Death at the Bar X Ranch

by Marlene Chabot

  “Which horse is it, Mary?” my aunt asked. “You never did tell me.”

  I poured myself another cup of coffee from the pot sitting on the table. “Think back. Which horse was supposed to have laminitis, but didn’t?”

  “Cinnamon?”

  “Yup.”

  “That was pretty clever the way you snapped those pictures at the picnic,” Reed said. “Why, if it weren’t for those snapshots, the young fellow at Milt’s would have never been able to identify Jackson.”

  “I still wish I had gotten his voice on the recorder, so Misses Sullivan could have heard it.” Now, I grabbed one of the chocolate chip cookies Margaret had sent along with us this morning. “Reed, I never asked how much money did you raise for Sally’s mom?”

  He wiped crumbs from his jaw. “Almost three thousand dollars, and money’s still rolling in. That article in the local newspaper after the police arrested Jackson, Georgette, and Doc Taylor really made a huge impact on the community.”

  Aunt Zoe pushed her chair out and stood. Then she collected our plates and took them to the sink. “There’s no possible way Jackson will ever earn a get out of jail card. The U of M’s vet department can prove the toxic substance Mary found in Angel’s feeder was the same as that discovered in Jackson’s storage locker. And, the man was stupid enough to admit to Mary that he had killed Sally.”

  Even if he doesn’t fess up,” Reed said, “I think Doc Taylor will soon be crowing like a rooster now that he’s been offered a reduced sentence.”

  “I imagine so. I still can’t believe how greedy Jackson was being involved in two money making schemes like that.” With that said, I drew silent.

  “What’s wrong, Mary?” Reed inquired. “Is your fracture bothering you?”

  “No,” I said with a tinge of sadness to my voice. “I was wondering what will happen to Cinnamon?”

  My client drained the last of the dark coffee into his horse-head mug. “I guess I forgot to tell you. She’s going to be staying right here at the Bar X. She’s been bought.”

  “That’s wonderful news,” Aunt Zoe said as she rejoined us at the table. “Which of your boarders purchased her?”

  Reed threw back his head and laughed. “None. You’re looking at him. Since my ex and Jackson illegally entered Cinnamon in the endurance race, I decided to follow through in Sally’s honor and see what she can do. Who knows, we both might be standing in the winner’s circle real soon.”

  “Speaking of surprises,” Aunt Zoe broke in, “Reed’s got another announcement to make.” Now she winked at him.

  Oh, my gosh. Don’t tell me they’re going to tie the knot? What will I do without a roommate? I know I’ve said Aunt Zoe drives me crazy, but still . . . I held my breath.

  “Jim Savage is getting hitched and wants the wedding right here on my premises.”

  I heaved a sigh of relief. Thank you, Lord. Evidently I’ve been a pretty good gal the last several days. “That will be fun. Has he set the date?”

  “Yup,” Reed said. “The fella wants it to take place in three weeks.”

  My aunt rested her fiery-red head on her hands now. “And, guess what, Mary? Jim wants you and me to help plan the wedding. I think a horseshoe-shaped cake would be nice, don’t you?”

  My hands flew to my forehead. Oh, crap. I thought I was done with horses.

  Chapter 51

  Didn’t Jim and Stephanie luck out with a beautiful September day?” Aunt Zoe said. “Not one teeny cloud in the sky.” She didn’t realize it, but she could’ve been a storm cloud with all the dark-green cowgirl paraphernalia she had on, including the parasol she was holding. She must’ve run out of bright colored outfits.

  “Yes,” I replied, “but then September is the driest month of the year.”

  Rod Thompson, who I had invited to be my escort for the festivities, came and joined me now. He had been chatting with Reed. I sure hope the owner of the Bar X hadn’t filled his head with too much of what had happened around here. I’d never hear the end of it. “Did I tell you how pretty you look, Mary?”

  “Ah huh, but you can tell me again.”

