Poked

by Naomi Niles

  The waitress waited next to him at the table to get his attention, and he looked up and saw us. His eyes met mine, and then, despite his attitude, I couldn't help but feel that same powerful pull of attraction I'd felt the first time I'd laid eyes on him.

  He stood up and extended a hand, which I took and shook. His grip was firm, and it was apparent that there was a lot of strength in that big, manly hand of his.

  “Miss Shea, it's an absolute pleasure to meet you,” he said with a smile.

  His voice too was attractive – deep and gravelly.

  “It's lovely to meet you too, Mr. Lawson.”

  “Chance, please,” he said. “Come, sit down, Miss Shea.”

  “You can call me Mackenzie.”

  “Mackenzie. Ah, that's a proper Southern belle's name. I like it.”

  I sat down opposite him, trying to work out what kind of man he was. Yes, he was physically attractive, and he seemed to possess both good manners and a great deal of charm, but any joker can be charming if he wants to be. Hell, Brad always seemed like the sweetest and most charming guy I'd ever met – until I found out the truth about him.

  Still, I guess it wouldn't have been fair to judge all men based on how Brad had treated me, so I tried to approach this encounter with an open mind.

  “So, tell me a little about yourself, Chance,” I said, feeling a little awkward about this whole situation.

  “I think a little lubricant would help with that,” he replied with a grin. “How do you feel about red wine?”

  “I like it,” I replied, “although, no offense, you don't seem like a red wine type.”

  He chuckled.

  “That's true. I do prefer a good bourbon on the rocks, but we're in a French restaurant, so we may as well have a bit of dry red. What do you say?”

  “Sure, let's do it.”

  I was already feeling more at ease with his casual charm, handsome smile, and his easy-going manner. Still, it was hard not to be suspicious about him. When someone seems too good to be true, they're usually hiding something.

  The waitress listed several wines, and I picked one I was familiar with. She returned a moment later with the bottle and poured us each some of it. We each took a sip, and Chance smiled.

  “It ain't half bad, this,” he remarked, “it ain't half bad.”

  “I've always liked this brand,” I said. “So, let's pick up where we left off. Tell me a bit about yourself.”

  “Well, you know my name already, so I'll skip that detail,” he said with a grin, which prompted me to chuckle. “And I'm guessing you also know that I own Corral FM, seeing as that's how you and I got to be on this date. And maybe you also know that I own a ranch just outside of Nashville. What you might not know is that I'm a very keen horseman and that I used to perform in rodeos when I was a bit younger.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure. I grew up on horses – I think I could ride before I could walk. My ranch has been in my family for generations. Horses and cattle, they're in my blood. The radio station, well, I love music, and that's why I bought it – along with it being a great investment – but horses and cattle will always be my first love.”

  “You love music?” I asked.

  “Yeah. I play guitar and banjo. I’ve played both since I was a teenager. I doubt I'm anywhere near as good as you, though.”

  “I'm not that good,” I countered.

  His eyes sparkled with delight. “Oh, you are, Miss Shea. You really are. I have a confession: I looked up some of your videos on YouTube before I came here. You are one supremely talented young woman. Seriously – your music blew me away. We're gonna have to get you on the station sometime.”

  I couldn't hold back the heat rushing through my cheeks. It was amplified by the fact that he had gone to the trouble of looking up my music before coming out on this date. That, at least, was a pleasant surprise. Still, I couldn't let my guard down completely. It might all be part of a big act on his part. Argh! Why couldn't I shake this pessimism and suspicion?

  “Thank you so much Chance! I'd love to have my music played on Corral FM.”

  “Well, get me some recordings, and I'll make it happen. Now, why don't you tell me a little about yourself that I didn’t learn on YouTube?”

  “Sure,” I began, feeling more at ease. “Well, I grew up not too—”

  As I was speaking, his cell phone started ringing.

