Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Ensley frowned. “I can’t imagine Caden and Gatlin not being a part of the ranch. Or any of us not talking to our parents.”
“Yeah, me either.”
“Lori seems to have a good relationship with her father, though.”
Nodding, I replied, “She does, yes. She isn’t interested in the ranch, or at least the running of it. She enjoys flying and riding horses…and she’s a big fan of spending money.”
I could feel Ensley’s eyes on me. “How do you know that?”
“Judd. He adores his daughter, though, and because she does work for him when he flies, and she also works for another family, he tolerates her love of his money.”
We drove in silence as Ensley stared out the window at the rolling pastures that were covered in cattle.
My cellphone rang, and I stopped. “Shit. Let me grab this. I don’t want to lose my signal.” I quickly accepted the call. “Hello?”
“Colt, it’s Katie.”
“Hey, Katie, how’s it going?”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Ensley turn to look at me.
“I wanted to let you know the police have found Ryan. He’s been arrested and is going before the judge on Tuesday. He’s been denied bail since they feel he’s a flight risk.”
Closing my eyes, I released a huge breath. “That’s amazing news. Where was he?”
“He was living in a small town in Maine. He got pulled over for speeding…and drinking and driving. Because of the warrant out for his arrest, they got him. The guy isn’t getting out of jail anytime soon.”
I smiled. I wanted this guy to pay for what he did to my father.
“Thanks, Katie. I’m glad to hear they got him. I’m out of town until Tuesday, but I can come in and meet with you and see where things will go next with Ryan.”
That really caused a reaction from Ensley. She turned in her seat to face me.
“Sounds good, Colt. Will talk soon.”
Nodding, I said again. “Thanks so much.”
“Talk to you soon, Colt.”
I hit End and looked at Ensley. “They found Ryan and he’s in jail.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “What? How?”
“Dad and I filed that police report and they put a warrant out for his arrest. He got pulled over in Maine and he’s in jail. I’m going to meet with Katie when we get back. I’m guessing they have to get him back to Colorado first.”
“Justice will be served for your parents. This is great news!”
I nodded. “That fucker isn’t going to get away with what he did to my father.”
“I’m sure your father will be happy to hear the news, as well.”
Rubbing at the instant ache in my neck, I said, “Let’s put all of that aside for now. I just want to focus on this weekend.”
A wide smile grew over her beautiful face. “It’s a deal.”
We started back down the drive.
“Where are the horses?”
“They’re usually on the south side of the ranch. Every now and then, you might see a few sprinkled around the pastures near the cattle, but they’re mostly kept to one side.”
“Quarter horses?” she asked.
“The working horses for the ranch are, yes. But Judd has a large number of Arabians. Lori shows them, and she also does show jumping. They have a few for pleasure riding and for trail rides. But they have a few others that are pampered like you would not believe. He has one, Midnight Star, that’s valued at over two-million dollars.”
Ensley gasped. “Why?”
“Comes from a prized bloodline and is a world-champion show horse.”
She let out a disbelieving laugh. “Do they keep him in a locked barn?”
I turned down the main road. “They do—and there’s an armed guard posted outside of his stall twenty-four-seven. Even follows when they ride him.”
Ensley shook her head. “More money than sense.”
Laughing, I turned down the drive that led to Judd and Karen’s house. “Something like that.”
We were soon pulling up and parking.
“Wow. I don’t know which is more stunning. Our castle-like hotel or this mansion of a house.”
“Let me get your door for you,” I said, before jumping out and jogging around the front of the rental truck. I opened her door and Ensley slipped out, reaching back inside for her coat.
“Hey, guys, I have some bad news.”
We both turned to see Lori walking toward us.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Is everyone okay?”
Smiling, she held up her hands. “Everyone’s fine, except for a broken arm and hurt pride.”
I raised my brows.
“Mom fell off a new mare that just arrived last week. Dad brought her to the hospital, and she’s heading in for surgery now.”
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” Ensley said.
Lori squeezed Ensley’s hand. “Thank you so much. This isn’t the first time my mother has broken her arm, hence the surgery. She was actually barely healed from the last one.”
“What?” Ensley asked, glancing between Lori and me.
“She broke it about six months ago,” I explained, “falling off a different horse.”