Sure, Caleb agreed, flipping the box over to reinforce the bottom with a strip of tape. See you later.
Later, she echoed, turning to leave.
Caleb worked for about an hour, reassuring himself he was doing exactly the right thing. He couldnt stay here. He growing frighteningly attached to Mandy, and it got worse every day.
But every time he turned around in this house, there was another picture, another memento, another annoying memory trigger, like the woodsy scent of the throw blanket his mother had knit for the back of the sofa.
It had taken a long time for Chicago to feel like home, and he wasnt about to lose that. Not for the sake of his familys land, and not to be near Mandy for a few more days.
Mandy. He blew out a breath. He hadnt wanted to fight with her. But she had to understand. There was no hope that hed erase his childhood, nor would he ever come to terms with it. The best he could hope for was to leave it far, far behind. So he didnt have to think about it every day of his life.
Still, he shouldnt have taken it out on her.
She was entitled to her opinion. And she held that particular opinion only because she was a compassionate, generous, caring person. She couldnt stand to see anyone hurt or upset, and that included Reed. And what did she get from Caleb for her trouble? Anger and the cold shoulder.
He needed to apologize.
Silently acknowledging hed been a jerk, he deserted the packing job and headed for his SUV. He rammed it into Drive and peeled out.
Down the ranch roadway, he took the corners fast, his back tires breaking loose on the gravel ranch road. Then he sped along the main valley road to the arched gateway to the Jacobses ranch. It was five minutes up the driveway, and then he was pulling up front of the house.
He knocked once, then let himself in to find Travis and Seth at the table, digging into steaks.
He glanced around. Is Mandy upstairs?
Seth shook his head. You didnt talk to her before she left?
Left?
Mandy sure hadnt said anything to Caleb about leaving.
For Helena, said Travis. I thought you must have gone with her, taken your jet.
Caleb walked farther into the room, his hands going to his hips. She didnt say anything to me.
Seth glanced at his watch. She said shed call us when she landed at the airport. You hungry?
No, Caleb wasnt hungry.
Mandy was gone. Shed left after their fight. What did that mean? Was she going to pull the same stunt as Reed and disappear when things didnt go her way?
What the hell was the matter with her?
He struggled to keep the anger from his voice. Did she say where she was going in Helena?
Nope, said Travis, obviously unconcerned. Sure, now he didnt worry about his sister.
Do you have any business interests there, suppliers? Caleb pressed.
Nothing, said Seth.
She did have a college friend who was from there, Travis offered. I dont know her name or anything.
But it was a woman?
Seth gave him a confused look.
Travis scoffed out an amused laugh.
Caleb headed for the door. If you hear anything, send me a text.
Will do, said Travis.
Where you going? Seth called out behind him.
Helena, Caleb answered. Let me know if you hear from Mandy.
What on earth is going- Seths voice abruptly disappeared as Caleb shut the front door.
Caleb stomped his way back to the SUV. It seemed impossible that Mandy had a sudden desire to visit an old friend. Unless the old friend was in trouble. But, if that was the case, she should have told him. He could have lent her his jet to get to Helena.
Unless it was Mandy going to see her old friend for solace. Could she be that angry with him? Shed said yes to Rio. That was a good sign, right?
He started the vehicle and pulled it into gear, wheeling through the roundabout and back out the driveway. He reached for his phone and dialed her cell with his thumb.
He got voice mail, and didnt really care to leave a message.
By the time he hit the main road, his confusion had turned to anger. No matter what her reason for leaving, the least she could have done was call him, or send him a text if she was too mad for a civil conversation. Shed let her brothers know where she was headed. Well, at least the rudimentary details. A motel name would have been nice.
Coming up on the highway, he dialed the pilot. It would be late before he got to Lyndon, but the airport was equipped for after-dark takeoffs, and they could land in Helena on instruments.
Having managed to get a flight from Lyndon to Denver last night, then a flight into Helena this morning, Mandy had camped out in the restaurant of the Bearberry Inn for over two hours. It was three in the afternoon, but there was still no sign of Reed.
The front desk had refused to give out his room number, and she didnt want to call him, for fear hed refuse to see her. Shed chosen a table in a back corner where she could watch both the restaurant and the front desk across the lobby without being easily seen.
She figured her last hope was to get him to come back to Lyndon Valley right away. If she did it quickly, there was a chance Caleb would still be there. If not, she was certain hed finish packing and leave for Sao Paulo, sale or no sale. But if she could make it in time, Caleb, the stubborn fool, would be forced to have a conversation with his brother.
