“Yes, we are,” Katherine says.
I spin. “What do you mean? You got something? You’re going to arrest him?”
“We’ve got nothing. That’s the problem. We’re being pulled off the case.” She holds up her phone. “The call I got was to let me know we’re being reassigned.”
“So that’s it? You’re leaving after everything you put her through?”
Katherine looks guilty as hell. “I really hoped he would give us something today, but we can’t waste any more resources on this.”
“But he said he hurt someone,” Andie says. “He said he’s running from his past.”
“I know a thousand people who can say the same thing,” Agent Watkins says. “Doesn’t mean they’re criminals.”
I block them. “What if you leave, and he tries something? He’s in love with her. If she blows him off, he might go after her.”
“If that happens, you know how to reach us,” Katherine says.
“Well, fuck you very much!” I yell. “You’ve gone and made things a hundred times worse. A month ago she was going to break up with the bastard. Now he’s fallen in love. You think he’s going to let it go? You have a duty to protect her.”
She glances at the waistband where I keep my gun. “Looks like you have it under control.”
“Unbelievable. Ladies and gentlemen, the FBI—fidelity, bravery, and integrity.”
“I wish we could do more,” Katherine says. “This happens more than you’d think.”
I scoff. “You could have led with that a month ago. You talked her into this.”
“If you feel threatened, Andie, call 911, then call me. We’re based in the Dallas office, so we’re not far away should you need us. We’ll do whatever we can to help. But quite frankly, the man seems to have his wits about him. Other than him hitting the wall in frustration, I haven’t seen anything remotely aggressive about him. And what guy hasn’t put his fist through a wall over a woman? I’m confident you’ll be fine. Break up with him. The sooner the better.”
Andie takes off the ring and hands it to Katherine. She pushes it back. “Keep it. I’m sure Maddox will want to be close by when you give Victor the heave-ho.” She taps on her phone. “I’ve sent you the info. Download the app and pair it with the device.”
“You think she’s going to see him again?” I say. “Fat chance.”
Katherine shrugs. “Either way. I regret how this worked out. We’ll leave the four-wheeler by the barn. Bye Maddox. Andie.”
They drive off, and Andie and I stand here, stunned. She looks at me. “What now?”
I take the ring from her and follow the instructions Katherine sent.
“What are you doing?”
I put the ring back on her finger. “I want you wearing this at all times, just in case.”
“What if I’m having a private conversation with friends?”
“Katherine said there was a way to turn it off.”
“There is.” She shows me how the stone in the ring turns counterclockwise.
“So keep it turned off unless there’s a reason not to. I mean it, Andie. At all times. You never know when he might show up.”
“I suppose it would make me feel better, knowing you’ll be there if I’m in a bind.”
“Me and the fucking cavalry,” I say.
She looks in the direction the agents went. “The cavalry just left.”
“That’s not true. There are twenty ranch hands who would do anything for you.”
“I appreciate that.” She gets on Baby Blue. “But I only need one.”
Chapter Twenty-four
Andie
I wake before dawn after a restless night and twist the ring around my finger. Knowing it’s there gives me peace of mind.
I have to break up with Victor. Any normal person would do it face-to-face, but he’s not normal. This relationship isn’t real—not for me. I pick up my phone off the nightstand and draft a dozen texts. I send none of them.
As light starts to shine through the window, I put on my sleep mask, hoping for another hour of shuteye, but my mind has other ideas. I practically told him I wanted to live with him, and he said he loved me. Is he going to let me go? I have half a mind to ask Maddox to teach me how to shoot. Since I was a girl, Granddad has encouraged me to learn how to defend myself. He even bought me a gun when I turned eighteen, but I never unboxed it. I wonder if I should go back to my apartment and try to find it.
A loud noise outside has me jumping out of bed. My heart is racing when I peek out the window. Merle and the guys are working on a tractor over by the barn. Will I always be looking over my shoulder?
Maddox is drinking coffee on his porch. He sees me at the window and waves. He said he’d protect me, but for how long? After the ranch sells, he and most of the others will move on. What then?
I pick up my phone and text Maddox.
Me: Maybe if I told him the FBI was sniffing around, he’d take off.
He reads it and looks up, then taps on his phone.
Maddox: Or maybe he’d do the opposite and hurt you.
Me: I don’t know how to do this. Do I send him a text?
He gives me a scolding stare before he texts back.
Maddox: Yes, you send him a text. Are you crazy, Andie? You are not doing it in person.
A truck pulling a trailer rumbles up the main driveway. I recognize it and feel like I might faint.
Me: Looks like I don’t have a choice.
Maddox sees what I see, jumps out of his chair, and goes inside.
Maddox: Unlock your back door. I’ll be over in twenty seconds. Tell him you had a change of heart. If he presses you, I’ll show myself.
Me: I’m scared.
Maddox: Do not let him in your house.
I throw on a T-shirt and yoga pants, and grab an iced coffee from the fridge, then head to the porch. Victor is almost to the stairs when I sit on a chair out front. He smiles sadly. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
He motions to the house. “Think we can talk inside?”
