Then again, maybe he’d do that as an encore. He doubted he’d have any self-discipline with her.
“You two need a minute?”
The intrusion made him almost knock his water glass over. Quick reflexes from the waitress saved the day, but the accident gave him time to regain his composure.
When he glanced across the table, Annie was looking anywhere but at him.
“Yes, another minute would be good,” he said, checking the waitress’s name tag. “You don’t serve alcohol here, do you?”
“Nope,” Karen said. “You’d need to go to Sadie’s down the street for drinks. But we’ve got great milk shakes. Our ice cream is awesome. Though you might wanna save that for dessert, because we’ve got fresh huckleberry pie just out of the oven.”
Tucker sniffed the air. He could smell the pie. “I might just skip dinner altogether.”
The young woman laughed. “Don’t do that.” She leaned in a little. “I’d go for the stew tonight. Or the rib eye. Can’t go wrong with either one.”
“Thanks, Karen.”
Tucker was almost afraid to meet Annie’s gaze again. Afraid of getting drawn in. He didn’t seem to have many defenses against her. The ones he’d brought with him were toppling like dominoes with every new look.
Annie put away her menu, then folded her hands on the table, gripping them tightly. She looked at him, but only in quick snatches. “I did a lot of work around stables when I was young. Never owned a horse. Wanted to. My family thought it was a passing phase, something girls go through until boys come along. Not for me.”
“None of the boys were more interesting than riding?”
“Not what I meant.” She smiled. “I was a perfectly normal girl, went on dates, even had a couple of relationships, but my passion for animals, and horses in particular, never dimmed.”
“Did you plan on running a sanctuary?”
“I wanted animals in my life. Somehow. And see? I got what I wanted. I may not have the life I’d imagined, but I’m where I need to be. Doing things that matter. I’m better here, in northern Montana. I’m the right person in the right place.”
“Yes,” he said. “I’ve met a number of people who have given up a lot to run animal rescues, and you’re one of the most dedicated I’ve ever met. But―and you can tell me to mind my own business―don’t you get lonely? It doesn’t seem like you have many opportunities to meet new people.”
“I’m not lonely at all,” she said, sitting up straighter. Her jaw flexed a bit, then she exhaled and relaxed. “Alone doesn’t automatically mean lonely, you know.”
“I do.”
“So what about you?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you married?”
“No.” He laughed.
Her face lit with amusement. “Why’d you say it like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like it was an absurd notion. You don’t care for the idea?”
“I think it’s a fine institution. And when or if I meet the right person, I’ll consider it.”
Annie’s left eyebrow quirked up. “Who would fit that bill, Tucker Brennan? A Dallas socialite, perhaps? Someone with a high-class education and Texas roots?”
“Really? That’s who you think I am? That I’d be more attracted to a pedigree than a person?”
Her shoulders dropped a little, as did her head. “No. I was being a smart-ass. Pardon me. I don’t know you, but from what I’ve seen, and what I know about how you ranch and your priorities, I’d say you’d want someone you could trust and respect. Someone you could admire.”
“Don’t we all?” he asked, the conversation hitting him hard for some unknown reason.
She smiled at him, and it was about the saddest thing he’d ever seen. “I think I’m going to try that stew. And take home a slice of pie.”
He nodded, accepting the segue into safer territory. But for the rest of the meal, the conversation felt strained. They laughed too quickly at things that weren’t that funny. Pretended the sporadic silences were comfortable. Stole glances, ate quickly, tiptoed.
After he’d paid the check he realized he couldn’t have said what the food tasted like. At the door he asked, “You parked on the street?”
Annie shook her head. “Behind the diner.”
He touched the back of her elbow. It hadn’t been a planned move, and once the connection had been made they both froze for a second. But he didn’t drop his hand.
More importantly, she didn’t step away.
They walked slowly. Country music rose and fell as people opened what he imagined was the door to the neighborhood bar. He didn’t see one vehicle that wasn’t a truck of some kind, or an SUV. And he only noticed that because he forced himself to think of something other than what it would be like to touch a hell of a lot more than her elbow.
Maybe it was the mystery that made him feel this powerful pull, but he doubted that was all. He remembered sitting in his Dallas bedroom at one point, her file spread in front of him, thinking that he might have liked her if she’d been the person she appeared to be.
Now that he’d met her, she was more that woman than he could have imagined. Hardworking, dedicated, kind, strong. It didn’t hurt that she pressed all his personal preference buttons in terms of her looks, but this thing, it wasn’t just physical.
He really liked Annie. More than he should, that’s for damn sure. It was wrong to feel like this when she’d done so much damage to his brother, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. So what, was he trying to justify his reaction to her, is that why he was finding it increasingly hard to believe she was capable of such a crime? Not an easy pill to swallow. Though both scenarios were troubling.
