Serenity's Deception (Texas Sorority Sisters Book 1) (17 page)

I
t’s happened again, boss.”

Mateo hoped off his horse before the dust settled to the ground. The weight of the foreman’s news perched heavy on Jason’s shoulders. Furry like a hot branding iron seared Jason’s stomach as the scowl tightened over his brow.

He gave a cursory glance at his friend. The evident of repugnance he witnessed in Mateo’s stormy, black eyes, told him the report wouldn’t bode well.

 “How many this time?” Jason didn’t try to hide the loathing in his voice.

“Two in the south pasture. One close to Fielder’s pond. And three more out by the digs.”

Jason snapped the clamp with more pressure than required for tagging the steer’s ear. He gave the calf a slap on the rump before turning around. He removed his hat and with his shirt sleeve gave a quick swipe at the sweat falling in his eyes.

“What were the calves doing out there?”

 “That’s just it. They shouldn’t have been there. We gathered all the cattle like you said into the north pasture.” Mateo rammed his hands in his rear pockets, his feet planted apart. “Somehow those didn’t get included. Maybe hid in a thicket or creek bed. Don’t know. My fault. I should have sent a couple of men out to check one last time.”

“The calves were killed like the others?” He knew the answer.

“’Fraid so.” Mateo didn’t look up.

“At least tell me someone saw them.”

“Nope. Didn’t even hear them.”

This time Jason saw concern in his eyes. The deep etched lines of worry and concern were present and he knew Mateo was blaming himself. The urge to pound someone into the ground had Jason pounding his hand into his fist. One of his men should have seen or hear something, that’s why the extra night guards. The continued slaughter of his purebred stock was a sick, ugly business, and sooner or later someone was going to pay. He prayed sooner.

 “It’s one thing if they stole them and sold the calves. This isn’t just a sicko we’re dealing with. This is pure out’n out revenge. Three times and nothing?” Jason pulled a deep breath. “No one’s that good. I should fire the whole lot of them. They don’t hear anything. They don’t see anything. Shoot! The culprit could do it right under their noses and they wouldn’t know it. And you and I both know that’s not the case.”

He set free a derisive
ha!
“Contrary to popular opinion, we’re not dealing with a ghost here. But with honest-to-goodness hardcore criminals, who get their jollies out of slaughtering animals.” Jason kicked a rock with the toe of his boot and watched the thing sail out into the field, all the time wishing it were a bullet in his rifle trained on the perpetrator.
No better than they deserve.

Releasing a deep sigh, he glanced up at his foreman. Mateo’s easy-going nature had disappeared. Self-blame rode him hard, but a spark of determination hardened his resolve.

“I’m sorry. There’s no call for my outburst. Letting off steam accomplishes nothing. But you’re the one that’ll have to catch this guy. My hands are tied if I want to keep my ranch. I can’t stay out here at night. And someone knows it.

“Now what are we going to do about this?” Jason knew of no easy solution. He also knew he’d have to rely heavily on Mateo to implement whatever plan they devised.

“I’ve talked it over with Reuben, and if you’re agreeable, he, Chaps, Slim, and I will guard at night. Slim and I will take the early evening shift. We’ll be out before dusk. Reuben and Chaps will take over around midnight to dawn. One will be by the gate. The other will watch the knoll. We’ll have a clear view of the cattle and should be able to see anything that moves, including two-legged snakes.”

“All right. I don’t want anyone else is to know that you four will be on guard duty. I want the men to think business as usual with extra vigilance.”

“Will do.” The foreman turned to leave.

 “And Mateo?”

Mateo looked back.

“Everyone carries. The rifles are to have one in the chamber at all times. And give fair warning before you fire. Hopefully,
you
can catch these snakes. Because if I do, I’ll kill them.”

O
kay, what was so stinkin’ urgent that I had to drop everything and waste a couple of good vacation days on a trip to this dink-water town?”

Bent over her light table with her back to the office door, BJ swung around in time to watch Miranda Sue Walker a/k/a Randi swagger into the room. She could tell Randi was trying to keep the smile from her face, but it was a lost cause.

