Chapter 15 - A Flame in Texas

Kyera gave a brief explanation of how the ranch documents came into her hands. She said that her lawyer had explained that there were two deeds: one was an original with Maximilian Stella's signature, while the other was a forgery, bearing only Vince O'Bryan's signature. Along with it was a power of attorney with Maximilian's forged signature, giving Vince full powers to take possession of the farmland and any property in his name.

Samantha kept her eyes fixed on the documents, as if she still couldn't believe her eyes.

— I've been looking for these documents for months, ever since we found out about the lawsuit. I was always surprised that Vince never presented the proof of purchase, but I never imagined that the originals, as well as the forgeries, were with his mother, – she said, her voice filled with astonishment.

Alec, Alex and Allan were standing just behind her, listening to every word. Samantha, sitting in one of the chairs around the table, seemed to be absorbing the revelation.

— It seems that my mother intercepted the documents before they were attached to the file and sent them to my aunt, – Kyera explained, sighing as she leaned back in the chair next to her. – She was afraid that if they stayed with her, my father would find them.

Alec crossed his arms, his expression of distrust evident. He looked up at Kyera, the tension building in the room.

— Why didn't she turn us in when she had the chance? We all live in the city. She could have asked for help.

— She was ill, Alec. – replied Kyera, her tone soft but tired. – My mother had terminal cancer. She was very weak and, on top of that, she was being psychologically abused by my father. She thought it would be safer to send everything to my aunt in New York, believing that they would be protected there.

Alec arched an eyebrow, still unsatisfied with the explanation.

— And why didn't your aunt return them before? – he insisted, his tone skeptical.

Samantha, realizing what her son was getting at, raised her head and intervened firmly:

— Alec, what's the point of these veiled accusations? Sara was a woman of kind heart and unquestionable character, you know that.

— Yes, but we don't know to what extent Sara might have been influenced by Vince's bad attitude. – Alec retorted, coldly. – We don't even know if we can trust his daughter! What if her presence in town is just another trick? I wouldn't put my hand on anyone in that family.

— Alec! – Samantha scolded, her voice deep.

Kyera held up her hand, asking for calm.

— It's all right, Mrs. Stella. I wouldn't trust my father either. After all, he forged documents to steal your land. It's only natural that Alec or anyone else here should be suspicious. – She smiled understandingly; her gaze fixed on Alec. – I myself was shocked to read the letter my mother sent to my aunt. In it, my mother gave clear instructions: return the documents as soon as she passed away. But my aunt was so distraught by my mother's death that she ended up forgetting the letter and the envelope in the lawyer's safe. I only had access to them a few days before I called you.

Samantha relaxed, a gentle smile appearing on her face as she took Kyera's hand.

— I know, dear. And I really appreciate your attitude.

— It was very brave of you to come all the way to Texas to return those documents. – commented Allan, raising his coffee mug in an almost symbolic gesture.

— I agree. – said Alex, nodding. – Even more so without knowing how we'd find you. We could be good people or a bunch of bad guys like your father and the mayor.

— Alex! – Allan scolded him, slapping his brother upside the head.

— What did I say? – Alex protested, massaging the site of the impact.

Kyera laughed at the situation, without being offended. Her laughter eased the tension in the room, and she shook her head slightly before adding:

— The important thing is that my lawyer was able to secure the dismissal of the case. You no longer run the risk of losing the stud farm. – Kyera announced, with a reassuring smile. – If you want more details, you can talk to Dr. Carmichel. He can explain it better.

Kyera opened her bag and took out a business card, handing it directly to Samantha.

— Tell Dominic that he will see you on my behalf.

Samantha squeezed Kyera's hand gently, the sparkle in her eyes showing the relief and gratitude she felt.

— Thank you so much, dear.

Kyera smiled and stood up.

— Well, I have to go now. I still have to find a place to stay. My stay at the inn ends tonight.

Alec frowned, clearly suspicious.

— I thought you said you'd only come to return the deed to the stud farm.

— Yes, but I also have some unfinished business to take care of, so I've decided to stay a little longer. – replied Kyera, with a half-smile.

— What kind of issues? – Alec insisted.

— I'm sorry, but I think that only concerns me. – retorted Kyera, with a slightly sarcastic smile.

Alec snorted angrily, while the brothers laughed quietly at the provocation.

— You're still insolent!

— And you're still grouchy! – Kyera retorted, without losing her defiant tone.

— Your...

Alec was about to retort when a woman with long black hair rushed into the kitchen. Wearing the khaki uniform of the local police, she had a firm, determined stance. Her silver eyes, identical to Alec's, immediately revealed her connection to the family.

— I hope there's a good reason you took me off patrol. – she snapped, crossing her arms. – So, where's the fire?

Kyera smiled before answering:

— Dominic?

— Yes. And who are you?

— Kyera Winter! – the brothers answered in unison, as if it were obvious.

Dominic's expression changed from skepticism to surprise in seconds.

— Kyera Winter? Sara and Vince's daughter? The same red-headed hurricane who kept making Alec's life hell? That Kyera?

— Yes, that Kyera. – confirmed Kyera, smiling with a hint of amusement.

