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Chapter Four

CAMILA

I t takes me three tries to log into the hotel wifi, making me two minutes late for my morning Zoom call. Never mind the hour time difference here in Texas. I just know Ryan’s going to have an attitude about it.

“You’re late.” I sigh when my suspicion is confirmed.

“Reception is horrible here. Next time you want to buy a parcel of dirt, can it please be somewhere more civilized?” He cracks a grin that I usually find sexy, but this morning, I’m having trouble remembering why, and it’s all due to the obnoxious cowboy that starred in my dreams last night.

“Not liking the South?” he taunts me, and I shrug him and my entire thoughts off.

“It’s not worth the hype. I can get good barbecue anywhere. It’s mainly the ego and attitude of the locals I’m having trouble with. But don’t worry. I’ll keep my cool and get the job done. Even if I have to wait until tomorrow.” At that, Ryan curses.

“He’s not willing to see you?” I sip the burnt hotel coffee and look disappointedly at the mug.

“Nope. His receptionist said I needed an appointment, and the earliest he had was one on Friday.” Ryan slams his fist on the table, making his computer jump.

“Dammit, I really wanted this deal done by today.” I’m unsure how he wants me to change that hope, but I stare and wait for him to suggest an option.

“Fine, I guess Monday will have to be soon enough. Are you flying back after the meeting?” Now it’s my turn to curse because I forgot to rebook my flight when I stumbled in from the bar last night.

“It’s on my to-do list. I have to reschedule it.” Ryan frowns.

“You haven’t been watching the weather, have you?” I glance out the window and see nothing but blue skies.

“No, why?” I grab the remote and turn the TV on behind me.

A local news station is on, and I read the red banner on the bottom of the screen.

HOUSTON AREA EXPECTING RECORD SNOWFALL THIS WEEKEND.

“Fuck,” I turn back to my laptop and see Ryan chuckling at me.

“Lucky I don’t need you back in the office until Tuesday. Try to enjoy Texas after you get the deal signed.” I nod at his words, but I just want to be gone as soon as possible.

This state is full of temptation.

“I’ll try. I miss you, though,” I whisper the words in case someone is within earshot.

Ryan glances around his office before turning back to me.

“Soon, babe.” He winks and disconnects the call.

Unease fills my belly. Something is off with him. He’s never hung up without saying I love you. I close the laptop and sit in silence for a few minutes. When the feeling didn’t pass, I quickly changed into some workout clothes and headed to the gym the hotel staff told me about when I checked in.

“You have got to be kidding me.” I stand in the doorway of a room that is no bigger than my closet back home.

One treadmill, an elliptical, and some hand weights are the sole equipment inside. I sigh, put my earbuds in, and climb on the treadmill. It’s facing a window to the parking lot, so at least I’m not staring at a wall. I start my playlist and set the machine at a steady pace to warm up.

Two hours later, I’m showered and feeling much better as I exit the lobby, ready to explore this speck of dirt town. It takes me less than twenty minutes to drive across it, and I shake my head in disbelief. I’d never make it across Manhattan this quickly.

The temperatures have dropped, but it’s still warmer here than back home, so I’m having a hard time imagining the snowfall they’re suggesting on the news. Yet when I tried to reschedule my flight before leaving the hotel, I found that the local airports were all shutting down.

Over a few inches of snow? New York would never, but I guess they just aren’t prepared to handle it down here. Which means I’m going to need some supplies. I searched Texas in winter and found the average temperature was the mid-sixties, so other than my sweater, I have no winter clothes with me.

I find a small women’s boutique with beautiful jewelry in the window and pull into the open parking spot.

“Welcome, how can I help you?” The shopkeeper has a warm smile and tan skin.

She’s wrapped in a shawl that twinkles in the sunlight when she moves. Her long dark hair has a sprinkle of natural gray that women back home have been paying thousands to replicate. I like her style, but it’s the tilt of her mouth as she looks me over that tells me I’m going to enjoy her company.

“New York?” She guesses, making me laugh.

“Don’t hold it against me.” I nod as she waves off my comment.

