B.J. Daniels the Cardwell Ranch Collection (39 page)

He gave her a nod and turned his attention to Dana and her cousin.

“This is my cousin Dee Anna Justice,” Dana said.

“Just call me Dee.” The woman shook his hand, her gaze locking with his, clearly flirting with him.

“Colt Dawson.”

“Colt is a deputy marshal. He works with Hud.”

“How interesting,” Dee said, still holding his hand.

He didn’t pull away. He knew Hilde was probably watching him. Impulsively, he said, “Maybe you’d like to hear more about crime in the canyon at dinner tonight.”

“Maybe I would,” Dee agreed and looked to Dana.

“Oh, remember? My family is coming tonight for dinner at the ranch so they can meet you,” Dana said. “Colt, why don’t you come?”

“No, I couldn’t. I—”

“I know you don’t have other plans,” Dana pointed out.

She had him there.

“Hilde’s coming, too,” Dana said.

He glanced at Hilde. She was studying the ground at her feet, poking one sandaled foot almost angrily at the dirt.

Minutes later, they were all dressed in wet suits and life jackets provided by the rafting company. Dee latched onto his arm as they started to load the rafts, riders sitting three across.

Their guide, though, had him move to a spot on the outside next to an older woman and her husband. In the row directly in front of him, Dee was forced to sit in the middle with Dana on one side and Hilde on the other. Both Hilde and Dana were given paddles.

From where he sat, he could catch only glimpses of Hilde. As their guide shoved the raft off from the shore, everyone on the sides paddled as they’d been instructed. The raft went around in circles for a few minutes before everyone got the hang of it.

Hilde took to paddling as if she’d done it before. The woman was right about one thing. She was serious in most everything she did. He liked that about her and felt like a jackass for having asked Dee out in front of her.

Now they would all be at some family dinner tonight at Cardwell Ranch. He couldn’t imagine anything more uncomfortable—unless it was this raft ride.

* * *

T
HE
RIVER
SWEPT
them slowly downstream past huge, round boulders and through glistening, clear green water. A cool breeze stirred the trees along the bank. Overhead, white puffy clouds bobbed along. It was the perfect day for a raft trip.

Hilde tried to relax and enjoy herself, but the memory of what had happened up at the falls made her edgy. She was only too aware of Dee in the seat next to her. She could feel the woman watching her as if measuring her for a coffin. Who was Dee Anna Justice? Not the woman Dana thought she was, that much was clear.

But how was Hilde going to convince Dana of that? Maybe it was better to keep it to herself; after all, Dee would be leaving soon and probably never coming back.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could hear Dana and Dee talking and laughing as the raft picked up speed. Behind her, she was aware of Colt. She’d heard him ask Dee out. Not very subtle, she thought, realizing that she’d hurt him when she’d turned him down for a date. That surprised her.

She tried to concentrate on the river and her paddling. But it was hard with Dee so close and Colt probably watching everything she did. He probably hoped she’d end up in the river.

The Gallatin was known as one of the premiere rafting rivers in the West. The river wound through the narrow canyon with both leisurely waters as well as white-water rapids.

Most of the raft trip so far had been through fairly calm waters, the navigation easy. They’d passed through a few sets of rapids here and there that had had most everyone on the raft screaming as they’d roared through them, water splashing over the raft, Hilde and the other paddlers paddling furiously to keep the raft from turning or capsizing.

But Hilde knew that the rough part was ahead, where they would have to run technical rapids past House Rock for the Mad Mile in the lower canyon.

The Mad Mile was a mile of continuous rapids. The cold water ran fast with huge waves, holes and a lot of adrenaline paddling in the Class IV water. That stretch of river required more precise maneuvering, especially this time of year when the river was higher, and she wasn’t looking forward to that.

Hilde noticed that Dee and Dana seemed to be having a great time. She was glad she’d decided not to say anything to Dana. She could almost talk herself into believing that Dee hadn’t pushed her at the falls. Almost.

She didn’t dare sneak a look back at Colt. She concentrated on her paddling. Not telling Dana was the right thing. It wasn’t like Dee was...dangerous.

That thought hit her as the raft made the curve in the river just before the Mad Mile. She could hear Dana explaining about the next stretch of river ahead. Dee actually seemed interested.

They made it through the first few rapids, and the raft passed under the bridge. House Rock was ahead, a huge rock that sat in the middle of the river, forcing the fast water to go around it on each side.

The ride became rougher and wetter with spray coming up and over the raft. There were shrieks and screams and laughter as the raft dipped down into a deep hole and shot up again.

