Why not Wyoming? (Wyoming Wilds Series Book 1) (15 page)

“Did I strike a nerve? Sometimes the truth hurts, cousin.”

Angie’s syrupy words fanned Annie’s anger again and she stood
up.

“Screw you. You wouldn’t know the truth if it bit you in your
scrawny Spank-clad ass,” she whispered, then turned her glittering gaze on the
cameraman. “And if one frame of this gets out anywhere, I’ll shove that camera
so far up your ass, you’ll be able to do your own colonoscopy.” 

Snatching her coat off the back of the chair, she started past
them. CJ caught her elbow lightly.

“Let’s just eat our lunch and enjoy the day,” he said, lips
brushing her ear.

She didn’t pull away but didn’t relax either. There was a thread
of sadness in her soft answer.

“I think it’s time I get back to my bell tower. I’ve had enough
stupidity.”

The drive back to Grand Rapids was strained. Their lunch got
cold in the backseat. Annie didn’t ask for hers and he’d lost his appetite.
Maybe she had too. He had no idea what she was thinking. Bits and pieces of
conversations bounced around in his head. Words like ‘arm candy’, ‘slumming’,
and ‘con’ joined forces with mentions of staying, relocating, and cities. His
stomach rolled. Coming here was looking more and more like a mistake. Things
had seemed simpler in Wyoming.

He loved her. He was just beginning to wonder if that would be
enough. They’d talked about compromise in the very beginning, joking that it
was the reason they were both single. Were they fooling themselves thinking it
could be different with them? How far was he willing to go? He’d refused to
give up his dreams for Teresa and Austin. Could he for Annie?

Jest or not, the publicist’s supposition that he could be a
pampered house husband didn’t sit well. That wasn’t him. The brassy blonde had
repeatedly referred to big time money as something just around the corner.
However, Angie had spoken of it in the present, insinuating he was after
Annie’s money. Rubbing his forehead, he tried to stave off an oncoming headache
and remember if she had said anything specific about finances in their
conversations. Nothing about his Annie gave off an air of entitlement, but the
condo was fancier than he’d pictured in their talks and the potshots coming his
way were beginning to pile up.

The engine turning off yanked him back to the here and now.
They were in the parking garage. Looking at the keys in her hand, Annie
hesitated like she wanted to say something. Her mouth closed and she stepped
out of the Jeep. Leaning into the back, CJ grabbed the takeout bag and
followed. Longer legs let him catch her at the elevator.

“I need to stop in the lobby before we go up,” she said,
hitting the button.

Not knowing if that groundbreaking declaration deserved a reply
after an hour of silence, he nodded.

“Ms. Brand, you had a delivery while you were out.”

The smile Annie gave the guy behind the desk was a pretty good
fake.

“I heard. I’m sorry, Zachary. They didn’t call me ahead of
time,” she said, unwinding her scarf and pushing her hair back behind her ear. 

CJ bristled as the pretty boy gave him the once over before dismissing
him.

“Never a problem. I have them loaded on a cart. If it’s a good
time I can get them up to you in just a few minutes.”

“That would be wonderful. Again, I’m sorry I didn’t give you a
heads up. I thought I was done with this weeks ago. Thank you for handling it
for me,” Annie said, slipping the guy a discreet tip.

“It’s what we’re here for, Ms. Brand. They’ll be right up,”
Zachary reassured her.

The numbers in the elevator climbed at a snail’s pace. CJ wet his
lips.

“I could’ve brought them up for you.”

She pushed her hair back again, giving him a sidelong look.

“Thank you. I mean, I know you would have. It’s just easier
this way. They’re weird about the carts.”

“The carts?”

“Yeah.” She shrugged. “People don’t return them and then they
have to track them down when they need them,” she said, waving a hand. “Zachary
said they prefer it this way.”

“He seems a little too eager, and the cart excuse is lame.”

Annie shot him a sharp look. He swallowed an apology. That
might not have come out exactly right, but it wasn’t safe having guys wandering
in and out of her condo under the guise of helping her out.

“He has worked here for quite a few years. Despite my Quasimodo
reputation, I try to get along with people. Tips and Christmas gift baskets
help.”

