Code Name: Genesis (Jameson Force Security #1)(29)
“Does your stepfather realize he named his ranch after a bra size?” I ask as I turn onto the dirt and gravel road.
I don’t get a smile, a snort, or a snicker. Just a bland, “I’m sure he’s been told that before.”
Yup. She’s still pissed, and I can’t blame her. I deserved the slap, and I deserve her enmity. I’m going to let her hold onto it for just a bit, but then I’m going to resolve that shit. We were both riding high on emotion, but we have something between us that needs to be evaluated.
We come around a wide curve, then cross a small covered bridge that spans a gurgling creek before the ranch comes into view. I’d checked Darren Dawes out on the plane, and he makes some serious bank. The ranch house is actually fairly modest, though. I’d guess maybe about twenty-five-hundred square feet and sprawling since it’s single story, and it’s probably more than enough for him and Madeline. I’d learned he’s about twenty years her senior and all his kids live outside of Montana.
There’s a Mercedes coupe in the driveway that’s probably a good five or so years old and a truck of about the same age. Off to the side, several more vehicles—ranch hands, I’d assume—near a two-story workshop. Beyond that, there are multiple barns and a silo. In the distance, snow-covered hills and a large butte, with lots of cattle in the immediate valley.
I pull up behind the Mercedes, then kill the engine. Joslyn lets out a pent-up breath, and I turn to face her. “You ready?”
She looks at me reluctantly. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Want me to stay here?”
Joslyn shakes her head. “I sort of want the shock value of you being at my side. She has no clue I hired you a few days ago.”
“Does she know about your stalker?” I ask.
Another shake of her head, her blond waves shimmering from the movement. “I didn’t want to worry her.”
No matter what Madeline has done to her daughter in the past, she still loves her mother very much. I hope this is something they can resolve.
Reaching over, I curl my hand around the back of her neck. The first time we’ve touched since I slid my cock out of her last night—not counting the face slap. She stiffens warily. “I’m glad you’re doing this. It’s a good idea, and I’ll be right by you. You’ve got this.”
Her slender throat moves as she swallows against what I’m betting is emotion and confusion from my supportive words. It’s obvious she wants to hate me, but fuck if I’m going to let that happen. I know one thing after last night… I’m determined to see if there’s something between us still.
“Thanks,” she murmurs before pulling away from me. I let her go, although I could easily make her stay. I could hold her tight and we could talk this bloody nonsense out between us, but it’s really not the time.
We exit the vehicle, and I don’t bother locking it. I follow Joslyn up the wide porch steps and she gives a sturdy knock on the door. There’s a dog yapping inside—small by the sound of it—and a woman’s voice I immediately recognize as Madeline’s calls out, “I’m coming.”
The door swings open. Madeline Meyers—now Dawes—is standing there holding a furry white dog that’s wiggling with excitement to have visitors in one arm. She’s changed a lot in twelve years. Added a few pounds that actually look exceptionally good on her. She was always too fucking skinny I thought. The designer clothes are also gone, and she appears incredibly comfortable in a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt.
Her eyes land on Joslyn, and she shrieks with joy. “Joslyn… oh my word… what are you doing here?”
I’m standing behind Joslyn so I can’t quite see her face, but if the ice in her tone is any indication, there’s no warm smile being given in return. “Sorry for the intrusion, but we need to talk.”
And that’s when Madeline notices me hulking behind her daughter. At first, she doesn’t seem to recognize me, merely tilting her head as her eyebrows draw inward with confusion. Then her memory kicks in and her mouth forms into a small “o” before she breathes out, “Kynan.”
“Madeline,” I return politely with a nod of my head.
I wait to see how she lets this play out. She has no clue what we know, and it’s a good opportunity to just take full responsibility before things get ugly.
I’m totally disappointed when she tries to play dumb for a bit, though. “Well… this is certainly a pleasant surprise. Why don’t you both come in, and we can do some catching up?”
Madeline moves back to let us in, bending over to put the small dog on the ground. It immediately runs up to me, sniffing at my leg. Ignoring it, I follow Joslyn and Madeline into a comfortable living room filled with masculine leather furniture and game trophies on the wood-paneled walls.
“Would either of you like a drink?” Madeline graciously offers, but I can hear the worry in her voice. She’s banking on the one-in-a-million chance Joslyn and I have reconciled without finding out about her perfidy.
Joslyn doesn’t want to draw this out. She merely states, “We know, Mom. That you gave me fake information about Kynan to make us breakup.”
I brace, expecting Madeline to start trying to lie her way out of this, but to my surprise, her face crumbles.
She walks to Joslyn, grabs her hands, and squeezes them hard. “I am so sorry, honey. I knew this might come to haunt me one day, and I prayed it never would. I have no excuse other than I thought I was doing what was best for your career.”