by Sable Hunter
Oscar leaned forward conspiratorially. “I’ve got friends up there. Who do you think it was?”
Dallas wasn’t about to give away any secrets, but he could tell them what the documentaries had already revealed. “Most think it was Youell Swinney, a man who went to prison for auto theft–but I guess we’ll never know for sure.” They also talked about the stand-offs at Rusk State Hospital, the Huntsville Federal penitentiary and the infamous conflict in Waco. “These stand-offs are still ongoing, people thinking they can force others to give them what they want.” He told them a little bit about the one he’d just wrapped up with ex-SEAL Deacon Jones and the pretty Russian, Natasha Levin.
“You never know what’s going to happen, do you? Just look at that murder case we tried here in town. They just let that river guide off, even though he admitted to fighting with his bartender friend right before he was killed. The bartender weighed a hundred-fifty pounds and the guide weighed three-fifty. Hell, one punch from him woulda done it.” Otto drawled out the story between sips of beer.
PeeWee piped up. “You know why he got off, don’t you?”
“Why?” Dallas asked, getting as caught up in the story as they were.
“He’s Rooster Daniels nephew, that’s why.” PeeWee crossed his arms and nodded, firmly convinced of his information. “That man is used to getting his own way in everything.”
“True. Money talks.” Price nodded. “That’s how he got the long-term lease and a permit to dig on Round Top.”
“Round Top?” Dallas frowned, recalling Lennon mentioning that name. “Dig for what?”
Oscar leaned up and began to whisper. “Fluorite, beryllium, uranium and lithium. They were discovered during a geological study in the 70’s. I’ve heard him say he thinks there’s at least eight billion dollars’ worth of rare earth minerals on that mountain. All he’s done so far is sink money into it, they say about three hundred million. I think he’s disappointed with the results. According to that study, this area is supposed to be swimming in the stuff. At least he’s created some much-needed jobs.”
“I hear he’s trying to buy up all the surrounding property he can get his hands on.” Otto whispered.
“Why would people sell?” Dallas asked. “Couldn’t they make more money by keeping their mineral rights for themselves?”
“This ain’t like oil that you pump out of the ground, you have to dig the earth up.” PeeWee spit into a cup. “That’s expensive as hell, and it tears up everything. Some folks don’t want to give up land their family has been on for generations.”
“Tell me more about Daniels.” Dallas asked as he laid down a domino that ended the game.
“Dang, he’s got the double-blank.” Price grumbled. Everyone stopped to add up their score.
Once they were through, Oscar began to shuffle the dominoes and as he did, he began to talk. “There’s a lot of folks who resent Rooster, but then there’s a lot who’ll kiss the ground he walks on. The man has friends, but he’s not even a Texan. He has a ranch here, but his main holdings are in New Mexico. Some say he’s just buying up land for the water. I’ve heard he plans on draining the Ogallala Aquifer and selling the water to cities like Dallas and El Paso.”
By now Dallas’ head was spinning, but he had to ask one final question. “I’ve been told there’s some cattle rustling going on in the area. Any of you boys heard about that?”
“I hear there’s a private cattle sale going on over in Culbertson County next week at Judge Riley’s place.” PeeWee studied his dominoes before laying out a double five.
“Who’s Judge Riley?” Dallas asked carefully.
“Retired District Judge. He’s on the board at the bank. He’s one of Rooster’s cronies and Sheriff Ferguson’s uncle on his mother’s side.” Otto offered casually.
Interesting. Dallas lost on purpose. The information was worth the price of pie.
Now, he was telling Hiram what he’d learned. “Can you get someone to attend that sale at Riley’s Ranch?”
“I can do that,” Hiram agreed. “What else?”
“Why don’t you see if you can dig up anything on Rooster Daniels and his friends. I may be barking up the wrong tree, but something tells me this situation isn’t exactly what it looks like.”
“Daniels is a powerful man, Dallas,” Hiram muttered, deep in thought.
“Yea, and we’re fuckin’ Texas Rangers.” Dallas was just about to sit down when he heard Sally calling loudly. He thought Lennon would’ve left for church by now. “Let me call you back, Hiram.” Pocketing his phone, he went outside to see what was going on.
