Shattered, Western Romantic Suspense

By Kate Kelly

His confidence shattered for failing to save his sister’s life, Detective Jay Rawlings insists he be left alone to live the lonesome cowboy life. But when the woman he once loved, Tess MacLean, returns to his ranch with a killer and the police in hot pursuit, Jay suddenly has to face the demons from his past. A past he would change if he could - starting with convincing Tess that their love deserves a second chance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Kelly
• Release date: Sep 5, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466134751

Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly has had a life-long love affair with books, but writing came in fits and starts. She didn't take it seriously until her forties. Now she can't get along without it. She has the good fortune to live on the east coast of Canada with her husband (the children have flown away). She writes, grow herbs and perennials and sails when the wind blows her way.

Book preview

Shattered

By

Kate Kelly

Smashwords Edition

###

Shattered - Copyright 2011 - Kathryn J Kelly

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

Chapter One

Dust spit out behind as the Jeep bounced in and out of a rut, jarring her backbone. Tess MacLean did not slow down.

Almost there. Almost safe.

Maybe.

Jay had to help. Surely, after all they'd been through....

Her gaze flicked to the rearview mirror. Something not right.

Panic pushed her hiccups higher and tighter. She glanced over her shoulder and made out the outline of a horse. Someone was moving up through the dust tunnel. Bent over the horse's neck, the rider blended into the racing animal as if they were one.

Please, let it be Jay, not.... She skidded to a stop as the compact sorrel thundered up on her left and cut her off.

Jay. Thank God.

He wheeled his mount around and side-stepped back toward her. The stallion's sides heaved; its coat streaked with sweat. The raw power of man and horse sent her fear in another direction as he drew closer. She wasn't ready to do this.

Her heart pounding, she eased out of the Jeep and planted her feet firmly in the dust. She had to face him sometime. Might as well get it over with. The casual greeting she'd rehearsed died as she gaped up at him.

The summer sun still streaked his hair blond. The lines at the corners of his eyes had multiplied and deepened, as had the two grooves running down either side of his mouth. He was bigger, leaner, than she remembered. Harder.

She shied back a step as he swung off his horse and landed close to her. He brought with him the smell of sun and horse and leather.

As the last of her energy trickled away, she leaned back against the hot metal fender of her Jeep. Hello, Jay.

What do you think you're doing ripping down the driveway like that? You know what that does to the horses this time of day. He rested his hands on his knees and bent over to catch his breath. You look like hell, he added, glancing up at her.

How could he make her want to laugh and cry in two seconds flat? Heaven help her, she'd missed him. I've had a rough couple of weeks. Her fingers curled around the door handle behind her.

He straightened up. What brings you here?

I had nowhere else to go. Determined to get it all out, she held his stare. I need your help.

No. He turned and grabbed the reins.

Jay! She leaped forward and caught his arm, felt a wrench of desire low in her belly. She snatched her hand back as their eyes connected. Heat blazed between them before his eyes narrowed, and he drew back into himself.

Someone's trying to kill me. I've been running for two weeks, but I can't shake him.

Not a speck of curiosity passed over his face. He doesn't care. She placed her hand over her heart as if to protect herself. Too late. Too damned late.

Forget it. I'll handle it myself. She yanked the Jeep door open and scrambled inside. She'd come here to ask for help, not to beg.

There was nothing left but turn herself in to the police. After the last two weeks, she doubted that they'd believe her side of the story, but at least she'd be alive--in prison--but alive.

The door flew open. Move over.

She flinched from his harsh command. Jay, I--

He scooped her up and dropped her into the tattered passenger seat, climbed in and slammed the door.

Your horse--

Solomon knows the way home.

A tiny flame of hope sparked to life as she glanced at his stern profile. If I had any other place--

Don't, Tess. He jammed the Jeep in gear. I didn't say I'd help you. You can rest up for a few days. That's all.

She turned and looked out the side window as her last hopes died. The sun had dipped behind the ridge that stood a mile off to her right, casting the steep, pine-clad mountain into shadow. The old, mysterious Black Hills had always welcomed and embraced her.

She sank low in her seat, a chill deep in her heart, and prayed the killer didn't catch up to her before she could convince Jay to help.

