Her Cowboy Prince, page 3
part #1 of Once Upon A Western Series
*
“You are staring,” someone whispered next to Melody’s ear, making her jump so much she knocked her housekeeping cart into a large potted plant that probably cost more than she now made in a week.
Lynn Kramer laughed as if she’d just seen the funniest thing ever, and Melody feared it was the look on her face at being caught staring out the window toward where Justin McQueen was talking to his younger brother Wes. How long had she been looking out the window? She honestly had no idea.
“So which one strikes your fancy?” Lynn asked, motioning toward the McQueen brothers.
Melody shook her head, but couldn’t come up with a convincing lie. “They’re both good-looking.”
“That they are.” Lynn crossed her arms and gave a sigh that said she wouldn’t mind having a McQueen man of her own.
That thought caused a twist of jealously in Melody’s middle though she had absolutely no right to feel that way. She didn’t understand it because she hadn’t really thought about Justin in any sort of object-of-attraction way since starting at Peak View. Sure, she hadn’t been so blind that she didn’t recognize the fact that he was one of the most handsome men she’d ever seen and he wore nice-smelling cologne, but she supposed her mental space was too occupied with trying to adjust to her new life and not screwing up by accidentally revealing her true identity.
Had two short conversations been all it took to change her thinking?
She had to stop thinking that way because it only led to something else she couldn’t have. The key to crafting a new life that she could eventually be satisfied with, perhaps even take pleasure in, was to accept the fact that there would be no romance in her life. She understood that other people who’d been given new identities had gone on to have relationships, even get married and have children, their families none the wiser. But she couldn’t imagine doing that, lying every single day until she died about who she really was. Couldn’t imagine the betrayal a family would feel if they ever found out the truth.
Maybe the difference between them and her was that she’d never been a criminal who’d traded testimony against someone higher up the bad guy food chain for protection and a new identity. She’d only gone into witness protection when she’d seen the looks on the faces of the people who were experts on organized crime, when they’d told her in grim, vivid detail what could happen to her if she stayed in the public eye. Not even any private security she could hire would totally protect her.
Angelica already had Melody’s company and her family’s legacy, and she or someone in her family was more than willing to take her life as well though no one had been able to prove any connection. At least not yet. Melody lived every day hoping Angelica would screw up and incriminate herself.
Melody mentally jerked herself back to the present. She pulled her cart away from the pot she’d run into and headed toward the hallway.
“Did I say something wrong?” Lynn asked, falling into step beside her.
“No, just have work to do. Last time I checked, this place doesn’t clean itself.”
“You don’t want to answer my question.”
“What question is that?”
“Which one were you staring at? And why? I’ve never seen you express interest in anyone in the entire six months you’ve been here.”
“And I’m not now. Was just admiring the view.”
“I saw that.”
Melody rolled her eyes. “Of the mountains.”
“Uh-huh. I believe that not at all.”
Not wanting Lynn to keep going down the path she was heading, Melody searched for some way to divert the conversation. Maybe giving her a partial truth would work.
“I’m not looking for romance in my life. I’m still getting over a bad relationship.” Sure, it wasn’t a romantic one, but Lynn didn’t have to know that. And it was technically true. She couldn’t imagine a worse relationship than those she’d had with Jane and Angelica.
“I’m sorry,” Lynn said, her teasing completely gone. “I know what that’s like.”
A part of Melody wanted to ask what had happened to Lynn, why she was a single mom, to commiserate, but she couldn’t truthfully reciprocate personal details. Instead, she gave what she hoped was a sympathetic look then indicated she needed to get back to work.
“Hey, I’m having a little birthday party for Jessie this weekend. Want to come have some cake and keep me sane while my house is filled with half a dozen seven-year-old girls?”
Lynn looked so hopeful that Melody couldn’t flat-out refuse her.
“I’m not sure. I’ll let you know.”
A pang of guilt hit her middle when she saw Lynn’s expression dim with the realization that Melody was brushing her off. She hated the feeling and suddenly wondered if being so standoffish and living the life of a near hermit would actually draw more attention and questions than if she acted more normal. Plus, damn it, she missed being able to do things with friends.
“You know what, cake sounds great.”
“Really?”
“Sure, why not?” She was surprised to find that she meant the words. While she couldn’t have anything like a serious romantic relationship, a casual friendship shouldn’t pose any threat. As long as she was careful, hanging out with Lynn might actually alleviate some of the loneliness in her life. She got the feeling it might even serve the same purpose for Lynn.
“Great!”
Melody’s mood lifted to see the other woman so happy over something so simple. After Lynn headed home, and with her shift over, Melody found herself humming as she cleaned a conference room that had been used by a group of real estate agents earlier in the day. As she picked up a brochure one of them had left behind, she noticed a picture of an adorable little log home with a stunning view. She imagined filling it with her rejuvenated creations, sitting on the porch with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and maybe even a happy rescue dog at her feet.
