“That’s good,” Maud said, sitting up, folding her hands on her desk. “I darn well don’t like the idea of a stalker here on the Wind River Ranch. That potentially puts everyone, all our overnight guests and our employees, at risk. What if he’s carrying a rifle? Hiding a pistol? Starts shooting at everyone?”
Steve stood up. “That was my thought.” He glanced at Roan. “Take the list over to Shiloh and let’s get this ball rolling. And if she doesn’t recognize any of the names, I think BOTH of you should go see Sarah at the sheriff’s department. Shiloh needs to be kept in the circle on this too.”
“Agreed,” Roan said. He looked at Maud.
“How is Shiloh holding up?” Maud asked.
“Scared,” Roan admitted. “Upset because her webmistress accidentally put her photos and captions on her Facebook page.”
Maud stood up. “I’d be scared spitless, too. That poor woman was a virtual prisoner for six months in her apartment before she got out here, Roan.”
“I know. She told me about it.”
Maud glanced over at her husband. “Steve, you in agreement that from here on out, until Sarah can nab this stalker, that we need to take Roan off the wrangling team? He needs to be nearby, keeping an eye on Shiloh. A kind of bodyguard.”
“Sure, it’s only wise. We don’t know who this man is. You okay with that, Roan?”
Shrugging, Roan said, “Sure. I can be useful in the main ranch area. I can still work and do things that need to be done. If Shiloh calls me on her cell, I can be wherever she’s at in a minute or less. The employee house isn’t that far from the barn and corral areas.”
“Right,” Steve said, his face showing his tension and concern. “Okay, so we’ll shift some wranglers around this morning. I’ll have John redo the weekly schedule. Roan, you talk to Jake, the foreman, and he’ll get you working in this main ranch area, per my request. Also, fill him in. We’ll get everyone gathered in one of the barns later, after you’ve seen Sarah about this situation. The more info we can give everyone, the safer Shiloh will be here on the ranch.”
Roan nodded. Jake Murdoch was the ranch foreman, an ex-Marine, and he got along well with his gruff boss. “Will do.”
“Shiloh usually stays at the house writing,” Maud told them. “And when she breaks from the writing, she comes over here and usually helps me or John at the office. Roan, do you think she should do that? Or should she remain out of sight. Hidden?”
Grimacing, Roan said, “Shiloh hates being cooped up. She’s restless by nature.”
“How about this?” Steve said. “This outside group is coming in two hours from now for a one-hour loop tour. They are the only strangers to come and go on our ranch property today. Maybe Shiloh could remain in the employee house for that hour? Do you think she’d go along with it, Maud?”
Maud nodded and set her cap on her black hair streaked with silver. “Let me go over and talk with Shiloh. Sometimes women just need to sit down and gab. She’ll get it.” Glancing at Roan, she said, “I’ll take that list over to her too. And when I’m done, I’ll bring it back here. In the meantime, Roan, get on the phone to Sarah and tell her what’s going on. Tell her you need an appointment for yourself and Shiloh ASAP. I’ll drop in and see her later this afternoon and add anything you two didn’t. Hopefully, she’ll have time to see you this afternoon. And keep us updated as things happen.”
* * *
Shiloh was surprised when she answered the front door and saw Maud standing there with a piece of paper in her hand.
“Maud! What a nice surprise. Come in.”
Maud stepped in. “I see you just showered and got dressed. Have you had breakfast yet?”
Smiling, Shiloh shut the door and led her into the kitchen. “I had breakfast with Roan earlier.” She touched the damp ends of her hair. “And you’re right: I just showered and dressed.” She gestured toward the counter. “I was going to have my third cup of coffee. Would you like some?”
“That would be ideal. Can we sit at the table and chat for a moment?” Maud waved the paper in her hand. “This is the list of people who was on that wildlife loop yesterday. While we have coffee, can you go over the list? See if you recognize any name or address?”
“Ugh, that. Sure. Go sit down. I’ll bring us the coffee.”
Shiloh sat opposite Maud. She took the paper, her brows scrunched, slowly moving through the information on the page. Her other hand was wrapped around her coffee cup. Finally, she looked up. “I don’t recognize anyone here, Maud. I’m sorry.”
“No problem,” she murmured, sipping her coffee.
