Under the Midnight Sun

by Tracie Peterson

  For a moment, Collette watched him. She’d never thought about having to keep his work separate from his friendships. With what she did, it didn’t matter. But matters of health had to be in strict confidence. She found that she admired him even more.

  He glanced at her. “I see I’ve made you think.”

  Realizing her brow was scrunched up as she’d been thinking, Collette relaxed and smiled at him. “It is true that there is much I didn’t understand about your work.”

  Matthew sat up and smiled back. “You’re a good friend to me, Collette, to help me like this. I appreciate that very much.”

  Overwhelmed by her feelings for him, she leaned forward a few inches as well and blurted, “I would like very much to be more than friends.”

  His eyes went wide.

  She’d shocked him. Of course, she’d shocked herself, but her brother had always chided her for speaking before thinking things through.

  He opened his mouth.

  Lucy ran up at that very moment. “Dr. Reilly, we need you. One of the women burned her hand on the steam down in the laundry.”

  He blinked several times at Collette—his shock still apparent—and then jumped up and turned to Lucy. “Let me grab my bag.”

  In a matter of seconds he was gone, and Collette sat on the lawn, wondering what he’d thought of her outburst and wishing she could take back her words.

  23

  MONDAY, JUNE 24

  Thomas paced the office in front of Allan. He wasn’t sure what to think of any of this. But one thing had become very clear to him—he cared about Tayler. “I just don’t get it. She didn’t say anything about being engaged.”

  Allan remained calm and leaned on the edge of the desk. “But she told this other fella that they weren’t engaged.”

  “Yes, she was quite adamant about that.” That thought made him feel a lot better, but he wished he could talk to Tayler about it right now.

  “Maybe there’s something else we’re missing, Thomas. I think it’s dangerous to jump to conclusions.”

  He stopped in his tracks and looked at the man he respected like an older brother. Thomas sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to think I’m jumping to conclusions. I’m not. At least, I pray I’m not. But after our rocky start, we were just beginning to find sure footing together. She told me a little bit of her past last night, but it was all very vague.” He started pacing again. “I really thought we had the beginning of something. . . .”

  “And you’re worried that this Emerson bloke is going to whisk her back to Denver and her life there and you’ll never see her again.”

  He stopped again and crossed his arms over his chest. Leaning his head back, he looked to the ceiling. “Yes. Well . . . no. Maybe, I guess. But I’m more worried about her.” He shook his head. “You should have heard her voice, Allan. There was something in it that . . . frankly . . . made me think she was scared.”

  Allan sighed. “I trust your instincts, Thomas. I do. And maybe there’s something else we need to do to help Tayler right now.”

  “I just wish I could talk to her. Clear the air. Something’s not right.”

  A knock sounded at the door.

  Thomas took a deep breath as Allan went to answer it. Probably a guest wanting to request another outing. With so many beautiful days, everyone wanted to explore.

  “Mr. Lancaster. What can I do for you?” his boss asked.

  The rich man exuded confidence everywhere he went, probably because he always got what he wanted. When he entered the room, he nodded to Thomas and then looked back to Allan. “Mr. Brennan, my daughter Esmerelda would like to go on a horseback ride. The one along Deadhorse Creek I believe is the one she’d like.”

  Thomas had to force himself not to moan out loud. But he’d let Allan handle it.

  “Will this be for her friends as well?” Allan queried but kept a stoic face.

  “No, she’s getting quite tired of some of the group’s immaturity. She’s been impressed with Mr. Smith here and his knowledge of the area and said she’d like some peace and quiet.”

  Peace and quiet. Sure. That’s exactly what Esmerelda wanted. How could her father be so blind? Thomas inhaled and held his breath as he waited for Allan to look at the schedule.

  His boss frowned. “Hmm . . . My apologies, Mr. Lancaster, but Thomas isn’t available. But I think Miss Hale would be able to squeeze that in this morning.”

  Thomas could have hugged Allan right then and there, but he refrained. He’d have to thank his friend and mentor later.

