Cute Girls

With Maria’s discovery of the horse thief’s pattern, Megan couldn’t wait to relate the news to Trey. Looking out the window of Clint’s office she saw his truck approaching from the barns. When Trey turned into the courtyard to let her know he was leaving, she was already waiting on him.

“Maria figured it out!” Megan exclaimed, excitedly. “There’s a pattern to the thefts. It’s gonna be the ranch on the east side that gets hit next.”

Megan quickly explained to him how the thieves would twice steal horses from the ranch on the east side of Taos and then make a theft from the ranch up at Alamosa. They would then inadvertently repeat their pattern.

“Why a pattern?” Trey inquired. “Surely they know someone would eventually figure it out.”

“That’s a good question. You’re right.” Megan agreed. “There must be a reason why they keep sticking to the same routine.”

“If they’re gonna hit the other ranch, we should set up an ambush.” Trey suggested.

“I’m going with you.” Megan stated, as she ran around to the passenger side of the truck.

The drive to the Rockin J’s facility on the east side of Taos took nearly a half hour. The narrow streets lined with shops and art galleries were packed with tourists flocking in for the weekend. Arriving at the gated entrance to the ranch on Spider Road, Trey jumped out and unlocked the gates, swinging them open.

“Are the gates always locked?” Megan inquired as Trey drove through them.

“After the first theft, we started locking the gates.” He replied. “We never had to lock the gates before then.”

“Awful trusting, aren’t you?” Megan remarked.

“That’s just the way we are.” Trey responded. “We hardly have any kind of livestock thefts.”

Trey drove up the hill towards an old dilapidated house that looked like it was built in the twenties, maybe even before then. It was a single story structure with a wooden porch running the full width of the house. The porch roof was sagging all along the front and large holes in the home’s roof were clearly visible.

“You building your own house?” Megan quipped as she exited the truck.

“I do stay out her occasionally.” Trey remarked. “Especially if one of the horses needs alot of medical attention.”

“You’re kidding!” She exclaimed. “This place looks like it could fall in any minute.”

“It probably could but it beats sleeping on the ground.” Trey responded. “I’ve got an old bed frame and a kerosene stove inside. I hook up the generator on the truck to the house so I can have lights. That’s about all I need.”

“What about the barn, don’t you need lights there?” She inquired.

“I drive the truck back there and plug in the generator if I need to.” He replied. “I’m afraid of having a fire if I put it too close.”

“You kinda like things kept simple, don’t you?” Megan asked.

“Well……..I guess.” Trey answered. “It’s still alot more than what the original settlers had.”

“Let’s saddle up a couple of horses and I’ll give you a tour.” He suggested. “Time to make a cowgirl out of you.”

“We could just walk.” Megan countered. “I’m game.”

“Walk five-thousand acres! You’ve got to be kidding!” Trey exclaimed. “We’ll ride!”

Saddling up two horses, Trey gave Megan some brief instructions on how to rein and ride.

“Princess is a team-penning horse and gentle as a lamb.” Trey remarked. “You’ll like ridin’ her.”

As the couple rode away from the barns, Trey pointed out fence lines so Megan could get an idea of the ranch’s vastness. The mountains, rocky crags, unspoiled terrain and rich pastures enriched the ranch. Megan caught herself admiring the magnificent views more than looking for a good place to set up an ambush.

“It’s nice out here, ain’t it?” Trey remarked, as they rode along.

“It’s gorgeous!” Megan exclaimed, riding alongside him. “It’s like a paradise!”

“Bet you don’t see anything like this back in Philadelphia.” He commented.

“Nope, you sure don’t.” The Alleghenies are west of Philly.” Megan responded. “They’re no match for this though.”

“Think you’d like to live out here?” He asked, staring at her with a grin.

“I think I know what you’re getting at Trey.” She answered. “There’s no way I’m going to stay here. Once I’m done with everything, I’m going back home.”

“Unless I change your mind.” He countered.

“You’re not going to change my mind so don’t waste your efforts.” Megan stated. “Let’s just make the most of the time we have together before we go our separate ways.”

The disappointed look on Trey’s face pretty much told the story of how he felt about her decision. At least Megan had been truthful about her intentions. She wasn’t going to lead him on, then crush him when she left to go back to Philadelphia.

Later in the afternoon, the two rode back to the barn. Although Megan had a good overview of the ranch, she still hadn’t seen everything.

“Well, whatta ya think?” Trey asked breaking his long silence.

“I love the horses!” Megan exclaimed. “This ranch is magnificent!”

“I meant about setting up the ambush. That’s what I was talking about.” He retorted with a stern look on his face.

“Let’s have a look at the house.” She suggested. “I’ll need a clear view of the barn’s main doors.”

“You mean we!” He responded. “You’re not doing this alone.”

“Ok, we then. Have it your way.” Megan replied. “But, I’m the only one who’s gonna have a gun. I don’t want you accidentally shooting me.”

“Gun!” Trey exclaimed. “You got a gun?”

“A couple.” Megan answered. “What’d you think I was gonna do, throw fuckin’ rocks at em?”

“I thought we’d get the sheriff’s department involved and let them handle it.” He replied. “And watch that mouth of yours. You talk like some old whore!”

“That’s because I am an old whore!” Megan smarted off. “So just get used to it!”

