Mistletoe Rodeo (Welcome to Ramblewood) (10 page)

Chase turned her around in his arms and kissed her. His tongue parted her lips and in the fervor of the moment, Nola forgot where they were. She wasn’t big on public displays of affection, but with Chase, all her previous rules seem to fly right out the window. She was breathless when their kiss broke, and when she looked into his eyes Nola felt her heart lurch madly. She didn’t know if it was because their relationship was moving on to the next step or if it was the magic of the Christmas spirit surrounding her. At this point, she didn’t care. All she knew was that she didn’t want it to end.

* * *

N
OLA
DROVE
BEHIND
Chase on their way to the ranch. He’d never been one to speed, but tonight he couldn’t get home quickly enough. He wanted to park his truck, pull Nola from her car and disappear, spending the rest of the night making love to her. His family might kill him, but it would be worth it. He needed to feel Nola in his arms, with nothing between them. He craved that closeness more than he had ever wanted anything in his life.

He pulled up next to the house and Nola parked beside him. “Were we in the Indy 500?” Nola asked as she stepped from the car.

Chase didn’t answer her. Instead, he grabbed her hand before she had a chance to retrieve her coat from the car and led her to the rodeo school, knowing no one would be there at this hour.

“What are we doing here?” Nola asked as Chase unlocked the door and held it open for her.

He locked up behind him and tucked Nola against him. “Nothing you don’t want to do. I just needed time alone with you. Whenever we’re together, there’s somebody else around and I wanted a moment for us.”

His heart hammered against his rib cage. A hot ache grew in his chest. Dipping his head, his lips brushed hers softly. There was no rush. Chase wanted to take his time and enjoy the feel and the taste of her.

He took her hands in his, encouraging her to explore his body. Following his lead, Nola brushed her fingers against the bare skin under the waistband of his jeans. A shiver of anticipation rocketed through him. Fumbling with the buttons on her shirt in the dark, he opted to lift it over her head. The lace of her bra grazed the pads of his thumbs as they encircled her nipples.

“Tell me to stop and I will,” Chase whispered.

“Don’t.” Nola’s voice was thick with desire. “Whatever you do, please, don’t stop. I need you.”

So much for taking his time.

Those were all the words Chase needed to hear. He unfastened her bra and let it slide slowly from her arms. He was barely able to make out her body, but the moon shining through the building’s skylights revealed all he needed to see.

They both took off their shoes, then Nola unhooked his belt buckle with deftness, unbuttoned his jeans and pushed them down past his thighs. He stepped out of his pants and reached for hers, easing them down, trailing kisses between her breasts. Nola lifted his chin before he could kiss her any lower.

“I want to feel you.” Her whisper echoed in the darkness of the building’s stone entryway. Nola slipped her hand beneath his boxer briefs and wrapped her hand around his arousal. “Good God, you feel amazing.”

Chase’s mouth hungrily claimed hers as he removed her panties. Shrugging out of his boxer briefs, he growled against her mouth, crushing her against him. He widened his stance to meet her height; his hardness flattened against her sweet spot. Aching to lose himself inside her, Chase shifted Nola until her back was against the door.

Grabbing her thighs, he lifted her, ignoring the pain in his shoulder. Her legs wrapped around his waist, imprisoning his body with hers, replacing any discomfort he felt with desire.

“Please, Chase,” Nola groaned. “Now.”

And in that moment, as the stars shone through the skylights above them, Chase found heaven.

* * *

* * *

B
REATHLESS
AND
GIGGLING
,
Nola fumbled for her clothes in the dark. “Your mother is going to kill us.”

“Yeah, but it was so worth it.” Chase tugged her back into his arms, his hands immediately seeking her breasts. “Think we could squeeze in another round?”

“No, I do not.” Nola wriggled away. “I don’t think my shirt survived our little...episode.” Even in the moonlight, she could see how dirty her once-white blouse had become. “Do you think you’d be able to sneak out to my car and grab the bag I keep in the backseat? There’s a pair of black leggings and a denim shirt in it. At least I could change into something a little cleaner. I don’t think anyone will notice—I had my coat on at the tree lighting.”

