Roping Ray McCullen (17 page)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Deputy Whitefeather met Ray and Maddox at the sheriff's office. Barbara and Bobby continued to deny that they'd set fire to the McCullen house. Both had also denied sending Scarlet the burned photo and smashing her doll.

Then Barbara had evoked her rights to an attorney for her and her son.

“Let's let them sit in jail overnight,” Maddox said. “Maybe when Barbara realizes how much trouble she and Bobby are in, she'll confess.”

Ray knew he should relax about Scarlet. Barbara, Bobby and Pullman were all in custody.

But a sick feeling knotted his stomach.

He had hurt Scarlet.

“Brett texted that the fire is out,” Maddox said. “The arson investigator is there. I want to talk to him.”

Deputy Whitefeather nodded. “Go ahead. I'll stay here and hold down the fort.”

Ray wanted to get Bobby alone and pound a confession out of him, but Maddox insisted on sticking to the law.

The urge to see Scarlet nagged at Ray.

But he owed his brothers his support. He also wanted to find out who set fire to the house as much as Maddox. Rose or Mama Mary could have been inside and died. And what if Brett's son had been injured?

Ray followed Maddox out the door before he went back in and beat Bobby to a bloody pulp.

Maddox was quiet as they drove to the ranch. “If Bobby and Barbara didn't set fire to the barn and house, who did?”

“Romley is still missing,” Ray reminded him.

“True. Hardwick insisted that he was only supposed to report our progress to Bennett, that he wasn't the arsonist. I'm going to find that son of a bitch Romley and get to the truth.”

Ray nodded, although his mind wandered back to Scarlet. She'd rushed to the house when she thought they were in trouble, not because she wanted anything from them.

Because she cared.

But when Maddox mentioned her past, a sliver of doubt had crept in.

Not because of Scarlet, but because he had trouble trusting. Seeing his father with another woman had tainted his idea of relationships.

Dammit, he could trust Scarlet. She was the sweetest, most selfless person he'd ever known.

Brett, his family and Rose met them at Maddox's vehicle when they arrived. Rose threw her arms around his brother, obviously grateful to see he'd returned safely.

Maddox pulled away and kissed her. “I'm going to talk to the arson investigator.”

Seeing both his brothers happy with their own families triggered a deep-seated loneliness in him.

Making a snap decision, he told Maddox he was going to check on Scarlet. Maddox's dark gaze met his. Brett raised his brows in question.

“You don't want to hear back from that judge first?” Maddox asked.

“I don't need to. I know Scarlet. She deserves everything Dad left her. If you guys don't agree, then I'll buy her share from you.”

He didn't bother to wait on a response. He didn't care what they said and he didn't need their approval.

He jumped in his Range Rover and headed toward Scarlet's.

* * *

F
EAR
RIPPED
THROUGH
Scarlet as the man pushed her onto the bed. The scent of cologne and chewing gum hit her.

Hugh
.

She squirmed and pushed at his hands, and he finally released her. But his heavy breathing rattled in the dark room as he towered over her.

God help me.
It had never occurred to her that Hugh could be dangerous. “Why are you doing this? I thought we were friends.”

“Because you know,” he said, his voice accusatory.

“Know what?” she said, playing dumb.

She was on her own now. Joe was gone and so was Ray. She had to stall. Pray she could keep him calm and talk him out of doing anything irrational.

“That I burned that photo. That I smashed that damn doll.” He paced in front her, swinging his hands. “But I did it because I love you.”

“You scared me half to death out of love?” Scarlet said.

He stared at her, eyes wild. “I've always loved you. Ever since we were kids.”

She struggled to recall what had happened to his parents. If she was correct, his father had stalked his mother after their divorce. He'd probably justified his obsessive behavior, claiming it was love.

“I wanted to protect you, to be the one to comfort you when Joe died.” His voice rose to an unnatural level. “You were supposed to turn to me, not that blasted McCullen.”

Scarlet bit her tongue to keep from defending Ray. Doing that would only agitate Hugh more.

“I'm sorry if I didn't pay you enough attention,” Scarlet said, grappling for reason. “I've just had so much on my mind. Joe's passing, and then Pullman and his daughter, and little Corey.”

“Who was there to help you through all that?” Hugh pounded his fist on his chest. “I was, Scarlet. I've always been there for you.”

Yes he had. But she didn't feel the same attraction to him that she did toward Ray.

A loud knock echoed from the front, and she clenched the quilt as Hugh swung around. “Who the hell is that?”

“I don't know,” Scarlet said.

