Every Vow She Breaks (21 page)

“If you’re hanging around, Ian will clam up and get defensive. He doesn’t like you very much. In order to get answers, I need to talk to him one-on-one.” Claire picked the keys to his SUV up off the table. “Anyway, I won’t be alone with him, not that I believe Ian poses a threat. The other scientists will be at the camp with us.”

“That’s the only reason I’m letting you go.”

She stopped at the door to the motor home and turned. “I make my own decisions. Sleeping with me doesn’t give you the right to order me around like I’m a brainless child.”

“I didn’t mean it that way.” He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “Aren’t I allowed to be worried? I care about you.”

“You can express your concern without acting like a Neanderthal. Or a Bigfoot.” She summoned up a sweet smile.

Some of the anxiety faded from his direct blue gaze, and he grinned. “Who says Bigfoots…feet…whatever aren’t poster boys for women’s lib. Their females might run the show.”

The tension between them dissolved with the silly banter, and her smile grew. “Good point. If I see one while I’m out there, I’ll be sure to ask who wears the pants in his family. In the meantime, I’m going to sit down with Ian and have a rational conversation. If he’s the one who left the nightie and other stuff, I’ll make sure he understands his gestures aren’t appreciated.”

“You don’t believe he’s guilty of obsessing over anything but Sasquatches.” His eyes narrowed. “If you did, you wouldn’t be so calm about confronting him.”

“No, I don’t think he’s the one. But I’ll ask him anyway, and his reaction will tell me everything I need to know. He’s not great at hiding his feelings, either.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Claire pushed open the door. “Nothing. It was a compliment. With you, I always know exactly where I stand.”

“I would hope so.” Stepping across Scoop who was sprawled on the motor home floor, he tilted her chin with a gentle touch then kissed her, slowly and thoroughly. “Come right back afterward. Please. I’m going to worry until you return safe and sound.”

She nodded. “Since you asked nicely, I will.”

The drive to the scientists’ camp seemed endless, providing way too much time to dwell on Jed’s phobia when it came to making a commitment. The night before—for about two whole seconds—she’d held her breath, anticipating a declaration of love. It hadn’t happened, and she’d responded with equal ambiguity. Not that she doubted her feelings for him. Pretending they were a simple mixture of affection and lust wasn’t working any longer. The emotion turning her inside out could only be love. Her heart jumped whenever he was near, and she melted into a puddle of yearning at his most casual touch. When he walked away, the glow that warmed her from the inside out went with him.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Gritting her teeth, she bounced down the rutted track, going faster than she should. When a deer bounded across the road in front of the SUV, she slammed on the brakes. The strap of the seatbelt dug into her breasts. Biting down hard on her lip, she rubbed her chest and waited for her heartbeat to quiet. The deer was probably in the next county before she finally eased off the brake to continue.

Pull it together, Claire.
She needed her wits about her to face Ian. Not that she believed he was responsible for the harassment. Running into a Bigfoot was a lot more likely, and that sure wasn’t going to happen. Problem was she couldn’t imagine the perpetrator as Dallas either. Still,
one
of them had to be guilty.

When she pulled into the clearing several minutes later, she wouldn’t have recognized the spot from her previous visits. Gone was the big, canvas shelter along with two of the small tents. A lone ATV was parked beneath a towering fir tree. Once she turned off the car engine, the silence was broken only by an occasional squawk from a blue jay. A little unnerved, she pulled the keys from the ignition, opened the door and stepped down.

“Hey, Claire.”

With a yelp, she turned to face Ian as he walked out of the forest. “You startled me. Where is everyone?”

“Lee and Margaret left for good. Bart went into town to buy some groceries to tide us over.”

“The two of you are staying?”

“Only for a few more days. The vandals have been at it again, and we’ve made very little progress in the last week. The results of our foray deeper into the forest were discouraging with fewer signs of habitation out there than in the areas closer to camp.” His gray eyes clouded. “The others have given up. Bart plans to leave soon, but I may stick around for the rest of the week.”

“I’m sorry your retreat was a bust. What about your equipment?”

“We packed up the stuff needing repair, and Lee took it with him. The asshole saboteur won. I won’t throw good money after bad by replacing the cameras yet again. My intent is simply to sleep out in the woods for a few more nights and hope I get lucky.”

