Forbidden Trails: A Clearwater County Romance (The Montana Trails Series Book 2)

by Bonnie R. Paulson

  “He doesn’t support your dreams. You’re trying to be something with him you’re not, why? Just to get information on Kettleson? I told you, we would take care of it.” Her mom moved to stand beside her father, placing her hand on the chair beside his shoulder, always careful not to touch him and cause more pain.

  Cyan shuffled to the island and leaned against the granite countertop. That day’s paper littered the surface. She randomly picked through the pages, studying ads and articles with equal disinterest.

  Was she being honest with herself? She certainly wasn’t being honest with him. But she hadn’t broached the topic with him. Couldn’t bring herself to turn their time together into something seedy. She liked kissing him. Liked talking to him. He didn’t judge her, even when she made stupid jokes or acted like she should say or do anything other than what she did.

  Maybe at first she tried assuaging her need to see him by giving herself a purpose to be with him. But she found that purpose less and less important as she spent more and more time with him.

  Could she be honest with herself?

  He was so honest and upfront with her.

  He didn’t deserve what she was doing to him. Or planning to do to him.

  An ad caught her eye and she stopped playing with the paper to rip it out.

  Fish and Wildlife asking the public for help in identifying poachers. Contact the regional office with any information.

  She pocketed the ad and nodded at her parents, then turned toward her room.

  As far as she was concerned, she didn’t need to pursue the conversation any further. The rigidity in her dad’s face attested to the fact he was nowhere near stoned enough to be sensible about anything anyway.

  The ad though… might just be the ticket to what she was looking for.

  If she could solve her own issues, then maybe she’d be free to see Jareth without her own conscience guilting her every second.

  Chapter 15

  Jareth

  How many times had Nate suggested they all get guns of their own? How many times? The pistol Jareth had borrowed from the Kettleson stash felt light with loose pieces in his grip. Shooting it had made him sweat, because it might’ve locked up or something.

  Or what if his horrible luck carried through and the shot had somehow ricocheted and hit Cyan? He would have essentially shot the only girl he’d ever been able to stand for longer than twenty minutes – TWICE.

  Jareth stormed into the large barn, long strides carrying him into the tack area. He unbuckled the holster belt and slung it onto the table against the wall. He didn’t have a lot of money as it was. How would he ever be able to afford a gun of his own? He’d never considered them a necessity before, but with hungry wolves in the area and Cyan out walking that dog… he didn’t have a choice.

  He wasn’t a fan of the pistol style. He much preferred a stainless steel revolver with a four inch barrel. The difference between the revolver and pistol was tantamount. He favored the weighty grip and the sturdiness of the revolver.

  How was he ever going to come up with the money to buy one? He braced his arms on the nearby table and hung his head.

  “Darby! Just the man I wanted to see.” Kettleson’s appearance blocked the main door to the barn, leaving Jareth with few options. Plus, he’d seen him. No way would Jareth get away now.

  Jareth had hoped the week of avoidance could be stretched out a little bit more. How did he tell Kettleson he wasn’t doing too well with the mission because he was falling for the girl?

  That would guarantee the loss of the money, and maybe even the loss of the job – for all of the Montana Trail cousins.

  Jareth didn’t say anything, but nodded as he waited for Kettleson to join him beside the table.

  “I asked Smith for an update and he said he hadn’t seen you very much. I guess you’ve been busy.” Kettleson nodded, his lips in a snide curl. “That’s good. But I need to be kept in the loop. What’s going on with our… problem.”

  Jareth bristled at the suggestion that Cyan was anything of Kettleson’s. He bit back his retort.

  “Is she going to drop anything? Do I need to continue planning my defense?” Kettleson continued. “I don’t want you spending all your time romancing her. I’m paying you to get results, not to scratch an itch.”

  The possibility that Mr. Burns was going to involve the law in anything when he wasn’t exactly pristine himself gave Jareth confidence when he said, “I don’t think they’re going to pursue it. In fact, I can almost guarantee it.”

