Running Horse Ranch

By Sandra Givens

Cassandra Markham is a woman stuck in a marriage of abuse and deceit. When her husband dies unexpectedly, she finds herself wealthy and suddenly in control of a large enterprise she knew almost nothing about. Soon, troubling things come to light. She is then on a mission to discover what her husband has been hiding. She begins to uncover more lies and surprises as she travels from California to Hawaii to Arizona in her quest for the truth.

No longer under her husbands control, Cassandra intends to use her newfound wealth to help others. One discovery leads to another, and to her surprise, she also discovers it is possible to find love again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546241249

Sandra Givens

Sandra Givens is a writer who has been published in newspapers, magazines and a poetry anthology. Most recently she has focused on travel writing. She began her writing career in the health care field where she wrote news releases, brochures and newsletters for which she received the IABC Award for Excellence. As a volunteer, she wrote news releases and articles for East Valley Hospice in Arizona. A native Californian, Givens has traveled extensively and now lives in Arizona.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was the evening of the Markham’s annual Christmas party and downstairs, preparations were in full swing. Upstairs Cassandra Markham sat before her dressing table staring into the large mirror wondering what had happened to her life; it sometimes seemed bigger than she was.

A knock on the door startled her from her reverie and she refocused in the mirror. Standing in the partially opened door way was her husband. Edward Markham III was an imposing figure, standing at six feet tall with a powerful build, and a shock of neatly trimmed white hair. As a former military man, his posture was always erect which added to the powerful look. His blue eyes softened his appearance when he laughed and maybe she thought were what caused her to fall in love with him. Edward Mark Markham to those with whom he did business could sometimes see those twinkling eyes be replaced by a cold steeliness. He was not a man to be trifled with.

Cassandra couldn’t remember when this had happened, when her life seemed not to be her life, but only an extension of his. When had everything changed? When had she lost herself? Edward was a man women found attractive and men dared not cross. She had loved him once, but did she now? If she were honest with herself, the sexual attraction, that animal lust, was still there sometimes but it wasn’t enough…it hadn’t been enough for some time.

You are so beautiful Cassandra. I don’t think I tell you that enough, Edward said with a voice that was filled with honey and a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. And then, Aren’t you going down stairs to check on the help? now his voice was like ice and that accusing tone had crept in indicating he was not pleased; that she had somehow already disappointed him this early in the evening.

I was just about to do a final check. Just before I came up they were putting the finishing touches on everything. Cassandra replied as she fastened the large ruby cabochon earrings in place.

This evening is important to me and everything needs to be perfect, he said and then he turned and left without another word, closing the door behind him. Cassandra knew all these events had to be perfect, he had certainly told her often enough.

Cassandra tightened the sash of her silk dressing gown and headed down the stairs. At the landing she paused to survey the room below. The decorators had done well as she knew they would. She had been using David’s Designs for some years now and they knew her tastes and Edward’s expectations. There was a fire in the fireplace and candles and votives glowing everywhere. They had even placed candelabra on the Baby Grand. The tree was decorated perfectly of course, but she somehow missed the early days and the way she and Edward had once decorated it together with special ornaments they had collected. The large dining table was ready to receive the many wonderful dishes the caterers had prepared and the silver trays sparkled in the candlelight. Fresh flowers and greens on the mantle in the living room and on the table and sideboard in the in the dining room completed the picture.

The curving brick path from the street to the house had been lined with luminarias and there were dozens of poinsettias flanking the large front door. The valets were just setting up their station. And, courtesy of the Head Master at the nearby St. Matthews Academy, a parking lot had been made available for their use. The large annual donation to the Academy helped secure this no doubt. The evening was mild so in the back of the house the patio had been set with small tables, all covered with white cloths with a red overlay and each had a flickering votive tucked in the midst of greens. The trees in the yard held hundreds of tiny white lights. To keep the chill off, the caterers had brought in several large patio heaters, which had been placed strategically among the tables.

In the kitchen the caterers from Kathryn’s of Burlingame had everything well under control and mouthwatering smells wafted out to the rest of the house. Kathryn and Cassandra had been friends for a very long time and so Kathryn herself always supervised Cassandra’s parties before she ran home to change into her party clothes for the evening’s festivities.

Convinced that everything was as it should be, Cassandra returned to her room to finish dressing. She would make tonight special for her guests and would appear to be in the holiday spirit to all except those who knew her very well.

For tonight’s party, Cassandra wore a red, crepe one shoulder dress, which fit her well-toned body wonderfully and yet moved sensuously when she did. Red strapped sandals with low heels let her polished toes show through. Her honey colored hair was swept up into a French Twist, with just one or two tendrils left out to soften the look.

The music of Cole Porter drifted upstairs. The piano player must have arrived. Cassandra preferred Margarette a waitress from The Club who had been a concert pianist in her native Hungary, but Edward had insisted that it be a man and in tails no less.

Cassandra knew it would have done no good to argue, so she was not surprised to see a stranger sitting at the Baby Grand when she came down stairs again.

