Ray: Riding Hard

by Jennifer Ashley

  Kyle had told Ray about cattle being stolen from the ranch Hal managed. Turned out Malory cattle had gone missing as well. People truly sucked.

  Ray sat back and watched Lucy try to be strong, and Hal watching Lucy. Hal was a good guy, one Ray wouldn’t mind hanging out with his sister, but Lucy probably wasn’t in the mood for good guys right now—any guys.

  Dr. Anna watched the group too, but her gaze was on Kyle. She’d make a great sister-in-law and addition to the family. Ray looked forward to it.

  Anna turned to speak to Tina, a rodeo groupie who was really a nice kid. Ray saw Anna’s expression grow concerned, then she went straight to Kyle. Something bad was up.

  Ray rose to see what, Hal coming with him. “Anna thinks she might know where the rustled cattle are,” Kyle said, his face alive with excitement. “Help us find out?”

  Kyle had a new energy, the pain of his injuries forgotten. Probably for the same reason Ray was finding renewed interest in life. A beautiful woman did that.

  “Let’s go,” Ray said.

  Hal set down his beer, ready to help, but sent a regretful glance at Lucy.

  Ray called Drew, explaining the situation and telling her he might be late getting back.

  Ray reflected, as he followed his brother and Hal out, that it was nice he had someone to call, someone to say to him in her soft voice, “Be careful.”

  Everything should have been fine, Drew thought in rage the next morning.

  Should have been going great. Drew now had grant money to help her with the massive renovations of the house. The growing intimacy between her and Ray made her heart sing. Erica had attended her first day of school and come home excited and happy, begging her mom to sign release forms so she could join band, the softball team, and the horseback riding club.

  Their lives should now be smooth and sweet, reward within Drew’s grasp.

  But in the typical way of things, it suddenly started to go wrong.

  It began the morning after Ray had helped locate the stolen cattle—Drew was amazed that cattle rustling was still a thing. Drew woke to find the porch floor of the main house, the one Ray had spent a week painstakingly replacing, entirely torn up, the new boards scattered over the grass, broken and ruined.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Drew stood amid the ruined boards, hands on hips, her heart pounding. The meanness of it stung.

  Did someone in Riverbed resent her that much? Want her gone? No one in town had been anything but polite so far, but who knew who was holding a grudge against … her? Her grandfather? Her grandmother for ditching the whole town?

  Dust announced the arrival of Ray. He’d stayed at the Malory ranch last night, exhausted from rounding up the cattle. In fact, Drew hadn’t expected him until this afternoon, but she was glad of his presence. He jogged over to her, surveying the damage.

  Ray said nothing, but Drew saw the tightness in his eyes, the anger behind his silence.

  He slid back his hat, wiping sweat from his forehead. “I’d blame the Haynes boys—they’re vindictive like this—but Jarrod was taken into custody last night, and his brothers hightailed it. They must be nearly to Mexico by now.”

  “Why would anyone do this?” Drew hugged herself, hurting.

  Ray put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t know, sweetheart. Most folks are glad you’re here. In fact, Craig Fuller is on his way with a load of supplies, and we’re going to start on the basement. Electrician and plumber are on their way from White Fork, sent by Jack Hillman. They’re grateful for the extra work.”

  As Ray finished, more dust rose into the sky in the wake of a delivery van and a work truck. Drew recognized Craig from the feed store as he hopped out of the van. The work truck held three guys, including Jack Hillman, clad in jeans and T-shirts, pulling on gloves as they ambled toward Ray, ready to start.

  Each expressed dismay at the damage in their own way—one of the workers put his hands on his hips and spit into the grass, another shook his head. Craig said, “Aw, that sucks.”

  Jack simply gazed at the house, as Ray had done. Then Jack began silently lifting the broken porch boards, sorting them into piles. Ray joined him.

  By midmorning, the workers and Ray had torn out chunks of the basement, finding both a solid rock foundation and beams that had been put in not long ago. Someone had renovated at some time in the last twenty years, Ray told Drew when they took a break, removing asbestos and other hazards, leaving behind now-worn certificates that said it had been done.

