“Did you expect to?” He raised his brows.
“Not really.” She locked gazes with him. “We need to set a trap for my uncle.”
~
Minton wouldn’t know if his plan to start turning the residents of the ranch against Hope would work, but having a kid shot was a good first step. Not that he had anything against the youth the ranch wanted to help, but they didn’t matter much each way to him. Young people were more trouble than they were worth.
It didn’t surprise him that his goody-goody niece had gotten that type of a job. She always thought she could save the world, starting with Lou. He laughed. How’d that work out for her?
He drummed his fingers on his desk, formulating the second phase of his plan. He’d wanted the gun there in case he needed it when he made his final move. Now, he’d have to carry one on his person. Not a big problem considering his occupation, but he hadn’t wanted Hope too suspicious when he faced her.
Luring her to a hidden weapon would be better than arriving on the ranch armed. Way too many macho cowboys who packed a pistol for Roy’s taste.
He needed to catch her away from the ranch. Make her turn over the inheritance to save her life. He dialed his man. “Follow her. Let me know when she looks like she’ll be away from all the yahoos for any length of time.”
~
Wyatt wasn’t crazy about Hope’s idea, but joined his older brother in his office the next morning. “It might be the only way to keep Minton from coming to the ranch. We have to keep these kids safe. Child Protective Services is already steaming over David getting shot. If not for Billy having a record of aggressive behavior, I’d be in big trouble.”
“Luck was on everyone’s side yesterday.” Wyatt settled back in his chair. “How does Hope feel about horseback rides?”
“She said she knows how. The hard part will be getting away when we have twenty youth depending on us.”
“Maybe Stetson can give them riding lessons one day. Give you and Hope some time to set a trap.” He leaned his elbows on the table. “But, and this is a mandatory but, the rest of us Armstrongs won’t be far away when you do leave this ranch.”
“I’m not going to argue with that.” He stood. “I’ll go talk to Stetson.”
His brother had just finished putting on a show with his horse and settled Buck into a stall. “What’s up?”
“I need a favor, probably more than one.” Houston placed a hand on the stall door. He explained needing to get Hope away. “I know this youth program is my deal, but they’re in danger as long as Minton roams free.”
“Sure, I’ll help. I can give them lessons in the morning, Crystal can show them some kitchen skills in the afternoon. That will give you and Hope a full day.” Stetson sobered. “I don’t like the idea of you heading away from the ranch.”
“I’ll have backup.” Houston’s first concern was the kids, his second Hope. The only way to keep them safe was to put an end to Minton’s stalking.
“When do you want to do this?” Stetson hung his saddle over a log on legs.
“I’m sure Hope is being followed. I want to lay some groundwork first. Head into town, do some shopping, let someone overhear us making plans. Maybe the day after tomorrow?”
“Set it up. I’ll make sure my schedule is free.”
Houston joined Hope at breakfast. “I’d like a few minutes of your time after we eat.”
“Okay.” She glanced at the curious young faces around them and smiled. “Am I in trouble?”
He laughed. “Not yet.”
“I think he wants to spend some alone time with you.” Ashley made kissing sounds.
Hope blushed. “Hush.”
The boys cheered and jeered, all except Billy and David. Billy kept his head down while David glared at him.
Houston sighed. He had no idea how to repair the bad blood between the two. A close eye would have to be kept on them, and here he was getting ready to take an entire day away. He’d need to mention to Stetson that the boys would need a sharp eye on them at all times. David could easily retaliate Billy’s accidental shooting in some way.
“What’s wrong?” Hope asked quietly.
He jerked his head toward the boys. “Those two.”
“I could talk to them. Have a private counseling session, if you think it would help.”
“It might. Let’s do that after you and I talk. Meet me at the table on the patio?”
She nodded, worry clouding her eyes. “Give me half an hour.”
True to her word, she met him on time. He explained his plan for heading into town the next day while the kids had their free time. “Then, we’ll horseback ride the next day.”
She paled. “I know this was my idea, but it scares me.”
He put a hand over hers. “Hey, I’m still your knight in shining armor, right? We’ll be fine.”
“I’ve brought so much trouble here.”
“Sweetheart, you aren’t the only one. It’s becoming old hat.” He grinned, doing his best to ease her worry. “If you don’t stop frowning, I might have to kiss you.”
Her eyes widened. “How would that help?”
“It’s called distraction.” All of a sudden he really wanted to know what her lips felt like. He’d almost gotten up the nerve when the kids filed from the dining hall and headed their way. He sighed. “Let’s get those two troublemakers together for a talk.”
While the other youth headed for the building, Houston asked Billy and David to join him and Hope. “We’d like a word, gentlemen.”
Hope spoke on forgiveness, accidents, and playing with dangerous things. “Billy might have found the gun, David, but you knew about it and said nothing. You’re as much at fault as he is.” She kept her hands flat on the table in what Houston suspected was an attempt to put the boys at ease. “We’re all living here together for a few more weeks. It hurts my heart to see two friends at odds with each other.”
“We ain’t friends,” David muttered, crossing his arms.
“We were,” Billy said. “Dude, I said I’m sorry a million times! What else do you want me to do?”
