Boot Scootin' Boogeyman
Page 14
“Jinx is perfectly happy chasing the goats and Tyler says he’ll keep him for a bit,” Cooper volunteered as he opened his burrito container. “He even said he would keep him overnight, but I figure you’ll want to have him with you before bed. I told him we’d play it by ear.”
“That sounds good.” Hannah grabbed a container of sour cream and spread it over her burrito. She didn’t want to dwell on serious things now that they had some time to themselves, but she couldn’t exactly shove the missing women out of her mind. “I take it the dogs didn’t find anything.”
“No.” His expression was dark. “I don’t know what to think. The dogs couldn’t find any trace of her outside the brothel.”
“Arnie said he saw her walking on Main Street, though.”
“He did, and even though he’s older — and a little cantankerous — I believe he saw what he said he did. I don’t know what that leaves us with, though. I mean ... it’s possible Rick knocked her over the head and removed her from the scene, but I don’t know how probable it is. He’s not exactly a big guy.”
“Heather wasn’t very big either,” Hannah pointed out. “She wouldn’t have been all that difficult to lift.”
“In theory, that’s true. She would’ve been dead weight, though. I mean ... if we follow the theory that he knocked her out. Even drunk, I don’t think she would’ve gone willingly, so being unconscious is our best bet.”
“Not necessarily.” Hannah used her plastic knife to saw into her burrito. “What if he convinced her there was something he wanted to show her in the parking lot? He could’ve waited to knock her out then. Heck, maybe he opened his trunk, she leaned over to look in, and he just shoved her in there. Like you said, she was drunk and her balance might’ve been off.”
“I guess that’s true. Why didn’t the dogs pick up her scent walking in that direction, though?”
“I don’t know. I’m not familiar enough with the way the dogs do things to hazard a guess on that. Maybe they simply missed it.”
“I guess.” He rubbed the back of his neck, his expression unreadable. “What were you working on when I came in? You seemed extremely intent on your computer. I expected you to be still cleaning up after your funny friend left.”
She snorted and rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t be jealous.” She poked his cheek and grinned. “I only have eyes for you. He’s funny, but he has his own issues.”
Cooper caught her finger and leaned in to kiss the tip. “I’m not jealous. Okay, well, I’m mostly not jealous. You guys seemed to be having a good time. I don’t like other guys flirting with you.”
“I didn’t realize you were a territorial boyfriend. Astra never mentioned that, and she brings you up every single time we talk. She’s definitely a territorial girlfriend.”
He scowled. There was nothing he hated more than mention of Astra. “Astra is a whole lot of things that aren’t healthy. As for being a territorial boyfriend, I don’t really like that term. I don’t believe you’re my property or anything. I just ... feel protective of you.”
“I guess there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“I’ll try not to get out of hand.” He flipped up her fingers and kissed her palm. “I can’t guarantee anything, though.”
Her heart stuttered at the earnest expression on his face. “As long as you do your best.” She stared at him for a long time and then remembered her food was getting cold. “Um ... what were we talking about again?”
“Your new employee. Do you think he’s going to work out? If not, we’re going to need to get on the ball and hire someone new.”
“I think he’s going to be great. No, really. He’s smart and doesn’t need to be reminded to do things. He stocked the refrigerators without prodding after each rush. We’re still going to probably need someone new to take over for Rick if I ever want to try anything new here, though.”
He pursed his lips. “You could always order someone else to take over in the saloon while you sample the other roles. I mean ... you could make Becky and Nick work together. I think they might be a good fit. He likes to flirt and she desperately wants a boyfriend.”
“Actually, that’s not a bad idea. I’ll give it some thought.”
“Good.” Cooper beamed. “That’s what I like to hear.” He shoveled a huge forkful of burrito into his mouth and thoughtfully chewed before swallowing. “You didn’t tell me what you were doing on the computer.”
“Oh, right.” She shook her head. “I’m distracted today. I was researching all the missing women. I was hoping I would be able to find a common thread as to why they were taken, but the only thing I could find is that two of them were engaged, and three of them were in serious relationships. I’m not sure about the first woman. That’s basically all I managed to find.”
“You think their relationship status is the reason they were taken?”
She held her hands out and shrugged. “It’s possible it’s just a coincidence. I honestly don’t know what to think.”
“Well ... I’ll mention it to Boone. It can’t hurt to chase.”
“Thanks.”
The rest of the meal was spent focusing on other things, lighter things. By the time they were finished and had cleaned up the containers, there was a noticeable vibe hanging over the room.
“So, what should we do next?” Cooper asked.
“I don’t know.” Hannah glanced around. “I guess we could go upstairs and watch television. We should probably get Jinx before then, though.”
“Or ... we could do something else.” Cooper’s gaze fell on the jukebox against the far wall. “How do you feel about dancing?”
The question caught Hannah off guard. “I ... don’t ... know. How do you feel about dancing?”
“As long as it’s slow and I don’t have to know any complicated steps, I’m fine.” He smiled as he dug in his pocket for change, surveying the selections a long time before coming up with a melodic Ed Sheeran song. “May I?” He held out his hand in an ingratiating manner.
