Secretly Hers (Sterling Canyon) (3 page)

He shaved the scruff from his face, trying to ignore the memories pounding against his skull.

Trip’s father sat on the edge of Trip’s bed, waiting for him to stop crying. His mother had been gone only a month, but it had felt like a year. He missed her. He missed his old room, his old neighborhood and school, his old friends, too.

“Now, son. I know this is hard. Losing your mom so young will leave a hole in your heart for the rest of your life. But now you’ve got a dad. And I’ve got a chance to help you become a man. And part of becoming a man is learning how to face a setback.”

But Trip didn’t want to be a man. He didn’t want to listen to lectures from this virtual stranger, however well-intentioned. “When’s Poppy coming to take me for a sleepover?” The remaining bright spot in his life involved his visits with the man who’d been the real father figure in his life, his namesake, and the man he had always admired.

“He’ll be here soon.” Trip’s dad sighed, then laid a hand on Trip’s leg. “Since you brought him up, I wanted to ask you something. Now that I’ve adopted you, I was wondering if you might like to change your last name to mine. What do you think?”

Trip’s body curled away from his father’s touch. “No!” When he noticed his father’s defeated expression, he softly added, “Sorry.”

Even now Trip winced at the recollection. That exchange had kicked off a pattern of his dad reaching out and Trip pulling back, never quite able to accept the love and attention as genuine. The circumstances surrounding his adoption, and Mason and Deb’s nasty barbs, had always left Trip feeling like an outsider, a runner-up, a mistake his dad had to “be a man” and handle.

Maybe he’d never given his dad a fair shot. Maybe the time had finally come to try to accept the fact that they shared DNA, among other things. Maybe this visit would be the one to change the tide of their relationship.

Trip sat in the lobby of the hotel where Wade was staying, his stomach growling. A few weeks ago he’d sat here with Grey and Wade, hammering out a deal for access over part of Wade’s planned development. Now he was sitting here with his dad and Wade, which kind of blew his mind.

He studied his father, tuning out his dad and Wade’s conversation for the third time in thirty minutes. The gray hairs at his father’s temples had spread throughout his dark hair, giving him that distinguished “salt-and-pepper” look. At sixty-five, Ross Cutler looked younger than his years. Perhaps Trip would age well, too. They shared some features, like olive-colored skin, dark hair, a square jaw. But Trip’s green eyes came from his mother’s family, as did his height.

He knew his dad and Mason had always hated being five inches shorter than him, although for different reasons. Trip suspected his dad disliked the height difference because it came from Poppy, serving as a reminder of the whole gulf between Trip and his dad.

As for Mason, Trip’s size and athleticism has only further divided him from his more bookish brother, especially because their dad had openly admired Trip’s physical prowess. The nail in the coffin had come when Trip had been only thirteen and happened upon Mason, then a high school junior, being bullied. Thinking he might salvage some relationship with Mason, he’d jumped into the fray and taken down the two bullies within minutes. Mason, however, only grew more hateful after that incident. Whether that was from jealousy or humiliation, Trip was never sure.

He was chewing on that thought when his dad’s deep chuckle snapped him back to the present.

“Thanks for coming here to discuss the project in person, Ross. I’ll be making a final decision very soon.” Wade smiled. “If things don’t work out, perhaps we’ll get another opportunity in the near future with another tract of local land I’ve got my eye on. Apparently the owner recently died and his heirs might be interested in selling, so my timing is perfect.”

Trip jerked his gaze toward Wade. “What land?”

“Eight acres at the northwest corner of town.”

“For what purpose?” Trip heard the bitter edge in his voice, but Wade appeared indifferent.

“Upscale retail and office space.”

Disgust gripped every muscle in Trip’s body, but he shook it off when his father shot him a stern look. Now wasn’t the time to raise objections, but Trip would not stand idly aside and let Wade Kessler or anyone else destroy Sterling Canyon’s charm. First he’d get informed, then he’d form a plan—mobilize others who were sure to see things his way and try to convince the heirs not to sell.

“I hope we don’t have to wait for another shot,” his dad interjected. “I’ve got a good feeling about this development and know we can deliver what you want, on time and on budget, and better than any of our competitors. I pride myself on my reputation.” Ross nodded. “Now if you two will excuse me for a minute, I need to make a quick call. Son, I’ll meet you back here in a few. Wade, you have a good day.”

Ross shook Wade’s hand and meandered about fifteen feet away, phone at his ear.

Trip heard the click of Kelsey’s heels tapping against the marble lobby floor before he saw her crossing to the concierge desk. He had to bite his tongue to keep from whistling.

