The Dangerous Gift (7 page)

“I’ve worked in a holiday centre on my vacations. As for the rest, I love this ranch and I know what it’s like to live here. That’s what the tourists come to a dude ranch for, local knowledge of ranch life.” Jen held his gaze, hers full of passion and conviction.

Perhaps it could work. But Darleen would not be pleased, and she could make life difficult for Jen, especially if she was behind the poison-pen note. He must confront Darleen about her threats and observe her reaction. Also, Darleen’s anger wasn’t the only problem. If Jen stayed, Jared would have to face up to his feelings for her.
Friends with benefits
might best describe how he saw Jen now, but she deserved more than he could give her. If he didn’t accept Jen’s help, he risked losing her forever. He couldn’t let her go, not this time, despite his noble intentions, especially not so soon after his parents’ deaths. She was intelligent and her qualifications were impressive, even if she was a little light on actual experience. Maybe he should go with his heart instead of his head this time.

Decision made.
He would accept her offer and deal with the fallout from Darleen. He pushed his fears about how he would work in close proximity with Jen to the dark place in his mind he seldom visited and smiled. “Okay, Kitten, we’ll give it a go. I’ll tell Darleen you’re staying and need a job on the ranch and I gave you the only one you’re qualified for.”

“Don’t make it sound like you want me here, will you?” Jen’s sarcasm wasn’t lost on him. He knew he wasn’t handling this well, but too bad.

“Don’t be like that, Jen. Anyway, we have to be careful about how we make this announcement. I’ll go over and talk to her now, but don’t follow.” Jared ignored the pounding of his heart against his rib cage; he wasn’t looking forward to the conversation. “Darleen’s manipulative and she needs handling with care. If you decide to leave again, I may need her skills.”

Jen nodded and muttered, “Do you think? Much as I would like to see Darleen squirm, I won’t interfere. I’ll be happy if she keeps away. Will you ask her about her lies and threats or not?”

Jared smiled. “You can count on it. I want to be face-to-face, though. That way, I’ll know if she’s lying.” Jared gave Jen a quick and, he hoped, reassuring hug. “As long as you’re sure, Jen.”

“I am.” She returned the hug and walked back to the desk. “I’ll finish those accounts after breakfast. I know you hate them and I used to help Annie when I was younger.”

“That would be great. I have lots to do outside.” Jared smiled, happy to be free of a dreaded task.

Jen’s stomach rumbled. “First I must eat. See you later.”

Jared watched her until she was out of sight, relieved he wouldn’t have to work with Darleen, even though he knew he should send Jen back to England to follow her career path, not tie her to the ranch and him.

His cell phone’s insistent buzzing distracted him from his pangs of conscience. The caller display said
‘
Darleen
.’
May as well tell her the news sooner rather than later.
“Hi, Darleen…” Jared sat back in his chair, prepared for a long, heated conversation.

***

Jennie

In Jared’s spacious office, Jennie stretched her stiff back and rolled her aching shoulders. After four hours of accounts, it was time for a break. Despite computerization, the ranch’s account system was archaic. The ranch accounts proved to be unremarkable. No huge profits. No unexplained debt that she could find. Still, Ryder’s inference about the ranch’s finances rankled. Maybe he wanted to make her suspicious of Jared’s motives and apparent reluctance to let her stay. But other than leaving the way clear for Darleen, Jennie couldn’t understand why. She hated mysteries, and this one needed solving if she was to have a future at the ranch.

Ryder appeared easygoing and likeable, but his eyes told a different story. Jennie shuddered and glanced at the door. She was still alone in the office.

Through the open office window, Jared leaned against the paddock fence post, gesticulating as he talked to Darleen. His muscular chest drew Jennie’s gaze, and she bit her bottom lip as her pulse raced. Jared’s broad shoulders masked his companion. Jennie smiled; just looking at him made her happy. A flash of blonde hair caressed his tanned bicep before Darleen stalked towards her silver truck. Intrigued, Jennie waited. Darleen looked straight at her, glared, and slammed the truck door before walking towards the ranch house.

Jennie sighed.
Hide
, her subconscious urged. She resisted the temptation.

The front door opened and slammed, and the click of stiletto heels echoed through the quiet house. “Darleen, I didn’t hear you knock.”

The older woman stopped, and her mouth fell open in surprise. Jennie turned away and sat behind the desk. She straightened the piles of receipts before she filed them in plastic wallets. Even though Darleen’s angry gaze made concentration difficult, Jennie ignored her. She mustn’t back down.

