Chapter 13
13
P etra and Jinx strolled into the artists’ studio, a stream of happy chatter flowing between them that made Aiden smile. He didn't stop, though, other than to toss a wink Petra's way. “Everything work out?”
She nodded. “Operation shopping trip is on for tomorrow after supper.”
“Awesome. I’d give you a thumbs-up, Jinx, but my hands are full.” He waved with the mudding trowel in his right hand.
She walked toward him, Dixie bumping into her heels. “What’re you doing?”
“Mudding. Let's me return to my inner child,” he said in a teasing tone. “More importantly, it covers the screws and the seams between the sheets of drywall and turns it into one solid piece. If I do a good job, that is.”
“You damn well better do a good job,” Jake called from the other side before slamming his lips shut and looking embarrassed. “Sorry, ladies.”
For a second, Petra had to stop to think about what he was apologizing for before offering him an are you kidding me look. “You can't even say damn?”
Beside her, Jinx snickered softly. “What about drats or goodness gracious ?”
“Maybe holy cow is off the list.” Petra grinned at the girl before stepping closer to the wall and examining Aiden’s work. “So far I see nothing but excellent results on this side of the room.”
Aiden scooped up another load of mudding plaster and smeared it as smoothly as possible over the screw heads holding the drywall in place. “It's boring work,” he told them. “But it's also kind of soothing.”
“Can I help?” Jinx asked.
“You can help me,” Jake offered from across the room. “My job isn’t boring.”
“I don't know if she’s allowed to work with you. You've got such a potty mouth,” Petra teased. “Who knows what unfortunate things will escape and fall into Jinx’s ears.”
Jinx bumped into Petra, giggling softly. “Stop that. I want to help.”
Petra placed a hand on the girl’s shoulders and pushed her gently toward where Jake stood, a pile of sanding blocks on the table beside him. “Have at ‘er. I'll stick around, but I need to get some computer work done. I'll be over there,” she offered.
Jinx was already off, headed determinedly toward her target.
Petra strolled to Aiden’s side, staying just far enough back he could work without interruption.
“Jinx is in a good mood,” he offered quietly.
“Sasha Stone was exactly what the doctor ordered. Jinx having a friend like her will work out fine.” Petra watched him for a minute. “You're not bad. I've helped with house renovations a time or two, and you've got a few of the tricks down pat.”
“I spent a summer doing this right after high school,” Aiden told her. “My stepdad, Jeff, was a firm believer that staying busy was a good way to keep a young man out of trouble. We all got training in a trade, even Jake, who went straight into the police academy at the end of his first summer.”
Petra looked thoughtful. “I’m surprised to see he beat us here. He showed up at Buns and Roses during lunch.”
“Really?” Jake hadn’t put it on the schedule, but then again, he was in charge of his time. “He showed up about ten minutes ago. Maybe he’s gathering information for once we've got the artists’ resident set up. Hosting for special events and that kind of thing. Tansy as a caterer would be great.”
Happiness bloomed on Petra’s face. “I love the idea of giving work to people we like. Tansy would do a great job.”
Petra offered a final smile then retreated to the middle of the room where two folding chairs nestled under a small table. She pulled a tablet from her purse and set it up as a miniature computer, fingers flying over the portable keyboard.
Aiden carried on overlaying another smooth ribbon of plaster over each section Jake had already sanded smooth.
His playlist of country music pulsed softly in the background as Jake taught Jinx how to use the sanding block. She dragged one stroke after the other across the buildup of plaster, switching to a clockwise motion when Jake told her to. Slowly the fine grit paper knocked all the ridges down until the wall was smooth to the touch.
“That's perfect,” Jake encouraged. “Use a little more pressure to start, and after those first few broad strokes, keep your motions small and circular. Makes it easier for me to knock off any final ridges that show up.”
Jinx worked for a while. “You guys know how to do lots of things.”
“That’s because of our stepdad.” Jake echoed Aiden’s earlier admission. “He thought if it was worthwhile doing, everybody should learn how. It didn't matter what, we were supposed to do it to the best of our ability and give it long enough to see if a talent needed to be built to make it more enjoyable.”
“It wasn't just about work,” Aiden added. “The same thing applied to the arts. The man never blinked when he learned I was playing classical guitar. Just nodded and told me that he'd learned to play the flute when he was young.”
Jinx considered. “Was he any good?”
It was not so much the question as her longing tone that said Aiden was adding music lessons to the list of things to get the girl involved in during the coming days.
Anything that made a person light up that bright was worth exploring.
