Certified Cowboy

by Rita Herron

  Oblivious to her thoughts, he continued, “We may have to cordon off that area of the dining hall, but hopefully the kitchen will be in working order. If we have to, there are picnic tables outside and the kids can eat there.”

  “That might be nice. Maybe Ms. Ellen and I can plan a picnic lunch menu.”

  Johnny smiled. “Sounds like a plan.” He gestured toward Kenny’s room. “You two gonna be okay this morning?”

  Rachel nodded. “Thank you for…staying.”

  A frisson of hunger flashed in his eyes. “Thank you for trusting me.”

  Rachel’s chest heaved as guilt once again assaulted her. She had turned into the very kind of person she despised—a liar.

  She opened her mouth to confess everything. But Johnny’s cell phone buzzed, and he snatched the phone. When he checked the caller ID, a low sound of disgust rumbled from his throat.

  “Who is it?” Rachel asked.

  “That damn reporter.”

  A drum beat inside Rachel’s chest. The reporter would have questions about the fire. She had to ask Johnny for one more favor.

  “What are you going to tell her?” Rachel asked.

  Johnny’s gaze met hers. “That the sheriff is investigating.”

  “I…don’t want my name printed in the paper.”

  A series of emotions played across his face as he studied her. “Because your ex might see it and find you?”

  She nodded.

  “I’ll take care of it.”

  Tears clogged Rachel’s throat at Johnny’s declaration. She wanted to thank him again, to ask him to come back to bed and make love to her.

  To tell him that she loved him.

  But the realization that she had fallen for Johnny terrified her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Johnny hated to leave Rachel and Kenny for a moment. The fear that something would happen to them nagged at him. But it was daylight, Brody had hired extra security, Rachel had her cell phone and she would be with Ms. Ellen most of the day.

  He climbed in his truck and zipped back to the main house for a quick shower, debating on whether to tell Brody about Rachel’s ex, but he needed more information first.

  By the time he came down the steps, he found Rich Copeland pacing the foyer. Copeland shot him an angry look.

  “Where’s Brody?”

  “Probably at the dining hall getting ready to explain the fire we had last night to the staff and kids.” Johnny crossed his arms and met him at the foot of the stairs. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you, Copeland?”

  A vein bulged in the man’s beefy neck. “You accusing me?”

  Johnny forced himself to remain calm. Copeland reminded him of a bull about to charge. “You made it plain and clear that you opposed what we’re doing here.”

  “I was worried about having a bunch of troubled hoodlums by my property,” Copeland snapped. “And judging from my conversation with the sheriff, I was right. They are dangerous.”

  Johnny spoke through gritted teeth. “Or maybe you set that fire and you cut the fencing to sabotage our operation. You hoping bad publicity will shut us down?”

  “Someone ought to shut you down,” Copeland said sharply. “Before anyone gets hurt.”

  Johnny shoved his face in Copeland’s. “No one had better get hurt,” Johnny said. “And we are not shutting down. These boys need this ranch, and by God, I’m going to help Brody make it work.”

  “You’ll be sorry,” Copeland said.

  Johnny crossed his arms. “Is that a threat?”

  Copeland tilted his Stetson to the side. “No, a prediction. You invite trouble on your land, that’s what you get. Trouble.”

  Copeland glared at him, then grabbed the door handle, opened it and stalked out. Johnny watched him go, anxiety knotting his stomach. What had made the man so cold?

  Plagued with questions, he grabbed his hat, strode out the door and headed toward the dining hall. The sheriff was supposed to meet him and Brody this morning. Maybe he’d found evidence at the scene that would lead to the guilty party.

  He met Brody at the dining hall and was amazed at the cleanup job. Other than the faint scent of smoke and the black walls in the far corner of the dining room and pantry area, the place was in decent shape.

  “Copeland paid us a visit this morning,” Johnny said.

  Brody quirked his mouth sideways. “Let me guess. He confessed?”

  “Right.” Johnny gave a sarcastic laugh, then reiterated the conversation to Brody.

