by Rimmy London
“Well, what if you won something? Don’t you have to get back?”
Another shrug. “They know where I live.” He fell into step beside me, and we looked out at the hills in a comfortable silence. It was good to be with someone I trusted, and I let the warm breeze clear my head. Glancing over I saw he was watching me, his brown eyes concerned.
“How have you been?” he asked, wrapping the strip of leather around his hand again. “I asked your dad and he didn’t seem to know what to say to that. Everything alright?”
Studying his face for a moment I took a breath, meaning to say everything was fine… but I couldn’t. I looked away again.
Our boots ground in the dirt for a few more minutes before his arm came around my shoulders. “Life’s hard like that sometimes,” he sighed. “Guess we all need a little breaking in—makes us better.”
I brought my arm around his back. “It has been hard, but amazing at the same time.”
He nodded, his arm falling from my shoulder and swinging naturally beside him. I was glad for once that I’d come to the rodeo. Luke more than made up for Cal. “You know,” he glanced behind us. “We’re making pretty good time, but I know what would speed things up even more.” With a grin, he stepped into the stirrup and swung one leg over.
I hesitated at his outstretched hand, but there was a lot more road to cover, and my tired feet weren’t used to boots. Taking his hand I let him pull me up in one swing, landing behind him in the saddle as his horse began at a walk. “Okay,” I grinned. “Let’s see what Scallywag can do.”
Luke laughed. “You remembered his name,” he turned, looking impressed.
I patted the horse behind me. “It is a memorable one.” Catching the energy in Luke’s eyes I gripped his sides just in time as the horse jolted forward. I held onto his shirt and let the wind tangle through my hair.
“It’s really good to see you Loriel,” Luke said, looking back briefly.
I leaned forward. “You too. And thanks for the ride.” He dipped his hat, wrapped one hand around the reins and turned us toward home.
* * *
“Hmph.” My dad seemed at a loss for words at seeing me return—with the wrong guy. Having watched us ride up he stood like a guard in front of the steps, not offering much of a greeting. Luke linked his arm with mine and guided me down before sliding out of the saddle.
“Hello Sir,” he said soberly, dipping his hat. “Loriel needed a ride home.” Softening, my dad stepped forward, shaking Luke’s hand quickly before retreating to the house. Luke had always had his respect, and prying wasn’t in his nature. Grateful for such a father I fully intended to explain the situation later.
“So what happened tonight?” Luke asked quietly. I turned to see him watching me.
“Well…” I took a breath, wandering to the bench. “I guess my dad kind of set me up tonight—blind date like.”
Luke’s eyebrows lifted. “Ah, so that’s why you were with Cal. We were a little surprised by that you know.”
My mouth twisted. “Who’s we?” I asked, although I was sure I already knew the names.
“Pretty much everyone,” he returned.
Too tired for small talk, I dropped the teasing. “It was a miserable night. Clearly, my dad doesn’t know the real Cal. I’ve never been so offended at a man’s behavior—well…” The men who had abducted me jumped into my head so quickly that I wasn’t quite sure how to finish that sentence. It was a complete lie. But I hadn’t meant for it to be. Luke watched my face for a moment, waiting. But I just stared back with my mouth open, and the words never filling it.
He pulled his hat off and brought his arm around me in the same movement, speaking under his breath. “What’s happened with you Loriel?” I leaned my head against his shoulder, closing my eyes. His voice continued, calm and steady. “Cal’s been back and forth from ranch to ranch for a couple weeks now. We don’t really know where he calls home but clearly it ain’t here.” He sighed. “He’s a dirty one, but puts on a good face—works hard so the landowners like em.” After a minute he leaned away. “You can’t blame your dad. He’s fooled the lot.”
“I know. I don’t blame him.” I mumbled, feeling drained.
Luke’s hand traced the scars on my wrists. “You safe out there?” His voice had taken on a stronger tone, and I smiled appreciatively.
“I think so,” I sighed. “Thanks for… this.”
