* * * *
Stacy took the first thirty minutes trying to reach Millie and Anna to give them a piece of her mind. They set her up. Here she was, thinking that she was fooling them about the intensity of the situation with her boss stalking her, and they went right along with it. Her new home was in Texas, living on a farm and helping a woman who, despite her tanned, wrinkled skin and what would be considered senior age, had more gall, attitude, and strength than Stacy herself could ever have. Stacy didn’t think that she handled the situation with her boss poorly. She just wondered if she didn’t break his nose if he would have given up on pursuing her. It was as if by her fighting back, he was more determined to break her and conquer her. She felt the chills run through her body. There was a definite fear there. A fear of not just men in general, but ones that could be perceived as intimidating and superior in nature. It was crazy, but she instantly thought about the cowboy she met with Ron. He appeared large and rugged. The fact that he appeared out of nowhere on open land filled with miles of grass and pasture as far as her eyes could see made her think of danger.
She suddenly felt afraid of the wildness about the farmland and a sense of vulnerability. The tears stung her eyes. This move was supposed to be empowering and a beginning established on a foundation of new inner strength. It wasn’t supposed to reveal more of her inner weakness and reservations about being alone and handling life on her own. But in actuality, that was precisely what she accomplished by moving out here. The isolation from the norm and unknown dangers were a complete reversal of city life to country life in a flash.
How am I going to do this?
She inhaled the scent of the house and the old-home smell and the hint of wild flowers passing through the ugly, faded beige curtains. The fear of the unknown was not going to bring her down.
A day at a time and keep to yourself, Stacy, and you’ll get through this and find the answers you’re looking for.
She looked around the house, noting the time and realizing that she needed to get to the main house in fifteen minutes. She absorbed all the work the little cottage needed. That
her
little cottage needed, and she mentally noted the supplies she should get and where to start. She was going to make this work, and she was going to survive. New York was behind her, and it was nothing but a memory.
* * * *
“What do you mean you have no idea where she is? All I asked was that you watch her, and you can’t even do that,” Barry Weiner yelled into the cell phone. He was sitting on a lounge chair on a beach in the Bahamas. It was something his pain-in-the-ass wife suggested to help him deal with the accusations going through the office about his sexual flings. Plus his broken nose would take time to heal, and it was easier to go away and not deal with all the questions than to stick around work and make excuses. She insisted that he come along with her and act like the husband he was supposed to be. The stupid bitch should have known by now that all he wanted was a stake in her father’s company. That’s why he had courted her in college and landed this job straight out of Harvard. Why else would he put up with her annoying, unintelligent banter and skinny, scrawny body?
“I tried sir, but it was difficult with the cops hanging around her place. I planted that gift you wanted me to plant, but her friend intercepted it,” Curtis replied, and Barry could hear the fear in Curty’s voice.
“Fuck! You were supposed to handle this. It’s your ass on the line as well. I am not going to let her get away with what she did to me. I’ve got cops asking questions, and I don’t want them snooping around. I have something else I want you to deliver to her once my sources locate her. I will be in touch.”
“Why can’t we just forget about her? She’s not important. She doesn’t matter when you can replace her with a dozen others. Even Teressa and Michelle are interested in you.”
“I don’t want them. I waited a year for this. My mind is made up, and remember who you are talking to. I’ve gotta go. Don’t screw this up because if I have to hire someone else to do it, I will, and you can forget about your promotion.”
Barry hung up the phone just as his wife approached carrying two piña coladas. He despised her, but he had to keep her. If he divorced her, then her father would fire him. Not that her old man was a saint, but he kept his affairs well hidden. All Barry wanted was Stacy. Everything about her from her long, thick red hair to her sparkling green eyes turned him on. Her body was a work of art from what he could tell, considering she wore such nonrevealing clothing. Even that was a turn-on. When he finally got a hold of her body, he wanted every inch of her. He wanted her all to himself, and the fact that his father-in-law had noticed Stacy as well…Well, that just pissed Barry off. Stacy belonged to him, and he was going to have her.
