Heat crawling up her neck, JoJo tried to save face. “I was looking for Lucky.”
“He ain’t here.”
“So I see.”
Eli crossed to the work corner and eyed the plans. “Lucky said you were nosy.”
“If you didn’t want anyone to see this, you shouldn’t have left it out.”
“It’s not me who’s gonna be mad.”
Knowing Eli wasn’t about to keep her visit a secret, JoJo asked, “Why would Lucky be angry?”
“Talk to him about that.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to talk to Lucky about anything.”
“He does have a temper.”
“So I’ve noticed.” A really bad temper, from what Eli had told her before, the comment having shaken her feelings for him. JoJo had to know. “Did he really try to kill a man with his bare hands?”
“Lucky admits to it. From what I heard, that bastard Bob Ray Wyatt deserved a pounding and worse.”
“Why? What did he do?”
“Mistreated at least one of his animals. Lucky caught him taking a rubber hose to his horse over losing a team roping competition.”
“How horrible,” she whispered, grabbing on to the back of a chair.
“Poor old guy was tied down so he couldn’t get away, and the bastard was working him over, opening his flesh good. Lucky came runnin’ when he heard the horse’s screams. He figured that Bob Ray oughta know what a rubber hose felt like on his flesh. The bastard hung on to that weapon tubing for all he was worth, so Lucky tried tearing him apart with his hands. I guess he did a fair job of it. He said every day he spent in that cell was worth it.”
The story sickened JoJo…and gave her the bit of faith in Lucky that she’d been looking for. If she’d had any doubts left, they had just disappeared. A man who’d put himself on the line to protect an animal like that couldn’t mean her harm.
“What happened to the horse?” she asked fearfully, hoping the poor creature hadn’t died of the wounds.
“Lucky bought him—Silverado. Ain’t never been a nag more grateful, neither.”
JoJo remembered noticing the scars. “He does have a way with horses.” And women. At least one woman, she thought, so relieved that she could hardly stand it. “I hope this Bob Ray isn’t allowed anywhere near animals again.”
“Lots of things should or shouldn’t be,” Eli said. “Doesn’t mean that’s the way things are, though.” He glanced out the window. “There’s Lucky now.”
JoJo caught a glimpse of him through the window herself. Her pulse lurched and she took a deep breath, steeling herself for a confrontation. It was as if Lucky sensed her presence, even through the thick walls of the house, for the moment he opened the door, he pinned her with that disconcerting flat gray gaze.
“Lady’s been lookin’ for you,” Eli said.
“Well, now she’s found me.”
“I need to get on that business we talked about, so I’ll leave you two be.”
“Thanks, Eli,” JoJo said, referring to his sharing the story about Lucky.
Eli tipped his hat to her and slid out the front door.
JoJo shifted her gaze to Lucky. Something seemed different about him. Or maybe it was just the way she was viewing him…through new eyes.
“I’m surprised to see you out and around,” he said, moving closer. “After your scare with Lester, I’d have thought you’d take to your room with a sick headache or something.”
“You don’t know me very well or you’d realize I’m not the type of woman who has or somethings.”
He stopped mere inches from her before asking, “Exactly what type of woman are you, JoJo Weston?”
“One that you can trust, Lucky Donatelli.” She wished more than anything that he could believe her.
“Is that why you’re nosing around here?” With a menacing expression, he reached out a hand, knuckling the slant of her jaw. “To prove I can trust you?”
She ignored his suspicions. Wanting to get even closer, she moved her cheek against his fingers and watched his expression dissolve into one of bewilderment.
“I was a little curious,” she said.
“About what?”
“You know all you need to know about me.”
“I’ve barely broken the surface,” she argued, a little breathless. “But I’m getting there.”
Lucky whipped his hand away from her. His jaw clenched and unclenched, and JoJo figured he was warring with himself as to whether or not her interest was personal or paid for. If he wanted to believe she was acting on Sally’s behalf, she could say nothing to convince him otherwise. He would have to make up his mind about her—just as she had about him—based on what he’d learned of her, added to his own gut instinct. He would have to trust her or not. Trust couldn’t be forced.
Blood thrumming through her at an accelerated pace, she pried herself away from him, moved toward the worktable. “So what was the business Eli had to take care of?”
“You’re not going to let it alone, are you?”
“It’s about this, right?” she asked, running the pads of her fingers along the proposed plan of the ranch. “All those new buildings sketched in. The big new barn. Why? What’s it all mean?”
JoJo turned to face Lucky and realized he was frozen where she’d left him, his gaze intent on her. Knowing his fear was that the knowledge was meant for his father, she willed him to look into her heart.
“I couldn’t go on like I was,” he finally said. “I had to settle somewhere. The ranch wasn’t making it anymore, not even taking in guests. I thought to turn the place into more of a profit maker.”
“By converting it into a resort?”
“By expanding on the idea Nick and Caroline and I came up with a dozen years ago. A working ranch that caters to tourists, only with a little more flair and a lot more fun—like adding weekly rodeos with participation events for the guests. I’m willing to put lots of elbow grease into the deal to make Mama’s legacy into a paying proposition. It’s all a dream right now, because I don’t have the expansion capital. Yet.”
