Mia offered a clipped nod to let Ryan know she understood.
Reid came down the stairs and held his hand in greeting. “It’s good to see you again, Mia. I’ll never be able to repay you for saving Jessie.” His voice caught, and he cleared his throat. “I hope you don’t mind that we took over the lodge, but we wanted to bring a few friends over to say thanks.”
Mia hid her surprise by focusing on Bandit and stroking her fingers down his back. “And does that include Bandit?”
Reid cast a concerned look at Jessie and shook his head. “We didn’t know he’d be here.”
Jessie popped up and pointed at Bandit’s bandaged wrapped rear leg. “He got a bad ’fection on his leg and had to stay at Doc’s for a really long time. Now he’s all better so Doc brought him home.”
Ryan stepped forward. “Bandit was Wally’s dog. When Wally was up here in the summer to run the camp, Bandit lived in the lodge. When Wally went back home, Bandit stayed in the barn and Jessie took care of him.”
“I took good care of him.” Her eyes turned protective.
Ryan inched between Mia and Jessie. “Since Bandit no longer has a home in the barn, we were hoping you’d keep him with you at the lodge.”
Jessie slipped around Ryan and looked up at Mia with hopeful eyes. “If you keep him, I can help you take care of him.”
Jessie’s anguish pierced Mia’s heart. The poor child had been through so much. Mia had never had a dog and had no idea what owning one entailed, but it would be good for Jessie if she would keep the pup.
“What do you say, Bandit?” She cuddled him against her chest, his black-tipped tail thumped like a pendulum on her arm. “You want to live with me?” His tongue lapped her neck.
Still smiling, she looked at Ryan. “How about we try it for a few days to see how things go?”
“Yes.” Jessie shot a fist into the air and danced around.
“Thank you,” Reid mouthed.
Jessie grabbed Mia’s hand and tugged. “C’mon. Let’s go to the party.”
“Not so fast, Jessie,” Reid warned. “Mia needs to take things easy for a few days.”
Mia smiled at Reid and put Bandit down. Jessie grabbed the leash and pulled Mia with less force but her face continued to hold her enthusiasm.
Mia let herself be led into the lodge. She hadn’t been inside for years so she paused in the entryway to look around. Heavy, rustic furniture filled the room. The same sturdy leather sofa angled in front of a massive stone fireplace was home to many long discussions with Uncle Wally. Same chunky coffee table made from old barn wood that had held game boards and cards. Same worn recliner hugged the corner.
Today, intimate groups of people mingled in the large space in a party kind of atmosphere. At least they had mingled, until one by one, eyes turned to focus on her. They continued to smile, belying an undercurrent surging through the air. People in Logan Lake had never seen her in a positive light due to her rebellious ways and they definitely never threw her a party. What in the world did they expect her to do?
From the far side of the room, Russ looked over the heads of a group and fixed assessing eyes in her direction.
Ryan must have felt her unease as he came forward and placed his hands on her shoulders. He gave a comforting squeeze and looking down, he searched her eyes. She let herself linger for a moment in the depth of his caring before giving a clipped nod to let him know she was okay.
“Move over, Uncle Ryan.” Jessie’s lips morphed into a sweet little pout. “You’re hogging Mia.”
He ruffled Jessie’s hair. “Don’t worry, Squirt, I’ll share her with you.”
“C’mon, Mia.” Jessie tugged harder on Mia’s hand. “There’s a present on the table for you. I can help you open it…if you need me to.” Jessie pointed toward a box covered in multicolored balloon paper sitting on the coffee table. “See?”
Mia moved a few feet. As the people gathered around watching her with expectancy, her steps faltered. She’d often fantasized about overcoming the negative reputation her teenage rebellion had fostered. But in those dreams never had she been dressed in burnt and torn clothes with scraggly hair hanging from her head.
She ran her free hand over the tangled locks. “You really didn’t have to do this.”
They glanced at one another in confusion. Embarrassed looks followed.
Reid laughed nervously. “Wish we had thought to get you something for all you did. We found the package on the porch when we got here.”
Oh, no. They didn’t bring the gift. She looked to Ryan for his reaction. His face lit with surprise, and he offered no assistance other than a gentle smile of support.
What did etiquette dictate in a situation like this? Should she open the package or ignore it? If she did open it, the focus would be on the gift and giver, not on her.
“C’mon, Mia.” Jessie tugged harder making Mia’s decision for her.
She made eye contact with her visitors and let her lips tip in a reticent smile. “I’ll just see what this is.” She dropped Jessie’s hand and rushed to the package. “No card. Maybe the sender put a note inside.”
“Can I help open it?” Jessie pleaded as she skidded to a stop at the table. Unable to stop as fast, Bandit slammed into Jessie’s leg and looked dazed.
Mia smiled fondly at Jessie. “Why don’t you pull off the paper?”
Jessie handed Bandit’s leash to Reid and ripped the wrapping into shreds, tossing the fragments on the wide wooden floor planks. She put her hand on the box, and her eyes telegraphed her desire to pull up the flap.
“Jessie,” Reid said with a warning tone. “This is Mia’s present.”
