Chapter Five

Calista trudged into the kitchen. She hadn’t slept a wink after Gage left, and she had hammered a piece of plywood on the broken window. Her thoughts raced from the fear of the burglars coming back to Gage standing beside her looking so damn good it hurt to breathe.

His broad shoulders filled out that sweatshirt he offered her. It would have smelled like him, and she couldn’t handle that, which was why she backed away. His hair was still black, even now, and days’ worth of scruff had covered his strong, tawny jaw.

She needed her damn heart to get on the same page as her head. So what that they’d had a good thing once? All good things must come to an end. They would never have made it. Every time she looked at him, she saw Ajay.

She dumped the ground coffee into the filter and stared out the window. If Ajay hadn’t pulled that trigger, Ava would be here now, married with a bunch of children running around the B and B. Maybe her parents would still be together and they’d be a real family.

Ajay and Ava had become friends because she and Gage dated. Quiet Ava had been the moth to Ajay’s flame. They were the same age with similar interests. Ajay had the Ryker good looks and a bold personality with a great sense of humor.

Calista returned the coffeepot to the machine with a little too much force. The coffee sloshed up the sides and onto her hand.

“Damn.” She ran cold water over her hand already-turning red.

She tried not to picture Gage when he laughed. His top lip curled up when he really got going and he could let that shield down. The lines around his eyes would deepen as he smiled. Last night she hadn’t missed the way they were etched on his grown-up face.

The hot coffee burned her mouth too. “Stay focused.”

Her new job was to start the repairs and find the money to replace the stolen items. How could her father have stopped the payments on the insurance? What if this place went up in flames?

Advertising for new guests would have to wait until she knew how much it would cost to replace the valuables. Without new guests, she couldn’t afford to fix everything that was broken and in need of repair. She would have to prioritize the list and hope she didn’t completely fail. The coffee burned her mouth again. She should have stayed in Billings instead of coming home. She hadn’t been here a full week, and her father had her tangled in his messes again.

She wasn’t being fair. The robbery wasn’t his fault. Everything else was. The chime from the front door sang out. She wiped the errant tear from her face and went to greet whoever was at the door. A guest would be too much to ask for.

“Hi.” Justin stood by the front desk tucked near the staircase. His smile reminded her to place one on her own face. He wore the expected oversized jeans and Grizzlies shirt. But this time a shiner outlined his eye.

“What happened to you?” She stepped forward and reached for his face, but he ducked.

“It’s nothing.” He pulled at his hair, but it couldn’t cover what she’d already seen.

“Are you sure?” The skin around his eye was swollen and had turned a dark purple. Scratches and a hint of a bruise near his mouth suggested he might have been hit there too.

“My brother and I were fucking around. Sorry about the language.” He stared at his feet.

“What’s he look like?”

“He’s fine.”

“I get it that guys throw a few punches to deal with a difference of opinion, but this looks more serious than that.” She couldn’t explain her gut reaction, but she liked Justin and didn’t want anyone hurting him. Maybe it was the crooked smile or that he reminded her a little of Gage at that age.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me. I have breakfast.” She headed into the kitchen. Telling a tough story over food was always easier than just standing there.

“I’m not hungry. I already ate.” But he followed her anyway.

“I did promise you I’d feed you as part of your payment. I hope you’ll take me up on that. I have cinnamon rolls this morning. Would you like one with some coffee?”

“Um, okay. I mean, I guess so. Thanks.” He slid onto the stool at the counter.

“Great. Now tell me what you and your brother were fighting about.” She wanted to fix everything—even things between her and Gage—but that was impossible. She placed a cinnamon roll on a plate and slid it over to him. She poured two cups of coffee. She needed another one too.

Justin tore the bun into pieces, then licked his fingers. He kept his gaze on his hands. “Do you promise you won’t think this is stupid?”

“No way.”

“He thinks I’m disrespecting our family because I want to leave the reservation permanently. You know, make a life in Backwater.”

“What did you say to that?” She wrapped her hands around the mug and watched him over the rim. Leaving the reservation was a tough thing for Justin’s people. Families expected everyone to stay together, but the younger generation often wanted something different.

“I told him to go fuck off, and he hit me.” His lip curled into that crooked smile.

“I’m sorry.”

“It is what it is. What projects am I working on today?”

And just like that, the subject was closed. She recognized that set jaw and cold-as-steel look in his eyes. Gage was very good at doing the same thing.

“I want to start in the front room. Paint the walls. I think the ceiling is okay. You’ll have to cover the furniture and the floors. I can’t afford to redecorate just yet. All the painting supplies are in the garage.”

Even though the sound of the chime was something she should be used to, when it dinged again, she jumped. She took a deep breath. It was normal to be out of sorts today. They’d experienced a trauma last night. “I’ll get the door.”

