Charlene Sands (6 page)

At the moment he was half owner of the Double H and he’d be damned if he’d allow anyone to foil his plans for revenge. Let Tess think what she would. It didn’t matter whether she believed him or not.

But one thing was for sure: he’d get to the bottom of it.

Clint rose early the next morning and walked over to the smithy’s open shed. The constant smell of smoke, fire and ash put the blacksmith’s work area far away from the house and outer buildings. Gabriel Whorley worked alone and he was new to Clint, though he’d been with the Double H for six years now. Sonny vouched for him, claiming him an expert craftsman. And a good smithy was valuable and as essential to a ranch the size of the Double H as the longhorns themselves.

“Morning, Gabe,” Clint said once he spotted the smithy setting up his tools.

“Oh, morning, Mr. Hayworth.” He walked out of the covered area, squinting into the early sun. Then he grabbed his hat and plopped it onto his head.

Clint scanned the shed and the tools the smithy used, noting that Gabe kept things orderly. “We had some trouble last night. Seems someone poked some big holes in the water tank. Flooded the ground and most the water is gone. Gonna take a while to fill it again. That’s if you can rig up something to repair it.”

Gabe scratched at his dark beard. “I’ve never repaired a tank before. I’ll take a look-see and let you know what I can do. That tank was special-ordered by Mr. Hayworth before I got here. I imagine it’s hard to replace.”

“It is,” Clint agreed.

“Who’d you think would do something like that?”

Clint shook his head. “Don’t know exactly. Did you see or hear anything unusual yesterday? See anyone that didn’t belong on the ranch?”

Gabe thought on it for a second, then shook his head. “No, sir. No one came around here much yesterday. I spent the day making up shoes for Sonny’s horse. He’s about the only one I saw yesterday around here.”

“Okay,” he said, then he walked closer to the smithy’s work area. “Anything missing here from your tools?”

“Missing?” Gabe’s furry brows rose in surprise. He looked around and made a quick assessment. “No, sir. I don’t see anything missing.”

Clint nodded. “Just thinking that someone would need some powerful tools to puncture the tank.”

“An ax would do it.”

Clint shook his head. “No, they weren’t ax marks.”

Gabe stroked his beard again. “I’d best go see what exactly happened.”

Clint walked with him over to the tank, and they marched right through the mud that was slowly beginning to dry up from the sun’s heat.

Gabe noted the puncture marks and made an instant assessment. “Seems they used a long metal pole, pointed at the tip, and hammered at it until it went through. A big metal stake would make a hole that size.”

“You make any metal stakes that size lately?”

“No, sir. I’d have no cause to make a stake that size. Are you accusing me of something, Mr. Hayworth?”

Clint glanced at the man bearing pride and defiance in his eyes. From what he knew about Gabe Whorley, he was a family man. Had a wife and two boys who lived in a nice little house in town. He’d never gotten himself in any trouble, and Clint had no reason to suspect him. “No, Gabe. Just trying to figure out this mystery.”

The man’s stance relaxed and he took off his hat to scratch his head. “Don’t suppose I can figure it either.”

“Do you think there’s anything to be done about it?”

Again Gabe peered up at the water tank and thought for a minute. “I got me a few ideas. Something like a barrel hoop might work. ‘Course, I’ve never made a hoop that size before, but I’ll get to work on it straightaway.”

Clint drew in a breath. “Thanks. Let me know your progress.”

“Yes, sir.”

Gabe headed toward his shed while Clint walked back toward the house. Sonny rode up then and Clint met him by the stables.

“Mornin’, Clint.”

“Sonny,” he said, watching the older man dismount. He was just shy of his father’s age, but Sonny was the picture of health, weathered a bit by hard work on the ranch but as energetic as a man half his age. “We’ve got us a problem.”

After Clint finished explaining about the water tank and his suspicions about Tess’s fall the other day, Sonny took on a serious tone. “Someone’s out to hurt this ranch. But they’re doing it little by little. Sure don’t know what’s to come next.”

“Right. That’s why I think we should post guards around the ranch night and day.”

Sonny’s face registered shock. “Guards?”

“That’s what I said.”

Sonny removed his hat and winced at the sunshine beaming down on him. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“Why the hell not?”

“Why do you care anyhow? You’re fixing to sell off this place if you ever convince Mrs. Hayworth to let you buy her out.”