“Probably that SOB McCullen.” Hugh strode into the living room and Scarlet raced after him.

“Hugh, I'll get it.”

But Hugh blocked her from the door, pulled a gun from his jacket and ordered her to be quiet.

“Scarlet, I know you're in there,” Ray called. “Let me in.”

Hugh pointed the gun at her. “Get rid of him,” he ordered.

A tremor rippled through her, and she nodded.

She'd do anything to protect Ray.

Inhaling a calming breath, she inched her way to the door, but left the chain attached as she turned the bottom lock.

Ray's dark eyes met hers through the crack. “Scarlet,” he said softly. “Please let me in.”

She shook her head. “Not tonight, Ray, I'm tired.”

“We have to talk about earlier... I'm sorry.”

She had to get rid of him, fast. “There's nothing else to say.” She grabbed the letter she'd written to him earlier and shoved it through the opening.

His fingers closed around it, his eyes questioning. “What is this?”

“It's goodbye, Ray.”

Trembling, she slammed the door shut. She leaned against it breathing heavily as she looked into Hugh's troubled eyes.

A slow smile curved his mouth, and he feathered her hair from her cheek. “See, now, everything will be all right. You and I will be together just like it should have been all along.”

* * *

R
AY
SKIMMED
THE
letter Scarlet had written. She was leaving town because he and his brothers had given her hell.

That wasn't what his father wanted.

It wasn't what he wanted, either.

He leaned against the door, debating on how to change her mind, but footsteps and voices echoed from inside.

Voices
—not just Scarlet's.

A man.
Had Pullman gotten out of jail?

He leaned against the door, straining to hear. They were arguing.

Scarlet had seemed nervous.

A yelp sounded inside, then something slammed against the wall and his instincts surged to life. Not bothering to question what he was doing, he jiggled the doorknob. Scarlet hadn't locked it, and it opened just enough for him to see her coworker.

He clutched Scarlet's arm trying to pull her toward the bedroom, but she was resisting.

Pure rage flooded Ray, and he rammed his shoulder against the door and knocked it open. Scarlet gasped and Hugh looked startled, then Ray caught the shiny glint of metal. Hugh had a gun.

“What's going on here?” Ray asked, debating on how best to approach the man.

“I thought you left,” Hugh said. “Scarlet and I want to be alone, don't we?”

He tightened his grip on Scarlet's arm and she nodded, but she was trembling.

“If you want me to leave, you're going to have to put that gun down,” Ray said.

Hugh gaped at the pistol as if he'd forgotten he was holding it. “I would never hurt Scarlet. I love her.”

“If you love me, Hugh, then let me go,” Scarlet said in a low voice.

Indecision played in Hugh's eyes. “You and I have been through so much, Scarlet. We belong together.”

The man sounded delusional. Ray wanted to reach for his gun, but he couldn't take the chance. Instead he raised his hands in surrender.

“Seriously, man, I get what you're saying. Just put the gun on the counter, then I'll walk out.”

“Please, listen to him, Hugh. I don't want you to get hurt.”

Hugh narrowed his eyes at Ray as if he sensed a trap. “Leave first, then I'll put down the gun.”

Ray shook his head. “Not going to happen.”

Hugh raised the gun again. “You can't have her. She's mine.”

Scarlet stepped in front of Ray, putting herself in between the men.

“Scarlet, move,” Ray growled.

But she lifted that chin again. She was stubborn. “Shoot Ray and you have to shoot me,” she said softly.

Hugh looked panicked. “Get out of the way, Scarlet.”

Ray reached for her arm to pull her behind him, but she jerked away and turned to face Hugh, blocking him. “Hugh, you and I both grew up with violence around us. You hated the way your father treated your mother.” Her voice was gentle. “You're not going to turn into him. I won't let you.”

Ray had no idea what that meant, and he didn't want to.

Scarlet held out her hand, palm up. “Now, please. Give me the gun and we'll work this out.”

Fear throbbed through Ray. But a second later, Hugh handed her the gun. He broke down and began to cry, and she pulled him into her arms.

“I'm going to call his therapist,” she said. “He must be off his meds.”

Ray kept his eyes on Hugh. If he made one move, he'd shoot the sick jerk. “The only way he doesn't get locked up tonight is if he admits himself for treatment.”

Hugh dropped his head into his hands and rocked himself back and forth. He seemed to disappear inside himself.

Scarlet patted his back in a comforting gesture and made a phone call. Ten minutes later, he drove Scarlet and Hugh to meet the man's therapist at the psychiatric ward where they admitted him.