“Maybe you misunderstood me last night,” Darleen practically shouted.

Ignoring her still, Jennie smoothed down the paper in its plastic file. Darleen moved closer and drummed her long fingernails on the desk.

Finally, Jennie looked up and held Darleen’s angry gaze. “This is about my legacy, nothing else,” she said, her voice clear and precise. “Annie and Ralf gifted me part of the ranch. They wanted me to stay, and I must honor their wishes.”

“Liar, you want Jared.” Darleen’s anger contorted her face.

Jennie half smiled. Darleen saw her as a threat. “No.”

Darleen’s face colored and betrayed her surprise. “You’re not his family or anyone of importance.”

“That’s enough, Darleen. Jen is my family,” Jared said as he stepped into the office. He appeared controlled, but his icy blue-eyed gaze betrayed his anger. Jennie hid her delighted surprise.

“Jared, I thought you were outside,” Darleen simpered. Jennie cringed.

“Clearly.” Jared walked across to Jennie and rested his hand protectively on her shoulder.

“You shocked her with our news about me staying on at the Unicorn.” Jennie looked up at him and smiled.

“Really?” Jared looked at Darleen.

Darleen took the lifeline Jennie had offered. “Sorry, I misunderstood, that’s all.”

“Jen’s busy. I’ll walk you to your car.”

Jared’s insistence gave Darleen no choice. She nodded and followed him out of the office, glancing back at Jennie with a confused expression. Seconds later, the front door clicked shut, and Jennie’s shaky legs relaxed as she sank deeper into her chair. She hated confrontation.

“Darleen’s gone,” Jared said as he reentered the office. “I hope she didn’t upset you.” His expression gave nothing away.

“I think it was more a case of me upsetting Darleen. I almost felt sorry for her when you defended me.” Jennie smiled.

“Let’s go and visit Harry.” Jared cast a cursory eye over the papers on the desk.

“Yes. I’ll be ready in about half an hour,” Jennie agreed, anxious to see Harry and glad Jared didn’t quiz her further about Darleen.

Chapter 6

Jared

A shining example of modern architecture, the emergency care centre glittered in the sunlight, all steel and glass. Inside, its exterior’s sleekness gave way to designer furnishings and hi-tech medical equipment. Even the staff appeared streamlined as they responded to whatever crisis presented itself.

Jared and Jen took the glass elevator up to the fifth-floor intensive therapy unit where Harry was treated. The door swished open onto an obvious malfunction in the unit’s seamless processes. Staff rushed around like worker ants in a damaged anthill.

“Something’s wrong.” Jared stopped. “That’s Harry’s room.”

Jen grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the chaos. He stopped a nurse in scrubs en route. “The patient in this room, is he okay?” Jared’s voice was ominously quiet in the mayhem surrounding them.

“Are you a relative, sir?” The nurse quickly masked her panicked look with a bland, professional expression.

“I’m the closest thing to family Harry Barnes has.”

The nurse nodded and gave him a sympathetic smile. When Jen’s hold on his hand tightened, he glanced at her. Jen’s ghost of a smile didn’t reach her eyes.

The door to Harry’s room opened, and the sheriff stepped out into the corridor, deep in conversation with a doctor dressed in scrubs and with a stethoscope slung casually round his neck.

The nurse touched the doctor’s arm. “Doctor, this is…” The nurse looked at Jared expectantly.

“Jared Stewart.”

“Jared, it’s bad news,” the sheriff said.

“He’s dead.” Jared’s words were more a statement than a question.

“I’m afraid so.” The sheriff looked genuinely sad, despite his professional attitude.

The doctor motioned Jared and Jen inside his office. “Have a seat.”

Jared dropped into the hard plastic chair, and Jen put her hand on his shoulder. Its weight grounded him as the world spun out of control. “How did he die?”

“Don’t know yet.” The sheriff perched on the edge of the doctor’s desk and shuffled his feet.

Jared caught the sheriff’s gaze. “Not natural causes, Dan.”

“Probably not,” the sheriff admitted. “Harry looked asleep when we found him, but he wasn’t breathing. The crash team wasn’t able to resuscitate him. Someone visited him earlier, possibly a medic or nurse. No one saw the visitor arrive, but someone in green scrubs left the room prior to my arrival.”

Jen shivered and dug her fingers deeper into Jared’s arm. She took the handkerchief he gave her and collapsed into the adjacent hard chair. Somehow, Jared answered the sheriff’s routine questions despite his desolation.

