Hot Target Cowboy

by June Faver

  When they reached Langston, she pulled in at the office of Breckenridge T. Ryan, attorney at law. The lawyer was in, as evidenced by his truck parked right in front.

  Leah gazed through the windshield at the law office, housed in a storefront. The entry door was inset with an oval beveled-glass panel. A cardboard sign hanging inside the glass declared the place to be OPEN.

  She gave Misty an encouraging smile, and they climbed out of the truck. Striding up to the front door, Leah gave it a few taps before going inside. The outer office was empty, but the door to Breck’s inner sanctum was open. She heard his deep voice droning on, so she presumed he was on the phone.

  Peeking around the corner, she gave him a wave to announce herself and then led Misty to a desk in the front office that she had used when she was working here. “Sit down,” she ordered. “I’ll show you where everything is.”

  Misty perched on the edge of the swivel chair while Leah opened the drawers, pointing to the contents.

  “This is the extra key to the front door, and those open all the filing cabinets. Be sure to lock up the files when you leave because there are people’s important private papers in there. Wills and deeds and such.”

  Misty looked properly impressed.

  “I had a devil of a time getting all the files in order, but I made a database here in this computer to show what was filed where. Just type in the name of the individual, and everywhere they have something on file will pop up.”

  “I think I can do that,” Misty said. “But I’m not sure I would know where to file something in the first place.”

  “I’ll teach you. No worries.”

  Breck came out of his office, grinning broadly. “Angels. Come to straighten out my mess.” He was referred to by the old-timers as “that young lawyer feller,” but he thought of himself as a rancher most of the time.

  “Hi, Breck,” Leah said. “I’ve brought my replacement. I’m sure she’ll be a lot more reliable than I’ve been lately.”

  Breck came to the desk where Misty was seated. “I must say, young lady, you look right at home there.” He reached out a hand to her.

  “Breckenridge T. Ryan, meet Misty Dalton, your new secretary and receptionist.”

  “I’m happy to meet you, Misty. Leah has been saying good things about you.”

  Misty blushed and shook hands with him. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Ryan.”

  “Please, call me Breck,” he said.

  Leah let out a little chuckle. “She probably won’t be nearly as much trouble as I was.”

  “Nonsense,” he said. “You didn’t cause the problems that befell you. I’m just glad you’re settled now.”

  “Me too. Ty’s building us our own home on the Garrett ranch. I have to stick around to see what’s going on, since Ty is on the road right now. He told me to be sure to oversee the project.” She let out a little giggle. “As if I would know what to look for.”

  “I understand,” Breck said. “But you got me all spoiled. Now I expect my papers to be filed and new papers to be typed up. I appreciate you bringing Misty to me.” He stood beaming down at them.

  “I’m going to train her in everything I did, so this is her first day, right?”

  He nodded. “Right. Welcome to the firm, Misty. I’ll offer you the same salary I’ve been paying Leah.” He raised his brows, gazing at her for confirmation. When Misty gave a hesitant nod, he went on. “I hope this will be a long-term position.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

  “By the way, I was going to contact you concerning the reading of your father’s will.” He cleared his throat. “With the recent demise of your brother Joe, that just leaves you and your younger brother as the surviving heirs. As far as I know, Joe died intestate, so the terms of your father’s will remain sovereign as to the disbursal of his estate.”

  “Oh.” Misty sucked in a breath and let it out. “There’s a loan against the ranch, Mr. Ryan. The bank is about to take it away from us, so it hardly matters what my daddy wanted to pass on to us.”

  Breck’s brow puckered. “It always matters. Your younger brother needs to be present as well. Let me know as soon as possible when you can bring him to the office. Maybe after school?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And welcome to the law firm. You’re now in charge of everything clerical.” He made a sweeping hand gesture. “This is your domain.” He turned and went back into his office, closing the door behind him.

  Misty covered her mouth with both hands.

