Texas Orchids (The Devil's Horn Ranch Series)

by Samantha Christy

  “Jesus,” Owen says. “We got a load last week, but now that I think about it, we were using the last shipment until this morning. Shit.”

  “Get your guys to remove all the hay from the stalls,” I say. “Start with these four. Did you put any in the pastures?”

  “Not yet.”

  Maddox appears concerned. “But what’ll we do for hay in the meantime? It’ll take time to get a new load.”

  I lean against the wall, knowing he’s right. That could be our real emergency. “We’re going to need a lot of it. Horses can eat twenty pounds a day. That’s three flakes per feeding. What’s our head count?”

  “One hundred eighty-three,” Owen says.

  “I’d send everyone you can spare with a truck to local feed stores to buy up anything similar to what we normally get.”

  “Might be hard to find as much as we need,” Matteo says.

  “What’s so special about the hay we get?” Maddox asks.

  “We order a combination of alfalfa and orchard grass. We need to keep it close to twenty-percent alfalfa. Anything higher might cause colic, and we sure as hell don’t need more of that going around.”

  “Let’s turn out as many as we can,” I say. “They can graze for a day or two until we get a good supply.” I turn to Matteo. “Get on the phone with the hay supplier. Find out what happened. And have someone analyze the hay. Could be moldy.”

  “I’m on it.”

  “Owen, can you head over to the Jenkins’ place, then to Thousand Acre Ranch and the Double Duce, see if they have any to spare? They all use good quality hay.”

  “You think they’ll do it?” Maddox asks.

  “Ranchers help each other out. Unless they’re low, they won’t have a problem with it.”

  Everyone leaves. Maddox and I sit on a bench, keeping an eye on the two who just recovered.

  “I hate this part of the job,” I say. “The wait and see part. It’s more rewarding when I can simply give a shot, patch a wound, or birth a foal. At least then I know I’m doing something.”

  “You’re invaluable around here, Andie. I’m really sorry you might end up losing business when we sell.”

  “It’s okay.”

  He stands. “No it’s not. I’ll do everything I can to make sure my dad sells to someone who will keep you on.”

  “I’m more worried about everyone else, especially Matteo, Owen, and Miguel. Management positions are always harder to find. Ranchers have their own people. Even the ranch hands and barn workers might have a tough time. Vivian always paid better than most.”

  “I wonder if my dad can write it in the contract to whoever he sells to that everyone gets to stay on in some capacity, even if only for a year or so.”

  “That would be amazing. Someone like Hugh Jenkins might agree to that.”

  “I’ll bring it up the next time we talk.”

  “You’re a good man, Maddox.”

  He snorts.

  “What?”

  “Your granddad said something along those lines last night.”

  “He’s always been a good judge of character.”

  He brushes a stray hair behind my ear and adjusts my hat. “He’d change his mind if he knew what I wanted to do to his granddaughter.”

  I catch my breath. “Is that so?”

  “What are you doing later?”

  “Well, that’s subtle.” I stand and pat one of the geldings.

  “That’s not what I meant. Yes, I’d love to, but… okay, let me start over. My cousin is coming next week, and I thought I’d free up some room for him at the house. I was wondering if you’d help me pack up Nana’s things.”

  “I’d be honored, but what if Victor stops by?”

  “We’ll deal with it. He knows you were close to her. It makes sense you’d help me go through her stuff. Besides, I doubt he will. You have a date tomorrow.”

  “Ugh. Don’t remind me.”

  “Are you scared?”

  “Of course I’m scared. I’m going to be alone with him.”

  “Katherine, her partner, and I will be close by, and we’ll hear everything. The more you can get him to talk, the quicker this will be over.”

  “She gave me a panic word. You know, something to say so you guys can bust in if I feel in danger.”

  “What is it?”

  “Beer. She figured I wouldn’t usually say it, because I drink wine, and Victor drinks whiskey.”