  “I'm really sorry,” he said. “I should've turned this thing off. Please forgive me, but I should at least see who’s calling.”

  He took out his phone and glanced at the screen.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Shea,” he said, “but I have to take this call.”

  “That's fine.”

  He answered the call. “Hey, Andy. Wait, slow down, slow down... what? Are you sure? Shit. Yeah. All right, I'm leaving right now. Yeah. Right now. Bye.”

  His face had changed in an instant. Gone was the easy-going smile. It had been replaced with a grim snarl of anger, an expression that frightened me.

  “I'm so sorry, Miss Shea,” he said coldly. “This has been lovely, but I have to go. Order whatever you'd like, and I'll get them to charge me for the bill.”

  “What?” I asked, confused.

  “Like I said. Sorry, but I have to leave right now. Goodbye.”

  “But—”

  Without another word, he strode off with quick, determined steps, leaving me alone at the table.

  Chapter Six

  Chance

  I had hardly been able to believe what I saw when I looked up Mackenzie Shea on YouTube. What were the odds that the same stunning girl who'd got my blood racing at the traffic light was the one that I'd end up going on a date with? Since I'd watched those videos, seen the power of her voice, the passion of her playing and the beauty of her music, it had been all I could do to get her out of my head for even a few moments.

  Of course, I had been mad as hell at Terry for doing what he did with that damned contest, but when I found out it was her I was going to have a date with, all was forgiven. Hell, I’d almost wanted to give Terry a big ol' hug to thank him.

  Of course, I still didn't know what kind of person she was, but there was something about the sincerity of her music that told me she was deep, and that fire burned in her soul. The truth was, I had really been looking forward to going on a date with her.

  So much so, I’d showed up to the restaurant early, probably way too early, and ended up getting a bit bored while waiting. I'd always been a bit impatient, and I got fidgety when she didn't show up exactly on time. When she did show up, however – only five minutes late, which wasn't much really – all was forgotten when I saw her. She was even more beautiful than I imagined after seeing the music videos, and I couldn't help wondering how it was a girl like her was single.

  I hated that I’d had to leave our date in a hurry. Especially since we’d gotten off to a good start. There was chemistry between us – but it was interrupted by a phone call that left me spittin' with anger. One I was certain would wind its way back around and point to Circle B. They had tried to make me another offer for the ranch the day before, and once again I'd told 'em in no uncertain terms where they could shove their money.

  So, instead of enjoying a nice dinner and getting to know Mackenzie, I was rushing home after a phone call from Andy telling me that my prize stallion, Silver, was sick and all signs pointed to poisoning. Poor Silver was fighting to stay alive. The vet was on his way, and I knew I needed to be there as well.

  I was damn sure I knew who was behind this despicable act, and the thought that they'd go so far as to poison my horse made me see red. My rage had taken over – I'd always had a short temper – and because of it, I'd been downright rude to Mackenzie. She hadn't deserved it, of course, and I felt like a total jackass about five minutes after I’d left the restaurant, but the thought of my poor boy suffering from whatever those bastards had given him had just filled me with blind wrath.

  I was driving lik
e a bat out of hell to get back to my ranch, and there was no way I could safely get out my phone and call her to explain, not while I was tearing along at breakneck speeds in a mad rush to get to Silver.

  I'd have to do that later, and I could only hope she'd understand and forgive me. I had, however, made a terrible first impression.

  I pulled into the drive of my ranch, my headlamps sweeping wildly over the dirt track as I skidded in. The moment I parked in front of the stables, I jumped out of the truck, not bothering to close the door or shut off the motor as I sprinted inside.

  The vet was already there, as was Andy and the ranch hands, and all of them were looking worried.

  “Shit,” I cussed, staring at poor Silver who was lying on the ground, breathing shallowly. “How's he doing?”

  The vet, an old man in his seventies who had helped out my family's animals for decades, shook his head slowly.

  “Not too good, Chance, not too good. It's touch and go at the moment.”

