Colton's Amnesia Target (The Coltons of Kansas)

by Kimberly van Meter - A Sinclair Homecoming (The Sinclairs of Alaska)

  “Like what?”

  “I don’t know...what was her favorite cereal as a kid?”

  Ty did a double take. “Cereal? Hell, I don’t know. She wasn’t much of a cereal eater that I can recall. She was always bitching about how everyone left an empty box in the pantry. Now that I think about it, she liked Cream of Wheat. Not cereal per se, but a breakfast meal. But she liked it lumpy. Out of all us kids, she was the only one who liked her Cream of Wheat with big ol’ lumps in it. No one liked it when Jordana made it for everyone, which I think she did on purpose so she could eat the whole pot herself.”

  “That’s my crafty girl,” Clint said, happy and proud for no particular reason, only that it was a story about Jordana. “She’s a go-getter.”

  “She is,” Ty agreed. “One time for a science fair project she proved that ants’ stomachs were transparent by collecting a handful of ants and then feeding them colored sugar water. Bugs never bothered Jordana—she was a bit of a tomboy. Afterward, she released the ants back into the ant hill where she’d collected them but the colony rejected the ants because of their colored abdomens and tore them apart. It was brutal. She was more fascinated by the ants’ reaction than the results of her science fair project.”

  “No wonder she went into detective work,” Clint said, impressed and a little scared of twelve-year-old Jordana. “Ants’ stomachs are transparent?”

  “Yeah, well, at least the ants she collected. Not sure about the specific species and whatnot. Too many years between now and then. I remember our mom being freaked out about the ants being in the house. She found it macabre and disgusting at the same time.”

  “I think it’s cool,” Clint said.

  Ty nodded. “Me, too.”

  They arrived at the penthouse and Ty dutifully made sure that Clint made it inside before telling him to hit the bed and he’d call in the morning.

  Ty left Clint for his hotel room in spite of Clint’s offer of the spare bedroom to crash in.

  “You probably snore and I’m a light sleeper,” Ty joked. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Sleep it off, buddy.”

  But it was Clint who slept in the guest bedroom. There was no way the ghosts in his bed would allow any sleep.

  Some battles you just couldn’t win.

  * * *

  As much as Jordana tried to get out of a family dinner, Bridgette’s pitiful begging forced her hand.

  “Please don’t leave me alone with our parents. All they want to talk about is why I haven’t started dating yet, and no matter how many times I tell them I’m simply not ready, they don’t seem to hear me. I’m going to need backup.”

  “There’s no time limit on grief,” Jordana said, being supportive. “I think it’s a testament to how much you loved Henry that you’re reluctant to step back into the dating pool.”

  “It’s like people expect me to just move on and that’s not happening. I planned to spend a life with him. Now that he’s gone, I don’t know how to pick up the pieces again without feeling guilty for snatching some happiness.”

  “Never feel guilty for happiness,” Jordana admonished. “Henry loved you so much. He’d never want you to wallow in sadness for the rest of your life.”

  “No, he would’ve told me to move on,” Bridgette agreed with a watery laugh. “Henry was laughter personified. The man never met a person he couldn’t make a friend. It’s not fair that he’s gone and terrible people are walking around fresh as a daisy.”

  “Life isn’t fair,” Jordana agreed sadly. “Yes, I’ll be there tonight and be your backup if our parents start in on you.”

  “Thank you, sis,” Bridgette said with a sigh of relief. “I owe you one.”

  Jordana chuckled. “You still owe me for that time I didn’t tell Mom and Dad you snuck out your freshman year to be with your boyfriend at the time who was a senior. Your ass would’ve been toast.”

  “Oh, my goodness, I forgot about that.” Bridgette laughed. “What was I thinking? That could’ve ended badly.”

  “Yeah, and I didn’t sleep all night until you slipped in at five in the morning. I wanted to ring your neck. I had finals the next day and I was exhausted from worrying about you.”

