The Reluctant Rancher~Badlands (Contemporary Western Romantic Suspense)

by J. D. Faver

  The deputy looked doubtful, but shrugged his shoulders. “I’m a-gonna let you loose, but when the sheriff gets back, he’ll have the final say about them charges.”

  E.J. took a deep breath and let it out all at once. “Thanks, Breck. That means a lot to me.” He extended his right hand and Breck gave him a firm handshake.

  “Let’s get you to the hospital.” Breck gestured toward the door.

  E.J. turned back to the deputy. “My watch and my phone! Can I have those back?”

  The deputy smirked. “What kind of man doesn’t have an ID on him, but has a Rolex and a fancy cell phone?” He let out some sort of an epithet under his breath, but fished the watch and phone out of a drawer and handed them over.

  E.J. stuck the watch in his pocket, since his wrist was too swollen to wear it. He glanced at the messages on his cell and saw that Jenna had been trying to reach him. “Damn! Jenna’s called me several times. I can’t believe she would call this late. It must be important.” He hit the redial. After three agonizingly long rings it was answered. “Hello? Jenna? Honey, are you there?”

  The hiss of static filled the void as he waited for a reply.

  His stomach tightened as the silence lengthened. He pushed the speaker phone button. “Jenna?”

  “Jenna’s right here with me, but she’s not in a talkative mood right now.”

  E.J. recognized the raspy voice of Leon Harwell. He signaled for everyone to be quiet. “Leon? Is that you? What are you doing with Jenna’s phone?”

  A coarse chuckle. “You should be asking what I’m doing with little Jenna here?”

  Cami sucked in a gasp of air and clapped both hands to her mouth.

  Breck frowned, listening intently.

  E.J. managed to draw a breath, giving himself a moment to choose his words carefully. “I don’t believe it. If Jenna is there, put her on the phone.”

  There was a moment when the sound of a vehicle motor was heard and then his heart almost stopped.

  “E.J.?” She sounded close to tears. “I was so worried when I couldn’t reach you. I went to your place, but Leon was there and he forced me into his truck.” She made a sound of protest as the phone was apparently wrenched from her hand.

  “Satisfied, Pretty Boy? I’ve got your little vet right here with me. You can have her back when you bring me one million dollars in cash. You got that? One million.”

  “A million dollars? You must think the local bank has that kind of cash just lying around. It will take me a while to get it together, but I will. Do not hurt her.”

  “You mean the big, powerful Kincaid can’t round up enough cash to save his little darlin’?” Leon snorted derisively. “You better pull some strings, boy. You owe me.”

  Breck made a motion for him to keep talking.

  “How do you figure that I owe you a damned thing?”

  “Me and your daddy was in business. A damned good paying business, and then he went and got himself busted for killing that old battle-axe. I tried to carry on, but you kept sticking your nose in where it don’t belong.”

  “Listen, asshole! I know it was you rustling my cattle.”

  Leon chuckled. “Is that what you think? The cattle was just for window dressing. Your dad and me had a good thing going. Now get me the cash and don’t call back until you’re ready to hand it over.” He disconnected abruptly.

  Stunned, E.J. stared at the phone. “He’s got her.”

  “You heard that, Deputy,” Breck turned the full force of his frown on the man. “Get all your deputies to go after that guy.”

  “Well, just wait a minute. All I heard is that woman is with some guy.”

  An explosion of anger went off in E.J.’s chest. “Are you kidding? He kidnapped her! He threatened her!”

  The deputy raised both hands, as if to ward him off. “Now, settle down, sonny. Your temper is what got you arrested in the first place.”

  Breck took out his cell phone. “Good thing I’ve got the sheriff’s personal cell number.”

  The deputy’s eyes widened. “Now, wait a minute.”

  “Too late.” Breck gave him a deadly glare. “Sheriff, we have a situation here in Langston. Jenna Lewis has been kidnapped by Leon Harwell, and he’s trying to extort a million dollars from E.J. Kincaid for her safe return. Can you order your men to do a manhunt? Your deputy here seems reluctant to act.” Breck listened a moment and then wordlessly, handed the cell to the deputy.

