by Wendy Vella
Luke was still pacing the room, away and back to his brother’s bed. Pip sat in a chair, still looking pale, holding Jack’s hand. Joe just looked at his brother lying there and kept repeating over and over inside his head that he’d be okay.
“Thank God Mom’s away,” Pip said.
“Aren’t you meant to be talking in hushed voices around someone who’s near death?”
Joe reached for Jack’s hand. His eyes were open and bloodshot. Pain was etched in the lines of his face, but he still managed a smile as he looked at the worried faces hovering over him.
“I’m okay.”
The breath exhaled out of Joe like a balloon deflating. He lowered his head and hugged his brother gently. Jack gripped his shoulder and held on.
“Jesus,” Joe whispered, “you scared me, little brother.”
“Scared myself,” Jack said as Joe eased back to let Luke in.
After the hugging was done, Joe took the seat beside him.
“You up to telling us what happened?”
“We were just riding, and Bailey was telling me about living there, and how she used to ride all over the place on her own, even as a child.”
Joe knew this, but nodded.
“She’d just offered to work in the stables if I needed her, I remember that part, and we’d entered the forest and were near the river, then the bullet hit me. Beccy got spooked and reared, and I fell. I roared at Bailey to ride for help, she refused, and then the second shot was fired. She hit the ground and crawled to me. Took off her shirt, and my belt, then made a dressing.”
“Nice work, Bailey,” Luke said.
“I told her to go again, she said no again. She’s a lot tougher than I thought. Then she bullied me into getting up on her horse. She got up in front, and we left. We kept low through the forest and then we were galloping, and that’s when you found us, Joe. After that everything became pretty hazy.”
Joe had to find Bailey and thank her for saving his brother’s life.
“Do you think it was deliberate, Jack?” he asked.
“I don’t know how it couldn’t have been, no matter how much I’ve tried to convince myself otherwise. The second shot was close to Bailey and me. Once is a mistake, but twice....”
“Well, fuck,” Luke snarled.
“Trainers.” Fin walked in with a bag of food, which he lowered to the bedside table, and more coffee. “How you doing, Jack?”
“Okay, if you discount the red-hot poker in my side.”
Fin looked like he wanted to spit tacks just like Joe, but he simply leaned in and hugged Jack.
“Glad you’re okay.”
“How’s Bailey, Fin?” Jack said the words as he eased into a more comfortable position, which caused him to grunt in pain.
“Haven’t seen her today, but spoke to Maggie, who said she’s shaken, but holding up well. Me and Maggie went to the police with her yesterday. She told Chief Blake everything she knew, and didn’t derail once. No hysterics, no crying. I seriously thought about proposing then and there. A calm woman in a time of crisis is a rarity.”
“I’m sure I should be insulted about now,” Piper said.
“Bailey said you were just having a nice ride and then the bullet hit you, your horse threw you, which by the way is going to give me some serious mileage,” Fin said, to which Jack rolled his eyes. Joe didn’t have an eye roll in him, in fact what he still had was a red-hot burning rage that someone had shot his brother. A few inches the other way and he’d be dead. Bailey could have been shot too, and until now he hadn’t allowed himself to focus on that. The thought was a chilling one.
“She said she got off her horse, and came to you, then bound your side, and you headed back.”
“Yeah, I was just telling these guys that I told her to go but she refused, then bullied me up on her horse. That’s pretty much all I remember.”
“Chief Blake’s been out at your place twice now, scouring the area. He’s gonna take Bailey back at some stage to go over things.”
They talked until Jack fell asleep again. Joe told the nurse to call him when he woke. He then left the hospital and went to find Bailey. He needed to check on her, make sure she really was holding up okay, and he refused to acknowledge just how much seeing her meant to him right at that moment. His world had just been rocked and it was to her he wanted to go to steady it again.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
He’d been to her house, then his, but came up empty-handed. Finally he decided on heading to the bar, and it was there he found her. She was in the utility room staring at the washing machine, muttering to herself.
“It can’t be that hard to use.”
He stood in the doorway watching her. She was dressed in denim shorts that looked like they’d recently been a pair of jeans, and a pale gray fitted long-sleeved T-shirt. On her feet were the now slightly grubby peach trainers. Her hair was in the ever-present messy knot. He followed the length of two long curls that had made a break for freedom, and fell to below her shoulders, and felt something heavy settle in his chest. Why those two locks of hair made her appear vulnerable, he had no idea.
“You’re an intelligent woman, Bailey Jones. How hard can it be to operate?”
She bent, and he admired her ass, and the length of her legs. Then straightened, and braced her hands on her hips.
“It’s a washing machine.”
She yelped, turning with a hand now pressed to her chest.
“I-I didn’t hear you.”
“You were too busy talking to the washing machine.”
Color filled her cheeks and she looked away.
“How’s Jack?”
“Better, thanks.”
“I’m pleased. It was scary not knowing how bad he was.”
“Very scary. Now tell me why you are standing here looking at my washing machine?”
