Maggie’s Man (The Cowboys of Cavern County Book 2)

by Bella Settarra

  “Yup, that’s Deputy Taylor,” she confirmed with a nod. “He’s all we’ve got, I’m afraid, but don’t expect too much from him.” She rolled her eyes, and Frank chuckled.

  “That’s kinda what I thought. Thank you, ma’am.” Frank gave her a conspiratorial grin and tipped his hat politely. The woman afforded him an appreciative smile as they left.

  * * * *

  “One of the horses has escaped from the bottom field,” Ben told him when Aiden eventually got back to work.

  He frowned. “How in hell did that happen?” He was already pulling on his gloves as he followed his brother toward the stables.

  “I’ve no idea. Jeremy’s already checked the fence. It’s all secure. Gate was still bolted, too.”

  “Any sign of the horse?” They each mounted and set off toward the south of the ranch.

  “Jeremy thinks it must have gone over onto Rossington’s land—or, rather, Parry’s.” Ben didn’t look happy.

  “Let’s hope he doesn’t notice. Frank reckons he might not have even sobered up yet.”

  Ben frowned. “He sure put away a few drinks last night.”

  “Probably more like a few bottles, if anyone was counting.” Aiden shook his head.

  Jeremy met them at the gate to the south field. It housed twenty-five thoroughbreds, twenty-four of which were grazing happily in the half-light of the setting sun. “Looks like we’re okay, boss. Sam and Ashley have caught up with the horse. They’re bringing him back now.”

  Aiden felt a surge of relief. The last thing he wanted was to spend the night searching for a horse, and he wasn’t too sure how amenable Rossington would be to them riding over his land—or, at least, Parry land.

  “Did it get far?” Ben looked relieved, too.

  “Seems it had gone a fair few miles,” Jeremy told them.

  “Damn! It had to be Rossington’s land, of all places.” Ben grimaced.

  “You sure everything’s secure here?” Aiden couldn’t help wondering if it was just coincidence.

  “Yup. I’ve no idea how it got out,” Jeremy said, frowning. “I double-checked the fences myself. I can’t find any damage or rotten wood.”

  “Let me just triple check,” Aiden offered as he dismounted.

  The foreman was totally right. There was no sign of any damage or wear on any of the fence panels, and the gate was secure and intact.

  “Have the veterinarian check out the horse as soon as they get it back here,” Ben instructed when Aiden returned empty-handed.

  “Yes sir.”

  “You suspect foul play?” Aiden muttered as they headed back.

  “I dunno.” His brother pursed his lips thoughtfully. “But something sure doesn’t add up around here.”

  Chapter Ten

  Monday mornings were always tough, but waking up on her hallway floor with a crick in her neck and the mother of all headaches reminded Maggie that they didn’t come much worse.

  She groaned as she stood up slowly, stretching the kinks from her back, using the wall for support. She was surprised to have fallen asleep, given that Robert had left her lights on, and she wondered whether she had actually passed out instead.

  She went to the bedroom and flicked on the lamp, glad that it was still quite dark outside. As she plunked herself on the side of her bed, she glanced over to the dressing-table mirror and gasped. The left side of her face was bright red and a purple bruise was already beginning to swell over her cheekbone, giving the appearance of a black eye. Damn. She could hardly go to work looking like this.

  Stripping off her clothes, she climbed into the shower. As usual, the water wasn’t very hot, but she felt much fresher after a good wash, and she examined the bruises on the rest of her body while she was waiting for the conditioner to tame her unruly hair. She must have fallen quite hard onto the floor when he’d pushed her in through the front door, as she had what appeared to be carpet burns on her stomach where her top had ridden up. There was also a large bruise appearing on her chin, and her arms and legs were riddled with purple marks. Robert Rossington had sure done some damage.

  Angry tears flooded her face, which she turned up to the streaming water. She winced as the coldness hit her bruises and quickly finished her hair before stepping out then wrapping herself in a large towel. Her body longed for the huge, soft, fluffy towels she used to have when she was with Robert, as her sore skin was chafed by the rough, threadbare ones she had only just managed to afford.

