Wrangler's Rescue

by B. J Daniels

  “I forgot to ask you,” he called to her. “How did you like the waterfall?”

  “It was beautiful. The water was so warm. Have you been there?”

  He shook his head. He and water didn’t exactly mix anymore, other than a quick bath in the creek.

  She turned her face up to the sun, as if enjoying its heat. As if pretending that a few moments before she hadn’t been staring at him.

  He studied her, trying to understand what it was about her that pulled him to her like gravity. She was pretty, no doubt about that, but not a raving beauty. Instead, her beauty seemed to come from within and radiate outward.

  It made him wonder why he still worried he might have something to fear from her. He realized that the only way that could be true was if he’d seen her before. Maybe even knew her. Why else would her laugh and the way she tilted her head seem...familiar?

  He thought about her initial reaction to him the night she’d arrived. His head hurt thinking about it because unless he confronted her... Maybe it was just his imagination—or his paranoia. She was probably just a pretty young woman alone on a beautiful island and lonely just as Marissa thought.

  And yet, as he turned from the doorway and went back to work, he couldn’t stop himself from trying to remember. Not just the past, but her. If she was in his past, he needed to know how and why. He turned the gold band on his ring finger. Was he married? It appeared so. But to whom? To her?

  But as hard as he tried to remember, there was nothing before he’d found himself in the middle of the ocean. His past was a deep, dark hole filled with frightening images and confusing thoughts. That had been the worst part, realizing he had no memory. He didn’t even know how old he was.

  He looked down at the gold band on the ring finger of his left hand again. When he’d landed on the island there hadn’t been any difference between the skin color under the ring and his finger. Now when he pulled it off, there was a pale strip of skin under his tanned finger. Did that mean the ring hadn’t been there very long before he’d ended up in the sea?

  And if he was married, why did he have no memory of a wife or a marriage. That haunted him. How could he forget someone he’d loved so much that he’d married them?

  Cursing at himself for letting his thoughts circle again, he tried to bury himself in his work. But he couldn’t forget Ashley Jo Somerfield. If she had indeed come here to harm him, then she was certainly taking her time. Or maybe she was waiting for someone. He kept thinking about her startled expression the night they’d first seen each other. She’d looked shocked but then...relieved?

  It struck him that if AJ knew him, then she had probably been looking for him. Why hadn’t he thought of that before?

  When Hermon stopped by to take the German tourists into town, Joe asked him for a favor.

  “Could you see if anyone has been asking around about me in town?”

  Hermon looked worried. “The woman who is staying here now? She asked about a man who was missing from a cruise ship.”

  “Ashley Jo did?”

  Hermon nodded, looking as if he wanted to say more. “I can see if anyone else has been asking around town, okay?” He said he would be back soon if he had any news.

  A man who was missing from a cruise ship? If she thought it was him, then why hadn’t she said anything? There was no doubt that Ashley Jo Somerfield had been watching him. He’d caught her numerous times. She always quickly looked away, but it seemed she was as curious about him as he was about her. Marissa had mentioned that AJ had asked about him.

  “What did she ask?” He’d tried to sound nonchalant but knew he’d failed.

  “She wanted to know your name. I told her Joe.” She’d shrugged.

  “That was it?”

  “I got the impression that she’s interested in you. I told her to leave you alone because you had work to do.” The old woman had smiled then. “But I’ve seen her watching you. Just don’t let it interfere with your work. I get calls every day from anxious guests so I need those cottages finished.”

  Marissa thought the woman had a crush on him.

  “I won’t,” he’d promised and smiled even as his heart pounded against his ribs. Was that all it was? Simple attraction?

  He might have believed that if he hadn’t seen her take his photo.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  AJ MANAGED TO get a photo of Cyrus, but feared he might have seen her do it. She’d been so careful, knowing that she couldn’t get caught taking the photo on her phone and yet having no other choice but to take a quick shot. Which meant it was from a distance and not a full-on view. But as she checked what she’d captured, she knew that Flint wouldn’t have any trouble recognizing his brother.

  She stared at the photo, feeling sad to think what Cyrus must have gone through—would still have to go through to get back to the life he’d left. If that’s what he wanted.

  What haunted her was what had happened in Denver. How had Juliette gotten Cyrus to fall for her? AJ groaned at the thought of the woman. Yes, she was beautiful and no doubt seductive given the number of husbands she’d had. But would Cyrus have fallen for that? An impulsive, heat-of-the-moment decision to not only take a Caribbean cruise, but also get married.

  She’d heard Juliette’s version. Unfortunately, they might never know Cyrus’s. Maybe when he saw his wife, his memory would return. And then what? Even if Cyrus had fallen for her head over heels at first sight, he couldn’t stay with a black widow.

  AJ shook herself mentally. No way would Cyrus stay with the woman who they all believed was responsible for him going overboard and almost dying. Unless he had somehow fallen off the ship accidentally. She thought of the wedding photo. Cyrus had looked drunk. Or drugged, she thought remembering that the toxicology screen had shown drugs in his system the night he’d gone overboard.

  He wouldn’t have taken any drugs, she was sure. But she wouldn’t put it past Juliette to drug her husband and push him overboard.

