Ray: Riding Hard

by Jennifer Ashley

  He, Ray, and Kyle had been friends for years, though Jack had breached the Malory-Campbell rivalry by being friends with Carter as well.

  As they discussed how best to gut the house and how much help Drew was going to need, Karen arrived in her fancy car.

  Jack cut off the conversation and gazed across the drive at Karen emerging, long legs first, from the low-slung car. Karen had lived in Riverbend a couple years now, but she still dressed in linen skirt suits and high heels, with gold, silver, or diamonds clasping fingers and ears.

  “She is something,” Jack said to Ray, his admiration obvious.

  “She is something scary,” Ray answered with a grin. “And likes cowboys barely over the legal age. She’s going around with Deke Vernier right now. You know, the dude who can’t say two coherent sentences without sounding like a dick.”

  “Know him.” Jack continued to stare at Karen until she glanced behind her and caught both men’s gazes on her.

  Ray gave her a polite nod, and Karen’s lips quirked into a brief smile. Jack did nothing, said nothing. He only stared, until Karen stiffened and swung away. She headed for the stairs of the garage, every line of her frosty.

  “You serious?” Ray asked as Jack continued to watch the door through which she’d disappeared. “You’re way older than her type. And you don’t ride horses or bulls.”

  “I think she maybe needs a taste of something different.”

  The determination on Jack’s face made Ray want to laugh. He didn’t know if Karen had just met her match, or Jack had.

  They worked into late afternoon, Jack and his guys lending a hand. Karen, who’d come to talk to Drew about the grant again, departed with her usual easy grace. Jack watched her every step, and Karen pretended not to notice Jack at all.

  A Campbell pickup drove in around six to disgorge a tired, dusty, and happy Erica. The driver was Grace.

  Grace gave Ray a delighted hug as Erica ran to Drew, talking nonstop about her wonderful day.

  “I brought Drew a pan of enchiladas,” Grace said, releasing Ray. “Think she’ll mind? I figure she doesn’t have a lot of time or space to cook here. Oh, and a mess of cupcakes, assorted, that were too many for the bakery.”

  Grace could have sold the surplus cupcakes quickly at her little bakery on the town square, Ray knew. She’d brought them out of kindness.

  “I think Drew would be happy to eat all your food,” Ray said. “Did Erica like the horses?”

  “Was love at first sight. She’s coming back over tomorrow for more riding. I think Faith and Dominic just made a new best friend.”

  “Good.” Ray saw no need to elaborate, but he was glad. Erica was restless and needed kids her own age to be with. Faith would ease her into school next week, which would be a load off Drew’s mind.

  Grace’s smile turned lopsided. “You’ve been spending a lot of time here, Ray. Lots and lots.”

  “Ranch is slow,” Ray answered quickly. “I’m not doing as much competing this year, and Drew needs help.”

  “Mmm hmm. Remember how I jumped at the chance to work in the Campbells’ kitchen? Said Olivia needed serious help cooking for her sons and their growing families?”

  “And Kyle shit his pants. Yeah, I remember.”

  “Turns out, in my heart, I only wanted to be closer to Carter.”

  “I know.” Ray pinned her with a hard look. “What’s your point?”

  “I think you know my point.” Grace turned serious. “I’m happy for you.”

  Ray scowled. “There is no guarantee Drew’s going to stay once she’s done fixing up the B&B, or that she’ll be interested in a has-been bull rider except for his skills in hammering and sawing.”

  Grace put her hands on her hips, giving him the mulish look she had when she’d been little and wrapping her big brothers around her finger. “You need to make some effort, Ray. Drew’s nice, has a great daughter, and a good heart. I know these things. But she’ll run right back north if she doesn’t have a reason to stay in Riverbend.”

  “Maybe. I figure that’s her business.”

  Grace rolled her eyes. “I swear, I’m never going to be able to cook a big holiday dinner for my brothers and their families. My sister either. Y’all are so determined to be single.”

  “Go lecture Kyle. He’s the one falling all over himself with Anna.”

  Grace’s impish smile returned. “I know. Isn’t it fun? But at least he’s trying. If you like Drew, big brother, act like it. She can’t read your mind.”

