Wilde Side

by Jannine Gallant

  “There’s an easy way to find out.”

  “A DNA test is easy? I doubt that.”

  Devin snorted. “We don’t have to resort to tests when we can simply ask Walton if he had a fling with a girl barely out of high school named Tamara Parks.”

  Sawyer’s eyes popped open. “You think he’d admit it?”

  “Not publicly, though I think he already said something about an affair to Syd. But if the connection is there, then by some twisted logic, Roman believes the congressman deserves to die for abandoning him. He needs to be stopped before he tries something else.”

  “Surely he couldn’t get near Walton now, not after the plane crash. His protection has been ramped up a dozen notches.”

  “Maybe he couldn’t, but is it fair to let the Secret Service continue to question Cathy as a suspect?” Devin let out a long sigh. “I honestly don’t think she can take that kind of pressure. The negative campaigning has been hard enough on her as it is.”

  “Good point. You want to call Walton now?”

  “I think we can wait until morning. It’s after one in Wyoming…which reminds me. I need to get some sleep.”

  He patted the couch cushion. “Sure. I’m fading fast. Come join me.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “You aren’t going to sleep in the chair, are you?”

  “No, you’re going out to your tent.” She pressed her lips tight. “We aren’t doing this again, Sawyer.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because we’re not.”

  “You’re reasoning like a five-year-old.”

  She clenched her hands together in her lap. “I don’t care. This is difficult enough without you making it even harder.”

  When her voice broke, he rose to his feet and pulled her up out of the chair into his arms. “I’m sorry. I really don’t want to make it worse for either of us. I’m not exactly thinking straight, or I’d know you’re right. We have to stop sometime, don’t we?”

  Why had he made it a question when they both knew the answer? Regret ate at him as her eyes filled with tears.

  She dashed them away. “Right. We’ll get over each other once we’ve put some distance between us.”

  Her voice was hesitant. He was pretty sure she didn’t believe what she’d said any more than he did.

  “Sure. Distance.” He released her then stepped back. “I’ll head out to the tent now. See you in the morning.”

  The grass was cool beneath his bare feet as he crossed the lawn. Stopping before he reached the tent, he turned in a circle to stare up at the star-strewn sky. Somewhere in the night, an owl hooted.

  Could he do it? Give up the howl of an occasional coyote and the wind rustling through the trees to listen to tires on pavement and sirens blaring? Could he trade a night sky with the moon rising over mountains for an illuminated high-rise? Could he change his life for Devin?

  “What’re you doing out there?”

  He spun on his heel and nearly fell on his ass. “Jesus, give me a heart attack.”

  “You were out here so long, I started to wonder if something was wrong.” Tripp climbed out of the tent and stood a few feet away.

  “I was contemplating the universe, or at least my place in it. If you were in love, would you rearrange your life for a woman?”

  His brother stuck his hands in the pockets of his shorts and stared up at the sky. “I already told you I wouldn’t stop skiing for anyone. But then, I’m not in love.”

  “I can carve my gnomes anywhere, even in a city. Am I being selfish to refuse to consider moving to one?”

  “I don’t think so. I couldn’t live anywhere but in the mountains.” He stretched his arms wide. “This place is beautiful…and perfect for Griff, who loves the sea. We each have to stay true to ourselves.”

  “I suppose so. Shit.” Sawyer heaved a sigh. “Let’s get some sleep. Griff’s big day is tomorrow, and I’m going to freaking enjoy it, even if it kills me.”

  * * * *

  Devin sipped a glass of wine and stretched her sandal-clad feet out in front of her as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The party was winding down. Many of the local guests, who included Griff’s crew from his salvage boat and the new acquaintances Ainslee had made tutoring kids in the area, had headed out soon after the cake was cut. With her friend busy playing hostess, finding a quiet spot away from Sawyer seemed like a smart move. She wouldn’t be tempted to pretend they were a couple if he wasn’t constantly standing next to her.

  “Mind if I join you?”

  Glancing up, Devin smiled at Hannah Ryder. “Please do. Where did Eden disappear to?”

