Chapter 18
18
I t was the smallest of sounds, but Tansy woke instantly. Her heart leapt into her throat as she opened her eyes and stared into a pair of blue-grey eyes hovering at mattress height.
Jeffrey stood next to her bed.
Her door had been locked, the house had been locked, and yet he stood there in the pre-dawn light.
After her heart started again, she managed a smile. “Hey, you. Does your mama know you’re here?”
He hesitated then shook his head. A second later, he shocked the hell out of Tansy and crawled onto the bed, cuddling against her like a kitten.
The death grip on her quilt said neither of them was going anywhere soon.
Dammit. Tansy wiggled up enough to be able to wrap her arms around the kid and hold him tight.
Like knows like she thought. Both of them had been so trained by abuse that they craved unconditional love with everything in them.
She no longer doubted her suspicions. Not after the phone call she’d had with her sister earlier that evening.
She kicked herself that it had taken so long to act, but in her favour, there had been distractions like babies arriving and daily to-do lists. Gah, she sounded like a planner .
But finally, before heading to bed, Tansy had called Ivy and been completely upfront about her concerns. If she could trust anyone, it was her big sister.
“I need you to check to see if you’re missing anything from your bedroom. Look for small shiny items, like rings or jewelry.”
Not even five minutes later, Ivy had returned to the line, her voice gone serious. “I’m missing the necklace Grandma Sonora gave me and the set of diamond drop earrings Walker got me for our fifth anniversary. And strangely, a set of ladybug earrings that the kids gave me last Mother’s Day. I could see the girls maybe taking the necklace to play dress-up, but neither of them have their ears pierced yet for the earrings. And they could take the ladybugs anytime they want, but they were so proud to give me something they bought, I really don’t think this is some childish mix up.”
“It’s not your kids,” Tansy assured her instantly. “And it wasn’t me?—”
“Oh my God, of course not. But the only people who have been in the house recently have been family. We both know no thief would break in and only steal a few trinkets when there are other things of value readily available.”
“Jeffrey came with us that night I babysat. I think he stole them.”
Ivy went silent then sighed. “Dammit. Are you okay?”
The fact she instantly put all the clues together and went straight to worrying about Tansy was so Ivy. The love in her voice swept around Tansy like a wave and made it easy to focus on the important parts of this disastrous discovery. “I’m too worried about Jeffrey to be upset by memories of my past. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll have much luck pinning this on the real person behind the theft.”
“Maybe we can scare Melissa enough to get her to stop.” Ivy’s tone went icy-sharp. School principal at her finest. “We have your back, both Walker and me. I won’t say anything to anyone else in the family. Not unless you think it’s wise.”
“Let me sleep on it,” Tansy requested. Ivy had blown kisses at her and offered her a hug through the phone along with the firm reminder of how much she was loved.
Tansy had come this far with the help of her family and friends.
Jeffrey? If she was right, he was still being molded and formed by cruelty, and she desperately needed to change his future sooner than later. No five-year-old should have to fight that battle alone.
She’d fallen asleep trying to figure out how to approach the topic with him, and here he was.
Tansy thought back to those days. To what someone would’ve had to say to get her to admit to her sins, and the longer she thought about it, the more she realized pretty much nothing would have made her confess.
But having options would’ve been nice.
She pressed a kiss to the top of Jeffrey’s head. “Sometimes it feels as if there are scary things around every corner.”
He stiffened enough she knew he was awake and listening.
God, give her the wisdom. “Sometimes, though, if you look hard enough, you can find safe places. Safe places to hide. Safe people who want the best for you, no questions asked. People who have smiles that go all the way down to their toes.”
“Puppy smiles,” Jeffrey offered in a near whisper.
Tansy hesitated. “Tell me.”
Jeffrey patted her hand with his. “Jinx’s puppy is scary because she’s a guard doggy, but she gives me kisses.”
Perfect. His little mind had found his way to reason through this. “Yes. You know you have to do the right thing around her, and if you do, Dixie will give you kisses and smile at you.” Tansy squeezed Jeffrey. “Anywhere you go, you need to find the people who will give you puppy smiles. Okay?”
“Okay.”
He was gone the next minute. Out of her room, closing her door so quickly and quietly it was as if he’d never been there.
