Legend Hunter

by Jennifer Mckenzie

  “We were worried.”

  “About?” He snapped.

  Reb glared at him. “We get a phone call that you’re banging some crazy lady—” she stopped and gave Kiera a quick glance. “—no offense, Kiera. And we want to know what you’re up to. We get here and what do we find? You’re basically living here, and we hear you’re getting married.”

  “I am getting married,” Ben told them. It was time they knew anyway. “Kiera just hasn’t said ‘yes’ yet. And thanks to you, she might not.” He glared at them. Then, Kiera giggled and he glared at her, too. “I don’t understand women.”

  Lena, Reb, and Kiera all hooted. Reb shook her head. “Boys are weird.”

  “What are you, six?” Lena mock punched her in the arm.

  “Some things never change.” Reb shrugged. “I used to hit Richie Townsend in kindergarten, and Kiera met Ben at the door with a shotgun. What’s the difference?”

  Kiera’s mouth dropped open. “How did you hear about that?”

  “One of the guys at the local bar told us,” Lena commented. “What’s that place called? Laugherty’s.”

  Kiera and Ben exchanged a glance. She quirked an eyebrow at him in a question and he shrugged. “I imagine Jeremy said something.”

  “It could just be a good guess.” Kiera bit her lip. “It’s something I usually did.”

  “Did?” He reached out and hauled her to her feet into his arms. “I hope you’re going to keep doing it. You can keep all the annoying people away while I write.” He brushed her lips with his. She relaxed against him and sighed. He kissed her temple and looked up to find both his sisters staring at him. “What?”

  Reb and Lena exchanged a glance. Lena cleared her throat and said, “I think we’re both in shock.”

  “Oh? Why is that, dare I ask?” He tightened his arms around Kiera as she snuggled closer.

  “Because you’re not an affectionate kind of guy,” Reb said.

  Kiera leaned back and turned her head to stare at Reb. “Yes, he is.”

  “No, really. He’s not. The rest of our family gives hugs, but Ben has always shaken Dad’s hand and socked us in the arm.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” Ben quipped, “I don’t hit girls.”

  “Okay, but I wouldn’t call those awkward moments when you’d say goodbye a ‘hug.’ What you’re doing right now is hugging. And I can’t believe my eyes.” Reb stared at him as if he’d grown a horn out of his forehead.

  He tipped Kiera’s face up and kissed her. “Don’t let these children tell you big, fat lies. I’m a nice guy.”

  She smirked. “I don’t know. Maybe they’re right and I should rethink this?”

  All of a sudden, he wasn’t amused. He squeezed the breath out of her. “You can try, but I’ll just come after you.”

  Those green eyes widened and stared him. “Would you?” Her voice was filled with the vulnerability he’d always known was inside her. The hurt and pain of her past, the uncertainty she’d always lived with was packed in those two words.

  “You’re damn right. I love you.”

  A smile lit up her whole face. “I love you, too. It’s nice to hear. Say it again.”

  He bent down and whispered. “I love you.”

  “Excuse me,” Lena interrupted, and Ben’s head snapped up. He’d almost forgotten they were there. His sister’s hands were on her hips, which was never a good sign when dealing with the Harmon girls. “Would you like to clarify a few things before you two lovebirds degenerate into more cooing?”

  A charming blush swept over Kiera’s face and he tore his gaze away from her face. “What things?” Make it quick, he thought.

  “Things like what’s this I hear about a dead body being found skewered on a hook and a man broken in two like a matchstick. Things like a kidnapped reporter and Bigfoot running around killing people or haunting them or something.” Lena glared at him. “What I’ve heard doesn’t seem to leave much time for courtship, though I see you’ve managed to fit that in as well.”

  Ben sighed and released Kiera but held onto her hand. “I’d like some coffee first. Can we convene inside and you can continue the interrogation?”

  Reb popped up. “I’d love some coffee.”

  “Good. You can make it then,” Ben told her.

  Her lower lip stuck out. “Jerk.”

  “Pain.” He tweaked a strand of her auburn hair.

  He caught an odd expression on Kiera’s face. “What is it?”

