A Helluva Holiday Read online

  He cocked his head, lifted an eyebrow, and remained silent.

  “I get it,” she said. “In the true sense of the word, it will still be functioning, just not as a horse ranch.”

  “Sorry, but it’s true.”

  Carol nodded. “I should have read over every piece of paper Sue Ellen sent me better than I did. Believe me. I will tonight. I’d really like to know why this company lied.”

  “Maybe they thought she wouldn’t sell under any other conditions. There are at least four other places for sale in this area and one is located right on the highway.”

  “Then they don’t need this particular ranch.” Carol’s stomach rolled. She’d believed a lie recently and had lost her job because of it. “I don’t like liars.”

  “Me either.” Clay dragged his fingers through his thick dark hair.

  “There has to be a way out of the sale.”

  “If you’re serious, I have an old Navy buddy who might help. He can look into the company. Maybe figure out why they want this particular property bad enough to lie.”

  “During the holiday season? He would do that?”

  “I can ask.”

  “Then let’s do it. I’ll deal with the lawyer.”

  “I’ll call my friend first thing in the morning.”

  The words hadn’t left Clay’s mouth before it hit her. “Wait, I can’t do that to Sue Ellen. She’s accepted a teaching position and is expected in Waco right after the holidays.”

  “You can manage the ranch until you find the right buyer.” Clay started walking to the house.

  “What? Are you crazy?”

  He looked over his shoulder. “Not even a little bit.”

  Carol followed Clay down the path past the feed and equipment barn to the main house. His walk was that of a man who knew his goal and purpose. She was grateful that he hadn’t asked why she was interviewing for a new position.

  Clay wiped his boots on the mat and then held open the back door for her. “Let Sue Ellen tell you herself.”

  Carol nodded and stepped into the kitchen/dining room. Instantly, she was surrounded by warmth. From the soft beige walls to the bright curtains to the oversized table that would seat eight. As if there had ever been eight in their tiny family. The original plan had been to have an even half-dozen kids in the Penny family, but that never happened.

  The aroma of coffee and something baking wafted around the room like welcoming hugs. She swallowed back a tear, realizing just how much she’d missed this place.

  “Blueberry muffins will be ready in ten minutes. You two get a cup of coffee, sit, and catch up.” Sue Ellen looked so much like their mother that Carol again blinked away a tear.

  Clay filled his cup and blew across the top of the hot liquid. “I’m going to make one last stop to check on Rosie and the filly before I head home. It’s you two who need to catch up. I’ll drop this cup off tomorrow.”

  Sue Ellen nodded as she bent down to check on her muffins. “Thanks for coming.”

  “You bet. Call if you have any problems.”

  “I’ll walk you out.” Wanting just a few more minutes near him, Carol followed him out on the porch.

  He stopped on the bottom step and turned around. His gaze met hers at eye level. Carol felt the zing of heat ricochet through her body all the way to her toes. For a long second they simply stood in the moonlight in silence.

  “I am glad I got to see you.” Her hands remained at her sides even though she wanted to reach out and touch his face.

  “Are you?”

  “You know I am.”

  “Then you should go back inside.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Because I’m going to kiss you if you don’t.”

  Was he joking? Did he feel the immediate pull as much as she did? “Really?”

  He moved up a step. “Really.”

  “Drive safely.” She turned and almost ran back inside. Clay laughed as she hurried away. The sound was challenging and charming and full of promises. She closed the door quickly.

  “What’s he laughing about?” Sue Ellen asked.

  “I have no idea,” Carol lied, hoping the heat in her face wasn’t noticeable. She got the butter from the fridge, pulled two small plates from the cabinet, and joined her sister at the breakfast bar. “We do need to talk.”

  Sue Ellen’s sigh was audible. “He told you. I was going to as soon as you arrived but then Rosie went into labor. I heard what the buyers planned to do to the property, so I confronted the attorney handling the sale. He was upset and demanded to know my source, but I refused. It really pissed me off that he seemed to know the truth all along.”

