by Ali Spooner
Bobby Poole, the deputy who had sent Billy Ray home after his second altercation with Coal, pulled his cruiser to a stop. He slipped on his hat as he stepped out of his car and walked toward the porch. “Morning, ladies,” he said with a warm smile.
“Good morning, Bobby, what brings you out this way so early?” Melissa asked.
“I wish it was a social call for a cup of coffee, but I’m afraid I’m on official business.”
“No reason not to have that cup of coffee,” Mary Leah said. “How do you take it?”
“Just black please, Mary Leah.”
Mary Leah slipped inside the house to get a cup of coffee for the deputy. As the screen door closed behind her she heard Bobby clear his throat. “Do you still have a woman by the name of Coal Bryan working for you?”
Mary Leah’s heart stopped at the mention of Coal’s name. What could Bobby possibly want of her?
“Yes, as a matter of fact I do. Why?”
“I need to talk to her as soon as possible,” Bobby said. “Official business,” he added.
“I’ll go get her from the bunkhouse while Mary Leah gets your coffee. I’ll be right back.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Conway,” Bobby said.
“Please just call me Melissa like everyone else. I’m not that much older than you.”
Bobby blushed furiously. “Yes, ma’am,” he said as he took a seat in one of the porch chairs and pulled out a pen and writing tablet from his pocket.
Mary Leah rushed to the kitchen to get the coffee as Melissa walked across the yard.
Inside the bunkhouse, the crew was just finishing breakfast as Melissa stepped inside. Coal saw her enter and noted the serious look on her face.
“Morning, boss,” Harley said.
“Morning, boys,” she answered. “Coal, can I see you outside for a minute?”
“Sure, boss,” she said and picked up her cup of coffee before following her outside. Coal saw the sheriff’s cruiser and looked at Melissa. “What’s up?”
“Bobby Poole is here and he asked to speak to you. Other than that I have no idea.”
“Well, let’s go find out what this is all about.”
Mary Leah walked from the house and handed Bobby the cup of coffee.
“Thanks, Mary Leah.”
“You’re welcome,” she said then smiled when she saw Coal and Melissa walking across the yard.
Melissa stepped onto the porch followed by Coal. “Good morning, Deputy.”
“I hate to bother you all so early, but I have some questions for you,” he said.
“Would you like us to leave and give you some privacy?” Melissa asked.
“No, boss, I have nothing to hide,” she said as she sat down on the top step and took a sip of coffee.
Bobby set down his cup of coffee and flipped open his notepad. “Ms. Bryan, can you tell me where you were between the hours of ten and two this morning?”
“I was right here all night,” she answered.
“I assume you have someone who can corroborate that for you?”
“I can,” Melissa said. “I was talking with her until almost eleven out at the corral. Then I heard her come inside and go to bed close to midnight.”
“So you can alibi her until midnight, but not after?”
“No, I can alibi her up until three,” Melissa said. “I’m leaving for a trip later today, and I was up packing until about one, and then I couldn’t sleep until almost three.”
“Is there any way she could have left the house without you knowing?”
“Not with these creaky old wooden floors,” Melissa said.
“What is all this about? Am I being accused of something?” Coal asked.
“I think everyone in town knows that you and Billy Ray have had a few altercations by now,” Bobby said.
“That’s true, but what happened last night?”
Bobby took a deep breath and looked at Coal. “Billy Ray was shot and killed last night.”
Her face blanched white. “You think I killed him?”
“Honestly no, I don’t, but with the history between you two, I had to verify your whereabouts last night.”
“I never left here last night and I don’t own a gun,” she said. “Where was he killed?”
“Just outside his home,” Bobby said.
“I don’t have a clue where he lives,” she said, “although I don’t think it would be hard to find that big truck of his.”
Bobby nearly choked on the sip of coffee he had just taken.
“It wasn’t me,” Coal reiterated.
“With his reputation, I would think Billy Ray had many enemies,” Melissa said.
“Well, one thing’s for certain, one of them did him in last night, filled his body with three rounds from a large caliber gun.”
Bobby placed his cup back on a small table and stood to leave. “Thank you for the coffee,” he told Mary Leah.
“You are very welcome.”
When he approached where Coal was sitting, she stood. “Don’t make any plans to leave town anytime soon,” he told her.
“I have no intentions of going anywhere,” she replied, “unless Melissa plans to can me.”
“Not a chance of that,” Melissa said.
“Thanks, and have a great day, ladies,” Bobby said. He tipped his hat and walked back to his cruiser.
Coal leaned against the support post on the porch steps. “Well, that was interesting. Thanks for backing me up, boss.”
Harley walked out of the bunkhouse in time to see Bobby pulling away and rushed over to the porch. “Is everything okay?”
“For us it is, but Billy Ray got himself shot and killed last night,” Melissa said.
“And they thought you did it?” he asked.
“Well, we didn’t have a very good relationship,” Coal said.
“But still, you wouldn’t have needed a gun to take him out,” Harley said.
“No, I wouldn’t have, but no matter how much I didn’t like him, I had no desire to kill Billy Ray.”
