by Jodi Thomas
He gave up and lifted her, blanket and all. He carried her to his truck and nestled her beside him as he drove the short distance to their house. Without trying to wake her, he walked into their bedroom and placed her in the middle of the king-size bed. She’d had an emotional day yesterday, and maybe she’d sleep the morning away.
When she didn’t move, he closed the curtains for the first time since he’d moved in with her and left the room dark. As he walked through the kitchen, he told Ora Mae not to wake her.
Cord hesitated a moment and added, “When she does wake up, tell her I have one of my boys at her barn and he’s staying.”
“She won’t like that.” Ora Mae never stated more than the facts.
“I don’t care. If she’s got a problem with it, tell her to talk to me.” He checked the phone in his pocket. “Of course. she’ll have to find me first.”
By the time he was out of the house, Cord’s mind was focusing in on what had to be done. A few minutes later he was eating breakfast as Jackson filled him in on every detail he and Zeb could find out about the trainer. He’d been hired while Nevada was married to Bryce. He wasn’t from Harmony, and as near as they could find out he’d made no attempts to fit into the community. He was a loner who liked it that way, but Nevada had never complained about his work.
When Jackson finished the report, Cord simply said, “Find him.”
Jackson smiled. “That’s the same thing the sheriff said she planned to do.”
When Jackson left, Galem poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down across from Cord. “You can’t afford to do anything illegal. You know that ranger and half the cops in this part of the state are watching you. Waiting for you to make one wrong move.”
“I know, Mother.” Cord smiled.
Galem got the hint. “I’m just saying that if you’re planning anything the least bit shady, you got to let me do it. I’ve got this innocent face. Everyone trusts me.”
Cord almost choked on his coffee as he laughed. Galem’s face was weathered and pockmarked. He’d admitted to having his nose broken once by a bull and then straightened with another break in a fight. A few of the men kidded him once, saying they were surprised Galem ever found a woman willing to marry him, since he was so homely even the cattle noticed. Galem had answered that great lovers are always handsome in the dark.
“I’ll stay legal, I promise.” Cord set his cup down. “Watch over the ranch for a few hours; I need to go to town and set a few things in motion.”
Galem raised an eyebrow but nodded.
Cord drove to town, pulled through the bank’s drive-through window for cash, and headed to the movie theater. He couldn’t believe Cameron had been in town and he hadn’t noticed him, but then, no one ever noticed the man. Plus, Cord hadn’t been on this end of Main more than a dozen times in the three years he’d been back, and he’d never gone to the movies.
He found Cameron, older but still as bland-looking as ever, emptying the trash out back of the theater. His hair was gray and in need of a cut, his clothes baggy.
“Remember me?” Cord said as he walked up.
“Nope.” The man turned to go back inside, showing no interest in talking.
Cord was a long way from the kid he’d been when he met Cameron in prison. Cord had grown a few inches since then and put on fifty pounds. “We met once almost ten years ago. You told me you were from Harmony and would be headed back as soon as you got out. I probably said I was never coming back here if I ever got out of prison.”
Cameron stopped and slowly turned around. He took the time to study Cord, from his expensive boots to the monogrammed initials on his cuff and the western-cut leather jacket. “I’ve tried to forget that time in prison, and I’m guessing you have too. I thought you looked familiar, but I’m trying never to remember anyone I met behind bars.”
Cord guessed he had about thirty seconds to make his point. “It doesn’t matter if you remember me. You interested in a job that pays good money?” He pulled the cash from his pocket. “Nothing illegal. I just need someone watched and I don’t want him to spot you. A few of the guys used to say you were good at moving around without folks noticing. All you got to do is tail him.”
“I used to be good at not being noticed.” Cameron straightened a little taller with pride. “I could shadow anyone right into their own house without them spotting me. I’m strictly legit now, but there’s no harm in watching someone, I guess. I could really use the money. My boss wants to sell this place, and if he closes I’ll have trouble finding another job. You want them tailed day and night, I’m your man—Cord?”
