The Coltons of Mustang Valley

Had it really been five years since their breakup? Five years since he’d left to chase his dreams in New York City, opting to prioritize his career over his personal life? In some ways, it felt like a lifetime ago. But standing in Ainsley’s office, watching the play of emotions on her face as he drew closer, it suddenly seemed like only a few hours had passed since he’d made his choice.

She looked different now. Her brown hair was shorter, falling to her shoulders instead of down her back. God, how he’d loved to wrap those strands around his hands! Her hair had always felt like silk on his skin, a soft caress that had driven him mad. Even now, just thinking about it gave him goose bumps.

Ainsley watched him approach, her blue eyes guarded and her delicate features arranged in a carefully neutral expression. Her skin was still pale, a testament to the amount of time she spent in her office. She sported some fine lines at the corners of her eyes, and he hoped they were from laughing and not frowning. He’d always wanted the best for her, had always wanted her to be happy.

Which was why he’d left.

He wasn’t husband material—never had been, never would be. It was something he’d always known about himself, and given his family history of miserable marriages, he wasn’t looking to take on that particular role.

So he’d left, before he could disappoint Ainsley with his shortcomings.

Santiago forced himself to smile as he came to a stop in front of her desk. His arms ached to embrace her, to have her fill the Ainsley-shaped hollow space in his soul that he’d lived with over the past five years. But he could tell by her apprehensive air that such an overture would not be welcomed.

“Ainsley,” he said. Just saying her name gave him a kind of relief. After he’d left, he’d done his best to push all thoughts of her to the side. He’d thrown himself into his work, and his efforts had paid off. He’d made a name for himself, first in New York City, then in Phoenix. Coming back to Arizona had never been part of his plan, but when the firm had called a year and a half ago, they’d made him an offer he simply couldn’t refuse.

So he’d packed his things and moved back to the land of sun. And Ainsley. He hadn’t expected to hear from her—after all, things hadn’t ended well between them. Even so, he couldn’t deny he’d felt a spark of hope when he’d seen her name on his phone screen. He knew it had taken a lot for her to reach out to him. And while he knew she had zero interest in seeing him again in a personal capacity, part of him wondered if they couldn’t find their way to being friends again.

“Hello, Santiago.” She didn’t offer her hand, so he didn’t either. It was clear she didn’t want him to touch her, and he always respected a woman’s boundaries.

She gestured to the seat behind him. “Please, make yourself comfortable. Would you like something to drink?”

“No, thank you,” he replied, lowering himself into the chair. He made an obvious show of studying her face. “You look wonderful,” he said simply.

If she appreciated the compliment, she didn’t show it. “Thank you,” she said flatly. She leaned back a bit in her chair, evidently conducting her own appraisal. “I’m surprised you’re in town,” she said. “What’s a big fish like you doing in such a small pond?”

Ouch. He tried not to wince at the barb. He hadn’t used those exact words, but that had been the gist of his argument when he’d left five years ago. “I can’t grow my career here,” he’d said, gesturing to the window to encompass Mustang Valley. “I’m not going to spend the rest of my life working on drunken assault cases and DUIs.” He’d needed to move to New York to take on the kind of high-profile cases that interested him. Given his childhood, he’d known marriage wasn’t in his future. He hadn’t enjoyed hurting her, but there had been no other way.

“I’m here on family business,” he said, running his hand down the length of his tie. But he didn’t want to talk about that just yet. First, he wanted to hear her story. “Why don’t you tell me how I can help you?”

Ainsley pressed her lips together, and he got the impression that calling him had been a last resort. Worry flared to life in his belly. What was going on? Was she in some kind of trouble? He’d assumed she’d called him on behalf of someone else, but in the face of her obvious reluctance, he had to wonder if he’d been wrong.

“You know I’ll help you,” he said quietly. He’d never stopped caring for her, probably never would. He’d made it clear when he’d left that he would always be there for her. And even though he’d never expected her to turn to him again, he was pleased that she had now.

