by R. C. Ryan
She put her hands on either side of Annie’s face, forcing her to meet her direct gaze. “Forget about crawling into bed and hiding from that dark cloud hanging over your head. You’re better than that, Annie. And stronger. You know someone targeted you and is trying to destroy you. You can’t back down. You need to stand up and fight back with everything you have. And trust me, when you do, my family and I will be right there beside you, fighting with everything we have.”
“Even knowing that by fighting alongside me, they might get dragged down into the mud, too?”
“Just watch. We Merricks love a good fight. Especially when the cause is just.”
Annie felt her eyes fill and blinked furiously.
She lifted a hand to Liz’s and swallowed hard. “Thanks. I needed that lecture.”
“Not a lecture. A reminder.”
Annie managed a weak smile. “Whatever you call it, I’m grateful.” She sniffed and lifted her chin. “Thanks, too, for letting me visit your studio. I’d love to come back another time, when I’m not feeling so overwhelmed. I’d love to see more of your amazing photographs.”
“You’re welcome here anytime.” Liz stepped back. “Where to now?”
Annie turned toward the door. “To find Jonah and ask him to drive me to town. I want to know everything Chief Crain has learned.” She paused with her hand on the doorknob and gave Liz a knowing look. “After all, if I’m going to follow your advice to put up the fight of my life, I need to be armed with as many facts as possible.”
“Good for you.” Liz was positively glowing as Annie walked away.
Chapter Twenty
Jonah paused to back up his work on the computer. Not that he’d accomplished much. All morning he’d been distracted by thoughts of Annie.
She’d been so emotional last night, after his family had vowed to help in any way they could. He accepted the fact that she was feeling overwhelmed. But was it, as she’d said, because of his family’s kindness? Or was she only now beginning to realize just how deeply she was caught up in this mysterious scheme that had completely taken over her life?
The scene afterward hadn’t been planned. He’d simply wanted to comfort her. But then comfort had morphed into something very different.
Different.
He was a man who loved playing with words. Different couldn’t possibly describe what had transpired between them.
Transformational.
Now, there was a word that came closer to describing that kiss.
That solitary kiss had been a tiny match dropped into dry tinder, causing an inferno of epic proportions in his world.
He stood and began to pace.
He’d fallen asleep wanting her. He woke this morning wanting her. Right this minute, with his thoughts in disarray and his focus everywhere but on his work, he wanted her.
Not just physically, though that was a powerful urge. But he wanted her body, her mind, her very soul. He’d quite simply become obsessed with her.
When he saw her moving along the overgrown path lined by foliage, he thought for a moment he’d simply conjured her because he wanted her so badly. Then he blinked and the image drew closer.
He hurried to open the cabin door.
“Hi.” He stood there, drinking her in, all pink-cheeked and windblown from her hike.
“Hi.” She brushed a strand of hair from her eye. “I know I shouldn’t bother you while you’re working…”
“I’m finished for the day.” He stepped back and held open the door.
She brushed past him, careful not to touch him with any part of her body.
He was reminded of the night before, when her reaction had been the same.
Had she built that wall of reserve because he’d overstepped his bounds? Or could it be that she was trying to cover feelings that matched his? He had to know. Was desperate to know.
“Coffee?”
“No thanks.” She glanced toward his desk and seemed relieved to see his computer closed. “You’re really through for the day?”
He nodded, watching her in that careful, steady way. “I missed you this morning.”
“Liz invited me to see her studio.”
“What did you think?”
“I could have spent hours looking at her photos. What incredible talent she has.”
“Yeah. That’s my aunt Liz. She may be shy, but she speaks volumes about Wyoming and its people and wildlife through her work.”
Annie nodded. “I saw the pictures of our mustangs.”
He smiled, wondering if she was aware that she’d called them “ours.”
“Why that smile?”
“No reason except I’m happy you’re here.”
“The walk through the woods helped me clear my mind. I’ve been feeling so confused this morning since…”
His smile faded as he closed the distance between them to put a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry if that kiss last night upset…”
Seeing her bewildered look, he paused. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. Go ahead. You were saying…?”
Annie seemed to gather herself. “Liz is very insightful. I suppose that comes from being an artist.”
“My aunt has a way of seeing past all the fluff and getting to the heart of things. What did she have to say?”
“She told me things about myself that I’d thought I was hiding pretty well.”
“What sort of things?”
Annie felt heat rush to her cheeks as she thought of what Liz had said about the love she’d glimpsed between her and Jonah. That was way too personal to repeat.
She turned away to hide the blush she knew he would see. “One of the things she noticed about me is a feeling of helplessness because I don’t know who is targeting me, or why.”
“That’s natural enough. Anyone would feel the same.”
“Liz wanted me to know that she believes in me and thinks it’s time to stop letting fear win. She told me it’s time to stand tall and fight back.”
“Isn’t that exactly what my family told you?”
Annie nodded and turned back to him, keeping her emotions under control. “They did. But maybe it meant more coming from Liz, now that I know her story.”
