Somebody Like You Page 23

  Exasperated, Annelise turned on her heels. Every time she started to think she and Cash might be able to mesh their worlds, something happened to prove her wrong. To prove that this thing between her and Cash, however good it seemed, could only be temporary.

  “You’re right, Dottie. Thank you. Let’s check in.”

  She took two steps and stopped. “Hello, Rufus.”

  The giant standing straight and tall beside a huge potted fern smiled. “Hello, Ms. Montjoy.”

  Crossing to him, she asked, “Did Dad send you?”

  He nodded, his bald ebony head shiny with reflected light. “Yes, ma’am.”

  She sighed. “I suppose you had to take a red-eye to get here early enough to suit him.”

  “Suppose I did, ma’am.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry you took off the way you did. Your daddy about chewed our heads off.”

  “Yes, he probably did. I had no choice. Honestly.”

  “Figured you’d say that.” He hesitated, then said, “Tell me you didn’t really ride that Harley of yours cross-country.”

  “I can’t do that, Rufus.” She grinned. “But it was incredible. You should try it sometime.”

  “Might do that. In fact, next time you take off, I’ll have plenty of time to do just that. Because I’ll be unemployed.”

  She laid a hand on his arm. “I am sorry.”

  He studied her face, then grinned back at her. “No, ma’am, I respectfully disagree. I don’t think you’re a bit sorry.”

  She laughed. “Is Silas here with you?”

  “He’s upstairs, outside your room.”

  She nodded. “Oh. My manners. Rufus, this is Dottie Willis and Cash Hardeman.”

  Handshakes were exchanged all around. Annelise realized Cash had gone on full alert. “Rufus and Silas are my…my bodyguards.”

  Cash’s jaw tightened. “I think I can do an okay job taking care of you.”

  “I know, and you can. But my father is somewhat overprotective.”

  “Another of those differences between us, Annie.”

  At the use of the nickname, Rufus’s brow shot up. A slow smile spread over his face.

  Cash and Dottie, who kept looking back over her shoulder at the bodyguard, moved to the checkin desk.

  “No need to do that,” Rufus said. “Here’re your keys.” He handed one to Annelise and one to Cash. “You’re good to go.”

  As they headed to the elevator, Annelise leaned toward Rufus and whispered, “Do you approve of my cowboy?”

  “I believe I do,” he rumbled. “I believe I do.”

  *

  Halfway down their hallway, Dottie spotted the large, blond man, dressed in a suit and tie. “Is that Silas?”

  “Yes, it is.” A few steps closer, she said, “Hi, Silas. I saw Rufus downstairs. Sorry you had to fly out here.”

  “Hello, Ms. Montjoy. It was no problem.”

  “Rufus said Dad was pretty hard on you two. I’ll apologize for taking off like I did, but it was something I had to do.”

  He nodded and opened her door. “I’ll be out here if you need me.” He stared fixedly at Cash. “You’ll be in that room.” He pointed to one two doors down.

  “Thanks. Don’t know if I could have found it on my own.” Cash bounced the bag he’d insisted on carrying higher on his shoulder. “Later, Annie. Dottie.”

  When he walked away, Silas said, “A little touchy, huh?”

  “Yes, I think you and Rufus being here have hit a nerve.”

  Once in their suite, Dottie ran from one thing to another, touching and oohing and ahhing. She tried out the sofa, flicked on the TV and sound system. Sticking her head in both of the bedrooms, she asked which was hers.

  “Whichever you want.”

  She chose the blue room, then spying the fruit basket, she unwrapped it and munched on grapes even as she stuck her nose in the beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers to smell them.

  Staring out the window at the Denver skyline, she asked, “Annie, this is how you live?”

  “Well, every day isn’t quite like this.”

  “But it’s close.”

  “I have a very nice life, yes. I’ve been fortunate.”

  “And you’re living in my rental apartment?”

  “And loving it,” Annelise said.

  “I know.” The older woman patted Annelise’s cheek. “I guess that’s part of what makes you so special.”