“Was Jeff any good? You know, it was the damnedest thing,” Jake offered. “He had just started to date our mom, Nancy. Here we are, all wondering who this man was and if he was going to be any improvement over our bio dad. Or at least Declan and I were wondering. Aiden was like a puppy dog in love from the moment Jeff arrived.” Jake flashed him a grin. “Although that’s not something to tease you about since it turned out you were the smartest person in the room. Still, Declan and I were worried, and not sure about the whole flute thing. But here's Aiden playing some goddamn-awful piece over and over?—”
“Watch your language, bro. Also, I was practicing ,” Aiden declared. “It’s supposed to sound terrible.”
Jake raised a brow. “Jeff comes in and plops down beside him. He pulls out a case and assembles his flute, listening all the time and somehow not cringing.”
“Hey,” Aiden complained.
Petra didn’t look up from her screen, but her lips twisted into a bigger smile.
“Then he tells Aiden to go back to the beginning. After only a few seconds, Jeff starts playing along. A side melody, not quite what Aiden was playing—thank God—but something like a bird song that floated over the guitar notes. Declan and I, we stood there with our jaws hanging open, and all thoughts about how lame it was for a big tough guy to be playing something like a flute vanished. It was sheer magic.”
“For me too,” Aiden said softly. “I think every time I practiced after that, I was hoping that same magic would return when I played on my own.”
Jinx met his gaze across the room. “I think you found it.”
“Thanks, kiddo. That means a lot. Music is something that’s very personal and yet a great way to share with others.”
Jinx went back to sanding. “Did you learn to play an instrument, Jake?”
“I did, but my choice was more aggressive. I decided on the drums.”
“Our mom was gone by then,” Aiden told her. “Jake was doing his teenage rebellion thing, but he knew better than to swear or get mad at Jeff.”
“He wouldn't have let me get away with it.” Jake agreed. “He was tough but fair. I think we respected that more than if he’d let us get away with things or been overly strict. He's the reason I went into the police force.”
Jinx stopped completely. “You’re a cop?”
Jake chuckled at the disbelief in her tone. “ Was a cop. Fifteen years, but eventually, I realized it wasn't for me. Not a forever-until-I-retire type job. I'm glad I did it, but it was time for something new.”
She nodded. “I think it would be a tough job.”
“Tough on everybody,” he agreed. “My ex-wife would tell you it's harder on the ones who don't pull the shift.”
This time Jinx glanced at Aiden. She mouthed the question at him. He was married?
“It's not a secret,” Aiden told her out loud. “Remember, we're still getting to know each other, so you're allowed to ask questions. Jake was married, but his wife liked the idea more than the reality of being married to someone who had responsibilities other than taking care of her demands.”
Not that he should answer for his brother, but Jake usually made the failed marriage about his mistakes and nothing about his wife’s. Aiden was tired of it.
Jake shrugged. “We dove in too soon. We were young, and it lasted under a year. Which was good in a way,” he added. “We hadn’t started a family, so there were no kids involved.”
“Did you want a family?” Jinx asked. “If that's not too personal to ask.”
Testing the boundaries , Aiden thought. He’d said she could ask questions to find out what she was curious about.
How willing were they to follow through?
Thankfully, this was one topic Jake had zero troubles sharing. “I do want a wife and kids someday, but there's still time. Right now, I want to get High Water up and running and things solidly settled before I think about getting serious with anyone.”
“That’s smart.”
Jake examined the wall, running a hand slowly over it. “You’re doing a great job.”
“Thanks.” She got back to work, full concentration on her task.
Dixie moved easily under her feet, staying just far enough out of her way that Jinx didn't trip over her. The sandpaper in Jinx’s hand ghosted over the wall with a steady scratch, scratch, scratch .
At the table, Petra worked steadily, fingers flying again now that the conversation had slowed. Aiden paused for a break to allow Jinx and Jake to get farther ahead, moving to join Petra.
She completely ignored him.
Good powers of concentration. “You’re far away,” he said, dropping into the chair at her side.
Petra jerked slightly as she glanced up. “Sorry. I didn’t hear you.”
He chuckled. “I'm obviously not distracting enough. I end up right beside you and you don't even notice.”
Her gaze darted over him, lingering on his forearms. He’d rolled up his sleeves, and small splotches of grey mud clung here and there where they'd fallen while he worked. “Yeah, you're kind of invisible. That camouflage paint is doing its job.”
“I'll need to wash up later,” he said, lowering his tone and putting all sorts of innuendo into his words. “Might need some help.”
