Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
L ynne studied the empty space where she had been living over the last few days.
There was nothing left. The trailer was gone and, more importantly, her animals had been removed. She’d only been away for a few hours. Well, maybe a bit longer. It turned out to be a wasted effort; the reported injured horse wasn't real.
Horrified, she stared. She walked through the barn to see if maybe Lucky and One Wing were left behind. Few people would deal with a wild animal. The food was still in the barn. No, the only reason to leave food behind was because they weren’t going to be fed.
Rushing from the barn, she vomited violently. With tears in her eyes, she wiped her mouth. Then she pulled out her cell and called Reilly.
He didn’t seem to believe her at first, but the panic in her voice likely convinced him that the situation was serious. He was heading home.
Home, a word that could mean nothing special or it could mean everything. He’d wanted her gone, but this was more than just cruel; it was inhumane. Her heart broke. Where were her animals? Maybe she should have called the sheriff. If only Reilly would hurry.
Sitting on the top step of Reilly’s porch, she rocked herself back and forth. It became hard to breathe.
Lord, please protect my animals. I’m scared, Lord. I know You are always watching over me, but I’m too rattled to think clearly. My only comfort is You.
Relief coursed through her at the sight of Reilly. He was barely out of the car before she ran to him and wrapped her arms around him, holding on to her only friend.
“You weren’t kidding.” He shook his head, contrition on his face. “I’m sorry, I know you weren’t kidding, but to see it. Oh, wow. I’ll call the sheriff. Did you ever call Fish and Wildlife?”
“No, I planned to do it today. They wouldn’t have taken the trailer.”
His phone rang. What was that ring tone? It grated on her.
“It’s my mother,” he said before he stepped away to take the call.
“I absolutely refuse to let her speak to you. Return all of it. You're out of line. No, Stewart didn’t command it. I'm coming right over.”
“Your mother did this?” Deflated, she sat back down on the steps. “Why?” Abruptly, she was overcome with a rage she'd never experienced.
Once again, Sable McKeegan had reduced her to a frightened young girl.
Reilly kissed her before leaving, but it hardly registered. What gave this woman the right to interfere where she wasn't wanted? Am I so objectionable?
Lynne went into the barn and cleaned out all the stalls and cages. Next, she replaced the water with fresh water and put hay in the stalls, hoping beyond hope, her menagerie would return.
Could she press charges? After all, Sable had stolen her animals and her home. She sighed. That would never happen. This moved up her timeline to find a place to live and secure employment. Anything that came close to what she needed would work. The ability to be selective was gone. Sitting on the steps, she took her phone out of her pocket. She’d continue with the want ads and then branch out.
Next, she went to a site for professionals and scanned the jobs for veterinarians. Two sounded promising, though one was out of state. That meant getting a license to work in that state.
It was down to one, and she’d do it without telling a soul. That was the only way to have a true fresh start. Although Reilly only desired friendship, the prospect of leaving him caused her pain.
The money she’d taken from the tin at her grandpa’s house ended up being a hefty sum. Why he didn’t use it to secure his ranch, she’d never know. Her world was now a confusing and disordered place.
A truck hauling her trailer came up the drive. Why did she have to be here to witness them un-stealing her home? It was ridiculous and embarrassing. It was probably all-around town that Sable tried to kick her off the ranch.
The driver of the truck was Bernie, a ranch hand who had been with the McKeegans for what seemed forever. She remembered him from when she and Reilly had been dating. He got out and gave her a sheepish grin.
“A few of the boys are coming to put it back. I honestly didn’t know you didn’t ask for it to be moved.”
“Where was it?”
“Parked as close to the road as I could get. When Mrs. McKeegan asks you to do something, you do it.” He kicked at a cluster of gravel at his feet. “I’m sorry, I can see I caused your distress.”
“Bernie, you have nothing to apologize for. I’ve known you for years, and you’ve always been a fine man. Is Reilly coming too?”
“Eventually. I heard a bunch of yellin’ before I left.” A pickup truck rolled up the drive. “Oh good, there are the boys and the horse trailer. You know, it didn’t sit right with me to leave them animals in the trailer. I planned to let them go after the sun went down. Fish and Wildlife took the wolf and the hawk, though. I had to call them. They said they’d take care of them and make sure the wolf was fit and hawk was able to fly before they let them go.”
