Texas Ranch Justice (HQR Romantic Suspense) Page 7

  By the time she’d backtracked to the bookstore, she’d gotten loaded down with shopping bags. In addition to several pairs of jeans and cute tops, she’d stopped in a Western boot store and purchased a pair of intricately tooled red-and-black boots with a slight heel. Before leaving, she’d spotted a red cowboy hat, which she’d also bought.

  Struggling with all her loot, she’d truly wished Vivian and Hal would pull up, so she could stow everything in the SUV.

  For her final purchase, she’d managed to buy the newest bestseller by her favorite romance author before deciding to make her way to the café and wait. Luckily, she’d just gotten settled on the bench outside the front door when they’d pulled up.

  They’d enjoyed a delicious lunch, with Vivian telling amusing stories about her past, before heading back to the ranch. Once there, Scarlett carried her purchases to her room before attempting to rejoin the others.

  Delilah asked if anyone would be wanting supper. Still full from lunch, everyone declined.

  After watching the early news, Hal, claiming exhaustion, had gone off to his room to go to bed. As soon as Scarlett reappeared, Vivian explained she had to meet her friend Frank at his place and took off also, leaving Scarlett alone.

  Once she’d left, Scarlett went to check with Delilah, just in case she needed any help. She found her hiding in the kitchen, clearly trying to avoid Vivian.

  “She just left,” Scarlett told her.

  “Thank goodness.” Delilah breathed a sigh of relief. “She leaned in the door and told me she’d be back in the morning to bring the next couple of days of Hal’s vitamin smoothies.”

  “She brings them instead of just giving you the ingredients to make them here?”

  “Yes. I think she feels this is her way of doing her part. She and Frank have been into healthy supplements for a while and they came up with some green-looking smoothie to help Hal. She always makes a batch at home and has Hal drink eight ounces every morning. He says it doesn’t taste too bad.”

  “That’s nice, I guess.”

  Delilah eyed her. “You look tired. How was your day in town?”

  “I shopped.” Scarlett grinned. “That’s one of my favorite activities. And Vivian was pleasant. She has a lot of interesting stories. No one else could get a word in, but I actually enjoyed myself just listening. I think Hal did too, even if he’d already heard the stories a thousand times.”

  “Vivian can be fun sometimes,” Delilah allowed. “As long as the focus is all on her.”

  “I’ll remember that.” Stifling a yawn with her hand, Scarlett shrugged. “You know, I think I might turn in early myself, after watching a little TV to help me relax. All that shopping can wear a girl out.”

  “I imagine so.” Delilah grinned. “I’m just going to do some food prep for tomorrow morning and then I’ll be taking off.”

  “Do you need any help?”

  “Nope. You go on and get your rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Any other time, Scarlett might have insisted on helping. But she really was tired and Hal had been kind enough to put a decent size TV in her room.

  Changing into her comfy pajamas, she scrubbed off her makeup and brushed her teeth. Before climbing into bed, she hung up her new outfits.

  She barely watched a two-hour crime drama before dozing off. She slept deeply and well, waking shortly after sunrise feeling restored and refreshed.

  In the morning, after her shower, she dried her hair and expertly applied her makeup. Then she put on another one of her favorite dresses, a lovely bright yellow color that always made her feel cheerful. This time for shoes she chose a comfy pair of wedge heels.

  After heading into the kitchen, she made a pot of coffee and checked the fridge to see what Delilah had prepped for breakfast. Scarlett got a kick out of making Hal’s morning fare.

  Inside the refrigerator, she found baggies of chopped tomatoes, onion and shredded cheese next to a package of corn tortillas. Delilah had left a note—Scramble some eggs and make breakfast tacos. Hal loves them.

  “So do I,” Scarlett said out loud. Maybe making one of Hal’s favorite foods might entice him to eat. She fixed herself a cup of strong coffee and got busy scrambling eggs to fry later.

