While Nickie and Gina were panic-stricken in the barn, Beau was wandering through the upmarket restaurant at the Hollister Hotel. Spotting a slight, attractive, mature man seated alone in a booth, he approached and extended his hand.
“Excuse me,” he began, “Joseph Pantera?”
“Beau Chapman, I assume,” the man replied standing up and firmly shaking Beau’s hand.
Beau was immediately reminded of pictures he’d seen of the famous dancer from the golden era of Hollywood, Fred Astaire.
“Mr. Pantera, it’s very good to meet you, Sir.”
“Please, call me Joe,” he offered.
“Thank you, Joe,” and you are nothing like I imagined. Nothing at all.
“I appreciate you coming out on this dreadful day. Had I known how bad the winds were going to be I would have waited until tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow won’t be much better. It’s usually a two day event,” Beau remarked. “I’m used to it, and besides, I was curious.”
“Obviously you know I’m Nicole Harris’s father,” Joe Pantera said.
“Yes, I do know that,” Beau nodded.
“Nicole mentioned her college friend, Helen Meyer, had found a local contractor for her, and Helen was kind enough to give me your contact information. I came down to see what was happening. I understand that you’ll be finishing the house. Is that right?”
“You found me through Helen?”
“That surprises you?”
“I thought Gerald called you.”
“Gerald? Nicole’s husband? No, no he didn’t call me. Do you know him? Is he here?”
“I can’t really say I know him, and I think I just derailed this conversation. You’re sayin’ you wanted to have this meetin’ to discuss the house?”
“Ah, yes, back to the point. Nicole has had some problems building this vacation home of hers. I confess I did promise her that I’d stay out of it, she was determined to do it all by herself, but things have not gone smoothly, and every time things don’t go smoothly it costs more. It’s her money but I don’t like to see it being wasted, so, as much as I want to respect her wishes I decided it was time I stepped in. She’ll be mad as heck when she finds out I’m here, and I’ll try not to interfere too much, but I need to see the site, take a look at the plans and get a feel for what’s going on. I’ll step out when I feel confident things are moving in the right direction, but I simply can’t let her flounder any longer.”
Try as he might, Beau could barely conceal his shock.
I can’t believe it. Why was she so freaked out? This man appears to be totally reasonable, and it’s obvious he cares about her. This is very bizarre.
“You look perplexed, Beau.”
“I, uh, I’m not sure what to say. There was nothin’ else you wanted to talk to me about?”
“What else could there be? Mind you, I was going to warn you.”
“Warn me?”
“Nicole isn’t the easiest woman to work for. She’s already gone through two contractors. I want to see this project of hers finished, and I’d like to offer my help when you hit some rough spots with her, because,” he said pausing dramatically, “you will.”
“I have seen Nicole’s temperament,” Beau remarked, inwardly smiling as he thought about Nickie’s bottom turning a deep shade of pink under his spanking hand. “Just to be clear, you said you didn’t know Nicole’s husband was here?”
“I did not. Nicole didn’t tell me he was coming to join her. I know he’s out of town but I was under the impression he was off on one of his golfing jaunts.”
“This is very awkward,” Beau said slowly. “I’m not even sure…”
“I think,” Joe said fixing him with a steady gaze, “we should have a glass of wine, order some of that local fish, and then you can tell me what else is going on.”
“That, Sir,” Beau said nodding his head, “is an excellent suggestion. There’s quite a bit to-” but before he could finish he was interrupted by the chiming of his phone. “I’m sorry, please excuse me, this might be important.”
Pulling the phone from his pocket he stared at the screen; it was a text from Jeb.
Just saw Nickie’s Lexus climbing the hill to Flat Top Point.
“What the hell?”
“Is something wrong?” Joe asked seeing the color drain from Beau’s face.
“Somethin’ is real wrong,” he replied. “I have to go, and I think you’d better come with me. I’ll explain on the way, well, as much as I can. You don’t mind drivin’ in my truck do you?”
“No, of course not.”
Moving quickly through the restaurant and out the hotel doors, they fought the wind across the parking lot, and as they approached Betsy, Joe broke into a broad grin. Holding open the door for him as the gale whipped around them, Beau hurried around and climbed in behind the wheel.
“This truck…” Joe remarked.
“I restored it,” Beau said starting it up.
“My father had one of these when I was a kid. He used to pile it full of clothes in the back and I’d go with him when he made his deliveries to the local stores. This is…this is incredible.”
