Chapter Ten
Gretchen sped down the road, escaping the small town and heading toward Copper Ridge Road. She pulled over onto the side of the road and parked, breaking down in sobs. She rested her head on the steering wheel and gripped it tightly in her hands.
Suddenly, she jumped when someone tapped on her window. It was Deputy Logan Townson.
Taking a deep breath, Gretchen looked away from him and wiped her tears before lowering the window to speak to him.
“Logan, I’m okay,” she said, trying to hide her emotions. But his frown made her realize he could see right through her facade. “Okay, I’m not okay, but I will be.”
“You were driving recklessly, and this is not the road for that,” Logan said.
“I’m sorry, Logan. I pulled over because I needed to compose myself.”
“I understand, but you know how dangerous this road can be. Please get going as soon as you can. I’ll sit behind you with my lights on to make sure you’re visible, but you need to get off this road.”
“I’ll go soon, Logan. I need a few minutes. Are you going to give me a ticket?”
Logan shook his head. “Not this time, but there won’t be a next time. You nearly caused an accident in town.”
“I’m sorry,” Gretchen cried as another tear rolled down her face. “I saw... something that upset me.”
“Alright. Take your time and when you’re ready to go, you can. I’ll be behind you until you do. I don’t want anyone coming around that turn and not seeing you.” Logan walked back to his cruiser.
Gretchen watched him climb back into his SUV with the blue lights flashing, something she didn’t even notice until now. Leaning her head back against the seat, she let herself cry. That’s why Kian hadn’t been contacted her; he was with someone else, likely Sheila, the woman he had once proposed to. Someone must have told her when he returned, and she rushed to Clifton to see him.
After sitting there for fifteen minutes, Gretchen wiped away her tears, waved to Logan and drove off. She headed toward her parents’ house, hoping they could provide some comfort in this difficult time.
As she pulled up to the cape cod home, Gretchen couldn’t help but stare at it. This was where she grew up and her parents were wonderful people who had always made this house feel like a haven for her. It was the place where all of her childhood friends would gather, and everyone loved her parents. Her friends used to say they wished their own parents were as welcoming as hers.
Gretchen stepped out of the car and climbed the steps before knocking on the door. Her mother’s smiling face greeted her, but quickly turned into a frown when she saw the look on Gretchen’s face.
“Honey, come inside,” her mother said, pulling her into a warm embrace. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? Is this how you always look now? I know we haven’t seen you in a while, but I don’t remember this sadness in your eyes.”
“Could I have something to drink?”
“Of course. I have some homemade lemonade.”
“I was thinking something stronger,” Gretchen muttered as she plopped down in a chair at the kitchen table.
“That’s not like you. Now I know something must be wrong.” Her mother sat down beside her and placed a reassuring hand on hers. “Tell me.”
Gretchen sighed, then told her mother about Kian. From finding him, to falling in love with him, and seeing him with Sheila.
“At least, I think it was Sheila. I don’t know what she looks like.”
“And he sent you a text?”
“Yes.” Gretchen showed it to her mother.
Her mother read it, then set the phone down. “I think you should listen to him. Obviously, he’s upset.”
Gretchen’s mouth dropped open. “ He’s upset? How do you think I feel?”
“I think you’re jumping to conclusions. Why would he bother texting you?”
“Because he knew I saw him. He saw me pull out in front of someone and had to know I saw him with her.”
“But if he was in love with her, why would he bother texting you?”
Gretchen opened her mouth, snapped it shut, and shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“That’s why you need to talk to him.”
“Hey, bug,” her father said as he entered the room, and kissed the top of her head.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Uh, oh. What’s wrong?”
Were her parents physic?
“Nothing, Dad. I’m fine.”
“No, she’s not, but she will be if she wasn’t so stubborn. You know, like you.”
“That’s the pot calling the kettle black, honey.” Her father grinned at her mother. “I’ll leave you two alone, but come sit with me before you leave, Gretchen.”
“I will, Dad.” Gretchen sighed and looked at her mother. “I am so in love with Kian.”
“I can tell. I honestly cannot believe you took a stranger into your home, but I also know you had no choice. You couldn’t let him out there to die, and he would have if not for you and Lobo.”
“I know. When I saw him, I thought he was so handsome, but I didn’t know anything about him, so I couldn’t trust him at first.”
