AK-Cowboy

by Joanna Wayne

“They’re only cows, bro. Unless you did like Dylan and Sean and hooked up with women and trouble before you even climbed into a saddle.”

  “Well, there is this woman, Julie Gillespie, and she attracts danger like a field of wildflowers collects bees.”

  “And I’m guessing she’s sexy, young, smart and sassy.”

  “All of the above.”

  “You guys are killing me. I am going to have to pay a visit to Mustang Run soon. For now, lay it out for me and don’t leave out any of the pertinents.”

  Tyler explained the situation as succinctly as he could.

  “Sheriff Grayson sounds like a player to me. Wouldn’t trust him with a mangy hound dog, so take everything he says with a grain of margarita salt. Zeke Hartwell has never shown up on our radar, but dozens like him have. Doesn’t fit the usual serial killer profile, though. I’d say he’s more of a crime-of-opportunity type, especially against women or people weaker than himself.”

  “Which fits in the case of Muriel Frost,” Tyler noted. “He’d been working on her house which was ten miles past nowhere.”

  “Exactly, and he sounds like the kind of cowardly rat who wouldn’t hesitate to try to scare Julie off without showing his face.”

  “Makes sense,” Tyler said.

  “But that doesn’t mean he’s guilty. You need a lot more evidence than just opportunity.”

  “So what should be my next move, other than not leaving Julie unprotected?”

  “Keep your eyes and ears open. Don’t take chances. Carry a gun with enough power to get the job done.”

  “I have one in my car. How hard is it to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Texas?”

  “For someone with your weapon experience? Call Glenn McGuire, explain it’s an emergency. He’ll issue it effective immediately.”

  “Did you forget that I’m the son of a convicted murderer?”

  “You’re a serviceman on leave, one who’s been putting his life on the line daily in one of the most violent places on earth. McGuire will go with that if for no other reason than he won’t like the idea of anyone in his county getting threatened like that, especially a woman.

  “In the meantime, I’ll shake a few trees and see what falls,” Wyatt continued. “If I can get hold of Mom’s and Muriel Frost’s ME reports, I can see if the similarities in the attacks indicate a high probability of their being committed by the same perp. And you stick to Julie like she’s cotton candy and you’re the stick.”

  “Easy enough.”

  “Be careful, Tyler. I know you’re used to danger, but be careful all the same. Sometimes the enemy can look like your best friend, and I don’t want to lose a brother now that it looks like we might be on the path to being a family again.”

  “I have no intention of getting killed.”

  “Good. Keep me posted.”

  When the connection broke, Tyler finished his beer and went to search for Julie.

  “Give me a minute,” she called at his first tap on her bedroom door.

  He wondered what she’d do if he pounced on her and kissed her senseless when she opened the door.

  Instead, she knocked him senseless. He took a step backward and gulped for air.

  “Wow! You look…different. Stunning, but different.”

  “Do you approve?”

  “Oh, yeah, as long as it’s not going to become the norm. I mean, you’re a knockout. But I like the other you. The one with the shorts and ponytail and…” He touched the tip of her nose. “Less goop.”

  “It’s just for tonight,” she said. “But I do like to get dressed up on occasion.”

  “You clean up real well, but what’s the occasion?”

  “The festival dance. You did ask me to go with you, remember?”

  “Oh, no. Is this the night?”

  “It’s Thursday.”

  “Give me twenty minutes. I’ll be back.” He reached up and twined a finger in one of the curly tendrils at her cheek. He hadn’t planned it, but his mouth found hers and he went weak. If he didn’t pull away quick, they’d never get to the dance.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said. “And forget what I said about the goop. You look and taste divine.”

  JULIE TOUCHED HER FINGERTIPS to her lips and felt the heat from Tyler’s kiss. In spite of the problems with the investigation, in spite of the threats, she had a feeling it would be a dynamite night.

  ZEKE HARTWELL OPENED THE DOOR and slid into the front seat of his car. He’d found the perfect parking spot, only a block from the park where the festival was in full swing. He’d squeezed in between some paneled catering trucks where no one would see him come and go.

