Diamond in the Rough (Precious Gems) Read online

  Cheyenne and her horse galloped through the gate toward him. She slowed her pony to a trot as she approached the stranger. He was about six foot tall and definitely wore his Stetson well. As she got closer, her brow furrowed and it was clear that he had piqued her curiosity. His boots were scuffed but that only added to his rugged charm. She slid to a stop in front of him and asked, “Can I help you with something?” Her accent drove him wild. It was a mix of a sexy southern drawl with just a hint of Cajun dialect.

  “I am a detective from the Houston Police Department. My name is Brian Russell.” Cheyenne looked perplexed. He was sure that her mind was reeling and he wanted to calm her fears, but he was at a loss for words as he was confronted head on with her stunning beauty as she stood in front of him.

  “What can I do for you?” she asked cautiously. Russell started out slowly and chose his words carefully.

  “I come bearing bad news. I was called to the scene of a homicide this morning.”

  As he spoke he noticed her blonde flowing hair, falling in loose ringlets down her back now that she had taken her cap off. The smell of sweet pea lotion in the air drove his imagination wild and he could imagine how soft her skin would be against his calloused palms.

  “Did you know a man named Charles Wingate?”

  Cheyenne shifted in the saddle in stunned silence as the blood appeared to drain from her face.

  “Detective, I have never seen my father. Of course I know the name, but that is where my knowledge stops. I am sorry but I don’t know what I can do for you. I have not even heard his name spoken aloud in over fifteen years. To be honest with you, I could have gone another fifteen without hearing it.”

  “He was the victim of the homicide this morning.” Detective Russell said.

  He watched her features closely to see any glimpse of loss forming and realized that he was not going to find any sympathy from Cheyenne.

  “My mother told me that he left us before I was born and he never looked back. After my mother died when I was eighteen, I always hoped that he would come for me, save me.” Her voice trailed off.

  “My mom left me penniless with a little brother to try and raise, but I couldn’t handle it. After six months I had to send him to live with my mother’s best friend Edna, who adopted him. I found a job as a floral assistant and have been there every since. If you are watching to see if I suddenly develop a sense of longing for the father I never knew, you will be disappointed. Can you tell me what happened to him, Detective?” She asked as she dismounted her horse.

  “He is being autopsied in the morning so we should have more answers when it is complete, but I can tell you what I do know, Miss. Wingate. I was called out this morning around four- thirty to the scene. I found your father slumped over his desk with a single gunshot wound to his right temple. I have interviewed everyone at his company and no one seems to know anything.”

  “What company are you talking about?” She asked with curiosity in her voice.

  “Miss. Wingate, your fathers was one of the wealthiest men in Houston. He owned Wingate Drilling.” he explained. “As soon as you can, I would suggest you come to Houston. You have a lot of affairs to handle and it would be much easier to do with you there. You can even ride with me.”Brian Russell stated. “I will call Maria and let her know that we will be on our way if you would like for me to do so,” he offered. “Who is Maria?” she questioned.

  “I’m sorry. Maria has been his maid for the past twenty five years. I got the impression that she runs the house. Would you like for me to call her?” he asked again. Cheyenne looked perplexed for a moment.

  “Miss Wingate, I don’t mean to rush you but Houston is a long drive. Will you come with me?” he asked in his most understanding tone.

  “Detective Russell, I see no reason to lie to you. I feel like I need to go with you, but I don’t like the idea of riding with someone I have only just me. At the same time, I don’t feel like I have a choice. My truck is not dependable enough to make the trip alone. Also, part of me resents the hell out of having to take care of his affairs. He never bothered to take care of me!”

  “I understand your reservations but I can assure you that you will not find someone safer and more reliable than me.” He replied with confidence.

  “As for your last concern, I can’t answer to that. I can only sympathize with what you have been through.” Her honesty was refreshing but Brian knew that there was much more that she wasn’t saying. Anyone who carried the pain and resentment that was evident upon her face did not walk away without some scars.

  “That would be helpful. We can leave right away.” she said as she walked inside to pack her bags.

  Brian waited on her front porch for her return. She did not take long, which surprised him. Most women he knew would have taken forever to get packed and back out of the door. As she locked the front door, he began loading her bags in his truck. Once she stabled her horse, they were on their way. The detective called Maria, and they were expected later that evening. Brian watched her closely as they drove out of Slidell. Studying her, he learned several things rather quickly. The trip to her father’s was evoking strong emotions. As she sat in the passenger seat, she bounced her leg nervously while she chewed on her bottom lip. Her lifelong expectations for meeting her father were not being realized it seemed. And through the short time he had known her; it was obvious that life for Cheyenne Wingate had not been an easy one.

  “Over the next few days, you are going to come across people who believed that your father hung the moon. Have you thought about how you would deal with that?”

