He squeezed her hands, knowing what must be coming.
"I named her Megan after my grandmother, and she was just sixteen. She was killed in a car accident with two of her friends coming home one night from Wichita Falls."
Her voice faded away to nothing, and he thought she was finished. Then she said, "Four months after she died, Wess was diagnosed with cancer. Within two years, I lost them both."
Stunned, his heart breaking for her, he said, "My God, Lee, I'm so sorry. The pain—what you've endured. It's awful.
She took a steadying breath and turned back to him. "So now it's left to me. Selling that land was a real help. I can fix this place where it's falling apart. With this drought, though, it'll be down to just me again as soon as this money's gone."
Jesse squeezed her hands. "Well, you're not alone now. You've got me. We're a team." He promised himself that he'd be there for her. She deserved better than the hand life had dealt her.
She smiled and nodded.
They'd been visiting about an hour when he stood. "Lee, I appreciate the wonderful company tonight, and I hope we can do it again real soon. I'll head on home now."
They walked to the mud room door where he took her hand in both of his. She looked better now. Maybe she'd found some peace. "Sleep well, boss lady. I'll see you in the morning."
He headed out to the barn to check on the bald-faced heifer.
Chapter Six
THE NEXT MORNING, JESSE slid into his jeans and took a last sip of coffee. He couldn't get Lee off his mind. She was gorgeous and didn't have a clue. He remembered his burst of anger that quickly came and went when he saw the other men in the bar looking her up and down. He'd felt protective and yet possessive of her.
Her face hid nothing of her emotions. It had been evident throughout dinner she was enjoying herself and also struggling with the fact that she was having a nice time. On the way back to her place, he could feel her slipping away. He was not about to let their time together end on that note.
He'd been wired up when he got home last night, lying in bed for hours and unable to sleep. He'd gone over the whole evening and lingered on the time they'd spent together at her house.
Holding Lee and gentling her had felt so right. She was like a newborn filly, shaky and struggling to stand. She needed to find her way into a new life. Learn to let go of the past. Kissing her had been so simple and beautiful. Just perfect. Like her.
Jesse put on his shirt and boots, set his cup in the sink and headed out to feed. He looked forward to seeing Lee on Monday.
LEE SAT AT THE BREAKFAST table the next morning, drinking coffee and waiting for the courage to open the photos of the girl found dead in the pasture. She was on her second cup and, so far, she'd discovered plenty of other things to do besides that. No more putting it off. She clicked the photo icon on her phone.
Oh! They were just as bad as she remembered. You poor thing. Poor, poor baby. The girl's naked, bloody body looked battered and defenseless. Crushed down in the tight space, it resembled garbage in a too-small container.
Lee breathed in and enlarged the girl's back, looking at the tattoo. It appeared to be angel's wings, though the image was nearly destroyed by the slashes running up, down and across it.
Her right shoulder was sliced open, but Lee could see writing on it; tattooed words reading something like The Lord is ... Perhaps it said The Lord is My Shepherd. The coroner would be able to read it. Those were the only tattoos she could see. Both were black. The wings had grey added.
She'd been a tall girl. Lee swallowed. Just like her Megan. The girl’s hair appeared naturally blonde, not out of a bottle, and it looked like she regularly wore it braided. It had that distinctive, wavy look braided hair had when it was released and allowed to flow free. Her face was hidden, thank God. But that meant Lee couldn't tell her eye color. Chances were, with the girl's coloring, they would be blue or green. Her feet were banged up from crossing all that country barefoot.
From the body’s position in the bottom of the arroyo, Lee guessed the girl had fallen in and had been too weakened by blood loss to crawl out. Thinking of what the end of her life must have been like was heartrending. Lee lurched to her feet and heated up her now-cool coffee in the microwave. She couldn't take any more of this.
After feeding the cows and the two new mommas, she checked on the heifers in the barn pen. Any day now, she expected more of them to be ready to give birth. So far, though, they all appeared content. She threw hay to the horses and filled the water trough, then fed and watered the hogs. Damn, they were already adding up again.
