The Heiress of Covington Ranch (Samantha Wolf Mysteries Book 4) Read online

  Lisa insisted that they take today off. Turns out it’s for the best, because Cassy asked her and Ally to go somewhere with her that’s very special. It’s the anniversary of Cassy’s mom’s death. Eleven years ago today, cancer took her away, and ever since she was old enough, she’s gone to put flowers on her mother’s grave.

  Pulling into the parking lot of the one city park their town maintains, Sam feels a sudden, sharp sense of loss for Cassy. It makes her appreciate her mom, and feel a bit guilty about how she felt last night during the light lecture she received. Sam can’t begin to imagine what it would be like, not having her mom around.

  “Thanks for doing this, you guys,” Cassy says, dropping her bike in the grass. “I’ve never come to the cemetery by myself. Grams has always been with me, but when I mentioned it yesterday, she got very upset and was off for the rest of the day. I think it’s too much for her now. She was doing okay this morning, and I was afraid to upset her again.”

  “We’re honored to come with you,” Ally replies, looping an arm through Cassy’s.

  Sam goes to Cassy’s other side, and together, the three of them head up a gravel trail. It parallels an older, unmaintained path for a short distance, and Sam realizes that it’s the one she was telling Cassy about the other day, the trail that leads to the Covington memorial.

  They soon turn in the other direction, towards an ornate stone entrance, while the other route heads up the hill and into the woods.

  Sam has never been in the town’s cemetery before, and she’s nervous. Crossing the threshold, she sees that it’s a large space, spotted with mature maple trees and surrounded by a high, wrought-iron fence. The footpath branches out into orderly rows, which then thread in between the various headstones. Other than a couple of angel statues, small, plain square cement plaques dominate the cemetery.

  Cassy heads towards the back right corner, and Sam and Ally follow silently. Other than one other person lingering on the opposite side, they’re alone. The cemetery has the same feeling as a church, inspiring whispers and hushed tones. The girls are careful to be respectful. Sam pauses every now and then to read the cement squares. She’s amazed at the various dates and names, and can’t help but wonder about the people they represent.

  Scattered among the nondescript headstones are larger, more elaborate carvings. Cassy stops in front of one of the bigger ones, under a shady tree, and Sam catches her breath when she sees the name ‘Sanchez’ etched into the top. It’s about four by three feet, and a good twelve inches thick. It’s made of a beautiful white marble, with glittering veins of silver threaded through it. Under the proper name is the first name of Elizabeth, her date of birth and death, and then a carving of horseshoe, below. It had to have cost a fortune.

  “What a stunning tombstone,” Ally whispers.

  “Grams told me it was anonymously donated a few years after she was buried,” Cassy explains, kneeling to place her small bouquet of flowers at its base. “I like to think it was from my dad.”

  “I’m sure it was,” Ally agrees. “I’m sure he loves you, too, Cassy.”

  Cassy shrugs and then sits quietly in the grass to the side of the grave.

  “Have you ever thought of trying to find him?” Sam asks. She’s hesitant to bring it up, but if Cassy’s grandma is getting worse, she might need to explore all of her options.

  “No!” Cassy says with some anger, shaking her head vigorously. “He’s known were I’m at. Mom grew up in this town, but she and Grams moved when she was sixteen. They had always planned on coming back. That’s why Grams had her buried here, and then moved here with me. She said they still considered it home.

  “No,” Cassy repeats, standing now and wiping her hands off on her jeans. “I don’t have a father anymore. All I have is Grams.”

  ****

  The pounding on the door sounds frantic, and Sam knows immediately that something is wrong.

  She’s sitting at the dinner table with her mom, Hunter, and the twins, having their customary Sunday night super. She just got through telling them about the earlier trip to the cemetery.

  Sam is the first to spring up from her chair, and beats Hunter to the door. Pulling it open, she’s shocked to see Cassy, her face stricken and eyes red from crying.

