AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nope, I wouldn’t have it any other way, but it might be a problem for that gorgeous ass of yours.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
After the commotion had died down, Bailey and Rick were getting ready to leave when Rick received a call from Duke inviting them over to the family home. It was a short drive through the exclusive neighborhood, and when they parked in the motor court, Bailey stared in awe at the grand house.
“I knew Duke’s family was well off but I wasn’t expecting this,” she muttered. “How can I go inside? I’m a mess. We’ve been sitting on the ground and I’ve got dirt and twigs and stuff all over me.”
“So do I, but I’m sure the state of our jeans will be the last thing they’ll care about. Here comes Duke. Just relax.”
“Hey you two. There’s coffee, sandwiches and cake waiting.”
“Thanks, Duke,” Bailey said, stepping from the truck, “but I have to ask…is there a special reason we’re here?”
“Besides celebrating the capture of that snake? Yeah, there is. Follow me.”
Over rich coffee and the best finger sandwiches Bailey had ever tasted, Duke outlined his plans for an Equine Detective Agency.
“That is such a wonderful idea,” Bailey said enthusiastically, “and it’s so desperately needed.”
“Yes it is, but,” he said, then pausing dramatically, he added, “but I can’t do it alone. I need great people with me, people I can trust. People who know horses and who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. How would you two like to join me? You don’t have to give up the summer rodeo tours, in fact they’d be a great cover and you might pick up bits of information while you’re traveling.”
“Wow, you bet! I’m in,” Rick exclaimed. “What about you, Bailey?”
“Absolutely! Putting more horrible people like Big John out of business and helping to find stolen horses would be fantastic.”
“Great. Over the next couple of weeks we’ll figure out the logistics and how to get it off the ground.”
“I’m so pleased you’ll be a part of it,” Marge declared. “I’ll be involved too, raising money to help when it’s needed.”
“Uh…may I ask you both something?” Bailey began. “It’s about what happened today.’
“Marge, dear, please call me Marge, and my husband, Carl.”
“Okay, I’ll try. I just wondered—do either of you know how that whole thing happened with Big John today? How he ended up there? Trevor called and told us where to go if we wanted to see Big John being arrested. But it seemed as if the entire thing had been set up to catch him. Do you know anything about that?”
“Ah, yes, well, you’re quite right,” Carl said, smiling proudly. “It was a collaborative effort, but it was Steve’s brainchild. You haven’t met him, but from the moment he heard about you and your mare he was determined to put John Foreman out of business and see him behind bars.
“Who is Steve? Was he that blond-haired guy with John?”
“Yes, that’s him. His name is Steve Olson, and he’s the resident trainer here at Bellwood. He suggested his idea to Marge. I almost took it to the sheriff’s department, but I know how they feel about citizens being involved, so spoke to Trevor off the record. He agreed it would be a tough sell, but he gave me some excellent advice. Once Steve and I decide to go ahead, it was simply a matter of Steve convincing Big John there was a deal to be had. Steve texted me when they arrived at the field, I called the security company here at Bellwood and reported an attempted horse theft. They were the ones who contacted the sheriff’s office. Oh, and those horses in the field were Steve’s.”
“I must meet him. He’s a hero.”
“Everyone involved deserves a medal. You most of all.”
“Why me?”
“When you got those horses out of that field, you set all this into motion.”
“You’re a very brave young lady,” Marge interjected, “and Duke has told us all about the stunts you perform on your horse. Perhaps you could give a demonstration here to introduce Duke’s new business and kick off the fund raising. I don’t know anyone in Bellwood who isn’t an animal lover, and the people who have horses here will be thrilled to watch you and contribute.”
“I’d be honored,” Bailey replied, thrilled by the suggestion.
“Wonderful. Would you also mind sharing your story? How you found your mare and rescued her and the other two horses? It must have been very frightening.”
Bailey felt the familiar heat in the back of her throat, but she was able to swallow it back before it took hold.
“The only frightening part was getting them out of there before Big John showed up. Breaking off that fence rail was easy, the wood was rotten, and jumping over it was nothing. Honestly, riding through the thicket and galloping up the hill was—well—indescribable. There was no fear…nothing but happiness and joy and relief. I thought my heart would burst.”
