Page 51 of One in a Million
A smile teased Madeleine’s lips as she picked up a daintily cut sandwich. “Maybe she told me.”
“I’m not sure I believe you,” Lila said. “As for appreciation, I might not gush all over her like you just did. But she’s paid very well. Anything she wants, all she has to do is ask. That includes time off when she needs a break—and paid health insurance, which she didn’t have when she worked for you. Things have been unsettled since Frank’s passing, but I’m sure Mariah knows that she’s valued.”
“My, did I touch a sore spot?” Madeleine’s expression was all innocence. “I certainly didn’t mean to. I only wanted to say something nice to Mariah. What do you say we forget about it and enjoy our lunch?” She took a nibble of her sandwich. “Now this is tasty. I’d steal Mariah from you in a minute if I thought she’d ever leave the ranch. But maybe, given time, that won’t be necessary.”
Another shot fired—subtle but unmistakable. Madeleine was making her intentions clear. That was no surprise. Lila’s only question was whether she should return fire now or hold back and keep her enemy guessing.
Whatever happened, she vowed, she would remain cool and under control. If she let Madeleine play with her emotions, she would lose.
Madeleine sipped her tea. For a lifelong Texan, as she was, it would most likely be sweet tea. Lila had never learned to like it that way. When she tasted her own tea, she discovered that it was unsweetened, the way she preferred. At least she and Madeleine could agree on one thing. Mariah was irreplaceable.
“What a shame your daughter had to leave so soon.” Madeleine speared a sprig of watercress from her salad. “You must miss her terribly. I know what that’s like. It broke my heart when Jasmine chose to live with Frank after the divorce. He spoiled her, of course. Frank spoiled all his women—except me.
“You were wise not to compete with him,” she continued. “I was too smart, too capable, and too honest to pretend I was the kind of woman he wanted—a woman who would sit at his feet and make him feel like a king.”
“If you think that’s what I did, then you don’t know me,” Lila said. “When I married Frank, the business side of the ranch was a mess—overdue bills, clients who hadn’t paid in months, workers waiting for their paychecks. Frank didn’t even know how much money he had in the bank. All he cared about was riding and winning.
“If you’re so smart, why didn’t you lend a hand—or at least have the good sense to hire a manager? I had to step in and organize everything. It’s a full-time job—one I still do, even for the cattle operation.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Madeleine’s eyes narrowed to catlike slits. “Maybe when we take over the ranch, we should hire you.”
“That’s a mighty bigmaybe, Madeleine! I’ve got a signed, witnessed, and notarized will that says otherwise.”
“And where are you hiding those baby Culhanes you were supposed to give Frank? The will isn’t valid if you didn’t live up to its terms. You really should consider that job offer, Lila. When my lawyers get through with you, you’re going to need it—unless you plan to go back to Vegas and put on your G-string and pasties. For that, you might want to lose a few pounds and sign up for Botox injections. Or you could just marry your lover and move in with his redneck family.”
Lila had made a silent vow to remain calm, no matter what Madeleine might do or say. But her anger was surging out of control. The woman was playing her and enjoying every minute of it.
It was all she could do to keep from snatching up her unfinished lunch and smashing the plate in Madeleine’s insolent face.
The temptation was growing when a sudden interruption changed everything. One of the cattle boys came pounding up the walk and burst through the wrought-iron patio gate.
“Where’s Mr. Culhane?” He was pale and out of breath. “We need him to come right now.”
“Are you talking about my son, Darrin?” Madeleine was all kindness and concern now. “I believe he’s at his office in Willow Bend. He said something about having appointments this morning. I could call him, but he won’t be happy about having to reschedule his clients.”
“What’s this about, Smokey?” Lila asked. “You can tell me.”
“Dead calf in the east pasture—one of the yearlings. Something killed it. Something awful. It’s just—” He took a ragged breath. “Somebody needs to decide what to do.”
“I’ll go with you and have a look. Did you bring a four-wheeler?”
“It’s out front. But a lady like you—you don’t want to see this.”
“I’ll be fine. Will I need a gun?”
“It wouldn’t hurt to have it.”
“I’ll get one of Frank’s rifles and meet you outside.” She dashed into the house, leaving Madeleine at the table.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Sam had just finished lunch when the cowboy, nicknamed Smokey, drove the four-wheeler around the house. Curious, Sam had approached the young man to find out what was happening. By the time Lila joined them, carrying a Weatherby Mark V rifle, he had learned about the dead yearling.
“Could it have been coyotes that killed it?” Sam asked.
“No, sir,” Smokey replied. “I’ve seen coyote kills. It takes a pack of ’em to bring down a healthy animal the size of that yearling. There was just one set of tracks—a lot bigger than coyote tracks. The calf had been drug into the mesquite. And the way the carcass was tore up—” Smokey shook his head. “It was awful, like nothing I ever seen before.”
“I’d be interested in seeing it.” Sam remembered the tracks he’d spotted earlier. There had to be a connection. Even if the killing of a calf had nothing to do with his case, it would be a good idea to keep abreast of happenings on the ranch—especially if it meant spending more time with the elusive Lila.