Chapter 14

After the sheriff had departed, Misty fell silent. She seemed to have withdrawn into herself.

“Are you okay?” Colton asked, certain the sheriff’s revelations had upset her and not wanting to cause her more distress.

She pressed her lips together and nodded. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.”

A hint of a smile graced her face. “Thanks.”

“No, I mean—”

“It’s all right. I’m just feeling sad is all.” She took a few paces across the room before turning back to face him. “I wanted so badly to be able to get on with my life. To help Mark get past Joe’s and Daddy’s deaths. We both need this to be over and done with.”

“I understand. But you can’t rush these things. You heard what the sheriff had to say. Just try to be patient.”

She shook her head. “Sorry. Patience is not one of my virtues.”

“Apparently not.” He grinned and tickled her cheek, eliciting a giggle in return. “I need to get back to the ranch. Have I convinced you not to move back to your home just yet?”

Misty heaved a sigh and lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “I guess, but I’m going to go by and check on Rosa and Paco after I get off work. I’ll just stop by to see if they need anything.”

Colton tried to quell the anxiety gathering in his chest. He had no right to tell her what to do, but he felt greatly concerned about her hanging around a place where so much tragedy had occurred. “Can’t you just call them?”

She raised an eyebrow. “No. Rosa doesn’t want to impose, and she won’t tell me when they run low on food or basic supplies. I’ll have to check for myself.”

“Just promise me you’ll be careful. Come home quickly.”

Misty made an exasperated noise in the back of her throat. “That ranch is my home, Colton. I was born and raised there.”

He huffed out a deep sigh. “I know. I want you to come to my home. I want you tucked up safe with me.”

“Sounds like you care.” She gazed up at him, her eyes shining.

“You know I do. I love you, remember?”

“I remember, and I love you too.”

He planted a kiss on her lips that quickly deepened as her arms circled his neck. There it was. She admitted she loved him too. Now what? Did that give him the right to forbid her to go to her ranch? He thought not.

Colton kissed her on the nose. “Well, I’ll be at home…my home…when you get there. Hurry up and come to dinner. We can go for a moonlight drive after we eat.”

She flashed him a grin. “That sounds very romantic, Colt. I’ll see you later.” She gave him another kiss, and he left the law office, climbed in his truck, and headed back to the Garrett ranch. Now, if he could just stop worrying until she joined him there.

* * *

Misty stopped at the Food Mart to pick up a few fresh things. Milk, bread, and orange juice plus some fruit and vegetables. She figured Rosa and Paco would be running low on these supplies. The freezer was well stocked with meat.

When she pulled up close to the front door of the Dalton ranch house, the door flew open, and Rosa clasped her hands together. “Oh, Miss Misty. I’m so glad to see you. Paco hasn’t come home yet, and I’m very worried.” She cast a glance in the direction of the road, and her lips tightened. “He always come home before this time.”

Misty noticed the battered old truck was missing. “When did he leave?” She climbed out of Leah’s car and removed the bags of groceries from the back seat.

Rosa reached for some of the bags and led the way inside. “He come home for lunch and then go back out. He say Mr. Colton talk to him about planting a crop before winter sets in. He drive off toward the east field about one o’clock.”

It was just after six, and Misty felt a twisting in her gut. If something had happened to Paco, she didn’t think she could stand it. “Put the cold things away, and we’ll go look for him. Maybe the truck broke down.”

Rosa’s brow cleared. “Ah, yes. The truck.” She put the milk and other cold things into the refrigerator and slipped on a cardigan sweater.

“I’ll meet you in the car.” Misty went back outside and climbed behind the steering wheel, with Rosa following. When they were both settled, Misty started the car and pulled out onto the road. “He drove this way?”

“Sí. He go to see where best place to plant crops for feed the cattle.” She flashed a smile. “Paco very happy that Mr. Colton would buy seed.”

Misty gnawed her lower lip, staring out the windshield. She didn’t see the old truck or any other vehicles on the road. The sun was getting low in the sky. She hoped they could find Paco soon and that he was safe.

They reached the property line, and she turned east onto a smaller farm-to-market road.

Rosa’s lips were moving silently, and Misty realized she was praying.