No one was expected this early, but that didn’t mean anything. In Backwater, news traveled like a boat on the rapids. Anyone could be here with a casserole because the B and B was robbed last night. She took a deep breath to steady her frayed nerves.

The deep breath caught in her throat. Gage stood inside her front room in his sheriff’s uniform. The brown shirt fit snug against his broad shoulders and tapered down into his beige trousers. She didn’t allow her gaze to linger anywhere below his belt. Her neck was probably bright red and giving her away. The last thing she needed was him catching her stare. His hair was still wet from a morning shower, and his clean-shaven face taunted her fingertips. She wished she had run a brush through her hair and bothered to get out of her pajamas.

He clasped his hands at his waist. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.” She struggled to keep a level of calm in her voice. “What can I help you with?”

“I came by to walk your property for any possible clues. Also, I’m afraid Deputy Pearce forgot to dust for fingerprints. I’d like to do that too. I have the kit in my cruiser.”

“I’ve been all through the kitchen. Isn’t it a little late to look for fingerprints now?”

“Maybe. I’d like to try with your permission.” He stood ramrod straight. Which meant he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“How long is that going to take?”

“I’ll be as quick as possible. Have you or your father thought of anything else that might be helpful?”

“If I remember anything else, I’ll come by the department. If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.” Having him standing in her house looking professional in his uniform, and menacing with a gun strapped to his waist, made the tension ease from her shoulders. He had been the only person ever capable of giving her that gift, but the minute Ava died, all the things Gage could offer were no longer important. She needed him to go so she wouldn’t forget her needs didn’t count.

“Is your new employee here yet? I’d like to question him too.”

“Can that wait?” Until she was somewhere else or at the very least wearing a bra.

“The quicker you allow me to do my job, the faster I’ll be gone. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

“You read my mind.” She regretted allowing the words to form outside her head, but they hovered in the air like pollution that would never be cleaned up.

He marched past her and strode into the kitchen.

She followed on his heels, wanting to grab him and shove him out the door, but his damn long legs cleared the space faster than she could. “Sheriff Ryker, now isn’t a good time.”

He stopped in his tracks. She slammed into his solid body. He glared at her over his shoulder, then turned his attention back inside the kitchen.

“You?” Gage growled.

She weaved around Gage. Justin jumped and tripped over the chair, knocking it down. He backed up until he was pressed against the door with its new wooden patch over the broken window.

“This is Justin, my new employee.” She righted the chair and glanced between the two men. The uneasiness spiraled between them.

“We’ve met.”

“She told me she was eighteen.” Justin held his hands up in front of his face.

“I’m not following. When did you two meet?”

Gage ignored her question and stepped forward, towering over Justin. He had the benefit of age to broaden his shoulders and years of hard work on his side to Justin’s boyish, still-growing stature.

Justin squirmed against the door, as if he wanted to put more space between him and Gage. “Please, sir, let me explain.”

“Stop talking.”

“How about I get you a cup of coffee? You seem like you need one.” She didn’t wait for Gage’s response but grabbed a mug and poured coffee, leaving room at the top for milk. At least that’s how he used to take it.

He pushed the mug away, and his frown deepened. The glare in his eyes would freeze anyone in their spot. “After you left my residence, where did you go between the hours of nine p.m. and twelve a.m.?”

His residence? “Wait a second. Do you really know Justin?”

Gage turned his furious stare on her. “I found this young man in my home behaving in an inappropriate manner with my daughter.” He turned back to Justin. “Now answer my damn question. Where were you last night?”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. There were no coincidences. Her fingers sought her mala beads. Justin knew Gage’s daughter in the biblical way. This would never end well for Justin. She had to try and protect him from Gage’s fury.

“I was home.”

“Can anyone corroborate that?” Gage made notes on his phone.

“I was by myself. My brother was out most of the night with our cousin. We live with him. For now.”

“Who’d you get into a fight with?” Gage pointed at Justin’s eye.

“It’s no big deal.”

“Looks like someone clocked you good. Was it another young lady’s father, or did you fall?”

“Can I ask why you’re asking me these questions?” Justin stopped fidgeting and stood to his full height, which almost put him eye level with Gage.

“There was a robbery here last night. Do you know anything about that?”

“Is that why there’s wood on the door? I’m sorry, Calista. I hope you weren’t hurt.” He peered around Gage to see her.

“I’m fine. Gage, all these questions aren’t necessary. Justin didn’t do anything.” The tension in the room thickened like morning fog on the lake. She was going to need to burn some sage to clear the air after both men left.

“Calista, let me do my job.” Gage never took his gaze off Justin.

“Anyone want more coffee?” She held up the carafe, hoping to bring levity into the mix. They ignored her.

“You didn’t answer my question. Do you know anything about the robbery?”

“Why would I know anything about a robbery here?”

“Because you look like trouble.”

