Edge of Truth

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  “Don’t we all. I’d go crazy if I sat around here all day.”

  “Yes, well.” She pulled her hands away from the light. “You think they’re dry enough?”

  “I suppose. But be careful. Today’s on me. A little thank you for dinner the other night.”

  Veronica stood. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” Kara watched as Veronica bolted from the salon. She stood and flipped the open sign to closed. The mention of Eric’s side job had Veronica jumpier than a Mexican jumping bean. Time for a little more investigating. She grabbed her keys and headed out the back.

  Kara’s tires crunched along the gravel driveway. She parked in what had become her usual spot and walked over to the arena where Jake was exercising a horse. “She’s beautiful,” she called out.

  Jake waved and kept on working. “Back so soon?”

  “Here goes nothing,” she said under her breath then raised her voice. “Yeah. I only had one client today. Can I try that?”

  Jake stood in the middle of the arena. He held a rope attached to the halter. The beast trotted in circles around him. He shrugged and slowed the mare to a stop.

  “Climb over the fence and walk slowly toward me. Daisy’s a bit skittish.”

  Kara did as he instructed.

  “Okay. Now put your right hand here and your left there.”

  She placed her hands on the rope. Jake hiked himself onto the fence. He made an odd clucking sound, and Daisy began to move in circles around her. “Don’t the horses get dizzy?”

  “Never asked one.”

  “Do you do this with all of them?”

  Jake shook his head. “Only when their owners request it. Have you had enough yet?”

  Kara nodded, and Jake moved in to take over. He definitely knew his way around these animals. She admired the ease with which he handled the mare as she made her way to the perimeter of the arena.

  “You and Jeff going to ride this evening?”

  “No, not tonight.” She sat on the railing the way he’d done earlier.

  “Then why are you here?”

  “I came to see you.”

  His eyebrows rose. “Me? I thought you and Jeff had something going on.”

  Kara crossed her arms. “Just because I’m seeing Jeff doesn’t mean I can’t talk to you. I was hoping you would teach me how to saddle a horse. I want to surprise him.”

  Disappointment flickered in his eyes. “Sure. When I’m done here, I’ll teach you.”

  “Thanks. Do you mind if I sit and watch?”

  “Suit yourself.”

  Jeff studied Kara from the kitchen window. When she’d driven up, he’d expected her to come to the house. Instead she sat on the fence, visiting with Jake. His mouth stretched down into a firm frown. He didn’t like the way Jake looked at Kara. The hungry-for-fresh-meat look on Jake’s face made him want to feed him his fist. But she could handle herself and Jake too, if necessary.

  “What’cha looking at, little brother?”

  Jeff jerked away from the window and joined Eric at the table. “Nothing. Kara’s out there talking to Jake.”

  Eric looked out the window for a second. “Doesn’t look like anything to be worried about to me. She’s probably just saying hi before she comes in to see you. No need to be jealous.”

  “I’m not jealous.” He yanked a chair out from the kitchen table and sat.

  “Careful. Veronica will have a fit if you break one of her chairs in a jealous rage.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Maybe you should enlighten me then,” Eric said.

  Jeff met Eric’s eyes and held his stare. Oh, how he’d like to, but not yet. Instead, he cleared his throat. “You remember when I said I’d be here for a few weeks? The thing is, I got laid off, and I’m between jobs right now. I was wondering if maybe—”

  “The bank laid you off? I didn’t realize.” Eric frowned and patted Jeff on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. We have plenty of room, and you’ve been a great help. Fact is, I’m too busy to do much at home, and it’s been nice knowing you were here to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

  “You don’t trust Jake?”

  “I didn’t say that. He’s done a good job. But I trust you. So consider yourself home.”

  Eric sure knew how to make this job harder. “Thanks. This means a lot to me.”

  Eric wiggled his brows. “I didn’t do it just for you. I know Mom and Dad would like to have a few more grandchildren. The way I see it, if you stick around for awhile you and Kara—”

  Jeff held up his hand. “Slow down. You’re moving a bit fast, don’t you think?”