  Brody cursed. “If he did do this, he’s going to jail.”

  The campers and staff began to file in, cutting off their speculations. Once the crew was seated with their plates, Brody explained about the arson while Johnny and the sheriff studied the group for anyone suspicious.

  “I apologize for asking for alibis, but everyone on the ranch, staff and campers alike, have to be accounted for,” Brody said. “Counselors, I need you to verify each camper’s whereabouts at the time the fire broke out. And if anyone has seen anything suspicious or knows who’s responsible for the fire and the fence being cut, please let us know.”

  Brody, Johnny and the sheriff divided up to question each of the staff members.

  Frank Dunham, the man who’d known Carter, gave Johnny a wary look as he approached him. “You gonna try to pen this on me, too?”

  Johnny shook his head. “We’re just trying to get to the bottom of this. Rachel and her little boy were trapped in the pantry last night. They could have died.”

  Concern stretched across Dunham’s face. “I didn’t do it. I told you the reason I’m here. I would never hurt a woman or child.”

  “Have you seen anyone who looked suspicious?” Johnny asked. “Someone who looks as if he doesn’t fit in?”

  Dunham jammed his hands in his pockets. “You believe me?”

  Johnny’s gut told him the man was sincere. “Yeah, I do,” Johnny said. “Now, have you heard any of the men or boys joking or bragging about cutting the fence or setting that fire?”

  Dunham pursed his mouth in thought, then suddenly snapped his fingers. “Haven’t heard anything, but I did see a car I thought looked odd. Out of place.”

  “Why? What kind of car was it?”

  “One of those fancy Lincolns, you know a big black one. Not something any of the hands drive.”

  “Or the counselors,” Johnny said in agreement. Most of them had SUVs or trucks. And the young counselors couldn’t afford an expensive town car.

  “Thanks, Dunham. That might help.”

  Dunham nodded, then walked away and Johnny clenched his jaw.

  A big fancy Lincoln town car. If Rachel’s ex had money as she’d claimed, it sounded like the kind of vehicle he’d drive.

  He walked outside, then punched in Leon’s number. The man’s voice mail picked up, and Johnny left a message asking him to track down Rex Rodgers and find out what make of car he was driving.

  If he’d set that fire, Johnny would find the bastard and make him pay.

  Then he looked up and spotted Copeland talking to June Warner and knew they had other problems. Copeland was determined to make him and the ranch look bad.

  He had to figure out a way to stop him.

  RACHEL BUSIED HERSELF cleaning up the breakfast dishes, trying to distract herself from worrying. She had seen Johnny, Brody and the sheriff questioning the staff and had prayed they would find the arsonist.

  That it wasn’t Rex.

  She didn’t want to leave the BBL.

  Or Johnny.

  “I still can’t believe someone tried to burn down the dining hall.” Ms. Ellen’s cheeks paled with worry. “I feel bad you and Kenny were here by yourself. I shouldn’t have left you alone.”

  Rachel hugged the older woman. In spite of her attempt to keep her distance, she’d grown fond of her. “I’m glad you weren’t here. You could have been hurt.”

  Ms. Ellen hugged her in return. “Still…it’s horrible that some
one would do such a thing.”

  Rachel wrung her hands on the dishcloth. “I know. I hope it doesn’t affect the rodeo.”

  They finished cleaning up, but the scent of lingering smoke served as a constant reminder of the horror the night before. Riddled with tension, she decided to go and watch the boys practice.

  But as she crossed the field toward the stables, she kept an eye out, scanning the pasture, the barn, looking for signs that Rex was watching her.

  She passed Kim just before she reached the pens, and Kim rushed to her. “Rachel, I heard about last night. That must have been terrifying. Are you all right?”

  She hated lying to these nice people.

  “It was scary, but Johnny saved me and Kenny just in time.”

  Kim rubbed her arm. “That’s Johnny for you. I just hope the sheriff figures out who did it.”

