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Chapter Eight
Jesse didn’t know what kind of spell Liberty Holiday had put on him, but he didn’t like it. He didn’t like that he’d been up half the night replaying their kisses. He didn’t like that when he finally did fall asleep, he dreamed of doing a lot more to Liberty than kissing. And he didn’t like that one look from those meadow-green eyes this morning and he’d had only one thought . . . how can I get my lips back on hers?
Even now, as he stood in line waiting to order his muffin and coffee, he couldn’t help glancing out the window. All three of the Holiday sisters were beautiful in their own right, but Liberty stood out like a fiery ruby in a case of colorless diamonds.
She seemed to be embracing her country girl heritage. Today, she wore a T-shirt, blue jeans, and roper boots that looked well worn in. She wore a straw cowboy hat and had braided her hair into two cute braids that hung over the swells of her breasts. It was easy to picture her working the Holiday Ranch in that outfit—mucking out stalls and herding cattle. He bet she was a skilled cowgirl.
Liberty didn’t do things half assed.
Last night when he couldn’t keep the images of their kisses out of his head, he’d Googled her. It seemed Holiday Sisters Events was doing all right for themselves. He knew what went into a successful company and HSE had all the makings of a successful company. They had a great website, a healthy social media following . . . and a determined and dedicated CEO Jesse couldn’t help but admire. In almost every picture of every event, Liberty was pointing and issuing orders to caterers, florists, decorators, and her sister, who was always at her side.
Jesse knew they were twins. When he saw them in photographs together, he was still shocked by how much the two women looked alike. But no matter how identical they were, he had no problems telling them apart. Not only because Liberty was always dressed in power suits and heels while Belle dressed softer in more subdued feminine dresses and lower heels, but also because of the energy they exuded.
Belle seemed to be enjoying every event. Her body posture was relaxed, her eyes soft, and her smile warm as she adjusted veils and fluffed wedding gown trains and calmed nervous-looking grooms. Liberty didn’t look like she was enjoying the events as much as beating them into submission. In every picture, she was always on the move, her eyes full of fire and her expression ferocious.
He knew that look. The need to succeed and prove yourself. Corbin had it. And Jesse had had it too. But now that he had succeeded, he had to wonder what his success had proven. That he could make money? He could take care of himself and live his life without any help from anyone? Including his wealthy family?
His daddy, Billy, had wanted Jesse to be part of C-Corp, but Jesse had refused the offer. He had wanted to make it on his own. He had, but to what end?
His cellphone rang, pulling him out of his thoughts. He turned away from the window and took his phone out of his pocket. It was Corbin and he quickly answered it.
“Hey, Whitty. Where have you been, man? I’ve been trying to get ahold of you.”
“I didn’t pack the right power adapter and I couldn’t charge my phone until today. So I just got your message . . . and Liberty Holiday’s. What was she doing using your phone?”
“She was the one who called the meeting. Not Hank.”
He thought Corbin would be surprised. He wasn’t. “I thought as much. So I guess she’s pissed.”
“I’d say more confused. As am I, after hearing about Rome Remington’s offer to pay off the loan.” He started to ask for more details when he realized that the people around him had stopped their conversations and were listening in. The woman sitting at a nearby table in the brightly colored shirt and Crocs was leaning so far out of her chair he was surprised she wasn’t on the floor. Having grown up in a small town, he had no doubt that whatever he talked about with Corbin would be all over town by this afternoon. He returned to his phone conversation. “Look, I can’t really talk right now. I’ll call you back in a few minutes.”
“That won’t work for me. I’m walking into a restaurant to meet Sunny.”
Jesse wished he could step outside and continue the call, but then he’d be right in the middle of the Holiday sisters. Which would be even worse. “Okay, then call me when you get done.”
“Will do.”
When Jesse stepped up to the counter, he had so much trouble deciding which muffin looked the best that he ended up ordering a half dozen. Which made Sheryl Ann beam with happiness as she started filling his order.
“I’m glad you enjoyed the Cocoa Java Junkie so much that you came back. I’m Sheryl Ann, by the way. I didn’t catch your name the last time you were in.”
“Nice to meet you, Sheryl Ann. I’m Jesse Cates. And I couldn’t stay away after the best muffin I’ve ever had.”
Her smile got even bigger. “So where are you staying, Jesse?”
“I’m staying at a friend’s place for a few days and cat-sitting while he’s gone.”
The woman in the brightly colored Crocs spoke. “Corbin Whitlock?”
Damn. He’d hoped to remain incognito. But it looked like that wasn’t going to happen. He pinned on a smile. “Yes, ma’am. Do you know him?”
She and Sheryl Ann exchanged looks. They weren’t good looks. The woman in the Crocs stood and Jesse braced for a cussing out. “I’m Melba Wadley, the one who gave Corbin Taylor Swift.”
Gave was a bad choice of words. Forced seemed more accurate. Corbin had told Jesse the story about how Melba wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“We all know Corbin,” Sheryl Ann cut in. “He used to live here. He seemed like a nice boy back then. Mannerly, hardworking, and honest.” She rang up his order on the old cash register. “But I changed my opinion after hearing about him foreclosing on the Holidays’ beloved ranch. We now refer to him as Corbin Whiplash.”
Jesse couldn’t help but laugh. As a kid, he’d loved the Dudley Do-Right movie with the villain Snidely Whiplash.
