The Long Moon

by Stephy Smith

  “I told you. Gabe suggested I get you to help me. Everyone around knows about our past relationship. They have come up with the idea we should reconcile until Harvey is put in his place. The two of y’all work well together. All the hands are willing to help you in any way they can. They supported Gabe in bringing you in to help.” She straightened her back, never breaking the gaze.

  “And you, River, do you want to reconcile?” He held his breath and wondered if he wanted to hear the answer.

  “This isn’t about me. Grandpa Alvin’s ranch is at risk just as well as mine. If they run Grandpa out, he and grandma have no place to go except to the home. They could stay with me, but like dad, they refuse to put me in that position. Gabe can’t keep up with both ranches. He gave it a good shot. Lately, things have gotten worse. Harvey has to be stopped. With or without you, I’ll find someone else to step in as a prospective husband, even if I have to pay them to play the part. Now are you in or out?” Her eyes turned cold and determined.

  “What kind of trouble has Harvey set in motion this time? Why didn’t he hit the Moon ranch?” Her putting someone else before herself baffled and amazed him. As far as he knew this was only a set up to draw Carson back into the arms of the conniving vixen.

  “It started out as small things—fences cut, cattle and horses out, gates opened, those sorts of things. Now things are worse. We’ve been finding the cattle and horses on roadways, bullet casings lying around. No one hears the shots. Harvey does it when no one is around. He knew you were at the Moon. He won’t hit where the strongholds are. He may be worthless, but he’s clever and deceitful, you know.” River slouched in the chair and tossed the pen on the desk. Her fingertips formed a steeple at her chin.

  “What you’re telling me is Harvey knows the ins and outs of both ranches? How could that be, River? Where did he acquire the information of the lay of the land. Who has worked on all of the ranches around here? Has anyone held a grudge for being fired lately? Are you absolutely sure it’s Harvey?”

  “I suppose that’s one way of looking at it. I don’t know of anyone who has worked on all of the ranches. But they wouldn’t have to, since the ranchers all pull together at branding time to help one another out.” Her brows furrowed. Carson read in her eyes she hadn’t thought of these possibilities until she heard his words.

  “That narrows the suspects down to half the county. I’ll give you six months. Six months, River, and at the end of the six months I’ll decide if I want to continue. I’m sure we will have Harvey well under control by that time. I require time to work my own place. I’ll be here to help when you brand or ship your cattle. Other than that, I can’t promise I’ll be around much. I do have a life of my own. Don’t get your hopes up on trying to corner me into playing all lovey dovey. It won’t work.”

  Hurt clouded her haunting green eyes. He knew how much her grandparents and father meant to her. Without their support and encouragement, she wouldn’t have lasted this long.

  Thoughts of Harvey tormenting Grandpa twisted his gut too. Grandpa Alvin was a good man and always treated him with respect. He dropped his gaze to his folded hands. Why hadn’t the old man mentioned things were getting out of hand?

  “Why would someone go after your grandpa? Do you have any idea who is helping him?” He raised his head back to River. The look on her face told him there was more to the story she wasn’t telling.

  “I wish I knew. I can only speculate at this time who would stoop so low as to pick on the elderly. If I knew for a fact who they were, I would take care of them for the last time. Grandpa Alvin is worried they’ll do something to Grandma Dessie. Neither one of them are in good shape. They’re getting up there in years.” Big tears pushed over the brims of her eyes. Carson caught his breath. Not again with the tears, River. I can’t take any more.

  River was always protective of her grandparents. At least, that part of her still remained in the puzzle of her change to a different life form.

  “How did you irritate Harvey, River? Something happened, and I need to find out what started this string of strange events. Who told him your grandparents mean a lot to you? He wouldn’t be tormenting the old man if he didn’t know how to get to you.” Guilt riddled his mind as the words lingered in the air. He didn’t mean to sound so harsh. Deep down he knew she was the reason someone would go after her grandparents, and he was willing to bet it was Harvey from what Gabe had told him before hand.

