Montana Hearts (17 page)

Now that the cubs had been exposed to humans, the chances of them being reintroduced into the forest were slim. But they'd had no choice. At this age, the cubs would never have survived on their own. Perhaps when they were older, the cubs could be used to help educate the public during nature talks and special events. For now, she'd enjoy them and do her best to keep them safe.

She let both the raccoon with the broken leg and the pheasant with the broken wing go free. Both had healed remarkably well and no longer needed her protection. This would make space for any new animals that she found or give the cubs a larger area to play.

Back at the ranch, she used the green motorized utility gator to carry the hay out to the fields to the horses for their morning feed, and then went into the stable to check on Rio. When she came out again, a ­couple of loud whoops and whistles turned her head toward the open field where Jace had set up the archery targets the week before.

Except this time he had set up a herd of fake steer. Luke must have helped make them because short logs formed the bodies, and the legs, neck, head, and horns were made from scrap lumber, probably left over from one of Luke's building projects. Her brother had repaired two cabins, a deck, and built the octagon gazebo at the request of the Hamilton wedding party this past summer, but she'd never seen him build anything like this.

Jace stood in the midst of them, instructing a crowd of their guests how to lasso a rope around the steer's neck. When one of the guests asked him about steer wrestling, he took one of the wooden figures, grabbed it by the horns and rolled onto the ground, turning the thing upside down with its legs in the air. Meghan broke into a fit of laughter and then ran over to him and tackled him, telling him that
he
was a steer.

Delaney couldn't stop herself from laughing either. Walking toward the group, she noticed all the guests were wearing new brown felt Stetsons. Meghan wore one, too.

“Where did all the hats come from?” she asked, joining Bree and her father, who stood off to the side watching.

“Jace bought them and handed them out to everyone,” Bree told her. “He said everyone at a dude ranch needs a proper cowboy hat.”

“The guests love him,” her father said, and let out a chuckle. “Maybe we should hire him full-­time to be our head director of activities.”

Delaney shook her head. “We can't afford him. Jace would only stay on for big bucks.”

“I can take him hunting again,” her father offered.

“I meant
money
,” Delaney amended, and then saw the glint in her father's eye and realized he'd been teasing. Her father had been in a good mood ever since Jace gave them the endorsement.

Bree laughed and nodded toward the rodeo hero. “I think he'd stay on for
you
, Del.”

Would he?
His time was up in two days, but Jace had not mentioned leaving or staying. She assumed he'd pack his things, load Rio back into the trailer, and head out. But later that day, when she and Jace were alone, she found her sister was
right
.

“I've decided to buy a house here in the area,” Jace announced. “My mother's running for governor and claims it would look better for her campaign if I settle in up here instead of Arizona. But I think the reason she really wants me to stay is because she and my sister like seeing me on a regular basis. They hate it when I just check in one weekend each month.”

“Is there any other reason you might want to stay in Montana?” Delaney asked, arching her brow.

“Well, I did promise my friend's dad I'd look into the poaching and see if I can discover who might be behind it,” he added, then he grinned, and pushed her against the six-­foot-­high round hay bale that stood in the field, blocking them from everyone else's view, and kissed her for several long minutes.

“Anything else?” she whispered, trying not to get her hopes up.

“Actually, there are two other reasons I'm staying,” he said, his voice dropping into that smooth baritone level she loved. “The two most important reasons are you and Meghan. I am just getting to know you, Del, and I don't want to go. I want to know everything about you, everything you've been through, everything you hate, everything you love. I want to know it all.”

She laughed and rolled her eyes. “That would take an awful long time.”

“I've got time,” he said, and held her gaze, his face serious. “But I guess I forgot to ask you a question. Probably because you sidetracked me again, as you have a habit of doing.”

Smiling, she wrapped her hands around him and said, “Ask me.”

“Do
you
want me to stay?”

Her heart leaped in her chest and she'd never been more sure of an answer. “Yes, Jace, I do.”

