Chapter Eleven
Friday evening, Nate pulled his truck to a stop beside the steps leading up to Markie’s apartment. Gravel crunched under his boots as he opened the door and stepped out, sighing heavily as he climbed the stairs. He dreaded going to dinner with that insufferable pain in the ass Knowles, but Markie wanted to spend time with her mother, and he wanted to tag along. Nate didn’t trust Knowles one bit, and if he laid a hand on Markie again, there would be consequences.
Thankfully, they had agreed to meet at the restaurant instead of riding together. The thought of being cooped up in a small space with Knowles would probably be enough to make Nate want to pull over and punch him right then and there. He had made reservations through Grant, eager to get them into the restaurant as quickly as possible. Markie was always a bundle of nerves around Knowles and Nate would keep an eye on him tonight.
At last, he reached the top of the steps and knocked on Markie’s door. It swung open, revealing her smiling face.
“You look beautiful,” he said, handing her a pink carnation. She wore a stunning blue blouse with a tight white skirt and those damn white stilettos on her feet.
“Thank you,” she replied, taking the flower from him. “And you look very handsome. Come inside while I put this in water.”
Nate removed his cowboy hat before wiping his feet on the mat and following her into the apartment. He caught sight of her cat lounging on the couch, glaring at him with an intensity that could rival any woman’s cold stare.
“Cats,” he muttered under his breath.
“What about them?” Markie asked curiously.
“She always seems to glare at me for no reason. Just like women do.”
Markie laughed lightly. “Women glare at you?”
Nate shook his head. “You know what I mean.”
She sighed and rested her head against his chest. “I hate going out tonight.”
“I know, but your mother wants to spend time with you, and since Knowles wouldn’t want to be excluded, we’ll all have to go,” Nate replied, wrapping his arms around her.
“But if I punch him, it’s no one’s fault but his own,” he added with a stern look.
Markie smiled mischievously and kissed his lips. “Go for it.”
“As tempting as that sounds, I’ll try to behave. We should probably get going,” Nate said with a grin.
“Alright,” Markie agreed reluctantly. “Let me grab my purse.”
Nate waited patiently as she collected her purse, and they made their way out of the apartment. He took her keys from her and locked the door before handing them back. As they walked down the steps hand in hand, he hoped tonight went as well as possible.
He held the passenger door open for Markie before walking around to the driver’s side and climbing into the truck. After exchanging a brief glance with Markie, he started the engine and drove them to the restaurant. Upon entering, they stopped at the hostess podium.
“Welcome to The Hartland. Do you have reservations?” the hostess asked politely.
“Yes, ma’am. Under Jefferson. We’re meeting another couple,” Nate replied.
The hostess nodded and grabbed two menus before leading them to a booth where Stella and Knowles were already seated.
“Hi, Mom,” Markie greeted with a smile as she slid into the booth beside her mother. Nate removed his hat, and Markie placed it on the seat beside her.
“Stella, you look lovely this evening,” Nate complimented sincerely.
“Thank you, Nate. You look very handsome yourself,” Stella responded kindly.
“He didn’t even bother wearing a suit,” Knowles sneered.
“I didn’t have to wear a suit,” Nate retorted through gritted teeth, but took a deep breath when Markie touched his knee. He looked at her and nodded in silent gratitude.
“Don’t be silly, Jarrett. You can wear whatever you want here. Wearing a suit is entirely up to you,” Markie said firmly, giving Knowles an icy stare that left no room for argument.
“I was just saying—”
“Jarrett, let it go,” Stella said with a sigh, making Markie look at Nate with raised eyebrows.
Nate tilted his head down to hide a grin, then looked at Markie and winked. The corners of her lips curled up in a small smile as she tried to suppress a laugh.
