by Misty Malone
“It seems like a no brainer to me,” Janelle said. “Why would he not do it?”
“He's worried about his wife and her brother. He wants them protected in exchange for his testimony.”
Bryce was frowning. “And the prosecutor won't do it?”
“I think they'll agree to his wife,” the agent said. “I don't think she knew a whole lot about what was going on. I think she knew her husband was nervous and suspected the congressman was doing something he shouldn't, but I really don't think she knew much about what was happening.”
“I think they'll agree to that, too,” Sheriff Hollinger said. “But they're not going for the vet, and I can't say as I blame them. I've known Brad quite a few years, and I always liked him, but that doesn't matter. Brad knew they were up to no good with the horses. He even asked some point blank questions, got no answers, but still he continued to furnish the poison. But when he told them where Janelle was, that did it in my book. He might not have known how unscrupulous those men were, but he knew enough.”
Janelle had the next question. “Are they going to offer a deal to the congressman?”
“I'm not sure,” the agent answered. “They've got a solid case against him for the poisoned horses and for tax evasion. They're pursuing another couple things that have come to light. I think it all depends on what all they find. If they find enough that will put him in prison for a long, long time he may plead. By then they've realized their career in politics is over, and they're more willing to plead to something that will keep their prison time to 15 years. That's a long time, but it leaves a light at the end of the tunnel. It's a lot better than facing life with no hope of getting out. Nobody wants to know they're going to die in prison.”
“I hope that's what happens,” Janelle said. “I don't want to have to testify.”
“I know,” the sheriff said. “And the prosecutor knows that, too.”
Agent Caldwell assured them he'd keep them informed before he and the sheriff left.
Bryce took Janelle into the living room and sat them down on the couch. “Dr. Ehrlinger, you heard Sheriff Hollinger. This area needs a vet. Can we talk about that a bit?”
She snuggled into his arms. “Yes, we can. I planned on talking to you about it tonight.”
“Have you decided?”
“If you agree with my terms, I have.”
He looked down at her, a worried look on his face. “What terms do I have to agree to?”
“Bryce, I've grown very fond of you, and I want to give our relationship a chance.”
“Good. I think we have something lasting here. I know I've never felt this way about a woman before.”
“Thank you. I feel the same way, and I definitely want to see what happens. But this is new territory for me, because like you, I've never felt this way about a man before.”
“But there seems to be a problem. What's bothering you, sunshine? Let's see if we can fix it.”
“What's bothering me is staying here while we're dating. You've been nothing but generous, inviting me to stay here during this whole ordeal, and I appreciate it more than you realize. And I've loved getting to know you, and falling in love with you,” she shyly added.
“Honey, I have plenty of extra bedrooms here, as you've seen, and I won't put any pressure on you. You'll have your own room.”
“I appreciate that, Bryce, and I know I can trust you to keep your word on that. But I've never lived with a man, and I've never wanted to. I know in this day and age it's very common for a man and woman to live together, but not for me. I think it's a very intimate thing and there has to be a serious commitment first. I don't know if you can understand what I'm saying, but—”
He took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. “I do understand, sunshine, and it doesn't surprise me to hear you say that. I respect you for it. You have morals and you hold yourself to high standards, and I think that's one of the reasons I fell in love with you.”
She put her arms around his neck as she reached up to give him a heartfelt kiss. “Thank you. Your high standards stood out to me, too, and I hoped you would understand and not think I'm being foolish.”
“You're not being foolish at all. So what are we going to do? I have a suggestion, but do you already have something in mind?”
“Not really. I thought I'd start looking for someplace to rent, but I won't be able to pay much if I start my own business. It'll take a while to get it built up to where I have a steady income. That's why I accepted the job in Kansas. I'd have a steady paycheck.”
“I understand, but I may have a solution. My neighbor has an empty guesthouse on his property. He had it built awhile back for his in-laws, but they aren't using it now. I can talk to him, but my guess is he'd be willing to rent it to you at a very reasonable rate.” He smiled as he added, “Especially if it means he and the rest of us have a vet in the area.”
“That would be great, if he would do that,” she said. “Do you suppose he would be patient if I'm late with the rent the first few months while I'm trying to get a business built up?”
Bryce chuckled. “Sunshine, I think he would be very patient. He's very understanding. But I think you'll have more business than you think, right from the start. All the ranches and smaller farms around here need veterinary services.”
“I hope you're right. Would you mind asking him if he would consider it?”
“So if he'll rent you his guest house, you'll stay here, start a practice and see what happens with us?”
“That all sounds fantastic, Bryce.”
The kiss he gave her let her know it sounded good to him, too.
Chapter 14
The next day Bryce talked to his friend and neighbor. He was excited to hear that not only had Bryce found someone he was interested in, but that she was a veterinarian. The three of them met and talked. He offered her free rent for the first six months while she was building her business, but Janelle wouldn't hear of it. They reached an agreement, and two weeks later Janelle moved into the guesthouse on the neighboring ranch.
