Honest Horseman (River's End Ranch Book 5) Read online

  Honest Horseman

  Cindy Caldwell

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Ranch’s Retreat Sneak Peek!

  Also by Cindy Caldwell

  I have to thank my compadres on this project—Kirsten Osbourne, Pamela Kelley, Amelia C. Adams and Caroline Lee—for love, laughter, encouragement and most of all, trust. What an amazing group! Proud to be a part of the awesome world that is River’s End Ranch.

  And a big THANK YOU to Amy Petrowich for…well, just being you.

  Copyright © 2016 by Cindy Caldwell

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  If you’d like to receive my new release alerts, special promos, giveaways and early release discounts, sign up for my mailing list at:

  Cindy Caldwell New Release Alerts

  Chapter 1

  Wyatt Weston stood slowly, shaking his head as he turned from the magnificent view across River’s End Ranch that never ceased to amaze him, even after a lifetime of looking at it. The last of the snowmelt tumbled down from the mountains on the other side of the lake and he chuckled, thinking of his brother, Will, and the tourists that would be rafting today down the water that looked refreshing but could still take your breath away at this time of year. Ranch guests were often surprised to see any snow still on the tallest peaks even in late spring, but it didn’t surprise him at all. Every year was different.

  He scuffed his boots across the dirt, careful to douse any remaining embers of the small campfire he and Glen had lit earlier to ward off the chill—and make coffee. Always coffee.

  Glen hopped off the boulder he’d been perched on to watch the sunrise and poured out the last drops of coffee from his tin cup. “So, what are you going to do about this, Wyatt?”

  Wyatt ran his hand through his hair before he pulled his Stetson down over his forehead and turned up the collar of his flannel jacket. He cupped his hands together and blew into them, his warm breath warming his fingers only slightly.

  He took one last look around the glade he and Glen had found the night before on their scouting trip for the upcoming season’s spot to take tourists on an overnight ride. River’s End Ranch had made quite a name for itself in destination resorts, and Wyatt’s overnight trail rides were a big part of that. Wyatt made sure to give their guests the best possible experience they could have. They were mostly city folk, though, so they also had to be pretty careful when they picked a spot. Couldn’t be too rough or remote. As much as it pained him, he knew they mostly looked forward to the gourmet cowboy cookout that Kelsi coordinated from the cafe, but he always made sure they got there safe and sound.

  “It’ll be fine. Good view of the river and the lake. I prefer the one we found higher up, but I think for the resort guests, this would be best this summer.”

  Glen shook his head and groaned. Wyatt turned slowly and raised an eyebrow at the tall, dark-haired man he’d recently gotten to know. Wyatt had reluctantly agreed to take him on as an intern after many raised-voice conversations with Wade. He still wasn’t certain what he was supposed to teach him, but he knew him well enough to know what he was probably thinking.

  “Wyatt, you know darn well what I’m talking about,” he said as he nodded his head up toward the glade he and Wyatt had scouted the day before. Wyatt crouched by the remnants of the campfire, ensuring there were no stray embers, just as his father had taught him, before he reached to gather his bedroll.

  Glen waited, shuffling from one boot to another before he let out a deep breath and turned toward the horses. He saddled up his horse, pulling the cinch tight under her belly, and waited. And waited.

  “Want me to saddle Belle?”

  “I got it,” Wyatt said as he slowly made his way over to his horse, the only one in the stables that nobody got to ride but him. He’d had her a few years now, and if Glen would just be quiet he could think. Well, more quiet. He’d rather talk to Belle about this without Glen in earshot.

  “You know, you’re a hard man to talk to, Wyatt Weston,” Glen said as he sat back down on the boulder and watched as Wyatt saddled his horse.

  Wyatt sighed. “So I’ve been told.”

  Glen chuckled as his horse tapped his hooves in the dirt. “I know, I know,” he said as he leaned over. “I’m trying to get him to hurry. Or say something.”

  Wyatt squinted in Glen’s direction and Glen raised his eyebrows but clammed up, which is what Wyatt wanted.

  The trip up to the higher country last night had been something he’d been looking forward to for weeks. Since he was a kid, it had been where he could breathe better, think better. He’d never in a million years thought that what they’d find would be less than great. Far less.

  He and Glen had stopped stock still when they’d come upon the clearing, the horses backing up a step or two on their own. His father’s voice rang in his ears as he surveyed the pile in front of them.

  “Son, this land is a gift, and a big responsibility comes with it. Other creatures need to live here, too, and we are their guardians.”

  Wyatt understood hunters and the need to do it, either for food or for population management, but he’d never understood it just for fun. And when he and Glen came upon a family of foxes, dead, shot for sport and scattered around the glade, he winced. It never failed to turn his stomach.

  Not only was it not fox hunting season, but whoever did this hadn’t even taken the pelts, just left the carcasses to rot. He hadn’t seen anything quite like this for—well, at least a few years.

  “Poachers,” Glen had said solemnly as he pulled his hat further down his forehead and his eyes clouded. Now, he reached down for the lifeless family of foxes he’d gently piled against the tree and covered with canvas for the night. When they’d come upon them, they’d been scattered all over, willy nilly, and Wyatt and Glen had slowly gathered them up. “And on Ranch property, to boot.”

