Ladd Haven

by Dianne Venetta

  Turning away from Travis and his happy phone call, Troy felt the blow. Travis and Felicity were happily together, the way he and Casey were supposed to be. Dad gummit—he should never have left! If he’d stayed in Tennessee, none of this would have happened. Tugging his belt buckle loose, he hauled it clear of the belt loops.

  Travis chuckled. “You don’t say. He has no idea? Huh,” he replied, shooting Troy a know-it-all smirk. “If you insist, I’ll keep it to myself.” Ending the call, he smiled. “Never mind.”

  “Never mind what?”

  “It’s a private matter,” Travis replied, barely able to keep a straight face.

  Troy couldn’t care less about his and Felicity’s private matters. He only wanted his brother gone so he could take a cold shower and get these rabid thoughts and visions out of his head. When his mind was cooled, he could plan his next step.

  Travis re-clipped his phone and gathered himself into a half-serious expression. “Though in all honesty, there’s nothing funny about it.”

  “About what?”

  Travis stilled. “About you and your lack of judgment.”

  “Get out of my room, Travis, before I throw you out.”

  “No problem.”

  At the sudden disgust in his brother’s eyes, Troy wondered what the phone call from Felicity was about. He has no idea? Who has no idea? About what?

  Shoving the thoughts from his mind, he growled under his breath. Whatever. His brother was gone and that’s all that mattered. At the moment he had bigger problems to deal with and they didn’t include Travis.

  Two hours later, Troy had switched gears from hurt and anger to reason and determination. Jimmy might think Casey was his girlfriend but she wouldn’t stay that way. She was in shock, is all. She didn’t expect him to show up, didn’t know what to say to him when he did. Hell, could he blame her for falling for the guy’s sneaky ploy?

  She’d been on the rebound. She was hurt. Obviously, she didn’t understand what he meant when he told her he was going to prove himself, though how she could have misunderstood was beyond him. There was no place around here where he could work to make it up to her. He had to go somewhere else. He had to go where people didn’t have pre-conceived thoughts about him. Around here, no one believed in him. They all thought the worst, except for Mr. Foster. Cal Foster was decent, understanding. He didn’t leap to judgment like everyone else did, painting him into a corner and hanging an “I’m a no-good drunk” sign from his neck. After working with him at his family’s ranch, Mr. Foster said Troy was one of their best ranch hands, ever. Said he was real impressed with Troy’s performance.

  Until he blew it by showing up with a hangover. Cal’s daddy, Gerald Foster, had a zero tolerance policy for drinking—on the job and off. Rumor had it was due to the fact his four sons had blown through more bottles of bourbon than a whiskey-soaked river, souring the old man on alcohol use of any kind. Troy should have known better than to go anywhere near the place with a hangover, but he thought he could avoid the old man for the day. The only reason the senior Mr. Foster came by was to pay Troy a visit, commending him for a job well done with the foal delivery. It was a job that ended five minutes later.

  Slowing down for the turn to the Wilkins’ place, Troy knew if anyone was going to give him a chance, it’d be Cal Foster. Not that Troy could work for his daddy again. Old man Foster didn’t give second chances. But with Cal in charge as General Manager of the new Hotel Ladd, Troy might have the opportunity to work their stables, maybe train their horses. Hell, at this rate he’d be happy to pick up their crap if that’s what it took to get a paying job with the animals he loved. He would’ve done a good job at the ranch in Kentucky if it hadn’t been for missing Casey. He’d thought he could do it. He thought as long as he told himself it was temporary, he could manage the separation and make a name for himself. Then, he could return home with his head held high and proof behind his claims. He’d quit drinking. He could work with horses. But try as he might, he couldn’t manage. The ache in his heart had been too strong, even the dad gum horses were beginning to feel it!

