The Cowgirl's Forever Love

by Vivian Arend

  The girls were off to school, and she was diving into the household chores when Caleb marched back into the house and looked at her in surprise. “What’re you doing?”

  Her hands were buried in a sink full of soapy dishes. “Is this a trick question?”

  Caleb glanced around the room. “Tamara didn’t tell you? Never mind. You’re off again today.”

  She leaned a hip against the counter as she looked at him in confusion. “I need to find the Modern Way to Be a Rancher book you’ve been reading and send my father a copy. A day off, two weeks in a row? I think that’s illegal.”

  She finally got a chuckle out of him.

  “Spent far too many years working twenty-four seven. The work never goes away—you know that. Since things are running a lot smoother at Silver Stone, all of us committed to making some changes.” He placed his boots on the rack by the door and hung up his hat. A soft smile unfurled. “This isn’t about you taking a day off, honestly. It’s me getting extra time with my wife and family.”

  “My time off is a bonus? Sweet.” She offered a wink. “I’m glad you’re spending time with the people who are important to you.”

  What she couldn’t bring herself to say was how much she’d wished that had been the circumstance while she was growing up, but she figured he knew. Tamara must’ve shared with him what it was like over the years with George Coleman as a father.

  Never terrible, never good. That strange, swampy middle where she felt bad for complaining because the man had never hurt them or outright neglected them, but she wished they’d gotten through to him how much more they needed.

  “I’ll finish my chores then get out of your hair,” Lisa said, getting back to work.

  “Josiah’s back in town,” Caleb offered.

  She stared into the dishwater as she scrubbed vigorously at a frying pan. “That’s nice.”

  “In case you wanted to get in touch with him.”

  Lisa worked hard to not give away her amusement. “I think I’ll go for a ride.”

  “He might want to go with you.”

  Lisa rolled her eyes but made sure her face was set to innocent when she turned toward him. She dried her hands on a cloth as she looked him over. “Do you know what you want? I mean, the other day it sounded as if you were warning me off dating your friend, but now it seems you’re trying to shove us together. Which is it?”

  “I warned you off hurting him, but I’d love to see you guys get together.”

  That was an unexpected twist after his comment the other day in the barn. “Really?”

  Caleb shrugged. “If he’s good enough to be my friend for all these years, he’s good enough to be with you.”

  She didn’t know what to say to that. “Thank you. I think.”

  He lifted his phone in the air. “Want me to call him?”

  A laugh rolled across the room as Tamara made her way forward and settled in one of the kitchen chairs. The swell of her belly was covered by a bright pink sweater that matched the frames of her glasses. “Caleb? Are you setting up a date for my sister?”

  “She doesn’t seem to be doing it on her own,” he grumbled.

  “She barely has her hands out of the dirty dishwater,” Tamara pointed out. She glanced at Lisa. “Of course, I could call him instead.”

  Lisa snorted. This was hysterical. “You know what? I would hate to take your fun away, so why don’t we all text him? See who can get a response faster. Ten dollars to the person who—”

  Tamara already had her phone out. Caleb patted his pockets, looking for his, which was really funny until Lisa realized she’d left her phone downstairs.

  She raced away, taking the stairs two at a time, listening to their laughter.

  Her phone lay beside the bed, and she sat on the mattress as she typed in a quick note.

  Lisa: Got the day off. What are you up to?

  She headed upstairs, announcing her return with a cackle of laughter as her phone vibrated before she hit the top landing.

  “Take that, suckers,” she said with glee.

  Only when she glanced down at the phone, the message wasn’t from Josiah.

  Sonora: I need to talk to you.

  Lisa strolled forward, typing in a response: Phone me?

  Sonora: I don’t have good enough reception. Remember the big maple tree? How soon could you be there?

  Lisa was thoroughly intrigued and a touch worried. Her phone buzzed as a message came in from Josiah, but she ignored it, stepping into the kitchen to discover both Caleb and Tamara holding their phones in the air toward her. “Hold that thought, guys. I’ve got another hot date on the line.”

