Texas Two Step: Texas Montgomery Mavericks, Book 1 (29 page)

Olivia sniffed as she pulled the top of her suitcase closed and snapped it shut. “Please. I don’t think I can carry this to the front door.” She looked up to meet Magda’s gaze. “I want to be ready when Drake gets here.”

Magda walked to Olivia and embraced her. “I am so sorry.”

A sad smile formed on Olivia’s lips. “Me too.”

After Magda carried the suitcase from the room, Olivia checked the time. She had at least a couple of hours before Drake arrived. Time enough to take one last walk through the barn, maybe give Lady Belle an apple.

When she returned to the house forty-five minutes later, Drake’s hunter green Range Rover was parked in the circle drive. Her stomach quivered, making her slightly nauseous. She wasn’t sure if she was more nervous about seeing Drake after precipitously accepting his marriage proposal or facing Mitch’s wrath when he discovered she was leaving and taking Adam.

She pulled her lips into the best smile she could manage and opened the front door, expecting to find Drake waiting for her. Following the mummer of voices, she heard Magda giggle at something Drake said, then Drake’s deep laughter floated around the corner. The fake smile on her face disappeared to be replaced by sincere one. In the time she’d been staying here, she’d never heard Magda giggle. Laugh? Sure, but a girlish flirtatious giggle? Never. This was interesting.

Stepping around the corner, she found Drake sitting at the kitchen counter, a cup of coffee at his elbow and one of Magda’s fresh chocolate-chip cookies in his hand. He wore khaki shorts and a green polo, making the emerald color of his eyes deeper and richer. Tall and tanned, his blond hair lighter from days of being out in the sun, Drake looked more like a California surfer dude than a respected professor of archeology.

Magda was leaning on the counter, infatuation worthy of a teenager girl over the star quarterback in her eyes. The minute she saw Olivia, she jumped upright and began wiping the spotless counter with a dry dishtowel.

“Olivia. We were just…”

Olivia repressed the grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. Guilt was written in the flush of Magda’s face. Poor Magda. She’d been sucked into the Drake vortex.

No jealousy tugged her insides at the idea of another woman flirting with her fiancé. Somehow that didn’t seem right. She should mind when another woman was so obviously enamored with the man she was going to marry, shouldn’t she?

Her fiancé. The word stopped her cold. Was this really what she wanted? And was the lack of jealousy due to her security in knowing Drake loved her, or because deep down she knew she didn’t love him like she should…like she loved Mitch?

Damn.

She’d be a good wife to Drake. Faithful. Honest. Take her marriage vows to heart. No man before her husband. She would get over Mitch. She’d learn to love Drake. He deserved nothing less than her total commitment.

Drake stood and wrapped his arms about Olivia’s waist. “Hey, lady. I was wondering if you were packing that horse Magda said you’d become so fond of.”

He kissed her. His lips were dry and soft. The kiss was gentle, non-demanding and completely unromantic, at least for her. Her heart didn’t race at his touch. Her palms didn’t sweat at being near him. Her insides didn’t melt.

Stop it,
she told herself
.
This is what she wanted—a safe guy who’d give her a calm, safe life.

Olivia snaked her arms around his neck. “Hey, yourself.” She rubbed her nose against his. “I’ve missed you.”

He grinned. It was a nice grin. Not a heart-stopping grin like Mitch’s, but still, it was a nice, safe grin.

“You too.” He stepped back.

“When did you get here?”

“Probably right after you left.” He smiled toward Magda. “Magda’s been keeping me company.”

If possible, the flush on Magda’s face deepened from pink to scarlet. Her head dipped lower as she kept cleaning areas already spotless “I…I… No big deal.”

“Thanks for keeping him company, Magda. In fact, I can’t begin to thank you for all you’ve done for me and Adam.”

Magda folder her towel and set it on the counter. “I left Adam’s suitcases in the foyer. Why don’t I make one last run through the upstairs and make sure I didn’t miss anything this morning.”

