“She’s a grown woman who’s running her own business. She can hold her own.”
Silver’s head dropped. Obviously human concerns didn’t matter to him. “Running a business and having your dog shot’s two different things. She loves that mutt.”
Even with the sun making him squint, Jason could tell his brother was deep in thought. “She’s getting under your skin. Taking you back to Crystal.”
“You already chewed that bone.”
“I’m chewing it again because I know what I’m talking about.” The last thing he wanted to do this afternoon was think of or talk about his ex-wife. Crystal, who he’d met while at the Cody Rodeo Stampede in Wyoming, lived up to her name, all right. She’d been an exquisite, fragile wisp of a woman who’d been filling in as secretary for the rodeo board. The moment he’d spotted her in her shiny new pink cowgirl outfit and white hat, he’d felt like the big, bad protector. Not only did he earn the lion’s share of the income after their whirlwind courtship and marriage, he handled all household and auto repairs, paid the bills, dealt with the hassles that were part of modern life. Maybe most of all he hadn’t told her about the conflict he felt knowing he’d have to carve out a life beyond Durant Ranch.
In the end the roles they’d fallen into had ruined what had once been good. They’d never been equals. Even in bed he’d treated her as if she’d break. Finally he’d realized he was hindering her growth and had become tired of playing the white knight. He’d also wanted someone capable of helping with the decision making that had led to Mustang Construction.
“Okay, I’ll admit Shari can stand on her own two feet. I never said she couldn’t. From seeing her business, I know she’s no hothouse flower.”
“I hope you remember that. Otherwise, you’re going to make both of you crazy.”
“How? All we have is a business relationship.”
“So far. Maybe.”
Paul Statford of Homeland Security didn’t arrive until nearly seven. If he’d known the man was going to be that late, Maco acknowledged as he stepped out of the travel trailer and headed toward the nondescript sedan, he could have gone to Shari’s kennels, seen her, heard her voice, maybe touched her again. Wrap himself in unwanted knots. Ask her if she wanted to do anything about the erection he knew he wouldn’t be able to keep under wraps.
Then Paul wearily shook his head and leaned against the hood and Maco pushed thoughts of Shari aside.
“What is it?” he asked. “Some change in—”
“No. Things are still all systems go as far as construction here is concerned. However, I’ve been looking into the backgrounds of some of the most vocal opponents.”
“Like Roe and his friends. They were here earlier.”
When Paul frowned, the deep lines on his face reminded Maco that the man had come out of retirement to address Homeland Security’s concerns about the dam. A former career Forest Service employee, Paul had once been instrumental in safeguarding a national forest in the region. Among his accomplishments was his major role in shutting down a large marijuana operation growing in the forest. According to Paul, Homeland Security brass had come begging because of his connection with local law enforcement.
“Guess they decided there was still some use left in me,” Paul had explained once he and Maco came to trust each other. “I took them up on their offer because I was going crazy at home. And because I like playing hardball with the bad guys.”
“Roe’s interesting,” Paul muttered. He made no effort to leave the car that was supporting his backside. “The land’s been in his family’s hands for three generations. Of course he’s going to fight for it. In a lot of respects I don’t blame him. He wants the status quo, to not have to face yet another example of his belief that small ranchers are being pushed aside.”
“I can’t blame him,” Maco said. “A lot of ranchers feel that to some extent. At least it was that way in my family.”
“Too much big government?”
“Pretty much,” he said, glad Paul hadn’t asked what he meant about the impact on his family. Maybe, like a lot of people, Paul believed the cowboy way of life was physically hard but emotionally easy. They were wrong.
“The ranch is all he’s ever known,” Paul went on. “He’ll do everything he can to turn it over to his kids. I’m not sure his wife feels the same way. From what I’ve been able to determine, she doesn’t have much of an opinion about anything—maybe because she was only seventeen and pregnant when they got married. She dropped out of school and hasn’t gone back.”
