Cowboy Conspiracy Read online

  “I was prepared for a few loose shutters and peeling paint, not a hole in my roof that a helicopter could fly through.”

  That was a slight exaggeration, but nonetheless the house was totally unlivable. And she had a van full of furniture that had been in storage for a year arriving in the morning.

  “How can anyone have the kind of luck I’ve had today?” Her words were clipped. Her insides were positively shaking.

  “I’d say you’ve had at least one stroke of good luck.”

  “I must have blinked during that stroke.”

  “That car trouble that delayed you may have saved you and Jaci from serious injury when that tree fell.”

  She hadn’t thought of that. It did little to ease her frustration.

  “I can get my flashlight from the truck and check out the damage inside, but you won’t be able to determine the full extent of the destruction until daylight.”

  “Don’t bother with checking the damage. I’ve seen enough of the house and Mustang Run. I’d just get in my car and keep driving, except that I don’t have a car.”

  Her voice broke and her eyes burned with salty tears. One escaped from the corner of her right eye and she brushed it away with the back of her hand. She’d lived though a year of hell, without once allowing herself to whimper or go berserk. She wouldn’t break now. She was stronger than that.

  Wyatt stepped closer and slipped an arm around her shoulder. “It’s not the end of the world,” he said. “It just seems like it.”

  “Don’t be nice,” she said. “I can’t take nice.” The tears started to flow and she couldn’t stop them.

  She didn’t say a word. Neither did Wyatt. He just held her until her insides stopped shaking and the tears ran dry.

  “I’m not usually like this,” she said, finally pulling away.

  “Good. I’d hate to have to wear a bib every time we were together to keep my shirts dry.”

  As usual, he kept the moment light. No doubt he didn’t want her to read too much into his supplying broad shoulders for her to cry on. Kelly backed away from the mortally wounded house. “Let’s get out of here. Just drop me off at the motel and you can escape before the black cloud over me sucks you into its vacuity too.”

  “Actually I won’t be dropping you off. I’ll be staying.” She bristled and the air rushed from her lungs. If he thought holding her while she cried entitled him to—

  “Not in your room,” he said quickly, before she had the chance to make a fool of herself. “And before you get all bent out of shape, my decision to stay at the motel has nothing to do with you.”

  “Then what does it have to do with?”

  “If I go barging in on my father unexpectedly this time of night, it’s likely that neither he nor I will get any sleep.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure. But don’t stay on my account. I’m okay now. Really.”

  “I believe you. But since I’ll be at the motel anyway, I may as well drive you wherever you need to go in the morning. Without strings, in case you’re worried about that.”

  No wonder so many women loved cowboys.

  Not that she had any intention of falling for Wyatt Ledger. He should be happy to hear that. It might save him from contracting the plague.

  In fact, there was no real reason for her and Jaci to even stay in Mustang Run now. The anticipated roof over their heads had literally collapsed.

  NO VACANCY.

  The news was no better at the second motel they visited than it had been at the first. Considering the number of cars in the lot, Wyatt wasn’t surprised.

  “I wish we could help you out,” the young clerk said, “but every room in the motel has been booked for months.”

  “You must have at least one no-show,” Kelly insisted, a trace of desperation in her voice.

  “Actually we had three last-minute cancellations, but we had a waiting list for the rooms.”

  “And all of this is for a gun show?” Wyatt asked.

  The clerk nodded. “Happens every January. It’s kind of a male-bonding ritual, like tailgating at the Longhorn games and drinking beer at fishing tournaments.”

  “There must be gun shows in Austin,” Wyatt said. “What makes this one so special?”

  “All the major manufacturers take part in it. And it’s not just looking at the latest models. You get to handle the weapons and even shoot them for a small fee. There’s shooting contests and they even have a wild-game cook-off tomorrow out in the parking lot of the town hall. Big prizes and good eating.”

  Jaci drowsily released her grip on her mother’s waist and sat down on the floor.

  Kelly stooped and picked her up, balancing the child on her right hip.

