The old Woolworth’s five-and-dime building had been a part of downtown Rambling Rose for many years. Now it was little more than town history. In the past months, Fortune Brothers Construction had purchased and transformed the old structure into a group of elaborate units named The Shoppes at Rambling Rose. And with none of the businesses opened yet, Stephanie’s brothers had offered the spacious lobby for the Paws and Claws fund-raiser.
Stephanie regarded their offer as a charitable act, but Acton was more inclined to believe their generosity had been a two-fold arrangement. Not only would the donation put them in a favorable light with the townspeople, but it also gave them a perfect opportunity to show off the impressive makeover of the building.
To be fair, that one awkward meeting in the Fame and Fortune kitchen was hardly enough for Acton to actually size up Stephanie’s brothers. So he hardly had the right to belittle their motives. For Stephanie’s sake, he hoped their intentions were heartfelt.
Now, as the two of them stepped inside the glass-enclosed lobby of The Shoppes, they both gazed in amazement at the elegant space. Beyond the Italian tiled floor and the artistic waterfall in the center of the space, yards of tulle in pink, red and white were draped from the ceiling, along with clusters of paper hearts. The dogs that were up for adoption were all wearing red sweaters, while the cat cages were festooned with paper hearts and balloons with enough helium to keep them floating out of the reach of their playful claws.
Love songs were playing over the impressive sound system, while along one wall, a dessert buffet had been set up, including the cookies and cupcakes that Stephanie and Acton had baked the night before.
“Wow! This looks nothing like the old building that I remember!” Acton exclaimed. “The room, the decorations—this is impressive!”
“It does look nice,” Stephanie agreed. “But I’m more enthused about this huge crowd. And I see that Callum and Steven have already arrived.”
Acton followed the direction of her gaze until he spotted the two men standing several feet away. Callum appeared to be in deep conversation with a man that served on the Rambling Rose city council. Steven turned his head just enough for him to catch sight of Stephanie and Acton. Even at a distance Acton could see the man’s eyes narrow skeptically.
“I don’t think Steven is too happy about seeing us together like this,” Acton told her, while privately he was fighting the urge to walk over and tell the eldest Fortune brother to go to hell.
Unconcerned, she replied, “That’s too bad. We’re here together. Aren’t we?”
Thankfully, the sweetness that radiated from Stephanie had a soothing effect on Acton and he told himself it didn’t matter what her brothers thought of him. All that mattered was what she thought of him, and tonight she was looking at him with a warm, inviting glow in her eyes.
“We’re definitely here together,” he said. “Let’s go mingle and see if we can talk some of these people into adopting a few pets.”
The two had barely managed to move a few feet into the milling crowd when Dayna intercepted them.
“Is this turnout incredible or what?” she asked as she nibbled from the small plate she was carrying. “I honestly think most of the guests are here to see what Stephanie’s brothers have done to this place. If it wasn’t full of dog and cat cages, it would look like a room taken right out of a palace.”
“As long as people are donating money to Paws and Claws, that’s the important thing,” Stephanie said.
“Don’t worry, Steph. The night is just getting started and I’ve already seen lots of money being dropped into the pot,” Dayna assured her.
“That’s good news,” Stephanie replied, then flashed a glance in the direction of Callum and Steven. “You can bet I’m expecting my brothers to contribute to the cause. And if I don’t see amounts involving at least four digits written on their checks, I’m going to disown them.”
Acton whistled under his breath. “Sounds like you have high expectations.”
“I do from my brothers. They can afford it.”
“My brother donated a check with four numbers,” Dayna said with a laugh. “But there was a decimal in the middle.”
“Every donation is appreciated and welcome,” Stephanie told her coworker. “No matter the amount.”
Dayna turned a sage smile on Acton. “It’s easy to forget that she’s a Fortune,” she said, then suddenly waved at someone across the room. “Excuse me, you two. My mom is signaling me. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Frowning thoughtfully, Stephanie watched Dayna disappear into the crowd. “Sometimes she can say the weirdest things.”
