by Honey Jans
"Dwain of course, I'm sure of it, even though he wouldn't admit it. She hurt his pride, you see.” Cordial looked at Cyn. “I told you that I didn't want you hurt, tried to be nasty as I could to you to get you to leave. But you wouldn't; you're just as stubborn as your father, young lady."
Cyn's jaw dropped at the scolding tone, then watched as Cordial burst into noisy sobs.
"It stops as of now,” Jake said grimly.
"But Dwain..."
"Isn't a problem anymore. He's skipped town with the cops tight on his heels. And this land contract you signed is worthless,” he said, picking the document up and tearing it in half.
* * * *
The next day, Jake knew Cyn was pissed as she rushed the hands through breakfast. The disclosures of the last couple of days had taken their toll on her. She seemed determined to focus on ranch work in an effort to avoid dwelling on her problems, and he admired her for that. The hands seemed to read her edgy mood, and ate quickly before rushing out to work. Jake wasn't about to leave. He might have overplayed his hand by making an offer for the ranch and coming down hard on Cordial, but damn it, he was trying to protect her. He wouldn't idly sit by and watch her kill herself with work.
He leveled a look at her that made her fall silent. “I know you're mad at me for purchasing the ranch, not to mention grilling Cordial yesterday."
"It's not that.” She sighed. “At least not all of it."
Had he read her wrong? “Then you're not upset that I'm buying the ranch?"
"Actually, I'm glad that if my dad's determined to sell, it's going to good hands. Not Randal Industries, since they'd demolish it. You're not going to, are you?"
"No, I'm not going to."
"And as for Cordial, I'm glad you were there for backup. Something's got to be done about her and the girls."
"Then you don't mind that I threatened her?"
She frowned at him. “Well, you were a little rough on her, but you did it for a good reason. Have the police got a line on Dwain Hawkins yet?"
"They're close. So what chores shall we do today?"
"I need to move the herd to the south pasture today, and mend some fences in the north pasture. But you don't have to stick around and help me. I know you've got work to do in town."
"I'll help you with your work this morning, and you can go into the office with me this afternoon,” Jake said, lifting her up and setting her on her feet. “I'll buy you a few new toys at Branded."
Cyn gazed at him bemused and flustered; she could hardly wait. His hands spanning her waist were warm and his expression determined and sexy. There'd be no gainsaying him and truthfully, she didn't want to. Spending time out on the land with him sounded like heaven. But they'd have to traverse the acreage on horseback. “Do you ride?” she asked, and blushed when he grinned. “Forget I asked."
"Baby, I'm an expert rider,” he said, pressing her against the cabinet with his cock nestling against her crotch. He nuzzled her nape asking, “Don't you think so?"
Moaning, she arched against him. “Honey, you can ride me anytime."
* * * *
Up above, Agatha gasped, calling out, “Red alert, ladies, he's back again."
"What a crumb,” Imogene said, sniffing back a tear as she glared at Chance sneaking up the staircase. “We should drop a chandelier on him. A big one."
"I've got a better idea,” Hilda said, clapping her hands. A phone suddenly popped into her hand. “We've got a job for you, Eros."
Agatha and Imogene shared a smile. “Excellent,” they said in tandem.
An instant later, a short, bald, ageless man popped into the circle. He hoisted his bow and quiver of arrows higher on his shoulder and smiled. “You rang?"
"We sure did,” Hilda said, batting her eyes.
He leered up at her. “I'm here to serve, my sweet. What's the job?"
Agatha cleared her throat. “If you'd look down instead of flirting, you'd know. Our fairy goddaughter is in danger."
They watched as Chance crept away from the house and went to get his rifle.
Chapter 17
Jake secured the next stretch of barbed wire, and glanced at Cyn to see how she was doing. Delayed maintenance nothing, the wires had been deliberately cut. It didn't take a genius to figure out why. Somebody wanted to force the sale and figured losses might do the trick. He wondered if Cordial was in on this part of it. He still didn't buy her tearful repentance, probably never would.
Cyn's troubled gaze made his jaw tighten, and all his protective instincts came out. “Why don't you get us a cold drink? This is thirsty work."