It took the rest of the morning to make a run out to her 3109 pasture. She ate lunch when she got home, then took out her phone and put in a call to Theron Rubek.
A young woman answered. "Universal Children of God, how may we help you?"
"This is Lee Granger. I'll be stopping by to visit with Theron. I'm on my way right now. Would you tell him for me, please?" She'd been to the compound several times since she sold the land, and the church site was quite a place. Somebody would be waiting to open the gate when she arrived.
Driving in a short time later, it amazed her again that this huge place was at the western edge of her 222 pasture. It had gone up in less than a year, and she still couldn't believe it. And the fence? The money it must have taken to put eight-foot fencing with two feet of barbed wire on top around 200 acres ... unbelievable.
She got out of her truck as Kenneth came out the front doors. "How wonderful to see you again, Lee. What brings you to our humble abode?"
"Humble, my ass. Don't make me laugh. This place is amazing.
He grinned. "You're right, it is amazing. We love it here and have you to thank for this beautiful piece of God's country. Come on in. What can we do for you today?"
The doors opened into the foyer of the chapel and she said, "Is Theron here? I'd like to ask him a few questions."
"Is it about that body you found, Lee? Sheriff Clearwater was here and asked everyone about it."
"Well, I'd like to talk to Theron, if you don't mind. And I don't like talking out in the open like this."
Kenneth nodded. "Certainly, come on up."
They entered offices furnished in an expensive minimalistic style.
Theron came out to meet them, offering his hand.
She reached out. "Nice to see you again."
He flashed that charismatic smile that had won him so many parishioners and donations. Covering her hand with his other one, he said warmly, "I'm glad you dropped by, Lee. How have you been?"
"Same old, same old. How's that garden of yours doing?"
"Our garden has done well this year. We had a bit of a rough start, but it's sure coming along now. Rachel Parish has taken it in hand, and it's growing well." He gestured toward the window. "Next year should be a blockbuster, now that we've learned a few things. Rachel's also in charge of feeding everyone, so she's as much my right-hand man as Kenneth is."
Lee nodded. "Nothing makes people happier than good eating."
Theron smiled. "Nothing but the word of God."
"Oh, yeah, there is that, I guess." Ready to get down to business, she said, "Listen, Theron, I'm here because of that girl's body I found on my place. I understand you already talked to Cody, but I want to check into things myself. I don't think I ever mentioned this, but I worked as a State Trooper years ago, and I was also a sheriff's deputy in Bentwood before I married my late husband. It goes against everything in me to have something like this happen on my land without taking a personal interest in seeing things put to rights."
Theron glanced at Kenneth, then back at her and smiled. "Why, I understand perfectly. How can I help you?"
"This girl was tall," she measured with her hand, "around five feet, ten inches, and had blonde hair down to the middle of her back.” She went on to describe her in detail and her tattoos. “Do you recognize her as a member of your congregation?"
Theron's face held a solemn expression. "Now,
Lee, I told Sheriff Clearwater that we didn't know this girl."
Frustrated, Lee said, "Well, I've noticed that the women here wear clothing that covers their arms, for the most part. Do you remember a tall girl with really long, thick blonde hair?"
Kenneth spoke up, "We have hundreds of parishioners here. Lots of girls have long blonde hair. That would hardly stand out."
"But, Kenneth, this girl was particularly tall. That would make her stick out in a crowd of blondes. Do you remember her now?"
Theron stared at her. "We live a quiet life here. Your description doesn't sound like someone who would choose the life we encourage for our congregation."
She narrowed her eyes. Really? Her girl wouldn't fit in. "Uh, huh." Looking him dead in the eyes, she changed her strategy. "Well, do you mind if I ask some questions myself? I may be able to jog some memories. I'm good at that."
