“Velia said you should count your blessings and, and stick to stock contracting. You still make big money, sì? But what about the seizures?”
“Yeah.” He took her arm. “Coffee’s waiting. I don’t have grand mal seizures or anything like that. Sometimes a person has to know what they’re looking at to know I’m having one. I kind of space out for a few minutes, but…that’s all. Afterwards, I need to rest, or sleep. We can talk more about this later.”
But how would she know? This conversation was not over.
***
He saw Natale to the table and left for his bedroom. Inside, he closed the door and lay on the bed, folding his hands behind his head. Glancing around at the pictures on the wall, this room was decorated for a guy with photos of professional bull riders with a few other pictures of goings-on in and around various arenas. Even the brass bed looked sturdy and the patchwork quilt was trimmed in dark brown to match the sheer light brown curtains.
Quit bull riding? Seems that had already been tried. When he gave it up to heal, it felt like someone had ripped his heart out. Recuperation and therapy wasn’t easy, but even then his dreams woke him with an eight second buzzer.
Until he could no longer climb on a bull and wrap that bull rope around his hand, he wasn’t giving up. If Natale wanted to be with him, she’d have to accept the fact that in his mind he was a bull rider with a stock contracting business. Not the other way around. A knock on the door disturbed his musings and Torre said his name. “Come on in.”
“Ciao. Breakfast is ready. Velia sent me to get you.” Torre took a seat in the armchair across from the bed, staring at the pictures. “Do you have a minute?”
“Sure.” Foley sat up on the bed. He needed a pain pill. A quick glance to the dresser, and he picked up his pill box. He’d forgotten to take his seizure medicine. Nonchalantly removing a pill from the box, he slipped it into his pocket.
Torre scooted to the edge of the cushioned chair and leaned his elbows against his thighs, clasped hands beneath his chin. “They all think I can’t ride bulls. They want me to wear a helmet. I hate to wear those.”
Foley peered at Torre. He was that age when he had his accident. If he had to do over, would he wear a helmet? “Most guys are wearing them nowadays. It does take some time to get used to one. All y’all guys riding should be… Wanna end up like me?”
“You seem like nothing… Well, you seem okay.”
His engine’s running but nobody’s driving. “I have a mind to tell ya….” He hated admitting it, but if it’d help another youngster, he’d put his pride aside. “Y’all need to know I’m not okay. Not perfectly okay, that is, Torre. Between you and me? I’m good at hiding it now.” The tremor began to show in his words when he got excited over this topic.
With a squint to his eye and a straight back, he lifted his chin. “My sister is crazy about you. Don’t lie to her—”
“I never would,” said Foley as he grabbed a pain pill. “She knows most of what is going on.”
“She’s young and thinks nothing will happen to her—or you again.”
Foley cleared his throat. That so wasn’t true. She expected him to get hurt again. “Excuse me? Does this mean y’all will be wearing a helmet? Something can happen to her, and the chance is high something like this,” he spluttered, pointing at his head, “can happen to you.” He stood in a hurry, undid his belt, his button, and pulled the zipper down to drop his pants. “So can this.” His scars were exposed to Torre.
Torre hung his head and Foley knew he was disgusted that he had walked right into that one. He pulled his jeans back up and got them fastened, zipped, and hooked his belt. “Remember, I was your age. Why push your luck?” Foley slapped Torre on the back. “Let’s get that breakfast before Caulder eats all the bacon.” On the way downstairs, Foley put his arm around Torre’s shoulder. “So, are we riding bulls over yonder today?”
“Sì!”
Foley laughed at him all the way to the table. He took the other pill from his pocket, winked at Natale, and swallowed it with coffee. “Guess we beat Caulder to the bacon.”
***
Jase pulled up a chair and fixed his plate. “This looks delicious. Thanks, Velia. Where is the old man, by the way?”
Velia took a seat beside her son and fixed him a plate. “There you go, little guy. You love your pancakes.”
“Molto buono, pancakes, mamma!”
