Wild Borders

Wild borders

Cheyenne McCray

Acknowledgment:

Thank you to all the border patrol agents,

ranchers, and residents of southeastern Arizona

who aided me in my research for Wild Borders

When I began researching for Wild Borders, I was given the utmost courtesy by members of the U.S. Border Patrol. I enjoyed going on a “ride-along” with a Special Operations Supervisor, as well as the interviews with the Supervisor and Border Patrol Agents.

The ranchers and residents of Cochise County in Southeastern Arizona were especially accommodating, giving me their views and opinions on the climate of living in a border community and how the situation affected them.

Changes have taken place since I originally researched and wrote Wild Borders. Although I have attempted to accommodate some of these changes, I have kept most as it was originally written to stay true to my plotline.

I have taken liberties with buildings and locations throughout the towns of Douglas and Bisbee. However the histories of both Bisbee and Tombstone are well-known and what I included in this book should be fairly accurate.

In this same corner of Arizona, I grew up on a ranch much like the JL Star. I hope you enjoy your visit to this little part of the world that I’m originally from, and a place that I still love to revisit from time to time.

Chey McCray

Prologue

“Now that the divorce is final, it’s time you started dating again, Lani.” Calinda picked up a shrimp roll with her chopsticks. Her blue eyes sparkled and she gave an impish grin. “You need a
real
man.”

“Mmmm-hmm.” Theresa snatched a pork bun from the carousel at the center of the table. “You’ve got that right, girl. James was nothing but a loser. You’re well rid of the jerk, and it’s time you started living.”

Lani Simms tucked a strand of honey-blonde hair behind her ear and forced a smile. She had agreed to having lunch with her two friends, a sort of bon voyage party, but she couldn’t agree with their matchmaking efforts over the past couple of months. Theresa Cortez had been Lani’s editor at San Francisco’s
City by the Bay
magazine for the last five years, and was her closest friend. Calinda Foxe owned the travel agency that the newspaper used for all of the staff’s travel arrangements.

Theresa had introduced Lani and Calinda ages ago, and the three enjoyed eating
dim sum
once a week at their favorite Chinese restaurant on Grant Street. The place was filled with tantalizing smells and it was impossible to not want to try a little bit of everything from the
dim sum
cart.

“Like I’ve told you before, I don’t need a man.” Lani studied the plates of food on the carousel and decided on another potsticker. “I’ve sworn off men. Who needs them, anyway?” She poured a generous amount of soy sauce over the dumpling and cut it with her fork before using her chopsticks to eat it.

“Save one of those egg rolls for me,” Calinda said to Theresa. “I know you’ll swipe ‘em all if I don’t keep an eye on you.”

Theresa snorted and tossed her black hair over her shoulder. “You snooze, you lose.”

With a laugh, Calinda snagged the last egg roll off the carousel. “Lani, how can you swear off men when you’ve only had one, and the biggest ass of the century, no less?”

Lani sighed. “He was enough of an ass to turn me off for a lifetime.”

“Well, I think you should keep your options open.” Calinda tilted her head and studied Lani. “Who knows, maybe you’ll meet someone on this trip out to Arizona.”

“Oh, sure.” Lani rolled her eyes. “That’s all I need—a three week relationship with some cowboy.”

“This trip will be good for you.” Theresa pointed a chopstick at her. “It’ll be an awesome series of articles and it’ll give you a chance to put some distance between you and the jerk.”

Steam warmed Lani’s hand as she poured tea from the teapot into the small porcelain cup. She usually enjoyed the relaxing scent of green tea, but talking about James automatically made her tense. She picked up the Chinese teacup and frowned into the tealeaves.

Calinda cut her egg roll with her knife. “So, tell me about this rancher you’ll be staying with.”

Grateful for the change in topic, Lani shrugged. “Not much to tell. My friend Trace MacLeod—er, Lawless—arranged for me to board with Charles and Sadie Turner who own a small ranch about twenty-five miles from the U.S.—Mexico border.”

“Why not a hotel?” Calinda asked.