Shiloh gave her a concerned look. “Do you think I made up that reaction yesterday?”
“Roan believes you. So do Steve and I. We’re taking this very seriously, Shiloh.” Maud took the paper and folded it up near her cup. “We talked earlier over in the office and we have a plan that I want to share with you.”
Shiloh listened attentively. It felt like her world was once again crumbling beneath her feet. She felt the pressure of the stalker closing in on her. When Maud was finished, she said, “I’ll stay here in the house and write that hour while the tourists are visiting. And I’ll drive in with Roan if he gets that appointment with Sarah.” Shiloh rubbed her brow. “I’m hoping I made it up. You know I have a very active imagination.”
“Yes, you do, Shiloh, but you’re not given to making up something like this.”
She felt a little better that no one was blaming her for what had happened. “Maybe I should leave, Maud. I’m putting everyone here in danger.”
“No,” Maud said gruffly. “You belong here, Shiloh.” She jabbed her finger down at the table. “There’s nowhere safer than here. And you have friends and people who can support and protect you. That isn’t true in New York City. So, no, you’re staying right where you are, young lady.”
Relief fled through Shiloh, although she still worried that others could be harmed by her stalker. “Thanks . . . I really do want to stay, Maud, but I don’t want to have anyone else put at risk. My God, with all the crazy people going into an office, a campus or theater, murdering people, I worry it could happen here. To me . . . to all of you.” Swallowing hard, Shiloh’s voice quavered, tears burning in her eyes as she held Maud’s stubborn blue gaze. “I could NEVER live with myself if I drew the stalker here and he murdered you . . . the wranglers . . .”
“Tut, tut,” Maud said, reaching out, gripping her hand for a moment. “Now you ARE going wild with your imagination. This is Wyoming. We’re Westerners. We know how to protect our own. You couldn’t be at a better place for this to happen, so stop ratcheting up your worry. Okay?” Maud said, digging deep into her gaze.
Sniffing, Shiloh pushed away the tears from her cheeks. “Okay . . . but I still worry, Maud. I love all of you so much. You’re like my new family and I—I just couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you. . . .”
Maud rose, throwing her cap on. “Hush, Shiloh. We’ll take this one day at a time.” Walking around the table, she slid her arm around Shiloh’s shoulders and hugged her fiercely, kissing her brow. “Now, let US do our work. Roan is at the tip of this spear and he knows what he’s doing. He’ll always be nearby in case you need him and you also have John right across the street from the house, as well. And I carry a weapon in my truck when I’m out on the ranch. We’re armed here. You aren’t alone in this gunfight.”
* * *
Shiloh sat at the table after Maud left, her gut in a knot that refused to ease. She clung to the warm cup with both her hands. The morning sun’s rays were bright through the windows, making everything glow. Last night had made her feel radiant, wonderful, and euphoric. This morning was a jarring fall back into harsh reality. Roan. Her mind and heart settled on him, as always. Just thinking his name calmed her fractious anxiety. Chewing on her lower lip, Shiloh sat in the quiet of the house, feeling raw and vulnerable.
WHO was after her? Why? Why her? Her mind clipped along at the speed of light. It made
sense to her that whoever this man was, he was serious about getting to her. He’d made the trip from New York to Wyoming. And he’d found her. Swallowing against a tightening throat, Shiloh felt as if she were slowly suffocating beneath the situation. It was closing in on her. There was no safe place. Her fingers tightened momentarily around the cup. Her gaze swept through the living room. There were sets of windows, two side by side on both walls. Someone could open one of them and sneak into the place. They could walk soundlessly, checking rooms, finding her . . . Finding Roan as they slept.
Oh, God.
Making a frustrated sound, Shiloh pushed away from the table and stood up. The sensation of being trapped overwhelmed her. She needed to get out of here. Go for a ride. Clear her head. Riding always made her feel so free and wild. It sloughed off all her worries. Her anxieties. Already in a pair of Levi’s and cowboy boots, Shiloh hurried to her room and snagged her nylon jacket, her baseball cap, gloves, and cell phone. She would go for an early-morning ride and be gone when the tourists came onto the ranch. She’d remain in the Pine Grove area, maybe even ride over to Roan’s cabin, just be alone and feel safe.
