Relentless Pursuit (9 page)

Pierce continued. "So, I developed the Cropbot. It’s an automated farm hand and can travel the length of your field and till the land, keeping weeds out naturally by keeping the soil fresh, watered, and aerated between crops. Further, I attached different spray heads so the Cropbot can spray organic pesticides as it rolls by.” Pierce watched his family as they looked at him in disbelief.

“How does it operate?” Miles asked with both curiosity and disbelief showing on his face.

“By cell phone. There’s a computer in it that takes soil samples in different areas of the fields so I know if it needs fertilizing. I created an app for it. I just pull it up and pull up the GPS and touch the field I want it to go to and select the functions I want it to perform. Off it goes. I have been testing it for two years and every year my crops are more abundant and of better quality than the year before. The field keeps getting better as opposed to worn. No more questions on how much to water or how much to fertilize. The Cropbot computes all of it based on the soil tests,” Pierce explained.

“This is amazing, Pierce. I don’t know what to say.” Miles shook his head and then pulled Pierce in tight for a hug. “I’m so proud of you!”

“I had no idea you knew how to do any of that,” Cade said as he took in the implications of Pierce’s invention.

“I learned from all of you,” Pierce said with a shy smile.

“You better keep us in mind for your first sale!” Morgan smiled as she embraced her new brother-in-law in a hug.

“And you all need to be on your honeymoon,” Pierce said. The mood of excitement suddenly shifted as everyone remembered the reason Miles and Morgan were still in Keeneston.

“We’re not going anywhere when you’re in trouble. Right, Morgan?” Miles more stated than asked as he slipped his arm around his new bride.

“That’s right. Besides, I can’t wait to stand in front of the media and lambaste them for casting doubt on your character. I'm going to love it, in fact,” Morgan said with a sly grin. His newest sister-in-law had a feisty side, and he didn’t doubt for one second that Morgan would do whatever it took to help him.

“Do you think the Cropbot had anything to do with Dr. Oldham’s death?” Marshall asked after a minute.

“It’s the only reason I can think of. The patent application is in my name as I was the inventor, but I signed a contract with Dr. Oldham saying I'd give him five percent of the sales for five years as consideration for all his help. But, as I said, all these documents are in a lock box at the bank.” Pierce wrapped the wet towel around his neck and watched as the fire department started to beat back the flames.

“Maybe Mrs. Oldham and Aiden don’t know about the deal or the documents and think that if they just eliminated you both, they would have a clear path to the patent," Marshall speculated.

“We’ll talk about it more later,” Miles said as he straightened and turned to face the sound of cars coming up the dirt drive from the main road about a quarter mile away. “Now, we have company. Lots of it.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Tammy took a seat on the tailgate of Will’s massive Ford truck as the town descended on them. Kenna and Will were the first to arrive, followed by the Rose sisters, and then John Wolfe who shot an annoyed expression at being beaten there by the Rose sisters. Bridget arrived with Marko in tow. Finally Mo appeared with a new royal bodyguard tagging along. Henry had shown up in his suit, but he’d looked rumpled and his hair was messed. Mo showed up in the early morning looking like he just stepped off the pages of
GQ
.

The town had pulled their cars and trucks around each other and tailgates were lowered as everyone took a seat to hear Pierce tell what happened. Tammy gave a weak smile as Ahmed appeared out of the darkness next to the truck she was sitting in.

“How are you doing, my dear?” Ahmed asked quietly.

“Tired. But, I’m glad you snuck over here. I have something I want to run by you,” she whispered.

“What is it?” Ahmed asked smoothly as he took the seat next to her. Oh boy. Tammy knew it was Pierce with a hold on her heart, but the erotic smell coming from Ahmed’s coat and the feel of his strong, warm body next to her was enough to make any girl question her heart.

Tammy told Ahmed about her trip downtown and about the two people who drove Pierce home. Then she told him about the car that almost hit her on the way out to the farm. “I think someone is trying to frame Pierce.”

Ahmed only nodded his head and then jumped down from the truck. Tammy looked up and saw that Bridget was making her way over to Mo. “Your Highness. It’s so nice to see you again. I don’t know if you remember me…”

“Of course I do, Miss Springer.” Mo purred in his smoothest accent. So, Bridget knew Mo? Obviously she didn’t know him enough to call him Mo like everyone in town, Tammy thought as she watched him shake hands with Bridget.

