Stripped Bare (17 page)

A gust boxed my ears, but not so much that I didn't hear Milo.

“My theory is that Ted, on behalf of Roxy, tried to convince Eldon to sell the Bar J. With that chunk of change, he and Roxy could move to Tahiti and spend their days drinking mai tais.”

I didn't have to think that over for long. “That's crazy. It doesn't account for Ted's injury. Someone shot them both.”

Milo worried a back tooth with his tongue and reached into his shirt pocket for another toothpick. “See, that's the thing that was so curious about the crime scene.”

I waited while he inserted the toothpick, feeling like I wanted to jam it down his throat to get him to speed up.

“There were two guns. Eldon and Ted were shot with different weapons.”

I couldn't make sense of that.

“The bullet in Ted looks like one that came from Eldon's gun. The one Rope says Eldon kept in a drawer in his office. The same gun we found in Eldon's hand.”

“And what about who shot Eldon?”

He sucked his teeth again. “That one looks like a little ol' bullet from a thirty-six. The kind found on the floor next to Ted. That gun”—he clicked his tongue on his teeth—“belongs to Roxy.”

You could have knocked me over with a feather.

“I figure Ted and Eldon had a discussion about selling the ranch. Maybe Eldon wouldn't sell. Or maybe he wasn't gonna give Roxy a dime. Things went south. Eldon shot first, didn't kill Ted, so Ted pulled his trigger.”

My voice sounded like it came from a dry well. “You think Ted killed Eldon?”

“Yep.”

Ted was lots of things, but not a killer. “You're wrong.”

Milo pushed himself from the pickup with an
umph
. “I just came from his hospital room. He confessed.”

A scream knifed through the air, and I feared it had come from me. But Milo's attention jumped toward the Legion.

Roxy stood with her hand to her mouth.

 

14

Forget about Eldon's funeral, Ted's infidelity, and the debate. I sprinted to Elvis and dove inside, searching for my phone. I needed to call Ted. He didn't kill Eldon, so why did he confess?

I tore through the passenger seat, the floor, even under the mats. No phone. Sitting in front of the wheel I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing. When had I last seen the damned phone?

On my way out of the house I'd called Jeremy. Then I ran back for the other earring. I must have set the phone down and forgotten it. Elvis's tires squealed as we backed out of the parking slot and I goosed him out of town.

I ground my teeth and tapped the wheel, but it didn't make the drive go any faster. How did we ever survive without cell phones? Not being able to call Ted made me itchier than a heifer in a bull pen.

As the miles dragged, my head swirled with anxiety. If Ted killed Eldon—which he didn't, so why did he confess?—then Carly was no longer a suspect.

Once Roxy calmed down, after hearing Milo's shocker, she'd understand that for the next two weeks the fate of the Bar J was in her hands. She'd be counting millions by the opening bell of business tomorrow. I needed a plan to stall her.

I finally slid around the last curve to the house.

Lights spilled from every window, reflecting on the grass. Jeremy's beater Ford pickup sat behind the house and I was thankful he was still here. But acid bit into my gut at the other vehicle parked in front.

Dahlia's tricked-out Dodge dually.

I parked behind Jeremy and hopped out. I had to call Ted, but I needed to collect my wits before facing Dahlia. I couldn't feature why she was here, and if I let on about Ted's confession she'd go berserk—not something I wanted to witness. To give myself time to cool down, I took the well-worn dirt path up the hill and into the calving lot. Not much of a moon, and no flashlight, so I couldn't inspect the back ends of the cows to see if any had started labor. But I paced through the drowsy herd, counting and seeing if any were in distress. I gave no thought to manure gathering on my dress boots or worrying about being in my skirt. Even the cold didn't penetrate.

The cows paid little attention as I prowled the lot. I counted ten fewer than I had this morning. Jeremy must have kicked the pairs to the south pasture, as I'd asked. Another week and we'd be done. Time to start thinking about our branding.

What would happen this year? Would Ted be in jail? Would I even be living at Frog Creek? I retraced my steps, wishing I could hang out up here with the cows. But I couldn't let Jeremy deal with Dahlia alone.

An owl hooted a low and lonely call. Hooves scuffed on the cool sand of the lot. Night air dampened the hay strewn around, and the tangy smell teased of summer. Would I still be on Frog Creek come summer?

