Riding for Love (A Western Romance)

by Susedik, Tina

  “That was Dan. He and the feds want to come to talk to us.”

  “Tonight? What if we’re being watched?”

  “We’re supposed to act amorous in front of the window, turn off all the lights, and unlock the side door. Then go upstairs, turn on the bedroom light for a few minutes, and turn it off.”

  “So they want it to seem as if we retired for the night.” He stepped behind the desk and hugged her. “Sounds good to me.”

  Eve moaned as his lips touched hers. “Don’t get too carried away. Spying eyes and all that,” she murmured against his mouth.

  “Might be kinky.” Without releasing her, he circled the desk and drew the drapes closed. He made a show of kissing her again before shutting off the light.

  Except for the stove light, which she always left on, she turned off the rest of the lights and went upstairs, Denton close behind.

  After five long minutes, they turned off the bedroom light and headed back down the stairs.

  “Why are we tiptoeing?” Eve asked as they moved silently down the stairs.

  “I don’t know.” He chuckled. “Why are we whispering?”

  “I don’t know, either. She put a restraining hand on his arm. “I think I hear someone at the door.”

  Eve reached for the handle and Denton grabbed her. “Wait,” he whispered. “It may not be them.”

  She stopped. For the second time she jumped when the phone rang and slapped her hand over her heart. “I don’t think I can take anymore of this.”

  “Let it ring a couple of times, in case someone is listening. We’re supposed to be in bed, remember?”

  After the third ring, she picked it up. “They’re coming in.”

  A few moments later, the three agents and sheriff sat around the table. The stove light cast shadows, giving an eerie, maudlin setting to an already nervous group.

  “Where’s Tom?” the sheriff asked.

  Eve looked at him in surprise. “I don’t know. You didn’t tell me he needed to be here.”

  John leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “We can’t wait for him, so let’s get started. He’s bound to show up. I understand your ranch will be empty this weekend. Is that right?”

  Eve nodded. “We always close on Labor Day weekend. Most people have plans and with schools starting on Tuesday, there are never enough people to ride during the day to warrant staying open.” She picked at a napkin left on the table from supper. “By this time of the year, I need a break.”

  “So it won’t be unusual for you not to be open this weekend?” Tim asked.

  “No. Why?”

  Something scratched at the door before he answered. The three men drew their guns, making Eve realize even more how serious the situation was. A few seconds later, Tom stepped into the kitchen.

  “Did I miss anything?” He grabbed a cup and poured himself coffee.

  “No,” John said. “We just got started. Did you see anything?”

  Tom blew on the hot liquid and took a tentative sip. “Nothing. I don’t think they suspect anything, although I didn’t go beyond the little lake.”

  Eve gasped. “Tom, you went out in the dark? What if they spotted you?”

  “Believe me, I was extremely careful.”

  “Why didn’t you send one of your men, John?” Denton asked.

  “Tom being outside at night is not unusual, but if Snook or one of the other men caught a stranger lurking around . . . well, it wouldn’t be good.”

  Tom nodded. “At least I could say I was trying to find a stray horse or something.” He moved his gaze between the agents and Eve. “So did you talk her into leaving tomorrow?”

  “Not yet, Tom.”

  He pointed his coffee cup at her. “Things might get dicey around here tomorrow afternoon. I want you to leave, Eve.”

  “Is that when the raid is scheduled?” Denton asked.

  “Yes,” Tim answered. “We need to go in before the trees drop their leaves and they harvest the crop.”

  “Wouldn’t they get wary if I leave? I’m usually here on the weekends. Snook would think it strange if I didn’t take care of the horses. He probably knows I’m closed this weekend and no one else is here to feed them. He’ll get suspicious if he’s staking out the place.”

  “If he’s even here,” Denton said. “I just want this whole thing over and Eve to be safe.”

  “Oh, he’s watching all right. Based on what he said to the two of you last week, I’d say he’s got quite a handle on what goes on here, when you leave, where you go, and how long you’re gone.”

  “Then for sure I need to stay. By now, he must know Denton is living here, so he and Tom can help me do chores, but we won’t exercise any of the horses. The weather calls for rain, so leaving them in the barn wouldn’t seem unusual.”

  “I don’t like it,” Tom grumbled.

  “If we leave and someone who didn’t realize we’re closed wants to take a trail ride, who is going to turn them away?” Eve countered. “Sometimes they bring their own horses. What if they show up and decide to ride, even if no one is here?”

  Joe leaned back in his chair and raised his cup to his lips. “They’d do that?”

  “It’s happened before. Some people don’t believe it’s trespassing if they’re on business property.” She leaned toward John. “Can you take the chance they might?”

  Tom sighed. “I still don’t like it, but she has a point. A deserted ranch would be strange. At least we don’t need to worry about employees.”

  “I can keep Al back at the house for protection,” John said.

  “So two of us will be armed.”

  John glared at Tom. “No guns, Tom. These guys are dangerous, and with millions of dollars at stake, they would shoot you in a flash.”

