United States of Love: HarperImpulse Contemporary Romance Page 18

  ‘Come home with me,’ he whispered.

  ‘But I need to get back to work,’ she replied, but was making no attempt to move.

  ‘I don’t mean now. I don’t mean Arundel,’ he said evenly. ‘I mean Texas. Brenham. Moonshadow Meadows to be precise.’

  She gulped. ‘That’s a long way.’

  ‘A little under five thousand miles.’ He kissed her again. ‘I would love to take you there. Meet everyone. See the ranch.’

  Meet his family? Was that a good idea? She’d think about that later. ‘When?’

  ‘Soon. Before the restaurant opens. I could do with a break.’ He paused, waiting for her to respond.

  ‘I’d need time to clear it with Jamie.’

  ‘Jamie will be cool. I’ll tell him it’s for work.’

  ‘Paying for me again.’ Although she laughed, Anna wasn’t entirely comfortable with the concept. ‘I’ll speak to Jamie and arrange some time off. I’d prefer it that way.’

  Tex was grinning like a schoolboy. He looked so gorgeous, Anna felt a small frisson zip through her.

  ‘Okay, whatever way you prefer,’ he said.

  ‘Then I’ll have to see if Luke can go to a friend’s, or to Nathan’s.’

  ‘You can’t leave him on his own?’ More kisses.

  ‘I don't know. I have visions of wild house parties. Mrs Meekham. Drunk teenagers throwing up and having sex everywhere. Gatecrashers. Police.’ Anna winced at the possibilities.

  ‘Mrs Meekham getting drunk and having wild sex?’ Tex chuckled.

  Anna laughed too. ‘Oh, that's not a nice thought. Although it could put off potential purchasers.’

  The words were out before she’d had time to check herself. It was a taboo subject that she had made clear to Tex she didn’t want to discuss, and to his credit he had honoured her wishes. She knew it would cause friction.

  Chapter Twenty Three

  ‘You’re still going ahead and letting him sell the house then?’ asked Tex, his face now serious.

  ‘Yes but…’

  Tex cut her off. ‘I know, you really don’t wanna talk about it.’ He took a step back from her, no longer in contact.

  ‘So let’s not then,’ she said firmly.

  ‘Why have you never divorced him?’ He took her hand so she couldn't fiddle with her rings.

  ‘Never got round to it. I didn't want to become a statistic, to become an official failure. I didn't want Luke to think it was final.’ A well-rehearsed and often-spouted answer. Anna took a deep breath as she added, ‘And I suppose, initially, I didn't want it to be either.’

  ‘And now?’

  ‘It's different now.’ It was almost a mumble. She wanted to say it was different because of Tex but she couldn’t seem to form the words.

  ‘Do you still love him?’

  ‘No. Not at all. Not love,’ Anna said quickly. ‘Of course I did love him once but not now. We have a bond, that being Luke, but nothing more.’

  ‘Does Mark want a divorce?’

  Anna couldn’t meet his gaze. She shrugged, unable to lie but unwilling to tell the truth.

  ‘Have you asked him? Anna, have you asked Mark for a divorce? What does he think about it?’

  ‘Tex, please.’

  ‘Well, have you asked him?’

  Anna could hear the frustration in Tex’s voice. Looking at the floor, she nodded.

  ‘And what did he say? He doesn’t want one, does he?’ Tex paused.

  Anna shook her head. She looked up as he exhaled deeply and stomped across the room to the window. ‘He wants to get back together, doesn’t he? That’s why he’s back. He still loves you. Jeez! I knew things would get complicated.’ He dragged his hand over his face.

  ‘Huh! You knew about Mark from the start, I never tried to hide him from you. And don’t start making out as if I’ve chased you and forced you into some sort of relationship with me. If I remember rightly, it was me who said not to mix business with pleasure. I was the one who told you it would be complicated.’

  ‘You have grounds to divorce him. You’ve been separated for over a year. What’s stopping you?’ Tex turned round to face her. ‘There is nothing stopping you, only you.’

  ‘You wouldn’t understand.’ Anna could feel tears building up in her eyes. Of course if it was only divorce, she could deal with it, but it wasn’t just that. She couldn’t bring herself to tell Tex about the photos. The thought of them plastered all over the Internet and turning up on doormats up and down the country was enough to hold her tongue.