Acton said, “I understood what she was getting at. I feel the same way. You don’t come across as anything like your high-rolling brothers.”
She let out a short laugh. “Thank you. I think.”
Acton’s gaze made another trip around the room, which had been lavishly refurbished with plenty of plate glass and strategically placed lighting. From what Stephanie had told him, there were already several upscale retail businesses ready to move in. The change might be grand for some of the citizens of Rambling Rose, but Acton couldn’t see it drawing in the regular, hardworking folks who’d originally founded the town.
“Judging by this building, I agree that your brothers could write a sizable check to Paws and Claws.” He cast her a wry look. “I just hope you’re not expecting four numbers without the decimal from me.”
Her eyes widened with dismay. “Oh, no, Acton. You’ve already given more than enough. First your help baking and then your help hauling some of the animals over here. That means as much or more than money.”
Shrugging, he wondered why it was so important to him to impress her. He sure as hell couldn’t do it with money. But maybe, just maybe, she was different enough from her brothers not to care what was in his bank account.
“I didn’t do that much. But I have been wondering about something. Where is Buddy? Isn’t he going to be given the chance to be adopted? Or did Dr. Neil want to wait until his cast was removed?”
A smug smile came over her pretty face. “Dr. Neil took Buddy’s cast off yesterday. But the dog didn’t need to come to the party tonight to find himself a home. Someone has already made arrangements to adopt him.”
“That’s great news. After all Buddy has been through, I hope it’s someone who appreciates him.”
“It is.” She smiled. “I confess, that someone is me,” she told him. “Buddy is going to be my dog.”
Acton wasn’t surprised in the least. Stephanie was the nurturing sort and her heart was too big for her own good. It was no wonder that men had taken advantage of her in the past, he thought. And the idea that she’d been hurt in such a way sickened Acton to the core of his being. Obviously it had sickened her brothers, too. But that didn’t give them the right to assume Acton was just another jerk out to get whatever he could from their sister.
“I should have known,” Acton said to her. “So Buddy is going to have to learn how to dig holes like Mack and Tallulah.”
She laughed and he noticed how the pearl drops she was wearing in her ears swung against her smooth neck. He’d never seen a real live seductress before, but he figured Stephanie looked very close to being one tonight. From the moment he’d picked her up at the Fame and Fortune Ranch, he’d been staring at her like a besotted buffoon.
“I’m sure they’ll teach Buddy all about the art of digging,” she said, then looped her arm through his. “Let’s go see what we can find on the buffet table. I’m starving.”
The party was still going on two hours later, although a large portion of guests had already departed with animals in tow. To Stephanie’s delight, all of the animals, except for one young female cat, had found forever homes.
Grizabella was still sitting in a wire cage, watching people pass her by and, no doubt, wondering why she was the only animal left behind.
The gray-and-white feline was beautiful and sweet, but no one had seemed to want her because she was blind in one eye. The handicap didn’t bother Grizabella in the least. She could run and play just as well as any of the two-eyed cats. It was the humans who wanted to put limitations on her.
Stephanie spoke softly to the cat, while stroking her little nose through the wire slats. “I promise you, Grizabella, I’ll find you a good home. One where you’ll be appreciated for the fine girl you are.”
Stephanie hardly needed to take on another cat, especially since she’d signed on for Buddy. But she couldn’t bear the thought of Grizabella being left behind.
“Has no one taken Grizabella yet?”
Stephanie looked around to see Acton had walked up behind her. He offered her one of the foam cups he was carrying.
“Thanks. I needed this.” She took a careful sip of the hot coffee, then answered his question. “Unfortunately no. And it makes me want to cry, Acton. Just look how beautiful she is.”
“She’s as pretty as a June mornin’,” he agreed.
