Chapter Ten
Reese’s heart fluttered like hummingbird wings as she prepared to bring up a topic James hated. “What’s the name of the developer who’s been sending you letters?”
He cocked his head, most likely confused by the quick change of topic. “Everett Development. Why?”
The attic had become stifling. “That’s what I was afraid of. That’s where I worked when I needed extra money in college.”
He flinched and took a step back. “Are you kidding?”
Reese clasped her hands and moved to the small attic window, the weight of unease dropping into her belly. “I’m afraid not. I hated it and only stayed because I needed the money. Chet Everett is a real son of a bitch. I have a freelance assignment due to him, but I haven’t sent it because I’m worried that he doesn’t have good intentions.”
“Do you think he’s the one trespassing? Could he be causing trouble to encourage people to sell?”
“If he does have anything to do with it, I know it’s not him personally sneaking around. He’d be too afraid of getting his Italian leather shoes dirty.”
He rubbed his hands briskly against his thighs. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“You had such a negative reaction to the subject of developers.” She hung her head. “I wasn’t sure how to bring it up. When I’m in Austin today, I’m planning to go by his office and see what I can find out about his plans for this area.”
“Reese, he’s not going to admit anything.”
“I have a friend at the office I can talk to.”
With the power of a big cat, he paced back and forth across the bare floorboards. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? If it’s him—”
She hooked a finger in his belt loop and brought him to a stop. “It’ll be fine. I’ve dealt with him for years.”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “You’ll be careful?”
“Always.” Except where you’re concerned. In that case, my caution is greatly lacking.
…
“Watch where you’re going, maniac,” Reese shouted at a wild driver who barely missed her bumper in his me-first rush. The gridlock of Austin city traffic did not make her want to spend the hot summer fighting its madness. Petunia did not like stop-and-go traffic. Staying in Cypress Creek would be like a vacation before buckling down to a full-time job.
She’d taken the time to stop by the B&B to ask Mrs. Walschak her thoughts on the possibility of a large resort coming to the area. The vivacious woman had been more than forthcoming about how all of the small hotel owners were of the same mind as James on the subject.
Rushing away from Cypress Creek had been hard, and she told herself it was because she loved the calming effect of the area and not because she was falling for James. Their old spark still burned, but sparks could flare quickly then fade like smoke rings in the dark. He’d proven that fact in high school.
Now… Could it be different now that they’d grown up? Now that she was determined to keep things between them to a controlled level. A flood of restless anticipation pushed in. She just hoped he didn’t let her down…again.
Temporary, Reese. Treat it like a vacation that will end.
The light before her turned red, and she stopped, taking a breath to refocus her attention on what needed to be done. A moment later, she pulled into a parking spot in front of Everett Development, unable to shake the nagging feeling that there was something he didn’t want her to know. Double glass doors led into an expansive lobby she crossed with a wave to the receptionist. At the end of the first hall, Mr. Everett’s perky secretary with a pink-tipped pixie cut and enormous brown eyes typed rapidly on her keyboard.
“Hi, Susie.”
“Reese, I’m glad you came in. We’ve missed you around here. I had it on my calendar to call you today. Mr. E…” She rolled her eyes and made a sour face. “You’re so lucky you don’t work for him full time anymore,” she whispered then continued. “He really wants those photos.”
“That’s why I’m here. I need to talk to him.”
“He’s out of town. He left yesterday morning.”
Maybe he really was the man at the restaurant. “Did he go to Cypress Creek?”
“He said he was going to Houston.”
“I keep calling and texting, but he won’t answer.” Reese sat on the corner of the desk. “Why does he want these photos so badly? They’re just roadside pics that anyone could take. He could just drive around and see it all for himself.”
“He keeps a photo collection of all the properties he wants to acquire and another of the ones he purchases like they’re trophies. He puts them in special leather-bound books he keeps in a safe.” Susie cut her eyes toward his office door. “He’s a weirdo.”
A creepy sensation crawled down her spine. I hope that’s the only collection he keeps. “You make all his appointments and see most of his correspondence, right?”
Susie eyed her sideways and smirked. “Most of it. Are you about to ask me to do something that might get me fired?”
“You hate this job. You’re always talking about finding a new one.”
“True.” Susie tapped a pencil against her lips. “What’s going on?”
“Does the name MacLachlan sound familiar? It’s one of the ranches he wants to get his hands on and develop into that high-end resort near Cypress Creek.”
Susie’s phone rang, and she held up a finger then answered.
Reese paced across the Persian carpet in front of the desk, frustrated that she couldn’t get Mr. E on the phone or speak to him in person.
