N. Walters - Jackson’s Jewel

“She must have her keys on her.”

“No problem.” Abel took his empty mug to the counter and laid it in the sink. “I can hotwire it.”

Nathan laughed. “I didn’t hear you say that. I’m going to go sit in my car and pretend you have keys and permission to take that vehicle.”

“If you arrest me, I’m going to tell Erin it was all your idea anyway. I’m just a helpful bystander.” Abel hustled out the door.

“I know it’s hard, but it’s best if you stay here.” Nathan put a hand on Jackson’s shoulder. “And if you ever need to talk about this…”

Jackson nodded and rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease the knotted muscles. “Thanks, man. I appreciate this. All of it.”

“That’s what brothers are for.” Nathan slapped his brother on the back and then headed out.

Jackson followed him, not surprised that Abel was already sitting in the car with it running. The large man looked squashed behind the wheel of the smaller car, and in spite of the seriousness of the situation, Jackson couldn’t resist the chuckle that bubbled up inside him.

“Never say that I wouldn’t do anything for you,” Abel griped as he rolled down the car window.

Jackson leaned against the car. “I really appreciate this.”

Abel became serious immediately. “It’s no problem. I’ll start digging for information as soon as I get home, starting with the investigator she hired. You said that she knew him before this started?”

“Yeah. That’s what she said. He’d done some work for her father. He’d also asked her out and she turned him down.”

“Hmm. I’ll keep that in mind. Could be nothing. Could be something. Hopefully, I’ll be able to eliminate some of the suspects fairly quickly.”

Jackson could see the sense of that. “That would be a great start.”

“Good enough.”

“Hey,” Nathan called out from his car. “You ready?”

“They were only going for groceries and then coming home so it should be easy to find them.” Jackson stepped back from the car.

Nathan laughed. “Going for groceries never just means going for groceries. They may go to a few other stores and stop for coffee as well.”

Jackson glanced at Abel who shook his head and sighed. “I can see we’re going to have to educate you about the finer points of woman-speak.”

Jackson grinned. “Go on. Get out of here. Some of us have work to do.”

Nathan tooted his horn and led the way. Jackson watched both vehicles until they disappeared from sight. He rubbed the back of his neck again and swore. He wouldn’t be happy until Emerald was safely back here with him.

He scuffed his boots in the dirt as he headed to the barn. He hadn’t been thinking when he’d sent her to town. It hadn’t even occurred to him that just having her visible in town could put her in danger. Granted, it was a long shot, but not one he was willing to take. He only hoped that she agreed to Nathan’s scheme and didn’t just decide to take off for good.

Every muscle in his body tightened in protest. He forced himself to breathe and to relax. It wouldn’t help anything to get himself worked up about what might be. The only thing that mattered was that he knew Emerald would have to come back to the farm, if only to get her things. Once she was here, he was sure he could convince her to stay and let him help her.

In the meantime, some physical labor would help him work off his worry and anger. Right on time, a pickup rumbled up the driveway. Andy Mercer was here for his truckload of alfalfa. Loading up the large bales would keep his body and mind occupied.

Still, he glanced down the road as the truck pulled up alongside the barn. He wouldn’t feel settled until he knew Emerald was safe.

He needed this done quickly and the truck out of here before the group returned from town, but he had to act like this was just any other normal day. Taking a deep breath, he forced a smile on his face and greeted the other man. “Morning, Andy.”

Emerald followed Erin into Jenny’s, the local diner. They’d finished up their grocery shopping quicker than she’d expected. Erin was nothing if not efficient. When she’d asked Emerald if she wanted to go for a coffee, there was no way she could resist. She liked the other woman, plus, if she were honest with herself, she was hoping to learn more about Erin’s big brother. She knew she should be cautious, but for the first time in several months, she felt free and safe and wanted to celebrate that fact, even if was just with a cup of coffee.

Jenny’s was like a thousand other diners scattered across the country. It was clean and homey and filled with locals eating breakfast and gossiping. Several people called out to Erin as they passed and she returned their greetings. Must be wonderful to know everyone in the community, Emerald mused.

It was a far cry from the hustle and bustle of New York. The city was alive with a vibrant energy all its own. There were museums, cultural events, shows and shopping galore. It was what had attracted her to New York in the first place—the never-ending energy and fast-paced life.

The town of Meadows was entirely different. No one here seemed to be in too much of a hurry, including the waitress. Everyone was kicked back, chattering and enjoying the morning. It was…nice.

Erin led the way to a booth seat and slid onto the vinyl-covered bench. Emerald sat down across from her and plucked the menu from behind the napkin dispenser. Before she’d even had time to crack the cover on it, the waitress ambled over, coffeepot in hand and began to fill the clean mug in front of Erin. “Morning, Erin.” With short brown hair, blue eyes and a round face, the woman was pretty in a girl-next-door sort of way.

“Morning. Emerald, I want you to meet my best friend and sister-in-law, Carly. She’s married to Nathan, who you haven’t met yet. Carly, this is Emerald, the new housekeeper I hired for Jackson.”

Carly stuck out her free hand. “Pleased to meet you.” Emerald shook the other woman’s hand, noting the keen look in Carly’s eyes.

“Likewise.” Emerald was used to being scrutinized by people and it didn’t bother her. Not too much. Besides, this was only friendly curiosity, which was to be expected considering she was now working for a member of the family.

