Roz Denny Fox (23 page)

Nell’s hands and arms were covered in clay. “Sounds good. The pot I’m working on is a lost cause, anyway.” She folded the clay together and shut down the wheel. “Eden, give Hayley the grand tour. I need a word with Jacob. I’ll walk him to the door,” she said, shucking her apron.

He clutched his heart with both hands. “What did I do now? If you’ve lost more of your prize chickens, my fingerprints aren’t on them this time.”

“You really did steal those laying hens you sold me!” Hayley yelped.

Jake gave a helpless shrug as Nell marched him toward the front door. “I fessed up to Mom—and I didn’t take your money,” he declared firmly.

Eden and Hayley could be heard giggling. Jake noticed that his mother looked serious, however. She trailed him outside the shop before she spoke, and when she did, her voice was furtive. “Andrea Sheldon, who sells my pottery at her gift shop in Arivaca, came by today to pick up a new supply. She said two men were in town, one flashing a badge. They mentioned you by name and had a picture of a woman resembling Hayley.”

Jake lost his teasing manner. “Did anyone direct them here? Damn, obviously Ryan and Tilford meant what they said. I thought they were all talk.”

“Andrea said they knew she handled my pottery. She told them all roads leading out of Arivaca dead-ended on private land. Which is true. She also said she sold my work, but didn’t know me personally. I thanked her for fibbing.”

“Hayley won’t listen to reason. I don’t know what to do, Mom. It’ll be mid-November before I can hang around her mine full days. This roundup isn’t going well.”

“Big as that baby’s getting, Hayley shouldn’t be out there digging anymore.”

“You tell her. It won’t do any good. Eden told her you worked right up until the day both Dillon and I were born.”

“At home. Sitting on a stool, moving my foot up and down to turn the pot carousel, doesn’t compare to crawling in and out of holes, shoveling tons of dirt.”

“Don’t get huffy with me. She’s not ready to accept what I’m offering. Every time I think I’m making headway, she pulls back.” He sighed. “She’s been badly burned, and she’s afraid to trust another man.”

Nell reached for his arm, saw the clay caked on her hand and let her hand drop. “Jake, maybe you ought to give up. Stop knocking yourself out.”

He looked her square in the eye and put his feelings into words. “I can’t, Mom. I love her.”

“I know you think you do. But are you sure that when the chips all fall, she won’t go back to Ryan? It’s his baby she’s carrying. That’s a powerful tie.”

“She’s smarter than that. I’m sure of it. Hayley’s like an injured rabbit. One who doesn’t know who to trust or which way to run. Eventually she’ll see that I’m not going to let her down.”

“Oh, Jacob. I hope you’re right, son.” Nell’s troubled gaze remained on Jake’s broad shoulders as he zigzagged across the street to Brown & Brown architectural offices.

He returned with a spring in his step, whistling a chipper tune. “Mom, you and Eden head on over to the restaurant and snag a table on the patio. Hayley wants to stop at the bank. We’ll walk through the plaza—that way she can see some of the other shops in town.”

“Okay, but where are your house plans?” Eden asked. “Carl said you’re interested in the hacienda he first designed for Dillon and me.”

“You guys turned it down. It’s exactly what I want. I initialed the blueprints and sent them to the builder. Art Wahl’s going to break ground on Monday.”

“So soon?” Both Eden and Nell gave a start. Hayley had wandered over to inspect one of Eden’s display cases. If she was curious about Jake’s house plans, she didn’t show it. His pensive gaze tracked her every move.

Eden, who’d been unsure of the real situation up to now, let her mouth form a soundless “oh.” Even then she turned to Nell for confirmation. “I’ll fill you in on the way to the restaurant,” her mother-in-law whispered. “Let’s go, everyone!” Nell said aloud.

The four went out, leaving Charcoal behind. Nell locked up while Jake took Hayley’s hand and crossed the street. He didn’t let go as they sauntered past one of the art galleries and paused to look at the paintings in the window. He released her at the bank while she opened an account, but recaptured her hand as they left.

She’d relaxed by then and was laughing at something he said when he shoved open the door to the restaurant where they were meeting the others. Jake slipped an arm around her waist as they stepped aside to let a boisterous trio of young women make their way out of the building.

“Well, I declare. Jacob Cooper.” A well-made-up blonde stopped and gushed his name. Her attention faltered on the woman he had tucked under his left arm. The blonde’s expression changed. “Oh, look, Tina. I do believe this is the shabby little gold digger. Daddy said she plans to turn our valley into a wasteland. With Wade Cooper’s help,” she added, pouting at Jake.

