Calebs not like that.
Travis scoffed out a cold laugh. What did he tell you?
He didnt tell me anything. And I dont know what youre talking about. She stomped to the sofa and flopped down, picking up this months Equestrian magazine and opening it in front of her. And I really dont want to have this conversation with you.
Travis moved to the armchair across from her. Hes from Chicago, Mandy. Hes not staying.
Dont you think I know that? Mandy didnt expect Caleb to stay. Her wildest wish was that hed hang around long enough to meet up with Reed. Beyond that, she had absolutely no illusions.
The women he goes out with, Travis continued. They know the score. They expect the lies. They know theyre lies.
Caleb has not lied to me.
Then howd he get you into bed.
Mandy determinedly flipped her way through the pages of the magazine. None of this is any of your damn business.
I love you, Mandy.
Shut up.
He doesnt.
She glanced over the top of the magazine. What a ridiculous thing to say. Of course he doesnt love me. Why would he love me?
Then why wont you believe I have your best interest at heart?
Im not a child, Travis. I like Caleb. Caleb likes me. Despite your cynicism, thats all there is to it. Im not about to get hurt. And thats all you need to know.
Then, why were you up there tonight?
He needs help, Mandy answered honestly.
And youre going to be his Florence Nightingale?
He needs to see Reed. The two of them need to talk, really talk. You dont know what they went through as children. She breathed deeply, absolutely sincere in her argument.
Travis sat back, his posture relaxing. I have a pretty good idea what they went through. I knew them both quite well.
Mandy dropped the magazine and sat forward. Then help me find Reed. Caleb is determined to sell the ranch out from under him. He almost did it while we were in Lyndon. If I hadnt spoken up about the water rights, we might already have new neighbors. Reed needs the ranch, and Caleb needs Reed.
You spoke up about the water rights review?
Yes.
To Calebs potential buyer?
She paused. It came up in conversation.
And you think Caleb still likes you? Reed asked on a note of astonishment.
He understood.
Mandy, the world isnt the happy fun place you seem to picture. People arent sweet and kind and friendly, looking to do each other favors 24/7.
Will you stop?
Reed and Caleb are grown men, Travis warned her darkly. Neither of them is going to thank you for interfering.
Well, at least Danielle was on her side. Shed definitely thank Mandy for interfering.
What if it was you? Mandy asked. What if you and Seth were estranged? Would you not want someone to facilitate your reunion? If you were about to lose the ranch, would you not want someone to help you out?
Travis moved from the armchair and angled himself next to Mandy on the sofa. Those two men have a very dark past. Theyre not going to recognize what youre doing as helpful. Theyre going to hate you for interfering.
Reed would never hate me. And she had to believe Caleb wouldnt, either. Oh, she was under no illusion that he was falling for her in a romantic sense. But he had been a gentleman, more than a gentleman.
Reeds been hurt pretty bad.
Yes, he has, Mandy agreed. She paused, looking directly at the brother shed loved all her life. And hes our friend. Do you really want me to turn my back on him?
Travis mouthed a swearword, rocking back on the sofa. You shouldnt be sleeping with Caleb, Mandy.
I am not going to-
Stop talking right now, Travis barked. Before you have to lie to me. If you fall for him, its going to be a disaster. He paused, his mouth turning into a thin line. Then again, if youre sleeping with him, its already too late.
Mandy felt her throat close up with emotion. She couldnt think about her feelings for Caleb, not right now, not when so much was at stake. I have to find Reed.
Travis hesitated, then he reached out and rubbed her shoulder. Okay, little sister. Okay. Ill help you find Reed.
You will? she managed.
I will.
Good. She nodded, feeling stronger already. Great. Danielle gave me a name-
Travis recoiled. Danielle?
Yes. She wants Reed to come back, so that Caleb will go back to Chicago. Theres some Brazilian deal with a ticking clock. Mandy waved a dismissive hand. Anyway. She put me in touch with a private investigator. And hes going to find Reed for us. All we have to do is keep Caleb from selling the ranch until then.
Eight
Caleb gazed up and down the wide hallway of the main Terrell barn, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the job in front of him. Hed had his secretary calling moving and storage companies this morning, but they all said they needed an estimate of the volume to be moved and stored. So Caleb had to figure out what to keep and store, and what to sell with the ranch.
He couldnt see the point of keeping the saddles and tack. Those things theyd sell as is. Theyd also sell the horses and livestock. Same with the equipment and the vehicles. Whoever bought the ranch would likely have a use for much of the equipment, and Caleb was inclined to give them a good deal if it meant streamlining the sale.
