by Piper Stone
He’d amassed a small fortune in a short period of time. When so many ranchers had faltered, forced to sell off their beloved properties, he’d succeeded in ways that were difficult to comprehend. As I pulled the last bank statement into view, my hands began to shake. This was crazy. The three million dollars in cash unheard of.
I dropped the paper, struggling to make sense of what I was seeing. How many times had I told him that he was a fool for even considering following in our father’s footsteps? How many times had I enjoyed making fun of his studious attitude, his straight A’s? I rubbed my mouth, trying to take it all in.
There was also a trust for Ashley, one that would make her a very wealthy woman when she turned eighteen. My brother had thought of everything. However, what troubled me were the updates on both the will and the trust. They’d been completed only two weeks before his death. Had he experienced a premonition about the tragedy?
I couldn’t think this way. My anger was already still too damn high. I took another swallow, the beer tasting stale. After shoving it onto the counter, I thought about everything I’d heard, including information from the attorney. Nothing was sitting right. While I had no doubt Bryce overdramatized stories to some degree, her concern was heartfelt and I had to admit that she continued to fuel the nagging pool of doubt furrowing inside of me.
I moved back into the living room, glaring at the set of stairs. Hell, no. However, I wanted certain answers to the questions that continued to build. There were no pictures in the living room or kitchen of Jaime, or of Ashley for that matter.
Wouldn’t a man who’d been grieving desperately, enough so to join the fire department, have pictures of her? And what about making certain Ashley didn’t forget about her mother? I moved down the short hallway leading away from the living room. The half bath showed obvious signs of a female’s touch, the spring-like colors certainly not something that Drake would have picked out. The laundry room was nothing special, although there were no clothes in baskets, both the washer and dryer empty. Either my brother was the cleanest man on the face of the earth, or someone had come in after his death.
The nagging increased as I walked into what my brother obviously used as his office for the ranch, the former large bedroom furnished with state of the art equipment, including a sweet-looking new laptop. As with the rest of Drake’s life, everything had its place. As I walked toward the desk, I swept the room, scanning the various bookshelves. From where I stood, I couldn’t see any hint of dust.
What I did see were several picture frames. I shifted toward them, bringing one into the dim light as provided by the sun peeking in through the half open blinds. The couple in the photograph included Drake. While he’d aged, adding a few pounds on during the last few years, his eyes were the same as before. Eager. Full of life.
The woman in the photograph was just an adult-size version of Ashley, her radiant smile and the way she was looking at Drake a clear indication of their happiness. The picture had been taken in front of the cabin. A second photograph included Ashley. A third with a couple I didn’t recognize, but they were standing in front of a lake on a summer’s day, drinks in their hands.
I carefully placed them where I’d found them, also noticing there wasn’t a line where dust should be.
The office was full of various files, maps, and other documentation, but after searching for over thirty minutes, there was nothing that seemed abnormal. Then why were there so many questions racing through my mind? Maybe I needed to talk with Mr. Weatherby.
I also needed to figure out about picking up Ashley and bringing her home, although I wasn’t entirely certain that was a good idea yet. I needed to be strong for her, to make certain she knew that her uncle would be right there.
Yeah, as if I could handle being the kind of support that she needed. I hadn’t even been able to provide that for my brother. I needed to make this my home, at least in the interim. I’d spent my entire childhood growing up in this house, yet it certainly didn’t have the same kind of vibes as when my parents had owned it. What I wouldn’t be able to do was sleep in the master bedroom, at least not for the time being. That meant I’d be back in my old room.
After grabbing my duffle, I took a series of deep breaths, attempting to find courage to go through with this. My feet felt heavy as I walked up the stairs, moving slowly toward the closed door to her room. I continued to feel like I was invading their privacy, although I now owned the home.
Home.
Even the word seemed foreign, pulling on the various ugly memories that had festered in my mind over the years. I placed my hand on the handle, my nerves more on edge than before. Time to suck it up and act like a man, as my father used to say. I dropped the bag in front of the closed door to the room I’d sleep in, glancing back and forth from the doors to the other two rooms. Where the house had seemed cramped all those years ago, it seemed huge to me now. Hell, I was used to a bunkbed sharing a barracks with several other soldiers. To me, this was paradise.
I shifted toward the master bedroom, managing to open the door. The space still held a woman’s touch with the plush deep purple comforter and adornments, although they’d certain seen better days. He’d refused to part with them.
The furniture had been replaced, the wooden floor as well since I’d last been here. I eased onto the bed, my legs aching. This was supposed to be my house after my parents were gone, but I’d simply told them I wasn’t planning on staying in Montana. I knew that was the day I’d broken their hearts.
At least my brother had been able to make it a home. I turned my head, catching sight of the stunning photograph of Jaime. He mourned in his private spaces. That was definitely a family trait.
While little of what had been owned by Jaime remained, I did notice a box in the corner of the closet with Ashley’s name written on top. It was another memory that I wasn’t ready to delve into. I laughed seeing Drake’s attire. He owned two suits and three dress shirts, all neatly hung along the wall. He’d been a true cowboy through and through.
