Chapter Fifteen
One night had turned into two. Autumn gripped her coffee mug between both hands and contemplated how her father had managed another night. Because he was very good at what he did—that’s how.
Quinn had been head over heels when she found out her grandpa was sticking around. They’d played board games that kept her up way too late on a school night. He had picked her up at school the next day and taken her straight to the diner for ice cream floats, which had become dinner, much to her dismay. Then Quinn and Grandpa had shared a blanket on the couch and watched two of her favorite movies.
Autumn fought the emotion trying to surface with persistence, but her father was doing a damn good job of making her daughter happy. Staying mad at him was proving to be difficult when she saw the joy on her daughter’s face. Quinn used to do those things with Trent. Trent had been a good father in many ways, probably because he had a severe case of Peter Pan syndrome. Huh . Much like her father.
Daybreak tinted the sky a deep pink. Everyone would be up soon. She cherished these quiet moments before the rush of the day hit. A group of four skiers were actually scheduled for the slope. After their full day of skiing, she would be going to Markus’s to make dinner for him and Logan. That would require another trip to the store for the things she would need, and hopefully she wouldn’t bump into Jett again. Her mother had promised to handle dinner here. Vera relished the idea of cooking for Ives. When Autumn suggested Vera prepare dinner, she had practically twirled in her spot.
Even with the heater working—for now—the house was still cold because she couldn’t afford to run the heat above sixty-seven. If she were going to be cold, she might as well be outside where the snow resided and hot breath clouded the icicle air. She took her coffee out to the front porch and dropped into the old rocker with its worn paint and rough wood. Someday she would sand this thing down and restain it. But she could never get rid of it because it had been a Christmas present from Jett. He had found it at a garage sale, sanded it, and stained it for her because he knew how much she had enjoyed sitting on the porch of this very house and dreaming about her future. He had promised her once he would find a second one for him.
An unoiled hinge creaked and groaned as someone opened the front door. Her quiet morning was about to splinter from the invasion.
“Good morning, Snowflake.” Her father greeted her with his charming smile. He was already dressed in a red cable-knit sweater over a pair of black corduroys. His eyes danced with energy as if he knew a secret and couldn’t wait to tell it. Which he probably did. Like the real reason he was here.
He hadn’t called her Snowflake in decades. As a little girl, she had loved the nickname because each winter when the first sign of snow would arrive, they would hurry outside and catch snowflakes on their tongues. He always pretended his tasted of peppermint. She would try every winter to find the snowflakes that held the magical taste, but she never could. Around the age of ten, she’d figured out he made it up. And she loved him anyway.
She didn’t want the warm memory on this cold morning. She needed to stay sharp and alert where Ives Thatcher was concerned. If she relented even a little, she would soften and he would swindle her while her lids were heavy with contentment and her body soft like warm jam.
“You’re up early.” She pushed out of the rocker to take away his height advantage.
“I thought I’d make breakfast this morning. Do you have a waffle maker?” He glanced past her toward the Ryker Ranch.
She forced her gaze to remain forward, having no need to follow his lead, but maybe having a want or two. She couldn’t shake Jett. “No waffle maker.”
“Oh. Well, how about some scrambled eggs, then?” Another glance past her.
This time she couldn’t let it go. “Are you looking for something over there?”
He straightened his shoulders. “Not at all. Just admiring the beauty of the trees outlined in snow. This property was always breathtaking.”
“That’s one thing I can agree with. Will you be heading out today?” She was ready to have her life back in its ordinary routine and see Ives slink away under his rock.
He leaned against the railing and picked at a spot of peeling paint. “I think I’m going to stick around in Backwater a few more days. I know you said only the one night, and you were kind enough to give me another. I won’t burden you with any more of my presence here. I’ve rented a room at the bed-and-breakfast. They fixed it up recently. It’s very nice. Have you been over there?”
She didn’t want him in town. Backwater was her home, and he dragged trouble around like toilet tissue on the bottom of a shoe. After he’d left town, her life morphed into the quiet kind of existence most people didn’t look twice at. She preferred flying under the radar, not worrying about what her father would do next and how it would embarrass her.
