“Of course not!” She shook her head.
“Want to hit me? Would that help?” He offered his chin. He knew better than to smile when she actually made a fist.
“Only if you were the one to start the fire.” She glared at him. “Were you?”
Rhett froze. “Seriously? You’re asking me that after I ran into that fucking fire to save your horses?” His temper stirred. “What in the hell would be my motive? Oh, I forgot, I’m a stranger. Maybe this is an elaborate setup arranged by that evil Dallas developer.” He stared into her eyes. “Someone who I have never even met. But don’t let the facts confuse the issue.”
“Facts? The fact is you conveniently landed on my doorstep, then all hell broke loose.” Sierra had her chin up, fire in her eyes. “I’d be stupid not to be suspicious of you.”
“Fine. I’ll pack my bags.” He stomped out of the kitchen and toward his bedroom.
“Rhett, wait!” She stopped him with a hand on his back. “I’m sorry. Honestly? I—I don’t know what to think right now.”
He turned around, and Sierra’s hand landed on his chest. She had to feel his heart pounding. The thought of leaving here pissed him off. He wanted to stay. And not just for the story. Hell, he wanted to know where this chemistry that thrummed between them might go.
“I do remember how you helped save my horses. I’ll be forever grateful for that.” She backed up. “Can you give me time to think about what happened?”
“Sure. And I understand your suspicions. If the word of a stranger isn’t enough for you, I’ll gladly take a lie detector test, if that’s what you need to believe me.” He was a decent guy. Loved horses. He’d never… Well, forget that. “I stink. I’m taking a shower. You look beat. Maybe you’ll decide I’m on your side after you’ve had a nap.” With that he turned on his heel and walked away. Good thing, because he’d had the stupid urge to kiss her. To pull her in and show her that he was not only on her side but could comfort her until she was boneless.
Down, boy. She was still in shock over the fire. And he sure as hell didn’t need to touch her when he reeked of smoke and horse. He stripped and stepped into the shower. He could wash away the stench of what he’d been through, but he’d never forget the sound of those terrified horses trapped in the blazing building. Their screams had pulled him in when his better judgment had urged him to stay safely outside. He was no hero, but he’d never let an animal suffer if he could prevent it.
Thank God he’d managed to get out again. His lungs burned when he tried to inhale deeply, and he bent over, coughing until he almost strangled. Shit. Not since his college days, when he’d thought it cool to pull all-nighters in smoke-clouded rooms, had he had such a weight on his chest. He hoped the steam from a hot shower would soak away some of that heaviness and the fresh country air of Sierra’s ranch would take care of the rest. He just hoped she let him stay and her brother didn’t try to run him off. He’d had the urge when he’d found his sister shacked up with a stranger. Of course, his feisty sister wouldn’t allow him to run her life. Would Sierra stand up to her brother? Or would she decide Rhett couldn’t be trusted? Damn it, he didn’t deserve her suspicions.
When he finally got to the living room, Rhett felt human again. Then he saw Sierra asleep on the leather couch, a pad of paper and pen on her chest. She’d been exhausted. Seeing her like that, his anger seeped out of him. The paper was a list of names and phone numbers. These must be the neighbors she hoped would take in her horses until she had a place to keep them. If he called them for her, it might help prove he was on her side. He walked quietly into the kitchen and picked up the house phone.
It soon became obvious that small towns had busy networks. Call it gossip or just a grapevine, but most of the ranchers he called had already heard about Sierra’s fire and were more than willing to take a horse or two. They accepted the fact that he was calling for her and claimed they were already hitching horse trailers to their heavy-duty trucks. By the time Rhett got to the bottom of her list, he was sure all of the horses would have safe places to stay.
“Who the hell are you?” The voice came from the back door. The man wore jeans and a white dress shirt. He carried a suitcase in one hand and had a garment bag slung over his shoulder.
“Rhett Hall. Sierra’s houseguest.” He stood and extended his hand. “You must be her brother Dylan.”