  “Me, too.” Rachel couldn’t stand to look into her trusting eyes any longer. “Well, I’d better hurry. I don’t want to miss Kenny’s lesson.”

  She pasted on a smile, then hurried toward the stables. The boys practiced roping, had a riding lesson, and took a break to play a game of horseshoe and help set up the information booth for guests to pick up packets about the ranch’s services and camps.

  Other vendors arrived with their booths to set up, meeting with Brody to discuss locations and details. When the boys broke from their last session, Kenny ran over to hug her.

  “We’re gonna ride out by the stream,” Kenny said. “And go fishing!”

  Rachel ruffled his hair and smiled. “Have fun. I’ll see you at dinner.”

  Kenny raced off to join the counselor and his group, and Rachel headed back to her cabin to rest a few minutes before the dinner rush.

  But the moment she stepped inside the cabin, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled. That scent…the cologne…was she imagining it?

  She peered inside the den, but saw nothing amiss, then eased her way toward the bedroom. Nausea flooded her throat as her gaze fell on her bed.

  A black rose lay on her pillow.

  Rex was here.

  Panic robbed her breath. She had to find Kenny and make sure he was okay. If Rex took Kenny while he was out fishing, they’d disappear and she’d never see him again.

  JOHNNY HIGH-FIVED THE last group as he gave them tips on controlling their horse and maneuvering the barrels for the barrel-race competition.

  June Warner and her cameraman were watching, taking candid shots for promotional purposes.

  Excitement fueled Johnny. The show would go on.

  Then he’d return to his own spread. He just hoped they impressed the fans and investors with their mission, and that he left Brody with enough financial backing to keep the ranch afoot for the next few years.

  When he looked up, June waved to him. “Johnny, is it true there was a fire last night in the dining hall? That it was arson?”

  Johnny silently cursed. This conversation was unavoidable, but he had to reassure the public. “At this point, we’re not certain what happened. The sheriff is investigating the matter.”

  “Do you have any suspects?”

  “As I said, the sheriff is handling the investigation. I’m certain he’ll let us know what he finds.”

  “Do you think it’s safe here for the boys?”

  Johnny nodded. She’d obviously picked up the thread of Copeland’s accusations. “We’ve hired extra security, and I’ve personally checked and rechecked safety precautions for all the events.”

  “So you are still planning to have the rodeo?”

  “Absolutely.” Johnny understood how to play the media game, and despite the fact that they had turned on him, he offered her his killer smile. “The investors and staff are dedicated to making this ranch work. I certainly could have used a place like this when I was growing up, and want to make sure that these boys receive the support and encouragement they need to become successful individuals and contributing members of society.”

  June’s eyes flickered with mischief. “Care to comment on the past?”

  Johnny gritted his teeth, but let his heart show through in his words. “Our motto is that everyone deserves a second chance. Who better to prove that than a tired rodeo boy with a shady past himself?”

  That earned a laugh as he’d hoped, and he waved off more questions. His cell phone buzzed, and he checked the caller ID box. Leon.

  “Excuse me, I have to take this.”

  The reporter thanked him, then turned to interview Ricardo, who beamed beneath the attention. Maybe Ricardo was going to be one of their success stories.

  Johnny walked to the main house and stepped inside his office wanting privacy. His heart raced as he answered the call.

  “Johnny Long.”

  “I looked into the ex-husband, like you asked.”

  Johnny tensed. “And?”

  “As you suspected, Simmons is not the woman’s real name. It’s Presley.”

  Johnny swallowed, a bad feeling pinching his gut. “Go on.”

  “Her husband’s name was Rex, that part is true. But she lied about his last name, too. It wasn’t Rodgers. It’s Presley.”

  Disappointment knifed through Johnny. “What kind of car does he drive?”

  “A black Lincoln town car.”

  Dammit. “Were there abuse charges filed against the ex? Had she gotten a restraining order?”

  “No and no.” The P.I. sighed. “As a matter of fact, there’s a warrant out for Rachel Presley’s arrest for the attempted murder of her husband, Rex, and for kidnapping their son.”