Tansy shot to her feet, pulling on her robe as she chased after him, but by the time she made it into the living room, the front door was closed. Outside the window, the yard light spotlighted a little boy flying across the yard back to the apartment where Melissa slept on, oblivious to the fact her son was missing.
Tansy waited until he was back in the apartment, the door closed, then she moved decisively. There was no reason to hesitate any longer.
She slipped back to the sleeping quarters and opened the door to Jake’s room.
“Jake?”
Of course, that’s when she finally clued in that it was only five o’clock in the morning.
“What’s wrong?” Jake’s question came out of the dark far more alert than she expected for having woken him.
“No emergency,” Tansy assured him. “But we need to talk.”
He clicked on the light beside the bed, blinking at her groggily. “Okay?”
She dropped onto the mattress beside his hip. “When I was five, my mom and dad died, and there was an aunt and uncle who took me in. I hadn’t known them before, and I was still really little. So suddenly, I didn’t have the people who loved me, but I had people who said they did, and that’s where it started. Life got really confusing.”
She had to give him credit. Jake went from bleary-eyed to fully awake and alert in the time it took to hear that brief confession. “Tansy? You don’t need to tell me this. I mean, unless you need to tell me this, but?—”
“This isn’t about sharing my past in a way that’s bad for me. It’s about telling you for a good reason. Trust me?” she asked quietly.
He caught her fingers in his. “Absolutely.”
The truth in that word made it infinitely easier to go on. “Long story short, my aunt and uncle were part of a ring of thieves. They didn’t have children of their own, thank God, and they didn’t really want any. But after I arrived, one of them suddenly realized how perfectly distracting a child can be. And how if you train them right, a five-year-old is small enough to fit into tiny places that offer access to big payouts.”
Jake swore softly. “They made you steal?”
Tansy shrugged. “Love was conditional. So was food. They didn’t often physically abuse me, but the only time I got any sort of affection was when I was being good . Which usually meant I had found a way to lift some item of value and get it back to them.”
He pulled her close, settling her against his body, innocently cradling her tightly as if giving comfort to the child she had been. “That’s all sorts of fucked up.”
“I know that now, but they were very good at what they did, and it turns out so was I. It took almost five years before anyone figured it out, which meant they landed in prison and I ended up in the foster system at nine years old.”
The sharp ache in her chest hit again. Unworthy. Dirty thief.
Tansy pushed past it. She had to. “The foster system has some issues, but overall, they try their best. The biggest problem struck because I was a thief. The only way I knew how to get affection was to steal. Trust me, that’s not a way to endear yourself to a new family, so I got transferred a lot before the Fields adopted me.”
Jake held her for a moment, stroking his fingers through her hair. “I don’t want to rush past your trauma, but why are you telling me this? What’s your good reason?”
“I think Melissa is doing the same thing with Jeffrey. The stealing part.”
He went very still. “Christ.”
“I have no solid proof, but the signs are there. Plus, there’s this sense I have—I know what he’s thinking because I used to do the same thing.” She pushed back and met Jake’s eyes. “Looking around the room, spotting purses that are accessible. Trinkets that fit into a child’s pocket.”
Jake paused as he considered then nodded slowly. “I know what you’re saying. I can see it.” Anger had replaced his initial shock.
“He trusts us,” Tansy said slowly. “Maybe we can do something?”
“He really trusts you ,” Jake offered softly. “So, what do you suggest?”
There was no good route forward. “I’m not about to set Jeffrey up so we can catch him in the act.”
“God, of course not. That poor kid.” Jake tucked his fingers under her chin. “We’ll meet with my brothers and come up with a plan, but for now, I need to hold you.”
Tansy swallowed around the knot in her throat. “I’m okay, really I am.”
Jake shook his head and man-handled her until she was under the covers, little spoon to his big spoon. “I’m pretty sure this is what needs to happen, even if you’re okay.” His lips brushed her ear. “You were very brave right now, Tansy.”
“And it’s not even time to wake up,” she joked. Instinct again, no matter how wrong.
“ Shhh .” He nuzzled her. “We’ll find a way, okay? We’ll make a difference.”