“I
don’t
care. But what I do with this ranch is going to be on
my
terms, not whoever’s doing this.”

“So you haven’t changed your mind?”

“No, Sonny. I haven’t changed my mind. I’m still planning on breaking up the Hayworth empire, such as it is.”

“You hate your father that much?”

Clint stared at Sonny, bitterness seeping in. Yes, dammit, he still hated his father. All he had to do was think of his mother’s heartache, the way she died, so sad and lonely, and the feelings stirred in his gut like a witch’s unsavory brew. “What do you think about the guards?”

Sonny shook his head. “I think we should wait on that. Armed guards around the ranch will only make the men jumpy. We’ve always watched out for one another. I’ll talk to the men and have them report back if they see anything unusual. But I’m saying no guards on the ranch. Not now.”

Clint stewed on that for a minute. He’d always trusted Sonny’s opinion. “Okay,” he said. “We’ll wait. But you make sure the crew knows to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.”

Sonny nodded and strode off.

Clint headed toward the house with an odd feeling in his gut. He didn’t want any sentimental feelings for the ranch wedging their way inside. The Double H wasn’t his home any longer.

He’d be better off gone from here.

But not before he did what he’d set out to do.

He’d been too dang soft on Tess Hayworth. It was time to put pressure on her to sell out. She’d recovered from her injury, and now he’d meet her on equal terms.

C
lint barged into the study unexpectedly and set Tess’s nerves on edge with his impatient tone. “What’s it gonna take for you to give up the Double H?”

She set her pen down on Hoyt’s solid mahogany desk, closed the payroll books she’d been working on and stared at him. Last night he’d nearly kissed her, and she’d been momentarily tempted. He’d been kind and caring when he’d rescued her out on that field, and for one moment last night she’d remembered how that felt. His hands had been tender on her, his voice soothing. She’d felt safe and protected while she was with him that day; his need to see her safely home had touched her deeply.

There was compassion inside him somewhere, and, sadly, he saved it only for the animals he worked with. Last night she’d fought the temptation when his breath had caressed her face, his mouth hovering so close to hers. She couldn’t trust him. She knew of his plans so she’d prevented the kiss from happening once common sense had taken hold. And now he stood in the study like a bull ready to charge, nostrils flaring, and expecting her to cow to his will.

“Take?”

“I want outta here—the sooner, the better. But you damn well know I can’t leave here until you sell me your half of the ranch.”

Tess rose from her seat and faced him, the desk between them. “You can leave here anytime you’d like.”

He scoffed and drew a deep breath. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

She cast him a polite smile. “You don’t know how much.”

His brows furrowed together and he took on a look of great annoyance. “You want it all, don’t you? But why be saddled with the problems the ranch is having? You’re a beautiful woman. You can make a good life for yourself without all these worries. How much is it going to take, Tess? I can offer you—”

“I don’t want your offers, Clint. I’ve already told you that. You’re not getting my half of the ranch. This is my home now. I made a pledge to your father and I’ll never give in to your demands.”

Clint leaned in, bracing both hands on the desk, and met her gaze squarely. “You’re a fool, Tess.”

“I’ve been called much worse names. Some of them by you.” She arched one brow, daring him to deny it.

He studied her with dark, piercing eyes. “I don’t get it. Is it the power? Do you like being Hoyt Hayworth’s widow?”

“No! I wish your father hadn’t died. He was a good man.”

“Obviously you didn’t know him well.”

“I knew him
very
well.”

Clint straightened, his form rigid, and he surveyed her up and down, his gaze traveling over her body with slow deliberation, a hot, steamy gleam in his eyes. “You knew a sickly old man, Tess. No doubt my father enjoyed you, but it couldn’t have been all that thrilling for you, bedding a man with half his body in the grave.”

Tess abhorred violence of any kind. She wouldn’t slap him again—once had been quite enough and a mistake, though he had no right speaking those cruel, filthy words. She closed her eyes briefly, then with new resolve tidied up the desk before addressing him directly. “I think we’re through here. There’s nothing more to say. Excuse me, I have a meeting in town this morning.”

She strode out the door and decided right then and there she’d not engage in battle with Clint ever again. His accusations and demands would go on deaf ears. It’d do her good to have a day away from the ranch and the insufferable man who managed to insult and irritate her every time they spoke.

