Wedlocked?! (7 page)

Since she doubted Cole would be any more willing to stretch out on the floor than she was, it looked
as though sharing the bed was their only option. Memories flooded back, memories of falling asleep in his arms, head pillowed on his wide chest and one leg thrown possessively over his.

What if she dropped her guard while she was asleep and woke up plastered against him like a self-stick note? Perhaps she could just stay awake. A couple of days should be more than enough time to find out what she needed to about Clint Lockhart.

Annie opened the tote bag Mrs. Appleberry had insisted on carrying for her, and began putting her clothes in a dresser drawer. “We take all our meals in the dining room,” she reminded Cole. “In public, we'll have to act the part of a married couple.”

“I think she was suspicious,” he replied as he headed into the bathroom with his shaving kit. “She kept looking at us kind of funny.”

Annie followed him, still holding the sensible cotton pajamas she'd brought with her. “Who was suspicious?” she demanded.

He set out his gear. “That Mrs. Appleberry. She was watching us like a hawk. She reminds me of an old teacher from junior high, Miss Pitt—she must have been a hundred years old and always looked at the boys like she didn't believe a word we said. I don't think that ring you're wearing is going to fool this gal for long. We'll have to be careful how we act or she could throw us out before you complete your investigation. You said they're very strict here about who they rent to.”

“I said they have traditional values.” Annie glanced at the birthstone ring she'd put on her left hand. “Women don't wear just diamonds anymore,” she added defensively. The sapphire solitaire had been her mother's. “Besides, I didn't think she acted suspicious at all. She was too busy describing all the activities they provide.”

“We'll have to be careful if we don't want to draw attention,” Cole insisted as he arranged his toiletries in a precise row beside one of the sinks.

Annie narrowed her eyes. “What do you suggest we do?” she asked.

He shrugged as he refolded one of the hand towels and hung it back up on the antique brass bar. “We'll just have to act like we're, uh, that we care about each other.”

“Uh-huh,” Annie replied, propping one shoulder against the doorjamb and folding her arms. “And how do you propose we do that?”

Cole glanced at her in the mirror over the sink. “I guess we'll just have to follow our instincts.” He shifted a basket of individually wrapped guest soaps so it sat exactly halfway between the two sinks.

Annie was tempted to tell him her “instincts” were screaming for her to get the heck out of Dodge and go home, but she had a suspect to investigate. “Whatever you think is necessary,” she said sweetly. “Just as long as we don't do anything to tip off Lockhart.”

Instantly Cole's expression darkened. “He's trouble.”

Yeah, Annie thought, nearly as much trouble as sharing a room with the man she'd once loved, the man who'd kissed her senseless two days ago and who, if she wasn't darn careful, could snap her heart in two like a dry twig, just as he had once before.

“Oh, I'll be careful,” she vowed, ignoring his forbidding expression. “But for now, can you clear out of the bathroom? I'd like to freshen up before we case the layout and see if we can find his room.”

“Why do you need to know that?” Cole demanded as he brushed past her.

“Like I told you, I'm going to search it for clues while you distract him,” Annie said right before she shut the door in his face.

“Annie!” Cole heard the lock
click,
but she didn't reply. He hadn't figured she was really serious about conducting an illegal search. For a moment he stared at the closed door indecisively. Then he heard the water running, so he gave up and went to the window.

He doubted Lockhart would recognize him; they'd never met, and Cole had been gone for six years. Annie had a picture of Lockhart and, just in case he did know who Cole was, they'd checked in under his real name so they wouldn't get caught in a lie.

It seemed strange to share a room with Annie after all this time. They'd gone away together on brief
trips once or twice in the past, but they'd both been working too hard to take a real vacation.

Cole tucked his hands into the hip pockets of his old jeans and rocked back on his heels. He'd been stunned when the scandal broke over Annie's head and that of her partner, altering all three of their lives. As soon as Cole had heard, he'd gone to her with every intention of standing by her. It was when he'd asked for a simple explanation that his worst nightmare had begun, and everything between them fell apart.

Now the sound of the bathroom door opening jerked him back to reality. Guiltily, as if she would somehow know what he'd been thinking, he glanced around.

Cole's jaw dropped and he stared, all thoughts of the past driven from his head. Annie had taken down her hair so it spilled over her shoulders and she'd done something to emphasize her eyes. She had changed into a pink knit top that bared a strip of skin above white shorts that looked at least one size too small. Swallowing dryly, he realized he must have deliberately blotted from his mind just how long and sexy those legs of hers really were.

“You look terrific,” he finally managed to croak.

