Heart's Desire (27 page)

“We have an account with four names on it right now: Colton and Melissa Hart, Brendon Gray, and Trevor Gray. With two of those now deceased, there are only two people who could touch the money in that account.” He smiled when he saw the old man blanch. “You've done a terrific job proving your son's innocence. Thank you for that, by the way.”

Trevor quickly recovered. “You seem quite sure of yourself, Mr. Kerrington. But, let's be honest, you're guessing. You have no way of knowing anything.”

“Are you sure? Certain enough to stake your freedom on it? With as much money as I have, you'd be surprised at how resourceful my investigators can be.” He raised his brows as he waited for Trevor's response. The two stared at each other for what seemed like minutes. Nathan was surprised everyone else in the room remained silent, as if waiting to see who caved first.

A quiet knock sounded at the door. “Sir, is everything okay in there? Do you need me to phone the police?” Christy's voice was tentative, but it seemed to spark Brendon into motion.

He ran for the door and Justin moved but not as quickly as Jessie. She grabbed Brendon by the front of his shirt and shoved him back against the wall. “Don't even think about it. No one is leaving until we have the truth.” She stepped closer to him, her nose barely reaching his chin. “I don't care how I have to get it, either. Someone nearly drove my ranch into the ground, and I'm ready to extract a little payback for the fifty thousand dollars stolen from me.”

“I didn't do it, Jessie,” Brendon whispered. “I set up the account and the transfers, but that was all.” His eyes flicked to Justin who stood behind her. “I swear.”

“Shut up, Brendon.” Trevor's voice rumbled in the room, savage and cruel, like the growl of a feral animal.

“I'm not going to jail for you.” Brendon ground out the words as Jessie released him.

She turned on Trevor. “You? You took the money? Why?” She moved toward his desk. “You're family!”

“No, we aren't.” Trevor turned vindictive eyes on Jessie. “I took that failing cattle ranch and turned it into a successful business for your father, and do you know what he gave me? Nothing.”

“You were on the board of Heart Fire Industries,” Nathan said. “That put you on the payroll. But I'm guessing that wasn't enough for you, was it?”

Trevor raised a brow and tipped his head. “Would it have been enough for you? Tell me, Mr. Kerrington, what are you getting out of helping these two?”

“I'm helping a friend.”

Trevor looked at Jessie pointedly and laughed. “Sure you are.”

“So, you decided to set up the transfers and withdraw the money?”

Trevor laughed bitterly. “Not exactly.”

“You had
me
set it up so your hands were clean?” Realization dawned on Brendon's face. “You always planned for me to take the fall for this, all of this, didn't you?”

“Son, you're hands are clean, too. They don't have anything.”

“I'm not going down for you. I swear I won't,” Brendon vowed, pointing at his father. “Where is the money?”

“It's safe.”

“In some offshore account with your name.” Nathan strode toward the desk, knowing Trevor was trapped in his own lies. “You know, Brendon, I'm sure the police would go much easier on you for your cooperation. As a matter of fact, I'm sure Justin and Jessie might be willing to testify on your behalf if you were to tell the police what you know.”

Justin took a threatening step toward his friend. “Or I could just beat the crap out of you now.”

“Brendon isn't going to say anything, because he doesn't know anything.” Trevor smiled his evil grin again.

Brendon looked from his father to Nathan, as if unsure who might offer him the best deal. He narrowed his eyes at the man behind the chair and took a step closer to Nathan, glancing at Justin. “I'll tell you everything I know, but you have to promise to do whatever you can to make sure I don't serve any time.”

“Done,” Nathan said. Jessie's mouth opened in protest, but he shook his head. Justin clenched his fists at his sides, and Nathan could tell he wasn't happy with the compromise either, but neither of them realized how important this was. This man's testimony was exactly what they needed to make a case and try to get her money back.

“The money is in Germany. I have the account information.”

Trevor's face colored with rage. “Shut up, Brendon!” He lunged across the desk, but the chair blocked his attack.

Nathan shoved a paper at Brendon. “Write it down. Names, account numbers, routing information.”

“I need to call the police,” Jessie said, pulling out her phone.

Nathan was just about to tell her about the device hidden in his pocket when Brendon passed him the paper with the bank information.

“He cut the brake line.” Brendon's voice was quiet but anxious.

“You son of a bitch!” Trevor's voice was thick with rage.

“He had someone do it. I don't know who.”

“How do you know?” Nathan asked. “Did you see it?”

Brendon shook his head. “He told me. And I have his receipt for the hotel where it happened.”