Snug blue dress, cut high and low in all the right places. Cute shoes that showed off the red polish on her toenails. Dangling earrings calling attention to that nice spot along her neck. His only quibble with her appearance this afternoon would be the fact that she’d tied up all that awesome hair in some kind of knot. He much preferred when her mass of golden curls hung loose, like they had when he’d bumped into her this morning.

“Looks like my next appointment has arrived a few minutes early,” Wade said, standing to greet her.

Trip stood, too, and noticed Kelsey flashing Wade a gigantic smile and flirty wave. If she was surprised to find him with Trip, she hid it well. However, her smile faded a bit when she acknowledged Trip’s presence with a slight nod.

“Wade,” she began, laying a hand on Wade’s forearm, “I’m so excited to show you two of these properties today.”

“You’ve got
another
project in mind?” Trip asked Wade, his gut burning once more.

“I’m thinking about buying a vacation home.” Wade grinned congenially at both Trip and Kelsey while rocking back on his heels.

“Why not take up in one of the luxury condos you’re building?” Trip asked, hoping his sarcasm hadn’t quite registered with Wade. Seriously, how much shit did one guy need to own?

“I think it’s best to put some distance between myself and the future condo association. Plus, Kelsey here has piqued my interest in looking for a unique vacation home.”

“Not just a unique one,” Kelsey said, using her eyes to enhance the come-hither smile on her lips. “The
perfect
one. Something in a prime location. Something cozy. Something special. And I think I’ve got just the place.”

“Well, Kelsey, I can’t wait to see what you’ve got.” Wade winked, but based on his brotherly demeanor, Trip felt sure he didn’t intend the double meaning that immediately popped into Trip’s head.

Meanwhile, Kelsey was putting on quite a display for Wade throughout the conversation. She stood a tad too close to him, touched her hair and her collarbone flirtatiously, and licked her lips once, too. If Wade didn’t have a hard-on yet, he was gay or impotent.

What did Kelsey see in Wade, Trip wondered? The guy was at least a decade older than her and not very charismatic. He wasn’t bad looking, but he wasn’t exactly handsome. Average height, average build, dark blond hair, nothing distinguishing about his face except perhaps a strong-looking nose.

Sure, the guy seemed friendly, but that didn’t seem like enough to capture the interest of a woman like Kelsey. Normally he might suspect Wade’s “bucks deluxe” of being the big fascination, but Kelsey had never struck him as a gold digger. He’d seen his fair share of those in Denver, including his brother’s wife. Yet another reason he never spoke of or pulled from his trust fund. At least he knew the women he’d been with had been interested in him, not his wallet.

Wade’s phone rang, so he excused himself for a minute and stepped a few feet away. Trip noted Kelsey’s gaze following Wade.

“You’re trying too hard,” Trip whispered to Kelsey, while crossing his arms over his chest.

Kelsey stuffed the real estate listings back into her portfolio. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, yeah, you do.” Trip chuckled. “You’re coming on too strong. Trust me, it’s only going to send him running in the opposite direction.”

She scowled. “Well, you
would
know about running.”

“I know about men. And men like to hunt, not be hunted.” When she tilted her head in response, a little curl of hair fell out of that knot. Instead of twisting it around his finger like he wanted, Trip kept his hands locked beneath his armpits. “You want Wade’s attention? Quit being so obvious about the fact you like him. Make him come to you.”

“Why do men like games?” She shook her head.

“It’s not about games. The chase is half the damn fun. If you take it away, you lose the anticipation and all that other good stuff.”

Kelsey rolled her eyes. “You may think I’m desperate, but I’m not so desperate as to take love life advice from
you
, for God’s sake.”

“Fair enough.” Trip raised his hands, his words dripping with sarcasm. “Do it your way, since it’s worked so well for you so far.”

Her cheeks turned pink, and he almost apologized, but Wade returned. “Ready to head out?”

Trip had to hand it to Boomerang—she recovered quickly.

Kelsey smiled at Wade, although less radiantly, Trip noted with a smug sense of satisfaction. “Absolutely. Let’s go find you a new house.”

“See you later, Trip.” Wade escorted Kelsey through the lobby.

Trip smiled when Kelsey put a little more distance between her body and Wade’s. Of course, he didn’t want to think about why that made him happy.

His gaze followed them out the door, or, more honestly, he watched Kelsey’s hips sway until they disappeared.

Before he realized it, his father had sneaked up beside him.

“She’s a real looker.” His dad’s alert gaze remained fixed on the entrance. “Was that Wade’s girlfriend?”