“There!” Misty pointed up ahead to where the truck was partially hidden behind the old abandoned farmhouse on the property her father had acquired when she was just a child. The outbuildings looked as though they were about to fall down.

She pulled in and turned on the headlights.

Paco was not in the truck, but the driver’s-side door was open.

Misty barely had time to bring the car to a full stop when Rosa was out the door. “Paco,” she called.

Misty grabbed the flashlight she had seen in the glove compartment and followed. She washed the inside of the truck with the beam, her stomach catching when she saw blood on the seat and doorframe. “Oh no!”

“Dios mío!” Rosa covered her mouth with both hands. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she began shaking all over.

Misty put an arm around her, not sure what to say to comfort Rosa when she was so terribly frightened herself. She swallowed hard, wishing Colton was with her. “Let’s look around. He has to be nearby.” She hoped this was true. It appeared Paco had been in an accident or injured himself in some way.

She shone the flashlight around, playing the beam over the ramshackle sheds and falling-down barn. There was no movement, and she heard nothing. Turning toward the house, she rounded the truck with Rosa still encircled in her arm.

A slight movement caused her to start. Something on the passenger side of the truck made a noise. She picked out a form slumped against the rear wheel well. It was Paco.

Rosa rushed toward him, her arms outstretched. “Papa!” she moaned.

Misty went to kneel on the other side. Paco’s head was bloodied, and he appeared to be covered with dirt and dried blood. “Let’s get him in the car.” She helped him to his feet, and the two women half carried him to lie down in the back seat. Rosa climbed in beside him, cradling his head in her lap.

Misty drove away quickly, calling Colton on her cell phone.

“Where are you?” he asked. “Everyone is waiting dinner on you.” He sounded a little irritated.

“Colton, Paco has been injured. He and Rosa are with me in Leah’s car. I don’t know what happened to him, but he needs a doctor right away.”

“Can you come straight here? I’ll call the doctor to meet you here.”

“Yes, we’re headed there now.” She disconnected and drove as fast as she could to the Garrett ranch. When she arrived, Colton, his father, and his brother Beau were waiting outside.

The three men rushed to open the door and carefully lifted Paco from the vehicle. They bore him gently into the house, with a weeping Rosa following close behind.

Misty turned to see Breckenridge T. Ryan’s truck veer into the drive and make a hard stop. Breck jumped out on one side, and his wife, the local doctor, leapt from the passenger side carrying a leather bag.

“Where’s my patient?” she demanded.

Misty pointed to the house, and the woman shot through the open door.

“Misty, that is my wife, Cameron, better known as Cami. What happened?”

“I went to my ranch after work to take some supplies, and Rosa said Paco hadn’t returned. We went to look for him and found him all bloody. I don’t know what happened to him.”

Breck gestured toward the house, and they entered together.

Mark met her in the front room, his eyes wide. “What happened to Paco? He looks awful.”

Misty embraced him, glad to hold onto her young brother. “I don’t know. We found him like that.”

“They took him to one of the guest rooms. The doctor is checking him over now, but they told me to step out.” Mark’s brows drew together. “I hope he’s going to be okay.”

She kissed his cheek. “Me too, honey. Me too.”

Colton came down the hall toward them, his face grim. “I’m going to call the sheriff. It looks like someone attacked this man.”

“Oh no!” Misty fought against the constriction in her chest. “Who would do such a thing?”

“Who indeed?” Breck asked.

* * *

Colton made the call to the sheriff’s office and waited for him to arrive. He was gripped by a combination of fear, anger, and relief.

His fear was for Misty, who seemed oblivious to the fact that some person or persons were focused on eliminating everyone associated with the Dalton ranch.

He was angry that someone had brutalized an elderly man, but he was relieved that Misty hadn’t been the victim of the attack.

Maybe she would listen to him now and stop thinking about returning to her place until the criminals had been brought to justice. Maybe.

Breck Ryan paced around the front room, glancing outside every few minutes, as if that might hurry the sheriff’s vehicle.

Misty looked as though she might fall down in a heap, but Colt stood with his arms around her. She felt small and fragile in his embrace.

Big Jim and Beau joined them, each with his own grim expression.

“I just don’t know what this world is coming to.” Big Jim raked his fingers through his thick silver hair. “What kind of person would attack an old man? Just makes me sick.”