He pretended to let out a deep sigh. “That's good,” he teased. “Because I already paid Bree for another month in advance. I figured that might help her recover some of the money she had to pay those three women who were angry about the deer in their cabin.”

“You knew about that?” Delaney asked, surprised.

“I was next door to the ranch office throwing in a load of laundry in the washroom and couldn't help but overhear.”

“Are you always this nice?” she asked, thinking of all the ways he'd helped her family since he'd arrived.

He brushed the side of her face with his finger and grinned. “I guess
you'll
just have to stick around to find out.”

J
A
C
E
W
O
K
E
U
P
before dawn the next morning, dressed, and peeked out his cabin door. There they went again, Jed, Luke, and four other men carrying bows and wearing orange hunting hats and vests, but each day they came back by noon with nothing. Sometimes, like the day before, Jed was back for breakfast, and the other guys would come back later. But Jace had been here almost two full weeks and still the men brought back no game? They were either exceptionally bad hunters, or they were up to something else. And today he was determined to find out what it was.

Quietly closing his cabin door, he followed behind them at a safe distance, ducking behind a bush, tree, or hay bale whenever one of them turned around. He couldn't follow them across the open field until they'd disappeared into the next grove of trees. But he didn't worry about them getting too far ahead. Tracking animals had always been one of his strengths, and tracking humans was even easier.

Their path led to a corner of the ranch property Jace had never been to before. It was a good distance from the main trail that led toward the other land owners and was hidden by a small grove of trees by the edge of the river. Lucky for him there were also a few big boulders nearby to hide behind. If he could just sprint over to them without being seen . . .

On his way across he realized where they were going. There, in front of him, was a cabin in the woods. It looked like most of the other guest cabins, except this one was slightly larger and constructed from fresh wood. One of the men picked up a hammer and nailed a two-­by-­four across what looked to be the framework for the front porch. Another took a saw and cut several other pieces of lumber into varying lengths. Obviously the men were not hunters; they were carpenters. But why would they need to hide a cabin all the way out here?

One possibility he did not think of before now crossed his mind and made him shudder. What if the Collinses
did
want him to shoot that deer in the cabin? Delaney would have been furious, ending their relationship, and he could have been framed for poaching. All of the other carcasses had been found on
their
property. Was there a chance that Jed and Luke and maybe even these friends of theirs were the poachers all along? The ones threatening his mother? Had they invited him here in order to frame him so it would ruin her career like Bucky's dad had said?

He crept over to the cabin wall closest to him and intended to peer around the corner to see what the others were doing, but as soon as he stuck his head out, Luke grabbed him and pulled him out into the open. Quite a feat, since the guy used a cane to assist him when he walked, but Jace had been caught unaware.

Luke let out a deep breath. “Jace! I didn't know it was you. I heard someone sneaking around and thought it might be Sammy Jo.”

Jace glanced across the faces of all six men, and realized he hadn't been very smart about this. He should have brought Eli Knowles and his two young men with him. What if these men
were
the poachers and he'd discovered their lair? Even though he wrestled bulls for a living, and would take them on if he had to, there was no denying he was outnumbered.

“Why would you think it might be Sammy Jo?” he asked, trying to keep calm.

“She's been getting suspicious this last week,” Luke told him.

Jace hesitated. “Suspicious of what?”

“We're building Sammy Jo and Luke their own cabin,” Jed informed him. “So when they get married in a ­couple months, they have their own place on the property.”

“With privacy,” Luke added with a grin. “But it's a surprise. Sammy Jo and none of the other women know.”

“And we'd like to keep it that way,” Jed warned.

Jace wanted with all his heart and soul to believe them, not only for Delaney's sake but for his own. It wouldn't do him any good to be at odds with Delaney's family if he wanted to continue to spend time with her. “Can I take a look inside the cabin?”

He didn't wait for an answer but headed over to the front door and walked right in. The foul smell that greeted his nose confirmed his suspicions before he saw the body of the dead antelope on the floor, its horns removed, of course.

