by Rimmy London
Reaching for a chair I eyed the foil covering each plate. “Sorry, you could have woken me,” I said, watching as he crumpled the sheets of foil into a tight ball.
“S’fine… I like to be good and hungry for a dinner like this,” he answered, cutting his food.
I reached for a steak knife. “Wow,” I sunk the first bite into my mouth, chewing greedily. “Mmm—what’s the occasion?”
“Well…” He swallowed and wiped his mouth with a plaid napkin, scooting his plate forward a little. My fork hung in midair. Obviously, there was going to be quite an answer. I used the spare time to cut a few more pieces, keeping my eyes on my dad. “I like a big meal before a cattle drive, and I think we will have to leave in the morning.” My eyebrows lifted. “It’ll just be a couple days—three tops. It’s just that prices are real good right now. Can’t pass it up. I’d just let em’ go with Henry but he’s only sendin’ half his herd. Can’t see lettin’ someone else do all the work for my cows.” Still staring, I was trying to get used to this new chatty version of my dad. He cut a big bite of steak. “Alright?”
“Yeah…” I stabbed another bite, the lapse into silence making me edgy. “Yeah, that’s fine,” I repeated, sounding much more casual than I felt. Being alone was something I had a hard time handling now. There were too many memories to conjure up—memories no one would believe. I swirled the last juicy bite of steak through a dark pool of sauce, feeling increasingly desperate. My heart throbbed and I shoved half a potato in my mouth. Stop it… you’re overreacting! I thought angrily, but my emotions didn’t seem to care.
“Told Luke he could stay and watch over the animals – just lettin’ him sleep in the room above the barn.” I looked up, my fears swirling around me like a dream before fading away. My face must have been pale with the way the conversation turned. My dad sat up straighter. “But he doesn’t have to. He lives pretty close. Let me call him and tell him to drive out instead, that’ll be fine…”
“No!” I practically shouted. Smiling a little I cleared my throat. “It would be nice to have him around. I wouldn’t mind. Thanks, dad.”
“Uh-huh.” Eyeing me curiously he finished his meal and headed outside, shaking his head. But at least I wasn’t going to be alone. Luke was practically family, and things would be okay as long as he was around.
* * *
“C’mon, pick up…” I mumbled, pacing my room and watching the screen hopefully. But there was no answer, and I didn’t want to leave another message. Biting my lip I pushed more buttons, hoping I remembered the number correctly. I waited again, this time the call connecting after one ring. “Max” I breathed, “What’s going on?”
“Loriel!” He sounded almost frantic. “Are you okay? Givanni has been trying to get a hold of you—” Sharp static screeched in my ear, drowning him out.
“Max!” I yelled. He had been trying to get a hold of me? Why? And why couldn’t he reach me? My phone was working fine. “Can you hear me, Max?”
“…doesn’t think… use… wait for us…of you…” I squinted, trying my hardest to decipher a message from the jumble of words. A spike in the interference had me pulling the phone away, my ear ringing.
I smashed it back to my head. “Hello? Max?”… Nothing. The connection was gone. But during that one-minute phone call, I’d made a decision. All I had to do was tell my dad. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to get him to agree with me, but I wanted to hear him say it anyway. The fact that I was a grown adult didn’t seem to change that—I still wanted his approval. So, I waited on the couch, critiquing the speech in my head.
The second his heavy leather boots appeared through the screen door, I stopped them in their tracks. “Dad, I think something’s wrong. I need to get back home. I have been trying to call Givanni and haven’t gotten any answer until just now when—actually, I didn’t call Givanni that time, it was Max, but he said – ”
“Ella.” The stern tone of my dad’s voice had me stopping mid-sentence. “Now I want you to hear me out for a second.”
“Just let me explain for a minute,” I said, but he shook his head.
