His eyes checked in with his sister for confirmation. She shrugged, “You don’t want to hear, remember?”
He filled a thermos with coffee and stepped onto the porch to the sound of sister’s laugh. “Damn women,” he muttered even though curiosity was killing him. He was glad Ryleigh got what she wanted, her name in the paper, but he was also glad she was gone. No matter how much he hurt with missing her. She was a damn liar and he was lucky to be rid of her.
“Keep telling yourself that big brother.”
“What do you want Zaria?”
She bumped his shoulder, “What I want is for you to stop acting like an ass, but since that ain’t gonna happen, how about you take a look at this.” She slapped the paper against his chest and went back inside.
His grunt was painful and it had everything to do with the words searing his chest. He didn’t know what words were written there but he knew Ryleigh wrote them and dammit he missed her. He also knew if he didn’t read it he wouldn’t be able to get any work done today because he would wonder what has his mom and his sister so excited.
When he began reading the whole world fell away and his chest squeezed so tight he wasn’t sure if his heart was breaking or if he was having a heart attack. He didn’t hear the other cowboys pound down the steps, tossing greetings and jokes his way. He didn’t hear the words his family whispered softly in the kitchen, so absorbed was he in the words that poured off the page.
Ryleigh outlined the case against Track Peters starting with a ranch in Texas, two ranches in Wyoming and another about one hundred miles away from Beloved. No mention of Triple Z. That surprised him, but it shouldn’t have. She was a woman of integrity and she would never do anything to intentionally hurt anyone, least of all his family. Each of the ranches experienced the same sequence of events beginning with the death of the ranch owner and in the months that followed were small inconvenient problems. Small fires ruined a pasture, poisoned feed for the horses, intentionally broken fences and in one case, stolen cattle. In every case Track Peters swooped in when the problems became too burdensome and too expensive and bought the property for a steal. The men seen in the area when these problems started were all linked to Peters, many identified through police sketches.
The article ended by saying the FBI was now involved in the investigation. Zeke smiled, Ryleigh had really done her homework. He was proud as hell of her, and he felt like the world’s biggest heel. He was so awful to her and she was only trying to find the truth.
He had to go to her now. “Ma!” He got up and went inside the house, “Ma, I’m going out for a while,” he grabbed his keys and headed out the front door.
“Go get our girl,” his mom shouted from a chair on the porch.
~~~
“Ryleigh I can’t believe this,” Zaria wrapped her arms around the sad red head and squealed. “This is so great! How’d you find it out,” she stood back with a beaming smile.
“This was the hunch I was checking out when I got conked on the head,” and fell in love with your stupid brother, but that part she said only to herself. “It turns out the hunch was correct,” she shrugged like it was no big deal.
Zaria placed both hands on her slender shoulders with a big smile, “Ryleigh you are amazing! Ma get out here,” she shouted, excitement lacing every word.
“What’s all the commotion? Oh Ryleigh sweetheart, it’s so great to see you!” she pulled her in for a long mothering hug. “That story you wrote was incredible, I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks Annabelle,” she whispered into the woman’s silver hair.
“Ma, Ryleigh found out that we own the gas and mineral rights on Harding Ranch. That’s why Peters wanted Triple Z, so he could lease the rights on the gas deposits found on that property. We’re talking millions of dollars’ worth, Ma. Millions!” Zaria pulled Ryleigh in for another hug, “And she found it all.”
Tears burned Annabelle’s eyes, “Oh dear you have been a godsend from the moment we met you. I’m sorry to hear about my Zed but I’m grateful to you for shining a light on the truth,” she hugged her again.
“I’m just glad I could help,” her voice was soft, broken. She could hear it and the pitying looks on their faces told her they saw it as well.
“You don’t have to leave, maybe you and Zeke could work it out,” Zara said hopefully.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I need to get out of here but I wanted to give you that file and say goodbye. Good luck to you all.”
“No you can’t leave,” Zach yelled and wrapped his tiny arms around her waist. “Stay here with us and we can get married when I’m older.”
