The Dangerous Gift (4 page)

“Tell me about the new buildings.” Jennie smiled with genuine interest.

“A dude ranch. It was Annie’s idea.” Harry’s voice faltered as he mentioned her name. “Open up the Unicorn to guests who want a taste of ranch life. The ranch’s profitability suffered with the fall in cattle prices. Annie wanted to diversify and grow.”

“Clever lady.” Ideas flooded Jennie’s mind. “Perhaps I could help.”

Harry nodded. “Discuss it with Jared.”

Jennie gave an unladylike snort, which she quickly suppressed into a more delicate cough. Jared didn’t want her to stay and certainly wouldn’t want her to help with his new project.

Jared appeared, alone, his handsome face marred with a thunderous expression. She shuddered.
Now what?

Harry followed her anguished gaze. “Speak of the devil. Jared, over here.”

Mourners offering their condolences slowed Jared’s journey. He was polite but brief in his responses and reached Harry and Jennie quickly. Jared frowned as his gaze searched Jennie’s face. Her mind dwelled briefly on the cause of his grumpiness. Perhaps he wanted to spend time with his blonde Amazon rather than her?

Harry got up. “I’ll circulate now you’re here. Make sure you take care of her. She’s fragile today, like you and me.”

Jared took Harry’s place. “I saw the card. Did you even read it before you ran off? Why didn’t you show it to me?”

Jennie’s face heated. Her stomach churned. She didn’t deserve Jared’s anger. “You seemed busy. Who was at the office door?”

Jared leaned back in his chair. He wouldn’t look at her. “A friend.”

Jennie suppressed her tears. “I didn’t recognize her.”

“Her name’s Darleen. She owns the neighbouring ranch.” Jared’s bored tone implied the information was of no importance.

“You must know each other pretty well.” Jennie wouldn’t be put off. She’d seen them kissing and wanted to know why.

“Darleen worries about me. She didn’t realize I’d gone to find you.” Jared still didn’t look at her.

“Do you think?” Jennie jumped up and leaned back against the porch rail with a sigh.

“We’re just neighbours, Jen…”

Jared’s intransigence fueled Jennie’s anger. “More like friends with benefits.” Now she sounded jealous.
Very mature, Jennie.

Jared’s eyes heated, then softened. “She’s a drama queen, like you. She wanted to pay her condolences in person. Nothing more.” Clear blue eyes stared back and dared her to contradict him. Jared’s image blurred as Jennie’s teary eyes betrayed her.

“You kissed her.”

“Jen, don’t do this. Not here.” Jared ran his fingers through his short-cropped hair.

Jennie looked around her, aware they were the focus of avid interest. “Let’s go someplace else. I need some space and privacy.”

Jared took a breath. “I can’t abandon everyone again. This will have to wait until after the wake.” He leapt up and covered Jennie’s hands with his own much-larger one. “If you read the note, it must have scared you. I’ll find out who sent it and make them sorry they did.”

“I did read it. I wanted to show it to you—” Jennie gulped and brushed tears from her cheeks, “—before I saw you kissing what’s-her-name…Darleen. Someone must know about Annie and Ralf’s will. Otherwise, why threaten me?”

“It looks that way. Leave it to me, Jen. I’ll sort it,” Jared said in harsh, hushed tones. “In case you’re interested, Darleen kissed me, not the other way round. I couldn’t push her away. It would have hurt her feelings.”

“You managed it with me.” Jennie turned away, her survival instincts kicking in. She must escape from Jared before she made a fool of herself. “I need some water.”

“Fine. Sit down. I’ll fetch you some.” Jared pointed her in the direction of the swing seat and walked into the crowd of mourners.

Jennie immediately regretted her emotional outburst. What chance did she have with Jared if he was already seeing someone else? She leaned back into the comfy seat and closed her eyes, searching for calm in her troubled mind.

“You look like you want to get out of here. Can’t say I blame you. Funerals aren’t my gig, either.” An unfamiliar deep, soft voice halted her self-flagellation and jolted Jennie back to reality.

