Her cheeks darkened. “They are really good biscuits.”
Hard footsteps clacked on the tile floor as a man lumbered toward them and stopped at their table. “I thought that was your truck out front, Durant.”
Jackson looked up, cringing at the sound of the scratchy voice that continued to harass him. Howard Stunkard. The man had tracked him down. He drank the last of his coffee, dreading the confrontation that was sure to come.
TEN
“Hey, Howard. Can I help you with something?” As if Jackson didn’t know.
Howard slammed his meaty fist on the table. Silverware bounced and clinked together. Mariah jumped, spilling coffee on her shirt. Grabbing her napkin, she mopped at the mess and gave Jackson a questioning look.
“You owe me, Durant.”
The man simply wouldn’t give up. “There’s no call to make a scene, especially on Sunday.” Jackson glanced past the heavy man in faded, tattered overalls and saw that everyone in the café was staring in wide-eyed curiosity. With great effort, he held back a groan. He didn’t like the whole town knowing his business.
Howard leaned forward, both hands planted on the table. “I want the money you owe me.” His gray eyes bulged. His breath heaved as if he’d just climbed to the top of Spencer Hill, the highest point in the area.
Mariah stared wide-eyed, glancing from his face to Howard’s. Slipping from his seat, Jackson stood. He had a good half foot of height on Howard. Maybe that would intimidate the old coot. At least, Jackson could save face in front of his neighbors.
“You know I don’t owe you any money. You bought that gelding from Mike Allenby. Your deal was with him, not me.” He’d never dealt with anyone so unreasonable before.
“You trained that beast.”
Howard straightened, but Jackson still looked down on the man’s yellow-gray comb-over. Did Howard think badgering would get him what he wanted? “And I sold him to Mike. The gelding was broken in real smooth. He was a good horse till you got ahold of him. I ought to buy him back just to save the poor beast from you.”
Howard sputtered, but his eyes glinted with the victory he thought was close at hand. “So, you will?”
His manly pride didn’t want to back down, but he had the horse to consider. It would be better cared for at his place. “All right, I’ll give you one hundred dollars.”
Howard’s eyebrows dipped down into a V. “That’s highway robbery. I paid eight hunnerd for that worthless gelding. I can get more than a hunnerd from the killers at the stockyard.”
Heaving a sigh, Jackson had to acknowledge the truth in Howard’s statement. The gelding was too good to be sent to the killers. “All right, four hundred. Take it or leave it. But I don’t want to hear another word about it either way.” Jackson crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the older man.
Howard mumbled and kicked the bottom of the booth, yanked a grimy red bandanna from his back pocket and swiped at his chubby face. “Might as well get a few hunnerd for the worthless creature, just to get him out of my barn, so’s I don’t have to feed him no more.”
Jackson felt as if he’d won a battle. Actually, he had. Now maybe the guy would quit pestering him with all those phone calls. It was worth four hundred dollars to get Stunkard off his back.
As Jackson slid back into his booth, he glanced around the café. This was the first time he could remember it being so quiet in here. Gazes darted away from his, and the gentle murmur of conversation kicked back in. Several of his friends nodded, encouraging him that he’d done the right thing. Silverware clinked again. He looked up at Howard. “Bring the horse over tomorrow.”
The man straightened as best as he could with that potbelly of his. “Fer that price, you come get ’im. And I’ll take my money now.”
Jackson shook his head. “You’ll get your money when I get the horse.”
Howard sputtered like an old truck trying to turn over its rusty motor, then pivoted and waddled toward the door. “What are y’all looking at?” he growled to the crowd as he exited the café.
“Wow! Do you get many customers like him?”
Jackson looked at Mariah. “He’s not my customer. I’d never sell a horse to that man.”
“So his first name’s Howard. What’s his last name?”
“Stunkard. Why?”
Mariah pulled her phone from her coat pocket, flipped it on, then made a notation.
“What are you typing?” He leaned forward but couldn’t see the screen from where he was sitting.
“Uh...just a note. You know—a suspect list.”
