Page 29 of The Cowgirl's Chosen Love
She spun on her heel and headed back downstairs, changing quickly into warmer clothing. As she rushed through the kitchen, Tamara handed her a bag. “Not much more than granola bars. Sorry.”
Lisa gave her a quick hug and a kiss. “Tell me later who I owe ten bucks. But in the meantime, can you text Josiah? I’m meeting Sonora by the maple tree along the far south border. The one next to where the trail splits three ways. I’ll get in touch with him as soon as I can.”
“No problem.”
She headed out to the barn and found Caleb leading Licorice out to meet her. He held the horse steady while she mounted, passing the reins to her and nodding in approval. “Don’t rush. Sonora’s got a good head on her shoulders. I expect she’s just looking for a little company.”
“I hope you’re right. If that’s the case, then I’ll carry on and enjoy my day off. You and Tamara have a good time. I’ll text as soon as I know anything.”
The sensation hovering over her wasn’t the same as a week ago. The sky wasn’t quite as clear, and the temperature was a little sharper. The bite of winter was hanging on hard, with no chance of a warming pattern anywhere in the forecast. Add in she wasn’t sauntering out for a casual exploration, and suddenly the day seemed fraught with danger.
Lisa moved Licorice forward at a steady pace. Not too fast, and always careful to stick to well-set trails for safer footing.
It was close to twenty-five minutes after Sonora’s first text when Lisa spotted Rainbow tied to a tree at the side of the trail. She dismounted and ground tethered Licorice, following footprints that led deeper into the trees.
“Mrs. Fallen? I’m here.”
A soft hiss carried on the air, and Lisa hurried forward to discover Sonora peeking over a log pile, shaking her head as she held a finger pressed to her lips. “Keep it down, honey.”
She gestured Lisa closer.
Just past a pile of fallen trees was a small clearing. An oversized work shed with two side-wings was positioned at the western edge. A delivery van was driving down the bumpy road, disappearing into the trees almost immediately.
“What’s going on?” Lisa asked in a whisper.
“I thought I saw something the other day and came back because I was curious.” Sonora pointed a finger at the shed. “That is supposed to be empty. It was part of Doc Carter’s property, and his kids have been fighting over the inheritance for years. Somebody’s renting the main house, but none of the out-buildings were being used, or least they weren’t the last time I talked to anyone. There’s no reason for a vehicle likethatto be back here. Not in the dead of winter.”
Lisa glanced around, but there were no other people or vehicles anywhere in sight. “You think somebody’s storing things in the shed?”
“That’s exactly what I think,” Sonora said. “I don’t recognize the vehicle, and I can’t think of a single reason why someone should take a van out here in the first place.”
Lisa’s mind went immediately to stolen goods. It was a little far into the country to be convenient for thieves, but that also meant the hiding spot was a lot harder to find in the first place.
A moment later, everything changed.
They both heard it. In the quiet that settled after the loud buzz of the van engine faded, a noise that was far too familiar shattered the icy stillness.
Sharp barks. Shrill yelps. Mournful howls.
Lisa and Sonora glanced at each other, dismay rising as they spoke at the same time. “Dogs.”
7
What a pickle. Lisa needed to convince Sonora to stay safely in the trees before hurrying forward to find out exactly what was going on.
The older woman seemed to read her mind because she frowned and shook a finger in Lisa’s face. “Don’t you dare think about going off on your own. No heroics.”
Sneaking in by herself was an entirely different thing than dragging someone’s grandma into potential danger. “I won’t do anything more than peek in the window,” Lisa promised.
“Then I’ll come with you to give you a boost.”
Not the answer Lisa was looking for. “I’m just going tolook. If something illegal is going on, we’re not poking into it without backup.”
Sonora wrinkled her nose. “Who’re we going to call? I mean, we don’t even know if there’s something there to bother the RCMP over.”
Lisa held up a hand as her phone vibrated. She checked to find a message from Josiah.
Josiah:I see your horses. Where are you?
