by Milan Watson
“She barely weighs more than a feather. It might have knocked us onto our asses but the rope was strong enough to whip her into the tree line. Those firs are strong and even the sapling used as a spring was firm enough to carry her weight,” Dusty pointed out, hating the fact that he was reminded how it felt to hold Gemma close to him.
“It’s near the borderline with Upton ranch; you think Dean got anything to do with this?” Drake said with a scowl.
A look passed between the brothers. Without saying a word Ford grabbed his keys, and Dusty, Drake, and Logan followed him to his truck.
“Y’all don’t go doing something stupid now, ya hear? You got no proof it was Dean,” Clayton called from the porch as his sons piled into Ford’s pickup.
“We got no proof, but there are ways of getting a confession,” Dusty grunted as he slipped into the shotgun seat.
Ford turned to him before he gunned the engine. “’You can’t control your temper, you stay in the pickup.”
Dusty grunted in agreement, although he already knew bloodhounds couldn’t stop him from facing Dean Upton. Ever since he could remember Dean Upton and his family were a bunch of no-good, freeloaders.
Whenever old man Upton wasn’t drowning his sorrows at Whiskey Woes he would beat on Mrs. Upton. No one in town cared to be associated with the Upton’s. The old man and his wife passed away a few years back but their delinquent son still ran the property, and tonight he was about to get an unexpected visit from the Caldwell brothers.
Chapter 11
Ford slowed the pickup just as dusk began to fall over the valley. The dirt track leading to the main house on Upton Ranch was badly eroded. Fences were down in places and in others they were held up by a little more than God’s grace.
Dusty had never appreciated Falcon Falls more than he did at that moment, regardless that the upkeep kept him and his brothers occupied for more than nine hours every day.
“Is that him on the porch?” Drake asked from the back seat.
Dusty narrowed his gaze as he made out a shadowy figure on the porch holding a bottle of beer. “Yeah, that’s Dean.”
“Dusty, you hold your temper. We ain’t got no proof,” Ford cautioned as he climbed out.
Dusty grunted. “Not yet.”
One by one they piled out of the pickup and started towards the porch. Dean Upton stood up and lowered the brim of his hat as he watched them approach. He spit out a chew of chaw before taking another drink from his beer. “Well now what did I do right to hit the jackpot and have all four golden boys come pay me a visit?”
Dusty stepped forward but he felt Ford’s hand on his shoulder. Ford might be the oldest but Dusty had always had a temper that needed a leash. It rarely reared its ugly head but tonight it couldn’t seem to back down.
“Heya Dean. How’s things going ‘round here?” Ford said amicably as he tipped his hat and held out his hand.
Dean glanced at Ford’s hand as if it were poison ivy. “Just dandy. Now to what do I owe this unexpected visit from my neighbors?”
Drake cleared his throat. “We had a little trouble over on Falcon Falls this afternoon, was wonderin’ if you could help.”
“The Caldwell’s comin’ to me for help; my pa would turn in his grave to see this.” Dean chuckled and the stench of beer wafted over Dusty.
Dean was already drunk as a hobo and the work day had barely just ended.
“Someone set a snare on our property, caught Gemma Riley and tore the ligaments in her ankle,” Dusty said stepping forward. “You wouldn’t happen to know nothing about that?’
Dean frowned but Dusty could sense he was pretending to be shocked. “A snare? No! It ain’t even hunting season.”
“My point exactly.” Dusty growled. “A tree spring noose trap. You wouldn’t happen to know how to make those now would you?”
Dean stepped forward, stopping an inch from Dusty’s face. “Dusty, you and me both know how to make those snares. Our pa’s taught us about the time we learned how to ride. But if you’re asking if I set a snare on your property, that’s coming mighty close to accusing someone innocent of a crime.”
Dusty clenched his fists; images of Gemma dangling upside down made the ravaging flames of his temper redden the edges of his vision.
“Dusty ain’t accusing you,” Logan said with an easy smile.
