The Whisperers: A Three Book Box Set Read online

  “Nothing.”

  “Then it’s a whole lotta nothing. Come on, Teddy. What’s wrong?”

  Teddy sighed and angled toward him. “I saw Jesse and Carly and – and it seemed to me that there were some sparks flying between them.”

  “And?”

  His question gave her pause. Did he share the same attitude as Mik, that it was none of her business? “And—and I just thought him and Alex were – you know, involved.”

  “Nope.”

  “Nope? You know that for a fact?”

  “Well yeah, Jesse said she was a hell of a woman but there weren’t any sparks between them and it was a mutual thing.”

  That took the starch out of her linen. Teddy didn’t quite know what to say and so sat there trying to come up with something.

  “That’s what’s been eating you? That Jesse was flirting with Carly?”

  “Uh, yes.”

  Jake chuckled. “You got a healthy case of mama bear, don’t you?”

  Teddy couldn’t help but smile. “I guess. That bother you?”

  “Nope. I get it.” He pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. “We all want to protect the people we love.” He cut a look at her as he continued. “But in this case, I think Alex and Jesse need to be left to make decisions about who they do or don’t see. Don’t you?”

  “Oh yes, absolutely. I just—“

  “I know, honey. And I love you for it, but I’m willing to bet that when you talk to Alex she’ll tell you pretty much the same thing Jesse told me.”

  “You’re probably right. And I don’t want to waste any more time talking about it. Pretty great news about Jesse and Mik, huh? They’re both qualified for Nationals.”

  “Damn good news. It’d really be something if they came out on top.”

  “It’d be even more something if you won this contest.”

  “Not near as much in prize money as what they stand to make.”

  “It’s not just the money, Jake. Think about it. Once this contest airs and people see you, you’re liable to get swamped with work, people wanting you to gentle horses, or train them. It could be huge for the ranch.”

  She could see the nervousness behind his smile. “Yeah, it could. If I win.”

  “You’re going to.”

  “You sound mighty sure.”

  “I am.”

  “Oh, enough to put your money where your mouth is?”

  “You mean a bet?”

  “Sort of.” Jake parked the car and turned it off but made no move to get out.

  “Okay, fine. How much?”

  “Not money.”

  “Then what?”

  He took her hand and lifted it to his lips to kiss softly. “If I win, you move in with me. Into the lake house.”

  Of all the things he could have said, this was the absolute last thing she expected. It was the one thing that had the power to shove all of the problems, worry and loss right out of the window. Teddy tried not to appear as excited as she felt.

  “You’re on.”

  Jake smiled. “And if I lose?”

  “Then I move into the lake house with you.” She chuckled at the surprise that registered on his face.

  “You mean …?”

  “You know I do. I love you, Jake and I’d like nothing more than to move in with you. Win or lose. But you are going to win.”

  “I think I already have.” He leaned over to capture her lips with his.

  For the moment, all was right in Teddy’s world.

  Chapter Seven

  Deidre Manning was literally dancing with excitement, twirling around, spilling champagne on the expensive Persian rug.

  “It must be something special to have you so exhilarated this early in the day.”

  Deidre stopped and looked in the direction of the window. Sara’s ghostly form could just be discerned. “Oh indeed it is,” Deidre crowed.

  Sara glided to a nearby chair and perched on the seat. “Pray do share.”

  Deidre executed one more slightly unbalanced twirl and then settled on a chair adjacent to Sara. “Our boy has been careless.”

  “In what way?”

  “He sought to enlist the assistance of Alexandra Morgan to audit the company financials, seeking something he could use to wrest control of the company from me.”

  “And?”

  Deidre shrugged. “What they did or did not find is of no consequence. They provided me with the means to dispose of that dreadful brat once and for good.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes indeed.” Deidre drained her champagne glass and rose to weave to the bar for a refill. “It seems that Robert Dalton has become quite smitten with Alex Morgan. She even convinced him to relinquish the deed to the Nash ranch to the family. For a price, but still he was persuaded to surrender the deed.”

