Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? (25 page)

‘It looks great from this angle,’ Grayson murmured. ‘Are you going to wear it?’

‘Definitely.’ Lauren searched for a pair of sandals and a shawl. ‘I’ll need to put my hair up. It’ll just take a minute.’

She sat at her dressing table and brushed out her hair. Her thoughts centred on the luncheon to come and whether or not she and Grayson would get through it. Why had her father insisted they attend? She doubted he’d be inviting them over for lunch if he’d learnt of her marriage. He’d be far too busy arranging her divorce or Grayson’s demise.

Grayson waited for her in the kitchen. He’d decided to wear his own clothes and looked far more comfortable than she did. She picked up her car keys and stuffed them in her purse.

‘Are you ready to go?’

Grayson shook his head. Her hand tightened on her purse. ‘I’d much rather stay here and make love to you,’ he said.

Lauren stared at his belt buckle, unable to risk glancing up at his face. He sighed and bent to pick up his bag. ‘I guess that’s a no, then. I’ll take my stuff in the car in case I have to run to get to the airport.’

Lauren locked up behind him, her fingers unsteady. Grayson headed for the elevator, his bag slung over his shoulder. Was this really it? She swallowed hard. If she survived lunch, would he still be prepared to listen to her, or had he reached the end of his patience?

Lauren gave her car keys to the valet and waited for Grayson to come around the car. He stopped on the pink marbled step below her to admire the view. For once, it wasn’t foggy. The arc of Half Moon Bay spread in front of them, the silver sand glittered in the sunlight.

Grayson whistled. ‘It’s a great spot for a house. I nearly bought into a housing development down here a few years ago. The day I came to visit it was so cold and foggy I gave up the idea. God knows how anyone plays golf around here. You’d never find the next hole let alone your ball.’

Lauren continued to walk up the steps, pausing every so often to murmur a polite greeting to other guests. She wasn’t surprised by the number of people in attendance. Her father always enjoyed entertaining people he considered important. The lower floor of the house had been opened up. The kitchen and family room housed the bar, and the ornate dining room was already being prepared for a buffet.

Outside, the back yard was shielded from the winds and glare of the sun by canvas sail panels strung overhead. Lauren saw her mother in the middle of the garden. Lauren waved but her mother’s attention was focused on the tall man she was talking to.

Lauren paused to look back for Grayson. She spied him in the kitchen with a familiar face.

‘Hi, Ella.’ Lauren kissed Ella’s cheek. ‘I see you’ve found Grayson.’ She smiled at her two favourite people in the world.

Ella flipped her long hair back over her shoulder. ‘Hi, sweetie, I was just congratulating Grayson on making it through the weekend.’ She nudged him in the ribs and winked at Lauren. ‘I was also apologising for my behaviour. I think he’s a keeper, don’t you?’

Lauren tried to smile but found it hard. She wasn’t ready to admit how much she’d come to care for Grayson in front of Ella.

Grayson’s dry voice interrupted her thoughts. ‘I’m not sure that Lauren agrees with you. She’s definitely playing hard to get.’

Lauren’s gaze flew to his face. Although he smiled, his eyes conveyed the stark truth behind his words. Before she could attempt a reply, someone else joined their group.

‘Grayson, fancy meeting you here!’

Lauren turned around to find Anna Paulson easing forwards to kiss Grayson’s cheek. Anna wore a simple white sheath dress which showed off her spectacular figure and smooth tan.

‘Oh, Lauren, dear,’ she cooed. ‘You’re here. Wasn’t it kind of your father to invite me to his party when he found out I was all alone in the city?’

Grayson removed Anna’s hand from his arm with his fingertips. ‘I hear you’ve been meddling, Anna. Where’s your husband?’

‘He’s back at home, as well you know, Grayson. I’m dealing with this business without him.’

Ella hadn’t taken her eyes off Anna since she’d started speaking. Suddenly she scrabbled in her purse and brought out a pen and piece of paper. ‘I’ve just realised who you are!’

Anna preened slightly, a gracious smile on her lips.

‘You were in that porn vampire movie,
The Stiffies and the Dead
!’

Anna’s perfect mouth tightened. ‘I don’t recall that movie. Perhaps you’re mixing me up with someone else.’

Lauren pressed her lips together in a desperate attempt not to laugh as Ella shook her head. ‘No, it was definitely you. How could you forget? That movie is so bad it’s good. It’s a classic.’

