Big Sky

by Stacey Coverstone

  When their gazes reconnected, he grinned. “I was going to tell you about her today. That’s Samantha, my daughter.”

  “Your daughter?” Her shock was real, as she had no idea he was a father.

  “Sam lives in Arizona with her mother. She’s eighteen now. She usually spends every summer with me, but this is the first time she decided to make other plans.”

  “You must miss her.” Her head began to swim. Hadn’t he told her he had no extended family? As soon as she remembered that conversation, she realized a child would be his immediate family, not extended.

  He nodded and she saw the genuineness in his eyes. “I do miss her something awful, but she’s an adult now, free to make her own choices. She wanted to spend the summer with her friends before heading off to college in the fall.”

  “I can understand that. Still, I’m sorry for you,” Taylor said, wondering why she hadn’t thought to ask him about children when he’d told her about his ex-wife.

  “It’s okay. That’s what a good ol’ country boy does—sacrifices without complaint. Anyway, I’m one of those people who believe everything happens for a reason.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “If Samantha had been here, you and I couldn’t have spent the time together we have, including last night. And I sure am glad we had last night. I hope we have more.”

  Her mouth went dry as sandpaper, unable to utter a response.

  “Feel free to take a shower while I make us some breakfast,” he said. “I’m not much of a cook but I can whip up a mean flapjack and fry bacon. Then, if you don’t have anything planned, we can spend the day together. It’s my day off.” He stood up and flung the towel over a chair and strode to the wardrobe for clothes, apparently letting her think his offer over.

  Taylor saw the spring in his step and felt droplets of perspiration dampen her forehead. He didn’t have a problem with her seeing him naked, but here she was under a sheet. She swallowed a lump in her throat while gawking at his perfect, naked Adonis-like body as he pulled a shirt off a hanger.

  Breakfast? Spend the day together? I hope we have more. A lightning bolt seemed to strike sense into her as it became clear Brett was looking for more than she was. This was supposed to be a fling. A one, or possibly two-night stand. Not the beginning of something that couldn’t be finished. He was a terrific guy, but she was going home to California as soon as Jamie’s murder was solved. Her life was there, just as his was here in Montana.

  Suddenly, she knew she had to get out of there—fast. The last thing she wanted to do was to lead Brett on and hurt him the way his ex-wife had. Cowboys had feelings, too. He was too good of a man for her to play around with.

  “I’m not hungry,” she fibbed, scooting off his bed and reaching for her clothes that were strewn over the floor.

  “It won’t take long,” he assured, stepping into jeans and zipping up.

  She dressed in record time and grabbed her purse from the couch where she’d tossed it last night. As she made like an arrow for the door, Brett strode to her with a quizzical expression filling his face. “What’s going on here?” he asked, reaching for her hand.

  She slid it from his grasp and glanced at the watch on her wrist. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. I totally forgot I’d told Mama I’d have breakfast with her this morning.” This was a record for her. Fibbing twice in ten seconds. She leaned up and kissed his unshaven cheek. “I had a wonderful time last night. It was a night I’ll never forget.” Her trembling hand lit on the doorknob, but when she turned it, it didn’t open.

  “Dammit. What’s wrong with this door?” she mumbled, feeling her palms break out in sweat.

  Brett flipped the lock and pushed the door open for her. After she stepped onto the stoop, she turned and gazed into his cheerless eyes, which spoke volumes. He didn’t coax her to stay, but his disappointment was evident. “I’ll see you later,” she said. “Okay?”

  He nodded and she walked away feeling horrible, but knowing she was doing the right thing—for him.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  What just happened? Brett closed the door and felt Caesar rubbing on his legs. He picked up the cat and stroked his fur. “Did I come on too strong, boy? Or did my having a child scare her off?”

  Taylor walking out was akin to the sun moving behind a cloud. Brett no longer had an appetite.

