Chapter Five

Ethan never lost his temper. His colleagues at the district attorney’s office used to call him Mr. Unflappable. But at this precise moment, Mr. Unflappable was having a difficult time keeping his cool. He didn’t know which woman to lay the blame on: his mother or Skye. Probably Skye.

Every time she walked by him in her frilly purple-and-white-striped apron, she’d snort or say something derogatory under her breath. As far as he could tell, she hadn’t been saying the same to his supporters or soliciting votes for his opponent. Yet. And of course Ethan knew this because he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Something his hawk-eyed mother didn’t miss and which had already earned him two sharp-toned lectures.

Even now, he watched as Skye approached a white-linen-draped table with a glass pitcher of strawberry punch. He tensed when he recognized Frank Riley, the local NRA representative sitting with five other members at the table.

His mother nudged him. “Ethan said the exact same thing the other day, isn’t that right, dear?” Liz said, addressing him through a tight smile.

She was annoying, but right. Ethan had to start paying attention to the conversation at hand. Mrs. Rich, a long-time Democrat with considerable influence, was talking about throwing her support behind him. “Yes, I—” He broke off when Skye bent down to pour the punch in Riley’s glass, and the older man patted her butt at the same time he loudly denounced the anti-gun lobbyists to his friends. Aw hell. Ethan recognized the look that came over her face. “Excuse me for a moment,” he said to Mrs. Rich and headed for the table.

“Skye,” he called out, trying to gain her attention. She glanced up at the same time as she tipped the pitcher, pouring pink liquid onto the man, a strawberry coming to rest in the lap of his gray pants. At Riley’s bellowed obscenity, Ethan heard his mother gasp from behind him and saw Grace’s frantic expression as she hurried over.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m such a klutz,” Skye said, looking anything but apologetic until she caught sight of Grace. Then she winced and reached for the strawberry, apparently thought twice about it, and grabbed some napkins off the table instead.

Riley glared at her, snatching the napkins from her hand as she prepared to pat him down. “I’ll be sending you the cleaning bill, young lady. And I suggest you start looking for another job.”

Ethan rested his hand on Riley’s shoulder. “It was an accident, Frank, and Ms. Davis apologized. I’ll take care of your—”

Claudia, wearing a nautical blue-and-white dress, swooped in to save the day. “Come with me, Mr. Riley. I’ll have you fixed up as good as new in no time.” She poured on the charm as she led the man toward the house, drawing a laugh from him. Given the look Riley shot in Skye’s direction, Ethan figured the joke had been at her expense.

Skye’s cheeks flushed as she mopped up the folding chair. Ethan went to offer his help, but the men at the table diverted his attention with a question about his stance on armed security guards in local schools. Skye lifted her head and opened her mouth. Thankfully, his mother and Grace arrived at the same time and cut off her response.

“I’m really sorry, Grace,” Skye said as she picked up the container. “I—”

His mother took the crystal pitcher from Skye. “I realize you’re understaffed, Grace, but I think it would be best for Ms. Davis to leave. I’ll take care of the punch.”

Once again, Ethan excused himself and herded the three women out of earshot. He took the pitcher from his mother and handed it back to Skye. “She’s not going anywhere, Mom,” he said, even though he thought it might be a good idea if she did. But seeing the vulnerable expression on her face, he couldn’t help but defend her. “Grace needs her, and it was—”

“—an accident,” Skye said, glancing at him from under her long lashes. “I spilled the punch because he startled me when he patted my bottom, Mrs. O’Connor. I could legitimately charge him with sexual harassment, you know. But I won’t. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s about a hundred degrees in the shade, and your guests are thirsty.”

Grace cast a nervous glance from his mother to Skye and retrieved the pitcher. “I’ll take care of the punch, Skye. You can serve the cupcakes, okay?”

Before Skye had a chance to respond, his mother said, “I have another pitcher. I’ll give you a hand, Grace. Ms. Davis, if there’s one more incident—”

“I’ll handle it, Mom,” Ethan said, placing a hand on Skye’s shoulder.

“I don’t need to be handled, Ethan.” She wriggled out from under his hand as Grace led his mother away. “It was his fault I spilled the punch.”

