by Stacey Wilk
“I won’t stay long. I know Izzi will be here soon, and I have a ton of things to accomplish back at the main house before this afternoon’s festivities. I wanted to see how you were settling in.” Karen peered over her shoulder as if in search of something.
She wasn’t sure what Karen expected to see. Possibly Gage?
“The cabin is lovely. Thank you for allowing me to stay here. Can I get you something to drink?” She went back into the kitchen, and Karen followed.
“No, thank you. I’m glad you’re comfortable. You can stay as long as you’d like. We aren’t renting this cabin this summer.” She slid onto the chair at the table. Her fingers fluttered by her glasses as if she were trying to rearrange something on the stems. “I won’t overstay my welcome.”
Even though Calista had insisted on paying the fee for the cabin, Gage hadn’t wanted her to. But Jett had no problem giving her a rental contract to sign. She didn’t blame him. Living here was a business deal with some perks. Heat filled her cheeks as she remembered the perks of Gage carrying her to bed.
“How are things with your dad?” Karen rearranged the napkins in the holder.
“Okay, I think.” She hoped. They had spoken a couple of times since he apologized. He’d helped Justin finish hanging the kitchen cabinets.
“Can I talk to you about something important?” Karen folded and unfolded the top napkin.
She wanted to take the napkins away from her. Instead, she gripped the wooden spoon she used to mix the pasta salad. “I guess. Sure.”
“Do you love my son?” Karen’s set jaw and stern look filled in all the things she didn’t say.
That one direct statement drew a line between them. No matter how nice Karen Ryker was, she wanted Calista to know Gage would always belong to her. Karen wouldn’t allow her to hurt Gage a second time.
“That’s kind of personal.” She didn’t know how to answer that question. She had loved Gage her whole life, but that wasn’t what Karen wanted to hear.
“Does that mean no?”
“Gage and I are figuring things out right now.” She busied herself with wrapping the pasta salad and sticking it in the fridge.
“He doesn’t know I’m here. I don’t care if you tell him I was. I always liked you and at one time wished very much you and Gage would get married…” Her hands went back to her glasses.
“But?”
“But after that night, too many hearts were broken to go on as usual. I will always be sorry for the pain Ajay caused, but you blamed the wrong man.”
“I had never planned to hurt him, but I didn’t know how to be with him and handle my own grief.”
“Right after you left town, he did too. The boundaries of this town made him feel like a caged animal. He never said a word, but I could tell. A mother always knows when her child is hurting.” Karen looked off into the distance. “Well, maybe not always. But I did with him because he’s my first. He had to go find something that would bring him peace. It broke my heart to watch him leave. I thought I had lost another son for good. But not long after he was back with Izzi. I was thrilled to have them both, but the hurt it cost him to have failed at his marriage and to struggle as a father had etched itself deep within him.”
She had caused that pain too. He wouldn’t have run off and married some other woman if they had tried to work through the tragedy together. But he wouldn’t have Izzi, and she doubted he regretted that one beautiful thing in the midst of the misery.
“He’s a good father,” she said.
Karen’s smile found her eyes. “Yes, he is. Once he got his legs under him, he rose to the challenge of being a single parent. He’s tough on himself and Izzi, but he loves her with his whole heart. You shattered Gage by leaving him when he was at his worst.”
“I hope you can forgive me for the pain I caused him. I never want to do that to him again.” Hearing Gage’s mother tell her how hurt he was by her actions scratched out her heart. The accusation stung more coming from Karen.
“Okay, then. I’m glad to hear it.” She slid from the chair. “I’ll see you later, and thank you, Calista.”
“For what?”
“For letting me be a meddlesome mother. I should mind my own business. My sons are grown men who live their lives by their choices, but of all my boys Gage is the most fragile. Now don’t you tell any of them I said it. Gage will be hurt, and Jett, Lock, and Kace will never let him live that down. But he can’t afford to be hurt again the same way. Losing Phyllis almost destroyed him. Losing you a second time will be something he’ll never come back from.”