“After Lani told me about her friend and this rancher couple,” Theresa said, “I figured it would be perfect for the feature if she actually stayed on a ranch. The Turners belong to the Cattleman’s Association and know all the ranchers in the area.” She turned to Lani, “And like Trace said, they have contacts with the U.S. Border Patrol, so you’re bound to get some inside information.”

Lani sipped her tea and sighed. “All the same, I still feel a little uncomfortable imposing on them.”

“Nonsense.” Theresa dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “People in that part of the country are known for their hospitality.”

Calinda nodded. “You’ll have a great time and come home with a terrific feature.”

“I hope you’re right about this,” Lani said.

Theresa reached for the teapot and poured herself a cup. “Of course we are. After all, I’m your editor and I know everything that’s good for you.”

Lani stared heavenward. “Yeah, right.”

“Oh, and I’ve already lined up an interview for you with the mayor of Douglas, Eduardo Montaño,” Theresa said.

Lani looked back at her friend. “Isn’t he expected to win a seat in the U.S. Congress in this fall’s election?”

“Sure is.” Theresa nodded and sipped her tea. “And a fine looking man. He has such charisma and sex appeal. And what a bod.”

“I don’t know about that.” Lani shrugged. “He doesn’t do anything for me.”

Theresa brushed her heavy fall of thick black hair over her shoulder. “I wouldn’t kick that man out of bed.”

“Is that all you think about?” Lani replied with a teasing look to her friend.

Calinda leaned forward. “I think Lani just needs to get laid by a real man.”

“Calinda!” Heat flushed over Lani and she was sure she was as crimson as the tablecloth.

“Mmmm—hmmm.” Theresa chuckled. “It always cracks me up how bright red Lani turns when she’s embarrassed. But I have to agree with Calinda.”

“Oh, my.” Calinda’s gaze followed something across the room. “Talk about a fine hunk of cowboy ass.”

Lani tossed a look over her shoulder, and her jaw almost hit the table. Calinda wasn’t kidding. Well over six feet with broad shoulders and a trim waist and an ass you could just bite. He was wearing boots, a Stetson and Wranglers, and looked a little out of place in the Chinese restaurant, but
damn
.

He was helping a petite brunette sit down and then took the seat opposite her. Just as Lani tried to tear her gaze away, the man removed his Stetson and set it on the chair beside him—and then he looked up, right at Lani.

For that moment, that fraction of time, the world seemed to stop revolving. Heat flushed Lani and her nipples tightened beneath her blouse. He gave a sexy smile and Lani turned back to the table so fast her head spun.

Only to see her two friends grinning at her like a pair of idiots.

“You’re ready,” Theresa said with a nod. “I’d bet if that man didn’t have a date he’d be more than willing to teach you all about roping and wrangling.”

“Shush.” Lani’s cheeks were still warm. The cowboy’s presence was so tangible, it was like he was right next to her.

Calinda laughed. “I think we found Lani’s weakness. Cowboys.”

“Check please,” Lani said as the waiter paused at their table. She turned back to her friends. “I’m not interested in having casual sex, or finding myself a cowboy, so let’s just change the subject.” Lani accepted the tray with the luncheon bill and three fortune cookies. “Okay, ladies, time for the ritual. You go first, Theresa.”

“Give me a good one.” Theresa took hers, closed her eyes, brought the fortune cookie to her lips and kissed it. She cracked the cookie, then opened her eyes to read the slip of paper inside, “Success in conspiracy is yours.”

“That sounds just like you,” Lani said with a laugh.

Calinda giggled and then repeated the tradition. “It is wise to use a light touch in matters of the heart.”

After Lani performed the ritual, she broke her cookie open and rolled her eyes. “Oh, pleeeeeeease.”

“What?” Theresa demanded, and Calinda leaned close to Lani, trying to read the fortune over her shoulder.

With a grimace, Lani read, “Love comes in a tall, dark and handsome package.”

Theresa and Calinda exchanged looks and burst out laughing.

“See? It’s in the stars,” Calinda said between fits of giggles. “You’re destined to find love.”

“No thanks.” Lani shook her head and sighed. “Not this girl.”

