by Ciana Stone
That was the question Liz dreaded the most. “He wants Traveler.”
“Why?”
“Because I want him.”
“Come on Liz. I’ve got a father that ranks as world class in difficult and even he wouldn’t be that spiteful.”
“He’s not L.C. Quinlan.”
“What’s so special about Traveler?” Cody asked.
“Breeding, fire, spirit.” Liz looked at Cody as she answered. “I bought him from a joint account my father set up when I was a teenager. He claims that as primary on the account, I stole the money and therefore the horse belongs to him.”
“So it’s all about a horse?”
“No, it’s all about control.” Liz turned her gaze to Wes. “You above everyone should know what that means. He doesn’t like to lose and as long as I have Traveler and he can’t force me to return him, he isn’t winning.”
“And you don’t intend to let him win.” Cody said.
“No. I don’t. I’m not a child and I can choose my own life and my own way. He destroyed my life once. He won’t do it again.” She looked at Wes. “Landing and I can win.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Sure it is.”
“No, Liz. It’s not. Your father is going all guns on this. He’ll have you arrested for horse theft and me for hiding someone wanted by the police.”
“I’m not wanted by the police and I’m not hiding. And I don’t live on your ranch, nor do I board Traveler there. I—oh shit. I have to go.”
She started unsaddling Traveler, but Cody stepped up beside her. “Take my truck. I’ll take care of him and drive him home.”
“You sure?”
“I am. Go. Keys are in the truck.”
“Thanks.” Liz didn’t wait to see if Wes had anything else to say. It didn’t matter. She had to see Kyle and tell him everything. Now.
*****
Cody watched Liz drive off and then looked at Wes. “You’re going to fire her, aren’t you?”
“Probably.”
“Why? You heard what she said. She didn’t lie. She just didn’t mention that her father is a business rival of yours.”
“Cody, you don’t understand. Her father is ruthless and I mean he makes my dad look like a light-weight. He’s got a lot of power and he’ll use it to get what he wants.”
She started unsaddling Traveler. “I still don’t get it. If she can ride Landing and win, then doesn’t that give you a one-up on him?”
“Yes, but it also starts a war I’m not ready for.”
“What do you mean?”
“I—I can’t go into that.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s business.”
“Horse business?”
“No. Oil.”
Cody carried the saddle to the truck, put it in and then turned with her hands on her hips. “And there we have it, don’t we? Oil. It always comes back to oil.”
“Not always. You don’t understand.”
“No, I don’t. You’re going to rob yourself a chance of winning and a woman the chance to prove she has what it takes. You heard her Wes and you saw the look on her face. Her father screwed her over, and that’s got to be one of the worst kind of hurts. I can’t even imagine my dad doing something like that to me, Hannah or KC. I can’t imagine any father doing that.”
“He just sold a horse. He didn’t beat her or sell her into slavery.”
“He betrayed her. Don’t you get that?”
Wes was silent for a few moments. “Yes, I do, Cody. More than you know. But I have to look out for my family and believe me, crossing L.C. Quinlan right now would be the worst possible move I could make.”
“Why?”
She saw the indecision on his face. He looked at her for a long time before he spoke. “I have reason to believe that one of the biggest oil reserves in the world is in the continental United States. If I’m right, and I believe I am, it will be a trillion-dollar deal. A trillion, Cody. Biggest strike ever. Big enough to make the oil in the Middle East look puny.”
“And?”
“And I can’t afford to have any trouble from Quinlan until I seal the deal on the mineral rights on the land.”
Cody led Traveler into the trailer, secured him and closed the trailer. “So, again, it’s all about oil. And it still makes no sense. How could getting Traveler, or Liz back for that matter, affect your deal?”
“It just can.”
“In other words, none of my damn business.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to Wes. I get it. Now, get your car out of my way and get off my land. I need to take Traveler back to Kyle’s.”
“You have time and I need to make you understand. I’m not trying to hurt Liz. Hell, she’s probably right. Without her Landing may never hit a winner’s circle and I’m not happy about that considering what I paid for him. But better to lose my ass on that than let Quinlan’s anger over her working for me start a war I can’t win, and one that could ruin my family.”
“Ruin? How could he ruin you? He’s… where?”
“South Dakota is his home base, but he has holdings all over the world.”
“Okay, whatever, but you’re still not explaining how letting Liz ride for you could ruin your family.”
Wes blew out a breath and walked over to her. He put his hands on top of her shoulders. “You’re just going to have to trust me on this.”
Cody jerked away from him. God knows she’d love to trust him but he was making it damn hard and until he proved himself worthy of trust he’d get nothing from her. As much as she hated it that’s just how it had to be.
“You haven’t earned my trust, Wes and today you took a big step back. So again, get out of my way and get off my land. You and I don’t have anything else to say.”
“Cody, please.”
“I said go.”
He opened his mouth then closed it and turned away. Cody watched as he got back into his Range Rover and left. Something was up for Wes to act this way. While she didn’t put a bit of faith in his father, she’d hoped Wes was different. She’d almost started to believe he was.
