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As Joaquin sat back in his chair, his eyes darkened a shade.
“Are you asking my opinion or are those rhetorical questions?” he said.
“I’d love to hear your opinion,” Zoe said.
Joaquin took in a breath and let it out slowly, as if weighing his words. “Personally, I believe a family has a right to know their roots and where they came from, even if one person thinks he has a good reason for hiding the information. I think it’s better to get everything out into the open.”
Now there was a faraway look in Joaquin’s eyes. His expression and his words hinted that there might be something personal going on there.
“You sound like you’re speaking from experience,” she ventured.
“Me?” He shook his head. “We’re not talking about me. I’m just saying I believe it’s not right to withhold important information like that.”
For a moment he looked as if he was going to add something, but the moment came and went. Instead he said, “I also think it’s nice the way you look out for your father. Everything else aside, your dad must have done something very right to raise a daughter like you.”
Her heart did a strange little cha-cha-cha in her chest. Had Joaquin just complimented her? Maybe this thing she felt for him wasn’t hopeless, after all.
* * *
Friday morning Joaquin arrived at Cowboy Country USA, a Western-themed amusement park that had opened a year ago in Horseback Hollow, ready to meet his coworkers at the Sagebrush Pavilion inside the park.
He’d made the six-hour trip from Austin to Horseback Hollow after work yesterday evening. He’d arrived at his father, Orlando Mendoza’s, house around eleven o’clock, spent the night and had made it to the team-building retreat as everyone was finishing breakfast.
His coworkers had boarded a bus at the office just after noon the day before and had spent the night in Cowboy Country’s Cowboy Condos. Joaquin had been relieved when Steffi-Anne hadn’t hassled him about skipping the overnight portion of the trip. Sometimes the woman could be bossy and just this side of relentless, but at least she seemed to know when to back off and recognize that he was meeting her in the middle.
Inside the park’s gates, he made his way down Cowboy Country’s Main Street, past the old-fashioned restaurants and themed refreshment stands and gift shops. As he approached a rough-hewn wooden gate indicated on the map that Steffi-Anne had provided with the invitation, he heard gunshots and a loud round of whooping and hollering. About twenty yards down Main Street, a couple of cowboys, one dressed in white from his hat to his boots, the other clad in all black, tumbled out of the saloon, the doors swinging behind them.
“That’s the Main Street Shootout show,” said a park attendant who was dressed like a cowgirl and standing at the gates. “Right on schedule. Feel free to get closer if you’d like, but I must warn you, partner, they take innocent bystanders hostage from time to time.”
He wondered if everyone who worked here had to stay in character day in and day out.
“Actually, I’m here for the Robinson Tech event. According to this map, I’m supposed to meet someone here who will point me in the direction of the Sagebrush Pavilion. Am I in the right place? Are you the person?”
“You certainly are and I certainly am. May I see your invitation, please? And I will direct you the rest of the way.”
He scrolled up on his smartphone to the invite page and handed it to the woman. Finding it satisfactory, she handed him a map of the park that had his route sketched out with arrows. She opened the gate and ushered him through.
“Just follow the map and it will take you where you need to go. The Sagebrush Pavilion is right behind the executive office buildings. You can’t miss it.”
She shut the gate behind him and he was transported from the nineteenth-century cowboy town to the more modern backstage area. There, people not in costume went in and out of flat-roofed white buildings that looked like the portables that had served as extra classrooms when he was in elementary school.
In the distance he could still see the top of a huge roller coaster and hear the delighted screams of revelers as it turned a cart full of people upside down on a loop-de-loop.
Better them than me, he thought.
Then again, even though he hated roller coasters, maybe he would rather be upended on a theme-park ride than jump through the hoops of team-building exercises.
He hated rah-rah sessions like this. The forced proximity to coworkers with whom he had nothing in common had him grinding his teeth. Did retreats like this really work? Did people really grow closer after being strong-armed into mandatory fun and games?