“Too bad.” The idea of a woman who didn’t want something for herself mystified him. Shari would never—“What else did you uncover?”
“Not much. Little stuff. Drunk driving, a couple of domestics. Apparently one time Roe’s wife took a knife to him, so maybe she has some backbone.”
He tried to imagine Shari wielding a knife or firing a gun. The knife maybe, the gun less likely. “That’s all?”
Paul smiled but it didn’t last. “In other words, you’re wondering what took me so long to get out here.” He sighed. “It’s a valid concern. Have you heard of Greenspeakers?”
“The so-called environmentalists who are writing all those letters to the editor?” Maco all but spat. “Of course I have. They’re the bunch that chained themselves to those old oaks in the city’s historic district last year. Never mind that the trees were rotten and dangerous.”
“That’s beside the point, as far as they’re concerned. Demonstrating brought them attention. They get off on having the press around, pitting themselves against bureaucracy.”
Sensing that Paul was reaching the real reason for his visit, Maco shook off lingering thoughts of a feminine hand on his shoulder. Too bad he couldn’t do the same with the question of whether he might have gotten Shari tangled in his mess.
You’re wrong for a change, bro. This isn’t about me treating Shari like I did Crystal. The danger’s real.
“Portraying themselves like Robin Hoods,” he said sarcastically. “Stealing from the rich and all that crap.”
“That’s kind of how they see it. If something so much as smells like Big Brother, they’re against it. And they don’t much care what methods they use. Fortunately there’s only about a dozen hard-core members.”
“I’ve heard about some of their methods.” Leaning against the side of Paul’s car, he looked out at the land that would claim his and his brother’s time, emotions, and energy for the foreseeable future. “The bombing of that Bureau of Land Management office.”
“Slashing every tire of every car county commissioners drove to those hearings on the proposed north freeway exit. No wonder the commissioners haven’t yet made a decision.”
“You think that was them? No one has been arrested.”
“Oh, we’re sure. We just can’t prove it.”
Maco wasn’t certain who Paul meant by
we
. If Paul wanted him to know, he’d say. “So in addition to holding up rotting trees and poking holes in tires, Greenspeakers members are also in cahoots with the area ranchers?”
“It’s not that simple. Roe and his bunch believe in what they’re doing. They’re convinced the dam is going to hit them in the pocketbooks, that they’ll be shorted of water. There’s nothing ethical, philosophical, or political in the ranchers’ thinking. It’s dollars and cents, livelihoods in jeopardy. Most of the farmers are unofficial Greenspeakers’ members, but they don’t want the organization pulling their strings.”
“Is that good?”
“I’m not sure, because they know enough not to turn down any financial support Greenspeakers offers them or suggestions about how to manage and implement their opposition.”
Maco groaned. “So it’s possible Roe and his friends came here today under Greenspeakers direction?”
“It’s possible, all right, but we’ll probably never know for sure.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah, damn.”
Hunger had been gnawing at Maco and contributing to his headache as he waited for Paul. Now his head fairly throbbed. He felt as trapped as he had when he’d acknowledged that his marriage had become toxic for both of them but hadn’t yet decided what he needed to do to end the path they were on.
“What do you want me to do?”
Paul nodded. “I needed to hear you say that. You wouldn’t want to work for Homeland Security, would you?”
“Hardly.”
“Smart decision. Seriously, you don’t strike me as fitting into a bureaucracy.” He nodded at the corral. “Those horses are more your style. For now there isn’t much you can do beyond watching your back and the backs of everyone on your payroll. Just like the sheriff’s department, my agency’s spread thin. I can’t call in the cavalry unless I can document a specific threat.”
“And a
friendly visit
from some local farmers doesn’t meet that criteria.”
“No, it doesn’t. What I’m going to tell you is between you and me—and maybe your brother. I’m working with the sheriff’s department trying to get someone to go undercover and infiltrate Greenspeakers, but they’re very cautious about who they let in.”
