Cowboy Justice

by Patricia Rosemoor

  “The gallery where we hope to find Selena.”

  “Enchanted,” he murmured, and when her eyes widened, he clarified. “It’s the name of a gallery. My guess is it’s the one we’re looking for.”

  What about what he was looking for?

  THE GALLERY’S WINDOW display was exactly as Tobiah Hill had described it, Reine thought as they entered Enchanted. Those pueblo-shaped containers could be put to perfect use as new canisters for her kitchen.

  Not that she should even consider making a purchase at the moment.

  She glanced around at the half-dozen people in the gallery—all of whom seemed to be customers.

  Disappointed, she complained, “I don’t see anyone with dark, fiery hair.”

  “Just because the woman came in here doesn’t actually mean she works here,” Cash said. “She might have been a customer herself.”

  Reine’s heart fell. “If that’s true, we just ran into a brick wall.”

  “Unless Selena is a very important customer. Merchants tend not to forget them.”

  “Let’s find out if we can,” she said.

  She spotted a young man who was straightening a display of handmade light-switch covers that were strewn across a table. He seemed to be the lone employee. About to say so, Reine realized Cash was no longer at her side.

  She turned to see him checking over an unusual display of mirrors whose frames were decorated with snakes and lizards and birds of the Southwest.

  And for a moment—while he was otherwise occupied—she checked him out from his handmade boots to his embroidered clay-colored shirt to his string tie whose silver clasp was set with garnet, topaz and citrine. His silver belt buckle and Concho hatband were nearly as fancy.

  On the one hand, Cash appeared to be something of a dandy. On the other...

  Remembering the encounter with her uncle, she shivered.

  As if he realized she’d been staring at him, Cash turned to look at her. His gaze meshed with hers and played with her insides. She swallowed audibly.

  “I’ll catch up to you,” he promised, glancing at the guy arranging the switch plates for a moment before turning toward another display.

  “Fine. No problem,” she muttered, wondering why he was acting so strangely.

  From her immediate experience, she would have expected him to take charge of the situation. Undoubtedly, he would take over when he had a mind for it. In the meantime...

  I can handle this, she thought.

  She approached the gallery employee even as he put the last item in place.

  “Can I help you?”

  His smile seemed genuine, his expression open. He was young; just a kid, really. There was no need to be nervous.

  Mentally holding her breath anyway, Reine said, “I’m looking for Selena.”

  His “She’s not in right now,” gave her heart. The woman did work here, after all.

  Pulse thrumming, Reine asked, “Will she be in later?”

  “I’m afraid not,” he said.

  “What about tomorrow morning?”

  “I really can’t guarantee it. Perhaps I can help you. Dominick Ptak.”

  “Thanks, but this is a personal matter.”

  “I’d be happy to take a message.”

  “Actually, I would prefer contacting Selena myself,” Reine said smoothly. “Would you have her card with a number where I can reach her?”

  Or where she could leave her own number in hopes the woman would contact her.

  “Of course.” Dominick moved to a work desk, pulled a business card from a holder and handed it to her. “Here you go, miss.”

  Reine took a quick glance: Enchanted—Selena Cullen, Owner. Relieved—this was even better than she’d hoped for—she smiled.

  “Thanks.”

  She turned to find out why Cash hadn’t been breathing down her neck. He was caught up inspecting an incredible adobelike sculpture/fireplace. The facade represented an animal—a bear, with claws protruding from the base and teeth from the top of the hearth.

  Though it was quite striking, it wasn’t her.

  Not believing it was Cash, either, she came up behind him and whispered, “You’re not thinking about buying, are you?” even as she handed him the business card.

  “Why not?” Glancing at it, he raised his eyebrows. “It’s one of a kind.”

  “Is that your primary criterion for wanting to own something?”

  “Give me a better reason.”

  “How about because you love it and can’t live without it,” Reine suggested.

  “How sentimental of you.”