  “That’s all settled then.” Leah leaned down to give her a hug.

  “Just like that? I have a job?” Misty’s hands were shaking.

  “Just like that.”

  “But—he’s going to pay me the same as he’s been paying you? But I’m just starting out. That doesn’t seem right.”

  “He pays every Friday. I’m sure he’ll get his money’s worth. Most of the time, you will just be sitting here waiting for the phone to ring. Breck spends a lot of time at his ranch, and he relies on his secretary to make sure his clients are taken care of here in the office. That means contacting him if it’s something important. Take messages. Type up the papers he needs, and keep everything filed away. Easy as pie.”

  “For you, maybe. For me, not so much.”

  “You’re going to do great.” Leah started with teaching her how to answer the phone and where to keep messages for Breck. By the time noon rolled around, she was going over some of the standard will forms and how to fill them in.

  Breck emerged from his office again, Stetson in hand. “Ladies, I’m going to take my wife, Cami, to lunch. Then I’ll be going to the county seat for a bail hearing, and I’m probably not coming back. I’ll be at the ranch after that if you need me.”

  “Don’t worry,” Leah said. “We’ll lock up.”

  Misty was smiling as she watched Breck’s departure. “I can’t believe I’m employed. I thought I would be lucky to get a waitress job.” Heaving a sigh, she spun around, gesturing to the interior of the office. “I mean, this is a really nice place to work.”

  “Breck needs someone steady and you fit the bill. Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll train you. You’ll probably be much more organized than I’ve been. Everything happens for a reason.”

  Misty nodded, pressing her lips together. “Afraid so.”

  “Oh, I didn’t mean that was why your father and brother died.” Leah felt a surge of guilt. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean that…just that you came to the ranch at the time I was trying to figure out how to let go of this job. I’ve only been coming in a couple of days a week, just to file and type for him. Now he’ll have you here five days a week.”

  Leah saw a frown pucker Misty’s brow. “What’s wrong?”

  Misty heaved a huge sigh. “I just realized there is another problem. It’s great to have a job, but how am I going to get here?” She grimaced. “Mark and I can go back to our ranch until the bank takes it away from us, but the truck Joe was driving when he—when he wrecked was our only transportation.”

  Leah frowned too. “Hadn’t thought of that. How about my old car? It’s not pretty, but Ty got it to run pretty well. Gracie and I made it all the way here from Oklahoma. You’re welcome to use it.”

  “Really?” Misty brightened.

  “Sure. It’s just sitting there.” The flash of hope in Misty’s eyes gave Leah a warm feeling. “Let’s go to lunch, and this afternoon you can learn how to create a will. Breck does a lot of wills and trusts.”

  Misty stood uncertainly. “I didn’t bring any money to eat out.”

  Leah grinned at her. “We’re eating in.” She gathered her bag and headed for the door. “When you leave for lunch, turn this sign around so it shows in the front, and lock up.” She adjusted the hands on the clockface sign and hung it so it was visible in the beveled-glas
s door panel.

  “Where are we going?” Misty asked.

  “Not far.” She led the way past a couple of other storefronts to the shop belonging to her friend, Sara Beth Jessup. She pushed inside and held the door open for Misty to enter. Looking around, Leah tried to visualize the store as Misty must have been seeing it. An array of hand-stitched quilts lined one wall, and various pieces of used furniture were arranged artfully around the space. Some items were on consignment, while others had been acquired at estate sales. There were glass cases containing smaller items such as a collection of art glass and some costume jewelry. “Hey, Sara Beth,” she called.

  “Hey, Leah,” Sara Beth greeted her from behind the back counter. She had her daughter in an infant seat and was spooning baby food from a jar into her mouth. “Come on back here. Cami Lynn is having her first experience with carrots. Looks like a winner.”

  Leah got close enough to see that the baby was covered with orange splotches of pureed carrot. “Quite a fashion statement.”

