by Sable Hunter
“I’m glad you like them.”
A commotion by the door made Cato look up and she saw Noah, Skye and Jacob enter. They didn’t look happy.
“Should I leave?” Cato didn’t want to be in the way.
“No, I don’t think so.” Libby assured her.
Even though they might have been whispering, Cato could see Jacob and Noah were arguing.
“I want to know why you think it’s a bad idea that I look for my mother.” Noah held his hands out beseechingly to Jacob.
Jacob started to answer but before he could, they all became aware of Cato’s presence. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.”
“You’re not intruding.” Skye assured her. “This is an ongoing McCoy discussion. One brother trying to protect another.” She appeared to be trying to convince her fiancé the truth of her words.
“Exactly.” Jacob interjected, but he and Noah left the room, leaving the girls to fawn over the babies.
When they were alone, Jacob stood by the desk in the den and poured a drink for him and Noah. “Always, always, Aron and I have only wanted to keep you safe and prevent anything from hurting you.”
Noah could tell from Jacob’s face that he was worried. There was no need. “Jacob, I’m an adult. I can deal with trouble and sadness and unfairness. What I can’t deal with is not knowing who I am and where I’m from.”
Jacob’s head snapped toward him and he glared at Noah. “You are a McCoy. Your home is Tebow Ranch.”
Noah waved his hand. “I know that, I’m not questioning that. I feel secure and safe and grounded here. This is my home.” He stood from the couch and came to his brother. “But I need to know who my mother is. I need to know that part of me. Please. The PI’s will eventually find out, I hope. You, however, know something that you could tell me right now. For God’s sake, Jacob. Help me.”
Jacob closed his eyes. “You’re right. You’re a grown man.” Moving to stand in front of his brother, he put his hands on Noah’s shoulders. “I love you.” He hugged him and Noah hugged Jacob back. “Wait here, I have something to show you.”
Back in the living room, Avery and Cato were giving Jordan and Colton some juice. “I want one of these so much,” Cato confessed. “But I worry.”
“What about?” Libby leaned up so Cato could see her speak.
“You’d be a good mother.” Avery chimed in.
“I couldn’t hear him cry or hear him call me if he needed me.” Cato buried her face in the baby’s blanket, inhaling the sweet scent.
Touching Cato’s shoulder, Libby assured her. “You’d figure it out. There are monitors especially designed for deaf mothers so they’ll know when their baby is crying. I saw it in a parenting magazine.”
“Really? There’s so much I don’t know.” Cato rubbed her cheek on the baby’s head, thinking how wonderful it would be to share a baby with Heath.
“No baby comes with an instruction manual, Cato.” Skye smiled, but her eyes followed Jacob as he walked across the room. She looked worried.
“Is something wrong, Skye?” Avery asked.
Skye got up off the couch and stood before them. She put her hand to her forehead. “Noah heard from Vance about the search for his mother. They couldn’t find anything. He’s convinced Jacob knows something and I’m not sure if he does or not, but Noah got up this morning determined to find out for sure.”
Avery turned to Libby. “Does Aron know anything?”
Libby didn’t hesitate. “Aron told me their mother loved Noah so much. She treated him exactly the same as she did the rest of the brothers. He did tell me about the day his dad brought Noah home. Aron was young, but he did realize his mother was hurt. She didn’t take it out on the baby, though. He said she held Noah and loved on him exactly the way you two are doing my boys. Although…” she hesitated.
“What?” Skye asked. “Tell me.”
Before Libby could answer, Noah and Jacob joined them. “She doesn’t have to tell you, Skye. I can show you.”
The look on Noah’s face as he held out a picture made Cato’s heart ache. “Skye, look, this is my mother.”
Skye gently took the picture and gazed at it. “She’s beautiful, Noah, you look like her.” She then passed the photo to both Libby, then Cato. What Cato saw was a pretty blonde woman with kind eyes.
“Jacob said she called here a few times, but Dad never told me. She wanted to see me.”
