Colton Cowboy Jeopardy (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

Regina lowered the gun slightly, her mouth agape. “I can’t decide if you’re too stupid or too brave. If I’m so terrible, you should damn well cooperate with me.”

“Never.” Mia held her ground. “You’ve done enough damage to this family.”

“You selfish tramp!” Regina screamed. Her lips twisted into a grotesque snarl. “After everything I’ve put up with since marrying Norton. You have no power here. No room to negotiate.”

She stalked across th

e room, the gun a very real threat between them. “You always do everything Daddy says. I know you brought that video with you. Along with anything else you think will turn him against me.”

Mia took brief comfort in Regina’s use of present tense when speaking about Norton. Maybe he was still alive.

Her comfort shifted to alarm as Regina stalked closer and, using the threat of the gun, forced her out of the foyer toward the front room, shoving her to the floor. The car seat landed with a thump and Mia sheltered Silas as best she could.

Grabbing Mia’s purse, Regina stepped back, dumping out the contents. “Why do people hail mothers as saints?” she muttered. “This is a mess.” She snatched Mia’s phone and then glared into Mia’s face. “You are a mess. What is the code?”

Mia gave it to her. She’d used a new phone, one strictly for business when she’d caught Regina with another man at the country house. And, just as Regina assumed, she’d stored the incriminating video on the cloud. Two separate servers, in fact, with one copy in the hands of the police. She was tempted to tell Regina all of that, but she’d made enough mistakes today.

Regina swore when she didn’t find the video. “Where is it?”

“You have the wrong phone,” Mia said calmly.

Regina’s face contorted with rage. “I’ve always hated you. You’re nothing but a leech.”

Mia ignored the familiar rant, her mind on how to escape without jeopardizing Silas. “Give me that video and I’ll make sure Norton doesn’t mix up his medications again.”

“I don’t believe you,” Mia said. “I’m not handing anything over to you until I see my father.”

Regina cursed a blue streak. “Fine. I’ll indulge you one more time.” She gestured with the barrel of the gun. “The last time,” she added. “Go on upstairs and see him for yourself.”

Mia moved as slowly as she dared, not wanting to aggravate Regina any more than necessary, yet buying as much time as possible.

Surely, Jarvis had seen her text by now or picked up her message. Yes, he’d be furious that she’d fallen for Regina’s trap, but when she didn’t call, he’d follow up. He’d find her.

She had to believe in him. That faith was the only thing keeping her heart beating in her chest. Fear for Silas was a beast, clawing at her gut. She had to find a way to prove she wasn’t merely a spoiled brat and that Regina was the monster.

* * *

Jarvis’s shovel sliced into the earth and metal clanged hard against metal. The vibration ringing up his arms froze him in place. His breath stalled, trapped in his chest, until it exploded on an exhale.

“I’ll be damned.” Mia was right.

Of course she was. She’d thrown herself into his search, pulling strings and piecing together leads that he hadn’t considered. Maybe she should give up real estate for treasure hunting.

Dropping the shovel, he fell to his knees and scraped dirt away from the top of an old metal box. He eased the box from its resting place and stared at it as shock and potential rippled through his system. Pulling a bandanna from his back pocket, he poured water on the fabric and rubbed the top of the box clean. His heart pounded as the H.C. scratched into the surface was revealed. “Just like Isaiah said.”

His grandfather’s story flitted through his mind. “You weren’t crazy, Granddad.” And by default, Jarvis wasn’t, either.

Herman Colton had dug into this earth generations ago, and buried this box for his sons and their sons. Could there really be evidence inside that this massive, thriving enterprise belonged to Jarvis and his siblings now?

A chill ran through him and Jarvis sat down hard, suddenly afraid to open it. This could change everything. Or nothing. His sister and brother weren’t into the Triple R. Jarvis was currently the only cowboy in the immediate family.

He tried to imagine Asher’s face, hearing that Jarvis was the new owner. Jarvis didn’t want to be the boss. He couldn’t work this place any better than Asher. Hell, he wasn’t ready to take sole responsibility of an operation this size. He scrubbed at his face as hope and fear zinged through him in equal measure.

The contents, assuming they confirmed Isaiah’s story, would put the long-ignored Colton triplets on the map. A complete reversal of fortune. Their parents would have flipped out.

It was dumb to sit here wondering after investing so much time in the search. The answers were at his fingertips now. His hands shook as he reached for the lock and he pulled back. Mia should see this. She’d suggested this place, and finding the box was as much her victory as his.

If there were documents inside, it was probably better to open this in the presence of a lawyer. And somewhere other than outside under the bright sunshine, where the breeze might carry off something important.