  Hal wheeled himself into the kitchen just as she was setting up the cast-iron skillet on the stove. “Good morning,” he said, eyeing the coffee with bleary eyes.

  “Let me get you a cup,” Scarlett said. “There’s nothing better in the morning.”

  Once she had him situated at the table, cup of coffee at his right, newspaper in front of him, she got busy making their breakfast. She went ahead and made him a plate, ladling scrambled eggs and sausage onto two corn tortillas. She placed this in front of him, along with the cut-up tomatoes and onion, picante sauce and shredded cheese.

  “Wow,” Hal said, making no move to touch his food. “I can’t remember the last time I had this.”

  After making her own plate, she sat down across from him. “It’s not exactly a breakfast staple in Georgia either. But it smells great, so let’s dig in.” She stared at him until he finally dropped a bit of cheese on one of his tacos and picked it up to take a bite.

  When he took another, she relaxed enough to doctor up hers.

  They were delicious. Keeping an eye on Hal, who chewed slowly but continued to take small bites out of his first taco, she devoured her two and considered making herself another. Only the possibility that someone else might stop by for breakfast kept her from doing that.

  Hal put his taco down before finishing it. He looked across the table at Scarlett and shook his head. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I tried. But that’s all my stomach can handle.”

  No wonder he appeared to be wasting away. He barely ate anything.

  “Are you sure?” she asked, letting her worry color her voice. “Could you at least try to finish one?”

  “I’ll get sick. I already feel queasy.” He slid his plate toward her. “You go ahead and take the other one. I didn’t even touch it.” Taking one final sip of his coffee, he wheeled himself into the living room and turned on the TV.

  Feeling defeated, Scarlett cleaned up the table, refrigerating the remaining scrambled eggs along with everything else, just in case someone else showed up.

  Someone else. Who was she kidding? Travis. She kept hoping he’d come by before starting his workday. She really wanted to ask him about the kiss.

  When Delilah arrived, Hal had fallen asleep in front of the TV and Scarlett was nursing her second cup of coffee.

  “Did he eat?” Delilah asked.

  Shaking her head, Scarlett admitted defeat. “I honestly tried. There are leftovers in the fridge if you want to heat them up.”

  “Thanks.” Looking over at Hal, Delilah frowned. “I swear he’s getting weaker by the day. He’s got to eat. Did Vivian bring his vitamin smoothie yet?”

  “No, not yet.”

  “She’ll be along sooner or later.” Delilah glanced at her watch. “This is still early for her.”

  Scarlett grimaced. “I’ll make sure to stay out of her way. In the meantime, is there anything I can do to help you? I’m at a bit of a loss to keep myself busy. I’m not used to sitting around doing nothing.”

  “Well...” Delilah thought for a moment. “Would you mind grabbing the mail for me?” she asked. “I didn’t get it yesterday and completely forgot to stop at the mailbox when I drove in this morning. If not, I can ask Vivian to bring it when she comes.”

  “I can do it. Where’s the mailbox?”

  “At the end of the driveway. It’s a bit of a walk and my knee is bothering me.”

  “No problem at all.” Relieved to have something to do, even something so minor, Scarlett glanced down at her cute wedge heels and grimaced. “Though I think I’ll put on something more suited for walking. I brought my favorite pair
of Asics, plus yesterday I purchased a pair of boots.”

  In her room, she switched out her heels for the sneakers and then headed down the drive with a jaunty step. Once, she’d used to jog for exercise. Maybe she’d take it up again. Out here in the country would be the perfect place.

  Outside, the air felt clean and fresh. With the sun shining, birds singing, and the trees and grass so green, she felt like singing. Instead, she walked at a brisk pace down the long drive.

  The mailbox was crammed full of mail, making her wonder how long it had been since anyone bothered to empty it. As she pulled envelopes and advertisements out, a large, white envelope caught her eye.

  Scrawled on the front in black Sharpie was her name. Just Scarlett. Nothing else, no stamps or address.