Steffi-Anne had organized a full day of obligatory amusement for the Robinson Tech crew. She’d provided him with a schedule when he’d changed his RSVP to yes on the condition that he was released from the bus ride and overnight portion of the program. Actually, she’d thrown him a bonus when she’d told him he could arrive after breakfast because it was only provided to those who were staying in the Cowboy Condos. He certainly hadn’t argued.
His dad had been glad to see him, even if it had been late when Joaquin had rolled in. They’d chatted for a few minutes before making plans to meet for dinner tonight at the Coyote Steak House just outside the Cowboy Country main gates. By that time, his coworkers would be on the bus and headed for home.
Cowboy Country was probably a fun place, but it was quite a haul from Austin. He wondered why Gerald had chosen it for the retreat.
He thought about what Zoe had told him about her father’s possible Fortune connection. Since Horseback Hollow was full of Fortune family members, it really didn’t make sense that Gerald would agree to have the event here if he had anything to hide. Then again, the boss probably hadn’t coordinated the event, and if the Fortune connection bothered Gerald, he probably wouldn’t have hired him, either, given his own ties to the family. In addition to Cisco marrying into the family, his father was involved with Josephine Fortune Chesterfield. In fact, she would be joining them for dinner this evening. She was a wonderful woman and since his father seemed pretty serious about her, Joaquin was eager to get to know her.
However he also had some things he wanted to discuss with his father. Matters he had pushed under the rug for far too long. Funny, Zoe’s confiding in him had actually brought his own family issues to the forefront.
What was behind his father’s decades-long estrangement with his brother Esteban? Joaquin had a sneaking suspicion he knew. And it was high time everything was brought out into the open. Because if Joaquin was right, his father’s alienation from Uncle Esteban was an issue that stretched further than a simple disagreement between the two of them.
Joaquin passed a group of modern-looking buildings and took a left at the last one. As he headed to the secluded area where the theme park hosted large groups for private events, he caught a glimpse of Gerald Robinson walking alongside one of the white buildings. It was odd that a CEO would attend a function like this, but Zoe had mentioned that her dad had meetings with Cowboy Country executives. Joaquin quickened his pace in an effort to catch up with him. It wouldn’t hurt to say hello to the man who signed his paycheck and to let him see that he could be a team player.
Austin was growing on him. He liked how progressive the city was and he loved the creative freedom that Robinson Tech afforded him. If they had a permanent place for him, he wouldn’t mind considering one once he completed the temporary project.
Gerald was just far enough ahead of him that he ducked into a building with a sign that read Guest Kitchen before Joaquin could catch up with him.
Joaquin veered from his path to stick his head in the door for a quick “good morning.” It was a rare opportunity to get Gerald Robinson alone and probably in a good mood since he was away from the office at an amusement park, strengthening his team. Although Joaquin wanted to believe the boss hated events like this as much as he did.
That’s why it paid to be the boss. You didn’t necessarily have to practice what you preached. This might be a good time to ask him about specifics about the software he was writing for Robinson.
Joaquin pulled open the door and was hit by a blast of cool air. He blinked. First, to allow his eyes to adjust to the dimmer light, then out of surprise, because at the far end of the room he saw Gerald Robinson kissing a woman who was not his wife, Charlotte.
Chapter Three (#ulink_873081b4-e2dc-593b-b9a3-8fe5aed4d965)
Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Joaquin silently groused as he walked away. He didn’t get a good look at the petite redhead in Gerald’s arms because she was engulfed by his boss’s large body, and Joaquin certainly didn’t stay around long enough to see if he could identify her.
He quickly and quietly let himself out the same way he’d entered, hoping like hell that the sound of the door closing didn’t break the couple’s spell and alert them he’d witnessed their tryst.
Actually, scratch that. On second thought, part of him did hope Robinson had seen him so he would know he wasn’t as sly as he thought he was. Because who brought his mistress to a team-building retreat?
