Treacherous Trails Read online

  Drake didn’t react outwardly, but Ella saw the sheen of regret in his eyes. The man loved horses, all of them, even Trailblazer, though she suspected Drake had probably been against the purchase of another expensive horse that wasn’t of the working variety.

  He took off his hat and scrubbed a hand over his beard. “Macy...”

  “Don’t start,” she snapped. “You’ll be happy to know that Trailblazer was heavily insured. I just put in the claim. I have to arrange to have his body disposed of, so you can rant at me about my bad investment later.”

  He shook his head. “Was gonna say I’m sorry about your horse.”

  She looked at the ground, mouth pinched.

  Drake muttered something, crammed his hat back on his head and said a curt goodbye.

  A truck pulled to a stop and Bruce Reed got out. Fear flashed through Ella’s senses and she might even have run if Owen hadn’t wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

  “Steady,” he breathed in her ear. “He’s not going to touch you.”

  Her lungs were not up to the job of breathing, only Owen’s rock solid presence held her together.

  Reed did not seem surprised to see them there. “Ella,” he said, taking a step forward.

  Owen pulled her behind him. “Not one foot closer.”

  Reed sighed. “You’ve got too much of the alpha male thing going on, Mr. Thorn.”

  “You touch her again and you’ll find out exactly how much alpha I’ve got going on.”

  Macy watched them, eyes narrowed. Tension roiled off Owen in hot waves that Ella could feel through her jacket.

  Reed held up his palms. “I don’t know what she’s told you all, but I’m no threat to Ella.”

  His audacious lies set her nerves on fire. The bruises throbbed where he’d almost squeezed the life out of her. She wanted to tell Macy and Zeke exactly what Reed had done, but his threat to Betsy was an ice pick in her gut. So easy. I can make anything look like an accident.

  “Of course,” Macy said. Ella did not miss Macy’s sarcastic tone.

  Ella tried to pull Owen away. “Let’s go. Macy doesn’t want my farrier services anymore. No reason to stay.”

  Reed’s expression turned saccharine sweet. “Lost another job? I’m sorry, Ella. That must make it real tough for you, what with a cripple for a sister.”

  “She’s not a cripple, she’s a woman with a disability,” Ella hissed. It made her furious when people identified Betsy by her physical condition, especially this lying, scamming monster. “And her mind is better than yours.”

  He laughed. “No offense intended.” He focused on Zeke and Macy. “I heard the horse is dead.”

  “How’d you hear that?” Owen asked.

  Reed shrugged. “News travels fast in a podunk town.”

  Zeke sighed. “You heard right. Shame.”

  Reed lifted a shoulder. “Fortunately, you had it insured, Macy. Plenty of funds to get another now.”

  “Funds? Is that how you look at a horse?” Ella could not hold back.

  “That’s exactly how he sees them,” Owen snapped. “Just like he looks at people. A means to an end.”

  “Careful, you two,” Reed said, eyes sparking. “That almost sounds like defamation of character.” There was a silver of malice in his tone and she read it loud and clear. Continue and you risk your sister’s life and your own...

  “All right,” Macy said. “I don’t have time to listen to any more of this. I’ve got to make arrangements for Trailblazer.”

  Ella had no desire to spend a moment longer in Reed’s presence so she picked up her farrier box and marched toward the truck, hoping that Owen would follow. He did, but before they reached it, his phone rang. He yanked it to his ear while she struggled to get her emotions under control.

  Reed lounged against the corral fence, talking to Zeke, but she had a feeling he was tracking her every move. Determined not to be cowed, she deposited her borrowed gear into the back of Owen’s truck.

  “Yeah?” Owen’s cheeks were flushed and his body still telegraphed that he was amped from their encounter with Reed, but whatever was said over the phone stopped him. “We’re on our way.” He drew her close and spoke low in her ear.

  “Jack found it.”

  Blood pounded in her throat. “My thermos?”

  “Yes,” he said. Grabbing her close, he swept her into a hug that lifted her off the ground. “This is the break we’ve been waiting for. Now the battle’s going in our direction.”

