Page 4 of Cowboy Peril

“I need your help.”

The words fell like boulders to the packed dirt floor of the temporary barn. He cleared his throat and tossed the rag back into the bucket. “Mommy and Daddy not helping?”

She paled. “They died right after…you left.”

His breath caught, wishing he could take back his words. She didn’t deserve them. “I’m sorry for your loss.” He really was, despite the cliché. “What happened?”

“Someone killed them, and now that person is after me. I have no one else to turn to.”

Well, he hadn’t expected those words to come from her mouth. His heart hitched as he studied the fear in her sky-blue eyes. He kicked a three-legged stool closer to her. “Sit. I’m listening.”

He didn’t speak while she told him of her suspicions that her parents’ car had been tampered with, thus causing the accident, what had transpired at the club, then the death of her friend and the threatening note. It all sounded far-fetched to him, and no one knew better than he did that spoiled, little Parker Wells tended to exaggerate. “What do the authorities say?”

Her shoulders slumped. “That there’s no proof that my parents’ death was anything other than an accident, and there was no note. Do you believe me?” Her gaze locked on his with desperation.

No. He sighed. “It’s all…a lot.”

She lunged to her feet. “You don’t. Sorry to bother you.” She stormed to the door.

“Wait.” He grabbed her arm, then released her as if it burned. Touching Parker dug up feelings best left buried. “I didn’t say that I didn’t. I…uh…need time to process.”

“You do that.” She glared. “While you spend time in your thoughts, I’ll be at the motel in town trying not to die.” She bolted from the barn with him on her heels.

“Parker, wait.”

She whirled to face him, looking like a very angry cat. Her eyes narrowed. “I was a fool to think I could ask you for help. You won’t have to see or speak to me again.” Tears filled her eyes, and her hand trembled as she swiped her cheek. “I thought you could let bygones be bygones and help the woman you once loved.”

Still loved, if he were honest with himself. “I will help you, if there’s a need.”

“Ugh!” Parker whipped around and stomped toward her car, the same Mercedes she’d driven while they dated. She slid into the driver’s seat and slammed the door. Gravel scattered as she sped away from the ranch, leaving him staring after her.

“What was that all about?” Mrs. White stepped onto the porch.

“An old friend asking for help.”

Mrs. White posted a hand on her hip. “Which you didn’t give.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

He faced her. “I don’t know if there’s a need. Parker has always been…flighty, spoiled…” Beautiful, often sweet and caring—everything he thought he wanted in a woman. How wrong he’d been.

Her eyes narrowed. “There’s history there.”

“Yes.”

“Which means, you should’ve helped her, whether you thought she needed it or not.” She waved a wooden spoon at him. “If she’s frightened enough to hunt you down, then she believes there’s a threat, even if she’s the only one who believes there is. You might be the very person to help her see there isn’t.”

He cocked his head to the side. “What makes you so wise?”

“I’ve had my share of troubles, Colt, so I recognize the signs. Mark my words, that girl needs you. If not you, then some other cowboy on a white horse.”

But…did he need her in his life again?

Chapter Three

Parker held thetears at bay until after she received her key card and made it to her motel room. Why had she been so stupid as to think Colton would help her? She’d been horrible to him. Petty and spoiled, pushing what she wanted because Mommy and Daddy threatened to withhold her inheritance. Now, they were dead, and she’d lost six months of life with Colt.

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