Stetson's Storm

by Kathleen Ball

  Storm nodded, handing him the rifle. Shaking like a rattlesnake's tail, she just stared at him. She clasped her hands together, took a deep breath, and sighed.

  "You're here."

  "Storm, what can you tell me about the arrow stuck into the wall at front of the house?"

  Storm looked a bit dazed. "I'm too stubborn. I should have gone with Garrett. I almost got killed. The arrow missed me by inches."

  "Son of a bitch! Let's go into the family room and talk. You don't look so good."

  Grabbing his sleeve, Storm turned her frightened eyes on him. "I want out. I can't stay here. Whoever it was might be back."

  "All the more reason to stay put. I don't want to be attacked trying to get to the truck."

  Storm nodded and let go of his sleeve. "Scotty?"

  "Fine. He's fine." Taking her hand, he gently led her to the brown leather couch. He let her settle in then he sat next to her.

  "Myrtle is dead, Stetson. Someone killed her."

  "I know honey. I found her this morning."

  "What happened?"

  Stetson hesitated. He didn't want her any more upset than she already was. On the other hand, she deserved the truth.

  "I know it must have been bad. Just tell me."

  Stetson took his hat off and threw it onto the coffee table. "The coroner thinks she was strangled first."

  Storm gasped. "First?"

  "Apparently she was tied to the back of some vehicle and dragged a good many miles."

  "Oh, my God. Oh, poor Myrtle. I hope she was already dead before they, they..." Tears poured down her face. She looked so hopeless that it broke his heart.

  "I made some headway with the prosecutor. He doesn't think your father is guilty, but in light of the new murder, we all agreed that Pat would be better off in his cell, safer."

  "Myrtle never hurt anyone. Smitty neither. It seems like I'm watching some insane movie. Did they arrest Sam Evers?"

  "Not enough evidence, yet. You and Scotty are both in danger. I want to send Scotty to an FBI friend of Stamos' for a few days. She's supposed to be very good."

  "You're going to send my baby away?" She hiccupped as she cried louder.

  Getting off the couch, Stetson knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. He could feel her shaking. "We need him safe and Janey is the police chief's niece. Stamos has worked with her."

  She studied his face and finally nodded.

  "Storm, why didn't you call for help?"

  She looked puzzled, then amazed. "I have no idea. I was waiting for you and then the arrow-- I suppose I went into survival mode and didn't think of it."

  "It's all right, honey. We're safe, that's all that counts."

  "What about Chrissy? Is she still with Evers?"

  Stetson shrugged his shoulder. "No one seems to have seen her."

  It seemed as though the police were taking their sweet time looking at the arrow and speculating. Storm knew that the Lasso Springs police force was small. If they were all here staring at the damn arrow, who was trying to find the shooter?

  Sitting at the kitchen table, she couldn't take it anymore. Standing up, she sent her chair flying backwards. Storm stomped out of the house, slamming the door behind her.

  The tension in her body grew unbearable. The muscles in her neck and shoulders were so tight it grew painful. Even her face felt pinched. She could only imagine it wasn't her best look.

  Blackmail sounded like the best theory. What did Evers have on her father? She had no idea. She'd been disowned, she thought bitterly. Smitty probably knew and it cost him his life. Did Myrtle know too? How can anyone treat a woman so despicably?

  Dead was dead, why drag her body around? Was it a message to her father to keep his mouth shut? The whole will thing made no sense.

  Sighing, she realized she didn't have one answer. Information was power and right now she felt as helpless as a newborn chick.

  Hearing the door behind her open and close, she assumed that Stetson was behind her. "I can't take being cooped up any longer."

  "You'd better get used to it."

  Storm whirled around and found herself face to face with Stamos Walker.

  "Look, Storm, I know how you feel, but standing out here making a target of yourself is not helping. Get in the house."

  His voice was calm and steady. Storm could tell he was serious. Nodding, she walked in front of him and back into the kitchen. "I just wish we knew what we're up against."