“Tell that to someone you haven’t poured champagne on. I saw your face, cupcake. You spilled the punch on him because of what he said, not what he did.”

“Only a sexist nincompoop would say something like that.” He struggled to keep a straight face at her word choice, and her caramel eyes narrowed at him. “Did you actually expect me to stand there and smile while some aging lothario groped my bottom?”

“No. I don’t like anyone groping you but me.” Her jaw dropped, and he continued, “If you’d given me a chance, I would have taken care of him, Skye.”

“You are such a…” She made a frustrated sound in her throat. “I don’t need you to protect me, Ethan. I’ve been looking after myself for a long time.”

At her raised voice, heads turned in their direction. Exactly the kind of attention Ethan wanted to avoid. Once again, he was reminded why he needed to keep his distance from Skylar Davis. “I realize that, but are you forgetting your promise to Grace?”

“You’re right,” she said, looking suitably chastened. “I don’t want her to lose business because of me.” She nibbled on her fingernail. “Maybe you could tell him I have a medical condition?”

And this was why he had a difficult time keeping his distance. She was cute as hell. “Any particular condition you had in mind, cupcake?”

She pressed her lips together. “Forget it. I’ll apologize and pay his dry cleaning bill.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure Claudia smoothed things over. And I’ll take care of his dry cleaning bill.”

“I’m sure she did. No one does sucking up better than Claudia,” she said with a curl of her upper lip. Something caught her attention, and she frowned at him. “You invited Fred and Ted?”

“Of course I did. Why wouldn’t I?” he said, glancing over his shoulder to see the two older men, who looked like the actors from Grumpy Old Men, taking their seats at one of the tables. Then he realized why she’d ask. “If you would’ve let me get a word in edgewise at Gage and Madison’s wedding instead of ripping into me after misconstruing what I’d said, you wouldn’t have to ask.” His response came out clipped at the reminder of how, after the amazing night they’d shared, she’d turned his best friend’s wedding into a shit show over a simple misunderstanding and a difference of opinion and refused to speak to him.

“No? So if I offered to marry them, right here, right now, you wouldn’t object?”

“Okay, for the last time, Fred and Ted are not gay.”

“As if they’re going to come out to you, Mr. Poster Boy for the Republican Party.”

There was no reasoning with her, and he didn’t know why he bothered to try. Sure he did, but he was slowly coming to the realization that everyone was right. It was about time he got his head in the game and that meant keeping away from Skye. “I’m not getting into this with you now. And for Grace’s sake, if you can’t put your own agenda aside, then it’s best if you leave. I’m sure Claudia, my mother, and Nell won’t mind pitching in to help Grace.”

“Ethan.” His mother waved him over to Mrs. Rich’s table. He walked away, leaving Skye staring after him.

Ethan spent the next hour working the tables. He managed to keep his distance from Skye. Ignoring her? That was easier said than done. Every time she laughed—and that was just one more thing he liked about Skye; she laughed a lot—he’d find himself seeking her out. In his defense, she had an amazing laugh. He returned his attention to the CEO from Albright Energy, who’d been railing against the stranglehold that newly proposed legislation would put on his company.

Since he’d heard it before, Ethan easily picked up the thread of the conversation. “I agree with you. You’re heavily regulated by the state as it is, and the additional rules are unnecessary. We need to empower local self-government and put an end to the one-size-fits-all government that Bennett endorses,” he said, referring to his opponent.

After another ten minutes of discussing a recently released report by the Energy Department that determined fracking didn’t contaminate drinking water, the three men assured Ethan he had their endorsement. Slapping him on the back in turn, they headed to a table. Claudia stopped to have a word with them before joining Ethan, his mother, and Richard. “That went well,” Claudia said with a pleased smile as she reached his side.

“Were you able to smooth things over with Mr. Riley?” his mother asked Claudia.

“Yes, Ethan has his full support, and he’s quite taken with your housekeeper. Rosa found him a pair of pants and got the stain out of his. She’s pressing them as we speak.”

“Well, that’s good to hear at least. I still can’t believe the nerve of that girl. I told Grace in no uncertain terms that if I host another event, I don’t want her here.”

“Mom, relax, it was an accident.”