  “Thanks for the advice, baby sister. Now go away.”

  Grace stuck her tongue out at him, not intimidated in the least. “Kyle’s going out with Anna again tonight. Finally taking her to Chez Orleans. He even bought a new suit.”

  “Damn.” Ray pretended amazement. “Well, good luck to him.”

  “You’re a shit. See you, Ray.” Grace turned away on light feet to her pickup to unload the food she’d brought.

  Ray cleaned himself off and helped her. Drew, as predicted, was delighted with the gift and spontaneously invited Ray to stay for dinner, after Grace departed, and help eat it.

  You need to make some effort, Ray. Grace’s words rang in his head as he dug into the savory enchiladas. Erica both ate and talked nonstop about horses, the Campbells, Grace, Faith, Dominic, and Dodie, the horse she’d ridden.

  Ray watched Drew’s face soften as she realized how happy Erica was—they’d planted their first shoot here. He thought of the awkwardness earlier today when he and Drew realized they were alone, how he’d silently cursed himself for setting up Jack’s delivery for that afternoon.

  Grace was right. He needed to fight for Drew, to not let her run back to Chicago and her cold, lonely life there, leaving him cold and lonely here.

  She was definitely worth it.

  Ray made himself leave after dinner, because he knew that with every passing minute it would be harder and harder to go.

  Erica had chattered on through the meal about her riding lesson with Faith, and also Jess’s son Dominic, whom Erica had clicked with, as they’d both grown up in big cities.

  “Don’t worry, Mom, he’s way too young for me,” Erica said with twelve-year-old confidence. “But it’s nice to talk to someone who understands it’s weird not to hear traffic noise.”

  Erica was tired though—horses could take it out of a person—and she drooped over her last bite of Grace’s cupcakes. Drew declared Erica should go to bed, and Ray took that as his cue to leave.

  Drew walked him down and said goodbye, her smile as warm as the September evening.

  Ray didn’t want to go home to his big empty house so he drove into Riverbend and made his way to the bar. Kyle was out with Anna tonight, and if his brother did things right, he’d not be back until very late.

  The bar held an after-dinner crowd. Hal Jenkins was there, and Ray spent time catching up with him. Jack Hillman joined them, the three men talking about whatever. The five Campbell brothers, who used to fill this bar, were notably absent. All home with wives and kids now. How times changed.

  Karen entered around midnight. She owned the bar and came in to check the books, see how things were going, and chat with her patrons. Tonight she was followed by a glowering Deke, a young bull rider who was a champion and knew it.

  “What are we doing here?” Deke demanded as he slid to a barstool near Ray and Jack. He caught the bartender’s eye and mimed pulling a draft of beer.

  “I work here,” Karen answered in a mild tone. “A few minutes in the office, then we’ll go.”

  Deke scowled, already mostly drunk. “You’re out with me, baby. I don’t want to go to no office—unless there’s a couch in there.”

  Karen gave him a beatific smile and patted his cheek. “You’re adorable. Unfortunately, I need to finish some paperwork before tomorrow, and the couch is off limits. Only for about twenty minutes, honey.”

  Deke glared, unhappy to not be the center of her world, but Karen walked away serenely. Deke slu
rped down half the beer the bartender had poured for him, thumped the mug to the counter, and started for the office door that Karen had closed.

  “Time to show that bitch who’s the man in this relationship.”

  “We know who that is,” someone called. “And it ain’t you.”

  Deke swung around, pointing. “You shut the fuck up.”

  Howling laughter met his declaration. Deke growled, flushing red, and continued toward the office, clearly ready to take out his frustration on Karen.

  Ray got up, but Jack was faster. He blocked Deke’s way solidly—no one could be more solid when he wanted than Jack.

  “Out of my way,” Deke slurred. “Tame your friends, Malory.”

  “Jack does what he wants,” Ray said quietly. “And I think he wants you to leave.”

  “Like hell.” Deke, with a bravery that could only come from too much beer, rushed Jack.

