Lone Star Valentine (McCabe Multiples) (8 page)

“Maybe you lucked out, then, not having to draft the prenup.” Lily studied the tense set of his broad shoulders. “But clearly you don’t see it that way.”

His expression didn’t change in the slightest. Yet there was something in his eyes. Some small glimmer of frustration. “It’s a black mark against me. And the hell of it is, the managing partners are right.” He shook his head in grim self-reproach. “I’m paid to do a job, and that’s represent my client, protect his or her interests—
not
worry about everyone or anyone else.”

“But you do.” And she loved that about him, whether he saw it as an asset or not.

He sighed heavily. “The bane of being brought up in a small town, I guess. Everyone looks out after everyone else.”

Maybe they didn’t live in such different universes after all. Lily smiled, feeling in sync with him yet again. “It’s all about neighbor helping neighbor,” she agreed. “Not about how many billable hours you can accrue. Or how many clients you can bring in.”

He passed a slow-moving truck, then got back into the right lane. “Which brings me to my next question. Why aren’t you practicing law?”

The curiosity in his low, intimate tone sent heat shimmying through her. Realizing her skirt had ridden up her thigh, she tugged it back down again. “I hated the adversarial nature of litigation. The mind-set, more often than not, that there had to be winners and losers instead of all winners.”

He grinned in a way that reminded her he had always felt she was far too softhearted for her own good. “So you went into politics instead?”

His voice was soft and rough, the way it had been when they were in bed. Lily swallowed around the sudden tightness of her throat and turned her gaze from his handsome profile to the passing scenery. “Rex Carter is great at bringing in new business, growing the community that way, but he’s not so great at providing funds for the existing infrastructure and all the organizations that make Laramie the friendly, warm and welcoming, down-home community it is.”

“So you stepped up.”

She drew a deep breath as she took in the flat, sagebrush-dotted land and the occasional herd of cattle or horses. In control of her emotions once again, she turned back to Gannon and answered candidly, “At least for a while.”

He tossed her another quick, interested look. One that compelled her to admit, “Don’t tell anyone, but...there’s a lot about politics I hate.”

To her relief, he wasn’t as shocked as she would have figured.

“The fire statue was more than you could take?” he deadpanned.

Lily laughed despite herself. “Funny. No.” She cast a look over her shoulder to make sure her son was still asleep. “I just... I’m not sure I’m cut out to be a politician for the rest of my life, either. I mean, I like working for the greater good and helping the community, but a lot of the minutiae—the petitions, and so on—are enough to drive me up a wall, and it’s only been a little over three years now.” Come May, she’d have to make the decision whether to run for office again or simply finish out her term in November and move on.

Gannon smiled. “Some of that would exasperate me, too.”

Lily appreciated the empathy. Unfortunately, all the shifting around had caused her skirt to ride up again, and this time, to her chagrin, Gannon had definitely noticed. Blushing, she tugged it down and pressed her knees together primly.

He lifted a brow, obviously appreciating the view but too much of a gentleman to comment, then turned their attention back to the conversation. “Any idea what you want to do if you don’t continue in politics?” he asked sincerely.

Relieved to think about something other than the continual sexual sparks between them and the very real possibility of making love with him again, Lily pulled herself together and replied, “Honestly? I don’t know. I might go back to the law in some shape or form that includes some sort of problem solving.”

He nodded in something akin to approval.

She shrugged, a little embarrassed by how vague and uncertain she sounded. “Luckily, I’ve got time to figure it out,” Lily said. “And a job to do in the meantime.”

Which, given all she had to do before the advent of the chili cook-off and festival the following weekend, would keep her so busy she wouldn’t have the time or the energy to get any more involved with Gannon.

And that, she knew, given how different they still were, could only be a good thing.

She had rushed into a relationship once, with Lucas’s biological father, and that had turned out to be a huge mistake. She wasn’t going to let herself do it again.

