by Ciana Stone
While Jolene felt they had the start of a friendship, she didn't know Cody well enough to talk about Dylan – JD, or whatever he called himself now.
"It's kind of a long story." She grimaced at her own lame response and forced herself to push thoughts of Justice Weathers to the back of her mind.
Cody nodded, swallowed, and took a sip of her iced tea. "And I know, you don't have time now, and neither do I, but girl we're gonna make time for that story."
Jolene could not stop the smile from rising on her face. She really liked Cody. "We'll need more than iced tea for that one."
"No problem. I've got liquor."
Jolene laughed. "I bet you do. So, I wanted to ask. How long until the demolition of your bar is completed?"
"Hopefully not more than a few more days or I'm liable to shoot somebody."
"Big on patience, are we?"
Cody laughed. "Oh yeah, like cooking, it's one of my virtues."
Jolene joined in on the laugh. "Oh god, tell me. I've been told I can –"
"Burn water." Cody finished the sentence with her. "Same here, girl."
"Well, cooking skills are over-rated anyway, right? Unless around here the old saying still holds that a way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
Cody blew a raspberry with her lips. "Had to be a man that started that saying."
"Amen to that."
Cody chewed down the last bite of her burger. "Okay, since you're not gonna spill your sordid tale, I need to bolt and get back to the bar. You have plans tonight?"
"Aside from avoiding Mrs. Nellie Mae? Nope."
"Why don't you come over to the ranch? I can't cook but I can grill a steak and throw some potatoes in the coals."
"Sounds good, I'd love to. What time?"
"Six?"
"Perfect. I'll be there. Can I bring anything?"
"Beer would be good."
"You got it. Any preference?"
"I'm an equal opportunity drinker."
Jolene chuckled. "Okay, see you at six."
As Cody got up and walked away, Jolene gathered up her things. She felt like someone who had just crossed over into the Twilight Zone. Memories of her and Dylan's time rushed in on her, making her weak with emotion.
Obviously, he didn't feel that way. His expression kept coming back to the forefront. What had him in such pain, and why did that pain seem flavored with anger? The questions would drive her mad. She took the bill Paula handed her, plunked a five-dollar tip on the counter, and hurried to pay the cashier.
Once on the sidewalk, she headed for Nellie Mae's house, pulling out her phone to call her researcher, Stan. "Stan, hey. In the research on the Weathers, did you come across anything about the son, Justice? Yeah. Call me back. I'm headed back to the boarding house and have to leave for the Weathers ranch in about half an hour."
She had just tucked the phone into a pocket on her messenger bag when Nellie Mae stepped out of a shop, a dress shop according to the sign. There was another older woman with her, as short and round, but with jet-black hair cut in a style that might be described as a football helmet, sprayed to the nines.
"Well looky here." Nellie Mae crowed and grabbed her friend by the arm. "Netta, this is my boarder Jolene Windwalker. She's the star on that television show that's here to do the piece on the Weathers."
"Oh it's so nice to meet you." Netta gave a toothy smile then leaned closer. "I was just telling Shirley in the bakery that you could have knocked me over with a feather when I heard about that family. To think that all these years we thought their name really was Weathers when all the time he's some convict—"
"Excuse me?" Jolene was stunned.
"I know. I was shocked to the bone. To think of all the people around here who have trusted him. For years. My god, we could have been killed in our beds."
Jolene felt her own skin grow hot as anger blossomed. "I don't know where you got that information Mrs. Bloom, but Jason Weathers is not a convict. He's never been convicted of a crime or served time for a crime."
"Only because he hightailed it like a jackrabbit," Netta said and then added. "You can bet that folks around here are not going to like knowing we've all been duped."
At that moment, it all became clear. Last night Nellie Mae had been eavesdropping while Jolene was sitting in the front room talking to Stan. And she hadn't been delivering towels when she fell into Jolene's room. She'd been listening at the door.
And talking about what she overheard. Shit. If Cotton Creek was like most small towns, the false stories these two were telling would spread like wildfire. A vision of Justice Weather's face appeared in her mind and brought a swell of misery with it.
Abruptly the fog in her mind lifted. The moment their eyes had met, she'd felt something slam into her. His gaze was that powerful. All raw male and hidden pain. She could feel it pouring off him. Just like it had three years ago. It still had her off balance.
Now she had to wonder if his abrupt departure from the cafe was connected to the gossip and finding out she was there to interview his family.
Crap. This could end up being a real mess.
"I'd hate to think this was a town where people would be likely to believe such obvious lies about a fine family and shame on whoever started those rumors. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have to go." She couldn't bring herself to talk to Nellie Mae or her friend one more moment. She wanted to light into both of them – for eavesdropping and turning the truth into something ugly.
Maybe she would do that later. But for now, she needed to get back, talk to Stan, and figure out how to smooth things over if she got to the Weathers ranch and they were waiting for her with shotguns.
Crap. Suddenly this assignment wasn't looking appealing at all.
