Born to Be a Cowboy Page 14

  He leaned over. “Hey. What’s this? Babe, I didn’t want to make you cry.”

  “I can’t help it. Now I understand why you were so determined to do the right thing about our lawyer-client relationship. You just needed to make Mac proud.”

  “Guilty.” He shook his head. “I’d take a bullet before I’d bring him any shame. The man is a stickler for rules of conduct. At first I thought he was just trying to make our lives miserable. All those times he gave us chores because we swore or used our fists instead of our brains. But in time I realized he was doing it for our sake. Poor Dad had an uphill battle getting three lost boys on track to do the right thing and make their lives count for something. But no matter how many times we slipped back into our old ways of doing things, he never gave up on us.”

  “What an amazing journey you and your brothers have traveled.”

  “I’ll say. From the depths of hell to the heights of heaven. I guess we’ve been through it all.”

  “I wish I could erase all the pain of those early years for you.”

  “Trust me, Jess. You’ve already helped more than you know.” He lifted a hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks. And then, as softly as the patter of raindrops on the cabin roof, he brushed his mouth over hers.

  He moved back a fraction, his hands framing her face as he stared into her eyes.

  His voice was thick with emotion. “All that stuff I just told you. I’ve never shared any of that with another person, Jess. You’re the first.”

  “Thank you for trusting me enough to share it, Finn.”

  “You’re easy to talk to.”

  “And you’re the most remarkable man I’ve ever…”

  His mouth covered her in a kiss so filled with need, she forgot what she’d been about to say.

  He dragged her against him and they came together in a fierce effort to offer comfort in the only way they knew how.

  And as they moved together, and clung together, they could feel all the old empty places inside their hearts being filled with a rare sort of peace.

  “Champagne for breakfast?” Jessica sat up in bed as Finn settled on the edge of the mattress and handed her a fluted glass.

  “A mimosa. Champagne and orange juice. A very respectable breakfast drink.”

  “Of course. Doesn’t everyone enjoy this with their eggs and toast?”

  Laughing, they sipped.

  “Speaking of which…” Finn handed her a plate. “I’ve made bacon and eggs. We need fuel for the drive home.”

  They took turns eating from the same plate.

  Jessica studied the glass in her hand. “I wish we could just stay here and hide away for a little while longer.”

  “Me, too.” Finn took her hand in his. “I actually prayed for more rain.”

  “So did I.”

  At her admission, they both smiled.

  Finn leaned close. “This time with you has been amazing.”

  She looked up at him with a smile. “For me, too.”

  “But since the storm’s blown over and the roads are dry, I’m afraid we have no choice but to head back.”

  Jessie finished her mimosa and set the flute on the bedside table, next to the empty plate.

  Finn put his glass beside hers and helped her to her feet before kissing her.

  He took a last turn around the little cabin, checking to be certain the fire had burned out and there were no hot embers to cause an accidental fire.

  Spying the little handwritten note atop the basket on the table, he arched a brow.

  Jessie was smiling. “Just a little thank-you from the satisfied newlyweds.”

  “Aren’t you the clever one?”

  She laughed. “Well, the satisfied part is true.”

  He drew her close for a long, slow kiss. “More than.”

  They both looked up at a soft knock on the door. When Finn opened it, the owner was standing there. In his hand was an instant camera.

  “The wife and I always offer to take a picture of the happy couple for your memory book. Would you folks like one?”

  Finn turned to Jessie, who smiled and nodded.

  The stood together, looking into one another’s eyes as the light flashed.

  The rancher nodded. “I always enjoy taking these. I sure hope, fifty years from now, you both look at each other just that way.”

  He waited until a second light flashed on the camera, before removing it and handing the photo to Finn.

  “You folks come back any time you’re in our town.”

  When he left, Finn paused in the doorway, looking around with a smile. “I won’t soon forget this little cabin in the woods. Our very own private paradise.”

  Hand in hand he and Jessie walked to his truck and settled inside for the long drive back to the Monroe ranch.

  “Look.” Jessie pointed to the hills around them, washed clean by the rains and beginning to bloom with wildflowers.

  Finn closed a hand over hers. “Mother Nature celebrating with us.”

  Jessie shivered. “I like her celebrations better than her temper tantrums.”

  Finn chuckled. “Oh, I don’t know about that. I’m grateful to her for that full-blown storm last night. Without it, we’d have missed out on a really special time-out from the world.”

  Jessie looked over. “It was special, wasn’t it?”

  “You bet.”

  They were both smiling as the truck ate up the miles back to the ranch.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Finn looked up from his desk as his investigator walked into his office.

  “You look like the cat that swallowed the canary, Basil. What did you find?”

  “I befriended a woman who works in the county clerk’s office. Ida Hunt has been there for more than thirty years. She’s getting ready to retire.”

  Finn gave him a knowing smile. “I guess that old charm of yours is still working.”

  Basil was grinning. “What can I say? I’ve always had a weakness for sweet old women.”

  “Apparently, so has our mystery man.”

  Basil nodded. “I’ve been going through the records of female ranchers who died within a short time of their marriage. Ida was giving me a hand with the records, when she said something that had me going in a different direction.”

