Alexi in less than twenty-four hours. However, the idea of reporting her failure to King Wilheim was unconscionable. She had to try. And Milos Anatole, Prince Alexi’s valet, would help tremendously.
The idea of telling her father she’d been dismissed from her first independent job, especially one with the royal house of Belegovia, was appalling.
“Very good, then, Mr. McCauley. If you’d like to pack a small bag with any personal toiletries, we’ll be off.”
“Whoa, now. I have to make arrangements for someone else to help Juan take care of my stock. I can’t just walk away from seventeen horses, four laying Rhode Island Reds, and the best mouser in the state of Texas.”
Gwendolyn wasn’t sure what he was talking about—probably some types of animals—but he sounded responsible for them. “Perhaps this Juan person can handle the task. Or surely you have a friend or a neighbor who can help.”
“Well now, I have somebody I can call, but I’ve got to see if he’s available. He’s got his own place to take care of.”
Gwendolyn glanced at her watch. If they got on the road within the hour, they could arrive in San Antonio before two o’clock that afternoon. That would give her nearly twenty hours—if they had to work through the night—to get Mr. McCauley ready for the children’s hospital and zoo appearances tomorrow.
“Let’s get on with it, then.” She rose from the couch and clutched her briefcase in front of her with both hands.
Mr. McCauley frowned, leaning back in his chair to look her in the eye. “Are you always this bossy?”
She swallowed a caustic reply. “I’m sorry, Mr. McCauley, but we are on a tight deadline. If there is anything I can do to convince your friend to arrive promptly, please let me know.”
“How much were you gonna pay?”
She suddenly realized they hadn’t discussed a fee. “How much do you require?”
“We’ll talk about me later, but why don’t you pay my friend five hundred to stay here and watch my spread? That’ll cover about two days of his time.”
From knowing Prince Alexi—who had the uncommon ability to compute pounds to yen to euros—for so many years, she’d learned to compute foreign currency. Five hundred dollars seemed fairly reasonable. About ten dollars an hour American, if one counted the entire day and night. “Very well. I’ll have a check prepared for him.”
“Now, Lady Wendy, I’m not sure the bank in Ranger Springs will let him cash a check from Europe.”
Gwendolyn felt her body go rigid. “I assure you—”
“Now, don’t get all bent out of shape. This is a small town. Hell, a lot of people won’t take a check from Oklahoma, much less Belegovia. Why don’t you run into town and see if you can get some cash? I’ll get dressed, pack a bag and be ready to go when you get back.”
“This is absurd! A check from the royal treasury of Belegovia is absolutely valid!”
Hank McCauley shook his head, making a lock of unruly hair fall into his hooded eyes. “No cash, no deal.”
Gwendolyn swallowed another reply and turned on her heel. “Very well, then, Mr. McCauley. Your friend will have his cash. I’ll be back shortly. Kindly be ready to leave when I return.”
“You’ve got it, Lady Wendy.”
She heard the recliner squeak as he rose, but his bare feet made no sound on the floor. She couldn’t keep herself from looking back to see where he was located.
He was right behind her. She turned and clutched her briefcase high against her chest, drawing in a deep breath, inhaling his clean fragrance and spicy cologne. Why didn’t the man at least don a shirt? He was absolutely improper.
Absolutely intoxicating, she had to admit as her head swam.
“You might want to stop by the Kash ’n’ Karry on your way back from the bank. I’ll need a couple of six packs of Dr. Pepper—the real kind, not that diet stuff—while we’re working on this prince thing.”
“Dr. Pepper.” She was relieved her voice still worked. “Anything else?”
“Throw in some Doritos, will you, darlin’? I’ve got a good idea all this training is gonna make me hungry as well as thirsty, and I doubt they have my kind of food on the menu at the hotel where we’ll be stayin’.”
Hotel. The two of them, working until the wee hours, alone in a suite. Maybe not alone, if she could keep Milos with them all night. “Whatever you wish, Mr. McCauley.”
He stepped even closer, so close she had to look up into his blue eyes and heart-stopping grin. Too dangerous. She dropped her gaze. She could see the sprinkling of hair on his fingers as he gripped the towel around his neck. His chest appeared warm, broad and firm underneath those fisted hands. She had the irrational and totally inappropriate urge to taste his skin.
Good heavens! What was wrong with her?
“Now, Lady Wendy, what did I tell you about not leavin’ an offer like that on the table?”
“What?”
He grinned. “Never mind. You run off to the bank, now, and don’t forget those Dr. Peppers.”
TRAVIS AUSTIN WHITTAKER had just paid for a pound of ten-penny nails, a box of staples and two rolls of chicken wire when his cell phone rang. Getting his change from Jimmy Mack Branson at the hardware store, he unclipped the phone from his belt.
“Hello.”
“Travis, I need a favor.”
“What’s up, Hank?”
“I need to go out of town for a couple of days, real unexpected. Can you come over and help Juan? He needs to be home with his family at night. Also, I’ve got a new horse coming in on Friday and I’m not sure what time I’ll be back.”
“Sure, I’ll be glad to.” He paused as he held the door open for two ladies. “Got a hot prospect on a new horse?”
Hank chuckled. “Kind of a hot prospect, you might say, but not the four-legged variety.”
“Whoa. That’s news.”
“Well, not exactly. I need to keep this real quiet, Travis. Can you do that for me?”
“Sure, buddy. No problem. Will you have your phone with you?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll call if anything comes up I can’t handle.”
“Thanks. I’m paying you for this.”
“No way.”
Hank laughed. “Yeah, I’ve gotten you a great deal. I’ll fill in the details later.”
“Whatever.” Hank knew that Travis didn’t need the money. Besides, he wouldn’t take payment