Coal looked over at Mary Leah who had remained deathly silent. “I’m going to get more coffee,” Mary Leah said, rushing into the house.
Coal looked at Melissa who looked just as confused. “I’ll go check on her,” Melissa said as the rest of the crew came wandering out of the bunkhouse.
Harley looked at Coal. “You ready to get to work?”
“Daylight’s a wasting,” she said as she followed him off the porch.
They met the rest of the crew at the corral, and she couldn’t help but whistle at Gene’s white legs. “You really do need to get some sun, my friend,” she said as she slapped him on the back.
“You know you love my sexy legs, Coal,” he teased back.
“Not in your wildest dreams, Gene.”
“Oh, that hurts my heart,” he cried, clutching at his chest.
“Let’s get to work, you goofballs,” Harley said. He was anxious to get her mind off Bobby’s visit and he knew once she was on a horse she was all business.
“Good morning, Shadow,” she said as they opened the gate and he trotted up to her.
†
“Are you okay?” Melissa said when she walked into the kitchen to find Mary Leah leaning against the counter.
“I guess her casual attitude about killing someone just threw me for a loop,” Mary Leah said.
“Whether you like it or not, Coal will always be an Army Ranger. She has killed for this country. But that doesn’t mean she liked doing it or would kill again unless it was totally necessary,” Melissa said.
“How do you know she’s killed before?”
“Because she killed the man that was responsible for Mitch’s and Tessa’s deaths,” Melissa said.
Mary Leah hung her head, hearing that news. “I’m sorry, I know you’re right. I just wasn’t expecting all of this today.”
“Well, I’m sure it was no picnic for her either. If memory serves me correct she was defending Lucas, and then you w
ith Billy Ray.”
The reminder embarrassed her. “Yes, she was,” she said with a shy smile.
“Don’t discount Coal for what she’s done in the past in the service of her country. Just appreciate her for the woman she is.”
She lifted an eyebrow.
“Remember, older sisters are wiser. I can see what is developing between the two of you, so don’t try to deny you are attracted to Coal.”
With no self-defense readily on her lips, Mary Leah chose to remain silent. As usual, Melissa’s insight was right on target. She should know by now she couldn’t hide anything from her, least of all her feelings.
To change the subject, she asked, “Are you all set for your trip?”
“Yes, I am. I thought I’d head out after a shower, but I’ll call later to let you know I made it safely.”
“I’ll wait for you to leave and then go down to watch the training.”
“Go now if you want. I’ll be okay,” Melissa said.
“That’s okay. I think it will be another full-day event, besides I need another cup of coffee.”
“Suit yourself. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Melissa said.
Mary Leah sipped her coffee and opened the refrigerator. In Melissa’s absence, someone would need to make lunch for the crew and she wanted to see what her options were.
“I’ve got a large bowl of egg salad prepared, so all you will need to do is make sandwiches,” Melissa said as she entered the kitchen, towel drying her hair.
Mary Leah jumped, startled by her sister’s silent approach. “Damn, you startled me,” she said as she closed the door.
“Sorry, but I wanted to make sure you were all set for lunch today. There are plenty of cold cuts out in the bunkhouse for sandwiches tomorrow.”
“I thought I might make some lasagna tomorrow for dinner,” Mary Leah said.
“Damn, I hate I’m going to miss that. You’ll have to go to the grocery store, though, for ingredients.”
“I’ll go later today, and I’ll put you some lasagna back for when you return.”
“Good luck with that. Those guys can really eat.”
“I’ll make a separate dish for you and cook it for your return then.”
“Now we are talking,” Melissa said and returned to her room for a small bag. “Is there anything you need?”
“No, I think I’m good. Do you need some help?”
“Nope, I can handle this. You can walk out with me though.”
Mary Leah walked out to the barn with Melissa and watched her load her bag in the backseat. Melissa turned and gave her a hug. “Have some fun while I’m gone.”
“I will,” Mary Leah said as she returned the hug. “You be careful and hurry back.”
“See you sometime Friday,” Melissa said and climbed into the truck.
Mary Leah watched her drive off and then got into the gator to drive down to the lake. Harley and several of the other men were mounting up when she arrived. “We’re going to ride out and check the herd.”
“Will you be back in time for lunch?” she asked.
“We wouldn’t dream of missing a meal,” he said with a smile.
“See you at lunch then,” Mary Leah said and walked over to sit beside Stan, who was watching the riders in the lake.
“Good morning, Stan.”
“Morning, Mary Leah, how are you today?”
“I’m great thanks, and you?”
“I’m fine. Just trying to wrap my head around this new-fangled training,” he said.
“It may be new to you, but the Native Americans have used the method of training for a century or more,” she reminded him.
“That’s true, but it’s just not the cowboy way.”
“Maybe the cowboy way needs to change then,” she said, nudging him with her shoulder.
“I reckon you’re right. The boys sure seem to be enjoying it,” he said with a nod to the lake.