  “What did she say?”

  “If this was all done by the same guy, he’d have to be wealthy by now, and he’d be easy to spot by checking the tax rolls.”

  Finn eyes went wide. “Unless, of course, he’s operating under a variety of aliases.”

  “Yeah. There’s that. But Ida may have inadvertently put me onto something else. She introduced me to a woman in the property tax division named Sonya Park. When Ida told her what I wanted to research, I sensed a sudden coolness in Sonya’s demeanor. At first I thought she just didn’t like Ida moving in on her territory. After all, Ida is county census. You know, births and deaths and such, while Sonya is property taxes. Since I’ve always trusted my instincts, I decided to see if there could be more to her attitude than simple jealousy. So I thanked Ida and sent her away, saying I could do the rest by myself. But as I started going through the tax rolls, I couldn’t help but notice how hard Sonya worked to stick close. At one point she was looking over my shoulder as I opened a file.”

  Finn arched a brow. “You think she has more than a passing interest in what you’re up to?”

  Basil nodded. “What if Sonya Park gets a bonus in her hands if she alerts someone to the fact that he’s being investigated?”

  “Interesting. I have a different thought. What if she gets a bonus to pass along the names of wealthy female ranchers?”

  Basil’s eyes narrowed. “Now we’re on the same wavelength. She’d be in the perfect position to assist a guy bent on taking advantage of vulnerable women.”

  “What have you learned so far?”

  “Not enough before the offices closed. But I intend to return as often as needed, and I hope to get plenty of information in the
coming days. I’ll make a list of anyone who has doubled or tripled his properties in the past couple of years, while also working with Ida to come up with even more women who died shortly after getting married. If I can connect the dots, we just may find our sweet-talking cowboy.”

  Finn came around his desk to shake Basil’s hand. “Good work. I think you’re onto something.”

  “Me, too. As soon as I have enough information, I’ll get back to you.”

  Finn watched through his office window as Basil climbed into his car and drove away.

  It may take longer than he wished, but they were definitely making progress.

  Now if only Nola’s new husband kept her alive until he could take over her entire estate.

  “Finn.” Jessie’s voice sounded breathless.

  “Yeah, babe.” He pushed aside his paperwork and leaned back in his chair. “I was just thinking about you.” He glanced at the clock on the wall of his office. “I’ll be home in plenty of time for dinner.”

  “Finn, I just heard from my aunt’s bank in Arvid.”

  He tensed and sat forward. “What did they want?”

  “They received a letter signed by Aunt Nola, asking them to mail her whatever forms she needs to fill out in order to add her husband’s name to all her accounts.” She took in a breath before adding, “The bank manager, Michael Dumont, said that he wanted me to know that he has no authority to prevent her from doing this. Nola has the right to assign her funds to anyone of her choosing. But because of my concerns for her safety, he responded to her letter with one from his office stating that such a change could only be made if the owner or co-owner named on the accounts could provide proper identification.”

  “Perfect.” Finn’s mind was already racing ahead. “The letter will slow down the process. Our cowboy won’t be happy about this, but he’ll have to comply with the bank’s rules if he wants to get his hands on Nola’s money. I’m sure he’s an expert at forging documents, but it’s just one more annoying detail he has to deal with before heading to the bank. I want you to call Michael Dumont back and ask if he will contact you the minute this guy shows up.”

  “I’ve already asked that of him. But, Finn, Arvid is more than an hour away. How can we possibly get there in time to catch this guy whenever he decides to pay a call?”

  “We can’t, but I’m sure my brother Ben can arrange with the police in Arvid to do that for us.”

  “Oh, thank you, Finn.” Her tone changed from one of worry to one of relief. “And thank heavens for Ben’s connections.”

  “Yeah. The town’s bad boy has come a long way.” He paused, and there was laughter lurking in his tone. “I’ll be home soon if you’d like to thank me in any…special way.”

  “Men. Always thinking.” She was laughing as she added, “I’m sure I’ll think of something.”

  “I’m counting on it.” He disconnected and sat smiling at the thoughts filling his mind.

  Finn enjoyed the quick rush he always experienced whenever he parked his truck outside the back door of his home.

  Home. For a kid who had been denied one, it was the closest thing to heaven.

  He was smiling before he even stepped out of his truck.

  He walked in to find everyone in the kitchen working on lunch. Though he took in all of them at a single glance, his gaze quickly zeroed in on Jessie.

  She dried her hands on a towel and walked to the refrigerator to retrieve a frosty longneck.

  “You look like you could use this.”

  “Thanks.” He took her hand in his and just held it for a moment until he realized the others were watching.

  Both he and Jessie pulled apart and knelt down to scratch behind Archie’s ears, and they were rewarded with wet doggie kisses.

  As Finn straightened, he caught sight of Mary Pat. He walked toward her and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “It’s good to see you. We all missed you.” He glanced at Mac. “And one in particular was getting anxious.”

  She merely grinned. “I’m glad to hear it. For a woman alone, it’s nice to know someone misses me.”