Just as Mandy was ordering her third cup of coffee, her patience was rewarded. She caught a glimpse of Reeds profile, his tall, sturdy frame, striding across the lobby toward the bank of elevators. Quickly canceling her order, she tossed some money on the table and jumped up, grabbing her shoulder bag and slinging it over her blazer.
She trotted out of the restaurant, determined to catch him. A few feet away, she called out his name.
He turned and stared at her in obvious shock.
Mandy? He glanced around the expansive lobby. What on earth are you doing here?
Im looking for you. She immediately hugged him, and he hugged her back. But her joy at finding him turned almost instantly to frustration. Drawing back, she socked him in the shoulder. What is the matter with you?
Me? Im not the one who appeared out of nowhere.
Do you have any idea how worried Ive been?
A couple of guests gave them curious glances as they walked past, causing Reed to take Mandys arm and lead her toward a glass door that led to the hotel courtyard.
Why would you worry? he asked. What are you doing in Helena? How on earth did you know I was here?
They made it outside to the relative privacy of an interior courtyard with a table-dotted patio, a manicured, green lawn, towering trees and colorful, raised brick gardens.
I didnt know if youd been kidnapped, shanghaied, injured, arrested or mugged.
Kidnapped? Youve got to be kidding me. Like somebodys going to hold me for ransom.
You know what I mean.
Im fine. Nobodys going to mug me, Mandy. At night, on the darkened streets? Im the guy people are afraid of.
You know what I mean.
Im fine. Nobodys going to mug me, Mandy. At night, on the darkened streets? Im the guy people are afraid of.
I cant believe you didnt call me.
I cant believe you were worried.
Why didnt you at least send me a text?
Because I didnt want anyone to know where I was.
She jabbed her thumb against her chest, voice going up. Im not anyone.
Youd have told your brothers.
I would not.
He gave her a look of disbelief.
Okay, maybe she would have, if theyd asked. She wasnt the worlds best liar.
He glanced around the courtyard. Do you want to sit down?
Sure, she agreed, taking a deep breath. Shed found him. Whatever else happened, at least shed found him.
He guided her to one of the small tables, pulling out her chair before taking the seat across from her. You shouldnt have come.
Okay. Now was the time to tread carefully. She had to make Reed want to come back to the ranch and be willing to speak to Caleb. Otherwise, shed never get him to budge.
She struggled with where to start.
Mandy? he prompted.
Why Helena? she asked, giving him a smile, intending to ease her way in, telling herself to relax and act as though everything was normal.
Besides the fishing? Its good ranch country, Mandy. Ive had a job offer here.
Of course youve had a job offer. You could probably have a thousand job offers if you wanted them.
He allowed himself a smile. Youre such an optimist.
I am, she agreed. And I have faith in you. Youre an amazing person, Reed, a phenomenal person-
You know, dont you?
She played dumb. Know what?
About the will. He waited.
Fine, she conceded. I know about the will.
How?
She straightened in her chair, leaning over the round metal-framed, glass-topped table. Can I start by saying I understand that youre upset.
You can if you want. But that doesnt tell me anything. And it only puts off whatever it is youre dancing around here.
It was a mistake to leave, Reed.
He scoffed out a laugh.
You dont understand whats going-
How do you know about the will?
I want you to come back.
You do, do you?
I do.
You dont know what youre asking.
She reached across the table for his big hand. I know exactly what Im asking. If youll just-
How did you find out about the will, Mandy?
She closed her eyes for a brief second. Fine. Caleb told me.
Reed gave a snort of derision, pulling his hand back. Didnt take him long.
Didnt take me long at all, came another deep, masculine voice.
Mandys heart all but stopped.
She turned her head. Caleb, she breathed.
Was this stunt part of some grand plan? he asked her, not even acknowledging his brother.
Reed came to his feet.
I found Reed, she stated the unnecessary. Thats what I wanted to tell you-
You hoped Id follow you? Caleb demanded.
She was confused by his statement. Follow-
He gave a cold laugh. Of course you knew Id follow you. How could I not follow you?
What? she couldnt help asking, giving a small shake of her head. If shed wanted him to follow her, shed have told him where she was going.
Thats what this was all about, all along. His blue gaze crackled into hers. You realized you couldnt get me to talk to him by being honest.
What? No. Wait a minute.
Reed stepped forward. Nobody invited you to join us.
Mandy whirled her gaze. Reed, no. Let him explain.
Caleb sized up his brother. What the hell is the matter with you?
Reeds voice was stone cold. Somebody stole my ranch.
You didnt stay to defend it.
Right. Like Im going to hang around under those circumstances.