Jennie opened her eyes and sat straighter in her chair. She smoothed the skirt of her lace dress down her thighs. Under his gaze, it seemed too short. “Attendance is mandatory. A mark of respect. It’s expected,” she replied automatically.

The man with the deep voice took her reply as an invitation to sit down. Handsome in an urbane way, his artfully arranged floppy blond hair complemented his aquiline nose and hard mouth. Jennie couldn’t see his eyes, because he hadn’t looked directly at her. Her confused mind registered that he couldn’t match Jared’s rugged, muscular beauty, but he still scored high in the eye-candy department. Still smarting from her disagreement with Jared, she smiled.

“Hi, I’m Jennie. I don’t think we’ve met before.”

“Ryder James from the Pegasus Ranch. Jared’s neighbour.”

Realization dawned. Jared wasn’t lying about his relationship with Darleen. Jennie sighed and smiled as she sought confirmation of her suspicions. “I caught a glimpse of your wife a little while ago in Jared’s office. Shouldn’t you be with her rather than flirting with me?”

Ryder shook his head and laughed. “I don’t have a wife. If you mean Darleen, she’s my twin sister. It’s no surprise she caught up with Jared. Those two are inseparable.”

The innuendo behind Ryder’s remark hit home and made the blood drain from Jennie’s face. She was the fool again. Jared had lied to her after all. Perhaps he’d kept his true feelings for Darleen secret because they were mutual? “I didn’t stay to find out.”

Ryder’s gaze swept over her. “Wise move. Let’s take a walk and put the color back in your cheeks.”

Jennie allowed him to pull her from her seat. “I could do with a change of scenery.”

They’d made it halfway down the porch steps before Jared’s voice interrupted them. “I thought you wanted this.”

Jennie ignored him. She didn’t owe him an explanation. Jared expected her to wait whilst he fetched her water, not leave the wake and him with his attractive neighbour. Jennie wanted to get back at Jared for his kiss with Darleen.
She stumbled on the steps and tumbled down them, her defiant exit ruined.

“Hell. Jen, are you okay?” Jared rushed towards her. Quicker, Ryder scooped her huddled form into his arms and stood in a single seamless movement. She prayed her stomach wouldn’t revolt and cover her rescuer in cognac.

Jared’s concerned expression mitigated the pain from her rapidly swelling ankle. He must care. “This way, take her to the office. It’s quieter there.”

Following Jared, Ryder bent his head, his lips inches from hers. “You took a nasty tumble.”

Jennie breathed in his clean, fresh, masculine scent and the hint of expensive cologne. She waited for her battered body to react. It didn’t, not a spark of arousal. No one affected her like Jared did, no matter how attractive the package. “I’m fine, except for acute embarrassment at my clumsiness.”

“Shouldn’t worry, no one will think you’re clumsy. Drunk, maybe.” Jennie’s head snapped up in alarm as Ryder’s words resonated. “Joking, Jennie. You’re so easy to wind up.”

“Very funny.” Jennie blushed as Ryder laid her on the welcome softness of the old leather couch in Jared’s office.

“Looks like you’ll need ice for that swollen ankle.” Ryder stepped back from the couch.

“The utility room, in the small freezer.” Jared’s brusque voice made it more of an order than a request.

“Right, I’m on it.” Ryder sent an angry look Jared’s way before turning to leave.

“Thanks, Ryder.” Jennie stared at Jared, shocked by his rudeness.

Alone, Jared knelt at the side of the couch. She winced as he manipulated her damaged ankle. “I don’t think you’ve broken it. I didn’t realize you knew Ryder.”

Jared’s casual tone didn’t fool her. He clearly didn’t like her talking to Ryder. “Jealous, Jared? No, of course you’re not. You don’t see me as a potential lover. Besides, you have Darleen.”

Jared’s face darkened. “Jen, you’re upset. Let’s not talk about this now.”

“Somebody need ice?” A sultry voice drew both their gazes to the open door.

“Hey, Darleen. Over here, please.” Jared smiled at the blonde Amazon.

Jennie’s nemesis sashayed across the room and dropped the cloth full of ice into Jared’s large hands. She made the simple task seem like foreplay. Jennie turned away in disgust.

