Chapter 10 The Unraveling
One week later
A nnalee didn’t like knowing Running Bear was out of town. There’d always been something comforting about knowing he was outside Hawk’s cabin. Somewhere nearby. Always keeping watch over them and the land he loved so much.
He’d reached out to the tribal council a few days ago to inform them that he’d rushed to his brother’s bedside at the hospital. Apparently, he’d arrived right before Ace had passed away.
Annalee was thankful for any final moments he’d gotten to spend with his brother. She could only hope they’d finally made their peace with each other. She was sad, though. Sad for his loss. Sad about him being gone for so long. Just sad.
Like she’d done every evening he’d been away, she walked to the storage shed on the edge of the property. She hadn’t realized he’d been storing a Harley in there until after he’d ridden away on it. Hawk had told her about it.
Upon reaching the shed, she unlatched the door and stepped inside. “What a hot rod you are,” she said softly, leaving the door open. “I would’ve never guessed you’re a motorcycle man.” She smiled to herself. Running Bear was full of surprises.
Puttering around the shed helped her not to miss him so much. She hoped he didn’t mind her being there. Her intent was not to trespass or pry into things that didn’t concern her. She genuinely felt closer to him while she was inside the shed. There was a small wooden chest sitting high on a shelf that she’d been exercising extreme willpower not to open during his absence.
She eyed it again this evening, wondering for the umpteenth time what was inside of it. But again, she resisted the temptation to find out.
Hawk found her there, staring at the box. “Are you employing your powers of telepathy to figure out what’s inside it?”
“Ha!” She turned to him, smiling. “If I could figure out how to master the skill, there would be no secrets left in the lives of those I love.”
“You mean you haven’t taken a peek yet?” He sounded surprised.
“What’s the fun in that?” She drenched him with a happy smile. Stealing a few minutes alone with him was the happiest part of her day every day. “It’s more fun imagining all the things he might be keeping hidden in there. He’s such a fascinating person.”
“So are you.” Hawk’s gaze roved appreciatively over her grass-green halter top and cutoff jean shorts.
“I try.” Her bare feet were jammed into flip-flops to give her toenails, which she’d painted the same grass green, time to dry.
“Yes, you do. At the moment, you’re trying my patience.” He tempered his rebuke by hooking an arm around her middle and tugging her closer. “Why’d you run off without telling me?”
She raised and lowered her shoulders. “I never go far, and you never have trouble finding me, even when I forget to sign in and out on your clipboard.” He didn’t keep a clipboard. She was only messing with him.
“Only because you have your cell phone on, and I was able to track it.” He cuddled her closer. “I hope and pray there will come a time when you don’t need me breathing down your neck like this. Right now, though, it’s necessary.”
She tipped her face up to his. “I kind of like having you breathe down my neck.”
“Quit changing the subject,” he grumbled, dipping his head over hers to nuzzle the edge of her mouth. “I worry about you. That’s no joke.”
She smiled dreamily against his lips. “Maybe you should set up a clipboard for me, after all.”
“Don’t tempt me.” He covered her mouth with his, showing her all over again how much she meant to him.
It was several minutes before he spoke again. “Running Bear called the tribal council again.”
She frowned and leaned back in his arms to get a better look at his face. “Did he tell them where he was?”
“No. Just said he was taking care of some family business.” He looked troubled. “He said he’ll be back in a couple of days. And when he does, he’d like to hold a memorial service for Ace.”
“Here on the rez?” That surprised Annalee. She’d assumed one of the reasons Running Bear had been out of town for so long was to attend his brother’s funeral.
“Yep. Right here in the park we built. On the garden side.”
“That sounds lovely.” She glanced in the direction of the garden. “And fitting. I can’t think of a more proper send-off for Ace Dakota since he made his living as a farmer.” In his own way, he’d loved the earth as much as his brother.
“That’s pretty much what Running Bear said.” Hawk pressed his cheek to hers. “Not quite so eloquently. He’s more plain spoken. He also sounded like he had a cold.”
