by Ciana Stone
Kal extended his hand to Robert. “Everyone in Texas knows Robert Walker. It’s a pleasure to see you, sir.”
“And you, Kal,” Robert said and smiled. “You know, I used to play poker with your granddaddy, Karl.”
“Did you?”
“I did. He was a hell of a poker player and a good man.”
“Thank you, sir.” He turned his attention to DeLyn. “Ma’am.”
“Call me DeLyn, and it’s a pleasure, Kal.”
“Thank you, DeLyn. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
“I’m glad the day finally arrived. We’re headed out front to watch Rusty fly that drone Russell bought him.”
“We’re going to go say hi to the rest of the family,” Cici said.
“Okay. We’ll be back shortly.”
When Cici and Kal walked out onto the patio, all conversation ceased. “Well, hi everyone.” Cici felt for Kal’s hand.
“Hey yourself,” Naomie rose from where she sat talking with Dillon and Josie to hurry over and hug Cici.
“And you must be Kal,” she offered her hand. “I’m Naomie, and no part of the family, just a hired hand.”
“And a very good friend,” Cici added.
“I’ve heard good things about you, Naomie,” Kal clasped her hand. “And not just from Cici. I have a stake in a thoroughbred purchased from your family.”
“Is that so? Small world, isn’t it? I’m pleased to meet you. I’ve been keeping up with what you’ve done with your resort cities, and last month there was an interview where you hinted your next project was going to be green. I’d love to hear more about it.”
“I’d love the chance to talk with you, as well.”
“Then we’ll do it. I’m sorry, I’m hogging your attention.” She gave Cici a wink and Cici secretly blessed Naomie for breaking the ice.
By the time Kal had met Mace, Dillon, Josie, and Delaney, Robert and DeLyn were returning, and Robert was yelling into the house for Russell to get off the damn phone and get the grill going.
Cici felt like a rubber band wound up too tight, she was so nervous about her father’s appearance. She had no clue how he would behave. When he walked out onto the patio, she literally held her breath.
Russell looked at Kal and smiled. “Long time, Kal. How’ve you been?”
“Fine, sir. And you?”
“Can’t complain and who in this crowd would listen if I did?”
“Dad!” Cici fussed and hugged him.
Russell kissed the top of her head. “Glad the two of you could make it. I’m about to light the grill. How do you like your steak, Kal?”
“As long as it’s not moving, I’m good.”
“I heard that.” Russell smiled and headed in the direction of the grill. Cici caught Naomie’s hand who stood nearby talking to DeLyn.
“That was you, wasn’t it?”
“I have no idea what you mean.”
Cici blew a raspberry while DeLyn chuckled and said, “God will get you for lying, girl.”
“He owes me a couple right now,” Naomie quipped. “So, we’re good.”
They all got a laugh out of that, and Cici wrapped her arm around Kal’s waist and smiled up at him. For the first time in her life, she felt excited about where she was, who she was with and the prospects of her future.
Life seemed damn good.
Then Mace ran up the steps of the patio from the yard. “Dad! We’ve got trouble.”
“What and where?” Russell turned from the grill to look at him, and everyone else went silent.
“One of the barns at Heritage South was set on fire. We lost two horses, and half the structure collapsed. Marcus, the foreman said they found empty gas cans on the ground behind the barn. A fence was cut, and ten horses are gone, along with a hundred and twenty-five head of cattle we had penned for pick-up.”
Russell looked away for a moment and when he turned to look at Mace again his face looked like it’d been carved from stone. Hard and cold. “Where’s Nash?”
“Out front with Rusty.”
“Get him, he’s going with us.”
“Now?”
“Now, son.”
Mace nodded and headed into the house. Robert walked over to Russell. “Want me to go with?”
“No, we can’t leave Heritage unattended. Can you and Mama spend the night?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’ll talk with Jordan and tell him to post men round the clock, changing shifts every four hours. We’ll pay them double time. I’ll give him your number so he can keep you updated with hourly reports and we’ll let you know the situation when we get there.”