  Rolling over the bridge, sunlight glittering in the river stream below, Troy was astonished by the transformation of Ladd Springs. Slowing, his gaze roamed over buildings and trails, cars and signs. If he didn’t know his way here by heart, he wouldn’t have recognized the place. Ernie Ladd had been the owner before Felicity and Casey, living here until his dying day about a year ago. His dilapidated cabin used to sit along the creek but had been replaced by a custom log cabin. It was a small structure but quality built with its thick log walls and river rock base. It had clean lines, a tin roof and nice patch of grass around it, complete with a wishing well off to one side. Automatically, Troy checked for the original well that used to be here and found it, located off a manufactured path leading up into the mountain. Did that lead to the stables? But they couldn’t have left Miss Delaney’s old stables intact. Delaney Wilkins had lived here as a child and moved back with her daughter ten years ago. The stables had been built years before, about the time Miss Delaney was a kid. If they bulldozed old man Ernie’s house they wouldn’t leave her stables. They were in about the same condition.

  Parking near a line of cars, Troy climbed down from his truck and trekked up a trail toward the hotel. Up the mountain—practically wedged into the rock and trees—was the main building. It wasn’t very big, from what he could tell, but it was damn fine with floor to ceiling windows. Nearing the hotel, he could see massive interior wooden beams, leather furniture and recessed ceiling lights, in addition to a huge metal chandelier, round in shape with candle-shaped lights on it. There was also a fountain inside. Outside, stone steps lead up to the entrance, heavily landscaped with native rhododendron and colorful hydrangea.

  Troy let out a low whistle. “Dad gum, this must have cost Mr. Harris a ton of money.” According to his mother, the inside was even nicer than the outside. She was here for the double wedding ceremony between the hotel’s owner Nick Harris and Miss Delaney who got hitched alongside Cal Foster and Casey’s mom, Annie Owens. Afterward, Troy’s mother took a tour of the property, claiming the décor was straight out of a fancy designer home magazine, complete with huge river rock fireplaces and four-poster beds in every guestroom. Troy bet they were charging a bundle for people to stay in that place. He laughed under his breath. To stay in Podunk, Tennessee, no less. Who would have guessed it? While he loved his hometown, Troy never imagined anyone paying top dollar for the chance to hang out around here. Until now, the local two-story hotel downtown was the fanciest thing they had going.

  Cal Foster came into view. An elegant man with fair-skinned looks and mild-mannered behavior, Cal appeared every bit the professional in his khaki dress pants and pale green button-down shirt. Pushing out through the entrance, he jogged down the natural stone stairway.

  Troy’s heart pitched. Time to call in a favor.

  Taking a deep breath, he waited for Mr. Foster to notice him. When he did, his face lit up. “Troy!”

  The warm welcome loosened the knot twisting in his chest. “Mr. Foster,” Troy called back and hurried over.

  Cal greeted him, hazel eyes dancing as he dove a hand in for a firm handshake, followed by another hand to Troy’s shoulder. He squeezed. “How the heck are you doing?”

  Heartened by the familiar tone, he replied, “Fine, sir. Real fine.”

  “When did you get back in town?”

  “Yesterday.”

  “Travis tells me you’ve been working in Kentucky.”

  “Yes sir, I have.

  “Did you come home for the summer?”

  Troy stumbled and replied vaguely, “Taking a break.”

  To his relief, Cal didn’t question him further. “Have you seen the new hotel?”

  “I haven’t sir, but my momma told me all about it. Said it’s the nicest one she’s ever seen.”

  Cal accepted the compliment easily, satisfaction glimmering in his eyes. “Malcolm and Nick do
top-notch work, there’s no question. Would you like a look around?”

  Standing beneath the shade of trees, Troy removed his hat, brushed the hair from his brow. Malcolm Ward was Nick’s partner in the hotel business. Originally he came to Tennessee to help Mr. Harris get the rights to use the property but stayed on after he met and married Casey’s aunt, Lacy Owens. Troy didn’t know him that well, but he seemed like an allright guy. “Well, I’d like to, but I don’t want to bother you, sir.”

  He patted Troy’s shoulder and said, “It’s no bother at all.”

  Troy hesitated. He had more pressing issues on his mind than touring the new hotel. “Actually, I’m here to see about a job.”

  “A job?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The hand slipped free from his shoulder. Hesitation entered his friendly gaze. “What kind of job?”

  “With horses, sir. I understand you have some mighty fine stables, and I’d like to see if there’s a space for me.”

  “Well, actually,” his expression closed a shade, nipping at Troy’s confidence, “Delaney’s in charge of the stables.”

  Troy could feel him slipping from his grasp. “Miss Delaney?”

