Chapter 23
Kristy slid out of the car. Dean’s ego apparently wouldn’t let him believe that there was no “us.” She slammed the car door with a little more oomph than she intended, and the sound echoed through the parking area.
She walked briskly. Dean kept pace. When they entered the hotel lobby, he stopped when she did, as if waiting to follow her lead.
“I intend to see my father alone, Dean.”
“Think about us, Kristy. We’d make a good team, you and me. Come back to Cheyenne and give us a chance.”
“You think about not ruining a good man’s career.” She knew she was pleading, but this was something to plead about.
Dean shook his stubborn little head. “He’s got anger-management issues. He shouldn’t be a cop.”
There was no sense arguing with him—the man was too thickheaded. “By raising your fist, you threatened him. Goodbye, Dean.” And good riddance.
Without looking back, she headed in the direction of the dining room, where her father said he’d meet her. She could use another cup of coffee.
On the way in, she checked her phone again. Nothing from Rusty.
It was easy to spot her father. He was surrounded by other people, this time all male. But when he noticed her, he rose, excused himself, and walked over. He was dressed casually in khakis and a polo shirt, as if ready to play a round of golf.
“Where’s Dean?” her father asked.
“On his way to his hotel room.”
“He feeling okay?”
“Seems to be.”
“So how did it go between you two last night?” With one hand under her elbow, he steered her to the coffee station. Her father knew his daughter.
She started filling a cup. “As you might expect. I slept in Ariel’s room, and he slept in my room.”
She finished fixing her coffee, and her father pointed to an empty table for two.
“I’m sure he was disappointed.” Her father pulled out a chair for her, then slid into his own seat.
“And are you disappointed?” She could predict the answer.
“I won’t lie. It would be pretty perfect for me if you married Dean or someone like him. Someone interested in politics and who would have my back. But the reality is, I just want you to be happy. Does this Rusty fellow make you happy?”
She nodded. “I know it didn’t look good last night, but, really, I’ve never seen him use physical force. He’s all about helping people. He thought Dean was hurting me.”
Her father’s head snapped back. “Was he?”
“Shoved me up against the wall and wouldn’t let me go.”
“He did that?”
“Dean was trying to get me to listen to him. I was ready to give him a knee to the groin if he didn’t release me.”
Her father chuckled. “That’s my girl.”
“So I’m here to ask a favor.”
“Of me?” He pointed to his chest.
“Yes. For Rusty. He’s supposed to enter the police academy this September. It’s all he’s talked about. But if this goes on his record, if Dean files a complaint against him, that’s not going to happen.”
“Did he pass all the psychological tests? I mean, it was an overreaction, though it gives me comfort to know that someone else cares about you enough to defend you. Even if it sounds like you don’t need defending.”
“That’s Rusty’s biggest blind spot. He’s so ready to step in and help, he doesn’t find out first if the person needs or wants his help.”
“If that’s his only flaw, it doesn’t sound like a deal-breaker.”
“It’s not.” That was what this whole incident had shown her. She’d take him, flaws and all.
“I know you don’t like it when I step in and help either. This guy must be important to you for you to be here. So what do want from me?”
“To convince Dean it’s not in his best interest to file charges. I’ve tried, pointing out that pinning me against the wall could also be considered assault.”
“True. But a misdemeanor.”
“But I’m thinking this is not something Dean would want his future constituents to know, nor that he got knocked out by one punch…”
“Not male stereotyping, are you?” He chuckled.
“I was trying to sow doubt in Dean’s mind. But it didn’t work. A word from you would go a long way.”
“And what do I get in return?”
She took a sip of coffee and looked over the rim of the cup. “My undying gratitude?”
“That’s a start.” Her father shifted in his seat. “You know, kitten, your mother and I want you back in Cheyenne.”
“And I’m making it work here. I’m still within driving distance.”
“Looks like I’m going to be making a move soon that requires having a chief of staff. I need someone I can trust in that position. You’d be perfect. And it would be a better use of your talents.”
“You know I have no interest in doing that. I need to find my own way, Daddy.”
His eyebrows rose. “If I do this for you, I’d consider it the act of a loving daughter if you would come back to Cheyenne and help me.”
“Then I’d have to leave here.” And leave Rusty.
“Couldn’t Ariel run things for Marcia? Because I’ll need people around me who will have my back. Politics is a cutthroat enterprise. I need you, Kristy. Just like you need me now.”
Her heart was screaming no. Her brain was saying it was for Rusty. How would she tell Rusty that she was leaving? Or Ariel? How could she leave after successfully managing the largest event of her career? She was on the cusp of getting a piece of the business.
