by Barbara Gee
“You’re assuming the bad guy knew the mail came early?” Kevin asked.
“I figure they trail along pretty close to the mailman’s car, because Clara said the guy always showed up right after the mail was delivered. If they weren’t far behind the carrier, they could have easily seen my truck before I moved it.”
“I’m still not seeing the logic to burning your house down,” Olivia said.
“Because the letter could have arrived yesterday or today.”
“Oh, dang, I think I know where you’re going with this,” Kevin said slowly. “Up until now, they’ve been able to go through your mail every day because you’re never home during the day. They knew the letter, or package or whatever, hadn’t been delivered yet.”
“Exactly,” Ryan said. “But now it’s an unknown. For all they know, I now have what they’ve been trying to intercept.”
Olivia looked at Kevin, then back at Ryan, her eyes huge. “Your truck is in the drive,” she said softly. “They thought you were home when they started the fire.”
Ryan let his head fall back against the head rest, staring at the flames consuming his home. “Bingo.”
CHAPTER 4
“What do you mean Ryan Anderson is coming out to the ranch for a while?” Libby’s voice came out much more shrill than she’d intended. She took a deep breath and folded her arms, narrowing her eyes suspiciously at her brother. “How long have you known about this?”
Tuck shrugged. “A week, more or less. Can’t believe I forgot to mention it until now.”
“Oh come on, Tucker, don’t try to pull that on me. You didn’t tell me because you knew I’d veto the idea.”
He met her gaze and raised a brow. “And why would you do that, Lib? You’re not still holding a grudge, are you? Keep in mind the man helped save your life, twice.”
She tossed her head. “I’m not holding a grudge, and I’m truly grateful for what he did for us. I just don’t—I don’t care for him. He makes me uncomfortable.”
“Why?” Tuck persisted. “You’ve never given me a reason why you don’t like him. He’s a good man, one of the best I know, and his being here at the ranch will be a huge load off my shoulders. Is your discomfort so great that you want me to tell him to go back home, even though we could really use him here?”
Libby pressed her lips together and glared. “No. Let him come if you want him here so bad. Just don’t expect me to jump for joy about it.”
Tuck sighed. “You don’t need to jump for joy, but I do want you to make him feel welcome. He’s gone through a lot in the last month or so, and he needs to get away from it all for a while. I want the ranch to be a refuge for him, just like it was for you, me and Maddy last year.”
“What do you mean?” Libby frowned. “Wait, what happened to him? Why does he need a refuge?” She felt her heart suddenly start to race and she grabbed her brother’s arm. “Is he okay?”
“He’s fine physically,” Tuck assured her, “but his house burned down two days ago. He lost everything. He’s insured of course, but nothing was salvageable except for his fire proof gun safe. It was arson, probably the same people who conspired to ruin his appointment to Chief of Police a little over a month ago. They anonymously accused him of sexual harassment and racism on the job. It was never proven, of course, and since no one came forward with official statements, the consensus is it was someone who wanted to make sure he didn’t make Chief. Unfortunately it worked. The timing was such that the city council panicked and appointed another guy, and they can’t take it back now unless he proves unfit.”
“Oh my word,” Libby breathed. “That must have practically killed Ryan. I know how straight-laced you law enforcement types are. To be falsely accused of something like that is the worst. And they burned his house down, too?”
“Yep. Thankfully he wasn’t home at the time, although his truck was there and whoever set the fire probably thought he was.”
“They were trying to kill him?” Libby’s voice rose again, this time in alarm. “Does he have any idea who it was? Is he safe now?”
Tuck put his hands on her shoulders. “Hey, calm down. Yeah, he’s safe. In fact he should be landing in Grand Forks in a couple hours. Which means I need to get going, ’cause I’m picking him up.”
Libby’s jaw dropped. “So you waited to tell me all this until he was literally almost here?”
“I thought it might be best, considering how you feel about him.” He smiled, his eyes twinkling. “But I’m starting to wonder, Lib. At the moment I’m seeing quite a bit of concern for my good buddy Ryan. That doesn’t fit with you claiming to not care about him.”
