Cowboy to the Max

by Rita Herron

  Seconds later, he found a man lying in a pool of dried blood and brain matter. He had been shot in the head.

  Cursing, Carter stooped down and checked his pocket. He found a wallet, then removed the ID. He was right. Elmore Clement. Fifty-five years old. Texas resident. Real estate license.

  Dammit, he sure as hell couldn’t tell Carter what had happened.

  His nerves suddenly kicked up a notch. Was he being set up again?

  He paused to listen for the cops, then jumped into action and searched the desk, hoping to find some lead to Mulligan or to his father and his ranch. But the desk drawer was empty and so was the filing cabinet. Then he spotted a shredder filled with shredded paperwork and realized whoever had killed Clement had covered up by destroying a paper trail that might lead back to them.

  Carter clenched his hands into fists. He wanted to pound out his frustration. So far everyone associated with the past—Dyer, Lester, Loretta Swinson and now Clement—was dead. Which led back to Mulligan.

  He was the only lead left.

  Another suspicion nagged at him. What if the will had been forged, even planted at the ranch for the cops to find? When they discovered Clement dead, they’d assume Carter had killed the man to recover his land.

  And dammit, his fingerprints were on the desk and Clement’s wallet.

  Irritated with himself, he wiped down the desk, the filing cabinet drawers, then took the wallet with him. Sadie was still on the porch, her face pinched in worry.

  He wiped the doorknob, then grabbed her hand. “Come on, we have to get out of here.”

  SADIE FASTENED HER SEAT BELT, the stench of the dead man’s odor still lingering in her nose. “You think whoever killed him plans to frame you for this murder, too?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m not taking any chances.” Carter shifted into gear and drove from the parking lot back through San Antonio.

  “Maybe you should contact the police and fill them in on what you’ve discovered, Carter. Surely they’ll listen now and investigate.”

  “I have to find proof of the mines before I can even think about turning myself in.”

  “Then we search for the mines,” Sadie said.

  Carter swung his gaze toward her, his eyes boring into hers. “You know you can leave anytime, Sadie. Go to the cops and explain what Lester did. Tell them I forced you to go with me.”

  “No, then they’ll add kidnapping charges to your record.” Sadie twined her fingers with his. He’d offered her a way out more than once now. But she didn’t intend to abandon him. Not this time.

  “I’m with you,” she said softly. Besides, she owed it to her people and the kids on the BBL to investigate. If mines were being excavated without protective environmental measures, both the reservation’s and the BBL’s water supplies could be adversely affected. She had to expose the truth.

  Carter studied her for a long moment, emotions darkening his eyes, then he turned his attention back to the road, and they lapsed into a strained silence. When they reached the ranch, Carter passed the farmhouse, taking back roads and side roads in search of the mines.

  They checked the east quadrant, then the west, then drove south, scanning the flatland and the ridges. The sun slanted across the horizon, beating down on the dry, parched land.

  Sadie spotted a dip in the land and something that looked like it might have been a shovel. “Over there.”

  Carter veered down the graveled road, his jaw clenched as he ground to a halt. They both climbed out and walked over to examine the mine, and Carter stooped to look at the tools left in the dirt.

  “Primitive, but someone has been digging around.” He retrieved a flashlight from the truck, then gestured toward the entrance.

  “I’m going inside. Wait here and keep watch.”

  Sadie nodded and watched as he disappeared inside the cave. The hot sun blazed down, and perspiration beaded on her skin as she waited. It seemed like hours before he finally returned.

  “No evidence of active mining, but it looks like someone’s definitely been snooping around.” He gestured toward the truck. “I want to take a look at the mines where I played as a kid.”

  Sadie climbed back in the truck and drove three miles down the road. Old mining equipment, tools and footprints indicated someone had been working this area recently, too.

  Carter shined the flashlight around the entrance, and Sadie once again waited outside to keep watch.