“I’ll try, but I can’t guarantee I won’t get caught. There are eyes everywhere on this ranch, especially my sisters-in-law’s.” Nola heard Chase pull on his jeans. “I’ll lock the door, but I suggest you cover up while I’m gone, just in case.”

He closed the door behind him and the deadbolt clicked into place. Standing in the center of the entryway alone, Nola couldn’t believe what had just happened. She’d just unabashedly had sex with Chase. Incredible sex. The best of her life.

She had no idea how they were going to explain their absence. Surely, someone would have seen their cars by now. The last thing she wanted to do was embarrass him. No one wanted their family to know they’d just sneaked away to get it on with their girlfriend. But every excuse she thought of sounded like an outright lie, and she hated the thought of lying to the Langtrys.

The sound of the door opening so soon after Chase had left startled her. Flattening herself against the cold stone wall, Nola gripped her blouse tightly to her chest.

“Where are you?” Chase asked from the doorway.

Nola exhaled the breath she’d been holding. “You scared me half to death. How did you get back here so fast?”

“I ran.” Chase closed the door behind him and handed her the bag. “You didn’t think I was going to take my time with you standing in here naked, did you?”

“Did anyone see you?” Nola reached inside for her shirt and leggings.

“Not that I noticed.” Chase attempted to pull her into his arms again. “There’s no reason to be nervous. Even if they did, it doesn’t matter.”

Nola playfully slapped his hands away. “It does matter. I don’t want your family to think I’m a floozy.”

“No one is going to think you’re a floozy.” Chase stilled her hands and gathered her against his body. “Why would you even think that?”

“Your mom’s been so generous with me. I don’t want her to think I’m taking advantage of you.”

“And here I was afraid you’d think I had taken advantage of you.” His calloused hands cupped her face and held it gently. “Nola, my family will never judge you. I promise.”

“I trust you.” At least she thought she did. She wanted to. Nola knew one day she would need to tell Chase about her past, but now wasn’t the right moment. There was time, and if Chase was right in thinking no one would judge her, why should her past matter anyway? Love meant acceptance, and although Nola wasn’t sure if they’d ever reach that stage, tonight gave her reason to believe they were heading in the right direction.

“Please don’t ever doubt me,” Chase whispered against her mouth before their lips met. The comforting strength of his arms melted away her fears of rejection. “I hate letting you go, but we should head up to the main house before they send out a search party.”

“We don’t want that.” Nola finished dressing, missing his touch as she did.

She dropped her bag off in the car on the way to the house, still uncertain how to explain where they’d been. Nola wasn’t even sure how long they’d been gone.

“It’s about time you two showed up.” Lexi looked them both up and down as they walked into the kitchen. “Oh. My. God. You two got into the spirit of things, didn’t you?” She made a tsk sound with her tongue. “Good for you. Come join the rest of the party. I’m sure you must be hungry.”

What the heck?

“How did she know?” Nola couldn’t believe her ears. “Did we just get congratulated for having sex?”

“Yes, we did. And it’s called afterglow.” Chase rested his hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the kitchen to the great room. “I told you there was nothing to worry about.”

“Nola, Chase, grab a sandwich and something to drink from the buffet and help us decorate the tree.” If Kay suspected anything, the older woman didn’t let on.

There were a few knowing winks and nods from the Langtry siblings and their wives, but it was all in good fun. Nola excused herself to the bathroom to make sure she was presentable after getting dressed in the dark. When she came out, Chase handed her an empty plate. She’d been so busy today she’d forgotten to eat, and after what they’d just been up to, she had definitely worked up an appetite.

“I’m ravenous,” Nola said.

“That you are,” Chase whispered against her ear before kissing her cheek.

“You’re bad,” Nola teased. “And I like it.”

They filled their plates and joined the rest of the family around the tree. Within minutes, Nola’s uncertainties waned and she began to enjoy herself. She’d always wondered what Christmas felt like when you didn’t have a family full of issues. She could get used to this. It was noisy and filled with laughter, the sounds of what a home should be...especially a home at Christmas. Nola wanted this life for herself and she wanted it with Chase.