She smoothed her hair back with shaky fingers, trying to recover from what had indeed been a moment of pure panic when she’d thought Ryan might still be in danger. She wasn’t quite sure where that reaction had come from, and she regretted its display. She certainly didn’t need Tuck getting curious about her convoluted feelings for Ryan Anderson.
“I said I don’t care for him, not that I don’t care about him. He’s your best friend, so of course I’m concerned.”
Tuck grinned. “Whatever you say, sis. Hey, you wanna come to the airport with Maddy and me? Help us welcome him to North Dakota?”
“What? No!” Libby smacked his arm. “I have way too much work to do. I think you two can handle it.”
“We’ll be back in time for dinner. I told Kay, and of course she’s planning a feast. Unlike you, she’s very fond of Ryan.”
“Whatever, Tuck.”
Her brother walked away, chuckling.
“Wait. He’s not staying in the main house is he?”
“No, Maddy has the old art studio ready for him. You’ll have to stop by and take a look. She made it into a great little guest cabin. There’s not a full kitchen of course, but she found space for a microwave and a fridge. That’s just for snacks and stuff though. He’ll eat his meals at the main house, just like we do.”
“So Maddy has also known for a week that he was coming? And she snuck over to the art studio and made it into a guest cabin without me knowing about it?”
“Like I said, we thought it would be best if you didn’t have a lot of warning. You’re not rational when it comes to Ryan.”
Libby disagreed. “I’m perfectly rational. You’re making way too big of a deal out of this. Like I’ve told you before, Ryan and I simply got off on the wrong foot. I was angry about him shoving me into his police car and I said some things I shouldn’t have. That made things a little awkward when he was here.”
“He picked you up that day because I asked him to, you know that. And I know there’s more to the story than what you’re telling me, and one day I’ll figure it out. But right now I’ve gotta go find Maddy and get on our way. See you at dinner. And remember, Ryan’s not in an especially good place right now, so make him feel welcome here. I’m asking you to do that for me, Lib.”
He was serious now, and Libby nodded. “I’ll make him feel welcome,” she promised.
“Thanks. I think the Full Heart Ranch, friends, and hard work are exactly what he needs.”
Libby managed a smile. “This place is good for the soul, no one knows that better than me. And I seem to remember Ryan was a big fan of Kay’s cooking.”
“Kay’s cooking never hurts,” Tuck agreed with a grin.
He went off to find Maddy, and Libby walked over to the window of the bedroom she had made into a temporary office. When Tuck and Maddy got married, they’d decided to put off building a house until the retreat center was up and running. Instead, they’d moved into the guest house just down the lane, not far from the studio cabin where Ryan would be staying. In turn, Libby had taken over the bedroom Maddy had used before the wedding, setting up a couple of desks and an efficient lineup of computers and office machines. She and Maddy spent many hours every day in that room, working on a never ending to-do list for the retreat center.
Libby felt her tension easing as she looked out over the beloved
landscape of the Full Heart Ranch. She loved this place, and she had meant what she said about it being good for the soul. Being here, away from unhealthy influences and surrounded by people she loved, had allowed her to get much closer to becoming the woman she longed to be.
As soon as she’d arrived here with the injured Maddy almost fifteen months ago, she’d felt the burden of trying to fit into the fast-paced corporate lifestyle drop off her shoulders. As the peace of the ranch and the joy of being reunited with Virgil and Kay had begun to sink in, Libby had vowed to change her life. There had been lots of angst and lots of searching, but with the help of Virgil, Kay, Maddy and Tuck, she truly had become a changed woman.
Eight months ago, she had accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, joining the other four in the ranks of sinners saved by grace. In doing so, she had finally gained the peace she’d been searching for all her life. It had taken her longer than some, but in the end it really didn’t matter when it happened, just that it had.
