Or could she have? Robin remembered Cook's comment about Deborah's arrival two weeks ago. She had been seen in town as far back as that... and yet had not come to the ranch.
Had she heard somehow of what was going on at the Ridley house, and come to see for herself? If so, how did Deborah find out, and what did it mean to her?
The thought suddenly struck Robin that the events of the recent past might not be directly tied to Laura Ridley's death five years ago.
What if someone had a personal objection to her own presence at the ranch, someone not even connected to Laura's death?
Had Deborah heard of Robin's arrival and decided that she might be a threat to her scheming plans to snare Alex? Or had Herman more serious reasons, as her next of kin, for not informing her of her unexpected, large inheritance? He had arranged for her trip to Montana, for her job, far away from the legal advisers that had been trying to contact her. But he had not been here during her first attacks. Or had he?
She had tried to call him at the resort long before his arrival with Lisa, and had been unable to locate him. Had he, like Deborah, been in the vicinity for longer than he cared to have people know? It seemed unlikely.
As her thoughts went deeper and scattered in different uncomfortable directions, the peace that she had felt on the range slipped away from her.
Someone was guilty out here, of the recent almost deadly pranks, and also of Laura's death five years before. Someone who had taken and hidden that almost-forgotten English riding helmet that Sara had been sure her mother had been wearing. Robin was going to do her best to find that someone, and to finally clear the air so that the other innocent people who had been involved in the painful web of doubt and suspicions would be able to go on with their lives.
She had been lost in her thoughts for some time, the open vista passing by as she and Devil moved across its expanse at a comfortable pace. Suddenly she became aware of the time that had passed, of the sun sinking quickly in the western sky, casting its red and orange hues in a glorious pattern as far as the eye could see.
The dinner hour would have passed; evening would be arriving without delay as the burning rays of the late day sun slipped lower and lower toward the horizon. There was no time to spare if she wanted to reach the ranch by the time dark descended. She guided Devil lightly with her foot and reined hand. He instinctively seemed to know her plan and responded naturally and immediately. Horse and rider began their return route northward, Robin keeping her eye on the sinking western sun. How far had she to go?
That they had covered many miles of prairie since departing was certain, but with her preoccupation about the events and people at the ranch, she had long since lost track of the time and of the distance that lay between her and her destination. She nudged the horse again, and the two picked up speed. She had no desire to be out alone on the range by herself, without benefit of the sun to light her way and to keep her moving in the right direction.
Soon Robin began to feel anxious, her eyes straining the horizon for familiar signs, for some kind of sight that would reassure her that they would soon be home.
A cover of clouds began building in the graying sky, and Robin realized with dismay that even her hopes of a sky well lit with moonlight would not materialize. The darkness descended, a hazy impenetrable darkness that was not decorated with either moon or star.
But surely, Robin calmed herself, they would be approaching the ranch soon, She slowed the large horse a bit, mindful that he not stumble on an unexpected clump of prairie grass, risking the break of a leg. She wanted to be home, safe, but certainly not at the expense of injuring the great horse beneath her.
Her ears strained for sounds of the prairie, the scuffling of a small prairie dog or lizard, making for cover away from the impressive hoofs of the horse, the dreaded warning rattle or hiss of a deadly snake, striking out at the creatures who might pass by. The most penetrating sound was the thunder of Devil's persistent hoofs.
She stared ahead, eyes screening the darkness for a sign of life. She blinked once, twice, then squinted at the far horizon, relief settling over her. There was a light. It was still far in the distance, but its pinprick brightened her heart immensely.
The ranch. She was almost home. Devil snorted appreciatively, sensing the relief in his rider, and they carefully covered the long stretch of ground that still remained between them and their target. They were on the right track; they had not lost their direction in the darkness of the hazy night.
Robin began to mentally scold herself for her careless misjudgment of the time, vowing that her mistake would never be repeated, that she'd never expose either herself or Devil to the unseen hazards of the open range at night.
More lights came into view, a welcome sight.
Then in the darkness of the night, Robin's ears began picking up another sound. The horse did not change pace, and she listened with strained ears, as the joy and relief that had been settling over her at the sight of the ranch melted mysteriously, replaced by a nagging fear that something was going to happen. The sound that she was concentrating upon had at first sounded like an echo, a repeat of Devil's hoofs upon the ground. She slowed the black mount considerably as she held her breath. Her mouth went dry. The echo did not slow.
Someone was behind her. She hesitated no longer. At her silent order, Devil took off like a shot, Robin low in the saddle. Hang on, she told herself sharply. Keep your eyes peeled for accidents. Keep that ranch in sight.
Who could be following her? Coincidence? Hardly possible. No one would purposely plan to be roaming the range in the dark for a joy ride, and town lay in a different direction. Someone out searching for her? And if so, for what purpose? Was it an inhabitant of the ranch concerned for her well-being, alarmed when she had not returned at the expected time? It would be comforting to find that that was the case, but Robin did not for one instant believe it.
She reached the lighted ranch, ever thankful for the strongly burning spotlight that sat above the door to the main barn, its glow flooding the nearby corral. Ahead, the house, its outside lights also lit, promised further safety.
