Nowhere to Ride Read online

  Next, he moved on down to check on the watering hole—a spring, the source of water on the ranch and the lifeblood for others who depended on the small creek that the spring spawned. The pool was full and the creek water high, which meant the other ranches downstream would benefit from the rain and residual runoff as well. The nice thing about having the spring on the property was that his water was the purest, without any sort of land-based runoff—just pure water. Now that he had assured himself that all was well as far as the storm had left things, he headed back. He reached the yard as a large red supercab pulled to a stop next to Brodie’s much smaller and a lot less shiny car. Only Jacob Tyler was anal enough to keep his ranch truck so shiny that it gleamed in the bright sunshine.

  “What are you doing here?” Ky asked, as though he didn’t already know. Jacob had been trying to buy the ranch from his father and then his mother for years. They had held out against the greedy son of a bitch, and now Ky had every intention of doing the same. No matter what the old bastard said and how he kept up his public pressure campaign, Ky had no intention of walking away from his family’s land.

  Jacob closed the truck door and strode over, wearing his starch-white hat, huge silver buckle that he’d supposedly won years before, and polished vintage Lucchese boots with a tulip pattern. He reportedly had a collection of the expensive boots and only wore a pair once every couple of months. “Did your hand give you the message, or was he unable to get it out?”

  “Ben told me. He has no trouble speaking to me. It’s just assholes he can’t talk to.” Ky had already had his fill of the man and he’d been here less than two minutes. “State your business and get off my land.”

  Jacob seemed a little surprised. He wasn’t used to people talking to him like that, which was why Ky did it. Jacob had always been a jackass of epic proportions, and Ky figured it was his job to remind him that someone knew him for the snake he really was.

  “Then you know I’m willing to make you an offer that’s more than fair for your ranch. You can leave this town where everyone hates you for killing my son and start over somewhere else. Let the people here have some peace.” He swelled himself up to appear more of a threat. It was a bluff that Jacob used when he felt threatened.

  “I have no intention of selling, and I didn’t kill Mason. The courts said so even after you pressured the sheriff and spread all your small-minded crap through town. Now get off my land before I call the sheriff and have your own lackey eject you. How will that look when the man in your hip pocket is actually forced to do his job? Regardless of your public relations campaign against me, there are a few people who believe the truth.”

  Jacob stepped forward, his eyes as cold as ice and his lips drawn into a threating smile strong enough to make the Joker proud. “You listen to me. I know you set the fire that killed Mason. Andy Ridge might not have been able to prove it, but I know it was you. And so help me, I’ll make sure you pay for it.”

  Ky wasn’t going let himself be intimidated by Jacob’s threats. He’d heard them enough times that it was now just the same old tune. “If that’s all you wanted, then you said it and now you can go.”

  “Just a minute. What is that car doing here?” Jacob pointed to where Brodie’s car sat next to the gleaming truck. “How did it get here?”

  “That’s none of your business.” Ky put his hands on his hips. It was definitely time for Jacob to go. If Brodie wanted to talk to his cousin, then he could get in touch with him. But Ky wasn’t going to let Jacob bother or harass Brodie and Emily. They were both worn out and needed a chance to rest, not be the subject of an inquisition by Jacob. Brodie had made it pretty clear what he thought of his cousin.

  “I know whose it is,” Jacob said.

  “Well, good. You win the grand prize, which is to get off my property. Now. You’ve been warned more than once.”

  “But what are you doing with my cousin’s car? Did you steal it?”

  Ky thought for a second and then began to laugh. “Really? Who would steal that poor thing? Nope.”

  “So they’re here,” Jacob said. “That little….”

  “Do I have to bodily throw you off? I will and you know it. Hell, I’d love nothing better than to lift your skinny ass and toss you into the back of your truck. I’d even put the thing into neutral and send it down the drive for you. Sort of as a favor to keep your sheriff buddy from having to tow it. It would look pretty good with its ass end in the middle of the field over there.” Ky had had enough of this unwelcome visitor. “Don’t make me go get my gun.”