  Caesar leaped out of his arms and ran to his bowl on the floor meowing for breakfast. “All right, boy. One of us may as well eat. Here you go.” As he shook the kibble into the bowl, Brett wondered where he’d gone wrong with Taylor. After replaying the events of the evening through his mind, he decided he would have done nothing differently if he had the night to do over. To him, it had all gone perfect. And that included telling her he was falling for her.

  He was not a man who lived his life with regret. If expressing his feelings made Taylor uncomfortable, maybe she was not the woman for him after all. At his age, life was too short to waste time playing games.

  He’d learned enough about love and loss to know that after the initial shock of losing someone, life went on. His parents dying and Marci leaving with Samantha all those years ago had taught him that. Following Uncle Blue’s advice both times, Brett had grieved and then cowboyed up and moved on with his life. He’d have to do the same now. If Taylor didn’t feel the way he did, there was nothing he could do to change that.

  Caesar finished eating and scratched at the door wanting out. After brushing his teeth, Brett plopped his hat on his head and grabbed the truck keys and let the cat outside.

  He grabbed the jeans he’d had on yesterday from the back of the chair and retrieved the cotton bag from the back pocket. There was no use hanging around here. He’d head to town early and deliver the sack to Rick Tavares and then stop in to the diner for coffee. Maybe he’d throw the name of Adam Echo Hawk around. See if anyone knew of him or his whereabouts. Then he’d come home and take Bill for a leisurely ride. He glanced out the window. It looked to be a pretty day.

  ****

  Taylor stopped at the door dividing the laundry room from the kitchen. Raised voices froze her tracks. With her ear pressed to the wood, she heard Mama and Will arguing. She must have come in at the tail end of the spat because their bickering abruptly stopped and she heard footsteps retreating in the other direction. A moment later, Mama was crying.

  Swinging the door open, Taylor saw her mother leaning onto the island with her head in her hands. “Mama, what’s wrong?” she asked, tossing her purse on the counter and rushing to her side. Nancy’s eyes were ringed in red when she lifted her head.

  “Taylor, I didn’t hear you come in,” she sniffed, wiping at the tears that wet her powdered and rouged cheeks.

  “I just got here,” she confessed, unconcerned what her mother would think of her staying out all night. “Why are you crying? Is it Will? Has something happened to him?” She didn’t want her mother to know she’d been eavesdropping.

  “Yes, there’s something wrong with your stepfather,” Nancy groused, straightening her back. “He’s having a mid-life crisis.”

  Mid-life? Taylor questioned the accuracy of that statement since Will was over sixty. “What’s he done? Bought something expensive and impractical? Dyed his hair? Decided to take up yoga?” She hoped the joking would ease her mother’s obvious pain, but it didn’t.

  Although it was apparent her folks were having some issues, Will had always had a good head on his shoulders and treated her mother like a queen. Taylor couldn’t imagine him doing anything irrational. That would be out of character for the laid-back man she’d known most of her life. She figured whatever the bump in the road was they were facing, they’d soon get over it.

  Her mother pursed her lips. “I think he’s having an affair.”

  Not expecting that bombshell, Taylor felt the air rush out of her lungs. “You’re kidding me. Did he admit it?”

  “No, but I’m not stupid. I have eyes and ears and a brain. I can tell my husb
and doesn’t want me anymore.”

  It was common for some men, at some point in their life, to do something stupid because of an itch they got below the belt. But Will? He’d always appeared so loyal and attentive to her mom. If he had strayed, perhaps it was a one-time deal. Would Mama forgive him, if that were the case? Or would she throw away the life they’d worked hard to build?

  “What proof do you have?” Taylor asked.

  Nancy whimpered. “First of all, he moved out of our bedroom when I broke my hip.”

  “Shoot. That’s an easy one to explain. He wanted to give you privacy to do your physical therapy. And he thought you’d be more comfortable in the bed alone while you were healing.”

  Nancy acted like she hadn’t thought of that. “He also wants to put me in a rehab center.”

  “We’ve already discussed that, Mama. Will made the suggestion because he loves you and is worried about you and your health. Nothing you’ve said so far points to him having an affair.”

  She frowned. “He goes out all the time. He’s rarely at home anymore.”

