Saddled With Trouble (8 page)

Michaela couldn’t help but laugh at the way he’d put it, but yes, that was exactly how she’d felt when one of Brad’s ex-cronies told her of his devious plan. The laughter felt good for a moment. How could she laugh today, or any day ever again, for that matter? She’d found Uncle Lou only that morning with a pitchfork through him. She shook her head, hoping to cast that image from her mind. Doubtful that could ever happen. “You know a bit about California divorce laws.”

He nodded. “He was banking that he wouldn’t get caught cheating, could divorce you after ten years, and you’d be stuck paying spousal support.”

“
Exactly. But he did get caught, thanks to my uncle, and now it’s hopeful a judge will take a look at that and things will go in my favor. Now, he’s making all sorts of claims that we were separated while he was out having the time of his life, and that I’d kicked him out. His girlfriend harasses me to no end. She enjoys calling me, insisting that I sign the papers he had some moronic attorney devise. I read over them last night. He wants to settle with me. I love that. Crazy. But the best is we have a pile of medical bills that our insurance refused to pay, and he’s basically skipped out on his portion of the obligation. I’ve even heard he’s going to file bankruptcy. So, I’m stuck with that. But, I will hold out signing any type of papers that benefits either one of them.”

Davis shook his head. “Did he plan to marry this rodeo queen? If so, the gravy train would have come to a halt, even if he hadn’t been caught in the act.”

“
I don’t think so. Brad is greedy. He’s the kind of guy who likes his cake and wants to eat it, too. My gut tells me that Kirsten was a fun fling and he never thought I would find out about it. I do think he planned to leave me though, after the ten years was up. Things with us had ceased to be fun, and Brad obviously isn’t one with too much depth.”

Davis nodded. “I went through a divorce a few years ago.”

That explained the no ring on the finger. “Not fun. Do you have children?”

“
One. She’s nine. My ex and I have joint custody of her.”

“
That’s great. I mean, not great you have to share your daughter like that, or that you’re divorced, but that you have a child.” She swallowed hard.

“
You think that it’s possible your ex blames your uncle for everything?”

“
I think it’s possible.”

“
I’m going to need to speak with your ex-husband. Can you give me his information?”

“
Of course.” Michaela stood and went into the kitchen. She took out a pen and paper from her odds-and-ends drawer and wrote down Brad’s address and phone numbers, then handed it to Davis. His fingers brushed her hand. On purpose? She didn’t think so, but oddly enough— and maybe because she didn’t want to be alone— her stomach fluttered at his touch. She tried to ignore it as he stood and shook her hand.

“
I know it’s been a rough day for you. I’ll have a cruiser come by. But you should be safe enough here, especially with Dr. Slater around.”

“
Oh, no. He’s not my boyfriend, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’ve known Ethan forever.” That sounded brilliant. Why did she feel the need to clarify their relationship to the detective?

Davis nodded. “I thought you’d like to know, we have an officer stationed at your uncle’s ranch.”

“
That’s good. Thanks. Um, how is Bean?”

“
Mr. Chasen?”

“
Is that his last name?”

Davis nodded. “Sylvester Chasen. He’s fine. We questioned him and let him go on his way.”

“
Oh.” She wanted to ask Davis more about Bean, but had the distinct feeling he wasn’t going to tell her anything.

“
I was also able to get a hold of Dwayne Yamaguchi. He’s coming back from Vegas tonight to help Mrs. Bancroft out. And, uh, Sylvester, or I mean Bean will be back in the morning to work, I believe. Again, thank you for your time. I’ll be in touch.”

As he started out the door, Camden breezed in past him and said, “Hello.”

He nodded and continued on his way, Camden’s eyes following him like a cat toying with a mouse, as he closed the door. She turned and faced Michaela. “Hot damn, look at you, finally moving on. Tell me, I have got to know, who
is
the hottie?”

“
You don’t really want to know,” Michaela replied and burst into tears.

EIGHT

CAMDEN LOANED HER SHOULDER TO MICHAELA and after a couple of hours she was all cried out— again. They now sat in silence on the couch.

“
I’m sorry, sweetie. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through today, and I’m sorry that I wasn’t here for you. I wish you’d called me, I would have boogied back here.”

“
I know. The day has gone by in a blur. It all seems so surreal. There are moments when it feels like it
didn’t
happen, and I actually smiled when that detective was here, but then the reality hits and I feel so horrible. I can’t explain it.” She lifted her head, and the room spun slightly— the combination of exhaustion and lack of any decent food.

“
Who do you think could have done this?” Camden asked.

“
I don’t know, and I don’t know why either. Lou was such a good man. He didn’t have it in him to hurt anyone. His gentle hand with the horses, his demeanor . . . You knew him. He was solid, decent.” She shook her head. “It makes no sense to me at all.”

“
He was one of the good guys, Mick. I feel lucky to have known him, although I don’t think he ever had much tolerance for me.” Camden laughed.

“
That’s not true. Uncle Lou liked you.”

Camden waved a hand at her. “Please, we both know that I am not quite as down to earth as your uncle would have liked, especially for someone in your life.”

“
Okay, so maybe you were a bit flamboyant for him. But he appreciated you. I know that.”

“
No matter. I liked him and I know how much he loved you, so we were both on the same page there. But again, who do you think would want him dead?” At that moment a knock at the sliding glass door caused them both to turn. “Ah, Dr. Slater is back in town, huh?” Camden asked. Michaela nodded. “When did he get back?” Michaela shrugged. “I see. Well, better get the door. I’ll make myself scarce. You two probably have some talking to do.”

Michaela opened the door.

“
Hi, Ethan. How was your trip? We missed you around here,” Camden said.

“
Good. Thanks.”

“
Did you come to comfort our girl?”

