"A lot of both," Tiara shifted away from her.
Tenderly, Jayce grasped an end of the rawhide, tugging upward and allowing the bundle to roll open. One by one the wooden carvings, similar to the one Tiara had given to her a decade ago, fell free into her palm. Jayce examined them individually, before placing them in a row in beside her. "Wow, these are remarkable. But I would never have believed otherwise after the incredible detailed work on my horse."
Jayce got to her feet and walked to the table. Studying the detail Tiara had carved into the trim she'd added to the table, Jayce ran her fingertips over the small swirls and grooves. "Tiara, your work is remarkable. Have you considered concentrating on handmade furniture?" Jayce immediately realized that might have sounded critical to Tiara. "Red, your construction work is great and I'm not bashing you or your capability, honest. But, really, the intricate design, the structure of your work, is fantastic. I know people who would pay a small fortune for furniture like you create."
A blush flared across Tiara's cheeks and she shook her head. "You're a little prejudiced because you've stared at your carving for so long."
Jayce sighed. "I stick by my assessment. You're entitled to your own opinion of your capabilities on this matter, but I see more potential in you than you do."
Tiara shrugged. "I appreciate it, but I think the popularity of Summers Construction speaks otherwise, so I think I'll stick with what I'm doing."
"Hence, going back to that life tomorrow. Point taken." Jayce made one more pass of her hand over the table's top. "Guess I should get back to Aunt Edna and the barbeque."
"Jayce--"
"No, Tiara." Jayce bent down and touched the carvings lovingly, as a lone tear fell. "I just need to say, before I go, that I understand your need to leave." She inspected Tiara's face for signs that she would run before Jayce spoke her piece. "Meadows will never be the same without you, and neither will I. I also know our night together didn't mean the same to you as it did me. Please, be safe in whatever you do, whatever life throws at you." Jayce dropped her gaze, unable to handle any emotional expression Tiara's face might expose. "I realize I look at you and only see the happy home we could build and share together, and that you don't share that vision for the future. I love you, Tiara, I always have and I always will. But I also accept that it's time to let you go. Time for me to move on. I need to cut the ties to those memories and feelings."
Standing, pulling Tiara up with her, she said, "However, there is something I have to do one last time." Jayce leaned in and kissed Tiara's neck in a slow sweep of her lips, delighted when she felt Tiara shiver, and then she claimed the parted lips before her. Gently placing a hand to the nape of Tiara's neck, Jayce forced the kiss longer, deeper. Their mouths melded, tongues swirled and caressed. Tiara tasted delicious, sweet like honey. When she groaned into Jayce's mouth, she fueled the fire growing hotter at Jayce's core, the sensation nearly reaching incendiary proportions.
Tiara pulled back, breaking the seal of their lips. "Jayce," she whispered hoarsely.
"Shush." Jayce placed a finger gently to Tiara's lips. "Good-bye, love." Before she could respond to the impulse to finish what she started, Jayce strode quickly from the barn, and into the fresh open air, sucking in great gulps to get herself under control.
"Damn, Tiara, why do I love you so much?" No answer came.
Chapter Twenty-six
TIARA HAD FINISHED packing, leaving out the clothes she'd wear the next day, and placed all the other stuff she'd acquired in the truck. She'd gone through her bedroom, making sure she hadn't forgotten anything. At the dresser, Tiara placed her hand on the rawhide bundle Jayce had left in the barn. Tiara couldn't bring herself to dump the carvings back into the hidey-hole, not after Jayce had been so impressed. A smile appeared as she realized the strange enchantment of the wooden carvings. Both times that she and Jayce had been in the old barn with the carvings present, Jayce had given her a mind blowing kiss, only to leave her standing stunned and alone.
Also, both times Jayce had seen the craftsmanship and been impressed, her enthusiasm and praise caressing Tiara's heart--even if she didn't entirely believe the compliments. So why couldn't she take Jayce's appreciation and approval at face value?
