Chapter Twenty-One
By the following Friday, Colt still couldn’t believe he hadn’t been sacked. The rumors continued to swirl, each day Carrie Jo reporting the latest gossip twist about his future. No one at SFPD knew Brian, though a few of them continued to reach out for intel. Colt didn’t delude himself into thinking that he was out of the woods. Firings tended to happen when you least expected them to.
As a distraction, he’d immersed himself in preparations for Delaney’s big fashion show. TJ thought the show would turn Garner Adventure into a Fortune 500 company, which made the rest of them mock him to no end. Needless to say, everyone was excited, most of all Delaney, whose creative streak had come back with a vengeance. Despite putting the finishing touches on her designs, orchestrating a large-scale production, and dealing with potential investors, she still made time for him. They spent every night together and had even taken a Sunday to go on another white-water outing. Fall had arrived and soon the snow would come, not leaving many days left for river rafting.
She hadn’t said anything about moving back to LA, but Colt wasn’t delusional enough to think she’d settle in Glory Junction or that their relationship was anything more than a fling—her rebound after Robert. At least this time he knew what to expect and braced himself for her departure, never letting himself get too attached. That way when the time came, he’d deal with it like a man, not an adrenaline junkie.
Carrie Jo stuck her head in his office, pulling him from his thoughts. “Benjamin Schuster is here.”
He could see fear in her eyes. Looked like the mayor had sent the city attorney to do his dirty work.
“I can tell him you’re busy, to come back later.”
Why put off the inevitable? “Send him in, Carrie Jo.”
“Fine. But I’m quitting in solidarity.”
“Don’t do that. Let’s get you another job first.”
While she left to get Ben, Colt sat stiffly, ready to go to his own execution. Jack came in and shut the door.
“Ben can wait a few minutes,” he said. Jack, a mostly jovial guy, breathed fire. “I just want you to know that you’re the best boss I’ve ever had and that this whole thing is bullshit. Pond is a jackass and come reelection he won’t have my vote. In fact, I’ll actively campaign against him for whoever is running.”
The words echoed Delaney’s, which made Colt feel good. “Don’t worry about me, Jack. Just take care of yourself. I’ll be fine. The department will be fine.” Though it felt as if he were giving his baby to someone else to raise.
Jack looked like he wanted to say more but thought better of it. “Drinks on me at Old Glory after work. I’ll cover you tonight so you can get shit-faced.”
“Thanks, Jack.”
As he left, Jack ushered Ben in, scowling at the poor city attorney, who was just the messenger.
“Hey, Ben, come on in.” Colt offered him a seat. “Carrie Jo get you something to drink?”
“I suspect that if I took a drink from Carrie Jo it would be poisoned. You have a loyal staff, Colt, which speaks volumes about your leadership.”
Enough with platitudes. Colt wished Ben would just do it already. Rip the Band-Aid off.
“What’s up, Ben?”
“I suppose you’ve heard the rumors.” Ben squirmed uncomfortably in his seat.
“What rumors?” Even though Ben was only doing his job, Colt didn’t want to make it too easy for him.
“You know what rumors. I’m not here to fire you, Colt. But it’s imminent; Pond wanted it done a week ago. I’m stalling him because there’s something going on that may save your job.”
Colt leaned forward in his chair. “Like what?”
“Something I’m not supposed to talk about, something I’ve been putting off telling you because it’s critical that this doesn’t leak out.” He had Colt’s full attention. “The city council has hired a forensic accountant to look at the mayor’s spending habits. It’s all very hush-hush, as you could imagine.”
Colt jerked his head in surprise. “Embezzlement?”
“Let’s just say some numbers don’t add up. Rita noticed the discrepancy. The woman might seem flighty with her nutty beef-cake calendars and her hundred and one projects, but she’s sharp as a tack—and she’s on your side.”
Colt had wondered. The council had been so quiet in the last few weeks, he’d thought that they’d sided with Pond. This explained a lot.
“Why didn’t you bring the police in?” he asked.
Ben leaned forward. “Given the fact that everyone in town knows Pond wants to fire you, the council thought it would be better to go with an objective outsider. But, Colt, we could be wrong about this. Pond may have an explanation for the inconsistencies.”
“What about this Fremont captain Pond wants to hire?”
“You know he used to do security for Pond’s company before he sold it?”