“Yes, they do,” she answered, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Coal. The way the wet clothing clung to her body accentuated her fluid curves and strong legs. Mary Leah felt a tingling in her body she hadn’t felt for months and couldn’t begin to suppress her smile.
The morning passed quickly and when Mary Leah saw Harley and the men riding back toward the lake she turned to Stan. “I’m going to head back and get lunch ready in the bunkhouse. You can bring the crew in whenever you’re ready.”
“We’ll see you in about fifteen minutes, if that gives you time enough,” Stan said.
“That should be plenty of time.”
Chapter Eight
After lunch was finished and the table cleared, Mary Leah told Coal she was going to drive in to town for some supplies.
“Do you need any help?”
“No, I think I can handle this. Do you need anything while I’m in town?”
She smiled at her sweetly. “I’m good, thanks. Be careful and I’ll see you at dinner. We’re going to grill some burgers tonight.”
“That sounds yummy. Y’all don’t make plans for dinner tomorrow because I’m going to cook some lasagna.”
“Homemade?”
“But of course,” Mary Leah said.
“I can’t wait for that.”
“Well, you are going to have to wait until tomorrow night,” Mary Leah teased.
“My mouth is watering already.”
“I’ll see you later,” she said and walked back to the house to get her keys and shopping list.
Coal and the boys loaded their tack on the truck and drove back to where they had tethered the horses they were training. By the afternoon, their steeds were performing maneuvers and had become accustomed to having a rider’s weight on their backs.
She watched as Mary Leah’s truck came bouncing down the drive and a smile grew on her face.
She was glad when Stan told them to head back to the corral to call it a day. Shadow had followed her patiently all day and she decided while there was still daylight she would take him for a quick run. His flanks quivered as she placed the saddle on his withers and then mounted. Shadow walked across the yard and she increased him to a smooth canter as they left the yard.
Mary Leah was disappointed to see her ride off, but walked out to the bunkhouse to find Harley. “Is there anything I can do for supper tonight?”
“No, ma’am, we will get cleaned up and start cooking soon. You can relax, and I’ll send one of the boys to fetch you when we get close.”
“Very well, but don’t hesitate to ask if there is something I can do.”
“You know what,” Harley reconsidered. “We could use a dessert.”
“I can handle that,” Mary Leah said and walked back to the house and entered the kitchen. She opened the pantry and found a yellow cake mix and a container of chocolate icing. She whipped up the batter and placed the cake in the oven to bake while she waited for Coal to return.
Out in the pasture, Coal was very pleased with the smoothness of Shadow’s gait, urging him faster until he was galloping at full speed. She gave him his head, allowing him to run hard for several minutes then slowed him to begin cooling down his muscles. She started back toward the corral when he had cooled down. She could see smoke rising and smell the grill as Harley was preparing to cook.
She removed the tack from Shadow and took him back to the corral, then walked into the house to shower before dinner would be ready. The smell of a cake baking greeted her at the front door and she walked in to find Mary Leah sitting at the kitchen table.
“Something smells terrific.”
“I agreed to make a dessert and I thought a cake would be nice.”
“If it tastes half as good as it smells it will be great.”
“Are you going to shower before dinner?”
“Yes, I am heading that way now. Why, do I smell like horse?”
“As a matter of fact you do, but it’s not an unpleasant smell,” Mary Leah said.
“I’ll be back soon,” she said as she grinned and
turned to leave the room.
“Coal,” she said to stop her.
“Yes?”
“I wanted to apologize for this morning. I wasn’t expecting any of that to happen.”
“You aren’t the only one shocked by the visit, but I understand, and there’s no need to apologize.”
“Yes, I should have said something to support you instead of waiting for Melissa to confirm you were here all night.”
She stepped back toward her. “Really, it’s okay, Mary Leah.”
Mary Leah looked at her shyly. “Will you watch a movie with me tonight?”
“That depends,” she answered.
“Depends on what?” she asked, puzzled.
“Is there going to be popcorn?”
Mary Leah relaxed and returned Coal’s smile. “Of course there will be popcorn. Extra butter?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” she said and walked to her room.
She showered and dressed then walked to the kitchen to find Mary Leah finishing the icing on the cake. “That looks really good,” she said as she dipped her finger in the container of icing.
“Stop that,” Mary Leah chided.
She grinned and was about to say something when Gene came bouncing in. “Supper is ready,” he announced. He saw the cake sitting in front of Mary Leah. “All right, we are having cake,” he said with a huge smile.
“Can I trust you to carry it out to the bunkhouse?” Mary Leah asked.
“Yes, ma’am, I promise to be very careful,” he said, taking the cake from her and heading toward the door.
“Hang on, and I’ll get that for you,” Coal said. She opened the door for Gene, waited for Mary Leah to walk through the door, and then followed them across the yard.
Coal ate two burgers, chips, and baked beans, but made sure to save room for a large slice of the cake. She helped Mary Leah serve the cake then settled down with a piece for herself. She took a bite and moaned. “My lord, this is heavenly,” she said.
“I am glad you approve,” Mary Leah said with a smile.
“It is fantastic,” Harley said. “Does anyone else need a big glass of cold milk?”