  A series of ‘yessirs’ were heard, after which the red-faced deputy handed the phone back to Breck. He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down in his ropey throat.

  “He says he’s on his way and to call everyone in on the search.” He swallowed again. “And to cooperate with you people in every way.” He held out the phone to Breck.

  Surprisingly, Breck clapped him on the shoulder. “Good man! You call in your troops and I’ll see if I can do some good.” He took the phone. “Hello, Sheriff.” He listened intently for a moment and then motioned to E.J. “Let me see your cell.” He clicked to the last number and read it off to the sheriff.

  E.J. felt impotent, as though the minutes raced by and he was incapable of doing anything to save the woman he loved. He pictured her face as he had seen it, when she was laughing or angry, or in the throes of passion…but he had never seen her scared.

  Breck handed the cell back to E.J. “The sheriff is going to get a tracer on Jenna’s phone. Hopefully, Leon won’t toss it out.”

  The fist clenching E.J.’s gut loosened a little. “I can get the money. I’d give it all away to save Jenna. But it will take time.”

  Breck ran his fingers through his hair. “I hope it’s not going to come to that, but you might want to wake up Mr. Timmons, the banker. Tell him you need him to get all the cash on hand to the Sheriff’s office, immediately if not sooner.”

  ~*~

  Jenna sat on the passenger side of Leon’s truck, her fingers gripping the hand hold in the door. She kept her lips pressed together, afraid to speak, for fear her words might set off a reaction in the man to her left. Indeed, he seemed intent upon his driving, checking the mirrors frequently.

  There didn’t seem to be anyone else on this long stretch of highway. It must have been two or three o’clock in the morning. Anyone with good sense is at home in bed…where I ought to be.

  Leon swerved onto a caliches road and the truck bumped along in the ruts. At the end of the road sat a small farm house. She recognized the house as belonging to the Jessups…or Sara Beth Jessup to be exact. Jenna had come to this place to care for the animals belonging to the previous owners, but hadn’t had occasion to visit the last few years. She sat, gripping the door handle, unable to move or think beyond the immediate terror. A thousand ‘what-ifs’ blazed through her brain, but she could hardly breathe, much less act.

  “Well, don’t sit there all day, Princess. Get out.”

  She fumbled for the handle and almost fell to the ground, holding the door to stay upright. “This is the Jessup place,” she murmured, almost to herself.

  “There ain’t nobody about, so don’t you worry your pretty little head on it. C’mon.” He gestured toward the house.

  She managed to put one foot in front of the other, barely negotiating the door jamb. Stepping into total darkness, she fumbled for the light switch, but the light didn’t come on. There must be electricity. I saw a wind turbine on the roof. She swallowed hard.

  Leon flicked on his lighter and her shadowy surroundings came into focus.

  An eerie chill scurried down her spine. The room looked as though bomb had gone off inside. The light fixture was shattered and dangling from the ceiling. Walls were riddled with bullet holes and glass littered the floor. What happened here? She remembered hearing something, but couldn’t remember the specifics. Whatever occurred here, Leon was somehow involved.

  He strode to the kitchen table and lit a small lantern. He placed her cell phone right beside it. “Have a seat.” He indicated one of
the chairs at the table.

  She nodded, wordlessly. Glass and other litter crunched underfoot as she crept forward. She brushed more debris from the chair and sat down, clasping her hands in front of her on the table to keep them from shaking.

  The lantern flickered, but was bright enough to see her immediate surroundings and it put out just enough heat to warm her hands. The rest of the room was in deep shadow. Just as well. I don’t want to see the bullet holes. I don’t want to see the broken glass. She concentrated on breathing in and out with regularity, soft and quiet so as to not bring any attention to herself. She laid her head down on her arms, not because she was sleepy, but to appear subdued. Her heart still raced and worst case scenarios flashed through her brain.

  What if E.J. can’t get the money together? What if he didn’t want to pay the ransom? No! I have to stop thinking like this. He loves me. He’ll come through.

