Texas Reckless

by Gerry Bartlett

  “Highway patrol said you were going fast when the accident happened.” Sierra leaned in, picturing it.

  “I was trying to keep up with him! I was so worried. He couldn’t stay in a lane and was speeding like crazy. I honked, blinked my lights, tried to get him to stop. I wanted to offer to take him somewhere. If he was scared of someone then he obviously didn’t want to stay in the hospital, though that’s where he should have been in his condition.” Marty’s eyes filled. “But instead of stopping he just kept going faster and faster. My truck isn’t new and could use better tires. I sure heard about that from Buddy. I had told him I bought new Michelins but instead put the money in my getaway fund.” She sobbed.

  “Marty, you’ve got to know the wreck was Darrel’s fault, not yours.” Sierra put her arm around her friend and looked at Rhett. “He wasn’t fit to drive in the first place. He made that decision.”

  “But by chasing him I made it worse.” Marty pushed Sierra away. “It started raining harder and I don’t think he even remembered how to turn on his windshield wipers. He just sped up. When he spun out I thought my heart would stop. He flew right in front of me and over the guardrail. When he hit that tree there was such a crash! I’ll never forget it. Glass and bumper everywhere. I swear a piece of his bumper came right at me! I hit my brakes, but the pavement was wet and I lost control. Then I was up and down and up and hanging by my seat belt from what felt like the ceiling. I hurt so damned bad.”

  “Marty!” Sierra stared at her.

  “That seat belt saved me. That man, my new friend. He works as an EMT. He told me once that he never takes a dead one out of a seat belt. That sure stuck with me.” Marty’s hand was shaking as she grabbed a tissue and wiped her eyes. “What if Darrel dies? Is it my fault?”

  “What the hell is going on here?” The voice boomed from the doorway.

  “Buddy! I didn’t think you were coming back tonight.” Marty blew her nose.

  “Martina, I told you not to talk to anyone. Who is this man? What’s he doing here with Sierra MacKenzie? Sounded to me like you were talking about that wreck again.” The big man stalked over to the bedside. He was wearing dark blue coveralls with his name stitched over the breast pocket. He carried a black box with a bag on top. “I brought you a lawyer. You don’t speak until he tells you to, hear me? You may be in trouble, baby. There’s talk of a charge of reckless driving.”

  “They were just leaving.” Marty smiled at her husband. “What did you bring me, Buddy?”

  He scowled. “That can wait.” He glared at Rhett. “Who is this?”

  * * * *

  “I’m Rhett Hall, Sierra’s houseguest.” Rhett held out his hand.

  “Houseguest?” Buddy ignored the gesture. “I heard you and Sierra asking my wife questions. What the hell is going on here?”

  “Buddy!” Marty lost her smile.

  Rhett understood his surly attitude. His wife had had a near miss and he was worried.

  “Relax, Buddy. Can’t I come visit an old friend?” Sierra got up to touch his sleeve.

  “What about those questions? Sheriff Watkins already came by. That’s why I went back to Muellerville to get a lawyer. Marty needs legal advice and clothes for tomorrow. Maybe I shouldn’t have left her alone.” Buddy turned back to hit the door. “Come on in here.”

  “Excuse me. Joey Schlitzberger.” The tall man with wavy black hair wore a gray suit and blue tie like it was his uniform. He walked into the room, murmured a greeting to Sierra then kissed Marty’s cheek before he gripped Rhett’s hand. “I’m Mrs. Lewis’s attorney. She is clearly in no shape for any kind of interrogation if that is what we interrupted. She won’t be answering any more questions about her accident unless I am present as her counsel. I’m sure you understand.” He swept his manicured hand toward the door. “Sierra, I know your ranch hand was involved, but let the law handle this. Now I’d appreciate it if you two would leave so her husband can visit her for a few minutes. Then I’m sure Mrs. Lewis is ready for a well-deserved rest.”

  “On our way out.” Rhett gripped Sierra’s elbow as they headed for the door.

  “Sierra, wait!” Marty gripped her husband’s hand. “Thanks for coming by. We have always been friends.” She nodded. “I hope we understand each other better now.”