“Had a little too much to drink, honey?” Darleen’s sickly sweet tone ramped up Jennie’s anger. Her face heated. She looked to Jared for support.

“Don’t think Jen’s much of a drinker.” Jared shared a smile with Darleen. Stung by his lack of loyalty, Jennie felt her eyes flood with angry tears.

Darleen’s eyes narrowed. “Think you need your bed, honey. I’ll ask Ryder to carry you upstairs.” How dare Darleen treat her like a child? “Jared, you need to be with your guests. I’ve told the caterers to keep the drinks flowing, but they’ve started to clear away the leftovers, and I think some of your guests are fixing to leave. It’s been a long day.”

“Okay, Darleen. I’ll go. Take care of Jen.” Jared headed for the office door, and Jennie didn’t miss the older woman’s triumphant smile.

“Jared, I’ll join you when I’ve spoken to Ryder.” Darleen’s proprietary attitude made Jennie tremble with fury. Darleen had effortlessly slipped into the hostess role, and Jared didn’t contradict her. “Ryder, I need you to carry Jennie upstairs. I need to go back to the wake and support Jared. It’s been a trying day for us all.” Darleen bestowed a cool smile on Jennie and followed Jared out of the office.

Jennie bit her lip. Darleen clearly felt at home at the ranch. There must be more to her relationship with Jared than he’d admitted. Ryder picked her up, despite her halfhearted protests that she could make it upstairs on her own. She wanted to go back to the wake and show Darleen she was perfectly capable of supporting Jared, but her headache from crying and drinking alcohol on an empty stomach and her throbbing ankle forced her to accept Ryder’s help and escape upstairs before she embarrassed herself further.

The bedroom door creaked, and the bed’s softness rose up and enveloped her as Ryder relinquished her to its depths.

“You can open your eyes now. Darleen’s gone.”

Jennie turned her head away from him and opened her eyes. The bed dipped, and Ryder placed the ice pack against her throbbing ankle. “Give this an hour to work its magic and rest. You should be okay to walk on it later.” Reluctantly, she turned in the direction of Ryder’s deep voice. His hazel eyes fringed with long eyelashes, a few shades darker than his hair, fell short of attractive because of their inherent coldness. Jennie suppressed a shudder, deciding it must be delayed shock from her fall.

“Thanks. I’ll be fine now.”

Ryder’s eyes remained devoid of expression. “Oh, so you’re done with me now.”

Jennie scrambled around in her fuzzy mind for a suitable response. “No, of course not. I thought you’d want to—”

“Like I said, so easy to tease. I’m joking. I’ll pop by to check up on you in a couple of days, if you’re still here.” Ryder stood up and smiled down at her.

Jennie’s face heated. “Where else would I be? Come for dinner. I’ll get Jared to arrange it.”

“Look forward to it. Take care. No more accidents.” Ryder smiled as he left her room.

“I’ll do my best.” Jennie waited for the door to close before she sat up.
Bad move.
Now that she’d invited Ryder to dinner, Darleen would invite herself too. But maybe it could work to her advantage. She could see how Darleen and Jared interacted. With Ryder there, she wouldn’t feel like the third wheel. Satisfied her impulsive invite would further her purpose, she lay back down and let exhaustion claim her.

Chapter 3

Jared

Jared closed the door behind the last guest. He’d relied on Darleen and Ryder to check on Jen as he listened to friends and relatives’ endless reminiscences about his parents. He hoped Darleen and Jen would become friends. If Jen stayed, she’d have to fit in. Ranchers relied on each other, and he couldn’t afford to have Jennie be at odds with Darleen.

Jared turned to Harry. “I’m glad you agreed to stay over.” Too much bourbon meant Harry couldn’t drive. “Can I get you anything, Harry?”

“I’ve been coming here since before you were born.” Harry smiled. “I can find my own way around.”

“Of course. I’ll go and check on Jen.” Jared wanted to make sure she was comfortable after Darleen insisted he leave her to spend time at the wake.

***

Intruder

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Harry walked onto the porch, seemingly unaware that someone was watching him from the shadows of the ranch house. He slipped on a forgotten drink, probably blinded by the last strong rays of sunlight.

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.