  Choosing not to take that as a criticism, she glanced at the price and whistled softly. “Thirty-two thousand.”

  “It’s only money.”

  Which Cash proceeded to spend.

  The salesman was beside himself at what an incredulous Reine figured was probably one of the healthiest commissions he’d ever earned.

  This was no doubt the reason why, before they had a chance to leave, he said, “By the way, if you two really need to talk to Selena tonight, you might check Green Chiles over on Cerrillos Road later. Her friend Dolores is the manager. Selena stops there most Friday nights before going home.”

  Cash saluted him. “Thanks for the tip, Dominick.”

  “No, thank you, Mr. Abreu!”

  Reine waited until they’d hit the street before asking, “Does money get you everything you want?”

  His gaze was intent on her when he said, “Not quite everything. But I give it my best shot.”

  “So I gather.”

  Thirty-two thousand for a tip on where to find Selena Cullen was a little hard to swallow....

  Was it possible he would spend a small fortune on Gray’s behalf? Maybe he had so much money it meant nothing to him. Or just maybe he saw the fireplace as an investment.

  Reine couldn’t help but be cynical where Cash Abreu was concerned. He’d given her enough reason to doubt him, starting all those years ago when he’d broken her trust.

  True, he hadn’t left Matlock Ranch of his own volition—even as it was true that he could have found a way to see her if that was what he’d really wanted. She’d awaited word from him. But all her waiting had been in vain. Even at Zane Abreu’s funeral, Cash had chosen not to approach her.

  He’d remained at his mother’s side, staring at her through eyes empty of their having any future together.

  All for one, and one for all...

  How quickly he’d forgotten their covenant.

  Reine stared at him, as if she could read beyond the facade he presented to the world. The store’s lights splashed a warm glow through the dark. A golden haze settled on his face, softening his features, reminding her of the boy he used to be. But try as she did, she could discern no clear-cut answers to the many questions she still had.

  Cash broke the quiet moment when he said, “I assume you want to head over to Green Chiles.”

  “You weren’t thinking of leaving me behind.”

  “Not a chance.”

  Tonight he drove a Jaguar. Trying to ignore the warmth of Cash’s hand as he helped her into the luxurious car, she slid into the passenger seat and inhaled the scent of leather. The anticipation she’d been experiencing since leaving Matlock Ranch still flowed rampantly through her. For the life of her, she couldn’t say if it had to do with Selena Cullen or Cash Abreu.

  Whether or not she wanted to admit as much, a familiar tension radiated between them. She wasn’t foolish enough to deny it. But neither was she foolish enough to give in to something sure to lead nowhere. Luckily for her, Cash wasn’t pushing. That would make the situation even more uncomfortable.

  As he swung the car into Friday-night traffic, she asked, “What made you change your mind?”

  “About Gray?”

  “About admitting it.” He’d been evasive all day. It was time he let down his guard, she thought. “Do you need so much control that you can’t even share your feelings?”


  “Maybe I don’t have any.”

  Everyone has feelings, even him, she thought. “Or you learned to lie really well.”

  “I don’t need to lie to anyone.”

  “Not even to yourself?” she asked.

  “Why would I need to do that?”

  “For the same reason a whole lot of people do—so you can live with yourself.”

  “That sounds like an insult.”

  “I’d rather think of it as being the simple truth,” she countered.

  “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “You mean now.”

  “How far back should I go?”

  Remembering the way he’d abandoned her and Gray without a thought to their feelings, she said, “Let your conscience be your guide.”

  “You seem to he doing a fine job of judging me. But what do you really know about my life, Reine? What makes you fit to criticize?”

  “When did I say anything critical?”

  “You didn’t have to. Where you’re concerned, my sixth sense is highly developed,” Cash said. “I can practically read your thoughts.”

  “That’s hard to believe. Maybe seventeen years ago—”

  “Now.”

  “Prove it.”