  “Really? Do you have guarantees on that? Because if they suddenly subpoena me or open an investigation, I have to lay everyone off. I don’t think either of us wants to do that.” Kettleson’s displeasure twisted his mustache.

  Jareth had to give him some information. Kettleson wasn’t any more interested in bringing law enforcement around that area than the Burns should be. “I’m working on it, but I’m serious when I say that nothing is going to happen.”

  “Why? Because it’s the Christmas season? People don’t work that way, Darby.” Kettleson pulled his hat off and tossed it to the table, running his hands through his white hair. “Look, I don’t care what’s going on, I really don’t. I don’t wish the girl any harm. But I have a family, too. I have friends. They all rely on me to provide their living. I have to pay my ex-wife for the pleasure of divorcing her. My grandchildren are supposed to be up this way in a week or so. What am I supposed to tell them? Sorry kids, can’t come up. Grandpa might be investigated by Fish and Game?” He snorted.

  Jareth understood the difficulties associated with family. Didn’t his own rely on him more than he was comfortable with? “Sir, it has nothing to do with the holidays. Burns smokes marijuana and even grows it. I’m not sure what he does with it, but his activity could be just as illegal as yours. I doubt he wants to draw any law around him or his home. I wouldn’t worry.”

  Kettleson’s eyes snapped to Darby and he slowly nodded. “That’s comforting.” He crossed his arms, turning to rest his hip against the table. “Is there anything you need? I’d be willing to reward the reassurances.”

  Did Jareth dare ask for a gun that didn’t emasculate him? “Well, I would like to get a gun of my own. Can I get an advance on our next pay?” If he combined that amount with what he had saved, he might be able to afford one. He’d have to let his parents know there’d be a shortage in the next deposit. They shared a checking account so that the funds were easier to send. He never bought anything extra for himself, so he doubted it would be a problem.

  “We can do that. Stop by the office this evening after chow and I’ll have it drawn up for you.” He grabbed his hat, and then turned back to Jareth. “What are your plans for the holidays? Are you leaving for the week?” Kettleson had promised the holidays off for the ranch hands who were interested in the break. He’d asked for a few to stay, but no one from the Montana Trails had signed up to stay on yet.

  Jareth hadn’t had any plans one way or the other. The option of going home wasn’t as enticing as staying in the same vicinity as Cyan. “I’m not sure.”

  “Well, I need three and already have two of the Michaelson brothers staying on. If you stay on, you’ll have Christmas eve off, but I’m hosting a hunting party on Christmas day and I need whoever stays to help with the livery.” Kettleson lifted his hand. “Let me know.”

  “Okay, yeah, that’ll work for me. I’ll see you this evening.” He’d have to let the rest of his cousins know, but avoiding his family and maybe seeing Cyan more was too much temptation. With an advance for a gun, he’d be in more of a position to protect her when they went on their walks. Spending time with Cyan was becoming the most important thing he could do.