BJ propped her hands on her hip. “Me! That’s what.”

She raced to meet Randi halfway, enveloping her into a tight squeeze, only to release her and step back. As though she hadn’t seen her in years and not just three months ago, her eyes took in the beauty of her old Heritage House roommate and partner in crime.

“Well, look at you, all dolled up. If I didn’t know better I’d think you were on your way to meet your latest conquest.”

“Who’s to say I’m not.” Randi crossed her arm over her waist, elbow resting on her wrist, index finger resting on her cheek. “Hmm. Doesn’t Robby Greene still live somewhere in this little pit stop? I might meet up with my old high school beau.”

“As if he’d still have you.”

Peals of laughter rent the room.

BJ gave her friend an endearing smile. “You haven’t changed one bit. Just as irreverent as ever.”

“I aim to please.” Randi’s emerald eyes sparkled and her dimples pierced her cheeks. Wisps of auburn fanned her face and caught fire by the light coming through the window.

Several inches taller than BJ, Randi was clad in dark blue jeans, high heeled boots, and a green knit top that hugged her thighs and accentuated the slinky curves of her model-like shape. Her clothes made BJ’s jeans and top look like yesterday’s throwaways.

Randi shifted her head causing the thick, heavy waves to shimmer as the strands moved and spilled midway down her back. BJ could remember how Randi would rant and rave vehemently about the
ugly
color. She tried to tell her friend how much the boys were attracted by the flame, but as often as not, they got singed by Randi’s sharp tongue.

“Have a seat and I’ll tell you what’s so urgent.” BJ motioned to one of the two overstuffed chintz chairs. She moved to the other and sat down.

“Excuse me, Ms. BJ.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Sidney. I didn’t notice you there.”

Sidney shifted uncomfortably in his black suit as his fingers sought to straighten his already perfectly aligned tie. “Shall I serve dinner on the veranda or in the dining room?”

“I think the veranda would be nice. What do you say?” She glanced at Randi. “You didn’t eat before you got here, did you?”

“Who? Me?” She winked, her cherry red lips turned up into a grin. “No way. I’m here strictly as a freeloader and a guest. I’m not about to spend my own dough when you’re rich.”

Already Randi’s bubbly, free spirit was cheering up BJ.

 “Good.” BJ looked at Sidney. “Veranda it is. At six please, if that works for Martha.”

Sidney nodded his head. “Very well. Shall I take Ms. Walker’s bags upstairs to her room?”

Randi smothered a laugh, raising a comical, haughty brow almost causing BJ to lose it all together.

“Thank you, Sidney. That would be nice.”

BJ and Randi waited until the door shut. Randi let loose peals of laughter.

“My.
Hoity-toity.
Ms. BJ … I do believe you have arrived. What’s Sidney, your butler?”

“No ninny. He’s my steward.”

“A ste-e-ward?” Another laugh sputtered out. “How many people does it take to run this mausoleum and to answer your beck and call? This is certainly a far cry from the prison we broke out of.
Wow
.”

Ignoring her friend’s reference to the mausoleum, BJ settled into the soft cushion back, pulling her legs up and under her.

“Okay. I’ll hold off teasing you for now. But spill the beans.” With her curiosity stretched to the limits, Randi practically levitated off the chair. Her avid curiosity generally led her into trouble. “I want to hear everything. I want every juicy detail down to the last morsel. The house. Why you’re here. Why, I’m here. All of it.”

BJ explained about the inheritance, Jace being married and living in the mansion, but didn’t mention about all the bad stuff that had happened, or that she was almost certain someone was watching her. She was to the point of why she’d asked Randi to come to Serenity when the clock struck six. BJ motioned. “Come on. Dinner is ready.”

“Lead the way,
your highness
.” Randi gave her a comedic curtsey.

“Act your age, or I may reconsider my proposition.”

“What proposition? Come on. Don’t leave me hanging.” Randi tugged on BJ’s hand.

