LOVE ME TENDER: Ryker Falls Series

by Vella, Wendy

  She nodded reluctantly.

  “What notes?” Bas glared at her. “I thought there was only one?”

  Rory went to the kitchen to retrieve them, and handed a note to each of them. “That one,” she pointed to the paper in Mr. Goldhirsh’s hand, “came through my window wrapped around this.” She hefted the rock. “The other one arrived not long after I came back to Ryker.”

  “And you didn’t call me!” Bas roared at her.

  “I know some of the people in this town are meanspirited, but I never once thought they’d be capable of doing something like this,” Mr. Goldhirsh said. “It’s a sad day that I’ve had to change that belief.”

  “No, it’s me. My name has made them behave this way. I should just go. In fact, I’m doing that now, today.” Rory felt a fierce need to pack and run. An urge brought on by too much emotion and a need to get out of Ryker before she broke down. Sprinting back along the hall she reached her room

  It was her fault she’d allowed a kernel of belief to filter inside her head. Belief that just maybe she could stay right here in Ryker Falls and live a happy life with people who seemed to like her for who she was.

  “Idiot,” she muttered, throwing open the case she’d retrieved from the closet. Grabbing a handful of clothing, she ignored the sound of another car pulling up and threw them in the case. When she’d got the second lot—which was actually all her clothes—she zipped up the first case. Running to the bathroom, she ignored the men in her hallway who were discussing her and the manure.

  “Good, you’re packed. You can stay at ours tonight.”

  Rory turned to find Jack in the bathroom doorway. His hair was wet and his face tight with anger.

  “No.” She turned back and continued to pack the last of her toiletries. “I’m going. This, me coming here, was a bad idea, I realize that now. If you want to buy this land, put an offer down and email it to me.”

  “I didn’t take you for a coward, Princess.”

  “I’m not, but it’s just better for everyone that I leave. I’m dividing the town, and that’s not right. This isn’t my place, I have no right to do that.”

  “You’re breaking my heart. Poor little Princess Aurora Haldane, she’s taking one for the team and leaving so life can be all peachy again.”

  “What?” She glared at him. “I’m trying to make things right, damn you!”

  “You think packing up your things and walking away will do that? That all this animosity and anger will simply disappear, and we’ll forget that some of the people in this town are assholes?”

  “Let it go, Jack.”

  “No.”

  He was leaning on the doorframe now, arms folded, leaving her no room to exit.

  “If you want to leave, run away and lick your wounds. I won’t stop you. But if you want to stand and fight and try to work out what the hell is going on and what asshole is behind this, then I’ll stand with you.”

  Rory scrubbed her forehead hoping it would clear her head. It didn’t, it just made her eyes itch with a need to cry. No way was she doing that in front of this man.

  “I know what’s going on. Some people are pissed and letting me know about it.”

  His green eyes were steady on her face.

  “You think you know what’s going on, but do you really?”

  “What does that mean?” Suddenly the air had squeezed out of Rory’s lungs.

  “Don’t you think it’s kind of strange the level of anger that’s directed toward you, considering your father’s debt was repaid and it happened years ago?”

  “No. It’s a small town. That’s how this works in places like Ryker Falls. My father hurt these people deeply. He was their mayor, and they trusted him. He broke that trust... even if he denied what he’d done with his last breath.”

  Jack pushed off the doorframe, suddenly alert.

  “He did?”

  “Yes, his story never changed. He always vowed he was innocent.”

  “But you believed he was guilty?”

  “Sure I did... everyone did. The jury believed it too.”

  “Do I hear doubt in your voice, Princess?”

  “I know what my father was.... Well, I thought I did,” she muttered. In fact, she knew very little about him as was evidenced by what she’d found in that briefcase.

  “What?”

  “What?” she fired back.

  “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Nothing. I know my father was loud, gregarious, and likely a man who could stretch the truth, but to do what he did… I just never understood that. Reputation was everything to him. Plus, he was meticulous. If he’d committed that crime, he wouldn’t have made it easy to find the money.”

  “How long have you felt like this?”

  “Since Dad died. The last time I saw him, he told me he was innocent, and that time I believed him.”

  Rory remembered that day as if it were yesterday. Remembered the color of his pajamas, the color of the walls in his room, and even the time. It was all clearly etched in her head, which said how important it was to her, as she couldn’t remember what she had for breakfast most days.

  “Why did you believe him that time?”

  “I don’t know.” She shrugged. “His story never changed, not once. He spent four years in prison and came out a broken man. His wife died while he was in there, his sons left, but still he never changed his story. If you were going to t-tell the truth, you would think on your d-deathbed would be the moment to do it, right?”

  “It’s okay, Princess.”

  Rory hadn’t realized she was crying until Jack moved. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, and she let go finally. Let all the fear and anger out. Cried for the man who had been her hero as a child, and whom she now suspected of having had an affair that likely produced a child. A man who had died alone with only his daughter at his side.

  “Sssh.” He held her, his lips in her hair and his hands soothing her back, and it was wonderful. So wonderful she only allowed herself another minute to enjoy it. Rory didn’t rely on people. They had a habit of disappearing.

