The Dangerous Gift, page 4
Harry looked around him before he called out as he steadied himself against the porch rail. “Who’s there?” Harry swayed towards the steps. “Jared, you should be with Jennie.”
No one answered. Harry stumbled down the steps. “One, two, arghh!” His foot slipped on the uneven step where Jennie had tripped earlier and which had been deliberately damaged to cause Jennie’s earlier accident. He toppled forwards. Too inebriated to put his hands out to soften the impact, he fell onto his face with a thud.
Harry raised his head and muttered, “Too much bourbon. I’ll have the mother of all hangovers.” His hand trembled as he touched his damaged head before he groaned and vomited, then fell back against the ground unconscious.
The intruder stepped from the shadows and checked Harry’s pulse. It was weak but still there. Harry didn’t deserve to die, but the intruder couldn’t risk being recognized. Anonymity was essential for the plan to get Jennie to leave the ranch. Without hesitation, the intruder lifted Harry’s upper body and let his head fall against a sharp rock, which smashed into the unconscious man’s skull. No pulse now. The body rearranged so the injury appeared accidental. A low whistle echoed round the ranch yard. The pinto walked toward him, the intruder vaulted onto his back, and they galloped away, unseen, towards the sunset.
***
Jared
Jared ran upstairs to see if Jennie wanted to eat, and a dull thud made Jared open Jen’s bedroom door unannounced. She started at his abrupt entrance and pulled the covers tighter around her.
“Sorry, Jen, I thought you’d fallen over again,” he said.
She shook her head. No, Jared realized, the sound had come from outside. Jennie hobbled across the room toward the window. Jared joined her as she looked out of it but saw nothing out of the ordinary. The horses in the surrounding paddocks dozed, undisturbed.
He looked down at Jen, whose leg buckled as she put weight on her damaged foot. Jared frowned. “Your ankle needs rest. Can I get you anything? Painkillers, something to eat?” She looked tired and disheveled but still made Jared catch his breath.
“I’m fine. Just concerned about the noise we heard. We ought to check outside. Maybe it came from the other side of the house.”
“I’ll check. Harry’s downstairs. Perhaps he heard something. We must eat something soon. Neither of us has eaten since breakfast.” Jared helped Jen back to bed.
Jen’s stomach rumbled at the mention of food, and they shared a smile. “I guess you’re right.” She climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her. “Let me know what’s going on.”
Jared ran down the steps. There was no sign of Harry in the office or the den. Perhaps he’d gone to bed? A slight breeze ruffled Jared’s hair as he passed the dining room, and the open porch doors creaked. He should close them before the evening’s flying insects took up residence in the house. Jared pulled the doors together and scanned the deserted porch. Flies were gathering round the steps. He heard a faint whimper from his favourite dog, Rex. Was he injured? He pushed open the doors and ran towards the sound.
Outside, the dog scampered to him, apparently unhurt. Feeling relieved, Jared let his gaze follow Rex as he ran down the porch steps, as if eager to share his new toy. As Jared stepped closer, he saw the lifeless body lying against the last step. Adrenaline pumped through him as he descended the steps.
“Harry? Leave, Rex. Good dog.” Jared checked Harry’s pulse. It was barely discernible. He gagged as he saw the matted, bloody hair sticking up from Harry’s dented skull. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. “I need a medical helicopter and the sheriff at the Unicorn Ranch.”
The local operator recognized the address. She asked the standard triage questions and promised help would follow. Jared tore off his shirt and put it under Harry’s broken head. His objectivity lost in the deep shock he felt, he couldn’t lose someone close to him again. A gasp from behind him made him look up from Harry’s grey face. “Jen, Harry’s fallen. The paramedics are on their way.”
Jen hobbled towards him, her entire focus on Harry’s inert form. She reached the bottom step with no respect for her damaged ankle. “Let’s make him comfortable until they get here.”
Jared imagined her gentle touch on his own body as she cradled Harry’s head against her lap. The blood steadily trickled onto her clothes from his head wound, but Jen didn’t seem to notice.
