Gunther sat at his desk trying his best to calm down. He rubbed his hand over his face. The phone rang and he answered it on the first ring. Upon recognizing the number on the caller ID readout, he snatched the receiver. “Any news, Andy?”
“You sitting down? Her boss Kevin Burns is a pile of dirt. No arrests, but he’s been rumored to beat women, and when he wants something, he doesn’t take no for an answer.”
“What about rape?” Gunther held his breath.
“No. He supposedly wants his women broken and willing. He makes threats about harming their families. He’s a piece of work, but no one wants to bring charges.”
“How does he get away with beating women so badly they can hardly walk?” Gunther yelled.
“Hey, I’m not the enemy here, Gunther.”
“I’m sorry. I have a girl who grew up on the ranch. She went to work at the magazine Burns owns.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. ”Somehow, he made her believe that she had no one to turn to for help. I’d like to slam my fist in his face.”
“He blackballs the ones who leave him. They never work in any type of journalism job again. Andy paused, and the sound of shuffling papers came across the line. “Tell you what, get Lee Ann to give me permission to clear out her apartment for her. I’m sure it’s being watched. I’ll have her things shipped to you.”
“Thanks.” Gunther calmed a bit. “I’d appreciate that. Hey, if I can get her to testify, could we put him away?”
Andy grunted. “It’s going to end up being a he said, she said situation. Those don’t usually bode well for the victim. But I’ll do some more digging.”
Gunther sighed as he rubbed the back of his stiff neck. “I appreciate it all, Andy.”
“I know you do, buddy. Keep Lee Ann safe. I don’t trust Kevin Burns. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Gunther hung up and closed his eyes. Her boss must have scared the heck out of her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come home. What type of man needed to beat up women and threaten them? Right now it was important that Lee Ann felt safe. Gunther had to keep her dad comfortable and keep his own anger in check. It was a tall order, but he’d get it done.
A couple hours later, he went to the foreman’s house and collected Lee Ann. She was very quiet as though she had a lot on her mind.
“You hardly weigh more than a feather. Agnes will fatten you up.” He carried her up the front steps.
“Most men like skinny. I was told at work I was too fat.” Lee Ann’s flat tone of voice concerned Gunther.
“I like all body shapes, but you could use a few pounds.” He smiled into her sad eyes. “Lee Ann, you don’t have to change for any man. Remember that.” He carried her to her father’s room and set her down on a comfortable chair. Then he took a pillow and propped it behind her. “I’ll be back in a while. Good to see you, James.”
“Wait! Which horse kicked her?” James asked.
“Kicked her?”
James turned his gaze to his daughter. “You were carried in here and I can see by the way you’re sitting your ribs hurt. What happened?”
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t say anything.
Gunther took a step forward. “It was Belle. She doesn’t know Lee Ann, and you know how mares can be.”
James nodded. “You okay?” He looked Lee Ann over.
Lee Ann “I’m fine. I just need a bit of rest.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I have a mountain of paperwork.”
James waved Gunther away. “That mountain never gets any lower.”
Gunther walked out of the room and headed to his office. He’d never lied to James before, and it didn’t feel right but under the circumstances, it was the right thing to do. He really wanted to know every detail of what had happened to Lee Ann in San Antonio, but he’d have to let her come to him. Unfortunately, patience wasn’t a virtue he possessed.
Chapter Three
It had been three weeks since Gunther had discovered Lee Ann’s bruises. It was there in every glance; he wanted to know what had happened to her. But she had to give him credit. He didn’t ask. For that, she was grateful, but she knew she’d have to tell him soon.
At least she didn’t need to be carried around anymore, though she’d miss Gunther’s strong arms around her. She’d been eating three meals a day, and she could see her face looked healthier. She’d been such a fool in San Antonio, and she wasn’t sure how to reconcile the Lee Ann in San Antonio with the Lee Ann at the Big M Ranch. They were vastly different people, or so she thought.