Trip’s dad seemed almost as enthralled as him. Yes, something else he’d apparently inherited from his old man—an “appreciation” of beautiful women. And an ego big enough to go after them. Precisely why Trip wouldn’t make the same mistake his dad did and commit to just one.

“Not yet.” Trip glanced at his dad.

“That’s good.” Ross’s blue eyes lit up.

Trip stuck his thumbs through his belt loops, irked by his dad’s interest in Kelsey. “Last I checked, you were still married to Deb. Didn’t you learn your lesson, yet?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he wished he could swallow them. His father’s head drooped as he sighed. “I wasn’t talking about me, Gunner. I meant good for you.”

“For me?” Trip grimaced. “What the hell do I care if Kelsey dates Wade or not?”

His dad slapped his shoulder. “Oh, you care. I’m old, but I’m not blind.”

What did that mean? The parts of his body that enjoyed watching Kelsey walk out the door weren’t anywhere near his heart, for God’s sake.

“She’s pretty, sure. But Boomerang’s not on my to-do list. Trust me.”

“Boomerang?” His dad rubbed his chin.

Trip closed his eyes, sighing. “Long story.”

“I’ve got time. Take me to lunch before I catch the jet back to Denver. You can fill me in then.”

Chapter Three

Kelsey woke up late on her birthday and stared at the ceiling.
Thirty-one
. Normally she loved any extra attention on her birthday, but not this year.

Thirty-one years old!

On her thirtieth, she’d painted the town red with a group of friends and acquaintances. This year she’d threatened everyone—no big parties or hoopla. All she wanted was a quiet day with the people she loved. Lunch with her besties followed by an evening with her family.

Of course, even though she’d made modest plans, she still wanted—needed—to look fabulous. An hour later, makeup done and hair smoothed, she left her home wearing a smart-looking caramel-colored wrap dress and platform beige suede heels.

She met Emma and Avery at Smuggler’s Notch. Late-July sunlight streamed through the plate-glass windows of the recently renovated tavern. Reclaimed hardwood floors were all that remained of the old building. The stone-and-steel interior finishes were what Kelsey called “cowboy chic,” where the Old West meets Manhattan. While she enjoyed Sterling Canyon’s historic appeal, Kelsey liked modernization, too, and appreciated when local businesses upgraded and remodeled to keep up with the times.

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you—” Avery and Emma sang, standing and greeting Kelsey with hugs and kisses.

Kelsey curtsied in jest and then they all sat down. In front of Kelsey’s seat was a gift-wrapped box.

“Thanks, guys.” Kelsey toyed with a bow on the package. “You didn’t need to buy me anything.”

“Oh, shut up and open the gift.” Avery said, the flecks of gold in her blue eyes sparkling. “You knew we wouldn’t listen.”

Kelsey raised her wineglass in the air. “Cheers to that!” After practically chugging its contents, she started to untie the ribbons.

Em chuckled. “I have to admit, I’m happy to see you so upbeat today. I know you’ve been trying your best to ignore this birthday.”

“I’m not exactly thrilled about it, but it is what it is.” Kelsey stopped unwrapping the gift to look at Emma before swigging more wine. “Might as well embrace it.”

“Love the attitude.” Avery raised her glass. “So what’s your birthday wish this year?”

“My old standby—falling desperately in love with the guy who will love me back just as much.”

“I’ve always teased you about that, but now I have to confess, it is a worthy goal.” Avery’s cheeks flushed. A notorious
un
romantic, that admission had to have killed her. Never mind the bitter irony of Avery finding love before Kelsey, despite the fact
Kelsey
had been the one actively pursuing it for the past decade. Kelsey wasn’t proud that a pinch of envy clouded her happiness for her friend, but she wouldn’t lie to herself either.

“If you’d have asked me five years ago where I’d be at thirty-one, I’ve have said married with kids.” Kelsey grimaced, rolling her eyes in a self-deprecating manner. “Epic fail. Not only am I not married or pregnant, I’m not even dating. Haven’t even had sex in . . . well, no need to get
totally
depressed. Too long, that’s the only important point.”

“Not as long as me.” Emma wrinkled her nose. She and Kelsey giggled while Avery’s cheeks darkened from pink to red.

“At least my career is going great.” Kelsey sipped more pinot grigio, hoping the wine would help her better accept her loveless status. “In fact, I just got my commission from Wade’s hotel deal, which brings me to another wish. I want to plan that girls’ weekend I mentioned at the jazz festival.”