  “Well, he does have a ranch to run,” Taylor reminded her.

  “Brett runs this place,” she snapped. “Your stepfather has become so distant lately. And he’s full of secrecy. You said it yourself. He keeps his office door and desk drawers locked. Why? He never used to keep them locked. What’s he hiding from me if not some love letters from a woman, or something equally disgusting?” Her lip quivered.

  Taylor had certainly wondered about those locks. Had Mama hit on something? “When did Will start locking his office?”

  Nancy waved her hand in the air. “I don’t know. Around the time Jamie passed away, I think.”

  Goosebumps raised the hairs on Taylor’s arm. What if Will’s evasiveness had nothing to do with an affair, but with Jamie’s death? Did he know something he didn’t want her or Mama to find out about? Was he involved somehow?

  The sweet smell of cigar smoke appeared out of nowhere, circling her head and wafting into her nose. “Do you smell that?” she asked her mother.

  “Smell what, dear?” Nancy’s nose rode in the air and she sniffed.

  Was the smoke a sign from Jamie? Taylor glanced around the kitchen expecting to see her sister stretched out on top of the refrigerator. “Where is Will now?” she asked Nancy.

  “I don’t know. He went to his office, or out again, I suppose.”

  “I’ll be right back.” Taylor jogged into the great room and called Will’s name but received no reply. No response came from knocking on his office door either.

  “Jamie, are you here?” she whispered, looking around. “Are you trying to tell me something?” When Jamie did not manifest and the cigar smell around her head dissipated, Taylor returned to the kitchen knowing she had not imagined the smoke, but not knowing how to explain it. “Mama, I can hardly believe Will would cheat. He adores you. Always has.”

  “Maybe he has transferred his affection to someone younger and prettier than me,” she sniveled, which started the tears flowing again.

  Taylor had never seen her strong mother fall to pieces this way. “Like whom?” she wanted to know.

  “Chelsea Hamilton.” Nancy practically spit out the words.

  It took a moment for the name to register. “Your home nurse?”

  Nancy nodded and blew her nose on a paper napkin. “I caught them whispering together.”

  “She’s a little younger than me, I’m guessing. I can’t imagine…”

  “Older men have dumped their wives for younger women since the beginning of time,” Nancy interjected with her nostrils flaring. “I fired the tramp this morning. Will and I were arguing about it right before you came in. I didn’t sleep well last night. This turmoil has exhausted me.”

  Taylor shook her head, unbelieving all of it. She hugged her mother. “Let me help you upstairs. You can go back to bed. Try not to worry. I’ll talk to Will and see if I can find out what’s really going on.”

  “Would you do that for me?” Her mama’s eyes glistened with thankful tears.

  “Of course I would, Mama. Now, let’s get you upstairs.”

  Once in the bedroom, Taylor quickly explained that she’d had an accident in the rental car last night but was fine and there was nothing for her to worry about. When she told her mother she needed to pick up the new rental later in the afternoon, Nancy offered her car. Thanking her, Taylor tucked Mama into bed and then went into her bedroom and flopped onto the mattress with her mind racing.

  Was Will actually having an affair? Or did he have something to do with Jamie’s death, or know who had killed her? The scent of cigar smoke had been strong downstairs and yet her mother had not smelled it. Why? Obviously, Jamie was trying to send a message to her alone. An icy chill numbed her body.

  “No,” she said out loud. “Will did not kill Jamie. I don’t believe it. He loved her.” She sprang up in the bed, wondering where Will had been when she took Dusty for the ride to the cabin. Then her thoughts switched to last night when the brakes had gone out. Someone at the club had cut the lines, the sheriff had determined. But that didn’t necessary mean someone inside the bar. It could have been anyone who had followed her and Brett there. Will knew they’d been headed to Maverick’s.

  “No,” she cried again. “Will has treated Jamie and I like his own daughters. He wouldn’t hurt either of us.”

