Taming A Texas Heartbreaker (Bad Boy Ranch Book 4) Read online

  The list surprised him. He knew she was constantly moving, but he had thought she was just hyperactive. He hadn’t realized she needed to move quickly to get everything done. “Wait a minute, you clean the rooms and mow the lawns? You don’t have a housekeeper and gardener?” He hadn’t seen either, but had just assumed that both worked in the early mornings when he was sleeping or in the afternoons when he was at the Double Diamond.

  “This is a small business. You’re looking at the only employee. At least until we get more customers and I can hire some help.”

  He was speechless. “You do everything? But that’s impossible.”

  “Not impossible. Just not easy.”

  Especially when she had him as an added responsibility. He set down the fork he’d just picked up. “I’m sorry. If I had realized that you didn’t have any help, I wouldn’t have been so demanding. You don’t have to bring me breakfast and dinner. I can figure something else out.”

  “It’s not that big of a deal if I don’t have to make something special. Especially when my plan seems to be working. I rented out one room this morning and I got three more reservations for this coming week. I’m assuming you posted the picture of the garden you took last night.”

  He hadn’t posted it because there wasn’t a picture of the garden. Just a picture of Reba in her nightgown. A picture he’d kept looking at most of the night. Which probably explained why his new villain had curly red hair and a voluptuous body. Of course, he wasn’t about to tell Reba that. “Yes. Now are you going to join me or not? My neck is getting a crick.”

  She pulled out a chair and sat down. “I guess I can spare a few minutes for the man who brought in business. How’s the writing going? I hope you didn’t just write one word over and over again last night.”

  “I wrote a few more.” He picked up his fork and started to eat. The quiche was quite good.

  She leaned her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand. “So tell me about it.”

  He didn’t usually talk about his works in progress with anyone but his editor. But he was dying to bounce his story idea off someone. He planned to give her a quick synopsis. But once he started talking, he couldn’t seem to stop. Reba was a good listener. Not only was she attentive, but she also asked thoughtful questions that made him realize there were a few tweaks he needed to make to the plotline. When he finally finished, he felt completely drained . . . and terrified. What if she hated the idea? She didn’t look all that happy. In fact, she looked a little stunned.

  “It’s crap.” He ran his hands through his hair, fisting the mussed strands in his fingers. “It’s crap just like the last book.”

  “It’s not crap. I’m not an expert on thrillers, but I think it’s good.”

  He lifted his head. “Really?”

  She nodded. “If I have nightmares tonight, it will be all your fault.”

  He didn’t know why her approval made him so happy. Maybe because he knew she wasn’t the type of woman who lied. She was real. Maybe the realest person he’d ever met. Relief flooded him. He hadn’t lost his writing mojo. He was still Valentine Sterling.

  Without thought, he jumped up from his chair and pulled Reba into his arms, swinging her around at least twice before he realized what he was doing. Feeling like a complete idiot, he set her back on her feet and stepped away.

  “I’m sorry. I get a little crazy about my writing.” When she only stood there staring at him, he rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat. “Thanks for listening and for bringing me breakfast.”

  She blinked and nodded. “Anytime, Mr. Sterling.”

  “Valentine.”

  She hesitated before she repeated. “Valentine.” He liked the way it sounded in her husky Texas drawl and he smiled.

  “You might want to go out the French doors just in case Aunt Gertie is still on watch.”

  Again she nodded before she slipped out the doors into the garden.

  Once she was gone, he sat back down at the table to finish his coffee. He saw the scone sitting there and decided that one bite wouldn’t hurt anything. It might even help his carb/Reba craving. Unfortunately, the scone was so dry and tough that he needed three gulps of coffee to get it down. Reba had obviously overworked the dough. The woman really needed baking lessons. Of course, it sounded like she didn’t have enough time for lessons or baking. He couldn’t help feeling guilty for his past demands and for taking an hour of her time today telling her a story she probably hadn’t even wanted to hear.

  Maybe he could make that hour up to her. He had spent three summers in high school mowing his neighbors’ grass for spending money. He could mow the boardinghouse lawn.

