Chapter Six
The next day, Sydney sat at the kitchen table going over the payroll for both the ranch and the bookstore.
It usually took her no time at all, but she couldn’t stop thinking about Caysen and what had happened.
She was dying to tell Celine but didn’t want her to mention it to Killian.
Caysen wouldn’t be happy if that happened.
God! It had been so friggin’ hot. She’d never had better sex. She rarely had an orgasm during sex, but she had more than one with Caysen. The man knew what to do with a woman.
“Yeah, now he probably spoiled you for any other man,” she muttered, then jumped when her phone vibrated on the table. She picked it up to see her mother’s number.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, honey. How’s your day going?”
“So far, so good. I’m working on payroll for the ranch and the store.”
“Make sure you keep them separate.”
“I will, Mom. What are you and Dad up to today?”
“We’re taking a drive. You know how we like to get out of the house on pretty days.”
“It’s not pretty here. It’s snowing and not letting up.”
“I sure don’t miss that.”
“I know you don’t. I love it though.”
“We know. That’s why we didn’t hesitate to leave you to tend to the ranch. We knew you’d never leave Montana.”
“Not ever again. I love Clifton too much.”
“I have to admit, I do miss Clifton. ”
“It’s growing every day.”
“I’m sure. So, have they found your horse?”
“No, but Agent Anderson is working on it.”
“He’s determined?”
“Very. He has a lead. He stopped by last night to tell me but won’t tell me more than that.”
Her mother laughed. “Well, he’s probably afraid you’d go after them.”
Sydney chuckled. “That’s what he said, but I believe he’ll solve this case for me.”
“It’s good you trust him.”
“I do. When are you coming to visit?”
“When it’s not snowing.”
“That could be next July,” Sydney teased.
“That’s the truth. Well, I just wanted to check in on you and see how the case was going with your horse. I hope you get her back.”
“I do too. She’s such a beautiful animal and I was just winning her trust.”
“Keep us posted, honey. We’ll talk soon. We love you.”
“I love you both. Bye, Mom.”
“Bye, sweetie.” Her mother hung up.
Sydney set the phone down and got back to work on the payroll, then she was going to relax for the rest of the day. Being Saturday, she never did much unless she went horseback riding, but it was way too cold today.
As she looked out the window over the sink, she shook her head at the falling snow. She didn’t know how Caysen would get anything done if it didn’t stop snowing. She wondered why he couldn’t tell her more. Who was she going to tell or go after?
Her phone vibrated again, and she picked it up to see Celine’s number .
“Hey, Celine.”
“What are you doing on this wonderful day?” Celine laughed.
“Payroll.”
“Oh, I hate doing that. Anything new on the case?”
Sydney hesitated. “Well, kind of, but Caysen won’t tell me everything.”
“Damn, does he know you or what?”
“Hey, what does that mean?”
“If you knew who had your horse, you’d probably go after them. I know you too well, Sydney Iris Wright.”
“Shut up.”
Celine laughed again. “So, he basically said the same thing, didn’t he?”
“Yes. Am I so easy to read?”
“Nothing to be ashamed of. At least people know where they stand with you.”
“Whatever. What are you and Killian doing today?”
“He’s actually working today. Something came up on the case he’s working on, and he went into the office.”
“In this snow?”
“Roads are clear here and in town.”
“Oh, well, I haven’t been out, so I have no clue. I wish Caysen would find my horse.”
“I’m sure he’s doing all he can.”
“Yeah…”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing.”
“You answered way too soon on that, Sydney.”
“Nothing. Really.”
“Oh, now I know something’s going on, but I won’t pressure you. I’m sure you’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
“I will. I promise. ”
“Okay. I’ll let you get back to work. I’m going to find a movie and wait for Killian to get home. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Okay. We’ll have lunch again soon.”
“Yes, sounds good. Love you, bye.”
“Love you too. Bye.” Sydney set the phone down and once again got back to work.
Once she finished the payrolls, she headed to the living room to find a movie. It was just too bad she couldn’t be waiting for Caysen like Celine was waiting for Killian.
****
As Case threaded his pickup along the winding country road, he was ready to get home and relax.
The late afternoon light bounced off the snow-blanketed pastures.
A brittle hush lay over the landscape, only the crunch of his tires on snow pierced the stillness.
He inhaled, already savoring the comfort of home.
Suddenly, that peace shattered. Up ahead, just beyond a battered wooden fence, a man stood hitting at a rearing horse with a leather strap.
