He was definitely a jerk.
She nudged a few tears away and sat taller, composing herself.
He never should have crossed the line into a personal discussion or allowed unfounded jealousy to direct his mood and conversation.
His cell alerted him to several texts. Good. He needed to focus on their investigation.
“Anything important?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe. Let me read. The Montana State Lab says the small wire in Jim’s hand was a nose ring.”
“Huh. That’s one I haven’t heard before,” she said.
“I’ve heard stranger, honestly.”
“You think he fought his killer? Pulled the nose ring out, was stabbed and pushed? That messes with my theory that Jim was killed at the cabin and then carted to the cliff.”
“Well, at least we have more information, unless Jim wore a nose ring.”
He read the next text out loud. “Star Oil Company had to halt drilling plans three years ago due to an archaeological discovery.”
“Could Neva have taken something then and found her way into trafficking?”
“It would make sense,” he said.
Terra said nothing more, and Jack was fine with that. He’d dodged her questions about his job at the FBI, and in the meantime, they’d learned a bit more about the investigation.
“Your turn,” she said. “You insisted I talk first. Now, I want to know why you left the FBI.”
“You know some of it.”
“Only that you worked undercover and somehow that involved the guest ranch family.”
“There’s not a lot to tell, actually. I worked my way up in an organization until I was like the right-hand man to a guy at the top. Things went sour. Someone died.” Jack stared out at the passing trees. I couldn’t save her.
He wasn’t sure how he was even living with himself now.
“Jack?” Terra’s voice was soft. She’d been so good to share so much, and yet he knew she’d kept some of her deeper thoughts close. And he would do the same. Now wasn’t the time to open up that festering wound and bleed out on her. If he did, he would become much too exposed.
“Yeah,” he said.
“I heard mention of you getting wounded.”
“I got shot, yes.”
She grabbed his hand and squeezed. He almost brought her hand to his lips to kiss it.
“I’m glad you’re okay.” She released his hand. “So, you really did come back because of Aunt Nadine.”
“Yes.” And because of the guilt that plagued him. The secret that burdened him.
She didn’t press him further, and they spent the rest of the drive in silence, lost in their own thoughts. And for that, he was grateful.
When Terra dropped him at the county sheriff’s office, he couldn’t have been more relieved. He opened the door to get out, feeling like he was escaping the somber mood in the vehicle. Though, at the same time, he hated leaving Terra for even a moment.
“Jack.”
He leaned toward her, his gaze landing on her lips. The desire to kiss them hit him at the worst possible moment, but he reined it in, forcing his eyes to meet her crystal-blue gaze. “Yes?”
“Owen will be disappointed if you don’t show up to the party tomorrow.”
Jack doubted Owen would even notice. Maybe Terra was the one who would be disappointed.
“I’ll be there.”
The next afternoon, Jack steered along the drive, passing a long line of vehicles at Stone Wolf Ranch. Aunt Nadine rode next to him.
His gut clenched.
“Oh my.” Aunt Nadine pressed a hand to her chest.
His sentiments exactly.
“I should have expected a big crowd here.” She stared down at the splint on her wrist and adjusted her shirt sleeve as if hoping that would hide it. “Lots of people know the family.”
Owen definitely wouldn’t have missed him, but Jack came for Terra. Plus, this was a great opportunity to get out of the house with Aunt Nadine.
“I’m going to pull around so you can get out at the door, and then I’ll park.”
“I don’t want to have to wait there alone.”
“Aunt Nadine, you know most everyone there. You won’t be alone.”
“I’d prefer to walk with you.”
Jack found a recently vacated spot between two cars. As soon as they got out, the aroma of grilled food made his mouth water. Food instead of smoke. He was glad the recent wildfire had been contained and the air wasn’t filled with the stench and haze or the threat of fire so they could enjoy the day. He escorted Aunt Nadine to the house, careful not to bump her injured wrist, and the door swung open as if automatically.
A young brunette girl and who appeared to be her younger brother held the doors. “Welcome to the party. Head through the kitchen to the patio out back.”
Aunt Nadine chuckled. “Why, thank you. You’re doing a great job welcoming the guests.”
The boy giggled, and the girl frowned at him. Jack left them to their jobs and ushered Aunt Nadine through the house to the backyard. About two hundred people mingled in the back. He spotted a small gathering near the corral, and someone was sitting on a horse.
“Wow, this is quite the gathering,” she said.
“Nadine, over here!” A woman drew his aunt’s attention. Jack followed her while he glanced around the get-together in search of Terra.
And then he spotted her. She stood in a circle of friends. Jack recognized Erin and Alex. The guy drew close to Terra and whispered something that made her smile. No reason to be jealous. She didn’t belong to Jack, and he reminded himself that he might not ever measure up, in his own mind, to someone like Terra.
He forced himself to look away so he wouldn’t appear obsessed with her. He should join her and say hello to Owen as well. Then he and Aunt Nadine could get out of there.
Hands in his pockets, he tried to relax as he took in the crowd gathered to celebrate Owen’s return. These were Terra’s friends and family. A good mix of locals, including farmers and ranchers. The town mayor and the police chief. The county sheriff would probably show up as well.