“That’s okay,” Mia said. “Go ahead.”
Jessie started to lift one flap when a sheet of white paper slipped free and drifted to the floor.
“Hold on, sweetie,” Mia said as she retrieved the paper. “Let’s see who it’s from before you open it.”
A giggly Jessie danced in place as Mia began to unfold the paper.
The page held letters cut from a magazine, very similar to the warning she’d received in the post office. Her stomach twisted. She scanned the message.
Sever your claim to Pinetree or I’ll sever it for you.
Jessie’s hand reached for the flap.
“Don’t!” Mia shouted. “Don’t open it.”
Jessie looked up. Her eyes were filled with surprise over Mia’s harsh command, and her mouth was wide open and ready to wail. Bandit raised his head and frantically barked.
Mia eased between Jessie and the box. She clamped a hand on the lid then picked up the box and took it to the kitchen counter.
She opened and peered inside.
Oh, no!
She dropped the note into the box covering the horrible sight. Her stomach roiled. Acid burned. Nausea sent her bolting for the nearest bathroom.
On her knees near the claw-foot bathtub, she drew in a deep, cleansing breath and waited for her stomach to cease cramping.
Who could have done this? Her father? Did he hate her this much? Or was it someone else? And if so…why?
The image of the hand and note drilled into her mind.
One thing came across in screeching clarity. This perpetrator wanted her gone and was willing to go to extreme lengths to make it happen.
SEVEN
Ryan’s chest had tightened at the sight of Mia’s colorless face when she’d rushed past. He’d started to follow her until Russ clamped a hand on his arm and drew him toward the box. Russ picked up the note and held it open.
Sever your claim to Pinetree or I’ll sever it for you.
Ryan turned from the warning similar to the note at the post office and looked into the box. At the sight of a severed hand lying on a bed of tissue paper, he slammed the lid.
Wait. Did he see right?
He looked again. The hand was rubber. Fake.
“She didn’t hang around long enough to see this isn’t real,” Ryan whispered to Russ.
; “Real or not we need to end this little party. Stay by the box until I clear the room,” Russ said in a low voice, then clapped his hands together and turned to face the gawking guests. “Okay, folks. This party was probably not a good idea so soon after Mia got out of the hospital. She needs to get some rest so I suggest we all clear out.”
His official police chief’s voice stirred the guests to speculate on what happened but didn’t move them out.
Ryan let his gaze travel to the hallway Mia had run down, and it was all he could do to stand guard over the box.
Father, please ease Mia’s pain and help us catch the monster behind these threats.
“C’mon, people. Let’s give Mia some privacy.” Russ strolled through the family room and herded the guests toward the exit.
Holding a fearful Jessie in his arms, Reid caught his brother’s gaze and made a call me sign with his finger and thumb, then exited. The minute the door closed behind the last guest, Ryan charged down the hall.
He knocked on the bathroom door. “Mia, the hand isn’t real. It’s just one of those fake rubber ones.”
Silence. He could almost hear her thoughts. The same thoughts that weighed heavy on his mind. Fake hand or not, the person sending the letters made sure Mia knew he wouldn’t hesitate to harm her if she didn’t leave.
Mia was thankful Ryan told her the hand was fake. For the few minutes she’d believed it to be real, the terror engulfing her had been unbearable. Not that her fear had been totally erased. The letter conveyed the sender’s intent to keep after her until she left, raising the ante if she refused to leave.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror for the second time in as many days. Who was this woman peering back at her? Was it her? Oh, the physical appearance with a few added scrapes and sutures was the same, but gone was the confident woman she’d become. Now an insecure tint haunted her face.
Well, no more.
She pushed back. She wouldn’t let years of hard work disappear in less than two days. She’d put her insecurities behind her, take charge of her life again and find the person behind these threats. Nothing would deter her from doing her time here at Pinetree, and then returning to Atlanta to resume her real life.
In the family room, her heart skipped a beat as she passed the empty table where Jessie had been so excited about opening the brightly wrapped box. She forced her eyes from the fearful sight and on to Bandit, who lay on a plush bed in the corner. Across the room, Ryan leaned against maple cabinets in the kitchen, a phone to his ear. He waved her over.
She padded to the open kitchen where a wrought-iron pot rack swarming with worn copper and cast-iron cookware hung above a long island and separated the two rooms.
Ryan mouthed, “David.”
Her new plan started by finding the person behind these incidents, and getting David’s take on things was near the top of her list.
“I need to talk to him,” she answered.
Ryan clamped his palm on to the receiver. “Are you okay?”
She let her lips form into what she thought was a brave smile. “I’m fine.”
His eyes said he didn’t believe her. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
He tilted his head in question then shook it and held up a finger before resuming his conversation.
She slipped on to a counter-height stool and watched bright rays filtering in from a picture window flicker on his wavy hair.
He looked up and flashed a hint of a smile at the sight of her watching him. He crossed to the island and held out the phone. “Your turn.”
She reached for the handset. He pulled it against his chest and issued a playful dare.
