Cyan had never lied to anyone to hurt them. She’d always lied to keep people from being disappointed in her and now… if they found out she’d lied, they’d be even more disappointed.
Her plan to get information from Jareth was tossed aside the moment she’d understood how she felt about him.
Well, kind of. She conveniently turned away from the evidence that she’d captured photos of Kettleson and his hunting group due to Jareth’s information. There was only so much honesty a woman could handle in a day, anyway.
That didn’t matter anyway.
None of it did.
Did she head home? She needed her car. But if she took the road, she might run into any cops leaving. She’d been lucky on the way to Kettleson’s not seeing anyone. Her head had been wrapped up in getting to Jareth, getting help.
Now she had to focus, to think. What did she need to do? Jareth wasn’t an option. Her girlfriends weren’t available. Her parents…
She tightened her jaw. Just get home and get the information for their legal counsel.
Maria… maybe she could call Maria and get some help there. The woman never failed to support Cyan. She’d always been there for her. Even when Cyan had failed to be there for her.
Cyan really just needed someone to tell her she wasn’t alone.
She would never admit to anyone how he’d crushed her.
Annihilated her.
Demolished everything she was.
How could he do that, if he really cared?
And that was the hardest part of all of it. Right there on that boulder, Cyan accepted that he couldn’t have cared about her – not the way she wanted him to.
Twenty thousand dollars was a large amount. But was it enough to hurt someone so much?
Apparently to Jareth, it was.
Kettleson didn’t give her enough credit.
Cyan wiped her cheeks, lifting her chin. No one ever gave her enough credit.
She pushed away from the boulder and gave a low whistle. “Come on, Samson. Let’s get home.”
Well, she’d prove she was a force to be reckoned with and stronger than even she understood.
Kettleson would rue the day he’d hired her a boyfriend.
~~~
Her backup, in the garage, hadn’t been touched. The all-wheel-drive feature carried her safely over the snow covered roads.
Christmas had never been busier for her small family.
Cyan would reach town in a matter of minutes. After she stopped at the twenty-four hour store to print off her photos, she would pick up her parents from Maria’s place. Apparently Cyan wasn’t the only one thinking of the long-ago-nanny as a possible go-to. With their one call, her mom had phoned Maria and asked to be bailed out.
Cyan’s walk to and from Kettleson’s place had taken almost all day.
The length of time between ranches had eaten up her day. The evening hour allowed the tourist town to brighten its streets with multi-colored strings of holiday lighting, green and red lanterns along on the drives. Wreaths as large as tractor tires beckoned from taller two-story buildings.
Cyan had forgotten the holiday as she’d dealt with things she’d never imagined on a regular day. Who got arrested on Christmas anyway?
The gas station and twenty-four hour Walgreens manned the north street corner just as town started.
Cyan pulled in, anxious to print her pictures and deliver her envelopes. Once they were out of her hands, she could feel some level of vindication.
Nothing would happen that week. All the field offices had messages on their voicemails saying they were closed until the following week. At least she’d have the information delivered. For once she felt like she was doing something.
Someone had to do something.
She climbed out of the sporty station wagon and looked around.
What if Kettleson had men watching her?
What if she was going to get arrested because she was the daughter of the people arrested that day?
What if?
No, she shook her head and gripped the camera in her hand. No one was out to get her. She would be fine. No one knew about the pictures but her and she hadn’t called anyone.
She pushed through the glass doors, nodding to the lone cashier as she approached. “Merry Christmas. Can I get photos developed today?”
“Merry Christmas. Developed or printed? You can print through the kiosk over there, but the photo department isn’t open until tomorrow.” The woman pointed at the ATM style machine manning the far wall beside a display for chocolate covered cherries and stocking stuffers.
“Thank you, I’ll print them. I’m glad you guys are open.” Cyan called over her shoulder as she approached the machine.
“Yeah, well, resort town, you know? Holidays are our biggest money days.” The woman shrugged and glanced at the television set above the door.