Hilde could see House Rock ahead. It was the other rocks they had to maneuver through that were the problem. The guide picked a line down through the rocks and shouted instructions to the paddlers.

The standing waves were huge. The raft went into the first one, buckling under them. The front of the raft shot down into the huge swell, then quickly upward, stalling for a moment.

Hilde reached with her paddle to grab the top of the wave and help the raft slip over it when suddenly her side of the raft swamped. She tried to lean to the middle of the boat, but Dee was pushing against her. Before she knew what was happening, she was in the water, the top of the wave crashing down on her, the current pulling her under.

As she struggled to reach the surface, Hilde realized she wasn’t alone. Dee had fallen out of the raft as well—and she had ahold of Hilde’s life jacket. She was dragging her under.

She fought to get away, but something was wrong. She couldn’t see light above her. Was she trapped against House Rock? She’d heard about kayakers getting caught against the rock and almost drowning.

But she wasn’t against a rock. She was rushing downriver through the huge rapids—trapped under the raft. Somehow, her life jacket had gotten hooked onto a line under the raft. As she struggled to get it off, she realized Dee still had hold of her. She kicked out at the woman, struck something hard, then worked again to free herself.

She couldn’t hold her breath any longer. The weight of the raft was holding her down. If she didn’t breathe soon—

Arms grabbed her from behind. She flailed at them, trying to free herself from the life jacket and Dee’s grip on her. The life jacket finally came off. She had to free herself from Dee’s hold and swim out from under the raft before she drowned.

The darkness began to close in. She could no longer go without air. She felt her body give in to the strong grip on her.

Chapter Five

Hilde came to lying on a large flat rock with Colt Dawson kissing her. At least that was her first impression as she felt his mouth on hers. She coughed and had to sit up, gasping for breath.

She could see where the raft had pulled over downstream. The guide was leaning over Dee, who was lying on the side of the raft. “Dee.” It was all she could get out before she started coughing again.

“Dee’s all right,” he said.

Hilde shook her head and let out a snort. “She tried to drown me.” Her voice sounded hoarse and hurt like the devil.

Colt looked at her for a full minute before he said, “She tried to save you and almost drowned.”

She shook her head more adamantly. “She was the one who hooked my life jacket on the rope under the raft.” Hilde could see he didn’t believe her. “It’s not the first time she’s tried to hurt me. When we were up at the falls, she pushed me.”

He seemed to be waiting.

“Then she grabbed me just before I fell.”

Colt nodded and she realized how crazy she must sound. But if he had been under that raft with her...

“Is Dana all right?” she asked, looking downriver.

“She’s just worried about you.”

“And
Dee,
” Hilde said, seeing how her friend was clutching Dee’s hand.

“She’s probably worried about Dee because her cousin almost drowned, and this raft trip was her idea,” Colt said. “You apparently kicked Dee in the face.”

“Because she was trying to hold me down while she hooked my life jacket to that rope.” She could see that he didn’t believe her and felt her eyes burn hot with tears. “Colt, you have to believe me—there is something wrong with her cousin. I was under that raft with her. She wouldn’t let go of me. She hooked my life jacket onto that rope. If you find my jacket...” She was trying to get to her feet.

“Hilde, I’m not sure what you think happened under the raft—”

“I don’t know why I expected you to believe me,” she said angrily. “Especially about someone you have a date with tonight.” He reached for her as she stumbled to her feet, but she brushed off his hand. Stepping down through the rocks, she found a place to cross that wasn’t too swift. She could hear him behind her.

All she could think about was getting to Dana, telling her the truth about Dee. Dee was dangerous. Dana had to be warned.

She still felt woozy and should have known better, but she made her way downstream toward the raft. Dana was still holding Dee’s hand as she approached. The sight angered her even more.

Hilde remembered right before she’d gone into the river. She’d tried to lean back, but Dee was pushing on her, pushing her out of the boat and going with her. There was no doubt in her mind that the woman had tried to drown her.

“She tried to kill me,” Hilde cried, pointing a trembling finger at Dee, who lay on the edge of the raft clearly enjoying all the attention she was getting.

“Are you all right?” the guide asked, sounding scared.

“Did you hear what I said?” she demanded of Dana. “Your cousin tried to kill me.”

Everyone on the raft went deathly quiet. “She pushed me off the raft, then she pulled me under and hooked my life jacket on the rope underneath the boat. If Colt hadn’t pulled me out of there...” Hilde realized she was crying and near hysteria. Everyone was looking at her as if she was out of her mind.

“I tried to help you,” Dee said in a small, tearful voice. She touched her cheek, which Hilde saw was black-and-blue. “If you hadn’t kicked me I would have gotten you free from under the raft.”

