Page 41 of Steers and Stowaways
“Really, Chip?” She shook her head at him. “We’re kindof living in our own little horror movie here, in case you haven’t noticed.”
He raised and lowered his shoulders dismally. “They had their chance with you, and nothing happened. I’d say your disguise is working just fine. My mom thinks you’re visiting a friend from college.”
Mallory elbowed Tucker. “Did you hear that? We can add incredible acting to my growing list of skills.” It was more information than she’d been expecting Chip to volunteer. Her elation was short-lived, though. If she wasn’t the person the narco rustlers had been targeting, who was? Chip wasn’t a likely candidate, which left…Tucker? The thought made her queasy. Why Tucker? She was the one who’d hired him to investigate the rustlers. Why weren’t they coming after her instead of him? Or both of them, at least?
Questions were zinging right and left through her head, and it felt like her best bet at answering them was to keep Chip talking.
“All joking aside, I really am scared,” she confided in a threadier voice. “I’ve lost two more steers on this trip.” There was nothing fake about her damp sniffle. “And I had to leave another one behind with Mr. Cavender. If my ranch goes under, I’m gonna lose everything.” She paused a moment before adding, “Including you and your family, Chip.” Her voice cracked. Surely, he understood they were at risk of losing their jobs. Did he even care?
“I know.” His mouth grew pinched. “I’m gonna hate leaving Heart Lake behind.”
The regret in his voice tore at her heart. So did his assumption that his leaving was inevitable. What wasn’t he telling her?
“Where will you go next?” she inquired softly.
“Don’t know. Don’t care.” His voice was bitter. “Staying at Evans Ranch is the first time I…” His gaze darted to the back of Tucker’s head. It wasn’t a nervous look. It was a strange one. Resigned and infinitely sad.
Mallory resisted the urge to lean closer to Tucker, sensing he was in grave danger. She tried to shake it off, reminding herself that all three of them were in danger.
But the feeling persisted to the point that she could no longer ignore it. “Chip, I’m gonna let you in on a little secret.”
His eyebrows rose, though he didn’t say anything.
“I don’t despise Tucker as much as I may have led you to believe.”
The steering wheel jerked beneath Tucker’s hands, making the truck shudder. It could’ve been from the winter wind catching the trailer broadside, or it could’ve been from his reaction to her words. She hoped it was the latter.
“As a security guy,” again she watched Chip’s expression closely, “he undoubtedly picked up a few enemies along the way. Just wanted you to know I’m not one of them.”
Chip wasn’t good at hiding his feelings. When she said the wordenemies, his grimace was undeniable.
“Truck stop ahead,” Tucker growled. “We’re gonna make one last pit stop.” He veered so abruptly onto the next exit ramp that she reached for the grab bar.
“Uh-oh,” she mocked, catching Chip’s gaze merrily. “Sounds like an emergency.”
His eyes twinkled back at her. “When you gotta go, you gotta go.”
Through her side-view mirror, she could see a number of vehicles exiting the highway behind them. It was impossible to tell which ones were regular folks and which oneswere the Feds. The Lonestar Security team was circling in their helicopter overhead.
The moment Tucker brought the truck to a standstill in the parking lot, Chip jetted from the backseat.
Mallory watched him hightail it into the service station. A glance at the backseat told her he’d taken his gaming device with him.
Not good.
Tucker rested an elbow on the console between them and leaned her way. “What are you up to, Mal?”
“Protecting you.” She wrinkled her nose at him, embarrassed that he was forcing her to explain herself. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“Really?” He drawled out the word in a low, gravelly voice that made her heart race. “Because it almost sounded like you were flirting with me.”
“Yes, but,” she gestured wildly between them, feeling a wave of warmth sweep across her cheeks, “it was necessary.”
His expression made her break into hysterical laughter. “So, youareflirting with me?” He couldn’t have looked more astounded.
“Was,” she corrected between giggles.Past tense.“You should see your face.”
“Why?”
