––––––––
Wyatt stared at Sharon Winters. She was an attractive woman and he could see where Olivia got her looks, but this woman was up to something, and he planned to find out what it was.
“Why are you here?” he asked her.
Sharon smiled. “She must get her good taste in men from me. If I were ten years younger, I’d give her a run for her money over you.”
He smirked. “You’d never get the chance.”
“Never say never, gorgeous. I usually get what I want.”
Wyatt never moved. He stood with his arms crossed and didn’t take his eyes off her. Then he jerked his head toward the door, telling her to go. After a slight hesitation, she turned and left through the front door. He returned to Olivia’s apartment where he found her on the couch with Becca beside her.
“You can go home, Becca. I’ll stay with her. You and Jake have to leave early tomorrow morning.”
Becca stood. “But so do you. You’re going to the sale, aren’t you?”
“I can leave from here. I’ll have Lucky pick me up.”
Becca hugged him. “You’re a wonderful brother-in-law.”
He chuckled and sat down beside Olivia.
“Call me if you need anything, Liv. I mean anything. Perhaps even a shotgun?” Becca grinned and after kissing Olivia’s cheek, left.
“Are you really staying here?” Olivia asked him.
“I am.” He kissed her forehead.
“I only have a queen size bed. It’s not like your big king,” Olivia teased.
He made a face. “I guess that means I have to sleep right next to you.”
Olivia threw her arms around him. “If you have to, you have to.”
A few hours later, Wyatt heard something in the main kitchen. Olivia was asleep beside him. He eased out from the bed and pulled his jeans on. He zipped up but didn’t snap them. He crept through the apartment, opened the door quietly, and stepped into the B and B’s kitchen. He flipped on the light and saw Sharon Winters standing there in her robe. She started, but then grinned when she saw him.
“You’re not allowed in the kitchen. None of the guests are,” Wyatt told her.
Sharon smiled at him and slowly walked toward him. “You really are something—tall, dark, and gorgeous. Those eyes are amazing.”
Wyatt leaned back against the fridge and folded his arms across his bare chest. “You need to go back to your room.”
“How about you? Would you like to go back to my room?”
His mouth twitched in distaste. “Not likely.”
Sharon moved closer to him. “I’m really not that much older than you. I’m only forty-six—a cougar.” She laughed.
“I’m not into...cougars. But I will tell you this...if you hurt her, you’ll deal with me.”
Sharon ran her fingernails down his chest and smiled when he stiffened. “I’d love to deal with you, gorgeous.” Her fingertip trailed through the hair surrounding his belly button which arrowed down to disappear inside his jeans. “I’d love to follow this happy trail,” she whispered.
Wyatt sneered and pushed her hand away.
“Not a chance.” He straightened up and glared down at her. “Now, get out of the kitchen and don’t ever come back in here again or you’ll be asked to leave the B and B.”
She stared up at him, and then licked her lips. Wyatt clenched his jaw and gave her a terse nod. She fled from the kitchen. He blew out a breath, turned to go back into the apartment, and almost ran over Olivia.
“How long have you been there?” he asked, hating the thought of what she’d seen.
“I came out right when she said she’d love to follow your happy trail. I wanted to filet her.”
“Shit. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault that you’re tall, dark, and gorgeous,” Olivia snickered.
Wyatt growled, picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder, and returned them to her bed.
* * * *
The next morning, Olivia stepped into the kitchen and smiled at Evelyn. She poured herself a cup of coffee and turned to go back into her apartment when out of the corner of her eye, she saw Stan outside talking with a man who had his back to her. Frowning, she walked to the door and looked out. She knew that back all too well.
She opened the back door. Wyatt turned toward the door. He smiled when he saw her. She narrowed her eyes at him with suspicion.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were going to the sale?”
Wyatt strolled over to her. “I decided not to.”
“I don’t need a babysitter, cowboy,” Olivia snapped, knowing he’d stayed behind because of what had happened the night before.
Wyatt halted and raised an eyebrow at her. “I didn’t say you did.”
She glared at him before stepping back inside and slamming the door. She grumbled as she sat down at the table and scooped up some of the scrambled eggs Evelyn had made for breakfast. She was shoveling a forkful into her mouth when the back door swung open. Wyatt pulled out a chair, turned it around, and straddled it.
“Get up on the wrong side of the bed, sweetheart?” he remarked with a sneer.