“You’re not a whore so don’t say you are!” He barked. “And, I found out you’re only twenty-six, so quite saying you’re old.”

“Let’s take a look inside the house.” Megan mumbled, walking away from him. “It might be as good a place as any to hide.”

Entering the old house, Megan was surprised at its decaying conditions. Besides the wooden bed frame and kerosene stove, the only other furnishings were an old wood table and two plastic lawn chairs. It was just one large room with no partitions.

“Where’s the bathroom?” Megan inquired.

“It’s out through the back door.” Trey replied. “Just pick a spot and go.”

“No thanks, I’ll wait till I get back to the ranch.” She responded.

That evening, Megan and Trey gathered up their gear to spend the night at the ranch on Spider Road. Megan checked her guns, packing extra ammunition in one of Trey’s backpacks. Collin hadn’t come home so the two worked freely without anyone getting suspicious. Loading up Trey’s truck they headed back out to the ranch just after sundown.

Megan stored their gear in the house while Trey parked his truck in the barn where it would be out of sight. After locking the gates, he returned to the crumbling structure. Megan was sitting at the table smoking a cigarette and drinking bottled water she’d packed in a cooler.

“I wish you’d quit smoking.” Trey muttered. “It smells up the place.”

“Well, you can keep wishing till your balls dry up.” Megan quipped. “Besides, cigarette smoke could only make this fuckin’ outhouse smell better.”

Trey responded with something inaudible but Megan couldn’t make any of it out. She didn’t ask him to repeat it knowing it was something she didn’t want to hear anyway.

Midnight past and no one even so much as drove by the ranch’s locked gates. An hour later, Megan decided to try and get some sleep while Trey stayed up to act as lookout. After unrolling one of the sleeping bags out on the wooden bed frame, she started getting undressed. Trey stared at her as she slipped off her blouse and jeans. Removing her bra, she placed it on top of her clothes. She folded the top of the sleeping bag back then slid in between the two layers.

“Gonna keep them panties on?” Trey smarted off. “Thought you’d be sleeping in the nude.”

“Well, we still might have company tonight and I want to look sexy for them.” She countered. “Besides, I don’t want to give you any ideas.”

A few hours later, almost 3am, Trey shook her from her sound sleep.

“Something’s spooking the horses, maybe coyotes.” He stated. “Grab your hat and let’s get going.”

Trey ran out of the house, his cowboy boots making loud footsteps on the wooden floor. Megan slipped on her sneakers, not bothering to tie the laces. Her Glock 21 handgun was sitting on the table next to Trey’s western hat. Grabbing both, she ran out onto the porch and jumped down to the ground. Trey was halfway to the barn as she rounded the old house. Loud, eerie howling filled the air. It was a pack of coyotes prowling around the barns, scaring the horses!

Two adult coyotes came running out of the barn, scurrying away towards Trey’s left. Raising her .45 caliber pistol, Megan squeezed off two rounds, dropping both animals dead in their tracks as they ran. The gunfire resounded off the hills, almost echoing. Trey froze in his tracks, afraid to make a move. Another adult coyote came running down the side of the barn towards the fence line. Megan fired two shots, even though the first one lifted the animal completely off its feet. The shots echoed, then quickly faded. Silence followed as the resonating faded.

“You could have shot me!” Trey yelled.

“I thought about it!” Megan yelled back. “To me, one howling asshole’s just like another!”

“You’re the one who’s gonna have to bury them!” He shouted. “You shot em, you bury em!”

“You’re forgettin’, Cowboy. I’m the one with the gun.” She shouted back. “You do the digging. I’m gonna go pee.”

“Nice outfit!” He exclaimed, gesturing at Megan wearing his hat. “You oughta wear that more often!”

She did look quite sexy wearing just black bikini panties and a black cowboy hat!

An hour later, Trey came back into the house. Megan was curled up in her sleeping bag but she wasn’t asleep. He noticed her eyes were open. On the table, sat his cowboy hat with her black panties lying on top.

“It’s almost 4am. Doesn’t look like anyone’s gonna do anything tonight.” He remarked.

“Does that include you?” Megan murmured, pulling back the top portion of the unzipped sleeping bag.

Trey didn’t have to be taunted twice. Seeing the beautiful woman lying there, wearing nothing but a sexy smile, was invitation enough. Quickly getting out of his clothes, he slipped into the sleeping bag with her.

Lying on his back with Megan in his arms, she leaned over him as the two kissed passionately. Her firm breasts crushed against his chest as her moist lips sucked his tongue into her mouth. Trey’s right hand glided up and down her bare back while she continued sucking on his tongue.

Nibbling at his lips, Megan traced her fingertips down over his muscular chest and taut stomach. Stopping her hand just at the edge of his curly pubic hair, her lips nibbled gently at his nipples. They responded to her lips immediately. Megan’s hand brushed over Trey’s course pubic hair, knowing his magnificent cock was already hard.

“You lookin’ for something?” He murmured, grinning.

“Thought I’d see if there was any salami to snack on.” She whispered.

“Hmmm. Found it!” She added moments later, grasping his hard cock. “Nothing like fresh meat for breakfast.”