  “I don’t know. Well, maybe—Harvey Jamison wants me to marry him.” Her eyes glazed over with pure hatred. Carson stared, shocked at her projected anger. This time it wasn’t aimed at him. It didn’t take long before the old River returned. The fierce grip on his heart made him want to beat the stuffing out of Harvey. Oh no, you don’t want to go there, Harvey. I will wring your neck and stuff you in an ant bed with honey poured over your body. If I can’t have River, neither can you!

  “What did you do to Harvey?” Carson’s mind cleared. River was always a pushy little woman. Now he suspected she had pushed Harvey a little too far at some point. Harvey was game for a fight with little provocation. Furthermore, Harvey wasn’t the type of man to tangle with. He was sneaky and as underhanded as a man could get.

  “He’s been trying to buy Grandpa Alvin out for years, and Grandpa won’t sell. Harvey tried to pressure me to get to Grandpa, and I told him where to go.” River held her head high.

  Carson shook his head and raised the corner of his lips. He knew River. Too well. He knew her anger better than she knew herself. He had felt her wrath beat down on him. For a few moments, he almost felt sorry for Harvey then he remembered Grandpa.

  “I’ll check into your story. Is that all? I need to get back to my place and see about some cattle I’m interested in buying. The sooner I get some things settled, the more I can investigate these suspicions.” Carson stood to leave. He twirled his cowboy hat in his hands.

  “You can stay in the guest house.” River started around the desk.

  “And neglect my own place? I don’t think so, River. I’m sure Harvey has figured out I’m working my ranch and helping you out. I won’t leave my place to fall victim, even if I don’t have cattle yet. But thanks for the offer.”

  “If you change your mind, the offer is always open.”

  “I’ll stay at my ranch. I’m butted up next to Grandpa Alvin’s on one side and won’t have to hide while I’m watching your place or his.” Disappointment turned into relief on her face. At least she was taking his words to heart… he hoped.

  “I never thought about you being close to both ranches before. Good idea, Carson!” There those eyes went to flashing again. He stepped back to avoid getting to close to her. His body was already crying out to take her in his arms, and he sure didn’t want to get near enough for that to happen. He stepped from the room and hurried from the house.

  Driving down the narrow dirt road he thought about Harvey laying his paws on her. The only man he could turn to for advice was his dear friend Leroy Moon. He passed the turn to his ranch and drove into town.

  Moon sat on the front porch of the private care facility. Carson shoved the gear shift into park and slid from the pickup. “Nice to see you out and about.”

  “They don’t know I escaped yet. Don’t be surprised if they come out with their broomsticks ready to fly around town hunting me down. What’s got you down son?”

  “When did River date Harvey?”

  “Oh, woman problems already… she didn’t date that weasel. That’s not to say he won’t try and marry her for her land. He’s been after her since the day y’all split up. My daughter has a mind of her own and it don’t listen to a thing anyone says.”

  “So you knew he was after her?”

  “Everyone in town knows he’s after her boy. I figured someone told you back when it all started. I’m ready to go home.” Moon glanced over his shoulder.

  “Not yet. You have to get through this therapy thing first. Then I’m taking you home with me. Your daught
ers won’t like it, but I’m not asking their opinion either.” He laid his hand on Moon’s arm.

  “Have you bought the rest of the land? River bought out her sisters and plans to sell to you.” Moon’s eyes glistened under arched brows.

  “Nope, she hasn’t mentioned it. She asked me to reconcile to avert Harvey away from his trouble making. Other than that, we haven’t talked about much anything else.” Carson gripped the arm of the chair he had lowered himself in to visit with Moon.

  “I made her promise to let you know about the land. I best be getting’ back inside. These women here don’t cotton to escapees and their punishment is brutal when they try to twist my hurt leg off during therapy.” Moon hobbled to the door on crutches. “See ya later son.”