Cato couldn’t hear his voice, but she knew it was full of emotion.
Jacob leaned over and touched Colton’s hand. The little boy grasped his finger, holding on. “The last time she called was right after Mom and Dad were killed and Aron and I were torn, but we felt all of us had enough to deal with and we could remember Dad saying that sometimes knowing is worse than not knowing, whatever that means.”
“What was her name?” Skye asked.
Noah took the picture back and gazed at it tenderly. “Her name was Naomi. Jacob doesn’t know a last name.”
Cato watched as Jacob placed a comforting hand on Noah’s shoulder. “We’ll find her Noah. I promise. I was wrong to hide her from you all this time. I didn’t do it to hurt you.”
“I know,” Noah nodded his head.
Cato hugged the sleeping child to her breast, praying that Noah would find what he was looking for. She had thought about her own father often enough and wondered if he ever thought about her. Maybe now was the time to contact him. Maybe her mother was wrong. Maybe he missed her as much as she missed him.
* * *
Whirlwind. That was a good word for the next few days. Cato had been busy putting together information on the different cattle drive routes that originated in Texas, particularly the old Chisolm Trail which started in Brownsville, crossed the Colorado River in Austin and ended up in Dodge City. She’d visited the historic stock yards in Fort Worth and chronicled data on the big ranches that used to dominate the state. While she was compiling facts and trivia on the infamous King Ranch, it occurred to Cato that Heath might enjoy visiting there. She didn’t know if he’d ever been but even if he had, Cato thought she could put together an enjoyable weekend for him.
First, however, she had to finish the last minute preparations for their first date. Cato smiled thinking about it. She had reserved a spectacular hot air balloon to take them from just south of Austin all the way across the hill country to Heath’s Canyon of the Eagles Resort, if the prevailing winds cooperated. The pilot had laughed at all of her questions and she didn’t blame him. It was obvious what she had in mind. After going over the route, Mr. Dickinson had taken Cato out to the airfield and show her the balloon. The place she and Heath would share was behind the small booth the pilot occupied where he controlled the burner and the vertical position of the balloon.
“You and your gentleman friend will have all the privacy you need for your romantic picnic.” Mr. Dickinson assured her.
The cost hadn’t been cheap. Cato thought it would be worth it, though. Hopefully Heath would feel the same way. All that was left to do was for Cato to pack a basket of food, let him know where to meet her and lift off into the wild blue yonder.
* * *
“We’ve been looking at this all wrong.” Zane spread out his notes. “We need to find out exactly who Dalton Smith was and what made him tick.”
“Well, we know he worked for different oil companies. He was one of their ‘land men,’ a contractor who is sent ahead into an area to scope out property to see who owns what and where the best acreage is that might yield oil,” Heath answered.
“Yea, the money we saw in his account was legit, a couple of invoices he’d billed out came in. So, that was a dead end. And when we checked those cameras at the libraries and museum, there was no one we recognized. Course that doesn’t mean someone didn’t hire one of those guys to do research, but proving that will be hard to do and time consuming.”
“What did you say was on that thumb drive Noah found?” Philip asked again, running his hand throu
gh his hair. “I hate to keep asking, but I’m at my wits end. I don’t want to spend my life in prison for a murder I didn’t commit.”
Heath squeezed his brother’s shoulder and Zane stood up with one hand on his hip. “And I don’t intend for you to spend one day in jail if I can help it. But to answer your question, there are thousands of documents on that drive. We have done keyword searches and went over as many of them as possible and even though there is information on there about the area and the mine, there’s nothing there that clears you that we can find. What I’m feeling is that there are puzzle pieces there, we just don’t know what to look for exactly.”
“Why don’t I ask Cato for help? She’s used to looking at documents on this order. She might see something we’ve missed.” Heath didn’t think she would mind.
“Good idea,” Zane said. “I’ll have my secretary download it into a cloud for her. Just get me an email address.”
“Will do.”
“When are you seeing Cato again?” Philip inquired while Zane stepped away to get a better phone signal.
