Treacherous Trails

by Dana Mentink

Zeke shook his shaggy head. “This is all too much for this old guy. I’m not going to bother about Reed and neither should you. You’re out of jail, right? They must not think you’re too dangerous.” He cracked a grin that revealed a chipped front tooth, lost to a kick from an irate goat, she knew.

  “I’m out on bail. It’s temporary,” she forced herself to say.

  “Well, how do we go about making it permanent?”

  “First thing is I need to find my thermos.” She explained about the kidnapping. “If I can prove I was drugged, that would go a long way. There might even be fingerprints.”

  He nodded thoughtfully. “Okay. I’ll see if I can look for it. Ask around. Maybe somebody picked it up from the side of the road. In the meantime, I thought you could use my pickup. Heard the cops are holding your van. I got the big truck, so you can borrow the pickup until you get your wheels back.”

  Her eyes filled. “How can I ever thank you, Zeke?”

  He waved a calloused hand. “Ah, no need to get all mushy. I ain’t all that much of a prize.”

  Still, he accepted her grateful hug. “Shelby Thorn is coming to stay with Betsy. Can we get the truck as soon as she arrives?”

  “Sure, sure.” His phone rang. “Gonna take this. Candy Silverton’s just put a deposit on six broodmares and she’s nervous as a cat. Gotta check them out for her.”

  Ella remembered a snippet of conversation she’d had with Luke.

  Bruce is pushing her to buy horses to breed. He’s handling the purchase. Says they’re worth a bundle and the paperwork backs him up.

  But you don’t think so? Ella had asked.

  Time will tell, I guess.

  But there hadn’t been enough time, not for Luke. She blinked away the memory of finding his body in the back of her van with her very own farrier’s rasp buried in his neck. The audacity of the crime floored her. The killer had drugged her tea and planted Luke’s body in her van. Bile rose in her throat.

  Priority number one was to hustle to Candy Silverton’s ranch and prevent Owen Thorn from getting into trouble on her account. If she had a chance while she was there to lay eyes on the broodmares, she wouldn’t mind that either. She wasn’t an expert on breeding stock by any means, but she could certainly tell a healthy equine specimen when she saw one.

  If Candy Silverton was too misled by Bruce Reed to see the truth...

  Zeke hung up the phone. “Gonna take a gander at them later today.”

  “Be careful,” she blurted.

  He cocked his head. “Nothing’s gonna happen to an ancient country vet.”

  “Bruce Reed is dangerous. If you cross him, he’ll hurt you.”

  Zeke went silent for a moment. “This will all work out, Ella, you’ll see.”

  She wished she could believe it too.

  * * *

  Owen’s leg was telling him he should not still be riding Glory after their early morning session, but he wanted the horse to get the feeling of the trail he took them on, which turned into more of a cut through at some places than a regular path. It was one thing to take a horse along well-manicured trails, but the more rough and tumble the conditions, the better she would perform later. The thousand acres of Gold Bar Ranch offered a bounty of opportunities for an eager, or not so eager, new horse.

  It reminded him of the new “boots,” the soldiers who arrived for their first deployment with a slightly glazed look as they struggled to take in the reality of living in a war zone half a world away from their hometowns. There was no cure for that disorientation but to accept it, change your own expectations and become someone else. The trouble was, when you got home, everyone expected you to be the same person who’d deployed. It was not fair. It was not even possible.

  Owen felt again the sensation that he did not belong anymore in Gold Bar, or anywhere else. As much as he desperately wanted to be the same Owen Thorn, he wasn’t, and he would never be. Could he accept it? He offered up a prayer. Help me find my way again, Lord.

  With effort, he pulled himself back to the moment as Glory took the final sloping path that overlooked Candy Silverton’s property. Larraby’s police car was already parked at the bottom of the drive. He was surprised to find Zeke Potter’s old pickup idling at the gated end of the long sweeping entrance to the property and even more surprised to find Ella sitting behind the wheel. She cut the engine and got out.