“Bernie, thank you. Did any of my animals give you a hard time?”
His eyes crinkled as he burst out in laughter. “Only that spitting llama. That is some gross stuff. Had to put a clean shirt on.”
The cowboys put the trailer back and hooked up all the amenities while she lovingly took each animal out, gave them a bit of loving before she put them where they belonged. She checked each animal for signs of cruelty, but she found none. Her eyes welled with tears, which she furiously dashed away.
Tuni was having a fit. It was as though through her squeals she was telling the story of what had happened. After eating, she calmed. By then, the men had left.
Being alone with her feelings was a bit much. She needed to understand Sable's extreme measures to force her out of town. It seemed hate wasn't a sufficient reason.
No matter how she looked at it, she couldn’t remember one time she’d been rude to Mrs. McKeegan. Mr. McKeegan had always been kind to her, but that was long ago. Reilly’s mother had always acted like she was better than others. She was like the queen bee, determining who was in and who was out. Most people in Tyrone just put up with her. She didn’t go into town too often.
Reilly walked into his brother’s office. He gave Stewart a nod before looking at his mother. She smiled as though she was glad to see him. She smiled as if she hadn’t done one thing wrong. She smiled as though all was right with the world.
It left him seething.
“Mother,” Reilly said before he took a seat.
“Reilly, dear, no hug for your mother?”
He glared.
She shrugged and turned her attention to Stewart.
“I want to turn the pastures up there into training grounds. Katie is teaching rodeo riders these days, and she needs a bigger barn and better horses. The barn that’s there can be knocked down. It’s of no use to us.”
Don't lose control. She’s trying to get to me.
Stewart scowled. “We built a state-of-the-art barn and indoor arena for Katie. She designed and oversaw everything about it. The outdoor arena has been regraded to be perfectly flat. I went with her to an auction to buy four new horses. Have you talked with Katie?”
“Stewart, your idea of state-of-the art is archaic.” Their mother waved her hands, a ring with a large red ruby flashing in the light. “I know what went on around here and how you were conned out of our fortune. What topped it all off was your marriage to that woman. For heaven's sake, her father is the one who made a fool of you. What is wrong with you?”
“Now, wait a minute,” Reilly interjected. “I didn’t come here to talk about Stewart. Building on my land is out of the question. How are you justified in taking Lynne’s trailer and animals?” Though outwardly calm, his rage was about to erupt.
“Reilly, you can’t imagine my distress when I heard about that awful Walsh girl living on my property, next to the house you chose. I couldn’t catch my breath for a long time. What in the world do you think you are doing?” Her slick smile and condescending tone wore on his last nerve. “She made a life of her own without you. Why are you back at the ranch? Go back to Billings and live the good life. Search for a suitable woman to date.”
“A suitable woman. It all comes down to me finding a rich wife from an impeccable wealthy family, doesn’t it?” He huffed in disgust. “You probably have a few choices you consider suitable for me, right? Mother, I’m a grown man, a lawyer. I am not a child to be manipulated or given ultimatums.” Despite his desire to remain calm, his voice grew louder.
“I didn’t give you an ultimatum. You should get your facts straight, counselor. I do have a say as to what the land on this ranch is used for. Especially our section. No trailer or the trash that comes with it.” She angled her head and smiled again.
“Because it’s not a permanent structure, the trailer is not subject to your approval,” he ground out. “She is paying rent.”
“Oh? I wonder how an unemployed woman can afford rent,” she sneered.
Stewart stood. “Mother, you are out of line. I mean, so out of line. Lynne pays me money to stay on that piece of property. I okayed it. Like Reilly said, it is not a permanent structure.”
“Fine,” she snapped. “The trailer can stay, but not that woman. She must leave!”
Reilly rose and faced his mother. “She stays, and I don’t want you on my portion of the property. Mother, I'm warning you to stay away from Lynne. She has been through enough.”
“Yes she has. No job, no ranch, no prospects.” She released a gusty sigh. “You reap what you sow.”
He left before he did something he’d regret. When he got into the car, he took several deep breaths and smacked the steering wheel. He took a moment to calm down before driving home. When had she become so cold, so calculating? He still had papers he was waiting on about the sale of the Walsh ranch. And he had a feeling he wouldn’t like what they would reveal.
The biggest question was why did his mother hate the Walshes?