  After finishing his coffee and doing a little editing on the pages he’d written the night before, he pulled on an old t-shirt, his running shoes, and his straw cowboy hat. He planned to take the tray to the kitchen and then go in search of Reba so he could ask where she kept her lawn mower. But on the way to the kitchen, he discovered Miss Gertie in the dining room sitting at the table with a man. Before she could see him, Val ducked back around the corner.

  “I thought you said that you don’t drink or smoke,” Aunt Gertie said.

  “Y-Y-Yes, ma’am,” the man stammered. “I mean, no, ma’am, I don’t.”

  Miss Gertie snorted. “You tell that bunch of hogwash to someone else. I can smell the smoke on you from here.”

  “Well, I smoke occasionally, ma’am. But I’m more than willing to quit.”

  “Lyin’ is lyin’. And that’s something that I won’t tolerate. I’m afraid you aren’t going to fit the bill, Mr. Davenport. Besides, you didn’t mention that you were so short.”

  Val was a little stunned. Did Miss Gertie interrogate all the new guests? She hadn’t interrogated him, but she had bawled him out about staying away from the women of Simple. If that was how she treated guests, he knew why Reba was struggling to keep the boardinghouse going.

  “I don’t think my size should matter, Miss Dixon,” Mr. Davenport said. “And speaking of lying, in your ad, you said this was a five-star hotel.”

  “Are you saying it’s not?” she snapped, and Val didn’t have to look to know the man was squirming in his seat.

  “No, ma’am.”

  Miss Gertie snorted again. “I’m done with you. You can stay the night, but be gone by morning.” The squeak of wheels told Val she was headed his way. He quickly set the tray on the table in the foyer and covered it with an edge of the table runner as Miss Gertie came shuffling around the corner. As soon as she saw him, her eyes narrowed.

  “What are you doin’ sneakin’ around?”

  “I was looking for Reba. She mentioned she needed to mow the lawn and I thought I would do it for her.”

  Her eyes squinted almost shut. “And why would you do that?”

  He shrugged. “Because I had some time and she doesn’t seem to.”

  “Well, you have a point there. That girl works way too much.”

  He wanted to point out that she wouldn’t have to if Miss Gertie would quit scaring away paying guests, but he figured that wasn’t his business. He reached out his hand to the cat that was sitting in the basket. The cat stared at it for a second before he rubbed his head against Val’s open palm for a scratch.

  Miss Gertie tipped her head of white curls. “Humph. Butler usually doesn’t take to strangers. Especially men.”

  “I had a cat when I was a kid. Cupcake loved his ears scratched.”

  “Cupcake is a foolish name for a cat.”

  “People have a tendency to name their pets after things they love. I loved cupcakes as a kid. You obviously love Gone with the Wind.” He glanced around. “And I can see where this house would make a good Tara. In fact, you and your niece remind me a little of Scarlett. You’re both strong women who could take on the entire union army by yourselves.”

  She snorted, but her eyes had lost their squint. “Dixons are strong women.” She paused. “But I hope Reba doesn’t end up like m
e and Scarlett. I hope she realizes her love of this old boardinghouse isn’t the same as loving a human being. I put a lot of good years into this place and all I got in return is a sore back and long, lonely nights. I don’t want that for Reba. After I die, I want to know she’ll have someone she can count on. Someone who loves her like she deserves to be loved.”

  It was the nicest thing he’d ever heard Miss Gertie say. He had thought she was just an angry old woman who liked to make peoples’ lives miserable. But now he saw underneath her sharp barks was a sad woman who regretted the mistakes she had made in the past and didn’t want her beloved niece to make the same ones. Although her barks still stung.

  “Well, don’t just stand there looking stupid,” she said. “Reba went into town for groceries, but you’ll find the lawn mower in the shed at the back of the garden. And don’t cut down any of my flowers or you’ll be planting new ones.” She turned and shuffled off.

