"I tell you, Vanessa. That girl is going to be the death of me. She's so boy crazy." Joyce shook her head.
"Maybe she's just window shopping." Vanessa tried to lighten her up, but by her scowl, she figured Joyce must have her hands full with Emma.
Vanessa moved on, making a point to spend time with each of the guests and noted Jake did too. When he walked past her to grab another beer she touched his arm.
"Seems like everyone is having fun.”
"And I can tell you're a big hit. I overheard Jose Alverez mentioning to another guest you are the best vet in town." Jake winked at her.
“Good to know. I saw you talking to the Sanders. That’s the neighbor’s with the orange grove and the swimming hole…” She grinned before turning her attention to the activity around the back porch. “I should go check on Beth... see if she needs my help."
"Let's give it another few minutes. Then you can make your announcement. I'm talking to Morris… I forget his last name, but I'll ask for a business card. He's the loan officer at the bank... very interested in what we're doing here."
Vanessa kissed her husband on the cheek and worked her way back to Beth who was speaking on the phone. Ending the call she shook her head, "Tiny is running late... something about work."
“Hope he can make it. I'd like to meet him." Vanessa filled a plate with a scoop of cheesy potatoes and took a few bites. "How's the pulled pork? Have you tasted it yet?"
“Umm, delicious... Mr. Jake sure knows how to cook." Beth bit into her sandwich.
"Cook, yes. Clean up, no."
"Looks like Sebastian and John got that covered.” Beth giggled and nodded toward the two men already replacing the trash liners in the cans with fresh ones.
A moment later, Jake waved her over, and they walked toward the band to use their mic. He lifted it off the stand and turned to face the crowd. "Everyone! If I can get you all to turn this way for a moment. My bride and I have an announcement." Jake looked down into Vanessa’s beaming face, then back toward the crowd who grew quiet and gathered closer. "As many of you know, Vanessa and I have lived here less than a year, but in that time, we found everyone to be so welcoming and helpful..."
Jake continued with his prepared remarks. Explaining they planned to build the clinic and now the bunkhouses as a place for visitors to experience a working ranch, with the option to spend a night or two in an authentic bunkhouse. Turning to the lead guitarist, Jake waved his hand, and they played an introductory riff before Vanessa spoke.
For a moment, she felt dizzy and wondered if she was about to faint. Swallowing hard, Vanessa crossed her fingers and took a deep breath. "There's one more thing that is coming soon." The crowd got quiet. "Jake and I are expecting this summer. The two of us will become three!"
Everyone applauded, and someone yelled, "Girl or boy?"
"We decided we want to be surprised," Vanessa's voice boomed over the PA system. And so did her giggle.
The band began playing George Strait's, 'I Cross My Heart.' Jake and Vanessa melded into one dancing together while he whispered the words to the song in her ear. Soon, many of the other couples joined them. Off to one side, Vanessa noticed Beth was talking to a young guy dressed in black jeans and a dark shirt. She tugged at his arm encouraging him to dance with her, but he refused and grabbed a beer instead.
"Who is that guy over there with Beth? He's staring at us," Jake remarked.
"I guess, that’s Tiny. She said he was coming, but he would be late. He's her boyfriend... I think."
"He doesn't appear happy to be here?"
"Maybe he's not. If he just got off work, he's probably tired." Vanessa turned to get a better look.
After the song was over, the band continued to the next one. But Jake grabbed Vanessa's hand and led her toward Beth and Tiny. "I want to meet this guy. He better treat Beth right. She’s had enough troubles with men.”
"Give him a chance. You don't even know him,” Vanessa whispered.
Beth glanced up at her beau with admiring eyes.
"Jake, have you met my friend, Tiny?"
"Tiny?" Jake replied, bemused extending his palm. The young man shook his hand, but Vanessa could tell Jake was unimpressed.
"Hello. I've heard a lot about you and your wife from Beth,” Tiny said, averting Jake's gaze.
"I hope it was all good.”
"Of course," Beth interjected. "He just moved here from north Florida.”
