At Wild Rose Cottage (21 page)

“That's right. Now they'll have to hear every rotten detail.”

Emily wished she could be there to offer support, but it wasn't her place. They might have shared a couple of nights together, but that didn't mean anything had changed. Trent's reputation was well-known in Schuyler—he was a loner who didn't get into permanent relationships. And if he ever changed his mind, he wouldn't choose a less-than-gorgeous oddball.

“I'm sure that Sarah and Parker's first thought will be concern for you and Alaina,” she told him. “They love you both.”

Trent didn't respond and his face was grim.

At Wild Rose Cottage Emily slid out, shut the truck door and leaned inside the open window. “Good luck.”

“Do you want me to check the house?”

She shook her head. “Carl says the judge is tough on violent crime, so Webber will probably be denied bail. Besides, I wasn't kidding about those self-defense classes. I was always a top student.”

“You're good with chairs, too. I assume you're going out to see Stella Luna later...?”

“Of course. She's a terrific listener and I want to tell her everything that happened, though not in a way that'll scare her.”

Emily stepped away from the truck and headed up the front walk, refusing to look back. Inside the house she blinked tears away. From now on she expected to see less and less of Trent.

Lord, had it only been forty-eight hours since the barbecue fund-raiser? Webber must have been getting desperate, and with half the town at the park, including her, it would have seemed an ideal opportunity to break into Wild Rose Cottage. He'd found nothing, but by his own admission had kept watch on the house, getting even more suspicious when Trent spent the next two nights with her.

He was such a slimy crook, it plainly hadn't occurred to him that they might be doing something besides searching for his ill-gotten booty.

Still, everything had worked out, and she hoped Trent's life would take a turn for the better now.

Emily changed her clothes and drove to the Crazy Horse Ranch. One of the ranch hands waved.

“She's in the corral getting some fresh air,” he called.

Emily waved back and circled the barn to the grassy paddock. Stella Luna greeted her with an excited whinny.

“Hey, girl.” Emily climbed onto the high fence. “You're so beautiful,” she murmured. The finer points of a horse's breeding were unimportant to her, though the affectionate Appaloosa was undeniably lovely—a silvery gray with white spots over her rump.

She stroked Stella Luna's neck, her thoughts inevitably circling back to Trent. It was a curious reality to think that if Bob Webber hadn't broken into Wild Rose Cottage, she would have slept alone the past two nights.

Emily made a face.

Sleeping alone would have been wiser, but it was still hard to regret it.

Stella Luna was nosing her pocket, distracting Emily, and she took out a bag of sugar cubes. “Carrot first,” she said, holding one between her fingers.

The Appaloosa obligingly crunched it down before getting a sugar cube. All at once she sidestepped a foot or two, and Emily realized the ranch foreman had walked up to them.

“Hi, Greg,” she said, rubbing Stella Luna's nose to reassure her.

“Say, you aren't doing badly for a city gal,” he teased.

“I'm sure Kayla and DeeDee have proven that city gals are a force to be reckoned with,” she retorted, referring to his boss's second wife and stepdaughter. Kayla's knockout looks still tweaked Emily's insecurities, but she was a nice person.

“They do all right.”

Emily rubbed Stella Luna's nose again. “Trent Hawkins says I'm buying her affection with sugar and stuff,” she murmured, glancing at the foreman. “He claims good horsemanship is someone who understands the barter system between humans and animals.”

Greg gave her a kind smile. “Don't pay Trent any mind. Trent is Trent, and most of us give him a wide berth when possible. That mare loves you and it's got nothing to do with sugar cubes.” He glanced at his watch. “I gotta go pick up my kids. Don't worry about Stella Luna being outdoors. We'll get her stabled before dark.”

“Thanks,” Emily called after him, fighting an instinctive urge to defend Trent from a reputation he'd probably cultivated with grim determination. Besides, it wasn't totally inaccurate, and that was the problem.

She sighed.

“You know what?” she whispered to Stella Luna. “I've been back and forth about whether I love Trent. I'm pretty sure that loving him is guaranteed heartbreak because he doesn't trust people. Besides, I don't think he likes the real me.”