Dirt spit from the rear tires as the Jeep lurched forward. Jay Rawlings squinted out the dusty windshield and shifted into second gear. He couldn't believe it. Three long years of fighting daily to forget her, and one look had him aching to pull Tess into his arms and hold on for dear life.

He glanced at her in the seat beside him, her determined little chin jutting up at a proud angle. He'd lied. Even rumpled and tired, a vital energy sparkled around her.

Her blond hair was cropped short and stood up in every direction. She still had that damned annoying habit of chewing on her bottom lip. A habit that used to drive him to distraction.

And still did.

He dragged his gaze up to her eyes. They were the same deep, midnight blue, but looked bruised. Scared. Bile rose in his throat. The second he'd seen her frightened eyes, he'd wanted to scoop her up on the back of his horse and race away. He knew he wouldn't--couldn't. If Tess had hoped to find the man she once loved, he was gone.

The ranch looks good. She turned away from the window to look directly at him.

His throat felt hard and tight, and he cleared it before answering. It's doing okay. Need some rain, though. Driest summer on record for this part of South Dakota.

How's your knee?

Better.

Silence thickened inside the small cab. From the corner of his eye, he watched Tess bite the side of her thumb, a sure sign she felt uncomfortable or nervous. Too bad. He didn't discuss the old gun shot wound with anyone.

Your horse, he's new?

Solomon? Yeah.

What happened to Adonis?

Sold him. Just like he'd sold or pushed away anything and everyone he cared about. His father and the ranch had stuck. Not that he hadn't tried to run away from both. In the end, the path of least resistance had seemed the easiest.

And Caleb?

Died two years ago. He ignored her swift intake of breath as he pulled into the yard. She'd been crazy about the old setter. He turned to face her, making his voice cold and flat. Everything's changed.

Everything except his father. Tom stood on the veranda, a wide grin creasing his weathered face. He should have known Tess had talked to his father before coming. The two of them always had been crazy about each other.

As the Jeep rolled to a stop, he reached over and wrapped his fingers around her slender wrist, her skin as soft to touch as he remembered. He tightened his grip in an attempt to strangle the forbidden memories.

I meant what I said, Tess. A few days, that's all.

I heard you the first time.

She climbed out and raced across the driveway, straight into his father's arms. As they disappeared into the house, Jay saw Tom drape an arm over her shoulders. An odd pain shot through his heart, and he was out of the Jeep and halfway to the barn before Tom's voice halted him.

You're not going to work tonight, Jay. We need to talk.

He turned around. His father stood alone on the veranda, a fierce expression on his face. Jay cursed under his breath, knowing now the old man was riled up, it would be near impossible to stay out of Tess's spot of trouble. To think just an hour ago his only worry had been the lack of rain.

Not much to talk about. I told her she could rest up for a few days.

Rest up? Tom's scowl shifted into disbelief. She tells us a man's trying to kill her, and that's all you have to say? I never figured you for a coward.

Jay searched for a reasonable reply. She probably just had a spat with some lover boy and has come home to lick her wounds. If he discovered the creep's name, he'd likely go and beat the hell out of him for putting that hunted look in her eyes.

That's why he had to keep his distance. He and Tess had never been easy, never gentle with each other. Their love had been strong and fierce and so bright, he knew he was branded for life. He'd never love like that again. He didn't want to. He didn't deserve that kind of love.

The harsh expression on Tom's face softened. I know this isn't easy for you, son, but what if someone really is trying to kill her? Could you ever forgive yourself if you didn't try?

I can't do this, Dad. Not for her and not for you.

What about doing it for yourself? Three years is a long time to punish yourself.

God help him, it was starting all over again. Jay glanced away, unable to look at the pain in his father's eyes. Go to the police. That's what they're there for.

You used to be the police.

Give it up, Dad. I can't help Tess. He raised his hand to halt his father's objections. You talk to her. If her problem really is serious, go to the police.

Before his father could say another word, Jay stalked off to the barn. Anger torpedoed through him the minute the barn door swung shut. He shot his right fist blindly into the dark and connected with a solid wooden beam. Pain splintered through his hand, up into his arm.

