“I appreciate it.” Jake stood. “I have to go home. You’ll double your guard on Holly?”
“She’s in good hands. Take the SUV parked at the front door. The gas tank is full.” Nate took keys from his pocket and tossed them to Jake.
“You’ll follow up with the detective in Houston?” Jake asked.
“Go. I’ll handle things from this end.” Nate smiled.
Jake had tried to avoid looking at Holly. No doubt her fear was like the raging fire that had taken the barn. He took a breath. “I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
“You take care of your ranch,” Kay said, lifting up and kissing Jake’s check. “We’ll take good care of Holly.”
Jake turned on his heel to leave. A small hand caught his. He didn’t stop. Didn’t look at her. Instead, he twisted his fingers through hers and led her from the room. Once at the exit, he turned to face her. His heart ripped open at the sight of tears streaming down her face.
“I’m sorry you were dragged into my mess.”
“I’m not.” He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. He understood. He identified with her emotions. Many times he’d been pushed to the brink of breaking down.
“How can you say that? Because of me, people are dead. Your aunt is in hiding. Your barn burned.”
“All circumstances out of your control. You’ll have to come to grips with that to ever move on.” He thumbed the tears from her cheeks.
Holly stepped back and suddenly his arms ached to hold her. “I guess we both have things we need to deal with before we move on.”
He didn’t respond. How could he when she’d hit the bulls-eye with that statement?
“Stay out of sight.” He reached over and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m leaving Daisy with you.”
“I’ll take care of her.” Holly turned away and returned to the safety of her friends.
Jake ran to the SUV and headed home.
****
Jake ignored the speed limit signs on the four-hour drive down I-45. Forty-five minutes north of Houston he turned west off the Interstate, expertly swerving onto the farm road leading to the ranch. He finally slowed down before crossing the cattle guard at the entrance. The smell of charred wood filled the inside of the SUV even before he reached the barn. He drove past the house and parked.
Jake walked to the back gate and whistled. If the firemen had put the animals in the pasture, they’d come running. He waited a minute and whistled again, then breathed a sigh of relief when Duchess and her foal came trotting over the rise. Jake opened the gate and went to meet them.
She nickered and stopped in front of him.
He murmured words to calm her while he ran his hands over her body and did the same to the colt, glad to find that neither had a scratch on them. “Nothing’s going to happen to you or Hollywood.” He rubbed the colt’s nose. “Hollywood,” Jake repeated.
Holly would like having the colt named after her. He immediately put her out of his mind and checked the rest of the livestock. Once he was satisfied all the animals were okay, he walked to the barn.
Tank Jorgenson had risked his life to save the horses, and Jake owed him a huge debt of gratitude.
He circled the barn and discovered that most of it had gone up in flames. He struggled to check his temper as he stepped into the blackened remains. The four-wheeler sat in the corner, twisted and melted into an almost unrecognizable pile.
The feed and tack room was on the west end of the building. Previously filled with grain, saddles, bridles and blankets, it was now a pile of charred lumber. Silver conchos, which had previously adorned a leather headstall and saddle, lay in the rubble. Jake wanted to start cleaning up right away but had to wait for the insurance agent. After years of showing horses, all Alice had left were a few trophies, ribbons, and pictures. In the meantime, he’d empty the equipment barn and convert it into a makeshift storage and shelter.
Jake stepped out of the barn and took a deep breath. He wanted the scent of burned wood and leather burned into his memory. His hands ached to be wrapped around the throat of the bastard who’d done this. Hate grew with each step.
He stopped in his tracks. Wet and resting on top of a soggy pile of charred wood was part of a red winter horse blanket. Was this the one he’d spread on the hay when he and Holly made love? What had he been thinking?
“I’ll bet that day left a bad taste in her mouth. That was real classy.” He glanced down, expecting Daisy to be looking up at him as if she understood every word. He’d gotten used to talking to her as if she were human. He missed that she wasn’t at his side today.