* * * *
Eric Cantrell walked out of the stables feeling hot, dirty, and tired. He had spent the day out in the fields mending fences. He was pissed off that one of their hands, Gutry, had obviously been slacking in his duties. As soon as he found the guy, he was going to give him a final warning. This wasn’t the first time Gutry screwed up. Eric, his brother Max, and their cousins could have lost livestock.
As he dusted the dirt off his jeans while he was walking, he thought about the damage that still needed mending and how a trip to the hardware store tomorrow for more materials was a must. Now that he was back on Cantrell land, he also found himself thinking about the gorgeous young woman in Ron Thorton’s truck. She was a beauty. She looked a little timid, but knowing how big Eric was, he assumed his height and size had intimidated her. She was a petite little thing with amazing green eyes. Damn, she was a sight to remember. He couldn’t recall the last time when just looking at a woman made his dick hard. Just thinking about her now stirred his cock’s attention.
Fuck!
He shifted as he walked, trying to ease the tightness in his crotch.
“Hey, where ya been?”
Eric looked up in time to see his cousin, Charlie, walking toward him. They met just a few feet before the gardens.
“That asshole Gutry screwed up big time, damn it! I’ve been out doing his fucking job all day, and it ain’t even done yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“The damn fences haven’t been fixed in God knows how long. I thought you and Ben were going to keep an eye on him?”
“Well, I thought Ben was, but I guess not. He’s been too busy lately,” Charlie responded, looking annoyed now as well.
“Busy with what? The ladies? Damn, I’m going to have to make him come along with me tomorrow to fix the rest.”
“Well, in the meantime, what about Gutry? I think we’re going to have to toss his ass.”
“I never cared for that guy anyway. He’s always causing fights whether he’s kicked back a few too many at Francine’s place or over in Turbank. We’ve got to talk to the others and confirm what we want to do. I’ve had it.”
“Well, why don’t you go take a shower and get cleaned up. Supper’s nearly done. That’s another soon-to-be problem, you know, too,” Charlie added, looking grim.
“What? The cook? What the hell is going on with Tex?”
“He’s been missing his daughter really badly. Now that the third grandchild’s been born, he wants to leave to go see her. He’s been thinking about moving out to Wyoming to be closer to her and help her out.”
“Ah, damn! When it rains, it pours, don’t it?”
“Guess so.”
“All right, we’ll have to have a family meeting tonight to discuss all this. Tell the others to meet here at the main house by eight o’clock. I know Wyatt and Max won’t be here until then anyway. There’s that meeting about the fair and barbecue in three weeks.”
“Okay. See you for supper.”
Chapter 2
Stacy was washing the lettuce for the salad as she helped Marie in the kitchen. Her home was stunning and very neat. There were antique furnishings and old black-and-white portraits of the Lemorte ancestors. Marie made some sort of chicken dish that didn’t smell quite appealing at all. She didn’t want to insult the woman after all it seemed she had done for Stacy. Maybe it just smelled bad but would taste better.
“Okay, New York, you ready with that salad?” Marie asked as Stacy brought the bowl over to the table. Stacy had the feeling that Marie didn’t cook often. It was just a feeling that was confirmed when Stacy took her first bite of the chicken.
She tried her hardest not to react too impolitely to the fact that the chicken was raw inside. As she added dressing to her salad, the one bite of raw chicken still lingered on her tongue. She just couldn’t fake eating that.
Marie made a disgusted sound then dropped her fork causing a loud
clank
against the dish. “Aw, hell, I screwed up! This tastes like shit and it isn’t even cooked,” Marie exclaimed then rose from her chair.
“Come on, New York, we’re going into town.”
Stacy placed her napkin on the table. “It’s okay. I wasn’t really that hungry.”
“Nonsense! Rise, child, and let’s get going. Francine is the best cook around. That’s our little restaurant in Pearl.”
“I can cook. Maybe I can salvage this chicken,” Stacy offered, and Marie gave her one of those looks that told Stacy she’d better not argue. Immediately she rose from her seat and cleaned her plate into the garbage. Marie did the same as they quickly cleaned up the kitchen then headed out to Marie’s blue pickup truck.