Their biggest money days? The entire store was empty but for Cyan and the woman whose name tag read Melinda.
Following the directions on the screen, Cyan plugged in the SD card from her camera and clicked the photos she wanted developed. She selected three copies of all and turned to wait after she pressed complete.
A cell phone display beckoned to her. She crossed to the glass case. She needed one of those. Everyone had them on campus but she’d never wanted to be pinpointed to one spot or reached whenever anyone wanted her. Today, a cell would’ve been helpful. Her mom could’ve called her – if there was reception – or something.
She pointed to a bright blue Samsung and called out to Melinda. “Do these get reception out here?”
Melinda ambled to stand across from Cyan. She studied the mini phones. “Yes and no. I mean, here in town, sure, but in between, you’re looking at sketchy bars. But like in Missoula or Bozeman? The signal is clearer than a land line. You can’t even tell you’re on one. The minutes get kind of expensive and the text messaging is kind of outrageous, but they’re convenient.”
“I’d like to get one.” Cyan pulled out her wallet. She didn’t really have the time to set up a whole account, but when she was stressed, spending money calmed her nerves. And there was no way Walgreens had enough chocolate Santas to satisfy her stress-spending binge.
With the cell phone in her bag and the pictures in the envelopes she’d purchased, Cyan could put her plans in motion. She’d never felt more empowered.
And at the same time… more vulnerable.
~~~
“Thank you, Maria, so much.” Cyan waited for her parents to pass her and load into the car before turning back to her longtime companion. She pressed the greeting card sized envelope into her hands. “Can you keep these for me? I already delivered the ones I needed to, but, you know, I’ve seen too many spy movies apparently. And, you know how my parents are. I’ve been trained by the best to be suspicious.” She laughed, pushing against Maria’s fingers. “Don’t open it. Just hold it for me, in case.”
Maria met her gaze, no questions on her lips but plenty piling up in her eyes. She peeked over Cyan’s shoulder. “Be patient with your parents. Your dad is freaking out. The police took all of his plants. He’s in a lot of pain.”
“He’s always in a lot of pain.” Cyan bit her lip, ashamed of her snarky comment. “I’m sorry. That was rude. It’s not really how I feel, it’s just…” She sighed. “It’s been a long day. I’ll call you.”
Maria reached out and pulled Cyan into her arms. “You better, girl. Don’t make me wait so long again.” Her warm scent surrounded Cyan and filled her with a brief glimpse of peace. She squeezed Maria back with extra vigor.
In the car, she turned up the heat and studied her parents through the rearview mirror. “Are you guys okay?”
Her father shivered, his skin pale and clammy looking.
Stroking his hand, her mom met Cyan’s gaze with her own. “We are. Can we just go home?” She spoke softly.
“You bet.” Cyan didn’t say anything more. She didn’t need to add that her parents didn
’t have anything else to worry about. Jareth was out of Cyan’s life.
For good.
Hopefully in the next few weeks, Kettleson would be, too.
Chapter 19
Jareth
Jareth didn’t want to knock, he wanted to run. But he knocked anyway. Maybe her parents wouldn’t be home. Maybe she’d forgiven him already, as she had with the gun shot, but that had been an accident. He could still hope they’d greet each other with open arms.
He clenched his teeth so hard his jaw hurt.
Mr. Burns opened the door, his eyes narrowing when he recognized Jareth. “What do you want?” He held up his hand, shaking his head. “You know what? I don’t care. I’m sure it has something to do with my daughter.”
He stepped outside, pushing into Jareth’s space and forcing him to step back with his hands lifted.
Closing the door, Mr. Burns thrust his finger into Jareth’s chest. “You stay right there.” He half-limped to a standing cabinet on the deck in the same area as the fireplace and outside furniture.
Jareth held his breath, waiting to see what kind of a gun the man would surely produce. Jareth didn’t know how to apologize to the parents until he’d apologized to Cyan. He was glad Mr. Burns wasn’t in jail still. Maybe that would mollify Cyan’s anger enough she would listen to him.
