The Dangerous Gift (12 page)

“What about my ankle?” Jen grimaced as she tried to sit up.

The doctor glanced at the X-ray. “There’s no fracture, but there is some ligament damage. You need rest and painkillers. I’ll find you a pair of crutches until you can put weight on it.”

Jared scooped Jen into his arms despite her muted protests and with a nod of thanks to the doctor walked out into the sunshine-drenched parking lot. He placed her carefully in the truck before he collected the medication and crutches. They headed back to the ranch at a much steadier pace. Jen’s uncommunicative state bothered him, but after the shock of almost drowning, he couldn’t cross-examine her to find out why.

When the ranch came into view, Jared turned towards Jen, aware she was staring at him.

“Did you push me into the creek and then rescue me, Jared?” Jen’s accusatory words made him grip the steering column hard.

His strong fingers turned white. He slowed down and stopped the truck, mindful of her delicate state. “Jen, you can’t be accusing me of hurting you. You must have hit your head if you think that. I saved you.” Jared couldn’t control the anger in his voice. He opened the truck door, got out, and paced. When his temper was back in check, he leaned in and noted Jen’s flushed face. He should get her home, not argue with her. What was he thinking? Without another word, he jumped into the truck and drove to the ranch house, stopped, and opened the door for her to get out. Her expectant gaze said she thought he would carry her. Instead, he handed her the crutches and walked into the house alone, his anger replaced with hurt that Jen believed him capable of physically harming her.

Chapter 11

Jennie

Jennie glanced in disbelief at the crutches Jared had thrust into her hands, and her incredulous gaze followed his rigid back as he marched towards the house. Surely he would relent and look back?

The door slammed behind him. Why couldn’t he help her inside? Perhaps she’d gotten too close to the truth and he couldn’t face her? No, he wasn’t guilty, more indignant and hurt.

She rested the crutches against the truck’s door and swung her legs gingerly onto the ground. Her arm banged against the doorway as she grabbed the crutches.
Stupid man.
Her arms trembled with the additional strain. She would probably break her leg now, and then he’d be sorry. This was not going to be pretty.

“Need a hand, little lady?” Ryder’s deep, amused voice startled her.

Jennie’s skin heated, then cooled in rapid succession as she stared into Ryder’s cold-eyed gaze, devoid of emotion as usual, despite his smile. “I could do with a hand up. I’m not used to these crutches yet.” Jennie stiffened in anticipation of Ryder’s touch.

Ryder offered her his arm. “Is your ankle still troubling you? I thought it would be better by now.”

“It was. I fell off the bridge into the creek and damaged my ligaments.” Jennie took Ryder’s arm and leaned on it.

“Sounds nasty. Isn’t Jared around?” Ryder furtively scanned the ranch yard.

“He is, but I’ve upset him, so he’s left me to fend for my ungrateful self.” Jennie rolled her eyes.

Ryder swept her into his embrace, scooped up the crutches with his free hand, and walked effortlessly towards the house. Emotionally frazzled, she appreciated his help but wondered if she was in her stalker’s arms.

Ryder pushed the door open without knocking. He strolled into the large den with her and laid her on the well-worn couch.

Jared stood at the doorway, an unreadable expression on his handsome face. “Auditioning for the role of knight protector, Ryder? If so, you’re wasting your time. I bagged that job more than a decade ago.”

Ryder ignored Jared’s rudeness and sat down.

“I’m surprised you’re here. Have you spoken to Darleen?” Jared asked, fists clenched at his sides as he stood over Ryder.

“Not really. Why?” Ryder’s body tensed as he stood, but he didn’t meet Jared’s furious gaze.

Jennie watched the testosterone-filled interchange with trepidation. Jared seemed hell-bent on retribution. “Jared, don’t overreact, please.”

“I gave her a message for you. No matter, I’ll deliver it in person.”

Without further warning, he punched Ryder across the face, knocking him back against the cushioned chair. Jared lowered his fist to his side, but his angry gaze threatened further retribution.

Ryder touched his bloody, damaged face. “You broke my nose, Jared. What the hell for?”

Jared pushed his face aggressively close to Ryder, who leaned back, his eyes unnaturally bright. “Leave Jen alone or it won’t be the only part of you I break. Got it? Now get out of here. You’re not welcome.”

Ryder stared at Jennie. “I thought we were friends. Why didn’t you say something?”