  “Is he gonna make it?” I asked.

  “I really can't say, Chance. I'm sorry.”

  I walked over to the wooden wall and punched it as hard as I could. A sharp pain ripped through my knuckles, but I didn't care. I couldn't believe those bastards had gone this far.

  “I've done all I can,” said the vet, standing and gathering his instruments and medicines together. “Someone is going to have to stay with Silver throughout the night. If he starts frothing at the mouth, or you see any sign of blood, that means it's the end. And if he reaches that stage, it'd be kinder to put him out of his misery swiftly. If he doesn't, though, and he makes it through to morning, the odds are pretty good he'll live. It'll take a few weeks for him to recover his strength completely, but he'll live. Right now, it really could go either way, though.”

  I nodded.

  “Thanks, Frank,” I said. “I really appreciate you coming out here on such short notice.”

  “It's what I do, Chance, it's what I do.”

  I turned to Andy. “Andy, old friend, please go get my rifle and load it up. I'll sit here with Silver through the night. If he gets bad, like Frank says might happen, I want to be the one who sends him off. It's only fair.”

  Andy nodded, his face grim. “I know, son. It's the honorable thing to do. And it's just the way your father would have done it. I'll go get your rifle – and make you a coffee to help you stay awake.”

  “Thanks, Andy.” I turned to the rest of the ranch hands. “Ya’ll didn't see anyone suspicious coming or going this evening?”

  They all shook their heads.

  “Sorry, Boss. We didn't see nothing. But at first light we'll go look around for tracks and evidence and see if we can't find out who did this and where they came from.”

  “Thanks guys. Ya’ll can go back to your rooms now.”

  Everyone left, and I was alone with Silver, listening to every shallow breath he took. I knelt next to him and stroked his head gently.

  “I hope you make it, boy, I really hope you make it,” I said. “You and me, we go back a long, long way.”

  Andy returned, holding my rifle.

  “Here you go, Chance, locked and loaded,” he said, holding it out for me.

  “Hang on to that for a second,” I said. “I'm just gonna go up to the house and put Cassie to bed. The babysitter can go home now that I'm back.”

  “Sure thing. I'll keep an eye on old Silver here. I'll call you right away if he starts looking like he's in trouble.”

  “Thanks, Andy. I really appreciate the help.”

  I hurried out of the stables and jogged up to the house. The babysitter, Anne, a neighboring rancher's teenage daughter, was in the kitchen making herself some tea when I walked in.

  “Hey, Mr. Lawson. You're back way earlier than I thought you would be. I heard some commotion down by the stables earlier. Is that why you’re home? Is everything all right?”

  I didn't feel like getting into an explanation for her. “Just a sick horse is all,” I said.

  “You're back early from your date,” she remarked. “How did it go?”

  “It, uh, it went all right.” I decided to change the topic quickly. “How's Cassie?”

  “Oh, she's already asleep on the sofa. We were watching Frozen in the living room after dinner, and we didn't make it very far before she passed out.”

  I chuckled. “She really does love that movie. Well, look, Anne, I'm gonna put her to bed now, so you can call it a night. Here’s the full amount even though I'm back so early.” I pulled out my wallet and handed her a few bills.

  “Thanks, Mr. Lawson. I appreciate that. If you don’t mind, I’m going to finish my tea before I head home.”

  “Take your time, Anne. I’ll just take Cassie up to her room.”

  I walked over to the living room and saw Cassie sleeping peacefully on the sofa. She looked so angelic and innocent that my heart felt like it was going to burst.

  “Come on, lil' angel,” I whispered to her as I picked her up as softly and gently as I could. “Let's get you to bed.”

  I carried her quietly up the stairs, taking care to keep my footsteps light so that she wouldn't wake, and then I gently tucked her into bed and kissed her forehead.

  “Sleep well, pumpkin,” I whispered.

  After that, I walked back out to the stables and headed inside with a heavy heart.

