Tempting the Rancher Read online

  He released a deep breath, wondering whom he was trying to convince.

  He knew the answer to that. He had to convince himself or else he’d end up making the mistake of the century, and one mistake with a woman was enough.

  When Bailey had noticed Kalyn wasn’t buried there, for a second he’d been tempted to confide in her. To tell her the whole sordid story about his wife and her betrayal. But he couldn’t. The only living person who knew the whole story was Garth, and that was the way Walker would keep it. He could never open himself up to someone else—definitely not another woman.

  He heard Bailey stirring in bed and his body responded, as usual. He wondered how long this erotic craving for her would last. He had a feeling he would have an addiction long after she was gone. But while she was here he would enjoy her and store up the memories.

  “Walker?”

  He turned and looked toward the bed. “I’m over here.”

  “I want you here.”

  His thoughts were pensive. He wanted to be where she was, as well. He crossed the room and eased back into bed, drawing her into his arms. They only had a few more days together and then she would be gone. She would return to Westmoreland Country without looking back. In the meantime, he would make sure the days they had together were days he could cherish forever.

  Chapter 15

  “I don’t believe it,” Charm Outlaw said, caught up in a moment of awe as she stared at Bailey. “We do favor. I didn’t believe Garth and Walker, but now I do.” She gave Bailey a hug. “Welcome to Fairbanks, cousin.”

  Bailey couldn’t help but smile, deciding she liked Charm right away. Everyone had been right—they did look alike. Charm’s five brothers also favored their Westmoreland cousins. “Thanks for the invite. I hadn’t expected all of this.”

  “All of this” was the dinner party Charm had planned. Walker had flown them to Fairbanks and Garth had sent a limo to pick them up from the airport. The limo had taken a route through the city’s downtown. Even though a thick blanket of snow covered the grounds, Bailey thought downtown Fairbanks was almost as captivating as downtown Denver.

  Walker had given her a bit of Fairbanks’s history, telling her that it was a diverse city thanks to the army base there. A lot of ex-military personnel decided they liked the area and remained after their tour of duty ended. He also told her Alaska had the highest ratio of men to women than anywhere else in the United States. Online dating was popular here and a lot of the men actually solicited mail-order brides.

  After resting up at the hotel for a couple of hours, another limo had arrived to deliver them to the Outlaw Estates. Bailey couldn’t help but chuckle when she remembered the marker at the entrance of the huge gated residence. It said, “Unless you’re an outlaw, stay out. Josey Wales welcomed.” Walker had told her the sign had been Maverick Outlaw’s idea. He was a huge fan of Clint Eastwood. The Outlaw mansion sat on over fifty acres of land.

  Already Bailey had met Charm and Garth’s brothers—Jess, Sloan, Cash and Maverick. In addition to their resemblance to the Westmorelands, they carried themselves like Westmorelands, as well. All five were single and, according to Charm, the thought of getting married made her brothers break out in hives. Jess, an attorney, seemed like the least rowdy of the four, and she wasn’t surprised that he had announced his candidacy for senator of Alaska. He indicated he knew of Senator Reggie Westmoreland and although they hadn’t met yet, Jess had been surprised to discover they were related. He looked forward to meeting Reggie personally. He’d been following Reggie’s political career for a number of years and admired how he carried himself in Washington. He also knew of Chloe’s father, Senator Jamison Burton, and hoped as many others did that he would consider running for president one day.

  “Every Outlaw is here and accounted for except Dad. He’s not dealing with all this very well and decided to make himself scarce tonight.”

  Garth cleared his throat, making it apparent that he felt Charm had said too much. Bailey hadn’t been bothered by Charm’s words since on the flight over Walker had prepared her for the fact that Bart Outlaw still hadn’t come around. For the life of her she couldn’t understand what the big deal was. Why did Bart Outlaw refuse to acknowledge or accept that his father had been adopted?

