Page 28 of The Cowboy's Promise

“What do you think will happen with Courtney?” she asked as they started off.

“I know there are quite a few charges against her, though I don’t know all of them, but I have a feelin’ she’ll end up servin’ time. Dealin’ drugs here is a big deal, especially after what happened with Helen Rutherford and that bike-ridin’ thug out of Dallas.”

“That whole thing was terrible.”

“It sure was. Even though that guy was around Andy our paths never crossed, thank the Lord. Huh, I wonder if Courtney knew him. He was livin’ and dealin’ out of Dallas and I bet it’s a small world. Maybe I should mention it to the sheriff, though he’s bound to follow up on everything. But gettin’ back to Courtney. It’s possible her lawyer will find a way out. That’s what lawyers do, and she has money.”

“I’m so glad we got Henry away from her. But I worry about her other horses. She has that big trailer she must have more than one.”

“I’ve been thinkin’ about that too, but my old man used to say,do what you can, but remember you can’t save the world. He was right.”

“I guess,” she muttered as they reached her truck. “Blake, thanks for an amazing day.”

“Back at ya,” he quipped with a wink. “Drive safely, and do me favor. Text me when you get home from work.”

As he leaned down and softly kissed her she felt herself melting, but a second later he pulled back and opened the door. Wishing she could stay, she reluctantly climbed in behind the wheel.

* * *

Watching her slowly roll down the driveway, Blake took in a heavy breath. He didn’t want her to leave. He wanted to sit across from her at the kitchen table, cuddle together in front of the fire and watch TV, then wander through the barn before bed and check on the horses.

He wanted her next to him as he slept.

And he wanted to wake up beside her.

His pondering was abruptly interrupted by something touching his hand. Glancing down he found Butch panting up at him expectantly.

“Where have you been?”

When the dog barked in response Blake laughed out loud, then lifting his eyes he saw Heather’s truck turn onto the road.

“I guess that’s it for now,” he muttered, but as he started to turn around a car appeared, seemingly from nowhere. As it drove past the gates he thought it looked familiar.

“Huh. that’s weird,” he muttered, “but we need to go, Butch, I need some coffee.”

With his dog running ahead he began ambling back to his house—then abruptly paused his step.

The car resembled the one he’d seen under the tree when he was looking down from the grassy clearing. Closing his eyes he tried to recall the image.

The vehicle had been grey or silver, and a four-door sedan.

The car passing the gate had been the same.

A chill shuddered down his spine.

“What the hell?” he grunted as his eyes popped open, and snatching his phone from his pocket he called Heather

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Heather was a short distance from home when her cell phone buzzed. Looking down and seeing Blake’s name she quickly accepted the call.

“Hey, what’s up? Is everything okay?”

“Look in your rear view mirror. Is there a car behind you?”

“Um, yes. But I just turned into the drive and it’s passing by. Why?”

“Was it silver?”

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