No One Needs to Know Page 9
Strangers had to be infrequent guests in Blackfoot Falls. The interstate was an hour away, and the town was small. And, except for the Sundance, didn’t seem much like a tourist attraction.
He’d arrived early, but he didn’t mind waiting. He was still worrying over a moment of clarity he’d had when Annie had shown him the five acres. She’d swept him away, as thoroughly as if she’d been a magician. Standing there, he could see her vision of the future, her commitment to changing her slice of the world for the better. For one powerful moment, he’d been ready to take out his checkbook.
And then it had hit like an unexpected tackle. She wasn’t Annie Sheridan. He had no idea who she really was. Except that she had to be one of the best fundraisers he’d ever encountered. He didn’t give his money away, not without a lot of forethought and reason, but she could have taken him for a completely different kind of ride.
He didn’t doubt his intuition. He believed that there was far more to the story of Leanna’s skipping town than Christian had said, because she wasn’t the greedy, unscrupulous woman he’d described. Tucker had more faith in himself than to think his judgment was so far off. But that didn’t change the fact that he didn’t know. She could still be under someone’s thumb, still need money to get herself out of a desperate situation. Although that was a stretch. Running an animal sanctuary was the worst way he could think of to raise a lot of cash. And her enthusiasm for the place...she hadn’t been faking that.
He raised his gaze just as she walked through the front door.
She’d changed into a different pair of jeans, a fresh shirt. He couldn’t help wishing she’d worn a dress, something more sophisticated that would have shown off her tall, lean body, the way she carried herself. She must have amazing legs.
He stood as she approached the table, then sat when she slid into her side of the booth.
“You’re early,” she said.
“I’ve only been here a few minutes. It’s a nice place.”
She grinned as she looked at the row of uniform booths along the window facing Main Street and the old-fashioned counter with black vinyl and metal stools. “It’s the only place.”
“There are more restaurants in Kalispell. We could go right now.”
She picked up the menu, shaking her head. “Cocoa might foal tonight, so I can’t even be here for long.”
He picked up his menu, too, noticing straight off that they had a homemade beef stew featured. “You know, you never did answer my question about how you ended up in northern Montana.”
She studied him, her lips pressed together and her eyes grave. “Serendipity. I’d heard about Safe Haven when I was traveling. I’ve always been into horses, and animal sanctuaries were a passion. When I came to Blackfoot Falls, I never intended to take over Safe Haven. That just sort of happened.”
“Traveling from...?”
“Back east.” She studied the menu, then smiled up at him. “I haven’t eaten here much, but I do know about the popular dishes. The chicken fried steak is homemade, battered right here, and the burgers are supposed to be off the charts. Oh, and if you like crispy fries, Marge’s is the place.”
Instead of calling her on her subtle misdirection, Tucker found himself caught in her gaze. He leaned forward, aching to break down the walls that she’d built so well. There were no obvious lies in anything she’d said. She hadn’t blinked or given any tells that he could see. It only made her more of an enigma.
God, but she was beautiful. His hand moved across the table until he almost touched her. It was a near-miss, stopping himself just before contact. There was too much he wanted from this woman to let his attraction subvert his plans.
Unfortunately, what he saw reflected in her eyes wasn’t the hint of fear he’d been expecting, but a want he understood too well.
Her lips, pink and lush and unpainted, parted, revealing her white top teeth. If she were his, he would kiss her for hours, make them both crazy for more. But he wouldn’t give in. Not until she was quivering in his arms.
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 t
oo 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
THE 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.
* * *
FOR 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 li
ne, 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.