Page 31 of The Cowboy's Promise

“Hey, darlin’,” he said warmly as he answered. “Are you at work?”

“Yes, and I wasn’t followed, thank goodness. I found the receipt. The man’s name is Joseph Meyer.”

“That doesn’t ring a bell.”

“I wonder if he’ll show up for dinner,” she said thoughtfully. “He is staying here.”

“Can you ask the manager not to seat him at your station?”

“I was already thinking about that. I wonder who he is.”

“It’s too late to call the sheriff now, but I will first thing in the mornin’. Maybe he can shed some light on this. Let me know when you’re leavin’.”

“Will do. Bye, Blake.”

“Bye, darlin’.”

Heather ended the call with a smile.

She loved how he called herdarlin’.

It was hard to believe they were dating!

She’d had a crush on the hunky cowboy since the day they’d met, and while he’d always been warm and kind, he’d kept a professional distance. But there were other cute girls at the barn, and she couldn’t help but wonder why he’d chosen her.

“Heather?” The manager’s voice snapped her from her thoughts. Glancing up she saw him standing in the door. “Are you okay?”

“Oh, hi Terry, yes, fine, but there’s something I need to tell you.”

As she quickly relayed the entire story, from buying Henry, Courtney’s arrest, being followed, and the coincidental conversation with the guest seated at the window table, a frown creased his brow.

“That’s why I’m here looking at this receipt,” she finished. “Blake wanted to know his name, but he has no idea who he is. But if he comes in again...actually...I was going to say I don’t want to serve him, but I’ve changed my mind.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, definitely,” she replied. “I think it’s time for me to be the one asking questions.”

“Heather, I don’t like the sound of this.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t upset him, I’ll be very…what’s the word? Subtle. I’ll be very subtle.”

“I’m not worried about upsetting him, I’m worried about your safety. If he was the one who followed you—”

“That’s what I’m hoping to find out. Well, not that exactly, but I’ll get some information, and anything I learn might be helpful.”

“Okay, but I’ll be keeping my eye on him—and you. If I see anything that concerns me I’ll step in.”

“Thanks, Terry. That’s reassuring,” she said, though she hoped he wouldn’t interfere. “Now I’d better get into the kitchen and check on the specials.”

* * *

When Joe left the hospital he had serious reservations about Courtney’s scheme to escape. While it was brilliant, he knew alltoo well even the best laid plans could fall short. Not to mention life was full of the unexpected. But once Courtney had an idea in her head there was no changing her mind. She wasn’t as stubborn as a mule, she was as stubborn as a team of them. But there was another reason he had to go along with her. If he refused she might not ever speak to him again.

The thought of losing her made his stomach churn.

By the time he’d reached his cabin he’d resigned himself to his fate. If they were caught he’d lose his law license and probably end up behind bars. But it was a very clever idea, and together they might just be able to pull it off.

After taking a long hot shower and mentally running through the details to make sure he hadn’t missed anything, he headed to the restaurant. It was still relatively early. There were only a few guests, and the moment he walked in he saw Heather. He couldn’t quite put his finger on why, but she was the quintessential country girl. Or at least, what he’d always imagined a country girl to be. As if feeling his eyes on her, she turned around and smiled. For a moment he felt captured, as though she was a mythological siren on a rock luring him in, and he was a lowly sailor.

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