Читать книгу Lies And Lullabies - Джанис Мейнард, Yvonne Lindsay - Страница 19

Eleven

If you want me, you’ll have to say so. Mellie replayed those words in her head a thousand times over the next four days. Her departure from Case’s house Sunday evening was not her finest hour. He had stormed out of the room, and she had left without saying goodbye.

She was ashamed of her behavior. Her only excuse was that, even sick, Case Baxter made her jittery and uncertain about things she had always seen as rock solid in her life. For one, her assumption that having an intimate relationship with a man was something she didn’t have time for.

Honestly, she worked so hard and kept so busy, she rarely thought about what she was missing. She dated now and then, but with only a couple of exceptions over the years, she’d never felt an inescapable urge to have sex just for the sake of having sex.

She thought about it. Alone at night. In the privacy of her bedroom. But her fantasy lovers were compliant and undemanding...exactly the opposite of Case Baxter.

What did he want with her?

By the time she closed the office for a late lunch on Thursday afternoon, she had brought her books up to date, signed contracts with three new clients and worked herself into a mental frenzy of uncertainty. Instead of heading home, she pointed her car in the direction of the diner.

She had to talk to someone, or she’d explode. Amanda was the logical choice.

Fortunately, the sheriff’s wife was in her usual spot, smiling and swapping jokes with her regular customers. Mellie had purposely waited until almost two o’clock, hoping that the noon rush would be over and Amanda would have time for a chat. Because of the subject matter, Mellie snagged the booth in the far back corner, hoping to talk quietly without being overheard.

When the other woman headed her way, Mellie waved a hand at the opposite side of the booth. “Do you have time to take a break? I need some advice.”

Amanda said a word to her second in command and slid onto the bench seat with a sigh. “Success is killing me,” she said. But the smug pride on her face told a different story.

“You love it,” Mellie said.

“True. What’s up, girlfriend? It’s not like you to drop by in the middle of the day.”

Mellie played with the saltshaker, feeling the tops of her ears warm. This was embarrassing. “I may have done something stupid.”

Amanda leaned in, her elbows on the table, hands clasped under her chin. “Do tell. Are we talking five-hundred-dollar-shoes stupid or forgot-to-thaw-the-chicken-for-dinner stupid?”

“It’s more of a personal matter.”

“Oh. My. Gosh. You’ve had sex.”

“No. Well, sort of. But not really. You’re missing the point.”

Amanda raised an eyebrow. “Do I need to give you a lesson about the birds and the bees? Was there nudity involved? Skin-to-skin contact? At your age, I’d think you’d be pretty clear about the definition.”

Mellie glanced around wildly, making sure no one was in earshot. “Lower your voice, please,” she hissed. “I’d rather this not end up on the evening news.”

“Who is it?” Amanda demanded. “The new wrangler over at Hartley Ranch? Or, no, it’s the dentist...right? He’s asked you out a half dozen times and you finally said yes.”

Mellie smiled, despite her turmoil. “It’s not the dentist. He kept wanting to whiten my teeth...not at all romantic.”

“Then who?”

“Back up,” Mellie said. “I didn’t have sex. Or at least not all the way. More like teenagers in the back of a car.”

Amanda appeared to be struck dumb, her eyes wide with astonishment. “It’s like I don’t even know you,” she said.

Mellie wondered suddenly if she should have kept things to herself. But she couldn’t move forward without at least an amateur second opinion. She decided to come at the situation from another angle. “I’ve been invited to the party at the Cattleman’s Club Saturday night.”

“Okayyyy... So what’s the stupid thing you did?”

“I said no.”

“Ah. And now you want to change your mind.”

“Maybe. But what if he’s already asked someone else?”

“Is that likely?”

“I’m not sure. He was mad when I turned him down. Said he wasn’t going to ask again. That I would have to tell him if I wanted to go.” She fudged a bit. That wasn’t exactly how Case had phrased it. He’d said Mellie would have to say she wanted him.

“I still haven’t heard a name.” Amanda’s brow creased.

“The who isn’t important. Because even if I decide to contact him, I don’t have a dress to wear.”

“That part’s easy.” Amanda sat back and took a sip of the iced tea she’d brought with her to the table. “Last year when Nathan and I were invited to the governor’s mansion for a law enforcement ball, I bought a dress I never wore. I decided the color didn’t work for me and the skirt was way too long and too hard to hem. But the dress was on clearance, so I couldn’t return it. You and I are about the same size. Plus, you’re taller, so I think it will work. Why don’t I bring it by your house this evening?”

“That would be great.” Except that Mellie had been counting on a lack of wardrobe choices as her reason not to go to the party.

Amanda glanced at her watch. “I’ve gotta get back to work. I’ll text you when I’m on my way...okay?”

“Sure.”

Amanda stood and tapped the table with her finger. “You can’t keep his name a secret forever. If the dress works, the price for my fashion donation is full disclosure.”

“I don’t know why you’re making such a big deal about this. If I end up going, you’ll find out who it is. You and Nathan will be at the party...right?”

“Of course...but I hate surprises. So you might as well tell me tonight.”

* * *

By 6:00 p.m. Mellie chickened out and sent a text to Amanda.

Changed my mind about the party. Thanks anyway.

Amanda was not so easily dissuaded. She showed up at Mellie’s house half an hour later, garment bag in hand. When Mellie answered the door, Amanda frowned at her. “I never figured you for a coward.”

Mellie stepped back, shrugging helplessly. “I’m not a coward. But it’s complicated.”

