Is your mother ?
He nodded. She was killed twenty years ago.
Her forehead creased. Im sorry.
Jared shrugged, brushing past the sharp stab of conflicting emotions that tightened his chest. Its been twenty years.
Melissas green eyes were round and soft. Her voice dropped to a husky level that somehow hit him in the solar plexus. Im still sorry.
They stared at each other in silence, and once again he was struck by the intelligence in her eyes. Only this time, it was laced with compassion. There was something he didnt understand about this woman, something lurking just beyond his comprehension.
There are five members of the Genevieve Fund board, he told her, leaning an arm on a fence rail, forcing the frustrating dilemma from his head.
Whos the fifth? She mirrored his posture.
My brother, Royce.
I take it he gets to break the tie?
Hell be here on Saturday.
Does he work on the ranch or with the construction company?
Neither. He works for Ryder International, but hes involved in acquisitions, not in the day-to-day business.
So he was the one who found Saxena Electronics?
And there it was again. How do you know about Saxena?
I told you, Jared. She smoothed her mussed hair back from her forehead. I read the newspapers.
And you remember obscure facts like that?
She shrugged. Sometimes its a blessing. Sometimes its a curse.
Ever heard of Bosoniga?
Little country in West Africa. She grinned, revealing flashing white teeth. Is this a quiz?
Were building a school there.
Her head bobbed up and down. Good choice. The monarchy is stable, so poverty and infrastructure will be your only problems.
He lifted his hand, then brought it down again on the rough wood of the fence, struggling to make Melissas lifestyle add up in his head. Why dont you have a real job?
Define a real job.
An office, whered you put that brain of yours to work from nine to five.
I dont think theyd let me wander across the country.
How long have you been wandering across the country?
Her mouth tightened imperceptibly, and something flashed in the depths of her eyes. Fear? Pain? He was reminded once again that she could be running from something or someone.
But then the look was gone.
Not long, she answered. Do you think Royce will side with his family or with Anthony and Otto?
Anthony is our cousin.
Really?
He nodded. Royce is a risk taker. Hell offer to fly down to Tappee himself.
Hes a pilot?
Jared choked out a laugh. Hes definitely a pilot. I think he likes flying around the world more than he likes investigating companies.
Can I meet him when he gets here?
Jared tensed. A chill hit his body, and a warning sparked in his brain. Why?
She drew back, obviously reacting to his expression.
You planning to flirt with him? Jarred pressed. He shouldnt have let his guard down. He didnt know anything about this woman.
She emphatically shook her head. He likes to travel. I like to travel. Her words came faster. I was thinking you could be right. Maybe I should find a real job and save up some money. I mean, seeing America is fun and all, but it might be fun to see some of the rest of the world
In my brothers jet?
No. No. She smoothed her hair back again. Im not going to flirt with your brother. I just thought
Jared waited. He truly did want to know what she thought.
She let go of the fence rail and took a step forward. I thought he might be a lot like you. Smart and interesting.
He stared down as she moved closer. I cant believe youre doing this. But what he really couldnt believe was that it was working. She was flirting with him, using her pretty face and killer body to gain an advantage. And it was working.
He was pathetic.
You misunderstood, she told him in a soft voice. I have no designs on Royce. I dont even know Royce. And if my mission was to land myself a rich man, do you think Id be scooping horse poop on a ranch in Montana? No offense, Jared, but Manhattan is a whole lot closer to Gary, and their per capita count of rich eligible men is pretty darn high.
Jared watched her soft lips as they formed words, took in her feathery hair lifting in the light breeze, her bottomless green eyes, almost a turquoise, like the newly melted water of a glacial lake. She was stunningly gorgeous and intriguingly intelligent.
So how stupid do you think I am? Her voice dropped off into silence. The thuds of Tangos footfalls echoed around them.
I dont think youre stupid at all, Jared admitted. Thats the problem.
Melissa had overplayed her hand.