“You do remember me?”
Cameron smiled. “Nothing slips by me. I’ve seen you around town a few times; surprised you noticed me.”
“I didn’t, but I hoped you were here. A friend helped me out with your address, but that’s not the problem. I’d like to hire you starting now and going until I get the information I need. I’m guessing it won’t be more than a two- or three-day job, with a bonus at the end if you learn something helpful.”
“It’ll cost you three hundred a day, and all I do is watch and report. Nothing more. I’m too old to get in the middle of anything.”
“If you’re spotted, you’re fired.”
“Fair enough, but if I get what you want, the bonus is a thousand. I can work till Friday, then if you still want me, I can call in sick here. I got a kid who can fill in and run the projector. I stay on this guy until you call me off, or get what you want in the way of information.”
Cord nodded. “Be ready in thirty minutes. I’ll pick you up here in the alley.”
Cameron disappeared into the theater and Cord drove over to the mall. He bought a phone with prepaid minutes, a camera with extra batteries, and a pocket tape recorder from a secondhand shop. When he circled back by the theater, Cameron was waiting for him with a toolbox and a clipboard in one hand and a work jacket in the other. The old guy had changed into dark blue trousers stained on one knee and a denim work shirt.
As he climbed into Cord’s special-edition Ford, he whispered to himself, “If I’d known you drove a 450, I would have doubled my price. You’ve done well for yourself since prison. Heard folks talking about you and some rancher’s daughter marrying. I don’t have to take the paper; I just listen to folks talk before the movies.”
“I married money,” Cord answered flatly.
Cameron laughed, like he thought Cord was kidding.
The little man took notes as Cord rattled off the facts about Bryce Galloway. “He’s probably eating over at the bed-and-breakfast about now. From there I have no idea where he goes or who he talks to”—Cord glanced at Cameron, who had started playing with all his new toys—“but I will after today. I’ll expect details for my money.”
“You’ll get them.” Cameron shoved everything into his toolbox. “I’ll need all your numbers and I might call at any hour. I can’t step away to talk to you until I know this guy is set somewhere.”
“I only have one number, and it’s already in the phone. Don’t talk to anyone but me. Don’t call me until you have something important to say. I’ll call you if I hear anything you need to know about this guy.”
Cameron nodded. “If I don’t answer, I’ll call back as soon as I can. This ain’t the kind of job that allows visiting.”
“I understand.” He handed over the five bills. “I’ll pay the balance when the job is over.”
“Drop me off a few houses from the Winter’s Inn. I don’t want anyone seeing me with you.” Cameron shoved his notes into his vest pocket.
Cord pulled to the curb. “You planning on just walking in?”
Cameron smiled. “No, I’ll be invited in. I may have given up crime, but I still watch what’s going on. The old lady who owns the B&B drives a boat of a car. I see her cruising Main like some of the kids do. Since it’s not parked in the drive, she’s not home. I’m guessing there will be a cook or housekeeper to let the gas inspector in.” He pull
ed a faded ID tag from his pocket and clipped it to his coat. “Folks never read the tag; just having one is all you need if you smile and act all polite.”
“Be careful, Cameron. This guy could be dangerous.”
“I figured that or you wouldn’t be hiring me.” The little man winked like he was about to have the time of his life.
Cord let him out, then pulled across the street and watched Cameron walk straight up to the front door. He talked to a lady who looked like the housekeeper for a minute, and then she opened the door to let him in.
Smiling, Cord noticed a rental car parked to the side. He’d bet it was Bryce’s, and Cameron was probably watching him eat breakfast right now. The con man might just be worth the money.
On his way over to the sheriff’s office he called the house and wasn’t surprised to hear Nevada was still asleep.
Circling by Ronny’s old duplex, he noticed Tyler Wright wheeling a body down the ramp he’d made. Marty had passed. He’d finally used the ramp.