  “I’ve never seen people act like you do,” she murmured.

  He pulled on her hand and into his arms again. “Well, you’ll see a lot of it. We’re a very chummy family.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Chummy? Who says ‘chummy?’ Friendly? Maybe, but ‘chummy?’ That’s weird.”

  “Like I said,” Reb broke in as she strode inside, “boys are weird.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  It was clear she was outnumbered. Kiera was surrounded by Harmons. One of them held her hand prisoner as he insisted she sit beside him on her couch. The other two eyed her with sharp, assessing gazes that made her a little nervous. What if they didn’t like her? She came from a screwed up family. What if they thought she was too messed up to be a part of their family?

  Thoughts like those raced through her mind, but Ben’s constant physical proximity was reassuring. She tried to concentrate on breathing.

  Once they were settled, Ben gave them a sketchy run down of Bobby’s death, Kiera’s disappearance, and Amanda’s kidnapping. He told them about Amanda’s sister, Beth, and Doc McConnel’s journals. The only thing he left out of his story was where he’d found her and where John McBride had been killed.

  When he got to that part of the story, she tried to speak but he squeezed her hand. Apparently, he didn’t want her to reveal that part yet. When he was done, his sisters just stared at him.

  Raelene, or ‘Reb’ as Ben called her, spoke first. “So who killed who? I’m very confused.”

  “We don’t know for sure,” Ben told her. “We think Gavin McBride is involved.”

  “What about the old lady?” Lena asked.

  “Shirley McBride? She probably kidnapped Amanda but I don’t know if she knew about murder.” Ben frowned.

  “It’s got something to do with what happened to Beth Lauder,” Kiera said. “I just know it does. All these sightings started when Amanda arrived here. She started to investigate her sister’s supposed fraud and the Bigfoot sightings started.”

  “What about this Sheriff?” Lena pinned Kiera with an unblinking gaze. “He seems to be in the thick of things.”

  Kiera stiffened. She tried to keep in mind that Jeremy was her best friend and Lena didn’t know him. “He’s the Sheriff. It’s his job to be in the thick of things.”

  Lena leaned forward and the dark curtain of her hair almost reached her clasped hands in her lap. “Yes, but he had access to the police files. He knew Amanda was poking her nose into Beth’s fraud. He also knows the area really well.”

  As she took a deep breath, she told herself not to explode. “You’ve made some good points, but when Bobby was killed, I’m sure Jeremy had an alibi.”

  “Have you asked him?” Lena probed.

  “No. I never considered him. What would he have to gain from Bobby’s death? Or John McBride’s death? Or covering up Beth’s murder?” Kiera kept her tone even. “He was thirteen when Beth supposedly committed the fraud. And he was probably miles away when Bobby was murdered.”

  “Maybe he had someone else do it,” Lena pressed. A pitbull was less tenacious.

  “Maybe it was someone who had an ax to grind with me or my father.” Kiera started to get steamed. “Maybe it was someone who wanted Bigfoot to be a sensation to bring more business to the area. Or maybe it was just another damn asshole trying to dupe the public who got caught and started killing to cover up his lies.”

  “Why so adamant?” Lena’s eyebrows rose. “I’m just stating possibilities.”

  “About
my friends.” Kiera glared at her. “This is just a puzzle to you. Something interesting that your brother just happens to be involved in. To me, these are people I know who are being killed. I didn’t like Bobby much. Or John for that matter. But I adored Beth and, if what those letters said is true, it’s horrible. It’s not just some academic whodunit.”

  Lena bit her lip and her gaze dropped. “I didn’t mean to sound flippant.”

  “You can help another way,” Ben told her. Kiera wondered if he was angry that she’d ripped Lena up, but he didn’t seem to be. And Lena didn’t seem at all put out. Reb just observed the whole thing with interest. Kiera shook her head. She didn’t get these people at all. Ben went on. “You can find some answers for us.” He swerved a glance at Kiera. “She’s really good at getting information from clerks.”

  Lena flashed a smile. “It’s a gift.”

  Reb rolled her eyes. “It’s indecent.”

  “I don’t do anything immoral,” Lena snipped at Reb.

