by Kelly Moore
We all gather around him, taking our turns hugging him, making him feel as if he’s one of us.
Ian and Bear are off talking in a corner. He’s probably filling him in on what I did. Great, another Calhoun man I pissed off. I take a seat in a rocker next to Nita. “How are you two doing?” I angle my head toward Bear.
“Things are better. We’ve seen a counselor, who’s helping both of us work our way through our feelings about the past year.”
“Good, I’m glad to hear it. I know how much he loves you.” I pat her knee.
“I love him and Missy. I’ll never leave them again.” She gazes at her hands, folded in her lap.
“She needs a momma like you, and Bear deserves a good woman.” I smile.
“Thanks for thinking that’s me.” She glances up.
“We all do things we aren’t proud of at some time or another. Doesn’t mean we don’t get second chances.”
She tilts her head in Ian’s direction. “Does the same go for you?”
“I don’t know. I’ve done way more than one thing I’m not proud of.” I laugh softly.
“He looks at you like he’d forgive you for anything,” she says.
“It’s not his forgiveness I’m worried about, it’s mine.” I stand as Wyatt heads my direction.
“You ready?” he asks.
As I walk with him toward his truck, Ian is on my heels. “I’m coming too.”
“You don’t need to be involved in this,” I say.
“Kinda late for that, isn’t it?” He smirks
Bear, Boone, and Noah step up beside us. “Whatever it is you’re doing, we’re in this together,” Bear tells me.
“Fine! Suit yourselves. Why should I be the only Calhoun in trouble?” I hop in Wyatt’s truck.
“You look like shit.” Wyatt points to my hair.
“You would too if you’d slept in Watkins’s bed, listening to him snore all night long.” I pull down the visor, running my hands through my mop.
“I can’t believe you did that. No more risk-taking. If he finds out you drugged him, he’ll come after you.”
“Believe me, I’d be happy to never lay eyes on him again.” Or a hand for that matter.
“You’re done working for him.” He glares at me.
“That would be a fine way to keep him from being suspicious,” I say sarcastically.
“I don’t want you to be alone with him anymore.”
“Because you think I can’t handle myself?” I cut my gaze to him.
“Damn it, Ellie. Why do you have to be so headstrong? I only want you safe.”
“Since when have you been worried about my safety?” I snap.
“I’ve been concerned about you since Ian left town. You’ve taken far too many risks with little regard to your own life!” he shouts. “It stops, now!” he seethes.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so angry.”
“You’re my sister, for fuck’s sake. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
I’m quiet for a moment. “After Ian left, I didn’t care what happened to me. The only thing I could feel was pain. The pain itself felt better than the emptiness.
He reaches over, touching my arm. “He’s back. You can change things. He’s still madly in love with you.”
“He wants me to give him something that I’m not capable of doing.” I hang my head.
He snickers. “The Ellie I know is able to do anything she puts her mind to. You’ve always been that way, even when you were sweet and innocent.”
“I haven’t been virtuous for a long time.” I laugh.
“Tell me something, Sis. All those men you slept with, did you feel anything for them?”
I’m not sure if he’s asking because he wants to know or if there’s something more behind his question. “Not a thing.”
“So you think a man and a woman can sleep together and don’t have to have feelings for one another?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never slept beside anyone but Ian. Fucked yes, but not slept.” I turn toward him. “Is this about me or you and Margret?”
He shrugs. “Possibly both. But seriously, if you know that there is no one else for you, then what’s your hold up with Ian?”
His question rolls around in my head a few times. “Why do you have to go gettin’ all brotherly on me now?” I punch him in the arm.
“I know I don’t tell you often enough, but I love you.”
“How about never.” A tear spills out, and I catch it before he sees it.
“I’m sorry about that. Us Calhouns aren’t good at saying the words.”
It’s not just me then. Maybe I’m not so broken after all. “Momma used to tell us all the time. Damn, I miss her.”
“So do I.” He squeezes my shoulder.