  Sara Beth laughed. “She’s just an enthusiastic eater.” She turned her attention to Misty. “And who is this? I haven’t seen you around town.”

  “Sara Beth Jessup, this is Misty Dalton. She’s been caring for her father, who was ill for several years. Before that she was in college.”

  Misty gave a little finger wave and a smile. “Hi.”

  “Good to meet you,” Sara Beth said. “And this is my daughter, Cami Lynn.” She gestured to the wide-eyed baby.

  “She’s beautiful,” Misty said. “Cami? Isn’t that Mr. Ryan’s wife’s name?”

  “Absolutely right.” Sara Beth tickled her baby’s cheek, eliciting a smile. “I named my daughter after the wonderful doctor who delivered her. Doctor Cami came all the way out to my ranch to deliver my baby girl. I don’t know if either one of us would have made it without her.”

  “That’s nice,” Misty said.

  “Her full name is Camryn Lynn Jessup.” Sarah Beth wiped a bubble of drool from the baby’s chin.

  “Well, I think the doctor should be extremely honored to have this lovely little girl named after her.” Misty reached out, shyly, to stroke her forefinger over the baby’s arm.

  “Misty is a local girl,” Leah said. “I think she’s been out of pocket the entire time since you arrived here in Langston.”

  “But now you’re back in the pocket,” Sara Beth said. “Welcome to my store.”

  “Misty is going to be working for Breck now, so I wanted to be sure you two got to meet.” Leah took a seat on one of the stools in front of the counter and indicated that Misty should be seated on the other. She reached for her bag and pulled out an insulated container. “I brought fruit salad and lemon bread.”

  A big grin split Sara Beth’s face. “It must be a salad kind of day, because I made chicken salad and brought some wheat bread for sandwiches. And tea. I made iced tea.”

  “A feast,” Leah proclaimed. She hoped Sara Beth and Misty would hit it off and become friends. With her sunny, upbeat personality, Sara Beth would be a good influence on Misty.

  After Sara Beth mopped the pureed carrots off her daughter’s face, the three women shared the food and chatted. Misty told about the events that had happened to her since she left college after her sophomore year, and Sara Beth explained how she had married a local man and relocated to Langston and then immediately become pregnant. Once the baby was delivered, her husband became involved in a trucking company running illegal loads and had been murdered. The two women gazed at each other, each perhaps feeling the other’s sorrows.

  “Well,” Sara Beth pronounced, “this just means we’re all survivors.” She raised her glass of tea in a toast. “Here’s to good times to come.”

  They all clinked their glasses together.

  “Amen,” Misty said, taking a gulp of tea.

  * * *

  Colton wasn’t too sure how he felt about Misty getting a job, but she seemed to be thrilled over it. He was even less happy about her using Leah’s old beater of a car.

  At supper, the new job and the use of the car were all Leah and Misty could talk about. They were both happily chattering, oblivious to the glances shared by Big Jim, Beau, and himself.

  When the meal was over and the leftovers put away, Colton drew Misty aside. He took her into the formal parlor that his mother had loved so much but was rarely used now.

  “Misty, honey…that car is a piece of crap. It could break down any minute.”

  She swallowed hard, gnawed her lower lip, and then smiled. “Maybe it won’t. Maybe it will take me to work and I can make enough money to take care of my brother.”

  He gazed at her, not wanting to discourage her but also not wanting to put her at risk. “It won’t do you or Mark any good if you have a breakdown on the road. I mean, anything could happen to you.”

  She nodded, lips tight.

  “Look, how about if you get into any trouble, just give me a call. You have a cell phone. That way you could just call me if you needed help.”

  “I promise to call you if the car breaks down, but I need to stand on my own two feet.”

  Colton gave an eye roll. “Okay, Miss I’m-So-Independent, if you feel that way about it, why don’t you just give me a call anytime you want to and especially if your piece-of-crap car breaks down?”

  She glanced down and then back up at him. “I guess that would be okay.”