“Care to explain this?” Jace demanded as Luke and his father jumped back, with similar wide-­eyed looks of both shock and anger.

Luke shook his head. “We're innocent!”

“Try telling that to my friend here,” Jace said, nodding toward Eli Knowles and his “sons” Clint and Clay, who stepped through the door behind them.

Looked like he had backup after all.

 

Chapter Eleven

“D
ELANE
Y
C
O
L
L
I
N
S
!
”
H
E
R
father barked, marching up the aisle of the stable. “You've been hiding something from us. Did you think we wouldn't find out?”

She dropped the bucket of horse brushes in her hand and they fell to the dirt floor with a
thunk
. Had he seen her kissing Jace? Would he scream that she was crazy for getting involved with someone again so soon after her divorce? She didn't think nine months was too soon, but she and her father often had differing opinions.

“Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about, young lady,” her father continued, his voice stern as his narrowed gaze bore down on her. “The animals in the toolshed?”

She gasped, and then held her breath, unable to breathe from fear over the fate of her young cubs. “You—­you didn't
hurt
them or set them
free
, did you?”

“Nah, they're exactly where you left them,” he assured her with a grimace. “But they have to go, Del.”

“I've kept them out of the way,” she protested. “And I promise you, they won't pose any threat to the guests.”

“Do you know where I just was?” he demanded.

She realized something other than her cubs must have roused his temper, and shook her head, afraid to answer.

“Luke and I were out at the far left border by the big rocks building a surprise honeymoon cabin for your brother and Sammy Jo, and we were nearly arrested for poaching!”

“What?” She shook her head, not understanding how that could be possible.

“Jace followed us,” he said with a grunt.

Her Jace?

“And he brought his friends, who are undercover agents for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. They're posing as guests right here at our ranch!”

She thought back to the three men he'd gone over to speak to at the other table during breakfast. “But how can they think that
we
are poachers?”

“Because of all the carcasses found along the edge of our property and the antelope we just found inside Luke's new cabin.”

What a tragic loss of life.
She cringed, the sorrow registering deep in her gut. “An antelope? Inside?”

“It was dead. With its horns cut off. They sell for big money these days. And believe me, it was more of a surprise to us than to Jace and his friends.”

“We aren't in trouble, are we?” she said, her fear turning to dread. “You told them you didn't kill it?”

“Luke and I spent the last four hours telling them,” he complained. “Now it's put us another day behind with the building and the forecast is predicting it won't be long before we get snow. Don't tell Sammy Jo about this or Luke will have your head.”

“I won't,” she promised. Seeing the surprise on Sammy Jo's face after listening to her say she thought Luke might be getting cold feet would be worth the wait. “But what does this have to do with my animal shelter?”

“The last thing I need is for the game wardens to think we're raising bobcats for our guests to come and shoot,” her father said, furrowing his brows. “Now that Bree has posted Jace's endorsement for our ranch online, the phone's been ringing off the hook and our cabins our booked. We've got dozens of hunters coming in the day after tomorrow.”

“More hunters?”
Delaney exclaimed.

She had to admit that this time her father was right. With more hunters in the area it would be harder to conceal her animal shelter, and if one of the hunters happened to poke his head inside and saw what was inside, well, she'd hate think about what could happen.

She also hated having to take the cubs back to the wildlife rescue clinic and having to face Carol, Mary Ann, and Ben.

She lay down on her bed while trying to get Meghan to take an afternoon nap, and tears sprung to her eyes. She was a
terrible
public relations representative. Instead of getting good publicity, she'd only managed to bring on bad. Then she fell in love with Jace, which was something she'd promised herself she wouldn't do. And now that she'd finally got the endorsement to make her family happy, more hunters were coming to the ranch to threaten more of the animals she loved. She was
not
happy about that, and her wildlife rescue group wouldn't be either.

