Surrender to Temptation (Book 6 of the Fitzgerald family)

By E. B. Walters

A playboy in hiding
A woman searching for answers
Will he let her in or send her packing?

After a tragic accident, Chef Chase Fitzgerald left his life in Los Angeles behind and moved to a ranch in Montana. He's convinced that all he needs to be happy are his horses, a few ranch hands and the Big Sky Country. Until one day, Nikki Savoy walks through his doors with her city clothes, sexy mouth, and a body designed to drive a man insane.

Nikki wants to know the truth about the accident that left her sister in a coma. Getting a job at Chase’s ranch is just the beginning. Throw in a crafty housekeeper, a cantankerous old cowboy, a few adorable horses, and an attraction that can’t be denied, and you have a recipe for disaster or romance. Will Nikki get her answers or will Chase offer her something better?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ednah Walters
• Release date: Nov 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310925870

E. B. Walters

Ednah B Walters is a multi-published author of four different series: She writes contemporary romance under E. B. Walters. The Fitzgerald Family series started with SLOW BURN. There are six books in this series. She has a new series, Infinitus Billionaire. Impulse (book 1) was published in January 2015. Indulge (book 2) will be released in the fall. She's also the author of the bestselling YA Paranormal romance series, RUNES-YA Paranormal romance and THE GUARDIAN LEGACY-YA fantasy series *Stop by www.author-ebwalters.com and join her mailing list: http://bit.ly/EBWaltersNewsletter

Book preview

SURRENDER TO TEMPTATION

Book Six of the Fitzgerald Family

Ednah Walters

Copyright © Ednah Walters 2013

Published by Firetrail Publishing at Smashwords

ALSO BY EDNAH WALTERS:

The Runes Series:

Runes (book one)

Immortals (book two)

Grimnirs (book three)

The Guardian Legacy Series:

Awakened (prequel)

Betrayed (book one)

Hunted (book two)

The Fitzgerald Family series

Slow Burn (book 1)

Mine Until Dawn (book 2)

Kiss Me Crazy (book 3)

Dangerous Love (book 4)

Forever Hers (book 5)

eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared

or given away as it is an infringement

on the copyright of this work.

This book is a work of fiction. The names characters, places, and

incidents are products of the author’s imagination and

are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to any

actual events or persons, living or dead,

actual events, locale or organizations is

entirely coincidental.

Firetrail Publishing

P.O. Box 3444

Logan, UT 84324

Copyright © 2013 E. B. Walters

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 0991251709

ISBN-13: 978-0-9912517-0-4

Edited by Kelly Hashway

Cover Design by Margaret McFarland. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner

whatsoever without permission, except in the case of brief

quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

First Firetrail Publishing publication: Nov 2013

www.firetrailpublishing.com

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my brother, Arthur

Thank you for being there whenever I needed

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I am so lucky to have found you because you

are awesome. I would not have asked for a more

thorough, meticulous, and professional editor.

To my beta-readers, Jeanette A. Conkling, Toni Steiner, and

Julie Barrett, I don’t know what I would do without you guys.

You are gurus at finding typos and inconsistencies, going through

the final product, and giving it the stamp of approval. I couldn’t

have polished this book without your keen eyes. Thank you.

To husband and my wonderful children, thank

you for your unwavering love and support.

You inspire me in so many ways

Love you, guys.

TRADEMARK LIST:

Col Solare

Melrose Strip

Star Trek

Star Wars

Land Rover

L.A. Times

Dropbox

Delta Airlines

Darth Vader

The Force

Levis

Jim Beam

Skype

Facetime

Zagat

BMW

PROLOGUE

Chase studied the woman seated across from him. Keira Higgins—perfect wife material. She was smart and had a great sense of humor. They came from the same family background, had the same level of education, and the same appreciation for finer things in life, including cuisine. She would fit in perfectly with his large family. The fact that she was also gorgeous and an enthusiastic lover didn’t hurt. Not that being great in bed was a criterion he looked for in a wife. No woman had ever left his bed unsatisfied.

