by Austina Love
“We appreciate his kindness.” Ina smiled.
After eating a hearty meal, they moved to the living area. Shye looked around at the dismal décor of the small cabin. Most of the homes on the reservation were the same—small, dreary, and poverty stricken. She hoped the money she’d left during her heists had helped the people at least afford better food and warm clothes for the forthcoming winter season.
“Shye tells us that we will be moving back to the farm,” her father told Shashonee. “We could build a home for you on our land if you would like to come with us.”
“I am grateful for your offer and overjoyed to hear that the land of our people is back in the right hands. But my years are many and I do not wish to leave the home I shared with my husband.”
“I understand. If you should change your mind or have need do not hesitate to send word to us. Everyone on the reservation will be invited to Shye’s wedding.”
Shashonee looked at her with bright eyes. “You and Trip are going to join?”
“Yes, as soon as the house is rebuilt.”
“Do you plan a late fall wedding or will you wait until spring?”
“We’d like to marry right away,” Trip spoke up. “I will be looking into helping my lovely bride-to-be with financing the rebuild of her home and of course a new house for her parents.”
Her mother nodded and clasped her hands together while rocking in her chair with a big smile on her face. “I have nearly finished her wedding dress.”
“And my gift to Trip is almost ready,” her father added.
“Sounds like all you need is the house,” the widow said.
“Yes.” Shye felt a bit awkward over not having enough money to rebuild right away. Though she’d saved over thirty thousand dollars, she knew the cost of building two new homes would be much more.
“I will offer Shye everything in my bank account to hasten the project,” Trip told them. “Whatever is mine is hers.”
Shashonee shook her head. “It is not good for a young couple to begin their life together in poverty.” She pulled a large pouch from inside her beaded leather overwrap. “Nagi Howiwacipi left this at my door one night shortly after my dear husband joined the spirit world. I can’t think of a better way to use her gift than to restore what the wasicu stole from the people.”
Goosebumps raced up Shye’s arms and down her back. She watched in utter amazement as the widow laid a huge sum of money on the center table of the room. She knew it was the money she’d left the one night she didn’t have time to make her usual rounds through the reservation—money taken from Carter’s bank in her process to destroy him, and destroy him she did.
Everyone stared in shocked silence at hundreds of thousands of dollars stacked in front of them. Shye remembered that night clearly. She had to make a fast drop and decided the widow as the best choice to receive such a large windfall, knowing the elderly woman would dole it out wisely. Never had she expected this.
To refuse her gift would be a great insult and everyone in the room knew as much. Shashonee stood on legs steadier than they appeared and straightened her long garment.
“Thank you for dinner. These old bones enjoyed your delicious stew as always.”
Her mother stood and inclined her head slightly. “We will visit as often as possible. Be well, my friend.”
“I shall see you at the wedding very soon, right?” Shashonee offered a knowing grin.
“Yes,” her father replied upon standing to usher her out. “Very soon. If we wait much longer my wildflower may miss her time to give us grandchildren.”
The three elders chuckled and Shye blushed.
Trip draped an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry, we’ll get right to work on those grandchildren,” he said with a wink.
“We should go, too,” Shye said after they saw the widow off. “I want to pick up the deed then obviously I need to visit the bank. I can’t wait to get started on building our new homes.”
“Where will you stay in the meantime?” her mother asked.
“On the property. Trip is very good at camping. I love being there even without the house. I had to burn it down, you know, to purify the foundation and wipe away the white man’s greed. The Rain Riders came and sanctified the land…it was an incredible experience.”
“We understand.” Her father lit a pipe. “What of the burial grounds?”
“They have been desecrated. There is a man who has taken an ancient rain stick from the graves. We are going to track him. Nagi said the relic must be returned.”
“There is conflict in you, wildflower. Do not forget the chief’s words regarding the shadows.”
Her father’s warning took her by surprise. He could still read her so easily. His deep connection to the spirit world never ceased to amaze her. She hadn’t seen him in weeks yet he knew of her temptation when she was Shadow—a pull which grew more powerful every time she shifted.