  Trepidation running through her, she glanced around, almost expecting some shadowy figure to magically appear. But other than the cows grazing in the nearby pasture, she remained alone.

  She stuffed the envelope in with the rest of the mail and headed back toward the house.

  Once there, she took everything into the kitchen and dumped it on the counter. Then she withdrew the white envelope and stared at it.

  Delilah came over. “What’s wrong? You look like you saw a rattlesnake or something.”

  “This was in with the mail.” Scarlett held up the envelope. “I have no idea who it’s from.”

  Shaking her head, Delilah sighed. “Why assume it’s something bad? Maybe some folks just want to welcome you to Anniversary.”

  “I don’t know...”

  “Well, open it then. You won’t know until you do.” Opening one of the cabinet drawers, Delilah slid a letter opener across the counter.

  Unable to explain or rationalize her sense of foreboding, Scarlett realized the other woman was right. She used the letter opener to slit under the seal.

  Inside, she found one single sheet of paper. As she withdrew it, she realized her trepidation had been well-founded. Four words, formed of a mishmash of letters that had been cut and pasted from magazines.

  GO HOME! OR ELSE!

  “Or else what?” Delilah made a tsk-tsk sound. “What kind of fool would do something like that?”

  Shocked, all Scarlett could do was shake her head.

  “Not only that,” Delilah continued. “Why not just use a printer? Why go through all the trouble of trying to make this look like an old-school type of threat?”

  Again, Scarlett had no answer. “I just don’t understand. Ever since I arrived, people have been acting weird. Starting with Travis, who treats me like I’m out to hurt Hal. And Vivian’s initial reaction was similar, though she seemed to warm up quite a bit yesterday. The thing is, I have no idea why?”

  “Well...” Glancing around as if to make sure no one else was listening, Delilah leaned in. “Apparently, Wave Oil Company believes there’s oil on this land. They’ve been making more and more outrageous offers, trying to get Mr. Hal to let them drill. Both Hal and Travis are against it. Vivian, her boyfriend, Frank, and Amber are all for it.”

  “Okay, that’s interesting. But what does that have to do with me?”

  Instead of answering, Delilah gave her a minute to think about the answer.

  “They believe I’m working with the oil company?” Scarlett guessed. “Or at least Travis might.”

  “Exactly. I think that’s part of it, I’m sure. I’d also venture a guess that Travis and Vivian both worry that you got wind of possible oil money and that’s why you showed up here.”

  Scarlett let her mouth drop open. “Are you serious?”

  “Well, it’s only a guess. No one has come out and actually said that, at least to me. But it’s the only explanation that makes sense.”

  Scarlett studied the letter again. “What about this? Surely you don’t think Travis or Vivian sent it?”

  “No. Neither of them would do something like that. Travis is an honest man. He’d sooner speak his thoughts out loud to your face than do something crazy like send a vague threat made up out of cutout letters.”

  “What about Vivian?” Scarlett frowned. “She really seemed to warm up to me yesterday.”

  “Vivian would also have no problem with saying her feelings directly to you. She’s not the type to send a threatening letter.”

  “I met someone named Kendra in town. She said she was Travis’s ex. She wanted me to give him a message to call her, which I haven’t since I haven’t seen him. Is she the jealous type?”

  “Kendra?” Delilah made a face. “She was before my time, so I’ve never met her. But from what I hear, she wouldn’t have any reason to be jealous of anyone. Plus, since she found you, I think if she had something hateful to say, she’d say it in person.”

  “Then who?”

  They both stared at each other.

  “I don’t know,” Delilah finally said. “Show it to Travis the next time you see him. But for pity’s sake, don’t let Mr. Hal find out about it.”

  Scarlett agreed. She slid the paper back into the envelope. “I’m going to put this in my room. And then, I think I’ll change into my jeans and go for a walk. Getting some fresh air might help clear my head.”