  Matteo appears, and he’s not happy.

  “What is it?” Maddox asks.

  “Our supplier said someone called to change the order two weeks ago. They were told we had to cut costs and to send only the cheap stuff. He said they even warned the caller about the possibility of choke, but the caller said we were transitioning from horses to cattle.”

  “Who did they say called?”

  He looks stressed. “Me.”

  “Shit.” Maddox paces. “You know it was the Thompsons. Who else would do that?”

  “What’ll we do?” I ask.

  “Get rid of the bad hay for starters,” Matteo says. “We’ll clean every inch of the barn.”

  “Good idea,” Maddox says. “Just watch out for the cats.”

  Matteo’s brow shoots up.

  “I’m just saying there are a lot of them in there. Be careful.”

  Matteo paces. “Owen and I are going to call all our suppliers—grain, water, produce, even the gas deliveries for the machinery. We’ll set it up so this can’t happen again. I, or one of my guys, will call and verify our orders the day before delivery.”

  “You shouldn’t have to go through all that trouble. There’s got to be a way to stop them.”

  “Stop the Thompsons when they have their sights set on something?” Matteo asks. “We may have to fight fire with fire.”

  “You want to sabotage them?” Maddox says.

  “They’ve got oil wells, ranches, restaurants, hotels. I’m sure we could come up with something.”

  Maddox shakes his head. “If we sink to their level, we’ll be no better than they are.”

  “I’m with Maddox. We can’t play their game.”

  Matteo leans against one of the stalls. “I’ll keep on top of things, but everyone here needs to be on their toes. If anything looks or smells different, or somethin’ just don’t feel right, I want to know about it.”

  “Agreed.” I nod to the horses. “They seem much better. I’ll check on them tomorrow.”

  “We were lucky,” Matteo says. “Caught this one quick. Might not happen like that next time.”

  He leaves, and I sit. “Maybe it’s not worth it. We’re putting the horses at risk. Maybe your dad should sell to Joel. At least then nothing else bad will happen.”

  “You mean nothing bad except twenty hard-working people losing their jobs, and Nana’s land—her whole life—being mowed down and turned into condos or a shopping mall.”

  “You’re right. It was a dumb idea.”

  Maddox heads to the house. “See you later then?”

  “I’ll bring supper.”

  “I was thinking we could just order pizza. I’ll run into town and pick it up.”

  “Pizza was Vivian’s favorite,” I say.

  “I know, that’s why I think we should get it.”

  I feel a lump in my throat. “See you at seven.”

  He leaves, and I wonder how one man can be so caring, hardworking, and selfless. So… perfect. Except he’s not perfect. If he were, he’d be staying in Texas, not going two thousand miles away.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Maddox

  Andie knocks on the back door at seven. What I see takes my breath away. She’s wearing a sheer top that reveals the black tank underneath, jean shorts, and cowboy boots. Holy god. Cowboy boots have never looked so sexy.

  “Cat got your tongue?”

  I try to stop staring but can’t. “I’ve never seen your legs before. You’re always wearing jeans.”

  “Have to for work, but the nights
are getting a lot warmer.” She looks past me. “Can I come in?”

  I chuckle. “Right.” I open the screen and move out of the way, grabbing a treat and throwing it on the back steps for Beau.

  She takes her hat off. I put it on an empty peg by the door.

  “Granddad told me you tried to give him Vivian’s hat. That was really nice of you.”

  “I don’t understand why he didn’t take it.”

  “Maybe he sensed it wasn’t time for you to let it go.”

  I motion to the table. “Have a seat. We can eat before we tackle everything.”

  I get the pizza box warming in the oven. “I figured you for a pepperoni and veggie girl, but just in case, I ordered half with only cheese.”

  “I’ll eat anything but anchovies and pineapple.”

  I make a face. “You and me both. Wine?”

  “Sure. I have a feeling we might need a glass or two to get through tonight. Are you sure you’re ready to do this?”