A blush rose on Anna’s tanned skin. She raised her voice in an attempt to out-shout Ella’s enthusiasm. ‘It’s very sweet of you, dear, but I’m certain I wasn’t in that movie. Perhaps you’re thinking of my work on the daytime soaps? I’ve played several characters over the years.’

‘Nope, I’m sure. If you have a heart tattooed on your left butt cheek, you’re definitely Tara Titnipple.’ Ella went for the hem of Anna’s dress. ‘Shall we check?’

Grayson grabbed Ella’s hand. He was grinning. ‘There’s no need. I can confirm she has a tattoo right where you said.’

Anna straightened and glared at Ella. ‘You should obviously be in a mental asylum.’ She turned to Lauren. ‘I assume she’s a friend of yours? Perhaps you’ll keep her away from me in future.’

Lauren shook her head. ‘Sorry, I can’t control her either. Haven’t you seen
Pocahontas
? She’s a free spirit.’

Anna stepped closer and brought her face right into Lauren’s. ‘If you don’t tell her to back off, I’ll be forced to let you in on a little secret.’

Lauren raised her eyebrows. ‘What’s that?’

‘Grayson’s trying to screw you. Not just in the sack but in the real world. Ask him about his association with Turner Enterprises. Ask him what he really stands to gain from that piss poor little town he claims to love.’

Anna turned on her heel and walked off, a triumphant smile on her face. Lauren shivered and Grayson put his arm around her.

‘Whatever she said, Lauren,’ Ella said, ‘don’t take it to heart. She’s obviously a complete bitch.’

Lauren stared after Anna. ‘I know that but . . .’

‘Let’s go and find your mother.’ Grayson pulled her along with him towards the back yard. ‘The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can get out of here.’

Lauren looked up at him to try to gauge his reaction. Was Grayson’s sudden desire to leave related to Anna’s presence? She composed her features into a smile as they approached her mother.

‘Lauren, darling!’ Her mother’s face lit up as she drew Lauren into a hug. ‘I’m so glad you came.’

‘Happy birthday, Mom.’

Grayson stepped forwards and kissed her mother’s cheek.

‘Grayson, it’s nice to see you again. I’ve just been talking to your father. I knew your name was familiar. You’re very like him.’

Lauren pinched Grayson’s hand. The day was getting better and better. ‘Your father’s here?’

Grayson looked grim. ‘I wasn’t expecting him to turn up.’ He studied the other guests in the yard and then stopped, his attention riveted on the barbecue area. ‘He’s over there. Hell, I suppose you’d better come and meet him.’

He took Lauren’s hand and led her across to the brick-lined patio. The sickly sweet scent of half-cooked sausages, pork ribs and chicken wafted over her. Seated at one of the tables, with his back to them was a man in a cowboy hat. Grayson’s fingers tightened over hers.

‘Dad?’

The man turned and slowly got to his feet. He had the same lazy grace and height that Grayson did. Lauren gulped as she recognised a face she’d seen on a million magazine covers.

‘Grayson.’

Lauren held out her hand. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I’m Lauren Redstone.’

‘Beau Turner.’ As if she needed introducing to the infamous ex-Dallas Cowboys quarterback and oil magnate. He gestured at the house. ‘Is this your parents’ party then? It was kind of them to invite me.’

‘Yeah, very kind,’ Grayson said. ‘How exactly did you manage that, Dad?’

‘I was invited by a mutual friend of ours.’

‘The only person I know who fits that description is Anna, and she’s no friend of mine.’

Beau Turner patted Grayson’s arm. ‘Son, you’ve got to let go of the past.’ He winked at Lauren. ‘I have to all the time or I’d never get any business done.’

Grayson stepped back and brushed at his sleeve. ‘Perhaps if you didn’t sleep with all your business associates’ wives, you’d be more successful. It must be hard constantly looking for new companies to dupe.’

Beau’s eyes narrowed. ‘Well now, look who’s talking. Lauren’s father ain’t exactly a nobody now is he?’

‘Yeah, but I’m not doing any business deals with Mr Redstone. I don’t do that kind of negotiation any more.’

Lauren put her hand on Grayson’s arm and squeezed hard. ‘Are you enjoying your visit to San Francisco, Mr Turner? Grayson says you normally live in Texas.’

Beau’s shrewd gaze slid away from Grayson and fastened on Lauren. ‘That’s true, I do, but when I received information that my eldest son was in the city, I decided to come and see if he’d changed his mind.’

‘I’m not coming back to work for you, Dad.’

