Chapter 31
31
M eredith tossed back a brandy and fought back the headache, stepping closer to the shade of the fake potted plant she was using for cover.
She and her father had come to mutually agreeable terms and were beginning their new relationship like Jace had wanted, and to be honest, she did as well. Not without some reservation, her father was giving her the freedom to fly, even offered to buy her a house, in his neighborhood, of course. All-in-all, it was a good start. Her act of good faith was to attend this one event. Though, knowing it had been her mother's favorite charity fundraiser hadn't helped to stave off her anger at the excessiveness of it all. Why couldn't people just give money to the veterans? Why did they need to get a material object in exchange? Shouldn't the selfless act of giving be enough? She wholly regretted coming. The chitchat was inane, the auction items excessive, and the food over processed.
Meredith snorted. She'd become a new sort of snob, the kind that knew there was more out there, better living, and it had nothing to do with socioeconomic status symbols. She was spoiled from eating fresh from her garden, a reward from her hard work. From witnessing Mother Nature's glory as the seasons changed, and experiencing the touch of a man who found her breathtaking. The ass! He'd ruined everything. Thanksgiving was coming. Thoughts of the holiday made her wonder how it would be spent on the ranch, a holiday she’d been looking forward to. Would it be like one of those in a Hallmark movie? Fun and full of family love and cheer?
Darn that Jace Shepard and his stubborn ways! She wanted to clock him for his stupidity. She wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but in reality was too scared to go to him. A second rejection would devastate her. She wanted him back desperately.
“You look like you lost your best friend.”
Meredith jumped and slowly faced Sabrina. “I’m sure you have a whole lot of things to say to me, but I don’t want to hear them.” For emphasis, Meredith waved her hand as if pushing away the impending conversation. “If you’re here for your money since I didn’t stay a year, ask your friend. He’s the one who told me to leave.”
“You’ll be surprised because I actually have nothing to say.” Sabrina handed her a champagne glass.
“Nothing? Really?” Meredith scanned the crowd. She had to keep her eye on Lyle Brady. He’d already tried to get close to her earlier, and she feared his wandering hands would result in her slapping his face. A scene she did not want. She spotted him a few clusters of people away.
“Well, not really. I mean, I might ask you what you plan on doing once you figure out what it is you want. But I’m guessing you haven’t gotten there yet.”
Meredith snorted and honed her focus on Sabrina. “I’m there. It’s your fool friend who’s clueless.”
Sabrina raised a brow. “Oh, is that so? Are you doing something about it then? ”
Anger shot through Meredith. “What can I do? He asked me to leave. He basically said he didn’t want me anymore.”
Sabrina grimaced. “Did he really, or did you think that’s what he was implying? I’m sure you’ve figured out that men really suck at communication.”
Meredith rubbed her temple. “I don’t know Sabrina. It's all so confusing.”
“You could try going for what you want.” Sabrina tapped her glass to Meredith’s. Then said, “Just a thought,” before walking away in a swoosh of her skirt.
Meredith sighed and chugged back her champagne. Sabrina was right. She did need to go for what she wanted instead of hiding behind a plant feeling sorry for herself. Hell, she’d killed a grizzly bear. Conquering Jace Shepard had to be easier.
Someone ran their hand down Meredith’s backside, causing her to gasp with surprise. She swung around and found Mr. Brady leering at her.
“I brought you another champagne, dear,” he said and forced the glass into her chest, his knuckles brushing her breast.
“Get your hands off my chest, Mr. Brady. You should be ashamed of yourself.” She didn’t step back, afraid it would look like weakness to him.
“Because I enjoy touching a beautiful woman?” He snorted, his hand staying against her.
“Because you have no right.” She bit out the words, “Remove your hand.”
His eyes widened, and then he laughed. “What happened to sweet, compliant Meredith?” He stepped closer, his hand going up and down the outside of her dress, curving around her boob.
“She killed a bear and therefore is no longer intimidated by you. This is my last warning.” She stepped aside and thrust his hand away, champagne splashing over the rim.
“Look what you’ve done.” He leaned close to her face, pinching her chin between his thumb and index finger. “I might have to spank you for that.”
A shiver of repulsion ran through her. Nothing about that sounded sexy. Every bit of it was meant to be controlling and demeaning.
Meredith stared him in the eyes. “I warned you.” She lifted her skirt. Lyle’s brows shot into his hairline, excited pleasure rippling over his face. Once her leg had enough room to move, she swung it back and kneed him in the groin, dropping him.
“I asked you to stop touching me. If you ever do it again, I will put more force into my swing. You understand me? And as for compliant Meredith? She got tired of being pushed around by people like you.” She didn’t wait for a response, but floated away, riding a magic carpet of pleasure and self-pride.
She felt good. Damn good. Next battle, Jace Shepard. She’d already told her father she wouldn’t live with him, but they could continue to talk and work on their relationship. She now needed to tell him that would have to happen in Wyoming. She was going home. She would tackle her fear of Jace not wanting her later.
She was halfway to the exit when she heard her name echo across the art gallery’s large, open room. She turned toward it, expecting to find her father and his anger. Jace stood by the bar dressed like he had the first day she met him. She blinked to clear her eyes, thinking it was a mirage.
Nope, it was him.
How crazy had she been to think this man wouldn’t suit her? To believe he might have been harsh without knowing anything about him. He walked toward her, his Stetson on his head, his face shadowed, but she didn’t need to see him in full light to know what he looked like. He was etched on her heart. She saw him everywhere she looked.
Now here he was. She met him halfway, swallowing the large lump of fear that had gripped her throat. It had to be good that he was here, right? He wouldn’t come all this way to give her a toothbrush, would he?
When they stood before each other, the chatter around them halted. Meredith crossed her arms over her chest and stood straight. “I have something to say to you, Jace Shepard.”
“I’m sure you do, but may I go first?” He took off his hat and brushed back his hair.
She fairly swooned, the stupid man, playing with her like that.
“Be my guest,” she said, hoping she sounded terse and not weak. She might throw herself on him at any moment.
“The other day, when you left, I meant to say something, but I neglected to.” He ducked his head then looked up at her.
Her heart slammed into her chest. The look of regret on his face was sending a signal she wasn’t sure she was reading correctly. It felt a lot like another break up.
“Well, get on with it.” She clenched her teeth so she wouldn’t cry.
“I meant to say I thought you should go and try to make amends with your father. Life is too short to have bad blood between you.”
She opened her mouth to tell him off. She already knew this, but he put his hand over her mouth to shush her.
“I also meant to say I would go with you if you wanted, but if it was something you needed to do alone, I understood. I want you to know that I’ll be waiting for you should you decide to come home.” He nodded once, kissed her cheek, and then stepped back. He turned on his heel and walked away.
Meredith’s mouth fell open as she processed his words. Was that a declaration of something?
“That’s it?” she called to his back .
He turned. “Pretty much.” He set his Stetson on his head. “You need something more?”
Time to go for broke. “Yes, actually.”
Jace nodded as if in thought. “I see.”
She threw her hands up in disgust. “You see? You are the daftest man I have ever met, and I have met a ton. Look around you. This room is filled with them, but right now you’re leading the pack.”
Jace laughed. "I love you, Meredith, and I want you to come home. I want to have babies with you, talk about the garden every year, but we can skip killing large wildlife if you don’t mind. I’ve had my fill with that.”
Instantly, she burst into tears, covering her face. She felt his arms slip around her.
“Babe, don’t cry. Be happy.”
“I am happy. Now,” she said between her hands.
“Me, too,” he said, peeling her hands from her face. He cupped her cheeks and delivered a soft, yet desperate kiss to her lips.