  She stared at her tired, swollen face in the mirror and felt like crying all over again. How had she come to this?

  “Okay, Maggie. There’s only one thing to do,” she told herself. “You’ve got to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and get on with it.” It was a conversation she’d had quite a few times over the past couple of years, and it never seemed to get any easier. Usually it was an unpaid bill that got her down, but this was the lowest she had ever gotten. Not only was she broke, she was also in danger. She knew she hadn’t seen the last of Robert Rossington.

  She applied a thick layer of concealer to her cheek before covering her face in foundation. It didn’t really hide the bruising, but it made her feel a bit more confident about her look. Then she applied the rest of her makeup, a touch heavier than she usually wore, but she wanted to balance her look as much as she could.

  It was nearly ten o’clock by the time she arrived at the café. She had walked quickly enough but turned around each time she’d heard someone behind her, half-expecting to see Robert again. She had never opened so late in the day, and somewhere in the back of her mind had worried that a long line would have formed around the café, with hungry diners waiting impatiently for her to appear and feed them. She smiled to herself when she saw that the street was, in fact, deserted.

  She busied herself with her usual routine as she baked some fresh rolls. The smell of baking bread and hot coffee cheered her. The café was quiet for most of the day, leaving Maggie time to dwell on recent events.

  The whole situation with Aiden would have been so much easier if only Robert hadn’t been there to witness her mortification. Even though she was still sore at the young guy for not making it clear that he was hiring her, not dating her, it might have all blown over had Robert not been involved. Now things were so much harder, and with Robert becoming violent with her, it seemed they couldn’t get much worse.

  “Just a coffee, please, Miss.”

  A customer invaded her thoughts, and she twitched as she came back to Earth. It was an older guy who she’d seen in here before.

  “Coming right up.” She smiled at him and watched him balk when he saw her face.

  A couple of her regulars had looked a little shocked today, though none of them had said anything and she was thankful for that.

  He took a seat over by the window, and Maggie went back to idly polishing glasses. Not long after that, she heard the door open again, and she looked over to see who it was. Her stomach churned when she saw it was Aiden, and he didn’t look happy.

  “Maggie?” His face went white when he caught sight of her, and he stared at her across the counter.

  She felt sick, and her heart thumped wildly as she struggled for something to say.

  “Aiden.” She kept her cool.

  “What happened? Who did this?” His voice was hoarse with shock.

  She quickly looked around the café. The older man was the only other customer now, but it would still be embarrassing if he overheard them. She shook her head.

  “Did you call the cops? Do you know who it was?” He was clearly horrified as he walked around the counter and took hold of her arms.

  “Aiden, I’m working.” She indicated the man by the window, keeping her voice low.

  “Don’t worry about him. I’m more worried about you, darlin’. What in hell happened?” Aiden sounded a bit more frantic now, and she was surprised at just how concerned he was.

  “Nothing happened. It’s all dealt with. I can’t talk about it,” she told him,
feeling his body close to hers as he studied her face.

  She looked away nervously. “Aiden, just leave it.”

  “Like hell I will!” His voice was louder now, and she snapped her head around then stared at him in surprise.

  “What?”

  “Maggie, you must know how I feel about you. I’m so sorry about the other night, and I can explain. It was all a silly misunderstanding, but this is serious. I need to know who did it. Was it here? Did someone attack you on your way home?”

  She shook her head.

  “So, that’s not why you wouldn’t return my calls?” He stood behind her now as she picked up a dish towel and started to wipe over the counter.

  She bit her lip nervously, hearing the hurt in his voice.

  “Talk to me, Maggie,” he pleaded.

  “Not here, Aiden. I told you. I’m at work.” She daren’t turn around to face him.

  “Don’t mind me.” The older guy slowly stood and came over to them. “I just want to help. That’s all.”

