In Plain Sight, page 21
Stunned, Katie met Ryan’s equally surprised gaze. “I guess we weren’t as good as hiding it as we thought.”
“No, you weren’t. Just like you weren’t able to hide how devastated you were when he left you. I heard you crying in your room night after night, but whenever I tried to talk to you, you clammed up.” She directed her steely gaze toward Ryan. “I hated you for that, Ryan McCallister. You broke my girl’s heart.”
“Is that why you hid my letters from her?” Ryan asked, not cowed by her mother’s harsh words.
A surprised gasp slipped from her lips. “You know about that?”
“I found them in the backpack, Mom,” Katie said. “How could you do that? How could you keep them from me?”
Her mother crossed her arms over her chest and lifted her chin imperiously. “I did what I thought was right. When the first one came, your heart was still broken. I couldn’t risk him hurting you any more than he already had.” Her eyes softened. “When you’re a mother, you’ll understand. I couldn’t bear to see you in such pain.”
Katie cocked her head. Was this some alternate universe? “That’s odd. You never seemed to care about me one way or another,” she said, and for the first time in her life, she witnessed her mother’s eyes well with tears.
“I’m not an emotional or a demonstrative woman.” She opened her purse and pulled out a tissue. “Never have been. I wasn’t raised that way. But I love you and your sister more than my own life.” She dabbed at her eyes with the tissue before giving Ryan a stern look. “Are you sure you’re done with the circuit? How does Katie know you won’t go traipsing off again chasing another belt buckle?”
Katie raised a hand. “Mom, that’s none of your business.”
“It’s okay,” Ryan said quickly. “Mrs. Crawford, I’m back in Two Forks for good. The circuit’s a lonely life, and I’m done with it. As for my future, I’ve got a ranch that’s been neglected for far too long. It will take a lot of hard work to get it back to the way it was when my dad was alive. But I’m looking forward to the challenge. And if you’re worried about my intentions toward Katie Jo, let me set your mind to rest right here and now. I’m in love with your daughter, and I plan to marry her.”
Katie gasped, her heart skipping several beats. “Ryan. What are you….”
“If she’ll have me.” Ryan pushed back the brim of his hat and turned to look at her. “You don’t have to answer me now, Katie Jo. I figure I’ve still got a lot to make up for, and I will. So you can take that to the bank.”
“Those are mighty fine words.” Anne’s tone was a bit less frosty, but there was still some chill. “I hope you mean them.”
Ryan met her skeptical gaze. “I do mean them, Mrs. Crawford. I’ve loved your daughter since I was fourteen years old, and I’ll love her until the day I die. I’ll make sure she never regrets giving me a second chance.”
Her mother stepped off the porch and moved toward them. In an uncharacteristic gesture, she reached out and put her hand on Katie’s arm. Her touch was warm and gentle. “I’m sorry about the letters, and I’m even more sorry you’ve doubted my love for you.”
Tears pricked the back of Katie’s eyes. “I love you, Mom. I’m still mad about you hiding my mail, but I sort of understand why you did it.”
Anne dabbed at her eyes again and cleared her throat. “I’d like you and Ryan to come to the house this Sunday for dinner. MJ and Vern will be there.”
“We’d love to come,” Ryan said before Katie could say a word. “I haven’t had a decent meal since I got back to town.”
Anne gave him a thoughtful look. “Do you still like pot roast?”
“It’s my favorite.” Ryan flashed a wide smile. “And I always did love your double chocolate cake.”
Katie rolled her eyes as her mother’s cheeks turned pink. Ryan had always been good at sucking up to her mother.
“Well, I’ll see you both on Sunday then.” She squeezed Katie’s arm gently before releasing it and stepping around them. “I’ll expect you at six sharp,” she called over her shoulder as she walked to her car.
“You know what this means, don’t you?” Katie said glumly as she and Ryan watched her mother get into her car. “Now we’ll have to be there every Sunday.”