“You think Howard Stunkard could be doing all those things on the ranch?”
Mariah blinked, staring innocently at him. “Don’t you? He certainly seems to have a vendetta against you.”
Jackson shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t think he’s capable of masterminding something so elaborate. The man’s just lookin’ for some easy money. I don’t know what Mike was thinking when he sold that horse to Howard.” Running his hand through his hair, he glanced at his watch. “Time to get to church. I’m getting the better end of the deal anyway. That sorrel gelding’s a good horse. I’ll work with him a bit to settle him down, then turn around and sell him again. Or maybe I’ll keep him. Ready to go?”
She nodded and slid to the end of her booth. Jackson stood. He pulled twenty dollars out of his wallet and laid it on the table, then offered her his hand and tugged Mariah to her feet. He gave Trudy a wave and headed for the door. Almost in unison, every head in the café turned in his direction again.
At the door, he paused and held up a finger to Mariah, signaling her to wait. Turning back to face the crowd, he scanned the room. “I know you all are dying to meet my guest. This here’s Mariah Reyes, a reporter from Dallas.”
Mariah’s eyes widened, and then she looked at the floor. A dark rose stained her cheeks. When she didn’t budge from the front door, he sidled up next to her, took her hand and tugged her to his side.
“She wrecked her car and is staying at the ranch till it gets fixed. Anybody got any questions?”
He could tell by their curious expressions that every one of them did, but he doubted anyone would voice them.
John Blanton slid out of his booth, surprising Jackson. “We all heard about your troubles, J.D., and want you to know if you need help, you can call any of us and we’ll come runnin’.”
Heads all around the café nodded, warming Jackson’s chest. “I appreciate that.”
Trudy marched forward and hugged Mariah, pulling her free from Jackson’s grasp. “Welcome to Westin.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as the older woman let go, Mariah slipped around Jackson and scurried out the door. He nodded to the crowd, grabbed his hat off the rack and then followed her outside. His boots pounded out a quick rhythm on the sidewalk as he jogged to catch up. When he drew even, Mariah stopped fast and slugged him in the arm.
“Hey! What was that for?” He rubbed the sore spot where her fist had landed.
Crossing her arms, she scrunched up her face and scowled. “You embarrassed me half to death back there.”
He hadn’t meant to embarrass her. He’d thought it would make things easier for her if she’d already been introduced to a chunk of the town. Hat in hand, he twisted the brim.
“Never mind.” She glanced up, wagging a finger in his face. “Just don’t embarrass me in public again.”
His mouth pulled into an ornery grin. “So, does that mean I can embarrass you in private?” He nudged her in the side with his hip.
“No!” She pinned him with a glare, but before she turned away, he saw her fighting a grin.
His grin faded as he opened the truck door. What would Mariah think of his simple church?
He muttered a prayer to God, thanking Him f
or protecting her from the shooter and for giving him a chance to get to know Mariah, even if he’d balked at first. Who could have thought a recluse would ever be attracted to a reporter?
God still worked in mysterious ways.
* * *
Sunday evening, Mariah stood at the mudroom door and watched Jackson and Justin at the corral. Ever since attending church this morning, she couldn’t get the minister’s message out of her mind. She’d never heard the Bible talked about in such an easy-to-understand manner. She had always thought of herself as a good person who tried to do what was right, but was she missing out on the wonderful gift God wished to give her? The gift of salvation?
“Missy, you mind telling everyone that supper’s ready?” Deuce asked from the kitchen.
“Sure.” She stepped out, and her gaze zipped to where Jackson leaned against the corral, watching Justin walk a black horse. He cut a nice figure with his broad shoulders, narrow waist and long-legged jeans that fit oh-so-nicely. As if he knew she was there, he turned and smiled.
“Deuce says supper is about ready.”
He winked, sending her stomach into a tizzy. Warmth rose to her cheeks, and she hurried in the barn to find Hailey. She had to be more cautious where Jackson was concerned. She couldn’t let her growing attraction to the man keep her from writing her story.
