“Your wife lent my ranch twenty grand and just like the letter states, we paid her back. It’s not just me who owns our ranch, its family owned, Mr. Mattews. We just needed a short-term loan to float us until something came in, and it came in all right.” Ryder was furious as he glared at the man but tried to hide it. “I just came here to pick this up since Mrs. Mattews got the last payment from us that she’ll ever get. Have a good day.” Ryder spun before he lost it, storming out of the house.
He drove back to the ranch then passed it and drove to the East pasture, knowing Nav and Adam were working out there. Ryder had brought them lunch earlier and had promised to come back later to help them with the downed fences that a storm had knocked over. After he parked Ryder walked slowly toward Nav. He really dreaded the upcoming conversation they needed to have.
“You’re back fast,” Adam chuckled. “I thought you said you were heading into town for a few hours to hook up with a chick so you could get laid.”
Nav dropped the shovel and studied his brother closely. “He looks pissed off as hell. She must have stood him up.”
Ryder met Nav’s eyes. “We need to talk about Trina.”
* * * * *
Rage hit Navarro as he ripped off his work gloves and ate up the distance between himself and Ryder. “What did you do? Is that who you went to go see? I told you to stay the hell away from her. If you put one damn hand on her I’ll break it, damn you.”
Ryder backed up. “She’s married, Nav.”
Frowning, Navarro still glared at Ryder. “No shit. I told you she was widowed last year.”
Ryder shook his head. “She lied. I just met her damn husband. There’s a picture of her and him on the mantel in the living room and unless I just met and spoke to a ghost, she lied to you. The man was pissed off as hell about the loan she made to the ranch and ranting about calling the cops, thinking I forced her to loan the money to us. The chick lied to you, Nav. Her husband is as dead as I am. He just got here because there was a rental car parked in front of her house with airport parking stickers.”
“You’re wrong.” Navarro was stunned.
“I looked at him and compared him to the picture sitting on the damn mantle over the fireplace fifteen feet to the left of the guy in her living room. He said his name is Mattews. The picture was her kissing him on the lips with their arms around each other. She lied to you and fooled you. You’ve been screwing a married chick. I warned you that this was some kind of game to her. She’s some bored rich bitch whose husband was off somewhere.”
Shock tore through Navarro and his heart pounded. Could everything have been a lie? Was she really married and just looking for some fun on the side? If her husband worked in another state, living close to the job, then weeks could go by when he wasn’t around.
“What did Trina say?” Navarro knew there had to be an explanation.
“She wasn’t there.” Ryder withdrew the folded paper he’d smoothed out. “Here’s more evidence. It’s a paid in full statement for the loan she made you, stating the contract is over.”
Navarro took the paper with a shaking hand. It was wrinkled but it wasn’t torn as he straightened it out to read. Sure enough it was a signed document from Trina stating that she’d been paid back every penny of a twenty-thousand-dollar loan and that the Raine Ranch no longer was in debt to her. He closed his eyes, fisting the paper as fury hit him hard.
“I’m sorry, man.” Ryder sighed loudly. “It’s better you found out now rather than later.”
“Damn,” Adam said softly. “I liked her too, Nav. Ryder is right. Its better you found out now. So do you think this guy is going to come over here with a shotgun or try to kick Nav’s ass for screwing his wife?”
“Nah,” Ryder shook his head. “He’s some weenie in casual wear who looks like the only swinging he’ll ever do is with a golf club on some fancy course. You should have seen this guy. I never would have pegged her for hooking up with him. It must be his money. He’s this short, chubby, balding guy. No wonder she was stepping out on him.”
“I need a drink.” Navarro folded the paper and handed it to Ryder. “Put this in the safe where it won’t be misplaced. I don’t trust her as far as I can throw her now. I don’t want to lose this in case her husband leaves town and she suddenly thinks I owe her a damn thing. If I never see her again it will be too soon.”