“I don’t understand. Even if you don’t have it, Caroline and Nick—”
“That’s family money—exactly what I’m trying to avoid. I want to work a deal with Nick and Caroline, make them silent partners. This would be my venture with capital I scrape together myself.”
He had to trust her a little to tell her so much. Inordinately happy, she was content to leave it alone for the moment and change the subject. “I’ve been thinking about Lester.”
“I told you to leave him to me.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“I’m working on it. In the meantime, I sent Vincent out to the range. He’ll bring back a few men I’ll put on guard to protect you.”
She took a big breath. “Lester’s not the only one we have to worry about.”
Her statement took him by surprise. “What’s that?”
“Someone helped him escape. I think that someone is a paying guest.”
“Who?”
“Adair’s been awfully interested in me since he arrived. He would have been my shadow if I’d let him. He’s no stuntman—at least not on Call of the West like he’s been telling everyone. And he’s keeping a handgun under his…in one of his drawers,” she finished, thinking better than to mention the silk underwear.
“You’ve been real busy checking him out.”
JoJo lifted her eyebrows at Lucky’s chagrined tone. “Checking out everyone,” she assured him. “But everything points to Adair.”
“What’s he got against you?”
“I don’t have a clue,” she admitted. “Closest I could figure is that he and Lester are related.”
Lucky shook his head. “Lester never had anyone that I knew of.” He clucked to himself. “So, not only do I have to track down a man with a few screws loose, I have to figure out a way of taking care of one who’s armed and dangerous.”
“If
he’s the one, you’ll have to set a trap for them both.” JoJo wasn’t thrilled by the prospect of what she was about to propose, but she knew her only other choice was to notify the authorities. “Using me as the bait.”
Chapter Eleven
“I’m not letting you put yourself in more danger!” Lucky insisted.
Which made JoJo stare in wonderment. He sounded as if he cared what happened to her…maybe cared for her just a little, even if he’d been acting otherwise since they’d made love. Her smile warred with his glare.
“You don’t have a choice,” she said. “We don’t have a choice. At least this time, I’ll have some warning, and hopefully I’ll have control of the situation.”
But Lucky wasn’t so easily swayed. “The situation can turn ugly fast.”
“I’ll chance it.”
“I don’t want to chance—”
“What?” she asked breathlessly, willing him to add losing you.
“Having something go wrong,” he said instead. “You get yourself killed, and how many tourists do you think would set foot on the Macbride Ranch?”
If he was trying to make her angry, he’d succeeded. JoJo fumed and fisted a hand so she wouldn’t smack him. “Probably lots of them! People love the macabre,” she informed him, poking her face practically into his. “You could make an attraction of my death!”
“Don’t talk like that!”
“Why not? You’ve been wanting to be rid of me since you laid eyes on me!”
He scowled. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
“Why not?” she pressed.
He backed up a bit. “I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to anyone I know.”
“Is that it?” JoJo wouldn’t let him off the hook so easily. “Cut-and-dried?” Eyes wide, she placed the flat of her hand on his chest. “Nothing personal?” She could feel his heartbeat speed up under her hand. His nostrils flared, and an emotion other than anger flashed through his eyes. She took a chance. Stepped closer. “Are you sure you don’t feel anything personal for me at all?”
With a groan, Lucky grabbed her upper arms and pulled her flat against him, the action so taut, her neck snapped. That only put her head at the proper angle, she realized as his mouth crashed down over hers.
JoJo slipped both hands up, twining them around the back of his neck. She’d been wanting this ever since they returned to the ranch after the rain. Lucky’s arms wrapped around her back, his heat encasing her like a blanket. His tongue thrust past her lips to possess her mouth. She welcomed him gladly. Took in his tongue with the same passion she had the rest of him when they’d made love the day before.
For a moment, she reveled in the sensations created by his hands as they cupped her buttocks and pulled her tight into him. He moved his hips, nudged her legs apart and inserted one of his own. The proof of his desire lay hot and hard along her thigh, and her woman’s center responded.
She melted inside for him, wanted nothing more than to make love with him….
Except to get Lester and his accomplice safely under lock and key.
Ignoring the throbbing between her thighs, she tore her mouth free and pushed at Lucky’s chest. He loosened his hold but didn’t let go.
“We don’t have time to get carried away,” she whispered, breathing hard.
His gaze seared her face. “You’re right. This isn’t the time.”
Meaning there would be another time? she wondered hopefully.
“We have plans to make,” she said. “A trap to set.”
“I still don’t like using you as the cheese…but I can tell you’re determined.”
“I don’t see any other way.”
With a sigh, Lucky nodded and let go of her. JoJo immediately felt the loss but kept her melancholy to herself. Once danger had been defeated, they would have time to satisfy their passion for one another. Beyond that, JoJo wasn’t willing to imagine, no matter her crazy feelings.
She might be falling hard for Lucky Donatelli, but she wasn’t going to count on anything, especially not a future that included him.
The sun was in the process of setting by the time everyone but Caroline had gathered around the fireplace. JoJo had noticed her car was gone when she’d returned to the main house. There was still no sign of Lucky’s sister.