Usually Dusty appreciated Logan’s calm way of dealing with trouble, but right now he wanted trouble and he had a feeling he was looking at it.
Dean shrugged and turned, moving back onto his porch. “I don't know nothing about snares on Falcon Falls. But talking about breaking the law, y’all do know that you’re trespassing on private property?”
Dusty stepped forward already slapping away Ford’s hand as he tried to stop him. He walked up the porch and stepped right up into Dean’s face. “If I find one more snare on Falcon Falls I’ll use it to snare you up in your sleep, ya hear?”
Dean chuckled completely unfazed. “You just try that, Dusty, and you might have to start lookin’ out for more than just snares on your property.”
Dusty already made a fist when he was dragged down from the porch by his scruff.
“Calm down!” Drake chastened. “Just get in the damn truck.”
Dusty shot Dean a withering glare before he did as he was told.
As soon as the truck pulled away from Dean’s place he turned to Ford. “It’s him, Ford. I can feel it in every bone in my body. He set those snares.”
Ford shrugged. “I can’t say it was him, but I can say he was being pretty defensive if he didn’t have anything to hide.”
“I’m going to need men tomorrow. I want that wood checked where we’re building the dude ranch. Every damn square inch. No one else is getting hurt on this project.” Dusty opened the window and let the cool evening air calm his temper even as his brothers agreed.
But removing the set snares wasn’t the problem; the problem was making sure more snares weren’t set in future.
Chapter 12
Gemma strapped on her ankle brace and hobbled to the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee. For the last seven days she had been trapped in her apartment.
When Sally Wilkinson wasn’t popping up to check on her on Doc Pruitt’s behalf, her mother or Bobby’s mother were stopping by with food. At this rate she would have to roll down the stairs by the time her ankle healed.
Although she was apartment-bound she had managed to procure quotes from three contractors, and signed off on one. She had emailed everything to Dusty, but calling him to confirm she could proceed had been the tersest conversation of her life.
They had connected the day of her accident in a way they hadn’t since that summer long ago. The contractors were breaking ground today and Gemma would give her kidneys to be there.
This project had somehow turned into the most important one of her life. She wasn’t sure if it was because she wanted to prove to her boss that she could manage freelancing or if it was to impress Dusty.
She checked her watch, calculating the contractor and his team would just be arriving round about now. If it hadn’t been for her darn ankle she would’ve been there to welcome them with blueprints and coffee. She glanced at her ankle and tried to put a little weight on it.
“Ouch!” she flinched and quickly lifted it again. After a few deep breaths she gave herself a pep talk. “Nothing has ever held you back, Gemma Riley, surely you’re not going to give this ankle the upper hand?”
Decision made she used her crutches as she collected the blueprints and purse before heading out. Saying that navigating the stairs was a struggle would’ve been an understatement. More than once she nearly toppled over. A sigh of relief escaped her when she finally reached the car.
She wouldn’t have coffee to offer them, but at least she would be there when they broke ground. As she drove out of town she could see some of the leaves were starting to turn. It was the beginning of August and although fall was still a few weeks away the nights w
ere already growing cooler.
She struggled a little in town traffic, the ankle brace giving her more trouble than she anticipated, but as soon as she was out of town things went a little easier. She followed the road to Falcon Falls, passing by the main entrance before turning left ten miles out onto the other road that would border the dude ranch.
As she pulled in she noticed the contractor and his crew were already on site. She had worked with them before and knew they were the best for what she had in mind. She stopped her car a short distance from the site and gathered all her courage before getting out, balancing her weight on the crutches. With the blueprints tucked under her arm and her cellphone tucked into her pocket, she started hopping towards Craig Matheson.
“Gemma Riley in the flesh. Haven’t seen you since we did that hotel in Denver,” Craig called out as soon as he noticed her.
Gemma smiled as she kept hobbling. “Yeah, it’s been a while.” Gemma came to a stop and handed him the blueprints.