  Her cheeks grew wet as her tears trailed down them. Stamos quickly took her into his arms and held her.

  "I can take it from here." Stetson took her hand and drew her close.

  "I was just trying to help."

  "No problem, Stamos. I'm glad you're here." Stetson looked down at her. "And you my dear wife, no more wandering."

  In any other situation she'd probably argue with his high handedness. She realized he was right. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking."

  Stetson cradled her against his body. He rubbed his hands up and down her back. Pulling away, he looked at her face. The love in his eyes gave her strength.

  Leaning down, Stetson nibbled on her bottom lip before he possessed her with his mouth. He thrust his tongue in her mouth and danced with her tongue. He pulled her closer and she could feel his need.

  The kiss went on making her head spin. How she loved this man!

  "Hey kids, let's get all our facts laid out. Maybe there's something we missed." Chief Gordon smiled at them.

  Reluctantly, Storm stepped away. Her lips felt electrified and her body hummed. Chief Gordon was right. They needed to talk about the facts.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Mucking hay was just the type of work Storm needed. The physical exertion helped her to keep her sanity. Going over the facts with Chief Gordon hadn't really told her anything new.

  The state police had been called in to help and they were in town strategizing with the chief. They already had permission from her father to search the ranch and they were busy making plans. Plans she was not privy to.

  Stetson was busy with the horses, but she knew that he was keeping an eye on her. Feeling protected was a mixed blessing. The gratefulness she felt was dusted with the frustration of being constantly observed.

  She missed Scotty the most. She didn't dare go to Garrett's. There was the fear she'd lead Evers right to him and Storm would do anything to keep her son safe.

  She kept going, working and working nonstop until finally she felt Stetson's hand on her shoulder. He looked tired and concerned.

  "That's enough for one day. It'll be getting dark soon." He took the shovel from her and leaned it against the stall.

  "I lost track of the time."

  "I would have asked you to stop hours ago, but I could see the hard work was cathartic. I do the same thing. Sometimes it gets rid of my anger and sometimes I end up with the answer to my problem"

  Storm leaned into him. The smell of horses was on him and she loved it. Stepping in front of him, she wrapped her arms around his trim waist, and put her cheek on his muscular chest.

  Stetson held her back, and it brought tears to her eyes. Right now she liked being protected.

  The ringing of Stetson's phone drew them apart. Storm watched his face anxiously for any clues.

  "They made the raid. Evers is in jail along with one of the hands. Does the name Blue Sawyer mean anything to you?"

  Storm shook her head.

  "I guess that's who helped him. They found enough evidence to put him away for a long time."

  Breathing a sigh of relief, Storm tried to smile, but it really wasn't a time to smile. "What about Chrissy?"

  "They believe she's with her brother. They are trying to get ahold of him now."

  "Even though she was a big pain, I'm glad she wasn't hurt." Storm took Stetson's hand and squeezed it. "I know you were friends for a long time."

  "Hopefully, Brian will be able to straighten her out."

  "We can get back to normal." />
  Stetson gave her a long look. "What is normal to you? I want to start out on the right foot."

  Stetson sat on a bale of hay. He reached up and pulled her down next to him. He wanted his answer; it was evident in his intense perusal.

  Storm shifted her body trying to get comfortable on the hay. She was also stalling. What did he want her to say? What if he didn't feel the same way? He came back and in truth, he married her because of Scotty. Did he really love her? Trusting and believing came hard to her. Was he acting like he loved her because of the baby? Doubts, her life had been full of them. Truth be told, she didn't know what normal was anymore.

  "This is what I know. I know you are a good husband. I know you love Scotty to bits and you are so good with him. I know you're excited about the new baby. I know you'll always look out for me. I know if you leave I'll be provided for."

  She felt Stetson stiffen. "I'm not done. I know you are a fine, honorable man. You are strong when you need to be, but you are also gentle. I also know that if your father hadn't died, you wouldn't have come back. I know you love the rodeo; I don't blame you. Perhaps Chrissy just wanted and needed you. In a way, you left her too. At least in her mind."