If what his gut told him about Annie was right, he had to seriously consider that Christian hadn’t told the full truth about the embezzlement. Or flat out lied. Oh, man, that wasn’t a possibility Tucker wanted to entertain at all. His mother would crumble.
But that changed nothing, because with every conversation, his certainty that Annie’s guilt would be mitigated grew. He slid her a look that went unnoticed. With an upward tilt of her lips she was busy gazing at the clear blue sky. She loved Safe Haven, loved this small corner of Montana. Annie was doing good for the animals and the community without expectation of personal gain. It wasn’t just him―the people who worked alongside her believed that.
Dammit, he wasn’t wrong about her. And that wasn’t his lower half talking.
She stopped, and it startled him, but then he saw the beat-up green truck of hers.
He moved around to face her, reluctantly releasing his hold. “Thank you for coming to dinner with me.”
She shrugged. “As Shea would say, I really do want your money.”
“Is that it? The only reason you came tonight?”
“Not completely. I admit, I find you good company. You were helpful yesterday, and I didn’t properly thank you for that. Today, you asked intelligent questions, and I could see you care deeply about what your foundation does. You listened to me. Heard me. I appreciate that.”
“You’re fascinating. I would probably have listened to you read the phone book, although that wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting as hearing about your plans for the shelter.” He put his attraction to her out there, then watched closely, waiting for a small tell. A sign that she knew he was ripe for the picking, a perfect mark. One sultry smile and she could have him reaching for his checkbook....
“Thanks.” She blinked. “I think.”
He paused, knowing he should go. Right now. Just say good-night and walk away. “Annie,” he said, his voice lower, soft enough for her to lean forward. “You’re—”
She moistened her lips. “I’m...?”
He kissed her, half hoping to uncover the ruthless Warner woman who’d turned so many lives upside down. But it was sweet Annie Sheridan who kissed him back.
9
T
HE
PRESSURE
OF
HIS
LIPS
STOLE
far more than Annie’s breath. She found herself leaning on him, as if to hold herself up and also to make sure this wasn’t all in her head. He was solid against her, strong enough to carry her, and she’d been alone so long, shouldering everything.
A moment later, she parted her lips, opened her mouth in invitation, urging him to enter. He tasted incredible, nothing she could point to like beer or chocolate...it was more masculine than that. Maybe it was his clean scent—he’d showered and changed and this was him without hay and goats and horseflesh.
Her moan rose as he ran his hand under her hair. He cupped the nape of her neck, holding her steady while he changed his angle, and kissed her so thoroughly she shook with the need for more.
Gripping his upper arms, she made sure he didn’t move while she pressed against him, her right breast, her thigh. His hand slid down her back, stilling in the small curve above her behind. Then he pulled her closer, and it was so overwhelming her head fell back as she gasped.
“No,” he said, kissing her jaw, the curve of her neck, then back up until he found her mouth again. A quick nip on her bottom lip was followed by a thrust of his tongue, then a whisper of breath without touching at all as if they were trying out kisses to see what fit. Every one of them was perfect.
Each kiss and touch brought increased awareness that she was tasting Tucker, that the moments she’d imagined in her fantasies were becoming reality. She’d let him break the shell of her abstinence, and she knew the amazing shocks running through her body, making her squeeze her legs together, would cost her.
Dizzy with greed, she let the thought go, chased it away when she pried one hand free so she could touch his chest. If only she could reach under his shirt, feel his skin and hair and run her tongue over his nipples and hear the sounds he’d make.
Instead, like a cell door closing, approaching laughter slammed between them. She jumped away from him so quickly she almost tripped.
Tucker steadied her with his large hands. Thank God the lighting in the back lot was crap because her face felt as if it was on fire. The laughing people had nearly reached them, and she hoped they didn’t recognize her.
“I should let you get home,” Tucker said, releasing her completely.
She nodded. “The board meeting’s at one o’clock. At Sadie’s Watering Hole. The bar. It’s impossible to miss, seeing as it’s the only one.”
“Ah, holding the meeting where there’s alcohol. Attendance should be good.”
She got the truck keys from her jeans’ pocket. “Oh, you have no idea. The board members are...eclectic.”
“I look forward to it. You don’t need me to come in the morning? To Safe Haven, I mean?”
“You don’t have to, no. I mean, if you want to...”
“I should use the time to take care of some business.”
She looked at him, only then realizing she’d kept her head down since they’d stopped kissing. “Of course. Okay, then. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He leaned forward as if to kiss her again, but she sidestepped him and grabbed hold of the truck door handle. Luckily, he caught himself in time and moved away so smoothly no one would have ever guessed his true intent.