“I got them in the email,” Craig said with a smile as he glanced at her ankle. “What happened to you?”
“Got caught in a snare trap,” Gemma said, realizing how ridiculous it sounded.
Craig laughed. “Small town snares.” Clearly he thought she was kidding. Gemma decided to let it slide as she glanced as his men began planting more stakes.
“Will you be breaking ground today?” Gemma asked as excitement rushed through her veins.
Craig nodded. “Yeah, just want to stake out a few more spots. You do the staking that’s here, it’s thorough and accurate?”
Gemma smiled, pleased at the compliment. “Thanks. Yeah, I did.”
“Gemma, what the heck are you doing out here. Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Gemma flinched as Dusty’s voice carried to her.
Over the noise of the crew she hadn’t even heard him pull up. She turned to see him and his father walk towards them.
“Dusty, Mr. Caldwell.”
Clayton glowered. “Clayton, please. How’s the ankle. Gemma?”
“Better thank you, Mr…. Clayton.” Gemma smiled at Clayton before she turned to Dusty. “This is my project and I will be available if Craig needs me.”
Gemma did the introductions, trying to ignore how handsome Dusty looked. How was it that every time she saw him he just looked even better than the last time?
“Actually I….” Craig countered before he stopped at Gemma’s cold look.
“Commitment, I like that,” Clayton said with a pleased smile that lifted the corners of his mustache. “You drive out here?”
Gemma nodded. “Yeah, I did. Craig and I have worked together before and sometimes, especially if we’re breaking ground in a rural area, it’s good to have the architect on hand.”
Craig smiled. He was in his late forties and the best contractor Gemma knew. He was a kind man with a good sense of humor. “Especially Gemma. She’s a pleasure to work with. You get architects that can only sketch, but when it comes to the real work they’re stumped. Not Gemma here.”
Gemma smiled. “Thank you, Craig.”
“Well I still say it’s irresponsible of you to be driving with that thing on your ankle. Except for causing an accident you’re probably delaying your healing by hobbling over this uneven ground,” Dusty said crossing his arms.
“Dusty’s right,” Clayton agreed. “It would make things much easier for you if you stayed on the ranch for the time being.”
Gemma’s jaw dropped just as Dusty turned to his father with a shocked expression.
“That won’t be necessary.” Gemma hedged.
“If it means better cohesion between the plans and the contractor, it is necessary. I’ll have the housekeeper get a room ready for you. Dusty, you drive her back when she’s done here.”
Gemma opened her mouth to argue but Clayton was already walking back to the truck they had arrived in.
“What a generous offer,” Craig said with a grin when one of the crew called to him. “Stop by tomorrow, Gemma, and we can go over everything before we start laying foundations. Nice to meet you, Dusty.” Craig turned and headed to his crew, leaving Gemma with Dusty.
“You should’ve stayed at home,” Dusty all but growled.
Gemma crossed her arms and nearly tumbled over. Dusty caught her just in time. Their lips were only a breath away from each other as he searched her gaze.
Gemma unconsciously moistened her lips with her tongue. “I uh… I… I’m fine,” she finally stammered.
Dusty’s mouth tugged up into a grin. “Yeah, I can see that.”
He held her for another moment, searching her gaze. Gemma’s heart began to race even as her knees grew weak. Instinctively she reached for the crutches, grateful that she wouldn’t have to be carried by him again.
Dusty stepped back with a grin. “You’d better hang onto those now, Gemma, wouldn’t want you falling over your feet for me.”
Gemma groaned as he started towards her car. She could barely deal with seeing him once a week, how was she going to deal with living on Falcon Falls?
Chapter 13
“Right so I’ve got the guestroom all fixed up for you and I put fresh towels in the bathroom. The boys all have their own places, so it’s just you in the big house with me and Clayton.” Betty spoke a mile a minute as she approached the kitchen.
Gemma smiled still wondering why she had let Clayton bully her into staying on the ranch. “It’s really too much trouble. I told Clayton I’d be fine in my apartment.”