  Amusement colored Bridgette’s voice as she retorted, “It’s not my fault you never took any chances or risks in high school. You were so straitlaced. No one was surprised when you decided to go into the military right out of high school. Why didn’t you go career military?”

  “I liked the structure and the strong sense of duty, but in the end, I just couldn’t see myself toe the line under someone else’s command until I retired. As much as I wished I had Uncle Shep’s resolve, I knew it wasn’t going to be for me in the long run. I don’t regret a single moment in service, though.”

  “Makes sense. For all your determination to follow rules, you have a rebel streak buried inside you. I see it now and then and I fully support seeing it more often.” She paused a minute before asking, “Have you talked to Clint since coming home?”

  “No, and I don’t plan to,” she answered, losing her smile. Clint was the hot stove that she couldn’t quite touch yet. “Ty gives me updates so I know what’s happening with the investigation, but other than that, I steer clear.”

  “Do you miss him?”

  “Yes.” That single word wasn’t big enough to convey what she felt in her heart but it was all she had. “More than I thought possible.”

  “Then swallow your pride and call him,” Bridgette said.

  “No, it’s better this way. A clean cut. We can both move on,” she said, holding the line. “Trust me, chasing after something that’s doomed from the start is a really bad idea.”

  “I think the reason you’re running away is because you’re scared of the big feelings you have. You’re always the one in control, but when you fall in love, the things you thought you could control go out the window.”

  “I’ve been in love before,” she corrected her sister, but it hadn’t felt like this. From the start Clint made her feel something different. Her feelings had been wild and untamed, definitely something she wasn’t used to, but she wasn’t running. “Trust me, he’s much better off finding a woman who’s content to be arm candy. You know that’s just not me.”

  “He fell in love with you,” Bridgette insisted, refusing to let it go. That was the thing about family—particularly sisters—when they had a bone, they never let it go. “If you’re hurting, he must be, too. Think about that.”

  She didn’t want to think about Clint at all. She just wanted him to be safe. “Can we change the subject?” Jordana asked. “I’m not in the right frame of mind to have this conversation. Besides, I’m going to need your backup with Dad. I know he’s going to ask me again when I can let him resume construction and I don’t have the answer he wants.”

  “Yeah, that’s a tough one.”

  “Gee, thanks, you think?”

  “I’m sorry. You’re right. We both need to have each other’s backs. It’s going to be a rough one. Do you want me or you to pick up the wine?”

  “I’ll do it.”

  “Cool. See you at six.”

  “I’ll be there with bells on—with alcohol in both hands.”

  “You’re the best big sister,” Bridgette said.

  “I’m your only big sister.”

  “That’s what makes you the best.”

  They ended the conversation on a shared chuckle but Bridgette’s advice to call Clint stuck in her head. Closure was important for them both. Calling him would only reopen wounds that were trying to heal.

  But she missed the sound of his voice.

  The way that cute dimple popped out when he grinned.

  And the way it felt to fall asleep in his arms, safe and secure that all was right in the world for at least that moment.

  No, she wouldn’t call.

&nbs
p; Even if she thought about it every day.

  Chapter 24

  Jordana’s first response to her mom’s invitation of dinner was to make an excuse to avoid a sit-down with her parents given the uncertain situation facing the investigation, but she chickened out and caved. Mostly for Bridgette, so she wasn’t left sitting through an awkward dinner alone. But Jordana could’ve timed her watch to her dad’s launch into the “nonsense” holding up his timeline and she wished she’d followed her first impulse, sister or not.

  “Do you realize how much money I’m losing each day you hold up demolition on the warehouse? I’ve got investors that are chewing on my ass wanting answers and I don’t have any to give them.”

  Jordana shared a glance with Bridgette before answering carefully, “You know I can’t talk about an open investigation, Dad. We’re moving as fast as we can, that’s all I can say.”

