by Talty, Jen
She couldn’t argue that point, but JD handled his broken heart by having one or two ‘fuck buddies’ he could call when the physical urge struck. “Bella messed up JW, but he got back in the saddle.”
“That’s true, but JW and JD are two very different men when it comes to love and women. JW takes a hit and keeps on ticking. JD, well, he goes down in flames.” JB blew into his coffee mug. The steam pushed out into the air before vanishing. “You really did an amazing job with the riding school. How many trainees do we have residing here right now?”
“Five. They’ve all been fed and have headed to the barn. We really need seven at all times to have this place start paying for itself.”
“We’ll get there with you at the helm.” JB made himself comfortable on one of the outdoor rocking chairs. He rested his Stetson on his lap and stared at her as if he were sizing her up. “You haven’t seen the news this morning yet, have you?”
“I haven’t had time. This is the first free moment I’ve had since my alarm went off at five. Not to mention, one of the crew called in sick, so I had to help in the kitchen.”
“You might want to sit down for this one,” JB said as he patted the seat next to him. “They set Robert’s trial date.”
“Good. That man deserves to rot in hell.”
“It starts next week.”
“That’s fast.” She rested her mug on the side of the chair and let her head fall back. A big puffy white cloud floated in the blue sky. Birds chirped in the background, and the sun warmed her face. Whiskey Ranch had been her entire world long before Chuck Holland left it to her and her brothers. Even before her parents died and she came to live on the ranch, the land had been connected to her soul in a way she couldn’t explain other than to say she’d die without Whiskey Ranch. “I really hope they find him guilty of everything.” And Robert nearly took all that away.
“It would have been better if he’d taken the plea bargain,” JB said. “At least that would have guaranteed a prison stay for five years. But by going to court, the state could lose, and that means Robert would be right back up our asses.”
“That would suck. It’s bad enough that Bella keeps saying stupid shit about us.” She bit down on her lower lip. Luke would be back for the trial, which meant she needed to prepare for his homecoming even sooner.
No. It wasn’t a homecoming. He’d left and never looked back until he had to, and even then, he’d returned to town twice, and he not once came looking for her. She had to accept that Luke barely even cared about her as a friend.
“You came over here to tell me this? Because this isn’t startling news.”
JB shook his head. “No. Although that was the headline. A few pages in was this article.” He tapped the screen on his cell and handed it to her. “This is the reason I wanted to come over.”
She took it and gasped.
Joey Hill, the Crescent Trail Killer, will be put to death this week.
“Fucking finally,” she whispered, swiping at the hot tears that drizzled down her cheeks. For years, she waited for that asshole to be put to death. All of his victims’ families deserved closure; she only wished Joanie’s parents had lived to see this day.
“He’s doing all the typical things people on death row do to get the execution called off, but everyone is fairly confident he will be dead by the end of the week.”
“I hope something goes wrong and he dies this incredibly excruciating death.” Georgia Moon turned her arm and stared at the tattoo etched on the inside of her wrist. She’d gotten the infinity sign with Joanie’s initials and her birthday the day Joanie would have turned eighteen.
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel,” JB said.
“His dying doesn’t make up for all those people he killed.”
JB reached out and took her hand. “No. It doesn’t. But it should give a lot of people some peace, you included.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing the tears from falling. “I often wonder why he took her and not me.”
“You can’t keep going down that road.”
Blinking, she focused on her brother’s kind eyes. “I was there when he took her.”
“You were at a park with like ten other kids. He could have grabbed any one of them.”
“But he didn’t. He took a girl who ran into the wooded area to get the ball. I was supposed to get it, but I was too busy giving little Tommy Shifter a black eye.”
“He deserved that black eye,” JB said.
She knew he meant to lighten the mood, but it didn’t really help her aching heart. “Maybe so, but because of the fight I got into with him, everyone was distracted, and it allowed that monster to—”
“Stop,” JB said firmly. “You weren’t even ten years old yet. You are not responsible for her going missing or her subsequent death. Her killer is about to be put to death. That’s justice.”
She swiped at her cheeks. “I know. But it doesn’t make it hurt any less.”
“I don’t think Joanie or her parents would want you sulking about forever.” Her brother palmed her face. “There is one other thing I wanted to talk to you about, and that’s this.” He pulled out an envelope. “You’ve been invited to the execution.”
“Fuck,” she mumbled, taking the paper between her shaky fingers. “I know Joanie’s parents wanted to go. Her father must have asked for me to go in their place before he died.” She knew Mr. Malone had every intention of doing exactly that, and she’d given him permission, but she never in a million years expected to one of the chosen.
“You don’t have to go,” JB said, catching her gaze.
“I know. But I will do it for her parents and her.”
“We’ll all go with you.” JB leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“Thanks,” she said softly. “I appreciate it.”
“That’s what brothers are for.”
The sound of a horse trotting up through the field caught her attention. She covered her eyes and squinted into the sunshine.
“What the hell?” Someone had the balls to be riding Misty Blue, the craziest horse that ever set foot on Whiskey Ranch. Of course, she blamed the beast’s previous owner. “No fucking way. It can’t be. He can’t be here yet.”
