Through The Fire (Guardians, Inc. Book 2)

by Belle Calhoune

  “Well, I seem to remember one of the messages saying something about getting even, and the other message contained slur words that I refuse to repeat in the presence of a lady,” Hollis drawled, scratching his grizzled beard as he spoke. “There were a few more minor incidents that we passed off as coincidences...but after today I can’t look at the situation in the same way anymore. Things are becoming mighty peculiar around here.”

  “Did my grandmother know about this?” Sierra asked. Part of her hoped that her grandmother had remained in the dark about the situation at the Diamond Lil. She didn’t want to think that her grandmother’s last days on earth were spent worrying and wondering about the future of the ranch.

  “I can’t rightly say. I didn’t see your grandmother much in the last few months, what with her being sickly and all. She didn’t come out to the Diamond Lil every day like she used to in the old days. I expect if anyone told her about the problems it would’ve been Sam or Bryce Jarvis. You know Bryce is working at the Diamond Lil now and he’s really taken a shine to the place. That boy’s a really good worker.”

  Bryce had been in Jason’s class at St. Bartholomews Academy for Boys. He had been the late in life child for Sam Jarvis and his second wife, Hattie. At the time of Bryce’s birth, Sam had been older and childless, and as Sam always liked to brag, “No child on earth was more wanted or loved.”

  Sierra chuckled, then said, “Bryce is working on the Diamond Lil? I’m a little surprised. I thought he was going to be the next big thing in the banking industry. The way I remember it, Bryce was always reaching for the brass ring. I don’t recall him ever being interested in ranching.”

  Hollis quirked his mouth. “Well, Bryce got himself into some trouble in the banking industry. It wasn’t anything too bad from what I understand, just a few mix-ups at the bank. He really needed a job and Lilliana Rose recommended him. It gave him a fresh start.” Hollis scratched his chin and muttered, “Although his daddy was pretty upset by the whole mess.”

  The sound of a car door slamming followed by the noise of boots scraping across the dirt drew Hollis and Sierra’s attention away from their conversation. She shielded her eyes from the sun, squinting into the distance as she automatically raised her hand in greeting to the new arrival. With the sun bearing directly down on her, all Sierra could make out was a tall, muscular figure dressed in dark jeans, a black Stetson and a white T-shirt. As the figure moved closer she caught a glimpse of his face—Caleb’s face, the dark, chiseled features jumping out at her and taking her by surprise.

  Sierra watched Caleb walk toward her, his body all sinew and muscle, his stride powerful and easy. She didn’t like the fact that the brim of his black Stetson shielded his eyes from view. She wanted to see his eyes, to see the intent that lay within their fiery depths. She wanted to know if he was still on edge as he had been this morning, or if his demeanor was more contained as it had been at Pinecrest. More than anything she wanted to know what Caleb was doing here at the Diamond Lil.

  Before she could ask, Hollis jumped in to explain Caleb’s appearance. “I hope you don’t mind that I called in Caleb Matthews, Sierra. If you don’t already know, he’s one of the most well-respected cattle ranchers in the area. There isn’t anything Caleb doesn’t know about cattle. Plus he’s had some experience with cattle rustlers and the like. He may be able to help us figure out what’s going on around here.”

  Successful? Caleb was successful! She felt a burst of pride for Caleb, irrationally wishing that she could wrap her arms around him and congratulate him with a kiss. Years ago they had dreamed of such success, for both of them, although their dream had always been to run a cattle ranch together. Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Matthews. Their daydreams had always ended with a romantic wedding and promises to love each other for a lifetime. At least some of their dreams came true, she thought soberly, even if the dreams weren’t achieved together.

  By way of a greeting Caleb tipped his hat in her direction, then removed the Stetson off his head completely, so that his entire face was visible. At the moment his eyes were unreadable, as were his thoughts as she watched him shake hands with Hollis. Once upon a time she had been able to read his thoughts, and he had been able to read hers, two people so united that they'd been linked on a higher plane. But that was a long time ago, she reminded herself. Those days were long gone.

