Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6) (14 page)

Grabbing a booth, she watched as Molly limped over to take her order.

“Are you in pain?” Nellie asked.

“My hip bothers me more every day.”

“What does the doctor say?”

She made a face. “Said it was time to take it easy. How does he expect me to do that?”

“I’ll take a roll and coffee, Molly. You should be taking it easy. Get some more help in here if you have to.”

The door opened and Dani came in. She waved and headed toward Nellie.

“I swear that woman is going to be the death of me. Nothing would do but she had to have a roll. Now. Wouldn’t budge from her soaps to come and get it. I should have ignored her.”

Nellie laughed. Delighted at the way Dani was handling the older woman. “You’re doing wonders with Emma. I don’t know anyone who could do better.”

Dani’s face broke into a smile. “I’m just as stubborn as she is. Maybe that’s the secret.”

“Maybe.”

Dani looked around, “Where’s Molly?”

“She’s moving rather slow today. I think she’s in a lot of pain. There’s Dugan,” Nellie waved at her son. “That must be the Special Ranger with him.” Dani’s expression turned slightly stunned as Dugan and his companion approached. “You’re just the one I wanted to see this morning.” Nellie said with a smile as she reached up to receive Dugan’s peck on the cheek. “Who is this nice looking young man?”

“Special Ranger Nolan Murdock, this is my mom, Nellie Callahan, and Beau’s daughter, Dani Chandler.”

They shook hands. Nellie couldn’t help but notice that the ranger held Dani’s hand a little longer than necessary. For a moment their gazes locked.

Interesting.

“What’s wrong?” Dani asked. “Did Dad’s ranch get hit again? Is he all right?”

“Nothing like that,” Dugan assured her.

“Have you found the thieves? Have they hit another ranch?” Dani asked.

“No, to the first question,” Dugan said. “Yes, to the second. Donovan lost a few head.”

Dani gasped and turned to Nellie.

“Sorry. I didn’t have time to tell you. He lost six head. Not nearly as many as your dad.”

“The sheriff insisted we stop for breakfast,” Ranger Murdock drawled, his voice rolling over them like honey on biscuits. “I didn’t expect dessert as well.”

Nellie almost laughed aloud. The young man was eyeing Dani in a big way. From the flush on her cheeks, she was well aware of it.

“We’d better grab a booth,” Dugan said.

Nellie took his hand. “Just a minute. I want to talk to you about something.”

Dugan waved the agent to a booth and bent to talk to his mother. “What is it?”

“Nothing serious. But Beau wants to get some help in the house for Lela. Do you know anyone looking for work?”

“Quite a few, actually. Let me think on it, and I’ll get back with you.” He paused. “Mom, be careful, okay. I don’t like the idea of rustlers on anyone’s property, especially ours.”

When he left, Dani said, “I’m glad Dad is finally getting someone for Lela. It’s past time.”

When Molly limped out of the kitchen and waited on the men, Dani jumped up and headed for the kitchen. “All I want is a roll for Emma. I’ll see if I can’t get one from the kitchen so I can get back.”

****

“What the hell is he doing?” Beau asked himself. In the distance, he saw Gordon moving cattle. From here, it looked as if he was splitting the herd. Half were heading toward the center pond, the rest in the opposite direction.

Spurring Taro forward, he reined in next to Gordon. Maybe there was an explanation. “What’s the plan?” he asked.

Gordon didn’t look too happy. But then, Gordon never looked happy.

“They’re being stubborn today. We moved them yesterday. Guess they’re tired of being shuffled.”

“I’ll get the strays.” Beau rode off to circle the bunch headed in the wrong direction. He could have sworn he saw Gordon deliberately herd them this way. But what would be the reason?

It took an hour to get them moving on track, another hour to get them to the pond.

Beau looked over the milling herd. “They should be safe here.”

“Should be,” Gordon agreed. “No fences or roads nearby.” He looked over at Beau. “What’s next?”

“Starting tonight, we’re setting up a round-the-clock watch on both the Callahan spread and this one. Wanted you to be prepared.”

Gordon nodded. “What’s the schedule?”

“Donovan is working on it. Right now, make sure the cattle are near water. I’ll get back with you on that schedule.”

Without a word of acknowledgement, Gordon started off toward the west. Beau shook his head. What was wrong with the man?

Beau headed back to the house. He was tired, and they had a long night ahead. A lot of long nights if that Special Ranger didn’t find the rustlers.

