by Elle James
Lily cupped his cheek and brushed her lips across his. Then she moved back over the console and buckled her seat belt. “Let’s do this. Then we can pick up where we left off.”
Trace nodded and shifted into Drive. “We need to talk about where we go from here.”
“Are we going somewhere?” Lily raised her eyebrows, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.
“Maybe,” he said.
She patted her purse. “I’m ready when you are.”
He laughed. “What if I decide to stay here?”
She shot a glance in his direction. “Will you be satisfied being just a rancher? I mean, you’ve been a soldier for eleven years. I’m sure it’s more exciting than worming steers.”
“I’ve been thinking about it, and I might have come up with a way to make Whiskey Gulch Ranch a place where I want to stay.”
“I’m all ears. Especially if it means I get to see you more often than once every eleven years.”
They pulled into the drive leading up to the ranch house.
“We can talk about it tonight,” Trace said. “Right now, I need to go find some bovine escapees.”
Matt stood beside his motorcycle in the barnyard next to Irish, Trace’s mother and Roy.
Feeling lighter and happier than he had in a very long time, Trace climbed out of the truck and hurried around to open the door for Lily. She already had it open, but she waited for him to grip her around the waist and lift her to the ground.
It felt so good to hold her in his hands, Trace didn’t want to let go. Alas, others were waiting for him to help.
His mother smiled as he approached them holding Lily’s hand. “You two patch things up?”
Trace pulled Lily into the curve of his arm. “I hope so.”
Lily laughed and hugged him around the middle. “Me, too.”
“If you two think we can get moving, we’re burning daylight,” Roy said.
“I take it we’ll be riding horses out to where the cattle are,” Matt said. “I admit, I’ve only been on a horse maybe a handful of times, many years ago. If you could point me to the horse that knows what to do, maybe he can train me?” He gave a crooked smile.
Lily hurried toward the barn. “I know just the horse. And it’s a she, not a he.”
Trace nodded. “I believe she means Lady. If you want to help her saddle up, we can get going. Getting the cattle back on this side of the fence won’t be hard. Usually, all we need to do is shake a bucket of grain and they’ll come running.”
“We’ll need to mend the fences,” Roy said. “I can drive the tractor out to wherever we find the break.”
“I can cover, if you have another horse as tame as Lady,” Irish said.
Trace turned to his mother.
She held up her hands. “I’m out this time. Roy took a call from the Meyerses. Seems Chad needs help with Alice. I’m going over to see what I can do for them.”
Trace shot a glance toward Irish. “I’d prefer you cover for my mother. We can manage on our own.” He turned to Matt. “Are you carrying?”
Matt pulled back his leather jacket, displaying a shoulder holster and a handgun tucked inside. “I’m good to go.”
“I’ve got mine. Plus, I’ll bring a rifle, just in case.” Trace nodded to Irish. “I want you to go with the women to the Meyerses’.”
“Women?” Lily paused as she reached the barn and turned back. “I’m going with you to bring the cattle back.”
“Please, go with Mom and Irish,” Trace said. “The three of us can keep an eye out for trouble. I’d rather have three of you going to the Meyerses’. Irish is a trained Delta Force soldier. He’s good at spotting trouble, and he’ll take good care of you.”
Irish nodded. “That I will.”
Lily’s lips pressed into a tight line.
Trace wanted her with him, but he was worried about her being out in the open where a skilled sniper could fire off a round from any direction and take her down. He’d never forgive himself if Lily died because he’d been selfish enough to want her along for the ride. “Please, Lily. My mother might need help with Mrs. Meyers.”
Lily held his gaze for a long moment and then nodded. “Okay. But I ride better than Matt, and I know how to fix a fence.”
“Matt is also a trained marine,” Trace pointed out.
Matt nodded. “I’ve been deployed four times in five years, fought in battles against enemies we couldn’t see. Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll take care of my half brother.”
Lily’s face reddened. “Okay. I’ll help you saddle up,” she said. Then she turned to Trace’s mother. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
His mother nodded.
Lily entered the barn, a frown lowering her brow.
Trace turned to his mother. “We should be back before dark.”
“Same here.” She touched his arm. “I’m glad you and Lily worked things out.”
Trace nodded. “So am I.” He bent and pressed a kiss to his mother’s cheek. “Thanks for believing in us.”
“You only had to believe in each other.” She winked. “Now go. You need to get out there and get the cattle back on our spread. I hope to be home in time to rustle up some dinner for you.”
“We can fend for ourselves,” Trace said.
“Yeah, but I like having my family around me.” Her smile faded. “I miss your father.”
“I miss him, too.”
Roy touched Trace’s mother’s arm. “Be careful, Ros. You don’t know who might be out there. I’d hate to see you hurt.”
Trace’s mother smiled at Roy. “Thank you, Roy. I’ll be careful.”
Trace hurried into the barn and saddled Rambo, the black gelding his father had been so proud of. The animal had been trained as a cutting horse. His skills might come in handy if the feed bucket didn’t do the trick.
Lily, with Matt’s help, finished outfitting Lady with a saddle and bridle and adjusted the stirrups to fit Matt’s tall frame.
