Page 50 of The Cowboy's Promise

“What does that have to do with me?”

“The best way to hurt him is to hurt you,” she sneered. “But you’re guilty too. You called the damn vet to check on King Henry.”

“But he was in a terrible state. You should be thanking me for helping him, not—”

“Hey, you stuck your nose where it didn’t belong, and that pissed me off. It still pisses me off. But enough of all this shit. Ah, finally, Joe’s back,” she exclaimed as they heard the sound of the patio door opening and closing. He’ll be very happy to see you here. You’ve saved him a lot of trouble.”

As if on cue Joe walked into the room, but seeing Heather he stopped short and broke into a wide grin.

“Well, well, look who’s here,” he exclaimed. “Talk about perfect timing.”

“Joe, please, I’ve done nothing to you. Just let me go. I won’t tell anyone I’ve seen Courtney, I swear. “

“I’ll make you a deal. Do exactly as I say and you’ll be fine.”

“And so will your horses,” Courtney chimed in.

“Okay, fine, whatever you want I’ll do it,” Heather said urgently.

“Good. It’s a simple request. Just follow my instructions to the letter. Start by pulling out your phone.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

Sheriff Cooper was convinced Joe Meyer had helped Courtney escape and they had spent the night together in the cabin. Sitting in his cruiser he tapped his thumb against the steering wheel. He was a patient man, especially when it came to waiting for perps to show themselves. He was thinking the couple were somewhere in the campground when his cell phone chimed. Glancing at the screen he was surprised to see Heather’s name.

“Hello, Heather, what can I do for you?”

“Hello Sheriff,” she began breathlessly. “I’ve just seen Courtney McCallum and Joe Meyer down at the cabin by the swimming hole.”

“Go back to the restaurant and tell the manager to keep everyone in there until he hears from me.”

“Sure, Sheriff. Will do.”

Hastily ending the call and ordering Deputy Tagg to join him, the sheriff drove cautiously down the lane. But as he approached the small, man-made lake, he was startled to see a family coming from the cabin and laying food on one of the picnic tables.

“Dammit,” he grunted under his breath, snatching up his cell phone.

When the call to Heather went straight to voice mail a cold chill rippled through his body. Deputy Tagg had arrived, and signaling him to follow, the sheriff sped back to Cabin Five. Only when he saw the silver Hyundai Sonata still parked in front did he take a breath. Swiftly, leaving his cruiser, he hurried to the deputy’s car.

“Cover the back,” he ordered as the young man climbed from behind the wheel.

Waiting until the deputy confirmed he was in position, the sheriff crouched low to the ground and moved across to the Sonata. Finding it unlocked, he opened the car door and pressed on the horn, hoping it would lure Joe Meyer outside.

There was no response.

He waited a moment and tried again.

Not sure if the couple had fled on foot or were just holding out, he marched up the steps and banged his fist on the door.

“Joe Meyer, this is Sheriff Cooper!”

When no-one appeared, he cautiously opened the door and poked his head in.

There wasn’t a sound.

Instinctively he knew the cabin was empty.

* * *

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