“Coffee?” Emerald nodded and Carly filled her mug. “What will you ladies have this morning? If you don’t want breakfast, there’s fresh apple, lemon meringue and peach pie as well as oatmeal and chocolate chunk cookies.”

Erin groaned. “I gotta start watching what I eat.”

Carly’s mouth dropped open. “Whatever for? You never have, so why start now?”

The other woman laughed. Emerald sat back and enjoyed the byplay between them. They reminded her of her and her sisters. A pang of envy flashed through her, followed swiftly by sorrow. She missed her sisters. Used to working with them every day, it was hard to not be able to see them or talk to them.

“I’m starting to put on some weight.”

Carly scowled. “So what? You can handle a few extra pounds with your height.”

Erin’s eyes twinkled. “I’m going to be putting on a lot more pounds in the next six months.”

The coffeepot hit the table with a thud. “Do you mean? You’re…” Carly stared at Erin, who nodded. Carly squealed and the next thing Emerald knew, both women were standing up in the diner, jumping up and down, clutching at each other. Erin had mentioned yesterday that she was pregnant. Emerald hadn’t realized that not many other people knew about it yet. But from Carly’s reaction, this was obviously news to her.

“You ladies disturbing the peace?” Emerald glanced over at the deep male voice to find a uniformed deputy scowling at them. As she watched, he took off his mirrored sunglasses and hooked them in the front of his uniform shirt. Damn, he was big. His large hands were propped on his waist, emphasizing the leanness of it. His brown hair was cut short and his blue eyes were shrewd as he sized her up. He looked vaguely familiar although she knew she’d never met him.

Carly released Erin and jumped at the man, who caught her easily in his arms. Nathan. This had to be the brother she hadn’t met yet. “Erin is pregnant.” A huge grin split his face, making him look rather handsome and reminding her even more of Jackson. Emerald blinked.

“Is that so? Congratulations.” He shifted his wife easily to one side, still hanging on to her as he hugged his sister with his free arm.

“You already knew,” his sister accused as she hugged him back.

Nathan shrugged, totally unrepentant. “I just came from Jackson’s. I promised to act surprised.”

The women laughed and Nathan released his wife when another customer called out to her. “I’ll be back.” Carly grabbed her coffeepot and hurried off.

“You got time for a coffee, Nathan?” Erin scooted back into her seat.

“Sure.” He sat down next to his sister, pinning Emerald to her seat with his laser stare.

“Hi, I’m Emerald.” She held out her hand and found it engulfed by his. He didn’t hold it for long, but still she was nervous. He knew something. She could feel it in her bones.

“Nathan Connors.” He picked up his sister’s coffee and took a sip, never taking his gaze off her. The tension mounted around them.

Erin stared from one to the other. “What’s going on?”

Nathan’s eyes bored into her. “Are you going to tell her or will I?”

Emerald closed her eyes and sighed. She really didn’t want to do this in public. “This might not be the best place to do this.”

He shook his head. “It’s the best place. There’s been a slight change of plans.”

Her stomach clenched and the small amount of coffee she’d drunk began to stir in her belly. She swallowed hard, but before she could ask any questions, Erin’s husband strode up to the table.

Abel nodded to her and then smiled at his wife before returning his attention to Nathan. “It’s parked right out front. I’ll be waiting outside.” He leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his wife’s lips before heading out again. He called out and waved to a few folks as he left.

“What was that all about?” Erin demanded. “What the heck is going on?”

Emerald licked her suddenly dry lips. “This has to do with me, I’m afraid.” Squaring her shoulders, she faced the woman she was beginning to think of as a friend. “I lied to you about my last name and about why I’m really here.”

Bewilderment flashed across Erin’s face, quickly followed by anger and disappointment. “I see,” she said slowly.

“No, you don’t see,” Nathan cut in. He leaned against the back of the seat and rested his hands on his belly. The pose was deceptively relaxed. Emerald could see his eyes were continually moving around the diner, assessing the patrons.

He was obviously leaving the telling of her story up to her. She didn’t know whether to be grateful or pissed off. He’d dropped this little bomb and was now leaving it up to her to pick up the pieces. Sighing, she knew she had two choices. She could either just get up and go, knowing that she’d have to pack her things and leave the farm or she’d have to explain.

She closed her eyes on a flash of pain. She should have known that it was all working out too easily. And, truthfully, what right did she have to drag these people into her problems? They were nice folks. Good people and they didn’t need the ugliness that had invaded her life invading theirs.

“This was a mistake. I’m sorry.” She pushed away from the table and grabbed her purse. “I can’t stay here.” She could see surprise flash on Nathan’s face, while Erin just looked concerned. “Thanks for everything you’ve done for me.”

Nathan surged from his seat and stared down at her. “So you’re just leaving your position as housekeeper with no notice at all?” His voice wasn’t loud, but still it carried, filling the diner. Emerald could sense the other patrons watching them.

“Yes.” She didn’t know what else to say. Really, there was nothing else to say. She knew now that she had to leave. She was better off not involving innocent people in her problems. Her heart began to throb painfully at the thought of leaving Jackson, but she ignored it. She’d only met the man yesterday. She refused to believe that he could mean so much to her in such a short span of time.

“Well then, your car is waiting out front for you. Don’t let us stop you if you want to leave.” Nathan’s voice was cold and, Emerald freely admitted, intimidating.

She whirled on her heel and stalked toward the door with her head held high. She would not cry. She wouldn’t, she promised herself, blinking back tears. She heard people whispering behind her, but ignored it. This town would forget all about her and by tomorrow she’d be old news.