  “Sure, Marty. What did you bring her, Buddy?” Sierra smiled. She’d keep Marty’s secret.

  Buddy flushed. “I figured she might get bored here. I brought the DVD player and found a box set of that show you like at Walmart, Martina.”

  Marty looked into the bag he’d dropped in her lap. “Project Runway? You remembered!”

  “Of course I did. I remember everything you like, baby.” He walked over to the TV, setting the player on the dresser under it. “Hope I can get this hooked up.”

  “Buddy, come here.” Marty’s eyes filled. “I’m sorry. About the truck. I should have bought those tires.”

  “Yes.” He walked over and kissed her carefully on the lips. “You should have. You—you could have been killed. Then where would I be?” He sniffed and went back to the door. “You folks were just leaving.”

  Rhett nodded and held Sierra’s arm as they stepped to the door. He could feel the tension in her body when he stopped next to the lawyer. “Mr. Schlitzberger, would it be possible for us to meet with you tomorrow?”

  “Regarding?” The lawyer followed them out into the hall.

  “Oxcart.” Rhett put on a smile. He and Sierra had talked about setting up this meeting in the car. He couldn’t believe this opportunity had fallen into their laps.

  “Really?” Schlitzberger turned to Sierra. “You’re finally ready to discuss the best thing to come to the community of Muellerville in a century?” He beamed and extended his hand to shake hers, but Sierra scooted out of reach. “I can’t tell you how relieved and happy the investors will be if you are going to be reasonable about this at last. Let me check my schedule.”

  He pulled out his phone and consulted his calendar. “Ah, yes, tomorrow at two? How is that for you, Sierra?” He ignored Rhett. “I’m sure we can hammer out an agreement that will make us both happy and allow this project to proceed.”

  “Joey, I’d like to hammer something, but it wouldn’t be an agreement. We’ll see you at two.” Sierra’s smile was decidedly chilly. “Rhett, I’m pretty sure I could eat another kolache if that place is still open.”

  “Sounds good. Let’s go.” Rhett looked back at Joey, who’d lost his smile. “I’ll alert the sheriff that we’re on our way back to the ranch. I’ll bet Officer Paulson is still on duty. Maybe he’d like to meet us for coffee and escort us the rest of the way home. There are some reckless drivers on that road to Muellerville.”

  “Yes, there are.” Sierra limped toward the elevators. “I wonder if he’s found that dark blue pickup yet. Hey, Joey, what do you drive?”

  Rhett wanted to kiss her then and there. This woman had nerves of steel. Too bad Joey just turned on his heel and walked back into Marty’s hospital room. No confession from Joey tonight. That would be too easy.

  Once they were out of the hospital he tucked Sierra into the Tahoe and pulled out his phone.

  “Did you really record our conversation with Marty?” Sierra looked beautiful in the dim light from the dashboard.

  “You bet I did. I also noticed something helpful in her call log.” He finished his internet search, then pulled Sierra close so he could kiss her. “Will you be disappointed if we wait a while for those kolaches?”

  “What do you have in mind?” She kept her hands on his shoulders. Her eyes were at half-mast from that kiss he’d let go past casual to serious, despite his best intentions. There was something about this woman that made him always want more.

  “I just found the closest Marriott, on Lady Bird Lake. The number matches another one on Marty’s list.”

  “I assume we
’re tracking down Sally Ann and not checking in for a wild night for ourselves.” She licked her lips.

  That did it. He had to kiss her again. When he finally pulled back, they were both breathing hard. “Is there any reason why we can’t do both?”

  “Well, without a ranch hand, I’m thinking I’d have a very unhappy dog shut inside. We didn’t even let him out before we left.” She ran her hand over his cheek. “But hold that thought. Some future night I can arrange something with Rachel.”

  “Unless we find out she’s involved in a cover-up with her daughter.” Rhett hated to mention that. He might as well have thrown cold water on their fire for each other. Sierra stiffened and moved over to stare out at the wet parking lot.

  “I refuse to believe she knew a thing.”