“No. I got up just fine. The bed was empty and I thought you’d gone to the sale.”
Wyatt reared back. “I stayed because I didn’t like leaving you alone with that she-devil who calls herself your mother,” he said. His voice became a growl when he said the word mother.
Olivia pushed her chair back, stood, and glared at him. “As I already said, I do not need a babysitter.”
Wyatt stood. “It seemed like you needed one last night.”
“That was low, cowboy. I was in shock last night. She is not going to run me out of here.”
“Fine. I’m out of here,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Good! Go catch up with your brothers at the sale.” She clenched her jaw so hard it ached.
They stood glaring at each other until Evelyn cleared her throat. Olivia had forgotten about her being there and cringed at her witnessing the spat. Wyatt narrowed his eyes at her, spun on his heel, and went out the door, slamming it behind him.
Olivia blew out a breath, and then sat back down. “Damn him. He makes me so angry. Why would I need him to stay here with me?”
“If I was your age and had a man who looked like that wanting to babysit me, I would definitely let him,” Evelyn said.
Olivia didn’t say anything but simply shook her head and returned to her apartment. She had work to do and she didn’t want to think about Wyatt. She was sure that once he calmed down, he’d see her side and know he was wrong. She smiled thinking about how they’d make up. She hoped anyway.
* * * *
A few days went by but there was no word from Wyatt. Olivia didn’t have the time to go see him. The B and B closed in a week, and they seemed busier than usual. She was in the kitchen helping Evelyn when Stacy came in.
“There’s a woman at the front desk asking for you, Olivia,” she announced. “She says she’s your mother.”
Olivia rolled her eyes and walked out front to the foyer. Sharon stood at the counter. A smile came across her lips when she saw Olivia.
“Were you busy?” she asked.
Olivia shrugged with annoyance. “I do have a job to do here. You know what a job is, don’t you, Sharon?”
Sharon burst out laughing. “Sharon? You’re calling me by my name now?”
Olivia leaned over the counter. “Well, I’m sure as hell not going to call you mother,” she said in a fierce whisper.
Sharon shrugged. “Could we talk? Somewhere private?”
Was it possible she was finally going to tell Olivia what she was really doing there? Olivia motioned for her to follow her and led her through the kitchen to her apartment. She waved a hand toward the couch, while she took a seat in the chair.
“Where’s that gorgeous man of yours?” Sharon smiled, slyly glancing around.
Olivia leaned forward gripping the arms of the chair. “Is that what you want to talk about? Wyatt?”
“Wyatt.” Sharon seemed to purr his name. “Sexy name for a sexy man.”
“Get out,” Olivia told her coming to her feet and pointing toward the door.
“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” Sharon laughed. “Oh, Olivia, you’re such a fool. Don’t you know men only want one thing? Of course, if that man wanted it from me, I’d be more than happy to give it to him.”
“I will not discuss Wyatt with you,” Olivia shouted. She didn’t care if every person in the B and B heard her.
Sharon waved her hand. “Fine then...I want money.”
Olivia’s mouth dropped open. “What makes you think I have any?”
The woman snorted. “I know the Daniels’ left you money. I know your little coffee shop sold and you have a job here. You have money, Olivia, and I want some of it.”
Olivia marched over to the door and opened it. “Get out. Now!”
Sharon stood and moved toward the door, stopping in front of Olivia. “You will give me what I want. Trust me, because I can make sure you never see Wyatt again.” She leaned close to Olivia. “Don’t underestimate me and don’t go to the police. I know all the wrong kinds of people. People who will have no problem making things happen. Do we understand each other?”
Olivia nodded, and then slammed the door behind Sharon as soon as she was in the hallway. She walked to the couch, collapsed on it, and started shaking as Sharon’s words sunk in. Would she really do something to hurt Wyatt? She really didn’t know anything about the woman who had given birth to her. That was, nothing other than she’d gotten herself pregnant at sixteen and two years later decided she didn’t want the child around anymore.
She wrapped her arms around herself and rocked, suddenly frightened by this stranger. She didn’t know how much money Sharon wanted but she was sure it was way more than what she had. Despite what Sharon thought, the coffee shop hadn’t been a big payoff. After she paid off the mortgage, there hadn’t been much left. The Daniels’ had left her money, but she didn’t even know how much. She hadn’t wanted to know. All she knew was she felt she hadn’t deserved it. Sure, she had loved them and they had loved her but she wasn’t their blood, and she’d been terrible to them for a while.
