Summer Days (Fool's Gold #7)(81)

“I hope you’re right.”

“I usually am. Come on. Show me the rest.”

Heidi led her deeper into the caves. As they turned the corner, they didn’t notice the reporter hovering in the shadows. Nor did they see her hurry out to tell her producer everything she’d just learned.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

RAFE STOOD IN THE CENTER of the kitchen, feeling the surge of anger rising through him. He didn’t look at Heidi—couldn’t look at her. Not after what she’d done. He knew he was too close to saying something he shouldn’t. Something they would both regret.

He’d suspected all along, but to have it come out like this… He was furious and couldn’t completely say why.

“I’m sure if Heidi explained…” May began, but his mother sounded doubtful.

Glen hovered between the two women, as if unsure of where his loyalties lay.

Heidi pressed against the counter, maybe for support, maybe in an attempt to put more room between them. Rafe wasn’t sure and he didn’t care.

The morning news had trumpeted the story of the fake cave paintings in Fool’s Gold. The reporter had personally overheard Heidi confessing all. The reporter had taken great glee in saying Heidi had betrayed them all.

He realized then that was the source of his anger. Not that she’d tried to win, but that she hadn’t trusted him to—

He swore silently. Trusted him to what? Take care of her? He wanted the land for his development. She shouldn’t trust him. But he wanted her to. And that was why he was so pissed.

“You lied to me,” he said at last.

Her chin came up slightly. “Yes. I lied to you. I tried to get the judge to rule in my favor and make sure you couldn’t carry out your plans.”

May sank onto a kitchen chair. “Oh, Heidi. I don’t understand. I thought we were getting along. I thought you liked having me here.”

“I do,” Heidi said, glaring at Rafe. “You’re not the problem. It’s your son. Because I believed the same thing you did, May. That we were coming to terms and working things out. Then I found out Rafe had gone behind my back. He has plans for the land. Plans to build houses for the casino workers.”

Heidi’s voice turned bitter. “Don’t worry. From what I saw, he’s leaving you a few acres for your animals, and you get the house. But the rest of the land will be developed, and Glen and I are to be thrown out.”

Rafe swore under his breath. He had no idea how she’d found out about his idea or what she’d seen.

His mother stared at him. “Rafe? Is that true? You’re building houses and throwing out Heidi? How could you?”

“I haven’t done anything,” he pointed out. “I made up a few drawings.”

Heidi’s mouth twisted. “That’s not all. You made calls and found out about zoning. You contacted the city very quietly.”

“You can’t know that.”

“No, I can’t,” she admitted. “But I know you, and that’s the next logical step. Or am I wrong?”

They were all staring at him. Glen and Heidi were pissed, but his mother was hurt, her dark eyes swimming with tears.

“I had Dante make a few calls,” he admitted. “I haven’t done anything else.”

“What about Heidi?” his mother asked. “You were planning on having her leave? And the goats? Where were they supposed to go?”

A question he couldn’t answer. “Mom, you were cheated from the start. I was only looking out for you.”

“Oh, please,” Heidi said, rolling her eyes. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate having hundreds of homes just a few feet away. Roads cutting through the ranch she loves. Pristine wilderness turned into a parking lot. You didn’t do any of this for her. This is about you and profit and winning.”

“That’s not true.”

“Then what’s it about? Why didn’t you tell any of us that you were planning this? I didn’t know how to stop you, so, yes, I created the cave paintings and planted the artifacts. I was wrong, and I have to tell you, it’s a relief to be caught. I’ll accept the consequences of my actions.” She swallowed. “I was trying to protect my home, to make sure that Glen and I could stay here.”

She turned to May. “I should have come to you. That’s my mistake, and I’m sorry. I was so scared when I found out what Rafe wanted to do. And hurt. You’ve been nothing but gracious and warm since you arrived.” She drew in a breath. “I’m so sorry.”

May’s lower lip trembled. “I understand.” She stared at Rafe. “Why didn’t you say something to me? You had the perfect opportunity to explain

everything when Glen and I talked to you about the vacation homes.”

May glanced at Heidi. “Your grandfather and I were thinking of having small vacation homes built on some of the land. Enough for the carnival workers to winter here. They could be rentals in the summer. You know, for families who want to come to Fool’s Gold.”

A single tear slipped down Heidi’s cheek. “I would have liked that.”

Rafe felt a growing sense of unease. The situation had slipped out of his control, and he wasn’t sure where it was going.

“Heidi still lied,” he pointed out. “She tricked us all.”