He slowly nodded, well aware. “I do know that.”
“Then what’s the problem? Why do I feel like you’re a step behind me?” she asked, leveling him with that potent stare. “Tell me. We’ll work through it.”
His lips parted to admit all his weaknesses and his fears. That he’d failed to protect his wife and love her like she deserved. That he’d ruined Maisie’s life because of it. But nothing came out. What would happen if he told her the truth about Laurel’s death? If he broke her heart all over again? Would she look at him differently? He wondered how he would survive if she walked away. Emotion crept up his throat, the air nearly impossible to inhale. He shut his eyes, feeling like a damn coward when all she’d shown was strength. When he looked at her again, her chin quivered, tears welling in her eyes.
“Okay, so you’re not ready yet,” she said softly and rose.
He stood with her. “Wait.”
She moved to the horses and untied them. “Let’s just ride and not talk. I’m okay with that.”
He strode toward her, the world feeling like it was rushing by. All the things he wanted to stay stuck deep in his throat. All the fears roaring through his mind. She’d pulled him out of his darkest times, he owed her everything. And yet, she never demanded a damn thing.
He helped her mount her horse and then hopped on his. She turned to him with one of her tender smiles, understanding he needed more time. Always understanding exactly what he needed. “Ready?”
But this time, he saw something different. Something that turned his blood ice cold. She faked that smile. For him. To be there for him. To support him through his pain. To be his friend. To give him every fucking thing he needed. She put her heart out there, when she knew he could very well crush it. “Yeah, lead the way,” he barely managed.
She turned her horse away and led like she had for a long time, pulling him out of the shadows surrounding his life. She’d done that for so long.
And it suddenly felt wrong.
13
One week later, Maisie covered a yawn with her hand. She was sure she had never worked as hard in her life as she had these past seven days, but all those hours of planning had finally paid off. Everyone helped, including her sisters, Megan, Penelope, and Hayes. He handled all the heavy lifting since her broken finger still got in the way. She and Hayes hadn’t talked about them since the day at the creek, and between getting ready for the big bash, and Hayes still working her case, she’d barely seen him, except when he stopped in with food or to help lift the stuff too heavy for Clara and Amelia. But those little things, supporting her during this event, meant everything. It was clear he wasn’t where she was yet, and she couldn’t blame him for that.
Besides that hiccup, the world, for once, was being kind and gave her a beautiful night for the barn dance. The sky was clear, without a cloud in sight, a blanket of twinkling stars sparkling through the darkness. String lights hung from the big wooden beams throughout the barn across to the steel kegs, igniting a soft glow that spilled out onto the dance floor just outside the barn. Maisie filled the inside of the barn with flowers and plants, making the space warm and inviting. They had rented a small stage and a wooden dance floor from a place in Colorado Springs, and the Kinky Spurs band played for the crowd. Penelope, along with a couple of Kinky Spurs waitresses, worked at the makeshift bar they’d set up in the parking lot. They tended to the crowd that had come from all over Colorado for the free beer and the fun night of some good ol’ country music.
“Amazing turnout,” Clara said with a smile, sidling up to Maisie. She had a beer in her hand, her tight jeans on, and an even tighter black tank top. Her fiery red hair was straightened, her makeup a little darker. Mason was staying at the sitter’s tonight.
Maisie smiled, warmth radiating through her chest at the pride in Clara’s voice. “I really hope it’s enough to make us stand out.”
Clara scanned the crowd of partygoers. Her bright eyes met Maisie. “I’d say you’ve pulled off the impossible, Maisie. Look at what you did here. I never would have even dreamed of making this happen.”
Maisie snorted and gently pointed out. “Well, that’s ’cause you would have made it to the festival.”
“True.” Clara nudged Maisie’s shoulder. “But maybe it’s good you didn’t. Maybe you had to fail there to make this happen here.”
