Cinnamon Cider Whiskey (It’s all in the Whiskey #9)

Prologue

PROLOGUE

ONE YEAR AGO…

A ustin Sawyer took off his cowboy hat and raked a hand across the top of his head. He sucked in a deep breath, holding it for a count of five. A dozen cuss words filled his brain and he desperately wanted to let them roll off his tongue. However, he’d been working on his anger issues and there was no point in using foul language to get his point across. “I’m not moving and that’s final.”

“You promised this was a trial. That we’d see if we liked it. Well, I hate it here and I’m not staying.” Charity stomped her high heel into the dirt and twisted her ankle.

He reached out, curling his fingers around her forearm. The last thing he wanted was to spend an afternoon in the emergency room listening to Charity berate nice nurses and doctors for doing their job while she behaved like an entitled brat.

“Let go of me.” She jerked free, stumbling backward into the fence. She steadied herself, brushing the hair from her face.

“I’ve told you a million times you’re going to break your neck wearing those things out here.” He shook his head. “You should wear the nice boots I bought you. They have a small heel and?—”

“No way. Not happening. And I’m not staying in this hellhole a second longer.” She planted her hands on her hips. “There is absolutely nothing for me to do here.”

He sighed. It was time to be honest. He’d avoided this conversation for a couple of weeks and it wasn’t fair to either of them for him to continue doing it. The worst part was she hadn’t seemed to care that he’d been sleeping in the guest room. Or at least she hadn’t questioned the fact he’d been coming home late. When he’d mentioned it, she shrugged and said she understood or was glad he hadn’t woken her because he stank like horse shit anyway. “You’re right. You don’t fit in at the ranch.”

“Finally, we see eye to eye. Now, when can we leave?”

“ We don’t.” He adjusted his Stetson and leaned against the fence. “I think it’s best if you pack up your things and move back to Boise, alone. You and I are oil and water. Tom is a much better match.”

Her mouth dropped open and her eyes went wide. It wasn’t often that Charity could be rendered speechless and Austin had to rein in a smile. He shouldn’t enjoy this moment. However, a lightness filled his mind and soul. Coming back to Whiskey Ranch after being gone so long had been exactly what he needed, only he brought extra baggage that he should have left in Boise.

There had been so many signs that he chose to ignore. He’d wanted to put the pains of the past behind him and he thought he had. However, being back at the ranch had proven that while he could live his life, he had no room for romance in his heart.

She cleared her throat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Come on. Let’s be realistic and honest.” He tipped his hat back and lowered his chin. “You’ve been cheating on me for months with Tom. I honestly don’t know why you agreed to move out here with me when you’d rather be with him.” He pointed to the ring on her finger. “I do want that back. It was my mother’s.”

She narrowed her stare and pursed her lips. Something she did while contemplating her next words.

This should be interesting. Charity could be as sweet as a peach. She had a soft side that not many people got to see, but he had. He did care for her more than any other woman he’d dated in the last fifteen years. However, when she didn’t get her way, she would stop at nothing to make it happen, and that was something he could no longer live with.

“You don’t know what it’s been like for me. We had a nice life in Boise, and then out of the blue you started talking about how you wanted to move back to Buhl and to this ranch.” She tilted her head. “I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe that Cinnamon girl had moved back or something. I know you still have feelings for her and don’t deny that fact.” She glared, casting daggers in his direction. “You’re the one calling for honesty here.”

“Cinnamon is married and lives in Idaho Falls.” If Charity hadn’t been cheating on him, he could understand why Charity would bring up Cinnamon. He’d been madly in love with her since he’d been a freshman in high school and she in seventh grade. He’d known her his entire life, but poor choices on both their parts had put an end to that relationship. “She’s not the reason I wanted to come back. As a matter of fact, and you know this, if she’d been here, I wouldn’t have entertained the job opportunity when JW offered it to me.” It was a lie, but Austin didn’t owe Charity an explanation. She’d been the one who destroyed any chance they had at a future. Not him and his sudden need to learn more about what had really happened to Cinnamon. “But let’s be clear about the truth. You’ve been cheating on me for at least six months before we moved here and I’m the fool who let it go on.” He took her left hand and wiggled the ring off her finger. He slipped it into his pocket.

She gasped. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I read the texts on your phone.”

“You had no right to go through my cell without my permission.”

He laughed. “That’s just it. You asked me to look something up and a message from him popped up on the screen. I have to say, I was a little shocked at the dirty talk. That’s not like you.” She always acted so prim and proper. At first, he thought it was sweet. Something different, but it had grated on his nerves in the last year. If he even said anything remotely sexual, she got all weird.

