Every Vow She Breaks

by Jannine Gallant

  “Yes, but still…” She sighed. “I would have gone to visit her.”

  “I know you would have.”

  He opened the passenger door then whistled. Scoop raced across the weedy lawn to leap inside. Claire climbed in and waited for Jed to take his seat.

  “What would you like to do for the rest of the afternoon? I’m finished taking photos, but we could still go for a hike. It’s a beautiful day.”

  After starting the engine, he glanced over. “I could use the exercise, but I want to track down your ex-fiancé before we do anything else.”

  She leaned back and pressed her fingers to her temples. “I can’t believe I totally forgot about my weird wedding stalker. Maybe he gave up. It’s been a couple of days since the last incident.”

  “Or, he’s just waiting patiently for your response.”

  “The man isn’t Ross. I’m one hundred percent certain.”

  They bumped down the rutted driveway. “You said you were positive he wasn’t Ian or Dallas, either. Your stalker has to be one of them…unless you neglected to fill me in on another ex. Are there more suspects we should consider?”

  “Really? You want me to tell you about every guy I’ve ever dated?”

  “Only if you promised to marry them.”

  She scowled. “You’re fully informed, then. How are we going to check on Ross’s whereabouts?”

  “I was thinking we could take a road trip to Sonoma.”

  “Why not just call him? Didn’t Preston give you his number?”

  “Yes, but if he’s the one leaving messages, he’s not going to admit it over the phone. We can ask his neighbors if he’s been home the last few days, maybe check at the winery where he works. If he’s been there the whole time, we’ll check him off our suspect list.”

  When they hit a bump, she clutched the door handle. “Do you mind stopping in Fort Bragg on the way down? The lawyer said I have papers to sign. I might as well make the trip worth my time.”

  “I’m in no rush. We can drive your motor home and spend the night there, then go on to Sonoma tomorrow.”

  She turned to face him as he flipped on the blinker before merging onto the highway.

  “Not that I don’t appreciate the moral support, but how long do you intend to stick around the area?”

  “Trying to get rid of me?”

  “No, I just thought, after what I said last night…”

  “I’d bail on you if there was nothing in it for me? In other words, if I’m not going to get laid?”

  “No.” She crossed her arms over her chest and hunched down in the seat. “Okay, maybe.”

  His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “You get points for honesty, and I guess I don’t blame you.”

  When Scoop poked his head between the seats and whined, she scratched his ears, taking comfort in the soothing motion. “I’m probably going to regret asking, but why don’t you blame me?”

  “Your track record. Based on the men you’ve been involved with in the past, it’s understandable you’d believe I have an ulterior motive. Dallas is a pathetic loser, and Ian is a paranoid nutcase. Ross sounds like a complete asshole. You sure know how to pick them.”

  Anger at his smug tone simmered in her gut. “Wow, that’s a relief.”

  He slowed as they entered Shady Bend. “What is?”

  “I was beginning to think I could get past your free-spirited outlook on life since you’re so damned perfect in every other way, but this jealous streak isn’t pretty.”

  The wheel jerked, and a horn blared as he swerved back into his own lane. “Jealous! You think I’m jealous? Of Dallas and Ian?”

  “Either that or just plain mean.”

  The tires squealed as he turned down the road leading to the campground then blew by the entrance kiosk with a wave at the attendant. The SUV jolted down the track to the campsite. Claire bit her tongue. Tears stung.

  Jed didn’t look at her when he spoke. “If the truth about the men you’ve dated hurts…”

  When he stopped with a jolt in front of her motor home, she threw open the door and leaped out. “Go to hell, Jed.” Running the few steps to her RV, she stabbed the key into the lock. The door crashed open against the side.

  “Might as well.” His infuriating voice followed her. “It’d sure be a lot warmer than…”

  Claire rocked to a stop in the doorway and pressed her hands to her chest but couldn’t hold back a whimper. A white lace nightie lay draped across the bed. Candles burned on the shelf above it near a square, red envelope.