The elevator’s chime stalled his retort. He took a deep breath
and blew it out as he followed her down the hall. It was probably for the best.
Who or how much Annie tipped was none of his business. He was probably imagining
the challenge in the other guy’s look. The last two days didn’t have him
thinking clearly.

Shedding her coat, Annie draped it over the back of the couch
and continued down the hall to disappear through one of the doors that had been
closed last night. CJ assumed it was her office. Putting the carry-out bag on
the counter, he pulled out his phone to check his messages and email while he
waited for Zachary. 

A thud pulled him away from his email. Two boxes in her arms,
Annie was trying to open the door on the other side of the hall. The boxes were
heavy enough that she was using the wall to help her hold them while she
fumbled with the handle. CJ was down the hall in a couple of strides and took
them from her.

“Why didn’t you ask me for help?” 

“I can get them.”

“I’m sure you can,” he said, following her into a utility room.

Moving similar boxes around on a sturdy shelving unit, she
grabbed the top one from him and hefted it into place over her head. He frowned
and held on when she reached for the other one.

“I get it, Mighty Mouse, but you don’t need to do stuff like
this when I’m around.”

She opened her mouth to protest but closed it when he just
stared at her. Pointing to where she wanted it, she patted his bicep.

“Thank you. I have quite a few more if you want to help. It
looks like I’m going to need to get rid of some, condense, or get another
shelf.”

“Are these all your books?”

“Yeah. Authors get a box to give out to friends and family.
These are what I had left. Problem is, when they re-did the cover art on my
backlist recently they sent me another twenty-five. I need more friends,” she
tossed over her shoulder.

CJ stopped in the doorway. Annie’s office was a jungle of
plants, books, and photographs. A large antique library table held an array of
plants, her laptop, a purple paisley mouse and gel-pad, and an eclectic
collection of small glass bowls and bottles. A corkboard took up most of the
wall above it. Bright pushpins held a map, dozens of snapshots, newspaper and
magazine clippings, and multitudes of colorful sticky notes. A purple couch
with more boxes on it sat against the wall that the room shared with Annie’s
bedroom. Bookshelves lined the remaining two walls, floor to ceiling near the
door, and three high in front of the window, all holding more plants, books,
framed pictures, and the jewel-tone glass she seemed to like. 

“Everything ended up in here when Aunt Viv redecorated. This is
where I spend most of my time,” she said, looking around as if trying to see it
through his eyes.

Stepping into the room, his hand was drawn to the grain in the rosewood
library table.

Annie mirrored him, her fingers caressing the wood on the other
side of her office chair.

“My dad found this at an estate sale. It was my fourteenth
birthday present.”

“It’s gorgeous, and so you.”

A smile lit her face, the first real one since Lake Michigan.
He circled the room looking at the pictures. Most were candid family shots.
Some were black and white, some color, but unlike the artistic prints that
lined the hall, there was no rhyme or reason to orientation or size and the
frames were a varied mix of wood and metal. 

“Who is the photographer?”

“My mom was. She loved to take pictures. That’s why she’s not
in a lot of them.”

“She had a good eye.”

“I think it was a passion for her like writing is for me, or woodworking
for dad. She was an ER nurse and worked a lot of long, stressful hours.
Photography was an escape.”

“I can see why you spend all of your time in here,” CJ said,
stacking a couple of boxes.

“It might not be stylish or elegant, but it’s my haven.”    

“The couch matches.”

Annie rolled her eyes, following him across the hall.

“She was horrified by the couch. It and the two matching chairs
might be what prompted the intervention to begin with.” She shrugged with a
smirk. “I liked them. They’re so comfy. One of the chairs is in the corner of
my bedroom and the other is in storage.” 

He was making a final trip when there was a knock on the door.

“Perfect timing,” Annie said, going to answer the door.

Hastily dropping the last two on the folding counter where
Annie had decided to put the overflow for now, CJ turned off the light in the
utility room and went to keep an eye on Zachary.

“If they’re all going back out Monday morning do you want to
leave them on the flatbed?”

And that was how important the carts were. CJ shook his head,
putting a hand in the small of Annie’s back. 

“If you’re sure it will be okay,” she said looking at the large
cartons. “It will save everyone’s back.”

“It will be fine. You be careful, Ms. Brand. They’re pretty
heavy,” he warned, maneuvering the pushcart through the doorway. 

“I will. Thank you.”