“Oh?” She wrinkled her forehead in puzzlement. “Does that mean you were there when he called the council?”
“I was.” He paused a beat. “I may have mentioned it before, but Running Bear often refers to me as a councilman in the making. He and the rest of the tribal council have started treating me like a probationary member. I don’t get to vote yet, but they have me attend some of their meetings and make an effort to keep me in the loop about tribal business.”
“What an honor!” Annalee couldn’t think of a Comanche who deserved it more. Hawk was constantly serving his community, even while serving as Annalee’s and Miley’s full-time bodyguard.
Just thinking about Miley made her jolt. “Um, when was the last time you saw my kiddo?”
“Few minutes ago.” He cuddled her closer. “Josh is paying her a visit at the workshop.”
“And you left them alone?” she teased.
“Had to come find you,” he reminded. “Josh and I have an unspoken agreement that he won’t take off and leave her alone without telling me.”
She sniffed. “He won’t take off until you boot him out. I won’t be surprised if he asks her on a date soon. Mark my words. There’s some chemistry sizzling between them.”
“I’m not sure how I feel about that,” he grumbled.
“Me, either,” she sighed, “but we can’t keep her young forever — no matter how hard we try, and he happens to be excellent boyfriend material.”
“He’s dirt poor,” Hawk muttered, “and he’s going to stay that way. The ministry doesn’t pay well, and it pays even less on the rez than other places.”
Annalee wasn’t worried about that, and neither was Miley. “My daughter doesn’t judge folks by the size of their wallets. If she falls in love with him, none of that stuff will matter.” She made a face at him. “It’ll matter even less if you help me talk her into going to college.” That way, Miley could earn enough that it wouldn’t matter who she married.
“College isn’t the get-rich-quick scheme you seem to think it is,” he retorted mildly. “A lot of people graduate with degrees, no job, and nothing to show for it but a bunch of student loans.”
“Way to burst my bubble!” Though she didn’t disagree with his assessment, she was still enamored with the idea of Miley being the first Gilbert in the history of Gilberts to receive a higher education.
“I know you want what’s best for her, babe, but some things she’s gonna have to figure out for herself.” The thumb Hawk ran along the underside of her chin took the sting out of his words.
“Maybe you’re right.” Even though he hadn’t given her the answer she’d hoped for, she felt better after talking to him about it.
* * *
The morning of Ace’s memorial service dawned gloomy and overcast.
“It looks like rain, but I think it’s going to pass us by.” Annalee peered through the front window in the living room of the cabin, assessing the clouds drifting by overhead.
“That’s too bad.” Hawk was already dressed for the ceremony. He had on a white dress shirt and black blazer over black jeans and boots. “Every farmer in town is praying for rain.”
“I hope I’m wrong.” She glanced up at the sky again. “But I don’t think I am. My prediction is that the sun will break through the clouds before the end of the memorial ceremony. If you have any doubts, we could ask them to move the ceremony to the church or something.”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “I trust your farm girl instincts. You haven’t steered me wrong yet.”
His answer made her smile. “Do you think I look okay?” She spun in a circle to give him the full effect of the black sheath dress she’d purchased the day before. She’d paired the sleeveless classic with black sandals that showed off her pedicure and summer orange toenails.
He cocked his head at her. “Okay is not the word I would choose to describe the hottest woman on the planet.”
She felt her face grow warm. “You clean up pretty good yourself, future Councilman Chesney.”
An hour later, they strolled outside together with Miley trailing behind them. She gave a muffled snicker, which made Annalee glance over her shoulder to see what was so humorous.
She found Rex prancing beside her daughter in a new black leather collar with a fat black bowtie beneath his chin. “You didn’t,” she groaned.
“Oh, but I did!” Miley sounded extraordinarily proud of herself. “It’s good advertisement for our products.”
“I take it you’re adding cat collars to the lineup?”
“Yes, and doesn’t he look like the cat’s meow? Pun intended.”