“She almost drowned trying to save you,” Dana said.

Hilde let out a lunatic’s laugh. “
Save
me? I’m telling you she tried to kill me, and it wasn’t the first time.” She felt someone touch her arm and turned her head to see Colt standing beside her.

“Let me get you off the river and into some dry clothes,” he said, his gaze locking with hers. She saw the pleading in his eyes. He thought she was making a fool of herself. No one believed her. Everyone believed Dee. “I’ll take care of Hilde,” Colt said to Dana. “You make sure your cousin is okay.”

Crying harder, she looked at Dana, saw the shock and disbelief and pity in her eyes. Through the haze of tears she saw all the others staring at her with a mixture of pity and gratitude that it hadn’t been them under the raft.

Her gaze settled on Dee. A whisper of a smile touched her lips, before she, too, began to cry. As Dana tried to assure her cousin that Hilde was just upset, that she hadn’t meant what she’d said, Colt urged Hilde toward the edge of the river and the vehicles waiting on the highway above it. The guide had apparently called for EMTs and a rescue crew.

“I don’t need a doctor,” she said to Colt, as he drew her away from the raft. She could feel everyone watching her and tried to stem the flow of her tears. “I don’t need you to take care of me.”

“But you do need to get into some dry clothes,” he said. “My place is close by.”

She looked over at him, ready to tell him she had no intention of going to his house with him.

“You can tell me again what happened under the raft,” he said.

“What would be the point? You don’t believe me.” She stumbled on one of the rocks. He caught her arm to keep her from falling. His hand felt warm and strong on her skin.

“How about this? I believe you more than I believe Dee.”

She stopped, having reached the edge of the highway, and glared at him. “Then why didn’t you speak up back there?”

“Because it’s your word against hers, and as upset as you are, she is more believable right now. That’s why I stopped you from telling them about what happened at the falls. Come on, I know this EMT. He’ll give us a ride.”

* * *

“I
AM
SO
SORRY
,” Dana said for the hundredth time since the raft trip.

Dee planned to milk the incident for all it was worth but was getting tired of hearing Dana apologize. Almost drowning had gotten her out of helping with the huge family meal Dana had cooked. It also had Hud hovering protectively over her.

Dana had told all the family members about the mishap on the river as each arrived. Dee noticed that she’d left out the part about her best friend accusing her cousin of trying to kill her.

It would have been amusing except for the fact that Hilde had almost drowned
her.
Hilde had kicked her hard. For a moment, she’d seen stars. She really could have drowned under that raft. She was lucky she hadn’t died today.

She’d had to meet all the family before dinner. There was the sister, Stacy, a smaller version of Dana, whom she’d met only briefly before. She had a pretty, green-eyed baby girl named Ella. Dee remembered that because she got the feeling Stacy might be a good resource—even an ally in the future.

Jordan and his wife, Deputy Marshal Liza Cardwell, were nice enough, but both were wrapped up in each other. Newlyweds, Dana had said. Then there was their father, Angus, and their uncle, Harlan. The talk at that end of the table was about the house Jordan and Liza were building somewhere on the ranch. Far enough away that they hadn’t been a problem, Dee thought.

Apparently Dana had another brother, Clay. He worked in the movies in Hollywood and seldom came up to the ranch. Another positive. Hud’s father, Brick, wasn’t well. He lived in West Yellowstone and seldom got down the canyon. That was also good since he was an ex-marshal.

At the sound of a knock at the front door, Dee looked through the open dining room door into the living room. She could make out a dark shadow through the window.

Probably not Hilde or Deputy Colt Dawson, she thought with no small amount of relief. Hilde had come off as crazy on the river earlier. Dana had been shocked by her friend’s accusations and torn in her loyalties. Dee had pretended to be hurt, which only made Dana more protective of her.

Hopefully that would be the last they saw of the woman, she thought, rubbing her jaw. It didn’t surprise her that Hilde was turning out to be a problem. That first day Hilde had asked too many questions and was too protective of Dana. Not only that, she paid too much attention.

She suspects something is wrong.

Dee had run across a few intuitive people in her life. Best thing to do was get them out of your life as quickly as possible. After what happened on the river today, she didn’t think she would have to worry about Hilde again.

She’d seen the moment when Hilde had realized there was nothing she could say to convince Dana that cousin Dee had been responsible for her almost drowning. Blood was thicker than water—didn’t Hilde know that? Dee almost laughed at the thought since she and Dana shared none in common. But it didn’t matter as long as Dana believed they did.

