Читать книгу Travis Comes Home - Patricia Thayer - Страница 8

Travis Randell reined in his horse as they approached the rise. He drew a long breath to help slow his breathing from the hard ride and looked out at the incredible lush green view of Mustang Valley.

A rich blue sky topped the line of long grass waving in the warm breeze. Shrubs and huge oak trees dotted the landscape like soldiers protecting their land. They also sheltered the small herd of mustangs the valley had been named for, and twenty years ago, the three misfit Randell boys who had come to live on the Circle B.

Removing his hat, Travis used his shirtsleeve to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Texas in October. The early morning heat was surprisingly intense, and he’d ridden his mount pretty hard. Not a good idea, but Rocky was just as eager as he was for the race. As a kid, Travis could outride both his older brothers. Chance and Cade had thought he was just plain crazy.

Maybe he was. Maybe that was how he lost everything, or maybe it was because he’d let himself trust. Not an easy trait for a Randell. But he had, and paid the price. All his dreams had gone up in smoke.

Hell, he was going to make his first million before thirty. He’d succeeded all right, but lost it even faster. And no matter how far or how fast he’d ridden, he couldn’t outrun the pain and shame that plagued him. Once again the family name had been tarnished, and he’d caused it.

Travis climbed off his horse, and taking the reins, led the roan gelding toward the creek. He crouched down, scooped some water in his cupped hands and drank thirstily. After having his fill, he stood, leaving Rocky at the stream and went to sit under a tree.

Travis had been back at the Circle B for two weeks, and if it hadn’t been for Ella, he’d still be hiding out in his old bedroom. He smiled. Even when he’d been a kid, the Circle B housekeeper would never let him brood. She said it was a waste of time. Early this morning, she’d pushed him out of the house and told him she didn’t want to see him back until dinner.

Sadness coursed through him as he thought about the past month. How had his life fallen apart? All the years of school, work, the planning and sacrifices he’d given up to start his computer security business, Private Access. It was history now. It was gone. All because he’d trusted a woman.

Damn! How could he let himself be taken in? He thought he was too smart. Hell, maybe he would have seen it coming if he’d been thinking with his brain and not his… He shook away the thought of Lisa’s expert seduction. Next time he’d be ready.

God help the woman who tries it again.

The sound of a voice interrupted his thoughts. Travis cocked his head and listened. Someone was singing. A soft, husky woman’s voice floated through the air. He stood. There wasn’t supposed to be anyone around. Certainly not on Circle B land.

Angered by the invasion, he followed the sound toward a group of shrubs about a hundred yards up the creek and stopped suddenly when his gaze locked on the grove of trees. There was a clearing and a campsite under them, a sleeping bag, and a backpack. And the trespasser.

A woman sat on a large rock beside the creek, her back to him as she leisurely brushed her hair. Something stopped him from calling out to her. Instead, he watched the rhythmic actions of the brush running through the long silken strands as the filtered sunlight danced on her beautiful raven hues.

Then Rocky’s whinny broke the spell, and Travis glanced back to see that the horse had followed him. The sound also caught the intruder’s attention. She swung around and stood.

“Who’s there?” she called out.

The woman was tiny. She couldn’t be any more than five-two or three and probably not a hundred pounds. Her green-hazel eyes were large and haunting as she stared back at him in challenge. Her obvious Spanish heritage was only enhanced by the coal-black hair that flowed halfway down her back. Dressed in faded jeans and scuffed boots, she looked like she belonged on a ranch. But not this ranch. He tensed as he glanced down at her sleeping bag and spotted the camera.

Dammit. They’d found him.

Travis stepped out into the clearing. “I think you already know who I am. Now, you’ve got one minute to get the hell off Barrett land.”

Josie Gutierrez opened her mouth to speak, but at the mention of the Barrett name, she suddenly lost her voice. This cowboy with the brooding dark eyes wasn’t about to let her explain. His cowboy hat was cocked back, revealing light-brown hair that fell across his forehead. He was tall with wide shoulders. His large hands were fisted on narrow hips.