When I finally walked out, I left the door open. Maybe I’d finally been able to crack open a small portion of the past.
Ashley’s room was something else entirely.
I realized after standing in the same place for five minutes that I couldn’t do it. Going inside the little girl’s room would mean I’d finally accepted my brother’s death and my new responsibilities. How could I do that? How could he be gone and how in God’s name would I rise to the occasion, providing her a good home?
I couldn’t do this. Not yet. Maybe I’d go check on the horses, even take a ride. I had to see the property at some point. Tomorrow would be spent getting to know the employees.
And going to the bank.
The other necessary items I’d leave with a question mark.
Entering my old room was not as cathartic as I would have imagined. I wasn’t certain if I had expected that my things would remain inside, but there wasn’t a single representation of my previous life, including in the color of paint on the walls.
The space was just as beautifully decorated as the living room, warm and inviting on every level. I was actually relieved that this could be any room in any house. I moved toward the windows, looking out at what had to have been a garden at some point. While there were still timbers in place, the four beds appeared to be overrun with weeds. Where my brother had made certain every other aspect of the house had been perfectly cleaned and organized, he’d cared less for the care and maintenance of an outdoor feature.
How many aspects regarding my brother was I clueless about?
When I heard a knock on the door, my normal reaction would have been to growl at the intrusion, but I was glad for the interference. Hell, I was one big chicken, uncertain how to walk into a little girl’s pink and purple room. What had happened to me?
When I opened the door, the look on Bryce’s face was sheepish, even though she held up a bottle of tequila and several limes.
“I thou
ght a truce might be in order,” she said in a reserved manner, even though the tone of her voice would always bring about the beast within me.
“I don’t know. If you make any trouble...”
She wrinkled her nose, giving me a pouty look. “Me? Not a chance, cowboy.”
“Uh-huh. That’s what I’m afraid of. You can come in, although I was just getting ready to take a ride.”
“Oh, another meeting?” She’d changed, the black jeans and cerulean blue tee shirt befitting her personality. Although the cowboy boots were a surprise. Who did she think she was fooling? She was a city girl through and through.
“As in horses, the only way to ride.” I found myself grinning.
She exhaled in an exaggerated fashion. “I can stay here and wait for you, if you want.”
“Nope. You’re going to come with me.” I took the items out of her hand, easing them down next to the box.
I’d have time later to delve into far too much of a past I wanted nothing to do with.
“It’s still sealed,” she commented.
“And it might stay that way for a little while.”
“If I’m interfering, I can just go.”
I took both her hands into mine, my body reacting instantly. “Are you trying to tell me that you’re terrified of one tiny horse?”
“Tiny? They’re huge animals. Who are you kidding?” Her flushed face gave her away. She’d never been on a horse in her life.
I grinned as I shook my head. “I’m not going to take no for an answer. Besides, I could use the company.” As she nibbled on her bottom lip, I realized I adored the nervous tic. “Come on. You’ll ride with me.”
“O-kay, but if I get killed, I’ll come back and haunt you for the rest of your life.”
She had a way of getting under my skin, but on this day, she was the perfect medicine.
“Tell me about the ranch,” she suggested as we walked outside.
“I don’t know a whole lot about after I left town, but my parents bought this place for a song. Actually, my father told me he won it in a poker game, but that was never confirmed or denied.”
“Really?” She laughed, the sound filtering into every one of my muscles, ridding some of the tension.
“True story, at least according to my pops. From what my mother told me, my father had no idea what he was doing at first, which is why they almost lost the place more than once. But he got the hang of it. They boarded horses, had a small number of cattle for milk and meat processing and they got by. I know my father always had a bigger dream, more he wanted to do with the ranch, but he was boxed in, unable to grow.”
“Then how did your brother acquire more land?”
I chuckled. “That’s a good question, but I doubt I’ll find the answer to it. I know that Drake loved this place, certainly more than I did.”
“You wanted more out of your life, right?” she asked.
“Don’t we all?”
“I know I did,” she half whispered as we neared the fence. She hopped up on the bottom rung, leaning over as she gazed at the horses grazing in the pasture. “This wasn’t what I anticipated though.”
“Which big city are you from?”
Bryce wrinkled her nose. “It’s that obvious?”
“I can always tell a city slicker when I see one.”
She shot me another pouty look as I leaned against the fence. “Philadelphia.”
“Wow. You are a long way from home.”
“I know. The opportunity was a good one so I took it.”
“To work for the number three station in Missoula? Now, I might not know the entertainment business but I’m not an idiot. What did you do to piss people off?”
A bright crimson flush rushed up her gorgeous cheeks. For the first time, she seemed vulnerable, which surprised me. “I already told you that my sister and I didn’t get along. She just happened to be a reporter at the same television station.”
“Big ouch. Let me guess, serious competition.”