“I’m a Philly transplant myself. What brings you to Serenity, Texas?” I try to hide my cringe at the name of the town.

“Work,” I try to evade her question because I’m here to cause trouble.

It’s my fucking job to undercut property deals and mergers. Unfortunately, I’m damn good at it. Which does not make the locals of the towns I visit fans.

“Which is?” She pushes while I glance around her shop and find a display of fleece-lined flannels.

“Property acquisition,” I admit while not looking her in the eyes.

“I see. So you’re here to steal someone’s land right from under them.” Well, at least she didn’t sound judgmental about it.

“It’s not personal.” I sigh and finally look back at her.

“Oh, it’s personal to the town folk of Serenity. I won’t hold it against you, though. You’re just doing your job, and you look like you’re doing it well. My question is, how do you sleep at night?” I arch my eyebrow but can’t help my response.

“On thousand-count Egyptian sheets in my Upper East Side penthouse.” She nods, seemingly impressed.

“All that money keeping you warm in that cold ass city?” She crosses her arms over her chest, waiting for my response.

The feeling I had this morning when I ended the conversation with Ryan fills me with anxiety again, and then the memories of my dreams featuring that hunk of a cowboy, Red, chase them all away.

“Look at that blush. That is not from anyone back home.” I blink and turn away again.

“Who names their kid Red anyway?” I mumble as I flip through the flannels and find my size.

“RED?” Oops, I must have said that louder than I thought.

“Big Red? Oh honey, you want to stay clear of that cowboy.” I take the flannel to the counter as she walks behind it and rings it up.

“Oh, I plan on it.” It’s an honest answer.

I’m avoiding that bar like it has the plague.

The store bell rings, and two ladies walk in giggling, making me glance over my shoulder.

“Hey Misty! Did my order arrive? I’m going to surprise Red with it later tonight.” It’s the girl from the Bar last night.

Wow, this whole small-world vibe is not my thing at all.

“Sure did. Let me finish this sale, and I’ll grab it for you.” Misty hands me back my credit card and then wraps up my purchase.

“You remember what I said. He’s trouble you can’t afford no matter the limit on that card.” She walks into the back.

“I remember you! You were at The Courthouse last night. I’m Gretchen.” She offers me her hand, and I shake it politely.

“Here you go, Gretchen.” Misty emerges, holding a black lacy teddy on one of those satin hangers.

“Wow, lucky guy,” I comment to the ladies and then turn to leave.

“Gotta wear armor when you’re at war for a husband, and Red is number one on every woman’s list.” She practically bounces in place as she waits for Misty to wrap up her purchase.

Something doesn’t sit right with me about this whole vibe, and my curiosity gets the better of me.

“Is that actually his name? Red?” Gretchen rolls her eyes and shrugs.

“Yes and no. He’s like the third in his family, so everyone’s always called him that, but the Big Red happened during a high school baseball game.” I glance at Misty, who is hiding a grin.

“Ok, I’ll bite. What happened?” They all start to laugh.

“Red’s brothers are all pranksters, and one of them put itching powder in his jockstrap. Red tried to ignore it, but during the fourth inning, he lost it and pulled out his junk to alleviate himself.” I cover my mouth in shock at Gretchen’s words.

“NO!” She nods with a smile.

“BIG RED is a legend.” She winks and snatches her bag from Misty.” I watch them leave in disbelief.

“The entire town and half the state adopted the nickname. He’s never tried to discourage it.” Misty watches me closely.

“That is horrible.” I shake my head cause I can’t help but think if it’s true.

“I didn’t catch your name.” I look up, and she sees a large white pickup truck with the Justice Ranch emblem on the driver’s door.

The driver tilts his head at Gretchen, who waves enthusiastically. I want to smash her face into the hood of her car so that he tips his hat at me instead.

Where did that come from?

“Sorry, it’s Cami.” I turned back, and I could tell she didn’t miss a thing that crossed my mind or face, for that matter.

I was never any good at hiding my feelings.

“It is,” she says, confusing me.

“Big Red. It’s bigger than that man’s ego.” My eyes widen.

“Good to know. Thanks,” I lift the bag and make my escape.

I need a cold shower now.