A soft click and Jason pulled her door open, still avoiding her gaze.
She grabbed her bag and the box from the floor at her feet. Standing, she nodded at Jason, but copied his avoidance. She didn’t need to fight with anyone. No matter how much he moved her emotionally and how drawn to him she was.
Light spilled from the barn door as it opened. Wiping his hands, a man approached, his wide-brimmed hat tilted back and suspicion in his eyes. “A little late for a visit, isn’t it, agent?”
Jason faced the man. “Is Rosie here? I brought Jenny.”
The man’s eyes flicked behind Jason and centered on Jenny. He reached forward, past Jason, for her hand. When she accepted, he nodded. “Nice to meet you, Jenny. I’m Michael Rourke, Rosie’s husband.” He ignored Jason and stepped closer to Jenny, peering into her eyes as if seeking an answer to one of life’s greatest mysteries. “I bet this is all a bit overwhelming.”
“Yeah, that seems to be the word of the week.” She laughed nervously, picking at the corner of the box she had shifted to one arm to shake his hand.
He smiled comfortingly. “Let me grab Rosie. She’s going to be so excited.” He strode across the drive and up the steps like a man who knew his place in the world and was content.
Jenny wanted to grab Jason’s hand, squeeze it, have him hug her – anything. She was so nervous. Rosie. She was only a few seconds away from meeting a girl she’d really known nothing about until Jason spilled the secret.
A blonde woman emerged from the house. The wraparound deck was well-lit by porch lights, making her easy to see.
Stepping forward, drawn to the porch like a moth to a night lamp, Jenny hesitated. All of her doubts and insecurities swamped her and she was tied to the spot, staring at Rosie.
But Rosie searched Jason and then past him, her sober expression splitting into a grin as she spotted Jenny.
Warmth flooded Jenny’s chest. Even if all Rosie wanted was the treasure, at least for a moment, Jenny’s reception made her feel welcomed.
Rosie’s happiness toward Jenny didn’t fade as she motioned her to join her on the deck. The action seemed to break the ties holding Jenny in place. She moved forward quickly in case her nervousness returned to lasso her to the ground.
“I’m Rosie, Jenny. I’m glad to finally meet you.” At the top of the porch steps, Rosie took Jenny’s bag and box and set them beside the front door. She turned and took Jenny by the arm. She stopped in front of a wide, Adirondack style porch swing complete with patterned cushions.
They sat, the gentle swaying on the swing and the soft glow of light from the barn as it spilled between the two buildings smudged the urgency and turmoil from less than an hour ago. Still in view, the two men stood at the door, talking with their hands moving.
Everything caught up to Jenny and she blinked back exhausted tears. Even the good night’s rest she’d gotten hadn’t been enough to completely eradicate her fatigue.
Rosie sat on the swing partially facing Jenny, with a leg drawn up and an arm across the low-style back. “You’re the last one.”
Startled, Jenny shook her head. “No. I’m the first.” How much did they know? Must not be a lot with an opening like that. Even though she was older than Rosie, the situation added a vulnerable flimsiness to Jenny’s bravado.
Rosie inclined her head. “I mean, we’ve been looking for everyone and you’re the last one to join us. I’m not surprised Agent Mendez found you. He’s been hounding us almost daily to keep looking.” She glanced toward the men, irritation narrowing her eyes.
Throwing out her plans to deny knowledge about the treasure, Jenny swallowed the hurt at realizing Rosie and the women were just after the treasure, too. What was the appeal of money? Even homeless most of her life, Jenny wasn’t willing to betray or hurt anyone for a bunch of zeroes. The letter was a different matter, but she wouldn’t hurt anyone for that either.
She pushed the swing harder with her toe on the deck. “You guys want the treasure that bad, too, huh?”
“Treasure?” Rosie had the decency to look personally affronted. “Um, no, we don’t care about that. Agent Mendez is obsessed and won’t leave us alone about you. We’d heard rumors he was after something like that, but we don’t care. We want to see everyone, get a chance at family, you know? We’re not alone in this and we wanted all of you girls to know the same.” She reached over and took Jenny’s hand in her own. “I really am so glad to meet you. I know Sara Beth is going to be so happy.” A suspicious sheen brightened her eyes and she sniffed, laughing. “I’m sorry, I’m not usually an emotional mess. It’s been a long day.”
Jenny nodded. “For me as well. My car was impounded and I’ve been with Jason since yesterday.” Her reservation toward the woman faded as Rosie’s warmth and sincerity soaked through their connection and Jenny realized somebody had looked for her.
Like family would.
Rosie grunted. “Hmph. Mendez found you, huh? That must’ve been terrible. I’m so sorry.”
Twisting her lips, Jenny shrugged. “No, he’s not bad, just… driven.” Even fighting, she couldn’t help standing up for him.
“He hasn’t left us alone. Lisa and Mary, particularly. All about find Jenny, find Jenny, like we weren’t trying.” She shifted to dangle both legs from the swing, barely able to touch the wood slats of the deck. Tucking her hands beneath her knees, she offered a smile.
Was Rosie trying to say Jason hadn’t been interested in only the treasure or was Jenny only the key to the treasure? “You mean he wanted you to find the treasure.”
