Unwelcomed Greeting: A Riverton Crossing Novel

by Savannah Maris

  “I feel so helpless…useless.”

  “Me, too. I’m fighting every fiber in me not to go over there. Right now we’re helping bring this to an end by letting this happen.”

  “If something happens to my parents, I’ll never forgive myself.”

  “I know, baby. We’ll be in that boat together. From now on, we’ll face everything together.”

  “Yes.”

  “Would you like to lie down for a while? Try to rest.”

  Before she could answer Mitchell, they heard rapid pops. “Get inside! Get inside!” Mitchell yelled.

  Once they were inside, Mitchell jogged toward the guns in the office, and Evan ran toward his room. Kayla and Ginger just watched, as they didn’t know what to do. Mitchell came out with a couple rifles while Evan had a set of high-powered binoculars. They walked back outside just as one of the ranch hands rode up. Kayla thought it was Paul. She heard him yell something about another couple heads of cattle being gunned down. Roger and Tom were bringing the rest to the barn. Mitchell walked past the deck to where the property sloped toward the river and raised a gun to his shoulder. He looked through the scope while Evan did the same with the binoculars. From where they stood, they could see the bank on the other side of the river with the naked eye, but not well enough to make out anything else. Paul headed toward the corral to help get the cattle in.

  When Kayla walked out, she heard Evan. “Shit. I see two people runnin’ up the river bank, but their backs are to me. Two o’clock, do ya see ‘em?”

  “Hang on.” Mitchell was moving his rifle, trying to focus on them. “Yeah, got them. Did Nathan say anything about this?” Mitchell asked.

  “No, he said in town after five.”

  “That’s pretty ballsy to shoot our cattle in broad daylight.”

  “Or stupid. They’re takin’ more chances, which means they’ll make a mistake. They’re hopin’ if more cattle get killed you’ll sell the ranch,” Evan said.

  “We can’t fight battles on two fronts, Evan.”

  “We aren’t fightin’ any battles. ATF and DEA are fightin’ the battles. We’re just tryin’ to keep the casualties to a minimum. We know what they want and how to push the timeline up. Once we know what’s happenin’ tonight, we can work on that tomorrow. You need to call Sheriff Cahill now, though.”

  “Mitch?” Kayla yelled.

  “It’s okay, sweetheart,” Mitchell said as they walked back toward the house.

  “Did another steer get shot?” she asked.

  “A couple of them. I need to call Sheriff Cahill to come out and take a look,” Mitchell said as he threw an arm over her shoulders. He leaned his rifle against the door jamb and took her hand. He pulled out his phone as he led her inside and dialed Sheriff Cahill’s direct line.

  Kayla watched Mitchell and listened to his phone call. “Afternoon, Sheriff…Yessir, we do have a problem…We’ve had a couple more heads of cattle shot this afternoon…About a half hour to forty-five minutes ago…Yessir. I’ll be here all afternoon…See you then.” Mitchell ended the call. “He’ll be here in an hour.”

  Kayla worried about what was happening now and what was going to happen later. She wanted to scream. She felt as though her life was a merry-go-round on fast forward, and she was standing on the side trying to get on. She wanted it to stop so she could step on, not have to jump and hold on for fear she’d be thrown back off. Mitchell held her for a few seconds without saying a word. When he did speak, he was very gentle. “Sweetheart, when the Sheriff gets here, I think you and Ginger need to either stay in our room or the office. Until we know who we can trust, Ginger doesn’t need to be seen here. If the Sheriff brings one of his deputies, Evan will need to stay with you. The Sheriff is one of the few people who know he’s here. I want to keep it that way for as long as possible.”

  “But he knows I’m here,” she said.

  “Yes, but you look like you’re about to pass out. Baby, please lie down.”

  “I agree, Kayla,” Evan said, then turned toward Ginger. “Darlin,’ you’ve been mighty quiet during all of this, you still with us?”

  “Yes. I just don’t know what you need me to do,” she quietly said.

  “I understand. I just want your mind here with me,” he said before kissing her tenderly.

  They cuddled on the sofas until they heard a car drive close to the house. Mitchell nudged Kayla because she’d dozed off. He looked out the window. “Deputy Smith is with the Sheriff. I’ll handle this.”