“Why do you have to be there all night?” Dillon asked.
“Just being careful, son. You and Josie staying or heading back to Cotton Creek?”
“We’ll go on home after dinner.”
“Take Delaney with you.”
“I can stay,” Delaney argued.
“No, go with your brother.”
“Okay, if that’s what you want.”
Cici couldn’t have been more shocked when her father turned to Kal. “You keep an eye on my girl.”
“I will sir. If I can help, just give the word.”
“My father’s in charge.”
“Yes, sir.”
Russell turned away, and Cici put her hand on Kal’s arm. “I’ll be right back.
“I’m going with you,” Naomie said, and at Cici’s nod they followed Russell who went into his study to unlock the gun safe.
“You think you’ll need that?” Naomie asked as he started strapping on a sidearm.
“Let’s just say I’d prefer to be prepared in the eventuality it might come in handy.”
“Dad, can’t you just call the authorities?” Cici asked.
“I’m sure Marco already has. We need to assess the situation and make sure the place is locked down, and we have patrols set up.”
Naomie was silent until he grabbed his rifle and then she walked over to him. “Do me a favor?”
“What?”
“Be careful.”
“I always am.”
“Yeah, but I can see the fire in those eyes. Your family needs you, so for their sake, be careful. And safeguard your boys.”
Cici could see the effect Naomie’s words had on her father and silently gave thanks. “I hear you, Naomie,” her dad said. “And yes, I promise.”
“Thank you.” Naomie stepped back. “We’ll be waiting.”
“Hold down the fort,” he said and looked at Cici.
“Yes, sir.”
With that, he left the room. Cici and Naomie watched him go then Cici looked at Naomie. “Now what?”
“Now we eat, wait to hear from your father, and make sure Jordan follows orders and has patrols set up.”
“Do you think someone will try and do something here?”
“Cici, I don’t have a clue what will happen or why someone is doing this. None of it makes a damn bit of sense.”
“Not even that I’m behind it?” Kal’s voice came from the door.
For a moment, Cici thought Naomie was going to say something hateful because of the hard look on her face. Her words surprised Cici.
“To be honest, I don’t know why you would be. I wasn’t totally honest earlier. I know about your project here, and I can’t see one reason you’d do any of this since all it does is put you and the project in jeopardy.
“But,” she added. “There are crazy people in the world, and who knows, you might be one of them, so it’s within the realm of possibility that I’m wrong, but I hope not, and since I believe that possibility to be remote, I’m going to discount it and say I don’t think you’re responsible.”
“Thank you.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. My decision is based on fact, logic and the laws of probability. I will, however, be very happy when the guilty party is found, and the Walker family can know, beyond all doubt who is responsible.
“And
I’m glad you’re here with Cici because if shit goes sideways and there’s any trouble here, we have to be ready.”
“You can count on me.”
“As long as she can, you and I are good. And with that being said, I think I’ll find DeLyn and see if we can’t get some food going. I don’t know about you two, but I’m hungry, so if you’ll excuse me?”
“Thanks, Naomie,” Cici said, and after Naomie left, she went into Kal’s arms. “Today was starting to feel like one of the best of my life and now this.”
“Don’t let it beat you, baby. This won’t last forever, and we’ll find out who’s behind it.”
“We?”
“Yeah, we. We are a team, aren’t we?”
She smiled despite her worry. “You better believe it.”
“Then let’s go team up and help Naomie and DeLyn with dinner.”
She smiled, and together they rejoined the rest of the family. To Cici’s surprise, the evening passed with a lot of laughter, good conversation and everyone seemed fine about Kal being there. Her brother Dillon and his wife even commented before they left that they liked him, and Delaney pulled her aside as everyone was saying goodbye to invite Cici and Kal over to her house in San Antonio for dinner the following week.