****
Calista locked the door to the cabin and with her pasta salad headed over to the main house. She could drive, but the late afternoon air was filled with sweet scents and a light breeze. She would walk and appreciate all the good things around her. She ran her fingers over the new bracelet she’d made with Izzi today. It had been a good time, and her heart filled with ease knowing Gage’s daughter accepted her in her father’s life.
Karen’s last words before she left still vibrated in her mind. If things ended between her and Gage, it would be his doing this time. She was right where she wanted to be. She would not hurt him again.
The sound of voices and laughter drifted toward her as she approached the house. All the guests at the ranch were invited as well as some people from town. Gage had been assigned to man the grill this year. She looked forward to seeing him in his apron.
A volleyball net had been set up in the back. Kace, Lock, and some of the guys who worked at the garage had a game going. Kace spiked the ball, and Lock missed it. Kace high-fived the guy next to him. Lock gave him the middle finger. Of all of Gage’s brothers, Lockwood Ryker was the most mysterious. Always had been.
Guests sat around some of the picnic tables or played boccie. Her father stood by the patio and talked with Mable and Howard. Dad’s face was clear today, and his eyes bright. Izzi sat on the patio swing, deep in her phone. Jett came out the back door holding a plate of hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks. He sent her a quick wave. Her gaze followed him to the person she wanted to see most.
Gage stood at the grill, rotating corn on the cob. He wiped his brow and took the plate from Jett. His black T-shirt hugged his muscles. His shorts outlined his butt and made her stomach flip. He turned, as if he could feel her stare on his back, and awarded her with his high-voltage smile. The apron did look good on him. He handed the plate back to Jett, who rolled his eyes.
“You made it.” He leaned down and kissed her lips. He smelled like grilled beef and the woods. She wanted to take a bite out of him.
“I’ll take that.” Jett grabbed the pasta salad. “Gage, don’t let the food burn. I have people counting on this meal as part of their vacation. Thanks for coming, Calista.” He nodded and put the pasta on the table with all the side food. He started talking to some of the guests, leaving them alone.
“He seems a little grumpy.” She kept her hands planted on Gage’s shoulders.
“He’s mad at me for the way I dealt with Justin. He also doesn’t trust my reaction when Silver Bell goes.”
“Oh, Gage, I’m sorry. You two are so close. He’ll come around.”
“I’m not worried about Jett. With you here, nothing can go wrong today. But I do have to get back to the grill. Are you hungry?”
She stood on her toes to be near his ear. “Not for food.”
He grabbed her bottom and pulled her to him. “Later.” He kissed her lips and returned to work.
She mingled with the guests as the sun set and the stars dotted the sky. Fireflies danced and spread their green light like brush strokes on a dark canvas. Droplets of condensation ran off her iced tea glass. Izzi sat on a lounge chair she must have dragged away from the party.
“Hey, can I join you?” Calista waited for the invite to sit down.
“Sure.” Izzi tucked her legs under her to make room on the chair.
“I thought Justin was coming.” She took the seat
and sipped her drink.
“Me too. He said he’d be here hours ago. I’ve texted him, but he hasn’t responded.”
That didn’t sound good, but she wouldn’t say that to a fifteen-year-old girl waiting for her crush to arrive. “Maybe he got caught up in something. I’m sure he’ll text or show up soon.”
“Whatever. If this is how he’s going to act, my dad will never let us date. Justin needed to impress my dad, not blow me off.” She dropped her phone in her lap.
“Well, at least wait to hear what he says. Maybe he had to stop by his parents’ house or something.”
“That’s not it. It doesn’t matter. Are you having fun?”
Izzi had learned the skill of changing the subject the way her father would. Gage had lived his life with his emotions close in order to keep himself safe. But his beautiful daughter had nothing to fear. Hopefully, someday Izzi would learn that. “I am having a lot of fun. It’s a nice celebration.”