“
I did.”

“
Great. I think she’s a bit better. You always seem to have a knack for putting a smile on her face. And, I’ve probably done all I can for the evening. I’ll let you two talk. I think she could still use some company.”

Michaela cleared her throat. “Hello, guys, I’m right here. I’m not a kid, you know. I love how much you care, but come on.”

Camden rolled her eyes. “There she goes again with that ‘I’m-so-tough’ act. Don’t let her fool you.”

“
I won’t,” Ethan replied.

“
Night all, and Michaela, if you need me, I’m just down the hall.”

“
Sorry I’m late,” Ethan said. “I checked on Leo a minute ago; looks like things are moving along fine in his gut. I’m pleased, because you know colic can be rough. I wish I could have helped you more today with him,” he said, taking a seat in one of Michaela’s leather chairs opposite her tan sofa.

“
I told you that you didn’t need to come back here.”

“
I know what you told me, but since when do I ever listen to you?”

“
Good point.” She plopped back down on the couch. “Are you gonna tell me why Detective Davis was by to talk to you and what had you so upset with Lou?”

“
No. Not right now.” Ethan rubbed his temples. “Honestly, I can’t tell you anything until I find out a few more things myself.”

“
What the hell are you talking about? You’re really starting to irritate me, Ethan.”

“
Well, you wouldn’t be the only woman I’ve heard that from tonight.”

“
Oh, no, no, no, do not tell me,” Michaela said. She took one look at him and knew. Dammit, the man was a glutton for punishment. “You and Summer?” It all came back to her, Ethan rushing off to his ex-fiancé’s house.

He nodded.

She would’ve shaken him if she’d had the energy. “Tell me, please, that you and Summer are not getting back together. It is
not
what I want to hear. Do you know how bad she is for you? What a
bitch
she was to you? My God, Ethan, she left you the day before your wedding. What are you thinking?”

Ethan took her hand. “Mick, Summer is pregnant.”

NINE

“
YOU DUMBASS. TELL ME YOU’RE KIDDING.” Michaela shook her head and stared at Ethan to see if he was telling the truth. This was not the time to joke. He looked down, and when he looked back up at her with those green eyes of his, she could see there wasn’t any lying going on. Nope, he wasn’t yanking her chain. “What were you thinking? Wait a minute, let me rephrase that: What were you thinking
with
? Hmmm? I’ll say it again: You are a dumbass.”

“
I don’t need a lecture. I know all of this already. I know everything you’re going to say to me.”

“
Oh, really? What? Isn’t Summer the woman who left you high and dry after you saved for a year to give the princess her perfect wedding? She’s a user, a loser, and she’ll do nothing but hurt you, Ethan . . . Hasn’t she done enough already? For all you know she isn’t even telling the truth. You know this woman’s MO. She just loves to play you and when she thinks you’re over her, she hooks you back like a dumb puppy dog.”

“
Michaela!”

When she looked at him this time, his eyes were moist. “Like I said, I know all of this. But it’s true. She is pregnant. I went with her to the doctor, and I can’t . . . I just can’t abandon . . .”

She sucked in a breath of air, her mind clouded over with the events of the day, and now Ethan’s revelation. She could strangle him. But she softened at the look in his eyes and the words she knew he couldn’t express. She took his hand. “Ethan, I know what you were going to say. I do. But look, this isn’t about your father. I know you, and if the kid is yours, you will be there and be a great dad. But you don’t have to get sucked back into Summer’s drama.” Ethan had never known his father. His mother had told him that their relationship wasn’t long lived and once he found out she was pregnant, he took off. Then, he died in a car accident shortly thereafter. He and Michaela rarely discussed it, but the few times they had, it was obvious the pain Ethan felt from it. He’d once told her that he’d be the kind of dad a kid could count on. He’d always be there for any child he had, and she believed him. But, why did he have to be having a baby with Summer? What a cruel joke.

“
I have to stick by her. I would never abandon my child, or Summer in her condition.”

Michaela shook her head again. She couldn’t take much more of this. “You know, women raise babies on their own all of the time. You can still be the dad. But at least promise me something.”

“
What?”

“
You won’t marry her without really thinking about it.”

“
I agree, Mick. But, I feel like a kid deserves a family. A real family, with his mom and dad together.” He put his face in his palms and sighed deeply. “I want to do the right thing, and I was going to marry her before she left me. I don’t know. I really don’t know right now. She’s angry at me anyway for coming back over here to stay the night.”

“
I’m sure she is. We’re not exactly bosom buddies. You need to remember, marriage is for life. At least for someone like you, and I don’t want you to be miserable because you made the wrong choice. I . . . care about you.” She felt herself slipping and simply didn’t want to deal any longer with the horrors of the day. Standing, she brushed off her jeans. “I’m sorry if I was hard on you. It’s been . . .”

He wrapped his arms around her. “I know it’s been difficult and I’m sorry my timing isn’t great. You’ve always been there for me. It was selfish of me to come to you with this right now.”

“
That’s what friends are for. We have needs during the craziest of times. I suppose it’s what makes us human.” She glanced up at the clock. Almost ten. “I’ve got to go to bed. I’m beat.”

“
I’m going to crash in the tack room. I’d like to be able to keep an eye on Leo.”

“
You said that he’s fine and I think he is. Why don’t you head back to Summer’s? You said that you were staying there again, right? I mean . . . when you left earlier, you inferred that anyway.”

“
I’ve got some stuff there and yes, I’ve been there off and on since I came home. I stayed at my office last night. But tonight, if it’s all right with you, I’ll stay here. I think Summer and I both need some space to try and figure things out.”

“
Of course, but take the couch at least.”

“
I’ll be fine.”

“
So, at least you haven’t set up house yet with her?”

“
She wants me to.”