Cowboy Hank (Cooper's Hawke Landing Book 3)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  Could it be someone looking for her?

  She slowed the car even more. She could hear Freya talking but she couldn’t process what she was saying. The van slowed too, riding their fender. Helena scanned the car, looking for something she could use as a weapon if needed. But there was nothing…

  Hearing a blaring of horn, she glanced up as the van sped up and went to the left lane to pass. As they went around their big tires sloshed up snow, hitting Helena’s car window. A sense of relief came over her as she watched the vehicle disappear ahead.

  “I’m sorry, Freya. Mommy was concentrating on the road. What did you say about Livvy?” Helena said.

  “I wish she were my sister. Can I have a sister?”

  Smiling, Helen reached over and took Freya’s tiny hand. “Maybe. Or possibly a brother.”

  “Boys are stinky.” Freya wrinkled her nose.

  “Trust me when I say this, that opinion will change in the future.” Helena bit back laughter.

  “Hank is a boy and he doesn’t stink, does he, Mommy?”

  “Hank is a man and no, he doesn’t stink.”

  “The smelly boys at school just want to play jokes. They get into trouble with Miss Jenkins,” Freya said.

  “The boys I went to elementary school with also got into trouble, but things changed in high school. I met my first boyfriend when I was a freshman.”

  “What was his name?”

  “Dawson,” she said.

  “What about my daddy? His name was Greyson, right?”

  “Yes, that was his name and he loved you very much.” Helena expected to be overcome with that familiar overwhelming sadness but instead it didn’t come. Instead, a calm, tranquility passed over her.

  “He didn’t meet me though,” Freya said.

  “No, not in person, but while you were in my stomach he’d talk to you all the time and you’d kick in response. Sometimes we don’t have to meet someone to know that we’re connected. Just like Hank and me, I think we’ve always been connected but we’d never met.” She stopped at the stop sign and looked both directions. Thankfully, the SUV was long gone.

  “Will Hank be my daddy when you marry?”

  “He’ll become your step-dad.”

  “Can I call him Dad?” Freya asked thoughtfully.

  “I’m sure if you’d like to, he’d be happy that you did.” Tears filled Helena’s eyes. “Honey, do you ask this many questions to Miss Jenkins?”

  “Only when I’m allowed.”

  Helena laughed. “I’m glad you know when to speak and when to listen. You’re a smart girl.”

  After dropping Freya off at school, Helena hurried to the bakery and Charity greeted Helena with a smile and wave.

  “Hi, Helena. The owner couldn’t be with us so she asked me to help you. So you’re getting married soon?”

  Helena gave the petite blonde a nervous smile. “I explained to Helen that I had completely forgotten to order a cake. Is it too late?” Helena slid off her coat and laid it over the back of a chair.

  “No, especially for a Hawke bride. Those cowboys do a lot for this town. Do you have any idea what kind of cake you’d like?”

  Helena hesitated. “I guess I should have already had that in mind. Hank’s meeting me and maybe he has an idea.”

  Charity laughed. “Trust me, you wouldn’t be the first bride-to-be that had an idea but just as soon as she walks into the bakery she has no clue. It’s okay. That’s why we have samples. You said Hank will be joining you?”

  “Yes, he should have been here by now. Let me give him a call and see if he’s running late.”

  “Sure, go ahead. I’ll go and grab the samples.”

  Taking her phone out of her purse, she stepped over to the window and dialed his number. One ring. Two rings. Three rings…

  She glanced out onto the street and her breath stilled when she saw the white van that had dangerously passed her on the mountain. She clicked off the phone and dropped it into her purse, but kept her gaze glued on the vehicle parked across the street.

  Soft hairs on her neck lifted. Who owned the van? They seemed to target her car this morning. Was it a coincidence that they were here? Had the person followed her?

  She had to find out.

  Pushing open the glass door, Helena stepped out onto the sidewalk, the cold breeze sweeping across her skin and seeped through the material of her sweater.