Keira forked a piece of strawberry sabayon and placed it on her tongue. She hummed as she savored the treat and pushed the bowl aside.

Chase frowned, wondering why her eating habits bothered him. Keira was a food critic with the L.A. Times, which meant she ate out often and had to watch how much she consumed. With the stroke of her pen, she could make or destroy a chef’s dream, but that was the least of his worries. She had nothing but praise for the dishes served in his restaurants. But tonight’s dinner wasn’t for an article. Tonight was a prelude to something more—the beginning of the rest of their lives. Why then was he hesitating? Could his mother be right? Was he about to propose to Keira for the wrong reasons?

Why are you frowning? Keira asked, yanking him back to the present.

You look exquisite tonight.

She smiled. That’s the third time you’ve said it tonight but the first time it sounded like a bad thing.

Chase chuckled, took her hand, and pressed his lips to her knuckles. He didn’t miss the tremor that shot through her. No, you are perfect.

And this, she indicated their leftover meal with a nod, "has really been amazing. I will never ever imply that you are not the chef de cuisine of your restaurants."

He’d gone all out, preparing everything while she watched. They were in the kitchen of The Haven, his restaurant on Melrose Strip. He’d opened a second one in Burbank, but The Haven would always be his first love. It was successful, frequented by young professionals and Hollywood elite. The one in Burbank was doing just as great. The ambience lured the clients in, but the food, all his original recipes, turned them into regulars. Now he was ready for a new project—starting a family. How do you feel about horses?

Keira’s face lit up. Love them.

Breeding them?

She smiled. Haven’t a clue.

I have ranch in Montana where I breed race horses. The restaurants are in good hands, so I want to focus on the ranch.

She leaned forward. Ooh, sounds intriguing.

At present, I have a foreman, a horse breeder with an eye for winners, and connections in the industry, but I need to take charge of things.

Do you have pictures?

No, I have something better. Wait here. He leaned forward and kissed her, then stood and strolled to his office. As soon as she accepted his proposal, he planned to fly her out and show her the ranch. He’d spent the last six months remodeling the ranch house and hired hands’ quarters. Chase opened the drawer and reached inside for the box. He heard her behind him and smiled. Patience was never Keira’s virtue.

He stood, the box with the ring clutched in his hand, and started to turn. Pain spiked through his skull as something blunt connected with the back of his head. He tried to break his fall and shifted his body to face his assailant. All he caught was a glimpse of a familiar face before he blacked out. Why would his new sous chef attack him?

CHAPTER 1

Why would anyone in their right mind want to go to Montana on vacation? Why not a Caribbean cruise or visit an island resort? Amelia asked as she tilted her head to stare at Nikki Savoy’s pensive face.

Nikki shrugged. Amelia was her childhood friend and legal advisor, but Nikki wasn’t about to disclose her real reasons for going to Montana. Amelia would not understand Nikki’s need for answers. She never liked Nikki’s sister, Dee, whom she’d often called ungrateful and an attention hog. Dee hadn’t been…

No, Nikki refused to think about her sister in the past tense as though she was dead. Dee wasn’t perfect, but she was her baby sister. Nikki planned to find out the truth about what happened six months ago. Her sister could not have attacked her boss or burned down his restaurant after he’d just promoted her.

Hmm-mm, I want to go to a place that’s different, a place where I won’t bump into people every time I turn around. I doubt I can do that on a cruise or at a resort.

But why some God-forsaken, uncivilized farm in Montana? Amelia asked.

Nikki laughed. According to Amelia, if a place didn’t have skyscrapers, it was uncivilized. I’ve always wanted to see how ranchers lived.

Amelia wrinkled her nose. I can tell you how without going there. They roll out of bed, chow down on canned food warmed over a campfire, saddle their horses, and ride across a vast, hot and dusty land filled with stinking cows and mean horses. You hate horses.

Nikki shuddered. She didn’t hate horses. She was a little scared of them. Not the same thing. This is a chance to bond with them. Or one, she added softly.

Amelia laughed. I guess anywhere is better than staying around here. With all the running around you’ve been doing, you need rest.