Sitting up, she came to a decision. No. She might not deserve the money she had inherited but she wouldn’t touch it, especially to satisfy this bitch. She wasn’t going to let Sharon run all over her. She was going to tell the bitch she wouldn’t get money from her and she wouldn’t hurt Wyatt or anyone else Olivia loved. With that in mind, she pulled herself up from the couch, squared her shoulders, and went to her little kitchen to get something to eat. Sharon Winters was not going to ruin anything for her.
* * * *
Wyatt stopped along the edge of the corral when he heard a truck coming up the drive. When he realized it was Jake’s, he knew this couldn’t be good. Jake rarely came over without calling first. He figured it had something to do with Olivia. He watched as the truck came to a stop but was surprised when Becca hopped out. Shit!
He watched as she marched up to him, stopped, and then stood with her hands on her hips and glared at him. He sighed.
“Why haven’t you gone back to see her?”
“She’s the one who said she didn’t need me. I left. What was I supposed to do, Becca?”
“You know how she is. She blows up, and then it’s over. I want to tell you about her life,” Becca said.
“I know all about it. She told me. It doesn’t excuse the fact she threw my help back in my face.” Wyatt shook his head. “I’m done, Becca. I’ve had enough.”
“You’re going to let your relationship fall apart because of her temper? Her mother has her so confused right now. She sure as hell doesn’t need you leaving her,” Becca said with anger.
He put his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes. “First off, there is no relationship to let fall apart. It was only sex between us. Second, I’m not leaving her. She told me she didn’t need me.”
“Sex? You think it was just sex?” Becca grabbed his arm when he started to move away.
“Yes, damn it. It’s what we agreed it would be. Otherwise, it never would have happened. I’ve told everyone over and over again that I’m not looking for any kind of relationship other than sex, but none of you can get it through your heads. I had a relationship and look how that turned out.” He spun on his heel and stalked away from her.
“You’re an idiot,” Becca yelled. He turned to look at her. “Yes, you are, Wyatt Stone.” She ran toward him and halted in front of him. “You want to live alone the rest of your life and let a woman like Olivia go, then you’re an idiot. She’s crazy about you. She has been since she first saw you and now you want to end it. Fine. Do that, but let me tell you something, you are going to break her heart. You think just sex would do that?” She whirled away from him, climbed into her truck, and drove away, leaving him standing there.
* * * *
Olivia was covering the counter when Sharon walked up to it. Olivia swore under her breath.
“I’d like to take a drive. Where should I go?” the woman asked.
Olivia burst out laughing. “You don’t need me to tell you where to go.”
“I could always go find that man of yours and take his mind off you. I know I could get him, Olivia.”
Olivia shrugged. “You’ll be happy to know we aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
“You aren’t a very good liar. You’re just saying that thinking I’ll leave him alone. If it really is over between you then I’d love to find him.” Sharon leaned across the counter. “I don’t care if you’re seeing him or not. If I want him, I’ll have him.” She laughed. “You get me the money I want and I’ll leave you both alone. Of course, that saddens me.”
Olivia raised her eyebrows in shock.
“Not because of you. I have no feelings whatsoever for you but that man of yours, now he would be worth sticking around for.” Sharon turned away from her even as Olivia wanted to rip the woman’s hair out. “I mean it, Olivia. I want money.”
“I told you. I. Don’t. Have. Any,” Olivia replied through clenched teeth.
Jake suddenly appeared from the hallway. “Liv? What’s going on?”
Olivia wanted to groan when she saw Sharon’s eyes widen at the sight of Jake. She saw her grin at him, and then it grew when Gabe sauntered in a moment later.
“Well. The scenery really is amazing around here.” Sharon glanced at Olivia. “Why didn’t you tell me there were more of them?” She strode toward the men, stopping in front of them. “You have to be related to Olivia’s man.”
“If you mean Wyatt, we’re his older brothers,” Jake informed her. “Who are you?”
Olivia snorted. “This is my...the woman who gave birth to me.”
Sharon put her hand out. “Sharon Winters and you are...?”
“Jake Stone and this is my brother Gabe.” Jake didn’t put his hand in hers.
“I can certainly see why you live in this godforsaken town, Olivia.”
Becca and Emma arrived next and stood by their husbands. Sharon burst out laughing. “This is priceless. Is this your own little army, Olivia?”