Leaning toward the cage, he stuck a finger through the wire and wiggled it to attract Grizabella’s attention. Instead of pawing at his finger, Grizabella decided she’d rather give it a loving swipe with her tongue.
Acton laughed. “Hey, I think she likes me.”
“Of course, she likes you. She’s a sweetheart.”
He continued to waggle his finger and Grizabella rubbed her cheek against it.
“You know, I’ve always wanted a cat,” he said after a moment. “I think the two of us would be great pals.”
Stephanie was shocked. She’d recognized from the first day he’d brought Seymour to the clinic that, where animals were concerned, he had a big heart. But that didn’t necessarily mean he was generous enough to take on an extra pet just because it needed a home.
“Really? You’d give a one-eyed cat a home?”
“I don’t see Grizabella as a one-eyed cat. I see her as a pretty and loving kitty. My only concern is Seymour and that jealous streak of his.”
He didn’t see Grizabella as handicapped. Maybe it was silly of her, but suddenly she was seeing that sign around his neck that read Good.
“Oh, I think Seymour won’t have a problem with Grizabella. In fact, I have a feeling that he’ll like the company.” She gave him an encouraging smile. “I’d be glad to come over and help you get the two of them acquainted.”
“You’d do that?”
“Certainly.” She glanced questioningly at the cat. “So? Is she going to be yours?”
“Sure. I couldn’t tell either of you no. So Grizabella is going to the Diamond D to live with me.”
Too happy to contain herself, Stephanie rose on the tips of her toes and kissed his cheek. “You’re a wonderful man, Acton.”
Grinning, he was about to reply, when voices suddenly rose from somewhere behind them. Both Stephanie and Acton turned to see Steven and Callum in what appeared to be a heated discussion with a tall woman dressed in a Navy blue, glen-plaid business suit. A curtain of straight dark hair hung against her back.
“Isn’t that the mayor my brothers are talking to?” Stephanie asked.
Acton squinted at the trio. “Right. Ellie Hernandez. And from the sound of things, your brothers are disagreeing with her about something.”
Slipping her hand into Acton’s, Stephanie lowered her voice so that only he could hear. “Let’s move over a few steps and maybe we can hear exactly what they’re discussing.”
Using the same hushed tone, he playfully scolded, “Stephanie, you want to eavesdrop!”
“So what? We’re in a public place and those three aren’t exactly trying to be discreet, are they?”
Acton glanced at the trio as Stephanie pulled him in front of a stack of empty animal crates. “Well, no,” he answered. “Looks like they’ve forgotten they’re at a public function.”
Across the way, the young attractive mayor was waving her hand in a circular motion. “Yes, I agree,” she said. “The renovations you’ve completed on this property are amazing. Everyone can see that. My problem is this—The Shoppes look more appropriate for Rodeo Drive in Hollywood than our little town of Rambling Rose!”
Scowling, Steven said, “As the mayor, you should be proud that your town can boast of such improvements. Don’t you believe the people of Rambling Rose deserve to have nice businesses and buildings?”
The woman snorted. “I happen to believe if an election was held tomorrow, most of the citizens would vote to run Fortune Brothers Construction out of town on a rail!”
Callum chuckled. “Steven, I think Mayor Hernandez has been watching too many old Westerns. Maybe we should be worried about getting tarred and feathered, too, before they put us on the rail,” he joked.
Stephanie cringed. “He’s hardly winning any points with her,” she whispered to Acton.
“From what I know about the lady, she’s no pushover,” Acton whispered back.
As if on cue, the mayor retorted, “I hardly think this is anything to joke about, Mr. Fortune. It’s also obvious to me that neither of you understands what it means to be Texan. We don’t take kindly to outsiders moving in and trying to change our towns, or our lifestyles.”
Steven said, “I can’t believe that any true Texan would be opposed to progress. And that’s what my brothers and I are trying to do here. Make improvements to Rambling Rose.”
