My Favorite Cowboy

by Donna Grant

  To her shock, she realized that Caleb had kept a hold of her hand. She was loath to move, and apparently, she wasn’t the only one. When he parked the vehicle, none of them moved to get out.

  “Thank you,” she said, looking out the windshield.

  He nodded. “My pleasure. Are you all right?”

  Audrey glanced behind her to Maddy and smiled. “Yes.”

  Once more, his hand squeezed hers. “That’s good to hear.”

  She spotted Brice watching them. He studied the truck for a moment, and a look passed between the brothers. Brice then turned and said something to someone Audrey couldn’t see. A moment later, the older Harper walked away.

  “I don’t want to see anyone,” Maddy suddenly said.

  Caleb didn’t hesitate to say, “You don’t have to. I can take you to David’s office. Someone will be near, watching at all times.”

  There was a beat of silence, then Maddy said, “But Audrey is going to need me.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Audrey hurried to say as she shifted to look at her sister.

  Maddy sat up straight. “You wouldn’t hide away after an attack.”

  “I don’t know what I’d do,” Audrey admitted. “I might.”

  Maddy shook her head. “I know you. You wouldn’t break.”

  “And neither have you.”

  Her sister blinked before a small smile played on her lips. “I didn’t, did I?”

  “See? You’re stronger than you think.”

  “Maybe,” Maddy mumbled and reached for the door.

  It swung open, and she exited the truck. Audrey’s gaze slid to Caleb, who gave her an encouraging smile.

  “It’s going to be all right,” he promised.

  And she actually believed him.

  Audrey hated that she had to release his hand to get out of the truck. She found herself drawn to Caleb as they met at the front of the vehicle where Maddy waited.

  But when Maddy headed toward the stables, Audrey said, “I thought you wanted to be alone.”

  Maddy lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I thought I did, but you need me. Let me help. If it gets to be too much, I’ll let you know.”

  Audrey almost argued with her, but she realized it was pointless. She nodded, and they continued walking.

  Her sister had been violently attacked and was in pain, but she kept her head high, and her shoulders back as she walked.

  Audrey’s bag had been taken to where the dead horse awaited her. Maddy didn’t seem affected by the news and changed her course to the building. Even when the three of them saw the others waiting, Maddy didn’t slow.

  No one said a word about the blood on Maddy’s clothes or the fact that her face looked as if it had been used as a punching bag. The men moved out of the way as Audrey led her sister to a chair as she began laying out the items she needed.

  Each time Audrey looked up, Caleb’s eyes were on her. She knew that no one would get near her or Maddy as long as Caleb and the others were near. And she needed that kind of reassurance.

  She stilled when she heard a woman’s voice. Brice rushed from the building in a hurry. It wasn’t long before he returned, hand-in-hand with a blonde. Brice couldn’t take his eyes from the woman who was obviously his wife.

  “Y’all don’t look any worse for wear,” the woman said. Then her eyes landed on Audrey and Maddy. The woman released Brice’s hand and made her way toward them with a plastic bag. She held it out to them. “I’m Naomi. I thought you could use more estrogen out here.”

  Maddy actually smiled before she winced at her cut lip. “I’m Maddy, and this is Audrey.”

  Audrey took the bag and looked through it. There was some aspirin, bandages, and other assorted items to tend minor wounds.

  “That’s not all I brought,” Naomi said.

  Slim, pretty, and kind, Audrey instantly liked Naomi. By the way the men treated her, she was well loved by them all.

  “Tell me there’s food,” one of the men said, golden blond hair peeking from beneath his hat.

  Audrey guessed that the two men standing near Caleb were the friends that he and Brice had enlisted to help. In all the craziness, she had yet to actually meet them.

  “There’s always food for you, Jace,” Naomi said with a laugh. “Abby sent over a plate full of cookies, but she said you had to share.”

  Jace turned to leave when Clayton cleared his throat. The next thing Audrey knew, Jace stood before her.

