Why not Wyoming? (Wyoming Wilds Series Book 1) (16 page)

Smiling, she tilted her head, listening for her amazing
boyfriend. No sound made it through the open bathroom door. His phone had rung
just as she’d started the shower. CJ had looked surprised when he’d looked at
the ID, but had immediately said he needed to take the call. Not wanting to be
nosey, she’d told him to join her when he could. Lathering the loofah, she
scrubbed absently. Calls this late usually weren’t good news. She rolled her
neck. Was it Teresa? His Ex had made it clear, in both body language and words,
that she still considered CJ hers. There was nothing like a little competition
to make a woman realize what she’d lost.

“Can I wash your back?”

Annie caught her breath at the sudden question. She hadn’t
heard him come in. Stepping into the shower behind her, CJ held out his hand
for the loofah.

“I’d like that,” she said, gathering her hair to get it out of
his way.

“Sorry that took so long,” he said, scrubbing tight circles
across her shoulder blades.

“No problem. I hope everything is okay. It’s kind of late.”

“It’s two hours earlier in Wyoming.”

“Mmmm … I didn’t think of that,” she murmured, enjoying the
gentle scrape of the sponge.

“I’m not sure if you would classify him as a friend, or a
colleague maybe, but anyway, another guide I know had contracted with some guys
out of Los Angeles to help scout movie locations. His wife was in a car
accident last night and is pretty busted up. Understandably, he doesn’t want to
leave her so he was calling to see if I was available.”

Her heart sank. Not knowing what to say to that, she kept
silent.

“As much as I’d like to be here with you, it doesn’t make good
business sense to turn down work this time of year.”

He’d mentioned that February and March were his slow months. Three-month
cushion on the utilities or not, with them just into February he’d be foolish
to turn down the money. Uncertainty was the only certainty when you were
self-employed. Besides, he’d undoubtedly dipped into whatever savings he had to
fly to Michigan. CJ kissed the slope of her shoulder.

“I’m sorry.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat.

“Don’t be. You’re right. It’s a good opportunity for you. It
could lead to more work in the future.” 

“Bill made the point that he’s not getting any younger and that
it’s good to have someone to refer clients to. That could be a sly old dog
manipulating me, but this isn’t the first time he’s had to send someone my
way,” CJ said, slowly working the sponge down her spine.

Glad her head was down, she nodded.

“It wouldn’t make sense not to do it.”

“It’s only four or five days, depending on if they like what
they see. We’ll talk then, see where you are with your book promotion, and go
from there.”   

Getting on the small plane in Sheridan had been one of the
hardest things she’d ever done. She’d left a part of herself behind. Hours had
felt like days. How would days, maybe weeks, feel?

“When do you have to leave?”

“My flight leaves tomorrow morning at eight-fifty.”

The soft press of his lips on her nape made the lump in her
throat swell. This conversation was just a courtesy. He’d already made
reservations. Her nails dug into her palms at the tightness in her chest. Why
did people think relationships were so great? They hurt.

“If we make it out of bed, I’ll take you to breakfast on the
way to the airport,” she whispered.

CJ pressed against her back, his lips finding that spot behind
her ear.

“With our track record, I won’t count on it.”

CJ had been right. They’d stayed in bed, the neon numbers on
the alarm clock taunting them until they were out of time. Thank God for The
Great American Bagel location near his terminal. She tore a tiny piece off,
dabbing it in the cream cheese. It held little appeal, but CJ had insisted she
eat something. Was pining a recognized weight loss program? A girl could hope. CJ
wasn’t off his feed. Breakfast sandwich in one hand and coffee in the other, he
was double-fisting it.   

“You need to eat.”

Giving him a mollifying smile, she popped the piece in her
mouth.

“Annie, I’m serious. I need you to take care of yourself.”

His worry made her heart twinge with guilt. 

“I have to stop at the grocery store on the way home. I’ll
stock up on the comfort foods. Promise.” 

His thumb brushed the corner of her mouth, coming away with
cream cheese on it. Visible through his dark beard, lines creased the corner of
his mouth. Her heart sank. Things had been different between them here, and now
he was unhappy. 

“What’s comfort food for you?”

It wasn’t the question she’d expected. Brushing crumbs off her
scarf, she gave herself a moment to think.