"Welcome to the neighborhood, then. I hope you like it as much as we do.”
"I'm sure I will," Tiny quipped.
Jake nodded and made excuses to move on to other guests and Vanessa followed behind. "There is something weird about that guy. Something I can't quite put my finger on."
"Beth seems to be happy enough. So I guess that's all that matters. They just met... soon after the baby was born." Vanessa explained
“Really it's none of our business. But if I have an inkling he's mistreating Beth or her baby there will be hell to pay."
Jake moved toward the banker, and Vanessa decided to see if John and Sebastian needed help restocking the drinks and adding ice to the bins. Soon, she handed out party favors and shiny hats with 'Happy New Year,' in glittery letters across the front. As midnight approached, the jubilant squawking from the plastic horns grew louder.
Beth and Sebastian circulated through the guests filling their Champagne glasses. By the time the band played 'Auld Lang Syne' and Jake was done setting off firecrackers, her feet seemed to have turned to stone.
Soon after the guests left, she curled up on the couch and tried to stay awake while Jake and the others cleaned up. It must have been two o'clock when Jake kissed her on the cheek and carried her to bed. After turning out the lamp, he said, "Vanessa. That guy, Tiny, gives me the creeps. What's his real name anyway? The inconsiderate ass left before Beth finished helping me clean up. I didn't see his car —”
"Jake, I promise I'll ask Beth more about him on Monday. I'm just too tired right now to talk about it, honey. Stop worrying or you’ll bring on a bad dream. ”
Chapter 15
It was noon on Monday. Jake unrolled the blueprints for the next four bunkhouses over the dining room table, careful to separate the estimates for each one. The prototype with a few added amenities was complete, but some were more spacious than others to accommodate guests with families.
Jake was pleased Sebastian had moved to the main bunkhouse and accepted the position as Jake's ranch foreman. As part of the deal, he lived in it rent-free with flexible working hours so he could continue his studies. Today, Jake gathered the plans needed to approach Morris Averett, the banker, for a business loan to finish the project.
"You, who is anyone home?"
"I'm in here,” Jake yelled. Vanessa was home for lunch and carried a bag with something inside that smelled delicious. When he met her at the kitchen table, she was already unwrapping their hot sub sandwiches.
"How's it going?" She asked pulling a pitcher of tea from the fridge.
"I'll be ready for my appointment with Averett on Wednesday.” Then he grabbed her hand and led her toward the guest room with a boyish grin.
"What? Where are we going? I need to eat and hurry back to work.”
"We'll eat lunch in a minute. First, we need to talk."
"Go ahead, I’m listening.“ Vanessa raised her brows following along beside him.
"Look at this... We need to move all this furniture out and repaint." Jake's sweeping gesture around the room caused Vanessa to burst out laughing.
"Honey, I'm barely five weeks along. We have almost eight months to figure this out."
He ignored her remark. "No sense waiting until the last minute. You want to go shopping for baby furniture his weekend?"
"You're off your chain," she grinned and blinked a few times before brushing her fingers over the wall, thinking.
"I like to plan ahead. I'm excited." Jake caressed her cheek.
"I am too, but I want to consider it first
before diving in."
"Would you like another bathroom added on this side of the house? Since I'm going for a loan, we may as well add it too..."
"You're so smart. Yes, another bathroom would be ideal."
He pulled her to him and laid his hands on her tummy. Of course, he couldn’t feel a baby bump yet, but he loved the idea of touching his child. Standing on her tip-toes, Vanessa kissed her husband taking her time before she pushed him away.
"We need to get a move on. I have a full schedule this afternoon."
"Yes, ma'am. Now, I'm starving."
After lunch, Jake walked his wife back to work. Strolling with Vanessa was pleasant, but he had an alternative motive. As they approached the clinic, he was pleased Beth's car was parked in her usual spot.
Good, she's back from lunch, he thought.
Inside, Jake lingered visiting with an old man holding a mutt while he waited for Vanessa to walk away. Still curious to learn more about Tiny, Jake sidled up to the desk and struck up a conversation with Beth.