  “So, where did you get your getup?”

  I was wearing a soft, white, sheer, short-sleeved blouse, a turquoise fringed vest and matching broomstick skirt, a brand new white cowgirl hat and my stupid boots that pinched my toes. I waved my hand in the air. “Oh, you know, here and there.” He didn’t have to know that most of it was from Bargain Suzie’s Recycled Clothing.

  Rod tossed his head back and let out a rip-roaring laugh. “No, I don’t know, but that’s all right.” Now, he slid his royal blue long-sleeved shirt up and peeked at his watch. “So, what time is this shindig supposed to start?”

  My aunt threw herself into our conversation. “Anytime. Reed just has to get the horses lined up in order.”

  Rod’s mouth flew open. “Horses?”

  “I thought you told him about the wedding, Mary.”

  “I did except for the part about the horses.”

  “What’s going on, Mary? Don’t tell me everyone has to ride a horse?”

  “Not everyone.”

  Rod swiped his forehead. “Phew. That’s good.”

  I continued. “Just the bridal party, the minister, and the wedding planners, and their escorts.”

  The tall, blonde Norwegian started to back up now. “Whoa! You’re one of the wedding planners, so that means I have to get on a horse too.”

  I batted my thick-glossed eyelashes and smiled sweetly. “I suppose so.”

  “There’s no way you’re getting me on a horse, Mary.”

  “But Rod, don’t you remember how you made me line dance?”

  “That’s different.”

  “No, it isn’t,” I argued.

  Rod swung his head from side to side. “I can’t do it, Mary. I really can’t. I had a traumatic experience with a horse when I was a kid.”

  So, he’s not so different from me after all even if he is an FBI agent. “Pretty please,” I begged, “even if we put you on the slowest horse Reed’s got.”

  “Leave him be,” a male voice said from behind me. It was Clint. Well, not really Clint. It was David. “I’ll ride with you, Mary.”

  I spun around. “I didn’t think you’d show. You never sent a reply.”

  “Rod, you remember Clint.” Now I gave a quick wink to David.

  Rod siddled up alongside the two of us. “Yes, he was at Ziggy Piggy’s. Great place to eat and dance, but I haven’t been back there since.” He gave me a dirty look. I ignored it.

  “Come on Mary and Clint,” Aunt Zoe said as she waved to Reed. Apparently, he was signaling for us to get over by the horses. “You can chat with Rod later.”

  As we began to walk away, the Norwegian quickly squeezed in one more comment.

  “Don’t forget, I’m looking forward to dancing with you later, Mary. You know how I love to line dance.”

  I had a feeling Rod was worried I’d leave him in the dust now that David had come on the scene, and he was right. “Sorry. Jim and his bride requested nothing but waltzes and polkas.”

  David put his arm around my waist now as he led me to the horses. “I’m glad I was able to make it. I was scheduled for another sting operation, but everything wasn’t in place yet.”

  “I’m glad too. By the way, how did you get the U of M’s veterinary diagnostic lab to move so swiftly on Angel’s necropsy and the bag of goodies you delivered for me?”

  “I just told them if they didn’t get right on it there would be plenty more horse deaths, and I didn’t think they’d want that hanging over their heads, especially with all the donations they get from animal lovers all over Minnesota and beyond.”

  “Wow. Now, it’s my turn to be amazed.”

  “I’ve got som
e other news I can share with you too.”

  “Oh?”

  “Doc had interned a year in Colorado. That’s where he first got mixed up with drug trafficking, but he never met Clint so he wasn’t suspicious of me.”

  “I heard they caught him at the airport as he was boarding a flight for Switzerland.”

  “Yeah, our guys are good.”

  We had reached Reed, and David asked him which horses we were supposed to get on. “I want you two to ride on Cortez and Cinnamon. They get along great together.” David and I smiled at each other.

  I took David’s hand and led him to the horses. “Did you know years ago in several cities in the United States married men weren’t allowed to ride by themselves until they’d been married longer than a year?”

