by R. C. Ryan
“Sure thing, Ally. And everybody in town calls me Thorny.”
Reed winked. “Now that you’re in good hands, I’ll say good-bye.”
“Bye, Reed.” Kyle impulsively wrapped his hands around Reed’s leg. “You coming back tonight?”
Reed looked down at the boy. “That depends on your mama.”
Ally stood back, watching her son before looking up into Reed’s face. “Thank you again.” She lowered her voice, grateful for the noise of the workmen as they began retrieving their tools. “For staying the night. For getting this window replaced so quickly. For making breakfast. That was an unexpected treat. I seem to owe you for a lot of favors.”
“You’re welcome. And you don’t owe me a thing.” He tugged on a lock of her hair and watched as Kyle ran off to pick up some blocks of wood the handyman was about to toss in a bin.
Reed kept his tone to a whisper. “Did you give any thought to spending your nights at my ranch?”
She looked away quickly. “You’ll never know how grateful I am for your offer, Reed. For everything you’ve done for me. But I need to be here.”
He tucked his hands in his back pockets to keep from reaching out to her. “I was pretty sure that would be your answer. You’re a very independent lady, Red. I wish I could be here for you and Kyle, but it’s time I headed back to my herd in the hills for a few days. If you need anything at all, call me.”
He waved at Kyle, who waved back before returning his attention to his wood, which had now become his latest toys.
“I will,” Ally said.
“Promise?”
“I’ll call if I need anything at all.”
“Good. Just remember that there’s often no cell phone service in the hills. Just keep the sheriff on speed dial.”
And then he was gone, sauntering down the street to his truck.
Thorny, satisfied with the repairs, handed Ally a bill and left.
Ally turned the little OPEN sign around, indicating she was open for business.
As she began tidying up the shop, it seemed unusually empty without Reed.
Without Reed.
What a strange choice of words.
She glanced at the old recliner where he’d spent the night. The thought of lying there with him sent an unexpected shaft of heat through her, catching her completely by surprise.
Reed Malloy seemed to have a talent for surprising her.
After last night she thought she could label him as just a lecherous cowboy. This morning he’d turned everything upside down by being not only a perfect gentleman, but also a thoughtful, caring one at that. And now, just as quickly as he’d raced into her life, he was gone.
What was she going to do about him?
She straightened her shoulders and picked up a broom and dustpan. It was time to turn off her disquieting thoughts and get to work. Work had always been her salvation. There had been a time when she’d been able to lose herself in confidential security videos for her employer. That was guaranteed to take her mind off her own troubles.
Now she was here in tiny Glacier Ridge, turning someone’s well-used items into someone else’s treasures and hoping to earn enough to pay her bills.
These two career choices couldn’t be more different. But both were challenging. And for now, for today, she was grateful for the chance to lose herself in satisfying work.
Ally rang up a sale and waved good-bye to the rancher and his wife as she idly answered the phone. Hearing the sheriff’s voice, she tensed.
“Yes, Sheriff?”
“Just wanted to let you know that so far there’s been no sign of your coworker, Glen Lloyd. I’ve sent his photo to law enforcement agencies in this area and asked to be notified if and when they spot him.”
“Thank you.”
“Archer showed up for his morning shift as usual and said he spent a couple of hours at Clay’s Pig Sty before heading home to bed. I checked his alibi with Clay, who agreed that Archer was there at the time he claims.”
“I’m glad.”
“You are? Why?”
She sighed at the wave of relief that rushed through her upon learning her uncle had an alibi. “Because the last thing I want is to add any more layers of trouble to an already heavy family situation.”
“I see.” The sheriff paused. “After viewing your security video, I drove around and found Gemma York and Jeremy Clancy sleeping in his truck. They swore they drove to a safe place to park for the night after leaving your shop, and never left. Since there’s nobody who can verify their alibi, I’ve told them they’re still prime suspects.” He paused. “You might want to think twice about allowing that girl back in your shop.”