When David didn’t answer, Hope said, “David, he asked you a question.”
“I want you to die.” The boy got to his feet, grabbed his crutch, and stormed away.
Chapter Eight
The next afternoon, Hope rode into town for a late lunch with Houston. They planned on stopping at a western wear store to purchase her boots and a cowboy hat, although she’d insisted she didn’t need either.
“We have to make the rounds talking about our plans for tomorrow,” Houston told her. “The more places we go, the better chance of the right person hearing us. Consider it part of your pay.”
She didn’t like hats and didn’t understand his fixation that she wear one. Knowing she fought a useless battle, she kept her mouth shut and went along for the ride.
The western shop smelled of leather. Not unpleasant and Hope found herself drawn to a rack of plaid blouses with fringe. She smiled and chose a blue and white one with pearl buttons. If Houston wanted her to look like a cowgirl, then by Jove, she’d look like one. A white hat and red boots completed the outfit.
“Red?” Houston arched a brow.
“I think they’re gorgeous.” Hope plopped the items on the counter. “If we’re going riding to the mountain pass tomorrow, then I want to feel every inch the part.” She smiled at his admiring gaze, knowing she’d said exactly what he’d wanted to hear.
The salesgirl rang up their items. “You’re lucky, ma’am. Not many girls get to go riding with an Armstrong man. They seem to stick with their employees.” She sighed. “I’ve been trying to get on at the ranch. Put in a good word with Seth, would you?”
Houston laughed and lifted the bag. “I’ll see what I can do.” Outside, he added, “the girls really like the twins.”
“It’s my belief that women like all the Armstrong men.” Hope smiled over the hood of his truck. “Unfortunate for them, the men
are getting hitched like mules to a wagon train. How’s that for cowboy talk?”
Houston’s laugh drew the attention of several people strolling the sidewalk of Main Street. If whoever followed Hope hadn’t been in the store, and were on the street, they’d definitely know where she was now.
He leaned on the roof of the truck, his gaze stealing her breath. “Fair warning, sweetheart. When you put on that getup we just bought, I might steal a kiss.” With a wink, he slid into the driver’s seat.
Yowzah. She swallowed hard and joined him in the front seat. She’d dreamed of a kiss from the moment he saved her from that train.
Their next stop was the grocery store where they bought things they didn’t need for the ride. Enid had the best packed pantry of anyone Hope knew. But, Houston insisted they needed to stop as many places as possible before returning to the ranch.
Their last stop was for ice cream. After all the running around town, Hope could use a sweet pick-me-up. She ordered a strawberry sundae complete with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry on top.
A man in the corner stared their way, then focused on the ice cream in front of him when Hope glanced his way. The outline of his head resembled the man who had run her off the road. Before she could change her mind, she shot to her feet and approached him. It didn’t take but a breath before Houston stood behind her.
“Do I know you?” She narrowed her eyes.
“Nope.” The man raised his head.
“Then what do you find so interesting about us?” She crossed her arms.
“The two of you make enough noise to rival a gaggle of geese.”
“Really?” She arched a brow and frowned. “Because you look very similar to someone who tried to kill me.”
The corner of his mouth curled. “I would have succeeded. Now leave me alone before I call the manager.”
Anger radiated off Houston in waves. Hope shot out a hand to stop him when he made a move forward.
“I must have been mistaken, then.” She turned and marched back to their table.
“Mind telling me what just happened?” Houston glared.
“I’m pretty sure he’s the man who ran me off the road. You heard him deny it, but I want him to know I’m very aware.” She ate a spoonful of her treat. “It wasn’t like he’d try anything in a crowded ice cream parlor.”
“You didn’t know that.” He stabbed his spoon into the bowl in front of him.
“Good thing I was right.” She grinned, but didn’t receive one in return.
“You can’t run off half-cocked. What if I hadn’t got there in time? If he’s a hired killer, he could have stabbed you and dashed away before anyone the wiser.”
Her actions really had bothered him. She reached over and squeezed his arm. “I won’t be so impulsive again.”
“Ha.”
“Okay, I’ll try not to be.”
He exhaled slowly. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, Hope.”
“That makes two of us.”
~
“They’re planning a horseback ride tomorrow.”
Roy smiled as he listened to the man on the other end of the phone. “Wonderful. I’ll need backup. You willing?”
“Yeah, the woman needs taken down a notch or two.”
“I’m not going to kill her,” Roy said. “Not until I have the money in hand anyway. I do intend to force her to come with us. Figure out how we can do that.” He gave a meeting place, told the man to rent a couple of horses, then hung up feeling better than he had in days.
“I’m coming for you, Hope.” He rubbed his hands together then poured a shot of whiskey.
He hated horseback riding, Montana, his niece, and everything else around him at the moment. He downed the shot in one gulp and poured another. It would be worth it all when he got the money.
~
The woman would give him gray hair before it was all over. What was she thinking charging up to a potential killer? Houston shook his head and went over the items he wanted in his backpack for the next morning.
Gun, ammo, water, food. He had no intention of spending the night on the mountain, so removed the mylar blanket he always carried. Then, realizing it took up virtually no room, put it back in.