“Are you okay to stay with him? I need to raise the alarm and direct the ranch hands to help the medical team find us.” Jen bit her lip, and Jared rested his hand on her shoulder. She didn’t like blood, and her grey-tinged face betrayed her shock.
Jen sighed and straightened her back. “I’m okay. I just hope the medics get here in time. He looks frail. Hang on please, Harry.” Jen stroked Rex, who pushed his soft muzzle against her arm in doggy comfort. “We need a miracle now, boy. Time to pray.”
The medical team arrived within the hour. They gave Harry emergency treatment and airlifted him to the nearest hospital. The paramedics wouldn’t speculate if he would regain consciousness. Jared watched the helicopter disappear towards the horizon, then turned to the uniformed man at his side as they walked towards the sheriff’s truck. “So was this an accidental fall or something else, Dan?”
“Looks like he fell and smashed his head on a rock, but I’ll call in the forensic team in case there’s more to it,” the sheriff assured him.
“Jen fell there earlier. She lost her footing and sprained her ankle. I’m suspicious after what happened to my parents. I don’t believe in coincidences. Someone could have tampered with the steps to make sure Jennie fell.” Jared ran his fingers through his hair as he waited for the sheriff’s response.
“The investigation into the aircraft accident is ongoing, but there is no reason to suspect foul play, Jared.” They reached the sheriff’s truck. “I’ll be in touch. I’ll interview Harry, if he regains consciousness. Say bye to Jennie for me.”
As the sheriff’s truck disappeared in cloud of dust, Jared kicked his boot hard against a stone. His father was an excellent pilot. Jared wouldn’t allow the blame for his parents’ accident to be pinned on him. Mechanical failure seemed a remote possibility, but the explosion’s severity hampered the investigation. They may never know why the plane exploded.
***
Jennie
Jennie sat on the porch step, close to where Harry had fallen, her face damp with tears.
Jared squatted beside her. “You shouldn’t still be here, Kitten. Go inside. Your arms are getting bitten,” he said, his voice close to her ear, warm breath caressing her cheek.
Jennie rubbed the reddened marks on her bare arms, sure her sore eyes were red and full of tears. “I haven’t got the energy to move. I thought I’d wait for you. Have they taken Harry?” She tasted salt as her tears fell unchecked.
“Yes.” Jared’s monosyllabic answer barely masked the anger in his voice.
“Did the sheriff find anything suspicious?” Jennie didn’t want Jared hiding the truth from her, however bad it was.
“Dan says not. He thinks it’s most likely an accident.” Jared’s troubled gaze met hers.
“You don’t agree with him?” Jennie sensed he was keeping something from her.
“Honestly, I don’t know.” Jared half smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes as he enclosed her in his strong arms.
“I can walk, Jared,” she protested halfheartedly. Her needy body snuggled into his safe, protective embrace, and her exhaustion almost won over her principles. It seemed churlish to refuse his comfort, but her mind insisted being too close to Jared’s muscular chest was playing with fire. “Let me go, I want to walk.” Jennie pushed against his hard arms.
Jared shook his head but let her go. Her ankle ached as she gingerly hobbled up the steps. She forgot about the raised doorframe as she walked into the house and overbalanced.
“Damn, Jen.” Jared ignored her protests and carried her into the dining room as if she weighed nothing and placed her amid the couch’s cushions. “Stay here. I’ll make you some food. Is an omelet all right for you?”
Jennie nodded. The forgotten invitation card fell from Jared’s pocket into her lap as he straightened and walked into the kitchen. The blood-red words on the white card stared back at her. Someone hated her. Darleen’s beautiful, unsmiling face flashed into her mind. Jennie shivered and forced her tired body to follow Jared into the kitchen.
Jennie fought sleep as Jared moved round the modern kitchen with quiet expertise. “I didn’t realize you could cook,” she said as the golden omelet slipped easily from the pan onto the waiting plate.
Jared looked across at her. “Never said I couldn’t, but if someone does it for me, I don’t object.” A slight smile touched Jared’s lips.
