Wild Ride

by Tiffinie Helmer

  He headed back to Wilde Log Homes to report to his dad what had happened and to figure out how far this put them behind on the project. Without windows, they couldn’t lock up the house, which meant a lot of work inside would need to be postponed. No way would he allow plumbing and electrical to be installed with a vandal on the loose and without means to secure the building.

  It did free up his crew to work on Gabriella’s inn. That cheered him up some. He sent her a text to let her know that they’d be showing up Monday morning. She returned his message with a kissy face emoji, which had him smiling as he entered Wilde Log Homes. Hopefully, if he got the mess cleaned up, he could spend some time with her this weekend.

  “What are you smiling about?” Jack boomed when he walked in. “I just heard what happened at the Graham site. What the hell is going on with that house? Has someone put a hex on it?”

  “Feels like it. But I got it under control. I sent Danny to Fairbanks to buy some cameras. We’ll catch whoever is doing this. Mark my words.”

  “You’d better. This can’t go on. I’ve called the insurance adjuster. He’s coming out Monday.”

  “You’ll have to meet him. I’m taking part of the crew to work at Gabriella Waterman’s place. I did a bid for her this morning on renovating. I’ll leave the rest of the crew to finish the clean-up. Getting the paint off the roof is going to be a real bitch.”

  “Gabi asked for a bid? She’s a lovely girl with a smart head on her shoulders. I like what she plans to do, opening an inn. We could use a second place for folks to stay other than just at Heart Springs. I don’t care for that Todd Ellis and the way he treated Wild Cat. Hey, why don’t you talk Dare into helping out? I think he’s sweet on Gabi.” A twinkle entered Jack’s matchmaking eyes.

  No way in hell, not when he was also sweet on her. “Do not attempt to matchmake Dare and Gabriella.”

  “What are you talking about? Why would I do that?”

  “The question is more, why wouldn’t you do that? Gabriella isn’t right for Dare.”

  “And you know that how?”

  “I just do. Now stay out of it.”

  “Do you have a thing for Gabi?” Jack narrowed his eyes.

  “Dad,” Ryder warned. “I said stay out of it.”

  “You kids have no appreciation for your elders. Isn’t that right, Colette?” He turned to Colette who was sitting behind her desk watching the exchange.

  “You raised some smart and savvy kids there, Jack. I’m sure they appreciate things when it’s warranted.”

  Jack frowned. “You’re supposed to have my back.”

  “You know I do, but I have a feeling your matchmaking might backfire on you someday, if you aren’t careful. Give your boys a chance to find their own way.”

  He threw his hands into the air. “Yet, none of the boys are making an effort to get hitched.” He pointed to Ryder. “You aren’t even dating anyone anymore since you broke things off with Leia, though I do commend you for doing that. She wasn’t the right girl for you.”

  Ryder wasn’t about to tell him that he’d found the right girl. Not yet. Not until he squared things with Dare. “One thing at a time, old man.”

  “Old man,” he grumbled. “I’m not old. I still got it.”

  “You just can’t remember where you put it,” Colette muttered under her breath.

  “If you still got it, Dad, why aren’t you out there using it? You should be dating someone.”

  “I’ve had my chance at love. I’m done with all that.”

  “There’s still time for another,” Ryder said.

  “All right, enough of the watercooler talk, get back to work everyone. Where’s Brey?” he asked Colette. “I haven’t seen that kid all day.”

  “He called and said he wouldn’t be in. He had something to take care of.”

  “First Zoe taking personal days, and now Brey. I never could understand these artistic types.” He stomped off to his office, shutting the door.

  Colette laughed watching him go. “Yet, he designs log homes. Does he not see the irony in that?” she asked Ryder.

  “Apparently not.” Ryder studied Colette. “How long have you worked here, Colette?”

  “Since you were in diapers. Swaddled you a few times myself. Your mother had her hands full with four kids before you and Dare surprised everyone. She always handled things with grace, and had that man worshipping the ground she walked on.”

