Perfect Secret by Molly McLain
Chapter 4
HOLDEN
“Hold up, I thought you were staying for dinner!” Wilder calls as I head for my truck after we finally call it quits for the day.
“Dude, I need a shower.” Providing, of course, my gorgeous neighbor hasn’t locked me out of the bathroom again like she did this morning, forgetting our arrangement.
“Oh, okay.” Wilder strolls over at a fast clip while digging out his wallet. “Do me a favor and grab a six-pack of Coors from the store while you’re there, too, will ya?” He hands over the cash and I nod.
“Sure thing.”
“Thanks, man. See you again in a few.” He heads back to his truck and I climb into mine, quickly checking my phone. Normally, I’m attached at the hip to the damn thing, but today I left it charging in the truck, mostly because I didn’t want to deal with the circuit drama. One glance at the screen says I made the right call. Nine missed calls from CJ and a dozen texts from my buddies on the circuit, minus Cory, despite it being his idea I come up to Montana.
I scan the messages with a sigh and see that they’re mostly about whether or not I’ve heard anything new about returning. CJ’s, however, is a pointed, Answer your damn phone, Mack.
Grumbling, I hit his contact and put the phone on speaker as I start the truck and head toward town.
“About friggin’ time,” he barks, and I tighten my hands around the steering wheel.
“I was at work,” I snap back. “You know, since I don’t have another gig at the moment. Unless you’re calling to tell me something has changed.”
He makes a throaty sound. “You know it hasn’t.”
“Then what do you want?” Because I had a good day today and I sure as hell don’t need him ruining that.
“One of the video girls was assaulted after our ride last weekend in Omaha. She got away before he could finish, but she was pretty beat up.”
“Ah, shit.” I run a hand around the back of my neck as the blood coursing through my veins seems to chill and boil at the same time. Thank god, they can’t try and pin this on me, but I hate that someone else got hurt. “Which girl?” I grit out.
“Victoria.”
Goddammit.I slow the truck at an intersection and close my eyes as Vickie’s face flashes through my mind. I know her well enough that her baby blues and blonde hair come easy. She’s recorded my rides for the past two seasons and I took her out a few times as thanks.
“She okay?” I ask, my gut clenching.
“Yeah.” CJ clears his throat. “She’s fine. She already told the cops she’s one-hundred-percent sure it wasn’t you.”
Yeah, no shit. I’ve been hundreds of miles away for days now and the fact that I was even mentioned pisses me off.
“Anyway, I just wanted you to know,” CJ adds.
“Thanks. Does this mean I can come back?”
He doesn’t answer right away and the ache in my stomach turns to lead. Why the hell am I being punished for something I didn’t do? And why the hell aren’t the people who allegedly have my best interest at heart doing anything to help me?
“Nah, Mack, you know the plan. We have to stick to it.”
“This is such bullshit!” I snap as a vehicle behind me honks and I remember I’m at a stop sign. I hit the gas and crank my truck toward town. “They know it’s not me. Hell, they knew the day after the first attack it wasn’t, but here I am, cast away to the middle of Nowhere, Montana like a fucking criminal.”
“It’s for your own good, Mack. We’ve been over this. The ABR is trying to protect you from the media and the press.”
“Oh, really?” I give a bitter laugh. “Then why don’t they say that? Why don’t they tell the press I’m innocent and that this time-out isn’t because they think otherwise?”
He’s quiet again and I don’t bother waiting for an answer.
“I gotta go. Don’t call me again unless it’s to tell me the ABR has pulled their head from their ass.” I click off the phone and toss it into the passenger seat.
I rehash the bullshit that’s become my life all the way to the red brick building I’m temporarily calling home. The Mason Creek Market is still open and I pray like hell Alana’s working so I won’t have to worry about any awkward bathroom run-ins, especially since I’m in a rush. I need to get back to the ranch before I piss off Hallie.
I hop out of the truck and jog to the back door. Reaching for the handle, I’m almost clocked in the head when it flies open and my gorgeous neighbor rushes out.
“Whoa!” My hands go to her shoulders. The jolt of shock quickly replaced with the fact that her shoulders are bare and, despite the fact that I’m holding her, her skin feels like it’s branding me. And yet I don’t let go. “Slow down, darlin’,” I tell her, as we stand there, both of us breathing fast as we stare at each other.
This close, I realize she’s not quite as tall as I thought she was. Shit, she barely comes to my chin.
“Can you please let go of me?” she asks by way of greeting. “I’m running late.”
“Hot date?” I tease, though I don’t have a second to spare on this kind of playful small talk.
