The Christmas Cowboy Hero Page 5

  Every ranch had blind spots. And with the various roads in and out of the property leading to various pastures, it would’ve been easy for anyone to get in. Clayton was just surprised it hadn’t happened sooner.

  Instead of getting back on the horse, he walked to the UTV and slid into the passenger seat. Brice hesitated for a second before hurrying to follow. The teen’s hands were steady as he drove them to the spot about four miles away.

  Clayton got out of the vehicle and stood, staring at the repaired wooden fence. He walked closer and inspected the dirt road that ran parallel to the pasture. There were still some tracks visible, but nothing that stood out.

  Still, he jumped the fence and went to take a closer look. Some of the tread marks he recognized as those from the ranch. Too many vehicles had run over the area since the theft for Clayton to be sure of anything.

  He walked the space before turning toward the fence and squatting down to look closer at some tracks. Then he lifted his head and pinned Brice with a look. The youth’s blue eyes caused him to think of Abby. The bold, sassy woman had plagued Clayton’s thoughts during the night. It was really irritating that he couldn’t shake her.

  “How many were involved?”

  Brice glanced away as he put his hands into the pockets of his coat. “I don’t know.”

  Clayton slowly straightened. “The one thing you’ve not done is lie to me. Why start now?”

  “Don’t ask me anything about it,” Brice said, his head hanging.

  “Why?”

  “I can’t say.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  “Both. Please. I’m begging you, leave it.”

  There was no denying the distress that colored the teen’s words. It didn’t take a great deal of thinking to conclude that the man or men had threatened Brice.

  As much as Clayton wanted answers, it was useless to press Brice now. He’d keep with his original plan and earn the kid’s trust. Once Brice knew Clayton would look after him, then all the secrets would be spilled.

  The only snag was that time was of the essence. The cows would start calving soon. And the longer the cattle were away from the ranch, the harder it would be to find them.

  Clayton jumped the fence again and walked back to the SxS. They returned to the others, and he put Brice with a few of the older hands that worked the ranch, doing the chores no one wanted to do.

  As the UTV disappeared on the way back to the barns, Clayton’s thoughts turned to Abby. Would he see her tonight when he dropped off Brice? He hoped so. Perhaps he’d get out of the truck and go inside the house to make sure he got some face time with the spitfire.

  Another hour and a half later, he called it a day. While the workers got into their trucks and drove off, and the ranch hands raced each other back to the barns, Clayton took a leisurely ride.

  On the way back, he detoured to a ravine that had been a favorite of his and his brother’s. They’d spent countless hours swimming and fishing and talking.

  Clayton stopped the gelding and looked down at the ravine. The last time he’d been there was the day of Landon’s funeral. He hadn’t returned because it was too painful. And instead of facing things, as soon as Clayton was able, he’d run away.

  There was no more running for him.

  He turned the horse around and headed back to the ranch as rain began to drizzle. It gathered and dripped from the brim of his cowboy hat. The gelding shook his head to dislodge the drops that fell into his ears.

  Clayton didn’t mind the cold or the rain. His russet-colored suede coat was lined with thick wool, as were his gloves. Though he’d fought returning home, he couldn’t deny that he’d always loved the land.

  Hard work was as ingrained in him as saying grace before a meal. Taking care of the land, the horses, the cattle, and even the people who worked there was something he relished.

  But it was never meant to be his.

  It had been meant for Landon.

  Yet everything that stretched around him would someday be his. Clayton wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He didn’t want to let his parents down—or Landon, for that matter—but it didn’t feel right.

  By the time he reached the barn, the drizzle had turned into a shower. He heard Brice in the tack room, asking the older hands questions as he worked.

  Clayton dismounted and walked the gelding to his stall. He removed the saddle and the bridle before dumping feed into a feeder. Then he began to brush the horse down with long, slow strokes.

  He glanced over when he heard Brice walk up. “How’s it been going?”

