CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

J ENNY WAS WORKING BEHIND THE BAR WHEN S UMMER WALKED IN . S HE was wearing a black turtleneck and black slacks, which set off the pale color of her hair. She hurried toward Jenny and climbed up on a barstool on the opposite side.

"I heard about the shooting," Summer said. "Everyone in town is talking about it. Is Cain all right? What happened?"

"Word travels fast," Jenny said as she dried a shot glass.

"One of the paramedics has a sister who lives up here," Summer explained. "He told a friend, who told a friend, and well . . . you know how it goes. He's okay, then?"

"He was shot while we were horseback riding on his ranch. It was terrifying. I thought the guy was going to kill us both."

"Oh, my God, I didn't realize you were also in danger."

"Cain lost a lot of blood. They did surgery to repair the muscles and tendons and close up the wound. But he's back at the Grandview now. I hope he's resting, but with Cain, it's not a good bet." She smiled, hoping to hide her worry. "You want a Diet Coke or something?"

"Sounds good."

Jenny filled a glass with ice, poured in the cola, and set it on the bar.

Summer took a sip. "I'm glad Cain's all right. Have they caught the man who shot him?"

"Not yet. No idea who did it." Jenny prayed it wasn't Ryder Vance. The idea of her being responsible for nearly getting Cain killed made her physically ill.

Jenny sighed. "Cain's coming so close to death made me realize how much I care about him."

Summer's head came up. "You aren't falling in love with him?"

"I'm trying to convince myself I'm not."

Summer smiled. "How's that working out?"

"Not too well so far." She moved down the bar to wait on a couple of guys who had just climbed up on a stool. She drew them each a beer, then returned to Summer.

"So how about you? How did your date go with Dylan?"

Color crept into Summer's cheeks. "He's just . . . It was a wonderful two days."

"Two days? I thought he was only staying in town the night of the party."

"We . . . umm . . . spent that night in a room upstairs, then drove up to Sedona the next day. We had such a good time, Dylan decided to stay another night."

"And the extra night included you."

Summer nodded. "It felt so right being with him." She took a sip of her Coke. "But, in a way, I wish I hadn't slept with him. I've always had a crush on your brother. Now I know he's exactly the guy I thought he was. I'm half in love with him already, and I have no idea what he feels for me."

Jenny reached across the bar and squeezed Summer's hand. "He stayed with you an extra night. That's a good sign."

"I guess." Summer's blue eyes filled. "I'm going to be miserable if he doesn't call me again."

Jenny's stomach tightened. "I know what you mean." She thought of the way she'd felt last week when Cain hadn't called. Everything inside her had ached. Maybe Cain had been right in leaving for Scottsdale, trying to slow things down. That week had given her a glimpse of how she was going to feel if things didn't work out between them.

Only it was going to be much, much worse.

She should pull back, give herself some room, try to protect her heart.

But the sad truth was, it was too late.

Summer left to return to the Butterfly Boutique. Molly filled in while Jenny took a break. She hadn't had time to check with Heather, make sure everything in the hotel was running smoothly.

Heather was at work behind the front desk. She looked up, tucking a strand of pink-streaked dark hair behind her ear as Jenny approached.

"I didn't see any messages on my phone while I was gone, so I guess everything's okay," Jenny said.

"We had a busy night," Heather said. "I heard about Cain. They said someone shot him. Is he going to be okay?"

"He's out of the hospital and mending." She wondered how many more times she would have to tell the story. "He's strong as a bull, so he should be all right. How's everything here?"

"The only interesting thing that happened was the couple in room eight—the Johnsons? When they checked out this morning, they claimed they saw the transparent figure of a man walking down the hallway last night. He was dressed in old-fashioned clothes, a vest and a bowler hat. Scared them half to death. They said they wouldn't be back."

Jenny's heart sank. Dear God, things in the new section weren't bad enough with a murder in room 10? Now there were spirits in the hallway.

"I thought people came to Jerome specifically to see ghosts," she said.

"Not everyone. Most people come here to get out of the city, to shop, and visit the restaurants."

She knew that. People said they wanted to see spirits, but she knew from personal experience, it wasn't always fun.

