Page 31 of Cowboy Peril

Now having anything to do, Colt headed for the metal building used as storage. Unlocking the padlock on the door, he stepped inside and pulled the chain over his head to turn on the light.

Metal shelves lined the walls of the twenty-by-twenty room. Labels told anyone searching what each shelf held—thanks to Mrs. White’s impeccable organization.

The door slammed shut casting him into total darkness.

“Hey, I’m in here.” Sweat immediately beaded on his upper lip. He held his breath. Was he going to have a heart attack? “Hello?” His shirt stuck to his back. The oxygen levels in the storage shed were low. He was definitely going to die without the chance to tell Parker how he still felt about her.

Hands outstretched, he made his way to the door and pounded on it with both fists. His breathing became labored, and his fists ached from the pounding.

Stop. Breathe. Think.

He bent over, planting his hands on his knees and counted to ten. This wasn’t a battle in the Middle East. He wasn’t trapped underground after a bad mission.I’m on the ranch surrounded by people. Someone will notice I’m gone. Someone will hear me.” His phone. He slid it from his pocket.Please find me a signal in the shed.

He held the phone as high as he could trying to get enough bars to send a text at least. There. He sent Parker a text for help, telling her where he was. Now, he had to wait. In the dark. Alone. He slid to the floor.

He didn’t know how long it took, just that it wasn’t as long as it seemed before he heard Parker’s voice. “Colton?”

“I’m here.” He bolted to his feet.

“The padlock is locked.”

“I’ll slip the key under the door.” He forced the key through the tiny sliver that let in just enough light to keep him from having slipped into madness.

A few seconds later, the doors swung open, and he rushed out. He exhaled heavily, then took a deep breath. “Thank you.”

“You’re all sweaty. Are you okay? I remember you being afraid of the dark.” Concern covered her face.

“I’m not afraid of the dark.” He glowered. “I don’t like enclosed spaces.”

“Okay? Are you fine?”

“I am now. Thank you. Someone locked me in.”

“That’s obvious.”

“Parker—” He put his hands on her shoulders. She needed to comprehend what he was telling her. “That means the person we’re looking for, the one leaving you notes, is here on the ranch. Today.

“He’s close.”

Chapter Fourteen

A box ofsecurity cameras in one hand and the necessary tools in the other, Colt toed off his boots and stepped onto Parker’s front porch. Hopefully, he could get the job done and be gone without waking or frightening her.

He’d recently got the code to the main house cameras and also wanted to spend time going through them while the rest of the house slept. Daybreak brought work and its own demands. Putting off tasks to do later didn’t work well on a ranch. He’d get through the day on a couple of hours sleep and multiple cups of coffee, if that’s what it took to catch the man terrorizing Parker.

Colt retrieved the stepstool he’d sat on earlier and climbed up to install a camera. He’d already put one on his house and also on the empty house number two. After this, he’d head to Dylan’s office.

Camera installed, he glanced down to make sure he put his foot solidly on the next rung and almost stepped on Tuxedo. The kitten stared up at him with big yellow eyes. “Hey, buddy. How did you get out?” He lifted his gaze to a grinning, tousle-headed Parker.

“We’ve been watching you. Good idea. Maybe we’ll catch this person.”

“Hopefully. I wanted to keep this low-key.”

“Do you think he’s watching?” She picked up the kitten and glanced around.

“Anything is possible. I’m getting ready to look at footage from the main house camera. Want to join me?”

Her smile widened. “Sure. I’ll bring coffee.” She turned and carried the kitten into the house.

---