West of Forever (Heartstone Ranch #1)(79)

At least that better be what happens. There is no way that there’s any actual proof that I’ve done anything to the Gatlins, because I’m not actually doing anything. I just have to keep remembering that all of this is baseless accusations.

“Look, I’ve been doing my best to keep this from escalating, but you’re not fucking helping here,” Jimmy says with an exasperated sigh. “I can’t turn a blind eye because you’re my best friend.”

“Well, I’m not asking you to, but I am asking you to believe me when I say I’m not doing anything to their ranch.”

“Tristan, there’s fucking proof!”

“What proof?” I ask, knowing whatever the hell he’s got is a lie.

He hands me his phone, pulling up a video. “This was at four this morning.”

I push play and there I am, on the horse, riding through the field from Lark’s barn, heading toward my property.

“Okay…”

“And this,” he continues.

There I am outside the barn, closing it up.

Fuck, this was from this morning. After she was so upset, I didn’t feel right leaving her. I just…wanted to make sure she got in okay. So I took a chance—a stupid one—and rode with her back to her barn, closed everything up, and then headed home.

How the fuck do I explain this without exposing the two of us?

“It’s not what it looks like.”

He laughs. “It doesn’t look like you were trespassing on the Gatlins’ ranch at four in the morning? Were you lost? Maybe you hit your head and thought it was your property? Drunk? Please tell me which of those it was so I can convince them that it wasn’t you who let the horses out of the stalls this morning.”

“I would never,” I say quickly.

Jimmy shakes his head. “I really am trying to protect you. To protect Sadie and everyone else in this town, but this is fucking video proof, Tris! Like, how do you want me to dispute this?”

I can’t tell him. I can’t fucking tell him why.

It would cause more issues for Lark than either of us is prepared for. Not to mention, after the unhinged shit that Fallon said, it might start another war, and Lark would be at the epicenter.

I won’t do it to her.

Not after everything that happened last night. The things she said, the way she feels around her family.

“You can’t,” I say simply.

He blinks. “I’m sorry, what?”

“You can’t dispute it.”

Jimmy stares at me, wide eyes and jaw slack before recovering. “You’re admitting to doing it?”

“No.”

“Okay, Tristan, give me something to work with here. You didn’t go to the Gatlins’ barn and remove all the horses from the stalls?”

“I didn’t.”

“Okay, but you just said you can’t dispute that you were there.”

“That’s right.”

I’m going to stick to the facts and the facts only. I’m not going to admit to what I was doing there.

They have whatever proof they want, and her brothers must’ve watched that recording. They either missed the fact that Lark was there, or the camera didn’t catch her.

I can only hope for that much.

Jimmy runs his hand over his face. “You’re killing me here.”

“I’m not, but I can see where this might frustrate you.”

“Do you want me to arrest you?”

“Of course not,” I say quickly. “I also know that if you do, you’re just doing your job until you uncover the evidence to exonerate me.”

He huffs loudly. “Bro, you’re not going to jail for murder, but this is fucking stupid. You know that? Do you have something that can prove you didn’t do it?”

I shrug.

I do, but I’m not going to tell him.

“Give me something,” he pleads.

“I wish I could.” I put my arms out. “Arrest me if you have to.”

“No, this…I can’t do it. Why are you being so damn difficult?”

I’m done with this conversation. While this is absolutely not the way I planned to have my day go, I’m not going to tell him something that will cause more issues. I’ll go to jail, get my charges, pay the bail, and be home by dinner.

Then I’ll figure out a way to get out of this mess.

“Because I’m a difficult man, Jimmy. Like I said, I’ll go willingly. Can I get bail?”

“You can’t be serious. I know you didn’t do this. I know there’s some logical explanation for this video.”

“I’m sure there is too.”

“You fucking know what it is!” he exclaims.

“I do.”

“You really want me to do this? To arrest you in front of the house? Truly?”

“No, but there is no option. I just ask you one favor,” I say.

Jimmy eyes me warily. “What’s that?”

“Don’t tell anyone about the recording. Not my family, not Sadie. No one. Just pretend it doesn’t exist, okay?”

He shakes his head. “This is…insane, Tristan. You can’t actually think this is the best thing.”

“Will you keep it between us?”