“They’re your family.” Ryan turned to her with a somber expression. “I would give anything to have dinner with my parents. My father is dead, and most of the time, my mother doesn’t know who I am. I’ll never get them back.”
Katie reached up and stroked his cheek. “You miss them.”
“Every day,” Ryan said. “Don’t shut your mom out of your life. You’ll end up regretting it.”
“I guess dinner once a week isn’t so bad.” She trailed her fingers to his jaw and then down to his shirt, where she adjusted his collar. “Do you intend to marry me, or was that a load of bullshit for my mother’s benefit?”
“Baby, I’d marry you tomorrow if you’d say yes.” He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. “But I can wait until you trust me again. Until you’re sure I’ll never leave you for the circuit.”
The intensity in his dark eyes took her breath away. She wanted to trust him again. Hell, she was more than halfway there. But it was too soon for her to throw caution to the wind. He’d vowed to her that he was done with the rodeo circuit. But the lure of the sport was strong, even to those who were sure they were done with it forever. If its siren’s call beckoned, would he answer it, or was he serious about putting down roots?
Only time would tell.
The second Maya stepped into her hotel room, a chill danced up her spine. Closing the door behind her, she did a quick scan of the room. Her suitcase was on the bed exactly where she’d left it. It was open, and her clothes were neatly packed. All she had to do was put her toiletry bag in it, and she was ready to go.
Her gaze rested on the round table near the window. Her laptop was closed but still plugged in to charge for the flight back to Wyoming. Next to the laptop was her day planner. Not only did it serve as her calendar, but she also used it to jot down ideas for future books.
Moving to the desk, she picked up the planner and tried to shake off the unease that had settled over her. It was probably nerves. Next week she would be testifying against Hugh Alastair, and despite the preparation over the last two days, she wasn’t looking forward to it. Testimony prep with the US Attorney’s office was one thing. Sitting in the witness box was another. When she gave her testimony at the trial, Hugh would be in the courtroom, his eyes filled with hatred and contempt. The thought of seeing him again filled her with dread.
Pivoting from the table, she scanned the room a second time. Everything looked as it had when she left for her final meeting with the attorneys, yet something seemed off. It was crazy, but it was as if the room had been invaded by something evil.
Her phone rang, startling her. Setting the planner down, she pulled the phone from her purse, smiling when she saw Jace’s name on the screen.
“You’ve got good timing,” she said, walking to the window. An airplane flew overhead, alarmingly close. Her hotel was near the San Diego airport. “I just got back from my last prep meeting. I’ll be heading for the airport in twenty minutes.”
“I’ll be waiting to pick you up,” he said. “Are you up for Bucky’s tonight? Katie called. She wants all of us to get together.”
“All of us?” Maya echoed. “Ryan too?”
“I assume so,” he said. “She didn’t say, now that you mention it.”
“Well, who else would it be?” she asked. “Wait. You don’t think she went back to Bucky’s the other night and hooked up with that singer, do you?”
“I doubt it. I worked out at Ryan’s ranch this morning. He seemed to be in a pretty good mood.”
“Did you ask him about Katie?”
“No.”
“Why not?” Maya sighed. “Weren’t you the least bit curious?”
“Not really.”
“I see that I’m going to have to call Katie to get the scoop.” She turned from the window and headed for the bathroom.
“You could just ask her tonight.”
“Are you kidding?” She laughed. “I can’t wait that long. I need to know now.”
Jace chuckled. “How was the meeting this morning?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Grueling.” Maya grimaced, and with her free hand, reached for her toiletry bag. “But it was time well spent. I’m prepared for anything Hugh’s attorney throws at me. I can’t wait for this to be over.”
“It will be,” he said. “Soon.”
“The sooner, the better.” She picked up a jar of moisturizer and shoved it into the bag. “I never want to see Hugh or any other Alastair for as long as I live.”