  Deke was a rodeo man, young, fit, and used to bar fights, but Jack was a seasoned street fighter. He had Deke spun around in a chokehold before Deke could even blink. Jack kicked Deke’s leg out from under him, and the cowboy went down on one knee. Deke struck out with fists, hitting Jack, and incidentally, Ray, who’d come to help.

  Ray reached to haul Deke up and drag him to the door, but Jack gave Deke a tight punch to the face, putting Deke out cold.

  “How about we take out the trash?” Jack asked Ray, his eyes sparkling with enjoyment.

  “What the hell did you do?” Karen was there, arms akimbo as she glared first at Jack then Ray, then down at Deke. “Shit, there goes my night.”

  “He kinda deserved it,” Ray pointed out, deciding to play referee. “Called you a bitch.”

  “Of course he did,” Karen snapped. “I am one.” She looked straight at Jack. “Will you take Deke home, please? I don’t want to deal with him when he wakes up. And make sure he’s all right.”

  Jack regarded her in silence, face blank. Karen gazed back at him, a flush rising. As the entire bar watched, Karen’s brittleness softened.

  “Please,” she said. She reached into her purse and lifted out a keyfob. “Take my car.”

  Jack kept up his stare for another tense moment then he gave her a nod and closed his fingers around the fob. Karen snatched her hand away quickly, as though afraid to touch him.

  Karen marched back into the office, head high, and slammed the door. Jack, in silence, heaved Deke easily over his shoulder and walked out of the bar. A round of applause sounded behind him.

  Ray, laughing quietly, followed them out. He helped Jack shove Deke into Karen’s back seat, then he waved as Jack drove out. He looked forward to telling the story to Drew.

  Ray stood motionless in the middle of the dark parking lot, realizing just how much he looked forward to it. He pictured Drew’s eyes lighting with laughter, her cheeks flushing with pleasure. Her delight would be his.

  He knew he must be drunk, because Ray sober would never think of a phrase like her delight would be his.

  No driving home, then. Ross Campbell’s deputies would happily pull him over and he didn’t need a DUI. Where to go then? In his younger years, he’d call Grace, who would sleepily but happily show up to help out her brother. But Grace was now married to Carter and had kids to stay home with, and he didn’t want to bother her.

  Jack lived a few streets over. Ray had crashed at his place more than once and knew where the man kept his spare key. Besides, when Jack came back from taking Deke home—or to the trash dump, who knew?—he might want to talk. Or at least have someone to sit in silence with.

  Ray kept that goal in mind as he walked carefully through the streets—that is, until he saw his brother’s fancy rented car parked in front of Dr. Anna’s dark house.

  He grinned, hard. At least someone was having fun tonight. He took out his cell phone and dialed without hesitation.

  “Drew,” he said when she answered groggily. “Want to help me with Kyle and Dr. Anna?”

  Chapter Nine

  Drew shouldn’t be so happy to drive out in the middle of the night in answer to a man’s summons.

  She should be at home, curled up under blankets enjoying a well-earned sleep. Not driving through darkness, Erica snoozing in the back seat, excited to be meeting Ray for a midnight adventure.

  But her heart hammered, her fingers tingled, and she couldn’t stop her smiles. Of all the people Ray could have called, he’d decided on her.

  She found him where he said he’d be, at the corner of the town square, waiting in the shadow of a doorway.

  “Sorry for disturbing you,” he said as he climbed into the car, his large physique dwarfing the small seat. “I had a little too much beer, and I’d need a ride home anyway.”

  His words slurred a bit, but he didn’t seem too inebriated. Not that Drew was an expert. Philip had never gotten drunk—he was too perfect for that.

  “You want me to drive you home?” Drew asked. She longed to see where Ray lived—at least, more than simply driving past the Malory ranch and looking longingly at the gate.

  “Not yet. Go down this street here. It’s where Dr. Anna lives. But kill your lights.”

  Drew turned off the lights, unworried, because there was no other car on the street.

  “Park there.”

  Drew pulled over where Ray pointed. They were in front of a row of houses identical in shape but painted differently, each with neat front lawns. She’d driven down this street before and liked the old bungalows.

  A luxury sedan sat in front of a house a few doors down, the only vehicle not securely in a carport or in a driveway alongside its house.