Claudia’s father laughed. “I highly doubt it, son. That little gal came out of the womb with a protest sign clutched in her tiny fist. She stands up for what she believes in, and Lord help you if you get in her way. Her father had his hands full, let me tell you. She’s got gumption, that one. Might not agree with her politics, but always did admire her passion for the issues. And don’t let her fool you, she’s smart as a whip. Made the mistake of debating the merits of a vegetarian lifestyle with her when she was twelve. She won.”

“That’s not what you said when you had to bail her out of jail at sixteen for throwing red paint on Mrs. Harmon’s fur coat, Daddy,” Claudia said with a petulant look on her face. “For Ethan’s sake, let’s hope she keeps her leftist politics to herself for the rest of the day.”

“Claudia’s right, Richard. You should save your admiration for someone who deserves it. Your daughter is amazing.” His mother looped her arm through Claudia’s and patted her hand. “I don’t know what we’d do without her. She’s a marvel, isn’t she, Ethan?”

“Yes, she is,” he agreed, then wanted to take it back at the familiar gleam in his mother’s eyes.

“I’ve had several people ask if you two were an item, you know,” she said. “Don’t you think they’d make the perfect couple, Richard?”

Claudia smiled and gave Ethan what he prayed was a here-we-go-again look and not a hopeful one.

* * *

With a forced smile on her face and a tight grip on the tray of cupcakes, Skye walked toward the table where the idiots from Albright Energy were seated. Nice men from Albright Energy, she corrected herself. After the strawberry punch incident, she couldn’t afford another slip-up. Grace, being Grace, of course, hadn’t said anything about it. But Skye knew she was upset with her. And so was Ethan, even though he’d defended her to his mother. She didn’t want to admit it, but he’d hurt her feelings when he suggested she leave. Or maybe it was the way he’d said it in his cool, emotionless voice that bothered her most.

He didn’t look cool and emotionless right now, she thought, sneaking a furtive glance to where he stood talking to several older men. With the sun glinting off his thick, tawny hair and the flash of his warm smile, he looked dangerously hot and sexy. She dragged her gaze away as the CEO of Albright Energy waved her over. Liz O’Connor sat with a group of her friends at a table beside theirs, making it difficult for Skye to ignore her overly loud conversation with the two women at her table. “You’re right, Claudia’s a darling.” Ethan’s mother looked directly at Skye as she continued, “She’d make a wonderful daughter-in-law. The two of them are perfect together.”

Skye rolled her eyes. Did Liz actually think it bothered her that she wanted Ethan to marry Claudia? At the sinking feeling in her stomach, Skye realized that maybe it did bother her, just a bit. But it was only because Ethan didn’t know Claudia like Skye did. The woman was an uptight conservative who didn’t care who she stepped on to get to the top. Cold and ambitious, Claudia Stevens cared more about polls than people.

Maybe they were a perfect match after all, Skye thought, as Claudia walked to Ethan’s side. He laughed at something the tall, elegant brunette said and put his arm around her shoulders, introducing her to the men. Skye might not be a fan of Claudia, but she had to admit with her high cheekbones, long, wavy dark hair, and dark eyes, Claudia was a beautiful woman.

At the sight of Liz beaming at the glamorous couple, Skye turned and started doling out cupcakes to the Albright Energy table with a forced smile.

“Well, hello, sweetheart.” The CEO grinned, the sun glinting off his wedding band. “Why don’t you join us?” he asked, holding out a chair for her.

“I…” Skye was about to politely refuse the man’s invitation when she overhead Liz say, “Who knows, by this time next year, I might have a grandbaby like the both of you. They’d make beautiful babies, don’t you think?”

Skye didn’t know why—maybe it was the thought of Claudia having Ethan’s baby, or that the married CEO flirting with her probably had children of his own—but a spurt of anger fired up inside her. “Seriously? You want me to sit with you, a man whose company is single-handedly destroying Colorado’s pristine wilderness, and poisoning the water table, all to make a dishonest buck? Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”

The man gave her a tight smile. “You might want to stick to baking, sweetheart. Don’t worry your pretty little head about things you know nothing about.”

