Page 57 of Haystacks and Hoaxes

“I’m…fine.” Hawk rolled to his side, coughing and wheezing. “Took a bullet…to the ribs. Caught it with…my vest.”

A fourth bullet zinged off the window of the passenger door above their heads.

“Stay down,” the deputy advised, flattening to his belly on the ground beside them. He lifted a radio to his mouth. “Shot was taken by a bulletproof vest. Victim is winded, but that’s it.”

“Wait!” Hawk struggled to catch his breath. “I saw the shooter’s position.” He described the location in the foothills where he’d glimpsed the flash of ascope in the sunlight. “It’s a bit of a climb, but there’s a cavern up there,” he explained. “It’s a popular hangout for teens on the res, even though it’s technically not on the res.”

Rock had been in Heart Lake long enough to pick up on some of the local jargon. Thereswas what the locals called the Comanche reservation that butted up against the south side of town.

Nodding, the deputy lifted his radio back to his mouth to relay what Hawk had shared.

By the time the police made it to the yawning cavern, however, the shooter was gone. He must have left in a hurry. Four bullet casings were scattered around the dirt, along with a cigarette butt that was still smoking. It didn’t take the Heart Lake Police Department long to match the DNA found on the cigarette to Troy Bentley’s rap sheet from his younger days. His record included multiple speeding tickets, one count of vandalism that had resulted in a stint of community service, a DUI that his parents had done some fancy legal footwork to get dismissed, and — miracle of miracles — a drug screening.

A warrant was drawn up for his arrest, and an all-points bulletin was released with his photo. It was accompanied by a warning that he was armed and dangerous.

Rock pacedthe waiting room of the Heart Lake Medical Center’s emergency room, unable to take a seat until he received word about Monty Chester’s condition.

In a gratuitous turn of events, Mila had been allowed into the emergency room bay with the older gentleman while he was being treated. It was another one of those small-town things that might not have happened in abigger town. However, the APB for Troy Bentley made it clear he was a fugitive from the law. And since his parents weren’t cooperating, Mila was the next closest thing he had to family.

It felt like forever before the door leading to the emergency room bays burst open. It was Mila. Rock’s heart leaped with alarm as she scanned the room, found him, and flew in his direction.

Fearing the worst, he did the only thing he could do. He held out his arms to her. “Is he—?” His question was cut off when she slammed into him. It felt like a football tackle in full gear, since they were both still wearing bulletproof vests.

She looped her arms around his neck. “Oh, Rock!” She sighed the words against his throat. “He’s going to make it. Mr. Monty is going to live!” Tears flooded her face, drenching his collar.

“Glad to hear it.” He was equally overjoyed by her nearness. The way they were wrapped in each other’s arms wasn’t the typical greeting of coworkers. His better judgement warned him that anyone could walk in on them at any minute and misread the situation.

Hawk was probably already suspicious about their relationship. He’d refused medical treatment and was instead pacing the opposite side of the waiting room.

Rock met his questioning gaze over the top of Mila’s head. “Looks like Monty Chester is gonna pull through.”

Hawk’s expression lit as he strode their way. “Finally, some good news!” He broke into a victory jig that made Rock think of an ancient tribal dance around a bonfire. “This calls for some coffee.” He danced his way toward the hallway. “You two want to join me in the cafeteria downstairs?”

Normally, Rock would’ve agreed, but Mila was still clinging to him. “We’ll catch up with you,” he promised.

“Suit yourself.” Hawk disappeared around the corner.

“Mila,” Rock said quietly.

“It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?” She snuggled closer to him. “The whole story about Mr. Monty’s passing and Troy’s inheritance was nothing more than a hoax. I can’t believe the whole town fell for it, myself included.” Self-recrimination shuddered through her.

He didn’t understand why she was being so hard on herself. If she hadn’t captured the smoke signal and multiplying haystacks in her sketches, Troy might’ve gotten away with murder. Instead, he was going to jail just as soon as he could be located. At the moment, he and the elusive Helen were in the wind, and Troy’s parents still weren’t cooperating with the investigation. The attorney they’d hired had stonewalled every attempt at questioning them.

“It was a carefully crafted hoax,” he agreed. “Fortunately, my partner saw through it.”

“I had some pretty incredible help,” she returned softly, which brought him back to what he originally wanted to say to her.

“Mila?” It was time to clear the air between them, though he wasn’t sure where to begin.

“I know, I know,” she murmured, still not letting him go. “I need to pull it together. I need…” She raised herself on her toes to touch her mouth to his.

She needed him.

He needed her just as badly. He accepted what she was offering, tenderly plundering her lips the way he’d been dreaming of doing for days. In some ways, it was inevitable that they’d end up in each other’s arms. From the moment they’d met, there’d been something between them.Something special and real. Something he hadn’t been trying all that hard to resist. Something he was going to have to confess to her brother. Soon. Today.

If being with her ultimately required turning in his badge at Lonestar Security and finding another job, then so be it.

A man cleared his throat from somewhere nearby, making Rock break off their kiss sooner than he wanted to. It was a sound he recognized all too well. He turned with Mila still in his arms to face his boss. He hoped the guy could read the apology stained across his features.

---