“So what should we do tonight?” Paula asked. “Other than pick a new restaurant for dinner, that is? I know—a place that has country dancing would be fun.”
“Not for me,” JoJo announced. “I’m going to raid the fridge and spend a nice quiet night here. Alone,” she emphasized.
“Eli and I have plans,” Lucky said.
“Me, too.” Adair stood before the fireplace. “I’m meeting one of the other stuntmen from Call of the West for dinner. But thanks for the invite.”
“I guess it’s just you and me,” Rocky said, giving Paula a meaningful look.
Paula smiled and hooked a hunk of hair behind her ear. “Right. I’ll figure out something to keep us entertained.”
JoJo was certain she would.
Dusk was deepening over the land by the time everyone filed out. She was relieved that everything was going according to plan—her alone and everyone knowing it. Then Lester was sure to know it, as well. Being the bait in this game of cat and mouse was a little nerve-wracking, but she was committed to trapping Lester. It wouldn’t be long now. She began turning on lights to make certain he’d be able to see her clearly through the windows when he arrived.
The telephone ringing made her start. Wondering if this could be Lucky, JoJo crossed the room, eager to hear his voice if not his reassurances. But when she picked up the receiver, she was surprised to find another Donatelli on the line.
“JoJo, that you?”
“Sally? Uh, Caroline’s not here at the moment,” JoJo said, wondering if he knew about Lucky’s appearance. “I can take a message—”
“No message. I wanna talk to you.“
“Me?”
“I hear you had some trouble the last coupla days.”
Caroline must be keeping him well informed. “Nothing fatal.”
“Don’t joke. Death isn’t funny, but it’s permanent. I been worried about you.”
“I appreciate your concern, Sally.” JoJo figured she might as well bring him up to date. “And I have at least some idea of what’s been going on. When Caroline told me about Lester Perkins, I should have—”
“I told her to say nothing!”
“It’s a good thing she did, or I’d have thought I was crazy this afternoon. Lester’s here, in Sedona.”
“Crissakes! How’d he figure out where you were?”
“He had help.” And maybe Sally could tell her from whom. “Did Lester have family—a brother or a cousin—or some close friend that you know of?”
“His mama died about a dozen years back, and he didn’t have no sisters or brothers. I couldn’t say about a cousin. As for a friend…you know Lester was peculiar.”
“I know.” But why would some stranger help Lester escape from the psych ward?
“Maybe you better come back to Las Vegas right away,” Sally suggested.
“I can’t. We, uh, I have a plan.”
JoJo grimaced. She’d almost slipped and told him about Lucky. She figured if Sally knew his son was around, he would have mentioned him. JoJo certainly didn’t want to be the one to let the cat out of the bag—Lucky would hold that against her, she was sure. Still, it was pretty odd that Sally didn’t seem to know.
Was Caroline’s loyalty to her brother stronger than that to her father? Or was Lucky’s sister holding out because of some other motive?
“I can guard you better here.”
Wondering if he was as protective of all Nick’s friends, JoJo said, “Don’t worry about it, Sally. I’m not coming back to Las Vegas until I have him where I want him.”
An unexpected sound behind JoJo prompted her to whirl around only to face Lucky, who stood in the doorway. Her throat tig
htened. From his sour expression, she knew he’d heard what she’d just told his father—and she expected he was thinking the worst.
She didn’t take her eyes off the son when she told the father, “Listen, I have to go now.”
“JoJo, wait a minute—” Sally was saying even as she dropped the phone into its cradle.
“I didn’t expect you to come back.”
“How surprising,” he said dryly. “Did you have enough time to give my father a full update?”
JoJo tried to be straight with him. “Sally called me because he’d heard about the accidents. That’s it. He was concerned.”
“And you reassured him that you were still in one piece…as you were reassuring him about your plans concerning me when I walked in.”
He really did think the worst of her. He wasn’t even willing to ask her for her side of the story before making accusations.
Disappointed but not surprised, she said, “So you assume.”
“If you weren’t talking about me, then who?”
“You’re so smart, you figure it out!”
They glared at each other. Stalemate. He wasn’t backing down. And neither was she.
Finally, Lucky broke the silence. “Zamora came in from the range with three Macbride wranglers. They’ve been briefed and are ready.”
A thrill of nerves shot through JoJo, and she was hard-pressed to keep her voice from being sharp. “You’re sure Lester won’t spot them?”
“I’m not sure of anything,” Lucky admitted, and JoJo knew he wasn’t merely talking about the situation with Lester. He indicated the battery-operated lantern he’d been holding. “Use this when you leave the house.” He set it next to the door. “I’d better get going.”
“I guess you’d better.”
No soft words. No kindness in his eyes. He might as well be a stranger. Heartsick that he was being such a damn fool—that she was such a damn fool for caring what he thought of her—JoJo was glad to see the last of Lucky for the moment. Later, she would vent her feelings, but for now she needed to keep her wits about her.
Taking a couple of apples from a hanging wire holder, she chopped them into chunks and threw the pieces into a plastic bag that she left on the counter.