Guiding the Fall

by Christy Hayes

  Erica stepped away from the counter and into his path. “Lyle, wait.”

  “We’ve said enough. I can’t make you believe you’re worthy enough or beautiful enough or whatever it is you need to believe. I’m exhausted from trying.” He stepped around her. “Thanks for dinner.”

  Chapter 36

  Tommy Golden ended his phone call and made a note on the agenda for the upcoming meeting he was leading of the ‘Stop the Slaughter at Bear Stream’ coalition. He’d agreed to head up the resistance to the area’s proposed development and, in the last few months, had devoted more hours to STS than he had his four businesses.

  Thankfully, the rafting season had ended and the fishing season was on its last leg. That left the restaurant, the steady yet high maintenance part of his mini-empire, and the soon-to-be booming ski shop. Tommy liked to be busy, but he’d passed so far beyond busy he couldn’t even see it in his rear view.

  He stood up for the first time since arriving at his office at six-thirty and stretched his back. He wandered to the credenza with his coffee mug to refill it from the pot he kept on continuous brew, but he made a detour at the window. He lifted the tines on the blind when he spotted Olivia’s car entering the parking lot and worried about what he saw.

  It wasn’t that she was early for her lunch shift; miracles happened every once in a while. It wasn’t that she sat in the car without getting out; she could have been on the phone or fixing her makeup. It was the man in the passenger seat, a man he didn’t recognize, leaning over and feasting on his sister as if he were a starving man and she were a juicy steak fresh from the grill.

  Tommy strode out of his office and into the restaurant where he could get a better view. When he saw Olivia’s roommate talking to Meredith, he called him over, pointing at Olivia’s car. “Who is that?” Tommy demanded.

  “Who?” Lyle asked.

  “The guy trying to eat Olivia’s face. Who the hell is that?”

  Lyle gave an impish grin. “That’s Jack Forrester. I’m writing his biography.”

  “Jack Forrester?” Tommy repeated. “Why does that name sound familiar?”

  Lyle shrugged. “Do you follow the hedge fund industry?”

  Tommy stared as Jack and Olivia molested one another in the front seat of her car. If either one of them hopped over the console, he would get his gun and make a damn fool out of everybody. He snapped his fingers when recognition hit. “Forrester’s the guy who submitted a permit to the county for a wind study.”

  Lyle whipped his head around. “Is there anything that goes on around here you don’t know about?”

  “Garrity checks with the county for any suspicious permits before our STS meetings. Damn it, I’ll bet he’s trying to infiltrate the group through Olivia.”

  Lyle laughed and slapped Tommy’s shoulder. “That’s one hell of a conspiracy theory, but I’m afraid the only thing Jack’s trying to infiltrate is your sister.”

  Jack and Olivia got out of the car, met back up by the bumper, and exchanged a quick parting kiss before Jack strode confidently toward the Tap and Olivia got back in her car. Tommy was out the door in two seconds flat. He purposely knocked Jack in the shoulder as he rushed to reach Olivia.

  “Excuse me,” Jack said to Tommy’s back before continuing on inside the restaurant, seemingly oblivious to Tommy’s intent. Tommy wrenched Olivia’s door open as she started the ignition.

  “Tommy,” she gasped with her hand to her chest. “You scared me to death. What in the world is wrong with you?”

  “Me?” Tommy asked. “What in the world is wrong with you, making out in the parking lot with a known enemy!”

  “What?” Her prettily made up face turned pink. “Did you see that?”

  “Hell, Olivia, the whole county saw that. The next time you want to make out like a teenager in your car, I suggest you go somewhere people tend not to gather.”

  “Great.” She dropped her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to remind you that I’m a grown woman. I’ve got a meeting in Westmoreland and I can’t be late.”

  “What kind of meeting? I thought you were working today.”

  “I was. They’ve found someone to conduct the investigation. I’ve got an interview at noon.”

