Page 51 of Cowboy Mountain Man

Harlan.

“Where is she?”

My eyes sting.

Pike smiles. “Right here.”

He holds the phone near my face. “Tell him.”

I take a breath. Slow. Steady. “Harlan?”

“I’m here, Hope.” Just his voice. That’s all it takes to keep me from falling apart.

Pike leans close. “Tell him to bring the card to the Bell barn.”

I look at the cases. The muddy floor. The timbered entrance beyond the doorway. Then I close my eyes. “Harlan, I’m sorry. I should’ve stayed out of the mine business.”

Pike jerks the phone away. Too late.

Harlan heard me.

I open my eyes and look at the man holding me captive.

He’s angry.

Good.

Let him be angry. Let him talk.

I press the plastic tie against the metal again.

And start quietly working.

Chapter

Eight

HARLAN

Pike tells me to bring the card to the Bell barn. I’m looking at the empty stall when he says it. June is in the paddock beyond it, eating hay beneath the overhang. Nobody has touched her.

Hope knew.

She tried to tell me something with that last sentence, and Pike pulled the phone away before she could say more.

I should’ve stayed out of the mine business.

I turn toward the north ridge. “Let me hear her again.”

“You heard her.”

“If she’s hurt, you get nothing.”

“She’s fine. Bring the card.”

“Give me a place to meet you. Somewhere open.”

“The barn.”