From This Moment On (16 page)

He rose as soon as he saw her and extended his hand. “Nikita Flores,” he said, “it’s a pleasure to meet you. Frank Kessler.”

“Um, I go by Nikki.” She didn’t care for his weak handshake or the intense curiosity in his small dark eyes.

Matt had already claimed the chair that matched the couch, so she perched on the edge of the floral-patterned chaise close to the stone fireplace.

Mr. Kessler smiled and gestured to the unoccupied side of the couch. “I promise I won’t bite.”

She returned the smile. “I might.” Then darted a grudging glance at Matt. He wasn’t amused. “Just kidding,” she said to Mr. Kessler, who appeared unfazed. “I’m fine here.”

“First off,” he said, “please accept my condolences on the loss of your father.”

A snide remark nearly tripped off her tongue, but she drew in a breath, reminding herself the goal was to get this reading over with. “Thank you.”

“Matt has requested that we keep this short because you have to go to work.” He’d slipped on a pair of glasses and was sifting through several legal-size papers while he spoke. “The Gunderson Trust is quite straightforward. The land and house, including any and all structures, are covered by the trust. Paternity hasn’t been challenged, and since Wallace legally acknowledged you as his daughter, Nikki, in the eyes of the law—”

“When?”

Kessler looked at her over the rim of his glasses. “The beginning of March...I believe it was a couple of weeks after you and Matt had visited him. He signed an affidavit verifying your relationship to him, and then he updated his will.”

She wasn’t sure why she’d bothered to ask. What did it matter? Wallace had always known she existed. Legally recognizing her didn’t make a damn bit of difference. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have interrupted.”

“Ask anything you want, Nikki,” Matt said, and she noticed his expression seemed strained. “Now’s your chance.”

“I’m good for now,” she said.

“Feel free to stop me at any time.” Kessler seemed patient and professional, but something about him bugged her. “Let’s see,” he said, his attention going back to the document. “In accordance with the terms of the trust, the land and structures, as I mentioned, now belong equally to the two of you. What gets tricky and isn’t clear is ownership of the livestock, which is worth a substantial sum and we’ll get to that in a minute.

“Equipment, inventory, vehicles registered to the Lone Wolf, those sorts of things obviously aren’t covered by the trust, which was drawn nearly a hundred years ago. Those items are considered personal property and Wallace has left them to Matt. I have an itemized list for each of you. Any questions so far?” He looked up until they both shook their heads.

No point arguing now. Nikki knew division of the land and house was something she and Matt had to sort out in private, which should be a short conversation, given she wanted nothing. But knowing Matt, it wasn’t a discussion she was looking forward to. He’d been okay earlier, but now he seemed irritable. She hoped it wasn’t over Wallace leaving him all that stuff and not including her. She didn’t give a crap about any of it.

“Now, about the livestock.” Kessler’s gaze moved over the words on the next document. “Fortunately you two are on good terms, that makes things easier,” he murmured, half to himself. “That’s not always the case...”

Nikki yawned, tuning out Kessler and wishing she’d made coffee. After Trace had left at eight-thirty she’d gone back to sleep. And still she’d only managed to get a total of five hours. Poor Trace had to go move cattle to another pasture, though he’d promised to grab a nap before meeting her at the bar later.

Last night had been sheer heaven. He knew exactly how to touch her, knew where she was the most sensitive and above all, he’d shown her a tenderness she hadn’t known existed. Normally she didn’t like waking up with a guy. She wanted them gone long before it was time to jump in the shower. But everything was upside down when it came to Trace. Several times today she’d found herself plotting ways to get him to stay over tonight.

“Nikki?”

At the sound of Matt’s voice, she straightened. Both he and Kessler were staring at her, and she had a feeling she’d missed quite a bit. “Sorry, what was that?”

“You might want to listen to this,” Matt said, his expression more relaxed.