  “No kidding? Well, I guess it’s a good thing I’m not married then.”

  “Yup. Okay, guys, I’m ready.” Reed and David hoisted me up on Cinnamon and left me in sidesaddle position because of my recent injury. I thought I’d be shaking in my boots once I sat on Cinnamon, but I wasn’t. It wasn’t her fault I was thrown. Besides, Prince Charming was by my side this time.

  David mounted Cortez as the guitarist began strumming Cowboy Take Me Away by the Dixie Chicks. Luckily, we were near the tail end of the horse procession. “Say, Mary, I forgot to ask. Do you plan to keep your sleuthing career?”

  I picked up Cinnamon’s reins now and tossed a similar question his way. “Do you plan to continue your work as an undercover cop?”

  Book Club Questions

  1. What motivated Mary Malone to take on a case that was meant for her brother? Should she have told Reed Griffin her brother wasn’t available? What would you have done if you had heard a similar message and were unemployed? Would you have informed the person who the message was originally meant for?

  2. What was Mrs. Grimshaw’s underlying motive for getting Mary to the Foley? How do you think she felt when Mary actually moved in?

  3. Did you honestly think the cohabitation of relatives, one in her thirties and the other past retirement age, would work out in a one bedroom apartment?

  4. Do you think Aunt Zoe was rushing her feelings for Reed a bit or had she gotten through her mourning stage? What amount of time do you think a widow or widower should take before becoming involved with someone else? Do you know someone who dated after their spouse died? How long was it before they started dating?

  5. When Mary first got behind the wheel of Matt’s Topaz she was scared silly. If you had to borrow another person’s car would you feel the same way? Why or why not?

  6. Should Mary have warned Reed Griffin she had a severe fear of horses before volunteering to take the case? How about opening up to her aunt?

  7. Do you think Mary’s first contact with Clint Russell may have made her more determined than ever to work on the horse case? Would you have let a good-looking guy affect your job decision even if a great fear factor was involved?

  8. Was it appropriate for Reed to expect Mary to fill in for an ill employee when she knew nothing about horses? Have you ever had to fill in for someone out sick and knew nothing about their job? How did it go? Were you glad when the day was over?

  9. Do you think Terry was being too tough on Mary, being it was her first time around horses? Why or why not? Did you think he might be the one causing Reed’s horse problems? If so, what led you to believe this?

  10. If you had a fear of horses and didn’t have previous experience around them, would you have ventured into the stalls by yourself and groomed the horses?

  11. When reading chapter 18, did you sense any of the characters at the cookout could be responsible for Reed Griffin’s horses jumping over Clint Russell’s fence? Why or why not?

  12. After the Bar X cookout, did you think Mary would run into trouble out in the woods by herself or did you think her walk in the woods would be a waste of time? Did you suspect Aunt Zoe might fail Mary if she required help?

  13. Do you feel deception is acceptable at times in order to get your own way, like Mary deceived Rod in order to spy on her aunt at Ziggy Piggy’s? What were the consequences of Mary’s deception? When you were involved in a minor deception, what were the repercussions if any?

  14. When the cats were first introduced in a barn scene, did you sense they might be used in a sinister crime further along in the story, or did you just think about cuddly kittens and how nice it would be to own one?

  15. Nat and Clint kept popping up no matter where Mary went. Did you suspect they were red herrings like Terry or did you think they were plotting against the Bar X Ranch?

  16. Which of the three males Mary seemed to be interested in did you hope she’d end up with? Why? Were you satisfied with the ending?

  17. If you were working on a project and needed some input, would you reach out to an elderly person, or would you steer clear of them and seek a person your own age? Why?

  18. Do you think Mary would have eventually solved this case without seeking answers from other reliable sources? Why is it important to get all the facts before jumping to conclusions? Have you ever rushed headlong into a situation without getting enough information beforehand? What were the consequences?