His hands held mine as he leaned forward, kissing my cheek. “You just let me know if there’s something you need. I’m still here for you just like the rest of this town. Don’t go forgettin’ us.” He brought his hat back up, covering a wavy array of blonde.
Remembering his distaste for it, I smiled. “That hat covers up a pretty nice feature,” I teased, watching him stifle a grin.
He headed to his horse, pushing the brim down a little tighter. “Gotta keep my pride Ella,” He swung into the saddle, looking more comfortable than on foot. “I’ll be around.”
“Thanks again,” I answered, watching him kick his horse into a run. A distant rumble had me squinting in the distance at a truck I thought I recognized. At least it was headed away—Cal had definitely worn out his welcome.
Chapter 4
I pushed off my pillow and clutched the blanket in my hands. The lack of oxygen had been a dream, but my body didn’t think so. My pulse still pressed against my temples.
Just a dream.
I encouraged my tingling palms to relax, but the images still blared in my mind. The ones of Givanni at the top of a stone wall with his forehead showing a dark hole in the center.
I fell back into my pillow again. The dream was all wrong. It wasn’t him at the top of the wall. It wasn’t him I’d shot in Italy. It was a man I’d never seen before—the moment he pulled his gun on Givanni I’d shot. I’d killed him. The idea radiated like heat inside my head. But my dream hadn’t stopped there. Instead of escaping, I’d plunged into icy seawater, dragged down as quickly as if I were made of lead and sinking until the pressure pounded in my head and the darkness reigned over any hope of light.
Just a dream.
I opened my eyes again. My mind was too eager to force me back into the nightmare. Sitting up I exhaled in a gust, and tresses of hair tumbled forward. The room around me was a comfort—the oak dresser my grandfather had built—the flowery cushioned bench under the old paned window. Gradually, I felt my fear subside.
I slid my feet to the floor and walked a familiar pattern, avoiding the squeaky spot in the old wood. Darkness filtered through the hallway until being chased away by the glowing warmth of a fire crackling downstairs. My dad knew I was awake—I could tell by the way he lifted one side of his mouth up like he was waiting for me. Or maybe he was just glad for the company. Either way, he didn’t offer any comments, just pulled the pillow from the couch and handed it to me as I sat down. He knew me well.
I curled up against the stitched flannel, feeling much like I had growing up when we would stay up half the night. With the way he relished silence there hadn’t been lengthy conversations, just enough to pass the time. But it was easily one of my favorite things.
“Ella,” The sadness in his voice had me pulling my arms tighter, and I studied the way his eyes wandered across the fire, never looking up. “When yer mother died, I became an old man.” He glanced at me for a flickering second. “And I fear I gave you more responsibility than a young girl should have.” The drop in conversation was as much a part of his words as anything else, and I listened intently. “I fear you took too well to that…” Again his eyes flickered up, like a flame leaping from the fire only to return in the same instant. “To the pressure. You wrapped both hands around it and took on more responsibilities than half my men.” He shook his head. “I shouldn’t have let you—maybe then you wouldn’t feel the pressing need to fix everything in life. Maybe you could just let things be.”
I took a breath, but he raised his worn hand. “Let me just say, you make sure that this—everyth
ing you’ve chosen. You make sure it’s worth it. I wouldn’t trade a single day that I had with yer mother. It changed me forever, and I love her every day for it.”
A lump pressed against my throat, his words not what I’d expected. The need to contradict him suddenly vanished, and I could see on his face that he understood me. “Love you, Dad,” I whispered, dropping my chin to the pillow. Carefully I began an explanation. The words were soft and distant, and from the deepest part of my heart. They flowed like the warmth from our fire, steady and constant. Avoiding too much detail, I focused on my relationship with Givanni. But the expression on my dad’s face wasn’t the reaction I’d wanted.
His eyebrows were knit together as he realized just how strong our connection was. Stopping prematurely I didn’t bother telling him that I was with Givanni no matter what the outcome of this trial. Slowly his face smoothed over, and he abandoned his fixation on the fire. With a lift of his lips, the mood lightened, and he stood. The darkness outside was just beginning to fade, and as he passed he kissed my forehead along with a quick hug.