  “You’re not going down there,” she said.

  He straightened in the saddle, biting back the urge to retort. After a breath, he slid off the horse and faced her.

  “Told you I’m gonna hear what Reed has to say.”

  “You’re going to make things worse.”

  “I don’t see it that way.”

  “Well, news flash, you’re not the boss here, Owen.”

  “Someone has to be,” he snapped. “You’re out on bail, Ella. You’re on borrowed time.” He regretted his words immediately. Her lips quivered, just for a moment, long enough for him to realize he’d made her feel small and helpless.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “That was unkind. I’m... I default to commander when I don’t know how to react. It’s just the only way I know sometimes.”

  She held out her hand and he took it, small and warm against his calloused palm. The earnest shine on her face made his breath catch.

  “I understand you’re trying to help me and I appreciate it.” She quirked a smile. “Besides, it’s really not that out of character for you. You were always a bossypants, just like Ray.”

  He laughed. “Nobody’s bossier than Ray.”

  “You’d like to think so. But having two bossy men taught me I had to be smarter and quicker than both of you.”

  He flashed on a memory of her—freckles and pigtails flying, perched on the top of the rock she’d just scaled. Catch me if you can, Owen!

  He felt lighter, easier, all of a sudden. That was like Ella, he thought, to make a man’s shortcomings easier to bear. Strong and tender at the same time. He squeezed her hand, reluctant to let it go, but he did anyway.

  In the distance they watched a stableboy load six horses into a trailer.

  “Guy’s not very good at it—he’s forcing them too much,” Owen said.

  “That’s Tony. Candy hired him a few months ago, but I don’t recognize the horses.” She moved to the split rail fence and looked closer. “Those must be the mares Bruce Reed is pressuring Candy into buying. Zeke’s supposed to examine them later today, so why is Tony loading them, I wonder?”

  “I’ll see if I can find out while I’m down there. Hang on to Glory for me,” he said, pushing the reins at her.

  “Too late.” She pointed to the end of the drive where Larraby was getting into his car and leaving.

  Owen muttered under his breath. “He was early.”

  In a few moments, Larraby drew level with them.

  “What are you two doing here?”

  “What did Reed say about the motorcycle?” Owen fired back.

  “How did you know about that?”

  Owen lifted a shoulder. “Friends in high places.”

  “Stay out of this investigation, Owen.”

  “Tell me what he said.”

  Larraby considered, mouth in a tight line. “I guess it won’t hurt for you to know that Reed claims his motorcycle was stolen two days ago.” Owen rolled his eyes. “Of course he does.”

  “Nothing to prove him a liar.”

  “Did you talk to Candy about her phone threats?” Ella said.

  “Yeah. Says she was overcome, promises it won’t happen again.”

  Owen grunted. “And you believe her?”

  “Reed assured her that Ella was going to prison, so she’s content with that for now.”

  Ella blanched and Owen put a protective hand on the small of her back. “We’re not going to let that happen
.”

  “Both of you get out of here.” Larraby gunned the motor and drove away.

  Owen climbed into the saddle.

  Ella gave him a quizzical look. “Where are you going?”

  “Gonna ride to the top of the ridge to see where that horse trailer is headed.”

  “Do you think it has something to do with Reed’s scheming?”

  “That guy’s slipperier than an eel. If his fingers are in that horse purchase, it’s shady for sure.”

  “I’ll follow in the truck.”

  He winked at her. “Catch me if you can.”

  SEVEN

  She was able to shadow Owen and Glory fairly closely, finally parking the truck and hiking up a steep grassy incline to meet him. Glory was tethered to a tree, cropping grass.

  Owen was on his belly, peering through binoculars down into the valley below. “Good restraint, lead foot. I figured you might beat me here.”

  “I might have, since you ride at turtle speed.”

  He chuckled, not taking his eyes off the binoculars.

