Chapter One
Elizabeth Savannah James sat in her rental car outside the motel. Somewhere between Denver and Blackfoot Falls, she’d gotten cold feet. Terrified someone would recognize her. Worried her boss would discover she’d been less than truthful.
Well, too bad.
Now wasn’t the time to go into a meltdown, she thought as she drew in the clean mountain air.
The whole idea that she was starting to panic was ridiculous, considering it was her choice to come to this small cow town. In fact, she’d lobbied hard for this assignment. No one would remember her or even give her a second look. She’d left Montana at fourteen, and before that she’d been homeschooled and rarely ventured far from her family’s cabin. If not for the explosive chain of events that had led to her and her mom fleeing town, Savannah figured most people would barely have been aware of her existence.
That final week, though...
She shuddered.
The scandal had reached every tiny, dark corner of the community and rocked it to its core. But then, her mom had committed one of the most unforgivable sins known to mankind. Or at least to every woman who lived within a hundred miles of Blackfoot Falls. And she hadn’t done it just once.
So, after receiving a notice from the bank, they’d packed as much as they could into her mom’s shabby two-door compact and then sneaked off sometime before morning light. The little rattletrap had the loudest muffler. Savannah remembered squeezing her eyes shut and covering her ears with both hands until they’d gotten miles away from Blackfoot Falls and all the evil glares.
To a shy, introverted teenager, it had felt as if all eyes were on her, as if every person in the county despised her, and all she’d wanted to do was run as fast as she could.
That fateful day had occurred quite literally half a lifetime ago. Now, at twenty-eight, she looked completely different. Her mousy brown hair was honey blond now, she’d lost the extra ten pounds of baby fat ages ago and she didn’t answer to Elizabeth any longer. But best of all, she was successful and enjoying a career she loved.
Just as long as her boss never found out she’d lied. Not outright, but by omission. Porter Burke International had a sterling reputation. No other company was better at community branding and development. That’s why Sadie Thompson, the mayor of Blackfoot Falls, had hired them to find a way to attract more tourists.
But first Savannah and her small team of secret shoppers needed to get a fresh take on the place. Playing tourists, they would check into the motel and inn, eat in the restaurants, drink in the bars, shop in the stores and generally partake of everything the town had to offer. Their undercover operation would last five days, and then they’d give a presentation to go over their assessment and suggestions.
A knock on the car window made her jump.
Dammit.
Ron opened her door. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did you just get here? Have you driven down Main Street yet?”
Savannah sighed. “Where’s Nina? Didn’t you two come together?”
“She’s checking in at the Boarding House on the other end of town.”
“Wait a minute—”
“Move your head an inch to the left. You can probably see it from here,” he said, his sarcasm grating on her nerves. “Talk about a one-horse town...it’s maybe seven blocks long. They don’t even have a traffic light.”
“Why aren’t you with her? You should be checking in together.” They were supposed to be posing as an engaged couple.
“This is ridiculous. Three of us stuck out here for a week? Hell, we could’ve wrapped this up in a day.”
“If you’d read your prep sheet, you’d know that Hollywood has taken an interest in the area. They’ve been shooting films and TV miniseries all around here.” She glanced toward the breathtaking snowcapped Rockies in the distance. They looked as if they’d sprung up in the town’s backyard. “Plus, the crews left behind a number of movie sets, and the town council is trying to decide how best to use them.”
Ron gave her an annoying smirk.
With his dark hair and hazel eyes, Savannah had once considered him a good-looking man. He could also be charming when he wanted. Or he could be a first-class jerk.
“Are you going to just stand there?” The door remained slightly ajar, and when he didn’t respond she considered giving it a push. He was a notorious hound dog. Putting him out of commission for a while would make many women in the office happy. How he’d managed to hold on to his job, she’d never know. “Move,” she said, oh so tempted. “Please.”
“What’s it been, two years since you’ve been out in the field?” he said, finally stepping back. “Bet you’re sorry you chose this assignment.”
Ignoring him, she grabbed her purse and key fob and checked to make sure the car’s license plate number was included in case the desk clerk asked for it.
“Ah, I get it,” he said. “You wanted to get me alone.”
