Page 1 of Their Haunted Hearts
Prologue
The week before Halloween
Sunday
Never trust a stranger. Darlene Travis’ mom’s voice echoed inside her head like a good fairy whispering in her ear. The Triple Z Roadhouse, with its tempting smell of hot coffee and fries, had lured her inside. After she’d ducked under a garland of grinning jack-o’-lanterns and sidestepped a laughing skeleton in a cowboy hat waving a toy pistol, she’d headed for the counter. Walking slap-bang into trouble in a busy diner was the last thing she’d imagined might happen. She stared at the man across the Formica-topped table, stained with fifty years of coffee rings, and tried to get comfortable on the sticky plastic-covered seats. When four rowdy ranch hands had grabbed at her, insisting she party with them, the Good Samaritan had stepped in to help her. She’d expected him to leave but he hadn’t. Why was he being so nice to her? Could she trust him?
The size of the man had intimidated the cowboys, but it wasn’t only that. His face held an expression of menace that would stop anyone in their tracks. Wearing a Stetson down over his eyes, and a leather jacket stretched over an impressively wide chest, his presence would be enough to make most troublemakers wary, but she’d glimpsed the gun in a shoulder holster he’d flashed at them. The men had backed down, laughing and holding up their hands in mock surrender. She’d sat where he indicated, grateful but fully aware of his intimidating presence. She glanced up at him. “So much for grabbing a quick snack. Is everyone in this town so nasty?”
“Nope.” He loomed over her. “Most are good guys like me. I’ll grab some food. I’m hungry. What can I get you?”
Swallowing the gnawing in her stomach, she shook her head. “Just coffee. I’m short of cash right now.”
“I guessed as much.” He strode away.
Stuck in a “do I go or do I stay?” situation, she stared out of the window at the approaching darkness and her stomach dropped in dismay. With nowhere to go and no cash in her pocket, staying the night in the diner had quickly become her only option.
“You look like a lost puppy.” The stranger smiled and unloaded their meals from a tray and then slid into the booth opposite her. “Eat something. It will make you feel better. How come you’re in Black Rock Falls with only a few dollars in your purse?”
Starving, Darlene bit back a groan at the tempting aroma of burgers and fries he pushed toward her. Her fingers trembled as she reached for a fry. “I have a job interview on Monday in Blackwater. I took the bus but ended up in the wrong place and used all my spare cash to get to Butte. After that, I got a ride with a trucker but he turned around here after dropping his deliveries, so he couldn’t take me any farther.”
“Where were you planning on staying? You can’t stay here all night. It’s not safe.” His gaze searched her face as he pushed a cup of steaming coffee toward her.
That was her only plan. Darlene’s cheeks grew hot. “I’ve added my name to the board. I’ll grab a ride when someone stops on the way to Blackwater.”
“Then what?” He nibbled on his fries. “You have the interview and you get the job—or not—then where do you intend to stay? You’ll need to pay for a motel room and you have zip.”
This had been a problem she’d considered. The temperature had dropped by the hour and she couldn’t sleep outside. She looked at him. “I’ll be okay. They won’t throw me out of here. If I get the job or not, I’ll find a shelter or someplace I can work for a bed. There are ranches all over and stables that need workers. I’ll earn enough to get a place of my own eventually.”
“What about your folks? Won’t they be worried about you?” His large hands wrapped around his cup. “Maybe they will deposit some cash into your account to help you?”
Darlene tossed her hair over one shoulder, recalling the argument she’d had with her parents. Her dad had cut up her credit card for overspending. They’d threatened to throw her out and she’d pushed a few things into a backpack and gone to a local diner. There she’d found the server job in the newspaper, called and made an appointment. Within the hour she’d been on the bus to nowhere. “That’s not an option, I’m afraid. I’m on my own.”
“I have a place a few miles away.” He indicated over one shoulder with his thumb. “You’re welcome to use my spare room. Have a good night’s sleep, take a shower, and I’ll drive you to Blackwater in the morning.”
Darlene stared at him, the burger halfway to her mouth. Here it comes. This man wanted her body as payment for his help. Buying her a burger was one thing, but going with him was something completely different and she wasn’t stupid. “You’ve been very kind but I don’t know you.”
“Ha! That’s a great answer. If I had a daughter, I’d expect her to say that. Your parents taught you well.” He placed his hands on the table and stood. “I’ll leave you to it then. I was only offering a place to stay for your own safety. I didn’t want anything in return. I live with my two sisters and they’d have watched over you.” He indicated to the four cowboys making loud comments to the female server. “Just watch out for those guys.”
Swallowing hard, Darlene glanced at the men and then back at the Good Samaritan. He was dressed well in good clothes, and when he dropped the stern expression, he had a very nice smile. “Maybe you should stay and finish your burger. They might leave soon.”
“Guys like them will be back and forth all night.” He sat slowly and smiled at her. “I’m the lesser of two evils. I promise, cross my heart, I won’t disturb your sleep.” He crossed his chest.
Her mother’s voice was screaming in her ear. Don’t trust him. Her concern must have registered on her face. He smiled again, pulled a Glock 22 from a shoulder holster and placed it on the table. Suddenly afraid, she went to rise but he made a calming gesture with his hand.
“I’m not threatening you.” He chuckled. “I assume you know how to use one of these? Just point and squeeze—no safety. Eat your meal and let’s get out of here. Take the gun. You can keep it all night but there’s a lock on the bedroom door.” He held up both hands. “Look, I don’t have an ulterior motive. I don’t like seeing people in trouble and you remind me of my little sister. I’d hate to see her like this. Make me feel better by helping you.”
Darlene chewed the burger and then sipped her coffee. She shuddered at the taste. “Why is roadhouse coffee so bad?”
“I’ll brew you a pot for breakfast and my older sister makes great pancakes.” He checked his watch. “I gotta go. You coming or planning on sitting here all night?” He pulled his hat down over his eyes and headed for the door.
Pushing away the screaming voice in her mind, Darlene stood, pulled her hoodie over her head, pushed in her hair, and picked up the weapon. It was heavy in her hand but still warm from his body heat. She hesitated for a few seconds, swallowed down the coffee, and then followed him out to his truck. When he opened the door for her, she thanked him and slid inside, dropping her backpack into the floor well between her feet. The inside was immaculate and had a hint of masculine cologne. “I appreciate your help.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” He started the engine. “It’s not far.”
They drove along the highway saying nothing. Thick forest surrounded all sides of her. After traveling for about twenty minutes along the highway, her heart pounded when he took a dirt road. “You live down here? It’s pitch black.”
“Uh-huh.” He swung her a gaze. “Most ranches are down roads like this. This is Black Rock Falls. It’s not a city. Are you a city girl, Darlene?”