“I understand that. Now, he’s set on getting those men. I think someone needs to. They wanted him to die and to be shooting those wolves for just their pelts…” Her mother shook her head. “Those poor animals.”
“I know. I feel the same. I know they have to keep the population under control, but there are seasons for that and sometimes ranchers and farmers don’t have a choice, but those men didn’t care. I hope the sheriff’s department finds them. I know Kian won’t give up.”
“You need to talk to him. You’re miserable.”
“I am, but Mom, this was the woman he wanted to marry. I know it had to be her.”
“Well, as I said, why would he bother texting you? He saw you and if he was still in love with her, he had no reason to text you.”
“Maybe he likes having more than one woman at a time.” Gretchen shrugged.
“Do you honestly believe that?”
She sighed and shook her head. “No.”
“I didn’t think so. Now, let me get you some lemonade and you can spend some time with your father while I make us something to eat. You are staying a while, right?”
“Yes, for a little while. I have to get back to Lobo.”
“You should have brought him. You know your dad loves him.”
Gretchen smiled. “I know, but I had the back of the SUV loaded with paintings. I didn’t need the big ox to step on them.”
Her mother laughed. “True. Go.”
Gretchen pushed the chair back, rose from her seat before heading to the living room. Taking a seat on the sofa, she was immediately bombarded with questions from her father.
“Is everything okay, bug?”
“Yes, Daddy. And how about you?”
“I’m doing well. How’s your painting coming along?”
“It’s going well. I actually just sent some pieces to a gallery in Chicago.”
“That’s fantastic! You truly are a talented artist,” her father beamed with pride.
“You only say that because I’m your daughter.” Gretchen grinned.
“I say it because it’s true. I wouldn’t have one of your paintings in my home if I didn’t believe so.”
Gretchen glanced at the painting hanging above the fireplace, a portrait of their family home with her parents standing on the porch, arms wrapped around each other. It made her smile.
“It is a good painting, isn’t it?” she asked.
“Absolutely,” her father agreed.
Gretchen laughed and thanked him.
But as soon as her mother entered the room and sat down on the sofa, Gretchen’s mood shifted. She sighed and told her dad about Kian.
“I agree with your mother. You’re jumping to conclusions,” her father said calmly.
“But what else could it have been? I saw him hugging another woman,” Gretchen exclaimed.
“Maybe it was just a friend of his,” her father suggested. “And perhaps she was happy to see him back.”
Gretchen gasped at this possibility. “Oh my God, Dad, you could be right. I never thought of that. I completely jumped to conclusions.”
“I told you so,” her mother chimed in.
“I ignored his texts,” Gretchen confessed, covering her face with her hands.
“You need to text him back and get this straightened out,” her mother advised.
Nodding in agreement, she stood up and made her way to the kitchen. She took a deep breath before pulling out a chair and sitting down. With shaking hands, she opened her text messages and composed a message before pressing send.
Who was that woman?
She waited anxiously for his response, watching the bubbles appear on the screen.
It was just Sheila. You should know she doesn’t mean anything to me more than a friend. Gretchen, I’m crazy about you, sweetheart.
A tear rolled down Gretchen’s cheek as she read this. She quickly wiped it away before typing out another message.
I feel the same about you. When I saw you with her, I didn’t know what to think.
Will I see you later?
Yes, of course. I’m at my parents’ house right now but heading home soon. Please come out to the cabin.
I’m sorry, I have to go. Killian and I are meeting with Sam.
Okay.
As she stared at her phone, her mother entered the kitchen.
“Well?” she asked, noticing Gretchen’s worried expression.
Gretchen let out a weary sigh and handed her phone to her mother, who read through the messages with furrowed brows.
“I feel like he’s blowing me off,” Gretchen finally admitted.
“What? How do you get that from these messages?” her mother exclaimed in disbelief. “Gretchen Janette, what is wrong with you? He’s just busy.”
“But one minute he’s asking if he can see me later, and then when I suggest coming to the cabin, he suddenly has to go.”
“Maybe he arrived at the sheriff’s office. Don’t jump to conclusions again,” her father interjected as he entered the kitchen.
Gretchen knew they were right, but she couldn’t shake off her doubts and insecurities. She hoped Kian would keep his promise and call her soon so they could clear things up, but she shook her head.
“Mom, instead of typing all that out, he could have just said he’d see me there.” She saw her father wince. “What was that for?”