She hadn't lied to Jayce. Tiara was very good at what she did. Her business thrived. Would her life have been different if she had chosen the path Jayce had mentioned? If she had been allowed to stay in Silver Waters, probably so, but Tiara hadn't been allowed that option and so life was different. Why couldn't her father and Jayce understand that she'd made her life elsewhere? She couldn't pretend it didn't exist, couldn't pick up everything and move it to Silver Waters. She'd have to give up what she'd worked so hard to obtain, and for what? Something that might fail? No. No matter how much she'd miss Jayce, Edna and her father, she couldn't stay. Her job and her life weren't in Silver Waters.
A knock sounded behind her. Tiara turned to see an exhausted-looking Darla leaning against the door jamb. "May I come in?" Darla asked.
"Of course." Tiara waved toward the bed. "Sit down before you collapse. Are you okay? Can I get you anything?" she asked, genuinely concerned by the strain in Darla's features. She sat beside Darla. "Do you need to nap? I don't want to be rude, but you don't look so good."
Darla patted her thigh. "I'm all right, really. I wanted to talk before we head back."
Tiara read between the lines. "Before things go back to the way they were, you mean?"
"No," Darla said, too quickly. Tiara raised an eyebrow. "Okay, maybe I intended that a little. But not because I'm critical, Tiara, more because it will be easier for you to fall back on what was comfortable."
"No offense taken. Any other time, that would probably be the case. However, you've been good to me when I didn't make it easy on you, and I've really enjoyed this past couple of weeks." Tiara feigned a scowl. "Even if I didn't enjoy hearing all you had to impart."
"I'll give you that," Darla said. "And I'm going to add to it. I've a few things I think you need to consider, because disregarding them isn't in your best interest. You've come too far." Darla shifted, whether trying to find a more comfortable position, or to prepare herself for an uncomfortable conversation, Tiara wasn't sure.
"You're a great person, and I have to admit, Jayce is fantastic. I know you two had a falling out, but I can see that she loves you. So, I want you to consider staying in touch with her. I know she wants you to stay in Silver Waters, and that you're unable to do that. But, Jayce is someone who'll be there for you if you let her. Why would you turn away from a friend who would do anything for you? Plus, now you're on speaking terms with Slim and Edna. I want to give you sage advice. You have to settle for good intentions."
"I understand. I do. I just don't know if that's possible." Tiara got up and walked to the window, keeping her back to Darla in case she couldn't control her emotions, not wanting her face to reflect her conflict. "You see, Jayce is the settle-down-play-house-type and she'll be wonderful at that, but I can't give her want she wants. She needs someone who can. Maybe the sheriff is that person."
"You can't or you're afraid to?" Darla asked quietly.
"Both. Just because I know people with happy marital relationships doesn't mean I'm capable of having one myself. The two of us together are like oil and water. Earlier, Jayce told me she was letting me go, moving on, making any argument moot." This time she faced Darla. "And what no one seems to understand is that I have a business to run, and it's not here."
"They understand. Maybe they were hoping you'd compromise somehow." Sighing heavily, Darla started to get up, groaning as she did so. "Gosh, I'm more tired than I thought. I should leave you to your packing."
"Actually, I'm finished. Why don't you take your nap here?" Tiara pointed to the bathroom. "And the conveniences are closer."
Darla giggled tiredly. "That's how you win an argument. Thank you, Tiara, I appreciate it." She returned to the bed, but looked once more at Tiara. "Are you okay?"
Tiara walked to where Darla sat, and hugged her. "Yes, thank you. Get some sleep. I'll be in the barn finishing the entry table for Edna. I'll keep my cell close in case you need me."
"Will the cell be on?"
Tiara pulled the phone from her pocket. "Yes. Want to check?" Darla shook her head. "Okay, then. Sleep tight."
Darla said, "See, there's a note of domesticity in you after all."
Chuckling, Tiara said, "Wow, you don't give up easily, do you?"
"Where's the fun in that?"
"I'm going now. Lie down and rest." Tiara closed the door and went to the barn, with her thoughts swirling in her head.
