Page 10 of Cowboy Peril

“Absolutely.” Did he believe her? “Why would I make this up?”

“I’ll look up the report on your parents’ accident, but it’s the murder of your friend that concerns me. That can’t be ruled as an accident. Note or no note, I believe you might be in danger because of the fact her body was discovered outside your apartment.” He mumbled something about a new woman to town always bringing trouble.

“What do I do now?”

AT “Stay vigilant. It’s highly unlikely the man followed you here, but he could have without you noticing. Unless you’re trained in surveillance?”

She shook her head. Tears burned her eyes. Finally, someone believed her. At least part of her story. “Will you let me know what you think after reading the report on my parents?”

“Yes.” He glanced at Colt. “Since the two of you are both living and working at the ranch, keep an eye on her, okay? Let me know if anything suspicious happens.”

Colt’s face darkened, and his shoulders slumped. “I can do that.”

“Not if it’s going to hurt that much.” Parker glared.

The sheriff’s eyes darted from him to her and back. “You two have a history?”

“Nothing I can’t handle.” Colt bolted up and offered the sheriff his hand in a shake. “Thank you, sir.” With a nod at Parker, he motioned for her to exit the office ahead of him.

Head high, she marched outside, then whirled to face him. “That was embarrassing.”

“What was?” He frowned.

“Your obvious distaste of keeping an eye on me. Don’t bother, Colton. I can take care of myself. Which way is the grocery store?”

“Two blocks toward the co-op, then turn right.” He fell into step beside her. “Give me time, Parker. You show up on my doorstep after six months, reinsert yourself into my life, and bring trouble with you. It’s a lot.”

“I figured a big strong cowboy like you could handle something like this. You were in the Marines, Colton. You’ve seen a lot more danger than I could ever bring.” Her eyes shimmered. “If I had anyone else to ask for help, I would, believe me.”

A pained look crossed his face. “None of your high-society friends were willing?”

She stopped, hands on her hips, and stared up at him. How could he be so dense? “Whoever is after me would know about those friends, now, wouldn’t he?”

AT “They would also know about me.”

True, but Colt had what it took to keep her safe. “You’re impossible.” She stormed past him down the sidewalk, turning right after two blocks.

His voice rang out behind her. “I’ll bring the truck and meet you in the store.”

Whatever.

A blast of cool air hit her in the face as she stepped inside the store and grabbed a cart. She headed for the produce, filling the cart with fruit and vegetables.

Colt chuckled when he caught up to her. “You still eat mostly rabbit food?”

“I happen to like fresh produce, although I do eat fish, chicken, and the occasional steak.” She headed for the butcher next. She didn’t need much since she lived alone, and her cooking skills weren’t even close to being chef-like, but she’d manage.

~

Mark Collins widened his eyes at the sight of Parker perusing the fish in the butcher case. He’d followed her to Misty Hollow but hadn’t expected her to be out and about so soon after the death of her friend.

His gaze shifted to the man next to her. A cowboy over six-feet tall, muscles straining the tee-shirt he wore, and a scowl that dared anyone to get close. So, she’d found herself a bodyguard. It wouldn’t do any good.

Her family had ruined him, and he would get his revenge on their daughter. Pulling his baseball cap low over his eyes, he headed in the opposite direction before he attracted the cowboy’s attention.

A bulletin board with homemade help-wanted ads brought a grin. Looked like the Rocking W Ranch needed construction workers. The phone number to a local construction company sat under the notice. Mark jotted it down on the back of a receipt from his pocket. This would put him right under Parker’s nose, and she wouldn’t suspect a thing. Then, when the time was right and he had her frightened enough, he’d take her. She’d beg for death by the time he finished with her.

~

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