Page 45 of The Cowboy's Promise

What was it that brought them back to Smoky Hill?

A horrifying thought suddenly flashed through her head.

Jumping to her feet, she grabbed her jacket and hurried outside. Grateful the air wasn’t as chilly as it had been the night before, she looked around and finally saw Blake leading a horse into a paddock.

“Blake!” she called, breaking into a run.

“What’s wrong? You look upset.”

“I was thinking about Joe and Courtney and wondering why they came back here, and it suddenly hit me. Maybe they want Henry back! Maybe they’re here to steal him.”

“I highly doubt that, and even if they do there’s no way a horse can be stolen from this ranch. The gates are on a timer. They automatically close and lock at seven, and if someone did get them open Butch would be out there in a heartbeat barkin’ up a storm. But besides that, what’s the point of following you if they’re here for Henry?”

“Oh, right, I hadn’t thought about that. Then whyarethey in Smoky Hill?”

“That’s anyone’s guess, though it’s possible Courtney has some buyers here—for her drugs I mean,” he added, lowering his voice. “She was at that show and probably made some contacts.”

“Now that makes sense, but that doesn’t explain why Joe followed me either.”

“No, it doesn’t, and that’s the very reason I wanted you to stay here. In fact, until this whole thing is resolved I think you should stick around. Please say you’ll think about it.”

“Blake, I don’t need to think about it. I love it here. Of course I will.”

* * *

Turning off the country road and entering the campgrounds, the sheriff slowed down and followed the gravel lane past the restaurant. It was still early and there were no cars in the guest parking lot, but as he approached Cabin Five he spied a silver Hyundai. Nodding knowingly, he rolled to a stop and called in the plate number of the car. It was no surprise when it came back registered to Joseph Meyer. Climbing from his squad car, he walked up to the door and knocked. It took a minute or two, but it was finally opened.

“Sheriff Cooper,” Joe Meyer exclaimed. “This is a surprise.”

“Hello, Mr. Meyer. May I come in?”

“Of course. What brings you here?”

“Have you heard from your client?”

“Uh, no, why?”

“She’s disappeared.”

“What do you mean, disappeared?” Joe asked anxiously. “How can she disappear? She’s in a hospital bed with a deputy sitting outside her door.”

“She was, but she escaped in the middle of the night. The thing is, last night was very cold. Even though she’d put on her clothes there’s no way she could have made it very far. Not without help. Where were you last night, Mr. Meyer?”

“Here! Where else would I be? And why are you questioning me and not out looking for her? This is terrible. We have to starta search immediately. Call in your deputies. I have resources in Dallas. I’ll get in touch with them right away.”

“Mr. Meyer, I need to check this cabin.”

“But what about--?”

“Mind if I have a look around?”

“Be my guest, but she’s not here! You should be out finding her, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

“This won’t take long,” the sheriff replied, ignoring his comment and marching past him into the bedroom.

Studying the scene with his experienced eye, the sheriff immediately noticed the two pillows on the disheveled bed. They both had the telltale indentations of a person’s head.

“Did you spend the night alone, Mr, Meyer?”

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