Later, Donovan’s schedule in hand, Beau gave the times to his men. “I have the nine to twelve shift with Jimmy. Donovan and Gordon the next, Rey and Joe the last.” Beau had to admit it was good pairing and was grateful his shift was first. Well before nine, he patted Taro, and saddled up to meet Donovan.

“I hate to have everyone lose sleep, but feel the need to do all we can to protect our herds,” Donovan said. “I talked to several other ranchers today. We’re not the only ones putting out patrols.”

“Are you armed?” Beau asked.

“I am,” Donovan said, his voice serious. “I have my rifle and my dad’s old thirty-eight. And yes, I have them on me. You?”

“A pistol, but I hope I don’t have to use it. I bought it in case I saw snakes, but haven’t shot it yet. What I
do
have and
can
use are some flare guns.”

“Flare gun? I thought they were used on boats as a distress signal.”

Beau chuckled. “You’re right. I took a group of business associates on a deep-sea fishing trip years ago and bought a box of these things. Never did think they’d come in handy, but hell, who knows?” They hadn’t needed the flare guns on that ill-fated trip, but he wouldn’t dwell on it now. Even after all these years, it was still painful.

Donovan chuckled. “Got any extra?”

“Here’s a couple for you and for Jimmy. Here he is now.”

Jimmy rode up to meet them. Donovan handed him a couple of flares while Beau told him how to use it. “If you see anything suspicious, call me on my cell. If you see the need, point the flare to the sky and pull the trigger. That’s all there is to it.”

Jimmy looked slightly alarmed. Beau had forgotten how young he was. “Maybe I should just say; if you get too close and they see you, fire the flare and run like hell.”

They discussed which areas they were going to patrol and moved out. Donovan went back to the house. “See you guys at midnight.”

The night was dark, so Beau took the loop around his property at a leisurely pace. No point in endangering Taro or himself. It would be a good night for the rustlers to act, so he kept an eye out for headlights. Nothing. He moved onto the Callahan spread, started around the backside, planning to meet up with Jimmy about midway.

He let his mind wander. Mostly on Nell. He couldn’t shake the image of her. Her red hair and green eyes taunted him. Her smile teased his senses. Yes. He had every intention of asking her on a date. Surely, her children understood she had a life of her own. Or did they? Did she?

“Who’s there?”

Jimmy’s voice carried loudly across the silent pasture. “It’s me, Jimmy. Don’t use the flare.”

The sound of leather and horse hooves came closer. “Did you see anything?” Beau asked.

“Not a thing. It’s so dark and quiet out here it’s spooky. How about you?”

“Nothing.”

“Is our time up?”

Beau touched the button that lit up his watch. “Will be by the time you get back to the barn. Call it a night, Jimmy. You did well.”

“I’d rather be moving cattle in broad daylight than wandering around in the dark looking for thieves.”

“I’m with you on that.”

Jimmy headed back. Beau did the same. He’d make sure Gordon and the kids had a flare, just in case. The moon peeked out from behind the clouds, lighting the way back, making it easier to check the landscape. But all was quiet.

Beau doubted the thieves would come until after midnight, if they came at all. That way, everyone would be in bed, and there would be no one about to hinder them.

When he dismounted in the barn, Gordon was putting a thermos of coffee in a bag and strapping it to his saddle. “Wish I’d thought of that,” Beau said.

“Makes it easier to stay awake.”

“Sorry you guys have to do this, start your day late tomorrow and every day this continues.”

“Planned to,” Gordon said, swinging into the saddle.

Beau handed him a couple of flares. “Just in case you come across anything suspicious. But use your cell first.”

Gordon reached down, put them in the bag next to his thermos, and headed out.

Beau watched him go and gave free rein to his uncertainties about the man. He was never late, didn’t drink, at least not on the job. But there was something about him that didn’t sit right. Since the day Rey started work, it was as if Gordon had a chip on his shoulder. Perhaps he had qualms about the son of the owner. Or he just flat out didn’t want Rey around.

If that were the case, it was too damned bad.

Sure, Rey had made a mistake. A big one. But he was a good kid. Surprisingly, he seemed to be taking an interest in the ranch.

Maybe he was just trying to find a way to do the job quicker and easier. But that was okay, too.

Beau brushed Taro down, took him to his stall, and shut the door. Then he went to check on the lame horse, Marley. “How ya’ doing Mar?”

Marley snickered her approval when Beau rubbed her head. “Let’s see that injury.”