Navarro headed to his truck in a fury of rage. He’d trusted Trina, believed everything she’d said, and what made it worse was he’d started to feel things for her way too deeply. He thought she was special, that she was someone he really wanted to get to know. He started his truck and drove to the house. He really did need a drink. He needed to get laid too. He didn’t want the last woman he touched to be that lying bitch. He was going to town.
* * * * *
Trina ate some pizza for dinner. Hailey only had one motel and it wasn’t the nicest place to be but it was better than going home in case Paul was still hanging around waiting for her. He could wait all damn night. After the party at his parent’s house he’d tried to corner her to dig into her again about Ted and the money.
It wasn’t her fault that Ted had decided to leave her everything. After Ted died Paul had borrowed thirty grand from her. She’d written the check without question and she’d never asked for a dime back. He’d asked for Ted’s Porsche too. Ted had loved that sports car, it had been his baby, and it had been painful to part with it but Paul was his brother so Trina had signed the title over to him. She knew he deserved to own something that would keep him connected to Ted. No matter how much she gave, it would never be enough for Paul, obviously.
She’d spent sixteen years of her life with Ted and had given up her dreams to be the kind of wife he’d wanted, even given up motherhood. If Paul thought she was going to sign over every dime of the money she’d received, he had another think coming. She deserved every dime.
In the room next door a couple started having really loud sex, their bed slammed against the wall, and the woman moaned loudly. Trina eyed the wall and laughed until it reminded her of Navarro. The laughter died. She missed him and it hurt knowing that she wouldn’t see him again. Ryder’s words had left her with no doubt that right now Navarro was relieved that he didn’t have to deal with her again.
Hot tears filled her eyes and she wiped them away. She needed a drink. The town’s only bar was right down the street. She could walk there, have some drinks, and then come back to her room. The couple next door should hopefully be done by then or too worn out to keep her up all night. She put on her shoes, grabbed her purse, and made sure she had her door key.
The sun had gone down. Trina glanced at her wrist only to remember she’d dropped her watch in her purse earlier. It didn’t really matter what time it was. She walked down the street, noticing that most of the shops had closed at dusk. She appreciated the small town of Hailey but it sure didn’t boast much nightlife besides the bar. She heard country music as she walked closer.
It was surprisingly packed for a Monday night but she guessed it might have had something to do with the rodeo since she saw the big screen TV on with some cowboy being bucked on a bull. The man dismounted hard but stayed on his feet. Some people in the bar cheered. Grinning, Trina headed for the bar to sit down on a barstool and gave a smile to the bald guy with tattoos who was bartending. She remembered his name and smiled as Thomas grinned at her.
“Hey,” he moved closer to her. “How do you like Hailey?”
She nodded. “I have felt really welcome here. Thanks for asking.”
“You don’t come in here enough. If you want to meet more neighbors this is the place to be.” He poured her white wine.
Trina was impressed. “You remembered.”
“I try to always remember what people drink. Are you here to watch the rodeo? The barrel racing is about to begin. They are just showing highlights from some of the events today. A lot of folks don’t have cable or satellite so they come in here. This one is from Tenne
ssee. Know anything about the rodeo?”
Shaking her head no, she sipped her wine. “I’m not really bummed about that either. Tennis is more my style of a sport to watch. There’s a lot less blood and injures. They have some clowns too but they don’t wear makeup.”
Thomas laughed. “That’s a sport I refuse to put on my big screen. Sorry, little lady.” He chuckled. “We have a local hero in here tonight so it makes it extra special for the rodeo fans.”
“Really?”
“Hell, yeah. Navarro Raine came in. He has championship buckles from the events he used to win when he worked the rodeo circuit. He…”
Shock hit her and Trina tuned out the bartender’s voice, twisting on her barstool to glance around the bar. Navarro’s here? Dread hit her as her gaze searched the room and then she saw him over in the corner. He stood talking to a group of men and she could tell it was his back she stared at, his wet hair in a ponytail. He was wearing a blue flannel shirt with his standard faded, snug blue jeans. She couldn’t see his feet but she would bet that he was wearing his faded black cowboy boots.
