A Baby for the Rancher

by Margaret Daley

  “Yeah, more than once,” Derek Donovan, one of the guys accused unjustly of being the thief, added when Mr. Wentworth sat down.

  Byron yanked the microphone from Carson’s hand and surged to his feet, his large bulk towering over everyone on the small stage at the front where the board sat. He panned the audience, his glare intimidating. “You have convicted my sons without the benefit of a trial. They have not been found guilty yet.” His face reddened as he spat out the last sentence.

  Worried the man might have a heart attack, Ben pushed off the back wall, his breath held.

  Byron opened his mouth but the sound of a cell phone ringing from his pocket cut into rumblings rippling through the crowd. He retrieved the phone, turned away and answered it, speaking in a low voice.

  All cell phones except the sheriff’s were supposed to be silenced until the meeting was over, but it didn’t surprise Ben that Byron didn’t follow the rules. He thought he was outside them.

  Suddenly Byron jerked to attention. The whole room heard him say, “Be right there.” When he swung around, the color had been leeched from his face. He charged for the side exit near the stage.

  Lucy stepped in his path and said something to Byron. Ben hurried toward them. Something was wrong. By the time he reached Lucy, Byron had slammed out of the room.

  “What happened?” Ben asked Lucy.

  “Gareth overdosed on sleeping pills. At least that’s what Byron’s wife said. His son has been taken to the hospital.”

  “Let’s go. They need help.” From Byron’s performance and continual denial of what his sons had done, it was obvious he wasn’t dealing with the situation, which probably meant the boys weren’t, either.

  “I’ll tell Carson. Let Pastor Mathers know and meet me at my SUV.”

  Although others wanted to know what was going on, Ben made a beeline for the pastor, told him and quickly left before he was detained. He’d feared something bad would happen because the McKays were a dysfunctional family, much like what he’d had as a teenager.

  It took Lucy five minutes to get to the hospital. When they arrived, Ben hopped out before she even turned off the engine and headed for the sliding glass doors of the small emergency room. He should have said more to Gareth. Maybe this wouldn’t have happened.

  Byron stood outside a room, gesturing and talking in a loud voice. “How long will that take?”

  The doctor answered in a low tone so Ben couldn’t hear what was said.

  “He’ll be all right after you pump his stomach?” Byron was in the man’s face as though that would heal Gareth.

  Lucy joined Ben, and they approached Byron as the ER doctor said, surprisingly patient, “Your wife is in there. She requested you stay outside. The room is small. I’ll keep you informed.”

  “You tell Eleanor to come out here and explain to me why I have to stay out here.”

  The doctor entered the room and closed the door.

  Byron started forward. Both Ben and Lucy hurried toward the man. Byron had made a scene over lesser issues. Ben stood in the man’s path while Lucy grasped his arm.

  “Byron, give the doctor time to work on Gareth. Can you tell me what happened?” Lucy’s voice held such a soothing tone that Byron actually stopped and looked at her.

  “What are you doing here? This isn’t any of your business. Haven’t you done enough?” Byron shook her hand off his arm. “You’ve made a mistake. My sons didn’t do anything they said they did. They wouldn’t steal from me.”

  Ben took a step toward the man. “We’re only trying to help. I know you’re upset and angry—”

  “You don’t know what I’m feeling. Did you hear my so-called friends talking about throwing the books at my sons?”

  “What did you want them to do?” Ben asked, moving even closer to Byron.

  “Give me time to fix this. My sons didn’t know what they were saying. They are mad at me because of Mac.”

  Lucy came up beside Ben. “Besides the fact Gareth and Winston admitted what they did, there are other pieces of evidence, some found on your property during the search. There was a duffel bag with a letter to Betsy, telling her the money in it was for her.”

  Byron’s gaze drilled into Lucy. “I’m going to challenge the search in court.”

  “Don’t forget about Mark Ballard. He ties the boys to the cattle rustling.”

