Perfect Family (7 page)

As her car climbed higher into the Colorado rim, she became enraptured by the strangely beautiful land. Was this her heritage? Was this land in her blood? Was that why she felt such a rising excitement? Yet, she had not agreed to a DNA test. It represented a commitment to her. She wasn't ready to make that commitment. She wasn't ready to believe that fairy tales really did come true. Neither could she quite concede that her father had lied to her all these years.

Maybe she wouldn't want to be related to this family.

She wished, more than anything, that her emotions didn't run amok, that she could be practical and measured and objective, as she'd tried so hard to be about her life. She'd sworn never to be ruled again by impulses, to allow them to overcome her good sense.

But now she was a squirming mess of conflicting cautions, hopes, and dreams, and nothing she did seemed to tamp them down.

A family. A huge family. And horses
.

Could she bear being around horses again? Live ones. She'd been collecting china ones for years, her safe substitute for live ones. She had given up what she once loved best after the nightmare of her father's death. Given up? No, she'd run from everything that reminded her of that night.

She knew now she hadn't entirely succeeded. Her carousel horses were her substitute, steeds to take her off on adventures and away from her father's too-often drunken spells and later from memories.

Could she dare dream once more?

Alex lounged in the foyer of the Quest, waiting for Jessica to check in.

He debated how much warning to give her. He had learned far more about her than she'd ever guessed. Some he'd shared with the family, some he had not.

He had admitted to some investigation, but not to the extent of it. In fact, Sarah knew more than the others, and that was not all. It had been Sarah's money that financed the search, and he'd felt honor-bound to give all that information to her, but then he'd had reason to personally extend the investigation, and those findings belonged to him and only him. He too had a lot at stake in the upcoming family battle. He'd wanted to know everything there was to know about Jessica Clayton.

After learning what he had, he'd expected her caution. He'd made a few assessments from his conversations with her but unlike most women, she was accomplished at masking her feelings.

He knew that there was a bottle of champagne in her room, ordered by Congressman Marc Clements; a basket of fruit from Sarah; and God only knew what else from other members of the family. Even without the DNA results, they were all trying to position themselves. If they weren't careful, they would send Jessica Clayton running back to Atlanta. He didn't think she suffered fools lightly.

He wished for a cigar at times like this. He'd stopped smoking years ago, but the longing remained with him. Especially at stressful times.

He looked at his watch. She should have arrived in Phoenix four hours earlier. Depending on how she drove, she should be here shortly. Or had she changed her mind about coming?

Not for the first time, he wondered why he stayed with the family. Its various members and their enterprises constituted more than fifty percent of his law firm's time, as they had his father's practice but he knew he could do far better financially in Phoenix. Still, he stayed. He'd inherited the practice when his father died, and Alex, like his father, had become an extended member of the family. He was like Ross in that aspect. Almost a Clements, but not quite.

The work had been varied and challenging these past twelve years. He'd interpreted the provisions of a very complicated will, seen to the government lease contracts, and negotiated land sales for the Quest. He'd also bailed Cullen's twins out of jail, kept secrets no outsider should know, and tried to keep peace among the family members.

Now he would have to take sides, and he hadn't decided yet which side he would choose. He liked Sarah enormously, but she lived in the past. His firm stood to make a fortune if the ranch was sold, and he was never adverse to money.

Marc wanted the sale. With adequate financing, he was a shoo-in to be elected senator—and then who knew how far he would go? He had hopes, Alex knew, of running for president. Marc's friends would travel a long way with him, too.

Every pot was ready to boil. He just didn't know which would boil over first.

For the moment, Alex was keeping his options open.

He looked at his watch again. Should he keep waiting? Would she even want him to be here? But he was the one who had lured her here, and he felt a certain responsibility. He wondered whether he should even have reported the search firm's finding. Whatever else she'd had, Jessica Clayton had undergone more than her share of betrayal and pain.

The entrance door opened and the object of his thoughts entered.