  Wyatt reached down to gather the dead animals in his arms. He lifted the canvas bag carefully and crossed over to Belle.

  “Wyatt, you still with me?” Glen said as he folded his arms over his chest.

  “Yeah. I am,” Wyatt said as he gently lifted the bag holding the foxes over the saddlebags on the back of Belle. He threw his leg over Belle’s sturdy back and turned to Glen.

  “You know darn well we need to call Fish and Game.”

  Wyatt winced at the words. That would be what most people would say, he imagined. Poaching, in or out of hunting season, was a serious matter, and it was Fish and Game that investigated and prosecuted. But calling them would mean she’d know. The woman who’d made his world brighter, the one he’d sacrificed for, who’d made his heart full—and then shattered it. Although it had been years, Belinda Archer was the last person he wanted to talk to. Now or ever.

  Well, if they were going to be notified, it wouldn’t come
from him. His brother was the general manager of River’s End Ranch. The one with the broad shoulders, and the one who had to make the tough decisions. He was just in charge of the stables—the horses and the trail rides they provided for Ranch guests. This was above his pay grade. At least as far as he was concerned, it was.

  “Yeah, I know, but it’s not mine to do. I’d like to stay out of it best I can,” he said as he nudged Belle back down the mountain. He took a last look at up toward the glade they’d found the foxes in a took a deep breath, wishing away any memory of the time he’d spent up in these parts with Belinda. No, he’d leave it to others this time. He knew his grandpa wouldn’t like that, but it was just best. Best for everybody.

  “I need to talk to Wade.”

  Chapter 2

  “Belinda, how close are you?” The voice of her boss squawked from the radio of her Fish and Game truck as she covered the miles north to the Idaho panhandle.

  “I’m almost there,” she replied after she’d picked up the radio. “Any more information? There wasn’t much to go on.”

  “No, there wasn’t, and it’s a relatively minor issue. You sure you want to tackle it?” he said.

  She rested the radio in her lap as she leaned forward and looked out the windshield, up at the white-capped mountains. As the town of Riston faded in her rearview mirror, the mountains ahead of her soared, white at the peaks even at this time of year, but she could sense, feel, the snowmelt rushing down and into the lake she’d always loved. There was nothing quite as beautiful, to her mind, and it still took her breath away after all these years.

  “Belinda, you there?”

  She blinked quickly, her mind back on her task. “Yeah, I’m here. And yes, I’m sure I want to tackle it. I think I’m the best for it on the team since I know these particular mountains pretty well.”

  After a moment of silence, her boss said, “There’s no doubt about that, but make sure you call in and let me know how it’s going. And if you need help, I’m just a holler away. Good luck.”

  “Thanks,” she said curtly as she slid the radio back into its holder on the dashboard.

  She rolled back her shoulders—the drive had been a long one and she hadn’t even stopped in Riston to stretch her legs. It wasn’t that she was in a hurry, exactly. She had lots of reasons not to want to go back to River’s End Ranch, but the closer she got, the stronger the pull was.

  For a split second, she thought maybe she should have told her boss the truth. All of it, anyway. When he’d told her about the call her team had received about fox poaching at River’s End Ranch, they’d discussed her extensive experience with the terrain—but she hadn’t been as forthcoming about her familiarity with the owners. He’d said the general manager of River’s End Ranch, Wade Weston, had put in the call, which made sense as Wade had always been the one to handle those kinds of things.

  But she had no doubt at all that it had been Wyatt who had found the foxes. He’d have been the only one who would have been up where Wade said the foxes were found.

  She’d locked her memories of Wyatt in a box deep inside her heart long ago, but when her boss had gestured to the marker he’d placed on the map of the ranch it was almost as if the lock on her memories had busted open on its own. And in that moment, she’d decided that she had to go. No matter what happened.

  As she turned her truck down the long driveway toward the resort, her eyes feasted on the familiar surroundings, and as she passed the picket fence surrounding Jaclyn’s house, she smiled. She’d have to pay her a visit if she had time.

  She glanced at her watch as the cafe loomed into view. No doubt Kelsi would be there. Her smile faded—she hadn’t given much thought after her decision to come and help out with the poaching to what the reaction of the Westons might be. They were pretty tight, and she and Wyatt hadn’t really cleaned things up as they should have before she’d decided she had to go.

  Gravel crunched beneath her tires as she turned and parked in front of the cafe. With both hands on the wheel, she rested her forehead for a moment. Might as well get it over with, and it would likely be easier to start with one of Wyatt’s sisters rather than the man himself.

  As the door of the cafe swung shut behind her, she took off her Fish and Game hat and hung it on the rack by the door. She pushed back an escaped lock of hair behind her ear and nervously tugged at the ponytail that hung down her back. She unbuttoned her sleeves and rolled them up before turning around.

  “I need another burger for table number four, Bob.” Kelsi Weston, her hands and arms full of plates, pushed through the swinging door of the kitchen.