“I know enough. I know what that young man is charged with. It’s more than clear to me that he has trouble following him wherever he goes—and that he has trapped you into it as well. Seems to me the smartest thing he’s done is to keep you away from all this garbage until it’s… resolved.” I could see it in his eyes, and it crushed me. He thought Givanni was guilty. No doubt he assumed the jury would agree. My breath sucked in. “Just wait until I get back,” he continued, “Two days. Please, Ella-girl, give it that much time and we can talk about it then.” He took a couple steps closer. “Deal?”
All I felt was discouragement—my energy seemed lost. “Okay,” I sighed.
That agreement was a mistake. I knew it the second I’d made it, and once evening hit I was scrambling to make sense of everything. Sure I had agreed to stay for a couple days, think things over or whatever, but the only way to get in touch with Givanni was to go.
I sighed, flipping onto my back and staring at the ceiling. He had tried to call me. What did that mean? Pushing off the bed I walked to the mirror in the corner of the room, looking back at my tired face. In the back of my mind, I already knew what it meant.
He couldn’t get a hold of me because someone was preventing it. Someone who wanted him convicted of murder. So maybe it was working - maybe they had stopped him from reaching me. But if they thought I was going to sit aside and allow it to continue, they didn’t know me well.
Chapter 5
A third ring pulsed in my ear, and I prepared to leave a message. “Senator Boswik’s office, how may I direct your call?” A woman asked, sounding rushed and professional.
My heart pounded. “Oh, yes, hello. I would like to speak to Senator Boswik please.” The woman paused, and I wished I had researched the proper way to contact a senator. I was sure to sound naïve.
“Do you have an appointment ma’am?”
“Uh—no.”
“Is the Senator expecting your call?” she chirped, sounding cheerfully mean.
“No, he’s not.”
“Ah, yes. Well, I could schedule you in for next week if you...” There was a slight rustling sound and a muted voice like she’d covered the receiver. “Could I get your name please?” Her tone had changed, and I hesitated. “Ma’am? He has time on Wednesday next if that’s convenient? Could I get your name?”
Again I bit my lip, my breath coming faster. “Thank you,” I stuttered, “for your… time.” With one touch I ended our call. Boots on the porch had me jumping up, but I froze suddenly. It wasn’t my father—he’d already left. And while I hoped it was Luke, I couldn’t be sure. I glanced at the closet hiding my dad’s shotgun. Retrieving it quickly I stepped to the door as a knock sounded. “Yes?” I yelled, checking for shells and snapping the gun back in place.
“Ella, it’s Luke. You okay?”
I exhaled in a gust, sure he’d heard me secure the shotgun. Opening the door, I stepped back. “C’mon in,” I said in a breath with my pulse still pounding. It took a moment to convince my heart that I wasn’t in danger. As Luke walked through, I glanced outside before closing the door behind him. His face was heavy with skepticism when I finally turned around. I shrugged a little, glancing at the gun and sinking my hands into my pockets.
“You usually carry the gun with ya at home?” he asked. His smirk was irritating, but he seemed to switch tactics. “Hey, if there’s something going on I want to know about it. How am I supposed to help you if—”
“I don’t need…” I stopped, knowing how rude that would sound. But he had heard enough.
“Don’t need my help?” He rubbed the brim of his hat in his hand, lifting it to his head in the next instant. “Alright then, I’ll quit helpin’. Just lettin’ you know that I’m here for the day—if you need anything. Looks like you don’t though, so I’ll be going.”
Not able to come up with the right words I just watche
d him leave, wishing that I had said something. A simple sorry would have been better than silence.
Outside the windows colors were beginning to change, the gold and red tones of fall just tingeing green leaves. The weather would come soon, and storms were unforgiving in the desert. They seemed to build the same way they would build in the ocean, with nothing to break their wrath. Tucking my feet under me I settled more comfortably into the couch cushions with the thought that we were up against a storm. And it was only building momentum. If only I could interrupt the perfect flow of things.
It was a moment before I recognized the curled gold letters my eyes had settled on. I stood, making my way slowly across the room. The pale card was velvety smooth, large and solid like it had cost a penny or two. Pulling it out from under a magazine I held it up, my fingers tracing the delicate material. I had seen one before… back in Senator Boswik’s office. But what was it doing here? Opening the stiff card I glanced over the invitation to a hand-scrawled inscription along the bottom.
