Deanna Tompkins Read online

  "Meagan, you seem distracted."

  She met Cole's gaze. "I was just thinking." She started to say more, then decided against it. Silence grew between them.

  “Meet me on the front porch tonight,” Cole urged. “I’d really like to talk.”

  Meagan wasn’t sure what she should say so instead she just nodded then took several steps backwards. "I'd better wash some of this paint off and get supper started." She walked away, feeling his eyes bore into her back the entire way.

  In no time Meagan managed to cover up the delightful aroma of the days cooking by filling the room with smoke. She made biscuits that were harder than rocks, a roast that came out one fourth the size it went in, and potatoes that were half done and lumpy. She grinned. She was doing a good job.

  She forced any guilt aside as she reminded herself that it was upon Anne's request she was doing this. She also consoled herself with the fact that had she done her best, the dinner wouldn't have turned out any better. Cole and Stephen's hopeful glances turned to despair as she served the food. To their credit they ate every bite without complaint. Meagan cleared the table and left them with their coffee.

  Her mind wasn't on the dishes. Cole planned to talk to her tonight and she couldn't help but wonder what he would say. Anxious to find out, Meagan rushed through her chores and had just finished when a ranch hand rushed past her, almost knocking her down in his hurry to reach Stephen and Cole. She followed quickly behind him.

  "It happened again."

  "Damn." Cole's expression was ominous. "Where?"

  "An hours ride east of here."

  Stephen cursed. "They're getting braver with each hit."

  Deep lines marred Cole's forehead as he frowned at the man. "How many head?"

  "Several hundred." The man removed his hat and scratched his head. "I didn't see a thing."

  Stephen shifted in his chair. "Pa won’t be back for a day or two."

  "Doesn’t matter,” Cole stood, “we have to get on this right away. We might stand a chance of catching these good for nothing..." He stopped mid-sentence as his glance touched on Meagan. "With the tracks being so new, we might be able to follow their trail this time."

  He strode out the door. Stephen and the hired hand followed close behind.

  Meagan was left alone, certain her talk with Cole had just been postponed. It was obviously not the first time they’d been hit by theft in the recent past. Determined to find out more, Meagan made her way to where Anne sat in the front parlor.

  "Cole and Stephen hated my dinner. They ate it under my watchful eye, then left,” Meagan updated Anne before getting to the real point. “A cowboy came in and said it happened again, something about rustlers. Do you know what's going on?"

  Anne frowned. "It's nothing to worry about, Meagan. I'm sure Cole and Stephen have things under control."

  "It didn’t seem like it," Meagan interjected. “I’m worried.”

  Meagan saw indecision flash across Anne's face before she relented with a sigh. "Sit down.” Meagan sat beside Anne as she filled in the blanks and Meagan suddenly wished she hadn’t been so curious.

  "Meagan, you're awful pale. Is something wrong?"

  "No." Meagan stood. "I just can't believe it. I always thought this ranch safe from rustlers. It seems smarter to steal from the smaller outfits."

  "I know. But, for whatever reason, they're only stealing from us. If anyone can find out who's behind this, it's Cole and Stephen. I've never seen my sons more determined than they are in this."

  That's what I'm afraid of, Meagan thought, careful not to speak the words aloud. How she prayed she was mistaken, and how she feared she wasn't. It couldn't be, it just couldn't. But everything pointed in that direction. Dates, times, everything matched. If it were true, any hopes of a future were lost to her. Things were becoming more complicated each day.

  Meagan whispered a weary goodnight and headed to bed. Her mind was too occupied with tonight's events to worry about Anne's reaction to her quick departure. She had to think. She slipped on her nightdress, sunk into bed and pulled her covers around her, curling her legs into her stomach. She began a slow, rocking motion back and forth. Throughout her life, when things bothered her, she'd lay this way. It comforted her, and tonight, she needed to be comforted. If her instincts were right, not only would she lose Anne's friendship, but she'd lose the respect of the entire McAllister family. Cole would never forgive her.