  Maggie frowned at him as he took a seat opposite her at the counter.

  “Maggie, this is Frank Crowthorne. He’s a good friend of the family,” Aiden told her as he walked around her to sit next to his friend.

  “Oh.” She nodded at Frank and managed a faint smile. He’d been in here a couple of times and had always been polite. “I didn’t know you two knew each other.”

  “Frank’s an attorney,” Aiden said.

  “Retired,” the older man added.

  She felt unnerved. “So what makes you think I need some help?” She was indignant.

  “Darlin’ have you looked in a mirror today?” Aiden quipped.

  Anger quickly turned to despair, and she sighed. “All right. I got hit, okay? But as you can see, I’m fine now.”

  “I’d beg to differ,” Frank told her kindly.

  “Who was it?” Aiden was tenacious.

  Maggie bit her lip. “I don’t want you to go after him.”

  “I won’t.” Aiden shrugged.

  She narrowed her eyes at him. That wasn’t the answer she had expected, although she was pleased he wasn’t going to wade in all guns blazing.

  “Was it Rossington?” Frank asked slowly.

  Maggie sighed, nodding.

  Aiden’s face flamed for a second, and he took a deep breath before calming himself. She was grateful that he had such good self-control. She had been half-afraid he would fly right off the handle, but he was clearly more mature than she had given him credit for. Good.

  A lump hit the pit of her stomach as she recalled the bastard’s threat.

  “I have to stay away from you.” She stared over at Aiden and her heart melted when he gazed back at her with horror in his big blue eyes.

  “I think that’s a good idea,” Frank interjected.

  Aiden’s surprise matched her own, and they both frowned at the old man.

  “In fact, I don’t think it’s a good idea that we’re all here together. Anyone could come in.” He got up, straightening his jacket.

  “We can’t just leave Maggie here on her own.” Aiden looked mortified.

  A cold shiver ran through Maggie, and she suddenly realized how much safer she felt with them here. Her eyes flitted to the window, and she shivered with vulnerability. She was a strong woman, though, and knew she couldn’t give in to Robert’s bullying. She had already traveled that route and had no intention of doing so again.

  “I’ll be fine,” she told them, assuring herself as much as the guys. “There’s a panic button under the counter wired directly to the sheriff’s office, and I’ve got my cell.” She chewed her lip a little as she blushed, knowing that she really should have called Aiden earlier.

  “All right. Oh, and, it might be better if you act like you don’t know me if you see me in public—or even in here.” Frank looked impressed at her determination.

  “What about me?” Aiden asked, standing up. “Are you saying I should stay away from her?”

  Frank sighed. “I’m afraid so,” he replied. “Just until we get this mess sorted out. Don’t give the fuckwad any excuse to hurt Maggie any more than he already has. If it looks like she’s complying with his wishes, it might be safer for her.”

  Maggie felt sick.

  Chapter Eleven

  “I just need to check on some horses.” Aiden frowned once they were in the parking lot. “One of our best got out last night. They got him back, but I just want to make sure he’s all right.”

  “How the devil did that happen?” Frank didn’t look happy.

  “That’s what I wanna know,” Aiden said. “I checked the fencing and the gate. There was no way it escaped on its own.”

  “I’ll follow you,” Frank told him with a grimace as he climbed into his own truck.

  It didn’t take long to reach the field where the horse had made its escape, and both men pulled over on the dirt track nearby.

  “How far did it get?”

  “Somewhere over there.” Aiden pointed to a tree-lined field on the south side of the Fielding Ranch.

  “Parry land?”

  “Yup. Strange coincidence or what?” Aiden shook his head incredulously.

  “Or what, I’d say.” Frank scowled. “The question is… Why?”

  They looked across the field where the thoroughbreds were grazing quietly.

  “They seem happy enough,” Frank remarked.

  “Hey, boss.” Jeremy walked toward them while they made their way over. “That horse was fine last night, not a scratch on him.”

