Suspicions of the Heart (20 page)

Joe happened to stroll past her nearly
closed door just as she was trying to figure out what to do with
the long tails.

"Looks better on you," he smiled, as he
flicked the door open and leaned against the door jam. His hot-eyed
glance made a slow appraisal, sliding from bare feet and legs to
the swelling tips of her breasts.

In one lithe movement he came toward
her, and put his hands just under her breasts. The shirt came up an
inch or two, showing more leg. "I'd tie it about here." He stared
provocatively at her from the mirror. "I wouldn't gape like that
unless you want a man to take the advantage." He suddenly pulled
her chin so he could see into her face. "Hmm," he murmured thickly
as his lips descended upon her for a feather-like kiss. "Why
Fargate gave that up in the mornings, I'll never
understand."

Without another word he left the room.
She stood immobile, stunned.

~*~

A half hour later she faced the
Sheriff. As she slowly entered the living room she studied the man,
who was intimidating and big. Beneath his wide Stetson a mop of
gray, disobedient hair sought attention. Faded, but alert, blue
eyes watched her.

Halfway through the conversation the
Sheriff paused, pacing the floor, methodically rubbing a hand under
his chin. "How long has this kinda stuff been going on?"

Candy shrugged. "I don't know a couple
of months. You see, at first, I wasn't sure if it was anything to
worry about. I mean rodeo people often pull pranks. Besides,
there's no reason behind all that's happening."

The Sheriff shook his head. "You didn't
take it seriously when that bull came after you? I thought rodeo
people set a lot of store in seeing to the stock."

"We do, of course."

"This kinda thing ever happened to any
of the other performers?" the Sheriff asked, his gaze
penetrating.

"Well, no."

He shook his head again, rolled his
eyes and muttered something incoherent under his breath. "Most
people don't think much about these kinds of things 'til it gets so
out of hand we can't do anything about it. Sounds to me like
someone wants to scare you, and it didn't work. It's highly
possible that you may be in for more of the same. Now, let me get
this straight. First, they let loose with a bull…"

"That could have been just a weird
accident," she protested.

"Yeah," the Sheriff's eyes rolled
again. "Then they fired a shot at you and your horse. Now, they've
stolen your trailer. Even though you've moved since the first
incident, they have followed or kept up with where you are. You
sure it's not some kind of personal grudge? A jealous wife maybe,
or girlfriend. Someone wanting to get even?"

Candy thought about that for a few
minutes. She had never considered it a possibility. All night she
had tossed and turned over whether she should say anything about
Joe. After her encounter with him in the barn though, she was less
inclined to point an accusing finger. In all fairness she had to
admit that Joe had offered her nothing but hospitality and help
when she needed it. How could she voice her restless suspicions
without seeming totally ungrateful?

"No, I don't think so, Sheriff," she
finally murmured distractedly.

"You mean to tell me," he paused,
noting the way she dodged his direct glance, "that you have no idea
at all who might be doing this to you?" From the tone of his voice
he didn't believe her, but instead of anger he indulged her. "Can
you think of anyone who might want to harm you in any
way?"

"No…I can't."

"That's not exactly true, Sheriff,"
came a low drawl from just behind her. She reeled on the balls of
her bare feet. She had taken Joe's advice, and tied the shirt just
under her breasts, and slipped on a pair of ultra-tight jeans.
Joe's masked expression was unfathomable.

"Joe…I," she started to stop him, but
he threw up a hand, his eyes going over her in one fluid
motion.

"She's reached a few conclusions of her
own, and not all without a little reasoning behind them. You see,
the only two people who were around when everything began happening
were her uncle and me. Naturally, she didn't want to imply that her
uncle had anything to do with it, and since I've offered my home as
a refuge, she isn't inclined to incriminate me either. But it's a
fact, we were around, both of us. Course you know as well as I do,
Jim, that her land has the only water in miles and everyone in the
county knows that. If you're looking for probable cause, that
should do it."

The Sheriff nodded. "I was going to get
around to that, Joe. But surely she don't think you did all this?"
Faded blue eyes scathed her incredulously.

"Sheriff." Candy wanted to stop this
whole thing. "I'm not accusing anyone." She shot Joe a sardonic
glance, her lips tightening.

The Sheriff studied her a moment. "I
wouldn't either if I were you. But I'm going to ask you to remain
here 'til this is settled. That is, if Joe doesn't
mind."

"Not at all."

"We haven't had a homicide in this
county in over twenty years, and I don't want to start breaking
that record. Whoever is doing this might be just warning you. And
then again, they could become disgusted enough to really try
something. I don't want anyone leaving this ranch, Joe."

Joe nodded.

The Sheriff looked straight into
Candy's wide-eyed expression. "But if you think Joe is the culprit,
I'd bet my last dollar you are on the wrong track, Missy. As for
your uncle, I couldn't say."

"I could, Jim," Aggie called from the
other side of the kitchen. "Roscoe's the only family that girl's
got left, and he loves her dearly. But I ain't gonna say what he
might do if he caught the one who is behind all this."

Candy smiled inwardly at how fast Aggie
jumped to her uncle's defense. Joe's eyes drifted from Aggie to
Candy in mute surprise.

"I'll take your word on that, for now,
Aggie. But I think the sooner we find the responsible party the
better. This kind of thing gets blown out of proportion once it
hits the papers. We'll keep it under wraps for the time being. And
you lay low, young lady." The Sheriff pointed his finger at
Candy.

"I intend to, Sheriff. But I am anxious
to get my trailer back. Everything I own is in that trailer, which
isn't much I'll admit, but my clothes..." She hadn't meant to call
everyone's attention to her attire, but both men gave her a quick
once over, Joe's glance lingering longer than the
Sheriff's.