* * *

“I
S
THAT
EVERYTHING
?” Gannon asked, an hour and a half later after carrying their overnight bags inside for her. Lily had been cordial but pensive for the last part of the drive. He sensed she had a lot on her mind and might need to unburden herself again—out of earshot of her little boy.

Lily watched her son, who was invigorated after his long nap in the car, make a run for his building blocks and collection of toy ranch animals. “I think so,” she replied, visually checking over their belongings, including Lucas’s treasured Blue Blankie and stuffed horse, both of which were under his arm.

Not eager to leave, especially when she still seemed to be a little out of sorts, Gannon asked casually, “Any thoughts about what you’re going to do for linner?”

As hoped, his teasing tone coaxed a smile from her.
“Linner?”

He regarded her with mock solemnity. “Lunch and dinner. Sort of like brunch.”

They never had stopped to get anything to eat en route for fear of waking her son. He was starved, and he figured she and Lucas had to be hungry, too.

She waved desultorily. “We’ll probably just have a snack and I’ll make an early dinner.”

Or, in other words, she was not asking him to stay.

Lily drew a deep breath. She took him by the wrist and led him deeper into the kitchen, out of earshot of her son. Looking deep into his eyes, she said quietly, “I know that the past twenty-four hours have been really intense. And that I’ve leaned on you in an unconscionable way.”

Sensing a breakup speech coming on, not unlike the We Can’t Do This Now—Or Ever! talk she had given him during their first year of law school, Gannon shot back, “Is that what you call what happened between us last night?” He kept his voice mild with effort. “Unconscionable?”

Bright spots of color appeared in her cheeks. She lowered her glance self-consciously, whispering, “I was not myself. You know that.”

If he truly thought that, he would have felt like the worst kind of user. “Or maybe you were yourself,” he countered softly, taking the opposite tact. Hand to her chin, he lifted her face to his. “And just don’t like what you discovered.”

Defiantly, Lily held his gaze. “That being?”

“The chemistry we have.”

She drew a sharp breath. “I never denied...”

“Wanting me?” He stared into her eyes for a long, heated moment, then dropped his hand.

Her lower lip trembled. “It’s always been a question of timing.”

“Which is never right,” he said, feeling another sucker punch coming on.

“Please understand.” She gripped his forearms. “I never meant to hurt you.”

He exhaled roughly. “Well, that sure makes all the difference.”

On the verge of tears, she pleaded, “Can’t we just go back to being friends?”

Here was his chance. To save himself from another round of heartbreak and humiliation at her hands and sever ties, too. Only that wasn’t what he wanted, either. “Friends,” he repeated, trying to figure out if that would ever suffice.

Lily nodded, eager to make peace. “Former law school buddies. Colleagues in the legal profession. Neighbors.”

Even as she spoke, it all sounded so lame. Had she not been through so much in the past few days thanks to her jerk of an ex, Gannon would have told her to hell with half measures, to hell with pretending that they didn’t feel what they did. Because the truth was, they could have a shot at something real here—if they just allowed themselves to go forward, unhampered by fear of making yet another mistake in the romantic department.

But she had been through a lot.

So had her son.

Which was why he could not walk away. Not at this moment anyway. Even if it meant he was now the fool.

Realizing a lighter tone was called for, however, he teased, “Does this mean you won’t be my valentine?”

Lily groaned and pressed her fingertips to her temples. “I’m not going to be anyone’s valentine, Gannon. Now or ever.”

Knowing he still had another seven days to change her mind about the two of them remaining lovers—and more—Gannon smiled. “So noted.”

Chapter Seven

Lily woke Monday morning wondering if she had made a mistake in telling Gannon she wasn’t prepared to be anything more than casual friends—or an occasional lover—with any man.

He had taken it well.

Too well.

Promising cheerfully before he’d left her home to touch base with her in a day or so to see how things were going.

Which could have meant anything.

An email. A call. An unexpected visit.

She hadn’t nailed him down because that would have meant she was interested in him romantically.