Olivia checked the time. “Yes, that’d probably be a good idea.” Hooking her arm through Drake’s, she tried to shake off her feelings of unease. This was the right decision, at least the right decision for Adam, and he was the first and foremost factor in any decisions she made. “My bags are packed and sitting by the front door. Can you get those for me? I’m afraid my ankle is swelling up and starting to give me problems.”

“Sure, honey.” He kissed the top of her head. “Lead the way.”

“Hold on. I’ll get Magda to help you.” She knew she’d be no help because her knee and ankle were already protesting.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got this, Olivia.” He stood there with her luggage in both hands, the muscles in his arms bulging under the weight. “I don’t want you to pick up anything else. You’ve been on that leg too much, haven’t you?”

She opened her mouth to deny it, however, the stern expression on Drake’s face left no doubt that denial was futile.

“Yeah. I think I did a little too much over the last couple of days.” She squeezed the bulging biceps of his right arm. “Thanks, Drake. I mean it. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

He kissed her. Another short, sweet, all-lip kiss. “You’d have called one of your brothers to come pick you up. Of course, one of them might have killed Landry for what he’s done. Come to think of it, I might have to get in a few licks on that sonofabitch before we leave.”

She let the hand resting on his arm drop to her side. “Stop it.” She turned her back.

“No, you stop it, Olivia.” He set her luggage at the front door, grabbed her arms and turned her to face him. “Magda told me everything, something you should have done. That man is trying to get your son. Don’t forget that.”

“I know.” She jerked her arms out of his hold. “I know,” she repeated, her voice barely above audible. Her throat swelled as tears burned in her eyes. “You don’t have to remind me that Mitch let me down again. If I remember correctly, that was your favorite topic while we were married.”

“Honey—”

She held up her hand. “Don’t. Just don’t.” Wiping her eyes with her shoulder, she said, “Let’s get packed and be ready to go when Adam gets back.” She took a couple of wobbly steps then cupped her hands around her mouth. “Magda!”

“Yes?” came the reply from upstairs.

“Can you come give Drake a hand with the bags?”

Magda bounded down the stairs. “Sure.” She smiled at Drake. “I’ll get Adam’s bags. They have to weigh less than Olivia’s.”

He returned her smile. “You know it. I think she must have rocks and bricks in here.”

“Hey. I’m standing right here.”

They ignored her. “If I strain my back…”

Magda nodded. “I’ll see that you get good medical care.”

The teasing between Magda and Drake kept on as they hefted the bags and exited. Olivia followed quietly behind. The reality was she didn’t feel much like joking around when her heart and her spirit were broken.

The diesel roar of Mitch’s truck reached the house about thirty seconds before he turned into the circle drive. The truck rocketed to an abrupt stop behind Drake’s Range Rover, halting just short of bashing Drake’s legs with the bumper. Mitch’s scowl was clearly visible through the dirty windshield.

Olivia flinched. She’d been dreading the next couple of minutes since she’d made that call to Drake. Nervous tension whirled in her gut. She swallowed, but the minuscule amount of saliva she had in her mouth did nothing to abate the nausea edging up her throat.

Adam jumped from the truck, his arms wide for a hug. “Drake!”

Drake slid the luggage into the SUV and caught the little boy when he launched himself into Drake’s arms. “Hi, Adam.” He hugged the child tightly. “I’ve missed you.”

“Me too.”

Drake leaned back until he could look eye to eye with Adam. “Man, you have grown. What are you? Six feet tall now?”

Adam giggled. “No. See my new boots?” He lifted one leg to hold out his booted foot.

“Wow. Those are snazzy.”

When the boy wiggled to get down, Drake set Adam on his feet.

“Hey, do you know Mitch too? Did you come to see his cows? Did you know I saw a cow come out of the bottom of his momma? And Mitch let me name the baby. I bet he’d let you too. Did you know Mitch is my daddy?”

The four adults stood there in an uncomfortable silence until Drake looked at Mitch. “You must be the infamous Mitch Landry.”

Mitch nodded one tense nod. “And you’re Drake Gentry. What are you doing here at my house, Mr. Gentry?” Mitch’s voice vibrated with anger.

Drake picked up another piece of luggage and stowed it in the back of his SUV. “It’s time for Olivia and Adam to get back to Dallas. I’ve come to get my family.”