  “It’s awesome,” the youth said with a bright smile.

  Clayton knew the older men had given Brice the dirtiest, toughest jobs, and if the teen was still smiling after, then there was hope for him. “Glad to hear it.”

  “I can’t imagine growing up with all of this.”

  “It’s beautiful, I’ll grant you that. But it’s work. Lots of work.”

  Brice lifted his head to look at the top of the barn. Then he sighed as he lowered his face to Clayton. “I know I screwed up, and I know you’re giving me a second chance. I could say thank you ever day, but Abby taught me that actions speak louder than words. I’m going to prove to you that I’m worth that second chance.”

  “Good,” Clayton said and walked from the stall, closing the door behind him before sliding the bolt in place to lock it.

  Brice cleared his throat and shifted his feet nervously. “I’m hoping that after I’ve worked off my debt—which I fully understand will be years—that you might hire me.”

  Now that surprised Clayton. He cocked an eyebrow at the teen. “You’ve worked here one day. Not even a full day, I might add. You may very well change your mind after a weekend.”

  “No way,” Brice said with a shake of his head. “Abby always said that if you find an occupation that makes you happy, you should hold onto it with both hands, regardless of what it is. This,” Brice said, waving his arms around to encompass the ranch, “makes me happier than I’ve ever been.”

  There was a lot about his words and actions while speaking of the ranch that reminded Clayton of Landon. “Abby is a smart woman.”

  “Oh, you’ve no idea,” Brice said with a chuckle.

  Clayton could see the love the teen had for his sister. The siblings might have endured hardships, but they were close, their love holding them together.

  “Abby has always been there for me and Caleb. Whatever we needed, she somehow found a way to get it for us.” The smile faded. “I wanted to do something for her. Instead, I screwed it all up.”

  “Nothing illegal is good. Remember that. Abby just wants you safe, happy, and loved. She doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman who wants things.”

  Brice shrugged. “Everyone wants things. Abby keeps it hidden, but I wanted her to be able to open a present this Christmas that wasn’t something from around the house we wrapped just so she’d have something to open.”

  Coming from wealth, Clayton couldn’t imagine what the three siblings went through. Though he should just let it go, something within him refused to.

  “Neither you or Caleb will have to do that this year. You’ll make your sister something right here on the ranch.”

  Brice’s blue eyes widened. “That would be awesome, Clayton. Thank you.”

  He slapped the boy on the back. “Come on. The day is over. Abby will no doubt want you back home.”

  Chapter 7

  Rich colors met Abby’s gaze when Justine brought her into the large office to await Clayton. Hand-scraped, dark wood floors set the tone. The walls were a deep gray, which warmed the space. The ceiling was coffered so that it was set in a grid of recessed, square panels in a soft gray tint that were accented by dropped beams stained a deep, opulent color. Another chandelier of antlers hung above her, though it was much smaller in size than the one in the living room.

  The desk looked old, and she had a feeling it had come from the first East who began the ra
nch. She ran her hand along the wood, trying to imagine what it was like to grow up with such a family.

  The connection, the history, the love.

  They were things she recognized but didn’t have a concept of for herself. She saw them in others and dearly wished them for her brothers.

  Movement outside the window grabbed her attention. She walked around the desk, stepping behind the tall, dark leather office chair when she spotted her brother in the rain. He was smiling.

  She let loose a deep breath of relief. There had been a slight fear that he wouldn’t show up, but she should’ve known better. As she tried to remember the last time she had seen him smile so freely, she realized it had been years.

  When he’d grown old enough to recognize their situation and began to listen in on her conversations with creditors when they called, his boyish smile was wiped from him. He’d aged overnight, it seemed.

  Their hardship was something she wished neither of her brothers knew, but she also didn’t believe in lying to them. Although she kept the major concerns to herself so they didn’t get bogged down with things they couldn’t change. It wasn’t their fault that she didn’t have a better-paying job or that things cost too much for them to ever get ahead.

