Short Rides (Rough Riders #14.5)(25)

“Christ, Ramona, is he stalking you?”


“Sort of.” She blew out a breath. “Okay, yeah, he’s stalking me. Everyone thinks I’m being stupid, that I just don’t understand how a real love relationship works, because I’m more the one- or two-night stand kinda chick. But this? This is creepy as hell.


“He follows me everywhere and he doesn’t bother with stealth. He sends me gifts—ridiculously expensive gifts.” Ramona shot him a look. “Every girl’s dream, right? Wrong. I have no way of returning them to the store or the courier service that delivered them. And that’s exactly what he wants; me to come to him. That’ll add to his delusion I can’t keep away from him because we’re soul mates.”


“How long has this been goin’ on?”


“Months. We dated for about three months before I broke it off. He’s spent the last six months doing this shit. I went to market in China for two weeks and when I came home? He’d had my bedroom redecorated to match his.”


Trevor’s jaw dropped. “Are you f*ckin’ kidding me?”


“No. He’s so...smooth and charming he convinced the building manager to give him access to my apartment so he could surprise me.” She shuddered. “I put all the bedding in the trash—I made sure he knew I did it. Then I called the Salvation Army to haul away the furniture. That’s when I leapt at the chance to come here. I’ve been traveling on business the last month and I’m actually a little afraid to go home.”


“Ramona. Sweetheart. You have to call the cops.”


She shook her head. “And tell them what? This man who looks perfect on paper is a psychopath? He’s a respected businessman, Trevor.”


“Did you talk to your folks? Or your brothers? Or your cousins about this?”


She groaned. “Yes, I told Keely and she tattled to Cam. He freaked out. My God he is one scary-ass dude when he’s upset. I shudder to think what he’ll be like when Liesl starts dating. Anyway, he’s got an old Army buddy who lives in Seattle and he’s picking me up at the airport tomorrow. Part of me is pissed because I don’t want a damn babysitter. But another part of me is really relieved.”


“I’m relieved too. Keep in touch with us, okay?”


“I will. Now tell me about this addition Chet and Remy are putting on.”


When Edgard and Westin returned home, three vehicles, belonging to Colby, Colt and Ramona were parked in the drive.


“Papai, why are there people here?”


“No idea. Let’s go find out.”


Westin hesitated to get out of the truck.


“Something wrong?” He’d been his same helpful self during the cattle check, hopping out to open gates. He’d been quiet, but that was to be expected, given the day he’d had. So far they hadn’t addressed the “hitting is always wrong” issue—mostly because they weren’t sure it was wrong in this case. It’d forced everyone to deal with the issue—not just poor Westin alone.


“Do you think I should do pages in my workbook tonight since I’m kicked out of school?”


“Afraid you’ll fall behind?” he teased. “Of course you should do it. I’ll check it. That means I’ll expect the answers in English and Portuguese.”


Westin grinned and rattled off “I’ll show you” in Portuguese before he jumped out.


Inside the house Colby and Colt sat at the dining room table with Trevor.


“Hey, we’ve been waiting on you,” Trevor said.


“Where’s Chass?”


“She and Ramona are havin’ a tea party with Max and Sophia. Westin is supposed to go up and Chassie will come down so we can chat a bit.”


Westin groaned. “A tea party? Dad, do I have to?”


“Yep. Aunt Ramona mentioned playing Legos afterward.”


He tore off.


Colt chuckled. “The L word works every time, doesn’t it?”


Trevor kicked out the chair next to him. “Have a seat.”


Edgard noticed no one was drinking beer. Much as he could use one, he’d wait. Colt had been sober for years, but he respected the man too much to make him uncomfortable.


“Word of warning? Don’t ask what the powwow is about—that’ll get Chass’s back up.”


“Christ, Trev, did you really say that to her?”


“Once. She told me if I ever said it again she’d whap me upside the head with a cast iron skillet and then fill my ass with buckshot.”


Colt and Colby laughed.


Chassie sauntered in. “What’s so funny?”


“Nothin’, sweetheart, have a seat.”


She sat next to Trevor and blurted, “So Ramona called you?”


Colby nodded. “I’m glad she did ’cause I know you wouldn’t have.” His gaze encompassed all of them. “None of you would have. And that’s bullshit. We’re family.”


“I know what it’s like to want to fight your own battles,” Colt said, “but I also know when you need to ask for help.”