  Jacob spouted little and then got into the truck, backed on out, and finally got on the road.

  “Good riddance,” Ky said out loud before turning toward the house.

  Brodie had Emily in his arms and their bags sitting on the sofa as Ky came in the door.

  “What’s this?”

  “My cousin was out there, and I need to get away before he gets his hands on Emily,” Brodie said urgently. Emily began to cry and put her head on Brodie’s shoulder. He tried to comfort her, but she continued to fuss. The poor thing looked like she’d just been woken up and was not at all happy about it.

  “First thing, he’s gone, and secondly, he asked about the car and I told him it was none of his business. So settle down a little. He isn’t coming in here, and I threw him off my land anyway.” Ky knew that Brodie hadn’t liked his cousin, but this was much more than that. This was fear, and for Emily. “He won’t be back, at least not for a while.”

  “Did he follow us here?” Brodie was nearly panicked. “Was he trying to come for us?”

  Ky shook his head. “Your cousin wants to buy my ranch so he can get me to leave town.” There—he’d told about as much of the story as Ky was interested in sharing. He knew he hadn’t done what he was accused of, and the courts had agreed. The only one who hadn’t was Jacob, and he had harped on his version of things for long enough that some people seemed to believe it. Ky figured most folks didn’t know what was true, but with Jacob being powerful and having influence, it was easier to believe what he said than to stand up to him.

  “Oh.” Brodie’s shoulders lost some of their rigidity.

  “Are you at least going to stay through breakfast?” Ky held out his hands, and Emily went right to him as easy as anything. “What about you, princess? Are you hungry? Do you want pancakes?”

  “Pa ca, pa ca,” she said, and Ky turned to Brodie.

  “Come on. We all may as well eat.” Ky carried her into the kitchen, and Brodie followed, maybe a little stunned. Ky didn’t know if it was him or the food that kept Brodie from taking off, but for right now, he wanted to keep them close. Ky wasn’t sure what the deal was between Jacob and Brodie, but if Brodie had issues with Jacob, then the two of them were on the same side, at least for now. And Ky knew just how mean Jacob could be, and that if he got the chance, he’d chew up and spit out his cute, if innocent and fearful, cousin without a second thought.

  “Why?” Brodie asked as he sat at the table. Ky handed him Emily and got her a small cup of slightly watered juice. “I know you felt sorry for us yesterday, but why didn’t you just let us go? We could be out of your hair. Is there something you want?” His eyebrows narrowed.

  Ky’s first reaction was to be angry, but then he thought that if their roles were reversed, he’d probably ask the same question. “No. I don’t want anything from you or Emily. I found you yesterday camping out just before a storm that was set to blow the two of you away. How could I want something?” He started mixing the ingredients to give himself something to do. “But I know what it’s like to be at the end of your rope and not know what to do or even who to ask for help.” He added water and mixed the batter, then let it stand a few minutes before getting some wild blueberries out of the freezer.

  “You?” Brodie asked, as though that seemed impossible.

  “Yes, me.” Ky got out the griddle and put it on the stove. “No matter what you think, everyone feels that way at some point. A
nd your cousin has caused more than his fair share of hurt.” He messaged Ben that breakfast was going to be ready and started making the pancakes, adding blueberries to each one.

  “Jacob,” Brodie whispered under his breath as though it were the dirtiest swear word imaginable. “What did he do to you?”

  “Accused me of murder,” Ky answered before he could stop himself. Instantly he wished he’d just kept his mouth shut and not taken the bait. “Of killing Mason.” He didn’t dare turn around as he continued making the pancakes. “I won’t send you and Emily away without feeding you, but if you want to go, then once you’ve eaten, I’ll have Ben follow you into town to make sure you have enough food, diapers, and gas for a few days, so at least you can get to someplace far enough away from here.”

  “Mason—you’re the guy he says killed him,” Brodie said. “But he was killed when the barn burned down.”

