A Helluva Holiday Read online

  “I like the way he thinks. I’m glad you told me.” Carol didn’t know how much Kay knew about the problem at the ranch, so she began at the beginning and brought her up to date. “Clay hasn’t said much about Nate except they were in the Navy together.”

  “It must be some kind of code. They talk to each other, but they don’t discuss their missions with anyone else. Here’s one of the partners, Marcus Ricci.”

  The big man nodded as he walked down the hall. A beautiful black and brown dog with a shock of white around his neck trotted just behind him.

  “Hello, I’m Marcus Ricci,” he said stopping across from Carol. “You would be Carol Penny?”

  She nodded admiring both the man and his animal, as both were quiet attractive. “That’s correct. Your dog is beautiful.”

  “Thanks. I thought I’d come in first and introduce you to Diablo.”

  Carol chuckled. “Diablo?”

  The dog’s ears turned and pointed at her.

  “Hold out your hand palm down.”

  She did as instructed.

  “Go ahead.” Marcus pointed at her hand and the dog walked to her. He sniffed and then licked her hand. “You can pet him.”

  She leaned down, buried her hands in the thick fur around his neck, and scratched. “Aren’t you a sweetheart?”

  Chapter 5

  Clay followed Nate inside, where he introduced his wife Kay. A man stood and extended his hand. Clay liked the firm handshake from Marcus Ricci. A dog sat next to the man’s right foot.

  “That a good looking animal.” Clay held the back of his hand down so the dog could smell him.

  “Thanks. He’s a great companion.”

  Nate bent down and ruffled the dog’s fur. “Can you believe he’s a trained killer?”

  “Not anymore. Those days a long gone from his memory,” Marcus corrected Nate. “Although, we don’t speak Spanish around him.”

  Kay stood. “Carol and I are going to put Kevin to bed. We’ll be right back.”

  Cradling the infant in her arms, Carol followed Kay into the hall and up the stairs. A strange wave of heat slammed into Clay. The serene look on her face and the baby’s planted a picture in his mind he’d carry forever.

  “We live upstairs,” Nate said.

  “I live over my business, but I’m guessing my efficiency is slightly smaller than your living quarters.”

  Nate took out his phone and tapped a message. “Dalton and Tank are at the firing range. They’re joining us.”

  In less than five minutes, two more of Nate’s team joined them; leaving Clay to believe the range had to be on the property. Nate introduced Dalton Murphy and Tank Jorgenson.

  “Is it this cold in your part of Texas?” Dalton asked, pulling off a jacket.

  “This winter has been the worst I can remember. We’re further south than you guys, but Mother Nature hasn’t spared us this year.”

  “As long as it doesn’t snow, I’m okay with winter,” Carol said. She walked around the table and sat next to Clay.

  “Who wants to start?” Nate asked.

  Clay slid his hand under the table and clasped Carol’s hand. “Why don’t you tell them about yesterday?”

  The linebacker sized man called Tank stood and leaned against the wall, as Carol recounted Pete’s condition and the walk back to the barn. His jaw muscle noticeably twitched as she talked.

  “To do that to a helpless animal takes the lowest scum of mankind,” Tank said.

  Nate smiled at the man’s outburst. “Tank’s family raises horses too.”

  “You’re right,” Carol agreed. “Somebody either knows about horses or did some research to learn that nightshade plants can be poisonous to them. We’re lucky I found Pete in time.”

  “Did you report it?” Tank had pulled out a chair, turned it around, and straddled it.

  “Of course. By the time the sheriff arrived, my pasture was on fire.”

  “How much was damaged?” Nate asked.

  “Just dry grass, but the fire chief doesn’t think he’ll be able to determine the cause.”

  “Any lightning strikes around that time?” Marcus asked.

  “None.”

  Nate raked his fingers through his hair. “Is everyone thinking what I’m thinking?”

  “Road trip,” Dalton said. “We’ll need the name of a motel.”

  “Clay offered me his parking lot as a temporary spot for the motor home.” Nate glanced at his wife. “Kay and the baby are coming with me.”

  “Then you, Kay, and Kevin will stay at the ranch.” Carol held up her hand. “Don’t argue. There are two extra bedrooms and a second bathroom that only have the doors opened when someone goes in to dust. The baby will be more comfortable there.”

  “Then we could use the motor home as an office,” Marcus said.

  “And you can park it on the slab that my dad used for his boat.” Carol pinned Nate with a stare. “It’s yours for as long as you need it.”

  Nate’s gaze travelled the room, pausing on Tank, Dalton, Marcus, and then his wife. “Then it’s settled. We’re going to Eden Rock.”

  Clay had to speak up. “All of you? Who’s going to stay here?”

  “I have a few new staff members who will welcome the responsibility. Three recently mustered out and have already volunteered to man the fort for Christmas.” Nate turned to Marcus. “We’ll leave Reed in charge.”

  Kay Wolfe leaned around her husband and looked directly at Carol. “Are you sure you want this many people on your property at one time. After all, we’re strangers.”

