Lone Star Burn: Love On Tap (Kindle Worlds Novella) (12 page)

“Focus on something different. Are there any posters in the room?”

“Yeah, next week we’re having sports week and we have to read a book about a sports person. There’s a picture of Michael Jordon.”

“Pretend you and Percy are playing basketball with Michael Jordon.”

“I can do that!” Matt sat up and threw his arms her waist. “I love you, Jennie.”

“I love you, too.” Jennie held him to her breast. Inside, her heart was breaking.

She needed to get out of there before she started blubbering like an idiot. “Now it’s lights out. As a special treat tomorrow night, what would you like to have for dinner?”

“Pizza!”

“Sure, why not.”

Jennie barely made it back to her room and quietly closed the door before the tears started. She sat on the bed, wrapped her arms around her waist, and rocked back and forth.

The pain around her heart had never been greater. She loved Grayson and Mathew so much, it hurt.

“Oh my God, what am I going to do? Matt loves me and Grayson is depending on me to make sure this adoption goes through. I really need to talk to my mother.

“
Mother!
Jennie, you’re an idiot.”

She scrubbed her tear-stained face, reached for her tablet, and sent off an email to her mother. She followed it up with an email to her brother, requesting all information on Dottie Dimple and Burt Springer as soon as possible.

She’d just gotten into bed when she received a text message from Grayson.

The joint is jumping and your fans are asking for Malibu Barbie.

Tell them she’s taking bull-riding lessons.

I can help you with that.

How?

Practice on me and then take on the mechanical stud.

Grayson, you’re making me blush.
She really was blushing
.

Why? You played cowgirl on me just fine, and your girls were bouncing with joy.

Jennie was about to turn the tables on him.
You’re on. This is my official challenge.

What challenge?

Riding the mechanical bull at the Roadhouse. Whoever stays on the longest is the winner. The loser has to ride the bull a second time, stark naked.

You’re on, and be prepared to lose, Jennie girl. I love to see your girls bounce with joy. Oh, and you don’t have to be totally naked. Wear cowgirl boots.

She was wide awake. “Now what am I going to do?”

She remembered Loretta was working tonight and sent off a quick text.
I need you to give me pointers on riding the mechanical bull at the Roadhouse as soon as possible. Also need a place to get a decent pair of cowgirl boots and jeans.

Thursday morning, Grayson was a basket case. He sat at the table and drank his fourth cup of coffee,
and it was only eight-thirty.

“You need to slow down on that caffeine.”

“Do I look okay? Is the shirt and tie too much?” He adjusted the knot with nervous fingers.

“Lose the tie. A sports shirt and dress slacks is fine. They’ll be expecting Malibu Barbie, but I’ll wear the same outfit I wore into Fort Mavis the other day.”

“Did Matt clean his room?”

“His room is fine. I just checked.”

“Have you heard back from the guy who’s getting that information about the caseworker and Springer?”

“I got a text last evening. He was waiting for one more piece of information to confirm a lead, and will be in touch with me this morning.”

“He does know how important this is?”

“Trust me, he knows.”

Gray decided he was talking too fast, and took Jennie in his arms. “I need to hold you for a few minutes. My heart is racing like an out-of-control freight train.” Deep, calming breaths helped. No, it was Jennie, his salvation. “I really appreciate all your help.”

Jennie rested her cheek on his shoulder and felt his nervous energy. “I haven’t done anything, really.”

“Just being here with me means more than you’ll ever know.” He went to lower his mouth to kiss her, but the doorbell rang.

“Bastards! They’re early!”

“Grayson, settle down. Just calmly go to the door.” Jennie fought hard to keep the smile from her face.

He yanked the door open with too much force, and the decorative boot fell off and landed on his foot. He also got the shock of his life.

“Mom!”

“Pick up the boot, son. Let’s use it to kick some righteous ass.”

Chapter 10

Grayson still couldn’t get over the shock of seeing his mother on his doorstep. Caroline Wolff maintained a very active social life, but they managed to talk three or four times a month. The last time he saw her was two months ago at a mandatory board meeting.

One would never know she was in her sixties. Her slender figure reflected a regimen of daily exercise and healthy eating. She’d admitted to getting a facelift, and kept her beautician busy with her monthly visits to keep her hair a natural-looking blond. She’d dressed in slenderizing designer jeans and a red cashmere sweater. Always one to coordinate her outfits, she’d paired her hoop earrings and rings with the shiny studs on her denim jacket.

“What are you doing here?”

Caroline gave her son a quick hug, making sure she didn’t get any makeup on his dress shirt, and smiled at Jennie. “I got here as fast as I could. We’ve never been formally introduced, but I feel like I know you just from your mother.”

“Jennie told me about your favor, stopping by to check on Mathew, but she never mentioned issuing an invitation.”

“This was a last-minute decision. Grayson, there are times in a man’s life when he needs his mother. Consider this one of them. I love your father, but Simon Wolff can be a stubborn ass. He’s kept me from Mathew long enough.”

“Does he know you’re here?”

“Do I look crazy? I tell him what he wants to hear only half the time. He thinks I’m at a spa. When I go away, he has a habit of checking my location on my phone. My personal secretary is enjoying the next two days at the spa with my cell phone in her pocket. He doesn’t know about the other phone I carry just for emergencies.”

“Mrs. Wolff, I’m impressed,” Jennie said. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Call me Caroline, please. I could use a beer, but it’s nine o’clock in the morning and I don’t like beer. I’ll take coffee, black.”