  She still loved him. Startled by the unwarranted though, Meagan forced it from her mind. She couldn't love Cole. Besides, there was no hope for them, not now. Meagan rocked herself to sleep. Her dreams were disturbed by pictures of her brother and Cole fighting, of a battle where no-one could be the victor. For how could she ever forgive one for hurting the other? Her troubled dreams continued as Cole and Stephen rode off into the night in search of a criminal. A criminal that just might be her brother.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Cole's curse was drowned by the clash of thunder. Luck evaded them once again. Fifteen minutes after he and Stephen left the homestead with three ranch hands, a light drizzle began. Now, as they approached the victimized pastures, sheets of rain trampled the grass. All chances of tracking the thieves were erased.

  Stephen shrugged a wet blanket from his shoulders. "I'm beat. Let's head home."

  "You go." Cole ignored the rain that dripped from the wide brim of his hat. "I'm going to ride for a while."

  "What's the use? You're not going to find anything more now."

  "I know. I just need some time to think."

  "In this weather?" Stephen's voice rose in disbelief. "Can't you do your thinking at home, where it's dry?"

  "I prefer to do it now," Cole replied as he urged his horse forward. "I'll be home tomorrow, late."

  Stephen signaled for the ranch hands to follow him and turned his horse towards home. "I'll see you tomorrow, then, unless you come to your senses sooner," he called out, not even sure Cole heard him through the heavy downpour.

  Cole watched as Stephen disappeared into the night. He slackened his hold on the reins and allowed the Arabian bay full lead. He wasn't concerned about the slashing rain, the roar of nearby thunder or the approaching darkness. He was too concerned by the string of thefts to think about anything else.

  The cowboys were jumpy, suspicious of everything, and everybody. He'd had to break up several skirmishes, and false accusations were running rampant. Ranching was a rugged, dangerous job. If the loyalty and trust of a cowboy was questioned, he would retaliate. Sides would be taken and in the end the ranch, and ranch owners would pay the dearest price.

  Several hours passed as Cole rode, deep in thought. The rain had ceased and stars peeked through the hazy clouds. A half moon lit the path before him. He studied the landmarks on either side of him to determine his location. He'd been riding east, and guessed Meagan's cabin to be about ten miles south of him. He turned his horse that direction.

  He reached the pile of ashes and half burned logs that had been her home. He swung a stiff leg over his saddle and lowered himself to the ground. Images of Meagan trapped beneath a fiery log as flames leapt up her skirt, filled his mind. He closed his eyes and forced his panic aside. He'd reached her in time. Meagan was safe. There was no reason to relive the experience.

  Cole tied his horse to an old oak tree and grabbed his bedroll. He found a flat place and spread it out. He had less than two hours before sunrise. He lowered himself to the ground and clasped his fingers together behind his head to form a makeshift pillow. He stared up at the clouds as they crossed the path of the moon. His thoughts drifted to Meagan as his lids became heavy.

  She stood before him. Tiny drops of water trickled down her naked body. Her long blonde tresses flowed around her shoulders, flicking at her breasts as a gentle breeze teased the ends. She reached for him, her full lips parted, inviting him closer. He bent low and captured her lips with his and teased her with tiny flicks of his tongue. Her short, rapid breaths spoke of her rising pass
ion as she pressed against him. He ran his hands up her back and eased her gown from her shoulders, past her waist, baring her breasts. He captured her nipple between his thumb and finger and brought it to a stiff peak before he lowered his head and swirled his tongue around it. Meagan arched her back as her body begged for release. She needed his touch as much as he did hers.

  Erotic dreams teased Cole's subconscious the remainder of the night. He squinted as bright sunlight brought reality back in an unwelcome rush. He stood and stretched, ignoring the pull of his stiff muscles. He glanced around.

  He focused on the majestic mountains that speckled the horizon to the south and east, then shifted his gaze to study the Blue Mountain Range, named so for the cedar timber that cast a blue haze on the mountain from a distance. Meagan had worked this land, run in this lush, overgrown grass. Her laughter had floated through this air. It had been a part of her, and now Cole wanted to be a part of it as well.

  He sat cross-legged under a cedar tree and leaned his head against the trunk. He shut his eyes and tried to recall the months he'd spent here, with Meagan. To his consternation and regret, he realized he'd paid little attention to Meagan back then.