  Tommy looked at his watch. Hell. He had a mountain of things to take care of, including finding a waitress to work the lunch shift, but wouldn’t let his baby sister face the interview alone. He stepped around the front of the car and hopped in the passenger seat.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “I’m going with you. I’m mad as hell at you right now, but you’re not going alone.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t call you and let you know I couldn’t work. I’ve been a little preoccupied,” she said as she put the car in reverse.

  “Obviously. I worry about you, Olivia. I always have, but now, now you’ve gone and hooked up with someone trying to bring down our coalition.”

  “Tommy, I think all that caffeine you drink has finally fried your brain. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Jack Forrester. Did you know he’s doing a wind study on his property in Hailey?”

  “No. Why should I care about a wind study? More importantly, why do you?”

  Tommy sighed and fished his phone out of his pocket when it signaled a text. “Why do you think he’s doing a wind study?”

  “Because the valley gets a lot of wind?” Olivia guessed.

  “To sell power to the developers. People from all over the state—hell, all over the country—are eyeing the valley for investment opportunities. If your squeeze is doing a wind study, there’s no telling what else he’s into.”

  “For your information, he’s in town because Lyle’s writing his biography. He’s worth millions, Tommy. I seriously doubt he’d dabble in wind power for some development that hasn’t even been approved.”

  “Then why do the wind study? Do you know his property is in the path of the bird refuge? Do you know how destructive those wind turbines are to migrating birds?”

  “Really? You’re all worked up about this over birds?”

  “No. I’m all worked up over this because I look out the window and find you making out with a stranger. Were you even going to tell me you’re seeing someone?”

  “We just started seeing each other and we’re trying to keep a low profile because of the investigation.” She looked over at him, her bright blue eyes dim with worry. “Do you think anyone else saw?”

  “No. I was just upset and trying to make you feel bad.”

  “Well, it worked.”

  “Seriously, Olivia, do you know anything about this guy?”

  “I know about his past. He’s overcome a lot of adversity. I know his sister. I also know I’ve never been more attracted to someone and I won’t miss out on being with him while he’s in town.”

  “So you’re having a fling?”

  “I’m having a short-term, monogamous relationship with a very exciting man. Don’t go all big brother on me and ruin it.”

  “How old?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “How old is he? He looked older than me.”

  “He’s thirty-five.”

  “Olivia…”

  “Don’t,” she said. “Just don’t. I like him. He likes me.”

  “Obviously.” He responded to the text and tossed his phone from hand to hand. “I don’t want you getting hurt. A thirty-five year old millionaire in town for a short time doesn’t exactly have your best interests at heart. He’s using you.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” She braked hard, deliberately hard, for a stoplight. “As a matter of fact, we’re using each other. I didn’t go into this blind. Ha. Interesting choice of words,” she mumbled.

  “Huh?” he asked.

  “He’s visually impaired. I used the word ‘blind.’ Anyway,” she said when he just stared at her, “he’s made no commitments to me and I’ve made no commitments to him. While he
’s here, we’re going to enjoy each other’s company. End of story. And since you’ve apparently been leading a private life I know nothing about, I don’t think you have anything to say about it.”

  He blew out a breath. She had a point, but damn it, thinking of her as anything but the thirteen-year-old she’d been when he’d moved to town was hard. “Tell me about the investigation.”

  “I talked to my advisor this morning. She thinks that unless Cole recants, which is highly unlikely, the investigator will consider both our statements and decide it’s his word against mine, leaving it up to a representative of the school board to determine my fate. S thinks the shocked look on my face in the picture backs up my story, and with no witnesses, she doesn’t think there’s any way they can keep this on my permanent record. Worst case would be for Dr. Hell to request a hearing.”

  “What happens if she requests a hearing?”

  “We both present our sides, and then I’ll probably need to hire an attorney.”

  “Jesus, Olivia. Should we have already hired an attorney?”

  “No. I don’t think so. I think showing up with an attorney at this stage makes me look guilty. Jack wanted to call in a favor, but I wouldn’t let him.”

