After the dinner she talked to her Aunt Lillian her father’s next to the eldest sister and asked her what her suggestion for Kingsley’s business would be. Lillian had informed her she’d do comprehensive research into the company to see what its viability was. Then she would bring the report to her niece. She felt bad because Lillian was already handling most of the business interest that Stacia previously had for Angel and her brothers. But if anyone was more than up for the job it would be Lillian. “She was the quintessential business-woman.” Lillian was what most would refer to as a shark. No one dared tread the same waters as Lillian McDaniel’s.
They had just finished their dinner when her cellular rang, it was Hannah she had the information on who Kingsley had sold the horses. The Sheriff’s had gone to the ranch where they had been sold to and it was a giant debacle. Kingsley had passed on the papers of ownership to them which were forged papers. The Sheriff informed them that the horses were legally property of Wild Creek Ranch, but the owner was demanding a talk with the owner of Wild Creek Ranch. Angel sighed heavily and told Hannah she would head out now. At those words there were several raised brows. She filled them in quickly, and it didn’t take two seconds for every man present to stand and insist on coming along for the ride. Short of tying them up she knew they weren’t going to back down.
The drive to the ranch from the restaurant took an hour; it gave her a lot of time to formulate her thoughts. When they arrived, she was surprised the place was in good repair, but it was nowhere near as prosperous as Wild Creek Ranch would be. She really did feel sorry for them, that was until they arrived, and the rancher looked at her father and said, “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull here but you aren’t taking my horses.” Angel stepped forward toe to toe with the man, he was probably in his late twenties to early thirties, he wasn’t one of those owners who didn’t work their own ranch. She said coolly “First off, they are my horses.” At his shocked look she continued saying “If you ever speak to my father like that again, I’ll rip your spleen out are we clear.” When he just blinked at her as if he was dumb founded, she said, “I paid for those horses and I have the legal paperwork to prove it from the bank as they were part of the mortgage that Kingsley had. If you’re worried about your money in this case, I would suggest you find out what Kingsley did with your money.” He seemed to have his voice back as he said, “You’re not taking my horses.” Angel smirked wickedly and said, “Want to bet on that?” she heard Jackson snicker and she threw a look at him that stopped him cold as she turned to the man, she said “I can feel sympathy for your situation and circumstances. But I own those horses; they will be going home with me tonight. My men are on their way to retrieve them as we speak, anyone who tries to hinder that, will find himself flat on his backside. Am I being clear enough for you?” The man looked at her and said, “Look honey, I don’t know who you think you are, but you will not take what belongs to me.” Angel replied coolly “I’m Angel Denae McDaniel’s, the legal owner of those horses.” She didn’t miss the way he blanched at the use of her last name. She heard him swear under his breath, the Sheriff stepped forward and said “Look son, I’ve already cleaned up one fellow she’s knocked on his backside today, do you really want to humiliate yourself that way. Cause those big men aren’t all just her family the ones standing behind you are her security detail.” He jumped shocked; he apparently hadn’t noticed Grant and Devon walking up behind him.
Hannah produced the paperwork which legally made the animals Angel’s property and the court order the judge had signed. The man said snidely “Cold blooded uppity devious witch.” It was a good thing Angel was as quick as she was; she barely caught Jackson as he leapt at the man. Her father had grabbed Kaleb, Grant had placed himself in front of the man and was holding up his hand to keep the boys back.
Grant turned to the man and said “You have no idea what this woman is or is not. But I will give you an idea; she is a miracle to every person standing here. She rescued her brothers that she knew nothing about until days ago from a miserable life. But their life was a picnic compared to the life she grew up in. Her birth mother handed her over to someone who wasn’t fit to raise an animal and she raised herself, and then found her family. She’s saved more people in a months’ time than you ever will. If you ever malign her character again you won’t have to worry about her brothers or her.”
Cody must have arrived during the commotion because he said coolly “I’d listen to the man if I were you Dean.” The man seemed stunned to see Cody there; he said, “What are you doing here Cody?” He nodded at Angel and said “I work for her, best horse flesh I’ve ever seen or worked with in my lifetime. You don’t get better than Angel McDaniel’s.” She noted Kyle was there as well, and openly glaring at the man Cody called Dean. Kyle asked evenly “You alright Angel?” Angel sighed heavily and said, “It’s been a hell of day, could you and Cody take the boys with you to retrieve the horses please.” Kyle knew she was asking them to keep the boys out of trouble. Dean screamed “You are not taking my horses.” Cody shook his head and said “They are not yours Dean, I get it man, I truly do get your situation, but this one isn’t her fault. You’re blaming the wrong one here, put the blame where it belongs on Kingsley and his son.” Dean swore loudly and said “This will bankrupt me, Cody. I’ll lose the ranch I will lose it all.” Cody could understand because he’d lost his own family’s ranch because he couldn’t keep it up, he knew how that loss felt. Angel waved Cody off and turned to Dean and asked, “How do you know Cody?” He seemed taken aback by her question and answered on auto pilot “He used to work for my father before the ranch went to hell.” Angel nodded and said, “How far in debt is your ranch?” Dean narrowed his eyes and asked, “What are you going to buy it out from under me too?” Angel shook her head slowly and said “No, I’m going to loan you the money to make it viable again.” At his stunned look, she continued saying “I don’t care about your credit score or lack thereof; you’ll pay off your loan or lose your place anyway. But the flipside is you would have enough to get on your feet. And I’ll sweeten the deal, you produce two good mares with good blood lines, and I will throw in stud service with Gambler’s Run, and Heartbreaker.” If his face had been shocked before his eyes were bugging out of his head at this point. Cody who had come back to ask a question looked at Dean and said, “It’s a good offer man; I told you she’s a good woman.” Dean said curiously “Are you serious? You don’t even know how much in debt my place is. Do you realize what stud fees for horses like Gamblers Run and Heartbreaker are worth?” Angel sighed and replied “Look, I’m tired and irritated and I just want to go climb in my bed. So, make up your mind before I leave. It’s been a long day and my patience is about to run out.”