After the server came by and took their order, Nate listened half-heartedly to Markie and her mother talking about their lives. His attention kept drifting to Jarrett Knowles, who seemed to be staring at Markie the entire time. It wasn’t surprising since Jarrett was the type of man who thought all women wanted him. But Nate knew better - Markie had no interest in Knowles whatsoever. He couldn’t understand why anyone would want such an arrogant and self-absorbed man; aside from Stella, who seemed strangely enamored with him. Maybe she was just afraid of being alone, as Markie had mentioned before. But she didn’t need someone like Knowles in her life; she deserved so much better.
Once the meals arrived, everyone dug in. Nate didn’t have much of an appetite, but he was there to support Markie more than he was there to eat. He’d do the meal justice because the food was always good at this restaurant.
“This trout is amazing,” Stella exclaimed, taking another bite.
“They have the best food here.” Markie nodded in agreement.
“I’ve had better,” Knowles chimed in haughtily, causing Nate to roll his eyes and suppress a laugh. Knowles narrowed his eyes at him. “Something funny, Jefferson?”
Nate picked up his napkin, wiped his mouth, then tossed it down with a smirk on his face as he looked back at Knowles.
“Yeah. You.”
“Is that so?” Knowles replied, his tone laced with annoyance.
“Oh, yeah. It’s so. You have to bitch and complain about everything, unless you’re the center of attention. The food is fantastic here. I’m sure you know that. But you just want to be difficult about it.” Nate couldn’t resist getting a jab in at Knowles, who was always wanting to be the center of attention.
He watched as Knowles clenched his jaw and glared at him.
“I’m not being difficult. I just said, I’ve had better.”
“Jarrett, stop. Just enjoy the food,” Stella snapped, clearly tired of his constant need for validation and attention.
“Yeah, just enjoy the food,” Nate repeated with a smirk, relishing in the fact that he had gotten under Knowles’ skin. He leaned over close to Markie and whispered with a playful grin. “Is it me, or is your mother acting different toward Jarrett?”
“It’s not just you. I noticed it too,” Markie whispered back with a chuckle.
As they continued to eat, Nate saw a friend of his and stood up when he and his wife, along with another man approached their table.
“Alex, how are you?” Nate greeted his friend warmly and shook his hand.
“Hey, Nate. I’m doing well. You?”
“Great. This is Markie Russell, her mother Stella, and her husband Jarrett Knowles. Everyone, this is a good friend of mine, Alex Reeves and his wife Dylan. I’m sorry, but I don’t know this gentleman.”
“Oh, this is my father Brooks Reeves,” Alex introduced him.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Brooks said cordially as he put out his hand to Stella. “Mrs. Knowles.” He smiled warmly at her and Nate couldn’t help but notice Stella’s cheeks turn pink.
“You can let go of her hand now,” Jarrett said snidely, making Stella glare at him.
“Don’t be an ass,” she muttered under her breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Reeves,” Markie spoke up politely.
“You too, hon.”
“Markie is a veterinarian and works with Tess,” Nate added.
Brooks nodded in acknowledgment, but his gaze never left Stella’s face, causing her to blush even more.
“Well, uh, we’re on our way out. It was good seeing you, Nate and nice meeting all of you.” Alex said as he gestured for his father to leave with them.
“Maybe we’ll meet again one day,” Brooks said with a lingering look at Stella before following his family out of the restaurant.
“That man is an ass,” Knowles remarked gruffly after they left, making Nate almost choke on his beer.
“This coming from you,” he muttered sarcastically under his breath, but Markie heard him and laughed softly.
“I need to use the restroom. Markie honey, show me where it is please,” Stella suddenly announced, motioning for Jarrett to slide out so she could get up from her seat.
****
Markie’s heart raced as she looked at Nate. “Will you be alright?” she whispered urgently.
Nate gave her a reassuring smile. “Of course. I’ll ignore him.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.” She kissed his lips before leading her mother toward the restrooms.
As they entered the ladies’ room, her mother’s expression was troubled.
“What is it?”
“I think Jarrett is stealing my pain meds,” she confided in a hushed tone. “That’s why I’ve been so short with him this evening.”
Markie had noticed her mother’s irritability, but she hadn’t realized the cause. “I’m sorry, Mom. What makes you say that?” She didn’t want to give away the fact that she was aware that Jarrett just might be stealing them.
