Life was good. All they had to do was find this crazy person trying to kill people. Then they’d marry, settle down on the ranch, and make babies.
At the barn, Cody helped Averil off her horse.
“Do you two mind if I go on to the house and call Kira? I want to see what’s been happening.”
“I’ll rub your horse down. Go on. We’ll be in shortly.” Cody kissed her quickly and patted her sweet ass as she walked by him. Payton and he watched until she was out of sight.
“She blows me away every time we make love.” Payton pulled his saddle off and began to rub down his horse. “It’s going to take time, but she’ll begin to feel safe about being vulnerable around us.”
“Have you noticed her personality is more like mine?” Cody asked.
“Yep. Looks like I’m going to have my hands full. Hopefully any children we have will be more mild mannered.”
Cody gave him a friendly shove and went back to working on the mare Averil had ridden.
* * * *
The two days went by slowly for Gala. She wanted to get on with her plan, but this was working out better. She noticed Mitch and Daren had relaxed since Harry had survived. They must be confident the new treatment would take care of any more poisoning attempts.
Gala had managed to get today off. Her partner planned to call her after he landed and got his rental car. Somehow she had to convince him to meet her in a place where no one would see her with him. There was a lot of unpopulated land between the ranch and town. She had an idea, but maybe he’d suggest something even better.
Her mother stopped her as she started out the front door. “Gala, I’m worried about you. I know your father’s death has hurt you. I’m sorry you can’t grieve for him normally, that you have to hide your feelings. It’s my fault you’re in this position.
“Maybe you ought to quit your job. There are other places to work. You might find something in town where the memories wouldn’t be so close.”
“I like my job, Mother.”
“You resent me for not acknowledging your father. Our affair was over before I knew I was pregnant. I was married. Chester thought you were his. He still does. That was the only time I strayed. We have a good marriage.”
“And so you didn’t tell me about my real father. But he did. He loved me. He never loved you.” Angrily Gala walked out, slamming the door behind her. She got in her mother’s car and left the ranch. Halfway to town her cell rang. “Hello.”
“I’m in Reunion, Wyoming. It’s about twenty miles west of Lovettville. Do you know the place?”
“Yes, it’s even smaller than our town.”
“I’ve decided to stay in a motel here, until tomorrow. It’s an old place situated just off the highway five miles out of town going toward Lovettville. Look for Hanes Road and turn left. You can’t miss it. Meet me here. I’m in room five.”
“I’m on my way to town. I’ll be there soon.” She clicked her phone off.
Great, even if someone sees me they won’t know who I am. But I’d better be careful. He may have the same thoughts I do.
She opened her purse and put her hand on the gun. This might be the best weapon to use.
No one will put his death together with the person doing the poisoning.
Yes, this was going to work out perfect.
When she got to town, she headed west on the highway toward Reunion. Her heart raced and fear prickled her skin. She took deep breaths to calm herself. She had to be brave to finish the job in her father’s honor. And the last thing she needed was a controlling partner.
His directions were good. She turned left, and in about a block, behind a grove of trees, she saw the dilapidated motel. Slowing, she drove toward the back and spotted room five.
Parking just in front of his door, she got out. She had a revolver and a syringe full of the deadly poison. But she’d decided to try shooting him first. In the car, she’d fastened a silencer on the gun. If that didn’t work she had the poison. Swinging her purse strap over her shoulder, she went to the door and knocked.
“You!” She was taken aback for a minute to see it was one of the former residents of the ranch.
“Come in. I thought I’d leave my identity a surprise. Have a seat.” He motioned her toward a ratty-looking chair.
She walked in the opposite direction toward the dusty windows. “I don’t think you could find a seedier motel. Aren’t you afraid the bedbugs will bite?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. Have a drink with me. I’ve got bourbon and water.”
“I don’t drink.”
“Well, I do.” He poured his drink and took a sip.
“You can easily get on the ranch without my help. Why did you call me to meet you first?”
“We don’t want to be seen together at the ranch. At least not often.”
Gala had turned her back to him for a second when she sensed him move. She’d left her purse unzipped. As she whirled around, she reached in, got the gun, and shot him just as his bullet whistled by her, shattering the window.
He staggered back and fell but still held on to his gun. Before he could aim it again, she shot him in the chest. Then she ran out to her car and quickly drove to the road and got back onto the highway.
She didn’t think anyone saw her. He was probably the only person there. Her heart was in her throat, and she shivered from the shock that she’d really killed a man. She didn’t regret it. There’d be no one to try and tell her what to do. Gala slowed the car back to the posted speed limit. If a cop saw her now, he’d know something was up. Perspiration broke out across her face, and the back of her shirt was wet.
As she turned toward the ranch, her nerves calmed. When she got to an isolated area, she drove off on the side and stopped. There were no cars coming along.
She got out and walked around.
I need to get myself in control before I have to see or speak to anyone
. A breeze helped cool her. Gala wandered further from the road. In one area several large rocks were leaning against each other. She walked behind them and knelt down. Dirt crumbled under her hand. She could dig a hole and get rid of the gun. She hurried to the car and grabbed the revolver then went back behind the rocks.
Gala noticed several small rocks to the side. She used one and her hands to make a hole big enough to bury the revolver. She carefully wiped off her prints with the edge of her blouse. Then, using the blouse’s corner, she put the gun in the hole without leaving any new prints.
When she got back in the car, she brushed her hair, put a touch of color on her cheeks, and added more lipstick to her pale mouth.