Hayley tried to duck out from under Jake’s arm, but he tightened his grip. “Ginalyn, apologize to Mrs. Ryan.” Jake momentarily blocked the women’s exit.

“Mrs.?” Ginalyn Westin cooed, her eyes firmly locked on Hayley’s stomach. “Gosh, Jacob, maybe the girls and I ought to add up the months you’ve been out of circulation.” All three women snickered.

A muscle jumped along Jake’s jaw. “Spread whatever dirty rumors you’d like about me. But apologize to Hayley.”

Ginalyn, who’d probably mastered the coy look at age two, ran her gaze over Hayley’s home-sewn outfit. Ginalyn and her friends were wearing designer jeans and silk blouses tucked into narrow waistbands. “I’m positive I didn’t misunderstand Daddy. Isn’t she digging for gold out by the springs where we used to go skinny-dipping?” This time Ginalyn made no attempt to soften the derogatory twist of her lips.

Hayley finally broke free of Jake’s suddenly lax grasp. Midflight she ran into Eden, who’d evidently come to see what was keeping them. Eden had only caught the tail end of the conversation, but she, who had a stature in town equal to Ginalyn’s, caught Hayley’s arm. “Actually,” Eden exclaimed loudly enough for everyone to hear, “Gordy White told me Jake’s the only guy in the old crowd Ginalyn hasn’t been able to coerce into skinny-dipping with her.”

Smiling sweetly, Eden faced Jake. “Nell’s ordered a pitcher of iced tea. I hate to break up this reunion, but I’d like to finalize my contract with Hayley for her next shipment of ore.”

Jake knew he ought to thank Eden for bailing him out, but he felt like strangling her, instead. Ginalyn would rush right home and report to her dad; John would think Hayley had found gold on her claim. The minute they sat down at their table, Jake unloaded his fears on Eden.

“I’m sorry, Jake. Blame the devil in me. Ginalyn Westin is a nightmare. Someone should have given her a taste of her own medicine long before this.”

Nell shushed them. “Could you keep it down? The Triple C still has to do business with the J & B. I thought you two had more finesse.” She waggled her brows toward the surrounding tables filled with interested onlookers.

“It’s my fault.” Clearly stricken, Hayley started to rise.

Jake stopped her. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t say a word. Let’s order. We have a long drive ahead of us in a pickup that’s iffy at best.”

Hayley watched him bury his nose in a menu. Of course, he had to regret the unfortunate encounter with those women, who obviously knew him well. While it was true she’d forgotten who she was for a minute and had begun to dream of fitting in here, the exchange at the door had opened her eyes. Jake’s attention came with conditions attached. His family and all the ranchers in the valley wanted the spring. Hayley supposed that eventually he’d get around to asking her in his own words; it was foolish of her to pretend otherwise. She should have put a stop to his visits from the beginning. But for all her big stubborn talk, she—who ought to know better—had fallen head over heels in love with Jacob Cooper.

Dinner was strained. Nell remained miffed at Jake and Eden, who’d let themselves be drawn into a catfight in the foyer of a restaurant where half the people in town could hear. Eden was irked at Jake for scolding her when she’d only come to his rescue. And Jake hated watching Hayley pull back into her shell. He cursed himself for bringing her to town and exposing her to spiteful women like Ginalyn Westin and her friends.

He’d planned to talk to Hayley about his house on the drive back to her camp. But from the minute they’d collected Charcoal, she huddled into a corner of the cab with the dog and feigned sleep. Jake didn’t know how to scale this latest barrier she’d thrown up.

Her old truck sputtered for most of the trip. It up and died at the top of the incline overlooking her clearing. All Jake’s efforts to restart the engine failed.

Hayley roused, rubbed her eyes and yawned. “Are we there?”

“Did Ben keep a tool kit behind the seat? The engine coughed for the last twenty miles. Now it’s stopped. The carburetor may need an adjustment.” He opened the door. Charcoal bounded out into the trees.

“There was a box of tools—but the truck doors don’t lock. After you said transients might steal me blind, I put the toolbox inside my trailer.”

“That’s great! I suppose the flashlight’s in the toolbox, too.”

“No. In the glove compartment.”

