Page 53 of Blazing Hot Nights
Beau was already walking Rapunzel back to me from the front of the house, and Dawn handed me the walkie. “Make sure she’s safe and radio back to me so I know. Also, she won’t be able to see your approach, so you’ll need to talk as you ride in, or she might shoot first and ask questions later.”
I took the walkie from her hand. “Got it. Thanks, Dawn. How do I find this place?”
Tex handed me an old tack receipt after drawing a crude map on it. “Once you get to the water hole from the barn side of it, go right into the woods. If she started a fire, you’d see it. If she didn’t, you’re going to need a lantern.” He took one down off the hook and handed it to me. “Be careful and take care of her. If you don’t, I’ll make you wish you had.”
Those were strong words from a guy like Tex. I wanted to tell him to remember his place, but it dawned on me that was exactly what he was doing. His place would always be by Heaven’s side. Strangely enough, it stuck in my chest that I had disappointed a guy like Tex, so I nodded once. “Point made. I’ll radio back as soon as I find her.”
I hooked the lantern on the saddle and swung up into it, taking the reins from Beau. “Would you go up and put the fire out on the ridge, then get the lights on in the house?”
“Done. Be careful.”
I dug my heels into Rapunzel and urged her through the grass, the darkness swallowing us and reminding me that my light was out there somewhere, and I had to find her.
***
“I screwed up, Daddy,” I cried from where I sat on a stump by the dilapidated cabin. After my accident, he’d rolled it over for me to mount and dismount my horse when we came down to this old place. The stump was old and weathered now, which summed up my soul.
I’d lost so much. First, the man I’d counted on to help me run this place. Now, I’d lost the man I’d thought was going to be my future. “I was trying to do right by what you’d want for the ranch. I was trying to give up a little to gain a lot more. Why did I trust a McAwley?”
I didn’t know what to do. I had to face Blaze again, but I couldn’t tonight. He was probably frantic by now, but truthfully, I didn’t care. He could suffer for his lies the same way I was suffering for my stupidity.
“What have I done?” I whimpered, resting my forehead in my palm. “Why didn’t I see the bigger picture, Daddy?”
You did. The bigger picture is still in front of you, Heaven.
The voice made me lift my head and swallow with nervousness. I glanced around, but there was no one in the trees. I was alone here with no one other than Grover. I spoke again, wondering if the voice would answer. “What I see is Blaze painting over Heavenly Lane with his money until all of this land is McAwley land.”
If that’s what you see, then you need to open your eyes, child.
“I heard what I heard. Blaze can’t deny he was trying to get the ranch away from us, Daddy,” I whispered, instinctively knowing the voice was his. I was surrounded by him here, and I always felt his presence when I sat here peacefully. Tonight, I was anything but peaceful, but he was still here supporting me.
There are many regrets on this land, Heaven. Don’t ruin what you have with Blaze before you let him explain. That would only add to the tragedies you’ve all suffered here.
Grover gave a warning stomp in the debris littering the ground. I grabbed my gun, listening carefully to the sounds of the night around me.
“Heaven! It’s Blaze, please don’t shoot me.”
His voice was far off on the other side of the pasture, but he was moving this way. Even if I could mount Grover quickly, which I couldn’t, I would still have to ride past him to get out of the pasture.
“Listen to me, Heaven. I think you came up to the ridge tonight and heard me on the phone. Am I right?” he called, closer this time. Rapunzel huffed and snorted as he pushed her hard through the grass.
“You may have gotten my virginity, Blaze McAwley, but you’re not getting my ranch!”
“I don’t want your ranch,” he said, closer still. Then I noticed the lantern on the saddle horn as he moved into the woods.
“Stop!” I called out. “Don’t bring Rapunzel back here. She’ll break her leg. You don’t know what to avoid.”
“I have the light,” he said, but he had pulled up on Rapunzel’s reins and held her in place.
“For this one damn time, listen to me, Blaze!” I yelled, hopping up onto the stump and mounting Grover as quickly as I could. The horse moved toward Rapunzel, who stood nervously at the entrance of the woods. “Grover knows where he’s going. Back up, so we can get by you.”
He urged Rapunzel backward, but I could tell he wasn’t going to fall for any tricks like allowing me to make a break past him. As soon as I was near him, he grabbed my upper arm, so I had to pull up on Grover’s reins.
“Beau told me that you know about my father deeding me the ranch. I was going to tell you.”
“When? After you stole my ranch out from under me?” I wanted the words to be angry, but they came out sad and filled with pain.
“I was never going to steal your ranch, angel.”