We all pile out of our vehicles, heading into the cafe. Nita came with Bear. She walks behind the counter, putting on her apron. The cafe is busy, but we manage to find a table big enough for all of us in the back. I get in the booth first, then Ian scoots in close to me, followed by Noah. Wyatt and Bear sit on the other side, and Boone pulls up a chair at the end. Nita brings us all coffee and sets a carafe on the table.
Wyatt takes out his laptop, opening it. “The accounts you got from Watkins’s house will allow me to get Peter Granger’s assets frozen pending further investigation. They tie him to the criminal activities he’s been accused of. Watkins’s other associates turned him down for any more money when he lost to me for the mayor's position. Granger is the only one funneling him funds.” Wyatt turns the computer so everyone can see it.
“That’s great. We can stop him from buying Salt Lick,” Bear says.
“Temporarily at least. If Granger isn’t found guilty, there’s a chance he’ll still give him the money.” Wyatt’s expression is serious.
“Or, Watkins finds someone else to finance him,” Boone adds.
“If Granger thinks Watkins gave the books to the authorities, he might have him killed,” I say.
“He’d be stupid to do that. It will all come back on him.” Wyatt closes his laptop.
“I guess I’ll be out of a job.” Ian sips his coffee.
“You can get a contract anywhere,” Bear says as he glares at me.
“I’ve got a few leads I can follow.” Ian never looks in my direction. Wyatt nudges me under the table.
“I don’t think you have to make any decisions right away,” I say.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Noah asks.
“You concentrate on getting Jane what she needs,” Boone tells him.
“I’ll be taking this information to our county judge. He’ll have to be in contact with the authorities in California for the investigation.” Wyatt waves Nita over.
“How long before Granger’s monies are frozen?” I ask.
“If I can get a judge to expedite it, by the end of the week,” Wyatt answers, then orders food from Nita.
“Does the old man know?” Bear hands Wyatt a canister of napkins.
“Not yet,” Wyatt responds.
“I’ll tell him.” Boone stands. “It might put a smile on Chet’s face.” He chuckles.
“Is he really as bad as you guys make him seem?” Noah looks nervous.
“Yes.” We all laugh.
“Seriously, he’s rough around the edges, but he’s not all bad,” Wyatt states.
“Clem doesn’t seem too fond of him,” Noah mutters.
“Her issues with him right now are more about me than him.” Boone grips his shoulder. “Trust me, when push comes to shove, we have each other’s backs.”
Boone walks out. Bear has Wyatt move so he can sit at the counter and talk to Nita while she works. Wyatt, Ian, and Noah converse back and forth. I watch Bear interact with Nita. He touches her every chance he gets, and she eats up his every word. I’m glad he’s found happiness. I didn’t think I’d ever see him settle down with one woman after his first marriage went to hell in a handbasket.
Wy
att takes out his wallet, throwing cash on the table. He gets his laptop and heads out. Noah gets up, occupying the stool next to Bear.
“You alright?” Ian leans into me with his shoulder.
“I will be once this is all over and done with.”
He drapes his arm over the back of the booth, and I lay my head on him. “I don’t want you to leave,” I say quietly.
“You know what you have to do to make me stay.” He kisses the top of my head.
I do know. It’s a matter of whether or not I can form the words.
Chapter Sixteen
Clem
“Where’ve you been?” I slide my arms around Boone’s waist. “Ya’ll disappeared on me.”
“I’ll tell you and Chet together. Where is he?”
“He took Missy to the stables.” I pucker my lips for a kiss.
He smacks them with his quickly. “There’s no time for messing around.” He unclasps my hands from his hips.
“There must be something wrong if you don’t want to take time for some bedroom rodeo.” I snatch his hand before he can walk away.
He rubs the scruff on his face.
“You’re worrying me. What is it?”
“I think we found a way to stop Watkins, but I’m worried about your sister.”
“What’d Ellie do now?”
