Page 53 of The Cowboy's Ultimatum

“It looks that way, but come with me. There are lights up around the area so you’ll be able to see it clearly, and with the water still so high—well—it’s quite a sight.”

As they followed the sheriff through the vehicles, Helen clung to Andy’s arm, and though the shiver had passed she still felt oddly uneasy.

“Watch your step, it’s pretty rocky,” the sheriff warned.

As he led them through the entrance, he turned left and stood on the top of the bank.

“Wow, I can’t believe this,” she mumbled, gazing down at the water lapping softly on the shore. “When we were here it was way further back. Look at the car, Andy, it’s halfway up the tires.”

“Yep, sometimes it comes all the way to where we’re standin’. It’s never crossed onto the road, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it did one day. If we had an extra heavy snowfall at the end of winter and a heavy spring rain it could happen. There’s talk of closin’ this off completely, but how? We could erect a heavy-duty gate, but teenagers would just climb over it, and how would they get out if the worst happens?”

“Andy told me the sign gets stolen.”

“Yep, every year.”

“Perhaps you could wrap a hot wire around it.”

“What did you just say?”

“I said, perhaps you could wrap a hot wire around it, or that rolled barbed wire so they can’t reach it.”

“Damn, Helen, that’s brilliant. I’ll bring that up at the next council meetin’.”

“She has her moments,” Andy said, giving her a hug. “Have you seen enough?”

“I have. Thank you, Sheriff, thank you for everything.”

“No, thankyou!Oh, before you leave there’s some other news you should know. Today George’s department carried out a series of raids on Ken’s dealers all over Dallas. He believes the entire operation has been shut down.”

“That’s fantastic,” Andy exclaimed.

“Yep. Ken had people in hair salons, auto repair shops, even a horse trainer.”

“Do you know the trainer’s name?” Helen asked, feeling her pulse tick up.

“Erin Leary. She had a fancy barn in a real nice area. Now I’d better get back to work. Drive safe!”

* * *

Walking back to the truck Helen didn’t speak, and Andy didn’t push, but as he opened the door for her, she stared up at him with tears in her eyes.

“Erin. I didn’t like her at the end, but even so…”

“She was probably usin’, but it’s over now, all of it,” he said softly. “No more Ken, no more Erin, no more worryin’.”

“I think he was going to blackmail me into working for him here in Smoky Hill.”

“You would’ve found a way out, but now you don’t have to. Like I said, it’s all over.”

“Um…Andy?”

“Yeah, darlin’?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, and it’s cold out here. Let’s get home.”

“I don’t think I can wait that long.”

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