She lifted her hand as if to slap him, but dropped it to her side just as quickly. “I’ll be gone by morning. I’d appreciate it if you stayed somewhere else tonight.”

“Fair enough.” This had gone better than he’d expected. Part of him thought she might toss a shoe at his face or make a scene, but she didn’t do any of those things.

Truth be told, their relationship had died eight months ago when Cinnamon had randomly called at eleven in the evening. He couldn’t believe she had the same phone number. Curiosity had gotten the better of him and he answered. Part of him wished he hadn’t. She’d meant to call her cousin, JW. Through her sobs, she apologized profusely and then hung up. It prompted him to call JW the next morning. What he’d learned about Cinnamon’s marriage had nearly destroyed him, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. When he tried calling Cinnamon back, she sent him to voicemail. He didn’t dare leave a message. He understood what that might cause.

He did, however, text her a few times. It was under the pretense of Whiskey Ranch business. She was still a member of the Whiskey family and she had a stake in the ranch. The few texts he received didn’t make much sense. They either had nothing to do with his questions, like how was she? Did she need help? Could they talk? Instead, she said things like she’d gotten her nails done. Or she colored her hair. It was as if she were talking with a girlfriend.

That’s when he realized Cinnamon was in big trouble, but he couldn’t do anything about it, except talk to her cousins.

His heart had always belonged to Cinnamon. He’d tried to forget her, but he couldn’t. Being back at Whiskey Ranch only made him want to see her more. But that was never going to happen and he had to accept it, so he’d poured his soul into ignoring the fact his fiancée was cheating on him.

Big mistake.

And now that was over.

Time to pick up the pieces of his life.

Charity turned on her heel and took one step. She glanced over her shoulder. “On second thought, you can sleep on the sofa.”

He chuckled. “And why is that?”

She jerked her chin toward the stable. “That guy over there is always trying to chat me up. He gives me the creeps.”

“Gage? He’s harmless. But if you’re really that wigged out, lock the doors.”

“No. You can do this one last favor for me.” She cocked her head. “Don’t make me beg.”

“Fine. But I want you gone tomorrow. We’re not playing games. This is over.”

“No shit.” She flipped her hair and marched off, nearly tripping twice before she even reached the corral’s end.

Three weeks later…

Austin lowered his sunglasses. A dark sedan and the local sheriff’s vehicle were parked outside his house on the Whiskey Ranch. He tapped his horse’s belly with his heels and brought Renegade up to a trot. A steady burn filled his chest and increased as he got closer.

“May I help you?” He dismounted his horse about twenty paces from the police officer and another man dressed in a dark suit. He looked like a government type.

“Are you Austin Sawyer?” the government-looking man asked.

“I am.” He thought that was a ridiculous question. “Sheriff Logan, how are you?” He tied Renegade to a tree. He’d deal with putting him in the small barn behind the house later.

“I’ve been better,” Brad Logan said. “This is Special Agent Todd Belmont with the FBI.”

Austin stretched out his hand. “What brings you gentlemen out here?”

“May we go somewhere and talk?” the Fed asked.

Austin shrugged. “Sure. Come in.” He jogged up the stairs and pushed open the front door. “Would you like something to drink? I’m going to get a beer. It’s been a long day.”

“No, thanks,” Brad said.

“I’m good.” Belmont nodded.

“Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.” Austin’s pulse pumped in the center of his throat. He knew exactly why the cops were at his door.

Charity.

He pulled a cold one from the fridge and strolled back into the family room.

The Fed had taken a seat on the wingback chair in front of the fireplace and Brad continued to stand. He looked like he’d swallowed something sour. Good, because Austin and Brad had played football together and he should know that Austin wouldn’t have done anything to hurt Charity, no matter the circumstances.

Austin had been in a few barroom fights back in the day, but he’d never lay a hand on a lady.

Not even one who cheated on him.

Austin took a seat on the sofa and swigged. “Why are you here?”

“I need to ask you some questions about the disappearance of your fiancée,” Belmont said.

“Ex-fiancée. We broke up the day before she left,” Austin corrected. “She was cheating on me with Tom Riptide, whom she returned to Boise to be with.” This wasn’t the first time someone questioned him about Charity.

Brad had done it once. So had the state police. He’d been on his best behavior both times, but that was before Tom started making wild accusations about his character and telling anyone who would listen that he believed Austin had killed Charity.

Bullshit.

Of course, he knew he shouldn’t be so antagonistic with a federal agent, but this was getting out of hand. He’d done nothing wrong.

“But she never made it to Boise.” Belmont took out a pen and notepad. “You were the last one to see her alive.”