“The mayor said something about it. Why do you bring it up?” It wasn’t unusual for cops to moonlight.
“If you were stealing from the till, wouldn’t you want your own guy in the town’s top law-enforcement position?”
Colt hadn’t thought of it that way, probably because he wouldn’t protect anyone who was breaking the rules. “You think that’s what this is about?”
“I don’t know and I really shouldn’t be talking to you about any of this. I’m depending on you to keep it on the down low. Pond doesn’t know we’re looking at him and it would be better to keep it that way.”
“No problem. How are you stalling him from pulling the trigger on me?”
“I’ve told him that we have to take various legal steps to protect the city from getting sued, which isn’t altogether a lie.”
Colt nodded. “Okay. Thanks for giving me a heads-up.”
“I’ll let you know where we’re at when the dust clears.” Ben got up, shook Colt’s hand, and headed out.
Colt found Jack and a half dozen of his men and women gathered around Carrie Jo’s desk, gazing at him with troubled faces.
“Someone die?” he asked.
Carrie Jo was the first to speak. “What happened?”
“I still have a job ... at least for now ... so you can all go back to work.” Damn, he loved these people.
Carrie Jo launched herself at him with a big hug. “Thank the sweet baby Jesus. I’m still paying off my Nordstrom card.”
Colt gave her a squeeze, knowing she would’ve quit on his behalf. Jack grinned and there was a lot of back slapping. He didn’t have the heart to tell them that it wasn’t over yet. That if Pond came up clean, Colt would be out of there faster than a bullet train.
That evening he went over to Garner Adventure. His brothers, Delaney, Hannah, and Deb were gathered around the stage and catwalk they’d finally finished building in the center of the gym. Instead of covering the rock-climbing wall, Delaney wanted it as a backdrop, assuring everyone that with the proper lighting and special effects it would create a mood.
He didn’t see it, but assumed she knew what she was talking about. He brushed her waist with his hands, hoping to appear casual. Despite keeping their relationship—or whatever you called it—private, he itched to touch her. Get her in a corner and kiss her blind.
She smiled up at him. “How was your day?”
He wanted to tell them what he’d learned from Ben but couldn’t break his promise. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt the investigation.
“I wasn’t fired, so there’s that.”
“I bet Dad knows a guy who could take care of Pond Scum.” TJ made a gun with his fingers and pretended to shoot it.
“Not funny,” Colt said.
But Josh thought it was and started to laugh. So did Win.
“Enough.” Colt slugged Win in the arm because he was closest. “I’m the police chief. You shouldn’t be saying shit like that, even in jest.”
Someone rang the bell. Darcy must’ve locked the doors on her way out for the evening.
“That’s Boden with the food.” TJ crossed the room and let him in. Boden had some kind of catering cart filled with takeout. “Nice! Where’d you get that?”
“I’ve had it and never use it. Figured it would come in handy tonight.”
Boden started unloading to-go boxes. “Dig in, everyone.”
Colt grabbed a turkey burger for Delaney. If anyone noticed, they didn’t say anything. He took a steak sandwich for himself and sat next to her on one of the lobby couches.
“Who’s watching the bar?” he asked Boden between bites.
“I’ve got people.” Boden sat next to Deb.
Colt looked over at Win to see if he’d noticed, but his brother was in his own little world. If he continued to move this slow, Deb was going to fall in love with someone else. Boden wouldn’t be a bad choice. Despite his outlaw shtick, he was solid as they come.
They ate and afterward covered the catwalk with some kind of wet-looking vinyl tiles that Delaney had gotten. She’d insisted on hiring a company that specialized in building runways, but he and his brothers had balked at the idea. Their venue, their stage. The chairs were being delivered on Monday. And the special effects people were going to project ski slopes behind the catwalk. Colt had never been to a fashion show but this seemed like a pretty elaborate setup. Delaney appeared pleased with it, because every time he looked up from what he was doing she beamed at him. Her smiles turned him upside down. Everything about her did, and that scared the ever-loving shit out of him.
* * *
On the day of the fashion show, Delaney wouldn’t let go of Colt’s hand. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this nervous.
“It’s gonna be a big success,” he told her, squeezing her gently. “Try to relax and enjoy everything you’ve accomplished.”
“I have to go back there now and make sure the models are dressed. Where are you sitting?”
