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Fuckin’ Ian. What had he done? He’d always been a good guy. He’d never come off as entitled or snobby. To Jaime’s knowledge, he didn’t lie, cheat, or steal. When had he gotten in so deep with gambling?
The runaway bride’s thumbs tapped across her phone’s keypad. She’d been at it from the moment they’d boarded. Was she apologizing to each of her three hundred guests for bailing on the wedding? She seemed like the kind of thoughtful person who would do that.
Right then, she glanced up.
And caught him staring. His cheeks went hot.
“I’m being rude.” She lowered the phone. “I’m so sorry.”
“Nah.” He waved his cell. “I’m working, too.”
“Well, it’s not work.” Her teeth sank into her plump bottom lip. “My phone’s blowing up. Everyone wants to know what’s going on, but what can I say? If I tell the truth, Ian loses his job. And then, how’s he ever going to pay my parents back? But the thing is, what harm are we doing bynottelling everyone? What if he tries to steal money from other people?” She sucked in a breath. “What if he already has? Oh, God.” When she closed her eyes, her lips parted, and she looked so damn upset. “I don’t know what to do.”
The situation sucked, and it wasn’t her fault. “Hey.” He shifted across the aisle to sit next to her. “You ran for a reason. You don’t have to talk to anyone right now. You can turn off your phone and just take some time for yourself.”
“But they deserve an explanation.”
“Sure, but that’s Ian’s job. He did this, not you. And you deserve some time to come to terms with all this.”Christ, those sad eyes.He’d thought they were brown, but they had flecks of green, amber…whiskey… And seeing them through a sheen of tears about killed him. He barely knew her, but he wanted to slay anyone who hurt this beautiful, sweet woman.
“I should’ve stayed. I took the coward’s way out, and I left my mom with a mess. That’s not fair to her.”
“Again, if anyone should deal with the mess, it’s the man who created it.”
She gave him a soft smile. “Okay, but I could’ve at least helped my mom clean up.”
He didn’t know anyone who would think about other people an hour after finding out their fiancé had cleaned out their bank account. “Look, I’m not going to tell you what to feel, but your mom has three hundred helpers. The least of your concerns is folding the chairs and freezing the casseroles. They’ll manage without you just fine. And if you lay out your options, isn’t it best to take some time to get your head on straight? Your future’s just been turned upside down.”
“Oh.” Briefly, she squeezed her eyes shut. “Wow. I hadn’t even gotten there yet.” She leaned against the headrest. “I never considered a life without Ian in it. He’s just always been there.” She sighed. “I really do need to think.”
He took in her lush raspberry lips, delicate features, and the silky hair that refused to cooperate with the harsh bun. How the fuck could Ian have screwed this woman over? Later, when they landed and she wasn’t around, he’d talk to him. He’d find a way to recoup her losses.
“I may be saying the obvious here, but you know you’re not stuck with me, right?” she asked. “I really appreciate you letting me hitch a ride, but I don’t want you to think you’re in any way responsible for me.”
Well, he kind of was. Where was she going to go when they landed on the airstrip? “Do you have plans? Know anybody in Wyoming?”
“No. But I’m sure there are hotels.” She looked past him, out the window. “Motels.”
“Tell you what. I’ve got some rental cabins on my property. I bought them in an attempt to turn our finances around, but it didn’t work. It wasn’t profitable, and the guests were nothing but a liability on a working ranch. So, I’ve got eleven of them, sitting empty. You’re welcome to stay in one.”
“Really? You don’t mind?”
“That’s what they’re for.” He’d gone all out with luxury details, and now, they only got used when they had guests in town or the annual family reunion.
Well, and for him, of course. He hadn’t thought of that when he’d made the offer. But he’d put her in the one farthest from him and Kinny.
“Well, thank you. Then, I’d love to take you up on that. But don’t think you need to entertain me.”
“I don’t.”
Adorably, she went on. “A bed, a bathroom, a kitchen…I’m all set. Besides, it’s just for a few nights.”
“Sure. No skin off my nose. I’m just a ride and a place to crash. Once we get there, you’re on your own. I’ve got a meeting in New York the day after tomorrow anyway.”
Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean? You’re going back to the East Coast?” She set her hand on his forearm. “Wait. You weren’t planning on going home after the wedding?”
“No, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll take any excuse to go home and see my girl.” He was sure all parents felt the same way, but he never fully relaxed unless he was with her.
Grace tried to tug up her sleeves, but they were too tight. “Ugh. This dress.”