  “It has to be done sooner or later, and with Aaron coming, I figured now was a good time.”

  “Your dad didn’t want to be here for it?”

  “He took some things with him the last time he was here. He asked me to box up most of the family photos and save any nice jewelry for my sisters. The rest, her clothes and stuff, can be donated.”

  “It’s what she would have wanted.”

  I put plates on the table and fill up our glasses. “I really like your granddad.”

  “He likes you, too.”

  “What did he say about your inheritance?”

  “I haven’t told him yet.”

  I’m surprised. “Why not?”

  “I want to do something nice for him. If he knew about the money, he’d insist I use it all for myself.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “I’m not sure yet. I’d love to get him out of the retirement home. I know it’s a nice place, but he misses being around horses. I’ve been thinking about getting us a house with a stable where I can keep Baby Blue. I could have help come in a few hours a day to make sure his needs are met.”

  “There are three bedrooms in the guesthouse, you know. Why not have him come stay with you? If it’s horses you want him around, there are a hundred and eighty of them just steps away, and there are plenty of people on the ranch who can pop in and make sure he has everything he needs.”

  “I don’t want to move him twice. I’m only here until the Victor thing is over.”

  “You can stay as long as you like, Andie. I’m not going to kick you out when they haul that lowlife to jail.”

  “While I appreciate the invitation, we both know the guesthouse is getting sold with the ranch. It would be harder on him to be here with the horses and excitement and then have to move somewhere else. There are a few places I’ve been looking at online. Small houses on an acre or so of land, with a couple of stalls.”

  “I’d be happy to go with you to check them out.”

  “I’d like that very much.”

  “You’re a good granddaughter. All grandparents should be so lucky.”

  “He raised me. The least I can do is make his last years happy ones.” She puts down a piece of crust. “I’m stuffed.”

  I shove the rest of the pizza in the fridge and refill our wine glasses. “I guess we should get started then.”

  “What do you want to do first?”

  I go in the living room and get the boxes and tape I bought earlier. “Let’s clean out her bedroom.”

  She grabs the packing paper, and we head upstairs but stop in the doorway. I don’t come in here much. The book she was reading is still on her nightstand, next to a half-full glass of water.

  “What do you want me to do?” she asks.

  “Can you pack up her jewelry? I think it’s all there on top of her dresser.” I hand her one of the small boxes. “Use this. I’ll start emptying out the closet.”

  We work mostly in silence, I’m sure both of us thinking of Nana as we pack away her things. As I tape up a box of clothes, I notice Andie staring at a necklace. I remember Nana wearing it a lot. The charm on the end of the chain is an outline of Texas, and there’s a small diamond seemingly floating right where DHR is located. She traces the outline of the charm and then wipes a tear before she wraps it in paper and puts it away.

  I get to my feet. “I’m going to put this down with the others.”

  While I’m downstairs I make a quick call. Then I rejoin Andie and fish through the jewelry she wrapped up until I find what I’m searching for. I undo the clasp and place the necklace around her neck.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m giving it to you.”

  “This belongs to your family. Your father said to save her jewelry for your sisters.”

  I turn her around to face me. “Not this piece. This is yours. I cleared it with Dad just now after I saw you admiring it. We want you to have it.”

  Her eyes turn misty, and she fingers the charm. “I can’t tell you what this means to me. Thank you.”

  We finish the bottle of wine as we tape up the last box in Nana’s room. I sit on the bed, wondering if I can ever see myself sleeping here. Even without her things, it’s still her room.

  Andie sits next to me. “We’ll donate the bedding, lamps, curtains, and area rug, then we’ll go out and buy something that’s more you.”

  “How did you know what I was thinking?”

  “Everything in here has flowers on it, Maddox. It’s hardly appealing to a twenty-five-year-old man. I’m thinking something more rustic. Blues and grays maybe. Once you redecorate, you’ll feel more comfortable here.”