  Sam turned toward them and motioned toward her old red van parked by the barn. “I’m amazed you made it back in that.”

  “Don’t knock it,” she said, laughing. “It’s like an old trusty steed. I just turn it in this direction and it gets me here.”

  “Until it gives up.” A frown of concern furrowed Mac’s brow. “You know you’re pushing your luck with that old thing.”

  “Hey. Stop worrying. I made it, didn’t I?” She touched the tip of her beer bottle to his.

  His features relaxed into a smile. “And we’re glad you did.”

  “Lunch is ready.” Penny set a platter of steaks in the middle of the big table, along with twice-baked potatoes and a salad with oil and balsamic vinegar.

  There were rolls warm from the oven and a bowl of steamed early garden peas.

  Everyone took their places around the table and joined hands as Mary Pat offered a blessing.

  “Each time I return to this place I’m reminded how fortunate I am to be in the company of such dear friends. Bless those of us gathered here, and the many paths we take.”

  Talking, laughing, they sat and began passing the platters. And then, as they dug into the meal, their voices stilled as they simply savored the good food and the company of such good friends and family.

  As usual, after their meal, the six young people washed the dishes and tidied the kitchen while the others took their coffee in the parlor. The sounds of teasing and laughter echoed from the kitchen all the way to the parlor.

  With the chores completed, Sam removed a rolled piece of paper from a cardboard tube and began smoothing it on the kitchen table before calling, “Anybody interested in seeing the blueprints for our house?”

  The entire family gathered around as he and Penny began pointing out the grand house they were planning on their plot of ranchland in the hills.

  Jessie’s eyes widened. “You don’t plan on living here?”

  Penny shared a look with Sam before smiling. “Don’t worry. We won’t be too far away. I’m sure we’ll all still have dinners together. But as soon as Ben and Becca’s house is finished, their builder, Conway Miller, said he’d start on ours.”

  They all turned to Ben, who was smiling broadly. “Conway is keeping his crew on track. Right now, barring any problems, he thinks we’ll be able to move in by the end of summer.”

  Becca nodded. “Why don’t we all ride up there right now and you can see the progress they’ve made.”

  Sam and Finn turned to Penny and Jessie. Seeing their smiles, they nodded in agreement.

  “You can go without us,” Otis called as he and Roscoe started toward the back door to continue their gin rummy game in the bunkhouse.

  “Too far for me. I’m off to my room,” Zachariah called before turning away.

  Mary Pat gave a shake of her head. “As much as I’d love to see your house, it will have to wait for another day when I’m not so tired from a trip.”

  Mac was smiling. “I’ll stay here and keep you company.”

  The six young people trooped out to the barn to saddle their horses and head up to the hills while the sun was still shining.

  Along the way, their laughter and words of excitement drifted on the spring breeze.

  “Oh, Becca.” Jessie trailed the others through the half-finished house, admiring the master bedroom with its attached bathroom and walk-in closet, and the lovely fireplace in the great room. “It’s all so beautiful.”

  “Yeah.” Ben put an arm around his wife before pointing out the window. “But that’s the prettiest thing of all.”

  They all turned.

  “The view. The town way down there, and all around us, hills and cattle and wide-open spaces.”

  Sam nodded. “I feel the same way about the place we’re planning. It’s in the middle of nowhere. Not a neighbor in sight. And it’s all ours.”

  As they walked to their
tethered horses, Finn caught Jessie’s hand.

  “We’ve got a little more daylight. Want to take a ride?”

  “Okay. Where to?”

  “I’d rather show you than tell you.”

  To the others he called, “We’ll be along in a while.”

  While his brothers and their wives called their good-byes and rode off, Finn turned his mount in the opposite direction.

  Curious, Jessie rode along beside him.

  As they continued to climb, they came to a high meadow abloom with wildflowers and ringed by a forest of trees. As they approached, a small herd of mustangs slipped away into the shelter of the forest.

  Jessie’s voice was barely more than a whisper. “Were those wild horses? Or did I imagine them?”

  Finn nodded. “Mustangs. This is their turf. Whenever I’m here, I watch for them.” His voice lowered with passion. “The first time I ever came here, I spotted them and knew.”

  “Knew what?”

  “That this would be my place.”

  Puzzled, she glanced around at the flowers, the trees, the mustangs blending into the shadows of the forest like ghosts. “What do you mean?”

  He slid from the saddle and helped her dismount.

  “When Dad adopted us, he told us that each of us should pick out a plot of land that called to us and he would see that it became legally ours. Our very own piece of land that nobody could ever take away from us.”

  “Oh, Finn.” She looped her arm through his. “What a special man your father is.”

  “Yeah. It meant so much to us. He not only took in three delinquents and promised to love us no matter how badly we behaved, but he gave us his name and his home and a future here on the land he loves.”

  She turned to him with shining eyes, blinking back tears.

  Seeing them, he framed her face with his big hands. “Jessica Blair, did anyone ever tell you that you have a very tender heart?”

  He lowered his head, pouring himself into the kiss.

  He lifted his head to look at her. “Are you in a hurry to get back to the ranch?”