She nodded, emotion flashing in her eyes. “It’s my brother,” she said finally.

Bit by bit, she told him the whole story. The email to the company’s board, the DNA test, her father’s shooting. And the gun they’d found today in Ace’s condo. He’d heard some of the details before, thanks to news coverage of the story. But she’d filled in several gaps in his knowledge and he realized how convoluted the whole thing actually was.

“He didn’t do this,” she said, leaning forward a bit. “I know it looks bad right now, but I also know my brother. He’s not capable of doing something like this.”

Santiago didn’t argue. In his experience, people were often very capable of doing shocking things, and often for less motivation that what she’d just outlined. But he wasn’t here to argue with Ainsley about the darker aspects of human nature. He’d only met Ace a few times before; he didn’t know the man well enough to form an opinion on the matter.

“So are you asking me to advise you?” She wasn’t a defense attorney, but he knew she could handle this case if she wanted to, especially with a little help.

She shook her head. “No. I’m asking you to take the case.”

He leaned back, considering. What he’d told her earlier was true—he was in town on a family matter. But perhaps he could kill two birds with one stone?

“All right,” he said slowly. “I’ll take the case.”

Relief flashed across Ainsley’s face. “Thank you. I’ll have a contract drawn up immediately. We will pay your full rate, plus expenses.”

Santiago waved this away. “I’m not worried about the money. There’s something else I need from you.”

Ainsley’s eyes filled with wariness, and he felt a wall go up between them. “Oh? What’s that?”

“You’re not the only one who has a sibling in trouble.”

Ainsley arched an eyebrow, silently inviting him to continue.

“It’s my sister, Gabriela,” he began. “She married a real piece of work. She’s been unhappy for a long time, and she agreed to try counseling. They went to this place called The Marriage Institute. It’s a few miles outside town—have you heard of it?”

Ainsley shook her head. “No,” she said. “Is it like a retreat of some kind?”

“That’s exactly what it is,” he said, relieved that she seemed to understand. “Gabriela and her husband Eric went, and after a week there, she agreed to sign some paperwork nullifying large sections of their prenuptial agreement, specifically the clauses regarding spousal infidelity and inheritance upon her death.”

Ainsley frowned. “That doesn’t sound right.”

“No, it doesn’t,” he agreed. “But I looked at the documents and they appear to be solid, from a legal standpoint.”

“Why would she sign such a thing? Your parents were always vigilant about your inheritance terms. I’m sure they treated your sister the same way.”

Santiago nodded. “Believe me, they did. If anything, they were even more careful with Gabriela’s share once she decided to get married.” His family’s wealth went back generations, thanks to careful stewardship from his great-grandfather and then grandfather. His own parents had added to the layers of protection guarding their money, wanting to ensure their family’s future for decades to come. Gabriela’s engagement had come with a veritable forest of paperwork for her would-be husband to sign, all in the interest of making sure he couldn’t touch a penny of her share of the Morales fortune.

And then his sister had undermined most of it with a stroke of the pen.

“I think Gabriela was coerced into signing the paperwork,” he said, leaning forward. “I think this Marriage Institute is a sham, that they don’t really care about helping people at all. I think they take bribes from spouses and go to work brainwashing the unsuspecting partner until they agree to see things their spouse’s way. That’s the only reason Gabriela would sign those papers.” He shook his head, frustration rising in his chest the way it always did when he thought about what had happened. “I’ve spoken to some other people who attended the retreat. They all tell the same story. Gabriela isn’t the only one they took advantage of—there are several other people out there who noticed irregularities in their joint accounts that their exes never really explained. Missing funds that were probably used as bribes. My sister isn’t stupid. She was tricked. And I’m going to prove it.”

“How are you going to do that?” Ainsley asked. “I can’t imagine they’ll just let you poke around the retreat and ask accusatory questions.”

“They won’t,” he agreed. “Which is why I’m going there undercover.”

Ainsley frowned. “What do you mean?” There was a note of concern in her tone, and for a second, he wondered if she was worried about him getting into trouble.