"How's your daughter doing? I bet you enjoyed her first Christmas."
"Hi, Mr. Jake." Beth glanced away from the computer monitor and over the counter at him. "What did you say?"
"Well... what did you get your daughter for Christmas? I guess she's still too young to understand the whole presents thing."
"Santa Claus brought her toys and some clothes. Mom got her a swing, and..."
Jake listened with limited interest waiting for the right moment to fish for answers to his questions. Beth ran down a list of at least twenty gifts Bethany received. Then started on the ones her daughter, via her mother, had given to her. When she paused for a quick breath, Jake said, "I want to thank you for helping with the New Year's Eve party."
"No problem, it was a lot of fun, and I loved the band."
"So, you and Tiny still going strong?"
"Yes." She giggled.
"I never did catch his real name. Surely, his parents didn't curse him with Tiny."
"No, no, his real name is Saul Winchester."
"Ah, that's much better." Jake breathed easier. Now, he had the information he needed. When the door opened, and Vanessa stepped out of an exam room, Jake was taken by surprise. ”So, how much does Bethany weigh now?"
"Uh... sixteen pounds." Beth furrowed her brows, confused by the way Jake changed the topic of their conversation.
"They grow up fast." He smiled and turned to Vanessa. "See you this evening, sweetie."
Returning to the house, Jake scrolled through the contacts on his phone. Locating the private investigator he had hired in Arkansas, he called him hoping he could suggest a local PI. After the incident with the horses, Jake had installed several cameras around the area. That had always been part of his plan as a means of securing their property, but the installation was expedited after that night. He still believed Sebastian's suggestion that the perpetrators were a couple of disgruntled guys. But he was also hypersensitive about keeping his wife safe. And he didn't trust Tiny.
This will give me peace of mind at least…
The two men chatted for a few minutes until he finally told Jake, "Paul Chembroke. He's your guy. I don't have his number handy since I'm not in the office. It should be in the online directory under Chembroke Investigations.
Jake thanked him and located the number. Then an idea came to mind. Walking to their bedroom, he picked up Vanessa's iPad off the dresser and opened the Renegade Ridge Ranch Facebook page. In less than a minute he discovered Vanessa's party posts — nothing on Tiny. He adjusted his hat and thought for a moment. Smiling to himself, he picked up the iPad a second time and searched Vanessa's friends’ list for Beth.
"Bingo."
Jake found what he was looking for and emailed the photos of Beth and Tiny to his phone then called Chembroke. A few minutes later, Jake had made arrangements with the guy to investigate them and sent him the requested information on the young couple, along with the photos.
Satisfied he had been proactive about protecting his family, Jake headed back to the dining room. Just as he began wrapping rubber bands around his plans, the doorbell rang. Surprised — no one ever came to the front door — he peeked out the window.
What is Sebastian doing? Why doesn't he just come in the back door and use the keypad to unlock it?
Hurrying to the door, Jake pulled it open. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, sure. I tried to call, but I kept getting your voicemail."
"What's going on?" Jake searched his face for clues.
"The dude with Beth at the party..."
"Tiny?"
"I guess. We never got introduced. Do you know him?"
"No. Not really. Why?"
"I found him at my bunkhouse just a few minutes ago. After I got back from class."
"What do you mean?" Jake clenched his jaw.
“The guy was standing on the front porch looking around. When I asked him what he was doing, he claimed he ran out of gas."
"Where's his car?"
"He says it's parked beside the interstate near the other side of the lake. And his phone died, so he walked up here to ask for Beth's help." Sebastian shrugged.
Jake closed the door and set the alarm. "Let's go find out what's going on." The two men made their way toward the bunkhouse, but Tiny was gone. Sebastian called out to him — no answer. Pulling his phone from his pocket, Jake called the clinic, and Vanessa answered. Not wanting to frighten his wife, he said, "Hi there, I got a quick question for Beth. Is she available?"