BJ didn’t try to hide the sparkle in her eye, nor the sly grin playing about her lips. “I’ll tell you over dinner.”

“You’re bad.”

“I know.”

Walking out onto the veranda        , BJ noticed they had company. Robby Greene and Jason were stepping through the other open doors on the opposite end and hadn’t seen Randi and BJ yet. She stopped, ready to tell Sidney she’d changed her mind about the veranda, when Randi bumped into her, glancing in the men’s direction.

Randi pulled BJ’s sleeve. “Is that who I think that is?”

BJ couldn’t have their dinner moved back to the dining room. It would look childish, and anyway, there was plenty of room for both parties to enjoy dinner outside without intruding.

“Yes. I’m afraid so. And it looks like they had the same idea as we did, but at the opposite end of the terrace. But that’s okay. We can—”

“Why, Jason O’Connell and Robby Greene, is that you?” Randi locked arms BJ and swung her around, stepping out onto the veranda, dragging BJ along.

BJ wanted to slap a hand over her friend’s mouth, but it was too late.

“
Wellll
,
hellow
ladies.” Robby advanced on them. Jason lagged behind. “I’d recognize that halo of fire engine red anywhere. What are you doing here, Miranda Sue?”

BJ didn’t have to look to know that steam was rising out of the top of Randi’s head.

“Why, honey.” Randi’s made-up deep southern drawl brought a smile to Robby’s lips and a grin from Jason. “You must be color blind. I’ll have you know my hair’s a luscious auburn to match my sweet and zesty disposition.” Randi’s deep throaty laugh wasn’t wasted on either man. They both joined in.

Randi gave each man a hug and quick peck on the cheek.

 “Are you two having dinner out here too?”

BJ groaned inwardly and would have liked to punch her friend in the arm for entering into conversation and practically asking the men to join them for dinner.

“We are.” Robby looked at the two place settings as Jason stood by. “And it seems you lovely ladies are too. Why don’t we join you and play catch up.”

“That’s fine with me.” Randi gave a demure smile looking at Jason. “Jason, how are you doing?” She slid her long slender arm in the crook of Jason’s as they exchanged pleasantries. Without missing a beat, she locked arms with Robby also. One man on each side. A queen bee holding court.

Randi flirted shamelessly with both Robby and Jason. And by the looks of them, BJ noticed they ate it up like starving refugees.

“Shall I move the place settings down here?”

BJ realized Sidney was still standing by. She wanted to tell him
no, keep everything as it is,
but couldn’t do it. She wouldn’t spoil Randi’s fun.

“Yes, thank you, Sidney.”

When BJ looked in Jason’s direction she couldn’t tell what he thought about the arrangement. They all moved around the table and sat down.

“What’s it been eight-ten years?” Robby watched Randi with curious intent. BJ noticed a glint that hadn’t been present the day he reconnected with her.

“No. Try thirteen, but who’s counting. I believe the last time we talked was when I left for UT the fall of our graduation. You remember. We both said we’d keep in touch and you didn’t.”

There was no mistaking the snide tone in Randi’s voice, nor the flash of fire in her eyes.

Randi turned her attention on Jason, leaving Robby a little stunned. “How have you been, Jason? Don’t you have a wife or something? Where is she? Out for the evening?”

This must be a night for combustion, because Jason looked like he was holding the lid on tight to keep from exploding. BJ tried to kick Randi with her toe, only to receive a frown and a kick back. Why hadn’t she ordered dinner in her studio, if she had this wouldn’t have happened.

“I’m not married.”

“What? I thought you—” Heat rushed to BJ’s cheeks for uttering her thoughts.

“I said I’m not married.” He looked BJ square in the eye. “She died five years ago in a car accident.”

He must have loved her very much to still be so affected.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” She placed a compassionate hand over his balled fist. When he gave her a look of loathing, she withdrew, placing both hands on her lap.

“A drunk driver hit her head-on and she died in the hospital. She had just left to be with her lover.”