Chapter 4
The next morning, Caitlin was up early working with Sarah on the horses and stables. Her only consolation was that Dom had to be up even earlier to help cook breakfast for the staff. Hawke, however, got to sleep late and spent most of the morning walking around and just talking with Kim.
Caitlin was deep in thought as she was brushing one of the horses. "Hmph," she thought. "Of course she gave him the cushy job of spending all that time with her. She's crazy if she thinks she's going to win him back."
Dom came up behind her and startled her. "Penny for your thoughts," he said grinning.
"Dom!" she yelled. "Don't do that."
"You just seemed a mile away," he replied. "Or maybe your mind is with a certain pilot?"
"Yeah," she replied. "I just wish we could talk to him about what happened last night."
"That's not all that's bothering you," replied Dom. "He is spending a lot of time with Kim."
Caitlin sighed. "It's okay," she replied. "It's just part of the job. When we leave here, he's mine."
Dom laughed. "I believe it," he said. "I talked to String briefly earlier. He'll meet us in the tool shed up by the north corral in an hour to talk about last night. He said he had some other things to fill us in on as well."
"Great," she replied. "I have some news of my own."
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AA
An hour later, Dom and Caitlin found Hawke waiting for them as promised in the tool shed. The shed was the size of a small cabin with only one tiny, high window. Caitlin was relieved to finally have a few minutes to talk to Hawke without Kim hovering beside him. To his surprise, she ran up to him, grabbed him and kissed him the moment she saw him.
"Wow, what was that for?" he asked.
"I've missed you," she replied with a smile. "It's hard to see you across the ranch and not be able to speak to you or touch you."
He pulled her back to him and kissed her again. "I know," he replied. "I feel the same way."
"Sheesh," said Dom. "Get a room why don't ya."
The three laughed before turning to a more serious conversation.
"I don't think last night's incident was an accident," said Hawke. "Someone deliberately made sure Dom was thrown from that horse."
Caitlin spoke up. "Actually, it was supposed to be me. That was originally my horse but Dom wanted to trade."
"Yeah," he replied. "That wasn't the smartest move on my part but I'm glad it was me instead of Caitlin."
"Hawke, you're right about it having to be an inside job," said Caitlin. "There is no way someone else could have gotten to those horses. I'm still trying to figure out how someone from the group could have done it as well."
"I know," said String. "The only two people who left the group for any period of time were Kim and Sarah. And, well, we know Kim wouldn't sabotage herself."
"Speaking of Sarah," said Caitlin. "Did you know that she's Kim's niece?"
"She is?" asked Dom. "Why didn't Kim tell us?"
"She told me this morning," replied Hawke. "I was surprised she didn't mention it when she introduced us."
"Well, they don't exactly have the best relationship according to Sarah," said Caitlin. "She plans on leaving as soon as she saves enough money. Sarah said they weren't very close."
Hawke frowned. "That's odd," he replied. "According to Kim they're very close. She said that Sarah's parents were killed and to keep her from getting into a lot of trouble back east, she asked her to come live here."
"I guess sometimes teens and adults don't look at things the same way," replied Caitlin. "Either way, Sarah does seem to like working here and she's not too concerned about the accidents that have been happening."
"Kim is very upset by the accidents," said String. "Apparently the staff is like family to her and she's worried about them. I've assured her that we'll get to the bottom of this."
"Any news on this land developer?" asked Dom.
"His name is Paul Lewis," replied Hawke. "He's planning to build some kind of amusement park in the area and wants this land as the centerpiece to it. Kim said she had considered it at first because it seemed like a good deal. She decided that she couldn't give up working with the kids and didn't want her staff displaced by losing their jobs and home."
"She seems like a real saint," Caitlin said sarcastically.
Hawke shot Caitlin a quizzical look. "She does care about her staff," he said. Then he continued. "Let's meet back here tomorrow night with updates on what we find out. Kim knows we're meeting but I would still like for the rest of the staff to think we don't know each other."
"Okay, sounds good," said Dom.
Hawke looked at Caitlin. He could tell she wasn't very happy about the current situation. He moved back over to her and pulled her into a kiss and then gave her a tight hug. "I love you," he said. "Don't worry. This will all be over with soon."
Caitlin smiled. "I love you too," she said.
Hawke, Dom and Caitlin quietly left the shed unaware that they were being watched by Kim who listened in on the whole conversation.