  They were all busy selling their wares to the hicks who’d come out to celebrate a bunch of blue flowers that clogged every roadside and ditch between here and Dallas.

  But he was in luck. He’d spotted his victim, hanging onto Tyler Ledger as if she was afraid he’d escape like one of those helium-filled balloons floating above them. She probably thought he could protect her. Imagine the shock when she found out he couldn’t.

  For eighteen years, he’d walked around a free man. Now she thought she’d just walk in and make a name for herself at his expense.

  Julie Gillespie. A nobody who was too stupid to heed a direct threat when it came with photographic proof of what he was capable of.

  He reached for the bottle of whiskey he’d stashed under his seat. He put it to his mouth and gulped, relishing the burn. But one good drink was all he could have tonight. He had to be thinking clearly when he made his move.

  He didn’t dread what he had to do. This wasn’t the way it had been with Muriel when the urge had come over him so suddenly he’d lost all control. And then when he could have taken her like a dog in heat, he’d become impotent. Attacked for nothing. Killed for frustration.

  Tonight wasn’t about lust.

  It was about survival.

  His.

  Chapter Nine

  Stars twinkled like diamonds above them as Julie and Tyler grazed their way past the rows of food booths sampling everything from deep fried meatballs in jalapeño butter to homemade tamales.

  Tyler licked his fingers after finishing off a marinated steak shish kebab. “I will never be able to eat another army-issued MRE again without thinking of this food.”

  “One more hot pepper and my stomach may balk against ever eating again.”

  “You’re in Texas now, baby. You have to learn to take the heat.”

  “Then I’ll need lots of frozen margaritas to wash it down.” She stirred the one she was holding and took another sip.

  “I didn’t expect so many people when Mustang Run is such a small town.”

  “It’s probably not as small as you think. Residents are scattered on ranches and farms along every side road you pass coming in. And a lot of these people here tonight are from neighboring towns.”

  A strolling mariachi band walked by a few yards to their right, the music blending with laughter and talk and children’s excited squeals as they rode one of the half-dozen carnival rides at the far end of the park.

  “I’m glad I’m not the only one in a long Western skirt,” Julie said.

  “But you are the most ravishing.”

  “And like Collette said, I could have worn anything and still fit in.”

  There were sundresses with sandals, cocktail dresses with stiletto heels, and lots of jeans and skirts paired with fancy Western shirts atop the traditional cowboy boots.

  Attire for the men was just as diverse, but Julie was certain no one looked as handsome as Tyler. She clearly wasn’t the only one who thought that. She’d noticed more than one female festival goer cut her eyes and smile seductively when they passed.

  “The only one getting more attention than you tonight might be me,” Tyler said.

  “I’ve noticed, but don’t let it go to your head, cowboy.”

  “I’m talking about the glares followed by all the whispering. Like that couple in front
of us in the beer line.”

  Julie turned to see who he was talking about. Just as Tyler said, the man was glaring at Tyler as if he’d just crashed a private party.

  “It’s only because they don’t know you or Troy,” Julie said.

  “Don’t worry. I can handle a few stares.”

  She slipped her arm around his waist, but jerked her hand away when her fingers touched cold metal beneath his light jacket.

  “Can you legally carry that?”

  “Yes. But I don’t plan to need it. Relax. You need this night.”

  But not if it was going to put them both at undue risk.

  “We don’t have to stay.”

  “What? And have me miss my chance to dance with the prettiest woman in Mustang Run? We’re staying, at least until the fireworks start.”

  But the anticipation she’d felt earlier began to wither. Everything she did put Tyler in danger. He could have had that in the war zone.

  She couldn’t back down now. It was her one chance to put the past behind her and go on with her life. But the costs should only extend to her.

  “Uncle Tyler. Wait for us.”

  Julie turned to see Joey running across the grass in their direction. She wanted to shout at him to stay away, that being anywhere near her could be risky at best. But they were in the midst of hundreds of revelers. What could possibly go wrong?

