by Kim McMahill
Grace had finally emerged from her funk at the feed store long enough to select the special bags of feed she would mix for Charlotte and the other pigs. When her mind landed on Charlotte, she thought about work and knew she needed to get her mind focused soon. She had believed her current project was a total failure, but corporate management didn’t agree. Now she was in a race to validate the results, verify its safety, and determine the long-term effects before the company brought in more researchers who would be more likely to cave in to management and allow the product to enter the production phase prematurely, in her opinion. The supplement had great potential to change people’s lives, but longer-term trials were essential. In her line of work, like most things in life, if something seemed too good to be true, it generally was, so she was plagued with doubt. She needed more time and had begged her direct supervisor to fight for a more responsible testing and monitoring period.
“If you can wait another day to go to Billings, I’d be happy to drive you.”
Logan’s deep voice jolted her out of her thoughts. She wanted to see Moss with her own eyes even if he wasn’t awake to talk to her, but with the Beartooth Highway closed for the winter the drive would be a long one, and some of the roads were bound to still be icy after the storm. She had imposed on Logan enough but found his offer tempting. Until now, she had been able to convince herself his close proximity and help were part of the job, but monopolizing his day off was another item all together.
“That’s very generous of you, but I can’t ruin your day off. I imagine you seldom really get one, being the only law enforcement for such a vast area.”
“True, but I already arranged for backup, and if it makes you feel better, if Moss wakes up I’ll ask him a few questions, and then we can consider the trip official business. Besides, I always stock up on non-perishables when I go to the big city, and I haven’t been there in several months.”
He smiled at her, and suddenly she had no desire to make the long drive alone, even if she feared abusing his kindness. For the first time in her life, she wanted and needed to lean on someone other than Moss.
As Logan eased the truck off the highway and came to an abrupt stop, Grace tensed. “What is it?”
“Looks like you’ve had a lot of company since we left by all the tracks in the snow.”
“The Hickman brothers said they would stop by. I called them this morning before we headed into town and asked them to give me an estimate on razing what’s left and rebuilding the barn. I was also able to get in touch with my insurance agent and get the ball rolling. He wasn’t sure how quickly he could get the adjuster and investigator up here, but gave me the go ahead to knock down the standing timbers, since they’re a safety hazard, while I wait for him to get back to me.”
“You sure don’t waste any time.”
“It needs to be done. You can’t successfully ranch in this environment without enough outbuildings. I also figured the Hickman brothers could probably use the work at this time of the year and might cut me a break. Things are pretty slow for them in the winter.”
“Good thinking.” Logan knew Grace was devastated about Butch and terrified for her uncle, but she held it together and did what had to be done. He’d never met such a strong, intelligent, levelheaded woman and wasn’t sure why he found that sexy but forced the thoughts out of his mind. “With everything on your mind, you’re taking care of business like a pro. I’m impressed,” Logan stated.
“Thanks,” Grace replied, forcing a weak smile.
As they approached the house, Grace spotted two men clad in brown coveralls, stocking caps, and heavy work boots walking around the ashes, charred timbers, and still smoldering piles of hay. As soon as the truck came to a stop, she got out and quickly made her way to them.
“Thanks for coming over so soon.”
“We don’t have much else going on right now, Grace,” Harold said while staring at the ground and kicking the snow with his boot.
“We’re real sorry about Butch and Moss. We shoulda come over sooner, but we’re not real good at these things,” Red said. “Maggie and the kids send their best.”
“That reminds me, Carol made a casserole. Don’t let me drive off with it, or she’ll tan my hide,” Harold added.
Grace chuckled, having no doubt Harold’s tiny wife, Carol, could handle the task. She smiled and fought the urge to give the brothers a big hug. They were hard-working country boys, and despite being stingy with words, she never doubted their kindness or sincerity. She respected they weren’t the touchy-feely type, so refrained from putting them in an awkward position.
“Please pass on my thanks to your families for their warm thoughts, and for the homemade food. Carol is by far the best cook in the county.” Grace paused a moment, and the silence was uncomfortable. “So, what do you guys think about the barn?”
“We’ll write you up a bid tonight. Don’t worry about a thing except bringing Moss home. We’ll do you right. We can get the lumber from the local mill so materials shouldn’t be too high. We’ll knock down the standing timbers right away, and we can start as soon as you want,” Harold replied.
“I appreciate you keeping it all official, but I trust you guys not to take advantage of me. I want to rebuild as quickly as possible, so the sooner the better. The horses have the open front shed to break the wind, but I hate being without a barn and stables, especially if any of the cows start calving early, and one of the mares is due to foal in a couple of months. All reports indicate this horrible weather we’re having isn’t going to break anytime soon, and we’re in for a long winter with a late spring.”
“We’ll give you a call tomorrow, and if the cost is okay with you, we’ll bring the papers over and get to work.”
“I’m heading to Billings Saturday to see Moss, but you don’t need me here. I just want the same size and style in the same location.”
The brothers nodded and each gave Grace a clumsy hug.