  “Claire! What’s wrong?”

  Backing up, she missed the step and crashed to the ground. Pain stabbed through her ankle as Jed’s arms closed around her. With a cry, she pressed her face against his chest and let the tears fall.

  Chapter 10

  Jed handed Claire a cup of tea before sitting across from her at the table.

  With shaking hands, she brought the mug to her mouth for a sip. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. How’s the ankle?”

  She stretched her foot, wrapped in an elastic bandage, out in front of her then rotated it slowly. “Better. I think it’s just twisted not sprained.”

  “Good.” Regret ate at him. If he hadn’t been so damned rotten to her, she wouldn’t have stormed into the motor home. God only knew why he’d pushed her so hard. Maybe he was jealous. Not of Ian and Dallas. Hell no. Maybe he was a little jealous they’d each had a shot with her, but she wasn’t prepared to give him even that. After all, he was too fun.

  Reining in his burgeoning temper, he forced a smile. “We should have someone look at the lock on the door. It must be faulty since I know I pulled it tight when we left. Coming home to these creepy gifts is getting a little old.”

  “You think making access to the motor home more difficult will stop this guy?”

  Jed pushed a hand through his hair and glanced down at the nightgown, wadded into a ball and flung onto the floor—by him. If he’d found the idiot who’d left the damned thing when he searched the campground, he would have beat the shit out of him for making Claire cry. A sneaking suspicion he was responsible for a few of those tears ramped up his guilt, pissing him off even more.

  “I don’t know if the freak would quit or not. He’s pretty persistent…not to mention desperate and pathetic.”

  Tea slopped onto the table. “He must have left the nightgown minutes before we got here. The candles had hardly melted.”

  “He probably didn’t want to chance burning down the motor home. I bet he waited until he saw us coming to light them then bolted. Risky.” Jed gestured out the window. “He’d have about two minutes from the time he saw us enter the access road until we reached the campsite, barely enough time to slip out the door and disappear into the woods. He got lucky. By the time I carried you back into the motor home and went to look for him, he had a decent head start.”

  “I’m sorry.” She leaned against the wall, her hands curled around the mug. “If I hadn’t broken down the way I did—”

  “You’re entitled. Christ, Claire, give yourself a break. You’ve had a tough few days.” He looked down and sighed. “Anyway, I’m the one who’s sorry. I was an ass, and I apologize.” His gaze rose to meet hers.

  Wide eyes held shadowed remnants of pain. “Maybe I was overly sensitive. There’s probably a lot of truth to what you said about Ian and Dallas. The thing is, I remember how they used to be.” She sipped the tea then set down the mug. “You’re right. My judgment when it comes to the opposite sex probably does suck.”

  Reaching across the table, he took her hand and linked their fingers. “Whatever they are, it isn’t my place to criticize men you once cared about, and hurting you was inexcusable. Some of the things you said about me bit a little deeper than I liked, but it was petty of me to lash out in response.”

  Her grip tightened. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, either. It’s just that I’m star
ting to care about you…more than I should. It worries me.”

  “Claire—”

  “Can we not talk about it right now?” Her gaze dropped. “I should read the card he left. I can’t put it off forever.”

  His lips firmed. After a moment, he let go of her hand and stood. “I’ll get it.” Stepping over Scoop, who lay close beside her feet, he grabbed the red envelope off the shelf.

  She took the damned thing from him and ripped open the flap. Her hands shook as she pulled out the card to open it. The front photograph portrayed bare legs—male and female—entwined on red satin sheets.

  He leaned down to read over her shoulder. “What does it say?”

  She glanced up. Anger flickered in her eyes, darkening the blue depths. “It says, Think hard. Remember your promise. I can’t wait for the honeymoon.” Slapping the card shut, she threw it down on the table. “That’s disgusting.”

  Jed drew in a deep breath and resisted the urge to put his fist through something. “Well, that’s a little more direct than the other notes.”

  “I guess you were right about it being one of the men I dated. Still…” She pushed the card away from her. “It’s so unlike any of them to play these kinds of guessing games.”