Chapter Six
Jolene wiped her hands on the thighs of her jeans after she parked her car in the drive of the main house on the Weathered Rail Ranch. She was nervous about what kind of reception she would receive. She grabbed her messenger bag and got out of the vehicle.
Before she'd covered half the distance to the house, a man stepped out onto the porch. Tall and big, he looked to be in his sixties, with thick gray hair and heavy brows. The angles of his face were familiar. Justice Weathers favored his father in appearance.
"Mr. Weathers?" She stopped at the base of the front porch steps and looked up at him.
"Ms. Windwalker?"
"Yes sir."
He said nothing, and the look on his face was none too friendly, which prompted her to speak. "Mr. Weathers, it's come to my attention I owe you and your family an apology. As you know from our conversations and the information I had sent to you, we conduct extensive research on the people we feature on the show. We're committed to reporting the truth.
"But, it appears that conversations I had with my researcher were overheard and that information was disseminated in a manner that was contrary to what was said."
"What you're saying is that damn gossip you're staying with overheard you talking and then started flapping her trap."
"Well, in a nutshell, yes. I never called you a criminal or a convict or said anything about you being guilty of wrongdoing sir. It's why we dug so deeply into your background – to uncover the truth. And I would not share information about you with the public without your permission. As I said in our first conversation, nothing will be broadcast without your consent.
"I can't tell you how sorry I am this happened. I'm… well to be honest, I'm angry that someone eavesdropped on my private conversations and then spread lies. And I intend to take issue with this person, but it was more important that I come to you with what happened, and my apology."
He continued to stare at her for long enough she was feeling like the student called to the principal's office. Finally, he nodded and a slow smile rose on his face. "Young lady, I know all too well how those dang red bonnet ladies operate. Durn fools thrive on gossip and if they can't find any they aren't above creating it."
"Thank you, sir. I
was so worried that you would blame me."
"I'd like to, if I'm being honest. Easier to blame a stranger than a neighbor, but the truth is, you're here to do a job and have been a straight-shooter with me from the get-go, so I've got no quarrel with you. As to those – ladies, well let's just say I'll deal with them in my own way when the time comes."
"Then you're still agreeable to do the interview?"
"Against the wishes of my oldest son, yes."
"That would be JD, Justice Dylan, correct?"
"Yes it would."
"Mr. Weathers, I don't want to cause problems for your family and if this interview will cause a family rift—"
"It won’t. What's between my son and me will stay right there, between us. And it has nothing to do with why you're here. The way I see it, you cleared my name and that took away a weight I've been carrying most of my life.
"I'm not ashamed of my life or what I did. I didn't kill that boy, nor had the intent to do so. I was just a scared, skinny kid trying to hold his own with a bully. It cost me my home and family. I never got to see my brothers or my father again. They died not knowing where I was or if I was even alive.
"I can't get that back, but now my sons and their children can move on knowing there's no stain on them or me."
"I admire that attitude, Mr. Weathers and I'm sorry for your loss but I'm really glad the truth has come to light. And it seems to me, just from reading about your family that you have a real nice life and a family to be proud of. I'm proud to introduce our viewers to you."
"Then let's get with it, young lady."
"Thank you. I just need to call my crew and tell them to drive over. And please call me Jolene. Or Jo, to my friends."
"Jo it is. And I'm Jason. Come on in."
She smiled up at him as she mounted the steps. One obstacle had been overcome, but she couldn't help wondering what would happen when it came time to interview Justice Weathers. He just might prove to be a hurdle that couldn't be conquered.
And unfortunately, she thought she now knew why.
*****
JD heard voices when he walked into the back door of the main house. He proceeded through the laundry room and down the hall to the kitchen. What met his eyes had his blood pressure rising.
The room was full of people, lights, cameras, and Jo. He stopped short of the door, his gazes zeroing in on her. God help him. Seeing her hurt more than a kick to the head from a spiteful horse. Yearnings he had never learned to quell rose up so strong it almost choked him.
"Pop." He stepped into the room.
All the men and his father turned to look at him at the same time Jo's gaze moved in his direction. He hated the way her gaze affected him. That familiar ache claimed him and as typical, guilt reared its head. That made his gut clench, but then guilt always did. He ran from it as hard as he could, and as had become predictable, whenever guilt surfaced, in its wake was anger.
Anger he could handle. In fact, it was welcome. Particularly if he had something or someone to direct that anger toward.
"What're they doing here?"
He saw the hurt on her face and steeled himself against the pang of regret. Her being there could ruin his family. He couldn't let that happen.
"This is Jolene Windwalker, son. From Country Western Life Network, and her crew. They're here to—"
"You need to leave." JD directed his comment to Jolene.
"Now hold on." His father stood. "This is my house and my guests. I'll be the one saying who stays and who goes and for now, the one going is you."
"Pop, you don't get it. If you let her—"
"I said leave JD."
JD looked at Jolene. "Fine. But I need a word with her. In private."
Jason looked at Jolene and she nodded. "It's fine, Jason." She turned her attention to JD. "Why don't we step outside? Jason, if you'll excuse us? Guys, I won't be long."
