“That’s why I’m here.”
Meg walked back into the room. “I forgot to take the cinnamon rolls out of the freezer. I have to put them in the oven first thing in the morning, and it never works the same if I bake them frozen.”
The two men tracked the gracious redhead as she crossed the room and retrieved the pan from the commercial grade freezer, set the frozen rolls on the counter, and then smiling, waved to them on her way out of the room again. “If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask. Like I said, Adam and I are up on the third floor.”
“I’ll be fine, thank you. The room looks very comfortable and you’ve given me everything I could need and more.”
Meg nodded and both men waited until the sound of her heels clacking disappeared up the stairs.
DJ shifted in his seat. “Start talking.”
“I wanted you to see for yourself that I’m okay. Cap told me you’ve been keeping tabs on me at the hospital.”
“I have. You’re looking awfully good for a guy who not very long ago was touch and go.”
“Yeah, that’s the whole thing.” Now that he stood in front of DJ, Dale had second thoughts about how much he should tell the best partner he’d ever had about what put him in the hospital in the first place and why he was riding clear to New Mexico via every back road in the state of Texas.
DJ didn’t let the silence linger. “I’m sure you didn’t drive all this way just to tell me you’re fine and not tell me anything else.”
“Actually, that’s exactly what I did.” He needed to say more. “But no one can know I was here.”
Shaking his head, DJ pushed the half-empty tea cup further away. “How bad is it?”
“Under control.” He hoped.
DJ stared long and hard at him. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
Dale shook his head. If anyone knew he detoured through Tuckers Bluff to reach out to DJ, it would be more than his life on the line. It could be DJ’s. “No. That’s why I’m only here for tonight and then I’m moving on. But I needed you to know for yourself no matter what you hear, this is my reality.”
Gaze narrowing and the muscles along his jaw clenching, DJ eyed his friend. Odds were every cop instinct DJ had were drawing conclusions pretty damn close to the truth. But DJ was a good enough cop to know that he was better off guessing and not confirming. His head bobbed once. “Okay. We’ll do this your way. For now.”
“Thanks.” Relieved, Dale reached for his coffee.
“About the accident—”
“It’s not what you think.” Dale shook his head.
“How do you know what I think?”
“You’re worried that murder suicide call was too much for me. The final straw.”
“Was it?” DJ’s expression remained stoic, but his eyes did a lousy job of hiding his concern.
Best partner and friend Dale ever had. He sucked in a long breath. That miserable night was damn near close to the last straw. He’d done a good job of wallowing in a few drinks after his shift. Civilized world his ass. “I won’t BS you. Close. We’ve seen too much.” When all this was over, if it ever ended, it might be a good time for a change.
The slightest dip of DJ’s chin, showed he understood exactly how Dale felt.
The rest of what was going on in Dale’s life was better left unsaid. “There’s one thing you need to know. On my way here I had a little run in with your cousin Hannah.”
“Run in?”
“Yeah. My motorcycle spooked the horse she was riding and knocked her on the ground.”
Alarm flashed strong and hard in DJ’s eyes.
“She’s fine,” Dale said hurriedly. He probably should’ve said that first. “But she did take me back with her to Connor’s house. I couldn’t just let her ride off with a bump on the head. I wanted to make sure she was okay. Brooks checked her over and confirmed she is indeed fine. Then your Aunt Eileen insisted on feeding me. I couldn’t get out of it.”
Tension eased from DJ’s face momentarily as a smile teased his lips. “That’s not a surprise.”
“Yeah. Since dinner, things make a lot more sense to me.”
This time DJ laughed outright. “I bet.”
“It shouldn’t mean anything. And there shouldn’t be a problem. Or I wouldn’t have stayed.”
“I know that.”
“But just in case, you need to know. I was there.”
“Got it. Are you sure this is the way you want to handle it?”
If DJ had asked him that five hours ago Dale would’ve answered with an emphatic yes. But now, he just wasn’t so sure.