Annie parked her hands on her hips, fluttered her lashes and spun around in a circle. “Do you really think so? I want to be sure to catch Lockhart's eye.”

Cole's ego deflated like a punctured balloon. “That ought to do it,” he grumbled. Unless Texans
had changed a lot in the last six years, she'd have every male in the place except the steers and the geldings following her around with their tongues out.

“Terrific!” Annie's pleased smile of response only managed to irritate him further. Apparently oblivious to his annoyance, she unfolded the brochure and studied the map.

“Come on,” he growled when he could take no more of their enforced intimacy. “I'm tired of being cooped up in this room.” As soon as they got outside, he curved his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Annie stiffened as if she'd been turned to stone.

“What are you doing?” she whispered as a couple walking by nodded in their direction.

Cole tipped his head. “I'm acting like your besotted husband,” he murmured directly into her ear. The scent of her perfume filled his head, and it was all he could do to keep from burying his face in her hair. For a moment, he nearly forgot where they were.

Annie wriggled against him, turning her head so quickly that their mouths almost collided. “Don't overdo it.” Her wide smile didn't reach her eyes. “Even though we're in the honeymoon suite, we don't have to be newlyweds.”

Cole was starting to enjoy his role. “Sweetheart, with you, the honeymoon would never end.”

Annie stumbled and only his arm kept her from
going down. The moment he realized what he'd said, he let her go. They stared at each other as heat climbed his cheeks and he wished a hawk would fly by and rip out his tongue.

His words roared in Annie's ears like thunder and she couldn't help but wonder if he remembered the last time he'd said that to her—right before they'd broken up. She was about to duck around him and run back into their cabin when she sensed his sudden tension.

“Isn't that him?” he hissed.

Annie barely had time to register that a man wearing a big black Stetson was watching them with interest when Cole wrapped her in his arms, bent her backward and lowered his mouth to hers.

T
he kiss was short and sweet, and when Cole lifted his head there was a definite gleam in his eyes. Annie had to stop herself from licking his taste from her lips. Instead, she twisted around to catch a glimpse of Clint Lockhart.

“Careful,” Cole whispered, pressing her head against his chest. “We don't want to tip him off.”

Annie ignored his warning as she struggled to free herself. First he'd taken her by surprise and kissed her; now he was trying to tell her how to do her job. “Where is he?” She searched the gravel path that ran between their cabin and a larger log building. The only likely candidate was the man in the black Stetson, but he didn't look much like the photo.

“It's the guy standing by that tree,” Cole replied, his breath caressing her cheek.

“That's not him!” she hissed, disappointed. This man was heavier and his hair, worn long, was the wrong color. “You saw the picture,” she told Cole. “How could you think that was Lockhart?”

Cole shrugged. “Sorry. I guess I just panicked.” He didn't look the least bit remorseful as he grabbed
her hand. “Let's go look around before the dining room opens,
wife.
I'm getting hungry.”

Annie searched his face. She'd never known Cole to panic. A dark suspicion was forming. Had he been looking for an excuse to kiss her again? The notion was a heady one, making her dizzy with conflicting emotions. How would she feel if he was interested in her?

Was she
crazy?

“Annie?” Cole was staring down at her with an expression of concern on his handsome face. His hand tightened on hers. “Are you okay? You went pale. You aren't going to faint, are you?”

She took a deep, steadying breath. What was she thinking? Cole had gotten over his attraction to her years ago. He must really have thought he saw their man.

“I'm fine,” she lied, pulling her hand free of his grip. They were supposed to pretend to be married; she couldn't blame Cole for being a good actor. But it
was
only an act. She needed to remember that. “Do you want to look at the snapshot again before we go?” she asked. “I left it in the room.”

Was he blushing? No, it had to be the heat, which was plenty warm for October. “I don't think I'll make the same mistake again,” he said, cupping his hand under her elbow.

Doing her best to ignore his touch, Annie walked with him toward an open area surrounding two flagpoles. The Stars and Stripes flew from one, and the
tricolored Texas state flag from the other. From there, more paths fanned out in all directions like the spokes of a wheel.

Hesitating, she looked around. “Let's go this way.” She pointed toward a long, low building she assumed was the stable. There was another structure behind it. “That's not marked on the map in the brochure. Perhaps it's the employees' bunkhouse.”

Cole grabbed her arm. “We can't just go in there and snoop around. We don't even know which room is his.”

“Of course not. I just want to check out the location.” Another couple approached them on the walkway, hand in hand. Immediately Annie sidled closer to Cole and gazed up at him adoringly. “I want to see the horses,” she cooed in a louder voice. “There's a trail ride tomorrow.” As soon as the other couple passed them, she dropped her arm. “Come on.” Without waiting to see if he was following, she headed toward the stable, all the while looking around for Lockhart.