  Hannah sat beside her and straightened her dress. “She’s on the phone with their ranch foreman. Apparently, one of her wild horses jumped a fence and got loose.”

  “Oops.”

  The other woman grinned. “Exactly.” She leaned back against the bench seat and stretched long legs out beside Devin’s. “Nice party. That’s some rock Griff slipped onto Ainslee’s finger.”

  “I know, right?” A green-eyed monster nibbled at her. “I guess they were getting the ring sized. Ainslee was beaming when he got down on one knee to put it on her. I thought her mom was going to cry.” Devin grinned. “Probably because she thought her one and only daughter was never going to get married.”

  “Ainslee’s a lucky woman. Griff and Sawyer are the best. I’ve known the whole family since Eden and I were roommates in college at Stanford. We’ve been close ever since.”

  “Stanford? Impressive.”

  Hannah wrinkled her slim nose. Golden eyes that reminded Devin of a cat sparkled in the light from the setting sun.

  “I was an intellectual nerd in high school. Tall and chubby and strong as an ox. Oh, and let’s not forget smarter than all the guys. The boy’s wrestling coach tried to recruit me.”

  “Oh, no.”

  She nodded, straight brown hair swinging around her shoulders. “Pathetic. I went home and cried.”

  “Well, you certainly aren’t chubby now.”

  “Nope, I dropped twenty pounds after college. Physical therapy is demanding work, and focusing on sports injuries, well…” A smile lit her face, and she rolled her eyes. “You try getting a linebacker onto his feet after a knee injury. It’s a definite workout.”

  “I bet.” Devin rubbed her arms as a cool breeze blew in off the ocean. “I noticed you said Griff and Sawyer are good guys. What about Tripp? He’s quite a character. The man makes me laugh.”

  “Mind you, my opinion only, but I think the youngest Wilde brother is a little too hot for his own good. Women fawn all over him wherever he goes.” She grimaced. “I live up at Lake Tahoe, same as Tripp, and I run into him now and then when he’s not traveling. I might as well be invisible.”

  “I can’t believe that. You look like a model, all tall and toned and gorgeous.”

  “Thanks for the compliment.” Hannah laughed. “Funny, because I always wanted to be little and adorable like you and Eden. Anyway, back to Tripp. He probably doesn’t notice me because I don’t act like a groupie.” She shook her head. “I work with too many sports stars to be in awe of the guy.”

  “He’s no better looking than his brothers.” Devin frowned. “I don’t get the attraction.”

  “Probably because you’re in love with Sawyer.”

  She reared back. “Who says?”

  “Anyone with eyes in their head and a functioning brain. For both your sakes, I hope you can work past whatever your problem is.”

  Devin sighed. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.” When her phone vibrated in the pocket of her skirt, she pulled it out then gave Hannah an apologetic smile. “My boss. I need to take this.”

  “No problem.” She glanced past her. “Here comes Eden. I’ll go see if they caught her runaway horse.”

  As her new friend rose to walk away, Devin answered her phone. “It’s about time you called me back.”
>
  “Hello to you, too. How was the engagement party?”

  “Lovely. Did you get my message?”

  “I’m returning your call, aren’t I?” Walton chuckled. “Who works for whom, by the way? Your message sounded like an executive order.”

  “First, is there any more news from the investigation into the crash?”

  “Someone tampered with the engine. Something about a fuel valve, but don’t ask me to explain it. I’m no mechanic, and it would take someone familiar with engines to have sabotaged the plane. The airport worker fueling the jet admitted he was on his cell arguing with his wife the whole time his truck was out on the tarmac. He wasn’t paying any attention to who was near the plane.”

  “Did someone confirm his story?”

  Walton snorted. “We aren’t dealing with a bunch of amateurs here, Devin. Of course they confirmed his story. Thank God Cathy is off the hook now since she has exactly zero knowledge of engines. Turns out both Charles and Roman know their way around a motor, but neither one has worked on aircraft. Only cars. Charles has a couple of antique vehicles he maintains himself, though he did point out they don’t have a lot in common with a jet. Roman worked in an auto garage one summer during high school. Neither tried to hide his experience.”

