Denim & Diamonds

by Robinett, Lori

  “He’s under my—”

  Beau snorted. “He is not! He’s just being nice to you because he thinks you’re nuts. I don’t want to turn you in, but I will. And if I hear that you’ve done anything besides stealing, I swear —”

  Beth’s leg started to cramp, and she shifted her weight. A twig snapped under her weight and she froze. The voices were silent. She held her breath.

  “Who’s there?” Beau called out. She closed her eyes, praying that Dingo had stayed put and would not respond to him. She backed down the hill inches at a time towards her waiting horse. About halfway down, she heard the voices over the hill resume. When she reached Dingo, she snagged his reins and led him through the woods and into a clearing. Once she could no longer hear the rush of the water, she decided it was safe to mount. She urged him to a slow jog and pointed his nose towards the barn.

  Her curiosity had been piqued, and she wondered about Beau’s family, his background. He was convinced Lana was behind the thefts. She was relieved that Beau wasn’t going to choose Lana over the Diamond J. His loyalty was touching, but she hoped he would follow through if his aunt didn’t leave. Beth did not want to be put in the position of turning her in, but if she had to, she would. Having a cattle rustler on the property was simply not acceptable, and that woman was not going to stand in Beth’s way of getting her inheritance. But what did Lana mean about his family?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Beth studied her reflection in the mirror, turning her head this way and that. She pulled her hair back and held it there as she examined her ivory skin. Thank goodness it was blemish free. She had lost weight since moving to the ranch, and her cheekbones were more pronounced than they had been in the spring. She let her hair down, then pulled it back up again. She nodded. Up it would be.

  She chose a pink velvet barrette and pulled her hair up in a half ponytail. After looking through her meager supply of makeup, she added a touch of blush, some eyeliner and finished off with a quick brush of mascara over her lashes.

  Once satisfied with her face, she turned around to look at her reflection in the mirrored shower door. She smiled as she realized she’d lost weight all over. Her leg muscles were more pronounced, and her stomach was flat. She turned to the side and grinned. Her butt was the tightest it had ever been!

  Beth entered the large walk-in closet she still felt lost in, and flipped through the rack of shirts. She had never been on a hayride, and she didn’t have a clue what to wear. Surely it would be a casual affair. Everything here at the ranch was casual. Besides, she’d be sitting on hay! She pulled a pair of classic straight leg blue jeans from the shelf and jumped up and down as she tugged them on. She chose a black turtleneck that was just a little clingy, then she slipped into a fur-lined denim vest. Perfect for a chilly fall evening.

  She headed for her bedroom — it still gave her a warm feeling to think of it as her bedroom — and looked for her distressed leather lacers. Her father had even gotten her shoe size right! Once she had them on and pulled her jeans over the top of the boots, she stood and examined herself in the full-length mirror.

  “Your butt looks fine,” Katie called from the doorway. “Come on!”

  “I wasn’t looking at my butt,” Beth retorted.

  Katie laughed as she stepped into the room, “You were, too!”

  She was dressed in tight black low rise jeans and an off white sweater with a dark faux fur collar, which set off her golden curls. Her hair was pulled back and up with her trademark leather barrette. With the high heels on her black cowboy boots, she was taller than Beth. “Come on! Everybody’s out by the barn, and Miss Charlotte told me to come and get you. Even my parents are here already.”

  “I’m so glad you were able to come back from college for the long weekend.” She felt a flicker of jealousy at the natural beauty of the girl. “Was your boyfriend able to come?”

  “No, he had to work.” Katie’s face clouded for a moment. “But that’s OK. It’ll still be a good time without him. And we’re both still seeing other people.”

  Beth envied the girl’s easy manner. She’d been way too dependent on boys when she was in college. “I’ve never been on a hayride before.”

  “I can’t imagine that!” Katie shook her head in mock indignation. “It’s a fall tradition in the country.“

  “Let’s get out there and get this show on the road.” Beth glanced around her room, and smiled at the gray tabby curled up in the pillows before she turned off the light and shut the door.