  “He offered to pay for a lawyer on your behalf? That doesn’t sound like a no-strings arrangement.”

  “He’s loaded, and he’s not a heartless bastard. He could afford a truckload of attorneys.”

  Every warning bell went off in Tommy’s head. “How’d he make his money?”

  “Hedge funds. Apparently it’s one of the most lucrative and risky professions on the planet.” When Tommy said nothing, Olivia reached out and squeezed his knee. “Quit worrying about Jack. The investigation? Worry and pray. But Jack is fine. I’ve got things with him under control.”

  Tommy shook his head. “That makes me worry even more.”

  Chapter 37

  Jack was waiting at the door when Olivia pulled up for Erica’s lesson. She was early, but she’d already spent over an hour driving around after dropping Tommy off at the Tap after her interview with the investigator. She didn’t want to go home. She just wanted…she didn’t know what she wanted until Jack came outside and enveloped her in his arms. She let out the breath she’d been holding and burrowed into his warmth.

  “That bad, huh?” he asked.

  She shrugged but didn’t let go. Jack offered exactly what she wanted: a sympathetic ear and a soft place to land. “I just told her my story.”

  “And?”

  “And now I wait. She walked me through the process. She interviewed me. She interviews Cole. She interviews my lead teacher and some other school employees. Then she files her report with the school board.”

  “The school board makes the final call?”

  “Since Dr. Hell’s the superintendent, yes.” He ran his fingers up and down her back, and with every swipe, her jittery nerves smoothed out. “I don’t know why, but I got a bad feeling from this woman. She kept looking at me like she hated me.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked after pulling back.

  “She was kind of homely. I think she took one look at me and decided I’m guilty.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “I’m pretty. Homely women hate pretty people. Women are notorious back stabbers.”

  “Don’t you think you’re being a little overdramatic?”

  “No. I think I’m being realistic.”

  He massaged her shoulders. “You don’t have to do this lesson now. Why don’t you come in, have a drink, and relax?”

  She looked up into his gorgeous eyes. Men revered him for his good looks and success. He’d never understand no matter how many times or ways she explained. She wished women held the same regard for each other. “Believe it or not, I want to do the lesson. I’m fighting for this, Jack, for the very right to do what I’m doing with Erica.”

  “Come on in, then, my little fighter, and I’ll lace up your boxing gloves.”

  They walked arm in arm to the door. “Very funny.”

  Erica stood by the table twisting her hands and looking very unsure. “Are you okay? Jack told me about the interview.”

  Olivia nodded. “I’m fine. I’m glad it’s over.”

  “Are you in trouble?” she asked.

  “I don’t know yet. Regardless of the outcome, according to my student advisor, with the two weeks of school I’ve already missed, this semester’s null and void. If my record’s expunged, he recommended I student teach outside the county in the winter.”

  “Well, that stinks,” Erica said, eliciting a snort from Jack. “Do you think the kid will confess and tell the truth? I bet he didn’t think about how much trouble you’d get into.”

  “He’s twelve. I don’t think a twelve-year-old has the foresight to realize he’s jeopardized my career. All he knows is that he lied, and he’ll get into big trouble if he tells the truth now.”

  Erica wrinkled her nose. “Do you two want to be alone?”

  Olivia and Jack looked at one another. Jack saved her from having to answer.

  “Later, after you two are done, I’m sure we’ll take some time.” He looked at Olivia. “Unless you have to go?”

  “No. I’d like to stay.” He kissed her forehead and disappeared down the hallway.

  “I’ve got chicken in the oven,” Erica said. “There’s enough for you to stay for dinner. I can even show you a few things.” She sat at the table and picked up a pencil, nervously flipping it. “Lyle keeps asking about your cooking lessons. I think you might have to start learning something, or he’s going to get suspicious.”

  Olivia felt grateful for the change in topic. Between the stress of the interview and the powerful surge of emotion Jack’s support produced, she felt more than a little unsteady. “So he was here last night?”

