Born to Be a Cowboy Read online

  “Not particularly.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a lazy smile. “Do you have something in mind?”

  “Yeah.” He kissed her again, this time with a flash of fire that had her blood heating, her bones turning to melted wax.

  Against her lips he breathed, “Oh, yeah. I have…something in mind.”

  And then there were no words needed as they came together to feed a hunger in their hearts.

  Chapter Twenty

  Ben parked his official police vehicle outside Finn’s office. Minutes later Finn stepped out and settled himself in the passenger side.

  As he fastened the seat belt, he glanced around. “Pretty fancy, bro. It’s hard to imagine the two of us riding in this and neither of us is going to jail.”

  “Those were the bad old days.” Ben put the SUV in gear.

  The two brothers shared a grin as they headed out of town.

  Ben adjusted his mirrored sunglasses before looking at Finn. “You tell Jessie what we’re up to?”

  Finn shook his head. “Nothing to tell yet. I don’t want to get her hopes up and then have them dashed. The worry is eating at her. She wakes in the night in a sweat from a recurring bad dream.”

  “And you know this because…?”

  Finn gave Ben the finger. “None of your business.”

  “Hey. I’m not asking for details of your love life. You’re the one who just ran his mouth.” Ben turned the car onto the interstate. “You want to be careful. Jessie’s your client and she’s going through a lot of trauma. That makes her vulnerable.”

  Finn hissed a breath. “You’re a little late, Ben. I’ve been having that argument with myself since I first met her. And now I’m in too deep.”

  Ben gave a shake of his head. “I know the feeling. It happens to the best of us.”

  Ben and Finn sat facing Frank Tyler, Arvid’s police chief, as they filled him in on the little they knew about Nola Blair’s new husband.

  He listened politely before frowning. “If, as you suggest, he’s done this sort of thing before, why isn’t he behind bars?”

  Ben shrugged. “All we have at this point are theories. One is that he’s using a different alias for each incident. And we suspect he has inside information, maybe at the county level. Tax rolls. Obituaries. Finn has an operative checking that out. But we believe he’s now getting desperate to get his hands on Nola Blair’s money. We think the letter to her bank may have been forged, and that’s where you come in.”

  He turned to Finn. “My brother found this photograph.”

  Finn opened a manila envelope and held out the picture Jessie had found in her aunt’s box of treasures. “Though we can’t be certain this is Nola’s new husband, her niece, Jessica, said she’s never seen it before, which leads us to believe it was taken just prior to their wedding.”

  Chief Tyler frowned. “Or it could be just another wrangler who worked for Nola Blair.”

  Finn arched a brow. “This man has his arm around Nola’s shoulders. That’s not what you’d expect from an employee. And see the way she’s looking at him? Like a woman looks at a lover.”

  Frank Tyler smiled. “All right. A lover. That’s not enough to incriminate a man.”

  Finn nodded. “I agree. And we have no proof this is her mysterious husband. But we’re grasping at straws, hoping to find Nola before her new husband is able to get his hands on her bank records.”

  The chief picked up the photo. “I’ll make a copy for the bank manager and his employees. And I’ll ask my men to familiarize themselves with this face, as well. If or when this guy shows up, I’ll notify you. But beyond that, my hands are tied. As I told Jessica Blair when she initially reported her concerns, I can’t arrest a man without a single shred of evidence of foul play. And I certainly can’t arrest him for following proper banking procedures.”

  “But you’ll call if this man is spotted in your town?”

  The police chief nodded before getting to his feet.

  “Thanks, Frank.” Ben shook the chief’s hand.

  Finn did the same before adding, “Thank you, Chief. My client is absolutely convinced that her aunt is in grave danger.”

  “And if I understand correctly, once her aunt’s new husband signs the necessary paperwork, your client will be in danger, too.”

  At Finn’s questioning look he added, “In danger of no longer having access to her aunt’s considerable estate.”

  Finn’s tone hardened at the sarcasm in the chief’s voice. “I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of such cases, but I can assure you this isn’t one of them.”