  A half hour later, Carter still hadn’t returned. Sadie paced, anxious, and was starting to get worried, so she poked her head inside.

  “Carter?”

  An engine rumbled in the distance, and she glanced toward the west end and spotted an SUV racing over the hill. Her nerves instantly jumped to alert. She had to warn Carter that someone was coming.

  Frantic, she ducked inside the dark mine, chilled at the change in temperature as she tried to adjust her eyes. “Carter?”

  He didn’t answer, alarming her more, so she felt along the sides of the mine and noted workers had erected support beams. She stumbled over a rock jutting from the ground and almost tripped over some tools that had been left on the ground, then inched deeper into the cave.

  “Carter?”

  “Sadie?”

  Footsteps clattered ahead, and she hurried toward them. Outside the engine grew louder before it shut off. “Carter, someone’s coming. An SUV.”

  The sound of rocks tumbling along the wall of the mine echoed in the silence, then a car door slammed.

  “Carter, where are you?”

  “Back here. Stay there, I’m coming.”

  But before she found him, a loud explosion rent the air. It took Sadie a moment to realize what had happened, then the mine walls and ground shook, rocks and dirt rained down on top of her, pelting her. She covered her head with her arms and dropped to the ground, dodging debris as the mine collapsed around her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sadie’s scream echoed through the mine as the mine walls collapsed. Carter took off at a dead run, shining the flashlight through the dark tunnel and debris as dust, rocks and dirt pummeled him.

  “Sadie!”

  He paused to listen, dodging a chunk of rock, then pressed himself against the wall as part of the ceiling caved in. Blinking to clear dust from his eyes, he peered through the foggy interior, hoping Sadie had survived and made it outside.

  But his gut pinched with worry at the fact that she hadn’t answered him when moments before he’d heard her calling his name.

  He panned the flashlight across the interior of the mine, cursing when he saw the mounds of dirt and rock. A narrow opening loomed ahead, not big enough to get through. He’d have to dig his way to Sadie and hope that the rest of the mine didn’t collapse on top of him.

  Wondering if he should try to find another way out, he swept the flashlight behind him, searching the darkness. But if Sadie was trapped inside, he had to go back. He couldn’t leave her there. She might die from suffocation.

  And nothing mattered to him more than Sadie.

  She had come inside to warn him that she’d heard someone outside. Had that person triggered the explosion to kill them?

  Anger fueled his energy, and he propped the flashlight on the ground at an angle to give him a view of the tunnel, then found a sharp rock and used it to dig through the mound. He tossed dirt behind him, careful to leave an opening for him and Sadie to escape the other side if they needed. He worked diligently for the next half hour, digging his way through the dirt and rock, yelling Sadie’s name as he inched his way back toward the entrance.

  He felt along the walls, his anger renewed as he recalled the equipment he’d discovered, and the evidence of recent excavation activities. Who had been working the mine?

  The person who’d framed him and wanted him and Sadie dead?

  Carter spit out dirt and cursed. The bastard wouldn’t get away with it. He would see to that.

  “Sadie!” he yelled. “If you’re in here, answer
me.”

  A low moan reverberated from somewhere up ahead, the brittle sound making his throat catch.

  “I’m coming, darlin’,” he said, as much to reassure himself as to assure her that he wouldn’t let her down.

  He clawed his way through the next few feet of dirt, forcing himself to take shallow breaths to conserve the air, and slid on his belly through the narrow space he’d cleared.

  He finally dropped to a wider opening and swept the flashlight across the space, then spotted Sadie lying on the ground, half-covered in dirt.

  His heart pounded with worry and fear as he crawled toward her. “Sadie, honey, tell me you’re okay.”

  She moaned again, and he checked her pulse, then searched her for injuries.

  “Sadie, I’m here, honey. It’s all right.”

  “Carter?” Her throaty whisper echoed with fear. “I…tried to warn you…someone’s out there.”

