Page 70 of Cornered

“I’m not surprised. What does that have to do with the deer?”

“Because when I got back to the station with the deer, I was telling the other guys what happened. One of our volunteers got a funny look on his face. He said he’d heard some talk at The Dry Gulch tonight that Cassie was the target.”

“I’d like to know why a volunteer was at The Dry Gulch before his shift, but even more than that, I’d like to know who was talking.”

Stu snorted. “I tried to get something for you. He said he heard it from the bartender who heard it from a mysterious somebody who’d heard it from some other somebody. And he wasn’t drinking. He was playing pool with his brother.”

“Sure he was. If you hear anything else, holler.”

“Will do.”

Donovan followed Cassie down the long driveway to the tiny house where she now lived. She pulled into the space that was obviously hers. Two other vehicles were already parked under the carport. A red Jeep that belonged to Mo, and a deep blue Toyota 4Runner that was Meredith’s.

The tiny house compound had been built by Cal, Mo, and Meredith so the cousins could have their own space but still be neighbors until they decided to build their forever homes. So far, Cal was the only one who’d made the leap. And rather than have his tiny house sit empty, the cousins had offered it to Cassie.

When Donovan heard about it, he’d assumed it had been because she planned to stay in Gossamer Falls for only a short period of time and didn’t need a long-term lease.

Now? He wasn’t so sure.

He climbed from his SUV and joined Cassie. He walked beside her but didn’t touch her, and when they reached the firepit, he found that Mo and Meredith had called Cal and Landry back after all. The four sat around the firepit. Cal’s dog, Maisy, sat at his feet.

“Where’s Eliza?” Cassie asked as she walked around the circle giving hugs.

Cal had taken to fatherhood like everyone had always known he would, and he was extremely protective of his daughter. The adoption wasn’t final, but she’d started calling him Daddy even before the wedding and as far as everyone was concerned, she was his and always would be.

Landry, Eliza’s mother and Cal’s new bride, spoke up from her perch on Cal’s lap. “She’s with Abby.”

Abby Shaw, Cal’s niece, and Eliza were the best of friends. And Donovan knew that Cal’s brother and sister-in-law were happy to have Eliza over frequently to give the newlyweds some precious time alone.

Cal pointed to a chair. “Let’s hear it.”

Cassie laughed. “Ready to go home, Cal?”

“Yes I am.” There was a distinct tinge of exasperation in his voice. “I was almost home when Mo called. What’s going on?”

Donovan filled them in on the deer in the road, the phonecall from Stu that Cassie had heard, and then the one he’d received on the way to their house.

“I’m feeling like I might need to spend a few hours in The Dry Gulch.” Mo stretched his arms above his head.

“Oh no you don’t.” Meredith gave her brother a flat look. “Leave it to Donovan.”

Donovan didn’t miss the look that passed between Mo and Cal. And based on Cassie’s squared shoulders, neither did she.

Meredith patted Cassie’s hand. “Don’t worry. Gray and Donovan will handle it. And Cal and Mo will have to be content with making themselves a nuisance as they provide a protection detail for you. Please note that your desire to have this protection detail will not be taken into consideration.”

Maisy stood and walked to where Cassie sat, and then put her head in Cassie’s lap. Cassie ran her hands over Maisy’s head.

Donovan had never known a dog as sensitive as Maisy was. She was most attuned to Cal. But she’d picked up on Cassie’s stress and decided she needed to do something about it.

While Cassie argued with her cousins, Donovan kept his mouth shut. He was in no position to get involved. And when his phone rang, he didn’t hesitate to answer. “Bledsoe.”

“I leave you in charge for the day and the whole place implodes.” Gray’s amusement was clear, as was his fatigue.

“That’ll teach you,” Donovan fired back.

“Where are you now?”

“At Cassie’s.”

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