From This Moment

by Vella, Wendy

  Charlie was at the hospital with Ava and Dad at the moment, and his mom was home with her friends, playing bridge. Everyone was protected... for now. Heading toward A.S., he looked at the red brick facade. He’d keep it casual, walk in, and say he had to leave as something had come up. No need to go into details, because he didn’t have any, and Mickey could be way off base. Please let Mickey be off base.

  It wasn’t busy, but the fire roared and a few people sat around it eating snacks.

  One of them could be.... Shut it down, Dylan.

  “Everything okay, Dylan?”

  “Sure.” He managed a nod to Piper. She was seated at a table with Joe and Bailey, who was holding Grace in her lap.

  “That face says different,” she said, waving a hand at him.

  He was absolutely not talking to anyone about this.

  “You want a beer?” Joe asked.

  “I need to get going actually, but thanks. I just have some stuff to do.” Keep it calm, you’re good at that, he reminded himself. No need to show anyone the panic that was clawing at his throat.

  “Sure as hell looks like you could do with a drink. Coffee, maybe?”

  “No, I’m good, but thanks.”

  “Pip said you had a phone call that sounded a bit rough. That why you have to go?” Joe asked.

  Back in New York, people didn’t care if he received bad phone calls or if he was having an off day. In fact, no one noticed much about how he was feeling because Dylan never showed any emotions, but here... hell, here he was an open book, it seemed.

  “Is it bad news, Dylan?”

  “It’s just something I need to deal with, Piper, so I’ll see you guys around.”

  “We’re your friends, Dylan,” Joe said. “Friends are there for each other, so if whatever this is, is something that your friends can help you with, maybe you should let us.”

  “It’s not,” he said in a voice that made Piper’s eyes widen. “I need to deal with this alone.”

  He walked out then, away from the two Trainers he was sure could be classed as friends, and one of them... hell, one of them, he’d come to realize, was way more than that.

  But the other realization he’d had as he’d looked down at Piper was that if someone was targeting his family to get at him, then they would only need to watch him with her to see how much she meant to Dylan, and he could never allow that to happen. So from now on, he’d be staying away from all Trainers, but especially Piper and Grace.

  The thought had him rubbing his chest hard to rid it of the pain his words had inflicted.

  He left A.S. and headed down the main street. Dylan could feel his eyes swinging from right to left. Was someone watching him even now? Was someone here in Ryker seeking revenge?

  “Hello, Dylan.”

  “Miss Marla.” He nodded to the elderly woman who was outside cleaning the tea shop’s window.

  Everywhere he looked there were people he’d let back into his life. Mr. Goldhirsh, the Robbins sisters, the Trainers.

  “Christ.” The breath whistled from his mouth. He couldn’t leave now, not with his family sick and a possible target to get at him. But staying here put more people in danger. People he’d tried to keep himself distant from but failed.

  He made it to the hospital, but wasn’t sure how, as he remembered nothing of the walk. Once there he sat with his dad for a while, talking about nothing in particular.

  “I’m coming home tomorrow, Dylan.”

  “The doctors told you that?”

  His father nodded, and then eased himself into another position. At least if Dylan had his family under one roof he could watch over them closely.

  “Great, I’ll make sure everything’s ready. Mom’s doing better.”

  “Tell me what’s going on with Ava, Dylan, and don’t lie to me. I know she’s in here, because one of the nurses told me.”

  He looked at the man who had raised him, the one parent he’d always loved unconditionally. He didn’t want to tell him, but if he was strong enough to come home, he was strong enough to hear the truth.

  “It’s not good, Dad.”

  Allan Howard was shocked, and then ashamed that he hadn’t known what his youngest child was going through. Dylan assured him that they would all be there to support her now. They talked a while longer, and then Dylan left to see Ava.

  Charlie was still sitting with Ava when he arrived, and she looked relieved to see him. His little sister was looking away from her, facing the windows.

  “She won’t talk to me,” Charlie mouthed to him.

