Fatal Deception: Part I (3 page)

“And with the magazine people being here–unless we send you two away–they will see and know exactly who you are,” Marc concluded.

Cain looked at his brother, and wondered if this was a good idea. Did they really want to make such a drastic sacrifice?

“Do we have to decide today?” Blair questioned aloud.

“No, we can all think about it,” said Marc. “And if everyone gets on board, then I’ll give Ben a call.” He looked at everyone, and got nodded heads in agreement.

After thinking everything through for a few days, they all agreed they were comfortable going ahead with the article. Marc gave Ben a call, and it wasn’t long after that Deidra made arrangements to visit the ranch.

“Marc, they’re all ready to go,” Ben informed him by phone one morning.

“When?” asked Marc.

“
Three days?” Blair screamed, after hearing the news. “I can’t get this house in order in three days,” she rambled.

Cain looked over to Marc and they both smiled. He walked up behind his wife, and wrapped his arms around her.

“Relax baby,” he breathed in her ear.

She did just that. Peaceful in his warm embrace, she exhaled.

“This house is already clean, but I know you, and I know you want to see your reflection in the wood… so I already hired a cleaning agency,” Cain cleverly admitted. “They’ll be here first thing in the morning and they’ll do whatever you want.” He kissed her sweetly on the neck. “So calm down, before you rupture something,” he said teasingly.

She smirked and then smiled as he walked away. She would try her best.

Chapter 4

Two days had passed since everyone was told when the photo and interview crew would arrive. It was very early in the morning and Blair was busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast as usual when she thought she heard a knock at the front door. After glancing at the time, she was sure it couldn’t have been someone knocking. A few minutes passed when the knock was repeated. She wiped her hands on her apron and cursed under her breath, wondering who could be calling so early in the morning. She unlocked the door, opened it and peered through the screen door. “Yes? May I help you?” she looked at the four unfamiliar persons standing on her porch.

“Hello,” said a dark-haired woman. Her bright blue eyes were striking even through the screen. “Is either Mr. Caldwell in?” she asked.

Blair stood for a moment, and then realized who they were. “Wait! Are you from the magazine?” she snarled. They weren't supposed to be there until the next day.

“Yes!” said the woman very cheerily.

“Oh no, you have got to be kidding?” Blair shouted. Blair turned her head to the side staring at the wall trying to retain her composure. Already, she wasn’t too keen with having just three days to prepare for the invasion, but to come a day earlier than expected was absolutely unacceptable. “You weren’t supposed to come until tomorrow!” She turned back to glare at them.

“No, it was scheduled for today,” the female visitor insisted. “I gave Ben McBain the information.”

Blair shook her head. She wouldn’t listen to any explanations. “No, we are scheduled to begin tomorrow. My family is still asleep. If we were expecting you today, we would all be up and ready for you.” Blair was standing firm, and would not be moved.

And as relentless as she was, the slightly younger woman was just as determined. They had traveled a long ways, she and her crew, to have to turn back now was out of the question. “Well, I’m sorry for the inconvenience,” she said smartly, “but we made arrangements for today. And who are you–the housekeeper?”

Maybe it was the way Blair’s expression contorted her face. Maybe it was the way her eyes turned from wide browns to black slits. Or maybe it was the way the door slowly opened, and she silently moved through it to come and stand just inches from the taller woman, but the men slowly moved backward off the porch, and allowed the one who had asked the insulting question to deal with its aftermath.

Blair then opened up very colorfully, and, not wanting to be outdone, the visiting woman was giving it right back.

Marc was settled comfortably into a deep, restful sleep. His large, powerful body was lazily sprawled over his bed as he lay on his stomach oblivious to the outside world. But even though he tried to remain in this blissful slumber, some obnoxious thing was trying to distract him. It was the sound of distant voices. They became increasingly louder and inevitably he was thrust from repose into blatant consciousness.

His eyes shot open. He flipped his enormous body over, causing the bed to creak in protest for the assault, and snatched the clock from its perch on the nightstand as he glared at the time. “Six o’clock!” he boomed.

The voices continued to rise from downstairs. They were women’s voices, and were quite boisterous. He jumped out of bed, grabbed his jeans, and swung open the door. He slammed it against the wall as a warning. He was now officially awake. His feet hit each and every step with a loud stomp as he made his way down the stairs seeking out who and what was this going on so early in the morning.

That’s when he saw her, a beautiful, tall raven-haired woman arguing with a familiar, and very feisty, Italian, brunette. Marc’s foot hit the floor with such a vibrating thump that the stranger turned her attention away from Blair and her crystal blue eyes penetrated the green pools staring at her.

“What’s going on out here?” Marc roared. His voice rumbled and overpowered the situation, bringing their quarrel to a halt.

The younger woman moved past Blair, and slowly toward Marc. She explained what she had been trying to get across to Blair.

“I’m so sorry, Sir!” she said, her lashes fluttering. “As I was trying to make your wife understand—”

She was then sharply cut off by Blair. “Wrong again, honey! I’m not his wife—or the housekeeper!”

By this time the entire house was awake and Alondra and a sleepy-eyed Cain joined the group. Cain tried to calm his wife and Alondra went to her father’s side hooking her arm in his.

The woman’s eyes settled on the exotic-looking, pretty, young, red-head. “I’m so embarrassed. This is your wife…”

Blair simply laughed. The woman looked around not sure what it was she had said that was so funny. She could also see that the young lady she was referring to was not amused.

“I’m not his wife, I’m his daughter,” said Alondra. She glared strangely at the woman then turned, and walked away to the kitchen.