  Annelise’s throat constricted. “Go look in your closet, Dottie. I think there’s another surprise for you in there.”

  With a little squeal, Dottie headed into the bedroom on the left.

  Annelise crossed her fingers, praying her mom had come through big time on this one and that Dottie liked her dress. She heard nothing. She listened for another minute, then peeked into Dottie’s room.

  She sat on the edge of her bed, a stunning pink creation cradled in her arms, with tears streaming down her face.

  “Dottie?”

  “Yes, dear?”

  “Is everything all right?”

  Dottie lifted her tear-streaked face. “All right? All right? Have you seen this?”

  She held up the dress for Annelise’s inspection.

  Annelise reached out to finger the silk and lace gown. “It’s beautiful.”

  “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I can actually wear this tonight?”

  “Yes. And then you can zip it back in its bag and take it home with you. It’s yours.”

  “Oh, Annie, I can’t take this. It’s so expensive.”

  “My mother bought it for you. There should be shoes and some jewelry to go with it.”

  Dottie hurried back to the closet. From the happy sounds inside, Annelise figured she’d found them.

  There was a discreet rap at the hall door. “Let me get that.”

  When she opened the door, Silas wheeled in a table from room service complete with tea, coffee, and finger foods. Dottie stood in her bedroom doorway, looking like a kid in a candy store.

  Annelise smiled. She was glad she’d brought her. Dottie had been so good to her. It was nice to be able to repay her, even a little bit.

  “In fifteen minutes, the masseuse will be up, Ms. Montjoy. Then your mother has arranged for a team to help you and Ms. Willis with your hair and nails and anything else you might require.”

  A masseuse. Annelise nearly wept with joy. She’d worked her butt off this past week, and there were nights she’d have given anything, anything at all for a massage. Bless her mother.

  Then she glanced down at her nails. They’d worked hard, too. And they looked it. She doubted even the best nail technician would be able to help her with these nubs. Well, she’d let them do what they could, then keep her hands hidden from sight as much as possible.

  Throughout the next couple of hours, Annelise couldn’t keep the silly smile off her face. She had to admit that as much as she’d enjoyed her stay in Maverick Junction and as much as she enjoyed working at the ranch, it was nice to be pampered, buffed, and shined.

  And watching Dottie! No kid on Christmas morning could be happier. The older woman giggled when the woman doing her pedicure ran the pumice over the bottom of her feet. She turned scarlet when the masseuse had her disrobe to her panties. She beamed at the makeup artist as he added the finishing touches. She begged Annelise to take a picture of her new hairdo.

  All in all, Annelise couldn’t remember when she’d enjoyed herself so much. The memory of Cash’s hands on her, his mouth on her, at the pond returned. Oh, yes. That surpassed even today. But in a totally different kind of way.

  What was Cash doing? Reading, watching TV, napping? She missed him. Did he miss her—even a little bit? She hoped so.

  He’d been a little rough since they’d landed and he’d spotted the limo and driver. The deferential treatment when they’d arrived. Rufus and Silas. All this didn’t sit well with him. He was used to being in charge and calling the shots. She’d g
iven him a good hard yank out of his comfort zone, and guilt pricked her conscience. He hadn’t signed on for any of this when he’d agreed to hire her.

  But then, she’d become more than an employee, he far more than her boss. How would this trip with all the fuss and the press affect their relationship? She seriously doubted anything could be the same and regretted that.

  Responsibility weighed heavy on her shoulders.

  She considered sending the masseuse to his room. Considered snitching a bottle of her oil and paying him a visit herself. Then, she got real and decided against both. He needed to work off the snit by himself. He was a big boy and would deal with it.

  In the meantime, Annelise remembered she had a speech to give tonight. While she prepared her remarks, Dottie took a nap—sitting up in a comfy upholstered chair so she didn’t mess her hair or makeup.

  *

  Right at seven, Silas and Cash came to collect her and Dottie. Cash walked in behind them. Her cowboy was gone. In his place stood as urbane a man as she’d ever seen. The man, so at home in jeans and boots, looked positively yummy in his black tux and crisp white shirt. He filled the tux out oh, so, well. He about knocked her off her stilettos.

