by Jen Talty
“That doesn’t surprise me.” Sawyer continued to walk back and forth in front of the fence by one of the smaller corrals at Whiskey Ranch. They were on the far west side, closer to the bull riding school and where Luke and Georgia Moon lived in their big mansion that Luke had built a few years ago.
In the distance, the main house, JW and Kitty’s, stood tall and proud. The ranch itself was an impressive piece of land and Sawyer had fallen in love with Buhl, Idaho. It was the first time in his short life that he felt like he’d come home.
And when it came to Hayden, in her arms it was as if he’d found his soulmate. She was the one person he could tell anything to and she wouldn’t judge him or look at him differently. She understood him on every level, and he did the same for her in return.
They were the final pieces of each other’s puzzle.
“This is my grandmother’s slow build. She’s watching. And waiting. But she didn’t anticipate me and I’m sure she’s taking a step back, trying to figure out what role I play in this and how to exploit it.”
“She’s going to use Hayden,” Crew said. “She’s both yours and Kevin’s weak spot. All MacKenzie has to do is get to Hayden and she controls both of you.”
“And how is she going to get to her?” Kevin asked. “Outside of what she already has because she owns both of us until I pay her back.”
Sawyer paused midstep and caught Crew’s gaze. “She could give them freedom for my loyalty.”
“You mean if she thinks you care enough for the girl.” Crew shoved his sunglasses up on the top of his head. “MacKenzie does her homework, so she’ll know you’ve lived under the same roof for less than a month.”
“She’s tried to use people I’ve had a brief history with to get me to join her crew.” Sawyer leaned against the fence and stared at Hayden who held the reins of a horse and walked him in a large circle. He thought he could go through life alone. That he could find some semblance of a happy existence living in one small town after the other, playing his music, pretending he didn’t need people.
But he did.
And he wanted Hayden.
“The good news about my grandmother is she lives by a code when it comes to murder.”
“How is that good news?” Kevin asked.
“Because she won’t kill someone for merely missing a payment or because she wants to control me and she knows she can’t bluff me that way, so she won’t even try; she won’t be coming at me, threatening to hurt them.”
“This isn’t really making me feel any better,” Kevin said. “I know she’s had people killed.”
“That’s an extreme response when she’s left no choice,” Crew said.
“As long as you’re giving her money, doing something she wants, and she’s getting something out of it, she’ll keep going.” Sawyer turned. “Here’s the thing. Let’s say Kevin paid her off today. Every penny he owed her, MacKenzie wouldn’t let him go. And she’d use Hayden as leverage, with Kevin, not me. However, you moved to Buhl, and below my apartment, and that changed everything.”
Kevin folded his arms and glared. “We gave your grandmother her smoking gun.”
“No. Because she thinks I’m like her. Not my father, even though I killed him.” Sawyer rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’m not following,” Kevin said.
“MacKenzie prides herself on being a good person. She truly believes that in order to have longevity in her business, a gangster has to have heart.”
“That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.” Kevin shook his head.
“A lot of gang leaders say that,” Crew said. “I’ve seen it firsthand in Detroit when I lived there. It’s both what holds those crews so tight, but also is their downfall.”
Sawyer nodded. “One of the reasons my grandma didn’t want my old man in her business was that he didn’t think before he pulled the trigger. If someone got in his way, or he didn’t like something, he got rid of them. My grandmother saw that as a sign of weakness and poor leadership.”
“What does that have to do with this situation?” Kevin asked.
“I don’t think she came here for Hayden and Kevin. They are her excuse. Her front. But she came here for me.” Sawyer waved to Hayden, who smiled sweetly as she passed by. “If I hadn’t landed here in Buhl, she wouldn’t bother coming to put the pressure on you. You don’t owe her enough money to care and there isn’t really anything you can do for her. Besides, you’re the kind of people who pay and she can actually turn loose because Hayden won’t turn and Kevin is a loose cannon.” He turned and stared off at the horizon. The sun had begun its decent behind the mountains in the distance. In an hour, the sky would be filled with stars and the moon would be hanging high.
The bewitching hour.
And he’d have to come face-to-face with the wickedest witch of all time who dressed like she was your fairy godmother.
“What exactly are you saying?” Crew asked.
Sawyer planted his hands on his hips and did a three-sixty. “She’s been watching for the last few weeks. Not her personally, but she’s had her people here ever since she found out Hayden was going to be in the same place as me.”
“I told her we were coming to train at Whiskey Ranch three months before we did. That’s how I got the extension for payment. She was excited that Hayden was getting back on the horse that threw her.”
“No offense, but the only reason MacKenzie even cared.” Sawyer blew out a puff of air. “Is because I was here and you gave her three months to figure out how to work her magic so that I would take notice.”
“What do you think she’s done?” Kevin asked. “Other than give me an extension.”
“She emptied out the house I was living in, making sure the family was able to find a house they could afford and the financing they needed,” Sawyer said.
“Fuck,” Kevin muttered. “MacKenzie’s the one who sent me the listing for the rental. She was all excited about it and thought it was perfect. Which it was.”