  Glancing at Stetson, she could see that he was having a hard time keeping quiet. Her heart felt as though it had gone through a wheat thresher. It felt all kinds of shredded. Should she mention love? It just might complicate everything. If he didn't love her back, really love her, she knew she'd break inside.

  Was she strong enough to know the truth? She'd had to be strong for some time now, but this was different. Storm felt so raw, so vulnerable. She wanted to tell him that her love was a forever kind of love, but she couldn't take that chance.

  Stetson was quiet for a while. He knew what he wanted, but he wasn't sure that it would come out right. He was afraid of saying the wrong thing and sending her running.

  "You're probably right about my coming back. I hadn't planned on it, but damn it, Storm, I'm so glad I did. Not because you needed me. Not because of Scotty -- well, he was an extra bonus. I'm forever grateful that I came back and found my heart and soul again. Darlin', parts of them have been missing since I left you. Yes I'm excited about the new baby and I want us to be a family. I want to take care of you and protect you."

  Stroking her cheek, he turned her head so she was facing him. "You forgot one thing, Storm Scott. I love you. I know now I always have and I always will. You make me feel like I want to be a better man. You make me feel whole again."

  Tears ran down her face and he wiped them away with his thumbs. "I love you." He placed his lips tenderly over hers, giving her short little kisses. He licked her lips and she opened for him. Stetson deepened the kiss until he could feel it in his toes. This was one filly that wasn't going to get away.

  Cradling her face in his hands, he kissed her eyelids. "We're both stubborn, but that doesn't matter. If we just talk to each other, we can work out anything. I love you and the whole package; Scotty and the new baby."

  Storm flung her arms around his neck and held him close. "I love you too, Stetson. I love you so much it frightens me."

  Stetson stroked her back and bent to her ear. "I'm not going anywhere and that's a promise."

  Storm nodded and buried her face in his neck. Finally, her tears stopped and they just sat on the bale of hay holding each other.

  Stetson never wanted to let her go. It felt too right to have her in his arms. He regretted ever leaving, but what was done was done. He felt lucky to have Storm as his wife and the mother of his children. Things could have turned out so differently and he was blessed.

  Chapter Twenty

  Watching Scotty trying to play with Buck and not get dirty made her smile. Finally, there was an occasion for smiles. She'd already been to two funerals this past week. Nellie and Joe's wedding would be just the event to put everything back to rights.

  Smoothing her hands down the feathery layers of her bridesmaid dress she realized that when all else fails, you just gotta laugh. A big yellow canary, that's what she looked like. She just didn't have the heart to tell Nellie that she didn't want to wear the bird dress. Nellie loved the dress.

  Familiar footsteps behind her made her tingle. Stetson put his arms around her middle and pulled her back against him. He kissed the side of her neck and she shivered.

  "You are one sexy duck."

  "Duck?" Storm turned in his arms. "I'm a canary. I'm surprised you don't know your birds." Laughing, she reached up and fixed his bowtie. "You make a very handsome penguin."

  Stetson leaned down and kissed her lips. Each kiss was like the first, exciting and filled with promises. She felt so warm and bubbly inside.

  "Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!"

  Taking a step back, she had to bite her bottom lip to keep from laughing. "Don't my two men look handsome."

  Scotty pulled at his bowtie. "If this is handsome, I'd rather look like a horse's ass."

  Storm's mouth dropped open. "Young man--"

  Stetson touched her arm. "It's my fault. We were getting dressed, and well, I guess I said it."

  Looking from one to the other, she couldn't decide who looked guiltier. Scotty's eyes were open wide, and he kept looking away. Stetson's face had turned bright red and he seemed speechless.

  Grabbing their hands, she led them outside. "No cussing at the wedding."

  "Yeah, Daddy. Don't get me in any more trouble."

  Stetson stopped and lifted Scotty in his arms. "I'll try. Let's go get Aunt Nellie and Uncle Joe hitched."

  The ceremony was held in the yard under an arch of yellow roses. Nellie glowed in her simple white dress. Her bouquet was made up of red roses while Storm's was yellow roses.