  When she was gone, he picked up the tray and carried it to the kitchen. He found a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. In New York, he had a housekeeper who did his dishes, but when he was growing up, doing dishes had been one of his chores. Surprisingly, one he had missed. He enjoyed rinsing the dishes and placing them in the dishwasher, then scrubbing the pans. It was mindless work that allowed him to think about his story. When the entire kitchen was clean, he had a new plot twist and secondary character. After starting the dishwasher, he headed out to the garden to search for the shed.

  The garden wasn’t as manicured as other hotel gardens he’d been in. There was no rhyme or reason to where the trees, bushes, and flowers had been planted or where the fountains, statues, and benches had been placed. Walking along the winding brick path, you didn’t know what you’d stumble across. A hammock, a gazebo, a koi pond, a naked nymph, or a tiny little golden rabbit eating flowers.

  The rabbit didn’t seem to be scared of Val. It sat there in the midst of the bright yellow and black daisies nibbling away and watching Val with intelligent eyes.

  “Roo, I take it?” Val crouched down, surprised that the rabbit didn’t dart away. “I understand why Reba talks to you. You look like you understand what I’m saying.”

  “Maybe he does.” A young woman in western wear and a cowboy hat stepped around a large lilac bush. Thick golden-brown braids framed a friendly face with big brown eyes and a freckled button of a nose. She glanced at the rabbit and grinned, flashing the slight space between her two front teeth. “He does look like he’s listening, doesn’t he? Or is it a she?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m not much of a rabbit expert. Are you a new guest at the boardinghouse?”

  “Actually, I’m staying in my trailer just outside of town. I was hoping to talk to the manager or owner, but no one seems to be working the front desk. Do you work here?”

  “Just a guest. Reba went into town, but she should be back soon. You can wait here in the garden or on the front porch.”

  She pulled her cellphone out of the back pocket of her Wranglers and glanced at it. “Actually, I have an appointment in a few minutes so I’ll have to come back.”

  “Who can I say stopped by?”

  “Maisy Sweeney.” She held out her hand.

  So this was Sam Sweeney’s daughter. Val never would’ve guessed it. She looked nothing like her father. Sam’s hair had been blond and thinning and his eyes soulless. He could’ve told her who he was and that he knew she’d been out to the Double Diamond looking for her father. Instead, he kept that information to himself.

  “Valentine Sterling.” He shook her hand. “So what brings you to Simple, Texas, Ms. Sweeney?”

  “I’m looking for my father.”

  “He’s gone missing?”

  “I’m not sure. We were estranged for most my life and I just started looking for him to reconnect. But that’s proven harder than I thought.”

  “Did you try the Internet? Nowadays, you can find just about anyone with a web search.”

  “You would think, but so far I haven’t been able to find much. Of course, I’m not what you’d call Internet savvy.”

  “How did you know he worked at the Double Diamond?”

  “I located his sister. Although she wasn’t real thrilled to get a call from me. I guess she hasn’t talked to my daddy since he stole some money from her. Still, she was nice enough to send me some birthday cards he’d sent to my grandma before she died. And one of those came from the Double Diamond.”

  “And the others?”

  “Were all from before.”

  “So he didn’t send a card to his mom after the Double Diamond?”

  Maisy shrugged. “I guess he must’ve gotten in a fight with her too. My aunt said my daddy could tick off the Virgin Mary.” She laughed good-naturedly as if she wasn’t too upset about having an asshole for a father. She lifted her phone and glanced at it. “I better get goin’. It was nice meetin’ you.”

  After she was gone, Val headed to the shed to get the lawn mower. But the entire time he mowed, he couldn’t shake the funny feeling in his gut that something wasn’t right. Sam was a jerk, but if he had sent a stack of birthday cards to his mother, why would he suddenly stop? There had to be a reason for it. It was like a cliffhanger he’d put at the end of one of his chapters.

  Cliffhangers were great for books, but not so much for real life.

  Chapter Seven

  “You’re saying that the Luc who wrote my aunt a love letter is actually Lucas Diamond from the Double Diamond Ranch?” Reba stared at Evie, who sat across the table from her at the Simple Pharmacy soda fountain. “But that doesn’t make sense, Evie. You know how much my aunt hates Lucas and Chester.”

  “Then why did she date him?”