  She shouldn’t investigate the van, but she needed to know. She’d given up on living in fear.

  Stepping to the corner of the street, she waited for the walk sign to flash and then she crossed the street.

  Following the sidewalk, she mingled in with a group of women who were gossiping about the Pastor and his young wife, not even paying any regard to Helena who used them as cover.

  Then the group stepped into a shop and Helena was left alone on the sidewalk, within feet of the van. What would she do? Knock on the window? That seemed ridiculous.

  She squealed when two strapping arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her against a wide chest. She was about to scream when a familiar scent told her who was behind her. “Hank?” She swung around, relived to see him. “I called to see where you were.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose and then her lips. “Sorry. I’m running a few minutes behind. I had something come up last minute. Ready to go taste some cake?” He wagged his brows. “You’re going to freeze to death out here without a coat.”

  “I-I…”

  “Helena? Hank?” Charity called from the doorway of the bakery. “Ready?”

  Realizing they were on a tight schedule, Helena grabbed Hank’s hand and they walked across the street together. “You okay?” he asked.

  “Yes. I’m fine. I guess my nerves are a bit touchy.”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry. I know we set the date for the wedding soon, but all that matters is that you and I will be there and tie the knot.”

  “I’m not worried about the wedding.” She stopped to face him. “This all seems too good to be true. What if…”

  “What if what, sweetheart?” He placed his thumb under her chin and lifted.

  “It’s just…” She laid her palms against his chest, gazing into the safety of his pale blue gaze. “I’ve not had a lot of luck in this department—you know, with love—and I’m walking on eggshells, anticipating something happening.”

  “Helena, nothing will happen. I’m here. I’ll always be here for you and Freya.”

  She wanted to believe him. She’d learned to trust him, but she didn’t trust Craven and what he’d do if he found her. “I’m sure it’s all in my head. Like that van over there,” she turned back to show him, but the vehicle was now gone. “Oh, it’s no longer there. Did you see it?”

  “A van? No.” He checked the street.

  “Well, the funny thing is I saw the same white van on the mountain this morning on my way taking Freya to school. I-I thought…oh my, this will probably sound ridiculous, but I thought the van was following us.” She gave a nervous laugh. “As I say it, I realize it’s me just being paranoid.”

  “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being cautious.” He kissed her forehead and she felt the worry drain. This was where she and Freya belonged. She felt it in her bones that she’d found a home for them with Hank. If only she could put all her concern and worry aside and allow happiness to take shape. “I’ll keep an eye out for a white van, but in the meantime, we better get inside before Charity thrashes us.”

  *****

  “Damn, bro. In a few days you’ll no longer be a bachelor.” Boone held the door open at the tuxedo shop for Hank.

  “I won’t miss it at all.” Hank swiped off his hat and greeted the owner, Barney, with a handshake.

  “Good afternoon, fellows.” The seventy something year old man always wore his silver hair slicked back and Hank couldn’t remember ever seeing him wear anything but a nice suit. “What can I do you for?”

  “Looking for a
suit, Barney. I’m getting married,” Hank said proudly.

  “Buried?” Barney’s bushy silver brows crunched.

  “Married.”

  “I thought I heard you say married.” Barney’s brows lifted.

  “You heard right, friend. I need a tux because I’m getting married.”

  With a rub of his forehead, he said, “What took you so long?”

  “I waited for the right one and she said yes.” Hank chuckled.

  “Fix him up real nice, Barney, or the bride might take one look at him and turn and run,” Boone said. “How about something like this, Hank?” He held up a suit a bright blue suit

  “Not really my style.” Hank pointed at the suit in the window. “I like that.”

  “Give me a minute, boys. I need to get my measuring tools.” Barney slowly made his way to the back of the shop.

  Boone sat down on a burgundy velvet armchair and stretched his legs, hooking his boots at the ankles. “I’d give you the normal lecture about being ready for this, but I don’t think you could be any readier.”