“I’m in. Just need to check my schedule.” Avery took out her phone. “When and where were you thinking?”

“You’d mentioned Santa Fe.” Emma leaned forward. “Is that still the plan?”

Kelsey shook her head. “No. I’m thinking bigger . . . better. How about Cabo in mid-September?”

Emma and Avery’s shocked expressions drew the first hearty laugh of Kelsey’s day.

“Sounds fabulous, Kels, but I don’t have that kind of money.” Emma sat back.

Kelsey patted her hand. “I told you, this is my treat. I’ll buy plane tickets and rent us a nice suite. You just need spending money.”

“That’s so extravagant.” Avery swung her silky, chocolate-brown hair behind her shoulder. “Are you sure?”

“Yes! Please let me share my good fortune with the people I love most. We’ll have a blast.” When her friends looked skeptical, Kelsey added, “You have to say yes. It’s my backup birthday wish.”

Avery smiled. “If you’re really sure.”

“I am.” Kelsey squeezed Emma’s hand.

“Okay, then,” Emma replied. “Who am I to say no to a fairy godmother?”

“Oh, please. No fairy tale jokes. I’m still living down the whole princess birthday thing I did with Fee the other week.” Kelsey relaxed into her chair. “Turns out one of my clients saw me from a distance and was a bit perplexed.”

Avery’s lips twitched. “Grey mentioned something Trip had said, too.” Then her eyes widened. “Well, speak of the devil.”

Trip had been headed toward the bar until he noticed them and changed course. He tipped his hat just before he pulled a free chair from a nearby table, turned it backward and set it between Kelsey and Emma, then plopped his cute butt down. He surveyed the wineglasses and partially unwrapped gift. “Ladies, looks like quite a celebration.”

“It’s Kelsey’s birthday lunch,” Emma said, her voice cracking. Trip’s over-the-top flirtations had a way of making shy women like Emma nervous. Kelsey, on the other hand, took them as a challenge.

“Happy birthday, princess.” He grinned, leaned closer to Kelsey, and practically purred in her ear. “Does the birthday girl want a kiss?”

Yes.
Her insides sprang to life like Mexican jumping beans, but she remained outwardly calm. “No, thanks. No telling where those lips have been in the past twenty-four hours.”

She smiled sweetly even as Emma and Avery choked on wine.

“Don’t be jealous.” He winked and glanced at the table again. “No cake. No candles. Too bad. I would’ve liked to have seen you pucker up and blow.”

“Would you have?” She knew her next move would be risky, but his cockiness drove her to distraction. She leaned in, placed her lips close enough to his jaw that she could almost taste his skin, and gently blew into his ear. His jaw clenched and she thought he might’ve even shivered, which made her limbs all tingly. “How’s that?”

He drew a deep breath and pinned her with those gorgeous green eyes. “If I were a smoker, I’d be lighting up a cigarette now.”

Kelsey shook her head, pretending to be annoyed. But deep in her chest, her heart clenched even harder than his jaw had. It didn’t help that he kept staring at her like she was some kind of whipped cream dessert he was dying to lick.

Avery cleared her throat.

“Well,” Trip said, looking a little dazed while rising from his chair. “I’ll let you ladies return to your lunch.” Then he leaned nearer to Kelsey. “Maybe tomorrow after you’re done helping me with Backtrax’s website stuff, we can revisit your birthday wish.”

Emma started to giggle and Avery rolled her eyes.

“If there’s one thing I know for sure,” Kelsey began, “it’s that you, Trip Lexington, will never, ever make
my
birthday wish come true.”

Emma and Avery both broke into peals of laughter, but Trip kept his focus on Kelsey. “You don’t know me well enough to make that statement. Who knows? I might surprise you one day.”

If only.
The second that thought crossed her mind, her face scrunched up in horrified anger. What the heck was she doing fantasizing about this womanizer? “Bye, Trip.”

“Are you sure it’s a good idea to spend more time with that man?” Emma asked after Trip walked away.

Kelsey held up a hand. “I’m sure it’s a terrible idea. No doubt he’ll spend the whole time pushing my buttons. Don’t worry, though. Grey will be there to keep things clean. And anyway, those two yahoos need some help with their social media. But let’s drop guy talk. No Grey, Trip, Wade . . . none of it.”

She really did not want to think about Wade and his continued disinterest, or why Grey had rejected her for Avery, or Trip’s ability to whip up a flurry of hormones she had to beat back to avoid doing something stupid.

“Let’s get back to our Mexican extravaganza. I might be able to plan a five-star trip if my newest project with Wade comes through.” Kelsey fiddled with her fork.