  “My sister is two years older than I am and would take me to task if you didn’t accept my offer. Besides, the ranch is at least twenty minutes from the nearest motel and Clay’s clinic. If you set up home base at the clinic, we could be dead before you could get to us.”

  “Nobody dies on our watch,” Nate said. “Let the sheriff know you’ve hired us. Tell him we’re not there to cause him grief, but we will be trying to find out who is responsible for the poison and the fire. We’ll square up a couple of things here and be on our way.”

  ****

  Carol had been quiet for most of the drive back to Eden Rock. She'd slipped on dark sunglasses, making it hard for Clay to tell if she’d dozed off or was simply deep in thought. She shifted in the passenger seat, turning her head his direction.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “It is a lot of different things. One being finances. I went over the ranch books the other morning. We’re in good shape, and I’ve decided to pay Sue Ellen for her part of the ranch. The bill for Nate and his crew could get expensive.”

  “You let me worry about that.”

  “No. I didn’t come home to find a man to take care of me. I pay my bills with my money.”

  “I’m here if you need me.”

  “Thank you. Having your help and support is the only thing holding me together. I have moments where I wish we’d just signed the contract and walked away, but then I think of the damage that bastard does with his drugs, and I know we did the right thing.”

  Clay dropped the subject. He pulled into the Four Penny and surveyed the grounds as well as he could in the dark. Sue Ellen had left all the outside lights on, which helped him get a good visual on the place. That somebody had gotten close enough to try to kill the horses and then had set fire to the pasture had his nerves on high alert.

  Sue Ellen stepped out on the front porch as he parked. She was very much like Carol, yet very different. Both were beautiful women, but years ago, Sue Ellen had planted her roots in the country while Carol couldn’t wait to get away from small town life. Now the two women seemed to have reversed themselves. Would she stick around? Could she? Seeing her holding the sleeping baby, swaying and whispering soft words had made him realize how much he wanted her to stay. Most of all, it had to be her choice made with no reservations, or it wouldn’t work.

  “You go bring Sue Ellen up to date. I’ll check on Pete and then head
home.”

  She reached out and caught his arm, leaned over and kissed him. “Thank you. We’d never get through this without you.”

  He waved at Sue Ellen and waited until both were inside before driving to the barn and satisfying himself that Pete was fine. Had Carol just told him he was the best friend ever? That was the last thing he wanted to be.

  The clinic was dark when he parked around back. He unlocked the rear door, entered and walked through the one place where he felt at peace. Milly had left two folders on his desk, and he paused to read them before he walked into the small room where the sick or injured stayed if they couldn’t be treated and sent home.

  The cage that he’d placed the older dog in was empty. A smiley face had been drawn on yellow sticky note and stuck to the door. Dancer had gone home with Milly.

  Clay had worked for her right here in the same building when he’d been a teenager. It was through watching her and the way she treated her patients that he knew his calling was to care for and help heal animals.

  His experience in the military had left him suspicious of his fellow man, and the animals had helped him let loose of that distrust. He checked on the two new patients, made a note in their folders, and returned them to his desk.

  Unlike the Lost and Found setup that had access to the living quarters from indoors, Clay had to go back outside and climb the stairs to get inside his home. He took the steps two at a time, unlocked the door, and went inside. The quiet washed over him. He welcomed it, needed the time to think.

  He showered, grabbed a towel to dry off, and caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. When had he last shaved? He took care of that before he crawled between the sheets. He turned on the television, propped up on a couple of pillows, and watched the weather. It was the same story he’d heard on the radio. He hit the off button, hoping the only thing the weather brought tomorrow was the wind.

  Apparently, he’d let his hormones do his thinking. Why else would he have let his hopes and expectations about Carol go down the same dead end road? She wasn’t in the right place to make a decision about their relationship. Her life was in enough upheaval without him pushing too hard.

  ****

  Sue Ellen reminded Carol of their mother more every single day. The news that three houseguests would be there in two days had prompted an entire house scrub down. They had stripped the beds, laundered the linen, remade the beds, dusted, and sterilized everything that a child might touch. Those chores had been completed yesterday. Currently, Sue Ellen stood eyeing the Christmas tree.

  “Do you think we should move all the tree ornaments up higher?”

  “I don’t. The Wolfe’s had decorations out too. We’ll place a few books on the end tables and move the breakables to the shelves. Kay said Kevin can pull himself up and stand, but as long as he doesn’t turn loose, he can’t do much harm.”

  “Fine.” Sue Ellen picked up her cleaning tray. “I’ll finish the bathroom. Did you get a couple of racks of ribs from the freezer like I asked?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Carol curtsied. “I’m sure they’re thawed by now. Would you like me to prep them?”

  “It’s that or the bathroom.”

  “You have to stop cleaning. They’ll be here soon.”

  If it hadn’t been for the circumstances, Carol would have been thrilled to see her sister so excited. She hoped with all her heart that Sue Ellen’s move to the city would result in her finding somebody who would make her happy.