  “I’m a lucky man, Boone. I know we’re moving fast, but I care for her and Freya.” Hank pulled up a chair and sat down. “I wanted to speak to you about something. Have you seen a strange white van in town?”

  “A strange white van? Can you be more specific?”

  “No, ‘fraid I can’t be. Helena had a scare.”

  Boone braced his elbows on his bent knees. “What do you mean?”

  Hank hesitated. He’d wanted to tell his brothers a bit about Helena’s situation for weeks now, but he needed to wait until the time was right. “She said she thought it was following her down the mountain ridge. She said she was probably being silly, and it could be a coincidence, but she later saw the same van parked outside of the bakery.”

  “Could it have been a delivery van?”

  “No clue. I didn’t see it. Helena said she didn’t see any markings. I don’t think it’s anything, but there’s nothing wrong with being careful.”

  “What I’m hearing is there might be a reason she needs to be careful? Do you need to share something with me?” Boone asked.

  “I’ll tell you when we leave here, and we can talk in private.”

  Twenty-Three

  Hank pulled onto Main Street and he did a quick second glance in his mirror as he passed an unmarked white van going the opposite direction. Without debating his action, he did a quick U-turn in the middle of the street and followed. Two cars separated him from the van, and he didn’t want to tip off the driver that he was following.

  The van continued straight while the other cars turned off. Keeping an appropriate distance, he turned when the van did a few miles later. They drove for almost ten minutes into the country until finally the van pulled over into an abandoned warehouse parking lot. Hank stopped his truck on the road and watched.

  Minutes passed and still no one was getting out.

  Losing patience, Hank reached for his gun from the glovebox and stuck it in the waist of his jeans then turned off the engine. He slid out and walked the short distance, slowly coming up from the back up the van and around to the driver’s door. The seats were empty. Pounding on the window, he yelled, “Come out!”

  Nothing.

  “Come out or I’m going to call the Sheriff.”

  The back door came open and Hank rounded the back. A scrawny teenage boy was standing barefoot wearing only his boxers. Inside the van he saw a teenage girl holding a shirt against her bare chest. Her eyes were wide.

  “Look, mister. I’m sorry. We were just looking for some alone time. Are we in trouble? Is this your place?”

  Hank took a step back and motioned for the shaking boy to follow. “Is this your van?”

  “No, it’s my pa’s. Please don’t tell him. He’ll take a switch to me.” The boy couldn’t be older than sixteen.

  “Who’s your dad?” Hank asked.

  “Carson Crock.”

  “I know Carson.” And he lived up on TripEase mountain too. “I didn’t know he’d bought himself a van.”

  The kid had his arms wrapped over his chest now. “He traded it for that old, rusted tractor he had. Pa said I could drive this thing if I got myself a job. Come on, mister. You won’t tell him, right?”

  “No, but on one condition. You two get dressed, get out of here and never come back. Deal?” Hank said.

  “Yes. It’s a deal.”

  Hank left the teens and went back to his truck and by the time his gun was back in safely in the glove box the van was squealing tires out of the parking lot, heading back toward Cooper’s Hawk. Hank watched it disappear through the rearview mirror then broke out into laughter.

  Starting the engine, Hank pulled out and headed back toward town too.

  *****

  “He’s a good guy. He’s been there for me, and others, more than I can count.” Joe poured each of them a cup of coffee as they waited for the last few patrons to leave Pelican.

  Helena rolled her finger around the rim of the cup. “I care for him a great deal, but…”

  “You don’t want him to marry you out of obligation, but love.”

  She brought her gaze up. “You nailed that. I don’t know why I can’t just allow myself to be happy. I won’t find another man as good as him.”

  Joe bent and planted his elbows on the top of the bar. “I’ve known Hank a long time. He’s not a man who takes anything lightly, especially matters of the heart. I also know a bit about trust and how it’s hard to get back once it’s lost. You’re scared. You’ve been hurt.”