“We will,” Tansy repeated, flipping over to bury her face against his chest. Because the nightmares didn’t have a chance of hitting with his arms holding her close.
Jake texted his family and got them gathered around the table extra early in the hopes they’d be done with their conversation before Melissa showed up on the scene. Or before she sent Jeffrey out on his own.
He hadn’t messaged Jinx, but she wandered out of her room early, Dixie on her heels as usual. Jinx blinked hard as she took in the full table at not even seven a.m. and instantly made her way to Petra’s side. “Trouble?”
“Some, but we got it covered. Can you get yourself together fast enough to be a casual guard on the front porch for us? Until it’s time to catch the bus at least.”
“Of course.” The teen raced back to her room and reappeared before Petra and Tansy had finished bagging her lunch and organizing a handheld breakfast.
Jake poured everyone coffee, but no one seemed interested in anything but what he and Tansy had to say.
After sharing their suspicions with Declan, Kevin, Aiden, and Petra, the faces around the family table were the solemnest Jake had ever seen at High Water.
Once again, Tansy laid out her past, meeting everyone’s eyes steadily until the very end when she let out a shaky breath. “I don’t share this often. Talking about it often brings on nightmares and negative thoughts.”
“No one here will share your story,” Declan assured her in his deep, quiet way. “I’m sorry you had to face that as a kid.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m sorry as well, and if you ever do need to talk on a professional level, please ask.” Kevin paused. “I’ve heard of this a few times,” he admitted. “From individual crimes to the whole Oliver Twist gang.” He met Tansy’s gaze. “To get it out there, I feel as if your story has been used in a recent psych class—all names redacted, of course. But I think I read about you.”
Tansy sighed heavily but waved her hand. “It’s history, and as much as I hate it, if sharing my story in a textbook or class helps other kids be spotted before they’re as messed up as me, it’s worth it.”
“As messed up as you were ,” Petra offered quietly, her fingers squeezing around Tansy’s. “You are a strong, beautiful force of nature now.”
“Agreed.” Jake caught Tansy’s other hand. He met her gaze until she lifted her chin.
“You’re all a bunch of bossy McBossyPants.” Tansy wiggled her hands free. “Now that we’re done with my therapy session, what are we going to do about Jeffrey?”
“Can we call in the police and see if the missing jewelry is in Melissa’s possession?” Aiden asked.
“Chances are Melissa’s already sold them,” Jake said.
“This long after the fact, definitely sold. But even the day of, she wouldn’t usually keep it on her or in her room. Unless we catch Jeffrey in the act, which we won’t, there’ll be little evidence.” Tansy stared into space, face wiggling as she considered.
“We can phone the local pawn shops,” Petra suggested. “Maybe get back your sister’s things. Plus, proof that Melissa took them in to sell.”
“Possible, but she’s been all over the province these past weeks. It’d be like finding a needle in a haystack,” Aiden pointed out.
Jake wanted to pick Tansy up and protect her, but she’d insisted she wanted to be here, finding a solution. He spoke softly. “We need to confront Melissa.”
“With no evidence?” Declan frowned. “She’ll just deny it.”
“She will, but if she’s worried she might get caught, she’ll have to be more careful going forward, and that alone might make a difference.” Aiden turned the question to Tansy. “Or am I completely out in left field?”
“I really don’t know,” Tansy admitted. “I was only a kid when my aunt and uncle got caught, and no one ever shared the details.”
“It comes back to challenging Melissa with what we know and insisting she makes the right choices for Jeffrey.” Jake braced himself. “I think I need to do it.”
“By yourself?” Tansy shook her head.
Declan pulled a face then looked Jake straight in the eyes. “She’ll clam up completely if we all go in there, guns blazing. She might react better to just Jake.”
“I don’t like it,” Aiden tossed out. “She’s never been—” He broke off then winced slightly as he spoke to Jake. “She’s got your number, bro. The divorce might have been both of you not knowing how to get along. You might have been young. Whatever the reasons were, she still had you good and convinced it was your fault for a long time.”
“She did,” Jake admitted.
Aiden paused then shrugged. “I don’t want her to strike those nerves again. She’s going to lie, and she’s going to hit low. She’ll probably ask for money. We need to make sure you know what to say to every possible demand she throws at you.”