  A swirl of hope kindled in her belly as his arms tightened around her waist. Could it be so easy? “Where? Who?”

  He lowered her to the ground, moving to the passenger side and opening the door for her. “I’ll explain on the way.”

  Ella shot a quick look at Reed as they left. His stare penetrated to her core as he watched them drive off the Gregory’s ranch, like a wolf tracking a rabbit.

  ELEVEN

  Owen recapped his phone conversation as the truck rattled back to the main road. “Jack’s got a buddy, Pete, who is a crazy fisherman. He’s always got his hook in the creek whether there’s anything to be caught or not. Jack put the word out he was looking for your thermos.”

  “And this Pete actually found it?”

  “Yep. He’s tent camping about six miles from here.”

  “Six miles? How could it have made it there?”

  “The place where you were...um, the spot where I found you was near the creek, remember? It rolled down to the water. Creek’s full to bursting right now so it got carried along.”

  She shook her head. “Impossible.”

  “Nah,” he said, eyes sparkling blue as a robin’s egg. “Things are breaking our way for a change.”

  “I’m afraid to believe it.”

  “Believe it,” he said, taking her fingers and squeezing her hand. It was such a tender gesture, so full of kindness and something else. Balm to her soul, ease to her tortured spirit, until she remembered she was supposed to be keeping Owen and his family out of harm’s way, not bringing them into the line of Reed’s fire. Running into Reed had probably worsened the situation for both of them. Still she could not bring herself to withdraw from his touch.

  “Jack’s already on his way. He’ll meet us there.”

  “I’m almost too excited to breathe.”

  He laughed. “Keep breathing high on the priority list, okay?”

  “Do you think... I mean, is it safe to leave Betsy and your family for so long without you and Jack, and Barrett out of town?”

  He nodded. “Trust me. Keegan’s the most dangerous of us all, and my dad was an MP in the army. He knows how to handle himself.” Owen smiled. “Come to think of it, my mom is a force to be reckoned with if she feels her family is being threatened. When I was a kid she faced down a mountain lion with a shovel when my dad was away.”

  She laughed. “I remember Jack telling Shannon and me that story once...” She stopped abruptly.

  Owen shot her a look. “It’s okay. I know Shannon was your best friend, in spite of the fact that she crushed my brother’s heart.”

  “She still is my best friend, even though she’s in Los Angeles. At least, I think so. We used to talk every week but lately she hasn’t returned my calls.” She didn’t mention that Shannon’s last phone call had been hurried, tense, with the clamor of the emergency room where she worked filling the background.

  “Yeah, Oscar told me when I dropped a pie off at the inn that he missed seeing his niece at Christmas.”

  “I’m sure she’s just busy. Her emergency room internship and all. I know she helps at a battered women’s shelter too.”

  He nodded. “Yeah. That must be what it is, just busy.”

  “Has Jack... I mean, has he finally accepted their breakup?” Jack Thorn had been a different person when he was dating Shann
on Livingston seven years before. She’d never seen him smile so much, socialize as much as he had when they were together. How had things fractured between them? Shannon had not been able to disclose much without breaking down in sobs that had wrenched Ella’s heart. Only recently could they talk without her asking about Jack. Did he seem happy?

  Owen considered. “I don’t know how Jack’s handled it all. He’s gone from quiet to nearly silent. He doesn’t say much, but he’s the best listener in the country, I’m pretty sure.” A shadow flickered over his face. “Listens to all my whining.”

  Ella stroked his fingers. “Betsy’s heard plenty of my complaints too.”

  He shifted. “I’ve been thinking. I didn’t realize how much... I mean, how difficult things must have been after both Ray and I left.”

  “Never looked back, did you?”

  He sighed. “No, I guess we didn’t.”

  “Now that you know what a struggle it’s been for me and Betsy, would you have made the decision not to enlist?”

  He hesitated, mouth working, and then he spoke. “I would have gone anyway. I’m sorry.”

