Prying a long stick from the bundle of wood, he poked forcefully at the crackling coals. A gentle breeze stirred up the embers, sending wisps of smoke into the air. Jana stood stiffly off to the side, silently waiting.
“Sit down, Jana,” he said, his voice lifeless. “I’ll tell you everything.”
Her eyes shimmered in the firelight. She swiped a hand across her face, then slowly sank to the ground on the opposite side of the fire. She stared blankly at the flames.
“What did you hope to gain by finding that device? By coming to the past?” She shuddered as she inhaled a deep breath. Her arms wrapped tightly around her middle, as if she was protecting herself from him. Dan clenched and unclenched his jaw. He couldn’t bear the look of hurt and accusation in her eyes.
“Jana, I . . .” he scooted closer to her, wanting, needing to touch her, reach out to her and somehow make her understand that what he’d done was never meant to hurt anyone. He reached for her hand.
Jana’s hands shot out defensively in front of her, her palms toward him. “Don’t come any closer, and don’t touch me,” she said forcefully. Dan froze. “Just tell me the truth. Tell me why I am risking my life by being here in this time. Tell me it will all be worth it. Aimee was never in any danger of dying prematurely, was she?”
Her glare shot daggers at him, and at that moment Dan wished she would inflict as much and more pain on him as she must be feeling at the moment. He deserved nothing less. The forlorn drawn-out howl of a wolf in the distance resonated through his body. There was no answering howl.
“No, Aimee was never in danger,” he conceded slowly. “Look, Jana, I made a horrible mistake. I admit that. I’ve been trying to figure out over the last few days how to make it all right again.”
“How did John Hastings find out about the device? Who else did you tell after I confided a family secret to you back in May?”
Jana would have made an incredible lawyer. She bombarded him with questions without even giving him a chance to explain himself. Dan inhaled, and ran his hand over his face. His chin and cheeks felt rough from a day’s growth of stubble. He tossed the stick he held in his hand into the fire. Orange glowing embers took to the air, floating like little miniscule lanterns toward the heavens before their fire extinguished. A sudden gush of wind blew smoke in his face, and he coughed. He changed his position, and was about to scoot closer to Jana. Her body tensed in response, and he stopped himself. He might as well let the fire choke the life out of him.
“John Hastings came by the visitor center about three weeks ago. I made the mistake of having the journal with me at the time. I must have been busy with a tourist, and left it on the desk. He read some of it.” Dan ventured a glance at her. She stared back at him blankly. At least she kept quiet to allow him to explain.
“He sought me out days later, asking me about it.”
“And you simply told him what it was?” Jana stood to her feet, glaring down at him. Even the crickets had stopped their chirping for a second at her heated question. An owl screeched loudly through the trees. Dan shifted his weight. He deserved her scorn. She’d be even more disgusted with him with what he hadn’t told her. He pushed himself off the ground, and stood before her. When she took a step back, he reached for her arm. He needed her near him, to hear him out. Jana tensed under his touch. Their eyes met, and he refused to look away this time.
“Let me explain something about John Hastings,” he said slowly. “The man has had it in for my family for a long time. My father was a state senator who fought against allowing more private concessioners in Yellowstone. Hastings wants more business, private tour groups, more winter usage. When he read that journal, he did some digging into my family’s history. He came to the conclusion that everything in that journal is true.”
Jana’s arm muscles relaxed somewhat, and Dan eased his grip on her. He took a small step closer, encouraged that her eyes lost some of their cold anger. He waited for her to say something. She still glared at him, doubt and disbelief etched on her face. When she remained silent, he continued.
“Hastings has had a direct hand in the rejections I’ve received for my request for backcountry ranger for years. I almost got passed over for my seasonal position this summer. If not for one guy breaking his leg in a car accident, I wouldn’t be working in the park this year at all.”
“So what does any of that have to do with finding the time travel device and coming to the past?” Jana asked, her voice still sounding angry. The evening breeze blew some strands of hair into her face, and she hastily swiped them back behind her ear.
“Hastings saw it as an opportunity to change history.”
Jana’s eyebrows drew together. “How? What is there in the early 1800’s that he could possibly change that would be to his advantage in the future?”
Dan’s eyes roamed her face. A million thoughts raced through his mind. The one that kept coming to the forefront was that he had lost Jana before he even had the chance to build a relationship with her. A pack of coyotes yipped nearby. Their high-pitched barks sounded like laughter, mocking him for being the biggest fool to walk the earth.
“Have you ever heard of Robert Osborne?” he asked.
Jana shook her head from side to side.
“He was a senator who, in the 1880’s, was able to pass legislation that would make it harder for the railroads, private enterprise, and concessioners to monopolize and exploit Yellowstone. He was also my great great uncle. One of his opponents was a man named George Hastings, John’s great grandfather.”
Dan studied her for any kind of reaction. Her mind was working, he could tell, trying to make sense of what he told her. His heart beat wildly, hoping he could make her understand why he’d agreed to Hasting’s scheme.