She nodded, pulling off her thick gloves, and walking toward the lone tree where they'd left their horses. “I'll get the lemonade,” she said, heading toward the animals and her pack.
"Sounds good.” He wiped his brow. Setting down his hammer, he followed her into the open. A glint of light reflecting off metal was his only warning before a gunshot rang out, hitting the tree next to Cyn.
She gasped, “What the hell!"
Jake tackled her before whoever was gunning for her took another shot. He rolled, cushioning her fall, and then lay atop her, protecting her. “Shh,” he hissed as another shot pinged out.
A sudden thunder of hooves made Jake smile. He locked gazes with Cyn. “The stampede gives us cover. Roll with me, now,” Jake said, moving them behind the tree.
* * * *
Up above, Eros notched two arrows into his bow, taking aim at Chance hiding in the grass with a rifle and the racing herd. “This is a bit unorthodox, ladies, but it should work.” He let the arrows fly, hitting Chance, who yelped and grabbed his butt, in addition to landing one in the lead steer. The entire herd turned en masse and headed toward Chance while mooing. Chance let out a wail, jumping up, but they caught him, bringing him to ground as they licked him.
* * * *
"Well I'll be damned,” Jake said, as the herd turned, converging on the sniper hiding in the tall grass. Chance jumped up with a panicked cry and tried to run. Jake's eyes narrowed when he put the pieces of the puzzle together, his concern that the North Star had a mole in the ranch confirmed.
Cindy sat up, her jaw dropping when she saw the cattle licking him and mooing. “My god, it was Chance! I can't believe it.” Her eyes widened as she saw the cows form a tight circle around him, mooing and licking him like he was a salt lick, rubbing against him. He fell to the ground sobbing. “What's gotten into them? I've never seen them act like that before. It's like they love him."
Jake pulled out his cell phone and pushed the button for 911, then handed it off to Cyn. Her eyes were narrowed on Chance, but she was shaking. He stroked her face bringing her out of her shock. “Get the cops here, ask for Zane. I'll go take care of this bozo."
"Careful,” she said, looking at the rifle on the ground.
Jake smiled at her. “I don't think he's much of a danger now.” He stalked over to Chance, now curled on the grass in a fetal position and covered in cow slobber, and picked up the rifle. He carried it back to Cyn. “If he makes a wrong move, shoot him."
Chance tried to move, but the cattle wouldn't let him. Jake waded through them, and pulled the slippery bastard to his feet. “Who are you working for, asshole?” he growled as police cars pulled up the road. Chance sobbed, mumbling incoherently. Jake growled with frustration as the police arrived. He let go of Chance, who crumpled to the ground, the cows mobbing him again. He took one look at Zane, striding his way behind the uniformed officers and relaxed his guard.
Zane swept a slow glance at Cyn holding the rifle, then to Chance, once again mobbed by the herd, and finally to Jake. “What happened?"
Jake stepped aside to let the cattle do their worst. “He took some shots at us; the stampeding herd took him down."
"Jake was a hero,” Cyn said.
"Doesn't surprise me one bit,” Zane said with a nod, as the other officers went to extricate the prisoner from the herd. “Who's the sniper?"
"Chance somebody,” Jake said.<
br />
"Chance McCall, he signed on a few months ago."
"That name doesn't ring any bells."
"He's new in the area, a friend of my stepmother's..."
"Ah,” Zane said. “Any idea why he came gunning for you?"
"It could have something to do with the fact that my stepmother is being blackmailed by Dwain Hawkins."
"North Star Properties,” Zane said grimly and turned to Jake. “You didn't tell me this."
"That's my fault,” Cyn cut in, putting a hand on Jake's arm. “I asked him to hold off, because I thought we had things under control. I'm sorry."
Jake pulled her into his arms. “It's okay, sugar, you couldn't have known you had a sniper in your midst."
"I've always thought there was a spy. I just thought it was Cordial. But why?"
"Seems likely he's a confederate of Dwain Hawkins,” Zane said. “Maybe he panicked because he was left holding the bag. Either way, I think we caught our Peeping Tom."
"Slimy bastard,” Jake growled as the cops led a sobbing Chance away, the mooing herd following them at close range.
"You'd better get him over the barbed wire fence before you're mobbed, guys,” Zane said, then chuckled.