Hopping down, Emily took the mare's halter rope to lead her around the large paddock. She had to stop thinking about Trent...because if she didn't, insecurity and sadness were going to drag her under.

Maybe she should move away from Schuyler, but moving was much more complicated now that she owned a horse. Besides, leaving town would be running away from her problems instead of dealing with them. In a way, that's exactly what she'd done after ending her engagement to Dennis—gone for a winter vacation in Montana of all places. Where was she supposed to go next? After all, a city girl couldn't go much farther than Schuyler, Montana, unless she bought a plane ticket for Tibet.

The Appaloosa's trusting eyes didn't hold any answers and Emily hugged her neck. She might be a dope of major proportions, along with being unrealistic and stupid on the romantic end of life, but she wasn't a sniveling coward.

So they were staying.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

W
HEN
T
RENT
ARRIVED
at the McGregor ranch, Jackson and Kayla were already there, having just returned from a trip to Seattle. The three kids from their blended family were playing a board game with Alaina.

He hung back, watching, thinking how well his sister got along with children. He didn't know if he'd made a mistake keeping the truth from her, but wondered if she'd still be the same bright, sassy woman who could so easily charm two teenagers and a quick-witted preteen after he told her.

“Can we take a walk?” he asked Alaina when the game ended. “There's something we need to discuss.”

“Sure.”

“But we were going to play Monopoly next, Aunt Alaina,” DeeDee protested.

“Sorry,” Trent apologized. “I wouldn't take her away if it wasn't important.”

“Trent, darling,” Sarah exclaimed, coming into the living room before they could escape. “I was afraid you'd be too busy to come this week. We're having shish kebabs. They're your favorite, aren't they?”

“You bet.” He bent and kissed her cheek. “Do you think we could have a family discussion after dinner?”

“Of course,” she said, obviously puzzled. “I'll tell everyone.”

Let them know they won't be hungry for dessert,
he thought grimly. Between the Montana news agencies and the internet, who knew how long the story would hang around? It certainly wouldn't stay private, not with Webber under arrest and screaming that his partner, Gavin Hawkins, was the one responsible for the death of the convenience store owner. The prominence of the McGregors would fuel the gossip.

Alaina stood waiting by the front door and they headed toward the creek that was shaded by box elders and black cottonwood trees.

Part of Trent's brain was occupied with finding the right words, but another part kept thinking about Emily, hoping she was all right—a certain amount of stress would be normal after what she'd gone through. He was uptight himself, especially when he recalled his fear that Webber would go for Emily.

It would have been his fault if she'd gotten hurt, which bothered him for the usual reasons...and for others he didn't want to question.

* * *

A
LAINA
COULDN
'
T
IMAGINE
what Trent wanted to discuss—he'd never initiated a family conference, so it must be serious.

At the creek they stopped and stared at the cool water that swirled across the McGregor land, even in dry years.

“If you're planning to fire me, you could have waited until we were at the office tomorrow,” she joked to lighten the mood.

A faint smile quirked his lips, but it wasn't one of those odd, controlled smiles that Emily had mentioned.

“Are you going to tell me the real reason you left New York to work for Big Sky?” he asked.

“Okay, but don't give me a hard time about it. I wanted to get Mike Carlisle's attention.”

“Pardon me?”

“You heard what I said.”

“And is he, uh, interested?” Trent asked.

“It took a while, but yes. So tell me what's on your mind.” Her brother's expression was so serious that Alaina began to get alarmed.

“There are things you don't know about our childhood,” he began slowly. “Stuff that happened before the accident. I've never told anyone, because the truth isn't pleasant.”

It was so unexpected she frowned. “What do you mean?”

Trent let out a humorless laugh. “Everybody thought our father was the nicest guy in town—lousy with money, but charming and thoroughly fun.”

“He was...wasn't he?”

“Yeah, until he was behind closed doors with his family.”

Alaina knew about their father's problems with money. Decades earlier, the question of who would inherit the McGregor ranch had been resolved when Fiona McGregor married Gavin Hawkins, a man who wanted nothing to do with cattle and ranching. Her parents had given the newlyweds a huge sum, and later established an informal trust fund for their son. But within a few years, all the money was gone on a bad oil investment.