  Joe looked awfully nervous, the 'I'm going to faint' type of nervous, but he prevailed.

  Storm looked at Stetson. The love in his eyes humbled her. Feeling her eyes start to pool, she wished the tears back, but a few escaped.

  After the minister said, "You may kiss the bride", Storm heard a whispered yuck. Stetson's lips twitched as he put his hand on Scotty's shoulder and pulled him closer. Storm had to look away. Her emotions were going crazy. She wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time. Hormones, she mused.

  The wedding was small and intimate. Callie, Garrett, Joy, and Stamos were all there, as were all the men that worked on the ranch. Storm just hoped the time for smiles lasted.

  Bustling around the kitchen, Storm began to hum. It struck her that she hadn't sung in a very long while. She hoped Nellie and Joe were having great time in Dallas. They'd planned on only going for a few days, but Stetson paid for the honeymoon suite for a week.

  On the kitchen table were the plans for a new house. Storm was glad she insisted Nellie have the choice of houses. Nellie didn't pick the new one. She loved the house she was raised in.

  The construction of the new house would be starting any day. Hearing tiny footsteps from upstairs, Storm rolled up the plans and set them aside.

  Scotty went racing by and opened the door. "It's an emergency, Mommy. Buck really has to go." Scotty raced for the bathroom himself.

  Her heart grew warm. She loved and was loved.

  "Cute as a doodlebug on a summer's morn." Stetson stood at the doorway, a teasing glint was in his eyes.

  "Why thank you."

  "I meant Scotty." Stetson ducked as the dishtowel went flying near his head. He took two long strides and came toe to toe with her. Grabbing her waist, he lifted her up for a quick kiss then let her slide down the length of his chiseled body.

  "You are a beautiful sunflower swaying in the wind."

  Storm smiled. "That beats doodlebug by a mile. Sit down, I have breakfast almost finished."

  "I thought the smell of coffee and eggs made you sick."

  "Not this morning for some reason. I feel really good."

  Storm opened the door for Buck and she saw a truck coming up the drive. "Looks like we have company."

  Stetson was at her side in a flash. "It's Stamos."


  "Oh. Did you two have plans to meet?"

  Stetson shook his head. Storm didn't like the worried look in his eyes.

  Stetson stepped outside. He didn't want to have Storm or Scotty upset if it was bad news. As Stamos walked toward the house, Stetson walked out to greet him.

  "I have some news."

  "Figured as much."

  Stamos' face looked grim. "McCrory's barn was burned down last night. Surprised you didn't hear all the fire trucks."

  Stetson could feel himself blush. "I, us, we well-- We were busy."

  "Understandable then." Stamos grinned.

  "Do they know who did it?"

  "Not a clue. With Evers and Blue Sawyer locked up, I thought the trouble was over. Guess someone still has it out for McCrory. Storm and Scotty might not be safe."

  Stetson ran his hand over his face. "We need to figure this out and fast. I can't have them in danger. What did McCrory say?"

  "He seemed puzzled about the whole thing."

  "Thanks for driving out here and letting me know."

  "Garrett and I want you to join us at McCrory's around ten o'clock. I'd like to personally question him. He hasn't told the whole truth."

  "I'll be there." They shook hands and Stetson watched Stamos leave. He knew he had to go back inside, but he hated to worry Storm."

  Taking a deep breath he walked inside and sat at the table. "This looks good."

  Storm stood by the stove, staring at him. "Well?"

  Stetson quickly glanced at his son. "Well, it seems like your father's barn got a bit damaged." He cringed at the look of alarm on Storm's face.

  "Anything we can do?" Her face looked drawn.

  "Nope. Sit and eat, we can talk later. I have some work I have to get to and then I have a meeting."

  Storm nodded and sat down. He noticed that she barely touched her food. She didn't need more worries. She'd been through enough.

  Trust had been a real issue for Storm. He decided to tell her everything. No sugar coating the danger. Damn, he really thought the trouble was over.