“Soon.” Heath was evasive.
“Still casual?”
Heath blew out a long breath. “Damn, I don’t know, Phillip. I like her. She’s turning out to be a good friend—smart, sweet, kind. I’m enjoying the hell out of being with her and we’re…compatible, I guess you could say.”
“In bed?”
“God, yes,” Heath groaned. “But I’m still not at the point where I feel like I can completely trust another woman and I don’t know if I ever will be.”
“And Cato’s willing to be your friend and fuck-buddy with no strings?”
“Do you have to be so crude?” Heath chuckled. “And to answer your question, it was her idea.”
“Lucky bastard.”
Heath started to explain further, but his phone buzzed. Glancing down, he saw it was Cato and his pulse jumped. “Hey, how are you feeling?” he answered. “With my fingers.” She teased.
“I want to feel your fingers on me,” Heath responded automatically.
“That could be arranged.”
“No, really, how are you doing? How’s your shoulder and your head?”
“Good as new. I told you I’m tough.”
“No, you’re not, Cato.” He knew she couldn’t hear the inflection in his voice, but even he had to admit it softened. “You’re tender and sweet and soft.” Heath hadn’t told anyone, but he had been calling Cato often, at least twice a day. Not long conversations, just checking on her. He justified it in his mind because she’d been hurt on his property on his watch, but that wasn’t all. Heath enjoyed talking to her. He knew he was treading in deep water, but she made him happy.
“Careful, you’re turning me on and my batteries are dead.”
“You’d better not be using a toy, not unless you’re planning on letting me watch.”
“On here?”
He saw her eyes brighten. “You’re a little bit of an exhibitionist, aren’t you, Cato?
“Only where you’re concerned,” she said in her sultriest voice—she hoped. “I called to finalize our plans for Saturday, if you’re still interested.”
“Counting the hours, doll.” There was no use lying, Heath thought. “What time can I pick you up?”
“Early, if that’s okay, say four p.m?” She gave him her address. “And dress casual.”
“You got it. No hints?”
“No.” She winked at him. “Just be ready to soar.”
“Ha! What does that mean?” The visions he had were completely sexual in nature.
“You have to wait.”
His face went completely serious. “I’ve thought of little else than being with you again.”
“Me too,” she agreed. “How’s Philip?”
He held up a finger. “Speaking of. Would you mind looking through some documents that belonged to the victim? See if you can pick up on anything about the mine or clues that Zane or Philip might have missed.”
“Of course, be glad to.”
“Thanks, I’ll need your email address.” She gave it to him. “I’m grateful for this, Cato.”
Her expression grew tender. “Heath, I’m excited to help. Never hesitate to ask.”
“I’m looking forward to this weekend, I’ve missed you.”
Cato’s heart pounded. “I’ve missed you too.”
* * *
“I have no idea where we’re going.” Heath mused as he looked out Cato’s window on the driver’s side. She had given him directions and now they were out in the country in the middle of nowhere. “Are you sure you’re not taking me to some nudist colony or something?” Not that he minded seeing Cato nude. When he’d picked her up this afternoon, she’d taken his breath away. Dressed in a short white sundress with tiny straps and bows holding it up on her shoulders, all he could think about was pulling that bodice down and getting his hands on her tits or flipping that flouncy little skirt up to see what was underneath.
“No, no nudist colony. I’d rather keep your magnificence to myself.” Cato laughed. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to see any old guys with wrinkled…everything.”
“I can guarantee mine won’t be wrinkled, especially after you…oh, my God!” Heath exclaimed as what he saw ahead of him halted his risqué banter. “You didn’t!”
Cato laughed, elated to see his excited expression. “I did. I hoped you would love it.”
“Damn, baby.” Heath laughed. “This is wild.” Pulling into the wide-open field, he found a parking place next to some other cars and quickly climbed out. Cato didn’t wait for him to help her with the door. She bounded out to join him.
“Let me get the picnic basket and we’ll go find Mr. Dickinson. We’re taking the Mojave. That red, orange and yellow beauty over there.”