Alaina had learned about it after graduating college, though she'd known the McGregors controlled her own trust fund. Sarah and Parker had restored Trent's fund, but he'd refused to touch it, saying he wanted to succeed on his own.

“What was he really like?” she asked.

“He was abusive,” Trent said flatly. “It was worse when he was drunk, but he didn't need much of an excuse to start swinging.”

The air left Alaina's lungs in a whoosh. Suddenly a lot of things made sense...such as her recent nightmares, so reminiscent of the ones she'd had as a kid. Or the way she'd hated seeing Mike drinking beer, alone in his condominium.

“Mom and Dad don't know, which is why I need to talk to them and the rest of the family. Honestly, I didn't think anybody needed to know, but today...” Trent stopped.

“Today what?”

The expression on her brother's face contorted. “I knew Gavin was capable of doing anything. After the accident I heard about a bunch of armed robberies and suspected he'd been involved, only I thought it no longer mattered. But it turns out that Bob Webber was his partner...and they killed someone during one of those robberies.”

Alaina's brain reeled as Trent explained about hiding their father's gun in a wall on his tenth birthday out of fear and spite...and how Gavin had threatened to start beating her, as well.

“I'm sorry there isn't a prettier story to tell about Wild Rose Cottage,” Trent finished. “I know that's what you wanted, but anything else would have been a lie. I've wondered if you'd even believe what really happened.”

Tears stinging her eyes, Alaina threw her arms around his neck. “You big dope. I care about you, not pretty stories that aren't true,” she choked out. “But I'm mad, because you should have told me the truth a long time ago.”

“I wanted to protect you.”

She drew back and thumped the heel of her hand on his chest for emphasis. “I mean it, Trent. I'm not a child any longer.”

Then she hugged him again, her heart aching. No wonder he'd been a loner all these years.

* * *

T
ELLING
THE
REST
of the family was as hard as Trent had expected.

“I'm so sorry,” Sarah exclaimed when he fell silent. “I'd like to take that man apart with my bare hands,” she added darkly.

Uncle Parker—
Dad
—was quiet, apparently in shock.

“The sheriff can't keep this from becoming public and I didn't want you to hear about it from the newspaper,” Trent told them. “Or from a reporter asking questions.”

Dad threw back his shoulders. “The local radio station may already have the story. They monitor the police scanner.”

“And we all know how well the rumor mill works,” Kayla added. She'd been through a firestorm of gossip herself when she'd returned to Schuyler with a teenage son obviously fathered by Jackson.

“I'd like to get my hands on him,” Walt growled. “Never did trust Gavin. Too smooth for my taste.”

The talk went on for some time. Jackson urged Trent to let him know how he could help, and the members of the extended family staunchly vowed a united front. Finally, in a subdued mood, everyone began leaving.

“I'd better go over to my office and email Josh and Madison,” Trent told his folks. He didn't have internet at the Balderdash since his time was either spent at Big Sky or outside with his horses and few stock animals.

“Do it here,” Parker said.

Trent spent over an hour composing emails to Josh and Madison. Mom had gone to bed by the time he was done, but Parker was waiting with more questions...ones he wanted to ask in private. At length he fell silent and Trent looked down at his hands. Dad was in a lot of pain, realizing his sister hadn't come to him for help.

“What about your folks?” Trent asked. Parker's mother and father were out of the country, traveling in Kenya. “How do you think they'll take it?”

Parker gravely shook his head. “I don't know. The accident report showed Gavin had a high blood alcohol content, so they already blame him for Fiona's death. I feel the same way, but I didn't want to say anything to you kids.”

The revelation was another shock for Trent. He'd believed the McGregors knew little about Gavin's drinking. “I'm sorry.”

Parker gave him a fierce bear hug. “You have nothing to apologize for, hear me, son?”

Trent wasn't sure, but he did know that he and Alaina had been very fortunate when Parker and Sarah McGregor became their parents.

* * *

W
HEN
M
IKE
'
S
PHONE
rang it was after 11:00 p.m. He wouldn't have answered except he saw Alaina's caller ID on the screen.

“Uh...yes?” he answered, half-asleep.

