Page 29 of One Heated Summer

The road to Lannigan was winding, flanked by sprawling ranches and fields that stretched endlessly under the vast Texas sky. My mind raced with thoughts of Harlyn and the countless possibilities of what might have happened. Cash sat silentlybeside me, his presence a comforting reminder that I wasn’t alone in our search.

We passed familiar landmarks, the cattle grazing lazily and the occasional tumbleweed drifting across the road. Despite the serene landscape, the weight of uncertainty pressed heavily on my chest. I kept my eyes peeled for any sign of Harlyn’s truck, every shadow or movement in the distance catching my attention.

As we approached the outskirts of Lannigan, the town’s silhouette began to take shape against the horizon. My heart pounded in my chest, the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I was determined to find Harlyn and bring her back safely.

“If you see anything, let me know immediately,” I reminded Cash, though when I glanced to my side I saw he was already alert, his eyes scanning the surroundings with the same intensity as mine.

I drove the streets of Lannigan slowly, searching for Harlyn’s truck, hoping to find it parked somewhere. The town's busy streets, traffic moving back and forth, amplified my sense of urgency. My eyes darted from side to side, scrutinizing every vehicle and alley.

“Do you think she might have gone somewhere she felt safe?” Cash asked, breaking the silence.

“She doesn’t know the place very well, I’ve only brought her here a couple of times for dinner,” Jensen replied. “I think she’s been taken somewhere she couldn’t leave.”

As I continued to drive, my mind raced through possibilities, each more worrying than the last. I couldn’t shake the feeling that valuable time was slipping away from us. Suddenly, Cash pointed toward where an alleyway ran off Maple Street. “Over there! Isn't that her pickup?”

My heart skipped a beat and I quickly maneuvered toward the spot. I pulled up beside the familiar vehicle and parked. As we stepped out, I scanned the area for any sign of Harlyn. Her pickup was empty, but when I sighted blood on the passenger side of the vehicle, determination burned brighter. I wouldn’t leave Lannigan without finding her and ensuring she was safe.

“Stay close,” I reminded Cash as we began heading down the alleyway leading from Maple through to Main Street, my eyes sweeping from side to side.

We had to stay vigilant and watch for any hint that Harlyn was near. My love for the lady fueled every step, driving me forward even as the weight of dread hung heavy in the air.

The pandemonium of the surrounding city seemed to reflect my inner turmoil as I fought to remain calm and keep a clear head.

If we were to find Harlyn, I knew it would take every ounce of our powers of observation and determination.

Cash grabbed me by the arm and pulled me back from a window of the law office of Unley and Fawcett that we’d begun to pass. We crouched side by side in the alley and I waited for Cash to tell me why we were acting in such a way.

Cash held a finger of one hand to his lips and pointed to the window with a finger of his other hand. He whispered, “Unley is sitting behind his desk and there’s a man holding a gun on him. Harlyn and Fawcett are off to the side.”

Why would a man be holding a gun on Unley? And how the fuck was Harlyn involved?

I resisted Cash’s hold on my arm, rose slowly and peered through the corner of the window. I saw exactly what he’d described and a breath of relief escaped on seeing Harlyn in one piece. Unley was talking and the man with the gun wasn’t happywith whatever he was saying. I studied the gunman, recognizing him from the description Harlyn had given me of her ex—Finn.

I dropped back down out of sight and staying low, we waddled a short distance away before standing. I pointed back toward the window.

“That’s Harlyn’s ex—Finn, holding the gun. He looks deranged. We need to disarm him somehow.”

“Gordon said to call him and not to do anything,” Cash argued.

I shook my head. “No time. We need to stop Finn before he gets whatever it is he wants and starts shooting people.”

“At least call, Doug Blast, and get him here.”

Doug Blast was the sheriff of Lannigan and letting him know made sense. Moving further away, I called the emergency call center number and asked to be put through to Doug. I quickly explained the situation and was ordered to stay put. Knowing it would be foolish to rush the office, I called Gordon to update him and advise him that I’d been in touch with Doug. He instructed me again to stay put and call him when Finn was in custody.

Against my instincts that were screaming at me to act, I remained where I was and minutes later, the sheriff arrived in the alley with four of his men. Doug shook hands with Cash and I and we quickly filled him, and the four deputies, in on what had happened at the ranch.

“You said on the phone there is someone inside with a gun. Do you know his identity?”

“I’m pretty sure it’s Harlyn’s…Harlyn Johnson, the owner of Hazy Downs Ranch…ex-partner—Finn Daines. They had a pretty nasty split and I think he might be out for revenge but I have no idea how Unley and Fawcett factor into it and I haven’tsighted Janice, Charmaine, or SueEllen.” Farrar and Charmaine were the men’s paralegals and SueEllen was their receptionist.

“I heard Hazy was now in the hands of Bill’s granddaughter.” Doug narrowed his eyes. “I have to ask this and know you probably won’t like it but…Could Miss Johnson be involved with what’s happening?”

I reined in my anger at the suggestion, understanding Doug was obliged to ask. After all, he didn’t know Harlyn or Finn. “Absolutely not. She has told me on several occasions that the best thing she ever did was walk away from Finn. She is one of the most principled people I know. She wouldn’t do this, Doug.”

Doug inclined his head and studied me for a moment. “Sounds like you know her well…Are you in a relationship?”

“Yes,” I replied honestly. “Which is why I can say without doubt that she is in that office against her will.”

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