“Thank you, Sheriff. I’ll give it careful thought. But for now, I’m inclined to give her a chance.”
His tone grew stern. “I can’t tell you how to run your business, Ms. Shaw. But I’d advise you to lock up your valuables when those two are around.”
“I appreciate your suggestion.”
Ally hung up the phone and glanced at the clock. It was well past noon. With the sheriff’s words ringing in her mind, she emptied the cash register and tucked the money in her pocket before setting the sign announcing that anyone seeking help could ring the bell. Then she called to Kyle and led him up the stairs for a lunch break.
It saddened her that a single act of violence was already having a ripple effect on her. Until now, she’d never given a thought to anyone in this serene little town stealing her hard-earned money while she was on a break. But, she reasoned, if someone was willing to throw a brick through her window, they would be just as willing to break into her cash register while her back was turned.
Even small towns, she reasoned, had their share of trouble.
“Hey, Gemma.” Kyle’s shout had Ally looking up from the ancient dresser she was cleaning of an accumulation of years of neglect. One side of it was already gleaming with fresh polish.
“Hey, little man.” This day Gemma was wearing a long, Mandarin-style gown slit up both sides, revealing a pair of shocking pink tights underneath. On her feet were badly scuffed hiking boots. She had tucked several chopsticks in her orange spiky hair, giving her head the look of a creature from outer space.
“Hey, Ally.” Gemma walked up beside her and lowered her voice so Kyle wouldn’t overhear. “The sheriff had a lot of questions for me about the vandalism here. I want you to know I’m sorry that happened, and to know absolutely it wasn’t me.”
“Thank you.” Ally set aside her cleaning supplies. “He told me about a theft you were accused of. Is that why you didn’t want to give me any references?”
Gemma swallowed, then seemed to come to a decision. “You deserve to know. I was babysitting for Mrs. Rider’s little Carly. She’s five. She’s a sweet kid. And Mrs. Rider was starting a new job in town and said if I worked out, she’d pay me to be there five days a week after Carly got home from kindergarten. I really wanted that job.” She sighed. “About an hour after I got there, Mrs. Rider’s nephew Cory stopped by.” She wrinkled her nose. “I never had any use for Cory Rider. He was always making fun of the way I looked. I think he did it to impress the kids he was hanging with. Anyway, he said he was going to wait for his aunt to come home. I didn’t pay much attention to him. I was busy playing with Carly and her new dollhouse. He went off to the kitchen, and later, I saw him coming out of the back room. I asked what he was doing, and he said he’d used the bathroom. Then he said he wasn’t going to wait any longer for his aunt. When Mrs. Rider came home, I was busy feeding Carly. I remember I made her mac and cheese. The next thing I knew, Mrs. Rider came flying out of her bedroom to say I’d stolen fifty dollars from her keepsake box on top of her dresser. She called the sheriff, and he came right over. I told both of them I’d never even gone near her bedroom. I told them to ask Carly. I’d never left her alone. And I told the sheriff to search my backpack. Then I remembered Cory and told her maybe he’d stolen it.” Gemma looked up to meet Ally’s narrowed gaz
e. “That’s when Mrs. Rider told the sheriff to forget about the whole thing. She didn’t want to press charges. I figured she knew her nephew couldn’t be trusted but didn’t want to admit it to the sheriff. But the way Sheriff Graystoke was looking at me, I knew he still thought I was the one who did it.”
“That has to hurt, knowing people think you’re a thief.”
Gemma’s eyes widened in surprise before tears welled up and she turned away. “After that, nobody would trust me to babysit their kids.”
“What did your family say?”
The girl bent down to pick up a shard of glass that had been overlooked. She tossed it into a wastebasket and kept her back to Ally. “My dad’s dead. He was sick a long time. After that, my ma sold our ranch and moved to town so she could work.”
“And you quit school.”
“I…didn’t need school anyway, so now I’m with Jeremy. He gets me.”
“He doesn’t tease you about the way you dress.”
