Page 81 of A Cowboy's Trust
Jake textedhis family and got them gathered around the table extra early in the hopes they’d be done with their conversation before Melissa showed up on the scene. Or before she sent Jeffrey out on his own.
He hadn’t messaged Jinx, but she wandered out of her room early, Dixie on her heels as usual. Jinx blinked hard as she took in the full table at not even seven a.m. and instantly made her way to Petra’s side. “Trouble?”
“Some, but we got it covered. Can you get yourself together fast enough to be a casual guard on the front porch for us? Until it’s time to catch the bus at least.”
“Of course.” The teen raced back to her room and reappeared before Petra and Tansy had finished bagging her lunch and organizing a handheld breakfast.
Jake poured everyone coffee, but no one seemed interested in anything but what he and Tansy had to say.
After sharing their suspicions with Declan, Kevin, Aiden, and Petra, the faces around the family table were the solemnest Jake had ever seen at High Water.
Once again, Tansy laid out her past, meeting everyone’s eyes steadily until the very end when she let out a shaky breath. “I don’t share this often. Talking about it often brings on nightmares and negative thoughts.”
“No one here will share your story,” Declan assured her in his deep, quiet way. “I’m sorry you had to face that as a kid.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m sorry as well, and if you ever do need to talk on a professional level, please ask.” Kevin paused. “I’ve heard of this a few times,” he admitted. “From individual crimes to the whole Oliver Twist gang.” He met Tansy’s gaze. “To get it out there, I feel as if your story has been used in a recent psych class—all names redacted, of course. But I think I read about you.”
Tansy sighed heavily but waved her hand. “It’s history, and as much as I hate it, if sharing my story in a textbook or class helps other kids be spotted before they’re as messed up as me, it’s worth it.”
“As messed up as youwere,” Petra offered quietly, her fingers squeezing around Tansy’s. “You are a strong, beautiful force of nature now.”
“Agreed.” Jake caught Tansy’s other hand. He met her gaze until she lifted her chin.
“You’re all a bunch of bossy McBossyPants.” Tansy wiggled her hands free. “Now that we’re done with my therapy session, what are we going to do about Jeffrey?”
“Can we call in the police and see if the missing jewelry is in Melissa’s possession?” Aiden asked.
“Chances are Melissa’s already sold them,” Jake said.
“This long after the fact, definitely sold. But even the day of, she wouldn’t usually keep it on her or in her room. Unless we catch Jeffrey in the act, which we won’t, there’ll be little evidence.” Tansy stared into space, face wiggling as she considered.
“We can phone the local pawn shops,” Petra suggested. “Maybe get back your sister’s things. Plus, proof that Melissa took them in to sell.”
“Possible, but she’s been all over the province these past weeks. It’d be like finding a needle in a haystack,” Aiden pointed out.
Jake wanted to pick Tansy up and protect her, but she’d insisted she wanted to be here, finding a solution. He spoke softly. “We need to confront Melissa.”
“With no evidence?” Declan frowned. “She’ll just deny it.”
“She will, but if she’s worried she might get caught, she’ll have to be more careful going forward, and that alone might make a difference.” Aiden turned the question to Tansy. “Or am I completely out in left field?”
“I really don’t know,” Tansy admitted. “I was only a kid when my aunt and uncle got caught, and no one ever shared the details.”
“It comes back to challenging Melissa with what we know and insisting she makes the right choices for Jeffrey.” Jake braced himself. “I think I need to do it.”
“By yourself?” Tansy shook her head.
Declan pulled a face then looked Jake straight in the eyes. “She’ll clam up completely if we all go in there, guns blazing. She might react better to just Jake.”
“I don’t like it,” Aiden tossed out. “She’s never been—” He broke off then winced slightly as he spoke to Jake. “She’s got your number, bro. The divorce might have been both of you not knowing how to get along. You might have been young. Whatever the reasons were, she still had you good and convinced it was your fault for a long time.”
“She did,” Jake admitted.
Aiden paused then shrugged. “I don’t want her to strike those nerves again. She’s going to lie, and she’s going to hit low. She’ll probably ask for money. We need to make sure you know what to say to every possible demand she throws at you.”
Including the one Jake was dreading the most. “Most likely she’ll simply hightail it out of here with Jeffrey. There’s nothing we can do to stop her.”