  “Why bother? When the authorities uncovered the truth, which they were sure to do, they’d look guilty if they lied about their knowledge.” Devin clenched her phone a little tighter. “I might have found a connection between you and Roman.” She took a deep breath. “I know this isn’t my business, but did you have an affair with a woman named Tamara Parks when you still lived in Jackson Hole?”

  Silence echoed in her ear. “Oh, Christ.”

  “Should I take that as a yes?”

  “What does Tamara Parks have to do with Roman?” The congressman’s voice was clipped.

  “She’s his mother. Apparently, she moved to Montana and married Scott Engel when she was four months pregnant.”

  Devin held the phone away from her ear when he let loose a string of oaths that would have made his campaign manager cringe. When Sawyer crossed the lawn, a questioning look in his eyes, she patted the seat beside her then pointed at her cell.

  “Walton.”

  “Oh.” He dropped down onto the bench. “Were you right about Roman?”

  “He hasn’t stopped swearing long enough to actually confirm my theory…”

  “Son of a bitch!” The words echoed in her ear.

  “Are you finished yelling yet?”

  A lengthy sigh was followed by a gruff response. “Yes.”

  “Could Roman be your son?”

  “How old is he?”

  She glanced over at Sawyer then pushed the speaker button on her phone. “How old is Roman?”

  “Just turned twenty-two.”

  “Did you hear that, Walton?”

  “I heard. Who’s around besides Sawyer?”

  “No one, and we aren’t going to blab anything you say. We’re concerned about your safety, not the choices you made in your past.”

  “Just a second.”

  A door opened then shut. Footsteps crunched on gravel.

  “I need some air. Give me a little space, will you.” Walton’s request came from a distance.

  The reply was faint. “Of course, sir.”

  A minute later he spoke again, louder this time. “I’m alone. My guard dog, Ben, has me in sight but not earshot. What I’m going to say stays between the three of us.”

  Sawyer slid closer until their thighs touched. “That’s your call, Walton, but after what happened, I’m glad the Secret Service is being vigilant.”

  “They’re definitely doing their job.” He paused for a moment. “Cathy and I were having problems that winter. Tamara was taking classes at the community college and worked in a coffee shop I frequented. She was pretty. Easy going. We struck up a conversation about politics one evening when the place was quiet. Afterward, we talked whenever I came into the restaurant. One thing led to another…”

  Devin glanced over at Sawyer and winced. “It’s not my place to judge you.”

  “I’m not making excuses.” Walton let out a breath. “Cathy found out. Someone saw me going into a motel with Tamara and told her. My wife was devastated.” His voice cracked. “I honestly feared she’d…hurt herself. When I broke off the affair the next day, Tamara told me she was pregnant. Barely.”

  Devin rolled her eyes. “You’re either pregnant or you’re not. There’s no barely about it.”

  “Okay, she’d just missed her period and taken a drugstore test. She wasn’t very far along. Tamara was so young, had her whole life ahead of her, and a baby wasn’t part of her game plan. She intended to transfer to a four-year college and major in business…” His voice trailed off.

  Sawyer clenched his fist on his thigh. “What did you do?”

  “I told her I’d pay for an abortion. Tamara agreed. I called her a week later, and she said she’d taken care of it. I quit going into the coffee shop, but after a month had passed, I stopped by just to make sure she was really okay. She wasn’t there, and her boss told me she’d quit and moved out of the area. Cathy and I were doing better at that point, and I never tried to reach out to that young woman again. Nor did she ever contact me.” His voice dropped. “The timing is right, though. Roman is probably mine. Shit.”

  The fist resting on Sawyer’s thigh clenched and unclenched. “Maybe his mother told him the truth before she died.”

  “Tamara’s dead?” Walton let out a long sigh. “Damn. Damn. Damn.”

  “Roman mentioned it while we were on the rafting trip.” Devin leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. “He must be filled with so much hate to do what he did.”

  “Hell, I don’t blame him for being pissed at me. I abandoned him.”

