by C. J. Miller
“Have you seen any signs that she has returned to La Bonne Vie?” Special Agent Monroe asked.
“You could check with my construction foreman, Allison Colton of Rafferty Construction. She’s overseeing the teardown. Her team is on-site every day and they would have more information about whether or not they’ve seen signs that Livia has returned. Allison would contact me if she saw her, but I don’t know if they’ve been looking.”
“The Coltons are thick as thieves. They might be harboring Livia on one of their properties,” Agent Monroe said.
It sounded like an accusation. “I don’t know them well enough to say.” Jade wouldn’t do that, but Declan couldn’t speak for the others.
“We’re investigating if they had a hand in helping Livia hide at La Bonne Vie,” Monroe said.
If they were dropping bait to see if he’d rise to it, they were mistaken. He had a score to settle with Livia, but the closer he got to Jade, the less interest he had in seeing it through. Though Jade was angry with her mother, it would raise some complex issues between them if he inserted himself into the investigation.
“I hope you find her,” Declan said.
Special Agent Monroe handed him his business card. “Call me immediately if you see anything.”
“Will do.” Declan wouldn’t hide Livia. He had no loyalty to her and from what he had seen from Jade and her siblings, they weren’t interested in protecting their mother.
He watched the agents leave. Edith should arrive soon. They were planning to drive to Austin today to look at a condominium property that had gone bankrupt three-quarters of the way through building. Declan wanted to see if it was worth the investment to finish it.
It was five minutes past eight thirty. Edith came onto the patio from the bed-and-breakfast. “What was that about? I was eavesdropping inside, but I couldn’t hear everything.”
“What every problem in Shadow Creek circles back to.”
Edith’s mouth tightened. Her ordeal with Livia had been terrifying. Enough time hadn’t passed for her to feel completely safe. Until Livia was back in custody, she might not ever. “That hateful woman. She’s been ruining lives for decades. Karma has to catch up with her.”
Declan felt his anger rising. Edith had been through enough in her life and this latest trauma would leave scars. “Did you call the therapist I suggested?” He was a big believer in getting help when it was needed and after what Edith had lived through, it was needed.
Edith sat in the chair across from him. “I did. I have an appointment this week.”
“She might help you put it behind you,” Declan said.
“River is doing that. He is going with me to the appointment to be supportive. He has no loyalty to his mother and he’s been there for me every tear, nightmare and breakdown. Dealing with Livia isn’t the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but recently, it has been smoother sailing. I’m an adult making my choices and I had been making pretty good ones.”
“I never should have sent you to La Bonne Vie alone. I should have gone with you,” Declan said. By sending Edith to Livia’s house, he wondered if he’d inadvertently painted a target on her chest.
“Livia is to blame. Not you. Speaking of her, I had a flyer on my car this morning and there were pamphlets on the coffee table in the parlor. The Victims of Livia Colton support group is gathering people to join them.”
After the incident with the protesters at Jade’s farm, Declan was aware of the group. Given how much some of the Colton children had invested in their businesses, Declan didn’t see leaving as a feasible option for Jade, Claudia, Knox or Thorne. “I’ve seen a few things around town I find disturbing. But unless it escalates beyond words, I’m going to see if it flames itself out.”
“They seem to be amping up their effort. Maybe Livia’s escape from prison stirred up a lot of emotions. Knox wants to be sheriff. He’s not going to give that up over a few loudmouths, but the open protests and the campaign against the Coltons might hurt his chances,” Edith said.
“Colton or not, Knox has to be a better sheriff than Bud.”
Edith touched her chest. “I would be a better sheriff than Bud.”
Though the idea of Edith as law enforcement didn't resonate, she was right. “Let me grab my notes and we’ll head to Austin.”
Edith broke into a smile. Declan guessed it had something to do with River. “I’m planning to meet River for lunch,” Edith said.
There it was. Even work trips involved River now. Declan tried not to let it bother him. Territoriality over Edith, worry for her safety and his unresolved issues with River amounted to uneasiness. “That’s fine.”
“I hope you’ll join us,” Edith said.
She wanted her boss and friend to get along with her future husband. Declan understood that. But he and River just had awkwardness between them that they couldn’t move past. Lunch together might help. “Okay, I will join you.”
Edith’s bright smile was worth the concession.
* * *
Jade’s pocket vibrated. She hoped it was a phone call or message from Declan.
An unknown number appeared on the display and she hesitated. Her imagination and fears played together: her mother calling with a threat, the authorities delivering the news that one of her siblings had been hurt or killed. The terror she carried for Livia Colton was alive and well inside her. Reminding herself she wasn’t a child and her mother didn’t wield the same power she once did, Jade answered.
“I’m trying to get in touch with the owner of Hill Country horse rehab about a horse.”
“This is Jade. How may I help you?” Her breath came out in a whoosh.
“I bought an off-track Thoroughbred. I had read about them and I thought I could handle him. But it’s been three months and I’ve gotten nowhere. The horse still freaks at loud sounds. The Fourth of July was a nightmare. I’ve been to four veterinarians and no one knows what to do. Morning Glory isn’t my first horse. He’s not even my twentieth. But I can’t handle him. I heard your name from a friend in Shadow Creek and I wondered if you’d come out and do a consultation and maybe even take him to your place until he’s a little better.”