****
While the rest of the ranch was in the habit of waking before sunup to beat the midday Texas heat, Hannah’s routine didn’t start until something more akin to business hours. Except for this morning. Eyes wide open in the pitch of black, she gave up on sleep, and decided simply starting her day at the crack of dawn made more sense.
“You’re up awfully early this morning.” Aunt Eileen stood over the stove poking at a frying pan.
“I’m anxious to get more time in with the new horses.” While the statement was the truth, she’d left out it wasn’t only the horses that kept her mind working overtime. Something about yesterday’s visitor poked at her much the way her aunt was stabbing at the bacon in the frying pan. She couldn’t quite put her finger on why she just couldn’t let go of the stranger. “How can I help?”
“The boys will be back and sitting down any minute. I’m running just a little behind. Why don’t you set the table for me and grab a couple of containers of orange juice from the fridge?”
“Will do.”
By the time Finn and her uncle Sean had joined them at the table a hint of daylight peeked through the kitchen window. She was itching to work some more with Starburst and the other new horses. A little disappointed that the new Fjord was more skittish than she liked, she knew time would tell if the horse would be too nervous, or too sensitive, for their riders.
“Connor tells me,” Uncle Sean reached for the butter, “even though y’all aren’t open for business yet, you already have your first person signed up.”
Hannah quickly swallowed the last bite from her plate. “That’s right. A teen with cognitive issues. She and her mom are coming today for a look. I’d intended to set things up last night, but the fall changed my plans.”
“You want a ride over?” Finn asked.
“Nah. I’ve got time to walk. Think through my plans.”
Finn nodded. He understood the importance of quiet time before a big day.
In charge of the adaptive riding program, Hannah had way more to think through than she’d realized when she’d first signed on with her cousin for this project. She had an outstanding example to follow using the Dallas stable she’d worked at, but the amount of details involved without much support staff was almost overwhelming.
The job Connor and Catherine had done expanding the original plans to include an adaptive riding program was to be commended. Heaven knew the arena they’d built had been much bigger than anything they would have needed for a breeding stable. Still, Hannah knew they were stretching pennies to make this happen on top of building a new breeding business almost from scratch. She’d given Grace a list of possible donors she’d worked with in Dallas. It was time she reached out to a few special ones with a private note. Mrs. Marie Stewart, the grande dame of children’s charities, whose granddaughter Hannah had worked with would be top on her list.
“Morning.” Connor popped his head out from one of the stalls. “Didn’t expect to see you here at this hour.”
Hannah shrugged. “Thought I’d get an early start.”
“Works for me.” Connor pointed to the opposite side of the stable where the therapy horses were. A loud thumping sound carried across the cavernous structure. “Maggie is tired of waiting for her turn outside.”
“So I hear.” Shaking her head, Hannah crossed to the fussy horse banging the stall with her leg. “Yo
u sure are the squeaky wheel, aren’t you?”
Maggie whinnied, bobbing her head up and down.
The gesture made Hannah laugh. So many people underestimated the minds and hearts of these gorgeous animals. Opening the upper half of the door, she reached in to scratch the anxious animal’s chin. “Are you going to be a good girl and play nice with the others?”
Maggie kicked at the door again and stared Hannah down.
“Temper tantrums will get you nowhere fast.”
The horse took a half a step back and shook her head.
“So you’re going to play nice?”
This time Maggie dropped her head and let out a muffled sound before lifting her head and wiggling her lips at Hannah.
“All right.” Hannah laughed out loud, opening the stall door. “You are such a charmer.”
Like a good girl, Maggie followed her to the open barn door.
Stopping at the bright sunlight, Hannah gave the horse a light tap on the rump, and smiled. “Off you go.”
The horse took off at a quick clip. Such elegance as her mane blew in the breeze. No matter how many times Hannah stopped to just watch, the scene was always amazing. A foot on the bottom rung of the fence, and her arms hanging over the top, she took in the animals galloping off to play at just being horses. Lord, how she loved her job.