  He wished he remembered more about his mom. He’d been thirteen when she’d died of leukemia. Sorene had stepped in to help raise the rest of them, and Colette had made sure Jack didn’t lose the business as he spiraled into a deep depression.

  No wonder he was attracted to Gabriella. She was like the strong female examples in his life.

  “Hey, if I haven’t thanked you enough for all you do and have done, I’m sorry. You’re a treasure, Colette.”

  She blushed and looked away, but he thought he saw tears pool in her eyes. “Oh you, stop. I love you heathens. Even that one.” She pointed to Jack’s closed doors.

  “We love you too.”

  “Enough of this. We have work to do.” She reached for the phone and started punching in numbers.

  Ryder entered his office and got out his own cell phone. He had his own call to make. It was time Jack got a taste of his own medicine. The cure for his matchmaking father might have been under his nose all this time.

  Chapter 9

  Dare knocked on her door right at seven.

  She’d chosen another sundress, this one in fuchsia with creamy hibiscus flowers, grabbing a wrap at the last minute to ward of any possible chill. Slipping into sandals, she opened the door to find Dare dressed more dapper than usual. He wore a newish button-down shirt in forest green which highlighted the Wilde green eyes, and jeans. She didn’t notice any holes in his clothes or stains.

  “Wow, you look nice,” Dare said.

  “So do you,” she returned.

  He smoothed down his shirt. “Stole some clothes from Ryder’s closet. His are in better shape than mine. Shall we?” He offered her his arm and she took it.

  She needed to talk to him about Ryder, but also needed the right opening.

  Dare carried on a stream of conversation about this kid Fox Maiski in Chatanika who raced dogs on the way to the Pump House, making it impossible for her to break in and discuss the Ryder situation.

  When they were nestled into a booth and had ordered their dinner and were sipping drinks, she broached the subject. “Have you talked to Ryder lately?” she asked, hoping that he had.

  “He’s been swamped with cleaning up the damage to one of his job sites.”

  “What happened?”

  “Probably some kids messing around. Broken windows, paint splatters, that sort of thing. He’s been plagued with this new construction. It caught fire a couple of months ago, and he ended up trapped under a beam, broke his leg.”

  “Oh my goodness. Do the police have any idea who did this?” Why hadn’t he told her when he’d texted?

  “Not a one. But knowing Ryder, he won’t give up until he catches whoever it is. Enough about him. I want to hear what you’ve been up to.”

  She really couldn’t talk about that without mentioning Ryder. “Just more cleaning and planning. I do need to talk to you about Ry—”

  “Hey, you guys,” Her dad interrupted, a beaming smile on his weathered face. “Been seeing you two together a lot lately.”

  “Hi, Dad,” Gabi said, picking up her wild raspberry beer she ordered. She’d fallen in love with the refreshing drink the night she shared a six pack with Ryder and had made a point to let Avery know.

  “Good evening, Mr. Waterman.” Dare rose and offered her dad his hand.

  Luke shook his hand and slapped him on the back. “No need to be so formal, son. Not with you dating my daughter.”

  Dare retook his seat, looking uncomfortable.

  “Dad,” Gabi warned. “We’re friends.”

  “Of course
, any great love affair needs to start out with friendship.”

  Dare choked on the sip of his beer. Coughing to clear his throat, he said, “Would you like to join us for a drink?”

  “No, he would not. Would you, Dad?” she stressed through clenched teeth when he seemed ready to pull up a chair.

  “Sorry, can’t. Meeting Jack over there and some of the other guys.” He indicated a table with four other men. “I’ll catch up with you two later. You have a good night.” He winked at Gabi.

  Dare took one look at the table her dad indicated and groaned.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “That table is full of the matchmaking fathers. Mine, yours—he tried to get Derek and Zoe together.”

  “You’re kidding, but Derek is gay.”

  “Which is how all that came out. Then there’s Quinn Bleu, Hank Dawson, and Vance Hunter. Their sons are engaged or married to my sisters.”