“Yes, I am. Houseguest?” Dylan frowned and looked him over. “That some kind of euphemism for boyfriend?”
“No. I’ll explain—” Rhett didn’t have a chance to say more before Sierra ran into the room and straight into her brother’s arms.
“Dylan!” She gave him a hug then stepped back. “Rhett’s just a new friend. Not a boyfriend. Quit giving him the evil eye.”
“It’s my duty as your big brother.” He held her at arm’s length and looked her over. “I’m sorry as hell about the barn. I saw it. Looks like a total loss. Clearly you’ve been through the wringer. What do you need for me to do?”
Sierra held his hand. “Help us find the bastards who did this and shut them down. So I can get back to my life here without looking over my shoulder all the time. Think you can handle that?”
“We’ll see.” He picked up his gear from where it had hit the floor. “This bozo using my room? Or yours?”
“Um, I did give him your room.” Sierra flushed. “We can move things around.”
“Not necessary. I’ll take Mason’s room. That puts me right between you two.” Dylan grinned. “As for solving your problems, I’ll need a hell of a lot more information than you’ve given me so far, sis. Pull out all the papers you’ve received from this Oxcart group. You know how I love paperwork.” He headed down the hall.
Rhett handed Sierra the list he’d left by the house phone. “So, this bozo made some calls for you while you napped. The checks are next to the names of neighbors who will be here soon with horse trailers.”
“Really?” She took the paper. “Thanks. I guess I owe you an apology for earlier. Accusing you… I wasn’t myself.” She touched Rhett’s arm. “I think everything that happened got to me. Throwing dishes!” She frowned at the mess in the kitchen sink. “What was I thinking? Rachel will kill me.”
“You were upset. Sometimes you just have to vent.” Rhett moved closer. “I’ll clean it up.”
“No, I did it. I’ll deal with it.” She groaned. “I’ve never lost control like that before.”
“You were provoked.” Rhett moved behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders as she plucked a broken cup out by the handle. “You sure you never lose control? Not even…”
“I thought you two were just friends.” That voice again. “What the hell happened to the crockery, Sierra?”
“I had a temper fit.” Sierra turned in Rhett’s arms so they were chest to chest. “Um, we are becoming friends.” She wiggled away from him to get the trash can.
“You look cozier than friends.” Dylan stepped closer.
“Back off, Dylan. This man helped pull my horses out of the barn when it was burning. He was almost killed doing it!” Sierra swatted her brother with a washcloth. “I owe Rhett and I haven’t been fair to him.”
“You’re forgiven.” Rhett smiled. He knew better than to say more. “As long as I can stay like we arranged.”
“Of course.” Sierra smiled back.
“Cozy. I don’t like it. But we can discuss this later.” Dylan walked to the door and opened it. “Sounds like you have company. Pulling horse trailers.”
“The neighbors. So soon!” She rushed to look outside.
“You’d better supervise them, Sierra. I’ll clean up the mess here.” Rhett dragged the trash can next to the sink.
“Thanks, Rhett.” She walked over and kissed his cheek, then walked outside, the screen door slamming behind her.
Rhett heard her call a greeting to the new arrival.
“Watch yourself, Hall. She’s vulnerable.” Dylan moved to follow her. “I’m onto your tricks. Playing the hero, are you? Stop it. And stay out of her bed.”
Rhett kept his smile hidden. Brotherly bluster. He’d tried it a time or two himself. It wasn’t worth spit. Sierra would do what she wanted, when she wanted.
“Right now, your sister is tearing her heart out over deciding where each horse is going to spend the next few months while she builds a new barn. Can we shelve this discussion? Get out there and help her.” Rhett followed him. Then he looked down at Dylan’s loafers. “You might want to change shoes. Even I have learned that boots work best here.”
“You son of a bitch. Those are my boots you’re wearing.” Dylan had noticed.
“Yeah. Thanks for the loan. Lucky we wear the same size. I’ll gladly pay for them. There are two more pair in that closet.”