  “In order to get a better deal, he is accusing them. My lawyer can challenge that, too.”

  Ben glanced around and noticed people watching them. “Let’s go where it’s more private.”

  “They need to know my sons are innocent,” Byron yelled.

  Ben caught sight of Winston standing in the entrance to the waiting room. Myriad emotions flittered across the teen’s face from surprise to anger to embarrassment. Ben headed to the sixteen-year-old, hoping that Byron would follow once he saw his son. “Let’s go in here, Winston.”

  “Why’s he here making a scene? He’s the reason all this is happening. Gareth could be dying. I couldn’t wake him up. I...” Tears shone in the boy’s eyes as he glanced toward the room where the doctor was treating his twin. He whirled around and ducked back into the empty waiting area.

  Ben entered right behind the teen.

  Wet tracks ran down the teen’s face, and he scrubbed his knuckles across his cheeks. “Everything has to be his way no matter what. Well, guess what? This won’t be. We’re glad everyone knows, and he can’t change the fact we’re guilty. That’s eating him up.”

  “Quit saying you’ve done it,” Byron bellowed from the doorway.

  Winston’s eyes narrowed on his father. “No, I’m not. It’s the truth.”

  “I don’t have sons that are criminals. I—”

  Winston charged his father. “Listen to yourself. It’s always about you. I this. I that. Do you ever care what Gareth and me think or want?”

  Byron started toward his son.

  Ben quickly stepped between father and son. “This is not the time or place for this conversation.” Ben stared into the large man’s eyes until he finally backed into the hallway.

  Byron glanced around, red invading his face, not from anger but embarrassment. He started to say something, but didn’t. Instead, he strode toward the exit to the building.

  “I’ll go after him,” Ben said to Lucy, then in a low voice added, “Winston is hurting. Stay with him.”

  “I will. Pastor Mathers went into the room where Gareth is.” She took hold of his arm and for a few seconds peered at him. “Thanks for being here. This is a mess.”

  “I’ll see what I can do for Byron, but I never could talk to my dad.”

  “You’re not the same person.”

  Lucy’s words stayed with him as Ben hurried outside to find Byron. The crisp air felt good as he panned the parking lot looking for Byron’s truck. That was when Ben saw the man pacing by his vehicle, the security light illuminating him.

  God, I need You to tell me what to say. I can’t do this without You. Ben leaned on Byron’s pickup, giving the man a chance to walk off some of his anger.

  Finally Byron halted in front of Ben. “Have you come to gloat?”

  “No. There’s nothing to gloat about. I hope I can help you.”

  “Help me? Why? What do you want from me?”

  “Nothing. I’m here for you.”

  Byron scowled, his eyebrows slashing down. “No one is here for me. All people ever want is something from me. Usually money. Don’t get me wrong. I like being wealthy and have worked hard for my money. But I’m not an ATM.”

  “With wealth comes responsibility to the people around you.”

  “My daddy told me to be careful with my money or people will suck me dry. I’m just trying to show my boys the same way my father showed me.”

 
“By being the town bully, trying to strong-arm everyone to do it your way.”

  Byron sucked in a deep breath. “You have no right—”

  “I’m only pointing out what is happening. You think by denying the truth about Gareth and Winston it will go away. That the townspeople will let them walk and you can go back to the same way things have always been.”

  Byron’s mouth dropped open, his eyes round. “No one has ever dared say that to me.”

  Ben pushed himself off the back fender. “Then, it’s time. In recent months I have had to face my past...shortcomings. Maybe it’s time for you, too.”

  “I can’t accept my sons are criminals. I brought them up better than that.”

  “You can continue to spout off that your boys are innocent, but they have stepped up and admitted their guilt. Winston told me earlier he and Gareth are glad they did. If your sons are ready to face the consequences of their actions, don’t you think you should be there to support them rather than embarrass them?”

  “Embarrass them? I’m trying to save them from themselves.”