“Of course she did.” Sawyer hadn’t worried too much about his grandmother over the years, but he did constantly look over his shoulder, wondering when she’d show her hand. “I would bet she’s had someone in this town watching me since then, but who?”
“It would have to be someone we wouldn’t suspect. Someone that would blend in,” Crew said.
“Someone that belonged here, because as an outsider, let me tell you, everyone wants to know your business, and some don’t hide trying to find out about your past.” Kevin took off his Stetson and set it on a large rock before sitting. He folded his massive arms across his chest. He wasn’t that old, but his wrinkled skin, that looked more like leather around his eyes, showed a man who had lived more years than his age.
“But someone who no one would think twice about because all my grandmother would want is information about how I live my life and then how we all interact. Just enough to know if I’m at a point in my life where I’m payable and she can bend me to her world.”
“Sounds like she’s tried this before,” Crew said.
“Sort of.” Sawyer had been on the lookout for his grandmother’s subtle manipulations. One of the many reasons he didn’t let too many people in and moved around.
One of the reasons he should have left Buhl a few months ago.
“The only people I can think of that both Hayden, Kevin, and I all have come in contact with that no one would think twice about any of us talking with are the other competitors that are training at Whiskey Ranch.” Sawyer signaled to Hayden to join them. “Specifically, Josie and Keller.”
She handed the reins to one of the ranch hands and jogged in his direction.
Heather followed.
“Keller I’m going to rule out,” Crew said. “She grew up here and is engaged, but Josie only came back a couple months ago, and I know this because she drives my fiancée nuts.”
“Who makes me crazy?” Heather asked as she hugged her fiancé, giving him a kiss on the c
heek.
“Josie.” Crew made room on the rock for Heather.
Heather rolled her eyes. “I was shocked she wanted to come back and train here after the last time. Cheyenne wouldn’t work with her, so she pawned her off on a junior trainer and that really didn’t make Josie happy.”
“No. It didn’t. And she’s been pretty vocal about it, but Cheyenne did just have a baby and she’s not even really working with me. JB is and she’s also pissed about that, but she manages to watch most of my training.”
“Before you came to the ranch, she was at Boone’s place every night I sang, and she managed to corner me after every set. She even asked me out.” He leaned against the fence, taking Hayden by the hand and pulling her close.
“I heard Keller did too.” She pressed her shoulder against his.
He laughed. “That was a long time ago.”
“Didn’t Josie sort of retire from the rodeo six months ago?” Heather asked. “That’s why we all thought it was weird she came back.”
“Not to mention her heart isn’t in it and she’s not very good.” Hayden shrugged.
“Okay.” Crew rubbed his hands together. “So, we have at least one spy with Josie, but we don’t know the connection to MacKenzie, and that’s something we need because she could just be collateral damage and I’d hate to see her get hurt in the process if that was the case.”
“MacKenzie doesn’t really work that way,” Sawyer said. “Josie either is working for MacKenzie, or she owes my grandmother something. There isn’t any in between.”
“What do you think Josie’s end game is?” Crew asked.
“I don’t have any idea,” Sawyer admitted. “I’ve pretty much given her the cold shoulder the entire time I’ve known her.”
“We’ll see if she shows up to tonight’s meeting,” Crew said, glancing at his watch. “We should take our places. She’s going to be here in a half hour.”
“I suspect she’s already here, watching, which isn’t good.” Sawyer ran his thumb over Sawyer’s hand.
“Last year when someone was poisoning the horses, I had my own security cameras installed. The Whiskey family liked them so much, we redid the entire system. If she was on this ranch, we’d know it.”
“So, what exactly are we doing?” Kevin asked. “Because I’m not really liking this plan. It’s pretty passive.”
“That’s the point,” Crew said.
“My grandmother is a narcissist and she’ll enjoy telling us all about her plans. It will be enough for Crew to call in his buddies.” Sawyer pushed from the fence.
Crew held up his cell. “They are standing by five miles away. Now let’s make sure that wire works.”
“I don’t like you putting yourself in the line of fire for me and my uncle.”
Sawyer kissed the back of Hayden’s hand. “I’m the only one who can put an end to this. For anyone. Not just you.”
11
Standing in the middle of the east barn, Hayden curled her fingers over Sawyer’s collar. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“No. I’ve been running from this for the last eight years.”
“I’m sorry,” Hayden said.
“Why?” He took her hands and kissed the back side of them, enjoying her soft skin and the way she always smelled like vanilla and strawberries. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“If I hadn’t tried to kill myself—”
He leaned in and kissed her plump lips. “My heart hurts that you felt so desperate and alone that you wanted to do that, but…” He drew her closer. “…it set off a chain of events that brought us together.”
“I suppose that is one way to look at it.” She rested her hands on his shoulders. “I think my uncle has a crush on you.”
“He’s not my type.”
“Good. Because I’d be really jealous.” She palmed his cheek. “I don’t like this. Not one bit. The two men I care about most are going up against a crazy woman.”
“Aww. You care about me?”
