Imprisoned In A Cowboy's Heart (Two-Five Ranch Outlaws Book 1)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  What about my heart? “All right, all right. I agree with the both of you. Karis is the one.”

  Jesse guffawed, nudging Ronni. “I’m happy. Can you announce it to the town so all these women stop asking for you, trying to find excuses to come to the ranch? You, too, missy. I can’t get outta town without getting the third degree from those interested in all of ya.”

  Ronni raised her hands. “Don’t set me up with anyone. I’m done with men…for now.” She laughed.

  “I’m not the only single guy on the ranch, Pop.” Tanyon paused. “I’ll make an announcement in time. We have other things to deal with. I don’t want to lose the ranch.”

  “You’re not losing anything. Look, we’re bringing back the only witness who can help you,” Jesse said.

  “If we can be so lucky.”

  “Are you a champion bull rider?” Jesse asked.

  “Yes, sir, in my circuit.” he muttered in reply.

  “You still got your brains. I’d say you are lucky.”

  Tanyon chuckled then took a bite out of a sandwich. “Mom makes better sandwiches than Max.”

  “Yep. Your mama’s a keeper. I’m the real lucky one in the family. Look what she’s given me in this life.”

  Ronni slipped her arm around her dad’s shoulder. “Aw, we all love you, Daddy.”

  His dad sure was sentimental tonight. Tanyon sat his hat on the rear seat and tipped his head back. Now he didn’t feel lucky, but he had been lucky in bull riding.

  Ronni gave Tanyon a light elbow to his side. “Dad, you need to make Levi go to college. He cursed me out when I told him to take care of it. He’ll listen to you.”

  “Levi knows what he wants. If he isn’t ready to go, leave him alone. He’ll know better one day. The kid must think it’s his idea, not yours, child. Seems the more kids me and your mama have, the more stubborn they get.”

  “Don’t have any more then, dad.” Tanyon laughed to himself. It was good to know he wasn’t the most stubborn like everyone said.

  Jesse guffawed. “Lord strike me dead if we aren’t careful and have another stubborn male Outlaw.”

  “Too much information, Daddy!”

  ∞∞∞

  They pulled up at the ranch where the owner had called with the information. Two golden retrievers met them when they got out.

  Tanyon and Ronni knelt to pat them. Jesse introduced everyone. “We can’t thank you enough for contacting us, Teddy.”

  “Don’t thank me yet, Jess. My foreman told me Nick packed up his stuff and left this evening. Running scared.”

  “He didn’t do anything wrong,” Tanyon said. “We only wanted to talk to him. Dammit. Sonofabitch!” He paced down the driveway toward the highway as the sun lowered. After a moment alone to brood, he strolled back and opened the truck door.

  “You might be able to catch him,” the rancher said. “He headed down the highway. He’s walking far as I know. I don’t have any horses missing, or I’d be after him. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.”

  Jesse shook Teddy’s hand and thanked him.

  Tanyon raised his arm, fist balled.

  His dad frowned. “Son, if you plan on punching the truck, remember who it belongs to. It’s not one of your beaters.”

  “I’m not punching anything.” But I damn well want to.

  Ronni slid into the middle again and Jesse pressed on the accelerator, turning to the right out of the driveway. He drove well above the speed limit.

  “Dad, let me drive. Pull over. It’s getting dark.”

  “I’m fine for twenty more minutes, boy.”

  It’d been almost twenty minutes and Jesse pulled off the road. Tanyon saw someone in the distance. “Wait, drive on. There’s a guy walking up ahead. Don’t hit him.”

  “I see him.” Jesse drove back onto the road, pulled off to cut in front of the guy, and Tanyon got a look. “It’s him.” His dad hit the brakes and Tanyon opened the door. “Hold up a minute, Nick. It’s Tanyon Outlaw. Remember us, from the Two-Five?”

  Nick took a step back, dropped his bag, and put his hands up. “I don’t know anything.”

  “How do you know what we want?” Tanyon asked.

  Nick shook his head, glancing around Tanyon when Ronni strode up to them. “I figured it out.”

  Ronni brushed her hand toward the truck. “Hi, Nick. We only need to ask you one simple question. Come along. Let’s get a cup of coffee up the road? Our treat.”