“I…” He shook his head.
“No, tell me.”
He looked at her mother and then back at Gretchen. “You might be onto something.”
“Hugh Casteel, what is wrong with you?”
“Come on, Clara. I’m not going to lie to her. She’s right. Instead of typing all that out, he could have typed ‘I’ll see you there,’ and he didn’t. Nine words shorter than what he sent.”
“Did you actually count them?”
Gretchen looked at her father and saw him sheepishly grinning.
“I did.”
She bit her lip to stop a smile from forming, but when she glanced at her mother and saw her rolling her eyes, she couldn’t help but laugh before getting up from the table.
“After lunch, I’m heading home.”
“You’d better keep in touch. If he doesn’t show up, I want to know because I know you’ll be feeling hurt.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow. I have to make a call to the gallery anyway to let them know the shipment is on the way.”
Her mother nodded but kept her eyes on her, and Gretchen didn’t know what else she could say because she knew her mother was worried about her.
After having lunch and hugging them goodbye, Gretchen got into her SUV and drove home, unable to stop thinking about Kian. It didn’t matter that her mother thought he was on his way to the sheriff’s office or that her father had a similar opinion. In her mind, he could have easily typed something different.
“I need to give him the benefit of the doubt,” she muttered to herself.
She decided to wait and see if he actually showed up at the cabin. If he didn’t, she would be beyond pissed.
****
Kian took a seat in Sheriff Sam Garrett’s office, while Killian leaned casually against the doorframe, arms folded.
“I’m not making much progress on this case, but I do have some additional photos for you to review, Kian,” Sam said, turning his computer screen toward him. “I’ll send them to your email so you can go through them. There are quite a few.”
“Sounds good, Sam. I’ll take a look,” Kian replied, giving his email address.
Sam turned the screen back around and sent the file to Kian’s email. He then leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “FWP has nothing on recent poaching of wolf pelts. They have plenty of other cases, but nothing on this one. My guess is that these men will poach anything they can get their hands on. FWP sent me these photos, as they are also looking for these men, but for different reasons. They want to catch them for poaching, while MDOL and I want to catch them for attempted murder on you, Kian.”
“I know their faces, so hopefully I’ll see them in one of these photos,” Kian said with a heavy sigh.
“We’re counting on it. We don’t need any more wolves killed or innocent people hurt by these men trying to cover their tracks,” Sam added.
“I completely agree. They need to be stopped,” Killian chimed in.
“We’ll do everything we can to make that happen.” Sam looked at Killian.
“I’ll go through these photos at the office and at home tonight. It looks like it will take some time,” Kian said.
“It definitely will. There are over one hundred and fifty photos and you’ll have to take your time to be sure,” Sam replied.
“Yeah, I want to make sure we have the right guys.” Kian let out a frustrated sigh.
“Exactly. Just let me know if you recognize any of them and we’ll track them down.” Sam stood up and extended his hand for Kian to shake.
“Thanks, Sam. I appreciate it,” Kian said, shaking his hand.
Killian nodded at Sam. “Let’s hope we can find these guys soon. It’s been long enough.”
“The good thing is, they probably think they got away with killing you since no one has come after them, so they don’t know we’re looking for them.”
“Well, they need to think again,” Kian said.
Sam nodded in agreement as Kian and Killian left the office and walked out the door.
Once outside, Kian turned to his brother. “I need to contact Gretchen. Our messaging was cut short earlier when we had to talk to Sam.”
“Well, just give her a call or send her a text. I’m going to swing by the coffee shop to see Celine for a bit.”
Kian grinned. “Got it. See you at the office.” He watched as Killian walked away down the sidewalk, completely enamored with his fiancée. Who could blame him?
Taking out his phone, Kian tried calling Gretchen, but the call wouldn’t go through. So he sent her a text instead, but that failed too.
“Damn it. She must be at the cabin and there’s no way I can go there right now.” He muttered under his breath. It could be days before he could go, and he couldn’t even tell her.
With a frustrated sigh, he checked for traffic and crossed the street to enter the office building. He sat at his desk, looking through the photos Sam had sent him on his computer. He needed some water, so he stood up and glanced around the room. Even though agents were technically on-call twenty-four seven, no one else was in the office after hours. Except for Kian, it seemed. Most were gone from the office by six. He looked at his watch to see it was almost seven-thirty.
