"Nice to meet you too." She stepped off the porch and extended a hand toward him. He shook her hand then looked back to her host with an odd, almost puzzled look on his face.
"The fire's all set up in the small pasture beside the dining hall. You want to drive your truck down there or take an ATV?"
"An ATV's fine. I don't have anything but me tonight. I'm telling stories, not singing."
They got on the ATVs again, Michael on his own and Mariah on behind Levi, and took the trip back down to the dining hall.
As they arrived, she saw that the guys who'd taken off earlier hadn't started coming back yet and part of her hoped they wouldn't. She didn't want to have to listen to their drunken comments about her again.
"Come on down and see what you think of my set up," Levi said to Michael as he started for where the fire had been the night before. Not really sure what else to do, Mariah followed.
The fire ring was easier to see in the daylight and what she'd thought the night before to be a big fire built directly on the ground turned out to actually be a huge metal ring. She had to look at it for several minutes, the men's conversation floating around her not heard, until she realized the fire ring was made from the metal part in the middle of a car tire, though what kind of car it came from she couldn't figure out as it was the biggest one she'd ever seen. It had to be four feet across. She turned to Levi to ask what it was from and realized they were still talking.
"Is that the rim off the old International?" Michael asked.
"It is. After it got too expensive to keep it running I sold it to old man Johnson for parts. He's got one the same year. He didn't want the spare rim though, said it was too beat up to be worth the effort of hauling it off."
"That's a pretty good use for it," Michael said with a nod.
"Even better, I welded a piece of sheet metal to the bottom, then bent the edges up like the tip of a ski. I can wrap a chain around it and drag it anywhere I want and not leave an ash mess behind."
"Is that why you're using hay bales for seating instead of putting in permanent benches?"
"Yep, so in the winter I can pull all this out of here and use the pasture to keep some of the stock close by. Mainly those I want to keep an eye on."
"Not bad." Michael nodded again. "It also leaves you flexible to change things around for different plans."
"So," Levi glanced around the circle built around the fire ring, "is this good or do you want to rearrange things to better suit you?"
Mariah took a seat on one of the hay bales surrounding the fire pit piled high with wood and listened as the two discussed a better way to arrange seating, then moved the bales, well, except the one she was sitting on, to suit them.
By the time it was nearly dark, Mariah had shifted so she sat sideways on the bale, her injured leg stretched out along the top as she noticed for the first time how bright the stars were. She was still staring up at them when she heard the low laugh and drunken stumbling of the executives from Sheppard Entertainment approaching. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, bracing herself for the coming evening and at the same time hoping they'd behave themselves but wasn’t going to hold her breath over it.
"Now that's not very friendly," James said as they approached. "Taking up the whole seat like that so none of us can sit with you."
"I twisted my ankle last night. I need to keep it elevated."
"It didn't seem to be bothering you this morning," Jeremy piped up. "You managed the trail ride just fine."
"And nearly couldn't get my boot off because of it." She met his gaze, not backing down from their rude comments. A quick glance around told her Levi and Michael hadn't yet returned from their quick trip to the kitchen to get a lighter to start the fire.
Normally being alone with the four men from her company wouldn't have bothered her, but it looked like they'd been drinking most of the afternoon, and after the overheard comments before dinner, she was more than a little unnerved by them. You could never tell what a drunk man was going to do, especially when encouraged by others in the same condition.
"Good, you're all here," Levi's voice caught her attention.
Relief washed through her as he stepped into the circle and went straight to the fire. He reached between some of the larger logs to stick the lighter into the middle, the lighter clicked in the fresh silence. Levi moved around the fire pit and repeated the process a couple times before standing back and watching where Mariah could already see flames building and wood starting to catch.
"There." He took a step back and watched the flames for a moment longer then turned to face the men now standing in the empty space inside the ring of hay bales to one side of the fire pit.
"Why'd you move us so far away?" Howard asked, seeming to find his voice.
"We needed the extra room for our special guest tonight."
"Guest?" Howard looked confused and Mariah couldn't help but think it was a look he wore all too often, as he had a tendency to get lost in his own head and not pay attention to what was going on around him.
"What about the s'mores?" Jeremy said. "I only came tonight for the s'mores."
"Don't worry, we'll have s'mores in a little while. In the meantime, why don't you all have a seat and we'll get started."
* * *
An hour and a half after Levi introduced Michael to the rest of the group and he'd begun telling stories, Mariah still sat on the hay bale, engrossed in his stories. A shiver ran through her and she wished not for the first time that evening that she'd thought to grab a jacket or something from the cabin before she'd left.
Shifting in her seat, she tried to get a little closer to the fire, and move her aching leg at the same time. She jumped when she felt movement behind her but a light jacket was draped over her shoulders. She turned and found Levi standing to one side.
"Are you okay?" he whispered, trying not to interrupt Michael's story.
She nodded. "Thank you," she whispered back, then turned her attention back to their storyteller. He finished his story and Levi stepped into the open space.