“I’m low on them. You know I don’t take them unless absolutely necessary, but I’m missing twenty of them and I just got them filled ten days ago. The prescription is for one hundred twenty pills for a month; that’s four a day and I rarely take it like that. But I do keep track of what I take. I should have a hundred pills, and I only have seventy.” Stella shook her head in frustration. “There’s no way I could have taken that many pills. I have written it down that I took two pills a day for ten days, but a total of fifty are gone. So, if I have a bad day, I won’t be able to take more than two a day. You know how bad it gets for me some days.”
Markie felt her stomach drop at the thought of her mother running out of medication before it was due to be refilled. “I do, and I don’t know what we can do if you run out early. If the doctor thinks you’re taking too many, he won’t refill them for you. They’re afraid of people getting addicted.”
Sighing heavily, Markie continued, “Mom, when Nate and I visited you on your birthday, he told me he saw Jarrett taking pills from a prescription bottle in the kitchen cupboard. When Jarrett saw him, he held up the bottle and said he had a bad back. I told Nate that Jarrett doesn’t have a bad back and he better not be taking your pills. You need them. He’s taken the others that you would have.”
Stella’s face fell in disappointment and worry. “Yes. If I took them as prescribed, I would have taken forty in ten days. Ten more are gone. What do I do?”
“Confront him. Throw him out, Mom. He’s not good for you. He just wants your money.”
“Well, he’s not getting any of it,” Stella declared firmly. “I haven’t changed my will and I’m not going to. You’ll inherit everything I have.”
Markie shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you married him, Mom. You can’t possibly love him.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever love anyone as much as I did your father.” Stella’s voice was heavy with sadness. “All I know is that Jarrett is too young for me, and I was flattered that he was interested in me, but now I see that he’s not really interested in me, just my money. He’s always wanting me to buy him something.”
Tears welled up in Markie’s eyes as she hugged her mother tightly. “I’m so sorry, Mom. You deserve someone who loves you for who you are, not for your bank account.”
Stella let out a humorless laugh. “I don’t know what I was thinking when I married him. I was just so lonely, and he seemed to say all the right things. I should have known better.”
Feeling a surge of protectiveness toward her mother, Markie declared, “I won’t let him hurt you, Mom. He’s not a good person. I’ve told you how he always tries to get me alone. And Nate... he wants to punch Jarrett every time he sees him.”
Stella nodded sadly. “I know Nate doesn’t like him and Jarrett doesn’t like him either, probably because he’s jealous of Nate. He sees how in love you two are.”
A wistful smile spread across Markie’s face. “We’re not in love, Mom,” she said softly.
Stella chuckled, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. “Yes, you are. Both of you. The way he looks at you... it’s the way your father used to look at me. And you can’t keep your eyes off of him. I mean, have you seen that man? Your Aunt Lola would call him a handsome devil, and she’d be right.”
Before Markie could say anything more, Stella motioned toward the door with a nod of her head. “We should probably get back out there before they come to blows.”
Markie couldn’t help but laugh at her mother’s honesty. “So... you didn’t really need to use the restroom?”
“No,” Stella admitted sheepishly. “I just wanted to tell you while Jarrett wasn’t around. It seems like the only time I can get away from him is if I’m in the bathroom.”
Markie’s concern spiked as she asked, “You’re not afraid of him, are you?”
Stella shook her head resolutely. “No. I don’t think he’d physically hurt me, but stealing from me is unacceptable. And I won’t stand for it.”
Feeling a surge of pride for her strong-willed mother, Markie offered support. “Then you need to tell him that you know what he’s been doing. He needs to know that it’s not okay.”
“I will,” Stella promised with determination. “Once we get back to the B and B tonight.”
“Do you want me to be there with you?” Markie offered.
Shaking her head, Stella replied, “No, I’m tougher than I look. Where do you think you got it?” She gave her daughter an affectionate pat on the cheek and added with a wink, “And you know I never hesitate to speak my mind.”
