by R. C. Ryan
The sheriff sat back with a look of satisfaction. “There you go, Miss Larsen.”
She was already shaking her head. “We’re strangers. We couldn’t possibly just barge in and—”
“But you’re not strangers. You’re my friends.” Luke’s tone was calm and reasonable. “You’ve already met my uncle Colin and our foreman, Burke. The rest of my family will make you feel so welcome, you’ll think you’re part of the family in no time.”
“Luke isn’t exaggerating. The Malloy family is just about the most accommodating in Montana.” Eugene Graystoke got to his feet. “At least think about it, Miss Larsen. For the sake of your little sister.”
He reached across the table to shake Ingrid’s hand and then Mick’s, before heading for the mudroom and motioning for Luke to follow. At the back door he took his hat from a hook on the wall before stepping outside.
Luke offered his hand. “Thanks, Eugene. I think using her fear for Lily’s safety will be the deciding factor.”
The sheriff gave a grim smile. “That may take care of the immediate danger. But think about this, Luke. This thing could go on for months. And I’m worried that our shooter will try again, whenever he gets an opportunity. Next time, he may not miss.”
“You think I haven’t already thought of that?” Luke was equally grim. “But for now, I just want them all safe and out of harm’s way. After that, I’ll have to take it day by day.”
The sheriff started down the porch steps. “I intend to ask the state boys for help in this. In the beginning, it sounded more like an insult against the mother’s boyfriend, or a feud between neighbors. Now it’s become attempted murder. This is getting too complicated, and too dangerous, to stand by and wait for the next shoe to drop.”
“I agree. Tonight has changed everything.” Luke took in a breath. “Thanks for all your help, Eugene.”
He turned and made his way back to the kitchen, where Ingrid and Mick were having a spirited conversation.
“What do I do about the herd up in the hills?” Ingrid was pacing, arms crossed over her chest. “Or what’s left of them?”
“They’re up there right now without any wranglers. They can certainly make it a few more days without you, girl.” Mick scrubbed the skillet until it gleamed, then continued scrubbing it viciously, taking out his frustration in any way he could.
“And this house?” Ingrid stabbed a finger in the old cowboy’s chest. “What if Nadine comes home and finds it empty?”
“So what?” Mick caught her wrist and lowered her hand to her side.
“So, she could decide to move Lon in while we’re away. What’s to stop her?”
“Let him move in.” The old man looked around. “What can he do to this old place to make things worse than they already are?”
Ingrid flinched. “I’m not worried about him trashing it. But he’ll be free to go through my private things. The mail. The bills and receipts. The ledgers. I don’t want him knowing my business.”
“Neither do I, girl. But if it’s a choice between staying here and being shot at like fish in a barrel or leaving the house open to prying eyes, I vote for hightailing it out of here and taking Luke up on his generous offer.”
Ingrid’s eyes flashed fire as she turned away and began more pacing.
Luke poured himself yet another cup of coffee and sat quietly, letting the two of them go at it.
It looked as though it would be a very long night, with no one but Lily getting any sleep at all. But at least, he thought with a clenched jaw, they’d make it through the night alive.
Things could have taken a very different, and very violent turn, if the shooter had been successful.
The thought of someone standing in the dark, taking aim at an unsuspecting woman, had Luke itching for a good knock-down, drag-out fight. It would be so much more satisfying than sitting around and watching Ingrid and Mick verbally sparring. But for now, since the coward had slunk away under cover of darkness, he was forced to make do with this.
And to hope that in the light of morning, Ingrid would relent.
Chapter Thirteen
Oh boy. Are we really going to stay at your ranch overnight?” Lily was too excited to sit still. She and Mick were in the backseat, where Lily continued to bounce as much as her seat belt would allow.
Ingrid drove her battered truck, with Luke in the passenger seat. Towed behind them was a horse trailer holding Turnip.
Before Lily woke, the three of them had agreed to say nothing to her about the shooting. The little girl was told only that Luke needed to see his family and had invited them along. After morning chores, the horses had been turned out into a fenced meadow.