“You’re not being honest, Mr. Fortune. You’re trying to make money. That’s what you and your brothers are all about. And I don’t like the idea of your profit coming at the expense of my citizens.”
“Really, Mayor Hernandez, we’re not vultures. We want what’s good for the people of Rambling Rose just as much as you do,” Callum said, attempting to assure her. “And the last I heard, capitalism isn’t a crime. That’s how this great country of ours was built.”
“I’ve studied history, Mr. Fortune,” the mayor said in an icy voice. “Especially Texas history. The battle of the Alamo exemplifies how Texans fought and died for what they wanted. Maybe the both of you should take a lesson from that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have other people to see.”
The mayor walked away and so did Stephanie’s brothers. Once all three were out of sight, Acton whistled under his breath. “Man, oh, man, steam was coming out of her ears.”
“She was seething, all right,” Stephanie agreed. “This reminds me how glad I am that I’m not a part of Fortune Brothers Construction. I don’t think I could sleep at night. I can already imagine what kind of obstacles the mayor is going to throw up when they start making plans for the hotel and all the other things they want to build around town.”
“Well, Callum might joke about the mayor watching too many Westerns, but they need to realize if they get her riled up enough she might just turn into another Annie Oakley.”
Regret turned down the corners of Stephanie’s lips. “I wish my brothers could be...a little more Texan. Like you, Acton. Then I think they’d understand what people around here really want for their town.”
“Hey, you two, I think Dr. Neil wants to start wrapping up this shindig.”
They both looked around to see Carla popping a chocolate Hershey’s Kiss into her mouth. The receptionist looked exceptionally pretty tonight, Stephanie thought. Her dress was blue velvet and her brown hair, which she normally wore in a bun, rested in soft curls upon her shoulders.
Carla was far more suitable for Acton, Stephanie thought. She came from a ranching family. The two of them had much more in common. And yet, Acton didn’t seem to pay any more attention to Carla than he did the other women on the Paws and Claws staff—a fact that still amazed her. Why had he singled out Stephanie? Because he honestly thought she was special? Or because her last name was Fortune?
When are you going to get that out of your mind, Stephanie? Not everybody gives a damn about your last name. Not everyone cares about your money. And if that’s what you think about Acton, you need to walk away from him right now.
Ignoring the mocking voice in her head, Stephanie said to Carla, “I think everyone has donated that’s planning to. So it probably is time to get everything loaded and back to the clinic.”
“I see Grizabella is the only animal left,” Carla said, glancing in the direction of the cat cage. “Too bad no one wanted her.”
Stephanie smiled proudly at Acton. “But someone did want her,” she told Carla. “Acton is adopting her.”
Surprised, Carla looked at him. “Really? I’m glad you felt sorry for her.”
Acton frowned. “But I don’t feel sorry for Grizabella. I don’t believe she needs my sympathy. She needs my love.”
Clearly embarrassed, Carla said, “Excuse me. I never thought of it that way. You’re a nice guy, Acton.”
She turned and walked away and Acton let out a long sigh. “Sometimes I can be a real jerk. I should’ve never said that to her. At least, not in that way. She meant well. It’s just that it annoys the hell out of me when people dwell on the wrong instead of the right.”
“I wouldn’t worry about Carla. She’ll think about what you said and in the long run it will help her. Now me, I’m the one who’d like to slither out of here without being seen. I can only hope the rest of the room didn’t hear the things being said between my brothers and the mayor. But I have the feeling most of the guests did hear their conversation. My family is going to be the gossip around town,” she said, then let out a caustic laugh. “What am I thinking? They already are the town gossip.”
Draping his arm around her shoulders, he urged her over to Grizabella’s cage. “Come on, forget all that. Let’s tell Grizabella she’s finished with that nerve-wracking cat room at the clinic. From now on, she’s going to be a ranch cat.”
Stephanie laughed and thought how she’d never met any man that made her feel so good—until Acton had walked into her life.