And I hear there are some hot cowboys in Montana. I might even meet someone, Nikki interjected playfully.

You’ve got to be kidding! The men there need women to pamper them. Don’t they pay women to move out there and marry them? What do they call them?

Mail order brides, but you’ve got your centuries mixed up, Nikki said with a laugh.

Okay. If some tobacco-chewing, mucous-spitting, leather-skinned cowboy offers to be your slave for eternity, I’ll take a leave of absence from my practice and join you.

Deal, Nikki said, laughing. She stopped when her eyes shifted to her sister.

Dee lay on a hospital bed, still and silent, body wrapped up like a mummy. Forty percent of her body had burned. They had to put her in a medically-induced coma as they performed surgery after surgery and allowed her body to heal.

When I look at her, I wish I didn’t have to go, Nikki whispered.

Don’t start, Nikki. You need a break or you’ll make yourself sick, Amelia protested. Besides, your parents are here, too. Which reminds me, where are they? I love listening to your father’s charming southern drawl.

They’ll be here. They were staying with her and came to the hospital every day to read to her sister. My mother is taking it hard. And Dad… Nikki sighed. Charles Marshal might not be her biological father, but he would always be the one she called Daddy, since hers hadn’t wanted the job.

Is worried about you, Amelia finished. Otherwise he would not have insisted you take a break.

Nikki smiled. Do you know he offered to pay for my vacation?

That’s so sweet. Why didn’t you take it?

Because I can afford to pay for my vacation. Besides, they were retired teachers, and their savings were already being depleted by Dee’s medical bills. I worry about them. They’re not used to big cities—

But have had six months to find their way around San Diego, Amelia finished. Besides, your father can charm his way out of anything. And don’t let me start on your southern belle mama. So stop looking for a reason to stay. You’ve been by Dee’s side every day since the accident, Nikki. You’ve become a recluse. You don’t date anymore. You even stopped taking new clients.

Nikki sighed. It seemed like eons ago when she’d dreamed of becoming an artist, but circumstances had forced her to forget that dream. Well, not exactly circumstances, just her parents and her innate will to please them. Dee had needed to attend a top-notch culinary school and find placement in the right kitchens to continue her studies. How had her mother put it? Both her daughters couldn’t afford to choose careers that didn’t guarantee them an income. One of them had to be sensible. Her parents were retired schoolteachers, and her mother had wanted her to go into teaching. So the dutiful daughter that Nikki was, she had pushed aside her personal dream and done the right thing. But instead of being a teacher, she’d gone into nursing, and she found out that she had a knack for dealing with crabby patients, thanks to years of handling Dee and her tantrums.

Two years into her job and Nikki had begun to wilt. The artist in her kept calling to her. Then inspiration had hit. Soon she was taking evening classes in graphic design. Then web design. Her first paying customer turned out to be Amelia’s law firm, and the rest was history. She now designed websites with eye-catching graphics. Her client list kept growing—until the phone call from Los Angeles about her sister’s ‘accident’.

Nikki? Amelia asked.

Things sometimes don’t go according to plan, Amelia. Dee once dreamed of owning a restaurant. She made the most mouth-watering dishes. Nikki’s voice shook as she finished the last sentence. She blinked rapidly to stop the sudden rush of tears. Six months and she still couldn’t deal with what had happened to her sister and what was yet to come. Dee would face criminal charges after she recovered.

Even worse, every time she saw how still and unreachable her sister was, Nikki was reminded of the last time Dee had visited her. They’d fought over money. Dee had flown from L.A. to San Diego to borrow some. Again. She always lived beyond her means. Nikki had told her no this time, followed by a long lecture about being thrifty, which she now regretted. As a self-employed graphic designer with a growing clientele and a part-time nurse at a private clinic, she earned a lot more than her sister made as a chef. That was another thing that didn’t make sense. Dee had been promoted to sous chef and her prospect had seemed bright. She’d had no reason to burn down her employer’s restaurant.