He couldn’t hide his surprise. “She told you about Luke and CC and her heartbreak and humiliation at their hands?”
Annie nodded.
“Wow. That’s good news.”
“Why in the world would that be considered good news?”
“Not the backstory. That will always be painful for her. But it’s good because the more she’s willing to share, the more she’s willing to move beyond that painful time in her life.” He lifted his hands to her arms, and this time she didn’t draw away. “I want that for you, too, Annie. I want you to overcome whatever hell is threatening your happiness, so you can move beyond it.” He ran his hands lightly down her arms before taking her hands in his. “So what’s the plan? How would you like to begin fighting back?”
“I’d like to meet with Chief Crain and see what else he’s learned. I want to know what your grandfather’s friend Newton Calder has uncovered so far. And I want to let both of them, as well as the state and federal authorities, know that even though I’m their prime suspect, I’m also the victim of a scheme and have the right to be kept in the loop while they work their way through this investigation.”
“Now that’s what I’ve been hoping to hear you say.” His smile warmed her. “Let them think whatever they want. But once they’ve put all the threads together, we know that your name and your family’s reputation will be restored.”
Her smile matched his. “That’s the plan. I’m so glad you agree. Can you spare the time to drive me to town?”
He nodded. “My time is yours.”
“Annie. Jonah. Good to see you.” Noble Crain, fresh from lunch with the town council at Nonie’s Wild Horses Saloon, stood and gestured to the chairs across his desk.
He sat back, his arms crossed over his chest. “What can I do for
you?”
Jonah kept his tone conversational. “You’re aware that my grandfather invited Newton Calder to join the investigation.”
Noble nodded. “I am. And I welcome any and all help. Of course, I’m more or less at the bottom of this investigative food chain. Once it was labeled a federal crime, the feds took the lead on this, while working as little as necessary with the state police. Being a small-town cop, I’m just allowed to remain in the loop.”
“At least they’re sharing their information with you, Chief.” Annie leaned forward. “I know that I’m a suspect, but I’m also, whether you and the others care to admit it, a victim of this scheme. It’s my good name that is being smeared. My family’s reputation is on the line. I realize, since the victim of the million-dollar theft was one of my clients, that it’s easy to assume that I’m involved. But you have to acknowledge, at least somewhere in the back of your mind, that I would have had to be the dumbest thief in the world to steal that much money from one of my own clients and then deposit the loot in an account in my own name in a competitor’s bank.”
“I’ve run into a lot of stupid criminals in my day.” Realizing what he’d implied, Noble uncrossed his arms and straightened in his chair. “Not that I’m calling you a stupid criminal, Annie. But all that glaring evidence is pretty hard to ignore.”
“That’s what the real criminal is hoping. As long as the authorities believe they already have their thief, he hopes that they’ll get lazy and refuse to spend time looking elsewhere.”
“That’s where Newt comes in,” Jonah added. “Gramps Egan knows that Newt won’t be lulled into a false sense that the first and most obvious trail is the only trail. He’ll keep on digging until he finds what the others may have overlooked.”
The chief leaned close, tapping a pen on his desktop. “That’s my hope, too.” He let his gaze settle on Annie. “Let me be candid. I liked you, Annie, from the first time I met you. I’d like to believe that you’re innocent and that this whole thing is an elaborate setup. But a good cop can’t ignore evidence that’s right under his nose.”
“I understand, Chief.” Annie took a breath. “But I’ve decided to stop running and hiding and denying. Since I intend to remain here in Devil’s Door until this is resolved, I’d appreciate it if you would share whatever information you can.”
Noble seemed to think about it for a moment before giving a nod. “I can tell you this. I learned today that there are more than half a dozen Arlen Lenders around the country, but none of them show up on any police files.”
Jonah shared a look with Annie. “An alias?”
Noble shrugged. “Or a man with a clean record. The feds have run every Arlen, Allen, and Alden Lender in their data bank.” He turned to Annie. “None of them have been in the San Francisco area. None of them fit the profile of the man you described. It would help if you had a picture of him.”
Annie shook her head. “I don’t.” She gave it more thought before saying, “I remember being in formal dress for a charity affair and asking Arlen to pose with me. Instead, he insisted on taking my phone and clicking off a couple pictures of me. I didn’t think too much of it at the time. Now I realize he very cleverly avoided being photographed. How I wish I’d have insisted.”
The chief brushed it off. “If this guy’s smart enough to steal from reputable banks, he’s probably had plenty of experience avoiding cameras.”
He thought of something else. “You said that you were introduced to this guy at a party hosted by the bank president.”
“That’s right.”
“Who introduced you?”
She had to think about it before saying, “I believe it was Jolynn Carter. She does the same work that I do but in a different branch. There were maybe half a dozen people in her group, and Arlen was one of them. But someone else may have introduced him to Jolynn before I joined them.”
“Which branch did Jolynn work at?”
