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

by Bella Settarra

  Ben scowled. “He’s got it all worked out. One of those huge marquee-tent things is being erected as we speak, right on the field we’re hoping to buy off of them, just to rub salt into the wound.”

  Maggie shook her head in disbelief. She knew Ben had taken a shine to the beautiful bombshell, and he would be hurt as hell if she went ahead with the nuptials. Trouble was, she might not have much choice in the matter, knowing Robert. She felt herself tremble with dread. If Lorraine really was going through with the marriage, she must have a really good reason—or rather, a really bad reason, if Robert Rossington was behind it.

  “He’s got all the legalities in place already. He must have been planning this for a while, just in case his attempt to get the land off of her failed, which it did.” He huffed triumphantly, clearly pleased that something hadn’t gone Rossington’s way.

  “But she still doesn’t want to marry him.” Maggie frowned.

  Ben shook his head. “Nope. She’s been stringing him along until she could prove what he’s been up to. It was the only way she could keep a close eye on him while gathering her evidence. She also needed to make sure he didn’t disappear before she outed him. He’s been kidding about how he wanted to wed her just so he could get the land off of her. Frank Crowthorne found out the bastard’s had some attorney trying to find a loophole in the old man’s will that would allow him to get his hands on the land without following through with the wedding.”

  “I take it they didn’t find anything?” Maggie pursed her lips.

  Ben shook his head. “Nah. It’s a double-edged sword in a way. If he’d found a way, he would have tried to get the land out of her long before now.”

  “But why the hurry? Why now?” She noticed more of her customers leaving. Now there was just an elderly couple still in at a window table.

  “That’s what we’re all wondering,” Ben confided with a shake of his head. “Frank’s got his friends trying to ascertain if the guy’s in some sort of debt.”

  “You mean someone might be leaning on him for money?”

  Ben shrugged. “It would explain his sudden rush to marry the poor girl.”

  Maggie sighed.

  “There’s something else you should know.”

  Bile rose from her stomach as she stared at him.

  “He’s invited your parents.”

  Her mind reeled. “What? Why?” She felt sick. She had no idea Rossington would still be in contact with her folks.

  Ben shook his head. “He told Lorraine he wanted to show them how much better he could do for himself.” He gulped, looking apologetic. “I–I didn’t mean…”

  She swallowed hard, trying to stop herself from trembling. “You might not mean that, but he sure does.”

  “He suggested that Lorraine ask Josie about getting you to wait on them all. She didn’t, of course. We just thought you should know. That’s all.”

  Tears stung the edges of Maggie’s eyes, and she was relieved when the last couple got up and left just then. She could just imagine Robert flaunting his new wife in front of her parents—and thinking he could have her wait on them all was just the last straw. A recollection of the horrific scene at the Fieldings’ party flashed through her mind as heat rose in her cheeks.

  “Look… I’m real sorry. Me and my big mouth… I didn’t mean…” Ben was on his feet in a second and he put his arms around her.

  “You shouldn’t be seen with me,” she snapped at him as her whole body tensed.

  “Don’t worry. Rossington’s far too busy shouting orders about wedding arrangements to come around here,” Ben replied with scorn.

  “Even so. We don’t want to ruin our chances of exposing him now, do we?” She sniffed hard, trying to stop the tears from escaping from her eyes. It was no good. As a massive boulder settled in her throat, the floodgates opened and huge, hot drops of despair meandered down her flushed face, like lava from a raging volcano.

  Ben hugged her tightly, despite her efforts to shrug him off. She knew that the more kindness he showed her, the more she would weaken and give in to the emotions that were running riot through her whole body. With several hours’ work ahead of her, she still couldn’t afford to fall apart right now.

  “What’s Aiden doing?” She wiped her face with her tissue, suddenly wishing it was Ben’s brother who was standing so close to her.

  “He’s gone out with Frank,” Ben said. He went back around to the opposite side of the counter, obviously realizing that he wasn’t making the situation any easier for her. “Said something about another fact-finding mission.” He shrugged.