  ***

  Goodness, she looked beautiful, Caleb thought. Even in her white cotton T-shirt and her fitted jeans, Sierra managed to look radiant. He told himself not to stare, but he couldn’t help it, and for a moment he didn’t care what she thought of his intent gaze. He could see the tell-tale signs of worry on her face, the small wrinkles that marred her perfect brow and the slight twist of her mouth that denoted her unhappiness. For a brief moment he perused the scene, taking in the sight of the cows by the large oak trees. Once again he looked at Sierra’s face, and he saw the distress that she was trying so hard to hide from Hollis. There was fear in her eyes.

  Caleb watched as Sierra shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. He knew his eyes had lingered way too long on her beautiful face. For all intents and purposes he was sizing her up. In the flesh she lived up to every dream he'd dreamt of her over the years. Was he subconsciously comparing her to the way she’d looked eight years ago? Was he looking for the seventeen year old girl who’d vowed to love him forever as they’d kissed under the brilliant Texas moon?

  “Have either of you given any thought to this being a hate crime?” Caleb asked abruptly, his voice sounding harsher than normal to his own ears.

  Sierra frowned at Caleb, her brow furrowed in confusion as she asked, “Hate crime? Why would you think that this is a hate crime?”

  Caleb idly twirled a piece of straw in his hand, concentrating intently on the task as he answered Sierra’s question. “Well, let me see. Your grandmother was the owner of the largest, most profitable cattle ranch in the area. For decades she’s had a stranglehold on the industry, leaving little or no room for others to compete. Furthermore, she discovered oil on the adjacent property, thereby becoming richer and richer and richer.” Caleb’s tone was defiant and slightly mocking.

  Although Hollis probably couldn’t detect the note of censure in his voice, Caleb knew that it probably sounded as if he was criticizing her grandmother and her entire way of life. Immediately, Sierra bristled.

  Caleb continued, “Don’t you think it’s possible that someone may have resented an African American female doing so well for herself? Especially in a male-oriented arena? Don’t tell me that there aren’t a thousand people out there who resent her success.”

  Like me, he wanted to say. I resented your whole family for their success, Sierra, and for years I’ve waited for my chance to turn the tables. And if you only knew how close I am to turning the tables, you’d slap me into next week.

  “There may be people out there who resent her success, Caleb, but do you really think that this is about race? My grandmother owned this ranch for over sixty years and nothing like this ever happened,” she countered. “Sixty years ago people in the cattle industry weren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for my grandmother, but no one ever messed with her. Little by little they accepted her.”

  “Don’t you read the papers up in New York? Hate crimes are on the rise in this country. They happen every day in big towns like Houston and little towns like Smithville. The world can be an ugly place, and you need to realize that it’s a real possibility.”

  “I’m not buying it,” Sierra said vehemently. “This feels so much more personal. It feels...so calculated. It feels like someone was trying to shock and awe. I can’t explain it, but I have a gut feeling on this one. It wasn’t a hate crime!”

  Caleb rolled his eyes and let out a loud belly laugh. “Gut feeling? And just what is your gut feeling telling you? Is it telling you to run away again?”

  Sierra froze at Caleb’s words. She looked shocked to the core that he had made such an innuendo in front of Hollis. He’d
laid it right out on the table. He was deliberately baiting her, throwing the past in her face and using it to challenge her. He couldn’t seem to halt his tongue.

  She jutted her chin upward. “I’m not running anywhere, especially since I’m the new owner of the Diamond Lil. My grandmother left it to me in her will. I have a responsibility to resolve this situation and to make sure the person or persons responsible for slaughtering our cattle and tampering with our property are prosecuted for their actions. I’m committed to this,” she said defiantly, her hands jammed in her back pockets, her chest thrust forward in challenge.

  “Committed?” Caleb scoffed as his eyes raked over her from head to toe. “I heard that word from you a long time ago, but back then your word didn’t mean much. Tell me something, has that changed over the years?”

  “Caleb! What is going on with you?” Hollis asked, his voice angry and stern. “I don't much like the way you're talking to Sierra.”