"The Johnsons stayed in room eight," Heather said. "That's in the new section. Seems like everything bad that's happened has been in that part of the hotel."

Jenny thought of Uncle Charlie's words. Odd things happen in the rooms in that section. Dangerous things. She should close those rooms off, just as her uncle had done, but if she did, the hotel wouldn't make enough money to repay the loan she'd taken out for the remodel.

"I'm afraid to ask if there was anything else," Jenny said.

"No, that's it. We're completely booked for Halloween—except for room ten, which you said to leave empty. Every place in town is sold out."

"I ordered extra supplies for the kitchen and restocked the bar. The saloon will be packed. Everybody's working that night. We do this every year, so we should be able to handle it."

"I'll stay until all the guests are settled in their rooms, then come in early the next morning for checkout."

"Thanks, Heather. I know I can always count on you."

Heather smiled appreciatively. As an employer, Jenny did her best to take care of her staff. She had no trouble hiring people. It was paying them that was a problem. For now, she would keep the new section open.

When she returned to the bar, she saw Cain sitting at a table in the corner, going over a stack of files. He had removed his sling, much to her chagrin. Damn, the man was stubborn.

She continued setting things up for the big crowd on Halloween. Troy and Barb would both be bartending. Tim and both part-time servers would also be there, while Myrna worked in the kitchen. Jenny's job was to keep things running smoothly and fill in wherever she was needed.

She prayed there would be no new calamities tomorrow night.

* * *

Cain took some work he wanted to review and sat at a table in the saloon until Jenny was able to leave that night. After closing, she stayed with him at the Grandview, but left the following morning. She had a lot to do to prepare for the biggest night of the year.

Ignoring her protests, Cain accompanied her again that morning. A meeting with Will Price, the bodyguard he had hired, was scheduled for eleven a.m. at the saloon. Price shoved through the batwing doors at exactly one minute before.

Cain rose, and Price walked toward him, forty years old, a touch of silver in his hair. He had a lean, hard-muscled body, and the bulge beneath the leather jacket he wore with a pair of dark blue jeans said he was armed.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Barrett," Will said, extending a hand.

"It's just Cain." He accepted the handshake, and they talked for a while. The conversation was easy, no pressure. Cain was impressed by the man's no-nonsense attitude and the homework Will had done on Ryder Vance.

"You're sure you'll be able to spot him?" Cain asked.

"I've read his file, studied his mug shots—more than one. I've got his picture on my cell phone. He comes in, I'll spot him."

"The problem is everybody is going to be in costume. No way you can tell one person from another."

"I'm aware. I intend to keep a close eye on your lady. Anyone who gives her any trouble is going down."

"Good. That makes two of us. I'll be sticking to her like gum on the bottom of my shoe. Unfortunately, if Ryder shows up with his friends, you'll be up against more than just one man."

"That where you come in?"

Cain nodded. "Or the other way around. The two of us should be able to handle whatever comes up." He wished his damned arm was a little more functional, but life happened.

"I'll introduce you to Jenny."

Jenny was in the kitchen, working with the cook. All the employees were in costume today, the bar already full. But the crowd was a drop in the bucket compared to the horde that would be descending on the town that night.

He stood up and waved, and Jenny walked over. She was wearing her boots, black jeans, and a black T-shirt that said MEOW on the front. She had drawn whiskers and a small black nose on her face. The black band across her head had two fuzzy little cat ears sticking up.

Cain grinned. She looked so damned cute, he fought an urge to haul her upstairs and finish what they hadn't had time to start that morning.

At the grin on his face, Jenny flashed him a look and set a hand on her hip. "It's Halloween, remember? I wear this every year. It's easy to work in, but it's still a costume."

"I love it. I just hope you'll wear it for me when we're alone."

She laughed.

"Jenny, meet Will Price. He's going to keep an eye on things this afternoon and tonight."

"Hello, Will. Nice to meet you." They shook hands.

"I realize you're going to be busy," Will said. "I'll do my best to stay out of your way, but I won't go far, and I'll be watching you. If I miss something and you need me, just raise your hand."

"With the two of us here," Cain said, "you should be safe enough."

"I'm sure I will be."

But Cain was far less certain.