Behind him, Maddox runs to the stable. He’s taking the long way to my back door so Victor won’t see him. I shake my head. “No.”
He sighs and takes the seat next to me. “You’re ending this. I can see it on your face.”
“This just isn’t working for me.”
“Yesterday we were talking about the future, and now you want to throw it all away?”
“We don’t know each other. Not really. Maybe it’s bad timing. I have a lot to deal with at work, and then there’s my granddad and the inheritance.”
“And Maddox. You forgot to mention him.”
“What do you mean?”
“Come on, Andie. I’m not completely oblivious. I see the way you two look at each other. Melina or no Melina, he’s got a thing for you, and you for him.”
“It’s not that.”
“Whatever you say.” He stands. “Listen, I came to apologize for taking off last night. I did a lot of thinking. What you said about timing? You’re right. You have to figure out this thing with Maddox, and I obviously have my own stuff to work out.”
I nod.
He holds out his hand. “So… friends?”
I’m shocked he’s taking this so well. I figured he’d fight it. Beg me to stay with him. Maybe even share more information with me.
I shake. “Friends.”
He holds onto my hand and leans down to kiss it. “If you ever change your mind, you know how to find me.”
“Unless you move on.”
He closes his eyes briefly. “Yeah, unless that.”
He walks somberly down the steps and the walkway. He glances back only once before he gets in his truck. My heartbeat finally slows as he drives away.
Maddox comes out my front door. “You didn’t turn the ring on, Andie.”
I’d completely forgotten about it. “Didn’t need to. Surprisingly, he was okay with it. I may have just had the most mature breakup of my lif
e.”
“That doesn’t mean he won’t come after you later.”
I get up and go inside. “Thanks for reminding me.”
“You can’t let your guard down because he said he’s okay with it. You should move to the main house.”
“No. That’s crazy.”
“He could come back in the middle of the night.”
“I keep the doors locked.”
“He could break a window.”
“And I could get hit by a bus on Main Street. Maddox, I’m not going to live my life in fear. I’m wearing the ring. I’m being careful. What more do you want?”
“I want you to be safe, Andie.”
“Teach me to shoot then.”
His eyes snap to mine. “Just say when.”
“I have a gun. It’s at the apartment somewhere. Granddad gave it to me a long time ago, but I never learned to use it.”
He takes his gun from the rear waistband of his jeans, does something to unload the clip, then hands it to me. “Lesson one starts now.”
It’s heavy in my hands. “I didn’t think it would weigh so much.”
“Your granddad probably got you a lighter one.”
I point it at the mirror across the room and squint.
He takes it from me. “Never put your finger on the trigger unless you’re going to shoot.”
“But you unloaded it.”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s a good habit to get into, because you never know. Keep your trigger finger extended along the frame of the gun until you’re ready to fire.”
I hold out my hand. “Let me try again.” I point and aim at the mirror.
He goes behind me and pushes my shoulders down. “Relax. Don’t tense so much.”
“Maddox, I have a deadly weapon in my hands. I hardly think I’m going to relax.”
Our faces are inches apart. He gazes at my lips. I get tingly inside. Then I remember what I’m wearing, how I look, and that I haven’t brushed my teeth. I hand him the gun. “I have to get ready for work.”
“We’ll go out on the hunting grounds. Today?”
I shake my head. “It’s Monday. I have a full schedule.”
“My cousin Aaron comes tomorrow, so I’ll be pretty busy.”
“Wednesday then. Late afternoon?”
He goes to the door. “It’s a date.”
“No it’s not.”
He leans against the doorway. “You’re really hung up on semantics, aren’t you? Now that you and Victor are history, there’s no harm in me taking you on a real date.”
“We’re not dating, Maddox.”
“Fine. A real casual date then.”
I push him the rest of the way through the door. “No restaurants. No movie theaters. That’s not what we do. We have supper. We hang out. Got it?”
He holds up his hands in surrender. “Got it, Doc. Shooting lesson, then supper on the ranch. Good?”
“Good.”
“Then I’ve got work to do before Wednesday.”
I eye him suspiciously. “What are you planning?”
He smiles and backs down the front steps. “Nothing much. Shooting then supper, like we said.” He winks and runs off.
Chapter Twenty-five
Maddox
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this,” Uncle Griffin says from the passenger seat on the way back from the airport.
In the rearview mirror, I catch Aaron rolling his eyes. “Yes, thank you for agreeing to boot camp me for the summer. We’re all so grateful.”
“This attitude of yours better take a hike, son.”
Aaron glumly looks out the window.
We drive most of the way in silence. Griffin probably wants to talk to me in private. I hope he knows how uncomfortable I am with this. Aaron may be almost ten years younger than me, but he’s still my cousin. I don’t want to boss him around.
I point right. “All this land is Devil’s Horn Ranch.”
Griffin whistles. “Incredible. Your dad’s description didn’t do it justice.”
“This is nothing. The ridges the ranch was named after are fantastic, especially at sunset. I’ve never seen a more serene place in all my life, except in pictures.”
“You really like it here, don’t you?”
