Cowboy Country (94 page)

“No!”

“We’re fine. But we took a detour to the homestead to hide out. We’re starving and I’m going to buy Ava breakfast. We’ll be home straight after.”

“Just get here, son, where I know you’re safe. Your brothers are coming in, and they’d like to see you alive. And so would I.” She took a wavering breath. “Travis says to hurry. He wants to go get our trees and he wants you and Ava here for that.”

He smiled at Ava. “Tell him to keep his shorts on. We’ll be there.”

“See you soon. Be careful, son.” She disconnected.

Levi stuffed his cell back in his pocket. “My mom says to hurry home. Travis is anxious to get our Christmas tree. What he really means is get home so he can keep his big brother eye on us.”

“Is Liberty there?”

“Yep, and she’s fine.”

Ava visibly relaxed. “I can’t believe Christmas is only a few days away.”

“Concentrate on that. Maybe all the other stuff won’t seem so crappy.” He wished it were so simple.

“I don’t think any tree will make me forget a man might have died because of me.”

His gut twisted at the sorrow in her voice. “Don’t take this on yourself, Ava. You didn’t kill anyone, and you didn't do anything to get anyone killed. If it is the deputy, that’s on the sheriff. She wouldn’t listen when we tried to warn her.”

The sheriff came out of her office. “I assure you, Mr. Callahan, if this mobster has gunned down one of my men he’ll pay. I’ll see to it.”

Levi snorted. “You’ll understand if I’m skeptical.”

Her pale skin colored. “I have a job to do, Mr. Callahan. Personal relationships or feelings don’t enter into it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go see about my deputy.”

He touched the brim of his hat. “Yes, ma’am.” As she turned away, he said, “For what it’s worth, I hope it’s not your man.”

She nodded. “Me too, Mr. Callahan.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Levi took Ava’s hand as they hurried up the walk to the ranch house. His mother was going to grill them like a steak.

She met them at the door and enveloped both in a hug. “You okay?”

“Fine.” Levi pulled out of her embrace. “We’re cold and tired, but unharmed.”

Ava nodded in agreement. “We’re okay.”

His mom ushered them into the living room where Travis, Hunter, Liberty and Paco all sat around the blazing fire. She touched Levi’s shoulder. “We were so worried when you didn’t come home last night.”

“We didn’t mean to worry you,” he said. “But a mobster was shooting at us and we didn’t have much choice but to run.”

His mom perched her hip on the edge of the couch. “And the new sheriff wouldn’t help?”

He snorted. “She practically threw us out of her office.”

“Did you expect anything else?” Travis joined in, sounding bitter.

“No.” Levi looked at his brother, then back to his mom. “She had her deputy drive us home because my truck wouldn’t start. Somebody came up fast and started taking shots at Ava and I. We jumped out and ran for the homestead.”

His mother’s gaze sharpened. “You went to the homestead?”

He met her gaze unflinching. “Yeah.”

“It’s about time, son.”

Ava looked between them, clearly not understanding the sudden undercurrent. He’d explain later. Not right now with his family looking on. Although when he glanced around they all seemed terribly interested in the fireplace.

He continued with his story. “When we came out this morning, we hoofed it back to my truck and found a body. Actually, Ava tripped over it. We told the lady sheriff and she sent us home.”

“I’m just glad you’re both okay,” Mom said.

“We’re fine. But we both want a shower.”

“Liberty, put Ava’s things in the middle bedroom.” The unspoken message was clear. No sex in her house. Not while her teenage nephew was there, anyway.

“I’ll show her,” Levi said.

“We’re wanting to get our trees,” Travis finally said. “You up for that?”

Levi looked at Ava and she nodded, although the prospect of going out in the snow again appealed about as much as a root canal. “We’ll be down in an hour,” he said.

~*~

After soaking for a long time in a steaming-hot tub, Ava dressed in one of her new pairs of jeans and a long-sleeved tee. She felt mostly like herself again. Although she didn’t relish the idea of going out in the cold again, she didn’t want to miss a minute with Levi.

She had just finished drying her hair when someone knocked on her bedroom door. “Come in.”

Liberty entered, carrying a pile of clothing. “Mom sent me to see if you’re about ready.” She dumped everything on the bed. “Levi said you about froze to death this morning, so I thought you might like to borrow something warm.”

