Kit & Rogue (The Sons of Dusty Walker) (8 page)

The weathered-faced gentleman she’d known for a decade, gave her a quick hug. “I hope he doesn’t. You deserve only the best this world has to offer. And if he does…he has to answer to me.”

Telling her mother the news was actually easier than Kit imagined. When she arrived at her family home, it was to find Sheila in the midst of a major house cleaning. Stacks and piles of things were all over the front room–clothes, housewares, papers. “What are you doing?”

“Oh, you’re back!” Kit found herself smothered in her mother’s embrace. “I’m doing some serious sorting and culling. Getting rid of dust-catchers and bad memories.”

“I can see that. Are you okay?” Kit asked, seeing the circles under her mother’s eyes. “Have you been sleeping?”

“Oh, I’m good.” She waved her hand at the mess around them. “This needed to be done. No time like the present.” Looking at her daughter, she smiled. “You look great! I see you got some sun. I’m so glad to see you? How was the cruise?”

Kit hesitated, then just plunged in. “I know we were thinking about a big wedding. But…Rogue and I got married onboard ship.” She held her breath, waiting for her mother’s reaction.

“You’re kidding! I’m thrilled!” She gave her daughter another hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I just hate I couldn’t be there to see you.”

“We’ll have a party, renew our vows, do something special soon, I promise.”

“The most important thing is that you’re happy and no one is more deserving than you.” Sheila had been with Kit the night Rogue had overheard her defending him, revealing that she was pregnant–the night he’d proposed. Her mother wished her well. “I think Rogue is a good man. He reminds me of your father.”

“He means the world to me. I trust him completely.” Finding solace in Sheila’s words, Kit offered her mother support in the ordeal with Dave. “If there’s anything you need, let me know.”

Dave was being sent to prison and she was trying to sort out the mess he’d left and initiate proceedings for a divorce. “I have a meeting tomorrow with Mr. Benner, he’s offered to help me.” Shelia patted her hair. “He was kind to me when I called him on the phone.” Giving her daughter a smile, she added coquettishly. “He’s a widower, you know.”

Kit bit her tongue. Instead of the admonishing warning she wanted to give her mother, she settled for encouragement. “I know this has been hard on you. Losing Daddy, being tricked by Dave Parker, almost losing our home–it’s been a lot to deal with. Rogue will help us get everything straight. I know Mr. Benner is helping him and his brothers with D. Walker Mineral, he puts Rogue to sleep sometimes, but I think he’s a decent guy.” Giving her mother another hug, she added. “Just take things slow this time.”

Her mother looked a bit guilty. “I did rush things with Dave. But I’d known him for years, we thought he was your father’s friend.”

“True.” Kit picked up a greeting card from one pile. Dave had sent it to Sheila. The hearts and flowers on the front made her sad. “I guess it’s hard to really know a person. He fooled me too.”

They talked awhile longer. Kit didn’t tell her mother about the missing horse, she didn’t want to add to Sheila’s worry. Between the Sheriff and Rogue, they’d handle it the best way they could. “I’ll see you later, Mom. I’m headed over to my house to unpack, then I’m going into town to see Rogue.”

“Is he fitting in at D. Walker Mineral?” her mother asked as she stood by the driver’s side door of Kit’s truck.

“Yes, I think so. I haven’t spent much time with his brothers yet, but if they are anything like him, they’re good men. I know he wants to develop a relationship with them, that’s more important to him than the company itself. He’s just having to change habits of a lifetime. His relationship with his father was a difficult one.”

“I realize that. I don’t approve of everything Dusty did, he hurt his wife in his quest to have heirs–but he did have a good heart. I’m sure Rogue is just like him in that respect.”

Kit nodded. “Take care, Mom. I’ll call you later.” Her mother lifted a hand in farewell. As she drove off, Kit wondered at both Jack and her mother comparing Rogue and his father. She hadn’t known Dusty well, but she did know Rogue. He would never hurt her–of that she was certain.