Finally the lawman broke into an
unexpected smile. "I'll give you this, you don't scare
easy."

Despite the brave front she wore, Candy
felt suddenly more tired and weary. But she lifted her chin
defiantly. "I'm here to stay, Sheriff."

"Stubborn." The Sheriff glanced at Joe
and winked, "Ain't she?"

Joe's mouth curved, his eyes crinkling
and his smile seemed aimed straight at Candy, "Yes, she
is."

With a rough-edged smile that reeked of
authority, the Sheriff shook Candy's hand. "Good luck to you, then.
It looks like you might have enough grit to live up to
that."

"Thanks." Candy blushed from the
unexpected praise.

"Stay to lunch, Jim?" Aggie
called.

"Better not, Aggie, you know how peeved
Clara gets when I'm not home for lunch, but thanks anyway," he
called as he strolled out the front door.

Roscoe and Fargate came through the
door about the same time, introducing themselves.

"'Bout time you boys got here. Lunch is
on the table," Aggie announced.

During lunch, Uncle Roscoe glanced at
Aggie from across the table. "Want to see what I got at the auction
the other day, Aggie?"

"I'd love to. Nothing prettier than
them ole white faces."

There was no reason to be upset, but
Candy couldn't help the slight her uncle had given her. After all,
they were her cattle and she hadn't even laid eyes on them yet. But
she knew deep down it was only a ploy to be alone with
Aggie.

"Would you take a walk with me after
lunch, Candy?" Fargate asked to everyone's surprise.

She had ignored Fargate lately, and he
was a guest. Still, she kept forgetting he was her ex-husband, too.
However, the hooded glance Joe shot her unnerved her a
fraction.

"Sure." Candy had no idea what this was
all about, but better to be up front about everything than try to
hide it.

"Candy," Fargate tightened his grip on
her arm as they walked along the path towards the barn. His
expression turned serious. "I wanted to talk to you before I
leave."

Candy's gaze went to her arm, and
Fargate released her with a laugh.

"Sorry." He hesitated his steps. "I've
enjoyed my time here. Most of all being close to you again. You
know I've done a lot of serious thinking the past three years, a
lot of soul searching. I've been wrong about a lot of things. I'm
sorry I insinuated your uncle in all this mess. Sorry I've done a
lot of things. But, being around Roscoe day after day, I've come to
realize he couldn't possibly be doing these things to you. But I'm
beginning to think you're right about Joe. He was the only one
around when your trailer turned up missing. And he does want your
land. Oh, he makes a big deal about the water, but mainly it would
mean big money. And we both know, he didn't build this ranch
without it."

"I don't know where this conversation
is going, Fargate, but Joe inherited the ranch from his
grandfather," Candy defended.

"Aggie tell you that?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact."

"Still, a lot of people inherit and
never make a dime," Fargate concluded.

Candy stopped dead in her tracks. "Like
me?"

"I didn't say that. My God, how could
you with all that's happened?" Fargate rushed to say. "Candy…" He
hesitated, his eyes pleading with her for understanding. "I still
care about you."

Now, her eyes widened, then narrowed.
"Thanks, and I mean that, but I can take care of
myself."

"For the life of me, I don't understand
you wanting to stay here. If it were a real running ranch, I'd have
understood… a little. But this, this nothing--I just don't get it.
I'd rather see you traveling the rodeo circuit where it's at least
safe for you," he said pulling her into his arms.

Candy felt his heartbeat against her
arm, strong and steady, but not overly active. Nothing like the way
Joe's had felt. Joe's thundered when he held her. Oddly enough, she
had never compared Joe and Fargate. They were two entirely
different men with different goals. But why bother comparing? She
wasn't in love with Fargate anymore. And why was she thinking of
Joe as Fargate held her? Was it perhaps the lack of sincerity in
Fargate's voice?

She pulled away. "Look, I know you
don't understand it. But this has become home to me. I've never had
a real home. Not even with you. We lived in that fancy apartment,
but it wasn't what I'd call home. Now, I have one, a real one, and
I'm not giving it up. I intend to fight for it. I'm not going to
let anyone drive me off my own land. I know that sounds old
fashioned, but it means something to me now. It's the only thing my
father left me. And I can't throw it away because of
fear."

Fargate's green eyes softened. "Then
don't throw it away. Keep it, and come back with me. We can be
remarried and I'll sell the place for you later."

He had to be joking. It was ludicrous
how this man's mind worked. Did he honestly think it was all that
simple? That she would just run back into his arms the first time
he asked her?

"Remarried? Where did that come
from?"

Fargate smiled, and tried to pull her
into his arms, but she resisted. "Don't look so surprised. I
haven't made a secret of how I feel. That's why I'm
here."

For a moment, she couldn't react. She
was too stunned. Then suddenly she broke away from him and pushed
his hands away from her. "You've got to be joking."

"Hardly. Try me."

"Look, that's about the most absurd
thing you've ever said. My God, it's over between you and me, has
been for three years. Don't you know that? And honestly, I don't
think for a minute you want me back."

"Oh, come on, Candy, I haven't been
misreading your glances."

"Misreading? What glances?"

"You've never been out of love with me
and you know it," he insisted.

"Love you?" Candy broke into a real
chuckle. "Don't be silly. My father talked me into marrying you in
the first place. I thought I loved you then. But now? I'm sure I
don't and never did."

"That's pride talking, Candy. Not the
heart. If you'd have given me a chance, I could have
explained."

"Explained?" Her brows knitted. "I
doubt that. How do you explain making love to another woman to your
wife?" she snapped.

"See, you are still sore about it. It
proves my point. You still care. Besides, it was a kiss, a simple
kiss. And you have to admit you gave me every right to go
elsewhere."