* * * * *

The day after her lunch with Calinda and Theresa, Lani spent a busy, tiring afternoon shopping for her business trip. On her way home, the wail of a saxophone floated on the evening breeze, a haunting sound that touched Lani’s soul as nothing else could. Old Louie was playing for coins outside Da Vinci’s Bakery as usual, and as usual, his sad, sad music made her feel even more alone.

She couldn’t help but think of the night she had left James. December, over six months ago.

“You disgust me,” James had said with a sneer as he tossed his coat over the back of the ivory divan. “I see my friends with their 110-pound wives. And then I see you.” His handsome face contorted with distaste, ice-gray eyes calculating and cruel.

Lani’s face burned as if he had slapped her and her knuckles whitened from the death grip she had on her satin evening bag.

James R. Kavanaugh III, the lawyers’ lawyer. He should have been a surgeon, so well he could slice with words instead of blades. No other remark could have twisted inside her like a rusted knife, shredding the already damaged remains of her self-esteem. Lani was tall and large-boned, and she was comfortable at being a size 14. But it wasn’t good enough for James. After their marriage, he had begun verbally and emotionally abusing her, insisting that she become rail thin. Gradually, over the years, she had started to see herself through his eyes, the abuse taking its toll.

“You were the fattest woman at the Christmas party tonight,” James continued, moving across the Persian carpet to the wet bar. “I’m sure I was the laughingstock of the entire firm.”

Flames ignited in Lani’s stomach, and her chest tightened. Her jaw ached from clenching her teeth to hold back the words he wanted to hear. Not this time.

Ice clinked against crystal, and then James poured himself a scotch. “Well?” he asked.

Lani knew he was waiting for her to cry so that he could continue his tirade. Like her mother had accepted her father’s constant berating, Lani was letting the same thing happen to her in hopes of saving her marriage, of wanting to keep from being a failure.

No. Never again
, she promised herself.
Never again
.

James’ss eyes narrowed. “Lani, I want—”

“I don’t care what you want.”

She flinched as he slammed the glass onto the marble counter of the wet bar. Scotch splashed on his expensively tailored shirt. “Excuse me?”

Lani fought to shove the hurt down deep inside, fought to keep her voice from trembling. And for once, she managed not to burst into tears. Never had she been so furious. Never had her thoughts been so clear.

San Francisco city lights glittered outside the picture window as her gaze swept over the sterile living room of their home. The abstract paintings, the cold black and white furnishings, the spotless décor where not a speck of dust dare remain. No, it wasn’t a home, and it never had been.

It was a prison.

“What did you just say?” James’ss voice was ruthless, tinged with his fury. “Answer me.”

Lani faced him, raising her chin to keep her stare level with his. “Why don’t you find yourself a wife who fits your precious parameters?”

“Lani!” A mixture of surprise and rage flickered across James’ss sculpted features. “You had best be careful what you ask for.”

Waves of anger washed over Lani. Hot, satisfying anger. She was asking for exactly what she wanted. Exactly what she would have. As James strode across the floor, she loathed everything about him, from his perfect hair to his perfect stride. He stopped only a foot away and reached for her.

Lani dodged him, the heavy musk of his aftershave causing her stomach to churn.

She turned her back on James, feeling his icy stare stabbing between her shoulder blades. Trying to stop her. Trying to bend her once again, and make her crawl. But she was through with crawling.

Lani’s steps actually quickened as she walked to the front door. The click of her heels on the Italian tile foyer thrilled her. The sound felt angry, true, and free.

“Where are you going?” James demanded. “Get back here! I’m not finished with you.”

She snatched her coat from the expensive coat tree beside the door. With one hand on the door handle, Lani paused and faced him. “Well, I’m finished with you. We’re over, James.”

“What?” he shouted, spittle flying from his mouth. “Don’t you dare walk out that door. You’ll regret it!”

The two-carat marquis diamond of her wedding ring glinted, the sparkle as cold as James’ss eyes. Lani slipped the wide band from her finger and looked up at her husband, the man who had spent the last five years trying to destroy her emotionally. She gave a grim smile and tossed the ring to him.