"What can I say? My livestock aren't usually this unruly,” Cyn said with a smile. “He seems to be catnip for cows."
Jake held her tight. “I'm not letting you out of my sight."
"Sounds good to me, cowboy.” Cyn leaned against him.
Zane cleared his throat. “Hate to interrupt, folks, but we need to take this back to the ranch. You want to come with me and send someone back for your mounts?"
"Sounds good,” Jake said, helping Cyn into the jeep.
Cyn tensed as they drove back to the ranch, and saw the shock on Pedro's face when she got out of the unmarked police car. He took one look at her cut arm and turned to Jake.
"I thought you said you'd keep her safe. What happened out there, hombre?"
"He did, Pedro,” she said, touching Pedro's arm. “He saved me.” She was aware of the other cowboys’ troubled gazes. “Chance has been arrested. He tried to kill us."
"He took some shots at us from the tall grass,” Jake cut in, looping an arm around Cyn's shoulder.
"Then he's the one who was sending you the messages?” Pedro muttered.
"Looks like it,” Jake said.
"Damn, I knew something about that kid was wrong; he had a hell of a lot more money than he ought to. God damn it.” Pedro took off his hat and slapped it on his leg. “I should'a fired that kid."
"Why didn't you?” Jake asked.
Pedro looked up at the house. “Personal reasons."
Cyn was apprehensive but knew it needed to be done. “Let's go talk,” she said, heading for the poolside. They'd be out sunning themselves. Rounding the house, they found the girls lying on chaise lounges, sunning themselves. Cordial sat under an umbrella-covered table reading a book with a martini at her side. She looked up and did a double take when she saw Cyn's scraped arms.
"What happened?” she asked, making the girls look up.
"Your boyfriend tried to kill her,” Jake said.
The glass slipped out of Cordial's fingers, smashing on the flagstone terrace. “What do you mean tried to kill her? You said Dwain was out of the picture. And I don't have a boyfriend. I'm a happily married woman."
"Could'a fooled me,” Cyn grumbled. “You never go visit Dad in prison."
"That's because he asked me not to; he doesn't want me to see him there."
Cyn digested that news, startled, but could tell Cordial was sincere.
"Mom, what's going on?” Brandy said, sitting up.
"CJ claims that Chance tried to kill her."
Brandy scoffed, “How ridiculous. He wouldn't do that; scare her maybe, but never kill her."
"What do you mean, scare her, young lady?” Cordial said.
How blind can you be, Mother?” Tiffany snapped, sitting bolt upright. “She's his lover. They've been carrying on behind your back for weeks. Why do you think she wanted you to hire him?"
Brandy rounded on her with a glare. “Shut your freaking mouth, Tiff, or I'll shut it for you!"
"Ohh, I'm scared,” Tiffany mocked her. “He's been with me on the side, too."
"Liar,” Brandy said, shoving her into the pool.
Tiffany surfaced sputtering. “Slut."
"Silence!” Cordial shouted, rising to her feet. Both girls stared at her in shock, mouths agape.
"The police have taken Chance into custody for attempted murder. And he's singing like a bird. He was using you two twits, pumping you for information. The police will want to question you,” Jake said, giving the girls a frown that made them fall silent. “It seems he was working for Dwain Hawkins and got nervous when Hawkins skipped town. He decided to take us out and run."
"Mommy, this can't be true,” Brandy wailed.
Tiffany pouted. “He loved me."
"It's true,” Cordial snapped. “He was the one who'd pass me the letters to post. But if I'd had any idea he was sleeping with you two, I'd have killed him."
"What letters?” Brandy asked.
"So it was you?” Cyn said, with a gasp.
"Who else would have easy access to the mailbox?"
"Then you're the one who scrawled messages on the back of some of them."
Cordial shrugged, looking down. “I didn't want you hurt. Please believe me, I had no choice but to cooperate. Otherwise he'd have..."
"What's going on, Mother?” Tiffany asked.
"I was being blackmailed."
"But..."