Skye slammed the platter of cupcakes on the table, causing the glasses of punch to shake. “You’d be surprised how much information my pretty little head can hold.” The Albright CEO’s face pinked as she listed instances of documented well water contamination and health problems directly linked to fracking.

“Ms. Davis, I’d like a word with you,” Ethan said, his strong fingers encircling her arm. Skye’s gaze flitted from his hand to everyone staring at her openmouthed.

At the sight of Grace coming toward them with a panicked expression on her face, Skye felt like crying again. And her out-of-control emotions were ticking her off. “Sorry,” she mumbled and jerked her arm from Ethan’s hold. Her only thought to get away before she started to cry, she brushed past him and ran for the wooden bridge, heading for the privacy of the red barn.

Once inside, she sat on the bales of sweet-smelling hay and tried to figure out how she could make this up to Grace. She looked up to see Ethan standing in front of her. His concerned gaze roamed her face. “What’s going on?”

She focused on her hands and smoothed the apron. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Nudging her chin with his knuckle, he forced her gaze to his. “I know how you feel about fracking, but there’s more to what just went on out there. You promised Grace you wouldn’t embarrass her or the bakery, but you did. Twice. And yesterday you made the kids cry when you killed off the prince. You told me you were a pacifist, so even if it’s in a book, that’s not something you’d normally do.”

Up until her run-in with Scary Guy, Skye thought she was a pacifist, too. She supposed it didn’t count if you were acting in self-defense, but some people might think putting a man in the hospital constituted violent tendencies. “It’s my diet,” she said, because she wasn’t about to tell him what was really going on.

“What are you dieting for? You have an incredible body.”

“Thanks,” she murmured, ignoring the tiny spurt of pleasure his compliment engendered, “but I’m a vegan, and I’ve been eating too many cupcakes.” When he looked confused, she said, “Sugar’s poison. You may not be aware of this, but there’s a correlation between violent behavior and sugar.”

His mouth tipped up at the corner. “Is that right?”

“Yes. And I haven’t been exercising, so my serotonin levels are probably low.” No wonder she’d been feeling so crappy and emotional. It was such a relief to finally figure out what had been going on with her that she gave Ethan a bright smile. “Thanks, I feel much better now. I’ll just go…” She went to stand, and he slid his strong hands up her knees to her thighs, holding her in place.

“There’s more to it than that, and I want to know what it is. You’re not leaving here until you tell me.”

“You can’t keep me here against my will. Besides, you’re wrong. I’m totally fine.” But the way his thumbs caressed her inner thighs lulled her into submission, and she didn’t move. She wasn’t even sure she could speak without moaning. She’d forgotten the power of his sensual touch, how amazing his warm hands felt on her skin.

“Skye?”

“Hmm.”

“Cupcake, are you falling asleep on me?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his whiskey-smooth voice.

She blinked and sat up straighter, pushing her hair from her face. “No, of course not. I should be going. I really do appreciate your concern, Ethan, but I’m honestly fine.”

“Madison said you’re stressed.”

“Really? When did she say that?” Obviously her best friend hadn’t told him about her financial problems or, like her father, Ethan would be lecturing her on her irresponsibility.

“Yesterday when you whacked me with the crown and killed the prince.”

“Oh right, sorry about that. It was stage fright. And I think Maddie’s projecting. She’s stressed about the baby, you know.”

“I’m a criminal prosecutor. I can tell when someone’s lying. Others might not be able to see through you, but I can. I just wanted to offer my help, but if you don’t want it, that’s fine.”

“No, I’m not… Thank you,” she said, clearing the emotion from her voice. He was being so kind and sweet that she was tempted to tell him about their maybe baby. It’d be so easy to unload her worries on his broad shoulders. He was a strong, responsible man and so gorgeous he sometimes made her lose her train of thought. Like now, for all of a few seconds, she forgot he was a Republican. “Thank you for worrying about me. That’s very nice, considering I reamed out one of your biggest supporters. I hope none of your guests will hold it against you or Grace.”

“I’ll tell them you’re suffering from mood swings due to a medical condition.” He stood and offered her a hand, helping her to her feet.

“I didn’t think of that. Maybe I have hypoglycemia. It would explain…” Catching herself, she said, “That’s a great idea.”