“Night.”
He distanced himself further. “Good night.”
Her fingers shook when she tried to insert the key into the ignition, but she made it out of the parking lot without mishap. He was in her rearview mirror until she turned onto Main Street.
Regret didn’t truly hit until she reached the highway.
* * *
F
OR
THE
THIRD
TIME
IN
THE
PAST
fifteen minutes, Tucker had to reread the email from his attorney. The memory of Annie in his arms kept intruding. Followed swiftly by recrimination and doubt.
It was a quarter to eleven, mere hours from when he’d kissed her, and despite the work that was piling up and his assistant becoming increasingly hysterical over Tucker’s botched schedule, he couldn’t get his thoughts straight and figure this mess out. Because he’d crossed a line, for better and for worse.
First and foremost, there was no doubt in his mind that the woman he’d kissed was not some criminal mastermind who’d willfully stolen money that should have gone to charity. However, a lot of questions remained unanswered, and that bothered him.
He was determined to clear his brother’s name, absolutely, but now he wanted even more to understand everything that had happened to the funds and who was behind the embezzlement.
Was there more he could be doing on that score? He put his head in his hands, waited for a brainstorm, for something he’d missed, but George was following up on every thread Tucker had found.
Second, Tucker wasn’t going to inform the D.A. about finding Leanna Warner until he not only understood what had happened, but had evidence to back up the truth. Period. He was not going to wrench her away from Safe Haven until they had some solid information...enough, at least, to get her out of hot water and to clear Christian’s reputation. He may not be able to stay with her until he and George put together a complete picture. But he had his own plane, and flying to Montana wasn’t a hardship. And with telecommuting, he could work from practically anywhere.
Which reminded him that he had to call his mother in the morning, even before he called to check in with George. What Tucker wasn’t sure about was letting her or Christian in on what was happening.
No, he’d stick with his decision. The fewer people who knew about Annie, the better. For now. She wasn’t going anywhere. Not with a new foal coming. And she’d never desert the animals. Not unless her back was up against the wall. He’d seen how much she cared in her eyes, in her plans, in her passion. But more than that, he’d seen it in her actions.
There was so much to distrust about people. Words were easy and glib and to trust blindly was an idiot’s game. Tucker might be a fool for wanting Annie so badly, but he wasn’t being stupid about who she was.
He believed in her. And he would be proven right.
He opened his eyes as an idea came to him. He wouldn’t decide yet whether to act on it, but it was interesting. Very interesting.
His cell, already plugged in and charging, rang. His mother’s name came up on his display, and he couldn’t hit Talk fast enough. It was late, Texas time. “Mom?”
“Are you coming home tomorrow?” she asked quietly.
“No, I’m not. I’m sorry. I’m not certain when I can be back.”
“I see.”
Her sigh felt like a slap. The only kind she would give him, the kind that hurt deep and long. “Did you go out with Andrea tonight?”
“No.” Her quiet shudder echoed in her voice. “She wanted to go for sushi and you know how I feel about that.”
“I do,” he said. “Did you watch a movie?”
“I think so. If I did, it wasn’t particularly memorable. The house creaked a lot. I thought...”
“Were you frightened?”
“Only a little. I let Martha go home early.”
Tucker stood, wishing he could do more, but he couldn’t drop this thing with Annie on the off chance he could make his mother feel better. He understood that grief took all kinds of shapes, that time was relative when it came to mourning. He still felt it himself. He’d loved his father. Missed him. He could have used his old man’s thoughts on this Christian business, but if Michael had still been alive, Tucker had no idea if he and his mother would be involved with Christian at all.
The thought made him ashamed, and that combined with his guilt at leaving her on her own felt like a physical weight on his back. “While I’m away, don’t send the staff home early, all right? Not even Martha.”
“I don’t even know where you are,” Irene said. “Not Dallas.”
“Montana, actually.”
“Do we know people there?”
“We do, but that’s not why I’m here.” He hesitated, knowing in his gut it wasn’t a good idea to tell her anything at this juncture. She’d have too many questions he couldn’t answer. But at least she’d have something to hang on to, and perhaps then he wouldn’t feel so damn guilty. “Now, don’t get your hopes too high, but it’s possible I may have found Leanna Warner.”
Her inhale stopped him. “Oh, Tucker.”
“It’s not certain,” he said, hating the necessary lie. “Nothing is. George is working with me, and we’ll just have to see how this plays out.”
“But if it is her Christian will be so happy. The D.A. will leave him be. He’ll be able to go back to work, wherever he chooses. He could work in Dallas. We could help him find something. You know so many people in the financial world. Oh, Tucker, this will be wonderful.”