  “Do you want me to hold her?” Wyatt asked.

  Jaci tightened her grip around her mother’s neck.

  “Thanks, but she’s not that heavy.”

  He breathed easier. Not that he minded the weight, but he hadn’t been around kids much. He’d done all right with Jaci’s crying mother, but no sense to push his luck.

  The kid had woken just as they’d pulled into the parking lot, and Kelly had jumped at the chance for her and Jaci to come in with him. He figured she wasn’t convinced he’d pleaded his case well enough at the motel across the highway.

  “That significantly cuts down on our options,” Wyatt said.

  Kelly reached in her pocket and retrieved her phone as they left the motel and stepped back into the cold, damp air. “You have an option, Wyatt. You have family in town. I’m the one with the problem.”

  “So you’re suggesting I just dump you and Jaci on the street and then go crawl into a warm bed?”

  “I’m calling for a taxi to drive us to the nearest hotel, motel, B and B, dude ranch or any other establishment that actually has an available room for rent. I’m not too picky at this point.”

  “No telling what kind of dump you’d end up at.”

  “Fine by me, as long as it’s a dump with a bed.”

  “Get in the truck, Kelly. You’re tired. I’m tired. Jaci’s exhausted. Willow Creek Ranch has plenty of beds and a roof.”

  He opened the door to the backseat so that she could buckle Jaci in.

  “You’ve done more than enough—”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m Mr. Wonderful.”

  “We should at least call your father and ask if he’s okay with this,” she said, obviously giving in.

  “No need. He’ll be thrilled. Troy’s Mr. Wonderful, Senior. If you run into any of my brothers or sisters-in-law, they’ll all assure you of that.”

  Kelly kissed Jaci on the top of her sleepy blond head and closed the back door. “You don’t sound convinced of that fact.”

  “That’s why I’m back in Mustang Run, so he can convince me. But don’t worry. He’s not an ogre. And unlike me, he’s good with kids. He has two grandchildren. They love him and he practically worships them.”

  “I still think you should call him first.”

  “You heard the sheriff. The door to Troy Ledger’s house is always open to family and friends.”

  Kelly didn’t wince at the mention of Troy Ledger, which meant she had no idea who he was. But then according to the sheriff, Kelly’s mother had moved out of Mustang Run before Kelly was born and that would have been well before the murder. Wyatt had been thirteen at the time, the oldest of all of Troy’s sons.

  “I guess I should call Sheriff McGuire and let him know I won’t need his deputy to check on me tonight.”

  She made the call, filling McGuire in on the half of a tree that had crashed through her roof. After that, she leaned back and closed her eyes, leaving Wyatt to drive the rest of the way to the ranch with nothing but his own disturbing thoughts for entertainment.

  There were times lately when he’d talked to Dylan, Sean or Dakota that he could almost believe that Troy was the same loving father he’d been when they were brats running wild and free around the ranch and not the hot-tempered, jealous monster his mother’s fami
ly had brainwashed him to believe he was.

  But Wyatt was a homicide detective. He knew how often the husband of the victim was painted in glowing terms by his kids before the perverted truth came out.

  Wyatt hoped to God he’d find out his father was innocent—but either way, he had to know the truth.

  Images flooded Wyatt’s mind like the murky waters of a muddied bayou as he got out of the truck to open the gate to Willow Creek Ranch. His mother’s body stretched across the floor, covered by a sheet someone had ripped from her bed. Blood pooled beneath her, smeared across her face, matted in her beautiful long, dark hair.

  His mother. Always there when he needed her. Always smiling. She danced and sang around the house, was generous with hugs, but not a pushover for her sons’ mischievous misadventures.

  Helene Ledger. As steady as a sunrise. As comforting as moonbeams. She was the perfect mom.

  But Troy had been his hero.

  He’d lost them both that day.

  He felt Kelly’s eyes on him as he braked in front of the rambling ranch house.