Nikki could still recall the headline—A Promising Young Chef Sets Fire to Her Employer’s Restaurant. Rumors had it that the owner, Chase Fitzgerald, had barely escaped with his life after rescuing his girlfriend from the fire. They’d hailed him a hero.

What really happened that night? Was it a love triangle gone wrong? Had Chase led her sister on and then dumped her? According to the e-mails Nikki had received from Dee, her sister had had a special relationship with Chase Fitzgerald. Every time they got together, all Dee ever talked about was Fitzgerald.

Then there was Keira Higgins, Fitzgerald’s fiancée and a food critic with the L.A. Times. The criminal lawyer Nikki retained for Dee had said Keira planned to file civil and assault charges against Dee. According to the report she’d filed with the L.A.P.D., Keira claimed Dee had attacked her and tried to burn her with lighter fluid, and that was how the fire had started.

Nikki didn’t buy it. Her sister wasn’t violent. Bratty and a bit self-centered, yes, but not violent. She also didn’t belong in jail. To help her, Nikki had to find out what happened that night. Ms. Higgins had refused to talk to her when she’d flown to L.A., opting to talk through her snooty lawyers. And the look on her face during their meeting had said the woman was out for blood. She couldn’t just sit back and wait for her sister to come out of the coma and face criminal charges. Arson meant jail for her sister. And because it was supposedly deliberate and people got hurt, it meant years in jail. Worse, the investigator working for Dee’s lawyer was also slowly sucking Nikki dry financially, so she needed answers, which left the elusive Chase Fitzgerald.

Hey! Earth to Nikki Savoy! Amelia snapped her fingers in front of Nikki’s nose.

Nikki blinked and threw an apologetic glance at her friend. Sorry.

Do you know you do that a lot? Amelia asked.

Do what? Nikki asked defensively.

Space out. One minute you are here and the next gone. And the expression on your face is usually very peculiar—a mixture of pain and regret. Amelia glanced at Dee and added softly, There was nothing you could have done for her, Nikki. You’ve always been there for her. Amelia perked up and faced Nikki. So, where did you meet this Jade Knight? And how come I’ve never heard of her?

Jade and I were in college together. If you must know, we roomed together for a couple of semesters. The lie rolled off Nikki’s lips so easily she almost believed it herself.

She knew nothing about Jade Knight except that she was Chase Fitzgerald’s sister. Nikki had met the professor during her last interview with the lawyers, Mo Fitzgerald and Brian McQueen. Finding Chase Fitzgerald hadn’t been easy. Getting access to his ranch had taken some serious scheming on her part and a dose of good luck.

And you don’t know everything about me, Amelia Simmons, Nikki added.

Please, Amelia said as she rolled her eyes.

Get off my business and drive me to the airport, midget.

Don’t push it, giant, Amelia retorted.

Nikki grinned. She would miss Amelia and her sassiness. Amelia and Dee were the only ones who ever got away with calling her a giant. Nikki was tall. At five-foot-ten, she was an oddity among her friends and relatives. As a child, she’d always felt self-conscious about her height. And although she didn’t mind being teased by people who loved her, it hadn’t always been amusing to be the tallest girl in her little town and the butt of everyone’s jokes. Anyone seeing her and Dee together could never guess they were sisters, and it wasn’t because of their different last names. Nikki had inherited her father’s height and favored his side of the family in looks, while Dee was a replica of their mother.

Stopping by the nurses’ station, she made sure the nurses had her cell phone number, her parents’ number, and Amelia’s before leaving the ICU. Outside, Nikki settled in the front passenger seat of Amelia’s BMW and closed her eyes, hating that her thoughts always returned to her last meeting with her sister. If Dee didn’t make it, Nikki would live with the guilt forever.

Amelia pulled away from the medical center and headed east. San Diego International Airport was only ten-fifteen minutes away from UC San Diego Medical Center, which housed the regional burn center.

So what are you going to do about your clients while you’re gone? Amelia asked.

Ever heard of a laptop and a cell phone?

Ooh, you mean you can actually access the internet between, uh, milking cows and shoveling horse manure?