She opened Lilly’s stall and leaned against the frame, watching Hailey brush the filly’s coat. “I’m surprised she lets you do that.”
“She doesn’t hold very still, and sometimes she tries to eat the brush.”
Mariah laughed. “You’d think she was a goat the way she likes nibbling at things.”
“Yeah.”
Baron barked, and Mariah looked toward the front of the barn. Justin led the black horse back to its stall.
Lilly leaned toward her and whickered. Mariah entered the stall, latched the gate and then scratched the little horse. Being around her no longer bothered Mariah, and she was proud that she’d overcome her fear. Maybe she’d even let Jackson talk her into riding one day.
Baron barked again, just outside the stall. He jumped up, putting his paws on the stall gate, and whined. Mariah shot him a look. “What’s his problem?”
“He wants to play,” Hailey said. “Let’s go out and take Lilly for a walk.”
“Deuce says dinner is ready. We need to go inside.”
“Oh, phooey. I need to get Lilly’s dinner first.” The girl slipped from the stall, leaving Mariah alone with Lilly. Thankfully, Baron followed Hailey, whining all the way. Hailey returned with a huge bottle that sported the longest nipple Mariah had ever seen. Lilly nickered and hurried toward the girl.
“She’s hungry, isn’t she?” Hailey grinned.
Baron sat just outside the stall, barking harder. The black horse across the aisle, disturbed by the dog’s barking, tossed his head and whinnied, moving restlessly in his stall.
“Hush, boy!” Hailey gave the dog a stern stare. “You’ll scare Lilly.”
Baron whined, but Mariah watched as the dog trotted outside. She started to turn back to Hailey, but a whiff of smoke snagged her attention. She looked where Justin had been, but he was gone. Surely he wasn’t smoking in the barn, not with all of the hay scattered about. Still, the scent was so strong, she had to investigate. “Hold on a minute,” she told Hailey. “Let me check on something.”
She exited the stall, sniffing as she went, but as she neared the one Justin had been working in, the odor lessened. She noticed him outside, talking with Jackson—so where had the smoke smell come from? Turning toward the back of the barn, she headed for Lilly’s stall, but a popping sound yanked her gaze to the rear doors. Mariah gasped. A haze of smoke rose up toward the loft. Flames licked at the wood along the bottom of the door. She had to get Hailey out!
The shrill beep of the smoke detectors thrust Mariah into motion. She ran to the stall. “Hailey, c’mon. We have to get out.”
The girl stared up at the ceiling, her face white. She mouthed the word fire.
“Let’s go. Now!”
Hailey’s eyes widened, and she dropped the bottle. “We can’t leave Lilly!”
“You go. Tell your dad. I’ll get her.”
Hailey took another look at the horse then raced out of the barn, meeting Jackson on his way in. “Daddy! Fire!”
“Go to the house and stay there,” he ordered.
Baron’s frantic barks continued. The dog had been trying to warn her. Mariah tugged on Lilly’s leash, but instead of going forward, Lilly pulled back. “C’mon, girl. We’ve gotta get out of here.”
She glanced at the back wall, and the flames were already higher. Suddenly, water showered down from above.
“Mariah!” Jackson cried, as he skidded to a stop outside the stall.
“I can’t get Lilly to move.”
“Go! I’ll get her.”
“But I promised—”
He frowned and yanked the lead rope from her hand then slapped Lilly on the rear end and yelled. The surprised horse bolted forward, out the gate and toward the exit. Jackson grabbed Mariah’s arm and propelled her outside, at the same time Justin hurried out of the garage, pushing the motorcycle.
Jackson ran back into the barn and quickly returned leading the black horse. He passed the animal to Justin, who led it to the corral.
Deuce ran out of the house, waving. “I called the volunteer firefighters.”
“Thanks! Keep Hailey inside.” Jackson forked his fingers through his wet hair. “The sprinklers are working, but I don’t know if it will be enough.”
Mariah wanted to hold him—to soothe the ache she read in his eyes.