Kelly shook her head as she took a seat beside Gemma. “And spoil our fun. We’re thrilled to have another girl on the ranch.”
Gemma nodded wondering if Dusty was thrilled as well. After making sure she was settled in the living room, he headed out and she hadn’t seen him since. Clearly he wasn’t on board with his father’s plan of having the architect stay on site.
“Heya Gemma, I hear you’ll be crashing here for the time being,” Drake said as he flopped down on the sofa adjacent to her.
“It’s really not necessary,” Gemma reiterated. “I don’t know why your father suggested it in the first place. Dusty could’ve just given me a ride back to my apartment. I don’t even have clothes here.”
Kelly chuckled. “I’ll loan you something for tonight. Tomorrow we can stop by your place and pick up what you need. No driving.”
Gemma was grateful that the Caldwell’s had taken her under their wing, but they had to realize her own parents lived in town as well. If she wanted to be coddled she could’ve headed over to their place.
“It makes sense.” Dusty’s voice made a shiver run down her spine when he suddenly spoke behind her. “Craig might need you on site and it’s easier if you’re here than driving fifteen miles each way to pick you up every time he wants you to take a look at something.”
Gemma conceded with a nod. Falcon Falls was a long way from town and this would make it easier on everyone else. “Fine, but just until I can drive.”
Kelly began setting the table even as she kept track of the conversation. “This is actually perfect. The engagement party is in a little over two weeks and except for deciding to have at The Barn we haven’t planned anything.”
Gemma grabbed onto that like a dog to a bone. “We can ask Bobby to do the catering.”
“That’s a great idea,” Betty put in before turning to Kelly. “Bobby owns the bakery in town. Although she specializes in confectionaries she can cook about anything.”
“See, perfect.” Kelly laughed.
Gemma couldn’t help but catch Dusty’s gaze pinned to hers from the other side of the room. She thought about that afternoon and how surreal it had felt to be in his arms again, before she quickly looked away. If she was going to stay at Falcon Falls she needed to stop drooling over the man who kicked her to the curb almost a decade ago.
She turned to Kelly with a bright smile. “So except for having a venue and catering you still need décor, a photographer, a playlist…”
∞∞∞
>
Dusty couldn’t believe this was happening. First he had to work with her and now he had to live with her. Fine, he wasn’t really living with her since his apartment was on the other side of Ford’s annex, but still they would share meals and coffee and…
“Come and get it!” Betty called as she carried a large oven-dish to the table. “Macaroni, since none of you remembered to pick up lasagna sheets in town.”
Clayton grabbed her and hugged her close. “We don’t need lasagna sheets, ‘cos we already have you.”
Betty chuckled and Dusty couldn’t help but smile. To see his father show affection to Betty warmed his heart. After their mother passed Clayton had done nothing but mope around for years until something sparked between him and Betty. In a way Betty and Clayton had brought each other back to life.
“You’re such a relic you probably don’t even know what lasagna is. If it ain’t beans on toast its grits and gravy with you.”
Clayton chuckled as he took his seat at the head of the table with Betty by his side. As the eldest son, Ford took the other head with Kelly at his side. Dusty slipped into his usual place beside his father, surprised when Drake opted to sit on the other side of the table with Gemma sandwiched between him and Logan.
He had never been a jealous man but seeing her laugh over something Drake said made his craw turn sour. “Cut it out, Drake, dad wants to give thanks.”
Drake quickly quieted along with Gemma. Those large green eyes turned to him in question but Dusty just closed his for the meal prayer. He waited while his father said grace before opening them again. Gemma searched his gaze but he reached for his plate instead of losing himself in those emerald pools.
“I was thinking country lace,” Kelly said once everyone had a serving of macaroni and ground beef on their plate.
“Ooh, I like it. Sort of like a country-meets-style type of thing,” Gemma said with a smile.
“We can have hay bales for seats with lace coverings, oh this is going to be fabulous,” Betty added.