“Yes, we are, Li’l Bit. Or maybe more than a night, if we can persuade your sister.”
Ingrid shot Luke a dark look before returning her attention to the highway. She had agreed to one night. Beyond that, she’d refused to speculate.
Lily missed the look. She was too busy playing tutor to poor, patient Mick.
“Now remember their names, Mick.” Lily held up her hand, counting off each name on a finger. “There’s the Great One. He’s Luke’s great-grandfather. He likes to eat and drink fancy-schmancy stuff like he did in Hollywood. Isn’t that right, Luke?”
Luke couldn’t help chuckling at her dead-on repeating of his own words. “Right you are.”
“And then there’s Gram Gracie and Grandpop. That’s Luke’s grandpa, Frankie,” she added in an aside. “Then there’s Luke’s uncle Colin and Burke, the ranch foreman. We already met them when they flew in to take Luke home. But you didn’t go home with them, did you, Luke?”
“That’s right.”
“Next are Matt and Reed, Luke’s brothers, and Matt’s new bride, Vanessa. Luke says she’s really pretty, and down-to-earth for a big-city lawyer. And there’s Yancy, the cook and housekeeper.”
“You might not want to call him our housekeeper,” Luke said with a wink. “He prefers to think of himself as simply a cook.”
“Okay.” The little girl was beaming. “When will we be there?”
“Not long now. We’ve been on our land for the last half an hour.”
Ingrid’s eyes went wide. “This is all your land?”
Luke leaned an elbow out the window, enjoying the view. “Yeah. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed it.”
“But”—she allowed her gaze to sweep the rolling hills, folding one into the other, and all of them dotted with cattle as far as the eye could see—“it goes on for miles.”
“That’s Montana for you. More cattle than people.”
Her voice lowered. “Looks like half the state belongs to you.”
“To my family,” he corrected with a grin. “Just around this bend you’ll see the house.”
They came up over a rise, and as they followed the curving gravel road, they caught sight of the sprawling ranch house in the distance and, beyond it, several barns and outbuildings, and not a one of them in need of paint.
The house was an ageless structure, three stories of stone and wood, looking as though it had sprung fully built from the towering hills and mountains looming up behind it. The barns and outbuildings were the same dark wood, gleaming in the sunlight.
For the longest time everyone fell silent. Then, as they drew near, Ingrid couldn’t contain herself. “Oh my.” She pulled up behind several ranch trucks parked in a row, and all bearing the logo of the Malloy Ranch.
Luke’s smile grew. “Looks like everyone’s here.” He held up his cell phone. “I called ahead.”
“It’s nice to know we’re not just crashing.” Ingrid turned off the ignition and sat very still, fighting nerves.
Seeing it, Luke stepped down and circled around to open the driver’s-side door and take her hand. “Come on. They don’t bite.”
Lily and Mick were already out of the truck and stood waiting for Luke and Ingrid to lead the way. Before they could climb the steps, the back door was thrust open and the family spilled out
onto the wide porch.
“About time you came home, sonny boy.” Frank slapped Luke on the shoulder hard enough to jar his teeth.
Gracie hurried forward to hug her grandson before turning to the others. “Welcome to our home. We’re so happy to see all of you.”
“Gram Gracie, this is Ingrid Larsen and her sister, Lily.”
Instead of the expected handshake, Gracie surprised Ingrid with a warm embrace, before turning to Lily and gathering her close with a murmured, “Oh. Finally. Some girls to even the score against all these Malloy men.”
The smile on the little girl’s face put the sunshine to shame.
Grace indicated the immaculately groomed man standing in the doorway, his white hair flowing like an aged lion’s mane; a blue silk ascot was tied rakishly at his throat. “This is my father, Nelson.”
“I know you,” Lily said with excitement.
The old man’s eyes lit with pleasure. “A bit young to know about my reputation, don’t you think?”
“You’re the Great One. Luke’s great-grandfather.”
