So Tough to Tame (Jackson Hole 3)

“That’s not a concern. This is Wyoming! It’s held at a big ranch every year. In the barn. Just wear your best jeans. There will be plenty of fur coats there, of course, but no evening gowns, I promise.”

He couldn’t be asking her out on a date, could he? Not with all of Jackson society in attendance. But Dawn’s paranoia had gotten under Charlie’s skin.

“Tonight? I’d have to check my schedule. Maybe I could meet you there?”

“Sure. If you can let me know in the next hour, that would help. I bought six tickets. Two for me and Dawn, of course, and four for others in management. I’d like a strong presence from the resort, just to be sure people are aware that we’re on the scene.”

“Oh! Yes, of course I can go. Anything for the resort.”

“Perfect. I’ll drop off a ticket at your office.”

She felt so relieved she almost didn’t notice the way his eyes tracked down her body as he left. But she was half-dressed and damp. It was a normal guy reaction. It didn’t mean anything.

She’d completely convinced herself of that after another quarter mile on the treadmill when the door to the room burst open again. Even with her earbuds in, Charlie jumped and vaulted off the machine.

It wasn’t an attacker, though. Or not a dangerous one, at least. It was Dawn, eyes blazing and teeth bared. Her gaze speared every corner of the room before her grimace settled into a frown.

“What’s wrong?” Charlie panted.

Dawn shook her head and looked around the room again. “I thought...”

Charlie wiped her forehead. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”

“Sorry. I just thought someone else was in here.”

“Who?”

“No one,” Dawn answered dismissively. “It’s nothing.”

Charlie raised a doubtful eyebrow.

“Are you going to be ready at nine? You’re supposed to give me another lesson on the surveillance equipment.”

“Yes,” she said flatly as Dawn turned her back on her and rushed out.

Charlie knew exactly who Dawn had been expecting to find in here. Her husband. She’d spied Charlie on one of the hallway cameras, and then she’d seen Keith going into the workout room a little while later, and she’d thought... What? That she’d catch them having sex on a weight bench?

The woman was delusional.

But Charlie suddenly felt more excited about tonight. A society party would be the perfect place to gather information, to urge people to repeat rumors over bubbling glasses of champagne. Parties made people talk. They wanted to be naughty. Charlie just had to give them the opportunity.

Afraid to take one more step on the treadmill, Charlie gathered her things and headed to her studio, now that she finally had a use for it.

The place felt empty when she let herself in. Dead. Dust motes danced on the sunbeams that snuck through the blinds. She was alone. She knew she was. But goose bumps trailed over her skin as if a cold finger had traced down her back.

A home was a place of safety. A refuge from the uncertainties and danger and heartbreak of the outside world. It was meant to give shelter in every way. But this place sheltered her from nothing. It didn’t even provide the most basic level of privacy. She circled the room slowly, looking for evidence that anyone else had entered, but she hadn’t left carefully enough. She couldn’t remember if that lamp had been moved or if she’d shifted it when she’d packed up so quickly. Her bed was only half-made, but that was normal. Everything looked normal. But she still took her clothes into the bathroom to change there.

The hot shower was a relief after that tense run, and truth be told, the showerhead here was about ten times better than the one at the Stud Farm, but even the oscillating showerhead couldn’t wash all her worries away. She was still a tight bundle of nerves half an hour later when she stepped out of her studio and started for the stairs, but when she looked down the hall, she spotted a familiar figure turning to head down another hallway.

What the hell? Had that been her brother? Why would he be here?

Charlie let the stairway door close and stared down the hallway where Brad had disappeared. Was it possible he’d come to apologize?

She felt immediately guilty for the way she’d left the night before. She’d lost her temper. She’d said some cruel things. She’d stolen a salad.

“Shit,” she muttered. If he wanted to apologize, she’d say sorry, too. She put her shoulders back and set off to find him.

The short hallway he’d headed down was empty, so Charlie followed it past the service elevators to a longer corridor beyond. This one was dotted with beautiful tables that would soon hold fresh flowers. She knew this hallway. The Taggerts’ offices were here. Maybe Brad had only asked to be pointed in the direction of management offices.