  The doorbell rang as Evan and the girls walked toward the office.

  “Good afternoon, Sheriff…Deputy Smith. Please come in.”

  “Howdy, Mitchell. You said you had more cattle shot?”

  “Please have a seat. Yessir, we heard what sounded like automatic gunfire. One of my hands rode up to tell us a couple more heads were shot down by the river. My men got the rest of the herd up to the barn. I haven’t been down there yet. I waited on you because I wouldn’t’ve been back to meet you.”

  “I see,” the Sheriff said.

  “You said ‘we,’ Mr. Riverton. Who was with you?” Deputy Smith asked.

  “Mak.”

  The Deputy looked at Mitchell curiously. He didn’t seem to know who he was talking about.

  “Ms. Makayla Gregory.”

  “Where is Ms. Gregory now?” The Deputy continued to question.

  “She went to lie down. She’s under a lot of stress these days.”

  “Would she tell us anything differently than you, son?” asked the Sheriff.

  “No sir. We were on the back porch when Paul rode up. My men are in the barn; they’re here ‘til five. I figured you’d want to speak with them since they are eyewitnesses. We can take my truck to the site. Sheriff, the last one was shot from the direction of the wildlife refuge. Today, I saw two men running up the river bank over there after the shots.”

  “How could you see that far, Mr. Riverton?” Deputy Smith inquired.

  “Through the scope of my rifle, Deputy.”

  “I see. Could ya see the men, Mitchell?” Sheriff Cahill asked.

  “No sir. Their backs were to me.”

  “Well, that’s state land. I’ll have to call the game warden’s office. I don’t really have jurisdiction there,” the Sheriff continued, “however, I’ll see what I can do. Can we see where they are?”

  “Yessir. Let me grab my keys.”

  “Do you have a problem if a Natural Resource Officer calls you?” The Sheriff asked.

  “Not at all if it keeps my cattle safe.” Mitchell called down the hall, “Mak.” She stuck her head out of a door. “I’m going to show the Sheriff and Deputy where the cattle got shot. I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”

  “Okay.”

  When they walked around to his truck, Mitchell saw the ranch hands. He called to let them know the Sheriff may want to speak with them when they got back. The Sheriff rode shotgun while Deputy Smith jumped in the back. Mitchell was glad because there wasn’t enough room in the cab of his truck for all of them. Plus, the Deputy just didn’t sit well with him. To Mitchell’s surprise, Roger jumped in the back with the Deputy.

  Mitchell pulled beside the dead cattle. The buzzards were already circling in the sky. Roger explained to the Sheriff and Deputy what he saw and heard. After the Deputy took some pictures with his phone, Roger suggested they load the animals so the boys could bury them when they returned. The Deputy didn’t seem too pleased to ride back with the carcasses. Too fucking bad.

  When they got back to the house, Sheriff Cahill said, “I’ll make a few calls, Mitchell, and see what I can find out. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, Sheriff.” He nodded. “Deputy.”

  Mitchell and Roger watched as they left the ranch. “Is it just me or did that feel like a complete waste of time?”

  “It’s not just you,” Mitchell said.

  “Paul said he saw Evan at the house today. When did he come back?”

  Mitchell felt l
ike shit for keeping this from him. “Roger, no one was supposed to know. He’s been here for about a month.” He looked the man square in the eyes and pleaded for his understanding.

  “Is he stayin’ for a while?”

  “I really don’t know. I hope so. Once we find out what’s going on with the cattle, he should be able to move about more freely. I’m asking you to trust me for a little longer on this, okay?”

  “Sure, Mitchell. It must be real important for you not to tell me, so I’ll trust you.”

  “Will you ask the guys to remain tight lipped as well?”

  “Yeah.”

  Mitchell thanked Roger as he gave him the keys and walked back into the house. He went straight to the office to let everyone know they could come out.

  “What’d he say?” Evan asked.

  “He said it’s state land and he’s calling the game warden. He didn’t make me feel like they’re going to do anything. I’ve known Sheriff Cahill my whole life, but for the first time I feel like I can’t trust him.”