  “Me. You’re the one who’s jealous because she’s talking to another man. Seems to me your feelings run deeper than you’re willing to admit.”

  Jeff clamped his mouth shut.

  Eric rose from his chair and left the room chuckling.

  Chapter 17

  Kara sat with Jeff and his family at the music camp recital. The orchestra played a song she didn’t recognize. It seemed the whole town had turned out, including Jake, who sat a few rows behind them. Kara took shallow breaths and fanned herself with a program in the stuffy hot room. She glanced at her watch. They’d been sitting for about forty minutes now. Jeff sat to her right with his arm draped across the back of her metal chair.

  He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “How much longer do you think this thing is going to last?”

  Kara poked him with her elbow. “I don’t know. Shush.”

  Lauren lifted her violin to her chin and prepared to play with the group. Smooth, clear tones projected from the instruments and were surprisingly good, considering they’d only had four days of practice together. Applause rang out in the auditorium as the trio stood to bow. Kara glanced at her program—one more song to go. Thank goodness, since her legs had fallen asleep. She took a deep breath of warm air and shifted in her seat.

  Jessica glided to the microphone at the front of the stage. “We have a special surprise song for you this evening. The violin students competed for a chance to play a duet with me. I have yet to tell them who won, so this will be a surprise for everyone.” Her face glowed with excitement. She turned toward the violin section. “You all have worked hard this week, and I’m proud of each and every one of you, but one student stood out. Lauren, I’m very pleased with your accomplished performance and would be honored if you would join me.”

  Lauren beamed with pride and carried her instrument under her arm with the bow in her opposite hand. She sat in the chair indicated.

  Jessica joined her with her own violin. “Lauren Waters and I will be playing Air in D Minor by J.S. Bach.” Seconds later, the hushed auditorium filled with strains of the haunting melody.

  As the duet concluded, applause erupted, and the audience stood to their feet. Kara glanced past Jeff, where Veronica stood, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Kara felt sorry for the rest of the musicians. She wouldn’t want to follow that performance.

  After the finale, Kara and Jeff joined the rest of the audience in another standing ovation then shuffled toward the exit along with half the town. Kara whirled around when someone grabbed her arm. Jessica pulled her aside as she stepped out of the auditorium into the adjoining hall.

  “I’m glad you made it! What did you think?”

  “Everyone did a great job, but that duet was fantastic.”

  “Lauren is a talented musician, and the rest of the students did wonderful as well. I’m already looking forward to next year, but that’s not why I stopped you. Are you going to make it tomorrow night to the singles’ group?”

  “I’m not sure yet. You’ll have to wait and be surprised.” The singles get together had Kara’s mind.

  Jessica’s smile sagged a little. “Okay, I understand.” She reached out and gave her a quick hug. “I’ll see you when I see you.”

  A camper approached with her parents and captured Jessica’s attention, so Kara
used the opportunity to head toward the exit. She liked Jessica, but the whole singles’ group thing made her uncomfortable.

  Kara spotted Jake nearby talking to a few teenagers in the corner of the hall near the water fountain. Adjusting her course, she bent over the fountain and strained to hear what they were saying. She caught a few snippets but nothing that made any sense. The teens moved away and Kara straightened. Jake made eye contact and winked. Ugh. She waved and turned away.

  Maybe it was time to step things up a notch or two with Jake. She needed to get into his inner circle. Her gut told her he knew something, and she intended to find out what.

  As Kara left the school, she spotted Jeff leaning on the hood of her car. The sound of cowboy boots clicked on the pavement behind her. She glanced over her shoulder. Jake followed a few feet behind but then veered toward his own vehicle when she looked at him. What was he up to?

  Jeff stepped toward her.

  “Sorry for the wait. Jessica grabbed me, and before I realized it, you were gone.” She moved to open her car door and slid behind the wheel.

