Page 14 of The Cowboy's Wild Side

“I’m standing at the window and I think I just saw a flashlight.”

“I’m two minutes away. I’ll stop in and check. What’s the gate code?”

“6116. But you don’t have to. It’s terrible out there. Crap, there it is again.”

“The flashlight?”

“Or whatever it is, but yes.”

“I’m almost there. I’ll stop next to the front door.”

“Thanks, Cade. Sorry to be a problem.”

“You’re not. I’ll be turning into the gates in about thirty-seconds.”

“Okay. I’m just going to throw on some clothes.”

“See you shortly.”

Accelerating through the driving rain, he saw the familiar gates a moment later, but when he rolled into the driveway his headlights illuminated a figure in a raincoat lumbering through the storm. Whoever it was stopped, then turned and began heading in his direction. With his pulse ticking up, Cade punched in the code, the gates swung open, and he sped forward, quickly stopping and lowering his window as the figure waved him down.

“If you’re lookin’ for the Rutherfords they’re out of town,” the man yelled.

“I’m here to see a friend who’s staying in the guest cottage,” Cade replied.

“Oh, I thought that was Helen. I’m Harry, the groundskeeper. I’m just here checkin’ on things. Especially that pond. Can’t be too careful in a storm like this.”

“Do you want a lift?”

“Much obliged. I’m in the wife’s car and I wouldn’t trust it drivin’ down that slope to the pond. It’s gravel but it canget a bit dicey.”

“Hop in, and don’t mind the dogs. The worst they’ll do is lick you to death.”

“Hah, I know that story. Thanks.”

Jack and Diane jumped into the rear seat making room for the drenched groundskeeper, and Cade continued on, relieved the man was not a mysterious stranger lurking on the grounds. When he pulled to a stop next to the front porch, Harry thanked him again, then climbed out and hurried towards the pond.

“Stay here,” Cade said, stepping out and hurrying to the front door, but before he had a chance to ring the bell, Karen had opened it.

“Come in, come in,” she said urgently. “Gosh, what a night.”

“That flashlight was just the groundskeeper here to check on the pond.”

“It was?” she replied with wide eyes.

“Yep. Why?”

“No reason, I’m just glad it wasn’t anyone—you know—snooping around.”

“I can’t imagine anyone wantin’ to do that on a night like this,” he replied, but as he spoke he realized she had been genuinely worried, perhaps even scared.

“Karen, would you be more comfortable in my guest room?”

“Uh…”

“Obviously no strings.”

“Honestly, Cade, yes, I would love that.”

---