Page 43 of The Cowboy's Promise

“What’s happened?” he asked anxiously, hastily accepting the call.

“Sheriff, I’m sorry but it’s Courtney McCallum—she’s gone. The nurse checked her durin’ the night and she was sleepin’, but this mornin’ the bed was empty. I swear I never left the chair except to run to the men’s room, and one of the nurses waited for me.”

“So how the hell did she get outta there?”

“Apparently the bathroom. There are narrow windows above the counter just below the ceilin’. She must have climbed out and was picked up by a waitin’ vehicle.”

“Are there cameras back there.”

“I’m afraid not, Sheriff.”

“I’ll put out an alert. Block off that parkin’ lot and search it. You never know what you might find. I’ll send someone to help you.”

“I’ll get right on it, Sheriff.”

Kissing his wife on the cheek, he quickly climbed from the bed, contacted the station with the APB, then called the Moonshine Campground. When he heard Joe Meyer was still here he felt a shard of hope.

“What about his vehicle? Do you have any details?”

“No, sheriff, I’m sorry we don’t keep that information, but I can describe it. He has a silver four door, not a big car, but not a compact either. I think it might have been a Hyundai. Like a Sonata or Elantra.”

“That’s very helpful, thank you. Can you see the driveway from where you are?”

“I can. Do you want me to call you if I see him leave?”

“Yes. I believe my number will have shown up on your phone.”

“It has, Sheriff.”

“What cabin is he in?”

“I believe it’s number five, let me check…yes, that’s correct. Uh, should we be worried?”

“I don’t believe he presents any danger, but for the moment I’d keep my distance.”

“I’ll make sure everyone knows.”

“Thank you, and please call me immediately if you see him with a woman who’s attractive, tall and thin. Her name is Courtney McCallum.”

“I sure will, Sheriff.”

* * *

Waking up next to Blake’s warm, muscled body, Heather cuddled closer and let out a contented sigh. A moment later she heard him yawn, and his arms came around her.

“It sure is nice to have you here,” he murmured. “I swear I’d be happy if I never left this bed.”

“You wouldn’t be happy when all your clients found other trainers.”

“Yeah, well, it would be worth it,” he quipped, then groaned as she moved her hand to his crotch and gripped his hardness. But Butch, sleeping by the bed, suddenly sat up and barked.

“It appears someone else is happy I’m here as well,” she remarked with a grin as she moved and glanced down at him.

“He can find his own girl. You belong to me.”

“Is that so! Do I get a say in this?”

“Nope,” he declared, moving her onto her back and staring down at her. “I’ve known you for…how long?”

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