  Jeff shrugged. “No problem. What’d she want?”

  “To know if I planned to attend the singles’ group.” She pulled her door closed and lowered the window.

  Jeff squatted and rested his forearm on the sill. “Oh. Will I see you at the ranch tomorrow?”

  “Yes.”

  Jeff walked away.

  Kara’s jaw dropped. Would that man ever learn to say good-bye? She’d wanted to talk to him. Oh well. It’d keep ’til morning.

  Thirty minutes later, Kara lay sprawled on top of her bed. She wasn’t looking forward to pursuing her plan with Jake. If he turned out to be innocent, she’d feel bad for toying with his emotions. Maybe there was a better way to get close to him.

  Kara sighed and rolled over. Her first order of business tomorrow would be to make friends with Jake. She’d bake cookies in the morning and bring a dozen to him—of course, Jeff would expect cookies too. She drifted off to sleep with visions of oatmeal cookies dancing in her head.

  Kara found Jake in the barn office. “Morning. I hope I’m not interrupting. I brought you a little thank-you gift for teaching me how to saddle a horse.” She held out a paper plate piled high with warm oatmeal cookies.

  Jake reached for the plate. “For me?” He closed his eyes, put his nose to the plate, and breathed in deeply. “If these taste as good as they smell…” He took a bite from the top cookie. “You need me to teach you anything else?”

  Kara laughed. “I’ll let you know. What are you up to? I didn’t realize you did paperwork too. I thought your job was more hands-on.” She sat in the folding metal chair next to the file cabinet.

  Jake had devoured three cookies and was working on a fourth as he poured coffee into his mug. “Most of my work is hands-on, but there’s a little bit of office work.”

  “Like?”

  “Oh, you know, the usual. Ordering feed, scheduling lessons and trail rides, dealing with the public. There’s more, but I don’t want to bore you.”

  “You’re not,” Kara assured. “As a business owner, I find this side of your job easier to relate to. What else do you have to do?”

  “I have to muck out the stalls. Want to help?” Jake stuffed another cookie in his mouth and stood.

  Kara laughed. “That’s the second offer I’ve had this week. Maybe I should learn after all.”

  He nearly choked on his cookie. “Well, all right! Watch me. You’ll get the hang of it.”

  Kara followed Jake to a stall. When he finished, fresh straw lay on the ground, and the sweet smell of grain filled the air.

  “You’re a master stall cleaner.”

  Jake made a deep bow and passed a pitchfork to her. “Your turn.”

  She stifled a moan and got to work. As she’d hoped, the cookies had put Jake at ease. He chatted about the ranch and told her a few things about the various clients who had horses boarded with them.

  “Jeff mentioned you have clients from out of the country. International customers must make you feel proud of all your hard work.”

  “I just do my job,” Jake spat.

  She waited for him to offer more information, but his loose tongue seemed to have tightened. She glanced his way as he heaved a fork full of soiled straw from the adjoining stall into the wheelbarrow. His sudden silence made her wonder. If he knew anything about the Gonzaleses, he wasn’t talking. This conversation wasn’t over by a long shot, but for now, she’d let it go. Pushing too hard could backfire.

  Kara tossed the last of the straw into the stall then looked up. Jake stood with his arms crossed. He looked quite pleased with himself. She attempted a smile, which felt more like a grimace.

  Jake burst out laughing. “You’re quite a sight. That pretty blond hair of yours is growing straw.”

  Kara reached her hand up to her head. Sure enough, several pieces poked out. She ran her fingers through her hair then brushed the dust off her jeans and handed back the pitchfork. With a smirk, she left the barn. “Thanks for the stall-mucking lesson,” she called over her shoulder.

  “You better run on home and take a shower before that boyfriend of yours sees you,” he hollered after her.

  Oh no, Jeff!

  He walked down the front steps of the house and headed straight toward her. There was no way to avoid him, and he looked incredible. He had the cowboy look down. Jeans and a form-fitting white T-shirt. Cowboy boots and a brown hat completed the look. She squared her shoulders.