He’d alerted the sheriff’s office that he would be on the property, so he didn’t hesitate to duck under the crime scene tape and enter the house. A few phone calls later, Jake had arranged for hay and grain to be delivered along with a few supplies.
The next few hours went by in a blur. He moved the horse trailer, tractor, front-end loader, and brush mower out of the equipment barn. The trailer he relocated to the far end of the building to serve as a makeshift storage for the feed and hay. Only sick or injured livestock were kept inside, so he left minimum space for them. Duchess and Hollywood could stay in the pasture.
The late afternoon heat was relentless. Inside the metal building, the temperature had risen to roast-your-brain hot, leaving Jake’s clothes and hair soaking wet. He refused to stop until satisfied he could store the food that would be here soon and could shelter livestock if needed. He stepped out into the evening air, appreciative of the slight cooling effect of a breeze.
He’d avoided going in the house, dreading what he’d find, but the time had come to go inside. He walked to the back porch, turned the water on, and then hosed himself down. He pushed the door open and stepped inside. It was nice and cool. Nothing in the kitchen seemed unusual. The air conditioner hummed as if it were a normal summer day. The irony struck Jake hard, as he felt there was nothing normal in his life.
Closet doors stood ajar; drawers were wide open; several items of clothing had been tossed carelessly on the floor. Jake realized the bastard had searched the house, and his gut curled and tied into knots from the sense of invasion. Tank and Paul had been shot simply for being at the ranch. One had given his life for people he didn’t even know. Did he have a family? A wife and child?
He had to find the man responsible, but was torn between hurrying back to Holly and staying here to fulfill his responsibility at home.
He grabbed a bucket, broom, and bottle of bleach, hauling the lot to the porch. After a few minutes, he pulled off his shirt and put his back into the job of removing the bloodstains. After soaking and scrubbing, rinsing and repeating a dozen times, he quit trying. He’d build a new porch.
The sound of an engine alerted Jake that a vehicle was approaching. It turned out to be two. The insurance agent and the owner of the feed store drove up in separate vehicles and stopped. Jake slipped his shirt back on and led the agent through the barn, pointing out everything that needed to be replaced. He left the guy to make notes and went to help unload the feed.
He missed Holly and Daisy as he ate a bologna sandwich. Tired to the bone, he took a badly needed shower and then landed facedown on his bed.
Just as he hit the edge of sleep, his cell buzzed incessantly. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted to be sure you’re okay.” At the sound of Holly’s voice, Jake was wide-awake.
He rolled over and pushed a couple of pillows behind his head. She sounded sad, vulnerable, and too damn far away.
“Jake?”
“Sorry. I was almost asleep.” His heart rate fluttered. She’d actually called to check on him. “How are things there?”
“Quiet. I was worried about the animals.”
“Sorry, I should have called. It’s no excuse, but I got caught up in everything that needed to be done.”
“Duchess?”
“There were no injuries to any of the livestock. The cattle guard kept them from wandering
off until one of the firemen put them in the back pasture.”
“The barn?” Her voice was so soft he had to listen closely.
“I’m going to push the whole thing down. I’ll bury the pieces in the back pasture.”
“The back forty as Alice calls it.” The tension in Holly’s voice seemed to have eased now that they were talking about the ranch.
“Right. Alice has insurance, so everything will be rebuilt.” He pushed an image of her lying beside him from his mind.
“Have you heard from her?”
“No. Claude’s deputy contacted them, but I didn’t follow up. I was afraid I would only upset her.”
“I understand. You’ll let us know how things go?”
Jake hated to end the conversation. “Has Nate heard from Dalton or the detective in Houston?”
“Nothing yet.”
A lull hit the conversation. He couldn’t allow Holly to continue to be his pseudo-caseworker or caretaker. “I’d better get some shut-eye. Big day tomorrow. Tell Nate I’ll check in soon.”