"Thank you so much, Michael. You know I love hearing you tell the old tales and I'm sure my guests did as well." Levi turned to address the men. "Why don't we have some s'mores? Billy's got the roasting forks and all the makings set up right over there." He motioned to the same table where things had been set up the night before.
Mariah watched the men she worked with stand, and as a unit head for the table where the dessert was being set up. She stayed where she was. Burnt sugar on a stick didn't do things for her nor did smashing that burnt sugar between two crackers. The chocolate was a little tempting, but not enough to have her moving to join them. Not now and maybe not at all.
"Don't you want anything?" Levi sat on the edge of her hay bale near her foot.
"I'm good."
"I'd get it for you if you just don't want to get up."
"Really," she gave him a small smile, "I'm good. I don't care much for s'mores."
"It doesn't have to be a s'more, if there's something you'd like I can have it brought out."
"No, honestly, I'm good. Is Michael done?" She looked around but didn't see him.
"He is. He stayed longer than I'd asked. Speaking like that, especially projecting your voice so you can be heard, is exhausting. Especially if you're not used to it. Michael is, but I still only asked for an hour. I felt like more was too much to ask."
"He's good." She glanced around again. "I take it you're just getting this part running?"
"This part?"
"The bringing people in, the hosting. I've only seen my cabin, but it looks almost brand new. As if it was designed to look rustic, but it was just built."
"Does it show that bad?"
"No, not really. I don't think any of them have noticed." She tilted her head to where the executives she'd come with had all moved to stand near enough the fire to roast their marshmallows. The way they all stood together laughing excitedly made her think of a group of
kids. "They seem to be having a blast, which is great."
"But you're not." It wasn't a question, just a statement of facts.
"Sorry, but not really. It's not your fault. I didn't want to come to begin with. I'm still not sure why I'm even here." She stared into the flames for a moment. "But I pay attention to the details. Small things that a lot of people don't notice. Like the cabins seeming new despite the aged look, like you don't have a lot of people helping with the operation. How many groups have you had so far? Five? Six?"
His face turned bright red in the flickering light of the fire.
"You're our first."
Mariah did a double take. "I'm impressed. Usually the first few runs through any new operation are full of fumbles as you work out the kinks and establish a routine. I've not picked up on anything like that."
"Except that we managed to get you hurt on the first day here, before you'd even had a meal." Levi laid a gentle hand on her wounded ankle, reminding her of his gentle touch as he'd checked it over earlier and again when he'd wrapped it.
"That was my own fault. I know better than to wear heels on uneven ground, and I know it's dangerous on gravel too. I was careless. But you can prevent it by adding a line on your brochures and website that the terrain is uneven and you recommend only flat or low healed footwear."
"Brochures? Website?"
She blinked at him barely able to believe what she was hearing.
"How did you manage to get Mr. Sheppard to book the trip if you don't have a website or brochures?" She watched him with narrowed eyes.
"I've been working on getting things ready for a bit, but a friend of my brother-in-law's said something about someone he knew wanting to take part of his company on a ranch experience trip. Joe gave him my name and number and the next thing I knew I was talking to someone at Sheppard Entertainment about booking the week." He shook his head slightly as if he couldn't believe it. He watched her a moment then turned to watch the executives who were crowded around the table where the s'mores ingredients had been laid out, eating their treats while they laughed among themselves. "They don't treat you like one of them. I can't really place it though. You don't seem to be dating one of them, they'd pay more attention to you if you were. It's odd." Levi shook his head.
"I don't know why I was chosen to come along." She watched the direction where her co-workers stood for a moment then turned away. "While we all work for Mr. Sheppard, unlike the rest of them I never work directly with him or any of the others. I know them on sight, but until they told me I was coming on the trip, I never would have thought any of them even knew my name."
She looked down at where her leg still lay along the top of the hay bale and couldn't help the slight smile that curved her lips as she noticed that Levi's hand was still on her ankle, his touch light and almost protective. She'd only known a few men who'd ever acted like they cared about her. Too many of the men around the entertainment scene were more concerned with their own wants to care about anyone else.
First he'd taken care of her ankle, then he'd given her his jacket, now the way he casually touched her, almost as if he wasn't aware of it. Mariah wondered why she couldn't find someone like that who was interested in her.
She had no delusions. She wasn't much to look at. Her lips were too big, her nose too flat and she'd had more than one man tell her she was too direct. It was one of her failings. Well some people saw it that way, Mariah saw it as honesty. Was it her fault she had a hard time with tact and things seemed to slip out of her mouth before they'd even registered with her brain?
The fire burned down until there were only a few flames left licking around the charred remains of a couple logs. She'd been so absorbed in talking to Levi that she suddenly realized they were alone. Not only were the men from her company gone but Billy had cleaned up the s'mores table and disappeared as well.
"I guess I should call it a night." She swung her leg off the hay bale and stood. Pulling the jacket off her shoulders, she tried to give it back to Levi. He took it, only to put it back over her shoulders.
"Take it. I'll get it back in the morning." He pulled the lapels closed under her chin. "Would you like me to walk you back to your cabin? To make sure you get back safe?"
