Chapter Fourteen
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Sitting nervously at a table in a discreet corner by a window overlooking a picturesque creek, Helen stared across at the door waiting for Kenny to appear.
When Andy had called and told her about his unexpected, threatening visitor—a gorilla sized man dressed from head to toe in leather riding a monster motorbike—then told her about Kenny’s connection to a biker gang in Dallas, she’d wanted to cancel the meeting. But Andy thought if she wasn’t there, Kenny might show up at the ranch himself with his biker buddies.
“Believe me, darlin’, I don’t like this one bit, but the sheriff is on top of it now, and from the moment you arrive at the restaurant, and on your drive home, there will be plenty of eyes on you.”
Andy’s reassurance had been helpful, but glancing around the half-empty dining room she didn’t see anyone who looked remotely like a deputy or police officer. Telling herself they would be purposely inconspicuous, she waved to a waitress.
“What can I get you?” the young woman asked.
“Can you bring the menus please, and what are your flavored vodkas?”
“We have vanilla, peppermint and peach.”
“Vanilla, and bring it as soon as you can.”
“Sure thing.”
Helen knew from experience the vodka wouldn’t make her tired or tipsy, it would just settle her nerves. The waitress returned in a flash, and Helen had just downed the shot when the door opened and Kenny entered. The effects were almost instantaneous, and she waved him over.
Watching him stride towards her with his long, thick, wavy, shimmering hair and engaging smile, she found it hard to believe he was the leader of a tough, possibly criminal biker gang. But his well-worn leathers spoke of many miles on the road and gave him an appealing edginess. It was an intoxicating combination. Studying him with fresh, objective eyes, she understood why she’d been attracted to him. He was the epitome of a tough, sexy, bad boy.
“Hey, pretty lady. Glad you could make it,” he said, leaning down and pecking her on the cheek. “You look great.”
“Thanks, so do you,” she replied as he sat opposite her. “Can I ask you something. Two things, actually.”
“I need a beer first,” he declared, waving at the waitress. “Do you want anything? I see you’ve had your usual vodka shot.”
“No, thanks. One’s always enough.”
As the waitress hurried over and took his order, Helen could see she was fascinated by him.
“Kenny, just how many women are not attracted to you?” she asked as the waitress left.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Stop it.”
“Okay, not many, and the ones that aren’t I can usually…let’s see, how do I put this…?”
“Seduce?”
“I was about to say, win over. Is that what you wanted to ask me?”
“Actually, no. How do you get your hair so wavy and shiny, and why do you have it so long?”
“Accentuate your good qualities and people won’t notice the bad ones as much. And it looks like it does because I use the right products.”
“A biker who uses hair products. You’re a walking, talking, oxymoron.”
“Among other things,” he quipped with a grin.
“Now on to the serious stuff,” she said, dropping her smile. “Did you send one of your biker friends to Andy’s ranch this morning?”
“Yep.”
“Oh, my God! You admit it? How could you do something like that?”
“Hey, Erin’s my friend, and your cowboy tried to beat her up.”
“Is that what she told you? He did no such thing! I know! I was there!”
He didn’t respond, but a frown crossed his brow and she suddenly wondered if she’d said the wrong thing.
“Tell me exactly what happened, and I mean exactly,” he said sternly, leaning across the table.
“Okay. I used to think Erin was great, but I was wrong. Very wrong. I’m still trying to deal with the guilt. She’s a horrible person. She was whipping my poor mare and Andy told her to get off because Daisy looked like she was in pain. When Erin slid from the saddle he grabbed her crop, whacked her on the butt, then let her have it—verbally! He only hit her once, and she deserved it.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes, Kenny, that’s it. You had no business sending a thug to the ranch,” she said angrily as the waitress arrived with his beer. “I was about to cancel this meeting but I wanted to set the record straight.”
“Well, now you have.”
“I intend to speak to Erin as well.”
“No! Leave Erin to me!”
“What does that mean?”
“Just what I said,” he replied sharply. “The subject is closed. I’ll deal with it, and you can tell your boyfriend he won’t have any more visitors.”
“Thanks, I will,” she said, softening her voice, then remained quiet as he took a drink.
“Now, Helen, it’s time to talk about why you’re here.”
“You mean this isn’t just a friendly visit?”
“It is, but there’s more. There’s a charity event at your parents estate tomorrow night.”
“It’s not an estate. It’s just a farm with a renovated home and a few guest cabins, but how do you know about the event?”
“I have a couple of friends attending, friends who prefer I not show up at their offices or their homes. And they don’t like to be seen with me in public either. It really pisses me off.”
“Friends? How can you call them friends if you don’t hang out with them?”
“Never mind. You’re going to hand them something from me, and they’ll have something for me.”
“Oh, no! No! No! No! That sounds dodgy. What are you giving them? And what will they be giving me? Let me guess. This is about drugs. I don’t want any part of it.”
“Listen to me very carefully, Helen,” he said solemnly. “These people are important to me, like Daisy is important to you. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”