She never had a lot of friends in school because everyone in town knew Ives and thought their children might not be safe when he was around. He wasn’t always the most attentive adult, and children often found ways to stumble into trouble when he left her and her friends unsupervised.
The affair with Karen Ryker had burned through town like yellow fever. Everyone had heard. Everyone covered their mouths and whispered when she or Vera went by. Vera couldn’t take it, and she couldn’t pretend that indiscretion hadn’t happened—like all the others. Ives and Karen were as juicy as an old Hollywood love affair. Everyone wanted to know what would happen next.
The gossip rolled right off Karen’s Teflon back. Who was going to judge a woman who had recently lost her son? Everyone understood her mistake. And it wasn’t as if she were the one who was married. Vera, on the other hand, had been tried and convicted as the woman who couldn’t handle her man.
“You’re going to stay at the bed-and-breakfast? I don’t understand why. What’s here for you?”
“My family.” And yet another glance in the direction of the ranch.
“And Karen Ryker. You’re hoping she’ll give you another chance. That’s it. Isn’t it?” She could think of no other reason.
He stared at her with wide eyes. For once, nothing came out of his mouth.
“You know what? Don’t answer that. Just make sure Mom understands you aren’t here for her. I don’t want to have to pick up her pieces again when you disappear one day because Karen Ryker wanted nothing to do with you. Because she won’t.”
She had no idea what Karen wanted or didn’t want. It wasn’t as if they had ever discussed it. She would like to think Karen had more sense than to make the same mistake twice. But then again, Ives could sell snow to a Montana ski area owner in the middle of winter.
Her coffee had grown cold. She left him on the porch, needing to get her day underway. Voices carried from the kitchen. Vera and Quinn chatted around the island as the sulfur smell of eggs hung in the air. Vera had beaten Ives to the punch, unless he had never had any intention of making breakfast and had only used that excuse to come outside and tell her his plans.
A pink flush of color brightened Vera’s cheeks as she smiled at Quinn. Neither of them had noticed her yet, giving her a moment to wonder if Ives’s presence was putting a little joy in her mother’s life. Vera had very little and was about to lose her family’s legacy. Life hadn’t been kind to Vera, and she had been nasty right back. Autumn pitied her mother for the briefest of moments.
Enough of that. “Good morning,” she said into the room.
Vera and Quinn turned. Vera’s lips dropped that smile as if it were hot. “Good morning.” She turned back to the pan on the stove.
“Hi, Mom. Do you want any eggs?” Quinn held out an empty plate as if it were an invitation to a party.
“No, thank you. I’m not hungry. I can drive you to school today, if you’d like.”
“I’m catching a ride to school with Emily this morning. But thanks.” Quinn grabbed a piece of toast and trotted out of the kitchen but then came back. “Oh, Coach Ryker canceled practice today. The ski team won’t be here, so I’m going to go to Emily’s after school to study. Love you.” And like a flash of bright lightning, she was gone. Her footsteps pounded up the steps.
“Call your father in from the porch. The eggs are ready, and he’s going to catch his death from the cold. The man never wears a jacket.” Vera busied herself with arranging a plateful of food.
“He’s a grown man, Mom. He can wear a coat or not. It’s up to him. And he can come in when he wants. I have to get dressed. I have a busy day.”
“You’re sending him away.” Vera turned and glared at her. She brandished the spatula in her fist.
“I don’t want him here. And neither should you. He can’t be trusted, but for some unknown reason you dragged the devil out of bed.”
“You’re being melodramatic. Of course, your father has flaws. I’m well aware of what they are. But he’s far from the devil. He was lonely. He wanted to see his family. He isn’t getting any younger. None of us are.” Vera turned back to the pan and cracked a few more eggs.
Autumn had no idea who the woman was cooking for because no one else was here, but she stayed silent. Arguing with her mother was pointless. She headed for her room without another word.