He stumbled against a bale of straw and sat down, massaging his throbbing knuckles. He couldn't believe Tess was back. Not only back, but in trouble and asking for his help. Despite his curt dismissal of her problems, he knew it must be bad for her to come here.

A horse nickered softly, and another moved impatiently in its stall. Solomon. He stood and flicked the light on. What was he doing sitting in the dark, letting his imagination get away from him when he still had chores to do?

No sane person would hurt Tess. One look at her face, and everything she thought, everything she felt, was right there to see.

What if the person after her isn't sane? He halted halfway down the row of stalls. Dammit, he was digging himself a hole.

Solomon stomped his hooves impatiently, and Jay continued on to his stall. He shouldered the horse to one side, filled his water bucket and rationed out some oats. As he grabbed the brush and started rubbing the stallion down, he forced himself think rationally about the situation.

If someone did harm Tess, he wouldn't be able to live with himself. But involving himself with her problems meant caring again, and he couldn't do that. Not caring was the only way he knew to survive. He ducked under the horse's neck and continued brushing on the other side. Slowly, the familiar smells and sounds of animals settling for the night calmed him. Solomon turned his head and nudged Jay's shoulder.

Yeah, I know, boy. It's a helluva situation. He ran his hand through the sorrel's copper red mane. We'll give it a couple of days. After she's rested up, maybe her story will change. She always did think it was the end of the world if someone got mad at her. Tess is a sensitive little filly. He rubbed the horse's neck and closed the gate behind him.

Ignoring the hungry rumble in his stomach, he grabbed the worn bridle hanging on the wall he'd been meaning to repair all summer. Better to hang out in the tack room for a couple of hours than to join Tess and his father for supper.

A couple of days. How hard would it be to steer clear of her?

Supper's almost ready. Just be another few minutes. Tom grinned at Tess before turning his attention back to the pot he was stirring.

Tess inhaled the aroma of the richly seasoned food. Your stew was always my favorite.

I remember.

He grabbed another small bottle of spices and shook some into the stew as she looked around. The country kitchen wasn't as big or bright as she remembered, but still familiar, still home. The big wooden table she sat at dominated the room.

Years ago, when she and Jay's younger sister, Lisa, had been best friends and she'd stayed for dinner, it was her responsibility to clear the table after meals. She'd taken her job seriously, putting everything away, polishing the surface until the table top glowed. Obviously, no one had taken over her job. A box of toothpicks, old match books, and several heaps of change mixed with nails crowded the table, as if someone had emptied their pockets on the way out the door. It was a man's room now.

Okay. Tom wiped his hands on a tea towel. You go get Jay while these biscuits finish baking. I think he's in the barn.

Oh. Her startled gaze flew to Tom's. I could look after the biscuits, and you get Jay.

Not this time. He sounded sad and suddenly tired.

If coming back here caused Tom trouble, she'd leave before sundown. He'd suffered enough.

Be back in a sec. She threw him a brave smile over her shoulder and walked outside.

The first blush of evening had turned the sky a deeper blue, while a streak of red outlined the dark hills surrounding the ranch. She ducked her head to avoid the familiar view and hurried across the yard. There were memories here, waiting to be revisited. Memories of weekends with Lisa, then later, sultry weekends with Jay. The Rawlings family had always welcomed her--until Jay's betrayal.

She stopped inside the barn door to let her eyes adjust to the dark, cool interior. The light tapping of a hammer came from the tack room to her right. She glanced longingly at the row of stalls, and was about to give in to the temptation of saying a brief hello to the horses when she heard a sound beside her.

Thought I heard someone. Jay leaned against the open doorway of the tack room, a small hammer dangling from one of his big rancher hands. His denim shirt sleeves were rolled back, revealing the hard muscles in his tanned forearms. She eased out a deep breath. After three years, the exhilarating feeling of having those strong arms around her should have faded.

Supper's almost ready.

You guys start without me. I'm not all that hungry.

Tom made his special stew.

I'll get some later. He tapped the hammer against his open palm.

Her heart did a slow somersault as she took in the calluses on his palm. Hard to believe such rough, strong hands could be gentle.