She bit her lip and knew she should talk to him even if it was just to apologize. It hurt that he’d lied to her by making it seem as if he’d really wanted her but then again, Ryder had said Navarro felt he had no choice. Trina took a few deep breaths and decided she’d face him to apologize for putting him in a situation that he was forced into and hopefully they’d have no hard feelings.
She climbed down from her barstool and walked through the bar, noticing it really was packed so she had to weave between bodies to walk up behind him. He was laughing and chatting to a few men about rankings. She wasn’t sure what that was but one of the men by Navarro noticed her as she approached. He reached up to take off his cowboy hat, grinning at her. She gave him a weak smile and walked closer.
Navarro turned around as he followed the man’s gaze and looked surprised. Then his mouth tightened and he frowned. His expression seemed to go cold while Trina stared up at him. She was shocked at how angry he looked. It froze her in her tracks with four feet separating them still.
“Hello, Ms. Mattews.” It was the man who’d removed his hat.
Her gaze jerked to him, having forgotten his name but he worked at the grocery store. She nodded at him. “Hello.”
“Are you here to watch the rodeo?” The man was determined to carry on a conversation with her.
“I’m afraid not. I just came in to have a drink. I don’t know much about rodeos.”
He chuckled. “I could teach you. Do you want to have a seat with me? We can watch it and I’ll explain what’s going on to you.”
She was in a bind as her gaze flew to Navarro, seeing he still glared at her. She didn’t know why he was so angry.
“Um, thank you but I should go.” She glanced at the man gripping his hat. “Thank you though.” Her full attention drifted back to Navarro. “Um, Mr. Raine? Could I talk to you for a minute?” Her mind frantically searched for a reason, for the sake of the men around them, for why she needed to talk to him that wouldn’t sound odd. “I was thinking about buying a horse and someone recommended that I talk to you,” she lied.
Navarro’s jaw clenched, the muscle jumped along his jawline as his lips pressed into a tighter line. “Not tonight. I’m out having fun. I’ve been put through a lot of shit lately and I’m here to blow off some steam. I’ve got nothing I’d sell to you right now for any price.”
She took a step back, feeling mentally slapped. “Okay.” Her voice was shaky and she was also embarrassed. “Have a nice night.” She spun around to make her escape and almost slammed into someone.
Trina stared up at Tammy Brent. The tall, leggy redheaded woman was dressed in a skin-tight miniskirt with a half shirt. Her breasts were almost falling out of it, and she wore enough makeup for two women. She also happened to be Navarro’s ex-girlfriend who’d recently dumped him.
“Nav,” the woman purred, sidestepping Trina. “I heard you were here. I’ve missed you, baby.”
Trina turned as she followed the redhead who closed the space to Navarro. Navarro met Trina’s gaze and then looked away from her to stare at Tammy as the woman threw herself against his chest. Tammy was almost as tall as Navarro in her high heels. Just inches separated them in height. Navarro hesitated before he hugged the clinging woman to his body.
“Tammy.” His voice was husky.
The redhead eased back to grin up at Navarro. “I missed you, baby. I hate it when we fight. Buy me a beer and let’s make up.”
Navarro’s cool gaze turned so he looked directly into Trina’s eyes. They stared at each other and pain lanced through Trina hard at seeing the redheaded slut with her hands spread on Navarro’s shoulders and his arm around her waist, body to body. He stared right at Trina as he said the words that made her heart bleed.
“Sounds good, baby.”
Trina spun around quickly and walked out of the bar, fighting back tears. She managed not to run but she wanted to. Ryder had been right when he’d said that Navarro never really wanted Trina, that he’d been forced by his circumstances to act as if he wanted her just to save his ranch. It hurt and she had to come to terms with that. It tore her up so damn bad she could barely breathe, the pain crushing in her chest. Anger was her next emotion. She’d offered Navarro a loan so if he hadn’t really wanted to go to bed with her, if he wasn’t attracted to her, all he’d had to do was take the damn money.