“I can’t Daddy. I just…”
“It’s the cowboy, isn’t it.”
“It’s my career and the cowboy.” To be honest.
“I have to be able offer Dean something. And if he knew you’d be coming to work for me, it would offer him hope.”
“Never am I going back with Dean, regardless.”
“And after what you told me, I wouldn’t want you to. But he doesn’t need to know that. And if your cowboy is as into you as you seem to be into him, won’t he follow you to Cheyenne?”
“I wouldn’t ask him to. His family is here. This is where he grew up. Where he wants to work.”
“And Cheyenne is where you grew up. As you said, it’s within driving distance. And I’ll make a deal. Do it for two years. That’s all I ask, because by then we’ll be through another election cycle. May be a good test for your relationship.”
She didn’t want to test out their relationship. “I have to think about it.” This wasn’t something she could decide in the moment.
“Dean will file before he leaves here. That’s just a few hours from now.”
Her stomach was topsy-turvy, and her temples were pulsing. “I can’t believe you’re putting me in this situation.”
“I’m not. Rusty is. I want what is best for you, kitten. And moving back to Cheyenne, working in my office, is best for both of us. And becoming a policeman is what is best for Rusty. Think about it. But not too long.”
“And if I say no? If I don’t agree to come back to Cheyenne?” Because she really didn’t want that. She wanted to stay and see where the business and Rusty would take her.
He shrugged. “I won’t be able to offer Dean anything to change his mind. I’ll talk to him and he still might, but…”
“But you don’t think he will.”
“Doubtful. It’s not just his face that is hurting. It’s his pride. From what you say, Dean went down without a fight. In front of a whole lot of people. If he thought you were coming back to Cheyenne and he had a chance…”
“But he doesn’t have a chance.” How many times did she have to say it?
“He’ll think he does, and I’m betting that’s all it will take to change his mind.”
How had this happened? How had her bid for independence become a trap? “I’ll have to think about it. I’ll have to talk to Ariel.”
“Better get going then. Time’s a wastin’.”
***
“You aren’t serious?” Ariel stood in the middle of the event’s concrete floor, in the midst of the rental agency removing the table and chairs and disassembling the stage. It was noisy and chaotic and fit Kristy’s mood. “We just pulled off a fantastic event in front of the whole town, in front of the whole friggin’ state, and you want to bail, as if we failed.”
“I don’t want to. I don’t want to at all. But I don’t know what else to do. Rusty’s going to lose his whole future, all his plans.”
“And so are you.” Ariel brushed a wisp of hair from her face. Dressed in a colorful flowing midi dress, she looked ready for a new-age retreat.
“I’ll have a different career.” One she would hate.
“Look, I am good at what I do, Kristy. And that is creating beautiful events. I am not a businesswoman. I hate that end of things. I don’t know the first thing about pricing out an event, preparing contracts, negotiating with vendors. And I don’t want to know. I’m an idea person. A creative. I can’t do it. I didn’t sign on to do that part of the business. And who would Marcia get to run Gillette then? That guy you think is a bozo who is running Cheyenne now?”
Ariel looked like she was ready to burst into tears.
“I know. But it won’t be for long. Just until Dean calms down. Two years. That’s what my dad is asking for.” She was trying to convince herself as much as Ariel. She hated doing this to her best friend and cousin. To herself. To Rusty.
“There is no statute of limitations in Wyoming. And don’t ask me how I know that.”
“There isn’t?” That was a new wrinkle. “Well, at least it will give me more time. If Dean does decide to run for a seat in the state legislation, he likely won’t want this known. Getting forceful with a woman and then getting knocked out with the first punch doesn’t seem the cowboy way, which is important here in Wyoming.”
“You’re seriously considering this.” Ariel shook her head. “Have you talked to Rusty?”
“I’ve been trying since I left my dad, but he’s not answering the phone or my text messages. It’s like he’s dropped off the face of the earth. Or he’s mad at me, which doesn’t make any sense.”
“I can’t believe he’d want you to do this. For all intent and purposes, you’d be breaking up with him.”
“I’ll be four hours away. We can see each other on weekends.”
“Because you aren’t going to be busy with your father’s stuff on weekends? Doubtful.”
Ariel was right. Politics never stopped.
Kristy put her hand to her temple and rubbed. But the blistering pain was still there. “I don’t’ know what to do. But I know I can’t let Dean ruin Rusty’s career before it even gets started. I have to do it, Ariel.”
***
“What are you doing here?”