She looked startled as he stood. “Are you the innkeeper, too?” she asked.

“Just the welcoming committee,” he said, holding out his hand and taking hers. He looked over at the desk and the well-groomed young man behind it. “You don't have to check in. I have your key.”

She nodded, her gaze steady but wary. She wore a pair of jeans that fit, but not too tightly, and a green knit shirt that brought out a compelling green in her changeable eyes. Nothing pretentious. Just comfortable, and he was reminded how much he'd liked her. He liked her challenging manner, her forthrightness, and her intelligence. He should tell her to turn around and leave.

Instead, he gave her his most charming smile. “I thought you might like to see a friendly face. I'll show you your room, then you can get a couple of hours of rest before the party tonight.”

He saw doubt flicker in her eyes and reminded himself again to be careful. She had reason not to trust easily.

She finally smiled. But he saw the uncertainty behind it. “No signature? No credit card?”

“Everything is already done,” he said. “The family asked you here, and the family owns this place.”

She looked around the luxurious but informal lobby. A huge fireplace took up one wall. Comfortable little groups of chairs and loveseats were clustered throughout the room, interspersed by giant ferns. A glass cage filled with live colorful birds ran along one side of the room. The smell of leather and newly cut flowers permeated the air.

“Wine and cheese are served in the afternoon,” Alex explained. “And the restaurant is very good.”

“It's lovely,” she said.

“It's Cullen's pride and joy. I'll drive you around to your room, then pick you up at six-thirty for the party tonight.”

He knew from the instant question in her eyes that he'd assumed too much. Her back stiffened.

“You will never find the ranch yourself,” he added, trying to smooth his blunder. “Even longtime residents can't find it. There are no directional signs and you have to wind around up into the hills.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Sarah says it keeps the salesmen away. Personally, I think Ross dismantled all the signs, hoping no one would find it.”

She remembered the name. The cousin who ran the ranch. Alex, though, had said less about him than the others. “Tell me about him.”

“Ross?” He shrugged. “He's a loner. He may not even be at the party tonight unless Sarah somehow talks him into it. He considers social events the next thing to hell. He might even consider them worse than hell. Just don't let him intimidate you.”

“Intimidate
moi?
” she replied teasingly, a certain bravado masking the apprehension she felt growing with every new description of this family that apparently wanted to claim her as their own. “Not even an attorney could do that.”

“I noticed,” he answered wryly, then steered her toward the door. “But you haven't met Ross. He glowers at anything and everybody except his beloved horses.”

She seemed to weigh that, cataloging the piece of information in her mind. He could almost see it working. Obviously uncertain and just as obviously hating that uncertainty, she asked hesitantly, “What should I wear tonight?”

“It will be very informal,” he said. “The Sunset is a working ranch.”

“The Sunset?”

“The Clementses' ranch is officially the Double R for Red Rock Ranch. But the founder's wife—Mary Louise Clements—arrived at the site at sunset. She thought it glorious and started calling the ranch the Sunset. Everyone just adopted it. But in answer to your question, no one dresses up much. A pair of slacks and shirt will be just fine.”

She looked at him dubiously.

“You think I would lie?”

“You're a lawyer.”

“You haven't gotten over that yet?” he asked, a twinkle in his eyes. “The worst thing about my chosen profession is all the lawyer jokes and misconceptions.” He guided her out the door, then looked at her rental car. “Your room is really a casita, a small cottage. It overlooks a creek and you can sit outside and just listen to it gurgle if the family gets to be too much. It's peaceful, the perfect place to read a book.”

She smiled, and this time it was real, even radiant. It transformed her from an attractive woman into an immensely appealing one.

Guilt started to gnaw at him. So did something else, and that startled him. He wouldn't, couldn't become interested in her. Too much was at stake.

She stopped at the car, and he reached for her keys. “Let me drive you down there and help you carry the luggage inside.”