The hands on Acton’s watch were nearing midnight when he finally pulled the truck to a stop in front of the massive Fortune estate.
After helping Stephanie out of the truck, he walked her to her private wing and stood to one side, holding the bouquet of tulips, while she unlocked the door.
“Would you like to come in for a few minutes?” she asked. “I can make coffee...or something.”
Acton was sorely tempted to accept her offer, but tonight he couldn’t trust himself. Tonight, something had happened to him and he couldn’t yet figure out what it was or why it was making him feel so differently. He only knew that being alone with Stephanie might change everything between them and he wasn’t sure if he, or she, was ready for that.
“Thanks, Stephanie, but I think I’d better get on home.” He handed her the vase of flowers. “I don’t want to leave Grizabella in the truck too long. She’ll think she’s being deserted.”
“Oh, that’s right. You have Grizabella. She was so quiet on the ride over here that I almost forgot about her.”
She smiled tentatively at him and Acton inwardly groaned as his gaze focused on her moist lips.
“I, uh, had a great time tonight,” he said. “And Paws and Claws raised more money than any of us expected. That’s a good thing.”
“I had a great time, too.” She touched one of the purple tulips. “And I was given a lovely Valentine. Thank you for the bouquet, Acton. And thank you for wanting to love Grizabella. I’m learning you’re a real softy.”
He gave her a lopsided grin. “There’s a lot you haven’t learned about me...yet, that is.”
She drew in a deep breath and Acton got the impression that she was nervous about something. Him? He hoped not. He wanted her to feel very much at home with him. He wanted her to feel like being with him was as right as him taking Grizabella.
“Really?” she asked. “Like what?”
“Like how much I’ve wanted to do this—for a very long time.”
“This?”
His hands curved over her shoulders and the warmth radiating from her body urged him to draw her closer. “Taking you in my arms and kissing you.”
She sucked in a breath, but he didn’t wait to see if she was going to make any sort of reply. Instead, he pulled her into the circle of his arms and lowered his lips to hers.
Acton had meant to keep the kiss short and sweet. He’d simply wanted a brief taste of her, just to let her know where his thoughts were headed.
But it didn’t work out exactly that way. As soon as their lips made contact, some sort of explosion detonated inside him. And inside Stephanie, too, apparently. Before he recognized what was happening, their mouths were fused together and his hands were tugging her forward until the tulips were very nearly crushed between their bodies.
Kissing Stephanie was like dipping his tongue into a pot of wild honey. The smooth sweetness clung to his lips, making him want more and more.
It wasn’t until he heard a tiny moan in her throat that reality returned. And even then it took a mountain of strength to tear his mouth from hers and set her back from him.
“I, uh, think I’d better be going, Stephanie.”
“Going?”
She sounded just as dazed as Acton felt, and for a split second he wondered if he’d gone crazy. He wasn’t built to ignore the passion in a woman’s kiss. Everything inside his body was screaming at him to kiss her again, to take her into her fancy house and make hot, wild love to her.
But Stephanie wasn’t just any woman. And he wasn’t the same man who’d taken a woman to bed just because it felt good. No, somewhere in the past week, she’d changed him, and now all he wanted was to cherish and protect her.
Oh, damn.
Those were the things a husband wanted to do for his wife—for the woman he loved! The idea that Acton was falling that hard for Stephanie, rattled his senses.
“Yes. Going,” he repeated huskily. “Tonight—at this moment—I think that’s best for both of us.” Bending his head, he brushed a kiss to the corner of her lips, then another one on her cheek.
Her hand latched on to his arm as though she didn’t want to let him go. But then her eyes slowly opened and a tempting little smile curved her lips.
“Yes. Best for both of us. That’s what I want, too,” she whispered. “Good night, Acton.”
She turned and entered the house and Acton stood there staring at the closed door, and wondered how long it was going to take his senses to come back to earth.