The Reluctant Rancher~Badlands (Contemporary Western Romantic Suspense)

by J. D. Faver

  Okay, boy. I get the message. Time to grab a little more sleep.

  ~*~

  Sara Beth spent the entire morning fussing around in her little shop. She felt as though she was lighter than air. She cleaned. She polished. She dusted.

  Every time she glimpsed herself in one of the many mirrors, she found she was grinning. Indeed, she couldn’t remember being this happy in a long time.

  “It’s just dinner,” she said aloud. But then the grin would flash and overpower her common sense.

  By mid-afternoon she had sold several items and was feeling the exuberance that emanates from success. She was in the process of showing off one of Mrs. Carter’s lovely quilts to two women who were commenting on its beauty and the fine precision he the hand work.

  “Quilt making is something I’ve always wanted to learn,” one of the women said.

  “Oh, me too,” the other replied.

  The first woman chose to purchase the quilt and while Sara Beth rang up the purchase, she was struck with an idea, the magnitude of which amazed her.

  “If you ladies are interested in quilt-making classes, please sign up on our contact list. I’ll let you know when the next classes are starting.” She offered a notebook and both eagerly provided their information.

  She watched them climb into their car and drive away before she did a little happy dance. Another brilliant entrepreneurial decision. If only Mrs. Carter would agree to teach her skills to a new generation.

  She picked Cami Lynn up out of her play pen and waltzed her around in circles. “I can stock some fabric and quilting supplies too.” The prospects looked very rosy indeed.

  ~*~

  E.J. heard the sound of Breck’s big diesel truck pull up outside. Jenna had left a short time before and promised to return that evening with enough clothing to last the weekend.

  He wasn’t sure why Breck had called him earlier, but he sounded serious when he explained that he and Cami wanted to talk to him about something. Of course, he would be available, but now he was more than curious about the coming visit.

  He opened the front door just as Breck was helping Cami down from the passenger side. Breck looked grim. Cami appeared to be nervous and she carried the little black doctor bag she used when making house calls.

  “Come right inside, folks.” He opened the door wide for them.

  Breck removed his Stetson and tossed it on a chair just inside the foyer. The two men shook hands and E.J. led the way to the great room.

  “What can I get you to drink?” he asked.

  “What do you have?” Breck asked.

  E.J. grinned. “Let me show you my very fine selection of domestic and foreign beers.” He opened a beverage refrigerator and Breck sported a grin of his own.

  “How about you, Cami? I have wines, soft drinks, fruit juice and water.”

  She grimaced, as though the choice was too difficult.

  “She wants a lemon-lime soda,” Breck answered from the depths of the fridge. “Man, you have a fine selection here.”

  “I try,” E.J. said. After Breck made his choice and Cami had her soda with a glass of ice, E.J. grabbed his favorite beer and twisted the cap off. He took a swallow and Cami approached him.

  “Take your shirt off,” she said. “I want to see your injury.”

  “Yes, Ma’am,” he responded and set the bottle on the granite countertop. He slipped the shirt down to expose his shoulder and allowed her to remove the dressing and examine the wound on his shoulder.

  “It looks good,” she pronounced. “The EMTs did a great job on you.” She applied an antiseptic and fresh dressing for the wound. “When was your last tetanus shot?”

  “I don’t remember,” he answered.

  She produced a hypodermic and a vial from her bag. “That’s what I figured, so I came prepared.” After injecting him, she closed the bag, washed her hands and resumed her air of anxiety.

  E.J. took a long swallow of his beer, letting the chilled liquid roll down his throat. “So, did you fine people just come over to abuse me, or are you going to drop a bomb on me.” He slipped into a chair across from the one Breck had chosen.

  Cami looked stricken, but Breck nodded. “It’s a bomb, and we wanted to discuss it with you in person.” He patted the seat beside himself and Cami dropped into it.

  E.J. took a deep breath and let it out all at once. “Knock yourself out.”

  Breck leaned forward, his brows drawn together. “It’s about what Leon said. About your parentage.”

