“Plus,” he said, “there’s that extra protectiveness gene you got in the life lottery.”
“Probably. You got it, too.”
“I did. And what was crazy last night was that you didn’t just want to lie with Lily and take care of her. You wanted to lie with me as well.”
“Sounds a little dirty.”
“Mm. You’re doing it again, you realize. This getting too close for you?”
“Well, yeah. Maybe. I’m not used to relaxing when I’m with another person.”
She fell asleep before him all the same. He lay there with her hand still on him and her legs tangled with his and thought, Mate, you’re in trouble. And I don’t think you’re getting out.
Paige didn’t end up thinking over what Dr. St. John had said until after eight the next morning, until she and Jace were back at the inn after doing the animals and checking in on Lily. And even then, it was an effort.
She sat with him at the marble table under the windows in the most sumptuous bedroom she’d ever seen, looking out at springtime bright-pale green of new leaves on the trees, the false western fronts of the Main Street shops, and the dark mountains beyond, while they ate waffles and strawberries, drank coffee, and she let Jace pour some of the leftover champagne from the night before into her orange juice glass.
“I’d object,” she said without much conviction, “but I’m on vacation.”
“Is that what you call it?” he asked. “Odd choice of holiday activities.”
He didn’t say anything about the temporary nature of vacations, and neither did she. It wasn’t a secret anymore that she’d be leaving, so there was no need. “Your stalker,” she said instead. “Assuming she’s female, and assuming the other things. The personality disorder part, and that she’s the one who hit me, because I can’t think of another way to look at that incident that makes any sense. I don’t know whether you can really rule somebody out based on age, but surely somebody who’s running a fairly complex business, who’s in her forties, or who’s married with kids, like Jennifer or your waitress, wouldn’t fit the bill. That kind of problem seems like it would come out in your marriage, with your customers. Jennifer sure didn’t seem happy with me, and she sure seems stressed, but she doesn’t seem… disordered enough to have those issues, either. And neither does the Timberline Inn owner, and certainly not the gas-station guy. Or, really, anybody who’s spoken up about Lily selling. Not Jarrod Knightley or his daughter, either. I don’t see him hitting me in the head. And the most logical place, if you really can’t remember anybody at the gas station, is the gym.”
He said, “The gas station is a barely-twenties kid, a woman in her fifties, and, yeah, one younger woman. I went by twice in the last couple days and reminded myself. How many times has that woman been my checker? Four, maybe? Could be the grocery store, though. Or the gym. Kelli isn’t blonde or curvy, but it sounds like that isn’t a dealbreaker. Maybe she wants to be. Maybe she was throwing me off. She was there last night, and she could have hit you on the head. She told me she’d worked at the gym six months, so that fits. She hasn’t looked at me and looked away, exactly, but she’s got some brittleness in her manner. Something off. I’ve known she was interested, but even though she was my type, I didn’t have any desire to pursue it. Which is odd.”
Paige had been cutting a bite of waffle. She stopped. “It’s odd that you didn’t pursue it? Really? She was interested, and she’s attractive, so you’d have pursued it?”
Most men would have been flustered. Jace still looked calm. “I was single. I wasn’t going out of my way to be with somebody, but it wouldn’t have been out of my way.”
“A pit stop.”
“Well, if you want to be crude about it.” He grinned, then looked at her more closely. “You jealous? Could be a good sign.”
“Right. We’re talking about crazy stalkers, and you think jealousy is a good sign?”
“As opposed to, ‘I can take you or leave you?’ Well, yeah.” She was still digesting that when he said, “She told me she was into Krav Maga.”
“Oh. Whoa.” The martial arts form originally developed for the Israeli Defense Forces. Its focus wasn’t on anything pretty, but on applying the maximum lethal force as fast as possible. Not a lot of bowing and ceremony in Krav Maga.
“Yeah,” Jace said. “That’s serious. Seriously aggressive. Seriously destructive.”
“And tends to be practiced,” Paige said, “by the same kind of guys who get pit bulls because they’re looking for a scary dog, and then don’t neuter them. Angry guys. On the other hand, practicing any of the martial arts takes focus and commitment. Which doesn’t sound like our perpetrator.”