  Reb grinned. “No, but you imply that you might.”

  Lena grimaced. “Ben’s right. You’re a pain.”

  “Yes, but you love me anyway.” Reb poked her sister with a finger.

  With a sigh, Lena nodded. “Yes, I do. You don’t deserve it, but I do.”

  “Will you use your wiles to get information about Beth Lauder’s death?” Ben asked Lena.

  “My time is valuable,” Lena said in a tone of warning.

  Ben sighed. “How much?”

  Lena grinned. “Make it an even hundred for a start.”

  He groaned. “Don’t I get a break for being family?”

  “That is a break,” Lena shot back. “I’ll get you your money’s worth. But I want to know one thing.” She leaned back in her chair and glanced at Kiera and back to Ben.

  “What’s that?” Ben asked her.

  “Does she have a brother?” Lena stated. “If she does, I stake first dibs.”

  “No way! I should get him. I’m younger and cuter.” Reb pouted.

  Kiera laughed. “You guys are crazy. I don’t have any brothers or sisters.”

  “Consider yourself lucky,” Reb told her. “You probably weren’t tormented as a child.”

  Silence followed. Kiera wanted to say something, but a knot clogged her throat. Tormented. That was a good word. Tortured. Damaged. All of those things fit the description of her alcoholic father and denial-driven mother raising their bitter, unhappy daughter. Tormented.

  “What did I say?” Reb’s puzzled expression only reinforced Kiera’s loneliness.

  “I think it’s safe to say that your childhood was a trip to Disneyland compared to Kiera’s.” Ben squeezed Kiera’s hand and tears were close but she held them back. “Next topic.”

  “Right.” Reb took a deep breath. “Where’s the nearest Starbucks?”

  Kiera burst out laughing, the black moment gone. The fact was she had a rough childhood. So what? “I’m afraid you’re out of luck, Raelene. The nearest one is at least an hour away. You’ll have to ‘rough it’.”

  “I was afraid you’d say that.” She gazed around the cabin. “This is a beautiful place though. I can see why you’d never want to leave it.”

  “It’s my home,” Kiera said simply.

  “After everything that’s happened?” Lena asked her.

  “I grew up here. There were many reasons I’ve stayed, but the biggest one is my mother.”

  Lena nodded. “Oh, that’s right. I called Mr. Peel for something and he told me all about her.”

  With a frown, Kiera cocked her head. “He did?”

  “Yes. He told me how she’s a miracle case and they’re going to do this really dangerous surgery but he’s going to try and get her to marry him before the operation so—” She stopped. “What?”

  To Kiera, it seemed as if the floor dropped out of the room. Marriage? Her mother? A dangerous operation? Worst of all, Ben didn’t seem surprised. “You knew about this?”

  “I knew Mr. Peel was in love with your mother,” Ben said slowly as if he was choosing his words with care.

  Her eyes narrowed on his face. “And the operation?”

  He wouldn’t meet her gaze. “He told me it was dangerous.” She tried to scoot away from him, but he grabbed her arm and pinned her with his frantic gaze. “I assumed she’d told you.”

  “Do you think I would have gone traipsing off into the mountains if I’d known she might die?” She tried to jerk her arm away.

  “The surgery hasn’t happened yet.”

  “But the marriage probably has, right? Was everyone going to wait to tell me after it was a done deal?” She was angry. Once again, her mother didn’t tell her things, kept things from her, lied by omission. Ben was just a convenient target. She reached for the only tool she was familiar with. Cold rage. “Anything else I need to know about?”

  “Kiera—“ Ben started, but she held up a hand.

  “Don’t. After everything you know about me—“

  “I didn’t know she hadn’t told you.” Frustration lined his face and he spoke through gritted teeth. “You are not going to use this as another excuse to push me away.”

  Anger and fear whipped through her. “Everyone lies to me. I’m getting sick of it.”

  “Fine. Be sick of it.” Ben glared at her. “But you are not going to put up walls because you think I’ve lied to you. I didn’t lie to you!”