“Oh, that.” He gave a shrug of his shoulders. “Yes, indeed, I am. And you may call me Great One.”
Luke indicated the old man in faded denims and scuffed boots. “This is Mick Hinkley, Ingrid’s foreman.”
Frank and Grace shook the old cowboy’s hand before turning to handle the rest of the introductions.
“You’ve already met Colin. And this is our oldest grandson, Matt, and his wife, Vanessa.”
While the others shook hands, Lily couldn’t hold back. “You’re as pretty as Luke said.”
Vanessa dimpled. “Thank you, Lily.” She turned to Luke. “And thank you, brother-in-law. You think I’m pretty? I don’t believe you’ve ever said that before.”
Luke shot her a wicked grin. “Just a slip of the tongue. Don’t let it go to your head.”
Frank turned to the others. “This is my youngest grandson, Reed.”
Lily stared up at the tall, handsome cowboy to say loudly, “Youngest? But you’re as old as Luke.”
“Wrong, Li’l Bit,” Luke said above the laughter. “He may be taller, but he’s a year younger. That makes him the baby of the family.”
Reed knelt solemnly in front of the little girl and held out his hand. “Hi, Lily. I’m sorry you had to put up with my brother, but now that you’re here, I’ll show you how to avoid being stuck with him.”
“Oh, I don’t mind.” She missed the joke entirely as she looked at Luke adoringly. “Luke said he likes tomboys. Luke’s my friend.”
Reed got to his feet. “Just so he’s not your boyfriend.”
She put her hands on her hips. “He’s too old for that. Besides, I think he’d rather be Ingrid’s boyfriend.”
That had everyone laughing and punching Luke’s shoulder, while Ingrid’s face flamed.
Gracie turned to the man with the bowl haircut standing in the doorway. “This is Yancy Martin.”
As the others shook Yancy’s hand, Lily dashed forward, then stopped in her tracks, her eyes growing round. “You’re not much bigger than me.”
Grinning, Yancy held out an arm, as though measuring her against himself. “Oh, I know I’m short, but I think you need a couple of years to catch up to me.”
“I like having someone almost my size. Luke said you’re the best cook in Montana.”
Yancy’s smile went up several notches. “He did?”
Luke shrugged. “I must have said it in a moment of weakness.”
“Or hunger,” Reed said to the others’ laughter.
Burke ambled up from one of the barns after turning Turnip into a stall and joined in the handshakes.
“Let’s go inside.” Gracie led the way through the mudroom and into the large kitchen, with everyone following.
While the others laughed and chatted, Ingrid paused in the doorway and simply stared around the big, sunny room, where an oversized harvest table was set for supper, with colorful, matching plates and napkins. Across the room in an alcove of tall windows stood several overstuffed chairs and a sofa, where the family now gravitated while Yancy set out several plates of fruit and cheese, assorted crackers and small, round slices of bread, and a bowl of cheese dip on the low coffee table. A tray on the kitchen counter held frosty longnecks and several glasses of different beverages.
Luke offered Lily a glass of lemonade before handing a longneck to Mick. The old man shot him a grateful smile.
Gracie crossed the room to loop her arm through Ingrid’s. “Feeling a little overwhelmed?”
Ingrid nodded. “Yes. Does it show?”
“Not at all. Come on.” The older woman handed her a glass of white wine and walked beside her, drawing her toward the others, who were all enchanted by Lily, who was chattering like a magpie.
“Luke and I play Fish every night before I go to bed, and he hardly ever beats me.”
“Fish?” Reed shot his brother a look. “Just don’t let him offer to teach you poker, Lily.”
“He’s trying to. Ingrid said she wants us to stick to Fish.”
“Smart woman.” Reed turned to include Ingrid in the conversation. “Luke may be a lousy Fish player, but nobody can beat him at poker. So if you play him, don’t play for money.”
Lily said proudly, “We play for chores. And Luke has to do my share of mucking stalls whenever I win.”
Nelson looked up from his favorite overstuffed chair, where he was enjoying a martini. “You play for chores?” He looked from Lily to his great-grandson. “I guess that makes sense.”