  “Then we’ll stop them. Let’s go over the contract.”

  Tears slid down her sister’s face. Tall, with sun-streaked brown hair, she’d always been the pretty one in the family. Tonight, she looked tired and worn. She and her husband had put a lot of work into this ranch before he died. Losing him had been hard on Sue Ellen.

  “I’m tired, Carol Ann. Without Dan, my heart is just not here anymore. I see him around every corner. As much as I hate what will happen to the ranch, I can’t give up my new job to stay here until we find a new buyer.”

  Carol pulled her sister into her arms. “We’ll do whatever you want. I really don’t have a claim on this ranch. You and Dan finished the dream that Mom and Dad started.”

  “That’s foolish,” Sue Ellen insisted. “This is your home, too.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. This is my fault. I can’t look at the pasture without envisioning what it will look like in a few months.”

  They were startled to hear a quick tap on the door; then Clay stepped back inside. “Sorry. I have a question.”

  “Come in.” Carol pushed the plate of muffins toward an empty chair. “We’re talking about how to stop the sale.”

  Clay joined them but passed on the food. “What real estate company is handling the sale? And what’s the name of the buyer?”

  “It’s not a real estate deal. We’re selling the ranch as a business. Our lawyer said they contacted him with an interest in buying the ranch business and all its assets, which entails the horses, land, trucks, four wheelers, horse trailers, and tractor, everything down to the posthole digger. I guess that’s why I believed Vega Industries intended to keep their word.”

  The buyer’s name sent chills up Carol’s arms. How had she missed that? She glanced at Clay. His deep frown told her he’d picked up on the name too.

  “Who handled the sale for you?” Clay said.

  “Rick Henley. He’s a new attorney in town.”

  “He approached you, right?” Clay asked.

  “Yes. He said he’d heard that Carol and I wanted to sell the ranch to someone who would keep it going. The last thing we want is for the place to become neglected and the horses left to fend for themselves. Rick explained that since this was a business sale, the attorneys for each party would hammer out the deal and write up the contract. Rick would speak for me and then he’d negotiate with the Vega Industries attorney. All Carol and I had to do was to accept or reject the offer.”

  “Vega Industries?” Clay’s tone had gone harsh. “Carlos Vega?”

  Sue Ellen’s face paled. “You don’t think? Oh crap. Surely it’s not the Carlos Vega who owns this company?”

  “I don’t know, but Carol has asked me to look into the company.”

  Carol could only nod. A heavy weight had settled on her shoulders. If she’d done her due diligence, she and Sue Ellen could have shut off negotiations before they started.

  “I’ll see you ladies tomorrow.” He nodded his understanding when Carol didn’t offer to walk him out.

  “I didn’t bring my copies with me.”

  “I’ll get you mine.” Sue Ellen left the room.

  Guilt swamped Carol. She’d been selfish, caught up in her own life, and she’d left her sister spinning in the wind.

  Sue Ellen returned with a large manila folder
. “Here’s my copy of all the communications, every email, and plus the formal offer.” She was pale and exhausted. “I’m sick that I didn’t connect the name.”

  “Don’t do that. I’m the one who should have picked up on it. You get some rest. We’ll catch up in the morning. I’m still wide awake from the drive, and I’ve got some reading to do.” Carol hugged her sister, went to her bedroom, and opened the folder. Shame for not studying her copies more carefully put knots in Carol’s stomach as she read and reread the documents.

  ****

  Carol woke with a sore neck. The pages had dropped from her hand and were scattered across the bed. She placed everything back in the folder, went to the kitchen, and then put on a pot of coffee. The clock read four-thirty but there was no way she could go back to sleep. It was too early to call her attorney friend, so she got her suitcase out of the trunk of her car, and then showered.

  Dressed in jeans, a sweatshirt and tennis shoes, she took a mug from the cabinet, filled it, and then went out to greet the morning. A chill rushed over her as she walked off the porch and into the wind. This winter was proving to be particularly harsh by Texas standards, dropping the temperature to numbers usually not seen in December, especially this far south.