Theron said, "I'm sure you are, Lee. But, if our community had known something about this person, someone would have spoken up when the sheriff asked about her. We value peace and harmony here in our home. I don't see how asking specific questions will provide any new information, and it will have a negative effect on the mental well-being of my church members."
She stared at him and grumped, "Uh, huh." Reaching out her hand before she let her mouth overload her ass, she said, "I know you're a busy guy. I'll show myself out. Kenneth, I need some help with that gate, please." She strode—taking particular care not to stomp—down the stairs and out the front door. A black SUV followed her out to the highway and opened the gate.
Things had not gone as she'd expected with Theron. His tone of voice didn't ring true nor did his reasoning. Why in the hell did he really not want her talking to his people?
For God's sake, a young woman had died. It made sense to pursue it as far as necessary. Any self-respecting person should be happy to help determine what had happened to the poor girl, and that included Theron.
Something was beginning to smell at The Universal Children of God Church, starting with the man in charge.
When she arrived back at the ranch, she pulled up at the house and Cheri's SUV sat in the driveway. Damn. How had she forgotten Cheri had changed her day to work on the house and books? Her best friend would be on cloud nine, because no way could Lee keep anything from her.
She walked in and shouted, "Hey, Cher, how's it going?"
Cheri yelled back, "Oh, don't you how's it going me. Get your butt in here and tell me every single thing about that dreamy man!"
Lee grinned. She'd been right. That girl never changed. "Okay, okay, let me pull my boots off, and I'll be right there, Miss Nosey."
Cheri sat at the desk in the office, running the adding machine.
"So, what's the damage this week, Cher?"
Cheri thrust out her hand, palm out. "Oh, no, nuh, uh. You start talking right now, girl. Tell me all about him. We'll get to the boring stuff later."
Lee laughed. "There's not much to say. Loading hogs is easier when he's working with me. He knows how to pull a calf, too."
"Yeah, yeah, yada, yada, yada. Just tell me the good stuff."
Lee laughed again, then got serious. "Well, since I know you won't stop until I tell you something juicy ... after I found that poor girl's body, which I know you’ve heard about, he came on up to the house before going home. Like a dumb shit, I fell apart when he made me tell him about it. He gives pretty good hugs, and he's a great listener."
Cheri jumped up and threw her pencil down. "Now, that's what I'm talking about. Okay, give, give. I can tell there's something else. ’Fess up, Lee. You can't hide anything from Momma Cheri."
Lee sighed deeply. "Damn it, you're going to go and make more of this than there is, so you can stop it right now."
Cheri clapped her hands. "Hurry up, you ass, tell me!"
"Okay, I went out to dinner with him last night."
Cheri bounded around the desk and almost knocked Lee over with her enthusiastic hugs and kisses. She rattled on at a hundred miles an hour. "I knew your day would come. You've been moping around here for way too long. Prince Charming just had to move back to Bentwood. This is fantastic! And he's so handsome. He's perfect for you! He's a cowboy, and he's a great hugger and that must mean he's a great kisser. Did you find that out, by the way?"
Lee felt like she'd run through a dirt devil. "All right, calm down, Cher. It was just dinner—no big deal."
"Uh, huh. No big deal? Who do you think you're kidding? You're as scared as a boy on his first bull. You think I don't know you?" Cheri gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I've just finished. I'll clean up and I'm out of here. Got to go to Wichita Falls for one of the kids' games. But I want updates. Call me!"
After Cheri left, Lee put on one of Wess's old t-shirts and walked into the kitchen, pouring herself a half-glass of wine.
At the table, she figured the first thing she should do was call Cody. He answered, and she said, "So, I hear you went out to the compound again."
He growled. "Those people wouldn't say a peep. Not a word. I gathered them in the main hall and told them about the tattoos, described the girl, and they just sat there. It was a waste of time. Rubek was in the front row, and I swear he smirked at me. That damn Hale wasn't much better. I finally gave up and left."
