Page 45 of Cowboy Jeopardy

“I don’t want the guests worried.” Dylan pulled his gun from his waistband and checked the ammo. “Buster, I’d like you to stay here. If anyone questions where I am, I’m scouting tomorrow’s campsite.” He’d done that days ago, but as an excuse it should work. “Sawyer, you come with me.” He’d need law enforcement to keep him from killing the man who took the ones he loved.

“Sure thing. I’ll let the other two ranch hands know what’s up.” Buster hurried away, no doubt wanting to be the one to go with Dylan.

“I’m going now.” After grabbing an article of clothing from the boys’ tent, he ran for the trees, the agent on his heels.

Langello. How could he not have picked up something to let him know the man was the one they sought? Once he found out there wasn’t the requested amount in that bag, Dani’s life and possibly the lives of his boys would be over.

Where was Monster? He’d be searching blind without the dog’s keen nose. What about the two guard dogs? Had something happened to them?

“Do you know which way to go?” Sawyer moved up next to him.

“Not yet. There’s a path of sorts. I’m hoping to see a sign.” How could he not have noticed Dani or the boys gone for an hour? Going ahead with the camping trip despite the threatening text messages had been his dumbest idea yet. Langello probably walked right up to her, then forced her away, and he hadn’t seen a thing. Some protector he was.

He studied the ground, hope building when he spotted a shoe print the size of one of the twins. A bit further on, some scuffed leaves, a broken branch on a bush. They’d followed the trail for a while, then veered off to the right.

How far could they have gone in an hour? His boys weren’t always the most cooperative. Especially if they didn’t like the person giving the orders. Unless they felt threatened. Would they do what they were told if they believed Dani’s life to be in danger? He hoped so.

Keeping his attention on the ground in front of him, Dylan kept following the path they’d taken. He wanted to pick up his pace, but going faster could cause him to lose the trail. Patience and prayer were what he needed now.

Agent Sawyer remained silent, simply providing the backup Dylan would eventually need. Occasionally, he could hear the clicking of the man’s fingers on his cell phone as he texted someone. Hopefully, the sheriff. They might need help bringing Langello in once they caught up to them.

He forced his thoughts to remain positive, to keep the fear at bay. They’d catch up to them in time; they had to. The alternative was too awful to contemplate. He’d lost one woman he’d loved; he refused to lose another.

Since he doubted Langello had allowed them to bring water, Dylan headed toward the nearest water source. The underground spring that fed the mountain lake bubbled up out of the ground a couple of miles away. Past that was the spring near the ranch. The one with the waterfall, but that was even further. Langello wouldn’t lead them back to the ranch, would he?

Maybe. He’d left his vehicle there. It wouldn’t be too difficult to get past the guards if the man was patient. The drawback would be the distance. No, Langello had to have a closer means of escape.

“There’ll be a copter in the air at first light.”

Dylan glanced over his shoulder. “That’s hours away.”

“Can’t search in the dark.” Sawyer shrugged. “Hopefully, we’ll catch up to them long before that. When we do, I let the sheriff know our location, and he sends backup.”

Too long. Dylan returned to his tracking.

Clouds drifted across the face of the moon making sight harder. This forest covered a lot of acres. If he lost the trail, he might never pick it up again. He put his fingers to his lips and gave another shrill whistle. Eventually, the dogs would hear. No matter how dark the night, Monster’s keen sense of smell could pick up the trail.

The dog loved the twins. It did occur to Dylan that the dog could already be on their trail, thus ignoring his whistle. The thought made him feel marginally better, but he could really use the dog at his side.

When the moon hid, Dylan fished a small flashlight from his pocket. He hadn’t wanted to use it—not wanting to risk Langello seeing him—but in order to continue, he needed light.

Hold on, Dani. I’m coming. He checked his cell phone, knowing before it came to life that he had no service. Even technology was letting him down.

~

A whistle sounded in the distance.

Dani stopped, trying to determine where it came from.

“That’s Dad!” Eric fist-bumped the sky.

“Keep moving,” Langello growled. “I will start shooting. Remember that.”

Dani didn’t think he’d harm the boys, but he wouldn’t have qualms about killing her. “Let’s go, boys.” It warmed her heart to know Dylan was on their trail. She needed to slow down without their captor shooting her. Glancing upward, she noted clouds filling the sky. Rain. If the clouds released their burden, tracking would be almost impossible. She stepped between the two boys and put a hand on each of their shoulders. “When the time comes, I’m going to tell you to run,” she whispered. “Don’t hesitate. Just do it.”

They nodded.

Derrick peered behind them. “He might shoot you if we aren’t here.”

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