“You killed my parents?” Justin dove toward the old man, and Nathan jumped into action. He couldn't have Justin getting arrested for assault when they had to make this an open-and-shut case. They didn't have it yet.

Jessie looked like she was in a state of shock, her face pale and her hands trembling. She let out a pained wail that chilled Nathan's heart. He wished he'd been able to warn her. Suddenly, she pushed past her brother. Nathan let go of Justin and both of them reached for her arms, barely catching her before she got her hands on Trevor.

Jessie struggled against the two of them, and Nathan was shocked at the difficulty they had holding her back. “I'm going to kill you, you bastard.”

“You can't do anything.” Trevor chuckled under his breath. “I'm not stupid. You have nothing more than his word on this. And I can give you proof that
he
stole that money from you.”

“I don't care about the money.” Jessie paused long enough to glare at Brendon and then turned back to the man across the desk, the man she'd trusted for most of her life. “I want my parents back. You said it was an accident.”

“I have the name of the man he paid to do it.” Four sets of eyes turned to Brendon.

“I thought you said—”

Brendon cut Justin off. “I lied.” He looked at his father. “That's right, Dad. I'm not fool enough to trust you. I followed you. I even talked to him. Let's see who gets the better deal with the police.”

Trevor pointed a finger at his son. “You're finished. I will destroy you.”

Several officers burst into the room with Christy peering from behind. “Freeze! Everyone, hands into the air.”

“Officers, I'm so glad you're here. These people are trespassing, and these two have already tried to attack me.” He pointed at Jessie and Justin.

“Nice try,” said the deputy who'd fitted Nathan with the device as he pulled his handcuffs out and walked around the desk. Another deputy cuffed Brendon. “You're coming with us Trevor. You are under arrest for the murder of Colton and Melissa Hart. You have the right to remain silent—”

“What the hell? These three came in—”

“Trevor, we got everything we need.” Nathan reached into his pocket and pulled out the recorder, no bigger than a pen cap. “And since Brendon wants to be so very cooperative, I'd say you're pretty well screwed. Check and mate.”

N
ATHAN DISCONNECTED THE
call on his cell and looked across the yard to where Jessie was unloading two new geldings from the trailer with Moose protectively standing at the gate. He caught his breath as she led the first emaciated animal out. It never failed to shock him when he saw the condition most of the animals came to Jess in—beaten, worn down, and pitiful—but she was able to restore them, the way she had with him. He wanted to do the same for her.

He walked down the porch steps and stood at the fence, clearing his throat to get her attention without spooking the animal. She looked at Deb. “Can you hold him for a second?”

Jessie hurried to the fence, worry creasing her brow. “Well? What did they say?”

“It's over. Trevor is trying to work out a deal, but Brendon rolled on him, so they have plenty of evidence. Apparently, he didn't trust his father and made sure he could blackmail him if the time came.” Nathan shook his head. “I thought my family was dysfunctional. Trevor's going to prison for two counts of murder, Jess.”

Jessie's eyes misted. She still missed her parents, but Trevor Gray was responsible for their death and was going to pay. She, on the other hand, was going to turn Heart Fire Ranch into a refuge her parents would have been proud to be a part of.

“Thank you.” He could hear the catch in her throat as she leaned over the fence and pressed her lips against his, laying her hand against his cheek. Jessie took a deep breath before clearing her throat.

“Are we ready to place the ad for an on-site counselor for the teens?”

Nathan sighed and rolled his eyes playfully. “And we're back to business.” He pinched her chin between his thumb and index finger. “Focus on me for two more minutes, please.”

He kissed her gently, relishing the fact that he could do it whenever he wanted to now, without worry that his father might come after her. Now that his father's trial had begun, he was far too concerned with trying to make himself look like a wronged victim to worry about how Nathan's defection from their elite circle would look.

Desire swirled through him. He loved this woman more than he'd ever thought possible. He wondered if he could convince Deb to do this evaluation alone so he could take Jessie into the house. They hadn't made love since his return, even though she'd tried to convince him otherwise, but he wanted everything to be perfect.

“Will the two of you stop?” Bailey's voice broke through his haze of need.

Nathan pressed his forehead against Jessie's as she laughed. “Bailey, it's a good thing I adore you because if I didn't . . . ”

“But you do, so you won't
do
anything.” She had her arms crossed and a satisfied smiled on her lips. She waved a hand between them. “You have me to thank for this. Just remember that, Wall Street.”

“You know, I don't work in New York anymore. You can stop with that name.”