“Isn’t it always?” Amanda placed the long black bag on Mellie’s coffee table and sat down on the sofa.

Mellie took the chair opposite. “I’ve waited too long to say yes. It’s a moot point now. Sorry you came for nothing.”

Amanda stared at her. “Tell me who it is.”

“Case.” Even saying his name out loud made Mellie shiver with a combination of anticipation and dread.

“Case who? Your boss?”

Apparently, Mellie was right. The idea that Case Baxter might invite his housekeeper to the most important event of the year was inconceivable. “Yes.”

At last Amanda grasped the enormity of the situation. Her jaw dropped. “Case Baxter invited you to be his date for the party honoring him as the new president of the Texas Cattleman’s Club and you turned him down?” That last part ended on a screech.

Mellie winced. “Yes.”

Silence reigned for long minutes. Amanda looked at Mellie as if she were some kind of alien being. “I didn’t think you even knew Case until you started cleaning his house.”

“I didn’t. But when he got sick and I helped him out a bit, we...um...”

“Fell madly in lust with each other?”

Mellie couldn’t decide if Amanda was scandalized or delighted. “I didn’t even like him at first,” Mellie said. “He’s arrogant and bossy and opinionated...”

“In other words, a Texas male. It’s in their DNA, Mellie.”

“Maybe.”

“But you got past that first impression, obviously.”

“I still think he’s all of those things, but when he was so sick, I saw another side of him. A human side. A vulnerable side.”

“Oh, dear.”

“What?”

“You’re falling for the guy.”

“Don’t be silly. He’s handsome, and when you get to know him, not so bad, but this isn’t about anything long-term.”

“So why did you turn him down?”

A very good question. “He’s the guest of honor Saturday night. He’ll be in the spotlight. I’m not a center-of-attention kind of girl.”

“So?”

“I shouldn’t even have mentioned this to you. I’m not going, so it doesn’t matter.”

“Try on the dress. And don’t argue.” Amanda could be like a dog with a bone when she wanted something.

“Fine. But only because you won’t leave me alone until I do.” Mellie snatched up the dress in its protective covering and hurried down the hall to her bedroom, trying to ignore Amanda’s mischievous smile.

When she unzipped the garment bag, she sucked in a breath. The gown was amazing. It was halter necked and backless. The chiffon-and-silk fabric almost glowed. The color started out as sea-foam green at the bodice, edged into a slightly darker hue at the hips and continued the length of the dress, sliding from one shade into the next as the mermaid-style skirt fell in a dozen layers of tiny ruffles.

No woman could resist trying it on. With a few contortions, Mellie managed the zipper on her own and slid her feet into strappy high heels. One look in the mirror told her the gown was made for her.

Amanda called out from the living room. “I want to see it. Come model for me.”

“Give me a minute.” Mellie stared in the mirror, trying to imagine the expression in Case’s eyes if he saw her in this dress. She didn’t suffer from false modesty. Her body was nice...average. But in this confection of multishaded green, she felt like a princess.

Amanda actually stood up and clapped when Mellie walked into the living room. “You look amazing. And I was right. The length is perfect.”

“I can’t wear a bra.” Her shoulders and back were bare.

“You don’t need one. I’m so excited you’re going to the party.”

Mellie held up a hand. “I haven’t even tried to contact Case, and if I do, he’s probably asked someone else already.”

Amanda chuckled. “Why don’t we find out?”

“Now?”

“Of course now. The event is less than forty-eight hours away.”

“I’ll text him later tonight. Let me change out of this and we can grab some dinner. Didn’t you say Nathan was working tonight?”

“Yes. But I think my stomach can wait five minutes for a meal. Quit stalling.”

“Be honest, Amanda. Don’t you see that this could be a disaster? Gossip spreads faster than wildfire around here.”

Amanda hugged her, careful not to muss the dress. “It’s a very simple question. If he enjoys your company and you like being with him, all that matters is whether or not you can keep from getting hurt.”

“It won’t last long. He’s not interested in anything serious.”

“That’s all the more reason to enjoy it now. You work hard, Mellie. And you deserve an exciting evening with one of Royal’s premier eligible ranchers.”

“Sounds like a B-grade reality show.”

“I’m serious. Do the Cinderella thing for one night. And come Monday, everything can go back to normal.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

Amanda picked up Mellie’s cell phone. “Here.” She held it out. “Do it before you get cold feet.”

“I already have cold feet,” Mellie complained. But she took the phone and pulled up Case’s contact info. Hastily, without overthinking it, she clicked out a message.

If the invitation is still open, I would like 2 go with you to the party Saturday nt.

Suddenly, she felt like throwing up. It was going to be so embarrassing when he told her it was too late...that he had invited someone else. Every passing second made her want to climb into a hole and hide.

Even Amanda seemed abashed, her romantic soul shriveling in the loud silence.

Suddenly, Mellie’s phone dinged.

I’ll pick you up at 6:30. Glad you changed your mind.

Heart pounding, Mellie replied.

Only about the party. Just so we’re clear.

Chicken?

No. Practical. How R U feeling?

100%. Good enough to rock your world. J

“What’s going on over there?” Amanda asked when Mellie giggled.

Who knew a man like Case Baxter would use an emoticon?

Mellie sat down on the sofa, her legs suddenly too weak to hold her up. “Um, nothing special. He says he’s glad I changed my mind.”

“Well, there you go. You were worried for nothing.”

Maybe. Or maybe her worries were only beginning.