Shucking back the top of the sleeping bag, Megan’s lips locked onto the head of Trey’s stiff cock. Licking the tip with her tongue, she slowly swirled all around the mushroom-shaped crown. Low, throaty sounds of pleasure came from him as she slowly slid her clenched lips down the hard shaft. Her hand cupped Trey’s warm balls as she slid her mouth up and down his cock. Swirling her tongue side to side along the rigid flesh, she taunted him till she had him about to cum. Pulling her mouth from his cock, she looked at it, covered with her thick saliva.

“I’m gonna ride me a cowboy!” She smarted off. “Gonna bust me a bronco!”

Straddling Trey, Megan held his cock while she eased her already swollen pussy onto him.

“Oh my God!” She muttered, easing down on Trey’s cock. “It’s sooooooo fuckin’ good!”

Working the long, thick shaft into her pussy, Megan began fucking herself up and down on Trey’s cock, rocking her pelvis with each thrust. Trey’s rough hands, gently massaged her breasts, flicking his thumbs over her already hard nipples.

“Oh Godddddddddddddddddd…………Treyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy” She murmured, over and over.

Trey matched each of her slow thrusts with his till he was fucking into her, lifting her knees off the bed. Her first orgasm came sudden and unexpected, flooding her pussy with thick juices.

“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr” She moaned aloud. “Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh”

Trey’s strong hands at her waist steadied her as he pounded his hard cock upwards. Another orgasm quickly formed deep within her. She felt the strong erotic sensation rising towards its peak. Trey arched his back, lifting his butt upwards till Megan was completely suspended off the bed. Her incredible orgasm shook her entire body. Her head flung backwards as her gaping mouth emitted a scream.

“ARGhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Godddddddddddddddddddddddd” She screamed.

Extremely weakened by the second orgasm, Megan put her arms on his chest to keep from collapsing down on her lover. Trey gave her one last thrust that almost bucked her off. Her perspiration soaked hands slipped upwards towards his shoulders but failed to grasp him. Her spent body collapsed hard on top of him.

“Oh God………………Trey” She mumbled, her head resting against his chest.

“Didn’t bust this bronco!” He exclaimed.

Rolling Megan gently off of him, Trey positioned her face down on the sleeping bag.

“Now, I’m gonna break me in a filly!” He muttered.

Lifting Megan’s body up till her knees were directly under her, Trey firmly held her waist, pulling her back onto his hard cum-covered cock.

“Arggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” Megan moaned.

Trey fucked his cock into her slowly, gradually increasing the tempo by pulling her back onto his cock. Megan’s face was buried in the sleeping bag, muffling her constant moans. Trey’s cock felt like a magic stick as he brought Megan off twice more. Feeling his climax nearing, Trey pounded Megan hard till her ass was bright red. As his hot cream spewed from his cock, he gave her one last, hard trust.

“Oh Goddddddddddddddddddddddd” Trey moaned through clenched teeth.

His body was paralyzed as his cum kept pouring from his balls. Releasing his grip on her waist, Megan fell forward, slipping off Trey’s hard cock. A long, thick strand of cum dangled from the head of his cock, breaking off as it fell to the wooden floor of the old house.

“And, that’s how we cowboys take care of you fillies!” Trey exclaimed, slapping her on the butt.

Megan lay breathless on her tummy, sprawled out on the sleeping bag. Her eyes, barely opened, watched as Trey took a bottle of water and poured it over his cock, washing himself off. Saturating a paper towel with water, he came back to the bed and washed her pussy and legs.

“You cityslickers are never gonna learn.” Trey whispered. “When it comes to breedin’, we know what we’re doin’.

“I’m goin’ out and check on the horses, get a few things done while I’m here.” He quipped, washing the perspiration from her back. “You stay here and get some rest. You’ve had a hard night bustin’ them broncos.”

Megan did drift back off to sleep within moments. It was almost mid-morning, before he came back inside the old house. Waking her gently, he waited while she dressed. Back at the main ranch, Megan showered and dressed to go see Trey’s father at the medical center.

Clint was in fairly good spirits. The physical therapy department had just brought him back from a session and he was quite tired. Megan sat on the bed with him, which is where he preferred her to sit. He chatted about ranching and horses, which was pretty much all he knew about, till he got tired. He mumbled his ex-wife, Christina’s name as he drifted off to sleep.

Megan spent the rest of the day going through Clint James’ legal documents and financial statements. Stretching out on the floor of Clint’s office she watched the blades of the ceiling fan slowly spinning.

“I’ll never get through all this!” Megan thought. “I’ll be drawing Social Security before I’m done!”

That evening Megan and Trey again returned to the ranch on Spider Road, hoping their luck would change. Entering the house, Megan spotted a snake slithering across the floor at her. Screaming, she ran out of the house. Trey attempted to calm her by informing her the snake was harmless but Megan wasn’t budging from her decision not to reenter the dilapidated building. That night, the couple spent the night inside the barn, sleeping in the haymow. Although a few vehicles passed by the ranch, none stopped or even slowed down. Early the next morning, Trey and Megan decided to call it a night and make love like two crazed animals before returning to the main ranch. At least, the night wasn’t without a reward!

The following night was just like the previous two. While Trey was getting disgruntled about not catching the thieves, he wasn’t complaining about the hot, passionate sex. Being the more patient of the two, Megan wasn’t complaining about either issue.