“You'll always be Wall Street to me. Embrace it.” She turned to Jessie and grew serious. “Ellie called. Michael's brother made parole, and she wants to bring Michael out here so he doesn't start running with that crowd. She wanted to make sure it was okay.”

“Of course it is.” Jessie frowned and turned to Nathan. “You don't mind having a teen boy and Ellie staying for a while, right?”

“Jess, I know that your full house was just part of the deal. Trust me.” He pressed another kiss to her lips. “I'm getting the best part of the bargain.”

“Ugh!” Bailey threw her hands up. “You two are making me sick. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.” She turned and headed back toward the barn, laughing. “I'm going to go help Mitch clean stalls. Horseshit is preferable to you two.”

Nathan laughed and caught Deb's eye over Jessie's shoulder. “Okay, I've distracted you long enough, but come find me when you finish. I'm going to try to get a few more donor meetings set up. I think at the rate we're going, we might as well set up a charity event. People love what you're doing here, Jess.”

She cocked her head to the side, her dark waves falling over her shoulder like a curtain. “I didn't do this, Nathan. You did.”

“Oh,” Bailey yelled as she stopped at the barn door. “The new sign is up if you want to see it.”

Jessie turned toward Nathan, her eyes alight with glee. He'd been hoping to take her to see it tonight, just before sunset. Glancing at the sky, he could see the sun just passing the midafternoon mark and sighed. He'd have to make it work.

“Okay, hop in the truck and let's go see it.”

“Bailey, help Deb,” Jessie called as she ran for the truck. Nathan headed inside to grab her keys and the package he'd hidden in his cabin.

J
ESSIE STOOD AT
the entrance of the ranch and stared at the new sign for Heart Fire Ranch. Beautiful scrollwork surrounded the new addition that declared her home an equine rescue and rehabilitation program. Nathan stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“It looks good,” he murmured against her ear, causing shivers to crest over her in waves. “Are you happy?”

“I am.” She turned in his arms to cup his jaw in her palms. “I have no idea how you managed to do this so quickly, but thank you.”

“I just called in a few small favors.” Nathan shrugged as if he hadn't done the impossible for her.

Somehow he'd managed to expedite the incorporation document Trevor had never filed and found a few donors willing to commit to several hundred thousand dollars toward funding the rescue. She'd be able to start upgrades to the barns and break ground on a covered arena. Now, they had begun the process of setting up the facility as a camp for at-risk teens as well, which was bringing in a new group of donors who wanted to help. Nathan had worked a miracle and made her dream a reality.

She stared at him in awe. “Just another day at the office, huh, Superman?”

“Something like that.” Nathan gave her that cocky, lopsided smile that sent her heart racing, the dimple in his cheek deepening. “We should probably head back to the house. I have an architect faxing me his proposal for the new lodge today.”

“Are you sure you want to do this? Give up your office and apartment in LA? That's a big move.”

Nathan curled his fingers around the back of her neck, and she felt the sizzle of heat spiral in her belly. “I have never been more certain of anything. That isn't my life anymore. You are.” He brushed his lips against hers lightly.

She smiled against his kiss. “You won't miss dating all those starlets and models?”

Nathan nipped at the corner of her mouth. “Who said I can't—oomph!” Nathan grunted as she playfully pressed a fist into his ribcage. He pulled her close. “I have everything I want right here.”

He deepened their kiss and she sighed against him, wishing for a moment they were back in the house, where she could remove every shred of clothing separating them. Jessie leaned into him, rocking onto her toes, every part of her tingling with desire for him.

“Let's go back,” she whispered against his mouth. “I have something I need you to do.”

Nathan slid his hands down her back and cupped her rear, pulling her up against him. She could feel his need for her through their clothing. “Hopefully it's the same thing I'm wanting to do.”

The blare of a horn scared her, making Moose start barking in the back of the truck. She jumped backward away from Nathan. “What the . . . I'm going to kill him.”

Justin pulled his truck to a stop beside them and rolled down the window. “You two are pretty sickening. You know that, right?”

Nathan drew her back into the circle of his arms again and she shivered with delight. She loved how he seemed to crave touching her, the way she did him, but it was beginning to frustrate her that they hadn't made love since his return. He'd moved into one of the cabins and wouldn't budge, even when she pointed out how ridiculous it was for him to stay there when she had a perfectly good house with a large bed she was happy to share with him. Yet he continued to deny her, deny both of them, really, without explanation, and she was unsure why. His request that she trust him was the only reason he would give. She was willing to give him that concession, but she wasn't sure how much longer she could wait.

“You're just jealous.”

