Page 12 of Cowboy Jeopardy

Dani’s phone dingedthe same time as the oven. She glanced at the oven timer, then pulled the cinnamon rolls from the oven before taking a peek at her phone screen. Her hands shook as she set the tray on the stovetop before glancing around to make sure she was alone. Her mother and Mrs. White were making up beds in preparation for the night when folks would be staying over before heading to the woods to camp. All students in Eric and Derrick’s class had signed up for the first day of day camp. Thus, the need for cinnamon rolls for tomorrow’s breakfast.

With a trembling hand, she read the third text warning of the day, and the clock had just turned seven a.m.

I’ll be close, but you won’t see me.

Then, we have some unfinished business, you and I.

I want my money.

Why wouldn’t the sender simply come forward? Why play this stupid game? Whose money? The Roberto family were either dead or behind bars. Their money now belonged to the state of New York.

She sagged into a chair. The threats had slowed for a bit. There’d been no more sightings of strangers in the woods since that night. Why had the warnings started again this morning?

“What’s wrong?”

She snapped up her head and stared at Dylan standing rigid in the kitchen doorway. “Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me.” He marched to the table and held out his hand. “May I see your phone please? This isn’t the first time you’ve received something that made you look like a sheet of copy paper.”

She thought about refusing. After all, her phone was her private business, but she was tired of carrying the burden of fear alone. Heaving a sigh, she dropped the device into his palm. “There’s no log-in required.”

The corner of his mouth quirked. “You might want to change that now that the boys are out of school. They like to take…interesting photos of the inside of their mouth and nose.” His face grew grave as he read the text. “How many of these have you received?”

“One on the day I arrived and three today.” She pushed to her feet and returned to work on the cinnamon rolls.

“Leave those. We’re heading into town to talk to Sheriff Westbrook.”

“That man hates me.” Her shoulders sagged. Because of her, the sheriff’s town had been thrust into danger and murder.

“The sheriff’s a professional. He doesn’t take crime personal.”

“You haven’t brought him any trouble.” Quite the opposite. Dylan and his men had helped regain control of Misty Hollow after she’d brought a loan shark and his small army to town.

“Regardless, we’re going.” He tilted his head. “Or should I have Marilyn nag you?”

“Heaven forbid.” Dani saw no reason to involve her mother at this point. She’d only increase the stress level by a hundred percent. “Let me grab my purse.”

She hurried to her room, brushed the flour off her face and shirt, smoothed her hair, then grabbed her purse from the nightstand drawer. No matter what Dylan said, the sheriff didn’t care much for her. The man’s stern gaze could pierce a wild boar, so she needed to look in control. “I’m ready.” She joined Dylan at the front door.

“You look like you’re expecting the guillotine.” He opened the door and waved her through.

“I very well might be.”

He grinned. “I never took you for such a dramatic person.”

“Not dramatic. Realistic.” She climbed into the truck before he could open the door for her. They weren’t on a date. He was her boss and taking her somewhere she didn’t really want to go.

Seatbelt clicked into place, she settled in for the ride down the mountain.

After a few minutes, Dylan cut her a quick glance. “You’re awfully quiet.”

“Just thinking. The sheriff is going to have a lot of questions, and I don’t have any answers.”

“He’s going to wonder why you didn’t come to him right away. Same as I’m wondering. After your recent trouble, it doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

Maybe not to him, but that first text has sent ice water through Dani’s veins. Unfortunately, she was the type of person who usually ran and hid from trouble. This time she’d chosen to stay put and hope it all went away. Look how that had worked out for her. She sighed and leaned her head back. Mom was going to have a fit when she found out. “I guess I could’ve called my sister. She did marry a deputy, after all.”

“He would’ve told you the same thing I did. Go to the sheriff.”

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