  “Is the point to save them so they think they can get away with anything? That your money will buy them out of trouble? What kind of example is that?”

  His eyes piercing Ben, Byron curled his hand into a fist.

  “Go ahead. Hit me if you want. But I warn you, I’ll strike back.” Ben noticed Pastor Mathers approaching. “Quit thinking about yourself and think about your family. When you grow old and look back on your life, what will you have to show for yourself? Sons who want nothing to do with you? People who are scared of you? That’s how my father died. Lonely and unhappy. He couldn’t take his money with him, and neither can you.”

  Pastor Mathers joined them. “Good evening. Ben, Lucy is inside waiting for you. She’ll drive you back to your truck.”

  “Thanks,” Ben murmured, hoping his words helped Byron deal with the truth. Unlike his father, his wasn’t physical but emotional. It appeared Byron raised his sons as he had been raised. That made Ben even more determined to be a good example for Cody.

  As he started for the entrance, Ben overheard the pastor saying, “Byron, I came to tell you Gareth is being moved to a room for overnight observation. He’s in transient right now but will be in room 124. I thought you and I could pray for his recovery.”

  The sight of Lucy at the emergency room sliding doors lifted Ben’s spirits after the intense few hours.

  She smiled. “I was afraid I would find you two battling it out.”

  “We were, with words. Are you able to leave?” A strong urge to hold his son inundated Ben.

  “Yes, I’m coming back tomorrow morning, not as the sheriff but a friend. Gareth will be evaluated before he leaves the hospital.” Lucy strolled toward the sheriff’s SUV.

  Inside her vehicle Ben sighed, exhaustion suddenly blanketing him. “I feel as though I’ve worked for the past twenty-four hours.”

  “I’m praying for peace for Little Horn.” Lucy left the hospital parking lot.

  “And that people can put this behind them, especially at the Easter-egg hunt this weekend.”

  “What time do you need me on Saturday?”

  “Eight. I’ll have a mug of Mamie’s coffee waiting for you.”

  “Ah, what an incentive for me, but do you think that’s early enough? The hunt starts at ten and a lot of kids show up early.” She pulled up to the side of his truck and angled toward him. “Thanks for all your help with the twins. I think that outburst in the waiting room actually helped Winston.”

  “What about their arraignment tomorrow morning? There’s no way Gareth will be strong enough to be there.”

  “I talked with Eleanor, and she’s going to call their lawyer and ask for it to be postponed until Friday. I can’t imagine the DA not agreeing, but I’ll be at his office first thing in the morning to make sure.”

  In the dim shadows of her vehicle, Ben wanted to pull her across the seat and kiss her. Instead, he gazed at her as though this was the first time he’d really seen her. She cared for this town and its people. She was the right person to be the sheriff.

  When he didn’t move to leave, she asked, “Is there something else?”

  “Yes.”

  He took her hand and gently tugged her toward him, his fingers delving into her hair to cup the back of her head. His lips grazed hers once, twice before settling on hers and surrendering to the sweetness of the kiss. When she pulled back, their gazes linked across the small space between them.

  “See you Saturday,” Ben said in a thick voice, then slipped from the front seat and paused as Lucy drove away. After the Easter-egg hunt there wouldn’t be any reason for them to see each other. His shoulders sagged at the thought. Somehow he would have to put Lucy out of his mind in the months to come and concentrate on Cody and finding a good nanny for him.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lucy reached to ring the doorbell at the Stillwater Ranch, but the door swung open before she had a chance. Ben stood in the entry with a mug in his hand, steam wafting upward.

  “I just poured this for you.” He pushed open the screen to let her inside and passed her coffee to her, then retrieved his on the hallway table.

  “I noticed the tent has been set up.”

  “Zed, Grady and I did it yesterday afternoon and set up the tables and chairs for the arts-and-crafts station. I figured since it wasn’t supposed to be windy we could get that done beforehand and give ourselves a few minutes to enjoy our coffee. Did you have any breakfast?”

