Free Diamond in the Rough (Precious Gems) by A.A. King Page A

when she turned back, Jason was gone. 
                  The footsteps turned out to be Brian.  She’d been gone a while and hadn’t realized it.  She didn’t share his belief that Jason had killed her father but she also knew that she would never convince him that he didn’t.  When he did finally make an arrest, she wanted to make sure it would be the right person.  She was a good judge of character and just didn’t see Jason committing such a heartless act although she had admitted to herself that she didn’t know him well enough to make that judgment unilaterally.  Of course she knew that there was room for error in her judgment but her gut told her that she was right.  Confusion sat in when she began to contemplate what she could do to help Jason.  Cheyenne had only just arrived on the scene.  Not knowing the people involved nor her father would prove to make his request difficult to say the least.
                  “Cheyenne, I heard voices when I walked up, who were you talking to?” Brian asked, already knowing the answer.  She paused for a moment before blurting out the truth, “It was Jason.  He said that he needed my help to prove his innocence.”
    Brian stood, stone faced in front of her for what felt like an eternity but soon he started to grow red with anger.
    “There are a few things you need to know about Jason Turner.  Cheyenne, I interviewed him a few days ago.  As convinced as you are of his innocence, I am equally as convinced of his guilt.  You think that he is some sort of a gentleman and I know for a fact that he is not. He bragged to me about having sex with you in the stable on the day of your father’s will reading.”
    “What!!!” Cheyenne exclaimed, furious.  “He has n’t had sex with me.  He held me when I cried and I view that as just one person comforting another.  I’m not cheap enough to have sex with someone after just meeting them.  Have I rolled in the hay with you?  NO!  I have not.  That should answer your questions regarding my virtue,” she steamed with tears in her eyes. 
    “I could make the mistake of thinking you are crying, but I know that you are pissed.  I’m sorry for repeating that, but I felt you needed to know what he has said.  I personally think that he has played on your sympathy and used your grief to further his agenda,” Brian stated. 
    He stepped close to her and gently took her face in his hands as he wiped the tears away from her cheeks with the pad of his thumb.  She tried to turn her head away but he held her firmly.
    “I’m sorry,” he mouthed.  She w asn’t sure that she wanted to accept his apology, but she did realize that she had to give him credit for trying.  Nodding her head, Cheyenne acknowledged his attempt and vowed to herself to confront Jason sooner or later.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Eight
     
    The walk back to the house was quiet.  Neither trusted themselves to say a word.  Cheyenne was especially upset but knew that she should not take her frustrations out on Brian.  After washing her hands and drying them, she turned to find Brian standing at the door.  He was looking at her as if he had just seen her for the first time.  She blushed under the intensity of his stare as he turned and walked back to the living room.  Cheyenne was not sure if she could handle what was developing between her and Brian.  She knew that she wanted him but also knew that once he had a chance to think things through, he would realize that his career had to come first.  If she was going to allow him into her heart, there would have to be room in his life for her and his career and she wasn’t sure that would ever be the case.  Brian had made it crystal clear that his career would never be derailed by a relationship and she would not accept anything less than a relationship from him.  If she could not have that, then she wanted nothing at