She pulled a pillow over her head and wished more than anything she could just stay there, but Meghan lifted up a corner and peeked under at her. “Are you playing hide-­and-­go-­seek?”

“I don't know what I'm doing,” Delaney confessed.

Meghan smiled. “I found you. Now it's your turn. You need to find me.”

Delaney pulled off the pillow and sighed. She couldn't hide. She had a daughter to support, a daughter who was depending on her to take care of her as much as she depended on her to play. Her hand reached for the bear claw necklace her grandmother had given her for courage. She knew she couldn't live her whole life within her comfort zone, especially when she lived on a ranch with ­people who fished, hunted, and ate meat. But lately she'd been forced to live completely outside it and she didn't know how much more she could take.

She also thought of the time she'd wasted on Steve. He'd said he didn't want to be trapped with a wife and child, and implied she wasn't good enough, that he wanted someone
better
to spend the rest of his life with. What if she wasn't good enough to hold Jace's attention long term? Was everything she was doing for nothing? Would she never have
her
happy ending?

After Meghan drifted off to sleep for a nap, Delaney went to Jace's cabin and confessed about hiding the cubs, told him how Gavin had once shot a deer she'd just healed, and what her father had told her about finding the antelope.

Jace admitted he'd been feeling a little discouraged, too. “I really screwed up,” he said, his voice low. “Eli Knowles gave me a talking-­to after we straightened things out with Luke and your dad. He said I could have ruined their covert operation by exposing their cover. Eli reminded me that an undercover agent's job is to infiltrate and gain information, but to let the sheriff and other officials make the arrests so the agent's identity is never discovered. Luckily your family has vowed not to tell anyone so they can continue their search for the true poachers.”

Delaney nodded. “Luke said he's posting more Private Property signs along our borders, letting ­people know they can't hunt in this area without permission.”

“I'm not sure that will help. Eli told me it's hard to convict poachers. He said if there's no evidence on paper, they must be caught in the act either by an eyewitness or on video. Preferably both.”

“We can use my cameras,” Delaney offered. “I have a good pocket camera you can keep in your coat pocket and take with you wherever you go.”

Jace drew her into his arms for a warm bear hug and then pulled back to give her a soft kiss. “Do you want me to go with you to drop off the bobcat cubs at the clinic?”

“Considering how my friends reacted the last time they saw you, I'd say that's
not
a good idea,” Delaney said, and headed toward the door. “This is something I have to do on my own.”

Delaney drove to Fox Creek in her father's pickup and entered the animal rescue clinic with the bobcat cubs in a small wire cage. After she explained why she was there she found the cubs weren't the only ones who could pounce.

“How could you let Jace Aldridge stay at your ranch?” Ben demanded.

“Is that the reason you left us short-­handed,” Mary Ann asked, wearing an incredulous expression on her face. “To spend time with
him
? A rotten rodeo hunter?”

“He is
not
rotten,” Delaney said defensively.

Carol eyed the cage with the bobcats. “Not only are you giving up your values, but now you're giving up the cubs, too?”

“They are no longer safe at my ranch,” Delaney pleaded, begging her to understand. “I'll come into the clinic like I used to, and help take care of them. I'll take photos of the new animals who have arrived to post online and try to find homes for them. I'll even speak at your rally.”

“Your ser­vices are no longer needed here,” Carol informed her. Mary Ann and Ben nodded their agreement.

They didn't want her here? Delaney's eyes pricked with hot tears and she fought to hold them back for the second time that day. Her heart tightened painfully in her chest. How could they give her the cold shoulder? They were her friends. How could they be so
judgmental
?

“What about the cubs?” she asked, her voice shaking.

“We'll take the cubs to the wildlife conservation center over in Helena so they can grow up in a natural habitat,” Carol told her.

The conservation center, with its large outdoor facility, had Delaney's full approval and at least part of her heartache lifted, knowing the bobcats would be well cared for. But as she took one last look at the three ­people she left behind, she walked out of the building wondering, like her daughter, who
was
a friend?