  When they stepped out the front door, she gasped in surprise. The parking lot and driveway was overflowing, with cars and pickups lining the white fence along the driveway all the way to the blacktop. A large group of people gathered by the front door of the barn, laughing and talking. Flickering jack-o-lanterns grinned from the perimeter of the lot, and a couple of scarecrows leaned against the fences, their grinning faces a bit creepy in the twilight. Strings of orange lights were strung around the barn and over to the round pen, creating a party atmosphere.

  Charlotte was in her element as she made sure everyone had a cup of hot cider. Her head bobbed up and down and her laughter carried on the evening breeze as she mingled with neighbors and

  townspeople. Katie ran ahead to meet up with two of her college friends who’d come to make a long weekend of it.

  The Sheriff sat on a straw bale talking to a couple of people that Beth didn’t recognize. He nodded to her and raised his cup of cider in greeting as she approached. The car dealer with the slicked back hair was once again cornered by Aunt Lana. He didn’t seem as anxious to get away from her as he had at the summer barbecue. In fact, he appeared to be completely smitten with the petite woman at his side, and couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

  Lana!

  The talk with Katie had completely distracted her and she had forgotten all about the overheard conversation between Beau and Lana. Beau had said he would take care of it, and she trusted him. At least enough to give him a chance to make things right. She would give him until morning, but in the meantime, she would keep an eye on Lana.

  Beth steered clear of them and headed for the other side of the group, intent on mingling as much as possible in hopes of drumming up business and support for the ranch. She hadn’t said anything to anyone at the ranch, but she had some business ideas that she intended to initiate as the new ranch owner, and it would certainly help to have some personal contacts before she opened the business.

  Beth looked around for Beau. She hadn’t seen Cole or Joe yet, either. She frowned, wondering where the guys could be. Loneliness niggled at her. She was embarrassed to admit that she had asked Quinn to join her, in a moment of weakness. She missed her life in Kansas City. So, when he called last week to discuss a client’s testamentary trust with her, she asked him to come out for the hayride. She winced as she recalled his response – laughter.

  A neighbor lady waved at her, but Beth couldn’t recall her name. The woman leaned forward and said, “Good to see you again. It’s too bad Beau had to go to that special auction tonight.”

  “Auction?” Beth asked, a frown puckering her forehead.

  “She’s talking about that special bull sale, Miss Beth,” Joe appeared at Beth’s side, startling her. His cowlick was smoothed down, and his jeans and shirt looked brand new. He caught Beth’s eye and

  winked, “Remember that sale you told Beau to go to because you wanted that bull that was goin’ to be sold?”

  “Sure, sure. The auction,” Beth said, confused, but willing to go along with Joe for the moment. “Where’s Cole?”

  Joe’s smile got bigger, “Miss Beth, you must be workin’ too hard. Don’t you r’member, you sent Cole with Beau to help him with that bull.”

  “Oh, I see,” Beth said, not seeing at all.

  “Must be one special bull,” the older lady said with a smile.

  Beth half-listened as the neighbor and Joe chatted about folks they recognized. She glanced over the crowd, surpr
ised to find she recognized a lot of the people. Gina, who ran the little scrapbook store in town, chatted with Roger Andrews, who ran the local hardware store. Evelyn Richardson, the slightly eccentric woman who fed the pigeons on the town square (and who no one was able to convince that there were no pigeons on the town square) stood by herself, smiling and talking to no one. The rather pompous Weldon B. Willingham III rocked back and forth on his heels as he explained the value of estate planning and tax avoidance to a tight knot of elderly folks who nodded as they listened to his sage advice.

  Charlotte had warned Beth to steer clear of the distinguished Mr. Willingham, who had once been the town’s most successful attorney, but had since declared himself a non-citizen and established his little lot in town as a separate country. He flew a flag which he had designed himself and refused to pay taxes. And tried to convince other people in Wilder to follow his example and secede from the United States.

