August's eyes trailed as he drove down the highway. "Who would be behind this, Emily? I think they are beginning to come after you."
Emily's voice was barely above a whisper. "I can't think of anything now. The only person my head can lay emphasis on is Jake. He was the only one who knew I was back for my aunt's ranch.He's been acting strange."
August's expression turned grim. "I could tell you are right.Jake has been giving me some foreign attitude after the introduction,But I never thought he'd stoop to sabotage."
"What if we are casting the wrong idea on Jake,he will have all the possibilities to see me as a bad person." Emily voice pleading for justice.
"I will handle it,I know how to make the truth escape from his mouth."
August eyes still fixed on the road as he suddenly made a U-turn turning the car around and headed back in the direction they came from.
As they approached the Blackwood ranch, Emily tried avoiding eye contact with Jake.
As Jake saw August car coming to a halt. He stood still his eyes gleam with a sinister intensity, his gaze not trying to leave them as their step grew closer.
"Are you backing off already?".He sneered his eyes blazing with malice.
"Hey.. Jake what's wrong with you,why don't you want to accord yourself some respect. Ugh?". August voice raising with anger as he halted in front of Jake.
Jake let out a loud laugh."You call it carriage? I don't think so. Is that the reason you had to carry some of our workers,to a whispering Creek ranch."
Emily cut in.."That's not it,they just wanted to help me put somethings in order since I haven't gotten use to the ranching life. And August wasn't here to assist me,I don't want to cause any fuse." Emily voice pleading with sincerity.
"You're going down, Jake. You're not going to ruin our family's legacy."
August's face darkened with anger.
Jake's eyes darted back and forth,
"No, Emily, that's not true. I swear, I'm just trying to protect our interests." He interposed sarcastically.
But August's eyes filled with anger,his voice cold and deadly. "I know what you're hiding, Jake. And it's going to ruin you."
He continued,
You're my brother, are you, Jake? You should then stop acting like a Blackwood. You and I can be different, Jake I know everything. How you caused dad's ailment I kept mute all this time is just because I'm still writing on how to intrude you".
A Stunned Silence Emily's eyes widened in shock. She tried maintaining her curiosity. As she lowed her face to the ground.
"How did you know?" he stammered.
August's eyes blazing with fury
"I found the truth, Jake.I saw you".
"Yes but I have been a good son to him as well,that's the way I apologized it was a mistake". Jake defended.
"Really?? Have you tried telling him it was a mistake,and it wasn't actually water you dropped to the ground".his fingers wagged at Jake's face.
Jake fell to his knees, begging for mercy. "Please, don't expose me. I'll do anything."
"I will pardon you,as I always do,but with a condition."
His eyes filled with disdain.
"Leave the ranch and never come back, or face the consequences.
"I will leave peacefully if Emily agrees to stop borrowing their workers."
August kept mute,his gaze not leaving Jake as he left to ger his things ready.
Emily and August stood there silence settling between them.
"I will leave August but I will make sure to sabotage everything from Emily, you are sending me out of the ranch because of Emily, you barely know."
Jake face covered with hatred as he looked at Emily with every disgusting reaction he got.
Emily tried not to look at Jake she could feel the weight of the hating eye gazing at her.
"Good luck to you brother. And doom onto you Emily. He spoke and stormed out of the ranch.
Emily watched as Jake drove away, feeling a mix of emotions.
"Emily... August....." They both spoke out in unison facing each other.
Emily raised her hands identifying to talk first.
"You shouldn't have dismissed him from the ranch. His entitled to it as well.His still your brother August,
Emily face shunning with pain and anger at the same time.
"If I let him stay he will keep manipulating you, Emily and will be a form of distraction to me as well in the ranch. So he should go home for a break". August face firm.
"Please he should just return,I don't want to be the cause of the detainment." Emily pleaded her eyes remorseful.
"Emily you are not the issue, leave everything to me,I will handle it. Don't mind his words he was only bluffing." August hands on Emilys shoulder trying to calm her.
"Let's go in, I think Charlie made lunch. So you can calm your mind cause you are so tensed. He pulled his hands against her body as he supported her inside the ranch.
August and Emily reconciled, their bond stronger than ever. They planned to work together to rebuild the ranch and restore the trust Blackwood family's seems not to see in her.
Vincent pov
Unknown to them, a mysterious stranger arrived in Montana. Victor Vex, he had come in disguise, determined to exact his revenge.
Victor Vex, now known as "Vincent," blended in and settled,his true identity hidden.
Vincent began to gather information, after two weeks of arriving at the country. Making different calls,getting different workers to armour himself for the task ahead.
waiting for the perfect moment to strike. His plan was to destroy the Whispering Creek ranch from the inside out, and he would stop at nothing to achieve his goal.
As the day wore on, the sky began to darken, everyone wrapping up for the long day of work.
August and Emily parted ways, exhausted from the day's challenge.
"See you tomorrow, Emily," August said, tipping his hat as he drove off into the fading light.
As Emily approached her house, she spotted a familiar figure waiting on the porch. It was her friend, Samantha Sam Thompson, who had arrived just in time.
Emily's face lit up as she hurried to greet Samantha.
"Hey Sam.!!" Emily screamed.
As they embraced warmly, Emily invited her in for a well-deserved rest and a hearty supper.
"Is been awhile. How did you track me to this place?". Emily asked still surprisingly gazing at Samantha.
Samantha couldn't help but gave a hearty laughter.
" I saw you with August, two days ago. And as for the trailing that's a secret I won't share." She replied sarcastically.
"You know August?" Emily asked curiosity written all over her expression.