  The chief frowned. “Money can drive otherwise normal people to do some really strange things. I understand from your brother that you had no long-term relationship with the Blair family. Yet this young woman sought you out, a lawyer in a town a hundred miles from here, with a wild story of her aunt having been sweet-talked into a hasty marriage with a no-good wrangler.”

  Finn’s eyes narrowed. “Look, I know what you’re suggesting.”

  “She didn’t hire a lawyer here in Arvid. She went out of her way to hire a stranger.”

  “She came to Haller Creek because her aunt said her husband used to work there.”

  “And you claim to have found no record of his employment in your town.”

  “That’s correct. But we think he may have used another identity.”

  “Or it simply never happened the way she told you. This wouldn’t be the first time a greedy young person with dreams of an easy life sees it slipping away and concocts a story out of desperation.”

  Finn banked his rising anger and fought to keep his tone professional. “I understand your concerns, Chief. I felt the same way when I first met Jessica Blair and heard her story. But now I believe my client beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

  “Of course you do, Counselor.” Frank Tyler gave a low rumble of laughter. “That’s your job. Even if your client was standing over a bloody corpse holding a smoking gun, I would expect you to vigorously defend your client in court.”

  To hide his annoyance, Finn started to turn away.

  Still laughing, the chief added, “And as I recall from my first meeting with her, your client is a pretty young thing who could turn heads just by walking into a room. It’s clear she’s got you hooked, young man.”

  Knowing it was useless to argue his case, Finn stalked from the chief’s office.

  Ben trailed more slowly.

  Once in the car, he laid a hand on his brother’s arm. “Don’t take it personally, bro. After years in this line of work, I’m sure Chief Tyler has seen his share of dysfunctional family situations. He’s just calling it like he sees it.”

  “And he sees Nola’s new husband as a decent, law-abiding citizen, and Jessie as a money-hungry liar.” Finn swore, loudly, fiercely, before turning to stare morosely out the window.

  “You said yourself that you’d had doubts about her at first.” Ben maneuvered the vehicle along the main street’s cars and trucks and pedestrians, a worried frown creasing his forehead.

  They drove out of town and along the interstate for miles before Ben broke the silence.

  “We’re going to find this guy, Finn. And Jessie’s going to be reunited with her aunt.”

  “You don’t know that. Every day brings us closer to disaster.”

  “What I know is this. You’ve told me that Jessie feels an unbreakable bond with the woman who raised her. She’s absolutely convinced Nola is still alive. And that’s good enough for me. I intend to do everything within the limits of the law to save Jessie’s aunt. And if that’s not enough, I’ll just have to uncover some hidden superpowers to match the superpowers of my little brother, the best damned lawyer I know.” He reached a hand out to Finn. “Deal?”

  After a moment Finn nodded and gave him a fist bump. “Deal.”

  Back at his office, Finn sat back, wishing he had some hopeful news for Jessie. He felt as though they were crawling through the middle of a marathon, wh
ile Nola’s mysterious husband had breezed past them and was now miles ahead.

  Finn kept thinking there were things he’d missed along the way, but he was so caught up in the big picture, the little things were falling by the wayside.

  Like Jessie, he was desperate to find some trace of Nola. The longer she was missing, the more dire her circumstances. If her new groom followed his usual pattern, he could have already put into motion the next logical step in his plan for her “natural” death.

  Finn’s head came up, wondering if Nola Blair had any medical conditions that only her doctor would know about. Wouldn’t that be something she would share with a new husband, especially if he was really good at gaining a woman’s confidence?

  There was more. Finn’s mind was racing. What if Nola has a fondness for doing something risky? Something that could be considered the perfect way for a murderer to make her death look accidental.

  He ran a hand through his hair before picking up his phone and calling Jessie. Though he knew it would cause her fresh pain, the questions needed to be asked. And she was the only one who could answer them.

  “Jessie.” Finn’s voice took on a tenderness that he wasn’t even aware of. “Did your aunt give you her medical power of attorney?”