  And not because he had a job to do.

  ~~~

  Blue tufts of hair poked out from under the cream beanie Cyan wore. She waved her hand at Jareth and he nodded back at her. His heart was bursting with excitement just to be in her line of sight. Her curvy figure moved ea
sily over the snow.

  The trail wasn’t long, but he shifted under her gaze as she drew closer, Samson trotting along in front of her.

  Breathless, she stopped inches from him and shyly glanced up to meet his gaze. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” Jareth reached out and traced her chilly cheek with the back of his knuckles. How had he ever seen her as anything but amazing? “Merry Christmas, early, I guess.” He grinned. “Are you ready to go with me?”

  She eyed him suspiciously, but smiled. “You have my interest piqued. I’ll follow you.”

  “Okay, it’s not too far from here.” He took her hand, touching her came naturally.

  Cyan fell into step behind him and they walked through the tight trail with its close borders of snow-covered bushes and imposing tree trunks.

  The sound of water splashing grew louder as they walked, mixing with the panting of Samson. Another moment and they entered a small clearing where the snow gave way to a natural hot spring. Steam curled into the air as the warm water flowed from a crack in the mountainside to splash into the chilly creek water twenty feet below.

  Steam stuck around as a wispy fog which faded the scene in a white haze. Set up on a large boulder was a vinyl tablecloth set with a picnic basket and blankets.

  Cyan gasped and Jareth glanced back at her, drawing her to his side. “It’s a date, but not a date.” The warmth from the hot springs would keep the temperature up without it feel like they were in a steam room.

  Jareth waited for her to claim a spot on the cloth set out like a picnic blanket. He hadn’t been sure if there would be dry ground or not, so the vinyl had been his attempt to keep her dry when they were outside in the cold.

  Sudden nerves attacked him. He tried to quench the sagging drop of his confidence. Would she think he was stupid for putting so much time and energy into their date? He’d wanted to do something nice for her, something special. But what do you do for a girl with more money than anything? Something that would stand out?

  “This is beautiful. I’ve been here before, but it was a long time ago. Usually the wolves stay away from the mineral waters.” She studied the area around them, her smile bright as she flicked her gaze back to Jareth. “Thank you.”

  Suddenly calmed by her excitement, Jareth grinned. “Don’t get too excited. I made our food and let me tell you, I’m not a chef by any means.” He’d kept it as easy as possible.

  Kneeling on the bright red and green checkered vinyl, Jareth withdrew summer sausage, cheese, crackers, and chocolate covered strawberries. He cleared his throat and handed her bottled water. “I had champagne, too, but the bottle slipped from my pack on the way up here and broke.” Heat flooded his cheeks. How stupid could he be not to double-check the pack as he hiked up?

  Cyan spoke quietly, as if in awe. “I can’t believe all this. It’s amazing. You did all this for me?”

  For her? Of course, it was all for her. Everything he did anymore was about her.

  He avoided the question, unable or unwilling to face the vulnerability his answer would lay bare. At the bottom of the basket, her gift rested, with its white bow and leather wrappings.

  Another wave of uncertainty hit him. So far his actions had been rewarded with her pleasure. He had to buck up. He handed her the package and claimed a seat across from her to watch her reaction. He’d never given a girl a present before.

  She glanced at him quizzically. “For me? Really?” She turned it over, inspecting the large piece of leather he’d folded around the gift. Cyan carefully drew the bow apart and unwrapped it, tossing him small looks as she did so.

  A beautiful leather-bound hardback book peaked from the trappings. One of the original books on Native American folklore and history of that area written almost fifty years before, the book had a large number of stories entangled with the importance of wolves.

  Eyes clear as ocean waters, Cyan focused on Jareth. She bit her lip, turning the book over in her hands, caressing it as she did so. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” She studied it, falling into a contemplative silence that made Jareth shift uncomfortably. “My gift pales in comparison to yours.” She drew her eyebrows together and frowned, withdrawing a small box from her pocket.

  Jareth hadn’t expected anything. Hadn’t even hoped. He didn’t need anything from her. He wished he could give her everything. Guilt assaulted him. He had to either come clean with Cyan or quit his job. Staring into her blue eyes, Jareth resolved to quit his job. He could find more work. He’d never had a problem finding work.

  He might never find another girl like Cyan.

  More importantly, he didn’t want any other girl. Time with her was revealing he wasn’t only a one-horse man but also a one-woman man.

