by Rita Herron
She parked and rushed inside the children’s home, then found Millie in the kitchen baking cinnamon rolls. The kids were in school now, the ones too young for school outside in the play yard.
Two volunteers watched the little ones while Faye was in the office on the computer.
She poked her head in. “Faye, I just came from the will reading.”
“How did it go?” Faye asked.
“Good.” Scarlet smiled. “He left a hundred thousand dollars to the home. I’m supposed to oversee how we use it. I plan to talk to a financial advisor about an investment plan so the money can keep working for us.”
Faye blinked back tears. “That’s wonderful, Scarlet. I knew Joe wouldn’t let us down.”
Maddox and Brett didn’t exactly see his donation that way. And frankly, Ray hadn’t exactly defended her in front of his family. If push came to shove, would he team up with them to contest her inheritance?
She pushed aside her worry and went to visit the children, then drove to her office for the afternoon.
Just as she was about to step inside, footsteps crunched behind her. She froze, but suddenly someone jerked her backward.
She tried to scream, but a cold, hard hand clamped down over her mouth, cutting her off. Then the man dragged her around the corner and pressed her face into the side of the building.
Chapter Eighteen
Ray clenched his jaw. “Why don’t we discuss this at home?”
Maddox looked furious while Brett’s expression was unreadable.
“He’s right,” Brett said.
“Fine.” Maddox strode to his police vehicle and he and Brett followed him to the ranch in their own vehicles.
When they parked and went in, Mama Mary set her purse on the side table. “I’ll get lunch.”
“We’ll eat later,” Maddox said.
Mama Mary looked hurt. “I’m sorry, boys. I know today was difficult on you,”
“We’ll work it out,” Ray said, earning a contemptuous look from Maddox.
“Let’s sit down in Dad’s office,” Brett suggested.
The four of them claimed seats around the coffee table in the sitting area.
Maddox took the lead and turned to Mama Mary. She wrung her hands together.
“You knew about Barbara and her son, didn’t you?” Maddox asked.
Guilt streaked Mama Mary’s face. “I knew about the woman, but not the boy. I...can’t believe Mr. Joe left this world without explaining everything to you all.”
“He was a coward,” Ray said.
Maddox and Brett both nodded as if they agreed.
“Don’t be too hard on your daddy,” Mama Mary said. “He was just a man. None of you are perfect, either.”
“I would never cheat on Rose,” Maddox said.
Brett looked sheepish. “I know I was a player, but I’m committed to Willow now, and I would never hurt her by fooling around.”
“It was a long time ago,” Mama Mary said. “Besides, you don’t know what caused him to stray. He and your mama...well, just like all couples, they had problems.”
“What kind of problems?” Maddox asked.
“That’s all I can say.” Mama Mary tapped her foot up and down. “Just that there’s always two sides to a story. Now your daddy is gone, try to remember the good times. How much he loved all of you. That he didn’t tell you because he didn’t want to upset you.”
“Then why did he include his mistress and her son in his will?” Maddox asked.
Mama Mary gave Maddox a scolding look. “Because like it or not, they are family, Maddox. He had to do right by them, too. You best accept that fact.”
Maddox’s boots hit the floor and he paced to the window. “I may have to accept it, but I don’t like it.”
“I don’t trust Barbara or Bobby,” Brett added.
Ray cleared his throat. “We shouldn’t trust him,” Ray said. “He’s been in trouble with the law before, and he can be violent. That’s the reason Dad stipulated he needs to enter into rehab.”
“How the hell am I supposed to help him set up his own spread?” Maddox said, his voice incredulous. “Didn’t Dad realize what he was asking of both of us?”
“Yeah, even if we accept him,” Brett said. “Bobby obviously resents us.”
“And what about that girl Scarlet?” Maddox turned on Ray again. “What if she’s in cahoots with Bobby? Who knows that they won’t come back and ask for more?”
“She’s not like that,” Ray said.
Maddox’s brows rose. “Good God. You are involved with her, aren’t you?”
Just like always, Maddox’s disapproval rang through loud and clear.
“No,” Ray said, although a voice inside his head shouted, Liar.
Ray’s phone buzzed and he checked the screen. Deputy Whitefeather.
“I have to answer this.” He pressed Connect. “This is Ray.”
“Deputy Whitefeather. Listen, Ray, a man named Hugh Weatherman phoned the office. He says he works with Scarlet Lovett and that he spotted Pullman near her office.”
“What about that restraining order?”
“Pullman’s obviously not concerned about it. Anyway, this man, Hugh, claims Scarlet was supposed to be at the office a half hour ago, but he hasn’t seen her. Said her car is outside, but she’s not. I thought she might be with you.”
“No. Are you at her office now?”
“No, I had a lead on Romley. I’m twenty minutes outside town.”
Ray silently cursed. “I’m on my way. Keep us posted if you find Romley.”
Whitefeather agreed, and Ray yanked his keys from his pocket.
“What’s going on?” Maddox asked as he ended the call and headed to the door.
“Scarlet had to remove a child from her home, and the father is out to get her. That was her coworker. He’s worried. Scarlet never showed at her office.”