  “Come on.” Ray got out.

  Drew turned off the engine and slid from the car, and Erica, now awake and eager, climbed out from the back.

  “What are we doing?” Erica whispered in a hiss that must have carried across town. “Stealing that car? I think that’s illegal, Ray.”

  “Kyle rented it,” Ray said. “He’s in there, with Dr. Anna.” He gestured at the house. The porch light was on, projecting brightness into the night, but the front windows were dark.

  “You mean, they’re humping?” Erica’s whisper rang out.

  “Erica!” Drew said, sotto voce. “Go wait in the car.”

  “Oh, come on, Mom. I know what humping is. Is he going to marry her?”

  Instead of answering, Ray motioned them on to the lone car. It was a Lexus, a new one. Ray opened the driver’s door—it wasn’t locked—and indicated Drew should get in. She did, while Ray went around to the passenger side and Erica hopped into the back. By tacit agreement, they all closed their doors with soft clicks.

  “Now what?” Erica asked. “Are we going to sneak up on them? Or wait here and scare Kyle?”

  “We’re going to take the car back to the rental place,” Ray said. “If Anna’s neighbors see it still here in the morning, they’ll give her hell. Riverbend’s a pretty tolerant town, but there’s not much else to do but gossip.”

  “And Dr. Anna will be humiliated,” Drew finished.

  She thought about how Dr. Anna had gone shy when Janette had teased her about Kyle, how she’d flushed last night in the diner. If it was known Kyle had spent the night, her embarrassment would be acute. That kind of stress might drive her and Kyle apart.

  “So we’re going to remove the evidence. How?” Drew put her hand to the ignition, but no key dangled there.

  “Easy. The rental place gave me a spare when I drove Kyle to White Fork to pick up the car.” Ray produced a fob from his pocket. “He was afraid Kyle would lose the key or lock it inside.” He grinned. “We didn’t tell him.”

  Drew grabbed key from him and started the car. It purred.

  “This is fun,” she said. “Where to?”

  With ready compliance, Drew followed Ray’s directions to the car dealer in White Fork, cheerful for a woman he’d dragged out of bed.

  The Lexus had satellite radio and Drew found an oldies station. She cranked up the volume, and she
and Erica sang loudly with the tunes.

  “We did this on the way down from Chicago, to stay awake,” Drew said in a lull between songs. “A fun way to travel.”

  Ray had done plenty of long-haul driving from rodeo to rodeo, which became tedious fast. But he’d look forward to the road if he had Drew beside him, singing her heart out.

  In too short a time, they’d reached the dealer in White Fork, who’d rented the car to Kyle. The main gates were closed but there was a parking space by the front office.

  “Here we are,” Drew said as she pulled in and shut off the engine. “Now, how do we get back?”

  Ray stared at her, his mind befuddled. “Oh. Yeah.”

  “I thought you’d set up a ride, genius.” Drew laughed at him. “You’re usually so efficient and think of everything. Oh, well, I guess we can Uber.”

  “In River County? Don’t think so. But we have Sonny.”

  “Who’s Sonny?” Erica asked, her arm over the front seat.

  “He drives our only taxi. His wife doesn’t let him go out after midnight, though.”

  “Seriously?” Erica demanded, and Drew laughed some more.

  “It’s a big change to move from a twenty-four hour city to one where people go to bed at ten,” Drew said. “What do we do? Hitch?”

  “No, that’s dangerous, even out here. You never know who’s driving through.” Ray heaved a long sigh and dug out his cell phone. “I’ll have to recruit Margaret.”

  Drew’s amusement faded. “Margaret?” Her voice held a strange note.

  “Our secretary. Who won’t let me hear the end of it, but I’ll have to suck it up. Wasn’t thinking straight.”

  His thoughts had all been on Drew. Calling her, hearing her voice, seeing her again, any excuse.

  “Hey, Margaret,” Ray said as Margaret answered the phone in alarm. “Nah, nothing’s wrong. I’m stuck in White Fork and need a ride back to Riverbend. I wouldn’t ask you, but I have Drew and Erica with me.”