Heath helped Cato with the basket, insisting on carrying it. “My God, what did you pack, a whole cow?” He was almost dizzy with happiness. Heath didn’t know whether to stare at the beautiful woman beside him or at the awe-inspiring majesty of the hot-air balloon waiting to take them on an adventure. He decided to divide his time. Heath didn’t want to miss a thing. “I can’t believe you did this.” Grabbing her hand, he pulled Cato close. “No one has ever done anything like this for me before.”
“Good, well, get used to it. I have three more chances to wow you before our time is up.” With that she skipped away from him to meet an older man walking toward them, the pilot, Heath presumed.
Before our time is up, Cato’s comment caught him off guard. He shook his head, realizing he had some serious thinking to do. But right now, he had a goddess waiting on him with hand outstretched.
“Heath, meet Mr. Dickinson, he’ll be piloting us over Austin, the hill country and right to the banks of Lake Buchanan at Canyon of the Eagles, if the winds cooperate.” She turned to the other man and announced with pride. “Heath owns the resort. I’ve heard it’s a beautiful place.”
Heath shook hands with Mr. Dickinson and marveled at the balloon as he and Cato followed the pilot onboard. She’d brought an afghan and he was surprised to see the comfortable seating at the perfect height and angle for the best view of what they would be flying over.
Mr. Dickinson reviewed some rules and guidelines with them for their safety and then he left to get ready for take-off. Heath sat down and patted the seat next to him. “Come here, baby. What made you decide to do this for me?”
“I saw a photo on the wall in your room.”
He smiled, remembering. “The folks took us to New Mexico one fall for the hot-air balloon festival. I’ll never forget it. I’ve went back twice since then, I love to see a sky full of them.” He grabbed her and kissed her. “But I never expected to ride in one. Thank you!”
Cato was thrilled to have pleased him. “You’re welcome. I hope you’ll enjoy everything else I have planned just as much.”
“I have no doubt I will.” He hugged her close as they lifted off and then Heath was mesmerized. They slowly rose into
the afternoon sky and floated over downtown Austin. He saw Lady Bird Lake, the Colorado River, the Capitol Building and even the Tower at the University of Texas. “I’ve always loved the Austin skyline, but this is seeing it from a whole different angle.”
Cato held his hand as they moved on north, and soon the landscape changed from buildings and cityscape to the rolling rocky hill country of Texas. “Gorgeous, isn’t it?”
“Not as gorgeous as you.”
Cato melted into his embrace as Heath claimed her mouth as if he had a right. The kiss was hot and sweet, and when he offered her his tongue, she opened her mouth and met it with her own.
Heath groaned. God, did he love to kiss her. He took her mouth with passion, tasting her, teasing her, torturing himself.
“Hey, I just wanted to tell you folks…oops, sorry.” Mr. Dickinson interrupted and Heath pulled back, reluctantly.
“No problem, buddy.”
“Anyway,” Mr. Dickinson continued. “I just wanted to tell you that we’re cruising at three thousand feet, we’ve got a wind that will allow us to swing west and take you over Lake Travis, then we’ll head up and go over Enchanted Rock and be right over your land, Mr. McCoy.”
“Thanks, I look forward to it all.” Heath acknowledged the older man’s graciousness.
“Now, I’ll leave you two alone, no matter what I hear.” With that, he winked at Heath and left. Heath snorted, but once he was gone, he pulled Cato back into his arms.
“I have another surprise for you.” She gazed at him in adoration. “I want to feed you, now.”
“I’m definitely hungry,” he responded, although he didn’t clarify which appetite was demanding attention the most. A breeze gently lifted her hair as she knelt before him, digging in the picnic basket she’d prepared for him.
“I made chicken salad with pecans, cranberries and celery. I have ham sliders, prosciutto wrapped melon and homemade fudge brownies. Libby’s recipe!” Cato prepared a plate, poured a glass of wine for him, then moved to sit between his legs. “Open up.”