  “He’s just getting something off his chest, Hollis,” Sierra explained in a calm, even voice. “Something he’s been wanting to say for a long time. It’s okay. I can handle it.” She folded her arms across her chest and met his gaze head-on.

  It was way overdue, Caleb thought. Eight years to be exact. She knew he had every right to doubt her integrity.

  Hollis looked extremely uncomfortable being caught in the middle of their drama. Rather reluctantly, Hollis excused himself, saying he was going to see about the cattle and getting rid of the remains. Before he left he turned towards Sierra and said, “There have been a lot of hate crimes in the state this year. Listen to Caleb. Don’t close yourself off to something just because you have a beef with the messenger. And by the way, I’m happy you’re going to be running the Diamond Lil. You remind me so much of Lilliana Rose.” Hollis turned toward Caleb and wagged his finger at him. “You behave yourself. Don’t make me regret calling you over here.” Hollis then turned and walked away, heading towards the pasture and the cows.

  “There are other possibilities,” Caleb conceded as he smoothly veered the topic away from the past. Things were getting far too personal, he thought, and he knew he might explode under the pressure. He needed to get back in control of his feelings before he said things in the heat of the moment that he couldn’t take back.

  “Such as?” she asked. Caleb had swiftly turned the conversation back to the incidents at the Diamond Lil, and for a brief moment she felt disappointed that he didn’t want to talk about the past. For a moment she’d seen the look of hurt and pain in his eyes, and she was truly shocked that after so many years her desertion still affected him. She didn’t dare to hope he still loved her, or that he nurtured any lingering feelings for her, because to dare to hope and then have those hopes dashed - the pain would be too unbearable, too devastatingly familiar.

  “Revenge,” Caleb said simply, his tiger’s eyes clouding over with an emotion that Sierra couldn’t decipher.

  “Revenge? For what?”she asked, her confusion evident in the look of disbelief on her face. She couldn’t think of anyone who’d want revenge on her family.

  Caleb shrugged nonchalantly, then said, “Revenge is the driving force behind some of the worst acts we humans commit. Maybe Lilliana Rose was involved in a business deal that went sour. Or perhaps something went wrong with some of the cattle she sold and the person is striking back, using the Diamond Lil as its target. The possibilites are endless. You have to look into the records and talk to Hollis and Sam. Ask them if there were any disgruntled employees in the past few months or any problems that stick out in their minds. You have to dig deep.”

  Sierra listened to Caleb intently. Her jaw hardened. It seemed as if she was summoning strength. “I’m in control of the Diamond Lil now. I’m the one calling the shots now that my grandmother has left me the ranch. And it’s my job to investigate all these strange occurrences that have been plaguing the Diamond Lil.” She bit her lip. “I’ve been away for a long time. I’m not sure I know where to even begin to start investigating.”

  Caleb locked gazes with her. Don’t feel sorry for her, he warned himself.

  “Will you help me?” she asked Caleb. The words flew out of her mouth. “I know you don’t owe me anything, but-.”

  “You’re right. I don’t,” he responded in a voice heated by fierce emotion. “I didn’t come over here for you,” he said sharply. “I came because Hollis asked me to come.”

  Sierra’s eyes glinted with emotion as she made her appeal. “If you ever loved me, Caleb, please help me. If I ever meant a single thing to you, please do this for me.” Her voice was pleading and filled with a yearning that sounded almost intimate to Caleb’s ears. He didn’t want to hear that yearning because it made him want all the years they’d lost together. It made him want Sierra - in his life, in his heart. Wherever he could have her. Because his life had never been sweeter than the days when he had held her in his arms, whispering eternal promises and exchanging vows of love.

  If. If. The single word burned a hole right through him, sending him swirling into an abyss where dark, roiling emotions raged out of control. If he ever loved her? Was there no end to her cruelty and manipulations? She knew he’d loved her. The big joke was that she hadn’t loved him. She’d dumped him quicker than lighting, but now she needed him. Now she wanted him. Not him, he corrected himself. She needed his help. For the Diamond Lil. For the Jackson family dynasty, he thought bitterly.

