by Donna Grant
Before Maddy had even stopped the car, a woman with long, brunette hair pulled back in a high ponytail stood with a toddler on one hip and a smile on her face.
“Maddy,” the woman called when they opened the car doors.
Audrey saw the resemblance between the woman and Caleb and Brice. Without needing an introduction, Audrey knew that she was looking at Abby.
“Hey, Abby,” Maddy said and motioned to Audrey. “This is my sister, Audrey.”
Abby’s blue eyes came to land on Audrey. “I’ve heard an awful lot about you. Welcome to the ranch. Y’all come inside.”
As soon as they were inside, the beautiful little girl Abby carried around held out her arms. Audrey only hesitated a moment before reaching for the child.
“Oh, Hope,” Abby said with a laugh as she handed the child over. “She loves to be held. If she gets to be too much, put her down.”
“It’s fine,” Audrey said, looking into Hope’s green eyes.
Abby led them into the living room, which was glorious. So many windows. Audrey tried to take in as much as she could through them without seeming disinterested in Abby.
“As much as I’d like this to be a social call, it isn’t.”
Audrey jerked her head to her sister. “Maddy,” she admonished.
Abby pointed to the sofa. “Sit, please. Would either of you care for something to drink? Tea? Coffee?”
“Bourbon,” Maddy said.
Abby’s dark brows knitted together as her gaze swung from Maddy to Audrey. “Perhaps the two of you can tell me what’s going on.”
Audrey lowered herself to the sofa and shifted Hope so that the child rested on her lap. “I apologize for not coming by sooner and thanking you in person for all you did with what happened at the auction house.”
“Oh, I did nothing,” Abby said with a wave of her hand. “I was here with the kids. I would’ve liked to have been there. Still, I heard so much about it from the others, as well as your sister.”
Audrey glanced at Maddy. “The thing is, that … mess … isn’t finished.”
“How so?” Abby asked, her expression becoming intense.
Maddy leaned against a pillow next to the arm of the couch. “Remember when me, you, and Clayton had that discussion about who would want to poison the horses and why?”
“I do. We thought it might involve Audrey.”
Audrey glanced at the ceiling. “Y’all were right.”
Abby held up a finger and got to her feet. “I think I better call Clayton. He should hear this.”
Within minutes, Clayton strode through the door and sat with his wife on the sofa. As the couple stared at Audrey, waiting for her to get on with the story, all Audrey could think about was how good it would feel to have Caleb beside her.
“I’ve been fired from the Hopkins’ stables. One of the horses there was poisoned,” she told them.
Clayton slowly sat back. “They’re blaming you.”
“I didn’t do it,” she said.
“We know that,” Abby stated.
Audrey looked between them. “But how could you know that?”
“My husband has good instincts about people. And so does Caleb,” Abby said.
Just the mention of Caleb’s name made Audrey want to smile. She licked her lips. “I hope I’m not overstepping, but I didn’t know where else to turn.”
Clayton nodded his head. “You came to the right place. Tell us everything.”
Chapter 32
Caleb wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his arm and replaced his cowboy hat as he tied off the sorrel he’d ridden to Brice and Naomi’s.
The past few days, one major issue after another had kept him immersed neck-deep in matters at the ranch. Every time he thought he could break away to try and locate Audrey, something else happened.
Then, late at night, he’d hold his phone and debate calling her. He’d gotten her number from Naomi, and he’d even entered it into his cell. But he had yet to call or send a text.
He’d written what felt like several hundred different messages and deleted every one of them before he could hit send. Nothing seemed right. Not via some device. He wanted to see Audrey, to look into her eyes and gauge her reaction. Something that couldn’t be done through a cell phone.
Caleb knocked lightly on the back door as he opened it and stuck his head in. The house was strangely quiet. When he got the odd voicemail from his brother before dawn, Caleb had realized that something was wrong. A newly arrived mare that lashed out at everyone had kept Caleb busy. He was just now getting around to seeing his brother and sister-in-law.
“Brice?” he called out.
Caleb closed the door behind him and slowly walked into the kitchen. There were dirty dishes and food left out from the night before, something that was completely out of character for both Brice and Naomi.
Concern grew as Caleb made his way out of the kitchen and into the living area. That’s where he found his brother sitting on the sofa with his elbows on his knees and his hands covering his face.
“Brice?” he said softly.
With a jerk, his brother turned around. Brice was unshaven, his eyes red, and his face haggard. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“What’s going on?” Not even in the years when Brice had been getting in trouble with the law had Caleb ever been so worried.
“We got a call from Dr. Foster last evening.”
Caleb removed his hat when he recognized the name of the fertility doctor they’d been going to in order to find out why they had yet to conceive a child. “About time. What happened?”
“We can’t have children.”
“What? No, that can’t be. Isn’t there some kind of operation they can do? What about injections? What are they called? IVF or something like that?”
Brice shook his head. “We’ve had the same conversation with the doctor. It’s not only Naomi. I … my sperm count is low.”
Caleb didn’t know what to say to that. He shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
“We’ll be okay. We just need some time.”
“Yeah, anything.” Caleb looked around. “Where is Naomi?”