Cole trailed along behind her, enjoying the sunshine and the view of her long legs in the white shorts. When she turned and caught him staring, he increased his pace and once again grabbed her hand. This might be his only chance to indulge himself, and he was going to enjoy every minute of it—all the while doing his best to keep Annie from taking any foolish chances.

She was right: the first building was the stable.
The stalls appeared empty, but several horses dozed in an adjacent corral.

“Can I help you?” a man in Western dress asked, touching his fingers to the brim of his hat.

Annie gave him a big smile. “Is that the dorm for single gals?” She pointed at the second building.

“No, ma'am,” he replied, following her gaze. “That's where the ranch employees stay. The gals' dorm is over yonder.”

“Do you think we could see some real cowboys if we hung around here?” Annie asked.

Ignoring Cole, the man puffed out his chest and hooked his thumbs into his belt loops. “I'm a real cowboy, ma'am.”

“Well, of course you are,” Annie nearly purred. “Do you bunk there too?”

The man nodded. “All the ranch hands do, except a couple of married guys who've been with the Appleberrys for a long time.” He glanced around. “I'm not really supposed to, but I could show you the bunkhouse, if you'd like.”

Annie clapped her hands. “Oh, I'd love that.” She glanced at Cole, who found her flirtatious technique fascinating to watch. “Honey, why don't you see about a couple of gentle horses for tomorrow's trail ride, and I'll meet you right back here later.” Without waiting for a reply, she turned her attention back to the other man. Cole realized he'd been dismissed.

“I'm Annie.” She stuck out her hand. “Let's you and me just go on that tour right now.”

Looking slightly shell-shocked, the wrangler wrapped his paw around her fingers and introduced himself as Ralph. Annie tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and sashayed away with him, chattering gaily.

Cole watched them for a moment and then stalked toward the stable, torn between irritation and admiration at her cleverness. When her laughter floated back to him, irritation won hands-down.

Annie didn't dare look back to see how Cole was taking her defection. This opportunity had landed in her lap and she had no choice but to take it. Not only would she be able to case the bunkhouse, but she might even get Ralph to show her where Lockhart's room was.

“So where are you from?” Ralph asked as he held open the Dutch door and waited for her to precede him.

The truth was always easier to keep straight than a lie. “Can you believe I live in San Antonio and I've never been to a dude ranch?” Annie asked, batting her lashes. “But I know we're going to have a heavenly time here at the Circle A.” Although the hallway, lined with doors and paneled in knotty pine, was rather plain, she looked around with an appreciative smile. “Do you each have your own room or do you share?”

 

Cole was still wandering around the stable, keeping an eye out for Lockhart, when he spotted Annie hurrying toward him. From her expression and the high color in her cheeks, he guessed she was in a temper. Apparently she hadn't gotten the information she wanted from Ralph.

Cole walked outside to meet her. “No luck?” he asked when she joined him on the path.

“If you mean, did Ralph get lucky, no he didn't!” she burst out.

“Pardon me?” Cole was confused by the vehemence of her reply. “Did he get out of line?”

Annie took a deep breath. “Forget it. Let's get something to eat,” she said, grabbing his arm. “I'm famished.”

“What did you mean about Ralph?” Cole persisted as she hustled him toward the dining hall. Other people were headed in the same direction, so he kept his voice low.

“Just because I asked a few questions about employee quarters, that
octopus
assumed I wanted a personal tour of his room,” she huffed.

Cole stopped so fast that she nearly tripped. “What happened? Did he hurt you?” If Ralph had so much as touched her—

“I'm fine, but not for lack of trying on his part.” Annie's eyes were shooting sparks. “I wanted to see the layout of the bunkhouse, so he showed me his room. And then he didn't want me to leave—and me a married woman, at least as far as he knows.
Can you imagine?” Apparently she was totally caught up in the role she was playing. Well, Cole wasn't about to force her out of character. Instead, he cuddled her close to his side and dropped a kiss on her hair. Mmm, it smelled like strawberries.

He had to blink away the distraction. “I think I'd better have a little talk with Ralph,” he said, glancing behind them. “I don't think Mrs. Appleberry would approve of his actions toward a paying guest.”

Annie caught at his sleeve. “No, that's not necessary. We don't want to draw unnecessary attention. I guess I brought it on myself, but I think he's got the right idea now. Besides, I got him to name off several of the other men's quarters, including Lockhart's.”