"No, it's not far. I'll be all right."
"If you're sure."
"I am." She looked up at the star scattered sky once more then took a deep breath. "Good night." Her first few steps were painful, but after that it subsided and she made her way down the path lined with small solar lights that led to her cabin.
* * *
Mariah hadn't been out of sight of Levi and the fire pit for more than a dozen steps before a shadow stepped out in front of her. Movement behind her set her heart to racing. Someone was out here and she was out numbered.
"Think you're too good for us do you?" The words were slightly slurred, but she recognized Jeremy Frost's voice.
"Won't give us the time of day, but she'll let that guide who wears nothing but jeans and work boots put his hands all over her." Conner Knowles voice was in nearly the same condition as Frost's.
Mariah froze. If the two of them were here where were the other two? Were these to acting on their own or was it all of them? Her mind raced nearly as fast as her heart. She should run, but where? She wasn't going to get very far on her injured ankle. Her only hope was to try to confuse them and hope they'd had enough to drink it would work.
"No worries. We'll teach her who's worth her time and who's not."
Mariah's stomach sank at Mr. Sheppard's words. He wasn't as drunk as the others, at least his words weren't slurring together like theirs. Hope of confusing them was fading, but she had to do something.
"Oh." She lifted a hand to her chest. "You guys scared me. I thought you'd all gone back to your cabins."
"We're headed to our cabins, but we're not going alone."
"Are you all going to one? Going to have a card game or something?" Right now pretending she had no clue what they were planning was the only thing that came to her. Maybe, just maybe if she went along with them she'd find a chance to escape.
"We're going to play some games all right, but there won't be any cards involved." Frost's voice was low yet filled with excitement. Just the sound of it made Mariah's stomach churn.
"Wh-" her throat had gone dry and she had to swallow and try again. "Where's Mr. Lawrence?"
"Howard's getting a few things ready for our game. We figured the three of us could bring in our last player without his help." Frost took a step closer.
Mariah wanted to step back but any direction she went would put her closer to one of the others. Standing her ground seemed like a better idea.
"I assume you think I'll be your last player?" Maybe if she kept them talking someone else would come along and she could get away.
"That's the plan." Mr. Sheppard took a step closer. Behind her she felt Knowles move. She suspected he'd moved closer as well, but she didn't want to take her eyes off Sheppard and Frost to check.
"I'm sorry, guys, I'm really too tired to play tonight. Maybe another night?"
"We don't really care if you want to play. We're gonna have some fun and you're gonna help us." Conner's voice was right behind her. He'd moved more than a single step like the others. His arms came around her, pinning hers to her sides. Without thinking about it Mariah screamed. She thrashed in his arms, while making as much noise as she possibly could, until a slap across her face whipped her head to one side.
"Shut up, bitch," Mr. Sheppard's voice was low and furious. "Do what you're told and we won't have to hurt you. Fight us and you'll get what you deserve."
She never stopped struggling. She couldn't. If she stopped they could do whatever they wanted to her. They might anyway, but if she gave up and just let them, she wasn't sure she would be able to live with herself afterward. Mariah had never been one to let things happen, good or bad. She went out and got what she wanted. She fought for what she got and she would fight now.
The arms around her torso tightened, he lifted her feet of the ground, maybe in an effort to get her to stop fighting, but it didn't work, now he'd freed her feet and she used them. Kicking wildly she felt one foot make contact. Frost grunted, doubled over and cupped himself.
"You'll regret that." His words made Mariah look at the head of the company just in time to see a fist coming for her face, then the world went black.
Chapter 13
Levi was sitting astride one of the four-wheelers, Michael on the other, they were getting ready to head back to the house when a woman's scream echoed through the pasture, then was cut short.
There was only one person that could be.
"Mariah." He was off the bike and headed for her cabin before the word was even out of his mouth. Footsteps behind him told him Michael was coming too. He wasn't far from the dining hall when he came around a corner in the path to find three men surrounding her, one with his arms wrapped around her chest. He cleared the corner in time to see her kick one man where no man wants to get hit. He went down holding himself. He'd not quite reached them when Chandler Sheppard snarled something Levi couldn't make out and punched Mariah in the face. Her body went limp in the other man's arms and Levi saw red.
He didn't think about what he was doing. His own fist plowed into the surprised face of Chandler then he spun to catch Mariah as Michael chased after the man who'd been holding her. It looked like when Levi and Michael showed up, Levi taking on Chandler, he'd dropped his captive and run.
Levi took a quick look at Mariah, but didn't see any obvious injuries. He looked at Sheppard and found the man sitting on his ass shaking his head as if he was trying to figure out what was going on. The smell of alcohol was strong off both him and the man still rolling on the ground cupping his family jewels.
"I want all of you off my property come morning. Don't think about coming back or I'll be calling the cops." Levi lifted Mariah into his arms and went in the direction Michael had taken. It would be faster to take her to her cabin. He could call a doctor from there. He was almost to the Wren cabin when he spotted Michael coming his way along the trail.
The Cowboy Way Page 5
