Rancher Under Fire

by Barb Han

  Liv was already on the hose in front, opening the valve and spraying water as he bolted around back and located its twin. He hit the house with a steady spray from the backside.

  Sirens split the air and all he could think was how this could have started? Or who had done it? Pranks were one thing. The dead raccoon had been a warning. The fire, or whatever this turned out to be, was personal.

  Was there any way Kellan could be behind this? Despite their differences of opinion, and there was no shortage there, Corbin had a hard time believing his cousin would be capable of criminal activity. The last time he’d checked, being a jerk wasn’t illegal.

  Studying the back of the house as his eyes adjusted to the dark, Corbin realized a kitchen window had been broken. How had he missed it before? It was the same kind of break as when a baseball was accidentally tossed too far in the wrong direction. Could someone have thrown a Molotov cocktail?

  A marked SUV roared up to the scene. Less than a minute later, Sheriff Timothy Lawler rounded the corner of the house. He had a fire extinguisher in hand as he joined the fight. Lawler had been two grades ahead of Corbin’s older brother Adam in school, so those two knew of each other. Corbin, however, had been too young. All he knew about Lawler was that he’d been a star quarterback at one time who was being scouted by some big-name programs. He took a hit senior year that broke his arm in several places, four to be exact. Still, he’d managed to get off the game-winning throw, but the injury had ended his career and any hopes of playing college ball.

  Lawler healed, rehabbed, and then went to school to study criminal justice. He then followed in his father’s footsteps in law enforcement. Lawler was about as fair-skinned as they came. He had ginger hair in a military cut. He also had a hawk-like nose and compassionate light-brown eyes. He wore jeans, boots, and a tan shirt with the word, Sheriff, embroidered on the right front pocket.

  “I can’t find the source and the window is broken.” Corbin pointed as Lawler joined him. Keeping his presence at Liv’s house a secret was no longer going to be an option. A report would be filed, and Kellan would be brought in for questioning. There was no doubt about it after he’d sent those threatening texts. His cousin would be a prime suspect.

  Lawler nodded, approaching the building with caution.

  “Here’s a key.” Corbin tossed it to the sheriff, who caught it on the first try. He put the key in the lock, and then tested the door handle, much like Corbin had done in front. Lawler twisted the door handle.

  Corbin bit back a string of curses as a fire truck joined in the fray. A pair of volunteer firefighters approached, and Corbin motioned toward Lawler. The pair joined the sheriff. Corbin set down the hose and made a beeline for Liv on the other side of the house.

  “How could he?” She sat down on the parched earth, staring at the farmhouse.

  “This might be hard to believe coming from me, but I can’t imagine Kellan would do anything this cruel,” Corbin said.

  “I don’t want to think so either, and yet my home was on fire nonetheless,” she said. “And I can’t think of who else would do something so…horrible.”

  “You were about the sign the papers. Kellan must realize this wouldn’t help finalize the matter.” He knew in his heart of hearts his cousin wouldn’t be this reckless. But he couldn’t offer up any other name, so he clamped his mouth closed.

  She blinked up at him. “I thought you were on my side on this one, Corbin. What else is it going to take for you to believe that Kellan wants me far away from town?”

  “There might not be a fire inside,” he stated.

  She shot him a look like he had two foreheads.

  “I didn’t feel any heat inside the house, did you?” he asked, his thought process gaining steam.

  She looked up and to the left, a sign of concentration and attempt at recall.

  “As a matter of fact, no. What does that prove?” she asked.

  “When there’s smoke, there isn’t always fire,” he stated, motioning toward the house before retrieving his cell phone and slipping it inside his back pocket.

  Lawler came from around back. He had a mask on and gloves. He was holding a type of device or can in his right hand as he approached. With his free hand, he raised the mask until they could see all of his face.

  “Found this inside the kitchen on the floor,” he said, holding out the can on the flat of his palm.

  Corbin took a couple of steps to get a closer look. The device’s label read: Instafog.