  Drew wondered about that. Had her grandfather tried to keep the place up and then found it beyond him? Or had he started renovating for a specific reason and then given up again?

  Her fingertips tingled, the librarian in her wanting to know. An enjoyable part of her job had been doing historical research for patrons—libraries had resources that went well beyond the Internet.

  Now she had her very own historical research project. Drew left the men to work and waded into the garage and the boxes of photos and documents she and Erica had barely made a dent in.

  By the time Ray came in for lunch, she was sitting cross-legged on the new and beautiful garage floor, surrounded by piles of papers, newspapers, and photos.

  “Hey, I just cleaned this place up,” Ray joked as he crouched next to her. “What’cha doing?”

  “Learning about my family.” Drew indicated the file folder of newspaper clippings in her lap. “Grandma never talked about Riverbend, and my father didn’t pay any attention to that part of his life.”

  “So, is the house haunted?” Ray sat down in the only clear space near her. “All the best old houses in Texas are haunted.”

  “If Grandfather’s ghost is hanging around, he’s being very quiet,” Drew said. “I doubt he destroyed the porch.”

  “Naw, live humans did that. I found a crowbar, which I wrapped in a bag and sent to Ross’s deputies to dust for fingerprints. Might not have anything he can use, but what the hell?”

  Drew sent him a grateful look. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure. Find anything interesting?”

  “I think my grandmother might have wanted to marry someone else.” Drew turned over a newspaper article showing a young woman with long hair arm-in-arm with a slim and handsome cowboy, who was definitely not Drew’s grandfather. It was a gossipy article about how Abby Cole and a guy called Nick Travis were seen a lot together, she showing up at all his rodeo events. Wedding bells were sure to ring soon, the article said. The speculation had been repeated in other papers.

  Ray peered at the blurry photo. “I don’t recognize him. Not that I would from forty or so years ago, but I don’t recognize the name either.”

  Drew ran her finger along the tiny type. “Says he’s from Bastrop—that’s over on the other side of Austin, isn’t it? I wonder what happened. Did my grandmother dump him for Grandfather? Or did she like to flit from man to man? After all, she dumped Grandfather not long after she married him and my dad was born.” Drew dropped the article back into the folder. “Or is there more to it than that?”

  “There’s always more to it. Life is complicated.”

  Ray touched her cheek, and Drew warmed with the contact. Her life was getting complicated, that was certain.

  She put her hand on his. When he started to lift away, maybe thinking she pushed him off, she held on and tugged him closer.

  Their mouths met in a hunger that hadn’t abated. Whenever Erica stayed over with Faith, Ray and Drew snuggled together in bed, making love, whispering together, curling up and sleeping. It was a fine thing.

  Finer was Ray’s large hand pulling her close, his mouth opening hers, the quiet strength of his kiss. She could imbibe him forever and still not have enough.

  “Whoa.” A voice, young and male, floated energetically through the garage. “Sor-ree. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  Ray took his time lifting away from Drew. No shame, no embarrassment.

  A tall youth just out of his teens, towere
d inside the door. Drew had seen him around town—Manny Judd, employed by the horse rehab ranch Dr. Anna did vet work for.

  Ray climbed leisurely to his feet and reached down to help Drew to hers. “Manny. What’s up?”

  “Ross sent me to look around and see if I can figure out who vandalized the house.” A grin spread over his young face. “Send a criminal to catch a criminal, I guess. Hey, did they get in here too? It’s a mess.”

  “No, that was me,” Drew said. “Looking through old stuff.”

  Manny gave the papers an uninterested glance. “Where’s the evidence?” he asked Ray.

  “I’ll show you.” Ray winked at Drew. “Want to go into town with me and get some lunch?”

  “Sure.” Drew liked how easily he asked her, as though it was natural they’d grab lunch together.

  She’d never had a relationship like this before. No awkward dates, no man trying to impress her with the restaurant he took her to, the important people he talked to on the phone while there, the way the restaurant employees treated him. Those dates had never been about Drew.

  Ray simply wanted to have lunch with her. She hugged the fine feeling to herself as Ray took Manny off toward the house. Manny glanced back at Drew and gave her two thumbs-up.