“If you’re serious, it does,” Jace said. “How do we know that she is? Maybe it’s one more thing she picks up with enthusiasm and then drops again when it doesn’t work out. She took a class once, for all I know, and thought the idea would impress me.”
“Right. Unfortunately, we can’t go to Jennifer and ask to see Kelli’s employment records, or even whether she’s certified as a personal trainer. I don’t think certification means as much as you’d think, though. I can ask Hailey what she knows about her, for what it’s worth.”
“And I’ll go see Sergeant Worthless,” Jace said, “tell him I talked to a profiler on my own dime—which is true—who she was, and what she said. I’ll hope he’s impressed enough to care. I’m guessing he won’t share back, though.”
“No cop would. They’re not going to say, ‘Here are our suspects, and here’s what they’ve said so far.’ Especially not to somebody with vigilante tendencies like yours. On the other hand, he wants it to be somebody other than his sister.”
“That he does. One of the first things he said when he came out to the cabin yesterday was, ‘Do you have any reason to believe this could be connected to the attack on Ms. Hollander? Has anybody made any comments about that to you?’ I could tell he wanted me to say, ‘Crikey, I reckon you’re right, Sergeant. Let me give you the name and phone number of my jealous ex.’”
Paige’s phone rang, and she reached for it. “Lily,” she told Jace, then said, “Hi. OK?”
“Yes,” Lily said. “I had this thought that might help all of us. Can I borrow Jace, though? It’ll mean I’m in two places at the same time—or we are—but we’ll have to risk that. Could he come over again?”
Paige put a hand over the receiver and asked Jace, “Can you go see Lily? Sounds like she needs your help. Do you have time?”
He lifted a dark eyebrow, but all he said was, “No worries. I need to buy a computer today and wire up the cabin. That’s about the extent of it. I have time.”
Lily opened the door before Jace had chance to knock. He said, “Next time? You aren’t home. Paige or I will call out, and as for anybody else? You aren’t here.”
“I was watching for you out the upstairs window,” Lily said. “And Tobias knew anyway.” The dog was sitting beside Lily, his tail sweeping the floor.
Jace gave him a scratch behind the ears and said, “Good boy,” and the tail started working overtime.
“You’re just in time,” Lily said. Tobias stood, his body went stiff, the ridge on his back stood up, and he began to bark. After another few seconds, Jace heard tires on gravel.
“Tell me fast who that is,” he said. “Tobias. Quiet. Sit.”
“Brett Hunter,” Lily said. “And it’s just in case I need you.” She was fiddling with her hair, looking equal parts excited and anxious. She and Paige were both wearing purple blouses over black leggings today. Lily’s had a V-neck, transparent sleeves, and ruffles down the front. She looked absolutely feminine and absolutely soft, but as Jace was discovering, looks didn’t mean as much as you’d think with these two. Tobias was quivering with excitement himself, and Lily asked Jace, “How do I look?”
“Good,” he said. What did that matter?
“I wore more foundation,” she explained, “so I’d look like I needed it. So I’d look like Paige.”
“Oh. Then you’re all good. I can tell you’re wearing more.” Footsteps on wooden stairs, a knock at the door, a bark from Tobias, and Jace murmured to Lily, “Ask for a minute.”
“One minute,” Lily called out, then asked Jace, “Why?”
He gestured behind him with his hand, stepped back himself, and said, “Kitchen. Stay down. Next to the fridge. Don’t come out until I say.”
She rubbed her palms over her sides and muttered, “Oh, boy. What am I doing here?” Jace thought about Paige, a woman who knew an ops plan when she heard it. He waited until Lily finally obeyed and then, when he was sure she was gone, pulled the Glock from the ankle holster, held it in his left hand, gestured Tobias to his side, and opened the door so most of his body and the weapon were screened behind it.
Brett Hunter stood there. By himself. Gray slacks, white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, slim gold watch that had probably cost as much as a Lamborghini, and that perennial look of amusement. “Have I stepped into a combat zone?” he asked, one eye on Tobias and the other on Jace. “Or an ambush?”
