by Debra Holt
“I’d be happy to help however I can.”
“We’ll leave at eight thirty. Better get some sleep.”
And that was that. Annie knew the feeling of a door being closed in her face. Truitt had made things clear. She turned and headed toward the door, hoping to make as graceful an exit as she could, given the fact her heart was shredding in her chest. His voice stopped her, and she half-turned, her hand on the doorknob.
“What should I call you now? Annie or Samantha?”
“I don’t think I remember how to be Samantha anymore. I think Annie is best.”
He nodded, the first signs of something resembling sorrow in those blue depths. That cut her to the core and she quickly left him there…along with her crumbling heart.
Chapter Fifteen
There was a huge canyon situated between Truitt and Annie the next morning inside the pickup as they drove away from the ranch. That’s how it seemed to the man who kept his hands gripping the steering wheel and his gaze on the road ahead. Last night had been hard. He had sat and listened, and his feelings had been all over the place. There was no road map for where he had been as he listened with his brain while his heart was reeling. He was torn between throwing up the old protective walls against pain and fighting the urge in the same moment to go charging in to the rescue and throwing his arms around Annie and Jessie and keeping them safe and sound on the ranch.
Somewhere during the long night that had followed Annie’s revelations in the den, and the peaking of the morning sun over the distant horizon, his mind and his feelings had come to a tenuous truce. As he thought back through each word, each moment they had shared since the pair came to the ranch, he couldn’t help but see how he should have done something to bring the secrets out sooner. He should have been more approachable. And he needed to realize there was a lot of truth in what Annie said about his need to slay dragons. Truitt also knew that he had been doing that most of his life and the odds of him changing his ways at this late date might not be in the cards. That’s what he did when he loved someone. And that fact had belied every thought that came after it throughout the long night.
Love had come and made him drop the protective shell he wore and hid behind. He realized the scars for what they were…the visible one and the ones inside. And with the dawning of those facts, Skylar had left him. There was a peace, and he felt he was seeing everything and everyone around him with fresh eyes and heightened purpose. He had only been marking space where he stood. He stepped outside into the brisk feel of the morning and was ready to face whatever the day would bring. Most of all, he was ready to fight for the woman he loved with his last breath…because that wasn’t about to change. He’d be there in whatever capacity Annie and Jessie needed. And if he had to watch them leave, then somewhere he would find the strength to do so. But that would be the last option.
“Who are the people we’re visiting this morning? You said it was an anniversary? I take it they must be good friends of yours to want to help them with their special day.”
Truitt’s gaze slipped to the woman who finally spoke across the invisible divide. His heart had received a kick that morning when he looked up as she had stepped into the kitchen where he studied the inside of the coffee cup in his hand, waiting for some sort of answer to come to him. She hadn’t slept well if the dark circles were any indication under eyes that had little sparkle in their green depths. She was dressed in black slacks and an emerald sweater that brought out the ethereal beauty of her face and a fragility as it hugged her body, the cowl neck visible as the long reddish-gold hair lay freely about her shoulders. His fingers itched to reach out and smooth through the strands he remembered to be soft as silk under his fingertips when he had kissed her. Other urges surged through him only to be gathered into a bundle inside him and shoved down deep within. His personal feelings came far secondary to anything else facing them that day.
“Ty and Calla Conners. Ty and his brother went to school with my brothers and sister and me. Calla and her sisters moved back to take over the family business when their dad died suddenly a few years ago. They own the Yellow Rose and the inn in McKenna Springs. She and her sisters brought the dance hall and inn back to being thriving businesses. She and Ty are expecting their first child. They’re good people.”
Annie nodded. “They must be if you hold them in such high regard. I’ll be glad to help them however I can.”
He nodded. He hated the falsehood he had used to get Annie to agree to go with him. He could only hope that what he and Gray had discussed would come out the way they planned. And then Annie might understand why they had done it. Truitt couldn’t allow his thoughts to go beyond the next step. That was the only way he could get through whatever lay ahead. One step at a time. Hadn’t his mom always told him that growing up? She used to say that he had been the one of the siblings to want to run before he mastered the basic walking. He was the first to step ahead and take on something…easy or hard. And sometimes he might have needed to study it a bit more. And that would bring a slow shake of his mom’s head and that smile that always showed her love and understanding. Then she managed to dust him off, set him upright, and tell him that one step at a time, envisioning the desired outcome, and being slow and steady would win the race. Once he had learned that lesson, his life had been easier and his goals achievable. He’d say those words over a hundred times in his brain if it would keep Annie safe and in his world. One step at a time. And he swore he could hear those words whispered in his ear.
*
“This is a beautiful drive. I love the river and the tall trees. Cypress, correct? I remember you telling me that when you brought me to see Dr. Cuesta that day. Seems like a lifetime ago.” Her voice trailed off and her attention stayed outside the window.
“Fall gives the trees a different look. But they’re beautiful no matter the season. Texas is an acquired taste for many. We have a gulf coast, forests, mountains, flat plains, you name it. My dad always said there was something for everyone’s special hankering to be found in our state. You didn’t need to look anyplace else for what your heart needed.” Truitt realized how that might have sounded but it was the truth. Everything he needed in his life was around him…and that included the woman beside him. The cattle guard rattled underneath their tires as they crossed it, leaving the river behind them and topping a rise in the road, a ranch house sprawled before them, tall shade trees and flowering beds giving it a feeling of a welcoming oasis.
