Hayley finally broke free of Jake’s suddenly lax grasp. Midflight she ran into Eden, who’d evidently come to see what was keeping them. Eden had only caught the tail end of the conversation, but she, who had a stature in town equal to Ginalyn’s, caught Hayley’s arm. “Actually,” Eden exclaimed loudly enough for everyone to hear, “Gordy White told me Jake’s the only guy in the old crowd Ginalyn hasn’t been able to coerce into skinny-dipping with her.”
Smiling sweetly, Eden faced Jake. “Nell’s ordered a pitcher of iced tea. I hate to break up this reunion, but I’d like to finalize my contract with Hayley for her next shipment of ore.”
Jake knew he ought to thank Eden for bailing him out, but he felt like strangling her, instead. Ginalyn would rush right home and report to her dad; John would think Hayley had found gold on her claim. The minute they sat down at their table, Jake unloaded his fears on Eden.
“I’m sorry, Jake. Blame the devil in me. Ginalyn Westin is a nightmare. Someone should have given her a taste of her own medicine long before this.”
Nell shushed them. “Could you keep it down? The Triple C still has to do business with the J & B. I thought you two had more finesse.” She waggled her brows toward the surrounding tables filled with interested onlookers.
“It’s my fault.” Clearly stricken, Hayley started to rise.
Jake stopped her. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t say a word. Let’s order. We have a long drive ahead of us in a pickup that’s iffy at best.”
Hayley watched him bury his nose in a menu. Of course, he had to regret the unfortunate encounter with those women, who obviously knew him well. While it was true she’d forgotten who she was for a minute and had begun to dream of fitting in here, the exchange at the door had opened her eyes. Jake’s attention came with conditions attached. His family and all the ranchers in the valley wanted the spring. Hayley supposed that eventually he’d get around to asking her in his own words; it was foolish of her to pretend otherwise. She should have put a stop to his visits from the beginning. But for all her big stubborn talk, she—who ought to know better—had fallen head over heels in love with Jacob Cooper.
Dinner was strained. Nell remained miffed at Jake and Eden, who’d let themselves be drawn into a catfight in the foyer of a restaurant where half the people in town could hear. Eden was irked at Jake for scolding her when she’d only come to his rescue. And Jake hated watching Hayley pull back into her shell. He cursed himself for bringing her to town and exposing her to spiteful women like Ginalyn Westin and her friends.
He’d planned to talk to Hayley about his house on the drive back to her camp. But from the minute they’d collected Charcoal, she huddled into a corner of the cab with the dog and feigned sleep. Jake didn’t know how to scale this latest barrier she’d thrown up.
Her old truck sputtered for most of the trip. It up and died at the top of the incline overlooking her clearing. All Jake’s efforts to restart the engine failed.
Hayley roused, rubbed her eyes and yawned. “Are we there?”
“Did Ben keep a tool kit behind the seat? The engine coughed for the last twenty miles. Now it’s stopped. The carburetor may need an adjustment.” He opened the door. Charcoal bounded out into the trees.
“There was a box of tools—but the truck doors don’t lock. After you said transients might steal me blind, I put the toolbox inside my trailer.”
“That’s great! I suppose the flashlight’s in the toolbox, too.”
“No. In the glove compartment.”
Jake reached past her to open the catch, but she admitted meekly, “The batteries are dead. I’ve been meaning to replace them. They’re larger than the ones I bought for my radio.”
Jake’s temper erupted, then quickly fizzled. One look at her, sleepy, disheveled and contrite, and his heart spiraled into a free fall. He’d promised both of them he wouldn’t touch her again until she issued an invitation. But she seemed so forlorn he couldn’t help himself. Cupping her chin, he bent to steal the kiss he’d been wanting all day.
The kiss felt right to Hayley. Right enough that he didn’t have to beg her to come into his arms. She was a willing participant.
But Hayley soon pulled away and struggled to breathe normally. “Jake.” She reached for his hands, needing the connection because he’d turned off the lights and the cab was pitch-black. “I deserve to know what plans you have for the spring. Not knowing is making me crazy. It’s driving a wedge between us.”