  Jesse came up to stand beside Ronni and Tanyon. “My daughter’s right. We mean you no harm, young man. We know you haven’t done a thing.”

  Hesitantly, he stepped forward, giving a hard, obvious swallow while observing Ronni. “That offer of coffee still good?”

  “Yes, it is,” Ronni replied. “Come on.”

  He nodded. Tanyon held the door and pulled the front seat forward. “Ronni?”

  She slid in and Jesse got in beside her. Nick got in the front seat. Tanyon slid the seat back. The last thing he wanted was to intimidate the guy. They sat silent as they drove on. Ahead, he pulled into the parking lot of a small diner. Nick followed Jesse inside as Tanyon and Ronni lagged behind.

  “Why’d you dump me in the back away from Nick, Tanyon?” she asked. “I wanted to sweet talk him in the back seat.”

  “We’re not playing him, Sis. He said he knows what we want. We didn’t twist his arm to come with us or volunteer any information.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Inside the diner, Jesse ordered coffee for the table and asked what the cake specials were today.

  “Carrot cake, and it can’t be beat.” The server held her pen ready to write.

  Jesse glanced at everyone around the table, but Nick remained silent, so Jesse nudged him. “Would you like something different?”

  “Why are you being so nice? You found me. I’ll talk.”

  Jesse gave the smile he was known for. “Nice is who we Outlaws are. Carrot cake?”

  “Sure.” Nick glanced around as if he were expecting someone or watching his six.

  Tanyon asked, “This concerns the accident at my ranch, right?”

  “Yeah,” Nick replied. “I shouldn’t have kept quiet, but Logan—”

  “Logan threatened you? He’s a damn bully.” Ronni blurted it out in her forward fashion.

  “I’m ashamed to admit I ran off, but yeah, he threatened my family. I’m all they have. I’m not afraid of anything much, but when my family is involved it becomes a different story. They depend on me and the extra income I furnish to help my aunt. I don’t know how Logan found out about them.”

  “Where are they?” Jesse asked.

  “Over in Winslow. They can’t move. What was I supposed to do?”

  Tanyon scoffed. “I’ll take care of Logan. Are you willing to talk to my lawyer? This is important. I can lose everything. You have a permanent job on the ranch, Nick, and you’ll make enough money to help your family—whether you talk or not. You didn’t deserve to be run off. Was Rudy involved in this?”

  Nick nervously glanced around and over his shoulder again. “Not with the threats. He tried to talk Logan out of what he’d done.”

  “And what exactly had he done?” Tanyon put his hand on Nick’s forearm across the table.

  “He…” Nick paused while the server delivered their cake and coffee and had walked away.

  By his appearance, Nick could take care of himself, and Tanyon was surprised he hadn’t handled Logan.

  “Logan got Jody drunk, hell, more than drunk, damn soused then dragged him over to the chute and made him, well, forced him with assistance to get on the bronc. He tied his hands. Rudy and I both tried to stop him. I knocked Logan to the ground then ran over to get Jody off the horse, but Logan ordered one of his buddies from town to open the chute. I climbed over the chute intending to rope the horse, but I caught sight of Logan coming up behind me, and before I could defend myself, he slugged me in the back of the head. That’s all I remember until I woke up in one of the stalls
they dragged me into.”

  Tanyon poked at the cake with his fork. “Where was Rudy during all this?”

  “I don’t know what happened to him.”

  “They’re still working for me. I wasn’t sure how they were involved, but Rudy is the one who mentioned it might not have been an accident and Logan had been involved.”

  Nick brushed his hand through his longish blond hair. “Jody knew better then to get on a bronc and never would’ve if Logan hadn’t gotten him drunk and planted him on it. Truth is, Logan hated him for coming to live with his family. He said his cousin got in the way. The way I heard it was his family put him up to it. They saw dollar signs. Between him and his family members, they came up with the idea to cause Jody to have an accident and sue you.”

  “How do you know this?” Ronni asked piercing him with a stare while licking icing from her finger.

  Nick took a drink of coffee, set the cup down, and sighed. “Before I left a couple days later, Logan and his buddy, the same one who pulled open the gate, talked in the barn. Logan took advantage of the situation but caused more harm than had been planned. How is Jody?”