Beau lifted the injured leg, saw that it had been freshly bandaged, and smelled of ointment. “Somebody’s taking care of you.”

If Beau were a betting man, he’d bet it was Rey. The thought warmed him.

At eight o’clock the next morning, Beau was playing host to both Donovan and Ranger Murdock. He passed mugs of coffee around. Lela was at the stove, serving eggs, biscuits, and hash browns.

“Didn’t expect this,” Murdock said, heaping his plate high.

“I didn’t take time to eat this morning,” Donovan said. “This is great.”

Murdock chuckled. “I called Callahan around six-thirty and woke him up. I should have waited since you did patrol.”

“It’s okay,” Donovan said. “Had to get up anyway. What do you have to tell us?”

“I think we found your cattle, Mr. Chandler.”

Donovan and Beau looked at each other and grinned. “Call me Beau. And tell me how you managed such a feat in such a short time.”

“I sent the description you gave me to every auction barn within a thousand mile radius. One called back to tell me he’d sold twenty-five head yesterday with the matching ID numbers you gave me.”

“Who sold them?” Beau asked.

“Gave the name of Norman Reed. Ever hear of him?’

“Never,” Beau said.

“Neither have I,” Donovan added. “Who the hell is he?”

“The local authorities in Oklahoma are checking.”

“Oklahoma?”

“Yep. Didn’t take the rustlers long to make the trip and pocket the money.”

“I’ll bet a steak dinner the name’s an alias,” Donovan said.

“That’s what we think,” Murdock agreed.

“So they’ve gotten away with it, and there’s nothing more you can do. Is that what you’re here to tell us?” Beau frowned.

“Not exactly. If you can show proof they are your cattle, you get them back.”

“And the innocent buyer is out the money.”

“He’ll work it out with the auction barn.”

Beau shook his head. “Not right. Not by a long shot.”

“So. Do you have the papers to prove they belong to you?”

“What about the brand? Isn’t that enough?”

“Nope.”

“Does this mean I have to go to Oklahoma?”

“Afraid so.”

Beau’s appetite left him. He didn’t want to leave the ranch. He didn’t want to be that far away in case they were struck again. If he were honest with himself, he didn’t want to be that far from Nell.

“How soon would I have to go?”

“Immediately, if you want your cattle back.”

Beau grabbed his coffee mug and took a sip. There was no way out. He’d have to make the trip.

“I’ll be gone a couple of days. Who’ll take my shift?”

“I’ll take your shift until you get back,” Donovan said.

Beau shook his head. “That’s too much. Switch the guys around. Maybe if you take your shift by yourself, the others can handle the rest.”

“I’m sorry to have to cause you all of this inconvenience, Mr. Chandler,” Murdock said. “But I’ll go with you. Make sure you have the paperwork to back up your claim or we’re wasting our time.”

Beau got up to pack a bag. “I’ll be ready in an hour.”

“I met your daughter yesterday at Molly’s,” Murdock said before Beau left the room.

Beau looked back at the young man sitting at his bar, eating his food. He was young and nice looking. Was he interested in Dani? His eyes narrowed. “Are you married?”

Ranger Murdock chuckled. “No, sir. Just wanted you to know I think your daughter is beautiful.”

“Yes, she is. And she cooks like a goddess.”

Murdock’s smile widened. “That’s good to know.”

Now why did he say that? Beau thought. He didn’t particularly want Dani dating anyone, much less a wandering Texas Ranger—someone who was home today and gone tomorrow.

But Nolan Murdock had that look in his eyes.

A look Beau was all too familiar with. He saw that same look in the mirror every day.

Chapter Fifteen

When Beau got to his room, he pulled out his cell and dialed.

Nell answered. For a moment, he let the sound of her voice whisper through him, comfort him. Amazing how just her voice could bolster his confidence and restore his well-being. “They may have found my cattle. I’m leaving for Oklahoma with the Special Agent to prove they’re mine.”

“That’s good news, Beau. I’m happy for you.”

“I’ll be glad to get my cattle back, but I need a favor and I hate to ask.”

“We’re neighbors, Beau. I’ll help any way I can.”

There was that neighbor thing again. Back in Washington, even the smallest courtesy had an agenda that demanded a payback. How did he ever think his life in D.C. was real? Okay, he’d buy the neighbor thing for now. Later, he had other plans. “Lela isn’t doing well. Can you check on her while I’m gone? I have to remind her to take her meds and eat regularly. Though she cooks every day for me, I’m not sure she’ll do the same for herself.”