Hannah’s cheeks burned with pleasure. “Um ... sure.” She melted into his arms. Unlike with other men she’d danced with, there was no uncomfortable pacing issue at the start. They fell into the exact same rhythm, swaying together and staring into each other’s eyes.
“I know this is going to sound corny but ... I really like spending time with you and I’m having difficulty remembering what it was like before you came here,” Cooper admitted in a low voice. “You’re the best part of my day. You’re the first thing I think of when I open my eyes and the last thing I wonder about before I fall asleep.”
Hannah’s heart did a long, slow roll. “I feel the same way. I kick myself for it, though. I keep trying to remind myself that I didn’t come here for this.”
“Just think of it as an unexpected bonus.”
“Yeah, but ... I got in trouble before because I made my life about a guy. That’s not who I want to be.”
“Your life doesn’t have to be about me. I would never expect that. I want to be part of it, though. Also, I’m not that jerk you were engaged to. I’m me ... and I won’t ever cheat on you. That’s not who I am.”
Hannah swallowed hard. “I know that. I think I knew that the first time I laid eyes on you, although I’m not sure how. I need you to know that I would never betray you. That’s not who I am.”
He cracked a smile. “We both have relationship issues. Maybe ... maybe we should put those behind us and only focus on each other. I think we’re going to get a different ending this time.”
“I don’t really want anything to end. I want a continuous adventure.”
His smile widened. “Me, too.” He leaned in for a kiss. It started sweet ... and soft ... and was full of yearning.
It turned into something else fast.
Before either of them realized what was happening, they were gasping and holding each other tight. They kissed so long that Hannah’s lips felt raw when she finally managed to pull back and see the wild look in C
ooper’s eyes.
“Do you want to go upstairs?” It was a bold invitation, but it’s all she could think about.
He didn’t hesitate this time. He didn’t try to be the charming guy who was willing to wait. He was being consumed and he could think of nothing else. “Oh, yeah.”
She gave a little laugh as she pulled out of his reach and headed for the stairs. “Jinx can stay with Tyler tonight. Catch me if you can.”
He was already moving before she disappeared into the stairwell. Sometimes things were simply right, and that’s how he felt about Hannah. The time for waiting was done. All he could think about was moving forward.
It was time ... for both of them.
HANNAH WOKE TO A SENSATION OF warmth she hadn’t felt since ... well, she couldn’t ever remember feeling this comfortable. And safe. She felt safe, too. With the sunlight filtering in through the window and Cooper spooned behind her, his arms wrapped tightly around her, it was the perfect morning.
Then she stirred ... and the nerves took over.
“Good morning,” he murmured, brushing a kiss against the ridge of her ear and causing a chill to go down her spine. “How did you sleep?”
She smiled at the question ... and then frowned when her mind drifted to the dreams that had plagued her once again. Even with Cooper as a distraction, she’d returned to the foggy dreamscape and argued with the invisible force who lived there. She distinctly remembered that ... and yet the specifics of the conversation were somehow out of her reach, as if the fog was affecting her memory.
“That wasn’t a trick question,” Cooper noted as he propped himself on his elbow, his gaze keen as he studied her face. “Are you okay? Are you regretting what ... happened?”
Hannah immediately started shaking her head as she shifted to face him. “No. That was ... amazing.” Her cheeks colored under his studied gaze. “I mean ... it was really amazing. I don’t want to give you a swelled head but, wow.”
He laughed at her reaction, nipping in for a soft kiss. She was warm in his arms and he loved the way she felt as she wrapped herself around him. She was in shape, which meant she was muscular and strong. She was also soft. He wanted to lay in bed and marvel at how it was possible the entire day. Reality wouldn’t allow that, though. They only had a limited amount of time together.
“I think it was wow, too.” He kissed her again and wrapped her tight. “I wish we could stay like this all day.”
“Me, too.” Hannah ran her fingers over his stubbled jaw. She knew her hair was probably standing on end thanks to the way he ran his fingers through it the previous evening. He, however, was absolutely breathtaking. “You’re really pretty.”
He coughed, slightly embarrassed. “I don’t think guys are supposed to be pretty.”
“That’s not true. You’re absolutely beautiful.”
“That’s supposed to be my line.” He grinned, enjoying the way her eyes watched him. She was soft with sleep, but he was convinced she had to be the loveliest woman he’d ever seen. “I don’t want to get up.” He made a whining noise as he gripped her against him. “This is one of those days we should be able to spend in bed without any outside interference.”
Hannah happened to agree but she was a realist. “We both have work.” Her mind took a detour as she thought about the day ahead of them. “Everyone is going to know we spent the night together, aren’t they?”
“Probably. Tyler has a big mouth. Arnie was out here, too. One of them is bound to say something ... and then word will spread. Does that bother you?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m more worried about you. You’ve worked with these people for years. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable if they start teasing you.”
“Oh, they’re going to tease me.” Cooper was resigned to that. “It was totally worth it, though.” He leaned in and gave her another lingering kiss. Now, even though the overpowering need had burned off, he was still hungry for her. Honestly, he couldn’t get enough of her. Despite that, he was mildly angry with himself. “I’m sorry.”