Brice’s gaze moved to the stairs. “She’s in her darkroom.”
“You two will get past this. I know it.”
Brice ran a hand down his face. “I sure the hell hope so. I don’t have a life without her.”
“What about adoption?”
“Maybe. We’re not to that point yet.”
Shit. Caleb replaced his hat. “I’ve got everything taken care of around here. Don’t worry about anything. And don’t hesitate to ask if you need something.”
But Brice wasn’t listening. Of all the couples for this to happen to, it had never entered Caleb’s mind that it would befall his brother and Naomi. From the moment they’d met, it was right out of a movie.
Though it wasn’t a storybook love like Abby and Clayton’s, it was still amazing. And now, to have this.
Caleb turned and silently left the house. He put his foot in the stirrup and mounted the horse. As he turned the animal around, Caleb took out his cell and called Abby. She and Clayton needed to know what was going on.
“Where are you?” Abby asked.
Caleb blinked as he nudged the horse into a walk. “Hey, sis. Good afternoon to you, too.”
“Caleb, where are you?” Abby asked more firmly.
“What the fuck is going on? First Brice, and now you?”
There was a pause, then his sister asked, “What’s going on with Brice?”
“He and Naomi heard from the fertility doctor. That’s why I called. It’s not good. They can’t have children.”
Abby gasped. “Oh, no. I just knew it would be something easily fixed. I even told Naomi that.”
Caleb glanced at the horizon and the thick, dark clouds approaching. “I didn’t see Naomi, but Brice is a wreck. Apparently, both of them have issues. I didn’t ask what Naomi’s was, but Brice said he has a low
sperm count.”
“Damn. Not today. I need to be with them.”
“Not right now. They need time.” Caleb frowned. “And what do you mean not today?”
Abby blew out a breath. “I’ll tell you everything when you get here.”
“Here?”
“Your house. Now.”
The line went dead. Caleb shoved the phone into his pocket and leaned low over the horse. The mare instantly jumped into a run when he clicked to her. They raced across the land. Caleb didn’t need to know what was wrong. His sister needed him, and that’s all that mattered.
When his house finally came into view, he spotted Clayton’s truck parked at the front. Caleb sat up, slowing the mare as they reached the stables. Luckily, one of the kids he’d hired for the summer was there, waiting to take care of the horse.
Caleb dismounted before the sorrel had even come to a complete stop and tossed the reins to the teenager. He then ran the rest of the way to the house, busting through the door to find Clayton looking out the windows with his arms crossed, and Abby pacing the floor.
“About time,” his sister said when she spotted Caleb.
Caleb glanced at Clayton, who had yet to turn around. “You’re scaring me. Is something wrong with one of the kids? Is it Shane?”
“They’re fine,” Clayton stated.
Caleb stared at his brother-in-law’s back until Abby said his name. Caleb swung his gaze to her. “Someone better tell me what has both of you so riled.”
“Audrey,” Abby said.
One word. That’s all it took for Caleb’s stomach to drop, and his heart to beat double-time. Blood rushed through his ears so loudly, he could hear nothing else. It was obvious by Abby’s and Clayton’s attitude that something had happened.
Caleb took a step back and then another until he ran into something. He put his hand back and felt cold, smooth stone beneath his palm. The island. He’d run into the island.
“She’s fine,” Abby said.
Clayton turned then. “For now.”
Abby wrinkled her nose as she glanced at her husband. “She doesn’t know we’re here.”
Now, Caleb was confused. “Why? And why didn’t she come to me herself? Wait. First, tell me what happened.”
“A horse at the Hopkins’ stables was poisoned,” Clayton said.
In one sentence, Caleb was able to piece it all together. Someone was doing their best to ruin Audrey’s career. It hurt more than he wanted to admit that she hadn’t come to him, but at least she had gone to someone.
“What do you need me to do?” Caleb asked.
Clayton smiled. “Audrey already made a list of all the equine vets in the area.”
“She also went through each one, telling us why she thought they might or might not be enemies,” Abby added.
Caleb listened to everything they told him. “This won’t stop until we find out who’s doing this to her. They’ll keep getting bolder and bolder.”
“I agree,” Clayton said.
Abby moved to one of the island stools and sat. “I called Danny.”
Caleb exchanged a look with Clayton. “That probably wasn’t the wisest action.”
“As I already told her,” Clayton stated.
Abby rolled her eyes. “He’s a friend. But, I admit, it wasn’t such a good move. The sheriff’s department has already been to Robert Bremer’s.”
“Audrey didn’t do it,” Caleb stated.
“Of course, she didn’t,” Clayton replied.
Caleb frowned, his mind racing. “Audrey took some vacation days. She wasn’t at Bremer’s.”
Abby’s face fell. “That’s the thing. Someone says they saw her.”
“Audrey denies it,” Clayton said. “And Maddy backs up her story that they haven’t left the house since they returned from the horse rescue.”
Caleb shrugged. “Then she’s fine.”
The silence that followed his statement made Caleb uneasy. When Abby didn’t reply, he looked at Clayton and waited.