“Yep.” She gives her head a solitary nod and something almost spiteful flashes in her amber eyes.
“I thought you didn’t have a boyfriend.” I wink and she rolls her eyes.
“I have to get going or I’ll be late.”
“Don’t let me stop you, darlin’.” I step aside and she rushes past, the scent of cherry and something sugary tickling my nose in her wake. “You want me to leave the light on or anything?” I call after her. “You got protection?”
She raises her arm in the air and gives me a single finger salute before sliding behind the wheel of her Camry.
All I can do is laugh… and anticipate our next run-in.
ALANA
“Ah, you’re really here! And you brought wine!” Hallie exclaims as she opens the front door to the home she now shares with Wilder. I’ve been out here a few times over the years since Wilder built the cabin, along with the smaller cabins he usually has available for rent, so the changes in the place since Hallie moved in are obvious. From the flowerpots on the front porch to the welcome mat to the rich, mouthwatering aroma of creamy garlic wafting through the air, this is now Hallie’s home just as much as it is his.
“Of course, I am.” I laugh, letting her pull me in for a quick hug before I follow her inside and set the wine on the kitchen counter while she returns to the stove. “And I couldn’t very well come empty-handed.”
“I will never turn down a glass of wine.” She tosses a wink over her shoulder, then nods to the cupboard. “Glasses are up there if you want to do the honors.”
I smile and make quick work of pulling out a long-stemmed glass for each of us. I won’t drink more than this single glass since I have to drive back into town, but after the day I’ve had, I am more than ready to slow down and enjoy this delicious sweetness.
“Is Wilder still working?” I ask as I uncork the bottle. “I didn’t see his truck out front.”
“He had to run back to the main house to drop some paperwork off for Levi. He should be back any minute. He was pretty excited to hear you were coming tonight. He said he hasn’t really seen you since Madelyn was home last.”
I laugh. “Yes, it’s been a while since I harassed him. Tonight should be fun.” Wilder and Levi’s baby sister has been my best friend for as long as I can remember, so, by association, the guys have always been like big brothers to me, too. We don’t see each other very often because our work keeps us busy, but we have the kind of friendship that falls right back into place, no matter how much time goes by between visits.
“Fun indeed.” Hallie glances back with another smile. “So, how are things at the market?”
“Ugh.” Taking my wine, I claim a chair at the table. “Other than the volcanic eruption that came from the toilet in the women’s bathroom this afternoon, things have been good.”
“Oh, gosh, do I even want to know?” She grimaces as she stirs what I assume is the alfredo sauce.
“No. It was a mess. Thankfully, Sadie’s dad got there fast and all I had to do was mop it up.”
“As if that’s not bad enough.”
No kidding. But I’m not going to complain about it, because doing so feels like I’m just asking for bad juju. If I want to eventually own the place, not just run it, I can’t invite that kind of negativity into my head.
“Marty was in the bank the other day talking with Brayden. I might’ve overheard him talking about putting the store up for sale at some point.”
Gulping down my immediate response—again, no negativity allowed—I paste on a smile. “He’s been talking about it for years, though I think he’s actually serious now.”
Hallie nods. “I can see that. He’s not getting any younger.”
“Nope, he sure isn’t.” I sip my wine and sigh. “I know you’re technically off the clock, but do you mind if I ask you a few financial questions?”
She glances back with a raised eyebrow. “Not at all. What’s on your mind?”
“Well…” I’ve never really talked with anyone about this beyond using it as a hypothetical situation in a couple of my business classes, but if Old Man Morton is getting serious about selling, I have to get serious about my game plan, too. “I haven’t told anyone, but I’d love to buy the place myself.”
Hallie’s eyes go wide over a grin. “Really? I mean, I’m not surprised. You already do everything but sign the checks.”
“Yeah.” With another sigh, I swirl the golden liquid around in my glass. “I’ve already worked on a draft business plan, but the problem is I haven’t been able to save as much as I’d hoped because of tuition.” Changing majors from public relations to business when I finally returned to college meant I had to retake an entire year of credits. And having essentially dropped out after the breakup with Cory, I lost my scholarship. I’ve been eligible for a small amount of financial aid, but being single, I make too much money to qualify for anything significant. I’m stuck in that dreaded middle of not being poor, but not being well-off, either.
“Right. That’s a tough position to be in. You know, there are some programs that offer grants for start-up costs. Or maybe Marty would be open to lease the store to you until you can afford to buy it outright.”