“Let’s hope so,” Maisie agreed, praying that was true. There was absolutely no way of telling if this party would simply be a party that the townsfolk talked about, or if it would gain some traction through social media. But one thing Masie knew for certain, she’d made a plan and executed it. Considering all she’d been doing lately was failing, this felt good.
The crowd gave off thunderous applause as the band finished a song, the lights flashing blue and red and green into the dark night. The lead singer picked right up again with his gravelly voice.
“Is Hayes coming tonight?”
Maisie shrugged at Clara. “I thought he’d be here already.” She couldn’t help wondering if pushing him too fast had made him shut down, and in turn, shut her out. There were no hot nights. No incredible rides through the meadows. He’d come to the brewery, supported her, but left quickly. “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.” She hoped.
Clara nodded, and then her gaze landed on something over Maisie’s shoulder.
“Trouble,” she said with a frown.
Maisie glanced over her shoulder. Immediately, her heart broke at the sight of Amelia and her fiancé, Luka, in a heated argument. Luka had a good couple of inches on Amelia, his lips a bit pouty, his jaw square, his hair dark and styled. All together, it made Luka very handsome, but he had barely been to the brewery lately. Amelia met Luka in college. They became engaged before she left Denver. Now, even Maisie saw they were struggling to adjust to their new life with Amelia living in River Rock and Luka living in Denver. Luka was a big city guy, working in finance. He didn’t belong in River Rock, but Amelia did. “What’s that all about?” Maisie asked Clara.
“He’s probably being an asshole like always,” her sister muttered.
Luka didn’t deserve Amelia. Everyone knew it, only Amelia couldn’t see past her love to realize it. Maisie was absolutely certain that one day, Luka was going to break Amelia’s heart.
The yelling match finally stopped and Amelia’s gaze connected with Maisie. “Shit!” Maisie gasped, looking everywhere but behind her. “Look busy. She’s coming this way.”
Clara stared straight ahead, a pillar of strength.
“I know you two were watching us,” Amelia said, sidling up next to Clara.
Maisie turned, her heart squeezing at Amelia’s tears. “Are you okay?”
“Not really.” Amelia wiped a tear.
Clara glared at Luka’s back as he walked away. “What did the dipshit do this time?”
“I’ve told you to stop calling him that,” Amelia snapped, offering a glare that should have burned off Clara’s eyebrows. “He just can’t stay tonight, that’s all.”
“Oh yeah,” Clara countered. “He’s got somewhere better to be?”
Amelia’s cheeks filled with color. She looked down at her boots. “There’s a game tonight. He’s got money on it.”
“Sounds very important,” Clara muttered. She gave a heavy sigh, and said to Maisie, “Let’s stay focused. Nothing personal affects tonight. All right?”
“Of course,” Maisie said, taking Amelia’s shaky hand.
“Why are you crying?”
Beckett’s hard voice snapped Maisie’s head to him. He looked like he was counting every one of Amelia’s tears to make someone pay for those tears later.
“I’m fine,” Amelia said after a few tense seconds, swiping at the tears on her face. “I’m just emotional. It’s been a stressful week.”
Beckett frowned, obviously not believing her.
Even Maisie didn’t believe Amelia. She wanted to shake Amelia by the shoulders and scream, “You belong with Beckett. Dump Luka’s
ass. Wake up!” But Amelia didn’t hear much of anything lately, not when it came to her heart.
“You’re right,” Maisie finally agreed, lacing her arm with Amelia’s. “It has been a stressful week.”
Beckett’s gaze fell over to where Clara had been looking, obviously at Luka. The look he gave him promised death. But his eyes gentled when they landed back on Amelia. “Come on, let’s go get a beer. I’m sure you’ve saved a dance for me.”
Amelia nodded and laughed softly through the tears. “That sounds much better than standing here crying about nothing.”
Maisie watched them walk off toward Penelope and the other bartenders serving up Foxy Diva. Beckett kept his hands in his pockets. He did that a lot around her. Maisie was sure the move had become a habit, so he didn’t accidentally touch her. He’d been such a good friend to Amelia, no matter what happened between them. Maisie hoped they could find their way back to each other.