Cici was feeling happy by the time everything was cleaned up from dinner, and everyone headed for the family room to watch a movie. “I should probably get home,” Naomie said, and DeLyn immediately protested.
“No, stay here tonight. You can have Russ’s room.”
“No, I couldn’t–”
“Yes, you can,” Robert argued. “Sit down here with us. It’s not Gunsmoke, but Rusty says it’s a good movie.”
“Well, how can I say no? Toss me one of those pillows so I can crash here with Rusty.”
Cici smiled at how at ease things were between Naomie and her grandparents and nephew as well. Naomie had a way of making people feel at ease. Cici thought it was a real shame that her father didn’t see what a great couple he and Naomie would make and how much joy and laughter she brought to people’s lives.
By the time the movie was over, Cici was ready to head upstairs. With her father gone, she’d invite Kal to sleep with her. “Let’s go get our stuff from the car,” she suggested.
“I’ll walk out with you,” Robert offered. “I want to check and make sure the men are standing watch.”
“Mind some company?” Kal asked Robert.
“Not at all. Let me stop at Russ’s study on the way out.”
“Sure, I’ll meet you outside.”
“Can you use help with your bags?” Naomie asked.
“I won’t turn it down,” Cici replied.
“Then let’s get to it.”
Cici, Kal, and Naomie walked out to Kal’s car. He opened the trunk and Cici, and Naomie got the luggage. Just as he closed the trunk, Robert walked outside. He had a firearm strapped to his belt.
“I hope you don’t think you’ll need that,” Naomie commented.
“No, but you never know when you might walk up on a varmint. Nash said they killed a right good-sized rattler last week.”
“That’s true. Well, you guys enjoy your walk but don’t take too long, or DeLyn will get anxious.”
“Yes, ma’am, Miss Naomie,” Robert replied.
Naomie grinned at him. “You’re lucky you’re already spoken for you know, or I’d be after you like a duck on a June bug.”
“Flatterer,” he said around a grin.
She smiled and headed for the house. Cici blew Kal a kiss and followed. “You sure know how to charm Gramps,” she said as they walked inside.
“I love that man,” Naomie replied. “And DeLyn. They remind me of my mom and dad, always teasing one another and taking time to hug and kiss. And I really enjoy spending time with them. It makes me less homesick for family.”
“I wish you were part of our family,” Cici said.
“That’s really–” At the sound of gunfire, Naomie let go of the suitcase she was carrying and took off at a dead run.
Cici followed her outside. “Where did it come from?” Naomie asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Flashlights, we need flashlights.”
“We used to keep some in the pantry.”
“Go find them. Hurry Cici!”
As Cici was running inside, DeLyn ran out. “What’s happening?”
“I don’t know. We heard shots and–”
Voices from the area of the barns stopped her in mid-sentence. She heard someone yell, “Call an ambulance,” and took off at a run with DeLyn on her heels.
Naomie reached the paddock beside the small barn ahead of DeLyn. Two Heritage men she recognized were crouched over a prone body on the ground. She climbed the fence and raced over to them.
“Oh god, no.” She threw herself down beside Robert. Blood pumped through his shirt in two places on his chest. His mouth worked to speak, but nothing emerged.
“Just hang on. You hear me, Robert? Stay with me.” She placed a hand over each of the wounds and looked at the ranch hands. “Call Jordan and the pilot. We need the helicopter now. We can’t wait for the ambulance. And someone get me some towels.”
It was then that DeLyn arrived. She screamed Robert’s name and threw herself down beside him. He looked at her, and his hand moved, seeking hers.
“I love you, Robert. Don’t you die on me. You hear? You stay with me.”
“I. Love. You.” The words were spaced apart, as he had to work to draw in air after every syllable.
Cici arrived, out of breath and pale-faced and knelt beside Naomie. “Gramps? Naomie, do something.”
“I’m trying, Cici.”
“Robert!” DeLyn screamed as Robert’s eyes widened and his body stiffened. Then his body went slack.