“Thank you.” Ava examined what Liberty had brought. She was so generous, like all the Callahans. Long underwear in pale blue with tiny flowers, a black ski suit with bright yellow ribbing and, best of all, a pair of snow boots.

“I don’t know if they’ll fit or not, but it might be worth a try to keep your feet warm.” Liberty perched on the end of the bed. “You okay?”

Ava avoided eye contact as she braided her hair. “Yeah, why?”

“I don’t know. Seems to me you’d be a bit shook up after another murder.”

Ava shuddered. “It’s so awful.”

“I bet.” Liberty continued to sit and play with the edge of the quilt. “You went to the homestead last night?”

“Yes.” Ava picked up a brush and looked into the mirror, hoping Liberty didn’t spot her bright pink cheeks. “What is it about that place? Everyone acted so funny when Levi mentioned it.”

Liberty plucked at the quilt on the bed. “Levi didn’t tell you?”

“No.” Ava’s nerves stretched tight. What hadn’t he told her?

When she looked up, Liberty’s eyes were troubled. “Beth’s stalker took her to the homestead and murdered her there. That was her and Levi’s special hideout. He didn’t think we knew when they snuck off to be alone that’s where they went, but we all did. Her killer knew it, too.”

Ava’s stomach tumbled. Levi had taken her there because he had no choice. And he’d made love to her where the ghost of his one true love lurked. “I see.”

“My brother must really love you to be able go back there for any reason.” Liberty stood and moved to the door. “We better go. Everyone’s waiting.”

“I’ll be right there,” Ava murmured. “As soon as I get dressed.”

“Sounds good.” Liberty closed the door behind her with a firm click.

Ava stared into the mirror without seeing her reflection. Had Levi made love to her because he wanted to banish Beth? Or, worse, pretend she was her? Either reason was unacceptable.

Numb to the core, she dressed in long underwear, jeans and the ski suit. Making sure she had an extra pair of socks stuffed into her pocket, she went downstairs to join Levi and his family.

They waited by the fireplace all dressed for winter fun. None of them would be caught in the woods without proper gear.

Just one more illustration of how different they were, and how she didn’t fit.

Thankful for the boots Liberty had lent her, Ava didn’t care if they were a little small. Maybe pinched toes would keep her mind off her pinched heart. She forced a smile and joined them. “Ready.”

The storm had died down; no snow fell although the clouds still hung low and mean. They all traipsed to the barn—even Paco on crutches—where Levi shoved open the big sliding doors.

Ava gasped. It was like a dream.

A team of light-colored draft horses stood hitched to a flat wagon. The left one tossed his head, the right one seemed to be sleeping. Around the edges sat hay bales covered with bright blue and green plaid blankets. Pine boughs were tied onto the sleigh, giving it a festive air.

She went to the horses and rubbed both their noses. “They’re so beautiful.”

Levi moved her slightly to the side of the team. “Don’t stand directly in front of them. It’s dangerous.”

Always protecting her. “What are their names?”

“Bill and Bob.”

“Original.”

“Most teams have names like that.” He moved to help his mother onto the sled, then his sister.

Last, he lifted Ava, his hands lingering on her waist. She ignored the flutter in her stomach his touch ignited and settled on one of the hay bales, tugging the blanket over her lap as Levi and Travis assisted Paco up. He propped his broken leg on a bale, his toes covered by a hot-pink sock.

Ava wiggled her brows at him and he blushed. “Liberty’s idea.”

She grinned. “I like it.”

Travis took his seat behind the big horses, lifted the lines and clicked. The wagon lurched forward, harness bells jingling. As soon as they cleared the barn doors, Levi and Hunter shoved the doors closed and jumped up on the moving vehicle. When Levi sat next to her and placed his arm around her shoulders, Hunter blushed and looked away.

She wondered about his mother—who she was and where she’d gone. Levi said she hadn’t wanted to be a teenage mother. The kid seemed happy and well adjusted, if a little shy.

Her attention turned to the ride.

Travis clicked again and the big horses broke into a jog, making the sled bumpy. Liberty broke into a beautiful rendition of “Jingle Bells,” and one by one, the others followed suit. Levi had a deep baritone. She loved it.