  ***

  Sierra saw the stubborn thrust of his jaw, the fiery eyes that showed both anger and something else she couldn’t put her finger on. Something elusive and mysterious. The very essence of Caleb. Impulsively, Sierra reached out and touched him on the side of the cheek, her fingers pulsing with fiery heat as they connected with his skin. She knew she should’ve resisted the urge, but she wanted so badly to touch him. She wanted to connect with him so much.

  “Don’t touch me!” he said in a fierce tone that caused Sierra to take two backward steps. “I hate being manipulated. Don’t play mind games and throw the past in my face. Because if you do, I’m warning you, you’re walking on dangerous ground.” Caleb’s breathing was ragged and shallow, and he appeared to be struggling with his personal demons as he fought for control of his emotions.

  Sierra stood by silently, afraid to speak, unwilling to shatter the ounce of civility that existed between them. So much had been shattered in the past. Too much, she thought. She wanted to rebuild the shattered trust, not demolish it. Had she gone too far in asking for his help? Or was it her tender touch that had sent him spinning out of control?

  Caleb paused for a few moments, seemingly struggling for control before he continued to speak. “I’ll help you with the problems at the Diamond Lil, because if someone is killing cattle and tampering with property it affects all of us ranchers.” His eyes hardened. “Don’t think this is about you, Sierra. I don’t really have a choice in the matter. I’m helping myself and all the other cattle ranchers in the area.”

  Relief and gratitude bubbled up inside of her. “Thank you!” She rushed toward him and threw herself against his chest. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around him. She looked up at him, jolted by the fact that they were in such close proximity. Before she knew it, Caleb was dipping his head down and capturing her lips in a tender yet dazzling kiss. Even though Sierra knew this was neither the time nor the place, she relaxed into the kiss, savoring it like a rare treat.

  Suddenly Sierra felt Caleb’s arms gently pushing her away, and for a brief moment she clung to his arm to steady herself. She felt dazed from his kiss, from the way he’d held her in his arms, and by the way she’d wanted the kiss to go on and on. When she looked up at him she found herself staring into eyes that were filled with nothing but regret. Her stomach lurched as Caleb pivoted on his heel and quickly walked away from her, leaving her to join Hollis and the ranch hands in the northern pasture where the dirty business of disposing of the cows commenced. Sierra touched her lips, still dazzled by the intensity
of Caleb’s kiss. Strangely, she felt as if he had branded her. As always, she felt like Caleb’s girl, even though she was now a woman.

  Lord, please help me. It’s so hard to figure out whether or not to tell Caleb the truth about what drove us apart. Is it better to bury the past or address it? Will he even understand the pressure she’d been under or her divided loyalties? Give me strength to do what’s right.

  It was time, she realized. It was time Caleb knew the truth about their break-up. It was time he learned that they had been separated through lies and deception. It was time he realized that despite the distance and the years that had passed, she still loved him. Fiercely. Devotedly. Forever.

  With this knowledge came the fear. Her greatest fear of all. The fear that even if Caleb knew the truth about her grandmother’s deception, it wouldn’t change a thing. He still wouldn’t love her in return.

  Chapter Four

  “Honey, will you be back for dinner or should I tell Minnie not to set an extra plate?”

  Sierra slipped a denim vest over her alabaster colored t-shirt, studying herself in the mirror with a critical eye as her mother asked about her dinner plans. Her clothes were casual but fun. Functional, but not boring. The perfect clothes, she thought comically, for tracking down your deceased grandmother’s love of sixty years ago.

  Reclusive. Weird. Hermit. The words danced in her mind, fresh from the lips of her best friend, Marissa. Marissa was Sierra’s source of the freshest, most reliable town gossip. As a real estate agent it was part of Marissa’s job to keep her ear low to the ground for gossip and to know everybody who lived in Briarwood. Due to Marissa’s gossipy nature and her own subscription to The Briarwood Gazette, Sierra had been kept abreast over the years of most of the goings-on in town.

  “No, Mom,” she responded to her mother in a cheery voice, “I probably won’t make it back for dinner. I’ll just pick something up on the road so I won’t be hungry later.”