It Started with a Bang by Piper James

Chapter Nine

Annabelle

Me: I’m taking Ryder to the beach house for the weekend.

I dropped my phone to the bed after sending the text to the group chat I had going with Sage and Ember. I had several casual outfits laid out across the mattress, plus two bathing suits—a full-coverage, black one-piece and a bright blue two-piece Ember gave me from her summer shipment at the boutique.

My eyes darted back and forth between my choices as I bit my lip in indecision. The black one would be the sensible choice. It covered all my jiggly parts and camouflaged my wide hips and ass. I wasn’t ashamed of my body, but I just felt more comfortable in the one-piece.

But the blue one was really cute. The bottoms were high-waisted, leaving a two-inch sliver of bare skin between the waistband and the bikini top. The top was strapless and tied in a bow in the front. It reminded me of something Marilyn Monroe might’ve worn in the fifties. I’d yet to wear it, but then again, this would be my first trip to the beach this summer.

Heaving a sigh, I threw both suits in the duffle bag I was packing for the weekend. Ryder and I were leaving in the morning, and I was nothing if not prepared. My phone chimed, and I picked it up to read the text that came through.

Sage: Are you sure that’s wise? What do you really know about this guy?

I shook my head. Sage had always been the pragmatic one.

Me: That’s the whole point. We need some time to get to know each other if we’re going to convince Dad we’re in love and the marriage is real.

Sage: I hope I don’t see you on the next episode of my favorite real crime T.V. show.

Me: He’s not going to kidnap or kill me, Sage.

Sage: How do you know? Do you at least have some pepper spray?

Me: No, but I’ll pick some up on my way to pick him up tomorrow, if it will make you feel better.

Ember: Ooh, the beach house. How many bedrooms does it have, again?

Me: Three. As if you didn’t know.

Ember and Sage had been to the Galveston house a dozen times since I bought it. We tried to take a girls’ trip there at least two or three times a year.

Ember: Pity.

Sage: Oh my God, Ember. She’s not going to sleep with him.

Sage: Wait, you’re not, are you, Belle?

Sage: Tell me you’re not.

Sage: ????

Me: I’m not sleeping with him. I told you both—this is a business arrangement. Nothing more.

Ember: Famous last words.

Ember: And Sage, there’s a giant stick in your ass. You might want to pull that out before it gets infected.

Sage: Ha, ha. Very funny, bitch.

I laughed, picturing Sage’s pinched expression as she read Ember’s words. Sage was no straight-laced schoolmarm—she liked to have as much fun as the rest us. Well, maybe not as much fun as Ember. She was always cautious and went into every situation with both eyes wide open.

I knew it wasn’t that she was against me having a carefree fling. She was all for those. It was that she was against me having one with Ryder, knowing it would complicate an already complex situation. And she was right. The last thing I needed to do was muck up the waters with Ryder and put my entire plan at risk.

Ember: I need to get back to work. Belle, have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Or anything I would do. Sage, good luck with the stick.

Sage: One of these days, I’m going to kick her right in the crotch.

A laugh burst out of me as my thumbs flew across the screen.

Me: No, you won’t. You love her too much.

Sage: I love you, too. You know that’s why I’m worried, right?

Me: I know. And I’ll be careful. I promise. No hanky-panky. And I’ll get the pepper spray.

Sage: Good girl.

Me: And if all else fails, I can pull that stick out of your ass and beat him with it.

Sage: Bye, asshole.

I sent her several kissing-face emojis before tossing my phone back to the bed. I folded up the outfits I’d chosen—some shorts and tank tops, a pair of leggings, and a sundress—and grabbed my travel bag from the bathroom. I kept it stocked with travel-sized toiletries, some sunblock, and a few other necessities.

Once my bag was fully packed, I grabbed my phone and sat on the edge of the bed. Pulling up my email app, I composed a message to my father, letting him know I was taking tomorrow off to go to the beach house for the weekend. I could’ve called him, but I really had no desire to listen to another diatribe about how I needed to get married.

“I’m working on it,” I mumbled as I sent the message.

My phone began to ring, and I held my breath as I answered it.

“Patty, hi,” I said, releasing the breath slowly.

“Hey, Annabelle. I’ve got the information you requested on Ryder Perry. I’m typing up a full report to send over to you, but I thought you’d want to know—overall, he’s clean as a whistle. Nothing negative to report.”

“That’s great,” I said, relief washing over me. “Thanks so much, Patty.”

“You’re welcome,” she said. “You should expect an email from me in the next few days.”

“Perfect,” I said. “Thanks again, you’re the best.”

We ended the call after a few more niceties, and pulling up my speed-dial list, I called Marshall.

“Hey, Belle,” he said. “How’s my baby sister?”

“Fine. Did you finish the contract?”

“Nice to hear your voice, too,” he deadpanned.

“Sorry,” I said, taking a deep breath. “I’m a little wound up. How’s everything going?”

“Amazing. And yes, I finished the contract this afternoon. I emailed it to you like five minutes ago.”

