Page 27 of Cowboy Peril

Parker clicked her seatbelt into place. “Did you notice how he smelled like smoke?”

Chapter Twelve

Colt kept aneye on Mark the next day, not caring whether the man knew he watched him or not. He didn’t trust him. Not after yesterday.

Sure the man’s story about visiting his mother checked out, but there was still something about him that set Colt on edge. The man stepped to the side and lit a cigarette. At least he had the sense not to smoke around the wood and hay, and the cigarette explained why he’d smelled like smoke the day before.

It frustrated him how he and Parker would find one clue that led to finding out the truth, then something explained the idea and made things muddy again. As he pushed a wheelbarrow full of manure to the compost heap, his mind returned to the newspaper article about Parker’s father.

Her father had spoken about his company to Colt on many occasions when he’d gone over there for supper. Not once had the man acted nervous at any of Colt’s questions. The article had been written after his breakup with Parker.

Could Colt have misjudged him? He’d gotten along with Mr. Wells fine, as much as the man wanting to marry a rich man’s daughter could. Then, Parker had told him her parents would disown her if she married him. It had seemed to come out of left field.

He tipped the manure into a pile. It hadn’t made sense then, and it didn’t make sense now.

A blind man could see the love that still shone from Parker’s eyes when she looked at him. It didn’t take away the gut-wrenching pain of her betrayal, but it soothed the outer edges of his wound. Would it be so bad to try again with her now that her parents were gone? Maybe not. Something he might consider once the phantom stalking Parker was out of the picture.

As if his thoughts had lured her from the main house, Parker stepped onto the back deck. The ranch dog, Monster, sat at her feet and stared at the bagel in her hand. Parker smiled and broke off a piece for the dog.

Colt turned to her house to see the black and white kitten sitting in the window. Why give her a pet after a warning note? What kind of game was this killer playing?

A floral delivery truck pulled up to the front of the main house. Colt removed his gloves, draping them over the side of the wheelbarrow, then went to intercept it.

A young man stepped out with two vases of flowers.

“I’ll take those.” Colt went to hand the man a twenty-dollar-bill, then realized he had no free hands. “Sorry.” He took one of the vases and tried again.

“Thanks, man.” He pocketed the money and gave Colt the other vase.

Colt set both on the front porch where Parker waited. “I’m not going to let you throw away a note without me seeing it.” She lifted her chin.

“This bouquet is for Marilyn. From Buster is my guess.” He switched from the lavender roses to the dozen red roses and pulled out a card. “Roses are red, violets are blue, I once wanted to marry you.” His heart dropped to his knees as he continued reading. “But since it was not to be, I’ll admire you from afar…until the moon turns blue, then I’m coming for you.”

“What does that mean?” Parker’s eyes widened.

“Which? The part about wanting to marry you, or the part about the moon turning blue?” He slipped the card into his pocket to give to the sheriff.

“The moon.”

“I’m guessing he means a full moon. Which means, he might act within a month.” They’d just had a full moon. If his guess wascorrect, they had a month before the man acted on his threat. “Who besides me wanted to marry you?”

“No one. There’s been no one but you for years.” She lowered into an Adirondack chair. “I seriously have no idea.” She chewed on her thumb nail. A shadow crossed her eyes. “This note scares me more than the others, despite the poor attempt at poetry. Especially after yesterday.” She folded her hands in her lap. “Why try to kill us yesterday if he plans on doing so in the future? Is he playing with us, or has he changed his plans?”

Colt shrugged. “Either or.” She wasn’t the only one frightened. Not even the skirmishes he’d engaged in while in the Middle East put fear in him like the idea of losing Parker did.

“What do we do?”

“Well…” He took a deep breath, then released it long and slow. “He’s given us a deadline, such as it is. I’m not sure whether that means you’re safe until then, or if that’s the absolute latest he comes for you.”

“I’m going to hire a private investigator to dig into what really happened at that supposed convention. Perhaps a PI can dig up something that points to someone besides my father.” She stood.

“That’s a good idea. We need all the help we can get. Since I have to call the sheriff anyway, want me to ask for a recommendation?”

“Yes and toss those roses on top of the manure pile.” She picked up the ones for Marilyn. “If whoever sent them is watching, let him see what I think about his gift.” She carried the lavender roses into the house, leaving Colt with his mouth hanging open.

Parker no longer resembled a spoiled little rich girl. She was quickly growing a backbone. He grinned and pulled his cell phone from his pocket.

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