  Walker had also shared that Garth, his brothers and Charm all had different mothers but the brothers had been adopted by Bart before their second birthdays. Charm hadn’t joined the group until she was in her teens. Her mother had sent her to Bart after Charm became too unruly. It sounded as if Bailey and Charm had a lot in common, although Dillon never entertained the thought of sending her anywhere.

  One thing Bailey noted was that Walker never left her side. Not that it bothered her, but his solicitous manner made it obvious the two of them were more than friends. Every so often he would ask if she was okay. He’d told her before they’d arrived that if the Outlaws got too overbearing at any time, she and Walker would return to the hotel.

  She saw a different Walker around the Outlaws. She knew he and Garth were best friends but it was obvious he had a close relationship with the others, as well. This Walker was more outgoing and not as reserved. But then he’d acted the same way around her brothers and cousins once he’d gotten to know them.

  “How long are you staying in Fairbanks, Bailey?” Charm asked her. “I’m hoping you’ll be here for a few days so we can get some shopping in.”

  Before she could answer, Walker spoke up. “Sorry to disappoint you, Charm, but Bailey’s returning to Denver on Monday.”

  “Oh,” Charm said, clearly disappointed.

  Bailey didn’t say anything, merely took a sip of her wine. It sounded as if Walker was counting the days.

  “Well, I guess I’ll have to make sure I’m included in that trip to Denver with my brothers later this month.”

  “Then, you’ll be in luck because the women who married into the family, as well as me and my sister Megan, all love to shop,” Bailey said, trying to put Walker’s words to the back of her mind.

  Charm’s face broke into an elated grin.

  Garth shook his head. “Shopping should be Charm’s middle name.” He checked his watch. “I hate to break up this conversation, but I think dinner is ready to be served.”

  Charm hooked Bailey’s arm in hers as they headed toward the dining room and whispered, “So tell me, Bailey. Are there any real cute single guys in Denver?”

  * * *

  Walker sat with a tight jaw while he listened to Garth give his father hell. Deservedly so. Although Bart had finally shown up for dinner, he’d practically ignored Bailey. It had been obvious from his expression when he’d walked into the dining room and saw Bailey sitting beside Charm that he’d done a double take. He’d definitely noticed the resemblance between the two women. Yet that seemed to spike his resentment. So, like Garth and his brothers, Walker couldn’t help wondering why Bart was so dead set against claiming the Westmorelands as kin. It seemed Garth was determined to find out.

  After dinner, even before dessert could be served, Garth had encouraged Charm to show Bailey around while he and his brothers had quickly ushered their father upstairs. Garth had invited Walker to sit in on the proceedings.

  “You were outright rude to Bailey, Dad.”

  Bart frowned. “I didn’t invite her here.”

  “No, we did. And with good reason. She’s our cousin.”

  “No, she’s not. We are Outlaws, not Westmorelands.”

  “You’re not blind, Dad. You saw the resemblance between Charm and Bailey with your own eyes. Bailey even remarked on how much you favor her father and uncle.”

  “That means nothing to me,” Bart said stubbornly.

  Garth drew in a deep breath, and Walker knew his best friend well enough to know he was getting fed up with his father’s refusal to accept the obvious. “Why? Why are you so hostile to the idea that y
our father was adopted? That does not mean he wasn’t an Outlaw. All it means is that he had other family—his biological family—that we can get to know. Why do you want to deprive us of that?”

  A brooding Bart was silent as he glanced around the room at his sons and at Walker. It was Walker who received the most intense glare. “You were to take care of this, Walker. Things should not have gotten this far. You were to find a way to discredit them.”

  “That’s enough, Dad! How could you even ask something like that of Walker?” Garth asked angrily.

  Instead of answering, Bart jerked to his feet and stormed out of the room.

  His sons watched his departure with a mixture of anger and confusion on their faces.

  “What the hell is wrong with him?” Jess asked the others.