  His hazel eyes held hers as he tipped his head. “Ma’am. I’m Jace Wilder, and the one standing over there twiddling his thumbs is Cooper Owens.”

  “Hey,” Cooper said, a frown darkening his face. “I was going to introduce myself.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Audrey said. “As I’m sure you already know, I’m Audrey, and this is my sister, Maddy.” Then she looked between Jace and Cooper. “Thank you for the help last night.”

  Cooper touched the edge of his hat with his finger as he bowed his head. “Our pleasure, ma’am.” His dark green eyes landed on Maddy. “If you need anything, let me know.”

  “Thanks,” Maddy replied.

  Without another word, Jace was out the door.

  “I, ah, better go help him,” Cooper said. “Or else Jace might eat everything before we even know what there is.”

  After he was gone, Clayton walked to Maddy and squatted down before her. “I can have Naomi take you to the ranch. I know Abby would love to spoil you. And there are plenty of rooms for you to use.”

  Maddy’s smile was easier than it had been since they found her. “Thank you, but my sister needs me. And I need to be here for her.”

  Clayton straightened and nodded at them. “I’ll give you both a few minutes. Audrey, let us know when you’re ready for the necropsy.”

  “I’ll get started right away, actually,” she said.

  Brice removed his hat and held it in his hands. “Perhaps it’s time we find out exactly what happened at your place first.”

  “There isn’t much to tell,” Caleb said. “We got there and found the clinic torn up. They didn’t leave a single cabinet alone. Everything was pulled out and destroyed.”

  Audrey fished out some aspirin for her sister and gave them to Maddy, along with a bottle of water. “None of my equipment is salvageable either. I’m lucky that what was at the clinic is backup to what I have in my SUV.”

  Clayton exhaled loudly. “I think you should have some help.”

  Audrey glanced at Caleb to gauge his reaction. “I have Maddy.”

  “Who needs to rest,” Naomi pointed out.

  Audrey nodded even as Maddy tried to say that she was fine. Her sister was far from okay, but Audrey wanted Maddy close if for no other reason than to keep an eye on her.

  “You’re talking about Mac,” Caleb said to Clayton.

  Maddy frowned. “Mac?”

  Naomi turned to her. “Mac is the vet for the East Ranch. He’s also worked for Brice and Caleb for the past three years.”

  “We trust him,” Brice added.

  Caleb nodded as he looked at Audrey. “And the best part is, Mac has everything to run any test for the necropsy. Two is always better than one.”

  Audrey licked her lips as she took in what they had told her. It would be helpful to have another set of eyes on things since she was going on two days without sleep. But she still had her reservations. “While I appreciate what you’re doing, do you think it’s wise to bring someone else in on this?”

  “Mac trusts Clayton wouldn’t put him in harm’s way. Years of working together has built a bond,” Caleb said.

  Audrey realized that she didn’t have that kind of bond with either of the ranches she worked for. Perhaps it was time she took a closer look at her employers and figured out what was more important—a big paycheck, or people she respected and trusted.

  “Well?” Naomi asked, her brow raised.

  Audrey blinked, aware that they were waiting to hear what she thought. “If Mac is willing to h
elp, then yes.”

  “I’ll make the call,” Clayton said and walked out.

  “Mac won’t tell Clayton no,” Brice said.

  Audrey turned to the horse. “I’ve not checked on the other horses.”

  “I can do that,” Naomi said. “I help Mac on occasion.”

  Audrey looked at Brice’s wife and smiled in relief. “Thank you. My iPad is around here somewhere. If you could add in notes, that would really help me out.”

  “It’s here,” Maddy said as she leaned over in her chair and withdrew the tablet from the bag to hand to Naomi.

  Audrey knelt by her bag and searched through the contents. She had some of the items for a necropsy. The rest was in her SUV, which she needed to get. It wasn’t everything she would’ve wanted, but at least she could get started. The sooner she found answers, the sooner she could help the other horses.

  “What do you need?” Caleb asked her.