He turned to his daughter. “Grace Anne, watching and listening to this lovely child has made me realize she would have been perfect in the role of Megan in my movie Divine.”
Grace studied Lily before nodding. “I believe you’re right, Dad. It wouldn’t have been a stretch for her to play a girl who talks to animals. And she’d have been so much better than that awful child star you hired.”
“A horrid little diva. And her mother was even worse.” He gave a mock shudder.
Ingrid went very still as the truth dawned. “Oh my goodness. You’re that Nelson LaRou. The famous Hollywood director.”
Nelson couldn’t have been more pleased. He puffed up his chest. “Right you are, Ingrid. I thought perhaps Luke would have mentioned me.”
“He did. But I must have missed the part where he said how famous you are.”
“Yes, he did.” Lily looked confused. “He said you’re his great-grandpa. Aren’t you?”
“Indeed I am. But long before Luke was born, I was a Hollywood director, handling all the rich and famous movie stars.”
Lily’s eyes went wide. “Do you know Justin Bieber?”
It was Nelson’s turn to look confused. “I haven’t a clue whom that might be. And I pride myself on knowing the name of every famous actor from the thirties to the sixties.”
Ingrid sighed. “He sings. And happens to be Lily’s current crush.”
The little girl shot her sister an indignant look. “He is not. You take that back. You know I don’t like boys.”
Ingrid gave her a gentle smile. “Sorry. You’re right. That’s too personal. Justin isn’t your current crush.”
“I think Luke is,” Reed said with a wink.
Instead of a denial, Lily’s face colored.
Grace quickly changed the subject to spare the poor child’s feelings. “Tell us about your ranch, Ingrid.”
Ingrid took a sip of wine to cover her embarrassment at being singled out. “I’m afraid it’s small and insignificant next to all this.”
“Nonsense,” Frank Malloy was quick to add. “Every rancher knows it isn’t the size of the ranch that matters; it’s the heart and soul the rancher pours into it that counts.”
“If that’s all it takes,” old Mick said with a grin, “then Ingrid’s spread is as big as the state of Montana. She pours everything she has into that place.”
“Good for you, Ingrid.” Frank glanced out the window at a clap o
f thunder. “It was sunny just a few minutes ago.”
Old Mick rubbed his shoulder. “I could’ve told you it was going to rain. These old bones know long before those TV weatherpeople do.”
Burke nodded. “I know what you mean. I’m getting better at predicting the weather every year.”
Lily looked from one to the other. “Can my bones tell me when it’s going to rain?”
“I’m afraid you’re just going to have to wait until you’re as old as us,” Mick said with a laugh.
Lily turned to Nelson. “Your bones are even older than theirs. Can you tell when it’s going to rain, Great One?”
His laughter rang through the room. “When you get to be my age, every little ache and pain can predict rain, snow, and even a cloud in the sky.”
“See.” She looked around at the others. “And that’s why he’s the Great One.”
Luke winked at Ingrid before turning to her sister. “You got that right. And don’t you forget it, Li’l Bit.”
Just then Lily caught sight of a framed photograph hanging across the room. She pointed. “Look, Ingrid. They have the same picture I have hanging in my bedroom. Only mine is smaller.”
“You have this one?” Grace started across the room.
Lily trailed behind her. “Uh-huh.” She pointed to the stallion watching over his herd of mustang mares. “I’ve seen him. I’ve seen all of them. They’re my herd.”
Grace’s brows shot up. “Yours?”
“Well, not mine exactly. But I see them sometimes up in the hills. I even took some pictures of them, didn’t I, Ingrid?”
Her big sister nodded. “Quite a few, as a matter of fact. I don’t know which she loves more: her herd or her camera.”
“You love taking pictures?” Grace looked excitedly at the little girl.
“Uh-huh. Ingrid gave me our daddy’s camera. I take it with me everywhere.”
“Remind me to show you some more pictures I’ve taken of…your herd as well as several other herds.”