Chasing the Renegade

by Bonnie R. Paulson

  Which wouldn’t be far off from the truth.

  He took a deep breath before stepping out from behind the protection of the tree trunk. “Hey, Treya. I worried you weren’t coming.” Jasper moved across the shore to the large tree trunk which crossed a narrow part of the creek and connected to the two sides.

  Moving her sunglasses to perch atop her head, Treya trained her gaze on him. A slow smile spread her lips and she stepped onto the wood, moving agilely in a pair of soft brown cowboy boots beneath a skirt that flowed around her knees. Even her top set her apart as definitely feminine with large wooden buttons and a cream tone to material that clung to her shape. “Well, I would have been here sooner, but I tried on six different outfits.”

  Her confession that she wanted to look a certain way for him gave Jasper pause. For some reason, her effort for him made the work he’d put into their evening worth it. She wanted to impress him like he wanted to impress her.

  He inclined his head as she placed her fingers into his extended hand. “The effect is tongue-tying.” When she reached the end of the log, Jasper reached up and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her against him and letting her slide down to the ground.

  She arched an eyebrow as she studied his face with her blue gaze. “Well, aren’t you a flirt.” She let go of him, putting distance between them and Jasper realized he might have to work harder than he thought. That was okay. He wasn’t worried. She was a Smythe after all.

  Turning toward the setup, she spoke over her shoulder. “Wow, Jasper, this looks amazing.” He wanted to reply that she looked better, but he ran the risk of sounding like an oily car salesman and he just didn’t want to go that far with his attempts to seduce her. That would be like telling a woman he loved her just to get what he wanted. That kind of a move was across ethical lines he wasn’t willing to cross.

  She paused at the edge of the blanket, looking down at the pattern on the blanket.

  “Is something wrong?” Jasper came up beside her and followed her gaze, staring down at the lines of the tartan. Had he done something he wasn’t supposed to? Was she allergic to that kind of material?

  “No. It’s just… The blanket took me by surprise. That’s the Bailey tartan.” She reached up and touched her fingertips to her temple and then shook her head. “Of course, you would have this. You’re staying at the Bailey Inn. They only carry Bailey-style items.” She glanced at him quickly, her smile bright as she kicked off her boots and set them carefully at the edge of the blanket and stepped daintily onto the squares outlined by the green, brown, and cream pattern.

  For a moment, Jasper’s chest tightened. What would she have done to find out he was a Bailey? Not just any Bailey, but Titus’s brother. He removed his own boots and set them beside hers, touched by her thoughtfulness at taking off her shoes.

  Clearing his throat as he sank to the blanket on the other side of the picnic basket from her, Jasper adjusted his hat back a bit on his head. “Is there something wrong with Baileys or something?” He was supposed to be visiting and not from town. He wasn’t supposed to know the history of the present feud.

  While Jasper pulled items out of the basket and set them out between them, Treya laughed, a little embarrassed. “Well, it’s stupid, really, and yet this entire town revolves around a feud. This feud has gone on for a century or so? Between the Smythes,” She pointed at her chest and then glanced over the rise of the land toward Bailey Ranch and pointed that direction. “And the Baileys. It’s been the weirdest thing to live in town when you can only go to certain stores and restaurants. Or when you can only go to the grocery store at certain times.” She shook her head and sank further onto her haunches where she sat.

  “That sounds intense. I thought the bride and groom were each a Bailey and a Smythe, though? How is that possible?” Jasper hadn’t had a chance to hear from anyone else what had happened. He pulled out fried chicken in a Tupperware container and potato salad he’d stolen from the fridge. Setting glass plates in front of each of them, he also pulled silverware and cloth napkins from the depths of the basket.

  Treya nodded, scrunching her nose. “Yeah, my cousin, Abby Smythe married the head of the Bailey family. From what she told me, they dated secretly in high school and then broke it off, or rather, he did because he had responsibilities to his family.” She shook her head, blinking as she focused her attention and suddenly bright smile on Jasper. “Let’s talk about something less… depressing. You said you’re from Alaska. What brings you to Bailey, besides the wedding?”

  “Just the wedding. I thought it would be a good reason to come.” He pulled serving spoons out of the basket and avoided meeting her gaze. He couldn’t tell her he’d been longing to return home for a while and that the sale of his fishing company had come at just the right time. Selling his entire fleet and the contracts to all of the seafood distributors had left him with enough cash he could settle down in Bailey on his own land and do whatever he wanted for a long, long time.

  He couldn’t tell a Smythe that. The women were gold-diggers and he didn’t need Treya attached to him. He had to keep his goal of just a fling in mind.

  “How long are you visiting?” Treya’s curiosity looked good on her as it left her serious enough to ask questions, but left him feeling like she was truly interested as the expression on her face held no trace of boredom.

  “As long as it takes.” Jasper couldn’t believe the words falling from his mouth. As long as what takes? He didn’t want to lead her on, but he wasn’t sure how to tell her he wasn’t visiting and yet he was. He was a visitor in Titus’s place until he had his own ranch. The search for that exact thing would start the next day.

  For some reason, Treya blushed at his answer. Maybe seducing her would be easier than he thought.