  “His leg is messed up. Was broken, but he’s still in a coma. The doctor said he could wake up at any time. Saying a prayer won’t hurt.”

  “I’m sorry I ran. I’ll talk to your lawyer, but I’m worried for my family.”

  Jesse spoke to Tanyon who sat across from him. “Maybe we can send Nick’s family away.”

  “Not a bad idea,” Tanyon replied. “Nick, we’ll do what we can to protect them. Logan’s an idiot. I doubt he meant to carry through with the threat against you, but for now we’ll take him seriously. Will you talk to the police chief along with my lawyer when we get back to Will’s Bend? He’s a close friend to my dad.”

  “In fact, Nick,” Jesse said, taking up his cup. “We have an extra room at our place. You’re welcome to stay with us until this gets handled properly. Nobody will know you’re there.”

  Nick shoved his plate aside and folded his hands on the table, rubbing them as he spoke. “I suppose. It’s killing me to keep this inside. There’s something else…”

  He and his dad waited patiently, but Ronni wouldn’t stop digging, so Nick kept quiet. Tanyon calmly asked, “What else, Nick?”

  “Your fencing? It was Logan and the half-wit with him who cut it. They weren’t aware of you keeping close eye on the repairs. They figured they could sell off a couple cattle now and then and you’d never know. All I know of it is Logan and the idiot taking one and splitting the beef between their families.”

  Tanyon tapped his heel vigorously and caught himself biting a nail. “Hmm. If people are hungry, I’ll give them a damn side of beef. They don’t have to steal it.”

  “That’s how I raised you, my boy,” Jesse said with pride.

  Tanyon pushed the chair back to stretch his legs out. “Do you have any idea who knowingly butchered a stolen cow?”

  Nick raised his hand. “Nah, hell no. I stayed out of their business when I overheard them laughing like it wasn’t a big deal.”

  “My brother Dusty said when taking inventory recently, he found a couple missing. We didn’t report it to the Department of Agriculture for only having two gone but anymore and we would’ve. Thanks for the info, Nick. We need to be more diligent.” Tanyon sighed. No wonder they had an orphaned calf. “Finish your cake and coffee. I’ll be in after making a call.” He scooped up the last bite of his cake before going outside to call the chief. Why hadn’t Karis called yet? Before calling Chief Ramos, he dialed her number. She answered sniffling. “Hi, babe. Are you all right?”

  “No. Mom had put the social worker on the phone earlier. They’re wanting to put Mia and Austin in foster care because my mom is unfit to take care of them now, and me, their guardian, hasn’t been there. Why oh why did I take them back after having them here the weekend when we went to get them? I must convince the authorities that I’m here for the kids.”

  Gulping, he muttered, “You’re not coming back.”

  “That isn’t what I said, Tanyon. My brother is planning to come home. What a mess.” She sobbed. “And…and it’s almost a year since Rory.”

  “I know it’s close to the date, honey.”

  “Did you find the guy?”

  “Yeah, Nick. He has quite a story to tell and backed up what Rudy had said, plus a lot more. We’ll be heading back home to talk to the chief and my lawyer. Good timing, eh?”

  “I’m happy for you.”

  “Hey, you gonna be all right?”

  “I have to be. It’s everything at once, you know.”

  “You take it easy and call if you need me. Drive safe. If I can vouch for you, I will. You’re the only sane one in the bunch right now.”

  “I’m glad you think so. Let’s hope I remain this way. I don’t know what’ll happen to Mom. She told me she’ll be able to calm down knowing I’ll be there. It’s the burden of caring for them, getting them where they need to go, consoling them… I shouldn’t have left her.”

  “You did what you thought was best. She wanted you to come. It’s a good idea to let her work through this, and in the meantime, you bring the kids up. We’ll take care of them.”

  “Those poor babies have been through so much hell. Thankfully, my mom reached out. I’ll try to come home, I mean back.”

  “Wait. What do you mean try?”

  “I don’t know.”

  He did not like her not knowing if she’d come back. “Consider this home too. I’ll get a couple of those beds… You know, the ones that come in a box, or blow-up mattresses. The kids can have a room or stay in yours until we can come up with something permanent.”

  “Can’t we have a bunkhouse? After all, you wanted to give them one.”

