Rewarding Redemption

by Bonnie R. Paulson

  Stunned, she studied her plate. He stole her roll. She laughed. “I’ll get you back, Jason. Just you wait.” Could she make him burn the same way he torched her? Doubtful, but she was going to have fun trying.

  Chapter 14

  Jason

  Jason’s boot scuffed on the pavement. Jenny turned to walk backwards, facing him and laughed. “I don’t know why you think you could make better mashed potatoes than those. You don’t even have a stove.”

  “True. But I could use my microwave and put some instant potatoes in and out would come something delicious. I’ve done it.” Chuckling, Jason reached out and clutched her elbow. “Here. The path is uneven, I don’t want you to fall.” He pulled her to his side and tucked her under his arm.

  They’d agreed at the beginning to treat the night like a date, pretend to like each other and they slipped into the charade without effort. Jason allowed himself to believe they were on a real date, giving in to his normally tamped down romantic inclinations.

  Curling her fingers around the crook in his elbow, Jenny sighed. “Look at those stars. What a gorgeous night. Thank you for bringing me.”

  A small panic fluttered its way from his toes to his hair. He didn’t want the night to end yet. “Well, the night’s just getting started. Would you like to see a movie or walk through the rest of the park?” They crossed the street and entered the main park across the street from the small high school. Orange light glowed from the streetlamps.

  “No.” She trailed off. “Maybe we could get some ice cream? I’ll pay you back when I can. I didn’t mean for this to turn into such an expensive night.”

  Jason used her hand on his arm to draw her to a stop. “Hey, this is a date. I’m a traditional guy. I’m paying.”

  She met his gaze, her eyes sparkling. He learned over the last couple hours that she focused her eyes on him with laughter hiding in their depths when she was ready to tease him. “What will you expect later?”

  For some reason, her question sobered him. He drew his eyebrows together and gave the smallest shake to his head. He didn’t expect anything of anyone. “I don’t work that way.”

  “Well, I think you’re sweet.” She fell back into step beside him as they turned toward the old-fashioned ice cream parlor close to The Diner.

  Couples and groups of people filed out of the movie theater, crossing the street to enter The Diner or to mill around the ice cream place.

  Jason edged into line and kept Jenny close by his side. He leaned down and whispered, “What looks good, Jen? Anything you want.”

  She studied the backlit menu, chewing her lip. “You’re too generous. Can I get a waffle cone with cookies and cream, please?” She glanced at the sprinkles and other extra items with longing.

  “Anything else?” They stepped closer to the window to order, the couple in front of them placing their order.

  Jenny hastily shook her head. “No, thank you, that’s a lot.”

  But Jason remembered her affinity for sweets. He pointed at the utensil and napkin bar to the side. “Would you mind getting spoons and napkins? I’ll order and be right there.”

  She nodded, leaving a chill where her fingers had been when she walked to the side.

  Up next, Jason stepped to the window. “Can I get a cookies and cream waffle bowl with the works and a second one with chocolate chip mint?”

  The man behind the glass nodded and took Jason’s money.

  At the opposite end of the ordering counter, the pick-up window was closer to Jenny’s position. Jason joined her, waiting for their number to be called.

  “Why do we need spoons for cones?” Jenny handed him the two spoons and a handful of brown napkins.

  Jason’s number was called and he tugged Jenny toward the pick-up window. “Because I can’t carry these tubs by myself.”

  He took Jenny’s waffle bowl and handed the over-sized concoction to her and claimed his. She didn’t say anything, staring instead at the behemoth dessert.

  “Come on, we can eat it on the way back. Maybe we can watch a movie at my place.” Jason couldn’t be happier. Something he did had stunned Jenny into silence – and not in a bad way.

  For all their mass, the ice cream bowls didn’t take long to finish and shortly after, Jenny and Jason reached the road behind the clinic.

  Without the presence of any shining streetlights, the moon poured its white glow onto the street, casting shadows like a midday sun.

  The sky spread before them, the stars large and seemingly so close he could touch them.

  Jason met Jenny’s gaze. There were only a few minutes left before their date would be considered over and he had to get his thoughts out. He had to take the chance and tell her what he wanted to say for years. “Jenny, I never thought I would catch up to you.”

  He claimed her hand in his, her smooth skin slightly cool in his grasp.

  The soft sounds of nearby horses didn’t even break the moment as they stared into each other’s eyes.

  Nothing could pull him from that moment.

  Not even a stampede.

  Chapter 15

  Jenny

  The warmth from the evening grew, washing over her with dulcet waves. He was familiar and he seemed to like her. She peered at him through her lashes. “Now that you’ve caught me, what are you going to do with me?” Please, kiss me. Please.

  Ending with a kiss from Jason would be ending the perfect date with… well… perfection.

