Cowboy Dreamin' (Thunder Creek Ranch Book 8)

by Lorraine Nelson

  “A gray security uniform complete with Billy club, black work boots, and a baseball with the security company logo. I didn’t notice anything else.”

  “Hmmm, the boot prints we lifted at the river and at Allison’s were police issue. Maybe security issues the same footwear. I’ll check that out. In the meantime, I think I’ll take a run up to the university. Feel up to going for a drive?” Michael asked.

  “You bet. I haven’t been out of the house in days, not since the shooting.”

  “Get ready and don’t forget to wear your boots,” Michael teased. “We might even stop for dinner on the way back.”

  “All I need is my hat and boots and they’re in the kitchen. Let’s go.”

  Winnie was at the counter rolling out pie dough as they went through the kitchen. “Where are you boys off to?”

  “Thought I’d take pity on this brother of mine and get him out of the house. He’s safe with me, Mom. Don’t worry.”

  “Mothers always worry, but if Jack’s not safe with you, the entire country is in trouble.”

  Both men chuckled, gave their mother a hug, and stepped outside. Jack stopped at the top of the porch steps and breathed in a lungful of fresh air.

  “Thanks, Michael. I needed this.”

  “Yeah, I figured, but keep moving. You make too good a target standing still.”

  “Gotcha.”

  Once inside the squad car, Michael started the engine and hit the highway. They stopped in Calgary for a Timmy’s coffee, then drove straight through to the university.

  “Before we go to the office and start asking questions, I’m going to drive around and check for a black van. You keep an eye open for that guard.”

  “Okay. The security office is in the main building, so he’d probably park his own vehicle near there and grab one of the security cars.”

  “All right, but we’ll check out the parking lots on the way there.”

  Michael drove and Jack scanned the surrounding area. The parking spots were mostly empty, due to it being the summer break. He saw no sign of a black van or the guard. There was no sign of any security guards for that matter.

  “Security is probably more lax in the summer. Not as many yahoos partying.”

  “True,” said Michael as he braked to a stop in front of the main entrance. “Let’s go. I’ll ask the questions.”

  “I don’t know about that. The receptionist is a pretty little lady that I got along good with. Shelly might talk to me easier than a cop.”

  Michael grinned and opened his door. “We’ll play it by ear then.”

  But it wasn’t Shelly seated behind the reception desk. It was the exact man they were looking for.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “That’s him, Michael.”

  The guard gave Jack a look that was purely evil, then smirked when he noticed his arm in a cast.

  “What are you doing here?” the guard asked. “Forget something?”

  “Well, now, that’s a good question, Charlie,” said Jack after reading the man’s nametag.

  Michael showed his ID. “I’m Constable Michael Grayson with the Fort Macleod detachment of the R.C.M.P., and we’re here to ask you a few questions.”

  “A bit out of your jurisdiction, aren’t ya?” Charlie remarked snidely.

  “As a matter of fact, no. We’re still in Canada the last I checked.” Michael took his little notebook and pen from his pocket. “What’s your full name?”

  “Why do you want to know?” Charlie asked.

  Jack sensed a new tension in the tone of his answer.

  “I’m investigating an attempted murder, and your name came up. We can do this here and now, or I can arrest you and take you in for questioning. What’s it going to be?” Michael asked, every inch the formidable cop that he was.

  “Charlie Gaines,” he said with a murderous glare at Jack.

  “How long have you been employed here?”

  “Six months.”

  “What size are your work boots?”

  “What?” Charlie paused as if he’d refuse to answer, but one glance at Michael’s no-nonsense expression and he blurted out, “Eleven.”

  “What kind of vehicle do you drive?”

  Michael just kept pumping out the questions as fast as Charlie answered them.

  Charlie began to fidget in his seat. “A van.”

  “Make, model, and color?”

  “Ford Windstar, black.”

  “Made any out of town trips lately?”

  “No.”

  “Want to try that again?” Michael asked as he stared at the man.

  “Maybe a couple. Why?”