Lee huffed. "Same treatment I got today. I went by and talked to those two and got stonewalled. I wanted to go around and ask questions, and Rubek wouldn't allow it. What the hell is he hiding? That's what I want to know."
Cody said, "He definitely needs looking into. I’m on it, Lee. Let me handle it. Anyway, I'll talk to you later."
She hung up and considered what to do about Theron and his lack of cooperation. After a minute, she looked in her contacts for Joe Winslet and dialed the number. He had been one of her best friends on the DPS force back in Austin. She'd stayed in contact with Joe and his wife through the years.
Joe came on the line. "Lee, how in the hell are you doing, hon? Long time no hear."
"I'm sorry I haven't kept in better touch. Things kind of roll along, and I lose contact with people I care about."
"Well, hell, the phone works both ways. We could have called you, too. So, what's up?"
She filled him in on the events of the past few days, ending with the lack of cooperation from Theron Rubek. "Joe, I know this is out of line, but I feel strongly about finding this poor girl's family. I don't want her to end up another Jane Doe. And something didn't ring true for me with Rubek. Do you think you can pull a background check on him for me? I'd like one on his assistant, too. His name's Kenneth Hale. Theron's in his mid-to-late thirties and Hale's probably in his late twenties to early thirties. They're both around five-feet-ten inches tall and have blonde hair."
"I'll help you any way I can. But listen to me, from the way you described the body, something nasty's happening out there. You be careful. You're not a member of the force anymore. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Thanks, Joe. I appreciate this. Tell Mary I said hi."
She poured another glass of wine and stood drinking at the window, looking out at her flowers. Pink hydrangeas, yellow, red and pink roses, purple balloon flowers, red and pink amaryllis and calla lilies all had a place in her yard. It took time to keep them watered, but her soul danced in their sweet colors.
Wess had put up a log fence around the yard after the cattle crossed the cattle guard and got in one morning, helping themselves to her spring blooms. The oak tree in the center shaded the old wooden bench seat. She and Wess spent many a romantic evening snuggled on it, watching the stars.
Sighing, she walked into the kitchen to find something to eat.
KENNETH RUSHED INTO Theron’s office and stood at attention before his desk, knowing from the sound of the summons that this wasn’t going to be good.
Theron slammed his Bible down on the top of his organized, stylish oak and glass desk. "How the hell did this rumor about that girl's body start? This shouldn't be happening. Dammit, Kenneth! I want
you to get to the bottom of this." Rubek stood and paced the office, running his small hand across his smoothly shaven chin.
Kenneth held still. From past experience, he’d learned that Theron in this mood could be dangerous.
Finally, the man came to stare out the bank of tall, tinted windows overlooking the outdoor work area where many in the congregation were busy in the garden and in the orchard caring for the young fruit trees planted in the spring.
Theron's unlined face and icy blue eyes were blank, always an alarming sign in Kenneth's experience.
Theron turned around. "We need to post perimeter guards. They're to make regular rounds throughout the day and night. And, God dammit, make sure the back gate is locked from now on! We'll also put a guard at the front gate. This means we need that contractor again. Call him and tell him we want a gatehouse. Offer him double the price, to half the time he first quotes you to get it done."
Theron cracked his knuckles and resumed his pacing. "I'll tell our members tonight about the changes I'm implementing to ensure their safety after what the sheriff told them. They should buy it. Kenneth, I don't need to tell you, choose the guards according to their willingness to act without asking questions. Keep the group small. I'll expect a list of men on my desk in the morning."
Kenneth nodded and fled through the office door, glad to have escaped without one of Theron's more violent tirades.
Chapter Seven
LEE DROVE DOWN TO THE barn and turned out the two new mommas with the other cows and calves. They couldn't be called heifers anymore after giving birth to their first babies.
Chowser moused the place while she got the pitchfork and put hay in the pens. The bald-faced heifer looked ready to calve any time.
True-Blue Texas Cowboy Page 6