  His eyes trained on her lips and he lowered his head, and she couldn’t focus on anything but his scent of oak trees and outdoors, or the thick sweep of his lashes as they sank to hide his richly deep brown eyes. Her steady breaths turned to shallow panting and she sank into his arms which were suddenly around her.

  Where were his lips? She opened her eyes she didn’t realize she had closed.

  He held her close, but had lifted his head, studying their surroundings a little too closely for her taste. Awareness pricked at the back of her neck, changing the direction of her focus from Jason’s touch to the sudden silence.

  Jenny straightened. She had fallen under the spell of their date, forgotten the night was pretend – a pity night because she never dated before. She was the key to the treasure for him. He wouldn’t be able to find redemption or the money without her.

  But she only fell captive to his spell for a second.

  A husky chuckle – not from Jason – broke through the tension still tingling between them.

  Jenny pushed away from Jason’s hold, heat flooding her face. A chill slithered down her neck as fear cloaked her previous happiness. She’d been chased for so long that she knew better than to let her guard down. She’d taken advantage of the normal feel of the night and pretended the entire world was giving her time off from being chased and in danger.

  But others wanted treasure. They wanted money. And Jenny didn’t know the faces of the people after her.

  The gentle clip-clop of horses’ hooves drew the stranger closer. His laugh morphed into multiple male voices and suddenly surrounding one silhouette were three more and an extra horse.

  Pushing backward, brushing past Jason’s chest, Jenny gasped. They found her. She wasn’t safe, even with Jason. But wait, why wasn’t he worried? He seemed too indifferent, like he wasn’t afraid of the strangers in the night. If anything, his downturned lips and knitted eyebrows stemmed more from irritation than fear.

  Had he turned her in? Or done something so he could guarantee himself the treasure?

  Her emotions so raw from the evening, she first mistook his moving toward the group like he was one of them, then his arms wide, he seemed to block their gazes from her.

  Jason didn’t move as he waited for the group to stop in front of them. The men wore dark dusters, bandanas around their necks, low brimmed hats, and the old style of boots with spurs which jingled on the cement. She could’ve been projected back into the old west with their dress and the quiet darkness of the alley.

  His voice sta
rtled her. Jason’s. “Is this everyone?” Was that disappointment? And he did know them. He did!

  As a group, they dismounted their horses and the man in front spoke with a chuckle in his tone, his eyes hidden by the shadow of his hat. “No. The girls are making camp out at Dawson’s, did you know he’s in love?” He shook his head. “Psh. Those English.”

  Jason threw his head back and laughed. “Leave Dawson alone, man.” He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the leader. “It’s good to see you, Nate.”

  Nate returned the hug, pounding on Jason’s back with matching enthusiasm. “Likewise. Who’s the filly?”

  “Filly?” Jenny couldn’t hold in her exasperation. Next they would refer to her as the wench or the barmaid. Did they think they ran with Billy the Kid? She bristled, more irritated that she didn’t know who they were and if they were on her side or against her than at the name.

  “Actually, this is Jenny Caracus.” Jason pulled her to his side, tucking her against him like he could protect her from the world. “Jenny, this is Nathan Rourke and his cousins, the Montana Trails.”

  “Trials. The Montana Trials.” A man behind Nate corrected with exasperation.

  Nate turned his head. “'Trials’ isn’t going to stick, Jareth, leave it alone.” He faced Jenny again, peering at her in the dim lighting. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Caracus. We came to help Jason protect you.”

  As far as Jenny knew, they were all the reason she needed to be protected. “Thank you.”

  Another cousin pushed closer, and in seconds, she was surrounded on all sides with Jason at her back. Their voices mingled and mashed together.

  “No way.” One reached out and touched her hair.

  “No need to touch, Kyle. You’ve seen a blonde before. Damon, step back.” Jason swatted Kyle’s hand away, biting his words. She stepped closer to him. Why wouldn’t they leave her alone? Who were these idiots anyway?

  “Look at her eyes, she’s a Caracus alright.” Another tipped up her chin to see better in the light.

  A low growl rumbled in the back of Jason’s throat.

  Arching her eyebrow, Jenny jerked from their touch, defiantly thrusting out her jaw. She opened her mouth to berate them, but Nate spoke first, cutting her off.

  “So do you have all five of them, then?” A glint placed his eyes and they were focused on Jason.

  Jenny couldn’t make herself look at him. But she had to hear, understand what was going on.

  “They’re all here in town. They’re supposed to meet tomorrow.” Jason pulled Jenny back into his side, like that was where she belonged.

  She gritted her teeth against yelling at him. He had no right. But she wanted to hear how much he was willing to spill in front of her.

  A different man spoke up, his voice more melodic. “So why are we here, Jason? You look like you have things well in hand.” He guffawed at his own joke and Nate shushed him.

  Jason shifted his feet. “Bear Claw caught up to Jenny before me. He’s close.” He cleared his throat and glanced at Jenny before continuing. “And so is the rest of the gang. They’ve been nearby for a couple months now.”