  She stopped in her tracks when she saw Belinda. “Oh, my,” she said as she brushed past Belinda on her way to deliver the plates, heavy with burgers and fries. “Look who’s here.”

  Her greeting wasn’t much different than Belinda expected it would be, and she took a seat at the counter and looked around. Nothing had changed—the waitresses’ pink uniforms were the same as were the tables, counter and kitchen. The big windows looking out over the mountains on the other side of the lake sparkled as usual, and warmth flooded her. The familiarity was comforting, but she spun back toward the counter as Kelsi returned and leaned against the serving area behind it. She crossed her arms and stuck out her chin as she squinted in Belinda’s direction.

  “And what can I do for you, Belinda Archer?”

  Her stomach rumbled and she gave Kelsi her best smile. “I have a meeting with your brother shortly, but I’m a little hungry.”

  “So I hear,” Kelsi said as she pushed away from the counter, scribbled something on her pad and handed it to the cook, someone Belinda hadn’t seen before. His eyebrows rose and he looked from Kelsi to Belinda and back to Kelsi. Kelsi nodded and turned back to the counter, leaning forward on her elbows.

  “You’re meeting with Wyatt?” she asked, her ice blue eyes—so much like Wyatt’s—not leaving Belinda for a second.

  “Um, no. Wade. We got a call at Fish and Game that there’d been some poaching on Ranch property and I was sent out to investigate.”

  Kelsi picked up a dishtowel and wiped down the counter. There wasn’t much of a crowd as it was just before closing, and it would be time for them to fill the salt and pepper shakers soon. Belinda could almost feel the polyester uniform, cool on her skin, as memories flooded unbidden of her summers waitressing with Kelsi at the diner. Long before she started working with Wyatt on the trial rides. So long ago.

  “I heard about that, but didn’t know they’d send you. Family dinner’s tonight instead of last night since Wade had a big shindig he had to put on for some regular guests and he postponed. I expect tonight we’ll hear more about it.” Kelsi cocked her head and eyed Belinda’s badge. “You’re a mucky muck there now, aren’t you?” she said as she gathered the salt and pepper shakers at the end of the counter, keeping a little distance between them.

  Belinda’s face flushed and she fiddled with her fork. “I wouldn’t say that, but I like my job.”

  “That’s good. I’m sure you’re great at it.” Kelsi brought back the salt and pepper that belonged where Belinda sat and took an interest in re-arranging the sugar packets. She reached for the towel and wiped the counter right in front of Belinda, wiggling her left hand in the light. She cleared her throat as Belinda laughed and said, “Is that a wedding ring on your finger, Kelsi?” Not that she would have been able to miss it.

  Kelsi held out her hand and smiled as big a smile as Belinda had ever seen on her.

  “Why, yes it is. I’m Mrs. Shane Clapper now. We’re very happy. He’s the sheriff—well, you know that. Remember Shane?”

  Her joy was contagious, and Belinda reached for her hand and took a better look at the sparkling diamond. “I’m so happy for you, Kelsi. I never would have thought the two of you would get together.”

  “I know, isn’t it great? And even better—I’m having a baby,” Kelsi said as she rubbed her tummy, her eyes soft.

  “What? That�
�s wonderful.” Belinda stood and reached over the counter, hugging her old friend. “I’m thrilled for you, Kelsi.”

  Kelsi wiped her eye quickly and looked away. “Thank you, Belinda. I’ve missed you. I’m glad I got to tell you.” The order bell rang, and Kelsi turned toward the pass-through window and reached for the plate the chef had placed there. He shrugged his shoulders and Kelsi grinned at him. “Trust me. She’ll love it.”

  Belinda inhaled deeply as Kelsi, with a flourish, set down a plate in front of her. Tears pricked her eyes as the delicious scent of a sandwich and fries rose up to greet her. But it wasn’t just any sandwich. It was her favorite, one she’d had just about every day of every summer she’d worked at the cafe. Grilled ham and pepper jack cheese with honey mustard and pickles on sourdough. And the fries were crispy, almost burnt.

  “You remembered,” she said slowly as Kelsi set a bottle of ketchup and Tabasco in front of her, ready for Belinda to mix together for the fries.

  “How could I forget? Every day, for years. Still not sure how you can stand it, but there you go.”

  Belinda looked up at Kelsi, whose eyes twinkled as she winked. She took a big bite and held back a groan as she closed her eyes and savored the sandwich.

  Kelsi laughed and shook her head. She grabbed her towel and water and set about cleaning the tables on the other side of the cafe as Belinda finished the sandwich, the likes of which she’d not been able to duplicate since she’d left the ranch.

  “It’s been great to see you, Kelsi. Congratulations on your marriage and impending arrival.”

  Kelsi rubbed her belly and smiled. “Thanks.” She cocked her head and squinted at Belinda. “I only hope all my family can be as happy as I am.”

  Belinda took in a deep breath and stopped before she got to the door. She turned around, and Kelsi stood, her hands on her hips as their eyes met.

  “Kelsi, um, does Wyatt ever—well, has he ever...” Her voice trailed off as she reached for her hat and pulled it on.