Mr. Lane –
Please accept this invitation and consider attending, as I would much appreciate your help in the matters we have discussed. It would be my honor to receive your support.
Dovan Boswik
I stared at the page until my eyes ached. Dovan Boswik. Senator Boswik. I flipped the card over and glanced at the cover. There were a million things I would bet against my father being solicited by a politician. Opening the card I read the date—tomorrow. He obviously didn’t have plans to attend. I pulled the small invitation out. My father’s name was printed artfully in the middle along with ‘and guest’. I slipped the card in my pocket and raced out the door.
* * *
When I reached the corral fence in my old truck, I could make out Luke’s silhouette. By the turn of his hat, I knew I had his attention. He encouraged the cows and calves forward and came slowly closer, with Jack darting back and forth from behind. Finally securing the gate, Luke kicked his horse and left a trail of dust behind him.
I waited just until he was in earshot. “Luke, I need your help!” I blurted out. He laughed, and I suddenly realized how ironic this was.
“Now don’t go tryin’ to make me feel better. I should be apologizing for getting all upset over nothin’.” He swung out of the saddle and draped the reins over a fence post. “I appreciate the gesture though.” He smiled, and I tried to smile back—but there was too much planning going on in my head.
“Really, I do. I’m sorry about earlier. That was completely rude of me. But there’s somewhere I need to go and I’m not sure how to get there.”
“Oh,” He tipped his hat back a little. “So you really do need my help. Alright. What’s the problem?” He stared back soberly, waiting, and taking a deep breath I plunged in.
“This won’t sound real, but let’s just pretend it is for a minute,” His hat dipped in a quick nod. “Okay, there’s a man back in LA who’s being charged with murder. He’s being framed for murder… by the Italian mafia.” His eyebrow rose, and I cleared my throat. “I need to try and stop them, but I’m not really close to any government officials. I need to get to this awards ceremony,” I held the invitation up. “My father is the one invited, and I don’t know how to find him. I need to get to him quick—the dinner’s tomorrow.”
Luke’s face was still, and turning in the saddle, he gazed at the hills beyond.
“Tomorrow.”
* * *
“Loosen the reins,” Luke yelled, “she’ll follow, just let me take the lead!”
I nodded, untangling my hands and tightening my legs as the muscular white and grey body weaved in odd directions. Briar would never have lasted on our race to catch the cattle drive, so I was glad to have the mare. But I was beginning to wonder if I should have just hopped on Luke’s horse. It was a constant struggle to control the wild young horse underneath me. Her strong legs pounded the earth below, but I kept my eyes on the sky—and the way dark clouds crowded along the mountainside. They were coming in fast, leaving me feeling frozen in place even as we raced across the desert.
“How long?” I yelled, gasping as the young horse kicked underneath me. She never seemed to regain control, kicking and jerking her neck agitatedly. Her pace quickened, until we had caught up to Luke and charged right past.
My terrified face left no need for words and he responded quickly, snapping one end of the reins at his horse as a low rumble traveled through the clouds above us. I tried to produce a rational thought, but all I could hear was my breath hissing through my teeth, and all I could see was the storm raging in front of us. It had let go of every bit of moisture, and the downpour was coming closer by the second.
With a tight grip on the reins, I pulled hard, only producing a bucking jump. The young horse stretched out her neck and jerked the strips of leather through my hands. I clamped my legs tighter, twisting a knot of mane in one hand while trying to tangle the reins in the other. And then it hit—rain like a wall of water poured down on us. The ground below quickly turned to slime, and reflected a shock of lightning.
“Ella!” Luke had finally caught up, although his horse didn’t look as sure-footed as I would have liked, slipping along the muddy path. Coming in closer he bumped the side of my horse, and I finally felt a small sense of relief under me—she was calming down. Luke took the reins, slowing both horses together until we were finally stopped, standing still in the drenching storm. Lightning flashed again, and although she trembled, the young horse stayed alongside Luke.