JB raced to the edge of the porch. “He must have been told about the trial before the rest of us.”
Fuck. She couldn’t deal with Luke right now.
She wanted to stay mad at him for lying, but she knew the second she spent two minutes with him alone, she’d forgive him, and her heart would die just a little bit more because Luke Hannah would never be hers.
“If he’s looking for me, tell him I’m in the shower. Or better yet, left the state and won’t be back for a while.”
“Between the trial and JW’s wedding, you’re going to have to face him eventually.”
“Well, in this case, later is best.” She turned and raced back up the stairs and slammed the sliding doors shut, leaving her brother outside with her coffee.
And to deal with the one man who didn’t even know he’d stolen her heart.
* * *
“Whoa there, girl.” Luke Hannah pulled back on the reins as he approached what used to be his ranch but now belonged to the Whiskey family. Well, if had to sell his land, they were the only people he wanted to have it. He’d been thrilled to hear they’d turned it into a boarding house for their students and instructors.
But he never expected Georgia Moon would take up residence in his old master suite.
In the distance, he could see JB and Georgia Moon on the back deck by the pool. He raised his hand to wave, but Georgia Moon raced off into the house.
Either she hadn’t seen him.
Or she was avoiding him.
He hoped it was the former but suspected it was actually the latter. And he couldn’t blame her after everything he’d done. However, if JW could forgive him, then she should be able to, and he was going to do whatever it took to make her understand that he only did those thi
ngs to save his sister from a crazy ex-husband.
JB stepped from the fenced-in area and greeted Luke with a wave of his hat and a smile. “When did you get into town?”
“Late last night,” Luke said. “Brought my sister and her baby with me. JW said we could stay at the manager’s cabin since Georgia Moon is living in my old place. Is she here?”
JB nodded. “But she’s really busy.”
“Avoiding me,” Luke said as he tied Misty Blue to the railing. He pulled a toothpick from his shirt pocket and plopped it between his teeth. “I don’t get it. She’s the one who pushed JW into talking to me after the whole Bella incident, and she did so by telling him that I did him a huge favor by sleeping with her in the first place.”
JB laughed. “You did, but are you really that blind?” JB glanced over his shoulder once. “Dude, she’s got it bad for you. Always has.”
Luke coughed. “I didn’t know that then, but JW certainly gave me an earful about her last night when I got here, but I’ll tell you what I told him. There are things about my life right now that are uncertain; I won’t put any of that on Georgia Moon.”
“Uncertain how? Once Robert is behind bars, you and your sister can have your lives back. I mean, her husband is dead. He can’t hurt her anymore.”
“I know. But it’s more than that. I’ve been living with Annette in Florida for the last year.” He waved his hand toward the ranch. “I don’t own this place, or any place anymore. I barely have two dimes to rub together. Trust me, I’m not fit for anyone, especially Georgia Moon.” The fact that Luke could easily let lie after lie roll off his tongue disturbed him, and it made him feel like he wasn’t much better than his father. He would testify next week at Robert’s trial, and then he had to decide if he wanted to attend his father’s execution or not.
That posed a different set of problems.
“That doesn’t answer my question,” JB said. “I’m sure JW gave his big brother lecture on kicking your ass—”
“I’m going to stop you right there. I care about your sister. She and I became really good friends before everything went down last year, but my life is in Florida, helping my sister. Not here. Not anymore.”
“Fair enough.” JB turned and pulled open the sliding doors. “I’ve got work to do. She’s probably in your old office. One of only two rooms she didn’t change. Everything else will look totally different.”
“That’s probably a good thing,” Luke said.
“And if she asks, I didn’t let you in.”
“Got it.” Luke held out his hand. “It’s good to see you, man.”
“You too. I wish you’d consider coming back. We could use a world-renowned trainer on our team.”
“Those days are long gone.” Luke slapped JB on the back. “I’ll see you later.” Tentatively, Luke stepped into what used to be his kitchen, only it looked nothing like what he remembered. When he owned the house, it was open to the family room and dining room. Now it was closed off like a galley kitchen.
Of course, it wasn’t meant to be a gathering place anymore. No. She’d turned it into a state-of-the-art kitchen with its only purpose to feed people.
He made his way down the long hallway toward his old office. His pictures were replaced with plaques and images of famous bull riders, though one of them was him. He let out a soft chuckle as he thumbed an image of him and JW, the one and only time Luke had beat him. He’d been twenty-one, and while his career was always one step behind JW, he had considered himself a huge success.
His pulse jumped. He’d spent two months trying to find dirt on JW and had come up empty-handed. Robert had accused him of not trying or holding back information, but the simple truth was that JW and his family were stand-up people, and the only skeleton they had in their closet had been a difficult childhood. During those two months, he’d successfully fended off Bella and her advances. Had he known her plan had been to get caught, he wouldn’t have slept with her.
Fuck.
There was no good reason for Luke’s actions. Hell, he probably wanted to get caught as well, but he doubted his subconscious wanted to hurt JW. No. It was more punishment for his piss-poor decisions.
But what choice did he have?
