Of Hoof Prints and Heartbeats

Chapter 5

5

Sam sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. After a moment of willing her brain to focus on the task at hand, she realized that if she kept up the pressure on her nose, there would be a red mark to contrast the dark circles that had formed under her eyes from the last few nights. Releasing her hand, her gaze fell upon the list of things to do to plan the funeral service for Uncle Joe. Mitch had called earlier to say that the coroner would likely release the body by the end of the week. Since Joe didn’t have any family, or at least none she knew of, Crystal Springs would pay for everything. So little to offer for a lifetime of hard physical labor that ended in an act of violence.

“Sam?” Matt called from the doorway of her small office.

She looked up, and based on Matt’s expression, she must look worse than she thought.

“Are you sick?”

“No,” Sam shook her head, unless you count having an ill heart, she added to herself. “A few sleepless nights and more things to do than there are hours in the day is all.” She set her pen down and pushed her list aside. “What’s up?”

“A few of the guys want to rearrange the schedule so they can spend next Saturday in town.”

Sam tipped her head to the side as a look of confusion stared back at him. Maybe there was more going on than what Sam had shared. He knew she was in charge of some of the aspects of the activities in town, and it wasn’t like her to forget a commitment.

“The End of Summer Festival is next weekend—” he stopped as comprehension replaced the confusion on Sam’s pretty face, then tried not to laugh as panic was close behind. He continued with the list of events and the reasons why the employees were looking forward to a day off, as Sam stood abruptly and began searching through the papers on her desk. “—kicking off with a parade on Friday afternoon, the town picnic in the park, culminating with a fireworks display. I heard it was going to be a similar wow-factor as to what we had for the Fourth of July. On Saturday, the carnival games and rides continue, there’s the pie-eating contest, the barbecue, art demonstrations at some of the arts and crafts tents, and the concert. Then Sunday starts off with the church hike and ends with the winner of the chili cook-off being announced at noon on the stage.”

Through his entire recitation of the highlights of the weekend’s End of Summer Festival, Sam had dug for the file folder concerning the event. Finally, unearthing it from under the package sent to her by the mortuary that would handle Joe’s body and a large envelope that contained the DVD and contracts for a few horses she was interested in purchasing to add to their breeding stock, she gripped the manila folder with slight desperation.

Opening the file, she perused her list of what she, individually, and Crystal Springs as a ranch, would be donating, working, or running at the Festival. All the money that was to be donated had already been deposited into the bank account for the city to use as funds for extra shifts by the deputies, portable restrooms, generators and event lights, and the materials needed to erect the stage, including speakers and lighting. She had referred the Festival Council to another ranch that had sheep for the Little Britches Rodeo. Her name was on the list to emcee the pie-eating contest, donate the ranch’s supply of Dutch ovens for the barbecue, and at the bottom was a note to pick up pies from Alice at the JAR-C.

Sam looked up at Matt, her expression one of relief and self-derision. “I don’t know how I could have forgotten.”

“Well, there has been more than the usual to deal with lately. And Joe’s death is something none of us could have predicted.” His quiet voice held no blame as Sam closed her eyes and sighed. “You know, you need to give yourself a break,” he said and took the few strides needed to bring him from the doorway to where she stood next to her desk. Gently laying his hand on her shoulder, he continued, “Maybe the Festival will give you a chance to relax a little, take your mind off all that’s been going on. And don’t panic. There’s still time to deal with the remaining items on your list.”

Sam relaxed a little at his friendly touch and kind words. “You’re right. I’m scheduled to be there nearly the entire weekend anyway. Perhaps the activities will give me a bit of a reprieve.” At the realization of how much she wanted the distraction, she smiled.

The one he returned was full of tenderness and something more. Matt’s gaze shifted from her expressive hazel eyes to her mouth. Though he had worked for her for three years, he had never made an attempt to have their relationship be anything more than employee-employer. Not that he hadn’t thought about it. A man would have to be dead to not be moved by her beautiful features and easy laughter. Sam’s full lips had him thinking thoughts that could get him fired. When she wet them with the tip of her tongue, the temperature in the room increased. Matt gently squeezed her shoulder, then forced himself to drop his hand to his side.