Mr. Burns withdrew a full brown paper bag and labored back to Jareth. Mr. Burns tossed the package and Jareth caught it reflexively in his arms. “Here, you’ll betray someone for only twenty grand? How about fifty thousand to get out of her life? She doesn’t need you.”
Jareth’s shoulders slumped. Wow, the two times in his life he’d touched that much money and they weren’t because of anything good he’d done.
He sighed. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s how it looks.” Lifting his chin and trying not to break down, he fought for integrity – for his own self-worth he’d hidden for so long. “You tell Cyan I’ll be around until she wants to talk. I don’t want or need your money – or anyone else’s for that matter.” He pushed the heavy bag from him, ignoring it as it tumbled to the damp deck because Mr. Burns didn’t reach for it.
That was the closest he’d ever been to that much money. He wasn’t a sellout, especially since Cyan didn’t have a price tag – she was priceless.
He wasn’t even tempted.
As soon as he had the chance, he’d drop off the rest of the cash Kettleson had tossed at him. Certainly not to the Kettleson Ranch, but to a place that could do some good with the ill-gotten gains.
He glanced through the window for a chance at even a glimpse of her blue hair. Forgiveness would be evasive, just as he deserved.
~~~
Four weeks later
Jareth didn’t really care which rock salt the lady wanted to sell him. Just give him the dang salt. He smiled tightly at the woman standing behind the counter while she explained the difference between ice melts and rock salt.
“Is this for Briar Ranch?” She waited for an answer, her eyebrows lifted in expectation.
Lips pressed together, Jareth nodded curtly.
“I’m sure Mr. Briar would prefer an ice melt. They’re much safer for concrete and grasses and such. The road salts are harsher than he would want.” She pointed to the side aisle of the trading post store. “Ice melts are down aisle three.”
“I’ll call my boss. He said rock salt.” Jareth turned toward the phone booth out the front doors. He’d heard rumors that the booths were going to be a thing of the past soon because of the cell phones. Nate just got one, so when they were close to towns with reception, he could call Emma.
Outside, Jareth dug through his pockets for change.
In four weeks the town had removed its holiday decorations and replaced it with wishful signs of spring. For the end of January, it was extremely hopeful, maybe even ridiculous, to display green signs and have flowers painted in windows.
“Would you like to use my phone?” The woman’s voice broke through Jareth’s search.
He snapped his gaze to her face. Recognition dawned. “Maria. Hello.” He glanced behind her and down the street, looking, hopeful for a glimpse of Cyan.
“She’s not with me.” Maria held out a small phone and pointed at the buttons. “Push the numbers and then that green button to connect the call.” She watched him, her gaze penetratingly painful.
“Oh, she? I’m not…” He dialed his boss’s number. The rest of the Montana Trails had opted to work at a ranch just east of Clearwater County, but Jareth? He couldn’t leave the area Cyan lived in. He couldn’t bring himself to be that far away.
She hated him, but he couldn’t hate her.
Not for anything.
He finished his call and gave the phone back to Maria. “Thank you.”
“Okay cowboy, you don’t know who I’m talking about, I’m sure. Would you happen to know who made an anonymous donation of eighteen thousand dollars to the humane society?” She tucked the phone into a side pocket on her purse and crossed her arms.
He shifted in his boots, tucking his hands into his back pockets. “How is she, Maria?”
Her questioning expression altered to concern. “She’s, well, she’s Cyan. After the incidents in December, she’s been closed off but triumphant. She’s back at school and should finish up her Master’s this spring.”
Cyan wasn’t even in the area. That information burst painfully in his chest. She’d left him. Without any indication that she forgave him. Nothing.
He truly had committed the unforgivable. “That’s good. I’m happy for her. Let her know I said congratulations.” He nodded, longing to tug the brim of his hat down to cover the tightness around his eyes.