***

Murderer

The chaos energized the unobtrusive observer. The professionals were mystified by the sudden death of their patient, who earlier seemed to be making progress. Jared and Jennie passed by without a second glance, their heads down. Tear tracks streaked Jennie’s beautiful face, and Jared looked desolate, lost in his grief, unaware of Jennie’s pain.

The corridor soon emptied. Alone, the smartly dressed individual pretended an interest in the well-used magazines piled up in the waiting room and relived the last hour with morbid fascination.

Harry was a soft target. It was almost too easy. The scrubs were retrieved from the dirty laundry bin, and the blood and vomit that splattered them added to the authenticity. No one questioned the individual dressed in green scrubs when they entered the high dependency room. Everyone was focused and busy; no time to be inquisitive. The shades were drawn, but Harry’s inert form was easily distinguishable. Rubber-soled shoes made the approach to the bed soundless.

Harry stirred, and his eyes stared sightlessly at the masked individual. He grimaced as he focused, probably due to the damage inflicted by the sharp rock. Recognition momentarily lit his gaze, quickly followed by terror. A pillow was conveniently placed on the trolley at the side of the bed. Harry’s injury meant he needed to lie flat, and he barely struggled. Then it was over. Unnoticed, Harry’s visitor closed the door and exited via the service stairs.

The scrubs that had made the perfect disguise were removed, bagged, and added to the biohazard-waste incineration pile. The universal sample case and dark business suit retrieved from their hiding place, colored hair gel, and a pair of dark-framed glasses completed the new identity.

Dressed smartly, the drug rep took the service elevator and minutes later merged into the sea of staff and visitors indistinguishable from other drug reps that populated the emergency care centre’s corridors. The drug rep was unwilling to leave until the hospital staff discovered Harry’s demise, and the waiting room provided the perfect cover. The sheriff looked mystified. The unexpected arrival of Jared and Jennie compounded the killing high. A smile, quickly masked. It was inappropriate in an intensive therapy unit waiting room.

It was time to leave now. The plan’s next stage was imminent.

***

Jared

Jared barely remembered the walk along the nondescript corridors and only realized he was outside when the dry heat hit him. He opened the truck’s door for Jen and got in next to her, then started the engine. Afraid to think about Harry’s death in case he couldn’t suppress his pain, he concentrated on maneuvering the truck out of the crowded parking lot. Jen didn’t speak, or distract him in any way, as if she sensed he needed to focus on driving to keep it all together.
He loved her perceptiveness, something that had blossomed in her during their time apart. If he let his mind
drift to the terrible events of the last few days, he feared his loss of concentration would be catastrophic and he would lose Jen too.

The ranch appeared before them, and Jared shuddered, not sure how he got there, unable to recall any of the usual landmarks he usually noticed on the journey from the city. Still, they were home safe now.
Jared sighed and relaxed his fingers, which were white from being clenched around the steering wheel.
His gaze rested on the porch steps, the scene of Harry’s probable murder and Jen’s earlier fall. A chill skittered up his spine, and goose bumps covered his forearms, despite the heat. He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes against the harsh reality, but he couldn’t ignore the connection. Whether he liked it or not, the ranch was the common link between Harry’s fall and his parents’ accident, but he didn’t understand why. Perhaps the Unicorn wasn’t the safe haven he’d perceived it to be.

Jen sighed at his side. Her small hand covered his where it rested on the steering wheel. He opened his eyes and glanced down. The contrast of her pale skin against his tanned, work-roughened fingers catalyzed his protective instincts towards her. He met Jen’s serious gaze, which softened as she smiled.
Jared squeezed her hand, grateful for her comfort and understanding. She must be full of questions, but she wouldn’t ask them and he couldn’t answer them even if she did. It was just too painful and raw right now. Her eyes were pools of tranquility, and he so wanted to lose himself there and find the peace he needed right now. His body tightened, and Jared fought against the urge to draw her towards him and kiss her luscious mouth. He shifted in his seat as his arousal deepened, making his trousers an uncomfortably snug fit.

Jen’s eyes darkened, dominated by her dilated pupils. Could she read his thoughts, or were his desires reflected in the unwaveringly gaze she held? He let his fingers link with hers and wondered what she would do if he carried her into his house to his bed and loved her until all the hurt disappeared for both of them. The urge to act on his impulse was irresistible, even though he knew the relief would only be transient.