"You take the time you need, Jo." Jason smiled at her and then cut JD a hard look. "And you remember your upbringing, son."
It downright stung to have his father chastise him like a teenage boy but JD let it pass. He gestured toward the hallway and when Jolene rose, led the way. He opened the back door and held it for her to precede him.
She walked out onto the back porch and turned to face him. JD stepped up close to her, close enough she had no choice but to tilt her head back to look up at him. It reminded him she wasn't a big woman, maybe five foot four.
"I don't want you here, Jo."
"This isn't about you, Dylan – or is that Justice, or JD? I don't quite know what to call you."
"Call me whatever the hell you want, but you being here is a bad idea."
"For whom?"
"My family."
Jolene understood his recalcitrance, but couldn't reveal that to him. At least not now. She didn't imagine there was much she could say that would make a difference. Just his stance told her he would not back down.
He stood there, towering over her with a glare, daring her to defy him. She was ashamed that rather than fear, she was a little aroused. He was a big package of raw male angst and anger, sexy and strong with waves of energy pouring off him. She mentally slapped herself. She couldn't let this man get to her in that way.
"If you can prove that this show will cause any harm or damage to your family then I'll leave."
That seemed to give him pause since he didn't have a comeback. She took things out of the personal arena and into the professional.
"Mr. Weathers, I'm not here to hurt you or your family. I'm simply here to do a segment for our show. And it's one your father has approved. Surely you can't think he would give his approval on something that might harm the family?"
"He doesn't realize."
"Realize what?"
"That not everyone will understand."
"Understand what? That he was a scared boy whose brothers convinced him to leave home for fear of being jailed over an accident? That could happen to any kid, and especially a poor kid involved in the accidental death of a child who came from money. Surely you can see that."
"What I see is you wanting to tell things about this family that shouldn't be told."
"You mean the curse."
"Yes, that damn curse. We'll sound like a bunch of superstitious fools."
Despite her annoyance at his behavior and in spite of her reaction to his nearness, she forced herself to focus. "I understand that. In fact, your cousins had the same fears. If you'd like, I can allow you to view the footage we filmed on them. I mentioned a curse, but only as a colorful sideline. I didn't focus on it."
"So you put it in the show."
"Yes, briefly. It was pertinent due to trouble they had with someone poisoning their water and trying to ruin their ranch."
"A curse was pertinent?"
Jolene blew out a breath. "A wealthy woman in the area was shunned by your uncle and later by his son. She was quite insane. She had extensive research done on the family, all the way back to the 1800's when the curse was set into motion by a woman named Sara Whitestone. Sara was shunned by one of your ancestors and attempted to kill him. Instead, she killed an innocent housekeeper and was hanged for the crime.
"The woman who commissioned the research not only believed the curse was real but also believed that she was inhabited by the spirit of Sara Whitestone. She believed it was her duty to ruin the Nash family and she did a lot of damage, even going so far as to have a member of their extended family shot.
"So, yes, it was pertinent. However, I didn't expound on it, I only used it in the context in which it played a part in the events that took place."
"I don't want this family even remotely connected with that damn curse."
"Well, I'm sorry, but you can't avoid that since you are related to them."
"I can if you walk away from this."
"I assure you I wouldn't put the network in a position of liability nor damage my professional reputation with anything I use on your family. I will not do anything
to embarrass you or any of your family, Mr. Weathers. In fact, this may benefit you."
"You will never be a benefit to this family."
"Pardon?"
"You heard me. I want you gone, Jo. I don't want you talking to my father or my brothers and I damn sure better not find out you've ever talked to my sons."
It dawned on her that her original assumption was correct. Justice Weathers wasn't scared of the curse being mentioned, or being connected to the Nash family. He was afraid someone would find out he was in her bed the night his wife killed herself.
"I'd never tell them."
At those words, he actually took a step back from her. She pressed the advantage and stepped toward him. "No one will ever know about us. At least not from me."
"I didn't—"
"You didn't have to. I know what happened."
She didn't expect him to react so dramatically and so was unprepared. Suddenly his big hand was around her throat. The pressure didn't cut off her breath entirely, but it did constrict her breathing. She reached up with both hands, clamping onto his wrist and his grip tightened.
"Dy—JD." Her voice rasped. For the first time, she felt fear.
The anger in his eyes transformed into a look she couldn't read, and then changed again, into something she could. He leaned down, his face close to hers, so close she could feel his breath as his gaze locked to hers.
Jolene refused to look away and refused to give into the fear. Whatever she feared, it was not as deep or powerful as that which had him in its grips.
"Jo." This time there was no anger in his voice. What was there unhinged her.
Her grip on his wrist relaxed and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her. Then he shoved her from him. "It's not going to happen. This—this will not happen. You do what you came to do but know that if there's one second or one word I don't like I'll find a way to stop it from being aired. I'll convince my father to refuse to sign the release. You understand?"
"Yes."
"Then we're done here."