Chapter 20: The Bill

"No," I said.

Jared blinked at me.

"I haven't even said the amount. It's a loan. I'll pay you back with interest."

"You've said the amount."

"Mel, it's me."

"I know who it is."

I looked at the man I had planned to marry.

His shirt was untucked, and his hands were still held out in front of him.

"You drove me to a trail," I said. "You took my water."

"You knew I fainted from heat when I was fourteen."

"It was Shea's idea."

"You drove the car."

His mouth worked.

"I'll tell you what you can have," I said. "The gray dress. It's in a bag in the garden suite."

"It's the only thing you ever gave me, and I'm leaving it behind."

"You're enjoying this."

"No. I'd have liked it to be a joke."

His face twisted, and the fear went out of it and the old smoothness came back.

"You think that man is going to want you?" he said, low and quick.

"A teacher with no money and a bad reputation? Come on, babe. Come back to me."

"I'm the only one who knows what you're like."

He took hold of my wrist.

"Let go of her," Wyatt said.

I hadn't heard him come across the gravel.

He stood a step behind me, and his voice was quiet.

Jared let go.

"Hey, Ranger," he said, and put up both palms. "Just talking."

"Talk from there."

"It's a free country."

"It's a county lot," Wyatt said. "The sheriff's office is twenty minutes down the road, and I have everything from the trailhead camera."

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