Kessler read directly from the will. “‘To my daughter, Nikita Flores, I bequeath the balance of my cash holdings at the time of my death.’” The attorney switched his gaze to a ledger sheet. “As of this morning, including interest, that amount is $172,548.”

Nikki blinked. “I don’t understand.”

Matt smiled, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his thighs. “That money is yours, Nik. Wallace left it to you.”

She would’ve thought she heard wrong if Matt hadn’t looked so pleased. This was crazy. She really didn’t want anything from the man, but this was huge. That kind of money could change her life. Truly give her a fresh start.

“However, there is a stipulation.” Kessler’s face went blank and he focused solely on Nikki. “You only get the money if you sign your share of the Lone Wolf over to Matt.”

She felt as if someone had punched her in the stomach.

“Bullshit.” Matt glared at the older man. “Nobody can mess with the trust. I know that for a fact.”

“You’re right,” Mr. Kessler said calmly. “Nikki couldn’t sell her half to anyone, but she can waive her claim and sign it over to you because you’re a Gunderson.”

“So is Nikki.”

“No one’s disputing that, Matthew.” Kessler removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Wallace wanted you to have the Lone Wolf. That’s all. I will say this, I personally think this is his way of making it up to you for past wrongs.”

Matt’s anger radiated from across the room. “Screw him. The money is yours, Nikki. You’re not signing over any rights.”

“I’m afraid that’s not up to you.” Mr. Kessler sighed. “Look, keep this simple. Legally, you’ll need to sign the waiver in order to release the money. After that you’re free to do what you want. Do you understand?”

Numb, except for the ache in her chest, Nikki got his meaning. But she didn’t care about the Lone Wolf. Right now she didn’t even care about the money. Wallace was trying to buy her off, and that hurt more than she thought possible. He’d been a sick old man on his deathbed, and yet somehow he managed to get in that extra slap in the face even after death. She had to give it to him. It took effort to be that much of a bastard.

Matt was saying something to the attorney, maybe even to her, but she hadn’t been listening. “I’ll need time to think it over,” she said, cutting Matt off and getting to her feet. “Is that all?”

Kessler frowned. “Well, no, there’s more.”

“Do you need me?”

The older man slowly shook his head. “I guess not.”

“Nikki, wait.” Matt looked heartsick.

“I’m fine.” She forced a smile. This wasn’t his fault. She didn’t want him to feel bad. Wallace had been a jerk until the end. It shouldn’t have been a surprise, and it sure as hell shouldn’t make a difference. A sob broke in her throat, and she hurried to the door.

16

N
IKKI
HEARD
A
NOISE
, turned her head and saw Trace, but not Gypsy. “What are you doing here?” She dabbed at her cheeks to make sure they weren’t damp before he got too close. She hadn’t cried really, just got a little teary. “Were we supposed to meet today?” she asked, so confused she couldn’t think straight.

“No.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “I have my truck. Guess you didn’t hear me drive up.”

“I thought you were moving cattle.” She slid off the rock she’d been sitting on for the past hour and dusted off her butt while she waited for him to reach her.

“I was.” He left the trail, cut through the tall grass and put his arms around her. “Rough day, huh?”

“Is that a shot in the dark or did you talk to Matt?”

“He called.”

Nikki sighed. Pressing her cheek against his chest, taking comfort in the strong steady beat of his heart, she felt some of the tension leave her body. “He shouldn’t have done that.”

“Of course he should have. If it were Rachel, I’d have done the same for him.”

Matt and Rachel were getting married in a few months so it wasn’t at all the same. But Nikki appreciated the sentiment. “He didn’t know I was here, though.”

“He said you were upset...” Trace brushed a kiss on her forehead. “I figured you might come here.” He sighed. “Wallace always was a bastard. That didn’t change. I know it’s hard, but don’t let it get to you.”

“Wow, Matt told you everything.”

He leaned back and studied her face, touching the outside corner of her eye with his thumb. “You mind?”