  She didn’t question how he knew she needed anything. It was nice, though. Definitely something she could get used to. She didn’t know much about relationships, though. Who was she to assume what it would be like with Caleb?

  “Several things from my SUV,” she replied.

  Brice nodded. “Tell me. I can get them for you.”

  She grinned. “Wonderful. It’ll be easier if you drive my truck here, though.”

  He held out his hand, and she fished the keys from her pocket to toss his way.

  Naomi scrolled through the iPad, glancing at the notes. “I’ll use the same format you used. If I have any questions, I’ll let you know.”

  Audrey looked up in time to see Naomi and Brice walk out together. Unwittingly, her gaze panned to Caleb. Once more, he stared at her.

  She wished she knew what he was thinking, because his face revealed nothing. Audrey heard a forlorn sigh and rolled her eyes as she realized that her sister was there, witnessing everything.

  Caleb walked to Audrey. “What more do you need from me?”

  The answers that popped into Audrey’s head had nothing to do with veterinarian work.

  Chapter 12

  Caleb knew a lot about horses. He’d fallen in love with them the moment he arrived on the East Ranch. Every chance he had, he was with the ranch hands, learning every tidbit they would share about the majestic animals.

  He did the same with the farrier, the vets, the trainers, and anyone who had any kind of wisdom about horses. The years he’d spent in the Army away from the animals had left an empty ache in him that only stopped when he returned home.

  But all the knowledge he had seemed insignificant as he stood with Maddy while Audrey conducted the necropsy on the dead gelding.

  Caleb walked from the building when the procedure was finished and had a new appreciation for equine veterinarians—especially Audrey.

  “Not what you expected, huh?” Maddy asked as she came to stand beside him beneath the shade of the overhang.

  Caleb glanced at the closed door behind them. “Does one of us need to be in there with her?”

  “Naw. Audrey has it covered,” Maddy stated. “The one thing you’ll learn about my sister is that she could rule the world if she set her mind to it. Nothing stands in her way when she wants something. She doesn’t know the meaning of ‘give up.’”

  Caleb studied Maddy, noticing that she was moving slower and slower as the aches of her body began to make themselves known.

  Maddy’s black eyes met his. “Audrey never turns away help, but she’s also not the first to ask for it. She will try to do whatever it is on her own first. I’ll put Nair in your shampoo if you tell her, but she’s usually right.”

  “I won’t tell her,” Caleb said as he chuckled.

  Maddy tentatively touched her split lip. She closed her eyes and kept them shut for a few moments.

  Caleb could tell that she needed to rest. “Why don’t you get some sleep? There’s a couch in David’s office.”

  “Yeah. I think I will,” Maddy said and started toward the metal building.

  Caleb was about to go with her since she looked unsteady on her feet, but she lifted a finger and pointed it at him as she glanced his way.

  “I don’t think so, cowboy. Stay with Audrey. I can make it.”

  Caleb watched her until she reached the office and went inside, the door shutting behind her. He turned and spotted Clayton leaning against the side of the building. “What are you doing out here?”

  “Waiting on you.”

  The ominous tone of his brother-in-law’s voice didn’t sit well. “Why didn’t you come inside?”

  “I did, but all three of you were so absorbed, you didn’t see me.”

  “Is something wrong?”

  Clayton shook his head as he pushed away from the building. “Mac is on his way, but I wanted to talk with you alone.”

  “About?” It was never a good sign when Clayton was so cryptic.

  Clayton removed his hat and ran his hand through his dark blond hair. He sighed and turned the hat around in his hands. “Audrey and Maddy seem to be taking things in stride.”

  Now he knew what Clayton was getting at. Caleb nodded. “Audrey has something to focus on. So did Maddy for a bit, but I’m not sure how long that’s going to last. You want to take them to the ranch, don’t you?”

  Clayton’s pale green eyes met his. “I don’t think they should be alone.”

  “I agree. However, Audrey won’t leave while the other horses are still ill.”

  “True. Maddy at least needs to go.”

  “That I agree with,” Caleb said.