His mistake didn’t take long to bite him in the ass. “Mom, I don’t know if it’s her. Not for sure. She
may
be the woman we’re looking for. Please, don’t get carried away, not yet. It’s just, we can hope, right? I have to ask you not to mention this to Christian. The last thing I want is for him to—”
“Yes, yes. It’s not a done deal. I’m depressed, sweetheart, not stupid. I understand completely. But thank you. I needed a bit of hope today.”
“I’m sorry I’m not there.”
“No. Now that I know what you’re doing, I’ll be fine. Whatever the outcome. You’re trying. It means a great deal.”
“I am trying.” Out of the blue, he thought of the kiss and his chest tightened. “Look, I’ll call you as soon as I can. Tomorrow, if possible.”
“Be careful. I think this woman must be very clever if she could have fooled Christian. Slippery, too.”
He closed his eyes at her words, wishing he could tell her everything, how she would like Annie if only she got to know her. How it would be as clear as day that there was more to the story.
Instead, he said goodbye and hung up, not dialing George right away. Annie was clever. Which was part of the reason he believed in her so resolutely.
Tomorrow afternoon he’d prove it to her.
* * *
A
NNIE
,
HOLDING
A
BOX
OF
FILE
folders, pulled open the door to the Watering Hole half an hour before the meeting would start. The jukebox was quiet, the bar deserted because it wouldn’t open until four, although she knew Sadie had to be around somewhere. She didn’t leave the door unlocked if she left anymore.
There’d been a rash of thefts in Blackfoot Falls last summer, which sadly had turned out to be perpetrated by locals. But it just went to show that people were people, whether they lived in New York or the wilds of Montana.
She walked across the wooden floor, her eye catching on the beautiful Wurlitzer. She wished it held more music that she liked instead of mostly country songs, but it didn’t really matter since she hardly ever came in here.
Lounging around and having drinks with friends felt like something she’d read about in a book. So many things had gone away, vanished in a haze of panic and shame. A manicure would be laughable considering how she spent her days, let alone a pedicure. In Manhattan she’d often saved up for a spa day, not the high-end deals, of course, but a soothing massage, a facial. God, to be pampered like that was unthinkable now.
“Hey there, girl. Thought you’d be coming in early. Good to see you.”
Annie swung around at Sadie’s rusty voice. Every time Annie had seen her in the past few months, the older woman had lost a bit more weight, used a touch more makeup, including lipstick this time. “You look wonderful.”
“Yeah, I’m a stunner.” Sadie came up to Annie, but knowingly didn’t reach out for a hug.
“Hey, none of that.” Annie surprised herself and Sadie by briefly touching her arm. “I think Shea’s going to be here soon, too, but the big news is that we have a potential donor coming to the meeting.”
“Really? Think that’s wise?”
“I’ve warned him. And he understands that the board members are locals doing a nice thing for the animals. I think it’ll be fine. I hope. As long as Abe and Will don’t get into it.”
“They do and I’ll knock their fool heads together. Come on, let’s get these tables set up. You want something to drink?”
“No, thanks.” Annie put the box on the huge mahogany bar, then helped Sadie push the small tables into a big rectangle. Halfway through moving the chairs, Shea walked in.
No hello or other pleasantry. “Is he still planning on attending?” Shea asked.
Annie nodded, while Sadie appeared unfazed. People were getting used to Shea’s blunt ways.
“According to some,” Sadie said, darting an amused look at Annie, “you were at Marge’s last night with the best-looking man seen in Blackfoot Falls since Paul Newman visited town forty years ago.”
Annie hated the fact that her cheeks filled with heat. “His name is Tucker Brennan, and don’t you dare let people start rumors about him. He’s rich, and he’s got a foundation that could be the salvation of Safe Haven. Anything else about him is nobody’s business.”
“Whoa,” Sadie said, holding up her hands. “I wasn’t implying anything.”
“I know people in this town live for gossip but I don’t know what I’d do if somebody’s stupid remark screwed this up.”
Sadie touched Annie’s shoulder. “I understand. I’ll do my best to derail any talk.”
After releasing her pent-up breath, Annie sighed. “Thanks. And sorry for getting worked up.”
“Don’t you fret.” Sadie turned to greet Jesse, who’d walked in, then she herded Shea behind the bar to help fill mugs.
Beer, Annie had learned early, came automatically with all meetings that took place in the Watering Hole. Annie was used to it, but she wondered what Tucker would make of it.
Just talking about him had set her body all aflutter, and she had to tamp down her excitement. This was no time to act like a silly girl. This could be the most important few hours since she’d come to Blackfoot Falls. Something that would set her up for a future she had more than accepted. She belonged at Safe Haven, and every day spent working there chipped away at the guilt and pain of what she’d left behind.