Page 44 of Reckoning with the Cowboy
Worse was the bad feeling that this man was the trouble she’d sensed coming to Dry Gulch. Whatever this new dark threat was, she couldn’t shake the fear that it had something to do with her sister and this man.
“Don’t let Amy Sue be hurt,” she whispered to herself when she heard the throaty roar of a motorcycle and looked up to see her sister hanging on to the back of a man in all-black leather.
The look on Amy Sue’s face was enough to bring tears to her eyes. Even from here she could see her sister’s wide smile. Her long hair, almost always tamed by a clip, had been unleashed and looked wildly knotted as if she’d been going very fast on the back of that bike.
But it was the look of total abandonment on Amy Sue’s face that hit her the hardest. Josie knew that look. Her sister had always been reserved, timid sometimes, rational and reasonable. Amy Sue’s expression was wide open with a kind of newfound freedom, and she looked as astonished by that as Josie felt.
She pulled back from the window as Amy Sue threw her arms around the man’s neck. An image flew at her, making her start. She wanted to screamnoand began shaking inside, sick since she’d never felt anything this strongly or ever been this sure.
Amy Sue would soon be fighting for her life at the hands of the man now holding her close.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Cordell wiped sweat off his face as he heard his name being called. He turned, hoping it was Josie, only to find her sister, Amy Sue, peering up at him on the scaffolding where he was standing. There was a man next to her all decked out in black leather.
“I want you to meet someone,” Amy Sue said, smiling broadly. She looked excited. In fact, Cordell realized he’d never seen her this excited.
Grabbing his T-shirt from where he’d discarded it on the rail of the scaffolding, he pulled it on, then swung down to the sidewalk.
“Nice bike,” Cordell said, nodding to the motorcycle parked in front of the café. He’d heard it roar into town, but he’d been too busy to pay much attention. Now, though, he was curious.
“Thanks, it’s actually a friend’s. I’m buying it from him.”
“This is Shane Wagner,” Amy Sue said with a proprietary sound in her voice.
Cordell wiped his hands on a rag next to his paint can and shook the biker’s hand. “Cordell Lander.” He saw the name recognition in Shane Wagner’s eyes for a moment. “Have we met before?”
“I don’t think so,” the man said quickly, looking over at Amy Sue and smiling at her. “I’ve never been to Montana before. Amy Sue must have mentioned you.”
“It’s a huge state with a lot to see,” Cordell said. “Are you here on vacation?”
Shane shook his head. “Not really. I’m thinking I would love to make Dry Gulch my home for some time to come,” he said, not taking his eyes off Amy Sue.
“That’s why we wanted to talk to you,” she said quickly. “Shane is looking for a job. I told him that you were going to be opening the hotel and might need some help.”
Cordell studied the man. “You ever do any painting, carpentry? I also need help hauling a lot of the old stuff to the dump that I won’t be able to use. You have a good strong back?”
Shane chuckled. “I can paint, handle a hammer well enough and I’m strong.” He did look strong, as if he worked out on weights.
“I’d ask what brings you to Dry Gulch, but I think I know.” He saw Amy Sue’s cheeks redden and wondered how these two had met. “I could use the help if you’re interested.”
“I’m definitely interested,” Shane said, his gaze on Amy Sue again.
“Great,” Cordell said, hoping this worked out for his sake and Amy Sue’s. “You can start in the morning. I’m an early riser, so anytime after seven just come around to the back of the hotel and I’ll put you to work. I probably don’t pay what you’re used to, though.” He mentioned a sum and Shane seemed fine with it. “See you in the morning, then.”
As he climbed back up on the scaffold anxious to get back to work before his brush dried out, he couldn’t help wondering if Josie knew about her sister’s apparent boyfriend. Josie had been ignoring him since their dinner. Maybe he’d give her a call later and tell her about his new hire.
Josie thought aboutthe times when she’d come home late as a teenager and found her grandmother waiting for her. Nana would be sitting on the porch in the dark. Josie remembered the first time she’d rushed up the steps thinking she could get inside before her grandmother caught her—and suddenly sensed her there in the dark waiting.
“You almost gave me a heart attack!” Josie had cried the first time.
“Oh, that is nothing compared to what I am going to give you, Miss Josie.”
Now, sitting on the porch, she knew what her grandmother had gone through. It was probably worse for Nana, though, because she had that second sight and knew before anyone else.
“That boy is going to break your heart,” her grandmother told her the first time she’d come home from spending the night at a friend’s.
She had started to correct the older woman. “I was at Goldie’s house. I don’t know what boy you’re talking about.” She’d been young enough that she hadn’t bought in to her grandmother’s ability to know things she couldn’t possibly know.