  “Hey, Kara! What brings you out here so early?”

  “I baked you some cookies.” She walked to her car then turned with the plate and stopped short. He stood mere inches from her, practically pinning her against the car. “Here.” She thrust the plate into his hand and slid a little to the side, creating more space between them. Talk about invading a person’s space. If she really did smell like a horse, she didn’t want him that close, especially when he looked and smelled so good.

  His eyes twinkled. “Looks like you’ve been busy.” He raised a cookie to his mouth and took a bite. “Thanks. It’s not every day I get fresh baked cookies.”

  “You’re welcome. We need to talk. Do you have a few minutes?” She gently nudged past him.

  “Sure. What’s up?” He started to guide her toward the house.

  “I’d rather talk where we can’t be overheard. Think you can slip away? Maybe meet me in the park or at my apartment?”

  “I’m not busy now. Let’s go for a drive. We can take my rig.”

  “Fine.” Kara followed him to the SUV and climbed in.

  Jeff drove down the driveway and made a right onto the main road.

  “I have an idea I want to run by you. But hear me out before you cut in.”

  He glanced her way. “Okay. Sounds serious. You’re not breaking up with me, are you?”

  She glanced his way. Big mistake. He flashed a drop-dead gorgeous smile. Staring straight ahead she cleared her throat. “One of the adults on the ranch has to be dirty. I have no problem getting close to Veronica, and you’ve got Eric covered, but you and Jake aren’t connecting, so that leaves me. I’ve been thinking about how I can get close to him and earn his trust. I need him to confide in me, so I can learn something to help close this operation—”

  “I don’t like where this is going.”

  “You said you wouldn’t interrupt.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I could encourage his advances and get him to trust me.”

  “My turn now?” he snapped.

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you. In theory you have a great idea, but how would you pull it off? He won’t buy it since we’ve already established ourselves as a couple.”

  “I’ll tell him we’re not serious, but I don’t want you to know about him and me.”

  “Yeah right. He’s such a peacock. He wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut. You’d be forced to choose between the two of us. That would leave you farther from him th
an you are now, assuming you’d choose me. I suppose we could covertly communicate, but posing as a couple sure makes working together a lot more convenient.”

  “Good point. I hadn’t thought all of that through, but I still think it could work.”

  “No. I’m lead on this case, and I say we stick to the plan. I appreciate your willingness to put yourself on the line so to speak with Jake, but there has to be another way.”

  Irritation flared. This was why she liked to work alone. She took a calming breath willing her pulse to slow and her response to be professional rather than argumentative. After all, he made a valid point, but she didn’t have to like it. “I made progress with him this morning, so maybe just being willing to help out will be enough.” She gripped her hands in her lap and felt her face warm. If they ever worked together again, she’d demand to take point—it was only fair.

  “I think it will. Jake responds well to being treated with respect. By showing an interest in what he does and being willing to pitch in, you scored major points. What do you say I turn around, and we check out where we spotted those men when we were riding? I want to see if they left any evidence laying around.”

  “Works for me. I’m assuming we have the place wired.”

  “As of yesterday. When I presented the photos of the Gonzaleses, video surveillance was approved. But the Gonzaleses’ contact is smart. I’m not sure we’ll pick up anything. They must conduct their business off the ranch.”

  “About that. I found out from Veronica that Eric’s side job is delivering hay, straw, and grain. What if he’s delivering more than just feed?” She shut her mouth and waited for her news to sink in. By the way Jeff’s jaw flexed, she’d say he was more than a little bothered by the information.

  “I’ll look into it,” Jeff said. “Did Veronica say anything else?”

  “No.” Kara shifted in her seat. “Wait, she told me that there were two kids who helped Eric out before Jake was hired. Apparently doing deliveries didn’t start until Jake showed up.”

  “Nice work, Kara.”