Colton Cowboy Jeopardy (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“Selina!” she gushed. “I’m so glad you’ve made it.” She turned a bold smile on Jarvis. “Is this the nephew I’ve heard so much about?”

“No, no.” Selina laughed easily, but he felt the bite of tension as she slid her arm around his waist. “This is Jarvis Colton, the man who has simply made the last few months a delight. Jarvis, this is Regina Graves, our hostess and Norton’s wife.”

Jarvis glided his hand down Selina’s back in a gently familiar and possessive move. In the past the gesture might have felt gallant or warm. Tonight he just felt sticky. “You have a lovely home, Mrs. Graves.”

“Thank you.” Her gaze narrowed, her lips tilting as she assessed him.

“Where is Norton?” Selina made a show of looking around while pressing close to Jarvis’s side. “We haven’t had a chance to say hello to the guest of honor.”

“He’s out on the deck with a cigar and a few close friends,” Regina said, the insult clear though she’d delivered it with a sugary smile. “Do enjoy yourselves until he returns.”

With a lingering gaze for Jarvis, she walked off. He wanted a shower.

“Oh, well done,” Selina said under her breath. “She’s fuming.”

“Happy to help,” Jarvis said, moving his hand along her spine again.

He let Selina guide him to and fro through the house, until the conversations blurred together. Per Asher’s request, he kept Selina sipping on champagne. Not enough to allow her to wreck her own agenda, but enough that she might feel talkative while he drove her home.

Selina couldn’t be persuaded to interrupt the cigar smokers on the deck, so Jarvis had to bide his time until he could get a good look at Norton. Hopefully, hanging with his “close friends” meant he was safe. Unless Regina had tampered with the man’s cigars. He wouldn’t put anything past her.

Selina shooed Jarvis away once she was immersed in a conversation with several women. He seized the opportunity, selecting a sparkling water and giving himself a tour of the grand house. With luck, he might get to Norton’s office or even upstairs before anyone noticed.

Everywhere he looked, he was greeted by high-end luxury. The furnishings were perfect, the colors and textures and accent pieces creating a flawlessly coordinated effect. He was sure every piece was comfortable, but nothing was comforting.

As he wandered through, he realized the decor was light on family memorabilia. Even his aunt had framed their school pictures each year. He assumed the house had been staged for the party and the personal items removed for safekeeping, until he found photos of Regina and Norton on a mantel and more candid shots of the couple framed and featured on a bookshelf. Notably absent were any photos of Mia or Silas. Hearing a slow click of high heels on the tile floor, he paused to admire the selection of books.

“Here you are,” Regina purred at his shoulder.

Jarvis stepped out of her reach, barely suppressing a shudder.

“You’ve wandered a bit from the party.” She closed the distance again, her perfume snaking around him. “Is the crowd too much?”

“I do enjoy the quiet,” he replied. “I hope it’s not a problem.”

“No, of course not.” She watched him with a shrewd gaze. “You’re welcome to make yourself at home.”

Ugh. She was testing him. He was torn between calling her bluff and calling her out. Embarrassing Selina would wreck his chances of gleaning any information for Asher. And Regina didn’t strike him as a woman to succumb to an ultimatum from a stranger. He’

d believed Mia before that Regina would strike if pressed. Now he could see it in her eyes. She was wondering how to steal him from Selina.

“Norton has quite a collection here,” he said, gesturing to the bookshelf.

“How do you know the collection isn’t mine?” she countered. “Maybe we share it.”

The emphasis she placed on “share” made his skin crawl. He evaded her next attempt to touch him. “Classic philosophy and modern business must lead to fascinating conversations with your husband.” Jarvis spotted a man Selina had introduced earlier and made his escape. “If you’ll excuse me. Please, give Norton my best.”

He figured Selina would give a cheer when she heard about it, but he wasn’t sure one shower would be enough to erase the ick-factor. He spoke with a few more people as he made his way toward the back of the house. Being familiar with Norton’s career and having a thorough understanding of industry and business ventures in the region gave him a leg up on the typical eye candy. He used it to his advantage, gathering snippets of conversations and comments to share with Mia later.

Jarvis learned Norton had been golfing twice since she’d gone into hiding. He hadn’t missed any meetings and no one voiced any concerns about his health or behavior. All of that should ease Mia’s concerns.

What he found more distressing was the lack of concern for Mia or her baby. She was Norton’s only child and had been visible and influential as a model and as Roderick’s wife. No one seemed to miss her. In fact, any sign that Mia had ever lived here or had any relationship with her father was gone. He assumed Regina was behind that, clearing out anything that diverted Norton’s focus on his wife. Rounding a corner, Jarvis came up short as he found himself in front of a painting of Norton and a young Mia. They looked happy and connected, and her natural beauty was already shining. He wondered if Regina had tried to remove it entirely or if she hadn’t yet dared.

Norton walked up right then, his eyebrows lifting when he saw Jarvis.

Jarvis offered his hand and his name. “I’ve followed your career for some time, Mr. Graves.”

Norton met his handshake with a firm grip. “A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Colton. Hope you’ve followed my advice, as well.”