She glanced at the clock then at Jase who sat across from her. “I didn’t think he’d be gone this long. Foley, did he tell you when he’d be back?”
“Nope.” He took another gulp of coffee. “Maybe he needs to cool down. We didn’t mean to upset everyone.”
“You didn’t, Foley.” Velia glanced at Natale and smiled. “He was going down the road is all he told me. Wait…” She glanced around to the guys at the table. “You don’t think he went back to that cabin, do you?” Again, she glanced at Torre, Foley, and then back to Jase as if he had the answer. “He talked about wanting to do something for the man who pulled us from the creek.”
“It’d be like him,” said Foley, pouring syrup. “Maybe the guy is still there.”
She tapped a finger against the tabletop and said with polite opposition, “No, he wasn’t there by invite. I told Caulder that night…” With a forced smile, she peered at her son, not sure how much to say in front of him. It was a bad enough reminder for her. “It’s good, huh, Kase?”
“Sì, mamma.” Nearly toppling his glass of juice, he reached for a piece of bacon and gobbled it down. He seemed to be distracted by the syrup on his plate and stuck his finger into it to make designs.
She said to those at the table, “I told him that guy had to break in that cabin. The owner apparently hadn’t rented it to him. He could be anywhere now, but if he wasn’t there, Caulder should’ve been home. Jase, why did you take his…um…you know?”
“Having it at his reach didn’t sit well with me. Especially after what Caulder had told me. Instinct? Maybe.”
Hmm. “What did he tell you?”
“Ah, um, something about…” Jase rubbed the back of his neck as he blinked. “Heck, I don’t remember now.”
Velia continued to observe him. Caulder had told him something. The man last night seemed nice and saved them when he didn’t have to. But where had he come from?
“They’re probably having coffee, and by now, Caulder wrote him a big check. I’ve seen it before.” Foley shoved his chair back and shook his hair out of his face.
“You’re right, so have I. Who is that guy, though?” Velia peered at all of them looking for an answer. “Excuse me a minute.” Getting up, she patted Kase on the back. “I’ll be right back, honey.” She made a sign with her hand to the others like she would give Caulder a call and left the room.
On the way out, Jase asked Natale, “Does the little guy here speak much Italian? I’ve heard a few things.”
“Oh, sì,” said Natale. “He speaks as much Italian as he does English. Since his mom and dad both do, he’s destined to learn it.”
“My cousin speaks Italian?” asked Jase. “Wow, I had no idea.”
Once out of sight, she rang his phone, but it went to voice mail. “Hi, baby, we’re having breakfast without you. Where are you? Call me when you can. Better yet, come home before the other guys eat it all. I love you, amore mio. Ciao.” No cell signal in that area, that’s all. He’d be along any minute, she was sure.
Chapter Eight
Caulder came to on the floor in front of the hearth—a headache bad enough to blur his vision. With a slight shake to his head, he focused on someone sitting at the table. “What the fuck happened?” As his eyes came into focus, he rested his gaze on the rifle laying across the man’s forearm, pointed at him. Nothing about this scenario looked good. “What’s this about?” He touched the back of his head. Sticky. Wet. Damn, blood.
“Three time world champion, huh? You’re rolling in dough. I’ve seen that place you live in.” The man gave a d
evious chuckle. “And, now I know how much money you make. I’ve been checking you out. You think I’m a stupid fool because I’m hunting on your property for food?”
“My money isn’t readily available, dude. It’s all tied up in business and charities. I came over here to offer you something for saving my family, and to find out why the hell you’re shooting at my house in the middle of the night.”
“Bullshit!” He stood abruptly. “I appreciate the gesture, but…I had all night to think about it.”
Caulder spotted his cell phone on the table in front of the idiot. “What’s your plan? Get it over with.”
“Aren’t we in a fucking hurry to get back to your rich life?”
Caulder stared him down. “Yep. Can’t wait.”