Heat crept up Jennie’s neck and into her cheeks. “So did I, but you’ve a strange idea of friendship.” She gripped Jared’s hand where it rested on her shoulder in silent support, glad she wasn’t alone with Ryder.

Ryder pulled a clean handkerchief from his jeans and held it against his bloody nose. “You’ll regret this.” The threat hung in the air after his departure.

“Hopefully, that’s the last we see of him.”

Jennie shivered at Jared’s smug tone. She hoped his confidence wasn’t misplaced. “Did you have to hit him? If he’s really stalking me, haven’t you risked escalating his actions?”

Tiny sparks of static electricity teased her oversensitized body, the effect similar to a hit of caffeine. She perked up, happy to be close to the source of her desire.

Jared’s gaze radiated confidence. “I did what was necessary. Ryder needed to know you’re off-limits and under my protection.”

“Can you hear yourself? This is the twenty-first century. I can look after myself. I don’t need your protection.”
Just your love
, Jennie’s heart echoed silently as it thumped against her bruised ribs.

Jared ignored her outburst, his expression sincere. “We need to talk about what you said earlier, Jen. I don’t know why I’ve lost your trust.”

Jennie allowed the abrupt change of subject. She’d made her point. What could she say in response, other than the truth? “I know you’re unhappy about your parents’ bequest, and you lied to me about Darleen. Did you lie about my accidents too?”

Jared stared at her, his irises more silver than blue. Maybe voicing her thoughts was a mistake, but she couldn’t stop now. “Trust is a two-way street, Jared, and you don’t trust me, do you? You keep interfering. I could have dealt with Ryder, but you did the talking with your fist and probably made the problem worse.”

“I do trust you, Jen.” Again, Jared sounded sincere. “It’s hardly the same thing, is it? If you think I’m behind your accidents, what about Harry? Did I do that too?” Jared paced as he spoke, his hands jabbing at the air to make his point.

Jennie couldn’t give him the reassurance he sought because she didn’t know if she believed him, except about Harry. They were together when Harry died, although not when he fell. Jared stopped pacing and squatted at her side, his gaze anguished.

“Don’t look like that. I never said you were a murderer, Jared.”

“As good as…”

His indignation made Jennie regret her honesty. “No, not true. I shouldn’t have said anything, but you kept pushing me.” Jennie wanted to wake up from this nightmare.

“You would still have thought it.” Jared’s shuttered face made further discussion pointless. He wouldn’t believe her. “I need to check on the horses. I’ll see you later. I’ll ask Joanie to check on you. I’ll be out until dark.” Jared left before she could challenge him.

Jennie berated herself for her insensitivity. Jared couldn’t wait to get away from her, and after her unsubstantiated accusations, who could blame him?

She reached for the TV remote and watched mindless television until Joanie arrived with a plated meal and a message from Jared. “He won’t be back until morning. One of his fencing crew accidentally drove a nail through his finger and needed the emergency room. Jared drove him. He suggested you could stay with Rod and me.”

Jennie eagerly accepted. An empty house where the smell of burning still lingered didn’t appeal, and neither did being alone with her thoughts.

***

“I’m going back to the house now, Joanie,” Jennie said after breakfast the next morning. “Thanks so much for letting me stay. I didn’t want to be alone last night.”

“Shall I walk you to the house, Jennie? I don’t want you facedown in the ranch yard.” Joanie sounded genuinely concerned.

“I’ll be fine. I need my independence back, and mastering these dreaded things is the only way.”

Jennie took the crutches from Joanie and levered her body out of the chair. She wobbled precariously, but after a tentative few steps around the kitchen, she hopped towards the door and reached the ranch house without incident. Breathless but elated, she abandoned the crutches by the bottom step and hopped up the stairs to the porch using the handrail for balance.

The faint aroma of room spray that reached her as she entered made the house smell fresh and clean, thanks no doubt to Joanie. Jennie retrieved her book from the den and settled herself in the old rocking chair on the porch, determined she would enjoy the early morning sun until Jared returned. Later, she poured a glass of the delicious homemade lemonade Joanie brought across for her earlier and sipped it as she read in the sunshine.

As the blisteringly hot sun rose farther in the sky, sitting in her current position became uncomfortable for someone so fair-skinned, and her head ached with self-imposed dehydration. Jennie needed somewhere shady to sit.