  “Detective Russell, throughout my life I have been disappointed many times. Some have been worse than others. My mother was an alcoholic with many boyfriends. Some were nice to me and some weren’t. Many nights I lay awake and wondered if my life would have been different if he were in it. Someone has taken that from me and now I will never know. I honestly don’t know what kind of person he was. But, even if he was the best person in the world, how would that matter to me? He chose to never be anything in my life. To make a long story short, I guess that I would handle it like I have handled everything else in my life. I will smile and act as though it does not affect me. In a nutshell, I don’t give a shit what other people thought of him. Their opinions will never change what I know about him.”

  Brian knew that it was hard to learn about a person by looks alone, but he also knew that he was a good judge of character. He had been trained to make assumptions and his talent had not failed him yet. His gut told him that the beautiful women that rode beside him had been badly hurt and it would take a long time for her to get over it.

  Chapter Two

  The interior of the truck was immaculate. As he turned the key, the diesel engine sprang to life. Every compartment of the buckskin interior was neatly packed with items a man may need at a moment’s notice. Ear plugs, safety manuals and even a small tool set stood at the ready on the minuscule chance that they would be needed. Brian noticed Cheyenne taking in her surroundings as though she was surprised at his organization. For him, law and order went hand in hand.

  The scenery passed by the windows of the large truck as if it were movie clips of a forgotten time. The crumbling buildings that adorned Main Street lent a charm of days gone by that could have only been pulled off by this small bayou town. Cheyenne’s smooth voice jarred him back to reality.

  “If you wouldn’t mind stopping at the drive in on the right, I would appreciate it. I am thirsty,” she requested as she nervously toyed with the fray of her leather purse. “A drink does sound good, what will you have?” Brian asked with a slight smile forming at the edges of his plump lips.

  “I believe I will have a large sweet tea,” she added.

  They were back on the road quickly. The view changed little the farther west they went. It wasn’t until they drove into Beaumont that the landscape took on a city like feel. As they passed the many restaurants and business scattered along I-10, Br
ian began looking at Cheyenne more closely. She looked as though she had never been this far west before. When he heard her gasp as they passed the sign for Spindletop, he knew that he had been right. As they rode on, his mood turned serious. He thought about the case and the menagerie of people who could easily be considered suspects. When you are firmly at the top, as Charles Wingate had been, your enemies can come from any direction.

  “Detective Russell, what was he like?” Cheyenne asked, sounding like a child. Brian wanted to scoop her up and protect her from the tirade he was sure she was about to encounter. Knowing that everyone was going to want a piece of her made his blood boil.

  “Cheyenne,” he started, “I did not know your father. All I can tell you is that he was a powerful and wealthy man. Aside from that, you could Google him and know as much as I do.” Miles crept by and Cheyenne said nothing else. The ride was passing too quickly for Brian’s taste. Cheyenne Wingate was like a puzzle that was just coming together.

  Being guarded with her emotions must have been a result of the distrust she had for men, he reasoned. She now lay asleep in the truck next to him, her head resting on the console as the radio hummed a slow country ballad.

  This must have all been a shock to her. She was not the customary definition of a grieving daughter but in the end, how could she be? Charles Wingate had never bothered to so much as meet her. Brian could see the lights of Houston ahead. Struggling internally, he wanted to touch her…needed to touch her. Brian had never experienced a pull like this. He reached over and brushed a stray curl from Cheyenne’s cheek. He had never been so forward with a woman he had just met but he could not help himself. The urgent feeling to save her had overcome him the first moment he laid eyes on her. She stirred slightly and slowly opened her eyes.

  “We are almost there,” Brian said as he changed lanes to take their exit. Cheyenne eyed her surroundings and turned her head as the lights of the city faded and they turned into a country lane. The truck began to slow down and a sprawling ranch style estate came into view. Brian watched as a scowl came across her face. He could only imagine the feelings that must be coursing through her. From what he had learned, Cheyenne did not have the best childhood. Her mother had bounced from one con game to another with a different man each week. Now, to learn that she had a wealthy father only hours away must have really pissed her off.

  Brian pulled up to the security box and pressed the button, “Detective Russell with Miss. Wingate.” The gates jarred open within a moment and he drove through. Cheyenne sat in silence. Brian parked and came around to open her door. It was obvious to him that she was not used to chivalry by the shocked look on her face. He helped her from the truck as she timidly took his hand and walked her to the front door. Once again, Maria opened the door before he could ring the bell. She instantly lost all color in her face.

  “Oh mi dulce Jesús los muertos ha aumentado,” she exclaimed.

  Brian noticed that Cheyenne looked confused and assumed she did not understand Spanish. “The dead has risen.” He thought that sounded like an odd statement to make.

  He was about to make introductions, when Maria interrupted him, “I would know this lovely face anywhere. Cheyenne, I have heard of you for many years. Welcome home,” exclaimed Maria in a thick accent. Brian excused himself and returned with her bags.

  “Oh, please forgive me, come in, come in. Señor, please set Miss. Cheyenne’s bags here and we will take them to her room in a bit,” said Maria as kept eye contact with the new house guest.

  “Cheyenne, I have a wonderful meal prepared for you, and if Detective Russell will agree to join us, we can be seated in the dining room,” Maria said. He nodded his head in agreement and they followed Maria to the formal dining room. There, laid out on a lovely antique table was a feast. Tamales, enchiladas and fajita’s graced the large table.

