Roping Ray McCullen

by Rita Herron

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Ray’s gut pinched at the sight of Barbara aiming that gun at Scarlet.

  “What are you doing, Barbara?” Scarlet said.

  “My son was neglected, and now you McCullens are ganging up on him,” Barbara shouted over the roar of the blaze.

  Ray held up a hand to calm Barbara. “He attacked Scarlet, Barbara. He also opened fire at me. He’s a grown man. He has to answer for that.”

  She kept the gun trained on them, yanked open the back door and motioned for Bobby to get out. He slid from the vehicle, a smile on his face. “Hey, Mom.”

  Barbara frowned. “I’ll deal with you later, son.”

  She swung the gun toward Maddox. “Give me the handcuff keys.”

  “What are you going to do, Barbara? Run?” Maddox asked. “Then you and Bobby will never get what Dad left you.”

  Hatred glistened in Barbara’s eyes. “My son should have had equal shares with you. And your father should have married me.”

  “Barbara, Joe only wanted Bobby to get help,” Scarlet said.

  Ray’s lungs squeezed for air as she turned the gun on Scarlet again. “And you...you played on Joe’s sympathy and robbed my son of time with his father.” She angled her head toward him and Maddox. “You are such fools, just like Joe. You fell for Scarlet’s sweet little act. But she’s the one who got my Bobby into trouble when they were young.”

  Scarlet gasped. “Barbara, that’s not true.”

  “Of course it is. You talked Bobby into breaking into that rich lady’s house and stealing her jewelry.” She addressed Maddox. “You’re the sheriff. I’m sure you investigated her, didn’t you? That’s what you do. Find out everyone’s background so you can protect the McCullens.”

  Ray’s head jerked toward Maddox, and guilt flashed in his oldest brother’s eyes. “Maddox?”

  “She was arrested when she was a juvenile.”

  Scarlet paled and bit down on her lip. “That was a mistake. Bobby lied and implicated me in a break-in, but I was cleared.”

  Ray didn’t know what to believe. He couldn’t imagine the sweet, giving woman he knew doing anything illegal, although she had had a troubled childhood.

  Barbara waved the gun toward Maddox. “Now, you’re going to do the right thing. You’re going to unlock those handcuffs and let us drive away. Then you’re going to drop the charges against Bobby and give us what’s owed us with no strings attached.”

  Maddox inched forward. “You’re not helping your son by doing this, Barbara. He’ll just keep on drinking and hurting other people. Dad didn’t want that.”

  Barbara released a sardonic laugh. “Funny how he couldn’t get past Bobby drinking, but he sure as hell covered up for your mother.”

  Ray’s heart hammered and Maddox went still. Brett had joined them, his look confused. “What does that mean?” Ray asked.

  “Your daddy lied to you about me. I was the good one. Your mama was the one who couldn’t hold her liquor.”

  “Shut up, Barbara.” Mama Mary eased up beside Maddox and folded her arms beneath her ample bosom, facing Barbara like a mama bear protecting her cubs. “Just because he wouldn’t marry you doesn’t mean you need to hurt these boys.”

  “They should know the truth,” Barbara said. “Maybe they wouldn’t be so damn judgmental then.”

  “What’s she talking about, Mama Mary?” Maddox asked.

  “Your perfect mother,” Barbara said. “She didn’t die because a drunk driver hit her. She was the drunk driver. She rammed her own car into a tree and killed herself.”

  Shock slammed into Ray. Judging from Maddox’s curse and Brett’s sharp hiss, they were equally stunned.

  Behind them, the firefighters were still working to save the McCullen home.

  “We’re going to walk away and you’re going to drop those charges.” Barbara snatched the handcuff key from Maddox, then tossed it to Bobby. He quickly unlocked the cuffs, then flung them to the ground.

  Barbara backed toward her car, motioning for Bobby to get in. Bobby had to pass Scarlet to reach the passenger side. He paused to tweak her hair and give her a gloating look. “Finally you’ll get what you deserve. Nothing.”

