Luke's Fate

by Kathleen Ball

  Shaking her head she gave a halfhearted laugh. Who was she kidding? The hole in her heart was way too big to fill even with the amount of work it took to run a ranch.

  She wished she’d never known how good intimacy could be or that a love so deep existed. She straightened her shoulders. She was as tough as they came, and she needed to remember that. She pulled Merry to a halt and watched the mustangs play. They seemed frisky today, running after one another, rolling on the ground. She’d put off selling some of them. She didn’t have it in her now.

  “Come on, Merry, it’s time to go home.” She turned her horse and off they went. She stopped here and there to check fences, not entirely eager to go back to the silent house. There was always the mountain of paperwork to tackle. She saw the police car parked and Wayne on her front porch, and her heart began to beat faster.

  What now?

  She dismounted and took Merry inside the barn, not anxious for more bad news. She took the saddle off, then the blanket. “I have to talk to someone. I’ll brush you down in a bit.” She led Merry to the pasture just beyond the barn and let her go.

  She made her way up the front porch and saw her gun sitting on the wicker table. “I guess I forgot about it.”

  “They found it when they brought your horse back here. I thought I’d bring it back to you.”

  “I appreciate it, Wayne.”

  “Got a minute?”

  She glanced at him and nodded. “Come on in. I’ll make us some coffee.”

  “Sounds good. Your coffee is much better than the swill they have at the station. I try and try to get the “master” recipe changed but Ingrid refuses.”

  “She just doesn’t like the mud you like. Why don’t you get one of those fancy ones that make a cup at a time?”

  Wayne smiled as he sat at the kitchen table. “I’d have to make my own.”

  “I knew there had to be a good reason.” She put the coffee on and kept busy straightening the kitchen while it brewed. She was putting off whatever he had to say but she just couldn’t help it. Finally, she filled two mugs, handed one to Wayne and put the other on the table in front of where she sat.

  He took a sip and smiled. “Just the way I like it. Hear tell Luke is at the motel. You kick him out?”

  “I had his things put out on the porch before he got home—before he got here yesterday.”

  “Wished I’d seen them. I would have just taken him back to town. Poor guy.”

  “Poor guy? Poor Luke? Wayne, he lied and it wasn’t a little lie. It was a lie of epic proportion, and I can’t let that slide and pretend I don’t know about it.”

  “I can understand why you’re upset, but he was just a boy when it happened, and—”

  “He is a full grown man now, and he should have told me.”

  “Now you know why he left so long ago. It had nothing to do with you.”

  “Why would you think I thought that?”

  “Oh, come on, Meg. You stripped yourself of all femininity and refused to look at another man. You’ve had many admirers over the last few years.”

  Glancing down at her black shirt, she remembered what Luke had said about her being colorless. She felt colorless, as if all of the light had gone out of her life. She was the absence of color. “I know you mean well and all, but this is between me and Luke.”

  “Are you ever going to talk to him again?” Wayne stared at her.

  “I just don’t know what we’d have to say to one another. Done means it’s over.”

  Wayne nodded and downed the last of his coffee. “Thank you for the great coffee. And, Meg, if he comes around listen for a minute before you shut him off. He really was caught up in things that weren’t his fault. It was Harry who tried to get the ball rolling to have the land dug up. He hired the contractor. The project came to a halt when it was revealed that Harry no longer owned the land. The next week, Owen told the contractor to go ahead. He told him it was in Luke’s best interest to be able to have money for cattle. I’m going but just remember, Luke is the only good one in the bunch.”

  Meg walked him to the door and said a pleasant good bye but she felt anything but pleasant. Wayne probably thought his words would comfort her in a small way but they didn’t. She closed the door and once again, the silence echoed at her, mocking her. She went into the office and began to tackle the paperwork.

  She forgot to ask Wayne about the shooter. She wanted to know if it was anyone, she knew. She started to divide payables, receivables, payroll, investments, and tons of other papers into categories and swore one day she’d hire a bookkeeper. She was good at many things but this was not one of them. She’d rather be on her horse, riding the range and working the ranch. It was all on her shoulders now so she’d buck up and get on with it.