  Unless Cyrus remembered though it might always remain a mystery. She suspected that only Juliette knew what had happened on the ship that night.

  The knock at the door startled her. She quickly put her phone away and answered the door, surprised to find Cyrus standing there. He wore a short-sleeved unbuttoned shirt and too-large shorts that hung from his hips. His skin was so beautifully browned and covered with a fine mist of sweat.

  “Just wanted you to know that I’ll be working right next door today to change out some fixtures,” he said. “It might get pretty noisy.”

  “It’s fine. I’m going down to the beach.”

  He nodded. “Nice day for it.” Those gray eyes locked with hers for a few breathless moments. She fought the urge to cup his strong jaw with her hand, wanting to touch that bristled beard. Wanting to run her thumb pad over his lips, lips she’d longed to kiss.

  “Well, you have a good day,” he said and started to turn away.

  “Thank you, Cy—Joe.”

  He paused for a moment, studying her and then with a nod, left.

  She stood in the doorway watching him go, feeling her heart break. Closing the door, she realized she’d been holding her phone all this time. Cyrus hadn’t seen her take the photo, had he? She hurriedly sent the photo to Flint, telling herself there was nothing she could do if Cyrus had. But would he be scared enough that he might run?

  * * *

  “I THINK I have something.” Lillie’s voice sounded tired, but when she looked up, her eyes shone.

  The family had all been on their laptop computers. Now they moved to hers where she’d been reviewing the surveillance videos from the ship. On the screen, standing back out of the way of people moving along one of the upper decks, were a man and a woman.

  “It’s definitely Juliette,” Flint said as Lillie got up to stretch and let him have her computer. He sat down and enlarged the sho
t.

  “She’s handing him something,” Tucker said from behind him.

  “Possibly,” the sheriff agreed. “But they do seem to know each other even though they are avoiding eye contact.”

  “Maybe they don’t know where Cyrus is and are being careful,” Lillie suggested.

  “More than likely they’re trying to avoid the surveillance camera,” Hawk said. “From what I can see, the cameras are all over the ship. Especially in the hallways, so that would keep them from meeting in one of the rooms. They would be forced to meet on deck.”

  “Whether she is handing him something or not, I want to know who that man is,” Flint said. He printed out the photo of the two of them after cropping it. Then enlarged the man’s photo as much as he could and printed that along with sending it out over the wire. “If he’s a known criminal, we might get a hit. I’ll also send it to the cruise ship line to see if any crew recognizes him and can match him with the name of a guest. It’s a long shot.”

  “Maybe we’ll get lucky,” Tucker said.

  Flint said nothing as they went back to work. It was late and he knew they couldn’t all keep going. But if they could find another instance of the two of them in the same shot...

  The response to his inquiry was so fast that they all looked at each other for a moment before he clicked on the email.

  “Did you get an ID on him?” Darby asked.

  Flint rubbed a hand over his neck and let out the breath he’d been holding. “He’s an ex-cop. Otis Claremont out of Arizona.”

  “Didn’t Juliette have a husband in Arizona?” Tucker asked.

  “She did,” the sheriff said. “I’m betting Otis Claremont was one of the former cops investigating the death of her husband.”

  “Blackmail?” Lillie asked.

  “Or kindred souls,” Flint said. “It looks more like the cop was onto her and decided to join forces. Clearly it’s been more lucrative than law enforcement. Juliette has made money on every marriage except her first. But she’s also spent it like it was water through her fingers.”

  * * *

  HERMON FOUND HIM working in the last cottage several days later. The moment he saw the islander’s face, he knew the news wouldn’t be good. He waited, bracing himself, worrying that he might have to leave here not knowing where he would go or what he would do. He’d come to feel safe here, even though he had no idea what he had to fear.

  But also, his work here was almost done. He thought Marissa would keep him on to maintain the cottages and grounds, but he hadn’t talked to her about it. In the back of his mind, he’d always known that he couldn’t stay here forever.

  “So far the only person who was asking around was the same woman who was asking on other islands,” Hermon said, pulling him aside and keeping his voice down. “Ashley Jo Somerfield.”

  So no one else. Yet. “Did she mention the name of the man she was looking for? She told me there was a man who was supposed to meet her here on the island, but he didn’t show up.”

  Hermon studied him for a moment before shaking his head. “No name. She was showing around a photo of you.”

  He felt his heart bump against his ribs. She had a photo of him. So she definitely knew him. Or someone had paid her to find him.

  “Well, she’s found me.”

  “That’s what I was thinking,” Hermon said. “You have no idea why she was looking for you?”

  He patted his new friend on the shoulder and smiled. “Not to worry. I can take care of myself.” He was reminded of the shock of finding himself in the dark sea, injured, drowning. He remembered the waves, the darkness, the feeling of being in terrible trouble and completely alone. Perhaps he couldn’t take care of himself, after all.

  “Women can be dangerous,” Hermon said. “The more beautiful, the more dangerous. But this one? I think not.”