Very funny, Nikki retorted. But if it will ease your mind, I have everything set. I’ve finished the contracts that were due this month, including the one for Southern Yacht Club, and have the next month to myself—no deadline or last minute conferences. Surita can take care of things while I’m gone. If not, she can reach me on my cell phone. If clients want to talk, we can Skype. But, I’m hoping they won’t need to. The next two weeks are me-time.

Wow. That was fast. You just started the club’s site last week.

Nikki shrugged. Not being able to sleep well had given her plenty of time to either worry about her sister or work. She’d chosen work. The check should be in the mail in a few days, counselor.

What about the one for that law firm— Fitzgerald and McQueen?

Done.

You did a top notch job, right? Because they’re huge and can send more customers your way.

What do you think? Nikki asked defensively. Amelia didn’t need to know about the law firm’s connection to her sudden trip.

You always come through. I wish I could say the same for some of my partners at the firm. While Amelia ranted about her coworkers, Nikki’s thoughts drifted to Dee’s boss, the reason she was headed to Montana.

What if Chase Fitzgerald learned of her identity and connection to Dee while she was at his home? Would that make things worse for her sister? Nikki’s stomach churned. She hadn’t been able to relax since she finagled her way into getting this assignment. The last thing her parents needed was another daughter in trouble with the law or the Fitzgeralds. From her investigation, they were huge, filthy rich, and influential. But Nikki had no choice. Too much was at stake. She had to find something, anything to keep her sister from going to jail. If it meant getting into the reclusive Chase Fitzgerald’s ranch under false pretense, so be it.

Amelia pulled up at the Delta terminal, parked, and came around the car just as Nikki removed her suitcases from the back.

I’m going to miss you, Nikki whispered.

Same here. Don’t worry about a thing while you’re gone, Amelia commanded as they hugged. I’ll stop by your house to check on your parents, just in case.

Oh, you’re the best. Thank you. Dad might say he has the city figured out, but it’s all talk.

I know. He’s so adorable. Besides, next time my parents are in town, I can take off and let you entertain them. She winked.

Nikki shuddered. Amelia came from East Hampton, New York. She was fun and down to earth, but her parents were country club snobs. According to them, everything and everyone in L.A. was pretentious. Okay.

Amelia laughed. Nah, I wouldn’t wish my parents on anyone. Why do you think I moved to L.A.? Would have loved to go all the way to Hawaii, but they happen to own a home there, too. She nudged Nikki. Go. Be good. Have fun. Relax. Call me when you arrive.

Will do. Nikki waved before rolling her suitcase into the building, her stomach starting to churn again. Less than an hour later, she was in the air heading for Butte, Montana and Chase Fitzgerald.

***

Chase Fitzgerald leaned back on his seat, pressed blunt-tipped fingers on his temple, and gently rubbed the throbbing pulse. He switched the telephone to his right ear and shifted his body. Anyone who knew him would know that he was restless. He hated being indoors.

Being indoors used to mean feeding his two passions: cooking and women. Women had always fascinated him since he’d discovered their skin was softer than his and they smelled nice. He must have been around three. A taste for fine foods was something he’d acquired later. He hadn’t gotten laid in months and cooking was out of the question.

A horse neighed from a corral, and the call was answered by another horse a few yards away. A meadowlark made flutelike, gurgling notes as it took off from its nest on the ground.

Those nature calls beckoned to him, but he knew he couldn’t hurry his caller, not Doctor Paul Radcliff. The surgeon had restored his sight by performing a daring eye operation, and for that, Chase would be forever grateful. He would control his impatience until the good doctor finished his explanation.

Keeping my appointment is not the issue, Paul. What would the local doctors tell me that can’t wait until you get here? Chase asked in exasperation.

Chase, we need to make sure everything is okay—that your eyes are healing well and that you are not pushing them too fast too soon. Besides, you need a new prescription for those headaches, my friend, Paul answered from the other side of the country, patience in his voice.

In addition to being a genius with lasers, Paul must have telepathic abilities, Chase thought with a grimace. The headaches hadn’t been this bad until he started punching numbers into his computer. Staring at the computer screen put too much strain on his eyes.