The stable would most probably be empty at this time of night. Would she be foolish to risk getting cornered by whoever was following her?
She could still hear the hoofs behind her, but with Devil's speed, she had put quite a bit of distance between herself and her pursuer. Where should she dismount? She mentally crossed off the stable, the barns, the other outbuildings. No sense entering a place that was bound to be empty and end up fending for herself. Just who was behind her? And why ?
She rode up to the house, tethering Devil to an iron lamppost by the side door. She slipped quietly into its lighted interior. Devil would need attention, she knew, a rubdown after his workout.
He had certainly earned it. But she was going to find out who was missing from the group in the house, to attempt to pinpoint the unseen rider. She also dearly wanted a reinforcement to join her in her chores in the empty stable to put Devil to rest for the evening.
The house was quiet. She slipped through the side wing, past her own empty room, past Deborah's next door, also empty. No one was in sight. A clatter in the kitchen was a reassuring sound. Rounding the corner, she found cook standing before a large mound of dough, with Gregory perched beside her on a tall stool, a rolling pin in hand, a bowl of cheerful cookie cutters nearby.
"Aha!" grunted cook as she looked up and saw Robin enter. "So you decided to return. Some people just like to create havoc for kicks, I suppose."
Robin looked at her questioningly. "Where is everyone?" She was still breathing hard, her long hair tousled.
"They are most probably out looking for you, young lady. When you hadn't returned by dusk, it raised quite a stir around here, I don't mind telling you. Mr. Alex nearly had a fit at the thought of you lost on the range in the dark, prey to who knows what. Mrs. Lisa was absolutely beside herself, and Sara was in tears. The rest reacted in various degrees, as would be e
xpected. Most of the men took off to try to round you up, I think."
"And Deborah?" Robin asked.
"She was dismayed that her dinner was interrupted, I think. She kept saying that you'd probably show up, something like a bad penny. So where the heck were you?"
"I rode too far," Robin stammered. "Then when I tried to come back, I realized that someone was following me. I was scared to death, and I didn't stop to see who it was. I came right to the house, hoping to find who was missing, hoping to solve—"
"I figured it was something like that," Cook went on evenly, watching Gregory out of the corner of her eye. He was cutting his cookies busily without paying much attention to the conversation.
"I've been hearing bits and pieces about the so-called accidents around here. This place feels like it's going to go up in smoke from the tension. Seems to me you're a nut of some kind to stay around."
"I have to stay, Cook. I—"
"I know, I know. I can just sense all your foolish thoughts. Just make sure you don't end up dead."
She wiped her flour-covered hands on her apron. "Okay, tiger," she said to Gregory. "Off for your bath. I'll keep the rest of the batter in the refrigerator for tomorrow."
With a smile, the young boy said good night.
"Now," She turned to Robin. "Someone was following you. You have any idea who? Did they call you? Have a light?"
"It was dark as pitch, and all I heard was the thundering of the horse's hoofs. If it was someone meaning to help, they sure had a strange way of going about it. And now, I guess I don't have a good chance of finding out."
Cook shook her head.
"Well, let me signal Mr. Alex that you're back, and then I'll help you tend to that horse. No use his suffering just because all the human beings around here have lost their senses!"
Robin had to chuckle at the naturalness of the little woman. Her good common sense and steady nerves were like a tonic for Robin's frazzled ones.
The two women went to the door, but not before Cook stopped beside one of her white cabinets, reached in, and pulled out a pistol.
"Come on, Robin, between the two of us, it'll take an army to get the better of us."
Once outside, she fired two steady shots into the air.
"That will let Mr. Alex know you're safe home." She slipped the gun into her apron pocket and patted it comfortingly. "And there are four more of those little shots inside, to make sure we can get our job done in peace."
In a short time. Devil was walked, unsaddled, brushed, and dried, given his daily rations and a clean pail of water, and safely installed in the stable. Just as they finished the routine, a group of horses descended upon the ranch, and Robin looked out to see the concerned faces of Alex, Jacob, and Herman, and a few of the hands.
Robin felt sheepish and didn't know what to say.
Behind her, Deborah approached from the house. Had she been there the whole time, or had she, too, recently appeared?
"I told you you were worrying needlessly," her low voice drawled. "Here is the little lost blossom."
"Robin," exclaimed Herman exasperatedly. "We were so worried. Where on earth were you?"
She looked at Alex, wanting to tell him the whole experience, but hesitating to do so in front of so many ears. He picked up her meaning immediately.
"I'm sure Robin is exhausted, gang. But at least she is safe. Thank you all for your assistance tonight. I think we'll leave the explanations for later, when everyone has calmed down."
Robin relaxed as he took over the scene, dismounting from his horse and saying a hearty good night to the ranch hands who led the animals to their home for the night.
The crowd dispersed, and the family and guests returned quietly to the house, following cook, Robin, and Alex.
He deftly led her to his study, and shut the door behind them. Robin collapsed thankfully into one of the leather chairs, suddenly aware of her weak knees and general fatigue as she told her story.