  Maddox seemed to have recovered from the shock of Barbara’s statement more quickly than Ray. “Did you set this fire, Barbara?”

  “Setting fires is not my style, so don’t try to pin that on me or my son.” She jumped in the car, keeping the gun aimed at them until she revved up the engine. Then she slammed the door and sped away.

  Ray took one look at Maddox who already had his keys out. “Stay here and take care of the women,” Maddox told Brett. “I’m going after them. They’re not going to get away.”

  Scarlet reached for Ray’s arm. “Ray—”

  “I’m going with him,” Ray said, his emotions all over the place.

  Was Scarlet the sweet, innocent woman he’d thought, or had she deceived his father and now him to get her share of the ranch?

  * * *

  SCARLET’S CHEST ACHED as Ray and Maddox followed Barbara and Bobby.

  She’d seen the doubt in Ray’s eyes. He believed what Barbara said about her leading Bobby into trouble.

  Disappointment mixed with anger. All her life she’d fought to be somebody, to fit into a family, to overcome being tossed aside as a child. But Joe had been the only one who’d seen the good in her and loved her.

  She’d hoped with Ray...

  Brett was watching her as Rose and Mama Mary approached. Needing to leave before she burst into tears, she climbed in her car, but her hands were shaking so badly she dropped the keys on the floor.

  The scent of smoke and burned ashes and...betrayal made her head swim. She’d known Barbara resented her and that Bobby was jealous of the attention Joe had given her, but she’d never thought Barbara would lie to punish her. But she had.

  Ray’s reaction cut to the bone, too.

  The flames were dying under the deluge of water the firefighters were dumping on it, but the house was a wreck and would need major renovations.

  She found her keys, jammed them in the ignition and started the engine.

  Her gaze met Brett’s through the front window of her car as she backed up, and everything became clear to her.

  She didn’t belong here.

  She never would.

  * * *

  MADDOX PHONED DEPUTY WHITEFEATHER for backup as he started the SUV, and gave him the license plate for Barbara’s car.

  “Do you think she was telling the truth about Mom?” Ray asked Maddox as he barreled down the drive to chase Barbara.

  A muscle jumped in Maddox’s jaw. “I don’t know.”

  “Did Dad ever mention Mom drinking?”

  Maddox shook his head, although his silence troubled Ray. He strained to remember his mother as a child, but all he recalled was how beautiful she was. That she made sugar cookies with him and sang to him at night.

  “Maddox?”

  Maddox released a weary sigh and accelerated, gaining speed on Barbara. “He never talked about it, but now that I think about it, I saw him helping her to bed a few times. I...didn’t realize what was happening. But the next day I found an empty vodka bottle by the sofa. Dad saw me with it, and later I heard him and Mom arguing.”

  So it could be true. Ray felt as if he’d been sucker punched. “Maybe she was drinking because she knew Dad was cheating.”

  “Maybe,” Maddox muttered although he didn’t sound convinced. “I don’t think we can believe anything Barbara says, though.”

  Maddox maneuvered a curve, then they spotted Barbara veer down a side road. The SUV bounced over ruts as Maddox flew up on her tail.

  “About Scarlet?” Maddox said.

  Ray’s insides churn
ed. “Yeah, you said she had a record.”

  “I’m sorry. You like her, don’t you?”

  He wasn’t sure like was the word. He wanted her. He had come to admire her.

  He might even...love her.

  But had their relationship been based on lies?

  “I’ve got a call in to Judge Winters,” Maddox said. “He’ll tell me what really went on.”

  Ray gave a clipped nod, too torn to respond.

  Seconds later, they closed in on Barbara. She raced down the road, then disappeared around a curve. Maddox spun around the curve, her lights fading as she increased speed.

  Tires squealed as Maddox accelerated, taking the curve on two wheels. Ahead, he spotted the lights of Barbara’s car, then Maddox closed in. Seconds later, she lost control and slammed into a tree.

  Maddox jolted to a stop a foot behind her and jumped out, weapon drawn. “Stay in the car,” he ordered Ray.