  She hesitated. “Have you heard something, Finn?”

  “No.” He was quick to ease the sudden air of expectancy in her tone. He hated lifting her hopes so often, only to dash them just as suddenly. “I’m thinking that we need to talk to Nola’s doctor to see if she had any health issues her new husband could use against her. But unless you have her medical power of attorney, a trip to Arvid to talk to her doctor would be a waste of time.”

  “Before I went off to college she asked me to sign a number of documents. One of them was her medical power of attorney. But I have no way of knowing if that’s been changed after all these years.”

  “We’ll just have to take a chance. First thing tomorrow, let’s plan on driving to Arvid.” As an afterthought he added, “And maybe, if we’re lucky, we’ll run into another storm and have to spend the night at some remote little cabin.”

  The sound of her soft laughter lightened his heart. “Are you sure you can spare the time away, Counselor?”

  He assumed a slow, easy drawl. “Little lady, it would be a supreme sacrifice. But your comfort is my main concern.” He paused. “I’m sure you know by now I’m just a guy who’s always willing to go the extra mile for his clients.”

  She laughed. “Bless you. Now you’ll have me watching the weather reports with fingers crossed.”

  He disconnected and sat back with a smile. If only he could always make Jessie laugh with a few simple words.

  He picked up a notebook and began jotting down questions he wanted to ask Nola’s doctor tomorrow.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  An hour after speaking with Finn, Jessie tallied a column of numbers and was jotting down the total when her cell phone rang.

  The moment she saw the caller ID she felt all her breath leave her lungs. Her throat got so tight she could barely get a word out.

  “Aunt Nola? Is it really you?”

  “Jess…i…ca.”

  “Oh, Aunt Nola. I’ve been so worried about you! Are you all right?”

  “Fine.” There was a long pause before she added, “Just a little weak from a virus I must have picked up.”

  “Oh, that’s awful. Where are you? Have you seen a doctor?”

  “No need.”

  Again a pause, causing Jessie to say quickly, “Tell me where you are and I’ll come get you. You sound weak, Aunt Nola. I’ll drive you to Arvid to see your doctor.”

  “This call is not about me. Now listen to me, Jessica. I have important business to discuss. I want you to meet my husband, Wayne, at the bank in Arvid to sign whatever documents are necessary to remove your name from my bank accounts, to be replaced with his name. Now that we’re husband and wife, it is only proper that we do so.”

  “Of course, Aunt Nola.” Jessie struggled to make her mind work. Was this a setup? After all these days of constant worry, this was the last thing she’d expected to hear. Jessie had to swallow hard before saying, “If this is what you really want, I’m happy to do whatever you ask. Would you like to put Wayne on the phone and we’ll arrange a day and time to meet?”

  Another pause before Nola’s staccato words came out almost like hiccups. “He’s leaving now. You’re to meet him at the bank as soon as you get to town.”

  “Today? Now? But I…” Jessie bit back the protest that bubbled up. She took a breath and softened her voice. “Are you all right, Aunt Nola?”

  “Enough of that. Stop your fussing and get going.”

  “This is all so sudden. Your marriage. And not returning to your ranch. I want you to know I went there looking for you. I’m worried about you. I hope you know how much I miss you, Aunt Nola.”

  The older woman’s voice became instantly animated. This was the voice Jessie recognized from her childhood. “I miss you too, Jessie darling. I hope you always remember how much I love…”

  When the line went dead, Jessie hugged the phone to her heart and allowed the tears to fall unchecked.

  Her aunt was alive.

  Nothing else mattered.

  She punched in Finn’s number on her cell phone before racing up the stairs to find her purse and keys.

  When he answered, she nearly shouted. “Finn. My aunt just called me.” Breathless, she snatched up her purse and barreled down the stairs toward the back door. “Of course I’m sure it was Aunt Nola. Nobody could fake that voice.”

  She snatched a set of keys from a hook by the back door. “I hope your family won’t mind if I take one of the ranch trucks.” As she hurried toward the barn, she explained in a rush, “This is all so sudden. I can’t think. Aunt Nola’s been sick with a virus.”