  Kiera opened her mouth and shut it. Shame washed over her. It wasn’t Ben’s fault, but she’d let her temper slip away from her. She rose to her feet with the idea of escaping only to have Ben yank on her arm. She sat back down with an “oomph.”

  He leaned over her, his nose almost touching hers and his blue eyes snapped. “One thing we’re going to get straight here and now. We fight it out. No running. No pretending everything is okay. We stick or this won’t work.”

  “What makes you think it will work anyway?” She almost wailed. “I can’t do this. I don’t know how normal people are supposed to act.”

  “‘Normal’ is a setting on your washing machine.” His hands rested on her shoulders and he gave her a little shake. “I don’t even know what ‘normal’ is.”

  “It’s true,” Reb broke in. “He wouldn’t know normal if it bit him in the ass.”

  “I have to agree with her,” Lena spoke up. “Anyone who chases ghosts for a living isn’t ‘normal’.”

  It was all too much for her. Her mother. Ben. The murders. She burst into tears. She couldn’t stop them and she really wanted to. It was humiliating. She was sobbing, something she never did in front of other people, and here was Ben’s family watching her do it. She wanted to die.

  Instead, Ben wrapped her in his arms, and his two sisters made sympathetic noises and stroked her hair. Lena handed her a tissue and Raelene knelt and patted her knee as Kiera sobbed and cried. Ben murmured in her ear and Lena berated him.

  “Look what you did, you insensitive jerk. The poor thing. She has no idea what she’s gotten herself into.”

  “Me? I wasn’t the one shot my mouth off,” Ben protested.

  “Well, maybe you should have,” Lena pointed out.

  “I don’t think Mr. Peel is so bad,” Raelene added.

  “That’s not the point,” Lena snapped. “She didn’t know. How would you feel if I ran off and got married without saying anything to you?”

  “I wouldn’t have to worry,” Reb said in a smug tone. “You’d be dead. Mom would murder your ass.”

  “You know what I mean.” Lena sighed. “Have a little compassion.”

  Kiera couldn’t help it. She giggled. Then, she guffawed. Finally, she was shaking with laughter. She lifted her face to let Ben know she was okay and the love she saw there made her breath catch. How had she gotten so lucky?

  His sisters bickered in the background as Ben whispered, “Are you okay?”

  “I’m better. Thank you. You’re shirt’s all wet.” She leaned into his hand as he stroked her cheek.


  “I can’t help my family.” He rolled his eyes at his sisters, who were now discussing some new disagreement.

  “Well, I can’t help mine either.” She snuggled against him. “Do they do this all the time?”

  “You have no idea,” he told her.

  She snickered. “It keeps things interesting.”

  “We don’t need help with that.” He grinned at her.

  “What’s next?” she asked.

  “Something very important.” He leaned close to her and kissed her cheekbone.

  “What?”

  “I’m hungry.”

  She laughed and hugged him. He was a dream come true. She was going to take it. She didn’t deserve it, but she was going to take it anyway.

  *

  With Reb’s help, Kiera whipped up a morning meal for all of them. What an odd family. Reb chattered aimlessly about nothing and everything. Lena pursued some information from the Santa Rosa police department. Kiera tried not to eavesdrop, but heard Lena asking for someone named “Sam” who apparently she knew at the department.

  When Kiera indicated breakfast was ready, Lena waved her away and kept talking. After forty-five minutes, Lena flicked her cell phone closed with a smile of triumph. “Well, Beth Lauder’s case is listed as “suspicious”. It’s considered a cold case.”

  Kiera frowned. “Amanda didn’t know that. I wonder why?”

  “Sam told me the department let the coroner’s verdict of ‘suicide’ stand but they kept the file open. None of the officers who found Beth’s body believed she’d killed herself,” Lena said as she sat down to her plate. She stabbed her fruit with a fork. “And their primary suspect?” She glanced at Kiera and Ben. “A tall, broad guy seen leaving the premises around the time of Beth’s death.” She blew on her fingernails. “The neighbor got a license plate number. Guess whose it is?” She waited for a split second and when no one guessed, she answered her own question. “Gavin McBride.” She nodded. “All and all, a productive forty-five minutes.”

  “Did they question Gavin?”