“She drugged Watkins last night and stole some information from him.”
My mouth gapes. “She did what?”
“As long as he doesn’t figure it out, she’ll be fine, and we’ll have a legitimate way to stop him, so I don’t have to…”
“Kill him.” I finish his sentence snippily. “And, if Ellie gets caught?” I prop a hand on one hip to emphasize my anger.
“Let’s pray she doesn’t.”
“I can’t believe you’re still considering it!” I throw my hands in the air. “You’d risk losing us to do what my daddy says!” My words are so hot, I feel like a fire-breathing dragon.
“No, I mean, I shouldn’t have to choose. Believe me, I don’t want to kill him, and Ellie, even though what she did was plumb stupid, she may have fixed things for me.” He rubs his hand down my arm.
“That doesn’t fix our problem. I don’t want you even considering doing what my father is not man enough to do on his own!”
“Can we please argue about this later? I really need to talk to Chet.”
“I’m going with you.” I point at him.
“Fine.” He opens the door, and I march out in front of him.
We find Daddy working in the stable while Missy is brushing Moonshine. “I need to talk to you,” Boone says.
“We. We need to speak to you!” I’m still angry.
“Keep your voices down,” Daddy says, glancing over at Missy.
“Hi, Aunt Clem. Uncle Boone.” She peeks her head out of the stall.
I wave, and Boone nods.
“You keep working on Moonshine. We’re going to step outside for a minute.”
“I know, grown-up talk.” She rolls her eyes.
“That’s right. You don’t leave the stable,” Daddy tells her.
The three of us move to just outside the barn. Daddy leaves the door cracked open so he can keep an eye on Missy.
“We have what we need to keep Watkins from purchasing the town,” Boone tells him.
“You mean besides his dead body,” Daddy says quietly.
“Daddy!” I yell.
“I thought I told you to keep your voice down,” he growls.
“Do not ever ask my husband to kill anyone,” I snarl.
Boone places his hand on the crook of my arm. “Please let us handle the situation.” I bite my lip. “Wyatt is having Watkins’s money backers account frozen. Ellie found a money trail that links him to illegal activities. His other backers bailed out when Watkins lost to Wyatt.”
“You better make damn sure Ellie isn’t linked to this mess.”
“That’s your concern? Not the fact that you’d instruct Boone to kill a man!”
Boone wheels me in his direction. “I’m not going to kill him. Unless you want Missy asking a million questions, I suggest you stop yelling.” The lines around his eyes grow deeper as he scowls at me.
I squint back at him but huff off into the stable. Missy is singing a song to Moonshine as she brushes him.
“He’s looking awful purdy.” I place my arms on the half door to his stall.
“He needs to look good for his next race,” she says, smoothing out his mane.
“You’re really good with him. Boone says he thinks he’ll win all the races this year.”
“I wish I was riding him.” She pouts.
“One day soon, before you know it, you’ll be racing a horse of your own.” I walk into the stall. “How are things going with Miss Nita?”
“Alright, I guess.” She shrugs.
“Your daddy seems pleased.” I tug at one of her pigtails.
“If he’s happy, I’m happy.” She sighs.
That sounds as if something she’s rehearsed. “Miss Nita loves you both. Sometimes as adults, we make poor decisions. It doesn’t mean she shouldn’t get a second chance.”
“I know. That’s what my daddy says.” She stops brushing Moonshine.
“She adores you, and I think deep down inside, you still love her.”
“I do, but don’t go telling her that. I kinda like that she’s been spoiling me,” she says as if it’s a secret.
I can’t help but giggle. “Don’t let your daddy know, he’d tan your hide.”
“You aren’t going to tell him, are you?” Her eyes have grown wide.
“It’s our secret. Just don’t let it go on too long. You should tell the people you care about that you love them.”
“Okay. I will. But do you think I could keep the secret for two more days? Miss Nita has promised to buy me a new pair of riding boots.” She holds up two fingers.