There was no way in hell this thing with Quinlan was about a horse. Wes had said as much. It was about oil. The question was, how could Liz possibly affect an oil strike? She was just an ex-stunt rider turned jockey.
This was turning out to be some kind of screwed up deal and Cody wondered how she was going to figure out the truth of it. An idea came to her and she pulled out her cell phone and placed a call.
“Hey, Jo? It’s Cody. You have a minute?”
Chapter Twelve
As she drove it all hit her. She’d failed at what she set out to do and her father was going to win. That burned her something fierce and made her want to break something. Yet even that rage was overshadowed by something she’d never counted on. She’d fallen for a man who was going to be relieved when she left.
Tears spilled free and just as she felt herself losing it her phone rang. She pulled it out and looked at it. Cooper.
The need for comfort outweighed everything else, so she answered. “Coop?”
“Liz? What’s wrong?”
“He knows where I am. Wes told me. He’ll press charges against Wes if I don’t leave.”
“I was afraid of that.”
“That bastard. I hate him Coop.”
“So do I.”
“What?” Shock had her tears drying up.
“I couldn’t tell you before, but I can now. I don’t have much time, so just listen okay?”
“Okay.” She did just that and when he finished nearly six minutes later she was filled with new strength and resolve. Along with new regret.
“So are you with me, Lizzy?”
“You’re damn Skippy.”
“You can’t tell anyone. Not yet.”
“I won’t.”
“So where are you going to go?”
“I don’t know. If I have to
I’ll go back to Granddad’s place in Kansas.”
“No, don’t involve him, Lizzy. If this goes south, it’ll get ugly and we don’t want to bring any trouble on him or Mom.”
“Okay, I’ll find a place.”
“And you’ll meet me in San Antonio on Wednesday?”
“I will.”
“I’ll call you in the morning. Just be careful Lizzy.”
“You be careful. If he gets wind of this--”
“He won’t. I’ve just got to get the rest of the people on board and we can do this.”
“Okay, let me know what you need from me.”
“I will. And thanks, sis.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For seeing the truth.”
“Took me long enough.”
“Better late than never brother. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Liz wiped her eyes and made the turn onto the dirt road leading to Kyle’s ranch. She had to be strong and could not let herself get emotional. Dust billowed as she slid to a stop. Liz jumped out, ran across the yard and up the steps to pound on the door. “Kyle! Hey, Kyle!”
She kept pounding until the door swung open. Kyle stood there in a pair of jeans, no shirt and bare feet. Oh hell. As if this was not already hard enough. She couldn’t stop her eyes from traveling down his body any more than she could stop her heart beating.
“What’s up Liz?”
Her gaze shot up to meet his. “We have to talk. I have to talk.”
“Then come in.”
She walked in and followed him to the den. He took a seat on the couch. “Have a seat.”
“No. I need to stand.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s…” She reached up, scratched her eyebrow and paced. “It’s… shit.” She plopped down in the chair adjacent to the couch, propped her elbows on her knees and lowered her head into her hands. “This is just a mess.”
She didn’t know how to tell him, or where to start. She had to, but she was scared. When she felt his hand on her leg she jumped.
“It’ll be okay, Liz.”
“No, no it won’t.” She blew out a breath and screwed up her courage. “I do know Landing. My father owned him. L.C. Quinlan. Actually I owned him. I tried to buy him but the owner wouldn’t sell to me, so my father bought him and I paid him back. I trained him and intended to ride him for Quinlan Racing. Only my father never transferred ownership to me and then decided he didn’t want me riding Landing. But Landing wouldn’t run for anyone else.
“I tried to talk him into letting me ride, but he refused and sold Landing. So, I took money from an old account he’d set up for me when I was a teenager and bought Traveler and then I followed Landing.
“My father claims that as primary on the account I used to purchase Traveler, it’s his horse and he’s trying to have me charged with theft. He’ll have whoever is boarding Traveler charged with something – aiding and abetting or whatever he can come up with.”
“He has that much power?”
“He’s Quinlan Oil, Kyle.”
“Which means…?”
“That as soon as Cody gets here with Traveler I have to leave.”
“Why is Cody bringing Traveler?”
“Because Wes showed up at her place to find and confront me and I told him the truth. I didn’t want you to hear it from anyone but me so she said she’d bring Traveler back. She’s probably on her way now.”
He was quiet for a bit and then spoke. “You don’t have to go.”
“Yes, I do. I won’t bring trouble down on you.”
“You really think your father will go through with the threats?”
“I know he will.” She stood. “I’m sorry, Kyle. Really sorry. No way Wes will keep me on to ride Landing and I know that hurts you. I never meant that to happen. I didn’t mean any of this to happen but it has and I have to go.”
“Liz wait.” Kyle stood as she headed for the door.
“I can’t.”
He followed and caught her before she opened the door. His hand on her arm stopped her, and she looked up at him. “Don’t go.”
