by Katie Lane
“So you thought you’d pin the murder on the Double Diamond boys.”
“They don’t deserve to be doing so well when they were nothing but a bunch of criminal kids. And the fact that one of them became a big Texas Ranger is just wrong.” He hit the steering wheel. “Just damn wrong. But we’ll see how tough Lincoln feels when they toss his ass in jail for Sam’s murder—and for yours.”
He took a turn too fast and she went sliding into the door. The sudden jarring movement made her head feel like it was going to explode. Her stomach heaved and she took several deep breaths to try to keep from throwing up. Of course, it wasn’t just the lump on her head that made her feel sick. It was the thought of dying . . . and the thought of Lincoln being framed for it. With Lincoln having a previous relationship with Sam . . . and her, there was a possibility that Willaby could frame him.
The sheriff took another turn, this one onto a bumpy dirt road. Dixie glanced out the window. She knew this road. She had driven it when she’d been looking for Boomer. They were on the Double Diamond ranch. The sheriff was probably going to kill her in the same place he’d buried Sam’s body.
Her boobs started to vibrate and she glanced down and saw the edge of her cellphone peeking out of her bra. It was like a miracle from heaven. She waited for the vibrating to stop before she leaned down behind the seat and slipped it out of her bra. Keeping the phone hidden, she straightened and quickly texted Lincoln. She kept it short and sweet.
Help! Sheriff killed Sam. He’s taken me to DD ranch. Hurry.
She sent it and then prayed that he would answer. The reply came only seconds later.
Where are you?
He wouldn’t know the road she found Boomer on, but he would know a close landmark.
Just off the road that leads to the turnoff to Rattlesnake Springs.
Only seconds later, he replied.
I’m coming, baby. Then a second later, he sent another message. I’m sorry I lied. I love you.”
Dixie stared at the last three words. And even though she was about to be killed, she couldn’t help the leap of joy that filled her heart. Lincoln loved her. He loved her.
She started to text back that she loved him too when the sheriff suddenly slammed on the brakes and she slid forward into the front seat and her phone got knocked from her hands. Before she could pick it up, the back door opened and the sheriff stood there pointing a gun at her.
“Get out.”
Dixie froze. Her time was up and she didn’t have a plan. No plan at all. Her legs felt like Jello as she got out and she had to grab the door to keep from falling.
“Head that way.” The sheriff pointed the gun to his left.
She heaved a little sigh of relief. He wasn’t just going to kill her right there. He probably wanted to take her some place where he could bury her without being seen. Like the group of mesquite trees up ahead. Which meant she had a little time. She started walking, praying for an opportunity to get away. It came only a few seconds later.
The sheriff stumbled behind her and Dixie didn’t hesitate. She whirled and punched him right in the throat before she brought down her arm on his hand that held the gun. He released the gun and it hit the ground. She grabbed it and pointed it directly at him. She was trembling inside, but her hand was steady and her voice didn’t quaver.
“Get on the ground and put your hands behind your back. Now!”
The sheriff held his throat and glared at her. “Or what?” he croaked.
“Or I’ll fill you with so many holes you’ll look like a pair of fishnet stockings.”
“No, you won’t. I worked with you long enough to know that you’re too afraid to shoot.” The sheriff made a grab for the gun and Dixie pulled the trigger.
He fell on the ground and grabbed his leg. “You shot me.”
She had. She’d shot him. Thankfully, she hadn’t killed him, but she’d definitely shot him.
“Nice shootin’.”
At the words, she whirled around to see a man sitting on a horse. The horse was lathered like he’d been ridden hard. She’d been so focused on the sheriff she hadn’t even heard the horse and rider approach. Since she didn’t know if the man was friend or foe, she kept a tight hold on the gun.
“Who are you and what are you doing on Double Diamond land?” she asked.