If she hadn’t been aware of the buzz of connection between them before, he could tell she absolutely was now from the way her eyes sparkled. “You are rather dirty.”
A terrible idea struck. He slid his right hand over the mudding tray he held below the table, coating his fingers in a thin layer of slick plaster. “What are you working on?”
“Research.” She said it quickly and with an uneasy expression.
So very not Petra-like. Aiden eyed her. “You’ll be doing the accounting for Red Boot ranch, right?”
She nodded, that odd expression turning slightly guilty. “I’ll set up the software they’ll use and do data entry, but I’m not certified for the actual tax and payroll stuff.”
“You’re not setting it up right now?”
More guilt. “Just exploring.”
Which was as much of a don't ask so I don't tell you any lies as he’d ever heard.
Under the table, he made sure his hand was good and coated. She deserved what he had in mind.
He dropped the tray on the table then leaned closer, cupping her face in his hands. Pressing their lips together, he kissed her soundly. A quick nip to her lower lip, and she gasped. Aiden took full advantage, adjusting her head to the side and taking the kiss deep enough to drive them both wild.
Petra pulled away, little huffs escaping from between her open lips. “That was dangerous,” she said, hands rising to touch her cheeks. She frowned, staring down at the grey dust off her cheek that now covered her fingers before glowering at him. “That was evil.”
“Just wanted to make sure you were sufficiently motivated to join me in the shower later.”
Petra rolled her eyes, but after checking Jinx to make sure the girl was okay, she scooted forward and caught hold of his T-shirt. “In for a penny, in for a pound,” she whispered before latching on and kissing him back as good as she’d gotten. A kiss with enough fire and sass that every cell in his body stood up and took notice.
Hands brushed over his chest before she dragged her nails down his torso and his muscles clenched tight under her touch.
She unlatched, leaning her forehead against his as they both breathed rapidly. Her blue eyes held his for the longest moment before she pushed away.
“Time to get back to work,” Petra announced before calmly turning to her computer, ignoring the grey streaks drying on her cheeks.
Aiden laughed, avoiding the questioning glare his brother offered, and returned to his task.
Sexy shower time before supper. It was always good to have something to look forward to.
Jinx was curled up in her chair with Dixie sprawled over her legs, reading a book Sasha Stone’s Uncle Walker had dropped off for her to borrow.
Petra’s stomach was full and happy, and little endorphins still bubbled in her bloodstream after the quick and efficient orgasm Aiden had gifted her in the shower. He’d also helped wash the mud off her cheeks, grinning evilly the entire time.
The man was trouble, but Petra was enjoying his mischief far more than she’d expected.
Aiden and Declan were doing the dishes. Jake silently sat at the table, one of his ever-present notebooks in front of him, but his gaze drifted back and forth between his younger brother and where Petra was puttering on her computer a couple chairs down the table.
She wasn’t about to ask what was on Jake’s mind. If he didn’t approve of her and Aiden fooling around, she didn’t care. They were adults. Their decision.
But when Jake’s phone pinged with a message and he cursed softly without apologizing, that got her attention.
“Jake?”
He met her eyes. “Small setback. Aiden? Can you give me a hand over here?” Jake glanced at Jinx to make sure she was occupied then spoke softly as Aiden settled in the chair next to Petra. “My contact within the ID database is out of the country right now.”
Aiden made a frustrated noise. “That’s the guy who’s supposed to help get Jinx new ID and registered for school?”
“Yep.” Jake checked his phone. “I wondered why he was slow getting back to me. Turns out, he’s gone for at least two more weeks.”
“That’s going to make it damn awkward,” Aiden complained.
Butterflies went jigging in Petra’s gut. She wanted to keep her mouth shut but couldn’t. Holding off on Jinx starting school could lead to a series of questions that would cause far more trouble in the long run.
She took a deep breath before softly offering her help, “I might be able to do it.”
Two heads pivoted her way, intense stares in place. Jake frowned. Aiden looked puzzled.
He spoke quietly. “Petra?”
Damn. How did one confess to having hacker skills? “I work in IT. I’m very curious, also snoopy, and at one point I might have accidentally discovered a few back doors into some governmental files.”
Jake’s mouth hung open in shock, but if anything, Aiden looked impressed. “Seriously? You just happen to be able to hack your way into a database?”
“No promises, but chances are good.” Shit. She was going to be in so much trouble if the expression on Jake’s face meant he had too much straight and narrow still left in his system. “This is all hypothetical.”