“I’m already watching my back,” Maco muttered. “When did life get so complicated?”
“If I knew, I’d have figured out how to make it less so. What really bothers me is that Greenspeakers is damn good at targeting their threats, so it’s hard if not impossible to prove they are threats.”
“Give me an example beyond having Roe wanting to tour this place.”
“Okay. They might send a sympathy card to one of your employee’s families expressing sorrow over his tragic accident on the worksite. That same employee will get another card lamenting his wife’s or child’s unexpected death.”
Maco’s stomach knotted. He suddenly felt sick. “Shit.”
“It’s a cowardly approach, but effective. I suggest you give your workers a heads-up that something like that could happen.”
Something like shooting an innocent dog simply because her owner is working with me?
7
R
achele had cleaned the kennels before leaving, but although Shari was appreciative because today was her turn, she wished Rachele had been more forthcoming about why she couldn’t spend another night.
“Sorry,” Rachele had said, shrugging. “Duty calls, shit happens, all that. I’ll be back first thing.”
Duty? According to Rachele, she was a free spirit. She worked primarily so she could pay the bills and had decided to do it here because she preferred dogs to people. She lived in a modestly priced apartment, didn’t belong to any organizations, volunteered at the Humane Society, called her parents who lived in Florida every Sunday, and spent her free time hiking all over the state. As far as Shari knew, there wasn’t a steady man in Rachele’s life. Neither was she looking for one.
That was the problem, one of them anyway. As much as she and Rachele had in common, particularly a love of animals, independence, and a similar political outlook, in truth she knew little of a personal nature about her employee. Maybe Rachele’s loyalty to her employer didn’t go far.
“What’s your problem?” Shari asked herself as Bruce and Tucker wolfed down their dinners. “Nothing happened last night. It won’t tonight. You’re used to being alone. End of story.”
Ona, who’d accompanied her to the smaller of the two kennels, which was where she kept the dogs she was training, yawned. Although Ona still held her head a little to the right side, she didn’t seem to be in pain and showed no sign of having been traumatized by her shooting. Shari could learn a lot from her dog’s example.
Like not looking at a gun rack in a pickup and wondering if one of the rifles in it had been used on Ona.
“I need a dose of your attitude,” she told Ona. “Live in the moment. So, what are your plans for the rest of the day? You want to go see a movie?”
Ona yawned again.
“Point taken. It’s too nice an afternoon to spend it inside. I don’t suppose you’re interested in going for a hike before the sun goes down? We could check out the foothills, look for footprints or tire tracks.”
Sighing, Ona lifted a hind leg and scratched behind her ear.
“I know, I know, that deputy already did that. You must think I’m crazy.”
The cell phone tucked in her pocket vibrated, sending a sensual message to her groin. Hmm. Maybe she’d discovered a new sex toy. If nothing else, it served as the distraction she needed.
Recognizing Maco’s number, she let it vibrate again while trying to regain her equilibrium. Unbidden, her mind grasped at possibilities. He’d called to ask her out, to simply talk. To ask if she was as horny as he was and what should they do about it. “Hello.”
“You’re all right?” Maco asked without so much as a greeting.
“Of course.”
A little on edge from hearing your voice, that’s all.
“It’s going to be dark soon. Where are you?”
As a child, she’d learned to be responsible for her welfare. Having someone ask that kind of question had her off balance. “Feeding Bruce and Tucker, why?”
“In your house?”
“No. I’m in their kennel. What is this about?”
He didn’t immediately answer. “Why aren’t they in the house? They’re going to spend the night there, aren’t they?”
Although she could have explained that as working dogs she needed them to see her as their boss and not a companion in an endless slumber party, she decided not to get into that explanation. “No, they aren’t. However, Ona will be.”
“Not good enough.”