“Is that Gray’s truck parked in the driveway?” Annie asked the question as they pulled up next to the familiar vehicle and parked.
“Looks like he’s having some coffee with Ty and Calla on the patio.” Truitt felt like a coward giving the brief words and then sliding out of the truck while Annie did the same on her side. He waited for her to join him at the end of the sidewalk. His hand gravitated to the small of her back as they walked. It seemed a perfectly natural movement. Or maybe he needed to feel some sort of connection with her while he could. He noted that she didn’t move away from his side and that had to be a plus. At least he chose to see it that way.
*
“Welcome, folks. Calla just brought out a fresh pot of coffee to the table. Best catch up with us. And Gray brought along some of Melba’s treasures, too.” Ty Conners had come to stand at the top of the front steps and his hand went out to Truitt. Then he smiled at Annie, his hand offered in welcome.
“I’m Ty. It’s nice to meet the lady we’ve heard so much about lately. Come on over and meet my wife and another guest who is joining us today.”
Annie felt welcomed by his easygoing manner. But then she hadn’t met any people in Faris who hadn’t made her and Jessie feel like long-lost friends returned home from some trip far away. It was one of the many things she would miss. At least the strange uncomfortable feeling of the last twenty-minute ride was behind her and Truitt. She watched as he stepped forward, hat in hand to place an arm around the woman and receive a hug. She had stepped a
way from the table and moved to greet them. She was tall and perfectly dressed in an expensive three-piece suit, blond hair swept upward on her head. She came forward with a warm smile and her hand outstretched to Annie.
“I second the welcome. I’m Calla. Do come and let me introduce you to a dear friend of ours who managed to fit us into his busy schedule today.” She nodded to the tall man in black slacks, white shirt, and navy tie who stood beside Gray. His own hat was on the table in front of him, and Annie noted the badge on his jacket front.
“Annie, may I introduce Major Davis McKenna of the Texas Rangers. Besides being a member of that elite group of lawmen, he is a very good friend to all of us here.”
Annie’s hand was enveloped in a large palm that wasn’t intimidating but exuded a warm welcome surrounded by a steady strength that made her gaze meet his assessing one and find an instant trust in the man before her.
“Hello. My first thought is my sister Jessie is going to be quite jealous when she hears I met a real Texas Ranger today. She’s very much into all things Texas and its history.”
“Well, I’d be honored to meet her one of these days.”
“And there goes that Texas-sized ego growing as we stand here.” Gray smiled from where he stood and shot Annie a wink across the table. It was clear that the two lawmen had an easy friendship/rivalry between them.
“Alright, you men, let’s all take our seats and everyone get some more of the coffee and sweets. I have a court case in McKenna Springs later this morning.” Calla shared that as she took the chair her husband held out for her. Annie stepped forward and found Truitt had one for her, and he waited for her to be seated before he took the chair next to hers. Calla passed the mug of coffee she had just poured over to Annie. At least that explained why this rancher’s wife was so dressed up.
Did she imagine it or was there a bit of awkward silence that settled around the small group? She looked at Truitt whose gaze was on Gray’s across the table. Gray then looked over at Ty. What was going on?
“I have to say that I’m pleased to offer any advice I can on the anniversary party you are having here at your ranch. I’d be…”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, Annie.” Calla looked around at the men at the table and shook her head. “I won’t ask who came up with this particular idea.” Her gaze lingered a bit longer on Gray who had the good grace to look down at the plate in front of him. “But I think I’ll lead the way here.”
Annie was mystified. She sat with her hands folded in her lap and waited.
Calla looked across the table at Annie, and her smile was both apologetic and professional. She sat forward in her chair; arms folded in front of her on the tabletop. “My husband is the county judge here in Faris, along with being a full-time rancher. I own a Texas dance hall along with my sisters, but I also am a practicing attorney in McKenna Springs. Gray, in his capacity as sheriff, came to me with some information early yesterday that was more than a little surprising and a whole lot criminal in nature.
“I called in a good friend who happens to be a Texas Ranger with jurisdiction to pretty much go wherever he needs to. His reach is long and goes to many other places outside Texas. We’ve had quite a few discussions regarding the situation at hand. It seems these fine gentlemen had concocted, for whatever reason, a story to get you to come meet with us today. I think I’m a pretty good judge of character and I trust my instinct and it tells me that you would appreciate things to be straightforward.”
“I don’t understand. If this isn’t about planning a special party, I don’t know why I’d be here.”
“Gray and Truitt have filled me in on the situation you and your sister left behind in Nevada—the reason that brought you here to Texas. And they did so because of recent developments that have come to light. They thought I could help…along with the others seated here. I certainly think we can all help this situation to be resolved and very much to yours and Jessie’s peace of mind. In fact, most of it has come together very quickly and with lots of help from people you won’t ever really know about.”