Bryce told the sheriff and a few of his fellow ranchers that Janelle would be staying here and starting a business. People started calling right away, and by the time she moved into her new home she already had a fair number of clients.
It took the two of them a little time to get used to dating like most people. They were used to seeing each other in the morning and at meals. They missed that, but knew it was important to both of them that they make a commitment before she moved back in, and they had to have a chance to get to know each other better before they could do that.
They got along real well and their relationship was growing and thriving. One thing they both enjoyed was riding horses together. They often went riding and would stop somewhere for some private, quiet time alone before going back to the barn. While out on ride one evening she got a phone call. A rancher had a cow in labor and needed her help. The labor had been going on for too long and the cow was exhausted.
“I've got to go,” she told Bryce, getting up. She told him where she was off to as he drove her home to get the truck she'd recently purchased for her work.
“Be careful, and call me when you get home, please,”
“Okay, but why?”
“I just want to know you made it home okay.” She nodded. “Is your phone charged?”
“Probably,” she said as she took it out to check. He saw her take a look at it, pause and put it back in her pocket.
“Is it charged?”
“It should be enough for tonight,” she said quickly. “Do you still want me to call if it's late when I get home?”
“Yes, I do, no matter what time it is. Let me see your phone.”
“I've got to go,” she argued.
He handed her his phone. “Here, take this with you. Give me your phone and I'll charge it. Call me on it when you get home.”
“I'll be fine.”
“Sunshine, don't argue. I don't want you out at night wit
hout a phone. What if you have car problems or someone pulls out in front of you? Now give me your phone.”
She handed him her phone. “Are you upset?”
“We'll discuss it tomorrow. Get going now and be careful.”
She jumped out of his truck and ran to hers. He followed her out the lane and went back home. When he got there he checked her phone. It had one bar, almost dead. He plugged it in to charge. She called a couple hours later. “I'm home,” she said. “I was going to drop your phone back off to you tonight, but I'm exhausted. Can we switch tomorrow morning?”
“That's fine, or if you want, I'll come down and switch.”
“I'm really tired. Do you mind if we do it in the morning?”
“That's fine. If you get any calls do you want me to wake you up?”
“Yes, if it's an emergency.”
“Okay. Good-night, sunshine.”
“Night. Hey, Bryce, are you upset with me?”
“We'll talk about it tomorrow, after you've gotten some sleep.”
“That's a yes, isn't it?”
“Yes, sunshine, I am upset. I've told you frequently to keep your phone charged. It's even more important now. That's all I'm saying right now, but that'll give you something to think about. I'll see you tomorrow, honey.”
She was exhausted when she went to bed, but she didn't sleep well. Bryce's words worried her. He was upset with her, and once again, she couldn't blame him. That's what really bothered her, what kept her from sleeping well that night, was that he had a right to be upset with her. When she was staying with him, he'd talked to her numerous times about keeping her phone charged. It was a safety issue with him, and she knew how seriously he took safety, for himself, but also the hands that worked for him, and her safety. She knew she'd let him down, and she felt miserable.
The next morning she was at his house about the time he normally came in for breakfast. He hadn't come in yet, which was okay with her. It gave her a few minutes to visit with Lena. The two ladies missed each other and were talking and laughing when he came in to eat.
He took her in his office for a few minutes, so he could kiss her without an audience and they exchanged phones. “I forgot to charge mine, and I'm sorry, Bryce.”
“We'll talk about it tonight, sunshine, after supper. Lena's been having a fit since you left. She made me promise I'd ask you over for supper.”
“She already asked me,” Janelle admitted. “I'll be here. Are you real angry?”
“I'm more disappointed than angry, but we'll talk tonight. We both have work to do. You be careful today and be safe. Come out and eat breakfast with me. You need to have a good meal to start your day.”
Janelle was quiet during breakfast, but enjoyed eating with all of them again. After they finished eating Bryce walked her outside. “You were quiet. If you're worried about our talk tonight, don't be too concerned. I want to talk to you, but I'm not real upset. I just worry about you. I want you safe. We'll talk tonight, but don't spend a lot of time worrying about it. Okay?”
She watched his face carefully and could tell he was sincere. She released the breath she'd been holding and smiled. “Thank you, Bryce.”
She reached up to give him a quick kiss, but he wouldn't allow it. He took control of the kiss, and it turned into a much deeper, more desperate kiss. When he pulled back he looked down into her eyes and grinned. “Thank you, sunshine. Be safe today.” He gave her a quick smack on her bottom and headed for the door.
“Hey, what was that for?”
He chuckled. “See you for supper tonight.” And just like that, he was out the door.
She turned around to see Lena smiling. “That man has it bad for you,” she said with a chuckle. “Do you have time for a little visit before you have to go?”
Janelle's phone rang just then. “Good morning, Dustin. You have what? Oh, my goodness. Try to get her inside. I'll be there as soon as I can.”
“Guess not,” Lena said with a smile. “We'll visit a little tonight.”
“Sorry, Lena.”