  Even though she preferred to wash new clothes before wearing them, this time Scarlett decided to make an exception. The new jeans were soft and fit like a glove. Though the boots had a slight heel, it was nothing like her stilettos, so would be much more suited for a walk on the ranch roads.

  She debated wearing the new cowboy hat, but decided to wear her old favorite Atlanta Braves baseball cap instead. Pulling her hair back into a ponytail, she surveyed herself in the mirror. Much better suited to the HG Ranch lifestyle. In fact, she knew she would have fit in better walking around Anniversary if she’d worn something like this instead of what her mother used to call her Sunday best.

  Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, she told Delilah goodbye and set off. The odd letter had her amped up.

  Out in front of the old Victorian house, she stepped off the front porch and tried to decide which way to go. Of course, she’d have to walk down the long driveway to the mailbox again, but once there she had her choice of directions.

  When she reached the mailbox, she refused to allow that stupid letter to make her afraid. After all, it hadn’t actually contained a specific threat. And, since very few people knew she was here, she figured maybe it might be possible Vivian was playing some sort of prank. Despite what Delilah had said, Scarlett could see Vivian enjoying the drama something like the letter would cause.

  Which was why Scarlett knew she’d be keeping it quiet. Sure, she’d probably mention it to Travis, but only him. And even then, she figured she’d ask him not to say anything about it to anyone else.

  Where the driveway met the dirt road, she chose to go right. Even though she remembered that was the way toward the ranch foreman’s house—Travis, Vivian, Amber and Will—she also recalled seeing another road branching off between two fenced pastures. She’d take that way. Maybe she’d even see some horses or cows or goats. Any kind of cute animal would do.

  * * *

  After a solitary breakfast, Travis went to the barn and saddled up his horse. He’d felt a bit weird, skipping out on Hal, but now that Scarlett was there, he’d wanted to give them a bit of privacy. And truth be told, he needed some distance from her as well. The constant pull of attraction warring with distrust made him uneasy.

  The early morning sunshine and warm air felt more reminiscent of spring rather than early fall, but considering sometimes October had a heat wave, he’d take it. Here in East Texas, the leaves were still green and wouldn’t even begin to turn until they’d had at least one good cold snap. Travis loved this time of the year. No longer the smoldering heat of July, August and September, the more comfortable temperatures made working outside much more pleasant.

  Today he planned to ride th
e perimeter of the pastures closest to the barns. Every fall before winter, they brought the cattle in from the more remote locations. He needed to personally inspect miles of fence and make note of any needed repairs.

  He took care of the western pastures first. Tedious work, but he got it done in only a few hours. Even his horse appeared to be enjoying the day. Next, he would ride the eastern acreage. Hopefully he would finish before lunch.

  When he reached the crossroads, he turned right. Ahead, he saw someone walking alone and frowned. As he drew closer, he realized it was Scarlett. Her long, dark hair had been pulled back in a ponytail and she wore an Atlanta Braves baseball cap. Even more astonishing, instead of a dress and heels, she wore jeans and...boots?

  This area just happened to be where the oil company wanted to put their first well. Coincidence? He had to wonder.

  She must have been lost in pretty deep thought because he got pretty close before the sound of his horse’s hooves registered. Spinning around, she eyed him in silence before finally reluctantly smiling.

  “Naturally,” she said, her gaze sweeping over him. “You look like you were born to be in the saddle.”

  Though she probably didn’t realize it, she’d just given him one of the highest compliments possible. “Thank you,” he replied, touching the brim of his hat. “Are you feeling faint or something?”

  “Of course not,” she scoffed. “Back home, I try to hit the gym at least three or four times a week. Since I didn’t see a gym in Anniversary, I figured I could at least start walking. Though,” she said, glancing down at her feet, “I’d have done better leaving my sneakers on instead of wearing a brand-new pair of boots. I think I’m getting heel blisters.”

  “We have a gym,” he said. “It’s not on Main Street, though. I was just there last night.”