Chapter Eight

“He’s after the ranch, isn’t he?” Cole perched on the edge of his chair in attorney Jon Reese’s office, flanked by Chase, Shane and their mother. “Why else would he ask for a hundred million dollars?”

“No judge in this state will award him that. He’s on a fishing expedition to see if you’ll bite.” Jon leaned forward on his desk and tapped his fingertips together. “I’m waiting for Kenny Gilbert to join us. He personally handled the financial aspects of every one of Joe’s land acquisitions.”

“A judge
could
award him something and eventually bankrupt us.” Shane paced the law office like a caged lion.

“Only if he could prove that Joe knowingly took advantage of other people,” Jon said. “He’d need a court order to have access to Bridle Dance’s financial records or to Joe’s personal files, and that would never happen. Only the state could prosecute that type of case, and Scott David would need a mountain of evidence against Joe even to get his foot in the door. There are too many factors involved for it ever to materialize.”

“If he can’t get any money out of us and doesn’t have any evidence, then what’s the point?” Chase couldn’t understand how a man could appear out of nowhere and make false claims against his father without any proof to back them up.

“I never said he couldn’t get any money from you. Since Joe is no longer alive, and none of you were involved in the running of the ranch back in 2008, the only thing I can foresee him getting are the mineral rights. Other than that, I believe Scott David is making these threats in the hopes that you’ll make him an offer to shut him up.”

“Shut up about what?” Kay rose from her chair in front of Jon’s desk. “Joe acquired those mineral rights legally. I refuse to stand by and watch some jackass come into my town and tarnish my husband’s good name. Over my dead body.”

“Mom.” Chase reached for Kay only to be swatted away. “You need to calm down.”

“Don’t you tell me to calm down.” Kay’s face reddened, worrying Chase that her blood pressure was spiking out of control.

Afraid to anger her further, he leaned back in his chair and tried to wrap his head around the situation. “If Scott David’s grandfather still owns the surface rights to the land, why does it matter if we own the mineral rights?”

“Because the mineral estate becomes the dominant estate,” Jon said. “That means the surface estate exists for the benefit of the mineral owner—in this case, Bridle Dance—and grants them certain entitlements.”

“In layman’s terms, if Scott wants to run cattle on that land and we want to mine it, we could essentially halt his operation,” Cole explained.

“I don’t think you’d be doing any mining,” Jon said. “Those fifty thousand acres are on the outskirts of the Eagle Ford Shale. If you were doing anything, you’d be fracking for natural gas or oil.”

“That would explain why Dad bought land that wasn’t anywhere near Bridle Dance.” Chase began to see the purchase through his father’s eyes. Those acres might have billions of dollars’ worth of oil under them. “Maybe he knew what was beneath it.”

“I’ve gone ahead and ordered a geological study.” Jon slid a piece of paper across the desk. “This is the name of the company I’m using and their phone number if you want to contact them. Once we receive their report, we’ll know more. I’m betting Scott already performed a study on his own and he knows what’s down there. He may want what’s underneath for himself, or he may want to prevent environmental damage. That may be why he’s fighting so hard for it.

“If you frack, or fracture, the land adjacent to where he’s running cattle, the enormous amounts of water, sand and chemicals that are used to stimulate the gas production in the well can contaminate the groundwater. That would be detrimental to his cattle operation, and it could also affect the value of his land and the people’s health on neighboring ranches.”

“What if we give him back the mineral rights now?” Shane asked. “Will that end this before it gets out of hand?”

“Don’t you dare give him anything,” Kay ordered. “If there is oil or gas on that land, you can’t just hand it over because someone says, ‘Boo.’”

Chase hadn’t seen his mother this angry in years, and the feeling he had that she knew more than she was saying increased further.

“Mom, you’re here because this involves Dad’s reputation,” Cole stated firmly. “But please keep in mind that it’s not your decision to make. It’s ours. The four of us own Bridle Dance. For the life of me, I still can’t understand why you allowed Daddy to set it up that way, but you did. I’m not saying we won’t take your feelings into consideration, but if there’s an easy way to end this, we need to do it.”

Kay shook her head at Cole, but before she could respond there was a knock at Jon’s office door. Kenny Gilbert entered, armed with a stack of file folders.