"Dwain Hawkins found out that I had a child out of wedlock. My son was born premature and died. My parents kept it quiet, told everyone I was off at a finishing school. I never told a soul, not even Carl, but somehow Hawkins dug it up, and he's been holding it over me ever since. He wanted a million dollars. I don't have anywhere near that kind of money. He knew it too and said he'd make a deal. If I persuaded my friends that it was a good idea to sell, gave him the ranch, and you too, CJ, we'd be even. He was obsessed with you. I've been going crazy."
"I'll want to talk to you about that,” Zane said, walking up to them. Our search of Chance's personal affects bore fruit. Chance McCall is an alias; he's a grifter from way back. Worked these scams with Dwain Hawkins for years, usually as the face man, charming the ladies out of their pants for his boss.” He scowled when Brandy and Tiffany broke into tears. “I need to take you three downtown for questioning. Get dressed."
"But, Mother,” the girls wailed, shooting pleading glances at Cordial.
"Do it,” Cordial snapped at them, making Brandy get out of the pool. Both girls wrapped towels around themselves, trembling.
Cordial stood, her shoulders sagging. “I'm actually glad it's over and I've come clean. You'd better believe my daughters will be cooperative, or they'll find themselves joining their lover behind bars,” Cordial said, in a firm tone that made the girls sit up straight. “They're going to forget all this boy crazy foolishness, and go back to school this fall or I'll see they're disinherited.” She glanced at Jake. “My husband says that you're going to buy the ranch from him, so we can get away from here. Is it true?"
Jake nodded. “It's true, Mrs. Taylor. You have my word on it."
"And CJ?” Cordial asked, her concerned gaze going to Cyn.
"Don't worry. I'm going to take care of her,” Jake said, putting his arm around Cyn's shoulders.
Stunned, and equally relieved it was over, Cyn stood in his embrace feeling strangely disconnected. Shock, she supposed. Cordial had tried to save her; she could hardly wrap her mind around it. All Cordial's sniping, her efforts to get Cyn to leave all took on new meaning now. She might have all the tact of a bulldozer but she'd mostly meant well. It was a lot to assimilate. “I'm going to be fine,” Cyn rushed to reassure her, hoping they could find a way to mend fences. It would be important for her father if they did. “The ranch is going into good hands. Jake will b
e a good caretaker for the land, and won't let Randal Industries destroy it."
"Good."
Chapter 18
Alone with Jake, Cyn went back into her cabin that night, relieved the worst was behind her. Now she could concentrate on the rest of her life. Now she could concentrate on Jake, and how sexy he made her feel. He walked up behind her after bolting the door; his hand tightening possessively on her shoulders, as he pressed hard and needy against her ass. Her whole body heated, melting into him, and she moaned. God, she needed him. She didn't even want to think about the end of the summer and the possible end of their affair. Jake's magic touch was the key to her sexuality. When he was pressed against her like this, she knew she'd never want to stop.
Smiling against her skin, he pressed kisses down her neck. “You are so good for me, sugar,” he said, his erection pressing against her.
She laughed, groaning as he reached around her to cup her breasts, his hands holding them and squeezing slightly.
"This ranch wouldn't be the same without you. You've got to stay.” Unzipping her dress, he peeled it off her in one smooth move.
Sighing, she knew it was almost what she wanted to hear. “Let's talk about this later and let our bodies do the communicating now.” She gasped as he tweaked her nipples through her bra.
"You are so right, sugar,” he said, unhooking her bra. He lowered her panties, asking, “Is it lubed for me, sugar?"
A little fission of excitement and alarm zinged through her as he touched her, cupping the globes of her bottom, rubbing the flesh in between. Her knees wobbled with delight. So far, he'd been nothing but a tease when it came to anal sex. “You know it is,” she said with a pout. If only he'd stop teasing her about taking her ass. She had kept up her lube and butt plugs all along, aching for his possession there.
"Step out of the panties, and bend over the back of the sofa, sugar,” he said with a growl.
Blushing, she did as he said, kicking off her undies and walking over to the couch. She bent over the padded back with a gasp. “Are you actually going to claim me?” she asked. “So far you've been nothing but a tease."
He let out a rueful chuckle. “I think it's been the other way around, sugar, and you know it. You make me crazy for you, and for this tight little ass.” He teased the lubed opening with a swirl of his fingertip. “I burn to open it with my cock."