*  *  *

“Being certain of something, doesn’t make it so.” Rogue got up from his desk at D. Walker Mineral to shut his office door. What he had to say wasn’t appropriate for ladies’ ears. “Listen to me, sir. I have perfect fuckin’ credit. I did not put those damn charges on my credit card and I have never been late on a payment in my life.” He listened for a second, then replied. “Shit no, I don’t get a fuckin’ bill, I have the account set up for automatic debits from my bank account.”

Rogue stopped to let the other man talk. Pacing around the room, he listened. “What the fuck?” He went to his desk, sat down and turned on the laptop. After a few clicks, he yelled. “Son of a bitch!” A few people out in the lobby area turned to look, but he ignored them. “No, I don’t know what’s happening. I’ve got to contact my lawyer and see what the hell’s going on.”

Slamming down the phone, he made a few more clicks. There was no doubt about it. His personal bank account was…empty. Checks that he hadn’t written, withdrawals that he hadn’t made had cleaned him out. Angry and frustrated, Rogue picked up the phone again, giving Zane a call. In a few seconds, he answered.

“I wondered when I’d hear from you, Walker.”

“Well, I need to talk to you. I’ve got problems.”

“I’m aware. Elijah and I are on our way, we’re actually in Kansas City waiting on a small charter to bring us to Red Creek.”

This surprised Rogue. “Wait. How did you know about the credit card and my bank account?” There was some noise on the line. Rogue could hear Zane and Elijah talking. “What’s going on, Zane?”

“Look, this isn’t something to talk about on the phone. Just give us a bit. We’ll be there in a little while. Are you in town or…” Zane hesitated, and Rogue jumped in.

“I’m at D. Walker, I’ll wait on you.” Rogue slammed the phone down. He felt violated. Someone had stolen from him and he intended to find out who it was.

A knock on the door caused him to lift his head, it was Abby. “How was the trip?” she asked with a smile.

The question took him by surprise. He gave a wry laugh. Even though they’d just returned, the cruise seemed like a month ago. It was odd how something could happen and just take the shine off of everything. He took a deep breath, trying to put things in perspective. This was bad, but it was just a mistake–hell, it was just money. He’d straighten it out or he’d make some more. What was important waited for him at home–Kit.

“The cruise was wonderful.” Rogue gave his employee a sincere smile. “I came home a married man. Kit and I were married on the ship.”

“Wow! Congratulations!” Abby exclaimed, then grew serious. “We’ve all known Kit a long time. We were never really close, she was a year or two ahead of me in school, but she’s one of our own.” Raising one finger, she wagged it at Rogue. “You treat her right. None of your Daddy’s shenanigans. Do you hear me?”

Rogue started to remind her who was boss, but he could tell she was sincere. “I don’t intend to treat Kit with anything but love and respect.”

To Rogue’s surprise, Abby didn’t look convinced. “You’d better.” Pausing, as if weighing her words, she finally exhaled and pinned Rogue with a stare. “We had a visitor while you were gone. A Hispanic girl named Lucia. She was looking for you.”

Damn! Rogue dry-scrubbed his face. “I think I know who you’re talking about. I never met the woman before last week. She’s a stranger to me.”

Abby looked skeptical. “You’d better be good to Kit, Rogue Walker. I know where you live.”

“Of course I’m going to be good to her. I love her.”

“That’s what your Daddy said…” She stopped when there was a commotion at the front. A flurry of activity caused them both to turn. “It’s Kit!” Abby exclaimed and she ran to greet her. Before Rogue could join them, the receptionist made an announcement. “Everyone! Kit and Rogue are married!” The ensuing clamor of congratulations and hugs and questions reminded Rogue why he didn’t enjoy group activities.

Kit could see that Rogue was uncomfortable. She was worried about her horse, but the look on his face made her worry more about him. He wasn’t enjoying the confusion and all the attention he was getting, that was obvious. Her wifely instincts–she smiled at the thought–told her this was something more. After thanking everyone profusely, she took her husband by the hand. “Will you excuse us?”

He appeared grateful and added his final thanks to hers. Once they were alone in his office, they both started to speak at the same time.

“I need to tell…”

“Something’s just happened…”

Both stopped talking. Kit motioned. “You go first.”