“No, he wanted us to find you. In fact, I’ve never heard him mention the treasure. He might have with someone else, but with Sara Beth and me it’s always ‘have you found Jenny?’” She shook her head. “So annoying.”
Jenny stared at Jason’s silhouette. Why couldn’t she read his mind? Or better yet, why did she internalize everything he said?
She didn’t want to be sensitive when it came to him. Heck, her world had been flipped over and hog-tied since only yesterday morning. The man had pushed her back into her childhood and made her forget everything she worked on leaving behind. Thankfully, her past didn’t seem to hurt as much as it used to. She had a sneaking suspicion she owed Jason for that.
Jason wanted to find the treasure, but could he have wanted to find Jenny more?
Chapter 18
Jason
Every step Jenny took away from Jason tugged at him, stole more of his control. She would be easier to lose the further she got from him. He wasn’t ready to lose her. He hadn’t even gotten her yet.
Michael watched Jenny join Rosie on the deck. He turned to Jason, eyes hard, but his tone relenting. “So what’s going on? I know you wouldn’t bring Jenny out here at this hour unless something’s up.” He tucked the cloth in his hands into his back pocket and hooked his thumb into a front belt loop.
“The girls aren’t safe. Apparently there’s a Caracus posse over by Lonely Rivers, camped out in the forest.” Jason glanced at Rosie and Jenny on the porch swing in plain sight. He shifted to keep her in view. “I think the group is hostile and they might cause problems for the MacAllisters as well as the girls.”
“I wouldn’t worry about the MacAllister brothers. They’ve handled worse groups than anything you can throw at them.” Michael pressed his lips together, working over the information Jason gave. “Why do you think it’s the Caracus gang? They’re supposed to be disbanded.”
“Part of them was, but Devlyn’s brother claimed leadership not long after Devlyn died. He’s after the Caracus loot and he’s closer than I thought possible.” Jason didn’t speak lightly. If his instincts were correct, there was about to be one heckuva fight in the valley. Chris Caracus wouldn’t back down. He couldn’t. He didn’t know how.
Michael’s eyes narrowed. “Well, I’m still not worried about Slate or Robbie. They handled Devlyn himself – they’re the reason he was locked up.” He crossed his arms. “What’s really going on here,
Agent?” He nodded down his drive. “I assume they’re with you?”
The thunder of horse hooves drew Jason’s attention. In seconds, the Montana Trails entered the circle of light from the perimeter security lights, Nate at the forefront.
Dismounting, the group approached Michael and Jason.
Nate pulled off his hat, his dark hair tousled. “Mendez, we didn’t see anyone on the way here, but we came direct.” He nodded at Michael and outstretched his hand. “I’m Nathan Rourke, this is Kyle and Jareth Darby and that one with the extra horse is Damon Johnson. Nice to meet you.”
Michael returned the handshake and considered the men. “Rourke, huh? I’m Michael Rourke. You look like Uncle Lon’s son. You from the Lonnie Rourke’s out east?” Michael continued when Nate nodded. “Well, family is always welcome. Been riding long today?”
Nate nodded and replaced his hat. “Yes, sir. It’s been a long couple of days.”
“Why don’t you round up your rides and get them to the stable around back of the barn? There’s feed and water and a place to hang your tack.” He jerked his thumb toward the side of the building. “Those horses need to rest.”
Smiling with gratitude, Nate handed his reins to Jareth who led the other three men around to the stables. “Mighty kind of you, Mr. Rourke.”
“Michael, not mister. Jason was telling me what’s going on. I assume you know, since you followed him here.” Michael peered at Jason, waiting. He crossed his arms.
“Well, as you can see, I found her.” Jason glanced at the two women who watched the men with curiosity as they spoke on the swing.
“So, now that you’ve found her, you can get the treasure and get out of here, back to your job.” Michael’s hint wasn’t all that subtle.
Jason wasn’t wanted there, that much was always evident – no matter where he was. But hopefully after Jason’s true motives came out, he would be more welcome, more forgiven for being the son of a cruel bastard.
Bursting with amusement, Nate laughed. “Treasure? Psh. Jason’s been looking for Jenny longer than I’ve known him. He only recently started with the whole treasure nonsense.” He shook his head, stopping abruptly when Jason caught his gaze with his own.
A slight shake of his head, and Jason hoped Nate understood nobody needed to know extra details about him. He was already scorned, why add fuel to the fire? Create more embarrassment?
Glancing from Nate to Michael, Jason paused at the careful narrowing of Michael’s eyes. Like he wasn’t quite sure what to make of Jason or what Nate had said.
Hopefully Michael wouldn’t be kicking Jason off his land any time soon. Jason couldn’t leave Jenny and even though they were fighting or whatever they were doing, he wasn’t going anywhere without her.
Michael’s eyebrows rose. He dropped his arms and pointed down the drive. “Now who’s this? You bring a party when you arrive, huh, Agent?”
A blue and white two-toned Ford Ranger pulled up the drive, lights blaring. The boxy style and lengthy bed and canopy of the 1968 model was rarer than most in the northwest. Jason couldn’t help appreciating the straight lines and clean body as it rolled to a stop.