WHEN PETER REALIZED the people in the house were packing to leave, he panicked. The lady next door kept moving Majestic, riding and training, putting the horse in a different place each night. He guessed he'd have more time to find him if Slim's daughter left, but what if she took Majestic with her? Then how was he to help Elmo? He knew he had to do something, but he didn't know what he could do.
The party was over, and people were leaving. Maybe he should have talked to her when she saw him, but he got scared and ran into the woods, to the place he found hidden there. He liked the little house, but the mannequin kept staring at him. He didn't like that at all, he didn't do anything wrong. He was trying to do something right.
Maybe he could go to the house and talk to Slim's daughter, make her understand that if Elmo said the horse was his she shouldn't treat him like a liar. Elmo was a good man, a good brother. Peter shook his head. No, that wouldn't work. She would think her father was good, too. "Damn, Elmo, I'm trying. Why can't I think so good?" He rubbed his hands over his face. "What would you do?"
Peter realized someone had come into the barn. From his hiding place in the loft, Peter saw the daughter opening a can, stirring the contents, and then grabbing a brush. She painted the table. Now he couldn't leave until she was finished. How long would that be? Peter knew he had to be really quiet because he didn't want anyone to know he was there. Carefully, he scooted away from the edge, sat up, and pounded the knuckles of his fist against his head.
Think.
He needed to get away.
Think. Think.
Peter needed to get her away.
Yeah. Talk to her; make her see Elmo was right. Majestic was Elmo's. But if she got scared and screamed, the other people would come out and not let him explain.
Think. Think. Think.
He needed to talk to her without anybody around. Maybe take her to the little house, away from interruptions. That's what he would do. If he was real quiet, he could climb down, get behind her, and carry her off. Once they were alone, Peter could make her see. He could help his brother by doing something right.
He climbed down from the loft, carefully. A black gym bag sat about four feet from the ladder. Peter edged over, rummaged through the items, and found a roll of grey duct tape. Perfect. Then he snuck up behind her.
Peter wrapped one arm around her, successfully pinning her arms at her sides, the can and brush splashing with a thunk. She tried to scream, but he stopped it by fastening a strip of the tape across her mouth. That got her really mad. She struggled, even managed to kick him hard a few times.
"You stop that, now," he said into her ear. Peter grasped both her arms, shook her roughly until she moaned and weakened enough to tape her hands behind her back.
She struggled harder, her face turning bright red and nostrils flaring with her exertion, yet Peter held tight. The contents of the can bathed them both with sticky splatters, but Peter ignored the strange feeling, tossed her over his shoulder, and carried her out the barn and into the woods. After about half a mile, she had stopped struggling, so Peter stopped for a little rest, careful to place her against a tree.
Tears fell down her face, and he felt cruel. He hadn't meant to upset her. "I won't hurt you," Peter told her. She stared at him. "We'll talk. Once you understand, I'll let you go."
Growling sounded from her throat, as she struggled to stand.
"Where are you trying to go?" Peter watched the determination on her features. Then he understood what he hadn't thought of before now. "You don't want to talk about Majestic, do you? Maybe I should have your friend bring him to me." He nodded, a change to his plan forming. "You're stubborn, so a trade is all you'll accept. I'll have to go try something else."
Satisfied with himself, Peter picked her up again and continued the trek to the cabin in the woods.
Chapter Twenty-seven
THE LAST OF the party stragglers were rounded up, sent home, and the yard cleaned up. Night fell quickly, and Jayce wanted to take a shower and fall into bed. As she topped the porch, she noticed paper taped to the screen door, and read:
I have Slim's daughter. Bring Majestic to thecabin in the woods. We'll trade.
Come alone or I hurt her.
Jayce felt sick to her stomach, the tears building in her panic. She started to rip the note down, but left it for Edna to find. Jayce only hoped her aunt would be able to get hold of Slim so he could prevent anything from happening to Tiara. Jayce knew in her gut Slim was involved in the Majestic affair. Part of her understood, and appreciated, the desire to entice Tiara to come home. However, if harm came to her because of this sham, Jayce knew Red would never return no matter the occasion.