Later, close to mid-morning, Megan received a call at the house. It was Christina, Clint James’ former wife and the boy’s mother. Phoning from Albuquerque, she was just about to board a commuter flight to Taos. She asked if Megan would pick her up at the airport. Readily agreeing, Megan prepared to leave immediately. Megan drove Clint’s Suburban to the Taos Airport so there would be ample room for her luggage.

Apprehensive as to what the former Mrs. James would be like, Megan was pleasantly surprised when she saw a very attractive blonde-haired woman step off the small commuter plane. She was much younger than Clint, appearing to be in her late forties. Her short-cropped hair was tightly curled to her head. She walked with grace and style wearing a white, tailored business suit. The woman had a trim figure, evidence that she took great care of herself. She smiled as she approached Megan in the lobby of the small airport.

“You must be Megan Reynolds.” The woman said, pushing out her hand. “I’m Christina James.”

“Yes. I’m Megan.” She responded, briefly shaking the woman’s hand. “I’m glad we finally got to meet.”

“Too bad it couldn’t be over more pleasant circumstances.” Christina remarked. “How’s Clint doing?

“He’s doing better. They’re working on trying to get him to stand and walk.” Megan reported. “His spirits are down but I’m sure you’ll be able to cheer him up.”

“Honey, only one thing cheers that man up. And that’s money!” Christina replied with a stern look on her face.

Collecting Christina’s luggage, the two women packed it in the rear of the Suburban. Driving back to the Rockin J, Megan noticed the woman carefully looking her over.

“How’s Trey and Collin handling all this?” Christina inquired.

“Trey’s handling it pretty well. It was rough going at first.” Megan replied. “Collin hasn’t stopped in to see his father since we took him to the medical center.”

“Well, that’s no surprise. Collin I mean.” Christina commented. “Probably best if he stays the hell away from Clint anyway. He’d only come with his palms up wanting money.”

“You got everything under control at the ranch?” She asked bluntly. “Trey’s helping you I assume.”

“Yes, everything’s pretty well under control. Trey’s been wonderful.” Megan responded, biting her lower lip.

“Has Collin been bothering you any? You know, hitting on you?” Christina inquired.

“Ah no, not really.” Megan replied. “I just brush off whatever he says. I wouldn’t take anything he says seriously.”

“He’s a little prick, is what he is! A money-grubbing little prick!” Christina exclaimed.

Megan didn’t make a comment, feeling it inappropriate to agree or disagree with her statement. The rest of the journey to the ranch was made in silence. Christina looked and smiled as she remembered her former hometown.

Arriving at the ranch, Maria came out to help carry in Christina’s luggage. The two women hugged each like they were old friends. Megan assumed Christina must have known her before she came to work for Clint as his housekeeper. The two spoke in fluent Spanish and smiled alot so their conversation must have been friendly.

“Which room do you wish to stay in?” Maria asked.

“How about the bedroom next to the master.” Christina suggested.

“That is Ms. Reynolds and Trey’s room.” Maria blurted out without thinking.

“My! My! Trey has been wonderful, hasn’t he!” Christina exclaimed, grinning at Megan.

“Well, put me in the master bedroom, Maria. I’m sure Clint won’t mind.” She added.

“I’d like to freshen up a bit and then go see Clint.” Christina remarked. “Will you drive me?”

“Sure. I’d be happy to.” Megan responded.

While Maria had let the cat out of the bag, Christina seemed to have accepted the breaking news pretty well. Megan felt she’d still have some quick explaining to do eventually. Any mother would want to know who her son was sleeping with.

Christina fixed her makeup and hair before changing into a stylish western dress accentuated with white lace. Her tall, calf-high tan boots clicked as she and Megan descended the circular stairway.

“I see ole Clint still keeps the fountains flowing.” The woman remarked. “He hated them when I first had them built.”

“We only shut them off at night. Other than that, they’re always running.” Megan replied, smiling. “They really add alot to this home.”

Standing in the foyer before leaving, Christina hesitated briefly.

“You think I look alright?” She asked. “Maybe I should change into something else.”

“You look fine Ms. James. I’m sure Clint will love what you’re wearing.” Megan responded, complimenting her.

At the hospital, Christina and Megan paused just outside Clint’s room. The woman took several deep breaths before entering.

“Well, here goes.” She muttered.

“I’ll wait out here so you two can talk. It’ll give you a chance to make an entrance.” Megan suggested.

“No way! I’m not going in there alone, not after two years.” Christina responded. “We may need you as a referee.”

The two women slowly entered Clint’s hospital room. Christina took Megan’s hand, squeezing it firmly in hers. Clint’s face beamed seeing his ex-wife for the first time after a lengthy absence. Putting out both arms for her, she rushed to his bed, releasing her grip on Megan’s hand. Embracing her, Clint murmured something in her ear after kissing her. Her eyes teared as she slipped from his embrace. Taking a tissue from her purse she attempted to compose herself.

“How’re you feeling, Mr. James?” Megan quickly asked to draw away his attention for Christina.

“I’m doing much better. Much better now that Christina’s here.” Clint answered, smiling.

“Come and sit with me.” He requested, patting the safety railing.

Megan sat on the bed with Clint, trying to keep him distracted, giving Christina a little more time to compose herself. She wasn’t handling the situation as well as Megan thought she would. Her strong and dominant façade had failed her.

Clint asked about the ranch and how things were going with recovering the stolen horses. Asking about Trey, he never mentioned Collin. Megan answered all of his questions in a positive nature to keep his spirits up.