“You think that because I’m Indian and I have a rez accent.” Justin tried to puff up his thin chest.

Gage narrowed his eyes. “I don’t care about your heritage or your accent. I think you’re trouble because you had your hand up my daughter’s shirt, you dumb shit.”

“Gage, maybe name-calling is too far.” She hoped her voice held a strong warning. She really didn’t want to dose him with hot coffee to make him shut up.

“All you white people think we’re stupid and don’t belong in your world because we’re poor. I might be poor, but I don’t steal.”

Gage pointed a finger at Justin. “You don’t know the first thing about me, young man. I suggest you show some respect, or I will throw you in jail for sexual misconduct with a minor.”

“Gage, please. You’re being unreasonable. For the tenth time, Justin did not rob my home.” She needed to derail him. He was picking up too much steam.

“Okay, Justin, tell me this. How is it Miss Hartman hires you to work for her and that very night her house is burglarized? Doesn’t that seem strange to you?”

“I don’t know anything about it. I left here around four and went to your house and then home. Are we through? I have work to do.” Justin pushed away from the door.

“Not until I say we are.” Gage blocked his path.

“I think he answered all your questions.” She broke her own rule and gripped Gage’s arm. The strength of his muscles sent shivers over her skin.

“Don’t go far. I may have more questions.” Gage eased out of her grip and leveled a cold stare on him.

“You got it, chief.” Justin saluted.

“It’s Sheriff Ryker, son.”

“Yeah. Okay. Calista, I’ll be in the garage, if you don’t have a problem with that?”

“That’s fine. Thanks.” She waited for him to leave, then turned on Gage with rage flowing through her. “What is wrong with you?” She could not summon an ounce of her yoga practice.

“What are you talking about?” He reached for the mug, but she stopped him. Her hand gripped his wrist, and the current between them ran up her arm to her heart. Touching him twice in five minutes was liable to kill her.

“You come in here and practically accuse him of robbing the place. How could you do that?” She walked away from him. No touching.

“I did not accuse him of anything.”

“Why didn’t you tell him your father is from the Kootenai tribe? You let him believe you dislike him because he’s Indian.”

“No, I’m pretty sure he knows I don’t like him because he had my daughter half-naked. Besides, my heritage is none of his damn business. Can I have that coffee?”

“No.”

He reached for the coffee pot anyway, but she got in his way.

“Calista, he knows something about last night. He’s probably one of the three guys your father saw running away from here. It’s too much of a coincidence.”

“You’re being ridiculous. What makes you think he’s a criminal? You don’t know him.”

Fox hadn’t been a criminal. He had been a good kid who wanted to make something of himself. He’d wanted out of the neighborhood and to do his grandmother proud.

Gage put his hands up. “I can tell you’re upset—”

“Do not patronize me. My feelings are real.”

“I’ve been doing my job a long time. My hunch says Justin is involved. My hunches are rarely wrong. He knows something. If you’re smart, you won’t keep him around. Let him find employment in another town. Your father has enough problems without this kid causing trouble.”

“Have you become a police officer who accuses everyone before they have all the facts? Are you any good at this job of yours, or are you just a dad who’s mad he caught his daughter rounding second base?” She didn’t really know him anymore. Her mission had been to stay away from him. He could have burned out over the years. She certainly had.

She couldn’t even believe Gage had a child. He had wasted no time falling into bed with another woman, but what did she expect? She had slapped his face when he was covered in blood and searching for her to help him. Only she couldn’t help him.

“She’s fifteen. Why am I explaining this to you? I’ve seen plenty of good kids do something stupid thinking they’ll never get caught.”

“I don’t know a whole lot about Justin, but I do know he didn’t commit this robbery.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Is that what you’ve been doing this whole time you were away?”

“I’m not following. What do you think I’ve been doing?” Besides working two jobs to make ends meet and forming an attachment to her neighbor because she had no one in her life.

“Saving the world. Have you been trying to save the world so Ava wouldn’t have died in vain?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She dropped her gaze to the coffee. His piercing glare made heat travel from her chest to her scalp.

“Let me tell you something—you can’t change the past. There isn’t anything you can do now that will change how that night turned out. Believe me, I’ve already tried.”

She would not side with him. They could not erase the fact Ajay pulled the trigger and fired the bullet that took her sister. They were not victims in this together. She fought a sob. The truth was, they were in this together. Both of their families had suffered. But if he had been paying attention, if he had not pushed Ajay away when he needed Gage most, their lives would be so much different today.

“When are you going to forgive me for being Ajay’s brother?” He leaned in close enough she could smell his spicy scent.

“Every time I look at you, I see him.”

He pounded his fist on the counter and walked out of the room. He slammed the front door, making it rattled in its frame.

She dropped down in a chair and held her head in her hands.

“I’m sorry,” she said to no one.