The middle-aged cop with ruddy cheeks West spoke with earlier approaches Jed, fidgeting with his handcuffs.
West steps up beside us, leaning close. “He’s reasonably excited.”
The small man fumbles the cuffs on Jed’s wrists under duress. His lawyer finally moves his ass out of the car. He approaches Jed with mincing steps, leaning in to speak quietly in the rancher’s ear. Jed’s eyes bug out, his red face swelling, though all that comes out of his mouth are a few disjointed syllables.
The cop finishes his process, tugging at the cuffs.
Billy joins us. “You reckon he’s ever used those before?”
West exchanges a glance with me. “No chance.”
Jed splutters as he lets himself be towed away by the cop, glaring at me over the other side of the car before he sinks into the back seat beside Tripp.
“You know he’s gonna get out.” West folds his arms and dips his chin.
“Yeah, but it’s the thought of him and Tripp together for thenight. The perfect bromance waiting to happen.” Billy grins, feigning reminiscence.
“Lanie, the dire wolf thing. In Valiant Peak. This guy”—West throws a thumb at the cop settling into his car with Jed and Tripp coddled like two eggs in the back—“also had a chat with your Pollux Jenkins. Apparently, the con artist has admitted setting up the dire wolf hoax. Did some minor damage to a few homes, stole some food. He got a choice to remove himself from town and not set up again in Montana, or serve time.”
“So he’s someone else’s problem now.” She sighs her disappointment. “I almost hoped it was real. Is that…safe, that he goes somewhere else?”
I laugh, nestling my chin on the top of Lanie’s head as the pair of cars retreat along the drive.
“Dunno if it’s safe. But he’s gone. Ma’am.” West tosses the fake tranquilizer bottle and strides off toward the house, where Winnie and Sally are finishing up their giant chalk drawings.
Lanie rolls her eyes at West as if she expects nothing less. I take the moment to draw her aside as Billy gets the hint and finds himself a box of busy by the opposite side of the yard to occupy himself.
Lanie stares up at me, her gaze tracking my face. I can see her cataloging all the parts of me that hurt already. “Are you okay? You’ve been on your feet for so long. We can do stretches and?—”
“Lanie, stop. I’m good.” I touch the tip of my finger to her lips. Not shushing her, exactly. I just want her panic to diminish. Iamgood.
A whole lot of stress releases from my chest after the cars leave the yard. Coyote Falls is ours again. Just us. The only people who remain are family I can trust. Family I love.
There’s no room left for lingering resentment toward Jed, and Tripp will be dealt with. McCullins will see to that. But something else niggles in my mind.
“Jed’s comment, before. He mentioned an offer. What was that about?” I strive for a casual tone. On a day of revelations, I wantedto be sure of everything, of everyone. But as I gaze down at Lanie, memorizing every line of her face, I know I trust her every ounce as much as I trust West.
My girl shifts against me, uncomfortable.
I wind our fingers together, stroking my thumb across the back of her hand.
“Before you walked away for your ride, he made a comment. About…being in his bed.”
My teeth set. “Jed asked you to sleep with him? I don’t remember punching him.” I frown, thinking back.
“It was right before Jesse’s ride. I’m glad you don’t remember.” Her hands tremble in mine. “He sickens me. And I didn’t want to make you angry or make you think that I—” Tears well in her eyes as she wraps her arms around herself, pulling away from me.
“Easy,” I murmur. “You’re okay, Lanie. You’re safe here.” I stroke tears away from her cheeks and regret not punching the asshole, lawyer presence be damned.
“I don’t have the words for the disgust I feel around him. Cord, I can’t believe there are men like you”—she presses a hand to the front of my shirt—“and then men like him. I thought for so long that I didn’t fit into your world.”
I covered her hand with my own. “And now?”
“Now I know how extraordinary you are and how lucky I am.”
“I’m the lucky one.” I lean down and breathe in her coffee-and-spice scent. “Now, throwing Jed and his obvious issues aside, I want to do something special with you.” I wait until she leans into me, giving me her trust, and then blow hers apart.
“Have you ever driven a six-wheeler before?”