She hobbled over to the work counter, and Jared’s fingers grazed hers as she took the plate from him. A lick of fire rushed to her core, and she risked a glance at Jared, anxious to see if the chemistry affected him too. He averted his gaze as he flipped another omelet in the oiled pan. Flustered, she heaped too much salad onto her plate and headed for the scrubbed-pine table in the middle of the room. The fluffy and light omelet melted in her mouth. Her stomach growled in appreciation. Jared added salad to his own plate before he joined her.
“This is good, Jared. I’m so hungry.”
Jared’s face still wore a haunted expression. He loved Harry, and they’d always been close. If he died, Jennie worried it would break Jared.
They finished their food at the same time. Jared cleared away his clean plate along with Jennie’s half-full one. “Sure you’ve finished? There’s no hurry.”
“I’m exhausted. I should go to bed.” Jennie stretched and couldn’t suppress a yawn.
“Give me a minute. I’ll help you up the stairs. I don’t want any more accidents.” Jared loaded the dishwasher and scrubbed the pan.
Jennie’s cheeks heated in anticipation of Jared’s intimate embrace. Her ankle ached, and though she could walk, letting him carry her would be safer. Her heart raced and thumped against her rib cage as Jared dried his large, long-fingered hands and walked towards her. As he scooped her into his strong arms, her body went into instant meltdown. “Put me down, Jared. I can walk if you help me.”
Jared tightened his embrace, and Jennie didn’t protest further, in case her voice betrayed her. Then without a word he let her slide down his hard torso and thighs until her feet touched the wooden floor. She stood unaided but so close they almost breathed the same air. Jared held her hand as they walked upstairs. Like an addict, she craved his heat. Despite shallow breaths, his musky, spiced maleness invaded her senses. Her nipples hardened, and her panties clung damply to her femininity. She pulled her hand from his and grasped the handrail. Her body protested, but Jennie needed personal space to keep her sanity. Jared mustn’t know he aroused her to the point of meltdown. He didn’t want her; he had Darleen. She must keep her unwanted passion secret.
Sanctuary beckoned as Jared opened her bedroom door. Jennie hobbled over to the bed and sank into its welcome softness. She exhaled, glad to reclaim her personal space. Oxygen starved, her lungs demanded short, frequent breaths.
“Are you all right?” Jared’s proximity startled her.
He laid his cool fingers against her fiery cheek, which escalated the fever running through her. I’m fine if you keep your distance and don’t touch me. Jennie used her grief as an excuse. “It’s been a stressful day.”
“If your ankle hurts in the night, call out and I’ll bring you some painkillers.” Jared sat on the bed, his gaze intent. Jennie’s fragile composure disintegrated when he covered her mouth with his. The gentle kiss sparked her arousal until it spun like a Catherine wheel, bright and fiery. Jennie sighed as Jared cupped her chin, angled her mouth, and deepened his kiss. He plunged his other hand into her silky hair and dragged her from the soft pillows into his arms. This couldn’t be right. Jared didn’t want her. He’d rejected her this afternoon. This explosion of desire was his need for comfort, an escape from the awful reality of his parents’ death.
As Jared caressed her hair and traced sensuous circles on her sensitized scalp, she let her mind drift. She refused to overthink the moment. She needed this too. She was transported to a sensual world where she could forget the pain and bathe in his love. Not love. Jared didn’t love her as a woman. The thought he’d lied all those years ago flitted into her confused mind, and her subconscious recoiled. It didn’t explain the passionate kiss she witnessed between him and Darleen. She must remember Jared loved his blonde Amazon, not her.
Jared tore his mouth away from hers and stood up. Wrenched from her sensual world, Jennie opened her eyes. Jared’s gaze raked her body as she shivered alone on the bed. The bulge in his trousers and laboured breathing betrayed his continued arousal. She smiled, but when his gaze remained bleak, Jennie’s heart plummeted and her stomach churned. Stupid woman, Jared regretted his actions. Jennie willed the tears not to fall, her self-respect in tatters again.
“Hell, Jen, I’m sorry.” Jared backed away, his gaze fixed on a point above her head.
“Just leave it. No harm done.” Well, if she didn’t count her shattered heart, led astray by her willful body again. With her looking needy and beetroot-red embarrassed, Jared would be in no doubt how she felt about him. Yet he denied how good they would be together. Why didn’t he leave?