  Erica nodded. “I think I screwed things up.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Never mind.” Erica shook her head. “You don’t want to hear about that after what you’ve been through today.”

  Olivia reached over and stilled Erica’s hand. “Yes, I do. Please, tell me what’s wrong. I might be able to help.”

  “Well, you know we’ve been…he’s kissed me. Three times now. Last night, when Jack was gone, he showed up at my doorstep and weaseled his way into having dinner. He said the craziest things and then we kissed.”

  “What kind of crazy things?” Olivia asked.

  “He thinks we’re seeing each other!”

  “Aren’t you?”

  “That’s just it, I don’t know. I mean, I guess we are, but he’s never asked me on a date.”

  “If he had, what would you have said?”

  “I’d have said no. I tried to say no last night, but he tricked me into kissing him again.” She ran her hands through her hair and dropped them onto the table. “He’s a really good kisser.”

  Olivia smiled. Lyle was full of surprises. “If you say so.”

  “Anyway, I got nervous and embarrassed, and he said some more crazy stuff.”

  Erica’s story was just what Olivia needed. She forgot about her awful day when listening to poor Erica and her problems with Lyle. “What other crazy stuff?”

  “About me and my mind and my heart. He wants to take me out. He wants to get to know me.”

  “That’s wonderful, Erica. I don’t think anything about that sounds crazy.”

  “Don’t you get it? If he gets to know me, if he asks me out, he’s going to figure out I can’t read.”

  “We’ve been through this. You can read, just not as well as you should. And that doesn’t make you stupid.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’m not good enough for him. As soon as he realizes the truth, he’ll wish he’d listened when I tried to warn him off.”

  “That’s not true. So what’d you tell him?”

  “I made him mad. I asked him if he was only pretending to be interested in me so he could get information for the book.”


  Olivia pursed her lips. Lyle was pretty easy going, but that kind of jab couldn’t have gone over well. “What happened?”

  “He was mad that I didn’t think better of him.”

  “He does have a point,” Olivia said. “Lyle’s not the kind of man who’d use you like that.”

  “I know that, but I panicked. No one’s ever liked me the way he does. And he just says it. He just tells me I’m pretty and that we’re seeing each other. He’s so sure, but he barely knows me.”

  “Whatever he knows, he likes. Erica, I think this is more about you. Lyle looks at you and sees a beautiful, intelligent woman that he wants to spend time with and get to know. You don’t see yourself that way, so you assume he must be lying.”

  “It doesn’t matter now, anyway. He got mad and left. I don’t think he’ll be back.”

  “So, you’re just going to leave it? You’re not going to try to patch things up?”

  “I don’t see the point. We’ll be going back to Denver soon anyway. He won’t even remember me after a while.”

  Olivia felt her own panic rise at Erica’s comment. It wouldn’t be long before Erica and Jack went back to their lives in Denver. She knew that. She’d factored that in when she’d agreed to see him. But now…

  “Erica, you have dyslexia and that makes reading hard for you. You’re working every day to improve. Right?”

  Erica nodded. “I studied my phonics chart twice today.”

  “Good. You’re not stupid or lazy. You’ve got an issue that hindered your progress. I think you should tell him. He’ll understand and he won’t judge you.”

  “I can’t. I’ve never told anyone and I’m not starting now.”

  “You told Jack.”

  “Jack figured it out. If I spend any more time with Lyle, he’ll figure it out, too. This is for the best.”

  Olivia felt more tired than she’d felt in a long time. “Don’t make any decisions now. Promise me you’ll take some time and think about it.”

  “I guess.”

  “Are you ready to get to work? Let’s go over the chart and see how much progress you made.”

  As Erica sounded out letter combinations, Olivia’s mind couldn’t focus. Her career was going down in flames, she’d started something with a man who’d be gone in a matter of weeks, and all she had to look forward to was Jill’s wedding and Jack’s goodbye. She shook her head and zoned back in. Erica deserved her full attention.