“I’m sorry I’m late, but I needed to double-check a few things.” Kenny placed the stack on Jon’s desk and flipped open the first folder. “When I heard the name Scott David, I knew it sounded familiar. Joe and Scott had a history dating back twenty years. They repeatedly went up against each other on land acquisitions, and since Bridle Dance had more buying power, Joe outbid him nearly every time. Especially in the beginning when Scott didn’t have much to work with.”

“So this is a grudge match?” Shane asked while looking over the papers.

“One potentially worth billions.” Kenny handed out copies of documents to everyone. “As Bridle Dance acquired better land for their horses, Scott David wanted it for his cattle operation. He was ruthless and determined to win at any cost, and he went after some land adjacent to yours. I’m talking twenty years ago. When Joe outbid him, Scott went to the landowner and lied about Joe’s intentions, claiming Joe had planned to get it rezoned for a shopping center.”

Chase flipped through the pages, trying to make sense of it all. “He just believed what Scott said without checking with my father?”

“Yes, and he sold the land to Scott at a much lower price. It became an all-out war, and then Joe targeted Nate David, Scott’s grandfather. He went after the land Scott would inherit, knowing it would hurt him. Nate refused for years, but when the rumor of the Eagle Ford Shale’s existence was just beginning to spread, Joe convinced Nate to sell him the mineral rights. It was a sly investment on your father’s part, but it wasn’t illegal.”

“I’m a little lost. What does the Eagle Ford Shale have to do with anything?” Kay asked.

“The shale is one of the most actively drilled areas for oil and natural gas in the country,” Kenny answered. “Its discovery seven years ago was a game changer for the industry.”

“Why did Nate finally decide to sell the rights?” Chase knew his father could hold a grudge—but for twenty years? It seemed excessive, even for Joe.

“Because Joe had always targeted the entire estate up until that point. With the mineral rights severed from the estate, Nate would still have the land to hand down to Scott. The sale of the mineral rights gave Nate the cash he needed to finance his retirement and cover future assisted-living-facility expenses. According to Scott, his grandfather had already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when he signed over those rights.”

“The fact that Nate knew he needed to prepare for the future tells me he was still of sound mind,” Jon said. “There may or may not have been anything wrong with him back in 2008 when this transpired. Scott’s banking on us not knowing the answer to that question.”

“Where is Nate now?” Kay asked, calmer than before.

“In a nursing home.” Jon flipped through the notes on his legal pad. “He only went in there last year. Up until that point, he’d been living in his own house. That’s a big chunk of time for somebody who allegedly couldn’t make decisions on his own. The man even did his own banking and paid his own bills.”

“How do you know that?” Chase asked.

“I had Clay Tanner run a preliminary background check on Nate and Scott David,” Jon replied. “I want you all to go home, put this out of your heads for the rest of the weekend and let me see what else I can dig up. I need to review all of these files with Kenny, and as soon as I know more, I’ll give you a call. I don’t think Scott’s going to do anything immediately—he’s waiting for you to make a deal for his silence, and he knows he has to be careful. We could go after him for slander if he doesn’t have anything to substantiate his claims.”

The Langtrys rode back to the ranch together in silence. The fact that his father had known Scott David and had battled him for two decades concerned Chase. He didn’t want to believe that his father had taken advantage of Nate David, and it bugged him that he was giving any weight to Scott’s claims. If this man could create doubt in his own family, how would the rest of Ramblewood react? The memory of a man so revered could be destroyed in a heartbeat.

When they arrived at the ranch, Kay climbed out of the SUV and headed into the house. Bridle Dance was supposed to lead the Winter Festival parade that afternoon with his mother at the reins of the buckboard. Now Chase wondered if she even wanted to go.

“You boys get things together and give me a few minutes.” His mother looked around the ranch, worry from the morning’s events etched into her forehead. “I’ll be out to help shortly.”

“Mom, we have everything.” Cole approached her, pulling her into an embrace. “I’m sorry for the way I spoke earlier. I know this situation upsets you. It upsets all of us. We’ll do everything in our power to protect Dad’s name.”