“I’m going to pretend to be a client, there with my wife. We’re both going to offer them a bribe, then find out which person they decide to help.”

“Oh.” Ainsley visibly relaxed, apparently assuming she’d deduced his request. “So do you need me to draw up some sham paperwork that your fake wife wants you to nullify?”

“Nope.” Santiago shook his head, nerves tingling in his belly as he arrived at his real reason for coming to Ainsley’s office. “I want you to be my wife.”

Chapter 2

Ainsley stared at Santiago, certain she had misunderstood. Surely he wasn’t really suggesting she play his wife for his little sting operation?

“Excuse me?”

His green gaze didn’t waver. “I said I want you to be my wife. You’re the only one who I can trust to help me with this.”

So he was serious.

The initial shock faded as anger bubbled to the surface. The nerve of this man! To sit here in her office and casually suggest she play his wife, when he’d walked out on her five years ago, claiming he wasn’t the marrying kind! It was a cruel joke; even he had to know that.

She shook her head. “That’s not funny.”

“I’m not joking,” he said calmly. “I meant what I said, Ainsley. I trust you.”

“Find someone else,” she said flatly, determined not to let her emotions show.

“There is no one else,” he replied.

“Don’t you have a girlfriend who could do the job?”

He shook his head, opened his mouth to speak again. But she cut him off. “Hire someone, then.”

“It’s not the same,” he said. Santiago leaned forward, his expression earnest. “I know this is awkward.”

Ainsley snorted, and he had the grace to look embarrassed. “Believe me, I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t so important.”

“I still don’t understand why you can’t hire someone. I’m sure there’s at least one underworked actress in Phoenix looking for some extra cash.”

“I’m sure there is, too,” he replied. “But you and I have a history together. An intimacy that can’t be faked. The people running the retreat aren’t stupid. They’ll know in an instant if I bring an actress with me. But you…” He trailed off, tipped his head to the side. “You know me.”

It was true—she did. They’d met in law school and quickly become inseparable. She’d loved him with all her heart, had spent hours imagining their lives together, dreaming of what things would be like. She couldn’t have children thanks to a childhood surgery that had resulted in massive internal scarring, leaving her infertile. Santiago knew that, and he’d assured her that wasn’t a problem for him, that he didn’t want kids. Everything had seemed so perfect—their future bright. She’d given him years, only to be cast aside so he could move to New York and become a big shot.

A part of her had always wondered if he’d told the truth. Had he really left to chase his professional dreams? Or had he wanted to find a woman who could give him children, in case he changed his mind later?

It was a question that still haunted Ainsley from time to time. She’d had years to accept the fact that she would never be pregnant, never have a baby come from her body. There were moments she still grieved the loss of possibility, but she’d made her peace with it. If she ever decided she had to be a mother, she’d look into adoption. Perhaps Santiago hadn’t felt the same way. Maybe that had turned out to be a deal-breaker after all, despite his words to the contrary.

Eventually, Ainsley had decided it didn’t matter. Whatever his motivations, he was gone from her life. She’d tried to move on, and for the most part, she’d done so successfully.

But now he was back, pouring salt in the wounds he’d inflicted, wearing an apologetic smile and shrugging as if to say, “What can I do?”

Why did he have to look so damn handsome, too? His charcoal suit fit him to perfection, and his crisp white button-down was open at the collar, providing a tantalizing glimpse of his golden tan skin. She knew from experience how warm he was, how solid he felt pressed up against her body. How he could read her moods with just a glance, know exactly what she needed from him at any given moment. He’d felt like an extension of her soul, and when he’d left she’d felt like her world had shifted overnight, never to be the same again. And just like the earthquake that had rocked Mustang Valley a few months ago, Santiago’s departure had left permanent marks on her heart.

“Please, Ainsley,” he said. His voice was low, but there was a subtle note of anxiety that cut through her anger. “I’m not trying to hurt you again. But I need you.”

She knew how much the admission cost him. Santiago’s pride ran deep, and he’d always hated to ask for help. It was a big deal for him to admit he needed her now.