“I’m glad you like it, but we’ve got a big problem. I don’t mean to scare you but Nickie has done somethin’ real foolish, and I need to get to her, but while we’re drivin’ I’ll tell you what’s been happenin’.”
As Beau left the hotel, Tyler and George were turning into the driveway at Beau’s ranch. Branches and leaves were flying through the air, and when Tyler rolled the car to a stop they were shocked to see two men lurking around the house, and Gerald Harris trying to remove one of the shutters from a front window.
“I’ll handle this,” George growled climbing out into the lashing winds.
Tyler called for backup, staring in astonishment as George walked forward, standing straight and tall in the howling winds. Though they’d been partners for years Tyler was still amazed by the sheer strength of the man.
“HEY!” George called his voice booming through the bluster.
Gerald had been watching the ranch, and had made his move when he’d seen Beau drive away in his old truck; when he heard George’s bellowing call he immediately assumed Beau had returned.
Fuck! You just left asshole. You shouldn’t have come back so soon.
With the wind whipping around him he reached into his waistband and pulled out a short, hard club, but as he turned around and saw the huge man ambling towards him, he staggered backwards, falling against the house.
“Hey,” Gerald called dropping the club. “I just came by to apologize to the man, that’s it.”
Tyler watched, almost chuckling, as George lumbered forward, grabbed Gerald by the elbow, and dragged him back to the Mercedes like a father dragging his naughty child. George threw him in the back seat, then opening the driver’s door picked up the key sitting in its small compartment in the center console.
Looking back at the house George sought out the two accomplices, and though they were trying to run they had no hope of winning against the winds. George soon had them both corralled, and had just put the last one in the car with Gerald when Beau’s truck came flying up the driveway.
“What the heck’s goin’ on here?” Beau muttered seeing Tyler’s car, the Mercedes, and big George standing next to it; rather than fight the wind he pulled out his phone.
“Hey, Beau,” Tyler answered. “Glad you’re here. We just arrived a few minutes ago and found Harris trying to break into your house with two goons.”
“What? You won’t believe this, but Jeb texted me that he saw the Lexus headed up to Flat Top Point. It must be Nickie.”
“NO!” Tyler exclaimed. “She must have seen the Mercedes drive up, but how did she get to her car?”
“It was parked behind the barn. I’ll bet she was checking the horses and saw Gerald drive up. What a mess. I have her father with me. I’m gonna drive into the garage and let him into my house. Meet me there, and I need George…wait…are those sirens?”
“Yeah, I called in backup to deal with Harris.”
“I don’t have time for this, I have to get to Nickie. Have George meet me in the garage,” he repeated.
“Nicole, just like her mother,” Joe mumbled.
“Her mother is a reckless, overreactin’ stubborn Princess too? Joe, I’m sorry,” Beau immediately apologized, “please forgive me, I’m just worried sick.”
“No need to apologize,” Joe said quickly. “That’s exactly what she is.”
“I just don’t understand why Gerald is so hell bent on gettin’ Nickie home,” Beau said angrily. “It’s obvious she can’t stand the guy.”
“Ah, yes, that would be my fault.”
“Your fault?”
“When Gerald married her I made him sign many pieces of paper. One of them stipulated that if either of them filed for divorce within the first year of marriage, Gerald wouldn’t be entitled to anything, in two years there was a small amount, and so on. I did it in the hope it would help him be patient with her. My family doesn’t approve of divorce.”
“That explains a few things,” Beau grimaced as he pulled into the garage. “I assume the year is up soon?”
“In a couple of weeks.”
“Looks like you and Nickie have a lot to talk about when I get her back down here.”
“I had no idea she was so unhappy,” Joe sighed. “Please, Beau, bring her home safely.”
“You bet I will,” he promised. “Excuse me, I have to talk to George.”
Jumping from the truck Beau hurried across to the large man and explained what he wanted him to do, told him where in the garage he could find the needed supplies, then opened the door that led into the house.
“Please, Joe, make yourself at home,” he said, opening the door of the truck and showing him inside. “A friend of mine, Tyler, will be here shortly. He’s the cop I told you about on the way over here. He’s gettin’ Gerald and his guys transported.”
“This is just all so shocking,” Joe said shaking his head. “I can’t thank you enough for explaining everything to me.”
“There’s more, but I have to go. George? Are you ready?”
“I’m good,” the big man called.
“Wish me luck,” Beau said heading back to the truck.
“My luck and my prayers,” Joe murmured, “all that I can muster.”