  Chapter Five

  Pursing her lips, River struggled to keep her mouth shut. There was nothing she wanted more, than to tell the hardheaded cowboy where to go and how to get there. She stomped from the house and let the wooden screen door slam behind her. The sound of horse hooves beat against the solid earth. She stopped long enough to see the hired hand riding up. Under her breath she uttered, “What now?” then let out a loud sigh. Bad vibes ran generously down her spine. Immediately she knew he wasn’t the carrier of good news.

  Hurried steps started her in the direction of the lone rider. The threat of anger taunted her mind before he said a word. She shook free of the thoughts. Don’t get mad until you have a reason to be angry she reminded herself. His news may not have anything to do with Harvey.

  “They’re at it again, River.” The cowboy’s slow southern drawl echoed at the same time he slid from his horse. She knew her wishful thoughts would be short lived. What was she expecting, a knight in shining armor to ride to her door and carry her away? That would be far too much to ask for in this day and age.

  Carson pivoted to face the man. She crossed the short distance to stand beside him.

  “Seems to me, someone got a might hungry. They butchered one of the calves in the east pasture. Good-looking calf to boot. They left its hide and a few footprints. Looks like there could be three men involved.” The man turned to Carson and shook his hand. “I’ll saddle your horse, Carson. Oh, and welcome aboard.”

  River reviewed the moment. Although Will called her name, he directed every word to Carson, leaving her out of the conversation. She threw her hands in the air in desperation and clamped her bottom lip in her teeth. You did ask him to play head investigator of this incident, and Will didn’t waste the opportunity to take the problem to Carson. A tinge of jealousy preyed on her.

  If Carson would stay on the ranch, he would have better luck catching Harvey. Her thoughts didn’t faze Carson when she expressed them earlier. She didn’t understand why he thought it was so all-fired important he stay at his own place with no furniture. She supposed it was because he didn’t want to be near her.

  The possibility he could have a wife and children by now stung her soul. Someone would have told her if that had happened. He wore no ring other than his senior ring. One good sign she thought, however it didn’t mean much. A lot of men didn’t wear wedding rings. With a shake of her head, she dismissed the notion.

  How dare he give her a time limit. It was her job to enforce a probationary period, not his. What kind of man waltzed into another’s office and declared how long they’d work? Deep inside she knew the only reason he agreed to help her was for Gabe and Grandpa Alvin. He said so himself. It didn’t have anything to do with her, which sent another round of resentment floating to the surface.

  She had to get out of this frame of mind, or she was sure to run Carson off for good this time. At least for six months she could pretend he was hers.

  Carson was close to Grandpa. Grandma Dessie and Grandpa Alvin both adored him. They were hurt when she broke up with him. The way they treated her with indifference, you would have thought she ended the relationship for the whole family. In a way she did. Carson left without saying good-bye. One thing he did do, was keep in touch with them. Grandma Dessie had made more than one comment about how that sweet young man had helped Grandpa with certain chores.

  Her chest tightened. She bit her lip and peered as Will brought Carson’s horse from the trailer, saddled and ready to ride. The urge to saddle up and ride along sent a flush up her neck. To do so would undermine his authority with the men, and that was the last thing she wanted to do. If she were to pull such a stunt, she knew he would never forgive her. Unwavering, she stood waiting for the two men to mount up and head to the east pasture.

  He must have been making some good money to afford a horse of such caliber. This turns the ball game into a challenge. He never even asked what his pay would be. She wondered how steep he would set his wages, or if she would be at liberty to set them.

  Regardless of where he’d been, she planned to make his contribution in catching Jamison and his cohorts worthwhile. One way or another, she would prove she’d changed; she just didn’t know how to make it happen…yet. After the way he tossed demands around, why should she have to prove anything? Guilt reared in the back of her mind as she looked for a reason to get angry with him and cover her inner pain.