When she finished this statement, Hunter drew her back into him, so she was leaning against him. He could tell she was exhausted. Grant noticed too and said “You can come to Wild Creek Ranch in the morning to finalize everything, bring your mares then if you decide to accept the offer. Hannah here can discuss the details with you. We’re taking Angel home.” She didn’t argue which was their first cue that something was wrong; she’d wrung herself out nearly completely. When Kaleb and Jackson saw them helping her into the car, they rushed forward worried about their sister. When they reached home, Maria helped Angel get ready for bed before heading back downstairs.
Maria looked at Hunter concerned as she said, “That girl needs some help with all this business she is doing sir.” Hunter nodded and said “I’ll begin looking for an assistant for her. This has, to end; she needs time for her brothers and herself. The fun is gone when it all becomes work. She needs time to still be a kid, something she never had the chance to be.” Maria nodded sadly, before heading back to her room.
Hunter decided he was staying over tonight; his mother caught him in the living room and asked how Angel was. When he told her what happened she said “Hunter why didn’t you call for me? That poor child, she’s exhausted beyond all imagination. We’re all going to have to pitch in more to help ease her load.”
When Angel woke up when her alarm went off, she still felt groggy. But she climbed from the bed anyway and headed to the shower, she knew she’d feel marginally better after her workout. She headed to the boys’ rooms and was surprised when they answered already dressed. She could see the concern in their eyes, but she wasn’t ready to address it because she knew she was beyond exhausted.
Maybe she should plan a vacation with her family soon for some relaxation, somewhere they could just sit back and have fun. When they reached the gym, she did her usual ten miles and then her crunches before calling it quits. She noticed that Jackson and Kaleb were working on their upper body strength and she was impressed. If they applied themselves every day, they would end up happy, healthy and very handsome men.
When she entered the kitchen, Maria was already fixing breakfast, she waved Angel off, so angel headed to the shower and then dressed in her favorite Levi’s, a t-shirt that had the Wild Creek Ranch logo on it and her boots. She pulled her hair up again and then pulled her ponytail through her Wild Creek Ranch cap.
When she arrived downstairs, she noted the boys were similarly dressed as well. They had taken to wearing Wild Creek Ranch shirts when they were working. They had made strides in building the website they had told her it was still a work in progress, but Kaleb handed her a disc that he said had all the pictures he’d taken on it. When she opened it on her computer she was stunned, he was seriously talented. He had edited them and had some dynamic photos of the ranch and the horses. The twins were prominent in his pictures; he’d taken a photograph of her on Shadow, while Jackson rode next to her on Sampson. She decided one of her stops today would be to have these photos framed and put on canvas. She would have them hung in various places throughout the house and prominently in the foyer.
She walked to the barn with Cody; they discussed the horses they’d picked up the day before. He told her honestly that the majority were beyond their usefulness. Kingsley had apparently been overbreeding his mares. They would need a good home they could be put to pasture and allowed to roam the rest of their days. Somewhere they could receive plenty of exercise. Turned out it was six mares she needed to find good homes for. When Dean arrived hauling his trailer behind him, she got an idea. She didn’t miss his wide eyed, look as he took in the ranch. Dean whistled loudly and turned to her and Cody saying “Wow, this place is beyond amazing.” Angel smiled before saying “We think so, but truthfully it’s all Cody’s doing. The day Justin brought him to me was the day I was truly blessed for sure. He’s taught me so much in so little time.”
Dean was staring at her curiously; her brothers interrupted as Jackson said hurriedly “I think something is wrong with Gambler’s Tempest.” Angel didn’t say a word as she turned and ran for the foal stall, when she entered, he was lying on his side and Gambler’s Storm was nuzzling him trying to get him to move. Angel hollered at Carlos to call the vet Cody was beside her in a heartbeat. She lifted his head into her lap and said, “Hang in there, fella Doc will be here soon.” At about the time that Carlos came rushing in and said, “Doc had an emergency at the clinic, he asked if we can, trailer him over?” Angel looked at Jackson and said, “Go get my truck, you and Kaleb can come with me.” She glanced at Cody and said, “You handle things around here, about what you mentioned earlier; maybe you should ask Dean if he wants them.” At Cody’s shocked look she said, “You know what to do.” She scooped up the weak foal and rushed out of the barn to the truck her brother was pulling up in. She put him in the backseat with her brother Jackson and Kaleb rode up front with her.