  He was busy doing his own perusal. “Darlin’, you looking like that, I could just sop you up with a biscuit.”

  She grinned. “Cash, that might be the best, and most honest, compliment I’ve ever received. Thank you.”

  He took her hand, spun her in a slow turn. “Let me get a good look at you.”

  She obliged. The gown Maggie had created was stunning and fit her impeccably. The pale, sheer fabric set off her dark hair. The jewelry Neiman Marcus sent over for her was perfection. Nancy, her mother’s personal shopper, had chosen dangly diamond and onyx earrings and a diamond-studded cuff bracelet. She’d decided against a necklace, and she’d been right. The dress didn’t need it.

  “Dottie? Are you ready?” she called.

  “Am I ever.” Her bedroom door opened, and Dottie stepped out. She spread her arms wide. “What do you think?”

  “Oh, Dottie. You’re beautiful,” Annelise said.

  “Darlin’,” Cash said, taking Dottie’s hands in his, “if I wasn’t so hung up on this filly beside me, I’d get down on one knee right here and now and beg you to run off with me.”

  Rising to her tiptoes, Dottie kissed his cheek, then wiped off the lipstick smudge. “And if I was a few years younger, I might consider giving Annie a run for her money, Cash Hardeman. Who knew you’d clean up so well? Mmm, mmm.”

  Then she turned her attention to Annelise. “You look like a storybook princess in that dress.” She reached out to touch the earrings. “Real?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you see mine?” Dottie turned her head, pushed her hair back. Emerald-cut tourmalines in a soft pink winked at her ears. A matching pendant hung at her neck. Silver bracelets circled her wrists.

  “They suit you.”

  “I feel like a princess myself. And you’re my fairy godmother.” Tears welled in Dottie’s eyes. “Today has been magical.”

  “Don’t cry,” Annelise admonished. “You’ll ruin your makeup.”

  Dottie blew out a big breath. “I know.” She waved a hand in front of her face. “I had a massage, Cash. I’ve never had one before. It was totally decadent, and I loved it. And someone did my hair—and my nails.”

  She held out her hands, then stuck one foot in the air to show off the pink toenails peeping out of her new shoes. “I’ve been royally pampered this afternoon.”

  Annelise caught the look Cash sent her way, thanking her with his eyes. She smiled back at him, turning her attention his way. “And you. I can’t believe the change. From rancher to debonair escort. I have to say, you look unbelievably handsome.”

  She told herself to shut up, but her mouth refused to obey. “You are model-perfect. The ultimate man in a tuxedo.”

  His dimples deepened. “Oh, yeah?”

  “Every woman in that room tonight, from nine to ninety, is going to wonder where I found you and what they have to do to steal you away from me.”

  “She’s right,” Dottie said. “Told you, I’d be mighty tempted if I could figure out how to shave a few years off my age.”

  “Maybe I like older women,” he teased.

  “And maybe they like you.” Her eyes twinkled. “I’ve got to believe, though, that right now, a younger woman’s got your eye.”

  “And you’d be right.” He ran a hand down Annelise’s arm.

  “Before we go downstairs and get caught up in the mad rush, I have to ask, Cash,” Annelise said. “Where did you manage to find a tux so fast? And one that fits so well.”

  “That’s an easy one to answer. I found it in my closet. Right where I hung it after the last time I wore it.”

  “You—Oh! It’s yours, not a rental. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed—”

  He tsked at her. “Those assumptions, Annie. They’ll bite you in the butt every time.”

  “Oh, and there’s the pot calling the kettle black!”

  Ignoring her comment, he reached out and looped his arms through both women’s. “A stunner on both arms. What more could any man want? We ready to do this?”

  “You bet.”

  At the elevator, Silas reached into his inside pocket. “Your mother sent this.”

  The ring her grandfather had given her on her sixteenth birthday.

  “She thought you might want it.”

  “She was right.” Emotion thickened her voice. “Thank you.”