When the weather was bad, the meetings were held in a small private room in the
Hayworth Herald
office. But on days such as today, when only slight breezes blew by and sunshine was in abundance, Tess preferred to have these meetings outside, by the stream half a mile away from the church grounds. Bluebonnets bloomed along the quiet waters and made a comfortable cushion for the blankets Tess laid down. She’d brought a basket of muffins and sweet breads from home and sat down, handing Pearl Cowper a sugary apple muffin. “Please have one, Pearl.”

“Oh, no, thanks, ma’am,” Pearl said. “I can hardly eat when I come to these meetin’s. My stomach’s in knots this mornin’.”

Tess calmed her with a gentle hand on her arm. “You’re brave for coming, Pearl. And you’re not doing anything wrong by meeting me here.” Then Tess looked at eighteen-year-old Marla McKee. “Both of you ladies are brave and strong.”

She offered Marla a muffin, and the girl took one, holding it in the palm of her hand, her eyes downcast. “It’s just that I’d be in a pack of trouble if my father knew that I was talking about him in such a way.”

Tess looked Marla over carefully. There were no new bruises on her face, but that didn’t mean that her father hadn’t hit her recently. Sometimes the bruises were hidden, but the emotional scars stayed for years and years.

“Ralph would knock me to hell and back if he knew I was here, Mrs. Hayworth. My husband keeps things to himself, but I feel I got to be here. I can’t take much more,” Pearl said, and Tess’s heart went out to her.

Just some years ago, Tess had been in the same predicament, controlled by a violent, cruel man. Her father hadn’t shown much mercy on Rusty. Her brother had been slapped around, beaten many times until his face bore resemblance to a ripe tomato, but her father had been abusive to her, as well. She’d always believed Rusty had taken the brunt of the beatings, leaving her father satisfied to hit her only occasionally. Yet his verbal taunts and his cold, unforgiving nature had left their mark on her in other ways.

“You’re nothing but a stupid excuse for a girl. Now get over here and feed me that slop you call supper.”

After so many times being called stupid, ignorant and ugly, she’d begun to believe it. She’d believed she wasn’t worth the cost of the clothes on her back—another thing Frank Metcalf would snarl at her on a daily basis.

Tess couldn’t allow Pearl and Marla to continue to go through that, believing the worst about themselves and living in fear every day. This was their fifth meeting. And when Tess couldn’t make it into town, Laura would come, just to listen.

Tess recalled how much she’d wanted to tell someone of her father’s wicked ways. But she’d never dared. She’d lived in constant dread of him. Now Tess found a way to help others by listening and offering comfort and hope.

She had a plan to do more. To help other women in the same situation. But she was the first to agree that it was complicated and there wasn’t always an easy solution.

“You both know that I’m listening to you because I’ve had my share of hard times when I was younger. My father was a cruel man. I understand what you’re facing now. Back then, I wished I had someone to tell, someone who could just listen to me. The injustice done to you is unforgivable. And my offer still stands, ladies. If you ever want my help in any other way besides to listen, I’m here. You’re welcome at the Double H ranch anytime.”

“I’m scared, Mrs. Hayworth,” Marla said, her body shaking. The young girl lived in dread of her father’s wrath. Something Tess could certainly relate to.

“I’m not so scared of Ralph anymore. I figure if he kills me, he’d be puttin’ me outta my misery. Ralph don’t have a clue about cookin’ or house tendin’. He’d be in a bad way and I’d get my revenge from the grave.”

Alarmed, Tess shook her head. “No one is going to die, Pearl. But I do understand your desperation.”

As bad as her father had been, Tess had never gotten to the point that she’d wished herself dead. Pearl had taken abuse by her husband for too many years. It was time it stopped.

“Seems to me there’s nothin’ to be done about it.”

The dejection and heartache in the woman’s voice prompted Tess to say what had been on her mind for weeks now. There was something to be done about it, but it required a good deal of courage on Pearl’s part.

“There
is
something we can do. We can have our meetings in public. Start a group for all the women in Hayworth and surrounding towns.”

“No!” both women chorused at once, each with a look of distress on her face.

“Now hear me out,” Tess soothed, fully aware of their apprehension. “It’s something to think about.” Tess had never wielded her power as a Hayworth before, but she’d be willing to do so for this cause. “Pearl, your husband works for Hayworth Freight. And, Marla, your pa works at the Emporium.”