A boat of a car was parked beside the undertaker, so Cord didn’t stop. He had his share of trouble today, but he couldn’t help worrying about his friend. He hoped she’d remember to call if she needed him.
Alex Matheson was out of her office when Cord walked into the sheriff’s station, but Travis Salem had taken over the small conference room next to the sheriff’s office. Cord tried to back out without the ranger seeing him, but Salem looked up.
“McDowell,” he yelled. “Come on in. I need to talk to you.”
Cord didn’t bother taking off his hat as he stepped a few feet into the room. He didn’t like being this close to Salem. He didn’t trust him, even if he was a Texas Ranger. His memories were washed in whiskey from the night they’d first met out by the lake, but Cord didn’t remember going at the man in a wild rage like then-Deputy Travis Salem had testified.
One of the older sheriff’s deputies saw Cord and offered him a cup of coffee. Cord was glad when the deputy stayed in the room to hear what the ranger had to say. Cord didn’t know Phil Gentry very well, but he couldn’t start avoiding folks he didn’t know or he’d have to be a hermit.
Ranger Salem pointed to a pile of papers. “The way this is stacking up, McDowell, we don’t have enough hard evidence to charge anyone, even if you and your wife think you know who poisoned the horse. That ex-husband of your wife’s could just say he dropped by the barn one day for old times’ sake. Even if we could prove it was his footprint, we don’t have enough to charge Bryce Galloway.”
Cord wasn’t surprised. He hadn’t expected Travis Salem to help him.
“Galloway, you say,” Phil lowered his coffee. “I just took a complaint from him. He claims he’s being stalked.”
Cord froze. He’d left Cameron fifteen minutes ago. Surely he wasn’t already caught? He hadn’t earned a dollar of the five hundred.
Phil laughed. “Yeah, the guy claims three little widows staying at the bed-and-breakfast tail him everywhere he goes. He says losing them usually takes half the morning, but he’s tired of the hassle.”
Cord relaxed. Just for a minute. Until he realized the women’s interest in the man might mess up Cameron’s tracking possibilities.
“Why would they be following Bryce?” Travis asked, without showing much interest.
“I don’t know. He’s a good-looking man. Maybe they’re all three in love.” Phil poked his cheek with his tongue. “Come to think of it, if I go over there they’ll take one look at Bryce and start following me around. A man with a little gray in his hair is far more attractive to the widow types.” Phil shrugged. “Don’t see how we can charge them with anything. Eating at the same café as Bryce or driving down the same street isn’t a crime that I know of.”
Travis Salem looked like the deputy was interfering with important police work, but since he was a guest in the office he probably figured he shouldn’t start giving orders. The ranger stood politely and waited for Gentry to finish his one-sided conversation.
Cord listened to the deputy while he watched Salem out of the corner of his eye. The ranger didn’t seem any more comfortable around him than he was around the ranger. Surely the guy wasn’t afraid Cord might swing at him again. More than likely, he decided, Travis Salem worried that the lie he’d told ten years ago that had sent Cord to prison might somehow surface.
Only no one had believed Cord’s side of the story back then, and if Cord was guessing, he’d say no one would believe it now.
Cord finished his coffee and headed out. “Let me know if you find anything,” he said to the ranger, then smiled at Phil Gentry, deciding he liked the old deputy. After all, Gentry was one of the few lawmen who hadn’t suggested he leave town permanently. “Good luck with the band of widows. You might think about arresting them to keep them out of trouble.”
Gentry nodded as if he were considering the idea.
Cord made it to the bottom of the front steps before Gentry caught up to him. “Mr. McDowell, you’re a friend of Ronny Logan, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
“I thought I should tell you she was attacked out behind her house last night. Someone hiding in the shadows tried to grab hold of her and she fell backing away. Luckily, she was only bruised, but I tell you, I can’t think of why anyone would do such a thing. The poor girl’s got her basket full of troubles already. With Marty dying, she’s got other things on her mind today, but I’m filing a full report.”