Pushing out the door and making sure it was locked when she left, Shiloh hurried over to the office. She’d tell John what she was going to do and where she was going to ride. That way, everyone would know she hadn’t been kidnapped by her stalker.
* * *
Roan picked up his cell phone. It was a call from John. He was out by the ranch corral, saddling the horses for the tourist trail ride for five families who would be coming down shortly after their hearty breakfast at the café. He listened intently, his chin lifting and spotting Shiloh walking with grim determination toward the barn above the corral where he stood. She was going to get Charley out, groom him, saddle him, and then ride to the Pine Grove area. He ended the call and tucked his cell away in his rear pocket, going to intercept Shiloh.
As he drew near he saw she’d captured her red hair into a ponytail at the back of her head, her green baseball cap low over her eyes. The set of her mouth told him she was upset. He took a dirt path from the corral up to the barn area. Shiloh looked up, surprised to see him.
“Hey,” Roan called, falling in at her side as she walked into the barn, “John just told me you’re going for a ride.”
“Yes.” Shiloh entered the barn and walked down the airy passageway. She picked up the lead rope off the hook on the front of Charley’s box stall. “I have to ride, Roan.”
He stepped aside as she slid open the box stall door. “Because the walls are closing in on you?”
“Sometimes,” she muttered, bringing Charley out of the stall and leading him down the passageway, “my emotions and imagination mix too well, Roan. I imagine the worst possible case scenario and I can’t stop thinking about it. And I want to break that energy. When I was in New York City, I’d jog in Central Park. Now, riding is going to do that for me, instead.”
“I see.” He ambled down to where the cross ties were located and then snapped them into place on either side of Charley’s halter. Picking up a grooming box, he brought it over, handing her a currycomb. “It’s a good idea.” Roan watched her briskly begin to curry Charley, who stood there with his eyes half closed, enjoying Shiloh’s attention.
“I thought,” she said, straightening, looking at Roan across Charley’s back, “that I’d go to Pine Grove, ride between them, and then have lunch at your cabin. If you don’t mind?” She gave him a pleading look.
Roan placed his gloved hands on Charley’s withers and rump. “Sure. Would you like a lunch partner? I could drive or ride out there and meet you.” Roan didn’t want Shiloh riding around alone. He could see her until she rode Charley down the road in the middle of Pine Grove. And then she’d be out of sight. He didn’t like the possibility of her unseen by anyone at the ranch, but said nothing. Shiloh was clearly upset. But at his suggestion of lunch, her expression brightened instantly.
“Really? Could you? I know Maud said you’d be working just around the main ranch area from now on.”
Roan gave her a lazy smile. “Sure. I’ll saddle up Diamond and meet you there at noon. How about if I bring us each a sack lunch?” He liked the idea of sitting with Shiloh on the porch swing he’d installed last week. They could rock on the porch, eat, and talk. Roan knew he could calm her by just his presence. And he knew she had to talk it out because women felt better when they could communicate whatever they were feeling. He was a good listener. And he loved her. He wanted to remove the terror he saw deep in her green eyes that she would not admit to. At least, not yet.
“Oh,” Shiloh whispered, suddenly emotional, “I’d love that!”
Roan covered her hand resting on Charley’s back and squeezed her gloved fingers. “Good. Then it’s a date.”
“That sounds wonderful. It’s really something nice to look forward to.”
Roan tried not to be influenced by the quaver in her tone. But he was. He ached inwardly for the suffering that Shiloh was experiencing because of the damned stalker. Right now, he wanted to find that bastard and get his hands around him. He’d never stalk another woman again.
Roan saddled Charley for her, led the horse out of the barn, and helped Shiloh mount. He wasn’t going to show how he felt toward her in public. At least, not yet. He settled the toe of her boot into the stirrup. Patting her lower leg, he said, “I’ll see you at noon. Enjoy the ride. Everything is going to work out okay.”
“Thanks,” Shiloh whispered, leaning down, touching his shoulder briefly, smiling softly into his eyes.
Roan wanted to drag her off that horse, carry her inside the house, and make love to her. He knew how to distract Shiloh, to switch that imaginative mind off anything negative and focus it on something very positive and pleasurable. And already, his words, his calm demeanor, were having a deep effect on Shiloh because the fear and anxiety were no longer in her eyes. Every protective gene in his body was on guard and alert. And Roan would give his life to save hers if she was ever caught and attacked by that sneaky little bastard who had no name and no face.
