Lisas father was from Lyndon. But that would have to wait until later.
We were told the pair of them were leaving a bar, Maureen continued, a faraway look on her face. We later found out his family didnt know Nicole, had never met her. They were estranged from their son, too. Maureen absently restirred the iced tea.
Mom. Abigail reached forward and took her mothers hand.
Yes, dear?
I have something to tell you. Its surprising, maybe even shocking.
Maureen frowned. Are you ill, honey? Is something wrong?
Abigail quickly shook her head. No, no. Nothing like that. Its good news. At least I think its good news.
Her mother waited.
Its Nicole, Mom. She had a daughter.
Maureen blinked, her expression frozen in the dappled sunlight.
A daughter, Abigail repeated. She was adopted out to a very nice family. She started looking for us a couple of years ago. And now shes found us.
Maureens voice was paper dry. Nicole had a baby?
Abigail smiled, squeezing her mothers hand. My cousin. Your niece.
Maureens eyes welled up with tears, and her hand went to her chest.
Her names Lisa, said Abigail, speaking more quickly. Ive met her. In fact, I know her. She helped with Seths campaign.
I cant believe it, said Maureen, but a smile was forming on her face. Okay. I do believe it. The smile turned into a shaky laugh. Nicole was never a careful or cautious person.
So, youre okay? Youll like her. Shes a wonderful woman.
You said she helped on Seths campaign? Is she in Lyndon?
She came to town a few months ago. But right now Abigail paused. Right now, shes in Houston.
Shes here?
She wants to meet you. And she wants to meet Mandy and Katrina and everyone. But we wanted to start with you.
Oh, well in that case. Maureen promptly stood up, dropping her napkin onto the table. Lets go.
Abigail laughed. Hold on.
Her mother paused, waiting.
We dont have to go anywhere. Abigail nodded across the garden to a far table. Shes over there.
As Maureen turned to stare, Lisa caught the gist of the body language and came gracefully to her feet. She was wearing a white, sleeveless tank dress, her blond hair loose and framing her face. She looked nervous but brave as she walked forward on delicate, white, strapless sandals.
Abigail rose and moved to stand next to her mother as Maureen approached them.
Nicole, Maureen whispered, groping blindly to grasp Abigails hand. She looks just like Nicole.
Abigail found her own eyes filling with tears.
Maureen let go of her hand, rushing forward to pull Lisa into her arms.
Lisas eyes fluttered closed as Maureen rocked her back and forth and stroked her hair.
Oh, my darling. Maureen spoke in a choked voice. Im so glad youve come home.
It didnt take Abigail long to realize Zachs employees were like a family. Thirty people worked in the executive offices, with another hundred and fifty or so between the sales, marketing, accounting and human resources offices on various floors in the office tower in downtown Houston. All of them greeted Zach by his first name. They all seemed to know hed been in Colorado, and they were all anxious to hear how things were going with Craig Mountain.
Shed been in Houston for three days, and between visiting her father and watching her mother and Lisa get to know each other, shed managed to power through the application for Zach. Now she sat in a corner boardroom on the thirty-second floor, gazing out the bank of windows at the lights of the surrounding buildings and the clear, night sky. The water-license variance application form 731-800(e) was on the table in front of her, neatly printed out, supported by charts and graphs, and a letter of intent, complete with the company background, prospectus and all the technical data shed been able to pull together from her previous water-table research. It was a great report, probably the best shed ever done.
Half the double doors opened, and Zach entered with his partner, Alex Cable. Shed met Alex earlier and really liked him. He seemed smart and motivated, with a wry sense of humor. She knew hed just broken up with his girlfriend. She also knew he was staying with Zach. Though Alex was fairer than Zach, with blue eyes, light brown hair and a lankier build, the two had a lot of gestures, expressions and speech patterns in common. If she hadnt known better, she would have taken them for brothers.
Zach glanced at the cover page of the report, then looked to Abigail. That it?
Thats it, she confirmed. She was done, officially free from his blackmail, ready to go back to her old life.
Its really nice of you to help us out, Alex put in.
Abigail shrugged. It was no problem. Then she caught Zachs ironic brow lift, and she amended the statement. Uh, not much of a problem. I am glad to be finished, though.
Zach lifted the report and thumbed through it.
We should celebrate, said Alex.
You dont have a variance yet, Abigail pointed out, taking her clutch purse from the table and tucking it under her arm. She should be rushing from the room, but, for some reason, she found herself hesitating.