Christina lowered the railing on her side of Clint’s bed and sat down alongside him. Her long, slender fingers brushed lightly over his chest. Clint put his hand at her waist, squeezing it lightly.

“I should go and let you two talk.” Megan suggested. “I’m sure you’ve got alot of catching-up to do.”

Giving Christina her cell phone number, Megan slipped out of the room. Driving out to the ranch on Spider Road, she spotted Trey’s truck sitting up by the barn. Trey was cleaning out several of the stalls and putting down fresh bedding when she walked in. His smile warmed her when their eyes met.

“I just left your mother at the hospital.” Megan announced.

“How’s she doing? How’d she take seeing Dad?” Trey quickly inquired, his smile turning to a more serious look.

“She looks great. She broke down a little seeing your father in his condition but she’s handling it pretty well.”

“Be nice if she’d come back to the ranch.” Trey remarked. “Even better if they’d get remarried. But, that’s asking for way too much, I know.”

“Mind telling me why she left in the first place? Or is that too personal?” Megan asked.

“They fought constantly about me!” Trey exclaimed, gritting his teeth. “It was always a fight about me!”

Megan waited for Trey to go into greater details but he didn’t say another word. Instead, he went back to cleaning the stalls, working furiously as he took his anger out on the shovel.

“I’m going back to the main ranch. Your mother’s going to call me when she’s ready for me to pick her up.” Megan stated. “You need anything?”

Trey ignored her question. He never even so much as looked her way. His anger seemed to be growing. Megan decided it best to leave before they got into an argument.

Driving back to the ranch, Megan felt there was much more to Clint and Christina’s decision to go their separate ways than just Trey. It wasn’t her place to pry but she hoped Christina would confide in her as they became closer.

It was late afternoon when Christina phoned from the hospital. Megan drove into town to pick her up and bring her back to the Rockin J. Christina was waiting for her near the entrance. Getting into the Suburban, she had to fabricate a smile to cover her worry and anger.

“Take me to Collin’s real estate office, will ya?” She asked.

“Sure.” Megan replied. “How’s Clint doing?”

“He’s sleeping.” Christina answered. “He’ll be alright once I get him back to the ranch.”

Megan pulled out of the medical center driving towards Collin’s office located in the heart of an upscale business district. Pulling up to the front of the building, Christina opened her door before Megan got the SUV completely stopped.

“You better come in with me!” She exclaimed.

Megan had to rush to catch up to the woman. Entering the office, Christina rushed up to the receptionist. Before the young girl had a chance to say anything, Christina showed her anger.

“I wanna see Collin and I wanna see his ass right now!” She shouted.

“I’m sorry but he’s busy with some clientele right at the present.” The girl murmured in fear.

“I’ll bet the fuck he is!” Christina exclaimed, proceeding towards a closed door.

As she was about to reach for the doorknob, Collin opened the door from his side. Megan could barely see an elderly couple sitting in front of the man’s desk.

“Mom! What are you doing here!” Collin exclaimed, stunned.

Christina’s response came in the form of a hard slap across the face that dropped him to his knees. The harsh slap could have dropped a horse to its knees for that matter! Collin didn’t move except to cover his reddened face with his hand to protect himself.

“OUT! I WANT YOU OUT OF THE HOUSE BY THE END OF THE FUCKIN’ DAY!” Christina roared. “YOU HEAR ME?”

Megan jumped back as the woman appeared to be about to kick the young man while she had him on his knees. A small trickle of blood dropped beneath Collin’s hand onto his dark blue sport shirt. Christina’s slap was sufficient enough to break the tender skin on Collin’s lips.

As Megan and Christina exited the office, Megan looked back seeing Collin still kneeling in the doorway, almost as if he were paralyzed with fear. The receptionist was hiding behind her desk fearing retaliation from the infuriated woman.

“I could use a good stiff drink!” Christina exclaimed as she got back into the Suburban. “Let’s hit one of the bars along the outskirts of town.”

“Are you alright, Ms. James?” Megan inquired, speaking softly.

“Much better now!” Christina responded, smiling and shaking her right hand as if to cool it.

Sitting in a booth at a quiet and almost deserted little tavern, Christina wrapped her swollen right hand around a tall glass filled with crushed ice. In her other hand she grasped a double scotch, drinking it down like it was water. Catching the bartender’s eye, she raised her empty glass.

“May as well bring two this time Bud, save yourself some shoe leather!” She exclaimed. “And, another beer for Megan too!”

Megan had yet to finish her first beer as she sipped on it slowly, remembering she had to do the driving.

“You think Collin will move out without causing alot of trouble?” Megan murmured.

“Yeah. He better anyway. He knows I’ll call my brother on his ass if he doesn’t.” Christina replied.

“He’s the sheriff of Taos County, or did you already know that?” She added before Megan could ask.

“No. I didn’t know that.” Megan responded.

Putting two and two together, she figured that might be why the sheriff’s department hadn’t tried to help Clint catch the thieves and recover the stolen horses. It was more of a family dispute over the divorce than a matter of being shorthanded.

“Tell me about you and Trey.” Christina blatantly stated. “I wanna hear what you’ve got to say.”

“Well….Trey and I have been working together…we’ve been trying to…” Megan stammered.

“Not that. Clint told me about the stolen horses.” Christina interrupted. “I wanna know about how you feel about my son.”