  He wanted to learn more about her. In fact, he wanted to know everything about her. With that in mind, Cole headed back to the pile of ashes that had once been her home. Several items had been sorted out and set aside, proof that his pa had been and gone. Cole inspected the remains of a pot belly stove, some tin pans, cups and plates. All of it was damaged beyond repair.

  "Howdy, Cole."

  Cole turned and smiled at Pete, a middle aged cowboy who'd helped with the McAllister's breeding operation for years. "Hi, Pete." Cole offered his hand to his long time friend. "I see Pa's been here."

  "Yep. Left yesterday," Pete confirmed as he mopped his brow with the end of a red bandanna, which was tied loosely around his neck. "He headed into Meeker. Said he had some business to take care of there." Pete took a puff from a rolled cigarette.

  "I figured as much," Cole replied. "You have everything under control here?"

  "Sure do." With a quick swipe of his hat Pete caught a fly in mid-air, revealing a mop of carrot red hair before replacing the brown Stetson on his head. "Your pa said you're preparin' for round up. Said he'd get some extra men down here to help us drive 'em up to your place."

  "Good." Cole was relieved that his pa had taken care of things.

  Pete shifted from one foot to the other. "I don't want to go wakin' snakes, but somethin' 'bout this fire bothers me."

  Cole eyed him. "You see anything suspicious?"

  "Nothin' out of the ordinary," Pete replied with a shrug. "But Megan was always after me to put out my cigarettes." He dropped his cigarette to the ground, grinding the toe of his boot over it in a twisting motion. "She was more 'n careful with lamps and fires. Her place is the last I'd expect t' burn."

  "Anything else?" Cole asked.

  Pete shrugged. "You know ol' Jerry's got more wind 'n a bull in green corn time, but he says he smelled somethin' funny the next day." A small frown deepened the lines of Pete's leathery skin. "I aint smelled nothin' in years, so I can't say one way or t'other."

  Cole chose not to comment and asked instead, "you interested in running this breeding operation, Pete?"

  "Hell, no." Pete tucked his hands deep in the pockets of his worn jeans. "Aint got the proper instincts. Not like Tom and Meagan."

  "You know Meagan pretty well, don't you?"

  "Sure." Pete smiled, "she's as much a part of this land as this here dirt." He kicked at the ground creating a small cloud of dust.

  "Was she happy here?"

  "Far as I know." Pete shrugged. "She never talked about herself much, but with how she took to breedin' cattle and her skill on a horse, a person would have to think her content."

  "Was she much help around the place?"

  "Are you kidding?" Pete exclaimed, his hazel eyes widening. "Meagan didn't just help. She ran the place. Tom taught Meagan the business, and after that she was the one givin' all the orders." Pete shrugged. "Darn good at it, too."

  "Did Tom supervise her?"

  "I aint seen Tom in months." Pete's puzzled gaze clashed with his. "I thought you knew."

  Pete's voice lacked accusation, but Cole felt the sting of guilt. He should have known. Meagan had accomplished so much on her own. "Pete, did Meagan have anything here, anything not destroyed by the fire. Something that was important to her?"

  Pete shrugged. "Nothin' much. Only thing that's ever mattered much to Meagan 'sides workin' the ranch is her pa, her dog and her mare."

  Cole studied Pete. "Where is Meagan's horse?"

  "In the stables."

  "Will you get her for me."

  "Sure thing."

  Pete returned several minutes later leading a honey gold horse with a pure white mane and tail, the mane left long rather than clipped short as was the traditional style. "Here she is."

  Cole grasped the reins, surprised when the mare shied away and tossed her head from side to side.

  Pete grinned. "She's high spirited."

  Cole frowned at the horse. "Should Meagan be riding her?"

  Pete's grin widened. "Meagan don't need no lady broke horse. Meagan and Angel, they make a good pair."

  "Angel, ha?" Cole glanced dubiously at the horse who stared at him with wary eyes, her ears pricked back, ready to rear away from him at the first given opportunity. "She doesn't seem very angelic to me."

  "She just misses Meagan, is all." Pete eyed him with curiosity. "You takin' Meagan's horse to her?"