“Yeah, that’s right.” She swung her legs out of the car and stood. In her heeled boots, she had an inch on him...which she liked. “How did you end up here?” At the last minute he’d replaced Duncan, who Savannah had requested to be part of the team. She never would’ve asked for Ron. “I thought you were headed to New Orleans.”
“I pulled a few strings.”
Frowning, she popped the trunk and went around to get her bags. “That doesn’t make sense...”
Ron quickly lost the cocky grin and shrugged. “I wanted a shorter gig.”
He looked as though he was holding something back, which made Savannah nervous. Of all the assignments, she couldn’t have this one go sideways. He’d asked her out a couple times, and she’d politely declined. It had been a while, and everything had been fine between them, especially since she worked in the Denver office and he was usually on the road.
But God help him if he stuck one toe over the line. A nasty thought had her biting down on her lip. Wouldn’t Ron just die if he knew she’d started seeing Porter Burke two months ago? She wouldn’t say, of course, but just imagining the shock on his face brought her a moment’s satisfaction.
He beat her to the bags, grabbing both of them.
“Thank you, Ron,” she said, trying to keep her tone pleasant. “But I’ve got it. You really should go catch up with Nina.”
“Change of plans,” he said, heading toward the motel entrance.
“What do you mean?” she asked, hurrying to keep up with him.
“I’m staying here, too.”
“What? Wait. Duncan booked two rooms over at—”
“I changed the reservations.”
“What do you mean you changed them? Without consulting me?”
They reached the door and he stepped back, exchanging a smile with an older woman exiting the building. It gave Savannah a minute to settle down and get her temper under control. She wanted to kill him, but instead she’d just maim him for life.
A couple was sorting through brochures in the lobby, which was small enough that it would be difficult for Savannah not to be overheard. A woman standing behind the front desk greeted them. Ron gave her a big smile, stepped up and set down the bags.
This was starting out just great. Ten crummy seconds. That was all Savannah would’ve needed to drag Ron back out to the parking lot without causing a scene.
“We’re checking in,” Ron said. “I believe you have our reservation. Mr. and Mrs. Ron Carver.”
Savannah gaped at him, too stunned to say anything.
“Yes, we’ve been expecting you.” The woman—Patty, according to her name tag—transferred her attention to a monitor screen. “Oh, and congratulations. I see you called this morning and requested a honeymoon suite—”
“What? No. That’s a mistake.” Savannah quietly cleared her throat as she tried to regain her wits. The woman looked confused. “We aren’t really married. Not yet.” Forcing a smile, Savannah elbowed Ron. “Quit being so impatient.”
“Come on, honey. Don’t be—”
“We need two rooms.”
“Well, to be honest, we don’t have anything like a honeymoon suite. But let’s see what we do have...” Patty returned her gaze to the monitor. “How about a connecting—”
“No. Nothing connecting either.” Savannah didn’t trust herself to even look at Ron. “In fact, a different floor would be preferable.”
“Savannah, honey...”
She pushed his arm away from her shoulders. “Actually, I’m still pretty upset with you from that last little stunt you pulled.” The heel of her boot found his big toe. She didn’t step down too hard.
Ron whimpered.
Oh, well maybe it was a tiny bit harder than she’d intended.
“I’m sorry, Patty.” Savannah found it wasn’t as difficult to smile this time. “I didn’t mean to include you in our little tiff. Now, about my room?”
“No problem.” The woman hid her amusement as well as Savannah hid her satisfaction over inflicting pain on the stupid bastard.
And she was in no way finished with him. Maiming was now officially off the table. Another cute move and she was going for the jugular.
She had to be careful, though. In their line of work, attracting too much attention sometimes ended with them giving themselves away. The town was a legitimate client paying for Porter Burke’s services. The team had to give it their best effort.
Savannah hadn’t once forgotten how much she had at stake here.
Life had been good to her these last six years. She had just about everything she could want and certainly more than she’d ever dreamed possible, given her background. But some elusive piece seemed to be missing, and she couldn’t shake the feeling Blackfoot Falls might be the key.
The whole point of coming back to her childhood home was to get some closure. Being run out of town had been traumatic, and she’d had nightmares, plenty of them, for years. Now she’d see it all from an adult’s perspective instead of a hormonal teen’s.
This quest was one of completion, a symbolic way of locking the past behind her, so she could finally, unequivocally feel like the woman she appeared to be. Content, successful and capable of creating the life she wanted.