I sucked in a fortifying breath, descended the path, and made my way to the house. After removing my boots and placing them under the bench, I stopped on the back porch, my hand on the glass knob, and listened. No screaming or breaking glass. Always best to check, when approaching Dahlia.

I eased open the door and padded into the kitchen. The overhead light shone on dirty dishes filling the sink. Jeremy had found some of the food Twyla had brought. My phone nestled among the crumbs on the Formica table. I picked it up.

Dahlia and Jeremy were talking in the living room. Whatever the reason for her visit, it wasn't because of Ted's confession, or dishes would be broken, the roof blown off the house. They knew I was inside, from the sound of the pickup arriving and the back door opening. There was no sneaking in. I took a few extra seconds to wipe the frazzle from my face.

Jeremy sat on the couch, arms crossed at the back of his head, ankle resting on his knee, the picture of ease. Not all Foxes oozed charm, probably because Jeremy got our whole allotment. I'd never felt comfortable enough around Dahlia that my shoulders didn't hug my ears.

Maybe I ought to greet her with the opening sally of “Grandma!” Then again, even if it were true, I wanted to keep that information to myself.

Jeremy pulled a hand from behind his head and gave me a peace sign. I nodded a greeting to him. “Hi, Dahlia.” So far so good. I hadn't said anything yet to set her off. “I didn't expect you out here. You must not have stuck around for the rest of the debates.”

She rotated her head slowly in my direction. I half expected it to keep spinning all the way around, à la
The Exorcist
. Black streaks damped her cheeks. “You don't even seem upset.”

I can never remember what you're supposed to do when a bear attacks. Wave your arms and appear bigger or back up slowly? “You heard about Ted?”

“I was already on my way out here when Roxy called.” Her eyes filled and tears washed more black down her cheeks. “My son needs a pair of pajamas. He can't wear that hospital gown. But someone will have to help him put them on, because his legs…” Her words dissolved in watery slur. “What was he thinking, to tell Milo that?”

Jeremy patted her hand. “I'm sure there's an explanation.”

I'd like to hear that explanation. The hospital switchboard probably wouldn't put a call through to Ted's room this late, so I dialed his cell. It went straight to voice mail.

Jeremy dashed from the room and returned with a toilet paper roll. He handed it to Dahlia, and after thanking him like he'd brought her frankincense and myrrh, she tore off a line and dabbed her face. A full box of Kleenex perched on a bookshelf not five feet from where Dahlia sat, but I didn't offer it.

She sniffed in her transition from femme fatale to dragon. “He wouldn't answer my calls, either.”

I shrugged out of my leather jacket.

Dahlia crossed her legs and one foot started bouncing. With those high-heel, pointy-toed cowboy boots, it seemed like a threat. “You need to go see him tonight. Now. There's no restriction on spousal visits.”

“It's after ten o'clock. I think it's best if we get some sleep and take a running start at this tomorrow.”

She sat, I stood, and yet she managed to look down her nose. “You're supposed to be helping him get reelected, remember?”

Silent as snow, Jeremy retreated to the dining room.

I pulled an earring free. “You'll probably get to the hospital before I do in the morning, so I'll send the pajamas with you now.”

Jeremy lunged from the dining room. “I can get them. Tell me where.”

Dahlia teared up, and her voice wound through the tragedy lodged in her throat. “He's such a good boy. He didn't deserve any of this.”

Being in Roxy's bed might be a contributing factor to his bad luck. There was always the possibility that Milo's theory was correct. “Let me get those pajamas.”

“Stay.” Jeremy held up his hand. “I'm on my way.”

I might have been blind to Ted's affair with Roxy, but my eyes were wide open with Jeremy. Something was up. “I'll do it.”

He hurried toward the small hallway that led to the bedroom, attic stairs, and bathroom.

Dahlia rose from the chair. “Are you purposely sabotaging his campaign?”

Excuse me?
“I thought I did pretty well at the debate.”

“The posters. You promised to set them out.” Why would she care about posters when it looked as if Ted had just bought a one-way ticket to jail?

She clicked her tongue. “When do you plan to post them?”

The twelfth of Never, as Dad would say. “I'm a little busy.”