“I came in to see if Em needed me to play tonight, and she was flustered because someone didn’t turn up for work today to clean. I offered to help, and she asked me to put the bar towels on to wash.”
“And you don’t know how?”
“I’ll work it out.”
“It’s a pretty standard model.”
“I’m sure it is.”
“What kind do you have?” Joe said. “I’m sure it’s not that different.”
She muttered something, so he moved to her side and looked at her. “Sorry?”
“I’ve never used a washing machine! All right, are you satisfied?”
“Why would you not using a washing machine satisfy me?”
She turned to face him again. “Because it just proves what a spoilt, self-indulged person I’ve been my entire life.”
He wasn’t sure how not knowing the workings of his washing machine pointed to that, but he’d run with it.
“I don’t know how to look after myself, but damn you, Joe Trainer, I’m learning!”
“Because you’ve lived your life in hotels, and with your grandfather’s staff looking after you?”
She nodded. “A washing machine shouldn’t be that hard, right?”
“Sure, but they have these things called Laundromats now so it’s really not a big deal.”
She sighed. “I can’t even use a coffee machine. Cell phones are a wonder of modern magic, and when I ran out of fuel on a road, after leaving Boston. I had to learn that a car needs to be refilled and have its oil and water checked... actually I knew that, I just didn’t fill up in time.”
Joe wanted to rub the pain in his chest; instead he smiled.
“Poor little rich girl.”
“Don’t make fun of me!” She was glaring at him again. “I performed, I practiced, and I didn’t learn basic life skills. But I have been over the last year, and I will master this washing machine!”
“Good for you. Want me to teach you?”
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him, waiting to see if he was messing with her. When she realized he wasn’t, she nodded.
“The powder goes in her
e.” Joe explained the workings, and then made her run through them manually. When it started, she clapped her hands like a small child, and the pain in his chest intensified.
“I need to write this down.”
“Why?”
“Because then I’ll remember it for next time,” she said, looking at him. “I have a small book with these things in.”
Joe had to clear his throat.
“Bailey, I need to thank you for what you did when Jack was shot.”
“I’m just glad he’s okay.”
“You didn’t panic, and did everything exactly right. The Trainer family is in your debt.”
“I don’t want you in my debt. I did what anyone would.”
“Are we going to argue about this?”
She shook her head.
“How’s Angie?”
And there it was, the little extra tension that was in the air between them.
“Bailey, I need to explain to you about Angie. I don’t want you to think—”
“I don’t want to hear it, Joe. What happens in your life is none of my business, as what happens in my life is none of yours. What h-happened between us was wr-wrong, especially considering you and Angie have a thing, but let’s put it down to insanity and move on.”
“It wasn’t.” He grabbed her as she tried to leave. “Nothing that good could be wrong or considered insane. Angie and I don’t have a thing either.”
“Don’t lie to me, Joe!”
“I’m not. We’re—”
“I saw her. Saw the way she walked up to you with that secret smile, and wanted you to kiss her. It made me feel terrible. So I won’t be a party to that again, even if you will.”
“What the hell are you implying?” Joe felt his anger climb. She wouldn’t give him a chance to explain, wouldn’t believe him.
She pulled her arm free and left without answering. Joe stared at the washing machine until his blood had cooled. How was he supposed to get her to listen?
“Jesus, women drive me fucking crazy,” he muttered, then kicked the washing machine for no other reason than it felt good.
“You got a minute, Joe?” Em poked her head around the door.
“Sure.” He left the room, and followed his manager. Of Bailey there was no sign, which pissed him off, because in his current mood, he’d been ready to pick her up and lock them both in his office until she listened to him.
“I’ve put Elijah Neil in your office, Joe. He said he needed to speak with you urgently.”
“Thanks.” Joe headed up and wondered what the man wanted. They’d run together for a while as teenagers, and then Elijah’s family had stepped in and banned him from having anything to do with that bad Trainer boy.
“Elijah.” Joe walked in and shook his hand. Buzz was snoring softly in his bed, no doubt thinking of his next dog biscuit and whom he could fleece. “What can I do for you?”
He sat behind his desk, and Elijah took the chair.
“How’s Jack doing?”
“He’s coming along well, thanks.”
“I was up on the trails yesterday, Joe. Went for a quick hike at lunch.”
Elijah was someone who enjoyed nature. There wasn’t a week went by when he wasn’t out hiking, and usually dragging his wife and four children with him.
“Good day for it.”
“It was. But that’s not why I’m here.”
The man’s face was serious, not an expression he usually wore.
“I saw someone as I passed the lodge, Joe. He was lurking around the outbuildings. There was something about him that triggered a memory in my head, so I moved closer. He got spooked and ran.”
He wasn’t sure why ice was suddenly slithering down his spine, but Joe felt cold.
“It was your father, Joe. I’m 100 percent on that, because he recognized me just as I did him.”
He couldn’t speak for a few seconds. His father was back in Ryker, and his brother had been shot. Coincidence? He didn’t think so.
“I’m obliged to you for coming to me, Elijah. But I’d be grateful if you didn’t tell anyone else what you saw for now.”