Including the one Jake was dreading the most. “Most likely she’ll simply hightail it out of here with Jeffrey. There’s nothing we can do to stop her.”
“No, you’re right.” Declan rested his hand on Jake’s shoulder. “But that doesn’t mean we’ll stop trying to make a difference.”
Petra held up a finger. “I can make sure we know where she is at all times.” She coughed lightly. “Um, I might have already planted a couple tags in her stuff, but you never heard that if the police ask, okay?”
A burst of laughter rippled around the room, exactly what they needed at that moment. Jake nodded. “There’s one plan in place already.”
Something hit his hand where it rested on the table. He glanced over to see Tansy pushing his journal toward him, a pen held at the ready. “This is where your skills shine. Let’s make some plans.”
For the next half hour they brainstormed.
They’d covered just about every scenario possible when a knock sounded and the door swung open. Jinx poked her head in. “My bus will be here in five, and Logan’s on his way across the yard. Is it okay to let him in?”
“He’s fine to join us.” Petra slid toward the door, and Jake went with her. “Thank you. Did you have time to grab everything you need for the day?”
“I’m good.” Jinx glanced at Logan who was still walking slowly toward them. “Is it Melissa?”
“Yeah, but we’re dealing with her.” Jake offered his hand to Jinx. “It might not seem like you did a lot, but knowing you were out here to stop interruptions helped us concentrate. Thanks.”
To his surprise, Jinx ignored his hand and tucked herself in tight for a hug. “You guys take good care of me. When there are little things I can do, I want to help.”
Petra hugged the girl as well then pushed her toward the road. “There’s the bus. Scoot. We’ll talk tonight, okay?”
“Okay. Bye Petra. Bye Jake. Hey, Logan, you’re moving better today.”
Logan waved at her.
“Yup, definitely better. More like a turtle than an amoeba,” Jinx tossed over her shoulder. Dixie barked excitedly, racing back and forth from her to the porch.
“Just you wait. I’m going to run circles around you someday,” Logan called after her before shaking his head and pausing at the bottom of the steps. “Someday that is not today or tomorrow. Morning, guys. I hit the barn this morning, but no one was around. I did the chores, but did I miss a message?”
“Just a ranch organizational meeting,” Petra offered.
Jake nodded. “Thanks for doing all our jobs. I bet we can find you breakfast.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Logan took his time up the steps then motioned back toward the living quarters. “The kid is awake. He helped in the barn for a while, but when you didn’t show up, he went back to the apartment. His mom was messing around in her car when I went by. Looks as if she might be heading out soon.”
Dammit. Which meant there was no time to hesitate. “Thanks.” Jake met Petra’s gaze. “Guess I’m off to have a chat with Melissa.”
“Okay.” Petra looked worried but she nodded. “No matter what, we’ve got your back.”
Funny how every step toward the apartment felt as if Jake’s legs were made of lead. There was none of the joy he’d had a few days ago, playing with Jeffrey and taking deep breaths of the spring air.
He paused just shy of the corner of the residence complex. The doors were open on Melissa’s car, and she had boxes and bags piled on the walkway outside the apartment.
She hurried to the car and tucked away a couple more items then turned and made eye contact.
The change in her expression was nearly comical. She smiled brightly, all the intense focus gone as she carelessly closed the car door and paced toward him. “Morning. I was just about to come see you. Maybe we can get a coffee in the house?—”
“We’ll talk here,” Jake suggested.
She raised a brow at his interruption. “Well, let’s go inside then. I need to listen for Jeffrey. He fell asleep again right after breakfast.”
Melissa twirled on a heel and slid into his suite.
Jake took a deep breath. Maybe this wouldn’t end up a shit show—but he’d have to be Suzy Fucking Sunshine to believe that bull.
Just inside the door, Jake stopped. There wasn’t a single sign of food or breakfast dishes around, and he ached for Jeffrey all over again. But the kid was asleep on the couch, so that much was positive.
Melissa twirled toward him, face expectant. “What’s up?”
The one part they hadn’t nailed down was how to start, so Jake just went for simple and cut to the chase. “I know what you’ve been doing.”
Her brow arched skyward. “Really? And what would that be?”