“Where did you find Paco?” Colton asked Misty.

She pulled herself out of his arms, turning to face him. “Rosa was worried because he hadn’t returned, so we went looking for him. The truck was at the old abandoned house on the east half of our property. When we drove up, we could see the driver’s-side door was open and there was blood on the seat. We found him on the ground all bloody, and he couldn’t speak.” A single tear rolled down her cheek, and Colt reached to wipe it away. Misty leaned against him, burying her face against his chest.

“It’s a good thing you went looking for him,” Big Jim said. “Poor old fellow probably wouldn’t have made it through the night.”

Colton felt a shiver wash through Misty’s small frame. Her dark eyes contrasted sharply with the paleness of her skin.

Leah poked her head in. “I know you may not feel like eating, but I made some fresh coffee.”

One by one, the others made their way into the kitchen. The sound of muted conversation filtered out to the front room.

Only Breck Ryan waited with Misty and Colton.

Colton’s attention was caught by the sound of vehicles approaching the ranch house. Two sheriff’s department cruisers arrived, lights flashing but no sirens. The red and blue lights swirled through the windows, washing the walls with color as car doors opened and slammed. The sound of booted feet stomping up the walk caused Breck to move to the entrance. He opened the front door to admit the sheriff and three of his deputies.

The sheriff shook hands with Breck and looked around, taking in the sight of Misty in Colton’s arms. “Where’s the victim?”

“Sheriff.” Colton tightened his grip on her. “The doctor is with him now.”

“Who found the victim?”

Misty raised her hand, like a schoolgirl. “I did. Rosa, his wife, said he hadn’t come home, so we went to look for him. We thought perhaps his old truck had broken down.” She recounted how and where they had found the injured man.

The sheriff dispatched two of his men in the second patrol car to check out the crime scene and keep it secure. “I need to see the victim,” he said.

Colton released Misty and gestured to the sheriff. “Come with me.”

Misty looked as though she wanted to follow, but he stopped her. “I’ll send Rosa to you. The two of you need to get some supper. Try to make sure she eats.”

Misty nodded and stepped back.

Colton led the way down the corridor to the bedroom wing. He rapped lightly at the door and twisted the knob.

Dr. Cami and Rosa looked up when Colt entered with the sheriff.

“The sheriff is here to see how Paco is doing.”

Cami nodded, her mouth set in a firm line. “Come in, Sheriff. I called for a medical transport helicopter to pick up Mr. Hernandez. I’ve cleaned him and patched him as well as I can here, but I suspect there’s internal damage, so I want to fly him to the hospital in Amarillo for further tests and treatment.”

Tears streamed silently down Rosa’s cheeks. She rocked a bit in her chair, clasping Paco’s hand in hers.

“He hasn’t regained consciousness?” the sheriff asked.

Dr. Cami shook her head. “No, but he sustained a vicious beating. More than likely, it took two or more persons to do this to him.”

The sound of a rotor beating the air grew louder.

“That’s our ride.” Dr. Cami lifted her head and pushed to a standing position. “Sorry about the bedspread.” She directed her gaze to Colton. “A little hydrogen peroxide should take the blood out.”

“Not a problem,” Colton replied. “Mrs. Hernandez, Misty is waiting to get you a bite to eat. It’s been a long night.”

Rosa shook her head. “I want to go with my husband.”

Dr. Cami put her hand on Rosa’s arm. “You need to eat. Breck will drive you to the hospital. He’ll be following the helicopter right away.”

Rosa nodded and allowed Colton to show her the way to the kitchen. As they made their way down the hallway, the EMTs assigned to the helicopter passed by them, led by young Mark.

Colton was glad everyone was working together to help the Hernandez couple. He hoped the man survived. An angry fist gripped his stomach when he thought about someone injuring an elderly person.

When he reached the kitchen with Rosa, Misty opened her arms and took charge of getting the woman something to eat. Leah and Misty surrounded her, speaking to her in soothing voices.

Colton caught Breck’s eye. “Cami said you would be driving to Amarillo.”

Breck nodded. “When my wife takes to the skies with a patient, I’m the ground crew.”

“Good partnership,” Colton said. “She asked that you transport Mrs. Hernandez so she could be with her husband.”