  “Are you kidding me?” Corbin said low and under his breath. He looked to Liv, who’d moved beside him. “This all came from a can?”

  “With the amount of smoke in the building, I imagine there are others,” Lawler said. “We can open doors and windows to let out much of the smoke to investigate.”

  “I have a few fans that might help move air. Thank heavens it wasn’t an actual fire,” Liv stated. Wide gaze, compressed lips, she seemed like she was still in a state of shock.

  “There’s no major damage that we’ve found so far. A couple of firemen are investigating further since they have the right kind of equipment to survive inside for more than a few seconds,” Lawler stated. “Looks as though the smell of smoke will hang around long after we’re gone.”

  She nodded.

  “There haven’t been any other cases like this one in the area,” Lawler said, looking to Liv. “I’d like to ask a few questions if you don’t mind.”

  Normally, Corbin’s mind would snap to bored teenagers. Except there was the raccoon yesterday before sundown. Kellan’s temper was about to get him into trouble, or at least hauled in for questioning. A question burned… How did the jerk who did this get past him?

  “Okay, ask me anything,” Liv said on a sigh. “Mind if we find a place to sit down though?”

  “Would you like water as well?” Lawler asked after agreeing to find a spot.

  “Oh, hold on,” she said, snapping her fingers. “I can run inside the kitchen and grab something to drink.”

  “I’d like a chance to dust the door handles for prints first, if you don’t mind.” Lawler’s statement seemed to catch her off guard based on the face she made.

  And then it seemed to click.

  “Of course,” she said, placing her balled fists on her hips. “Do whatever you need to.”

  “I’ve already lifted a print on the can. I’m admitting it into evidence. I’ll circle back to take your statement as soon as I finish. I’d like to try to capture prints while the scene is still fresh. Okay?” Lawler asked.

  “Yes, of course,” she responded. There was a hollow quality to her voice that caused Corbin to think she might be in a state of shock.

  Lawler disappeared around the back of the house as Liv turned her full attention on Corbin.

  “Still think your cousin is innocent?” Her eyes issued a challenge. He’d seen that look before and it was a no-win situation for him.

  As he clamped his mouth shut for the second time, the sound of a vehicle heading toward them on the drive caught his attention.

  Liv had to walk off her frustration. It was either that or scream at the top of her lungs. The sound of a vehicle coming stopped her in her tracks. Instinctively, she reached for Corbin’s arm, something to anchor her. Her fingers tingled with electrical impulses the second she made contact, the current so strong she almost jerked her hand back.

  Did he feel it too? Did it matter if he did?

  Pushing the questions aside, her face twisted up when she saw whose truck was barreling toward them. Ed?

  Again, Corbin stepped in front of her, effectively blocking her from the older Realtor.

  “What in hell is he doing here?” Corbin said in a low growl.

  Ed parked away from the activity. He pulled out a jug of what looked like drinking water and walked straight up to her and Corbin.

  “Came as fast as I heard,” he said with a look of concern that would rival any parent. “Brought water in case you needed it.”


  “Looks like a smoke bomb went off, nothing more,” Corbin put his hand up to stop Ed from coming any closer.

  Ed froze, then set the jug down.

  “Where did you hear about this?” Liv asked, not bothering to hide her shock. Word couldn’t have possibly gotten out despite this being a small town where folks generally cared about their neighbors. Of course, after what Liv had been through recently, she would argue Lone Star Pass had become anything but neighborly.

  “I have one of those police radios at the house,” he said, sheepishly. “It’s a good way to stay in touch if anything happens to one of my listings.”

  First of all, she had to fight the urge to tell him this place wasn’t one of his listings and at this point never would be.

  “That’s not the case here, Ed,” she stated.

  “Well, now, don’t go making any decisions while you’re in the heat of the moment,” Ed warned. There was an undercurrent in his voice that made the hairs on the back of her neck prick.

  “I appreciate your concern,” she said, “and thank you for your kindness with the water but there’s no reason for you to be here.”

  “It’s what neighbors do,” he said dismissively.