“No,” Jace said without moving. “Turn around slowly and let me see your back.”
“I’m not turning around,” Hunter said. “I’m standing here where I can see you. I’m also five seconds away from dialing 911.”
It was a staredown, then. Jace had to admit he was impressed. He wouldn’t have given Hunter credit for that much cool under pressure. Finally, he said, “Keep your hands where I can see them,” holstered his weapon, and opened the door. “Come in.”
“I find,” Hunter said, “that I’d prefer a discussion on the front porch. As it’s a beautiful day. Meanwhile, your dog looks like he’d enjoy a nap on the couch.”
Jace said, “Maybe you haven’t heard what happened to my house yesterday. Somebody did their best to smash their way through it.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Hunter said, “and yet I still want to talk on the porch. Assuming Lily actually is here, that there’s something to talk about, and you’re not going to try to beat me into leaving. I wouldn’t, if I were you. I think you’ll find that I’m a good ally and a bad enemy.”
Jace looked him over for another moment, then called, “Lily. Safe to come out.” She appeared in the kitchen doorway, and Jace told Hunter, “Reckon you’re more than just a pretty face.”
“I’m very flattered,” Hunter said, then held a hand out to Lily and said, “Here I am. I’m even going to overlook the guard dog. Both of them. Let’s sit out on the porch, shall we?”
Jace came with them, but he left Tobias behind. Hunter and Lily sat in the two chairs, and Jace leaned against the porch rail. Lily told Hunter, “Jace is just trying to protect me. I asked him to be here.”
“I understand that,” Hunter said. “He’s very effective. Your face looks much better.”
“Oh. Yes,” Lily said. Hunter waited, and finally, she added, “I had an idea.”
“And I can’t wait to hear it,” Hunter said.
Lily took a breath, clearly working up her courage, and said, “I don’t want to sell my land to you, and I don’t want to exchange it. I don’t want a lodge on it, either. But I do want what’s best for the town. I thought of another option. You mainly want the land for trails, right? Because it’s the best terrain for what you want to do, and it connects the pieces?”
“Yes,” Hunter said. Not looking excited. Looking neutral. The man had a poker face second to none.
“I’d like to know,” Lily said, “whether you’d be interested in purchasing an easement from me for your trails only. I don’t mind cross-county skiers and hikers moving across my land, as long as it’s not too close to my house, and as long as you post it ‘No Hunting’ and are willing to enforce that. And if the price is right, of course. If you’re interested, I’d be open to discussing it and going through the next steps. But you need to express your commitment today. No going away and talking it over with your board and getting back to me next week. Jace is in danger, and my… I’m in danger, too. This is a one-day opportunity only. If it’s going to happen, it needs to be a good enough offer, or I’m straight back to ‘no.’ Please don’t say ‘yes’ unless you’re prepared to get serious with your price.”
Hunter was smiling at last. “Yes. I’m interested. And may I say… you’re a surprising woman. I’m continually taken aback.”
“Oh,” Lily said, “you have no idea how many sides I have.” She stood up. “Would you like a cup of tea? And Jace—let’s get you a chair. This could take a while.”
Jace wasn’t even going to have to be the bad cop. Hunter might not be the only one who was surprised.
By the time her phone rang, Paige may have been jumping out of her skin. It was possible. She asked Hailey, “Could you take over, please?” left her customer to fend for herself, and lunged for her phone.
“What,” she said to Lily. “Wait. Hang on.” She headed into the back room. “OK. What?”
Lily laughed. Sounding keyed up. “So I solved my problem. Our problem. One problem. But not until it goes through the lawyers and things. We can leak it over the weekend, as long as Brett comes through.”
“Wait. Brett? You guys are buddies? You didn’t sell the land, did you? You don’t have to sell it. I told you. That was the point.”
“I know I don’t, and I didn’t. I’m selling him an easement for the trails, if we can agree on a price once we get an outside opinion on its value, and he’ll be making annual payments. Which will give me a lot more security, too. You have no idea how scary it can be to run a retail business during the slow months. Win-win.”
