Attracted to Fire (33 page)

Last night she'd sent an e-mail to the guy who'd used intimidation to get Lindsay to meet with him. He'd quickly responded: Friday at 10, Silver Spur.

Meghan patted the colt and noted Chip worked outside with one of the horses. “Has Chip made any attempt to be friends?”

“Not at all.” Lindsay looked his way. “I thought he was a nice guy, but he blames all of us for what's happened. Not that I blame him.”

“Can I ask you a favor?”

Lindsay planted her hands on her hips. “After I teach you how to get a guy, how to dress, and the latest makeup tips, you still want a favor?”

“I do.”

“Bring it on.”

“Try to get Chip to warm up to you. Then ask if you can borrow his truck.”

Lindsay lifted her chin. “You do trust me.”

Meghan nodded. “I believe you're a smart young woman who cares for others far more deeply than anyone ever realized. I believe you have a purpose in this world, and you can win the game against drugs and alcohol.”

She swiped at a tear. “Thanks. It's hard. I wake up in the morning wanting a drink. And when Pepper makes Mexican food, I want a margarita so bad. Will it haunt me forever?” The sincerity in Lindsay's eyes said more than all the smoothies and nutrients that Dave could pump into her body.

“I honestly don't have an answer.”

Lindsay nodded. “My own fault.”

“Try God.”

“Not yet. Maybe someday.” Lindsay gave her a grin.

Such a pretty girl—a girl with a big burden.

Chapter 54

Lindsay thought how much she wanted to please Meghan, and asking Chip to borrow his truck was at the top of the list. Kelli would like the agent. They had strength to deal with stress and not allow others to destroy them. How strange that helping someone could make her feel good about herself. She'd play this role and help stop Burnette. “I'll not fail you.”

Meghan gave her a thumbs-up. “You're on. He's close enough to hear your every word.”

Lindsay squared her shoulders. This would be her finest performance. “Just leave me alone.” The familiar line was reminiscent of the days when she hated the world. “All you care about is making sure Daddy and his new administration forget about me. I want away from here, away from everyone telling me what to do and when to do it. I'm clean and sober. Can't anyone trust me to stay that way?” She whirled around and stomped out of the stables, heading in Chip's direction.

Meghan followed. “Where are you going?”

“To talk to someone who isn't on the government's payroll.”

“Dave and Carla are in the house. Do you want to talk to them?”

“No, please. I need a life.” Lindsay walked toward Chip, who'd turned to take note of the commotion.
“Lindsay, let's talk about this.”

“No. I can't talk about anything.” Until two days ago, her words were true.

“All right. I'll give you a little space.” Meghan backed up several feet.

Lindsay swung her attention to Chip. “Please, don't put me in the same box with the agents. I had nothing to do with what happened to you.”

Chip continued to brush the horse. Anger swept his handsome face, an emotion she understood when her world shattered.

She leaned against the corral fence. A collection of memories swirled about Burnette. This was her chance to stop him. “I thought you might go back to your old job in Dallas.” She felt bad for deceiving him, considering how much she liked him before Wade's death . . . unless he was part of Burnette's team.

He shook his head. “Returning to my old job sounded like a great way to leave the past behind. But this is where I learned to feel good about myself. This is where Dad and I grew close again. He loved living here and working with horses, and so did I.”

“Burnette didn't persuade you?”

Chip shrugged. “He asked me to return for Dad's sake, and I wasn't sure what to do.”

She recalled how Burnette could manipulate people, play on their emotions. “The good thing is we won't be here forever.”

“True. I can make a decision then. But it's lonesome here.”

“Isn't there a bar within a few miles? The Silver Spur?”

He nodded. “A honky-tonk. Weekend two-steppin' with good ol' boys and their girlfriends. I did a few gigs there.”

Lindsay sensed the longing of a good time without the paybacks of a tousle in bed or a hangover. “I'd love to go—get away from this place.”

He shrugged. “I'd love to take you. We could sing and play together.”

“That would be fun.” And it would. She longed for a life in the country and all that meant.

