Takin' The Reins

by Stacey Coverstone

  Wyatt chewed his lip, and his brows knitted together. “Oh. There’s something else. You should know that Cole and I just stole a horse and burned down a shed.”

  “Come again?” Rafael clearly didn’t comprehend. Wyatt explained how the two of them broke Buttercup out of Joe Campbell’s barn and set fire to his shed as a distraction.

  “Technically we didn’t steal the horse since she belongs to Ms. Mackenzie. We were just taking the mare back on her behalf. I’ll testify as to having personal knowledge that the mare was originally Lydia Albright’s, who passed away recently. Jordan—er—Ms. Mackenzie inherited the horse along with several others. Ms. Mackenzie saw Joe Campbell’s truck backed up to her barn with the horse inside his trailer on the night of the big storm. Cimarron Cruz chased her down like an animal, with every intention of causing her harm that night. She saw him very clearly but was fortunately able to elude being captured.”

  Cole piped up, adding to Wyatt’s information. “I was a witness to all the property damage, and I was the one to call 911 at the time she was run off Bookout Road. She was physically injured that day as well, and I can also testify to the emotional distress all of this has caused her.”

  Rafael scratched notes as they talked. “Seems you’re both good friends of Ms. Mackenzie’s. I assure you, we’ll begin conducting a full investigation into all these matters immediately.”

  “I appreciate that,” Wyatt said, relieved. “But there’s one last thing, Officer. And I think it might be the feather in our cap.” He handed Rafael the note they were sure had been written by Stillwell. Rafael read it.

  “There’s no way to prove this was written by Mr. Stillwell. He didn’t sign his name.”

  “But if he shows up outside the ticket booth at the fairgrounds at nine tomorrow night, we’ve got him. He’ll convict himself.”

  Rafael nodded. “You’d make a good officer, Mr. Brannigan. Gentlemen, do you think Ms. Mackenzie will agree to help us conduct a sting operation?”

  Wyatt and Cole grinned at one another. “I believe I can talk her into it,” Wyatt stated. “She wants all of this to end and for Addison Stillwell to get what’s coming to him.”

  “All right then.” Rafael shook both their hands. “See you at the rodeo.”

  They left police headquarters satisfied with the plan. “Thanks again, Cole,” Wyatt said at the truck. “You’re a good man to help Jordan this way.”

  “I’d do anything for her. She’s a fine woman. I know you and her are…well, would you mind very much if she and I remained friends?”

  Wyatt smiled. “She’s free to choose her own friends.”

  Cole chuckled. “You don’t think I’ll try to steal her away from you?”

  Wyatt flung open the door of his pickup and climbed in. “I wouldn’t think you were any kind of man if you didn’t want to try.”

  Chapter Twenty Three

  “You’re sure Buttercup is safe?” Jordan asked for the third time. She still could not believe what Wyatt and Cole had done to rescue the mare. “You actually set fire to Joe Campbell’s shed?”

  “Technically, it was Roberts who lit it up.” The two of them sat in the courtyard, having just finished dinner outdoors.

  “What if Campbell swears out a warrant against you?”

  “Let him try. I’m not sure he saw my face, or Cole’s. Besides, that would be a stupid move since we have Buttercup, as well as your testimony about seeing him leave with the horse in the back of his trailer on the night of the storm.” Wyatt had told her about his and Cole’s visit to the Alamogordo Police Department and asked if she was willing to participate in the sting to trap Stillwell. She wholeheartedly agreed.

  “Do you think he’ll really show up? You’d think he’d know by now I won’t simply hand over the deed to my ranch.” She gathered their plates and silverware and went into the house. Wyatt picked up their glasses and followed her in.

  “He’s clearly not thinking straight. His game is about to come to an end.” Together they drifted into the living room.

  Jordan sunk into the sofa and sighed. “I hope so.”

  He scooted beside her and stroked her thigh. “Are you afraid?”

  “No. I know you’ll be close by.”

  “You can take that to the bank.” She pressed closer and they kissed. “I’ll always be here for you,” he assured.