  ‘I might understand.’ Tex’s voice was softer now. He came over to her. ‘Please don’t cry Anna. I need to know. Whatever it is. Trust me. Tell me.’

  ‘Just be a bit more patient, Tex.’ Anna wiped an escaped tear away from her face. ‘I’m not very good at this relationship business, it’s been so long.’

  ‘I’m trying to be patient. I am trying very hard.’ He sighed heavily as he dropped a kiss on her head.

  The Pilates class always finished half an hour before Emily’s time at the crèche was over, so Anna and Zoe went for a coffee and a chat in the club lounge, as had become their habit.

  ‘You know he had to go out one evening with a client?’ said Zoe as she sat herself down on the chair next to Anna.

  Anna could have kicked herself for not even thinking that she might have to have this conversation with Zoe. Was this a test? Did Zoe know that Nathan had taken Christine to the same charity event that she had been to with Tex? Nathan did say that he had told Zoe. Oh what to say! Anna didn't want to drop Nathan in it, but at the same time she didn't want to lie to Zoe. Anna had hesitated too long to reply.

  ‘It's all right, I know all about it. Nathan did tell me.’

  ‘Well, I assumed he would,’ said Anna quickly. ‘Anyway, that was the other week.’

  ‘I know. I wasn't going to say anything but I heard him on the phone last night, talking all quiet and in that way a bloke does when he is so obviously speaking to a female.’

  ‘Did you ask him who it was?’

  ‘Said it was just a client rearranging an appointment.’ Zoe dropped a sugar lump into her coffee.

  ‘Well, there you are then.’

  ‘Hmm. Maybe.’ Zoe looked up at Anna. ‘I must admit, I thought you might have said something about him being at the charity do with someone else.’

  ‘There was nothing to say,’ replied Anna, feeling more and more uncomfortable.

  ‘Do you think he slept with her?’ Zoe could have been asking what time the swimming pool opened or if rain was forecast that day. ‘Well do you?’ Zoe’s expression cool and detached.

  Anna took a moment or two before answering. ‘Do you?’ Throw the ball back in her court.

  ‘I've no idea, that's why I was asking you.’ Zoe turned her attention back to her coffee cup and plopped another sugar lump into the dark brown liquid. ‘I thought I'd get an honest answer from you. No point asking Nathan, he's bound to say no. Of all people, you know what it's like to be cheated on, more than once, so I thought you would be hardly likely to defend him.’

  Anna winced at the bluntness of Zoe's comment. ‘As far as I know, and believe, Nathan hasn't cheated on you.’

  ‘I know he's your brother, but you would tell me wouldn't you, if he was having an affair?’

  ‘I honestly don't think he'd do that,’ said Anna reassuringly. ‘Nathan thinks the world of you.’

  ‘Really? Maybe he used to.’

  ‘When you've got a business to run and a family and home to look after, sometimes you forget to make time for each other. Maybe you two should try doing things together, just the two of you, without the children. I'll always babysit for you.’ Anna sipped her tea.

  ‘Is she pretty?’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘His client. The one he took to the charity ball.’

  ‘Don't wind yourself up about her. Anyway, he didn't take her, she took him because she didn't have anyone to go with.’ As Anna spoke, the scene where C
hristine had confronted her in the toilets replayed in her mind. Was Christine serious? Wasn’t it a tad drastic?

  ‘Mmm. He didn't have to accept though,’ grumbled Zoe, stirring her coffee swiftly, the spoon clinking against the china.

  ‘True. But I think he's trying to build up his client base and didn't want to … ’

  Zoe cut her off. ‘You sound just like him! Did he give you a copy of his script?’

  ‘Sorry.’

  ‘Stop being such an apologist. You ought to work for the UN. You’re so diplomatic and passive at times, it’s infuriating.’

  Chapter Twenty Four

  The flight had taken nearly ten hours and the drive just over another three. Tex’s older brother, Al, had driven to Fort Worth airport to meet them and although he had arrived in a pick-up truck, it oozed luxury and comfort with its wide leather bench seat and the much needed air con. Tex had warned her about the heat but, even so, Anna hadn’t expected it quite so hot. This, together with the tiring journey, soon had her dozing off, head resting on Tex’s shoulder.