His jaw dropped in shock as he caught the diamond. “Lani!”

“Goodbye, James.”

And she walked out.

On five years of marriage. Five years of verbal and emotional abuse, and fear of what would happen when she dared to take the lawyer to court.

All her dreams, turned to ashes.

She could almost imagine the dirty remains of their so-called love rolling out with the San Francisco fog.

Lani shivered as she brought herself back to the present, forcing the memory to the back of her mind. Sometimes it made her feel stronger, proud of herself.

Other times, the memory just made her feel empty.

She hugged her jacket tight as she walked toward her apartment. It was the middle of summer, but thanks to the cool San Francisco climate, she was freezing her tail off. She was carrying shopping bags filled with lightweight clothing she had bought at Macy’s and Nordstrom’s for the upcoming business venture. From what she had read and been told, it would be hot in southeastern Arizona. She was looking forward to seeing new horizons, and thrilled to be leaving her jacket behind.

At the same time, her stomach clenched at the thought of flying. God, how she hated to fly. At least it was a commercial airliner, not a little commuter plane. She would never get on one of those things again. Ever.

Cars honked along Market Street, and sirens screamed in the distance, but the sounds were almost drowned out by Old Louie’s forlorn tune. Lani stopped to pull a dollar out of her purse and a handful of coins, and tossed them into the open saxophone case. Old Louie nodded and smiled around the mouthpiece, and kept on playing.

Lani’s footsteps echoed as she jogged up the narrow steps to her apartment above the Italian bakery. Smells of fresh baked bread and cookies filled the air, and it took an incredible amount of willpower not to succumb to the temptation of ducking into the shop and purchasing a
canoli
or two.

As she reached the top of the stairs the delicious smells faded, replaced by the odors of must and age. When she stepped into the hall she unlocked the door to her apartment, and hurried inside.

After she locked the door behind her, she flipped on the light and took a deep breath. She dropped her packages and wandered into her small living room, trying to calm her tense nerves. Her apartment was her haven—warm and inviting—and she loved it. She had wanted to be surrounded by color and chose to decorate her place in hues that would remind her that she was free of James.

The furnishings were eighteenth century antiques, upholstered in a deep cranberry. A tasteful area rug covered the floor with a pattern of flowers done in cranberry, pinks, forest and sage-green. Impressionist oil paintings decorated her walls, all done in vibrant tones. If she wasn’t away from home so often, she would have filled the house with plants and pets. She wanted to be surrounded by living things, but the best she could do for now were silk flower arrangements and foliage.

Despite Lani’s relief at being divorced from her ex-husband, a wave of loneliness washed over her as she stood in the tiny living room. She would never get used to that feeling.

Hollow. Empty. Alone.

And that was exactly what she had been for the past five years, regardless of her marriage to James. He had come into her life before everything had spiraled out of control. Then, in her vulnerable state, he had convinced her that she needed him. That he would help fill the void in her life. Instead, she discovered that the man she married was a stranger. A stranger bent on dominating her.

Automatically, Lani moved to the brick fireplace mantle and picked up the silver framed picture of her family. Her mother’s soft smile, her sister Naya’s gamin grin. Lani’s own innocent expression, her brown eyes alight with happiness and love.

Then there was their father behind them, the military general with a heart as impenetrable as an army tank. He hadn’t known how to love and his words had always been hard and cutting. Lani realized now that she had grown up with emotional abuse almost as bad as what she’d gone through with James. She just hadn’t known any different or any better.

It made her heart ache even more to know that she didn’t miss her father as much as she missed her mother and sister. She didn’t miss the cold and cutting words, but he was her father and she had loved him despite it all.

But more than anything, Lani missed her soft spoken mother and her mischievous sister.

Lani caressed the cool metal of the frame and squeezed her eyes shut.
I am not going to cry. Tears can’t change anything.
Her chin trembled in defiance of her resolution, and she bit her lip to hold back the tears.

Taking another deep breath, she opened her eyes gave a smile. She would be on her way to Arizona tomorrow.

And just maybe she wouldn’t be coming back. Tucson might be a nice place to move to—far from all the memories that weighted her here.