“I’ll make a note that you’re expecting a pick up on Monday
then.”

“Thank you, again.”

Just when CJ thought he was going to have to put a boot in the
man’s ass, Zachary finally left.

Annie leaned over to read one of the shipping labels and
groaned.

“Fifty to a box. I suck at math, but even I can figure out that
means hand cramps. I can’t face that on an empty stomach.”  

“We could warm up our soup and sandwiches.”

“Now that I’m safe back in my haven, and not so pissed I think
the top of my head is going to blow off, food sounds great,” Annie said,
abandoning the boxes in favor of the carry-out bag.

Hanging up both of their coats, CJ played the coffee house
confrontation over in his head while he waited for lunch. Annie’s family was
talking about them. Her uncle was obviously her go-to for financial advice and
he was worried about his niece getting conned. Annie hadn’t wanted to be on
camera today. She had steered clear of her normal haunts, taking him out of
town and going where no one would know her name.
Slumming
? Needing to
keep busy, he flicked out his knife and effortlessly sliced open the top layer
of boxes. If only cutting through relationship red tape was as simple.

Legs curled up under the lap desk on the couch, Annie leaned
into the warmth of CJ’s side. A new documentary on wolves in Yellowstone held
his attention while she repeatedly scribbled her name. Every so often, he fed
her a piece of fruit or a nut from the tin of trail-mix he was eating. She knew
she got a goofy grin every time, but it was just so sweet. Being with him like
this was perfect. What could be better? For some reason, the stone fireplace in
his cabin flashed to mind and she hummed, nodding to herself. Cuddling like
this in front of the fireplace would be even more perfect.

Neatly stacking the books back in the box, she turned back and
kissed CJ’s shoulder.

“Your turn.”

Giving her a wink, he put his snack down and rocked to his feet
to grab the finished box. A moment later, she had a replacement. He paused
beside the couch, glancing at the commercial on the TV.

“Do you have packing tape?”

“It’s in the utility room. Top drawer on the…” She turned on
the couch trying to figure out how to explain it. “On the near end? On the end
furthest from the washer and dryer.”

“I’ll find it,” CJ said, shaking his head with a grin.

He was back in under sixty seconds so her directions couldn’t
have been that bad.

“Nice,” he said, waving the industrial tape gun at her.

“Having the right tools for the job makes life easier. At least
that was my dad’s excuse every time he bought a new tool,” she quipped. “Besides,
I use it for my job, so it was tax deductible.”

“Can’t beat that.”

A knock on the door turned both of their heads. Annie frowned.
She didn’t get much company and visitors were supposed to be called up first.

“Maybe it’s Zachary looking for his cart,” CJ said with a
smirk.

Annie stuck out her tongue and turned to set the lap desk
aside.

“I’ve got it,” he said, already moving toward the door.

“Mrs. Michaels.”

“You’re answering my niece’s door now?” Viv asked archly.

Twisting to kneel on the couch, Annie said, “He was up. Come in,
Aunt Viv.”

Her aunt gave the cart in the foyer a look before allowing CJ to
help her off with her coat.

“Zachary didn’t mention that you had company.”

“I’ll have to discuss that with him,” Annie muttered, trying to
ignore the pointed look CJ was giving her at the concierge’s name.

“Why aren’t these boxes in your office or in storage?”

“Because they’re copies of the new book that I need to
autograph and ship back out by Monday morning. I was working on that when you
arrived.”

“While you have company?” Vivian asked, one severely plucked
eyebrow climbing her smooth forehead.

Annie sighed. Disapproval radiated off her aunt like she had broken
the hostess Geneva Conventions.

“I don’t mind,” CJ said, sealing the finished carton.

“He was keeping me company and watching a documentary on
wolves,” Annie said, waving at the now paused TV.

“So in a sense, we were both working,” CJ added, grabbing a
bottle of water from the refrigerator. “May I get either of you ladies
anything?”   

Vivian cocked her head, looking back and forth between them.

“No, thank you.”

Annie shook her head. Draining a good portion of the bottle, CJ
resumed his spot on the couch.

“I was surprised to hear the publishing house sponsored a party
for you at the Grand Plaza.”

“They had a launch party for the new book. It’s something Cami dreamed
up and, somehow, got Neal behind.”

