Page 24 of The Cowboy's Wild Side

“Excellent. I’d like to talk to you more. I’ll only be here a few days and I don’t want to miss anything.”

“At your service, Mr. O’Brien.”

“Then I’ll see you later.”

As he walked away and felt her eyes on him, he was confident he’d soon have plenty of information about the area and the people living there. It was just a matter of time before he’d find Helen Rutherford, and Karen Baker would be just a stone’s throw away.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Karen was on Lily for just over thirty minutes. Though initially nervous she soon relaxed and allowed herself to move with the mare’s easy rhythm. As they walked, Cade shared stories about Smoky Hill and promised he’d take her on a trail ride before the end of the week.

“Tomorrow you’ll be in a saddle and we’ll go into the round pen. I’ll get you movin’ her forward, then stoppin’ and turnin’.”

“Why don’t we do it now?”

“You can’t do too much too soon or you’ll be sore. You’re usin’ muscles you don’t even know you have. Besides, we have a lunch date, remember?” he added with a grin. “When we get back you should go into town and visit Luke’s Western Garb.”

“I wish you could come with me, but I know you have lessons.”

“Ask for Luke or Jenny, that’s his wife, and tell them I sent you. They’ll make sure you get what you need. Damn, look at the time. We have to get movin’, and here comes Joe, right on time as usual. Why don’t you go in the house and get ready? I’ll introduce you when we get back. There are a few things I need to go over with him before we can leave.”

“Thanks, Cade, thanks for everything,” she said gratefully as she climbed off. “I promise I won’t take forever.”

“Famous last words,” he retorted with a chuckle. “Seeyou in a bit.”

As she began walking to the house she glanced across at the brawny young man marching up the driveway. With his muscled physique she suspected he’d once been a body builder, and she could easily imagine him moving the heavy bales of hay effortlessly. Wishing she had her cell phone so she could take his picture to send to her friends back in Dallas, it occurred to her she should pick one up when she was in the small town shopping for her clothes.

She smiled.

Thanks to Cade she could breathe again, and when her parents came home she could talk to them from the safety of his house.

But as she walked inside a frown crossed her brow.

When the dust had settled and Gino no longer presented a threat they’d expect her to come home. By the time that happened would she want to go back? Though it was early days she was already crazy about Cade, and she knew her feelings would only grow stronger.

“Cross that bridge when you come to it,” she muttered under her breath as she hurried into the bedroom. But even as the words left her lips she knew the question would continue to linger.

* * *

When Gino arrived at the Moonshine Campgrounds he found it to be just as the website described. But when he reached his cabin his focus quickly returned to the crucial task. Finding Karen Harper and keeping her quiet—permanently. He’d already noticed a couple of options. Bury her body in the endless woods or dispose of her in the same lake that had swallowed up the biker gang. She’d never be found. But first Paddy had to track her down.Settling into the comfortable leather couch, Gino called him.

“Hello, Gino. Are you here or are you calling from your car?” Paddy asked.

“I just arrived. I’m in cabin 3.”

“That was fast. I’m in cabin 2. We must be right next to each other, though it feels like there’s no-one for miles.

‘Yeah, they did a good job giving people privacy. What’s the latest? Any news about Karen Harper’s whereabouts? The clock’s ticking.”

“I’ve already located the house where her friend lives. It won’t be a problem getting in, and I’m making headway with the receptionist here. I’m confident I’ll soon know where Karen is staying, assuming she’s here. But, Gino, are you sure it’s wise for you to be here so publicly?”

“I’ll give you my reasoning later. Right now I want to freshen up and head into that township to do some digging. There’s a hotel there, and a diner. I’ll stop into both of them. What about you?”

“I’m going to stay here and eat in the restaurant. I want to get closer to Rebecca, the receptionist.”

“Meet me back here at three o’clock and we’ll compare notes. But be sure to call me if you learn anything important.”

“I’ll let you know right away. Otherwise I’ll see you at three.”

---