  “So, why is my dad part of that group?”

  Dare arched a brow. “Take a guess?”

  “There’re matchmaking us?”

  “That’s the only thing that makes sense. We should head somewhere else for our date. I don’t relish having dinner with you while both our fathers discuss wedding plans a few feet away.”

  “You can’t be serious?”

  “You haven’t been around. They have a hundred percent track record. There will be no stopping them now.”

  “But we’re just friends.”

  “Are we?” His gaze sharpened and he reached across the table and took her hand. “We had fun in high school, and I really enjoyed that kiss we shared on your porch the other day.”

  “Dare—”

  “Hear me out. We couldn’t make a go of it in high school, but then we were both young and not looking for something serious.”

  “Are you looking for something serious now?” This was not going the way she planned.

  “Maybe. I missed you and all the crazy things we used to do. Didn’t you miss me? We had a lot of fun together.”

  “Yes, but, listen, Dare, I need to talk to you about Ryder.”

  “I know what we pulled was wrong, but I’ve already apologized for that.” His phone buzzed and he held up his hand. “Hold on a sec.” He frowned as he looked at his phone, the furrows on his forehead deepening. His head shot up, and he scanned the room, his stare going glacial as he settled on someone.

  Gabi turned to see what had captured his attention. It was Ryder also frowning as he looked at his phone. Then his head came up and centered on the two of them, his expression mirroring Dare’s.

  Dare leaped to his feet, just as Ryder angrily strode their direction.

  “You son of a bitch,” they both said in unison. Then the punches flew.

  Chaos erupted as they crashed into tables, drinks spilling, food flying, and glasses breaking as the two of them wrestled and beat on each other.

  Gabi jumped to her feet amid the screams of people trying to get out of the twins’ way.

  Jack and her dad were suddenly there with Avery Dawson, the owner of the bar.

  “Knock it off!” Avery hollered, and was ignored.

  Jack joined the fray and waded in, grabbing Ryder, while her dad seized a hold of Dare.

  “Damnit to hell, you know the rules,” Avery said. “Fights are taken outside.” He pointed to the door. “That’s what the parking lot is for.”

  “What the hell is wrong with you two?” Jack asked, giving Ryder a shake.

  “He’s been making moves on my girl,” Dare said, trying to swing at Ryder again, but Luke yanked him back out of reach.

  “Your girl? She’s my girl,” Ryder returned.

  “Wait a damn minute. You’re fighting over me?” Gabi asked, horrified. How had it come to this?

  “He’s been kissing her behind my back.” Dare fished his phone out of his pocket and produced the results of Ryder and Gabi in a steamy lip lock against his truck.

  “So have you,” Ryder fired back, showing his phone and the picture of Dare kissing her on the porch.

  “Oh, my God,” Gabi gasped, her hands coming up to cover her mouth. The crowd watching them gasped along with her.

  Everyone turned to stare at her, and she wished the earthquakes that Alaska was famous for would open the ground and swallow her at that moment.

  “What have you been up to, missy?” her dad asked, his expression thunderous.

  “This is all a misunderstanding. I can explain.” Could she?

  “Get to explaining then, girl,” her dad demanded.

  She bit her bottom lip. “Well…”

  “I knew it,” Dare said. “You’ve moved into my territory.” He pointed to Ryder.

  “Your territory? I don’t think so, bro. You started this whole thing by making me pretend to be you since you couldn’t make your date in time.”

  “You did what?” Jack bellowed and was ignored. “What have I told you two about switching places?”

  “I didn’t tell you to kiss her,” Dare exploded.

  “I didn’t kiss her, she kissed me, and, well…then I kissed her.”

  “That picture isn’t from the other night. When was it?”

  “Uh, yesterday,” Ryder admitted lamely.

  “See, that’s poaching, bro,” Dare said.

  “Dare, I’m sorry, I was going to tell you,” Gabi started.

  “We didn’t mean for it to happen,” Ryder added. “It just did.”