Her mother was resting at her rented condo right now, tired from her emotional few days with Lisa. Shed taken a shine to Ozzy, and the puppy was keeping her company. It was nearly eight oclock, and Lisa had asked Abigail to meet for a late dinner or maybe hit a club before they flew back to Colorado in the morning.
It was a strange feeling of déjà vu. Abigail was having a final night on the town before heading back to the ranch. She was trying hard not to rehash the Lucky and Doll-Face evening in her mind, but it was proving impossible. She was also trying hard not to think about leaving Zach forever, but that was causing her trouble, as well. Despite everything that had happened, she couldnt seem to stop herself from liking him.
How long will the committee deliberations take? Zach asked.
Weeks, probably, she answered, avoiding looking into his eyes. She had to be strong for another five minutes or so, get out of here and forget about looking back.
We dont have weeks.
You dont have a choice.
Anything we can do to speed it up? asked Alex.
You want to try bribing a legislative committee of the state of Colorado?
Alex coughed out a laugh. Not a good idea?
Not if you enjoy life outside the Colorado penal system, she responded. Then she shot a stern look at Zach. And theres not a thing in the world you can blackmail me with on that one.
Blackmail? Alex glanced from one to the other, clearly in the dark about the details of her and Zachs working relationship. No matter. It was over now, and Zach could explain himself however he wanted.
Ask your partner, she told Alex, starting for the door. By rights, he should already be in jail.
Whod you blackmail? asked Alex.
Shes exaggerating, Zach drawled.
Abigail. Alexs voice stopped her.
She turned, prepared to answer his question, acknowledging that shed been the one to drop this bomb into the conversation.
He actually blackmailed you into helping us?
It was all a moot point now, and she didnt really care enough to keep the secret from Alex. Mostly, she just felt tired. He did.
Go, Zach. Alex whistled in obvious admiration. Whatd he use?
He slept with me then threatened to tell my brothers.
Abby. Zach dropped the report back onto the table.
What? She stared at him. You embarrassed about sleeping with me, or embarrassed about committing a felony?
It wasnt like that, he protested.
It was exactly like that. And now youve got what you want.
I threatened to tell them you hated the ranch.
I dont hate the ranch. Though she once again felt as if a set of walls was closing in on her. By this time tomorrow, shed be in blue jeans and boots.
He moved toward her. I was never going to kiss and tell.
She was vaguely aware of Alex discreetly backing his way out of the room.
Then you lied to me, she told Zach as he came to a halt directly in front of her.
I guess I did. His eyes reflected the desire she couldnt deny.
Yet another sin on your head. But her pulse sped up at his proximity, and her skin flushed with heat.
Yet another sin, he agreed. You want to go get something to eat?
She sputtered a laugh. A date? On my last night in town?
Something like that.
You looking for another one-night stand?
He gently took her hand in his, rubbing the pad of his thumb over her knuckles. Absolutely.
Her mounting desire peaked and crested. She struggled not to stammer. You have got to be kidding.
He leaned in, voice lowering to a husky drawl. Ill understand if you say no.
Her breath hitched. How very magnanimous of you.
But Im still going to ask.
Im saying no, she managed to say.
Yeah. I figured. But his hand moved up to her cheek. His fingers brushed her sensitized skin, and he dipped his head toward her. At least let me kiss you goodbye.
She ordered herself to move, to back away, get out of the danger zone. But her feet werent cooperating, and her head was tilting to accommodate him. Her lips were parting, and her eyes were fluttering closed.
When his lips touched hers, desire exploded within her. A small sound escaped from her throat. Her knees went weak, and her chest became a tight band of emotion. Before she could form a coherent thought, her arms wound their own way around his neck.
His free arm pulled her close, pressing their bodies together, while his tongue found its way into the hot recesses of her mouth. The kiss continued for long minutes before he broke it off.
Ive missed you, he moaned, cradling the back of her head, pressing her cheek against his strong chest.
Her voice was muffled. Youve barely let me out of your sight.
You know what I mean.
She did. Shed missed him, too. But that didnt make sleeping with him again a good idea. Okay, it would be great. It would be fantastic. But it would also be foolish.
She shook her head and tried to pull back.
I cant let you go.
You have to. She swallowed, forcing herself to stay strong. Youre out of ammunition, and Im going home.
She braced her hands on his shoulders and broke free of his arms, stumbling a couple of steps in her high heels.
He reached for her, but shed already put enough space between them.