The office-now, that was a different story. His boots thumped against the wooden floor as he crossed the aisle to stare in the open door of the office. It held two desks, five file cabinets and a credenza that stretched under the window. Some of the paperwork would stay, but a lot of it would be personal and business records that would have to be kept for the family. Well, for Reed. And that meant sorting through everything.
Caleb let his shoulders slump, turning his back on that particular job and making his way farther into the barn. About twenty horses were stabled inside. He made a mental note to make sure the hands were exercising each of them every day. Hed spoken briefly to their half dozen full-time hands, the cook and with the two men who were up from the Jacobses place.
Everything was at least under temporary control.
A horse whinnied in one of the stalls, drawing Calebs attention. He took a step closer, squinting into the dim stall.
Neesha? he asked, recognizing the Appaloosa mare. Is that really you?
She bobbed her head, seeming to answer his question.
A beauty, she was chestnut in the front, with just a hint of a white blaze. Her hindquarters were mottled white above a long, sleek tail.
She lifted her head over the stall, and he scratched her nose, rubbing her ears. Shed been a two-year-old when he left, one of the prettiest foals ever born on the ranch. He glanced into tack room, realizing her saddle and bridle would be easy to find using his fathers ultra-organized system. He also realized hed love to take her out for a ride.
Someone entered through the main door, heavy steps, long strides, booted feet, likely one of the hands.
Caleb? came Traviss flat voice.
Calebs hands dropped to the top rail, fingers tensing around the rough board. He was under no illusion that Mandy could keep up a lie to her brother. So, if Travis had pressed her last night, he was likely here looking to take Caleb out behind the barn.
Caleb braced himself and turned.
Travis came to a halt, but when he spoke, there was no malice in his voice. I guess its been a while since you saw Neesha.
Its been a while, Caleb agreed, watching Travis carefully. A sucker punch was no less than he deserved.
You up to something? asked Travis.
Caleb had no idea how to answer that question.
Hear from any new buyers? Travis tried again.
Nothing so far. Caleb allowed himself to relax ever so slightly. Perhaps Mandy was more devious than hed given her credit for.
Im trying to get an estimate for moving and storage. His gaze was drawn past the big double door, toward the ranch house. He couldnt begin to imagine how big a job it would be sorting through the possessions in the house. In addition to the rooms, there was the attic, the basement. Hed like to think he was emotionally ready to tackle it, but a thread of uncertainty had lodged itself in his brain.
Travis nodded. A lot of years worth of stuff in there.
Its a bitch of a situation, said Caleb.
That it is, Travis agreed. Weve got to ride the north meadow fence today. You up for it?
With you?
With me.
For a brief second, Caleb wondered if Travis was luring him away from the homestead in order to do him harm. But he quickly dismissed the suspicion. If Travis wanted to take his head off, hed have tried by now. From everything Caleb knew and had learned, the man was tough as nails, but he wasnt devious.
Sure, Caleb agreed. The house could wait. It wasnt as though it was going anywhere.
Ill take Rambler, said Travis.
The two men tacked up the horses and exited into the cool morning sunshine. The meadow grass was lush green, yellow-and-purple wildflowers poking up between leaves and blades, insects buzzing from plant to plant, while several of the horses in the paddock whinnied their displeasure at being left behind.
They went north along the river trail, bringing back Calebs memories of his childhood, and especially his teenage years. He, Reed and Travis had spent hours and hours on horseback out in the pastures and rangeland. Theyd had a special clearing by the river, where theyd hung a rope swing. There, theyd swam in the frigid water, drank beer theyd bribed the hands to bootleg for them, bragged about making out with the girls at school and contemplated their futures. Funny, that none of them ever planned to leave the valley.
I did a search on Active Equipment, Travis offered, bringing Rambler to walk alongside Neesha. Youve been busy.
Had nothing better to do, Caleb responded levelly, though he was proud of his business achievements.
Travis chuckled. I bet you fly around the world in that jet, going to parties with continental beauties, while your minions bring in the millions.
Thats pretty much all there is to it. Caleb pulled his hat down and bent his head as they passed beneath some low-hanging branches. He was surprise by how natural it felt to be in the saddle.
Gotta get me a job like that.
Caleb turned to look at Travis. Are you thinking of leaving Lyndon Valley?
Nah, not really. Though I wouldnt mind tagging along on one of your trips sometime, maybe Paris or Rome. I hear the women are gorgeous.