“That’s comin’ right for us,” Luke nodded ahead, at a deep black mass of clouds and lightning. “Let’s get over to those mountains—might be a cave…”
Thunder blocked out the rest of his words and I nodded my reply. Too nervous to attempt kicking my horse I let Luke keep the reins. In minutes the lightning surrounded us, crashing continuously. The young mare snorted in reaction but seemed finally subdued. Catching sight of a small overhang I pointed and Luke turned us toward the natural shelter.
We tied the horses quickly and scrambled under the sandy ledge, and though the surroundings were dry, my body shivered relentlessly. “S’freezing,” I chattered, sitting and wrapping my arms around my knees.
Luke scooted next to me, his warmth coming through as he draped his arm across my shoulders. “This’ll pass quick. I bet they’re not ten minutes ahead,” he rumbled, his voice low like thunder from miles away. I hoped he was telling the truth, and not just trying to cheer the silence.
“What am I doing here Luke?” I shook my head. “All this trouble and I could have just stayed in Los Angeles—I would already be there.”
He rubbed my arm distractedly. “Ella, if what you’re telling me is true, then the safest place for you is with your father. And if you can convince him to go with you—well that might just be the most unexpected plan of all.”
“Huh,” I had just thought of something. I had to convince him. For some reason I imagined us racing off the second I caught up to the cattle drive. I frowned. That wasn’t going to be easy. But at least the storm was conceding, with strips of purple light beginning to cut through the black.
Sounds like you’ve…” Luke’s eyes rested on me, “Been busy I guess.” I smiled, remembering when this desert and ranch life were all I knew. And although I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything—I also wouldn’t recommend them.
“It’s more than I wanted, but in a good way.” I answered.
A gust of wind pushed by and his hand rubbed my arm again. “You always wanted more than this,” he said.
I turned to face him, only seeing a glimmer of reflection in his eyes. “I guess I did, but it’s still a part of me.” For a moment we were silent, and then Lukes hat tipped in a nod. His expression was anxious, and I waited for him to say whatever was on his mind.
Finally, he cleared his throat. “Are you and this guy…” He caught my eye and I looked back cautiously. “Pretty serious, then?”
His arm seemed to weigh heavie
r on my shoulder as I saw him in a new light—one where his feelings might not be what I thought. But even with how much I respected and even loved him, he was like a brother to me. There was nothing that drew me in like the pull I felt with Givanni. The only problem being I had assumed he felt the same. “We are. Very close.” I answered, studying his eyes.
He shook his head, looking frustrated. “But does he know you, Ella? Has he even seen this place? I don’t think you should be risking your life for someone who might not appreciate you like you think.” I bit my lip a little—he didn’t sound in love, but I still wasn’t sure. “I’m just worried that I’m helping you when I should be trying to stop you. You’re like a sister to me—like family.”
My breath escaped in a puff. “Sister,” I whispered, relaxing a little.
“Yeah, sister.” The sky had lightened enough to see his expression and he seemed to focus on me. “Wait, you didn’t think I was… saying…” He didn’t finish, and I could see a tinge of red in his face. My cheeks were sure to be crimson. With a laugh, his arm left my back, and he tangled his hands together. “You’ve always been pretty upfront with me so I’ll admit that when I first saw you… I…” He glanced back at my face. “It was really good to see you.”
I linked my arm with his. “You too Luke,” I answered, as both our attention turned to the clearing storm. “And Givanni knows me —he’s been to the ranch. Actually, I think you two would really get along.”
“Ha,” Luke pushed his hat down tighter. “Now don’t go makin’ us buddies just yet—seems to me he’s got some things to work out first.” My face fell at that. I looked across the landscape and my eyes trailed to the horses below—we needed to get moving.
A small movement in the distance had me jumping to my feet, shading my eyes. Luke was next to me in the next second. “A rider,” he mumbled, squinting. My head dipped, and although I thought the approaching rider looked familiar, I couldn’t tell for sure. Luke pulled the rifle from the side bag alongside his horse. “Just in case,” he whispered.
