Page 34 of The Cowboy’s Reckoning

Chapter Eight

Lil hadn’t expected to sleep, but exhaustion proved to be too much. She slept hard, then woke early. If she’d had dreams, she couldn’t remember, but she felt tired upon waking, as if she’d spent the entire night running. A quick look out her bedroom window told her that Jordan had woken even earlier. He was leaning against the rail fence, studying the tree line on the far side of the boundary fences.

He looked like a target himself. She pushed the thought aside.

The pasture was marked with tire treads from where truck had hauled away her poor cow. Her gut tightened.

What if the shooter came back?

Maybe she and Meg would have to find another place to lease after all. The idea she’d been so dead set against—moving an entire ranch—was more palatable than the idea of her cows being picked off one by one. Or worse yet, harm coming to a person. And the peace she’d felt on this place, well that was certainly shattered.

She turned away from the window and grabbed fresh clothes before heading out of the room to the bathroom, planning to take a quick shower before facing the day. Meg had beaten her there. She reversed course for the other bathroom and its rarely used tub and handheld shower.

By the time she was dry and dressed, there was another vehicle in the driveway. Dakota had arrived for work, and she needed to explain what had happened—if he hadn’t already heard. News traveled fast.

She pushed the button on the coffeemaker and headed outside, scrunching her damp hair into waves with one hand as she left the house. Dakota and Jordan were talking near the fence, and she could see that Dakota was working to process whatever he’d just been told.

They turned as she approached, and Dakota instantly asked her if she was all right.

“As good as one could expect,” she said.

“This is nuts,” he said. “Someone just shot a cow.”

“Until we know more, I’m thinking that we should lay low for a while.”

“What does that mean?” he asked.

“Take a few days off.”

Dakota’s face fell. He needed the extra money. That was no secret.

“Or I could stay here with you guys. You know. Just in case.”

He was so sincere in his offer that Lil’s heart squeezed. “We appreciate that.” She gestured at Jordan with her chin. “You’ve met the owner of the place.”

Dakota nodded. “Just now as a matter of fact.”

“He’s staying here for the time being, so we have backup if something else happens.”

“It probably won’t,” Jordan said in a reassuring voice. “But maybe a day or two to regroup wouldn’t hurt.”

Dakota nodded, studying the ground. Jordan looked at Lil over the top of the teen’s head, and she gave a tiny shrug, not knowing what he was silently trying to convey.

“My brother could use some help on the Tree Fork if you’re looking for a few days’ work,” Jordan said casually.

“Really?” Dakota was no fool.

“They’re spreading manure on the fields. Could always use a driver. Especially since I’m not there.”

“Okay …” Dakota said slowly before glancing at Lil.

“Just a couple days,” she said. “We want to hear what the sheriff thinks is and isn’t safe to do.”

“Okay. Yeah.” He looked up at Jordan. “Should I just show up? Call?”

“I’ll call,” Jordan said. “You show up.”

“Deal,” Dakota said, still uncertain as to whether he was doing the right thing by leaving Lil and Meg.