Which, deep down inside, she knew that she was.

She also knew all the reasons why it wouldn’t work. Gannon was “all in” his work in Fort Worth, to the point he didn’t even have time to date anyone these days. The only reason he had time to pursue her was because he was in Laramie to support his mother and see to the sale of the family ranch-land. Once Gannon achieved those two things, he would return to his ultrasophisticated life in the city.

Her experience with Bode and the press had left her wanting to be as far from the limelight as possible. She was focused on raising her son, and wanted to be in Laramie near family and friends. Career was now secondary to her. Career was everything to him.

Plus, once his “vacation” was over in a few days, he would be gone.

Which was why she had to stay strong. Remain independent. And most important of all, make damn sure that she and Gannon never hurt each other again.

So she pulled herself together, had breakfast with her son—who seemed to have recovered admirably from the confusing events of the weekend—then dropped him off at school and headed for town hall to tackle her own massive to-do list.

Unfortunately, she had just settled down to work when her attorney called. “We’ve had some new developments in the case.”

That was fast, Lily thought. But given her ex’s superstar status and high-profile Dallas legal team, perhaps not surprising. Connections weren’t
supposed
to make a difference when it came to the fair application of the law, but somehow they always did.

“I’d like Gannon to sit in on our meeting, if it’s okay with you,” Liz continued.

Actually, it was more than okay. Although it was not her style to want a man to protect her, having Gannon by her side always made her feel better. He was a top Dallas–Fort Worth area attorney, too. Keeping him on their team, even in a consulting capacity, would make the legal battle more equitable. “That’d be great,” she enthused.

“Can you be in my office at ten-thirty?” Liz continued, sounding happy they were on the same page. “It shouldn’t take long.”

By the time Lily arrived, Gannon and Liz were setting up in the conference room. She could tell from the sober expressions on both their faces the news was mixed, at best.

“We heard back from the court,” Liz said, getting right down to business. “The request for dismissal was denied. The judge felt enough time had elapsed from the initial hearings on custody to warrant a fresh look at the arrangements. But the twenty-day extension to file our answer to their complaint
was
granted.”

Which meant, Lily thought, putting on her lawyer hat, too, they had another thirty-seven days to formally respond. And by then, Bode might well have a new contract with the Dallas Gladiators. Hence ending his need for the image rehabilitation and PR blitz.

The attorney continued, “Meantime, both parties have been ordered to mediation.”

Lily turned to Gannon. He was in country lawyer garb—olive green corduroy sport coat, open-necked white shirt, dark jeans, boots—looking handsome as could be. He smelled good, too, like sandalwood and spice. Just looking at him made her remember how it had felt to make love with him, how good it always felt whenever he was by her side.

With effort, Lily turned her attention back to the situation they were there to discuss. “I was hoping, after the way things went Saturday evening, Bode would have already instructed his lawyers to drop the custody suit.”

“Tell me about the visit.” Liz began to take notes.

With Gannon wordlessly encouraging her, Lily related everything from the awkward reunion of father and son to the over-the-top birthday party and multitude of gifts for all the yearly milestones he’d missed. The fact that, while Bode had been doing his best to forge a genuine connection with his son and make them all comfortable, his PR team had been busy spinning the event and Tweeting out photos.

“Yeah, I saw some of them,” Liz said ruefully. “They were on a number of celebrity blogs.” A devoted mother herself, she did not look impressed. She continued writing. “We can use that against him if we need to.”

Gannon agreed, “Judges hate seeing kids used as pawns.”

“So you were comfortable leaving Lucas there for the night?” Liz asked.

Lily nodded. “He seemed as if he was going to be fine.” Only he hadn’t been. She finished with her son’s postmidnight meltdown.

Liz tapped her pen thoughtfully against her chin. “What was Bode’s reaction to this?”

Lily looked at Gannon. “Actually, pretty commendable, wouldn’t you say?”

He nodded. “Bode did the right thing for Lucas, actually for everyone, in calling Lily to come and get Lucas.”

