Taking Charge (Lone Star Burn #4)(60)

“No, ma’am, she didn’t, but she’s still dangerous.”

“Who’d you say you were? David Harmon?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“The one from the commercials who works with Tony Carlton?”

“That’s me.”

The woman let out a light sob. “You don’t know how much I needed this call. I hated sending Tia to the auction, but things work out the way they’re supposed to, don’t they? She found you.”

David’s face flushed. “I haven’t reached her yet.”

“You will. I have to believe that.”

David’s throat was tight with emotion. “If I can’t, I’ll have to put her down.”

“I understand,” the woman said. “If you can’t help her, I don’t believe anyone can.”

David paced the living room of Lucy’s home long after hanging up with Tia’s old owner. He hadn’t noticed scarring on the horse, but there was a chance the mane had indeed hidden it. If that wound was where the horse’s halter was, there was a chance that pressure on the halter hurt the horse. If Tia began to associate being handled with pain, that might explain why she lashed out.

Maybe.

He rubbed his hands over his face in frustration. He’d woken up in Lucy’s arms, feeling like he could conquer the world, but when it was important, was he actually making a difference at all?

He’d found next to nothing that could help Lucy. When it came to York, the town was tight-lipped. Wyatt thought something bad was brewing, but he didn’t have the details that would allow David to do anything. It was all rumors and gut feelings at this point. York hadn’t done anything illegal or anything that would justify David going after him.

Threatening him was tempting, but that would help York. Right now, David had the advantage of York not knowing he was on to him. David was hoping that would leave York overconfident.

A knock on the front door was followed by Wyatt calling out, “David, you in there?”

David strode over and opened the door. “What do you need?”

“There’s something in the barn you need to see.”

David grabbed his hat and followed him. Seated on a wooden chair and holding a bloody towel to his head was a man David didn’t recognize. “What the hell happened?” Two of the ranch hands were standing on either side of him like sentries.

“This here is Ron. First, before you attempt to talk to him, he’s drunk. Second, he got it in his damn-fool head to try to take that mare of yours. She taught him a lesson he won’t soon forget. I called the sheriff. He’s on his way.”

Even though his head was lolling to one side, he slurred, “I was trying to save the damn horse. It was too close to the barn, and I couldn’t let it burn—I should have let it die.”

David strode closer and stood over him. “What do you mean you should have let her die? What did you come here to do?”

The man’s eyes couldn’t focus on David’s face, but he snarled, “People like you need to be run out of town. You and that whore of yours.”

Despite the condition of the man, David lifted him up by the neck of his shirt. “Say one more word about Lucy, and I will kill you with my bare hands.”

Wyatt, at David’s side, said softly, “Put him down, son. The best thing you can do is let the fool speak. He won’t remember much of this later, but his tongue is mighty loose right now.”

David dropped the man back onto the chair. The man groaned and looked like he was about to pass out. “Why would you want to hurt Lucy?” David demanded.

With his eyes still closed, the man mumbled, “My wife threw me out because of her. She brought the devil into our house and turned Michelle against me. Evil takes root and poisons everything.”

“The devil?” David looked to Wyatt for what that could mean, but Wyatt shrugged helplessly. “What are you talking about?”

Ron shook his head and groaned from the pain of it. “Women like Lucy don’t belong in our town, and you don’t either. Mustang lover. If you get your way, none of us will be using the public lands, will we? You plan to give it all to those f*cking horses.” Ron slurred on, “Mr. York will stop you. He’s buying up enough grazing land that those who are loyal to him won’t need to lease public land. We’ll be fine.”

Wyatt made at face at Ron. “You think York gives a shit about your drunk ass? You’re drinking the Kool-Aid, Ron.”

Ron’s eyes flew open. “My wife would rather f*ck an Easter egg than me.” He pointed at David wildly. “Your girlfriend told her it was better than a man. Watch out, or you’ll be replaced by the blender.”

Wyatt gave David a sidelong look, then bent until he was face-to-face with Ron. “Son, the only thing ruining your marriage is the bottle. Michelle is a saint. If she threw you out, it’s because you were drinking again.”

Ron covered his bloody face with one hand and started sobbing. “Wan’ her back. Wanna be there with her and my babies.”

The sheriff entered the barn. “Tell me one of you didn’t do this to him.”

Wyatt straightened. “He tried to take David’s mare, and this is the result of her telling him what she thought of the idea.”

The sheriff’s eyebrows rose, then fell. “I heard about that horse. I hope you’re planning on putting her down after this.”