  “You said yourself Ian and Dallas have changed. We’ll look up Ross. Maybe he’s changed, too. Maybe he’s become the type of guy who gets his kicks out of tormenting women.”

  “I guess anything’s possible. Obviously one of them either morphed into someone I don’t even recognize, or he did a hell of a job hiding his true personality back when we were together.” She swung her legs out from beneath the table and nudged Scoop out of the way. “Do you still want to leave this afternoon?”

  Jed glanced at his watch. “It’s after two. By the time we eat a late lunch then pack up and get out of here, it’ll be too late to stop at the lawyer’s office. They’ll be closed when we reach Fort Bragg.”

  “Let’s drive straight through to Sonoma then. We can camp somewhere around there tonight, check out Ross’s alibi tomorrow morning then hit the lawyer’s office on the way back. Whatever it takes to find out who’s doing this to me.”

  “You think your ex-fiancé might be the one?”

  She pushed a hand through her hair. “I don’t know what to think anymore. If it isn’t Ross sending these insane messages and gifts, I’ll confront both Ian and Dallas. I don’t care if they do think I’m crazy. I want this to stop!”

  Reaching down, he pulled her up off the seat. When she leaned against his chest without protesting, he stroked the length of her back, rubbing along her spine. “We’ll find out who it is and end his game for good.”

  Her head came up, and her smile was strained as she met his gaze. “As long as it isn’t for better or worse.”

  He tilted her chin with one finger. “Good one. You still have your sense of humor. This lunatic can’t keep your spirits down for long.”

  Her jaw clenched. “No, he can’t because I won’t let him.”

  * * * *

  The wipers slapped back and forth, brushing the drizzle from the windshield. Jed slowed as they entered the Sonoma Ridge Campground. Rain dripped from the trees. When a gust of wind rocked the motor home, Scoop pushed his nose against Claire’s leg and moaned.

  “This is why I don’t have a tent.” She rubbed the fogged up window with the edge of her sleeve then peered out. “The weather was beautiful this morning.”

  “Well, it’s miserable tonight. Sure you don’t want me to call Kane? They have a nice, dry house we could stay in, and it’s only about a half hour drive from here.”

  “I’m sure. Your brother might not care, but his wife probably wouldn’t appreciate last-minute company on a school night. Didn’t you say they have three girls?”

  “Yes, but Rachel would just go with the flow.”

  Leaning back in her seat, Claire raised a brow. “Afraid to get wet in your leaky tent?”

  “My tent doesn’t leak, and I’ve camped in worse conditions. Anyway, we can have a relaxing dinner in your wonderfully dry RV.” He grinned. “I’m not above making use of the amenities at hand.”

  “In that case, you can pay for your comfort by walking Scoop in this downpour.”

  He glanced her way. “Always working the angles.”

  “You’re darn right. Stop. This looks like a good spot. The attendant said we could pick whichever one we want.”

  “I can barely see through the rain.” He turned into the site and killed the engine. “Feels pretty level, at least.”

  “Good enough for one night.” She unfastened her seatbelt and rose to her feet. “If you’ll go register us and take Scoop with you, I’ll cook. It’s getting late.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll hook up the electrical while I’m out there, so we’ll have some light.” He stood and inched around her.

  Claire backed out of his way, but his chest still brushed against her breasts in the tight quarters. A tingle ran through her, starting near her heart and heading south. She drew in a breath. “Is soup and sandwiches okay? I can make chicken salad from leftovers.”

  “That’s why I always cook extra.” He rested a hand on her shoulder then squeezed. “Keep it simple. I know you’re tired.”

  She nodded. “I’ve had better days.”

  After shrugging into his jacket, Jed flipped up the hood. “We’ll both turn in early tonight. Let’s go, Scoop.”

