When the Heart Falls (8 page)

“
Sit,” he ordered the men.

The two men quickly followed orders and sat down in the leather chairs that sat across from the large desk.

“
There’s a situation with the McCoy ranch,” he said, cutting the tip of the cigar. “Seems that the little wife has had a change of heart and wants to back out on our deal. I need you two to make her change her mind,” he told the men as he lit the cigar and took a long drag from it.

“
What do you want us to do?” one of the men asked.

Trent leaned back in his chair and blew the smoke from his cigar out into an O shape. “Figure it out yourselves. I want that ranch and I don’t care what you two have to do in order for me to get it.”

“
You want us to mess with their herd?” the other man asked.

“
Well now that’s a dumb idea seeing as how we’ve already done that. Someone is sure to catch onto our schemes if we keep repeating them,” the first man berated the second.

“
I don’t see you coming up with anything. If you’re so smart then you come up with something better,” the second man replied, quickly getting angry with the first man.

“
I could think of a million better ideas than-”

“
Enough!” Trent’s voice boomed over their squabbling. “Dammit, I swear you two are like little old ladies. Do I really have to come up with everything?”

The two men sat quietly and didn’t respond. They took on the look of little boys who had just been reprimanded.

“
Whatever you do, you’re going to have to be extra careful about how you do it. The son is very involved and I have a feeling he’s going to be a problem,” Trent informed them as he took another puff of his cigar.

“
You want us to take care of him like we did his old man?” the second man asked.

“
A little snip-snip of the brake line and junior will be out of the way,” the first man replied as he made a cutting motion with his index and middle finger.

“
I like where you’re going with this,” Trent replied and a menacing, mischievous smile spread across his face. “Take the son out of the picture, but come up with a different way than the way you did his old man in. Once he’s gone I should have no problem getting that snippy bitch to sell her land.”

They laughed and the two men rose from their chairs to exit the room. 

“
One more thing,” Trent called after them. They stopped just before they reached the door and turned to look at him. “Are things going as planned at the Donovan place?”

“
Yes sir they are. That old coot doesn’t have a clue about how his cows are going missing,” the second man said with a chuckle.

“
Good to know. I’m counting on you boys to come through on this. I’m not just doing this for me; I’m doing this for you as well. As my sons, you stand to inherit all of this when I’m gone.”

They nodded at his comment and waited to be dismissed again. “Hank, why don’t you go check on the horses? I want to have a word alone with your brother.” Hank looked from his father to his brother and then exited the room. “I hear you’ve taken a liking to the Donovan girl,” he said, rocking his chair back and forth.

Vance looked his father in the eye and replied, “Maybe. Why?”

“
No reason. I just hope you won’t let something as stupid as a woman mess with your overall plan. Women cloud the mind and you need to be focused boy,” Trent informed him as he folded his hands and rested them on his beer belly.

“
My mind is cloud free, Pop. I’m not going to be falling in love with the chick. I just don’t see anything wrong with getting a piece of ass if I can,” Vance said reassuringly as a sly smile spread across his face.

“
Good to know son. But mark my word,” Trent said as he pointed a finger at Vance. “You let that little vixen get in the way and you’ll have me to answer to.”

CHAPTER 8

The carnival grounds were full of loud chatter and screams from the ride passengers. There was a distinct smell of cotton candy, funnel cakes, and a hint of cigarette smoke in the air as Misty and Vance walked the grounds.

“
What would you like to do first?” he asked, turning his boyish charms on her.

Misty felt like she was floating on air. How wonderful it felt to feel attractive and wanted again. “Um, I’m not sure. Do you like to ride any of the rides?”

Vance shrugged his shoulders a little and replied, “Eh, some of them are ok. But it doesn’t matter what I want to do. I asked what you want to do.”

Misty smiled and thought about how nice of a gentleman Vance was. When he arrived to pick her up at her parent’s house he had opened her door for her and did the same when they arrived at the carnival. Even now as they walked through the carnival grounds they were arm in arm.

“
Would you want to go on the Ferris wheel?” she asked.

“
Sure, but first I’d like to sign up for the bucking bronco contest,” he told her as he looked for the booth.

“
Oh my, you’re actually going to do that?” she replied dubiously.

“
You question my skills?” he said in mock surprise.

Misty laughed and said, “No, no it’s nothing like that. I just, well… Isn’t it dangerous?”

“
Of course it’s dangerous. But I like danger.”

There was an edge to Vance’s tone that Misty just couldn’t put her finger on. They continued walking through the carnival grounds and eventually found the sign up table for the bucking bronco contest.

“
You wait here,” Vance told her. “I’ll be right back.”

He smiled at her as he walked away and winked. He was such a good looking man and Misty felt like she was the luckiest woman at the carnival. Here is a man who could have his choice of any woman here, and he chose to be here with her.

The thought made her smile. While waiting for Vance to fill out his entry form, Misty started to look around at all the activities that surrounded her. Just then, she caught sight of a familiar face and could hardly contain her excitement.

“
Beth! Oh my goodness I haven’t seen you in forever!” she cried as she hugged her dear old friend.

“
I can’t believe you’re actually here!” Beth cried in disbelief. “How long have you been in town? Where’s Brad?”

Misty wrinkled her face up at the mention of her adulterer soon-to-be ex-husband. “We’re not together anymore,” she stated.