  Tayler walked into the office. She looked at each man. “Good morning, gentlemen.” With a nod, she straightened her pink blouse and adjusted the green scarf tied at her neck. “Did I hear my name?”

  For a brief second, Thomas forgot about everything else. Tayler had chosen a simple and practical uniform for her duties as a naturalist and guide, and yet she made it look so beautiful. The long split skirt fell below her knees and covered her boots. Her clothes were much more modest than what the other young women were wearing these days. Besides, they were feminine yet practical, especially for hiking and riding horses. Thomas knew he shouldn’t be staring, but he couldn’t help himself. Tayler was beautiful.

  “. . . sure, that will be fine.” Mr. Lancaster was talking, and Thomas forced himself to pay attention. “She’s expressed the need to distance herself from the other girls and their silliness, which her mother and I respect. I’m positive Miss Hale will be a wonderful influence on her.”

  Tayler’s features were pale this morning, and she nodded with a slight smile.

  Thomas felt bad for her and the situation. No one wanted to deal with Esmerelda Lancaster.

  Mr. Lancaster left the room, and any relief Thomas felt at not having to take Esmerelda on a ride disappeared as he looked into Tayler’s eyes. Thomas walked up to her side. “Are you all right?”

  “I don’t know. I mean, yes, I’m physically fine . . . but . . .”

  Allan closed the office door and pointed to a chair. “Sit down, Tayler. Thomas told me about Emerson’s words yesterday, but we’d like to hear from you about what is really going on.”

  “But what about the schedule today?” Tayler sat in the chair and twisted her hands before laying them in her lap. “I know you just had to book something else, and I don’t want to be the cause of the guests being unhappy.”

  “Well”—Allan shut the schedule book—“I won’t lie to you and tell you that you’ll enjoy taking Esmerelda out on a horseback adventure, but the young woman has been throwing herself at Thomas, and we can’t abide by it. Besides, we need to keep propriety intact. The best way is to distract her with something else.”

  Thomas watched Tayler’s face. She didn’t even seem fazed about this. Normally, she’d get fiery about the young women and their behavior, but today was different. “Tayler, we want to help you.” He swallowed. “Did Emerson hurt you yesterday when he grabbed you?”

  She sniffed and slowly started to roll up her right sleeve. An ugly bruise emerged in the shape of a man’s grip. Thomas tried not to react, but he wanted to punch the man who did this to her.

  Allan came around the desk and crouched down in front of her. “I don’t know what is going on, but let me tell you this right now: Thomas and I will make sure you are never alone if you fear for your safety.”

  She nodded and lifted her chin as she put her sleeve back in place and buttoned the cuff. “I’m really all right.” The spark was back in her eyes as she swiped at a tear. “I’ve been able to handle Emerson for a long time, I just wasn’t expecting him to be so pushy. There’s got to be something behind it.” Tayler sent Thomas a look he couldn’t decipher and turned her attention back to Allan. “I went and spoke with your wife this morning. Cassidy prayed with me and helped me to see that I needed to tell all of you the whole truth. She said that we’re a family here, and I’m now part of that family. I want to be part of that family.”

  “Why don’t you start at the
beginning?” Allan stepped back and leaned on the desk.

  Thomas pulled the other chair up across from her so he could see her face.

  “When I was thirteen, we all went on a camping trip. It was something I did often with my dad, my brother, and his best friend—Emerson. We grew up together climbing mountains, fishing, and camping. This particular trip was bittersweet because we all knew it would be the last one before the boys went to Harvard. They still had another year of prep school and after that, their futures were mapped out. Harvard and then law school after that . . .” She sniffed and looked at her hands. Shaking her head, she sighed. “I was young and foolish and after an incident with a bear, Emerson told me I was the one for him.

  “He asked me to promise that I would wait for him.”

  Thomas raised his eyebrows. “And you did?”