“Oh.” Megan muttered. “Well…………..I think alot of your son. He’s just……I feel he’s just a little young for me and…………..”

“Fuck the age difference!” Christina exclaimed, taking a gulp of her drink. “He’s twenty-one and you’re twenty-what, six?”

Megan nodded her head acknowledging the woman’s correct guess. Lighting up a cigarette, her hands trembled. Christina reached for Megan’s cigarettes and lighter.

“I see we share a love of something else.” She muttered, lighting up a cigarette.

“I’m seven years younger than Clint.” She said. “Age never stopped us from loving each other.”

“You do love Trey don’t you?” She asked. “I can see it in your eyes.”

Megan nodded her head, her hands trembling so much she couldn’t hold onto her cigarette.

“I don’t want him to know.” Megan mumbled. “I can’t let it him know how I feel about him.”

“Why?” Christina inquired, speaking softly. “Are you afraid he doesn’t love you?”

“I think he does.” Megan murmured, shrugging her shoulders. “I don’t know……maybe.”

“Clint proposed to me on our first date.” Christina stated, grinning. “And, I said yes right off. It was the best thing I ever did. It was also the worse.”

“Whatta you mean?” Megan asked.

“Marrying Clint was the best thing I’ve ever done but it only brought about Collin.” Christina replied. “And, he’s the worse thing I could have done.”

“But, it also brought about Trey.” Megan remarked.

Christina didn’t respond to the remark. She looked off in the distance, taking a deep breath.

“Clint’s not Trey’s father.” The woman stated. “A man named Cole Eastman is Trey’s biological father. He used to work for us as ranch foreman.”

Megan was stunned! Christina went on to tell her about an affair she’d had with the man while Clint was away on an extended business trip in Montana. Clint had been neglecting her sexually, his interest were more on the business and ranching. It was an accidental pregnancy. Clint wanted her to put the baby up for adoption but she threatened to leave him if he forced her to give the baby away.

“Are you sure Trey’s not Clint’s son?” Megan inquired, wanting to hear more.

“Clint had a vasectomy shortly after Collin was born.” Christina answered. “One boy to carry on the James’ family name was all he ever wanted.”

“Trey got the James’ family name only because of me, not from Clint.” She added.

“Does Trey’s real father know about him? Where’s he at now?” Megan asked.

“Oh, he knows about me having his son.” Christina replied. “He left shortly after I got pregnant for some ranch up in Wyoming. That’s the last I heard of him. Hard telling where he is now.”

“Did you love this Cole guy?” Megan questioned.

“I loved him but I was still in love with Clint.” She answered. “Cole was just the Right Now guy. Know what I mean?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Megan muttered, listening intently to the woman’s every word.

“Cole fathered another child besides Trey while he worked at the Rocking J.” Christina continued. “Maria’s also Cole’s. Her mother worked as our housekeeper at the time.”

“Woohoo!” Megan exclaimed, lighting up another cigarette. “There was alot of hanky-panky going on back then, wasn’t there!”

“Horses weren’t the only ones getting bred!” Christina exclaimed, laughing. “But we were all getting the real thing……..not artificially inseminated.”

Her remark got Megan laughing as the two continued their talk about Clint and the Rockin J. It was dusk when the two women left the tavern. Christina was still fairly steady on feet as she made her way to the Suburban. Megan lost count as to how many drinks the woman had consumed.

Christina James was a hard drinker, fast talker and a chain smoker with a right hand that could probably bring any animal to their knees. Megan was enthralled with her.

“You want me to drive?” She asked, laughing. “You’ve had two beers.”

“I’ll drive.” Megan responded, grinning at the woman. “We can always call your brother if we get stopped on the way home.”

Megan wheeled the SUV into the courtyard at the house, making the short trip without incident.

“What you and I talked about today has to stay just between the two of us!” Christina said. “I don’t want you to ever mention a word we said to anyone, not to Trey and not to Maria.”

“I promise.” Megan responded, putting her hand over Christina’s. “It’s something we’ll share just between the two of us.”

It was after 7pm before Trey drove into the courtyard at the Rockin J. Megan met him at the door with a kiss that seemed to slightly embarrass him.

“Careful! Mom might see us!” He murmured, smiling.

“Your mother knows we’re sharing a room.” Megan responded. “She knows all about us.”

“She’s cool with it?” Trey exclaimed with a surprise look on her face.

“There’s that boy of mine!” Christina shouted, running towards them as they stood in the foyer.

Putting their arms around each other, they hugged for a lengthy time. Neither wanted to let go of the other. Christina’s face streamed tears and makeup onto Trey’s workshirt as he embraced her tightly.

“It’s good to have you home, Mom.” Trey muttered, fighting off tears.

“It’s good to be back.” Christina spoke softly. “Just wish it were under more pleasant circumstances.”

Trey asked his mother about her visit with his father. He was pleased to hear his father was doing better and the two had spent the better part of the day together. The worry lines in his handsome face seemed to disappear.

Collin’s silver Mercedes sped into the courtyard, coming to a screeching halt in front of the house. He wasn’t alone. The auburn-haired Elaine was with him. Rushing past them standing in the foyer, Megan noticed Collin’s lower lip swollen and discolored. He and the woman rushed up the circular stairway to the second floor.

