by Kim Redford
“More coffee?” Ivy stopped in front of him, smiling with warmth in her clear green eyes.
“I’m good. Thanks.”
“Hey, y’all, let’s catch the news,” Alicia called as she turned on the wall-mounted television above the bar.
“Good evening.” Jennifer Sales smiled at her viewers. “We know you’re all watching and wondering and waiting for news about Fernando. I have good news for you. He was sighted north of Whitesboro at a golf course today. Golfers sent us videos shot on their cell phones and we’re happy to share them with you now.”
Slade laughed as he pointed at the screen, which showed Fernando belly deep in a pond at the golf course. As usual, he looked contemplative, even as the golfers gathered as close to him as they dared to get.
“He looks okay, doesn’t he?” Ivy asked. “He’s missing the red rope around his neck, isn’t he?”
“Yes…and it’s a relief.” Slade checked the bull for any signs of problems or injuries, but he didn’t notice anything overt. Still, he couldn’t see Fernando’s hooves, and that was his main concern because that much weight for that many miles could spell trouble. Still, the bull looked good, all things considered.
“After this message, we’ll be right back with more about Fernando,” Jennifer said, smiling happily into the camera.
“What more could there be?” Alicia asked. “Do you suppose they caught him?”
“That’d be big news,” Slade said, “but nobody contacted me about the reward.”
“Maybe there hasn’t been time.” Ivy arranged a pile of coasters as everyone waited for more news.
Jennifer reappeared on the screen. “We have more video of Fernando. Golf course officials called in a local search-and-rescue team to catch him. Mind you, these are strong, experienced cowboys with their equally well-trained horses. They know what they’re doing with animals. But as you will soon see, Fernando is more than a match for any man or horse.”
“Oh no,” Slade groaned. “I hope the injuries aren’t too bad.”
“You don’t think they caught him?” Ivy asked.
Alicia laughed. “Fernando? Ha! Not if they irritated him or made him angry. You’ve seen the size of him.”
When the next video appeared on the screen, Fernando was out of the water and surrounded by six cowboys on horseback with coiled ropes in their gloved hands. He appeared unconcerned at their intrusion into his world. Golfers could be seen in the background recording the confrontation.
“I hope they don’t make him mad,” Slade said. “Surely they know better than to try to rope him.”
As he watched, that was exactly what they attempted to do. One cowboy managed to get a rope around Fernando’s neck, but the big bull simply stepped back and tugged, almost unseating the rider who at least had the sense to let go of the rope. Another cowboy came in close, trying to herd Fernando toward a temporary pen. The bull simply put a massive shoulder against the horse and gave a slight nudge. The horse almost went down, causing the rider to fall off right in the way of Fernando’s hooves. The cowboy scrambled up, then quickly limped away. Another cowboy tried to grab the rope around Fernando’s neck, but the bull lowered his head and bumped the horse, causing the rider to thrust out his leg for balance, catch the rope around Fernando’s neck with his spur, and drag off the rope as he fell, losing his hat as his head hit the ground.
“That cowboy probably got a broken foot. The other might have a concussion. They’d better go to the hospital,” Slade said. “Still, Fernando is just toying with them. He could’ve knocked that horse and rider over or tossed them into the air.”
Jennifer came back on the screen. “And that is the way it went until the cowboys finally gave up. An ambulance arrived to help the injured team. No one was badly hurt, but there was a lot of wounded pride. Fernando—obviously a lover not a fighter, or he’d have done a lot more damage—left the golf course to continue his journey home.”
Alicia smiled as she muted the television. “Whitesboro is getting close to us.”
“You’re right,” Slade replied. “If nothing happens to him, he just might make it home by Christmas.”
“That’d be so wonderful,” Ivy said. “I wish we could do more for him.”
“Lots of folks are looking for Fernando. If they find him, they know to call me…if they don’t get cocky and try to capture him first. Storm could help me get him loaded up.” Slade felt encouraged by the news he’d just seen, but he still worried about the miles between Fernando and the ranch.
“That’s good.” Ivy poured a cup of coffee and looked over at him. “Alicia and I have been trying to come up with titles for dances in the dance contest.”
He cocked his head to one side, turning his mind from Fernando to Wildcat Hall.
“We thought we’d focus on couples. Will you help us?”
“Maybe you’d do better discussing it with Craig.”
“He’s setting up the music.” Ivy smiled at him. “Alicia thinks we should definitely use ‘Couple Most in Need of a Room.’”
Slade laughed. “Are we going that direction?”
“It is a honky-tonk.”
“But it is Christmas.”
Ivy grinned, looking mischievous. “That’s all the more reason to get every little thing our hearts desire.”
“I won’t argue with you on that one.” He stretched out his hand to her and felt a deep satisfaction when she squeezed his fingers. “I don’t know what to get you for Christmas.”
“You’re more than enough.”
“Seriously?”
“I am serious. I want you for Christmas.”
“You’ve already got that. I want to get you something special.”
“You’re special.”
“You aren’t going to tell me, are you?”
She traced a pattern in the palm of his hand. “I did tell you… Anyway, you already bought me the new bed.”