They eyed her suspiciously before nodding. There were five major Hayworth holdings in town: the freight company, the store, the newspaper, the livery and the hotel. In all, Hayworth employed a good many people in town, and others were beholden to Hoyt Hayworth in some way. “What if I sent out invitations to all the females related to Hayworth employees to come to a women’s meeting. Only it wouldn’t be a social gathering but more of a discussion group.”

“Our men wouldn’t let us go, mostly,” Pearl said. “I have to lie my way here every week, Mrs. Hayworth.”

“You wouldn’t be given a choice. My invitation would make it clear that you’d be expected to come. Being Mrs. Hoyt Hayworth has its advantages, ladies.”

“Are you saying you’d make threats?” Marla’s innocent eyes went wide with a bright gleam.

“Not so much threats, but your pa would insist you come. He wouldn’t want you to miss it.”

“But how’s that gonna help?” Pearl asked. “I won’t be speaking of this in front of the town’s women, Mrs. Hayworth. If Ralph got wind of it, I’d be asking for an early grave for sure.”

“We’ll take it one step at a time. There may be more women in the very same situation. I want to find them and listen to them. I do have a plan, ladies. Are you willing to trust me?”

The women looked at each other first, then they both nodded.

“I trust you, Mrs. Hayworth.” Marla spoke with conviction. “I know there’s at least one more woman who’s claiming to fall down a lot. She shows up with bruises at church sometimes. I know her. She’s not that clumsy.”

Pearl was a little more hesitant. “This ain’t gonna cost Ralph his job, is it, Mrs. Hayworth?”

“It’s not my intention, Pearl.” Yet Tess knew that Pearl couldn’t stop the abuse on her own. Her husband needed an incentive. “If you’re not willing to do this, then we can continue on with our meetings just as they are.”

Pearl cast her a thoughtful look. She sighed and took a breath. “I’m trusting you, Mrs. Hayworth. Ralph ain’t changing for me, that’s for dang sure. Maybe there’s something you can do.”

“I’ll be honest with you—sometimes the meanness is wedged too deep inside to change a man. That’s how it was with my pa. But if there’s any good inside, maybe we’ll find it.”

“Ralph used to be so kind to me, when we was younger. He got mean when we lost one child after another before they was born. I’m sure he blamed me.”

Tess took hold of both of Pearl’s hands and squeezed gently. “I’m so sorry. Losing an unborn child is hard, but to lose many must have been unbearable. You’re strong, Pearl. You’ve endured a great deal.”

Pearl’s eyes misted with tears. “I don’t feel strong at all anymore.”

“You’re stronger than you think.” She turned to the younger girl and cast her a reassuring smile. “And so are you, Marla. You must believe that. It took me a long time to realize that about myself. Why, it wasn’t until my late husband convinced me of it before I believed that about myself. Now I hope to make you both see that you have genuine worth in this world.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Hayworth.” Pearl squeezed her hand once before standing up. “I’d best get back home now.”

“Yes,” she said and both she and Marla bounded up, as well. “I think we’ve accomplished something here today. Go home, ladies. I’ll be contacting you again soon.”

After the ladies walked off, Tess picked up the blankets and the basket, then gazed out at the quiet stream with a small sense of relief. Today she had achieved something worthwhile and a plan had taken hold.

And if nothing else, she believed she’d given the two women something she’d never had during those bad times in her life.

Hope.

She took her time walking back into town, enjoying the morning and formulating just the right words in her mind for the invitations she’d send out. Once she reached the
Hayworth Herald
, she entered the office and found Tom, with spectacles on, deep in concentration at his desk.

“Am I interrupting?” Tess said, peeking over his shoulder. He hadn’t heard her come in.

If anyone was meant to be a newspaperman, it was Tom Larson. His dedication and talent for putting out the
Hayworth Herald
on time every week was unequaled. It was something Hoyt had insisted upon. He’d wanted the
Herald
to rival the big-city newspapers of the east, and to date the
Herald
was sold in three neighboring counties, as well, with a growing circulation.

Tom looked up from his work to offer her a friendly smile. “Not at all, Tess. It’s good to see you.” He rose from his desk and they embraced briefly. “What brings you into town today?”

“Oh, I thought I’d visit Laura later today. But, actually, I came to see you first.”

He pulled out a chair across from his desk. In the background she heard the sounds of the printing press and other workers conversing beyond the writing desk.