He nudged her. “Sing with us.”

She shook her head. “I’m a dancer, not a singer.”

“Doesn’t matter, they make you sing anyway,” Paco groused.

“‘Silent Night,’” Liberty called out before breaking into song.

Ava glanced at Levi and the encouragement in his eyes gave her courage. She opened her mouth. “
O holy night…
”

To her surprise, she enjoyed herself. The events of the last few days fell away as the songs filled her with peace. Ginger opened a thermos and passed around cups of hot chocolate. Steam lifted off the cup into the cold air as Ava sipped the creamy chocolate. She leaned into Levi.

She’d think about Beth and what happened to her later. Right now, she wanted to savor the moment.

Travis slowed the team as the ranch fell behind them. He guided the horses into a copse of trees and stopped. After setting the brake, he gathered two heavy equine blankets and placed them over the horses.

“This is where we get off,” Levi said.

“I’ll tend the fire once we get one going.” Paco crutched himself to a stump and sat on it. Liberty carried two of the plaid blankets to him and carefully covered his legs. They shared a smile.

Ava wondered why they weren’t a couple.

Hunter leaped off the sled and dashed for the trees. “I’ll get firewood.”

Levi helped the women down and picked up an axe. “Pick your trees, ladies.”

“How many this year?” Hunter carried an armload of wood to a rock circle, where he built a pyramid and lit it.

“One for the living room, of course,” Ginger said. “And another for the den.”

“I want one in the bunkhouse for Paco,” Liberty said. When he shook his head, she told him, “Don’t worry. I’ll help decorate it.”

His smiled lit up the stormy day.

“Anyone else?” Levi hefted the axe.

No one spoke.

“Okay, then go find the one you want,” Levi said.

Travis spread his hands over the flames. “I’ll stay here with Paco.”

Levi went to the seat of the sled and removed two rifles. He handed one to his brother, and held the other. “Keep this one with you.”

Ava’s stomach knotted. Because of her, they had to carry firearms on a family outing.

“Do you have your gun?” Travis asked Liberty.

Liberty reached into her waistband and pulled out a mean-looking pistol. “I sure do.”

“If we’re all armed, can we go now?” Hunter shifted impatiently.

“Carry the axe,” Levi told him. “So I can carry the rifle.”

Ginger led off, Liberty and Hunter on her heels. Levi smiled and waited for Ava to get in line.

As they traipsed into the forest, Ava couldn’t help but think of the trek the night before and how it ended. Her stomach crimped a little remembering their lovemaking. Well, that wasn’t going to happen again. Especially now that Ava knew the truth about what happened to Beth at the homestead.

Why hadn’t Levi shared that his one true love had been murdered there? She had no answer no matter how many times she turned it over in her head. Nothing added up.

“This one!” Hunter stopped by an enormous, perfectly shaped pine. “I want this one right here.”

Levi indicated the axe. “Then get busy chopping.”

“Yes, sir!” The teen gave him a smart salute. He began whacking at the tree trunk in earnest. The sharp scent of fresh pine filled the crisp air.

Liberty and her mother walked farther into the forest.

“Don’t get out of sight,” Levi called after them.

“We won’t.” Liberty’s voice drifted back to them.

Levi reached for her, but Ava avoided his touch. She moved closer to the teen and watched him chop at the tree.

Levi followed. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. You were right, this is fun.”

“You’re not having fun, Ava. Are you worried about Abruzzo? Because if you are, we’re safe here.”

She took several steps away and hugged her middle. “It’s not him.”

He followed. “What, then?”

“I don’t want to talk about this right now, during a family outing.”

He grabbed her sleeve. “My family is occupied. Talk to me, Ava.”

She met his eyes and saw nothing but compassion. This was the man who’d put his life on the line time after time for her. She owed him the truth. “Liberty told me what happened at the homestead…to Beth. Why didn’t you tell me yourself?”

“I didn’t see where it mattered.”

She laughed, the sound like broken ice. “Funny. I do.”

He heaved a sigh. “What do you want to know?”

“Why last night? Why there?”

He stepped close so that only she could hear him. “Are you asking why we made love last night?” At her sharp nod, he said. “If you recall, you asked me.”

She flinched. That was true. “Were you thinking about…her?”