She’d never be able to work for another magazine. Kevin had made sure of that. What was she to do when her father died? She couldn’t pretend he was getting any better. In fact, she had a feeling it wouldn’t be long now. She’d need to come up with some plan. She’d lived off Gunther’s good will long enough.
Moseying on to the pasture, she glanced around. She wanted to meet Belle, the supposed kicker. Lee Ann spotted her right away. She was a beautiful, golden palomino. She tossed her head a few times as if she knew she was the prettiest one in the pasture.
A whistle from behind startled Lee Ann, and she turned around. Gunther stood a few feet away. He walked up to the white fence and Belle came right to him. He certainly had a way with the ladies.
“Some things never change,” she said with a soft laugh.
“What things?”
“The females are swarming all over you.”
He grinned and then shrugged. “I can’t help my God-given good looks and my natural charm. Now don’t be jealous, Belle. This is Lee Ann, a friend of mine. I promise not to feed her any carrots or to scratch her behind the ears. I’ll save that for just you and me.”
Lee Ann lightly punched Gunther in the shoulder and got the evil eye from Belle. “She seems to understand one thing. You belong to her. Have you tried putting Felicia in the pasture with Belle?” She couldn’t help but smile as Gunter cocked his right brow.
“Now that might be a good idea.”
“Has she decided to sell to you or is she still mad?”
He put his booted foot on the bottom rung of the fence. “She’s been by a lot. I’m surprised you two didn’t run into each other.”
“I saw her a couple of times.” Lee Ann leaned back against the fence. “I avoided her as much as possible.” A sharp pain accompanied a jerk that pulled her head sideways. “Ouch!”
Gunther almost doubled over with laughter. “Belle pulled your hair with her mouth.”
“What a sassy mare!” She narrowed her eyes and studied him closely. “If I remember correctly you liked sassy.”
His smile faded. “I liked sassy a lot, but after you left, I wasn’t in the mood. I didn’t like other women being feisty to me.”
She tilted her head as she gazed at him. “I missed you too. And truthfully, I wish I’d never left. My home is here, at least for a bit.”
“For a bit?” He frowned.
“After Daddy is gone, I’ll need to find a place. The house is rightfully Woody’s. It’s just the way of things. It’ll be fine.” She gave him a reassuring smile she in no way felt. “Well I promised Agnes I’d pick some vegetables for dinner. Her garden grows larger every year.”
“Sure seems that way. I guess I should tell you. Felicia is trying to get me to marry her.”
Lee Ann’s jaw dropped. “What are you talking about? Tell her to take a hike.”
“I wish I could. I tried being nice to her and I’ve tried pretending I don’t want the land hoping she’d be more willing to sell. Nothing worked. I need that land. One of our main water sources comes through Old Mooney’s property. Felicia has coyly mentioned she had plans to divert the water. I found out she’s planning on hiring an engineer.”
“Isn’t that against the law?”
“I was trying to get a cease and desist order but since she just happened to mention it and didn’t have any plans made my lawyer said that wasn’t possible. I’d have to take her to court, and it could be a while before it’s r
esolved. Or I can marry her and everything stays the same.”
She shook her head. “No. Absolutely not. She’s bluffing. She doesn’t have the money to pull it off.”
“I could buy a water truck and haul water up to the north pasture but the cost of it is too high.” He took off his Stetson and ran his fingers through his hair then put the hat back on. “I don’t know if I can take a chance that she’s bluffing.”
“Move the cattle to the front pasture for a while. There’s plenty of water, not as much grass though. But I bet hay would be easier to haul than water. Let her think you don’t need her water.”
His brow furrowed. “I hadn’t thought of that. It’s a great idea. When did you get to be so wise in the ways of cattle?”
“I’ve been the foreman’s daughter all my life.” She laughed. It felt so good to laugh.
“Now what do I do about Felicia?”
