But she did need to back off. She couldnt let their circumstances get even more complicated.
She eased away from his warmth. Stephanies probably counting the minutes youve been down here.
Are you asking me to leave?
I think that would be best.
He stilled, and she assumed he was staring at her in the dark.
A lightning bolt lit up the room, and his stark expression of disappointment tugged at her heart.
I think it would be best, she repeated, wanting nothing more than to burrow down under the covers and sleep in Jareds warm arms for the rest of the night. But she had to be strong.
He rolled from the bed. Of course. There was a tightness to his voice that bordered on anger.
She closed her ears to it and clung to the passion theyd shared.
His jeans rustled. Then he padded into the living room.
She held her breath while he dressed. Would he come back? Say something more? Kiss her goodbye?
Suddenly his silhouette appeared in the doorway. Good night, he offered without coming back inside.
Good night, she echoed, struggling to keep the hollowness from her voice. Shed asked him to leave. She was silly to feel hurt.
He waited a moment more, then turned away, heading out into the storm.
The truck engine rumbled to life. The headlights flared up. Then the big treaded tires churned their way over the muddy road.
Melissa dragged herself from the bed. She wrapped a robe around her body, retrieved her laptop, powered it up and forced her thoughts back to the discussion at dinner. The fling with Jared might be over, but she still had her job to save.
Seth Strickland, came the terse answer at the other end of the phone.
It was morning. The rain had stopped, and the lights were back on as Stephanie had predicted. Melissa was dressed in blue jeans and a simple tank top again, trying to push the insanity that had become her life back into perspective.
Seth? she said into the phone, thanking her lucky stars that he was in the office on a Saturday. Its Melissa.
Where the hell have you been? he shouted without preamble.
She wasnt ready to answer that question yet. If I could guarantee the Jared Ryder story, can you buy me a little time?
No! And what the hell are you talking about? Why didnt you call me back yesterday?
Im in Montana.
You said you were working from home.
Im at the Ryder Ranch. Right now. I had dinner with Jared Ryder last night.
Seth went silent.
I need a few more days, Seth.
You had dinner with Ryder?
And his sister. And his brothers just arrived.
How the hell did you
They think Im a stable hand.
Youre undercover? There was a note of respect in Seths voice. Its an exposé?
Yes, Im undercover.
Whatve you got?
A bunch of stuff. His family. His childhood. Their charitable foundation.
Ryder has a charitable foundation?
Yes. But I need a few more days. Can you give it to me?
Youre in a position to guarantee the story?
Yes.
There was a long silence. If I go to Everett and you dont deliver, you know both our asses will be out the door.
I understand.
And you can still make the guarantee?
I can. She didnt have enough on the construction business yet. But shed let Stephanie matchmake some more, and shed find a way to meet Royce. Shed get what Seth needed or die trying.
I have to have it Wednesday. Five oclock. And the copy better be bloody clean. Were not going to have time for much editing.
Five oclock Wednesday, Melissa confirmed.
And, Melissa? Seths voice was gruff.
Yes?
Lie to me again, and youre fired.
Yes, sir.
Seth hung up the phone, and she realized she was shaking. The stakes couldnt be higher, and she barely had four days to pull it off.
Have a good time with Melissa last night? Stephanie asked as Royces pickup appeared in the distance on the ranch road.
It was fine, Jared answered, keeping his voice neutral. He fully expected Melissa to make herself scarce for the rest of the week.
He wasnt sure what had gone wrong at the end of the evening, but hed obviously made some kind of misstep. A woman didnt go from crying out a mans name to kicking him out of her bed in the space of two minutes if the guy hadnt screwed up somehow.
He started down the stairs to meet Royce at the driveway.
You going to see her again? asked Stephanie, keeping pace.
I expect I will. Since shes living here. Odds were that hed run into her eventually.
Thats not what I meant. Are you going to ask her out? I noticed you stayed down there for a while.
I bet you did.
The sound of the trucks engine grew louder. Mud sprayed out from the tires as Royce took a corner far too fast.
Did you sleep with her? asked Stephanie.
Jared shot his sister a glare of irritation. What is the matter with you?