  Tayler nodded. “Yep. That was the dumbest thing I ever did. What you should know is that our families had been wanting this for a long time—the joining of the Hale and Pruitt enterprises was to be a wonderful thing. But it didn’t take long for my young heart to be crushed. By the time I was sixteen, I’d heard numerous accounts of Emerson’s . . . exploits.” Her cheeks turned pink and she ducked her head.

  Thomas wished he could take away the pain he read in her posture.

  When Tayler lifted her head, there was fire in her eyes. “Over the next few years, I asked my brother about it, and he had to be honest with me. But I wanted to see it for myself. Emerson told me he loved me in his letters, but we rarely saw each other. He was at Harvard and I was in Denver. He stayed away.”

  Thomas disliked the man even more. Who could stay away from Tayler? He could hardly stand it if he didn’t get to see her every day.

  Allan crossed his arms over his chest. “I can tell you right now that this man isn’t deserving of you. But why don’t you tell us the rest of the story?”

  Tayler sighed. “As you both know, I know my own mind and I’m independent. And not to sound as if I’m bragging, but I’m also intelligent. I graduated high school very early and talked my father into letting me further my education. He agreed, and I went to college to study botany. I was given the job at Yellowstone when I was eighteen years old, so I spent my summers up there and then attended college the rest of the year. It was incredible for me. I tried to ignore the drama at home until I had to return, and I’d have another letter from Emerson apologizing for any rumors I’d heard. By the time I was almost twenty, I’d had enough. Our families had invested in each other’s businesses, but I didn’t think that mattered, because our parents had been friends since long before we were born. That spring, I witnessed firsthand Emerson’s unfaithfulness. Numerous times. I broke off the engagement.”

  Shaking her head, she released a heavy breath. “But apparently, our families just thought things needed to die down, because in the background everyone except for my dad and me thought that Emerson and I would eventually still get married. And then Dad died.” She choked a bit on the last words.

  Thomas handed her his handkerchief.

  She took it and wiped at a tear. “Everything changed. I came home from Yellowstone to be a support for my mother, but she didn’t need me. She’d turned into someone I didn’t even recognize anymore, and when I was about to leave for my work again this past April, she brought Emerson and the family lawyer in to try to convince me we should set a wedding date. I couldn’t take any more. I refused to marry him and ran away to my job. Emerson sent a telegram to say he was coming to collect me from Yellowstone, so I asked my boss for a recommendation somewhere else. He’d just heard from Mr. Bradley about the opening here, and so I ran again. And here I am.”

  Allan nodded and appeared to be mulling it over. “Did your family know where you went?”

  She shook her head. “Not at first . . .”

  Thomas took in a deep breath. “But after the pastor’s sermon that Sunday about reconciling . . . the Sunday you ran out . . .” It all fit together now.

  Tayler nodded. “I couldn’t bear to be dishonest with my mother. I knew it wasn’t honoring to her to not even let her know where I was.”

  Allan walked behind his desk and sat down. He shook his head. “So that explains Emerson’s appearance.”

  “I’m afraid so.” Tayler looked at Thomas. “I’m sorry.” Her eyes begged for his acceptance.

  “You don’t need to apologize, Tayler. Remember, I didn’t give you an easy time of it to start. But we’re in this together.”

  “Most definitely.” Allan pulled the schedule book back out. “I don’t know what we will have to do, but I’m going to make sure that there aren’t any opportunities for you to be cornered by him. That’s my first objective. After that, we need to know how we can help.”

  An hour later, Thomas watched Tayler walk to the stable to prepare for the ride with Esmerelda. Her shoulders didn’t have quite the lift they normally did, and it made him concerned. How had things changed so rapidly? They hadn’t had a chance to really discuss anything privately, and he felt an urgency to protect Tayler and to tell her how he felt. But how could he? Their relationship had been . . . interesting, to say the least. Thankfully, John had volunteered to go with her this morning on the outing so she wouldn’t be alone, and hopefully Emerson wouldn’t find her. He looked back to the hotel. There was an incredibly full schedule today. He didn’t have time to worry, but he couldn’t help it.

  Tayler had become his number-one priority.