  “I fail to see how that qualifies as a victory.”

  “Of course you do,” Deidre gloated. “Because I am smarter. Robert Dalton is under constant surveillance. I know what he is doing and saying no matter where he is. His office, his car, his home, even his health club. I have Alexandra Morgan under the same level of surveillance.”

  “You have them – what is the term? Bugged?”

  “Indeed I do.”

  “To what end?”

  “His. Jesse Nash is on his way home from a rodeo in Arizona. Since, from all reports he has been involved with Alexandra, it follows that he will pay her a visit upon his return.”

  “I dislike sounding repetitive, but again, how is that of benefit?”

  “Oh, you’ll find out. You and Robert Dalton and the whole nest of vipers that is the Nash family will find out.”

  “You could simply tell me now.”

  “And ruin the surprise? I don’t think so.”

  “Deidre, might I remind you that without me…”

  “No!” Deidre advanced upon the ghostly form. “You most certainly may not. I’m getting sick and tired of your high-handed attitude; you acting like you’re the one in control so let me set you straight. I’m in charge and we’ll do things my way and if you don’t like it you can kiss my lily white ass and your revenge goodbye.”

  With that, Deidre turned and sashayed from the room, smiling to herself. Yes, soon they would all find out just how brilliant her plan was.

  *****

  Jesse took off his hat as he entered the house. He was road weary and tired but excited to talk to Jed. Jed had called while they were on the drive home and told him that Dalton Manning had relinquished all claim to the ranch and returned the money.

  With the purse money from the rodeo he and Mik had just returned from, and what he believed Jake would win, they just might have a shot at getting things back on track at the ranch. If he and Mik could both take the Nationals, they would be able to repay the Marsh family and be in the clear. It would still be a little lean but at least they’d be back on solid ground again.

  When Jesse walked into the kitchen Jed broke free from the lip lock he had on Mik and grinned at Jesse. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. We kicked some ass.”

  “Indeed we did,” Mik agreed, then smiled up at Jed. “And what great news about the deed. How did you convince Manning to sell it back to you?”

  “We’ve got Alex to thank for that,” Jed replied.

  “Alex?” That surprised Jesse.

  “Yeah. She went to see him on Teddy’s behalf and as strange as it is, they struck up some kind of friendship. She asked him to sell the deed back to us and he did. Could’ve knocked me over with a feather but it happened. We can pay the Marsh family back within the week.”

  “And our purses from Arizona will help pay back the boarders who lost animals,” Mik added.

  “I appreciate what you’re doing,” Jed said to her and then looked at Jesse. “Both of you. I know coming out of retirement wasn’t something in the cards but without what you’ve done …”

  “We’re family,” Jesse said when Jed’s voice trailed off.


  “Amen to that,” Mik added. “So what needs doing around here? I need to move around. That drive gave me a case of the numb butt.”

  “Nothing,” Jed said. “But I can think of a way to deal with that numb butt.”

  “And on that note, I think I’m gonna skedaddle,” Jesse said. “I think I’ll take a ride over to Alex’s and thank her in person.”

  “I know she’ll appreciate that,” Mik said.

  “Okay, see ya,” he said and turned back toward the door.

  “Later.” He heard Jed’s voice behind him. He made his way back to his truck and climbed in. He wanted to see Alex for more than just to thank her. After Mik told him about Teddy being upset about seeing him and Carly flirting, he wanted to tell Alex himself that he was interested in Carly.

  He didn’t think she was going to be upset. She’d made it pretty clear that she could have a fling with him, fun and sex, but that’s all it would ever be. She’d been elated to escape life on the farm and never wanted to go back to that lifestyle.

  That didn’t bother him, and he wasn’t much interested in having a fling. He’d spent his whole life on that particular track and after seeing Jed and Mik and now Jake and Teddy, he was thinking he’d like some stability in his own life.