Naomie flew into action and started CPR. Jordan arrived and edged her aside. “I was a medic in the service, let me take over.”
Just as she stood, another of the hands yelled. “This guy is alive!”
“What guy?” Naomie turned.
“This guy!”
Naomie ran over, and one look had her screaming “Cici!”
It was Kalvin Burton. She knelt to check him. He’d been shot in the upper right area of his chest. She didn’t think the bullet had hit anything vital, but he’d lost a lot of blood. A handgun lay two feet from his body.
“Whose gun is that?” She looked up at the men as she put pressure on Kal’s wound.
“This?” One of the men picked it up as she screamed, “Don’t touch it!”
He dropped it like it was on fire. “Sorry. I guess it’s his.”
“Kal!” Cici’s scream nearly deafened Naomie. She fell to the ground, patting Kal’s face and fluttering her hands over him. “Kal. Kal?”
“Cici.” Kal’s voice was a mere whisper
“Oh, thank you. Naomie don’t let him die.”
“He’s not going to die. Can you put your hands here? Over the wound. Keep pressure on it, okay?”
“I will. I will.” Cici did as instructed, and Naomie hurried back to Robert. Jordan looked at her as she knelt beside him and shook his head.
“Don’t stop trying.” She demanded. “You take care of the compressions. I’ll breathe.”
She lost track of everything except counting the compressions Jordan performed on Robert’s chest and then breathing into his mouth. When someone put a hand on her shoulder, she started and looked up.
“He’s gone, Naomie,” DeLyn said.
“No, we have to-”
“He’s gone.” Jordan echoed.
She sat down hard, ran her hand over her face and back through her hair and then just stared at DeLyn over Robert’s still body. Tears streamed down DeLyn’s face as she sat there with one hand on the side of Robert’s face. Naomie reached across Robert’s body to take DeLyn’s free hand and sat there, in the dirt, crying.
When someone ran over to say the helicopter was ready and they were flying Kal to the hospi
tal, she nodded and asked Jordan to make sure no one touched the gun that was lying close to Kal. They needed to wait for the authorities to arrive to bag it and Robert’s gun so it could be determined who shot who.
Cici left with Kal and Naomie continued to sit with DeLyn. She didn’t know how long it was before the ambulance and law arrived, but their appearance shook her into action. The first thing she did was call Russell.
“It’s mighty late for you to be–”
“You need to get home, Russell. As quickly as possible.”
“What’s happened?”
“Just come home, please. Now. And bring your boys.”
To his credit, he didn’t ask anything more. More police cars arrived, and within minutes the ranch was crawling with officers, searching the property, taking statements and asking questions. Naomie answered questions time and again as she tried to keep an eye on DeLyn who sat with her arm around Rusty on the front steps of the house. They both looked like they were in shock.
When the officers finally released her from questioning, she went and sat down on the step above DeLyn and Rusty and leaned forward to put an arm around each of them. “Russell will be here soon with the boys.”
DeLyn turned in toward Naomie and after a moment, so did Rusty. So, Naomie just sat there, holding them and crying with them. She didn’t know how long they’d been there when more car lights appeared.
She heard them before they reached the house. Rusty flew into his father’s arms, and Mace gently lifted his grandmother into his arms and carried her inside. That left Russell, standing at the foot of the steps, staring at Naomie.
“I called Jordan on the way, and he told me.”
She nodded, trying to blink back tears.
“You’re covered in blood. Are you hurt?”
It was all she could do to jerk her head back and forth and suck in a breath. “I tried –to–save him.”
A split second later, his arms were around her, and she was sobbing against his chest, feeling his body quake as grief overcame him. It took a while before either of them regained control. Russell pulled back, wiped his face with a bandana he took from his pocket, then cupped her face.
Naomie cleared her throat and breathed in a couple of breaths to steady herself. “I’m sorry. I tried, Russell. I tried so hard to save him.”