Page 41 of Cowboy Jeopardy

“Protect her child.” She gave a lopsided grin. “Most mothers would do the same. Go on now. Let Dylan know he needs to saddle another horse. Willy will be glad to be relieved of cooking duty.”

Did her mother even know how to cook over an open fire? Dani grabbed two more bags and headed outside.

“My mother has decided to come along as cook.” She added the bags to the diminishing pile. “She could pose a problem.”

“Shiloh, saddle another horse. A tame one.” He tightened the cinch on a saddle. “I’m surprised it took her this long to decide. We’ll deal with her if she tries to be a hero.” His gaze swept over the guests. “Any of them give you a bad feeling?”

“No. At least not yet.”

“Keep your wits about you.”

“I will.” Dani glanced to where the twins already sat in their saddles, wishing she felt the same excitement to head out that they did. She cast another look at the guests before retrieving the last of the bags from the kitchen.

Mom bustled past her with a backpack of her own. “Think I have what I need. I took a peek at the list you gave the boys. And, I have my gun. You?”

Dani nodded. Lord help them all. “Try not to shoot anyone.”

“Not unless they come after me or mine.” She rushed outside.

Dani hurried after her, relieved to see her mother climbing onto a saddle rather than checking over the supplies. The green duffel bag hung from the saddlebag of Dani’s horse, Daisy. If her mother knew it contained a bit of money, just enough to fool someone even temporarily, she’d insist on being part of the plan to catch the man. Dani didn’t want to put anyone else in harm’s way. Dylan was enough.

~

Dylan glanced at the charred remains of his barn. The structure had been less than a year old. Yes, insurance would pay for a new one, but that big red barn had been a symbol of success—a promise that his ranch would succeed.

He turned as Dani led Daisy to the mounting stump and climbed into the saddle. She’d come a long way in her riding lessons. The camping trip would show just how far. The green duffel taunted him from her saddlebags. Would anyone believe it held a hundred-thousand dollars?

“Ready, Boss?” Willy rode up next to him.

“Yep.” He swung onto the back of Lightning. “You mind bringing up the rear?”

“Not at all.” He steered the horse to the back of the line while Dylan headed for the front. He’d put Dani and the boys right behind him in case of trouble. Marilyn pulled in behind them. With a flick of the reins, he led the line across the meadow and down the path through the woods.

They’d ride for a couple of hours before stopping to take a break, then a few more hours before reaching the clearing he’d chosen to camp. He’d thought about the waterfall he’d taken Dani to, but he wanted to keep that for the two of them. If too many people knew about the place, they’d hike there. Over time, folks would ruin it, private land or not.

The soft thud of the horses’ hooves behind lulled him into a semblance of peace. The sun flickered through the tree branches overhead. A squirrel complained as they passed. Occasionally, soft conversation drifted from behind him. The three dogs wove in and out of the trees like wraiths, noses to the ground.

Still, lingering at the edge of his mind was the worry of where the trouble would come from. Was the man who sought Dani one of the guests, or did he lie in wait, hiding in the shadows of the woods for his chance to pounce? Would the trouble come in the light of day or the dark of night?

Dylan studied the thick brush on each side of the trail as if expecting to see the evil before it struck. He glanced over his shoulder. The twins grinned and waved. Dani looked from one side of the trail to the other, same as Willy and River. The guests chatted, oblivious to the evil that lurked close. Marilyn stared straight ahead, her expression stony.

When they reached the place to take a break, he slid from the back of his horse. “Thirty minutes, folks. Take your relief in the trees. We have sandwiches and water.” He moved to help Dani from her horse. “Don’t go to the restroom without your mother. Even better, all the women should go together.”

“Okay. I’ll let everyone know.” She stared into his eyes. “It’s going to be okay.” Her shaky voice belied her words.

“Yep.” He forced a smile. “Go on, now. Your mother will need help handing out the sandwiches.” Dylan gave her a quick kiss. When all this was over, he planned on asking her if she’d consider a future between them. Right now, until he knew whether they’d to see tomorrow, he couldn’t entertain the idea no matter how much he wanted to. Not yet.

While they ate, most sitting on the ground, some leaning against trees, Dylan watched the men. Which one was the undercover agent? The group laughed and joked; some complained about sore rearends. No one seemed overly interested in Dani or the green duffel bag. Of course, no onen could tell the bag held money—all that he had from the safe in his office, which wasn’t but a couple of thousand dollars—but a quick glance inside might be enough to fool people.

At the end of the half hour, he called for everyone to mount up and went to help Dani. He cupped his hands to give her a boost.

“I really need to learn to do this myself.” She put her foot in the stirrup. With a grunt, she pushed and swung her right leg over the saddle, then grinned down at him. “I’m getting stronger.”

“You’ll be a regular cowgirl before long.” He patted her thigh, then went to see if anyone else needed help. Soon, they headed down the trail again.

The hours passed with no surprises. Maybe this camping trip would end without incident. Trouble could come from another direction—a time when they least expected it. It would have to come soon because tonight was the deadline.

~

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