  That turned his thoughts to Carly Marsh. She reminded him a lot of Mik. Smart, hard-working and no-nonsense when it came to ranching, but blessed with a wicked sense of humor and sexy as sin.

  Yeah, she clicked a switch in him for sure and he was eager to see where, if anywhere, it would lead.

  Jesse got caught up in thought and the hour’s drive to Alex’s condo seemed to fly by. When he knocked on the door, he thought he heard a man’s voice inside. A moment later that proved to be true. Alex opened the door and he could see a man sitting on the sofa.

  “Jesse! I didn’t know you were back.”

  “Just got here and I wanted to talk to you. Is this a bad time?”

  “No, of course not. We were – we were just having a glass of wine. Please, come in.”

  The man stood as Jesse entered. “Jesse, this is Rob—Robert Dalton Manning. Rob, this is Jesse Nash. Jesse is—”

  “Manning?” Jesse interrupted. It was one thing for Alex to go to Manning on their behalf to try and help, but what it Sam’s Hill was she doing socializing with the man? His entire family believed that Manning and his lunatic step-mother were behind all of the troubles on the Rocky River Ranch.

  “What the hell are you doing letting this—this guy in your home?”

  “Jesse, listen—“

  “No, you listen.” He turned on her. “You know he’s behind all our trouble and here you are having wine with him? What the hell, Alex? The size of his bank account make you are wet and willing?”

  “Screw you!” Alex yelled at the same time Rob grabbed Jesse’s arm.

  “Now see here,” Rob said loudly. “You can’t speak to her that way.”

  Jesse jerked his arm free at the same time he pivoted on his heel to face Manning. “Touch me again and you’ll be waking up on the floor.”

  “Is that so?”

  Jesse didn’t expect Robert Manning to be anything other than a soft, spoiled desk jockey and so was caught off-guard when Manning slugged him. Well, maybe slugged wasn’t the right word. Jesse saw the man telegraph his move and so he moved slightly to one side and Manning’s fist grazed the side of his jaw.

  Still, as Jed had taught him, you never throw the first punch but if someone else does, then you’re justified to return the favor. Which is exactly what Jesse did. He did Manning the service of not hitting him in the face. Instead, he gave Manning a nice jab to the gut.

  Surprisingly the man was not soft in the middle. Jesse’s surprise at the fact cost him a split second and Manning retaliated, coming at Jesse with arms swinging.

  Jesse heard Alex scream, but he was too busy blocking Manning’s punches to pay attention to her. When she grabbed his arm, Manning got in a solid right cross to Jesse’s jaw and his head whipped to one side.

  Manning pressed his advantage. With Manning hammering away at him and Alex hanging onto him screaming like a banshee, he was at a definite disadvantage. He didn’t want to hurt Alex, but he needed both hands.

  Jesse threw a left jab at Manning and connected with the man’s eye. Manning stumbled back and Jesse used the moment to pry Alex off his arm. She was dancing around, trying to latch onto him when Manning came at him again.

  There was no easy way to handle it. Jesse shoved Alex and then threw a roundhouse at Manning. His fist connected with the side of Manning’s head and Manning went down. Unfortunately, Alex was in the way and he took her down as well.

  Jesse went to her aid, trying to pull her up at the same time Manning was trying to scramble to his feet. Jesse’s feet got tangled up with Manning’s and Alex’s and he went down. Now all three of them were rolling around in a tangle. Manning was pounding on him, Alex was screaming and trying to claw her way free and Jesse was just trying to keep from getting plummeted.

  He lashed out at Manning and just as he did, Alex pushed herself up. His fist caught her in the temple and she went down like a sack of cement. Manning bellowed and threw himself at Jesse.

  From that moment on, everything was a blur. They rolled around, knocking over furniture, getting in their blows as they could. Jesse heard what sounded like a door closing but he paid it little attention because he had a clear shot and was ready to put an end to this skirmish.

  He let loose and slammed his fist into Manning’s face as Manning launched himself at Jesse. Manning was out before his body crashed into the floor. Jesse was just turning his head to look in Alex’s direction when he literally saw stars. Something slammed into the back of his head hard enough to make lights explode before his eyes a split second before everything went dark.