“Chocolate, of course, umm … fried chicken, potatoes in any
form, and Cool Ranch Doritos.”

“That’s an interesting combination,” he mumbled around his last
bite.

She couldn’t help but smile and shake her head at him.

“I don’t usually eat them all at once, but I might this time—with
a margarita chaser.” 

Pitching his trash, CJ pulled her into his arms.

“If we both want this badly enough, we’ll find a way to make it
work.”

Annie’s stomach rolled.
If
loomed awfully large in that
sentence. He’d said they’d talk in a week and figure things out. After being
joined at the hip for the last ten days, a week apart was a lifetime. Was this
goodbye?

“I want this,” she whispered against his shoulder.

“So do I,” he said, kissing her temple. “We’re two smart,
determined people that love one another. If we put our hearts and minds to it,
we can find a way.”

Swallowing a sob, Annie pressed tighter to him. One more
if
and she was going to lose it.

They called his flight. She took a deep breath, drawing in the
scent of sandalwood and leather. Saved by the call once again. Giving him one
last squeeze she tried to step back, but CJ didn’t let go. Cupping her cheek,
he tilted her face up for a kiss. It was slow and drugging. By the time they
came up for air, Annie felt boneless. He leaned his forehead into hers.

“Trust us,” he said, his voice rough with the desire she could
feel pressed against her belly.

She nodded, clearing her throat in an effort to answer him. It
didn’t work. She nodded again and stole another kiss.

“Call me. Be safe,” she croaked.

Kissing her forehead, CJ hugged her one more time. Shouldering
his carry on, he went through the gate. She watched him until he was out of
sight, her heart shattering. If she’d thought leaving was bad, being left was
so much worse. Her fingers tangled painfully in the strap of her purse. The credit
card inside whispered its insidious siren call. It would be so easy to follow
him. And so pointless. What was she thinking? He had a job. She rubbed her
temple, fighting against the oncoming tears and the throb of her head. Ten
days. They’d known one another ten days, and already he made her want to forget
everything else. Was that even healthy? Where was the line between attraction
and obsession?

“Is everything okay, ma’am?”

Blinking at the bright green coat in front of her, Annie backed
away. Other people slowed their airport rush, looking her way in morbid
curiosity. Everything was in slow motion. Feeling herself sway, she shuffled
her feet into a wider stance. She needed to get out of here.

“I’m sorry. Yes. I’m fine,” she said, trying to smile at the
airport’s customer service ambassador. “I’m just feeling a little lost without
him already.”

The whispered admission surprised her, but the other woman
nodded sympathetically.  

“I understand. Hopefully, it will be a short separation.”

Annie could only nod at the kind words, praying it was true. She
backed up another step, bumping into a chair. Waving a shaky thanks, she whirled
and headed for the parking lot. Her anxiety heightened with each step until she
was running for the door. The tightness in her chest made her breath come in
harsh pants. A boy wandered in front of her, dragging a large suitcase on a
leash. She missed the kid but caught the luggage with the side of her leg. Stumbling,
she threw an apologetic glance at the glaring mother.

The doors opened in front of her, a swirl of snow and welcome
cool air sweeping in. Sucking in desperate gulps, she lunged for the opening. An
elderly couple struggling with luggage and winter coats suddenly blocked her
escape. Her heart was hammering. Skidding on the wet tile, she squeezed past
them and to freedom. A swinging briefcase slammed into her thigh, spinning her
around on the sidewalk. A cry of pain burst past her lips.

“Sorry!” the man called, reaching for her.

Annie jerked back, stepping off the curb. Her butt connected
with the front end of a parked cab.

“Are you okay?”

Ignoring the cabbie’s concern, she shakily skirted the traffic
and broke into a run for the parking lot. Cars faded in and out around her. She
needed to sit down. If she could just make it to the safety of her Jeep. Keys.
The key fob would help her find it. Her hands were shaking so badly she
couldn’t even work the zipper on her purse. A familiar blur of orange saved her.
Fresh tears sprang to her eyes at the Chicago Bears license plate. Annie and
her mom had bought the decorative accessory for her dad’s new Jeep, replacing
the battered one he’d had for years. He’d made no excuse for not following his home
state’s team. The Lions sucked.