  “It’s Grams,” Cassy chokes out, before Sam can ask what’s wrong. “She finally asked me where I was today, and when I told her … she got upset again. But this time,” she continues, fresh tears spilling over, “She forgot who I was, Sam! Grams started yelling at me to get out of her house, like I was a burglar or something. When I tried to calm her down, she grabbed my arm, and tried to drag me out! I’ve never seen her like this. I don’t know what to do!” Sobbing now, Cassy covers her face with her hands.

  Hunter just stares back and forth between Cassy and his sister, at a total loss, but Sam doesn’t hesitate. Gently, she takes Cassy by the shoulders, guiding her inside, and takes her straight to her mom.

  Sam does most of the talking, with Cassy simply nodding and adding information only when necessary. Kathy is kind, but doesn’t give any choices as to what has to be done. She calls 911, requesting a welfare check at the address, after explaining that she believes the elderly woman is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s and might not be safe.

  It’s a tense, long forty-five minutes before an officer calls back. Kathy speaks with him in muted tones from the kitchen. Sam and Cassy sit in the family room with the television on. They aren’t really paying attention to it though, and it’s just a distraction.

  Finally, Sam’s mom comes in and sits across from them, silencing the game show. “Your grandma is okay, Cassy,” she reassures the scared girl. “But she needs medical care. The officer said that the hospital is just starting to run some tests, but it’s already obvious that they’ll be admitting her and holding her for at least a few days, while they determine what’s going to be the best thing for her.”

  “They’re going to take her away!” Cassy wails, panic-stricken.

  “Cassy,” Kathy says soothingly, leaning forward. “I know you love your grandma very much, and you want what’s best for her, right?” When Cassy nods, she takes one of her hands. “You know that she hasn’t been well. With Alzheimer’s, it becomes very hard, and then impossible for family members to care for their loved ones. You have nothing to be ashamed of. They’re going to take very good care of your grandma.”

  “I know she needs help,” Cassy confirms, wiping back tears and visibly working to calm herself down. “I just don’t want them to put her in a home, and then make me go to a foster family where I can never see her again!” The thought threatens to bring on a round of fresh tears, but Kathy cuts her off.

  “I talked to the officer about that. Child Protective Services will have to get involved at some point, if they determine that she can’t go back home. But, I assured the officer that you are more than welcome to stay here with us, until it can be worked out. The policeman is old friends with Sam’s dad, and knows our family well. He said he’s fine with letting you remain here for now.”

  To Sam’s surprise, Cassy suddenly throws herself forward into Kathy’s arms, wrapping her up in a big hug. Kathy gently pats the girl’s back, and looks at Sam over the top of Cassy’s head.

  Yeah, Sam thinks, fighting back her own tears now. I don’t know what I’d do without my mom.

  18

  ORION LANDING

  In spite of the traumatic experience Sunday night, the next week flies by in a flurry of fun activities. There is a sense of excitement over the pending arrival of Lisa’s horse, and the field and stall go from unusable to acceptable in a matter of days.

  Cassy is allowed to visit her grandma on Tuesday, right after school. Sam’s mom takes her, but Sam and Ally wait in the car, to give her privacy. To their surprise, she’s smiling when she returns. The hospital is going to keep her grandma for up to another week, due to some ongoing health concerns, but she’s better than Cassy has seen her in more than a ye
ar. Cassy finally understands that her grandma needs more care than she can provide and will be much better off in a facility where she can get it.

  Cassy fits right into the Wolf household. Although space is tight, there is so much warmth and love, that Cassy is the happiest she can ever remember being. Aside from missing her grandma, and being anxious about what will happen when the week is up, she’s never felt so safe and content.

  On Wednesday, Sam approaches her mom about letting Cassy live with them. They all like the idea, even Hunter. But Kathy explains that it just doesn’t work that way with the state. There is a process in place. Once any chance of a family member caring for Cassy is ruled out, then they begin the placement procedure. To be considered as a foster family involves a complicated series of requirements and interviews. It doesn’t happen quickly, and Cassy likely won’t be allowed to stay with them until they are accepted. Once her grandma is officially judged as unable to care for her, and put into an adult home, Cassy will probably be taken as a ward of the state.