Jake’s heart sped up. He did have a plan. One he’d fashioned last night as he idly blew his harmonica to calm the herd. How could she know? He’d told no one. Maybe Hayley was beginning to trust him.
Hayley held her breath, hoping Jake would keep quiet or categorically deny giving her any reason not to trust him with her heart.
Jake combed his fingers through her hair. “I’ve chewed on this idea since your ex and his partner threatened to find your mine.” He didn’t mention what his mother had said about Joe and Shad showing up in Arivaca. Jake hated to complicate matters or add to Hayley’s worries. If she agreed to his plan, her troubles with Joe would be over.
“All we have to do to get Joe off your back is go to the county recorder and switch your claim to my name. It’s brilliant, really. You get the ore, but Joe loses his leverage.” Jake started to add that as soon as her divorce was final, he and she could get married and there wouldn’t be any further need for these machinations, but Hayley reared back and planted a fist in his left eye before he got that far.
“Ow! What was that for?” Jake strove to see her through the dark.
“I don’t like getting the shaft.”
“Shaft? What? I said the ore is all yours. This would be a transfer in name only—for your own protection.”
Hayley fought with the stubborn door until it finally creaked open. Fuming, she got out and slammed it on Jake’s sputters. With the Blue Cameo in his name, he’d have everything his father needed to purchase the property. Maybe he’d give her the opals and maybe he wouldn’t. Did he really think that because she went weak in the knees when he kissed her it also made her weak in the head? She might have fallen for him like a nitwit, but she’d get over it. She’d once thought she loved Joe Ryan, too.
Forget him. Forget Jake. Forget them all.
“Oh, Charcoal,” she moaned as the dog loped up and pressed against her legs. “Lead me home, boy. Then go with your master.”
Jake heard Hayley talking to Charcoal. He stumbled after her through the darkness, making so much noise he couldn’t hear what she’d said. Why was she so mad? She’d asked for his help, hadn’t she?
He figured out pretty fast, after he reached the clearing and heard her go into the trailer and slam and lock the door, that he’d said something wrong. Dead wrong.
“Hayley. Come out here. We need to discuss this rationally.”
“I’m not rational. Go away and don’t come back.”
“I sure will be back. I don’t want your stupid opals. Is that what you think? That I’d steal from you?”
Charcoal sat on the top wooden step leading into Hayley’s trailer. He raised one paw and scratched the metal door, whining.
“Just because you’re mad at me, don’t take it out on the dog.” Jake heard her moving around inside the trailer, but she didn’t answer.
“Well, fine! Stay, boy,” he said sternly, patting the wood. “I’m riding out to the herd. You guard the lady. Hanged if I know why I don’t give up,” Jake grumbled, now petting the dog’s head. “But I swear,” he said through gritted teeth, “she’s going to be my wife one day and your mistress.”
Though Jake hated leaving Hayley virtually stranded, he left the old truck at the top of the hill. Lacking proper light and tools, he had no other choice.
THE NEXT AFTERNOON he brought tools and tinkered with the engine until he got it running.
“It might only be temporary,” he explained after he’d climbed the sidehill to continue helping Hayley dig. “That eng
ine can’t be trusted. I wish you’d wind down here.”
She gave him the silent treatment.
Not only that day, but every day thereafter for the next week. She spoke only when spoken to. She was a stubborn woman.
But Jacob Cooper was stubborn, too.
He knew that his parents suspected Hayley was at the bottom of his surliness, and that the whole family talked behind his back. The day they’d corralled the last steer, Wade approached his son. “Dillon deserves time with his wife now. Jake, you’re taking our beeves to market.”
“No. I’d have to be gone too long. I can’t—won’t—leave Hayley alone. She’s too far along in her pregnancy to be doing what she’s doing.”
“A break will do you both good,” Nell advised gently. “Go on up to Phoenix. Buy Hayley a present while you’re there. Or get her something for the baby.”
His face lit up for the first time in a week. “A cradle. Early on she talked about wanting a cradle. I’d hoped to build her one. I haven’t had time. I’ll buy one. And a really nice maternity dress. One suitable for the harvest dance.”