  “I rode the Tilt-A-Whirl and the Ferris wheel and I wasn’t afraid at all. But I wasn’t tall enough to ride the Inverter. And look what I won at the goldfish pond.”

  Julie bent down to examine this treasured prize, a plastic airplane that would probably not last the night. “Wow. Cool.”

  Eve stepped closer to Julie. “You look fantastic. The fabric in that skirt is exquisite. Where did you find it?”

  “I don’t remember,” Julie lied. “It’s not new. Are you staying for the dance?”

  “Ugg. Dancing,” Joey said. “What fun is that?”

  “There’s your answer,” Sean said. “I think we’re headed for the Moonwalk and then the funnel cake I’ve been waiting for all evening. But Dylan and Collette are in the dance tent somewhere. She’ll be taking pictures all night.”

  Eve took Julie’s hand and squeezed it as they started to walk away. “Take care, Julie. And thanks for that talk you had with Troy the other night. It meant a lot to him that you understood.”

  “And to me,” she admitted.

  “What kind of talk did you have with Troy?” Tyler asked.

  “One about love and forgiveness.”

  “If we’re going to dance, let’s do it,” he said, dropping the subject as if it were toxic.

  He was back in Mustang Run, but he and his father were still miles and miles apart.

  COMING TO THE DANCE HAD BEEN Tyler’s idea, but with the band only halfway through its second set, he was starting to wish he’d never suggested it. Cradling Julie in his arms while they swayed to the Western band was tantalizing, but it only made him want more.

  Besides, the crowds were too large and too fluid. He couldn’t watch everyone at once. And even in a friendly crowd like this, he couldn’t be sure the lunatic who had left the picture on Julie’s car wouldn’t strike.

  “What do you say we get out of here and go back to the ranch?” he suggested.

  “Fine by me. I’d like to dance with you without the gun,” she whispered.

  “How about without anything,” he teased.

  “Not even your boots.”

  “Well that might be overstepping things a bit.”

  A flash half blinded them just as they reached the edge of the portable dance floor.

  “Best looking couple on the floor,” Collette announced. “That skirt looks so elegant on you, Julie. Weren’t you the one who said you had nothing to wear?”

  Dylan stepped up behind Collette and circled her waist with his arms. “Haven’t I heard you say that before, too, my gorgeous bride, who had to have an extra large closet of her own.”

  The conversation was interrupted by a shrill squeak from the stage mike. A plump woman in a red sequined vest cleared her throat and began to talk.

  “I want to thank all of you who are here tonight for helping make this year’s Bluebonnet Festival a huge success. And, remember, we still have three more days of fun. Every year gets bigger and better and we couldn’t do it without you.”

  A light applause followed the announcement.

  “Wait, there’s more. I expect a really big round of applause for the board member who got the ball rolling by bidding the largest amount ever paid for a single item at the silent auction held last evening at Gilman’s Steak House.

  “Mr. Guy Cameron bid $22,000 for a handmade, one-of-a-kind, stained-glass window titled ‘Bluebonnets in Bloom.’ The window was donated by Steven Pate of Crowley’s Fine Arts, right here in Mustang Run.”

  The crowd burst into applause.

  “Guy, would you join me on the stage for a special presentation? And, Steven, if you’re here, come on up, as well.”

  Tyler stayed glued to his spot not twenty feet from the stage. He wouldn’t dare give up this chance to check out Guy Cameron, not after his wife had driven all the way to Willow Creek Ranch to share her thoughts on Muriel’s murder with Julie.

  Guy waved to the crowd like a politician as he made his way to the center of the stage. Tyler would guess him to be in his mid-fifties with salt-and-pepper hair and wearing jeans, a sport coat that had probably not come off the rack and a pair of what appeared to be hand-stitched alligator boots. The boots had no doubt come with a price tag to rival Guy’s magnanimous bid.