“What is this about?” she repeated, even more uneasy than before he’d called. If only they could talk about ordinary things, such as whether or not he was circumcised and if he was a boobs or an ass man.
“I’m looking after your safety.” His clipped words brought her back to the conversation. “Given what happened here today, that can’t surprise you. Roe and his buddies saw you. They might know who you are. Hopefully Rachele is a light sleeper.”
“She can’t stay tonight.”
“What? Why not?”
“She didn’t say and it isn’t my place to ask.”
“You should have. This is serious.”
“Maybe. Maco, I appreciate your concern, but Roe and the other men were playing the macho role for your benefit, not mine. They have nothing against me.”
Don’t they?
Once again his silence lasted longer than it should have. Moments ago she’d wanted more than a phone call from him, a lot more. Now she didn’t know how she felt. “You can’t stay there alone,” he insisted.
“What—”
“Go to a motel. I’ll pay for it.”
“This is crazy. I can’t leave all these dogs.”
“Damn. Okay, I’ll call the sheriff and have him recommend a private security company, someone who can keep an eye on things tonight.”
Barely aware of what she was doing, she stepped out of the kennel. Maco was right. Night was less than a half hour away, and with the sun setting, she could barely make out the hills. Ona had remained inside with the other dogs, which contributed to Shari’s sense of isolation. “That’s not going to happen so fast,” she pointed out. “You’d have to sign a contract with the company before they’d get involved. You’re reacting to Roe’s visit. Don’t let him get to you.”
“It’s not just that.”
“Then what?”
“It’s complicated. Look, I’ll get my brother to hold down the fort here. I’ll be out as soon as I can.”
Unless she told him not to do that, Maco might spend the night in her house, in her bed, if her instincts were right and she welcomed him to it, which she would.
It was all happening too fast. Maco had stormed into her world and in short order he’d become a core part of it. “What did you say?” she asked, belatedly aware that he was still talking.
“It might take me an hour, maybe a little more. Go inside and lock the doors and windows until I get there. To hell with the couches, bring Bruce and Tucker in with you.”
“What? No. Damn it, Maco, wait!”
She wasn’t sure but thought she heard him breathing. Where was he and what was he looking at? Was he imagining her dressed or naked?
“What do you mean, wait?”
A moment ago she’d been swayed by the concern in his voice. Now that emotion was gone, replaced by as much suspicion as confusion.
“You can’t just drop everything and run over here,” she stalled while waiting for her thoughts to sort themselves out. Standing inches from him tonight had terrified her. Damn him, he was more than she could handle. “When I left the canyon earlier today, you said you were—didn’t you say you’d be tied up?”
“I got my business over with. Now all I have to do is clear things with Jason.”
And after checking with his brother, he’d step into her space. Force her to share her land and house with him. Turn her emotions upside down. “You don’t want to do that.”
“He’ll understand. He—”
“Whether Jason does or doesn’t isn’t the point. If anyone should be concerned about danger, it’s you. Roe and the others challenged you, not me. I can’t believe you’d take off, knowing they might see you leave.”
“I didn’t think about that.”
Because he’d put her safety before his brother’s and the entire operation? Damn it, she didn’t want that on her shoulders. “Then it’s a good thing I did. What happened to Ona was a stupid accident.”
I think.
“You can’t say the same about Roe’s threats. I’m serious. I’d never forgive myself if I took you up on your offer to play protector and something bad happened at the dam site.”
“Just like I’d never forgive myself if—”
“It won’t. Don’t come. I don’t want you here.”
“Damn.”
His curse was little more than a whisper, a low breath from a masculine throat. Hearing it both eased tension out of her and filled her with need. No way was she ready for him to force himself into her life. At the same time, she needed something from him she’d never needed before. Maybe it was nothing more than crazy sex. His body covering hers. Thinking of nothing else.
“I don’t want to argue with you,” he said.
“Neither do I.” She had to work to keep her voice from caving.
“You’re stubborn.”
