All or Nothing: A Trust No One Novel (17 page)

“I’m just being careful. If we know where he is and what he’s doing, he can’t surprise us. Trust me, okay?” Joe smiled, completely relaxed, as though her ex-husband hadn’t just blown in here and threatened everyone. Did he have any idea how dangerous David was?

For the first time, she thought to give Joe the benefit of the doubt. David didn’t know how lethal Joe could be either.

Cara was in way over her head. What did she know about Joe? Only one thing for certain: Joe had been Charlie’s friend, and if Charlie trusted him, that was good enough for her.

“Okay.” She smiled.

Surprise widened his eyes momentarily. “Okay? Just like that?”

“Hush before I change my mind.”

“There we go. That’s more like it.”

Chapter Sixteen

Tuesday, 4:43 am

J
OE’S CELL PHONE
rang while they stood in the yard.

Cara took the opportunity to escape to her room. She swallowed two aspirin for the headache coming on and lay down on the bed. She’d barely closed her eyes when a knock sounded on the door. When she swung it open, Rayna stood there.

The young girl couldn’t look her in the eye, her usual self-confidence nowhere in sight. Cara held the door open. “Come in.”

Rayna stepped over the threshold and stayed there, fidgeting.

“Sit down.”

“I’ve been a jerk. I’m sorry, Cara. I needed somebody to blame for Charlie. There’s no excuse…” Words spilled out in a rush until she looked at the floor helplessly.

Cara’s heart ached for the girl and the pain in her eyes. There was no way she could be angry. “I understand. You loved him. I can only imagine how hard it’s been for you.”

“I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. You lost him too. I think he loved you. He talked about you all the time. The worst thing he ever had to do was lie to you.” Tears rimmed her eyes.

“I’m sorry I didn’t know Charlie the way you and Joe did. He was very special to me, but I honestly don’t know what would have happened if I’d found out he was lying. Maybe, under the circumstances, I could have forgiven him. I’ll never get the chance to find out, and that’s my fault. If I’d paid more attention to what was going on at the plant, none of this would have happened.”

“No, you’re wrong—just like I was. It wasn’t your fault.”

Cara went to Rayna and hugged her.

Rayna choked back a sob as they clung together for a moment. “Will you forgive me for the way I acted?”

“I’d like it if we could be friends.”

Rayna smiled through her tears. “I’d like that, and I think Charlie would too.”

They talked for an hour before Cara’s drooping eyelids and periodic yawns had Rayna on her feet, apologizing for keeping her up. As soon as she left, Cara settled back on the bed for a ten-minute power nap.

T
HE SUN THROUGH
her balcony windows was brilliant when she finally opened her eyes. Dillon licked her hand, and Joe sat quietly in a chair beside the bed. His uninvited presence immediately angered her.

“You want me to stay, but you refuse to respect my privacy while I’m here. Can you understand why I might have a problem with this arrangement?”

His eyes darkened. “I was worried about you.” He searched her face. “You took off before I could make sure you were all right. Then Rayna headed up here, and I wanted to give you two some time. When I got here, you were asleep and I didn’t want to wake you. So, are you okay?”

“I’ll live.” She sighed deeply. His concern seemed genuine and took the fire out of her anger. She regretted snapping at him. After all, he’d just confronted David for her. She owed him a few breaks.

“Why didn’t you deny it?” Joe asked.

“Deny what?”

“That you and I were sleeping together.”

“Why? Did it embarrass you?”

He snorted. “It bothered Dennelli.”

“That’s why I didn’t deny it.”

A grin appeared on Joe’s face, smoothing some of the worry lines and making him appear younger. “Do you want to get out of here for a while? Go have some fun?”

A chill went through her. “Is that wise with David here?”

“Let me worry about Dennelli. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it was safe.”

She wanted to say yes. It had been so long since she’d really had fun. A warning niggled in the back of her mind. The less time spent enjoying herself with Joe the better. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down.

“Thanks, but I think I’ll stick around here. Maybe we could do it another time?” She hated herself for the disappointment that slid across his face.

