Too Fast to Fall (Jackson Hole 1.10)

He watched carefully, giving Ellis—who’d miraculously had the good sense to stop ten feet away—one last glance before he shrugged. “All right. But I’ve already got your number, so I’ll call you. Tomorrow?”

“Yes. Please?” she added, one tiny concession to the wailing grief of her body.

His shoulders relaxed a little. “I’ll be in touch.” He paused just as he was turning away and aimed a quick glare toward Ellis. “Keep your phone out, okay? Call 911 if you get worried.”

“It’s fine!”

And it was fine. She wasn’t the least bit worried about Ellis as Nate walked to his truck and got in. He started the truck and backed out. Her only worry was that he wouldn’t call. And why would he?

She’d felt nothing but guilt about Ellis earlier, but now she was irritated at what he’d interrupted.

“I told you to go back to Idaho, Ellis!”

“I don’t have anything to go back to. I told you I lost my house to the bank.”

“I know, but those guys you’re hanging around are bad news. Jackson isn’t like your town. There’s money here. And people with money. You don’t know what they’re like. Kids who’ve spent their whole lives getting everything they wanted, and the so-called friends who want a piece of that.”

He shook his head like she was being silly. “It’s fine, Jenny. I’ve made some good friends, and I found a place to stay down in Hoback. I’m not crashing at Tex’s place anymore.”

She wanted to shake him. “You always get sucked into stuff, Ellis. Always.” Like marriage.

He rolled his eyes as if he’d heard her thought. “I’m not a kid anymore, Jennybug.”

Crossing her arms, she held her ground. “How did you lose your house?”

“I couldn’t pay the mortgage.”

“What mortgage? It was your mom’s. She left it to you free and clear.”

Ellis shifted and scratched his head, then rubbed his arms as if he’d just noticed the cold.

“I knew it,” she sighed.

“Look, it wasn’t some harebrained idea. The restaurant was a good opportunity and Chistopher knew exactly what he was doing! He just needed some start-up money. But then the recession hit, and…”

“Exactly. That’s why people don’t invest in restaurants. And yes—” She held up her hand to stop his next thought. “I’m sure Christopher is a great guy. Everyone’s a great guy as far as you’re concerned.”

“People are okay, Jenny. You don’t have to be so suspicious all the time.”

No, people were not okay. She wasn’t okay. Her parents weren’t okay. But she’d never get him to believe that. Hell, she’d left him after a few months of marriage, and here he was, telling her people were nice. “You said you needed a favor,” she sighed.

“I just need to store some stuff in your garage.” He blinked slowly. “If you have one, I mean.”

“What stuff?” she asked suspiciously.

“Landscaping stuff.”

“Landscaping?” she scoffed.

“Yeah. I’ve got a good thing started. All these rich people. The resorts. You know.”

“The resorts have their own gardeners,” she countered. “And in case you haven’t noticed, it’s winter.”

“I know! I’m on with a plowing company and working the contacts. Right now I’m acquiring a lot of supplies for spring and my van is jammed full of stuff. I need to get rid of some of it.”

“You said you had a place! Keep it there.”

“I’m at the Pineview Camp in Hoback. I have to walk to the bathroom. You think I have storage space? Just help me out. Please, Jenny?”