The woman rubbed the back of her neck, and allowed a long breath to escape. “Now that I have thoroughly made a complete fool out of myself–” she started.

“No, you haven’t,” said Marc. “I’m not married, so let’s clear that up before another female enters the room. She died years ago at childbirth. You should know that since you’re gonna be spending some time with us.”

“Well,” Blair said smugly. “I’m going to finish making breakfast, and let you two deal with this.” She returned her gaze to their guest. “Have you and your men eaten yet?”

“No, Ma’am, not yet,” said the woman. She then forced a kindly grin. “And you can call me Deidra.”

Blair stared for a second, that name now burned in her mind forever. Then she replied, “My name is Blair. I’m married to Cain.” She then turned and walked away.

“Deidra, huh?” Marc repeated.

She looked up at him and smiled.

“You can call me Marc. You’re a little early, as she was trying to tell you. Was there a mix up?” he asked as he glanced at the equipment outside the door and to Cain who was in the yard talking with the camera crew.

“I’m not sure,” said Deidra. “I told Ben we’d like to start today and he said it was all set.”

“Knowing Ben, as I do, he probably did this on purpose. Well… where would you like to start?” Marc asked, watching the men setting things up.

“I don’t know,” said Deidra. “Maybe with your wife?” she suggested.

Marc’s head snapped around causing her to step backward. She saw the rage in his eyes.

“Let’s get something straight,” he said. “My wife and daughter are not to be spoken of—is that clear? I’ve kept my daughter safe from the public eye for some time now, along with the fact that I’m a widower. It is nobody’s concern. This is about Cain and me–not even Blair.” He was very emphatic.

“Yes, of course. I didn’t know,” she lied; knowingly full-well what Ben had told her. “I’m very sorry.”

Marc rubbed his eyes and let out some air. “No, I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have bitten your head off. You had no idea.” Marc looked at her really well for the first time. It was then that he realized how clear her eyes were, like an angel.

“Okay, but if I should ever over step my bounds, please feel free to correct me,” said Deidra. “I want this to go smoothly; and more importantly… I want you to feel as comfortable as possible,” she said sweetly, staring purposefully into his eyes.

He smiled and nodded.

Chapter 5

“
I don’t like her.” Alondra said, walking back into the kitchen. She’d heard and seen the exchange between her father, and Deidra.

“You don’t even know her, now stop and help me get this food on the table,” said Blair. “We’ve got a long few days ahead.”

Alondra did as she was told, and carried a platter to the dining room table. She paused momentarily to see that Deidra was alone, likely because her father and uncle had gone to change. She was fumbling around with something.

Feeling someone staring at her, Deidra looked up into the stern eyes of Alondra. She didn’t back down. If she was going to be here a while, the little girl would have to know something–that she doesn’t scare so easily.

Alondra caught her drift. Just as quickly as they had locked eyes, they released them. Alondra turned away from her, and walked back into the kitchen to finish setting the table. Deidra smiled wickedly, feeling she had won this round, but knew there were a few more ahead. This job wouldn’t be as easy as the others. She hadn’t known about the daughter or about the brother’s wife. But then, it wouldn’t matter, she thought. She went to the porch to talk briefly with Marc and Cain who had reemerged from the house.

When everyone was full to the brim from Blair’s terrific breakfast, they thanked her and rose from the table. Two of the crewmen began taking plates from the table to assist her in cleaning up. They felt that was the least they could do for such a hearty meal. But she wouldn’t have it, and politely shooed them away.

During the meal, Alondra kept peering over her fork at Deidra. There was something definitely not right about that woman, and she was going to find out what it was. Especially, since she seemed to have caught her father’s eye. Deidra was very aware that Alondra was watching her. Feeling uneasy, she tried to push it out of her mind. Marc seemed to have much to say to her and she couldn’t let Alondra distract her. She breathed easily after the meal, knowing her work day could begin. And she felt more at ease knowing Blair and Alondra wouldn’t be involved in the interview process. “Wow, I don’t feel like doing a thing after that wonderful meal,” she said, walking out the front door with Marc at her side.

“Yeah, Blair is a damned good cook. And she always cooks big meals, even though Cain and I are the only big eaters,” said Marc. He walked to the end of the porch, propped his foot up on the bottom rail, and leaned over the top. He loved to do this after his meals, even more so at night. Looking over the ranch in the peace and quiet always seemed to give him a little time with Clarice.

“I can see that Alondra doesn’t eat much,” Deidra added. “She just picks at her food.”

Marc turned his head in her direction, puzzled. “No, Alondra eats okay–just doesn’t seem to gain weight,” he replied.

“Well, maybe it was having unexpected company for breakfast,” she surmised.

Marc stood up and turned completely to her.

“I guess I was too busy talking to notice she didn’t eat much,” he stated.

She looked at him then turned away slowly.

Marc watched her carefully.

“I don’t know, Marc,” said Deidra. “But I did a study on eating disorders a while back. I’m not saying she has one, but you may want to watch her closely. You did say she eats, but doesn’t gain weight.”

Marc’s eyebrows furrowed, and he decided to change the topic. “What would you like to do first—photos, or story?” he asked in a serious tone. “And remember what I told you before; my daughter, wife, and sister-in-law are not to be discussed.” His warm green eyes had become somewhat cold.

“Understood,” Deidra insisted. “We can start with photos. I would like to get some shots of you around your beautiful ranch,” she conceded and moved on.

Just then, Alondra ran out to the porch. “Dad, Aunt Blair and I are going to town. Can we take the Yukon?”

“Yeah, the keys are on the table,” he replied.

Alondra shook her head. “I couldn’t find them,” she said.