“Hastings offered me a full-time permanent position in the park, with the condition that I find the time travel device and plant a document here, in the past, that would then be ‘found’ in the present. When I said I’d do it, he produced a fairly legitimate piece of paper, giving his ancestors certain grandfathered-in rights in the park. Anyone questioning the document’s authenticity could have it dated, and since it would have been here for two hundred years, the dating would prove the document to be old. At least that was his thinking.”
“Something like that could have devastating consequences for the park’s future, Dan.”
“I know that,” he said forcefully, gritting his teeth. “I wasn’t thinking when I agreed to his offer. A full-time ranger position. Do you have any idea how hard that is to get, how many years of work it takes to even be considered for a position like that? He also offered to pay off my student loans.”
“So you were willing to sell out the park, everything your family has worked for for over two centuries, just so you can guarantee yourself a job?” Her eyes widened. She pulled free from his grip, and crossed her arms over her chest. In a tone of disbelief, she continued. “I don’t believe what I’m hearing. I thought you loved this place. Like Aimee.” She paused, and the cold, icy glare in her eyes sent a jolt of pain directly into his heart. Hearing what he’d done in her words made it sound a thousand times worse than how he’d initially perceived it. What made it even more loathsome was the knowledge that she was right.
“So basically I was just a pawn to find the device. Telling me you care for me, wanting to get to know me better, you were simply saying that so I’d agree to help you.” Jana’s accusation was completely accurate, everything except that she thought he didn’t care for her. Dan flinched at the bitter tone in her voice as if he’d been slapped.
“You’re right. I used you to find the device. But everything else I said, about what I feel for you, that’s the God’s honest truth.”
“I can’t believe you’re even related to Aimee,” she uttered almost as an afterthought, her eyes narrowing. Dan recoiled at the near hatred in her eyes. “Aimee would have never sold out the park for any reason, or lied to me. She was someone I could always trust.”
He took a hesitant step closer to Jana, and tentatively touched her arm. In the dim firelight, uncertainty registered in her eyes. Softly, he continued, “I planned to call him, and tell him we hadn’t found the device, but he showed up unexpectedly this morning.”
“Why were you all packed and ready to go then?” She pulled her arm away as if he’d burned her.
“I wanted to take you to the past. So you could visit with Aimee one more time. I could tell how much you missed her.” Dan stepped around her, and ran a hand through his hair. “Hell, maybe I was a bit curious myself. What an opportunity, to come to the Yellowstone of the past.” He turned, and sought her eyes again. “Jana, nothing’s become more important to me, to my future, than you. I felt something two months ago when I first saw you, and my feelings for you are growing stronger every day.” His fingers grazed her hands in a gentle caress. “I don’t want to lose the chance to prove myself to you. Please. I need you to trust me. I need you to believe me.”
Seemingly unaffected by his pleas, Jana asked, “What was that argument about this morning?”
Dan tensed. He drew in a deep breath. He might as well get it all off his chest. What did he have to lose that he hadn’t lost already? “He changed his mind about what he wanted me to do.”
“And what was that?”
“Planting a document was no longer good enough for him,” he scoffed. “He wanted me to make sure that Robert Osborne would never make it to the senate to pass this law.”
“And how were you supposed to do that?” Jana fired off the questions faster than bullets from a repeating rifle. To show her that he meant what he said about being honest with her, Dan didn’t hesitate with his answers.
“He asked me to kill Robert’s father . . . Matthew Osborne. One of Aimee’s twins.”
Jana gasped. “What?” She unfolded her hands, and took a step back.
Dan grabbed hold of her arms. She had to believe him, dammit.
“Jana, you can’t believe I would agree to that. I told him he was crazy. That’s when he picked up the device, and told me he didn’t want my services after all.”
“So, now he has the device,” she said slowly. She glowered at him, then lowered her eyes to the hold he had on her arms.
“I don’t think he knows how it works. But once he figures it out, John Hastings is going to come here to try and kill Matthew Osborne. I’m sure of it. I am not going to let that happen.”
Jana sucked in a long breath. She didn’t say anything. He watched her eyes pool with tears. Silently, he swore that he’d do everything in his power to erase the horrified look on her face.
“Jana, I may have asked you back to Yellowstone under false pretenses, but now,” he paused, gently rubbing her arms. He loosened his grip, giving her every opportunity to walk away. “But now, we really are here to save someone’s life.”
Chapter 11
Jana couldn’t believe what Dan had told her. Never in her wildest dreams did she think it possible that he would have used the device for his own personal gain. She didn’t know what to believe anymore. He sounded sincere and remorseful enough, but he’d been lying to her from the moment he called her four days ago in California. Everything he’d told her had sounded so convincing. Even showing her Aimee’s supposed grave.
Jana fought hard to keep the tears at bay. Anger at Dan, and anger at herself consumed her. How could she have been so stupid? Silly romantic notions had overshadowed her rational thinking. All along, she’d been telling herself that she couldn’t get involved with him. He’d worn down her resolve with a single kiss.
How was she ever going to face Aimee? Jana couldn’t possibly tell her that her own descendant had sold out the place she loved so much. And now she had to worry about some deranged madman coming to kill Aimee’s baby. Ironically, if John Hastings didn’t come to the past, she’d be stuck here forever. He had the device. Without it, there was no returning home.