  Tanyon paused. “When you return, I’d like you and the kids to remain in the house. Will you give it some serious thought?”

  “Um, okay. I don’t need to think it over, honey. This looks bad for me and with good reason. I’m a professional and I failed my brother. There’s more I can’t even talk about right now.”

  “Karis, stop. You failed no one. You’ve always been there for the kids. Your mom should’ve told you it had been hard on her, but she covered it up. She was fine when we were there last. The kids were happy. Listen, me and my family are all here for you. Please don’t fall back into your world of gloom. This is going to work out. As soon as I get this taken care of with Nick, I’ll be there. They’ll see you have a support system.”

  “I have to go, honey. Traffic is bad through construction.”

  “Why didn’t you call me? Sorry. Forget it.” What an ass he was for asking with what she’d been going through.

  “I did after talking to Mom to let you know what she’d said.”

  “Oh. Okay. Sorry. How selfish of me.”

  “It’s all right. You’re busy. I love you.”

  “I love you too. I miss you already. My stubbornness kept us from having more time together. I deeply apologize, darlin’.”

  “I’ll see you soon. I miss you too.” She hung up.

  Stubborn wasn’t the only thing he’d been. He regretted being a sonofabitch to her. Before going in, he called Chief Ramos at the station in Will’s Bend.

  By the time he’d gotten back inside, the decision to get Nick’s aunt and brother and sister moved to a different place temporarily, had been decided. Tanyon and Nick left Jesse and Ronni at the restaurant. Tanyon followed Nick’s directions to where they lived. Due to Nick’s call, they were packed and ready when they arrived. Tanyon drove them to a hotel outside of town. He’d had no idea what happened to Nick’s parents. Too bad he hadn’t known Nick’s predicament when he worked for him. Now, if only they could keep him from running off again.

  ∞∞∞

  At his parents’ home on the property, Tanyon carried in Nick’s extra bag of clothes he’d packed while at his aunt’s. He held his palm out to Sparky to stop barking. His mom looked back and forth at t
he bags and then at Nick but remained quiet. His dad could explain later.

  His mom and dad left the room and Tanyon took Nick aside. “Listen. I’m depending on you to help save my ranch. That sonofabitch lied with his parents help. Jody may never be the same. It’s—”

  “Hold on, I don’t—”

  “It’s not fair to him or any of us including you, Nick. You’ll be safe here. Don’t worry. Your family is safe. Anytime you need to see them, let me or one of my brothers, or Ronni, know.” Tanyon removed his hat and swept his fingers through his hair. He checked his watch. “We have to go. The chief is expecting us.”

  Nick had no reply, which worried Tanyon. He had a gut-feeling that Nick wanted to run. “Dad, we’ll see you later. I’ll bring Nick back when we’re finished in town.”

  Before getting in the truck, Nick said, “I need an income now. Up and quitting like I did, I doubt I’ll get my pay at the Worthington ranch. I can’t stay here.”

  “You’re wrong. My dad knows him well. He’s a fair guy.” Tanyon got in his dad’s truck and thought a minute. “You know, while you’re here at Dad’s, I have an idea. You’re good with horses. I’ll bring a couple of my fillies over and let you work with them in my dad’s corral. We’ll keep them in his stable. There’s no reason for Logan to ever go over there.”

  Nick nodded, saying dryly, “Okay.”

  The drive into town was silent, adding to Tanyon’s concern. “Oh, shit!” They eased up to a light on Main Street in Wills Bend, and of all people he didn’t want to see, Logan and his buddy-in-crime, crossed in front of them toward the Rebel Elk Saloon. Too late. Logan had seen them. By the time they got parked in the police station lot, Nick’s face had paled. “They won’t know where or if you’re staying. Come on.”

  “He just saw your dad’s truck. He’ll figure it out.”

  “Don’t worry. Coincidentally, Dusty’s is just like this—same color and everything.” Tanyon banged on the door and the chief came out of his office. “Come in. Come in. Nice to see you.” He glanced out the door then locked it. “Your attorney’s already here. Coffee?”

  “Good. Nope.” Nick declined as well. In the office, Tanyon introduced him properly to the chief and to Jenessa Hayes, his attorney.