Page 61 of Dark Side of the River

“Starved.”For you, she thought. She would not deny her heart no matter what the future held. She wouldn’t be a bitter, unforgiving woman like her mother. But after this morning, she knew it could cost her not just her family, but she feared it would cost her the ranch.

OVERLUNCH,Cooper couldn’t take his eyes off her. Tilly was so beautiful, so sexy in an understated way, so confident. That he wanted her desperately was no secret. On the way into town, they’d passed a motel. Their options were so limited other than getting together out in the wild.

He couldn’t help being tempted. He had a feeling that she’d be up for the motel, even though it wasn’t how he’d wanted to make love with her the first time.

After lunch, they were headed out to his pickup. He put his arm around her and whispered in her ear what he was thinking. “We can leave the pickup here, walk down to the motel...” They knew too many people in this county. If someone saw his truck parked in front of the motel, it would be all over the evening news.

“Yes,” she said without hesitation. She met his gaze, and he saw desire bright in those green eyes.

But as they started to turn to walk in the direction of the motel, a car pulled up. Cooper groaned as a local rancher got out, calling to him. They stopped walking as the rancher came over to shake Cooper’s hand, ask how long he’d been back, what he was doing in Baker.

Then the rancher recognized Tilly and did a double take before apologizing for not speaking to her sooner. “Picked a good place to get a burger,” he said, looking embarrassed.

“I forgot, we’re parked over here,” Cooper said, telling the rancher goodbye as he and Tilly headed for his pickup.

“What are we going to do?” Tilly said once they were inside the cab of the truck. She stifled a laugh. “This is crazy. It’s like the universe is trying to keep us apart.”

“Maybe it’s for the best. If Leann’s case is reopened, I can’t be sure what will happen. I’m the last person you might want to be involved with.”

“Don’t say that. Nothing can change my mind about you, about us, Coop. I want this more than anything. I realized that I have for a long while.”

He swallowed. “If I make love to you—”

“Whenyou do, yes?”

“When I make love to you, there will be no going back for me. You sure you’re ready for that?”

She nodded and smiled. “I’m ready for the tailgate.”

He laughed as he started the engine and drove them back toward Powder Crossing. “But no motel, no tailgate today. I’ll figure something out.”

He was so unsure about so many things—just not this, not Tilly. His heart knew where it had been headed for a long time. They had to find a way.

All day, he’d been hoping to hear that the sheriff had checked out the meth lab at the old homestead. But even after lunch, the drive back to her pickup and the long trip back to the ranch, he still hadn’t heard anything.

“Well?” he’d asked in frustration when the sheriff answered his call.

“Well, what? Not that it’s any of your business, but we had several emergencies around town. I couldn’t get out there.”

Cooper swore. “After what happened yesterday, they’re going to move the operation.”

“Whose fault will that be? If you and Tilly weren’t so busy undermining my investigation—”

“Call in more help. Call the Feds. You can’t let them get away. These are dangerous people.”

“Stop telling me how to do my job,” Stu snapped, and disconnected.

He tried to breathe. What the hell was the sheriff doing? Not his job. Cooper wanted to call him back and tell Stu what he thought about him using his anger at him and Tilly to ignore something this important.

He hadn’t wanted to go over Stu’s head, but now he had no choice. He called the Feds, told one of the agents everything and gave them coordinates to where the meth lab was located.

Stuart would be furious. Cooper was kicking himself for not going to the Feds right away. He just hoped it wasn’t too late.

He found Holly Jo mucking out the stalls and grumbling under her breath.

“Heard you got into trouble,” he said. She looked up, pulled a face and kept working. He knew his father was now locking the tack room to make sure she didn’t take it on herself to saddle up and take off. “I have to go into town, but I’ll be back for your riding lesson.”

“What is the point if I never get to ride?” she wailed.

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