Once Susie hung up, she wrote something on her calendar. “I only have about five minutes before I have to get to a meeting. Tell me what you’re looking for, and I’ll call you if I find anything. And what has you so worked up that you can’t be still?”
“Part of MacLachlan Ranch used to belong to my grandparents. The cottage I talked about is on that land.”
“So you’re worried about the resort messing up your plans to get it back?”
She stopped and propped her hands on the desk. “It’s more than that now. James MacLachlan is a friend of mine. He loves the ranch and does not want to sell. And he claims no one in the area wants the resort. And after going back to visit Cypress Creek, I’m worried about what this development will do to a beautiful piece of nature.”
A wide grin spread across Susie’s face as she leaned back in her chair. “James, is it? You blushed and your eyes lit up when you said his name.”
With a wave of her hand, Reese blew off the comment. “I’m just fired up about MacLachlan Ranch being in the area of the planned resort. Please call me if you find anything about what landowners he’s talking to or if he’s narrowed down a location.”
“I’ll look into it as soon as I can. Do you have the photos? I have your paycheck, but I can’t give it to you until I get them.”
She really needed the check, but she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. What would her price be if she gave him the photos and collected her money, then found out he was planning things that would be bad for the area? James? Her grandparents’ property? Her self-respect? “I can’t give them to you today. I need to figure a few things out first.”
“Okay, but don’t wait too long. He’ll just have somebody else take new pictures, and if that happens, he won’t use you for any more freelance jobs. You know how he can get.”
“I certainly do. That’s what worries me. I don’t trust him to respect the land and small-town flavor. The area is filled with family-owned B&Bs that won’t like the competition of a huge resort. Will you keep your eyes and ears open for anything that seems fishy or possibly even illegal?”
Susie’s already huge brown eyes widened. “I’m intrigued. You can count on me. I’ve always wanted to be a detective like Sherlock Holmes.”
“Excellent. I’ll be in touch.” Reese hurried from the office.
An hour later, Reese sat in the overly cool exam room in a paper gown, waiting for the doctor to return and wishing she’d remembered to wear socks.
Dr. Green hustled into the room with her usual grace. “Sorry about the wait, Ms. Turner. Because of the occasional discomfort you’ve described, I’d like to do an ultrasound.”
She did the whole lie back, feet in stirrups, slide down routine.
Dr. Green moved the ultrasound wand around while pressing here and there. “You have some rather large ovarian cysts and endometriosis.”
“My mother had similar troubles and had a hysterectomy when I was little.” Nausea rolled in on a wave of dread.
“Do you plan to have children?”
Reese’s heart jumped, and she gathered a section of paper gown in her fist. “Yes. I definitely want children. Are you saying I might not be able to have a baby?” Her fingernails tore through the paper.
“I’m just suggesting you might not want to wait too long before starting your family.” She set the ultrasound wand back into its cradle. “At your follow-up appointment we’ll see if there’s any change.”
“What…” Reese swallowed against the burn in her throat, not knowing what to ask.
Dr. Green smiled and patted her knee. “I’ll print out some information. Try not to worry too much. Get dressed and we can talk in my office.”
After leaving the doctor’s office, Reese fought more traffic and then trudged up the stairs to Lila’s condo, concentration flitting between James, her doctor’s visit, and the resort development. Her shoulders hunched from the weight of her camera and laptop bags, and her suitcase banged against each step, jerking her arm as sure as the worries tugging her heart and mind. Once through the front door, she flopped onto the couch.
Lila set aside her novel and turned her dark chocolate eyes to Reese. “Oh no, what’s wrong?”
“I have ovarian cysts.”
“Bummer. I’m sorry. What now?”
“Sometimes they dissolve on their own or rupture.”
“Rupture? That doesn’t sound good.”
Reese mirrored Lila’s grimace and pressed a palm against her abdomen. “No, it doesn’t. I have another ultrasound scheduled to see if there’s any change.”
“What does this do to your plan to have a career first, then a family?”
She sighed and deflated against the couch like an abandoned beach ball. “I might need to speed up that timeline. Dr. Green took me off the birth control pills I’ve been taking. Let’s talk about something else, please. What’d you decide about starting the Art Café with your cousin Collin?”
“I’m seriously considering it. I love the idea of combining my passions for photography and food. I’m going to try out a new recipe on you tonight.”
“Lucky me.”
“If we do start the café, I’ll definitely show some of your work in the gallery. Then I can brag about my famous friend who works for National Geographic.”
Reese propped her feet on the coffee table and crossed her fingers. “Here’s to hoping your positive thinking works. I took digital pics and shot some rolls of black-and-white film I need to develop. Turns out Cypress Creek and MacLachlan Ranch are great locations for my assignment.”
“Excellent. Now, tell me about this cowboy you stayed around to hang out with for an extra day.”