  ~ * ~

  Around six o’clock that evening, two uniformed police officers entered the Tulie Café, where Joe Campbell and Cimarron Cruz were enjoying the dinner special. Nicki shoved her elbow into the grill cook’s rib and jerked her head toward the big plate glass window in front. Cole stood outside, looking in with an expectant expression.

  “Something’s about to go down,” she whispered. As the officers approached the two cowboys, the café crowd grew quiet. All eyes turned toward the counter where Campbell and Cruz sat oblivious.

  “Are you Joe Campbell?” One of the officers placed his hand on Joe’s shoulder and swung him around.

  Joe finished chewing and groused, “You oughtta know, Gene. We went to high school together.”

  “Just answer the question, sir,” the second officer said.

  Joe sucked his teeth with his tongue. “Yeah, that’s me.”

  “Are you Cimarron Cruz?” the officer asked, moving his attention to the other man. Cimarron nodded with wide eyes. “Would you please come with us? Both of you.”

  “We…we haven’t done nothin’,” Cimarron stammered.

  “What for?” Joe asked, wiping his hands on a paper napkin.

  “We need to ask you a few questions down at headquarters.”

  “What about?” Joe repeated. His eyes narrowed into slits.

  “Are you refusing to go with us peacefully?” the man Joe called Gene asked.

  “Yeah, Gene. I’m refusing to go with you until you tell me what the hell this is about.” The policeman pulled out a set of handcuffs and clapped them on Joe’s wrists quicker than swatting a mosquito. He yanked him off the stool by his belt strap.

  “I don’t mind playing hard ball,” he murmured in his ear. Joe wriggled and tried to flee, but made it only a couple of feet when one of the café customers stuck out his leg and tripped him. The whole place roared in laughter as the second cop hauled Joe to his feet.

  “Mr. Campbell, if you try another stupid stunt like that, I’ll arrest you for resisting an officer.”

  Joe scowled. “Why you…”

  Gene grabbed his arm. “Go ahead, Joey. Talk a little smack. I never liked you in school, and I don’t like you now. I’ll be happy to read you your rights.”

  The second officer chuckled and added, “Gene likes reading people their rights. It makes his day.” He tapped the holster at his side and Joe clammed up.

  “What about you?” Gene asked Cimarron. “You going to cause trouble, too?”

  “Not me, boss. I’ll go peacefully.” He held his arms out to be handcuffed. The customers erupted into applause as the two of them were escorted out of the café.

  “I never liked those two sons of bitches,” Nicki mumbled. “Bad tippers.”

  Before entering the squad car, Joe caught something out of the corner of his eye. He wrenched his head around and saw Cole standing on the sidewalk. They glared at one another. When Cole grinned slyly, Joe shot him a stone cold look and spat on the ground, just missing Cole’s work boots.

  “Seems you’ve found yourself in a bit of a situation,” Cole taunted.

  “You’ll regret ever getting involved with that Mackenzie bitch,” Joe spewed.

  Cole didn’t flinch. “The only thing I regret is not getting your two sorry asses hauled off to jail before now.”

  ~ * ~

  “You must have an iron gut, Brannigan,” Jordan teased. “I don’t claim to be much of a cook.” She flashed him a sheepish smile.

  “You’re getting better,” he replied happily. The couple ate breakfast burritos in the courtyard. He’d spent the night at her house, and de
spite his gentle protests, the goat had finally slept on a rug in front of the fireplace, like a dog. Houdini now stood on the grass in front of them eating oats from a cereal bowl. As he ate, his beady eyes glittered with mischief at Wyatt.

  “I think he knows what we did last night, “ Wyatt jokingly complained. “He’s giving me strange looks.”

  Jordan poured him another half cup of coffee and laughed. “He’s a goat, silly. The way you talk, I believe you think he’s got human thoughts and feelings.” She secretly thought the same thing about the animal but would never admit it.

  Draining the last of the coffee, Wyatt announced, “I’ve got to get home. I want you to take it easy today. Relax and enjoy the weather. You should feel relieved now that Campbell and Cruz were picked up.”