  The small box opened to reveal an engraved fire starter that would fit on a key ring. Jareth smoothed his finger over his initials ‘JD’ that she’d had engraved in a loopy cursive font. “Wow, thank you.” She did so much for him, she didn’t deserve to be lied to. He would quit immediately. “I have to work tomorrow, but I’m quitting after that.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “Why? Is everything okay? I wanted to invite you to dinner tomorrow, but now that I know you’re working…”

  Jareth laughed, settling further onto his rear. “That wouldn’t work anyway. Your parents hate me. But thank you for thinking of it. Kettleson is hosting a hunting party all day tomorrow. There are gifts and prizes for different trophies. I’ve already committed, but afterwards, I’m going to leave.”

  Cyan looked at the book in her lap, tracing the embossed wolf on the cover. She avoided showing any emotion. “Are they hunting wolves?”

  “I’m sorry. The idea of hunting them or even supporting that after getting to know you… well, it’s abhorrent and I can’t do it. It’s not my cause, but it’s important to me because it’s important to you.” He reached across the small distance between them, touching the back of her hand.

  Jareth had bared his soul just short of telling her how much he was falling for her. He couldn’t go any further without some sign that she felt the same. He didn’t mind giving up everything, if that’s what she wanted. But until he knew how she felt and he was away from Kettleson, he’d never be able to chance telling her the deal he was going to walk away from.

  “Will you still be around here? Will I still get to see you?” Cyan’s lower lip trembled and she lifted her wet eyes to meet his. She turned her hand over and claimed his fingers in hers.

  Could her emotional display be the sign he needed? Did she want him to stay around?

  “I’ll try to. If I’m around, I’ll make sure we see each other.” He didn’t want to talk about what happened when she went back to college. He’d do anything he could to prolong their time together.

  Even if it meant letting down his family.

  Chapter 16

  Cyan

  Jareth walked Cyan back on the trail, the remnants of their picnic secured tightly on his back. His warm fingers caressed hers as they walked. Neither of them wanted the time to end and they kept their pacing slow and leisurely.

  Even the cold air didn’t permeate the warm glow in Cyan’s chest from being with Jareth.

  Putting Jareth in the position to choose her or his job wasn’t something Cyan wanted. He shouldn’t have to choose between her or his family. She didn’t need his help.

  But she’d take what he’d inadvertently given her.

  Not the book, but the information.

  It wasn’t hunting season for wolves. There were only a few animals that had a tag that carried their hunting season through until the following year. What could be so special about wolves that Kettleson would do a large hunting party for them?

  Jareth had mentioned different trophies. What else could they be after?

  Cyan didn’t need a knight in shining armor. She could get the evidence herself to turn over to the authorities.

  He didn’t realize he’d given her all the information she needed to go after Kettleson on her own. Sh
e’d do her own investigation and turn over whatever evidence she could find to the Fish and Game. Kettleson could face felonies. But only if she could get close enough to getting something on him.

  “You got quiet. Is everything okay? I’m really sorry I can’t come tomorrow for dinner. I would even face your parents, if I had the day off.” He pulled her to stop beside him just out of view of the house. “I’m going to miss you.” He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers, the soft velvet of his touch intoxicating.

  His declarations sparked heat inside her. She didn’t want to be away from him, she reveled in his touch. Could he be the man she could be herself with? She wanted someone to be comfortable around, someone who cared for her just as she was.

  The more time she spent with Jareth, the more she realized she wasn’t that big of a disappointment.

  Their lips moved together and she didn’t want to ever stop kissing him.

  Cyan leaned with him as he pulled away, her lips tingling. She ignored the ache in her chest when he turned with a small wave and disappeared down the trail, the glint of Magnum on his holster just to the side of his butt.

  Not that she was looking.

  She sighed and turned back to the house. “Come on, Samson. Let’s go deal with Mom and Dad.” Dad’s supplier went out of town again and their discussions on the safety of growing their own plants didn’t hold any weight when they had a greenhouse filled to the brim with the leafy stalks already. Why discuss it when they were already doing it?

  Montana law declared a six plant limit, one her father had surpassed by at least tenfold. Not to mention, he didn’t do doctors, hated them, so he didn’t have a medical prescription to support his marijuana use. Once he’d gotten a diagnosis for his pain, he blamed doctors and scientists for everything else – including no cure, no real palliative treatment plan or pain management.