She shrugged. You were only gone an hour. Not a lot of time, but then maybe you werent very
Young lady, you shut your mouth before you get yourself into a world of trouble. Where did you learn to talk like that, anyway? Maybe hed stayed away too long. Maybe leaving Stephanie here on her own was a mistake. Or maybe Grampss death had affected her more than Jared and Royce had realized.
Im just asking a question.
Youre out of line, little sister.
Stephanie pursed her lips in a pout. So are you going to ask her out again?
Jared frowned.
That cant be out of line. Im not asking about sex.
The truck skidded to a halt, and Jared walked forward. Lets just get through the weekend, all right?
I know I have to get through the weekend, Stephanie muttered as they walked down the front pathway. I was only hoping for something to look forward to at the end of it.
Jared felt a pang of guilt. The whole reason hed started the charade with Melissa was to keep Stephanies mind occupied. Sure, it had run way off the rails last night. But that wasnt Stephanies fault.
He slung an arm around his sisters shoulders, moderating his voice. Fine. Ill ask her out again. But I cant guarantee shell say yes.
Stephanie turned in to give him a tight squeeze. I know shell say yes. I saw the way she looked at you.
The words caused a sudden tightening in Jareds chest. How shed looked at him? What did that mean? He wanted to probe for more information. But Royce appeared across the hood of the truck, and Stephanie broke free to hug her other brother.
Baby sister! cried Royce, dragging Stephanie into his arms, lifting her off the ground and twirling her around.
Jared caught a glimpse of Melissa across the yard, and their gazes met. She was shoveling manure again, and for some reason, that made him angry. She was capable of so much more. She was intelligent, full of insightful opinions and thought-provoking questions.
It occurred to him that he could offer her a job in Chicago. She could work for Ryder International or even the Genevieve Fund. There had to be any number of things a woman with her intellect and curiosity could handle.
In a split second he realized what he was doing. He was working out ways to keep her close, ways that he could see her again, maybe sleep with her again. Though, judging by the expression on her face, the latter was unlikely. But what did it say about him? Was he buying into Stephanies fantasy?
He could almost feel a debate going on inside Melissas brain. Shed seen him, and she knew he knew. Did she duck her head and go back to work? Did she avoid him, or get the first, awkward moment over with?
While he waited, she squared her shoulders, leaned the manure fork against the fence and determinedly marched toward him. Good for her. He couldnt help a surge of admiration, and he moved to meet her in the driveway.
Melissa! Stephanies voice surprised him. Come and meet Royce. Hand in Royces, Stephanie tugged him to intersect Melissas pathway. The four of them met up off the hood of the truck.
Royce, this is Melissa, said Stephanie. Shes dating Jared.
Melissas eyes widened slightly, but she held her composure.
Royce turned to stare at Jared.
Jared gave his brother an almost imperceptible shake, and Royce immediately held out his hand to Melissa. Great to meet you. Im the black sheep of the family.
Stephanie laughed, while Melissa accepted Royces handshake. Melissa Webster. Im the black sheep in mine.
She has five older brothers, Stephanie put in.
Worse off than you, Royce teased, arching a brow at his sister.
Id better get back to work, said Melissa. Her gaze darted to Jared just long enough to let him know she wished theyd been able to talk. Well, so did he. He felt like he owed her an apology of some kind. At the very least, he wanted to make sure things were okay between them.
Can you come and help me with Rosie-Jo? Stephanie asked Melissa.
Since Rosie-Jo had half a dozen grooms, Jared recognized the ruse for what it was. Stephanie wanted to pump Melissa for information. But from what hed seen of Melissa so far, shed be up to the task of sidestepping anything too personal.
Dating? Royce asked as the two women walked away.
More like flirting, said Jared. But I didnt have the heart to disillusion Stephanie this weekend.
Are you going to disillusion poor Melissa?
Jared shook his head. She knows the score. Shes leaving in a few days, anyway.
Royce reached into the back of the pickup truck and retrieved his duffel bag. Hows Stephanie holding up?
Too cheerful, said Jared. You just know shes going to crack.
Maybe going up to the cemetery isnt such a good idea this year. Grampss grave is awfully fresh.