  “You think I’m arrogant,” he began, turning onto Cerrillos Road. “A little too obsessed with making money. Add spendthrift.” He paused for a second, then asked, “How am I doing so far?”

  “Clairvoyant,” she admitted, laughing.

  “Shall I go on?”

  “Give it a rest. Besides, we’re almost there.”

  They were passing motels and a variety of eateries—tourist row. The traffic seemed to be getting thicker. The following week it would be even worse when people arrived in droves to buy Native American artwork at the Indian Market.

  A few minutes’ drive brought them to Green Chiles, a restaurant and bar located in what had once been a private home. The rooms had been kept pretty much intact—size-wise, at least—so the multiple dining areas each had the feeling of intimacy. While she didn’t get here often, this was one of Reine’s favorite restaurants.

  The moment Cash opened the heavy wooden door for her, the succulent odors of New Mexican home cooking wafted out over them. When her stomach growled in appreciation, Reine put a hand to her middle and willed it to stop.

  “I heard that.” Behind her as they entered, Cash stooped to speak softly in her ear. “You’re starving, aren’t you?”

  “I’m fine.”

  It was a bold-faced lie. She was starving, and his pressing close to her was hard on her nerves.

  “We’ll get something to eat while we’re here,” he said as they joined the crowd in the foyer.

  She glanced around at all the waiting customers.

  The place was always crowded—and on the weekend it was nearly impossible to get a table without a reservation.

  Having to raise her voice to be heard above the crowd noise in addition to the sound of live music coming from a nearby room, she said, “Don’t count on getting a table.”

  “Don’t count on my not getting one,” he challenged.

  Reine was looking for a comeback when she realized she was being silly. Sharing a meal with the man wouldn’t kill her, and since she did have to eat eventually, she couldn’t think of a better place.

  “Fine.”

  When she saw the gleam of triumph in Cash’s eyes, Reine regretted giving in so easily. She wondered if he always got his way.

  Undoubtedly...

  “Wait here,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”

  She watched him edge through the waiting customers to the hostess’s desk, his hand slipping in and out of his pocket as he moved. A bribe, no doubt. He probably figured he could buy anything. And perbaps he could.

  Then the crowd mostly swallowed her view of him as he talked to the woman in charge.

  Reine wondered if this was Selena’s friend, Dolores. If so, she didn’t have much to say, because he was back in a flash.

  “We’ll be seated in a few minutes,” Cash told her. “Selena’s friend isn’t even here at the moment. But once she arrives, the hostess will send her to our table.”

  “I’m impressed.”

  “Sounds more like ‘disturbed’ to me.”

  “Only a little. Naive person that I am, I normally wait my turn.”

  Cash shrugged. “Should I tell her to cancel that table?”

  “No! I mean, we want to talk to Dolores about Selena, right?”

  “Right.”

  For once, he let her off the hook.

  MARLENE DIDN’T KNOW how long Jasper had been holed up in his office away from her, but she couldn’t tolerate being alone anymore. Gray was their only son and she wanted—no, needed—her husband’s support.

  Her pulse throbbing, she braced herself for his animosity. All she wanted was a little reassurance from the man with whom she’d shared her bed for thirty-five years—surely not too much to ask.

  She knocked at the study door before she lost her nerve.

  “Go away!” came the shout from within.

  Marlene opened the door anyway.

  “What are you doing in the dark?” she asked softly.

  She could see his silhouette. He was sitting at his desk.

  Flicking on the wall switch, she flooded the room with light, making him squinch his eyes. Her gaze went past him to the desktop and to the bottle of whiskey that was nearly empty. He hadn’t even bothered to replace the cap.

  “Jasper, how long have you been drinking?”

  “Not long enough!” he said defiantly.

  Hearing the fear beneath the loud words, she moved to him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

  “You’re not the only one worried about Gray. You don’t have to suffer alone.”

