Wrangled and Tangled Read online

  “He slashed my tires. The next time he busted out the windows on my car. Then he whacked off the heads of my flowers, followed by smashing all my planters. The incidents were spread out. I never knew when he’d strike next. Finally he . . .” Janie squeezed her eyes shut.

  “He what? Janie, you’ve gotta tell me all of it,” Abe said gently.

  “That psycho fucker broke into my condo and cut out the crotch of every pair of my panties. Then he used the string of my desecrated underwear to hang one of those sex toys, a blow-up doll, from the ceiling above my bed. He’d put a black wig on her, and wrote ‘Die Whore Bitch’ across the chest, after X-ing out the eyes.”

  Beyond horrified, Abe watched helplessly as tears rolled down Janie’s face.

  “At that point, I did call the cops. They took photos and my statement. They even brought Dave in for questioning. Whatever story Dave told the cops . . . they bought it.”

  “Where did this happen?”

  “Kansas City,” Renner said. “Right after that, I helped Janie get a job with a buddy of mine who manages a hotel chain.”

  “I changed my whole life because of that psycho fucker. I became an employee trainer in the hospitality industry. I never stayed at a hotel property longer than a month.” Janie wiped her wet cheeks with her fingers. “I thought it was over because about a year ago I lost track of him.”

  Abe couldn’t form a noise, let alone a sentence with his tongue stuck to the roof of his dry mouth. Rage such as he’d never felt consumed him. He’d protect her whether she wanted it or not.

  “Janie, do you think Dave has been tracking you all along?”

  “Jesus, Tierney,” Renner snapped at her, “how is a question like that helping this situation?”

  “It’s a legitimate question. If you and Janie have stayed in touch over the years, it’d be easy enough for Dave to track Janie through you. Jackson Stock Contracting isn’t exactly on the down low. Dave has always known who and where you are.”

  Renner crossed his arms over his chest. “You’d be right, except that Janie and I purposely had a very public breakup while she was packing her U-Haul a month after the police interviewed Dave.”

  “How can you be sure Dave knew about it?”

  “He knew,” Janie said softly.

  “So Dave also knew you’d lived in Muddy Gap when you were married to me?” Abe asked.

  She shook her head. “I never told him or anyone else I’d been married. In fact, I let him believe I was from Colorado since that’s where I finished college.”

  Janie glanced at Renner. “There’s part of me that doesn’t think Dave is responsible for any of this. That’s not me being naïve. It just feels different.”

  “How so?”

  “I can’t explain it.”

  “I’m sorry this happened to you, Janie,” Tierney said. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.” She came over and squeezed Janie’s hand. “It’s obvious you can’t stay by yourself. To be totally up front with you, I’d prefer you didn’t live on the property.”

  Renner got right in Tierney’s face. “What in the hell is wrong with you? Don’t you care about her at all? We’re just supposed to turn her out when that fuckin’ psycho is after her again? Fuck that.”

  “As usual, you’ve made a wrong assumption about me and the situation. Yes, I do care about her, so quit being a jackass and making me look like a cold, hard bitch. I’m not suggesting we turn her out into the Wyoming wilderness, Renner. I’m suggesting for her safety, as well as the safety of our resort guests, that she finds a more secure place to live than those unprotected trailers when she’s off the clock.”

  “Which works out fine,” Abe said, “because Janie is comin’ to the ranch with me. I’ve got a personal security system and no one can get to her without goin’ through me first.”

  “What kind of personal security system?”

  “A twelve gauge, a twenty-two caliber and a forty-five.”

  The eruption of arguments after his mention of guns didn’t surprise Abe. Renner and Tierney were nose to nose, loudly locked in battle. Janie was gesturing wildly and trying to talk over them. Abe tried to listen but he didn’t give a shit about anything except securing Janie’s safety.

  A shrill whistle cut through the din and silence ensued.

  Harper leaned against the door. “Thank heaven. I could hear you all the way downstairs.”

  Abe watched Janie, Renner and Tierney exchange sheepish looks—no one had heard Harper come in, which wasn’t good.

  Tierney recovered first. “Thanks, Harper.”

  “No problem. I couldn’t help but overhear. I came up here to tell you there’s a guy wanting a drink at the bar. I would’ve gone ahead and served him, but after hearing this? I’m not sure if he’s even a guest.”

  Renner made a beeline for the door and would’ve knocked Harper over if she hadn’t moved quickly. Tierney was right on Renner’s heels.

  “Think it’s him?” Abe murmured to Janie.

  “No. I don’t think he’s anywhere around here. So, while the offer of your ranch is appreciated—”

  “It’s nonnegotiable. You can’t live at the Split Rock. Rentals are damn hard to come by in Muddy Gap. You’ll be safer at the ranch.”

  “I’ll also be really goddamned isolated,” she snapped.

  Although she was lashing out because she was scared, her poor opinion of the ranch sliced him to the bone. Not to mention her embarrassment and lack of disclosure about their marriage. But he would not dwell on his feelings because this was about her. Making sure Janie was safe. He’d give the sheriff a heads-up and see what information he could track down.

