Page 50 of Hiding in Montana

Linc tapped his computer keyboard. “I’ll check employment records.”

After what seemed like an eternity, Linc looked up from the screen. “It was eight months ago. We hired Tate Dunn as a wrangler. He’s had extensive knowledge of horses and as Annie’s breeding program picks up, the plan is to give him more responsibility with it.”

“His references were solid?” Clint liked Tate and couldn’t picture him hurting a creature on four or two legs.

“Yes. You know we’d never hire anyone for the ranch who didn’t check out, and think of how Annie loves her horses. She checked him out all the way back to middle school and when he interviewed, he said she could dig to her heart’s content. He wanted to work here. So I don’t think he’d be hanging around this long and suddenly change his spots.”

That was a dead end. “Polly’s ex insinuated that someone working on the ranch could be a potential problem.”

Linc eased back in his chair. “We’ve got eyes on her all the time. Ever since that incident with the mountain lion, all the hands have been keeping their eyes peeled for anything. You know Quinn keeps an eye on her, as does Jed. If you’re not around, trust in your friends.”

He stood and dipped his head. “Thanks, Linc. Sorry to bother you.”

“Never a problem. But just how bad do you think this all is?”

“If this were a suspense book or movie, I’d say bad. But this is real life. Even though I got shot standing on her porch, I still think it was someone gunning for the ex. Not her.”

“Do you trust her ex-husband?”

That sucked the wind from his lungs. The way Linc asked the question, he already knew the answer.

“Would you?”

“Not in this lifetime.” Linc got up and followed him out of the office. “Do you think he’ll be poking around here again?”

“It’s possible. He said he’ll let Polly know if anything comes up, like if the loan sharks hit town.”

“Keep the lines of communication open with me and try not to worry. Polly is safe at the ranch and I’m sure if she’s not here, the two of you are at her place.”

“You got that right.”

Linc clapped a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll check in with the construction team again, too. She’s got friends. This time Polly isn’t facing the unknown alone.”

Clint waited until after most of the hands had come in and out for lunch before seeking out Quinn. He had already talked to Jed. Not surprising when he walked into the kitchen, there was his girl, eating a bowl of soup and sopping up the fragrant broth was a thick slice of fresh bread.

“Hey you.” He kissed her cheek. “How do you rate with this for lunch?”

Polly laughed. “Quinn asked if I’d test a new recipe he wanted to try, and it’s a keeper.” She gave Quinn a thumbs-up and a quirky wink.

“Got any more, Quinn?” His stomach made some loud grumbles; it had been a while since he’d eaten.

“Help yourself. It’s on the stove.” Quinn went into the walk-in refrigerator, leaving them alone.

Clint pointed to her bowl. “Another ladleful?”

She thought for half a beat and then handed him her empty bowl. “Yes, please.”

He was quiet while he got the soup and returned to the table. While he spooned up bites of the tasty meal, he thought about what he wanted to say to her, without scaring her. But if the boot were on the other foot, he’d want her to shoot straight. Setting his spoon aside, he looked her in the eye. He noticed she was waiting for him to speak.

“I checked in with Linc a while ago and asked when the last hand came on board. It was Tate, you know, the horse wrangler.”

She nodded and waited for him to continue. It was easy to see the question lingering in her big, round eyes.

“Your ex was off base insinuating that someone here could be the problem.”

“What about the construction workers? That’s how Matthew was able to track me down.”

“Linc will check again, but I’m guessin’ Matthew getting hired was a fluke. He must have talked a good game to get Jesse to bring him on. He likes to hire experienced people for jobs like this and takes newbies on for smaller projects.”

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