Sharp Shootin' Cowboy (7 page)

“At least it was clean. I'll give you that much,” he replied with a dry laugh.

Although it had hurt like hell when she'd dumped him, he was over it now. Over
her
. Utterly and completely. He resented that his well-meaning but misguided sister had invited his ex for the Christmas Eve family gathering. Then again, he should have expected it, given that Krista had set them up to begin with. She and Tonya had been best friends forever. It was only natural that she'd want to see them reconcile, but he had no interest whatsoever in resurrecting the dead relationship.

“It was a mistake,” she insisted. “I realize that now. I was lonely and resentful, Reid. At least I was honest about it. I didn't cheat on you.”

“You think
I
wasn't lonely?” he countered.

“But it was
your
decision to leave. I had no part in it, and then you went and signed on for another four years.”

“I did it because we're not done over there yet,” he said. “Would you turn over a half-broke colt for use on the trails?”

“Of course not. I'd finish the job.”

“Same here. I'm damn well going to finish what I signed on to do.”

“But you extended your time without even discussing it with me. Of course I was angry. Did you expect me to wait forever?”

“No. That's why I bought a ring.”

“A ring?” Her brown eyes widened. She visibly swallowed. “You did? When?”

“A few weeks before your text. I was going to surprise you on my next leave.” He shrugged. “Look, there's no point in rehashing it all.”

“But I think there is. Do you have any idea what it's like watching the news and hearing about all those guys getting blown to pieces? That's what I was afraid of. You risk life and limb with every deployment. I wanted
all
of you, Reid, not some lesser, broken version.”

“So you'd just scratch that line that says ‘in sickness and in health'?”

“Don't twist my meaning, Reid. Maybe I was being selfish, but I still want you. Can't we just start over?” She set down her glass of wine on the porch rail and turned to face him, running both hands up his thighs, before settling on his lap, arms twined around his neck. “It was really good between us once, wasn't it?”

“Maybe once, but that's in the past now, Ton.” He lifted her back onto her feet. “You're the one who broke it off. Not me.”

“But here we are, both still free, aren't we?”

He didn't answer. Yeah, technically he was free, and she was still the same Tonya, but the attraction he'd felt was gone. Dead as dirt.

She glanced at the phone in his hand. “Or was that more than just a
friend
?”

“Not yet,” he replied. “But I have hope.”

“Really?” Her lips curved into the slow, sexy smile that had once dazzled him but now had little effect. “Then so do I.”

San Jacinto, California

Haley had barely dropped her duffel and backpack before her grandma folded her in a smothering hug. “Sweetheart! We're so glad you're finally back!”

“I'm glad to be home too, Grams, but it's only for a couple of weeks. I've enrolled for the summer semester to try and make up for the nine months I spent in Alaska.”

“But weren't you working on research while you were there?”

“Yes,” she said. “And I'll get some special credit for it, but I still have another year to finish my undergrad degree. The good news is I've just been offered a position with the Wolf Recovery Alliance. They're studying wolves in all the national parks.”

“So this is a
paid
position?” Gramps asked.

She pursed her lips. “Well…not exactly. It's still voluntary, but there is a stipend. What matters is how it'll look on my CV. I'm certain it will help get me into the master's program at Montana State.”

He eyed her skeptically. “Sweetheart, while I fully understand a young person's yen for adventure, are you really certain this is the career direction you wish to take?”

“Yes,” she insisted. Her work with the wolves had given her a feeling of purpose she'd never known before. “I've never been more certain of anything. You have no idea what it's like to be out there in the wild. Wolves are unlike any other beings, Gramps. They're affectionate, monogamous in their mating, and will die to protect their pack. They even mourn the loss of their loved ones. In some ways, I almost think they're superior to us.”

“We appreciate your passion, Haley,” Grams interjected. “But perhaps you could work with wild animals in a more
practical
setting? How about in a zoo? They hire veterinarians, don't they? All those creatures need care, and San Diego has a lovely zoo.”

“But they're captive, Grams, don't you see? Sure, they get food and medical care, but so do people in prison. It's a miserable life for them. How could I ever be part of that?”

“But
you
could have a normal life,” her grandmother suggested with a look of concern.

“It's
my
life, isn't it? Shouldn't I be allowed to decide? And what's normal anyway, Grams? Maybe the wilderness is not what
you
would want, but living close to nature
is
normal for thousands of people.”

“You want to be one of them? With no electricity? No plumbing?” Gramps shook his head. “Why on earth would anyone want to go back to the Stone Age?”