She started the car and headed the short distance to the gates. The guard waved her through. At her parents’ house, she parked in the driveway. Hopefully, her mother would be out. Her stepfather worked until dusk. She slipped in the door and waited. It was quiet.
She got the supplies and went outside to wash the car. Her mother would be pleased. It would be a peace offering. She mustn’t arouse anyone’s suspicions, not even her parents’.
* * * *
Since the last two days had been quiet, Averil, Kira and their mother had spent more time together. Kira had told them about finally meeting Mother Aileen, as she liked to be called. Kira had missed the earlier dinner when Mitch had planned to introduce them.
“But we’ve waited for further conversations and planning until Nanna arrived. She’s coming today. She’d asked Mitch to wait two days before bringing her here. I don’t know why. We’ll all meet in Mitch’s office at one.”
“Do you think I’m needed at that meeting?” Averil asked.
“I don’t think so. Do you have plans?”
“Cody is working with one of his newer horses this afternoon. I’d like to watch.”
“I see Payton sitting in the car. He’s your protector for the day.”
“Yes. They’re determined to keep me safe. Especially until whoever has been doing the poisoning gets caught. Maybe he or she gave up since no one’s been harmed since Harry. The person must know we have an antidote.”
Kira shook her head. “I don’t think so. In fact, I sense much more will happen before this ends.”
“You meditated this morning?”
“I did, and I smelled evil in the wind blowing toward the ranch.”
“Have you read any more of the scrolls?” Averil asked.
“All of them, and I saw the picture. Elle was right. I’m planning to go to her house again, later today.”
“I’d better get out of your way. You’re going to be very busy.”
“You just want to get home to your men,” Kira teased.
“I do, and I hope there are two hunks just as gorgeous and loving as mine, here on the ranch, waiting for you.”
“I am not looking for anyone. I’m going to be very busy for a long time,” Kira said in a firm voice.
Averil just smiled and waved. Payton got out of the truck and opened her door.
“You don’t have to get out just to help me in.”
“Yes, I do. It’s called being a gentleman to my lady.”
He put his hands around her waist and lifted her onto the seat, then he kissed her. “I missed you.”
“Hmmm, I’m worried.”
“Why?”
“I’m becoming addicted to you and Cody. It’s a little frightening.”
Payton got in the truck and turned around to head for their place. “Don’t be scared. You can trust us. Just trust me more if you have to go the doctor or hospital.”
She laughed. “Poor Cody. Nothing scares him but the smell of antiseptics and medicine. Yes, you definitely have to deal with that part, if we marry.”
“You keep saying if we marry, and yet when we make love I don’t feel any reservations between us.”
“There aren’t. Still, I want to be doubly sure. My first husband appeared wonderful and loving. Within three months, he’d changed. He started staying out late in the evening and acted cold when he was home. Later I found out he didn’t really care for monogamy. His other bad habit was he liked to gamble.
“Mom and Dad had warned me to take more time before jumping into marriage. But I was in love and thought I knew it all.”
“Ask others about us. They’ll tell you neither one of us has changed at all since we’ve become adults. Our people on the ranch know us well.”
“I will.”
Nanna was a tiny woman with white hair and bright aquamarine eyes. Her smile was warm and welcoming. She opened her arms and wrapped them around Kira. “Welcome, our queen.”
Kira stepped back. “How can you be so sure?”
“Come sit beside me.” She directed Kira to a chair in front of Mitch’s desk and between her and Mother Aileen.
Mitch had stepped out after introducing them. He was waiting for one more person to join their meeting.
“I have felt the rumblings in here.” Nanna put her hand on her chest. “Both good and evil are going to collide, and the fate of our people will rest on the strength of the person who’s returned to us.” She looked directly at Kira. “I can see the fire halo around you.”
“No one, not even the Priestess, has told me that.”
“She has allowed you time to read the scrolls and see for yourself. She called me right after you arrived.”
“So you already had your mind made up before we met.” Kira frowned.
“No, my dear. Not until I touched you, but then I knew you were the one to lead us. Mitch and Daren are wonderful, but no one has your particular abilities.”
“I don’t plan to stay here and make this my home. I am no threat to Mitch and Daren.”
“We aren’t threatened. We look forward to working under you. You cannot deny your heritage.” Mitch stepped into his office. A tall, broad-shouldered man with black hair and golden-brown eyes walked in behind Mitch.
“This is Nate. He’s one of our people who’s recently returned. He was controlled by our enemies against his will. I thought he might be able to add some information about who we might be dealing with at this time.” Mitch motioned for Nate to take a chair, and he sat at his desk.
“Where shall we start?” Mitch asked.
“You must wonder, Mitch, why I asked for you to wait two days before coming for me.” Nanna smiled. “I needed time to study up on poisons, types, methods, special teas to lessen the impact, all of the information I could find in my old books.”
Mitch leaned forward. “You’ve heard about the blood that saved Harry?”
“Yes. Ethan flew me here. He explained.” Nanna turned to Kira. “That is another reason I knew you had to be who I suspected.”
“I’ve explained most of this to Nate. Nate, do you know of anyone on the ranch who might have been in league with the enemy group?”
Nate had slouched in his chair and looked at the floor. “I remember my wife once insinuated that the leader had family who no one knew about.
“She said the leader was encouraging someone in his family to continue his fight if anything happened to him. But she shrugged and said their group was strong and the outcome of the battle was a foregone conclusion. Of course she ended up being very wrong.
“She never mentioned it again,” Nate said. “I’d forgotten. My brain still isn’t totally clear. But when you talked to me just now, something brought the conversation back.”