No One Needs to Know Page 10

  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.

  * * *

  ANNIE, 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.

  Abe, the owner of Abe’s Variety, and notorious for his unrequited crush on Sadie, walked in rig
ht ahead of Will Woodruff, who was pretty partial to Sadie himself. What they had in common did not bring the two men closer together, to say the least. Even though their scowls were a matched set.

  In silence, they headed for the back room where Jesse was scrounging more chairs.

  Cy Heber joined them, and he would always make Annie smile because he’d donated four acres to Safe Haven, bless him. He was an old cowboy who gave a damn, who wanted to leave something good behind, even though his own ranch was a shadow of its former self.

  The door opened one more time, and Tucker Brennan walked in wearing a fine-looking Stetson along with dark pressed jeans, a pale blue Oxford shirt and a navy blazer. She bit her bottom lip, not because he filled the doors with his broad shoulders, but because of the smile that lit up his face the moment he saw her.

  “Oh...okay,” Sadie murmured as she put four beers down on the table. “So they weren’t exaggerating.”

  “Hush,” Annie whispered as she went to welcome him, trying her best not to mentally replay last night’s kisses.

  It didn’t take long for everyone to take their seats and for Annie to make introductions. She sat Tucker at one end of the table, and she took her place at the other. Which might have been a mistake from the way she kept getting caught on his gaze.

  But somehow she managed to begin the meeting in what was considered parliamentary procedure for Blackfoot Falls. Everybody raised and seconded everything. At least at the start.

  Up until she called for new business. That’s when Tucker stood. Took off his hat. Reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a slip of paper.

  “I’ve been spending some time at Safe Haven, and I’m very impressed with the operation. I’ve seen facilities with much more do a lot less. I applaud you all for doing your part for animals in need.” He paused, glanced around at everyone, but settled his gaze on Annie. “This is a check. It’s not from the Rocking B Foundation. I don’t make the call on who gets foundation funds. This is a personal check, one that I hope will help as you continue to develop the sanctuary. There are no strings attached―it’s to be spent at your discretion.”

  He walked around the table and handed the check to Annie. When she looked at it, she gasped at the amount. Twenty thousand dollars. What she could do with twenty grand was more than she could comprehend. She blinked up at Tucker, then turned to the others. “We can get the engine. We can fix the tractor.” She looked again at the check to make sure she wasn’t crazy, then back at Tucker.

  “I believe in what you’re doing,” he said. “I believe in you.”

  Annie’s heart nearly stopped. His message was completely heartfelt in its honesty. She’d have been thrilled beyond measure if only he’d stopped with that first sentence. Because believing in her was believing a lie.

  10

  “WELL, I SAY WE USE THE REST of the money to build a quarantine barn,” the gray-haired gent who owned the variety store said, his big hand almost dwarfing his beer mug.

  Tucker spared him a glance, but only that. The same was true for the others. He only had eyes for one person, and it killed him that he’d had no choice but to return to his seat at the far end of the table. Since it would’ve been highly inappropriate to kiss her in the middle of the board meeting. He’d settle for staring into her gorgeous blue eyes.

  “We should invest in some of them big internet sales things.” This from another old man, Cy Heber, who looked as worn as the creaking weather vane atop the Safe Haven barn. “Those ads just keep on popping up no matter what, so they’re bound to get folks’ attention.”

  “Heber, that’s spam,” Jesse said, doing an admirable job of keeping a straight face. “Besides, we’re already doing two internet campaigns.”

  Tucker watched as Annie finally put the check in her pocket and focused her entire attention on him. But instead of the heated glances from before, she seemed more confused than the money warranted. He would’ve liked her to smile at least, but he figured she was having mixed feelings.

  He wanted her to know he was on her side. No matter what happened later with the information George gathered, where the chips fell, he needed Annie to believe that he had faith in her. That check meant something to him, as well. He never had been and never would be cavalier about his wealth, inherited or earned. Damn, he couldn’t wait until there were no more secrets between them. But for now, he hoped his gesture would ease her mind in some small way.

  The older cowboy, Will, said, “I think we should hire someone who can be there for Annie so that she doesn’t have to work three hundred sixty-five days a year. A person needs to have some time off.”

  That made Annie turn. “I don’t need any such thing.”

  Everyone started talking at once, except for Shea, who just shook her head. In fact, she’d said very little since the meeting started forty minutes ago.

