Lace & Lassos

by Cheyenne McCray

  “He passed away recently,” she said. “That’s in part why I called you.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Like I said, however, I’m retired,” the attorney said. “I doubt I could be of any help to you.”

  “I’m really sorry to bother you, but I’d like to ask you a couple of questions.” She held the phone tighter. “There’s a problem and you might be the only one who has the answer.”

  “And what might that be?”

  “When my grandfather passed away,” Kaitlyn said, “he left all of his property and home to his two sons, George and John Barrett.”

  “All right,” Mr. Tucker said. “And the problem?”

  “My father and uncle agreed to divide the property,” she said. “My uncle’s property was recorded in his name. However there’s nothing recorded to show what my father received out of the split. He left the property to me in the will, but the deed still has my uncle’s name as the property going to him under the right of survivorship. Now a cousin claims it’s all his. My uncle is in a home with dementia, so we’re unable to talk with him about it.”

  “I handled a lot of property disputes and transactions,” Mr. Tucker said. “But I’m eighty-five years old. It’s been so long that I don’t have any of those old records and my memory isn’t the same.”

  Her heart sank. “Did anyone take over your practice who might still have the records?”

  “Handed the practice off to a young man who ran it into the ground.” He snorted. “Sorry to tell you that there isn’t a chance in hell that anything is left.”

  Kaitlyn looked at Wayne and shook her head. Nothing.

  “Thank you for your time.” She let out a sigh. “I appreciate it.”

  “Good luck, young lady,” he said before the call was disconnected.

  As she met Wayne’s eyes, she stuffed her phone back into her pocket. “Nothing at all. He doesn’t remember anything about it.” An ache started behind her eyes, but she refused to cry. She’d done enough crying.

  Chapter 11

  Kaitlyn thought she was going to throw up. It was the fifth day and she had to be out by this evening if the attorney didn’t call with the temporary injunction. Wayne was going to leave to get the storage unit and then help was to come to load it.

  She hated to put others out by asking for help, but if she was to be out of here by today she had no choice. Right now the only thing she could realistically do was to temporarily move in with Wayne until she could sort everything out.

  It was still early when the phone rang and she saw Mr. Drake’s phone number come up on the screen.

  “The temporary injunction has been granted and a hearing date has been set,” he said after she answered.

  He asked her if she’d made any progress in her search for papers that would prove the property belonged solely to her father and she told him that she hadn’t. She mentioned the safe deposit box and her father’s old attorney, but both had proved fruitless in regards to the property.

  “The injunction gives you a week to search more for any papers you might find,” Drake said. “If nothing else, it allows you a little more time before you are forced to move out of your home.”

  After she disconnected, she breathed a little sigh of relief that she had more time—even though it wasn’t a lot, it was something. She stuffed her cell phone back into her jeans pocket and looked around her.

  Boxes were stacked all over the house. Not only what Harold had put her grandmother’s things into, but she had been packing her father’s belongings and of course her own. Wayne brought her boxes and he had done a lot of the packing.

  There was so much to do and five days just hadn’t been enough time considering all of the time they’d spent searching the house, going to the safe deposit box, and attorney’s office and calls. She had been afraid Harold would show up with the sheriff and they would kick her out before everything was done.

  The porch steps creaked and then the door opened, and Wayne walked into the house. “I’m going to leave to get the storage unit.”

  “Mr. Drake just called.” Kaitlyn went up to Wayne. “You don’t need to get it. Mr. Drake said I have more time thanks to the temporary injunction being granted.”

  Wayne kissed her and smiled. “That’s great. When’s the hearing?”

  “A week from today.” She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t know if it’s enough time, but we can use all we can get.”

  “That’s for sure.” He unholstered his phone. “I’ll call off the packing party.”

  “Hopefully permanently,” she said and collapsed on a chair that wasn’t already taken by something that needed to be moved.

  While Wayne made the calls to his family, she tilted her head back and looked up at the ceiling. All she could do was hope that being awarded an injunction was a sign that everything was going to turn out okay.

  She forced herself not to think of all the fruitless steps she’d taken so far and that she had no idea what to do next. Feeling exhausted both mentally and physically, she closed her eyes.

  Something woke Kaitlyn, and she realized she must have fallen asleep. When she opened her eyes she saw that sunlight was starting to slip away.

  “Sounds like a vehicle is coming down your road.” Wayne glanced at her then he started toward the front door.

  She followed him out of the house and her stomach twisted when she recognized Harold’s truck.

  Wayne stood at her side on the porch and her heart beat faster. “Harold might not know about the injunction yet.”

  He pulled up his truck, parked, and killed the engine. When he climbed out, he had a supremely confident expression. He shut the door to his truck and walked to the base of the porch steps as Wayne gripped her hand. The bruise that had been around Harold’s eye had faded until it was a faint green.

  “Got everything of yours out?” Harold spit into the dirt to the side. A brown splat hit the ground and she saw it was chewing tobacco. “You’d better have left Grandma’s things.”

  “Looks like Kaitlyn has a little more time to prove this place is hers,” Wayne drawled.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Harold scowled. “She damned sure had better have everything that belongs to her out of my house already because I’m taking it over today.”