  “I don’t understand why you’ve got to keep the demo shut down. You’ve got the bodies. Why do you need the site any longer?” her dad persisted, ignoring the pointed look from his wife. “It’s total bureaucratic red tape and it’s costing me millions. I could lose this bid if it keeps up. You want that to happen? You enjoying the food on this table? Well, if I lose this bid, you can bet things are going to change around here.”

  “Dad, it’s not Jordana’s fault two bodies were found in your warehouse,” Bridgette piped in. “Just let her do her job.”

  Their dad swiveled his gaze to Bridgette, pointing his fork at her, “And you, missy, you’re no better in all this. What’s with all the questions about chemicals with my business. If I didn’t know better, I’d say my whole family was trying to bankrupt me.”

  “Fitz!” Lilly gasped, appalled. “Stop it. We’re not talking business at the dinner table.”

  “Well, Lilly, my business is under attack,” he shot back, not willing to back down. “Dex told me the other day that Bridgette’s office is poking around in our supply chain, asking questions about history that has nothing to do with today. I never thought I’d see the day when my own family had a knife to my throat.”

  “Daddy, that’s not what’s happening,” Bridgette insisted. “It’s standard procedure. You know I’m here because of the cancer cluster. Every business is under scrutiny, not just yours. I promise you it’s not personal. Besides, why are you worried? I’m sure you’ve done nothing that’s going to turn up bad.”

  “That’s not the point. Of course I’m not worried about that—I’m worried about losing this contract, which my business sorely needs. Construction jobs are down, the economy is depressed and I had to fight tooth and nail to win the bid. The last thing I need is a cloud of suspicion hanging over my head scaring off future investors. You’re only as good as your last job and I don’t want the Ruby Row Center to be the last job Colton Construction gets to call finished.”

  “It won’t be,” Bridgette assured their dad, but Jordana shifted against the feeling that their dad wasn’t being entirely honest.

  “Dad...when was the warehouse built?” she asked, remembering her earlier conversation with Reese.

  He looked up from his plate, annoyed. “What?”

  “I’m just wondering...when was the warehouse built?”

  Her dad waved away the question. “What does that matter?”

  “I was just curious.” She couldn’t share that CCA was found on the remains without getting into the details of the investigation. “I thought you might know.”

  “I don’t know, mid-1970s,” he answered gruffly. “Somewhere around there.”

  She breathed a secret sigh of relief. If the EPA hadn’t banned the use of CCA-treated wood until 2003, her father was in the clear as far as the chemical showing up on the bodies.

  “I don’t want another word about business,” Lilly declared, putting her foot down in a firm tone. “I want to enjoy a nice dinner without all the shouting and bad energy. Am I clear?”

  But without work to focus on, Lilly was quick to jump to Bridgette. “Darling, we’re so happy to have you home again. I know it’s been hard without Henry. How are you doing?”

  “I’m fine, Mom,” Bridgette answered with a bright smile, but her eyes told a different story. “Just keeping focused on my career. This assignment was a huge coup for my promotion. It was coincidental that it landed in Braxville but I’m happy to be home for a bit. Nice change of pace.”

  “And we’re so happy to have you home. Oh, I ran into that nice boy you used to date, Vincent Hogan, the other day. He works at the Feed ’N Seed now. Runs it for his dad. Very nice young man. You should see if he’s free for lunch sometime. I always thought you made a nice couple.”

  Jordana was ready to jump in to deflect their mom’s direction but it was Fitz who shut her down first. “Lilly, give it a rest. Stop trying to play matchmaker all the time,” he growled with irritation. “The girl can find her own dates. She doesn’t need you throwing eligible bachelors at her.”

  Lilly’s mouth pressed together as she shot daggers at her husband. The tension between them was uncomfortable. Jordana felt for Bridgette being stuck in this house with the two of them. “I’m just making conversation, Fitz,” she replied stiffly.

  “It’s okay, Mom,” Bridgette assured Lilly, trying to salvage their ruined dinner. “Vince was always very nice but we had nothing in common. We were better as friends.”

