Heartbreaker

by B. J Daniels

  As she and Thorn started to head toward his motorcycle, it finally hit her that she had no clothes, no car. Hopefully, she still had a job, but that could change if it came out how she was involved in Geneva Davenport’s kidnapping.

  The door opened behind them, and Curtis Hunt came out calling JJ’s name. “Mr. Davenport wanted you to have this.” He handed her an envelope. “This is for you,” the man said to Thorn as he tried to hand him an envelope, as well.

  “I don’t want his money,” Thorn said.

  “It’s merely reimbursement for your pickup,” Curtis assured him.

  Thorn laughed. “I will miss Gertrude, but she wasn’t worth much. Tell him thanks anyway. I’m fine.”

  “Thorn’s right,” she said, looking down at the envelope in her hand. None of this was anyone’s fault but her own. She didn’t deserve any money, and said as much around the lump in her throat.

  “The two of you saved Geneva’s life. I can assure you Mr. Davenport would give everything he has to have his granddaughter safe. He owes you both a lot more than what is in these envelopes. He will be very upset if you don’t take them.”

  “He’s right. You lost your car and all your clothing,” Thorn said as he took the envelope Curtis was still offering him and handed it to her. “Stop feeling guilty,” he said as he put his arm around her and led her toward his motorcycle.

  “How does a person do that?” she asked, her voice breaking as she heard Curtis go back inside the house.

  “One day the sun comes out and you realize you’re only human,” Thorn said. “And you cut yourself some slack.”

  * * *

  AT LEAST THAT was his philosophy, Thorn thought. Or had been. Right now, he wasn’t sure of anything except one truth. He didn’t want to leave this woman, and yet he also didn’t know what he had to offer her.

  “We should get your duffel bag from Miguel’s,” he said.

  On the drive back to the cabin, he realized that he’d been so involved in finishing this job for the judge and making sure JJ and Geneva were safe, that he hadn’t thought past the next minute. He had no plan.

  When he stopped the bike behind the bar, JJ hopped off. He shut off the motor and saw that she hadn’t started toward the cabin. She stood with her hands in the front pockets of her jeans, balancing on her toes nervously.

  “You don’t have to stay,” she said. “You need to get home to your animals.”

  That much was true. “Where will you go now?” he asked.

  “I have a friend I’m going to stay with until I get a car and some clothing.”

  He looked at her, not believing a word of it. But it was clear that she was trying to get rid of him. “Let’s get your duffel bag and I’ll take you there.”

  She shook her head. “I already sent a text to my friend. She’s picking me up here.”

  “Then I’ll wait until she comes,” he said.

  “No.” Her voice softened. “You need to get to your animals.” Back to your life. She didn’t say it, but he heard it in her words. She’d been trying to get rid of him since he first laid eyes on her. But he’d thought all of that had changed. He thought...what did he think? It wasn’t as if she’d said she loved him. He hadn’t said the words either. Three little words he’d sworn he would never say again.

  “Jenny Jo—”

  “Please, Thorn.” She sounded close to tears. “We both need time. It’s best if we say goodbye now.”

  “I don’t want to leave you.” His voice broke.

  She looked away. “We need time to process all of this.”

  He couldn’t argue that, logically, but his heart ached at the thought of not waking up next to her. They’d been through so much together. They’d shared so much in such a short time.

  JJ finally looked at him. “You need to get back to Gertrude and not worry about me. I’m going to be fine.”

  He smiled then. “I know you are.”

  * * *

  JJ WAITED UNTIL Thorn left before she walked over to the bar. Miguel was serving food to one of the tables. When he spotted her, he hurried over.

  “Thorn?” he asked.

  “He’s gone home.”

  Miguel nodded sadly. “The special?”

  She chuckled. “Please, then I have a favor to ask.”

  “The cabin is yours as long as you need it.”

  “You didn’t tell me you could read minds as well as cook.”

  “I’m a man of many talents. Have a seat. I’ll get you a beer. You look like you could use one.”

  She took a chair at the bar. The place was empty this time of day—too early for lunch for most people—except for the two men Miguel had just served. She put her elbows on the bar and propped her head on her hands, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. Thorn had gone home. It was where he needed to be.

  Tomorrow she would find a cheap car to buy, pick up what clothing she needed. She hadn’t even looked in the two envelopes stuffed in her jeans pocket. Hopefully, it was enough to last her for a while until she got her next check. Then it would be life as usual—except that she would find a cheap place to live. Maybe she would stay here, depending on what Miguel charged. It wasn’t that far from the travel agency.

  He slid a beer in front of her. “You’re going to be all right.”

  Tears burned her eyes. She nodded and took a drink. “I’m a survivor.”

  “Yes, you are.” He headed back into the kitchen.

  By the time he came back out with two cheese enchiladas, beans and rice, she was sound asleep, her head on her arms. The smell of the food stirred her, and she sat up. Miguel looked at her with such compassion as he put down the plate.

  “I wasn’t sure I should wake you,” he said.