She couldn’t see his features clearly in the shadow of his cowboy hat, but she could see his bright smile. “Actually, this is my land. And I’m here because Chester and Lucas got a call from a freaked-out Texas Ranger who said he needed their help. I saddled up Doris and set out.”
A distant barking had her looking to see another rider coming over the ridge. It had to be Holden because Boomer raced along beside his galloping horse.
The man laughed. “You must be pretty important for Lincoln to call in the entire cavalry.” He pointed to the north. Two more riders came from the direction of the Gardener Ranch. She didn’t have to guess who they were.
Before she could get over the fact Lincoln had called all his friends to come rescue her, she heard a siren in the distance. Only a few moments later, Lincoln’s white Ford truck came barreling down the dirt road with lights flashing. Lincoln didn’t park behind the sheriff’s car. Instead, he drove straight toward her, flattening shrubs and bouncing over rocks. He came to a dust-spitting halt and hopped out of the truck.
She had never been so happy to see someone in her life.
He strode toward her, his gaze running over her from head to toe. When he reached her, he released his breath like he’d been holding it and pulled her into his arms. He held her tight and she was just fine with that.
He pressed his face into her neck and breathed deeply. “I was so worried I’d lost you. And I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had. I love you, Dixie Leigh. I love you so damn much.”
Tears came to her eyes and leaked down her cheeks. “I love you too.”
He drew back and looked at. “Are you sure?”
She laughed. “Yes, I’m sure. I’ve loved you since you strutted into my office looking all hot and surly.”
“I might have to disagree,” the man on horseback said. “Lincoln is definitely surly. But the hottest Double Diamond boy has always been yours truly.”
Lincoln glanced at the man and grinned. “It’s about damn time you showed up, Sawyer Dawson.”
“Sawyer Dawson?” Dixie turned to look at the man and wondered why she hadn’t figured it out sooner. The cocky way he sat a horse should’ve been a dead giveaway he was another bad boy. “So you’re the last of the bad boys,” she said with a smile.
“Pleased to meet you, ma’am.” Sawyer took off his cowboy hat and Dixie’s eyes widened. Sawyer Dawson was one handsome rascal. Just not as handsome as hers. “Sorry to interrupt,” he said. “I believe you and Linc were telling each other how in love you are.”
About then, the rest of the riders finally showed up. “In love?” Logan said as he reined in his horse. He grinned at Lincoln. “I guess you finally drank the water.”
Cru laughed as he joined the group. “I didn’t think Lincoln was smart enough to figure out when he had a good thing. He was always more muscle than brains.”
“Just like you were more hormones than brains,” Sawyer said.
Cru tipped back his hat. “Well, I’ll be damned, if it’s not Sawyer Dawson. The rodeo prodigal son finally comes home.”
Logan moved his horse next to Sawyer’s and thumped him on the back. “Good to see you, Sawyer.”
“Damn good,” Holden said as he arrived. “And I hate to break up the reunion, but I think the sheriff might need an ambulance.”
“I already called one. And it’s the ex-sheriff.” Lincoln released Dixie, then unbuckled his belt and pulled it from the loops. He walked over and crouched by the sheriff, who hadn’t said a word since Dixie had shot him. He didn’t say anything now either. He just moaned when Lincoln looped the belt above the bullet wound and cinched it tight. When Lincoln was finished,
he stood and looked at Dixie.
“He’s all yours, Deputy. Finish your arrest.” He paused. “But before you read him his rights, there’s something I have to ask you.”
She figured his question had to do with how she knew Willaby had killed Sam.
Until he got down on one knee.
“Lincoln? What are you doing?”
He took her hand. “On the way here, I realized I didn’t want to live without you for a second more. And I figure what better time to ask the smart, amazing law officer I fell in love with to marry me than right before her first major arrest.”
All the Double Diamond boys laughed.
“Leave it to Lincoln to propose to a woman who is still holding a smoking gun,” Cru said.