Josie knew she’d better do something fast because he wasn’t going to give her much time to explain. And she hadn’t had time to think up a story. Seeing this cowboy’s seething look, she knew no matter what she told him, he wasn’t going to believe her.

“Barrett land?” she said.

“Don’t play innocent with me. You know damn well where you are.”

“I just came here to take some pictures of the valley.”

“You’re lying,” he accused, then walked to her camera, but before he could reach it, Josie grabbed it away, holding it protectively. She’d worked too many fourteen-hour shifts to pay for her camera. No one was going take her prize possession.

“No really, I’m just interested in the scenery and the mustangs. Is there a law against that?” she asked, trying not to back away from him. Don’t show fear, she told herself.

“There’s a law against trespassing.”

“I didn’t think anyone would mind. I was just camping for the night. And I was going to clean up my mess. Sorry if I intruded on your privacy. I’ll leave now.”

He stepped in front of her. “Not until you give me the film in your camera.”

“What?” The man was crazy. “I told you I took pictures of the landscape and the mustangs.”

“Cut the bull, Ms…. Do you have a name?”

“Josie Gutierrez.”

“Ms. Gutierrez. I’m not buying it.” He held out his hand. “I want the film.”

“And I’m not giving it to you. I’m a photographer. I sell my pictures.”

“And you trespassed on private property to get those pictures.”

“Is this your land?” she asked, knowing from her limited research that Hank Barrett owned the Circle B.

“I don’t see that it’s any business of yours.”

She straightened to her full, five-foot-three height. “Well, is it? You could be trespassing, too. How do I know that you aren’t a cattle rustler?”

The man’s jaw tensed. His eyes flared with anger, then turned hard. “Who the hell sent you? What newspaper do I contact when I have you tossed in jail?”

Before Josie could deny anything else two men on horseback came over the rise. One man was about thirty, but her breath caught when she saw the other was in his sixties. Could he be…?

They rode down to the trees. The older man spoke. “Travis, what’s going on?”

Travis faced the rider. “Not sure, Hank. I found her camped here. I was just getting rid of her.”

Josie’s heart began beating wildly. He was Hank Barrett. She couldn’t take her eyes off him as he climbed off his horse. He was tall, with straight broad shoulders. His face was weathered from age and the sun, but it was his eyes that made her stomach tighten. Hank Barrett had hazel eyes…like hers.

He walked toward her and smiled. “Hello, Miss, I’m Hank Barrett.” He tipped his hat. “And this is Travis Randell, and this is his brother, Chance.” Hank removed his gloves and held out his hand.

She gave the three of them a tense smile. “I’m Josie Gutierrez.” She took his hand.

“Sorry Travis hasn’t been very neighborly. I know there are several campgrounds in the area. Is there any particular reason you decided to camp here?”

Travis threw up his arms. “Isn’t it obvious? She’s here to get a picture of me.”

Josie had had enough of the man. “Get over yourself, Mr. Randell, I don’t even know you.” She looked back to see a broad grin on Hank’s face. “I just take pictures of wildlife and scenery, Mr. Barrett.”

“Please, call me Hank.”

Her heart tripped again. “Hank…I heard about Mustang Valley and thought I could get some good shots. I’m trying to make a living as a photographer.”

Chance Randell climbed down from his horse and joined them. “Are you here to work on the guest ranch brochure?”

Josie swallowed and mentally asked for forgiveness for her next lie. “Yes, I want to work on the brochure,” she replied. “I haven’t made a name for myself as a photographer, yet. I mean, I haven’t published anything that you would know about. So I thought that if I took some pictures of the valley you might like my work.”

“It’s a lie, Hank,” Travis insisted. “She’s more than likely from a Houston newspaper.”

“I’ve never been to Houston in my life.” That was the truth.

Hank held up his hands. “Why don’t we go back to the ranch and sort this out over breakfast?”

“She’s just trying to con you, Hank,” Travis said.

