Husband and Wife Reunion

“Yep. I did. But I came across a dead calf on the way home. Down by the creek.”

“Dead?”

“As a doornail.”

“One of mine?”

Luke nodded. “Had your brand. And…it looked like its throat had been slit.”

Abe drew back, his face turning red as he glowered at Luke.

“Any ideas?” Luke asked.

“Yeah. Get me my gun.”

“No, I mean any ideas who might’ve done this?”

His father shifted in the chair. “Someone who doesn’t like me, I guess.”

Well, that took in half of San Miguel County. “Anyone in particular?”

Abe shook his head. “Could be kids. Teenagers thinking it’s fun to wreck people’s property.”

“This isn’t just property, Dad. That calf was a living animal, part of your stock. It’s more than vandalism. It’s animal cruelty.”

Abe took a moment, then said, “I’ll take care of it.”

Luke crossed his arms. “How?”

When Abe clammed up, Luke bolted to his feet. “I’m going to call the sheriff,” he said, turning to leave.

Before Luke got out the door, Abe said, “I said I’d take care of it. I don’t want you calling anyone.”

His father could be so damned bullheaded sometimes. But maybe it was kids out raising hell. Instead of doping up on meth or heroin as some teens did in L.A., the youngsters here found their fun in other ways.

When he’d lived here, there wasn’t anything like this going on. A little vandalism maybe, but nothing so sick. No, whoever had done this had a twisted mind…and no respect for life.

Luke strode into the living room and looked up the sheriff’s number. He didn’t care if Abe wanted him to call or not. The dispatcher answered, then said the sheriff was out, but he’d be there as soon as he could. Two hours later, Ben Yuma was at the door.

“Twice in one week,” Yuma said. “Nothing serious I hope.”

“I think it is, but if you ask my dad, you’ll get a different answer.” Luke went back to tell Abe the sheriff had arrived, but his dad was asleep in front of the TV. Odd. Luke turned off the TV, then filled in the sheriff on what had happened.

“So,” Luke said. “You know the area, the locals and their crimes, do you have any idea what’s going on here?”

“None yet. I’ll have to take a trip out there. There have been similar incidents on other properties. Some ranchers think they’re connected to the corporation that’s trying to buy up the land around here to build a spa resort.”

Abe hadn’t mentioned anything about that.

“Others say it’s kids. Rich kids with nothing better to do.”

“Rich kids? When I went to school here, most ranch kids had to scrape by.”

“There’s been a big real estate boom in the past few years, spreading out from Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Condos, planned communities, people with money.”

“Whoever did this, rich or poor, they’ve got some real problems.”

“True,” Yuma agreed. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning to take a look.”

When the sheriff left, Luke headed for Julianna’s room.

THE KNOCK on her door made Julianna jump. She checked her watch. 10:00 p.m. It wouldn’t be Abe, and that left only one other person. “Hold on,” she said, “I’ll be there in a minute.” She saved the story on her laptop, closed the cover and went to the door, opening it a few inches. Luke stood with one arm resting on the door frame.

“We need to talk,” he said.

Her heart thumped. “What about?”

“Abe.”

She expelled a silent sigh of relief. “Okay. Just give me a minute.”

“Sure. I’ll be on the patio.”

He’d always liked the outdoors, the fresh air, at the beach or wherever. Closing the door, she quickly threw on the pink zip sweatshirt that matched her sweatpants, and then slipped on her flip-flops. She took a quick peek in the mirror. Plain. She’d always been plain. Nothing like her classy sister. She ran a comb through her hair, then dabbed on a bit of lip gloss before realizing the futility. What did she think? That the gloss would somehow transform her into something she wasn’t. Dammit, she’d come to grips with her self-image a long time ago. So why were the old insecurities resurfacing now? What the hell, she dabbed on some blush, too, and then headed down the hall.

At the back door she saw Luke sitting outside on a bench. She stopped to look at him. So handsome, so…masculine. Instantly, she remembered how she’d felt being the other half of the couple people whispered about and said, “What is he doing with her?” She’d always wanted to feel his equal, like they belonged together. She’d tried hard, but it never quite came together for her.

But when she and Luke were alone, he always made her feel beautiful, as if he saw something in her that others didn’t. Something even she didn’t see. She realized later it had been easy to forgive a lot in their marriage because of those stupid insecurities.

The door creaked as she went out. “Hey.”

“Hey,” he said, then indicated the place next to him on the bench. He wore jeans and a black sweatshirt and was sitting near the beehive-shaped chiminea in the corner. A crackling fire radiated warmth and the pungent scent of cedar, instantly conjuring memories of better times. The first time she’d met Luke’s dad. The Christmas they’d spent here when she was pregnant. Memories she didn’t have time for anymore. Luke wanted to talk and that’s what she was going to do.