  Garth shook his head sadly. “I honestly don’t know. You weren’t there that day Hugh first told us about the Westmorelands. Dad was adamant that we not claim them as relatives no matter what. When he found out I sent Walker anyway, he was furious.”

  Sloan shook his head. “There has to be a reason he is handling things this way.”

  “I agree,” Maverick said, standing. “Something isn’t right here.”

  “I agree with Maverick,” Walker said. There was something about Bart’s refusal to accept that his father was adopted that didn’t make sense. “There has to be a reason Bart is in denial. He might have his ways, but I’ve never figured him to be an irrational man.”

  “I agree,” Cash said, shaking his head. “And he actually told you to find a way to discredit the Westmorelands?”

  Walker nodded slowly. “You heard him for yourself.”

  “Damn,” Sloan said, refilling his glass with his favorite after dinner drink. “I agree with Maverick and Walker. Something isn’t right. Since Dad won’t level with us and tell us what’s going on, I suggest we hire someone to find out.”

  Cash glanced over at his brother, frowning. “Find out what?”

  “Hell, I don’t know” was Sloan’s frustrated reply.

  The room got quiet until Walker said, “Have any of you considered the possibility that there’s something that went on years ago within the Outlaw family that you don’t know about? Something that makes Bart feel he has to maintain that his father was the blood son of an Outlaw?”

  Garth sat down with his drink. “I have to admit that thought has occurred to me.”

  “In that case,” Jess said, “we need to find out what.”

  “You worried it might cause a scandal that will affect your campaign?” Sloan asked his brother.

  “I have no idea,” Jess said soberly. “But if there’s something I need to worry about, then I want to find out before the media does.”

  Garth nodded. “Then, we’re all in agreement. We look into things further.”

  Everyone in the room nodded.

  * * *

  “I’m sorry about my father’s behavior at dinner, Bailey. I honestly don’t know what has gotten into him,” Charm said apologetically as she led Bailey back to the center of the house.

  “No apology needed,” Bailey said. “I was anticipating such an attitude. Walker prepared me on the flight here from Kodiak. He said Bart might not be friendly to me.”

  “Um,” Charm said, smiling. “Speaking of Walker. The two of you look good together. I’m glad he’s finally gotten over his wife.”

  Bailey drew in a deep breath, not sure that was the case. It was quite obvious to her that he was still grieving the loss of his wife and son. And because of the magnitude of that grief, he refused to open up his heart to anyone else. “Looks can be deceiving, Charm.”

  She raised a brow. “Does that mean you’re actually leaving to return to Denver on Monday?”

  “No reason for me to stay. Like I said, looks can be deceiving.”

  Charm lifted her chin. “In this case, I think not. I’ve noticed the way Walker looks at you. He looks at you—”

  Probably like a horny man, Bailey thought silently. There was no need to explain to Charm that the only thing between her and Walker was their enjoyment of sex with each other.

  At that moment, Bailey’s cell phone went off. At any other time she would have ignored it, wishing she’d remembered to turn off the ringer, but not this time. This particular ringtone indicated the call was from her cousin Bane.

  “Forgive my rudeness,” Bailey said to Charm as she quickly got the phone out of her purse, clicked it on and said to the caller, “Hold on a minute.”

  She then looked at Charm. “Sorry, but I need to take this call. It’s my cousin Bane. He’s a navy SEAL somewhere on assignment, and there’s no telling when he’ll have a chance to call me again.”

  “I understand. And if you need to talk privately you can use any of the rooms off the hall here. I’ll be waiting for you downstairs in the main room.”

  Bailey gave Charm an appreciative smile. “Thanks.” She quickly stepped inside one of the rooms and turned on the lights. “Bane? What’s going on? Where are you?”

  “Can’t say. And I can’t talk long. But I’m going to need your help.”

  “My help? For what?”

  “I need to find Crystal.”

  Bailey frowned thoughtfully. “Bane, you know what Dillon asked you to do.”