  Cole had called Jordan’s house last night with the good news after watching the police drive off with the two thugs. She was comforted, but still wary. “Cole said we shouldn’t get our hopes up. He didn’t know how long the police could detain those two without some valid evidence, unless one of them confessed.”

  Wyatt agreed. “If they’re smart, they’ll blow the whistle on Stillwell. Apparently they’re sick and tired of him anyway. Officer Rafael might be calling you today to go to the station and make a positive ID since you saw them both on your property the night they stole Buttercup.”

  “I’ll stay by the phone.”

  “Good idea. Maybe Rafael will hold them until they take down Addison tonight at the fair. Are you looking forward to the rodeo?”

  “Yes. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a carnival, and I didn’t go to many rodeos growing up.”

  “I’ll come pick you up around five this evening. That’ll give us time to eat something and stroll around looking at the exhibits before the rodeo. It starts at seven.” He sauntered into her bedroom to collect his wallet and gather up the loose change he’d dumped out of his jeans pockets last night. He tucked in his shirt and leaned against the bed and pulled on his boots. Jordan stood in the doorframe with a solemn countenance. “What is it?” he asked.

  “I sure wish one of those men would point the finger at Stillwell, but I guess that’s too much to expect. If they don’t, we’ll have to go through with the sting tonight. I hope everything goes all right.”

  “It will,” he said, rising from the edge of the bed. “We just have to show up and the police will take care of the rest. It’s almost over, baby.” He threw his arm around her and she burrowed into the comfort of his protective embrace.

  “You make it sound so easy.”

  “It is. The hard part is over. You’ll see.”

  “When can we bring Buttercup home?”

  “After this is behind us and those three are in jail.” Wyatt strode to the front door. “Stick close to the house today and keep the door locked when you’re inside. Those two may be in jail, but Addison’s still on the loose, as far as we know. Call me if you need anything. I’ll have my cell phone with me at all times.” He bundled her into his arms once more and kissed her soundly before stepping outside. “See you tonight.”

  Jordan waved as he drove away. His tanned arm dangled casually out the window as usual.

  “Maaaaa.”

  She’d totally forgotten Houdini was in the house. She shooed him out the door and he immediately dropped some nanny berries onto the stoop. “No!” she exclaimed, swatting him into the yard. “Don’t do your business on the porch! It’s time for you to stay outside for the day.” She took hold of his collar and herded him to the pasture. The remaining two horses were already in the field. They trotted over and greeted the goat with swishing tails. Satisfied that he seemed content, Jordan hurried back to the house and locked the door behind her. She wasn’t taking any chances. Stillwell was a nut. There was no telling what he might try to pull.

  Later in the morning, Wyatt called to inform her that he’d received word from Officer Rafael, and it wasn’t good news. “Campbell and Cruz were held all night, but he had to release them this morning. There wasn’t enough solid evidence to keep them, and they lawyered-up before he could get you over there to ID them.”

  Jordan tried to keep the strain out of her voice, but she was disappointed. “What about the vandalism to my property and the paint scratches on Campbell’s truck? Those things weren’t enough to at least charge Joe with something?”

  “No, but the police have confiscated his truck and will be running matches on the paint. Cole provided them with some digital photos of your barn with the graffiti, but there’s no proof Campbell and Cruz were behind it. Officer Rafael told me he’d been hoping one of them would rat on Stillwell. He was wearing down Cruz when the lawyer showed up and baled them out.”

  “Where does that leave it?” Jordan asked, disheartened.

  “Same place we were before. The plan is on for tonight. You’ll meet Stillwell at nine o’clock and if he shows, we’ve got him. It’ll be better in the long run to catch him in the act. Hang in there, honey. It’s just about over.”

  “I trust you, Brannigan.”

  “And I trust Rafael.”

  ~ * ~

  The Otero County Fairground buzzed with activity. Little children squealed as they rode carnival rides. In the petting zoo, baby goats, lambs, pigs, and a calf endured the heat and sticky hands that fondled their ears and stroked their noses. Jordan and Wyatt sauntered hand-in-hand down the midway checking out the prize-winning livestock.

  “I haven’t had a corn dog since I was a kid,” she declared, savoring the last bite before tossing the stick into the trash. “It was just as good as I remembered.”