  It wasn’t until she was nearly finished her stomach rumbled. She glanced at the clock and sighed, most of the day was already gone. She hadn’t been eating right but she hadn’t been hungry. Now perhaps she could manage to get something down. As she walked into the kitchen, she spied a woman on her porch, sitting in one of the chairs. She frowned as she crossed over to the door and opened it. “May I help you?”

  The brown-haired, brown-eyed beauty glanced up at her and smiled. “I knocked but no one answered.”

  “How long ago was that?”

  The woman stood, displaying her pregnant body. “About an hour ago. I didn’t mind it’s really nice out here. David was right, it is a place fit for a king.”

  Meg wondered if she was a bit touched in the head. “I like it. You’re a friend of David’s?”

  “Why yes, I’m Marla, his fiancée. He called me last week and told me to pack my things and drive here. I suppose he’ll be home soon.” Her smile was bright.

  “I’m not sure why he’d invite you to live in my house. Why don’t you come in and have something to drink?” She held the door open for Marla to pass through.

  Marla headed toward the kitchen and looked around. “You must be Meg. David told me a lot about you. He often spoke about growing up here with you. I’m so sorry about your father. David took the news very hard as you probably know.”

  Gesturing to the chair, Meg invited her to take a seat. “What can I get for you? Coffee or water?”

  Marla stroked her stomach. “Water would be great, thank you.”

  “Coming right up.” Meg turned and gritted her teeth. How dare David invite his pregnant girlfriend to come and live here? She put ice in a glass and poured water into it. “Here you go.”

  “Thank you,” Marla said as she took the offered glass.

  “Did you have a long drive?”

  “No, it was only two hours. I was hurt at first when he didn’t come back to see me but now I can see a place this size needs a lot of time and work. I’m so glad he was able to come and take over for you.” She took a sip of water and then put the glass on the table. “I can’t wait to see him.”

  “If you’ll excuse me I have a call to make. I’ll be right back.” Meg quickly headed back into the office, closed the door, and groaned. There was no way she was going to tell Marla the truth about David. No, but she knew who should. Grabbing the phone, she then called Luke.

  Luke rubbed the back of his neck as he drove Wayne’s pick up. It was nice of him to lend him the truck. David had never mentioned Marla to him. He wasn’t sure what to say to her, but Meg had been adamant on the phone that he needed to be the one to tell her. Heck, if it got him into the same room as Meg, he was all for it.

  No sooner had he parked the truck, then the door to the house opened and there stood Meg. Her smile said it all. It was her fake, I’m going to kill you, smile. Hey, he’d take it for now. He jumped out of the truck and lumbered up to the door giving her his best grin, but his smile faded as her eyes narrowed.

  “Thanks for coming.”

  “Was there any doubt?” He hated the coldness of her stare. He edged past Meg and found himself face-to-face with a lovely girl sitting at the table. That must be David
’s –Whoa! Meg had mentioned a fiancée but she didn’t mention she was about to give birth anytime. He took off his hat and placed it on the rack. “You must be, Marla.”

  Her smiled was stunning. “Yes, yes I am. I’m so happy to meet you. David speaks very highly of you and his sister of course.” She glanced behind him toward Meg.

  “It’s very nice to meet you, too.” He glanced back over his shoulder hoping to get some type of cue from Meg. She actually smirked at him. He helped himself to some coffee and sat across the table from Marla. “How long did you plan to visit?”

  “Visit? We must have our wires crossed. David said we were going to live in the house. He said you two sold your shares of the ranch to him.” Her words sounded stilted as though she sensed her words were not true. Her smile dimmed as she glanced from him to Meg.

  “Where’s your stuff?” He asked gently.

  “We really didn’t have much. A friend of David’s is packing up the house and bringing the contents in a few days. I got a ride from a friend. My bag is all I have with me. Why do I get the feeling something isn’t right?” Her hands shook slightly as she brushed her long hair behind her shoulder.