  Harper moved beside the couch to peek at Janie’s bandage. “Ouch. How bad did you injure your head?”

  “Why?”

  “The pain must be blocking the logic center of your brain if you’re considering saying no to Abe’s generous offer to let you hole up at the Lawson ranch.”

  Abe bit his cheek to keep from smiling. Harper might look the quintessential beauty queen, but she didn’t pull punches. And she did it with total charm.

  “Harper, you don’t understand.”

  “Yes, I do. You’re being stubborn. Get over it because there’s one thing you haven’t considered.”

  Janie’s pointed chin lifted a notch. “What?”

  “If this Dave guy is targeting you, he’ll probably be targeting Abe too, because it’s common knowledge around here Abe is your ex-husband. Can you imagine how pissed he’ll be that you didn’t disclose that to him before?”

  With the way Janie’s eyes widened, that hadn’t occurred to her.

  Harper kept going. “If Dave found out where you are, do you really want to be alone, not knowing where he is? And do you really want to leave Abe alone?”

  Abe didn’t remind Harper he could take care of himself, because Harper driving home Janie’s guilt would get Janie right where he wanted her: in his house and in his bed.

  Janie smiled weakly. “Oh, girlfriend, you are good.”

  Harper buffed her nails on her chest. “Thank you. The other benefit of you living at the ranch besides your safety? We’ll be neighbors! We can carpool to work. And you guys can come over for dinner. We can do all that fun couple stuff that I’ve been looking forward to doing as a newlywed.”

  “You’ve convinced me. But don’t get your hopes up about the couple stuff, because this is a temporary situation.”

  Abe didn’t quite mask his smug that’s what you think look from Harper and she grinned.

  Janie sighed. “Don’t you have a store to run?”

  “Nope. It’s quitting time and I’m heading home to my adoring husband.” Harper disappeared with a swish of her denim skirt.

  “Not a word, Abe Lawson,” Janie warned, rolling away from him to put her feet on the floor. “Just take me to the trailer so I can pack up my stuff.”

  “Sure. One other thing.”

  She faced him. “What?”
r />   “This.” Abe wrapped his hand around the back of her neck to hold her in place as he kissed her. A kiss brimming with gratefulness that she was all right. A kiss flooded with tenderness for her suffering. A kiss packed with heat, with remembrance of the past, with promise of things to come. When she clung to him, he murmured, “Want me to carry you to my truck, cupcake? Just like old times?”

  Janie looked him in the eye. “No dice, cowboy. But I will let you fetch and carry my bags.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Janie went nearly comatose in his truck and Abe ended up carrying her into his house. She hadn’t stirred when he slipped off her coat and shoes and placed her on the bed in the spare bedroom. He covered her with a quilt and watched her sleep for several long minutes, wishing so much she was in his bed. But he wouldn’t push. Not after what she’d been through.

  After a quick cattle check, he unloaded Janie’s three suitcases. Damn things were bigger than her. But with a pang of sadness he realized everything she owned was probably in those suitcases. With a stalker after her and her frequent job changes, no wonder she was ready to leave at the drop of a hat.

  He popped the top on a bottle of Bud and chopped carrots and celery for chicken noodle soup. He’d have to use canned chicken on such short notice, but his version would still be better than cracking open a can of Campbell’s.

  Would his adeptness in the kitchen surprise Janie? She’d prepared meals for the whole family during their marriage, and at the time, Abe had no desire to learn to cook. That mind-set had changed after Janie left. So he, Hank and Celia had learned together. They’d concocted some truly awful dishes. His memories weren’t of the food, but how the three of them had reconnected over a hot stove.

  As he tossed the veggies into the chicken stock, his cell phone buzzed. He swiped it off the table and checked the caller ID. “Hey, little sis, I was just thinkin’ about you.”

  “At least somebody gives a shit about me.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Everything. God. I never thought my life could suck this bad.”

  He sipped his beer. “Got some examples of the supreme suckage of your life?”

  “Didja ever get the feelin’ you were just a hostage to your own desires?”

  Pretty deep conversation for four in the afternoon. “I’ve felt like that at one time or another. Why?”

  “’Cause I’ve passed the held hostage by my own desires stage and I’m smack in the middle of the what the fuck am I doing with my life stage.”

  The sound of liquid sloshing echoed through the earpiece. Great. Celia was drinking. “How bad was your run today?”

  “We tipped over two barrels so I finished last. Again.” She swallowed loudly. “I’m foolin’ myself, aren’t I?”

  “Foolin’ yourself that you’ll make it to the AFR? Honey, you’ve only been at this a couple years. You’re young. There’s time to prove yourself.”

  “It’s not what I thought it’d be, Abe. I’m not who I thought I’d be.”

  “And who is that?”

  “Who knows? I just don’t want Mickey to be the only person who loves me.”