As Jennie eased her wobbly legs off the footstool, heavy footsteps echoed on the wooden boards. Jared stepped onto the porch and stood watching her awkward movements. He looked tired and world-weary; a night in the emergency room waiting area would do that. Her heart raced as her gaze lingered on his mouth and she remembered the taste of his kiss. His masculine scent mixed with spicy cologne drifted over her as Jennie squirmed in the rocking chair, her body heated with more than the sun. Jared’s jeans rode low. His shirt was unbuttoned to cool his body from the sun’s searing heat, but what it revealed raised her body temperature to fever-pitch. Jennie licked dry lips as her gaze riveted on his muscled abdomen and followed the arrow of dark hair that disappeared into his jeans.

Jared smiled as his hot gaze raked her face. Apparently he wasn’t mad at her now.

“Are you feeling better, Kitten?” Jared sat on a chair next to her.

Jennie fanned her face with the book. “I’m burning up. Can you help me move into the shade, please?”

Jared picked her up, and she shivered as her body brushed against his naked chest. His musky scent surrounded her, and she groaned.

“Sorry, did I hurt you?”

She shook her head and snuggled closer. Jared laughed, soft and low, clearly aware of what he did to her. Nothing had changed; he still pushed all her buttons, despite her doubts about him.

He pushed the rocking chair forward with his foot as he held her close, until it stood in the shade. He then replaced her on the cushioned chair, brushed her hair from her face, and kissed her lips. The kiss was over before she could enjoy it.

“I need a shower,” Jared said as he walked towards the house. “See you later.”

Jennie didn’t want him to leave in case cold, unapproachable Jared returned. “I’m sorry about yesterday. Put it down to nearly drowning. I know you wouldn’t hurt me.” She hoped he believed her.

“Do you? I’m going to find out who is behind these accidents because I want you safe.”

Jared’s determined expression almost convinced Jennie, but something still niggled. “How, Jared, when we don’t have any clues about this well-wisher’s identity?” She couldn’t keep the exasperation out of her voice.

“You mean apart from me in a jealous pique?” Jared sounded serious. Her accusation yesterday obviously still rankled, and he couldn’t forget it.

“Do you think Ryder is the culprit?”

“It could be Ryder, yes, but I need proof before I accuse anyone.” Jared’s edgy tone was clearly a dig at her.

Jennie’s face heated. “I never meant to hurt you, Jared.”

“I know, Kitten, but you did. Until we find the real culprit, you and I are strictly business partners; afterwards, well…we’ll have to see what happens.”

Jared walked into the house and didn’t look back this time.

Jennie’s body shook. She’d lost him. Her lack of trust had ruined what their years of separation couldn’t.

Jared wouldn’t let her help him, but she would investigate on her own to make amends for her lack of trust. Talking to Ryder about the oil survey was a good place to start. It would take some serious groveling to get him to see her, but she could do that.

Jennie reached for her mobile and scrolled for the number Ryder left there when they first met. As his phone rang for several seconds, Jennie hoped this would work as she ignored her unease at the prospect of being alone with Ryder. If he knew something useful about the drilling, it was worth the risk.

The ringing stopped. “Hello, Ryder, it’s Jennie.”

The line was silent. When she checked the display, it said
‘
call ended
.’
He’d hung up. He was obviously still upset with her after Jared made him look stupid yesterday. She redialed and left a message, saying she must see him urgently.

If she sweet-talked Ryder round, then she could get some answers. He was an arrogant man, so she could easily convince him she was sorry. She ignored her nervousness by picking up her book again. After a while, the words merged and she slept.

Sometime later, Jared woke her. Jennie stirred but didn’t argue when he helped her upstairs. She needed all her strength for tomorrow.

The sky twinkled with stars as Jennie lay in bed, bleary-eyed. Something had woken her. Her phone’s display shined brightly in the dark room and buzzed periodically. She’d missed a call. Jennie picked it up and dialed voice mail.

“You have one new message. To listen to your messages press two.”

Jennie pressed the button and listened to the silence at the other end. Whoever called hadn’t spoken.

Jennie deleted the message and replaced her phone on the nightstand. She closed her eyes again and hoped sleep would reclaim her.

The phone buzzed again, loud in the silence of the night. She looked at the caller display to see Ryder’s name and number.

She hesitated to answer. Part of her was scared of speaking to him when she was alone in her bed at night.
Get used to it
, she scolded herself. If she was up to meeting him alone the next day, she could speak to him while safe in bed, especially with Jared close by.