“I have them every now and again. But I can’t take credit for that one. It was yours, remember?” He smiled, holding her gaze as he tucked her hair behind her ear. “If you’re in trouble or need anything, you have my number.”

She nodded, wishing she really did have magic and could turn him into a Democrat. “Thanks,” she said, having a hard time fighting back tears.

“Hey, are you going to cry?” he asked with a frown. Taking her chin in his hand, he stroked her cheek with his thumb. “You’re starting to worry me, cupcake.”

“I think I’m coming down with a cold,” she said, faking a smile.

“Ethan.” They turned as his mother entered the barn. “Some of the guests are leaving,” she said, her narrowed gaze moving from Ethan to Skye. As though she sensed her son’s hesitation, she added, “Mr. Riley is looking for you.”

“Thanks. I’ll be right there. You sure you’re okay?” he asked Skye as he lowered his hand and took a step back.

“Positive. Go and say good-bye to your guests. I’ll just hang out here for a bit, if you don’t mind.”

“No problem. Just remember what I said. If I can do anything, anything at all, let me know.”

“Thanks, Ethan.” She walked to one of the stalls as he headed from the stables with his mother. She heard them talking in low, aggravated tones and had a fairly good idea who was the topic of their conversation. A few seconds later, another voice joined in, and their voices faded.

Skye passed several empty stalls until she found one with an occupant. She put her foot on the rail. “Hey, pretty boy,” she said to the horse. He was a beauty with his shiny black coat, white socks, and a spattering of white dots on his hindquarters. The horse snorted and tossed his head, pawing the hay-strewn floor.

“I suggest you back away, Ms. Davis. He’s a rescue horse and very temperamental.” Skye startled, turning to see Liz coming toward her. She drew her attention back to the horse and prepared for a confrontation with Ethan’s mother.

“He’s beautiful,” Skye said, instead of telling the woman the horse should be left free to run wild. To the O’Connors’ credit, they’d rescued the animal, and their stables were immaculate; the horse was obviously well groomed and cared for. Unlike Skye’s neighbors’ horses in Texas. In response to Liz’s approach, the horse double-kicked the rear wall of his stall, releasing a high-pitched whinny, his ears flattening.

“Don’t come any closer,” Skye quietly advised, then made soft, chuffing sounds to gain the horse’s attention. He settled enough that Skye slowly reached her hand in the stall. “Good, boy. That’s a good boy,” she said in a low voice. The horse approached and nudged her arm. Skye praised him as she raised her hand to gently rub the middle of his forehead. It wasn’t long before he was completely calm and nuzzling her neck.

“Richard was right,” Liz said in an amazed tone of voice. “We’ve had him for a month, and he hasn’t let any of us near him.”

Skye moved her forefinger and thumb in small circles along the horse’s neck. “Walk up slowly behind me.” When she felt Liz at her back, Skye said, “Bring your fingers alongside mine.”

Skye waited a couple of minutes before moving to the side and allowing Liz to take her place. But the horse had other ideas and followed her to the edge of the stall. Skye felt the weight of Liz’s gaze upon her as she murmured good-bye into the horse’s neck, then stepped away.

“I’m not sure what to make of you, Ms. Davis.”

Neither had her father and teachers. “I get that a lot,” Skye said, then cleared her throat. “I’m sorry about earlier. I hope you won’t hold my actions against Grace.”

“Of course I won’t. But in the future, I’d prefer that you didn’t help out at our events,” Liz said, as they walked from the barn together. “My son has an excellent chance of winning the election, Ms. Davis. It’s something he’s wanted since he was a little boy. I won’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of him realizing his dream.” She stopped Skye with a hand on her arm. “It would be best if you stayed away from him. You’re not the type of woman he needs in his life.”

Even if for a moment Skye kind of wished she was, she knew Ethan’s mother was right. But that didn’t mean she appreciated Liz warning her off or disparaging her character. “Mrs. O’Connor, you don’t know me well enough to make that call.”

“Perhaps not, but I do know my son. He may be attracted to you at the moment, but it won’t last. He needs a woman of strong moral character and values, a woman who believes in what he stands for and will help him realize his dreams. Acquainted as you are with the world of politics, you know as well as I do, Ms. Davis, that you are not that woman.”