As Case watched, the whip lashed through the air in staccato snaps, and the horse’s panic-stricken whinnies rang out, echoing across the fields.
The animal’s flanks were slick with sweat despite the cold, its nostrils flaring like bright coals in the light.
“Fuck,” Case growled, yanking the wheel hard and skidding to a halt. He threw the door open, the wind roaring into the cab, and stepped out and sank into fresh snow. His breath came in white plumes as he marched straight toward the scene.
The man’s arm rose again, the leather strap gleaming.
He didn’t hear Case’s approach over his own ragged shouts.
Case closed the distance in two strides, jumped the fence, seized the thong of the whip, and wrenched it free.
The crack of leather against air cut off instantly.
The man spun around, eyes flashing fury beneath a crooked brimmed hat.
“Young man, what the hell d’you think you’re doing?” he barked.
Case clenched his jaw. “Stopping you from beating this animal.”
“It’s none of your business,” the man spat, though his voice wavered.
Case drew himself up, removed his badge from his belt and showed it to the man. “This badge says it is my business. Agent Caysen Anderson with Montana Department of Livestock. I’ve got authority to confiscate any creature I find being mistreated. Including this horse.”
The man’s face went pale. “You can’t take my horse.”
“Watch me.” Case took the lead rope from the man. The horse shivered but didn’t bolt. Case wound the rope around the fence. “I’m tying him here. Then I’ll go get a trailer. If he’s gone when I return, I’ll hunt you down and arrest you. We clear?”
Case’s voice was an iron order. The man swallowed hard, gaze flicking between the badge and the bound horse.
“I—yeah. I get it.” His words were hollow but compliant.
“How many animals do you own?” Case asked.
“Just two horses. This one and a mare back at the barn.”
“Fine. You haul this one to the barn, and I’ll be back for both.” Case squared his shoulders, voice leaving no room for argument.
“You don’t have the right—”
“I have every fucking right,” Case shot back. “Look, I’m not in a good mood as it is, and you’re pissing me off more.” He climbed over the fence.
Snow crunched under his boots as he strode back to the truck. He slammed the door, started the engine, and peeled out, sending a spray of gravel and snow dancing along the fence line.
Anger and resolve churned through him as he barreled toward the office. He called Dave; to tell him he was taking a trailer and then see to it that both those horses ended up somewhere safe. Case lowered the window and the cold Montana wind whipped through. He had to cool down some way.
When he arrived back at the office, he rode the elevator up and pulled open the glass door. He glanced around but only a few agents were there and they were getting ready to leave for the day.
He nodded at them, then got the key to the lot where they kept trailers and other trucks. After he rode the elevator back down, he climbed into his truck, then drove to the lot a few blocks up. He stopped, got out, unlocked the gate, then drove his truck through.
He backed up to a horse trailer, hooked it up to his hitch, then drove out of the lot. After stopping to lock the gate, he drove to the older man’s property. As he did, he called Brayden.
“Hey, Brayden. It’s Case Anderson. I have two horses that need taken in for now.”
“Sure, bring them by. Is the owner going to get them back?”
“I don’t know. I caught him beating one of them with a whip. I’m sure if he beats one, he beats the other.”
“Damn. Okay, I’ll be waiting.”
“Thanks.”
Case hung up, then drove along the two-lane blacktop until he reached the man’s driveway and drove up it. He stopped beside the barn, stepped out, then entered.
The older man walked toward him. “Do you have to take them?”
“You were beating that horse. What do you expect?”
“I’m just having a rough time.”
“So, you beat your horses for that?”
“No. I don’t usually do that. Honest. My wife…” The man swallowed hard. “My wife passed away two weeks ago, and I’m just so angry about it. I knew she was going to die, but it still hit me hard. We’d been married for fifty years.”
Case felt his anger dissolve. “I’m sorry to hear that, but that’s no excuse to hit that horse.”
“I know. You’re right. Just go ahead and take them.”
“If you go to court and tell your story, you can probably get them back.”
“No. It’s best if you take them. I can’t take care of them anymore.”
“Sir, if you’re sure, I’ll take them to MERAS, the equine sanctuary in Hartland, but if you decide you want them back, let me know and we’ll see what we can do.” Case handed him a business card.
“Thank you, Agent Anderson, but I think it’s best. My daughter’s been after me to move in with her and I think I will. I can’t get around like I used to on this ranch.”
“Alright, but you have my number if you change your mind.” Case put his hand out for the older man to shake, which he did.
“I’ll show you where the mare is.”