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Replying with his own chuckle like they were old friends, Bear Claw answered. “Well, interesting thing, I need Jenny to get me the rest of the way there. But you want the sisters, right?” He paused, Jason’s silence allowing him to continue. “Yeah, word travels fast around Clearwater, Mendez.”

  Dread crept up Jason’s skin, encircling his waist and neck with a tight band. Bear Claw’s confidence wasn’t of someone scrambling for information.

  Bear Claw didn’t wait for a comment from Jason, all laughter aside. “I have Mary, Lisa, and Sara Beth. I’ll trade you three for one – word is you have a map, so you really don’t need Jenny. I’ll take her and you can race me to the treasure with your map.”

  Jason struggled to speak. The dread didn’t lighten up, didn’t give him breathing room.

  “Have her ready to hike and in front of Lonely Rivers Ranch before dawn, alone, or the girls will be swimming down the falls. Their death will be on you, law dog. I don’t want to hurt Jenny. I need her. I don’t need the other three.” His threat hung in the air, full and bloated like a rotting fruit waiting to rupture.

  How could Bear Claw have the women when Hannah’s contact said he was still on the reservation? Jason finally worked his mouth. “I want proof you have them. I don’t believe you.”

  A shriek in the background and then the snappish voice of Lisa came on the phone. “Mendez, you get us out of this now. Tell the guys—”

  “— Nah, Mendez, don’t tell the guys nothin’. You bring me Jenny and we’ll be good.” And Bear Claw clicked the conversation off.

  Jason stared at the blank screen for a long moment. What did he do? Jenny or the girls? He couldn’t give her up. And in a couple hours, he wasn’t going to be able to do much in the way of being able to call for backup or make decisions with different consequences for a citizen.

  He couldn’t give Jenny up.

  But she had a chance at a family, sisters. And even though she didn’t know them yet and they disliked Jason something fierce, he couldn’t let anything happen to them. What if she wanted a relationship with them later? He didn’t have the opportunity to have family.

  Jenny did.

  And he intended to make sure she kept it.

  Pushing up from the chair, he approached the door again, but this time with nothing lustful on his mind.

  Through the bathroom, he lifted his hand, pausing a moment before rapping his knuckles on the wooden panel.

  No answer.

  He knocked again, louder. Still no answer.

  Deeper fear filled him. What would stop Bear Claw from breaking in and stealing Jenny? After a call like that, anything was possible and Jason’s imagination took care of the possibilities.

  Turning the knob, Jason pushed the door open, hoping to find her asleep on the bed. She proved at his place that she was a really hard sleeper.

  A man could hope. When it came to Jenny, that seemed to be all Jason did.

  But the bed was empty, and Jenny, her backpack, and the box were all gone.

  Chapter 21

  Jenny

  Slipping out the window had been easier than Jenny could have planned.

  Finding keys to the cars in the driveway, however, was like trying to lasso a raging bull with a spaghetti noodle.

  She checked the last truck by the barn and sank back against the door. Okay, so borrowing a car was out of the question. No big deal. She didn’t need to take her stuff with her. She could drop off her backpack and box in Jason’s car and maybe borrow a horse?

  No, the idea of taking a horse without permission was worse than taking a car, plus the cowboy friends of Jason’s would hear everything. As it was, she was having a hard time staying quiet. She didn’t take the time to think anything through. An engine would be louder than a horse.

  Pushing off the car, she carefully approached Jason’s vehicle and opened the back door as softly as possible. Tucking her things on the floor of the back seat, she sank into the cushions to give herself a moment to think.

  What now?

  Think, Jenny. She grew up in Clearwater County. She ran away from home with a duffle bag of stuff and just her small legs. Now she was older, smarter, wasn’t burdened with items – yet – and knew exactly where she needed to go. Her legs were longer and used to being worked hard.

  Walking there wouldn’t be a problem. Sure, she’d use more time, but no one was out looking for her, and she could get there and back before anyone sent out a search party. If she was lucky, she might even be able to return in time for a couple hours of sleep.

  Looking back, thankfully, Jason hadn’t pressed her for more when he’d kissed her – even though she wanted to be in his arms more than anything. If he had pursued where the kiss was headed, her resolve would’ve snapped and she’d still be in his arms instead of accomplishing something so huge. Yeah, so much for any control around him, hers had diminished significantly in the short time she’d been around him.

  Loneliness wasn’t a good shield against warm embraces and demanding lips.

  Or that chest.

  She shuddered, remembering the depth of his kiss, the heat of his embrace. Jenny, it’s not too late to go back in and knock on his door…

  Snap out of it. Think long term. She wasn’t going after the treasure by herself in the middle of the night for the fun of it.

  What did she need? A flashlight to see where she was going. Jenny studied the interior.