Four hours later, Maya descended the steps of the small jet that had transported her from San Diego back to Wyoming. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Jace leaning against his SUV near the small building that served as a terminal.
As always, she was struck by how handsome he was, but what surprised her more was how much she’d missed him. She hadn’t been gone long, but somehow it seemed like years. Stepping up her pace, she wheeled her suitcase behind her as Jace strode toward her. When he reached her, she let go of her suitcase handle and stepped into his strong embrace. She buried her face against his chest, inhaled his clean scent, and let out a soft sigh of relief. His body was warm and hard against hers. She felt safe and protected, like nothing bad could ever happen if he was with her.
But what was more amazing was the feeling of peace that had washed over her the minute she’d stepped off the jet and caught a glimpse of the mountains in the distance. At first, she wasn’t sure what it was, and then it hit her. After so many years of drifting from one place to another, she’d finally found the one place she could stay forever.
Now all she had to do was give her testimony at trial, and her nightmare would be over.
Chapter Twenty
Maya tapped her foot to the beat of the music and sipped her beer as she watched Ryan and Katie line dancing to one of Shania Twain’s early hits. With their flushed faces and huge smiles, they looked happier than she’d ever seen them.
Katie had shared with her that she and Ryan had sorted everything out the night he’d carried her out of Bucky’s. Maya was thrilled for them, and what’s more, she’d found the happy ending for the book she was writing.
She glanced at Jace. He sat next to her, nursing a beer and staring at the dance floor with a blank expression on his face. He’d been quiet on the drive to Bucky’s, but she didn’t press him for an explanation. If he wanted to talk, he would. That was one of the things she’d learned about him.
Sadie, their server, stopped by their table. “You two okay? Need anything?”
Maya smiled at her. “I’m good. Thanks.”
“I’ll take another beer,” Jace said with a half-smile.
After Sadie left, Maya studied Jace until he turned to look at her. “I’d ask you to dance, but I know it’s not your thing.”
He shifted toward her. “You’ll never get me to do anything other than a slow dance. I have to draw the line somewhere.”
She laughed. “Got it.”
“I need to tell you something,” he said and scooted his chair closer to hers. “I’m going to Casper tomorrow morning.”
Maya frowned. “What’s in Casper?”
“My brother and sister.”
“You found a way to meet with them safely?” she asked, surprised it was happening so soon.
“Yes. I don’t want to get into the details here, but Morelli and I worked out a plan to get them to Casper. They’ll arrive tomorrow around noon. I’ll be leaving before sunrise.”
As Maya was about to speak, Sadie returned with Jace’s beer. “Here ya’ go, hon. I put it on your tab.”
“Thanks,” Jace said as she grabbed his empty bottle and headed back to the bar.
“Do they know the reason why they’re going to Casper?”
“Yes. Morelli had to tell them. Otherwise, I doubt they would have agreed to travel to Wyoming.”
Maya reached for his hand and squeezed it gently. “They must be thrilled you’re alive.”
“I haven’t spoken to them yet. Morelli said they were shocked but happy.”
“I wondered why you were so quiet. You’re worried about tomorrow.”
“I believe we’ve covered all of our bases, but meeting with them is risky.” He sipped his beer. “But I need to see them, and they need to see me. We’re all aware of the risk we’re taking.”
“Do you think the Alastair organization is having them followed?”
Jace shrugged. “Maybe, but it’s been almost nine months since the organization believes I died, and I haven’t left Two Forks except to go to Baker Junction since I got here. I never thought I’d be excited to go to Casper, Wyoming, but….” He gave her a paper-thin smile. “…here we are.”
Maya returned his smile and kept her concern to herself. She trusted Jace’s judgment, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to worry. The Alastair organization was no joke.
“Hey, you two.” Katie’s voice pierced their bubble. “Why aren’t you dancing?” she asked as she slid onto her chair and picked up her beer. Ryan was right behind her. He sat in his chair and draped his arm around Katie’s shoulders.