“You don’t like beer?” Jennie laughed, getting a cup from the cabinet.

“No. Can’t stand the taste.”

“Mom, meet your soul mate.” Grayson joined his mother at the table. “Now what are you really doing here?”

“It’s time I became a grandmother. Your stubborn father turns a deaf ear when I mention his only grandchild, and doesn’t want to hear Mathew has the family’s gray eyes.” Caroline’s annoyance faded. “He resembles you so much, but he’s got Crystal’s mouth.”

“Does Dad really hate Matt that much?”

“Crystal severed all ties with us, saying there was more to life than money. She was a free spirit and wanted to live simply, without notoriety, and do her own thing. If I didn’t know any better, one would think she was a damn flower child.

“She did let us know she wasn’t married and was expecting a child, and would let us know when the baby was born. I so wanted to go to her, but she refused to tell us where she was living. When your father found out Crystal was pregnant and not married, he was livid and declared he’d never accept an illegitimate child into the family. We were devastated when she was killed. In my opinion, his hate has festered so long he doesn’t know how to forgive himself or your sister. Mathew is our only grandchild, and the only one who will be able to carry on the family name.”

“What a stubborn fool. All he ever sees is the bottom line, but that blindness has kept him away from a great kid. Matt is entitled to Crystal’s money, and after today, he’ll become my heir.”

“That’s the other reason I’m here. To support you.”

“You’re right, Mom. I do need my mother here.”

He gave Jennie a smile of gratitude. “Why don’t you tell my mother how we plan to handle these petty officials?”

Grayson opened the door at precisely ten o’clock. His mother and Jennie would wait for him to get them at the appropriate time. Having their support bolstered his confidence to handle the bureaucracy bullshit.

The male and female team came formally dressed in black suits, and carried slender briefcases. Cartwright retained a fleet of corporate lawyers and Gray had met many of them, but these two were complete strangers.

He’d seen Dottie Dimple three months ago, and he wondered if the only thing she owned was the plain navy-blue business suit. The collar on her prim white blouse was adorned with a gold pin in the shape of a horseshoe. Her hair was a dull brown that she wore in a short bob, showing off the small gold-ball earrings. A thin gold band on her left ring finger indicated she was married. If she erased the permanent scowl from her face, she’d be pleasant-looking. Dottie made sure the lawyers flanked her on either side.

“Please come in. Have a seat,” Grayson said. He was tempted to hold out his foot when Dottie preceded the lawyers into the room, but held back at the last second.

“Can I get anyone something to drink?”

“This isn’t a social call, Mr. Grayson,” Dottie informed him in a snooty, official tone. “We’re here on a very serious and disturbing matter.”

They sat together on the opposite couch, forming a united front, but Grayson didn’t feel the least bit intimidated. One of the things he’d learned from his father was to take the upper hand in a meeting. Let everyone know who was in charge.

“Ms. Dimple, no one has to tell me the reason for this confrontation—I mean meeting.”

Grayson directed his attention to the lawyers and showed his manners by taking on the female first. “I understand you work for my father?”

“Melissa Stewart,” she replied, and held out her card.

Grayson noted the lady lawyer had purposely crossed her legs. A slit in her pinstriped black skirt revealed a great deal of skin. Rust highlights streaked dark brown hair that hung long and straight. She was exactly what his father would hire: a female barracuda.

“Robert Manning.” The second lawyer passed his card to Grayson. “Your father has retained our firm outside of his corporate lawyers, since this is a personal matter.”

Where the female was in her thirties, the man was about ten years older than Gray. The flashy rings on his fingers and gold watch, along with his Armani suit, indicated he was accustomed to the best.

Dottie gave a cursory glance around the room. “The house is very neat and clean, but I specifically asked that your housekeeper be present.”

“Don’t get your panties in a twist, Ms. Dimple. She’ll be here, but first I’d like to address these vicious rumors about me having a woman with loose morals corrupting Mathew. I have the right to face my accuser.”

“She has requested to remain anonymous, for fear you would retaliate in some way.”

Gray abruptly stood up from the couch. “That’s a load of bullshit!”

“Mr. Grayson, I don’t like foul language or your snide remarks. I certainly hope you don’t talk like that around Mathew.”

“Ms. Dimple, this isn’t getting us anywhere.” Melissa gave Gray an understanding smile. “We have a few questions.”

“Before you start, I have one for you. Why does my father object so strongly to this adoption?”

“He is concerned about the legal ramifications, since there is a great deal of money involved,” Robert explained.

“That’s exactly what I’ve thought all along.” Gray was so done with his father.

“It was reported the woman in question has been spending a great deal of your money,” Dottie said.

“She purchased the things needed to have a birthday party for Mathew.” Gray noted the small pad the social worker balanced on her leg. She made a check mark every time he answered a question.

“My turn,” Melissa began, and turned on her barracuda smile. “Tell us more about the blond-haired hussy you have living here.”

Irritation churned in his body, and they’d just started this bullshit session. His hands tightened into fists. “I’m giving you fair warning, Ms. Stewart. If you call her that to her face, be prepared to suffer the consequences.”

“She’s got a violent temper!” Dottie perked up. This was exactly what she needed to hear.

Gray recalled how their hot shower session the other afternoon had started out. Tempers were flaring, but it led to the best lovemaking he’d ever had. “No, not really.”

“I beg to differ with you, Mr. Grayson.” Dottie was on a roll. “It was reported she has a violent temper and had an altercation at the Roadhouse with one of your customers. She was drunk and threw fruit at you.”