High-Stakes Colton

by Karen Anders

  She crouched down in front of him and lifted his chin so that his eyes met hers. “So instead of showing him, you punched him.”

  Instead of the anger she expected all she could see was desperation. “That’s right. You sending me back to juvie?”

  “Do you want to go back there?”

  He shrugged and looked down. “It’s where I belong. All this is bullshit, anyway.”

  “Did something happen with Daisy?” Jake said.

  Clay shook his head. He didn’t say anything for the longest time. Finally, he said, “No.” His voice shook. “You were right, Jake. She’s a lady and I should steer clear of her. Just send me back.”

  She gave Jake a stricken look. Jake was studying Clay as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He was in obvious distress. He cared deeply about the boy and it was so closely tied to Matt. Her heart ached for both of them.

  She reached out and squeezed Jake’s forearm. If anyone could get Clay to talk about why he was acting like this, it was Jake. “Clay, could you please wait outside?”

  He rose and with a start she realized he was almost the same height as Jake. The lines of his young face were strong, his features attractive. He was dusty and bloody, his mouth tight in a mutinous line. But when he looked at her, there was a plea for help there, too. Something so scared, like a little boy alone. Her heart clenched in her chest.

  She ached to help him, but if he wouldn’t tell them what was wrong, how could she?

  “I can’t believe he’s acting like this.”

  “He’s scared of something, Jake. I’m not sure what, but take him back to his apartment. Give him first aid. Try to see if you can get him to talk about it. I’ll wait here.”

  He left and Alanna sat down behind her desk. What had driven this boy to do something drastic enough to get him thrown off a ranch he clearly loved? She could only pray Jake would get through to him.

  *

  Jake walked with Clay who looked like his world had just come to an end. All he could do was think about Matt and it hurt to look at him. If Alanna decided to send him back to Dallas, back to juvie, Clay would have lost his second chance at making something of himself. Jake was disillusioned, wondering if Matt had tried harder, believed more, dreamed bigger, he wouldn’t have succumbed to the drugs that had killed him. He’d failed with Matt. He wasn’t going to fail with Clay.

  Once inside the apartment, Mike was sitting with Dylan on the couch and he was nodding. He looked up when Jake and Clay came in. Mike’s mouth tightened, but when Jake expected him to look daggers, he just looked sad. This was definitely a kid that had gotten caught up in the system. He worried if the two of them went back they would be lost.

  “Hey, Mike,” Dylan said, exchanging a knowing look with Jake. “Let’s go get some lemonade downstairs.”

  “Can we play some cards?” Mike asked.

  “Yeah, sure.”

  As Mike passed Clay, he stopped and extended his hand. “Hey, Clay, no hard feelings.”

  Clay shook his hand, looking stricken. “I’m sorry I got you into this, Mike.”

  Dylan clasped Mike on the back of the neck and they went out the door.

  “That was a step in the right direction.”

  Clay didn’t respond. He looked like he was resigned to his fate.

  “Let’s get you cleaned up.” He headed for the bathroom and Clay didn’t move. “Come on,” he said, using the same kind of voice he used on anxious horses.

  Finally, Clay set his hat down on the coffee table and entered the bathroom. Jake pushed him down to the commode.

  “So, you like being locked up better than working with horses and the wide-open spaces.” He opened the medicine cabinet and pulled out gauze pads and antiseptic. He doused a pad and pressed it to Clay’s lip.

  Clay hissed in pain, a sick desperation lighting his eyes. “It’s where I belong.” He blinked rapidly and Jake felt that desperation all the way to the pit of his stomach.

  “No, it isn’t. We talked about this. You have an opportunity here that no amount of time in juvie is going to give you. Alanna went out on a limb for you. She believed in you.”

  “I guess she has bad judgment.”

  “No, she doesn’t and neither do I. Tell me what happened, Clay. We’re here to help you.”

  “You can’t help me. It’s best that I go.”

  “Best for whom? Look, I overheard Henry intimidating you. Does this have anything to do with him? Tell me what’s wrong and we can go from there.”