Hank looked at Josie. “Josie, would you please come back to the Circle B so we can talk this out?”

There was no turning back now. Josie turned away from Travis’s furious glare. “I’d like that, Hank.”

“Good. Now how did you get down here?”

“I hiked,” she said. “My car is up by the road.”

“You hiked down here?”

She nodded.

He smiled and shook his head. “Travis, you stay and help Josie pack up and see that she gets back to her car, and then to the ranch.”

“But, Hank…”

The older man’s gaze locked with Travis’s. The look they exchanged was brief, but it told a lot about the respect and love that Travis had for Hank—and that the feelings were returned. Josie felt a twinge of envy. Then Hank turned to her and smiled. “I look forward to our breakfast together, Josie.”

Josie nodded and watched as the rancher climbed back on his horse and rode off with Chance. She felt her eyes mist. He was not what she’d expected. But how would she have known what he’d be like?

She’d never met her father before.

Travis was still fuming when he arrived back at the ranch with Josie Gutierrez following behind him in her beat-up red Volkswagen. No matter what, he still didn’t believe her story. Her pretty hazel eyes might have fooled Hank, but not him. She wasn’t even a good liar, and he knew women who were experts. He’d bet his share of the ranch Ms. Gutierrez had a secret agenda. And he was going to find out what it was.

He directed her to park by the back door while he rode Rocky to the corral, then asked one of the hands to take care of the horse. He headed toward the house where Ms. Gutierrez waited on the small back porch. Hank came out just before Travis hit the step and escorted her inside.

Travis walked through the door to the mudroom, then into the kitchen just as Hank was introducing Josie to Ella. The Circle B’s housekeeper had a big grin on her face. Travis didn’t like it.

“Well, well, it sure is nice to meet you Josie. And welcome to the Circle B. I hope you’re going to be staying around awhile.”

Travis took his place at the table. “After the pictures are developed I doubt she’ll be here very long,” he announced.

Hank ignored him and offered their guest a seat next to him. “Our breakfasts here are pretty basic, Josie. I hope you like bacon and eggs.”

“That will be fine. You’re very kind to invite me,” she said.

“Just being neighborly,” he said. “What do you do when you aren’t taking pictures?”

“My mom and I used to run a small diner. I’ve done everything from waitressing to filling in as a short-order cook.”

Hank’s eyes lit up. “Is that so? Do you have any specialties?”

“Well, let’s see.” She looked thoughtful. “Our corned beef hash and biscuits and gravy were pretty popular with the regulars.”

Hearing Hank’s envious groan, Travis had to bite back a grin. For more than twenty years, the Circle B men had been subject to Ella’s limited cooking skills. Instead Ella had perfected her ability at being the best substitute mom for three teenage boys.

They all loved the no-nonsense woman in jeans and a plaid shirt. She wore her gray-streaked hair short, and her kind eyes glowed with love. It didn’t matter if she could cook or not.

The food was set on the table. “Thanks, Ella,” Travis said.

“Thank you,” she answered with a smile. “I guess I should have thrown you out sooner. You always did bring back the most interesting things.”

Before Travis could explain, the housekeeper moved on.

Hank started the conversation. “Josie, where you from?”

“El Paso.”

Hank nodded, then got a faraway look. “I used to travel there years ago…cattle business. So you came to San Angelo to look for a job?”

Josie had trouble swallowing her food past the lump in her throat. “I don’t think I’ll be going back,” she said. “My mother passed away recently, and she was my only family there.”

“I’m sorry,” Hank said. He set his fork down and reached for her hand; immediately she felt the warmth in his touch. “That’s rough. You have any other family?”

“Not that I’m that close to,” she said, catching his curious look. “I was thinking about starting over somewhere else. I want see if I can make a go of it as a photographer.”

Travis knew he didn’t want Josie hanging around the ranch. Since the news of his business’s crumbling became public, the media had been having a field day over his misery. He’d already been humiliated enough when the police had questioned him over the security leak traced to Private Access. He also recalled how the Houston papers had used him as their whipping boy. So he wouldn’t put it past them to have sent someone here to the ranch. Hadn’t he been humiliated enough? Did they have to continue to hound him, too?