Within minutes, the horses were ready, and Roy had the tractor out of the shed and waiting on the other side of the gate.
Trace stopped beside Lily and pulled her into his arms for a quick kiss. “Hold that thought until I get back.”
“I’ll be waiting,” she murmured. Lily glanced at the pasture, her brow dipping. “Be careful out there.”
He kissed her forehead. “You be careful going over to the Meyerses’ place.”
Trace mounted his horse and rode through the gate, followed by Matt. His half brother sat his horse well and even posted in his stirrups when Lady broke into a trot.
The man might end up being an asset on the ranch, given time.
Trace glanced back at Lily and his mother, anxious to return and get on with their reunion. He couldn’t wait to be with the woman he’d loved for what felt like all of his life.
* * *
LILY CLIMBED INTO the driver’s seat of Rosalynn’s SUV.
Rosalynn slipped into the back seat and Irish into the passenger seat.
The drive over to the Meyerses’ place wouldn’t have taken long if they could have driven as the bird flies. But the roads forced them to take the long way around.
Twenty minutes later, they drove up to the older ranch house with the faded paint and a front porch that clearly needed to be leveled and the rotten boards replaced.
The Meyerses hadn’t been fortunate enough to have children of their own. They ran cattle on their place, but not many. Because of hospital bills and the seven-year drought, they had sold two-thirds of their herd several years ago and were living on what was left of the proceeds.
Chad Meyers stepped out onto the porch, shading his eyes as the SUV pulled up to the house.
Rosalynn, Irish and Lily got out of the vehicle and approached the man.
“T
his is a nice surprise,” Mr. Meyers said. He pushed a hand through his shock of white hair that appeared as if he hadn’t combed it in several days. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Rosalynn frowned. “Roy said you’d called and needed help with Alice. We came over as soon as we could.”
Mr. Meyers’s fuzzy white brows dipped. “I didn’t call your place.” He turned toward the screen door. “Alice?”
An older woman using a walker pushed through the door and out onto the porch. She smiled at them. “You didn’t tell me we had guests,” she said. “Rosalynn, Lily, it’s so good to see you.” She turned to Irish. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
Irish climbed the steps. “I’m Joseph Monahan, but folks call me Irish.”
“Irish, so nice to meet you. Please, come in.” Mrs. Meyers held the door for them. “I just made a pitcher of iced tea.”
Rosalynn climbed the porch steps but didn’t enter. “It’s good to see you up and about.” She hugged the woman and stepped back, frowning. “But I don’t understand. Roy assured me you’d called and needed help.”
Alice Meyers smiled. “So nice of you to come, but I didn’t call.” She turned to her husband.
“I didn’t, either,” he said. “The missus has been doing so much better, I thought I might take her to the town for supper tonight.”
Rosalynn tapped a finger to her chin. “That’s strange. Why would Roy tell me you needed help?”
Chad shook his head. “I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense. We haven’t run into him but at the feed store maybe a handful of times since he went to work for the Whiskey Gulch Ranch.”
“Was the same when he worked at the T-Bar M Ranch when he worked for the Talbots,” Alice said. “Rarely saw him. He spent most of his time on the ranch.”
“Heard he was sweet on Mona Talbot after her husband fell off his horse and died,” Alice said.
“He kept the ranch running for several months following Mike’s death.”
“Then Mona’s grown children stepped in and talked her into selling the place. The new owners replaced Roy with their own foreman. Roy was brokenhearted about Mona leaving. He had big plans for the ranch. I think he wanted to marry Mona and take over.”
Lily’s chest tightened. “I didn’t know this.”
Alice waved a hand. “It’s all gossip we talked about at the monthly quilting bee.”
“All I knew was Roy applied for the job. Since he had experience, James hired him,” Rosalynn said. She looked up at Alice. “You say Mr. Talbot fell off his horse?”
Chad nodded. “They speculate the horse came across a snake and threw him. He lay for several hours before anyone found him.”
“Where was Roy when that happened?” Irish asked.
A sinking feeling hit the pit of Lily’s belly.
“Said he was on his way into town for supplies,” Alice said. “Why?”
Lily’s gaze met Irish’s and then moved to Rosalynn’s.
“We need to go,” Rosalynn said. “Now.” She smiled at Alice and Chad. “Let us know if you do need help.” She hurried down the steps and half ran toward the SUV.
Lily followed.
“Nice to meet you,” Irish said behind her and quickly caught up. “I’ll drive.”
Lily shook her head. “I’d rather you kept your hands free.”
He nodded and held the door for Rosalynn as she slid into the back seat.
Once they were all in the vehicle, Lily drove away from the Meyerses’ house. As soon as she was out of sight, she pressed her foot to the accelerator and raced out to the highway.
“How could it be?” Rosalynn sat forward in the back seat, her gaze on the road ahead. “He’s always been so nice to me.”
“He was nice to Mona Talbot,” Lily said.
“Do you really think he expected to marry Mona and take over the ranch?” Rosalynn asked, shaking her head.
“We could be grasping at straws here,” Irish said.