  Beth had been less than excited to know that the gentleman would be joining them, but Charlotte had assured her that he was a harmless old man who everyone listened to out of politeness and respect for their elders – but let it go in one ear and out the other. Still, the idea of having him here made her a little nervous. She sincerely hoped that he and Aunt Lana wouldn’t find each other. That could be a combustible situation.

  As she looked over the crowd, a waving hand caught her eye. The Sheriff rose and worked his way through the crowd. Beth left Joe and wove through the crowd.

  “Miss Jameson, so good to see you,” the Sheriff said as he stuck a hand out.

  She grasped his hand and shook it. “Please, call me Beth. Glad you could make it,”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Van said, a smile splitting his leathered face.

  Having the Sheriff there made her a bit nervous, after overhearing Beau and Lana’s conversation. The old adage about keeping your enemies closer didn’t quite apply, but she felt better having him in sight. “Anything new going on in Wilder?”

  “Just the usual. A few peace disturbances. A few of the farmers been complaining. Seems like we may have a mountain lion in the area, or something of the sort. Something’s been bothering the stock around here.”

  Beth’s brow scrunched in a frown as she thought of Bert, who’d lost most of his herd to thieves. “More cattle rustlers?

  “Old Mr. Jameson to your west has had two heifers die on him, cut up something awful.” He shrugged. “Rustlers would be my guess, but there’s more to it than that.”

  “That’s too bad,” Beth answered. She felt a shiver work its way up her spine, and she looked out into the gathering dusk. “I didn’t know we had mountain lions around here.”

  “Not a lot. But it only takes one hungry mountain lion to cause problems.” Van looked at Beth, his gray eyes intent on hers. “You had any problems here?”

  “No. I’m sure the boys would tell me if they had run across anything like that,” Beth answered, her voice sounding more confident than she felt.

  “Haven’t lost any animals?” Van asked.

  “No,” Beth answered again. She didn’t feel any allegiance to Lana, but she worried about Beau and didn’t want him caught up in anything illegal.

  Van looked around the crowd until his gaze settled on the bright purple poncho that enveloped Aunt Lana. “I see Beau’s aunt is still around. How’s that workin’ out?”

  “I guess you’d have to ask Beau that,” Beth answered. The conversation made her uncomfortable. It felt more like a fishing expedition than a friendly conversation. To her surprise and relief, Charlotte appeared behind the Sheriff.

  “Sheriff! What brings you here tonight – business or pleasure?” Charlotte tucked her hand into the crook of the older man’s arm.

  “For me, there’s really never a separation of business and pleasure,” the Sheriff said, looking directly at Beth as he spoke. Beth felt another shiver go up her spine.

  “OK, folks! Who’s ready for a hayride?” Joe stood on the tractor, a big grin on his face. Everyone cheered, surged forward and piled onto the wagon. Beth was swept along with the crowd towards the rear of the wagon. Hands reached down and helped her up. Katie and her friends ended up beside her towards the back of the wagon.

  Katie pointed out the couple at the front of the wagon. The woman had the same blonde hair, pulled back in a ponytail just like her daughter’s, and the man had the same wide smile. Beth was glad to see that they’d made it. Katie spent so much time at the ranch, Beth had wondered if the girl even had parents. Katie and her friends flipped through a case of CD’s, and had a small boom box sitting between them.

  Within moments, strains of the Monster Mash could be heard and everyone sang along with the familiar words. The tractor chugged forward and the hayride was underway. The Sheriff sat across from her, and watched her.

  The wagon bumped along the path and jostled the passengers, but no one minded. The sun had set and the nearly full moon peeked over the trees. An owl hooted in the distance. The music continued, and

  the group sang along with old favorites such as Purple People Eater and Witch Doctor. Beth found herself laughing and singing along as she swayed with the music.

  Suddenly, the tractor and wagon jerked to a stop. The music ended abruptly.

  Joe called out, “Something’s wrong with the tractor. I’m gonna take a look. Just keep singing and enjoy yourselves. I’m sure it’s nothin’ serious.”