“What new project?” Avery asked.

“He’s considering another lucrative land deal. If I can help him pull it off, I’ll have a bundle of money, most of which I’ll use to invest in small apartment buildings. Step one to building up my balance sheet and future income stream.”

“How exciting!” Emma beamed. “Look out, Sterling Canyon. I think Kelsey Callihan is going to end up being a big mogul . . . and not the kind on the slopes.”

“I’m so glad to see you focusing on your future this way.” Avery said no more, but Kelsey knew Avery had always worried about the emphasis Kelsey placed on romance and men. No reason to spoil Avery’s delusion that her true heart’s desire had changed.

“Cheers to that, too.” Kelsey raised her glass, and they toasted to future success.

Later that evening, she rang the doorbell at Maura’s house. She’d been looking forward to a home-cooked dinner, maybe a game of Apples to Apples, followed by a little cheesy reality TV while nestled on the comfy corduroy sofas in Maura’s living room. A perfect ending to her day.

Fee answered the door, dressed in a frilly summer dress, her curls pushed back behind a sparkly headband.

“Surprise!” she squealed, jumping up and down.

Kelsey’s brows had just begun to knit together when she heard groans and laughter coming from inside the house. Apparently Fee had just ruined some kind of surprise. Kelsey stepped inside to find not only her family in attendance, but also Emma, Avery, Grey, Andy, and Trip.

Her cheeks burned as she surmised her perpetually matchmaking sister had used this birthday as an excuse to throw Trip and Kelsey together. Poor Avery probably had no idea she’d been so easily manipulated as part of Maura’s schemes.

And poor Andy looked almost as uncomfortable as Kelsey felt. He was currently serving probation for his “post-happy-hour” vehicular assault charge, and had been keeping a low profile around town. Andy and Grey were polite to each other for Avery’s sake, but not exactly close.

She quickly took in the pink streamers and balloons, which looked like leftover decorations from Fee’s recent birthday party. Oh dear Lord. Any hope of a relaxing evening disintegrated within seconds of seeing Trip winking at her from across the room.

“Surprise!” the group shouted, despite the fact that Fee had spoiled their plans.

“Wow, you got me.” Kelsey grabbed Fee up onto her hip. “No costumes for my birthday?”

Fee shook her head. “But Prince Charming came.”

Kelsey rolled her eyes and tried to ignore Trip’s smug smile.

“Prince Charming?” Avery asked.

“Yep. Him!” Fee pointed at Trip. “He’s going to marry Aunt Kelsey when pigs fly, and I get to be the flower girl on a unicorn.”

Stifled laughter and stunned faces made Fee scowl in confusion. Trip’s self-satisfied smile briefly faltered as Grey and Andy mocked him, but then he played along with a princely bow. “Fee’s wish is my command.”

Kelsey set Fee down when Maura approached with a glass of champagne, mumbling, “You probably need this right now.”

“Yes, very much.” Kelsey shot her sister a stern “we’re going to talk about this later” look before glancing at everyone and raising her glass toward the group. “Thanks for coming. Bottoms up!”

“Hear, hear.” Trip’s velvety voice rose above the crowd. She immediately regretted making eye contact with him. His cocked brow clearly proved he’d intended to draw attention to the double meaning of her last words. As if she hadn’t caught it, or felt it flutter low in her stomach.

Not that she’d let him know it. As she drew near him, she muttered, “In your dreams.”

She brushed past him, the brief contact sparking like static electricity. To distract herself, she hugged her parents and observed the feast of home-cooked favorites Maura and her mom had prepared. The dining room table displayed quite the buffet: barbequed chicken and vegetables, corn on the cob, loaded baked potato salad, Caesar salad, homemade buttermilk biscuits, and pitchers of extra-sweet lemonade.

She scanned the comfort foods dripping in butter and oil, sighing. No wonder she and her sister always had a bit of meat on their bones. Of course, Kelsey also opted to keep drinking the champagne, which probably added to her waistline.

Inadvertently, she smoothed her hand over her stomach.
Oh, screw it
. She grabbed a corn muffin and slathered it in honey butter.

“You’ve got a real nice family, princess,” Trip said over her shoulder. “I see where you get your big ideas about love and happiness.”

She turned in surprise. “Thanks, I think.” Somehow his compliment sounded a bit backhanded. “Your tone suggests that your family life was less than perfect.”

A mix of uncertain emotions raced across his face within the span of two seconds. “My early childhood was great, but then things took a surprising turn.” His brows gathered together and his gaze grew distant.