“What? Hold on.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear and reopened my email app. Sure enough, there was a message from my brother with an attachment. How did I miss that?

“I got it. Thanks, bro.”

“Are you really sure about this, Belle?”

I opened my mouth to once again defend my decision, but a soft giggle in the background diverted my attention.

“Is that my nephew?” I asked, my mood brightening.

“Yes,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “Say hi to Auntie Belle, M.J.”

“Da-da-da-da-da-da-da,” a little voice gurgled.

“Did you hear that?” Marshall asked excitedly. “He says dada now!”

“That’s amazing,” I said, unable to curb my own smile.

My nephew had been a surprise to all of us, including Marshall, who didn’t know he existed until he was three months old. His wife, Felicia, had freaked out when she got pregnant during a one night stand and left town, only to come back almost a year later to present Marshall with his infant son. It was a wild time for him, but he’d settled into fatherhood brilliantly. And he found the love of his life.

We talked about all M.J.’s baby milestones for a while, and he updated me on our brother Max, who was a newlywed, himself. He and his wife, Karly, were in no hurry to expand their family, but they were insanely happy.

I was happy for my brothers. They’d found love and happiness far from Red River…and far from Dad. I knew I’d find my own joy, too, but first, I needed to get past my father’s ludicrous demands. Once the company was mine to take in the direction I wanted, I would work on the love and family part.

“Listen, I have to go,” I said once the conversation hit a natural lull. “Thanks again for drawing up the papers so fast.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied. “And Belle? Be careful, okay?”

“I will,” I assured him. “Love you, Marsh.”

“Love you, too.”

I went to my computer and pulled up Marshall’s email. After reading it over and determining it was exactly what I’d wanted, I sent the documents to the printer in the corner of my office that contained legal paper.

When it finished printing, I packed it in my bag and sat down on the couch with my tablet. Using my favorite grocery delivery app, I placed an order to be sent to the beach house tomorrow afternoon, right after our arrival. The house was already pretty well stocked with unperishable items and liquor, but the fresh food items were tossed after each visit.

I already reserved our ride down to Galveston, and I kept a car at the house, as well as a set of four beach cruiser-style bicycles, a couple of jet skis, and a small speed boat. The management company I paid to keep up the place while I was away had assured me the house was clean, the beds freshly made, and that the toys were all tuned up, full of gas, and ready to go.

With everything set and my bag packed, I turned on the television to distract myself. But it didn’t work.

My knee bounced up and down, my heel thumping against the carpet in a rapid staccato beat. My face felt warm and my palms itched as I tried to breathe through the anxiety that was building up inside me. I was still sure this plan would work, and I knew this weekend away had been my idea, but I was feeling twitchy as the time to leave grew closer.

Was Ryder really the right choice? I’d picked him because he seemed perfect at the time. A stranger to my father and a seemingly upstanding citizen with a good work ethic, if the online reviews of his company were to be believed.

Patty wouldn’t get back to me for a few days, so I ran an internet search on him and didn’t find any scandals involving Ryder or his family. His brother Chase had endured a tragedy when the mother of his son died in childbirth, and that news article was the only personal information I could find on any of them with a basic search. There were plenty of hits on their business, Perry Brothers Construction, and all of it seemed positive.

Ryder was a good candidate from every angle. Plus, we didn’t really like each other very much, so there was little chance of either of us forming an attachment. This whole endeavor would be strictly business.

There was no reason to be so nervous, but I couldn’t quell the feeling. Maybe it was because I was planning to get married, and the whole thing was a sham. Maybe it was because I was going away for the weekend—alone—with a man I barely knew.

Maybe it was because I hadn’t stopped thinking about that kiss we shared at the bar.

“Stop it,” I whispered aloud, chastising myself.

Thanos must have heard me, because he came trotting into the room and climbed onto the couch next to me. He rested his massive head on my leg, and I scratched him behind the ears. His presence calmed me as it always did, and I settled back against the cushions.

I went over all my preparations in my head one last time. Everything was packed, I had the contract, and the house was ready for us. I’d already set my alarm to wake me up in the morning so I could shower, shave, and style my hair. Sage had agreed to keep Thanos at her house, so I’d drop him off before picking Ryder up at the motel where he was staying.

I cocked my head as a thought hit me. If all went well this weekend, and Ryder signed the contract, he’d be moving in here with me. Soon. It had just been me for so long until I got my dog last year. What would it be like to have a man living here with me? Would my home ever be the same after he left?

Would I be the same?

Pushing the thoughts aside, I focused on the T.V. and ran my hand over Thanos’s back in long, soothing strokes. Nothing was going to change here at home. It was one year of my life. A mere blip on the radar. Then Ryder would be gone, I’d have my company, and I could finally relax into the life I wanted.

A small smile curved my lips as I focused on all the good I would do once I was at the helm of Parker Industries. That’s what this was all about.

And whatever happened in the meantime would one day be worth it.