  When they stopped by the cotton candy booth, Wyatt bought her one. She twirled the airy candy on her finger and stuck it in his mouth. He licked it off and gave her a sticky kiss. As they walked around, he tipped his cowboy hat to every other person they saw. Jordan shook her head in amazement.

  “You must know everyone here. We haven’t passed by two people who haven’t spoken to you.”

  “I think they want a look at you,” he countered, winking. “You’re a local celebrity since being on TV, plus you’re the best looking woman here.”

  She punched his arm lightly. “I’m no celebrity. I’m just a girl who wants to visit the 4-H barn.” Tugging on his hand, she pulled him toward Frontier Village, the hall that housed the homemade crafts, art, photography, baked goods, and jams and jellies. “I love this fair. It’s like the ones we had in Colorado when I was a girl. It sure brings back good memories.”

  At six forty-five, Wyatt said, “The rodeo will be starting soon. Have you seen enough here? We should go into the stands and get our seats.” She nodded and tossed the empty cotton candy paper stick in a can. As they trudged up the metal bleacher stairs, they heard their names being shouted. Looking up, they spied Cole waving and motioning for them to join him.

  Jordan wedged herself between the two men. “Cole, I suppose you heard the police had to let Campbell and Cruz go today.” Her comment was met by his shocked expression.

  “No. Why?” She explained the situation and he said, “So, the plan’s still on for tonight?”

  “Yes, but for the next couple of hours, I just want to enjoy the rodeo. Let’s not talk about all that. Tell me, have you seen Rachel lately?”

  He grinned, showing her his beautiful smile. “Yeah. She’s a great girl. I don’t know how we haven’t managed to hook up before now, since we know some of the same people. Turns out we have a lot in common.”

  “I’m glad you’re hitting it off.”

  “I’m willing to see where it goes.”

  Jordan graced him with a genuine smile and then slipped her hand into Wyatt’s and focused on the dusty arena below. Local horsemen and women took to the arena, one after the other—individually and in groups—competing in team roping, bronco riding, and barrel racing. When Rachel ran her gelding through the course of five barrels in record time without knocking any over, the crowd went wild. Jordan cheered the loudest when Rachel was
presented with a first place blue ribbon and trophy. She turned over Wyatt’s wrist to look at his watch. It read eight-forty.

  “I’m starting to get nervous now,” she admitted. “I need to go to the bathroom.”

  “Okay. Cole, we’re going to the midway. She wants to visit the ladies room before you-know-what happens.” Wyatt glanced around, aware that people around him could easily eavesdrop on their conversation.

  “I’ll follow you out. I told Rachel I’d meet her at the horse barn around nine anyway.”

  The three of them made their way down the metal bleachers and joined the midway crowd. They casually walked to the restrooms.

  “This plan is going to work,” Wyatt assured Jordan with confidence. “There’s no reason for you to worry.” He put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her close.

  “I know you’re right.” She tried hard to bolster her own confidence. “I just can’t stand the thought of facing that man after all that’s happened.”

  “I’ll be close by,” he repeated. “No one’s going to hurt you ever again.”

  Cole patted her arm to lend his support. “I’m going into the men’s room and then I’ll go meet up with Rachel. We’ll come back and hang around here until the sting goes down. Good luck, Jordan.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’ve got to visit the little boy’s room myself,” Wyatt said. “I’ll see you out here in a few minutes.”

  She slipped into the restroom to wash her hands and splash water on her face. Looking in the mirror, she told herself to calm down. Everything would turn out fine. In a matter of moments, Stillwell would be arrested and she could get on with her life.

  ~ * ~

  Wyatt exited the men’s room first. He was leaning against the building watching the crowd when a fist flew from around the corner. The pop caught him on the jaw knocking him off balance. Before falling to the ground, he took another punch to the gut. The attack was so unexpected he didn’t have a chance to see his assailant’s face, and he didn’t react as quickly as he would have when he was a younger man. When he hit the ground, he landed on his shoulder and heard a crack and saw the man lunge. Instinctively, he swung his feet to try knocking the guy’s legs out from under him.