  “I’m really sorry.” She noticed how miserable he looked and guessed it must have been hard for him to come out and tell her all this. Aiden had told her how much his brother liked Lorraine Parry, and to have to watch them marry on the land he wanted to own himself would be awful. “There’s got to be something we can do.”

  Ben shook his head. “That’s what I’d hoped. I haven’t been able to get near Lorraine all day, so I don’t even know whether she’s got enough evidence together yet. It would be great if we could just expose the bastard before he gets chance to make her walk up that dang aisle.” He glanced at her hopefully. “I don’t suppose you’ve…”

  Maggie shrugged sadly. “I never got anything concrete against him. I mean, I knew he was lying about the burglary, but I couldn’t prove anything with that Taylor guy backing him up.”

  Ben tutted. “That’s what I figured,” he admitted.

  They both looked up as the door opened, and the local sheriff, Dyson Shearer, sauntered in.

  “Wondered if I might find you here,” he said, nodding at Ben.

  “Is everything okay?” The cowboy frowned as Dyson slid onto the stool next to him while Maggie poured another cup of coffee.

  Dyson peered around and seemed glad, though not surprised, to see there were no customers about. “I had a tip-off that there was some kind of row between Rossington and Taylor last night,” Dyson told them gravely. “Sounded quite full-on from what the neighbors were saying.”

  “What neighbors? Was Robert back in Pelican’s Heath last night?” Maggie’s heart hammered at the thought that he might have been close by while she had been on her own.

  “Tell me he wasn’t with Lorraine?” Ben’s face tightened as he fumed.

  Dyson shook his head. “It happened over in Almondine.”

  They both visibly relaxed a little.

  “I thought Robert was meeting up with Taylor the night before?” Maggie frowned. It sure looked as though Rossington had been reluctant to give up that necklace.

  Dyson pursed his lip. “I guess they could have. They were definitely together last night, though. Witnesses saw them having a good ‘ole fistfight on some wasteland behind the bank. Taylor hadn’t reported it, though.”

  “So he’s not claiming it was in the line of duty?” Ben scowled.

  Dyson shrugged. “Wasn’t sure if either of you might know anything. That’s all.” He took another sip of his coffee.

  “I know he’s planning on weddin’ Lorraine Parry this Saturday,” Ben replied, his lips tight with anger.

  Dyson didn’t look surprised as he nodded. “Seems he’s been hoping to get her money out of her without actually marrying the girl, but that ain’t gonna happen. It still doesn’t explain why he’s in such a tearing hurry.”

  “I don’t like it, Dyson. That fuckwad’s up to something. I just know it.”

  “Something’s sure lit a fire under his ass,” Dyson agreed.

  “Do you think maybe he knows Lorraine’s not so keen?” Maggie mused.

  “Then surely rushing her into a last-minute arrangement is more likely to have her turn tail and run?” Ben sounded annoyed, and it wasn’t hard to see why.

  “So he’s taking one hell of a chance on it.” Maggie nodded. “He must be dang desperate to risk losing her altogether.”

  “Well, if it’s just her money he’s after, he must be in a real hurry to mak
e some easy cash.” Dyson was already getting up, putting his hat back on. “I’ll do a bit more snooping, see if I can find out just what the heck he’s up to.”

  “I’d be obliged if you could keep us in the loop, Sheriff,” Ben said. “If there’s any way I can stop Lorraine from walking up that aisle, I intend to do it, you know?”

  Dyson nodded. “I know.”

  Maggie and Ben stared at each other for a few moments after the deputy had left.

  “I’m gonna get back over to the ranch, see if I can keep an eye on Rossington,” Ben announced. “I feel happier knowing exactly where he is at all times.”

  Maggie nodded as they both stood up. She felt better knowing someone had an eye on her ex, too. There was just no telling what the bastard would do next, left to his own devices.