“Just tryin’ to keep you safe Ella-girl.”
“I know Dad, thanks.” I watched as he laced his boots, wishing he could know the Givanni that I did. Without any more conversation, he left to inspect fence lines. But, I’d had enough of ranch work. What I wanted was to get away somewhere where I could clear my head and really think.
On a whim, I headed toward the barn, sure my old horse would be happy to get out as well.
* * *
In the hills beyond our ranch, there was only desert grass and occasional hidden springs. I kicked my boots against Briar’s strong sides, eager to get a little lost. A shallow panting sound followed from Dusty, my dad’s cattle dog. On a cow drive, he was invaluable, but alone his breathing seemed irritatingly loud. I whipped one end of the reins at Briar’s rump, hoping to drown out Dusty with a little wind.
We easily rounded the first hill and I let Briar slow to a walk. A small crop of trees was huddled around a spring, and as we approached I could hear the water bubbling up from underground. The delicate gurgling of water over stones was relaxing, and I slid out of the saddle. Briar’s head dropped, with Dusty following alongside to lap up as much of the icy flow as he could.
Pulling out my phone hopefully I glanced at the blank screen, wishing Givanni would contact me. There was no telling how things were going at his end, but even if he did call I doubted he would give me the whole truth over the phone. He was too careful for that.
“Hello there, little lady!”
My breath caught in my throat, and the phone nearly slipped from my hands. The reaction seemed completely out of place. Even though it was Cal, he wasn’t dangerous… was he? With only seconds until he reached us I snatched the reins and swung into the saddle. Briar danced around nervously, absorbing the tension I was sending out.
“Hold up there, where you goin’?” Cal laughed.
Turning to face him I sat up as much as I could, hoping to look strong. “You just spooked my horse, that’s all—didn’t want him to go running off without me,” I huffed, breathless with the way my heart pounded.
“So you’d rather have him run off with you?” Cal asked.
Definitely, I thought, only shrugging in reply. A deep growl rumbled in Dusty’s throat as he stood rigidly beside me. I didn’t bother telling him to be quiet, and tightening the reins I wrapped my hand around them.
“Just saw you riding out here,” Cal continued, lifting up in his saddle and glancing across the landscape. “Thought I’d join you—pretty sure I owe you an apology.”
“It’s fine Cal, we need to be heading back anyway.” I hated coming closer to him, but he was blocking my way out of the small thicket. I kicked Briar a few times, encouraging him forward. The ears on Cal’s horse flattened and he heaved out an angry breath, but Cal didn’t reign him back. Catching sight of the gun holstered to his saddle I decided things needed to move faster.
“Back up,” I warned, dropping the happy face. He didn’t flinch, his eyes suddenly flat and hard as stone. Dusty came to life, erupting with high-pitched barks. He lunged at Cal’s horse and the animal bucked and jerked.
“Hey!” Cal yelled, finally swiveling back enough for me to get by. Briar didn’t need any more encouragement and shot forward, gaining speed as we made our way out of the trees.
Glancing behind me I watched Cal’s attempts to control his horse. The violent way he kicked and whipped at the animal made a new wave of fear come over me. Dusty was close on my heels. “Good boy,” I called, loosening the reins and letting Briar run.
When we reached the barn, I felt hidden in its cool shade. The moment it covered me, my racing heart slowed. I fell into a routine and pulled the saddle off Briar, smoothing a brush across his sweat-soaked coat. Giving him a scoop of grain, I lifted the saddle up. My hands still shook, and as I placed the saddle on its post I wondered suddenly if I should be just standing there—alone in the barn. What if Cal followed right after me?
“Hey, Ella—”
I gasped, turning so quickly that my hair whipped to one side. Luke stopped mid-step, and I finally felt the shaking in my hands subside. Clearly, I was overreacting. This was normal life again, not the crazy roller coaster I had been on for the last few months. But I couldn’t seem to stop myself. Everything about Cal seemed suspicious now.