  “You think he’s working with Masterson Investments?” Kayla asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe it’s that Deputy Smith. I didn’t like him the first time I met him. Then the way he acted at the hearing.” Mitchell rubbed his hand down his face. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just paranoid.”

  This time it was Kayla who wrapped her arms around Mitchell. “Let’s go someplace more comfortable.”

  Evan asked, “What’d ya do with the cattle?”

  “Roger, Tom, and Paul are burying them as we speak. By the way, Paul told Roger he saw you this afternoon. I had to smooth it over with him.”

  “He okay?”

  “I think so.”

  “I think they were just tryin’ to keep us occupied with the cattle,” Evan said.

  “What do you mean?” Mitchell asked.

  “A diversion,” Evan said.

  25

  Five o’clock came and went…nothing happened. Everyone was jumpy and needed something to occupy their time. By half past six, Kayla was climbing the walls so Mitchell sent a text to Thomas.

  Mitch: Just checking in. Anything happening?

  Thomas: Nothing. I’m about a block away in the woods.

  He showed Kayla his phone. That seemed to ease the worry on her face. Around eight, Mitchell finally talked her into taking a bath. A long, soothing bath. Ginger disappeared to do the same thing about a half hour later. Just as Kayla walked into the living room in a pair of lounging pants and a t-shirt, Mitchell received a text from Thomas. All it said was “FIRE.”

  He looked at Evan as he spoke to Kayla. “Baby, we need to ride toward your parents’ house. Thomas sent a text that said ‘fire.’ I know we won’t be able to get to them, but we’ll find Thomas.”

  “Did he say if the fire trucks have been called?”

  “I’m sure he’s on the phone with your dad and just sent the quick text. Let’s go find out for ourselves.”

  She found flip flops by the door on their way out. Since the dead cattle had been in the truck, they took Shelby. Mitch secured Kayla in the passenger seat since she seemed lost in her own head. He hated that the console would be between them and he’d barely be able to touch her. He jogged to the driver’s side and fired her up. They drove in silence, but he held her hand as much as he could with a manual transmission.

  Once they got into town, they took back roads and came upon Thomas’ car a couple blocks away. Mitch sent him a text.

  Mitch: Have you seen your parents?

  Thomas: Dad says they’re fine in the house.

  Mitch: We’re at your car. Where are you?

  Thomas: You should be able to drive around the pond and you’ll see me.

  Mitch: Ok.

  Thomas: I hear you. Keep coming.

  As soon as Kayla saw Thomas, she jumped out even before Mitchell came to a stop. Thomas turned in time to catch her running into his arms. When Mitchell walked up, she moved into his embrace. That was where they both belonged.

  Mitchell shook Thomas’ hand. “Did you see what happened?”

  “Yeah. Someone threw a Molotov cocktail from a dark Challenger halfway down my parents’ property. From that location, the police can’t blame it on anyone except mischievous kids.”

  “But you’re an eyewitness.”

  “Who’s biased.”

  “Not if there’s corroboration.”

  “We’ll see.”

  They could see three fire trucks, two ambulances, and three police cars. About twenty minutes later, the blaze was under control; hopefully, one of the ambulances was able to get to their parents. As they inched a little closer, they saw Curtis laughing on the phone with someone. How can someone find humor at a scene like this?

  An EMT came around an ambulance and recognized Thomas. “Doctor Gregory, is this your parents’ place?”

  Curtis turned at hearing Thomas’ name. He disconnected the call immediately and a somber expression came over his face. He didn’t know they had seen him. He ambled over just as Thomas answered, “Yes, Eric. Do you know if anyone is with them yet?”

  “No, sir. But I can find out.”

  “It’s a shame no one saw what caused this fire. I hope your parents have insurance,” Curtis chimed in.

  Mitchell kept a tight hold on Kayla because he knew she was on a short fuse. He didn’t need her arrested on top of everything else today so he kissed the side of her head and whispered, “Deep breath, baby. He’s trying to provoke one of us. Please just stay calm.”

  She looked at Mitchell with an evil eye he knew was meant for Curtis. He knew she wanted to say something, but was holding it in. They broke eye contact when the EMT walked toward them. “Doctor Gregory?”

