Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice #2)(67)

“The cops are all over Mom’s investigation—” Gabe began.

“They won’t find anything,” Zach said, staring into the clear night sky.

“It could have been an accident.”

“Someone blew up my cabin this morning, Gabe. It wasn’t an accident.”

The SUV swerved. Jenna gripped the seat.

“What the hell—?”

“Seth really didn’t tell you anything, did he?” Zach leaned his head back. “You’re right, we have a lot to talk about.”

“I’m hungry,” Sam piped up, bouncing in his seat, oblivious or ignoring the strain pulsing between the brothers. “Can we have a snack before bed?”

Zach flexed his right shoulder and neck before turning to Sam with an indulgent smile. “You like hot dogs?” Zach asked. He glanced at his brother. “I’m assuming your favorite food group is still the only thing in your refrigerator?”

Gabe flushed. “Well, yeah. It’s quick and easy. And the cook at the bar’s restaurant…let’s just say I could use a replacement.”

Jenna studied Zach’s smile. He could flip his emotions as quickly as the toss of a coin. If she hadn’t been with him almost 24/7 for the last several days, she wouldn’t have recognized the real pain flashing behind the blue depths of his eyes. She recognized the hurt hidden behind the glint of humor he shared with Sam. Jenna squeezed his right arm. His muscle stiffened under her touch, and she knew. His entire body had drawn tight as a stretched rubber band. But how much pressure would it take to break?

“Mommy is a really good cook,” Sam said. “She makes yummy sketti and these really neat potato things with bacon and cheese.” He smacked his lips.

“Potato skins,” she offered.

“Really?” Gabe gave Jenna a speculative glance. “I don’t suppose you’re looking for a job?”

“As a matter of fact—”

“Not in Denver,” Zach said firmly.

Gabe looked between the two them.

The small flicker of hope at the offer quickly died. Jenna sighed. “Not in Denver.”

“Why is that?”

She leaned forward between the brothers and lowered her voice. “Because my husband wants me dead.”




The hospital had gone strangely devoid of human sounds, similar to the mountains when a cougar stalked its prey. Anna Montgomery didn’t know what had awakened her. Just a vague feeling. Only the odd collection of subtle noises filtered into range. Her eyelids cracked open. The morphine had knocked her out. She lay there, breathing, listening to her own slow inhales and exhales, then the soft whir of the IV machine. A variety of beeps echoed from down the hallway.

She clutched at the thin blanket covering her. Zach had come home. Over the last five years, she’d seen him transform from a shell of a man into a driven warrior—so much like her beloved Patrick. However, this evening, she’d seen someone nearly as vulnerable as he’d been the night her husband had died.

Unlike that horrific night, now she had hope.

Anna didn’t know who had reignited the flicker within his soul. She hoped the woman’s hands were strong and sure and worthy of her third-oldest. He deserved greater care and more love than he realized. Zach, more than her other sons, felt deeply. The gift—or the curse—made him a surprisingly good actor, but it brought him hurt that he didn’t recognize, that most didn’t understand.

When would her strong and brave sons understand that they needed even stronger women standing by their sides?

Luke had barely figured it out soon enough to win Jasmine’s heart. Clearly his brothers hadn’t learned from Luke’s near fall.

Anna shifted in the bed. Her side no longer ached with every movement. The cuts and bruises were healing. She’d survived. John had saved her.

John. She was so tired of the avoiding glances and meaningless words. No one wanted to tell her the truth.

Well, she refused to wait any longer. She had to see John. For more than concern. A slow panic tightened her midsection. That feeling was back—the feeling from the night Patrick had died, the feeling from the day Gabe had nearly been killed.

Her body tender, Anna rolled to her back and sat up. An IV pump mounted on a wheeled stand stood next to her from her last trip down the hall.

John wasn’t far away. She had to see him. Now.

She heaved her legs to the side of the bed waiting for the blood to flow into them. Her feet rested on the floor for several moments, then she slipped them into house shoes and stood. Donning the lilac robe Jasmine had brought her to conceal the hideous hospital gown, she fought for her bearings. It took a few moments to steady herself, but soon enough, she’d taken a few steps. Her head stopped spinning.

A plant in a glass vase rested on the window ledge holding her favorite—sunflowers. She needed to take them. She didn’t know why, but she had to. They’d brighten any room. The rosemary sprigs had been Jasmine’s touch once again. They had a nice scent. Even if John couldn’t open his eyes, he’d know they were there.

She grabbed the glass vase—heavier than she’d realized—and started out the door. With care and quiet, she peered into the hallway. The sheriff’s deputy who had been posted on her last foray around the floor had vanished.

Odd. At one point during her drug-induced haze she remembered her boys saying something about him staying indefinitely. Perhaps they’d changed their minds. Or the sheriff’s office had.