the relative tranquility of the bus ride, he stepped into the chaos of LAX with trepidation. He scanned the crowd for reporters and then decided he was being paranoid. He wasn’t a big enough deal for them to stake out the airport. No one paid attention to him until he had to hand over his driver’s license going through security.
The woman’s eyes widened. “Aren’t you—”
“Yes, ma’am. Please don’t react.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, honey.” She gave him a smile and stamped his boarding pass.
Okay, so maybe not everyone in the world thought he was a scumbag who’d tried to steal Cliff Wallace’s wife. In the gate area he spotted several people reading the tabloid that had caused the most commotion because the headline screamed HOME WRECKER in large type. He kept his head down and hoped for the best. A couple of teenage girls snapped some pictures, but he could certainly live with that. Even if they posted them online, the paparazzi couldn’t get to him here.
He checked his phone and saw several texts from Geena, although she hadn’t tried to call him. He appreciated that. He texted back that he was on his way to Sheridan and would be out of touch for a week or so.
Then it occurred to him he should let Rosie know he was coming. In all the chaos he’d forgotten to do that. She was somewhat psychic, but figuring out he was flying home today might be beyond her powers. He sought out an area that was slightly less noisy and called her.
She answered immediately. “You’ve been on my mind all morning. How are you, son?”
Her caring voice almost made him lose it. No scolding, no exclamations of horror, no tears. She only wanted to know that he was okay. “I’m fine, Mom. I’m coming home for a few days, if that’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay! When will you be here?”
He checked his arrival time. “I have a long layover in Denver so I won’t make it for dinner. Looks like I’ll land about nine or so tonight.”
“Cade and Lexi will pick you up.”
“Great. Can’t wait to see them.” His foster brother Cade Gallagher had moved back from Colorado two years ago and reunited with his high school sweetheart, Lexi Simmons. They’d both worked hard to make Thunder Mountain Academy a reality.
“The truck’s new, so look for the academy logo on the door. Oh, Matt, I’m so glad you’re coming home. I feel the need to see you.”
“I feel the need to see you, too.” He swallowed a sudden lump in his throat. “Gotta go. We’re about to load.”
He disconnected and stared at the floor while he pulled himself together. Six months ago he’d called Rosie with the life-changing news that he’d been given the male lead in his first big-budget film. She’d whooped and hollered for a good five minutes before she’d been able to speak rationally.
What a beautiful moment that had been. He’d cherished the idea that she could brag to her friends about her son the movie star. He’d loved giving her something special to celebrate after all she and Herb had done for him. And now that shiny moment had been tarnished.
At least his folks were in Wyoming, far from the ugliness. He never wanted it to touch them. Their privacy meant everything to him and he’d protect it at all costs.
Matt had no trouble spotting the ranch truck as he stood in the cool night air outside the Sheridan airport waiting for his ride. Cade drove up in a tan, four-door long bed with the Thunder Mountain Academy logo on the door. Lexi wasn’t with him, after all, so Matt climbed into the front seat and grasped Cade’s outstretched hand.
“Hey, Matt.” A straw cowboy hat shadowed Cade’s face, but his subdued greeting telegraphed his concern. “No luggage?”
“Nope.” Matt closed the door and fastened his seat belt.
“At least you stayed ahead of the peasants with the pitchforks.” Cade put the truck in gear and pulled out.
“Barely. Nice truck.”
“Mom likes me to drive it whenever I come to town. She thinks it’s good for the academy’s image.”
Matt leaned back against the seat. “Yeah, until some derelict gets in.”
“Now that you mention it, you do look a little rough around the edges, bro. Is the scruff for your next role?”
“The scruff is for lack of a razor, although I figured it also might keep people from recognizing me.”
“Oh.”
“So, where’s Lexi?”
“She thought we might need some brotherhood moments so she’s waiting at the ranch with Mom and Dad.”
“Wow.” Lexi’s understanding touched him. “That’s...really nice of her.”
“That’s my lady. She has it all going on.”
“You’re a lucky guy.”
“Yes, yes, I am.” Cade stopped at a red light and took a deep breath. “And since she’s given us the chance to talk, let me say this whole thing bites. I mean, one damn kiss. It’s not like you were boinking that woman in the middle of Sunset Boulevard. And wouldn’t you know some jackass would be there with a camera.”
“Of course he was.” In spite of his exhaustion, Matt’s anger flared to life. “She hired him to be there.”
“What?”
“She set me up.” Matt’s stomach clenched as he said it out loud for the first time. “I can’t prove it yet, but the long layover in Denver allowed me to think through all that’s happened and I’ve put the pieces together. I realize everything started on the last day of shooting when she propositioned me.”
“Aw, hell. Seriously?”
“Afraid so. I’ve never told anyone about it, though, so keep it to yourself.”
“Goes without saying.”
“Anyway, she was a little drunk, but not that drunk. She said Cliff wasn’t man enough for her anymore.”
“Anymore? They’ve been married for like three years, tops!”
Matt shrugged. “Who knows what their relationship is like? She promised we’d be discreet and no one would ever have to know. I turned her down as nicely as I could, but—”
“Now she hates you with the heat of a thousand branding irons.”
“Sure looks that way. She invited me to lunch yesterday, supposedly to apologize for her inappropriate behavior. Instead, she kissed me in front of witnesses and then told the media I was the aggressor.”
“Holy shit on a swizzle stick.”
“Yeah.”