Lincoln’s face turned red. “Cru’s right. I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess I was just so scared about losing you.” He started to get to his feet, but she stopped him by siting on his knee and flinging her arms around his neck—gun and all.
“Yes,” she said before she kissed him.
There were hoots and yeehaws from all the boys before Lincoln drew back. “Yes?”
She looked into the dark eyes of the man who saw her as much more than just a pretty face and answered as any smart woman would.
“Yes, sir.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“She would’ve made a damn fine senator.”
Lincoln didn’t have to look behind him to know who had spoken. In the last few weeks, he had spent a lot of time listening to Senator Meriwether and knew his voice well. The man talked as much as his daughter did.
Without taking his eyes off Dixie, Lincoln answered him. “Dixie would be good at anything she set her mind to, sir.” At the moment, Dixie Leigh had set her mind to teaching her maid of honor and bridesmaids a new line dance.
She’d taken off the long veil and beaded train that had trailed behind her when she’d walked down the aisle and made her look like a queen arriving for coronation. She was a queen. His queen. Although now she just looked more like a slightly tipsy bride who was having the time of her life. Her green eyes twinkled with champagne and happiness as she held the hem of her wedding gown up to her knees so that Cheyenne, Reba, Evie, Penny, Devlin, and Emma could see her cowboy booted feet as she expertly demonstrated the steps. The only bridesmaid missing was Maisy. And Lincoln was surprised she wasn’t there since she loved to dance so much.
“Dixie does have a strong mind.” Senator Meriwether moved up to stand next to Lincoln. “Sometimes a little too strong. That stubbornness she gets from her mama.”
Lincoln kept his gaze on Dixie. “I don’t think she got that particular trait from her mama.”
“Are you saying I’m stubborn, son?”
It was the first time the senator had called him son and Lincoln was a little taken aback. Not only because the senator hadn’t exactly been happy the wedding took place so quickly—or at all—but also because Lincoln couldn’t remember the last time he’d been called son.
“Not stubborn, sir,” he said. “Just tenacious. And law officers and senators need to be tenacious to get things accomplished.”
The senator laughed. “You have a way with words, Lincoln Hayes. If you talked more, you’d make a pretty good politician yourself. And stop with the ‘sir’ business. You’re family now. You can call me Grant.” He paused. “Or you can call me Dad, if you’d like.”
Lincoln pulled his gaze away from Dixie and accepted the peace offering. “Thank you, Grant.” It was a little too soon to use Dad. But maybe one day he would feel comfortable enough with the senator to use it. And this was certainly a good start. He shook his new father-in-law’s hand. “Like I said before when I was asking for Dixie’s hand in marriage, I’m going to try and be a perfect husband to your daughter.”
“I don’t expect perfection, son. Lord only knows that I haven’t been a perfect husband. I just expect you to love Dixie as much as her mother and I do.”
“I will, sir . . . Grant. You have my word on that.”
The senator nodded before he pulled Lincoln in for a hard hug and slap on the back. “Good enough.” He drew away. “Now I better go make sure my wife hasn’t had too much champagne and started promising my constituents things I can’t deliver.”
Once the senator was gone, Lincoln would’ve gone back to his now favorite pastime of watching Dixie if he hadn’t spotted Maisy sitting in the back corner of the reception tent with Sawyer Dawson. Lincoln wasn’t surprised the two were together. It seemed they had met on the rodeo circuit and were friends. But they were acting a little more than friendly now. Maisy was sitting backwards on a chair while Sawyer sat on a chair behind her with his hands on her waist and his mouth close to her ear.
Anger was too mild a word for what Lincoln felt. In the last few months, Maisy had become like a little sister to him. And he wasn’t about to let his little sister get her heart broken by a man who went through women like a raccoon went through trash. Even if that man was his best friend.
He weaved around the tables, nodding at guests until he reached Maisy and Sawyer. Neither one looked at all guilty when he approached. Sawyer looked up and smiled, but kept his hands on Maisy’s waist. And Maisy grinned her gap-toothed grin.