But as she lowered herself to sit next to him, she sensed something was wrong. “What’s up with Abe?”

“That’s what I want to know. Has he said anything to you about problems on the ranch?”

She shook her head. “No, but he did say he thinks Mrs. Hancock wants him to sell his property.”

Luke shifted uncomfortably, as if she’d hit a nerve. “Sheriff Yuma was here a little while ago and mentioned something about a corporation trying to buy up land for a spa resort.”

“Do you think someone approached Abe about it? And maybe Mrs. Hancock, too?”

“Could be.”

“If she comes by again, I’ll ask her.”

“No need. Pops wouldn’t sell to anyone for any amount of money.”

“So, why was the sheriff here again?”

“I called him because when I was out on the line, I found a dead calf.”

“Oh, that’s awful. But why call the sheriff?”

“The calf’s throat was slit.”

“Oh, my.” Goose bumps rose on her arms. Had the caller found her and was this a warning? “What did the sheriff say about it?” There’s no way anyone could possibly know where she was. With help from Patrick, the private investigator she used as a resource, she’d effectively disappeared. Except for calling her editor once a week, she had no contact with anyone else.

“The sheriff said there’s been some vandalism at other ranches and they suspect some high school kids may be involved.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. That made more sense. “But killing a helpless animal? That’s sick.”

“I know. Sociopaths are sick. And they start young. Usually with small animals.”

The thought made her shiver. She rubbed her arms. “Does Abe know?”

“I talked to him before calling the sheriff.”

“How’s he feeling?”

Luke shrugged. “With him, you never know.”

“I do. I can tell when something bothers him. It’s subtle, but noticeable. I see it every time he talks to you.”

“Yeah. Well, I’ve been bothering him since I was thirteen. That’s nothing new.”

“What I mean is that I can see it bothers him that you two don’t get along.”

He gave her a sideways glance. “You take up psychiatry somewhere along the line?”

She smiled. “I have learned a few things in that area, but no, my knowledge of your father is based on years of watching how he reacts when you say something that hurts him.”

“I don’t say things to hurt him.”

“Not intentionally, but some of the things you say, do hurt him.”

“Well, I’m not going to debate your sixth sense when it comes to my dad. And I’m not going to monitor my words either. He and I have never understood each other and we probably never will.”

“So, why are you staying? I thought you were leaving as soon as you could.”

Wearily, he leaned against the post behind him so he was facing her. “Things changed.”

“Like?”

“One…my dad seems…not himself. Two, I need to find him some hired help, and three, the dead calf. I wouldn’t feel right about leaving until those things are resolved.” His gaze narrowed as he turned to look at her. “I’d also like to know why you’re really here,” he said softly. Teasingly.

There it was again. The question that wouldn’t go away. She cleared her throat. “When I spoke with your father before I decided to come, he sounded a little flat, depressed almost. I thought maybe my visit would cheer him up.” That part was true. She had felt Abe needed someone, if even just another person in the house. He was alone too much.

“Getting help for your father would be wonderful. And it would give him someone to talk to. It has to be hard being alone all the time.”

“You’d think. But that’s the life he’s chosen. He doesn’t like too many people.” Luke grinned, then touched the sleeve of her shirt. “Except for you.”

Julianna’s heart warmed at the comment. “He’s been the father I never had. Even though I haven’t seen him too often, we’ve stayed in touch.”

Leaning back on one elbow, Luke rubbed a hand over the stubble on his face. By the end of the day he always had more than a five o’clock shadow. “I didn’t know that,” he said, his voice still low, reflective almost.

She shrugged. “No reason you would.”

“Well, like I said, there are things I have to do before I go.”

“I don’t think there’s anything you can do about the calf other than let the sheriff handle it. If it is vandals, he’ll do something about it.”

“But there have been other incidents, so I’d like to know what he’s doing about it before I go.”

She looked down. “So, when are you leaving?”

His eyes sparkled with mischief. “Can’t wait to get rid of me, eh.”

She laughed, feeling her cheeks flush. “You found me out.”

Luke’s expression softened. “I always liked the way you laugh.”

He’d never told her that before. Hearing it now made her more self-conscious than anything. Sitting here with Luke was a dangerous place to be. She looked away. “I didn’t do that very often during the last part of our marriage, did I?” Their last couple of years together had been so bitter, so filled with pain.

“No. But you had good reason.” He reached out for her.

Even though his touch was tender, she felt her muscles tense and launched to her feet. “I…I need to go in. I still have work to do.”