“I will. Take care.”
“You too.” Jake ended the call. He wasn’t tired anymore, so he got up and roamed around the house. Nothing interested him. Holly had sounded far away. In reality, she was where she belonged.
Shit. Had he had fallen in love with her? And why did that question fill his heart with fear?
CHAPTER 23
Jake was up before dawn the next morning. He fed the livestock and then salvaged what he could from the barn, storing it in the equipment barn. That finished, he drove the front-end loader to the charred remains. With the push of a lever, the bucket raised high, and he began knocking down the burned walls.
The day wore on and the sun grew brighter and hotter. Jake, totally absorbed in his work, paused only for an occasional drink of cold water. Once he bent over the hose and ran water over his head. His mind was so occupied by the job at hand that for the first time in days, he was at peace with himself.
He methodically scooped up the pieces and hauled each load to the pasture, where he’d earlier dug out a large chunk of earth. His anger grew with each lift and lowering of the bucket. After he pushed the last charred load into the hole, he pounded the pile with the backhoe bucket, and then covered them with dirt. At last, nothing remained of the ruins but small pieces of rubble and the dark scorched earth where the barn had stood.
This piece of heavy equipment had served him and Alice well, but as it lumbered along in an attempt to return to its station in the equipment barn, the engine developed a miss. He reversed the backhoe into its new parking spot, hopped off, and began to hunt for the reason.
The metal clang of the cattle guard drew his attention. Claude’s pickup came into view. Jake wiped his greasy hands on a rag and went to meet him.
The pickup didn’t stop at the house. It sped down the drive, stopping next to Nate’s SUV. Alice was out and running toward the empty spot where the barn had stood before Claude killed the engine.
“Alice,” Jake called out, running to intercept her.
She stopped and turned to face him. The worry and pain on her face tore at his heart. “Duchess?”
“They’re all fine. One of the men guarding the place managed to let the animals out before the fire engulfed the barn.”
“We heard, but I need to see for myself.”
“Then come with me.” He took her hand and led her to the back gate. “She and Hollywood are fine. All of the livestock are fine.”
“Hollywood?” Alice tugged a tissue from her pocket and dried her eyes. She looked up at Jake. A frown tugged her brows together briefly. “Oh. I get it.”
“I’d like to keep the colt.”
“It’s a great idea. She’ll love—”
“No. She won’t know.”
“What makes you think she won’t be back?”
“I know.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“I’m going to find the S.O.B. who did this. Then I’m coming home to help you.”
“I meant about Holly.”
Claude joined them on the walk back to the house thankfully ending the conversation. Alice tucked her hand under his arm and together they walked back.
“I wish you two had stayed gone a few more days.” Jake considered the ranch to be safe, but he’d hoped to have construction on the barn started before she came home.
Alice caught Claude’s hand. Color flooded her face. Something was up, and Jake was pretty sure it was good news.
“Claude and I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Jake forced back a smile. “What’s up?”
Her cheeks flushed red. “We…”
“Finally. You stepped up and told her how you feel about her?”
“I did.” Claude stepped back. “You tell him.”
“He proposed.”
“And she accepted.” A smile burst across Claude’s face.
Jake slipped his hands under her arms, spun her around, and then set her down next to Claude. “Congratulations,” Jake said. “You two have wasted enough time.”
“I hoped you’d approve.” She let out an audible breath.
“Approve? I’m thrilled. While I’m getting the barn construction going, I’ll find an apartment in Murdock.”
“No,” she answered quickly and firmly. “We don’t want that. Not at all.”
“You two need your privacy. We both knew my living here was temporary.”
“Will you shut up long enough for me to tell you something?” She laughed at her words. “We are going to live in Claude’s cabin. It’s beautiful and peaceful. Has a covered fishing dock and space for me to plant a flower garden. Claude’s going to retire and sell his house in town.”
“This is your home. You love this place.”