As she stared out the window now, she thought about Ryan and what he’d been through. The last time she’d seen him, at Tuck’s wedding, she hadn’t been very far along in her journey toward change. Her confused feelings for him, and the embarrassment she felt in his presence, had caused her to act immaturely. It was still mortifying, but she would take the high road this time around. Regardless of how she felt about facing him again, if being at the ranch could ease his pain and suffering, she’d be glad to share her happy place with him.
Caution was definitely called for, however. In his brief time at the ranch almost a year ago, he’d made her feel things she’d never felt before, and to this day she didn’t know why or what to do about it. If she could change the past, she might actually be tempted to explore those feelings, see where they led. Unfortunately, it was impossible to erase what Ryan knew about her—what he had seen during that week of surveillance back in Chandler. He wouldn’t encourage her attraction, of that she was certain. In fact, it was a wonder he had treated her so respectfully those few days he’d spent at the ranch.
Libby went back to her desk and sank heavily into her chair. The past fifteen months had certainly had its highs and lows. The circumstances that had brought Maddy, Tuck and her to the Full Heart Ranch had been horrific. Maddy had almost died, and would have if Tuck hadn’t found her just in time. The two women had ended up at the ranch while Maddy recuperated from her injuries, and although Libby hated that her friend had suffered so, she knew coming here was what she herself had needed to gain a new perspective on life and how she’d been living it. She loved her life now, but coming to terms with the choices she had made in her past, and how those choices would affect her future, was a continuing struggle.
Ryan Anderson, to her chagrin, was a part of all that. Yes, she was attracted to him. Seriously attracted. Her past, however, made it impossible to act on it.
Libby pressed on her throbbing temples. In a matter of hours she would see Ryan again. Why oh why hadn’t Maddy given her a heads up so she had more time to get her thoughts in order before coming face to face with him?
If only—no. No, no, no. She wouldn’t go there. If she started going down her ‘if only’ list, she wouldn’t be able to get any work done today, and work was the only thing that could take her mind off the man currently on his way to the Full Heart Ranch.
She allowed herself one more long, self-pitying sigh, then she sat up straight, grabbed her mouse, and opened an intricate spreadsheet that had been giving her problems. If this mess couldn’t take her mind off of Ryan Anderson, nothing could.
***
As soon as he walked into the airport baggage claim area, Ryan saw Tuck and Maddy waiting for him. No Libby in sight, but he told himself it was for the best. He needed to get over his little infatuation with Tuck’s sister—his life was screwed up enough without introducing another complication.
Tuck greeted him with a big smile and a back slapping hug, and then Maddy gave him her own long, hard hug.
“My second favorite man in the whole world,” she said warmly. “Welcome to North Dakota, Ryan. But I’m so sorry about your house. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through.”
He hoped his smile didn’t look too forced. “It makes for easy traveling,” he said, holding up the small backpack he’d purchased the day before, which held one change of clothes, some travel sized toiletries, and his new iPad. “This is it, no need to wait for baggage.”
Maddy’s eyes were sad. “I know exactly what it’s like to come here with nothing. Just tell us what you need. We’ll stop and get everything here in Grand Forks.”
An half hour later, Ryan had purchased a few pairs of jeans and sweatpants, some tee shirts, work boots, socks, and underwear, as well as razors and full sized versions of shampoo, soap, deodorant and toothpaste. That was more than enough shopping for him, and he turned down Maddy’s offer to go to any more stores.
“This is plenty for now,” he said.
“Are you sure? Because there’s only one clothing store in Barlow, and while they do sell a lot of jeans, your size is going to be hard to find. I know that from experience. Evidently there aren’t too many men in Barlow with legs as long as you and Tuck. I’m guessing you take a 36 inch inseam?”
“Yeah, but I already have four pairs here,” Ryan said, holding up a shopping bag. “I’m good. Plus, I really hate shopping. Let’s just hit the road.”
Maddy smiled. “You and Tuck are basically the same person,” she teased.
“It’s good to have you here, Ryan,” Tuck said, rubbing his wife’s head affectionately. “I’ve been outnumbered by Maddy and Libby for long enough.”