  A tight fist gripped E.J.’s stomach and twisted his insides. It wasn’t that he was afraid of what Breck had to say, but rather that he dreaded the finality of whatever he had to reveal.

  Cami cleared her throat. “The night Eldon was injured and we ended up in the caves…”

  E.J. frowned, not willing to mince words. “You mean the night he lured you there and tried to kill you?”

  She cringed. “Yeah, that was the night. Well, between his injury and the bitter cold, he didn’t think he was going to live through the night. He had internal bleeding and was drifting in and out of consciousness. That was when I found the petrified corpses deeper in the caves. Eldon confessed that he had killed them. He said he had won their property in a poker game, but that the man attacked him and he was forced to kill him. But then he killed the woman too.”

  E.J. listened to her words stoically. Not something he wanted to hear, but it was old news. He felt as though every muscle and nerve was tensed, waiting for what she had to tell him. He nodded at her in what he hoped was encouragement.

  Cami pressed her lips together for one brief moment and then began again. “That was when Eldon told me he found an infant belonging to the murdered couple and he took this baby with him to Dallas. He said his wife was unable to bear children.”

  E.J. let out an involuntary groan. The voice inside his head was screaming, but this weak acknowledgement was all he could muster. He felt as though the life had been sucked right out of him.

  “They claimed the baby as their own and…”

  “Let me clarify,” E.J. interjected. “By, ‘the baby’, you mean me?”

  She pressed her lips together again and nodded her head rapidly.

  “So I was raised by the man who murdered my real parents?”

  Again, the head nod.

  “And why did you wait so long to tell me?”

  Breck cleared his throat. “She promised Eldon she wouldn’t say anything about his confession. He pled guilty to the charge of first-degree murder of Silky Carmichael and Cami kept her mouth shut.”

  It felt as though a heavy weight had settled on E.J.’s chest.

  “I know this must be a lot to take in, E.J.” Cami looked as though she was fighting tears. “But, you have to know that, no matter what else might be true about Eldon Kincaid, he loved you with every ounce of his heart. He thought the sun rose and set on you. He was willing to go to prison rather than reveal the truth about your parentage.”

  E.J. met her gaze. “I think I’m just learning how much he loved me. I always tried to please him, but somehow, I thought I came up short.”

  “Well, you didn’t,” she assured him. “And don’t worry. We will never say anything about this to anyone.”

  “But we had to let you know.” Breck drained the last of his beer and pulled himself to his feet. “Come on, Cami. We’ve given E.J. a lot to think about.”

  She stood up reluctantly and reached for her bag. “I’m sorry, E.J. I truly am.” She raised her shoulders and dropped them again in a helpless gesture. “I never intended to break my promise to Eldon, but now, we thought you should know the truth.”

  E.J. showed them out and thanked them for telling him about his true heritage. He closed the door after them and leaned his forehead against the door jamb.

  Sadness settled around him like a cloak, weighing him down with the burden of his newly-acquired knowledge. Now what?

  ~*~

  The next night was Friday an
d one of Jenna’s favorite bands would be appearing at the Eagles Hall. It had been a tough week. Between cattle rustlers, being arrested, Jenna’s kidnapping and going after Leon with Breck, E.J. felt the need to let off a little steam. Hearing the facts of his parentage spelled out by Cami and Breck was hard enough. He still had mixed-feelings about Eldon Kincaid, who he still thought of as being his dad. Being able to talk it over with Jenna had meant a lot.

  She had gazed at him, her clear green eyes comforting in their intensity. “E.J., it doesn’t matter. You are your own man.” She flashed a grin. “You’re my man, and if you hurry up and marry me, you can be the father of my many children.”

  He broke an amused snort. “Your many children?”

  She nodded an assent. “Yep. All of ‘em. I’m getting older by the minute and I’m ready to start popping them out.”

  “I’m up for that. Let’s figure out where and how soon we can get married.”

  It was her turn to snort. “Our wedding will take place right here in this community, where all our friends can take part.” She collapsed into a fit of giggles. “I was thinking of asking Celeste Pigeon to be my Maid of Honor.”

