Chapter Ten #2
The veins in his neck pulled tight as he took a gulp. ‘That story… it was complicated.’
‘It’s going to take at least another hour to get all these quills out. We have time.’
He hesitated, before saying, ‘For years I’ve wanted to work on a big investigative feature, and the studio story sort of fell into my lap.
It came in as a tip to my email. At first, I didn’t believe it, until I started doing some digging.
I mean, hours and hours of interviews and research.
Basically, a year and a half of my life.
The story turned into some of my best work.
My best writing.’ He set down the forceps, scrubbed his hand behind his neck, which I was quickly learning was his anxious tic.
‘The break I needed came in an email eight months ago. An anonymous source sent me documents showing how the head of a big Hollywood studio was embezzling money. It was going to blow the story wide open. We’re talking a possible Pulitzer, because the corruption went deep into the belly of the film business.
When I went to my bosses, they were thrilled.
Newspapers are a dying breed, and any kind of exclusive story you can bring in is huge. ’
‘Embezzling? Is nobody honest anymore?’
‘In all my years of reporting, I’ve learned one big thing. People get desperate and panic. Make stupid choices. Hold back the truth because they think it might implicate them in some way.’
‘What happened next?’ I asked.
He set a hand on Julius’s back, giving him a gentle pet.
‘The piece appeared as a front-page exposé. At first, people said I was going to get the Pulitzer. But then two months ago, when I went into work, my publisher was waiting at my desk. He took me into his office. Said the studio was suing me and the paper for millions. That they’d discovered my source, and that person had recanted every word.
’ He pushed out a full, weary breath. ‘As part of an out-of-court settlement to protect them and me, the paper agreed to print a front-page retraction. State I’d used unverified sources.
’ The stricken look in his eyes shook something inside of me.
‘I pleaded for more time. Asked to reach out to more sources. Dig a little more so we could fight the lawsuit. Prove what I’d written was accurate.
The publisher said the matter was done.’
He let out a defeated sigh. ‘Just like that, in a matter of minutes, my career went up in flames. Ten years of experience. Of writing about topics that meant something to me, and then, like a nightmare, the phone stopped ringing.’ The way he shook his head, like he still couldn’t believe it, was hard to watch.
‘So, to answer you, I’m here writing about Harvest Moon because it’s the only job I could get. ’
The internet results had not given much detail, and the cautious part of me wondered if he was spinning this tale now for my benefit.
To loosen me up. Get me to trust him. My skepticism born out of years of dealing with Belladonna.
But the way he kept petting Julius, how he looked embarrassed when he admitted he couldn’t find a job, said he was being honest. That he had everything to lose by confessing the truth to me.
‘I’m sorry, Bryce,’ was all I could offer in the moment.
He gave a subtle shrug and went back to working on the last of the quills.
Julius whined again as I plucked out the final barbs around his mouth.
Once I examined his muzzle, I removed my gloves and did a final check of his body, running my hands along his neck until a sharp, biting pain shot through me.
‘Shit!’ A large white quill sat in the pad of my index finger.
I pulled it out, and Bryce was beside me in a flash, tugging off his gloves, and yanking out the edge of his T-shirt to staunch the small bead of blood.
The heat of him surrounded me. His warm breath spilled over my face.
Those stunning eyes went molten, and his wet lips parted.
It would be easy to reach out, slide my hand around his neck and pull him in. Brush my mouth over his in a kiss I knew from past experience would be electric. He gave me a confident smile. Pressed his hips against mine like he wanted the same thing.
He leaned his forehead against mine. Breathed out my name in a low growl that made my core heat.
He ran a knuckle down my cheek. Gently cupped my jaw.
Warning signs flashed in my head, but my body was urging me to melt into him.
To suck in his lower lip. To make him groan.
I moved in an inch until there was a sharp knock at the door, and the judge barged in.
His gaze darted between us, a smirk drawing up the corners of his mouth. ‘Excuse me. I only wanted to check on Julius.’
‘He’s all finished,’ I said, putting space between me and Bryce. ‘Fifty-four quills this time.’
‘Oh! That’s our highest count,’ the judge replied.
I turned back to the counter, the burn of embarrassment heating my cheeks. ‘We’ll bring him out in a few minutes. He’ll need pain and anti-inflammatory meds for five days. And if you notice unusual swelling or abscesses, bring him right back in.’
‘Will do. Thanks again, Dani.’ The judge shot out his hand in Bryce’s direction. ‘Appreciate you assisting the doc today.’
‘Of course.’ He shook his hand. ‘Glad to help.’
‘See you both outside in a minute.’ The glee in the judge’s voice was not hard to miss. ‘Don’t forget about the festival planning meeting next Friday, Dani.’
‘I’ll be there.’
As soon as he was gone, I pressed a towel to my fingertip until the flow of blood stopped.
‘Hey.’ Bryce stepped closer. His hands out like he had every intention of pulling me in again.
‘Let’s not do this.’ I cut him off. ‘You were kind to help, but there’s nothing more between us.’
His eyes softened. ‘I’m not going to press you, but I want to say one more thing.’
He walked to the cabinet where he clearly remembered I stored the first aid kit. Once he had the paper off a Band-Aid, he slid it over the top of my finger. ‘This article. I have to write it,’ he said with a low rasp. ‘Like I said on the trail, I’d love to have your help with the research.’
Now that I knew his whole story, it was clear he wouldn’t let this go.
At this point, I had two choices: let him have free rein.
Only report on what the local business owners told him, because they had a vested interest in the publicity.
Or, I could help steer the direction of the article.
Convince him the rumors about my sisters, the town lore about generations of magic, were only stories told to add an air of mystery to our sleepy little part of the world.
As much as I hated that this was my reality, the answer was clear. I had to protect my family. Protect this community I loved so much.
‘Meet me at the library tomorrow at three o’clock. I’ll introduce you to Ms Ruthie. She’s the town’s main librarian and the keeper of Harvest Moon’s archives.’
‘Thanks. That would be very helpful.’ He hefted Julius into his muscled arms, strutting out the door like he thought he’d won.
Little did he know I had a plan too. He could look through the archives all he wanted, but that didn’t mean he’d find anything.
The last time a reporter came to town, he’d turned our lives upside down.
After that horror show, Ms Ruthie promised that a stranger would never get close to the important documents about this town again, and I was going to make sure she kept her word.