  * * * *

  The rest of the day dragged by for Maggie. Her mind whirled as she tried to imagine what Robert might be planning—and what hold he might have on Lorraine that would make her marry him, even though she clearly didn’t want to. It was very gracious of her to want to expose him for the fraud and cheat that he was, but surely it wasn’t worth marrying the scumbag over?

  Her heart leapt a little when Aiden called her a while later. She hadn’t realized just how much she missed him, but, since the other night, she couldn’t get him out of her mind.

  “Maggie, are you okay?”

  “Yeah, of course.” She slid into the kitchen to take the call.

  “Ben was worried he’d upset you earlier. He can be a real dumbass at times.”

  She could hear the concern in his voice. “No, I’m fine. Where are you?”

  “I’m at the sheriff’s office. What time do you finish work?”

  She glanced up at the clock. It had only been a couple of hours since Dyson had left them. Had he unearthed something already? “About an hour’s time.”

  She heard him muttering something at the other end of the phone, and her stomach churned. “Aiden, is everything all right?”

  “Try not to worry, darlin’. I’ll pick you up in a while.” His voice didn’t sound happy, and she noticed her hand tremble as she clicked off the cell.

  Luckily there weren’t many customers the rest of the day and she felt like she was working on auto-pilot as she wiped down tables and forced herself to smile as she served coffee.

  Aiden was true to his word, and she was relieved to see his massive truck pull up in the parking lot as she locked up. He took her in his arms and hugged her closely. She could feel the desperation in his body and hoped they were going to spend the night together. The tight furrows on his brow told her it wasn’t the case, though. Something was very wrong.

  “We have to get back to your place,” he said, planting a quick kiss on the top of her head. “Sheriff’s waiting for us with a search warrant.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “What the hell’s going on, Aiden?” she demanded as she climbed onto his passenger seat.

  He gunned the engine, wiping a hand through his hair. “Dyson’s had a tip-off about something. He just needs to check it out. That’s all.”

  “Something like what? What’s he hoping to find?”

  Aiden shook his head. “He couldn’t say. Cam Taylor’s involved, though. He’s meeting us there, too.”

  Maggie felt sick. If that fuckwad had something to do with it, she’d lay a dollar to a penny Robert Rossington was somehow behind it.

  “Ben said you were on a fact-finding mission today. Did you find out any facts?” She stared up at him hopefully.

  “Yep. Rossington’s in a heap of debt,” he told her a little warily.

  She knew there was something he wasn’t telling her. “For Christ’s sake, Aiden!” Anger mixed with fear as she waited for him to continue.

  “Did you know he had dealings with your parents?” Aiden looked edgy.

  Her stomach roiled. “No. What sort of dealings?”

  He shook his head. “Some sort of business transactions.”

  She frowned. “My daddy always said he’d have to be desperate to have anything to do with Robert’s business.” As the words tumbled out of her mouth, she felt a pang in her heart. She’d had nothing to do with either of her parents since they’d berated her for splitting up with Robert. Her mother had called her a liar because of the things she’d told her about him, and Maggie had been gutted that her own parents would believe Robert over their own daughter. He was a plausible rogue, though. Even she had to admit that. If the situation had become so bad that they had turned to Robert for help, then she should have been there for them, no matter what they’d done.

  She gasped, putting her hand to her mouth.

  “I know you haven’t done anything wrong, darlin’, so you’ve got nothing to worry about,” Aiden soothed her as they pulled up next to the deputy’s SUV right outside her apartment building.

  She stared out of the windshield while Dyson talked to a guy she recognized as Cam Taylor. Her eyes quickly darted around looking for Robert, but he wasn’t there, thank goodness.

  “You ready, sweetheart?” Aiden’s voice was calm, though she could tell he wasn’t at all happy with the situation.

  “Let’s get this over with.” She couldn’t look at him for fear of bursting into tears. She knew he would be supportive and sympathetic, but that wouldn’t help her right now. They all followed her as she trundled up the stairs to her front door then unlocked it.