Wade grunted and stomped off. Nell hid her concern. “I’ll go see her a few times while you’re gone, Jacob. I’ll take her some acorn squash.”
“And milk,” Jake reminded her, heading to his room to pack. “She’s looking so peaked. Mom, she’s got it in her head that all I want is access to the spring. I’ve told her I love her a hundred times. She doesn’t call me a liar, but she might as well. Her eyes say it loud and clear.”
“I wish I could advise you, son. Hayley’s distanced herself from Eden and me, too. She’s never had a family, Jake. Maybe we overwhelm her.”
“I don’t think it’s that. But I’m telling you right now, so clue Dad in. When I get back, I’m pitching a tent at her site until she’s ready to stop and go have the baby. I’ll pay Dillon to do my chores and keep an eye on Art Wahl. I want that house finished in time to bring Hayley and the baby home from the hospital.”
“Oh, Jacob. Seeing you like this breaks my heart. I’ll talk to her. Plead with her. There’ll be frost soon. Maybe by the time you get back, she’ll be ready to give up. At least move her trailer to the Triple C.”
“Or not,” Nell whispered to the four walls after Jake left.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
BEEF BIDS WENT SMOOTHLY. Jake managed to shave three days off his trip; instead of a week, he’d been gone four days. Though he was eager to get home and shed the trappings required for wheeling and dealing in the stockyard, he took the time to swing by his mother’s shop. She and Eden were both busy with customers. Although he was anxious to hear about Hayley and also to see her, he nevertheless cooled his heels until one of the women was free to talk.
He’d gone into the back room and helped himself to coffee, and now stood over Eden’s workbench, studying her latest designs, when his mother joined him.
“Isn’t that ring gorgeous? Too bad it’s presold, or I’d buy it for myself. Eden’s having the time of her life with Hayley’s opals. I heard her tell a dealer yesterday that the fire and the passion of these stones inspires her creativity.”
“I’m glad for Eden and for Hayley. How is she, Mom?”
“Still at the site and not at the Triple C, if that tells you anything. I tried, Jacob. So did Eden. Art Wahl phoned Dillon. He said it’s impossible to finish your house before late January. Over the weekend Eden helped me paint Dillon’s old room. We papered one wall in a nursery print. The antiques store down the street had a crib and chest they’d taken on consignment. Solid maple. Fabulous condition. I hauled them home. Wade helped me wrestle the pieces into the house. He only grumbled a little.” Nell smiled, then sobered. “Hayley cried when I told her what I’d done. But she kept saying I shouldn’t have and refused to even come back with me to look at the room.”
Jake’s expanded lungs deflated like a pierced balloon. He pressed the heels of his palms to his forehead, shut his eyes and massaged the deep furrows away. “Why is she being so stubborn if Eden’s sales are taking off? I know she was fretting about not having enough money to take proper care of the baby until she can open the mine again—but that shouldn’t be a problem now.” He shook his head. “She can’t seem to trust anyone but herself to provide for them.”
“You told her you love her. I said we’d welcome her at the ranch. Dillon’s old room is ready and waiting. I hate to say it, honey, but the rest is up to Hayley.”
“I know.” Jake turned bleak eyes her way. “I’m going home to change out of this suit and give Dad the check from the sale. Then I’m going to see her.”
“Did you find a cradle?”
“Yes. That’s one less item she needs to save up for. I bought other stuff for the baby, too. Two of everything a kid needs in the first week of life, or so the clerk at the store said.”
“Oh, Jake. That was sweet of you.” Nell smiled at her son through misty eyes. “I wish your love was reciprocated. Over the years I’ve watched so many local girls toss their hearts at your feet. I never thought I’d be sorry you hadn’t caught and held on to one. Now I am. If you’d chosen one of them, you wouldn’t be going through this heartache.”
Jake hugged her awkwardly. “I distinctly remember you telling me hearts go their own way—regardless of what the mind says.”
Nell slipped out of his arms and blotted her eyes with the sleeve of her blouse. “That was when Eden chose Dillon and I knew you were dreadfully hurt.”
“I got over Eden. She and Dillon are right for each other. Hayley…” He tried to articulate how this was different, but words failed him.