  Meg sat down next to him. Maybe she was done watching him squirm. “A lot has happened in the last day or two—”

  “He’s dead?”

  “No, no, nothing like that. He doesn’t have claim to any of this land. It all belongs to Meg.”

  Marla slowly shook her head. “But surely, I mean you’re family. Where is David?”

  Meg reached across the wooden table and took one of Marla’s hands in hers. “David is in jail. I don’t know how to sugarcoat the whole situation. The whole thing has me thrown so off balance I don’t even know which way is up anymore.”

  Marla pulled her hand away. “David is a good man. Why would he be in jail? How is that possible?” She stood up. “Please take me to see him.” Her face turned pasty white.

  Luke jumped up and quickly rounded the table until he was at Marla’s side. “Come on, let’s get you settled on the couch and I’ll tell you all of it. You look like you’re going to faint on me.”

  She accepted his help to the couch and didn’t protest as he helped put her feet up and placed a quilt over her. “Meg, please join us.” He held his breath waiting for her answer.

  “Of course. Marla, is there anything I can get you?”

  Marla didn’t answer. It was as though she hadn’t heard her.

  Luke waited for Meg to take a seat, then he sat in the chair next to her. “Oh boy, where to start? David is in jail on conspiracy to murder charges. Meg and I never planned to sell our shares of the ranch to him. I don’t even own a share. This land runs through Meg’s veins and she’s very skilled at running it. It seems as though my dad, Harry, never had any claim to the land at all.”

  “Murder? They have the wrong person. Besides David’s father is Meg’s father so he would have claim to half the land at least. Harry didn’t get a big payday selling the land?”

  He felt a tingling in the back of his neck. Something about Marla wasn’t right. She seemed even more interested in the money than David had been.

  “Everyone thought David was Owen’s son. Meg, here, only just found out before her father passed. Turns out Harry lied all those years to get money from Owen. It’s a very jumbled history.”

  “This is all rather shocking,” Marla said, her voice full of doubt.

  “It is,” Meg commented gently. “I wish I knew what to say to you.”

  “What is there to say? Somehow, David has been swindled. He is the owner of this ranch. He promised me this house and everyone knows ranchers have tons of money.”

  Luke exchanged glances with Meg. “We’re telling you the truth.”

  Meg stood. “Look around you. Do you see riches and luxury? This is a working ranch, and everyone on it has to work to earn their pay and their keep.”

  Marla glared at Meg. “Not the wife.”

  “Yes, the wife, and the daughter. I’ve been the foreman on this ranch for almost five years. It’s been backbreaking work with long hot hours in the saddle. You do know how to ride, don’t you?”

  Luke bit back a smile. Meg was obviously trying to get rid of Marla. “I came here after a car accident, barely able to walk and Meg put a broom in my hand and insisted I earn my keep. With you, being pregnant and all, you could do all the cooking for the ranch. Then when you have the baby you can keep it near you as you cook.”

  Marla pulled out her cellphone. “I need you to come get me. No, David lied. There is no ranch he owns.” She hung up. “I will wait on the porch if you don’t mind.”

  Meg smiled. “Don’t you want to visit David in jail?”

  Marla pulled her shoulders back. “No, I think I’ll tell the real father of my baby he’s going to be a daddy.”

  He blinked and stared at her. What kind of woman had David gotten himself mixed up with? “Go ahead and wait on the porch.”

  They watched her walk out of the door.

  “Luke, what the heck?”

  “I don’t know. David never mentioned her at all but she did answer a lot of questions. Now we know why David was so interested in money.”

  “Sometimes I think I’m going insane. My whole world has changed and not for the better. I guess if I keep my focus on the ranch, things will turn out.”

  Luke stood and reached out for her, but she stepped back, out of his reach. “I’m sorry, Meg. I don’t want you to flinch every time you see me.”