Leaning against the side of the vehicle, Annie plunked her
purse on the hood and rested her head on top of it. Dark spots danced in front
of her eyes and breathing was getting harder. The shuddering gasps were loud in
her ears. Groping blindly for the zipper, she worked the purse open. Her
fingers found everything but the keys she needed. Shaking the bag in
frustration, she bit her lip against the scream clawing at her throat.
Something jangled as she slumped back against the cold metal SUV. Patting her
coat pockets, she pulled out the missing keys.    

She flung her purse at the passenger seat and put her head down
on the steering wheel. Concentrating on the breathing techniques she’d learned
years ago, Annie fought the panic attack. She was safe. No one was watching.
Everything was going to be okay. God, she wanted her dad. Or CJ. CJ’s arms
would feel so good right now. He’d hold her and know just the right thing to
say. She could feel the melodic rumble of his voice, and the warm whisper of
his breath against her ear. Tears rolled hot over her cheeks. All she wanted
was to be held. She was pathetic.

Fingers biting into the steering wheel, she rocked against the
tide of fear and loathing. The image of CJ squatted down beside her chair at
the restaurant flashed on the inside of clenched eyelids. ‘Look at me,’ he’d
said, rubbing her back and making everything around them disappear. She tried
to focus on him. He was too good for her. The thought hurt. Had he realized
that? The couple of days here had seemed different. There was no question that
the physical attraction had still been there, but some of the ease and laughter
had been missing.

She rubbed at her chest. Was she different here? Was it the
book stress? Was it Grand Rapids? CJ was a true country boy. While this wasn’t
New York or Los Angeles, CJ thought of Sheridan as a large town. You were
talking less than twenty thousand to almost two hundred thousand. That was a
big jump. She wiped away tears, still rocking through the lessening tension. He
hadn’t even hesitated when given a chance to go back to Wyoming. Had it been purely
a business decision? Even she had to admit it was the right decision when you
looked at it that way. CJ’s work was important to him. One romantic
relationship had already lost out to it. It was a sobering thought, but the
truth.

Shivers wracked her tense muscles. Forcing herself to sit up,
she managed to get the key in the ignition. Burrowing her nose in her scarf,
she tucked her stiff fingers between her thighs. The neon numbers on the clock
told her it had been almost twenty minutes since CJ’s plane departed. Where had
the time gone? Her seat started to warm before the air. Snuggling back against
it, she tried to ease the ache and cold. She longed for the comfort of her
pajamas and a warm blanket. The attacks always left her tired.

By the time the vents were putting out hot air, she’d pulled
herself together enough that she could drive. As big of an appeal as home held,
she knew she had to grab at least the necessities from the store. A mental list
formed as she carefully exited the airport’s maze of parking lots and drives. Chicken,
potatoes, iced tea, chocolate, eggs, Doritos, ice cream, milk, and cereal.
Nothing like sharing your blanket fort with Captain Crunch.

Cocoa. The word slipped in like a Stealth Bomber and packed as
big of a punch. She thought about the rich, creamy cocoa made with so much care
and love. Her mouth and eyes watered. He’d warned her that she would be
spoiled. Annie wondered if he knew how right he was. CJ Barrett had spoiled
her. Nothing was the same without him.  

CJ scratched behind Topper’s ear, breathing in the comforting
scent of warm horse and hay. Aries stretched from the neighboring stall and
nuzzled the side of his head.

“I missed you too,” he said, cupping her dark muzzle and
rubbing his cheek against hers.

The buckskin put her head over his shoulder in a move CJ always
thought of as a horse hug. He leaned into it. The quiet of the barn was a balm
to his chaotic mind. He’d done nothing but second guess himself since he’d
stepped onto the plane in Michigan. Every minute with Annie, every conversation
with her or her family had been torn apart and scrutinized. He still didn’t
have any answers. Hell, he wasn’t even sure of all of the questions.

What he knew was, he loved Annie. He loved her and wanted to
make things work. Whether or not that was possible was a whole different
matter. He’d been over this several times and nothing changed. The split with
Teresa had ultimately come down to him refusing to compromise. Was he going to
let the same thing happen with Annie? He looked around the barn. Could he give
up everything? He didn’t even have the oil fields to fall back on in Michigan. Annie
making more than him really wasn’t the issue. His ego could handle that as long
as he was contributing and they worked as a team. It was her family that
worried him. Job or not, would they see him as a con artist like Angie had
said? Annie had already lost so much, he didn’t want to drive a wedge between
her and the family she had left.  

