Page 28 of Cowboy Peril

Mark ducked his head to hide his grin when Colt tossed the roses onto the compost pile. Jealous, cowboy?

It should be against the law to have this much fun. It might not be the smartest thing to put killing Parker off for a month, but she wasn’t going anywhere. Neither was he. Might as well enjoy the journey.

He leaned a ladder against the unpainted wall of the new barn under construction and climbed to the roof on the pretense of nailing shingles. In all honesty, the high vantage point let him keep a closer eye on Parker.

Had she found anything in her attic yesterday? Mark had broken into her father’s office and found nothing incriminating, which was odd. When Wells had confronted him, telling him to stay away from his daughter and her fiancé, he’d admitted to having evidence against Mark that he wouldn’t hesitate to use if he didn’t listen. If that evidence had been in the attic, Mark wouldn’t still be working on the ranch. He’d be behind bars.

His eyes narrowed as a car from the sheriff’s office pulled up to the house. Here to retrieve his latest note. He shook his head. Fools, all of them, not able to see the threat right under their noses. Parker wouldn’t be the only person he took down when the time came.

Maybe he’d make sure this ranch never got back on its feet. It would give him one big hoorah before he got what he wanted and retired in Mexico. He shrugged. Dreaming was nice, but at this point, he wanted Parker’s money, and he wanted her dead.

~

Later that evening, Parker joined Colt in the barn. “Are we still going for a ride?”

He tightened the cinch on her horse. “Don’t we always?”

“I wasn’t sure after receiving the note and roses today.”

“As long as we stay within sight of the ranch, we should be good. The other ranch hands will be keeping an eye on us.” He patted the horse’s neck. “These sweethearts still need exercise, despite the presence of a mad man out there.” Plus, he refused to hide in his own home and knew Parker felt the same. Even if he did lock her up, she’d find a way to escape and find herself in deeper danger. It was best if they went on as usual with him staying close by her side.

“Good. I look forward to the peacefulness of our evening ride.” She took the reins and led her horse from the barn.

Colt followed and swung onto the saddle.

The setting sun kissed the top of Parker’s dark head with gold, painting her arms with a rosy glow. She was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and he was still a sucker for her. Six months apart had done nothing to dull his feelings. Realizing he still loved her more than life itself was a knife to the gut.

He led the way, his mind whirling. He wanted to take a chance on her again—accept her apology and talk about what happened until he understood why she hadn’t chosen him. How could he bring up the subject when the dread of rejection made him too much a coward? It was easier to be shot at yesterday than broach the subject with her.

Parker was uncharacteristically quiet on the ride which told him more than anything about how worried she was. If he could take away her fear, he would.

Please, God, don’t let me fail her. If he did, he’d no longer feel as if he had a purpose. Everything he wanted in life would mean nothing.

“Do you like working on the Rocking W?” She asked, pulling her horse alongside him.

“Sure.”

“Don’t you want something more?”

He shot her a glance. “I want my own cattle ranch.”

“What’s stopping you?”

“Money, mostly. Land is expensive.” Thankfully, his bank account grew every payday since his living expenses were few.

“Why not get a loan or find an investor?”

“Why pay something back with interest?”

She shrugged. “I’d invest in your ranch.”

He pulled on the reins, halting his horse. “Why?”

She tilted her head. “Because I believe in you, Colton. I always have.”

Reaching over, he gripped the horse’s bit and pulled her closer. “Then why did you choose money over me?” He really didn’t want to have this conversation, but they needed to in order for him to heal and move on. Tears brimmed in her eyes. “My father was so adamant. No matter how much I cried, he wouldn’t be deterred. He said someday I’d understand. I still don’t know why, but I trusted him. I’m so sorry.” She ducked her head.

He stared at her through the growing darkness. Suppressing the many words that would cut deep, he managed to murmur, “Your father had to have said something to explain his reasoning.”

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