Her father came in and brought a blast of cold air with him. He banged his feet and shivered in his sweater. “It’s cold.”
“You think? It’s Montana.” She shook her head and dashed past him.
Rummaging through the laundry basket of clean clothes for underwear and socks that matched, she wondered why Jett had canceled practice. She could shoot him a quick text since it was her mountain they practiced on and she had the right to know whether or not to expect them. But Quinn had told her, taking away her excuse. Jett’s reasons were his business.
Kissing him had torn open her heart. No amount of stitching it back together would work. She was never going to stop loving him.
She needed another buyer and fast. It was more than time to sell the land and move away so she could forget about Jett and the way her body responded when he was anywhere nearby.
Her father had added a reason to put space between her and Backwater. If he decided to stick around for longer than a week, she might lose her mind.
Moving out of town would crush Quinn, taking her from her friends, her school, and her ski team. She would have to get over it. That’s all. Weren’t kids resilient?
Autumn would call Dottie Lucier later today, after she got to Markus’s, and tell her to hurry up and find another buyer. Any buyer.
****
Jett hesitated outside the diner. Once he went in, he could not unlearn or unhear what was waiting for him. When he signed up to be coach of this ski team, he’d never dreamed he’d also have to be counselor and secret keeper too. Logan had requested another meeting, and this time he would bring the girlfriend.
Meeting the teenager wasn’t going to change Jett’s decision to support from the sidelines. But he couldn’t tell Logan no. He had even canceled practice to make this happen. Logan had suggested, if anyone asked, that they were discussing Logan’s future opportunities in skiing and this afternoon was the only available time. Jett hated lying. Somehow this would come back to bite him in the ass.
On a long breath, he pulled open the door and took a step. Only to stop in his tracks. His mother sat at the counter in deep conversation with Ives Thatcher. Ives leaned near Karen, his lips moved, but Jett couldn’t hear what he said.
Karen smirked but pushed Ives away. He slid on the stool beside her, facing her as if waiting for some response. When had Ives returned, and why hadn’t Autumn told him? More importantly, what did Ives want with his mother? He was about to find out.
“Coach Ryker.” Logan waved from his booth by the window.
Karen spun in her seat. Her blue eyes widened to the size of a cylinder hay bale. She grabbed the cup beside her and walked over to him. “Hi, honey. What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing, Mom.” He eyed Ives over his mother’s head. Ives had turned back to the counter.
Logan waved again. Jett gave him the one-minute sign in return.
“Apparently, Ives is in town for a few weeks. I had no idea until about ten minutes ago. Thank you for saving me. I was trying to get rid of him.” Karen lowered her voice.
He hoped that was true. “What did he want?”
“Nothing in particular. I’m assuming he was gearing up to ask me out. Which I don’t want.” She adjusted her glasses.
“If he bothers you, I’m going to have Gage arrest him.”
“Stop that. I can handle Ives.”
“Like last time?”
“Jett Lawrence Ryker, I am still your mother. My past love life in all its good and bad is my business. I don’t interfere in your or your brothers’ personal lives. I expect the same in return.”
“Really? Did you not offer relationship advice to both Gage’s and Kace’s girlfriends about your sons?” His mother always offered her opinion even when it wasn’t requested. He almost laughed out loud but would never. The message under the use of his full name was clear. He had walked up to the one line he could not cross with her.
“That was different. Those women just needed a little encouragement to trust themselves. It wasn’t as if I played matchmaker. And never mind any of that. I don’t want you getting involved where Ives is concerned. I can handle him. You keep your sights on Autumn.” She patted his arm.
He bit back the next remark about Autumn accusing him of using her. “I have a meeting with one of my athletes. I’ve got to go. Just watch your back, okay?”
“I’ll be fine. But if for some reason I need rescuing, I will call out to my boys for help.”
“Thank you.” He would have to tell his brothers about this new development. It couldn’t hurt for Gage to keep a watch on Ives just in case the man broke some Backwater law only Gage knew about—or could make up.