“Someone slashed my tires!” Lennon stared, still not believing.
Dallas came up behind her. “Son-of-a-bitch!” Taking her by the shoulders, he tried to steer her toward the porch. “You all need to go inside. I don’t think it’s safe out here.”
“I’m not hiding!” Lennon shrugged from his grip. She was angry–at everything.
“Inside, now. Don’t argue.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and just walked, bringing her along for the ride. “Sally, sweetheart, let’s go in. It’s time for my tea party.”
Lennon allowed herself to be led. But as soon as she was inside the door, she sidestepped away from Dallas. Being close to him made her feel… Damn. He made her feel, that was the problem. “I think we need to go check the cameras.”
With everything going through his head, Dallas was having a hard time thinking. Not only was he scared for her, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Sunday could become his favorite day. She was wearing a simple ecru dress; a dress that didn’t hide the fact she was a woman. A lace covered bodice drew his gaze to a rounded neckline where the tiniest hint of cleavage made his heart race. Instead of boots, a small pair of pumps graced her feet and there was a dainty gold necklace around her neck. Lennon looked like spun sugar. And all the time he was eating her up with his eyes, he was remembering how drop-dead gorgeous she’d been last night. He hadn’t been able to get the sight out of his mind. “You look…nice.”
Lennon stared at Dallas as if he were certifiable. “Did you hear me? I think we need to go check the cameras.”
“What’s going on?” George came in, relying heavily on his cane.
“Are you limping?” Lennon asked, concerned. Going to him, she took him by the arm and led him to the couch. “Sit. What happened?”
George answered gruffly, showing embarrassment. “I slipped in the shower. It’s nothing. My hip’s just being contrary.”
“You need to be more careful,” she chided him.
“Someone slashed all four tires on her truck,” Dallas interjected.
“Well, I’ll be derned!” George fretted, his eyes already filled with pain.
“I’m scared,” Sally whimpered, drawing the attention of all three adults.
“Great…” Lennon left George’s side and went to Sally. “Come on, let’s go change clothes. We’re not going to church today.”
“But I want to wear my pretty dress to the tea party!” Sally protested loudly.
“Fine. Just come with me to change clothes while the men talk. You can sort through grandmother’s jewelry box.” With tears welling in her eyes, Lennon entered her bedroom, the same bedroom she’d slept in her whole life. George used the master bedroom. She’d chosen not to move into it after her father passed. “Here, baby.” She sat Sally down and handed her the rosewood box they both loved to pilfer through. It was all Lennon had left of her mother and she cherished every piece, no matter its lack of value.
“Tank-you.” Sally accepted it, carrying the box to a chair by the window.
“You’re very welcome. Just give me a minute and you can go to the sunroom. Okay? You like it there. We’ll set up for your tea party.” Lennon began to change clothes, unzipping the dress and returning it to her closet. Dallas had said she looked nice. Even if she was still hurt over his refusal to kiss her, the compliment he gave her was nice. Staring at the few garments in the clo
set, she pulled out her regular uniform–the sturdy work clothes that gave her some protection from the elements and the sharp prongs of a barbed wire fence.
“I does like the sunroom. We still gots to make the cookies, though.” Sally mused as she held up a crystal necklace and smiled as the sun played with the facets.
“Yes, cookies. What kind do you want to make?” Arguing with herself, Lennon huffed and rehung the flannel shirt. She was probably being stupid, but part of her wanted to be pretty for Dallas. Before she could change her mind, she selected a more feminine pair of blue jeans and a red sweater. Was she being silly? As she slipped the clothes on, she sighed. Oh well, they were just clothes.
“Chokit-chip, of course.”
“Of course.” Lennon laughed. “You’re getting to be such a big girl.” Where had the time gone? It seemed like yesterday when she’d gotten the call from Miranda. At first, she’d been afraid to take on the responsibility of a baby. Letting her eyes rest on the light of her life, Lennon knew it was the best decision she could’ve made.
“I is.” Sally agreed. “Can I wear dis?” She held up a string of pink quartz beads.