Olivia strode around the desk and stood close to Sharon. “I don’t need an army. I can take care of you myself.” She grinned. “Want to see?”
Sharon stepped back. “I’m going for a little drive.” She glared at Olivia. “You and I will talk later.” She went out the front door without looking back.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when she disappeared.
“I hate that woman,” Olivia cried. “I need to see Wyatt. I think I’ll go...what?” she asked when she saw a look pass between all of them.
“Nothing,” Jake told her.
“Bullshit, Jake. You are a horrible liar.” Olivia glanced at Becca. “There’s something you’re not telling me. Is he all right? Did something happen?” Her voice rose as panic began to set in.
“Let’s go to your room and we’ll talk.” Becca led her away.
Once in the apartment, Becca told Olivia about the conversation she’d had with Wyatt. Olivia jumped up from the sofa and clenched her fists.
“What?” she shouted at Becca. “He’s breaking things off with me? Through you?”
“Liv, just give him time to think about what it’s like without you,” Becca suggested.
“No. I’m going over there right now. He’s not breaking it off with me through his sister in-law,” Olivia muttered as she grabbed her car keys and ran out the door.
* * * *
Wyatt was riding Cochise around the arena when the door opened. He glanced over and swore under his breath as he reigned in the horse and dismounted. Cochise put his ears back.
“We just can’t get rid of her can we, buddy.” Wyatt rubbed the horse’s neck and led him to the stall where he wiped him down, fed, and watered him.
“You can’t just ignore me, Wyatt.”
“I can sure give it a hell of a good try, Stephanie.” He glanced at her. “I thought I told you not to come back here.”
“I heard you weren’t seeing your little slut anymore, so I decided to come over and see you.” She smiled at him.
He glared at her. “I don’t want you talking about Olivia that way and I sure as hell don’t want you here.” He strode away from her but she grabbed his T-shirt in her hands and stopped him.
“Wyatt. I forgive you for seeing her. We can be together now.”
Wyatt clasped her arms in his hands. “Look, I know this is all an act with you but I can’t figure out why. You don’t want me back any more than I want you back.” He gave her a small shove. “Go away.”
He moved past her and headed out of the barn. That’s when he saw Olivia pull up in her SUV. He groaned thinking he must be in hell. He watched her march across the yard to him and come to a halt in front of him. Those beautiful eyes of hers were shooting flames at him.
“You can’t break it off with me in person? You had to have your sister in-law tell me?” Olivia had her hands on her hips, and her lips tightened into a flat line.
Wyatt opened his mouth but Stephanie came up behind him. “This is why you’re telling me to leave? Because your...she was coming here?”
Wyatt didn’t shift his gaze away from Olivia but instead watched as her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened, and then narrowed—dangerously.
“Fluffy? Really?”
Olivia folded her arms over her chest as she stared up at him and then she moved her eyes to Stephanie, who was staring right back at her. He had a bad feeling about this. He saw Stephanie swallow and nearly laughed because she was not quite as tough as she wanted to appear. He ran his hand down over his face. Christ, why me?
“You want him? You got him,” Olivia exclaimed as she spun around to head back toward her car.
Wyatt moved fast and wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her close to put his mouth next to her ear. “Do you seriously think I’d have her here?”
“She doesn’t want you, Wyatt. She said so.” Stephanie stepped up beside them.
Olivia jerked out of his arms. “You didn’t even have the balls to break it off with me in person.”
He sighed. “I was upset. You told me you didn’t need me. How was that supposed to make me feel?”
“You were upset because you thought I didn’t need you?” Olivia asked.
“You didn’t need me. You told me you didn’t need a babysitter but I wasn’t being a babysitter, I was there for you because Sharon was here.” Wyatt stared into her eyes and hoped she could see he was telling her the truth. He had missed her so much.
Stephanie huffed. “You’re going to come crawling back to me one day, Wyatt Stone. When your little slut’s done with you and moving on to the next cowboy, you’ll come back to me.”
“That’s it,” Olivia growled and reached out to grab Stephanie. Wyatt quickly grabbed her around the waist, picking her up so her feet dangled off the ground. “Put me down,” she hissed.
“I think it’s time you got the hell out of here. I’m not sure how long I can hold her,” he told Stephanie. When she hesitated, Wyatt shrugged and started to lower Olivia to her feet.