The memory of finding her book in the loft made her smile. “When I went to school at Cypress High, I left behind a romance novel. James has kept it all these years.”
“That’s kind of romantic.”
Butterflies swirled in her belly. “When I told him I’m staying with you until I get a job, he invited me to come back and use the cottage for the rest of the summer.”
“Think he’s coming around to the idea of you buying the place?”
“No. I think he’s trying to prove to me how much work it’ll be, so I won’t want to buy it.”
Lila grinned. “And you plan to show him he’s mistaken?”
“Absolutely. He suggested a lease agreement for a dollar for every week I spend there.”
“He must really like you, because that sure isn’t about making money.”
Reese got out her digital camera and pulled up the photos.
Lila scrolled through them. “These are amazing. Especially the ones of him with his shirt off. Yee-haw, hot cowboy. And this one where you’re looking at one another is beautiful. Look at your faces.”
“We do look happy.”
“Happy? You look like you’re in love.”
A jolt sent Reese’s heart into a triple jump. “What? In love?”
“Well, you do.” Lila grabbed her hand and met her eyes. “Are you?”
“No! Don’t be ridiculous. I thought I was when we were kids, but it was just puppy love.” Liar.
“Maybe running into James is serendipity. Think he’d make a good father?”
“He likes kids, and I think he’d make a great father, but he doesn’t plan to ever get married.” Her heart squeezed.
“Why not?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Bet you can change his mind.”
“I’ll be sure to tell him Lila Lopez said so. Honestly, I considered having a summer fling with him, but I need to concentrate on work. Not men.”
“How’s that working out for you? I’m telling you, running into him and him owning the land you want could be serendipity.” Lila drummed her pink polished fingernails on her thigh. “Not that I don’t want you to stay with me, but I know what your grandparents’ place means to you. I’m glad you’re staying there to show him you can handle it.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
“I know that look on your face. What else is on your mind?”
Reese’s pulse fluttered, and her chest tightened. “Getting my heart broken, again. We agreed to spend time together and to keep it casual with no commitments. No strings. But after last night… I’ve never been very good at keeping things casual.”
“Your heart is big, and you can’t help it.”
The heart in question fluttered rapidly in Reese’s chest.
“Like I told you on the phone the other day, this time you know the rules from the beginning. There will be some level of hurt once the summer is over and you set off on more adventures, but if you don’t take him up on his offer, you’ll always wonder what might’ve been.”
“I know it’s not fair to hold what other guys have done against James. Although, he is one of the guys that hurt me.”
Lila sat forward as if she’d pick up a notepad like a therapist. “From what you’ve told me, I don’t think you can compare what he did in high school to the other boneheads that hurt you.”
“True.”
“Don’t feel bad about letting yourself enjoy some time with a guy you like. Soon enough you’ll get a great job and be off traveling.” Lila tilted her head back and forth, making her raven black hair swing around her shoulders like a silk curtain. “Maybe I should go with you and check him out in person. I can help you convince him he should marry you, have lots of babies, and live happily ever after, but only if I approve.”
“Oh, of course.” Reese laughed. “Let’s hold off on that. Wouldn’t want to scare him away before I have a chance to find out what else is wrong with him.”
Her best friend chuckled. “Can you see things going somewhere with him? Can you see yourself living on his ranch now, or do you want to travel the world and document it with photos before you settle down in a small town?”
“You’re jumping ahead.”
“But you need to plan ahead. Where do you see yourself in a year, five years, ten?”
“You know I want travel and adventure. I want…” Images of James derailed her thoughts, and her insides quivered.
“Oh, I see how it is,” Lila said on a laugh.
The same anxious excitement as earlier stirred to life. “It’s everything. Being in the running for the magazine job, seeing James and Cypress Creek again, my doctor’s appointment.” Her focus needed to be on getting the National Geographic job, and seeing if she could keep development far away from the land she loved. She’d do some research and see if she could find a way to stop the resort or at least get it moved to another location.
Reese jumped to her feet. “Maybe an endangered species of animal or plant or an important land feature.”
One of Lila’s finely arched brows winged up. “Umm…I think you switched topics on me.”
“The resort. I’m going to stop it. I know there are other developments that have been halted by things I haven’t even considered. I need to think.”
“Use my darkroom to develop your film. That always makes you feel better. I’m going to start on dinner.” Lila unfolded her long legs and disappeared into the kitchen.
A few hours later, Reese and Lila reclined on wicker lounge chairs on the balcony with plates of pesto pasta and fresh rosemary bread. They overlooked the city with all its hustle and bustle. She suddenly missed the peace and quiet of Cypress Creek. Light from the moon and stars, not buildings and cars. The sound of crickets and wind through trees, not honking horns and sirens.