Sitting at the end of a long table in the quiet cookhouse, spooning her way through a flavorful soup, she knew shed made Jared suspicious. She should never have asked to meet Royce. And she should have been content to let him think she was slow-witted.
Her enthusiasm for getting the story, along with her stupid ego, had both gotten in the way. Shed just had to show off her knowledge of Bosoniga and Tappee. Like some schoolkid trying to impress the teacher. Bosoniga has a stable monarchy, she mocked under her breath. Why didnt she just wave her university degree under his nose and challenge him to guess why she was out on the road playing vagabond?
She dropped the spoon into her soup.
Was she trying to sabotage the story?
Melissa? Someone slid into the chair next to her, and Melissa looked over to see Stephanie set a white stonewear cup on the table.
At two in the afternoon, the cookhouse had grown quiet. Faint voices could be heard from the pass-through to the kitchen. Coffee, biscuits and oatmeal cookies were still available on the sideboard in case anyone needed a snack. And a helper was setting the three empty tables for dinner.
Hello, Melissa greeted Stephanie politely.
The younger womans auburn hair was pulled back in her signature ponytail. Shed removed her riding helmet, but still wore the white blouse, tight jodhpurs and high boots that were the uniform of a show jumper.
Stephanie grinned happily. There was a freshness about her, Melissa thought. Maybe it was the freckles or maybe it was the complete lack of cosmetics. Or it could have been the perky upturned nose. But Stephanie looked young, carefree, almost mischievous.
I saw Jared helping you with Tango, she began, her expression friendly and open as she turned the cup handle to face the right direction.
Melissa nodded, even while her stomach tightened with guilt. She couldnt help but like Stephanie, and she was sorry the woman was caught up in her charade.
It was very nice of him, Melissa acknowledged. Then she paused, choosing her words carefully. My horse skills are She let out a sigh, feeling like a heel for lying to Stephanie in the first place. I guess, I, uh, exaggerated my skill level when I first talked to you. She cringed, waiting for the reaction.
But to her surprise, Stephanie waved a dismissive hand. Whatever.
But to her surprise, Stephanie waved a dismissive hand. Whatever.
Melissa gazed at her. But
It doesnt take a rocket scientist to shovel manure.
Youre not mad?
Nah. Stephanie lifted the stonewear mug and took a sip of the steaming coffee. I imagine people exaggerate on their résumés all the time.
I guess they do, Melissa agreed, relievedyet againthat she wasnt about to get fired.
So what do you think of him?
Tango? Was Stephanie going to try to get her to ride the horse?
No, Jared.
Oh. Melissa caught the speculative expression in Stephanies eyes.
Oh.
Oh, no.
This could not be good.
He seems, well, nice enough, Melissa offered carefully. Truth was, she thought Jared was demanding and sarcastic. Okay, in an intriguing, compelling, sexy kind of way.
Stephanie nodded cheerily. Hes a great guy. Lots of women seem attracted to him. I mean, its hard for me to tell, being his sister, but I imagine hes pretty hot.
Melissa turned her attention back to her soup. Hes a very attractive man.
You should have seen the woman he dated last weekend. They had their picture in the paper in Chicago. She was a knockout. A lawyer.
Melissa spooned up a bit of soup. She was not going to be jealous of some smart knockout lawyer in Chicago. Who Jared dated was absolutely none of her business.
I told him he should see her again. But hes not interested. Stephanie gave a shrug. So, really, hes not committed in any way, shape or form.
Melissa fought a smile. Again, there was an endearing quality to Stephanie. She was probably only four or five years younger than Melissa, but she seemed so innocent and untarnished. Maybe it was from living in the protected world of rural Montana.
Honestly, Stephanie, I think I frustrate your brother.
Stephanie shook her head. We can change that.
Im only here for a few days, remember? The last thing Melissa needed was for Stephanie to give Jared a reason to avoid her. And she sensed that was exactly what would happen if he guessed his sisters intentions.
He thinks youre pretty.