“It’s a far cry from New York City.”
“It sucks,” Aaron says from the back. “It’s hot and humid, and I bet you get crappy cellphone reception.”
Griffin looks back. “You won’t be needing it, so it doesn’t matter if they get good reception or not.”
“You’re taking away my phone? What the hell am I supposed to do all day?”
“I imagine there will be plenty to do.” Griffin pats me on the shoulder. “Isn’t that right, Maddox?”
“There’s always work to do on a ranch.”
Aaron grumbles. “So now I’m a slave.”
I have to bite my tongue. I don’t want this to cause a rift between Aaron and me. We’ve never been close because of our age difference, but we always got along. I don’t want him to see me as the bad guy.
“You reap what you sow, son.”
“Whatever.”
I pull into the driveway, and Griffin looks around in awe. “I’m sure glad I brought my camera. I’d love to take pictures of the ranch. Maybe get a nice one for your dad, so he can remember the place.”
“That would be nice. Maybe I could get one, too.”
I park and we get out. “Leave your stuff,” Griffin says to Aaron. “I’d like a quick tour and then I’ll wander around with my camera while you get situated.”
Beau runs across the yard, coming to my side. “You like dogs?” I ask Aaron.
“Whatever.”
“This one is Beau. He’s a Border Collie. There’s another one like him, Tron, that lives over by the bunkhouse, and an Australian Cattle Dog named Lassie you might see wandering the ranch.”
We start at the stables. Griffin takes it all in. “There’s some amazing scenery around here.”
I take them into the tack room and motion to the boots. “Might want to pick yourselves a pair. It can get dirty around here.” I hold a spare hat out to Aaron. “Try this one.”
“Uh… no.”
“My grandmother had a rule. Everyone on the ranch wears one.”
Griffin tries one on. “When in Rome.”
Aaron gives him a defiant shake of the head.
“Better get used to taking orders around here, Aaron. The boss says wear a hat; wear a damn hat.”
I point to the others lining the wall. “If you don’t like that one, you can choose another. Uncle Griffin, can I talk to you for a minute?”
We step outside the room. “What’s up?” he asks.
“I’m not sure I’m comfortable bossing him around. I’m happy to have him here, but I don’t want him to think I’m the boss of him. He’ll hate me.”
He chuckles. “My boy hates everyone these days. But I get it. I don’t want to put you in that position. I’m sure you have someone around here who won’t mind assuming the role. Now let’s get on with the tour.”
“You ever ride a horse?” I ask Aaron when he joins us.
He looks at me like I’m stupid. “I live in New York City.”
“I’ll take that as a no. I’d be happy to take you out later. There are guys around here who will help you out with anything. I’m sure you’ll be a pro by the end of the summer.”
“Oh, goody,” he says sarcastically.
We hit the stables, barn, and larger riding arena. I show them the offices, the bunkhouse, and the pavilion. While Griffin is amazed, Aaron isn’t the least bit impressed. I’m sure he sees this as his prison for the next few months. A shame, because for me it’s been quite the opposite.
After we return to the truck, I help get Aaron’s things out of the back. Owen goes by, and Griffin hails him. “You there, what’s your job here?”
“Assistant ranch manager.” He holds out his hand. “Name’s Owen.”
&
nbsp; They shake. “I’m Griffin Pearce, Maddox’s uncle, and this is my boy, Aaron.”
“Oh, right. The cousin we heard was coming. Nice to meet you, Aaron.”
Aaron huffs.
“It ain’t that bad here. You might even like it.”
“Fat chance.”
“As you can see, my son is in need of some manners, among other things,” Griffin says. “Think you’re up to helping?”
“What’d you have in mind, sir?”
“Treat him like any other worker on the ranch.”
I quickly intercede. “Let me amend that. He’s underage, so no drinking or gambling.”
“Or smoking,” Griffin adds.
“Okay.” He turns to me. “You don’t want to be the heavy, do you?”
I shake my head.
Owen takes one of Aaron’s bags from me. “Let’s get you situated then.”
He goes in the other direction when the rest of us walk toward the house. “Owen?”
“You want him treated like any other worker, then he’s sure as hell not staying with you in the Taj Mahal.” He moves off again. “The bunkhouse is this way.”
Griffin hands Aaron his duffle bag. “Go.”
“You can’t be serious.” Aaron looks longingly at the main house. “That place must have eight bedrooms, and you’re going to make me sleep with the help?”
“For the next few months, you are the help.”
“It only has five,” I say.
“Oh, that makes this sooooo much better.” Aaron storms off behind Owen.
“Don’t worry,” Owen tells Aaron. “The bunkhouse isn’t that bad if you can get past Zac’s snoring.”
“You sleep there?” Aaron asks.
Owen laughs. “With that mangy bunch? Hell no.”
Griffin hands me a phone. “You keep this. I’m not saying he can’t ever have it, but I want him to earn it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I want to get a few pictures before we lose the midday light. Maybe later you can take me out to those ridges you mentioned earlier.”
Texas Orchids (The Devil's Horn Ranch Series) Page 20