“You have on custom-made Lucchese ostrich. Dumbass. You don’t wear those to muck out stalls. You wear the worn leather ones.” Dylan clenched his fists. “I’m running a background check on you, Yankee. First thing.”
“Don’t bother. Sierra already did. Give your sister credit. She’s sharp and not as trusting as you seem to think she is.” Rhett frowned. “Ostrich? Sorry about that. Obviously I need to learn more about boots. Thanks for the tip.” He glanced outside. Eight trucks were lined up, each with a horse trailer, some of them doubles. Sierra was talking to the men and women who had driven them. She obviously had special considerations when deciding who got which horse. The stallion was the hardest to handle and there was some discussion about who would take him.
* * * *
“Don’t worry about him, Sierra. My boy Miguel is good with even the toughest stud. Let him see what he can do.” A large man with a swarthy face nodded toward a young man sitting on the fence near the stallion. He was talking quietly to the animal.
“Thanks, Mr. Rodriguez. If Miguel can get him into the trailer quietly, I’ll be amazed. We had a heck of a time getting him here after he was rescued. The abuse he suffered… No wonder he’s a handful. Believe it or not, he’s settled down since we got him. I know you’ll be kind to him.” Sierra turned when Rhett joined her. “Everyone came. I’m so grateful.” Her blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
“I know this is hard for you.” Rhett saw his mount being led into a trailer. “There goes Blanco. I guess I won’t be riding for a while.”
“Neither will I. And forget the therapy group.” Sierra’s shoulders drooped. “Whoever did this has no idea how many people this affected.”
“Maybe they did.” The sheriff walked up. “Not everyone liked that therapy group you ran. I hear you had words with one of the parents about it just yesterday.”
“True. But I can’t imagine…” Sierra shook her head. “Will Jackson didn’t want his son in therapy, but he’d never burn down a barn. Would he?”
“He’s not a rancher, so he sure might. You’d better believe I’ll be talking to him. I don’t care how many Chevys he sells the town at a discount.” Myra glanced at Rhett. “I consider everyone a suspect until I personally clear them.”
“Good to hear.” Dylan walked out of the house in his own leather boots. “How are you doing, Sheriff Myra?”
“Dylan, good to see you. Not that you need to worry yourself about this investigation. I’m handling it.” The sheriff nodded. “I’d best be going. Got plenty to do.”
“I’ll be by your office later. Just to hear about your progress.” Dylan smiled.
“All righty then.” The sheriff walked away toward her police car.
“She doesn’t want anyone looking over her shoulder.” Rhett saw that Sierra was too involved with the horses to have noticed that last exchange. Her ranch hand Darrel had appeared and was helping her.
“She’ll have to deal with it. She’s got too many deep ties in this town to be objective. I’m getting a top-notch arson investigator up here if I have to hire one myself.” Dylan walked over to his sister and put his arm around her.
Rhett liked that, and decided he liked Sierra’s brother. Too bad Dylan might try to get in the way of whatever might develop with Sierra. Rhett had jumped over obstacles before. He could do it again.
Chapter Eight
Sierra had just seen the last horse into its trailer when her cell phone rang. She knew this number and braced herself. Damn her brother for looping in the rest of her family.
“Hi, Mama.”
“Baby, are you all right? Dylan told me you ran into your burning barn to rescue horses.” Great cell service. Her mother’s voice was so clear Sierra would swear she could hear the catch as Mama fought tears. “What were you thinking?”
“I saved every last one of them. Thanks to some help. Darrel and a new friend.” Oh, hell.
“New friend?”
“I’m real busy here, Mama. Can I call you back later?”
“No, you can’t, young lady. I want to hear about this new friend. Right after you tell me how your barn caught fire.” Mama sobbed. “My God, I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”
“You didn’t lose me. I’m fine. I inhaled a little smoke, but you wouldn’t believe how professional the volunteer firefighters were. They gave me oxygen and insisted I be looked over by the local doctor.” Sierra didn’t admit that the only doctor she’d let look at her had been the vet. Dr. Cibrowski had frowned but finally listened to her lungs with his own stethoscope and declared them clear. That had been after he’d checked her horses. He still wanted her to make an appointment soon with her own physician.