  The sound of tires crunching on the caliches outside caused her to raise her head.

  Leon jumped up from the table and blew out the lantern, plunging the room into darkness. He peered out the front window and uttered a curse.

  “Leon Harwell!” A voice boomed over some sort of speaker. “This is the Texas Highway Patrol. Throw out your weapons and come out with your hands over your head.” The voice whined down with a squeal.

  Leon grunted. “I don’t think so. Get over here!” He motioned for her to join him and when she hesitated, he grabbed her forearm and pulled her close.

  She could feel the heat of his body and smell his musky, unwashed odor. “Open the door,” he said in her ear.

  She fumbled for the door knob and swung it open. Two cars with red and blue flashing lights, bathed the area with their headlights. The effect was dizzying, almost like an eerie carnival.

  Leon held her in a fierce grip. He forced her to step out onto the small step and then onto the ground. “Don’t try to stop me or I’ll put a bullet in her head. I swear I will.” He edged toward his truck, dragging her with him.

  Jenna could see the concerned expressions on the faces of the uniformed men. Please help me. Don’t let him take me. Both of the officers held their weapons trained on Leon, and by default, on her. Leon was jerking her backwards now. She let out a little whimper and a tear rolled down her cheek.

  One of the officers stepped forward just as Jenna stumbled. She fell backwards, landing on her hip and one elbow as a barrage of gunfire blasted over her head. She curled into a ball and covered her head.

  “Git up,” Leon growled, dragging her to her feet. When she looked back both of the officers were on the ground.

  Bile rose in the back of her throat. She swallowed it back down and took a step toward the fallen men.

  Leon jerked her backwards and threw her against the side of the truck. She scrambled to get in, with Leon almost on top of her. Sliding to the passenger seat she fumbled for the seatbelt as Leon peeled out, his tires squealing and throwing rocks.

  If he would shoot two lawmen, she knew he wouldn’t hesitate to kill her.

  ~*~

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  E.J. and Breck met the bank president, who seemed to be less than happy to be there. But since two of his biggest depositors were standing at the front door of the bank, he had no choice but to try and appear cordial.

  E.J. noted the forced smile he presented. Just open the bank and get me some of my money. He drew a breath and huffed it out impatiently.

  Breck eyed him critically, but E.J. couldn’t read his expression.

  The banker finally got the door open and stepped inside. He turned on a light and gestured for them to enter. As soon as E.J. and Breck had stepped across the threshold, Mr. Timmons locked the door behind them. “Can’t be too careful,” he said and turned a flimsy smile on them. “Now, what is this large withdrawal you want to make?”

  “I need a million dollars in cash,” E.J. said. “And the quicker you can get it out here, the better.”

  Mr. Timmons mouth formed a small O. “Well that is certainly a considerable amount, Mr. Kincaid. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather have a certified check? I can print one for you very quickly.”

  “No!” he exploded. “I need cash and I need it now.”

  The banker’s eyes opened wide. “I’m certain we don’t have that amount in cash. I can have it transferred from one of the Amarillo branches, first thing tomorrow morning.”

  E.J. felt Breck’s hand on his shoulder. He took another deep breath and let it out all at once.

  Breck stepped forward. “Mr. Timmons, we need it in cash. A life depends on it.” He thrust a duffel bag he had retrieved from the back seat of his pickup into the banker’s hands. “We need it now, so you better get busy. The longer you stand around here jawing at us, the more dangerous the situation for a very sweet young lady.”

  “Yessir, Mr. Ryan. I’ll see what I can do.” Mr. Timmons bobbed his head up and down like a nervous puppet. He grabbed the bag and disappeared into the back of the bank.

  “Thanks, Breck. I’m so mad, I can’t even think straight. I can’t believe Jenna is with that lowlife, and I can’t do a damned thing about it.”

  “Not a problem. Let’s just get Jenna back.” Breck’s penetrating gaze calmed him.

  He had to believe they would get her back. He couldn’t imagine his life without her.