  “Did you find out anything?”

  “Yes, sir. They checked out okay from the fire, but your mother seems to be having some chest pains. They’re taking her to the hospital to be checked out. Do you want to see them?”

  “That’s okay, Eric. Tell them I’ll meet them there.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The ambulance passed them with its lights on, and the look on Thomas’ face when he turned to Kayla showed he was torn. He wanted to be there with his sister to deal with the aftermath, but needed to be with his parents, too. Mitchell placed a hand on his shoulder. “The hospital is your arena. I’ve got Mak and the land. That’s what I know.”

  Tears pooled in Thomas’ eyes. “Thank you.” He swiftly hugged Mitchell then Kayla, kissing her cheek just as quickly. “I love you.” He turned, and they watched him jog to his car.

  It was close to midnight by the time everyone cleared out. The fire captain assured them the fire was out, but would send a truck back the next day to spray it down in case of remaining hot spots. They didn’t want to leave the Gregory’s property unattended, but it was going to be that way until Mrs. Gregory came home. They chained the gate as they left. It wasn’t much, but it seemed to help Kayla. They’d be back after sunrise to check the property damage.

  They dragged themselves to the car and headed home. Mitchell was so glad Kayla rested earlier, but now he was wishing he’d been with her. They approached the last traffic light at the edge of town. Wishing for it to turn green before he got there was futile. Just as he came to a stop, bright lights appeared in his passenger side mirror. He groaned, “What the fuck else can happen today?” The dark Challenger rolled up beside him and the driver revved the engine. “You have got to be fucking kidding me. Mak, we’ve got company.”

  She rolled her head to the side and opened her eyes. The windows on both cars were tinted so she couldn’t see the driver any more than the driver could see her. “Do you think he saw your car at my parents’ place tonight?”

  “Maybe. I’d think they would’ve stayed as far away as possible, but who knows what goes through an idiot’s mind.”

  Mitchell knew the other lane ended in about two hundred yards. He had to take this asshole on the start and block him from moving over. If this f
ucker wanted to continue this stupidity, he’d have to do it on the wrong side of the road. Mitchell watched the light and anticipated the change. He saw the adjacent light turn red and his turn green a split second later. They both hit the gas. The tires squealed and smoke rose from the friction. They left the line at the same time. Mitchell was quicker through his gears. The other lane was running out. The driver tried to edge ahead, but Mitchell kept his wheel steady and shifted again. He was so in tune with Shelby that each shift of the gears was as smooth as glass. The driver wanted Mitchell to let him over. Fat chance. He had to slow and fell behind. Mitchell didn’t let off the gas because he didn’t know what the fool would do. The Challenger was on his left now and coming up quickly. Mitchell hit eighty-five, so the other guy had to be topping ninety to be come up that fast. What an idiot. Mitchell downshifted on the incline. When the other car was at his rear quarter panel, the driver had to do the same. As Mitchell came to the crest of the hill, he saw an oncoming car. With his lights on bright, the other driver may not see the on-coming headlights yet. As the car was at the back of Mitchell’s door, he knew the driver saw them because he tried to nudge Mitchell over. He didn’t move. Now the driver was playing chicken with two people. Mitchell didn’t see the jerk walking away from this one. Mitchell kept him where he was either going into the ditch or had to back off and fall behind. The driver tried to swerve at Mitchell again. No fucking way. He was ending this shit tonight. The oncoming car flashed his lights at the Challenger. Mitchell didn’t move. He saw the smoke as the oncoming car locked its brakes. Mitchell stayed straight. With impact a couple of feet away, the Challenger let off the gas and swerved into the right lane. He overcorrected and flipped into the ditch, facing the wrong way. The driver’s door was against the ground. Mitchell slowed and asked Kayla to tell Evan to saddle a couple horses. The car was right at the town limit line so Mitchell didn’t know who would respond. Maybe both. When he turned into the driveway, Kayla’s eyes were as big as saucers and she may have chewed off her bottom lip. He gently pulled it out of her teeth to make sure it was still there. His hands were shaking, but so was she. He pulled Shelby into the garage then walked to Kayla’s door. She just sat there.