  “I doubt those men will be back after being shot at.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  Clayton put his hat back on his head. “They know we’re on to them. It might be beneficial for us to take turns keeping a lookout for the next few nights, but I think they’re done here.”

  “Here?” Caleb asked with his brows raised, considering Clayton’s words. “Where do you think they’ll strike next?”

  “I wish I knew.” Clayton looked out over the acres of land. Parts were empty, while others held horses, and still other sections cattle.

  The longer Caleb looked at the animals, the more a nagging thought went round and round in his mind. He was missing something.

  Clayton came to stand beside him to look out over an area with cattle. “What?”

  Then it hit Caleb. “Why horses?”

  “What?” Clayton repeated, his brow furrowed as he turned his head to Caleb.

  “The cattle stay out there grazing until it’s time for their auction. They’re much easier to get to than the horses. Then, there are the goats and pigs. Why did the men poison the horses?”

  Clayton’s face went hard with anger. “To bring in an equine veterinarian.”

  “Yeah.” Caleb turned to the door that led to Audrey. “Is it by chance that David called Audrey?”

  Clayton shook his head. “If anyone knows David, they know he’s loyal to a fault. He and Audrey’s father were close friends.”

  “So, of course, he’d call Audrey.”

  They looked at each other. Unease stirred in Caleb. The last time he’d felt this way was three years ago when some men had been after Naomi and Brice.

  Clayton snorted, his mouth twisting. “We had a few years without an incident.”

  “You make it sound as if it follows me and Brice around.”

  “I’m beginning to think it does,” Caleb replied dryly.

  Caleb took off his hat and slapped it against his leg. “It comes down to whether the poisoning of the horses was to hurt David or bring in Audrey. Or both.”

  “If we hadn’t caught the men in the act last night, the poisoning would’ve continued, and it would’ve ruined both David and Audrey.”

  Caleb wiped a hand over his mouth. He wanted out of his sweaty clothes and to have a decent meal, but neither would be happening anytime soon. “All of this could be about both of them.”

  “It could, indeed. We
won’t know until we dig deeper.”

  “Has anyone spoken to David?”

  Clayton glanced at his watch. “About a half hour ago. He should be here soon.”

  “So no one went after him like they did Maddy?”

  “That entire attack has me wondering why they did it. It was done too late at night for anyone to be at the clinic.”

  Caleb returned his hat to his head. “I agree. I think Maddy was right. They weren’t after her or Audrey. I think the men wanted to make sure that Audrey couldn’t do any testing on the horses to figure out the poison. Except she can with the equipment in her SUV.”

  Clayton crossed his arms over his chest. “Good point.”

  “If these people know we’re involved, they’ll know we’ll call in Mac.”

  “Fuck,” Clayton grumbled and yanked out his phone. A moment later, he said, “Shane, I need a favor.”

  Caleb grinned as he thought of the East Ranch manager. Shane had spent the majority of his life dedicated to the Easts, but three years ago, he’d found himself smitten with Beverly Barnes, the owner of the local newspaper. The two had been together since.

  His thoughts halted when Clayton put away his phone.

  “Shane is going to take a few men and head to Mac’s,” Clayton said.

  “Good.” The unease within Caleb didn’t lessen, though.

  Clayton was silent for a long minute. “Both of our ranches have excellent security. Take Audrey and her sister to the Rockin’ H when this is all finished. She’ll be safe with you.”

  Caleb knew that no place was safer than Clayton’s, but his brother-in-law also had three children and a wife to think about. “When the time comes, I’ll try and talk Audrey into coming with me.”

  “If you can’t?”

  Caleb shrugged. “Then I guess I’ll be going wherever she goes. One way or another, we’re going to figure out who these people are after and put an end to it.”

  “Damn straight we are,” Clayton said with a grin.

  The door to the building opened, and Audrey walked out. The apron, gloves, and goggles she’d worn were gone. She said nothing to the two of them as she walked to the side of the building and leaned against it. Then she slid down it until she sat on the concrete. Only then did she lift her gaze to Caleb.