 He rubbed his forehead against Topper’s. Other than a brief
touch on his finances when Teresa had turned things upside down at the
restaurant, and Annie mentioning something about some interest when she was
telling him about the blood money bullshit, they hadn’t discussed the subject. The
snide comments had all been from her family or business associates. After the
verbal jabs, Annie’s condo had been his first red flag from her. It had been a
game changer. A glance at the building’s website had revealed her two bedrooms
in the sky came with a price tag more than three times his mortgage. CJ shook
his head. He couldn’t give her that kind of life here in Wyoming.

Giving Topper’s forelock one last stroke, he headed for the
house. Other than dropping his bag inside the front door, he’d avoided it thus
far. It felt empty without her. Kicking off his boots in the mud room, he
padded through the silent cabin. Out of habit, he checked the house phone. To
his knowledge, she didn’t have that number, but he’d checked his cell a dozen
times. She hadn’t responded to a couple of messages he’d left her. Was she
upset or just busy? He could hope the second, but wasn’t banking on it.

A rummage through the refrigerator didn’t reveal anything
appetizing. He glanced at his cell again. There was plenty of food in the
freezer. He had some stuff to look over before meeting with Bill’s clients in
the morning. Pulling his keys out, he bounced them in the palm of his hand. It
could wait. He should check in with his parents and let them know he was back.
A phone call would do the job, but it was dinner time. His mom always made
enough for an army, and he didn’t feel like cooking. He smiled to himself and
tossed the keys again. So he was a mama’s boy.

“There are plenty of reasons not to answer a phone,” his
mother said. The tender exasperation in her tone made CJ smile. “With cell
phones, texts, emails and what-not, you kids act like it’s the end of the world
if you aren’t connected every minute of every day. Haven’t you ever heard the
expression,
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
?”

“You kids?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at his mother’s back.
“I’m thirty.”

“You’re still my kid, and you get the point.”

“If she’s already in a snit over you having to leave for a job
then I’d ask yourself if you want to go through that again,” his dad added, his
tone soft and serious.

“She’s not like Teresa,” CJ protested. He frowned. “I don’t
actually know that she’s upset. It was one of those things where she stood
there and agreed with me that it was the right thing to do, but I don’t know if
she means it.”

“Sometimes a woman means exactly what she says,” his mother
said without turning from filling the dishwasher.

“And sometimes they don’t,” his dad muttered under his breath.

CJ pointed at his dad in silent agreement.

“Until you talk to her, you’re just borrowing trouble.”

“I do have to agree with your mother on that one. If you’re
going to make things work long distance, you’d better be prepared to do a lot
of talking.”

“Which is probably why your father married me so quickly,” his
mom quipped.  

Swirling the dregs of his coffee, CJ chuckled. He’d heard
plenty of stories about how shy and quiet his dad had been before his mom had
brought him out of his shell. When the subject came up, his dad usually nodded
and said, ‘Nothing like the love of a good woman to change a man’s life.’ That
was what CJ wanted. The problem was, he wanted to be with her now. Even his mom
and dad’s month between meeting and marriage sounded like an eternity when he
thought about being half the country away from Annie.

He leaned back as his mother refilled his cup. What would
happen if he told Annie that? Would it freak her out, make her back off, or was
there any hope she felt the same way? She hadn’t said the words, but his heart
said she loved him. When it was just the two of them, it was perfect. He’d
never talked or laughed so much with anyone.  There was no one he’d rather be
with. He smiled, suddenly remembering a game they’d played as kids. If you were
going to be stranded on a deserted island what three things would you take with
you? His first two answers had rarely changed, a good knife, and a supply of
matches in a waterproof container. The third thing had always varied with the
moment or his mood, rope, fish hooks, a bow, or if he was feeling smart-ass, an
inflatable boat or a satellite phone. For the first time, his third item was
set. He’d take Annie. He’d never be bored or lonely with her at his side. Together
they could survive anything.

He flinched as something tickled his nape.