  While the kids are discouraged by the news, Cassy remains hopeful, since Kathy promises to speak with Sam’s dad about it. If he agrees, she’s going to talk with Family Services, and apply for custody.

  When Saturday rolls around, thoughts of mean uncles and stolen gems have faded to the back of Sam’s mind. She’s been so busy with homework, yardwork, Cassy, and dreams of riding Orion, that it simply doesn’t seem that important anymore.

  It’s a bright and unseasonably warm morning when the group of five kids crests the hill to Covington Ranch. John and Hunter have a rare, practice-free Saturday. They’ve offered to spend it working on the broken fountain. John wanted to drive everyone to the house, but the girls are so used to the trek now that they enjoy it. Plus, being on bikes gives the guys the advantage of leaving whenever they want, without having to worry about how the girls will get home.

  “Wait until you see the place,” Ally chirps, her legs pumping hard to keep up with the bigger boys.

  “I’ve been up there tons of times,” Hunter answers. “John and I would take our airsoft guns and have shootouts.”

  “Man, that was like, what? I think three or four years ago. Seems like forever,” John reminisces. He and Hunter drifted apart the last couple of years, after John started high school, leaving his younger friend back in middle school. But now, after a fun summer trip together, they’re back on the same campus, and as close as ever.

  Sam glances over at Ally’s older brother, noting the bright sparkle the dappled sunlight causes in his vibrant blue eyes. His blonde hair is a far cry from Ally’s bright red, and he’s much taller. He’s also a whole lot nicer than her own brother is, even though she and Hunter don’t fight as much as they used to.

  “Slowpoke!” Hunter shouts as he suddenly speeds past her and smacks her lightly on the back of the head, dispelling any pleasant thoughts she had of him.

  Cassy laughs at their antics as Sam struggles to catch up and return the tag. But it turns out that Hunter’s daily football practice proves more strengthening than Sam’s bike rides and he pulls ahead.

  “Come on, guys!” Ally hollers, sweating now as she pushes even harder. “This isn’t a race.” She’s beginning to regret not taking John up on his offer to drive.

  Ally and Cassy are just catching up to Sam and the boys as they reach the driveway to the ranch. Ally stares up at the large, metal letters hanging above them while she pedals under. The letters have more meaning for her now, since she actually knows a Covington.

  Lisa is waiting for them, anxiously bouncing on the heels of her feet. Her smile is contagious, and any thoughts of sibling rivalry or tiring biking are quickly forgotten. Today is the day that Orion gets to come home!

  “Lisa, this is my brother, Hunter, and Ally’s brother, John,” Sam states, introducing the teens to her teacher.

  She shakes each of their hands, surprising them with the strength of her grip. Lisa was brought up to believe that a limp handshake was a sign of someone who was insecure … or insincere.

  “Welcome! Thanks for coming, you guys. I don’t know if this old, crumbly thing can be salvaged,” Lisa explains, waving a glove at the broken fountain and pond spread around it. “I haven’t even tried to turn it on. I’m afraid it’ll just flood everything.”

  “I helped my dad put our underground sprinkler system in,” Hunter explains, “So I know a little about the piping and stuff. I might be able to figure it out.”

  “And my scout group built a pond last summer for an older couple,” John tells her, ignoring Hunter’s eye-rolling. John’s skills picked up through his membership are a source of many jokes, but it’s all good-natured.

  “Well, if you can do something with it, I’ll be very impressed! All of the tools and supplies I have are in the small shed here next to the house. If something you need isn’t there, just let me know. Now,” Lisa continues, turning to Sam and the other two girls. “I had some fresh hay delivered this morning, and there are pitchforks in the largest barn, out around back. Who wants to help spread it before Orion gets here?”