The household was all present at dinner, he told her, and when she had not appeared by its end, Sara, having informed them of Robin's plans to ride on the range in the late afternoon, the group had gotten worried. The men had gathered the available hands, and had started to comb the area just as dark had settled in. They had split up, carrying lights. No one had reported seeing her. The women had supposedly stayed in the house, Sara under protest, but her foot, although nearly healed, would be tricky when riding, and he had not relished the thought of another young girl alone on the range at night. "If someone was following you, it may well have been with malicious intent," he admitted, sitting before her. His eyes looked tired and worried.
"And I have no idea who it could be. I'm really worried about you staying here, Robin. I just don't know how all of this is going to turn out. I just feel that something is going to happen..." He paused and, in that one instant, looked so vulnerable and open that Robin longed to run to his arms.
But she sat woodenly, harshly aware that she was an employee, a relative of a dear friend, an acquaintance. She was many things, she supposed, in her role here at Ridley Ranch, but no matter what her own feelings might be, Alex Ridley had never encouraged her love or her caring. The moment passed, and she set her chin.
"I'm not leaving, Alex," she said quietly and firmly. "Unless you absolutely command me to go. This place is full of tensions, of problems, of guilt and fear about the past. But I feel that there will be light at the end of the tunnel, that the answers can be found. And I care enough about the people here to keep me from running away."
His eyes softened and his mouth bore the trace of a smile.
"Well," he said, "to tell you the truth, I'm too tired to argue with you at this point. But I want you to stay close by. No more escapades alone on the range, and let me keep tabs on you for a while." He ran a tired hand through his blond hair.
"I've got to think this thing through. I've got to know what's the best to do for all concerned."
"I'm sure you will," she said almost in a whisper. "And I promise, I'll be careful." She rose to leave the room.
At the door she stopped and turned to him again. "Thank you," she said with a tired smile, "for looking for me out there."
He nodded silently, his eyes intent upon hers.
Was she crazy to hope that he cared for her in some special way? Perhaps, but it was a happy dream-filled night for Robin, despite the excitement earlier.
Chapter 14
Robin awoke to the delightful sight of the early morning sun streaming in through her window. She felt rested and in high spirits, full of energy and drive and eager to organize her day, determined to find some of the missing pieces of the puzzle around the ranch.
It was with an optimistic heart that she appeared in the kitchen and began her daily routine. Cook was already busy at work. The children had been fed and had already taken off in various directions around the ranch, Gregory and Jacob to the stable to inspect a new pony, Sara to the swimming pool, clad in her suit and prepared to soak up the rays of the sun, despite the fact that she still could not swim because of the cast.
Robin completed her tasks, organized the household books and budgets, and helped Linda, one of the girls from town who had been coming in daily to work in the house, get settled in her room. With the advent of all the company at the ranch, and the extra number of rooms to keep up with, and mouths to feed, Linda had volunteered to take on some extra duties, while staying overnight at the ranch to cut down on her travel time. Cook was delighted with the prospect of extra willing hands in the kitchen for the evening meal.
It was a good sign, thought Robin, that the people of Hamilton were finally accepting life at the ranch once more. For years no one had dared to take an overnight position at the ranch, while gossip swirled mercilessly through the little town, but lately, the bunkhouses were once again occasionally filling up. And with Linda's matter-of-fact agreement to stay with the Ridleys, it seemed that the future looked brighter.
And finally, Robin t
old herself fervently, when the real truth is known about Laura Ridley's unfortunate death, the cloud will permanently lift and things would be brighter yet!
Her sunny mood didn't last indefinitely. Shortly before lunchtime, gazing out the kitchen window as she helped Cook with some of the luncheon preparations, Robin caught sight of Alex moving across the open land between the house and the barns. He was walking easily and wore an expression of alertness and interest as he moved along, talking to a companion clad in trim pink riding pants with a matching vest, her long black hair wound demurely at the nape of her neck. It was Deborah.
She had her hand buried affectionately in the crook of his arm; her face was animated and breathtaking as she kept his rapt attention. He threw back his head and laughed at one of her comments, obviously enjoying her company and her wit.
Robin's heart sank. So much for foolish dreams. She quickly moved from the window slightly embarrassed for watching their approach. It really was no business of hers. She finished up the salad she was making with a heavy heart. But her promise to herself to solve the mystery remained. She would do her best, help these people that she cared about, and then quietly slip from their lives. She felt a pang of anger at herself for even allowing herself to care about the handsome blond man that she would soon have to leave.
She forced a smile back on her lips to face the world and went to join the household for lunch.
Despite her apprehension on the way to the dining room, the meal passed reasonably quickly. Deborah monopolized the conversation, to be sure, talking of her exciting travels to various parts of the world, charmingly chiding Alex for being stuck to his "roots" and burying himself outside the limits of civilization. "After all," she jested with a smile, "you've seen one head of cattle, you've seen them all!" Alex laughed at her attempts, looking relaxed and unconvinced, Robin watched his handsome profile with a bit of a lump in her throat, taking in the casual banter.
Season of Fear Page 10
