The buzzing woke Grace. Her phone vibrated, ringing on silent, on the dresser.
She opened her eyes to the most beautiful sight. Holden sound asleep on her bed, his arms still wrapped around her. Captivated by him, she let the phone go to voice mail.
She wanted to touch him all over. But she didn’t, steeling herself against the desire, against the sight of him, long and powerful like a lion. She wondered what he did to keep up the tan, the sculpted muscles, what he looked like shaving in the morning.
That kiss last night. It had been everything. Explosive, full of hunger and longing. He’d been demanding, as a lover would be, yet he’d also been tender. She didn’t know a kiss could be like that.
He was such a good guy. Not only that but he was the first man, ever, who she wanted to give herself to without holding anything back.
And that scared her. Made her want to run in the opposite direction.
Part of her wondered if it had been a mistake to push him away last night. But she hated what a fool she’d been with Kevin, that she’d been so blind to who he really was. How desperately she’d wanted to be loved, so desperate that she hadn’t put a stop to his emotional abuse until his grandmother, her palliative patient she’d cared for the past two years, had told her the truth about his gambling and begged her to stay away from him.
That was when Grace had realized that Kevin hadn’t really been interested in her. Instead, he’d had grand hopes of getting his hands on Selene’s fortune through her. All addicts would do anything to get their fix.
It had been a wake-up call in more ways than one.
Speaking of which. The phone buzzed again on the dresser. Whoever was calling was persistent.
Grace slid out from under Holden’s arm, not wanting to disturb him just yet. He’d told her stories about his childhood and growing up on the Shooting Star ranch until she’d fallen asleep. He needed the rest.
She tiptoed across the floor, grabbed the phone and shut the door as she stepped out of the room. Walking into the kitchen to start coffee, she glanced at the screen.
It was her mother.
With a groan, she contemplated letting it go to voice mail once more. But she had promised. “Morning, Mom.” Holding the phone between her ear and shoulder, she turned on the faucet and filled the pot with water.
“I just finished doing yoga with my instructor, Florian, out on the patio by the pool overlooking the ocean, and I thought of you, Bug.”
Rub in the fact that I’m freezing and miss the ocean.
Grace looked through the window in front of the kitchen sink. The thing that made her fall in love with this cottage, besides the cheap rent and the fact it was furnished, was the incredible view of Medicine Bow Peak. Sometimes she felt a little isolated out here, but it was peaceful and beautiful. The cottage was her sanctuary.
“Well, I’m making coffee with a breathtaking view of the mountains.”
“Nothing like the Santa Monica Mountains, I’m sure,” her mom said, which Selene also had a view of. “But you’ve never been much for hiking, have you?”
Rolling her eyes, Grace put grinds in the filter and hit the start button. “I came here to discover myself and try new things. For a change of scenery. A different way of life.”
She could finally breathe. It had taken a month to settle in—fix the place up a bit to make it habitable, get a new car better suited for the weather she’d encounter and learn how to chop her own firewood. A feat she didn’t think she would be able to accomplish until Daniel had introduced her to an essential tool—a wood splitter. Once she got the hang of the job at Delgado’s and began taking classes at the University of Wyoming, she’d started to like herself again.
Love herself in a way she never had before. With no need for anyone else’s approval.
Moving to Laramie was the best decision she had ever made.
“Is that why you’re throwing away the nursing degree I paid for by being a waitress?” Selene made a distinct sound that was a mix of disgust and disappointment.
Grace knew it very well.
“I’m taking a break. Caring for Miss Linda took a toll.” Kevin’s grandmother had been an extraordinary woman. Grace had grown close to her. Losing her to cystic fibrosis had broken her heart. But not Kevin’s. The man probably didn’t have one. “And I’m working on an advanced degree, which I’m paying for. Please don’t start this again. I don’t want to fight with you.”
“Fine, fine.” Her mother sighed. “You must be so lonely out there,” Selene said, deciding on a new angle of attack. “Come home. Just for the holidays. We could go to Napa Valley. Like we did for your twenty-second birthday. We had so much fun. Remember?”
Great food. Even better wine. It had been a fantastic trip...when Selene wasn’t talking. But of course her mother always had something to say. “I remember.”
“And before you say no, guess who’s been asking about you nonstop?”
“Who?” she asked, yawning and stretching.
“Kevin,” her mother said, brightly. “He keeps calling me because you’ve blocked his number or something.”
Any other parent would’ve taken that as a hint not to bring up their ex. “Yes, for a reason.” She had changed her phone number, but Selene had given him the new one.
Why was he suddenly being so persistent, after months of silence?
It didn’t make any sense. Kevin hadn’t been so much devastated when she broke up with him as he had been annoyed. She had ruined his scheme to get to Selene’s money, forcing him to start over and find another easy mark.
The coffee maker beeped that it was done. She grabbed two mugs, setting one out for Holden, and poured herself a hot cup.
