Page 31 of The Cowboy's Wild Side

“I’m not going anywhere until she no longer presents athreat, and I mean permanently!” he exclaimed angrily. “This whole situation is one big, fucking mess!”

“She was stupid, listening in like that,” Paddy muttered. “But you’re right. She’s bound to tell her parents, and if that happens all hell will break loose. I’ve been waiting for you to get here, but I’ll go over to the Rutherford estate now to find the best place to deal with her.”

“Good. You do that.”

“But there’s something else we need to discuss. She’ll have to pick up her car from the ranch to go back there. If I know when she’s on the way it would be very helpful. How would you feel about keeping watch and alerting me when she leaves? There’s plenty of cover in the trees directly across the street, though you’ll probably have to park somewhere else and walk in.”

“If it means it will make your job safer and easier, you bet I will,” Gino replied brusquely. “I’ll head over there now and see if I can find a place to leave the car where it can’t be seen.”

“Even after she leaves you’ll have to stay there in case John Wayne decides to leave his ranch and pay her a surprise visit.”

“Fuck! I wanted to talk to her before you send her off on her eternal vacation.”

“I understand, Gino, but God Forbid he suddenly shows up! I don’t have to tell you what a disaster that would be. If he leaves the ranch you can let me know which direction he’s headed. If it’s towards the Rutherford Estate I’ll have time to prepare.”

“Yeah, I get it. I’ll head over to that wooded area now. Hopefully by the time I’m done she will have left the campgrounds and we can get this thing done.”

As Gino abruptly ended the call, Paddy stared at the phone and let out a heavy breath. He’d heard the panic inGino’s voice. The man needed to be kept at a distance. Executing a clean murder required calm, clear thinking. Keeping him in the woods meant keeping him out of the way.

But picturing the pretty girl in the photograph, Paddy experienced a moment of doubt. Though rarely did he renege on a job, he couldn’t help thinking about his Erin, his favorite cousin back in Ireland.

* * *

Gino was just a few minutes from the turnoff to the Moonshine Campgrounds when he’d received Paddy’s text. Turning around he’d driven to Lake View Point to call him. Now he was back on the road, and as he followed a sweeping curve and the ranch came into view, a wave of concern rippled through his body.

The situation was beginning to feel annoyingly complicated.

The nosey young woman was staying at the Rutherford Estate, but spending her days at a ranch and becoming involved with the cowboy who owned the place.

The relationship could present a problem.

Pushing the irritating thoughts from his mind, he slowed down and searched for a place to park his car out of sight. Though he didn’t spy anything suitable, he did see a narrow trail leading up into the elevated, heavily wooded area running alongside the road. Not knowing what he might find he put his SUV into 4WD and started up the steep, muddy track. Moments later he was rolling into a small clearing covered with branches and rocks with the trees less than fifty yards ahead.

Coming to a stop, he climbed out and walked towards the edge of the bank. To his relief he discovered he had aclear view of the ranch, and the white Hyundai was in plain sight, but if anyone looked up he’d probably be seen. He’d have to lie down if he was to use it as a surveillance spot. But there was a raincoat in the back of the SUV to cover the mucky ground. As he lifted out his phone and called Paddy, he noticed a cowboy pushing a wheelbarrow into a paddock.

“Hi, Gino. I was about to call you,” Paddy exclaimed as he answered. “The truck left a couple of minutes ago.”

“Are you sure it was them?” Gino asked as he walked back to his vehicle.

“I saw Karen plain as day. What about you? Did you have any luck?”

“Yes, I found an elevated spot with a clear view of the ranch

“That’s great news. I’m leaving for the Rutherford Estate now. I’ll call you from there.”

“Okay. I’ll let you know when they get back here,” Gino replied, then ending the call, he retrieved his oilskin coat and binoculars and returned to the edge of the bank.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Karen couldn’t believe her life had changed so drastically in such a short time. Cade had stolen her heart and she was deliriously happy.

But she remained deeply worried about Gino Stallone.

At some point she’d have to return to Dallas and speak to the authorities. But to what lengths would he go to make sure she didn’t share what she’d heard?

It was a terrifying thought.

“You’re suddenly quiet. Are you okay?” Cade asked, following the sweeping bend and slowing down as he approached the ranch.

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