She huffed out a little laugh at the scene, so unlike anything she’d had in Atlanta. There she’d worked long hours so had no pets. She’d had a condo in the city with a view of other buildings. Odd that she’d never minded it then but now the expansive view of the mountains and the valley below was what she thought of when she imagined comfort and peace.
Maybe she was just beginning to accept that this place was her home now and she needed to make the most of it. Would it make more sense than looking backward, hoping to get her old life back?
Sure, Angelica and Jane were both being monitored in case they made a mistake, slipped up enough to implicate themselves in her attempted murder. Jane was already in prison for one count, but Angelica had somehow evaded being incriminated. Even so, Melody knew with every fiber of her being that her stepsister had almost certainly played a role in the coup that had left Melody fatherless and nearly dead, with no claim to the company her father had built. She dreamed of Angelica finally screwing up and ending up in a cell identical to her mother’s. Imagined being able to go back to Atlanta and reclaim what was rightfully hers and trying to undo the damage that had been done to her company and its image.
But maybe she shouldn’t hold her breath. Hadn’t she already accepted that her former life was always going to be lived by someone else now? Hadn’t her decision to enter witness protection cemented that? If she lived her life as if any day she might be able to pick up where she’d left off, she feared she’d have no life at all. That’s how she’d been living since arriving in Montana, bitter and walled off from those around her. Maybe she was allowed to have new dreams, ones that belonged to Melody Shaw, not Melody Redmond, no matter how much she was going to always mourn the former. Maybe those new dreams could eventually be moving into a little home of her own with a pretty view that gave her some solace.
For an indulgent moment, she imagined Justin McQueen sitting beside her on that little porch, his hand reaching down to scratch their dog on the head before looking over at her with open affection.
Shaking off the crazy daydream—at least the part involving the heir to the largest ranch and resort in the Paradise Valley—before it rooted itself too firmly in her mind, she folded the brochure and put it in her pocket before getting back to work. But as she threw away trash, cleaned mirrors and vacuumed floors, her mind started churning, coming up with ways she might ever be able to afford her own slice of Big Sky Country.
*
Justin took a big swig of coffee as he entered his office, needing the kick of caffeine to push the fog out of his head. After a full day of work at the resort the day before, he’d spent a couple of hours out on the ranch helping to check on the herd after hearing reports of a mountain lion sighting. He’d finished the day by working on updating financial records with a nightcap of fixing a toilet that had decided to spring a sizeable leak after eleven o’clock.
At least his dad hadn’t gone out the night before, which meant that he hadn’t managed to lose any more money playing poker. It had presented an opportunity for Justin to talk to his dad about how destructive his actions were becoming and how difficult it was for Justin to hide them, but the fact his dad was home and lent a hand with the toilet repair made him think maybe the conversation wasn’t necessary. Plus, what he’d told Melody was true. His mom had been the one with the way of getting a point across in a way that the person could receive it. Justin was pretty sure he hadn’t inherited that talent.
Sure, he’d mentioned the gambling and drinking in passing before, but his dad had waved it off as nothing to worry about, just a way for him to get his mind off of things.
Part of Justin understood. After all, he’d never seen another couple more in love than his parents had been. That his mom had been taken too soon made him a mixture of angry and sad, as well, but he didn’t have the luxury of drowning his sorrows and checking out. Someone had to keep the family’s businesses running and be the public face of the Peak View, all without letting on to anyone that anything was wrong. The last thing any of them needed was word getting out about his dad’s escalating bad habits. That would definitely be bad for business.
He acknowledged that if things progressed or went on for too much longer, he’d have to loop in his brothers and present a united front to their dad—for his dad’s sake and so that the monetary losses didn’t begin to truly endanger their businesses. But for now, he didn’t want to bother Wes and Roman when he thought he could handle things on his own. After all, they were getting on with their lives and he didn’t want to jerk them back into the deeper sorrow right alongside their dad.
He sank into his chair, already tired before the day had begun. A slip of paper atop his desk drew his attention. He grabbed it but didn’t recognize the feminine handwriting. It didn’t belong to Nadine, who was the head of human resources and had the office three doors down the hall.
Had another idea about the Old-Fashioned Christmas. Sleigh rides across the ranch if there’s enough snow.
Melody hadn’t signed the note, but since no one else knew about the proposed event yet, she had to be the one who’d left it. As he stared at the slip of paper, it gave him another idea. He was already on his feet before he remembered that Melody wouldn’t be at work this early.
Sinking back down into his chair, he pulled up the employee records on his computer and searched for her phone number.
For some reason, his heart beat a bit faster as he dialed her number and waited for an answer. Why did he feel…nervous? It had to be because he thought her idea had definite potential to bring in extra business but he knew he needed help to pull it off, especially considering Christmas would be knocking on their door before they realized it.
“Hello?”
“Melody?”
“Yes,” she said, an obvious tentativeness in her response.
“It’s Justin McQueen.”
“Oh…hello.”