  Clay turned away and stopped talking. Jake washed away the blood and then got ice for his bruises. Clay stoically resisted all of Jake’s probing and Jake left the apartment feeling raw.

  Alanna and now Clay. He was getting more than he’d bargained for with this assignment. It was clear it was coming to a close. His boss would probably pull him out as soon as Alanna’s alibi stuck.

  He had to resign himself to what he knew he’d been denying. He had to either tell Alanna who he really was and lose her or walk away and lose her anyway. Either way he lost.

  He was so ripped up inside, already feeling the edges of that hollowness return. When he’d gotten there, he’d been burned-out, heading for either a line-of-duty death or a desk job or worse yet, getting fired. They had already relegated him out of active cases. This job was supposed to be a cakewalk.

  Somehow with Alanna, Zorro and Clay, he had found his footing, his calling.

  He had to wonder if this job that had caused him so much grief didn’t fit anymore.

  Chapter 15

  A nighttime stillness had settled outside, and a breeze rustled through the leaves on the old oak tree just beyond Jake’s open window, filling the room with a soft, whispering sound. Alanna draped her legs over the backs of Jake’s as they cuddled. There was a bite in the air as October approached.

  “Fall is heading our way,” he said, and she nodded, absently smoothing her hands over the contours of his muscled back. Too spent to move, not wanting to speak, she savored the heady sensation of contentment, loving the feel of his smooth skin beneath her palms.

  Stirring heavily, he rolled off her, dragging her against him. “I think that was a good call in giving those boys a second chance.”

  He picked up her hand and placed a kiss on her palm. His mouth was moist and warm and slightly swollen, and she drew her thumb across his bottom lip, thinking about the care he’d taken with her. “They’re going to be on manure duty in the arena for a few days, but I agree. It was the right thing to do. Mike is such a gentle soul and although Clay has enough attitude to spare, he’s also a good kid. I couldn’t send them back.”

  He nodded and smoothed his hand across her hip. “I’ll keep working with Clay. See if I can find out what’s wrong. Something happened and I think I know who’s involved.”

  “Who?”

  “Henry Swango. I think he’s pressuring him.”

  “For what?”

  “That’s what I’m going to find out.”

  “Maybe I should—”

  He went rigid, then shook her a little. “No, Alanna. I think it’s safer if I handle this.”

  “All right,” she murmured, and he relaxed. Time passed as the room cooled and Jake got up and closed the window. He settled back into the bed, snuggling her up against him.

  “Jake?”

  “Hmm?”

  She raised her head and kissed his jaw. “I decided on a property.”

  He propped himself up on his elbow. “Which one?”

  “The one on Chase Road, with the three barns and ample land.”

  “The house needs work.”

  “I’m thinking I’ll tear it down and rebuild what I want.”

  He didn’t answer right away. His eyes roved over her face as if he was studying her features to remember when he wasn’t with her. That thought stabbed her hard in the heart. “That works,” he said, cupping her face, rubbing his thumb roughly over her jaw. He tilted her head and kissed her.


  It was going to be a lot of hard work, but she intended to make it a success. Closing her eyes as he placed a string of kisses down her neck, she sighed.

  “Alanna,” he whispered, breathing deeply. “I’m probably going to be heading out of here soon.”

  Closing her eyes against the sudden burst of pain, she slid her arms around his neck and held on to him, the sense of loss so intense it made her shudder. She was well aware she hadn’t yet told him about what had happened in Dallas when she’d gone to meet with Becca. He hadn’t asked. Maybe he’d let it go because it was easier. Even now fear kept her from saying anything. “How soon?”

  “A few days. Zorro is taking really well to the saddle and bridle. I think I’ll be able to ride him soon. Once that’s accomplished, he’s pretty much good to go.”

  She wanted to ask him, but the fear kept her locked up. She didn’t want to say goodbye. As if sensing a change in her, Jake tightened his hold, his embrace suddenly rife with tension. “I’m going to miss you like hell, babe,” he said, his voice husky and uneven.