“I’m being rational, logical.”
Maybe.
“Whatever. You not having a weapon is going to bite you.”
“Don’t go there.”
“Hmm. At least call me right before you go to bed and first thing in the morning,” he said. “If anything feels hinky, call nine one one and then me.”
“Only if you promise to do the same.”
“What?”
Smiling at the disbelief in his voice, she repeated herself. “See? My demanding that you lean on me doesn’t make any more sense than the other way around, does it? We’re both grown-ups. Good night, Maco. I’ll see you tomorrow. Not tonight, because you aren’t my big brother.” She hung up without waiting for his response.
When he didn’t call back, she tried to remind herself that he’d done exactly what she’d wanted him to, so what was her problem? But she was too alone and there was too much land around.
“Get a grip, Shari, you’re acting like you did after seeing your first horror movie.” Her voice echoed a little, which did nothing to quiet her nerves. Not willing to test them further, she called Bruce and Tucker outside so they could relieve themselves. When they were done, she let them back in and closed the door. Ona stayed beside her. She never locked either kennel door because in case of fire or other emergency she wanted to be able to get the dogs out as quickly as possible. Now, however, she couldn’t help wondering if they’d be safer if someone couldn’t get in.
Maybe she should call her aunt and uncle. She wouldn’t say anything about being nervous, of course, but hearing their voices and knowing they lived only twenty miles away would help settle her. They’d talk about how good the steak Uncle Dan had barbecued at their place last weekend had tasted and whether they should try smoking a chicken when they got together at the end of the month. She’d tell them a bit about Bruce and Tucker’s new home, focusing on what the sales would do to her checking account and saying nothing about the controversy surrounding the dam. She’d say even less about what had happened to Ona.
Only she didn’t dare phone them. Analytical Uncle Dan wouldn’t pick up on her emotional state, but her aunt would. Like her aunt said, she had a mother’s instincts, and mothers always know when their kids are having problems.
“You’ve done enough,” she muttered aloud to the image of Aunt Robynn in her mind. “Little things like helping me get my shit together.”
Feeling better, she headed for the house. Ona led the way, probably thinking about the couch and hoping her mistress would have a dish of ice cream so she could lick the bowl.
Her aunt and uncle were why she’d returned to the county of her birth. If not for them, she probably would have never set foot in it again. Her only relatives had convinced her that the past was dead and gone, deeply buried. They, the couple who’d briefly taken her in following her father’s murder, wanted her back in their immediate lives. Their own children lived where jobs and spouses had taken them, and they had no one to spoil. Their loving, generous natures and underlying loneliness had helped convince her that she should be nearby in case they needed, among other things, someone with a strong back to do the grunt work they no longer could.
A year and a half ago she’d taken them up on their suggestion that she look at the acreage with the 1960s ranch house on it that had gone into foreclosure. As her uncle had pointed out, zoning there would allow the dog training business she’d been dreaming about for years. The moment she’d seen it, she’d known they’d been right about the setting. A little research had assured her that she’d have no competition, since the nearest such facility was a hundred miles away. Presently financially strapped law enforcement couldn’t afford a canine unit, but that had been penciled into next year’s budget. Since she was qualified to handle the necessary training, both the county sheriff and city police chief had said they wanted to work with her. It was time to stop wishing and start doing. She might not have a twenty-year plan but the present was satisfying and exciting.
And unnerving.
The sun sank below the horizon as she reached her front porch. Already the air was cooling. Instead of going inside, she stopped with her hand on the doorknob and looked in the direction where she’d half believed she’d seen sunlight glinting off a rifle—the same direction the shots had come from. Everything seemed so peaceful out there this evening, maybe deceptively so. Maybe she’d take Bruce and Tucker for a walk up there in the morning, look around a little. Let them do some sniffing.
Then again, maybe not.
“The hell you won’t!” she chided herself. “You have the backbone, now use it.”