All the others on the raft had felt sorry for Dee. Everyone agreed Hilde was just upset and confused. They had tried to comfort Dee, telling her she shouldn’t feel bad. The bruise on her cheek from where Hilde had kicked her was now like a badge of honor. She’d tried to save the woman—but there was no saving Hilde from Hilde, she thought now with a silent chuckle.

But apparently Deputy Marshal Colt Dawson was determined to try. Nice that he forgot he’d asked her for a dinner date tonight. She hoped she wasn’t wrong about him not being at the door. No, he was probably home taking care of poor Hilde.

She’d seen Dana on the phone earlier. No doubt checking on her friend. Dana was so sure that once Hilde calmed down she would realize that Dee hadn’t tried to drown her. So far Dana hadn’t seemed to have any doubts to the contrary. Dee had to make sure she stayed that way.

Hud got up from the table to go answer the second knock at the door. Dee got the impression that most anyone who stopped by just walked in and didn’t bother knocking.

As the door swung open, she felt her heart drop. She stumbled out of her chair and into the living room. “Rick?”

He saw her and smiled. Anyone watching would have thought everything was fine. Dee knew better.

“Rick, what a surprise.” She hurried to the door, belatedly remembering to limp only the last few steps. She’d managed to hurt herself again in the river—at least that was her story. It would get her out of helping Dana with the dishes and the kids.

“I had to come after I got your phone call,” he said smoothly. “Are you all right?”

“It’s just a sprain,” she said, and realized Hud was watching and waiting for an introduction. Before Dee could, Dana joined them.

“Rick, this is my cousin Dana I told you about and her husband, Hud. Rick...Cameron, a friend of mine from back East.” She gave Rick a warning look. “We were just sitting down to a family dinner. Tell me where you’re staying and I’ll—”

“We always have room for one more,” Dana said quickly. “Please join us. Any friend of Dee’s is welcome.”

Rick stepped in, letting the door close behind him as he looked around, amused at her discomfort. “
Dee,
are you sure you’re all right? I’ve been worried about you.”

“I’m fine. You really didn’t need to come all this way just to check on me.” She bit the words off, angry with him for showing up here and even angrier that he didn’t take the hint and leave. She hung back with him as Hud and Dana returned to the large family dining room, where everyone else was waiting.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded under her breath so no one else could hear.

“Is that any way to greet an old friend,
Dee?
”

Her mind whirled. How had he found her? Then with a curse, she realized what she’d done. She’d left a change of address so she could get Dee Anna Justice’s mail in care of the ranch. That way she’d know quickly if her cover was blown—as well as collect at least one of Dee Anna’s trust fund checks.

In retrospect that had been a mistake. She should have known Rick would come looking for her once he realized she’d bailed on him and the apartment. He’d know the real Dee Anna hadn’t gone to a ranch in Montana.

“You can’t stay,” she whispered. “You’ll mess up everything.”

He smiled at her. “I can’t tell you how good it is to see you,
Dee.
”

“Stop doing that.”

“I set another place for you, Rick,” Dana called from the dining room doorway. “Come join us and I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

Dee had indigestion by the time the meal wound down. Dana had introduced Rick, and he’d seemed to be enjoying himself, which made it worse. She couldn’t wait until dinner was over so she could get him out of here. The trick would be getting him out of town.

Rick could smell a con a mile off. The fact that she was going by Dee Anna Justice had been a dead giveaway. He knew she was up to something. He would want something out of this.

She couldn’t have been more relieved when dinner was finally over. Fortunately, because of her re-“sprained” ankle, she didn’t have to help with the dishes. Rick helped clear the table. She heard him chatting in the kitchen with Hud and Dana.

She was going to kill him.

Finally, Rick said he was leaving and asked Dee if she felt up to walking him out to his rental car. She wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

“You have to leave,” she told him outside.

He glanced at the stars sparkling in the velvet canopy overhead and took a deep breath. “This is nice here. A little too hick for me, but the food was good,” he said, finally looking at her. “I’ve missed you. I thought you would have at least left me a note.”

“What do you want?”

“You always were good at cutting right to the heart of it. Isn’t it possible I really did miss you?”

“No.” He hadn’t come here for a reunion. If anything, he’d come to blackmail her.

“Look,” she said. “I will cut you in, but I need time. I don’t even know what there is here yet.”

He laughed. “You can call yourself Dee or anything else you like, but remember, I
know
you. You’ve staked out something here or you would be gone by now. Is it the land? Is it worth something? Or is there family money I’m just not seeing?”

“There isn’t any hidden wealth,” she said. “I’m just spending a few days here like a tourist while my cousin shows me a good time. She’s picking up my little vacation. That’s it.”