Page 26 of Cowboy Peril

“My mistake. The two of you go home. Seek medical attention for those cuts, Mr. Dawson. Let us do our jobs.”

Dismissed, Colt turned to Parker. “There’s nothing more for us to do here. Not today.”

“Agreed. I have no desire to go back inside so soon after being shot at. We’ll come back next week.” She narrowed her eyes. “Next time, let’s do a better job of not being followed.”

He hadn’t expected to be followed at all. Parker must be getting close to finding out the truth about her parents. Which meant their killer was getting worried and would up his game at shutting her up for good. The thought chilled Colt’s blood. Parker might not have chosen him in the grand scheme of things, but he couldn’t imagine a world without her.

His stinging face reminded him they still had a stop to make before heading back to the ranch. “Let’s take care of business, grab some fast food, and get home.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and led her to his truck, more than ready to leave her childhood home behind. Today had left one more bad taste in his mouth. The last time he’d stepped foot there was the time Parker had said goodbye.

At the drugstore, he purchased the supplies needed to clean his cuts while Parker refilled a prescription for her inhaler. Since the prescription had expired, they had some time to wait.

“Come with me.” He led her to the men’s room. After taking a peek inside, he held the door open.

“I can’t go in there.” She took a step back.

“You can’t stay out here, and I need the sink. No one is inside. It’s fine.” He jerked his head for her to enter.

“This is embarrassing.” She glanced around. “I hope no one sees me.”

He shook his head and followed her inside, locking the door behind them. “They’ll think we’re up to no good.” He grinned and set the supplies on the sink.

“Need help?” She leaned against the wall.

“Nope.” He washed his face with soap from the wall dispenser, dried off with paper towels, then applied ointment. None of the cuts were deep and wouldn’t leave scars. They were lucky. Things could’ve been a lot worse.

Finished, he returned the leftover supplies to the pharmacy bag, then unlocked the bathroom door. He peered out before declaring it safe.

“My inhaler is ready.” Parker stepped past him, then stopped.

Colt glanced up as surprised to see Mark Collins as he was to see them. He glanced down, noting the work boots. Footwear exactly like the ones that had passed the attic window. He narrowed his eyes. “What brings you to Little Rock, Mark?”

“I come every Sunday to visit my mother. She’s in a nursing home.” He glowered. “Not that my free time is any of your business.”

“Which nursing home?”

“Perpetual Hope. Why the third degree?”

“If I were to call there, can they verify you were there?”

His eyes narrowed. “Look, man. I don’t appreciate you grilling me. I came in here to pick up some deodorant and use the bathroom, and instead I get interrogated.” He raised hisbrows. “I could ask why the two of you were in here together. A bit unseemly, if you ask me. Rumors could start about the two of you.”

“Unseemly?” Parker shook her head. “We aren’t living in Victorian England. Come on, Colt. Let’s get my inhaler and head home. I’ve had enough excitement for one day.” She marched to the pharmacy window.

Colt followed, glancing over his shoulder as Mark entered the bathroom. The man stopped and met Colt’s gaze with a cold, hard one of his own before closing the door.

While Parker paid for her prescription, Colt looked up the number of the nursing home and dialed it. He wasn’t normally a suspicious person, but with all that had been going on, he wasn’t taking any chances.

“I’m looking for my buddy, Mark Collins. He’s been looking for work, and I have a lead for him. Is he there?”

The receptionist apologized. “He left here about fifteen minutes ago. Comes to visit his mother every Sunday.”

“Yes, I know. That’s why I thought to try and get a hold of him there. Thank you.” Colt hung up. Mark had told the truth. Which meant, he wasn’t the man who had shot at them.

He watched the bathroom door until Mark came back out. Something about the man’s build bothered him. Not that he was unique, but Colt trusted his instincts, and right now they told him there was more to Mark Collins than he knew.

“I’m ready.” She followed his gaze. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, he checks out.” With one last glance at Mark, Colt led Parker from the store back to the truck.

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