Dominic stepped forward and, without hesitation, hugged Kyera warmly.

— My God, you look beautiful! – Dominic exclaimed, stepping back enough to examine her. – Where have you been all this time?

— In New York, living with my aunt Siena. – replied Kyera, kindly, but with a sigh full of nostalgia. – But that's a conversation to be had over a nice mug of tea.

Dominic laughed and nodded before hugging her again.

— What brought you back to Lone Ridge?

— Kyera came to return the deed to the stud farm. – Samantha explained, before Kyera could answer. – It seems she's been with her aunt all this time.

Dominic frowned, puzzled.

— How did the deed to our stud farm end up in New York?

— Dom, that's a long story. – interjected Allan, placing his coffee mug on the table. – In a nutshell, Kyera got her lawyer to drop the lawsuit that Vince had filed, claiming that our father had sold the stud farm to him.

As he spoke, Allan got up to refill his mug. Kyera watched, noticing that this was the fifth time he had done this since they had met.

— I left the lawyer's contact details with Mrs. Stella. – Kyera said, turning to Dominic. – Since you're a lawyer, you can talk to him to get a better understanding of the situation.

— Of course! I'm following the case, although not as a lawyer, since I can't act as a police officer. My friend is officially handling the case. I'll contact her and Dr. Carmichel to clarify everything. – Dominic replied, taking the card that Kyera had given Samantha. – It was very kind of you to come all this way to help us.

— No, it wasn't. I'm just keeping a promise. – said Kyera with a sincere smile.

Dominic hugged her again, showing his gratitude in a genuine way, while the rest of the Stella family looked on, sharing their relief at the news.

— I still think all this kindness is just a trick, – said Alec coldly, crossing his arms and glaring at Kyera. – What's the point? I don't know yet, but I'm going to find out.

Kyera held his gaze, her lips pressed together in a determined expression. Samantha intervened, trying to ease the growing tension in the kitchen.

— Alec, let's give Kyera the benefit of the doubt. We've gained nothing by accusing her without concrete proof.

— Am I the only intelligent one here? – Alec banged the table hard, his irritation evident. – She's as manipulative as her father! I remember vividly the times she got away with a simple scolding from my father and ended up in our kitchen, as if nothing had happened, eating a snack with those idiots.

Kyera stood firm, watching Alec's sarcastic smile.

— Alec, don't call your brothers idiots! – Samantha scolded him, exasperated.

— If they're not idiots, what are they? Stupid? – Alec retorted with a bitter laugh.

— That's enough! You've crossed the line! – Allan's voice cut through the air, surprising everyone. – I'm not going to put up with your constant bad mood. If Alex, Dominic and I are stupid and idiotic, then you're the biggest imbecile for marrying the cheatingest woman in town, even when we warned you, she was no good!

Alec snorted, walking away while Alex laughed quietly.

— And you, Alex, don't laugh! You're not far behind Alec! Or do you want me to remind you of Cordelia?

Alex opened his mouth to reply, but gave up. Allan picked up his coffee mug and headed for the door at the back of the kitchen. Before leaving, he looked at Kyera with a friendly smile.

— Good to see you, redhead. I hope you stay in town long enough for us to have a drink at Luke's.

Kyera returned the smile with a slight nod.

— Just make an appointment. I'll be there.

Allan returned the smile, turned on his heels and left. Kyera took a moment to say goodbye.

— Well, I guess I'll be going too. I still need to find somewhere to stay tonight. – he said, grimacing.

— Don't you have somewhere to stay in town? – Dominic asked, surprised. – What about your parents' house? As far as I know, Mykaella still lives here too.

— I'm staying in an inn, but my stay ends today. As for the manor, I haven't been able to speak to my father yet. He's out of town and it looks like he won't be back for a while. As for Mykaella's house, my uncle has made it clear that he doesn't want me there.

Alec frowned, puzzled. He remembered Paul treating Kyera with the same affection he treated Mykaella. That behavior didn't make sense.

— Unfortunately, most inns and hotels are full at this time of year. – commented Alex, shrugging. – Rodeos and festivals fill everything from here to Austin.

Dominic narrowed his eyes, as if he had an idea.

— Maybe we can help with that. – She looked at Samantha. – Mom, didn't you say you wanted to rent the outbuilding? Why don't we put Kyera up there?

— Why? No way! – Alec almost choked on his coffee.

— I think it's a great idea. – replied Samantha. – It's furnished, well equipped, it just needs a bit of cleaning. Besides, Kyera will have more privacy than in a room in the manor.

— That would be amazing! Are you sure I won't get in the way? – Kyera asked, with a hopeful smile.

— Of course not! – replied Samantha.

— Of course you are! – Alec retorted at the same moment.

— Shut up, Alec! – Samantha shouted. – It's my property, and that's the least of it after everything this girl has done for our family, even though she's been away for so long.

Alec snorted, laughing sarcastically.

— You want to host someone we hardly know at our stud farm? Fine! But make no mistake: this girl is still just as problematic as she was as a child!

Grabbing his helmet, Alec walked to the back door. Before leaving, he left a threat in the air:

— I don't know why you came back, Kyera, but you can be sure I'm going to find out!

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