  “I’m okay. Thanks, Jack.”

  He held her shoulders. “You can’t keep running, Princess.”

  “I haven’t run since I left last time, so this will only be the second time.”

  His smile was small.

  “Okay, so how about I rephrase that? Don’t run away from this. Stay and fight.”

  “For what?” His expression didn’t change. “These people have had years to forgive the Haldanes. That hasn’t happened, so I don’t see it’s going to change anytime soon. I just don’t think I want to keep coming up against these things.”

  She could drown in those eyes. In fact, if she let herself she could fall for this guy hard.

  “Jack?” Did she dare ask this question?

  “Yes.”

  “Jack, do you think it’s possible my dad was telling the truth?” She said the words because they were right there on the tip of her tongue, and because everything was so uncertain now. But she didn’t mention what she’d found in that briefcase. That was way too personal, and besides, her brothers should be the first to hear that news.

  “I don’t know. I guess it’s possible. I mean, we all want to think the judicial system gets everything right, but sometimes it’s wrong.”

  “Oh God.”

  “I’m not saying it is in this case, but considering the level of anger being directed at you, we have to at least consider it. I mean, who would have the most to lose with you being back in Ryker?”

  “The real guilty person.”

  “Exactly.”

  “But why? I can’t change what happened.”

  “No, you can’t, but maybe whoever is doing this is nervous you’re back in town and doesn’t like feeling that way. Maybe they think you may start digging.”

  “It’s a stretch, surely, and makes no sense. Why would I start digging when I don’t even know what I’m digging for?
”

  Of course, there was now another matter that needed digging into.

  “You ever think outside the box, Aurora May?”

  “Not really, I’m a literal kind of person.”

  “We’ll work on that.” He kissed her forehead, which made her tingle all over.

  “We, don’t have to work on anything, as this doesn’t concern you.”

  “Sure it does, seeing as you’re coming to stay with us.”

  “I’m not. I’m leaving Ryker, now, today. But if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t let some horse excrement keep me out of my own home.”

  “You sure about that? It’s eye-watering out there, and will need to be cleaned thoroughly.”

  Her shoulders slumped. “I hate that someone dislikes me that much.”

  “Are we going for pathetic now? I’ll step out of the bathroom until you’re done, then we can talk some more.”

  “I’m allowed to be pathetic!” Rory snapped, enjoying the wash of anger. “I’ve done nothing wrong!”

  “No, you haven’t, and yet you’re letting them run you out of town... again.”

  “That was low. I had no choice in the decision last time.”

  “Miss Haldane?”

  “Yes,” she said to whoever was over Jack’s shoulder.

  “I’m Chief Blake, and I’d like to talk to you about the excrement and other matters if you have the time.”

  “What’s with you people not saying shit?”

  “You mind your mouth, Jack Trainer, in front of that lady.”

  His smile was wicked as he looked down at Rory.

  “You a lady, Princess?”

  “Get out of my way. I need to talk to Chief Blake.”

  “I’ll load your things in my pickup.”

  “No, you won’t,” Rory said, reaching for the small case she had left on the vanity. “If I decide to stay somewhere it will be with Mandy—”

  “Who has no room, so you’d be putting her and the Robbins sisters to a great deal of trouble.”

  “There has to be other accommodation in this town.”

  “Ours is free, and if you’re set on not staying in the house, we have bunks in the barn.”

  “I’ll think about it.” Rory tried to push by Jack, but he didn’t move.

  “You okay now?”

  “Peachy.” She forced a brittle smile onto her face. “Best day of my life.”

  “Liar.” He leaned down and kissed her softly.

  “Stop that!” Rory stepped back.

  “Strangely, I like kissing you. Who would have ever figured that, seeing as you’re about as accommodating as a mountain lion.”

  Chapter 29

  Jack was in a rage. The call from Mr. Goldhirsh had dragged him from the hot tub and had him dressing in record time. He hadn’t waited for the others, simply run with boots in hand to his pickup. He’d pulled on his footwear as he drove, and arrived at the Haldane place in minutes with his clothes stuck to his damp body.

  Storming inside, he’d found Bas and Mr. Goldhirsh in the hallway, looking at the shit splattered everywhere.

  What sick person would be capable of this, he’d wondered before heading down the hall to find Rory.

  “Mind if we head somewhere else, Miss Haldane? This stench is making my eyes water,” Chief Blake said as Jack followed her back out into the hall.

  “The thing is, Chief, I’m not sure there’s any point. Like I said to Jack, I should just leave town. It would be easier on everyone.”

  The head of the Ryker police force wasn’t a big man, but supremely fit, and not someone who took any crap. Late fifties, he’d commanded respect since taking over the Chief of Police position years ago.

  “You could do that, and no one would stop you, but here’s the thing, Rory. Hope you don’t mind me calling you that?”

  Rory nodded to show she had no problem with it. Her face was tight with worry, and her eyes red from that bout of tears she’d wept all over his chest in the bathroom. Jack wondered when she’d last cried like that. Pip, Maggs, and several other women he knew liked a good cry. Cathartic, they called it. He called it disturbing. It was no different with Rory; her tears had made him feel helpless. Not a comfortable feeling, especially when coupled with the ones he was already denying for her.

