Page 18 of Rough Ride

“And I will point out that I am a Kaheaku.”

Both men turned to her as if she had popped out of thin air. They were both giving her a look that told her they weren’t happy with the interruption. She didn’t give a damn. She’d grown up in the military so a couple of Alpha males staring her down didn’t scare her at all.

“I still live here. I own it. You might not realize it, Sam, but Joe and I became close in the last few years. I’m sure that he wouldn’t be happy if I sold to you. If I sell to anyone, which I doubt, it would be to Eli. He helped Joe build this ranch up, and he has more right to it than the family that turned their back on Joe.”

He stepped closer, his cane thumping on the Koa wood floor. He leaned closer, enough for her to feel his breath on her face.

“He was unnatural, but you would know all about that.”

Fear slipped down her spine. She didn’t like to be bullied, and she had dealt with more than one during her teenage years. But before she could yell at him, Eli stepped in.

“You might want to take a step back there, Kaheaku. I would hate to hurt a crippled man.”

Eli used the same tone he had the day of Joe’s memorial service. It did more to scare her than any yelling would have.

Sam turned to face Eli. She was worried there would be a physical fight when Sam Jr., stepped in. “Dad, we need to get on. We have that meeting later.”

Sam stared at Eli for a moment longer, then, without another word, he turned and walked out the door. When the door shut behind Sam Jr., Crysta let out a long, slow breath.

When they were alone, Eli said, “So, I guess we know why they didn’t like your father.”

She sighed. “Dad said her father was worse. Which is odd because Joe had no prejudice.”

“It isn’t common here.”

She nodded. “I…I need a few moments alone.”

As she started up the stairs, he said, “You know, there’s nothing unnatural about you, Crysta.”

Crysta stopped, turned around, and walked down the last few steps. She stopped in front of him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For not being a total bastard about me having half the ranch. And…for being the son that Joe always wanted. He loved you like blood.”

He said nothing as she turned and made her way up to her room. She needed time alone and a little rest. She had a group of men to talk to tonight, and she had no idea if they held the same feelings as Sam or not.

* * *

“Did you take fingerprints?” Conner Dillon asked Eli.

“I’m not the bloody FBI, Dillon.”

He made a sound that told Eli he wasn’t happy with that answer. “We see nothing here other than someone punching in the code. I’ll do some work on it and see if we can figure out just who the bastard is. Anything else?”

He thought of the tire. “Not sure.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I had a flat tire. Just from looking at it, it looks like nothing, but I’ll take a closer look.”

“What the hell are you waiting for?”

“Jesus, Dillon, I’ve been busy. Had to get Crysta settled, then that bastard uncle of hers showed up.”

There was a beat of silence. “He’s the one Joe was worried about?”

“Yeah, but I can’t see him doing that.”

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