I make a zipping motion at my mouth. “Two days, no more. Then I expect all to be forgiven between the two of you.” I should tell her no, and that it’s not nice to use people, but she seems to already have worked through her issues.
Boone comes sauntering through the barn door. He stops beside me, locking his fingers with mine. “It’s all going to work out,” he says softly.
“I’m going to hold you to it.” I squeeze his hand.
He leans close to my ear. “Are you still open for that rodeo?”
I laugh. “Close enough. Come on, cowboy. Let's go home.” I wrap my arm around him, and he does the same to me. We pass Daddy on the way out. I scowl at him, and he tilts his hat at Boone.
Things are quiet over the next couple of days. The men have been busy working the ranch. Boone has taken a liking to Noah, teaching him all the ins and outs of caring for the cattle. He’s a natural at it. Daddy has been spending time with him too. It’s funny watching them. Noah’s movements and mannerisms are so much like him, minus the grouchy attitude. He’s fit into this family as if he’s always belonged. I can’t wait to meet Jane and make her feel welcome. It will be nice having another sister.
I’ve been sitting on the porch, watching the men at work. Noah pulls his phone out of his pocket, listens for a minute, then shoves it in his back pocket. He says something to Boone, and he rounds the men up. He motions for me to come over.
“Wyatt has the test results. He wants us to come to the main house,” Boone says.
I take Noah’s hands in mine. “One of us will be able to help Jane, I just know it.”
“I’m crossing my fingers.”
We make our way to the main house where Daddy is sitting on the porch swing, drinking lemonade with Missy. Nita is sweeping. Ethan’s boots hit the porch first, then Bear, Noah, and Boone. Ellie pulls up the same time as Wyatt.
“Where’s Ian?” I ask her.
“Watkins has him buried at work. I haven’t seen him in a couple of days.”
“Is Margret coming?” I direct my question at Wyatt.
“No. She’s tied up at the Magnolia.”
Wyatt lays down his briefcase and hands each of us a white envelope with our names on them.”
I hold my breath as I tear into mine. “I’m not a match,” I say sadly.
“Me either,” Ellie says, followed by Bear, Nita, Ethan, and Boone.
Daddy stands with the unopened envelope gripped in his weathered hands.
“Margret and Ian are both out.” Wyatt fists their results.
Noah’s gaze drops to the ground with a tear landing on his boot. I squeeze his arm. “There are still two left.” He glances up at Wyatt.
He takes his out and rips the side off, letting the results drop in his hand. He unfolds them, staring at them for a long moment.
“Well?” I say.
“I’m a match.” He breathes out.
Noah lights up. “Really?”
“So am I,” Daddy finally says with the opened envelope in his hand.
“This is amazing.” Noah hugs Wyatt.
“I’ll be doing the donating.” Daddy’s voice is gravelly with emotion. “She’s my daughter, and I didn’t do right by either one of you. This is the least I can do.”
Noah turns to face him. Wyatt sidesteps him. “It will be too hard on you, old man. Let me do it.”
Daddy sniffs back a tear. “If my doctor clears me, I’m doing this.” He moves Wyatt aside. “Tell your sister the good news. I’ll make arrangements for her to come here.”
“Her doctors won’t let her fly, and she’s not well enough for the long ride,” Noah tells him.
“Then I’ll go to her.” Daddy juts his chin in the air. “Tell her not to worry about a thing.”
I literally see the weight of the world lift from Noah’s face. His posture even changes. I’d swear he appears younger, like the carefree man he should be. He sobs as he clutches Daddy to him.
“Thank you,” he cries.
I pull Wyatt to the side. “I don’t think he’s in good enough shape to do this. His heart won’t stand the strain of surgery.”
“I agree, but he’s a stubborn old coot. I’ll make sure I get a clean bill of health and be ready to go when his doctor doesn’t clear him.”
I stand on my tiptoes, kissing his cheek. “You’re a good man, Wyatt.”