She blinked, hoping there were no tears ready to fall. “I would’ve told you myself...eventually. It’s not about the Lone Wolf or the money.”

“I know that.” He sat on the huge rock she’d used as a bench and pulled her onto his lap.

Nikki started to object...but it felt nice being cocooned by his chest and arms. “I hate that you left work. I’m really okay.”

“You think I could do anything but come find you?” He stroked her back, rubbed her arm. “Remember that thing about you not being alone anymore?”

Dammit. So much for no more tears. Sometimes kindness was the worst...

“Hey.” He ignored her efforts to hide her face and caught her chin. “Did I just do that?” He looked into her watery eyes, the alarm in his expression restoring some of her calm.

“Yes, you’re being too nice. Stop it.”

“Sorry. I can’t do that.” He touched his lips to hers, the gentle kiss meant only to soothe.

“How did Matt sound? Is he okay?”

“He was worried. I called him as soon as I spotted your truck and he seemed relieved. Didn’t tell him where you were. No need to give up our favorite make-out spot.”

Nikki smiled. “He was so angry, even with the attorney, who was only doing his job.” She watched a squirrel scurrying up a tree with something in its mouth. “Now that I’ve had time to think, for Matt’s sake, I’m glad Wallace did what he did.”

“You might want to fill me in more,” Trace said, frowning as if he couldn’t see her point. “Matt gave me the gist but he was pissed and not too clear.”

She wasn’t thrilled to recap the meeting, but it was a good test to see if she truly was making peace with Wallace. “You know about the Gunderson Trust,” she said, and he nodded so she skipped that part, summed up the rest, digging for composure when she got to the one provision in the will. “The money he left, it’s a lot, around $172,000.” Trace’s brows shot up. Apparently Matt hadn’t told him how much. “Basically he wants me gone, even though he’s dead. I get the cash if I sign over my rights to Matt.”

Trace didn’t look surprised, only furious. “I know...what I don’t get is why you’re okay with Wallace being a manipulative jackass or how you can believe that helps Matt.”

“At first I was mad and hurt that he thought he had to protect his precious family land from me. After all, I’m not a ‘true’ Gunderson, only his bastard.” She shook her head when Trace started to object, and regretted her bitter tone. Clearly she had more work to do on herself. “But the attorney said something that made me think. I’m not sure that stipulation had much to do with me. Wallace might’ve been trying to make amends to Matt. He wouldn’t care about the money, not with what he’s stashed from his winnings. But Matt loves the Lone Wolf.”

“Nice thought, except there’s no way Matt would be satisfied with you being cut out. He probably hates Wallace even more now.”

She sighed, understanding the logic. She herself despised Wallace more for what he’d done to Matt than for abandoning her. “After the hurt and anger dies down, I’ll talk to him. Wallace was screwed up. But I want Matt to believe that his father had tried to make things up to him the only way he knew how.”

His brows puckered, Trace studied her with no less concern. “You’re taking this a whole lot better than I imagined.”

“You should’ve seen me an hour ago. I thought, wow, Wallace was scum and
he
thought I wasn’t good enough to be a part of his family.”

“Jesus, Nikki.” Letting out a harsh breath, he forced her to look at him. “Don’t ever go there. You’re amazing.”

She couldn’t help but smile. “And you’re...” She touched his stubbled jaw. “I was so wrong about you.”

He gave her a crooked grin. “You figured I was just another pretty face, and hollow inside like a chocolate Easter bunny.”

“Actually, yes.” She laughed. “Not the chocolate bunny, that part didn’t occur to me.”

Trace hugged her, his quiet growl the sound of pure contentment. “That’s a lot of money you’re about to get. More than enough to go back to school if you want. They have a few good colleges in Kalispell. Not that I’m being selfish.”

Nikki stiffened. “I haven’t decided if I’m going to accept the money.”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“I never wanted anything from him. You know that.”