She opened her mouth to say something, then her phone chimed and vibrated on her desk. Snatching it up as if it were a lifeline, and she was treading in potentially dangerous waters with her ranch manager, she saw Carli had texted her.

“I need to call Wyoming,” she said, then glanced at Matt.

His expression was as it had always been. Friendly. Open. Had she imagined the desire that had flared in him when he stared at her mouth?

“Let me know about the schedule,” he said as he turned and left her office.

Sam made a noise that she heard him and pressed the number that would call Carli.

“Hi, Sam. How are you holding up?” Carli asked, concern in her voice for a sister she knew could handle almost anything.

“I’m alright. I’ve been making plans for Uncle Joe’s funeral. Seems I’ve had too much practice at this lately.”

“Do you need me to come to Colorado?”

Sam loved Carli. They were close friends, as well as sisters, and had helped each other out of binds since before their mother, Darla Tanner, who was now awaiting trial for a series of crimes including attempted murder on Carli, had abandoned them for her own life in California. It would be so easy to say yes. To pick Carli up at the airport, to see how much her belly had expanded as her and Ethan’s first child grew within her, to sit on the couch and talk about all the things that they never said when a quick call, text, or email would suffice, leaving the bigger questions and concerns for ‘someday’. She would ask about Ethan and watch as her independent, strong-willed older sister blushed prettily as she acknowledged how her husband cared for her, showing his love in a thousand different ways. Instead of saying yes, despite how desperately she wanted to share what was going on with someone, she smiled into the phone and tried her best to put Carli at ease.

“And have your personal FBI agent angry with me for taking you away? No. I’m fine, Carli. Besides, some families are getting in a last vacation, and you need to be at the lodge.”

Carli smiled at Sam’s assessment of Ethan’s reaction. She found herself absently rubbing her belly and stopped the movement as her smile widened when she looked down at her expanding body. Ethan would encourage her to go, though he would worry. And Sam was right. Though she hadn’t found a marketing and public relations person to promote the change in direction of the lodge—from a game preserve to a photo safari and family adventure destination—the cabins were full for the next two weeks.

“Ethan would be fine with me coming to help you. He loves you, you know.”

“I know. But really, Carli, I’m doing okay. Besides, we have the End of Summer Festival next weekend, and there is always a lot to do surrounding the event.”

“I’ll be checking in. You know, the events at Crystal Springs have Shaun pacing around his office wondering if he should take a leave of absence and protect you himself. He and Ethan had their heads together last night, and neither one of them shared. They falsely believe that just because I’m pregnant, I’m suddenly incapable of dealing with bad news or being privy to their plans.”

“They’re just trying to protect you. After all—”

“If you say that being pregnant means caution should be exercised, I’ll hang up on you.”

Sam chuckled. “Well, that wasn’t exactly what I was going to say,” she hedged. “You have two lawmen looking after your welfare. The more they realize that you’re not breakable in your condition, the more they’ll leave you alone to run the lodge.”

Carli smiled. “I do believe that I showed Ethan last night just how hearty I am.”

“See? All you have to do is remind him when he worries too much.”

Sam’s eyes flicked to the doorway where Matt had disappeared. She wondered what it was like to have a man concerned for her well-being, and immediately an image of Cole arose in her thoughts. If she needed help, there were plenty already employed at the ranch. She turned toward the window that was behind her desk.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Please be careful, Sam, and call if you need anything.”

After assuring Carli she would contact her if she wanted her big sister to keep her company, Sam ended the call and, with her phone in her hand, shifted her gaze to peer out the window. Her small office was opposite the living room, which was part of the great room that made up this side of the ranch house. While the front porch ran the length of the house along the west side, the office window faced east, and the JAR-C.