  “And Jacob claims I set it on fire. But I didn’t.” Ky flipped the pancakes and tried to keep his thoughts on his work as opposed to that night. “He claimed to have seen me near the barn, but I wasn’t there, and I don’t know what happened. But I was arrested and sat in jail for three months until the trial, and then when Jacob’s case didn’t hold water, he tried to use his influence around town to get me convicted anyway.” Ky put the first pancakes on a plate and took them to the table, not meeting Brodie’s gaze. He couldn’t stand to see either the disbelief or the pity. Ky didn’t need either one of those.

  “But the judge didn’t buy it,” Brodie said. “Don’t worry. I’ve heard my cousin curse that judge to my mother a lot of times. He swore he was going to get even with him for what he did.” The dogs hurried in and settled around the table, tails wagging as they hoped for dropped treats. “My mother always said that Jacob was a self-important loudmouth. She never liked him or his father.”

  “Well, now he wants my ranch, as well as to try to ruin my life in every way he can. That was why he was here today.” Ky added more pancakes to the plate on the table as Ben came in, took a place, and dished himself up some breakfast.

  “Hi,” Ben said, and then little Emily giggled. It was a happy sound, something this house hadn’t heard in quite some time. When Ky glanced over to see how the others were doing, he found himself smiling. Emily had pancakes and syrup all over her face, and she shoved in another bit of pancake. The pile he’d already made was either eaten or on plates. He took the platter and poured more batter on the griddle. Ky got out the juice and added fruit and more breakfast fixings to the shopping list he kept on the refrigerator door.

  “Can I ask why Jacob wants your place?” Brodie inquired, then returned to his eating.

  “Well…,” Ky began.

  “W-w-water,” Ben said. “He w-wants the w-water.” He was a smart man, even if he had a little trouble expressing himself. “The spring on the land here is the w-water for his ranch too.”

  “Okay…,” Brodie said as though he didn’t understand.

  “Out here in the west, the most precious resource we have is water. Some people like to think it’s oil, but it’s not. Every state and municipality fiercely guards its rights to the waters that flow through it. They sue each other and lobby congress all the time for those rights. And since the water for the ranches in this area comes from the creek that flows off my spring, I get first use of the water. Certain parts of the year, it isn’t an issue. But during droughts or lean times, the water from that creek can be all there is. And Jacob wants to make sure that he’s the one who controls it. Gives him more power.” Ky flipped the last of the pancakes, and when they were done, set some on his plate and the others on the platter. Then he turned off the heat and sat down to eat. “People have been known to shoot each other for water.” All he could surmise was that Brodie wasn’t from this area of the country.

  “I grew up in southern Illinois. That’s where my mom and dad lived, until Mom passed away and left us next to nothing.” Brodie looked completely miserable, and Ky figured the loss of his mother was still very recent. He knew he was trying to find his way, but to navigate the effects of grief as well was a lot for anyone to deal with. “Basically I sold everything that I could to raise money because I couldn’t afford to keep the apartment. Then I headed out here to try to see if I could get some help from family.” He rolled his eyes, and Ky could just imagine the kind of reception he got from his cousin. “And I bet you can guess how well that went.”

  Emily squealed for no apparent reason, looked around, and then dropped a piece of pancake on the floor, which King devoured before the others could get there. Emily giggled again and more pancake went to the floor, this time Misty getting her piece. Ky grinned and tried to keep from laughing, especially when he caught on to the source of the happy squeals: Prince licking her leg. A third piece of pancake went to the floor, and Prince almost dove for it.

  “Okay, guys. Go on out to play.” Ky got up and let them outside, and the three dogs all raced around the backyard. He returned to the table and finished his breakfast.

  Ben excused himself, took his plate to the sink, and left the kitchen.

  “What did your cousin do when you showed up?” Ky asked. “If you don’t want to talk about it, then that’s okay.” After all, he and Brodie barely knew each other, and if he didn’t want to talk about family business, Ky really couldn’t blame him. “Hey, Miss Princess,” Ky said to give Brodie an out. “Why don’t we go get you cleaned up.” Ky lifted her off Brodie’s lap, keeping her sticky fingers away from his clothes. He got her on the edge of the counter, held her with one hand, and wiped her hands and face with a clean, damp cloth. “That’s a big girl.” She didn’t fuss too much, and Ky lifted her into his arms, swinging her gently. God, he could get used to this… and the way Brodie looked at him with such surprise and gentle warmth in his eyes.