Chapter Eighteen
Shiloh took the steps up to Roan’s cabin. He’d given her the key to the front door. He’d been over here two weekends in a row and she hadn’t. The porch was complete, the railing up and it was painted a dark evergreen color to match the lush green pastures that surrounded the cabin. Best of all, she noticed a varnished cedar swing he’d installed at one end of the porch. She’d sat in it, looking around, enjoying the peace. If only she could honestly feel this way again. Her gaze fell to Charley who was tied at the hitching post. His eyes were half closed, head hanging and one rear leg cocked up. How she wished she could relax like her sweet horse did. Rocking slightly, hands in her lap, she closed her eyes, feeling the welcoming heat of the sun’s rays against her jacket. Mornings were always cool but thankfully, by early July they were no longer freezing like June could be.
Leaning back, she tipped her head against the cedar and sighed. Her body burned brightly with the memory of last night in Roan’s arms. She’d never had a man make love with her like he had. Even now, she felt a new, gnawing warmth in her lower body coming to life. Just thinking about Roan, his hands upon her, his mouth wreaking scalding heat out of her body, made her clench and grow needy once more. Since the stalker, her sex drive had plummeted to nothing. But last night, it came back fiercely, hungrily, and a soft smile crossed Shiloh’s lips as she replayed their night together.
Shiloh had no idea how long she gently rocked in the swing, but when she opened her eyes and looked at her watch, she realized a half hour had passed. And it would be another half hour before Roan would arrive on Diamond. Her heart expanded with joy. Out here, she could steal a kiss from him and not worry about anyone seeing them. She’d agreed with Roan last night that what they felt for each other shouldn’t be common knowledge on the ranch. At least, not yet.
Shoving to her feet, she opened the gold and red cedar door, noticing that there wa
s a new small window so a person could look out to see who was standing there. Pushing the door open, she stepped inside and gasped. The living room and kitchen were not only completed, but filled with furniture! Her gaze flew to the kitchen to her left. It was finished! Amazed, Shiloh left the door ajar, placed the keys on the foyer table, and took off her jacket and baseball cap. It was warm in the cabin and her boots thunked across the shining, highly polished floor. Everything was so bright, so hopeful-looking. Running her fingers across the black granite that sparkled with gold veins within it, she liked the huge island. There were now tall bar stool chairs with black leather seats placed on one side of it. The kitchen drew her like a magnet because she loved to cook, loved herbs and the wonderful fragrances that always emanated from them. The last time she’d seen the kitchen, it was a shell. She recalled Roan had shown her that he’d built two large windows in front of the double sink area so that while he was there, he could look out across the rolling beauty of the land.
Even better, he’d installed another window, a smaller one, on one side of the massive commercial stove and venting system. That was a thoughtful touch that told her Roan wanted the outdoors, as much as possible, to be inside his cabin. The Wolf stove had six gas-fed burners. The aluminum vent above was brushed and muted, allowing the gorgeous gold, red, and tan glass tile work on the backsplash to blend with the granite. Everything was understated, like Roan, as she leaned over and touched the long, rectangular glass tiles. They pulled in the color of the cedar floor. It was a thoughtful plan and Shiloh smiled, admiring Roan’s gifts and skills for putting the tile in place. He was a man of many, many talents.
She turned, her gaze turning to the living room. Roan had put up a cedar railing to demarcate the kitchen from the other room. To her surprise, she saw a huge black, white, gray, and red Navajo rug that spread in the center of the floor.
He now had a dark brown leather couch and several overstuffed rust-colored chairs around it. Everything, she realized, was connected with that gorgeous hue of gold and crimson found in the cedar flooring. Her smile increased as she saw a red afghan folded across the back of the couch, the same color of the red of the cedar. Roan’s eye for detail was surprising. Shiloh didn’t think many men had this sense of color and design. Her mother, Isabella, had always been the fashion designer of their apartment. A warmth flowed through Shiloh as she remembered as a child that her father had problems matching colors and often her mother chose his clothing for him. And her father had been eternally grateful.
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