  E.J. laughed just picturing Celeste in this role. “Better not. There are many more worthy women around here.” He sobered up and tried to frame his next question carefully. “So, it won’t bother you to be married to someone who was raised by a man capable of murder and many other crimes?”

  “Not an issue. You are who you are, and I love you. You more than proved your love for me when you were willing to give up a million dollars for me…and you put your life on the line to rescue me.”

  He felt a warm glow spread through his chest. He swallowed hard. “I know you’d love me if I didn’t have a dime.” He reached out a hand to stroke Rufus on the head. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m starting all over with a new family and a new heritage for the Kincaids.

  Later that evening, dressed in starched Wranglers and polished boots, E.J. paid for their entry into the Eagle’s Hall.

  Jenna gazed about the room at the tables surrounding the edge of the dance floor. “Everyone must love this band as much as I do. So many people are already here.”

  E.J. turned and swept the room in a glance. “Lots of people, all right.”

  Breck stood up and waved them over to a table jutting out from the far wall.

  E.J. motioned to Jenna and she nodded, leading the way to their table, but not letting go of his hand. He felt remarkably good, considering the events of the past week.

  Breck leaned across the table to shake his hand. “We lived through it.”

  “Damned straight!” E.J. replied. Somehow, being accepted by Breck was like passing a major milestone. He pulled out a chair for Jenna and when she was seated, one for himself.

  “How’s your wrist?” Cami asked.

  He rotated it in a circling motion. “Seems to be fine.”

  “And your shoulder?”

  “Healing. Thanks for asking.” He winked at her then turned his attention to the man sitting across from him. “Hey, Breck. Thanks for standing by me when we went after Jenna.”

  Breck shrugged modestly. “No big deal. I’m just glad we got it taken care of.”

  “Since we both made it through alive, I have a very important question to ask you.” E.J. looked at him earnestly.

  “Shoot!”

  “How about standing up for me when I marry this lovely woman? Will you be my best man?

  Breck stood up and tossed his Stetson in the air, catching it deftly. “Wa-hoo! I’d be proud to.” He leaned across the table to give E.J. a man-hug and a thorough pounding on the uninjured shoulder. “When’s the date?”

  E.J. grinned at Jenna. “We have to talk to the preacher about that, but soon.”

  Jenna’s grin went wall-to-wall. “I was hoping you’d be my Matron of Honor, Cami.”

  “Oh, Jenna. I’d be honored.” Cami got up and so did Jenna. They met at the end of the table and hugged each other.

  E.J. could see both women shedding tears, but grinning all the while. Yes, everything is falling into place as it should. My crappy life is getting so much better.

  The band arrived and began setting up their instruments and tuning up. More people poured into the hall.

  Breck stood up again and waved his Stetson to someone in the crowd.

  E.J. turned to see who he was hailing. The ranch hand who worked for the Ryans came toward the table, his arm around a pretty young woman, and he had a baby carrier hooked on his other arm. The woman was the one who ran the consignment store in town.

  “It’s Sara Beth and Frank,” Cami said. She waved both hands and indicated that she wanted them to sit by her. She got up as they neared and gave the young woman a hug. Frank leaned in for a hug as well.

  When everyone was settled to Cami’s satisfaction, the young woman named Sara Beth, seated beside her near the end of the table.

  Frank placed the baby in the plastic carrier on the table between them. He shook Breck’s hand and then reached for E.J.’s. “Frank Wilson,” he said.

  “E.J. Kincaid.”

  Frank gestured across to the pretty young woman. “And that’s my girlfriend, Sara Beth Jessup.”

  Sara Beth colored prettily and then grinned at Cami who was absolutely beaming with pleasure.

  “I’m so glad you two got together,” Cami said.

  Sara Beth blushed even redder. “We went to dinner. We had a real date.”

  Frank then leaned down and gave Jenna a kiss on the cheek, and she squeezed his neck.

  A little stirring of jealousy tingled in E.J.’s gut. Get your lips off of my fiancée. Then he sucked in a deep breath and let it out. Be cool.

