Chapter Twenity-Nine
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The police activity at the ranch continued throughout the day. Detective George Hawthorne arrived from Dallas with a forensics team, a vehicle to transport Gino Stallone’s body, and another car to drive Paddy O’Brien to a medical facility to patch him up before taking him into headquarters. Though Joe was questioned and released, he was cautioned not to take matters into his own hands again. He’d remained quiet and nodded, but Cade knew his ranch hand wasn’t sorry.
“What a day,” Karen mumbled, leaning against Cade as they finally watched all the vehicles drive away.
“It was one for the books,” Joe muttered. “When I saw Paddy O’Brien I damn near had a heart attack.”
“I don’t care what the sheriff said,” Karen continued. “I’m very grateful you were here and able to stop him. As far as I’m concerned you’re a hero.”
“That makes two of us,” Cade interjected. “We’re in your debt.”
“Are you kidding? I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay you for giving me a job here. I love being on this ranch. In fact, I think I’ve finally found my calling.”
“It’s obvious the horses sure like you. How would you feel about workin’ here full-time?”
“That would be great. Thanks, Cade.”
“Hey, I’m glad you’re open to it. The business is growin’ and I need you. In fact, we’d better get the horses in for the night. It’s gettin’ dark and all this activity has unsettled them.”
“If it’s okay with you I’m going in,” Karen mumbled. “I’m really tired.”
“I was just about to suggest you do that, and take Jack and Diane. They’ve had big day too. I’m sure they’d love to settle down with a couple of milk bones before dinner.”
“And I’m going to have a glass of wine,” she said with a heavy sigh, then called them over and walked slowly towards the house.
“I hope she’ll be okay,” Joe remarked as he and Cade headed to the paddocks. “Poor girl has been through a lot.”
“She sure has. Besides everything that happened today, she was terrified Gino would find her. Being on edge all the time is exhausting. But she doesn’t have to worry anymore. It’s over now.”
But as the words left his lips he suddenly realized what he’d just said. It’s over now.
Would she return to Dallas?
Were they over now?
* * *
After giving the dogs their treats, Karen found a bottle of white wine in the refrigerator and poured herself a glass, then walked slowly into the lounge. Dropping on the couch and taking a sip, she leaned back and closed her eyes.
The relief that Gino was gone was almost overwhelming, but she wondered if she’d ever forget the horrifying sight of his grisly body. But as she sipped the crisp wine and silent minutes ticked by, the dreadful scene drifted away and she thought back to wonderful moments she’d had since arriving at the ranch.
The moment Astro had walked over to her when she’d fallen in the mud .
The amazing sight of Cade riding his horse with no reins or saddle.
Sitting on the bareback pad and feeling Lily moving beneath her.
The thrill when Cade had swept her up and tossed her into the small lake, and the salacious time they’d spent together in the storybook cottage.
Unexpected tears began dribbling down her cheeks.
She didn’t want to return to Dallas.
She didn’t want to say goodbye to Lily.
She’d felt something special with Astro and she wanted to spend more time with him.
But mostly, she wanted to stay at the ranch with Cade.
“Hey, darlin’, what’s wrong?”
Startled, her eyes popped open and she found him standing over her.
“I don’t want to go home!” she exclaimed, the words falling from her lips before she could stop them. “Sorry, sorry, I shouldn’t have—”
“Hey, don’t ever apologize for sayin’ what you feel,” he interjected, sitting next to her and bringing her into his arms. “For the record, I don’t want you to go either.”
“You don’t?” she sputtered, pulling back and gazing up at him.
“Hell, no! It may be early days—really early—but we’ve been through a lot together. Besides, I’m just gettin’ used to havin’ you around, and so far it works for me.”
“You mean I can stay for a bit?”
“As far as I’m concerned you can stay as long as you want, though you’ll run out of clothes pretty soon. Mind you, that might not be a bad thing. I’d love to have you walkin’ around the place naked.”
“You’re terrible,” she said with a grin as she punched his arm .
“Yep, and that’s not about to change. So…will you hang around a while longer?”
“I would absolutely love to. But you’re right. I do need to go back and get some things, and of course I have to talk to mom and dad. They won’t be expecting any of this, and I can’t even imagine what they’ll say when they hear about Gino. Especially when I tell them I was the one who stumbled across him,” she added, lowering her voice. “About that. Uh, Cade?”
“Yeah?”
“I have a confession to make.”
“I’m listenin’.”
“When we were in the clearing and I took off to look for the dogs—”
“You can stop right there, I already know.”
“You do?”
“Yep, but I still want to hear you say it.”
“Oh, Lord,” she muttered with a sigh.
“Go on, Karen.”
“I was pushing the envelope.”
“I think you mean you were testin’ me.”
“Sorry…”
“I think it’s time to head into my bedroom. Correction! Our bedroom.”