“Maybe technology hasn't advanced society as much as you think it has. Our lives are so rushed that no one takes time out to care about anything or anyone anymore. That's what impressed me most about the wolves, how they look after one another.”

“So you're saying you want to give up your car, laptop, and iPhone?” Gramps asked. “All for the betterment of society, of course.”

Haley flushed. “That's not fair, Gramps. You know I need those things. How can I finish school otherwise?”

“But sweetheart, you just said…”

“You're missing my whole point!”

“Then maybe you can explain it to me a little better?”

Haley exhaled a big sigh. “I'm just saying I want to make a positive impact in the world.”

“That's admirable, Haley,” Grams interjected. “But perhaps you should take some time to think all this through. There are many careers that could give you a similar feeling of satisfaction. How about something in medicine? Nurses make a difference every day.”

“The universities are full of nursing students,” Haley argued. “But how many people are fighting to save the environment? Our wildlife? You can't even begin to understand the magnitude of the issues until you've seen them with your own eyes. That's why we're making a documentary—to
show
the world what's really happening.”

“Haley,” her grandpa began, “you know we love you and have always encouraged you to follow your dreams, but this time—”

She shook her head. “I love you too, Gramps, and know you only want the best for me, but I'm not a child anymore. This is what I want for my life. You'll see. It's not a mistake. I'll make you proud. I promise.”

On that note, Haley hauled her gear to her bedroom and began unpacking. She was home at last, but felt almost as if she was a stranger in the house she'd grown up in.

She opened her closet to find Reid's jacket still hanging there. She was suddenly reminded of his Christmas Eve phone call, almost four months ago. He hadn't called her since. She wondered if he'd finally given up. She pulled the jacket from the hanger, wondering if she should just send it back to him. Something dropped from the pocket, landing at her feet. A Leatherman utility knife? She'd bought a similar one while in Alaska. Haley picked it up and shoved it back into the pocket only to encounter something else. Paper, but smoother, stiffer.

A photograph? She retrieved it slowly, with a slight stab of guilt.

It was a picture of Reid with his arms around a tall, slender brunette. They were staring into each other's eyes as if in a prelude to a kiss. Her brows met and chest tightened as she flipped the picture over.

A
night
I'll always remember. Tonya.

She stared at the note through burning eyes. She didn't know why Reid's deceit hurt so much. Maybe because she'd begun to trust him. She should have been relieved to discover his true colors, but felt only anger and a profound and aching disappointment.

She'd
wanted
to believe he was different, but this just proved he wasn't truly the man she'd thought he was…had secretly hoped he was. “Reid Everett. You are just another lying, cheating son of a bitch.”

She should have known better. He was a marine, after all.

* * *

The next day, Haley stopped at The SJ Café on her way home from the post office, seating herself in Yolanda's section.

“Haley!” Yolanda's face lit up the moment she emerged from the kitchen. She dropped off her order, whipped off her apron, and sat down across from Haley. “When did you get home?”

“Day before yesterday.”

Yolanda's smile faded. “And you didn't phone me?”

“I'm sorry. It's just been so hectic.”

Apart from a couple of postcards, she hadn't been in touch with her best friend in months. Part of it was her lack of cell service, but that didn't excuse her for not calling once she'd returned home. It just seemed awkward all of a sudden, as if they'd drifted further and further apart.

“I understand.” Yolanda's hurt expression said she really didn't. “How was Alaska?”

“It was incredible,” Haley gushed. “Where else can you find polar bears, wolves, and humpback whales?”

“I don't know, but I can't say I've ever looked for any of them before. The pelicans and sea lions at the La Jolla marina are enough wildlife for me. I can't believe you stayed up there all winter.”

“Me either actually, but it was really important. Jeffrey thinks we'll be able to get new conservation legislation passed.”

Yolanda arched a brow. “
Jeffrey?
Since when are you on a first name basis with your professors?”

Haley's face heated. “I'm not his student anymore. Not in the technical sense anyway. I'm his research assistant now. We've grown pretty close over the past few months.”

“Really?
How
close?” Yolanda pressed.

“Not like
that
…well, not yet anyway.”

“But you're thinking about it?”

“Maybe,” Haley confessed. She was comfortable with Jeffrey. They understood each other. Wasn't that the best foundation for a relationship?

“What's he like?” Yolanda asked.

“Intelligent. Articulate.” Haley began ticking off her mentor's qualities.

“Is he good-looking?” Yolanda asked.

“Yeah, I suppose he's easy enough on the eyes.”