Annie’s gaze landed on the silent cowboy beside her. Truitt met it head-on. He wasn’t apologizing for his part. “You already knew before I told you last night?”
“The call I received while we were at the dance…that was from Gray wanting to meet with me. He told me. And that’s when I was brought into what he had already put in motion with the others at this table. Then you came back to the ranch and that’s when we talked in the den.”
“So you already knew what I was going to say before I said it. Why did you let me do that? Trying to see if I’d lie or change something? You didn’t trust what I might say.” The last wasn’t a question, it was a sad statement in whispered tones. But Truitt didn’t have a chance to respond.
Annie’s gaze encompassed the rest of the table. “I’m sorry that my private problems have involved so many people…more than I realized. But Jessie and I are leaving today and…”
“That would be a mistake,” Calla spoke up. “And I want to make something perfectly clear. Truitt didn’t know any of this until Gray spoke with him last night. It seems I need to back up a bit and fill in some blanks for you.”
“Please do. I am totally confused at this point.”
“First of all, please know that we meet here today because we care. We care deeply for our friends and family, and that is certainly the category that Truitt and those he cares about fall into. Gray has a duty to uphold the laws, and he also has a duty to step in when those he cares about are involved and need some help. So don’t think we sit here in judgment of any sort. We do not. Each of us at this table at one time or another has needed the help of one or more of the rest of us. You and Jessie are part of that circle whether or not you chose to be.”
Annie didn’t trust herself to speak at that moment. She simply nodded.
“A man, hired by your uncle, has been tracking you and your sister for several weeks. By sheer chance, he located you in Faris. He had orders to bring Jessie back to your uncle. He also had orders to get you in a compromising situation—by any means necessary—where your ability to continue to care for and be legal guardian for Jessie would come into dispute. And he made a poor decision in approaching Gray with a very large bribe in order to facilitate that.”
“He certainly did choose the wrong lawman. Which is why I keep telling you that you need to step up to the rangers,” the Texas Ranger spoke up, shooting a knowing look over at the sheriff.
“A man came here to Faris, and he was doing all of that? He’s here now? And my uncle knows we’re here.”
“Don’t panic, Annie,” Ty spoke up. “That threat has been effectively neutralized.”
“Geez, Ty, could you use another word?” Gray shook his head.
“Dealt with under the full powers of the legal system,” Calla interjected, bringing the conversation back to Annie’s situation. “Gray and his ranger counterpart were able to find out that this Mr. Black…an alias, by the way…had, what he called, an insurance policy for when he might get into a jam. That ‘policy’ is several hours of taped conversations and is enough to make certain your uncle is of no further threat to you. Your guardianship is quite legal in the eyes of the unbiased law. Paul Grantham was removed from his position early this morning by federal authorities.
“As often happens with people like him who build a house of cards illegally, they all began tumbling down. He faces a lot of charges that will take them a while to sort out but suffice to say, the federal law enforcement agencies are now in control. You and Jessie have no reason to worry any longer. There will be a deposition that you can give in my office for the record when they need it but that will be it. And we wanted you to hear it from all of us if only to give you added measures of assurance. No need to panic and look over your shoulders, no need to hide your identity or be afraid. You and your sister have your lives back to make whatever you wish of them. I just hope you might consider this area a pretty good place to
put down some roots if you get tired of the big city.” Calla smiled and stood. “Now, I really have to be on the road to the courthouse.” She came around the table, and Annie rose to meet her. She extended her hand, but Calla pulled her in for a brief hug, a low voice meant for her alone.
“We hug around here, those friends we care about. You’re free, Annie. You’ve got a good cowboy in your corner, too.” She left with a wave and a quick kiss for her husband.
Annie turned to the group of men who stood, drawing on their hats and preparing to take their own leave. “I don’t have any words that can say what I truly feel. I guess it has to sink in for a bit that this is finally done and my sister and I have some decisions to make now…freely and without fear. I won’t ever forget what you all did for us—basically strangers in a strange land when we first arrived. But now it feels like a home we never expected to know again. I am eternally grateful.”
And their hugs and well wishes were added along with Calla’s. That left Gray to walk her and Truitt to the truck. The two men shook hands but no words passed between them. Annie added another hug for the lawman. “Tori has a real treasure in you. I hope she knows that.” Then he opened the door, and she took her place. A final wave was exchanged as Truitt turned the truck back the way they had come not that long ago.
Sunlight had crested the top of the tall canyon walls that guarded the two-lane blacktop roadway as it followed the natural curve of the river. It dappled across the dark pavement as remaining leaves on the trees lining the roadway…live oaks interspersed with taller cypress…cast a golden hue over the new day ahead. Seasons were changing and that change was casting possibilities in all directions. Annie felt it taking hold inside her.
She became aware that Truitt had slowed and pulled off into a wide area that lent itself to a view of the moving waters. He didn’t say a word but exited the truck and walked toward the riverbank. He looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Annie recognized the stance. She had known it for a long while. Until it was lifted today. She opened her door and found her path to stand not far from his, her gaze on the river as it flowed along in ripples and around rocks here and there. There was no sound around them except for the wind rustling the leaves of the trees.