Page 50 of Cowboy Jeopardy

“You’re delusional.” She ought to pull the trigger and save the taxpayers money. “I’m a recovering gambling addict who now works as a nanny.”

“Who works for a prosperous horse ranch.”

“Not yet, it isn’t.” But, God willing, it would be someday.

He shrugged again. “The man has horses. Good ones. If he needed money bad enough, he could sell them. As I said, there is always a way.” He stood and took a step toward her.

“Sit back down or I’ll shoot you.”

“I don’t think you will.”

She aimed the gun at his thigh and pulled the trigger.

He cursed and fell to the floor, calling her every bad female word that existed.

Dani tilted her head, her hand shaking. She was as surprised that she’d shot him as he was.

Someone in the room next door pounded on the wall saying they were calling the police. Good. The sheriff should’ve been here by now anyway.

Dani marched to the bathroom, grabbed a towel hanging there, then returned and tossed it to Langello. “Might want to hold that on the wound so you don’t bleed to death.”

“You are cold-hearted.”

“Why is it that a killer takes it personal when the tables are turned?” She perched on the edge of the bed. “You’re right, though. I didn’t think I had it in me. But, when those you love are in danger, it’s amazing what a person can do. Now, my family is safe, and you’re going to prison. Not much you can do about building an empire from there.”

~

When Buster informed him about the note Dani had left, Dylan couldn’t return to the ranch fast enough. He’d left the campers in the capable hands of Buster and his ranch hand, saddled Lightning, and rode like the hounds of hell were on his heels.

Back at the ranch, he put the horse still saddled in the paddock and made a beeline for his truck. Sheriff Westbrook had told him he wouldn’t wait and intended on heading to the motel without Dylan.

Please, God, let the sheriff have reached there on time.

He must’ve broken a speed record driving down the mountain. What was Dani thinking going after Langello alone? Why did she insist on doing things herself?

When he arrived at the motel, the sheriff and two other squad cars sat out front, lights flashing. An ambulance idled close by as two paramedics wheeled Langello out on a stretcher.

Shoving open the door to his truck, Dylan scanned the parking lot for Dani. Not seeing her, he raced for the ambulance, expecting to see her injured or dead.

“She’s still inside.” One of the paramedics motioned his head toward the building. “Second floor, room 210.”

When he reached the elevator, the doors opened. Dani and the sheriff stepped out. Dylan wrapped her in a hug. “Woman, you’re giving me gray hair.” He glanced at the sheriff. “Everything okay?”

The sheriff sighed. “Said she shot the man in self-defense. It’s her word against his. Since he’s wanted for murder, I’m guessing there might be some truth to her story.”

He didn’t believe that any more than Dylan did. “Let’s go home, Dani. I have some things to tell you.” Keeping his arm around her and giving the sheriff a nod, he led her from the building and out to his truck. Inside, he faced her. “Do you realize I could be crying over your body right now?”

“I had a gun.” A slight smile teased at her lips. “Shot him in the leg.” She paled and thrust open the truck door before vomiting. Done, she sat back up. “Guess I’m not as tough as I think I am.”

He laughed and shook his head. “You’re the toughest person I know.”

“Are the boys at the ranch?”

“No. They’ll be back tomorrow along with everyone else. Today and tonight is for us.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you going to fire me?”

“No, I have something else planned.” He backed the vehicle from the motel and headed back up the mountain.

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