Now, if she could just figure out a way to get rid of Ron.
* * *
MIKE BURNETT SWUNG into the saddle and pulled up the collar of his jacket against the chilly October air. The sun had already dropped behind the snowcapped peaks to the west, so he didn’t need to check the time to know he was running late. He’d hoped to be home well before sundown.
Maybe he was wrong about the calf straying this far. He thought he’d caught a glimpse of the little hellion in the brush, but it must’ve been a coyote.
After taking a final look around, he started down the ridge, scouring the overgrown sage while keeping Dude at a slow walk. As they approached the clearing, the gelding sniffed the air. His nostrils flaring, he danced impatiently, waiting for a signal.
Mike knew what was coming. “It’s getting cold. Any chance I can talk you out of this?” he said, leaning forward and stroking the bay’s neck. “Huh, you big baby?”
Dude decided that was permission enough and galloped toward the trees. They skirted a trio of pines, leaped over a fallen branch, raced past a grove of cottonwoods and then splashed across the creek. Mike could’ve done without that part of the ritual, but he’d had the bay for five years now and he liked that Dude still had the playfulness of a colt.
Besides, even in the cold, Mike still got a rush riding like the wind. He wasn’t sure which one of them liked the exercise better.
After his own excitement leveled off, it was obvious Dude still needed to burn off some energy, and Mike didn’t have the heart to slow him down. Together, they raced across the field, through the tall grass, until the barn came into view.
Chip, the part-timer he’d hired last spring, apparently hadn’t left yet. His sorry old green pickup was still parked in the driveway. He was a good kid, still finding his way at the ripe old age of twenty-two, but he had a strong back and never complained about the work.
Right behind Chip’s truck was a newer black crew cab that Mike didn’t recognize. Course, there were about twenty trucks in the county that fit the same description.
Probably belonged to Victor or another friend of his parents who had come to see them before they left to spend the winter in Florida. For years they’d waited until after Thanksgiving to go stay with his sister, Lauren, and the grandkids and then returned by mid-April. But now all it took was the first dip in temperature to get them packing up their small trailer.
Mike wouldn’t be surprised if they told him they were leaving Montana for good. His dad didn’t need to be out in the cold dawn hours feeding the animals, what with his arthritis. Mike had taken over most of the chores, although his dad still managed to ride his old chestnut during the warmer months.
Chip walked out of the barn just as Mike rode up. “Hey, your mom was looking for you.” Chip glanced toward the house. “I think she wanted to catch you outside. I can take Dude.”
“Thanks.” Mike dismounted, wondering why the secrecy. “Whose truck?”
“Some old guy named Lawrence. I don’t know him, but I seen him before...over by Twin Creeks.”
“Ah.” Mike had a bad feeling Lawrence was here to speak with him. “What are you still doing here? I figured you’d be at the Watering Hole by now.”
Snorting, he took the reins. “I ain’t setting foot in that place ever again. Those friggin’ pool sharks from the Circle K hustled me out of fifty bucks and a round of beer.”
“Never again, huh?”
Chip shrugged. “Or until next payday,” he said, chuckling. “Gotta win my money back so I can buy my girl a ring. Hey, I heard you’re pretty good.”
“I don’t know who told you that. I hold my own, but that’s it.”
“If you aren’t doing anything tomorrow night, how about meeting me at the Full Moon? Maybe give me a few pointers? I’m buying.”
Mike laughed. “You just said you were staying away from the game.”
“Not from pool, just those Circle K crooks. And they stick to the Watering Hole.”
Mike hadn’t had a night out in a while. Probably do him some good. Especially with his folks gone. The house was going to be too quiet for the first few days. “Yeah, I just might do that. I’ll even spring for the beer.”
“Sweet.” Chip tugged on the reins. “Come on, boy. I see he let you go swimming again.”
Mike took off his Stetson and ran a hand through his hair as he turned toward the house. Before he could take another step, he heard the kitchen door squeak open. Time to oil the hinges again. The old log-and-stone house, which had been built by his granddad, needed some attention. Thankfully, Mike had the money to make the more urgent repairs over the slower winter months.