Lily turned back to the other woman. “Do you think his attorneys know about this?”

Liz nodded. “I’m sure they checked in with him, then advised Bode to look at the long game and take the next steps as planned.”

Overwrought with emotion, Lily took a deep breath. She wished she could reach over and hold Gannon’s hand but, knowing how inappropriate that would be under the circumstances, remained where she was. “Is there any way to delay mediation? Maybe give Bode more of a chance to reconsider?” As she was
still
sure her ex would, once his contract negotiations were settled.

Liz and Gannon shook their heads in unison. “The opposing attorneys have already suggested Ted Mackey for February 13—”

Lily lifted a staying palm. “That’s the first day of the chili festival. So I can’t be in Dallas then. I have to be here.”

Liz made another note. “So we’ll change the date for after the festival. What about that mediator?” Liz turned to Gannon. “Know anything about him?”

Gannon nodded. “Mackey is a big proponent of having both parents in children’s lives whenever possible, but statistically, he’s known to side with dads more than moms.”

Liz crossed Mackey off the list. “The second option is Darla Royce.”

“She’s extremely thorough in her investigations, which means nothing will get by her.” Gannon paused, thinking. “She also usually makes contentious situations even more combative.”

Liz axed Royce, too. “The last and third option they offered is Benjamin Cohen.”

Gannon shook his head. “Sincere, but he’s only been at this a few years and can be easily swayed to one side, then the other, so you never know what he’s going to suggest as a solution.”

Sighing in frustration, Liz marked Cohen off, too. “Who would you suggest, then?”

Gannon’s reply was firm. “Starr Calder is the best mediator in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. She’s always fair. Creative in her solutions. The only downside—if she has one—is that she has a long waiting list of people wanting to see her.” He cleared his throat. “But on the upside, judges usually like getting her involved in a case because, more often than not, problems are settled quickly in her office. And never make it to court.”

That sounded good to Lily, too.

“I’ll call her, and opposing counsel, now.” Liz left the room.

For the first time since she’d entered the office, Lily and Gannon were alone.

He reached across the table and lightly touched her forearm with the same tenderness he’d made love to her. His gaze drifted over her face. “You doing okay?”

Tingling everywhere they’d touched—and everywhere they hadn’t—Lily forced a tremulous smile. “Yes, I’m just frazzled.”

In the past five days, her life had taken a turn that seemed slightly surreal. Amplified by the fact that it had barely been a day since she and Gannon had seen each other and it already seemed way too long.

Which was crazy, since she had never been the type to let herself depend on a man.

Gannon squeezed her palm before he let her go. “Just so you know,” he said in a husky voice, “I’m here for you in any capacity needed.”

Oh, dear. That sounded tempting.
Too tempting
.

Liz came back in, oblivious to the unchecked sexual tension flowing between Lily and Gannon. “You were right. Ms. Calder’s first available date was June 2, so I tentatively put you all on the schedule.” She smiled. “And when I called to confirm with Bode’s attorneys, they actually agreed!”

“Despite the wait?” Lily said in shock.

“That’s right,” Liz confirmed.

“Which means what?” Lily asked warily, aware this seemed a little too good to be true under the circumstances. “They’ve suddenly decided to be reasonable?”

“Or,” Gannon speculated, “given how things went with the visit on Saturday, they’ve realized they need time for Lucas to get a lot more comfortable with his dad before they go to mediation.”

Liz nodded in agreement, adding, “And to that end, they want you to know that Bode intends on seeing Lucas on Wednesday, as per the current visitation schedule.”

Once again, Lily had opportunity to regret the unnecessary compromises she had made during the initial custody wrangling, just to get it over with. “So I have to drive Lucas to Dallas?”

“No.” Her attorney referred to the notes in front of her. “Bode is coming here to Laramie to have dinner with him. So you may want to prepare Lucas for the fact he will be seeing his dad again. We want this to go as smoothly as possible.”