The man came over and kicked him in the side, shoving him over, but once wasn’t enough. Caulder counted five times in the gut, side, and back before he stopped counting. Enough of this shit! Caulder grabbed for his legs to take him down, but the bastard saw it coming and kneed him in the chin, sending Caulder to the floor again. His brain bounced against his skull—and he literally saw stars. Shaking his head to clear the fog and shake the pain away, his determination to win brought him to a sitting position where he contemplated his next move.
“Can’t wait? It might be a while,” boasted the stranger.
Bastard. Caulder doubled over to cough. Coughing hurt like hell. Catching his breath was worse. “How long do you think it’ll be before someone comes…looking for me? You don’t want to mess with those…people.”
“Those people don’t want to mess with me. You got money, I want it. It’s as simple as that and I’ll go away. I’d get more for your brat and woman, but, hell, you’re here now.”
My family? He attempted to stand. Damn. Ribs had to be cracked. “I’ll write you a check for ten grand right now, and give you time to get out of here.” Like hell. “And don’t ever let me…see you again.”
“I’d say you’re worth more than three million at least. You’re going to buy me off with ten thousand? I don’t think so…bull riding champion.” Abe laughed hardily and kicked him again.
Crap! His head ached. He slid his hand across his mouth. He’d bitten his lip. He forced himself up but backed against the wall to remain standing. “Your choice is a check. Right here…and right now. Hop in that truck of yours and…go.” Breathing didn’t come easy. He eyed the rifle on the table. The man picked it up and took a step closer. Sorry ass sonofabitch. Fractured ribs or not, he could take him.
“Make a phone call to your wife. She opened her big mouth, bragging about you being champ and all, like I didn’t already know who the hell you were. A million for your life.”
“You’re nuts. She can’t get that kind of money. It’s tied up, I told you.” He coughed again, and had to spit out blood from a cut inside his mouth this time. At least that’s where he hoped it had come from. Caulder’s hands fisted at his side. He wasn’t going down easy and no money was leaving his bank account. This kind of man didn’t stop at only once. Caulder stepped forward—the rifle was inches away.
Taking a step back, Abe pointed it at Caulder. “They won’t know if you’re dead or alive when I make that call. Turn around.”
Caulder stood there, tempting him, disgusting him. He was no different than an unruly bull. He weighed his options. If Abe made the call, Velia would go berserk. Family would be there to set her straight. They’d know what to do. If he made the call, she’d know he was alive. He didn’t like either option. “I’m not giving you anything. Nothing. I worked too hard to have an asshole like you come in and take it just like that.”
Caulder lunged for him. The next thing he knew, the butt of the rifle struck his head. He was on the floor again, bleeding from a new wound. The guy must’ve been military to react like that. He covered his midsection when he got kicked some more, but the man let his guard down when he turned his back, and Caulder dove for his legs. The rifle flew out of his hands. Caulder wrangled him like he’d done those steers in his early days of training.
With more weight than the other guy, he got the best of him, and got on top of him to hold him down. One slug to the temple was all it took to knock him out. “You bastard.” To be sure he didn’t let his guard down, he scanned the room for something to tie him up with before he came to. A backpack hung on the wall by the door and it had a tie laced up the back of it. Caulder dragged the man toward it and he came to. Giving him a slug to the gut and a punch to the same temple didn’t hurt Caulder a bit. He reached for the backpack and ripped the tie out. “This won’t work.” Too skimpy and he’d be out of it in no time.
The guy had on a belt. Caulder got it unhooked and wrapped the belt around the guys wrists behind him. He rolled him over and let him lie there. He needs kicked back a few times. Dropping to the chair, Caulder shook his head, about to pass out. He picked up his phone. No damn signal. He picked up Abe’s phone. A satellite phone. What the hell’s he doing with a satellite phone? Who the hell was this guy?
Had this been part of his plan from the beginning? His statement sounded like he already knew about him. Caulder reflected on the words. ‘Like I didn’t know,’ he had said. Now, those words all came together. If they hadn’t showed up when they did last night, this is what he would’ve done with Velia and Kase. Had he been staking out their place and happened to be there when Velia and Kase went into the creek? His tracks! His bullet. Now, he lost composure fast.
