Page 23 of The Cowboy's Ultimatum

“Sure.”

“Well, now he’s married to Annie. She may be a big star, but she’s still my little sister. Anyway, when I told him about Helen’s lunch with this weird guy and that I couldn’t be there because I’d be with clients, he volunteered. He said he’d take a video if it’s doable.”

“Ah, I see. That’s great. But the other question is, how the heck does Helen know Ken Lockhart? They wouldn’t travel in the same circles.”

“I want to know the answer to that question myself,” Andy said with a frown, “and once she’s safely home I intend to find out.”

* * *

Ken was in a foul mood when he rode his bike into the Moonshine parking lot. He couldn’t understand how a punk cowboy had been able to get the better of Bear. The guy was tough, ruthless, and quick-tempered. Not to mention he lived up to his nickname. He was several inches over six feet, and a powerhouse of hard muscle.

Climbing off and removing his helmet, Ken tried to push the bad news out of his mind, but it was impossible. He’d wanted to keep a low profile in the small community, and now Erin’s stupid argument with Helen and her rancher boyfriend had inexplicably blown up. The local sheriff would now have thename Ken Lockhart on his radar, and know Bear was connected to him.

Forcing himself to focus on the matter at hand, he glanced around the virtually empty lot looking for Helen’s car. When he saw it parked nearby under the shade of the trees, he felt a ripple of relief. The town was close-knit, and he’d been worried she might have heard about his connection to Bear and not shown up. Gripping his helmet as he strode towards the door, he studied the other vehicles. Nothing screamed surveillance. With his nerves settling and his confidence growing, he entered the high-end restaurant.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Sitting nervously at a table in a discreet corner by a window overlooking a picturesque creek, Helen stared across at the door waiting for Kenny to appear.

When Andy had called and told her about his unexpected, threatening visitor—a gorilla sized man dressed from head to toe in leather riding a monster motorbike—then told her about Kenny’s connection to a biker gang in Dallas, she’d wanted to cancel the meeting. But Andy thought if she wasn’t there, Kenny might show up at the ranch himself with his biker buddies.

“Believe me, darlin’, I don’t like this one bit, but the sheriff is on top of it now, and from the moment you arrive at the restaurant, and on your drive home, there will be plenty of eyes on you.”

Andy’s reassurance had been helpful, but glancing around the half-empty dining room she didn’t see anyone who looked remotely like a deputy or police officer. Telling herself they would be purposely inconspicuous, she waved to a waitress.

“What can I get you?” the young woman asked.

“Can you bring the menus please, and what are your flavored vodkas?”

“We have vanilla, peppermint and peach.”

“Vanilla, and bring it as soon as you can.”

“Sure thing.”

Helen knew from experience the vodka wouldn’t make her tired or tipsy, it would just settle her nerves. The waitress returned in a flash, and Helen had just downed the shot when the door opened and Kenny entered. The effects were almost instantaneous, and she waved him over.

Watching him stride towards her with his long, thick, wavy, shimmering hair and engaging smile, she found it hard to believe he was the leader of a tough, possibly criminal biker gang. But his well-worn leathers spoke of many miles on the road and gave him an appealing edginess. It was an intoxicating combination. Studying him with fresh, objective eyes, she understood why she’d been attracted to him. He was the epitome of a tough, sexy, bad boy.

“Hey, pretty lady. Glad you could make it,” he said, leaning down and pecking her on the cheek. “You look great.”

“Thanks, so do you,” she replied as he sat opposite her. “Can I ask you something. Two things, actually.”

“I need a beer first,” he declared, waving at the waitress. “Do you want anything? I see you’ve had your usual vodka shot.”

“No, thanks. One’s always enough.”

As the waitress hurried over and took his order, Helen could see she was fascinated by him.

“Kenny, just how many women arenotattracted to you?” she asked as the waitress left.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Stop it.”

“Okay, not many, and the ones that aren’t I can usually…let’s see, how do I put this…?”

“Seduce?”

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