He started to brush the mare again. “When this is over, it's a date.”

“What if I could find a way to sneak off?”

He shook his head. “No, pretty lady. I'm not doing anything to upset these agents. Dealing with Burnette is hard enough.”

“I thought you liked him.”

“Nope. He only signs my paycheck. My dad thought he hung the moon.”

She tilted her head curiously. “Not sure I understand.”

He laughed. “Means he highly respected him. Could do no wrong.”

Good thing Ethan didn't know the real Burnette.
“Oh, I get it.”

“I've lost my ideals about our government.”

“Me too. Mind if I watch you work?”

“How about a swap? You can watch me sweat if you'll bring out your guitar later on tonight.”

Lindsay's heart sped away.
Oh, Chip, please be free of Burnette. I like you. I really do.

Back in her room, Lindsay picked up her guitar and strummed her latest song, a tribute to Ethan, who held more wisdom in the palm of his hand than a roomful of PhDs. Not that education or a career choice molded a person. But an attitude of the heart. There was another line. She walked across the room for her notebook.

What was Burnette planning for the clandestine meeting at the Silver Spur? Had he used her up and needed to get rid of her? Except he wouldn't be eliminating Lindsay Hall; he'd be pulling the trigger on Meghan.

Chapter 55

Tuesday morning, Ash drove Burnette's truck east into downtown Austin to a specialty shopping area that was supposed to have most of what he needed. His mission had more than one stop in the area, but he estimated about an hour to complete his errands before stopping by the Austin Police Department with Burnette's bag of cocaine.

First on his agenda was to buy the clothes Meghan needed on Friday night. She'd given him a list of her sizes and showed him online what the items looked like. This shouldn't take long.

After parking the truck, he entered the glittery shop called a boutique and was met by a tall brunette.

“How can I help you today?” If her smile had been an Olympic sport, she'd have taken all the medals.

“I'm looking for a few items for a friend.” He pulled the list from his jeans pocket and handed it to her.

She gestured to the back of the boutique. “We received a new shipment of jeans yesterday. I'm sure we'll find just the right pair for your friend. Our selection is at its peak.”

Piece of cake.

Thirty minutes later, Ash contemplated how he planned to lecture Lindsay and Meghan on their choice of attire. This was a country bar, not an international event. How did President Hall keep Lindsay in clothes? Thank goodness Meghan had her own jewelry, or he'd be physically sick. Whatever happened to JC Penney? Meghan had better keep these clothes clean because next Monday he planned to return all of them.

“And does your friend have a suitable bra for the top you've selected?” The sales girl leaned over the counter. She must have thought he was stupid.

“I'm sure she does, and I don't have her size.” He was not going there.

“Let's take a look anyway.”

Like a lamb led to slaughter, he followed her to the intimate section. This area needed temperature control—much too hot. Then he realized the customers must try on the underthings and needed warmer temps.

She held up a pair of red panties. “We suggest this type of panty to wear with our jeans. Doesn't show a line. I'm sure this will fit her.”

Another $49.95.

He hadn't budgeted for a belt either. The cow that supplied the leather must have eaten caviar and drank champagne.

At the truck, he placed the bags in the extended cab. His lecture to those who awaited his return had grown to sermon proportions. And he hadn't visited Nordstrom's for the boots nor the wig shop yet.

His stomach growled, but he couldn't afford a hamburger and fries. He leaned his head on the steering wheel and saw the gas tank registered near empty.

After filling the truck, he made a stop at Walmart for a bag of chips and a liter of Diet Coke and several of their bags to stuff his purchases into. No one at the ranch must suspect what he'd done. But his pale face might be an indication.

The assignment from Meghan and Lindsay had taken more time than he planned. He'd be late returning to the ranch. Glancing at his watch, he headed toward the Barton Creek Square mall.

Today had been over and beyond the call of duty. Good thing he liked Lindsay. Better yet that he loved Meghan. If they were ever to marry, she'd have to keep working to buy clothes. His credit card company had already phoned him to authorize the boots purchase. Why were wigs so expensive?