  At Finn’s question she paused before climbing into a truck. “No, I don’t know where she called from. I should have insisted, but I was so surprised to hear from her, I couldn’t seem to make my brain work. But I’ll ask her husband when I get to Arvid.”

  She paused at the rush of questions he began hurling at her. “No, I didn’t speak to him. She said he’s already on his way to Arvid, and wants me to meet him at the bank. Can you meet me there and together we can persuade him to let us follow him to wherever my aunt is staying?”

  Finn’s tone was edged with frustration. “I’m not at my office in Haller Creek. I’ve just arrived at the county offices. Even if I drop everything and head out now, I’d never make it in time. Jessie, I don’t want you to go alone.”

  “I have to.” Her eyes filled and she blinked away the tears. “Finn, I’ve been desperate to hear from my aunt. I’m willing to do whatever she asks.”

  “None of this rings true, Jess. None of it. You’re being set up.”

  Jessie sighed, trying to clear her mind. “I know it’s sudden. But it’s my first contact with Aunt Nola since her wedding.” She thought a minute. “What about the police chief? Do you think if you called him he could meet us at the bank? That way, if there are any questions about this stranger’s honesty, I won’t be alone.”

  She could hear the relief in his tone. “Good thinking. I’ll call him now.”

  She smiled. “Oh, that’s good. All right, Finn. When I meet with Wayne Stone at the bank, I’ll try to get as much information about my aunt as possible. I’ll make certain to ask where she is, how she is, and when they plan on returning to her ranch. I’ll ask everything in front of the bank manager and police chief. And I’ll stick like glue to the police chief and let him decide whether or not to trust this man. If he or the bank manager expresses any concerns about Wayne Stone, I’ll ask for a delay until Aunt Nola is well enough to accompany him to town.”

  Finn’s voice sounded pleased. “All right. I’ll try to reach Ben and see if he can head over to Arvid as well. I’d feel a lot better having Ben alongside you. As for me, I’m already heading to my truck.
I’ll get to Arvid as fast as humanly possible.”

  “Thanks, Finn. Drive safely. If you’re not there in time, I’ll call you as soon as our meeting ends and give you all the information I have.”

  Jessie put the truck in reverse and backed out of the barn before driving along the gravel driveway as fast as the vehicle would allow.

  Alive.

  Alive.

  Aunt Nola is alive.

  The words were a litany of joy singing through her mind.

  She clung to that thought, hugging it to her heart.

  Just the sound of her aunt’s frail, tired voice had given her such renewed hope.

  Halfway to Arvid, Jessie pulled the truck over on the side of the highway.

  She was so nervous her hands were shaking. Soon she would confront the man who’d sweet-talked her aunt.

  How she prayed he was good and decent and someone worthy of Aunt Nola. The fact that her aunt was trusting him with her money meant she had no regrets about her hasty marriage to him.

  Oh please, she whispered. Just let all my wild fears be groundless.

  More than anything in this world, her dear aunt deserved happiness. And if this man could give Nola real joy in her life, Jessie would embrace him, despite the unorthodox way he’d swept her aunt off her feet.

  Taking a deep breath, she pulled back onto the highway. As she passed another mile marker on the interstate, she could feel her heart pounding.

  She was in such a state of high anxiety, she wondered how she would survive the next leg of her journey.

  Her moods alternated with each passing mile. She was in a wild state of euphoria to know that her aunt was still alive. After all the fears, all the nightmares, Aunt Nola was alive.

  Just as suddenly she thought about all the unexplained mysteries since her aunt’s marriage. The new team of wranglers. The empty ranch house. The security camera. The family treasures boxed for shipment.

  Wayne Stone had a lot of explaining to do. And she wanted him to explain in front of the police chief and the bank manager. She wanted witnesses to his deception, if that’s indeed what he was guilty of. And if by chance her aunt was actually happy and safe, she wanted proof of that, as well.