“Using your son to steal things. Small stuff, like money and things that you can sell?—”
Her laughter danced around the room, completely wrong when contrasted with the tension in his gut.
“It’s not funny, Mel.”
The laughter stopped instantly. “But it is. What on earth are you talking about?” She shook her head. “It’s a good thing you’re no longer on the force, because false accusations like that could get you in a lot of trouble.”
Jake folded his arms over his chest. “How have you been paying for your expenses over the past two months?”
She smiled sweetly at him. “You and your brothers were kind enough to pay for food for me and Jeffrey. Plus, I had some money saved from before I had to escape that dreadful abusive situation.”
She was simply going to deny everything, just the way Declan had said she would. So be it.
Jake knew the one guaranteed way to get her talking.
Make her mad.
“You know, when you showed up, I was shocked, but there was a part of me that was glad to see you.” Jake looked her over for a minute. “I’ll admit it. I kept those letters of yours because I did think about you often.”
Her eyes brightened. “Are you seeing the light, Jake? Interested in being with someone who would be very good for you?”
Wasn’t that enough to make him nauseous? Instead, he grinned. “You’re resourceful, I’ll give you that. But yeah, those letters you wrote had me hooked for a long time.” He stepped closer, looking down at her. “Luckily, I’ve realized some feelings that linger are ones we should take advantage of. Others are like mold. Toxic and gross, but they cling to us until they poison the good things in our lives. You’re the latter. Dangerous, toxic, and gross.”
No trace of the soft, teasing woman remained in her eyes. “What the hell?”
Jake shrugged as if he was talking about the weather. “You see, once I got to know a real woman with a heart of gold and a spine of steel, your flouncy baby ways and noxious attitude finally flipped into focus. Add in the fact you’d abuse your own kid to make your life easier? I got over you real fast, and for good.”
“Fuck you, Jake Skye.” Melissa slapped him, fists landing on her hips afterward as she glared daggers at him. “You don’t know anything about me. What I had to deal with after you divorced me. If you’d just given me a little more time?—”
Jake shot up a hand to stop her. He had notes on this reaction. “Whatever happened in your life ten years ago wasn’t my fault. Not after we signed the papers and walked away from each other. Don’t blame me for your bad choices.”
She actually stopped for a moment, head tilting to the side as she examined him. “Okay, so it seems it’s over. Thanks so much for the charity. I’ll need another week to deal with?—”
“No.” Another point they’d covered in their family plan. This one was harder to say. “Two days, max.”
“This is because of that woman, isn’t it?” The face Melissa made was downright ugly. “The one you’re fucking now?”
Jake glanced over, but fortunately, Jeffrey was still asleep. “This is because you’ve been given a gift, and you’re abusing it. I suggest you think about changing your ways. I might not have proof, but I do still have contacts in the force who would willingly keep an eye on you.”
Melissa waved a hand as if brushing the idea away. “No, I think this is all about Tansy. You’re still in love with me but trying to prove to her that you’re not. She’s a paragon of virtue, isn’t she? Butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.”
“Watch what you say right now,” Jake warned. “We’ve all given you time and space to fix your shit, but adding in the probable abuse, your welcome here is officially over.”
Her chin lifted. “You’re throwing me out?”
“Asking you to leave. There’s a difference,” Jake said calmly.
“What about Jeffrey?”
Jake steeled his heart. “I hope for his sake you figure out your life and priorities.” He marched to the door and yanked it open, readying his escape. “Be out of here by tomorrow?—”
“You want him?”
The earth fell away at least five feet. Jake turned to stare at the woman he’d once thought he loved and tried to comprehend that she had just offered to give up her son.
That had not been one of the variables they’d planned for.
“There’s a catch,” she added. “I mean, he’s a good kid. Handy at times, although that’s not a confession you can take to your buddies on the force. Truth is, I’m not really mother material.”
“Get to your damn point, Melissa. What do you want? Money?”
“That would be nice, but the other thing I want is sweeter. You can have Jeffrey. I’ll sign papers saying he’s all yours.” She narrowed her gaze. “But not if you’re with Tansy.”
He was flying by the seat of his pants, but even so, the answer was clear. “Bullshit. You can’t make that kind of demand.”
“Watch me,” she all but snarled. “Jeffrey or Tansy, you pick.”