“Making sure you’re all right. It’s Monday morning, and you’ve been missing since yesterday.” His sister Lexi stood outside the door to the cabin, a bag in her hand. Clad in jeans and a short-sleeved shirt, sweat on her brow, she didn’t look happy. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”
“No.”
She stepped into the cabin. He really couldn’t prevent her because it was on her land, but he wanted to. The scent of baked goods wafted through the room. His stomach growled as he retreated to the unmade bed. The McClanes’ dog, Bandit, slid past her and proceeded to the table, where the animal knew the bag would likely reside. Lexi followed and, as Bandit suspected, placed the bag on the table.
“Well, I know something did. You look like hell. Like you slept in your jeans and shirt. And I got a call from Kristy. She’s worried about you. You haven’t answered her calls or texts.”
He saw no reason to. “Tell her you couldn’t find me.”
Lexi sat down in the lone chair by the stove. “I’m not delivering that message without knowing what happened.”
“Fine. Don’t. I don’t care.”
“And I’m not leaving here without you.”
“I claim the bed.”
She huffed. “Be serious, Rusty. Is it that you hit that guy?”
He jerked his head up. “Does the whole world know?”
“Everyone connected with the event. You know the rumor mill in a small community.” She reached over and touched his hand. “I’m sure he deserved it. But does Kristy deserve this?”
If he didn’t tell Lexi, he knew she wouldn’t let up. Persistence was her MO. “That guy was her supposed ex-fiancé, and he spent the night at her place.” He told her in detail what had happened when he rang the doorbell. “And all that night she didn’t answer my texts or calls.”
“So you think she went back with him?”
“What else could it be?”
“But you haven’t asked her? She called me and said she’s has been trying to reach you. Maybe she wants to explain.”
“Likely she wants to tell me she’s gone back to him.” He shook his head. “It was going really good. And no, I shouldn’t have hit the creep. But is that a reason for her to throw away our relationship? You’re a woman. Explain.”
She laughed, a sorry, small laugh. “I don’t think that makes me an instant expert on every woman. But I can say that misunderstandings are common in relationships. And the only way to clear them up is to talk to each other.”
“Talk to her so she can blow me off? Mom warned me of this.”
“Mom? She told me at the gala that she liked Kristy. And she was glad to see you so happy. Me too. When Kristy won the bid, she was jumping up and down like a schoolgirl at the home team’s winning football game. That’s not the action of someone who’s suddenly ready to go off with another man.”
“Then explain what he was doing at her apartment.”
“Ask her.”
He shook his head again.
“At least come back home. Misty can’t stay out here forever. Did you even bring enough grain for her?”
“I don’t neglect horses. Of course I did.”
“But likely not enough for another night?”
She had him there.
“I brought some biscuits and butter. You chow down, and I’ll go tack up Misty and we’ll ride out of here. Deal?”
His stomach was flipping over the biscuit smell. “Fine. But I’m not calling her.”
“If you don’t want to call her, okay. Just come back home. Mom’s been calling too. She’s worried.”
“What did you say?”
“That you were out in the field doing something for Cort. That will only hold our mother for so long.”
He took the bag. Bandit made a mournful whimper.
“After me, buddy.” He ruffled the border collie’s fur.
As he rode back with his sister, he wondered how he was going to go on without Kristy in his life. One minute he was imagining a future together, the next he was mourning the loss.
“I haven’t been to that cabin in years,” Lexi said. She’d ridden one of Cort’s ranch horses, a dun-colored mare with an easy gait.
“Since you and Cort were teenagers?”
Lexi had been a pretty “adventurous” in her teenage years, so it had been a surprise when she went into something as stuffy as investment banking. Now that she was back on the ranch, she seemed much more like the Lexi he’d grown up with. Energetic, creative, and horse crazy.
She giggled. “Maybe.”
“Junie and I knew you were sneaking off with Cort. I was this close to having a word with him when he took off.” He’d been concerned that the young city slicker had been leading his sister on. When Cort disappeared, Rusty had been angry with himself for not confronting the teenager sooner. Lexi’s heart had been sorely broken. He’d often wondered if her move into the corporate world had something to do with Cort abandoning her like that.
“I was devastated. If he’d just talked to me, we wouldn’t have wasted all those years apart.”
“Well, she’s the one taking off. So she needs to do the talking.”
“And you need to listen. Not jump to conclusions.”
“It’s not such a big jump, unfortunately.”
Rusty fished his phone out of his side pocket. There was only one bar. He checked the call list history. There were several from Kristy, one from his former commander, no doubt asking for an answer, and a recent text from Ariel. What did Ariel want with him?