I’ve researched the grant programs and even reached out to speak with one of the coordinators. The thing is I need to know for sure that I’m going to buy the place before I can apply. I need documentation from a bank and even from Marty to prove my intentions are legit. That’s where I get nervous, because I’m not sure if I could secure a loan. I have great credit, but that damn lack of capital…
“Is there any way to find out if I qualify for a loan? And what I would need for a down payment?”
“For sure!” Hallie says eagerly. “Call me tomorrow when I’m in front of my calendar and we’ll set up a time to sit down and crunch numbers.”
A modicum of relief settles into my shoulders. By no means is a simple conversation going to seal the deal, but it’s a step in the right direction. A step I’ve been hesitant to take based solely on the fear of being rejected. Thanks a freaking lot, Cory Mitchell.
Suddenly, there’s a knock on the front door and Hallie and I both jump at the same time.
“Oh, shoot, I almost forgot…” Hallie presses her hand over her heart at the same time a timer goes off on the stove and she jumps again. “Shoot! Can you grab the door while I get the bread out of the oven?”
“Sure thing.” I set my wine down and pad to the front of the house, opening the door without bothering to ask who she’s expecting.
“Well, well,” Holden chides from the porch with a smirk. “This is your hot date, huh?” he taunts, his gaze slowly sliding down my body and back up again as I cross my arms over my chest. I don’t know what it is about this guy, but for some reason, my girls really seem to like him. Especially when he does that whole head-to-toe sweep he likes to do. Unfortunately for him, there’s not much to see. I’m wearing jeans and a plain white tank top, which sorta matches the jeans and snug white tee he’s wearing.
“Are you lost?” I ask with a put-on smile. If it were my door he’d knocked at, I probably would have shut it in his face but this is Wilder and Hallie’s place, not mine.
“Nope, I don’t believe I am.” He makes a show of checking his watch, which draws my attention to his arms. His thick, tanned, delicious arms. “I have a dinner invitation for exactly this time.”
A dinner invitation? Dammit, Hallie.
His grin hitches to one side as he tucks his hands into his pockets and rocks back on the heels of his boots. “Let me guess—they invited you, too, and forgot to mention I was coming.”
“Actually, I think the lack of communication was probably more to protect you than me, considering you’re somewhat of a charity case, are you not, Mr....” Crap, I don’t even know his last name.
One eyebrow lifts and I swear fire flashes in his eyes even though he’s still smirking. “McMurray,” he says in a low, confident tone. “But you don’t need to be formal on my account. I mean, we do share a bathroom, which is practically like sharing a bedroom.”
A shiver runs from the base of my neck all the way down to my tailbone at his saucy tone and that taunting gleam in his eyes. I want to say it was the bad kind of shiver, but that little zap has the blood rushing from my already aroused nipples straight to the center of my legs, too.
Then again, maybe that’s the worst kind of shiver where Holden McMurray, invader of my privacy, is concerned.
“You’re something else,” I mutter, narrowing my eyes and shaking my head, which he apparently finds funny, given his full-bellied laugh.
“Oh, Alana, you keep saying that like it’s a bad thing…” He shuffles closer, so close in fact that I can smell the clean, citrusy scent of soap or body wash wafting off of him. He must have bought his own, because he definitely doesn’t smell like my cherry vanilla. “But I’m starting to think your disgust is all for show, because what you’re trying to hide behind those folded arms…” His eyes fall to my chest and he bites his lip, his face just inches from mine. “It tells me something very different.”
I hate him. I absolutely freaking hate him. “You know what? I’m suddenly not hungry anymore. I’m going home.”
“What?” Out of nowhere, Wilder appears, a deep crease in his brow. “Why are you leaving? Because of this guy?” He claps Holden on the back. “What the hell did you do to piss her off now?”
Holden chuckles as he stands upright again and I want to slap the smug grin right off his ridiculously handsome face. Seriously, who needs a chiseled jaw like that? Or those sexy, smoldering eyes?
“Apparently, I took a breath,” he says. “Gotta admit it’s been a while since that’s all it took for a woman to despise me like she does.”
Wilder shakes with laughter. “Hate to break it to you, man, but if she’s not happy with you, it’s probably your fault. She may come off chilly because she’s so damn busy and doesn’t have time for bullshit, but she’s not the spiteful type.”
Uh huh. And come to think of it, I should be pissed at Wilder just the same, because he’s the one who brought this guy here without having another place for him to stay.
Since I lied about not being hungry and I’d kind of like to eat Hallie’s homemade chicken alfredo, I suck it up and keep my mouth shut.
I’m not happy with Wilder, either, but I’ll keep my beef contained to the lighter haired of the tall, too-good-looking-for-their-own-good men standing before me.