He hoped Terra’s grandfather, the previous land commissioner, wasn’t planning to use this party for political gain as he started raising funds to campaign for higher political aspirations, but Jack couldn’t help that it felt political to him. The raising up or fortifying of a political base, at least. Certainly, nothing was wrong with that—it was just the way of things.
That didn’t mean Jack had to like it.
He hadn’t been watching Terra, but when his gaze slid over her way again, he caught her watching him. Maybe their gazes collided at the right moment. Her smile brightened, and she waved him over. He excused himself and left Aunt Nadine with her friend Josey and headed for Terra’s small group.
Her closest friends.
“Guys, you remember Jack, don’t you?” she asked. “He’s a detective for the sheriff’s department now.”
Jack shook Alex’s hand, and then Erin’s.
“It’s good to see you were able to make it to the party,” Jack said.
He’d never been good in a crowd, but he would make this work.
“Oh, I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Erin said. “Mom still lives in town. In fact, she’s at the party too. This gave me a great excuse to get away for the weekend, and, well, we’re going to see the memorial early next week too.” Erin smiled at Alex and then Terra.
Terra quirked a grin. “As if you need an excuse to come see your mom.”
Alex crossed his arms. The guy seemed to have completely clammed up since Jack arrived. Owen approached the group and, tilting his cup, shook ice into his mouth and chewed.
A man marched forward as if on a collision course—and Jack’s reflexes kicked in. He mentally braced himself as the guy almost knocked Owen over when he grabbed him in a bear hug.
Owen’s smile brightened as he turned. “Guys, here’s somebody I want you to meet. My
longtime Army buddy, Leif Morrisey. We’ve been through a lot together. Leif saved my life.”
Jack studied Leif, who was a little older than Owen and also a little taller at about six foot. Everyone appeared mesmerized by Owen’s life-saving friend.
“As soon as I learned about Owen’s big welcome, I made sure to head this direction during my furlough.”
Jack rubbed his chin. “What did you do in the Army?”
Leif disarmed him with his smile. “Warrant officer. Helicopter pilot and Owen’s gunner.”
He elbowed Owen, and they laughed like they shared a private joke.
Leif and Owen told stories from their experiences. Owen shared about his helicopter going down, caught in a spin, and how he and a few others had jumped out and landed in a lake before the crash. “Not usually advised, but in that particular situation, it saved our lives.”
Jack spotted Aunt Nadine standing alone and looking lost. Oh no.
He inched around to Terra and leaned closer. “Going to check on my aunt.”
She appeared mesmerized with Leif’s and Owen’s stories and probably wouldn’t have even noticed he’d left.
He approached his aunt and offered his arm. “Hey, where’s Josey?”
“Oh, she left already.” Aunt Nadine pulled a slip of paper from her purse—a poster about Freckles—and handed it to Jack. “Will you help me put up posters here for Owen’s friends to see?”
Taking the slip from her, he smiled for her sake, though his heart ached. “Why don’t we wait for now? I’ll be sure to give this to Terra and Owen, and they can share with their friends. In the meantime, let’s get you something to eat and drink.”
He ushered her over to where burgers were being served. They got plates and grabbed all the fixings, including drinks. Jack found a table where he could sit with his aunt and hoped there would be a good moment to simply slip away unnoticed. He felt out of place.
Then Terra took the seat next to him. She smiled at his aunt. “I hope you don’t mind if I join you.”
“Oh, Terra.” Aunt Nadine’s face lit up. “It’s been so long.”
His aunt reached across him to touch Terra’s hand.
Jack feared sitting together was a bad idea. Aunt Nadine might say the wrong thing since her mind sometimes went back a few years. She might refer to Jack and Terra like they were still together or remind him he needed to make things right with Terra.
He produced the paper with Freckles’s picture and placed it on the table.
“Oh,” Aunt Nadine said. “Where did you get that? I didn’t realize you had brought a poster.” She squeezed his arm and then looked at Terra. “My nephew is such a thoughtful person.”
“What’s this?” Terra lifted the poster. “Another stray? He’s a cutie. I hope you find his owner soon.”
“You mean, his boy.”
“Pardon?”
“Freckles has a boy, and we’re searching for his boy.”
Terra briefly glanced at Jack, compassion in her eyes. “Well, of course Freckles has a boy. I can’t wait to meet Freckles so I can know him better and help search for his boy.”
Aunt Nadine ate some of her burger.
“See that man talking to Gramps?” She glanced at Jack.
“Yeah. Who is he?”
“His name is Marcus Briggs. Gramps hired him to be his campaign manager.”
Jack almost choked on his drink. “So he is running. I kind of figured.” He caught himself before he said more. “What office?”
“State representative,” she said.
He wanted to ask more, but Aunt Nadine asked Terra about the rosebushes out front, and the conversation shifted to landscaping. Jack moved so they could speak directly instead of around him. He quickly finished off his burger, then chugged his drink. Over the rim of his cup, he caught two figures stepping into the house. Terra’s grandfather, Robert, and Owen’s Army friend, Leif.