  Dylan pulled up a chair before the window so Ava had to look at him. She turned to look straight ahead.

  “Hey, how you feeling?”

  “I want to go home.”

  “Sure, and you will, but I guess we need to run through some things before you do.”

  “I’m not discussing this with you.”

  “That you had cocaine in your system? Sounds like it’s something we need to discuss.”

  “This is my life, I’m an adult.” She turned to glare at him. “I’m not addicted, I just like a hit from time to time.”

  “How long have you been using?”

  “You don’t need to make a big deal out of this, Dylan.”

  “It’s a big deal that my little sister is a cocaine addict.”

  “I’m not a cocaine addict!”

  “When did you start using?”

  She faced forward again, mouth in a long, angry line.

  “Here’s the thing, Ava, I’m not going away. So you talk to me now, or you talk to me later. Maybe even tomorrow or next week, but we will talk.”

  She wouldn’t look at him.

  “We want to help you, Ava.”

  “I don’t need help. I need you both to leave Ryker and let me live my life like I always have.”

  They’d been building something, the Howard siblings, and now that had been broken apart. Ava was once again distant from him. But Dylan wasn’t giving up this time. He was determined to have a relationship with his sisters, no matter what it took.

  “Not going to happen. Charlie and I are coming back in the morning to take Dad home, so we’ll come and see you then.”

  “Whatever.”

  He leaned over her so she had to look at him, and placed a kiss on her forehead.

  “As far as big brothers go I’ve been a total failure, I get that, but that’s changing now, whether you like it or not.”

  Zander arrived as he and Charlie rose to leave. Dylan watched the man kiss his sister gently. Did he know about the cocaine because he was using too?

  He had plenty to think about as they left the hospital. Things that he needed to work through, and first up Dylan needed to come clean with his family, because if someone was after them he needed to put measures in place to keep them safe. No easy task when it was just him in Ryker, but he’d get it done no matter what it took. His family was important to him, it had just taken him years to realize that.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Piper wasn’t going to lie, it was heaven riding with Maggs over her family’s land. Her mom had Grace, and she and her friend were just going wherever their horses led.

  “This is bliss, right?”

  “Couldn’t be better,” Piper agreed. “I mean, I love Grace, and wouldn’t be without her now, but it’s good to get some time to just be me, if you know what I mean?”

  “I understand.”

  The air was cool, and it was the morning after Dylan had walked out of A.S. wearing that don’t-mess-with-me look. Whatever the hell that phone conversation had been about, it had been serious, because before that he’d been open and talking to her.

  “So Dylan, what’s the deal there?”

  Piper exhaled loudly. Did everyone know about this thing she had for Dylan except the man himself?

  “It’s not really a thing, Maggs.”

  “Sure it is. There’s been sex, I’d bet my house on that. Plus this crazy chemistry. Hell, even your c
ousins have noticed, which is saying something as they’re pretty much oblivious most of the time.”

  “He’s going soon, Maggs, so even if there was something, it’s got no future.”

  Everywhere Piper looked she saw color. Fall turned the trees from green hues to a colorful landscape of muted earthy colors. The slide into winter should have brought a harshness; instead it was Piper’s favorite time in Ryker. The beauty around her was breathtaking. Leaves blanketed the ground, and the air had a bite but was not yet so cold that you couldn’t be outside without protection.

  “But the fact you want a future is new. I mean, to the best of my knowledge you’ve never even thought about that with another man.”

  “He was there for me when I needed him to be. It makes a girl think. But that’s all it will be, Maggs, because I have Grace now, and he’s going back to New York. End of story.”

  “Shame.”

  “Hell of a shame,” Piper said honestly. “He’s hot and sexy, and I have to say ticks all the boxes. Plus, he loves Grace.”

  “What’s not to love?”

  Piper smiled; she loved her little girl too.

  “He’s stayed in Ryker longer than we all thought, so there has to be a reason, right?”