Maddy insisted that Ryan ride up front with Tuck, and he settled into the comfortable leather seat of Tuck’s Chevy Tahoe and gave his friend an update on his situation while they drove.
“Whoever set fire to my house wanted it to go up in flames as fast as possible. The arson investigators said they cut a hole in my living room window, then stuck a hose in and dumped probably ten gallons of gas through it. Flooded the floors within minutes. Then they did the same thing in the back den. Both of those windows are the furthest from my bedroom, so I wouldn’t have heard anything even if I had been home. Then they threw two molotov cocktails through the windows and it was fully engulfed within minutes.”
“So they weren’t worried about trying to cover up the arson.”
“Not at all. Which isn’t surprising, considering they didn’t have much reason to be worried about getting caught. The whole thing probably took less than fifteen minutes. There and gone, no sweat.”
“I assume none of your neighbors saw anything?”
“There’s only one, an older lady next door, and she’d been in bed for hours,” Ryan said. “And before you ask, yes, we talked to every gas station within a thirty mile radius. None of them remembered anyone filling up multiple gas cans. But with self-service pumps, the clerks don’t pay a lot of attention. We thought about trying to get surveillance video from the stations, but we don’t have any idea of the time frame. I mean, they could have filled the cans two weeks ago, who knows. And we’re talking about fifty or more gas stations. The department doesn’t have enough man power to go through all that video.”
“Sounds like all we can do is wait to see if something important comes in your mail,” Tuck said.
Ryan nodded. “I was going to have the post office forward everything to the ranch, but after the fire I thought better of that. We don’t know who we’re dealing with, and I don’t want them tracing me out here through the forwarding address. I don’t mind them coming after me, because it would give me a better chance of catching them, but I’m not going to put anyone else at the ranch at risk. So I rented a mailbox at a UPS Store about fifty miles from Barlow. Should be easy enough to check that a couple times a week.”
“We’ll all help make the trips,” Tuck offered.
Ryan sighed wearily. “I hate to drag you guys into this. The whole thing has blind
sided me. Two months ago my life was ticking right along without a blip. Now it’s gone to heck.”
Maddy leaned forward. “We’re glad you came here, Ryan. You’ve helped us out so much in the past, now it’s our turn to help you, and we’ll do whatever we can. I have to believe that with you and Tuck putting your heads together, you’ll get to the bottom of it.”
“The sooner the better,” Ryan said.
He turned and looked out the window, relieved to be far away from Chandler. Tuck and Maddy’s support meant more to him than they could know, and he felt some of the darkness that had come upon him in the last few weeks pull away just a little bit. It seemed he had come to the right place.
Hopefully Maddy was right and he and Tuck could figure things out. One thing was for sure, there could be no better partner than FBI Special Agent Tucker Simon.
CHAPTER 5
Libby had fixed the spreadsheet a while ago, and was deep into some CAD drawings of the guest rooms in the main lodge when Maddy breezed into the bedroom office.
“We’re back!” she announced.
Libby looked up. “Obviously,” she grumbled. “Did you get Ryan settled into the top secret art studio slash guest cabin?”
Maddy laughed. “Well, I took him in and he dropped his backpack and shopping bags on the floor. Does that count as settled?”
“Where is he now?”
“He and Tuck couldn’t wait another minute to head out to the job site. Tuck was so eager to show it off. But seriously, the ‘studio slash guest cabin’ is so darn cute. You’ll have to stop in and see it.”
“I could have seen it before Ryan got here. In fact, I could have even helped you with it. But no, you and Tuck had to keep your little secret until the last minute.”
“We thought it would be best,” Maddy said with an unrepentant grin. “We both knew you’d throw a fit if you knew he’d invited Ryan to come.”
“Throw a fit? What am I, three years old? Come on, Maddy, give me some credit.” Libby folded her arms and glared at her best friend. “If I’d known what Ryan was going through I’d have been all for it.”