  “She helped Sally Ann get all of your things out of the arena. It’s a good way to cover up evidence.” Rhett had to say it.

  “And a natural reaction from our longtime housekeeper. Just shut up about it. Please?” She buckled her seat belt. “Now let’s go. I want to get on with the confrontation. I’ve waited long enough. Too long. I just hope Sally Ann isn’t too drunk to make sense. But I won’t be sorry if she’s had just enough alcohol to be ready to open up about that day.”

  “I’ll record what she says.” Rhett buckled his seat belt too. Not only was there a seat belt law, but Marty had said something that had made an impression on him. Yes, Darrel had hit a tree head-on, but maybe a seat belt would have kept him from death’s door. Marty was clearly going to live without sustaining lasting damage. He had to admit that seeing Darrel like that had upset him as well. He wouldn’t be surprised if the man didn’t pull through. No matter what the ranch hand had done, hitting a tree headfirst was a horrible way to end his life.

  He started the car and drove out of the parking lot. Sierra was silent, the only noise in the car the soothing voice of the woman in his GPS giving them directions.

  He didn’t think they were followed this time, but could he really be sure? Austin’s streets were crowded and the hotel was close. Vehicles had been all around them and many were trucks. None of them looked like the one that had tried to run them off the road earlier, though. By the time they arrived at their destination, he knew he needed to say something.

  “Sierra, look at me.” He turned off the motor and waited for her to unlatch her seat belt and turn toward him.

  “Do we have a plan?” She was solemn. Worried, of course. This was a big deal to her.

  “I’m on your side. Never forget that. You are calling the shots. This happened to you. Handle it any way you want. And you decide who we tell about what we find out.” He reached for her hands, relieved when she let him take them. “Understand?”

  “Yes. Thank you.” She sniffed. “It’s finally hitting me. That I could actually know the truth. At last. I honestly don’t know what I will do if Rachel knew and did nothing, said nothing.” She pulled her hands away and wiped off a tear. “Damn it, I’m not crying about this. If Sally Ann tells me she deliberately caused me to fall, I’m not sure what I’ll do, but I should be mad, damn it. Not hurt, mad.”

  “That’s right. Keep an open mind. Let’s see what she has to say. I know I was prepared to meet Marty’s husband and think he was an asshole. Instead, he turned out to be a nice guy, just worried about his wife.”

  “Yes, everyone likes Buddy. I admit I was shocked to hear she’d cheated on him. I know she loves him. Maybe he’s finally coming around to the designing thing. He brought her a DVD of a design show. That’s big.” Sierra took a deep breath. “I guess she forgot why she loved him in the first place.”

  “Maybe they can save their marriage, with counseling.” Rhett unlocked the car doors. “Ready?” He climbed out of the car at her nod. Hell, he was nervous for her. He scanned the parking lot. A high-end hotel like this, clearly one of their fancier ones, should have better outdoor lighting. The rain had stopped, and a sliver of a moon appeared through the clouds. The gleaming lake was just feet away. Walkways lined the water, and he could imagine this as a romantic getaway. Will Jackson’s credit card was probably getting a workout. Sally Ann must not care if her husband noticed she was at a Marriott here instead of on the River Walk in San Antonio.

  “We should come back here.” He helped Sierra out of the truck. “When all of this is settled.”

  “Will it ever be?” She looked up at the night sky and shivered. “Don’t listen to me. I feel like someone just walked over my grave. Ever hear that expression?”

  “Yes, and I don’t like that you’re feeling that way.” He slung his arm around her and guided her to the entrance. More lights. Good. A dark SUV drove into the lot, and he hustled Sierra to the sidewalk. Was it coming at them? No, but it had been going fast before it pulled in near where he’d parked. Hell, he was getting paranoid. Still, he was glad to get inside the spacious lobby. The bar was off to one side. It was dark and featured cozy seating and a piano player.

  “There she is.” Sierra had found new energy and moved away from him to head straight for the woman who had settled into a leather stool facing the bartender. “Sally Ann! We need to talk.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “I don’t think so.” Sally Ann turned her back on them.