“Stranger things have happened, I suppose.”

Dropping his backpack to the ground, Ian took a couple of steps forward. “Speaking of strange, your message was a little odd. What do you need to talk to me about?”

Claire drew in a breath and glanced around the empty clearing before meeting his gaze. Impatience filled his eyes. Not exactly the emotion of a man in love hell bent on luring her back into his life. She opened her mouth then shut it.

“Spit it out, Claire. I don’t have all day.” He grimaced. “Actually, I do, but I’ve other things more worthy of my attention than your petty troubles. Did your editor fire you for not getting a Sasquatch photo? Bart mentioned you were looking for me while I was out in the field. Sorry, but I’m not going to be able to help you.”

She stiffened and stepped back. “When did you become so bitter? I swear I don’t even recognize the man I loved and admired so much all those years ago.” She eyed him up and down. “What a shame. That guy was a better person.”

He closed his eyes for a minute and rubbed his temples. “What did you come out here to ask me?”

“I have my answer. I won’t waste your valuable time.” She jerked open the car door. “See you, Ian.”

He slammed it shut. Her heart pounded as he crowded her against the side of the vehicle. Turning with her arm thrust out, she tightened her fist around the keys with the business ends sticking through her fingers.

“Back off.”

His eyes widened as he retreated a couple of steps. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Jesus, are you
afraid
of me?”

The bewilderment in his eyes alleviated most of her fear. “Maybe a little. We’re alone in the middle of the woods, and you’re so…angry.”

“I’m frustrated and more than a little pissed. I shouldn’t have snapped at you, though, and I certainly didn’t intend to frighten you.” He backed up several additional feet. “I’d never hurt you. I hope you know that.”

She nodded. “Let’s forget about it. We both overreacted.”

“You came out here for a reason. What was it?”

Her gaze dropped. “After this, I feel like an idiot even bringing up the subject. I knew you weren’t the one, but—”

“The one, what?” Concern shown in his eyes as a bit of the caring man who’d once held her hand for hours while she fought through a bad case of food poisoning emerged. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

She let out a breath. “Someone’s been…stalking me. Leaving gifts and notes. They allude to a promise I supposedly made. Whoever the guy is, he wants me back.”

“You thought it was
me
?”

“Not really.” Her voice took on a defensive edge. “But there aren’t a lot of candidates whom I once promised to marry to choose from. You were hurt and furious when we split up. I had to at least ask.”

His chest heaved as he let out a breath. “Are you in danger from this man?”

“I don’t think so.” She hunched one shoulder. “I hope not. If it isn’t you…”

“It isn’t.” His voice was flat and hard. “I put our brief marriage behind me years ago. I’m not harboring any stupid romantic fantasy that we’ll get back together—or a plan for revenge. I’m not saying seeing you again didn’t hurt a bit. The memories you’ve stirred up certainly aren’t all pleasant. However, I’m far more upset by the results of our research than I am over a long-dead marriage that never amounted to much to begin with.”

“I believe you.” She sighed. “Truly, I find it difficult to credit I’m so memorable someone would go to these lengths to regain my affection.”

“I’d say the guy is a few cards shy of a full deck. Some people might call me crazy for believing in Bigfoot, but I’m not that kind of insane.”

She smiled. “No, you’re not, but neither is anyone else I ever dated. Unless he hides it awfully well. Now I really am going to get out of here. Take care, Ian. I wish you all the best.”

“You, too.” He hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Is that Jed guy still hanging around?”

“For now he is.”

“Good. I might not respect his type much, but I’m sure he’ll keep you safe.”

Her eyes burned as she drove away. She didn’t love Ian—didn’t even like him anymore—but she had once. Leaving him standing in the clearing, a defeated slump to his shoulders, firmly slammed the door on a chapter of her life she hadn’t thought about in a long time. Right now any good-bye hit hard. A precursor of greater heartache to come.

When a pickup approached on the track ahead, she dashed the tears from her eyes and maneuvered to the shoulder of the road to wait for the vehicle to squeeze past. Instead, the driver pulled abreast and stopped.

“I was hoping I wouldn’t miss you.”

She smiled at Bart. “How’d the grocery shopping go?”