  His position made her smile. They’d played cops and robbers during many hot sultry days, and they’d used every suitable rock pile as a lookout. As she looked closer at the hardness of his jaw, the steely set to his mouth, she became aware that it was no longer a game for Owen. The things he had seen, done...they’d changed him. There was very little of the playful, outgoing boy about him. Then again, hadn’t her own struggles changed her too?

  No condemnation, she reminded herself when the burden became too heavy. Forgiven, God said so, but forgiven didn’t mean forgotten by human standards. Plenty of people were probably remembering her past bad choices in light of her current trouble. She shrugged off the thoughts.

  “He’s stopped just down the hill,” Owen said, breaking into her thoughts. “He got out and moved west about twelve meters. Probably trying to find cell reception. I’m going closer to get a look at those horses.” He climbed awkwardly to his feet.

  This time she didn’t try to talk any sense into him; she just fell in behind.

  “Want to wait here with Glory?” he tried, blue eyes set off by the vast cloudless sky behind him.

  “No, thanks.”

  He grumbled something under his breath. “I figured.”

  “Catch me if you can,” she said as she walked by him down the slope.

  He kept close behind her. The hill was peppered with oaks set tightly together, the still-brown grass waving in clumps higher than their shins in the winter wind. Tony had driven down the seldom-used road and then parked the thirty-six-foot trailer pulled by a truck under cover of a screen of trees. Why? she wondered. The winding road was not the fastest way to get out of town, and probably not the safest, with such a large vehicle, even a top-of-the-line rig like this one.

  “Looks like a hotel on wheels,” Owen muttered. “The trailer alone probably costs more than all of our vehicles combined.”

  “Candy bought it recently, in the past three months, from a friend of Reed’s. He went with her to pick it up, I remember.”

  “Of course he did.”

  She stepped over a pile of rocks. “He certainly doesn’t seem to mind spending her money.”

  They grew quiet as they neared the road, moving slowly.

  “He’s yakking on the phone, looks like,” Owen whispered. He spoke into her ear, his mouth tickling her cheek, prickling her skin in goose bumps.

  “I’m going to see if I can peek in the trailer window,” she whispered.

  “We’ll go together because you’re not tall enough to see in without a boost.”

  She jabbed him with her elbow. “Funny.”

  As they drew closer, there was no sign of Tony. They crept around the side of the rig and Ella poked her head up, annoyed to find that Owen was right. She was not tall enough to get a good look. Owen stood back a pace, grinning.

  Ignoring him, she crept to the wheel hub to give herself a boost just as Tony appeared around the passenger side. She froze.

  He had a rifle leveled at her head.

  * * *

  Owen raised his hands and shuffled slowly toward Tony, hoping to get between Ella and the rifle.

  “Take it easy, fella,” he said. “Saw your trailer here. Need some help?”

  Tony glared. “Nice try. If you move one inch closer, I’ll shoot you.”

  The comment angered Owen. Heat crawled up his throat. “I’ve been shot at by way more skilled gunmen than you. You even know how to use that thing?”

  Tony shot off a round that whistled between him and Ella, burying itself into the wood of a gnarled oak.

  From inside the trailer came a series of anxious whinnies.

  Now Owen was properly furious, but he tried to keep a lid on his boiling temper. “Upsetting Miss Silverton’s new horses? You’re gonna get fired for sure.”

  “Shut up, Owen. I heard about you. Think you’re some kind of hero? Like you own this town or something because you served? Big deal. You’re gonna look the same dead as all your Marine brothers.”

  Owen went still, his muscles filled with the urge to strike out. “Don’t speak about my guys, punk. Every one of them is twice the man you’ll ever be.”

  Tony looked from Ella to Owen, his deep-set eyes sizing them up. “Pretty bold words for a guy who’s trying to mess with Miss Silverton’s property.”

  “We weren’t doing anything of the kind,” Ella snapped. Owen noticed Tony’s grip tighten on the gun.

  “You snuck up on my trailer and I’m just defending myself,” Tony said. “You’re in the wrong.”

  “What are you doing out here?” Ella said. “Where are you taking these horses?”