“Hell, Wallace isn’t here. You’d only be hurting yourself by turning it down.”

She slipped off his lap. “I’d know the money came from him.”

Trace caught her hand. “Don’t be hasty. You need time. And don’t forget about school,” he said while doing light circles on her wrist with his thumb. “Is your hesitation about the Lone Wolf? You know Matt would never let you give up your share.”

“I don’t want the Lone Wolf, either. I don’t even know if I’m cut out for this slow country life.” She hadn’t meant to raise her voice or be quite so honest, but it shocked her to see the raw disappointment in his eyes.

“Maybe not,” he said grimly, tugging her close again. “But if you don’t take the money and just disappear, Wallace wins.” Trace put his hands on her waist. “You’re still emotional, and you and Matt have a lot to discuss. Promise me you’ll take your time to decide.”

She nodded, not sure if he’d pulled her toward him or if she’d stepped forward. He cradled her between his spread thighs, his arms wrapping around her and hers circling his neck. Their foreheads touching, neither of them moved. He was right. She was still emotional. For the better part of an hour, she’d thought about the past, from the mess with Garrett and the prom to how she’d foolishly tried to find comfort in Luis. Worst of all was how often she’d hurt her mother.

She didn’t want to do that to Trace, too. He was so amazing in many, many ways, and much more than someone like her deserved. Wallace had been a bastard, all right. But who was to say he was wrong? Maybe she really wasn’t good enough. Maybe she never would be.

* * *

T
RACE
MISSED
OBLITERATING
his thumb by a hair. He threw the hammer down and cursed his stupidity. “That’s it. I’m done for the day. You quit, too, if you want,” he said to Josh. “These warped boards will still be here tomorrow.”

Tempted as he was to leave the tools scattered, Trace crouched down and started throwing everything into the toolbox. The way they landed all helter-skelter, he’d never be able to close the damn thing.

“I’ll do that,” Josh said. “Go.”

“Nah, that’s all right.” He’d feel guilty as hell leaving his friend with the mess. Bad enough Trace had been moody since seeing Nikki, no need to let Josh take the brunt of it.

“I’m not trying to be nice.” Josh collected the rags. “It’s self-defense. Get out of here before I end up on crutches.”

A grudging smile tugged at Trace’s mouth. “I haven’t been that bad.”

Josh gave him a long look. “You almost ran over my toes with the four-wheeler. And I’m pretty sure you’ve used every cussword you know in English and Spanish.”

Trace gave up on closing the toolbox. “Not all of them.”

Josh took it from him. “You going to the Watering Hole after supper? I’ll buy you a beer.”

That was part of Trace’s problem. He couldn’t decide if it was better to go see her or stay away. What he really wanted to do was talk to Matt about her, but he knew that would only lead to trouble—if Nikki went behind his back and discussed him with Rachel, he’d sure be pissed.

“Yeah, I’ll go. But I’m buying. I reckon that’s the least I can do.” He watched Josh patiently rearrange the tools and close the box. “When do you leave to see your girl?”

“Not for three weeks. Fourth of July weekend.” Josh’s grin was wider than the Grand Canyon. “Can’t come fast enough.”

“You going all the way to New York?”

“Nope. Haley’s meeting me partway.”

“Where?”

Josh’s grin faded. “Why?”

Trace shrugged. “Just curious.” It was more than that. Haley had been a Sundance guest when Josh met her. She lived in Manhattan, and Trace had wondered how that would pan out for them. Josh had never doubted they could make it work, but Trace had. He hoped he wouldn’t be put to the same long-distance test with Nikki. “Come on, where are you guys meeting?”

Josh sighed. “Disneyland.”

“What?”

“You heard right.”

They were heading out of the barn but Trace stopped and laughed. “You haven’t seen Haley in how many months, and you’re taking her to Disneyland? Son, you need your head screwed on tighter.”