She had seen Cole several times since she had returned from Wyoming five months earlier. The longest stretch he had been away from Colorado was during his years at college and law school, when he only visited for the holidays and a few weeks over the summer so the JAR-C wouldn’t need to hire an extra hand. They had run into each other at the feed store, where she made sure that the fence between their properties was repaired to his liking. Then they had seen each other again as he was entering the Pine Tree Café and she was walking out. The post office, the diner, and various shops had them crossing paths, so they had exchanged pleasantries, including a few inane comments regarding the weather, before they went their separate ways. Though she knew Cole had instructed the employees of the JAR-C to keep an eye on Crystal Springs, and her cattle that had broken through the fence a couple of times, she hadn’t heard from him when the vandalism acts had happened. Maybe he thought that since she had been running the ranch for five years, and recently inherited the property, that what was happening were things she could handle. Even though she didn’t broadcast the events, the grapevine of ranch hands worked well, and she knew Cole was aware of what was occurring on this side of the fence line. Would he have already heard the news about Uncle Joe? Of course, the owners and employees of the JAR-C would be invited to attend the funeral. Perhaps now would be a good time to call.

Knowing that the house number was already programmed into her cell, she went through her contacts and pressed the keys that had the phone ringing in the kitchen of the JAR-C a moment later. Gazing out the window, she could just make out the trees that lined the driveway and the pitch of the second-story roof of the house on Branson land.

“Hello?”

Sam’s breath hitched in her lungs. She was expecting Alice to answer. “Hi, Cole. It’s Samantha Tanner.”

As if he couldn’t recognize her voice? It sounded the same as the one in his dream the night before. A dream he wouldn’t have had if his mother hadn’t poked around in things better left alone. “What’s wrong? Are you alright?” He didn’t believe she would call just to chat.

“I’m fine,” she said, keeping the exasperation from her voice as she realized what Carli must feel like with everyone inquiring after her health. “I didn’t realize you were still at the JAR-C. I thought you would have returned to Chicago. They must be pretty nice to let their newest partner have so much time off.” She squeezed her eyes shut. Sharp-tongued and nosy were not how she wanted to come across.

Cole guessed that her usually amiable personality was affected by the anxiety of having to talk with him instead of his mother. He felt a sudden longing for the way they had been, their words and actions easy between them. Surprised at that revelation, he leaned against the kitchen counter and answered her conversationally.

“I can do some of the research and prepare my cases here. I fly back to Chicago on Monday.”

“Oh. Then I guess you’ll miss the End of Summer Festival. It’s supposed to be really great this year. In fact, your mother has volunteered to bake a dozen pies for the barbecue on Saturday night,” Sam shook her head at her too-bright voice that sounded like a teenager with a crush.

Turning to look out the kitchen window, the one that faced the west and Crystal Springs Farm, he quickly reviewed the case that would be starting on Monday. A rich teenager, bored with his life of comfort, boosted a Lamborghini outside a popular nightclub. Third gear and fifty miles an hour around a curve on the South Side brought him up close and personal with a concrete and steel pillar holding up the L. A broken ankle and some cuts were his reward. His folks would have to pay to repair the vehicle. Since the boy’s father had the cash to hire the best defense firm, Cole knew it wasn’t a matter of guilt or innocence, but rather of restitution. The boy and his family were hoping for repairs and community service. The prosecution was angling for a little time in juvenile hall as a way to scare the kid away from a future life of crime.

One day for the trial, another few days to show his face in the office, then he could fly back to Colorado for the weekend. He tried to tell himself that the trip wouldn’t be to see Sam, to watch as fireworks exploded overhead, to see her give dance lessons to young kids, or hear her laugh as she listened to the guys who ran the carnival games coerce her to play. Then he tucked his free hand in the front pocket of his jeans as the lie sat uncomfortably in his belly.

“Actually, it will be a short case. I plan to be back by Friday morning. Maybe I’ll see you in town at the parade.”

“Sure.”

Not like she would wait with barely concealed excitement to catch a glimpse of him at the parade. Whatever she had felt for him was long gone. She closed her eyes and felt the flutter in her chest. Liar, she said to herself.

“Sam? Was there a reason why you called?” he asked when she had been quiet too long. He heard her exhale heavily, which put him on alert.

Everyone at the JAR-C and surrounding ranches, and several people in town, had been told about Joe’s disappearance and Racer’s absence in case they heard or saw something that would help solve the mystery. “We found Uncle Joe’s body yesterday, on the drive to move the cattle from the stock pens to the summer pasture.”

“s**t, Sam. I’m sorry.” He straightened away from the counter and paced closer to the window as if he could reach out and touch her.