His last stop brought him to the downtown police station.

Hours later, he drove through the front gate, still reeling from what he'd learned about the bag of coke confiscated from Burnette's tack box. A reporter snapped his picture, but Ash kept his eyes on the driveway leading to the house. His findings sealed Burnette's depravity. All of Ash's doubts about how far the VP would go to ensure his agenda had vanished.

Could Lindsay handle this latest twist? A nagging thought told him her fragile emotions might spin in the wrong direction. She'd shown considerable strength and a willingness to help bring Burnette to justice. But Ash also sensed she viewed this as a diversion from the boredom of the ranch.

He parked the truck in the four-car garage, wishing Meghan were free to carry in the goods. The other agents were talking about the love-struck couple, which is what they needed to cover their investigation. But if those men caught him with these purchases, the teasing would never end. For now he'd store the Walmart bags in the truck, then sneak them to Meghan later.

He greeted Pepper in the kitchen. She was cleaning vegetables, including jalapeños. His stomach would never be the same.

“Hey, beautiful, have you seen Meghan?”

Pepper lifted a brow, causing her spiked, white hair to lift even higher. “Oh, the man's in love.”

“With you?”

“Think again, A2Z. The man who had my heart is gone, and no one can replace him.” Her words were light, but he heard the longing.

“Guess I'll have to find another woman to ease my aching heart.”

She dried her hands and opened the fridge. Handing him a Diet Coke, she narrowed her eyes. “This is the best I can do. You might think you're hiding this affair with Meghan, but we all know about it. You should have taken lessons on how to hide your personal life.”

He pretended shock. “All I asked is if you knew where I could find her.”

“Hopeless.” She picked up a small paring knife and a cucumber. “I heard Lindsay say she wanted to take a swim. If you wait by the pool, I'm sure they'll be out shortly.”

He grinned and toasted her with the pop can.

Within a few minutes, Meghan and Lindsay were poolside.

“You two can talk. I'm cooling off.” Lindsay giggled. “Did you enjoy shopping?” Before he could scowl, she dived in.

Meghan eased onto a patio chair beside him. “Where are your purchases?”

“In the truck. Considering they cost me half of Fort Knox, I thought you could help me bring them in later.”

She picked up a bottle of water. “I'm excited to see my outfit.”

“I'm sure you are. Good thing you're one of my favorite people.”

“I thought about warning you. Lindsay does have expensive taste. I'll pay for the wig and clothes.”

“Can't we return them?”

She bit her lip in an obvious attempt to keep from laughing. “That's not ethical. I'll pay my way.”

The red in her hair sparkled golden highlights in the sun, and he softened a little. “We'll talk about it after Friday night. How about eBay?”

She frowned. “I might want to keep them. What else did you learn?”

He took a long drink from his Diet Coke. “We have more ammunition.”

“How's that?” She held up a finger. “Remind me later to discuss the details about Friday night's escapade.”

He nodded. “I had the bag of coke evaluated. Found out it's pure cocaine.”

Meghan took a deep breath and focused on Lindsay swimming laps. “Snorting coke that hasn't been stepped on would have taken care of Burnette's problem. No one would have a clue what happened other than that she overdosed.”

“Can I talk you out of Friday night?”

“I told you I'd pay for all of it.”

“This is not about money, and you know it. This is a setup to get you killed, not Lindsay. Burnette is on to us.”

“Have you forgotten I'm a crack shot?”

“Don't they check for guns at the entrance?”

She shrugged, but it didn't ease his trepidation. “They check IDs for age, not to see if you're packing. This is rural Texas.”

“I want you to forget the whole thing.”

“Can't talk me out of it. You've just reinforced how quickly we need to stop Burnette before another person is hurt or killed.”

Chapter 56

After supper, Meghan invited Lindsay to see Ash's purchases. She had yet to open the bags, and the excitement had nearly driven her crazy. Nothing like new clothes and the love of a good man to make a girl happy.