She exited the outer door and was outside, so cool air hit her face as she sucked in air. A sob passed her lips and then she was running, taking off at a jog down the street toward the motel. She wanted to go home, no longer wanting to stay in town anymore. It was too close to Navarro and his on-again girlfriend. They would be just down the street from her, touching each other.
* * * * *
Navarro watched Trina leave. What the hell? He frowned. He’d seen raw pain flash in her eyes the second before she’d spun away. She’d slammed into three people on her way out the door but she hadn’t seemed to notice. She’d just fled the bar as if the place were on fire.
“Hey.” Tammy rubbed his chest. “Buy me that beer.”
He tore his attention away from the door Trina had just disappeared through. Trina had walked up to him and wanted to talk. He knew she probably wanted to try to explain away why she’d lied to him about being a widow. He hadn’t wanted to hear her damn excuses. He’d been married to a woman who had fucked around on him with other men and he’d always thought those men were the worst sort—to knowingly touch another man’s wife. Trina had made him one of those lowlifes when he’d unknowingly helped her commit adultery.
“I forgot something in my truck. I’ll be right back.”
Navarro pulled out of Tammy’s grasp and headed for the door, after Trina. Maybe they should talk since he had a few things to say to her. He’d thought she was too good to be true and damn it, she had been. It pissed him off. He stormed out of the bar and turned left to the parking lot. He stopped, scanning for her SUV. He frowned when he didn’t see it.
His fists clenched. How the hell had she left so fast? Behind him the door opened and he spun around as Tammy walked out. She stopped and smiled, her hand went to her hip.
“Let’s get out of here and go to my place. I’ve missed you, Nav.”
Chapter Ten
Trina was going to kill her brother-in-law. Four nights ago she’d gone home after the scene in the bar with Navarro to find Paul there. He’d broken in. She should have picked up the phone and called the police and had him arrested for trespassing and just been done with it. She’d instead let it go because he was Ted’s brother. She already had been upset enough without causing a confrontation with Paul. His lame excuse was he’d had to use the bathroom and didn’t think she’d mind him breaking a window to get in. She minded all right.
She’d also put up with his shit because she was hurting. Even shitty company was better than rambling around her empty house feeling sorry for herself. Pau
l at least kept her busy. It was a full-time effort not to kill the guy. Every time he opened his mouth it was a challenge not to tell him where to go and she doubted he would appreciate a suggestion to vacation in hell. She reminded herself that it was Friday and he was leaving on Saturday. She had less than twenty-four hours to go and she kept telling herself she could survive that.
Paul said he was worried about her and wanted to spend a few days in Hailey to make sure she was doing well. He was full of shit and she knew it. He was spying on her, plain and simple. She’d found evidence of that because she’d noticed that things were moved in her house. He’d gone snooping in her bedroom too. She knew it but she just couldn’t prove it.
Trina had to tune out his bitching about the lack of interesting scenery the entire ten minute drive into town. She parked in front of the diner and got out quickly. She fought the urge to grip her dress, hike it up her legs to her knees, and sprint away from him. For a nickel she’d run for her damn life to get away from the annoying man. She had needed to get out of the house so they were having dinner in town.
She walked inside the diner ahead of Paul, not giving a damn if he was behind her or not. Inside she immediately headed to a table by the window to sit down at the edge of the booth seat while putting her purse by the window. She was afraid Paul might try to sit next to her but the move worked. Paul paused beside her before he took a seat across the table, obviously unhappy as he frowned at her.
“This is the best place to eat in Hailey?” He glared around the large room with his upper lip curled in disgust.
“They serve really good food.”
He snorted as the waitress walked over to hand out menus. Trina flashed the woman a stressed smile and ordered raspberry iced tea while Paul ordered a soda. Trina opened her menu even though she almost knew it by heart but she kept her attention locked on it so she didn’t have to look at Paul, who was seriously pissing her off.