  “You look upset, Wyatt. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Your mood has grown steadily darker ever since you drove through the gate. If you didn’t want to bring me here, why did you?”

  “My mood has nothing to do with you. But I admit there are unresolved issues between me and my father.”

  “What kind of issues, or is that none of my business?”

  “You’ll hear about my father sooner or later anyway, so I guess you may as well hear it from me. First, make sure Jaci is fast asleep. This is not a fit discussion for young ears.”

  Kelly shifted for a view of the backseat. “Out like a light. So what is it with you and your father?”

  “Eighteen years ago he was convicted of murder one and sentenced to life.”

  “Oh, no.”

  “It gets worse. The victim was Helene Ledger, my mother.”

  “Oh, Wyatt. That’s so sad. You must have been just a kid. But surely they found out that he was innocent or he’d still be in prison.”

  “He was released approximately a year and a half ago on a technicality.”

  “But Sheriff McGuire must believe he’s innocent or he wouldn’t have suggested you bring me and Jaci to the ranch.”

  “He may be convinced of Troy’s innocence now, but Sheriff McGuire conducted the investigation that led to my father’s arrest. But don’t worry. I wouldn’t have brought you and Jaci here if there was any chance that you’d be in danger. If Troy’s guilty, Mom’s murder was the only unprovoked violence ever attributed to him.”

  “Did he confess to the crime?”

  “No, he’s proclaimed his innocence since day one. And, according to my brothers, he spends every minute he’s not working the ranch searching for my mother’s killer or at least researching suspects.”

  As Wyatt turned off the ignition and switched off the high beams, the porch light flicked on and Troy Ledger stepped onto the porch.

  Wyatt had waited eighteen years for this meeting. And yet as he climbed out of the truck, his legs felt like solid lead.

  Chapter Five

  Troy stared at the couple making their way up the short walkway from the driveway toward his house. The woman was holding a sleeping preschooler. The child was petite, but still you’d think the man would be carrying her since his hands were empty.

  The woman stared at him, uncertainty in her step and plastered on her face, as if she wasn’t sure they were at the right place.

  He suspected they weren’t. He wasn’t expecting company, especially not at almost ten o’clock on a stormy night. The woman was attractive, but her shoulders drooped as if she were exhausted.

  He turned his attention to the man. Tall. Nice Stetson. A swagger to his walk that suggested he knew exactly where he was. Recognition flickered and then rushed through Troy’s veins like an injection of pure adrenaline.

  His last son had come home.

  Troy hurried down the steps to meet him, but once they were eye to eye, Troy’s mouth went dry and he had to force the name from his mouth.

  “Wyatt.”

  “Yep, it’s me.” Wyatt stuck out a hand in greeting.

  Troy ignored it and flung an arm about his son’s shoulder. He’d been through this with every other son, the painful silences and numerous obstacles to overcome while they were getting to know each other all over again.

  But this was Wyatt, his firstborn. He still remembered his beautiful Helene laying Wyatt in his arms that first time. The responsibility of fatherhood had hung over Troy like a dead weight before that moment. But once he’d held Wyatt in his arms, he knew that he’d move heaven and earth to keep Helene and Wyatt happy and safe.

  He’d failed them both.

  “Why didn’t you call and let me know you were coming?” Troy asked.

  “I took my time driving over from Atlanta so I wasn’t sure when I’d get here.”

  “You’re here now. That’s all that matters. Have you talked to your brothers?”

  “Not lately. I figured I’d surprise them, too. I’ll see Dylan and Dakota tomorrow since they’re here at the ranch. I’ll give Sean a call and try to catch up with him sometime this weekend.”

  “Good thinking. If you call them tonight, Dylan and Dakota will be here before you climb out of bed in the morning. It won’t take Sean much longer.”

  Jaci squirmed and opened her eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” Troy said, turning to Kelly. “I was so excited over seeing Wyatt, I forgot my manners. I’m Troy Ledger.”

  “I’m Kelly Burger and this is my daughter, Jaci. I feel bad about intruding this way, but all the motels in town are full and Wyatt said you wouldn’t mind putting us up for the night.”