“Yes, you may.” She went to Sally and knelt down. “Let me help you put them on.” She slipped the necklace around her neck and fastened it. “Now. You’re beautiful!” Lennon kissed a silky baby cheek. “Let’s go make those cookies. Dallas will want his tea soon.” Just the mention of his name made her heart lurch. She was beginning to have feelings for him, and there was no hope of them being reciprocated. Squaring her shoulders, she vowed to give him no reason to suspect. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she frowned. Maybe this wardrobe change wasn’t such a good idea.
“I ready to cook.” Sally carefully closed the rosewood box and brought it to Lennon.
“Me too.” With one more look in the mirror, she decided she didn’t look fancy enough to worry about. It wasn’t like he’d even notice what she wore or how she looked.
The events of the last few days were almost overwhelming to think about. Why would someone target her like this? She so hoped Dallas didn’t give up and leave them alone with this mess. He wouldn’t, would he?
Back in the living room, Dallas rose from the couch. He’d shared with George what he’d learned in town. “Do you think there’s any connection?”
George pushed his cap back on his head. “Hell, I don’t know. The rich are the greediest people in the world. I would say that I’d want proof before I made any accusations. Daniels has powerful friends.”
“If he’s guilty, I’ll get proof. Either way, I intend to put a stop to this.” He grabbed his hat from the coffee table. “Tell Sally, I’ll be back. I’m going to go check the cameras.” Dallas started toward the door. “Don’t let Lennon leave the house, George.”
George chuckled. “That’s right, boy. Give me the hard job. Hurry back. Don’t forget the ball game later.”
“Sounds good.” Dallas touched his gun, heading out the door. One person had already lost his life; he didn’t intend for that number to rise any higher.
When Lennon and Sally returned to the kitchen, she immediately noticed Dallas was gone. “Where is he?”
“Doing his job, he’ll be back.” George balanced his cane across his knees. “My, don’t you look pretty.”
Lennon groaned. “Don’t start. I don’t even have any makeup on.” She set Sally down who rushed off to the kitchen.
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt nothing to put on some war paint. Even Flora wore a little. I’ve always said that if you can paint up an old barn and make it look a little better, you should do it.”
Lennon laughed, chunking a sofa pillow at her old friend. “Stop. Things are too serious for me to laugh.”
“Laughter is the best medicine. Remember? Besides, this will work out. I have faith.”
She bent to kiss his weathered cheek. “Just keep praying, George. You have connections in heaven.”
“That I do,” he sighed heavily. “That I do.”
In a few minutes, Lennon and Sally were hard at work. “Smells good,” Sally observed.
“Taste.” She offered the little girl a dollop of dough on the end of her finger. “Good?”
Sally savored the morsel. “Wondaful. Do you think Dallas will like them?”
“I’m sure he will.” Lennon still couldn’t believe he had agreed to indulge Sally in this manner. Wait till he saw the tiny cups and saucers and the little chair he’d have to sit on.
“I wike Dallas, do you?”
“Sure…Dallas is a nice man.” Lennon checked the stove temperature and bent to get a cookie sheet from the storage drawer below the oven.
“I tink we should keep him. Mah-wy him.”
“Marry him?” Lennon couldn’t help but laugh. “I think Mr. Dallas would have a thing or two to say about that. He probably has a girlfriend and even though you’re sweet, I don’t think that’s incentive enough to tempt him. Besides, I’m not the marrying kind.” More correctly, she wasn’t the kind of girl men marry, but there was no use upsetting Sally with a truth she wouldn’t understand. Hearing the front door open and close, Lennon hastily changed the subject. “Come on, help me spoon these beauties onto a cookie sheet.”
Dallas didn’t knock. He just came on in and found the living room empty. Voices from the kitchen lured him. The closer he drew, the more entranced he became. If his life had turned out differently, it might be his wife and child enjoying themselves, baking cookies for him. Moving slower, he just watched the pair for a moment. God, how had he ever thought Lennon plain? She was absolutely beautiful. He found himself experiencing a longing, a stirring in his soul that he thought he’d never feel again.