“I have to. Please, I have to. Goodbye, Kyle.”
Liz ran to Cody’s truck. Tears poured down her face as she started it and headed for the Creek House. It took less than ten minutes for her to load her belongings into the truck. She placed the keys to the house on the kitchen table and went back outside.
Cody was just pulling up when Liz drew near the main house. Liz parked, grabbed her things and got out. Cody did the same and met her halfway. “You okay?”
“No.” Liz wasn’t going to lie. “Thanks, Cody. I owe you.”
“No you don’t.”
“I do and one day I’ll repay, but for now I have to go.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know, but I can’t stay here. If I do trouble’s gonna come and I can’t do that to Kyle or Wes.”
“But maybe it won’t.”
“It will. Trust me. Thanks, Cody. For everything.”
Before Cody could say anymore Liz ran to her truck, threw in her things and climbed in. She saw Kyle step out onto his front porch as she made the turn to head for the main road. She swiped at the fresh tears that sprang from her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was leave, but she had no choice.
She’d lose another person she cared for by bucking her father, but at least he’d be alive. She and Kyle had never had a chance to explore the attraction that existed between them. Chances were, he’d forget about her in a week.
It would take a lot longer than that for her, but at least she’d know that her father had no reason to go gunning for anyone in Cotton Creek. His beef was with her and maybe if she and Coop could see his plan through they’d end their father’s power.
Or go down in flames. Either way, it was the only play she had.
*****
Wes didn’t realize he’d been sitting there, staring out of the window until someone tapped on the door. “Come in.”
His mother entered and closed the door behind her.
“Hi, mom. What’s up?”
Mary took a seat on the couch beside him. “I know who Liz Redgate is.”
Wes was shocked. “Pardon?”
“Please, don’t do that. I’m your mother.”
“Sorry. So who do you think she is?”
“I know she’s Quinlan’s daughter.”
“How could you know that?”
“I’m not stupid, Wes and contrary to what you and your father think, I’m not without my own resources and contacts. I know far more than I’m given credit for. And what I know now is that you have to fire her. If you don’t your father will try to use her against Lucas. So get rid of her for all our sakes.”
“She doesn’t deserve that, Mom.”
“I know she doesn’t, but you have to do it. To prevent a war in the family. A war you can’t win.”
“But I can.”
“Excuse me?”
Wes didn’t trust many people, but he did trust his mother. He told her about the government geological report and what Herbert wanted him to do.
She was quiet until he finished and for several minutes after. Wes waited and watched as she looked out of the window. Finally, she looked at him.
“As your mother I ask only that you do what you know is right.”
“If I do, it could ruin Dad. And you. You could lose everything.”
The smile that came on her face shocked him until she spoke. “Your father doesn’t own everything we have, Wes. The oil rights, yes. Those are all in his name. But the ranch belongs to me as do the leases on the windmill farms and it’s my name on the stock accounts. Herbert can’t touch any of that, nor can the law. I’m not associated with the oil business in any fashion, so even should someone come after me they couldn’t hurt me. I’ve made sure of that.”
“You… damn Mom
. I had no idea. I thought – “
“I know what you thought, what everyone thinks. That I’m some simple-minded housewife who spends her time doing charity work and volunteering just to give me something to do. But that’s not it. Not at all. Your father and I have been very lucky. Through his business acumen and my ability to manage, we’ve done well. Extremely. I don’t have to toil the way so many do, so it enables me something wonderful – the chance to give back. I enjoy it and I like feeling that what I do matters. Not in a way that brings me fame, fortune or glory but in a way that helps in some small way to others.”
Wes felt ashamed that he’d so underestimated his mother. “You’re pretty amazing mom.”
“Not really. Just fortunate. And just smart enough to know that everyone has the power of choice. Even when you don’t want to acknowledge it, it’s there. So, here you are, with a choice to make and it’s one that will change the course of your life.”
“And what do I choose, Mom?”
“You choose to do what is right. Not what will make a fortune but what you know in your heart is right.”
“I want to do that. In fact, I may have a way, but it’s going to be tricky. I received a call from someone.”
“One moment.” Mary got up and went to the door, opened it and looked out. After a moment she closed the door and returned to the couch. “Tell me.”
The worried expression on her face transformed into one Wes didn’t remember seeing before as he talked. It was almost like he could see the gears turning in her mind. When he finished she nodded.
“I think I may be able to help.”
This was certainly a day for surprises, and this latest was one of the biggest. Wes couldn’t help but see the irony in it. He’d pretty much discounted his mother all his life, thinking her to be quite simple. Loving, supportive and caring, yes, but he’d never given her much credit for having a sharp mind.
That respect was always reserved for his father. Now he was starting to realize that nothing was as it seemed.
Chapter Thirteen
Cody turned at the sound of footsteps. The bar wasn’t open today and she was only there to catch up on the bookkeeping. She hurried out of the office to find Jolene headed in her direction. “Jo, hey. What’s up?”