“Maisie.”
She whirled around at the familiar voice, her stomach somersaulting a little as she gazed into the sparkling blue eyes that had once won her over. Only, Seth had grown up in the few years it’d been since she’d seen him last. Gone was his baby face. In place, was a sculpted man, filled out with a toned body. “Seth, hi.”
He gave a crooked smile. “Hey.”
“I thought you moved to Boulder?” Or at least that’s the last thing she’d heard.
“Yeah, I did.” He gestured out at the party. “Got word of this. Wanted to come see it for myself.”
“Well, thanks for coming,” Maisie said, still reeling. She never expected to see Seth again. She quickly gestured at Clara next to her. “You remember my sister, Clara.”
“Yeah,” Seth said. “Hey.”
Clara gave him a quick smile. “Good to see you again.” To Maisie, she added, “I’ve got the night off and I’m determined to have some fun.” She lifted her beer. “But I need more of these before I’ll get out on that dance floor. Come find me if you need me.”
“I’m fine,” Maisie said, giving her a little shove toward Penelope. “Enjoy yourself.”
When Clara faded into the crowd, Seth said, “You look really good.”
Maisie turned back to Seth with a smile. “You too. You’ve gotten so…strong.”
His mouth twitched. “I work for the Boulder fire department now. I have some good training buddies there.” Those captivating eyes scanned over the crowd again. “I’ve got to admit, I wasn’t expecting you to end up at a brewery. What happened to your art?”
The question tugged at her heart. She felt like a totally different person than when she knew Seth. She had dreams of owning an art studio, selling her work, teaching others how to draw. Setting her own schedule. Making the rules. She never realized how much those dreams slipped away until she stared into Seth’s familiar eyes. She shrugged. “Life happened.” That was the simple answer.
“Ah,” he agreed with an understanding nod. “Life can do that.”
She watched him a minute, seeing why she liked Seth so much back in the day. He was hot, uncomplicated. But more importantly, she almost wished she could go back to that person she was when she with him. Laurel’s best friend, the free spirit, with all her dreams ahead of her.
She didn’t even know that person anymore. She was sleeping with Laurel’s husband. Her dreams of an art studio were gone. Her soul not as free as it once had been. More guarded, it occurred to her now.
Seth caught her watching him and gave her a sexy smile, gesturing at the dance floor and offering his hand. “Want to get out there? For old times’ sake.”
“Why not.” She smiled, sliding her hand into his familiar touch, reminded, if only for this moment, of the person she’d left behind.
A week had gone by since Maisie’s case had grown cold, and that time had ticked by slowly. Hayes’s father had Hayes drive along with a rookie on his first few days out as a new beat cop, but Hayes would return to the surveillance footage in his spare time. Frustratingly, nothing in the footage from the day he and Maisie had been at the amusement park showed more on his suspect. From what he’d learned through the investigation, there had been three other car thefts at the park. While Hayes knew the suspect was the same by that subtle limp in the footage, he couldn’t identify the prick, so he had no way to find and arrest him. He tried to follow the stolen cars through tolls and other security footage, but had no luck. He ate his dinner at his desk, stuck on finding the clue that would break the case wide open. He rolled his shoulders for the millionth time today, nearly crawling out of his skin for reasons that had nothing to do with this case. He should be at the brewery now. Maisie, no doubt, awaited him, but his head had been fucking with him all day. What she’d said to him a week ago at the creek slammed against his heart. She deserved answers to the questions she’d asked. Why the fuck couldn’t he give them to her?
His heart rate kicked up and he rubbed his face, reminding himself of what was important. First, find the bastard who burned her trailer. Then, deal with the rest.
The timestamp on the video he was currently watching was dated a week before they visited the amusement park, and not around any of the times the other cars were stolen. He was grasping at straws. Hayes reached for his coffee that was cool now and took a sip when his cell rang next to his keyboard. Warmth touched him when he saw the screen.