  “Maria, you didn’t have to trouble yourself. This must have taken all evening,” Cheyenne declared.

  “It is nothing. I have dreamed of your homecoming for years and wanted to make it a celebration.”

  Brian Russell did not have to be asked twice. He eagerly sat at the table and began passing plates of food around. After eating, Maria showed them to the poolside deck as she went to the kitchen for coffee.

  “Are you holding up ok, Cheyenne?” asked Brian. His concern for her was genuine and not unwelcomed it appeared.

  “I am taking it in stride and I am really happy you are here with me. I know you must have better things to do but I want you to know that I do appreciate it,” she confided in him.

  Maria returned with their coffee and they all sat and sipped the hot liquid while enjoying the fire pit blazing against the darkness.

  Brian stole glances at Cheyenne in the firelight. The light flickering off of her golden hair gave the illusion of a phoenix coming to life. It complimented her delicate, yet strong features. Brian knew he was blurring his professional lines but he was powerless to stop himself from fantasizing.

  Cheyenne yawned suddenly, covering her mouth with her hand. Brian looked down at his watch and realized that it was almost ten o’clock.

  “Ladies, it is getting late and I’m sure Cheyenne would like to get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day,” he said as he rose from his chair. As he set his cup on the table Cheyenne caught his eye. She was looking up at him with a pleading stare. He had only known this woman less than twenty four hours and she already pulled at his heart strings.

  “Maria, would you mind if I spoke to Cheyenne in private?” he asked as Maria busied herself gathering the coffee cups.

  “I will be inside,” said Maria as she excused herself.

  “I feel very presumptuous even asking this, but will you please take me with you and drop me at a hotel?” Cheyenne asked. “I just don’t feel very comfortable staying here,” she added.

  “Cheyenne, you have to face this sooner or later. Of course, I’ll take you anywhere you would like to go, but if I were you I would stay here. Maria seems nice enough and this is a beautiful house.” he said compassionately.

  “I understand…I just feel uncomfortable. This has been a lot to process. Will I see you tomorrow?” she inquired.

  “I will see you tomorrow after the autopsy has been completed. This is my business card. It has my cell number and I want you to call me anytime you need to,” he said as he handed her the card. He felt torn leaving her here, but he knew he needed to keep a professional distance. After exchanging good nights, he left and Cheyenne trudged inside only to be met at the door by Maria.

  Chapter Three

  “Did the nice detective leave already?” she asked as though she did not already know the answer. Cheyenne suddenly felt the need to justify her conversation with Brian. Knowing that Maria had been eavesdropping unnerved her.

  “Yes, he is gone. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for your hospitality, but why were you eavesdropping?” Cheyenne said as she walked past the small women and sat in the living room. Maria came to sit beside her. Placing her hand on the young woman’s knee she started,

  “I know this cannot be easy but you always have a home here. Your father would have loved nothing more than for you to be under this roof.” Cheyenne interrupted,

  “Then why did he die without ever meeting me. I was his flesh and blood but yet he didn’t even know me. I don’t mean to be rude but I don’t feel comfortable here and I’m not sure that I ever will. This was his world and he never care to include me in it while he was alive. Now, I feel like an intruder since he is dead.”

  She instantly regretted being so harsh with the older woman, but she felt it necessary. “You still have not answered my question. Why were you eavesdropping?”

  “Cheyenne, the walls in this house are thin and I have heard many things I should not have. I wouldn’t call it eavesdropping; I have always felt it was my job to know what goes on here.” Maria’s simple statement did nothing to comfort Cheyenne.

  “It is uncomfortable for me
to know that you are doing your job so well. In the future, when I need privacy, please make sure that I get it. I think I need to go to bed. Maybe a good night’s sleep is what I need.” She rose from the couch and began walking toward the stairs without knowing where she was going. Maria scrambled ahead of her to lead the way.

  Maria showed her the room she would sleep in. “I should have told you this earlier, but tomorrow morning Mr. Crowley along with Jason Turner will arrive around nine for the reading of your fathers will,” Maria stated as she pulled back the covers on the large rustic bed.

  “Who are Mr. Crowley and Jason Turner?” Cheyenne asked.

  “Mr. Crowley was a life-long friend of your fathers as well as his attorney and Jason Turner was a young man your father took under his wing about twelve years ago,” she answered. Cheyenne returned from the bathroom after changing clothes and climbed into bed. Obviously without thinking, Maria began tucking her into bed as though she was a young child. Cheyenne noticed, but said nothing.

  “Why are they reading the will so quickly? The autopsy will not even be finished until tomorrow,” Cheyenne said.

  “Well Mr. Crowley is the executor of Charles’s estate and he felt as though your father would have wanted everything to be wrapped up quickly. He never was one to doddle around,” She patted Cheyenne’s leg, signaling her to move over in the bed. Maria climbed up and sat on the edge with her feet dangling over the side. Cheyenne offered her a pillow to prop herself on while she spoke.