“I won’t forget, Ate. Besides, my love for Trip keeps me grounded.”
Chapter Three
After saying farewell, Shye stopped by her parked car. By the looks of it, her father had been taking very good care of her baby since she’d left it with them upon her return home.
“Damn, I have missed this sweet ride,” she muttered while affectionately running a hand over the sparkling red candy apple coat.
“I wash and wax her once a week,” her father called from the porch.
Shye laughed and nodded. “Thank you so much for keeping her safe and pretty. Very soon she will have her own garage!”
She waved one last time to her parents before walking with Trip to his gleaming black masterpiece of metal and chrome. Riding on back of his Harley was as thrilling as gunning her Shelby. Both machines growled and rumbled and both went fast—extremely fast. Shye loved her fast cars, powerful weapons and especially her hot and ready hunk of a man.
He fired the engine then kicked it into gear. Powerful vibrations radiated between her thighs, bringing to mind the previous night when her rebel lover had made her scream repeatedly as he made wild love to her. If they didn’t need to reach town before the close of business she’d suggest they pull over for an afternoon romp in the woods. But today business took precedence over her burning desire for the hard-body to her front.
Straddling the leather seat behind him as they raced down the open roads of South Dakota was definitely thrilling. And to enhance her pleasure she enjoyed letting her hands wander around the front of his sexy body.
Shye had chosen a bank near the reservation to deposit the money given to her by Chief Blackwater’s widow. After setting up an account and taking care of business there, she rode with Trip down to the town located south of her farm.
Townspeople milled about as usual on this hot summer day when she and Trip rumbled into town on his bike. Reconstruction of the bank that she’d leveled had begun and Gage’s office appeared calmer than usual. She hoped that La had kept the documents in order. Maybe the woman had found another attorney to replace Gage. She wouldn’t know the situation until speaking with La—something she didn’t look forward to. Regardless, she had to retrieve the deed to her property.
Trip gave her a reassuring wink and took her hand. “C’mon, babe, let’s get this over with then we can start looking for a contractor.”
“I do not like this woman. She’s sneaky, fake, and just plain nasty.”
They walked hand-in-hand up the steps to Gage’s office then through the front entrance into the lobby. There sat La at her desk as if nothing had ever happened. She looked up, then smiled unexpectedly. Shye didn’t expect a warm greeting.
“Well, Trip Viper, where have you been hiding?” La stood and came from behind her desk dressed in a short skirt and low cut blouse. Her bleach-blonde hair was pulled off her face and held in place with decorative combs. “I haven’t seen you in ages.”
Shye stopped short when La reached for his hand. She blinked in shock. How do they know each other?
La flashed her a ha
ughty grin then turned her attention back toward Trip. “Your timing is impeccable. Natayla arrived in town today. You must have a sixth sense.”
Natayla? Did I hear her correctly? Trip’s ex is back in town? Why? And how does La know? Her thoughts began to blur.
Trip ignored La’s comments. “We are here on business, La, that’s all. I’m in no mood for your head games,” he growled.
“Oh…” La pouted. “Surely you don’t hold a grudge against me for what you think my sister did.”
Sister? Sister? Shye felt queasy. Her mouth went dry.
“You mean what I know she did,” Trip countered with an icy glare.
“I had no control over Natayla. If she did something that hurt you, I’m sorry. When Ty broke up with me, I simply moved on. Natayla does not let go of issues so easily.”
“Yeah…she’s not as shallow, but she is a traitor nonetheless,” he said with unyielding callousness.
La shrugged. “Either way, she is in town. Perhaps the time has come for the two of you to bury the hatchet…if you’ll excuse the cliché.”
Yeah…in your back! Shye inwardly fumed. Her mind was still reeling that La was the other women in Trip’s tight little circle from his past. Ty and Trip with La and Natayla! Why didn’t he tell me? Sweat began breaking out on her skin. She wanted to run. To think. Anything but stand here and face Trip’s past.