He maneuvered her behind one of the big curtains that hung from the ceiling to separate the audience from the backstage area and then drew her into a hidden corner. People were frantically running between the stage and GA’s offices, which had been turned into dressing rooms.
“I’ll sit wherever you want me to.” He kissed her as the ensuing chaos swirled around them, and her worries temporarily melted away. It was just Colt and his big, broad shoulders, bolstering her, making her feel buoyant, even though only a moment ago she felt the weight of the evening pulling her under, like a drowning woman.
“In the front, so I can see you. Okay?”
“Okay.” He lifted her chin. “You’ve got this. You’re Delaney Scott. This is nothing, a walk in the park.”
Right? The top fashion writers in the country were here. As soon as word had gotten out that she was unveiling three new collections—in a small resort town in the Sierra no less—the fashion world went on overdrive. London Fashion Week hadn’t gone well for Olivia and the Delaney Scott brand. The critics called her ready-to-wear line tired and uninspired and her couture collection immature. There were a lot of comparisons to Delaney’s past designs and how Olivia wasn’t doing the house justice. The fashion press was a mercurial lot and could just as easily turn on Delaney as it had on Olivia. The worst part was she didn’t even have a name for her new label yet. One of the fashion magazines had quipped that she was the artist formerly known as Delaney Scott. Surreal that she could no longer use her own name. But no way was she rushing in to adopt another one without a lot of thought.
Her marketing folks said not to worry about it. That by waiting, they’d get a second wave of press as soon as they announced the new name. In the meantime, they were just calling everything DS, which in her mind sounded too much like DK, Donna Karan. And knowing Robert, he’d probably drag her back to court.
“What if the investors don’t like it?”
“How can they not? You’re awesome, baby.”
She smiled and hugged him tight. “Thank you. I . . . you’re the best.”
“Go do what you’ve got to do. If you need me, I’ll be up front.” He’d worn a pair of Colt Cargos and looked so fine in them her knees went weak.
She ran off to see what bedlam she’d find in the dressing rooms, bumping into Foster on the way. He’d done the arrangements for the event. Huge vases of tree branches and an assortment of white, green, and red flowers that Delaney didn’t even know the names of. In Los Angeles, the florist would make a fortune; he was that good.
“One of the models is having a hissy fit. You may want to avoid her right now.”
“Oh, Jesus.” She took off at a run, ready to give her standard pep talk, which consisted of a lot of brown nosing, a promise of an extra grape with dinner, and finally: “If you screw up my show, you’ll never work again.”
By the time she got to the dressing room, the problem had been quelled. But one of the other models needed to be pinned. Her ski pants—a size zero—gapped at the waist. Delaney plucked a handful of straight pins from the cushion around her wrist and with a few strategic tacks, the pants fit like a second skin.
A dresser rushed in, trying to compensate for her carelessness. “Let me help with that, Ms. Scott.”
“No worries. I’ve got it.” Delaney looked up at the model. “Just don’t breathe.”
Surprisingly, everything else appeared quite organized. She credited it to her efficient staff, who’d been doing fashion shows with her since her internship at Marc Jacobs. As anxious as she was, being backstage before a runway show with the hiss of hairspray, the smell of cosmetics, and the hum of blow dryers was as familiar to her as the glamorous lifestyle Colt shunned. Yet, here he was. Cheering her on, knowing full well that the show’s success would reopen the doors to her old world. A world he wanted no part of. Still, her happiness and victory was of paramount importance to him.
The knowledge of that stirred something in her chest, and that’s when she knew. She loved him. Not like she had loved Robert, which had been more about mutual respect and building a business than it had been about passion and selflessness. This was different. This filled her heart to bursting.
“How we doing?” Karen came in, pushing past models in various stages of undress, carrying a clipboard, and wearing a headset to communicate with the stage manager.
“Okay, I think.” Delaney took a deep breath. “Lots of big money here tonight.” She wasn’t sure if it was the press that had gotten them here or the opportunity of a working weekend in one of the most charming towns in California, but she’d take it.
“Good. That’s what this is about. Everything looks great, Delaney. The shows going to be a big success.”
“I hope so.” Out of the side of one eye, she noted one of the dressers struggling with the zippers for the crampons on a pair of cargos. “Not like that, like this.” She demonstrated.
TJ knocked on the door. “Everything okay in there?”