  Carson placed his foot in the stirrup and moved easily into the saddle. Her breath stilled as the back pockets of his jeans stretched taut across his backside. His body fit perfectly on the back of the horse. River sucked in a breath and let it escape. Old flames ignited and rose to the surface, exposing the desire she had quelled in the past. Goose bumps toppled across her arms. It had been many years since a man affected her in such a manner. He still had the ability to do so.

  She looked at her feet and shook her finger, in a low voice she said, “Don’t take off after him again, you traitors.” Her heart and mind vied for his undivided attention. Unfortunately, he was off to do his job and investigate the recent activity. She took one last glance at the two men.

  Will glanced over at Carson. “Do you remember me?”

  “Of course I do, Will. You’re one of the good kids when we were in school. I wasn’t so far up the princess’s hind-end I didn’t recognize others. How did you get hired on by her majesty?” Carson’s laugh floated easily on the breeze.

  River heard the biting words. She couldn’t shake the awful truth as it hit her square in the face. The tears pooled and spilled down her cheeks. With slumped shoulders, she turned back to the house without waiting to hear Will’s reply. Many times over, she reminisced the years gone by and her treatment of others. Not all of the moments she recalled were something to make her proud. This wasn’t the time to have her past thrown back in her face, no matter how true it was.

  She sluggishly pivoted on exaggerated heels and slipped through the door. Stepping into the security of her office, she crossed to her chair. At the desk, she rested her chin in her hands. There was no way she could’ve known the other kids in school called her ‘the princess’ or ‘her majesty’ behind her back. By the tone in Carson’s voice, they all must’ve called her that, even him.

  Anger and hurt vied for the front line in her chest. She wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Everyone made mistakes back then,” she whispered to the empty room. “Everyone!”

  The old River would’ve clobbered someone for a remark in the manner Carson had just made. She still wanted to, but knew it wouldn’t do any good. After all these years, that kind of talk shouldn’t make a difference. However, it did. Especially, since it came from him.

  What does it matter anyway? He left here running to hide on Daddy’s ranch. Only Gabe knew where he went for the longest time. Picking up the pen, she finished Carson’s paperwork. The sooner she got him on the payroll, the sooner he would understand the changes she’d made. He needed to see the difference between the old and the new. She no longer aimed her anger at others. With improved business sense, she was able to conduct a profitable sum at the end of the year, which she split among the employees.

  With her grandpa’s estate at risk, she learned there are more important thin
gs than keeping up with the rest of her vain insecurities. Carson would learn in due time. Right now, he needed to concentrate on the job at hand, and so did she.

  She twirled the pen in her fingers. The desire to ride out and be a part of the investigation feasted on her insides. Stuck between knowing and not knowing, decisions of what to do and not to do mixed with raw emotions like pouring salt on a wound to stir a pot full of confusion. Questions of what would happen next twisted her guts. There was no limit to the things Harvey was capable of doing. A silent plea to end the fiasco entered her mind. Hopefully, Carson and Will would bring in the evidence to put Harvey in his place once and for all.

  An evil thought edged its way into her heart. What if Harvey set upon Carson? It wouldn’t be the first time he shot at one of her men. The guilt of bringing him into a dangerous position to face off with Harvey pierced like an arrow. She drew in a deep breath, willing the tears to stay in check; she walked to the window and whispered, “Watch your backs, men. Watch your backs.”

  The phone on her desk rang. “Yes Daddy, as soon as he gets back….Did he tell you he agreed to help me? Even gave a time limit of six months….He only wants to get rid of Harvey and move on.” The quiver in her voice was hard to choke back.

  “How many more treatments?...Ten, that’s good. Are you going to come stay with me?...I know he didn’t get you hurt….Lydia and Carol had to blame someone. Carson just happened to be convenient….Dad? Do you think he will ever forgive me?”

  Replacing the receiver, she inhaled a deep breath. The last words her father said lifted her spirits. ‘He already has, he just hasn’t got over the pain.’

  Deep down she knew most of the blame lay with her. Asking him to give up the one thing he loved, rodeo, was one thing. Demanding he give up bull riding started the process to end the relationship.