“Wait. What? Is that a thing? An… easement? Did Jace help you with the negotiation part? Is that why you wanted him?”
“Well, no. As I do run a business and you guys don’t, I did it all by myself. I had the idea last night when I couldn’t sleep, and I researched it, too. I don’t care if I have trails on my land, as long as they don’t have motorcycles or snowmobiles on them. I’ll get to use them, too, after all, and I won’t even have to do the maintenance. And that’s why you have an outside assessor, to give you a reasonable range for the negotiation. I needed Jace in case I was wrong about Brett, but I wasn’t. He was just fine. He’s actually a very nice man.”
“A very nice man? I thought he was pressuring you.”
“He was,” Lily said, at her most moonbeam-serene. “And I pressured back. We’re all good. And before you say anything, I won’t sign anything I’m not happy with. I’m grateful to you for giving me breathing room, time to think. But I’ve got this.”
“Oh. Well.” Paige struggled for something better to say. “Well, that’s great.”
“And by the way?” Lily said. “In case you didn’t know—Jace is great, too. He sure was scary when Brett showed up. I think he had his gun out, the whole works. I’m not sure, because he made me hide. After that, though, he just stood there looking big and menacing and let me handle it. He’s a very reassuring man to have around. You did good. I mean, I wouldn’t want him, because for one thing, I don’t want anybody, and for another, he’s too intimidating for me. But I can sure see why you do. Does he ever turn off that intense thing?”
“Yes. No. Sort of. I don’t know how to describe it. He focuses on me, but in a good way. Wait. Why are we talking about Jace?”
“Because I’m all figured out, so now it’s time to help you. Where exactly are you guys going with this?”
Paige had somehow started flipping through a shipment of bras on the work table. They were nice. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I would have said ‘nowhere.’ But I don’t know. I’m waiting to go back. You know I am.”
“I do. But, sweetie—a man who’ll drop everything to help your sister, and somebody who’ll stand back and be your moral support—I don’t think you should throw him away like a Kleenex. There aren’t necessarily more like that in the box.”
“I know.” There was a sort of deep cherry-colored one of those bras in here.
With some very nice matching underwear. That was pretty. “But you’re not romantic anymore.”
“I’m not. But you are.”
“I am not.”
“Paige. Yes. You are. You’re a whole lot more idealistic than I am. That’s why you try so hard not to put yourself in a spot to be disappointed. I don’t think he’s going to disappoint you, though.”
“I know. Thanks. I need to go. You’re going to have to give Hailey a raise, with all this extra effort she’s had to make. Congratulations on figuring your land thing out, though. That’s great.”
“Paige—”
“No, really. I’m fine. And Jace said we were going out for dinner tonight. I’m letting him be romantic, even though I still feel like I’m being you when I do it. So don’t worry.”
“I’m not worrying about him being romantic. I know he can do it. I’m telling you to let yourself do it. For once, sweetie—just go with it. What do you have to lose?”
“I know. Got to go.” Paige hung up, wiped her hand on her purple shirt, looked at the box of lingerie without really seeing it, shoved the panic back down, and went out to help Hailey again.
What did she have to lose? How about everything?
Hailey had left at five, but the store had stayed busy until six. Once Lily made her announcement about the easement, Paige thought, Hailey could buy some more balloons, and maybe they’d do a big event. A sort of Grand Re-Opening. That would be exciting to see. If Paige were still here, of course, because that sale would be Lily’s. Lily’s choice, Lily’s to work out. Lily’s shop.
She went through the closing routine, feeling a little melancholy. She was almost done here. It had been surprisingly fun. Not her life, but fun all the same. And maybe more.
When she heard a knock at the front door, she jumped.
You’re carrying a weapon, she thought, looking up at the same instant to see who was out there. Oh. Jace. Not dressed in jeans and a T-shirt this time. Instead, he was wearing dress pants and a collared shirt she hadn’t known he possessed. She went to the door, turned the lock, and said, “You’re early. Plainclothes, huh?”
Guilty as Sin (Sinful, Montana Book 1) Page 32