  “Just did? That’s bullshit. You’ve always had a thing for her, admit it.”

  “Fine, yes, I have always wanted Gabriella, and you don’t want her enough. She’s never been number one with you. That’s why you two never worked.”

  “That doesn’t mean we couldn’t have made it work this time,” Dare said.

  “All right,” Avery said. “I’ve had enough of all this. You’re disrupting my business and my customers—”

  “Beg to differ there, Dawson,” one of the patron’s hollered. “This is the best dinner theater I’ve ever been privy to.” His statement was followed by laughter and applause.

  “Regardless,” Avery continued. “Shouldn’t someone be asking who sent the pictures to you both?”

  There was a pause as Ryder and Dare took that in. Both glanced down at their phones.

  “Unknown caller,” they said together.

  “You should be putting your heads together, instead of banging them against each other, and figure out who wants to cause you trouble and how the hell they got those pictures to begin with.”

  Realization dawned. That was no bear outside her place. She had a peeping Tom, or worse, a spy.

  “Man’s got a good point,” Jack said.

  “Damn right I do,” Avery retorted. “Now take this pissing party outside and don’t return until you can keep your fists from flying. This is a no fight zone. Got it?”

  “Got it,” they all grumbled and then shuffled outside.

  Brey was walking up the wooden planked sidewalk, carrying his guitar, along with his sisters Sorene, Cat, and Kennadee when they existed the pub. “Where you going? Aren’t you all staying to hear me play?”

  “We’ve been banished thanks to these two knuckleheads,” Jack said.

  “What did they do this time?” Sorene asked.

  “Could we not hash it out again?” Ryder asked. “I need to talk to Gabriella.”

  “No, I need to talk to Gabi,” Dare said.

  “I’m going to make it easy on you both,” Gabi interrupted. “This is wrong. I’m not going to be a bone between you two. I’m taking myself out of the equation.”

  “Gabriella,” Ryder said, reaching for her, his expression pained. “Don’t.”

  “I have to. It’s the only right thing to do.” She turned to Dare. “Dare, I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, had meant to tonight. I hate that you found out this way. I like you, I always have, but I have feelings for Ryder, too, and that isn’t fair to either of you. Dad, will you take me home?”

/>   “Certainly. Jack, I’ll be calling you later.”

  Jack nodded. “Damn right.” He turned to Ryder and Dare. “Listen you two, my advice is to take it home and deal with your problems there. You don’t need to be parading our family craziness in front of the whole damn town. I don’t want to see either of you until you’ve worked it out. And if one of you kills the other, I will be mighty upset. Understand?”

  “Yes, sir,” they both muttered.

  Chapter 10

  Ryder beat Dare home and waited outside in his truck. They had both learned from previous fights to not have them inside. It wasn’t worth replacing the furniture. Hell, he’d have to help pay for whatever damages caused at the Pump House tonight. His knuckles hurt and he was looking forward to icing them. But that would have to wait.

  How had he messed everything up so bad? He never should have reacted when he’d received that photo. But seeing Gabriella in the arms of his brother—his lips plastered to hers—had set him off. He didn’t think.

  Hell, he hadn’t been thinking straight since he’d first seen Gabriella again.

  Dare pulled up beside him and got out. Ryder did the same, meeting him in the open meadow adjacent to the driveway.

  “We going to do this?” Dare said, putting up his fists. He was sporting a black eye. No one would have trouble telling them apart until it healed. Unless Dare planted a lucky punch and gave him an identical one.

  “I guess so,” he muttered, adjusting his stance.

  Dare’s dogs started barking at hearing his voice. They were behind the barn in the large field protected on three sides by a forest of trees and trails that Dare ran them on. He had a team of seven right now, not including Eska, who made eight. She was currently throwing herself at the front door trying to get to Dare as he tended to lock her up inside whenever he didn’t take her with him.

  “Wait,” Dare signed, lowing his fists. “Let me take care of the dogs first, or we won’t get any peace.”