  She studied the floor for a while before lifting her gaze to his. Her eyes held tears, and his heart twisted. “I can’t process everything. It’s all been too much. Your part in this whole thing was unknowing, but you didn’t trust me enough to tell me.”

  “I tried to put it out of my mind and when the body was found and it wasn’t David, I thought for sure I was going to go down for the murder. I was scared. Too scared of losing you and going to jail. We finally got to a good place in our relationship, and there was no way I was going to let you go.”

  A tear trailed down her face, and he had to keep himself from wiping it away. She didn’t want or need him.

  “I feel as though everyone I know has lied to me. My life is built upon lies.”

  “Not entirely. Your parents loved each other and they loved you. I love you. Those are the constants in your life. The land you ride every day is a constant.” He sighed. “I am sorrier than you’ll ever know about my role in all this. I was a frightened kid when I left five years ago but I returned as a man. A battered man, but I should have known better. I like to think I have integrity but I don’t know anymore.” He clasped his hands in front of him not knowing what to do or how to act.

  “I know. My love for you hasn’t wavered and it’s so hard. I can’t be around you right now. You can move back to the bunkhouse and work the mustangs.” She offered a helpless shrug. “I can’t offer anything more than that.”

  The sadness in her eyes and the hurt in her voice made him feel two inches high. “I’ll wait until Marla’s ride comes and then go get my stuff from the motel. Thank you for letting me keep my job.”

  She gave him a curt nod. “I have paperwork to finish up.” Then she walked away from him and loneliness shrouded him.

  Hours later, Meg swore under her breath. Her father had sure left a mess. She lifted both hands into the air and stretched. He had tried to get her to learn how to do the paperwork, but she was always too busy. Now she wished she’d taken the time. At least it was keeping her mind occupied. She shivered, remembering Luke’s attempt to touch her earlier. He’d meant to comfort her, and her response surprised her. It had been instinctive.

  She grabbed another mound of paperwork and started sorting it. An invoice for the construction company was there. The company that had dug up the first body. She froze when she saw the date. It was dated the day Luke came back. She shook her head. Everything was suspect to her now. Maybe her father planned on the condominiums before Luke came b
ack. There could be many reasons, couldn’t there?

  Leaning back in the leather chair, she closed her eyes. “Breathe, just breathe,” she repeated until heart stopped banging against her ribs. Finally, she relaxed a bit and leaned forward planting her elbows on the desk. Just as she started to lower her face against her hands, she caught sight of the invoice again.

  Picking up the phone, she called Ray, the man who wanted to develop the land. He answered the phone and they exchanged greetings. When she asked about the property, he hesitated.

  “It was a bit strange,” he said. I was surprised your dad would want to part with his land, but he said he wanted to see what it was worth. I’ve been after him for years to sell me some of your prime land.”

  “You scheduled it for weeks later?”

  It was the earliest date I would be free.”

  “It’s strange don’t you think? Why would Harry call you?”

  Ray paused. “I have my suspicions but they’re only my thoughts. I think Harry knew there were bodies on the property and wanted your father to go down for them.”

  Her stomach dropped. “I think you may be right, Ray. Thanks for answering my questions. I appreciate it.”

  “Anytime, Meg. Take care.” He hung up the phone

  Exhausted, she needed coffee. On her way to the kitchen, she was startled to see Luke still in the house. “What are you doing here?”

  “Before you get mad, I just wanted to be sure you wanted me to work for you. I don’t want to take a handout.”

  “You’re good with the mustangs. My time on horseback is getting limited with all the rest of the ranch work. It’ll be fine.”

  He tipped his hat and gave her a half smile. “Just wanted to be sure. I’ll see you around.”

  She watched him walk away, remembering what his hands felt like on her body. He was so sexy in his Wranglers. If only things were different. Just when she thought her heart was broken completely, the last of it shattered. A colorless life was a safer life. A much safer life, no more heartbreaks this big. She loved the land, the animals, and the men who worked for her. It was going to be harder than she thought having Luke on her property. Damn, he lost all of his dreams too.