  Jason seemed like the prepared sort, maybe he had some kind of a car kit for emergencies or something. A red and black bag corner poked from underneath the passenger side seat. She reached over and tugged the bulky shape out.

  Sure enough, Jason packed around a compact kit. Inside, a flashlight, Mylar blanket, tow straps, and more for numerous emergencies were packed conveniently into the canvas duffel.

  Securing the light, Jenny returned the bag to its spot. Slipping from the car, she glanced around. She wanted to head west, toward Lonely Rivers and Lacey Caverns.

  Casting one last glance around the viewable property, Jenny plunged into the darkness past the circle of light. Long grasses brushed against her jeans as she strode with confidence along the side of the drive. She wouldn’t need the light for a while. Tucking the long handle into the stomach pocket of her sweatshirt, Jenny winced at the chill of the metal brushing against briefly exposed skin.

  Moonlight illuminated the grasses and rocks with a silvery glow as clear as day.

  At the road, she stuck close to the fence. If she needed to duck because of an oncoming car, hopefully her shape could be hidden using the fence posts or even the brush growing up around the perimeter fences.

  The end-of-summer warmth disappeared fast when the sun went down. Her brisk pace held the chill at bay. She tucked her hands inside the pocket to ward off the cold air creeping around her.

  She paused to listen, unable to hear anything over the sound of her breathing and the crunch of gravel and the snapping of twigs under her feet as she walked.

  Hanging low, the moon claimed a petulant slant to the Man in the Moon’s eyes. She grew up with him as her guardian and the stars as her friends.

  Funny how to most kids, night time was filled with goblins and boogeymen, but for Jenny, comfort came when others had a difficult time seeing and she could hide easier.

  She swung her arms as she started walking again, grateful to finally have a plan in place, have something to do to help keep her from losing control of the situation. Keeping Jason might not be an option, but keeping her dreams in place of hearing from her mother one last time was.

  It had to be.

  Glancing behind her for what seemed like the thirtieth time, Jenny faltered. A silhouette against the night sky of a man on a horse was in the distance.

  She jumped into the roadside ditch, close to the fence post. Who would be out at this time of night? Unless it was the men Jason and his friends were speaking about. A tiny sliver of fear shafted through her. But they were supposed to be camped across from the Lonely River
s Ranch. True, she was headed that way, but she could go in through the fields or something.

  Ranches in Montana had more space than the skies. There was always more than one way on and off.

  The horse and rider came closer, still too far off to identify especially with the moon at their back.

  Jenny shimmied over the side of the fence and into the pasture. She didn’t need to have anyone after her – friend or foe. She was out to complete her mission. Sitting there like a horse waiting to be saddled wasn’t her style.

  She didn’t even look again, for the rider headed her way. Jenny took off, running in her well-worn boots in a northwesterly direction. She hadn’t planned on running, only walking and the fast pace over the uneven ground sapped her waning energy.

  How was she going to be able to do this? A stitch started in her side. She couldn’t help throwing another glance over her shoulder, hoping the horse and rider passed on by. If so, she could slow down, if not stop, to catch her breath.

  The rider had dismounted his horse and jumped the fence. Long strides helped him close the distance. The horse waited by the post.

  Jenny shrieked, pumping her arms harder and lifting her knees.

  Oh, he was getting closer, the pounding of his boots growing louder and louder until – his hand clamped around her shoulder and jerked her to a stop.

  She struggled to break free, realizing his hand wasn’t going anywhere while she struggled.

  “Stop. Jenny. Just stop.” Nate’s low voice broke through her panic and she stilled, staring up at his shadowy face hidden by the low brim of his hat.

  “Nate. What are you doing?” She looked past his shoulder for Jason. If Nate was there, Jason couldn’t be far behind.

  He tilted his head. “I could ask you the same thing. I saw you leave and thought I better follow.”

  Grateful for the dim lighting that had to cover the shameful heat flooding her face, Jenny coughed. “Um, I’m out for a stroll. You know, the house is really confining and…” She avoided his gaze, like he could read her lies in her eyes.

  “Yeah, confining. Okay, lady, come on. I’m taking you back to Jason.” He held up his hand as she started to protest and pull back. “You’re not safe out here. I’m not sure what you’re doing, but there’s a lot going on back at the ranch and you missing as well won’t help the situation.”

  Everyone had been in bed or getting ready for bed when she left, how could things be going on? Curiosity held her tongue and she fell into step beside Nate. She didn’t worry about checking around her for other men or even to see if she was safe. Something told her the man next to her wouldn’t let anything happen to her – if not because he was a decent man, but because he cared about Jason.

  That was good enough for her.

  The ride back on the horse was significantly shorter. Embarrassing, considering she thought she covered a larger distance.

  Clip-clopping up the drive, Jenny’s stomach tightened nervously as she and Nate entered the perimeter of the light circle. Jason, Rosie, and Michael waited on the porch.