  Penny turned to her sister. “Lucas dated Miss Gertie? Who told you that and why didn’t you tell me? You better not start keeping secrets from me again, Evie, like you did with Clint and Logan.”

  Evie placed an arm around her little sister and pulled her close. “I’m not keeping anything from you, Pen. I just forgot what Devlin had told me until Reba brought up the love letter she found.”

  Reba was completely confused. “Devlin? Why would Holden’s wife know about Aunt Gertie and Lucas?”

  “Chester mentioned Lucas dating her. And it makes perfect sense given what you told us about the letter. Lucas was a rodeo star who rode broncs.”

  “But he has to be at least ten years younger than she is. And if she dated him, why hasn’t she ever said anything?”

  Evie shrugged. “Maybe she hasn’t said a word to you about dating him because he broke her heart. I know from experience that heartbreak can make you hate a man. Although I never really hated Logan. It was all just to cover up how hurt I was when I thought he left town and never called or wrote to me.”

  Reba couldn’t see her aunt having a broken heart over any man. Especially Lucas Diamond. But it would certainly explain a lot of things. Why her aunt was so worried about Double Diamond boys defiling the young women of Simple. And why she’d never married. Maybe Lucas had never come back to ask her to marry him. He had always seemed like a sweet old cowboy to Reba. But maybe he had been as much of a player as Valentine Sterling.

  There was little doubt that Valentine was a player.

  The episode this morning had been a perfect example. The way he’d placed a hand on the door and half-caged her in with his muscled chest and masculine scent. The way his sleepy eyes had looked at her. The way he’d spoken in a sexy whisper that had made her insides melt. Thank God, she’d come to her senses before she’d done something stupid like give in to the desire that seemed to take over her body whenever she was with him.

  “Lost love would certainly explain why your aunt is so grumpy.” Evie took a long sip from the straw that stuck out of her frothy root beer float before she swiped one of her sister’s French fries.

  “Hey,” Penny said. “Just because you inhaled your fries doesn’t mean you can inhale mine too.”

  Evie ate the fry in two bites. �
��Remember, I’m eating for two. You wouldn’t deprive your niece or nephew of food, would you?”

  Penny rolled her eyes. “I’m getting pretty darned sick of you and your son using that as an excuse to eat all my food. Clint uses that “take pity on your nephew” excuse all the time.”

  “I’ll let you steal all my food when you’re pregnant.” Evie snagged another fry before she turned to Reba. “So what did Aunt Gertie say when you asked her about the letter?”

  Reba finished swallowing the bite of cheeseburger she’d just taken. “I didn’t ask her. She would only deny that it was a love letter and yell at me for snooping around her room. Besides, it doesn’t really make a difference now.”

  “Why not?” Evie asked. “What if she and Lucas still love each other and are both just too stubborn to acknowledge it. If I hadn’t let my ego get in the way of contacting Logan and telling him how I felt, we might’ve gotten back together a lot sooner.”

  “My aunt is in her nineties. I think it’s a little too late.”

  “It’s never too late for a second chance at love,” Penny said. “Even if Cru came back when I was a hundred, I still would want to marry him and spend whatever time we have left together.”

  “I don’t think Aunt Gertie is the type of woman to forgive and forget—even if Double Diamond boys have a way of getting under your best defenses with their seductive ways.”

  “Seductive ways?” Evie stared at Reba. “How do you know about Double Diamond boys’ seductive ways?” Her eyes widened. “You’re smitten with Val, aren’t you?”

  “No!” Reba said a little too loudly.

  Penny laughed. “I think she protests too much, Sis.”

  Reba shook her head. “I am not smitten with Valentine.”

  “Your red cheeks say otherwise,” Evie said. “That’s why you’ve been acting so weird. You have a thing for Val.”

  Before she could deny it again, Penny leaned closer. “So give us the dirt? What kind of seduction are we talking about?”

  “There was no seduction.” When the sisters’ eyebrows hiked up identically, Reba gave in. “Fine. There was a kiss. But it was just a fluke. I stumbled and Valentine caught me. Which probably threw out his back.”