Chapter Three
CHAPTER THREE
For two days Doug didn’t answer any calls except those from his lawyer. As he took care of the horses and the many chores around the barn he thought about his future. As the sun set at the end of the third day he needed a break. After asking one of the long-time students to keep her eye on things, he saddled up Chief to take a short trail ride.
As he rode up the Smoky Hill trail with Butch running along beside them, the mist was rising from the ground. When he reached the top it predictably cleared, and he entered the meadow to stare across at the majestic mountain peaks.
The air was cold and still.
Taking a breath, he muttered a solemn prayer of thanks.
A moment later he suddenly experienced an overwhelming sense of peace. He was ready to leave the past behind and move on with his life. And he felt no animosity towards the Danville Sheriff’s Office. They’d just followed the evidence and performed their duty.
As he started back down the hill he was filled with immense gratitude to his long time friend, Blake Coleman. He had not only believed in his innocence, he’d given him a job, and welcomed Chief into Three Oaks Ranch.
Then his thoughts abruptly turned to the tiny cabin in which he’d been living. He couldn’t wait to move. But thinking back to the comfortable home and small ranch he once owned, a frown crossed his brow. Even if he could somehow get a loan and convince the new owners to sell it back to him, he could never live in Danville again. The people of the town had chosen to listen to the lies, rather than see the truth. Only a handful had supported him.
One in particular stood out.
The pretty young woman behind the counter at the Cupcake Heaven Pastry Shop.
Katy Miller.
Whenever he returned to Danville to meet with the sheriff or speak with his lawyer, he’d stop in for his favorite eclair. She always welcomed him with a smile.
“I know you’ve done nothing wrong, and soon everyone else will too,” was her usual comment, and she didn’t seem to care who heard.
She had buoyed his spirits, and fueled his belief that one day the nightmare would be over.
Now it was.
* * *
Riding into the ranch and putting Chief away for the night, Doug returned to the house and made himself a large bowl of pasta with bottled Marinara sauce. It was quick, easy, and satisfying. Ambling into the living room, he started the fire, poured himself a glass of whisky, then settled on the couch while the happy Shepherd stretched out on the rug.
“Well, Butch, I guess I’d better start listenin’ to these messages,” he muttered, lifting his phone from his pocket.
As he scrolled through the list and came across the number he’d vaguely recognized from two days before, he decided to find out who it was and played the voicemail. When he heard Katy’s voice expressing her joy at the terrific news, he broke into a wide smile and quickly called her back.
“Doug! I’m so happy to hear from you.”
“Sorry it’s taken me a while to get back to you. I’ve just been wrappin’ my brain around it all.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I’m sure it was a lot to process, I mean, after everything that happened then suddenly finding out it’s all over.”
He grinned. She sounded nervous, and it was oddly appealing.
“That’s why I wanted to talk to you,” she continued. “Every time you came into the shop I’d tell you that one day everyone would know you were innocent, and see! I was right. Next time you come in, the eclair is on me.”
At the mention of the shop, her pretty, smiling face popped into his head.
“Katy, whenever I had to go into Danville I’d dread it, but you really made a difference. You and the eclairs,” he added with a chuckle. “But I have to ask, how did you get my number?”
“We were out of them one day and you left it with me so I could call you when the baker made more.”
“Oh, that’s right.”
“I hope you don’t mind me calling you.”
“No, no, of course not. I’m glad you did. I’m not sure when I’ll be back there. I have to sign some paperwork so it will probably be in the next couple of days.”
“Well, uh, actually, I’m in Smoky Hill at the moment.”
“You are?”
“Yes. I was a bit tired so I took some time off and rented a little cabin at the Moonshine Campground. I love it here. It’s wonderfully peaceful. And I’ve always wanted to ride up the Smoky Hill Trail so I brought my mare. I’m boarding her at a friend’s ranch and it’s at the base of the hill. You probably know her. Annie Baker. Anyway, I might just venture up there tomorrow.”
“We’ve never met, but I’m sure you’ll love it, and your friend will too. It never gets old.”
“Oh, she’s not joining me.”
“Wait. You’re plannin’ to ride up a trail you’ve never been on by yourself?”
“Sure.”
“Katy, that’s not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“There are wolves and other wildlife in those hills.”
“I’m not worried.”
“Why don’t you haul her over here and I’ll go with you. This ranch is at the base of the hill too. Besides, it’s the least I can do for all your support. What you did was very brave.”
“Not really, and I’ve always been one to speak my mind.”
“I’m not surprised,” he said with a sigh. “Anyway, would you like to ride up the trail with me?”
“Yes, definitely, and thank you.”
“No, Katy, thank you. Can you make it tomorrow in the late afternoon? I’m in charge and I can only leave if there’s someone responsible to watch over things. Not that anything really happens around here.”
“Sure. What time?”
“Say around five o’clock? The sun’s settin’ earlier every afternoon and we don’t want to come back too late. It’s blocked by the trees so the light isn’t good, and the air gets real cold real quick.”
“Oh, yes, I understand. Then I’ll see you tomorrow around five.”
“Great. The place is called Three Oaks Ranch. It’s not far from the campgrounds. Just head east and you can’t miss it. There are three big oak trees in the middle of one of the paddocks.”
“Super. Thanks again. I can’t wait.”
As the call ended, Doug took a sip of his drink, then looked down at Butch and frowned.
“Huh. What just happened? Did I just make a date?”