“That, cowboy, is your problem. Maybe your God-given talents aren’t always so wonderful to have. By the way, when are my things coming? I traveled light and I didn’t bring my riding boots.”
“In a few days. They were packed up and shipped last night, I believe.”
“I’m grateful you have a good friend in San Antonio who was able to take care of it for me. I hated to have to walk away from everything I owned, but I felt as though I didn’t have a choice. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me until we see if it all arrives in one piece.” He grinned and tipped his hat at her. “Catch you later.”
She watched him walk away. He certainly hadn’t lost any of his appeal. His broad shoulders and tapered waist led to his incredibly sexy rear end. His thighs looked hard and well-muscled under his jeans. Her face grew hot. She shouldn’t think like that. No man was ever going to touch her again.
Gunther had touched her a few times, of course, but out of concern. She wouldn’t be able to stand it if he tried to touch her in a romantic way. She turned to Belle. “He’s all yours. He told me what he thought of me when I left two years ago. He believed me to be a snob because I wanted a different life. I just didn’t want to wait around to see who he married and had babies with.” She chuckled. Talking to Belle was better than talking to herself.
Gunther sat at his desk wondering which vegetables they’d be having for dinner. The subject had never really interested him before. He was jarred from his musing by a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Agnes opened the door and walked to his desk. She handed him a manila envelope. “This just came for you. Looks important.”
He took the envelope and nodded. “Thanks.” He opened it while Agnes left closing the door behind her.
He furrowed his brow when he saw the return address had Kevin Burns’ name on it. What could Lee Ann’s old boss need to send to him? He opened it, pulled out a photo and was immediately enraged. Lee Ann didn’t have any clothes on. He closed his eyes and fumed. Then it occurred to him he’d seen a window in the picture.
Opening his eyes again, he studied the photograph while trying not to focus on Lee Ann. It had been taken from outside her window. Her clothes were on the bed and she had a towel in her hand. Some slime ball took these pictures without her consent. Damn, what else had happened at that job?
To tell Lee Ann or not? He groaned. It would be better to tell her, but he didn’t want to see her reaction. Why did she have to go and leave the ranch two years back? He certainly understood the need to spread her wings, but she had grown up too sheltered. All potential love interests from his cowboys had been warned off by him. Looking back, Gunther realized he’d just been selfish. He wanted her for himself, and when she’d left he had felt hurt and betrayed.
He picked up the phone and called Detective Morellis. “Andy, we have a problem.”
“Hey, Gunther. I was just about to call you. I went to her apartment and someone had gotten to it before me.”
“Her stuff is gone?”
“No. In fact, you’ll get it day after tomorrow. Someone went in and planted things to make it seem as though she was a highly sexual woman with strange desires.”
Gunther took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “What do you mean?”
“Sexy lingerie and a few toys here and there. Magazines too. But it was all brand new, never worn, used, or even looked at. They stupidly left price tags on most of it. I’m not quite sure of the why yet.”
“I received a naked picture of Lee Ann in the mail. It was taken from outside her window. She was obviously heading to take a shower. Why would Kevin Burns go to so much trouble? I can’t figure out his game.”
Andy sighed. “My guess is that he expects you to throw her off your property, and he’ll be waiting for her. I asked around. He blackmailed many women where he works. First, he promises better jobs while he beats them. I’m guessing the pictures are to keep them from going to the police. He threatens their families if they leave. He threatens their careers too. Eventually, he gets tired of them and lets them go, but they never find jobs writing again. No one will testify, and they only talked off the record.”
“My God! Did he have sex with these women?” Gunther held his breath.
“Many, yes, but from what I’ve gathered, not Lee Ann. At least that is the rumor.”
Gunther let out his breath and ran his hand over his face. “She’s in danger.”
“I think so. Play it safe and smart. Do you want me to call your local police department?”
“No, let me talk to Lee Ann first. Andy, thank you.”
“Anytime. Listen, if I find out anything else I’ll be in touch. Be careful.”