  She typed in a quick message to Sonora: Thirty minutes if I grab a horse. Fifteen if I use an ATV.

  Sonora: I think you should bring the horse. Don’t rush, but please get here as fast as you can.

  Well, there was a contradiction. Lisa sent a final acknowledgement then lifted her face to Tamara and Caleb. “I gotta go.”

  “Something wrong?” Tamara asked, the amusement on her face slipping away.

  Lisa shrugged uncomfortably. “I don’t know. Sonora Fallen asked to meet me, and it sounds as if she’s out on the trail. Something’s off.”

  Caleb moved toward the door. “Want me to come with you?”

  “I don’t think so. Could be she just comes across a lot more abrupt in text than in person, know what I mean? I’d hate for us to show up and have her think we overreacted.”

  Caleb pulled on his coat anyway. “Tell you what. Grab what you need. I’ll saddle Licorice for you.”

  “Thanks.”

  She spun on her heel and headed back downstairs, changing quickly into warmer clothing. As she rushed through the kitchen, Tamara handed her a bag. “Not much more than granola bars. Sorry.”

  Lisa gave her a quick hug and a kiss. “Tell me later who I owe ten bucks. But in the meantime, can you text Josiah? I’m meeting Sonora by the maple tree along the far south border. The one next to where the trail splits three ways. I’ll get in touch with him as soon as I can.”

  “No problem.”

  She headed out to the barn and found Caleb leading Licorice out to meet her. He held the horse steady while she mounted, passing the reins to her and nodding in approval. “Don’t rush. Sonora’s got a good head on her shoulders. I expect she’s just looking for a little company.”

  “I hope you’re right. If that’s the case, then I’ll carry on and enjoy my day off. You and Tamara have a good time. I’ll text as soon as I know anything.”

  The sensation hovering over her wasn’t the same as a week ago. The sky wasn’t quite as clear, and the temperature was a little sharper. The bite of winter was hanging on hard, with no chance of a warming pattern anywhere in the forecast. Add in she wasn’t sauntering out for a casual exploration, and suddenly the day seemed fraught with danger.

  Lisa moved Licorice forward at a steady pace. Not too fast, and always careful to stick to well-set trails for safer footing.

  It was close to twenty-five minutes after Sonora’s first text when Lisa spotted Rainbow tied to a tree at the side of the trail. She dismounted and ground tethered Licorice, following footprints that led deeper into the trees.

  “Mrs. Fallen? I’m here.”

  A soft hiss carried on the air, and Lisa hurried forward to discover Sonora peeking over a log pile, shaking her head as she held a finger pressed to her lips. “Keep it down, honey.”

  She gestured Lisa closer.

  Just past a pile of fallen trees was a small clearing. An oversized work shed with two side-wings was positioned at the western edge. A delivery van was driving down the bumpy road, disappearing into the trees almost immediately.

  “What’s going on?” Lisa asked in a whisper.

  “I thought I saw something the other day and came back because I was curious.” Sonora pointed a finger at the shed. “That is supposed to be empty. It was part of Doc Carter’s property, and his kids have been fighting over the inh
eritance for years. Somebody’s renting the main house, but none of the out-buildings were being used, or least they weren’t the last time I talked to anyone. There’s no reason for a vehicle like that to be back here. Not in the dead of winter.”

  Lisa glanced around, but there were no other people or vehicles anywhere in sight. “You think somebody’s storing things in the shed?”

  “That’s exactly what I think,” Sonora said. “I don’t recognize the vehicle, and I can’t think of a single reason why someone should take a van out here in the first place.”

  Lisa’s mind went immediately to stolen goods. It was a little far into the country to be convenient for thieves, but that also meant the hiding spot was a lot harder to find in the first place.

  A moment later, everything changed.

  They both heard it. In the quiet that settled after the loud buzz of the van engine faded, a noise that was far too familiar shattered the icy stillness.

  Sharp barks. Shrill yelps. Mournful howls.

