Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Rancher Buys a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (16 page)

“A glass of tea with lots of ice. I’ll wait to order when my fiancé arrives. He’ll be here shortly.”

“No problem. Take your time. You passin’ through?”

“Actually, we’re going to be moving here. My fiancé bought the old Simpson place.”

“I wondered who was buying it. Heard someone was doing renovations to the house. Welcome to the community. I’d better get to work.” She waved the coffeepot in her hand and made rounds to all the tables, filling cups.

She was engaged. Fury filled his gut. He’d waited for her and she’d never given him the time of day, but Drake Terrell had money. He should have known when she chose her first fiancé what she wanted. Well, he’d fixed that one before her wedding. This time, though, he’d fix them both and finally be free of her and the men she screwed. His hands curled into fists. He’d kill Terrell and then take his time with her. Maybe he’d get some for himself first, before he took her life. Right, he deserved it. She gave it out freely to everyone else.

“Hi, honey.” Drake slipped into the seat across from her. “That cold tea looks good.” He reached out and took her left hand. “I was beginning to doubt I’d ever get a ring on your finger.” He leaned back against the padded seatback and gave her his sexy smile. “You know, I’ve paid a lot to get you to be mine. Quite a bride’s price, but”—he kissed her hand—“you’re worth every dollar.”

“I hope you still think so after my dad gives you the third degree.”

“Can he or your mother change your mind?”

“No.”

He’d heard enough. He felt sick to his stomach. Hell, they’d never recognize him in this freaking cowboy outfit and hat. He had to get out of here. He pulled the hat low, and sauntered to the cash register. Thankfully, the man took his money. His low voice wouldn’t get their attention.

After he paid, he put his paper under his arm and quickly walked across the short distance to the door. Outside, he turned right to avoid being seen in the window, and hurried back to his rental car. He’d go to the motel, on the outskirts of town, and get ready for his final plan. A thrill swept through him. He’d killed before, and it had given a sensation he hadn’t felt since. It had been much too long since he’d felt that zing. He couldn’t wait to see their faces when he surprised them.

Chapter Ten

Drake stopped at a general store. They bought one large sleeping bag, some extra towels, milk, bread, sandwich meat, mayonnaise, and chips. Janice added sodas, and paper cups and plates to the growing pile.

“This ought to get us by for now. We’ll eat most of our meals with Samantha and Jackson until we head back day after tomorrow,” Drake said. “I got the lights and, as you know, the water turned on the last time I was here.” Drake picked up the check. “Ready?”

“Yes, are we going to
Jackson
’s place?”

“We are, at supper time,” he said, and pulled her tight against his side as they waited for his change.

“Why not now? I can’t wait to tell Sam about our engagement and show her my ring.”

“First, you and I have to discuss our future.” Drake held the door.

Janice stepped into the noon heat. Heat waves simmered over the two-lane blacktop road leading out of town. “It’s going to be a hot summer.”

“I know just how to cool you off. There’s a stream not too far from the house, and on our property. We’ll go there, swim, and decide on our future plans.”

A narrow lane wrapped around the house and past the garage and barn. Wildflowers and weeds grew side by side in the wide open pastures. Drake took a turn to the left and they were driving toward a hammock of oaks. Behind the oaks the river sparkled like a silver ribbon.

Drake parked the truck and reached in the back to grab the lightweight blanket they’d just bought. He put his arm around Janice’s waist and guided her through the trees to the river’s edge. He spread the blanket in the shade from the overhanging trees.

Janice took off her boots and put her feet into the water. “Oh, it is cold.” There were little rocks and sand under the swift-moving, shallow water. Several birds chirped in the trees and the sound of the river gurgling across rocks added to nature’s symphony. Overhead, a few clouds drifted across the blue sky. Drake sat on the blanket and watched her.

“Come sit with me,” he said.

She stepped out of the water and joined him. He grasped her hand and pulled her down beside him.

“Will you be happy here?” He threw out his hand to encompass the empty land around them.

“Six months ago, I’d have said no. I never understood Samantha’s love of the wide open spaces, and I’m not much of a cowgirl. I won’t be until I learn to ride better.”

Drake laughed. He ran his finger down her forehead and nose, then kissed her lips. “What changed your mind?”

“You, and realizing I didn’t want the life my parents had, or the one I’d visualized for myself with my first fiancé. We were goal-oriented. No children for at least five years, and then only one. Jobs first, always. Then I watched Samantha and Jackson with their family, the happiness they’d created.

“And a lot of other things. I’ve felt especially lonely since the phone calls started. There is no lonelier time than the middle of the night when you are either sick or scared, and no one is with you to comfort, cuddle, and reassure you.” She stopped talking and stared into the distance for a minute, and then turned to face Drake. “What about you and your flying all over the world doing business?”

“I signed off last week in
Washington
. My last trip convinced me where my priorities are.” He put his arms around her and lowered her to the ground. “This is the perfect spot to celebrate our life beginning together.”

“We did that earlier in our new bedroom.”