But he was also asking for a huge favor.

Ainsley sighed, considering her options. Like it or not, she needed Santiago. Or rather, Ace needed Santiago. If she refused to play a part in his undercover operation, he might very well walk out of her office and leave her and her brother high and dry. It seemed the only way she was going to be able to help Ace was if she pushed aside her feelings and helped the man who’d broken her heart.

“All right,” she said finally.

Relief flashed across his face and the breath gusted out of him. Ainsley was a little surprised at his reaction—apparently, he hadn’t taken her agreement for granted.

“Thank you,” he said. He moved his hands as though he wanted to reach across the desk and touch her, but stopped short of the gesture. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” she cautioned. “This plan of yours might not work.”

“It will. I know it will.” He got to his feet, all traces of vulnerability gone as his confident facade slipped back into place. “I’m going to call and make the appointment at the center. I’m hoping to get in this weekend, and the retreat lasts a week. Will that work for your schedule?”

Ainsley stood and made a show of checking her calendar, though she knew it would be fine. “All right,” she said. “I can clear some time.”

“Excellent.” Santiago smiled at her, flashing the dimples that never failed to make women sigh. “I will contact your brother. I should be able to make some headway on his case before our session at the center.”

“Use my middle name and your fake surname when you register us,” she said.

Santiago tilted his head to the side. “Grace Rodriguez?”

Ainsley nodded. “This place is close to Mustang Valley, so there’s a chance people working there might recognize the name Ainsley Colton. If you want this sham to work, you’d better use my middle name so no one questions our relationship.”

Santiago nodded. “Good idea. I was going to use a different last name, just to make sure no one connected me with my sister. That will also provide an extra layer of coverage for you as well.”

He turned to go, moving across the room with that smooth gait she knew so well. “Santiago,” she called, just before he reached the door.

At the sound of his name, Santiago stopped and looked back. “Yes?”

There was just one thing she had to know before he left. “If I had said no, would you still have taken my brother’s case?” Was this simply a quid pro quo arrangement? Or would he have helped regardless of her answer?

He didn’t hesitate. “Of course.” He studied her for a few seconds, his gaze probing. “I once told you I would always be there for you. I meant it.”

Ainsley sucked in a breath as a tingle shot down her spine. He’d said those words to her just before he’d moved to New York. At the time, she’d thought he was simply trying to make her feel better, to make it seem that even though he was blowing up her dreams of a future together, he still wanted to be friends.

Apparently, he’d been making a promise.

She nodded, her throat too tight to speak. Damn him! This would have been easier if he’d kept things transactional—a you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours kind of thing. But he had to go and bring up his parting words, stirring up all kinds of emotions she’d thought were long buried.

Santiago’s expression changed, a knowing look entering his eyes. For a second, she thought he was going to come back, to embrace her the way he’d always done in the past when she’d been upset. But he stayed by the door, apparently recognizing it wasn’t his place to comfort her anymore.

He offered her a small nod. “I’ll be in touch.”

Ainsley tried to smile. “Great,” she replied, trying to sound casual. “I’ll clear my schedule starting on Friday for the next week.”

He inclined his head in a nod of acknowledgment. Then he turned and walked out of her office.

Ainsley waited until the door shut behind him before dropping back into her chair. Seeing Santiago again had been challenging—he was still handsome, still charming.

Still her missing piece.

She shook her head, dismissing the romantic notion. She didn’t need anyone to complete her. She was a strong, intelligent woman who had friends and family who loved her and a career she enjoyed. She wasn’t broken or somehow less than simply because she was single.

But there were times when she was lonely.

Once upon a time, Santiago had felt like her other half. He’d been her safe place, the person she went to when she had joys to share or sorrows to grieve. He’d always been there for her, a steadfast, constant presence that she’d thought would always be part of her life. When he’d left, she had mourned as though he’d died. It had taken years, but she’d gotten to the point where she didn’t think of him every day anymore, didn’t feel that hollow ache in the center of her chest whenever something reminded her of him.