“Nothing to apologize for. Go do what you do so well. See you tonight.”
“Thanks,” Janelle said as she ran out the door to her truck.
***
Bryce walked into the kitchen for supper and had to smile. “I've missed this.”
“What's that?” Janelle asked.
“You and Lena talking and laughing or smiling while you're fixing supper.”
“We were just saying the same thing,” Lena said. “We've missed it, as well.”
“Let me go get cleaned up,” he said. “Landon will be in shortly.”
The four of them enjoyed a leisurely meal that evening, with lots of talking and laughing. As they were finishing, Bryce got a call from Agent Caldwell, asking if he could come over.
Half an hour later Bryce and Janelle sat down with Agent Caldwell and Sheriff Hollinger. Agent Caldwell started the conversation. “Most of the people that were arrested have agreed to take plea bargains, but we want to go over them and make sure you're okay with all of them first, Janelle.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You were the victim in this crime, and we like to check with the victim first. If the victim feels the deal is too generous we won't sign off on it.”
“I don't feel qualified to judge that, Agent Caldwell,” she said. “The horses were victims here, and they don't get their say.”
“Then you speak for them,” Bryce suggested. “Hear what they have in mind and see if you think the punishment would fit the crime.”
“Okay, I'll try,” she agreed.
The agent explained each person, what their part in it was, and the deal they were willing to make, starting with the people playing a smaller part. Janelle was fine with all of them.
“That brings us to the last one, Congressman Bartello.”
Bryce was more than a little shocked. “He's willing to plead?”
“He is,” the agent confirmed. “The prosecutor showed him and his attorney the evidence they have. If he were to be found guilty of all of them he could get up to 78 years in prison. They offered him 20 years if he'd plead guilty to all charges. They came back with a counter-offer. He'll plead no contest to all of them, but he says he won't accept anything over 15 years.”
“I'm not sure I understand,” Janelle said. “My understanding is by pleading no contest you're not admitting you're guilty, but you're not contesting what they say, either.”
“That's correct,” Sheriff Hollinger said.
“What's that all about? If you're not contesting it, aren't you basically saying you're guilty?”
“Basically, yes,” the sheriff said. “But if you admit your guilt, plead guilty, it makes it much easier for people to win a judgment against you in a civil lawsuit.”
“But will he be considered guilty?”
“The judge has to find him guilty or not guilty. He can plead no contest, and the judge will then find him guilty, and impose the sentence.”
“If he's found guilty can he appeal it then?”
“Not if he pleads, no. It will be spelled out in the agreement that he can plead no contest with the understanding the judge will find him guilty, and it will spell out the sentence he'll get. He will have some pretty hefty fines, but what he's concerned about is the prison time.”
“And the prosecutor's okay with fifteen years?”
Agent Caldwell smiled as he said, “No, but he is okay with 16 years. He means to send him a message. He wants him to see that it's not his choice, he isn't the one in charge any more. He's going to have to get used to accepting and following orders instead of giving them.”
Bryce and Janelle both smiled at the agent's words. “I like that,” Bryce said. “Sometimes it's very effective to send a message to people.” He looked at Janelle, and she caught the look in his eyes and knew he was talking about her.
“How about you, Janelle, are you okay with that offer?”
“I am. I'm really upset about wh
at he did to those horses and what he intended to do to me, so I have to say, it's up to the prosecutor, but I'm not real happy with fifteen years. Sixteen I'm fine with, though, as long as that means he actually serves sixteen, not ten with time off for good behavior. Can I ask how old the congressman is?”
“He's 54,” Agent Caldwell said. “He'll be 70 when he's released, because yes, he will have to serve the entire sixteen years.”
“Okay, I'm good with that then,” Janelle said. “Do you think he'll go for it?”
“I think so,” the agent said. “He made it very clear that he would not accept anything over 15, but I think when his attorney talks to him he'll back down. He's still used to calling the shots and thinks if he's aggressive in his demands we'll cave. I think, though, that this will knock him down a peg or two, but he'll accept it. His attorney knows if he goes to trial he'll be found guilty and will never see freedom again.”
Bryce asked, “To be clear, if he pleads, neither of us would have to testify in any trial?”
“That's correct, Bryce,” the sheriff confirmed. “The rest have already said they'll take the deals offered. He's the only holdout. So as long as he takes the deal, it's over. There will be no trial.”
“That's one of the reasons the prosecutor is willing to give as much as he is,” Agent Caldwell explained. “He knew you guys didn't really want to testify and that you'd prefer to keep your names out of the news. Not having any trials will also save the taxpayers a bunch of money. These trials would have taken a lot of time and money.”
“When will we know if he takes the deal?” Janelle asked.
“Within a day or two. If he doesn't decide right away the prosecutor's going to put a time limit on the offer, probably seven days. If he doesn't take it they have to prepare the case, which will take considerable time and money. He's not going to let him force them to spend all that time and money, just to have him accept the offer right before trial. After a week the prison time is increased by three months for every week he delays.”