“Get some rest.” With one last, haunted look, Jared rushed from the room as if hellhounds pursued him.
Jennie fell back against the pillows. Their softness suffocated her. Her ankle throbbed. Nauseous, she relegated the physical pain to a distant corner of her mind. Her mental torment dominated and consumed her. Her heart screamed and lay broken and bleeding. Tears tracked across her face unchecked, and the silent house echoed her soft sobs. Where was Jared? Could they move on from this emotional wasteland?
Jennie put a little weight on her ankle, and it buckled. Tiredness forced her back onto the bed. Finally she slept.
***
Jared
Jared poured himself another generous glass of his father’s single malt whiskey. He’d intended to give Jen a brief kiss of comfort and friendship, not the incendiary device he detonated when her soft lips had tentatively parted and kissed him back. He’d been rock hard as Jen’s curvy body caressed his muscular frame, until his father’s voice echoed in his mind. Overwrought from the day’s emotion, Jared had pulled back.
His father had lain down the law in no uncertain terms as soon as Jen blossomed. Jared was to leave her alone, however provocatively she acted. Ralf had seen the signs; Jen’s hero worship of Jared had deepened as she matured into her late teens. She thought she loved him, and Ralf wouldn’t let his son take advantage until she knew her own mind. Maybe in a few years after college, he’d said, after Jen met other boys her own age and experienced more of life it would be different. If she felt the same about Jared then, Ralf would give them his blessing. Until then, their relationship would be platonic.
Jared couldn’t ignore his dead father’s wishes. He must repair the boundary he’d breached with Jen, or he would hate himself. When the sting of their grief dulled in a few months, Jared would let her see how much he loved her.
Inebriated, Jared toasted his father. So come on, Dad, I did as you asked. I kept my distance. Hell, I even ruined her eighteenth birthday. She’s a woman now and still wants me. Surely, it’s our time now? Jared poured another drink and downed it in one gulp. Oblivion beckoned. Jared fell into an uneasy sleep, the empty bottle of malt whiskey at his feet.
***
Intruder
The horse shifted its weight as it dozed in the cold night air. Its rider stared at the distant ranch. Nothing was extraordinary tonight. Horses munched hay in their enclosures; longhorn cattle lowed in the pastures beyond the ranch buildings; and light spilled from the numerous windows. Each one showcased a cameo of family life. An unwanted pang of longing, ruthlessly suppressed. The main ranch house was in darkness now. Clenched fingers pressed into the reins’ thin leather and then relaxed. Time enough for retribution. Satisfied, the rider eased the patient horse into a walk and rode into the night.
Chapter 4
Jared
Catapulted out of slumber by the sound of running water, Jared felt as though someone had taken a skillet to his pounding head. The waves of nausea and moving walls made the journey to the office window difficult. He held on to the windowsill and blinked at the water flooding from the new bunkhouse’s double doors. He closed his eyes for a moment, then refocused them. No mistake. The paddocks and yard would be waterlogged too if he didn’t act now.
Jared stumbled outside. The ranch manager and several hands were already hard at work. “What’s the damage, Rod?”
“You okay, boss?” Rod’s expressive, weathered face didn’t hide his disgust.
Jared’s temper spiked. Hired hands didn’t judge him. He bit back his angry retort. Rod’s support after his parents’ deaths had gone far beyond his job role. Besides, he knew he looked like hell when he collided with the hall mirror on his way outside. “Too much whiskey. Is anything salvageable?”
The manager shook his head. “The main water pipe sprang a leak. Everything’s soaked. The floors and wooden furniture will dry out. The soft furnishings are ruined.”
Jared threw up in the dirt. The curtains, cushions, and quilts his mother made, destroyed. They were replaceable but not by her. His vision blurred, and Rod reached for him as he swayed.
Jared pushed past him and ran towards the house and Jen. The door slammed against the wall as he raced into her bedroom, and Jen stirred. He shouldn’t disturb her. Last night, he’d left her alone, unable to face his emotions. Now, despite what lay unsaid between them, he needed her comfort. At this moment, his emotional survival depended on Jen.