The apology caught her off guard. “Why are you sorry?”
“I meant to wait. I wanted to make it special, make it something to remember. I didn’t mean to completely lose my head and chase you up the stairs like an animal.”
His earnest expression was enough to make her laugh. “Do you hear me complaining?”
“No, but ... we haven’t been dating all that long.”
“You said it yourself. Sometimes things are just right. I’m not sorry it happened. Heck, I’m not sorry how it happened. I’ll remember last night for as long as I live. If it wasn’t good for you, though ... .” She purposely left the statement hanging.
“That’s not funny.” He dug his fingers into her sides and started tickling, enjoying the way she gasped and squirmed.
They sank into yet another kiss, this one needier than the last. They were well on their way to a repeat performance when a scream rattled the window.
“What the ... ?” Cooper reluctantly pulled away and lifted his head. “Did you hear that?”
Hannah chewed on her bottom lip and nodded. “You’re not imagining it.”
He slipped out of bed and moved to the living room so he could get a gander at Main Street. What he saw was dumbfounding ... and took his breath away.
“Oh, geez.” He dragged a hand through his hair and spared a glance for Hannah, who had wrapped a sheet around herself before joining him.
“Is that ... ?” Hannah’s mouth dropped open when she realized what she was looking at.
“That’s a dead body on Main Street,” Cooper volunteered. “And that screaming is coming from Becky. We have to get down there.”
Hannah was already moving. As fun as the romance had been, the real world was beckoning. They were going to have to live in both worlds for the foreseeable future.
14
Fourteen
Hannah and Cooper dressed quickly, throwing on the clothes they’d discarded during their haphazard rush through the apartment the night before. Hannah didn’t even bother running a brush through her hair, which she was convinced looked as if birds had been living in it. By the time they hit Main Street, Arnie and Tyler had joined Becky by the body.
“Who is it?” Cooper asked as he finished the buttons on his shirt.
Becky jerked up her head at the sound of his voice and the shock that registered on her face was something otherworldly. “Where did you come from?”
Cooper ignored her and moved closer to the sprawled figure on the ground, his eyes going wide when he realized who it was. “Rick.”
Jinx was with Tyler and he woofed when he saw Hannah. He did not, however, race to his mistress.
“Hey, buddy.” She smiled at him, even though the expression was hollow. “How are you this morning? I’ll get you breakfast in just a second.”
“I already fed him,” Tyler responded absently. “I figured you and Cooper might want to sleep in ... although you went to bed early last night.” He made an effort at a wink, but it was weak.
“I’m sorry we didn’t touch base with you,” she started. “I ... .” Honestly, she wasn’t sure what she should say. Rick being dead seemed to take precedence.
“Don’t worry about it.” Tyler waved off the apology. “I didn’t figure I would see you guys again last night anyway. I’m just glad I was finally right and it actually happened.”
Becky was prim when she found her voice. “Are you saying that Cooper spent the night here? Did he sleep on your couch again? I know he’s done that in the past.”
Hannah had no intention of answering that question given the circumstances. “That’s a lot of blood,” she noted as she moved closer to Cooper. “Was he stabbed?”
“Yeah.” Cooper’s mouth was a tight line. “Multiple times, too. At least three that I can count. That’s his uniform, right?” He scanned the body from head to toe. “Does that mean he didn’t change from when he was here the day before yesterday?”
Hannah nodded. “He was but after he didn’t show up yesterday I just assumed he wasn’t coming back.”
“Maybe something else was going on,” Tyler suggested. “Maybe he didn’t have anything to do with this after all. Maybe he was grabbed at the same time as the bride and held until he was killed last night.” He raised his head. “Did anybody hear anything? I went to bed around eleven and didn’t hear a sound. None of the animals roused either, even Jinx.”
Hannah reached out to stroke the dog’s head — he’d always served as a comfort to her — but the dog easily sidestepped her. When she shifted her eyes to him, she found he looked grumpy. “What’s wrong with you?”
“He’s having a bit of an attitude,” Tyler replied. “He was antsy last night when I tried to get him to go to bed. He kept whining and staring at the saloon. I think he was waiting for you to pick him up.”
Hannah felt indescribably guilty at the words. “Oh. I’m sorry, buddy.” She reached out to hug him, forcing the dog to let her wrap her arms around his neck even though he was obviously reticent. Don’t be mad, okay? We just ... lost track of things.”
Tyler snorted, although the sound was alien in the early morning quiet. “That’s a nice way of phrasing it.”
“He’s been dead for at least four or five hours,” Cooper noted, his eyes busy as they zeroed in on Rick’s hands ... and feet ... and then traveled back to his chest, where all the wounds were located. “That would’ve put it around two o’clock or so when he died. We were all asleep.”
“We still should’ve heard something,” Hannah pressed. “I mean ... he was stabbed. Wouldn’t he have cried out when it happened?”
“One would think.”
Becky was no longer fixated on the body. Her attention was placed squarely on Cooper ... and she clearly wasn’t happy. “Just so I’m clear, were you asleep in the same room?”