“You’re right. Over the past few days, I realized there was something missing in my life. This ranch doesn’t hold me when I’m frightened. It doesn’t bring me coffee in bed every morning.” Her eyes misted as she reached for Claude’s hand. “It doesn’t look at me like I’m still a beautiful young woman.”
“Well said,” Claude crooned like a schoolboy.
“Jake.” Alice pinned him with a look. “Your uncle always worried that someday this ranch would fall into the hands of someone who didn’t love it like he did. He would want me to give the ranch to you.”
Jake had gotten so caught up in her emotional words that it took a second for her last statement to hit home. “No. You’re not giving me anything. I owe you…remember?”
“Bull. Your hard work turned this place around and made it something to be proud of.” She pointed her index finger at him. “Don’t argue.”
Jake studied Alice’s face. Her eyes definitely had a new twinkle. Damned if she didn’t look younger. “You’ve made up your mind?”
“Yes. Claude and I love each other. We’re going to enjoy every moment we have left in this world together.”
“Then I’ll buy the ranch. The salary you’ve been paying me has been sitting there waiting for me to spend it. I’ll make payments just like any buyer would.” Alice opened her mouth as if to speak, but Jake held out his hand.
Alice was shaking her head. “You’ll need that profit sharing money for operating expenses.”
“It’s the only way I’ll take it.”
Alice shook his hand. “Deal. But you’ll pay the price I set or the deal is off.”
Jake opened his mouth to argue but changed his mind. Arguing over money would throw a wet blanket on the celebration. The sting of the barn was enough. He wouldn’t spoil her day.
Claude released Alice long enough to offer his hand. “You’re okay with this?”
“More than okay. It took you long enough,” Jake said with a laugh. “Glad to have you in the family.”
“I’m honored to have her.” Claude’s face flushed just like Alice’s had.
“Something good has come from this disaster.” Alice leaned her head on Claude’s s
houlder. “Now show us what we can do. We’re here to help put things right.”
Jake clapped Claude on the shoulder. “I should probably warn you. The woman’s a task master.”
The three of them walked through the barn, discussing plans. The insurance had promised quick results, and Claude knew a reputable contractor. The more they planned, the more Jake thought about returning to Dallas. Alice and Claude would take care of the ranch.
They moved to the kitchen and Alice immediately began asking questions. “The two men who were staying here, did the one who was killed have a family?”
“Tank Jorgenson has a sister. I don’t know about Paul Torbin.” Jake’s anger rolled through his blood. “We didn’t share personal information.”
“I hope Holly is well protected,” Claude said. “This killer, he has no conscience at all.”
“She is.” Jake truly believed she was safe. “She’s with friends who will do whatever it takes.”
“You need to go make sure,” Alice said, reading Jake’s thoughts. “We’ll ride roughshod over the construction.”
“I can’t dump this on you.”
“You’ve done the hard work. All we have to do is supervise the construction.”
Jake walked away. How could he not return to Dallas? He needed to make sure Holly was protected. If anything happened to her… He returned to Alice.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. So shoo.”
“Then I’ll shower and head back.” Jake turned to Claude. “You’re staying here?”
“Yep. I’m resigning today. I’ll be right by Alice’s side until she runs me off.” He laughed, taking a quick peek at Alice.
“And that’s never going to happen,” she said, joining Claude in a chuckle.
“Good enough.” Jake walked to his room for a change of clothes. His shaving gear was at Nate’s, but that was the least of his worries. Clean was good enough, so he showered, dressed in clean jeans and a shirt, and went to say good-bye.
Alice stood at the stove with her back to him. He wasn’t surprised to find her cooking. It was her way of showing affection.
“Something smells good.”
She turned, drying her hands on her apron. “I’m putting on a pot of chili. Claude says the weather doesn’t get too hot for him to want a big bowl. It won’t be ready until long after you’re gone.”
No Greater Hell (Lost and Found, Inc. Book 4) Page 20