She had a to-do list a mile long and knew that a quick look-over might not give her the information she needed. Each horse she added to her stables was additional work and a large financial commitment by the owner. Jade didn’t have the capacity to care for more horses that didn’t also come with monetary support. Food, vet and supply bills were rolling in faster than donations. But the idea of a horse suffering bothered her. The man sounded desperate. If he felt his options were limited, he could put the animal down or send it to another farm and without the proper care, it would be hard for the horse. “I can come take a look at Morning Glory,” she found herself saying. Adding more to her plate wasn’t a great idea. Her love of horses had gotten the better of her.
“I’d be eternally grateful,” the man said.
After getting his name and address of the farm, Jade climbed in her white pickup truck and headed to a farm located ten miles west of Shadow Creek.
She parked in the driveway and walked to the light blue clapboard house. The house was well maintained, with tidy rows of white, purple and pink flowers in the front surrounded with a six-inch mini picket fence. The white front porch wrapped around the house. On the side of the house was a navy ship wheel, a unique decoration for a farm. She wondered if the owner had ties to the navy. Lining the porch was an eclectic mix of rockers, wicker and wood, in white, brown, tan and black.
Jade knocked on the door. There was no answer. She walked down the four steps and circled the house. The man who had called her might be in the barn. Taking the dirt path, Jade admired the farm. Crops spread across the land as far as she could see. The barn was the same color as the house.
“Jade?” She rec
ognized the man’s voice from the phone. Phil Siefert was a balding man in his late thirties with round spectacles and a warm smile.
“Yes, hello.” She extended her hand in greeting.
A woman in her thirties with red, tightly curled hair was sitting on the back porch, wearing a yellow dress and white apron around her waist.
The man shook her hand and gestured to the barn. “Come meet Morning Glory.”
“Was that his racing name?” Jade asked. She was politely digging into the horse’s history. Though not all horses could be saved, she believed most could.
“Naw. I changed it. Didn’t want him reacting to those verbal cues. He’s been difficult since the first day. He had a leg fracture, which the vet repaired. But the horse thinks he’s still meant to run. Takes off any chance he gets. If he sees bright colors or sees a small group, he wants to perform,” Phil said.
“I’ve seen that before,” Jade said.
They entered the stable and Jade knew immediately which horse was Morning Glory. The horse was restless, his nervous energy pulsing off him in waves. He wouldn’t want her to touch him.
“Tried letting him in the pasture. He lost it. Got aggressive with my other horses,” Phil said.
Jade watched the horse, the way he tensed when she drew closer to him. Taking a few steps back, she watched. Morning Glory would know she hadn’t left, but she didn’t want to crowd him.
“Phil?” The woman from the porch was standing in the entryway.
“Excuse me,” Phil said to Jade and walked to his wife.
Jade focused on the horse, but in the stillness of the barn, she couldn’t help overhearing. The woman hadn’t said anything to her, but her mannerisms were hostile and she pointed at Jade several times.
Then Jade heard the words, “Livia ‘Black Heart’ Colton.”
It was like a boom had been lowered on her head. Jade felt dizzy and nervous and sad at once. Though she hadn’t mentioned she was Livia’s daughter, as it wasn’t something she was proud of, her mother’s legacy followed her children everywhere.
Phil walked back to her and his wife left.
“I’m sorry, miss, but we’re going to explore other options.”
Because she was a Colton. Phil had to have known that when he’d called her. Or maybe he had been hoping she wasn’t one of those Coltons. Jade was embarrassed and angry. She wasn’t here to hurt anyone and she was different from her mother. “I have a busy schedule. I came out here to help Morning Glory. I know he seems difficult, but difficult horses are my specialty. I could help him. But you won’t give me the chance because of who my mother is.” Though she didn’t like addressing the issue so directly, she had hit her limit.
Phil’s face grew red. “Your mother ruined Shadow Creek. She brought criminals and evil to Texas. Everything she touched turned vile.”
Jade’s mouth went dry. No illusions about what her mother had done, the words spoken to her face felt harsh. “She did wrong. I know that. But I am not her.”
Jade stalked away, wishing she could take Morning Glory, but knowing his owner wouldn’t give him to her.
Being a Colton in this part of Texas was the same as having a scarlet letter on her chest.
* * *
As Jade pulled up to her farm, dread washed over her. The protesters were back. They must not have jobs or lives to keep them busy, if they wanted to spend their time bothering her. On the heels of her experience with Morning Glory, she wanted to scream at them.
Except yelling would make her look like the monster they believed her to be. A profanity-laced tirade would have them nodding their heads as if she was proving them right.
This afternoon, two girls from the high school were coming to help feed and care for the animals. The school bus dropped them off and their parents picked them up. Jade didn’t want them to walk through the picket line.
Jade pulled into her driveway and stopped the car. Still reeling from the treatment she had received at Phil’s farm, she stepped out. Anger and resentment bubbled up inside her.