The doorbell rang, signaling the first arrival. Cassandra always preferred to greet her guests personally although she didn’t always know them. The guest list was eclectic to say the least since it was a mix of Edward’s friends and business associates…the current crop of power brokers, movers and shakers from The City and the Bay Area. Cassandra’s friends were usually from the charitable organizations on whose committees she served; the arts, and a few friends with whom she played golf. It always made for an interesting gathering. Tonight more than 100 people had been invited so Cassandra was glad the evening was mild and the crowd would spill out onto the sizeable patio.

The drinks and hors d’oeuvres were passed by waiters all wearing red bow ties and cummerbunds since it was a holiday party, the music was lively and laughter filled the air. Throughout the evening, Edward spent the majority of his time with the important people and only occasionally graced the other groups with his presence. However, Cassandra, always the perfect hostess, wanting to make sure everyone was having a good time, worked the room stopping to talk and laugh a few minutes with nearly everyone. Parties this size were more like work than fun even with all the help.

Finally the evening drew to a close. The last guest had departed and the caterers were just finishing clean up in the kitchen. In the morning they would return to pick up plates, glasses, silverware, tables and chairs. Cassandra was exhausted. Edward was nowhere to be seen. She assumed he had already gone to bed. Cassandra thanked the caterers for their outstanding work and bid them good night. She turned off the last of the lights, kicked off her shoes and sat down on the sofa in front of the dying embers of the fire with a glass of champagne. A little alone time before bed was just what she needed.

In a little while, she headed up the stairs to her room carrying her shoes in one hand and another glass of champagne in the other. When she opened the door, a candle burning in the bathroom reflected a lovely glow. It brought a tired little smile to her face. This was her place, her sanctuary.

There you are, said Edward from a darkened corner of the room. Cassandra was startled as he reached over and turned on the small lamp on her dressing table. All the better to see you… his voice trailed off. Come here, Cassandra. Edward commanded. She approached him. He took her shoes from her and dropped them on the floor near her feet and he took her glass of champagne from her and set it on her vanity table. You did an excellent job on the party and I thank you. But you didn’t have to pay so much attention to the men though did you? Every man at the party tonight wanted you. But you are mine and don’t you forget it. He stood very close to her and she could smell the alcohol on his hot breath. He had had plenty to drink. Take off your dress but leave the panties and bra on. Again she did as he commanded; she was afraid not to when he got like this. Years ago this used to be one of their exciting games, but there was a menacing tone in his voice now and standing before him now in her lingerie she felt more naked than if she had nothing on at all. Here, let me take the pins from your hair. Edward took the pins holding Cassandra’s French Twist and her silky hair fell to her shoulders. That’s better, he said. He started to run his fingers through her tresses, but instead grabbed her by the hair and titled her head back. He kissed her roughly on the lips and she could taste the alcohol. Edward, you’re hurting me, Cassandra whimpered. Edward’s raspy voice said, Isn’t this the way you like it? Well, isn’t it? Cassandra repeated, You’re hurting me.

With his hand still gripping her hair, he drug Cassandra to the bed where he forced her to kneel before him as he sat on the bed in front of her. Now get me hard, he ordered. Cassandra had never seen him quite this bad and was afraid not to do as he said. She unzipped his pants and took his cock in her mouth. It took no time at all before he was engorged. With that, he stood again, jerked Cassandra up from the floor and pushed her face down on the bed. He pulled her little red panties down and roughly entered her from behind. This is what you wanted, isn’t it? This is what all the men tonight wanted to do to you. Only you belong to me and only I can fuck you whenever I want and tonight I’m going to fuck you good. He thrust and thrust again and again, until he came with a moan to a shuddering climax. When he had finished with her, he turned and left for his own room. Cassandra collapsed in tears. She felt dirty and used and cheap. She cried in humiliation and for the loss of the tender love they had once shared.

As she gathered her strength, she headed for the shower – she just had to wash him off her. Once scrubbed and dried, she fell exhausted into bed.

Chapter 2

Cassandra wasn’t really sure whether she slept or not, but as the early light of dawn filtered through her windows, she got up, pulled on her jeans and a turtle neck, grabbed her heavy sheep skin lined leather jacket and her boots and tiptoed down the stairs. She got into her car, quietly closing the door and pulled out of the garage. The grey haze of early morning matched her mood.

On autopilot, she headed left on El Camino Real to Trousdale, turned left again and went up the hill to the 280. From there she headed south and when she reached the turn off, headed right onto Hwy 92 toward Half Moon Bay. As she came over the hill toward the ocean, the grey haze turned into fog. She turned right onto Highway 1 and then about 3 miles later, left just beyond the weathered old wooden sign that said Red’s Stables. Boarding, Training and Horses for Hire. She slowed as the gravel road crunched under her tires and she pulled up to park. It was early, so there was no one around to see her or ask questions. She let out a deep breath, feeling safe again.

She loved going to Red’s. This had been one of her little triumphs. Edward had insisted she board her horse at one of the fancier stables in Woodside where she’d meet better people. She ignored his requests for the small stable where she could smell the sea, enjoy a fresh ocean breeze and was not subjected to questions and idle chitchat from those better people.

Normally, Cassandra would stop and chat with Red before going for a ride, but this morning she just couldn’t face anyone, not even someone as dear as Red. Red was a slight fellow of indeterminate age with fading red hair, a weathered freckled face,