Chase walked toward her and held out his hand. Heart pounding, she placed her hand in his powerful grip. He gave her a tug, lowered his head, and she stepped into his muscular arms for another kiss. A soul-searching kiss. This time, she twined her arms around his neck, and he flattened his large hands to her back. Cravings fully awakened, Jade nearly swooned.
CHAPTERSEVEN
“Did Margo reach anappropriateprivate investigator?” Franco Spatafore asked on Friday.
“Yes. Axel Bisbee will be here momentarily,” Mateo Spatafore replied.
“Where is Jade?” Franco demanded rhetorically. Standing in the middle of his deserted patient waiting room, Franco’s slender fingers patted his meticulously colored and cut, salt-and-pepper hair into place, and then he glared at the Rolex on his slim wrist. “No one has seen her since she left the second floor yesterday, Mateo. Thirty hours ago and counting.”
Twins, Franco had been the older brother by two minutes. Franco was an inch taller, and Mateo wore a goatee. Though they weren’t identical in looks, they were nearly so in character.
“The policecoulddo a wellness check,” Mateo said.
“The police are the last resort, and you know it,” Franco replied.
“I know, I know.” Mateo stroked his graying goatee, which he did when agitated. “For her to go publicly missing would be as bad for my practice as it would be for yours.”
“When I stopped by her house last night, those nosy next-door neighbors were outside, so I didn’t try my key. They said they hadn’t seen her and her car wasn’t in the garage, so I left. Today, no one was around, and I tried my key.” Franco paused for effect. “It didn’t work.”
“She’s changed the lock,” Mateo said. “That’s not encouraging.”
Franco glared at her framed photographs adorning every wall. As majestic as Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak were, the scenic backdrops could not compete with the magnificent female sculpted by Mother Nature. Those photos, along with close-ups of her faultless perfection, subliminally beckoned women to undergo his knife in hopes of achieving her goddess-like appearance. Business had never been better. His schedule had been packed for months.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Margo said. She was the office manager over Franco’s staff as well as Mateo’s and good at her job. She stepped into the plastic surgery waiting room with a barrel-chested, bald man clad in a Harley Davidson dress shirt and jeans. “Mr. Bisbee is here.”
“Axel,” Franco all but barked his name, “I want Jade Taylor found tonight.”
* * *
Saturday afternoon,Chase glanced at the Black Forest birthday cake on the granite island. Forty-eight hours ago, he hadn’t known Jade Taylor existed, and now she was occupying his every conscious thought. Would she come to the picnic? When they’d reached the bed-and-breakfast, Chloe and Rachel had been in the rockers on the front porch. So he hadn’t kissed Jade goodnight, instead briefly discussing the picnic with his sister and aunt. Jade understood she was invited. If she didn’t show up, maybe he’d call her.
Hell, she didn’t have her phone turned on.
If she did show up, he’d rein himself in this evening. No problem. But last night here in the kitchen, when she’d been in his arms, after two years of celibacy, hot blood had pounded into his lower body. She’d responded eagerly but not aggressively, letting him set the pace. When kissing Jade’s warm lips, he’d had to summon every ounce of restraint to cool off and drive her to Chloe’s ranch instead of snatching her up and carrying her straight to his bedroom.
It wasn’t just the celibacy driving his attraction to her and he knew it. It was Jade. He’d had plenty of opportunities for sex, all of which he’d easily turned down, most recently Kendra Desmond. He clenched his jaw as Allison Hilliard also trespassed his thoughts. She was the last woman he’d been involved with, and like the others, she wanted a ring. And money. Sex was plentiful, but love remained elusive. At least for him. He hadn’t been in love with Allison, and he wasn’t about to trap himself or anyone else in an unhappy marriage. When he’d told Allison so, she’d stormed out. He’d thoughtgood riddanceand sworn-off women—gold diggers or not.
Then, when he’d least expected it, here came Jade. With a passel of problems.
Leaving the kitchen, Chase crossed his back porch. In the yard, he grabbed the long handle of a cart loaded with two kegs of beer, which Cash had dropped off along with Jade’s sandals. Pulling the cart, Chase heard the four-piece band tuning up in the barn. They were well-known in the area for their country/rock versatility. His barn, being the biggest, had room for a stage and dancing. Thus, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day celebrations were usually held on his ranch. Besides Coop, Aunt Rachel, Bob, and Teresa, friends who knew of the annual events had only to show up to gain entrance, and most brought drinks or a potluck dish. The ranch hands, all of whom were single at the moment, were included, and if they wanted to bring a date, the more the merrier. Cash would lead his ten dude ranchers over on horseback. Cash’s staff was always welcome, so Sam, Kellie, and Jeff would be here too.
Bob was the boss over Chase’s ten ranch hands and claimed the most seniority. Martyman was next in longevity. Not that his aunt needed his permission, but Chase approved of her liaison with the tough, reliable, and kind cowboy. Marty and Mean Pete were cousins, and back in the day, they had helped build the two homes they occupied. They didn’t own the houses because they set on Cooper land. But working the ranch paid for living there. Red followed in seniority and was in charge of the bunkhouse. His sons, Reno and Faro, had joined him there a few years ago. A couple of other brothers, Mitch and Thatch, came next, with Rafe and Hank rounding out the seasoned team. Ragsdale was a new hire by Bob for the upcoming branding season. Chase didn’t have a good feeling about the guy.
When a car honked, Chase looked to his left. Down the side road leading away from the horseshoe drive, Jade was riding shotgun in Chloe’s Hellayella Jeep. With a grin, he headed toward them.
“About time somebody got here to help me with this shindig,” Chase joked. Everyone always pitched in wherever needed.
“We’ve been working in my kitchen all day,” Chloe said, stopping the Jeep between his house and the barn. “Aunt Rachel is right behind us with Martyman. Jade’s been a huge help.”
“Hi, Chase,” Jade said and smiled.
“Hi,” Chase replied, reaching the Jeep. “Did Chloe twist your arm?”
Jade laughed. “I offered to help. No way I’d miss this shindig.”
“Got hot and cold dishes,” Chloe said and turned off the Jeep engine.
“I’ll take care of the hot dish,” Chase said, smiling at Jade.