"Not really, she's busy collecting from a client and making appointments. What do you need?"
“You seen Tiny? Is he there?" Jake tried to speak with an even tone. Maybe the kid was telling the truth...
"No, but she said something about him meeting her after work... for dinner."
"Okay... no problem. I'll see you later this afternoon."
"Why do you ask?'
"Uh... well, Sebastian wanted to tell him about the courses offered in the spring at the university."
"Love you."
"Love you, too." Jake ended the call and rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't like to lie to Vanessa. But still...
It is possible he came to see Beth. If so, where is he?
Jake motioned for Sebastian to follow him. "Come with me. We have some investigating to do."
The men climbed inside Jake's truck and started down the driveway. "I've got an idea. Let's go search for the car. If he ran out of gas, he hasn't had time to walk back and wait for roadside assistance to get there. That is, if he found a way to contact them.”
"Sounds like a good idea."
"So far, nothing makes much sense." Jake turned and drove down the on-ramp headed north.
"There it is on the other side of the road." Sebastian pointed up ahead.
"Yep... hold on." Jake put the truck in 4-wheel drive, crossed the median, and stopped next to a beat-up Chevy Impala. They both got out and looked inside. There were a few old clothes in the back seat, and a pile of fast food wrappers littered the floorboard. The car was locked.
"This must be his?" Sebastian suggested.
“I’ll take a picture of the license plate before we go."
I'll give this to the PI too.
Jake snapped a couple of pictures as a semi rumbled passed them, kicking up dust. “Let’s get out of here before we get hit.”
When he accelerated to pull away, Sebastian gasped, "Look! There's an orange sticker on the window... We missed it.
"Yeah, we were too busy looking inside,” Jake said easing into the traffic.
"It’s an abandoned vehicle tow tag. The car has been sitting here for quite a while."
"I agree. Now we know your mysterious visitor is lying. It only takes twenty or thirty minutes to walk from the highway to the bunkhouse. That car has been sitting here longer than that.“ Jake took a deep breath.
“I wonder where he went?" Sebastian peered through the window, thinking.
Later
, the men and Apollo searched the property and found no one. And it appeared nothing was stolen or out of place. After Sebastian went about his chores, Jake sank into the swing on the back porch. He hoped soon the investigator would at least have a lead on the person or persons who had plagued his relationship with Vanessa since the start.
At first, it had never crossed his mind Beth might somehow be involved in something sinister. It would break Vanessa's heart if it were true knowing how close the two were. Now, it seemed it was a possibility. Although, Jake doubted Beth was involved in criminal activity unless it was recently. Vanessa ran a background check on her before offering her the job, and it was clean.
Could Tiny be the guy that shot at Vanessa and hit him in Arkansas? Was he somehow involved with the barn fire? After today, a new question came to mind. Did he let out the horses a few months ago? Jake leaned forward with his elbows over his knees and held his head in his hands.
One thing I'm damn sure of is I don't want Tiny anywhere close to Vanessa and our unborn child. Or Sebastian, for that matter either.
The swing creaked and groaned as he sat slowly rocking. The familiar fist tugged at his gut again, a sensation he had not felt in months. Sweat oozed out on his upper lip. He felt hopeless again knowing it was best not to mention the incident with Tiny to Vanessa — not until he knew more. Though, keeping it from her, or worse lying about it could cause a flair-up with his PTSD.
Shit… that son of a bitch better not cause me to have a bad dream….
Chapter 16
Still half asleep, Vanessa ran her hand across the empty spot in the bed next to her. Sitting up startled, she called out for Jake. When he answered from the kitchen, she sighed, relieved. The soft light from outside signaled it was earlier than they usually got up. "What's up with his?" she asked herself. After slipping on her fluffy robe, Vanessa moseyed down the hall. Passing through the living room, she noticed a pillow and a blanket piled up on the couch. Her heart sank.
"Looks like you had trouble sleeping... a bad dream?"
Mended Hearts: Bad Boy Action-Adventure Romance (Renegade Series Book 2) Page 10