She wasn't sure she knew anymore.

T
H
A
T
E
V
E
N
I
N
G
,
R
I
G
H
T
before dinner, Jace kept his eye on Rio's front leg as he, Delaney, and Meghan led him across the field to see the other horses.

“He likes Fireball,” Delaney said, smiling as their two horses sniffed one another.

“Rio likes Party Marty, too,” Meghan said, pointing to the miniature pony who trotted up beside them, then ran to Grandma's side to follow her to the house.

A deep neigh came from the trail connecting the other properties and both Rio and Fireball stood at attention, their ears perked forward. Jace turned his head to see who was coming and spotted Zach Tanner riding toward them. He sat upon a black quarter horse that was taller than most and flaunted an extra thick black mane and tail.

“Isn't he a beauty?” Zach asked, his eyes on Delaney.

She stepped forward and brushed her hand down the side of the horse's neck in greeting. “He is,” she agreed. “Is he yours?”

“Bought him today,” Zach said, and then as if just realizing they weren't alone, he lifted his gaze and said, “Hi, Jace.”

“What about me?” Meghan demanded. “You didn't say hi to me.”

“You didn't give me a chance,” Zach said, which Jace didn't think was true. “How are you?”

“You didn't say my
name
,” Meghan complained.

“He has other things on his mind,” Jace soothed, scooping the child up onto his shoulders. “Like his new horse.”

“He runs twice as fast as my other one,” Zach told Delaney, sliding out of the saddle to stand beside her.
Too close
beside her. “That's why he's named Jet. Of course, it's possible he could be named for his color, jet black, too. Would you like to ride him?”

For a moment Delaney looked excited, as if she was going to accept the offer. Then she glanced back at him and told Zach, “Maybe another time. I need to watch Meghan.”

“Looks like Jace is watching Meghan there just fine,” Zach coaxed.

Delaney shook her head and smiled. “Another time.”

Jace held Meghan's ankles so she wouldn't wiggle around on his shoulders so much and heard her ask above his head, “Who are the flowers for?”

Jace stared at the flowers in Zach's hands. He'd been wondering the same thing, although he had a sinking feeling he already knew.

“They are for your mother, of course,” Zach said, directing his words toward Meghan while handing the flowers to Delaney.

Del thanked him, but didn't blush like she did when
he
flirted with her.

“You didn't bring any flowers for
me
?” Meghan asked, as if shocked by Zach's lack of disrespect.

“Next time,” he promised. “Hey, Jace, did you know Del presses wildflowers and uses them to create her own greeting cards?”

“I do now. Thanks for the tip.”

He wasn't a fool. He knew Zach was purposely trying to come between him and Del. He guessed she realized it, too, because she abruptly stepped away from Zach and his horse and came to stand back by him.

“Bet your horse doesn't have a toy,” Meghan challenged in her cute little high-­pitched voice, clearly still miffed Zach wasn't paying her any attention. She held out the plastic toy horse Jace had given her in front of his face to show Zach.

Jace's cousin shook his head. “No, Jet doesn't have a toy that looks like him.”

“Didn't think so,” Meghan taunted, and held her toy out again. “This is Rio, just like the real Rio. He's a star.”

“Meghan!” Del said, color rising to her cheeks. “You shouldn't talk to ­people like that. You must be
nice
.”

“Sorry,” Meghan called out, but Jace was certain she didn't mean it.

Zach glanced at the toy Rio in Meghan's hands and then the real Rio, with his hurt leg, and grinned as if he didn't think either one could compare to Jet. “My horse doesn't need a toy,” he said with a smirk. “Or titles. He's the real deal, magnificent exactly as he is.”

Jace thought Zach was referring to himself, instead of his horse, and didn't like the way he'd been talking either, but gave him a friendly wave as he remounted his horse and rode away. Then Jace remembered Eli's warning at breakfast that he should consider every angle.