Grayson’s quiet voice held a note of steel. Lauren stole a glance at his face.

‘Not even if I offered to retire and leave you as president?’

Grayson swallowed and shook his head. ‘No, thanks. I’m happy with what I’ve got.’

‘A piddling horse ranch in the middle of nowhere?’ Beau smiled. ‘How can a man of your talents be happy there?’

‘Because I can.’

Lauren tightened her grip on Grayson’s arm. ‘He
is
happy there, Mr Turner. It’s a wonderful place.’

To her surprise, Beau Turner started to laugh. He poked Grayson in the chest. ‘Hey, son, she really believes you’re just a simple cowboy. Haven’t you told her about all the money you’ve got stashed away in the bank?’ He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his eyes. ‘You’re obviously a sweetheart, Lauren, but don’t make the mistake of underestimating Grayson. He’s been playing this game with me for years and he knows that the winner definitely gets to take it all.’

Lauren let go of Grayson’s hand and walked back towards the kitchen. What the hell was going on? That was the second time someone had suggested that Grayson wasn’t being straight with her. Granted, neither person had a vested interest in seeing Grayson succeed, but where did the truth lie?

A waiter passed by and Lauren took a glass of white wine from his tray. Grayson strode towards her, a determined look on his face. She swallowed most of the wine and walked away from him. Luckily she knew the layout of the house. He didn’t.

The master suite was empty and unoccupied, indicating that her parents didn’t intend to stay at the house overnight. The décor at the beach house was subtle and soothing, shades of white and eggshell blue dominated, bringing the feel of the sea inside. Lauren went into the bathroom and repaired her make-up.

What other interests did Grayson have? Was Beau Turner insinuating that everything Grayson had told Lauren was a lie? She couldn’t believe it. His ranch did matter to him; she’d shared that with him. She knew it was real.

She carefully outlined her lips and blocked in more colour. Did it matter what Grayson had done before she’d met him? Just because he didn’t want to follow his father’s footsteps didn’t make him a failure or a liar. Lauren smiled at her reflection as she applied the gloss coat to her lips. How ironic that Grayson’s father wanted him in the family business when Lauren’s father wouldn’t consider her capable of running a tea party at his.

The least she could do was give Grayson the opportunity to explain what his father meant. Glad to have made a decision, Lauren dropped her lip gloss into her purse and stood up.

She walked back along the corridor which connected the main suite to the centre of the house. On her right, the caterer had just finished laying out a sumptuous buffet in the dining room. To her surprise she heard Grayson’s low voice.

He stood by the buffet table talking to one of her father’s most annoying employees. Simon Tilney was an expert at ingratiating himself with his bosses. He’d decided Lauren would make the perfect wife for him and insisted on telling everyone that they were a couple.

To her dismay, the more Lauren denied Simon’s insinuations, the bigger they seemed to grow. She paused in the doorway and focused her attention on the conversation.

Grayson’s hand tightened on his glass. From his superior height, he studied the top of Simon Tilney’s balding head. ‘I hear you think you’re engaged to Lauren Redstone.’

Simon smiled, his perfectly aligned, bleached teeth seemed too white against his yellowish tan.

‘Well, not exactly engaged.’ He leant closer to Grayson, dousing him in a combination of alcohol fumes and too much cheap aftershave. ‘We have an understanding.’

Grayson sipped his beer and tried to look interested.

Simon winked. ‘Let’s just say, that I wouldn’t normally tell on a lady, but that this particular lady has the hots for me.’

‘Really.’

Simon pressed so close that Grayson resisted an urge to step back. ‘It’s a bit complicated as she’s the boss’s daughter. She doesn’t want everyone to know that we’re involved.’

‘I can’t say that surprises me,’ Grayson said. ‘She strikes me as a very discerning woman.’ He scanned the buffet table and realised he and Simon were alone.

‘You’d think so, wouldn’t you?’ Simon picked up a plate and helped himself to some poached salmon. ‘Who told you we were engaged?’

Grayson put down his glass with a decisive thump. ‘A little bird.’

‘You escorted Lauren to the party didn’t you?’ Simon made a sympathetic face. ‘Didn’t she tell you she was involved with me? That was very naughty of her.’ He licked his lips and left a splodge of salmon stuck between his two front teeth. ‘To be honest, you’re not missing much. She’s known as the Frigidaire Queen around here.’ Simon elbowed Grayson in the ribs. ‘You know, if you tried to insert anything it would come back out frozen like a Popsicle.’