“I have no issue with that at all.” Elijah got to his feet.
“And let me know if you see him again.”
“I will, and you take care now, Joe. This business with Jack is nasty.”
It was, Joe thought minutes later as he sat in his chair staring at the wall. Work forgotten, he wondered what the hell his father was doing back in Ryker, and what connection his appearance had with Jack’s shooting. One thing he knew for certain was that he’d be finding out, and if Tim Trainer was in any way involved, he’d deal with the man himself.
When Angie walked in twenty minutes later, he was hard at work trying to put the morning from hell behind him, and failing.
“Hey there, lover boy.”
For some reason that made him wince. Maybe because of what Fin had told him.
“I thought we were seeing each other tonight?”
“We are... were, that’s why I called. I have to work tonight. A few staff are down with a virus. Can we rain check?”
She was in the Falls Lodge uniform of deep gray skirt and white shirt. The fitted lines of the clothes suited her, but he felt nothing when he looked at her.
“Sit down, Angie, we need to talk.”
“Sure. How’s Jack?” She watched him walk around the room.
“Better. They’re letting him out as soon as all the tubes and wires are removed. He can then come home as long as he takes things easy. The bullet went through the fleshy part of his side. He was lucky.” Joe felt the relief again that his brother had survived, and would show no lasting effects from what happened.
“Have the police found any leads?”
“None. A few tracks, but nothing concrete.”
“Maybe it was someone illegally hunting?”
“I don’t buy that. The first shot took Jack down, the second was aimed at Bailey, according to him.”
“She seemed nice, Bailey.”
She is.
“Angie, I know what we’ve had is casual, but I’m going to have to stop seeing you.” He looked at her, but she’d turned away so he couldn’t read her expression.
“Why?” She looked back at him, and he couldn’t read anything in her face. “I thought we had fun? No strings, no hassles?”
“Sure we did, but it’s over for me now.”
“It’s Bailey, isn’t it? I felt something was going on between you in the stables that day.”
“No, I just think it’s time.” Joe wasn’t bringing Bailey into this.
“I like what we had, Joe.” She got to her feet and headed his way. Joe evaded her hands and went to sit behind his desk.
“I want us to be friends, Angie.”
“Friends.” She laughed, and he saw no anger, which was a relief. “Okay, I can do that, but if you change your mind, you know where you can find me.”
“I won’t.”
She gave him a gentle smile, and left before he could say anything else. Joe did something he hadn’t in years. He had a drink before the bar opened.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“ Hey there, Bailey. You come to watch the parade?”
“Hi Fin, yes I have. Maggie’s meeting me here.”
“You did good the other day, Bailey Jones. Just need you to know that.”
“Thanks, but I’m sure most people would do the same thing.”
His smile was slightly lopsided.
“Well, you’d like to think so, but to be fair not everyone has smarts, Bailey. In fact, for some it’s a daily struggle not to show their stupid.”
She laughed.
“I hear you’ve been helping out at the bar, and the stables, while Jack’s laid low, and Joe’s spending time at the hospital.”
“I don’t have anything else on.” She shrugged.
“Not comfortable with praise, are you, which to my mind is weird considering it has to have come your way a lot in th
e past.”
Bailey found the conversation awkward. “I took that praise because I deserved it. I tried to be the best, and often I was.”
“I like a woman who speaks the truth. So going with that logic, it would suggest because you’re not the best at helping out in the bar, and stables, you can’t accept the praise?”
Bailey narrowed her eyes at Fin in the hope he’d shut up. He simply smiled back.
“Is there a reason we’re having this intense conversation right here on the main street of Ryker Falls, with half the town around us?”
“I like to debate, Bailey. It adds spice to your day.”
“Good for you.”
“Now that there was sarcasm, and I don’t mind some of that too.”
“The Fall Parade is a lot bigger now than it was in my day.” Bailey changed the subject.”
“You were what, thirteen when you left?”
She nodded, looking around her at the smiling faces and fluttering flags. “There were two or three floats, and a handful of sweets. The crowds weren’t this big either.”
“Well, you’re in for a surprise then.”
“It should be interesting, that’s for sure. How long have you lived here, Fin?”
“About eight years. I arrived with Joe when he came home, and never left.”
He wore denim shorts and a faded black T-shirt, and on his feet were sneakers. The few times she’d seen him, he’d seemed relaxed, but after the conversation she’d just had with him, she knew this was a facade. Plus, he was the head ranger around here, not a job for a clueless person.
“So you and Joe met away from here?”
“We did.”
Fin didn’t elaborate, so Bailey didn’t ask, but she wanted to. She’d tried to push thoughts of Joe aside since their conversation over the washing machine, but hadn’t been entirely successful. His kissing her while involved with Angie had disturbed her, because she’d believed him a better person than that—and she still did.
“Come on, the parade is due to start, and I have a spot being saved in the front row.”
Bailey started to protest, but Fin simply took her hand and towed her behind him through the crowds. Bailey smiled, offered apologies as they weaved around people.