  Her jaw locked against the ache in her throat, she tightened her arms, trying to will away the awful fullness burning in her eyes. She didn’t dare think about how she would handle his absence. She would never get through the next few days if she did. Easing in a deep, shaky breath, she turned her face against his throat, trying to absorb as much of his warmth and strength as she could. Enough to get her through him leaving. Enough to hold her together.

  Slipping her hand around his waist, tracing the thick muscle on the side of his hip, she ran her hand up his chest.

  “I wanted to thank you, Alanna, for pushing me that day with Zorro. I realized what I have been doing for some time.” His voice was quiet and thoughtful, full of gratitude. That’s not exactly what she wanted from him, but for the first time in her life she’d experienced the fullness of what it meant to connect to a man as she’d connected to Jake.

  He brushed back the hair at her temple, then lowered his head and kissed her.

  “What’s that?”

  “Second-guessing myself.” He rubbed a strand of hair between his fingers and gave her a small smile. “Not relying on my instinct. What I learned here will serve me well in other areas of my life, too.”

  She wanted to ask him what he meant, but it was as if the words were trapped in her throat. She tried to will away the fear, but it wouldn’t let go. Neither of them spoke for several moments, content with gentle stroking and even gentler kisses. Finally, Jake said, “Also, thank you for listening and understanding about Matt.”

  She curled her hands around his biceps, her voice husky as she whispered, “I’m so glad I could be there for you, Jake.”

  Covering her mouth in a drugging kiss, she kissed him back, catching his nape and holding on.

  Cupping his jaw, she stroked the curve of his cheekbone with her thumb. She didn’t know what to say, the thickness in his voice affecting her profoundly. He obviously didn’t expect her to say anything. Catching her by the hips, he drew her fully on top of him, then settled her between his thighs, running his hands along her rib cage until he reached her breasts. His touch sent spirals of sensation through her, and Alanna closed her eyes, yielding to his mouth.

  Was she just going to let him go?

  Or was she going to find the courage to tell him what was in her heart? Trust him.

  Two simple words.

  A world of meaning.

  *

  Jake was in the barn the next day saddling Zorro for his first ride. The stallion stood steady and calm as Jake tightened the girth. Zorro wasn’t going to compete or be used for pleasure riding. He was first and foremost a stud horse. But getting in the saddle and putting him through his paces would keep him in line and keep him from getting bored.

  As he tightened the girth, his cell phone rang. “McCord,” he said.

  “Mr. McCord. This is Jeremy Bellows. I understand from my assistant you have been trying to reach me.” The man’s voice was deep and apologetic. “I’m sorry it has taken me so long, but I’ve been in rehab.” His tone was matter-of-fact.

  Jake explained why he had called and Jeremy confirmed Alanna’s story fully.

  “I’ve already returned the sheriff’s call, as well. I’m just sorry Alanna had to go through all of this when I could have cleared it up so easily.”

  He was relieved Bellows had come through for Alanna and the evidence proved that she was innocent of threatening her father.

  After Jake hung up, he led Zorro from the barn and set his foot in the stirrup. “Okay, boy, here we go.” He pushed up and swung his leg over the animal’s back. Zorro shifted and that was it. Jake nudged him into a walk, then a trot. As he passed people they were giving him warm and incredulous looks.

  For the first time in years, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment. Something that had been lacking for so long. He took Zorro out of the stable yard and down the road and then leaned over the horse’s back and gave him his head.

  With a happy snort, Zorro took off, racing across the pasture like a bullet, his mane and tail flying. Jake whooped and urged him faster, eating up the real estate. There was one thing and one thing only that he and Fowler Colton could agree on. This stallion was going to make an excellent stud and add to the Colton stock immeasurably.

  As he trotted the horse back to the stables, his only regret was now he could report to Fowler that his horse was no longer an unruly rogue, his job here was done. Both his jobs here. The only dangling thread was Henry. Jake dismounted in front of the barn and unsaddled, rinsed off and groomed Zorro before turning him out into the corral.