  “Mr. Pruitt.” Greg found the man sitting in the dining room, reading the paper and drinking coffee. How quaint. “Nice to see you again.”

  The kid glanced up and didn’t look a bit shocked to see him. “Good morning, Mr. DeMarco.”

  “Why don’t you look surprised to see me?” Maybe the little weasel had someone tip him off.

  Pruitt folded the paper and laid it on his lap. Leaning back in his chair, he gave Greg a smile—one that in some circles could be charming, but not today. “I’m sure you have a job to do, and Charlie is a smart man.”

  Greg narrowed his eyes at him. “What are you up to, Mr. Pruitt? You know why I’m here.” He lowered his voice and took a seat at the table. No sense alerting all the little vacationing tourists to any trouble.

  “Same as you, Mr. DeMarco. I’m here to get Charlie’s money.” The kid leaned on the table and spoke in a hushed tone. “We’re out for the same objective here.”

  Greg couldn’t help laughing at that. Pruitt had no idea. “I highly doubt that.”

  Pruitt raised his brows.

  “You know why I’m here . . . you’ve had your chance. Multiple ones.”

  “But you want Charlie’s money, don’t you? It’s within my grasp. I think that’s worthy of another chance.” The kid was arrogant. And a good actor. But Greg could see the tinge of fear behind his eyes. “Besides . . . you don’t want me to call the press about an unsavory character who’s threatened me.”

  Lowering his voice, Greg spoke in an even and controlled tone. “You can’t very well call anyone if you’re dead.”

  Emerson leaned back and laughed like they were old friends catching up. Then he leaned forward again. “But if anything happens to me, I have a courier with instructions to deliver a letter containing information about Charlie’s business dealings that I’m sure he doesn’t want the authorities to know about.”

  Probably a bluff. But Greg would humor him. “Ten days, kid. That’s it.” Greg stood and straightened his suit jacket. “I’m not leaving. I’ll be watching every move you make. Remember that.”

  He walked away from the table and smiled. The kid was blowing smoke, and they both knew it. He’d string him along for the ten days . . . but that just gave him a little more time to plan and to see if there was any truth to the kid’s threat. His job was always to protect the boss.

  Charlie’s nuisance would be gone soon. And as the story broke in the papers, everyone would see once again that no one crossed Charlie the Chisel. No one.

  Esmer
elda sauntered over to the stables. Today she would put the rest of her plan in motion. Daddy had arranged it, and she would get what she wanted. She always did.

  As she walked the final steps, she noticed that annoying Miss Hale leading two horses out of the stables. An older gentleman she’d seen around the hotel said something to Miss Hale, and it made her smile. No one seemed to have noticed Esmerelda yet.

  She cleared her throat.

  The man turned and smiled. “Miss Lancaster, how lovely to see you today. We were just preparing for your outing.”

  “Hello.” She lifted her chin in the air a bit higher. “I’m here for a ride with Thomas.” She pulled on her riding gloves. “I believe my father arranged it earlier.”

  “Thomas was too busy with other outings, so Mr. Brennan scheduled you with Miss Hale. Didn’t your father inform you?”

  Anger bubbled up inside her. Too busy? These working people needed to be put in their place. She was in charge here. She put her hands on her hips and scowled at them. “That is unacceptable. I requested Mr. Smith, and I expect to have my wishes respected.”

  “Well, the scheduling isn’t up to you, Miss Lancaster.” The older man walked toward her and had a very fatherly look about him. She didn’t like it at all. It was as though he regarded her as a child.

  “I’ll complain to the manager,” she huffed.

  “I’m afraid that won’t do any good. Miss Hale is an excellent guide and is ready to take you on your outing.”

  She stomped her foot. “I refuse to go anywhere with Miss Hale. I ordered Thomas and I expect to have him!”

  Miss Hale stood by her horse and shook her head. When she stepped forward, her face held a look of pity.

  It only served to enrage Esmerelda more. “I demand to see the manager right now.” She spat the words.

  The older man stepped closer to her again. “Miss Lan—”