“Line dancing isn’t our thing,” Maya said. “But you guys looked great out there.”
“I’m a little rusty.” Ryan lifted his beer and tipped the bottle to his mouth.
“You did just fine.” Katie smiled at him, her green eyes sparkling with happiness.
Maya lifted her beer and cleared her throat. “I’d like to propose a toast to Katie and Ryan. You’re proof that true love exists. I’m so happy you found your way back to each other. Cheers.”
As everyone drank to her toast, that same chill she had experienced in San Diego danced up her spine. But, scanning the immediate vicinity, she didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Around her, people were drinking, dancing, and enjoying everything Bucky’s had to offer. She tamped down her unease, chalking it up to nerves about her upcoming testimony. Hell, this was Two Forks. There was no danger here.
At noon the next day, Jace parked his SUV around the corner from the hole-in-the-wall bar he and Morelli had chosen for his reunion with Mark and Jan. He turned off the engine but didn’t get out of the vehicle.
The tinted windows made it easy for him to survey his surroundings. He’d been on constant alert since he’d left Two Forks. Spotting a tail was a skill he’d always been good at, and he’d hadn’t seen anything suspicious. So far, everything was going according to plan.
Retrieving the phone only he and Morelli used from the console next to him, he stared at the screen for a good two minutes before a text from Morelli arrived. He quickly opened it and read the message: All systems go.
A few minutes later, he walked into the bar. The first thing that hit him was the stench of stale cigarettes and alcohol. Not the most pleasing aroma. He did a quick sweep of the bar. It was a typical dive. He’d seen many during his undercover days, and they all looked the same.
The man behind the bar, who looked more like a biker than a bartender, glanced up from the magazine in front of him. He met Jace’s gaze, inclined his head toward the back of the bar, then returned to reading his magazine.
The few patrons in the bar paid him no mind. They were either drinking or watching the small television propped on a shelf behind the bar. He moved to the rear of the room and slipped past the beaded curtain that separated the bar from whatever was in the back.
What was in the back was a hallway and several doors. Two of the doors were restrooms, and judging from the condition of the bar, he could only imagine what the bathrooms looked and smelled like.
At the end of the hall, a large exit sign was posted over a steel door. The door opened, and Morelli stuck his head inside. “Greetings and salutations,” he said with a goofy smile on his face.
Jace grinned. His heart started to pound, and he couldn’t seem to move. Until this moment, he hadn’t realized how much he missed his friend. Yeah, they talked on the phone, but it wasn’t the same. As much as Morelli annoyed him, he’d grown attached to the guy.
“Take a picture. It’ll last longer.”
Morelli’s joke galvanized Jace into action. He jogged down the hallway. Morelli pulled the door fully open, and Jace hopped into the idling van Morelli had parked in the alley with its side door wide open. As Jace closed the door, Morelli jumped into the driver’s seat, slammed the door, and hit the gas.
“Where are they?” Jace asked as Morelli turned from the back alley onto the street and sped away from the bar.
“Right here!” He shifted on the seat, and both Mark and Jan popped up from behind him. His sister’s blue eyes filled with tears. “It’s you,” she whispered and reached over the seat to touch his shoulder.
“You look pretty good for a dead man,” Mark, Jan’s twin, said with a grin, but his eyes were wet.
Jace blinked back his tears. Mark and Jan were the only family he had left. If he’d learned anything since he’d been placed in witness protection, it was that he loved his brother and sister beyond words. And he would never take them for granted again.
An hour later, Jace sat across from Mark, Jan, and Morelli at a picnic table at a park on the outskirts of Casper. They’d stopped at a drive-thru, and while eating their hamburgers and fries, Jace had filled them in on his life in Two Forks.
“Are you saying you can never come back to Brooklyn?” Jan asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe if the Alastair organization collapses, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”
“Is there any way we can come visit you in Two Forks? You know, like at Christmas?” Mark asked as he wiped his hands with a paper napkin.