He stood almost at the same time, then stepped in front of her, effectively blocking her way. “What’s the rush?”

She placed one hand on her hip, hoping she looked cool and calm—even though her insides felt like they were in a meat grinder. “You heard me. I have work to do.”

“Really?” His voice seemed lower, huskier. He stroked her cheek with his fingertips.

Her blood rushed. “Yes, really.”

“You look like you need to relax.”

Her heart thumped so hard she was certain he could hear it. “Nighttime is when I work best. Besides, I have a deadline to meet.”

He frowned, his mouth forming words that didn’t come out, as if maybe they were too difficult to say. “What?” she asked.

Squaring his shoulders, he said, “I’m still wondering why you left me.”

Oh, God. Her throat constricted. “Luke. Don’t. Please.” When he just stood there, she said, “You…you know why.”

“But that’s just it. I don’t. I know what you said when you left, but I know there was more to it. And it’s been eating at me for five years.”

Her voice was barely a whisper when she said, “I can’t get into all that again, Luke. I just can’t.”

“Was it me? I couldn’t blame you there.”

Her head came up. “Oh, no. God, no. It wasn’t you, Luke. I promise.” His drinking hadn’t helped, but that wasn’t it at all. On instinct, she rested her hand on his arm.

He looked at her hand, then placed his other one over hers.

Tears welled, but she pushed them back. She’d gone through therapy, learned how to live with her grief over losing Michael, thought she’d learned how to live with the breakup of the marriage. So why was she such an emotional mess?

Finally, she managed, “I can’t do this, Luke. I’ve moved on. I hoped you had, too.” She pulled herself up to her full five feet six inches. “Now please let me go.”

Tears burned behind her eyelids as she walked inside, trying desperately to hold herself together. Trying desperately not to turn around and rush into his arms.

CHAPTER FIVE

LUKE WATCHED Jules walk away, his jaw clenched, his fists kneading his thighs. If it wasn’t him, then what the hell was it?

People who loved each other were supposed to stand united and support each other when bad times came. People who loved each other didn’t run away and destroy everything good that they’d built together. Maybe she’d never loved him. Maybe the wonderful relationship he’d thought they had was a bunch of garbage. He’d convinced himself of that more than once.

And now, seeing the pain in her eyes as she ran inside to escape him made him feel even worse. He’d brought up things that hurt her. Damn. He banged the wood railing with the flat of his palm. He was like a fox in a chicken coop, tearing things apart because he wanted something. Because he needed to know. God, he was a jerk.

He stomped inside and on the way to his room hesitated outside her door. He wanted to say he was sorry for hurting her. But the hurt was already there. Sorry didn’t change anything.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow he’d apologize. Tell her he’d never bring it up again. Then he had to get outta here. Go back to work. Work was what he did best.

In his room, he punched in his partner’s cell number. “Yo,” he said when Jordan answered. “What’s happening?”

“That’s what I was wondering. When are you coming back? I’ve got a good lead on the Renfield case.”

Luke’s pulse quickened. “Does Carlyle know? He didn’t want me on it until after the election.”

“No. But I’m not doing anything to stir the pot as far as Thorpe’s concerned.”

“How good is the lead?”

“It’s hot. I tracked down an old friend who’d heard Thorpe threaten to kill Michele Renfield.”

“Who’s the friend?”

“Betsy Stephens. Renfield’s former college roommate.”

“So why haven’t we heard about her before?”

“She said she was questioned way back but nothing ever came of it. And in the back of her mind was the thought, if her friend disappeared, so could she.”

“So, what changed?”

“She said she was cleaning out some of Michele’s things and found something. An ultrasound photo.”

“Renfield was pregnant?” With Thorpe’s kid? Luke’s nerves vibrated with excitement. All his instincts said Thorpe was guilty as hell and Luke wanted to get him so bad he could taste it. He hated politicians who thought they were above the law. Now they had motive and if they could get this girl’s testimony…damn. He had to get back to L.A. “I’ll be back the day after tomorrow. It’s a full day’s drive and I have to clear up some things here first.”

“So how’s it been?” Jordan asked.

“My dad needs help. I’m going to try to take someone on before I leave.” Then he’d plead with Jules to get his father to a doctor. And she’d be overjoyed that he was leaving.

“That’s good. But I meant how are you managing with Julianna in the same house?”

Luke rubbed the stubble on his chin. “No big deal. The past is in the past.”

There was a hesitation on the line before Jordan said, “Yeah? So that’s what you tell yourself.”