  *****

  Teddy was certain this was the best day of her life. Jake had won the contest. The producers of the show wanted to go to the ranch to film more of Jake working with horses, he’d already received the prize, a check for fifty-thousand dollars and there were even two big clothing companies wanting to talk to him about being in commercials.

  She was over the moon thrilled for Jake and equally as much for herself. Jake’s first words to her upon winning had been “I won, so now you have to move in with me.”

  It had taken her two seconds to say yes and they’d spent the last day celebrating. Mostly in bed, but it had been the best twenty-four hours of her life. The only thing that kept it from being totally perfect was that they had not been able to reach any of their family.

  Teddy told herself not to fret. Everyone was busy. They’d call in the morning and give the family the news before they headed for the airport to return home. Right now, they had room service on the way and ten hours before they had to leave for the airport and Teddy didn’t want to waste a moment of it.

  It was almost like a honeymoon. Now that she had allowed herself to give in to her feelings she could admit that she was head over heels in love with Jake. And she could feel his love for her. It was a dream come true and for once she was going to bask in the moment and let other things wait.

  A knock at the door had her springing off the bed and slipping into one of the hotel robes. “Food’s here!” she called to Jake who was in the bathroom.

  Teddy signed for the food, tipped the bellman and was just lifting a lid from one of the plates when Jake walked out of the bathroom.

  “I’m starving,” he said as he crossed the room to her.

  She had been ten seconds ago. Now, watching him walk naked toward her, her mind was turning to another kind of hunger. Just then his phone rang. He paused and looked at it on the dresser. “It’s Jed.”

  “Go ahead.” She knew he wanted to tell his brother the news.

  He picked up the phone. “Hey bro.”

  The smile that was on his face faded and his gaze moved to Teddy. “Hold on, she’s right here.” He held out the phone. “It’s Mik
.”

  Teddy felt a hot flush wash over her, suffocating and sickening. She didn’t have to ask if something was wrong. Jake’s voice and his face said it all. For a second she just stood there frozen. She didn’t want to take the phone, didn’t want to hear bad news. She wanted to run away, to turn back the clock.

  “Baby, you need to talk to her,” Jake said softly.

  Teddy nodded and took the phone. “Mik?”

  “Teddy, you need to get home.”

  “What happened?”

  “It’s –” Mik’s voice broke and all Teddy could hear were sobs. Jed came on the phone. “Teddy, honey it’s Jed. You need to get home. Alex … Alex is in the hospital.”

  “Hospital? Alex? I—what happened? Is she okay, what?”

  “She was …she was shot, Teddy, and she’s in bad shape.”

  “Oh my god!” Teddy felt all of the strength in her body suddenly disappear and before she knew it, she was falling.

  Jake caught her and scooped her up in his arms to take her to the bed. She could hear Jed’s voice from the phone, calling her name but she couldn’t get her mouth to work to ask Jake to pick up the phone.

  “Let me get the phone,” Jake said and hurried to pick it up. “Jed? I’ll call and see if we can get an earlier flight…no we’re scheduled to leave at 8 in the morning…yeah, I’ll let you know…yeah you too.”

  Jake put the phone on the nightstand and sat down beside Teddy. “I need to call the airline and see if we can get on the redeye tonight, okay?”

  Teddy nodded, still unable to speak. It was taking everything she had not to break down.

  She was barely aware of Jake as he was on the phone. When he finished the call, he gathered her into his arms. “There’s not enough time for us to make the redeye but we’re on the first flight out in the morning. I’m sorry, baby. I tried.”

  Teddy could only nod. Suddenly the best day of her life had become the worst.

  Chapter Eight

  Jake held Teddy’s hand tightly as they hurried into the hospital. They’d taken a cab straight from the airport. Mik and Jed were meeting them there. Jake wondered why Jed hadn’t mentioned Jesse.