“Uncle Jett has fireworks planned. He lets Uncle Kace set them off every year, or they get into a fistfight my dad has to break up. One year he dragged them both to jail before the fireworks were done. Gammy wouldn’t bail them out. Uncle Lock stole the keys from Dad’s desk and set them free.”
“You have a wonderful family.” She had been foolish to stay away from the Rykers. She’d had a place here once. They would have been a family that could have helped her deal with Ava’s death when her own family fell apart. How foolish her young heart had been, thinking it knew all the answers.
She searched the crowd for Gage. He stood with his brothers, talking and laughing. Her heart tapped on her shoulder. The heart did know best sometimes.
“My dad and my uncles are a lot to take sometimes, but they’re okay, I guess. I wish my uncles would date or get married so I’m not the only girl around. It might’ve been nice to have cousins.”
“That could still happen. Your uncles are young enough.”
“Will you and my dad have any more children?”
She choked on her drink and shook her head. “Um, I don’t think so. We’re older. Definitely not planning that far ahead. One day at a time. Living in the moment kind of thing.” Out of the mouths of babes.
“That’s dumb. You two have wasted enough time. You should just get married and have babies.”
“Izzi, Calista, come here.” Gage’s voice held a note of impatience.
Gage had saved her from responding to that comment by whatever was bothering him. She and Izzi jumped from the chair and ran toward the grill. Justin swayed on his feet. He had a cut on his head over his two black eyes. Blood was caked under his nose, and his lip was swollen.
“What happened?” Calista tilted Justin’s chin with her fingers.
He stepped back and waved her away. “Nothing. I need to talk to you and Sheriff Ryker.”
“Justin, did you get in a fight? I was texting you all day,” Izzi said.
“I need to talk to Calista and the sheriff. Alone.” His words made Izzi back up.
“Fine. I don’t care if you talk to them all night.” She turned and marched away with her arms flapping in the air.
“This better be good because your face doesn’t look like ‘nothing,’ ” Gage said.
“We need to get him to a doctor.” Whatever Justin needed to tell them could wait. His injuries looked significant enough to warrant help.
“No.” Justin swayed again, but his voice was strong and confident.
He walked to the front of the main house and into the driveway. He kept going until he was far away from any guests before he stopped and faced them. She took Gage’s hand. The tension sizzled in the air like heat lightning.
Justin looked off into the distance. “You need to get everyone out of here.”
“What?” Gage said.
“I don’t understand,” she said.
Justin’s glare met hers. “Your ranch is going to get hit tonight.”
Gage dropped her hand. Her heart stuck in her throat. This couldn’t be happening. “Please take a second and explain.”
“My brother and his friend have been committing the robberies. You were right. I did know. I’ve been trying to stop him, but he’s a lot stronger than I am.” Justin pointed to the gash on his head. “He found out I was invited here today. Thinks he’s going to teach me a lesson by hurting you. He’s coming here with guns to steal from everyone. I’m sorry. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt. Especially not Izzi. Please get everyone out of here before they get here.”
Gage grabbed Justin by the collar of his shirt and yanked him off his feet. “I’m going to make sure you pay for this for a very long time.” He dropped Justin and ran.
****
“Everyone inside. Now,” Gage yelled over the conversations and laughter. His insides shook with adrenaline. He had to act without hesitation and save these people.
The crowd silenced and stared.
“Don’t ask questions. Jett, take everyone into the basement safe room. You all need to stay inside until I tell you to come out. Kace, get the guns.”
But it was too late. He should have known they weren’t going to have enough time. Five men with pistols and masks over their faces surrounded the house. They must have been in the woods waiting for the right moment, the moment when the sheriff wasn’t paying attention.
Someone screamed. Guests ran. Mable took off toward the walking path. Kace bolted for the house. Andy hurried his mother out of the way. One of the robbers fired a shot into the air. Everyone stopped.
“Nobody move, and no one gets hurt. Give us your money, and we’ll be out of here.”