  Kaitlyn shook her head. “The judge granted me a temporary injunction.”

  Harold narrowed his gaze. “Bullshit.”

  “Notice of the hearing was served and signed for by someone at your father’s ranch according to my attorney. I guess they didn’t get it to you.” Kaitlyn continued, “The attorney also told me that everything that was in my father’s possession, including our grandmother’s things, belong to me now.”

  “That’s bullshit.” His face grew a shade redder than its natural hue. “I want your ass out of my house and like I said, Grandma’s things aren’t going anywhere with you.”

  “This house is mine, Harold.” She put her hands on her hips. “I’m not just going to turn everything over to you without a fight. You know perfectly well that our daddies split the properties fairly.”

  “Get out, you little bitch.” Harold took a step forward, both hands clenched at his sides. “You’ll get nothing. You are nothing. You don’t have the right to call yourself a Barrett.”

  Heat flushed through Kaitlyn and she wanted to scream at Harold to get off her property. To get out of her life. She didn’t need him or any of the rest of the Barretts if she was going to be treated like this. It made her wonder, though, how much of this was Harold and how much was the rest of the family.

  “Back off before I call the sheriff.” Wayne spoke in a calm, controlled tone but she could tell by the glint in his eyes that he was angry. “I’ll have him escort you from Kaitlyn’s property. If you cause trouble before he gets here, I’ll do it myself.”

  “I’ve warned you before.” Harold pointed a shaking finger at Kaitlyn. “You will regret everything.”

  Wayne
released her hand and stepped down the first stair step, his hands fisted at his sides, his jaw tense. She could see the controlled fury rising up in him.

  “Go away, Harold.” She touched Wayne’s arm. “We’ll let the judge sort this out.”

  Harold backed up, a vicious light in his eyes. “And when he does, you’ll be out on your ass.”

  Kaitlyn swallowed, but said nothing. Harold turned and climbed into his truck. He gave her and Wayne one more hateful look before backing up. His wheels spun, throwing up rocks and dirt as his truck shot forward and through the gates of the Rocking B.

  When his truck passed outside their sight, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Then she opened them and looked up at Wayne. “That went well.” She sighed. “How can someone be so greedy? He never acted that way before. He was a jerk to a lot of people, but not to me.”

  “Greed does strange things to people.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “You don’t know how bad I wanted to deck him.”

  “The old Wayne wouldn’t have backed off.” She glanced at him as they walked into the house. “You’re not as hot-headed as you used to be.”

  “Special Forces changed me.” He closed the door behind them. “Settled me down. Taught me to control my strength and temper.”

  She nodded. In the past Harold had always been known to be tough, but no one ever messed with Wayne. From the time he was a kid he’d get into fights. The thing about Wayne, though, was that he never did it just to fight. If he got into some kind of scrap, it was always to defend those who couldn’t defend themselves or whenever he saw an injustice being done.

  He’d always been a man’s man, too, the tough brooding type. When he drank, his brooding had been more pronounced, and he’d drawn more into himself.

  Now he seemed to have it all together, someone strong enough to lean on. He was a rock. He was her rock.

  He rubbed her upper back with his palm. “The bunch of us are getting together tonight and you’ve been invited. Zane and Jessie, as well as Danica, Wyatt and Dillon.”

  She raised a brow. “All you Camerons? I don’t know if I could handle you all.”

  Wayne laughed. “I’m the only one you need to handle.”

  “You?” She brushed her hand in the air, like she was waving him away. “No problem.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “You can handle me anytime you want.”

  • • •

  While playing cards with the Cameron family, Kaitlyn found herself laughing so hard she could hardly take a breath. Zane had just told them all a story about Wayne and Wyatt when the twins were kids.

  Wayne and his family had a way of making her feel good and it wasn’t long before she was able to push her worries aside and enjoy the evening.

  The Cameron family was amazing to her. Just like any normal family they weren’t perfect, but they loved one another and were there for each other no matter what.

  “Full house.” Kaitlyn placed her cards on the table triumphantly.

  Everyone groaned as she raked in the pile of poker chips on the dining room table and added them to her already tall stacks of chips.

  “I was hoping to distract you from winning with that story,” Zane said with a wink and Kaitlyn grinned.

  “Kaitlyn, honey,” Danica said as she tossed her cards in with everyone else’s, “have you always been this lucky?”

  “Yes,” Zane, Dillon, Wyatt, and Wayne said at the same time and everyone laughed.

  “You were just too young to remember, Danica.” Wayne rested his hand on Kaitlyn’s shoulder. She loved how he liked to touch her all the time. “Kaitlyn beat the pants off of us at cards from the time we were kids.”

  “Don’t let her innocent looks fool you.” Zane gestured with his soda can. “Our little Kaitlyn is a card shark.”

  Kaitlyn laughed. It felt good to be called “our little Kaitlyn.”

  She liked how the family only served non-alcoholic drinks, probably to support Wayne. Eight years ago alcohol had been something they’d enjoyed whenever they got together for an evening of cards or other group activities.