His heartfelt words broke the dam and tears poured down her face. “I’m too old for you sweetie. But I do love you,” she kissed his forehead and ruffled his hair, “and when I get settled I’ll send you my address so you can write me. Okay?” He nodded tearfully and hugged her tighter. When she was free of Zach’s embrace she walked to her car and drove away, eyes blurred with tears.
If she could get away from Triple Z and on the highway she would be fine. She could put Zeke and the Reilly family behind her, she could forget about how close she came to having a family again.
She froze when she noticed the white pickup truck coming straight for her. “What the hell!” She jerked the wheel to the right, heart pounding fast. The truck stopped abruptly, cutting her off so she had to slam on her brakes. “Zeke? What the hell is your problem?”
He stood tall and furious and beautiful. “You’re leaving.” It wasn’t a question, it was an accusation.
Ryleigh crossed her arms, “So? What’s it to you?”
His long legs ate up the distance between them and his angry face peered down at her. “I went to your apartment, or rather your former apartment.” He was furious that she could stand there so calm and cool. “Where are you going?”
“Why do you care?”
“You’re running away. Why?”
She needed him to get out of her space but he had her backed against her car. “I’m not running away, I’m just leaving town, you know in search of fame and fortune and big headlines. I’ll find a new job someplace else, I am a big time reporter now, you know?”
He didn’t miss the snarky tone of her words and it was clear she wasn’t going to make this easy. “You belong here, dammit.”
She longed to hear those words, about two weeks ago. “I don’t have a reason to stay here or anywhere Zeke and you know it. I don’t have a family so I go where I’m needed. I’m no longer needed here,” her voice broken on those last words and she bit her lip to keep the tears at bay.
“I need you here Ry. God I need you here with me.” His big body crowded her and his forehead rested against hers, his eyes closed. “I’m so sorry Ry, I was an ass.” He cupped her face and that tortured look in his eyes was heartbreaking. “I’m sorry for those horrible words I said to you, but I was feeling more than I thought I should and then I felt like you betrayed me with your research.”
“What were you feeling?” Don’t get your hopes up, girl.
“I was feeling that you were a woman I could fall in love with and I did fall in love with you Ryleigh, only I realized it too late.” He kissed her softly, “Please tell me it’s not too late for us.”
Goodness the man was more handsome than any man had a right to be and right now, pouring his heart out, Ryleigh thought he just might be descended from the gods. “I love you too Zeke, that’s why I had to leave. I couldn’t stay in Beloved without you.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “Come back to me, to us Ryleigh. Triple Z is where you belong.
~~~
Living on a ranch again was like a salve to Ryleigh’s battered soul. The wide open spaces, blue skies and colorful backdrop soothed her every day and watching the sparkling stars under the velvet night sky wrapped in Zeke’s arms made every night one to remember. It had been a week since she moved into Zeke’s suite on the ranch and things were just about p
erfect. Peters still hadn’t been caught yet and there had been no more strange incidents on the ranch. However she suspected his next move would be more convert and long lasting. His track record said he would directly attack the animals slowly so that by the time Zeke figured out what was happening it would be too late. She didn’t intend to let that happen.
One of her favorite parts of being on a ranch again was the horses. Every morning for the past six mornings she woke up early, fed apple slices or sugar cubes to the horses and then saddled up Raindancer and went for a sunrise ride. It was a great feeling to see the large expanse of land laid out before her and know that she had a hand in saving it. She couldn’t help her father keep their ranch but she had helped the Reilly family.
She was feeling unsettled this morning and she couldn’t figure out why so she took her time with the horses. She picked up the big metal scoop and stuck it into the oats for the horses and sniffed it, as had become her habit. Today the smell was different, acrid as though the oats had been soaked in something and left to dry. She quickly put a lid on the barrel and left the scoop on top. She would have to tell Zeke, it appeared their Peters problem wasn’t solved yet.