He took in a deep breath and rounded the corner. He paused at the doorway and stared at Georgia Moon, who sat behind his old desk. The only thing she’d changed in this room were the pictures on the wall, the trophies in the case, and the person who occupied it.
She raised her hand and twirled her hair with her fingers. He’d been mesmerized many times by this action, and it made his heart skip a beat every time. In what seemed like slow motion, she turned her head, and her lips parted.
“Hey there.” He took a few tentative steps into the room. “You look good.”
“So do you.” She leaned back in her chair. Her long dark hair cascaded over her shoulders. She wore jeans and a white tank top that hugged her body, showing off each glorious curve. “I bet Misty Blue was happy to see you.”
“She nearly threw me off when I mounted her from sheer excitement. Doesn’t anyone ride her?”
Georgia Moon raised her hand. “I ride the crazy monster and so does JW. Misty Blue even likes Kitty, but we haven’t chanced that. Kitty is a quick study, but she’s got a lot to learn about temperamental horses.”
“My sister says I have a lot to learn when it comes to women. She’s here, you know. With her son. He’s really adorable.”
“I’m glad Annette got that asshole out of her life.”
“You and me both.” Luke waved his arm. “Mind if I sit?”
“I’m really busy, Luke. I don’t have time to sit down and shoot the shit.” She folded her arms across her chest and kept her lips drawn into a tight line.
He made himself comfortable in the brown leather chair that he’d spent a small fortune on. “Why are you still so mad at me? I thought we were on good terms when you bought this place.”
“We’re not on bad terms,” she said.
That gave him a little bit of hope.
“That said, I struggle with the idea that you were paid to ruin my family. I didn’t know that when we bought your ranch. I’m not sure I would have talked my brother into taking your call had that juicy piece of information had been at my fingertips.”
“I was protecting my sister, and frankly, I’d do it again if it meant making sure my nephew wasn’t raised by his biological father.” He pumped his fingers, keeping his anger in check. No one knew the hell he’d lived the first ten years of his life, or the lasting effect it had on him, except his sister. “I know you and your brothers would do anything to safeguard each other.”
She dropped her hands to her lap and sighed. “I won’t deny that I would do anything for family, but you should have told us when you came to me for help. I thought you just wanted to make sure Robert didn’t grow his business. I didn’t know he paid you to be Bella’s whore.”
He let out a sarcastic laugh. “I felt like shit the entire time. Thanks for reminding me what a lowlife I am.” He stood and held his head up high. “I am profoundly sorry for what I did, and I’ve paid a huge price for my mistakes. All I want is for us to be friends again. I’m here until the trial is over, except for maybe one short trip to deal with some old business with my sister, who, by the way, is dying to meet you.”
Georgia Moon nodded. “You said you’d do it all over again, does that mean—”
He raised his hand. “No. I meant I’d do what I needed to do to help my sister, but I would have thought about double-crossing Robert. You have to remember, he held the cards. He had the power to destroy my sister’s life because of her husband, and he used that to make sure he got what he wanted. However, when I came up empty-handed, he and Bella went rogue.”
“And that’s the rub. You slept with her anyway.” Georgia Moon stood shaking her head. “But what is done is done.” She sashayed across the room and held out her hand.
He took it and rose. Staring into h
er dark-chocolate eyes, he smiled. “Does this mean we’re good?”
“Just don’t lie to me again, okay?”
Taking her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he prepared to lie. “I won’t.”
“Good. Now give me a proper hug.”
Resisting the urge to kiss her, he wrapped his arms around her body, tucking her head to his chest. He rested his chin on the top of her head and inhaled her coconut perfume.
She always smelled like a tropical rainy afternoon on the beach.
“Do you remember what tomorrow is?” she whispered.
He froze. His heart plummeted to his stomach. Of course, he remembered. For the rest of his life, he’d never be able to erase Joanie’s death. It had been what drew him to Idaho in the first place. He’d come here as a teenager to visit her grave and apologize. It had been the first time he’d laid eyes on the pretty Georgia Moon. She’d been all of sixteen years old with a wild streak. He’d hid in the shadows behind a large tree and watched her for thirty-two minutes while she talked to her dad’s friend, telling her all about the hot new ranch hand.
It wasn’t until years later that she asked him to join her at Joanie’s gravesite, but he couldn’t refuse Georgia Moon’s request. He had no valid reason, and he had been unable to come up with one on the spot.
“Will you come with me?”
“Of course,” he said softly. But this sealed his fate.
He would not be moving back to Buhl, Idaho. It would disappoint his sister, but they could find another ranch, in another state.
Away from the woman he’d have to spend the rest of his life lying to if he stayed. He couldn’t do that.
He loved her too much.
Chapter 2
“He’s a handful.” Georgia Moon set little Tony on his pudgy little feet. His arms flapped wildly as he took off running toward his mother, Annette.
It felt weird to be back in her old home and seeing Luke and his sister occupy the place, even if temporarily. They hadn’t rented it out mostly because they used it for overflow when Kitty’s family came, and Georgia wasn’t sure if after the renovations she wanted to even continue to live at Luke’s old place, but now that she was settled, she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