  He laughed, not sure about that. He’d thought about nothing else but AJ since he’d first seen her and felt something. Something he couldn’t put his finger on nor explain. And there was always her reaction to him when she’d first seen him. If she had been looking for him, then it was no wonder she’d looked shocked and then relieved. She’d found him. So what was she waiting for?

  * * *

  FLINT HEARD THE text ping on his phone. He was having trouble focusing. They’d been at this for hours. His eyes hurt along with the rest of his body. He wasn’t sure how many more surveillance videos he could look at, plus it was almost dawn. They all needed rest. He’d insisted Trask take Lillie home. He worried with his sister pregnant. Mariah had caught a ride with them earlier since she too was pregnant again, insisting Darby stay and help.

  Maggie was home with the baby, even though she’d dropped by last night to bring the food Billie Dee had sent over. Leave it to Billie Dee not to let them starve.

  Flint pulled out his phone, glad for the diversion for a moment. A photo came up on his screen. He let out a cry and couldn’t hold back the tears.

  It was Cyrus—just as AJ had said. He hadn’t doubted her, but seeing him with his own eyes, he was swamped with relief. He’d been so sure that Cyrus was lost to them.

  His brothers circled around him to see what was wrong and immediately a cheer went up.

  “It’s him!” Hawk cried. “It’s really him!”

  Darby started laughing and soon they were all crying though trying hard to hold back the tears.

  “I have to send it to Lillie,” Flint said and shared it, knowing what it would mean to her.

  After that, they all went back to work on their laptops, even more energized and determined to get to the truth. But soon, Flint had to shower and get ready for work. He’d taken off a few days to go through the surveillance videos. But now he had to get back to his job. His brothers were going to keep looking through the videos, but he feared that the one frame of Juliette with the former cop might be the best shot they got.

  But at work at the sheriff’s department, Flint looked again at the photo of his brother on his phone and reminded himself that Cyrus hadn’t recognized AJ or seemed to have any memory of his life before going overboard. AJ thought his memory might return in time. But what if it never did?

  Flint couldn’t let himself think that. Before tackling the paperwork on his desk that had stacked up in his absence, he got a call from his sister.

  “It’s really him?”

  “It is. He looks pretty scruffy. Seems he’s become a beach bum,” he joked. “It’s going to be all right,” he said, his voice cracking. “I hope it wasn’t too much of a shock seeing him.”

  “Are you kidding? I sent the photo to Juliette.”

  He winced. He wasn’t sure that had been a good idea. But he knew his sister. She thought just because Cyrus was alive they might be able to get rid of Juliette. He could hear a child crying in the background. “I have to go. I’ve missed enough work lately. I’ll talk to you later.” He disconnected and looked up to find Juliette standing in his doorway. From the expression on her face, she wasn’t happy. How long had she been just outside his office? Had she overheard his conversation with Lillie? Had she already gotten the photo?

  He motioned her in. She closed the door behind her but didn’t take the seat he offered her. Instead, she stood over his desk, anger making her Botox-perfect features masklike.

  “I want to know where my husband is,” she demanded.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “Didn’t you already file his death certificate?”

  She let out a snort. “So all this has just been a stall tactic? He really isn’t alive.” She sounded relieved. “You were just being overly cruel.”

  “No, he’s alive.”

  She scoffed. “I need to know that for myself. If it’s true, then I demand that you tell me where he is so I can talk to him.” Just then, her phone emitted a few musical notes no doubt to let her know a text was coming in.


  She looked from him to her purse, and then slowly reached into her bag. She stared down at her purse for a moment in confusion before pulling out her phone.

  He watched her face. The blue eyes widened as she stared down at the photo of Cyrus that Lillie had sent her. She took a breath and let it out slowly before she swallowed and finally glanced up at him.

  “I’m sure you already know about this photo your sister sent me. It’s not a very good photo.” She looked at her phone again. “Why was it taken so far away? That’s the best AJ could do?” There was suspicion in her tone. “What is it you aren’t telling me, Sheriff?”

  “It’s my brother and once he’s back here, we’ll sort this whole thing out.”

  “Sort this whole thing out? Cyrus and I are married. I’m his wife and...”

  She looked as if she wanted to stomp her foot in anger and frustration. “You can’t keep him from me.” That wasn’t true and they both knew it. At least he hoped it wasn’t true. She looked again at the photo on her phone. “I don’t believe this man is my husband.”

  “Guess we’ll see when he gets back to Montana.”

  “And when will that be?”

  “Well, it’s a bit difficult for him to come home since you were so quick to file his death certificate. He doesn’t have his wallet or passport.”

  She licked her lips, seeming deep in thought before she said, “I have his passport. He didn’t have it on him when he...” She reached into her purse and brought it out, but then merely held it as if having second thoughts. “I’ll be happy to get this to Cyrus when you tell me where he is. If I have to, I will get my attorney to—”

  “You would be wasting your money since I don’t know where he is.”

  Juliette stared at him. “So the only person who knows is AJ and you’re all right with that?” When he said nothing, she added angrily, “I’m his wife.”

  “So it seems, but AJ spent her money and her time to look for your...husband because she believed he was the kind of man who could survive just about anything. I guess we’re going to have to do this her way, don’t you think?”