  But being here on the ranch, Brice was getting a glimpse of another life, one that could be his if he worked hard enough and got a degree.

  Her spine straightened when she saw Clayton. Somehow, he looked even better than he had the day before. Maybe it was because he was in his element, or maybe it was just the man himself.

  He held all the control when it came to her brother, which left her beholden to him. While Abby liked Justine, she wasn’t comfortable owing Clayton in any way. Yet, here she was.

  Without meaning to, her eyes lowered to his hips. He walked with the long, sure strides of a man who knew exactly who he was and how he fit into the world. Clayton wore an easy half-smile as he listened to her brother, and it made her breath catch.

  When was the last time a male had taken an interest in Brice? Never. And here was a man who Abby was more than happy to have showing her brother attention. Whatever she might think of Clayton, he was honorable and dependable. Brice could learn a lot from him.

  Because no matter how hard she tried to be sister, mother, and father, she couldn’t be all things.

  As the duo approached the house, Abby was pulled out of her thoughts. She turned to retrace her steps and accidentally bumped the computer mouse.

  The screensaver vanished, and accounting pages popped up. She knew she should walk away, but there was a line item that caught her eye. While she tried to figure out where the money had been allocated, she forgot all about being in someone else’s house.

  “Find something of interest,” came a deep voice.

  Her head jerked up as embarrassment consumed her when her gaze clashed with pale green ones. Clayton stood just on the other side of the desk in a black button-down and jeans. Had she been so involved that she hadn’t seen him? Apparently.

  Clayton’s face was lacking in either anger or irritation. In fact, he was unreadable. But his stony expression sent a chilled warning down her spine to never piss him off. She might not know Clayton, but she recognized a man who kept a tight leash on himself—until he let loose.

  “Oh, God. I’m so sorry. I know what this looks like, but I swear I wasn’t snooping.” She glanced over her shoulder at the window. “Your mother told me to wait in here, and I saw you and Brice. I wanted a closer look, and when I turned around, I hit the mouse,” she hurried to say, her words coming out in a jumbled rush.

  His hat was gone, leaving her once more to look at his long, blond hair. It was plastered to his head by the hat, rain, sweat, or all three

  Slowly, he raised a brow. “Indeed.”

  “I’m so sorry,” she repeated and came around the desk.

  He blocked her retreat. “You were frowning.”

  His words took her aback. Then she remembered what she’d been looking at. “Yeah.”

  “Why?”

  “I noticed one of the line items was coded weirdly.”

  His closed-off expression switched on a dime to one of intrigue. “You know accounting?”

  “I’m taking night classes to get my accounting degree. To help things along, I work for a CPA company.”

  “So you know accounting.”

  Isn’t that what she’d just said? Instead of letting those words fall from her mouth, she nodded. “Yep. That’s right.”

  “If I let you look through the books, you’d be able to figure things out?”

  She took an involuntary step back. “I think you should hire someone to do that. Someone with a degree.”

  “I’m not trying to trick you,” he replied smoothly. His green eyes pinned her. “Our CPA embezzled nearly every cent from my parents and the ranch. And he’s run off.”

  “That’s horrible, but not surprising.”

  Both brows rose this time. “Why is that?”

  “Everyone knew that Nathan Gilroy was bad news, but I never would’ve thought he’d do something like this.”

  Clayton merely stared at her.

  Right. “Um … did you call the state board? Every CPA is required to keep up their license. You need to file a complaint so he can’t set up shop somewhere else.”

  “With the funds he stole, I don’t think he plans on working again.”

  “Of course.” She nodded, trying to think. “Oh. Did he have malpractice insurance? It’s something that CPAs get in case they get sued. I don’t know if it’ll apply to him embezzling, but you could check.” Then, for some reason, she said, “Or I can do that for you.”

  Clayton’s head tilted to the side. “That would be helpful. Thank you.”