  “I’m glad you did. I’m starved.” She picked up her fork and took a bite, savoring the flavors. Her stomach growled. “Any chance I could rent the cabin?” She saw him start to offer it to her at no charge. “I pay my own way so don’t insult me.”

  He laughed, shaking his head. “Fine.” He gave her a ridiculously low price. “And that’s my only offer, so if you are as smart as I think you are, you’ll take it without argument.”

  “Thank you. Thank you for this too,” she said as she took another bite.

  He left her to check on his only other table. She ate, feeling her strength and resolve come back. She would do what she had set out to do. With the low rent of the cabin, she would be able to pay off her debt much sooner.

  By the time she finished most everything on her plate, she almost felt like her old self again. She left money on the bar for her meal and a tip. Franklin had given her way too much money. Then add the same amount that he’d given Thorn that Thorn had insisted she take, she knew she could find a used car and some clothing and still have enough left to pay for the cabin and food here at the bar.

  Outside, the sun had come up on another summer day. She breathed in the scent of the pines as she walked to the cabin. She could do this. She really was a survivor.

  But as she pushed open the cabin door, she felt a sharp tug at her heart. Thorn was everywhere in this room. For a moment, she hesitated, fighting the memories of being in his arms.

  Then she stepped in, knowing that it wasn’t just this cabin he lurked in. He’d imprinted himself on her. She would carry those memories always.

  She closed the door, stumbling to the bed. As she lay down, she could smell his scent on the sheets. She pulled them over her and drifted off to sleep.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  JJ WOKE TO the sound of a horn outside the cabin. She sat up, seeing that she had fallen into bed fully clothed—in Geneva’s clothing. She moved to the window and looked out. Curtis Hunt stood next to an SUV, the driver’s side window down, his hand on the horn.

  Before he could lay on the horn again, she stepped out and b
linked at the brightness, still not fully awake. “Mr. Hunt?”

  “Oh, good, you’re awake,” he said. “Franklin wanted this delivered early so you’d have some way to get to your job. He said you would need new clothing, as well.” She stared at him, uncomprehending.

  “The SUV,” he said, motioning to the one he stood by. “He thought you’d like this color, but if you don’t, he insisted you take it back. The name of the dealer is inside. Also, there is a voucher for a year’s insurance and license plates.”

  “Wait, what?” she demanded as he started to walk toward what she realized was a waiting vehicle. “I can’t accept that.”

  Curtis stopped and turned back with a sigh. “Here are your options. You can accept his kind generosity, send him a thank-you note or even call. But, if you refuse it, he will come here himself and believe me, he isn’t going to take no for an answer. So please, help me out here. Take the car.”

  She stared at the pretty pearl-colored SUV. She’d never owned a new car. Her father had bought her the used sedan when she graduated from high school. But now it was in a wrecking yard somewhere here in this valley with what little clothing she owned no doubt ruined in the back.

  When she looked toward Curtis, he was making a fast getaway. “The keys are in the ignition,” he called back as he was whisked away by an unseen driver.

  She sighed, touched by Franklin Davenport’s generosity. At the same time embarrassed by it. She knew she should accept it graciously, but it was hard to accept help.

  Glancing at her watch, she saw that she had just enough time to shop for clothing before her first day back at work.

  * * *

  EVERYTHING LOOKED JUST as Thorn had left it when he returned to his place in the mountains. He’d parked his motorcycle in the barn, covered it with the tarp, and after checking his animals, headed for the cabin.

  The air smelled just as it always did. The sun had swung across the sky as he’d traveled home, racing along as if running from something rather than racing toward it. Exhaustion pulled at him, making his footsteps slow now. He’d pushed open the door to his cabin. Just like he’d left it.

  Had it only been a few days since he’d been woken up in the dark of early morning by the judge’s phone call? It seemed a lifetime ago. He’d shuffled in, closing the door behind him, and had stood in the center of his cabin not knowing what to do next.

  He’d been content here. Now, he felt lost. He knew he would get back into his routine before long. But right now, it seemed impossible. Everything had changed. He’d changed.

  However, for the life of him, he didn’t know where to go from here.

  Common sense told him not to try to figure it out as wrung out as he was. He stumbled toward the bed, kicking off his boots before falling on top of the old quilt. He lay there, staring up at the ceiling, JJ haunting his every thought. He saw snapshots of her in his head. Laughing. Cutting those big blue eyes at him. Smiling. He thought of her appetite—in all things. He thought of that moment when he’d seen her in that tank, water up to her neck, and he’d reached for her and she’d grabbed hold and he’d pulled her into his arms. He thought he was too tired to sleep.

  It was his last thought before he dropped off into something close to unconsciousness.

  * * *

  IT FELT SO strange to be back at work, JJ thought. She’d gone straight to her office and had barely sat down when she got a call from a client wanting to book a trip to New York.

  It was as if she’d never been gone. Nothing had changed at her job, in her office, out the window. And yet everything had changed for her. She’d changed.

  “It’s so good to have you back,” her boss said, sticking her head in when JJ had a moment free. “You could have taken more time off if you needed it.”

  What would have been the point? Thorn had left to get back to his animals on his side of the mountaintop. The judge had come by to get a statement from her to give to the FBI, telling her not to worry.