“What’s that all about?” Trey inquired, looking at his mother.

“Collin’s finally moving out.” Christina replied with a coy smile. “I took him out in the first round.”

Trey didn’t understand what she was referring to but he didn’t ask her to go into details. Megan, Trey and Christina sat out on the terrace while Collin and his girlfriend packed up his belongings.

“Clint told me you two were working on catching these horse thieves and recovering the stolen horses.” Christina stated.

Megan waved her hand in the air to get Christina to stop talking. Her eyes quickly looked towards Trey. Seeing the disappointed look on his face, she immediately figured out that Collin was the chief suspect.

“Oh God!” She murmured. “He’s still stealing from his father!”

Waiting till after Collin and Elaine left the house, Trey and Megan reviewed with Christina what the two of them were trying to accomplish.

“I’ll call Brock in the morning and get him involved.” Christina stated. “Family differences or not, he’s the damn sheriff so he should be doing his job.”

“I don’t think its wise to get the sheriff’s department involved.” Megan remarked. “I’m not sure but there’s a possibility someone on the force could be involved. If that’s the case, he could be tipped off.”

“Not Brock!” Christina exclaimed. “He’s as honest as the day is long.”

“Maybe not your brother but one or more of his deputies.” Megan surmised. “With no one trying to help in the past and this mystery airplane, I’ve got suspicions there’s alot more going on than any of us is aware of.”

“Mystery airplane?” Christina exclaimed. “What airplane?”

Megan told her about Clint purchasing an airplane for Collin and paying six-hundred thousand dollars in cash for it. She also told Christina that Clint’s accounting firm did nothing to stop the transaction and that she had taken the Rockin J’s business away from them.

“We should be heading out to the ranch in case they pick tonight to steal more horses.” Trey suggested.

“I don’t think anything’s going to happen tonight. Collin’s too busy settling in somewhere to be out stealing horses or whatever else he’s up to.” Megan responded. “But all this could drive him to retaliation. We’ve got to be careful.”

After a good night’s sleep in their own bed, Trey rushed out to the ranch on Spider Road to check on the horses. He phoned back to let Megan know everything was secure and none of the horses were missing. Her assumptions had been right. Maybe their luck was changing!

While Christina spent most of the day with Clint at the medical center, Megan continued reviewing the Rockin J’s financial records. More and more she saw alot of wasteful spending even though the bottom line was still well into the black.

“Think of how much the James’ family could be making if only they’d spend their money more wisely.” Megan kept thinking. “There’s more work here than I can possibly handle. Maybe Christina can give me a hand with this mess.”

That evening after sunset, Trey and Megan went out to the ranch east of Taos and set up for the ambush. Megan checked over her Glock handgun and Remington 12 gauge magnum shotgun, making sure they were ready in case they needed them. Trey paced up and down the wide aisleway between the stalls checking on the horses.

“Princess alright.” Megan inquired, trying to get him to calm down.

“Yeah, she’s fine.” Trey replied. “You kinda like her don’t ya?”

“Yes. I do.” Megan responded. “She’s fun to ride.”

Just as Trey was about to speak, a small aircraft flew low and directly over the barn.

“Wow, he’s close!” Trey exclaimed.

“The plane!” Megan shouted. “That was a plane!”

Handing Trey the shotgun, Megan tucked the handgun inside the waistband of her jeans and grabbed the binoculars she’d taken from Clint’s office.

“Let’s go!” She exclaimed. “This may be it!”

The two ran out of the barn looking towards the north. The airplane was making a long slow banking turn to make another flyover. Megan and Trey ran towards a cluster of trees close to the fence line to seek cover.

Looking up, they saw the plane’s landing lights come on as it dropped in altitude to just above the top of the trees east of them. The plane’s speed decreased drastically as it crossed over the road and made a dusty landing in a wide ravine a few hundred yards or so north of the barn. Trey and Megan’s hearts were both pounding in their chests.

A truck pulling a horse trailer came up the road but stopped well short of the gate before shutting its lights off. In the distance a clap of thunder resonated off the mountains. Rain clouds were starting to roll in from the southwest, blocking out the moonlight. Crouching under the trees wasn’t the safest place to be in case of lightening but Trey and Megan couldn’t make a run across the open ground for the barn. They’d made a drastic mistake, their first of the night!

About ten minutes later, a silver Mercedes pulled up behind the horse trailer. It too, shut its headlights off. In the darkness, looking through the binoculars, Megan couldn’t see clearly who was driving the car but it had to be Collin. She could make out the figures of two men sitting inside the pickup.

“Oh fuck! This isn’t good.” Megan muttered. “We’re caught right in the middle.”

“We’ll shoot our way out.” Trey murmured, his finger resting on the trigger of the shotgun.

“Just be sure you hold on tight to it.” Megan reminded him. “It’ll kick itself right out of your hands.”

The interior light of the Mercedes came on briefly as the driver stepped out. Megan got a quick glimpse of Elaine, Collin’s girlfriend, in her binoculars.

“It’s that fuckin’ redhead!” Megan muttered.

“Elaine. Elaine Sutter?” Trey questioned. “Where the hell’s Collin?”

“Right behind you!” Collin shouted as he struck Trey across the side of the head with a handgun.

Megan’s head snapped back as another man, a hulking figure, grabbed her by the back of her hair.