  In what seemed like hours, but was in fact closer to fifteen minutes, Mr. Timmons reappeared with the bulging bag. “Here we are. It’s not a million but I’m giving you all the cash on hand except for the small amount we need to open the bank tomorrow morning.” He handed E.J. a withdrawal slip with the amount hand written in. “Would you like to count it before you sign for it?”

  “No. Hell, no!” E.J. grabbed the slip and signed hurriedly. He reached for the bag. It was a lot less than a million, but it looked substantial enough. He doubted that Leon would stop to count it either.

  “Thank you, Mr. Timmons. I’m most grateful.” He backed toward the door and tried the handle, forgetting they were locked inside.

  Mr. Timmons hurried forward and unlocked it for them. When they hit the pavement, Breck and E.J. raced to the truck and got in.

  “Thanks, Breck. I couldn’t have done that on my own.”

  “Not a problem. Are you going to call Leon now?”

  E.J. nodded and pushed the redial button for Jenna’s phone. It rang twice while his stomach churned. Just as it rang a third time Leon answered.

  “You got my money?” he snarled.

  “Yes, I do. Let me talk to Jenna.”

  “In a minute. How’d you git the money so fast? I thought sure you’d hafta wait til tomorrow.”

  “The banker opened the bank for me. Now let me talk to Jenna.”

  There was a pause and then Jenna said a shaky hello.

  “Hello, honey. Don’t you worry a single second. I got the money and everything’s going to be all right.”

  “Okay,” she said.

  It sure didn’t sound like she believed him.

  “Really, honey. Just relax and this will be over soon.”

  She sniffled, but didn’t say anything else.

  “Satisfied?” Leon sneered. “Now let me tell you where to bring the cash. Go out on the highway like you’re going toward Amarillo. When you get right at ten miles out of town, call me again and I’ll give you directions. You better be alone and you better have my money.” He paused for effect.

  “I will. Just don’t hurt her.”

  “If you even think about bringing the sheriff, I’ll put one bullet between her pretty green eyes.”

  E.J. sickened when he heard the sound of a revolver being cocked.

  “Leave her alone. I’ve got your money. I’m coming and I won’t bring the sheriff.” The line was disconnected leaving him staring at the phone. He turned to Breck. “You heard?”

  Breck nodded. He started his truck, the big diesel engine growling to life. “Going to stop by the sheriff’s office. We need to update him and I need t
o tell Cami to go on home.”

  “Wait! I promised not to bring the sheriff.” E.J.’s gut twisted like a wet rag.

  “E.J., don’t fall for that crap. If you do what he said, Leon will probably kill you both just to cover his tracks.” He shifted gears and propelled the big truck forward. “Trust me. I may know a little more about the criminal mind than you do.”

  E.J. conceded this fact. “Okay, but I need to hurry. He might get impatient and hurt her. I’ll never forgive myself if anything happens to Jenna.”

  Breck drove to the sheriff’s office and they went inside. Cami was pacing and ran to him the moment he stepped through the door.

  “Oh, Breck. Something awful happened.” She grabbed the front of his jacket and he put an arm around her.

  “Mr. Kincaid. Mr. Ryan. I’m afraid Mrs. Ryan is right,” Deputy Samuels shook his head. “Apparently the sheriff located the kidnapper through the veterinarian’s cell phone. He sent some highway patrol officers out to make the arrest and two of them were shot by this Harwell character.”

  E.J. felt as though he was going to throw up. His stomach roiled dangerously. If Leon shot two highway patrolmen, he won’t think anything of killing Jenna…or me.

  ~*~

  “What is this place?” Jenna felt her throat grow tight. She’d never had occasion to drive down this particular caliches road, and the all-enveloping darkness was almost as frightening as the man beside her in the driver’s seat.

  “Just don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. This is a place where we can be alone and get to know each other a little better.”

  She shuddered at the thought. Getting to know Leon Harwell better was not a pleasant option.

  The road swerved to the right and ended abruptly. The headlights came to rest on what looked like an abandoned farmhouse. A cracked window pane had been patched with duct tape and the screen door hung ajar. The trees near the house looked dead, probably due to a drought some years past, but the bare branches added to the eerie effect.