  “How is he?” I asked Andy as I stepped inside.

  “The same,” he replied. “You coming to take over?”

  “I am.”

  He stood up and handed me my rifle, and pointed to a canister of coffee he'd brought in earlier.

  “There's the coffee, son. And I hope you don't have to use this here rifle tonight. I sure hope you don't.”

  “I don't either, Andy, I don't either. You know how much I like ol' Silver, and it'd just break my damned heart to have to put him down.”

  “I know, Chance, I know.”

  I clenched my jaw as anger began to heat my veins.

  “I wanna find the bastards who did this and skin them alive. We have to catch 'em. We have to catch 'em somehow. You and I both know those Circle B bastards are behind this. It's looking like there's no low they won't stoop to to try get me to sell this land to 'em. But we gotta catch 'em, Andy. It's the only way to stop this from happening again.”

  “I know, I know. Me and the boys will do some investigating tomorrow. These sum' bitches can't keep getting away with this forever.”

  “Thanks, Andy. I appreciate that. You go get some sleep.”

  “I’m gonna stay up in the guest room at the house, if that’s okay with you. Just in case ya need me. I hope Silver makes it through the night.”

  “I do too, and thanks. I’ll feel better knowing you’re here,” I said.

  Andy shuffled out of the stables, leaving me alone with the sick horse. I sat with him for a while, watching his flanks rising and falling with fragile breaths. It seemed, at least, that he was stable for the moment, so my thoughts drifted back to Mackenzie. I felt awful about how rude I'd been earlier. It was just that... with everything that had happened, and now this incident with Silver, that it had all just exploded at once.

  I took out my phone, wondering if I should call her. It was late now though, and I didn't know what time she went to bed. I hadn't even had the chance to ask her what her day job was, if she had one, so there was a good chance that she may have needed to wake up early.

  I decided to send her a message instead. It wasn't how I usually did things, as I preferred talking to writing, but I'd already been less than polite once this evening, and I didn't want to upset her further by potentially waking her up if she had work early the next day.

  I started to type out a message on the phone.

  “Hi, Mackenzie. I really enjoyed meeting you tonight. I'm sorry I'm contacting you via this message rather than actually calling, but I wasn't sure if you'd be asleep at this hour or not, so I didn't want to disturb you. Anyways, I want to sincerely apologize f
or how I acted in the restaurant. There was an emergency on my ranch that I had to get to right away, but that does not excuse my behavior. I was rude and should've explained to you why I had to leave so fast. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, because I'd really like to see you again – if you'd like.

  Take care, and once again, I'm really sorry.

  Chance.”

  I hit send and then put the phone in my pocket feeling a bit anxious, hoping she'd call back within a few minutes. I took the phone out and checked to see if the text had been received and read. It had been, so she was awake, or at least awake enough to read her messages.

  She didn't reply, however, and the minutes became hours, and the hours eventually dragged on through to dawn.

  Silver, luckily, didn't start frothing blood at the mouth, and closer to dawn, he started breathing with more strength. As the sun started to come up, I whispered a silent prayer of thanks, feeling absolutely dead from the night of no sleep. Andy came into the stables soon after sunrise.

  “How's Silver?” he asked.

  “He made it through the night,” I replied. “And he's looking stronger. I think he's gonna make it.”

  “Thank goodness,” Andy said. “I'll give the vet a call to come check on him. Why don't you let me take over from here? No offense or nothin', but you look like shit.”

  “I feel like it too, Andy. I mean, I have been up all night.”

  “Yep. Well like I said, I'll take over here.”

  “Thanks Andy. Oh, and could you take Cassie to school, and fix her some breakfast?”

  “Sure thing.”

  I staggered out of the stables into the gray light of dawn, and hobbled up to the house. As I stepped inside, I took one last look at my phone – still no message from Mackenzie. Maybe I really had blown it with her. I stumbled up the stairs, fell into bed, and was asleep within seconds.