No, he didn’t trust anyone with a camera. And definitely not a woman. He knew firsthand how devious women could be. They worked their way into your confidence, only to use you to get what they wanted.

He looked across the table at the beautiful Ms. Gutierrez. Something told him she was harboring her own secrets. And he was going to make sure he found out what they were before anyone got hurt.

Two hours later, Josie knew she should leave, but Ella seemed eager to get her corned beef hash recipe. She also knew that the housekeeper was playing matchmaker. Travis’s name had been mentioned more times than she could keep count. Somehow the woman missed seeing that Travis had loathed Josie on the spot.

Seated at the kitchen table, Josie looked up when another man came through the back door. He had to be a Randell. He looked a lot like both Travis and Chance, but his hair was darker, and he was a little taller than his brothers. He smiled at her as he removed his hat.

“Hi, I’m Cade Randell,” he said.

“I’m Josie Gutierrez.”

“I hear my little brother tried to evict you today.”

She blushed. “I shouldn’t have been in the valley. It’s just that I wanted to see it, and I thought it wouldn’t hurt to stay the night. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sure whatever Trav put you through was enough punishment.”

“He was just being protective.”

“He’s being ornery, but that’s another story,” Cade said with a wave. “I hear you want a chance to take the pictures for the guest ranch brochure.”

“Yes, but I haven’t had a lot of experience.”

“My wife, Abby, and I aren’t hung up on experience. We want to catch what Mustang Valley is really about. Do you have any samples of your work?”

Her heart raced with excitement. “I have a few photographs in my car. I’ll go and get them.” She stood and hurried outside. Maybe this could be the break she needed. If not, she definitely had to find a job. She had less than three hundred dollars, her mother’s small insurance check to her name, and in her condition, she would need more than that. She had to find work, fast.

She lifted a small album off the seat and was closing the car door when she came face-to-face with Travis.

“Oh, sorry,” she apologized. “I didn’t see you.”

He glared at her, as if trying to intimidate her. “Just so you know, I’ll be watching you. So you’d better be careful. You could take potshots at me all you wanted in Houston, but I’m not going to let you hurt my family. Do you understand?”

Josie caught the flicker of pain in his dark eyes. She recognized the look. Someone had hurt Travis Randell and hurt him badly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. “I’m not here to hurt anyone, Mr. Randell. I swear.” Just herself, if Hank found out her real reason for being here.

“Make sure you keep that promise, or you’ll answer to me.”

He stepped out of her way and allowed her to pass. Josie drew a long breath as she increased her pace, but suddenly felt light-headed. She grabbed hold of the porch railing, and waited for the queasiness to pass. She swayed and closed her eyes as her legs weakened. Suddenly she felt hands against her back, Travis’s. Then he gripped her by the arm and guided her to a chair on the porch.

“Put your head down,” he ordered. With a gentle nudge, he pushed her head down between her knees.

“Give it a minute and you should be feeling better.” His voice was gentle, soothing.

Josie felt scared. This had never happened to her before. After a few minutes, she raised her head slowly. “I’m okay.”

“Well, at least, your color is back.” His dark gaze locked with hers. “You shouldn’t be running around in this heat, especially if you’re not used to it.”

She was used to the heat. What she hadn’t expected was this man’s kindness. She studied his face and saw his honest concern for a stranger, a side of Travis Randell that surprised her.

But she couldn’t depend on it. If he discovered her real reason for being here, there’s no telling what he’d do. “I’m much better, thank you.” She stood and once again his expression turned hard. Turning away, she walked inside the house.

The cool air hit her as she entered the kitchen where Cade was waiting for her. She handed him the book, then sat down while he went through each page. She found she was nervous at his scrutiny. She didn’t want to get her hopes up about this job. Getting it would mean she’d be able to spend more time here and could see Hank Barrett again. Her stomach fluttered. Was that too much to hope for?