  A nervous murmur rolled through the revelers. Beth and Katie exchanged a nervous glance. She looked over her shoulder. Van had mentioned mountain lions and missing livestock. Moonlight washed over the field, and shadows flitted here and there. Clouds drifted through the sky and blocked the moon. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye and squinted into the darkness.

  Nothing moved. A coyote yipped in the distance, then a chorus joined in. A twig snapped and Beth’s head swiveled to the right. Again, she squinted into the darkness, straining to make out the shapes in the night.

  Suddenly, Gina screamed and jumped to the center of the wagon. Her eyes were wide. Then one of Katie’s friends pointed and yelled, “There’s something out there!”

  Someone else screamed and everyone crowded close to Gina. A shape appeared beside the tractor, a humpbacked figure with a hood over its head moaned and groaned. Penny, the waitress from the café on the square, fainted into her husband’s waiting arms. When the figure grabbed the front railing of the trailer, Charlotte reached out and yanked the mask from the figure, revealing Cole. He grinned, jumped forward and yelled, “Boo!”

  Everyone laughed and relaxed. Beth smiled and collapsed onto the straw bale at the back of the wagon. She felt something on her waist and looked down to see a hand reach around her. She opened her mouth to scream, but another hand clamped over her mouth and she was drug off the back of the wagon into the darkness. Heavy arms enveloped her. She turned to face her attacker, clawing at the hand covering her mouth.

  It was a werewolf – all furry and wild. The beast bared its teeth, then covered her mouth with his own before she could scream. He pressed his lips against hers. Her eyes were wide with fear, then she saw those eyes, those amazing clear blue eyes. She felt his tongue tease her lips, his arms holding her body against his own. Her lips parted and his tongue slipped between, teasing. Beth let her body mold to his, her tongue responding to his, kissing him back. She could feel his heat through her clothes, his hardness against her.

  It was a long, passionate kiss, and she wanted to sink into the grass with him and just be.

  “Beau? Is that you?” Katie hung over the side of the wagon.

  Beau dropped his hands and straightened. Beth sank back against the wagon, her legs like spaghetti. He had literally taken her breath away. He shook his head, blinked, then bent down so he could look her in the eye. His face was inches from hers.

  “Beth?” Beau whispered, his voice thick with emotion. Then he groaned, “I thought you were somebody else.”

  “Sorry to
disappoint.” Beth looked up at the young woman watching them, willing herself to be strong and tough. She stood up straight, wiped off her mouth and climbed back on the wagon. Thankfully, everyone’s attention was still focused on Cole, who leapt around the wagon as he moaned and groaned and grabbed at people. He hopped off one side, then climbed up the other, greeted by fresh shouts and squeals.

  Katie grabbed Beth’s arm and helped her up. She squinted into the darkness and asked, “Who was that?”

  Just then, Cole stood on the back of the tractor and howled like a banshee, which made everyone jump and laugh and cheer all over again.

  Moments later, Beau jumped up on the front of the wagon, howling and carrying on. Katie wove through the group to hug Beau. Beth’s smile melted.

  Beau pulled away, his arm still hooked around Katie. He looked at Beth, and their gaze locked for a heartbeat.

  It was Katie.

  How could she have missed that? She swallowed hard and turned away.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Breakfast the morning after the big hay ride was late as usual, and everyone gathered around the table to share gossip from the night before. The biggest news involved Beau’s Aunt Lana. Several people had witnessed her big purple rig pull out with a man in the passenger seat. Cole reported that her stuff had been moved out of the little cabin.

  Eyebrows raised, and comments were made, but Beau appeared in the doorway and said, “She’s gone. Good riddance. Now, everybody’s got work to do and the day’s a wastin’.”

  The tension in the room was palpable.

  Beth excused herself, then Cole and Joe escaped to the barn. As soon as Katie left to feed the horses, Charlotte flipped two blueberry pancakes onto Beau’s plate.