  Dyson looked uneasy as he gave her a copy of the search warrant. “We’ve got reason to believe there’s a possibility that an item of stolen property might be hidden somewhere in your apartment,” he explained.

  Maggie frowned. “What sort of stolen property?” None of it made any sense.

  “This.” Cam Taylor thrust a rather dog-eared photo of a beautiful pale-blue sapphire necklace at her.

  “I’ve never seen this before,” she assured them, stunned.

  “I told you,” Aiden said rather smugly.

  “We need to check it out,” Dyson informed them, a little apologetically.

  “Whose is it?” Maggie asked curiously. It wasn’t unlike the sort of thing she used to wear when she still had money, though she would have preferred pink sapphires to blue.

  “Lorraine Parry’s. Do you know her?” Cam replied.

  Maggie shivered with cold as she stared at him in disbelief.

  “Maggie, would you come in here a moment, please?” Dyson had gone on ahead into her bedroom and was calling her through.

  A sense of dread filled her stomach, and she just knew what he was about to disclose, though she had no idea how. Her feet felt like lead as she slowly made her way toward him. The deputy was standing in front of her battered chest of drawers, with the second drawer wide open. He was holding a couple of her sweaters in one hand and pointed with the other. In the bottom of the drawer, cushioned on an old tee-shirt, was the necklace.

  “Did you find anything?” Cam followed them into the room and gazed into the drawer. He held up the photo. “Yep, that’s it all right,” he confirmed. “Do you have anything to say, miss?”

  She felt everyone’s eyes on her as her whole body turned weak and her face flushed. She shook her head dumbly. What could she say? Nothing that would make any difference.

  “Maggie, I know you didn’t do this—” Aiden began.

  “We need to take you down to the office,” Dyson interjected as he pulled a plastic bag from his back pocket. He carefully scooped the necklace into it, careful not to touch it with his fingers, and he handed it over to his colleague. “You might need one of these, too. It gets pretty cold in the cells.” He offered her the sweaters in his hand with a sympathetic nod.

  Maggie could hardly move. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion around her. Aiden reached over and took the warmest sweater, putting his other arm around her shoulder. She was vaguely aware of him talking to Dyson but didn’t take any notice of what was being said. Her brain had turned to mush.

  * * * *
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  She was still in Aiden’s arms as the sheriff pulled up outside his office and they all clambered out of his SUV. The cold night air whipped around her, mocking her as she walked, in a daze, up the steps.

  Frank Crowthorne was inside the office when they arrived, and she guessed Aiden must have called him.

  “Don’t you worry, Maggie. We’ll soon get to the bottom of this,” the older guy assured her when she walked in.

  “I’ll need a statement from her, Frank,” Dyson said as they all took their seats around the deputy’s desk.

  “Of course.” Frank sat at one side of her with Aiden on the other as Cam handed around the coffees from the machine on the side-counter.

  “Now, Maggie, I realize this is all a terrible shock for you,” Dyson began.

  Cam snorted.

  Dyson shook his head, rolling his eyes. “Can you tell me anything about this necklace?” He held up the plastic bag.

  Maggie cleared her throat, trying to bypass the huge lump that had appeared there. “I’ve never seen it before,” she croaked quietly.

  “So you won’t be finding her fingerprints on it, Sheriff,” Frank added matter-of-factly, then he took a sip of his drink.

  Maggie felt a glimmer of hope. Frank was right, of course.

  “That don’t prove nothin’. She could have worn gloves.” Cam looked quite happy with himself as he pointed out the obvious.

  Dyson looked a little annoyed but went back to the papers in his hand. “So, I take it you would deny any accusations that you stole it?” he clarified.

  “Yes.” She nodded.

  “Of course you would,” Cam derided.

  Just then there was a loud commotion at the door, and Maggie gaped when she saw Robert and Lorraine standing there.

  “Any news, Sheriff? Oh.” Robert didn’t even try to hide his delight as he saw them all sitting at the desk, peering at the necklace.

  “Oh, no, come on!” Lorraine stared in disbelief.