“I'm outside in my car. I know you're probably in bed, but can I come in and talk for a while?” she asked in a strained voice.

Mike bolted upright in bed, no longer groggy. “Sure.”

He threw on clothes and hurried to the door as Alaina came up the walkway. Inside she sank onto the couch, her face pale and drawn.

“What's going on?” he asked, sitting on the hassock he used to elevate his knee.

“It's about my family. I just learned...” Her voice trailed and she bit her lip so hard a small bead of blood appeared.

Mike squeezed her hand; it was icy. “Take your time.”

She started talking, haltingly at first, until the words began pouring out. “I can't help being angry,” Alaina said finally. “I'm mad at Fiona and Gavin, but also at Trent. Not that he understands.”

“He was a kid,” Mike reminded her, not sure he understood, either. Trent had gone through a whole lot alone, and it didn't seem right to be mad at him.

“We grew up a long time ago. He should have told me.”

“Maybe, but if you could spare a loved one from pain, you'd probably do it, too. He kept something really ugly to himself so it wouldn't hurt anyone else.”

Alaina stuck out her chin. “I got hurt anyway. A barrier has always been there, something that's kept us from being close. It's the same with the whole family. Now I know it was because of that secret.”

Mike sighed. He had to be honest. “Yeah, but Trent would have felt guilty for telling you when there wasn't any need to open his mouth about it.”

Alaina looked suspicious. “Don't tell me you're defending him.”

“No, but I'm a guy, too, and I can tell you he would have felt guilty. It's the whole macho male protective stuff that women complain about.”

“Give me a break.”

“I'm not kidding. I think it's genetic.”

Alaina managed a weak smile.

Mike slid from the hassock onto the couch and pulled her against his chest. They'd just started sorting things out and he had almost missed his chance with her, but at least she'd wanted to talk to him, instead of Emily or another friend.

“This explains a lot about Trent,” he murmured. “No wonder he's such a tough guy.”

“Tough guy?” Alaina jerked away unexpectedly. “What do you mean? Trent doesn't lose his temper or slap people around.”

“That isn't what I meant,” Mike said, bemused by the lightning shift from accusatory sister to champion of her brother's honor. “Take booze, for example. He never has more than a single beer, and he won't touch the hard stuff. He's got more self-control than anyone I ever met, no matter how much crap goes down. It takes a certain kind of toughness to do that.”

“True.”

She snuggled back again and Mike had a sudden thought. “Maybe you feel guilty, too, and that's partly why you're so angry...because Trent got the garbage, and you had a normal childhood.”

Alaina nodded against his chest. “You may be right. It makes me feel awful to know what he went through while I was blithely being the tagalong little sister, without a care in the world.”

Mike kissed the top of her head. “I'm hardly an expert, but that sounds remarkably similar to survivor's guilt.”

She didn't say anything and Mike stayed silent, as well.

Not long after signing his major-league contract he'd come back for Christmas and Alaina had been visiting her folks, as well. It was then that he had realized she was special, but he'd been consumed with his rising career and the thrill of achieving his dream. No distractions, he'd told himself. There were plenty of women out there.

If he hadn't been so arrogant, things would be different right now. He could only pray that he wouldn't blow his opportunity this time around.

Alaina's breathing gradually slowed and Mike knew she'd fallen asleep. Leaning into the comfortable couch, he closed his own eyes and drifted away with her.

* * *

E
MILY
DIDN
'
T
SLEEP
WELL
.

She kept thinking about Trent talking to his family and how they'd react. From what she had seen of Alaina and the McGregors, she knew there was plenty of love in that crowd. Too bad he'd never been able to truly accept it.

At 5:00 a.m. she dragged herself from bed, dressed and started the coffee.

After a long night of staring into the darkness, she had almost convinced herself
again
that she was wrong and didn't love Trent Hawkins.

Her heart was a yo-yo.

After all, they'd enjoyed two very pleasurable nights together, so it was natural that her heart would whisper she was in love. That didn't mean she had to listen.

Pushing the thought out of her head, Emily began making a coffeecake for the crew. It had just come out of the oven when Eduardo arrived, followed by Vince, Caveman and Mike.