“That’s not true and you know it.” Austin took another sip of his beverage before setting it on the end table and leaning forward. He hated this game and was tired of playing it. “I helped her pack her car and watched her drive from this house. Two other people at Whiskey Ranch have made official statements with the state police that they saw her after I did. You also have witnesses at a gas station and a credit card record that prove she left this ranch.” He held up his hand when Belmont opened his mouth. “I was here at the Whiskey Ranch, doing my job. My boss has stated that fact, as well as others. We can go find them and you can talk to them if you’d like.”

“That won’t be necessary. I have all their statements.” Belmont rested his hand on his pad. “Your story for that first twelve or so hours checks out. But here’s where it gets confusing.” He licked his finger and flipped the pages backward. “Charity called Tom when she was gassing up her vehicle. She stated that she would stop and have a drink with her friend Cathy.”

“Cathy is her best friend. I’m not surprised she’d want to spend time with her and tell her about everything that happened.”

“But you know she never made it to meet Cathy.” Belmont scanned his handy little notebook.

“I’m aware of that fact.” Austin nodded.

“Here’s the thing. Most people sleep and Boise isn’t that far away. You could have left in the middle of the night and returned by morning.” Belmont arched a brow. “Are you going to tell me that’s not possible?”

“I didn’t leave the ranch.”

“But you can’t prove it,” Belmont said, not giving him a chance to respond, which was probably a good thing, because he had no proof. “Are you also aware Cathy has told us that Charity was afraid of you?”

“No and that’s also not true.” Austin and Cathy had never liked each other, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that she’d go along with all the bullshit Tom was putting out in the universe.

“Cathy said that Charity called her on more than one occasion, crying that you’d gone into a rampage. Throwing things around the house. Yelling and screaming at her. That she was afraid you were actually going to do it this time,” Belmont said.

“Do what?” Austin asked.

“Kill her.” Belmont set his pad back on his lap.

“None of those things ever happened. I never once threatened her. You can ask our neighbors in Boise. And you can ask all the people who live here at Whiskey Ranch.”

“Oh, I intend to.” Belmont nodded.

“I hope you’re looking into Tom as hard as you are me,” Austin said under his breath.

“I’m not going to get into that with you.” Belmont stood. “Aren’t you the least bit concerned about your fiancée?”

“She’s my ex and yes, of course I am. I’m very worried, but I didn’t do anything except break up with her because she cheated on me. That’s it. And I believe that’s a reasonable response to the situation.” He rose.

“I don’t disagree, but sometimes things get out of hand and I’ve heard you can have quite a temper.”

“That was when I was in high school and college. Not to mention I never raised my voice, much less a fist to a woman.” Austin let out a long breath. “If you’re looking into my past, then I’m sure Sheriff Logan here can tell you that every single time something happened, it was defending the honor of a lady, which includes my mother.”

“He’s mentioned what kind of man this community thinks you are, but that doesn’t change the fact that a woman is missing and you had motive and opportunity.” Belmont lifted his hand. “I’m following every lead. Questioning everyone. You are not a suspect but a person of interest.”

Austin understood that wasn’t much of a distinction and people had already started to look at him differently. Fear had crept into the eyes of those who didn’t know him well and even those who did had that look of wonder.

The damage had been done.

“I want to find out what happened to Charity. I am happy to do whatever is necessary,” Austin said.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Belmont headed to the front door. “I’m going to have to ask you not to leave the area.”

“That won’t be a problem.” Austin opened the door.

Brad lingered inside while Belmont strolled to his vehicle.

“Jesus. You just stood there like an idiot. You could have defended me a little bit.” Austin double-timed it across the room and snatched up his beer. He downed half of it.

“No. I couldn’t. At least not while he was questioning you. I have to remain impartial. But I did go through your juvie record and the few fights you got into in college with him, which honestly makes you look like a hothead,” Brad said. “However, while I did that, I explained the situation.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? That all had to do with my mother and my sister’s ex-husband. That bastard beat the fuck of Tina for four years and there wasn’t anything I could do about it but hit him back. So I did until she finally left him.”

“Thank you for that.”

Austin still couldn’t get over the fact that his big sister married Brad Logan, of all people. Granted, they didn’t come any better than Brad, and he was happy for the two of them, but it was still weird to have one of his best friends from high school as a brother-in-law.

“And for the record, I told Agent Belmont that there was no way in hell you did anything to Charity. That said, I’m still a cop and I have to?—”

“Save the explanation. I get it.” Austin understood what Brad’s position required. Brad had been the one who informed him of Charity’s disappearance and what that meant for Austin. “I’m just pissed because Tom gave a press conference the other day and he stated that he believes I murdered her because I went on some jealous rampage. It’s fucking laughable. The moment I found out about the affair, I realized I wasn’t in love with her.”