So did Lily. But there was no guaranteeing how her four-year-old would react to the sudden rush of confusing events.

Seeing her uncertainty, Gannon added, “Otherwise, Bode’s attorneys will be able to assert you’re ‘interfering’ in the bonding between father and son.”

And that, Lily knew, they did not want. “I’ll talk to Lucas.” Leaving Gannon and Liz behind to tie up a couple of loose ends, Lily headed out.

And received yet another surprise.

A crowd had gathered on the town square to watch competing local news crews report live on the fire statue, while a beaming Harriett Montgomery held court.

* * *

F
ORTUNATELY
FOR
L
ILY
, the commotion subsided an hour later when the three moving company representatives arrived to give her their estimates of hauling the fire statue to the county fairgrounds.

She expected the bids to be close. Not unanimous!

“Can’t do it,” the first said.

“Might break,” predicted the second.

“No way our insurance carrier will let us take the risk,” agreed the third. So Lily called Laramie’s premiere independent insurance broker, Greg Savitz, and asked him to meet her on the square and discuss the matter.

“I’m sorry, Mayor,” Greg said. “I called all twelve of the carriers I work with and no one will touch the statue. Artwork can be hard to insure in any case, and moving any kind of sculpture is obviously challenging. But this—” Greg gestured to the six-foot-tall smoke-stained ceramic chili pepper “—fire statue could easily crumble if it’s jostled, at least so far as anyone can predict. So it’s either going to have to stay here—permanently—or you’ll have to find another way to move it on your own.”

If that were the case, there was only one person Lily could call. Only one person who might be able to talk sense into Harriett Montgomery more easily than her only son. The biggest patron of the arts in the Laramie area and founder of his own Western-themed art museum in his name. Emmett Briscoe.

Luckily for her, the oilman—who’d been at the statue’s official unveiling—was still in Laramie County.

Emmett understood her dilemma immediately. “How about I go with you to talk to Harriett?” he asked over the phone.

Lily thought of all she had yet to do before the chili festival commenced on Friday. The dwindling amount of time to accomplish it all. “Could you possibly do it today?” she asked.

* * *

G
ANNON
SPENT
THE
rest of the afternoon drafting the formal response to Bode Daniel’s custody motion, and arrived back at the Triple M Ranch just in time to see the surveyors pack up and leave and Lily and Emmett Briscoe arrive. The latter had driven separate vehicles, but it was clear they were there for the same purpose.

It was a little after four o’clock; Lily had been going nonstop all day, and her appearance showed it. Her honey-blond hair had been down around her shoulders earlier, but now it was pulled into a tight, messy knot at the nape of her neck. Her lips were bare, and she looked tired around the eyes, yet her inner determination shone through anyway.

Lily greeted him with a crisp, professional smile that telegraphed none of the affection they’d shown each other over the weekend. As they neared, she extended her hand in greeting, as did Emmett. “Is your mother available?” she asked. “We’d like to talk to her.”

Knowing it would take time—and privacy—to woo her, Gannon echoed her cordial tone. “She’s in her studio. I’ll walk you over.”

“So it’s true?” Emmett asked. The three of them crossed the newly mown lawn to the converted barn. “You’re going to sell to Rex Carter?”

Harriett stepped out to join them. “Over my protestations. Yes, he is.”

Feeling as if he was getting a bad rap, Gannon amended, “Not the house or the one hundred acres immediately around it. You will always have a home here, Mom.”

She frowned and shook her head. “The view will be obliterated by forty other homes.
Your father would be so disappointed to see you let this ranch, which has been in the Montgomery family for generations, go.”

Gannon’s frustration mounted. “Can we not get into this now?”

“It does seem like a private family matter,” Emmett noted gently. The look he gave Harriett reminded them all that Emmett had suffered his own disagreements with his son, Matt, over the dispensation of Briscoe family land. He held out his arm to Harriett. “I would like to see your studio, though. Perhaps you could give me a private tour?”