Now that she’d seen him again though, she felt bruised. All her hard work, all the time and energy she’d put into moving on—it wasn’t enough. It was like the past five years hadn’t happened, and she was back at square one, feeling raw and vulnerable and exposed all over again.

Playing the part of Santiago’s wife would be a particularly ironic job since he’d left her because he hadn’t wanted to commit. In the weeks after he’d moved, she’d sometimes fantasized about him coming back, metaphorical hat in hand, realizing he’d been wrong to let her go. He’d get down on his knees and beg her to take him back, plead for her forgiveness and grovel for his shortsighted mistake. The fantasy had helped her feel better, even though she’d known it would never happen.

And yet, in a strange twist of fate, he’d returned. Although he hadn’t groveled, he did need her help.

At least this time, she knew the score from the beginning.

“It’s business,” she muttered to herself. “Only a business arrangement.” No matter how personal it seemed, she had to remember that she was playing a part. Yes, they shared a past. But they didn’t have a future together. She would do this favor for him, he would help her brother, and then they’d part ways and go back to their separate lives.

For a split second, she thought about backing out. Santiago had said he’d still help Ace even if she didn’t help him. Why put herself through the emotional wringer if she didn’t absolutely have to?

But she dismissed the idea with her next breath. If she didn’t help Santiago, she’d feel like she owed him for taking Ace’s case. At least this way, they were balanced. A few days of awkwardness was preferable to being indebted to Santiago.

And maybe in some ways this would be good for her. She’d spent so much time mourning what might have been, she’d lost sight of all the reasons why she and Santiago might not have worked out to begin with. All his annoying traits had faded into the recesses of her memories. Perhaps a reminder of his imperfections and bad habits was just what she needed to realize how lucky she was to still be single.

Ainsley straightened, warming to the thought. It was the perfect approach to take for this upcoming ordeal. Instead of focusing on what she’d lost, she’d think about what she’d avoided and what she had now. Best of all, it would help her keep Santiago at arm’s length, which was what she needed to do for both her heart and the purposes of his ruse. It would be a win-win-win all around. Ace would get the best defense lawyer in the state; Santiago would help his sister; and she would have a renewed appreciation for her life.

She took a deep breath, recalling her interrupted meditation session earlier in the day. Everything would go back to normal soon. She just had to get through this first.

Friday morning.

“More coffee?”

Santiago glanced up at the waitress, who stood next to the table holding a full carafe. “Yes, please.” He lifted his cup to make it easier for her to pour, then brought the brew to his face to inhale the fragrant steam. Bubba’s Diner wasn’t the fanciest place in town, but the coffee was hot and the pancakes were fluffy.

“You ready to order yet?”

“Another moment, please,” Santiago said with a smile. “I’m sure my friend will be here shortly.”

The waitress nodded and walked off to attend another table. Santiago glanced at his watch. Ace Colton was late.

He added a packet of sugar and a dollop of cream to his coffee, then stirred gently. Just as he brought the mug to his lips the door to the diner opened, setting a string of bells jingling.

Ace walked inside and stopped just past the threshold. Santiago threw up his arm and gave him a little wave, and Ace nodded.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said as he slid into the booth across from Santiago. “I had a rough night.”

He looked it, too, with his tousled hair, stubbled cheeks and red-rimmed eyes.

“I understand,” Santiago said, offering his hand. It was the truth—he hadn’t slept well either, but for different reasons. Seeing Ainsley again had been a shock to his system. He’d assumed the passage of time would have dulled his body’s response to her, but he’d been wrong. He’d spent last night tossing and turning, wanting nothing more than to go back to her office and lay her back on that wide desk of hers. Or the coffee table he’d spied in the sitting area. Or any flat surface, really. He wasn’t picky. He just ached to feel her again, to have her in his arms once more.

Ace shook his hand, pulling him out of his thoughts. “I remember you.” His gaze turned assessing. “You dumped my sister to chase your career.” He tilted his head to the side. “How’d that work out for you?”