“What’s goin’ on?” Luke asked, stepping forward and glancing to every corner of the barn before directing his question back at me.
I blew another breath out, clearing my throat. “I just…” I waved my hand at Briar, not sure I wanted to confess the whole story. “Went riding, I guess.”
“Hm.” Luke waited, not letting me get away with that answer, and sinking my hands into my pockets I let him have it.
“Cal followed me out there. Just up at foothill spring—”
“What?” Luke’s face was instantly flushed. I waved one hand in front of him.
“Nothing happened—at all,” I insisted. “I just said I had to go, and left.”
He kicked back against the saddle, watching me. “So why did you about jump to the ceiling just now, if nothing at all happened?” I shrugged a little, not wanting to explain the fact that I had been kidnapped and shot at and had enough attempts on my life to leave me a little shell-shocked. He pushed off the leather seat. “Well, I’m here all day, out at the west corral. Your dad has a few new horses he wants trained. I’ll check back here when I can.”
“No,” I shook my head. “You don’t need to do that Luke, really it’s fine. Some crazy things have happened the last few months and I think I’m just jumping to conclusions…”
He stepped in front of me until the brim of his hat was hovering over my head. “I don’t trust Cal either,” he whispered, making me shiver. Without another word, he headed off to the corral.
* * *
That afternoon I paced the kitchen and glanced down at my phone. I’d been hinting at going back to L.A. and my dad wasn’t happy about it. He started in on his favorite point—the one where he told me that I couldn’t fix other peoples problems.
“No dad, that’s not what I’m saying,” I argued.
“Well…” My dad kicked one boot up on the ottoman and glanced out at the fields. Trying to wait patiently I typed in Givanni’s number, looking at it. “I just expected you’d be home for a bit, you know, until this trial blows over.” I sighed, my finger hovering over the call button. “Ella,” The change in his voice had me looking up, his unmoving stare a little uncustomary. “Trial for murder is pretty serious. Pretty final.”
His words tightened around my lungs. Walking toward him I slumped down on the ottoman, with one hand wrapping around his boot. “Givanni is innocent,” I breathed, feeling more desperate by the second. The look in my dad’s eyes was sympathetic and full of love, but he only tipped his hat, abandoning the subject. Looking at my phone again I pushed the button. I had to talk to him.
Two rings pulsed
in my ear as I headed up the stairs. Closing my bedroom door I heard the line connect. “Givanni,” I gushed, “How are you? How are things going?”
His answering message cut me off, and I tossed the phone onto my bed. Sun streamed in through my window, but all I wanted to do was jump in my car and drive back. Why wasn’t he calling me? A tap sounded on my door. “C’m in,” I mumbled, falling back on the bed as my dad walked in.
His heavy boots clumped across the floor. “I’m sorry,” he started. I sat up on my elbows. “Gi-van-ni is pretty important to you, I can see that. And I haven’t been a whole lotta help.” I shrugged, but he was staring out the window. Turning with a stomp he crossed his arms in front of him. “What can I do? Do you need anything? Need to talk even?”
I shook my head. “No dad, I don’t think so…” Glancing up I thought about it—telling him everything. It would mean so much to hear his solid opinion. I sighed. “It’s really pretty mixed up.”
“Well it may not seem like it, but I know about more than just cattle life. There’s a lot you’re not tellin’ me and I just want you to know that you can trust me—”
“I know—”
“You can trust me to give you my advice or not to give it, and to keep the information you share to myself.” He headed to the door, with me staring after him. “But you should know that by now.” He pulled the door closed behind him.
I let my eyes close and wondered for a minute what my dad expected to hear from me. He knew nothing about what was really going on, and in his mind I was most likely a star struck young girl. I sighed and fell back into the comforter.
* * *
When I woke, the rich smells of steak and potatoes reached my nose. It felt like my dad had just left, but the long shadows across my bed were telling a different story. I shuffled my sleepy feet to the kitchen. “Well hello there,” my dad greeted, pulling a couple plates from the oven.