  Tom leaned over the table and pointed his finger at the agent. “When me and mine are in danger, I will shoot them in a flash. So don’t tell me what I can or cannot do.”

  “I’ll be armed,” Eve said.

  “Me, too,” Denton added.

  John threw his pen on the table and ran his fingers through his hair. “Son-of-a-bitch! I’ll say it again. No guns. If I see one gun in the hands of someone not wearing a jacket with FBI written on it, I’ll arrest them. I don’t care if you have a license or not. Let my men do their jobs without worrying about some hotshot shooting at them.”

  John’s stare sent shivers down her spine and goosebumps rose on her arms. Her jaw was beginning to ache from clenching her teeth together.

  “Have I made myself clear?”

  Eve held her breath, wondering if Tom and Denton would agree. The last thing she needed was for them to be arrested when they weren’t even the bad guys. She relaxed when the two men finally nodded.

  Obviously satisfied he’d made his point, John went on. “According to our surveillance, they eat lunch at noon. So we’re planning to go in about 12:30.”

  Tim pulled out a notebook and glanced at his notes. “With full stomachs, their guard should be down. We’ve managed to find out about a big meeting scheduled for the morning, so we want to be able to get a bunch of them, including the leaders.”

  “Snook, too?” Eve asked.

  John nodded. “By the way.” He glanced at her. “Your father has been a helpful source of information.”

  Denton grabbed the cup slipping from her hands.

  “My father’s helped you?”

  “We found him shortly after we met with you. We figured since Snook picked him up from prison, and your father lived with him a bit, he might get some info from your cousin. I guess with enough beers, your cousin is quite the talker.”

  Eve shook her head. “Go figure.”

  Tom patted her hand. “Does this change your feelings about him
?”

  “Not hardly. He probably got paid for his help.”

  When no one answered, Eve looked at each agent. John fiddled with his wedding ring, Tim’s face turned red, and Al rubbed his nose.

  “Thought so. My father never did anything without benefiting himself. Where is he now?”

  John shook his head. “After getting his money, the idiot bought a car and drove to Milwaukee.”

  “He’s not supposed to drive,” Eve said. “He’s on probation and after the accident his license was revoked.”

  Tom leaned back in his chair and chuckled. “So he’s back in prison.”

  “Exactly,” the agents said in unison, standing and pushing their chairs into the table.

  “Make sure everything is locked up tight tonight and tomorrow, even when you’re in the barn doing chores,” John said. “I’m leaving Al here until this is over.”

  “By the way,” Eve said, following the men to the door. “I was wondering how they’ve been getting on my land without being noticed.”

  John put his cap on while the other men snapped up their jackets. “You know the county land next to yours? They’ve been using the snowmobile and ATV trails to get to your property. With all the other ATVs on the trails, no one became suspicious. Once they left public land, they managed to cover the trails onto your land.”

  After the men left, Tom, Denton, and the agent checked all the doors and windows.

  Tom grabbed his jacket.

  Eve stopped collecting cups. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m sleeping in the barn.”

  “Why? I have enough room here.”

  “If you want everything to seem normal, I can’t sleep here. Never have, but sleeping on the couch in the tack room is not unusual.”

  She walked over and gave him a hug. “Please be careful.”

  He hugged her back. “Unless Snook’s eyes are peeled on us, I’ll be fine.” He checked the clock on the wall. “Besides, by now he’s probably three sheets to the wind.”

  Tom left the house and Eve turned her attention to the agent. “You can use the spare bedroom.”

  Al chuckled. “As comfortable as a bed sounds, my career would be cut short if I fell asleep. I’ll stay down here and read a book. I’m used to all-nighters. Before you go upstairs, can you show me where you keep the coffee?”

  Denton nodded, then took her hand. “Let’s go, hon. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”

  “Al, could you tell us if the Nelsons are aware of what’s happening?”

  “Since the crop isn’t on their land, we haven’t said anything to them. Someone will go over in the morning and talk to them so no one decides to investigate the noise.”

  “What kind of noise?”

  “Helicopters, sirens.”

  “Gunfire?”

  “I sure hope not. Good night. Try to get some sleep.”

  Chapter 24

  Eve yawned. Morning arrived faster than she wished. She didn’t think sleep would ever come last night, but nearly hit the ceiing when her alarm went off. After dressing and grabbing mugs of coffee, she went outside.

  She stood next to Denton on the porch and shivered at the drizzly scene before them. “At least we don’t need to worry about anyone wanting to use the trails today,” she said, following him to the barn.

  “Al said the rain was better for the raid, too. The men should be held up in the trailer instead of wandering around.” He opened the barn door. “Better for the element of surprise.”

  “We only have three hours to find out.” She handed Tom one of the coffee mugs. “I’ll make breakfast when the chores are done. I would have brought something, but my mind’s as muddy as this coffee. Sorry.”

  “That’s fine. This will help.” He took a sip and turned to Denton. “Why don’t you start at the far end and fill the water buckets? Eve and I will handle feed.”

  “At least we have an excuse not to exercise them this morning,” Eve said, already wishing chores were done and they were back in the comfort of the farmhouse. Doors locked tight. Nice fire in the fireplace. Coffee laced with brandy. Who cared if it was still morning? Anything to calm nerves and warm chilled bones.