  He stuck out his hand, and she shook with him. “Just until you get a better vehicle.”

  She gazed up at him, a flicker of fire in her dark eyes. “I really don’t need to have you hovering over me like a nervous parent. I’m a grown woman, and I’ll be okay,” she said, her voice sounding a little shaky.

  “I’m pretty sure you will,” he said.

  Chapter 8

  The next day, Misty rode into Langston again with Leah, who spent the day training her. Leah brought another lunch to share with Sara Beth, and the three of them had an enjoyable hour to talk.

  Breck had not come into the office at all but called in for his messages and to say he would return to the office at 4 p.m. if Misty could arrange to bring her younger brother in for the reading of Arnold Dalton’s last will and testament.

  “Um…” Misty glanced at Leah. “I suppose we can pick him up from school before he can get on the bus.”

  Leah nodded her head furiously. “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Then I’ll see you all at four.” Breck disconnected.

  “Is it always like this?” Misty asked.

  “Pretty much. Breck takes care of just about everything legal around the Langston area. If someone gets in trouble, he’s the first one they call.”

  “So, he’s a good attorney?” Misty felt a moment of tension in the pit of her stomach. She wasn’t sure why this was important, but she had to know.

  Leah quirked a smile at her. “Breck is the very best. He was awesome when I got arrested for murder.” Leah’s eyes opened wide, and her mouth formed a perfect O shape. She threw both hands over her mouth and blushed prettily. “Well, I never meant to share that little tidbit with you. The whole thing was a mistake, and I was cleared right away, but it scared me. I assure you that Breck was right there to demand they let me go.”

  Misty tried to hide her surprise. She couldn’t imagine someone as sweet and gentle as Leah ever being accused of murder, but she was glad to know Breck had taken care of Leah’s troubles. She remembered her father’s deathbed instructions that she contact Breckenridge T. Ryan to help her sell off the cattle and equipment quickly before the ranch was foreclosed on. “Good to know,” she said.

  Leah drove Misty to pick up Mark and Gracie after school. Catching them before they got on the bus proved to be challenging, but they were able to intercede in time.

  Mark was grinning. “So we get to go back to your office? I was wondering wh
at it looked like.”

  “For us, it’s business,” Misty said. “Mr. Ryan is going to read Daddy’s will.” She gave Mark an encouraging smile. “It’s just a formality. We know the ranch isn’t free and clear, but this will spell out everything for us.”

  It wasn’t yet four o’clock when they returned to the office, but Breck’s truck was already there. When they had trooped inside, Breck waved Misty into his office.

  “Bring your brother along,” Breck directed. “I have your father’s will right here.” He formally shook hands with Mark and gestured for them both to be seated.

  Leah gently closed the door behind them.

  Misty glanced at Mark, giving him a smile of encouragement. Tall for his age and lean, he appeared to be dwarfed by the big leather chair.

  Breck’s voice took on a sonorous tone as he began the official reading of Arnold Dalton’s will. The document detailed the property being passed to the surviving Dalton progeny.

  Misty cringed when she heard Joe’s name followed by hers and Mark’s.

  When Breck concluded the reading, he folded the document and placed it in a folder. “I’ll file this at the county courthouse tomorrow.”

  “Mr. Ryan, could I ask you something?” Misty clasped and unclasped her damp hands. At his nod, she continued. “When my daddy was dying, he told me the land was mortgaged and way behind. He said the livestock and equipment were not included in the loan, and he told me to get your help in selling off these things before the property was foreclosed on.”

  “I would be happy to assist you, Misty. Why don’t you get Colton to help you with an inventory of the equipment and a head count on the cattle? We can put an ad in the local paper and online. I’m sure there will be someone to grab them up.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Maybe post a list at the Agricultural Extension office and a few other places.”

  Misty heaved a sigh of relief. “Thanks so much, Mr. Ryan. We really appreciate this.”

  “You were going to call me Breck, remember?”