“Take them both inside the house!” Collin ordered. “We’ll deal with them once and for all.”

Collin and the other man, almost twice Collin’s size, drug the pair towards the house. Megan saw the pickup with the horse trailer pass by them as it proceeded towards the barn. The side of Trey’s head was covered with blood. Right now, he was her main concern but she was helpless to get to his aid.

Collin threw Trey down on the wooden bed frame striking him with the gun for a second time. Megan screamed out but her outburst only enraged Collin more. Striking her across the face, he knocked her backwards towards the wood table.

“Now Missy, I’m gonna show you what a real man’s like!” He growled, ripping her t-shirt and bra off.”

“No! Don’t!” Megan screamed as the other man threw her down on the table.

Looking up, she could see he was wearing a deputy sheriff’s uniform. A glint of light reflected off his badge. Collin ripped her jeans off, tossing them aside. Pulling her cotton panties down, he left them dangling off one ankle. Struggling to get away, the deputy held her shoulders pinned to the table.

“Collin! You fucking asshole!” Elaine screamed, running into the house. “Do you have to fuck every woman!”

“Just get the damned coke loaded in the car!” Collin shouted, panting for breath. “I’m gonna teach this bitch a lesson before I kill her.”

“Just get your ass back to the house!” Elaine replied. “We gotta get this shipment bagged and up to Denver. Jake’s in a hurry. You can bury their bodies down at his ranch.

Elaine ran out of the house towards Collin’s Mercedes. Collin was sneering as he pushed his dress slacks and briefs down. Megan started kicking, trying to break away, but her shoulders were pinned hard against the table.

Looking down, she could see Collin’s huge cock. It looked as big as her lower arm!

“OH GOD NO!” Megan screamed, flailing her legs wildly.

Collin grabbed her ankles, spreading her legs wide. She felt his huge cock penetrate her pussy, ripping her apart. Cringing from the excruciating pain, she fought for each breath. Collin began brutally fucking her.

“Check out these tits!” The deputy remarked, mauling them with his grubby fingers.

As the deputy leaned over her, the butt of her Glock, tucked inside his pants, struck her in the forehead. With her hands free, she made a desperate grab for the handgun pulling it out. Firing wildly upwards, the second shot caught the deputy below the chin, blowing the top of his head off. Blood rained down on her, covering her body.

Collin stood stunned, his mouth dropped in awe, as Megan pointed the gun at him. He still held her legs spread wide as she squeezed off three quick shots, blowing his heart out and most of his chest away. He fell backwards, ripping his cock from her pussy. Hearing footsteps on the front porch, she quickly rolled off the table, landing flat on the floor. The man was wearing a uniform and carrying a sawed-off shotgun. With the clouds blocking out the moonlight it was difficult to see the man’s face shaded by his western style hat.

“Collin! Collin!” He shouted.

Trey, barely able to move, quickly grabbed Collin’s handgun from the floor and fired at the figure, knocking him off the rickety porch. A loud clap of thunder resonated off the mountains, quickly followed by an eerie silence.

Trey struggled to his feet, his hand holding the side of his head, covered with blood. Megan pulled her panties on as she helped him to the front door. Lying in the dirt, his feet still on the porch lay Christina’s brother, Brock.

“How’d you know to shoot him?” Megan inquired.

“He called out for Collin instead of me.” Trey muttered. “He gave himself away.”

“Now, let’s go after that Sutter bitch!” He exclaimed.

“Let me get the shotgun!” Megan shouted, running towards the cluster of trees.

Trey drove his truck out of the barn striking the pickup near the front wheels. The collision ripped the sideview mirror off the truck as it caved in the driver’s side door. Stopping at the side of the house, Megan jumped in with him.

Taking a fresh clip from the backpack, Megan changed out the nearly spent magazine from the Glock handgun. Trey sped down the dark two-lane road with only one headlight still working. He was holding the side of his head with his elbow resting against the door.

“You gonna be alright?” Megan asked, not realizing how stupid it sounded.

Trey was hurt alot worse than he was letting on but his adrenalin was pumping through his body like a wildfire out of control. Trey pulled into the long lane at Elaine Sutter’s house on the east side of Taos. He drove past the house, seeing Collin’s Mercedes parked by an outbuilding.

Jake Sutter, Elaine’s estranged husband ran out of the building. Seeing Trey and Megan jump out of the truck with guns in their hands, he quickly turned and ran back inside.

“Grab the guns!” He yelled at Elaine.

Trey was the first to enter the building, pointing the Glock at Jake. Megan was right behind him with the Remington shotgun. Jake had dead aim on Trey at close range. Without hesitating, Trey fired two quick shots before Elaine shot him with her .38. Megan squeezed off a shot, the magnum sounding like a cannon inside the metal building. The round hit the package of cocaine on the table exploding the white powder into the air. The second round struck the woman in the neck, taking her head off. The shotgun kicked upwards, knocking Megan backwards. Tripping she fell next to Trey, laying in the doorway.

Megan looked over to see Trey was still breathing, his chest heaving. In the distance, sirens wailed and loud claps of rolling thunder shook the ground. Rain started pouring down hard. Trey’s eyes were opened and he was smiling. They were both laying flat on their backs with rain soaking them.

Megan reached towards Trey. Finding his hand, she held it firmly. Her back was aching terribly and her insides felt like they were on fire.