  “First off, Celia, I love you. Second, Mickey is not a person; Mickey is a horse.”

  “You know what I meant.” She sniffed again. “I miss Murray.”

  “Murray lived a good life. Twelve years is a long time for a cattle dog to survive.” And two years was a long time to be mourning her dog, but he’d never say that to her.

  “Know what’s sad? I felt less lonely in the middle of the Wyoming prairie than I do in an arena full of people.”

  His concern grew because Celia was rarely morose. “Tell me what’ll get you outta this funk. Want me to share my screwed-up day to make yours feel normal?”

  “Yeah, right. What bad happened to you today, Honest Abe? Forget to brush your teeth so you called your dentist and apologized?”

  “No. Someone pushed Janie at the Split Rock and she took a helluva tumble. Remember the hit and run? Come to find out none of this bad shit is a coincidence because Janie had a stalker a few years ago. She can’t stay at the Split Rock, so she’s here in Hank’s old room.” Why did he feel the need to tack on that disclaimer?

  A pause. Then Celia laughed. “Okay, you got me. That was a great joke. A bit twisted, because dude, a stalker? In Muddy Gap? No freakin’ way.”

  “It’s no joke. I’m dead-ass serious.”

  “Holy cow. Is Janie okay?”

  “Banged up. Not happy about bein’ forced to live with me in isolation on the ranch again.”

  He heard the click of a lighter and a swift intake of air. He hated that Celia smoked, but he didn’t harp on it, which was damn difficult to do. Yes, Celia was an adult woman. But part of him would always see her in pigtails.

  “How long is Janie gonna be workin’ up at the Split Rock?”

  “She hasn’t said. I don’t think she knows. Maybe until she’s convinced that Renner and Tierney ain’t gonna kill one another.”

  “Still that bad, huh?”

  “Yeah. Reminds me of—” You and Kyle. He didn’t voice the comparison because that was another taboo subject for his prickly sister. “Never mind. So did the story of me playin’ the hero, ridin’ into town in my white pickup truck to save the damsel in distress provide a distraction from your funk?”

  “That’s the thing. It’s not just a funk. That’s not the Jim Beam talkin’ either.” She sighed. “Although, the booze has loosened my tongue enough to talk about it at all.”

  The Lawson siblings were closemouthed when it came to sharing their feelings, so he wasn’t surprised this was the first he’d heard of it. “You haven’t said nothin’ to Harper or Lainie about this?”

  “No. Harper’s a nauseatingly happy newlywed, and Lainie is positively glowing with pregnancy. They both deserve to revel in happiness, not be subjected to my piss-poor outlook on life. Which just seems to be getting worse every damn day.”

  “Come home,” he urged. “We’ll get this figured out. Just you and me. Just like old times.”

  “God, Abe, you’re so damn sweet beneath that gruff exterior. I love you. I really do. You know that, right?” Celia’s voice broke. “But I don’t belong there. I don’t belong here. I’m beginning to think I don’t belong anywhere.”

  She was breaking his heart. A level of alarm set in. “Where are you? I’ll get in my truck and drive to wherever you are right now.”

  “No. You have a life too. You have a chance to make it right with Janie.”

  “Celia, that’s not why—”

  “You never got over her. I feel guilty Hank and I had a part in breakin’ up your marriage.” The phone rattled and beeped twice. “Sorry. My cell is about to die. I’ll be fine. It probably is the Jim Beam talkin’. Thanks for listening. You really are the greatest. I’m lucky to have you.”

  The line went dead.

  “Goddammit.” He redialed her number. It immediately kicked over to voice mail. Maybe her battery had crapped out, but he wasn’t taking any chances. Abe dialed and counted the rings while he paced in the kitchen.

  Kyle finally answered with, “What have I done to merit a phone call from Abe Lawson?”

  “I need your help. Are you and Celia at the same CRA event?”

  “Yeah, we’re in Taos. Why?”

  “Because she just called me. She’s drunk, crying, depressed, her phone died and I’ve no way to get in touch with her. So I need you to track her down.”

  Silence.

  “Kyle?”

  “Look, Abe, sending me ain’t the best idea.”

  “Why the fuck not? I know you and Celia have your differences, but this is serious.”

  “So am I. I suspect I’m the reason she’s actin’ this way.”

  “What the hell? I don’t have time for cryptic bullshit. Explain that.”

  Kyle sighed. “Without pissing you off . . . I don’t know if I can.”

  “Try,” Abe snarled.

  �
�Celia and I . . . fuck, we had a big goddamn fight earlier today, okay? It’s the second time this week we’ve gotten into it. She warned me if I show my face anywhere near her truck she’ll aim that shotgun she keeps under the seat at me and blow me straight to hell.”

  “That’s a chance I’m willin’ to take.”

  “Not me. Besides, I’m not your sister’s keeper.”

  “If you’re partially responsible for her acting this way, then you better find her, Kyle, before I find you. And if you don’t get back to me within the hour, I’ll call the cops in Taos and have them track you both down. Hear me?”