* * * *
Deputy Max Cantrell stood next to Dr. Jones talking about the sheriff’s part and security detail for this summer’s upcoming events. The annual Fourth of July town barbecue kicked off the festivities with chili and pie contests. It was very popular and brought in a lot of people from surrounding counties in Texas. One woman in Turbank, the town over from Pearl, would take home the winnings every year. There were numerous women and men trying to beat Betsy Whinston. A lot of the women wanted to beat Betsy because she was a troublemaker with the men. She flirted shamelessly and even with married men. Max chuckled at the way even Dr. Jones hoped Betsy would lose. Max and his brother Eric avoided Betsy the best they could over the years. The woman had her eyes set on marrying them, but they weren’t interested. Max and Eric wanted to share a woman like their fathers had and their cousins hoped to one day. There were plenty of ménage relationships in town, and it was accepted. The town of Pearl had grown immensely over the last five years, and it was because of the acceptance of different relationships and the enforcement of the laws. As a deputy, he and his cousin Wyatt, the sheriff, upheld the law and eliminated any potential threats.
“So what do you think, Max? Will someone beat Betsy this year or what?”
“I sure hope so. I hear that Beverly took some cooking classes in Turbank and online to create a better recipe for the chili.”
“Well that’s definitely promising,” Dr Jones replied with a smile just as they saw Marie Lemorte’s truck pull into the parking lot in front of Francine’s restaurant.
Max had to do a double take when another woman got out of the passenger side of Marie’s truck. Having only the back of her to look at, he immediately noticed the reddish-brown hair, the snug-fitting black T-shirt and tight-fitting dark-blue jeans. Her curves were eye catching, and he hoped that she would turn around as Marie looked directly at Max and Dr. Jones, giving a wave.
In an instant, as Max waved back, the redhead turned around. Even from across the street, he could tell she was beautiful. Her shirt wasn’t cut low. In fact, it nearly hugged her neck, but it accentuated her rather large breasts as his eyes absorbed it all. Her belly was flat, and she looked kind of petite, but he was very tall so everyone appeared small to him.
“Who is that?” Max asked.
“That must be Millie’s friend from New York. Marie mentioned having someone stay at the cottage and help out on the farm. It must be her.”
“Wanna go grab a cup of coffee?” Max asked.
Dr. Jones chuckled. “Want to get a good look, huh, son?”
“You saw her. What do you think?”
They laughed as they walked across the street to Francine’s.
* * * *
The soft sound of country music could be heard amongst the chatter going on in the restaurant. Marie ushered Stacy inside and greeted friends and neighbors as they in return greeted her and Stacy. Introductions were made, and Marie consciously noticed that Stacy seemed to gain the attention of just about every male in the place. The young woman was definitely attractive. She didn’t flaunt it, though. In fact, it appeared that the more attention Stacy received, the shyer she became.
“Okay, y’all leave New York alone now. We need to get supper. Her plane came in late and we’re starving.”
“You picked a good time to move out here Stacy. We’re getting ready for the big BBQ and festival. It’s a lot of fun. I’m sure Marie will tell you more about it and bring you,” Francine stated.
“If you’re a newcomer to Pearl, you won’t want to miss this event,” someone stated, and when Marie looked up, she saw Max Cantrell and Dr. Jones standing near Stacy. Marie watched as Stacy turned toward Max and blushed. Max smiled, showing off those adorable dimples of his, and Marie smirked. This could get interesting.
“I’m Dr. Jones, the town physician. It’s nice to meet you, Stacy. Marie mentioned she was going to have someone stay in the old cottage and help her out. Welcome to Pearl.”
Stacy shook his hand and said thank you.
“I’m Deputy Max Cantrell. It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.” He shook her hand and smiled.
“You met Max’s brother Eric with Ron today on your way to the farm from the airport.”
Marie noticed Max’s eyes widen, and he looked a bit taken aback by that information but then stared at Stacy.
“Thank you for the welcome.”
“Well, if you men don’t mind, Stacy and I are starving.”
“Sure, sure, Marie. We’ll let you get back to your dinner. See you around,” Dr. Jones stated, and he and Max headed toward the counter.