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"Yeah," he replied, picking up the chairs again. "Don't let gossip ruin the good you're doing here."
The evening drew to a close, with the final guests leaving under the glow of the setting sun. The day's success felt overshadowed by the gnawing concern that had settled in the pit of my stomach. As I walked back to the main house, the lights from the barn casting long shadows on the ground, I made a decision. I couldn’t let this go. I needed to investigate, protect the ranch's legacy and ensure that nothing was threatening this community—from within or without.
Chapter Fifteen
Danny
The hum of the precinct was a constant background noise as I sifted through reports and witness statements from the pharmacy break-in. Something about the way the theft was executed nagged at me—a professionalism that didn't quite fit the usual petty crime pattern in Silver Creek. As I laid out the evidence on my desk, photos, timelines, and snippets of overheard conversations from informants, a pattern began to emerge, one that uncomfortably pointed back towards the ranch.
I rubbed at the bridge of my nose, feeling the onset of a headache. It was becoming increasingly clear that whatever was happening at the ranch was part of a more extensive network. The stolen goods from the pharmacy were pharmaceuticals, which were easy to move and were in high demand. My gut told me this wasn’t a one-off operation but part of a systemic issue that had possibly taken root at Horseshoe Lake Ranch, unbeknownst to Heather.
"Looking pretty deep in thought there, Danny," Jake’s voice cut through my concentration as he leaned against my office doorway. "Everything alright?"
I glanced up, pushing the papers slightly aside. "Just working through this pharmacy case. It's complex, more than I expected. And it might be linked to the ranch."
Jake raised an eyebrow, stepping inside. "The ranch? Heather’s place?"
"Yeah," I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "I’m starting to see a pattern, but I’m not sure how to approach it with Heather. The last thing I want is to reignite old conflicts."
Jake crossed his arms, considering. "You two have been getting along better, right? Maybe just being upfront and honest with her could help. She might know something that could tie all this together."
I nodded slowly, the idea resonating despite my initial reservations. "Yeah, maybe you're right. She’s been straight with me since we cleared the air. It’s only fair I do the same."
With a newfound resolve, I picked up my phone and dialed Heather’s number. The line rang, but there was no answer, just the eventual click of her voicemail. "Heather, it’s Danny. Give me a call when you get this. It’s important." I ended the call with a frown. It wasn’t like her to not answer, especially around this time of day.
The lack of contact gnawed at me as I tried to refocus on the paperwork. But the seed of worry had been planted, and with each passing minute, it grew. What if something had happened? What if the people involved in the pharmacy theft suspected we were onto them and decided to warn Heather off or worse?
“Can't sit around waiting,” I muttered to myself, grabbing my keys and heading for the door. I caught Jake’s questioning look. "Going to check on Heather. Something doesn’t feel right."
"Want backup?" Jake offered, already reaching for his own keys.
I shook my head. "I’ll handle this solo for now. Keep things low-key. I’ll call if I need anything."
The drive to the ranch was tense, each mile adding to the knot of anxiety in my gut. The landscape rolled by, familiar yet distant in my preoccupied state. I replayed our last conversation, her laugh, the ease between us that had felt like a breakthrough. Now, with each turn of the wheel, I wondered if I’d find her ranch as I hoped, serene and safe, or if my arrival would be met with something far less welcoming.
Pulling into the driveway of Horseshoe Lake Ranch, the ranch house came into view, peaceful and picturesque as always, but the tranquility did little to ease my concerns.
I parked the car and sat for a moment, collecting my thoughts. The place looked calm, maybe too calm. With a deep breath, I got out of the car and closed the door with a soft click.
As I approached Heather's front door, a sudden shout broke the stillness of the ranch. "Tyler! I need you now!" Heather's voice, laced with urgency, cut through the air. I hesitated at the door, my hand poised to knock, then turned toward the source of the commotion—a commotion that seemed to be coming from the direction of the stables.
Without a second thought, I jogged towards the stables. As I neared, I saw Heather standing by one of the stalls, her posture tense, her hands gesturing frantically.
"Tyler, please, hurry!" she called again into the stable.
I reached her side just as Tyler emerged, wiping his hands on a cloth. His expression was a mix of irritation and concern, but the irritation seemed to deepen upon seeing me.
"What’s going on?" I asked, my voice firm, ready to jump into whatever situation was unfolding.
"It's Starlight; she’s down," Heather explained quickly, her eyes wide with worry. "She's in labor, and something's not right."
Tyler, catching the urgency now mirrored in my expression, nodded stiffly. Then, the two of us followed Heather into the stable. Inside, the mare was on her side, breathing heavily, her sides heaving. I had seen enough farm births to know when an animal was in distress, and this mare was definitely struggling.
"We need to check if the foal is positioned correctly," Tyler stated, his tone all business now as he knelt by the mare.
Heather looked from Tyler to me, her expression grateful yet fraught with worry. "Danny, can you hold her head steady?" she asked. "Talk to her, keep her calm."
I nodded, moving to the mare’s head and placing my hands gently on her. "Easy, girl," I murmured, stroking her neck. The mare’s eyes were wide with pain, but she seemed to respond to the touch, her breathing easing slightly as I spoke softly to her.
