Against the Wall

Chapter Twelve

Monday morning, she found a third note on her windshield. This one was even more threatening. Last chance. You don’t wanna ruin the land. Should she tell Jake? Or the sheriff?

She stuffed the note in her purse and spent the day preparing for the hearing. She’d call Quinn the day after.

The doorbell chimed as night approached and she flew down the stairs to keep from disturbing Mrs. Shiller, who’d gotten sick.

“Preston.” Seeing Dream Bob on her doorstep wouldn’t have shocked her as much.

“I flew in with the Charleton Group’s attorneys, grabbed a car, and came to surprise you. Surprise.” Sunlight glinted off his silver watch as he leaned forward to peck her on the cheek. His beautiful suit with a Burberry tie complemented his deep eyes and wavy blond hair, and he looked as out of place on Mrs. Shiller’s country porch as a scarecrow by the Eiffel Tower.

Relief filled her that she wouldn’t be alone. “I’m surprised.”

“I thought you could use moral support tonight.” He grabbed some of her foam boards she’d stacked by the door and led her to a parked silver Jaguar.

Sophie handed over the remaining exhibits, sank into the front seat, and squirmed. Her uncle’s company must really need the job if Preston left a city for the country.

“You rented a Jag in Maverick, Montana?”

“There was only one, pretty lady.” Preston shut her door then placed the colorful boards into the trunk of his car and climbing into the driver’s seat. “We can celebrate later tonight, Sophia.”

Her mind reeled. She had enough to worry about without hurting Preston’s feelings about the cruise. No way could she go with him now, considering she’d had crazy monkey sex with Jake Lodge last night. “I’m sure I can catch a ride home. I think my friend Loni will be there.”

Thunder rumbled in the distance as Preston maneuvered the sleek vehicle through the windy road past town. “How have you managed this last week? I thought I was kidding when I asked how it was being in the middle of nowhere.” A hard rain began pelting the car, and he flipped on the wipers.

“It’s peaceful here.” How could he not see how quaint and safe the town was?

A jagged arc of lightning lit the forest on either side of the narrow road and belied her words. “So is the moon, but I don’t want to live there,” Preston said tersely. “The casino is on the other side of the reservation?”

“Another twenty miles on the way to North Dakota.” Sophie shivered in her white summer suit as the night grew even darker outside the purring vehicle.

“I did some checking and the tribe wants to build its own golf course on the other side of the land, away from the lake. They’re supposed to break ground in the next few months.”

Her saliva dried up in her mouth. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

If Jake were fighting her for monetary reasons and not “for the land,” she’d kick his ass.

“Why don’t you fly home with me tomorrow? The commissioners might not make a decision for another week.” Preston wrenched the wheel to the left as a branch crashed into the road, scattering green pine needles all around.

“Actually, I thought I’d stay. I was hired to design a memorial garden and should be able to finish it this week.” She’d come up with a great plan and couldn’t wait to share it.

“Hired? By whom?”

“My friend Loni.”

“Is she from Maverick?” Preston asked.

“No. She’s on the tribal council.”

“Sophia. They’re on the opposite side of us on this,” Preston drawled.

Just because the tribe opposed one of her clients didn’t mean the tribe couldn’t also be her client. Plus, she wanted to do that damn garden. “They’re not involved in the golf course design. The tribe is a separate entity, just like any other citizen, and it happens to oppose the proposal. It’s not us against the tribe…”

“Are you sure about that? I heard their lawyer is ruthless.” Preston’s knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.

“Jake Lodge.” Just saying his name skittered heat across her lower belly.

“Yes. Jake Lodge.”

City lights came into view, and Sophie shook her head. “Jake isn’t t like that.” He couldn’t be. He was a good guy.

“You sound like you know him, Sophia.” Preston’s voice lowered to a timbre she’d never heard before.

“For the love of Pete. Would you please stop calling me Sophia?” She shifted uncomfortably in her plush seat.

“That’s your name.”

“I go by Sophie.” She hunched her shoulders, feeling like an idiot for not complaining sooner.

“Why didn’t you ever say something?”

“I don’t know. Sophia sounded right coming from you.” Until Jake Lodge came into her life.

“What is going on with you, Soph…ie?” Preston parked in front of the brick County Justice Building. Fat raindrops plopped onto the windshield and the wind rattled against the glass.

Sophie could only shrug as she jumped out of the car and looked up at the five-story stately brick building presiding over Main Street. Preston retrieved the exhibits from the trunk and they dashed inside the double doors.

She smoothed her white pencil skirt as her tan pumps clacked on the wood floor while she followed signs to the public meeting room. Her stomach dropped at the sheer number of utilitarian blue chairs lined up in rows.

Preston waved to two men seated at a long table and nudged Sophie in their direction. She skirted the rows of chairs and strode toward them.

“Miss Smith.” Oliver Winston stood and smiled. Sophie shook his hand, having met the Charleton Group’s managing partner several times while creating her design. Stateliness defined him in his burnished brown suit with D&G loafers, and his Rolex shot prisms of light around the room. His red tie appeared to be hand-sewn silk.

“This is Niles Jansten, our attorney.” He took her hand in a firm grip—almost too firm. Shrewd brown eyes set in an aristocratic face smiled perfect white caps that matched a silk tie screaming Rodeo Drive. His eyes roamed from her eyes to her breasts and Sophie removed her hand. She gave a silent prayer of thanks she was seated between Preston and Oliver.

Niles said, “First I’ll introduce the development, and then Miss Smith will show her design to the commissioners. They may or may not ask questions at that time. Then the public will testify; most will babble on about how development, any development, is bad. The commissioners have heard it all before.” He gave Sophie a quick once-over and she fought an irritated shiver. “Then I’ll have a few minutes to rebut all of that and we’re off.”

“What about the tribe?” Oliver murmured.

Niles tapped his watch. “Either they’ll all testify with the public or just one representative will testify on behalf of the entire tribe. It could go either way.”

“I think their attorney will be testifying.” Preston turned to watch the public file in and take seats.

“Oh good. A country lawyer to deal with. Can’t wait,” Niles sneered under his breath.

Preston raised an eyebrow at Sophie. “Not so sure Jake Lodge is an ordinary country lawyer, Niles.”

“We’ll see. Please tell me he’ll be wearing cowboy boots,” Niles muttered.

“Actually, I’ve seen him in slate gray Armani.” Sophie kept a smile plastered on her face. “Though I doubt we’ll see that tonight.”

“Why not?”

“The crowd is small town. The commissioners will be as well, I assume.” She crossed her sandaled feet under the table.

Preston nodded next to her. “Good point. We’re overdressed, aren’t we?”

“I’m not.” She nodded toward a group of newcomers. “There’s Jake Lodge.” Chocolate Dockers over buffed brown cowboy boots showed long and lean legs. His crisp white dress shirt with red tie emphasized his tanned face and strong jawline, while his navy sports coat accentuated his muscled torso. His jet-black hair was tied back at the nape, giving him a primitive appearance. His brothers, Hawk, the chief, and his parents filed in behind him with several other members of the tribe.

“He certainly has presence.” Preston settled back in his chair and laid a casual arm along the back of hers.

Coal-black eyes instantly shot their way. Sophie straightened in her seat and her heart dropped to her stomach. Jake said something to his family, his gaze holding hers across the room. The others began to take their seats.

Jake started forward, forging a path directly toward them.