****
Spooning in bed with her husband first thing in the morning was the best part of the day for Margaret ‘Meg’ Farraday. Well, maybe one of the best parts. And that thought brought a smile to her face. Whoever had said coffee was the best part was lying through their teeth. “Sorry, handsome, gotta get up. David is leaving today. I want to make sure he gets some of those cinnamon rolls before taking off. Maybe make him a sandwich or two.”
Adam Farraday kissed his wife and slid out the other side of the bed. “Got a long day ahead of me too.”
Crisscrossing in front of each other’s paths, in and out of the bathroom, sharing a peck on the cheek and a quick pat on the rump rather than linger the way she’d like to, they’d hurried to dress. Meg rushed downstairs to find her guest at the front door. “Leaving already?”
“Got everything all set and ready to take off. You’ve been a wonderful hostess. I’ll be sure to recommend this place to anybody who coming this way.”
“Appreciate it, but have you had anything to eat yet?”
“No, ma’am. I’ll grab something fast on the road.”
Too funny, Meg thought. Poor guy had no idea. “There’s no such thing as fast or on your way anywhere in this part of the country. The only place to have breakfast within a hundred miles is the café, and as good as Abbie is, it won’t be that fast.”
Her guest looked out the front window in the direction of the other side of town.
Watching the shift in his stance as he made up his mind and turned back to her, she wasn’t willing to bet his decision was what she wanted to hear. Just in case, an extra pinch of coaxing might be in order. “Cinnamon buns are homemade. Sugar is a fast rush but at least there will be something in your stomach.”
David glanced at his watch and then lifted his gaze to meet hers. His expression softened with a smile. “I guess a few more minutes won’t hurt.”
“Good choice.” Meg spun around and hurried into the kitchen before he could change his mind.
Adam’s booted heels hammered loudly as he descended the steps. “Good morning. You’re still here. Good.”
David turned to Adam, looking much more relaxed. “I’ve been bribed with fresh cinnamon rolls.”
“Smart man.” Sidling up behind his wife, Adam slung an arm around her waist. It had only been a few minutes since she’d been in his arms upstairs, and yet she treasured every second as if it were the first or even the last.
“Interested in some eggs to go with those rolls?” Adam asked, slowly stepping away from his wife.
David’s head shifted from side to side. “I’m not really a breakfast eater. This is a treat for me.”
“My sister-in-law Toni is one of the best bakers in the state of Texas, probably west of the Mississippi, and possibly across the entire country. It’s going to be one hell of a treat, trust me.” Adam reached for the coffee pot and holding it up, turned toward his guest. “Would you like a cup?”
“No, thanks. I want to make it straight to New Mexico without stopping.”
Adam glanced down at David’s hand rubbing slightly at the back of his calf. And Meg knew her husband was thinking the same thing she was. This man with an aching back last night and a sore leg this morning had no business getting on a motorcycle and riding all the way to New Mexico without stopping. He probably had no business riding to the corner.
Pushing to his feet, David removed his jacket and wiped at his forehead.
The buns in the oven and the timer set, Meg turned on her heel. David’s face had paled a shade or two lighter. Even though he’d just wiped at his face, another trickle of sweat appeared between his brows.
“Guess it’s going to be a scorcher today.” David slung his jacket over the empty stool next to him. “Maybe a cool glass of water would be nice.”
The man took two broad steps in the direction of the refrigerator, froze in place, his face pinching in pain before he smothered a loud groan and dropped hard to the ground.
“Oh my God.” Meg flew around to his side, hovering close to the floor. Her husband only a half-step in front of her already had his cell phone out and on speaker.
A single tone rang out before Brooks answered, “Morning, bro.”
“It’s David. He began sweating profusely a few moments ago. Pale. Groaned loudly, then dropped to the floor like a two-ton anchor. He’s fighting for air, so I have him sitting against the wall.”