“It’s not me.” He held up his hands. “Haley wants to go there. I didn’t argue.” Josh narrowed his eyes. “If Nikki wanted to go to Siberia, tell me you wouldn’t be packed in two minutes.”

“Shut up.” Trace started walking again, veering off toward the house.

“You wanna ride with me to town?” Josh called after him.

“No, I’m taking my truck.”

“Right.” Josh’s laugh grated on his nerves. “In case you-know-who wants to go to Siberia.”

Trace flipped him off without a look back. A guest could’ve seen him, but so what. His mood wasn’t getting any better, and he figured he ought to skip dinner. Sitting at the table and trying to be nice would be torture. He wasn’t even hungry. And he sure as hell didn’t want to make small talk.

What a fool he’d been to think Nikki could be happy living here. She’d get bored sooner or later. Bored with Blackfoot Falls, bored with him. It wasn’t so much what she’d said about not being cut out for the country, it was how she’d said it. He had a bad feeling she’d already made up her mind.

It still appalled him to think he’d actually been tempted to discourage her from taking the money. If she was broke, she’d have to stay. But with all that cash, she could set herself up someplace real nice. Man, he couldn’t stand to think about her leaving. He had no right to ask her to stay, he knew that, but if the time came, he just might beg her.

That would be something. He never imagined he’d have to humble himself for a woman. Not that he thought he was too good for a little humility. Finding a willing woman had always been easy for him. The guys used to tease him about being able to pick and choose. It had been all in good fun, but it also had been the truth. He didn’t like this new game plan.

He stopped in the mudroom to scrape his boots. They were in terrible shape but not so bad they’d harm the wood floors. Rachel would yell if she saw him sneaking in with them on, but he didn’t care. Besides, he thought he’d heard her on the porch with the guests. It was beer and margarita time for them. And the perfect opportunity for him to creep upstairs unnoticed.

He opened the door to the kitchen and she stood right there in front of him, dropping a can into the recycle bin.

Her gaze went straight to his boots, eyes narrowing to a glare. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t want to hear it,” he said, putting up a warning finger. Hilda stood at the stove, and she turned in surprise at his rough tone. “Trust me. Bad time to get into it with me,” he added to make sure Rachel backed off.

“I know,” she said softly. “I really hate Wallace. I do.”

“Have you seen Matt?”

She shook her head. “We talked on the phone. I’ll see him later. How’s Nikki?”

“I know she went to work.” He rubbed the tension tightening the back of his neck. “Count me out for dinner.”

“Can I at least make you a sandwich?”

“No, thanks. I’m going to town...” He sighed. Hell, everyone knew about him and Nikki at this point. “To the bar. If I get hungry I’ll grab something at Marge’s.”

Rachel nodded. “Go. I’ll see you later.” She blinked, then her eyes rounded with surprise. “Maybe at the Lone Wolf,” she said, laughing and blushing. “Oh, God.”

“Ah.” He got it. If he spent the night with Nikki it would be kind of weird knowing his kid sister was down the hall with Matt. Trace just laughed. “We bump into each other in the dark and I’ll pretend I don’t know you.”

“Same here.” She bit her lip and glanced at Hilda, who kept turning over pieces of sizzling fried chicken, while paying them no attention. Though she must’ve heard.

Rachel abruptly turned away, trying not to laugh, and he raced out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his room in record time. He lingered in the shower, letting the warm spray hit the back of his neck and stiff shoulders. He had to stop giving his thoughts free rein. Whether Nikki stayed or left, him worrying about it wouldn’t change a damn thing.

Ten minutes later, the idea that she could pack up and leave at any time still rattled him no matter what he told himself. With Wallace gone, and Matt busy with setting a new course for the Lone Wolf, there wouldn’t be much to keep Nikki around here. Trace wanted to think she’d stay for him, but he hadn’t come out and asked her to, or told her how he felt about her. Of course he still hadn’t quite narrowed that down yet.