“The hell you say. You’re not taking them anywhere.” With his hands in fists, he took a couple of steps toward Drake. “Get the hell off my property and don’t come back.”

Adam divided a look between the two men. “What’s wrong? Momma, why is Daddy yelling at Drake?”

Olivia went over to her son and knelt down. “Why don’t you go with Magda and help her get some cookies together for our trip? Okay?”

Magda followed Olivia over. “Great idea. C’mon, Adam.” She took his small hand in hers. “I’ll make you some sandwiches too.”

“But—”

“Go on, Adam,” Mitch said. “Don’t argue with your mother.”

Drake balled up his fists. “You don’t tell him what to do.”

When tugging his hand didn’t work to move Adam, Magda grabbed him up and carried him into the house. “The adults need to talk and I need some help and nobody is as good a help as you.”

Adam took a final look over Magda’s shoulder then shrugged. “Okay. What kind of cookies?”

The minute the door shut behind Magda and Adam, Mitch stomped up to Drake. “Get the fuck off my property or I’ll call the cops.”

Drake shoved his face into Mitch’s personal space. “Be glad to. Just as soon as I get my family loaded up, we’re out of here.”

Mitch shoved Drake. “They aren’t your family. And they aren’t going anywhere.”

Drake shoved back. “You’re a sonofabitch, Landry. You know that? You don’t deserve someone like Olivia. And Adam doesn’t deserve a jerk like you for a father.”

Mitch drew back his arm and plowed his fist into Drake’s jaw. Drake staggered back but quickly responded with an upper cut to Mitch’s chin.

“Stop it!” Olivia cried, stepping into the melee between the men. “Both of you stop it.”

“Get out the way, Olivia. This bastard has it coming to him.” Drake pushed her to the side. He snarled at Mitch. “I didn’t think you could get much lower than walking out on Olivia six years ago, but damn if you haven’t topped yourself with this latest stunt.”

“No, Drake. Stop it. Go get Adam and let’s get out of here.”

The muscles in Drake’s cheeks and lips tightened as he frowned. “Fine. Do you need help getting into the car?”

“Wait a minute,” Mitch yelled. “I demand to know what the hell is going on here.”

Olivia tossed a glare at Mitch before turning back to Drake. “I’m fine. Just get Adam and let’s get home.”

As soon as the front door shut behind Drake, Mitch grabbed Olivia’s arm. “Livie, what the—”

Olivia jerked her arm from his grasp. “Don’t, Mitch. This time I won’t play dead and let you walk all over me. I’m going home and taking
my
son. You can have your lawyer contact my lawyer.” With all the dignity she could muster while limping, she stormed to the passenger door of the Range Rover and climbed in.

Chapter Sixteen

Olivia totaled the figures again, and for the third time came up with a different number. She rubbed her eyes, dismayed to find a couple of tears there. That’s okay, she was just tired. And hungry after missing dinner again. And, damn it, sad and lonely. She’d been tired, hungry, sad and lonely since driving away from Mitch’s ranch six weeks ago.

She glanced at her son asleep on her office sofa. She stretched out the fingers on her left hand to study her naked ring finger. Not marrying Drake had been the right decision, for her and for Drake, not that he’d been happy when she told him. But within a week of returning to Dallas, she knew she wasn’t being fair to Drake. He was a wonderful man who deserved someone much better than she. He deserved a woman who would love him with every cell in her body.

This time when tears leaked down her cheeks she didn’t bother to wipe them away. Instead, she let them come. A quick glance at Adam found him asleep and oblivious to her pain. And make no doubt, she was in pain. Sometimes the ache in her chest made it almost impossible to draw a breath.

“Knock. Knock.”

Olivia jumped in her chair, her head snapping up and toward the door.

Travis leaned against the doorframe and tapped the face of his watch. “Don’t you think it’s a little late to still be at the gym?”

“It’s not that late.” Olivia stood and turned away from him, quickly rubbing her face with her T-shirt sleeve. “My eyes are killing me though. Thanks for dropping by to give me the time.”