Jessie hesitated, then agreed. She gave him the car keys and got in on the passenger side without waiting for him to open the door. He backed the car up, then drove it to the end of the drive. He'd always marveled at the design of the resort, and he noticed that she too awed. The Southwestern contemporary-styled building blended perfectly into the red rock terrain. Red tile roofs gave it an expensive, sophisticated look.

Cullen had searched out the best architects for this resort and spent millions to create something unique. The cost overrides had been terrific, and the property still hadn't yet made a profit despite its popularity with tourists. Cullen would feel the financial yoke around his neck for years unless …

But that was Cullen's problem, not Alex's. He had warned the oldest of the Clements cousins about overreaching, a warning that had been ignored.

Alex drove his passenger to a small group of casitas, separate little cottages situated alongside a creek that tumbled merrily down from a cliff behind it. He suspected she would like the privacy it provided, especially with all the pressure Sarah would exert to get her to move into the ranch house. Sarah had been profoundly disappointed that Jessica had decided to stay in Sedona at the Quest rather than at the Sunset.

She would soon discover that her probable niece had a mind of her own.

Alex parked the car in front of the first casita, then got out and opened the truck and lifted her suitcase from it. Then he unlocked the door of the casita and stood aside as she entered.

He heard the intake of her breath and smiled to himself. She wasn't quite as indifferent as she tried to be.

“I'll pick you up at six-thirty,” he said again.

She merely nodded as her gaze continued to roam around the room, resting on a table laden with gifts.

A good time for him to disappear. She was already getting under his skin. Her spontaneous reaction to something he took for granted was surprisingly endearing.

He placed the suitcase inside, closed the door behind him as he went outside, and walked back to the main building.

He looked at his watch. A few hours before he would meet her again. He might as well return to his office. Maybe work would take his mind off her. Dammit, but he hoped so.

four

Jessie felt like an alien as Alex drove her toward her first meeting with her potential family. She thought of it like that. Potential. Not sure. Probably not even likely.

The sun was beginning to set, its glow appearing to ignite the red rock, turning it to fire. The sky itself was ribboned with magnificent colors ranging from pure gold to scarlet. The sheer beauty of it made her ache.

“I told you it was spectacular,” Alex said.

“So you did,” she said, grateful for his matter-of-fact presence. He had driven her from the resort, which itself had been an experience. Her room was large and equipped with any number of luxuries, including a Jacuzzi bath, fully stocked bar, fluffy white robes, and a gloriously comfortable bed. Even more amazing had been the assortment of items awaiting her: a bottle of expensive champagne, a huge bowl of fruit, crackers and cheese, and two fresh bouquets of flowers. At least someone was certainly trying to make her feel welcome. Several someones, according to the cards attached to the gifts.

She was beginning to feel like Alice in Wonderland. She only hoped she wouldn't be meeting some of the book's inhabitants. The Cheshire Cat, for instance. He'd lured poor unsuspecting Alice into a false security. Was Alex
her
Cheshire Cat, luring her into the same sense of security with his charming smile? She reminded herself that if something seemed too good to be true, it probably was. Little was ever as it seemed, and she'd be wise to keep that lesson in mind, unlike the headstrong Alice …

She folded her legs, betraying a nervousness she'd tried to hide. She prayed she was dressed correctly: a pair of gray tailored slacks, a peach silk blouse, and a silver necklace of twenty fine strands. She had been careful with makeup, using just a touch of powder and mascara in addition to her lipstick. Then she'd stood in front of the mirror, regarding herself critically. Nothing special there. No heiress. No princess. No Cinderella. Just plain Jessie who lived in a small book-crowded cottage and barely made a living selling her tomes.

She'd been unprepared for the appreciative look she saw in Alex's eyes when he'd picked her up.

“You look very pretty,” he said, and she felt a flush of pleasure. She was glad he hadn't used grander words, because she wouldn't have believed him then. But his quiet compliment gave her a flush of confidence.