Despite the somberness of the occasion, Annalee smiled. It was impossible not to. “He looks a little cocky to me, like a fella who’s handsome and he knows it.”
Miley snickered again. “I agree there’s a little extra strut in his step this morning.”
It was surprising how many people were milling in the garden when they arrived. Including the members of the tribal council, there were at least fifty people gathered, and more were still walking and driving up.
“I thought Ace had been excommunicated from the tribe or something,” she whispered to Hawk.
He glanced down at her in bemusement. “Excommunicated?”
“You know what I mean!” She playfully swatted his arm.
He caught her hand and tucked it around his arm. “Most of these folks are here out of respect for Running Bear.” He glanced around the crowd.
She did the same, hoping to catch a glimpse of Running Bear, but he was nowhere in sight. “I wonder if he’s back in town yet.”
A tall Native American wearing a headdress approached them.
Annalee was tickled to pieces that the chief of Hawk’s tribe was honoring Running Bear and his family with his presence today. She’d heard a lot about him, but she’d not yet met him in person.
Hawk made the introductions. “Chief Lighthorse, this is my girlfriend, Annalee Gilbert. Annalee, this is our chief, Wayne Whitaker. Or Chief Lighthorse, as most of us call him. Take your pick. He answers to both.”
“It’s good to meet you.” Chief Lighthorse held out a hand to her. “I’m sorry about the circumstances, though. Very, very sorry about the loss of your father-in-law.”
“Thank you, sir.” She shook his hand, surprised by how young he was. In the movies, chiefs were typically older, whereas he was roughly her and Hawk’s age.
“Call me Wayne. Please,” he insisted.
“His family runs the rodeo grounds,” Hawk informed her. “He’s a busy guy during rodeo season.”
Wayne snorted. “We’re busy year-round now that the Saturday morning market is running so smoothly.”
“My daughter loves being a part of the Saturday market,” Annalee gushed. “Thank you for hosting it.”
“Thank you for participating. I’ve heard great things about her and Hawk’s leather products.” He nodded admiringly at Hawk. “I’m going to have to make my way to your booth soon.”
“Anytime, Chief.” Hawk clasped the man’s hand before he moved on to greet the next person.
Annalee smiled proudly up at the man at her side. “Is he that nice to everyone, or is it because you’re a councilman in the making?”
Hawk’s lips twitched. “He’s nice to everyone. One of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.”
A little boy with fly-away hair and a cowlick ran up to them. Annalee had seen him playing in the park several times.
“Miss Annalee?”
“That’s me, sweetie.” She squatted down to bring them eye to eye. “Whatcha need?”
He gave her a shy smile, pressed a small square of paper into her hand, and dashed off.
He’d passed the note to her so quickly that she doubted anyone had noticed, even Hawk. She glanced over at him and found his attention on a semi-circle of kids gathered around Rex and Miley. Kids were his biggest weakness, so Annalee chose not to interrupt the moment.
She took a quick peek at the note and was surprised to see a message scrawled on it from Running Bear. Her heart leaped with excitement and relief to receive confirmation that he was finally back in town. The message itself was a little concerning, however.
Will you meet me in the greenhouse real quick? I’d like to share something about Ace’s will with you before it goes public.
—Running Bear
Her heart thudded with anticipation. The last she’d heard was that Ace Dakota had disinherited Chayton in lieu of leaving everything to Edward. Was that no longer the case? Was it possible he’d undergone a last-minute change of heart? If that was the case, it was no wonder Running Bear had been out of town for so long. It was distinctly possible he was now the heir to Dakota Farm.
She stepped closer to Hawk. “I’m gonna make a quick detour to the new greenhouse to check on something.” The greenhouse was the newest addition to his property. He’d built it for her only a few days earlier.
His eyebrows rose. “Want me to go with you?”
She shook her head. “No, that’s okay.” The tone of Running Bear’s message suggested he’d like to meet with her alone. “I won’t be gone long, and you can watch me here, Mr. Bodyguard, sir.”