Joaquin shook his head as he retraced his steps and returned to the path toward the Sagebrush Pavilion, a path from which he should’ve never strayed. As he turned the corner, Zoe was the first person he saw. His gaze had automatically zeroed in on her shiny dark hair and picked her out of the crowd of one hundred or so Robinson Tech employees who had gathered to become a stronger team. At the sight of her, his disgust for what he had just witnessed gave way to compassion for her. She was such a naturally kind, happy person who seemed to think only the best of people and especially saw only the good in her father.
Based on the conversation he and Zoe had had in her office the other day, she thought her father could do no wrong. The prospect of telling her what he’d seen made Joaquin’s heart feel as if it would split in two.
Really, why would he tell her?
Zoe, I just saw your dad kissing a woman that wasn’t your mom.
Yeah. No.
Actually he wasn’t going to tell anyone. Because what good would it do? It certainly wouldn’t fix anything or teach Gerald a lesson in morality. He’d only met Charlotte Robinson once in passing. For all he knew Gerald and his wife had an open marriage. Though why a woman would want to tie herself to a cheater like that baffled him.
He simply didn’t get it. The whole point of marriage was to pledge your loyalty to one person. If that caused a hardship, stay single; play the field and be forthright about it. Just don’t be a damn cheater.
He knew how it felt to be cheated on and it wasn’t fun. He also knew playing the field was good in theory. Sometimes when you were open and honest about your intentions people still only heard what they wanted to hear.
He knew that from experience. He’d been on both sides of that relationship coin. It didn’t make him eager to be in either place again.
He didn’t see himself settling down and he didn’t want to get back in the rat race of juggling multiple women—or making false promises to one woman, for that matter.
An image of Zoe with her beautiful, trusting smile popped into his head. Sure, he could date her. But he knew that was not what she wanted. Women like Zoe didn’t take things casually.
There were too many odds stacked against them. Add in the fact that she was the boss’s daughter and the tidbit about his not wanting to get serious right now—hell, he didn’t even know where he’d be after this project wrapped up—and garnish it with the huge secret he knew about her father. A relationship with Zoe would never work.
He detested cheating and cheaters.
Not that he was such a do-gooder. Before he’d proposed to Selena, he’d done some things he wasn’t proud of. He knew the damage deception like that could cause, and he didn’t want to cause anyone that pain.
As he approached his colleagues, he shook his head to clear his thoughts. Because why was he even thinking about such ridiculous things as dating Zoe Robinson? Things like getting to know her better. Spending time with her. Kissing her—not to mention going to the places that kisses usually led.
She was the first person who saw him as he entered the pavilion. Her eyes flashed as she smiled and waved at him.
She looked adorable and bright and stylish in her pink shorts and orange top. Her dark hair was pulled back from her face with a pink-and-orange headband.
No matter the occasion, Zoe always looked as though she’d stepped out of a magazine. Not in a high-fashion sense, but in a fresh, cute, girl-next-door way.
He couldn’t help but smile back at her, but he stopped short of going over and standing with her.
Yep, the only thing telling her what he’d witnessed would accomplish was heartbreak. He looked away.
Forget dating; this was precisely why Joaquin hated getting involved with his colleagues on a personal level. Knowing things about them. Now, every time he looked at Zoe, he would remember he was keeping a secret from her.
“Good morning, Joaquin,” Steffi-Anne said. “Your timing is perfect. We are just getting ready to break into pairs and begin our first game. So, if you’ll join group B over there under the pavilion, we’ll get started.”
Steffi-Anne called everyone to order.
“We’re going to have a scavenger hunt,” she said. “Each person in group A will draw a name out of this bag.”
She held up a small brown bag with handles, the kind that you got when you purchased something in one of those fancy department stores.
“This will match you with your partner in group B. Zoe, how about if you start us off by drawing the first name?” Steffi-Anne smiled at Zoe, but the sentiment didn’t seem to make it all the way to her eyes.