Her eyebrows shot up. Had her forgiveness made him think she wanted to start something with him? If so, she’d end that notion when she got off the phone with David. If she was going to resume control over her life, she certainly wouldn’t fall under the spell of a man. Especially this man.
Phone in hand, she turned away from him. “David.”
“I was out of town and just heard about the fire.” He sounded concerned. “Ryan tells me you’re doing okay.”
“Ryan’s right—I’m fine.” She felt Ryan’s eyes on her as he took the stool next to her, but she wouldn’t look at him. “Do you have time to get together this afternoon?”
Over the phone, she heard papers rustling in the background. “Sorry, I’ve got appointments until late tonight. The soonest I can see you is eleven tomorrow morning. Could you stop by the office then?”
“I’ll be there. Bye, David.” She clicked off and reached across the island to hook the phone on the cradle.
Ryan leaned into her space. “You seem pretty calm after what just happened in here.”
She swallowed the fear lodged deep inside her chest and shrugged. “I can’t live afraid all the time like I’ve been doing since I got here. I have to take charge of my life again.”
He rested his elbows on the counter, placing his head eye level with hers. “After what’s happened I’d think you’d realize you can’t control things.”
Why did he have to say that and try to ruin her attempt at moving forward?
She crossed her arms to protect herself from the emotions simmering under the surface. “I have to admit it’s been difficult lately. My life has been in turmoil since Wally died. I didn’t want to come back here, but it was Wally’s final request.”
Ryan lifted his hand over hers but she pulled it back before he could connect and undermine her determination.
She continued. “You know Uncle Wally was more of a father to me than my father so I had to honor him. Then these terrible things happened and for a while I let them take over.” She paused and cast a confident gaze at Ryan. “But I refuse to live under the control of others any longer.”
He searched her face for what seemed like an eternity, before straightening to full height. “That’s what scares you the most, isn’t it? Not the danger you’re in, not your father’s attitude, but that you’ve lost complete control of your life.”
She didn’t expect him to contest her determination. True, he might see this strength as her way of standing up to him, but he should be proud of her resilience.
She squared her shoulders. “You sound like there’s something wrong with trying to plan.”
“Planning is one thing, trying to control things is another.” He fired back with a challenging stare. “You can have every minute of every day planned and bad things will still happen.”
“Ha! Don’t I know it, but if I have a plan to follow when bad things happen I can get back on track.” She paused to catch a breath. “I can’t afford to live any other way. I’m all alone in this world, Ryan. People either die or disappoint me.” She couldn’t stand to see the anguish shooting into his eyes so she bolted from her chair and went to the picture window overlooking the lake.
“Mia,” his voice came from right behind her, sending a quick jolt into her body.
She wanted to face him, but she didn’t want his piercing gaze to sway her. “I really have a lot to do, so I think you should go now.”
“I can’t leave you feeling this way.” He gently turned her by the shoulders.
His touch burned her like heat from the barn fire and left her throat dry as she tried to tell him to back off.
She started to move away, but he tightened his hold and rested his forehead on hers. “You don’t have to be so tough all the time. You’re not alone. I’m here to help you through this.”
She breathed the musky sweet scent of his cologne and slowly exhaled. What could she say with him this close? Too close. Even if she could form the words, her mind couldn’t form a coherent thought other than what would happen if he kissed her?
What a fool she was. Someone was going to great lengths to chase her away, her father still hated her and all she could think of was kissing the man who betrayed her. She pulled back.
“Mia, don’t. Let me help.” He reached up to cup the uninjured side of
her face.
She peered into his eyes and saw the hope and healing waiting for her if she could only let go of the past. “I wish I could trust you.”
He drew in a breath and seemed to withdraw mentally as he physically stepped back. He glanced around as if looking for a way to change her mind. He was wasting his time. She’d gained control again, and she wouldn’t let him back in. She crossed her arms.
He went to the island and picked up a manila folder.
“This is Eddie Kramer’s file. He’s the student I told you about yesterday.” Ryan forced the heavy folder into her hands. “If you can fit him into this new life you’re planning, take a look at the file. I’ll be at the rec center all afternoon, and I’d appreciate it if you’d stop by for a short orientation on our procedures.”
Ryan plodded out the door and down the stairs. Her heart tightened and the urge to run after him nearly had her feet moving, but she hadn’t worked so hard to build a life for herself to toss it away on a whim.
No. She was back in control and ready to put her plan into action.
Ryan stormed down the steps and hopped into his truck. Mia was officially the most stubborn woman on earth. She’d erected the wall she was so famous for putting up when trouble threatened. A tall wall. An unscalable wall. One he’d never been on the wrong side of before and he didn’t know how—or even if he wanted to try—to bring it down.
He shoved the key into the ignition and backed the truck around. On the driveway, he spotted Russ’s car and a tow truck at the barn. He’d not said anything about the truck or who owned it.
After Mia’s latest rejection, Ryan had half a mind to go straight to the rec center and let her fend for herself. After all, she’d made it perfectly clear that she didn’t need his help. However, after a moment’s indecision he groaned and swung the wheels left toward the barn. This didn’t mean he was helping Mia. He was just curious. That was all.
High-Stakes Inheritance Page 6