  Lisa and Sonora glanced at each other, dismay rising as they spoke at the same time. “Dogs.”

  7

  What a pickle. Lisa needed to convince Sonora to stay safely in the trees before hurrying forward to find out exactly what was going on.

  The older woman seemed to read her mind because she frowned and shook a finger in Lisa’s face. “Don’t you dare think about going off on your own. No heroics.”

  Sneaking in by herself was an entirely different thing than dragging someone’s grandma into potential danger. “I won’t do anything more than peek in the window,” Lisa promised.

  “Then I’ll come with you to give you a boost.”

  Not the answer Lisa was looking for. “I’m just going to look. If something illegal is going on, we’re not poking into it without backup.”

  Sonora wrinkled her nose. “Who’re we going to call? I mean, we don’t even know if there’s something there to bother the RCMP over.”

  Lisa held up a hand as her phone vibrated. She checked to find a message from Josiah.

  Josiah: I see your horses. Where are you?

  A huge sense of relief rushed in. “I don’t know how he made it this fast, but we have backup. Josiah Ryder is just around the corner.” She stuck her finger in Sonora’s face and gave a retaliatory warning wiggle. “Stay here. No heroics.”

  She said it forcefully. The older woman’s lips twitched into a smile before she nodded her agreement. “Josiah is a good man.”

  Lisa stumbled back through the deep snow, figuring it was easier than responding.

  She was just about out of the trees when she reached him, the worry on his face softening as he spotted her. “It’s a little cold to be playing hide-and-go-seek, isn’t it?”

  “It’s a bit of a treasure hunt, but not necessarily the good kind. Sonora found something,” she explained, motioning with her head to where the older woman waited. “She swears the barn up ahead should be empty, but we watched a truck leave just five minutes ago.”

  A crease formed between his brows. “She’s right. Come on, let’s see what’s going on.”

  They inched through the snow at the very edge of the tree line, keeping the visible snow undisturbed until they could follow a deer track to the packed-down ruts left by the van.

  The area was clearly abandoned. The quiet stillness of the remote winter wilderness was only broken by the sound of dogs barking.

  Lisa and Sonora stayed back for the first moment as Josiah peered in the window.

  He shook his head in disgust and motioned them forward. “We’re not going to get shot, but this is an unpleasant surprise.”

  He picked up a piece of metal that was propped against one wall and used it to pry open the lock. As the door opened and light poured in, the barking and whining got louder.

  Lisa gingerly followed Josiah into the building, the waft of putrid scents in the air hitting like a slap of mud to the face.

  The barking got more frantic.

  Sonora made a noise of distress herself as she stepped beside Lisa. “My word, how many dogs? Oh, the poor things.”

  Pens had been formed out of wood nailed into rough squares. In addition, crates and baby playpens were jammed together in tight rows with barely enough room for a person to walk between. Each space held three or more puppies, some with bitches that showed their teeth, but didn’t have the energy to do more than growl menacingly as they moved past.

  “It’s a puppy mill,” Josiah said softly. “A poorly run, mismanaged, fucking abusive puppy mill.”

  He stopped beside the nearest pen. The mama dog was lying on her side nursing a couple of pups who were whining piteously. The bitch didn’t move as Josiah drew his hand down the back of her head, petting her carefully.

  “She’s so dehydrated she doesn’t have any milk left to give.” His voice was an angry rumble.

  Sonora had her phone out. “Who do I call?” she asked Josiah. “The RCMP?”

  “Yes. I’ll call the clinic.” Josiah stood, furious tension in his body as he looked around the building. “What a mess.”

  Lisa stepped to his side and caught his arm. “What can I do to help?”

  The whimpering around her was breaking her heart, but she steeled her spine and searched for strength until she could meet his gaze as evenly as possible.

  He glanced quickly at Sonora before twisting, pulling Lisa closer so he could speak in low tones. “There’s plenty of things you can help with, but when it’s time, can you make sure Sonora leaves? She doesn’t need to be here while…”

  His grip on her arms tightened, and Lisa swallowed hard. “Some of them aren’t going to make it, are they?”