Jake reached past her to open the catch, but she admitted meekly, “The batteries are dead. I’ve been meaning to replace them. They’re larger than the ones I bought for my radio.”

Jake’s temper erupted, then quickly fizzled. One look at her, sleepy, disheveled and contrite, and his heart spiraled into a free fall. He’d promised both of them he wouldn’t touch her again until she issued an invitation. But she seemed so forlorn he couldn’t help himself. Cupping her chin, he bent to steal the kiss he’d been wanting all day.

The kiss felt right to Hayley. Right enough that he didn’t have to beg her to come into his arms. She was a willing participant.

But Hayley soon pulled away and struggled to breathe normally. “Jake.” She reached for his hands, needing the connection because he’d turned off the lights and the cab was pitch-black. “I deserve to know what plans you have for the spring. Not knowing is making me crazy. It’s driving a wedge between us.”

Jake’s heart sped up. He did have a plan. One he’d fashioned last night as he idly blew his harmonica to calm the herd. How could she know? He’d told no one. Maybe Hayley was beginning to trust him.

Hayley held her breath, hoping Jake would keep quiet or categorically deny giving her any reason not to trust him with her heart.

Jake combed his fingers through her hair. “I’ve chewed on this idea since your ex and his partner threatened to find your mine.” He didn’t mention what his mother had said about Joe and Shad showing up in Arivaca. Jake hated to complicate matters or add to Hayley’s worries. If she agreed to his plan, her troubles with Joe would be over.

“All we have to do to get Joe off your back is go to the county recorder and switch your claim to my name. It’s brilliant, really. You get the ore, but Joe loses his leverage.” Jake started to add that as soon as her divorce was final, he and she could get married and there wouldn’t be any further need for these machinations, but Hayley reared back and planted a fist in his left eye before he got that far.

“Ow! What was
that
for?” Jake strove to see her through the dark.

“I don’t like getting the shaft.”

“Shaft? What? I said the ore is all yours. This would be a transfer in name only—for your own protection.”

Hayley fought with the stubborn door until it finally creaked open. Fuming, she got out and slammed it on Jake’s sputters. With the Blue Cameo in his name, he’d have everything his father needed to purchase the property. Maybe he’d give her the opals and maybe he wouldn’t. Did he really think that because she went weak in the knees when he kissed her it also made her weak in the head? She might have fallen for him like a nitwit, but she’d get over it. She’d once thought she loved Joe Ryan, too.

Forget him. Forget Jake. Forget them all.

“Oh, Charcoal,” she moaned as the dog loped up and pressed against her legs. “Lead me home, boy. Then go with your master.”

Jake heard Hayley talking to Charcoal. He stumbled after her through the darkness, making so much noise he couldn’t hear what she’d said. Why was she so mad? She’d asked for his help, hadn’t she?

He figured out pretty fast, after he reached the clearing and heard her go into the trailer and slam and lock the door, that he’d said something wrong. Dead wrong.

“Hayley. Come out here. We need to discuss this rationally.”

“I’m not rational. Go away and don’t come back.”

“I sure will be back. I don’t want your stupid opals. Is that what you think? That I’d steal from you?”

Charcoal sat on the top wooden step leading into Hayley’s trailer. He raised one paw and scratched the metal door, whining.

“Just because you’re mad at me, don’t take it out on the dog.” Jake heard her moving around inside the trailer, but she didn’t answer.

“Well, fine! Stay, boy,” he said sternly, patting the wood. “I’m riding out to the herd. You guard the lady. Hanged if I know why I don’t give up,” Jake grumbled, now petting the dog’s head. “But I swear,” he said through gritted teeth, “she’s going to be my wife one day and your mistress.”

Though Jake hated leaving Hayley virtually stranded, he left the old truck at the top of the hill. Lacking proper light and tools, he had no other choice.

T
HE NEXT AFTERNOON
he brought tools and tinkered with the engine until he got it running.

“It might only be temporary,” he explained after he’d climbed the sidehill to continue helping Hayley dig. “That engine can’t be trusted. I wish you’d wind down here.”

She gave him the silent treatment.

Not only that day, but every day thereafter for the next week. She spoke only when spoken to. She was a stubborn woman.

But Jacob Cooper was stubborn, too.

He knew that his parents suspected Hayley was at the bottom of his surliness, and that the whole family talked behind his back. The day they’d corralled the last steer, Wade approached his son. “Dillon deserves time with his wife now. Jake, you’re taking our beeves to market.”