  Stars filled the cloudless sky, but offered little illumination on her walk to the barn. Once inside, she decided against the flood lights, settling instead for a single row of overhead blubs.

  The quiet did nothing to unscramble the thoughts running through her mind. Days of her youth played through her brain as she walked and remembered the first time she’d witnessed the birth of a foal—in this very barn.

  Her parents had held true to their word, waking her and Sue Ellen in the middle of the night to witness the miracle of nature. Excited beyond words, she and her sister had run to the barn still in their pajamas, holding on to their mother as the baby came. Their father gave them old towels and allowed them to help dry off the small colt.

  Carol sat on a bale of hay. The possibility of a new future began to take shape in her mind. Had fate sent her home just for Christmas? Or had she come home for good? Could she do it? Did she even want to? She’d wanted to get out of Eden Rock and into the big city so badly, but had she ever been truly happy? Had she subconsciously wanted to be fired?

  A strange peace filled her heart as she looked around the barn. Hadn’t her father always said the Penny family’s roots were planted firmly here, just outside of Eden Rock? Her bank account was in good shape; maybe she’d been sent home to buy Sue Ellen’s half. So many questions flooded her mind, not the least of which was the impact of seeing Clay.

  Carol stood, walked to the small office in the far corner, pushed open the door, and stepped inside. Its appearance had changed over time, evolving from her father’s, then her brother-in-law’s confusing stacks of paperwork, to reflect Sue Ellen’s more feminine domain. Family pictures decorated the single shelf and a stack of romance novels sat on top of the file cabinet. She sat at the desk and thought about Carlos Vega. He was beyond horrible.

  Whether it was the despicable Carlos Vega or an entirely different person really didn’t matter. The sale would not be finalized.

  Chapter 2

  Clay’s night had been a long one. After seeing Carol at the Four Penny Horse Ranch, he’d gone home, showered, tried to catch a few hours shuteye. He should have known that wasn’t going to happen. The name Carlos Vega had set his mental alarm bells ringing. That and the way Carol’s eyes flared when he threatened to kiss her had him staring at the ceiling for most of the night.

  He threw on clean jeans, shirt, socks, and a pair of work boots, before heading to his small kitchen area to make a cup of coffee. He filled an oversized cup and then dug through his junk drawer until he found the exact business card he needed. He checked the clock to ensure he had time before his first appointment, and then dialed the number.

  “Lost and Found. How can we help you?”

  A baby cried in the background. “Don’t tell me Wolfe’s Pack has a new member.”

  “Nate’s walking the floor with his son as we speak. Are you a member that’s he’s kept secret?”

  “No ma’am, but I’ve heard a lot about you all. If he can spare a minute, would you tell him Clay Hudson needs to speak with him?”

  “Certainly. Please hold.”

  Clay wondered if Carol might be right. Christmas wasn’t a good time to ask for help, especially since he had a child.

  “Clay,” Nate voice boomed through the line. “How the hell are you?”

  “Great. I’m finally getting my clinic off the ground. Congratulations on the baby.”

  “Thanks. We’re pretty proud of him. Kevin was born in the safe room right here at the compound.”

  “The word ‘compound’ makes me think you’ve done well.”

  “We’ve been fortunate. If you get tired of tending to animals, my offer still stands.”

  “I appreciate that, but I’m happy right here in Eden Rock.”

  “It’s probably grown since I was there with you on leave.”

  “We’re closing in on two-hundred-thousand population.”

  Nate chuckled. “So, is this a social call or do you have a problem?”

  “I have a friend who could use some investigation work done.”

  “How serious is this?”

  “Things are peaceful and I’d like to keep it that way.” Clay explained the situation and that the Penny sisters had decided to not to sell the family ranch. “This company lied to these two women and their entire ranch is about to go away.”

  “This sounds like a job for a good attorney.”