  “Will you help me? We could go into town on Saturday.”

  “Now that’s something I can look forward to.”

  I run a hand through my hair. “I hate that you have to do this thing with Victor tomorrow. Here’s the thing, though. You don’t have to do it. Say no. Stop putting yourself in danger. Don’t we have enough to deal with around here without throwing that asshole in the mix?”

  Her gaze drops. “Don’t you think I ask myself that every day? But if I don’t do it, he might get away with it. If I don’t do this, a little girl might never know what happened to her mom, and a mom and dad might never know what happened to their daughter.”

  I put my hand on top of hers. “I’m going to be right outside with them. If he tries anything—”

  “I know. Beer.” She pulls her hand away and stands. “Come on. Let’s finish the job.”

  I lean over to pick up a box, and she gasps.

  “Maddox, what are you doing with a gun?”

  I straighten and pull the back of my shirt down. “I know how to use it. Owen has been giving me lessons, and I’ve been to the range.”

  “But why?”

  I try not to laugh. “Why? Let’s see, you might be dating a serial killer, and a family of nut jobs is trying to ruin Nana’s ranch. Do I need more reasons?”

  “Are you licensed?”

  “Not yet. I’ve filled out all the paperwork, and I’m allowed to carry on the ranch. People have a right to protect their property.”

  She looks scared. “You won’t have it with you tomorrow, will you?”

  “No, but Katherine and her partner will be armed.”

  “Be careful, Maddox. I don’t want you getting hurt. What if Jon comes back?”

  “Jon is one of the reasons I’m carrying.”

  “And if you both draw your guns, what then?”

  “It won’t come to that.”

  “You don’t know the Thompsons as well as I do. They have politicians eating out of their hands. Remember that before you do something stupid.”

  I smile. “Andie, are you worried about me? Isn’t that crossing the line of casual?”

  She moves to the door. “I’d worry about anyone who tries to mess with the Thompsons. Or Victor.”

  “So it’s not just me. You’d have the same feelings if, say, Owen were having th
is conversation with you?”

  “Owen can take care of himself.”

  “Are you saying I’m a wimp?”

  “I’m saying you’re a bartender from New York who has no idea what he’s dealing with.”

  I pick up a box and follow her downstairs. “You’d be amazed what bartenders have to deal with.”

  “Drunken sorority girls and men cheating on their wives?”

  “Okay, yeah. But things get out of hand sometimes. I’ve had to threaten people with the baseball bat we keep behind the bar.”

  She stops, and I run into her. “A baseball bat? That won’t kill someone.”

  “It will if you hit them in the head.”

  “You know what I mean. Promise me you’ll be careful with that thing.”

  I put the box with the others. “I promise. Speaking of weapons, there’s something I want you to do when you’re with Victor tomorrow. I hate to ask, but you should hug him when you arrive. Really pat him down before going inside. See if he's carrying a gun or knife.”

  “How on earth can I do that without him knowing what I’m doing?”

  “Say you had a bad day. You lost a horse or something. He’ll hug you to comfort you. Maybe even fake cry—guys eat that shit up. He’ll be so happy you’re in his arms, he won’t care where your hands are.”

  “Unless he has a knife or a gun.”

  “If he does, we’ll be out of the car in two seconds. Better to know on his front porch than after you’re behind closed doors.”

  “Did Katherine say to do this?”

  “No.”

  “So this is you being worried about me?” She grins. “Isn’t that crossing the line of casual?”

  “Shut up.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Andie

  “Stop fiddling with the ring,” Katherine says. “You don’t want to draw attention to it.”

  “That’s the microphone?” Maddox asks. He takes my right hand and examines it. “You tested it?”

  “We tested it when I gave it to her,” Katherine says.

  “But you haven’t tested it today?”

  “No.”

  “Test it,” he says.

  “It’s fine,” Katherine’s partner, Michael says. “These things have a high reliability rate.”