“Hey, cowboy. Where’s your better half?”
“She probably figured out the mistake she made and ran for the hills,” Sawyer teased. “I wouldn’t want to be shackled to this guy forever either.”
Maisy laughed and glanced over her shoulder at Sawyer. “You wouldn’t want to be shackled to anyone with two legs, you rodeo bum.”
Sawyer grinned sheepishly. “You do have a point. My heart will always belong to wild horses.”
“And yet, your hands are on Maisy,” Lincoln said dryly.
Sawyer glanced down at his hands and quickly removed them. “I was just showing her some bronc riding moves.”
“You weren’t showing me,” Maisy said. “I was showing you.”
“Now don’t go getting cocky, girl. We both know who owns the most buckles.”
Maisy smiled sweetly. “That’s only because you’ve been doing it twice as long as I have. Give me a few years and I’ll have just as many. If not more.” She stood and swung a leg over the back of the chair, then brushed out the wrinkles in her bridesmaid’s dress. “Now if you two bad boys will excuse me, I’ve got some dancing to do.” She winked at Sawyer. “I’d be happy to give you a few lessons on that too. I saw your two-step and it’s sadly lacking. You tromped all over poor Reba’s feet.”
Sawyer laughed. “More like she tromped all over mine. But I’d be happy to show you how the two-step works.” He got up, but Lincoln stopped him.
“I need to talk to you for a second.”
Sawyer must’ve read his anger because his smile faded. “Sure. I’ll see you later, Maze.”
“Not if I see you first, rodeo bum.” She headed off for the dance floor.
When she was gone, Lincoln laid down the law. “Stay away from her, Sawyer.”
Sawyer blinked. “What?”
“Maisy. Stay away from her. She’s become like a sister to me and I don’t want her getting hurt.”
Sawyer stared at him for a moment before he laughed. Not a chuckle, but more an out-and-out belly laugh that had him clutching his sides. “You think I’m interested in Maisy?” he said between gasps. “She’s just a kid.”
“She’s not a kid. She’s a young woman. A young woman who is too innocent for the games you play.”
Sawyer sobered. “I don’t play games with women, Linc. I make sure they know the rules before I ever start dating them. But I’m telling you that Maisy and I are just friends. She’s not interested in me and I’m certainly not interested in her.”
“Friends can become lovers.”
Sawyer studied him. “You’re really worried about this, aren’t you?” He held up his hands. “Okay, dude. I give you my word I’ll stay away from Maisy.”
“You stay away from women?” Cru
walked up with Holden, Val, and Logan. They all wore the same black tuxedoes as Sawyer and Lincoln. And like Sawyer and Lincoln, they had removed their jackets and rolled up their shirtsleeves. “That’s a good one, Sawyer,” Cru continued. “That’s like saying a cat is going to stay away from mice.”
Sawyer socked Cru in the arm. “You don’t have room to talk, man. I remember a time when you were a worse alley cat than I am.”
“That was before Penny. I’m a one-mouse cat now.” Cru socked Sawyer back and they got into a punching match until Logan put a stop to it.
“That’s enough, you two. We don’t want the entire town to think we haven’t grown out of our wild ways.”
“Says the man Devlin and I just caught making out with his wife in the gazebo,” Holden said.
Logan actually blushed. “Since Helen’s birth we haven’t had a lot of chances to be alone.” Evie had given birth just two months earlier to a healthy nine-pound-two-ounce baby girl they had named after Evie’s late mother. Lincoln had never given babies much thought, but after holding Helen, he had to admit that he wouldn’t mind a couple of his own. Just not yet. He wanted some time alone with his new bride first.
“Hey, you don’t have to make excuses, Logan,” Val said. “Reba and I use the gazebo quite a lot . . . to be alone.” He glanced at Holden. “And what were you and Devlin doing there?”