  ‘Hey, sleepyhead. We’re nearly there.’

  Tex’s voice woke Anna from her sleep, she felt him kiss the top of her head. Nestled in the crook of his shoulder, she wanted to stay there forever. She couldn’t help feeling nervous about meeting his family and wondering if they would be comparing her with Estelle.

  As Al pulled off the main road and onto a smaller track, it seemed to Anna that it went on and on, a continuous straight line disappearing into the horizon. The fields on either side were wide open, clusters and rows of trees in the distance, which Anna assumed broke up the land into sections. It seemed as if she had woken up in the middle of nowhere, surrounded on all sides by field after field. Pastures, Tex called them. The truck slowed down at a lone mailbox by the edge of the road. Anna read the wooden sign that formed an archway above a five-bar gate announcing they were now at Moonshadow Meadows.

  Al pulled up and Tex jumped out of the truck to open the gate, a procedure they seemed totally comfortable with as neither had to exchange a word. Anna squinted down the drive. It was one heck of a drive, and like the track they had just come down, the end was nowhere in sight. It was another few minutes’ ride before the ranch house came into view. A timber, shiplapped construction with a large veranda stretching across the front and several windows each side of the central doorway. The house appeared to be split over three floors, with several dormer windows in the roof.

  ‘Oh Tex, it’s beautiful.’ Anna was mesmerised by the charm of it. The Stars and Stripes flag fluttered from a pole by the side of the house, together with the Texan state flag. Before she had time to take in any more, there was a flurry of activity as a swarm of people erupted from the front door, their excited shouts and shrieks ringing out.

  Anna heard Tex mutter some undetermined expletive, then a ‘Did you know about this?’ He was speaking to his brother. Anna read the sideways grin, which was remarkably like Tex’s, to say that he knew all right.

  Tex was no sooner out of the cab when he was lost in the throng of well-wishers. There was much hugging and kissing from the females, and handshaking followed with manly back-slapping hugs from the men.

  ‘Nico!’

  Anna looked on, she assumed the older couple now embracing Tex were his parents. It seemed strange hearing them call him by his proper name. Some of the family that Anna guessed were around her own age were calling him Nick. She made a mental note not to call him Tex in front of his family.

  Now Tex was extracting himself and coming back over to the truck. Anna took a deep breath as he opened the door to the cab. A sudden cold fear rushed over her.

  ‘You ready for this?’ He raised his eyebrows, but she could tell he was delighted to be back amongst his family. He held out his hand to her. ‘Come on. Hey, don’t look so worried.’

  ‘Don’t go off.’ She knew she sounded pathetic but she couldn’t help it. ‘Don’t leave me.’

  ‘Never.’ He looked directly at her. ‘I’m gonna keep you right by my side all the time. I’m not letting go of you.’

  One thing Anna was fast learning about Tex was that he said what he meant. For the next two hours he barely let go of her, constantly reassuring her with a squeeze of the hand, a calming touch to her back or an encouraging smile.

  Tex’s family were lovely, so welcoming, and the hum of conversation, howls of laughter, and shrieks from children gave such an informal ambiance that Anna could feel herself relaxing with every passing minute. Everyone was very chatty, involving her in the conversations in such a way that she didn’t feel like a newcomer.

  As they all sat down for dinner at the back of the house around several large, long, wooden picnic tables, Tex made sure he was right by her side. She soaked up the party-like atmosphere, everyone clearly delighted to have Tex home. She learned he hadn’t been back for over two years, and although he apparently spoke regularly to them all from the UK, it was obviously no substitute for being there in person.

  ‘Anyone want some chips?’ called out Tex as various bowls of food were passed back and forth and up and down the table.

  ‘Chips!’ exclaimed one of Tex’s brothers, who Anna thought was called Mikey. ‘Since when did anyone call fries, chips? Hell, Bro, you sure have been away too long.’ The others seated around the table laughed along with Mikey.

  ‘He’ll be telling us he’s on holiday next,’ joined in one of the others.

  ‘Or that he takes the lift,’ someone else called out.

  ‘What about soccer? I bet he calls it football now!’