  “Yes, but...” Clouds gathered in his gaze. “Have you talked to Casey?”

  “Yes, sir. Saw her at Fran’s Diner earlier today.” Cal didn’t say anything, evidently waiting for him to elaborate. When he didn’t, the older man simply nodded, as though turning it over in his mind. Once again, Troy was struck by the nagging sensation there was more to the question. “Well, like I said, I’m here to see about a job.”

  Cal looked at him queerly, as if Troy had morphed into some kind of weird creature. It was beginning to grate on him.

  “Mr. Foster?”

  Chapter Three

  Cal Foster shook whatever fog had overcome him and snapped back to his senses. “Well, you’ll have to speak with Delaney about a job in the stables. I don’t have any say over the hiring and firing when it comes to the horses.”

  Troy didn’t understand. “But you’re the boss, aren’t ya?”

  “Not over Delaney, I’m not. You want a job working the stables, you’ll have to go through her.”

  Troy sensed Cal had been trying to crack a joke, but the humor never made it to his eyes. All of a sudden, the man seemed uncomfortable to be around him. His biggest ally in the past was paddling backwards at a hefty pace. Which was strange. Only minutes ago Mr. Foster seemed real pleased to see him. Troy shifted restlessly. “Well, is she here?”

  Cal pointed a finger behind him. “That trail over there will take you straight to her. She’s in the stables.

  Troy followed his line of sight and saw a trail. Familiar with the property, he knew it led to the original Ladd homestead, the one that existed a hundred years ago. When they were riding horses one day, Felicity had showed it to him and Travis, explaining how it had been home to her great-grandfather. There was nothing to see when they rode through, except for a few piles of old bricks and rotten logs. Troy remembered an eerie feeling as they walked the area, like maybe there were ghosts or something lurking in the woods, watching them. He shook a mild shudder from his body and firmed his resolve. Miss Delaney liked him. If Cal wouldn’t give him a job, she would. “Thank you, sir.” Troy slipped his hat in place. “I’ll go and talk to her right now, if you don’t mind,” he added, inferring that he couldn’t go on that guided tour of the hotel.

  “Listen, Troy. I don’t know if she’ll give you a job, but if she does, make her see what I see.” Surprised by the seriousness in his voice, Troy idled in place as Mr. Foster added, “Don’t let her down.”

  A little more than insulted, Troy rebuffed, “I don’t intend to, sir.”

  “I know you don’t,” Cal replied quietly. “But you have a lot riding on this. Don’t blow it. You know I’ll give her my best recommendation if she asks, but it’s up to you to prove your case.”

  “Yes, sir. I understand.” Troy assumed he was referring to the drinking episode, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling there was something else at play. Something deeper was ground into the brown-eyed gaze staring back at him.

  Cal placed a hand to his shoulder and squeezed. “I hope you do. For all our sakes.”

  Troy straightened, pulling himself a little taller. “Mr. Foster, I’m good with horses. I know I’ve made mistakes in the past but I don’t aim to repeat them. I’ll make Miss Delaney the finest ranch hand she’s ever seen.”

  “You’re preaching to the pastor, Troy. I believe in you.” His gaze softened. “I’m glad to see you still do, too.”

  Troy took the trail as instructed, hiking the newly graded terrain in the direction of the stables. Gone were the uneven rocks and roots, the hard clay smoothed for easier passage and lined by a sparse covering of meadow grass. Overhead, trees provided a canopy of shade, the air temperature several degrees cooler than in the open sunshine. It was a tranquil walk, but Troy couldn’t shake the sudden change in Mr. Foster’s demeanor. He said he believed in him, enough to give him a second chance if the choice were his. Said he’d give Miss Delaney a good recommendation if she asked. Why so many ifs? It was the uncertainty that was driving him crazy. First Casey, then Travis and now Mr. Foster. It was like the world had flipped upside down and people had lost their marbles. Like their brain cells had dribbled out of their heads into a sea of nothing. Everybody started off normal enough and then switched, like a light bulb had been turned off—or on—Troy couldn’t figure out which. They acted weird, like they didn’t know if they were coming or going or if they even should.