She smacked his chest. “This isn’t funny.”
“I know.” He brushed his lips over hers tenderly. “But if I don’t do this, I’m going to forever be looking over my shoulder and eventually, she’s going to do something that is going to force my hand and I’m either going to turn into her, or worse. I can’t have that.”
Hayden nodded. “Then let’s get this over with.” She took his mouth in a hot, passionate kiss. One that told him that when this was all said and done, he had better spend some quality time with her before she ended up on the road.
Better yet, he should go on the road with her since her uncle had to stay back and work.
“I think that’s enough sucky face,” Kevin’s voice echoed in her ears. “And we’re going to have to talk about sleepovers. Or should I say that I won’t be allowing them. She’s too young. And in training.” He ran a hand over his head. “I’m not ready for any of this.”
“You’re not ready for what?” Hayden asked. “To take down a gangster or the fact that I’m head over heels for a country singer.”
“The latter,” he mumbled, slapping Sawyer’s back. “You’re a good man, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to like this.”
“No offense, Kevin. You don’t have a choice.” Sawyer looped his arm around Hayden and puffed out his chest. “I really care about her and I’m not going anywhere.”
“Good. She deserves the best. Better than I gave her and I think you fit that bill.” Kevin slipped his Stetson on his head. He held up his cell. “Crew just texted. They’re on their way. We should get going.”
“This is going to be interesting,” Hayden said.
“I don’t like leaving you,” Sawyer said.
“You’re not,” Heather said from one of the stalls at the other end of the barn. “I’ll take good care of her. Crew gave me strict instructions, so don’t you worry. We’ll be fine.”
Sawyer nodded. “I’ll see you at home.”
“Be safe.” Hayden gave Sawyer one last kiss before she led one of the horses out of the barn and down the south trail, following Heather. “Do you think their plan is going to work?”
“I have total faith in my future husband.” Heather placed her foot in the stirrup and hoisted herself onto the quarter horse.
Hayden did the same and they took a leisurely stroll down through the wooded trail toward the main house where they’d drop these two beauties off, pick up Heather’s car, and head off the ranch on a private access road that no one else would use.
All part of Crew’s master plan to keep Hayden out of the line of fire.
Just in case things got dicey, but he didn’t think they would.
Hayden leaned forward and squinted as she noticed a couple of horses headed her way. “Was there a guided lesson or something this late?”
“Absolutely not,” Heather said.
There were two saddled horses, but no riders.
“We better go check that out.” Hayden kicked her horse and took off in a trot.
Heather passed her.
“Slow down.” Hayden had a bad feeling about the scene. The horses didn’t appear to be spooked, but where were their passengers? She glanced around. The trail zigzagged through the woods, following the creek. There were lots of rocks and trees and places where people could hide.
This wasn’t good.
Heather pulled back on her reins, slowing down her horse as she came up on the grazing horses. She pulled out her cell. “These two are from the riding school.”
“I recognize them,” Hayden said.
“I’m calling JD to see who is on—”
“I wouldn’t bother.” Josie stepped out from behind a tree.
Hayden jerked in her saddle, spooking her horse, who raised up on his front legs a little. “Whoa there, boy.”
“What the hell are you doing out here? You need to take the animals back to the school.” Heather had a tightness in her voice that she normally didn’t have, but it was understa
ndable under the circumstances.
“We were just making sure Sawyer didn’t pull some bullshit stunt, but his grandmother figured he would.” Josie pulled out a handgun and aimed it at Hayden just as another man Hayden had never seen stepped from the woods and aimed a weapon at Heather. “I think it would be best if the two of you slid from the saddles.” Josie inched closer to Hayden, poking her in the leg with the butt of her gun. “Get down. Now.”
Heather’s horse didn’t particularly care for the weapons and he did a little dance, kicking his hind legs up, and then his front, while he made a hissing noise.
However, Heather didn’t do anything to stop the horse. If anything, she continued to encourage the restless behavior.
Hayden swallowed, catching Heather’s gaze.
She nodded.
Hayden slid down the side of her horse while Josie grabbed her by the hair, yanking her back, and her sidekick took her by the arms, tying her wrists together.
That’s when Heather made her move and took off in a full gallop.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Stop shooting, you moron,” Josie yelled at her sidekick, but it was too late, all the horses had scattered. “Fuck.” She poked Hayden in the back. “Start walking.”
Well, at least Heather got away and Sawyer and Crew would have heard the shots.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” Sawyer tucked his shirt into his jeans and adjusted his belt buckle. He had a good idea what Kevin was thanking him for, but he wasn’t completely sure. Kevin had surprised him time and time again and the more he got to know the man, the less he realized he had misunderstood him from the very beginning.
He still had some anger toward him and hitting a woman—a child—in anger could never be excused, but Kevin was trying to make amends and he was willing to do whatever it took. That was the sign of a real man in Sawyer’s eyes.
“Helping Hayden and I patch up our broken relationship. I know things might never be great between us, and I have a lot of changes I need to make in my life, but you’ve shown me I can do them.”
