Ends of the Earth

She kept her calm tone as if speaking to a skittish animal. “You’re turning down a lot of money, Jason. Money that could help send your daughter to college.”

He couldn’t deny the temptation and hated himself for it. He shoved away the thought of how much easier money would make things. “So I exploit her now for her own good later?”

Elizabeth Wheeler chuckled as if that was silly nonsense. “Our interview would be done with the utmost sensitivity, I assure you. How is Maggie? The public wants to know.”

“The public will just have to mind their own business.” He dumped the rest of the bags and tried to sidestep her.

Blocking his path, she sighed and lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Look, Jason. I’m trying to help you. The payment my editor has approved for an exclusive interview and photoshoot is extremely generous.” She held up a folder. “I have the paperwork all signed and ready to go. You’d have a direct bank deposit in your account before noon. But this is a one-time offer. Maggie won’t be a hot topic next week.”

A hot flush of disgust filled him. He managed to keep his voice low and steady, over enunciating. “My daughter is not a topic to be dissected.” He walked around Elizabeth Wheeler of People Magazine, scraping his arm on the brick wall as she tried to block his path again.

She called after him, her heels striking the concrete like a volley of gunshots. He ignored her, jamming his key in the lock of the outer door and yanking it shut in her face behind him. Her gentle façade cracked, sharp words clear through the glass door in the lobby.

“I’m sure Ben Hettler will be happy to take our money for an exclusive. Don’t be a fool, Jason.”

He resisted the urge to give her the finger and took the stairs, breathing hard and struggling to control his anger as he ran up the steps two at a time. On the landing of the top floor, he leaned against the wall and breathed deeply.

It was true—if he agreed, he wouldn’t have to worry nearly so much about money or Maggie’s future. But at what cost? Trotting Maggie out in some dog and pony show, making her relive the terror she’d suffered with Harlan Brown for the prurient reading pleasure of America?

No, he wouldn’t do that to her. He wouldn’t make her a spectacle.

And there was no way Ben would ever agree to an interview either. Jason didn’t even have to wonder, the certainty as solid as the wall at his back. He’d trusted Ben with his and Maggie’s lives, and he trusted him now.

Missing Ben was a visceral pang. Had it only been a day and a half since he’d seen him? It felt like an eternity even though he imagined he could still smell the sweat and sex on Ben’s skin as they’d pressed together so close, before Jason had freaked out.

Pushing off the wall he gave his head a shake. Enough. He had to focus on Maggie. He realized he was clutching his keys so hard his palm was almost bleeding. He took another few breaths before going into the hallway.

“Hey, Jason. You guys are back.” Joe Morton, his middle-aged neighbor two doors down stood by the elevator. “How are you doing? How’s Maggie? We were really worried.”

“She’s good, thanks.”

“Glad to hear it. Good to have you home.” The elevator doors opened, and he stepped in, calling back, “Let me know if you need anything.”

“We’re fine, but thanks.”

They were home, and everything would go back to normal. Jason just wished he knew if “normal” was what they really needed.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

As the engine drone grew louder, Ben braced himself, pushing to his feet, his dad’s rocking chair creaking behind him. The old wood of the porch was starting to split, and he ran a bare toe along a crack. The whole cabin needed renovations, but he hadn’t mustered the enthusiasm necessary since he’d moved in after his life with Brad blew up.

A jeep rounded the bend, and he exhaled in relief at the sight of Dee’s vehicle. He was ready to get the shotgun out if reporters didn’t stop pestering. At least he could block numbers on his phone, although the reporter from People had called four times from different numbers. Ben had thought it a good thing that the cabin was close enough to the main road into Kalispell to get cell service, but now he missed the days when the cabin was cut off from the world.

Granted, he was checking his phone every five minutes to make sure Jason hadn’t called.

He hadn’t.

The longing was barbed and vicious, and Ben hoped it wouldn’t be too long before it faded into something manageable. It had only been three days, so he had to be patient, but he wished he could hibernate and wake up in the future where he didn’t miss Jason and Maggie with every beat of his useless heart.