When Scarlet was satisfied Hugh was settled, Ray drove Scarlet home. She looked wrung out, as if she needed someone to lift the weight of the world from her slender shoulders.

He wanted to be that someone.

“He's bipolar. I should have seen the signs that he was off his meds,” she said as he walked her to the door.

Ray rubbed her arms up and down to soothe her. “Scarlet, it's not your job to save the world. You've had your hands full with your work and Pullman, and Bobby and Barbara.” His brothers had also given her a hard time.

But that would stop. He'd made a stand tonight, and he hoped they accepted his decision. That is, if Scarlet would have him.

Had he and his family hurt her too much for her to love him?

* * *

S
CARLET
'
S
NERVES
WERE
on the brink of shattering.

Ray stood at the door, lingering, making it even more difficult for her to say goodbye.

“Thanks for helping me tonight,” Scarlet finally said. “I know you need to go back to Horseshoe Creek. Did Bobby or Barbara admit to setting the fire?”

“No, and that's the damnedest thing,” Ray said. “Bobby confessed that he hired that thug to beat me up, but he wouldn't cop to the fires. If he and Barbara aren't responsible for them, that means our ranch and my family may still be in danger.”

The thought of anyone attacking Ray terrified Scarlet. “Then you should go home.”

As much as she wanted Ray right now, his brothers needed him more. They'd just buried their father and someone was trying to destroy their ranch, their home and their livelihood.

Her keys jangled in her hands as she unlocked the door and stepped inside.

But Ray stepped in behind her. “What about you, Scarlet?”

She turned to look at him. He was so close he was touching her, his gaze boring into hers, probing.

“What do you need?” he asked in a raw whisper.

She needed him. But how could she ask him for love, when she and her adopted family had torn the McCullens apart?

Chapter Twenty-Four

Ray shuffled from foot to foot, his stomach churning. No woman had ever tied him in knots like this.

He couldn't even think straight.

Was she giving him the brush-off? Did she want him to leave her alone?

He couldn't blame her if she did. Except for his father, all the men in her life had disappointed her. His brothers hadn't exactly welcomed her into their lives. Bobby had resented her and tormented her. Even Hugh, her friend, had frightened her with his sick games.

And he...he hadn't jumped to her defense the way he should have back at the ranch.

He cleared his throat twice to make his voice work. “Scarlet—”

“Ray, go home where you belong. Make up with your brothers and put your family back together the way your father wanted.”

He remembered the letter she'd written him, relinquishing her piece of land. “My father wanted you to have part of Horseshoe Creek, too.”

Scarlet's face twisted in pain. “You have no idea how much that means to me, Ray. I loved your father, mistakes and all.” Her lower lip quivered. “But there's no way I can live on any part of the ranch and be your neighbor when you and your brothers don't want me there.”

Ray's heart gave an odd pang. His father had made mistakes, but loving and caring for Scarlet hadn't been one of them. She might not have been born a McCullen, but she had earned her way into his father's heart.

And into his.

“You're right,” he said, his voice firm. “I don't want you to be my neighbor.”

Sadness tinged her beautiful eyes, but she nodded. “I understand.”

“No, you don't.” For the first time in his life, he let the bitterness toward his father go and allowed the love that he'd found fill his heart.

Scarlet blinked back tears. “Yes, I do, Ray.”

“No, you don't.” He pulled her up against him. “I don't want you to be my neighbor because I want you to be my wife.”

A heartbeat of silence passed, then Scarlet's soft gasp. “What?”

“I love you,” Ray said, as he gazed into her beautiful eyes. “I love you and I want to marry you and for us to build a home together on Horseshoe Creek. And I want to volunteer at The Family Farm and continue what my father started there.”

For a moment, she simply stared at him, her mind processing what he'd said. He loved her. He wanted to help her at the children's home.

He wanted to marry her...

As his words sank in, her frown faded into a smile, and she clasped her hands around his neck. She would really be a McCullen and have the family she'd always dreamed of. “I love you, too, Ray.”

He tilted his head, his lips a fraction of an inch away from hers. “Then you'll be my wife?”

Tears blurred her eyes.

“Scarlet?”

“Yes, I'll marry you, Ray. I love you with all my heart.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him with all the passion in her soul.

Ray twirled her around, then carried her straight to bed. Frantic to touch each other, they tore at each other's clothes, lips melding, bodies gliding, passion bursting between them as they made love.

For tonight, nothing mattered except that together they had found each other.

Maybe his father had known all along that Scarlet was meant to be in the family. Maybe even that she was meant to be with him.