It took a moment for Cole to absorb what she'd said. When he did, his feelings were mixed. He was committed to proving his mother's innocence, but at what cost? Not Annie's safety.

“I still don't think searching his room is a good idea,” he argued, even though that was essentially why they'd come. He hadn't given up the hope of changing her mind. “There must be some other way.”

They reached the line waiting to go into the dining hall and stopped behind another couple who were staring into each other's eyes. Honeymooners, Cole thought.

“Oh, yeah? Like what? Maybe I should just ask
him if he murdered her,” Annie suggested outrageously.

The honeymooners turned to stare.

“We'll talk about it later, dear,” Cole muttered as a family of four came up behind them.

Dining was family-style with everyone seated at two long tables. He steered Annie to a couple of places across from each other and next to the honeymooners, guessing they wouldn't be interested in small talk. As the meals were served by four attractive young women in old-fashioned gingham checkered dresses, Annie struck up a conversation with the older couple on their other side.

After introductions all around, the woman, Carol Best, asked whether Annie and Cole were newly married.

“Not exactly,” Annie replied.

“Yes, we are,” Cole said at the same time.

Understandably, Carol looked confused.

Cole slid his arm around Annie's shoulders and pulled her close. “Actually, we hit a rough patch,” he confided, “but now we're back on track, aren't we, honey?”

Annie stiffened in his embrace. Her smile was brittle and her eyes shot daggers. “We sure are, sugar.” Her voice dripped sarcasm that he hoped no one else noticed.

One of the waitresses served plates of chicken-fried steak, baked beans and coleslaw as the other brought out baskets of rolls and took their beverage
order. Conversation died when Mrs. Appleberry appeared at the end of one table to give a brief blessing. As soon as she was done, everyone began to eat.

“Are you two going to the dance class later?” Carol asked after a moment.

“We'll probably check it out,” Annie replied before Cole could say anything. “The brochure promised that some of the cowboys will be on hand to demonstrate the steps.” No doubt she hoped to spot Lockhart among them.

“Speaking of demonstrations,” Carol's husband said, leaning closer, “there's a trick roping and riding demonstration in the outdoor arena later, right before the campfire and sing-along. All the ranch hands participate.”

Cole and Annie exchanged glances. “Sounds like an opportunity we wouldn't want to miss,” she said.

Cole's stomach lurched. He knew what she had in mind. “I thought we were going to take a walk in the moonlight tonight,” he protested, hoping she wouldn't want to argue in front of the other couple.

Annie patted his cheek. “There will be plenty of time for that too,” she told him in a voice loaded with promise.

As soon as they finished the apple pie and ice cream that was served the moment the lunch plates were cleared, Annie made arrangements to meet the Bests at the dance lesson. She looked elated as she and Cole left the dining room.

“I'm going to gain ten pounds while we're here,” she complained, patting her flat stomach.

“Why did you agree to meet them?” Cole asked. “I thought it would be fun to take out a couple of the horses. You used to enjoy riding, and we might as well have a little fun while we're here.” He was beginning to think trying to learn anything about Clint was futile.

“We aren't here to have fun,” Annie reminded him as she led the way to their room. “Lockhart may be one of the men partnering the female guests. From what I've heard, that kind of thing would be right up his alley.”

“Why do we care if he knows the steps to the latest line dance?” Cole grumbled.

“We don't. I want to get a good look at him so I'll be sure to recognize him right away if I see him later.”

“You mean if you run into him coming out of his room?” Cole asked.

“Exactly.” Annie waited by their front door while he unlocked it. If she thought she was getting her way without another argument from him she was mistaken.

“How do you plan on pulling this off?” he asked after he'd shut the door behind them. It was cooler inside. Overhead a ceiling fan circled lazily. “Don't you think anyone will notice a female guest sneaking around the employee quarters trying to break into one of the rooms?”

Without bothering to reply, Annie took a small bag from the dresser drawer, laid it on the bed and unzipped it. She extracted what Cole assumed were lock-picking tools as well as a pager, a small cell phone and a tiny camera that looked like a toy. “Everyone will be at the riding and roping demonstration this evening,” she said. “I checked with Mrs. Appleberry. It's a big draw and all the male employees are expected to participate. You'll be there, keeping an eye on Lockhart. If he leaves before I come out, you can page me.”

Cole contemplated her plan, searching for flaws. “What if someone sees you and wonders what you're doing?” he asked.

“I'll say I was looking for Ralph.”

“The guy who came on to you earlier?” Cole exclaimed.

“Relax. I don't plan on getting caught,” Annie told him as she held up the picks. “All I need is about a minute and I'm in.” She gave him a level look. “Can I count on you to help me with this or not?”