  “This looks amazing. Did you have to buy it all from the store?” She settled to the side, bending her long legs beneath her.

  “Did I buy it?” He was supposed to be staying at the Inn. There wouldn’t be access to a kitchen for a guest. He sighed, frustrated that he couldn’t take credit for the meal he’d rummaged up. Nodding, he handed her a plate. “Yes, they had some great options.”

  “Well, thank you. It feels like you put a lot of work into tonight. I appreciate it.” She smiled as she took a bite and not for the first time, Jasper had to remind himself it was short term.

  They ate, making random comments about the beauty of the area and things that had happened over the last six years since Jasper had been gone. He didn’t give away his previous knowledge about the place but the stories she told were witty and held enough humor in the observation, that Jasper couldn’t help wondering how invested Treya was in the feud.

  As they both cleaned up the meal, he couldn’t help asking. “You’re a Smythe, but you don’t sound like you hate the other family – the Baileys. Is that right? Are you in the feud?” Her answer, for some reason, meant more to him than he could or would admit.

  Treya moved to sit beside him, pushing her legs straight out in front of her as she braced her hands behind her. She exhaled on a whoosh and turned her face his direction. “Personally, I think the feud is stupid, but my opinion doesn’t matter. I’ve wanted out of this town for so long, it’s become a distant dream. I don’t want my future husband to take my last name. I don’t want to only have girls. I don’t want to have to tell my children that the only way they can live in this beautiful place is if they hate more than half the residents.”

  A deep pink flushed her skin and she glanced down. “I’m sorry. I just don’t understand why we have to hate each other. It doesn’t seem fair.” She had no idea what a picture she presented and Jasper couldn’t help himself.

  His own hands were braced behind him and he reached out, resting his fingers over hers. In the silence between them, the gurgling of the running creek filled the moment. Jasper waited until she lifted her eyes to his and then he ducked his head, moving in and pressing his lips to hers.

  The connection was instant a
nd sizzling. He didn’t wait to deepen the kiss, pulling his hand furthest from her and moving it around to brace him from the other side of her hips. He leaned into her, slowly pushing her back onto the tartan, all while kissing her with an intensity he hadn’t realized he’d been holding back around her.

  After a moment, Treya pushed against his chest. She broke away from the kiss, her hair splayed about her as she stared up at him. Her lips were swollen and her chest heaved up and down.

  No small amount of smugness flooded through Jasper. He had an effect on her, similar to the one she had on him as his pulse raced and he couldn’t seem to catch his own breath. He grinned and lowered his head to kiss her again, certain victory was his.

  But this time, Treya stopped him with both hands to his chest before he could make contact again. She rolled out from under him and moved to kneel a few feet away. Her hair fell behind her shoulders as she studied him. “What do you think is going to happen here?”

  Her question stunned him. He slowly backed up until he mimicked her position. Was it a trick question? Didn’t kissing have a logical conclusion? He blinked as he glanced down at the spot he’d just had her in. How had she slipped out of that and why? Didn’t she know she was a Smythe and supposed to be fast?

  “I’m sorry. I’m confused. Isn’t that why you came tonight? I thought we had something.” Jasper wasn’t sure what was happening. Why else would she go out with a man she didn’t know? A man she had to think was leaving town?

  Cocking her head to the side, Treya leaned back on her heels and folded her arms. “I’m not sure what kind of a girl you think I am, but I can assure you I’m not fast or loose. I came here to get to know you and now that I know what you expect, I think I know enough.” She stood, moving to the edge of the blanket and slipping her boots on, the dainty curve of her ankle disappearing into the leather folds of the shoes.

  The thought of her thinking badly of him left a sour taste in his mouth. Jasper jumped to his feet and reached out to grab her biceps to stop her. She paused, looking back over her shoulder, disappointment bright in her eyes.

  Shaking his head, Jasper held up his other hand. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. My mother would probably give me a whooping, if she knew what I just tried to do. I’ll be on my best behavior for the rest of the night. I promise. I’m not usually like this.” Which was true. He’d just thought he could take advantage of the situation.

  But if he’d been able to go through with what he’d planned, he’d have so much guilt and regret the next morning, he’d be better off never going home.

  Treya removed herself from his grasp and moved a bit away. She turned back to face him, her eyes dark. “I’m not going to deny there’s something between us or that I wasn’t completely into that kiss. But I’m also not going to give you any false hope. I’m not that type of girl. I’m looking for a relationship, not a fling. I know you’re only visiting, but that doesn’t mean I’m good for a quick roll in the hay before you go back to wherever you came from.” She folded her arms and then shook her head, looking past him.

  “I never should have come. It’s not like we can do this in public.” She turned toward the tree bridge and started to climb up the roots to get onto the surface.

  “Wait, what do you mean, it’s not like we can date in public?” Did she know he was a Bailey? The fact that she was leaving left a hollow feeling in his chest.

  She turned back to him at the top. The setting sun behind her showcased her shape. “Dating in this town is dangerous. There’re too many people watching. I was going to see if you’d be interested in dating in secret, but now I’m not sure I’m interested.” She laughed, the sound soft. “Dating in secret. It sounds even dumber out loud than it did in my thoughts.” She narrowed her eyes, her expression full of regret. “Thank you for the evening, Jasper. I wish it could have ended better.”