“Going somewhere?” Billy joined him at the outside table.
“While the rest of you are busy with other activities, I’m taking Hope on a ride.” What was he forgetting?
“Do you always take a gun?”
Houston glanced up. “Have you ever seen me without one on my hip? What if we run across a snake or a wild animal?”
The boy nodded. “Makes sense. Would you teach me to shoot? If I knew more, maybe I wouldn’t have shot David.”
“He still wanting you dead?” Houston tried to smile and failed miserably judging by the look on the boy’s face. He must have grimaced instead. “Sorry bad joke.”
“Yeah, he’s still mad at me. I don’t know what to do.” Billy sat on the bench. “I’ve never had real friends before. Guess I still don’t.”
“He’ll get over it.” Hopefully.
“You think someone wants to hurt Miss Hope.” Billy eyed the gun on Houston’s hip and the one on the table. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t take two.”
“It’s best to be prepared.” He eyed the boy. “If you really want to learn gun safety, I’ll teach you when we return. But…you have to stay out of trouble while I’m gone. I can’t have you being irresponsible. Guns are not toys.”
“I know that.” He stared across the corral. “I’ve seen the damage they can do. Maybe I can help in some way when I grow up. I’m thinking about being a cop.”
“That’s a good profession.” Houston smiled. “You’d be a good one. Let me clean this up and we’ll commence with the afternoon’s activities. Where is Miss Hope?”
“Teaching the girls how to sew.”
“Another worthy skill. Even boys need to know how to sew on a button and do simple mending. Do you think my mother does those things for me?”
“Yeah.” Billy frowned.
“Well, she doesn’t. In her words, I’m a grown ass man who needs to know how to take care of myself.”
The boy laughed. “I wish I had her for a mom.” He hopped up. “See you at the corral.”
Houston would be giving a lesson on animal care. He’d heard a few of the kids talk about their love of animals and thought maybe one would have a future in veterinary medicine. They didn’t have any puppies or kittens, but they did have a calf only a few days old.
Laughter and excited chatter drew his attention as the group strolled by. Hope smiled and waved, motioning her head toward the corral.
Houston nodded, shoved everything into his pack, then hurried to his room to put the pack behind lock and key. Ten minutes later, he fetched the calf and led it to where the youth could pet and love on the poor creature.
The mother cow mooed from nearby, her brown head hanging over the railing as she watched protectively. Ashley looked bored, flanked by Billy and David who tried not to look interested in either her or the calf and failing at both.
Houston shook his head as he explained how cows were born and cared for. Those two boys might act as if they hated each other, but a bond had formed before the shooting that wouldn’t go away easily. They’d be alright.
After the calf, Houston showed how to groom a horse, find a bunny’s nest, now empty that far into the summer. They studied a bird’s nest, found an owl pellet, and discussed an eagle soaring overhead. Except for the three kids who occupied a corner of his mind, the others held onto his every word.
Hope had stationed herself in the middle of the three who giggled and make jokes until they stopped being a distraction and pretended to be interested. “You might want to know these things someday,” she said.
“Not likely.” Ashley sneered. “I’m going to marry rich.”
“I’m going to be rich,” David said. “I’ll find a way.”
“I’ll be richer.” Billy marched
toward the bunkhouse, clearly no longer caring about the afternoon’s activities.
“I don’t know what to do about those three,” Hope said, hanging back with Houston as the others headed for the dining hall. “I’m worried about leaving them behind tomorrow.”
“We can’t take them.”
“I know that. I hope Stetson and Crystal know what they’ll be dealing with.”
“Mom can handle them.” He’d been on the lecture side of her tongue many times during his childhood. “Five minutes of her informing them about the consequences of their actions will have them skulking to their rooms.”
Hope laughed. “She does have a way.”
He took her hand in his, marveling at the smoothness of her skin and how perfectly their hands fit. “Tomorrow will have enough worries, Hope. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted. Doing so might get one of us killed.”
“Believe me, I won’t be thinking of anything else once I climb into that saddle.”
Houston hoped so. They’d both need their wits about them, eyes wide open, and nerves of steel if Minton showed up.
Chapter Nine
Hope buttoned her western shirt with trembling fingers, then slipped her feet into her new boots. Normally, she’d look forward to a horseback ride with Houston. Today, her blood ran cold, her skin paled, knowing either she, Houston, or both might not make it back to the ranch alive.
Five of the Armstrong brothers would be shadowing them, but what if they were too far away if trouble came. She scoffed. Not if, when, because trouble would intend face her that day.
A knock sounded on her bedroom door. She opened it to see Enid. “Your breakfast is ready. Do you know how to shoot a gun?”
Hope shook her head. “I never had the chance to learn.”
“This might not be the smartest thing I ever did, but here’s a quick lesson.” She pulled a small handgun from her apron pocket. “The clip is fully loaded. You can fire off six rounds in quick succession. This lever is the safety. Only pull it back if you plan on shooting, otherwise leave it in place. Then, God forbid, you point and pull the trigger. Got it?”
Houston's Hope: A clean cowboy romantic suspense (The Brothers of Copper Pass Book 4) Page 5