“I think you should at least hear what he has to say,” her mom said. “Kevin told me that he’s willing to do anything to make things right, to make you happy. And I told him a grand gesture is required.”
Grace nearly choked on her coffee. “Narcissists don’t know how to love, much less make someone else happy.” A knock sounded at the door. “I’ve got to go, Mom. Someone’s here.”
“If you come for Christmas, I’ll get you a diamond tennis bracelet, just like the one I have.” Selene was bringing out the big guns. Bribery with jewelry. “You always admire it when I wear it.”
“Because the bling is mesmerizing.” Grace walked toward the door, carrying her coffee. “Looking at it, I know how a cat feels when they see something shiny. I appreciate the offer of such an extravagant gift.” Such gestures were only made when Selene was feeling desperate. “But what am I going to do with an eight-carat tennis bracelet in the wilderness? Use it to blind a bear? Bye. Love you.”
She thumbed the disconnect button and opened the door.
“Morning.” A stunning woman in her late fifties, maybe early sixties, stood beaming at her. She had golden blond hair, eyes the color of the midday sky and glowing skin. “I’m Holly.” She swept up to the threshold, giving her a hug.
Her perfume enveloped Grace. Powdery wildflowers and musk. It smelled of money.
Grace was well acquainted with the scent.
Holly breezed inside. “You must be Grace. It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Grace closed the door, stunned into silence. Clearly this woman knew who she was. Grace only wished the familiarity hadn’t been one-sided. “I’m sorry, Holly, but who exactly are you?”
Her smile faltered and fell. “Oh, heavens. Holden didn’t tell you I was dropping by.”
Then it hit Grace. The hair. The striking eyes. The smooth, tanned skin. “You’re Holden’s mother?”
“In the flesh.” The smile resurfaced.
“I should’ve realized. He looks so much like you.”
The bedroom door opened.
“Yes, at least I have one son that favors me,” Holly said.
“Hey, Mom.” Holden came out of the bedroom, scratching his head. “That’s not true. Logan looks like you, too.”
“I meant not only in looks but also temperament.” Holly chuckled. “Holden is the only one. All the others favor their father, Buck, in one way or another.” She handed Holden the garment bag that was draped over her arm. “Here are your things. Toiletries are at the bottom. I was just telling Grace how nice it is to finally meet your girlfriend. It’s about time you got back on that saddle.”
Holden stiffened, his eyes widening. “No, no, Mom. Grace isn’t my girlfriend. We’re only friends.”
“Really? You could’ve fooled me.” Holly looked at the made-up sofa that hadn’t been slept in and then her gaze bounced to Grace’s nightgown and Holden’s bare feet. “Where are your boots? And firearm?”
They were back in the bedroom. Which was not going to give the right impression.
“Thanks for getting my things,” Holden said, not answering the question.
“Of course, sweetie.” Holly turned to Grace. “Excuse my assumption, regardless of how close to the truth it might be, considering you two are sleeping together. For someone who isn’t his girlfriend, he sure does talk about you all the time.”
Grace’s cheeks flushed hot as she tensed. “What?”
“Mom,” Holden snapped as his face tightened into one of those expressions that kids threw at their parents who were embarrassing them.
Holly raised her palms. “Okay, it’s not all the time. Just a lot.”
“You talk about me?” Grace’s voice was a whisper. She was surprised she could speak at all.
When he didn’t respond, his mother leaned in close and put a hand on her shoulder. The scent of her exquisite perfume curled around her in a sweet caress.
“All good things,” Holly said. “I promise. He has never spoken about a woman the way he talks about you. Never. I’ve been so happy that he found someone so pretty and smart and compassionate.”
The pretty and smart part was nice, but he thought she was compassionate?
“Is that coffee I smell?” Holden asked, heading toward the kitchen.
Grace stared at him in disbelief. In awe. “I just brewed some. Would you like a cup, Mrs. Powell?” Where were her manners?
“Call me Holly, and no, thank you. My work here is done.” Flashing another smile worthy of a toothpaste commercial, she waltzed to the door.
“And you’re wrong, Mom,” Holden said from the kitchen, pouring himself coffee. “I only slept in the same bed with her because she was terrified of the snakes. But we did not sleep together.”
“Not yet,” Holly said. “It’ll happen. I’m never wrong about these things. And what snakes?”
“Rodney Owens put one in my toilet and another in my bed,” Grace said, shivering at the memory.
“Rattlers?” his mother asked with alarm.
“No,” Holden said. “Milk snakes.”
A confused expression crossed Holly’s face. “Why on earth would he do such a thing?”
Grace quickly explained, but it took longer than she had hoped.
“My word.” Holly turned to her son, giving him a look that could peel paint. “You better put that boy in his place and see to it that he leaves her alone.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Holden took a sip from his mug. “I’m all over it.”
“Rodney’s father, Oscar, is a weak man,” Holly said. “Ever since the mother passed, that boy has been like a rabid junkyard dog off a leash. What he’s been doing to you is terrible.” She gave Grace another hug. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, honey, but may I ask why you chose to live here?” Holly looked around at the rustic, run-down condition of the place. “Instead of accepting your brother’s offer to stay with him on his farm.”