“Hardly.” Justin laughed and shook his head. “The sign looks good. When is Deb bringing the next group of horses?”

“This week. She found these at a stockyard in Nevada. Underfed and heading to slaughter, but otherwise healthy. I'll be prepping some stable mix to help them gain weight later if you want to help.”

“Sure.” He jerked his chin at the sign. “When are you going to change it to include the camp?”

Jessie couldn't help the smile from spreading over her lips. She still couldn't believe that she was actually going to be able to start pairing her horses with kids in a therapy program. None of this would have been possible without Nathan, and it just made her love him even more. She just wished she was brave enough to actually tell him. She was too afraid he wasn't ready for it, and she might scare him away. They'd agreed to take this relationship one day at a time, and she was trying to be patient.

It wasn't working.

“Later, once we start having camps. Probably in the summer. I still need to hire counselors who know about horses and want to work with troubled teens.

“Yeah, that should be a piece of cake,” Justin said, pursing his lips. “I'll keep my ears open. Are you two heading back?”

“Yes.”

“No,” Nathan said at the same time.

“We're not?”

Nathan smiled. “Not just yet.” He turned to Justin. “We'll meet you there a little later.”

Justin's brows rose. She knew that look. These two were up to something. She watched her brother drive away before she turned to Nathan. “What are you planning?”

He tried for his best look of innocence and shrugged, but she wasn't buying it for a second. “Nathan, don't make me push you into another pile of manure.”

He took a step closer, the spicy scent of him enveloping her, his nearness causing her heart to skip and jump in her chest as warmth spread through her limbs, making standing upright difficult. His hand curled into her hair, and she gasped at the delicious feel of his hard body cradling her softness. She looked up to see the gold flecks dancing mischievously in his green eyes as his lips curved into a wide smile.

“Jess, you don't want to do that today. I promise.” He took her hand and led her to the truck, opening the passenger door. “Just be patient.”

He climbed behind the wheel, and she marveled at how much had changed. A few weeks ago, she'd argued with Justin at the mention of Nathan on her ranch. The idea of letting him help had sent her into fits of rage. Now, in spite of their past mistakes, she trusted him with her truck, her ranch, her finances, her dreams, and her heart. She felt her chest swell with emotion. He'd taught her to feel again, to dream, to hope, and to believe.

For so long, Jessie believed she was nothing more than the family failure, doomed to repeat her mistakes and hurt those she loved. Nathan had saved her from herself, made her see that she was a diamond, rare and beautiful, even if she was still a little rough around the edges.

“What are you smiling about?” He glanced over at her as he drove.

She flipped up the console and scooted closer to him on the bench seat, twining her fingers in his. “You. You've been pretty amazing, Wall Street.”

“Ugh, please stop calling me that.” He cringed and she laughed.

“Okay,” she agreed. “You hardly look like the same guy Bailey brought from the airport. No more suits, no more ties. Now if I could get you to stop using hair products,” she teased as she ran her fingers through his still perfectly tousled hair. “But I do like the scruff.” She ran a hand over his rough jaw and laid her head on his shoulder.

Nathan laughed quietly. “I'll admit I don't miss the suits, but no gel? That's just uncivilized.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

“Nathan, what's going to happen with your family?” She felt him tense before he inhaled deeply.

“I guess it depends on what happens during the trial. My father will probably be found guilty, but I doubt he'll serve time. He'll lose his job, but I'm sure my grandfather will find somewhere to plug him into one of his businesses, not that those are any more legal. Honestly, I refuse to worry about it. He made his bed.”

“You couldn't forgive him?”

Nathan stared at her, surprise clear on his face. “You're kidding, right? Jess, he threatened your entire family if I continued to see you. I'm still not sure how far he would've gone, but I do know someone would have been hurt.”

“You underestimate us Harts.”

“After seeing you try to leap over that desk after Trevor, I won't make that mistake again.”

She shook her head and looked out the front window. “We're going to The Ridge?”

He just smiled and drove up the path before turning the truck around and backing up so they could sit in the bed and see the river below. He reached into the backseat of the truck and pulled out a bottle of champagne with two plastic glasses and a blanket.

“My, aren't you prepared. I don't remember you mentioning you were ever a Boy Scout,” she teased.

“Nope. I owe Bailey again.”

“She
does
keep rescuing you, doesn't she?”

Nathan moved around the truck, but she opened her door before he could. It was nice that he wanted to be a gentleman, but she didn't want to wait any longer than necessary before touching him again. She hurried to the back of the truck and dropped the tailgate, coaxing the dog down and jumping into the back.