“Sure.” He rose from his chair. “I better get back to work then. Why don’t you take the day off anyway?” He smiled and abruptly left through the balcony, his cell phone already pressed to his ear.

Cara shook her head. That was strange. His departure was so sudden. Did she finally manage to say something to drive him away? It was just as well.

Five minutes later, Tyler and Rayna banged on her door.

“I have a favor to ask,” Rayna said, as soon as Cara let them in.

“What is it?”

“The county fair opened today in Bozeman. We asked Joe to fly us, but he won’t leave you while your ex-husband’s in the area. Ty and I thought… maybe if you came with us…” She shrugged and smiled.

Cara studied them suspiciously. “Did Joe put you up to this?”

“It’ll be fun. Please?”

“I thought as much.” How dare he use Rayna? He knew Cara wouldn’t be able to resist the look on the girl’s face, and Tyler was no help, grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh, all right.”

“Thank you. You’ll see—it’ll be fun.” When Rayna opened the door to leave, Joe stood nonchalantly in the hallway.

“Get in here.” Cara frowned. She turned on him as soon as the door closed behind him. “You manipulated me and Rayna. Is there anything you won’t do to get what you want?” She tried to sound serious, but seeing Rayna so happy made it difficult to be angry.

“There are a few things.” Amusement shone from his eyes.

“That’s good to know.” She sighed and gave up trying to make him repent. Obviously, he was happy with the way things worked out. “What time are we leaving?”

“Rayna and Ty are chomping at the bit to get to the hangar. So, you better get ready, Party Girl.”

Tuesday, 1:12 pm

I
T WAS A
nice day for a flight, but she was still glad when they finally stepped out of the plane onto solid ground. Joe called a cab and it was early afternoon when they stood at the entrance to the fairgrounds.

“I’m starving. Let’s get something to eat,” he said.

“We can’t eat before the rides,” Tyler said, and Rayna nodded her agreement.

“All right. We’ll split up. Keep your cell phones turned on and meet back here by six. Don’t be late and stay out of trouble. I’ve got enough to do without bailing you out of jail. Cara, do you want to get something to eat, or would you rather go with these guys?”

“Food. I’m starving.”

“Thank you. Someone with some sense.”

Tyler and Rayna hurried away.

Cara turned to Joe. “Are they… more than just friends?”

“Yeah, but they think I don’t know. Fair food or real food?”

“Fair food, of course.”

Joe groaned. “I had such hopes for you.”

They purchased their tickets, entered the fairgrounds, and finally located the food court.

“Now, the hard part,” Joe said. “What looks good?”

She saw his point. Each vendor sold something different, from corn dogs, to pulled pork, to burritos. A person could be all day making a decision.

“I’ll start with a corn dog and curly fries.”

He grimaced. “Okay. Get me a corn dog too.” He handed her some cash. “Do you want a beer?”

“That sounds good.”

“This is important.” He laid a hand on her arm until she looked at him. “Stay where I can see you from the beer garden.” He waited for her nod. After he walked away, she went to stand in line.

“Don’t you hate these lines?” The question came from behind her.

“They’re not bad,” she replied.

“You must be from the big city?”

Cara glanced over her shoulder at the man who’d engaged her in conversation. He was about forty-five, with a stocky build and a face that folded naturally into a smile. She smiled back but hesitated to answer his question. “Are you from around here?”

“I’m from Florida, actually. I’m staying in Kalispell for a while. I came to Bozeman today to see my niece and nephew. They’re here somewhere.” He glanced around but must have come up empty.

“A snowbird?”

“I know. Crazy, huh? My sister’s always bugging me to come visit her. I had a little extra time on my hands, so here I am. I’m an artist. I thought I might find some inspiration in the great state of Montana. I hear Flathead Lake and those mountains on a crisp, icy morning are spectacular. I’ll probably head home to Florida long before it gets cold, though.”

It was her turn to order. After she paid, the vendor handed her a ticket and instructed her to pick up her order on the back side of the kiosk. She hesitated. Would Joe be able to see her if she went around the stand? On the other hand, if she didn’t pick up the food when it was ready, they’d give it to someone else and she’d go to the end of the line again. By now, the man behind her had finished his order, and they walked around back together.