“Josie, these pictures are wonderful.” Cade looked up and smiled. “I’d like to show them to Abby if that’s all right with you? She’ll be coming by soon.”

“Of course,” Josie said, then drew a needed breath. “If you like I could develop the pictures I took in the valley this morning and get back to you.”

Just then Hank walked into the room with a tall woman with auburn hair. Smiling, she leaned down and kissed Cade. “Did I hear my name mentioned?” she said.

“Abby.” Cade stood and drew her into an embrace. “I want you to meet Josie Gutierrez. She’s a photographer who wants to apply for the job of creating our brochures.”

Abby smiled and extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Josie.”

Josie shook it. “Nice to meet you, too.”

“I hear your peaceful morning was interrupted by my brother-in-law,” Abby said.

Josie felt her cheeks redden. Had the whole area heard about the confrontation between her and Travis? “I’m guilty. Sorry, I should have asked permission first.”

Hank stepped forward. “And I probably would have given it to you, especially if you turned that pretty smile of yours on me.”

They all laughed. Josie couldn’t believe how nice they were being to her. Well, not exactly everyone. “Let me drive into town and have the film I took this morning developed. I can bring the pictures back this afternoon.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Cade said. “We’ll be here all day.”

Just then Ella came in. “Then plan on stayin’ for supper, Josie. I always have plenty.”

“Only if you let me help prepare it,” Josie countered.

“You got yourself a deal,” Hank said with an eager smile.

Josie said her goodbyes and left. She was heading for her car when she heard Travis’s voice.

“Leaving so soon, Ms. Gutierrez?”

She stopped but told herself she wasn’t going to let him goad her. “Yes, I’m driving into town.”

“Do you need any directions? Wouldn’t want you to get lost again and end up on private property. A person could get shot.”

Josie had had enough. Travis Randell didn’t trust her. She had a feeling it wasn’t just her, but her entire gender. And if he found out the real reason she was here, he’d get rid of her for sure.

“I’m never going to convince you that I mean you no harm. But I need this job.” She saw the stony gaze on his face and knew she wasn’t getting anywhere. “So, expect me back.”

Before she could climb in the car, he grabbed her arm. “Don’t threaten me, lady. I’m about at the end of my rope with your kind. You see, I know firsthand what an aggressive woman can do when she wants something. I lost nearly everything I’ve worked for because I trusted one. It won’t happen again. The only thing I have left is my family, and by God, you better not hurt them. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she said and jerked away. Trembling, she managed to put on her seat belt, and start the car. After shifting into first gear, she started down the road to the highway. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Not over a guy like Travis Randell. He wasn’t worth it. But darn it, he had everything she had always wanted. A family.

Josie shifted into second gear, picking up speed as she glanced in her rearview mirror. He was still watching her. Why wouldn’t the man just go away? She looked back at the road but not in time to find a cow blocking her way. She hit the brakes but knew it was futile. She couldn’t stop in time. When she jerked the wheel to avoid the collision, her car veered off the road onto the dry grass. A scream escaped her as the car bumped over the rough terrain toward the huge tree. Oh, God, she was going to crash. All her thoughts turned to her baby as the impact threw her forward into the windshield and pain coursed through her body. Then everything went black.

Travis raced for the truck the second he saw Josie’s car heading for the Hereford. His heart was pounding wildly as he hurled down the road praying he could help her, but he’d seen her car go into the tree and knew she couldn’t walk away. At the scene, he jumped out of the truck and raced to the wrecked car and yanked open the door. His pulse went into over-drive when he saw Josie’s limp body against the steering wheel.

He gently nudged her. “Josie. Josie, come on, darlin’ wake up.”

He got a moan for his efforts.

Carefully he pulled her back against the seat. He brushed wayward strands of hair from her pale face. “Come on, Josie, wake up.” He stroked her soft cheek. She moaned again, then finally her eyelids fluttered as she clutched her stomach. “My baby. Please, don’t let anything happen to my baby.”