Remembering Killian saying he’d see him tomorrow; Kian had assumed he was heading out on a case. But now he wasn’t so sure.
He looked over at Dave’s office and saw that the lights were off. Running his hand through his hair, Kian closed the email and shut down his computer. He would continue searching through the photos when he got home. If you could even call his small apartment ‘home’. He needed to buy a house soon.
He grabbed his hat from the rack, placed it on his head, and walked toward the elevator. His back was sore from sitting all day, so he decided to take the stairs instead to work out the kinks.
Stepping outside, he made his way to the truck in the parking lot. After unlocking it, he climbed inside and drove to the extended stay motel where he was currently living since moving to Clifton.
Parking the truck, he walked up the stairs to his room, unlocked it, and went inside. He hung his hat on a hook beside the door before sitting down on the bed. He kicked off his boots, stood up to strip off his clothes, and took a hot shower.
After finishing his shower, he wrapped a towel around his waist, swiped away the steam on the mirror and shaved. Then he decided to order some food for delivery. He was starving, but too exhausted to go back out. Even though the diner had amazing food.
He pulled on a T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, then called an order in for a pizza to be delivered before sitting back down on the bed, and opening his laptop to check his email again, determined to find those men. The only time he got up was when the pizza was delivered.
An hour later, he was no closer than before, so deciding to take a break from that before they all started looking like the same person, and he decided to look at houses for sale. He needed to clear his mind of the photos he’d already gone through and finding nothing yet; he was getting discouraged. He had to get his mind on something else right now.
As soon as he saw the house, he knew it was the one he wanted. It was in the same area as Killian’s and he really liked it. He picked up his phone and called his brother.
“Hey, Kian. Did you find something?”
“Not from the photos yet, but I think I found a house.”
“A house? Why aren’t you going through the photos?”
Kian sighed. “Because I need to take a break from looking at those. They were all starting to look alike.”
“So, instead of looking at more of those photos, you decided to look at house photos?”
Kian could hear the smile in Killian’s face. “Damn, you can be such a pain in my ass. I needed a break.”
Killian chuckled. “I get it. Did you find a house, at least?”
Kian told him about the house he found and was interested in seeing.
“Is it possible for you to run by it and see how it looks? I’ll have to call the real estate office tomorrow. It’s late now.”
“Yeah, text me the address. You could always text the agent and if she can’t show it tonight, maybe she can fit it in tomorrow.”
“I’ll do that. Her name is Lydia Griffin.”
“That’s who I bought my house through. She’s great.”
“Alright. I’ll text her now. I’ll see you in the office. Let me know about the house.”
“How much is it?”
“Just under a million.”
“How many acres?”
“Thirty.”
“I have twenty-five. Do you always have to have something bigger than what I have?”
Kian chuckled. “ Everything I have is bigger than what you have. Goodnight, little brother.”
Killian laughed. “In your dreams. Goodnight.”
Kian sent a text to Lydia Griffin and waited for a reply. Just as he was about to set the phone on the nightstand, it buzzed. He saw her respond that she could meet him tomorrow around one in the afternoon if that was okay. He told her it was and he’d see her then.
****
Gretchen grumbled under her breath as she paced the living room in her cabin. Why hadn’t he shown up? She waited for hours and when she had decided to take a walk to text him, it was dark and there was no way she was going out there.
“Damn you, Kian Doyle,” she shouted. She jumped when Lobo barked at her. “Yeah, I know you like him, and I do too, but he is really making me angry.” She laughed when Lobo barked again.
She sat on the sofa, turned on the TV and watched the news. Not much going on locally, so when her eyes started drooping, she got up and headed for the bathroom. After taking a shower, she pulled on her T-shirt and lounge pants, then crawled into bed. A tear rolled down her temple, but she angrily wiped it away.
“I will not shed another tear for you Agent Kian Doyle.” She turned out the light, rolled to her side and tried to sleep.
When the sun woke her, she sat up, rubbed her eyes and felt as if she hadn’t slept at all. She looked at the clock beside the bedside table and groaned when it showed six-thirty.
“I don’t want to get up at six-thirty in the morning,” she mumbled, but knew she’d never get back to sleep.
With a heavy sigh, she tossed the blankets off, stood, and headed for the bathroom. Then she’d get started with her day and not think about Kian Doyle.