“Better get moving or we’ll end up stuck like those city fellas were earlier,” Red chuckled.
Logan’s attention immediately focused on Red. “What fellas?”
“Two guys driving a dark green SUV. They weren’t from around these parts.”
“How do you know they weren’t local?” Logan asked.
“Well, they were trying too hard to fit in. No one wears new blue jeans, cowboy boots, and a straw hat in this weather. The road’s been plowed, and the new snow is light, so they shouldn’t have gotten stuck if they had any experience driving in these conditions. Besides, they said they were lost.”
Logan nodded, his mind racing. It was probably nothing, but he didn’t like the idea of strangers hanging around on the heels of the fire. With the roads to Yellowstone and over the Beartooths closed for the season, there weren’t usually a lot of tourists wandering around the area in the winter. “Do you remember anything else about the vehicle or the men?”
“One didn’t get out, so we didn’t see him. The other was kinda scrawny, dark glasses, dark hair, and loaded…he pulled a hundred off a big stack and handed us each one for helping pull them out of the snow bank,” Red stated.
“Anything else?”
“I think it was a rental. Had Montana plates, but it had a green and white car rental bumper sticker,” Harold added.
“If you remember any more details, let me know.”
The brothers nodded, looking confused as to why Logan was so interested in a couple lost out-of-towners. Shrugging their shoulders, they got into their beat-up, three quarter ton, four-wheel-drive pickup, and left.
Grace stared after them a moment, as caught off balance as Logan but not sure why. Winter wanderers weren’t common, but not unheard of. Usually, those who ventured into the mountains this time of year were after winter recreation and dressed accordingly, so the strangers’ lack of winter gear on the heels of the fire was odd, to say the least, and definitely unsettling.
“Harold and Red are good guys,” Grace said absently as s
he struggled to return her focus to the tasks at hand.
Logan nodded, grabbed a couple of grocery bags, and headed for the house without saying a word about the Hickman brothers or the lost travelers.
Grace followed. She didn’t bother telling Logan she didn’t need any help, since she had already come to the conclusion he wouldn’t leave until everything was unloaded and the chores were done. Instead of bristling at the unsolicited assistance, she fell into step alongside him, appreciating the company. With Butch and Moss not at the ranch, the place felt deserted, lonely, and no longer the sanctuary of her youth.
Normally she was okay with being alone, perfectly at peace with her own company, but everything had changed. Now the thought of being at the ranch with no one else around conjured up a number of unfamiliar emotions—not really fear, but a discomfort and an unaccustomed feeling of loneliness.
“Can I offer you something to eat or drink?” Grace asked as they finished with the chores and returned to the house.
“Maybe one quick cup of coffee, but I’ve got one more stop to make before I call it a night. I need to do a welfare check on Gladys Hopkins. Her son notified the sheriff’s office a little bit ago she hasn’t answered her phone all day. My guess is she just doesn’t want to talk to that arrogant, pain in the behind son of hers. She may be eighty-two, but she’s still tougher than most men or women half her age, and his constant pestering her to move to town only makes her more determined to stay out here.”
Grace laughed as she started the coffee. “That sounds like Mrs. Hopkins. You can tell she loves her only child, but she thinks he’s overprotective, and she likes to rile him up every now and then. She still drives herself to town, which I have to admit is a tad scary. I usually just pull over when I see her barreling down the middle of the road in her ancient, beat-up pickup. She doesn’t have an ounce of fear on these narrow, snow-covered roads, so maybe she just went out after the storm to stock up.”
“I hope so. I have to admit I’d miss stopping by for fresh, hot, homemade apple pie and coffee so strong it could treat a fence post every time her son calls and asks us to check up on her.”
“Well, there’s probably the reason she hasn’t answered her son’s call. She just wants you to stop by, probably been baking all day.”
Logan chuckled as he kicked off his boots.
Grace loved the deep, masculine sound of his laughter. She continued to watch as he removed the rest of his cold weather clothes while she punched in the phone number to the hospital and listened to the menu routing her to the correct nurses’ station. As he sat at the table, Grace could tell his attention was focused on her, and she wondered what was on his mind as he scrutinized her movements. When the nurse’s voice came over the line all her thoughts of Logan vanished and returned to her uncle.
“Yes, yes, I’ll be there the day after tomorrow. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Grace placed the handset in the cradle and walked over to the kitchen sink. She braced stiff arms on the counter and leaned forward, gazing out the window at the snow yet seeing nothing. Biting her upper lip, she fought to hold back the tears, but when she felt Logan’s arms wrap around her, she turned, buried her head against his chest, and cried.
“Just let it out,” Logan said as he stroked her hair and held her, not knowing what the tears meant. Despite her strong, self-sufficient attitude, he had an overwhelming desire to take care of her, though he wouldn’t admit that to anyone, especially her, having no doubt if she knew, she would send him packing. He continued to hold her, murmuring words of comfort until her shoulders quit shaking, and the tears stopped flowing. When he felt her stiffen, he let go and stepped back. Tipping her chin up with one finger, he looked into her big blue eyes brimming with tears. “Well, what’s the news?”