  The three of them race off, leaving Lisa laughing behind them. Sam beats Ally and Cassy, but she’s so winded when she gets there, that she fails to pick up a pitchfork. Cassy grabs one, but then turns and hands it to Sam.

  “How about we take turns?” she suggests, tilting her head to the side in much the same manner that Lisa does when she’s considering something.

  Less than an hour later, the last of the hay has just been spread out in the stall. The timing is perfect, as the hum and clang of a large truck pulling a trailer rumbles up the rough dirt lane.

  “Orion!” Lisa cries, dropping her rake and running outside.

  After greeting the driver, an older man with iron-colored hair and a worn cowboy hat, Lisa hurries to the back of the trailer. Although it’s been nearly nine years since she worked the ranch, she opens the latches with a practiced grace, and leaps inside.

  Sam watches eagerly, and then catches her breath when Lisa leads out the most magnificent horse she has ever seen. He’s tall, close to twenty hands, and the color of midnight. His muscles ripple under his satin coat, which shines with a heavenly brilliance in the sunlight. His mane hangs long and loose, and he tosses it at the girls, as if he knows how handsome he is.

  As soon as he’s on solid ground, Lisa wraps her arms around his neck. After a brief moment where it seems like he is going to try and pull away, he freezes, his muscles visibly tensing. Snickering, he then turns his head, burying his nose into Lisa’s neck, his nostrils flaring as he breathes in her scent. She murmurs something close to his ear, and with a flick of his tail, the horse is transformed. He shudders, whinnies and begins lifting his front feet rhythmically, all the while nibbling at Lisa’s neck, chin, and finally her hair.

  “He remembers you!” Ally squeals, clapping her hands happily.

  “Horses have an incredible memory,” the man, who must be Mr. Hartford, explains, coming around the trailer. “He knows exactly who Lisa is.”

  Lisa finally breaks away from her old friend, eyes misty, and talks with Mr. Hartford briefly before he leaves. Once the back of the trailer is out of sight, she turns back to Orion.

  “Sam, would you like to meet him?” she asks, holding onto his lead.

  Walking up to the Arabian, careful to stay where he can see her, so as not to spook him, Sam reaches out a hand, palm up, for him to smell. When he appears satisfied with her scent, she moves on to touch his neck, shoulders, and then his back, slowly gaining the horse’s trust.

  As she runs a hand along his flank, she notices a unique brand on his haunches. Unlike the standard C/R hooked together, this one is more intricate. The C is turned sideways, with several lines dissecting it, and what looks like a star in the center.

  “Why is this brand different?” Sam asks, turning to face Lisa.

  “Dad had one specially made for Orion, since he was my horse and not a part of the ranch stock. It was just another
way for him to make Jupe special for me.”

  Sam smiles at the nickname, and then turns back to her new friend. Orion won’t be here for long, but she hopes that his visit helps Lisa find some peace. Her smile falters slightly at the realization that Lisa won’t be here much longer, either. Glancing at the special brand again, created by a loving father who is now gone, Sam’s desire to make things right at the ranch is rekindled. Her only fear is that they’re running out of time.

  19

  DECEPTIONS

  It’s been a long day. Sam watches silently as Hunter and John battle out an intense game of foosball, smack-talking each other as their little wooden men kick a soccer ball back and forth. She nibbles absent-mindedly at a large piece of pizza, distracted by her own thoughts of horses, gems, and lost parents.

  “When do you think we’ll be able to ride Orion?” Cassy asks, looking at both Sam and Ally for an answer.

  The three of them are gathered around a folding table at the far end of the game room in Ally and John’s house. Sam was surprised by the invitation for a sleepover. Ally’s parents, Brandon and Elizabeth Parker, don’t normally like a lot of activity going on when they’re trying to relax during their rare time off from work together. However, they are both sitting on the couch at the other end, watching an intense football game on the big screen TV.

  According to John, one of the teams playing is from the college his dad went to, and briefly played ball for, until a knee injury took him out. Mr. Parker shouts good-naturedly at the television, before throwing popcorn towards it.