“Hey, Mom. Chip said you—”
She motioned for him to keep his voice down as she hurried toward him wearing her usual jeans and flannel shirt but no jacket. He was a good fifteen yards from the house and the windows were all shut tight. No one inside would overhear them. But he wasn’t going to argue, if she’d even give him a second to get a word in.
At sixty-three years young and only five foot two, Rosemary Burnett was trim and energetic, and boy could she move when she put her mind to it. Probably didn’t realize she was still wearing her fuzzy pink house slippers.
After a quick glance over her shoulder, she veered left and gestured for him to follow her to the barn.
They met just inside, out of view. “What’s all the cloak-and-dagger about?”
“Lawrence Peabody is here,” she said, her face flushed.
“Okay.”
“Claims he heard we’re leaving in the morning and stopped to say goodbye. Now, when has that stingy old goat ever given your dad and me a second thought? Huh?”
Mike couldn’t argue there.
“First thing out of his mouth was to ask where you were and what time you’d be back.” She ducked her head to look past him toward the house. “If I were you, I’d climb right back on Dude and take off.”
Mike smiled. The thought had occurred to him. “Maybe it’s not what we think.”
“Of course it is, Michael. Didn’t you hear? He’s expanding his sundry store over in Twin Creeks, and there’s talk he’s buying the old drive-through in Blackfoot Falls and making it into a restaurant. I bet you dollars to doughnuts he wants you to do carpentry work for him.”
“If he asks, I’ll explain I’m too busy.”
She reached up and cradled his left cheek with a motherly hand. “Will you, honey?”
“Winter might be a slow time, but I’ve got a lot of repairs to make around the house and barn.”
“I understand why it’s hard for you to say no to some of these folks. Lord knows what we would’ve done without the money you brought in during those lean years. Most folks could’ve waited to get their repairs done, but they called out of the kindness of their hearts. We both know Lawrence Peabody wasn’t one of them.”
“I haven’t forgotten.” He meant it. Mike felt no obligation to the man who had taken advantage of the Burnetts’ situation.
Like most everyone in the ranching community, Mike and his family had struggled for a while. The recession had hit the whole country hard. But friends and neighbors had really stepped up, hiring him to do anything from minor repairs to remodeling work on kitchens.
Only one person had haggled him down to a ridiculously low price: Lawrence Peabody. So, no, Mike wasn’t about to do any more work for the man.
Ultimately the family and the ranch had survived, and they were doing well now. They’d increased the herd to seven hundred head, which kept him damn busy. In fact, he’d decided to talk to his dad about offering Chip full-time work. They could afford it now and still be able to hire seasonal help.
“Well, I’d better hurry back inside before Lawrence catches on that I warned you.” She started to leave, noticed her house slippers and sighed. “I’ll chase him out in a bit. We still have some packing to do.”
“No need to do anything on my account. I have no problem telling him no. What time are you leaving tomorrow?”
“Before the rooster crows. You know your father.” She took a few steps and stopped. “I’m sorry we’re leaving you here alone for Thanksgiving, Michael. I really—”
“Don’t give it another thought. The cold is getting harder on Dad. I’m glad you’re leaving now.” It seemed like the perfect time to ask if she thought they might do better living in a warmer climate. But the sad smile that lifted the corners of her mouth stopped him.
“You should come to Florida for Christmas. Your sister and the kids miss you. Little Jared is getting so big, you won’t believe it when you see him.”
“Well, I’ve got fences to mend before I can even get to the house repairs—”
“It’s not fair, son.” She blinked, tears bringing a sheen to her eyes. “So much of the burden has rested on your shoulders. But I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Come on, Mom.” He put an arm around her, aware that he’d just gotten his answer. “I wouldn’t want to be anyplace else but right here. I love ranching, you know that.”
“Good thing. I’m just plain too old to have more sons,” she said with that wry sense of humor they shared.
Mike laughed. “Look, about Florida, we’ll see. I just might surprise you.”
“Better yet, I wish you’d find a girl,” she said. “A nice young woman who understands what it means to live on a ranch and work outside come rain or shine.” She squinted at him. “Oh, don’t you give me that look. I know you want that, too.”
He didn’t bother to deny it. Now that things had settled back to normal and he could actually make a decent living, he figured it was time to find the right woman. Didn’t mean he’d hold his breath, though.
Copyright © 2018 by Debbi Quattrone