  Michael tucked the notebook and pen back into his pocket and Charlie seemed to relax.

  “I’d like to see your van now.”

  “I’m busy. I can’t just up and take off outside.”

  “You’re security. You’re expected to patrol the grounds. Get moving,” said Michael with one hand on his handcuffs and the other near his holster.

  “Fine. Let me buzz for permission.”

  Just then the inside door opened.

  “Charlie, honey, I can’t seem to get my zipper back up,” said Loreena before the door fully opened. When she caught sight of Jack and Michael, she took off running back the way she came.

  “Stay with him. I’ll get her,” Michael said as he passed Jack his gun and took off running.

  “Can’t leave the desk without permission, huh? Yeah, right. Pussy whipped. That’s what you are.”

  “Someone has to take care of her,” Charlie said.

  “And do her dirty work too?” Jack asked.

  “You shouldn’t have left her and taken up with that high-falluting vet woman.”

  “Allison? Now how would you know that?” Jack asked with a satisfied smirk.

  Realizing he’d put his foot in his mouth, Charlie clammed up. “I got nothing more to say to the likes of you.”

  “That’s all right, Charlie, old boy. You’ve said enough.” Jack smiled and showed Charlie his mini recorder as Michael came through the door with Loreena in tow.

  “Jack, say something,” she pleaded. “I could never do the things he’s charging me with. I love you.”

  “Save it for the judge.”

  “Keep an eye on him while I put her in the car and call for reinforcements,” Michael said as he ushered Loreena out the door.

  “My pleasure,” Jack said as he held the door open for them. In his peripheral vision, he saw Charlie push back from the desk. “Make a move. I dare you. After what you’ve put me through, I’d enjoy ending it here and now.”

  “I need to tell the boss that I’m leaving.”

  Sirens sounded as another squad car pulled up in front of the university building.

  “Oh, I think he’ll know soon enough. Is she worth losing your job for?”

  “You’re just jealous because she loves me now.”

  Jack snorted a laugh. “Yep, you’re pussy whipped, all right. Wake up, Charlie. Loreena’s a user. She loves only herself.”

  Charlie tensed, ready to spring into action, but Jack wasn’t worried. Not even Charlie was stupid enough to argue with a gun.

  ****

  Allison enjoyed her mini vacation now that she and her mom were getting along better. Although she was aware of the police guarding them and watching their every move, being home and visiting with some of her old high school friends helped keep her mind off of thoughts of Jack.

  Bridget’s ankle was much better, and she went everywhere with Allison. Her mother had taken the opportunity to visit friends as well. Being tied down with her granddaughter didn’t allow for much socializing. She’d even accompanied them on a few outings. All was good, and she didn’t have time to miss Jack … much.

  The nights were the worst. Images of Jack kept her awake most nights until exhaustion overtook her. Even then, she’d dream of him and her together and wake up wanting. Always wanting what wasn’t hers to have.

  She
never should have told him about Bridget as she had. She should have led up to it by asking if he liked kids. Funny how it hadn’t come up in conversation when she’d missed her daughter so much. Had her mother been right? Had she kept quiet about her child in order to hang onto a man? Subconsciously, maybe. And if so, she had a lot to make up for. Bridget was her life. The only thing she’d ever done right.

  Gary Merrithew had been in university with her. They’d met at a party and fallen in love within minutes, or so it seemed. They’d moved into an apartment off campus shortly after and were to get married upon graduation. They’d even planned to open a veterinary clinic of their own. Instead, a few weeks before graduation, he’d been run off the road by a drunk driver and had drowned in the lake in his submerged car.

  She’d been devastated to the point that she’d almost quit her studies, but knowing that was not what Gary would have wanted, she’d carried on and graduated with her peers. Then she had found out she was pregnant.

  She had given up her apartment, moved home after graduation, and allowed her mother to care for her and help prepare a nursery for her baby. Bridget Georgina Wakefield had brought light back into her life at a time when everything seemed so dark. And the changes she’d noted in the doting grandmother were phenomenal. The child had never been at a loss for love.