“So, La,” she managed to break into the conversation. “I heard that Gage was killed on the road up north. You don’t seem very distraught over his death.” She tried to shift La’s focus.
“Yes, he had a very freak accident. Pike was the only witness and he won’t talk about it other than what he told the police. He said some wild animals caused Gage to go over a cliff.” La paused with a stupefied look on her face. “Strange that they never found his body.”
“You’re probably relieved. One less person who knows about the money you stole from Gage.” Shye couldn’t resist throwing out the daggers. “Better be careful that Pike doesn’t find out about your shady dealings or that you have evidence stored on a disc.”
“Huh?” A baffled expression traversed La’s face. “I didn’t take Gage’s money. I-I don’t know about a disc…or-or…” She titled her head while staring at Shye. “How do you-how did you-what are you talking about?”
“Aren’t you the least bit saddened by Gage’s death?” Shye kept her under the gun.
“Well…of course I am…but there’s nothing I can do but move forward. Someone has to take care of his business until a new attorney can be found.”
“What are you going to do about Pike? If he discovers what you know he’ll come after you next.”
“Huh?” She curled one lip upward and wrinkled her nose. “I-I have no dealings with Pike.”
“Really?” Shye pressed. “How could you not know that your own sister was working with him?”
Again the dumb look in her makeup-coated eyes. “How do you…you’re crazy! What do you want anyway? Why are you here?” She twisted the hem of her shirt in open frustration.
“I want the deed to the farm.” Shye slapped the sale contract on the desk. “Gage signed it over to me before he died.”
La backed up and in robotic manner glanced at the papers. Shye could see her mind struggling to figure out how she knew about her involvement. She watched closely as the blonde read over the papers then walked to a back room. Several minutes later she returned with the deed.
“Here. Take it and get out. I am sick of hearing about your stupid land and Indians and—” She clapped a hand over her mouth.
Shye grabbed the deed. “And what, La? What else are you sick of hearing about?”
“Nothing. Just go away.”
Trip shot Shye a stunned look with arched brows. He obviously didn’t expect Shye to launch an attack. He appeared awed and slightly disconcerted. She realized that she probably shouldn’t have dropped the bit on Natayla’s involvement with Pike. But if Trip had any intentions of defending his ex in the matter then he’d chosen the wrong woman to bring to the party. She refused to play second to anyone. She stuffed the deed into her bag and turned to go.
Just then in walked a short brunette with red streaks in her long hair. Trip had barely managed to get a word in during their discussion with La and now he seemed more anxious than ever to leave. He gripped her hand and moved to edge around the woman who’d arrived. Instinctively Shye knew the new female had to be none other than Natayla and Shye wasn’t surprised when she made a grab for Trip.
“Trip!” the woman chirped. She tossed a briefcase and another bag onto the desk and grabbed his free hand with both of hers. “Where are you going? I was hoping we’d hook up while I’m in town.”
“There’ll be no hooking up between us,” he said in a low voice. “C’mon, Shye, let’s go. You got what you needed.”
“I knew that had to be your Harley parked out front. You always did have the hottest bike around,” she cooed. “Aren’t you going to take me for a fast ride like in the old days? Remember all those stops in the woods on the way up to your cabin?” She cast Shye a dagger-eyed look.
He stopped short of the door and whipped around. “Still good at making up tales I see. You’re definitely in the right career.”
“Hey,” she spat with feisty green eyes. “I tell the story as I see it. That’s what reporters do. We give people the facts and let them fill in the blanks.”
“Bullshit. You’re nothing but a pack of wolves waiting for the next victim. Get out of my way.” He wrenched his hand free of her grip.
“Your attitude might change when you hear what I have for you.” Natayla’s voice instantly softened.
Shye just stared, amazed at how the woman could go from cat to kitten in the blink of an eye.
“There isn’t anything I’d want from you.” Trip glared with narrowed eyes. His jaw muscles twitched. “We’re out of here. C’mon, babe.”