  “Not worried.” He shrugged her hand away. “Gray’s gonna be all right.”

  “You heard something?” she asked, but he couldn’t look at her. The averted gaze confirmed it. “You did! When? Jasper!”

  “This afternoon.”

  “And you didn’t tell me?” she whispered brokenly, knowing he’d had his chance, but had forced another confrontation instead. She backed away from him. “How much?”

  “Two million bucks by sundown Monday.”

  “Two million!” she echoed in horror.

  “He knows I don’t have the money. He knows Matlock Construction is gonna go under if I can’t figure out how to stop it. Can’t squeeze blood out of a stone.”

  Exactly what she’d been fearing,

  “Why didn’t I know?” Marlene asked him. “Why don’t you talk to me about these things? Even so, surely there’s something we can do—”

  “Right. We’re gonna wait.”

  “We can’t wait!” Mind spinning, Marlene pressed her hands to her chest. She was having trouble breathing. “We have to get the money together somehow.”

  And she could think of only one way.

  Papa would roll over in his grave—but he would have done it, she was certain. He’d loved Gray from the day his grandson was born, and a loved one was more important than any possession.

  “The land,” she said. “We’ll have to sell it.”

  Jasper snorted. “The hell we will! That’d be playin’ right into his hands. All part of the plan.”

  “What?” Marlene tried to focus on his ranting. “You’re not making sense.”

  “He wants me to sell him the land and I won’t, so he figures out a scheme where he forces me into it. He takes my son and demands money he knows I don’t have. So I sell him the land to get the ransom. Here comes the irony—he gets his money back in trade for Gray. The whole thing costs him nothing. And me, everything.”

  “You’re talking about Cash.” Again! Why couldn’t he be thinking about their son? “Why do you keep obsessing over this stupid feud?”

  “Because he’s guilty!” Jasper said, eyes blazing. “That whelp vowed he’d do this to me. But I’ll show him
who has the smarts!”

  “Cash wouldn’t do this,” she protested. Jasper had reason to feel guilty—maybe that was what was driving him to ignore the real situation. “Cash would never hurt Gray.”

  “Exactly!” He grimaced drunkenly. “That’s where I got him. He wouldn’t hurt the brother who’s never done anything to him. Therefore, I don’t gotta worry about Gray anymore, and I don’t need to do a thing. Abreu will tire of the game and he’ll let Gray go. All we have to do is wait.”

  Marlene grew colder with each word. And when he’d finished, she said, “No.”

  “What?”

  “You’re wrong, Jasper. You’ve never been so wrong in your life.”

  “The subject is closed, woman!”

  “For you, maybe.” She shook her head and backed away from the man whom she’d defended far too often. “Not for me.”

  Feeling as if her husband had ripped out her heart, Marlene ran from the study.

  Part of the spread was hers.

  As much as she loved this land that had been her home her entire life, she loved her only son far more. She would do anything for him, including selling everything she could get her hands on.

  But...would it be enough?

  Chapter Six

  Reine couldn’t help but enjoy being spoiled a bit after everything she’d been through the past two days.

  A corner table in the coziest of rooms...Cash smoothly ordering a New Mexican platter for two as though he remembered all her favorite foods...the guitarist stopping at their table to play a disturbingly romantic piece...

  They weren’t on a date, she reminded herself.

  Such high tension as she’d been enduring needed a release. That came along with their twenty-four-ounce drinks—gold margaritas with Grand Marnier floats.

  “If I were a suspicious woman, I’d think you were trying to get me drunk.”

  “And I was certain that you were suspicious.”

  “Maybe,” she admitted with a tired grin.

  “To seeing Gray safely returned,” Cash murmured, clinking his salt-limned glass to hers.

  “To Gray’s safety.”

  They both took long swallows. Reine closed her eyes for a moment and savored the pleasant sweet-sour taste. Tequila-induced warmth swam through her. It felt so good that she took another sip.