  ‘Hey, you redneck, what would you know?’ joked back Tex. ‘You’ve never been out of the county, let alone the country.’

  ‘Tell us, Anna,’ said Mikey. ‘Has Nick here gone and gotten all English?’

  ‘Oh no, definitely not,’ replied Anna smiling. ‘I can assure you he still says sidewalk, trash and cell phone.’

  And so the banter went on, Tex laughing and joking along with his family. It was lovely to see him so evidently adored – a clearly mutual feeling.

  By early evening, exhausted from the travelling and jetlagged, Tex made their excuses to leave.

  ‘Sorry, folks, but I think we’re gonna call it a night.’

  ‘You lightweight,’ said Mikey, throwing a cushion at his brother.

  ‘Now you leave them be,’ Tex’s mother reprimanded her youngest son.

  ‘You tell him, Mama,’ said Tex, tossing the cushion back at Mikey before going over and giving his mother a kiss on the cheek. ‘Night. See y’all in the morning.’

  ‘Night honey.’ Then, much to Tex’s delight, his mom went over to Anna and gave her a kiss and a hug. ‘You pay them boys no mind. You must be exhausted. Get some rest now. Night honey.’

  As they stepped out onto the porch, Tex pulled Anna towards him, putting his arms around her. ‘She likes you.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Mama.’

  ‘She said?’

  ‘No, but I can tell. In fact, they all like you.’

  ‘Well, that’s good, because I like them all too. You have a lovely family.’ She stood on tiptoe and gave Tex a quick kiss. ‘Anyway, what are we doing out here? I thought we were going to bed.’

  ‘We are. Come on.’ He led her towards Al’s pick-up truck and opened the passenger door for her. ‘We’re staying at my place.’

  ‘Your place?’

  ‘Creek Cottage. Just over the back of First Meadow, about half a mile away.’ He shut the door and nipped round the front of the truck, sliding into the driver’s seat. ‘We’ve all got our own place on the ranch. Creek Cottage is mine.’

  A few minutes later, Tex was pulling up outside the small wooden cabin. He breathed deeply as he took in the traditional settler type construction. It felt good being home.

  ‘I feel like I’ve stepped back in time,’ marvelled Anna, breaking his thoughts.

  ‘Well, there’s no electricity, running water or inside bathroom,’ he said as he
helped her down from the cab.

  ‘Seriously?’

  ‘Seriously.’ He paused, amused at the look of surprise on her face. ‘I am only joking.’

  Inside, the cottage was simply furnished. A room to the right was the living area and a room to the left was the kitchen and dining room. All the furniture was traditional, rustic. The stairs were at the back of the kitchen and led up to a large double room, a small single and a bathroom.

  ‘This is really lovely,’ said Anna as she looked round the bedroom.

  ‘I'm glad you like it.’ Tex smiled as he put his arms round her and kissed her. A thought of Estelle flicked through his head. He had never brought another woman here in the five years since Estelle had died. Was it wrong to bring Anna? He raked around in his heart for some sort of emotion. Guilt. Regret. Sadness. But all were absent. It didn’t feel wrong. In fact, it felt right. Very right.

  ‘So what have we got planned for today?’ asked Anna, coming up behind Tex and wrapping her arms around him while he cooked their breakfast.

  Tex’s mom had left what he termed as a Red Cross parcel outside the front door, packed with good old home-style provisions. Bacon, eggs, beans, bread, milk and coffee. She had even managed to produce some English Breakfast tea from somewhere.

  ‘Thought I’d show you the ranch. I meant to ask, can you ride?’ He gave the beans a stir and shook the bacon in the pan, sending delicious smells into the mid-morning air.

  ‘A bike. Well I haven’t ridden one since I was about ten.’

  Tex laughed out loud. ‘Not a bicycle. A horse.’ He turned round to face her. The look of total horror on her face actually made him feel quite sorry for her. ‘I take it that’s a no. Okay, not to worry, we can take the quad. You just need to sit on the back and hold on tight.’

  While Anna went upstairs to get dressed, Tex prepared a packed lunch for them for later, again courtesy of the Red Cross parcel. He was really looking forward to taking her out today, to showing her the Longhorn cattle, the bison, the lakes where he had fished as a child, the places for shooting, the stables and all the things he enjoyed about ranch life.