She curled her toes, stuck her hands in her back pockets. How's Tom been? Whenever I phone, he makes it sound like everything's great, but sometimes I think I hear.... She lifted her shoulders. I don't know, like he's tired. Or sad.

What did you expect? Jay turned back into the tack room. If there'd been a door, she was certain he would have slammed it shut.

She puffed her cheeks and slowly exhaled. Retired or not, Jay was still the best detective in the state. She needed him. Somehow, she had to connect with him, to get past his animosity.

She squared her shoulders and followed him into the small room. It's been three years, Jay. I thought....

He shot her a contemptuous look over his shoulder, then turned his attention back to bridle laid out on the work bench in front of him. What? That he'd forget Lisa was murdered?

You still blame yourself. Her words sounded as if she were passing judgment. Not that it mattered. No one would judge Jay harsher than he judged himself.

He snatched up the hammer from where he'd set it on the bench. I was there. She died anyway.

Longing to console him, she reached out, but he'd already turned back to the work bench. Her hand hung in the air between them for a second, then with a sigh of regret, she stuck it back in her pocket. Had she really believed three years was long enough to heal their wounds?

She blinked several times as she stared at the rigid line of his spine. I shouldn't have left when I did.

His back muscles twitched as if she'd struck him. Get real, Tess. I didn't give you a choice.

Maybe you didn't. She wrapped her arms around her middle; the sensation that she was coming undone, that the time she'd spent piecing her life together was slipping away from her, made the room suddenly feel too small, too dark.

What had happened in the past didn't change what was happening to her now. The police were still looking for her. Jay was still the only person she could trust to help her discover why someone had dumped two hundred thousand dollars into a bank account in her name, and why that person wanted her dead.

She searched for something neutral to clear the air.

Have you seen my father lately? Her voice sounded unnaturally high as it broke the strained silence.

Last week. It took him a while to remember he'd had a letter from you a month or so ago. Said you sent him some money. He reached up to the shelf above his head and grabbed a box of rivets. I get him to do a few odd jobs around here when he's low on cash. He's okay.

I worry about him living by himself. He forgets to eat. She twined her fingers together. I wish he had come with me when I moved to Sioux Falls.

Jay's hand stilled in the act of sorting through the rivets. After a minute he shrugged. We all did what we had to do. No harm in that. He picked up the small hammer and hit the rivet he'd placed over two holes in the leather.

She waited until he stopped hammering, her heartbeat picking up as she pushed harder. I'm afraid to go see him. Gerard has my home address.

She hadn't realized how far she'd edged into the tiny room until he half turned toward her. She was close enough to touch the hair behind his ear that had grown long enough to curl.

Is that his name? Gerard?

Embarrassed, she dragged her gaze away from his ear and studied the dusty toes of her sneakers. Yes.

He doesn't know about this ranch?

She shook her head no.

"He your boyfriend?

We were going out. He's my boss, too. Was my boss.

So you're running away from a boyfriend. He spoke more to himself than to her.

That's one way to put it. Her stomach plummeted as she realized he'd just reduced the threat on her life to boyfriend trouble.

You better go in. Dad will be disappointed if neither one of us show up. He picked up the rivet gun, dismissing her without a sideways glance.

Jay wasn’t getting it. Either he didn't want to believe Gerard was trying to kill her, or he didn't care. Tears stung her eyes. Neither idea reassured her.

She had to convince him the threat was real, that for the last two weeks, Gerard had stalked her with the intent to kill.

Chapter Two

Jay slipped into the dark kitchen and closed the back door behind him. Sneaking into his own damned house. What next? Not bothering to turn on the light, he moved over to the stove and inspected the contents of the stew pot. At least they'd left some supper for him.

He switched the heat on under the pot and dug the jumble of fencing nails and coins out of his pocket. With his free hand, he searched the tabletop for a spot to dump it. His hand skimmed across the clean, hard surface.

What the hell?

He flicked the light on and blinked as the wood tabletop gleamed reproachfully at him under the bright kitchen light. Tess.

He dumped his handful in the middle of the table. I'll put things where I want.

A quick survey of the kitchen told him only the table had been disturbed. The old saddle still rested on the bench by the door, and the usual stack of newspapers