“I’m sure you’ll see her at break, if you’re still in the area.” She smiled, as if she knew something. But she couldn’t. She didn’t know all of it, if she was encouraging him with Cyan.
“No. I won’t. I’m the reason her dad was arrested.” He bit off the shameful words, embarrassed to declare it, but unwilling to hide the truth any longer. The truth hurt to say out loud.
Maria’s laugh rebounded off the cement blocks of the building. “No, that’s not true. Burns is his own reason why he was arrested. He has more than enough money to get a legal prescription and to grow that stuff in other places or to at least grow it legally.” She shook her head. “That man believes the government is out to get him and he’s the one who brought the police down on him.”
“They won’t see it that way.” Jareth closed his eyes and leaned his head back. Great. Just great.
“That’s his fault, Jareth, not yours. Because of information you gave Cyan, she got pictures of Kettleson on his hunt and turned the photos over to the Fish and Game department. Their investigation was very thorough and unexpected. The severity of his poaching earned him a felony charge. Didn’t you hear about that?” Maria cocked her knit cap covered head to the side. “It was in all the papers. Needless to say, Cyan is feeling pretty good about doing something for those animals.”
“No, ma’am. I didn’t know.” Should he be elated that Cyan had accomplished her goals or feel betrayed that she was mad at him for doing the exact same thing he’d done? Okay, well kind of the same thing.
Okay, really different things.
Forget it. He couldn’t be happier that she’d succeeded. He rooted for her even as she hated him.
Maria’s face softened and her voice lowered. “I know she misses you. I talked to her last week and she’s melancholy.”
“Did she say she misses me? Because I guarantee she hasn’t forgiven me.” Cynicism burst across Jareth’s chest. He’d messed up so badly, nothing would fix it for him now. Even her parents hated him.
“She will in time. There’s no harm done. Her parents needed the wakeup call. Trust me. I worked for the Burns for fifteen years. They’re similar to children, in that they think they can do whatever they want, and only think about the consequences when they’re forced to deal with them.” She shrugged, her matter-of-fact
ness refreshing. “Fortunately, they’re good people so they don’t do anything to harm others, but the pot nonsense isn’t the first time Burns has done something he shouldn’t.”
“Where is Cyan staying?” Jareth could write her a letter or send her a package. He’d visit, but he wasn’t going to go that far without some kind of a truce offering, something he could give her without preamble.
“She and Sherri have a place on Nineteenth Avenue. I think it’s called McIntosh Court? Like the apple.” She glanced at her wristwatch, and then smiled perkily at him. “I hope you get to see her. I’ve got to get going. Dogs won’t feed themselves. I sure wish I knew who donated that money. I’d give them a huge kiss.” She winked and turned, her snow boots bright pink against the gray concrete bordered with white drifts of snow.
Was it coincidence his boss had told him the job would be ending in a couple days? Was it coincidence that Maria had been there? That he’d run into her?
Cyan didn’t believe in coincidences.
Yet Jareth didn’t believe in the kind of forgiveness he needed to see her again.
The least he could do before he left the area was fix things with her parents. He at least owed Cyan that.
He owed himself that much.
~~~
The entire Montana Trails group was expecting him to join them in three weeks. Jareth had that long to fix the things, he had to, before he could feel he was worth more than horse crap.
His trusty truck rumbled up the snow-packed drive. At some point those in the northwest just learned to accept living amongst the snow, rather than going mad as they plowed piles from one spot to the next.
Parked a bit back from the house, Jareth gulped air like he was underwater. Gagging down a porcupine would be easier than the pride swallowing he was about to undertake.
If he ever wanted to beg Cyan for forgiveness, he had to clear things up with her parents. A man would do it. He wanted to be that man.
Sliding from the cab, Jareth tried to prevent the sensation of the “last walk” wash over him. Eyes downcast, he climbed the steps. Half-way up, he turned at the sound of his name.
Forbidden Trails: A Clearwater County Romance (The Montana Trails Series Book 2) Page 13