“Does the word evidence mean anything to you?” she purred. “You think I sold Ty out to Pike, but I didn’t. I was doing my job, working an angle to get a story on Pike that could’ve helped your brother catch him. That’s why I had his number. I called him and asked for an interview about the award he and Ty had received. I was going to make him slip up by using fancy talk.”
Trip stood still and shook his head. “Right…like the talk you’re using now.”
Shye saw the conflict fill his eyes. He wanted to believe this woman—wanted to believe that she hadn’t betrayed him or had any involvement with Ty’s murder. Shye had been in the same position with Gage, but Trip had not accepted any indecision on that matter. He stood his ground over Gage’s guilt and he’d been right. She didn’t feel inclined to indulge him if he was going to waver over his ex.
“I may have missed my story with Pike, but I did get all the dirt on him from my sister. She worked the other end and we have it all on hard copy. I can give you everything you need to take him in.” Natayla reached out and touched his arm.
Shye glared at La. “Looks like lying runs in your family.”
Natayla ignored her and continued her pursuit. “I heard you’re a bounty hunter now, Trip. Don’t you want to get your target?”
“I’ll get him,” he said, sounding increasingly impatient. “Why are you here? There’s nothing going on in this dust ball town that would attract a big city reporter. Go home.”
“Oh, but there is,” she said with a coy smile. “I received a hot tip about some supernatural Indian activity around these parts. My source is very reliable. I’m not leaving until I get my story.”
Shye knew at that moment that Natayla and La had to be working with Pike. He was the only man left other than Trip who knew about the Rain Riders. An uncomfortable knot formed in her gut.
“You’re crazy,” Trip scoffed. “Whoever led you way out here to chase ghost stories steered you wrong.”
“Not ghost stories…but a story that would glue everyone nationwide to our news channel. This story will
put me on top and land me the anchor position of my dreams. Kit Katrane is moving on and I want her spot at IBC news.”
Shye recognized the name of the newswoman who’d done the television story on the explosion at the bank. No doubt Natayla intended to try and tie up the mystery behind a string of bank robberies followed by the peculiar actions of the banker.
“You’re still dogging that story about the bank?” Trip laughed. “Good luck. The man who blew it up is dead. You’ve wasted your time coming here.”
“Oh I don’t think so.” She glanced at Shye. “My source says there was a woman involved…an Indian woman with some…unusual characteristics. I fully intend to flush out this story and when I do, my career will peak.” In a bold move, she moved closer to Trip and batted her eyes flirtatiously. “Now, do you want the evidence I have against Pike Draven or not? Maybe we can mend old wounds.”
Shye yanked her hand free of Trip’s and stepped back. “We don’t need your evidence!”
“Shye, wait!” Trip called after her as she raced out the door then down the steps. He caught her by the arm and spun her toward him. “Baby, there’s no way she will discover who you are. You don’t have to run.”
“That…” she said between heavy breaths. “Is not the only reason I took off. I was sick of listening to the lies and disgusted that you let her flirt with you.”
“I wasn’t flirting. Clearly she enlisted her sister to help with something and I wanted to find out what. Whatever their sordid reasons are, if they have hard evidence then it was at least worth my time to see what they had. I was trying to keep the situation civil in there. I couldn’t tell her I no longer need the evidence without raising a flood of questions. She’s a damn reporter. She’d know something is up and I don’t want her spying on you.”
“Don’t double-talk me, Trip Viper,” she snapped. “I saw the conflict in your eyes. You don’t need anything from them. In case you’ve forgotten, you were given all you need to deliver justice.” She paused with a hard stare. “You want to believe she is innocent. For whatever reason, there is a part of you that wants to believe her. Maybe you never let go of your past. Maybe you need closure. Maybe seeing the proof of what really happened will give you what you want. I don’t know what it will take for you to let go. But I do know that your words are not lining up with what I saw in your eyes.” She took a step away from him. “You think those two women can show you something that will resolve the conflict in your soul. You’re mistaken to fall for such a trap and I won’t be a part of this charade. When you see things for what they really are then come looking for me. Until then…I won’t be around.”