  If she could get into his office and search through the desk drawers, she might get some answers to her and Mama’s questions. With a burst of energy, she tripped down the staircase and explored the downstairs like a stealthy cougar. No one was around, not even the cook. When she jiggled the office doorknob, it was stuck tight—as she’d expected.

  “Dammit. What’s he hiding in there?”

  Aside from breaking down the door, there wasn’t anything she could do until she somehow got a hold of Will’s keychain, so she decided to make the phone call to the rental place and then drive to town and visit Sage at the art gallery again. She’d promised to let her know if Mama agreed to her going ahead with Jamie’s photo exhibit.

  She ran back up to her bedroom and got the details ironed out with the rental car company as to insurance and what would happen to the damaged vehicle. The agent promised to send someone with a replacement car this afternoon.

  Once that call was behind her, Taylor grabbed her camera, which she rarely went anywhere without. Then with Nancy’s car keys in her hand, she peeked into her mother’s room to hear her snoring. In the kitchen, she snatched her purse off the counter and headed out the back door again.

  As she drove the sedan down the drive and past the bunkhouse and barn, there wasn’t a soul stirring. Probably all the ranch hands were sleeping off their hangovers. What about Brett? Was he still at home? She craned her neck around to see if she could spy his truck in front of the little cabin, but the bunkhouse obstructed her view.

  Taylor followed the winding road to Prosperity with a sober heart. Lying heavy on her mind was her mother, who had experienced enough pain in the last couple of months to last a lifetime, and the two men Taylor felt closest to. One she’d hurt this morning by leaving without a backward glance. The other would feel the wound of her sharp words once she demanded answers to some sensitive questions.

  ****

  Sage was thrilled with Taylor’s news. “We’ll move forward with the same plans. Since I’d pushed the other exhibits back after Jamie passed away, I’ll schedule Jamie’s show for two weeks from now. Would that work for your family?”

  “I’m sure it will. Thank you for doing this. I think it’ll go far in helping us all to heal.”

  “You’re so welcome. You know, after you left here the other day, I decided I’d exhibit all of Jamie’s photos if Mr. and Mrs. Banner gave us the green light. Not just ten pieces as we’d originally planned. They’re all beautiful and I’d like to show off every one of them.”

  “As a photographer myself, I appreciate your eye for good work,” Taylor said, sens
ing Sage’s authenticity and knowing she’d pegged her wrong when they first met. “I’m touched by your support, and so is my mother. Since I’m here, I’m wondering if you’d mind me taking another look at Jamie’s work.”

  “Of course I don’t mind. Follow me.” This time, there was a young woman sitting at a small desk in the front lobby whom apparently could keep watch downstairs while Sage led her up to the old projection room. Sage appeared less nervous today and helpful. Maybe she was relieved the show would go on. “Take your time,” she said after unlocking the door. “I’ll leave you alone. Come down when you’re ready. There’s no hurry.”

  “Thank you.” The door closed with a thud and Taylor methodically began looking through each of the pieces. When she came to the three photographs of Brett, her heart seized and memories of their lovemaking flashed through her mind.

  “One memorable night was all I was looking for,” she said aloud. “And that’s exactly what you gave me, cowboy.” She traced her finger along Brett’s mouth in the picture of him holding the gray cat, remembering the way his lips had melded so deliciously with hers.

  When she stared at the sexy shot of him leaning against the saddle with his hat tipped forward, she bit her lower lip so hard she grunted in pain. All she’d hoped for was one night with him, which she got. So why did she feel sad? “I’m going back to L.A. He’s staying here. It would never work. Get him out of your mind, Taylor.”

  She turned the images of Brett around to face the wall. “There. Out of sight, out of mind,” she said. Though spoken with conviction, her words did not convince her heart, and she felt her mood sinking like the setting sun.

  She’d gone through all the photos and was ready to leave when the one of the cave captured her attention again. She hadn’t looked at it closely before. She sat it in her lap and carefully noted every detail. While perusing it this time, she realized she had no idea where the cave was located on the ranch. Was it on the ranch? It had to be. All the other photos were taken somewhere on the Slash Y.