  “Hell, no, brother.” Ray pulled his own gun from inside his jacket. “I’ve got your back.”

  Bobby eased from the car, staggering slightly, and Barbara crawled out, then spun around, weapon aimed. But Maddox was too fast. He jumped her, and they fought for the gun.

  Bobby started toward Maddox to help his mother, but Ray tackled him, then shoved his gun in the bastard’s face.

  “It’s over, Bobby. Time to face the music.”

  Bobby’s sinister eyes pierced him. “You’d better not hurt my mother.”

  A gunshot sounded, and they both froze and glanced sideways.

  “Mom!” Bobby shouted.

  Ray saw the gun hit the ground, then Maddox pinned Barbara against the side of the car.

  “Give it up, Barbara,” Maddox growled. “I don’t want to hurt you or Bobby, but I’m not going to let you escape, either.”

  “You owe me, Maddox,” Barbara cried. “And Joe owes our son.”

  “He’ll get what he deserves.” Maddox tossed a pair of cuffs toward Ray, and he rolled Bobby over and snapped them on while Maddox cuffed Barbara.

  “This isn’t fair,” Barbara whined. “I deserved his love. She was a drunk.”

  Maddox said nothing. He shoved her in the back of his squad car, and Ray did the same with Bobby, although Bobby was cursing a blue streak. When they slammed the door, Ray wiped sweat from his forehead.

  But Barbara’s accusation against their mother taunted him. Mama Mary had commented that their parents had problems. If what Barbara said was true, their father could have turned to Barbara because of their mother’s drinking, not the other way around.

  If so, he’d been too hard on their father. But their dad should have explained the situation to them when they got older. They would have understood.

  Or would they? Ray had already built up such a wall and harbored so much anger that he hadn’t given his father a chance.

  * * *

  SCARLET LET HERSELF into her house, chastising herself for getting involved with Ray. She shouldn’t have slept with him.

  And she certainly shouldn’t have fallen in love with him.

  Love? Do I love Ray?

  Yes. How could she not? He was all the things she’d ever wanted in a man. Strong, handsome, noble...

  But he didn’t trust her. That doubt in his eyes tore her insides out.

  And Ray’s brothers...they would never accept her.

  So how could she possibly make a home on the piece of land Joe had left her? She would always remind Ray and his brothers of their father’s indiscretion. And of his lies.

  Why had she ever imagined that she’d fit into their lives?

  Or that Ray could love her?

  Tears blurred her eyes, but she swiped at them and she made a decision. She took out a pen and pad and began to write.

  Dear Ray,

  I’m sorry for the trouble my presence in your father’s life caused you and your brothers. And I’m sorry that Joe never told you about me or Bobby and Barbara.

  I loved your father and I appreciate all that he did for me, more than you’ll ever know. But I realize now that I can’t make a home on the land that he gave me.

  You may not approve, but I do plan to keep the money he designated for The Family Farm.

  You and your brothers can reclaim the land Joe left me as part of Horseshoe Creek. It belongs to your family, not to me.

  She started to write Love, Scarlet, but thought better of it and simply signed her name.

  A noise echoed from the back, and Scarlet froze. She strained to hear, then recognized the sound. The wind beating a branch against the glass pane.

  Relieved, she stood and walked to the bedroom. Tomorrow she’d search for a place to move, someplace that wasn’t so close to Pistol Whip and Ray.

  Another noise startled her. The branch again? Irritated at herself for being so jumpy, she decided to check it out. But just as she entered her bedroom and reached out to flip on the light, a shadow moved in her bathroom.

  Scarlet turned to run, but footsteps pounded, then a man grabbed her from behind.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Deputy Whitefeather met Ray and Maddox at the sheriff’s office. Barbara and Bobby continued to deny that they’d set fire to the McCullen house. Both had also denied sending Scarlet the burned photo and smashing her doll.

  Then Barbara had evoked her rights to an attorney for her and her son.

  “Let’s let them sit in jail overnight,” Maddox said. “Maybe when Barbara realizes how much trouble she and Bobby are in, she’ll confess.”