“We’re all set for a couple of days, and then I’m afraid I have to head home. I’ll take a rain check on helping with the painting or whatever other project you have going.”

She leaned an elbow on the open window. “I was just telling Ian how sorry I am your retreat didn’t produce better results.”

“Maybe our expectations were too high. We set ourselves up for disappointment.” He cleared his throat. “It wasn’t a complete waste of time. We wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t come on this admittedly odd adventure. I’ll have a little free time tomorrow. Would you like to have lunch together?” His hand shot up, palm out. “Don’t turn me down yet. I’m aware you’re involved with Jed. This would be strictly friendly, a chance to get to know each other a little better. You can’t have too many friends, right?”

Claire was willing to bet not many women said no to this man. He oozed a harmless brand of charm.

“No, but—”

“No buts. Who knows when either of our circumstances will change. There’s no harm in getting better acquainted before I leave, is there?”

“I guess not.”

“Great. Will one o’clock work for you? I’ll pick up some sandwiches, and we can meet at the park in town.”

“I suppose…”

“See you then.” His pickup pulled away, leaving a plume of dust in its wake.

Coughing, Claire rolled up the window then grinned. Not a bad strategy. Bart hadn’t given her time to turn him down. When she thought about it, there wasn’t a good reason not to have lunch with him. As he’d said, a simple, friendly meal. Right after she confronted Dallas.

According to Theresa, her old high school boyfriend was expected back from his hunting trip tonight. Imagining Dallas was the one who’d left the nightie and the notes twisted her stomach into knots. Shady Bend wasn’t big enough to avoid people, so she’d likely face him on a regular basis. Which meant the upcoming discussion would have to be handled with finesse if she didn’t want to struggle with awkwardness every time they crossed paths on the street or she needed to buy a handful of nails. After her conversation with Ian, finesse was definitely beyond her capabilities. Maybe by tomorrow she’d be able to pull herself together and broach the subject of his
gifts
with a little tact.

* * * *

Jed cocked his head as the rumble of an engine sounded from the driveway. Had to be his SUV. He needed to take the old beater in for a tune-up. Or replace it, but the idea of making a car payment each month lacked appeal. Climbing off the ladder, he set the roller in the paint tray and headed toward the hall.

He’d tried not to worry about Claire—and failed. As the son of a cop, he was well aware seemingly normal people snapped for no apparent reason all the time. Life was often full of surprises, and most of them weren’t of the
you just won the lottery
variety. Just the opposite. His feet thumped against each step as he ran down the stairs. By the time he reached the yard, he had to get in line behind Scoop to greet her.

She finally shoved the dog away and smiled in his direction. “I’m back.”

“So I see.” She looked…better than good. The only sign she’d been in a struggle was the dirty paw print marring the yellow material of her T-shirt over her left boob. He forced his gaze upward. “How’d it go with Ian?”

“He’s not the one.”

“You’re sure?”

“Not a polar bear’s chance in purgatory.” The up-tilt of her lips wasn’t much of a smile. “He’s not harboring any lingering affection for me. I’m perceptive enough to know when a man is interested. Ian isn’t. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t like me any more than I like him. He has no respect for what I’ve accomplished with my life, certainly no admiration. Maybe there’s a touch of resentment because I left him all those years ago, but that has more to do with his self-image than with any feelings toward me.”

Every word rang with conviction. Jed didn’t doubt her insight for a minute. “We’ll cross him off our list, then. Which means—”

“Dallas is the one.” The light in her eyes dimmed as she reached out to stroke her dog’s ears. “I’ll talk to him in the morning.”

“I don’t suppose you’ll let me tag along?”

She shook her head. “It’ll go better if I’m alone, but I’ll make sure there’re people in the vicinity. I don’t expect him to freak out and drag me off into the forest or anything, but I’m fine with taking a few commonsense precautions. Just in case.”

Something in her tone set off a warning bell. He stiffened. “Exactly what happened with Ian?”

“Nothing. A little attack of nerves on my part. Turns out Lee and Margaret already left the area, and Bart was in town shopping. Ian is beyond pissed about their Bigfoot hunt turning into a fiasco, and his anger scared me a little. He backed off the second he realized he’d frightened me.”