  She surprised herself by laughing, reaching over and kissing him on the cheek. “There now. That was an honest answer. You haven’t ever lied to me since I was a freckle-faced kid and that’s worth something in this world.”

  “Well, that doesn’t quite make up for Ray and I leaving you here alone, does it? It wasn’t fair.”

  “My father used to say that we don’t get fair on earth, only in Heaven. I could have handled things better.” Her face burned. “I acted out. Humiliated myself and endangered Betsy. I’m sure you’ve heard.”

  He kept his gaze trained straight out the front windshield but his fingers tightened around hers. “I heard after I got back. Not gonna get condemnation from this guy, believe me.”

  She blinked hard. “Thank you, but I’ve come to peace with it, mostly. God forgave me so it’s okay for me to forgive myself.”

  He swallowed.

  “He forgives you too.”

  “I’ve got a few more sins on my plate than you, Ella.”

  “Not more, just different.”

  “I know He forgives, but sometimes I still feel like I’m being punished. I can’t...” He blew out a breath. “I can’t do what I want to do. Not yet anyway. This leg.”

  “Someone told me taking up your cross and following Jesus means you sometimes say no to what your heart wants.”

  “That’s painful.”

  “Excruciating, like experiencing a death.”

  He looked closer at her. “Is that how you felt when you gave up the chance to work with the Olympic Team?”

  “I gave up that dream because He wanted me to be here with Betsy. And yes, it hurt like crazy, but you know what? It’s been better than I could have ever imagined.”

  “I don’t know if I’m that brave.”

  “Not sure it’s bravery,” she said. “But I know it’s the life God meant for me to have.”

  He breathed out, shaking his head. “But giving up your heart’s desire. I mean, when I picture myself hobbled forever, not being able to go back...” He stopped abruptly.

  She fought down a stab of shock as she realized what was deep in his heart. “Owen, are you hoping to return to the marines?”

  He stayed quiet, confirming the truth. Her stomach felt like the bottom had just fallen out of it. It shouldn’t surprise her. Being a marine gave him purpose and passion, just like her brother. He would leave again as soon as he could. And why not? What would keep him here anyway?

  An unexpected pain cut through her heart, but she didn’t let go of his hand. Instead she exhaled slowly and caressed his fingers. “It’s okay.”

  Owen’s expression was troubled.

  I’m made for war.

  And he would leave to go chase after it. Leave her. Before it would have made her angry. Now, she felt only sadness.

  * * *

  Owen was relieved when they crossed the old wooden bridge and pulled off the main road, following his brother’s directions. His own behavior startled him. He’d never actually uttered aloud the craving of his heart, to return to the marines. He was not sure why he had told Ella, and why exactly she hadn’t informed him he was crazy, selfish, unrealistic or anything in between. He probably was all of those things.

  They got out into the chilly afternoon and took the winding path down to the creek. The first couple of feet were difficult until his leg finally unlocked a bit. Ella was walking so fast he could hardly keep up with her. Shadows bathed the woods and the sound of the swollen creek was deafening the closer they got. They met Jack and a portly middle-aged man with a full shaggy beard covering his face.

  “I’m Pete,” the man said, shaking their hands. “I knew I was gonna make a great catch today.”

  “You always think that,” Jack said, “even when you snag nothing but branches.”

  “Yeah, well, I caught me something today, didn’t I? Good thing you told me to keep a lookout.” He held up the plastic bag with the thermos inside. “Better than trout, huh?”

  Owen held his breath while Ella looked at it. How cruel would it be if it was not her thermos Pete had found. “Yours?”

  She nodded, face alight with a smile that made his senses swim. “Yes. See? You can still see some of the sharpie on the bottom where I wrote my name.”

  She flung her arms around a startled Pete. Owen was surprised at his pang of jealousy. Get it together, Owen, you dolt.

  “Thank you,” Ella said. “You might have just saved my life.”

  Pete grinned as she let him go. “Well, then, I guess it don’t matter if I catch any fish today.”