He tipped her chin up to brush his mouth against hers. “Hurry back.”
She smiled. “I will. It’s not like they’re going to begin the ceremony without Running Bear, anyway.” Since she’d probably walk back to the memorial service arm-in-arm with him, she wouldn’t miss a thing.
She walked on the balls of her feet to the greenhouse to keep the heels of her sandals from digging into the grass and dirt.
She was seriously in love with the new greenhouse. It had an aluminum frame and high-grade polycarbonate wall panels, complete with two large vents in the ceiling. It was going to significantly extend the growing season of her favorite plants.
To her surprise, both the door and ceiling panels were shut, even though she’d left the ceiling panels cracked open for ventilation. Maybe one of the kids in the park had snuck inside to play with the controls, the little stinkers!
She opened the door and stepped inside, leaving it ajar until she could re-establish some air movement. The moment she reached for the control panel, however, she heard the door shut behind her.
“Hey, Running Bear!” She spun around joyously and stopped short. Running Bear wasn’t the one standing there.
It was Rosamund.
Her heart sank. She hadn’t been aware that Ace’s widow was planning on showing up, nor was she the least bit dressed for a memorial service. Rosamund was wearing a strange mask over her face that made it look like she was about to go snorkeling. The rest of her was encased in a white jumpsuit.
“What are you doing in the greenhouse?” Ugh! Nausea slammed into Annalee so strongly that she bent over double. Her head started to ache, and a wave of dizziness dropped her to her knees.
“Spraying carbon monoxide.” Rosamund gave a muffled cackle from behind her mask. “It’ll all be over soon, and your daughter will be next.” She was holding the nozzle of a hose that was attached to a machine resembling a pressure washer. Except it wasn’t pumping water, apparently. It was pumping out carbon monoxide.
Her mother-in-law was trying to kill her.
Again.
Had she written the note, pretending to be Running Bear? If so, where in the world was Running Bear?
Annalee’s survival instincts kicked in. She lowered her face to the ground, trying to find a patch of cleaner air to inhale. “Running Bear?” She no longer seemed to be capable of speaking in full sentences.
“He won’t be interfering in any more last wills and testaments, if that’s what you’re asking.” Rosamund laughed again, a purely evil sound. She enjoyed inflicting misery on others.
“What…did…you…?” Annalee started to dry heave before she could finish her question.
“What did I do to Running Bear? What did I do to your husband? What did I do to everyone else who got in my way?” Rosamund waved the nozzle of her hose in the air, spraying the poisonous gas liberally into the small enclosed space. “Exactly what I’m doing to you, my dearest daughter-in-law. It won’t leave a trace after you slip into cardiac arrest.”
Her face went out of focus as Annalee drifted toward unconsciousness. “I warned you, did I not, that I was taking your life as a ransom? After your vicious little twin destroyed my son’s life, we lost everything. Our home, my job, my marriage… The way I see it, you owe me. All of you Gilberts owe me!” Her voice rose on a shriek of madness.
Annalee wanted to remind Rosamund that she had no proof Mirabelle had anything to do with Edward’s injuries. She wanted to inform her that spending the last thirty-two years blaming a three-year-old for a criminal assault was ludicrous, unfair, and wrong on every level.
But I’ll never get to say another word, because I’m dying.
As her eyes started to close, the door to the greenhouse burst open, and several people entered. They had shirts and various other cloths tied around their mouths and noses. One of them made a beeline for Annalee and scooped her up.
If she hadn’t been so busy gagging, she would’ve wept with relief. She could feel Hawk’s strong arms around her, carrying her away from the madness of her would-be killer.
He laid her outside on the clean grass, yanked the cloth off his face, and started performing CPR on her.
The oddest thing about it was she hadn’t even realized she’d stopped breathing.
She could hear him calling her name, but his voice sounded like it was coming from really far away. It was crazy since he was right there —close enough to reach out and touch if she’d had the energy to do so.
Then everything went black.
* * *