  Without waiting for an explanation or anything else from Jasper, Treya glided across the tree and in seconds disappeared into the grass.

  Jasper hadn’t realized just how much he wanted to see more of her. He’d messed up and somehow, he had to make it up to her. Plus, her idea to date privately intrigued him as well as resolved part of his problem with being with her. If no one knew he dated a Smythe, there would be less judgment. Plain and simple.

  Reaching down and retrieving the blanket, Jasper pressed his lips together. He wasn’t sure how, but he had to fix things with the woman. She didn’t know it yet, but her spunk and forthrightness were exactly what Jasper didn’t know he was looking for.

  Maybe they could casually date. He wasn’t looking for long term, but she hadn’t proposed marriage. He could enjoy her company without the pressure of the physical expectations. That left him more relieved than he’d thought possible.

  One way or the other, he had to make it up to her. He’d do it and it would fit her parameters for secret dating.

  A secret romance. They might have more in common than the feud suggested.

  Chapter 8

  Treya

  Treya was more disappointed than upset. She could handle herself and she had no doubt that he would not have forced anything, but she’d had so much hope wrapped up in Jasper. There was no way she could allow inappropriate behavior that early in the relationship. If she lost his respect at the start, she’d never get it back.

  As far as she was concerned, letting him seduce her on the clay and sand shores of the Bailey Creek was anything but demanding respect. She made it home and got into her pajamas. So much for her plans to leave Bailey behind.

  Although, now that she thought about it, what could possibly be holding her back? She had just proven to herself that she was stronger than she’d thought. She had integrity and she knew her worth. Maybe she could get out of Bailey without a man and on her own. In fact, maybe she just needed to come up with a plan and act on it.

  She pulled her small laptop from its case and settled into the futon she’d gotten from Abby before the wedding. There’d be another tenant across the hall after a while. The apartment hadn’t been rented yet, but it was only a matter of time. There weren’t a lot of places for Smythes to go in town.

  She fell asleep on the futon with her laptop opened in the middle of a search for jobs in Seattle, Washington. If she was going to dream, she might as well dream big.

  ~~~

  Four nights later, Treya had a sizeable list of possibilities written down in a notebook. The next morning was Saturday and she didn’t have to go into work for a few days with a major holiday extending the weekend through Monday. She could use that time to research more options outside of Bailey.

  The sun had set a couple hours before and Tombstone with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer came on a cable channel, complete with commercial breaks.

  Treya had slipped into yoga pants and a t-shirt when she’d gotten home from work and made herself dinner. That had been hours ago. She could stay up a few more hours and watch one of her favorite shows while doing more research to get out of town.

  Standing from the futon, she grabbed her empty mug and moved into the small kitchen. Filling her cup with water, she put it in the microwave for two minutes and turned toward her cabinet where her tea boxes were stored.

  A hesitant knock on the door startled her. Treya spun around, pressing her hand to her chest. Who would knock on her door at almost ten o’clock on a Friday night? She didn’t have any weapons and she suddenly regretted not accepting her mother’s invitation to move in with her in Taylor Falls.

  The knock came again, this time with more confidence.

  Grabbing the nearest utensil which happened to be a butter knife, Treya moved toward the door. She peeked out the hole only to see it covered in black. Furrowing her brow, she gripped the handle of the knife tighter.

  Swinging the door open, Treya blinked at the image of Jasper standing on her doorstep. She leaned to the side, trying to see behind him and then looked back at him.

  With a bouquet of flowers in his hand
and a pint of ice cream, he offered her a sheepish smile. “Can I come in? I promise to be the perfect gentleman.”

  If he’d tried to find out where she lived, it wouldn’t be hard. Glancing around the hallway and worried about who had seen him, Treya motioned him inside and shut the door quickly behind him. She folded her arms, irritated that he hadn’t taken the hint the last time they’d seen each other. Then she realized, it had been almost five days since she’d seen him. Why was he still in town? “Why are you still in town?”

  “I feel like I have something to stay for.” His words didn’t sound practiced but she could tell he meant what he said. “I brought you flowers and ice cream. I thought maybe we could try the secret dating thing. I’ve never done this, but ice cream usually seems to be the answer for everything.” He offered the items out to her, the chocolate fudge with salted caramel swirls more of a beacon than he knew.

  Plus, as adamant as Treya had been that she couldn’t plan on anything else with him, the way he’d kissed her had left her weak in the knees for days and she’d caught herself staring off into space throughout her work days. Maybe one more kiss like that would be enough to carry her another week and through the time he had to leave.

  Plus, was he saying that he’d stayed because of her? She didn’t want him to stay there for her. She didn’t want to stay there, why would she want him to?

  “Well, I was just about to watch Tombstone with some tea, but ice cream sounds a lot better. Would you like to join me?” Treya motioned toward the modest living room arrangements. They only had the futon-style couch to sit on.

  The fact that he was interested in the secret dating thrilled her. He hadn’t even pressed her for details.