  Allison carried another box of toys and games to the truck. “Are you sure this is everything?”

  Bridget trailed behind her on her two-wheeler bicycle. “Everything except my bike.”

  “Hand it over. I think there’s just enough room to squeeze it in.”

  “Where do you want my suitcase?” asked her mother.

  “You can put it behind the driver’s seat with our duffle bags,” Allison replied as she loaded the bike and then secured a large tarp over it all. “It’ll be easier to access when we stop for the night.”

  “Oh, are we stopping? I thought we’d take turns driving and drive straight through.”

  “Where’s the fun in that, Mom? We have our bathing suits. I thought we’d stop at a place that has a pool,” Allison replied. This past week they’d grown closer together than Allison would have believed on arrival. She still didn’t know how it happened. She only knew how good it felt to be free of the tension.

  Her mother smiled and gave her a hug. “I haven’t been swimming in years. That sounds like fun. I feel like we’re playing hooky from real life.”

  Allison laughed. “We can do whatever we want, even play tourist and visit museums and such.”

  “Yay! Let’s play hooky and go swimming,” said Bridget before she scampered up and into the rear passenger seat.

  Allison laughed, in tune with Bridget’s enthusiasm. “You got everything, Mom?”

  “Yes, I just have to take out the garbage and lock up.”

  “Need any help?”

  “Heavens, no. I’ll be but a minute,” said her mother as she went back inside.

  “Okay, I’ll wait with Bridget in the truck.”

  While she waited, Allison took out her phone to call Michael and let him know they were on their way. Seeing that she had a text message, she checked that first. It was from Michael.

  We got him, Allison. Will fill you in when you get back. Apartment is ready.

  She replied: That’s great news, Michael. We’re leaving Winnipeg in a few minutes. We’ll be home tomorrow. I’ll call you then.

  Relieved that Jack wasn’t in danger anymore, she grinned as her mother got in and buckled up. She laid her phone on the console and turned the key.

  “Must have been good news for you to be grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat,” said her mother.

  “It was very good news. Just what I needed to hear.” And it was good news. She was happy for Jack and for herself. Maybe things would be less tense when next she saw him. “Ready? Set? Let’s go! It’s time to hit the road.” She put the truck in gear and started the journey home with the sounds of her passengers’ laughter ringing in her ears.

  ****

  “I can’t believe Charlie was so besotted with Loreena that he broke the law and lost his job because of her,” said Jack as the family sat around his mother’s kitchen table after dinner.

  “Love can make a person do crazy things. Outrageous things they normally wouldn’t attempt. Charlie thought he was avenging her reputation. Loreena claimed she didn’t know what he was up to, but Charlie’s statement said that on that first day she’d told him she’d like to key his paint job, or better yet, flatten his tires to keep him from leaving. And when you called her and told her to stay away from the ranch, she’d spouted all kinds of vindictive things. Charlie took notes and acted out her schemes to please her. Poor fool.” Michael forked the last bite of lemon pie into his mouth. “Mm-mm. You still make the best pies around, Mom.”

  “Are you angling for a second helping?” she asked, smiling.

  “I wouldn’t refuse,” Michael said as he passed her his plate.

  “Lemon again or cherry?”

  “I’ll take the cherry this time. Thanks.”

  “Can I sample the cherry, Luv?”

  Lucas’ hopeful gaze rested on his wife. Jack had a difficult time keeping a straight face. He slanted a glance toward his brother and saw Michael rest his elbow on the table and cover his mouth with his hand.

  “Now, Lucas. You’ve already had a slice of lemon, and you know you shouldn’t have any more pie,” said Winnie.

  “Mom, give him a break. Don’t make the poor man beg,” Jack said.

  “I’ll beg if’n that’s what it takes,” said Lucas with a grin. “That cherry pie looks mighty good.”

  “All right, but just a sliver,” Winnie said. “Where’s Rena tonight, Michael?”