  “Sure, but I’d be fooling both of us if I thought it was me. There’s a whole load of stuff going on with his family about now.”

  Maggs wrinkled her nose. “What stuff? I mean, I know about the dad and Mary ‘Pain in my Ass’ Howard, and then there’s Ava.”

  “You don’t think they constitute enough bad stuff happening?” Piper was not elaborating. The things Dylan had told her about Ava and Charlie were for her ears alone, and she wasn’t sharing, even with her best friend.

  “I guess so.”

  “I put an offer in on the house today, Maggs.”

  Her friend screamed so loud the horses got fidgety.

  “One day you’ll nearly be my neighbor, so I can borrow sugar from you and steal cookies that you make for Grace.”

  “Always a plus, but that house is a while away from me living in it, Maggs.”

  “Sure, but it’s exciting.”

  They ambled along the trails, not really caring where they rode, just happy to be out there and enjoying the peace and solitude.

  “How’s your love life, Maggs?”

  “I’m taking a break.”

  “From?”

  “Men.”

  Maggs wore a soft blue sweater, jeans, and ankle boots. Her riot of red hair was pulled back in a bandana. Style was what her friend had, in many forms.

  “Maybe you’re trying too hard?”

  “Maybe, but time’s on the move, Piper.”

  “And you think you need to find a man now before all the good ones are taken?”

  “Put like that, it sounds pathetic.”

  “Yeah, it does, but enough about that. Let’s head back. I need to make a pitcher of margaritas and get them chilled, then order the pizza for tonight.”

  “Before we do, Pip, I just want to say again, I think you should try to make it work with Dylan. At least give it a go if you feel so much for him.”

  She didn’t answer Maggs because she’d urged her horse into a gallop, heading back up to the stables. Seconds later she was trying to stay on Rae’s back as she hunched and bucked.

  “Piper!”

  She wrestled with the reins to stop her, but the horse was determined; seconds later she felt herself flying over her ears. The impact when she hit the ground jarred every bone in her body.

  Piper heard her friend’s shriek, and then Maggs arrived at her side.

  “Christ, Pip!”

  She couldn’t speak, the wind knocked out of her, but put up a hand to grab the one Maggs held out. Squeezing it, she reassured her friend she was okay.

  “That was weird. I’ve never seen Rae do that before.”

  “Me either,” Piper wheezed out. “Help me up.”

  She would be stiff and sore for a few days, but there was no major damage, Piper thought, moving her limbs slowly.

  Looking around, she found the horse, eyes wild, trembling. Something was very wrong.

  “Let me go, Maggs.” Piper walked to where Rae stood. “Hey there, sweetheart.” She touched her nose gently to soothe her. Rae butted her hand.

  “She’s saying sorry.” Maggs joined Piper.

  “But why did she do it?” Moving over the horse, she ran her hands gently over the animal. Returning to the saddle, she loosened the girth, and it was then she saw the blood.

  ***

  “At least Mom’s on the improve, and actually hosting bridge tonight,” Charlie said as Dylan drove out of the Howards’ driveway. “I swear that woman plays every night of the week.”

  “Not sure I want to go back there until they’ve left. All those women in the house make me shudder. They’ll do things like pinch my cheeks and tell me over and over what a bad son I am for staying away so long.

  “So what’s the deal? I thought you didn’t do the whole girlie thing, and yet I’m taking you to Piper’s house so you can watch chick flicks and eat junk food?”

  Dylan wondered if he’d see Piper or Grace. Probably not the baby, as it was late, but maybe.... No, he couldn’t see her. He wasn’t getting closer to anyone else in this town until he knew for sure if someone was targeting him or not.

  “Maggs called. We talked and she said it would be fun, so I thought I’d give it another go. Plus, when I called her just before to see what to bring, she told me Piper had fallen off her horse—”

  “Is she okay?” Dylan’s heart started thumping inside his chest at the thought of Piper hurt.

  “Sure, just bruised I think.”