Nell’s every feature conveyed sympathy.
Eden bounced into the room and stopped inside the door, darting a puzzled glance between the two. “Oops. Sorry if I’m interrupting.”
“You’re not. I’m headed home,” Jake said briskly. “Then on to see Hayley.”
“Tell her the customer who just left ordered an opal pendant for each of her five sisters.” Flinging her arms aloft, she danced around the room. “Our winter visitors are really going for the opal jewelry. Wait until I exhibit at the gem show this spring. Will you ask Hayley if she’s still interested in becoming my apprentice? If not, I’ll place an ad in next month’s Rock and Gem magazine. At the rate I’m selling, I’ll need to start training someone soon.”
Jake stroked his chin. “Before Hayley has the baby? I know she wants the job, but she’s facing so many big decisions all at once, I don’t think she knows which way to turn. She’s sort of hung up on the cost of living here, too. If it wouldn’t put you in a bind, could you cut her some slack?”
“Sure.” A puzzled look settled between her brows as Eden looked at Nell. “What’s with the cost of living? Are you going to charge her rent?”
“Hayley turned down my offer of a room. I was disappointed, to say the least. I didn’t let you know because I’m still hoping Jake can change her mind.”
“Don’t count on it.” He heaved a sigh. “She’s one stubborn lady. But if Dillon and Dad can spare me around the ranch between now and the harvest dance next weekend, maybe I can help Hayley dig enough ore to satisfy her. That’s a couple of weeks earlier than she intended to shut down. As far as I’m concerned, any days she lops off would make me worry less about her health and welfare.”
“You’ve got to admire her guts,” Eden said. “She’s out to here.” Eden linked her fingers approximately eighteen inches away from her flat belly. “Most women would have called it quits already.”
Totally in agreement, Jake turned to go. “Oh, hey,” he said, poised at the door. “I take it there’s been no further evidence of Hayley’s ex?”
“He’s still out there bumbling around.” Nell combed a hand through her short curls. “Link Thompson bought a bull in Nogales on Saturday. He told Dillon there were two men in the café attempting to throw some official weight around. They mentioned Ben O’Dell and you in the same breath. Link’s ears perked up. He said he didn’t like
the way they acted, so he kept his mouth shut.”
“Nogales, huh? How long before they stop at the recorder’s? Don’t those dudes have jobs? How can they afford to keep searching?”
“People with vengeance on their minds make the time, Jake. I don’t like them including you in this. It’s not your fight,” his mother reminded him. “There’s plenty to keep you busy at the ranch. But I suppose any hope of getting you to stay at the Triple C is just wishful thinking.”
Jake didn’t even bother to reiterate his decision to devote his days to Hayley; he knew his mother had read his intentions. She’d know where to find him during the hours he wasn’t asleep. If he thought Hayley wouldn’t pitch a royal fit, he’d roll out a sleeping bag in front of her door and spend his nights at the Blue Cameo, too. But he was positive she’d never go for that.
Jake missed the days he’d been out of the saddle. He’d have preferred to ride Mojave to Hayley’s, were it not for the gifts he’d bought. This once, he’d drive his pickup over the longer bone-jarring route. After today, he’d ride his horse.
The sun was on the wane by the time he actually pulled in and parked next to Hayley’s truck. Jake was surprised to see her in camp rather than up the mountain digging. She appeared to be sitting in her lawn chair, staring into the fire, one hand aimlessly stroking Charcoal.
In spite of her added bulk, she’d moved fast enough to grab the shotgun before Jake even got out of his vehicle. He recognized her gun as the weapon with which she’d first greeted him. This time, though, even his dog stayed close to Hayley and snarled.
Jake approached with his hands up and laughter in his voice. “Except for the fact that I’m not riding Mojave, this is déjà vu.”
“Jake! I didn’t realize it was you.”
Was that relief he heard in her voice? Maybe absence had made her heart grow fonder.
“Your truck’s hidden by mine. I didn’t know who or what to expect. I suppose this is like the first day you rode in and surprised me. I was looking smack into the sun then, too. Could hardly see you.”
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