  The breath left Johnny’s chest in a painful rush, and he stood and strode to the window. Not only had Rachel lied to him again, but he’d kept her secrets from Brody and the police, which meant he could be arrested as an accomplice.

  Dammit. She was worse than Gwen.

  She’d made him care about her while she’d only been using him to hide from the police.

  RACHEL RACED OUTSIDE, panic setting in as she hurried toward the barn. The kids probably wouldn’t be back for an hour. She’d wait.

  But the camp minivan pulled up a few minutes later. Time ticked slowly by as the kids climbed off and she searched the faces for her son. But he didn’t get off, and she ran over to the counselors.

  Blair was on her cell phone, her expression strained.

  Rachel caught her arm. “Where’s Kenny?”

  Blair closed her phone, her eyes wide with fear. “I…don’t know what happened, Ms. Simmons. One minute he was there, and the next minute he was gone.”

  Rachel’s world spun in a dizzying rush. Oh, God…Kenny was missing.

  REX TOSSED DOWN A SCOTCH as he paced the hotel room. Why in the hell Rachel had chosen to live on some godforsaken nowhere ranch when he’d offered her a glitzy life on his arm was beyond him.

  But the damn woman would not cut him out of her life.

  No one rejected Rex Presley.

  He was in charge, and dammit, he would get her back. Then he’d make her suffer for embarrassing him in front of his friends.

  Yes, he’d make her suffer. Long and hard. Before he was finished, she’d cry and beg him to take her back.

  He’d have her on her knees in no time.

  The scotch burned a path down his throat, and he poured a second shot, then downed it, smiling as its comforting warmth spread through him and he imagined all the ways he would torture her.

  Then he’d teach his son how to be a real man, not some lame cowboy.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Johnny’s boots hit the floor with a thud as he stood and strode to the door. He had to talk to Rachel.

  And this time he’d find out why she’d played him for a fool.

  Damn. If June Warner got wind of this tidbit, the publicity would destroy the ranch. All their good intentions would be lost.

  Because he’d been an idiot over a woman again.

  No wonder Rachel had avoided the reporter. And the sheriff. No wonder she’d been on the run. />
  It all made sense now. Her nervous behavior. Kenny’s frightened looks when they’d first arrived.

  Had she played him from the beginning? Given him just enough tears and vulnerable looks that he’d fallen into her cunning hands?

  But what about those bruises? And the fire? And the man who’d assaulted her in the barn? She hadn’t made those things up. He had rescued her and Kenny himself.

  A self-disgusted groan rolled from his gut.

  His cell phone buzzed, and he descended the front porch steps and climbed in his truck, checking the caller ID box as he started the engine. Rachel.

  Fury simmered through his blood, and he hesitated. He didn’t intend to confront her over the phone and give her time to escape.

  This time he wouldn’t fall for her act.

  Forcing his voice to remain calm, he connected the call. “Hello.”

  “Johnny.” Her voice sounded screechy, panicked. “Kenny’s missing!”

  Despite his anger, her words sent a streak of fear through him. “What?”

  “He’s missing,” Rachel cried.

  Was that real terror in her voice? It sounded sincere and made his throat close. But he reined in his emotions, determined not to be played again. “What happened?”

  A muffled sound echoed over the line, then her shaky breath. “Kenny’s group went to the creek to fish, but they came back early because Kenny disappeared. Blair’s already called Brody.”

  Johnny felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. If Kenny had gone missing while under the counselor’s supervision, Rachel wasn’t making it up.

  “Please, Johnny.” Rachel’s voice broke on another sob. “We have to find him. I can’t let Rex take him away… There’s no telling what he’d do to h-him.”

  Johnny’s anger took a backseat to fear. Even if Rachel had lied to him, she loved that boy dearly.

  “Don’t panic,” Johnny said. “He probably just wandered off. Maybe he was chasing a rabbit or saw something in the woods he wanted to explore.”