  “Drive up to an active crime scene? That’s what busybodies do.” There. She said it. She couldn’t help herself.

  Ed’s mouth dropped open but he didn’t respond.

  Liv appreciated the fact Corbin didn’t butt into the conversation. He seemed content to stand back and watch her handle Ed. She was fully capable of taking care of this guy and anyone else for that matter. This seemed like a good time to remind herself of the fact. She would force him off her property in a heartbeat except that she wanted to figure out his real reasoning for showing up. It couldn’t be the listing, could it?

  “You didn’t have to, so thanks.” She stared at him.

  “I have the folder in my truck if you’d like to be rid of this place,” Ed said when he regained his composure.

  Liv shot a look toward Corbin. She could use a little reinforcement since she didn’t seem to be getting through.

  Corbin took a threatening step forward and Ed instinctively backed away. Time for courtesy was over. “And now that you’ve dropped it off, you can head home. It’s early and—”

  “How much damage did the sheriff say the house took?” Ed cut in.

  Corbin took in a deliberate, slow breath, like he was making sure Ed knew he was trying Corbin’s patience.

  Liv needed a breath trick like that because Ed took another entire step back. But then coming in a six-feet-five-inches of stacked muscle, Corbin could be physically intimidating if he wanted to be. And he seemed like he wanted to be with Ed.

  Again, Corbin kept silent.

  “It’s not a big deal,” she waved him off.

  “My client might want to reconsider his offer,” Ed stated.

  “The funny thing about your client’s offer is that the place isn’t even for sale yet.” Liv folded her arms across her chest. “Plus, I have no idea who you represent. So, if you have an interested party, you might as well come forward because all this hinting around makes me want to donate the house to charity before I sell it to anyone you represent..”

  “This isn’t the time for digging heels in and being stubborn,” Ed warned.

  “Really?” Corbin interjected. “I hope you will stick around because I’m sure the sheriff will need the name of your ‘client’ for the report.”

  Blood drained from Ed’s face. His mouth fell slack. All the bravado dissipated as fast as the smoke. He backed away another couple of steps before giving Corbin one hell of an evil eye.

  “Like I said, I’m just being neighborly. Making sure you have everything you need,” Ed stated, taking a couple more steps backward without turning away. He put his hands up like he was backing away from a wild animal.

  Corbin could be fierce. She’d seen him take on a bully and his friend who were two grades ahead because they tripped Desi Combs. Desi and Corbin weren’t even friends when he’d intervened. It was just his nature to step in when someone else was trying to put on a show of strength or hurt someone or something smaller than them.

  “I-uh-the wife will be waiting around for me. Told her that I’d be back before she had time to scramble eggs,” Ed said, his gaze darted everywhere but at them.

  Sheriff Lawler came from around the back of the house. His gaze flew straight to Ed.

  “Sheriff, you know Ed Roberts,” Corbin said.

  “Followed the smoke,” Ed stated, waving his hand in the air, which was not at all what he’d said when he first arrived. Was he lying or shaken up by Corbin’s statement about Ed’s client being in the report?

  “There’s nothing to see here,” Sheriff Lawler said. “Unless you have something to contribute that I don’t know about.”

  “Ed here claims to have a client interested in buying Liv’s home,” Corbin continued.

  “I didn’t realize it was on the market.” One of Lawler’s eyebrows shot up.

  “That’s the funny part,” Liv said. “It isn’t.”

  “Miss Holden ran into my wife in the supermarket a few weeks ago and mentioned she was considering a move in passing,” Ed said by way of defense. “A good salesman gets in early with an aggressive offer that can’t be refused.” He shrugged. “Plus, you know me, Sheriff. I do what I can to help folks.” He dropped his gaze to the jug of water.

  “Same can be said for an ambulance chaser,” Corbin muttered low and under his breath. So low, in fact, Liv barely heard him. She was certain the comment got past the sheriff and Ed.

  “How about you swing by my office in an hour after you’ve had time to eat breakfast with MaryAnne and we can talk about the client of yours,” the sheriff said. “And the real reason you’re infringing on a crime scene.”