Breck chortled. “No, I’m pretty sure she ordered that I do it.”

Colton thought about it for a second. “Well…”

“That’s okay, son. I know when to lead, and I know when to follow.” Breck nodded to where Rosa was being tended by the two women. “As soon as she has a chance to eat something, we’ll take off.”

Colton turned as the sheriff and his deputy entered the kitchen. “We got some images of the wounds, and now we’re going to the scene of the attack. The other deputies are there now and have secured the scene.” He shrugged. “It’s going to be a long night.”

“Take care, Sheriff, and find the sons of bitches who did this.” Breck clapped the man on the shoulder. “I’ll check in with you when I get back from Amarillo.”

“I’m sending my deputy to collect the victim’s clothing. If the hospital staff will bag them, I’ll get them to the crime lab to see if there’s any evidence to be recovered.”

Breck nodded. “Anything I can do to help. You’ve got my cell.”

There was a moment when the group drew a collective breath. The EMTs strode down the hall with Paco strapped to a stretcher and Dr. Cami bringing up the rear. She sought out Breck, gave him a curt nod, and then left. In a matter of minutes, they heard the helicopter lift off.

Rosa’s face looked strained, and Misty patted her on the shoulder.

“Whenever you’re ready,” Breck said to Rosa.

“Wait,” Leah called. “I packed you some extra food. The hospital may not be serving when you’re ready to eat.”

Rosa fell into Leah’s arms, her shoulders shaking. She thanked everyone for their kindness, and Breck escorted her to his truck for the drive to Amarillo.

When Colton turned, he saw that Mark and Misty were clinging to each other, Mark’s face ravaged by tears.

Too much had happened in this young man’s life in such a short period of time. And in Misty’s.

Colton was determined to stop them both from returning to the Dalton ranch until whoever was behind the violence had been arrested.

He met her gaze, and she nodded silently. He figured she was reading his mind.

Big Jim crossed the room to lay his hand on Colton’s shoulder. He drew him into the front room. “Things just keep getting crazier and crazier. I think you better keep an eye on your little girlfriend. I don’t know who’s got it in for the Daltons, but whoever it is needs to be stopped.”

“I agree, Dad, but the sheriff doesn’t have any idea.”

Big Jim shook his head. “Whoever it is, the sumbitch is meaner than a snake. Why beat up an old man?”

Colton had to agree. “The sheriff said there had to be at least two perpetrators involved. Maybe more. He couldn’t even say if the murder of Joe Dalton was tied to the murder of Fred Hamilton. Different weapons and methods.”

“Damn!” A muscle in Big Jim’s jaw twitched. “I don’t know which would be worse—to have two different killers running loose or to have one very bad pair responsible for all of it.”

Colton heaved a sigh. “I hope Paco regains consciousness and can tell the sheriff who attacked him.”

Big Jim’s hands were drawn into fists. “I’d just like to get my hands on those sumbitches first.”

* * *

Misty busied herself around the kitchen. She needed to stay occupied. She needed to focus on the little tasks so her brain wouldn’t explode with all the pain she had witnessed lately. The image of Rosa’s tear-ravaged face sprang to mind, and she almost dropped the glass she was drying.

“Don’t worry about the dishes,” Leah said. “I can put them away.”

“I—I need to do this.”

Leah gave her shoulders a squeeze. “I understand.” She turned to leave. “I’m going to help Gracie get ready for bed. She’s hanging out with Gran, who is keeping her entertained. This has been a scary evening for her too. I know she’s going to want me to be with her while she’s going to sleep.”

Misty nodded. “That’s sweet. You’re so lucky.”

“I have been lately,” Leah agreed. “But six months ago, I was the original bad-luck kid. It seemed as though everything I touched turned to crap.”

Misty turned to face her, surprised to hear this admission. “What happened? Everything seems to be going well for you now.”

Leah flashed a grin. “My whole life changed. I met Tyler Garrett and found out what love is really about.”

Misty felt a twinge of envy. She wondered if she could possibly have a life filled with love and stability.

Leah gave her a brief hug. “Things will work out. You’ll see.” With that, she turned and left the room.

Misty finished putting away the dishes and wiped down the countertops. When she turned around, she found Colton slouched against the doorframe, watching her.

“Oh, you startled me.” She sucked in a deep breath and let it out.

