Page 21 of Cowboy Jeopardy

If not for the dark shadow of someone following Dani, the future looked bright indeed.

The worry line between her eyes urged him to smooth it away. The desire to see her smile tugged at him. “Want to sit on the deck with me after supper for a few moments of peace?”

Her eyes widened. “That would be nice. How do you propose getting away from the twins?”

“They’ll crash in front of the television. Look at them.” He motioned his head to where his sons moved in slow motion. “Playing tour guide wore them out.”

“Poor things. I have to admit to being tired myself.” She tied a large garbage closed just as the supper bell rang. “At least we don’t have to clean up after this meal.”

“I may have to hire an extra person just to help with cleanup.” Even his shoulders ached from the work of the day.

Their steps fell in tune with each other as they ushered the boys into the main house. The twins headed for one bathroom to wash, while Dylan and Dani headed to another. No rushed wash in the trough today. He needed soap and hot water.

Supper was a simple casserole. Conversation stayed at the minimum. Once everyone had eaten and carried their dishes into the kitchen, the ranch hands excused themselves and headed for the evening chores before bunking down.

Dylan settled the twins in the living room, then poured two cups of coffee before joining Dani on the back deck. He chuckled to see coffee already poured and waiting for him. “Great minds think alike.”

“The way I’m feeling, I might need two cups.” She smiled and blew into the mug she held. “I could make sitting out here a nightly routine. It’s beautiful.”

He agreed. Being so high on the mountain, the sun seemed to set early, kissing the tops of trees and stretching the shadows toward the house. Maybe it could become a routine between him and Dani.

What was he thinking? As a single father with a new ranch to run and needing a lot of funds in order to care for the ranch and his family, there was no time for a relationship. Not for a good long while, anyway. Could he be content to be nothing more than friends with his sons’ nanny? Especially one whom trouble followed?

Still, he hadn’t been attracted to another woman since his wife’s death. He’d dated a time or two, but none of them made him want to spend his evenings on the back deck drinking coffee, just the two of them with plans to continue doing so.

He turned his head and caught her watching him with eyes the color of a summer meadow. Green with flecks of gold like wildflowers. Full lips and corn-silk hair. He found himself wanting very much to kiss her. To forget all the reasons why doing so was a bad idea.

“Do you think we’re being watched right now?” She asked softly.

He jerked upright. “What?”

She repeated herself.

“Possibly.” He put two fingers to his lips and whistled. Within seconds, Monster climbed from under the deck. “Search, boy.”

The dog yawned, then took off for the woods. Dylan really needed to send the dog out more or consider buying a couple more. The ranch was too large for one dog to monitor, especially an aging one like Monster.

“No one can get to you while you’re on the ranch.” He reached over and placed his hand on her arm. “Too many people. Too many animals.” He told her about Buster’s suggestion regarding a donkey and more dogs.

“I love donkeys.” She smiled and reached for coffee cup number two. “This will probably keep me up tonight, but Mrs. White makes good coffee.”

Relieved to be pulled back to being sensible and not romantic, he nodded and turned his attention to the tree line. Monster couldn’t talk, but he’d bark if anyone watched them. The deck sat back too far for anyone armed with anything other than a sniper rifle to reach. He didn’t think whoever was after Dani wanted her dead. If they did, she’d already be dead. No, they wanted something she didn’t have. Something he couldn’t help her with in his current financial situation.

He doubted Marilyn could either. At this point, all they could do was wait and hope the sheriff’s department brought down the bad guys when they showed their ugly faces. That, and pray Dani and his boys didn’t get caught in the crosshairs.

Chapter Nine

Two weeks, Dani. You have two weeks to get my money. One hundred thousand dollars. Get it and keep it within reach. You never know when I’ll come. Just know that I am always close.

Dani dropped to her bed, legs weak. How close? As in on the ranch? No, Dylan trusted all the ranch hands.

She jumped to her feet and rushed to the window. An hour before breakfast, the twins were still asleep, and the cowboys just starting to stir. Dylan trusted his men. Her stalker couldn’t be one of them. Then who?

She wracked her brain running through all the faces she’d met in New York while spending time with the Robertos. Stephanie Roberto, the daughter, had had a couple of suitors, one a fiancé, the other a side dalliance. The fiancé would have the most to lose with her gone.

Chewing the inside of her bottom lip, Dani headed downstairs to find Dylan. He glanced up from his desk when she knocked on his open office door. “Do you have a minute?”

“Absolutely.” He smiled.

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