"Are you trying to tease me? Who doesn't know August Flynn, there family are just the most successful rancher's as this country still exist, did you know that it got to a to rumor began to spread that they were in a fraternity,cause there success is unbelievable*.
Emily gasped trying to contain the air passing into her mouth." You are not serious,but he felt so simple and less important."
" Really are you blind? can't you see his ranch alone,the security measures,his machines,his equipment. Not only that,he has more than two workers".
Emily nodded, signifying that now everything became clear to her.
" I was thinking it was because of the crisis my ranch went through that was why it was in such mess".
" So Samantha if you really know this guy so well,you won't tell me you never developed feelings for him".
Emily ears expecting a positive answer.
"We never had anything that could link us to talk,his a rancher and I'm server. So it is not a very compatible Job."
"You are right," Emily nodded in agreement.
As they settled in, Emily realized how much she had missed her friend's company. They spent the evening sharing stories, laughing, and enjoying each other's company.
Emily prepared a lemonade drink,as an offering refreshment.
Emily and Samantha sat on the porch, sipping lemonade and chit-chatting.
Samantha turned to Emily with a curious expression.
"So, how's life on the ranch been treating you? I feel like I've been out of the loop for too long."
Emily gave a defeat sigh,
sharing her concerns about the ranch's finances and the sabotage they'd been facing.
"It has been challenging Samantha,but thanks to August who has been my help all this while".
"So what's on your mind concerning the ranch, Samantha asked."Are you going to continue running the ranch?".
"I want to expand our operations, maybe start a horse breeding program. And I'd love to restore the old barn into a community center for the town. Just hoping is going to workout." Emily said sipping the lemonade.
"That sounds amazing, Em! I know you can do it. You've always had a heart of determination,so I trust it will work". Samantha grinned her words filled with encouragement.
Samantha continued...
"Emily, I'm so proud of you for taking over on the ranch, but be careful, okay? There are still enemies in this town who don't want to see the ranch succeed."
"There is no doubt, Samantha. That's just the only problem the ranch is facing now. But with August by my side I feel everything will be a bit easier". Emily's faced etched with worry.
Samantha placed a reassuring hand on Emily's arm. "I'm here for you, Em. I'll always root for you. And August, too - he's a good man. You can trust him."
Their discussion continued,as they try to reconnect back after a long lasting time of being apart after their high school.
Vincent P.O.V
Vincent sat in the dimly lit saloon, his eyes fixed on the figure across from him.
"I need an update on the Whispering Creek ranch," he sneered.
The image, a rough-looking cowboy, replied uncomfortably.
"Well, boss, Emily is being assisted by August the son of James Flynn, they are working hard to restore the ranch. They're a determined pair."
Vincent growled, his eyes narrowed.
"I have a plan to take care of them. I just need you to... distract August for a while."
"But how sire,I don't understand what you mean by distract them".
"Use your head Cowboy,use your brain and stop being a dummy. I train only creative person's" Vincent voice sounding impatient. His fist tightening.
"Consider it done, boss. I'll make sure I get them distracted." The cowboy said, a sly grin spreading across his face.
Vincent leaned in, his voice audible
"I want it done by the end of the week, Larry. August need to be out of the picture before the ranch's auction takes place."
The cowboy, named larry, nodded again, his eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and nerves, before leaving the salon.
Vincent gave a chilling smile,his eyes glinting with malice.
"Dear Emily. I have a special plan for you .One that will ensure you never interfere in my plans again."
Emily's pov
Emily and August were oblivious to the danger lurking around them. They were focused on preparing for the horse auction, unaware of the plot coming up.
As the days passed, strange occurrences began to happen around the ranch. Equipment would go missing, and some of the cattle would be found injured.
NEXT DAY...
Emily and August arrived at the ranch that morning, ready to tackle the day's tasks. But as they pulled up to the barn, they noticed something was off.
Equipment were scattered everywhere August frowned, seeing the ranch in a mess.
"What in the world...?"August expression surprised
Emily gasped, rushing over to the pen where two of the cattle was injured. "Oh no! What happened here?"
August examined the place, searching for clues. "Looks like someone deliberately sabotaged your equipment and hurt your cattle.
But who would do such a thing?" Emily asked her eyes clouded with tears.
"We need to get to the bottom of this, August spoke, resting his hands on her slumping shoulders. I will call my veterinarian to come examine the animals."
Emily sniffed her eyes still fixed on the cattle laying on the ground.
"You know what?, just stay here let me do some little investigation before calling the cops".
Following the Trail, he began to investigate, following a trail of clues that led him to some evidence,he discovered footprints, suspicious marks on the fences, and other signs of foul play.
August's eyes narrowed as he examined the footprints. "You know, these look an awful lot like Jake's boots."
He returned back where Emily was. I think I got some clues.
Emily's eyes widened in surprise. "You think Jake could be behind this? Please we don't need to pass a wrong judgement for now till we are certain his the saboteur".
But why would he sabotage my ranch?"she whispered to herself.
"You know Jake's been struggling with his own demons, Em. Maybe his trying to get back at me for dismissing him from the ranch,but not to worry. I will get him arrested." August stern with anger.
" No.. no you don't have to do anything to Jake besides we are only suspecting him. Even if his the saboteur please let him be. I will talk to him and he will reconsider". Emily said rubbing her palms together trying to stop August.
"Let's see then, but let me get the vet out here to tend to the cattle, and I'll start making calls to replace the equipment. We'll get this ranch back on track."
Emily smiled, very grateful for August's support.
"Thank you so much, I owe you my life."
We'll get through this together."He smiled revealing his sparkling spaced teeth.
As they worked to gather some equipment they threw away, as they waited for the vet to surface.