“I didn’t mean to.” He pushed away from the door and came toward her. The expression on his face sent a current of heat swirling through her lower regions.

“I know this has been a tough evening for you.” He lifted her chin and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

She nodded. “You can say that again. Why can’t the bad things just stop happening?”

“Because there are some very bad people out there, and we don’t know why they’re targeting anyone associated with the Dalton ranch, but I want you to stay safe.”

Misty swallowed hard. “Me too. It’s just Mark and me now. We’re the only ones left.”

Colt wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “And me. I’m with you. Don’t forget that, ever.”

“I know, and I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you more.” He kissed her again, this time wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. “Please don’t take any chances. No more trips to the ranch. Promise me.”

Her lips trembled, but she nodded. “I promise.”

* * *

The next morning Misty drove off to the law office of Breckenridge T. Ryan, Esquire, while Colton drove in the other direction to the Dalton ranch. He wanted to see for himself what was going on. He was a partner, after all. He made a growling noise in the back of his throat. It wasn’t about the ranch. It was about Misty. He wanted her safe. He wanted all threats against the Daltons to be stopped, contained, or neutralized.

He cruised by the Dalton home, but it was locked up and silent. Following along on the road, he came to a dead end and turned toward the old abandoned house on the property. It would probably be best to try to demolish it and the outbuildings. Maybe something could be reclaimed, but the current derelict condition was nothing but a liability.

He saw two sheriff’s department vehicles pulled into the open area between the old house and the outbuildings, along with the rusty truck Paco had been driving.

Colton parked his own truck a good distance away from the crime scene and walked toward the deputies.

He knew one of them and raised a hand in greeting. “Hey, Jason. Have you been here all night?”

“’Fraid so. We’ve secured the crime scene, which seems to be this old truck.” He jerked his head toward the faded vehicle.

“Good job,” Colton said with a grin.

“Hey, I’m on overtime. My next paycheck will make my wife happy, anyway.”

Colton jammed his thumbs in the pockets of his Wranglers. “So, what’s going on?”

“Why do you care?” Jason raised a brow and gave him a questioning look.

“I care.” Colton shrugged. “I’m going with Misty Dalton. She and her little brother are staying with us.”

Jason straightened. “Oh, I didn’t know you and Misty were together. I haven’t seen you two around town.”

Colton blew out a deep breath. “It’s been tough, what with her brother getting killed and her father dying. Not a good time.”

“Oh, yeah. I knew Mr. Dalton was sick, but Joe…I didn’t see that coming.” Jason leaned against his patrol car. “How old is Misty, anyway?”

Colton grinned. “Just turned twenty-two.”

“You dog.” Jason grinned too. “She’s barely ripe.”

Colton leaned against the passenger-door panel. “She’s perfect.”

“Serious?”

“I am. Not pushing her. She and her younger brother have been through a lot.” Colton turned to give Jason his full attention. “I’m hoping you guys can clear up the mystery of Joe’s death and now find out who attacked their ranch hand. It was a pretty brutal beating. The doc took him to Amarillo last night.”

“Sorry for the old guy.”

Colton gestured to the truck. “So, did you crime-fighter types discover anything? Like who did it?”

Jason let out a guffaw. “Not us lowly deputies, but the crime scene techs drove in from Amarillo and took blood samples. They found several sets of boot prints too. Not much else they were willing to talk about.”

The other deputy came over to join them and introduced himself. “Clyde Allen.” He gestured around at the decrepit buildings. “What is this old place, anyway? Doesn’t look like anyone’s lived here for a long time.”

“You’re new to Langston,” Jason said. “This place used to belong to the Simmons family, but they went belly up about ten, twelve years ago. Most of them moved away, except for Eddie. He’s lived with his uncle, Levi Blair, since he was a teenager.”

That registered with Colton, who recalled what Misty had told him. “And Eddie was one of Joe’s running buddies, wasn’t he?”

Jason nodded, his brow furrowing. “Yeah. Eddie’s a complete asshole. Been in a little trouble, but nothing serious.”

Colton gazed around. “In broad daylight, it doesn’t look like this would be a place where an old farmhand would get beaten up. Wonder what went down.”

Jason twitched his shoulders. “Something bad, for sure.”