  “You didn’t know—”

  “Still my fault,” Walton interrupted her. “I should have followed up with Tamara, made sure she was managing okay on her own. Instead, I selfishly took the easy way out and let her drop completely out of my life. I focused on saving my marriage.”

  Sawyer’s voice was cool when he spoke. “I agree you were a complete asshole. However, that doesn’t give the kid a license to kill you, let alone a plane full of people. If that’s what he tried to do.”

  “I suppose I’m going to have to tell the Secret Service.” Walton’s voice broke. “This is going to crush Cathy.”

  “I don’t see any other way around it.” Devin opened her eyes and rubbed the back of her neck. “Attempted murder isn’t excusable by any stretch of the imagination.”

  “No, it’s not.” Sawyer let out a breath. “Goddamn it, Walton. I’d knock you on your ass if you were in front of me right now.”

  “I wouldn’t blame you.” His tone was ragged. “I want to talk to Roman before the shit hits the fan. I have to face him, one on one. I need to look into his eyes and hear the truth.”

  “What, and let him finish the job he started back on the river then took to a whole new level when he brought down a plane full of people!” With an effort, Devin lowered her voice. “The Secret Service would never leave you alone with a suspect, anyway.”

  “I know you’re angry with me, Sawyer, but I need you here. Maybe facing Roman alone isn’t an option, but since you know the whole sorry story, you can hang around while I confront him. Make sure he doesn’t slit my throat.”

  “I was planning to drive back home with Eden. We aren’t in a rush.”

  Walton’s breath hissed over the phone. “Do you think you can get in a rush? If you figured out the connection between us, then I imagine all the investigators on the case won’t be far behind. They won’t wait around for me to have a father-son chat. They’ll arrest him the second they have any evidence, and that’ll be the end of it. Please, I need to talk to Roman.”

  “I have a few things I’d like to say to him, myself.” Devin tightened her grip on the
phone until her knuckles turned white. “How are you getting back to Washington?”

  “I’m leasing a new jet. It should be delivered tomorrow.”

  “I’ll cancel the flight I booked and fly back to DC with you. I have a job interview here in the morning, and then we can head out.” She glanced over at Sawyer. “If you and Eden don’t mind giving me a ride to Wyoming.”

  “Of course not, but I’m not going to drive that far in one day. We’ll show up sometime on Tuesday.”

  Walton let out a long sigh. “Thank you.”

  “Where are you?” Devin slumped back against the seat. When Sawyer slipped an arm around her, she leaned against him, lacking the energy to resist.

  “At a bed and breakfast in Cody with Cathy. Under the circumstances, my watch dogs weren’t too keen on me staying with Charles.”

  “Fine.” Sawyer gave an abrupt nod. “We’ll stop for you before we head to the ranch.”

  Walton grunted. “Thanks. I’ll see you on Tuesday.”

  The phone went dead. Devin stared down at it and swallowed. “I feel a little sick. I can’t believe someone I liked tried to murder us.” She let out a sigh. “If that’s what happened.”

  “I gave Roman a job.” The arm around her tightened. “Twice.”

  “I can’t wait to hear what he has to say for himself.”

  Sawyer clenched and unclenched the hand resting on his knee. “Fine, he can talk first. Then I’m going to kill him.”

  Chapter 21

  Sawyer stepped out of the SUV and held open the door. “How’d the interview go?”

  After sliding onto the back seat, Devin waggled her hand back and forth. “I don’t think I’m what they’re looking for.”

  He climbed in beside her and inspected her from the top of her shining head, across a purple V-necked top beneath a tailored jacket that stopped frustratingly short of revealing cleavage, along a stretch of cream-colored skirt that showed off her spectacular legs, to nails painted lavender in open-toed heels. “Nothing wrong with how you look. What the hell do they want?”

  “They did tell me I have the image they’re searching for…” Her forehead creased. “But, since the gallery is in the business of moving art, they need a hard-core salesman. That’s not me. I tried to pump up my experience putting together displays for shows, but I don’t think the woman interviewing me was impressed.”