She caught the scent of something burning and went to the back of the stable to investigate. The back door was closed all the way which was strange, usually the top half was open for the horses in the back stables. Before she could get close to open the door she spotted a brick of hay with flames shooting out. “Oh no,” she screamed and did the only thing she could think of as smoke began to rise, she ran from one door to the next and opened the stable doors to free the horses. Smoke was filling the stable fast, too fast, and soon she could barely see a foot in front of her. At least the horses are free, she thought as she slowly made her way to the opening.
“Zeke…help,” she coughed and fell to the ground, still crawling to the door. But she felt herself growing weak, her vision turning blurry with black spots around the edge. The last thing she heard before passing out was Zaria calling her name.
“Ryleigh! Ryleigh where are you,” Zaria ran towards the smoke while the horses ran in the opposite direction and got on the radio. “Zeke come to the stables, there’s a fire and Ryleigh’s inside!”
Minutes later Zeke came running to the stables out of breath and red-faced. “Where is she,” he asked. All the horses had returned and were milling around in front of the stable, unsure what to do and unsettled by the excitement of the fire. All but Raindancer, the horse Ryleigh rode every morning. Raindancer nudged him inside where he spotted Ryleigh lying on the floor unconscious. “Dammit Ry, you can’t do this to me again!” He picked her up and stalked out of the barn, a look of fury plastered on his face. Lying her down on the grass he looked to his sister, “Did you call the fire department?”
She nodded, her eyes full of fear. “I did. I came out here because I saw the smoke and I knew she came out here every morning to ride Raindancer,” her heart hammered in her chest each time she took in Ryleigh’s limp form in her brother’s arms. “Do you think she’s gonna be alright?”
The look of determination on his face said it all. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead. “She better be. I haven’t asked her to marry me yet.”
THE END
Cowboy Romance
The Love of A Cowgirl
Book Two
S. Bridges
Cowboy Romance: The Love of A Cowgirl
Chapter One
Zaria watched, helpless as her brother cradled the woman he loved in his arms, willing her to wake up. To be okay. She could hear the sirens in the distance, the Beloved Police and Fire departments rushing towards Triple Z ranch. It reminded her of another day not so long ago when all three emergency services vehicles pulled up to carry her father off. She hoped today wouldn’t end like that.
“Zaria can you meet them and bring them here?”
Zeke’s voice was pleading and full of fear and nothing could have gotten her moving quicker than the anguish on his face. “Sure,” she nodded and walked away in a daze. The fire truck was already whizzing by to get as close to the burning stable as possible and Sheriff Waxman ambled her way. “Sheriff thanks for coming.”
He patted her shoulder and turned her around. “It’s no problem Zaria. How are you holding up?”
She leaned into the avuncular man, absorbing his warmth and support. “I’m okay Sheriff. It’s Zeke I’m worried about. He’s fallen in love with Ryleigh and she’s not doing too hot.” His raised eyebrows were the only indication of his surprise but they did manage to tease a small smile from her.
“Well don’t worry our boys will make sure she’s fine. Wasn’t in there too long was she?” She shook her head and he squeezed her shoulders tight. “Then let’s not borrow any trouble, alright?”
Zaria nodded but she was worried and she felt guilty she couldn’t get to the stables faster. She’d had a strange feeling all morning but she chalked it up to the general stress of the bizarre events happening on the farm. When she saw the smoke billowing up she ran as fast as her legs would carry her because she knew Ryleigh would be inside and Ryleigh was now family. But the horses ran out too fast and she stopped to avoid getting trampled and then she’d stopped and stared at the flames licking up the old stable. She had been transfixed, mesmerized by the flames and she couldn’t move. Couldn’t run inside. Couldn’t save Ryleigh. “It’s all my fault,” she cried out, tears tracking down her cheeks.
“Did you set the fire?”
She shook her head, swiping at a few stray tears.
“Then you did nothing wrong, child.”
“But I could have run in there and pulled her out, well before Zeke got there.”