“At least all of the horses are safe. Good thing we put the other three out to pasture this morning.” Justin shook his head, flinging water droplets.
“I feel so powerless just standing here.” Jackson took a few steps toward the barn, but Mariah grabbed his sleeve. He looked in her direction, his eyes burning with anger.
“Don’t. Hailey needs you.”
His gaze shifted to the house. Hailey stood at the door, wiping her eyes. He jogged over to her, opened the screen door and lifted her up, cradling her in his arms. “Don’t cry. Everything will be okay, pun’kin.”
Justin suddenly made a mad dash back into the barn. Jackson yelled, but Justin didn’t stop. He quickly stormed through the open doors again, carrying a pair of extinguishers. “Maybe we can work on the fire from the outside.”
“Good idea.” Jackson kissed Hailey and set her down. “Stay inside.”
He strode over to Mariah, and Baron followed. He looked at the dog and held up his palm. Then he said, “Baron, stay!” Jackson caught Mariah’s eye. “You stay put and keep Baron here.”
She nodded. He squeezed her shoulder, giving her a tight-lipped smile, then spun and followed Justin to the back of the barn. Baron whined. Mariah stooped down and petted the dog, thinking how he’d tried to warn them. “Good boy.”
Black smoke rose in swirls, but Mariah couldn’t see any more flames. What a senseless thing to do. Anger battled pain. Anger at the person who set the fire, for she highly doubted it was an accident. Pain because this meant another loss for Jackson.
Lilly whinnied from the corral where she pranced back and forth. At least it was far enough from the barn that she and the other horse should be safe. Mariah took hold of Baron’s collar. “C’mon, boy.” He allowed her to lead him over to the corral. “Sit. Stay.”
The dog obeyed, looking up at her as though he wondered how she knew dog commands. Mariah reached through the railings and smacked her lips together, making a kissing sound. Lilly trotted over and sniffed her hand. “Poor baby. I’m sure you miss your mama.”
The similarities between her, Hailey and the horse jolted her. They were all motherless females.
She blinked, startled by the sudden revelation.
At least Mariah had a few memories of her mother, but Hailey had none, since her mother had died the night she was born. It made Mariah want to cry out to God, asking Him why He allowed mothers to die and young girls to be raised by fathers who didn’t care. Instant remorse stabbed Mariah’s conscience. Unlike her father, Jackson cared deeply for his daughter.
She was grateful that he had Hailey, because she would help him get through these hard times. She’d give him a reason to smile—laugh. And he had his siblings and friends—and his God. Mariah gazed Heavenward, realizing the sky had darkened, and the smoke now blended with the inky twilight. God, if You’re real, save Jackson’s barn from total destruction. Lead the sheriff to the person behind all of this.
* * *
An hour later, Mariah stepped outside and surveyed the scene. The stench of smoke still filled the air, but she was relieved to see the barn illuminated by the headlights of several vehicles. She desperately hoped the men had been able to save enough of it so that it wouldn’t have to be torn down and rebuilt. Shadows cut through the lights, pulling her gaze to the men, where Jackson and Lance helped the volunteer firemen load their equipment into their truck. They waved as one of the trucks pulled out.
In the kitchen, Deuce rattled pans as he worked to prepare food for the men. She ought to see if she could help him, but first she needed to check on Hailey again. She went inside and padded to the living room. The girl lay on the couch, watching cartoons with Baron sleeping at her feet. Mariah would never look at that dog the same. If only she’d caught on to his warning sooner, maybe less of the barn would have been damaged.
She dropped down onto the couch, and Hailey smiled at her. “Are you doing okay, sweetie?”
The child leaned against her arm and nodded. She’d been unusually quiet since they’d come inside. Mariah hugged her, but her thoughts drifted back to the barn—and the person responsible. The footprints the men had found behind the barn could only have been made by a large man. Whoever it was had a lot of nerve, to set the fire when Jackson and Justin were on the other side of the structure. Had that been an effort to prove his power? Or did he know she was in the barn and had set the fire to harm her?
Rancher Under Fire Page 13
