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“Oh, can I ever.” She got out of the truck, waiting for him to join her. Together, they walked back toward the house. When he took her hand, interlacing his fingers with hers, warmth blossomed inside her. Right before they reached the front porch, she turned to face him. “Good luck with Micheline.”
“Thanks. I might even go look for her tonight.”
* * *
As it turned out, Jake didn’t have to go through all of the trouble of badgering Micheline for a meeting. She appeared at his door moments after he got in himself. Good. After meeting his family and seeing the ranch, he now understood what all she’d taken from him. At least Payne had survived. Jake felt bad enough that he’d lost the opportunity to meet his late mother. He was grateful he’d have the chance to get to know his father.
Now, he braced himself for the confrontation about to come. At least she knocked this time.
“Micheline?” He didn’t have to pretend to be surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been waiting for you to come back,” she said. “A little birdie told me you paid a visit to the Rattlesnake Ridge Ranch.”
Which meant she must have already spoken to Fiona across the hall. “I did,” he replied. “I can’t believe that all of that could have been mine. My little ranch is nothing compared to that spread.” He glared at her, keeping his expression hard. “You owe it to me to help me figure out a way to get part of that place. They view me
as an outsider and likely always will. Since you switched me with Ace forty years ago, it’s on you to make sure I’m not cheated out of what’s rightfully mine.”
Mouth slightly agape, she stared at him. “How do you suggest I do that?”
Instead of answering, he crossed his arms.
She crossed the room, going to his small window and pushing aside the curtains. “I may have an idea or two,” she said thoughtfully. “But as I’m sure you’ve already guessed, I’ll want a cut.”
“A cut?” This was the tricky part. “Why would I give you anything? You’re the one who basically ruined my life.”
“If you want my help, you’ve got to be willing to pay,” she snapped. Then, softening her tone, she continued. “Look, I’m pretty sure there’s a way we can work together, but it’s got to be mutually beneficial.”
Boom. Slowly, he nodded, though he kept his jaw tight. “I’m listening.”
She began to pace back and forth, making the short distance in a few strides, as if standing at the front of one of her packed lecture halls. “You have something of value now, Jake. Yourself. You’re one of them, a Colton. They don’t want to lose you again. We just need to figure out a way to make them understand they owe you. All those years when they were raising someone else’s child...” She stopped, gazing off into the distance, her eyes slightly unfocused.
It took an effort, but Jake managed to refrain from shaking his head. An act. He’d seen her play this one before. Maybe her persona had become so ingrained in her, she couldn’t help but carry on with her role-playing. She probably no longer remembered how to be honest or human. “You know some guy tried to pass himself off as the baby who was switched.”
“I heard. Payne Colton mentioned him. Jace Smith.”
“Yeah. He thought he could pull his own con. Little did he know that I was Luella Smith.”
“That’s your real name?” He couldn’t help but gape.
“Micheline Anderson is who I am.” She shrugged, the movement both elegant and weirdly frenetic. “He went away finally. I’m sure the Coltons must have asked for a DNA test.”
“I’ve been waiting for them to ask me to take one,” he said.
“Go ahead and take it. I guarantee it will confirm you are a Colton. I should know.”
“I will. The sooner I can prove my identity beyond a shadow of a doubt, the quicker I can get what I deserve.”
Too much? Conscious of holding his breath, he forced himself to exhale. Meanwhile, Micheline watched him with narrowed eyes and flat expression.
“Let me think about it,” she finally said. “Once I devise a workable plan, I’ll let you know.”
Which meant she hadn’t fallen for it. She didn’t believe him. Maybe she knew him better than he gave her credit for.
He dipped his chin. About to tell her it sounded good, he reconsidered. “I thought you already had some sort of plan,” he said.
Her blank stare didn’t fool him. “Why would you think that?”
“I don’t. Maybe because you so badly wanted me to stick around for a while. I knew there had to be a reason.”