Cord asked a few details, but Gentry didn’t know any more.
“It don’t make any sense.” Phil shook his head. “Everyone likes Ronny, except maybe her mother, and I can’t see that old witch trying to kill her only child. Who would she have to complain about?”
Cord climbed into his truck. Gentry was right. No one would go after Ronny. Unless . . . unless they thought by hurting her they’d be hurting someone else.
When he made it back to the ranch, Nevada was dressed and reading the paper as she nibbled on a muffin. He stood in the kitchen doorway for a moment watching her. When she finally looked up he asked, “Should I run?”
She smiled. “No, I’ve decided to let you live.”
“I’m not backing down on the guard at your barn. I want a man I can trust there.” He figured he might as well face the problem head-on. “The guard stays no matter what you say.”
“Okay,” she said, shocking him.
“No storm?”
“No storm,” she answered. “I think after a month of living with you I’ve figured out that, for the first time in longer than I can remember, I’ve got someone on my side.”
“Want to go with me to make a round of the ranch? I want to check fences and change the codes on all the locked gates going to where your oil rigs are. If someone’s out to cause hell on the Boxed B, I plan to make it as hard on them as I can.”
To his surprise she said yes and pulled on her boots. “Let’s take the old Jeep; I haven’t driven it in a week. If I go much longer it won’t start.”
“Fair enough, but I drive.”
He rested his arm lightly on her shoulder as they walked out behind the barn, where she always parked the Jeep in an old shed that looked like her grandfather had probably built it. More boards were missing from the sides than on it.
“I’m doubling the security at my office. Everything else that has happened lately could be written off as an accident, but not Starlight.”
Cord agreed. “I feel like we’re under attack.”
She smiled up at him. “And we fight, right?”
He kissed the top of her head. “Right, Babe.”
As she moved beside him, he fought the urge to kiss her again. She was becoming a part of him. Everyone he’d ever cared about had turned their backs or died on him. Cord knew she’d do the same when their bargain was finished. She had her secrets and she’d leave before she’d let him any closer, but right now she needed him.
Nevada always left the keys in the ignition and the windows rolled up. Most of the paint was gone
on the roof of the Jeep, but Cord guessed it had once been blue, or maybe army green. He couldn’t be sure.
He pulled the driver’s door open as she smiled and swung into the passenger side.
Everything happened in a flash, like lightning hit several places at once.
Nevada screamed.
Cord heard the familiar tick-tick-tick of a rattler’s tail. He’d already extended his hand toward the wheel and felt the hard sudden stab of fangs going into his wrist before he could pull back. When he did step away, the snake came along, attached to his wrist.
The rattlesnake had to be near six feet long and held on as Cord tried to swing it free. His skin ripped when he finally slung the snake a few feet away. More out of instinct than logic, Cord slammed his boot straight down an inch below the snake’s head, pinning it in the dirt.
The body of the snake whipped and coiled around his legs.
Nevada continued to scream for help. She’d managed to climb out of the Jeep, but he couldn’t tell if she’d been bitten.
Cord ground hard, but the dirt around the shed was too soft to kill the snake.
He couldn’t move. If he did, the snake might try to strike again, or worse, slither off. Tightening his fist, he could already feel the numbness moving into his wrist. This was not a dry bite. The snake had injected venom.
Ora Mae came running from the back door of the house as two cowhands rushed from the barn. Like a warrior of old, Ora Mae raised her garden hoe and swung.
Cord closed his eyes, figuring if she missed he would not only have a snakebite to deal with but also a few missing toes.
The hoe hit the rattler just behind the head and severed the body.
Cord stared down, afraid to move. He had no idea if his heart was pounding in his throat because of the venom pumping in his blood or because, for the first time since he got out of prison, he was terrified.
The cowhands reached them just as another snake slithered from the open door of the Jeep. One of the men borrowed Ora Mae’s hoe and killed the second snake with one whack.
Cord moved to Nevada’s side. “Are you bit?” he yelled.