“True. You aren’t helping me calm down, Rhett. I’m finally realizing that I’ve been lucky I only lost a barn and a ranch hand so far. When it comes to people and their money, obviously sometimes they’re willing to do crazy, desperate things.” Sierra hurried into the bathroom, eager to get to Austin. She was glad to have Rhett’s help. Glad to have someone by her side when she felt surrounded by hate.
“I’m sorry you have to confront Marty. You have any idea what she could want?” Rhett stood in the bathroom doorway.
“I hope she’s going to explain why she was chasing Darrel. Or where Sally Ann is now. Since she just had a near miss, rolling her truck, maybe she’s ready to clear her conscience. Almost losing your life can help get your priorities straight.” Sierra knew where her own priorities were right now. Rhett came up behind her as she was spitting out toothpaste. His hands were warm on her skin as he slid them around her waist then up to touch her breasts. It was too tempting, and she turned in his arms.
“I don’t have time for this.” She pressed against him and kissed his whiskery chin.
“Neither do I. But I couldn’t resist at least a little taste before we leave.” He kissed her with a depth that made her bare toes curl. “Mmm. Later I’m going to want more of that.” He aimed her toward the bedroom. “I want answers just as badly as you do. The sooner we can get this settled, the sooner we can think about the future.”
The future. Her heart was still pounding from that kiss. Sierra hadn’t dared think too far ahead. Apparently Rhett liked to plan. What did he have in mind? She juggled all the possibilities while she found clean underwear and a fresh outfit. A future with a man like Rhett Hall? She couldn’t picture it. Or was afraid to try. She’d had dreams once, and they’d shattered on a hard dirt floor in an arena. That had taught her a lesson she’d never forgotten. Work hard and never let down your guard. Or count too much on tomorrow.
She pulled on boots and reminded herself that trusting Rhett was becoming a habit that could be dangerous. He had no ties here. He could be amusing himself by trying to help her solve her personal mysteries. When they were done? Well, then he might well be done with her.
She looked up and saw him in the bathroom door, staring at her. “I’ll check the kitchen. I bet Rachel left us something for dinner. It’ll beat hospital cafeteria food.” She headed for the hall.
“Whoa!” He snagged her by the waist. “You’re practically running. What’s got you spooked?”
“Nothing. Everything. You know how I feel about hospitals.” She gently took his hands off her. “I want to get to the truth. Will I? Finally? Allow me to freak out. Okay?”
“Okay.” He backed up and grabbed his jeans. “Just remember, I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
“And you remember,”—she forced herself to face him—“this is my fight, not yours. Feel free to bail anytime you get sick of me and my problems.” He looked a little stormy as she left him with that and walked down the hall. Sure enough, Rachel had provided a meal that would be easy to heat and eat. Her note on the table explained that she’d taken Billy home and would be back tomorrow. No mention of Sally Ann. Of course not.
Sierra stuck the food in the microwave and sat at the table. What did Rachel know now and what had she known all those years ago? That question was going to drive her crazy if she didn’t ask it soon and get answers.
Rhett walked in with her laptop. “We need to check your video surveillance around the bunkhouse. Clearly the sheriff’s office didn’t search the building, so maybe we can see who did.” He pushed it in front of her.
Sierra accessed the video feed and started scanning back until she got to the day of the barn fire. “Okay, I see Darrel going in and out. No visitors. Here’s the morning after. He let a few firemen inside.” She paused the picture. “I guess he let them use the restroom.” She started the feed again. “That’s funny, the insurance adjuster and Fred Meadows are walking around there. The fire didn’t reach the bunkhouse.”
“Probably making sure you didn’t try to pad your claim. People do that. Say there was smoke damage on outbuildings that didn’t have any.” Rhett leaned over. “Look, they’re taking pictures.”
“I guess you’re right.” She kept going. “Fred again. He was being a dick about my claim. He came a couple of times, trying to make sure I didn’t start the fire myself. Even asked Rachel for keys to the outbuildings.”