The girl shook her head. “He likes the way I look.”
Ally kept her tone deliberately bland. “So do I.”
Gemma whirled. “You…do?”
Ally smiled. “Yeah. You have a unique look, Gemma. And you manage to pull it all together.”
For the first time, a smile touched the girl’s lips. “Thanks.”
“I still need help here. So, if you’re willing, my offer stands. You can work for me.”
“You’d trust me here with your stuff?”
“Yes. Unless you do something to make me think otherwise.”
“And your cash register?”
Ally nodded. “It goes with the territory. If I’m not here, you’ll be handling the customers and their payments.”
Gemma took a deep breath and stared at the back room. “And my vintage clothes?”
“If you’d like to turn the back room into Gemma’s Closet, be my guest. We’ll agree on a fee that is fair. Instead of paying it, you can earn it by working here. Anything you earn from the sale of your clothing, plus what you earn for working for me over that set amount is yours to keep.” She stuck out her hand. “Deal?”
Gemma nodded. “Oh, yeah. Deal.”
They shook hands.
Gemma turned toward the door. “I need to tell Jeremy. I’ll be right back.”
She raced out the door and was seen flying down the sidewalk. Half an hour later she rode up alongside Jeremy in his battered truck, and the two of them began hauling plastic bags into the shop and toward the back room.
Ally pointed to a clutter of badly damaged items that she’d planned on discarding. “If there’s anything there you can use to display your clothes, feel free to help yourselves.”
Several hours later Gemma caught Ally’s hand. “Come see what we’ve done so far.”
Gemma and Jeremy had fashioned hanging racks for some of the clothes out of wooden clothes poles with rope strung between them. Swinging from the rope were tie-dyed shirts, caftans, wide-legged pants, fringed vests, velvet coats. There were even a few pair of hot pants. They’d taken an old chest that was lacking drawers and used the top to display dozens of colorful scarves and vintage jewelry. A scarred wooden sideboard displayed hobo bags, belts, and an assortment of boots and shoes.
The effect was charming.
“Oh, Gemma.” Ally looked around the back room filled with clothes from bygone days. “You really have a knack for this.”
The girl beamed. “Thanks. So does Jeremy. He’s the one who came up with the idea of the sideboard.”
“The two of you make a good team.” Ally turned away. “Now I need to take Kyle upstairs for some mom time. I’ll come back later.”
“Don’t worry about the shop.”
Jeremy looked disappointed. “How late will you be working?”
“As long as Ally needs me.” Gemma caught his hand. “Remember, Ally said I could set this up as long as it doesn’t keep me from taking care of her business first.”
“Okay.” The boy leaned close to press a kiss to her cheek. “I’ll leave you to it. It’s going to be good.”
“Yeah.” Gemma hurried from the back room and into the shop just as a customer stepped inside.
When Ally hesitated on the stairway, Gemma called, “You go ahead. I’ve got this.”
Ally gave a wave of her hand and continued up the stairs for a much-needed break from the business.
It had been a long day. But a good one.
She’d settle for good anytime.
Chapter Twelve
Reed finished drawing blood from a heifer and labeling the vial before depositing it in a cooler.
Burke ambled over, leading his mount, to take the cooler from his hand. “Luke’s heading up here and said he’ll take this to the lab when he leaves.”
“Good.” Reed slapped his hat against his leg before wiping his brow. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
“We don’t have to cook. Yancy’s sending supplies with Luke.”
“Even better.” Reed caught the reins of his horse and followed Burke as they threaded their way among the cattle milling about.
After unsaddling their horses, he and Burke turned them loose in a small corral before heading toward the range shack.
Luke stepped out of the cabin and handed each of them a frosty longneck.
Reed’s grin widened before he tipped up his beer and took a long swallow. “I like your timing, bro.”
Luke nodded toward the herd. “All healthy?”
“So far. Of course, as Burke likes to remind me, a lot can happen between now and roundup.”