“I’m sorry I broke down, but I’m so relieved that I just lost it. I’ve been trying to think positive, but it’s been a struggle. Moss woke up a few hours ago. His prognosis is good. Now that he’s conscious, they’re focusing on the concussion he suffered from a blow to his head, his burns, and his lungs. I didn’t get to talk to him. The nurse didn’t want to wake him, and he hasn’t been able to say much anyway. He took in a lot of hot smoke.”
“Blow to the head?”
“The nurse said Moss has a nasty lump on the back of his skull.”
Logan got two cups out of the cupboard, poured coffee, and sat down at the table. When Grace took a seat across from him, he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I knew he’d be okay. Hopefully he’ll feel like talking by Saturday, and he can tell us what happened. Then you won’t have to feel guilty about me driving up there on my day off.” He smiled and let go of her hand.
Grace nodded and took a sip of coffee. She didn’t know why she felt so weepy. The relief over Moss waking up was overwhelming, and the prognosis was encouraging, so she should be jumping up and down with joy. They sat for several moments in silence. She appreciated that Logan didn’t try to make her talk. She had never been comfortable sharing her feelings with anyone, and it was easier to control her emotions if she kept them bottled up inside.
“If you’re okay, I’d better hit the road,” Logan said, interrupting her thoughts.
“I’m good, better than good actually, despite how it may look. I’ve been so afraid of the possibility that Moss might not wake up, I guess I was holding everything in and finally let it out when they told me he’s going to recover. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“No need to apologize. I’d say I was in the right place at the right time. I know how frightening it can be to lose someone important to you. You’ve already lost too much. You don’t deserve any more tragedy.” He walked to the sink with his coffee cup, rinsed it out, and set it in the sink. He quickly turned his back to her, hiding his expression.
By the brief glimpse she got of the pain in his eyes, Grace knew there was much more to his words and wondered who he had lost but didn’t feel she had known him long enough to pry. She followed him to the front door and watched as he slipped on his boots and coat. When he turned back to her, the pain was gone and his expression was unreadable.
“I have a full day tomorrow, but if you need anything, call.” He held out his business card. “I’ll be in town all day, so I should have cell reception, and you can always text. For some reason, those get through fairly well even up here, and if all else fails, call dispatch, and they can radio me.”
Grace took the card and looked at it without reading the words. He had been there for her, and she wasn’t sure how to thank him. Some of what he had done was part of the job, but he had gone well beyond the call of duty, and she wasn’t sure she could have made it through the first twenty-four hours without him.
“I can pick you up Saturday morning,” Grace offered.
“I don’t mind driving. Is six too early?”
She wasn’t thrilled about getting up before the crack of dawn, but it was a long drive and she was anxious to see her uncle, so she readily agreed.
“Wait until I get here, and I’ll help with the chores. I don’t think I’ll be able to make it by tomorrow, for which I’m sorry. I have to go to court, and I’m not sure how long that will take or when I’ll be back up here.”
“You’ve really done too much already. In fact, I had better not see your face tomorrow unless it’s official business.”
“Ouch.”
It took a minute for Grace to register what he meant, and she felt awful. She hadn’t intended to insult him, and if she were honest with herself, the thought of not seeing him tomorrow was a very unpleasant notion.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I just meant that you don’t need to work like a hired ranch hand around here. You already have more than a full-time career. This situation will most likely be long-term, so I need to get into a rhythm with the chores and my job and not get too dependent upon your kindness and nice muscles,” she added with a shy smile.
“So you like my
muscles?”
“Don’t let it go to your head, Deputy. Remember I work with a bunch of researchers, PhDs, and marketing executives.”
He laughed as he turned and walked out the door.
Grace stood on the porch and watched until the truck’s taillights disappeared over the rise.
Just my luck, I may have met “Mr. Right,” and the timing couldn’t be more wrong.
Chapter Ten
Frank despised dealing with inept people, but even more he hated being treated like one.
Despite a recent successful and ingenious problem-solving operation he conducted utilizing a tiny, well-placed, remote-controlled explosive between a ski boot and binding, his contact dressed him down over the phone for more recent failures, which were beyond his control.
How dare she berate me when I’m in the field doing the dirty work while she’s sitting in some plush office issuing orders?
He didn’t work for her and only answered to Coterie. He wasn’t exactly sure who or what that was, but he had taken care of its dirtiest work for years, had been generously rewarded, and had yet to work for a woman. All he knew with certainty was his employer possessed unlimited financial resources and had more politicians and law enforcement on the dole than he cared to consider.
He had theories as to his employer’s agenda. Most jobs shared a commonality that was impossible to ignore, but he knew better than to ask questions. He obeyed orders provided by an intermediary handler, and wallowed in the large sums of money he received for his skills and loyalty. Unfortunately, the new handler he had been assigned for this job clearly didn’t trust him, but to be fair, he didn’t trust her either.