Caulder rose from the table and picked up the rifle. He pointed it at Abe. No one would hold him responsible. Pull the damn trigger. His vision blurred, head ached. This asshole would’ve taken Velia and Kase? He dropped back to the chair, unloaded the rifle, sticking the two rounds into his pocket, and lowered his head to the table.
He breathed through the pain as he took deep breaths to keep from passing out, and he sat still until the nausea passed. Again spotting the backpack, he took the string and tied the guy’s legs together, at least for a moment’s deterrent. He’s not going anywhere for now. It took a minute or two to remember Velia’s number, but he did and called her. “Velia…baby, is my…cousin nearby?”
“Caulder, where are you? Breakfast is nearly over. Are you all right? Whose number is this? You sound—”
“Hey…let me…talk to Jase.” Deep breaths were needed, but breathing in wasn’t the best idea. “Get him now, Velia.”
“Just a minute.”
When Jase came on, Caulder explained what happened. “Think you can find the place by driving down the road? I don’t know how long before he comes to again and I’m not feeling too good.”
“I can find it. Kick him in the balls and shove them into his brain if he wakes up.”
“Yeah, okay. Just get here. I’m about to pass out again.”
“I’m on my way.”
Scuffling drew his attention to the floor. Don’t let me pass out yet. With a smirk, Caulder said with confidence, “What do we have here?”
“You think this is over? I wasn’t hunting on your property. You didn’t even know I was there, and you won’t know the next time. I bet the name Kyle Costello rings a bell with you.”
“Shut up! I know that asshole. There’ll be no next time. I’ll take my chances, but I won’t have to worry about it until you get out of prison—Kyle, too, if he’s involved with this. A sick degenerate is all he is and should rot in hell. A million bucks is a lot of money to extort from someone. Add kidnapping to the…charge, and it might be a while…before…either of you get…out.” Breathe. His head bled a lot now, new blood dripping down the side of his face and chin. Come on, Jase. Your suggestion would make for an ugly mess…albeit tempting. He stood, clutching the table before he fell over. The asshole attempted to knock him over at the legs, but Caulder picked up the rifle and slammed the butt against the guy’s head.
***
He handed her phone back. “Caulder needs me right now.”
“Jase, what are you talking about?” Velia’s voice r
ose an octave while her shoulders pulled back. She grabbed his arm and dragged him to the family room out of earshot. Her body went into an instantaneous shudder. “What’s wrong?”
He tucked his shirt in as he spoke. “The hunter the other night wasn’t a hunter. Well, he was, but he was hunting you guys. Where’s Caulder keep his rifle?”
“Oh, dear God!” Velia ran to the doorway. “Natale, please watch Kase.” She led him to the locked gun cabinet. Jase’s instinct last night had been correct.
Foley rushed into the room behind them. “What the hell’s going on? Where’s Caulder?”
“At the cabin where we found Velia and Kase last night.” Jase took the gun cabinet keys from Velia. “You shoot, Foley?” He nodded and Jase removed a couple rifles, loaded them, and then locked it back up. “You better stay here, Velia.” He rushed outside and hopped into his car with her right behind him.
“I’m not staying here. That’s my husband you’re talking about.” Velia shoved her arms into her coat sleeves and got in without another word. “What happened? Is he all right?”
Foley got in the backseat and picked up one of the rifles.
“We’ll find out when we get there. Hold on.” Hitting the gas, tires spun on fresh snow, so he had to back off.
Now what? Can’t they ever find peace in their lives? “Is he okay? He sounded…” Come to think of it, he didn’t sound like his normal self at all. His voice was weak, kind of shaky.
“Velia, I don’t know anything other than I have to get there. Caulder put him on his ass and tied him up. That’s all I know.”
Velia wrung her hands in her lap. The guy was quiet that night, but somewhat friendly, though he had insisted on taking them to his place instead of home. His place? He had saved them, but…was there more than a stranger fishing them out of the water? “We should almost be there.”
Christmas At Love House: Bittersweet Interlude (Bull Rider #3) Page 9