“Hi, Mom,” he said by way of greeting.
“Hi, honey, how are things?”
Mom’s voice held a sweet edge, beyond nurturing. Likely part of what made her an incredible nurse. “Good and interesting, I would say.”
His mother laughed softly. “I suppose that’s very much true, since I’ve heard you decided to go back to work with your father.”
Hayes restrained the roll of his eyes, glancing at his father’s office instead. Dad wasn’t in tonight, having called it a day a few hours ago. It came as no surprise to Hayes his mother had found out about him accepting the position with his father. Hayes’s parents texted each other. Before texting was a thing, they exchanged phone calls. He respected the hell out of them for that, the way they put their shit aside to be good co-parents. Though at thirty-one, he found their conversations near laughable. “Dad told you?”
A pause. “He just gave me the heads-up.”
In case Hayes needed more emotional support was what she left out. “No need for a heads-up. Everything’s fine.”
“Is it? Truly?”
“Yes.” He ran a hand through his hair, wishing he’d have left earlier to head home for a shower before going to see Maisie tonight. He felt like crawling out of his skin, and even then, he might not even feel clean. “I’m taking this one step at time. First step is finding out who stole Maisie’s trailer.”
“It’s just terrible,” his mother said. “That poor woman. She’s so sweet and kind, doesn’t need this kind of stress.”
“You’re right, she doesn’t.”
Mom paused again. This time, her voice lifted slightly. “Your father may have mentioned he thought something was going on between you and Maisie.”
Hayes rubbed at his sore neck muscles, wishing now his parents didn’t share so much about his life. “Did he?”
“Mm-hmm,” Mom said. And waited.
Hayes blew out a breath, shaking his head. “We’re…she’s….”
The silence on the end of the phone was deafening before Mom burst out laughing. “Hayes Taylor, I really hope you are clearer with Maisie than that.”
Tension tightened his chest until breathing became difficult. “This is all new. We’re taking it slow.” A bullshit answer.
Mom hesitated a little longer, as if she read right through him. “Well, whatever is going on, I think it’s really great, regardless if there are some…kinks to be worked out. Maisie’s such a darling. You two have been through a lot together. It’s about time you both had some happiness in your lives.”
It should be that simple. But life wasn’t fucking simple.
The room began swallowing him up, the walls closing in tighter and tighter. And yet, the unknown left him feeling like he was drowning with no way to get in air. He wanted to offer Maisie everything. All the things she deserved, and even more than that. But he couldn’t fathom seeing pain in her eyes—pain he caused. And yet, and yet, there was no way forward without admitting how he failed to protect Laurel. That he was the very reason she was dead. That his kindness to a criminal had gotten her best friend killed. He’d done that. Just him. “Listen, Mom, I’ve got to run,” he said, shutting his eyes to keep the room from spinning.
Mom’s voice softened. “Okay. I miss you and love you, and hope you come out to see me soon.”
“You know I will. Love you too.” He hung up the phone as fast as he could, his heartbeat thundering in his ears. He breathed deep. Once. Twice. Again. And again. In through his nose, out his mouth. Until the panic gripping him eased, and he focused on his surroundings. On the voices around him. The electronic doors opening and closing. The sirens sounding from outside.
When he felt cemented back in his body, he reopened his eyes and reminded himself of his plan. First, catch the bastard. Then, deal with the rest.
He clicked the video again and began watching cars pulling into the parking lot and leaving. He didn’t pay any attention to the families coming and going, but focused on the singles. He took another sip of his cold coffee when he caught a tall, lanky man exiting a black car, the same man he’d seen steal Maisie’s trailer and the other cars too.
First, Hayes noticed the car was a Toyota Prius. Then he zoomed in on the man, who didn’t move toward the park’s entrance but studied the cars around him. More importantly, this man had a slight limp.
Better yet, Hayes had a license plate number.
The phone was in his hand in an instant. When Neil answered, Hayes said, “I’ve got a suspect.”
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