  Two nights later, Ray picked up Drew and Erica for a very special dinner at the diner.

  Kyle had asked them to come. He’d plucked up his courage about Dr. Anna, Ray told her, and wanted the whole town there for his momentous evening.

  No one had vandalized the house in the last couple days, Ray’s and the other men’s work remaining untouched. Drew was amazed at how much they were getting done, but on the other hand, there was a long way to go.

  Manny had hinted that he knew who had torn up the porch, but he’d touched his finger to his lips when asked and said he’d only discuss the case with Ross or his deputies until he knew for sure.

  Manny was already at the diner when they arrived, inside with Deputy Harrison and his younger sister. Manny and Tracy Harrison were now a couple, Erica had informed Drew, proud she knew this intel.

  As they approached the diner, the door swung open, and Kyle, in a fine suit, emerged with the agitated pace someone with a lot on his mind.

  “What are you doing out here?” Ray asked him jovially when he reached them. “Food’s in there.”

  Erica laughed in delight. “Good one, Ray.”

  Kyle, Drew could see, was too wound up for jokes. “Great to finally meet you, Drew,” Kyle said, as Ray introduced them and he shook Drew’s hand. “I’ve heard absolutely nothing about you.”

  Drew nodded, deadpan. “Ray can be a little quiet.”

  “I think Ray’s pretty nice,” Erica said. “You know, for an old guy.”

  Ray chuckled, and even Kyle brightened.

  “Don’t worry,” Erica told Kyle as though imparting a great confidence. “Faith Sullivan says Dr. Anna’s madly in love with you.”

  “Erica.” Drew flushed. “That’s none of your business.”

  “Everyone knows,” Erica said with her artlessness. “I love this town, even though I thought I’d hate it. There’s a ton of stuff going on you’d never think in a nowhere place like this. Plus, it’s really pretty.”

  “Erica,” Drew repeated. “Sorry, Kyle. I did not teach her to be so rude.”

  Erica looked amazed. “Why is that rude? I said it was pretty.”

  “We’re going inside.” Drew put her hand on Erica’s back. “Erica is quiet when she’s eating.”

  Kyle managed a grin, but his face was wan, perspiration beading his forehead. Drew hoped he wouldn’t bolt into the blue, but Ray put his hand on Kyle’s shoulder, giving his brother a reassuring squeeze.

  As Drew and Erica entered the diner, they were welcomed by Mrs. Ward, who led them to a seat. Ray hung back to speak briefly to Kyle, and Erica and Drew slid into the booth to wait for him.

  “We need to have a talk, sweetie,” Drew began to Erica. “There are things you say to people and things you don’t.”

  Erica regarded her, wide-eyed across the table. “Even if it’s the truth?”

  “Sometimes especially if it’s the truth. It’s called discretion.”

  “Sounds boring.”

  At Erica’s age, where the world was new, and endless possibilities stretched before her, keeping silent about … well, everything, probably was very difficult.

  “She’s okay,” Ray said, joining them to hear the last part of the conversation. “Just friendly.”

  “Just consider what you say before you say it, Erica,” Drew continued, having to keep being the mom. “Shouldn’t be too hard.”

  Erica shrugged. “Okay.”

  Drew had no way of knowing if her words penetrated Erica’s skull, but she let it go.

  Ray lifted his hand to someone, and a pretty young woman came over. She wore a casual skirt and top but looked uncomfortable in them. Her dark hair was fetchingly unkempt, and her green eyes were the exact same shade as Ray’s.

  “Drew, this is Lucy. My baby sister. One of my baby sisters, I mean.”

  Drew slid out of the booth to greet her. “It’s nice to meet you. Grace has told me a lot about you.”

  “Uh-oh,” Lucy said with a hint of a smile, but her eyes held pain. “Grace has the dirt on everyone—in the nicest way. She’s the good one. I’m the rebel.”

  Lucy didn’t look rebellious at the moment, only sad.

  “Want to join us?” Drew asked. “Or are you meeting someone?”