“He’s arranged for you to be paid now, though, hasn’t he?” Rhett realized they’d gotten to the day he and Sierra had gone inside. The view wasn’t good because he’d parked the Tahoe in front of the door. “Damn. You can’t see the door if there’s a car parked in the way.”
“That’s the way the ranch hands wanted it. Privacy concerns.” She backtracked. “See? Someone could have gone in there when Darrel’s truck was still parked and we have no view of it.”
“Then someone with a key or good lock-picking skills may have done the search before Sally Ann got the truck.” Rhett punched a button. “Once it’s gone? Clear view of the door. Shoot!”
“Okay, now we know. That we’ve got nothing.” Sierra hated the feeling of insecurity that had blossomed in her stomach. Someone had been in the bunkhouse, someone who was in on the conspiracy to run her off her ranch. Would she ever feel safe again?
Chapter Twenty
“I’ve read this list of investors until I’m carsick and I still can’t figure out who the Wranglers could be.” Sierra pushed the papers into the glove compartment then slammed it shut. “We need to know who they are and how much they have at stake in the success of the Oxcart venture.”
“You’re right. I’m sure Dylan will have that for us tomorrow. At least the names behind those two consortiums.” Rhett kept his eyes on the road. More rain. Yes, this was a state highway into Austin, but it wasn’t the state highway. There was a better way to get to the city, wider and with less construction. He had to pay close attention to his driving as night fell.
“Calling anyone from little Muellerville part of a consortium seems a stretch.” Sierra patted his shoulder. “Sorry it’s turning out to be such a miserable evening. I could have driven, you know. The one blessing in my fall from my horse is that the bad leg is my left one. I’m a decent driver.”
“I know. Call me a control freak, but I like to be in the driver’s seat.” He glanced at her to see how she took that confession.
“I’ll consider that a red flag, Hall.” She smiled at him. “However, so far that’s the only one I’m aware of.”
“Wow. I’m stunned. But then you haven’t known me that long.” He reached for her hand.
“We’ve been through a lot in a short time. I don’t know how I would have made it without you.” She looked at the side mirror when bright lights flashed inside the car. “Someone is on our tail. Way too close. Are we being followed?”
“I was hoping it was my imagination.” Rhett had been aware for a while that they were on a lonely stretch of road. No gas stations, not even a ranch house with lights on that they could turn toward if trouble found them. He slowed down below the generous speed limit to let the vehicle pass. Didn’t happen. It was a truck and it matched their speed.
What the hell? If he punched his brakes, the other vehicle would surely hit them. The road was lined with water-filled ditches and empty fields that seemed to stretch for miles in either direction. It was absolutely dark. Who knew there were still places like this in America, with no signs of life?
“Rhett, they’re passing us.” Sierra let go of his hand. “Put both hands on the wheel. I don’t like how close they are.”
“Shit, I think they’re trying to run us off the road. Hold on!” Rhett gunned it, leaving what he now saw was a black or dark blue pickup behind. He hit eighty and pulled away. The truck swerved back behind them, then accelerated and tried to pass again. Rhett put his foot down and they got up to ninety mi
les per hour. The big car could handle it, but so could that truck.
Without warning, it slammed into their rear bumper, making the Tahoe rock and Rhett temporarily lose control. He wrestled with the steering wheel and barely managed to keep them out of a ditch on their right side. Thank God he’d rented a heavy-duty SUV.
“Hang on! You okay, Sierra?” Rhett didn’t dare glance toward her to see how she was taking this. He concentrated on holding the car on the road.
“Don’t worry about me. Just outrun that moron.”
“Yeah.” Thank God for good tires and a hefty vehicle. There was no doubt in his mind that someone wanted them to crash, or at least to scare them shitless. This time when the truck started to nose up beside them, trying to push them into the ditch, Rhett jerked the steering wheel, slamming the rear of the Tahoe into the truck.