  “Yes, Bay. Dil asked that I grow up and accept responsibility for my actions, to make something of myself before thinking about reclaiming Crystal. I promised him that I would and I have. Enough time has passed and I don’t intend to wait any longer. In a couple of weeks I’ll be on an extended military leave.”

  “An extended leave? Bane, are you okay?”

  “I’ll be better after I find Crystal, and I need your help, Bay.”

  * * *

  Everyone had left the family room to return to the dining room for dessert except for Garth and Walker. Garth refilled Walker’s glass with Scotch before proceeding to fill his own.

  “So,” Garth said, after taking a sip. “Do you think there’s something Dad’s not telling us?”

  Walker, with his legs stretched out in front of him, sat back on the sofa and looked at Garth before taking a sip of his own drink. “Don’t you?”

  “Yes, and I’m going to hire a private detective. I don’t want Hugh involved. He and Dad go way back, and there might be some loyalty there that I don’t want to deal with.”

  “I agree. What about Regan? Isn’t some member of her family a PI?”

  Garth nodded, studying the drink in his glass. “Yes, her sister’s husband. I met him once. He’s an okay guy. I understand he’s good at what he does. I might call him tomorrow.”

  “I think that’s a good idea.”

  They were silent for a spell and then Garth asked, “So what’s going on with you and Bailey?”

  Walker took another sip of his drink. “What makes you think something is going on?”

  Garth rolled his eyes. “I can see, Walker.”

  Walker met his best friend’s stare. “All you see is me interested in a woman who’s hot. That’s nice to have on those cold nights, especially for a man who’s been without a female in his bed for a while. You heard her. She’s leaving on Monday. Good riddance.”

  * * *

  Bailey paused outside the closed door, not wanting to believe what Walker had just said. She’d been making her way back downstairs when she’d heard voices from one of the rooms. The voices belonged to Garth and Walker and when she’d heard her name she’d stopped.

  Backing away from the door now, tears filled her eyes. She quickly turned and bumped right into Charm.

  “Bailey, I was downstairs wondering if you’d gotten lost or something and—”

  Charm stopped talking when she saw the tears in Bailey’s eyes. “Bailey? What’s wrong? Are you all right?”

  Bailey swiped at her tears. “Yes, I�
�m fine.”

  Charm frowned. “No, you’re not.” She then glanced beyond Bailey to the closed door and the voices she heard. “What’s going on? What did you hear? Did someone say something to upset you? Is Dad in that room with Garth and Walker? Did you overhear something Dad said?”

  When Bailey didn’t say anything, an angry Charm moved past her toward the door, ready to confront whoever was in the room about upsetting Bailey.

  Bailey grabbed her hand. “No, please. Don’t. It’s okay.” She swiped again at her eyes. “Thanks for your family’s hospitality, Charm, but I need to leave.” Bailey wanted to put as much distance between her and Walker as she could. “Will you call me a cab? I need a ride to the airport.”

  Charm frowned. “The airport? What about Walker? What am I supposed to tell him?”

  To go to hell, Bailey thought. But instead she said, “You can tell him I got a call...from a family member...and I need to get back to Denver immediately.”

  Charm’s frown deepened. “Do you really want me to tell him that?”

  “Yes.”

  Charm didn’t say anything for a minute, then nodded. “Okay, but I won’t call you a cab. I’ll take you to the airport myself.”

  * * *

  Garth stared hard at Walker. “What you just said is nothing more than bull and you know it.”

  Walker took another sip of his drink before quirking a brow. “Is it?”

  “Yes. You’ve fallen in love with Bailey, Walker. Admit it.”

  Walker didn’t say anything for a long minute. Garth knew him well. “Doesn’t matter if you think it’s bull or not.”

  “It does matter. When are you going to let go of the past, Walker? When are you going to consider that perhaps Bailey is your future?”

  Walker shook his head. “No, she’s not my future. She has these rules, you see. And one of them is that she will never leave Westmoreland Country. And I, on the other hand, made a deathbed promise to my father never to leave Hemlock Row again.”