  Dillon shuffled the cards. “This time you’re going down, Ms. Barrett.” He winked at her. He had the Cameron blue eyes but light brown, almost blond hair. The youngest Cameron male was as muscular and tall as his brothers but his complexion was a little fairer.

  “Anyone want brownies?” Jessie asked.

  Zane’s new wife, Jessie, seemed to fit into the family perfectly. The redhead was fun, carefree, and energetic. Kaitlyn knew there was a story behind Zane and Jessie’s relationship, one she’d have to ask Wayne more about sometime.

  “Did someone say brownies?” Wyatt said as all of the Cameron males seemed to perk up.

  “I thought you were saving those for me.” Zane swatted Jessie on the butt as she moved away from her chair.

  “Ha.” She turned and shook her finger at him. “Better watch it if you want some of those brownies at all, Mister.”

  He held up his hands “I give.”

  Jessie glanced at Dillon who was getting ready to deal. “I’ll sit this one out,” she said before she turned away.

  Zane watched his wife leave the room, clearly enjoying the view from behind.

  “I’ll help with the brownies and sit this one out, too.” Danica got up from her seat. She pointed at Kaitlyn who had started to get up. “You, stay.” Danica gave a mischievous grin. “It’s great having the boys lose at cards for a change.”

  Dillon started dealing cards for Texas Hold ’em.

  Kaitlyn was grateful that no one asked her about the house or the problems dealing with Harold. It was nice to not have to think of it. The thought went through her head and she pushed it right out. She intended to completely enjoy tonight.

  Dinner had been a smorgasbord of Italian food, breadsticks, and salad, which Kaitlyn had loved. She and Wayne had brought over a fruit salad and a case of Pepsi.

  She hadn’t laughed or enjoyed herself so much in as long as she could remember. She loved the easy way the Camerons talked and joked with one another and how they had brought her back into their fold like she’d never left.

  Jessie brought out a plate full of brownies and Danica started handing them out on paper napkins to everyone around the table.

  Kaitlyn made a sound of appreciation as she took a bite of the rich chocolate treat. “These are amazing.”

  The brothers dittoed her comment and for a moment the game was on hold.

  When they got back to the game, Kaitlyn won that hand and the next.

  “I’m out.” Wyatt tossed his cards onto the pile with everyone else’s. “There’s no beating Kaitlyn tonight.”

  “I was just getting started.” Kaitlyn began counting her chips. “Looks like ninety-eight grand is mine.”

  Danica cashed out Kaitlyn’s chips and handed her ninety-eight dollars out of the bowl of cash. They’d each put in twenty so that left twenty-two dollars to divide up between the other players who still had chips.

  She and Wayne said goodnight then walked out of Zane and Jessie’s ranch house. It was the home that had been in the family for generations. As the oldest, Zane inherited the house and a portion of land. Each son and the one daughter had inherited land and cash that equaled approximately the value of the ranch house. The Camerons had done well over the past century and that wealth had been passed on through the family.

  Wayne held Kaitlyn’s hand as they walked out to his truck. “I really enjoyed tonight,” she said with a smile. “Thank you for bringing me.”

  He stopped and took her into his arms. “Are you kidding? You’re part of the family.” He brushed his lips over hers. “And this time I’m not letting you go anywhere.”

  Chapter 12

  “Win!” Kaitlyn grinned at Wayne as she pointed to her target. “All six shots, bull’s eye.” She raised the barrel of her 30/30 rifle and blew on it as if blowing away smoke before she lowered the gun again.

  He looked at his own tar
get and shook his head. Five shots neatly in the bull’s eye, but the sixth a fraction outside the line. “And to think, I was considered a sharpshooter.”

  She laughed. He loved her laughter, loved that side of her. Since she’d returned he hadn’t seen it and had been determined to. He’d done his best to get her mind off of what was happening in her life right now and it seemed that he was succeeding at least temporarily.

  “You and Daddy taught me well,” she said with a grin. “So you were a sharpshooter in the service?” she continued as they took their targets with them and walked back toward the horses.

  He nodded. “Something like that.”

  She tilted her head to the side. “What did you do while you were in Special Forces?”

  Memories flashed through his mind. The thunder of gunfire. Friends shot and going down. Agony as a bullet slammed into his knee. Crawling to his dying brothers-in-arms.

  Pain seared his head and he shook it off. “Fought in the war like everyone else.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Mr. Modest War Hero.”

  “I’m no hero, Kait.” He took her target and rolled it up with his own. He stuffed them into a saddlebag then holstered their rifles. “I just did my job.”

  They both mounted their horses and she was quiet for a moment. “I want to know everything about you, Wayne. Don’t hold anything back from me.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” he said, fighting off the familiar feelings of anger and pain when he was reminded of the war and the loss of his friends.

  “I want you to tell me about it.” Her voice was firm. “I shared some tough moments in my life. I want to know what you went through.”

  He raised his Stetson just enough to push his hair back in a frustrated movement. So much tension balled inside of him when he thought about that time. But she was right, if he expected her to tell him things that were hard to talk about, then he should do the same for her.

  “I can’t share a lot of it,” he said and she tipped her own western hat up a bit so that she could meet his eyes. “You know, classified.”