“Miss Springer, may I introduce you to my head of security, Ahmed.” Mo held out his arm and Ahmed stepped forward with a silent nod of his head. “Ahmed, Miss Springer was in charge of my security in Belgium when you stayed with Dani.” Again, Ahmed just gave the slightest nod of his head as an indication that he had heard Mo.

Bridget held out her hand and looked Ahmed in the eyes. “It’s so nice to meet you in person. I’ve heard a lot of things about you and I'm sure your reputation precedes you.”

Ahmed shook her hand and then with another nod turned and headed for Marshall. Tammy watched as they talked quietly for a moment. Marshall nodded and called Annie, Noodle, and Dinky over to talk while Ahmed made his way over to where the fire department was cleaning up. The fire had been extinguished. The back half of the house was destroyed and the living room was damaged, but they had been able to save most of it.

“Attention! I’ve learned some new evidence. Pierce, you may want to hear this.” Marshall called out. People immediately quieted down and stepped closer as Marshall told them about Tammy’s trip downtown and also the car she saw speeding away.

“It’s not concrete, but it’s too much of a coincidence for me. Two people carry Pierce out of a bar and Tammy sees two people speeding away from here. If you've seen anything, please report it to me immediately," ordered Marshall.

“We’ll keep our eyes peeled, won’t we, ladies?” Miss Lily said as her sisters nodded their heads in agreement. Within seconds, the crowd was in a gossip frenzy.

Pierce made his way to where Tammy still sat covered in Ahmed’s black suit coat. He wanted to rip it off of her, but all he had to offer her was a wet towel. Most of his clothes were burnt to a crisp.

“Tammy, I don’t know what to say.” He stopped before her and had to stifle the impulse to step between her legs, which she was so enticingly dangling off the tailgate.

“It’s nothing. You'd do the same for me,” Tammy said with a tired smile. Her words froze Pierce in place. Would he have done the same? He knew he would now, but a year ago? A year ago he’d been a selfish jerk. But, now he could make up for it.

“Tammy…”

“Tammy, Pierce, we’re going to head back and get ready for the breakfast crowd. We’ll do everything we can,” Miss Daisy said as she and her sisters gave both her and Pierce hugs before heading back to town.

Everyone was ready to head home for a quick nap before the start of the day. Pierce was starting to feel anxious. He needed time with Tammy. He needed to talk to her, to thank her again and again.

“Well, I better get home, too. I’m exhausted,” Tammy said as she slid off Will’s truck as he and Kenna got in to head home.

“No, wait!” Pierce said anxiously. He stepped forward and looked down at her. She barely made it up to his chin, but it looked like she’d fit perfectly in his arms. Her large round blue eyes drew him in. His hands cupped her small rounded hips as he gently pulled her nearer.

“Hey, Pierce!” Paige called out. Tammy jumped back and the moment was lost.

“What is it, dear sister?” Pierce asked innocently when what he really wanted to do was grab Tammy and kiss her senseless.

“Cole and I were talking. Instead of going back to Mom’s, why don’t you take the apartment above Southern Charms?” Paige asked, completely ignoring her brother’s annoyance.

“Thank you for offering to let me stay above your shop,” Pierce said.

Tammy didn’t know what to make of the situation. She was so confused, excited, and tired at the same time. As much as she wanted that kiss, Tammy only wanted it when he wanted her. Not because he was thankful. She wanted him overtaken with passion and right now with his brother-in-law and sister standing there was not that time. With a little wave to Cole, she snuck to her car and headed back to her apartment.

Pierce thanked his sister and grabbed the key to the apartment. He wanted to make sure Tammy got home safe and sound. As he hurried to his truck and was about to take off, his phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and read that the number was blocked.

“Hey. Where are you?” Pierce asked when he answered the phone.

“I’m in Russia for work, which luckily entails drinking a lot of vodka,” his brother’s rough voice said over the phone.

“Someday you’ll tell me what you do. Drinking vodka in Russia, skiing in Switzerland, surfing in the Pacific. I want that job, Cy.”

“It’s more taxing than you think. I’m always so far away when my brothers need me. Now, what’s going on and how can I help?”