It was no exaggeration on Holly’s part that Holden had told his mother quite a lot. The only reason his mom didn’t already know the answer to the question was because Holden had never asked, and Grace had never volunteered to share the reason.
“Daniel and I aren’t close,” Grace said. “He’s twelve years older. By the time I was six, he was out of the house.” And had abandoned her to Selene. In many ways, she’d grown up feeling like an only child. “He’s always acted more like a father figure than a brother who wants to be my friend.” He loved her and she him, but they were never going to be bosom buddies. “I left California for a fresh start, on my own terms. This cottage is a far cry from being five-star luxury accommodations.” Which she could have in a heartbeat, if she only sold her soul to her mother. “But this rental is mine and I don’t have to depend on anyone for it.”
Despite its shortcomings, the cottage had a charm of its own. It was cozy and more comfortable since she’d painted, and she loved the large wood beams on the ceiling throughout.
“I admire you for sticking to your guns. As well as your independence.” Holly grabbed the doorknob but hesitated. “Do you have plans for Christmas Eve?”
“Uh, no,” Grace said, caught off guard. “I don’t.”
“Well, you do now. You will be at our house.” Holly opened the door and walked down the stairs to a gleaming Hummer.
Was Holden’s family rich?
He had never said a word about money. Not even when she had told him about Selene’s lavish lifestyle, being born with a silver spoon, and the pressure of growing up in the Pacific Palisades, where everything revolved around status, power and the almighty dollar.
Panic flared in Grace. She shivered from the cold breeze and the prospect of a swanky event. “Will there be a lot of people? Is it going to be fancy? Do I have to dress up?”
Gowns and heels were her worst nightmare.
Second only to snakes.
“Honey, you can wear a burlap sack,” Holly said. “We do not put on airs. It’s about coming together and having a good time. Only family. And close friends.” Grinning, Holly waved. “See you tomorrow night.”
The weekend had sneaked up on her. She couldn’t believe today was Saturday and tomorrow was Christmas Eve.
Grace waved and closed the door. She turned around to find Holden staring at her.
Heat washed through her again, along with a tremor of excitement.
“I’m sorry about my mother,” he said. “She likes to stir the pot. Always thinks she’s right.”
“I thought we don’t do apologies.”
He grinned. “Always let a man apologize to a woman. We don’t do it nearly enough. Or so my father says.” Setting his coffee down, he drew closer. “I’m sorry if she made you uncomfortable.”
Sometimes having your eyes opened was a necessary discomfort. She had no idea that Holden was genuinely interested in her, for no other reason than he liked her. A lot.
“It’s nice that you’re close to your mother. That you can talk to her about anything, and she actually listens, tries to make you feel better.”
“I take it things aren’t like that with Selene.” He did jazz hands as he uttered her name.
Laughing, she shook her head. She had described her mother vividly. Mostly to see if he was impressed by the fact that her mom had been a supermodel or if he wanted to hear more about the woman men drooled over rather than learning more about her. It wouldn’t have been the first time she’d experienced such humiliation. Sometimes guys had dated her simply because of who her mother was and not because they liked Grace at all.
But Holden didn’t care that her mother was wealthy and famous. None of it had fazed him.
Now Holly had confirmed it. Proof it wasn’t her mother, or Selene’s fortune, or even that she was Daniel’s sister that attracted him to her and had him talking about her all the time.
The feeling was...odd.
“Not even close,” Grace said. “Let’s just say she’s the number one reason why I left California.”
He reached out and rubbed her bare arms, making her skin tingle. “If you had to leave the third largest state, then it’s pretty bad.”
She laughed harder this time.
How did he do it? Always find a way to bring a smile to her face, to lift her spirits, even when things were darkest?
She wanted to pull him close, hug him, hold him. As a thank-you, for having that gift and sharing it with her. And if she was being honest, also as something more.
Let it happen, she told herself. But then came that inner voice of warning.
Don’t be a fool.
Why did that voice sound like her mother’s?
Holden was striking and strong and so sexual. She would be setting herself up for a gigantic fall.
One of the good things about Selene was that she had forbidden Grace from ever reading fairy tales or watching animated films about princesses. Her mother said it misled women into believing in happily-ever-after, when there was no such thing.
His cell phone rang. He dropped his hand, taking the cell from his pocket, and answered. “Yep.” After listening for a minute, he said, “Good. I’ll be there shortly.” He hung up. “We’ve got Rodney in custody. Locked up in the drunk tank. Livingston found him at one thirty this morning in a bar. Not only was he bragging about what he did to you, but he also took a swing at Livingston.” His hand balled into a fist at his side.
She didn’t think she’d ever seen Holden look so hard or so cold. “What are you going to do?”
“Exactly what my mother told me to. Put him in his place. And when I’m done, he’s never going to bother you again.”