Her greatest desire had always been that Tiara would miss Silver Waters, and want to remain permanently. Now, she knew that wasn't the case. Jayce still held out hope they had managed to reach a level of friendship such that Tiara would come back, if only for a little while. If she came to harm, Tiara would never return. Although, that may ultimately have been for the best, since Jayce had no idea how she could move on with Tiara in the picture. Damn, how did she get into this predicament? One issue at a time, she chided herself. First, Jayce need to get Tiara released.
At a full run, Jayce crossed her property heading to the back acreage where she had left Charlie to work with Majestic in the training ring. If she had left the horse in his own corral, would Tiara be safe at home, packing to leave? Was it her fault that Elmo and Tank had Tiara? She hoped this wasn't as it appeared. Jayce wanted to find Tiara having coffee with Slim and the goons, so they could all have a good laugh-- after she strangled Slim for scaring her so badly. Unfortunately, her fear about to suffocate her, Jayce worried she'd miss an important clue and bring further harm to Tiara. "Focus, Jayce, focus."
After moments of strenuous running, Jayce had arrived at the corral, and waved for Charlie's attention. He responded to her urgency and jogged Majestic toward her, yanking the corral gate open as she got there. Frowning, he asked, "What's wrong?"
If Jayce had more time, she would've explained. Instead, she said, "I need to take Majestic. You should go back to the house, wait for Edna in case she needs you."
"What about the goose?" Charlie asked.
"Take him back with you." She grabbed the reins when he dismounted.
Charlie shook his head. "No way, that thing--he's dangerous."
She stepped up into the saddle. "Fine, leave him here, we'll deal with him later," Jayce said, nudging Majestic into the woods. Jayce hoped the reference in the note to the cabin was in fact the line shack. She hadn't toured the property acreage in so long, and so soon after Alison mentioning a stranger in the woods, Jayce hoped some squatter hadn't built a structure she'd never locate in time.
Jayce wanted to set Majestic to full gallop, but couldn't take the chance of a misstep, which could injure her only means of getting to Tiara in time. Majestic must have perceived her anxiety, responding by snuffing and striding faster than she'd urged him safely to proceed. She rubbed his neck in gratitude.
As she made her way through the woods, staying away from the paths worn by her truck and buckboard, Jayce tried to formulate a plan to get Tiara away from the Sparretti brothers. Her gut told her handing over Majestic wasn't going to be an option for finalizing the trade.
What confused her was the real reason behind this charade.
Slim had purchased Majestic from the horse's owner. Elmo and crew were hired by Slim to encourage Tiara to ask for Jayce's help, and Slim would come in to save the day. So, why did they want the horse still? If Slim hadn't paid them enough, she would gladly pay any price they demanded.
What about poor Tiara? What was she thinking, feeling, going through? Had they hurt her? Jayce's stomach roiled at the thought of someone harming Tiara. Was she afraid? Stop it, her head screamed, and focus. Tiara's fine.
Jayce had to get close enough to the line shack so she could see what was happening inside. She didn't want to spark any negative responses from the Sparretti goons. She'd have to tie Majestic up and get closer on foot, so they wouldn't know how close their prize stood.
Off to the far right, a light shone through the trees. To the left Jayce saw the main road and realized she was close to the line shack. Backtracking about a hundred feet, Jayce dismounted, wrapped the reins around the limb of a fallen tree, and stepped in close to Majestic. "Okay, boy, I'm going over to take a look. You wait here and stay quiet. I'll be back in just a minute."
She couldn't guarantee he'd be able to stay silent, but Jayce figured he wasn't going anywhere without her. "Here goes nothing, big guy," she whispered. With as much stealth as she could muster, Jayce made her way toward the line shack.
TIARA GRIMACED AT the throbbing pain in her wrists. The damaged flesh resulted from her continued wiggling and yanking to free her hands from the duct tape binding her wrists behind her back. Her captor--Tank, as Jayce originally referred to him--stoically guarded the entrance from the chair he'd placed beside the door. The only positive action was he'd removed the tape from her mouth. The skin stung, then settled into an uncomfortable itch she wasn't able to scratch.
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