Pierce filled Cy in on his invention, finding Dr. Oldham dead, the memory loss, and finally the fire. Pierce also told Cy all about how Tammy rescued him and the investigation she did downtown that night.

“I’m so sorry I'm away, but it sounds like you have someone looking out for you. I’ll be home in a heartbeat if you need me,” Pierce heard his brother say with a hint of regret in his voice.

“It’s okay, Cy. I’ll call you and let you know if I need you. Enjoy your vodka and women,” Pierce joked before getting serious again. “Hopefully, with this new information, we’ll be able to prove my innocence. Something good is bound to happen soon. I can only take so much more.”

“It sounds like something good has already happened,” Cy said mysteriously as Pierce pulled to a stop by Southern Charms. He watched Tammy’s taillights disappear down the street.

“What good thing could possibly have happened?” Pierce asked in disbelief as he walked up the back steps to Paige’s old apartment.

Cy laughed and then told him, “That you finally got your head out of your ass and realize how amazing Tammy is. She’s a spitfire in the best possible way. She’s smart, loyal, sweet, carries a knife, heroically saves your life, and is pretty damn hot to boot.”

Pierce groaned. He knew everything Cy said was true. He’s been realizing it over the past days and now he felt terrible. “It’s too late now. I’ve lost my chance. She has this Greek boyfriend now. He had his hands all over her at the wedding this weekend.”

“I don’t like telling you to break them up, but I think you need to realize two things. One, she wouldn’t be doing all this if she didn’t still have feelings for you, and I'm guessing the boyfriend will soon be an ex-boyfriend the more time she spends with you. Second, she’s been yours for two years. Now you need to go claim her before someone else does… or until I get home,” Cy said cockily, giving a little laugh when he heard Pierce curse under his breath.

As Cy laughed, Pierce thought about what his brother said. Cy was right. Tammy was his and he’d waited long enough to make the move. Greek boyfriend or not, he was going to fight for Tammy for one simple reason—she was worth it.

After talking with Cy, Pierce jumped into the shower and quickly washed off. He found some jeans and a t-shirt of Cole’s and slipped them on. The early morning light cast a warm glow on downtown as he hurried toward Tammy’s apartment. The smell of muffins reached his nose as he neared the Blossom Café. The front door was open and he could hear Miss Daisy talking with Miss Violet.

Pierce rounded the building and slowly made his way to the equally open back door. He had to wait until Miss Violet started washing dishes before he could sneak up the stairs to Tammy’s apartment. He knocked softly and rubbed his hands on his jeans when he heard her soft footfalls approach the door.

Tammy had driven home while a battle raged in her mind. Would Pierce have kissed her if she hadn’t left? Was Pierce even going to kiss her? It was too much. She shook her head. If it were meant to be, it would have happened by now. She had already sacrificed Demetri. It was time to grow up and end this fascination.

Tammy tried to push it from her mind as she had stood under the hot spray in her shower. After scrubbing herself clean, she finally felt like herself again. She had slipped into a pink camisole nightshirt with matching shorts and was heading to bed when she heard a soft knock at the door.

Figuring Miss Violet was sending up some breakfast, Tammy didn’t bother with her robe and just opened the door. She instantly started breathing heavily when she saw Pierce leaning against the doorframe. He had showered and was wearing a black shirt that looked to be painted across his chest and shoulders. His jeans hugged his thighs and suddenly Tammy had a whole series of very naughty thoughts go through her mind. Way to grow up, she thought.

“Pierce!” Tammy gasped. “What are you doing here?”

“I didn’t get my kiss.” Pierce leaned down and captured her lips in his.

Tammy’s head fell back as she let him ravish her mouth. His lips were soft and melded to hers with confidence as Pierce stoked the fire within her. She shuddered as Pierce cupped her face in his hand and deepened the kiss.

Pierce pulled away way too soon. He left with a smile that said it all. Tammy was rooted to the floor and watched with a mixture of confusion and utter satisfaction as his perfectly shaped bottom faded from view.

Pierce made his way home with a new sense of clarity. Any reason he had in the past for keeping his distance from Tammy was shattered with that kiss. He enjoyed a minute of pure male satisfaction before sliding into bed as he remembered the way Tammy looked after he kissed her senseless. Tonight, his dreams would be good.