  "I am." Cole tied Angel's reins around a tree.

  Pete nodded his approval. "Good."

  "I'm going to look around a bit before I go, Pete," Cole said, then extended his hand toward his friend.

  "Sure thing, Cole." Pete grasped his hand. "See ya at roundup."

  "Yep." Cole watched as Pete ambled from sight.

  Cole kicked the toe of his boot through the charred remains of Meagan's belongings. He wanted to find out who torched this place and tear them apart, limb by limb. Cole walked past the burnt remains then wandered along a steep bank where wildflowers grew abundant. A narrow, well worn trail meandered through the flowers. Cole turned.

  Several steps had been carved into the bank. It made the steep climb much easier. Once on top, Cole could see for miles. The white river looked like a stream as it weaved its way across the land. Meagan must have come here often. Cole continued along the bank until he reached a cluster of trees and overgrown bushes. He could hear the sound of gurgling water and made his way toward it. The temperature dropped several degrees as he entered the thick foliage.

  A slow flowing creek ran between two large rocks. Cole sat on one of the rocks. It was past time he should have left, but he felt drawn to this place. He removed his hat, leaned sideways and with cupped palms filled his hands with the icy mountain water. He splashed his face several times before lying flat on his back. He stared up at the clear blue sky. Birds chirped from the trees and insects buzzed around him. Cole felt his lids grow heavy, and he drifted off to sleep.

  "Meagan don't like nobody coming here."

  Startled awake, Cole sat up and rubbed his eyes. "What?"

  Pete grinned. "It's her special place. Only place she could go and be assured privacy." He pulled several leaves off a nearby tree, then released them. He watched as they floated to the ground. "She wouldn't want you here."

  Cole stood and raised his eyebrow a fraction. "Then we won't tell her, will we?"

  "Not me," Pete promised as he placed his hand over his heart. He glanced at the sun. "It's getting late. I saw your horse still here and figured I'd better see what happened to ya."

  Cole retrieved his Stetson and placed it on his head. "Guess I fell asleep."

  "Better that than gotten hurt." Pete tucked his hands in his front jean pockets. "Thought I might have to rescue you from a bear or something."

  Cole grinned. "No, just from the mosquitoes." He s
watted one and frowned at the welt that appeared on his arm.

  "Guess, since you’re alive, I'll go back to work."

  "Thanks Pete," Cole shook his head at his own carelessness. "I'm gonna be late getting back as it is."

  Pete waved, but never turned around.

  Cole brushed some loose dust from his jeans and turned to leave when he noticed a dirt trail that wound its way through the brush. His curiosity beat out his need to leave. He had to see where the trail led. He followed it for several hundred feet where it ended at a small clearing. Disappointed with his find, Cole turned to leave when he noticed a mound of dirt near the edge of the clearing.

  He knelt beside it. Grass grew like a thick blanket over the mound, but no other foliage marred its perfect roundness. This was a new grave. Cole ran his palm across the mound. No one had died on their ranch in years. He stood and caught a glimpse of a cross, made from two fat sticks tied together with rope. It was stuck in the ground several feet from the grave. Thick brush surrounded it. Cole pushed the brush aside and studied the two initials carved on the cross.

  A war of emotions raged within Cole as he stood. Meagan had lied to him. It made no sense. Why would she lie about her pa being alive? Unless she’d caused his death, he thought, but quickly shrugged the thought aside. Meagan wasn't a killer. He'd bet his life on it. But she was a liar. There wasn't a woman alive who could be trusted to tell the truth.

  Cole strode along the trail, through the trees and down the steep bank to his horse with mechanical movements. He untied Angel, who raised her lips and bared her teeth in greeting. He paid no attention to the horse’s foul temperament. His mood was no better.

  Cole fastened Angel's reins to his horse’s saddle and rode away. He had six hours to think this situation through. Six hours to calm down before confronting Meagan. Only, as each mile passed his anger grew more intense. Meagan had some serious explaining to do.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Meagan served a supper of greasy fried chicken, dried out biscuits and lumpy mashed potatoes to Stephen. His frown of displeasure didn't please her like Cole's brave smiles and half disguised grimaces did.