by AJ Attard
“I do know that,” Colton smiled maliciously, “That’s how I know you are good and ready for me. Like I said, it might be wise for me to take advantage of the situation. I would only double my pleasure in taking you and then killing you.”
“I don’t think either idea is good,” Paul Whilbur’s voice filled the barn accompanied by a sudden rush of movement.
Colton whirled about quickly, his gun raised and ready but before he could fire a shot three uniformed men descended upon him. Peter Monteque collapsed in the aisle, sobbing like a child, and Lexi shook her head, looking into the wise eyes of the man she had just met.
“Are you alright?” Paul asked, watching as the officers led Colton away kicking and screaming, with Peter whimpering behind him.
“Yes, Sir,” she nodded, “I think so,” she said, “but my horse may not be. Peter said he is at the back of the property in an outbuilding and I don’t know if he has food or water and it’s hot.”
Paul Whilbur smiled kindly at her, “I’ll send someone over right away,” he assured her, looking at her appraisingly, “Are you sure you’re ok?”
Lexi nodded, one tear rolling down her cheek. Paul came over and put his arm around her shoulders and led her out of the barn into the warm afternoon sunshine.
“I guess you aren’t just the head of collegiate rodeo,” She finally said, stopping and shielding her eyes from the sun as she looked up at him.
“No,” he admitted almost sheepishly, “I’m actually a Texas Ranger,” he said, “and we have been working on the cattle rustling ring for quite a while,” he smiled at her, “I had you fooled huh?”
Lexi nodded, “Yes, Sir, you sure did,” she said.
“Good,” he smiled, “I was supposed to. I am interested in show jumping though, and would still like to hear more about it sometime.”
“Anytime,” Lexi said with a smile in return.
Just then Luke came up the drive, his truck kicking up a dust cloud that looked like a small tornado, Clyde’s truck right behind him. The two trucks crunched to a stop and the people Lexi loved most in her life tumbled out and came at her in a tidal wave of concerned faces and open arms.
“Are you okay?” Nora and Luke asked in unison, their words cascading together.
“What happened?” Clyde queried his eyes shooting between Lexi and Paul’s.
“Was that Dad in the back of a police car? I knew I saw him at Luke’s!” Jake said emphatically.
It was Jake Lexi chose to answer first, “It was, Hon, it was your dad. He faked his death and did some other not so nice things. I’m really sorry,” she said, kneeling down to give him a hug, savoring the feel of him in her arms. She released him and looked him square in the eye, “Why didn’t you tell me you saw him at Luke’s though?” She asked softly.
Jake shrugged, “I didn’t believe it was really him,” he looked at her tentatively, “at least I hoped it wasn’t. He wasn’t very nice to us and when he died I was so relieved. Then when I saw his face in the field it was like seeing a monster so, that’s what I told you,” He turned to Paul and looked up at him, “Will he be in jail for a long time?”
“Yes, Son, a very long time,” Paul told him.
“Good,” Jake answered, “I’m glad.”
Lexi felt exactly the same way.
Chapter 22
Later that night Lexi sat next to Luke on the front porch swing thinking about the day’s events. Red had been returned home within an hour of the Rangers taking Colton into custody, and Nora had decided then and there they needed to have a BBQ, with Paul Whilbur the guest of honor. It had only taken another two hours and the BBQ was in full swing, complete with simmering beef, a variety of side dishes and desserts, and a great two stepping band. Marci had listened with rapt attention as Lexi had filled her in on everything. As it turned out, Paul and Nora had been friends from way back when, and had kept in friendly contact over the years. Nora had known all along whomhe really was and had been sworn to secrecy. The only other person who knew the truth was Clyde, since he too had known Paul for quite some time.
Paul was the hero and the whole crowd listened with rapt attention while he told how they had followed the trail with dogged persistence for months. Colton had been in contact with Peter Monteque long before his supposed death and they had built quite a criminal infastructure. Once they had the basic plan in action they had only to get Mrs. Jenkins in on it and they were ready to go. Paul and his team had almost reached a dead end for leads until the night his truck had broken down while out scouting for potential holding facilities for the livestock. It had been something Lexi had said when working on his truck about her late husband and possible investors in their sinking fishing business that had tipped him off that there might be a connection. From there it had only been a matter of time and sound reasoning that had brought him to the ranch in the nick of time.
Now she and Luke sat in the peaceful darkness of the evening, with only the moon and stars for light. She leaned her head on Luke’s shoulder as they slowly moved back and forth with the whisper of the wind, a gentle breeze stirring her long curls and brushing across their faces.
“Lexi…” Luke began, his words thick with emotion as he stroked her hair. She could feel he was looking at her, his shoulder shifting in his effort to see her better. She tipped her head back to look at him, her curls tickling his calloused hand where it rested on her waist “…I was a fool. Yes, I am admitting I was wrong. All those years ago,” he said, his voice catching in his throat, “I should have known. It’s always been you. Always.”
Lexi sighed contentedly in his arms, before she answered, “It’s good to be home. With you, where I belong,” and with that she reached upward and gave him their second first kiss.
The End.