CHAPTER ELEVEN
With a tub of dirty dishes, Charley headed into the kitchen. She loaded them into the dishwasher and set it to begin. A ball of lead settled in her stomach. She could call Kane at the bunkhouse, but since he’d been out for the treats, she figured he’d already be at the barn. As far as she knew, he didn’t have a cell phone, so the only way she could talk to him was face to face. And, honestly, with something this big, she wanted to look him in the eye. She had a way to gauge whether someone told the truth or lied. But it only worked if she could see their face.
She pulled out the tub of egg salad she’d put together yesterday afternoon before she’d gone to pick up Taylor from school. Being the young girl’s daily pick up had also become her job since Angela’s fainting spell. But she didn’t mind. Charley enjoyed their girl talk.
Making two dozen sandwiches kept her hands busy, however, her mind continued to return to the reporter’s accusations. It was ridiculous to think of him as a cheater. Maybe the reporter had the wrong person. Maybe it’s not my Kane. Wait, my Kane? When did he become mine? She needed answers, and she needed them now. With her feelings already involved, she deserved the truth. They couldn’t move forward without honesty.
She stormed out of the kitchen and glanced around the room. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Hernandez sat at the table near the bathrooms, immersed in conversation. She hadn’t heard the bell when they came in—probably too absorbed in thought. Strolling to their table, she paused and cleared her throat. “Excuse me. Can you watch the shop for an hour? I need to run out to the ranch, and Angela’s not here.”
The gentlemen looked up. Mr. Thompson tilted his head. “You want us to do what?”
“Are we going to take people’s orders and ring them up?” Mr. Hernandez inquired.
Charley hadn’t thought it over. She’d been unable to think about anything other than Kane and getting the truth. “Sure. If you wouldn’t mind. For the help, you can have lunch on me today.” Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. Her stomach churned, and she needed to leave. If these guys don’t agree soon, I’m going to kick everyone out and lock up. Say yes…just say yes.
“All right. We’ll do it. But only for an hour,” Mr. Thompson growled. “You’d better skedaddle.”
No one had to tell her twice. She bounded into the office, set the timer on her watch to remind her of the time, grabbed her purse, and sprinted to the men at the table. She gave them each a quick hug then ran out the door. Tires squealing, she peeled out of the lot and took off down the road.
***
Kane worked with Cheyenne’s foal, Peanut, in the corral. Jake wanted the foal to get used to the blanket and saddle. Though Peanut was too young to start using a bridle, Jake wanted him trained to open his mouth for dental cleanings and get experience with a soft cord for the mouth. He had Peanut put his head in his lap, training him to open his teeth with just a light touch on the side of the mouth. Peanut approached Kane easily—unlike other people. He loved the rubbing and positive attention he received for doing what was asked. In the two weeks since he had arrived, Peanut had quickly become his new best friend.
Kane was ready to get Peanut comfortable with a blanket. While the horse wasn’t old enough for riding, he would be someday, and the ranch needed a well-trained horse. He held the blanket in his hands and rubbed it on his arms to show Peanut the blanket didn’t hurt. Using a calm voice, Kane approached the horse and softly stroked the blanket over the horse’s back then brushed it along his own arms again.
The sound of the gate latching startled him, and he turned to find Charley standing inside the corral. “Hi, sugar. I didn’t think you’d be by until later tonight. What’s up?” He flashed her his widest grin. Her hair danced in the breeze and looked a little more disheveled than normal.
She scampered to him, startling the foal. Peanut butted his shoulder and let out a whinny. She held her hand out. “I’m sorry, boy. I didn’t mean to startle you.” She looked at Kane. “We need to talk.”
Her serious tone had him wondering and set his nerves on edge. “Let me give Peanut this carrot for his work, and we’ll go talk in the shade over there.” He pointed to a tall tree outside the corral. “Go ahead. I’ll join you there.”
Needing a moment to compose his feelings and thoughts, Kane pulled the carrot from his pants pocket and held it out for the foal. While Peanut happily munched, he ran his hands over the horse’s neck on both sides. “You go play now, Peanut. You were a good boy and we’ll work on this more later.”