“Will do.” Gunther hung up the phone and leaned back in his leather chair. How did men like Burns get away with using his power to control women? Shaking his head, he realized he already knew the answer. People still didn’t believe a woman who spoke out about bad treatment, especially since Burns finally got them to agree to sleep with him. Gunther wanted to wrap his hands around Kevin Burns’ neck and squeeze.
He looked up at the ceiling. He wasn’t a violent man, but this whole situation had made him madder than he’d ever been. Now, how to tell Lee Ann about the picture.
Chapter Four
The moon illuminated the sky, and the stars twinkled brightly. It was a beautiful sight to behold. Lee Ann smiled, and her worries felt lighter as she walked with Gunther to the gazebo. The torchlights were lit and a coffee pot and mugs sat waiting on the table.
“It’s lovely out here,” said Lee Ann, surprised at the cheerfulness in her voice.
“It sure is. I didn’t sit out here the whole time you were gone. It would have felt too lonely.”
Turning her head, she stared at him. “I don’t remember us parting on such good terms.”
Gunther took her hand, led her up the steps to the gazebo, and pulled out her chair for her.
She sat and poured their coffee then waited until he was seated. “What did you want to talk about? I want you to know I’ve sent out my resume and made calls, but no one is hiring right now.” She clenched her hands into fists. “The truth is no one is hiring me right now. My old boss’s reach was much longer than I ever thought.”
“I’m not here to talk about you getting a job.” He looked troubled.
“What’s wrong?” Her heart dropped.
He hesitated, and a muscle worked in his jaw. “I received mail from your old boss today.”
Her heart pounded and her stomach clenched. This was it. He was going to ask her to leave. “What was it?”
“It was a picture of you…”
Tears pricked at the back of her eyes as shame washed over her. “He said he had pictures. I never posed for them, I swear!”
Gunther reached across the table and took her small hand in his big hand. “It was taken from outside your window.”
“Did I have clothes on?” Her body began to shake as she waited for his answer.
“No, no you didn’t.” His voice was so gentle it touched her soul.
She shifted her gaze to the ground. She couldn’t look at him anymore. “My apartment was backed up against a beautiful, heavily treed forest. I didn’t think to close the blinds all the time. I figured no one could see me. I’m such a fool. This is all my fault. I’m too stupid to even close my blinds.” She felt ill. Gunther had now seen her naked.
She gathered her courage and glanced up at him. “When do you want me out of here?”
“Honey, I’m not asking you to leave. Not now, not ever. This is your home, no matter what happens. Okay? You need to feel secure and safe, and I’m hoping the Big M Ranch can do that for you. I hope me and Agnes, Woody, and all the men can do that.”
Swallowing hard she nodded. “Thank you. I do feel as though this is my home but the house—”
“Woody has a high-end trailer that he happens to love. I asked him if he wanted the house. You’re right, he should live there, but he doesn’t want it. You need to go and look at his place. I’m paying him too much. He has a huge big screen television, state of the art surround sound. Everything in it is top of the line, even the refrigerator. He implied that the house would take too much work to fix up.”
“Leave it to Woody to have a good reason not to take a house. But I’m glad. One less worry. “I can’t pay rent until I find a job, but I do want to earn my keep around here.”
His heart-stopping grin always made her smile. He had the cutest dimple in his cheek, which he always denied was there. “If I remember correctly you’re a hell of a horse trainer. I have some three-year-olds ready to be trained. Angus was just grumbling the other day about me breeding more horses than he had time for.”
A giggle slipped out. “I like Angus, a bit gruff but he has a big heart. He taught me how to ride and train horses.”
Gunther laughed. “I know, I was there, remember?”
She nodded and then grew serious. “How many pictures do you think Kevin Burns has of me? The thought makes me sick to my stomach. I can’t believe he sent one to you. I bet he expected you to throw me out so I’d go crawling back to him.”
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