Rearranging her lap desk and books again, Annie braced for the
censure. She wasn’t sure how much more of her family she could take today.

Vivian sank into an armchair and crossed her long legs. Pulling
her stubby limbs further under her on the couch, Annie tried to focus on her
autograph and not the familiar feeling of envy slicing through her.

“We would have liked to have been there to support you.”

Wincing at the genuine hurt in Viv’s tone, Annie threw Cami under
the bus.

“I’m sorry. Cami handled everything. All I did was show up at
the appointed time. I’ll say something to her for future events.”

“Yet, somehow, he ended up on the guest list.”

“I don’t think I was official. More like a last minute plus
one,” CJ said, glancing at Annie for support.

“CJ flew in to surprise me because he knew how nervous I was.
He called me from the airport when I was on my way to the Plaza. I waited for
him, and he went in as my date,” Annie said, rubbing CJ’s thigh. “I’m sorry
that you’re upset. I never saw the guest list, so I didn’t know until now that
you weren’t invited.”

“That was very thoughtful of you, CJ. Annie really doesn’t do
well in settings like that,” Viv said, watching Annie’s hand.

“I enjoyed being there with her. She did a great job. Everyone
was as impressed as I was.”

Shaking her head at the praise, Annie kissed his shoulder.

“It did actually go pretty well. Almost all of the Michigan media
showed up, plus a few big city names that Neal must have had to call in some
serious favors for. Umm…A reporter from the Mackinac Town Crier made it. A
handful of magazines were represented, and I couldn’t even tell you the number
of Book Blogs. Cami said she’s hearing great things from the advance copies.
Her actual word was stellar I think, and presale numbers are beyond
expectation,” she admitted, tucking her hair behind her ear. She waved at the
books in her lap. “Enough beyond that they asked for another thousand last
minute.” 

“That’s wonderful, sweetheart. It sounds as if all of your hard
work is finally paying off. Your parents would be so proud.”

Tears stung her eyes. Her aunt didn’t toss around praise and
she couldn’t have paid her a bigger compliment.

“That means so much to me.”

“It’s the simple truth. And I’m going to forgive Cami because
her results are undeniable,” Vivian said standing up and smoothing her skirt. “Just
tell her not to let it happen again.”

“I’ll be sure to tell her,” Annie said, trying to decide if all
of the credit had just been passed to her publicist, or they were sharing in
it. “Are you leaving already?”

“With that many books to sign, you clearly don’t have time to
entertain. CJ, can I save you a cab and drop you at your hotel?”

Score one for Aunt Viv. What a discreet way of asking if he was
staying with her. CJ looked at her. Annie set her books aside again and stood
to see her aunt out.

“He’s good, but thank you for the offer.”

Viv’s painted lips lifted in acknowledgment of her deflection. Flipping
her blonde mane out of the collar of her coat, she picked up her purse.

“Do I have to stand in line Tuesday with the masses to get my
copy?”

Rolling her eyes, Annie retrieved a book from the couch and
personalized it with a flourish.

“Enjoy.”

“You know I will. Don’t forget to mail one out to Crystal in
Billings. You realize that she will be as upset as I was when she finds out she
missed your big coming out party.”

“It was a book launch, not a coming out party. I’m not a
debutante.”

“None the less, it’s something else to discuss with your
people. The timing on all of this was atrocious. With Crystal gone on her
honeymoon and you having to cut your…” Her gaze flickered to CJ. “…vacation,
short.”  

“When we scheduled the release, I thought it would distract me
from missing Crys, and my
vacation
wasn’t something I planned.”

“A lot of things aren’t planned. Think about that, please.”

She stared at her aunt. Had she really just slipped a birds and
the bees talk in?

Vivian just waved a manicured hand and took her leave. As the
door closed, Annie pressed her back to it.

“What in the hell was that?”

“That, was your family checking up on you,” CJ said flatly.

“More like a carefully orchestrated attack. Wow. First, she
claims not to know that I have company, and then she mentions that you were at
the launch party. She compliments me, and then turns around and gives all the
credit to Cami.  Then she sneakily confirms you’re staying here and wants to
discuss birth control at the door.”

“She’s like a whirlwind,” CJ muttered, letting his head loll
over the back of the couch. “Is she always like that?” 

