Summer Days (Fool's Gold #7)(85)
The judge paused. “Do you have an explanation?”
“No, Your Honor. I’m disappointed in myself, as well. When I discovered Mr. Stryker planned to use the ranch to build a development, I went a little crazy. I was angry and hurt and felt betrayed. All I’ve wanted all my life is a home. A place to belong. I thought I’d found that here, in Fool’s Gold. I have my grandfather and my friends, my goats, the ranch.”
She drew in a breath. “When Harvey got sick, and Glen took the money from Mrs. Stryker, I knew everything I loved was in danger of being lost. You gave me a second chance, and I was very appreciative. I’ve been saving money to repay Mrs. Stryker. I’ve expanded my business. May and I have been working well together. She’s bought some animals and made improvements. When I found out about what Rafe had planned, I should have gone to her.”
“But you didn’t.”
Heidi shook her head.
“While I can sympathize with your distress upon discovering what Mr. Stryker planned to do, there is a big difference between a plan and an action. You chose to act, Ms. Simpson. You deliberately deceived this town you claim to love. You defrauded the people you care about. Once again, our town is being mocked in the media, something those of us who have lived here all our lives do not appreciate.”
A tear slipped down Heidi’s cheek. She brushed it away.
“There is no excuse for your behavior. You have disrespected yourself, your community and this court.”
“Your Honor?” May rose and waved her hand.
“Yes, Mrs. Stryker.”
“Please don’t be angry with Heidi. I’m not, and don’t I have the most reason? She and I can work something out. We’ll share the ranch. I don’t want Heidi to lose her home.”
More tears fell. Heidi couldn’t believe May was defending her, offering to help her.
“I’m afraid it’s not your decision,” the judge said. “Ms. Simpson must suffer the consequences of her actions.” She turned to Heidi. “The D.A. has discussed bringing charges, but at this time, she would prefer not to. So you will not be going to jail.”
Heidi’s knees nearly gave way. She hadn’t considered jail an option.
“However, with the exception of the caves where you age your cheese, Ms. Simpson, and one acre surrounding the caves, I’m awarding the Castle Ranch to Mrs. Stryker.”
Judge Loomis banged her gavel. “This court is adjourned.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
HEIDI SAT IN THE BOOTH at Jo’s Bar, her hands wrapped around her diet soda. Charlie and Annabelle were with her, making sympathetic noises. Actually, that was mostly Annabelle. Charlie was more into action and thought they should go find Rafe and punish him. She was a little vague on the details of the punishment.
“It’s not his fault,” Heidi said firmly, determined to not complain. She’d made a choice, and now, as the judge had pointed out, she would deal with the consequences.
The sound of the banging gavel still echoed in her head. She’d heard the news and run. Run from Glen, run from May, who called after her to wait. Run from them all, because she couldn’t face them or what she’d done.
“Rafe didn’t do anything,” she continued. “He had some ideas, made plans, but he didn’t act.”
“Only because he didn’t have time,” Charlie grumbled. “I could take him.”
Heidi was less sure of that. Charlie might be strong, but Rafe’s muscles were honed through hard, physical labor. And he was a guy—which meant he started with an excess of upper body strength.
Annabelle’s delicate features were sharp with anguish. “It’s my fault. I encouraged you to fake the find. I helped with the cave paintings. If I hadn’t gotten in the way, you would have talked to Rafe, and none of this would have happened.”
“Even I know it wasn’t all because of you,” Charlie muttered.
“She’s right,” Heidi said. “I don’t blame anyone but myself. I didn’t like what I was doing, but I did it, anyway. I asked you to put the word out because I was hurt. Rafe had gone on a date without telling me.”
Both her friends stared at her.
“What does that…” Annabelle caught her breath. “You were sleeping with him.”
Charlie’s blue eyes widened. “No way.”
“Way,” Heidi told them. “I couldn’t help myself.”
“He is hunky,” Annabelle said with a sigh. “I miss hunky. Honest to God, I can’t remember the last time I slept with a hunky guy. Or a not-so-hunky one. Sex is a distant memory. I think it was a Tuesday.”
Charlie leaned toward her. “Not about you.”
Annabelle blinked. “Oh, right. Sorry.” She put her hand on top of Heidi’s. “Putting the pieces together, you didn’t just lose your home, you lost the man you love.”
Charlie straightened. “You love him? When did that happen? Why didn’t I know this?”
Heidi started to say she didn’t, but there had already been too many lies. “I’m not sure when it started, but yes, I love him. I’ve been so scared to trust myself and my heart. I worried about getting lost, about not being strong enough.” She drew in a breath. “I lost everything this morning. My home, my plans for the future, my pride. I’ve learned a lesson about who I am, and here’s what I know. I’m strong and I’ll survive this. I have my goats and my business.”