Markie couldn’t help but laugh at her mother’s feisty spirit. “That’s for sure. Let’s get back out there.”
The women made their way back to the table, Markie suppressing a laugh as she saw Jarrett glaring at Nate. However, Nate simply continued eating, completely ignoring Jarrett’s intense gaze.
After they finished their meals, the server arrived and inquired about dessert options. Everyone declined, and Nate requested the check.
“Just the check, please,” he said politely.
The server returned with a leather checkbook, which Nate opened and placed his credit card inside before handing it back to her. After a few minutes, she returned with the receipt which Nate swiftly signed and handed it to her, along with a generous tip.
“Are you sure you can afford that, Jefferson? I could chip in.” Jarrett smirked.
Nate smirked. “I’ve got it covered; besides, I would never make Stella pay for her own meal.”
Markie noticed Jarrett clenching his jaw at the remark. Nate knew Stella’s money was funding their lifestyle, not Jarrett’s, and Nate wanted him to know he was aware of it.
As they exited the restaurant, Markie took Nate’s hand as they walked side by side. They were followed by Jarrett and Stella who parted ways with them at their respective vehicles. Nate drove Markie to her place. Once they got inside, she proceeded to tell him about her mother’s suspicions regarding Jarrett.
“So, your mom thinks he’s been stealing her pills.” Nate shook his head. “And I probably watched him do it.”
“Yeah, she’s convinced of it, but you had no way of knowing, Nate.”
“I knew he was bad news from the moment you told me about him. And after meeting him, it was crystal clear.”
“I should have listened to my gut when I first met him,” Markie stated ruefully.
“You couldn’t know.” Nate squeezed her hand reassuringly.
“She needs to kick him out. How could he stoop so low as to take her medication when she needs it?” Markie fumed, clenching her fists.
“He’s an asshole, Markie. Plain and simple,” Nate affirmed.
“I told her to kick him out, but she said she was lonely and that’s why she fell for his lies. And he knew how to do it. How to pull her in and he knew the right time to do it.”
Nate took her hand in his, gently kissing her palm before meeting her eyes. “He knew she was vulnerable. Damn, he’s a piece of work. She’d be better off without him.”
“I just hope he leaves peacefully and doesn’t hurt her in any way.”
“You don’t think he would, do you?”
“I asked her that and she said no. But I can’t help worrying.”
“What do you want to do? We could go to the B and B now.”
Markie let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know what to do.” She looked at Nate with uncertainty. “She shouldn’t confront him until they get back to Idaho. He might just leave her here and go back to their... her house.”
“Then text her now,” Nate suggested.
Markie grabbed her phone and quickly composed a message to her mother. After a few minutes of anxious waiting, her mother replied, and Markie let out a sigh of relief.
“What did she say?” Nate asked, concerned.
“She said she’s decided to wait until they’re back in Idaho. Thank God.”
“Yeah, really. When are they leaving?”
“According to her text, tomorrow. She can’t handle this situation any longer. I’m going too. I don’t want her alone with him.”
“I can go if you want me to.”
“I would love for you to go with me.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll do anything to protect you from that guy.” Nate’s jaw clenched in anger. “I swear, I want to knock him on his ass for not only how he treats you, but also your mother.”
Markie’s phone buzzed with another text from her mother, and she quickly checked it. Her face lit up with a smile.
“She said she’s going to have her sister come stay with her. My Aunt Lola. I’d love for you to meet her.”
“Do you still want to go?”
“I don’t think it could hurt, but you don’t have to. I know how busy you are at the ranch.”
“I can get off anytime. You know I’m off on weekends anyway. What about you?”
“Only the techs work on weekends, but since I don’t know how long I might be, I’ll call Tess now.”
“Alright. I’ll stick around until you talk to her.”
“So, you’re leaving tonight?”
“If I’m going with you, I have to go home and pack,” Nate replied as he cocked his head thoughtfully. “You could pack and come with me, then we can leave first thing.”