  Thunder rumbled as Claire pulled out a pan and set it on the stove. Searching through the cupboard, she chose a can of hardy minestrone and hoped Jed wouldn’t be starving again an hour after their meal. The man ate more than she and her dog combined. While the soup heated, she shredded the leftover chicken, chopped a green onion and some pecans then mixed it with a little mayonnaise. When the overhead vent rattled in the wind, she juggled the loaf of wheat bread and dropped it on the floor.

  “Pull it together, Claire.” Her heart thudded in the silence. She bent to retrieve the bread then drew the curtain across the window over the tiny kitchen sink.

  No one’s out there. My imagination is working overtime.

  The internal pep talk didn’t help. She was one big nerve stretched to the breaking point.

  When the door opened on a gust of wind, she dropped the bread again and swore. The RV rocked as Scoop leaped inside then shook. Jed followed.

  Snatching up the bread, she tossed it on the counter before grabbing the dog towel off its hook to dry her soaking wet pet. “That was quick.”

  “The minute Scoop peed, we came back.” After Jed hung his dripping jacket, he took the towel from her to mop the floor and glanced up as he rose to his feet. “He wasn’t any happier out there than I was.”

  “Thanks for taking him. The soup’s hot, and your sandwich will be ready in a minute.”

  “Excellent.” He made no move to take out a bowl, but stood inches away, his eyes filled with concern. “What’s wrong?”

  She let out a breath. “That stupid nightgown got to me. I can’t seem to shake a bad case of heebie-jeebies.”

  One big hand caressed her cheek. “No one’s here but us. Let yourself relax.”

  “I’m trying. The good news is my ankle feels fine, so I can run away from any monsters.”

  He snorted. “This guy isn’t a monster. More like a joke. A real man would come right out and face you. This lame-ass is so afraid of rejection he’s playing games instead, probably hoping you’ll be intrigued. I honest to God don’t think you have anything to fear from him. He’s too much of a wimp.”

  “I hope you’re right.” She turned away to assemble the sandwiches. “Can we find something else to talk about? I don’t have much of an appetite as it is, and speculating about my stalker isn’t helping.”

  “Suits me.” Filling two bowls with soup, he set them on the table then slid onto one seat. “Want to discuss the elephant in the room instead?”

  Her lips tilted in a smile as she sat across
from him then pushed the plate of sandwiches closer. “Are you calling my dog an elephant?”

  He glanced at Scoop, sprawled in front of his empty food bowl. “This elephant is even bigger and more awkward. S-E-X.”

  The spoon clattered in her bowl. She choked on the bite of soup and gasped for air. It was several long moments before she could respond. “You want to talk about sex while we eat?”

  He calmly chewed and swallowed. Apparently imagining the two of them heating up the sheets didn’t twist his insides into knots the way it did hers.

  “Might as well. We’re both thinking about it.” His gaze dropped from her face to her breasts and lingered. “At least I know I sure as hell am. I also know you have concerns, and I don’t want to screw things up between us. So, maybe we should set a few ground rules. That way we won’t have a repeat of our earlier—I don’t even know what to call it. Discussion. Fight. Pissing contest.”

  She choked again and dropped her sandwich. Eating obviously wasn’t going to be an option just now. “Pissing contest?”

  He shrugged. “We both made a few comments we regretted in order to score points. Problem is the only thing we accomplished was hurting each other when all I really want is to make you happy.”

  “Goes both ways. Seems like you give and give and give—comfort, protection, advice. All I do in return is take. How lame does that make me?”

  He frowned and set his sandwich back on the plate. “Is that the way you see our relationship?”

  She nodded. “How else would I see it? You’re still here because of me, because some psycho is scaring me, and you’re too nice to leave me alone and frightened. I know I said your prime motivation in life is to have a good time, but you’re also a compassionate and giving man.”

  “Oh, God, not the nice-guy label.”

  “Why not? It’s true.”

  “I wasn’t nice when I took a few verbal shots at your exes.”

  She swallowed a spoonful of soup, her appetite returning. “No, you weren’t, but overall—”

  “I’m a nice guy who likes to have fun.” He crossed his arms over his chest. Muscles flexed.