  “Thanks, but Grace and Carter have already taken pity on me. Grace is trying to talk me into helping her out at her catering business, but what do I know about baking? I know horses and how to decorate an apartment on a shoestring.”

  Drew perked up. “Oh, do you think you could help me decorate the B&B? I have a tiny budget. Ray’s great at helping out with the heavy work, but …”

  Lucy’s amusement finally reached her eyes. “But he’s a guy?” Her mirth faded. “It’s sweet of you, Drew, but you don’t have to keep me busy because of my sucky story.”

  “I don’t know your story,” Drew said. “Ray said you had a breakup and came home, no details, and Grace has kept your secrets to herself. I really do need the help. I can only do so many things at once.”

  Lucy hesitated, but seemed tempted. “Well …”

  “Please?” Erica said, giving her a hopeful look. “I want the B&B to be pretty so we can stay here.”

  Erica could do the poor-little-waif act very well. She gave Lucy puppy-dog eyes and let her lip tremble just enough.

  Lucy relaxed. “Sure, I’ll help you out. It might even be fun. Sorry,” she said quickly. “I don’t mean that like it sounds. I’m just in a bad place right now.”

  “I understand.” Drew recalled the days after she’d finally parted from Philip. “It’s like you’re standing outside the world, looking in, as though none of the normal things are real anymore.”

  “Yeah.” Lucy faltered, tears springing to her eyes. “That’s it exactly.”

  Drew enfolded her in an impulsive hug. “But we get through it. That’s what family is for.”

  She hadn’t had much in the way of family to turn to herself, but she’d had Erica, and now she had the Malorys.

  Lucy gave Drew a tight hug in return. “I’m going to leave now so I don’t blubber. How about I come over to your place tomorrow, and we can talk decorating?”

  Drew released her and nodded. “Looking forward to it.”

  She was, she realized. Drew liked Grace, but Lucy, instinct told her, would be the one she related to.

  “She’s pretty,” Erica said as Lucy walked away. She had her eyes on Lucy’s skirt and top and Drew had the feeling Erica would soon ask for an outfit just like it.

  “That was nice of you,” Ray said to Drew. “She really is upset. I’m about ready to bruise that ass—” He glanced at Erica, who listened avidly. “Butthole who hurt her like that.”

  “No, it was selfish of me,”
Drew said as she sat down again. “I really need the help.”

  “She’ll be grateful. And it was nice.” Ray reached over and covered Drew’s hand with his.

  The contact sent heat through her blood. Drew caught his gaze and saw the sinful promise in his eyes. Terrifying how easily she smiled at him, squeezed his hand in return, tried to send the promise back to him.

  Ray was breaking down her barriers, making her question why she was so reticent and afraid of everything. His thumb moved on her hand, brushing the inside of her wrist, licking fire through her.

  Barriers definitely falling.

  “Ooh.” Erica bounced in her seat. “There’s Dr. Anna. She’s here.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ray was proud of his brother. He watched as Kyle bared his soul in front of the entire town, going down on one knee to propose to Anna.

  And Anna said yes.

  Ray put his arm around Drew as the diner cheered. He was glad for his brother—Kyle deserved happiness.

  Kyle and Anna would move to the ranch, he figured. Anna’s house was too small for them, especially if kids came along. She’d be closer to her vet clinic at the Malory place anyway.

  That brought up the question—should Ray move out? Kyle and Anna would want their privacy. Lucy would land on her feet eventually and move on—she was unhappy now, but the Malory sisters were no wilting weeds. Lucy would figure out what she wanted to do and head back into the world again.

  Ray glanced at Drew, who laughed and applauded Anna and Kyle with the rest of the town. Erica did a wild dance in the aisle with Faith and Dominic, her long limbs flying.

  Ray wasn’t one for analyzing relationships, but he wondered what was between himself and Drew. Two lonely people having a thing? Or was there something more to it?

  He could easily fall in love with her. He mused on Drew’s pretty eyes, her laugh, the way she adored her daughter. Her resilience, her need to do things for the right reason. The way she looked at Ray as though she saw him as a person in his own right, not a cowboy or a rodeo star, a man good for a quick roll in the hay before she sought the next guy.