  She’d bought some work clothing and called Franklin Davenport to thank him for the car. He’d sounded tired but glad that she liked the SUV, including the color.

  All of what had happened now seemed a blur. The time she’d spent with Thorn had been insane. She told herself that it would have been ridiculous to make any kind of life-changing decisions until she was able to sort it all out in her mind.

  She needed to give it some time. At the time, it had seemed like the smart thing to do. After all, she and Thorn had only known each other a matter of days. A person didn’t chuck his or her life after a brief love affair, especially one as intense as that one had been, with people trying to kill them.

  That’s all it had been. A brief love affair. Love. The word made her ache inside because it might have been brief but it had been love she’d felt for Thorn. Still felt for Thorn. She hadn’t said the words. And neither had he. But she’d seen it in his gray eyes, felt it when he touched her, heard it in her heartbeat at just the sound of his name. She’d fallen in love with the cowboy.

  Love didn’t care that their lives were as different as night and day or that they lived miles apart or that they hadn’t known each other long. They’d shared so much in such a short time. To not be together after all of it felt as if her heart had been ripped out of her chest.

  But she moved through her day, telling herself this was what she had to do.

  * * *

  THORN WOKE TO DAYLIGHT. For a moment, he was confused. Had he only slept a few hours or had he slept almost twenty-four hours? He rose, determined to get back into his routine. That meant feeding his animals. On the way home when he’d stopped for gas, he’d called his friend in the area who’d been feeding his stock and thanked him, assuring him he was headed home and would be taking care of things from here on out.

  He pulled on his boots now and headed for the barn. He was glad to see his critters, but found himself going through the motions. He needed to get his garden in if he was going to have one this year. There was that old shed that needed to be torn down and lime to be bought for the outhouse.

  At the sound of vehicles coming up the road, he looked out the barn door to see Curtis Hunt pull up in the brand-new gray pickup. Another vehicle pulled up beside it. Thorn didn’t recognize the driver.

  As Curtis got out, he looked around before taping an envelope to the pickup before heading toward the other rig.

  “Hold up there, Curtis!” Thorn called as he stepped out of the barn.

  But Curtis didn’t hold up. He hopped into the other vehicle, and the driver quickly did a highway patrol turn and took off down the mountain.

  Thorn cursed as he walked to the new truck and pulled off the envelope stuck to the window. A set of keys jangled inside. He dug out the note and read:

  There isn’t enough money in the world to thank you. Nor any way to thank you. Please, at least let me replace your truck. I consider this a favor.

  Franklin

  Thorn swore again before considering the shiny new rig. It wasn’t Gertrude, but he supposed it would do. Taking the keys, he opened the door and slid behind the wheel. The inside smelled like soft new leather instead of dust, oily rags and that hint of mud mixed with manure he’d grown accustomed to. He turned the engine over, revved it and turned it off.

  His cell phone rang. Seeing it was the judge, he picked up.

  “You all right?” the judge asked.

  He’d been better. But he’d been worse too. “I’m fine. Franklin bought me a truck.”

  “I heard he bought JJ an SUV. Accept the gift,” WT said without hesitation. “Don’t be pigheaded and cut off your nose to spite your face.”

  “I can afford to buy my own truck.”

  “See what I mean? Be gracious. The man feels he owes you. You could make it a little easy on him. It’s just a truck.”

  It wasn’t just a truck. It was a damned
expensive one, much more than he needed, but he held his tongue.

  “How about you? Are you all right?” Thorn asked.

  “I’m fine.”

  He chuckled. “We both had a hell of a few days there, didn’t we?”

  “What now?” the judge asked.

  “I’m back at my place in the mountains. What about you?”

  “Home. Have you heard from JJ?”

  Thorn looked out at the mountain. The breeze stirred the pine boughs, the sun warmed the pickup cab and in all that big blue sky, he saw a hawk catch a thermal and rise out of his sight.

  “She suggested we take some time to let it all sink in.”

  “Not bad advice, I guess,” the judge said. “I would imagine she’s back at work.”

  “Hopefully, she won’t be couch surfing.”

  “She’s staying in the cabin at Miguel’s.”

  That surprised him. He thought there would be too many bad memories there. For him, it would have been too many good ones. “So she’s all right?”

  “Probably as all right as you are,” WT said. “I’m not one to give advice, but you’d be a damned fool if you let her get away.”

  Thorn laughed. “Never one to give advice, right? Why don’t you take some of that advice for yourself when it comes to Helen.”

  “Don’t worry,” WT said. “I won’t let her get away.”

  That surprised Thorn. “I’m glad to hear that.” He started to tell the judge that as for him and JJ it wasn’t that simple, but realized the man had already disconnected.

  Idly, he ran his fingers over the leather steering wheel before he pulled out his phone once more, made a few calls and then pocketed his phone before starting the engine again. “Come on, Gertie,” he said. “Let’s go for a ride.”

  * * *

  JJ WAS IN her office the next day when her phone rang. She picked up. “Jenny Foster, Big Fork, Montana Travel Guides. How may I help you?”