“Alright. Let me call Tess.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Markie quickly dialed Tess and explained the situation. She wanted to be there for her mother until Jarrett actually left, and Tess understood.
“I only have two surgeries scheduled for next week, so even if we have an emergency, it will all get covered,” Tess assured her. “Take your time, but please, keep me in the loop. I’ll check on Socks for you. You be careful around that man, Markie. I don’t like him, and you know Sam and Nate don’t either.”
“I know. I’ll be very careful. Nate is going to go with me.”
“Oh, that’s good. I know he won’t take any crap from Jarrett. Let me know when you’re coming back.”
“I will, Tess. Thank you.” Markie hung up and turned to Nate. “Do you need to call Beau?”
“I will while you pack,” he replied with a nod of his head. “Go on, sweetheart.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
“Will your cat be alright?” Nate asked as she headed toward the bedroom.
“Tess said she’ll check on her for me.”
“Good. Now, go pack, so we can get going.”
“Yes, sir,” Markie saluted playfully before jogging toward the bedroom. She could hear Nate chuckling behind her.
As much as she didn’t want to go to Idaho, she trusted Jarrett about as much as she trusted a snake. Scratch that, she trusted a snake more. That man was not a good person, and she wanted him out of her mother’s life, and hers too for that matter.
After hastily packing a small suitcase, she changed into comfortable jeans and a T-shirt. Carrying the bag, she made her way back to the living room where Nate waited patiently. She noticed him tucking his phone into his pocket.
“Was Beau okay with it?” she asked.
“Yeah, he said to take all the time I need. I’m hoping we won’t be long. He’ll call one of the ranch hands to take over while I’m gone.”
Markie raised an eyebrow curiously. “You’re not afraid he’ll do a better job and replace you, are you?”
Nate smirked. “Not likely.”
“There’s that cocky demeanor I was sure was in there,” Markie teased with a grin, making him laugh.
“Confident, not cocky.”
Nate sauntered toward her and took the bag from her, pulling her into a kiss before leading them out of the apartment. They walked down the stairs and got into Nate’s truck, and he drove them to his cabin.
****
The sound of gravel crunching under the tires filled the air as Nate pulled up to his place. He shut off the engine and stepped out, taking a deep breath of fresh pine-scented air. He opened the back door of his truck and removed Markie’s case before turning to find her already waiting for him.
Taking her hand, he led her up the wooden porch steps and set her bag down before unlocking the door. Motioning for her to enter first, he followed her inside.
The following morning, Nate stood in the kitchen sipping his steaming coffee as Markie entered the room, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
“Good morning,” she greeted with a yawn.
“Morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?”
Markie gave him a playful look that made it hard for Nate not to grin.
“If someone had let me alone most of the night, I would have slept fine.”
Nate snorted. “I didn’t hear any complaints.”
Markie laughed. “Busted.”
Chuckling, Nate wrapped an arm around her and kissed her temple.
“We’ll head out once you’ve had some coffee. Have you spoken to your mother this morning?”
“I got a text from her she sent at six saying they were on their way home.”
Nate checked his watch. “So, they have a two-hour head start on us. If you had gotten out of bed earlier like I suggested, we’d be right behind them.”
“Excuse me? I told you last night that I wanted to leave early, but you insisted on keeping me up half the night.”
“Please. I think you have that backwards. You were the one keeping me up .”
“And you loved every minute of it,” Markie teased before planting a kiss on his lips.
“True,” Nate admitted with a smile. “I’ll go grab our bags and load them. Hurry and finish your coffee, I don’t want him alone with her for too long. Does she know we’re coming?”
“Yeah, she said she might wait until we get there before telling him,” Markie replied with a mischievous grin. “He’s going to hate it when Aunt Lola shows up. He can’t stand her.”
Nate laughed. “Well, I already like her.” With that, he walked out of the kitchen and headed to the bedroom to retrieve their bags, then loaded them into the truck before returning to Stella’s house. He was not looking forward to it. At. All.