“Get your head right. You can’t be zoning out like this out
there,” his mom said, the short nails of one hand carding through his hair
while the other slid a piece of pie in front of him.  

“Don’t worry. I’m all business when I’m out there.”

“I’m a mother. It’s my job to worry, sweetheart.”  

“Well, I can’t control everything, but I’m as careful as I can
be, Mom.”

“I know, and you’re good at what you do.”

“Thank you. At least on this job, the city boys will be
shooting with cameras instead of rifles. They’re scouting locations for
filming,” CJ explained, washing down a bite with a swallow of coffee.

“Is Annie going to come back after this job?”

“Not right away.”

“Soon?”

“We haven’t made plans.”

“You seemed pretty sure about this girl before you went to
Michigan. Do you want to tell me what happened to change that?”

“Nothing changed. I love Annie. The trip just exposed some differences
in the way we live.” He shrugged. “Things, besides location, that we’re going
to have to talk about and see if we can work out.”

“Did you have a fight?”

“Ellie,” his dad chided.

CJ shook his head slightly. His mom meant well.

“No. Bill called with the job. I told her I shouldn’t pass up
work this time of the year, and that it presented a good opportunity for the
future. Annie agreed. She is going to be wrapped up in promoting her book for
at least the next couple of weeks. We’ll see what happens when our schedules
clear up.”

“What do you see happening?”

“I don’t know, Mom. I’m still trying to figure that one out.”

He didn’t miss the look his parents exchanged. His mom had
always been able to read him.

“This isn’t like with Teresa is it?”

“No. They’re nothing alike and, already, our relationship is
different. Where I wasn’t willing to compromise with Teresa, I am for Annie. We
just need to get on the same page with some stuff.”

“You compromised plenty for that girl, but she wanted
everything,” his mom said, lips pressing into a thin line of annoyance.

His dad put a comforting hand on his wife’s hip. Her slim hand
covered his.

“You’d give up the guide work for Annie?”

“I think I would, Dad,” CJ said rubbing the back of his neck.
“I just need to be sure that I won’t end up resenting it down the road and
figure out what I’d do in Michigan.”

The look they gave one another this time was surprised and
worried.

“Moving is a huge step.”

“But a step that one of us is going to have to make. How could
I ask her to do something that I’m not willing to do?”

“I respect that, son,” his dad said, nodding. “But remember
that marriage is a two-way street. You’d be giving up your dream, leaving
behind home and family, and starting over. Make sure that there’s some give in
her too.”

“I’ve been giving it a lot of thought.”     

“We’re not telling you what to do, baby. And I know we’re
hardly the ones to preach taking things slow, but be careful,” his mom said,
leaning in to kiss his cheek. “We just want you to be happy.”

“I know, and I appreciate the support. I mean, you’re asking
questions, but I don’t feel like you’re judging us or her. Maybe they’re a
little more protective because she’s a she, but her family seems suspicious of
me.”

“Crystal’s parents?”

He nodded. “Her aunt and uncle, another cousin, even her
publicist in a way. Everyone’s talking about money except for Annie. I don’t
know if that means it’s not important to her, or if she has so much she doesn’t
have to worry about it.” 

“Have you tried talking to her about it?”

CJ sighed. “Not really. I know we need to, but money is such a
hot topic.”

“It is. It’s also the number one thing couples fight about. If
you can’t be honest about it now, it won’t get any easier.”

“We’ll talk about it. You’re probably right that it won’t be
any easier down the road.”

“Of course I’m right. I’m your mother,” she said with a saucy
wink.

Chuckling, CJ scraped his fork across the plate, getting the
last bit of his blueberry pie. He stole a look at his dad.

“Admit it. You fell for the pie first.”

“It was really good pie,” his dad said, not cracking a smile.

“Keep laughing, funny boys, and see how long it is before I
make either of you another pie,” she threatened, smacking both their shoulders
before picking up the plates and sashaying off to the dishwasher.

CJ’s grin widened watching his dad follow in her wake, hands
going to her hips as he whispered sweet, placating words in her ear. Their easy
flirtation made him miss Annie all the more. He wanted that. He wanted to come
home to love and laughter. It wouldn’t matter what he did to earn a living if
he could come home to Annie.