“Jana, say something.” Dan interrupted her thoughts. His hands on her arms were suddenly much too warm. Jana looked up at him, her eyes unfocused, her vision blurred by the tears that she couldn’t hold back any longer.
All the tender feelings, the notion of romance, of falling in love weighed on her shoulders like a ton of bricks. She sniffed. The harsh truth was that she had believed she was falling in love with Dan. After her decision not to fight her attraction for him, she’d realized just how fast she was falling. All it took was one touch from him, and her heart and mind were no longer her own. She scoffed in disgust. He had used her. Lied to her. How could she still entertain tender feelings for him?
Jana wordlessly pulled away from him, and hugged her arms around her waist. She turned her back, and stared into the absolute darkness beyond the trees. The cloudless sky was filled with millions of tiny twinkling stars. It was such a beautiful, peaceful sight, and so much in contrast to the inner turmoil in her heart and mind. The night air was filled with the sounds of countless crickets and other insects. In the distance, the haunting howl of a wolf sent shivers down her spine. Several coyotes yipped an answering call to the wolf, as if mocking him.
“Jana, we have to stick together, you know that, right?” Dan said from just behind her. She held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut. Hardening her heart would be one of the most difficult things she’d ever done.
“I know,” she said quietly, then spun around. He stood closer than she expected, and she took an involuntary step backward, nearly tripping over her pile of wood. Dan caught her arm, and pulled her to him. His rugged male scent as she inhaled a breath sent her mind swirling. Quickly, she pushed her hand against his chest, and stepped aside. If she didn’t maintain some physical distance from him, how would she ever block him out of her mind? Luckily, he immediately released her arm.
“I know we have to stick together,” she said between gritted teeth. “But it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
Jana caught the pained look in his eyes. He appeared more like a little chastised schoolboy at the moment than the confident, easy-going man she had come to know. He’s a liar and he used you. She quickly brushed aside any tender feelings, and ducked into her shelter.
“Good night, Dan. In the morning, we can figure out what to do.” She pulled her bundle of clothes under her head, and turned her back to him, tucking her legs up to her belly into a fetal position. The heat from the fire seeped into her back. Dan must have added more wood. Jana squeezed her eyes shut, hoping for sleep to come and take away the pain of her aching heart.
****
Loud crackling and popping sounds intermixed with the chirping of birds penetrated her mind. The darkness was replaced by bright sunlight. For a moment, Jana wondered where she was. She moved her stiff legs, and flinched at the jab of pain the movement caused in her hip. She rolled onto her back, her spine meeting nothing but hard earth. The events of yesterday came rushing back. She opened her eyes, staring up at the jagged rocks that had provided a roof over her head all night. Slowly, she turned her head toward the light of the morning sun.
Dan sat by the fire, poking at the coals with a long stick. A small metal pot sat next to the flames. Jana inhaled deeply, sadness and anger consuming her all over again as last night’s conversation replayed itself in her mind. The delicious smell of something sweet and sugary wafted to her nose, and her stomach growled loudly.
Discreetly, she watched Dan through half-closed lids. He looked to be deep in thought, his eyes dull and listless, staring into the fire. By his appearance, he’d spent a sleepless night. What did it matter to her?
Jana groaned, every muscle
in her body sore from a night spent on a hard ground. She couldn’t pretend to be asleep any longer. Her limbs demanded that she move around and stretch. Quietly, she crawled from the shelter, and stood to her feet, stretching her back. She forced herself not to look at Dan, but could feel his eyes on her. Wordlessly, she headed for the spring, and splashed some water on her face, gasping when the frigid liquid hit her skin. She headed further into the trees for some privacy, and found Dan waiting with a tin cup when she returned.
Steam rose in thin wasps from the liquid within the cup, sending up the rich aroma of coffee. Jana reluctantly took what he offered. She could use a good strong cup this morning.
“I hope you like backpacking food. I’ll try and catch us some fish at some point today. I didn’t bring a whole lot of provisions.” Dan’s voice was as dull as his eyes.
What was she supposed to say to him? She couldn’t think of anything at the moment. The pain of his deceit was still too raw. The almost hopeful look in his eyes when he handed her the cup was replaced by quiet acceptance when she didn’t comment, and he turned to squat by his backpack. Rummaging through the bag, he produced a map.
“Let’s figure out the safest and quickest way to reach Madison,” he said, spreading the map out on the ground. Jana took a sip of her coffee, watching his broad shoulders. He turned his head to look up at her. The muscles along his jaw hardened.
“Jana, I know you’re upset, and you probably hate me. But we need to cooperate and work together. I’ve tried to tell you how sorry I am, but right now, I also think time is of the essence. We need to reach Daniel and Aimee’s cabin before John Hastings does.”
The last thing she wanted to do right now was to cooperate with him, but she also knew he was right.
“Upset is probably the understatement of the century. Of two centuries.” She glared at him. She refused to sit next to him. Standing while he squatted, forcing him to look up at her, gave her a small measure of power and feeling of being in control in a world of chaos at the moment.
Yellowstone Deception (Yellowstone Romance Series Book 5) Page 8