  “Her sisters took her on a baby shopping excursion.”

  “But the shower is next week. Why not wait until after so she can buy what she still needs?”

  “Lacey and the girls are buying us the baby furniture, and they want Rena to pick it out.”

  “Oh, that’s so nice of them. The only thing I kept was the cradle that all of you used when you first came home. It’s up in the attic. I can clean it up for you if you’d like to use it.”

  “Why don’t you keep it here for when we visit?” Michael suggested.

  Winnie beamed a smile at him. “That’s a great idea. I’ll bring it down later and get it ready.”

  Michael chuckled. “Mom, the babies aren’t due for a few weeks yet. There’s plenty of time. And when it is needed, I’ll bring it down. I don’t want you lugging furniture around, especially bringing it downstairs.”

  “I wonder if both babies will fit in it,” Winnie mused aloud.

  “Line ‘em up. One at each end,” said Lucas.

  Everyone got a good chuckle out of that.

  “Well, it’s been a long and productive day, but now that the adrenalin rush is fading, my body is telling me it’s time to rest. I think I’ll go out and enjoy the fresh air, now that it’s safe again.”

  “You go ahead, Jack. Do you need anything?” asked his mother.

  “Nope, just the outdoors. See ya later, and thanks, Michael. I never would’ve put it together without you.”

  “I’m just glad it’s over and we can all rest easy tonight,” said Michael.

  “Speaking of which, did you contact Allison?” Jack asked.

  “Yes, I sent her a message earlier.”

  “And?” Jack prompted, wanting to hear what she thought, wanting to hear anything about her…from her.

  “And she’ll be home some time tomorrow.”

  Hope swelled until his heart felt ready to burst. “Did she ask about me?”

  “Sorry, but no, she didn’t.”

  Jack’s innards deflated and left a hollow spot where moments before hope had lived. “Okay, thanks.” He went out onto the porch and crossed to the rocking chair. He’d always done his best thinking in that old chair. And today he needed to think.

  What could he do to make amends?
How would he ever gain Allison’s forgiveness for being so rude? Rude, hell. He’d been downright nasty when he’d sent her away.

  He loved her but had never told her so. Hadn’t even been sure of it himself until after she was gone. Those three little words tied him up in knots every time he thought about voicing them. Did she love him? That was the question eating at him now. He didn’t want to confess his love only to have it thrown back in his face.

  Jeez! Was he a man or a coward? He was man enough to risk rejection. Wasn’t he? Their relationship as they’d known it had changed with the addition of a child. The commitment had to be there on both sides. Their lovemaking wouldn’t be as spontaneous, but they could make it work.

  Was Allison bringing her daughter back with her? If Michael knew, he hadn’t said. But what if she did and Bridget hated him on sight? What options would he have then?

  The door opened, and Michael joined him.

  “How are you doing?”

  Jack bit the bullet and asked, “Michael, is Allison bringing her daughter back with her?”

  He nodded. “Her daughter and her mother. She asked me to hire someone to clean the apartment so they wouldn’t see the mess Charlie made.”

  “Good Lord! I hadn’t even thought of that. I just figured she’d cleaned it before she left.”

  Michael’s gaze found his. “Seems she left in a hurry.”

  “Yeah, well, her daughter fell and got hurt. She had to go.”

  Michael gave him a strange look as if he thought Jack would say more.

  “Uh-huh. Weird, when no one knew she had a daughter. And now you two lovebirds don’t seem to be talking. I’m a good listener, bro.”

  “What’s there to say? I fucked up, and she may never speak to me again.”

  “That bad, eh?” Michael said as he sat in one of the deck chairs.

  “Worse. When she told me about her daughter, I got angry and sent her away. I was pretty nasty about it.”

  “I don’t understand. You like kids. Why did you get angry?”

  “Because it seemed like she hadn’t trusted me with the information. I was no better than stud service to fill the time. And it hurt, bro.”

  “Yes, I can see where it would. What are you going to do now?”