“But you moved her out here anyway all while you’re still in love with Cinnamon.”

“Don’t bring her into this. She has nothing to do with the breakup.”

“That’s bullshit and don’t try to tell me that you didn’t move back here in hopes of seeing her if she were to ever visit so you can help her leave that dick of a man she married.” Brad inched closer, waving his finger. “I know you and the one thing you can’t tolerate is an abusive man. Even if you didn’t care for Cinnamon anymore, you’d want to save her. It’s in your DNA and not just because of Tina.”

Austin didn’t need to be reminded of his shit father and what he’d done to his mother. He watched it. Lived it. Nothing was worse than getting a phone call while at college and learning your mother had been beaten to death. It had changed his world, especially since he thought his father had been out of the picture. His mom had promised she wouldn’t let him back in the house. However, his dad could be charming and she’d caved to his apologies and believed he’d turned over a new leaf.

Again.

“Cinnamon won’t even talk to me; trust me, I’ve tried.” He stared at his longtime friend. “I’m terrified about what might have happened to Charity and I feel responsible. I should have helped her move back to Boise. Maybe if I had done things differently, she wouldn’t be missing.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong.” Brad rested his hand on Austin’s shoulder. “Everyone who knows you, believes that. But you have to stop being so combative with the authorities. I know you don’t trust us.”

“I have good reason not to have faith in most of you.” He raked a hand across the top of his head. “My mother called the cops how many times? And so did Tina. But that didn’t help them.”

“I’m not going to defend my department on why their hands were tied so many times with them, and so many others. Domestic violence is always tough, especially when the victims keep returning to their abusers and change their stories.” Brad held up his hand. “I love your sister and I know firsthand what she went through. I hate that my colleagues often had to walk away. I resent that I’ve been called to homes and have had to do the same thing. I also can’t stand that your good name is being dragged through the mud. But I need you to have a calmer, nicer tone when talking with the Feds. They won’t be going away anytime soon.”

Austin let out a long breath. “I can do that.”

“Good.” Brad nodded. “Will you be coming over for dinner? Tina is worried about you.”

“I’ll be there.”

“All right. I need to get back to work. See you in a few hours.” Brad turned on his heel and headed out the door.

Austin plopped back on the sofa and pulled out his cell. He found Cinnamon’s phone number. He always texted, never called, because when she did respond, it was obvious she couldn’t talk. “Fuck it.” He tapped the screen. When it rang, he expected it to go right to voicemail. But it didn’t. His pulse increased.

Three rings.

“Hello?” Cinnamon’s voice came over the speaker soft and sweet.

“Hi, Cinnamon, it’s Austin.”

“You shouldn’t be calling me,” she said.

“Why not?” He set his drink on the end table and pinched the bridge of his nose. “We’re old friends and I just want to catch up. You know I moved back to the ranch, right?”

“I heard you were engaged. Congratulations.”

“Not anymore and unless you live under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard what happened.” He didn’t need to say more.

“What do you want?” Cinnamon asked with a tremor in her voice.

That was a loaded fucking question, and one he wasn’t sure he knew how to answer. “All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy and safe and I’m not sure either of those things are true based on the weird texts I get from you.” He dropped his head to the sofa and closed his eyes. “Come back to the ranch. It’s where you belong.”

“I belong with my husband.”

He blinked. Anger filled his heart. It pumped through his veins like a wildfire. He knew better than to lecture her about what an asshole Pete was and how she deserved better. That never worked with his mother or with Tina. “Why don’t you come for a visit.”

“To see you? I don’t think so.” Her words were laced with the same fury she had the day she told him to fuck off fifteen years ago.

The last year of their relationship had been hard. After his mother had been murdered and his father went to prison, he’d thought about dropping out of college. However, Cinnamon had pushed him to continue his education. She believed it would be good for him to go on with his life. It took a few months, but in the end, he agreed and was happy he’d listened. But then his father died by suicide. He wouldn’t have cared had his dad not left a note, blaming him for everything that had happened. His father had rattled off everything Austin had done, including being born, that ruined his life and marriage. Had it not been for Austin, perhaps his mother would still be alive.

Austin knew none of it was true, but it affected him deeply and changed who he was at his core for a long time. Looking back, he could understand why Cinnamon broke up with him, but he could never comprehend how she could fall into the arms of Pete so quickly.

That broke his heart.

“Not me. Your family,” he said. “Everyone is worried about you.”

“I’ve got to go. Don’t call or text me again. My husband wouldn’t appreciate it.” The line went dead.

And so did his soul.