Page 27 of Cowboy Jeopardy

Dani’s blood boiledas she listened to her mother make a list of “rules” during Sunday lunch at the diner. Today was one of Dani’s few days off since the ranch had started day camps. Her mother had insisted that she, Dani, and Delly have lunch together on Sunday.

“Basically, you want to lock me in my room until the bad guy is caught.” Dani crossed her arms and glared.

“Not exactly, but sort of, yes.” Mom didn’t seem rattled by her attitude. “Our Sunday lunches at Lucy’s will have to stop, too. Delly can come to the ranch to spend time with us.”

“Joey isn’t keen on me being anywhere near Dani.” Delly stirred cream into her coffee.

“He’d keep you away from your own sister?” Dani turned her glare on her twin.

“No, but he will try and keep me away from danger.” Her gaze met Dani’s. “I was almost killed three months ago, remember?”

“Only because you insisted on pretending to be me.” Dani’s eyes burned. “I didn’t ask for this. I paid my debt to society months ago. Just because I’ve made bad choices in the past doesn’t mean they have to follow me my whole life, do they? Aren’t I entitled to a normal life?” Their faces swam in front of her tears. “I should just leave.”

“Absolutely not. We’re a family, and we’re in this together.” Her mother hitched her chin, eyes flashing. “We just need some…guidelines in order to keep you alive.”

“Joey is afraid I’ll be mistaken for Dani again.” Delly took a sip of her coffee. “I suggested cutting my hair, but he was completely against that idea.”

“Whoever is watching me will be able to tell the difference by now.” Dani sighed. When would the nightmare of her gambling addiction be behind her?

“Worst case scenario, I still have the money we came up with to pay off Roberto.” Mom folded her hands on the table. “I bet we can convince Dylan to pitch in to keep his boys safe.”

“No. This isn’t his problem.” She absolutely refused to get him involved any more than he already was.

“It became his problem the moment he hired you.”

Ouch. “Another reason for me to leave.”

“You’d never survive on your own.”

“Witness protection.”

“That doesn’t always work.” Her mother put a hand over Dani’s. “You used to trust me to know what was best. Why can’t you now? This isn’t an argument you’re going to win, sweetie.”

“I’m no longer a child, Mom.”

“You can still trust me.”

She straightened, removing her hand. “I won’t run, but I do have escape plans in place, and I want my gun from the safe.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes with a napkin. “I’ll keep it away from the boys, but—”

“Dylan told me and Lenora to carry ours with us, so you should pack as well.” She shrugged. “He’s expecting a gunfight.”

Delly spewed her coffee. “Sorry, but you can’t be serious. He’s just preparing for the worst-case scenario. It’s not like we’re fighting the mob again. The Robertos were shut down.”

“There is always someone willing to take their place.” Mom set some cash on the table. “Evil doesn’t rest. Whoever is after that cash has put us all in jeopardy. If we’re vigilant and do what the authorities say, we’ll come out ahead. Just like before.”

Dani prayed she was right because at this point she was starting to lose hope. The deadline loomed like a speeding train getting closer with each minute. “If the lecture is over, I’d like to return to the ranch. I have another riding lesson today.” It would be the first time out of the paddock. Becoming adept at horseback riding could be the difference between life and death for her.

“Fine.” Mom slid from the booth, gave Delly a hug, then followed Dani to the truck where she climbed into the passenger seat. “Nice of Dylan to give you the use of a vehicle. You do realize that escaping in his truck or on his horse would be stealing, right?”

Dani rolled her eyes. “Yes, Mom.” But that wouldn’t stop her if it meant keeping the others safe. She turned the key in the ignition and thrust the truck into park. A glance in her rearview mirror had her hit the brake instead of the gas. What now?

Joey exited his squad car and tapped on the driver’s side window of the truck. “How are you two?”

“Peachy.” Dani forced a smile. “Heard you didn’t want my twin around me.”

He pressed his lips together, then sighed. “It isn’t personal, Danica. I’m only concerned for my wife’s safety.”

“So am I.” She squared her shoulders. “Why don’t you just lock my sister in your house until this is all over?” She started to roll up the window. “One less target for a madman.”

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