“You’ve brought them this far. What’s another few weeks?”
The two brothers shared a smile, while Burke drank his beer in silence.
“What did Yancy send us for supper?”
“A couple of things. Steaks and twice-baked potatoes and a big pot of chili. Your choice.”
Reed turned to Burke, and the two men grinned.
Reed spoke for both of them. “After the day we put in, we could eat those steaks raw.”
“Sorry.” Luke pointed to a fire pit where wood and kindling had been neatly piled. “I like mine cooked. So you two will have to wait until I cook them over the fire.”
Reed drained his beer. “Perfect. That gives me enough time to wash up in the creek.” He turned to Burke. “You coming?”
“I’ll be along, son.” The old cowboy helped himself to a second longneck. “But first I intend to just sit here and let the day go by.”
Reed stepped inside the range shack to retrieve clean clothes before ambling down to the stream for a long, lazy swim.
“You make a mean steak, Luke.” Reed set aside his empty plate before leaning his back against a log and stretching his long legs toward the fire.
“Wish I could take credit. It’s all Yancy, and whatever he decides to pack up.”
“That man knows what a wrangler wants after a long day with the herd.” Burke splashed whiskey into his coffee.
Luke glanced toward his brother. “With all you’ve got riding on this herd, I’d have thought you’d be spending all your time up here. After all, this is your bread and butter, and possibly the future of our ranch. But lately, I think Burke’s been here more than you.”
Reed met his steady look. “You got something to say?”
Luke nodded. “Seems to me you’ve been spending a lot of time in Glacier Ridge. Rumor has it you’re soft on the owner of that consignment shop.”
“You been hanging around Dot and Barb?”
Luke shrugged. “Where else would I get good gossip? So? Are you falling for the newcomer?”
“Her name is Ally Shaw.”
“Yeah. Ally. And she has a kid.”
“Kyle. He’s almost five.”
“You mean he’s four.”
Reed couldn’t help grinning. “Yeah. But he prefers to say he’s almost five. It makes him feel older.”
Luke chuckled. “That’s like Ingrid’s sister,
Lily. She’d much rather say she’s almost ten. Of course, some days I think she’s nine going on nineteen.”
The three men shared a laugh.
Luke sobered. “Is this…thing with Ally Shaw serious?”
Reed frowned. “We barely know each other.”
“That’s not what I asked.” He studied his brother. “When I woke up from my accident on the cliff and saw Ingrid looking down at me, I didn’t even know her name. But it hit me like stampeding herd that I was sure as hell going to get to know everything I could about her before I left.”
“Yeah. Well.” Reed winked at Burke. “That’s what happens to a guy with a concussion. You probably saw two Ingrids swimming in your line of vision.”
“As a matter of fact, I did. And both of them took my breath away.”
Reed held up a hand. “Enough. I just had a really great supper. Please don’t spoil it with all that gooey love stuff.”
Luke turned to Burke with a dangerous grin. “You hear him? Know what I think?” Without waiting for a response, he added, “I think my little brother has already fallen off his own private cliff. And though he’s trying hard to deny it, he’s already up to his neck in gooey love stuff.”
The old cowboy gave a hoot.
Seeing that Reed wasn’t going to take the bait, Luke got to his feet. “Okay. Time for me to head home. I’ll get those blood samples to the lab in town tomorrow.”
“Thanks.” Reed stood up.
“And maybe, while I’m in town, I’ll stop by Ally’s Attic and pay a call on the owner. Anything you’d like me to tell her?”
Reed punched his brother’s shoulder. “Don’t bother. Whatever I have to say, I’ll tell her myself.”
“I just bet you will.” Luke lifted a hand. “Night, Burke. Take care of Mr. Tough Guy here. We wouldn’t want him to start singing silly love songs to the coyotes.”
He was still laughing at his little joke as he climbed into the ranch truck and put it in gear.
When the lights of the vehicle disappeared, Reed strolled back to the campfire. “You going to sleep out here or in the cabin?”