  The rest of the gang? And Jason knew Bear Claw?

  Nate cocked his head, pushing the side panel of his duster behind his back and placing his hand on his hip. “I heard Chris Caracus is in charge now. Do we know if that’s true?”

  Fear tightened Jenny’s throat. She glanced around the alley, the nooks and niches suddenly looming with the possibility of holding men desperate to get her secrets. Involuntarily, she reached for Jason’s hand. Something to anchor her before the panic crashed in on her.

  Chris Caracus. Her uncle. If he ran things, the Caracus gang would be even worse than before. No wonder rumors about a treasure had gotten out. Chris was hard, but determined and ambitious. If he wanted Jenny and the treasure, he’d have her.

  But not if Jason had anything to do with it. She could find comfort in that. At that point, his trustworthiness might be in question but she hadn’t been completely honest either. He’d still protect her.

  After she controlled her breathing and confirmed no one waited for her in the alley – at least as far as she could see – she allowed her anger to mount. She wouldn’t be in that position if she had stayed in the car. Why was she heading for Colby? The letter and treasure weren’t going anywhere. No one else knew where it was.

  Jenny should’ve kept driving, hit up Coeur d’Alene, Idaho or Spokane, Washington and then the coast.

  Stupid need to pee.

  Running in the mountains was getting tedious, even if the state had a hold on her she couldn’t shake.

  “But you have the map. Why are you waiting?” Nate’s voice broke through Jenny’s panic. Who were these guys? She’d heard of the Montana Trails before, but they were supposed to be a pack of ranch hands that traveled the state. What did that have to do with Jason and her treasure?

  Map? What map? She didn’t glance at Jason to study his face, like she wanted. If she did that, he’d think the map was important to her and he wouldn’t talk about it. Jenny could get secrets from people, if she listened.

  She didn’t realize Jason hid something so huge. How could she trust him now? So much for being partners. Betrayal shafted sharply into the edges of her lips and she couldn’t help biting her tongue.

  “Yeah, I do.” His glance seared through the soft waves of her hair, but she ignored him.

  “Okay, so what else do you need? Go get the treasure, man.” One of the cousins slapped gloves against his thigh with impatience.

  Jason dropped Jenny’s hand and ran his fingers through his hair with irritation. “I would love nothing more, Kyle, but I can’t read what Devlyn wrote. I need the girls to help me.”

  Reality spiked through Jenny and she hoped her smugness didn’t show in her face, even in the dark. The private shorthand Devlyn utilized to write love notes to Ellsbeth apparently was used for more than sonnets.

  When Devlyn was away, Ellsbeth taught Jenny how to read the shorthand.

  As far as Jenny knew, none of the other girls knew how to read it.

  A cellphone jingle drew everyone’s attention. Kyle pulled out a phone and checked the screen. “Hey, the girls are heading our way. They spotted a large posse camped along the opposite side of the road from Lonely Rivers on the way to Dawson’s.”

  Jason tensed. Jenny’s awareness of him stretched to the point she could detect a change in his breathing.

  “Head to Michael Rourke’s place out by the old highway. Go north once you hit Main Street.” Jason reached for Jenny’s arm and pulled her behind him. “We’ll head that way in five minutes.”

  “Rourke? We’re supposed to have family out this way.” Nate turned, wheeling his horse about as he and his group followed Jason and Jenny toward the barn and loft. “Do you know about this guy’s relatives?”

  “Not enough. You can ask him, though. The ride is short.” Speaking low, Jason ducked his head close to Jenny’s. “Get your stuff and meet me by the car. We don’t have time for pleasantries anymore. You need to get together with your sisters and find that treasure, Jenny. I can’t guarantee anything, if someone else finds it first.”

  Her pride prevented her from asking for more information. He wanted her to see her sisters. As far as Jenny was concerned, it was too soon. Why did he get his way and she didn’t?

  Numbly, she pounded up the stairs, her footsteps more real than she felt. She didn’t want to meet the women. She didn’t want to search for the treasure yet. Where was the ending to her dream date? Why hadn’t she been kissed instead of disillusioned?

  Yeah, she would grab her stuff, but at some point, she would have to figure out a way to dodge Jason.

  If she met up with those sisters, they would want to know more about Devlyn. And she couldn’t share what she didn’t understand.

  Chapter 16

  Jason

  Even as his nerves went to hypersensitive, Jason’s relief to no longer f
ace the Caracus gang alone was palpable.

  He hadn’t seen Nate and his cousins in quite a while, but he knew when he sent the text for help, they’d be there sooner rather than later. The Montana Trails were like family. He’d met Nate in college, attended his wedding, and later his wife’s funeral.

  Some people just had your back. And they were like that for each other.

  Jason waited at the bottom of the stairs while Jenny stomped around his apartment. She was mad, more than mad. And he didn’t blame her.