Kane took a deep breath, hung the blanket over the corral post, and strolled toward the tree. He studied her face, trying to figure out what had her upset. Oh, clearly something had bothered her. Her bottom lip was red and slightly swollen from chewing on it, and she also twisted her hands together. Her eyes glistened with tears one minute then turned hard as ice the next.
He dropped to the grass and leaned against the tree. “Spill. What’s got you running out here during the middle of the day?”
“A reporter showed up at the café after you left. He’d seen you and told me about the cheating.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I need to hear your side. I also need to know why you didn’t tell me.” Her voice softened as she spoke, becoming almost a whisper.
“So they’ve found me. I don’t know how, but I expected it. It’s why I cut my hair short before I left and have looked and acted like a homeless person. I didn’t even use my credit cards.” He reached out and clasped her hand. “I was…was…caught cheating.” His voice broke on the last word.
“Why? You had to have a reason.”
Kane weighed his choices in his mind. He looked up into the most beautiful eyes. Uncertainty tinged her gaze but also love. He took a deep breath. “What I’m about to tell you, I’ve not told anyone. And you can’t say anything, either.”
She nodded.
“Do you promise?”
“I won’t. I promise.”
Kyle could sense she’d promise him the moon if he asked. He stood a little taller. His heart soaring. She would hear him out because she wanted to believe in him. She wanted to trust him. “I had been contacted by the Feds to help set up a sting on the coaches at my school. They’d been fixing or having their players throw games for years, however no one had ever caught them. The Feds needed someone inside. Someone the coaches would trust. I agreed and had to throw a game or two so the coaches could bet against the team and win big money.”
Love still filled her gaze, but now also hope. “Why doesn’t anyone know?”
“They haven’t been arrested yet. The Feds had more than just me on the inside, working this case. The coaches think I’m the patsy and am taking the fall for their lies. Last year, one of the players who had been caught up in their scheme killed himself when it came out he’d been cheating and deflating footballs.”
“Oh no.” Charley gasped and covered her mouth. “How long until you’re vindicated?”
“I don’t know for sure. But the Feds assured me the truth would be out before the fall season and my name would be cleared. While I love playing college football, it’s not my career. But I hate the dirty coaches who’ll do anything to make money off the rest of the kids on the team.”
She reached over and pulled him close, hugging him. “I’m so proud of you. And thanks for trusting me.”
“You’re the only person I’ve told. You’re the only one I could confide in. I didn’t want to tell Jake or Johnson, even though he knew I was caught cheating. The only sure way to keep a secret is to tell no one. The Feds warned me if I talked to anyone, word might get back and ruin the sting operation. Since the one reporter has found me, more are sure to come. Maybe I should return to Athens and avoid tarnishing the reputation of The Heartsong Ranch. They do such good work, amazing things with the children. I’d hate for them to be hurt because of me.”
She squeezed him tighter. “You can’t leave.” She leaned back then turned a light shade of pink. “I’ve finally found someone I could trust and love.”
“Love?” He couldn’t believe she’d said it. He’d known since he saw her freckled face the first day in the café.
“I love you, Kane Warner.” She placed her hands on each of his cheeks as her lips met his. Her kiss deepened and her teeth gently nipped at his bottom lip, forcing it open so her tongue could caress his. He reached around and tightened his grip on her body. Her breasts crushed against his chest as he tugged her onto his lap.
Beep, beep, beep…
A noise registered in the sensual fog surrounding them, but he couldn’t process what it was.
Charley jumped up. “The time.” She glanced at her watch which made the noise. “I’ve got to get to the café. I left those two old-timers in charge.” She bent over and gently kissed him then ran around the side of the corral before stopping. “I’ll come see you tonight. Leave the bunkhouse unlocked for me.”
He stood and brushed off his jeans then adjusted his crotch. “What did she mean about tonight?” As comprehension dawned, he grinned.