  “I agree, but Carol Penny would like to know exactly who is behind the lies and false promises.”

  “Who is this woman who has your attention?”

  “Actually it’s Sue Ellen and Carol Ann Penny. They’re sisters. I went to school with them.”

  “Wait a minute. That picture that hung in your locker, wasn’t her name Carol?”

  “You have the memory of a Missouri mule, and they never forget. And yes, that the same person.”

  “Okay. We’re in. Give me the name of the company involved, and I’ll start digging right away.”

  “Vega Industries.” A knot formed in Clay’s gut just saying the name.

  “Fuck,” Nate growled.

  “Exactly. If my hunch is right, he’s not going to take a refusal to sell lightly.”

  “We’ll do some digging from here. If this company proves out to be a front for Carlos Vega, he’s going to try to force the sale. I may head to Eden Rock. You got a place for me to stay?”

  “I live over the clinic, but the couch is yours.

  “Is your place large enough to accommodate my motor home?”

  “The parking lot is plenty big. You think it will come to that?”

  “I don’t know, but I like to cover my bases. I need to be home before Christmas. My wife is planning a reunion for the team.”

  “I can’t think of a better place to have a reunion than right here.”

  Nate laughed. “Tell that to my wife.”

  “I’m not sure I can best the woman who got you to walk down the aisle.”

  “I’ll call you back.”

  “Good enough.” Clay rattled off his cell number as he grabbed a power bar, which he ate while he walked down the stairs to his veterinary office.

  He pushed open the door and went inside. As usual, Milly Simpson had already lined up his morning. Milly was semi-retired or so she claimed, but was still one of the best vets around. Her age was a mystery to everyone in town, including Clay. Her hair was the color of snow, and the winter wind couldn’t hold a light to the sharpness of her tongue. There was no doubt that he couldn’t survive without her.

  “It’s about damn time. Mrs. Carthage is in examination room three with that cat of hers again, and she doesn’t wait well.”

  “Who doesn’t, Mrs. Carthage or the cat?”

  Milly’s head lift
ed and so did one of her eyebrows. “Neither. I took the creature’s temp. It’s normal, which is more than I can say for its owner.”

  “Don’t you figure Mrs. Carthage is just lonely? That cat is all she has now.”

  “You’re probably right.” Milly’s eyebrow relaxed as she handed him the file on Allie, which he opened to review. “Why didn’t you finish the examination?”

  “That cat remembers me sewing her up. She doesn’t like me.”

  “Bull. Animals love you. You don’t like Mrs. Carthage.” He laughed.

  “You got me. By the way, a little birdie told me that Carol Ann Penny has come home. What are you going to do to keep her from leaving again?”

  “Nothing.” Clay grabbed his stethoscope and head down the hall.

  “Nothing?” Milly’s words faded as he walked away. It was probably just as well if he couldn’t understand her.

  He knocked and opened the door to take a look at Allie, the cat. “Good morning. What’s going on with Allie?”

  “She’s not eating.”

  Clay took the cat out of her arms and put her on the table. He checked her heartbeat and pulse for strength and quality. Then he gently palpated the stomach. “Is Allie is an outdoor cat?”

  “She goes and comes as she pleases.”

  “And you never had her spayed?” Clay couldn’t help but think he had good news for Mrs. Carthage.

  “She’s pregnant?” Mrs. Carthage stood, picked up her cat, and held her in front of her face. “Babies? We’re going to have babies?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Felt like at least four in there.” He finished his checkup and sent a much happier Mrs. Carthage and her cat on their way.

  The rest of the morning flew by as he treated one after another animal, each with a family that counted on his help. Milly finally closed the door at noon. She’d open again at one o’clock and manage the office while he made his house calls.

  “I brought a large bowl of homemade stew. Want some lunch before you head out?”

  “No thanks.” Clay slipped off the white coat he’d put on earlier and hung it up. She opened her mouth so he paused.

  “Are you stopping by the Four Penny to check on the filly and mare?”