  “We’re talking whether you feel like it or not.” Sierra sat on the barstool next to her. “We can do it here, where everyone can hear us, or in your room. Your choice.”

  “I have nothing to hide.” Sally Ann looked Rhett up and down. “I see you still have your man hanging around. That’s the first in a long time.”

  “Don’t try to change the subject. I’m here to get the truth about the day I got hurt barrel racing.” Sierra grabbed Sally Ann’s arm. “I will get it, once and for all, if I have to bring the sheriff into it. I told her my suspicions.”

  “You talked to Myra about that day?” Sally Ann dropped her glass on the bar. “Suspicions? What did you say to her? It was an accident. That’s all I know about it.”

  “I’m not calling it an accident. I had a new saddle. There’s no way my cinch could have broken without help from someone.” Sierra saw something in Sally Ann’s face. Guilt? The way her eyes suddenly shifted and she seemed furtive. “What did you do while I was outside with Ellie and Marty?”

  “What do you think I did? I was getting ready to race. Nervous as hell. It was a big deal to both of us. The biggest race of our lives.” She slid off her barstool and looked around the dark room. “You’re right. I don’t want everyone hearing our business. Let’s get out of here.” She signed her bar tab and walked out of the room.

  For a moment Sierra thought she was going to the elevators, but then Sally Ann darted toward the door to the outside. Rhett seemed to have anticipated that. He stepped in front of Sally Ann and blocked the exit.

  “You’re not going anywhere until Sierra gets the answers she needs. It’ll be either here or in the sheriff’s office.” He had on a stern look that obviously convinced Sally Ann she’d better not try to get past him.

  “Leave me alone. I’ve told you I don’t know anything. That should be enough for you.” Sally Ann stalked to the bank of elevators.

  “If you have nothing to hide, you won’t mind telling us all about how that day went. Step by step. You can imagine that my memory is a little hazy.” Sierra stood beside her. Rhett had planted himself at Sally Ann’s back.

  “Why do you have to dredge that up now? You have bigger things to worry about.” Sally Ann stepped inside when the elevator doors opened and she punched a button.

  “It doesn’t bother you that if I sell and move, your mother will be out of a job?” Sierra faced her.

  “I’ll always take care of my mother. You don’t need to worry about her.” She bumped Sierra as the elevator lurched into motion. “You have no idea how important that new development is for a lot of people, and you’re ruining it.” She pushed
against her again. “You always were a selfish bitch.”

  “That’s enough, Sally Ann.” Rhett tried to step between them.

  “Let her vent. Apparently she’s hated me for a long time. Did being the daughter of our housekeeper do that, Sally Ann? Is that why you hate me?” The doors opened, and Sierra followed Sally Ann down the hall. They waited for her to use her key card and throw open the door.

  It was a simple room with two queen beds. Sally Ann had dumped her suitcase and purse on one of them. There was a table and two chairs in front of a window with a view of the parking lot and the lake beyond. Sierra headed for one of the chairs. She had to get off her leg.

  “My mother is the hired help. She has no education, no future, but that doesn’t seem to bother her. Me? I wanted more. Always did. My daddy took off when I was six. You didn’t know that, did you?” She laughed. “Of course not. No one cared about why Mama was stuck cleaning up after other people.”

  “Your mother is a proud woman. She works hard and always made sure you had a decent life, Sally Ann.” Sierra fell into the chair, ignoring Rhett’s look of concern when he took the other one. “You know I admire your mother. My entire family does. Will you get to the point?”

  “Don’t rush me. You want to hear my version of that race day or not?” Sally Ann went to the minibar and pulled out a small bottle of tequila.

  Sierra waved a hand. “Fine. Proceed at your own pace.”

  “I certainly will. You’ve always had everything handed to you, Sierra. New clothes, fancy house, great horse and riding lessons from the best teacher. Hell, that huge ranch was your weekend home, vacation retreat, whatever the hell your family called it. Me and my friends were stuck in that dinky town all year long, going to the crap schools and entertaining ourselves at church bake sales while we’d hear you talking about cotillions and shit.”