  Aiden nodded. Ben had reported that much back to him after the vet had left last night, but it was good to see for himself. “Any clue as to how it got out?”

  The young guy shook his head when they strolled over to the gate. “Beats me.”

  Aiden shivered as they stood by the fence, watching the horses feeding peacefully in the field. The ground was hard and the air was cold, but it was a clear, autumn day.

  “It could only have gotten out through this gate,” Frank announced, strolling over to the latch.

  “But who lets a horse like that loose without stealing it?” Aiden narrowed his eyes. He knew it was the only solution as to the missing horse, but it didn’t add up.

  Frank slowly stooped down and picked something up from the compacted mud. It looked like a tiny piece of paper that was wedged in the soil and caught against a blade of grass. He stood up, holding it up for them to see. It had writing on it.

  “XS—extra small?” Jeremy frowned. “Looks like part of a label off something. My girlfriend wears that size.”

  Frank pursed his lips. “Could be.” He rolled the paper between his finger and thumb as he pondered. It was black with gold letters and a band of gold above them. It may have had a gold band underneath the writing, too, but it was torn at a wonky angle and just a sliver of color was left. The old man carefully slipped it into his wallet.

  Aiden felt a thud in his gut. “You think someone tried to take it, but it ran away?”

  “If that was the case, it didn’t get far,” Frank mused. “Should have been easy enough to catch.”

  They scouted the area for any more clues, but it seemed fruitless.

  “We’re real careful about litter and stuff,” Jeremy assured them as they kicked up the dirt in their quest.

  “That’s good,” Frank told him with a smile. “That means this piece has to be recent. We’ll take my car back.”

  Aiden’s mind whirled as they fastened the gate again and sauntered back toward the cars. One of the hands could return Aiden’s truck later. His cell hummed and showed a message from Maggie, telling him that the café was quite busy as a few of the regulars had stopped by, and that she was fine. She also told him not to worry.

  Aiden felt a little easier. It was awful to think of Maggie all on her own, especially with that violent fucker on the loose. “I wish she’d let us call the sheriff,” he said, half to himself as they climbed into Frank’s pick-up.

 
; “Me, too. But I can see why she won’t. Domestic abuse is hard to prove, and, if she didn’t report him when they were together, she’s got even less of a case now. Besides, I reckon this gives us the upper hand.” Frank was frowning.

  “Well, I’d just like to get my hands on him.” Aiden was fuming at the idea of the fucker getting away with it.

  “You’ll do nothing.” Frank spoke firmly as he drove off. “For now, you need to carry on as if nothing’s happened. You hardly know Maggie as far as Rossington’s concerned, and that’s what he needs to believe. Your sister just asked a local gal to come over and help out at your soiree. We don’t want him knowing any more than that.”

  “He even told her to stay away from me.” Aiden huffed angrily.

  “And that’s exactly what she’s gonna do.” Frank seemed to have it all worked out, and Aiden wished he had the old guy’s patience. “You can’t be seen anywhere near her. Understand?”

  “But what about that crummy apartment of hers? She’s not safe there. D’you reckon he knows where she lives?” He felt sick in the pit of his stomach.

  Frank put up a hand in a calming gesture. “We’ll find out soon enough,” he assured him.

  They got out of the car by the ranch house.

  “Ben’s here.” Aiden frowned, looking over at his brother’s blue pick-up.

  “I need to make a quick call.” Frank was checking his cell. “I’ll catch up with you inside.”

  Aiden waved a hand in acknowledgment and headed onto the porch. The smell of fresh bread welcomed him when he found his sister in the kitchen.

  “You took your time.” Ben was sitting at the large table, watching Josie lift a tray of whole grain rolls from the oven.

  Aiden grimaced as he took a seat opposite his brother. “That fuckwad hit her.”

  Ben’s eyes widened. “Fuck! So that’s where he got to.”

  “Oh my God, is she okay?” Josie looked upset as she removed her oven gloves.