***

Jennie

Jared’s uncommunicative silence continued as he parked the truck at the side of the ranch house. Jennie sighed. She didn’t disturb him as he negotiated the busy roads that led out of the city towards the ranch. Jared’s death grip on the steering wheel and unwavering forward focus were the only nonverbal signs she needed. She kept her mouth buttoned, even though she desperately wanted to share her thoughts about the mystery surrounding Harry’s death. She risked a quick glance at Jared’s face as she touched his hand, not sure what to do, or say, to make him feel better, if that was even possible after Harry’s death. The utter devastation in his eyes alarmed her. Jared, her rock, now resembled fragile crystal in danger of shattering. When Jennie’s parents died, Jared, so much closer to her in age and outlook than anyone else, had been the one to help her come to terms with her loss. He forgave her mood swings, listened to her, and dried her constant tears, and she would willingly do the same for him, if only he would let her see his pain.

Jared looked down at their hands and entwined his fingers with hers. A jolt of electricity shot straight through her, pure and powerful. She let her gaze drop. Her nipples hardened and pressed against the soft lace cups of her bra, visible through her silky, fitted top. She clenched her thighs as the dampness between her legs soaked her panties. A little shocked at the inappropriateness of her arousal, Jennie still needed to touch Jared’s face. She ran tentative fingers along his stubble-roughened cheek, and he instinctively turned into her caress and kissed her palm. Licks of fire seared her skin. His bleak gaze softened, the fires of passion kindled in its depths.

She leaned forward and kissed him. His lips tasted salty. When she opened her eyes, his looked suspiciously watery, as though he was tearing up. He appeared on the verge of consuming her, but the moment passed and the brief kiss ended by silent, mutual consent.

Jared opened the truck door and got out. Jennie released her seat belt and opened her door. Large, capable hands reached for her. She met Jared’s gaze. The bleakness remained, but passion dominated. Her body leaned towards his waiting hands, but her mind lagged behind. Well aware of her body’s needs, it urged caution. Jennie remembered the funeral, where Jared’s need for her had proven transient. Could she stand his rejection again? The warmth from his hands that spanned her waist infiltrated her body, which leaned into his. Her thought processes scrambled. Jennie stopped thinking and luxuriated in the feel of his hands on her body. Surrounded by strong arms, she sought his fevered gaze, which was still tinged with indescribable sadness.

Jared kicked the truck door shut, and they half ran into the house, Jennie’s body pressed tight against the hardness of Jared’s. Inside, he headed upstairs without a word. Whether arrogant assurance or blind desperation, she didn’t know, and her body didn’t care. Her subconscious screamed at her to stop, not sure she could withstand the emotional fallout of their actions. Her compassionate nature ignored the warning, and Jared’s emotional fragility stopped her questioning his motives. In her mind, she owed him for all the times he’d kept her sane after her own terrible loss. If Jared needed to lose himself in her body, she would be there for him. The consequences for her heart would be dire, but they would keep until the cold light of the morning. Jennie pushed the last of the negative thoughts away and concentrated on enjoying the man who held her heart, even if it was only for now.

***

Jared

Jen remained ominously silent in his possessive embrace. Her body stiffened as they crossed the threshold into his bedroom, and for the first time that evening, Jared’s conscience kicked in. He needed to step back and consider the consequences of what he was doing. If they took this irretrievable next step in their chequered relationship, Jen may end up hurt again, and that was the last thing he wanted.

Jared rolled his shoulders but couldn’t release the tension there. Jen gripped him tighter, as if she could sense his indecision. Her body language said she reciprocated his desire. Did that make using her to ease his grief right? Jared didn’t like himself, for what he was about to do, but his need was too powerful to ignore.

***

Jennie

Clean but untidy, Jared’s room didn’t speak of planned seduction. A towel from his earlier shower lay on the floor, next to the unmade bed. This morning seemed so long ago.

Stress reverberated through Jared’s tense, hard body into hers, and his need fueled her arousal. The sheer drapes moved restlessly as the wind caressed them through the open window. She shivered.

“Are you cold, Kitten?” Jared’s familiar endearment touched her heart.

She barely trusted her voice, sure it would betray her emotional meltdown. “Not cold. More feverish…”

His eyes darkened from icy to midnight blue, and the flames of passion flickered in his intense gaze. Jared pulled her flush against his hard body, and the contours of his muscles imprinted themselves onto her softer curves. Every breath he took filled her body with mind-spinning oxygen. Light-headed, she thought she must be dreaming when he muttered endearments in a husky, reverent voice. “You’re so beautiful.”