  Pacing back and forth, Jason ran his hands through his hair, emotions tightening his strong jawline.

  “Thank you, Nate.” Jenny murmured as he helped her slide from the back of his horse. He nodded and led his animal around the back of the barn. Silent and strong.

  Wringing her hands, she walked the remaining feet to the steps and mounted them slowly. Was she a prisoner? Why would they be so worried? And who discovered her missing?

  At the top of the stairs, she paused, looking at Rosie, Michael, and Jason, unsure of whom to start with. Unsure exactly what she was supposed to do – apologize, get mad, be contrite? What was the right answer?

  Jason didn’t wait for her to explain herself. He stepped forward, his lips tight, eyes focused. “They have Lisa, Mary, and Sara Beth.”

  He didn’t need to say who “they” were. The fear on Rosie’s face made sense. Michael’s pale features and arm wrapped securely around Rosie’s shoulder took on a different connotation.

  Jenny couldn’t breathe for a drawn out couple of seconds. “What do you mean?” She knew what he meant. She wasn’t stupid, but she needed time to soak in what he was saying.

  No matter how much time she got, she never would have been prepared for his next words.

  “The gang wants to trade those three for you. If you’re not at their meeting place before dawn,” Jason glanced at Rosie, regret in his gaze. “They’re going to throw the girls off the waterfall.”

  Rosie’s slight gasp filled the sudden silence. “You didn’t say that!”

  Guilt burned like an acid bath as it washed over Jenny. They were taken because of her. She didn’t even know them, but if they were anything like Rosie, they could be family. If not family, then friends.

  And Jenny didn’t have any of those.

  “What do they want with me?” She knew, but she had to hear Jason say it. Jason had to confirm for her that there were people out there so bad they hurt innocent women for money.

  “They want you to take them to the Caracus loot.” Jason’s words were low, intimate, like Rosie and Michael were no longer there. And as she stared into his coffee-colored eyes, she could believe they were alone and they discussed so much more than a dangerous kidnapping and her role in it.

  She didn’t question her choice. In fact, she knew what she had to do because even though she was a Caracus, she was still Ellsbeth’s daughter and that carried more with her than anything Devlyn could have taught her.

  She had to pick who to tell where the treasure was and who to mislead.

  Jason was the law and he searched for the treasure to return it for the reward and a reputation cleanser. Everything would go to the bank and whoever they hired to sort through the items. She might never see the chest again.

  But if she led the other men to the loot, they would at least think before turning anything over to anyone else. They might even let her have the invaluable collection and let her go.

  She didn’t know. Her uncle was a mixed up man and never consistent.

  All she knew for certain was that she’d come so far, alone. She didn’t want to lose her chance at her dream. Getting her fingers on her mother’s last words must have more priority over the man she’d fallen for. He may or may not be a good fit for her in the long run.

  Her body couldn’t win. She must listen to her mind.

  Not her heart.

  Not her desires.

  She had to do the right thing. And not just right by her mom or herself, but right by others.

  Right by her sisters.

  Sisters, because even as she fought the pull, even though she didn’t know them, they were the only chance at a family she had.

  Jenny nodded slowly, studying him as worry darkened Jason’s eyes while he watched her. There wasn’t any question on what she should do, would do.

  She reached out, clutching his hands in hers. “I’ll tell you where to go. You have to get the treasure, or at least get to it before anyone else does.”

  Jason’s eyes widened. “You’re not going. I only told you what happened so you would know the danger you’re in.” He returned the squeeze of her fingers with his own.

  “We can do something to get them back, Jason.” She tried smiling, but failed. “I can do this.” She glanced at Rosie and Michael and then jerked her head toward the barn to include the Montana Trails. “We have help.”

  He shook his head, refusal hardening his tone. “No. I can’t let you do this. You… I don’t want…” He swallowed, clenching her hands in his.

  Lowering her voice to only reach him, Jenny spoke slowly. “If those women are going to be half as welcoming as Rosie has been, then they’re worth saving. I can redirect the gang. I’ll send them somewhere else for a while to give you more time. I’m not sure how long, but I know I can do that much.” She peered into his eyes, careful not to share her own fear. “Can you get me out?”

  Chapter 22

&nbs
p; Jason

  Could Jason get her out?

  Wait, what was he doing? He wasn’t willing to let her fall into Bear Claw’s hands. If Bear Claw wasn’t on the reservation, then chances were high he’d already joined up with the remaining Caracus gang.

  Jason slid his hands from hers and clenched her upper arms. “I don’t think I can let you go.” His husky voice betrayed his pain. He sent in the email. He had already resigned. He couldn’t legally do a lot of the things he could’ve done when he was FBI.

  He could carry a gun – come on, there weren’t many who couldn’t carry a gun in Montana – but he couldn’t arrest anyone or demand anything, really, without having more leverage than a badge.