  “I’ll buy you a fish dinner,” Owen said. “All the trout you can eat.”

  Pete laughed. “I’ll take you up on that sometime.”

  Ella took the bag. “Do you think there will be traces of the drug inside or any fingerprints left?”

  “We’ll take it to the cops right now,” Owen took a picture of the thermos for good measure. “It’s four o’clock, so we’d better hustle.”

  “Keegan’s gotta go pick up a horse,” Jack said. “I’ll go back to the ranch to cover.”

  Jack often sensed Owen’s unspoken moods, and right now Owen was concerned that Bruce Reed might try something while he was not at the ranch to prevent it. He’d seen eyes like Reed’s before, flat, not revealing any emotion, not even hatred, eyes that promised death to whomever got in the way. He’d rather deal with an enemy’s out-and-out hatred than a sociopath who had no feelings at all.

  “Yeah. Good,” Owen said. “Be there as soon as I can.”

  Without another word, Jack turned to walk back along the trail. Ella caught his arm and took his hand in hers.

  “Thank you, Jack.”

  Owen saw him look at her small white hand against his sleeve and for a moment Jack’s face was so wounded, so agonized, he knew his brother must be thinking about Shannon, remembering a time when they’d walked hand in hand.

  “Sure,” he said, striding off toward his vehicle, shoulders bent against the cold.

  Sometimes you say no to what your heart wants...and it feels like a death. Jack had done exactly that.

  He allowed himself to think for a moment about giving up his beloved marine corps. It sure does. But Owen was not ready to give up anything just yet, especially not the corps.

  They loaded up in the truck. He noticed that Ella was shivering so he set the heater to full blast and waited a few minutes for the vehicle to warm. The temperatures had dipped into the forties as the sun set and there was a promise of frost.

  He pressed the gas a little harder, considering the extra time he’d need to prep the horses for such a cold night. The current batch they cared for was hearty and hale, most with sufficient winter coats to weather the chill
just fine, but there were two older horses with more delicate health that were used to being turned out at night, and he decided it would be best to blanket them. The other one, Linus, had not been eating well, and Owen determined he would do best with an extra dose of TLC. He was lost in the details as he drove up the steep road that would take them away from the creek.

  Behind him, an old SUV pulled out from the sharp turn.

  His muscles fired to life and he stomped the accelerator.

  “What?” Ella gasped. She turned to look behind them. “Oh no. How did he find us?”

  Tony, Candy Silverton’s stable guy, gunned the engine and began to close the distance between them.

  TWELVE

  How? her brain screamed, but it was not so hard to figure out, really. Reed had seen Owen take the call, must have realized something was afoot by their hug and sent his lackey to follow them. Reed was desperate to stop them, which meant the thermos was a threat. Small comfort if they were both killed by Reed’s crazy henchman.

  She clung to the door as the truck careened along, the SUV closing the gap with every passing second. Each foot of rough road jostled her so badly she bit her lip and tasted blood. The seat belt jerked hard against her ribs, anchoring her in place.

  “Gonna try to make the bridge,” Owen said, fighting the wheel. “He won’t make a move after we get back to the main highway.”

  She screamed as the SUV slammed into their back bumper, sending the truck skidding. It crashed against the boulders that lined the road with a hair-raising groan of metal on rock. Ella thought for sure they would be crushed, but Owen managed to wrench the wheel and get the truck back under control.

  “Take my phone,” he shouted to her. “Call Jack.”

  She attempted to dial but Tony slammed into them again from behind and the phone flew from her hand. She dared not try and retrieve it, instead scrambling for something to hold onto.

  Owen floored the gas pedal and the truck flew like a rocket toward the two-lane bridge. She agreed with Owen’s plan. Once they were through, the road would empty out onto the highway where there would be other cars, witnesses, help. No one, not even a crazy man like Tony, would attempt to waylay them there. They were almost to the entrance, but Tony was so close she could see him in the side mirror, mouth set into a grim line that matched Owen’s. His knuckles shone white on the steering wheel.