Jack excused himself and entered the home as if he belonged there. After placing Aunt Nadine’s poster on the counter, he headed down the hallway for the bathroom, but his instincts kicked in and he just kept walking until he heard voices outside Robert’s office.
Robert and Leif were behind closed doors. Jack couldn’t make out what they were saying, and though it certainly wasn’t his business, he found it interesting they would choose this time to have a private conversation.
A sound drew his attention. Terra stood at the end of the hallway, a question in her eyes.
What are you doing here?
FORTY-ONE
Relieved the party was finally over, Terra eased onto the comfy sofa in the living room. She was also thankful that Gramps had hired caterers and a cleanup crew. At first she’d wanted to be involved in pulling the party together for her brother, but with her caseload, it just wasn’t practical.
She’d said goodbye to her best friends and agreed to meet them for dinner Monday evening. Erin wasn’t heading home until Tuesday. Tomorrow Terra would attend church with Gramps and hoped Owen would join them for a change.
Owen had already crashed. She’d worried that today might wear him out, but she shouldn’t be so concerned for him. He seemed in better condition than she’d ever seen him—even after boot camp. She knew that was because he had a vision to help others.
Terra yawned and put the cup containing her last sip of herbal tea in the kitchen sink.
Gramps came up behind and gave her a quick hug.
“I’m surprised to see you so energetic,” she said. “This was a big day.”
He chuckled. “I might as well get used to it. Once I start officially campaigning, today will be nothing by comparison.”
Terra slid into the chair at the table, hoping he might linger. “I was away last year when you made the decision to even consider putting your name in the hat for state representative, Gramps. We’ve never really talked about it.” She lifted her hands as if in surrender. “Not that it’s my business. It’s totally your decision, but I guess—”
“You want to understand why.” He eased into a chair, his hands around a warm mug of milk. “I’m too tired to sleep. I’m hoping the milk will help. Need to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for church tomorrow.”
For the public eye? That wasn’t fair, and she shoved the judgmental thought away. “Yeah. I want to know why.”
“Because I’m not done yet. I want to give back. Owen served his country. You’re protecting natural resources and fighting crime. I don’t want to feel like I’m not contributing. I don’t want to feel old. People like me, we have life experience. It’s good for something. The thought of running for office, of working as an elected official, makes me feel alive again.”
Terra thought maybe he was still searching, trying to fill that emptiness after losing his daughter. “That all makes sense, Gramps. I’m proud of you.”
“At least you got to meet Marcus.”
“Tell me more about him.”
“He’s a political consultant.”
“When you were transportation commissioner for this region, you were appointed by the governor, so you didn’t need a campaign manager. Is that right?”
“This is a whole new ball game, Terra. I need someone who can handle the pressure.”
“Okay. I can see that. So, who is this guy, really? Where did you meet him?” Terra sure hoped Gramps knew what he was doing. Sure, he’d had his fingers in every industry pie in Montana, but he could be getting in over his head. But who was she to make that call?
“He’s someone I’ve known for a while. He knew your mother.”
“So . . . you just called him up and asked him to work for you?”
“No, nothing like that. As Providence would have it, he called me to catch up. We got to talking, and he agreed to come up and chat. Or consult. He mentioned he wanted to meet with you and Owen. Get to know you. All part of building a strategy.”
“Well, I’ll be around. Speaking of meeting people, what did you think of Owen’s friend, Leif? Y
ou met with him in your office today.”
Gramps’s breath hitched, but he kept his smile in place—the smile he’d always had for her. Still, she didn’t miss that he was surprised she knew about that meeting.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Of course. I invited Leif to chat in private. I wanted to know how he thought Owen was really doing. Leif went through everything with him but came out with all his limbs.” Gramps’s face twisted with pain at the words. “I love you and Owen. You’re all I’ve got.”
Terra smiled and rose. She moved to stand behind and hug him. “We love you too. Now, you’d better go get your beauty rest.”
He laughed and pushed from the table. “Are you calling me an old man?”
“I would never. You can hold your own. And right about now, I think you could outlast me tonight. I’m beat.”
Terra left her grandfather to finish his warm milk and sauntered down the hallway. She noticed a light on in Owen’s room.
She knocked on the door. “Owen, you still awake?”
He opened it for her. “Sure. Come on in.”
He left her to sit at his desk and stare at his open laptop.
She eased into a corner chair. “I figured you’d be three sheets to the wind by now. Today was a great day, seeing all those people here to welcome you home.”
Preoccupied, he nodded but said nothing.
“Don’t worry, Owen. Your idea is a good one, and before you know it, this will be the place to go for therapy.”
He glanced up from his laptop and smiled. “You’re right. I am beat. I think I’ll go to bed now, so I’ll shut this thing down.”
She sensed he was trying to get rid of her. “Suit yourself. I hope you get some sleep so you can join me and Gramps for church tomorrow.”
As she headed for the door, she noticed some print photographs on the side table and stopped for a moment. She lifted the pile to thumb through them. “This is you and Leif.”
“Yep.” Owen hovered near as if he would snatch the photographs from her.
“Who’s the girl?”
“His sister.” Owen gently relieved her of the photographs. “She was killed.”
Present Danger Page 19