His brother-in-law removed his hat and set it softly on the coffee table as he sat on the sofa. “Somehow, Bremer knew about what happened at the auction house. That left Danny little option but to connect the two crimes.”
“And the only one associated with both is Audrey,” Caleb stated.
Abby took out her ponytail and ran her fingers through her hair. “It doesn’t help that Audrey took time off.”
“But she saved the other horses.” Why didn’t anyone else see that?”
Clayton glanced at the floor. “Abby said the same thing to Danny when he interviewed her at our place. His response was that someone is claiming that Audrey is doing this and then miraculously finding the toxin to make herself look good.”
“Which gets her more clients and more money,” Abby added.
Caleb shook his head. “Surely, Danny sees it’s all a lie.”
“He’s following the evidence,” Clayton pointed out.
“Danny has to follow the rules,” Abby said. “If her alibi checks out, she’ll be marked off as a suspect.”
“But the damage to her reputation might not be so easy to wipe away.” Caleb shook his head. He should’ve gone to see her.
Instead of worrying about what to say, he should’ve just driven out there and talked to her. Maybe then, she would’ve come to him for help.
Caleb fisted his hands. “It’s time Danny has more evidence.”
Abby jumped from the stool and smiled at her brother before she went to Clayton and gave him a kiss. Then she headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” Caleb asked her.
She stopped and looked back at him. “You’re on board with helping Clayton.”
“That’s why you came?”
“Well,” she said and gave him a hard look, “I wanted to make sure you didn’t let another day go by without talking to Audrey. I like her, by the way. She’s not just a pretty face. She’ll keep you on your toes.”
“Wait. What?” But Abby was already gone.
Clayton pushed to his feet. “Don’t even bother. Abby is already on her way to check on Brice and Naomi before she returns to the ranch.”
“I can’t believe she’s not trying to get involved in this.”
Clayton let out a loud snort. “It’s your sister, Caleb. Of course, she’s in the middle of it. She’s doing background checks on the list of names Audrey gave us.”
Caleb should’ve known. Their family stuck together, no matter what. A reminder that his family didn’t leave him.
Caleb looked at Clayton. “We need to start at the beginning. Everyone else is going to be looking at this latest poisoning, but I suspect it goes back further than that.”
“I agree. I’ve already called David. He’s waiting for us at the auction house.”
Caleb was the first out of the house, swiping his keys as he left. Once on the road, he couldn’t drive fast enough. “Where is Audrey now?”
“Back at her place. I tried to get her and Maddy to stay at the ranch, but Audrey was having none of that. She said she needed to reclaim her place after Maddy’s attack.”
“She’s stubborn. And independent.”
“You obviously care about her.”
Caleb slowed just enough to turn safely onto another road. “I do. Did she say anything about us not talking over the last several days?”
“Not a word.”
Damn. That hurt. Caleb had hoped that Audrey would try to get some sort of information about him from his family, but he should’ve known better.
“She did ask about you, though.”
Elation swept through Caleb. He couldn’t contain the smile when he glanced at Clayton. “Really?”
His brother-in-law grinned. “Really.”
By the time they pulled up to David’s, Caleb’s happiness had turned to anger over someone targeting Audrey. He shut off the engine and got out of the truck. His gaze went to the stables before he looked at the burned building in the distanc
e. By the time his attention turned to the office, he knew that nothing would stop him from finding who was after Audrey.
And God help whoever it was, because Caleb was coming for them.
Chapter 33
The sunrise was beautiful. Stunning, actually. But Audrey didn’t really see it. Her mind was once more stuck on Caleb—and she quite liked it there.
It was a much better place than thinking about the crimes she was being accused of and questioned by the authorities. She could do nothing but proclaim her innocence and wait for them to check her alibi.
If she let herself, her mind would sink into an endless pit of negativity as she looked for anything that might help her find a connection to who was doing this to her. So far, that had gotten her nowhere.
Which turned her thoughts to Caleb.
After a brief attempt at sleep, she’d given up and spent the rest of the night at the kitchen table. She’d tried to go over the names she and Maddy had compiled again, but she didn’t want to think about someone hating her.
Instead, she’d rather think of how it had felt to be in Caleb’s arms. How, five days later, her stomach still quivered at the thought of him and the memories of what they’d shared.
The mug of coffee heated her hands as she stood outside to take in the sky streaked with red and gold. It was going to be a scorcher of a day if the morning heat was any indication. It was funny how refreshed she felt by taking a few days off, but now that she’d been fired from one job, she didn’t know what to do with herself.
It was odd that Bremer hadn’t been in touch with her. She’d left him a few messages, but she didn’t think it was a good sign that he hadn’t returned her calls. Honestly, she was surprised that he hadn’t fired her, as well. He might be an asshole, but his first priority was his horses. He wouldn’t let anyone he believed might harm them near the animals.
Could he actually think she was innocent? More importantly, would she be allowed to see the horses she’d taken care of for the last few years?
She turned her head at the sound of a vehicle approaching. It was barely dawn. Who would be coming out so early? Her heart jumped, thinking it might be Caleb. But the emotion died a quick death when she saw the police car.