Maddox adjusted his weapon. “Where’s her office?”
“I can handle this, Maddox,” Ray said.
Maddox caught his arm. “I’m the sheriff. It’s my job, Ray.”
“Please, Maddox. I’ll call you if I need you. Just stay here and figure out what to do about Bobby.”
Ray rushed to the door. Right now he needed a break from his big brother, needed to find Scarlet and make sure she was all right without Maddox breathing down his neck.
But if that bastard had her, he’d call Maddox. That is, if he didn’t kill Pullman himself.
* * *
SCARLET TWISTED SIDEWAYS to escape the man’s grip, but he dragged her farther down the alley between the buildings. He pushed her into an overhang from the abandoned warehouse, then shoved her face-first against the wall, grinding her cheek into the brick.
“Who are you? What do you want?” she managed to choke out.
“Just shut up and listen, Scarlet.”
Bobby. She should have known when she smelled whiskey on his breath. “This is crazy, Bobby. You should be happy. You just inherited some money and land.”
“Happy?” Bobby hissed against her ear. “Dad left me nothing compared to what those McCullen boys got.”
“He left you enough to start a new life.” Scarlet closed her eyes, tired of Bobby’s selfishness. “Maybe he would have given you more if you’d been responsible.”
He yanked her arm behind her back, making pain shoot up her shoulder. “He was the one who treated me badly. He was always at that damn ranch with his real kids. He was ashamed of me.”
“No, he wasn’t, Bobby. And it’s not too late to make him proud,” Scarlet said. “Take the land and build your own spread.”
He shoved his knee against the back of her legs and she cried out in pain. “You didn’t have to do anythin
g to get your share.”
“Yes, I did. I have a job helping those needy children. That’s the reason Joe left me money. So take what he left you and be grateful.”
“Yeah, take the leftover scraps just like I’ve always done.”
“It’s better than nothing,” Scarlet said. “And if you go to rehab—”
“I don’t need a damn bunch of people picking at my mind,” Bobby rasped.
“But if you do that and work with Maddox, you can have your own ranch.”
“I should have a fourth of Horseshoe Creek,” he hissed. “How could Dad expect me to work under Maddox McCullen?”
Her mind raced with a way to defuse the situation. “Because Maddox is experienced and can teach you about ranching.”
Bobby jerked her around and shoved her hands above her head. “You’re so damn naive,” Bobby said bitterly. “The McCullens are probably plotting right now to get rid of me.”
Scarlet struggled for a breath. Unfortunately he might be right. “Maybe you should talk to them instead of me.”
“That’s right, you’re not family at all. But you still received the same amount of money as me. Even more if you count the money for that damned orphanage.”
A sinister gleam glittered in Bobby’s eyes, and she realized where he was headed with this talk.
“You want the money Joe designated for those children?”
Bobby nodded. “It should be mine. I was his son.”
“Don’t be greedy,” Scarlet said in a throaty whisper. “You know how much helping those children meant to Joe.”
“More than his own flesh and blood,” he said.
“No, but they were important to him.”
“Just like you were. How did you worm your way into his affection?”
This was going nowhere good. “Just let me go, Bobby, and sleep it off. Tomorrow you’ll see that Joe gave you a future to look forward to.”
“I won’t let those McCullens cut me out of what I’m owed.”
Scarlet’s heart pounded. That sounded like a threat. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
“Why do you keep defending them? They might contest the will so you don’t get that money, either.”
“I’m not defending anyone,” Scarlet said. “I’m trying to honor Joe’s wishes.”
“Here’s what you’re going to do,” Bobby said in a hoarse tone next to her ear. “You’re going to sign your money and land over to me. That’s only fair, Scarlet, since I shared my daddy with you. After all, you’re not a McCullen and you never will be.”
* * *
RAY THREW HIS Range Rover into Park in front of Scarlet’s office building, then hurried up to the front door. Hugh met him on the outside stoop.
“Deputy Whitefeather said that you called about Scarlet. Did she ever make it?”
“No. And I’m afraid that awful man Lloyd Pullman got her.”
“I’ll take a look around.” Ray eased down the steps and scanned the parking lot, listening for sounds. Scarlet’s voice. A cry for help.
Nothing.
The car Scarlet had been driving was parked in the small parking lot beside a sedan and a minivan that probably belonged to her coworker and the client. He didn’t spot any other vehicles, which worried him more.
If Pullman was here, had he abducted her and driven off?
A vacant building sat beside the office. He inched to the corner of the building and peeked around, ears straining for any sign of Scarlet or Pullman. One step at a time, he crept down the alley, pausing to listen every few feet.
Suddenly he heard a voice. Low. Angry.
“You’re going to do it, Scarlet.”
Not Pullman. Bobby.
Remembering he could be violent, Ray slipped his gun from inside his jacket and held it at the ready. One step, two, three, he crept closer until he spotted an overhang from the warehouse and heard Scarlet’s voice.
“Bobby, it doesn’t have to be like this—”
“Shut up, Scarlet. You’re going back to work and call that lawyer and make the arrangements.”