You know I hate popping pain killers. No more medication, Doc. I can handle this. The sunglasses you recommended are permanently perched on my nose—which, as you can imagine, makes me look ridiculous indoors. How about this? If I go back to seeing blurry images, then I’ll call you. Chase chuckled before adding, And you know what that would mean?

No, I don’t believe I do, Paul answered.

Your eighty percent success rate will be reduced a notch. His comment elicited a chuckle from the surgeon. You’re the best in the field, Paul. I don’t want anyone else messing with my eyes, so if you can’t fly out, I’ll come to you.

You’re a very stubborn man.

And you are a brilliant doctor. Do I make the arrangements?

No. Call me if there are changes or if the pain becomes unbearable. There’s no shame in asking for help. However, I’ll be in L.A. in two weeks. No. Let’s see. Today is Thursday. Two weeks from next Monday. Think you can fly out?

Oh yes. I’ll see you then.

Chase smiled as he hung up the phone. He stretched his lean torso, his gaze moving around the room, past the desktop computer to piles of files haphazardly placed on one of his desks. They contained all his records—management, insurance, financial, income, expense records, and files on his mares. The files on his mares were more important than all the others put together, and he was going to lose some of the records if he didn’t have them digitalized. Unfortunately, he couldn’t afford to turn on the damn computer because of his eyes.

He stood up, his head pounding in earnest now. He needed to go for a ride to ease the tension. Physical exertion usually made the demons that tormented him rest and brought him a brief peace.

He left the den.

A sound got his attention when he started across the foyer. His eyes traveled past the staircase to the second floor where Mrs. B stood, a startled expression on her face. She was carrying a laundry basket, and from the looks of things, she was about to enter the guest room on the left side of the stairway. What was she up to? They weren’t expecting visitors. He’d disinvited his family after they kept stopping by unannounced.

All he craved now was peace.

Quiet.

A chance to nurse his wounds and heal.

No reminder of his past life.

Sally Briscoe, otherwise known as Mrs. B, was the only one he could stand. But then again, she had been with his family as a cook and housekeeper as far back as Chase could remember. Until his accident, she’d worked for his mother and oldest brother in the family mansion in Palos Valdes, California. But when he’d decided to move to Montana, Mrs. B had offered to come with him, and his mother hadn’t argued.

What’s going on, Mrs. B? Chase asked calmly, his hand coming to rest on the stair rail.

She glanced downstairs and smiled uneasily, Just cleaning.

She was lying and feeling guilty, too, if the expression on her face was an indicator.

Since when do you clean at four o’clock in the afternoon?

She chuckled. Since always. Did you want something, dear?

Where is Winston? We were supposed to fix the southern fence this afternoon. Winston was his foreman and was rather sweet on Mrs. B.

He went to Butte to pick up more supplies. He should be back any time now.

He frowned. Why would Winston take off without consulting him? With the amount of work that had to be done around the ranch, he needed everyone to do his or her share. Besides, Dillon was the nearest town and it had everything they needed.

Since when do we get our supplies from Butte?

Since you decided that your horses needed better feed. The best for your mares, you said, and the best they are gettin’. Do you want anything else, dear? I could get you a glass of cold lemonade. He could tell she was impatient to leave.

Winston should have consulted me before taking off, Chase said, not that his disagreeable tone made any difference. Mrs. B had known him since he was a child, and nothing he did ever bothered her. Tell him, when he returns, that I want the fences fixed. Today. Thunder also needs to be exercised. Tell Mac to saddle her for me. Mac Murdock was one of the young ranch hands.

Mac went with Tucker to check on Mystery and Buttercup at Circle R Ranch. I don’t think Thunder will wait until they come back. She chuckled. That mare of yours gets quite antsy when not exercised.

He was breeding Mystery and Buttercup with a stallion from his cousin’s ranch. The other six were in various stages of pregnancy. If Winston were around, they would have gone to collect the mares. Tucker, his new trainer, didn’t know the mares as well as Winston did. Then there were bales of hay to be picked from the fields. Winston must have forgotten about