  Troy shook his head. No matter. Miss Delaney wasn’t like that. She was a straight shooter. Damn accurate, too. If something was going on, she’d tell him straight up. As the trail opened up into pasture, Troy looked uphill, struck by the sight of brand new stables he took a step back. Whoa. He surveyed the wide open space of rolling green, the brand new fencing that led up to a distant line of stables. He tipped his hat back and couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Stables as nice as any he’d seen. Murfreesboro had been a top notch operation, the group out of Kentucky a step above most, but this? Seemed Miss Delaney had a top of the line establishment on her hands. He could only imagine what it looked like up close.

  Avoiding further thoughts of Casey and Jimmy creeping into his mind, Troy hiked up the hill. He couldn’t stand to even consider the two of them as a possibility. It was probably all the talk about the recent double wedding. His parents had gone and it was all his momma could talk about, other than lecturing him on his decision to return home. She’d never once mentioned Casey. After Jimmy delivered the news, he could see why. His momma might not be happy about him skipping college to work with horses, but she sure as heck wasn’t gonna upset him with the news his girlfriend had hooked up with another guy.

  Halfway up, Troy wondered how the guests were going to manage the trip. For him this walk was nothin’ but for folks that weren’t used to hiking, he could see it as an issue. Horses grazed to either side of him, their lazy swish of tail a sign of contentment. The hotel probably had some horse and buggy lined up to transport them. From what Felicity said, Mr. Harris had tons of money and built expensive hotels all around the world. He was leasing Ladd Springs land for his hotel. He didn’t own it. Felicity did—a fact that still seemed incredible to Troy. Nineteen-years-old and Felicity Wilkins was earning thousands of dollars, maybe hundreds of thousands. Troy didn’t know any of the details. All he knew was after Ernie Ladd died and willed the property to Felicity, she was free and clear to make a deal with Mr. Harris and allow his hotel to be built. Didn’t hurt that her mother was engaged to the man.

  Casey owned the other half. Thanks to the fact her mother slept with Jeremiah Ladd eighteen years ago. The man was a no-good dog, but as Ernie Ladd’s son he and his heirs had rights to the property. Or so Casey’s mom believed. She was the one who fought for Casey’s rights and won. Right after Felicity received title to Ladd Springs, Miss Delaney signed over hal
f of it to Casey. Not only a straight shooter, but she was a fair woman with a big heart.

  Nearing the stables, Troy slowed his pace. Beyond the stables were three pens and a huge granddaddy of a barn, everything brand-spanking new. So new, it looked more like a picture ad than a working horse operation. Venturing inside, Troy was hit by the thick scent of sweet feed and freshly oiled leather. A tack room sat to his right, a line of saddles set out front of it. Down a wide center aisle there was a dual line of stalls. He didn’t see any animals. Were there any horses?

  “Hello?” he called out, looking for signs of Delaney as he continued in. But there had to be. He could smell them. He walked over to a corner and peered through a plate glass window. There was a desk, cabinets, several pictures on the wall but no Delaney. Continuing toward the stall corridor, he glanced overhead, admiring the tongue and groove ceiling, the exposed wooden rafters. Troy figured it must have cost some serious dough to build this place. Coming upon an oversized stall, large by anyone’s standards, he deemed it to be a foaling stall. Instantly he recalled the foal he helped Mr. Foster deliver a little black beauty named Vegas. Looking back, that had been one of the best days of his life. Not only had he taken part in saving the life of an animal, but he earned the recognition from someone other than his father. Troy’s heart skipped at a low whinny from a horse. Drawn to the sound, he looked into the adjacent stall and saw a beautiful chocolate brown Arabian.

  Pulling up to the wooden barrier, he reached a hand through the metal grill of the sliding door. “Aren’t you a beauty? C’mon here, baby.” Ears perked at the sound of his voice and the horse immediately responded. “That’s it.” Troy allowed the horse to nudge him, a velvet-soft muzzle nibbling as the animal checked the stranger out. The horse raised its head and lightly shook its mane but didn’t retreat. Troy took this as the animal’s consent to be touched and stroked the flat expanse of fur between the horse’s eyes. Long lashes blinked, taking him in without concern. Warm feelings spread throughout Troy’s chest. Man, but this one was a fine specimen of horse. Did they get him from Mr. Foster? He didn’t remember this fella and Troy remembered every horse. Maybe they had more than one supplier for the hotel.