  “Being friends first is important,” Lilly said, slipping one last comment in before moving on. “Anyway, it might be nice to catch up. As friends, of course.”

  “Maybe. If I have time,” Bridgette said with a smile for Lilly’s sake.

  Mollified, Lilly rose, saying, “I made pie from apples picked at Applegate Orchards. Frannie says this batch is probably the best they’ve had in years. Well, you know they had that worm infestation that one year. Terrible stuff. But they’re all good now.” She smiled, hands on hips. “So, who wants a slice?”

  Fitz wiped his mouth with his napkin and rose without answering. When he left the room, Jordana tried not to see the pain in her mom’s eyes. Why was her dad wound so tightly?

  “I’ll have some, Mom,” she said, prompting Bridgette to join in.

  “I can’t turn down pie.”

  Lilly nodded, her smile strained but appreciative. “Two slices coming up.” She disappeared into the kitchen.

  It wasn’t until her mom was clear of the dining room that Jordana looked to Bridgette in question. “What bit Dad in the butt?”

  “I think this demo situation is hitting him harder than we realized. I’ve never seen him strung so tight, which is saying a lot.”

  Jordana nodded. “I’m working as fast as I can,” she promised, but in light of her dad’s meltdown, she couldn’t help but feel the pressure.

  And no amount of apple pie was going to fix that.

  * * *

  Clint was doing everything he could to distract himself from Jordana’s absence but seeing as he wasn’t sleeping in his bed—and the guest bed wasn’t quite as comfortable—he had a crick in his neck that didn’t help his surly mood.

  He eyed the phone as if it were a traitor for not ringing with Jordana on the other end. How could she just walk away as if what they’d been to each other was nothing?

  Was it so easy for her to slip back into her routine as if he’d been nothing more than a momentary distraction, a blip on her emotional radar that warranted little response?

  Jeana walked in, the picture of efficiency with a permanent pleasant smile etched on her face. Suspicion narrowed his gaze. Could Jeana be the one poised to stab the knife in his back? Clint was still doing background checks so he didn’t have an answer. For now, he was supposed to act like it was business as usual.

  “Good news, Nortec is ready to negotiate their newest tech contract and Broadlocke was their first choice. Should I set up a meeting?”

  He grunte
d in answer. “Make sure you cc Alex. I want him there, too. Alex knows Nortec’s CEO, Byron Zucker, and it could help to have a friendly face across the table.”

  “Certainly. I’ll make sure Mr. Locke is present. I picked up your dry cleaning and hired your new cleaning service as requested.”

  He couldn’t remember asking for a new service. “When did I ask for that?”

  “Oh, right before you left, sir. Seems the prior cleaning crew wasn’t up to your standards. This new service comes highly recommended.”

  How hard was it to clean up after a bachelor who was rarely home? And what the hell kind of bad job had the previous service done in his eyes? His memory had returned for the most part but some lingering patchy spots made him feel like an old man losing his marbles. He nodded at Jeana with a short smile. “Thank you, Jeana.”

  She nodded, jotting some notes in her folder before snapping it shut and peering at him with concern. “May I speak freely, sir?”

  Clint leaned back, curious. “Of course. Is something bothering you?”

  “Not at all. I’m more concerned about you, sir. You’ve been...preoccupied since Miss Colton returned to Kansas. I wondered, if I might be so bold to suggest, that you try and smooth things over with her.”

  A wry smile curved his lips. “I appreciate your concern but that ship has sailed. I’m sorry I’ve been preoccupied. I’m working on it. I’ll try harder.”

  “Oh, sir, I don’t mean to imply that you’ve been less efficient. However, you do seem sad.”

  “Jeana...was I good boss? I mean, I’m starting to remember things that make me think that maybe I was a jerk. If I was, I apologize. You’re an asset to my team and I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  Her pale cheeks flooded with color as she ducked her head, flustered and pleased at the same time. “Thank you, sir. That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  “You see, right there, that comment... Was I horrible? Please be honest. I need to know what public opinion of me is like around here.”