“Yes,” Annie answered, fishing the last ice tea out of the back
of the refrigerator. She grimaced. A trip to the grocery store was going to be a
necessity tomorrow. “It keeps everyone off balance. If we don’t have a chance
to think, we’re more likely to just agree with her.” 

“Nice. And apparently, concern for you outweighs other family
feuds.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, struggling to open the bottle of
tea. She tapped the edge of the lid on the counter and tried again with a
grunt.

Stretching his arm over the back of the couch, CJ wiggled his
fingers in a give-me motion.

“You said Angie boycotted Crystal’s wedding because of jealousy
and hurt feelings. However, she wasted no time in letting Viv know about the
party, or that you were secretly seeing someone.”

The metal lid twisted off with a pop in his strong hands.
Smiling her thanks, she accepted it back and took a long drink. Add another
reason to the growing list of why it was awesome to have a boyfriend.  

“We are not a secret, just new. As for my cousin, it is more
likely a case of gloating than out of any real concern.”

“Whatever the reason, your family is talking.”

She circled the end of the couch and dropped back down beside
him.

“I’m not sure what there is to talk about. I’m a thirty-year-old
woman, not some blushing virgin.”

“They’re worried that I…” CJ hesitated. “Not everyone falls in
love as quickly as my parents did. We haven’t known one another long, and your
family is just being cautious.”

“Nosey is what my family is being,” Annie grumbled, reluctantly
setting the tea aside so she could get back to signing books. “If this is going
to be the way it is now that Crystal is married off, we’re going to have
issues. I’m not their new project.”

“They just want what’s best for you.”

Annie shifted on the couch, trying for an angle where she was
comfortable and could see CJ’s face. He’d sounded tense since they’d returned
from Lake Michigan. Aunt Viv’s visit hadn’t helped.

“How about they let me decide that? Are you catching flak from
your family?”

“No,” he answered, sounding surprised. “Why would you think
that?”

“I was just wondering if there is some fatal flaw in our
pairing that I’m missing, or if my family just doesn’t trust me to make my own
decisions.”

“Trust is earned. It’s me they don’t trust yet.”

“Well, you’re my choice. Everyone is just going to have to
accept that, or keep their trap shut.”

“Good luck with that,” CJ snorted.

Annie shook her head. “You would think they could just be happy
that I found someone, anyone! Despite lamenting that I’m destined to die
miserable and alone, they’ve all tried setting me up at one time or another.
I’ve been shopped to every male they go to church with, work with, or socialize
with. Not to mention a retiree that volunteers at the library because we both
like books obviously or, on one occasion, a particularly handsome felon on work
release.”

CJ rolled his head toward her, his expression skeptical.

“I kid you not,” she said, raising her right hand on the vow. “Still
think they mean well?”

“I’m beginning to see your point,” he admitted, wrapping his
arm around her.

Signing another book, she made a mental note to grab one from
her stash to replace the one she’d given Viv.

“You really don’t mind sitting here while I scribble my name?”
she asked softly.

“I really don’t,” he whispered back, squeezing her shoulder. “I
like being with you. Besides, I have my wolves to watch.” 

Annie grinned as he reached for the remote.

“Yeah, pretty sure Aunt Viv thought you were either just being
nice, or the whole wolf thing was bullshit.”

“Let her. I watch very little TV. I haven’t seen this one.”

“By all means then, watch on. I’ll button my lips.”

His finger caught her jaw, turning her face to his for a quick
kiss.

“Don’t do any permanent harm to them, beautiful. I’m partial.”

“Promise,” she said, feeling the goofy grin again. He had a
gift for making her feel special.  

Toes gripping the slippery tile, Annie eased the blade over
the tricky contours of her knee. Why did shaving feel like tip-toeing through a
field of razor wire? Her bikini line felt a little raw and she’d already
shredded the wrinkly spot on the back of one heel. Letting out her breath she
finally put the razor aside and rinsed off. Twisting, she examined her lower
half for any missed spots. This was something she was going to have to get used
to again. The bridal party had gotten waxed, buffed, and polished before the
trip to Wyoming, but she hadn’t had to shave with this amount of precision
since giving up the leotard. Dabbing at her bleeding heel, she shrugged. So far
this was the only negative on the boyfriend list and the positives were
amazing.