Aiden must’ve come to the same conclusion because he twisted to face his brother. “If you need to not be here for possible deniability, move your ass.”
“No. I’m good. Just wrapping my brain around the new unexpected twist.” Jake raised a brow at Petra. “Hypothetically, what would you need right now?”
“Someone to distract Jinx so she doesn’t accidentally interrupt what I’m doing would be a good start,” Petra suggested. “Then I’ll need the paperwork Danielle gave us so I can trace through the current system and make some modifications. Adjustments are always easier than starting fresh.”
Aiden was already typing quickly on his phone. A second later, Declan hauled his phone from his pocket and frowned at the screen. He glanced up at Jinx then checked his watch. “I guess we should go do those chores in the barn. Jinx? You okay to give me a hand?”
Jinx slipped a bookmark between the pages of her book before checking with Petra. “You need me for anything?”
“You’re good to go help Declan.” Petra lifted her chin. “Tonight by the fire, I’ll get you started on those beginning crochet stitches you wanted to learn.”
“Okay.”
Dixie stretched lazily, back arching and butt up, before daintily prancing forward to join Declan and Jinx as they headed out the door.
Aiden took off to grab the file. Jake flipped pages in his notebook before twisting it toward her. “This is everything I was going to send my contact. Jinx’s new name, address, and all the info on Declan’s in-laws. What else do you need?”
A bunch of luck and for her nerves to stop skittering. “Keep track of what I change so we can double check it at the end. I don’t want this to fall apart because I miss something easy.”
Petra took a deep breath and sent up a prayer to the gods of mischief. She closed down the main parts of her computer and opened the secret browser where no history of her Internet time would remain.
Aiden brought her the file, then the two brothers sat quietly as Petra worked. She made it into the birth registrations department in under two minutes, and relief flooded in. “Okay. I’m going to be able to do this. At least parts of it.”
Shockingly, it took under an hour, including a few nerve-racking moments when the foster care system unexpectedly froze. In the end, they left the old Jennifer in the system, early history adjusted, and current whereabouts unknown.
A new person named Jennifer Jinx Tremont had been created. She had a modified foster care record with the Tremonts her only care family, followed by a legal adoption. Declan Skye was clearly listed as her legal guardian. Jinx was also registered for grade eleven at the Heart Falls high school with all her previous grades on an official transcript from Manitoba.
Jake patted Petra on the back gently. “I don’t want to know how you did that, but I’m very glad that you could. Your secret is safe.”
“That you didn’t adjust any of Jinx’s grades to be higher than before impressed him the most,” Aiden teased.
“Truth.” Jake offered a wink. “I’ll see you guys by the fire pit. I’ve got a few things to deal with before I join you.”
Aiden pushed back his chair and stretched his legs in front of him. He folded his arms over his broad chest before examining her carefully. “You okay?”
Petra met his gaze firmly. “You want to know how I did that.”
He shrugged. “Of course I do. But only if you want to tell me.”
It wasn’t that interesting, Petra thought. “I was in an angry place after a friend shared that she was raising her two young daughters paycheck to paycheck while their ex kept buying expensive toys and not paying child support. One thing led to another, and I figured out how to feed his payroll records to the government so they could start garnering his wages.”
“That’s pretty shitty motivation, but I’m glad you developed the skills.”
“I’ve been using it a lot to bust deadbeat dads,” she confessed. “I needed to do something positive for people who felt as if they had no control.”
Aiden’s expression didn’t change. “I am one hundred percent not judging you. Considering what we plan for High Water, you know we’re on your side. Not all vigilantes act in a way that’s positive for society, but like Jake, I’m very grateful for your skill set right now. Thanks for trusting us enough to let us see what you’re capable of. Once again, you’ve made a huge difference in Jinx’s life.”
He rose to his feet and pulled her into his arms for a tight hug.
Gratefully, Petra let go. All of her tension, all the worry. The sheer stress of digging through those websites and worrying that she would somehow make things worse instead of better. She wadded all those negative thoughts up in a bundle and mentally tossed them to the floor, leaning wholeheartedly into Aiden’s embrace.
It took a while, but the tension in her shoulders slowly eased. An enormous sigh escaped, and Petra pressed her cheek against Aiden’s chest. “I’m glad I was able to do it.”
She stood there for a moment longer, enjoying the two strong arms wrapped around her, holding her as the anxiety drained away.
Doing the right thing wasn’t always easy. But in this case, she was very glad she knew how to do the wrong thing for the very best reasons.