Page 43 of Cowboy Jeopardy

Seeing the retired cop who now played cowboy made her more nervous. What if the man who wanted the money knew Buster used to be a cop? He might not make a move, then this whole nightmare would continue. She wanted it all to be over.

“Now, there are four of us to take turns guarding tonight. Got one.” He reeled in a largemouth bass that had to weigh a couple of pounds.

“We’re going to need more than that for supper.” She caught one a bit smaller, but down the lake a short distance, one of the guys got a nice-sized one. The man named Steven, she thought he’d said.

Laughter and good-natured ribbing ensued as the contest went into full swing. The atmosphere didn’t lend itself to anything evil. Just a group of people having fun and enjoying each other’s company. She strung her fish on the line Dylan provided before casting again.

By suppertime, the group had caught enough fish to feed them all. A woman caught the biggest for a prize of thirty dollars. One of the single men won twenty for the most fish. Dani clapped along with everyone else before joining her mother and Buster by the cookfire.

“I have no idea how to cook fish over an open fire. Or the potatoes.” Her mother shot Dani a wide-eyed look.

“I’ll help you.” Buster pulled flour and eggs from one of the supply boxes. “It isn’t hard, just hotter than the average stove. Why don’t you cut up the potatoes while I bread the fish?”

Mom immediately calmed. “You are the sweetest man, Buster Jones.”

Dani rolled her eyes when her mother batted her eyelashes. She actually batted her eyelashes. Shaking her head, she went in search of the boys. She found them playing in the lake, splashing each other at the water’s edge. “Come on. Dry off before we eat, and please don’t play in the water without an adult nearby.”

“I bet we swim better than you.” Derrick darted past her.

Most likely they did. She followed them back to camp, making sure they headed for their tent, then waited outside so they couldn’t run off again. Every day she saw why Dylan needed a nanny—even more so on this trip. Bedtime wouldn’t come soon enough.

Dylan smiled her way while talking to a married couple. She waved, admiring how easily he seemed to make others feel at home. She was quickly getting to the point where she needed some alone time. If not for the dark cloud of danger looming over her head, she’d scoot into the trees and find a quiet place. Not even her tent would provide solitude, not since she would be sharing it with her mother. Maybe she could find a place on the outskirts of camp. A spot where Dylan and Buster could see her, but where she could be alone for a few minutes.

“Time to eat!” Her mother clanged a metal cup with a spoon.

The guests lined up, plates in hand. Dani stepped to the back of the line with the twins. Once she had her food, she found that quiet spot near her tent and sat on a three-legged stool.

As the group enjoyed the surprisingly good food, the sun set over the mountain. The only light came from the stars and the glow of the fire. Conversations lowered. A bullfrog croaked from the lake. Dani closed her eyes and soaked in the peace.

“Get up nice and slow. Act like everything is fine and dandy.”

Her eyes popped open as something hard poked her in the back.

“Do as I say, or I shoot your mother first, then the cowboy you’re always gazing at. Then, I’ll go to the diner and kill your sister.”

Dani pushed to her feet.

“Now, you’re going to go get my money. If you alert anyone, I’ll shoot. Once you have the money, you’re going to stroll real nice around the tent where I’ll be waiting. Nod if you understand.”

She nodded and slipped into the tent. Her heart beat in her throat. Surely someone would glance her way. Dylan or Buster or one of the other cowboys. She’d set her plate near her stool. More than likely, they’d think she went to the bathroom. If this man took her, how long before they started looking for her?

Her hand sweated around the handle of the duffel bag. Until he counted the money and realized most of it was plain copy paper, she would most likely live. But then…she didn’t want to think past that point.

“Hurry up,” he hissed from the back of the tent.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped from the tent. The others joked and laughed around the fire. Dylan shot her a quick glance, then turned back to Buster. He hadn’t noticed the bag she held behind her back.

She quickly ducked around the tent and came face-to-face with Steven Langello. “You.”

“That’s right. Now, keep the tent between us and the others and head for the trees.”

“Here’s the money. Take it and go. I won’t say anything for an hour or so.” She swallowed past a dry throat. “It won’t take long for me to be missed.”

“That’s why you’d better start walking at a fast clip.” He aimed the gun at her head. “Capisce?”

She exhaled heavily and headed for the trees.

“Dani!”

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