TWENTY
Gramps stood with his back to Terra as he drank his coffee. He’d used store-bought grounds today instead of the beans he roasted himself. That should tell her something. She joined him in staring out the kitchen window at the mountains, and in the near distance, a couple of horses grazed in the meadow beyond the stables. A picture-perfect scene. Terra understood why he so often stood at this window—the scenery calmed his nerves and gave him peace.
He and Owen had arrived home late this morning to the news of the break-in. Investigators discovered the safe in his office had been broken into.
“What was in the safe, Gramps?”
“The usual. Insurance policies, personal and financial documents, some cash. Nothing special. Someone thought they’d check out the place and look for a safe. Maybe I give the impression I have money.” A boisterous laugh erupted. “What was I thinking? A safe behind a picture is probably an easy target. I’ll put Owen on moving it for me. Can’t trust these yahoos out here. Someone at a bar probably blabbed about putting it in.”
“So, you had the safe installed recently?”
“A few months back.”
The safecracker had drilled into the locking mechanism to open it, and with that information, authorities knew the intruder had been in the house and done his work before she got home. To think that someone had been in the house with her, biding his time for a chance to escape, left her unsettled. She rubbed the goosebumps that suddenly rose on her arms, then poured herself another cup of coffee. She would need it after the night she’d had.
“And why did you suddenly decide to install a safe after living here for decades?”
He set his mug in the sink and turned to study her. The skin around his eyes crinkled with his smile. “Well, you know, I added an alarm system. Figured I should go all the way.”
He patted her shoulder as he moved away from her. Was he trying to avoid more questions? Gramps headed out of the kitchen.
“They’ll find whoever was behind the theft, Gramps. They processed for fingerprints last night and got a cast on the tracks as well as the footprints in the woods and around the house.”
He paused, then turned to face her. The lines in his face deepened, making him look ten years older. “You could have been killed because someone wanted in my safe.” Gramps closed the distance and hugged her. “You and Owen mean everything to me.”
“And you mean the same to us. Family is everything.”
“One of these days, the two of you will get the ranch,” he said. “You’ll get it all.”
She scrunched her face. “You’ll probably outlive the both of us. You’re as strong as those horses out there you love so much. You’re not going anywhere anytime soon.”
“I sure hope not. I have a campaign I need to focus on in the coming months.”
He was really going to run for office. Terra wasn’t sure how she felt about that, but it wasn’t her life or decision to make, and she wouldn’t get into it with Gramps now.
Owen stepped into the kitchen, smelling of horses and hay. He’d gone straight to the stables when they’d arrived this morning. Terra wasn’t sure he’d even registered that an intruder had broken in last night.
A big grin spread across his face. “Hey.” He eyed Terra. “I need to go wash up. You staying for a while?”
“No. I have to get to work.”
“Come on then, I’ll walk you out.”
Terra rinsed out her mug and put it away, then grabbed her bag and jacket.
Owen strolled with her to her vehicle parked in the circular drive. “Are you okay?”
She opened the door but remained standing. “Sure. I’m wondering about Gramps. Has he been acting strange?”
He shrugged. “I’ve been away a while, you know. But not that I can tell. He was a huge help to me with the equestrian therapists. You know he has that way about him. Everyone likes him, and respects him. He can make anything happen, if he wants to.”
“I’m glad the trip was good for you then. This is going to be great, Owen.”
He grinned.
“Do me a favor,” she added, “and keep a close eye on Gramps and the house.”
“Because of the break-in?”
“Yes.”
“I still have skills.” Owen winked.
Owen put on a good show to hide his true misgivings, but he would be okay. She believed that. Now and then she saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. He’d been a warrant officer and had planned to be a career helicopter pilot. Flying Apache attack helicopters in the Army was a dangerous career, and Terra was just glad to have him home alive.
Those thoughts she kept to herself.
A contemplative expression took away his smile as he glanced toward the house. Terra suspected he had more to say, but she knew that look. He wouldn’t talk to her about it now, and she also knew better than to push him.
She gave Owen a quick peck on the cheek. “Don’t forget to take that shower, but you should probably wait until you’re done with the horses for the day.”
Her cell rang. Jack. She flashed a smile at her brother. “Okay, I need to take this call. I’ll see you later. Don’t wait up for me.”
When she answered her cell, either Jack had ended the call or the signal had dropped. She climbed into her vehicle and reached for the door.
“Terra, wait.” Owen crossed his arms.
“What is it?”
“We haven’t had a lot of time to talk, and I just wanted you to know that I do plan to get my own place. It’s just Gramps. He asked me to stay and I agreed, at least for a while.”
“You have to do what’s right for you, Owen. If this therapy venture works out for you, then it makes the most sense for you to stay here. I’m sure Gramps welcomes the company.