Dahlia added a tremble to the words she directed at Jeremy. “Maybe you could put them up tomorrow?”

What a suck-up. “I'd love to,” he said

“Except I could really use you here again.” A growl backed my voice, and I glared at Dahlia.

Jeremy was all helpful to Dahlia, but for me…? “I have stuff I need to do tomorrow.”

I couldn't watch the cows, talk to Nat at Hardee's, convince Roxy not to sell the Bar J, and witness Ted's full descent into craziness all at the same time. First, I had to send Dahlia home. “I'll get Ted's pajamas.” I spun around and Jeremy stepped into my way. He stood there for a beat, as if he meant to block me.

I put a hand on his arm and nudged him aside. I walked into the dark hallway, noticing that the bedroom door I usually keep open was closed. I pushed it open and snapped on the light. Not surprisingly, the bed was occupied.

Alexis Manning lay with my comforter pulled up to her chin. If she'd been a cockroach she'd have scuttled under the bed. I stepped into the room, shut the door behind me, and considered her for a few seconds. I went to the bureau and found a pair of Ted's pajamas. Not his favorites, though.

I shut the light off before leaving the bedroom and snicking the door closed.

Jeremy tensed when I emerged from the hallway and studied me as if planning his defense. I walked past him without eye contact.

Dahlia stood near the front door with her coat on and snatched the pajamas from me.

“Tell Ted I'll be there as soon as I can in the morning,” I said.

She tucked the pajamas into the crook of her arm. “Suit yourself. I'm driving back to Broken Butte tonight.” She laid it down like a challenge. Of course, when she finished her hour-and-a-half drive, she'd be home. After I got to Broken Butte and pried an explanation out of Ted, I'd still have to drive back.

I held the door open and congratulated myself on not slamming it behind her. I watched out the front window as she drove away.

Jeremy clasped his hands in front of him and rocked on his heels. “I'm sorry about Alexis. I was just getting ready to take her to town when Dahlia showed up.”

Alexis was only a year older than Carly. “Does Alexis's father know she's here?”

He looked at the ground. “He thinks she's watching movies at Brittany Ostrander's.”

Tonight, someone else's rebellious teen was not my problem. “Thank you for not letting Dahlia know about your extracurricular activity.” I walked to the kitchen. If I was eating for two I ought to choke something down.

He followed me. “Sorry about the dishes. We were going to clean up before you got home but—”

“Dahlia. I know. She's messed up my plans plenty of times.” I pulled a peanut butter jar from the cupboard and dug in a drawer for a spoon. “Alexis is too young for you. I don't care what she says: if you continue this relationship, you're taking advantage of her.”

“You're not going to tell Alexis's father, are you?”

I gave him a stern look, as if considering it. “You're night calving tonight and staying here all day tomorrow. Before you leave, make sure you wash my sheets and remake the bed.” I dug up a spoonful of peanut butter and brought it halfway to my mouth. My stomach flipped and hit like the time I belly flopped off the high dive. “Take her home. Break up with her gently.”

He nodded vigorously. “Right. Right. Thanks.”

I swallowed the lump of peanut butter and shoved the jar back in the cupboard. I cut off a slab of the cinnamon bread and carried it with me. “I'm going to sleep in Carly's room. Do not wake me up.”

He trailed me to the stairs. “Thanks. You're the best.”

Gross as I felt about him and Alexis using my bed, having him in my debt and therefore obligated to take care of the cows seemed like a fair trade-off.

My superpower of falling asleep no matter how bad my world was crumbling didn't fail me, but it wasn't strong enough to ward off dreams. Nat leered at me from behind the counter of Hardee's while Roxy and Ted shared an old-fashioned milk shake and tossed hundred-dollar bills at dancing hamburgers. I chased Carly out the door and into glaring sunshine, where she faded away, arms outstretched toward me.

 

15

Robins and kingfishers raised a ruckus while I made my way through the calving lot. The sun hadn't yet sent its first blast over the hills across the valley in front of the house, and the morning chill hung heavy as my mood. Looked like two or three more cows dropped their calves in the night. All must be well or Jeremy would have left a note. I'd heard him bang onto the back porch around four in the morning from his last check. When I dressed and tiptoed out the back door, he still had an hour before he'd head out again.