“Don’t worry,” he said, detecting concern in her voice. “I’m not calling for a bad reason. I was just wondering if you’d be available to come in a bit early today.”
“Um, sure.”
She had to be questioning why he was the one calling her.
“I got your note. Another good idea.”
“Oh, yeah, came to me while I was watching a movie.”
“I’d like for you to work on this project with me if you have the time. We’ll pay you for the extra hours, of course.”
Silence greeted him from the other end of the call, and he wondered if she was searching for a way to refuse without endangering her job.
“It isn’t mandatory, but I have a feeling you’d be good at this.”
“I suppose I could help brainstorm a bit if you think it would help.”
“I do.”
Thankfully, despite how hesitant she’d sounded when agreeing to lend a hand, Melody showed up an hour earlier than normal that afternoon. He was on the phone when she arrived at his open door wearing her housekeeping uniform, so he motioned her to one of the chairs on the other side of his desk. She didn’t immediately step inside, and he wished the local politician on the other end of the phone call would shut up so he could talk to Melody before she bolted. Because that’s exactly what she looked as if she was about to do.
“Sounds good, Charlie,” he said, wedging a response into the space between Charlie Green’s words. “Listen, I’ve got an appointment and have to run. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Charlie made just enough of an affirmative response that Justin didn’t feel as if he was hanging up on the man, and then did exactly that.
He sat back in his chair and ran his hand over his face. “Lord save me from long-winded politicians.”
Melody smiled a little at that, and it was amazing how much it changed her appearance. Not that she wasn’t pretty without the smile, but seeing it made him glad that he’d been the one to bring it about. She was always pleasant enough in their brief exchanges, but it suddenly hit him that he’d never seen her laugh, didn’t remember ever seeing a full, bright smile from her. He hoped that wasn’t because she didn’t have reasons to smile.
Get it together, man. She’s here to help you with work.
“Have you ever organized an event before?”
She seemed to think for a moment before shaking her head. “Not much call for that in the janitorial trade.”
He remembered then that there had always been something about her that said she wasn’t in the right profession. Not that he’d given it a ton of thought, but the idea had made occasional appearances in his mind. Maybe she had a talent for organization that she’d never realized. Perhaps that talent would help them both.
“Listen, I’ve liked both of the ideas you’ve given me, but I’ve got so much else on my plate that I could use help pulling this together. The planning and framework stuff. Maybe even the execution.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather have Nadine or someone else help you?”
“They didn’t come up with the idea in the first place. You did.”
Melody laced her fingers together and studied her hands for a couple of beats before she nodded. “Sure, it sounds interesting. And, to be honest, I’ve had a couple other ideas.”
He smiled. “Great. Let’s hear them.”
The next hour passed in what felt like a handful of minutes. He hadn’t realized so much time had elapsed until Melody scooted forward on her chair as if to leave. A glance at the clock showed that her shift was about to start.
“I hope you find something useful in all that,” she said, nodding at the tablet in front of him that was now filled with the stream of ideas that had flowed from Melody’s mind almost faster than he could get them down.
“Are you kidding? This is great. You definitely missed your calling.”
“Happy to help.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that because I’d like to keep working together to make all this,” he said, tapping the list, “a reality.”
“I’m not sure how I can help any further.”
“I have the distinct feeling that you’ll be better at this than I am.”
“Don’t you usually have someone else handle this kind of thing?”
“Nadine schedules the meetings held here, and Erica manages the spa, but we haven’t had an events coordinator since early in the year. The previous one went on maternity leave and didn’t come back.”
“And you didn’t replace her?”
“Haven’t gotten around to it.” That and not having to pay the salary for that position helped create a cushion in case his dad’s gambling debts became more of an issue.
He watched Melody’s expression. She seemed conflicted, as if she wanted to say yes but wasn’t sure she should.
“As I mentioned, you’ll get paid for the extra hours of work, unless you already have another job and don’t have the time.” He really hoped that wasn’t the case. Now that he had the idea for the Christmas event in his head, how it might help not only the bottom line but possibly his father’s loneliness as well, he wanted to run with it. But he hadn’t been lying when he said he needed help.
“It’s not that,” she said, still sounding hesitant.
“Then please say yes. It’ll be a lot of work, but it’ll be fun, too.” And Lord knew he could use a little bit of fun in his life right now.
She lifted her gaze and he saw in her eyes the moment she made the decision.
“I think you’re right. Let me know when you want to meet and I’ll be here. My normal shift starts at four during the week. And I sometimes take extra shifts on the weekends if someone needs a day off.”
Not wanting to leave it hanging and risk her changing her mind, he asked that she come in a couple hours early the next day. She agreed then headed out the door to start her shift.
When he was alone again, he sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. And realized that he felt better than he had in months. A little lighter, with a bit more hope that things might be looking up. He chose not to examine too closely that maybe that was because he was going to be spending time with a pretty woman, one he wouldn’t mind getting to know better.