“This is just great. You told me to come here, Wyatt, then she shows up and you act like I don’t even exist,” Stephanie shouted at him.
“Are you still here?” he asked Stephanie.
Wyatt kept his hold on Olivia as Stephanie ranted. Finally, she stormed away from them and left. He blew out an exasperated breath.
“Christ, she’s a pain in the ass,” he muttered.
“Put me down. Now,” Olivia told him.
He slowly lowered her to her feet. She turned and glared up at him. Wyatt tilted his head as he gazed down at her. When her mouth twitched, he reached out and pulled her close to him.
“I’ve missed you, sweetheart,” he whispered in her ear. He grinned when she shivered.
“You know, you could be married to her right now,” Olivia told him.
“That shit’s not even funny,” he muttered.
Olivia laughed and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m so glad you’re not.” She squealed when he threw her over his shoulder and headed for the house. “Must you always carry me this way, and just where do you think you’re taking me, cowboy?”
“I seem to recall you saying something about me not having any balls. I need to prove that I do and I like carrying you this way. It gives me great access to your fantastic ass.” Wyatt ran his hand over her jean-covered ass while carrying her into the house.
Sometime later, Wyatt woke up with Olivia’s head on his shoulder. He knew the minute she woke up because she blew out a breath. “What was that for?” he asked in a sleepy voice.
Olivia jerked. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you up.”
Wyatt moved away from her and sat up. “It’s fine. I’m hungry.”
“Me too.” Olivia smiled up at him.
“You’re always hungry.”
Olivia sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Always hungry for you, cowboy,” she said with a laugh that made him feel great.
Wyatt wrapped his arms around her. “I’ll fix us something.” He stood up.
Olivia flopped back on the bed. “Are you sure? I can wait a little longer.”
He gazed down at her and shook his head. “I can’t. If I get back in that bed with you, I’ll die of starvation. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”
She laughed with a naughty glint in her amazing eyes. “No. You need your strength, cowboy.”
“I sure as hell do where you’re concerned.”
* * * *
Three days later, Olivia was sitting at the front counter when Sharon came striding in. She halted at the desk, and glanced around as if to make sure they were alone then leaned forward.
“I want seventy-five thousand dollars, and I want it within the week. I’ll stay in town until you get it for me then I’ll leave, and you’ll never hear from me again.”
“Are you out of your fucking mind? I don’t have that kind of money,” Olivia exclaimed, trying to keep her voice down.
Sharon smiled slyly. “You might not, but I bet that hunk of yours does.”
Olivia gasped. “I can’t ask Wyatt for that kind of money.”
“I guess we’ll be seeing quite a lot of each other then. Until you give me the money, I’ll be staying right here in Clifton.” Sharon turned away from her with a grin, and glided up the stairs to her room.
Olivia blinked tears from her eyes. She knew she had no choice. To get rid of Sharon, she’d have to give her money. She marched to her apartment and found the number for the bank where the Daniels had deposited money into an account in her name. She groaned at the thought of doing this. Becca could never know about it. It would be the end of their friendship if she found out Olivia had used the money to pay off Sharon.
She was heading back through the main kitchen but turned toward the foyer when she heard the front door open. She watched as Wyatt walked toward her and for the first time ever, she was wishing he hadn’t come by—not right now anyway.
“Hey darlin’,” Wyatt said with a smile. She glanced away and didn’t respond. She felt his hand at her chin lifting it to force her to look at him. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asked as he moved his hand up to cup her cheek. She leaned into his hand. It would be so easy to tell him what Sharon wanted, but she didn’t want to burden anyone else with her problem.
“Nothing. I guess I’m just tired,” she whispered.
Wyatt frowned at her. “Tired, huh?” He smiled. “Then I guess that means I’ll be sleeping alone tonight.”
“I said I was tired cowboy, not dead.” Olivia glared at him.
He chuckled. “Will you come over later? I’ll fix dinner. God knows, I know you’ll be hungry.”
She swatted at him and laughed. “I’ll be there. I get off at four.”
Wyatt gave her a wicked grin. “I’ll make sure you get off again after dinner.”
This drew another chuckle from her. “You are so bad, Wyatt Stone.”
He leaned down and kissed her fast and hard. “Later, darlin’.”
Olivia sighed as she watched him saunter away. She was so in love with him and in way over her head. She was going to end up with a broken heart yet. It was already beginning to crack, but if she didn’t get rid of Sharon soon, she was also going to go insane.