  Liv could have sworn she saw Ed break into another sweat.

  “Sure thing, Sheriff.” Ed saluted and back-peddled. The man couldn’t seem to get out of there fast enough.

  A pair of firemen rounded the house. One of them called to the sheriff.

  “Excuse me for a minute,” he said before walking away.

  “You do realize that I’m going to be forced to tell Lawler about Kellan’s threatening texts now,” Liv said, trepidation filled her.

  “I know.” Based on his tone, he knew how bad this whole scene was going to go down with Kellan.

  “It wasn’t my intention to bring his name into this,” Liv said by way of defense.

  “I know that too.” Corbin’s tone was solemn. Resigned? His family was news and this wasn’t going to look good for them. A few buzzards had probably started circling since the Marshall’s death. If other ranching operations saw them as weak, it could kick up a whole different storm.

  Other news was bound to get out now too. Corbin’s presence at her place overnight would definitely raise a few eyebrows. If she hadn’t been popular in town before she sure wasn’t going to win any awards now. She hadn’t thought about the consequences she’d face if word got out when she’d texted him to come over in the first place. Had she just made a bad situation worse?

  Liv issued a sharp sigh. She couldn’t go there. She couldn’t allow herself to think that reaching out to Corbin was wrong. He was her only friend in Lone Star Pass, and tonight had proved she needed him around.

  But she hated the wedge this would drive in between him and Kellan. No one was supposed to know about her plea for Corbin’s help. She bit back a curse, thinking how much more complicated this situation had become in a matter of minutes.

  A black truck came barreling up the drive. This time, it wouldn’t be Ed. She knew exactly who the driver was…Kellan.

  6

  Kellan’s dual cab black pickup kicked up one helluva dust storm as he came barreling toward them, his gaze intent on one thing…Corbin. His cousin needed a reality check if he thought Corbin planned to back down. He dropped his hands to his sides, ready and able to defend himse
lf.

  Liv’s gaze widened. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lawler heading toward them as Kellan exited his truck and made a beeline for Corbin. His cousin stopped when they were nose-to-nose.

  “What are you doing here?” Anger vibrated from Kellan’s equally tall frame. When it came to height, the two were eye to eye. When it came to tempers, Corbin had reined his in long ago, which didn’t mean he would back down to a bully.

  “Helping a friend,” Corbin responded with the kind of calm demeanor that came with years of experience of holding his temper in check.

  “Last I checked, your ‘friend’ was my wife. That makes this my business.” Kellan barely got the words out before Liv shoved him back a step.

  Kellan immediately stepped forward, determined not to lose any ground, and puffed out his chest. The hurt in his eyes struck Corbin square in the chest. Hurt that Kellan was doing his level best to cover with anger.

  Corbin studied his cousin, searching for any signs of guilt over his actions. Those texts should make him feel like a real jerk.

  “Calm down or we’ll have to take this conversation to my office,” Lawler said. He wedged a hand in between the two of them, but Kellan refused to ease up.

  Corbin had no plans to back down. He was well within his rights to be there.

  “You have a problem with me?” Corbin asked. “We can handle this back at the ranch or right here. Your choice.”

  The best way to diffuse a bully was to stand his ground. Corbin had learned the lesson a long time ago. To be fair, once he filled out his tall frame no one came at him. Prior, though, he’d taken his fair share of snide remarks, elbow jabs, and threatening looks.

  Lawler strong-armed Kellan, who seemed to think twice about throwing a punch at or in front of an officer of the law.

  Loyalty and family weren’t words Corbin took lightly. There were others too. Friendship being one of them, despite the fact he and Liv had gone their separate ways. But then, they would probably still be close if circumstances hadn’t pushed them apart. Her mother’s death had been hard on her. Corbin’s relationship with Dani had heated up. And then it looked like Liv had developed serious feelings for Kellan, feelings Corbin questioned now. Would Liv had gotten into a relationship with Kellan if Dani hadn’t played the pregnancy card?