She squeezed his arm and walked out. He fought the urge to warn Ives to stay away from his mother, but he respected her wishes and passed him without so much as a word. Instead, he slid into the booth opposite Logan and his girlfriend.
“That was your mom, right?” Logan said.
“Yeah. Sorry about the delay. She had some urgent ranch business to tell me about.”
“Coach, this is Maya. Maya, Coach Ryker.” Logan beamed at his girlfriend. That kid had it bad.
“Hello,” she said. Her gaze dropped to her lap where her hands were. Her dark, curly hair fell over her face. She worked her bottom lip under her teeth. The glass of soda in front of her was still full, but Logan’s was mostly empty.
Either she didn’t feel the same way about Logan as he did her, or this young lady was scared out of her mind. Jett would vote for the second option because she had agreed to come here, unless Logan had persuaded her. He could be more like his father than Jett realized. Markus was very good at persuading people to do his bidding.
He couldn’t be sure, but Maya’s chin might have trembled. Logan put an arm around her shoulders, but she sat straight in her seat.
“How can I help you both?” He might as well get this conversation over with.
Jenna Jones sauntered over, pulling her pad out of her apron. She had a habit of wearing clothes that revealed more than anyone needed to see. Even in the winter, her pink sweater dipped to the valley of her breasts and her black leggings reported her underwear line.
“Hey, Jett. What can I get you?” Jenna said.
“Coffee, please. Black.”
“Nothing else?” She glanced between him and the kids.
“Not for now. Thanks.”
She rambled off with an eye roll and a shake of her head. He wasn’t sure, but she might have muttered something about a bad tip and a waste of her table.
“The waitress is going to be back soon. I’ll wait to say why we asked you here until after she brings you your coffee,” Logan said.
On cue, Jenna dropped off the coffee and returned to her spot by the counter.
“Okay, Logan. Let’s hear it.”
“We’ve made a decision. We’re going to elope.”
He choked on his coffee. “Aren’t you two a little young to get married?”
“We’re both seventeen,” Logan said. “We can get married in Idaho with parental consent.”
“Then you’ve told your parents.” He didn’t understand what he was doing there.
“Maya told hers, but I haven’t said anything to my dad yet. I was wondering if you would give consent for me to get married. Maya’s sister is twenty. She’s going to sign the papers as Maya’s mother, giving her consent to the marriage.”
He did not hear that right. “Say again?”
Maya raised her gaze and held his. Her dark eyes shone with a fierceness. “Mr. Ryker, Logan and I want to get married and have our baby. My parents don’t want me to become a mother. They will never agree to allow us to marry, but in Idaho we can get married with a parent’s consent. We’re ready to have a family.”
He shrugged out of his jacket, suddenly too hot. These two weren’t thinking clearly. They were kids themselves. “You aren’t even out of high school. Have you thought about how you’ll support yourselves? Where are you going to live?”
If he could spill this secret, he would grab Cullum Durrell by the collar and shake him until his eyes rolled out of his head for asking him to be the damn ski coach. He figured he would train a few kids, take them to the competition, maybe have to cut one or two and then be on his way. Now he was turning into a parent, a counselor, and what next? Godparent?
He needed something stronger than coffee.
“We haven’t worked out all the details yet, but we plan on finishing high school. Maya wants to be a hair stylist, and I’m still going to go to college on my scholarship.”
“Once we’re married, our parents will have to get on board,” Maya said.
“Do you think that’s how it works? Your parents are just going to cave because you gave them no choice?”
“Why wouldn’t they?” Maya said.
He doubted that would be the case. His mother wouldn’t have. Gage wouldn’t. “I realize I’m not a parent. My advice might not be the most helpful. Can I bring my brother Gage in to talk to you two? He can give you a lot of insight about being a young and single parent. He raised his daughter by himself because his wife couldn’t handle being a mother. It’s not as easy as it seems.”
“He’s just going to talk us out of it. Like our parents,” Maya said.