“At the time, she was in number thirty-two, in downtown San Francisco. But I heard that she was transferred to forty-five. Of course, we routinely move around, so that could have changed since I left.”
The chief noted everything before looking up. “All right. I’ll get this off to the task force.”
“Have you heard from Newt?” Jonah asked.
Noble shook his head. “So far, nothing. But the authorities, both state and federal, like and trust Newt. Even though he’s retired, he’s one of them. I’m sure you’ll be hearing from him whenever he has anything to report.”
He stood, indicating an end to their meeting.
They shook hands before walking away.
Outside, Jonah took Annie’s hand and led her toward his truck. “Lunch at Nonie’s?”
“Hmm?”
Realizing that she was distracted, he said, “Never mind. I have a better idea.”
He left her in the truck and returned a short time later carrying several bags, which he set in the back seat.
As they left town, Jonah turned on the radio. With Rascal Flatts singing “Bless the Broken Road” in the background, they lowered the windows and allowed the gentle breeze to fill the truck.
The words of the song filled Annie with a quiet peace. She leaned back against the headrest and studied the rolling hills and the occasional ranch, with split-rail fences meandering along wildflower-strewn fields and meadows.
When she turned to Jonah, her smile had returned. “This is all so pretty. I can see why my uncle refused to join my dad in San Francisco when they were younger. He insisted on returning to his roots here.”
“Are your folks still there?”
She shook her head. “My mom passed first. Eleven years ago. My dad’s been gone for six years. They were both in banking. Since I’m an only child, it was expected that I’d follow them into the same business, especially since I love it. Or rather, I did until…”
He reached over and closed a hand over hers. “You’ll love it again, when this is resolved.”
She kept her smile in place. “From your lips, Jonah.”
Chapter Twenty-One
When they drove past the Merrick ranch house, Annie turned to Jonah. “We’re not going home?”
Home. Another word that had slipped so easily from her lips. The thought filled him with hope.
He’d spent the night fighting the feelings that had been unlocked since meeting Annie. But somewhere between then and now, a lot of the questions that had plagued him had been answered. Or maybe they just didn’t matter anymore. Whatever the reason, he was feeling confident and strangely calm.
“I thought we’d head to my cabin and do a little hiking. That always seems to ease your mind.”
“Oh, yes. I’d love that.” She watched as he maneuvered the truck along an overgrown path. “Are you sure you should drive way out here? There’s no road.”
“None needed. I rarely drive here. But this truck can take us through and around and over any number of obstacles.”
Soon they pulled up behind the cabin, where Jonah turned off the ignition and retrieved the bags before circling around and taking Annie’s arm.
“Watch for hidden tree roots or they’ll trip you.”
“Thanks.” She moved along easily beside him.
While she paused to watch the antics of a chipmunk, he stepped into the cabin and within minutes was outside again, handing her one of his wide-brimmed hats and a bottle of water. “All set?”
She nodded, and the two of them set out at a brisk pace.
The sun was already sinking below the peaks of the Tetons by the time Annie and Jonah returned to his cabin. The afternoon had slipped away, and with it, all the tension that she’d been carrying around. Instead of lingering on her troubles, she’d been able to move beyond them to the sights and sounds of the countryside.
As he’d hoped, their hike to high country had resulted in the sighting of a herd of mustangs, and they’d spent a lazy hour under the cover of the woods watching the mares and their frisky you
ng, guarded, as always, by the stallion keeping watch nearby.
Annie was so caught up in all that she’d seen that she couldn’t stop talking about it on their walk back.
“That little spotted mare was so sweet. I loved the way she would lift her head and give that little guy a look that would stop him in his tracks.”
Jonah was laughing. “I think that look was the equivalent of the hairy eyeball Gram Meg used to give us when our horseplay got too rough.”
“The three of you must have been a handful for your grandmother.”
“I guess we were. But she knew the men in the family had her back, along with Aunt Liz.”
“Still, it all fell to her to keep you three in line.”
“For the most part.” He opened the cabin door and led the way inside.
They sat just inside the entry and removed their boots, setting them beneath the bench.
“It’s getting cool, now that the sun has set. Want me to start a fire?”
Annie shrugged. “That would be nice, if we’re staying long enough to enjoy it.”
“We’re not on any timetable. We can stay as long as we choose.”
“What about dinner?”
“I’ve already texted Billy to let him know we’ll be eating here.” He crossed the room and knelt in front of the fireplace, holding a match to kindling.
Within minutes, the log caught a trickle of flame and soon a cozy fire was burning.
He stood. “Hungry?”
“Famished.” She gave a shake of her head. “After meeting with Chief Crain, I had no appetite at all.”
“See what hiking a couple of miles can do?”
“A couple? It felt more like a marathon.”
He took her hand and led her to a chair pulled up before the fireplace. “Put your feet up and relax.”
He retrieved a bottle of red wine from one of the bags he’d brought from town and proceeded to uncork it before pouring some into two stemmed glasses.
As he handed one to her, she arched a brow. “Very thoughtful of you, cowboy.”