“It wasn’t an accident. There were two bullet holes in his back. And there’s still no sign of Racer.”

Another expletive escaped Cole’s lips. “What can I do?”

“Nothing. Mitch and a forensics team were here. Crystal Springs will be handling the funeral. You, and everyone at the JAR-C, are, of course, invited to… well, say your goodbyes, I guess. Mitch said it would take a few days until the coroner releases the body to the mortuary. I’ve set the funeral for a week from Tuesday.”

“It doesn’t make sense that someone would go after Uncle Joe. He was known and liked by everyone in town.” He thought for a moment, his lawyer’s mind trying to make the pieces fit. “With all that has been going on at your place, do you think this was a final warning? Is someone trying to get your attention or punish you for something?”

“Matt mentioned a similar thought. I’ve reviewed the past couple of months and can’t think of something that I’ve said or done that someone might have taken the wrong way. I don’t know who I might have angered enough that they would continue with the threats and vandalism, and now this.”

“So, you didn’t come up with anyone.” And why would she? Sam didn’t have enemies. Everyone in town, probably all of Colorado, was her friend. “Do you think it could be Darla?” He was aware, through ranch gossip and the local paper, what had transpired at the lodge in Wyoming.

“No,” Sam shook her head, even though he wasn’t there to see the gesture. “I don’t think she has the contacts. Her plans, as far as we know, only involved the lodge. Dad bought this property after she left. I don’t think she’s ever been here, and she doesn’t have the funds to pay someone to terrorize me.”

Cole gripped the phone harder. “Are you still getting threatening mail?”

“Not for a few days.”

“Probably because they delivered a more serious message in the form of the body of your ranch manager.” That was the lawyer in him. Cutting away everything except the bare bones of the situation. “Do you need more security?”

Sam thought of her employees asking for time off to enjoy the festivities this weekend. “No. We’ve got it handled. I just wanted to let you know about the funeral plans.”

“Damn it, Sam, you can’t just brush this off. Someone is seriously trying to get your attention—”

“And they have it! s**t, Cole, don’t think that I’m not careful, that I haven’t tried to figure out who is doing this, or what the hell they want. But I’m not going to stop doing what needs to be done. The cattle have to be looked after. Horses have to be worked. Hay has to be brought in. There’s no getting around any of that.”

His cool control began to slip in his worry for her safety. “Tell me you won’t go anywhere by yourself and that your patrols will be doubled. If you need manpower, I have it—”

“It’s not fair to your employees to play babysitter or security guard. I can’t afford to hire—”

“Do you think I care a damn about the money? This is your life we’re talking about!”

“Don’t yell at me!” she shouted back. Then, before she could close her mouth, she added, “You forfeited your right to insert yourself into my life when you left.”

His teeth ground together as her words scraped the newly opened wound. She was right, and that hurt even more.

“s**t, Cole. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“You’re right. I’m the one that’s sorry. I’m just worried about you, Sammy.”

Sam closed her eyes. Cole was the only one who called her that. In that instant, his words wrapped around her and touched the places that needed comfort, the ones crying out for more than just a few truthfully spoken words. But she would make it enough. There was no way she could, or would, ask Cole for more. He would give it, graciously, asking for nothing in return, and then the broken heart that she had worked so hard to heal would split open all over again. Cole cared about her because they had a history, but he didn’t love her. Not anymore. Too many years had passed, and she was sure that at least that many women had slid between his sheets. She knew the only thing that would heal her completely was that which she could never have.

“Thanks. And, I didn’t mean financially that I couldn’t afford to hire more men, but that if there’s too many of them, they’ll all just get in each other’s way. I’ll call if I need anything. I promise,” she said.

“I’ll see you next weekend,” he told her, knowing she would be in his thoughts until he saw her again.

They each hung up the phone, their gazes out their respective windows. Longing to heal the hurts, to build bridges, to bring back what was never really lost, flowed across the short distance between the ranch houses. Cole crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the counter. Sam slipped her phone into her pocket and headed to the barn where the work schedule was posted. A pair of eyes watched her progress, then flicked to the end of the drive and the mailbox where another letter would soon be delivered.