Bang! The other vehicle swerved with a screech of tires, then fell back behind them. Just in time, too. Lights flashed as another car came straight at them from the other direction. Rhett laid on his horn. Maybe they’d get lucky and the driver passing them would call 9-1-1 to report reckless drivers on the road. The other car honked too before it drove out of sight.
“My God, Rhett. That was close. Good driving.” Sierra sounded excited.
“I took a professional driving course once. But we were lucky that time. Better to outrun them.” Rhett hit the button on his steering wheel for phone service. Of course. He didn’t have any. “Hang on, Sierra. This asshole isn’t giving up.” Rhett sped up again. The truck driver kept coming. The Tahoe jerked as they were rammed again. “Shit!”
“Look! I see lights ahead. They’re going to have to give up, Rhett, if you can pull in there.”
“I will. I hope those aren’t just lights, but people too. My gun is in the console. Get it out in case they shoot at us.” He hated to say that and scare her even more, but someone as reckless as this guy could be capable of anything.
“Got it!”
“Brace yourself, they’re coming up again. I’m going to give them one more love tap. I’m sure as hell not waiting for them to make their move this time.” Rhett swung the wheel hard and they hit, jarring the Tahoe and sending the truck skidding toward a ditch on the other side of the road. “There, that should give us time to pull into whatever is ahead. Then I’m calling for help if I have to find a pay phone.”
Sierra blew out a breath that was loud enough for him to hear, and he risked a glance at her as he pushed the car up to ninety-five. Her face was pale, and she was hanging on with white knuckles to the grab bar above the passenger window. The gun was in her lap, and she just stared at him, eyes wide.
“That was amazing. It must have been some driving course.”
“We’re not out of this yet.” A glance in the rearview mirror showed the truck had managed to stay out of the ditch and was speeding toward them again. Too late. Rhett said a silent prayer of thanks as a well-lit strip center came into view. He moved his foot to the brake, gradually slowing until he could wheel past a gas station to a lot in front of Katie’s Kolaches, whatever that was. There was a pawnshop on the other side of it. The pawnshop was closed, but the kolache shop apparently served food and had attracted a small crowd.
Rhett pulled in between a battered truck and a Camry, then took his gun from Sierra. He opened the driver’s door, stood behind it and waited, watching the road. The dark truck slowed but went past. It had a long scrape on the passenger side. The front quarter panel was caved in where it had hit them. The front bumpers weren’t chrome, but a dark color. The windows had a dark tint and he couldn’t tell how many people were inside the late-model four-door truck. No license plate. When whoever was driving realized Rhett was out of the Tahoe and watching for them with a gun aimed at the road, he or she accelerated and roared on down the highway.
“Should we chase them? Did you see a license number?” Sierra had hopped out of the car and stood by his side. “I couldn’t see a thing. I did notice it was another damned Chevy truck. I told you there are dozens of them in Muellerville alone.”
“I didn’t get anything that would help identify it except it was black or dark blue, a recent model and had damage from what just happened.” Rhett pulled her close. “Come here, out of the rain.” He guided her to the overhang in front of the pawnshop. “Were you scared to death?”
“You won’t believe me, but I was kind of excited. It was like barrel racing. An adrenaline rush.” She looked up at him, her eyes shining. “Do you like roller coasters?”
“What? Yeah, I do.” He knew exactly what she meant. Of course, he’d been scared, for her more than anything. But during the chase he’d kept thinking he needed to remember every detail of the chase for a book. Foolish, but Sierra was onto something. Were they both nuts?
“I knew I liked you. Still,”—her voice lost the excitement—“I have a feeling whoever was in that truck just made one more attempt to scare me off my land. What do you think?”
“Scare you off or kill us both. High-speed chases like that are nothing to play with. Look what happened to Darrel.” Well, that got them both back down to earth. “Now I have to find a phone so I can call the sheriff. She needs to know about this, and to tell the highway patrol to be on the lookout for that truck. You know I never have a signal out here.”
“Let me.” She had her phone in her hand. “If you’re going to stick around for a while, you’d better get a satellite phone.” She hit speed dial and began talking.
