Caysen (Men of Clifton, Montana #54)

Chapter One

Caysen ‘Case’ Anderson slowed his truck to turn into the driveway, whistling at the sight of the ranch style home.

The sun shone down on the neatly manicured lawn and three barns sat about fifty yards from the house, their red roofs contrasting beautifully against the blue sky.

Case pulled up beside the porch and shut off his engine before stepping out of his truck.

As he walked up to the front door, he took a moment to appreciate the beauty of the area.

The scent of hay and horses filled the air, and he could hear birds chirping in the distance.

He knocked on the door and waited patiently until it opened, revealing the woman he had first met at Celine’s coffee shop.

Surprise flashed across her face when she saw him, but then she smiled warmly.

“Ma’am, I’m Agent Case Anderson, I’m here about a call regarding a missing horse. Did you report it or know who did?” He handed her his card.

“Yes, I reported it. I remember who you are,” she replied, then frowned as she looked at the card. “Your first name is Caysen?”

“It is, but I go by Case.”

They stood facing each other for a moment before Case cleared his throat, reminding him that he was here on official business. “Your horse?”

The woman clenched her jaw. “Yes, my horse. Some idiot stole her. The manager is in the middle barn, his name is Billy Bridges. He can show you where she was taken. I’m sure he’s in his office.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I’ll go speak with him now. Have a nice day.”

“You do the same, Agent Anderson,” she said pointedly.

“Case.”

“What?” She furrowed her brow in confusion.

“Call me Case,” he explained with a grin.

“Well, I prefer Caysen so that’s what I’ll call you.”

Case couldn’t help but smile at her determination as he stared into her beautiful green eyes. He could feel a spark of attraction between them, but he pushed it aside and focused on the task at hand.

“Have a good day, Sydney.”

“You remembered my name,” she said with a smile.

He stared into her eyes. “How could I forget? Enjoy your day.”

“You too, Caysen,” she replied with a small smile.

He nodded as he turned and made his way toward the barn.

Sydney Wright was a beautiful woman and he’d always been partial to redheads, but he was here to do a job.

Glancing around, Case couldn’t help but admire the impressive ranch.

As he entered the barn, he let his eyes adjust to the dimmer lighting before striding down the aisle.

A tall man approached him with a friendly smile.

“Do you need some help, son?” he asked.

“Yes, sir. I’m looking for Billy Bridges. MDOL received a report of a missing horse from this ranch.”

The man extended his hand. “I’m Billy, son. How can I help you?”

Case shook his hand firmly. “Agent Anderson.”

“Pleasure to meet you.”

“Could you or someone show me where the horse was taken from?”

“I can do that. ”

“Alright. We’ll go in my truck.”

“Sure thing,” Billy said agreeably.

They walked outside and climbed into Case’s truck before following Billy’s directions. The road was rough and bumpy, and Case knew he wouldn’t have found it on his own. He marveled at the beautiful landscape around them as they drove on.

“We’re hoping to get this road in better shape before snow comes,” Billy commented.

“If not, you’ll never make it up here. Was the stolen horse alone when they took her?”

“No, there were three others with her, but they only took the one. She’s young and spirited. Sydney had made plans for Trick Dillon to train her. I’m not sure what those thieves were hoping to accomplish.”

“Rustlers don’t care about that,” Case replied grimly.

“I’m sure they don’t.”

“Is she microchipped?”

“She is now. She wasn’t when Sydney brought her home.”

“That’s a plus. If whoever stole her takes her to an auction house, they’ll check her first, then call us. That’s the best-case scenario.”

“And the worst?”

Case shook his head. “You don’t want to know.”

“Yeah, I had a feeling you were going to say that.”

“What breed is she?”

“American Paint. Black, white, and brown with blue eyes. She’s a beauty and Sydney is not at all happy.”

“I understand that. Have you worked here long?”

“Hell, son, I’ve been here since I was eighteen and I’m almost seventy years old.”

Case chuckled. “Does Ms. Wright live here alone? ”

“Yes. Her parents moved to southern Arizona. Her daddy said he was tired of the damn winters here. He couldn’t take it anymore. Sydney came back from South Carolina and took over six years ago and the place has flourished. She breeds and sells Morgans.”

“Yet, she has a Paint.” Case grinned.

“That woman has trouble turning any horse away. Like some people are with dogs, or cats, she’s that way with horses.

She was at MERAS one day, the equine horse rescue and sanctuary.

