by SEVERUSMAX
And the story isn't much better. And, by the way, it's Navajo, not Navaho!
The one that I see used more here in AZ is Navaho. Hence I used it. Also, what is exactly stupid about it? The girl was desperate for cash, she made a mistake and went along with an ambush, regretted it, and like Tricia, she was forgiven for her mistake, because our protagonist has a soft spot for both of them. Plus, as he put it, he was being offered something that he couldn't refuse. Win-win-win....plausible or not, life is full of crazy stuff happening....besides, it's just a story. Tricia was desperate to get Jed back, Melissa eager to have him for herself...and for her mother. Pure dumb luck combined with a forgiving nature for the win. He had already punished Tricia once....she groveled to get him back and that appealed to our hero.