  “Sure. I’ll do it tomorrow.”

  Wow. She was shocked. They were being cordial to each other. She smelled leather and horse on him—and liked it.

  “You didn’t have to pick up Brice. I planned to bring him home.”

  She found herself picking at her thumbnail. “You’re letting him work off his debt. The least I can do is drive him home.”

  Clayton’s chest expanded as he inhaled a deep breath. “Brice is eating again, which makes my mother ecstatic.”

  “He’s a bottomless pit, as is Caleb,” she said with a laugh.

  “Abby, my having him work here is two-fold. Yes, he’s working off his debt, but I’m hoping he’ll tell me who stole the cattle or at least let on where they’re being held.”

  She nodded and cast a glance to the door to make sure her brother wasn’t there. She lowered her voice and said, “I thought that might be the case. I asked him, but he won’t tell me.”

  “I also asked today. He became agitated. I believe whoever it is has threatened him.”

  Abby’s stomach soured at the thought. She wrapped her arms around her middle, suddenly chilled again. “There’s a possibility that with him working here, they’ll think he talked.”

  “Yes. But as long as I don’t come for the cattle, he’s safe.”

  “My one goal was to have both my brothers graduate high school without a record. I’ve been so diligent about keeping track of who he was hanging out with.”

  A shadow passed over Clayton’s face. “Sometimes, boys don’t listen to reason no matter who says the words.”

  There was a story there. She wanted to know what it was, but she refrained from asking. “I’ll try to talk to Brice. I’ll even ask Caleb. Sometimes, they share things that they don’t tell me.”

  “Boys,” Clayton said with a slight tilt of his lips.

  Abby knew she should leave so the Easts could get ready for dinner, but she was finding it difficult to walk away from Clayton.

  She pulled her gaze away from his to look at the floor for a heartbeat. “Thank you. That smile on Brice’s face earlier, I’ve not seen it in years. I know this job is supposed to be tough, but he’s happy. I can never repay you for that.”

  “Yes, you can.”


  “How?”

  “Take a look at the books with me. Teach me.”

  She was wary of his proposal because she wasn’t licensed and she didn’t want to make a mistake that could cost the ranch more money.

  “I need to try and figure out where Nathan hid the money,” Clayton continued. “It’s somewhere, because he wouldn’t have taken it all in cash. The bank wouldn’t have let him. That means it’s traceable if it was sent via wire transfer.”

  He was right. But she still wasn’t sure about getting involved. Yet, what would it hurt to help? “Okay.”

  “You don’t negotiate well, do you?” he asked with a grin. “You should’ve asked me to pay you or take off some of the debt your brother owes.”

  She frowned at him. “Why would I do that? You didn’t press charges against Brice.”

  “Is that why you’re willing to help?”

  The little twinkle in his eyes was gone, and that made her sad. “In part, yes. I’d still help even if Brice weren’t involved. And I wouldn’t ask for money then either.”

  “Even if you need it?”

  “It’s called Karma. You did a good thing for us. I’m doing a good thing in return. We’ve always found a way, and we’ll continue.”

  He gave a small shake of his head. “I can’t quite figure you out, Abby Harper.”

  She looked away as she began smiling. His words pleased her immensely. Mostly because he’d half whispered them, looking at her as if she were a puzzle he wanted to decipher.

  “Shall we start tomorrow?” he asked.

  Before she could respond, Justine spoke from the doorway. “And I can cook for all of you.”

  “Even Caleb?” Brice asked as he walked up beside her, another huge chocolate chip cookie in his hand.

  “Brice,” Abby ground out in embarrassment.

  But Justine was already looking at her brother. “Of course. I want to meet the youngest Harper. Tell me what your favorite thing is to eat?”

  “Pretty much anything,” Brice said.

  That was the truth. Abby grinned as she watched Justine wrap an arm around him and walk him away before she winked at Abby over her shoulder.