“That’s for both of us.”
She smiled, eyes filled with sudden heat. “Yeah.”
He felt that heat as if she’d sent it straight into him…and he burned like brush fire in a high wind.
“Surprise me.”
“Okay.” He’d go to Morning’s Glory tomorrow. She’d have jewelry made by local artists. He’d get a ring. It wouldn’t be the ring, but it’d be another step on the way to that ring.
“Now, are you going to help with the contest titles or not?”
“I’m happy to help.” He gave her a big grin. “Couple Most in Need of a Honeymoon.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “I want fun more than serious.”
“That’s fun and serious.”
“True.”
Alicia sidled up to them, grinning. “I’ve been thinking about those titles. ‘Couple Burning up the Hall.’ This is so much fun.”
“Good one,” Ivy agreed. “I’ve been thinking about it. No time to get trophies made, but we can give out a Wildcat Hall gift certificate with each award.”
“I like it,” Alicia said.
“Folks will appreciate it.” Slade thought a moment. “And it’ll bring them back here, too.”
“Exactly.” Ivy smiled like a contented cat. “Glad y’all like that idea. I’ll cross it off my to-do list.”
“I’m not sure about more winner titles,” Slade said, noticing that the room had emptied out except for them, “but I can think about them.”
“No rush…at least we don’t need them till our very own honky-tonk Christmas.”
“I’ll think about them, too,” Alicia said, then glanced up as the front door opened. “New customer.”
Slade turned to see the stranger, feeling oddly uneasy. The guy was city, not country—styled, dark hair tinted with silver, middle-aged, and sleekly muscled. He’d tried for casual in a leather bomber jacket over a silk lapis
tee tucked into designer jeans with brand-new cowboy boots. Expensive everything, from top to bottom. He didn’t belong…not only that, but he reeked of trouble.
Slade’d been right—something was about to break. He felt it deep in his gut. He glanced at Ivy to get her reaction to the man. Her eyes had gone wide, as if she was seeing something or someone she hadn’t expected and didn’t want anywhere near Wildcat Hall.
The stranger looked all around the front bar, as if he was calculating the value of every stick of furniture in the place. He glanced at the floor, rubbed the sole of his boot against it, and nodded as if in approval. Finally, he perused the people, as if they were the least of his considerations.
“I’m here to see Ivy Bryant.” He spoke in a carefully neutral voice with no accent at all. “Would you be so good as to tell me where I might find her?”
Slade slipped off the barstool, turned toward the guy, spread his feet wide for balance, and let his hands hang easy at his sides. He was bigger and stronger and younger than the stranger—probably more experienced in a fight. He could take him, if it came to it. Bottom line, he’d protect Ivy, Alicia, and the Hall any way he needed to do it.
“I’m Ivy Bryant,” she said in a soft, hesitant tone.
Slade didn’t like the sound because it was so far removed from her usual strong, confident voice.
“Emory Meadows.” He pulled a business card from an inner pocket, crossed the room in a few strides, ignored Slade, and held out the card.
Ivy hesitated a long moment before she accepted the card, then she looked down at it. “You’re from Houston.”
“Yes. Your friend contacted me.”
Every instinct in Slade was screaming to get this guy out of the county and never let him back. He stiffened, fists clinching instinctively.
“Ms. Bryant, I’d like to discuss the proposition with you,” he said. “I believe you’ll be very happy at what I’m prepared to offer you.”
“Offer?”
“Yes. Otherwise, I wouldn’t waste my time. Would you like to take this discussion into your office?”
Ivy looked from right to left, obviously in a quandary about what to do.
“I’m not leaving you alone with this guy,” Slade said, making it a final statement.
“Me either,” Alicia said, moving down to stand beside Ivy.
“I guess y’all will know soon enough.” Ivy sounded resigned. “Please believe me that I never expected an offer. I just reached out to a friend right after I got here. Everything has changed since then.”
Slade felt a chill run up his spine as his muscles hardened in anticipation of defending all he held dear. What the hell had Ivy done or planned to do? She was signaling that it was a mistake, so she knew she was in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong person.
And he remembered, with a sickening sensation in the pit of his stomach. This situation mirrored exactly what they’d discussed about having no legal or other rights in each other’s lives. It’d worked okay…until now. He couldn’t do anything except stand by and watch the disaster unfolding before him.
“Mr. Meadows, this is my office.”
The stranger glanced around again, shrugged, and slipped a Montblanc pen out of his pocket along with another business card. He quickly wrote on it, then held out the card to Ivy.
Again, she reluctantly took it. She read his note, then gasped. “Is this real?”
“Absolutely.” He smiled, showing bright white teeth. “I checked out Wildcat Bluff County. There is a lot of potential for development here. My investors and I are known for making very attractive offers.”
“What are you talking about?” Slade had finally had enough of the guy’s cryptic remarks. He had a good suspicion about where the guy was headed and he disliked everything he heard.
“Do you work here?” Meadows finally looked at Slade.
“No. I’m a friend.”
Meadows turned back to Ivy, dismissing Slade with a single glance. “We believe Wildcat Hall Park could be turned into a profitable theme park.”