The assertion took Melissa by surprise.
He told me, Stephanie continued. The first time he saw you.
This is a bad idea, Stephanie. Jared and I are from completely different worlds. And she was spying on him. And he was going to despise her in about three weeks when the article hit the newsstands.
So were my parents.
Stephanie, really.
My dad was a rancher, and my mom grew up in Boston.
Melissa knew this was exactly the point where she should press Stephanie for some information. But for some reason, she couldnt bring herself to do it.
My mom was gorgeous and classy. Blonde, like you. Stephanie sighed. I wish I looked more like her.
But youre beautiful, Melissa immediately put in, meaning it completely.
Stephanie wrinkled her little nose. I have freckles and red hair. And, you know, I havent bought myself a dress in three years.
Well, thats easy to fix.
I bet you own a lot of beautiful dresses. The speculative look was back in Stephanies eyes.
Very few, said Melissa. She pinned Stephanie with an earnest expression. Promise me you wont do this, Stephanie.
Stephanie reached out to grasp Melissas forearm, taking a careful look around the room. I can be very discreet.
Given the womans exaggerated spy-versus-spy room check, Melissa sincerely doubted that.
Ill chat you up a bit, Stephanie continued. You are gorgeous, and I can
Jared is not, I repeat, not interested in me. Youll only embarrass us both if you try to match us up.
Stephanie took another sip of her coffee, a dreamy faraway expression in her eyes. I promise, Melissa. I wont do a single thing to embarrass you.
Five
Melissa had waited all morning for a chance to privately warn Jared about Stephanies matchmaking plans. She could hardly walk up to the front door of Stephanies house and knock. And Jared, as far as she could tell, hadnt come out of the house.
Standing over a tub of water in the tack room, she had a decent view of the front porch. Her hands were red and slippery from the glycerin soap, but at least the job was straightforward: wash the tack, dry the tack, polish the tack. Shed worked her way through a decent-size pile of leather.
When lunchtime came along without a sign of Jared, she started to worry. If Stephanie was already matchmaking, he was probably plotting his escape from the equestrian center. If she didnt do something soon, there was every possibility that hed leave before she got anything more for her story.
She had to find a way to get hold of him.
She clicked through the possibilities in her brain until finally she came up with a viable plan. If she could somehow get her hands on his cell number, she could talk to him without Stephanie knowing.
She pulled her hands from the warm water, shook them off and dried them on a towel. Her cell phone was in her taupe canvas tote bag, and it didnt take her long to get directory assistance and the Chicago number for Ryder International. The receptionist put her through to Jareds assistant.
Jared Ryders office, said a friendly female voice.
I need to speak to Jared Ryder, Melissa opened, hoping the office would give her his cell phone number.
Im afraid Mr. Ryder is not in the office today. The voice remained friendly and professional. Can I help you with something?
Do you happen to have his cell phone number? Melissa mentally crossed her fingers that the woman would be willing to give it out.
Im afraid I cant provide that information. Is there someone else who can
Would you be able to get a message to him? Melissa moved to plan B.
Some of the patience leached out of the womans voice. Can I get your name, please?
So you can get him a message? Melissas hope rose.
He may not get it until next week.
I need him to get it today. Right away if possible.
If I could just have your name.
Its Melissa. Melissa Webster. She used the alias shed used on her résumé.
And what is the message regarding?
Good question. Melissa racked her brain. She sure couldnt say she was a reporter, but if the subject didnt seem important, the secretary might not send it to Jared right away. Saxena Electronics, she offered impulsively.
Youre from Saxena? The skepticism was clear.
Melissa could only assume most Saxena employees had East Indian accents. Im affiliated with them, she lied. The message is that Melissa Webster needs to talk about Saxena right away. In private, she added, ending with her cell phone number.
Im not sure
Please believe me that its important, Melissa put in quickly.
The woman hesitated on the other end of the line.
Theres no risk, Melissa pointed out. If its not important, hell just ignore it, right?