  “I got up later than I planned.”

  He smiled and took her hand, starting for the back part of the house. “Good. Grandma is making one last batch of Texas-size French toast, and I haven’t had a chance to eat, either. I was up late with Cody, and if Mamie hadn’t awakened me this morning, I might not be up now. My son gets to sleep in.”

  “I’m jealous. Why was he up late last night? His tooth?”

  As Ben entered the kitchen, he shrugged. “I don’t know. He has that tooth, and I don’t see any others coming in. Maybe it was because he had a long nap later than usual yesterday. At the Easter-egg hunt, I’m going to wear him out so he takes one on time today.”

  Listening to Ben, Lucy realized how well suited the role of dad was to him. When he talked about his son, he beamed. He was a natural like her father. “I’ve got some good news. Dad and Mom are coming home this week for a month before heading back out on the road.”

  “That’s great. I know you’ve been wanting them to for some time.”

  “Normally I don’t like surprises, but when they called last night, I loved hearing that.”

  “When was the last time they came?”

  “Christmas, but only for a short time, then they headed for Florida and warmer weather. I never thought of my parents as snowbirds.” The scent of fried bacon, coffee and French toast stirred her appetite.

  “What’s this about snowbirds?” Mamie asked as she took the French toast out of the pan and brought it to the table.

  “My parents. I was telling Ben they are coming home next Tuesday.”

  “It’ll be nice to see your parents again. You need to bring them out to the ranch one evening for dinner. How about Thursday?” Mamie walked back to the counter and picked up a platter of bacon and set it in the middle of the table.

  “They’ll enjoy it. They always do when they come out here. Mom raves about your cooking.” Lucy sprinkled powdered sugar over her French toast.

  “Where are Grady and Chloe?” Ben asked, then took a bite of his thick French toast dripping in maple syrup and butter.

  “Already down at the barn setting up the race area.” Mamie headed for the door. “I’m bringing Cody down to the egg hunt. I’ve heard him fussing around upstairs in his bed. And don’t worry about the d
ishes. Martha Rose will be back soon to take care of them. She delivered some treats for the kids setting up this morning.”

  Even with only powdered sugar, the breakfast was delicious and the coffee perfect. “I could get spoiled eating here, or rather I’d probably add pounds in no time.”

  “Not with all you do. You’re rarely in your office.”

  “I should wear one of those counters that keep track of your steps.”

  “Easily ten thousand steps for you.”

  “You’re right. Pass me the maple syrup.” She poured some on the last half of her French toast.

  “We’d better hurry. This expanded Easter-egg hunt was my idea. I don’t want my brother thinking I’m slacking on the job.”

  “How are you two doing?”

  “Actually good. He enjoys the cattle management, and I like the training and handling of the horses. I’m wanting to expand where we raise broncos for the rodeo circuit. I think diversifying will be good for the ranch. When beef prices are down, hopefully the other areas we are in will be doing good.”

  “And you’ve got connections with the rodeo world.” Lucy finished her last bite and washed it down with lukewarm coffee.

  “Yeah. It’s nice to have those years come in useful for the ranch.”

  “Do you miss riding in the rodeo?”

  “No. It was fine for a few years, but my life is here. If it hadn’t been for my precarious relationship with my father, I probably wouldn’t have pursued the rodeo circuit in the first place. I have more than enough to keep me busy here.” Ben shoved his chair back and rose. “Ready?”

  “Yep, but I’m grabbing another cup of coffee to take with me.”

  Ben refilled her mug and his, then made his way toward the front entrance. The sound of Cody crying rang through the house. He glanced upstairs. “I know Grandma is with him, but something might be wrong. I’ll be right back.”

  “Take your time if you need to. I’ll go down to the barn and start working on the arts-and-crafts tent. I’ll make sure your brother knows you are seeing to Cody, not twiddling your thumbs.”