“Thanks for keeping me company. My name is Sam. I thought I was coming to the fair with my niece and nephew. Didn’t know I’d be wandering around here on my own.”

“I’m Cara.” She shook the hand he offered.

“Are you here by yourself?”

“No, I came with a… friend.”

“You were going to say date, weren’t you? Darn, just my luck.”

She opened her mouth to deny it and then hesitated. It wouldn’t hurt if Sam thought Joe was her date. He seemed harmless enough, but he was still a stranger.

“Hey, there’s my niece over by the ice cream trailer. Would you like to meet her? Looks like our orders will be a little bit yet.”

“I’d love to, but I better stay here so my friend can find me.” Cara glanced around for Joe.

“We’ll just be a minute.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her along with him.

“Sam, let go.” Sudden fear jolted her heart into a staccato rhythm.

He ignored her and it seemed like his grip tightened.

Cara grasped his wrist and squeezed, as Joe had taught her, until the man let go of her. A startled look appeared on his face. For an anxious moment, Cara thought he’d grab her again, but he stared over her head for a second and then backed off.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He swung around and hurried away.

She turned. Joe was coming toward her with a scowl on his face. She backtracked to the kiosk.

“I told you to stay where I could see you.”

“This is where they told me to pick up the order.” She was still distracted by Sam’s behavior.

Joe glanced in the direction she was looking and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

If she told him about Sam, he’d overreact and probably drag them all out of there. Rayna would be disappointed. Cara didn’t want to be the cause of that look on her face. Besides, Sam was just a lonely man who enjoyed talking to people. “Nothing’s wrong.” The young man behind the counter called her number and she stepped up to get their food.

Joe led the way to an empty picnic table. He still watched her as they ate. “There’s a reason I ask you to do certain things. It’s for your own good.”

“You’re right. I should have waited for you. I should have stayed where you told me. I get it. I’m sorry. Now, can we talk about something else?”

“All right. You pick a topic.”

“What do you like to do at the fair?”

He laughed self-consciously and looked toward the midway.

“Carnival games?”

He shrugged. “It’s my competitive nature.”

“Can you win me something?”

“Whatever you want.”

“You sound pretty confident.”

“When I was younger, I worked as a carny for six months. That’s why I don’t do rides.”

“You prefer a more violent death?”

“I prefer one I can anticipate.”

She finished the last of her corn dog and downed what was left of her beer. “Okay, show me what ya got.”

She picked a large, stuffed German shepherd that she named Dillon. The guys working the booth laughed at her for naming it when they figured the chances of her taking it home were slim. Joe winked and smiled.

The game involved knocking over three milk jug-shaped objects stacked in a pyramid. He explained they were heavily weighted at the bottom. It was fairly easy to knock the top one off, but nearly impossible to topple the bottom two… unless you knew right where to aim, which, apparently, he was sure he did. Once three pyramids hit the ground, they’d win a small prize. After three more targets fell, that prize would be traded for the next size prize, and so on. That meant Joe had to knock nine pyramids over.

He paid for nine balls. No lack of confidence there. He wound up and slammed the first ball into the base of the two bottom jugs. Wooden objects flew everywhere. Cara cheered and whistled, attracting the attention of other fairgoers. The two carnies behind the counter exchanged glances. Eight more balls and Dillon was hers. Other competitors lined up to try their luck. The guys behind the counter glared at Joe as they walked away.

“I thought those poor workers were going to have a stroke.” Cara bit her lip to still her laughter. “Can we do it again?”

“Let’s find one you can play too.” His hand on her back guided her toward a long booth with squirt guns and clown faces.

According to him, all she had to do was squirt water into the open mouth of the clown until a balloon mounted on the top inflated and blew up. It sounded easy enough, but it was harder than it looked—mostly because she laughed so hard it was impossible to keep the stream of water going where it was supposed to. Joe won the first three games, taunting her after each and then handing her the prize he’d earned. He probably would have won the fourth too, but halfway through she turned her squirt gun around and doused him. He spun and aimed at her. She jumped and ran. They were both laughing.