Page 20 of Cowboy Jeopardy

He put a hand on her arm, sending bolts of electricity through her. “I won’t.”

She ducked her head, embarrassed at the rush of attraction she felt. “The boys and I will help clean all of this up once the guests leave at four.” Next week would be a weeklong day camp for the students, and supper would be included. Thankfully, today was a shorter day to break everyone into the busier pace. From the weary lines on faces, she figured they all needed time to get used to the new way of things. Even the boys were slowing down.

After lunch, Willy led the children on a short hike into the woods. Those who didn’t mind getting wet splashed in the creek. Dani sat cross-legged on a patch of grass and leaned back on her hands. She closed her eyes and lifted her face to a ray of sunshine dappling through the branches overhead.

The snap of a twig to her right made her eyes pop open. She straightened and studied the shadows. Nothing moved for several seconds, then the rustle of leaves made her breath hitch. She pushed slowly to her feet and moved closer to the group. Even a few feet could mean the difference between safety and danger. As she reached the place next to the wiry Willy, Dani glanced over her shoulder.

“Something wrong?” He turned and looked in the same direction she did.

“I thought I heard something, but I didn’t see anything.”

“Could be nothing more than a squirrel, but I’ll check it out. You stay here with the young’uns.” He strode toward the tree line, his hand hovering over the gun on his hip.

She kept her gaze glued to his back until he stepped out of sight. Even then, she kept alternating her attention between the playing children and the cowboy.

“You seem nervous.” The school principal, Mr. White, joined her.

“I’m not much of a…woodsy girl.” She forced a smile. “I jump at every little noise.”

He chuckled. “It won’t take long for that to go away working out here.”

“I hope not.” She turned as Dylan approached on Lightning.

He glanced around, frowning as Willy stepped from the trees. With a nod at Dani and the principal, he slid from the saddle and headed in the cowboy’s direction. The two conversed for a moment, then Dylan asked Dani to join him away from the others.

Her heart skipped a beat at the worry in his eyes. “Someone was out there, weren’t they?”

“It looks that way. The tracks were too fresh to have been from the other day.”

“Is anyone missing from the tour group?”

He shook his head. “The man we were watching never left the group again. It couldn’t have been him.”

“Should we head back?”

“I doubt anything will happen with so many people around. As long as you don’t head anywhere alone, you should be safe.” He tipped his hat back, revealing more of his face. “I’m serious about that, Dani. You don’t go anywhere alone.”

“I won’t.” Her gaze locked with his. She wanted to dive into those dark blue eyes and stay there hidden, where trouble couldn’t touch her. Her eyes burned.

“Don’t cry.” He wrapped his strong arms around her. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She sniffed, pressing her forehead against his chest. “I know.” At least, he’d do his best. No one could guarantee her safety. Not if the mob had resurfaced and wanted their pound of flesh from her.

What if someone else got hurt in the process of keeping her safe? She couldn’t allow that. Dani stepped back and turned away. Anyone watching her would be hard-pressed to believe Dylan and his boys to be anything more to her than a job. But…they were becoming more with every hour of every day.

Was she a good enough actor to keep her feelings from showing?

~

He’d never get close to her. The ranch owner was on to something. Dani would constantly be surrounded by people. He melted further into the shadows, keeping his eye on the older cowboy and his boss. Even if he’d picked the older man off, that would have alerted those by the creek. No, for now he’d have to bide his time and continue signing up for whatever camping trips the ranch had scheduled. Eventually, his moment to confront Dani would come.

First, give her the warning about the money. If that didn’t work, then he’d start making those around her pay, starting with her mother and sister. The sister wouldn’t be difficult to get close to. Not at the diner. All he had to do was make sure her deputy husband wasn’t nearby.

He laughed. He wouldn’t mind ridding the world of one more lawmaker if the deputy did get in the way.

~

Dylan stayed with the children’s group until they left at four, then helped Dani and the boys clean up the garbage left behind from the noon meal. The day had gone well, for the most part. All the guests seemed to have fun, and most of the adults signed up for the upcoming camping trip.

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