“If all these people tell you it’s a bad idea, isn’t it worth considering?” How was he going to stop this from derailing?
“Logan, let’s go. I told you he wouldn’t do it. We’ll have to find someone else.” Maya pushed Logan out of the booth.
“Coach, would you think about it?” Logan looked down at him with disappointment across his face. “If my mom were still alive, I know she’d agree. You knew her. I can’t let her grandchild be in the world without me.”
“I thought you didn’t want to have the baby.” It was a last-ditch effort, and shooting below the belt, but he didn’t know what else to do.
“I’ve changed my mind.” Logan pressed his lips into a thin line and shrugged.
Maya shoved Logan again. They hurried out of the diner.
His tongue had turned to dust. What the hell was he going to do now? He couldn’t go behind Logan’s back and speak with his father. Hell, he didn’t want to talk to Markus about anything, least of all his kid. But how, as a coach and a mentor, could he allow two seventeen-year-olds to make a mistake like getting married? He hadn’t signed up for this. It might be time to quit.
“Jenna, do you have that to-go order?” A female voice drifted toward him, a voice he often heard in his sleep.
He tossed a few dollars on the table and grabbed his jacket. “Hi, Autumn.”
She stared up at him, her face devoid of emotion. “Hey, Jett. We keep bumping into each other.”
“Small town. Can I talk to you a minute?” Maybe she would understand his dilemma, and considering they’d been in a similar circumstance once, maybe she would have insight into what he should tell these kids. Of course, the big difference was he and Autumn had been twenty, not seventeen. And though three years wasn’t a lot of time, they were legally adults with parents who had supported their decision. Except for Vera. Even before his mother’s affair, Vera had never sung his praises.
“I don’t have time. I have an appointment.” She rummaged in her bag and pulled out her wallet.
He wanted her to look at him, but he was powerless to do anything about it. Staying away from her all these years, as best he could, was how he had survived being without her. All he ever wanted was for her to look at him the way she used to before he had ruined everything and sent her away. If he didn’t have to see the emptiness in her eyes when she looked at him, then he would be able to go on with life. But now their lives intersected in a way he hadn’t planned, and he had the desire to connect with her in a meaningful way again.
Jenna came out with a large brown paper bag stapled together between the handles. “Here ya go, hon. That’ll be sixty-five twenty.”
Autumn handed over her credit card.
“Are you entertaining?” What she did was none of his business, but he couldn’t help asking. She was in a bit of a financial crisis. Spending a lot of money on takeout might not be her best option.
“Something like that.”
He didn’t like that answer. Did all this food have to do with her appointment ? “Can I come by later after your appointment?”
“No. It will have to wait until tomorrow’s practice. I’ll come out while the kids are skiing. I can talk for a few minutes then. Take care, Jett.” Autumn scooped up her bag and hurried out the door.
Jenna arched her brow.
“What’s that look for?”
“ What’s going on between you and Autumn ?”
“Mind your own business, Jenna.”
She threw her hands in the air. “Sorry to intrude. But you might want to know that she’s taking that food to Markus Everett’s house.”
That news sucker punched him in the throat, and he hoped his face didn’t give away his shock. “Why would I want to know that?”
“Old competitions, maybe. I might be taking a leap here, but if you’re looking to talk to her about something important, I think you should know what you’re up against.”
“Well, thanks, but I’m not interested in Autumn’s personal life. Haven’t been in a very long time. Night.”
“Whatever you say.”
He pushed out into the cold and scanned the parking lot, but Autumn’s truck had ceased to exist. She was long gone to wherever she was headed. He had half a mind to drive past Markus Everett’s house and prove Jenna wrong. Autumn wouldn’t be having dinner there. She was done with Everett.
Or was it another case of him pushing her away and straight into Everett’s arms? History had a funny way of repeating itself.
And he would get to the bottom of it.
His phone rang from inside his jacket. He dug it out because if it was a call and not a text, something important must be happening at the ranch.
“Lock, what’s up?”
“It’s Silver Bell. You need to come now.”
He ran for his truck.