  Breck hailed the waitress and ordered a round.

  When the waitress returned, E.J. noticed she set a bottle of water in front of Cami. She never was much of a drinker. Always into healthy living. He raised his longneck and clinked it against Jenna’s and then Breck’s. Everyone at the table joined in.

  Breck stood and cleared his throat. “I want to propose a toast to my beautiful wife, Mrs. Doctor Camryn Carmichael-Ryan.”

  Everyone clinked their respective drink containers again.

  “And I would like to announce the expected birth of our first child.”

  This proclamation was followed by a chorus of squeals from the women and lower toned congratulations from the men.

  E.J. nodded and caught Jenna’s eye. She winked at him as though to say, “Get ready, Buster.”

  The band started to play and Jenna pushed her chair back.

  “The lady wants to dance,” E.J. said. He stood and followed her onto the floor. It was a waltz. An old Anne Murray song he remembered from long ago. The dance floor filled with couples whirling to the music as the singer sang the first stanza.

  When the singer got to the chorus, Jenna joined in. “Could I have this dance, for the rest of my life?” She gazed up at him, her face aglow with the trust and love she felt.

  E.J. picked it up and sang the next line with her. “Will you be my partner every night? When we’re together it feels so right. Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?”

  ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

  About the author:

  J.D. Faver lives near Houston, Texas with three spoiled, rotten cats and a rescue dog, affectionately called Heart of Darkness, Horrible/Adorable, or Minx for short. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense, both seasoned with plenty of steamy passion. Even the darkest murder/suspense is riddled with numerous snarky sentiments. She is actively involved in several writer’s organizations, including National RWA and two of its local chapters, West Houston RWA, and Northwest Houston RWA. She loves to spend time with family and friends. She writes daily but has time for other interests including painting, cooking and gardening.

  She loves to hear from readers. Contact her through her website~ http://www.jdfaver.com

  Twitter~ http://twitter.com/#!/JDFaverauthor

&nb
sp; FaceBook~ https://www.facebook.com/pages/JD-Faver-Author/

  ~*~

  You might also enjoy Book One in the BADLANDS series:

  The Doctor’s Choice~BADLANDS: Book One

  Will she choose love or money? The Cowboy or the City?

  The murder of her only relative forces Camryn Carmichael, a lonely young doctor, to choose between her dream career in a Houston research hospital and a rural practice close to rancher, Breckenridge T. Ryan the infuriating man she loses her heart to.

  Cowboys, murder and romance. Oh, my!

  When her suspicions about her great-aunt’s death prove to be true, she resolves to uncover the villain herself. Breck tries to convince her that the community needs her just as much as he does, but when she uncovers a decades-old crime, she puts her own life is in danger.

  Threatened by the diabolical killer and a ‘blue norther’, will she survive long enough to tell the tale?

  http://amzn.com/B005341WX2

  Other books by J.D. Faver

  The Edge of Texas Series:

  ~BAD MEDICINE~

  “You’re too stupid to live, Rafael Solis!” Chloe Palmer’s words still echoed in Rafael’s memory. The last words she said before she shot him and left town…

  Unable to escape her past, Chloe returns to the Texas coast for her murdered father’s funeral and to face Rafael, the man she left behind. Rafael never gave up her.

  Rafael’s passion breaks down her emotional barriers, but her impetuous nature draws her into a cruel vortex where she runs afoul of old and new enemies.

  Previous rivalries emerge, pitting Rafael against the heir-apparent to a crime dynasty. With the body count rising, Rafael and Chloe battle an infatuated but vicious drug lord, kidnappers, and a twisted curandero (Mexican healer). Will they survive the violence and be able to forge a life together?

  5***** Review~ “The suspense story line was perfectly done. I never knew from one moment to another how the story was going to turn. It kept me guessing and COMPLETELY involved with the story. It was ALL so good...both the romance and the suspense. It was just a superbly written book. I stayed on the edge of my seat and with my nose buried in the book until I got it finished...and then I was sad that it was over.”