“What can I say. I want to do it again.” His dark-chocolate eyes sparkled at her. He rubbed his hand along the side of her face. “I want to start here.” His lips lightly brushed her forehead, then her temple. He took a deep breath. “The air is scented with wildflowers and your hair smells of violets.” He pushed her hair back and nipped her earlobe. A shiver of desire stirred down below. His lips trailed along her neck to the place where her heart had begun to beat faster.

Drake unbuttoned her blouse. His lips caressed the curve of her breast, and her nipple hidden by her bra. He kissed each spot he uncovered. She lay with her eyes closed, letting the warmth and all the sensations created by his mouth sink into her.

He raised her into his arms and removed her shirt and bra, before returning her to the blanket. His mouth suckled on her nipple, drawing a tight, hot feeling from between her legs.

She rolled him on his back. “It’s my turn.” Her hand reached to unbutton his shirt.

* * * *

Her body straddled him, her crotch rubbing against his cock. Soft hands brushed his skin as she went along his shirt, undoing the buttons. Distracted by the desire ratcheting upwards, he almost missed the slight vibration under his head. Forcing himself to focus, he pushed the back of his head harder against the ground.

No, he wasn’t mistaken. A vehicle moved along the dusty path toward them. A prickle washed over his skin. He put his hands on hers, halting her enticing progress.

“Grab your shirt and bra and run for the truck.” Momentarily stunned, she stared into his eyes. “Now!”

She blinked then moved quickly. Drake took hold of the blanket and had circled the truck, thrown in the blanket, and was in the driver’s seat by the time Janice closed her door.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“Maybe nothing, but a car is headed this way on a road that hasn’t been used in a long time except for you and me.” He knew if he kept going straight he’d come out on a two-lane road that ran on the other side of the ranch.

“You think it might be the person who’s trying to kill us?”

“Probably not. But I’m not taking any chances. I’m sorry about back there. I was stupid to relax my defenses and take a chance on you getting hurt.”

“Apparently they weren’t too relaxed. I didn’t hear anything. How did you know?”

“A reverberation under my head. I could be overreacting.” He turned onto the paved road. “There’s a gas station up ahead,” he said. “I’ll retrace my steps and check on my suspicions.”

“No. I want to go back with you.”

“Not going to happen.” He stopped outside the door to the gas station store. “Here.” He handed her a small handgun. “Put this in your purse. If anyone strange drives up, go to the back of the store, open your purse, and hold onto the gun until they leave. You can pretend to be shopping.”

“I don’t like this.”

“Neither do I. Get out, honey. I won’t be long.”

Drake watched her reluctantly go in the store before he pulled away. If the man was smart he’d go back the way he came. He’d know there was only one way out going straight and Drake might be waiting for him. Drake’s best bet was to take his chances on circling back to the front. He might make it before the other car, but Drake was further away from the main entrance to the ranch. He had a longer way to go around.

His foot pressed on the gas pedal, sending the truck screeching around several curves. When he hit the straight part of the road, he increased his speed even more.

He’d been a fool to forget for one moment.
The guy had planned good. Lulled me into a sense that he had decided to wait for us back in
Houston
and then strike.
If Drake hadn’t noticed the vibration, their stalker, killer, whatever he was, might have succeeded.

Drake slowed for the last curve. Coming around on another straight stretch, he saw a gray car in the distance. Could that be him? He’d have made very good time. Drake hesitated, then slowed and turned in to the entrance. He parked the truck to the side of the road and reached for the high-powered rifle he’d borrowed from
Jackson
earlier. He got out and moved into the bushes. Slowly, he made his way through the wooded area surrounding the road.

There was hardly enough breeze to move the leaves on the trees and all the birds seemed to have found someplace to hide from the heat that shimmered across the ranch. In the quiet, a single twig breaking would echo. Drake removed his shoes and stepped carefully across the pine-strewn ground.

* * * *

He wiped his arm across his face to keep the sweat on his forehead from getting into his eyes. Hot air hung heavy and he found himself breathing hard, as though through a thick curtain. He hadn’t expected them to be here.

When he found no car around the house, he’d driven further, scouting out the area for tonight. How had the asshole known he was around? He’d heard the engine start and guessed no one else would be on this road but them. He turned immediately to leave, but then afraid Drake might catch him at the entrance, he’d hidden his car in thick brush and hunkered down to wait for nightfall.

As he sat, his mind whirled with thoughts. Damn the man for ruining his plan. He’d be watching for him around here. In fact, he might be hunting for him now.
I’ll leave the car. Hitchhike to the next town and fly back to
Houston
tonight. Better to live another day and have another chance to succeed.
He took his small bag out of the back seat and scurried across the road. Then, he followed the stream to a small, gravel country road. He moved faster, heading east, hoping he’d find a highway and a sucker driving alone. Maybe he wouldn’t hitch a ride—he’d take the ride for himself and ditch it at the first opportunity.

* * * *

Drake treaded lightly through the brush. Nothing. No sound, and no sight of any human. He quickened his step, heading down the dusty lane in the direction they’d taken.