  Josiah hesitated, then shook his head. “Truth is, finding this many animals at one time creates a hell of a situation.”

  He excused himself, calling in to the Heart Falls veterinary clinic. He turned his back and spoke softly.

  Lisa didn’t want to make him say it, but she’d already figured out the trouble. She’d dealt with it often enough when one of the cats or dogs on the Whiskey Creek ranch had an unexpected litter. Placing four or five animals in new homes when you knew the animal’s lineage was one thing.

  This was an entire building full of pups, indeterminate breeds, none of them with shots or basic inoculations—

  There weren’t a lot of people who would take that kind of risk, introducing unknown animals to their own well-cared-for pets.

  Sonora finished giving directions to the RCMP. She put her phone away and walked straight up to where Lisa stood. The place stunk of wet dog, feces, and piss. Somewhere, something was rotting.

  Ignoring the echoing volume of complaints around them was hard. It was constant, soaking into their ears and vibrating through their bodies.

  In the future, whenever Lisa thought about hopelessness, this sound would be what she remembered.

  “Come on,” Lisa said. “Let’s see if there’s a water supply anywhere.”

  It was over an hour before anyone else showed up to help, but eventually there was a veritable crowd in the building. Lisa had called Caleb, and he had contacted their foreman.

  Ashton walked in the door moments after Josiah’s staff arrived.

  Josiah clipped out orders. “Any of the dogs coming out of here need to stay in quarantine. We have room in the kennels at the clinic, but I can’t take more than a dozen between there and my place.”

  Ashton looked apologetic as he spoke. “The men and I can give you a hand moving the animals, but we can’t bring any of them to Silver Stone. I’m sorry.”

  “No need to apologize,” Josiah assured him. “We’ll just need to—”

  “You can move them all to my place.” The proclamation came with shocking clarity, cutting through the wailing chaos.

  Everyone turned to look at Sonora. She was staring defiantly at Ashton, of all people. As if daring him to protest.

  Josiah glanced at Lisa briefly before taking a deep breath. “Sonora, that’s a generous
offer. But while you’ve got the room, there’s no way you can take care of this many animals. Not without help.”

  “Then I’ll hire some,” she said. “I’m no wide-eyed child. I know what’s going to happen to the animals I don’t take in.”

  “It’s going to cost money as well as time,” he warned. “I’m hugely grateful you want to make a difference, but you need to know what you’re getting yourself into.”

  “It’s too much,” Ashton grumbled. “You’ll work yourself into an early grave.”

  Sonora stiffened her spine. “I think I’m the best judge of how I spend my time and energy. It’ll be good for me. And I don’t mind that it’s going to cost money.” The last comment was directed at Josiah. “In fact, I’ve been thinking about ways to use my property more effectively. I don’t want actual livestock anymore, but it’s kind of lonely without more critters around. I was thinking about setting up an animal rescue.”

  “An animal rescue—?”

  Ashton’s protest cut off sharply as Sonora glared ice daggers at him.

  Lisa stepped forward to wrap an arm around the woman. “I can’t commit long term, but if this is something you’d like to do, I’ll help however I can while I’m here.”

  The tension that eased out of Sonora’s body made it clear Lisa’s support was appreciated, unexpected as it had been.

  Sonora lifted her chin defiantly at Ashton. “So.”

  He didn’t say anything, but he nodded.

  She turned to Josiah. “It’s up to your people to decide which animals are in good enough shape you think they’ll make it. I don’t envy your task, so I’ll let you get on with your job and I’ll get on with mine. I’ll head home to start getting things ready.”

  “Thank you,” Josiah said softly. He looked around the barn, motioning to one of the staff from the clinic to join them. “Pam will go with you. With her help, and maybe a couple of the hands from Silver Stone, you should be able to get things set up for the first arrivals.”

  Lisa squeezed Sonora’s arm. “I want to stay to help Josiah so someone else will need to ride Licorice back to Silver Stone. I’d appreciate it if you’d go with them.”