Joaquin had the sinking feeling she was up to something. The woman always had an agenda.
* * *
As Zoe reached into the bag to pull out a name, her gaze drifted over to Joaquin. He looked so darn good in those jeans and that white T-shirt. The color of the shirt showed off his tan, and the jeans weren’t tight, but they hugged his butt in the most perfect way. It made her want to squeeze his buns to see if they really were as firm as they looked.
The naughty thought made her smile. How wonderful it would be if she pulled his name. Since she was the first to draw, she had a chance of being paired with him. However, since there were so many names to choose from, the odds were stacked against her.
She reached in and let her hand sift through the dozens of names handwritten on small slips of paper, willing her fingers to pull the golden ticket that read Joaquin Mendoza.
When Joaquin’s gorgeous brown gaze connected with hers, it was like a lightning strike and she grabbed a piece of paper, sure it was the right choice.
She held her breath as she pulled it into the daylight and read, “Sissy Hanson.”
Ugh. Sissy from accounting? No! Couldn’t she have a do-over? No disrespect to Sissy. She was nice enough, but she wasn’t Joaquin.
As Sissy came over to stand with her, Zoe did her best not to act disappointed. It would be fine. As long as Steffi-Anne didn’t end up with him.
It took about five minutes before everyone had chosen a partner. Each time Joaquin’s name wasn’t called, putting him one step closer to Steffi-Anne, the tension in Zoe’s chest wound a notch tighter.
Joaquin still hadn’t been paired up by the time there were just two people left: Steffi-Anne and Jill Winski, who was the second-to-last person to draw.
After Jill drew a name, she knit her brows and looked into the bag. “I think we may be short a name. It felt like I pulled the last slip of paper.”
“We should be fine,” Steffi-Anne said a bit too fast.
The only people left standing in Group B were Homer Martin from IT and Joaquin.
Of course.
Zoe was willing to wager that the paper caught between Jill’s forefinger and thumb read Homer Martin.
A slow burn began to simmer in Zoe’s stomach.
Jill started to turn the bag upside down, but Steffi-Anne reached out and snatched it away from her before she could, poking her pointed nose into the sack.
“No, no. Look. Right here. Here it is. There’s still one slip of paper left.”
A vaguely victorious smile curled her lips. “Joaquin, you and I are partners for the scavenger hunt.”
Oh. Well, will you look at that? What a surprise.
Before anyone could challenge the outcome, Steffi-Anne was barking orders about how they would execute the scavenger hunt, how it was important to work as a team and that there would be a nice prize for the team that won: lunch at the Copper Kettle.
As the scavenger hunt played out, Zoe noticed that the vast majority of her female coworkers were playing hard to win.
When Jill and Homer were the first to cross the finish line with their list completed, Zoe’s partner, Sissy, quipped, “You know Jill didn’t work that hard to have lunch with Homer. She did it to keep Steffi-Anne from winning the lunch with Joaquin.”
Keep-away. Was that how this retreat had digressed? It had become one big game of keep-away. Well, in the name of team-building, Zoe intended to do her part.
Pretending not to be a sore loser, Steffi-Anne herded the group right into the next activity: the three-legged race. It would be cozy to have a legit reason to stand that close to Joaquin, arms around each other, their bodies becoming one as they reached climax—er—the finish line.
The finish line.
Good grief! Where had that come from?
Okay, she knew what had inspired the inappropriate thought, but she needed to get her head under control. It said a lot about the state of her love life when a three-legged race inspired thoughts of dancing the horizontal tango.
She risked a glance at Joaquin.
Then again, who wouldn’t be inspired by him?
Heat began at the base of her neck and worked its way up to the tips of her ears. She took a deep breath to cool herself down before anyone noticed.
Yes, she had it bad for Joaquin Mendoza. So was she just going to stand around blushing over the predicament or was she going to do something about it?