Wordlessly Kay touched Cole’s cheek, and a single tear trailed down hers as she turned and walked into the house. She didn’t deserve this kind of anguish. It was bad enough she’d lost her husband so young, but whatever issue Scott David had with the family, he could have had some respect for the fact that the man had been someone’s husband and father.

“I’m going to bring the horse trailers around. I’ll meet you two out there.” Cole walked away, leaving Chase alone with Shane.

Shane regarded Chase for a moment, then shook his head. “Come on. Let’s get these horses ready.”

“Can we talk for a minute?” Chase ventured.

“What’s on your mind?” Shane continued walking toward the stables.

“I’m not really sure how to say this.” Chase hesitated.

“Just say it.” Shane stopped and looked him directly in the eyes. “The last I checked I don’t bite, although you wouldn’t know it the way you’ve been acting the last little while.”

“I’m done with the rodeo,” Chase blurted out. “My last ride took a lot out of me and I’m afraid of permanently damaging my shoulder.”

Shane crossed his arms. “I wondered when you were going to tell me.”

“You knew?” Chase exhaled slowly, trying to remain calm. “Who told you?”

“Mom,” Shane said matter-of-factly. “Not that she meant to, so don’t get mad at her. She was concerned about the two of us and it just slipped out.”

Chase hadn’t considered how much pressure he’d put on his mother when he had confided in her. “I’m not going to make a public announcement until after the first of the year. Cole wanted me to be sure.”

“So Cole knew, but your business partner at the rodeo school didn’t?” Hurt was evident in Shane’s face. “Do you know how that makes me feel?”

“I know this will affect the school—”

“You’re damn right it will.” Shane balled his fists. “We need to have an instructor who’s not only active in the rodeo but who’s also a top-ranking competitor. Without that draw, we’re just like any other school.”

Chase quickly realized that talking to Shane today of all days had been a mistake. “I’ve made up my mind—don’t try to change it. I don’t want to do it anymore, and even if I did, it’s not worth the risk.”

Chase continued walking toward the stables. They needed to prep and load eighteen horses for transport to the festival. The brothers always personally handled the job, never leaving the grooms accountable for the horses’ safety.

“I never realized how little you thought of me,” Shane called after him.

Chase spun around. “This has nothing to do with you—it’s about me. It’s about what I want, my health and my future.”

“You’re not getting it, Chase!” Shane shouted, his voice reverberating off the side of the building. “I don’t care about the rodeo. I care that you didn’t feel comfortable enough to come to me with your decision. I would never try to change your mind. I’m glad Mom told me, because if she hadn’t, and you’d waited until the new year, any chance we had of snagging one of the top-ten riders at Nationals would’ve been gone. And you’re not going to want to hear this, but I’ve already set up interviews.”

“You did what?” Shane had no right to tell anyone Chase was leaving the circuit. It was Chase’s decision and his announcement. “How dare you?”

“How dare I?” Shane took a step closer. “How dare you put this business at risk? How dare you put the money our father left us in jeopardy because of your selfishness? And before you get your jockey shorts in a wad, no one knows you’re retiring. They only know we’re looking to bring in an additional instructor, possibly two.”

“Any hiring decisions have to be mutual,” Chase demanded.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Shane stared at him. “You, on the other hand, want to keep things from me. Yet I’m the bad guy. I’m not the same person I was years ago. Other people have put it in the past—you haven’t yet. I don’t get that. Why did you go into business with me if you didn’t trust me?”

“I do trust you.”
To a point
. Chase had seen how destroyed his mother had been back when Shane had attempted to prevent the building of Dance of Hope. The memory was hard to erase. “You’re right. I’m not being fair. Today in Jon’s office reminded me of when we were there three years ago fighting over this business.”

“We were fighting
against
one another then.” Shane gripped Chase’s shoulders. “We’re supposed to be on the same side. We
need
to be for Mom’s sake and for our father’s legacy. I know this was a big decision for you and I’m fine with it. I love you and I want you to do what’s best for you. Work with me—don’t keep things from me. Dammit, Chase, we’re family.”

Chase nodded, a lump forming in his throat. They slapped each other on the back and continued into the stables.