  “I know,” he said between gritted teeth. “He probably set the explosion to trap us inside.” He stroked her hair from her cheek and gently rolled her over, searching her face. “Are you hurt?”

  She coughed, straining for a breath, then winced as she tried to sit up. “No…just bruised.”

  He felt along her neck, then her abdomen. “Are you sure? Are you in pain?”

  Sadie clenched his hand. “I’m okay. It just knocked the wind out of me.”

  His pulse clamored with relief, and he dragged her in his arms and clung to her, rocking her back and forth. He didn’t realize how terrified he’d been that she was hurt, that he might lose her.

  He didn’t like the feeling or want to experience it again.

  But he couldn’t help himself. He held her tight.

  The only thing he cared more about than clearing his name was keeping Sadie alive.

  SADIE WAS TREMBLING as Carter cradled her in his arms. She’d been desperately afraid he’d been killed in the explosion, trapped so deep in the mine that she’d never reach him, and that she’d never be able to dig her way out.

  She buried her head in his arms. “I was so afraid I’d lost you,” she whispered.

  “I was scared, too,” he admitted in a raw whisper. “But they’re not going to stop us, Sadie. We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”

  Sadie nodded against his chest. “Yes, we are.”

  He pulled back to look at her, and cupped her face between his hands. “Are you really okay?”

  In spite of her fear and the fact that they were trapped in the mine with little air, knowing that he still had fight left gave her a surge of energy. “Yes. And you’re right—we’re not giving up.”

  He blew out an exasperated breath. “Did you see who was driving up?”

  She shook her head. “No, it was a dark SUV. I ran inside as he was racing down the hill.”

  Carter stroked her hair from her face. “He’s probably still outside, so we need to find an alternate escape.”

  “How far did you go in the mine?”

  “A few hundred feet,” he said. “It’s definitely being mined. But that means there may be another way out. Come on, we’ll crawl through the tunnel I dug, then hunt for an escape.”

  Sadie nodded and clung to him, trusting him with all her heart.

  And hoping that he was right, that there was another exit. Otherwise, they might die in here.

  And no one would ever know where they were or what had happened to them.

  CARTER DROPPED TO HIS KNEES and crawled on his belly back through the tunnel, leading the way for Sadie. Inch by inch, he slid until he crept through the opening to the section where he’d been when the explosion had occurred. His belly ached, and he hoped to hell he hadn’t busted open his stitches, but he didn’t have time to think about it.

  He took a deep breath as he entered the wider opening, then reached out to pull Sadie the rest of the way through. Dirt streaked her cheek and hair as she stood and brushed off her skirt, but she looked so damn beautiful, and he was so grateful she was alive, that he couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms again.

  Sadie curled into them as if she belonged, and he held her close, savoring her breath fanning his cheek as she lifted her face to his.

  “What do we do now?”

  The tenuous tremor in her voice made his protective instincts surge to life. “Let’s follow the tunnel. There has to be an opening at the other end.”

  Sadie nodded. “Then let’s find it. Maybe we can catch whoever was outside.”

  Determination kicked in. “You’re damn right we’re going to.”

  Carter flipped the flashlight to the path ahead and shined it along the walls and floor. Then he took Sadie’s hand as they wove through the tunnel.

  “You’re right. Someone was working this mine,” Sadie said as they passed equipment and more support beams that had been erected.

  “Yeah, I just wonder who’s behind it, and if my father knew.”

  Carter struggled for a breath, but the dust and cramped space seemed to be sucking the air from them. They twisted and turned through the dark maze, following one turn that led to a dead end. They had to regroup and head back in the opposite direction.

  Finally they reached a clearing and Carter detected sunlight filtering through a tiny opening. “There’s light ahead. Even if there isn’t an exit, we can make one.”

  “Should we go back and get some of those tools?”