Three women piled out.
Jason groaned, rolling his eyes toward Nate. “You had your sisters come, too?”
Nate shrugged, grinning. “Sorry, man. They’re with us.”
A woman with dark hair braided down her back, tight jeans, flannel shirt, and a bandana looped around her neck stomped toward Nate. Her hat hung behind her, covering the length of her braid. Eyes burning, she glared at Nate. “Didn’t you get our text?” She didn’t wait for Nate’s answer. “I see you found Mendez.” Her acidic look of disgust could burn through metal as she perused Jason and then Michael.
“Hello, Stefanie.” Jason maintained his polite composure. The woman never forgave him for the stupid date he never even wanted to be on. He took her out as a favor to Nate. His friend still owed him for that one.
Her sister, Hannah, approached, equally as beautiful but calmer, more ladylike. “Why are we here? We need to get out of town. The Caracus gang don’t share territory.” She reached up and pulled her length of black curls into a long ponytail, yawning. “This isn’t safe here, guys, and I’d rather be on the road than waiting to be shot at.” Nodding, she reached out and hugged Jason. “How ya doin’, Jason?”
Stefanie harrumphed. “Just because it’s not safe, doesn’t mean we need to run away. We need to fight, if it comes to that. We would appreciate a little more information than ‘meet us here’, you know? We sent a detailed text, the least you could do is return the favor.” She looked around. “Where’re the rest of the guys?”
“They’re out back with the horses.” Jason ignored Stefanie’s glare. “Fighting isn’t always the best answer, Stefanie. Did you see how many were out there? Did you see Bear Claw?”
Hannah answered before Stefanie could lash out. “I called my contact on the reservation. She said Bear Claw is forming a group right now, but they won’t be ready until tomorrow afternoon. We probably have the night to get there and get out without having to deal with anyone, but if we wait, well… I don’t know.” She shrugged.
A red-haired woman with streaks of blonde approached, pulling on a sweatshirt. “Do you think we can get to it before them?”
“No. The sisters need to meet and find everything together. They need the chance at this because it’s their father’s.” Jason didn’t clarify that as long as they all found it together, clearing their names would be so much easier.
If a Caracus and Mendez stole the property and the remaining Mendez and Caracus descendants returned it, logically the descendants would turn things around for themselves.
Logically.
Theoretically.
Jason also wanted to give Jenny a chance at her family before the pull of the treasure got in the way.
Nate glanced toward the patio then at the women in his group. “It might be too late by then, Jason.”
“No, it won’t be. No one else knows where Devlyn hid it. They can camp outside Lonely Rivers all they want, they need Jenny to take them there.” And Jason wasn’t going to give her up – for anything. “As long as she stays with me, I can protect her.”
“Why does she know? Rumors about his treasure have been around so long. I bet she was a little girl when her daddy hid it.” Hannah rubbed at her eyes.
Jason glanced at the ground. “She was the only one with Devlyn when he hid it. Her father took her on a four-wheeler with a trailer – took an entire night. I can’t even remember how many times he drove in and out of his garage before they finally returned.” He sighed. “Jenny didn’t stop crying for almost a week.” Jason didn’t understand what they were up to, but after following Jenny around he finally got up the nerve to ask her what was wrong.
She had shaken her head and murmured, “It’s gone.”
The sadness in her voice sent tremors through him. What could have disappeared that would cause such an ache in her voice after she already lost her mom?
Jason didn’t know, but somehow it had to do with the treasure. And he would find out.
Chapter 19
Jenny
Jenny glanced at Rosie. “Can I ask you a personal question?” Rosie nodded, curiosity in her blue eyes. Jenny pressed forward, too far in to stop now. “Do you know if Mary ever went with Devlyn on any special trips or anything? I’m not sure how long you’ve known her, but maybe she’s mentioned something?” If she could, Jenny would cross her fingers and whisper prayers that Rosie knew something.
“Yeah, how funny that you’re asking about that. Sara Beth took us all out to see a new bridge that the MacAllisters put over the Lonely Rivers up by Lacey Caverns. They own a dude ranch and they’re so busy. I’m not surprised they’re adding safety features on that property.” She offered a shrug. “I’m sorry, where was I? Oh, of course, so while we were up there, Mary couldn’t believe that she’d found the place her dad took her camping a few times. Right by
the caves. Beautiful area. Between you and me, I was a little jealous. Sara Beth and I never had a Devlyn around to take us camping.”
Lonely Rivers. Jenny couldn’t believe how simple the answer was. Of course, Devlyn would take them out there. Ellsbeth told Jenny once about Devlyn’s mother being related to wealthy landowners in Colby. She’d spurned a man who loved her for another man with money.
That man owned Lacey Caverns and the bank and so much more of Clearwater County.
Rosie reached out and touched Jenny’s arm, breaking through her reverie. She nodded toward the group gathered on the drive. “Looks like a party. Should we join them?” She stood, waiting for Jenny to join her.
But Jenny didn’t want to go down and hang out with Jason and people he knew. She didn’t know anyone. She liked Rosie, but things were still formal.
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