  “You’re more than welcome.” Silas rode the elevator down with them, then followed at a discreet distance.

  “Is he going to do this all night?” Cash asked out of the corner of his mouth.

  “Yes. He is. Every time I turn around, either Silas or Rufus will be watching me. I warned you. I tried to explain the cons of my life. Everyone tends to see only the benefits. All in all, though, I guess it’s a small price to pay for the opportunities I’ve been given.”

  “But you have no privacy, no freedom,” Cash said.

  “There is that.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Cash couldn’t believe this woman was the same one who’d ridden into Maverick Junction on a Harley. Who’d cleaned his stalls, spoiled his horses, and gone skinny-dipping with him at the old pond.

  He’d stood in the doorway amazed and more than a little shaken. She’d knocked his socks off.

  But he warned himself to be careful. Annelise had the ability to break his heart if he let her. When he’d seen her standing there, he’d fully accepted for the first time that she truly was the Montjoy heiress.

  Not his. She’d never be his. Their lives were poles apart. They could never mesh them—not long-term.

  Silas at their heels, they walked into the hotel’s ballroom. While Cash had thought the lobby over the top, this room put it to shame. The press milled around the door, waiting like vultures for their money shot. The instant they spotted Annelise, an entire bank of photographers started snapping pictures, the flashes nearly blinding.

  Cash liked to think of himself as pretty self-assured. He knew who he was and liked that man. Still, he found himself slightly overwhelmed by the crush and all the attention. Annie dealt with this on a daily basis. And even though she had a serious reason for setting out cross-country, he understood why she’d enjoyed the interlude in Maverick Junction. It must have been a breath of fresh air.

  No wonder she’d fought so hard to keep her true identity a secret. From everyone. It gave her freedom for the first time ever. That she’d lied by omission to him suddenly became understandable. Didn’t mean he had to like it, but he could sure see where she was coming from.

  She smiled and turned slowly, giving each photographer in the sea of cameras a chance to capture her on film. And yet Cash realized the smile didn’t reach her eyes. This was her polite smile. But even this semblance of the real thing lit up the room.

  On his other arm, Do
ttie was like a teenager, grinning and waving at the press. He smiled. The paparazzi had no clue who she was. Not ready to take any chances, they snapped shot after shot of her. She’d wished her kids could see her. No doubt they would.

  The way she looked tonight, no one would ever figure her for a grandma who was at her happiest baking cookies in her kitchen. She looked amazing in her new outfit and preened and posed like an Oscar-winning star walking the red carpet.

  Annie had given Dottie an incredible gift, one she’d never forget. For that alone, he loved her.

  Loved her? He almost stumbled over his own feet. Whoa. No sense getting carried away. He liked Annie, sure. He lusted after her and couldn’t wait to get her back in his bed. But love? He wasn’t going there, Whispering Pines and Grandpa be damned.

  Annie threw him a quick are-you-okay glance, and he sent her a shaky smile.

  “I’m good.”

  They moved past the photographers. Annie shook hands and made introductions and small talk with the flair of a well-seasoned pro. So did Dottie. To Cash’s amazement, now that they’d arrived, the older woman’s nerves had fled. She handled the fanfare with all the aplomb of someone long used to being the center of attention. He loved it.

  Waiters circulated with trays of fancy hors d’oeuvres. Dottie nibbled her way through the crowd, tasting everything and drinking champagne delivered on silver trays by black-tuxed waiters.

  “I feel like Cinderella.” She giggled. “My new tenant. Who’d have believed all this?” She beamed at Annie.

  Her new tenant indeed, Cash thought. Annie, at home in evening gown and diamonds, drinking champagne from crystal flutes, while he’d give anything to have a beer in his hand right about now and be wearing his faded blue jeans and an old tee.

  But, this wasn’t about him. Tonight belonged to Annie. She’d sacrificed a lot to show up at this shindig, much more than he’d originally realized. The least he could do was smile and pretend to enjoy himself.

  In the morning, he’d fly her home. After that—well, who knew? They’d cross that stream when they came to it, wouldn’t they?