondered if her responses were
unconscious. Her vulnerability affected him.  Part of him wanted to shield her
from the hurt of someone's stares, the murmurs, but he also knew it was
unrealistic to think he could protect her or even that she wanted him to. She'd
been on her own long enough, he sensed she wouldn't want any interference from
him, however well-intentioned.

Something had stirred in him when
that guy almost ran into her in the office. Maybe it was old-fashioned, but
he'd felt protective, even though she'd stiffened away from him. Maybe she'd
been expecting the guy to say something. He'd had a moment where he thought
about pulling her closer, and he'd felt caught up in her scent, which was
familiar and sweet, reminiscent of the old days.

He pulled into a parking area and
turned off the car. "I know this hasn't been easy," he said, drumming
his fingers on the steering wheel. "It was probably hard as hell, putting
the ranch up for lease, but if you're honest, you'll admit this arrangement can
work for both of us."

"I have high hopes."

Some of the tension eased inside
Tyler. "Good. Let's go inside, order lunch and then we can talk."

Tyler exited the car and walked
around to open Annie's door. She didn't move.

"We're eating here?" She
looked through the windshield at the fancy curved doorway of the restaurant, as
if she'd just realized where he'd parked.

Tyler looked over his shoulder.
"I remember this place as one of the nicer places in town. The food always
used to be decent."

"It's the most heavily
trafficked restaurant in town," she said, her voice stiff. "Or at
least it used to be."

He bent toward her, shading his
eyes against the sun so he could see her better. Her face had paled and she
held her hands clenched together as she leaned back against the seat. "I
thought I could do this, but I can't." Several strands of hair fell across
her cheek. Tyler wanted to feel the soft texture between his fingers but he
gripped the metal of the car door instead.

Annie raised one hand to her
cheek, then dropped it and darted him a glance, her eyes holding the sheen of
moisture. "This doesn't make sense to you, but it's just too hard,
especially―" she stopped.

"Especially?"

"Looking the way you do,
compared to the way I look."

Tyler shook his head and
straightened. "You're still on that, aren't you?" he asked
impatiently. "Your looks, your face, just like it was six years ago. Back
then you didn't have scars, but if you didn't have your makeup perfect I
remember you wouldn't go into a place. Christ, Annie, you still don't realize
you've always been more than a face."

"You don't understand."

Tyler crossed his arms. "No,
I don't." He stared across the parking lot at the restaurant. "What I
understand is some things don't change. You're still doing what you want, not
what's good for me. . .for us . . . the ranch."

"What are you talking
about?"

"This is the hottest spot in
town. It's a great place to show up together, get the talk going about us,
about the ranch. Small town gossip and all that."

"That's why you came
here?"

Tyler pulled his dark glasses from
his pocket, avoiding her doubtful expression. "Of course, why else?"
He paused. "Sure you don't want to go in? I hear they've got chocolate
desserts people kill for."

She looked at him with startled
surprise, then looked at the restaurant again, where people entered and exited.
She'd always had a sweet tooth for chocolate.

Tyler's heart pounded at the lie
he'd told, wondering if he was pushing too hard, but then she stepped from the
car, ignoring his proffered hand. Slowly, she stood, her face still white but a
determined set to her jaw.

Tyler walked beside Annie to the
restaurant, silently applauding her courage. Once inside the building he kept
on the alert for anyone who might be inclined to stare at her, not quite sure
what he'd do if that happened. In truth, he was afraid this whole idea might
backfire in his face and she'd throw the lease in his face.

The headwaiter approached them
with a smile. "Good afternoon. May I seat you and the young lady?"

Tyler glanced around the crowded
room, all too aware of the tension in Annie. He wondered if she was even aware
how stiffly she held herself. He looked at the headwaiter's nametag and said
pleasantly, "Harlin, how are you today? This is Anna Barlow and I'm Tyler
Stanton. We'd like a private table."

Harlin nodded his head and gave
Annie a smile. "Ms. Barlow, Mr. Stanton, I'm pleased to make your
acquaintance. As you can see we're very busy today, but I'm sure we can find
you a table."

Annie looked around the dining
room. "Yes, I'd like to sit out on the balcony. It overlooks the lake,
doesn't it?" she asked, and Tyler noticed how her fingers gripped the
small purse she carried.

"Certainly, and it's a
beautiful day for dining outside," Harlin replied smoothly. "Come
with me please."

After they were seated and Martin
took their order, Tyler wondered if Annie had deliberately chosen a corner
table with no one on her right side.

As Annie looked around Tyler
thought she looked a little less tense. "Maybe I needed this," she
murmured as she looked out over the lake, surprising him. "A little
exposure." She folded her napkin in half. "I'm doing the best I
can," she said, turning to him. "I make no excuses for shying away
from public places. I told you how it was."

"I thought I understood, but
I guess I really didn't." He'd probably never understand the full extent
of the hurt that she held inside, her sensitivity to a glance from a stranger.

She carefully placed her napkin in
her lap. "Now, before we talk business," she said, "tell me how
you know Judge France." She looked at him with a lifted brow. "You did
promise to tell me."