“We don’t want trouble.” Gage took a tentative step forward with his hands raised. He’d tucked his gun in the holster under his shirt, but he would have to wait for the right moment to pull it.
“We just want your money and valuables.” The same man spoke. He had a deep voice with a Montana accent. His frame was slim but tall. His skin was the color of wet sand. He could be Jamie Crow.
“Gage, what do we do?” Kace said.
“Shut up.” The man at the back of the group pointed his gun at the guests.
“Gage?” From Kace, because no one was ever going to tell Kace to keep quiet. Not even a man with a gun.
“I said to shut up.” The man with the gun shot Howard in the leg. Howard bellowed like a dying animal.
“Do as I say, Kace. Do you hear me?” It was a code for Kace to wait until he gave the direction. He hoped his brother would listen.
Kace nodded.
That didn’t stop the pounding of his heart making it difficult to breathe. Gage assessed the crowd. He wasn’t sure where Izzi or Calista was. Probably behind him, but he hoped they found somewhere safe to hide. He took a step back.
“Everyone on the ground.” The man who appeared to be the leader of the group stood ahead of the other two. His gun was steady, but his gaze jumped from either fear, adrenaline, or worse, drugs.
A guest started to cry. One of the robbers shoved her and shouted for her to quiet down. Everyone dropped down except for Jett and Kace. Lock looked at him from the ground, anger in his eyes. He tried to will Lock to stay put. Lock wouldn’t like this any more than Kace did.
Kace had a rifle in his truck, but how was he going to tell his brother to grab it? He would never risk Kace’s life anyway. Inside the garage, Jett had three rifle safes. All that armory and no way to access it. His Glock wasn’t going to be enough against five lunatics with guns.
Izzi peeked out from the side of the house. Damn it. The criminal at the back of the group fired a shot in her direction. She screamed and disappeared behind the house. He bolted toward her, but the leader of the group stepped in his path and blocked his way with a gun pointed at his face. Lock jumped up, but one of the criminals pointed the gun at his head. Lock raised his hands and dropped to his knees.
“Let me get to my daughter. You don’t want a murder on your hands. We’ll give you our stuff. Just let me get to my
child.”
The man didn’t move.
Jett eased to the side with the slightest of nods. Gage stayed still, but his heart slammed his ribs and begged his legs to run after Izzi. He would let his brother get to Izzi. He needed to keep his wits about him and save everyone.
“You get down.” A third man clocked Kace in the back of the head with his pistol. Kace crumbled.
His mother screamed and lunged. Andy grabbed her arm and yanked her back to the ground. She let out a whoosh, and her glasses went flying. He needed to regain control of the situation before someone ended up dead.
“You too.” The leader indicated him with the gun.
He would not get on the ground. That would take away his only chance. He still didn’t know where Calista was. Maybe she had run away with Justin and called for help. Two of the men patted pockets of the victims and pulled phones and wallets out. One man kicked some of the guests as he went by. Rage strangled him.
Jett eased back another few steps. Like a rabbit on the run for his life, he took off for the side of the house. One of the gunmen fired a shot, and someone screamed. The leader turned his head in the direction Jett went.
Gage had a second to act. He tucked his head and rammed into the leader’s solar plexus. The man let go of the gun, which tumbled into the air. Gage knocked the leader to the ground and punched his face until the man stopped fighting back.
Lock grabbed the errant firearm and pointed it at a remaining robber.
The other gunmen ran into the woods with the items belonging to the guests. Jett bolted from the side of the house and sprinted after them.
“Jett, come back.” Gage didn’t need his brother getting hurt.
Some of the guests jumped up and scurried for the house. Lock waved them on, checking to make sure they were safe.
“I’ll call for help,” Andy said.
Gage hoisted the leader of the group onto his feet. “Who are you?”
The man shook his head and pulled off the mask. The resemblance to Justin was unmistakable. Jamie Crow stared at him with vacant, black eyes.