“Of the worst kind. While she didn’t mind seducing her way to the top, that wasn’t me. She got the promotions. I got the bottom feeder reporting. You know. Birthdays and traffic accidents. When she had an audition for the New York market, throwing it in my face, I was done. Sent out my resumes that very night.”
“And you chose Missoula,” I teased. “Not that we don’t have our share of horrific crimes, but there’s also the rodeo circuit, smokejumpers, our various outdoor festivals. I would guess it’s an entirely different market.”
She laughed, although I could tell that what she’d gone through had been painful. “Well, it kinda chose me. Given I’d never reported on a juicy murder or a political scandal, I had two job offers. One was a receptionist job at a television station and this one. I accepted without thinking, quitting my job fifteen minutes after the offer came in. Impetuous. Stupid. You can go ahead and say it. Trust me, I’ve said both words and a lot more to myself.”
“I was going to say courageous. Adventurous. It takes balls to leave your home and start something new.”
“Like the Marines?”
I studied the horses, realizing how much I’d missed them. “In a sense, I guess. I didn’t think I had any other choices. I didn’t give a damn about the ranch, or so I thought, and I was headed along with my posse down a bad road.”
“Posse. I like that. I wish I had one. Women aren’t too fond of me.”
“No friends, huh? I wonder why.”
She slowly turned her head, finally punching me in the arm. “I have one very good friend, I’ll have you know. She’s been... a godsend.”
“Montana takes some getting used to, but it’s beautiful country. Give it time to grow on you.”
“And this posse?”
I gave her a smile before moving toward the gate. “They’re all serving alongside me.”
“And you want to go back.”
“A part of me does. I’m not going to lie. Being a Marine is in my blood now. I enjoy fighting for my country, making a difference. Being an independent contractor kept me close to the action.”
“Mr. Adventure. You’re lucky to be alive.”
I shrugged, trying to shut down the memories. “Luckier than some.”
She trailed behind me as we walked toward the barn. “My guess is that everywhere you go you make a difference and you certainly will in Ashley’s life.”
“I’m not so certain I can.”
“Let me give you a piece of advice. Give it time. Being a parent will grow on you.”
Tipping my head, I noticed the mischievous look in her eyes, backing away before I could grab her. Another beautiful laugh gave me a huge smile. This girl just might be good for my soul. “Come on. Let me introduce you to one of Drake’s... one of my horses.”
* * *
“This is gorgeous country. The mountains. The pastures. The number of cattle.” Bryce held her hand over her eyes to cut out the glare as she stared at the set of mountains in the background. Seeing the property through her eyes was entirely different than every ride before.
“I’d forgotten how majestic it was. I guess I just took it for granted.” She felt good nuzzled against me. While she remained tense, I could tell she was getting used to the motions of the horse. My horse. I was shocked Drake hadn’t gotten rid of her.
“I don’t know how you could take it for granted. This is just incredible.”
“You get used to your surroundings. Plus, my pop called me a stupid young man, loathing everything about the way I grew up. He was right. Couldn’t wait to get the hell out of here.” I leaned forward, crowding Bryce’s space until I was able to place my hand against the mare’s neck, stroking Gracie until she snorted. This was more intimate than the time we’d shared together and for the first time since being back, I felt a moment of true peace.
Bryce followed my lead, brushing her fingers through the horse’s mane. “She’s beautiful. She’s yours, isn’t she?”
“How could y
ou tell?”
“It’s easy to tell strong connections. I could see it in her eyes the moment you walked in.”
“I helped when she was born in one hell of a blizzard. She became attached to me immediately.” I would never forget the cold night, the long hours and the fear that the horse would lose her calf.
“You are a jack of all trades. What do you do for the military?” she asked as I moved the horse forward, taking it slow and easy since this was her first ride.
“I was a helicopter pilot for a special team as a Marine. Worked on explosives as a contractor, also flying a bird when requested. That’s all I can tell you.”
She tilted her head. “Military secrets.”
“Ones that help keep both me and my squad alive.” I felt myself tensing, my mind flashing back once again.
“Go. Go. Go!” Vader yelled, his voice booming above the whir of the blades.
I banked right, taking another hard swing in my effort to move the bird into safety. I couldn’t help but look down, every muscle tensing because of what was left behind.
“Jesus Christ. That was bullshit!” Mustang hissed.
“That was a setup,” Reaper added.
It was a mission I’d put together after weeks of surveillance, as well as the information provided by a soon to be dead man.
I would kill him with my bare hands.
“Are you all right?”
I heard the words, the vision immediately fading. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t sound fine. Where did you go?” Bryce pushed.
“Somewhere that I hope you never have to endure.” I pressed my heel into Gracie’s flank, pushing her harder. “Hold on, sweetheart. I’m going to take you somewhere special.”
While several of the fences that separated one of the properties from Big Meadow had been removed, others had been added to separate the various herds of cattle as well as the prized steer. Meticulous care had been taken, a significant amount of money spent. As we continued riding, we finally noticed some of the ranch hands, every one of them stopping what they were doing as we rode by.