  “Of course I don’t mind. Any friend of Troy’s is welcome anytime. Let’s get you and Jaci out of the cold and then we’ll do proper introductions.”

  “Good idea,” Wyatt agreed.

  “Wyatt, why don’t you grab Kelly’s bags out of the car while I show them inside, in case she wants to get Jaci settled in for the night.”

  “I don’t have luggage,” Kelly said, “but I’m sure Jaci will appreciate a bed.”

  Jaci balled her hands into fists and rubbed her eyes. “Are we home, Momma?”

  “No, sweetheart, but we’re going to stay with these nice people tonight.”

  Jaci looked around and then laid her head back on her mother’s shoulder. “The bad man took our car.”

  “I’ll explain it all inside,” Wyatt said.

  Troy led the way, pushing the door open and then standing back for Kelly to step inside.

  “I hope we didn’t wake you,” she said.

  “No, I just got back from the horse barn. A couple of the fillies get jittery during storms. If no one’s there to calm them, they can get the other horses riled. Normally my daughter-in-law Collette would insist on being down there with them. But she’s eight months pregnant now.”

  Jaci’s eyes opened wider. “Where are the horses?”

  Kelly brushed curly wisps of hair back from Jaci’s face. “They’re in the barn asleep.”

  “Why don’t I go ahead and show you to your rooms?” Troy said. “Then you can get Jaci settled whenever you want.”

  Kelly switched Jaci to her other hip. “I’d appreciate that.”

  Wyatt didn’t follow them down the hallway.

  “There are several bedrooms, so you can spread out as much as you like,” he offered, not sure exactly what kind of relationship Kelly and Wyatt shared.

  “I’d prefer Jaci sleep in the room with me,” Kelly answered quickly. “It’s been a long, hard day for both of us and I think she’d feel more secure if I’m nearby.”

  “The guest room off the garden is the most roomy and comfortable choice. It has a queen-size bed but there’s a room with two twins if you prefer.”

  “The garden room sounds perfect. I’m so tired tonight that I could proba
bly sleep on the ground.”

  “Too cold for that tonight. They’re forecasting freezing temperatures.”

  He pointed out the bathroom and the closet that held extra blankets and pillows if she needed them and then opened the door to the guest suite that Helene had created. She’d combed garage sales and auctions for over a year looking for affordable antiques. Then she’d spent hours refinishing them.

  “It’s a beautiful room,” Kelly said.

  “I hope it’s comfortable for you.”

  “I’m sure it will be.”

  By the time he got back to the kitchen, Wyatt was on his cell phone, pacing the kitchen and doing more listening than talking.

  Troy didn’t intentionally eavesdrop as he pulled a couple of beers from the fridge, but there was no missing the troubled tone or the gist of what he overheard.

  The discussion concerned Kelly Burger and Wyatt clearly didn’t like what he was hearing.

  Troy opened his beer and downed half of it while Wyatt finished the conversation.

  “Care for a beer, or do you need something stronger?” he offered once Wyatt broke the connection.

  Wyatt dropped into a chair at the kitchen table. “A beer would be great.”

  “Problems?” Troy asked as he sat down opposite Wyatt and pushed the longneck bottle across the table.

  “Complications. Nothing I can’t deal with.”

  “Is this strictly a friendly visit to Mustang Run or are you in the area on police business?”

  “Strictly personal—at least at this point.”

  Troy wasn’t sure what to make of that comment. “I’m glad you’re here no matter the reason, Wyatt. Really glad.”

  “You already have four sons practically in your hip pocket.”

  Troy didn’t miss the hint of sarcasm. He understood where it was coming from. “Your brothers had reservations when they first came back to the ranch, same as I’m sure you have. We worked through them—once they met me halfway.”

  Now Dylan and Dakota were living on the ranch with their wives. Sean and his wife and stepson, Joey, just lived over in Bandera. And Travis would return from Afghanistan in a matter of months.