“Shit.” Brooks’ voice came through loud and clear. “It’s that damn leg. Sounds like he’s thrown a clot. Keep him upright and elevate his legs if you can. Be there in a minute.”
Meg had never been so thankful to have her brother-in-law just around the corner as she was this very moment. By the time Brooks came running through the front door, medical bag in hand, Adam had removed their guest’s boots and shoved two pillows under his legs.
Brooks bent down and lifted first the right leg and then the left, shoving his hand under the jeans up to the knee. “Just what I expected. That area behind his left knee is warm, and he flinched when I touched it. Classic phlebitis symptom. Probably brought on by the long motorcycle ride with his knees bent the entire time.”
Standing out of the way, Meg hugged herself watching her brother-in-law pull a vial from his medicine bag and quickly fill a hypodermic needle.
Brooks grabbed an IV from his medical kit and pushed the entire syringe full of medicine into it. “Go find me something to hang this on. The faster we get the Heparin into him the better.” No sooner had the words left his mouth than he was placing a tourniquet on David’s arm and searching for a vein.
Just as Meg returned with a hat rack from the hallway, he had an IV needle in place and quickly adjusted the flow of the life-saving medicine to wide open. “Let’s get him off the floor. The sofa will have to do for now. Be careful not to jar the needle.” Brooks slid an arm underneath his patient’s shoulders, Adam came from the other side, and Meg hurried forward just in case she could help make a difference. Together the three of them maneuvered the man into the other room and set him down on the couch as comfortably as possible for a man of his height. “Damn good thing you didn’t let him out the door. Had he thrown a clot on route out of town there’s no way in hell he’d be breathing now.”
“Have to go.” David’s voice came out low and rough, his eyes remained closed.
Meg squatted beside him. “Don’t worry. No hurries. You need to take care of yourself.”
“Can’t stay.” Eyes still shut, David waved the arm with the IV in the air and thrust the other in the opposite direction, knocking Meg off her feet.
“David,” Brooks shouted, sounding more like a dri
ll sergeant than a doctor.
“Go,” David muttered and nearly twisted off the sofa. Adam and Meg scrambled to keep the man from hurting himself.
“Shit.” Brooks reached into the bag beside him and grabbed the pre-filled syringe that he kept handy for just this kind of situation. Quickly, he injected the Versed into the IV tubing, and within seconds, David’s shoulders relaxed and his eyes closed.
“Is he going to be okay?” Meg tried desperately to keep her tone calmer than she felt.
“I hope to hell so.” Brooks placed three fingers on the sleeping man’s wrist and nodded.
Meg didn’t have a clue who this man was, if he had family, or people who cared about him, but right now she was frantic enough with worry for all of them.
CHAPTER SIX
“How did I let you talk me into this?” Hannah pulled into an empty space at the café.
“You’ve worked non-stop day and night. After that fall you took yesterday—”
“I’m fine.”
“Yes, but you still deserve a break. You put in a couple of hours with the horses this morning and now it’s time for a little R&R.”
Knowing better than to argue with her aunt was probably why Hannah was here in the first place. And maybe, just maybe, a small hope at a second chance to bump into last night’s stranger. Perhaps if she had another opportunity to visit, to talk, she could get some closure and put this guy out of her head once and for all. On the other hand, she wasn’t a daydreaming teen anymore, what she should do is stop letting her imagination run away with her and move on with real life.
“It’s about time you got here.” Sally May waved for her friend to hurry up. “Ruth Ann is just about to deal.”
“Deal Hannah in, too.” Without skipping a beat, Aunt Eileen was in her seat and scooping up the cards.
“Any word on how Grace’s trip to Houston is going?” Ruth Ann asked as she dealt.
“Nothing much. You know how Houston is—”
“Humid,” Dorothy and Sally May cut her off and the entire table laughed.
Farraday Country Page 4