Page 7 of PenPal Hero

He wanted nothing more than to catch her hand, swing her back in his direction, and dip her over his arm for a kiss. But it was still too soon for that. Maybe on the next visit. Tipping his Stetson at her, he closed the door of her suite and pivoted toward the elevators.

His sister exited the B&B suite next door and stepped right in his path. “So?” She folded her arms, looking like she was being eaten alive by curiosity.

Holt raised his eyebrows at her, pretending confusion. “I’m gonna need a little more information?—”

“You know exactly what I’m asking,” she flung back, “so start talking. You. My assistant. What gives?”

Since she was using her serious, older-sister voice, he decided to spring for the truth. Reaching for her shoulders, he spun her around and nudged her down the hall, farther away from Bonnie’s door. “I asked her out, and she said she’ll think about it.”

Alice’s blue eyes widened. “What’s there to think about? You’re a great guy!” Her lips tightened indignantly. “The very best!”

“Thanks.” Her unexpected show of defensiveness warmed his heart. “I think she wants to say yes. She’s just worried about what her brothers will do when she does.”

His sister gave a huff of disbelief. “She’s a grown woman. She can date whoever she wants.”

“Oh, really?” He wasn’t sure he believed that. “I triple dog dare you to name one guy she’s dated the whole time she’s worked for you.”

Alice’s lips parted. Then she clamped them back together again. “You may have a point. I don’t think she dates much.”

“Bingo.” He frowned thoughtfully. “I don’t get the impression that her brothers are being mean by keeping such close tabs on her. My gut says it’s something else.” His blood boiled all over again at the thought of anyone deliberately hurting Bonnie Yates.

“Now that you mention it…” Alice stepped closer to him as they paused in front of the elevator, lowering her voice. “Jackson demanded a daily proof of life picture from her when he dropped her off this morning.”

“I know.” Holt couldn’t help feeling a little smug. “I was eavesdropping.”

Alice sniffed. “Of course you were.”

He leaned her way to give her a quick hug. “Since you think I’m such a great guy and all, how about we both agree to share anything we find out that sheds light on this mystery?”

She held out a pinky finger.

He grabbed it with his pinky finger and shook it to seal the deal.

When he reached his truck, he started the motor and turned on the air conditioner, but he didn’t immediately start driving. Instead, he dialed Foster Kane at K&G Security.

“Hey!” Foster picked up right away. “Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.”

“You said we needed to talk.” Holt still couldn’t imagine why.

“We do, but…” Foster’s voice sharpened. “Any chance you might zip over to our office after leaving Anderson Ranch?”

What? Holt glanced in astonishment around the near-empty parking lot. “How’d you know where I am?”

“I could smokescreen you a dozen different ways,” Foster sounded rueful, “but the truth is, we monitor nearly every inch of Anderson Ranch by security cameras, and that includes the parking lot where you’re currently sitting.”

Ah. Holt peered through his windshield; and, sure enough, he spied a white security camera mounted to the side of the B&B. It was trained right on his truck. “Okay, I’ll bite. Where’s your office?”

“Next door.” Foster sounded brisk. “After you leave the ranch, hang a right. We’re their neighbors on the next lot over.”

“Too easy.” The only work Holt had waiting for him back at the garage on his parents’ property was a lift kit job. A local range rider wanted his truck jacked an extra six inches off the ground. Holt had plenty of time to spare for a detour on his way back there. “See you in two minutes.” He disconnected the line.

As he drove the short distance from Anderson Ranch to the entrance drive of K&G Security next door, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He wasn’t surprised, though, when he was forced to stop in front of a set of steel security gates. There was a call-station with buttons on it to his left. Before he could roll down his window, however, the security gates started to swing open.

He drove a paved road around a bend of trees and slowed his speed, eyeing the sprawl of buildings in front of him. To his far left was a two-story cabin that looked like it had recently been refinished or added on to. To his far right was a clay tile barn with a round laminated rafter roof painted white. It looked old, like something from another era. However, it was well maintained. Two freshly painted white weathervanes were spinning in the breeze on its roof. A matching clay tile grain silo was butted up to the back of the building.

Directly in front of Holt was a massive white metal building with a sign over the front door that identified it as K&G Security’s headquarters

Though it looked like there might be a parking lot behind the building, Holt braked near the entrance. He doubted he’d be here long.

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