Rogue looked at the clock, then at her. “Let’s go to the saloon. We can get an out of the way booth and talk. I need a drink.”

Kit didn’t argue, she picked up her purse and went with him.

“Abby, if anyone comes looking for me, we’re going to be at the saloon having coffee.” And maybe something stronger, he thought.

She gave them a generous smile. “Aww, you two want to be alone.” She nodded. “Sure, I’ll let anyone know who asks…unless…”

Rogue gave her a hard look and she closed her lips. He almost expected her to do a key-locking motion, but she didn’t. He let out a long breath. God, things had gone downhill fast.

The saloon was only three blocks from D. Walker Mineral. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been here,” Kit said as he held the door for her.

The tone of her voice told him something entirely different. Even though Rogue felt like shit, his Kit could make him smile. “Have you ever been in here, my good girl?”

As she stepped in, Kit looked around as if expecting something to jump out at her. “Once. I was selling raffle tickets for the church.”

“It’s eleven o’clock in the morning, I can promise you the sin level is at a minimum.” He led her to an empty booth in the back. “Besides, I know you have a wild side.” Rogue whispered in her ear. “I’ve seen it firsthand.”

Kit blushed. “That’s different. It’s you,” she explained as if her explanation made sense–and to Rogue, it did. She belonged to him. He was the only man who would ever see her wild side and that was the way he wanted it to be.

Once they were seated, a waitress came by to take their drink order. Kit wanted a diet soda and Rogue just ordered coffee. He realized he needed to keep a clear head. “We’ll get something to eat a little later.” Right now they had things to discuss.

He was just about to spill his bad news when Kit just blurted hers out.

“Rogue, my Palomino mare was stolen while we were gone.”

His mouth dropped open. “You’ve got to be kidding. How did you find out?”

“Jack Alfred, a White Wing employee was watching after them while we were on the cruise. He got up one morning and she was gone. He found vehicle tracks at one of the gates. The sheriff’s been notified, but there’s not a lot to go on.”

“Well, damn. I’m so sorry.” He started racking his brain to think of something to do. “I don’t guess you had any kind of chip implanted in her or anything like that.”

“Good idea, but no.” Kit sighed. “We can send someone around to the sale barns and check out the stock, but I’m thinking this will be hard to solve.”

“I’m afraid you’re right.” She leaned back in the seat while the waiter served them. When he was gone, she took a sip, then looked at Rogue again. “I’m just afraid that whoever did it will come back for more.”

“Maybe we should put up cameras.”

“I thought about that and we should,” she said. “Tonight, I’m bringing them all in the barn by the house. They’d rather be out at night and not cooped up, but that’s all I can think of at the moment to do.”

“I’ll help you round them up as soon as I can this evening,” he offered and she gave him a grateful smile.

“Thank you.” Covering his big hand with hers, she caressed it. He was so strong, so capable. And hers. “Now, what’s wrong with you? I noticed you were a bit more upset in the office than a little congratulatory session should make you.”

Rogue took his Stetson off and set it on the table. He held her gaze. “Well, I’ve run into some trouble. You remember when my credit card was declined?”

“Yea, of course. Did you call the company and find out what the problem is?”

“I did.” He shook his head. “My card was declined because it was maxed out. It was stolen, I suppose, or my number was hacked.”

“You’re disputing the charges aren’t you?”

“Sure.” Rogue huffed. This certainly wasn’t the conversation he’d been hoping to have just after returning from his honeymoon. “That wasn’t all.”

Kit could see how troubled he was, she felt the tension even in his outstretched hand. “What? Tell me.”

“My bank account was wiped out. Someone got the numbers and just cleaned me out, maxed my card–hell, I don’t know how this happened.”

“Oh, my God!” She sat up straighter, then realized she’d yelled, gaining the attention of almost everyone in the room. “What are you going to do? Call the police?”

Rogue took a deep breath, realizing he needed to reassure his wife. “Don’t worry. I called Zane. He’s coming up and bringing Elijah with him. Apparently they have some information.” Seeing she was still upset, he added. “Look, I have various holdings in various accounts. We’re by no means destitute.”