She’s friends with the wife of the owner.

The people who surrendered the horse said it was prone to bite.

She might have been at one time, but not with Sydney.

She has a way with horses.” Billy pointed out the window.

“Turn there and you’ll see where the fence is down. ”

“How many acres?”

“Two hundred. All fenced with a transmitter, except here. We just fenced this section, but didn’t get the transmitter attached.”

“I see. I’d appreciate it if you could stay here.” Case stopped the truck, stepped out, got a kit from the back for making casts, and walked toward the fence.

After getting all the photos of tracks and shoeprints that he could, he then made casts of ones that he knew would be easy to process. After doing that, he drove back to the barn and let Mr. Bridges out.

“I’ll run the tire prints, and shoeprints. If I find anything, I’ll be in touch. I appreciate you taking me up there, Mr. Bridges.”

“Call me Billy. Let me give you my cellphone number.” He told Case the number and he entered it into his phone.

“Here’s my card, do not hesitate to call me if you think of something. No matter how unimportant it seems.” Billy nodded, closed the door on the truck then entered the barn.

After Billy stepped from the truck, Case pulled away but stopped by the steps to the back porch again. Taking a deep breath, he stepped from the truck, ascended the steps, and knocked on the door.

When Sydney opened it again, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Is there something wrong, Agent?”

“No, ma’am. I just wanted to let you know that you can call me anytime. All my contact numbers are on the card, so please don’t hesitate to call me if you need something.”

She took the card from his hand, looked at it, then back at him, and smiled.

“I’ll do that.”

“Mr. Bridges said that you got the horse at MERAS.”

“I did. She was surrendered for being mean spirited, which she isn’t. I think they just didn’t want her.

“How long ago did you get the horse?”

“About three months ago. That horse was not hard to handle; those people just didn’t want her for some reason.”

Case nodded. “I see. I’m going to take a drive out there. Have a good day, Sydney.”

“You too.”

He touched his hat and walked back to his truck. After climbing inside, he started the truck, and after one more look at her, he drove off.

****

Sydney stood at the living room window watching as Agent Caysen Anderson drove away. He was such a good-looking man with his dark hair and eyes the color of dark honey. The first time she saw him, she almost couldn’t form words.

It had been quite a while since she’d been that interested in a man.

She didn’t seem to have much luck in love.

Most of her friends were in committed relationships and here she was, alone.

Not that she didn’t date, she did, but no one she’d been out with made her want to see them again.

She’d been in a horrible relationship that she never talked about.

She was so afraid that if she mentioned his name, he’d appear, but she also knew that wasn’t possible since he had died in a car accident right after she broke up with him.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to fall in love, it was the thought of going through another heartbreak.

“It would probably be the same with Agent Anderson,” she said with a sigh. “That would be my luck.”

After he drove away, she picked up her purse and walked out the door.

She wanted to head into town, do some shopping, and check in at the bookstore.

The shop did surprisingly well. Even though most people purchased eBooks; paperbacks and hardbacks sold very well.

She supposed some people still liked holding a book in their hands. She sure did.

She pulled into a parking spot on the street, stepped out, locked the vehicle, then crossed the street, and entered Timeless Treasures, the antique shop.

“Welcome to Timeless Treasures, someone will be right with you,” a voice called out.

“No hurry. I’m just going to wander around.”

“Hi, Sydney.”

She smiled when she saw Savannah Collins, the owner of the store and a good friend, walking toward her.

“Hi, Vanna. How are you?”

“Wonderful, and you?”

“Same. It’s such a pretty day.”

“It’s calling for snow in a couple of days,” Vanna said with a sigh.

“Well, it is late February, so we know there is no set weather.” Sydney laughed.

“True. So, what are you doing in town?”

“I’m off today and decided to spend it in town. I’ll probably spend too much money, but I’m hoping to get the theft of my horse off my mind.”

“Your horse was stolen?”

“Yes, the one I bought three months ago.”

“Oh, no. Did you call about it?”

“Yeah, a livestock agent came out to the ranch. He took some photos and left. I hope he can figure it out.”

“I’m sure he’ll do all he can.”

“I think he will. How’s Grady?” Sydney smiled when a big grin lit up Vanna’s face.

“He’s wonderful.”

“Have you set a date yet?”

“No. We’re not in a hurry. I know he loves me, and he knows I love him, so we don’t have to rush.”

“Girl, everyone knows you two love each other.”

Vanna laughed. “True.”