Page 8 of Cowboy Jeopardy

The older woman laughed. “Yes, you will. Those boys will monopolize your time. You watch and see.”

Dani grinned. “Okay, but I promise to do my best.”

“That’s all any of us can do. After supper, I suggest you tell Dylan what spooked you out there. Man or animal needs to be taken care of.”

“Nothing much gets past you, does it?”

“Nope.”

Supper was loud and rowdy with the cowboys ribbing each other, the boys laughing and shouting to be heard. Dani hadn’t ever had a meal as much fun that she could remember outside of family holidays. Maybe she could invite her mother… “My mother would probably love to help with the preparations for the upcoming camps.” She glanced at Dylan.

“I don’t have the funds to pay her right now.” His face darkened.

“She’s bored out of her mind. I’m sure she’ll like staying busy.”

“We can use her.” Mrs. White put another bowl of biscuits on the table. “Didn’t you say she lives in a camper? There’s room to park it next to the barn. That would give her some privacy.”

Dylan chuckled, the embarrassed flush gone from his face. “If she’s willing, then I’ll be glad to have all the help I can get. I can’t pay her for a while. Make sure she understands that.”

“Plus, she can help in the kitchen, freeing Dani up to be with the boys more.” Mrs. White gave a definitive nod as if the matter was settled. “Now, Dani has something to tell you about the excursion into the woods.”

Dani shot her a shocked look. “You said after supper.”

“Might as well do it while the men are all here. More eyes to keep a lookout.”

“Did you see Bigfoot?” Dylan winked.

She glanced at the curious expressions on the twins’ faces. “No, but I did spot someone on two legs. Someone who didn’t want to be seen.”

He set his fork on the edge of his plate. “Doing what?”

“Staying to the shadows mostly. I had the definite impression he—I’m pretty sure it was a man who was watching me and the boys.” Had trouble followed her? Her mind flitted back to the warning she’d received via text. If it had, she’d have to leave. She wouldn’t put the children in danger.

“Maverick, you and Rider take a look after supper. See what you can find out.”

“We saw footprints by the creek.” Eric waved his biscuit. “We wanted to solve the mystery of who left them. Us, Dad. Not the cowboys.”

Dylan narrowed his eyes. “Until the mystery is solved, the two of you are to stay out of the woods.”

~

It wasn’t going to be easy getting close to the woman on a ranch full of armed cowboys. He exhaled heavily. The boss wasn’t going to be happy to hear that bit of news. The task assigned was to grab the woman and make her face the trouble she’d caused. Hang the boss. He planned on getting the money for himself.

With one last glance toward the main house, he turned back into the woods and turned on his headlamp. He’d have to find a way to blend in until he could get close enough to her. Not easy in a town where everyone knew everyone else. A newcomer stuck out like a green Martian.

He headed to the campground and the camper he’d rented for an indeterminate amount of time. Better than a tent or a motel room, but he was used to more luxurious accommodations. Having worked for the Roberto family for over ten years and having been secretly involved in an affair with the daughter, he’d had everything he ever wanted. Until now. He hadn’t pretended to love the plain, bossy daughter of Roberto for nothing.

All that had been taken away from him by one blond-haired woman who owed a lot of money to the Roberto family. Money he intended to get his hands on, one way or the other.

Chapter Four

Dani’s mother narrowedher eyes over the rim of her coffee cup. “You want me to go help you with your job in order to not have to pay rent on this campsite? Am I hearing you right? You really expect me to deal with twins, after you and your sister, for no pay? Not to mention cowboys and a horde of other children come summer break?”

“It doesn’t sound very appealing when you put it that way.” Dani slid from the booth in the dining nook of the camper. “Sorry I bothered you.”

“Hold on. I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it.” She took a sip before setting her cup down. “I’ve gotten a bit bored and lonely with you and Delly off living your own lives. It wouldn’t hurt for me to be around another woman my age for a while.” She winked. “And there’s never been anything wrong with being surrounded by cowboys.”

“Oh.” Dani laughed. “None of them are your age, but they are all very good-looking.”

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