  “What’s been happening is illegal, Rory, and I’m not too happy you didn’t tell me what was going on. Or you lot.” He shot Jack, Mr. Goldhirsh, and Bas a glare.

  “Her story,” Jack said, shrugging.

  “These are the actions of an angry or unstable person, Rory. You should have told me when you got the first note.”

  “I should have,” she said, looking meek. Jack would have laughed if he had one in him. Aurora May Haldane was anything but meek.

  “It’s downright unsettling to think this could happen under my nose, and whether or not you leave, I’ll be investigating. I’d really like you to stay in town for that,” Chief Blake added.

  Rory looked cornered. Her eyes shot to Jack, who kept his expression calm.

  “I suppose I could manage a few more days.”

  “But you’ll need to stay away from here until we can get this mess cleaned up.”

  “She can stay with us, in the barn or the house,” Jack said before anyone else stepped in.

  “Good, she’ll be safe with you Trainers watching over her.” Bas looked relieved.

  “I can watch over myself.”

  “Sure, and that’s a good thing, but it’s always handy having another pair of eyes around,” Chief Blake said. “Now let’s go. There’s a chance Jess has been baking.”

  “Go where?” Rory looked confused.

  “To the Trainer place. We can do the questioning there, and there’ll likely be food and coffee to accompany it. Plus, it’s warm.”

  At least Jack was getting her to the house without too much of a fight, thanks to the chief.

  “I really don’t think—”

  “Not a sound notion in a woman.” Jack cut her off by grabbing her arm. “Let’s go.”

  “Are you suggesting that women shouldn’t think?” She wrenched her arm free. “And I’m driving myself. Where are my things?”

  “In my car.”

  “I’ll have to take Phil, he’s injured.”

  “Sure, Buzz will love the company.”

  She huffed, then stomped down the hall. His brothers and Fin met her in the living area.

  “What are you all doing here?”

  “We heard you had trouble,” Joe said.

  “Of the fecal matter kind,” Luke added.

  “We need to get to the secretion of the matter,” Fin said. “Dung right we do,” Joe said.

  “You go on and sit on that stool and compost yourself.”

  Jack snorted as Luke finished the banter.

  “Ha ha,” Rory said, but Jack was pleased to see she had a small smile on her face now.

  He wasn’t sure why, but had a feeling she was hiding something from him, which was crazy as he didn’t really know her well enough to think that.

  “I’ll go with Rory, seeing as being wedged between Joe and Fin gives me an insight into how sardines feel.”

  “Eww.” Rory wrinkled her nose at Luke as they walked to her car. “You eat those?”

  “Love ’em. Apparently you have to have superior intelligence to enjoy them.”

  “There’s always an exception!” Joe called, heading to Jack’s car. Mr. Goldhirsh was running back, and Fin had to head back to the ranger station.

  Luke flipped off his brother and took Phil from her, then got into the passenger seat of Rory’s car, which (a) pissed Jack off, and (b) pissed him off more because he’d never been jealous of his little brother, which led to (c) that woman was trouble.

  “Stop scowling, it’s not you that has manure in your house. What the hell is in the mind of a person who’d do that?” Joe asked.

  “Fear, worry, anger.” Jack started his car and followed Chief Blake down the drive.

  �
��Fear over what?”

  “That maybe they’re going to be exposed.”

  “You’re thinking Ted was onto something?”

  Jack didn’t respect that many people... really respect. He could play nice and let people think he thought they were important to him, but it was rarely respect. The man at his side was one of the few in his life he would sell his soul to the devil for.

  Joe understood Jack, like Luke did. Only they knew the suffering the Trainer siblings had endured and come out the other side of. But that experience put a smear on your soul that didn’t erase.

  “Why would someone go out of their way to write those notes and do that shit, pardon the pun, in the Haldane house otherwise? I mean, think about it, Joe. The money has been repaid, years have passed, and this is not the middle ages. For the most, the citizens of Ryker Falls get along in harmony and are fair minded.”

  “A few of them can’t string together two thoughts.”

  “Sure, and I understand that, but this is downright mean and smacks of revenge or fear. Who would want revenge on Rory when she did nothing? So that leaves fear.”

  Joe made a small humming sound that told Jack he was thinking.

  “We’ve drawn sides now, Jack. What happened at the lodge may make a few people unhappy, if what you say is true. And if it is true, then whoever is behind it is whipping the others into a frenzy.”

  “Fear makes people do crazy things. But what do they think she’s going to find? The case was years ago, and Mr. Haldane was found guilty. End of story, surely,” Jack said.

  “Or not, if they know there is still some kind of proof out there somewhere.”

  “All proof should have been submitted at the trial.”

  “Agreed, but then maybe not.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Jack demanded.

  “Not sure, but I think digging needs to be done.”

  “Where would we start?”

  “We’ll talk to Rory, she may have some idea. Maybe her father left stuff here, or she could make contact with her father’s lawyer.”

  “It seems kind of hard to believe though, Joe.”

  “Extremely, but I can’t think what else is motivating whoever is behind this.”