  “None of your business.” He cocked his head. “Thought you were in prison.”

  Owen started to answer, but she cut him off. “I’m not guilty and I’m going to prove it.” She moved again to step up on the wheel hub.

  Tony aimed the gun at her head. “Get down.”

  Owen tensed, calculating the distance between him and Tony. Too far to take him out before he got a shot off. It would be so satisfying to bring him down and teach him some respect, but he could not risk Ella getting shot.

  She stared at Tony. “Why don’t you want us to see these horses? Who told you to take them away? Bruce Reed? Why doesn’t he want Candy to get a good look at them?”

  “None of your business. Now get out of here, both of you, before I start shooting.” He grinned. “Or better yet, I can call the cops. Don’t think you’re wanting any more trouble than you’ve already got, isn’t that right?”

  Owen stepped forward, desiring nothing more than to erase the smug smile on Tony’s face. Ella caught the back of his shirt.

  “He’s right, Owen. Let’s go.”

  Owen didn’t budge. “Not moving until he backs off with that rifle. I think he can’t hit the broad side of a barn and he’s only gonna get a chance for one shot, so it better be center mass.”

  She tugged harder as a look of fear crept across Tony’s face. He eased up on the gun. “I’m driving out of here but if either one of you so much as touches this trailer, I’ll shoot.”

  Pulse hammering, teeth ground together, Owen watched Tony get behind the wheel and start the trailer moving slowly up the slope.

  Owen realized he was trembling with rage, his breath coming in angry bursts as he paced away a few steps, trying to conceal his lack of control.

  Then she was behind him, lassoing him in a loose hug, and he relaxed a bit into the blissful sensation.

  “It’s okay,” she said quietly.

  “Not okay when a guy like that points a gun at you. He’s got no right.”

  She rubbed circles of comfort into his taut muscles. “It must be hard to endure.” She paused a minute. “So different than your experiences in Afghan
istan. Ray’s said so too.”

  He felt the swirl of disconnection so strong at that moment. Two worlds, two lives. “Yeah. Over there, when someone points a gun at me, I know what to do, it’s instinct and training, so clear, but then I gotta remind myself this isn’t war.” He heaved out a breath. “I don’t know how to be at peace. I was made for war, Ella.” His own words surprised him and the swirl of sadness that accompanied them.

  She gently turned his shoulders so he was facing her. “You were made for other things too.” Her smile was so sweet and tender that his throat clogged for a moment.

  “Did you get help?” she asked. “I mean, I heard that things were tough after you came home with the injury and the adjustment to being stateside and all.”

  “Yeah. The injury was a bear. Couldn’t get off the pain pills by myself.” He looked deep into her eyes, fearing what he would see there, but the green depths remained unclouded with judgment, disappointment or even surprise. She must have known, must have heard, about his addiction. Small town, he thought ruefully. “It’s my body that’s not getting the message.” He looked down. “Leg is slow to heal right. Damage is deep. As far as adjusting to civilian life...” He shrugged. “Guess I haven’t, not fully.”

  She reached up and stroked his cheek. The tension drained from him and left behind a quiet longing, a desperate need to stay right there in the comfort of her embrace, as if that square foot of ground they stood on was the only place he really did belong.

  “I’ll keep praying for you,” she said.

  She would pray for him? A woman facing prison and death threats? Pray for a guy who left her alone just like her brother to fend for herself? He was overcome and for a moment he could not find words. She raised up on tiptoe, cupped his face and pressed her lips gentle as a whisper to the corner of his mouth.

  He stood frozen, completely paralyzed and befuddled by his own emotions until she moved away. His heart pounded a solemn reminder. Ray’s sister. Ray’s kid sister. But in that moment she looked like anything but a kid.

  “I’d better go,” she said. “I need to get back to Betsy.”

  He cleared his throat. “Right. Gotta get Glory home and tend to her. Then I’m going to find your thermos and figure out how to dig up some intel on Bruce Reed.”