Annoyed that his partner had him pegged, Luke gripped the phone tighter. “Yes, it is. But I fully understand your thinking. You have this pie-in-the sky philosophy that love conquers all, and because you’re about to be married, you can’t understand why everyone doesn’t feel the same way. But take my word for it, in my case, love doesn’t conquer anything. The past is in the past. It’s done. Kaput. Finito.”

Jordan coughed as if choking on what Luke had said. “Yeah, okay. Whatever you say.”

“I’ll call you when I get close to home.”

When he was finished with the call, Luke stripped off his clothes and headed for bed. Dammit. The past was in the past. Except he kept seeing how Jules had looked when she came out and sat beside him tonight. She’d smelled clean and fresh and he longed to feel her in his arms again, to be as close as they’d once been.

The fat yellow moon and the brilliance of the stars had reminded him of all the other times they’d sat together simply enjoying the night.

Times he needed to forget. Done. Kaput. Finito.

THE NEXT AFTERNOON Julianna was taking a break from her research and making lemonade when she heard a noise outside. After taking the sheriff out to see the dead animal this morning, Luke and Abe had disposed of the carcass and then spent the rest of the morning working around the place. Though Abe had come in earlier, Luke was still in the barn.

Last night after she’d gone to bed, her emotions warred with her needs. She wanted to go to Luke and try to explain, but she knew going to his room wouldn’t end well. She hadn’t been with a man for six months, at least. Not since her one attempt at a relationship—post-Luke—fell apart. And right now, her hormones were working overtime. Getting too close to Luke could be a dangerous proposition. In more ways than one.

Luke was comfortable. She knew him, knew how to please him. He knew how to please her. But to do that would be misleading. He’d think it meant more, and even if it did, it wouldn’t be fair to either of them. Because nothing would change.

Luke was probably staying outside so he wouldn’t have to see her again. She couldn’t blame him. Every time he’d tried to talk to her she’d cut him off.

She poured the lemonade into a large thermal container, placed some cookies she’d made into a Ziploc bag and headed for the barn. Luke was inside, replacing the hinges on the side door and didn’t seem to hear her come in. Wearing jeans, a blue denim shirt and his Stetson, he looked the typical rancher. A far cry from the perfectly groomed, designer-suited detective she’d once been married to.

She knocked on a wooden box to alert him she was there. When he looked up, she said, “I made some lemonade.” Putting both the cookies and the container on the box, she motioned for him to come and get some. Then she’d get the hell out of there.

Luke untied the bandana around his neck and wiped off his forehead. He seemed surprised to see her. “Sure. Thanks. It’s hot in here.”

“But it’s nice outside.” A crisp fall day and the sun was shining. She handed him a glass and saw his hands were covered with tiny cuts.

“Where’s Abe?” Luke asked.

“Taking a nap.”

“Great. Good time for me to call some people about the job. I’m calling a couple guys I know and see if they can recommend anyone, and I put a help wanted ad in the local paper.”

Luke took a cookie, and then after another swig of his lemonade, said matter-of-factly, “I’m sorry about last night. I was out of line.”

She glanced away. He shouldn’t be apologizing. She was the one who’d fled. She was the one who couldn’t explain herself. An irony that hadn’t escaped her. A writer who couldn’t express herself. How sad was that? But then the only time she had the problem was when she was with Luke. “It’s okay. Let’s just leave it alone. Okay.”

His gaze caught hers again. “Deal. If I can hire someone, I’m leaving tomorrow morning, so I want to do as much as I can today.”

She felt the tension in her shoulders ease. “Well, if you need anything, if you need my help—”

That got a raised brow.

“Okay,” she said. “I know I’m probably the most unmechanical person around, but I am good at helping if I’m told what to do.”

He smiled, then picked up another cookie. “Great. I do have something I’d like you to help me with.”

“Oh…okay.” She hadn’t really expected him to take up her offer.

He walked over and sat on a bale of hay, then gestured for her to have a seat, too. She sat on the bale opposite him, pulled up her feet and sat cross-legged. The scent of hay teased her senses, dredging up a long-ago memory of the time they’d made love in the hay loft. She wondered if Luke remembered.

Luke took one last sip of lemonade, then said, “It’s about my dad. Since I’m leaving tomorrow, I won’t have time to get him to see a doctor, but he needs a checkup.”

“And you were wondering if I’d convince him to go.”

He nodded. “That’s it. I know it’s asking a lot. He can be stupidly stubborn when he wants to be.” He gave a half laugh. “Which, now that I think about it, is all the time. At least when I’m here. You might have better luck asking him after I leave.”

“I’ll be happy to do what I can. But you know—with Abe—there are no guarantees.”

“If you can’t, then we’ll have to go to plan B.”

“Plan B? What’s that?”