  “You’re right. Why can’t I get over this feeling of doom?”

  He chuckled. “I can’t answer that question. Maybe it’ll happen organically when you and Hank are married.”

  “I hope so.”

  “He and I have been friends for a long time, and we don’t talk about those days across the pond.” He blew out a breath. “Let’s just say, the kindness and forgiveness he can show to others he can’t seem to give himself either.” Creases appeared around his eyes. “You two have a lot more in common than you think.”

  “What happened when he came back to town, Joe?”

  “It’s not my story to tell.” He pushed up from the bar.

  She looked down into her cup. “I can understand pain and loss.”

  “I know that. You don’t think you were hiding that, did you?” He raised a brow.

  With a quick shrug, she took a sip of her coffee. “What would I be hiding?”

  “Your past. You came here to Cooper’s Hawk, whether intentionally or unintentional, to seek peace. Have you found it?”

  “I love it here. The people, the town, I even love this job.”

  “Talk to him about your fears, Helena,” Joe said.

  “I’m not sure I should.”

  “Are you afraid he won’t understand? That it’ll change his mind about you?”

  “No…yes…I don’t know. There’s still a lot we don’t know about each other.”

  Joe finished rinsing the glasses. “Look, I’m not a relationship guru but there’s a thing called communication. You both have to try it and learn it.” He dragged the towel off his shoulder and dried them.

  “Hank told me that your wife left you. I’m sorry. That must have been hard.”

  “It wasn’t easy but in the long run I know it was for the best. She wanted something that I couldn’t give her.” He waved to the last few people. “I need to replenish the shelves.”

  “I’ll help. What bottles do you need?” She slid off the stool.

  He pointed to several bottles and she went in search of them from the supply in Hank’s office. She was looking through the stacks of boxes when she heard the bell above the door and heard Joe say, “What can I do for you?”

  She listened.

  “Hello, sir. I’m a friend of Helena’s. Someone in town told me she works here.”

  Helena held her breath and slowly, carefully placed the box back on top of the
stack.

  “I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure,” Joe said.

  “Brad Campbell. Helena and I knew each other back in California. Is she here?”

  “No. She’s not,” Joe said.

  “Where’s she staying?”

  Helena felt a chill deep in the center of her bones.

  Joe had lied for her.

  But what if the man who called himself Brad didn’t take “no” for an answer?

  Helena couldn’t stay. She needed to get away.

  She quietly opened the back window and looked over her shoulder before she climbed through the opening out into the night. Thankfully, she’d always thought ahead and kept her keys in her back pocket. She reached for them and gripped them with a shaky hand.

  At the corner of the building, she peeked around into the parking lot. There were only three cars. Joe’s Jeep, her small two door, and a white Cadillac, and it was empty.

  Craven had found her.

  She needed to get to Freya and then what?

  They’d have to leave Cooper’s Hawk. What choice did she have?

  A pain developed in her chest. How could she leave everything? How could she leave Hank? But if she stayed not only was she and Freya in danger, but Hank could also be in danger. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—do that to him.

  She waited at the corner of the building until finally a tall, heavyset man wearing a tailored suit strolled out of Pelican and to the Cadillac. He wasted no time in pulling out of the parking lot and instead of heading toward the mountain which would take him toward her cabin, he headed for town.

  Once she could no longer see his lights, she hurried for her car and as she was pulling out, she looked in the rearview mirror. Joe was standing in the doorway of the bar waving at her.

  “Sorry. I can’t stick around,” she whispered.

  Twenty-Four

  “Tell me again what happened.” Hank already knew Helena wasn’t in the office because Joe had told him he watched her pull onto the road, but Hank felt like he just needed to do something. He’d left the cabin twenty minutes ago where he’d been waiting to meet Helena there until he’d received a call from Joe.