  “I’ll go.” Carter squeezed her arm to assure her he’d be back, but suddenly another explosion rocked the earth, this time up ahead, and dirt and rocks crashed down in front of them. The walls seemed to slide away as the ground trembled, and dust engulfed them.

  Sadie screamed, and he pulled her into his embrace, dragging her back against the wall. He pulled her down to the ground, then covered her head and body with his arms to protect her from the falling rocks.

  They huddled together, dodging more dirt and stones until the earth stopped shaking and the rocks settled in a pile a few feet from them. Sadie coughed against him, and he released her long enough to see if she was okay.

  “Sadie?”

  “I’m all right. Are you?”

  He breathed out in relief. “Yeah, just pissed off.”

  Sadie surprised him by emitting a low laugh.

  “That’s funny?” he growled.

  She looked up at him with a mixture of worry and fear. “No, but I’m glad you’re here with me.”

  Carter’s chest ached. He had never been in love with a woman before, and he felt crazy with it now.

  Stupid. Like he was hot and cold at the same time. Happy but scared out of his mind.

  Stupid like he wanted to tell her that he’d always be with her.

  And that was crazy.

  They were trapped in a damn mine and might not make it out alive.

  SADIE KNEW THEIR SITUATION was critical, that they could easily die in this hellhole. Or, if the killer was waiting outside, they could walk into an ambush.

  Meaning they should lay low for a little while. Let him think they died.

  “I’ll get us out of here,” Carter said in a gruff voice. “I promise.”

  Sadie nodded. “I trust you, Carter.”

  The flashlight was burning low, but she could still see the emotions tingeing his eyes. Trust was obviously not something he was accustomed to receiving—or giving.

  And neither was love.

  More rumbling started, rocks sliding and skittering around them, and Carter pulled her to him again. Dirt scattered around them, robbing her breath, then the darkness swallowed them, closing them in.

  A shudder ripped up Sadie’s spine. Carter’s determination to save them gave her hope, but there was a chance they wouldn’t survive.

  And she didn’t want to die without being with Carter one more time. Without showing him her love and proving to herself that he had made her whole again.

  So she slid her hands into his hair and drew him to her for a kiss. Carter heaved a breath, then closed his mouth over h
ers, greedily taking what she offered, a hungry sound ripping from his throat.

  “I want you, Carter,” Sadie whispered. “Please. I need you to hold me and make me feel alive.”

  Carter cupped her face between his hands. “We will get out of here, Sadie. I swear.”

  Sadie nodded, then pressed a kiss to the base of his throat, savoring the salty taste of his skin and the hum of arousal that rumbled from his chest.

  “God, Sadie, do you know how long it’s been?”

  “A long time for me, too,” she whispered.

  He wound his arms around her, nipping at her neck. “I should be digging our way out now.”

  “We’ll do it together, but he may be waiting to kill us if we show ourselves,” Sadie said softly. “And right now, I need to be close to you.”

  Carter paused, then lowered his mouth to hers, hovering an inch from her lips. “Are you sure, Sadie? This is not the most romantic place—”

  “We’re together and I need you. That’s romantic enough for me.”

  Carter groaned, then seemed to give in and claimed her mouth with an intensity that robbed her breath. His tongue probed her lips apart, seeking, yearning, exploring. Moved by his touch, she threaded one hand in the thick, wavy strands of his hair, trailing the other one down his jaw, then to his chest and lower, until he wrapped his leg around her and pressed his erection against her belly.

  Sadie had never felt anything more erotic in her life. She stroked his calf with her foot, then tore at his shirt with her fingers, ripping it off. Her hand connected with his bandage, and she froze.

  “Carter…I forgot. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Are you kidding?” he said in a deep, sexy rumble that bordered on pain and joy at the same time. “You have no idea how many nights I fantasized about being with you again. It was the only thing that kept me alive in prison.”

  Sadie tensed for a moment, knowing he’d also fantasized about killing her, but they had moved past that point, and she trusted him now with her heart, her soul, her body.