Reese set aside her empty plate. “That was delicious. You’re a culinary genius.”
“Thank you.”
Reese’s phone rang, and she glanced at the screen. “It’s about damn time. It’s the development devil himself. I’ve got to take this call.”
“I’ll go check on the peach cobbler while you talk.” Lila slid open the glass door and stepped inside.
“Hello, Mr. Everett.”
“I want those photos today.”
She ignored his abrupt manner. “Are you aware James MacLachlan doesn’t plan to sell any part of his ranch?”
“There’s always someone who doesn’t want to sell. And I’m not discussing my business with you. I’m paying you for photos, not for you to ask questions about which MacLachlan I’m talking to.”
Which MacLachlan? Does that mean he’s talked to James’s father or grandfather? “I just thought—”
“James is the horse guy?” he asked briskly.
“That’s right.”
“I’m offering him the opportunity to run the equestrian center for the resort. I’ve sent him three letters and emails but haven’t heard back.”
I bet that’s the letter James tore up when I was there that first night. “My grandparents’ cottage is on the edge of MacLachlan Ranch. I’m just curious how close the resort might be to it?”
“That old house you want has probably been torn down by now.”
“It’s still there.” Reese pulled on her big girl boots and prepared to piss him off, but what did it matter at this point? She wasn’t stupid enough to believe he’d care about what anyone else wanted. “I’m sorry, but I can’t give you the photos.” Silence hung on the line, and she held her breath.
“Excuse me? I know I didn’t hear you correctly.” High-handed authority rang in his words and papers rustled in the background.
“I don’t feel comfortable being part of any development in that area. A resort is not something the locals want.”
He cleared his throat and something slammed. “You put me as a reference on your resume. I just took a call yesterday and said good things, but I can call them back. I also have a message on my desk to return a call to someone at National Geographic.”
Reese’s heart plummeted into her stomach and her mouth went too dry to speak.
“Would you like me to make that call and tell them you’re unprofessional and don’t finish jobs as promised?”
Bile rose in her throat. “No, sir.” Panic gripped her insides and her mind spun. “Mr. Everett, please don’t ruin my chances.”
“I’ll give you a glowing reference…if I get what I’m paying you for, today.”
“Understood.”
He hung up without another word.
Reese threw her phone on the lounge chair like it would scald her if she held it a second longer. “Fucking old bastard.” She pressed her palms to her eyes.
“Didn’t go well?” Lila said from the doorway.
“Hell no. He threatened to ruin my career.” Reese leaned forward with hands on her knees.
“You can’t let him screw things up for you.”
Reese took the offered glass of wine. “If I don’t give him the photos, he’ll just get someone else to take them. And he’ll destroy my chances with National Geographic.”
“Giving him what he wants is the only choice you have.”
After a gulp of chardonnay, she crossed to the balcony railing and stared out at the flow of traffic along Congress Street. “My brain is so frazzled I can’t decide how to tell James about all this.”
“If you’re planning to find a way to stop the development, then I don’t think you need to mention the photos to James. Your jerk of an ex-boss will move forward with plans with or without pictures. And like you said, someone else will take them. Why does he even need the photos?”
“He doesn’t. Apparently having them like trophies is some fascination of his.”
“That’s weird, but it sounds fairly harmless. Give the jerk what he wants and then forget about it. Move on with finding a way to save your land.”
“You’re probably right.” Was withholding the pictures worth risking her dream career? “I can’t let him ruin my reputation.” She went inside to grab her laptop and pulled up the photo files. Two files contained the fence line pictures she was being paid to take. After typing a quick message, her finger hovered over the keyboard. Her heart thumped, and her vision blurred as she attached the files and clicked send.
And instantly regretted it.
“Damn it all to hell and back again.”
A tension headache bloomed across Reese’s scalp as she moved around the room, too keyed up to sit still. She bumped the coffee table, and Lila’s fancy fountain pen rolled off her open journal and under the shelf where she kept her collection of romance novels. Lowering to her knees, she retrieved the pen, and as she stared at it, she thought of the old-fashioned quill they’d found in the attic with the latest clue.
A writing instrument. A collection of books. Knowledge.
Could the library at James’s house be the spot the mysterious third note spoke of? Was the next clue in one of the many books at the ranch? A light feeling filled her chest, and she couldn’t wait to return to Cypress Creek and continue their search.
Lila returned with two dessert bowls and put them on the coffee table. “I almost forgot,” she said, and pulled a small foil packet from her pocket and tossed it to Reese. “Since you stopped taking the pill, you might need this in Cypress Creek.”
Was she really going to take this leap back into the world of James MacLachlan?