At the Crossroads (Buckhorn, Montana #3)(42)

Culhane reached over and took her hand. This time, she didn’t pull away. He squeezed gently, and she smiled at him, squeezing back. He felt his heart lift. They would get through this. He’d die trying to make that happen. He wanted a future with this woman more than he wanted his next breath.

A few minutes later, he looked over, and Alexis was asleep. He hoped going to Jana’s father’s bar wasn’t a wild-goose chase. But right now, that’s all he had for a lead.

In truth, Culhane had no idea what Jana would do or where she would go. He hardly knew the woman before that night at Big Sky. He hadn’t seen her in seven years. He hadn’t even known that she was back in the area.

But now he couldn’t help the guilt he felt for not believing her when she’d told him she was desperate and in danger—not until he’d seen what appeared to be a struggle at her apartment and the blood. Too much blood.

What if he were wrong? What if he were looking for a dead woman?

He thought about the last time he’d seen Jana. She’d sounded desperate enough, but she’d played him before. He’d had no doubt that she would do it again. He liked to think that he wasn’t that gullible twentysomething anymore.

“If you don’t help me, they’ll kill me,” she’d cried.

“They?” She’d shaken her head stubbornly in answer. “Stop!” he’d snapped. “Do you ever tell the truth? Would you even recognize it if it bit you in the—”

“I loved you. When we were married. That’s why I left. At first, it was the money, I’ll admit that bit. But you were so nice, I fell in love with you. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

He’d laughed. “You lied to get me to marry you for money. Do you really think there is anything you can say that I would believe?” She’d looked away, unable to meet his gaze. But he’d seen the answer in those eyes. It still hurt that he’d fallen for her act. Worse, that he’d bought into the whole package. The marriage. The baby. A family to replace the one he’d lost. For a moment he’d let himself believe he could have that with her. He’d wanted to be a father, believing he could be a better one than his own.

“Tell me the truth, Jana. Who have you gotten involved with? Who are you still involved with who’s put you up to this? I don’t believe you came up with it on your own.”

“Because I’m not smart enough?” She’d glared at him, her jaw tightening. “That’s what you always think, isn’t it? That someone is manipulating me. If it’s not my father, then it must be some other man.”

He hadn’t been able to argue differently. “History says you’re in trouble because you’ve ripped off some man and he isn’t taking it as well as I did. You promised me that you signed the annulment papers. That, too, was obviously a lie.”

“I thought I did. I swear it. Maybe I forgot to mail them back in.”

He’d shaken his head, studying her, seeing the lies on her lips before she even formed the words. “Don’t drag me into whatever it is this time. You hear me, Jana? I’ll get the marriage annulled without your help. As far as I’m concerned, we never were married.” He’d started for the door when she’d called after him.

“You’re in love with her, aren’t you? Alexis Brand.”

He’d been so surprised that he’d stopped to look back at her. “How did you know about—”

“You didn’t think I knew?” Jana laughed, enjoying not just his surprise but his concern. He’d never wanted Alexis to know about Jana, about any of it. “Oh, I know all about the two of you.”

“Jana—”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to make any trouble for you.” Anger reddened her cheeks and fired her eyes to flames. “Does she know about me?” Before he could answer she’d said, “I didn’t think so. Shame on you. I would imagine she’ll be surprised that she’s been dating a married man. Dating is what the two of you have been doing, isn’t it?”

He’d taken a step toward her. “If you had signed the annulment papers like you’d promised...” He’d raised both hands in surrender. “I didn’t come here to argue. I’ll have my lawyer take care of it.”

“I’ll get a lawyer. I’ll sue you.”

He’d had his back to her as he’d laughed and slowly turned around. “When you married me, I had nothing. No judge is going to give you access to my family’s money, given our marriage was a sham.”

“Culhane.” Her voice had broken, tears filling her eyes. “Can’t you see that I’m desperate? What’s fifty thousand dollars to you? I promise not to fight the annulment. You’ll never have to see me again. Please.”

“Sorry, Jana. I don’t believe anything that comes out of your mouth. I suspect fifty thousand with you won’t last longer than a snowball in hell. Then you’re back at my door threatening me with something else. Like making it look like I’d tried to buy you off with the money. After lying to me about the baby, do you really have the gall to come to me for money?”

She’d wiped at her tears, eyes narrowing as she straightened to her full height. “You’ll be sorry if you don’t give it to me.”