  Ray knew he should relax about Scarlet. Barbara, Bobby and Pullman were all in custody.

  But a sick feeling knotted his stomach.

  He had hurt Scarlet.

  “Brett texted that the fire is out,” Maddox said. “The arson investigator is there. I want to talk to him.”

  Deputy Whitefeather nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll stay here and hold down the fort.”

  Ray wanted to get Bobby alone and pound a confession out of him, but Maddox insisted on sticking to the law.

  The urge to see Scarlet nagged at Ray.

  But he owed his brothers his support. He also wanted to find out who set fire to the house as much as Maddox. Rose or Mama Mary could have been inside and died. And what if Brett’s son had been injured?

  Ray followed Maddox out the door before he went back in and beat Bobby to a bloody pulp.

  Maddox was quiet as they drove to the ranch. “If Bobby and Barbara didn’t set fire to the barn and house, who did?”

  “Romley is still missing,” Ray reminded him.

  “True. Hardwick insisted that he was only supposed to report our progress to Bennett, that he wasn’t the arsonist. I’m going to find that son of a bitch Romley and get to the truth.”

  Ray nodded, although his mind wandered back to Scarlet. She’d rushed to the house when she thought they were in trouble, not because she wanted anything from them.

  Because she cared.

  But when Maddox mentioned her past, a sliver of doubt had crept in.

  Not because of Scarlet, but because he had trouble trusting. Seeing his father with another woman had tainted his idea of relationships.

  Dammit, he could trust Scarlet. She was the sweetest, most selfless person he’d ever known.

  Brett, his family and Rose met them at Maddox’s vehicle when they arrived. Rose threw her arms around his brother, obviously grateful to see he’d returned safely.

  Maddox pulled away and kissed her. “I’m going to talk to the arson investigator.”

  Seeing both his brothers happy with their own families triggered a deep-seated loneliness in him.

  Making a snap decision, he told Maddox he was going to check on Scarlet. Maddox’s dark gaze met his. Brett raised
his brows in question.

  “You don’t want to hear back from that judge first?” Maddox asked.

  “I don’t need to. I know Scarlet. She deserves everything Dad left her. If you guys don’t agree, then I’ll buy her share from you.”

  He didn’t bother to wait on a response. He didn’t care what they said and he didn’t need their approval.

  He jumped in his Range Rover and headed toward Scarlet’s.

  * * *

  FEAR RIPPED THROUGH Scarlet as the man pushed her onto the bed. The scent of cologne and chewing gum hit her.

  Hugh.

  She squirmed and pushed at his hands, and he finally released her. But his heavy breathing rattled in the dark room as he towered over her.

  God help me. It had never occurred to her that Hugh could be dangerous. “Why are you doing this? I thought we were friends.”

  “Because you know,” he said, his voice accusatory.

  “Know what?” she said, playing dumb.

  She was on her own now. Joe was gone and so was Ray. She had to stall. Pray she could keep him calm and talk him out of doing anything irrational.

  “That I burned that photo. That I smashed that damn doll.” He paced in front her, swinging his hands. “But I did it because I love you.”

  “You scared me half to death out of love?” Scarlet said.

  He stared at her, eyes wild. “I’ve always loved you. Ever since we were kids.”

  She struggled to recall what had happened to his parents. If she was correct, his father had stalked his mother after their divorce. He’d probably justified his obsessive behavior, claiming it was love.

  “I wanted to protect you, to be the one to comfort you when Joe died.” His voice rose to an unnatural level. “You were supposed to turn to me, not that blasted McCullen.”

  Scarlet bit her tongue to keep from defending Ray. Doing that would only agitate Hugh more.

  “I’m sorry if I didn’t pay you enough attention,” Scarlet said, grappling for reason. “I’ve just had so much on my mind. Joe’s passing, and then Pullman and his daughter, and little Corey.”

  “Who was there to help you through all that?” Hugh pounded his fist on his chest. “I was, Scarlet. I’ve always been there for you.”