Rhett left the reporting to her and put his gun back in the car. Stick around for a while. Yes, he wanted to do that. He didn’t bother to analyze why. Just knew it would take more than a car chase to peel him away from Sierra’s side.
“Tell Myra we’ll hang here until someone shows up to get our statement. I don’t want to head into Austin until I’m sure that truck driver knows we reported it. The driver could be waiting, lurking around farther down the road until we move on so he or she can try again.”
Sierra did as he said. When she hung up, she slid her arms around his waist. “You really do see plots everywhere, don’t you?”
“You and the sheriff think I’m wrong?” He kept his eyes on the highway running past them as a customer came out and left. Every once in a while a new one arrived. There was a delicious smell coming from the kolache shop.
“No, Myra thought it was a good idea. She’s contacting the highway patrol. Someone should be here soon.” Sierra pinched his middle lightly. “You ever eat a kolache?”
“I don’t even know what one is. If they have them in Boston, I never noticed.” He saw a patrol car pull in and waved it over.
“A kolache is a pastry with either a fruit filling or sausage inside. Can you handle the cop while I get us each one?” She eased away from him. “I smell coffee too.”
“Why don’t you stay and help me tell him what happened?” Rhett was surprised that she seemed to be eager to get away as the patrol officer pulled into the parking space behind them and climbed out of his car.
“You were driving, and I recognize this guy. His name was on our list. He invested in Oxcart.”
“You’re kidding me.” Rhett stared at her. “What are the odds?”
“Higher than you think. Rhett, he lives in Muellerville. The Texas Highway Patrol has people everywhere and this is probably the territory he regularly patrols.” Sierra eased toward the kolache-shop doors. “If Ray wants to talk to me, I’ll come out, but quick, what kind of fruit do you like? They’ll have just about everything.”
“Apple, cherry, I don’t care.” He watched her go. He’d have called her chicken or teased her about this, but he knew she’d had her fill of being blamed for holding up the Oxcart deal. A sturdy-looking man in uniform had put on his cowboy hat and approached them. He noticed Sierra enter the glass doors of the shop.
“That’s Sierra MacKenzie.”
“Yes, she was m
y passenger in the incident we just reported.” Rhett introduced himself and pulled out his driver’s license and registration.
“Ray Paulson.” The patrolman shook hands, examined Rhett’s papers and took some notes. Then he pulled out his flashlight and walked around the car. “Looks like most of the damage is to the rear and driver’s side rear quarter panel here.” The man bent down and looked closely. “You see what color the other vehicle was? These paint scrapes along the side look black or navy blue.”
“In the dark, it was impossible to tell for sure. No license plates. Might have been a new truck.” Rhett stayed beside him. At least the rain had let up and was now barely a drizzle. He was impressed with the officer’s thoroughness as he asked for details about the high-speed chase.
“Good thing he didn’t knock you into a ditch, or roll you over. You cut him off, do something to inspire road rage?” The officer scraped some paint samples into a plastic bag and labeled them.
“No, not a thing. Sierra and I noticed we were being tailgated after we left her ranch. We’re on our way to Austin to visit a friend in the hospital.” Rhett glanced back at the kolache shop. “In my mind, this was just another attempt to scare Sierra into selling her land.”
“I hope you’re wrong, but we’ll follow up on that. Sheriff Watkins is taking this seriously.” He wrote something then put his notebook away. “I hear her ranch hand, Darrel Lockhart, is in serious condition in Austin. That’s too bad.”
“Yes, you can imagine Sierra’s upset about that. There’s been one thing after another since Oxcart started trying to buy her land. First her fences were torn down, cattle poisoned, then her barn burned. Darrel fell into a hole we think was meant for Sierra. That kind of accident could have been serious for a woman with Sierra’s history. You know she has a bad leg.” Rhett didn’t correct the impression that Darrel was who they were on their way to see. “Do you need to interview Sierra now?”
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