  Sadie slammed her hands down on the table so hard and loud she brought the chatter to a halt. “Quiet, all of you. What we’re gonna do with that check is just what we’ve done with every other donation. Leave it to Annie. She knows better than all of us combined what Safe Haven needs. And if you don’t agree, I’m bringing this meeting to a close right this second, and you can all pay for your own damn beer.”

  Finally, Tucker got his smile from Annie.

  * * *

  ANNIE WANTED TO HUG SADIE for stopping the free-for-all the board meeting had become. It was torture sitting with all these people. It was no picnic sitting across from Tucker, either.

  The check and all it meant hadn’t truly hit yet. Big ideas like gratitude and what she could do with so much money were right beside the echo of his words, his belief in her that made her want to weep until next week.

  If he knew the truth, would he have been so quick to give her anything? No, of course not. Who would? But then, his generosity hadn’t been toward Leanna Warner, and she couldn’t forget that. The whole point of staying in Safe Haven was to do everything in her power to help the cause. To hide her mistakes in a coffee can under her bed, and dedicate her days and hours to something worthwhile.

  The smart thing would be to continue on as if nothing had changed. In truth, nothing had. Except for the extra-large infusion of guilt.

  Oh, and wanting Tucker so badly she found it hard to breathe.

  She’d agonized for hours last night and before the meeting, berating herself for kissing him when there was so much at stake. Intellectually she knew that Tucker wasn’t using his position to manipulate her, and she wasn’t trying to use their attraction for her own benefit. But the check and the confirmation that the foundation would make an independent decision took care of any lingering doubts.

  Forcing herself to tie up the meeting, to actually speak to Will and Cy and the rest of the board and really listen, put more strain on her than she’d have guessed. Tucker was there, right there, and every step closer made her want him more.

  Shea and Jesse lingered after the others had left, taking the time to thank Tucker and to ask him what kind of receipt he’d like for the donation.

  Annie figured that would be it. Because she had a hell of a lot to do.

  “You going back to Safe Haven?” Shea asked.

  Annie shook her head. “I’d like to go to Kalispell and deposit the check. Tucker’s bank has a branch there. Maybe I can keep out enough money for the engine so we can order it today. Spring will be gone before we know it.”

  Tucker, who’d been speaking to Jesse, joined Shea and Annie. “I could take you to the bank. Make sure you get whatever cash you need.”

  “No, that’s okay,” Annie said, ordering herself not to be nervous just because he was a foot away. “I’ll have to get back to Safe Haven tonight, and you don’t want to make all those trips. Not if you’re leaving tomorrow.”

  “I’m a damn good customer of that bank. If I’m with you, they’ll let you have the whole check in cash if you want.” He smiled, lifted his shoulder in a casual shrug. “And hey, maybe we could even splurge an
d get some dinner.”

  Annie sighed, knowing it would be dangerous to go to Kalispell with Tucker. She’d already proven that she had no defense against this man, and God knew, she’d already broken almost every rule in her book. Still, the tractor had been sitting there for so long, and the kids had worked so hard on the project. She looked up at Shea. “Do you think you might be able to cover for me for a few hours?”

  Shea smiled. “I know I can.”

  Jesse moved next to her. “Me, too.” Then, weirdly, he nudged Shea in her side. He tried not to be obvious, but Annie saw it. Her pulse jumped when Jesse asked Tucker to join him outside.

  “Maybe you should take a toothbrush with you,” Shea said.

  “What!” Annie groaned. Dammit, someone must’ve seen the kiss last night. “Are you crazy?”

  Despite the flush on her cheeks, Shea took a step closer to Annie and leaned in. “Maybe get some underwear. Abe’s Variety has both, you know. Then you wouldn’t have to drive back to Safe Haven.” Shea smiled. “Jesse and I can stay as long as you need us to. Honest.”

  Annie could hardly believe Shea’s suggestion, and Jesse’s part in this little maneuver. She wished she’d never kissed Tucker. No. That he’d never kissed her. Did everyone in the county know about it? Could a rumor spread that fast?

  What was she thinking? This was Blackfoot Falls. Of course it could. Even worse, the kiss wasn’t a rumor. It probably hadn’t helped that she and Tucker had been ogling each other during the meeting. Jeez, she’d never live this down. Never.

  Luckily, what the people of this tiny town thought of her wasn’t high on her list of things she cared about. Tucker was. So was his imminent departure. God, why did she have to like him so much? Men simply did not make her heart pound anymore. Or send heat surging through her veins. But then she hadn’t met anyone like him before. In her experience, rich, powerful men didn’t give up their valuable time to help bring a foal into the world or get their hands dirty saving a helpless goat.