Ray eased from the shadows of the awning, his gun raised. Fury heated his blood when he saw the way Bobby had trapped her against the wall. “Let her go, Bobby.” He aimed his weapon at the man’s head. “Now.”
Bobby jerked his head up, rage flaming in his eyes, then yanked Scarlet in front of him. Bastard.
“Go ahead, shoot.”
Ray’s gaze met Scarlet’s. Fear clouded her expression, but she lifted her chin in a show of courage.
“This is not what our father wanted,” Ray said.
Bobby cursed again. “Our father was a two-timing jerk who led my mother on for years and treated us like a second-tier family.”
“I don’t know why he did what he did,” Ray said. “But Scarlet had nothing to do with Dad’s choices.”
“Yes, she did,” Bobby snapped. “He chose to take care of her like she was his blood, when he left me all the time to go back to you and your brothers.”
“That must have sucked,” Ray said. “But giving you part of Horseshoe Creek and forcing us to work together must have been his way of finally making things right.”
Bobby tightened his grip on Scarlet. “How did he think we could work together when we don’t even know each other? When he cheated me out of what was mine?”
“Bobby, just let me go and we’ll work all this out,” Scarlet said in a pleading tone.
“She’s right,” Ray said. “We’ll sit down and talk.”
A siren wailed. Deputy Whitefeather on his way.
Panic lit Bobby’s eyes, and he shoved Scarlet to the ground. She hit the cement with a yelp, and Ray ran forward to help her up.
“Scarlet,” Ray said.
“I’m fine.” She brushed her hair from her face just as the deputy’s car screeched to a halt.
“Tell Whitefeather I’m going after Bobby.” Then Ray broke into a sprint.
* * *
SCARLET WAS TREMBLING as she walked toward the front of the building. Hugh rushed outside to greet her, and Deputy Whitefeather climbed from his police-issued SUV and strode toward her. “Miss Lovett?”
“I’m okay,” Scarlet said as he met up with her.
“Did Pullman hurt you?” Hugh asked.
She shook her head. “It wasn’t Pullman. Bobby cornered me.”
“Bobby?” the deputy asked.
“He’s sort of my adopted brother,” she said. “Ray can explain. He went after him.”
“Do you need an ambulance?” Deputy Whitefeather asked.
“No.” She massaged her wrist where Bobby had twisted it.
Ray raced around the corner then, his breathing choppy. “Damn. He got away. He was parked on the other side of the warehouse.”
“I’ll issue a BOLO on him,” Deputy Whitefeather said.
“I’m not sure that’s necessary,” Scarlet said. “He just needs time to cool down.”
“Scarlet, you can’t let him get away with this,” Ray said.
“I agree,” Hugh interjected. “He’s no better than Pullman.”
They were right. She should follow through. But doing so would only fuel his animosity.
Then he might try to hurt Ray.
Chapter Nineteen
Bobby wouldn’t get away with bullying Scarlet. Ray didn’t care if they were blood related or not.
A real man didn’t exert force on a woman for any reason. Period.
“Issue the APB, pick him up and bring him in,” Ray said. “I’ll update Maddox.”
The deputy gave a clipped nod, then angled his head toward Scarlet. “Let me know if you hear from him or Pullman again.”
Scarlet agreed, and the deputy left.
Hugh moved closer. “You want me to drive you home, Scarlet? I’ll be glad to stay with you.”
“No, thanks, Hugh. But I think I’ll get some files and work at home this evening.”
Ray didn’t miss the disappointment in the man’s eyes when Scarlet pulled away from him.
Not that it should bother him if Hugh was interested or if she reciprocated his affection. He and Scarlet were just...what? Friends? Acquaintances? Two people who shared a love for his father?
Scarlet ducked inside the office, and Hugh trailed her as if he needed to be close to her. Ray followed them both, his eyes glued to Scarlet as she quickly gathered her files.
Bobby was still on the loose and Pullman was a wild card. He didn’t intend to leave her alone and let either one of them get to her.
* * *
SCARLET STRUGGLED TO hold herself together as she gathered her files. Thankfully nothing was pressing at the moment.
Besides, she needed some time to figure out what to do about Bobby. Her experience as a social worker warned her that she needed to press charges, that allowing Bobby to get away with accosting her was abuse.
But he was Joe’s son and Barbara would hate her if she pressed charges. They were the only two family members Scarlet had left.
If only Bobby would do as Joe requested and enter into rehab, he might finally let go of his anger and move on with his life. He and the McCullens might even learn to accept each other one day and be the family Joe had wanted.
You made a mess, Joe.
She could almost hear him whispering back that he knew it. But that he was hoping she could bridge the gap and pull his two families together.
A sarcastic laugh bubbled in her throat. Too much to ask.
“Ready?” Ray’s deep voice reverberated with concern, causing a pang in her chest. She was more accustomed to rejection than having someone treat her with tenderness.
“Yes, just a minute.” She locked her file drawer, then turned to Hugh. “Let me know if anything important comes up.”
Hugh nodded, although he looked sullen as if he was pouting over the fact that she’d turned down his offer to stay with her. Knowing he’d had a hard life himself, and that he’d been a good friend, Scarlet leaned over and gave him a quick hug.