“Um…I’m back,” he said softly, almost hating to disrupt the scene before him. Sally was standing in a chair with a full-size apron tied around her tiny waist. The hem flirted with the top of her shoes. Lennon held a cookie sheet in her hand while Sally put sprinkles on the small rounded mounds of dough.
Lennon’s eyes widened and her breath lodged in her throat. “Dallas!” She placed an arm around Sally and gently lifted her down. “Let me get these in to bake.” She turned and slipped the cookie sheet into the oven. “As soon as these are done, we can go check the cameras.”
“I’ve already been. We got something too.”
His casual announcement took Lennon by surprise. “Sally, honey, why don’t you go on into the sunroom and set up for your tea party?”
“Okay.” She patted Dallas’s leg on the way by. “I put spwinkles on the cookies, Dallas. You’ll like them.”
“I’m sure I will.” The way she said his name–Dal-wis–always made him smile. Once she was gone, he turned to Lennon. “There was a gray truck parked on the road last night. The license plate was fuzzy, but I’ve sent a picture of it to Hiram. They have a program at headquarters that can run the image through filters.” He waved his phone at her. “The cell phone service is pretty good here at the house on this hill, but out in the pastures, it’s patchy. Most of the time the cameras will link up to my cell phone. I had to climb the windmill to view the captures, but it was worth it.”
“That’s great!” She was so relieved. “I’m afraid for George and Sally. And I would’ve done the climbing for you,” Lennon informed him. “You’re too big to risk climbing that old windmill.”
“Well, I’m not exactly fat,” he teased.
“No, of course not.” She blushed, then held up her hands to measure. “But your shoulders are wide, your body is big. You’re a man,” she ended weakly.
“Exactly. I’m a man and a Ranger.” He took a step toward her. “Don’t you think it’s my job, it’s my desire, to protect you?” Dallas quit trying to fight the urge to touch her. Lifting a hand, he curled it around her nape, his strong fingers sifting through the wealth of hair to rest possessively on her skin.
Lennon didn’t know what to say. She felt herself tremble as he caressed her neck, teasing the pulse point that betrayed her emot
ions. Shivers of excitement ribboned down her back as he drew lazy circles on her flesh. Tightening her hands into fists, she drove her nails into the tender skin of her palm–all to keep from touching him. “You’re confusing me.”
“How?” he whispered even as he stared at her mouth, soft–lush–plump. He wondered if it tasted as sweet as it looked. Lord in heaven, he’d sell his soul to find out.
“Last night you didn’t want to kiss me.” Lennon winced as the words left her mouth. Did she have no shame? “Do you want to kiss me now?”
“I’m broken, Lennon. I’m nobody’s prize.” Moving his hand, he ran his thumb over her lower lip. “But I can’t deny that I want to kiss you. I wanted to kiss you then and I want to kiss you now.”
His features blurred in front of her eyes as he slowly lowered his head. She jerked one hand up between them – not to stop him, only to stabilize herself. His chest was as hard and immovable as granite. As his lips settled over hers, her breath hitched in her throat.
Warm velvet. Dallas angled his head to gain control of the kiss, opening his lips and teasing hers with the tip of his tongue. Lennon shivered in his arms. He tensed, using his palm at her nape to anchor her to him. With light brushes of his tongue, he tasted her as if she were candy he meant to savor.
Lennon melted against him, her heart rate stuttering. Heavens above–the man made her want. Low in her secret place, she began to ache, a deep ache that bloomed out to her breasts, out to her fingers and down to her toes, making them curl in her shoes. He was touching her–nowhere intimate–but everywhere he touched sparkled with life. When he moved his lips from her mouth to her throat, her head fell back to give him unbridled access. “Oh, Dallas…”
“Lennon! I smell de cookies!”
Sally’s cry caused Lennon to jerk from his arms, wheeling around to grab the oven mitt and rescue the cookies before they burned.
“Wuz you kissing Lenny?” Sally asked with her arms crossed over her tiny chest.
Dallas cleared his throat, his gaze still on Lennon who was fanning herself with the mitt. He didn’t think the blush on her cheeks was wholly due to the oven temperature. “Yes, I was, Sally. I like Lennon a lot.”