  “Maybe later this afternoon if the weather clears,” Denton said.

  “And this whole mess is done with. Agents gone, drug dealers locked up tighter than an oil drum,” Tom added.

  Half an hour later, Eve had finished feeding her last horse when an explosion rocked the building. Rapid gunfire followed. Instinctively ducking, she searched the barn for Denton and Tom. Tom ran toward her, crouching as low as his bowed legs allowed, carrying a rifle in his hand. Denton came from the other direction, holding a similar firearm.

  “What the hell was that?” she asked.

  “I don’t know,” Tom answered. “Get some bales of straw between us and the door for protection. Stay away from the windows and keep an eye on the door.” He thrust the rifle into her hands. “If anyone other than the feds comes through the door without announcing themselves, shoot. Aim for the shoulder or the knee.”

  Perspiration beaded on her upper lip and forehead. Her shirt was damp, too. “Dammit, Tom. We’re not supposed to have guns.”

  “John said he didn’t want to see any weapons. Unless we have to use them as protection, they will be out of sight before the feds are back here.”

  “Semantics,” she muttered, placing the gun securely into the crook of her arm. A few minutes later, her cell phone buzzed, and she nearly dropped the gun scrambling to get it out of her pocket. After listening for a few seconds, she called to Denton. “Al is coming in.” She hid her rifle behind a bale of hay. Denton set his beside hers, while Tom slid his in an empty stall as the door opened a crack.

  Al slipped through, shutting the door firmly, and dropping a board into brackets to brace it shut.

  “What happened?” Eve asked, standing to face the agent.

  “Get down,” he yelled, running at them. “We’re not sure if they found out about the raid, but there were signs some of them were leaving, so we went in early.”

  “What was the explosion?” Denton asked.

  “I’m not sure. Probably doing more than growing weed.”

  “Meth?” Tom asked.

  Al looked over his shoulder then back to the door. “That would be my guess. Things don’t blow up with marijuana.”

  Eve opened her mouth to ask why a meth lab would blow up when the barn door rattled.

  “Eve, let me in. I need help and the house is locked.”

  The agent raised his eyebrows at her. “Snook,” she mouthed.

  “C’mon, Evie.” He pounded on the door. “I know you’re in there. We’re family. You’ve got to help me.”

  “Stay put,” Al ordered. “He may not be alone. There will be agents following him.”

  She nodded and jumped when her cousin pounded harder.

  “Eve,” he screamed. “If you don’t open this door, I’ll burn the damn barn down. I swear I will.”

  She sat on the floor and leaned against a bale of straw. Denton dropped down beside her and put his arm around her.

  “You okay?”

  “Eve Dayton, you stupid bitch, let me in. They’re coming after me.”

  “Who do you think is after him? The feds or the dealers?” she asked.

  Al squatted in front the trio. “He’d better hope it’s the feds because the dealers will surely shoot him.”

  “Eve, tell that fed in there to . . .”

  “On the ground, scumbag,” someone yelled.

  “Shit,” she heard her cousin cry before everything went silent.

  “Agent Winters, you can come out now.”

  Eve recognized John’s voice and was surprised when, instead
of doing what he was told, Winters picked up his phone and punched in some numbers. After a few seconds, he stood, went to the door, and removed the bar.

  “It’s safe now. I talked to John and everyone is in cuffs.” The agent motioned for Eve and Denton to stay in the barn and, even though he said things were safe, slipped through a slit in the door, his gun pointed outward.

  “What do you think is going on?” she asked, snuggling into the safety of Denton’s arms.

  “I don’t know, but it can’t be good for Snook.” He wrapped his arms around her waist.

  She grimaced and peered over her shoulder when the barn door creaked open. “He’s just getting what he deserves.”

  John stuck his head in. “You can come out now.”

  “You stupid bitch,” Snook screamed when she and Denton went outside.

  Eve didn’t know what to say to him. He was on his stomach, struggling to rise. An agent grabbed his shackled hands and yanked him up. Even Snook’s grunt of pain didn’t elicit any sympathy.

  “Why didn’t you help me?” he wailed. “We’re family.”

  Eve crossed her arms over her chest. Denton stood behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders.

  “The only time you admit to being family is when you want something. Otherwise you treat me like dirt.”

  Snook sneered. “Well, I call them as I see them. You are dirt to me.”

  Denton came around and stood in front of Eve. “I’d shut up if I were you, Snook.”

  “You stay out of this, Dent. You were the one who made Evie act like she was better than she is. She’s a slut just like her mother.”

  “Shut up, Snook.” Denton took a step closer, his eyes narrowed, hands balled in fists.

  “This land should have been mine, not hers.”

  “So you keep saying, Snook, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why. Grandpa gave the farm to Ed, not your dad.”

  “Yeah, and he hated that. Dad was the oldest, and while he fought in ‘Nam your old man played ball, screwing women like your mother. If Dad hadn’t been gone, this place would have been ours.”