“We’re good,” Delaney called back. “Five minutes to show time.”
“I’m gonna take a seat, then. Break a leg. Are you supposed to say that for fashion shows?”
She opened the door just wide enough to wedge her face through. “Sure. Why not? Keep your fingers crossed that this goes off without a hitch.” Which would be a miracle, since there was always a hitch.
“Will do,” he said, and headed to his chair.
“So all those Garner brothers are single?” Karen asked, staring over Delaney’s shoulder to get a peek at TJ’s ass.
“Josh is married and Colt ... he’s spoken for.”
“But TJ—and what’s the youngest one’s name?—single?”
“Win. Yep, single.”
“I’m getting a place in Glory Junction,” Karen said.
The Garner brothers were certainly eye candy and enough to entice even a hard-core city woman to move to Timbuktu. At least on the weekends.
“Let’s roll,” Delaney announced, and left the dressing room, only to encounter several reporters and photographers milling around the hallway. A few flashes went off and Delaney immediately slipped into her game face. Big smile, lots of feigned confidence.
“Thanks, Ms. Scott.”
“You’re welcome, Todd. You all get some food?” She’d had Rachel from Tart Me Up set up a feast in one of the back rooms. Lord knew the models wouldn’t eat any of it, just copious amounts of Diet Coke.
A few members of the media nodded and a reporter she recognized from Vogue asked, “Will you be available for interviews after the show?”
“Of course.” She glanced at her watch. “Time to move out.”
Karen relayed the message to the male models’ dressing room on her headset. They were starting the show with the adventure line and ending with the couture collection. Delaney followed Karen to the back of the stage where the models began to line up. They’d be able to stay there and watch the show on short-circuit TV while tending to any mishaps, including wardrobe malfunctions.
The director motioned for the lights to go down, except for a single dramatic spotlight that shined on the first model. Delaney could hear a hush fall over the crowd. Then the music went on and shards of colored light strobed across the stage. Pictures of ski slopes, mountains, rivers, and lakes flashed in the background. Even from the back, Delaney could feel the energy in the room. Granted, she’d packed the audience with locals who probably had never been to a high-end fashion show like this. Still, the mood was electrifying. She couldn’t see Colt in the audience; the cameras focused on stage. She wished she could see the expression on his face. He’d been so instrumental in the line and helping her reclaim her creativity. In a lot of ways, he’d had more faith in her design ability than she’d had in herself.
“We’re moving into the ready-to-wear,” Karen whispered in her ear, and suddenly the music switched from Townes Van Zandt’s “My Proud Mountains” to Rascal Flatts’s “She’d Be California,” signaling the change in program.
“What do you think so far?” she whispered back.
Karen peeked behind the curtain, which Delaney had been too anxious to do. “I think we’ve got a hit.”
They just had to make it through the rest of the show without any snafus. Of course, the press would have the final word. If they liked what they saw—fingers crossed—the money would come pouring in. The next ten minutes went so fast Delaney forgot to breathe. By the time her couture collection strutted up and down the runway, she was ready to hyperventilate. Next thing she knew she was hoisted up on stage to take her bow to a standing ovation. Someone whistled and she looked down to see Colt smiling up at her. His face was so reassuring, so proud, that she considered doing a swan dive right into his arms.
After the lights went on she was inundated by reporters and then VIPs who’d been flown in for the show, losing track of Colt, though her eyes constantly searched for him. It wasn’t until the after-party that she saw him again. The entire Garner clan came and she immediately reached for Colt’s hand, forgetting herself. He took it, raised her knuckles to his lips, and kissed them.
“You killed it!”
Her heart soared because she really had, and because it was the first time all day she’d had time to spend with him. “I missed you,” and I love you, she almost started to say.
“Yeah?” He scanned the room and found his family shamelessly staring. “We have an audience.”
“Is that so terrible? Don’t you think it’s time to take us public?”
“I’m going to get us something to eat,” he said, and dropped her hand.
Apparently that was as big a commitment as she was going to get. A plate of food from the buffet line. Why couldn’t he trust her? Instead of letting it ruin her night, Delaney decided that she’d give him time to see that she wasn’t Lisa. That they could have something together, even with her design career.
She planned to talk to him about it when they got home. But that never happened. Her lawyer had been trying to get a hold of her all day with a dire message. The ruling had come in and she needed to do damage control.