“What exactly are we saying?” Lily asked, knowing the answer, but wanting to hear it stated aloud.
“Roy could have been the one to steal the four-wheeler,” Irish said.
“He could have been the one to kill James,” Rosalynn whispered, her face pale, her fingers turning white on the back of the seat.
“If he thought he could murder your husband—” Irish shot a glance back at Rosalynn “—he might also think he has to do away with your husband’s two children in order to get to you.”
More color drained from Rosalynn’s face.
Lily turned in her seat and covered Trace’s mother’s hand with hers. “If that’s what’s happening, the guys are trained combatants. They can defend themselves.”
“If they see it coming,” Rosalynn argued.
“Besides, there are two of them and one of Roy,” Irish pointed out.
“We don’t know if any of this speculation is even accurate,” Lily said, though deep in her gut, she could feel the truth.
Her gaze on the road ahead, Rosalynn said, “Could you go a little faster?”
“Got the pedal to the floor, ma’am,” Lily said, only slowing for curves.
The twenty minutes it took to get to the Whiskey Gulch Ranch felt like hours.
Chapter Seventeen
Trace and Matt rode out on horseback, following the fence line bordering the Rocking J Ranch. Trace carried a sack of feed strapped behind his saddle.
Roy was to follow on the tractor as best he could, depending on the terrain, until they found where the fence was down.
After riding for twenty minutes, Trace noticed the barbed wire was loose on the fence beside him.
“Looks like we’re getting to the break in the fence,” he said to Matt. He turned to his half brother. “How are you holding up?”
Matt adjusted himself in the saddle. “So far so good. Have to admit, the seat on my motorcycle is a lot softer than this saddle.”
Trace nodded. “It takes time to build up calluses. It’s been a while since I was horseback riding. I’ll be sore as well. This is what it’s like to be a rancher.” He stared at the man he’d have to share his inheritance with. “Are you up for it?”
Matt shrugged. “I’ve been in more uncomfortable places.”
“Same,” Trace said.
“Are you ready to take on the responsibility of running a ranch?” Matt asked.
“I know how,” Trace said. “I just didn’t figure on coming back to this life so soon.”
“Civilian life moves at a much slower pace in some cases,” Matt said. “You’re used to high-paced action and making a difference in the lives of people who desperately need you.” He looked into the distance. “Coming off active duty is an adjustment in itself. The combat skills you trained so hard to perfect aren’t as marketable.”
“Tell me about it.” Trace’s lips twisted. “Ranching is in my blood. I learned to ride a horse almost before I learned to walk.”
“I didn’t grow up on a ranch. But I learn quickly. I didn’t ask for your inheritance. I don’t want it.”
“Yeah, but we’re stuck with each other. If you sell, we both sell.”
“The question is, do you want the ranch to go out of the family?” Matt asked.
“It’s not about me,” Trace said. “We’re in this together, like it or not.”
Matt sighed. “If we don’t want to sell Whiskey Gulch Ranch, can we work together to manage the ranch without killing each other or going insane with the slower pace and less fulfilling lifestyle?”
“That’s the sixty-four-million-dollar question.” Could he work with this interloper? To be fair, Matt hadn’t asked to be included in the inheritance. And he hadn’t had the privilege of choosing his father. He, like Trace, had the DNA he was born with. By accident of birth, Trace and Matt were related.
&nb
sp; It could be worse. Matt wasn’t all bad. He’d served in the marines and worked hard to make a living. He wasn’t into drugs and he appeared to be honorable and respectful of women.
Trace glanced ahead. “Here we are. This is where the cattle made their break for it.”
Several yards ahead, the barbed wire lay on the ground in long loose coils. Several of the metal fence posts had been knocked over and the wire had either been cut or had snapped.
“We’ll need to clear this out a little more to get the cows through easily,” Trace said.
“They found their way through the first time on their own,” Matt pointed out.
“Yeah, but they had all day to pick their way through. I don’t plan on taking all day getting them back. They’re motivated easily by feed. I don’t think we’ll have a problem getting them back on this side.” Trace dismounted and moved a strand of barbed wire to the side. Matt got down, stretched his legs and back, and started in on another strand, looping it back out of the way.
“You know,” Trace said as he stood in the small gap they’d created, “we might want to find the cattle and get them started in this direction. While they’re working their way back, we can get here ahead of them and clear their path.”
“I’m game,” Matt said.
The two men remounted, crossed onto the Rocking J Ranch and climbed to the top of a ridge.
From his vantage point, Trace could see down into a valley. “There,” he said and pointed.
Several dozen cows grazed in the north corner of the valley.
“How are we going to get them from down there to up here?” Matt asked. “Not to mention coaxing them through the fence.”
Trace grinned. “They’re used to being fed some grain through the winter. Granted, it’s not winter, and they are feasting on green grass, but old habits die hard. All I should have to do is shake this bag of feed and they’ll come running.” He nudged his horse forward. “We have to get a little closer so they can see and hear us.”
When they were within range, Trace whistled sharply and yelled, “Here, cow!”
Matt chuckled. “Really? They come to that?”