  “But she’s okay?”

  “I just said she was, Dylan. What’s the deal with you two?”

  He felt Charlie’s eyes on him, but kept his on the road.

  “No deal. So, Ava. What do you think we should do for her?” he said before she could question him about his reaction.

  “I’ll run with the change of subject, but don’t think I won’t ask again.”

  “Whatever, and there’s nothing to say about it.”

  Charlie snorted but didn’t add anything. “It’s hard seeing Ava like that, Dylan. For so long I didn’t care, and now suddenly I do.”

  “I know, but the guilt is thicker because we feel partly to blame for abandoning her.”

  “Yeah, that too.”

  “I don’t see how this business with you could be connected to her though, do you?”

  He’d told only Charlie his suspicions at this stage, because two pairs of eyes saw a great deal more than one.

  “No, I don’t think that’s the case, but I can’t discount it completely. Remember what I told you, Charlie, if you see anything weird, get any emails or strange social media requests, you let me know.”

  “I know what you said, Dylan, but it just seems too far-fetched that someone is getting at you through us.”

  “I know it does, and it probably is, but I’ve dealt with some serious crazies in my time as a profiler. I’m sure we’re all good, but just in case, take care, okay?”

  They drove up the driveway and he stopped outside the house. Jack and Luke Trainer were coming out the door.

  “Okay, so see you later then?” Charlie said.

  “Call me if you need picking up.”

  She gave him a smile, and it was genuine.

  “It’s weird hearing you say that, because no one ever has before.”

  “No risks, and no time alone outside the house. You remember what I told you, Charlie?”

  “Got it.”

  He leaned in and kissed her cheek. She got out and greeted the brothers, who were heading toward him. Jack got in the passenger seat and Luke in the rear.

  “Can I help you?” Dylan said.

  “We need to pick up Joe, then head to the lodge. It’s pool night.”

  “I’m not going.”

  “Sure you are,” Luke said.
“Don’t be intimidated, we won’t take all your money, and you’ll probably leave with your clothes.”

  “No, I mean I’m not going.”

  “Sure you are. You need this after all the shit that’s going down in your life, and if we’re being honest, we need it too. Now hustle it along, bud. Joe gets pissy if we’re late,” Jack said, waving to the driveway he wanted Dylan to drive down.

  “Besides, your mom’s playing bridge. Miss Marla told me, because Mrs. Clancy told her. You don’t want to go there, bud. Best you stay with us,” Luke added.

  Dylan could argue. Hell, he could simply get out and walk away if he wanted. He did neither, and seconds later he was being directed up the drive to Joe and Bailey’s house.

  “Nice,” Dylan said as he caught his first glimpse of the house.

  “Joe loves this place,” Luke said, getting out. “It feeds his soul, apparently.”

  “Yeah, he into that kind of weird shit?”

  “Apparently he’s all about aligning his chakras.”

  “No way. I had him as a steak and beer man.”

  “Nope,” Jack said, and Dylan waited for the man to embellish the lie he was building about his big brother. “Truth is, he’s all about the healthy stuff. Even has leafy greens in the morning in some kind of drink.”

  “It’s called a smoothie.”

  “Yeah, heard of those. In fact, Pip forced one on me the other day. I’m still picking shit out of my teeth.”

  Dylan watched the youngest Trainer amble up to the house and pound on the front door.

  Cedar and stone, the natural exterior colors made the place settle nicely into the landscape. A stream ran along one side, and even in the fading light he could see it was something special.

  “Joe and Bailey’s rooms are up there.” Jack pointed to the second floor. “The view’s pretty special.”

  “I bet. It’s really something,” Dylan said, wondering why he felt a pull of longing inside him. The pull he’d felt when he’d walked around the house Piper was planning to buy.

  He’d never wanted to live anywhere but in his apartment, so why did he feel envious of Joe Trainer all of a sudden?

  “I’m sorry I gave you a hard time when you arrived in Ryker, Dylan.”