“Theme park!” Alicia sounded horrified.
“Naturally, a substantial investment will be required for development, to purchase adjacent land to build rental units, and to enlarge the infrastructure to accommodate vehicles and tourists.”
Slade felt sick to his stomach, hardly able to believe his ears. A theme park would not only ruin Wildcat Hall and its heritage, but it’d probably ruin the entire county for farms and ranches and country folk. Of all people, Ivy had brought this down on their heads. She’d intended to sell the Park to outsiders from the first. He felt absolutely and utterly betrayed by her.
His entire world tilted sideways. He gripped the edge of the bar as he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. They were in the middle of holidays, cattle rustlers, cattle drive…and he’d been contemplating asking Ivy to marry him at Christmas. And the entire time, she’d had one foot out the door.
“This is a huge offer,” Ivy said in a stilted voice. “I’d need to check with my sister before I made any decision. She owns the property with me.”
“Understandable. We’d like to move on this project in the new year.” He looked covetously around the room again. “How long before you can give us a final decision?”
“Not long.” Ivy tapped his card with a fingernail. “Naturally, I’ll need to discuss this offer with my friend in Houston.”
“Of course. We’ll negotiate through him.” He stepped back. “Do you have any questions?”
“No. I can talk with Peter to get more details.”
“Excellent. He’s a fine Realtor, so he’ll be able to guide you well.”
“Yes, of course,” she said, sounding slightly faint.
Slade wanted to snatch the business card, tear it into shreds, and throw the guy out the front door. He might have no rights to interfere in Ivy’s life, but he had plenty of rights when it came to Wildcat Bluff. Folks should’ve listened to Nocona Jones, the best lawyer in town, that the Hall needed to be made a National Historic Landmark to protect it. Nobody had done it. Now, it might well be too late.
Suddenly he was galvanized. Wildcat Hall Park wasn’t sold yet. Fortunately, he’d been here to hear the offer, so he could do something fast. He needed to contact Nocona and start the landmark process. Hedy, Morning Glory, Granny, and so many others needed to throw their support to fighting Ivy every step of the way. They wouldn’t go down easy, and he wouldn’t let emotions get in his way. He felt cold as ice, chilled to the bone at her deception.
“If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me or my assistant,” Meadows said.
“Did you look over everything?” Ivy asked.
“Yes. I’ve been here a couple of days. Excellent work on your part, but we can bring this place up to the twenty-first century and still keep its roots in the 1800s. People want a taste of the Old West, but they want it with all the amenities of a first-class lifestyle.”
“I understand,” Ivy said faintly.
“I’m headed back to Houston right now.” He walked over to the door and opened it. “If you need me, my cell number is on my card.”
“Goodbye,” Ivy said.
He gave a quick nod, then was out the door.
“You aren’t actually thinking about taking the offer?” Alicia sounded close to tears.
“It’s a substantial amount,” Ivy said. “It’d set Fern and me up for life.”
“If you want to sell, Craig is interested and other folks, too. You don’t need to sell to an outsider. A Wild West theme park”—Slade growled out the last words—“is totally unacceptable.”
“I agree.” She turned haunted green eyes on him. “Trust me. I never expected this to happen. It’s just that my friend is a Realtor.”
“And you just happened to contact him about selling the
place.”
“Yes.” She hung her head, then looked up. “But that was before I came to love the place and the people.”
He clenched his fists, wanting to bust something, but it wouldn’t help the pain she’d inflicted not only on him but the whole community.
“I need to discuss this with Fern before I do anything,” Ivy said.
He shook his head in disgust, walked to the front door, and glanced back at Alicia. “Make sure she gets home safe, will you?”
“Sure…and I think we need to close early.”
“Slade, can’t we talk about it?” Ivy stepped around the side of the bar with a hand raised toward him.
He slammed the door shut behind him, thunderstruck.
Chapter 32
Ivy sat in the center of her new bed, imagining she could still feel Slade’s body heat from the previous night. She desperately needed that warmth, because she felt so bone-chillingly cold. She shivered and pulled the quilt higher, trying to get warm, but it didn’t help. She’d never felt so alone…or so cold.
Unbelievably, he was gone. He’d ripped her right out of his life and tossed her away with hardly a backward glance. Gone. Simply gone. And he’d taken her heart with him. Why had she been so resistant to his love? Why had she dodged and hedged his advances until finally she’d had to acknowledge that he was the one—the only one—for her. If they’d had more time together to solidify their feelings, maybe this intrusion into their world wouldn’t have torn them apart. But everything was too fresh, too fragile to be sustained under pressure.
It’d all happened so fast and so out of the blue that she was still reeling from the impact of that row of numbers on a fancy business card. She picked the card up from her nightstand and flicked it with her fingernail. High quality. Emory Meadows appeared to be the real deal. He could back up his offer. Peter wouldn’t have sent him otherwise. She needed to talk with Peter, but Fern came first. She couldn’t just toss away an offer that would put them both on easy street. And yet, she couldn’t imagine selling to a developer and being the most hated person in Wildcat Bluff County—or even worse, being the cause of losing the wonderful historic building.