  The man reeked of charisma and the kind of confidence that comes from knowing he could buy and sell ninety-nine percent of his audience.

  “I photographed his bird dogs for him once,” Collette whispered. “Guy was super nice, but his wife was a real pain. She kept trying to tell me how to do my job, everything from the backdrop right down to the lighting. I would have walked off the job if the dogs hadn’t been such delightful subjects.”

  Steven Pate never made it to the stage and Guy kept his thanks to under two minutes for the plaque he was presented.

  “It’s good to see you two,” Tyler said to Dylan and Collette as Guy made his way off the stage. “But we’re ready to call it a night.”

  “Lucky you,” Dylan said. “I’m going to hang out here until Collette’s through so I can drive her home. But I could use a break from the music. I’ll walk to the car with you.”

  “Why don’t you ride back to the ranch with them?” Collette suggested. “I may not be able to leave until midnight and I’m perfectly capable of driving myself home.”

  “But if I left you, who would keep the wolves in cowboy clothing at bay?”

  “Okay. Stick around, lover boy. I’ll save the last dance for you.”

  Julie turned to go and caught the heel of her dress boot in one of the electrical wires that snaked across the grass at the edge of the dance floor. Tyler tried to catch and steady her before she went tumbling to the ground. He missed and she fell smack into the arms of Guy Cameron.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, quickly righting herself.

  Guy said nothing. He just stood there, staring down at Julie. His face turned a pasty white. His lips parted as if he were trying to speak and couldn’t.

  Tyler put a hand on Guy’s arm. “Are you all right?”

  Guy nodded, never taking his eyes off Julie.

  “I hope I didn’t puncture your foot with my heel,” she said.

  “No,” he finally answered. “I’m glad I was there to break your fall. Have we met?”

  “No. I’m Julie Gillespie.”

  “The reporter?” He sounded surprised, or maybe downright dumbfounded.

  “Yes. Your wife came to the ranch where I’m staying to talk to me about the case. She must have told you.”

  “No. She didn’t mention it.”

  Which was odd and this whole situation was starting to ge
t a bit freaky. Tyler put a possessive arm around Julie’s waist and extended his free hand to Guy. “I’m Tyler Ledger. Sorry for the way we met, but nice to meet you.”

  “One of the Ledgers of Willow Creek Ranch?” Guy asked.

  “I’m Troy’s son.” So make something of it, if you think you’re tough enough, he added silently.

  Guy took Tyler’s hand. “Why don’t the two of you join Candice and me for a drink?”

  “Another time,” Tyler said. “We were leaving when Julie stumbled.”

  Guy only nodded, his former charisma as dull as yesterday’s email.

  “What was that about?” Dylan asked as he and Tyler followed Collette and Julie to the edge of the crowd.

  “Hell if I know, but I intend to find out.”

  “When you do, I’d like to hear about it.”

  Dylan walked on the opposite side of Julie as they headed to the car. Tyler realized his brother was intentionally helping him form a protective circle around her though his car was parked in the nearest lot and there were sizeable crowds still perusing the area.

  The evening’s fireworks display got underway just as they reached the lot. A cacophony of explosions echoed around them. All eyes went heavenward as the brilliant starbursts filled the skies and a chorus of oohs and aahs replaced the talk and laughter.

  They stopped near the car to enjoy the visual extravaganza. The popping sounds made Tyler even more nervous. Who’d know if a gun was fired?

  “Get in the car, Julie.”

  “Then I couldn’t see the show.”

  Something whizzed by Tyler’s head and ricocheted of the door of his rented car.

  “Gunfire. Get down,” he yelled, shoving Julie to the ground and falling on top of her.

  Julie yelped in pain. And then Tyler saw the streak of blood stretching across the front window of the car.

  Chapter Ten

  Julie stared at Tyler, his frame backlit by vibrant sprays of red, green and blue. He was helping her up with one hand. His other held a gun.

  Dylan was leaning against the car and blood was running down his arm.

  Julie’s heart slammed against the walls of her chest as she finally grasped what had happened.