“Sweetheart you did what you could and look,” he pointed at Ryleigh coughing and Zeke holding the oxygen to her face, “she’s gonna be alright.”
“Oh thank god!” She ran over to where her brother and Ryleigh sat and flung herself at Ryleigh, hugging her tight. “I’m so happy you’re okay Ryleigh. I’m sorry I didn’t pull you out. So sorry,” she cried and said the same words over and over again.
Ryleigh coughed. “Zaria I’m fine.” Her brows crinkled in confusion at the distraught look on her friend’s face. “You have nothing to apologize for, okay?”
“But--,” she began. Ryleigh cut her off. “Okay?”
Zaria nodded and hugged her again.
They all looked up as the Fire Chief approached. “Zeke you were right, it looks like arson.” He held up a large evidence bag filled with a blackened bleach bottle with a dark rag sticking out. “We’ll be here for a while investigating, well whatever evidence is left. We need to get this young lady checked out so it’s either call an ambulance or Zeke you can take her.”
Zeke stood. “I’ll get her there.”
“But I’m fine now, see,” she inhaled and exhaled with exaggeration, “I’m totally fine. Breathing like new.”
“She’s going,” Zeke and Zaria said at the same time.
The Fire Captain looked at Ryleigh. “I guess I’m going.”
“Zaria will you tell mom and Zach she’s fine and we’ll be back as soon as possible.”
She nodded and watched Zeke lift Ryleigh up and stalk to the truck in the drive. He was angry and scared, she could tell because he was her brother and her best friend. He wouldn’t be alright until Ryleigh was given a clean bill of health and safe in his arms.
Arms wrapped tight around her middle Zaria walked back to the main house to let her mom and son know what was happening.
***
Several hours later Zeke and Ryleigh were upstairs and Zaria sat in the office looking over the files about Triple Z. Again. Over the past week she had read those files dozens of times, terrified one morning the information would be different. She couldn’t help her skepticism, this kind of luck just didn’t fall on the Reilly family. The words spun around her head like a bad song on the radio. Natural gas deposits, Triple Z owns mineral rights on Harding Ranch, millions of dollars. I
t was a sick sad refrain that never left her head. That kind of money would allow Zeke to make the upgrades the ranch needed and would allow her to create a better training facility for the horses.
None of that mattered at the moment though because Track Peters was determined to make their lives miserable until they sold Triple Z to him. She had a few ideas to stop him but since she knew nothing of the law or land rights, she would have to talk with her brother and Ryleigh. If they emerged from their bedroom, she snickered to herself.
“What’s so funny, sis?”
Zaria nearly fell out of the office chair she was reclined on at the sound of his voice. “Dammit Zeke you scared me half to death.”
His face sobered at her words. “Yeah there seems to be a lot of that going around.”
“How is she Zeke?”
His laugh was bitter. “Ryleigh? She’s fine. But I can’t stop seeing her lying on the grass unmoving.” He raked his hand through his hair and left it standing straight up.
Zara wrapped her arms around her brother’s waist. “You really love her Zeke,” she smiled up at him. “Don’t worry I’m sure Ryleigh will outlive us all and this won’t be the last time she shaves a few days or weeks off your life.”
“Bite your tongue little girl,” he growled and squeezed her tight until she squealed. “What are you up to in here?”
She sighed and waved at the desk. “What else but looking over Ryleigh’s research for the millionth time?”
With a deep sigh he took the chair on the side of the desk. “Did you figure out anything?”
“I did actually,” her smile was wide and proud. “But I think we need to talk to a lawyer first to find out how plausible it is to implement.”
“Do we know any lawyers who can help?”
“I know a lawyer who can help and probably will.” Ryleigh came into the office dressed in yoga pants and the brightest yellow shirt Zaria had ever seen. “He’s helped other families go after leeches like Peters with some success.”
BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE: The Unforgettable Southern Billionaires: The Complete Collection Boxed Set (Young Adult Rich Alpha Male Billionaire Romance) Page 148