  Ky had never expected anyone to look at him that way. He’d always been beefy and strong. In school he’d intimidated a lot of the other kids because of his size. Some called him fat, but he never was. Ky had always been too active. He’d just been big, and once he hit puberty, he’d grown up as well as out. A few of the girls noticed him, but he never really paid attention to them in return. That had only created more troubles for him. But there was one person who never turned his back, one who, when he tried to watch the boys and not be noticed, Ky found watching him back: Mason Tyler.

  “Umm….” He suddenly found himself at a loss for words and hoped to change the subject. “Is it okay if I take Emily out to see the horses?” He turned to leave when Brodie nodded. “There’s some kid stuff in the attic. You can get to it by the trap door in the hallway. If you and Emily want to stay a little, you might want to take a look.” The rest was up to Brodie and whatever he decided he wanted to do. Ky couldn’t make his decisions for him. “Come on. Let’s go see the animals.” Ky ignored the worry in his gut that Brodie would decide to leave.

  C hapter Four

  Cowboys. Sometimes Brodie really wished people would say what they meant. Though Ky had said that if he and Emily were going to stay…. So did that mean he wanted them to be here? Or was Ky just putting up with them because he felt sorry for the kid he found in the woods and had to rescue from the storm because he was so stupid, he’d nearly killed both himself and his baby sister? Brodie was so tired of trying to figure out what other people meant or wanted. Ky couldn’t just offer to let him stay for a few days and say they were welcome. He had to tell him about stuff in the attic and confuse Brodie.

  Still, Ky had said there were things in the attic, and if he wanted to stay, that Brodie should take a look. He sighed and drank the last of his coffee and juice. Then he cleared the table, because it gave him something to do and a chance to think. Ky was a nice man, and Emily really seemed to like him. That was a good thing. She had hated both Jacob and his wife, Chandra. Just thinking of the name made him roll his eyes. Brodie wondered where the two of them met. His guess was a strip club in Dallas where Chandra had been a pole dancer. Yeah, that
was mean, but he remembered the way Emily had screamed when either of them tried to hold her. She would have nothing at all to do with either of them, and yet she took to Ky like he was covered in bacon.

  After taking care of the dishes, he found the access to the attic and pulled down the extendable stairs. Hot and dusty did not begin to cover what the space was like. He sneezed three times at the top of the stairs, sending up a cloud of more sneeze-inducing dust. Sweat broke out within two seconds as he looked around, dust motes floating by. Brodie squinted and hurriedly checked around the stacks of boxes and jumbles of other stuff. In the one corner, he found what had to have been Ky’s high chair. He took that toward the entrance, along with a box of child’s clothes.

  He sneezed once again and descended the stairs with the box and dirt-encrusted high chair. Brodie was relieved to close up the baking heat and dust back into the attic. He left the box next to the sofa and took the high chair to the kitchen to wipe off the caked-on dirt and dust.

  What had looked awful turned a bright blue, and he could almost imagine Ky sitting in it as a baby. Brodie smiled as he took off the plastic tray and cleaned it really well. Then he set it up again and wiped down the rest of it carefully. Brodie didn’t know if it was a good idea to reuse the old chair, but it was the only option he had. There was no money to go out to buy new things, and this was what they had. At least Emily would be able to eat from somewhere other than his lap.

  Once he was done with the chair, Brodie checked the box. It was filled with children’s clothes, and to Brodie’s shock, they all seemed for a little girl. Some were too small, and some too big, but there were things Emily could wear, and he set those aside to talk to Ky about.

  “You found the chair,” Ky said as he swooped Emily in, to plenty of giggles. “Oh…,” he said when he saw the box. “I didn’t know my mother kept those.” Ky placed Emily on her feet, and she took off.