  He watched the horse race around, whinny to some mares in the nearby paddocks and generally enjoy himself. When Jake called, he trotted over to where he stood at the fence. “You aren’t so scary,” he murmured as he rubbed his face.

  “You did it,” Dylan said as he climbed up on the fence with Jake. Slapping him on the back, they stood there for a few companionable minutes watching the horse.

  Bidding Dylan goodbye, he climbed down from the fence and headed for the arena. Before he could slip inside to find Alanna, his cell phone rang.

  “McCord,” his boss said. “We just got the call from the sheriff that Alanna Colton has been cleared of threatening her father and since you haven’t turned up any evidence that she had a hand in his disappearance, we’re pulling you out.”

  “What about Henry Swango?”

  “We’re going to assign another Ranger to him. We still feel you could benefit from some more downtime. Report to me at nine sharp tomorrow for a debriefing, then you can head home.”

  “But he killed Tim. I want him,” Jake argued, fury igniting. “He killed that rookie in cold blood. I was the one who let him go in. His blood is on my hands.”

  “No, Jake,” his boss’s tone was fierce and sympathetic. “The blood is on whoever killed Tim. It wasn’t your fault he died. You did everything by the book.”

  “That’s cold comfort,” he said.

  “I know, but if Henry is responsible, we’ll get him. You have my word. Now stand down. We want you back here tomorrow.” When Jake didn’t respond, his boss said, “That’s an order, Ranger.”

  “Yes, sir,” he said.

  As he hung up, bitterness making him swear under his breath, he heard someone shout Alanna’s name. It sounded like Fowler. With all his protective instincts rising, Jake entered the arena as Fowler, dressed in a pearl gray suit and matching Stetson, marched up to Alanna. “Why the hell do I have to hear you’re buying property from one of Dad’s friends?”

  She lifted her chin, her eyes flashing. She handed the horse she was just about to mount to Tamara and tried to draw her brother toward the office, but he wouldn’t budge. “I don’t need your permission to buy property.”

  “What is this about?” he growled.

  “You know what it’s about,” she growled back. “You forced my hand. I’m going to leave Colton Valley Ranch and start my own stabl
es. I have too much respect for myself to stay here and be treated like I don’t make a difference.”

  Ever since Jake first met Fowler, he’d never seen the man so caught off guard or speechless. He sputtered and then said, “You can’t leave.”

  “Why?” She threw her hands into the air. “You don’t need me. I overtrain horses. Don’t know when my own stock is ready for auction. Take on too many training jobs and am generally a pain in your butt. Did I leave anything out?”

  Jake walked up. “Only that you’re quite amazing.”

  Fowler whirled and his face contorted in rage. “You. This is none of your business. You were hired to train that stallion. Is he ready to go to stud?”

  “Yes, he’s ready.”

  Fowler hadn’t expected that answer. “I’ll be the judge of that.” Fowler stalked off, then turned. “This isn’t over, Alanna.”

  Alanna shook her head, then touched Jake’s arm. “I got an apologetic call from the sheriff. Mr. Bellows corroborated my story. Ella has disappeared, too. So, I’m in the clear.”

  “That is good news.” He took off his hat and fingered the band. “Alanna,” he said. “I’ve got to leave tomorrow.” He would make a clean break of it. When he told Alanna who he really was, she was going to get hurt. He didn’t want that, wished he could avoid it altogether, but in all conscience, he couldn’t leave here without her knowing the truth.

  “What? So soon. Jake, no.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on to him with a fierceness that made his heart falter. “I want you to come work with me when I go out on my own,” she blurted out.

  He dropped his hat as his arms tightened convulsively around her. Faced with the reality of his decision, he closed his eyes. “That’s a complicated request,” he breathed and looked away. “I’m not sure working for—”

  “No, I didn’t say for me. I said with me. I’m offering you a partnership if you want it. You are so good with horses, magical. I was wrong about you, so up on my high horse. You take something natural and turn it on its ear. You believe in me and respect me. I want you there.”