Beth caught on and decided it was wise to not pry on the subject. “I’m sorry to hear that. One day you can tell me all about it if you like.”

Misty smiled and nodded. “So how are you?” she said, quickly changing the subject.

“
Oh I’m doing great. I’m married now,” Beth replied as she held out her left hand and wiggled her fingers to show off her engagement and wedding rings.

“
Aw, congratulations Beth!”

“
And this is my husband, Alan,” she said, gesturing towards the tall dark haired man standing next to her.

“
It’s nice to meet you, Misty. I’ve heard all kinds of stories about you and Beth in your high school days,” he said as he held out his hand to shake hers.

She chuckled as she shook his offered hand. “Oh my, I hope it was nothing too embarrassing.”

“
You’re fine. I keep those stories to myself,” Beth leaned in and whispered to Misty with a wink. “Oh and I have more news,” Beth said excitedly. “Alan and I are having a baby!”

Misty couldn’t help but feel like someone had just knocked the wind out of her. She was happy for her friend, but she couldn’t help but feel a little jealous that it wasn’t her that was happily married and having a baby. She quickly collected herself and gave Beth a warm hug. “That’s wonderful news, Beth. I’m so happy for you!”

“
You want to introduce me to your friends?” Vance asked as he approached and wrapped an arm around Misty.

“
Oh, Vance this is my old friend Beth and her husband Alan.”

“
Nice to meet you,” Vance said to both of them as he tipped his hat toward Beth and shook Alan’s hand. “Are you hungry? How about I go get us a bite to eat while you catch up with your friends?”

“
That sounds nice. Can you get me a cheeseburger?” Misty asked.

“
Sure thing,” Vance smiled and walked away to the concession stand.

Alan also decided to let the ladies catch up and headed off to find some friends of his he had seen earlier. Beth and Misty chatted about everything they had missed over the past ten years. Misty spoke of her old life with Brad and about the baby they lost. She also went ahead and informed Beth of how she had caught him cheating on her to which Beth replied with a shocked expression and a rather vulgar expletive. Beth quickly covered her mouth after the words came out and the two women laughed. Beth went on to tell Misty about her wedding and the recent death of her father.

“
Oh Beth, I’m so sorry,” Misty said compassionately.

“
Thanks, Misty. It’s taking some getting used to but we’re all doing better now. My brother and I have been helping our mother out for the past month with the ranch. Well, I guess I should say Dylan is helping Mom out more than I am.” She chuckled. “I have come down with a bad case of all day sickness here lately so I haven’t been too helpful.”

“
Oh, how is your brother? I haven’t seen him in ages,” Misty asked.

“
He’s doing really well considering everything that’s transpired here lately. He was living in Oklahoma for the past few years and came back after Dad’s accident,” Beth informed her. “He’s around here somewhere. Oh there he is. Dylan!” Beth called out.

Dylan turned to look for the voice that called out his name. He scanned the crowd and saw his sister waving him over. She was standing next to a tall, thin woman with shiny brown hair that had streaks of gold when the sun hit it just right. Her skin looked like it had been kissed by the sun. She had her back to him and his eyes scanned her over from head to toe.
Not bad,
he thought to himself as he approved of her attractiveness from behind. But as he got closer he could feel his heart start to race a little. When she turned her face to look at him he felt his heart drop.

“
Dylan, you remember my best friend from high school don’t you?” Beth asked.

Dylan couldn’t help but stare. She was just as beautiful as he remembered her. He looked into her gem like eyes and smiled. “Of course, Misty right?” he asked trying to sound casual.

Misty returned his smile and sweetly replied, “Yes that’s right.” She couldn’t help but notice how attractive Dylan was. All those years hanging out with Beth she never really paid any attention to her older brother. She may have seen him in passing and thought he was cute. But seeing him now, all grown up, well Misty couldn’t help but think that he was more than just cute. She let her eyes give him a once over and thought that the pale yellow button up shirt he was wearing complimented his golden tanned skin very nicely. Misty also thought that his jeans fit him perfectly.
Gotta love a man who can fill out a pair of Wranglers,
she thought to herself and stifled a giggle.

“
You ok?” Beth asked as she glanced at Misty with a puzzled look.

“
I’m fine,” she said, collecting herself. “So Dylan, Beth said that you’ve been living in Oklahoma?”

Dylan told Misty all about his life in Oklahoma and how he did it as a favor for his friend. All the while he kept thinking about how wonderful it was to see her. They may have only said a handful of words to each other back in the day, but Dylan couldn’t help but have fallen in love with her. He remembered how he used to think about her all the time; about her smile, her eyes that sparkled all the time, and how when she laughed she did it whole heartedly. But he never could muster up the courage to ask her on a date. However, he knew that even though this was what he considered a lucky meeting, he would never have his chance to be with her. She was a married woman last time he heard. She was probably here with her husband.
Lucky bastard,
Dylan thought to himself.

“
Well, that’s my story. So what’s yours?” Dylan asked. He wanted to spend as much time with her as he could before her husband came and swooped in, taking her away from him. Even though he knew there would never be anything more between them, he enjoyed this moment for all it’s worth.

“
Well.” She chuckled. “I’m actually living in town again. Well not in town exactly, but on my parent’s ranch.”

“
That’s nice,” he replied. He opened his mouth to continue with their conversation, but stopped when he noticed someone approaching from the corner of his eye.