  After trimming the ribs and rubbing the family’s secret formula on all sides, Carol covered them with foil and put them in the refrigerator. Then she bundled up and walked to the barn. Most of the horses had put on thick winter coats and were in the south pasture, where the line of trees offered a wind break. Pete, Rosie and the filly, plus two mares due to foal around the first of the year, were kept in the barn. She checked on them, grabbed a small hatchet, and walked down to the large watering trough in the back pasture. She lifted the blade over her head and dropped it against the thin coat of ice, breaking it up so the horses could get a drink. Her hands were getting numb by the time she hurried back indoors.

  “Come stand by the fire.” Sue Ellen removed her rubber gloves and stored the cleaning tray under the sink. She wrapped her arm around Carol’s shoulder and led her to the living room.

  “I wasn’t going to stay out very long. My initial plan was to check on the mares.”

  “Dan was going to put cameras over the birthing stalls so they’d be easy to monitor from inside the house. He just never got around to it.” Sue Ellen’s reference to her dead husband had wiped the good cheer right off her face.

  Carol hugged her. “Once you start your new teaching job, your days will be full all the time.”

  Sue Ellen nodded. “I think so too. But I’m not convinced leaving you here alone is the right thing to do.”

  “Bull. I’ll keep your part time men busy. Just call me before you come home because the house may not look like it does right now.”

  Sue Ellen checked her watch. “The smoker should be about right. The ribs won’t be ready until supper tomorrow, but we’ll figure out something to feed them tonight.” She took the ribs outside and was back in minutes.

  The sound of an engine drew them to the front door. A motor home followed by two four-door pickups eased slowly down the driveway. Carol and Sue Ellen put on their coats and went out to greet them. The driver of the huge RV drove past the house straight to the pad their dad had used for his bass boat. He turned around and backed the vehicle up as if he did it all the time.

  The door on the first pickup opened. “That’s Kay Wolfe,” said Carol. “Let’s help her with Kevin.” Kay had her back to them, unhooking the child from his car seat when they reached her. “Let me,” Carol said.

  “Thank you.” Kay handed Kevin over and introduced herself. “You must be Sue Ellen. I can’t help but believe we’re imposing. That you are welcoming strangers and a baby into your home is too kind.”

  “Nonsense,” Sue Ellen said. “It’s the least we can do. Y’all go inside and I’ll stay here in case the men need something.”

  Carol pulled Kevin’s hat down over his ears and tickled him under the chin. He grinned showing a brand new tooth. “I see something new in your mouth. How many teeth do you have?”

  “Two on the top and two on the bottom. The bottom ones have barely broken through.” Kay shifted the diaper bag from one shoulder to the other. “I always over pack.”

  Carol showed Kay their rooms and bath. “Kevin and I are going to inspect the tree. Please, make yourself at home.”

  She and the little boy checked out all the decorations and then went to look out the window. The horses would be up for feeding time soon and she hoped one or more had arrived early. She glanced out and saw that Sue Ellen was giving the four men a guided tour. The one called Tank and her sister were both talking a mile a minute.

  Carol pulled back the curtain and hooked it so they could watch. Soon Dalton and Tank got into one of the trucks and left. Marcus and Nate followed Sue Ellen to the house.

  Sue Ellen led them into the kitchen, hanging their coat on the horseshoe rack next to the door. “Come to the living room by the fire.”

  “Dada,” Kevin squealed, holding his arms out.

  “I’ll take him.” Nate slipped his hands under Kevin’s arms.

  “We’re going to love having a baby in the house.”

  Nate chuckled. “You say that now. Is that electrical plug next to the pad where I parked the motor home still hot?”

  “Yes. Dad used it to charge the boats batteries. Flip open the metal box, it’s not locked. I heard one of your vehicles leave.”

  “Dalton and Tank have reservations at a motel in town. They’ll stop by and visit with the sheriff in the morning. Just as a courtesy to let him know that we’re at your ranch.”

  “He’s a good man, and he’ll be happy you’re here. Too bad your men left before supper.” Sue Ellen looked at Marcus. �
�You’re staying?”

  “In the motor home,” Marcus said. “It’s our central command away from home. We have Wi-Fi, a computer to gather information and share any new intel. It just allows us to stay in touch.”

  “If the heater in that thing doesn’t keep you warm, you come inside. I’m betting the baby will sleep in the room with mom and dad, which means we have an empty bedroom,” Sue Ellen said.

  Marcus smiled. “Diablo will keep me warm.”

  “Where is he?” Carol asked.

  “In the motor home. We left it running, so I’d better get out there and get the electricity plugged in.” Marcus stopped at the door. “But thank you. We’ll be fine. Really.”

  “Then if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to see about supper. It will be simple tonight. Tomorrow, ribs, potatoes salad, and pinto beans.”

  “You feed Tank like that and he might never leave.” Kay joined them, taking Kevin from his dad. “You’d better help Marcus.”

  Nate kissed the baby’s forehead and went outside.

  “I hate to sound ungrateful, but why four men? It’s not like we’re under siege,” Sue Ellen asked.

  “But you are,” Kay said following Carol and Sue Ellen to the kitchen. “You’ve had an attack on your animals and on your property? One of the men will be awake and on guard twenty-four-seven for the next few days. In the meantime, they’ll be looking for a way to send Carlos Vega to jail or at least running for the hills.”