“Does he make you laugh?”

Haley had to think about that one. “No, not really. He's more serious. Focused. Intense.”

“Intensity is good and focus is even better at the right time…and in the right place.” Yolanda grinned. “But you're too serious. You need a man with a sense of humor to balance you.”

“I'm not sold on the theory that opposites make good relationships,” Haley argued, thinking immediately of lying, cheating Reid Everett. “Mutual goals and compatibility make a whole lot more sense to me.”

Yolanda rolled her eyes. “Sure, if you like predictable and boring…”

“I only said I'm
thinking
about it. I'm not ready to jump into anything with anyone right now. I'm just glad to be home for a while. I loved the adventure of Alaska, but I missed the California sun.”

“Then let's go to the beach,” Yolanda suggested. “It's been ages since I've been. Do you remember the summer I took you out to Black's Beach?”

Haley groaned. “How can I ever forget when you didn't warn me it was clothing-optional.”

Yolanda laughed. “I wish I'd had a camera when we ran into that group playing
desnudo
volleyball. The look on your face was priceless.” She burst into another ripple of mirth.

“There were far too many jiggly parts for my taste.” Haley shuddered. “Why is it that the last people you'd ever want to see naked are always the first to take off their clothes?”

“Let's do it again,” Yolanda said. “It would be just like old times.”

“No, thank you!” Haley shook her head. “I had nightmares for months. Besides, I have too much work to catch up on.”

“Work? Don't you ever take a break? All you ever think about anymore is work and books. You haven't been yourself since you went off to that school.”

Haley shrugged. “I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Then your mind needs to take a vacation. C'mon,
chica
,” Yolanda cajoled. “You've been gone for months. Let's drive out to Coronado Island. Just for half a day. We can have lunch and walk the beach.”

“I really can't,” Haley insisted. She had a pile of journal articles to catch up on as well as work on one of Jeffrey's projects. He was brilliant, but horribly disorganized. She'd begun reordering all of his notes from Alaska. It would take weeks. The very idea incited a headache. She massaged her temples. On second thought, maybe she
should
take a short break.

Yolanda shook her head with a sigh. “You know what they say about too much work and no play,
chica
…”

“Okay. I'll go.” Haley huffed. “Are you free tomorrow?”

“I
can
be,” Yolanda said. “They owe me a day off after I pulled two extra shifts last week.”

“Can we head out early? Maybe around nine? We could walk the beach first and then have an early lunch. That way I can still get some work done when I get back.”

Yolanda's brows met in a frown. “Why don't you just bring it all with you?”

“You know, I hadn't even thought of that,” Haley replied.

“
Dios
mio
, Haley! Have you even forgotten sarcasm? I wasn't serious.” She cursed under her breath. It was between lunch and dinner and the place was nearly empty. Nevertheless, the manager flashed them the evil eye. “Got to get back to work now. Are you going to order anything?”

“Yeah, I'll take the veggie pita and a mineral water.”

“Got it. I'll pick you up tomorrow at nine, but plan to make a
whole
day of it.”

* * *

Reid stared blankly at the package postmarked San Jacinto. He didn't have to open it to know what it was. Why had she returned it? The message was clear. She wanted to break it off completely. Did it really matter? It wasn't like they'd even been dating. He still hardly knew her.

Hell yeah, it did. Maybe it was pure ego, but he couldn't accept defeat. He'd never failed at anything before, at least not anything he'd ever set his mind on. And he wanted her.

It was time to change tactics. His notion of wearing down her resistance with patience and persistence had blown up in his face. He'd held back with Haley when he should have acted. He wouldn't make that mistake again. If she wanted to break it off, fine, but she'd have to tell him to his face.

“You still seeing Yolanda?” Reid asked Garcia between shots on the rifle range. Scout snipers had been the Marine Corps' greatest asset in Fallujah. They went almost daily to keep their skills sharp.

“Yeah,” his buddy confessed, looking almost embarrassed. “I backed off for a while. You know, it seemed to be getting too intense, but now we're back on again. I don't know what it is with her.” Garcia shook his head.

Reid popped off a shot and then paused, eyeing Garcia again over his sights. “Think you could set something up?”

“You don't take no for an answer, do you,
es
é
?” Garcia chuckled. “It seems to me she doesn't want anything more to do with you.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” Reid shrugged one shoulder. “I'm thinking the latter, but then again, I've always been a stubborn shit. You gonna make that call?”

“Yeah, I'll make the call. Just don't blame me when she hands your balls back to you.”