“Oxygen! That doesn’t sound good. I’m coming home on the next flight.”
“Don’t you dare. You and Harvey are on your honeymoon. I won’t have you interrupting that for me.” It was bad enough her mother had made her man wait years before she’d agreed to tie the knot. “Promise me you’ll stay put.”
“Harvey will understand. I made it clear when I finally agreed to marry him that my family would always come first.” Her mother had that stubborn edge in her voice.
“There’s nothing you can do here. You’ll just get in the way.” Sierra looked around to be sure no one else was within earshot. “I’m just getting to know this new friend. He’s a famous author. You’d like him. He ran into that burning barn and pulled Chief out, risking his own life to save him.”
“So this is a new boyfriend.” Now her mother was really listening. “I get it. You’re sure you aren’t hurt? That you don’t need me to take care of you?”
“I’m sure. Dylan is here. He’s helping me with the insurance stuff.” God, she hoped he hadn’t mentioned arson to Mama. The fact that her mother hadn’t brought it up made her think he’d kept his mouth shut about that.
“You need a good man by your side on that ranch. You think he’s interested in settling down?”
“It’s early days to start that conversation, Mama.” When had she become such a glib liar?
“I like that he saved your horse for you. Tell me more about him.”
“I really don’t have time now. The horses have to board at the neighbors’ while I see about building a new barn. It’s a logistical nightmare. Can I call you tomorrow? Will you tell Mason and Cassidy about this and make sure they know I’m fine? I really have enough help right now. I promise you.” It took another ten minutes, but Sierra finally got her mother off the phone with a promise to call daily with updates.
One last look around, and she was glad to see that things were settled. The firemen were gone. Dylan, with Tramp at his feet, was talking to Darrel, who’d finally appeared to help with the horses. Her insurance agent had shown up and stood frowning next to both of them. Fred Meadows said something that made Dylan raise his voice and a fist. Sierra turned her back on them. If there was a problem with the insurance, she didn’t want to hear it. Not right now, when she was already overwhelmed.
>
Rhett smiled at her from across the pool, where he had stripped off his shirt and was using a hose to wash off his face and hands. Oh, my. What a pretty sight. He caught her staring, so she waved at him then gestured toward the house. It was sunset and she was exhausted. She started walking and didn’t look back.
Inside, she collapsed on the couch, smiling when Rhett followed her into the living room. He’d put his shirt back on, darn it.
“I’m glad you finally came in. You look worn out.” He sat beside her. “What did the vet say?”
“He assured me that the horses had only minor burns. Chief got the worst of it.” She took the bottle of water Rhett handed her. “He’s lucky to be alive, thanks to you. Doc said Miguel is great with him. Held his head and soothed him while Doc managed to put ointment on the places that needed it.”
“Good. Now drink. The fire chief’s orders. I know my throat is still raw from inhaling all that smoke.”
“Thanks.” She twisted off the cap, and the water did feel good going down. “How are your hands?” She picked up one of them. His palm was red. It had to hurt. “I should put more antiseptic on them.”
“Torture me again? No thanks. They’re sore but I’ll live.” He smiled. “Just drink.”
“Fine. Be brave, macho man.” She dropped his hand. For a few moments they just sat there, side by side, drinking quietly. Rhett finally set his empty bottle on the table in front of them and looked at her.
“I know it was hard to watch all the horses leave.”
She couldn’t stand his sympathy right now; the tears she’d been desperately holding back might finally fall. She nodded and stared at her water bottle.
“They’ll be fine. You know that, don’t you?”
Who was this man? Where had he come from? And why did she trust him? But she did. He’d never been far from her side all through the hellish day, and when she’d watched her rescued horses being taken away in trailers. Damn it, she had nursed some of them back from the brink of death. Would she ever see them again? She set down her empty bottle then covered her eyes. Now she was being ridiculous. She could drive over right now and check out the places where each of them was being boarded.
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