One deep breath and every ounce of effort to control her tone and stay calm. “This is my place of business. This is a place where I take care of horses that need me. I’ve taken animals that no one else will. But you’re fixated on what my mother did. Do any of you really believe that I don’t know what a monster she is?”
She waited and no one spoke. They were holding their signs and staring at her like she was a two-headed snake.
“I don’t know why I’m bothering to speak. You don’t care who you hurt. You aren’t interested in a conversation or in mending fences. This is fair warning. I’m calling the sheriff.”
Doubtful that he would do anything to help her, but it was worth the call. She climbed back into her car and drove slowly to the front of her house. Parking, she took out her cell phone. After filing her complaint with the sheriff’s office with a totally unsympathetic deputy, she called Declan, needing a boost.
“What are you up to today?” she asked.
“I had lunch with your brother,” he said.
“River?”
“I’m wrapping up business in Austin. Edith and I had work to attend to. Talk about being a third wheel,” Declan said.
“I’m sure it wasn’t like that,” Jade said. River and Edith seemed to want Declan to have a relationship with his brother and Declan was resistive. Was it because of whatever had happened with their father and Livia? Or did it have more to do with Declan’s relationship with Edith?
“I get along with Edith, no issues. But I don’t know how to talk to River,” Declan said.
“Because of his injury?” Jade asked. Her brother had lost an eye while serving in the marines overseas.
“Because of our history. We have the same father, but those circumstances are unpleasant.”
Jade knew most of the story of how Declan and River shared a father. Livia Colton wasn’t known for her chastity or for being monogamous. “You guys should come here for a slice of pie and I’ll keep the conversation going. Good practice.”
“How all-American. If you’re there, I think it would be less third wheel and more double date,” Declan said.
At the mention of a date, a thrill of delight moved through her. “But until I have pie and can make arrangements, why don’t you stop by for a glass of wine? I had a hellish day and I could use some company.”
“Only if you’ll let me bring dinner,” Declan said.
“Gladly.”
“It will be a couple of hours before I can leave.”
“No problem. I have work to finish up here. If it’s dark, try to avoid hitting the protesters in the driveway,” Jade said.
He groaned. “They’re back? Wow, that’s really upsetting. I’m sorry, Jade.”
“I can deal with it. It’s not the worst thing I’ve been through, but it’s working on my nerves.”
“I’ll see if I can cheer you up tonight,” Declan said.
After saying goodbye, Jade went about the rest of her work with a spring in her step. The protesters moved on after another thirty minutes of shouting. After they left, her nerves calmed down and her help arrived in the form of two dedicated students. They had been working with her for so long, they knew the horses and the routine. Her trust in their abilities was absolute and she felt great when she could teach them about horses or the farm.
By the time her student help was leaving, Jade had at least thirty minutes to shower and change before Declan arrived.
She peeled off her sweaty, muddy clothes and stuffed them in the hamper. Turning on the shower, she waited for steam to rise from the stall and stepped in. The ritual was cleansing and renewing.
This was a date. No question about it. She would put forth the effort because she wanted this with Declan.
After ge
tting out of the shower and opening the door to her closet, she turned her attention to the left side, where she had nonwork clothes. It was the smallest part of her closet, taking up only about eight inches of space. Slim pickings, but she would make do. The yellow dress with the ruffle at the top would give her a more shapely appearance. A dress might be too fancy for dinner and wine at home, but after completely skipping any pretense of preparation for a date the last time she went out with Declan, she wasn’t taking chances.
Slipping the dress on, she dried her hair, leaving it loose around her shoulders. Then she went to the kitchen to make sure she had two clean glasses. The doorbell rang and Jade walked to it. She opened her door and air backed up in her lungs.
Declan was on the porch, carrying dinner in a handled brown paper bag in one hand and a bouquet of wildflowers in another. He was wearing gray trousers and a light blue dress shirt, sleeves rolled to the elbow.
The top two buttons of the shirt were undone. He nailed the look.
“Thanks for inviting me over,” he said. “These are for you.”
Jade accepted the flowers, the oranges, pinks, yellows and purples bright and beautiful. “Come in. Please.”
Striding to the kitchen, she felt Declan’s gaze at her back and she was pleased she had chosen to wear the yellow dress instead of something more casual. She pulled out a decorative pitcher that Maggie had given her and filled it with water. Setting the flowers in them, she tried to hide the shaking of her hands.
“Is something wrong?” Declan asked.
He was standing behind her, closer than she had realized. Turning, she met his eyes. “I’m nervous.”
His hands were free. Dinner was on the table, beckoning to her with the delightful smells of basil and cilantro. But even though she hadn’t eaten since lunch, Declan had her full attention and her appetite was nonexistent.
“Nervous about me?” he asked. “Why?”
Needing something to do, she handed him the corkscrew and the bottle of wine.
“I feel like something is going to happen,” she said. “Something between us. I’ve felt it since I first met you. It’s complicated because you’re Edith’s boss and River’s brother and you bought La Bonne Vie, but I feel this connection to you.” The honest statement helped her nerves settle.