by Amanda Boone
Tom expected the killer to sneak in and come up from behind him, but played dumb until he felt the business end of a handgun pressing against his spine. “You must not want that rifle too bad.”
“I don’t give a shit about the rifle, you dumb hick,” the killer told him, and gave him a shove. “Walk.”
“I really love marching bands,” Tom told him as he strolled toward the bleachers. “They didn’t have these big-screen TVs when I was in school, though. Would have made it a lot easier to watch some of their fancier moves.”
Overhead the stadium’s four enormous display screens flickered on, and showed Councilman Bramson standing in the park with the killer.
“My little brother put a mini-cam in my truck,” Tom mentioned as he glanced back to see the killer staring at the video. “Has a nice, wide-angle lens, too.”
A muzzle flash flared on the screens as the killer shot the politician, and then tossed his rifle at Tom.
“But then as a cop, you’d know that,” Tom added. “I saw the emergency light inside your unmarked sedan in the park.”
The killer pointed his gun at Tom’s face. “You think this’ll stop me? You’re dead, and tonight I’ll be drinking rum punch in the islands, you dumbass.”
A shotgun slide pumped. “Probably not,” Ethan Boone said as he stepped out of the bleachers, his twelve-gauge leveled at the killer.
“Yeah, I have my doubts, too,” Caleb Boone mentioned as he walked out from the other side of the field, handguns in both fists.
“This is just not your day, pal,” Chris Boone said as he stepped out from behind an equipment shed. His semi-automatic gleamed black in the sunlight.
Liam Boone appeared at the top of the judges’ stand, and checked the scope on his sniper rifle before he simply crouched down and targeted the killer’s skull.
“That guy up there is my brother, William,” Tom said. “He was a sniper in the Army. And he never misses.”
The killer glanced around as a heavily armed SWAT team emerged behind the Boone brothers.
“Put down the weapon,” the SWAT leader shouted.
The killer carefully placed his gun on the grass before he raised his hands. “I’ll make bail and come looking for you, Cowboy. You and that snatch you were with last night. You’re both dead.”
“Then you’re the dumbass.” Tom spotted a slender figure hurrying out of the stands toward them, and started toward her. He heard the killer scramble behind him, and hurled himself at Shay, knocking her to the ground as a dozen weapons fired over them.
Once Shay opened her eyes she glared. “Are you hurt?” When he shook his head she smiled. “Good, because I’m going to hurt you now.”
Tom caught her fist before it connected with his face and kissed her, holding her struggling body until her arms wound around his neck.
“See?” Chris Boone said to Ethan and he and his brothers came to stand over Tom and Shay. “I told you, she likes him.”
Chapter Five
Shay turned the shop’s door sign from OPEN to CLOSED and shut off the front lights before she went to set the alarm at the back door. Outside Tom stood leaning against his pick-up and smiling as Jenny chattered with excitement.
“I can’t believe you and Shay were on Montana’s Most Wanted list for almost a whole day,” her assistant gushed. “I have to get a copy of the flyer to hang in the shop. It’ll be so outlaw.”
“We are not, and never were, outlaws,” Shay said firmly. “Now go home and get some rest. The St. Patrick’s Day sale starts tomorrow, and I plan to sell every yard of green we’ve got.”
“Yes, boss.” With a wink at Tom Jenny went to unlock her little compact car.
Shay stood beside Tom to watch her drive off. “You ready to do this?”
“I have another idea.” He tugged her into his arms and gave her a soft, leisurely kiss. “Let’s go back to your place.”
“You’ve been living at my place for the last three days.” Which she had loved, because they’d spent just about every minute of it in her bed. She and Tom had finally talked out everything, and made plans for their future. They’d also made love so much they both should have been limping.
“We can do it tomorrow,” Tom told her.
“No. Pretty soon Ethan will be calling the cops on us.” She climbed into his pick-up. “Come on. It’s like taking medicine. The sooner you do it, the better you’ll feel.”
Tom grumbled most of the way from the shop to Ghost Lake Ranch. As soon as they were in sight of his family’s property, he pulled off the road and parked.
He stared at the steering wheel. “I can’t do this to them, Shay.”
“It’s their ranch, but it’s your life.” She covered his hand with hers. “They love you, Tom. Just be honest with them, and they’ll understand.”
When they reached the big house everyone poured out to greet them. While she was being passed around for hugs, Shay kept an eye on Tom. He put on a good show, but worry still lingered tight around his mouth.
“I was about to file a missing person report on you,” Ethan told Tom as they went inside. “Any more problems with the mess in Helena?”
“After we gave our statements, and Tom turned over the recording to the D.A., we were done.” Shay made a face. “Councilman Bramson’s wife stopped by the station to speak with us before we left. She was in pretty bad shape.”
Shay glanced around as the family gathered at the big kitchen table, and then met Tom’s gaze. She knew how wretched he felt about this, but he had the courage to do it. He just had to get the words out.
She mouthed hers first. “I love you.”
He nodded, and went to the head of the table. “I need to tell you all something.”
Because Tom seldom spoke up, everyone quieted.
“Shay and I really appreciate you coming to help us up in the city.” His gaze shifted. “Liam, I’m sorry you had to take that kill shot. Not how I wanted it to end.”
“Better than what he had in mind,” his older brother replied.
Tom touched the empty chair in front of him. “None of us sit here because it was Dad’s place. We’ve all worked real hard to keep his dream going, too. I know he’d be proud of us, but he’d also want us to have our dreams, too.” He took a deep breath before he looked at his oldest brother. “Ethan, I’m not coming back to the ranch. I’m moving to town. I’ll be staying with Shay until I get my own place, and then I’ll be opening up a carpentry shop.”
“You mean, leave for good? To be a nail-pounder?” Caleb demanded, and then yelped as Chris elbowed him. “What? He’s a cowboy, not a shop keeper.”
Jonah looked a little unhappy, too. “No Boone’s ever had any business except cattle.”
“I’ll always be part of this family,” Tom told him. “And if you need me here, you just have to pick up the phone.” He looked at his youngest brother. “Cal, you know how much I love working with wood, and building furniture, and restoring old things. This is what I want for me. This is my dream.”
“Well, then.” Ethan got to his feet. “I guess there’s only one thing to do.” As Tom gave him a wary look he grinned. “We’ve got to find a great place in town to open this shop.”
Shay blinked against the sting in her eyes as she rose and went to hug her lover.
“There is one more thing.” Tom removed the mini-cam from his pocket and set it on the table. “I know you didn’t put this in my truck to test it, Caleb. And you didn’t send me Helena to return ribbon for Jessa, Ethan.”
Shay frowned. “They didn’t?”
Tom eyed Chris. “Since Shay told me she talked to you about me, this had to be your bright idea.”
The big man shrugged. “Thought we’d try, anyway.” He smiled at Shay. “We sent Tom to Helena so he could bump into you.”
Caleb nodded. “And I put the mini-cam in his truck so we could see you two kissing.” As Tom took a step toward him, he held up his hands. “Hey, if not for me you’d be in jail, buddy.”
Tom
turned to Shay. “I can move in tonight, right?”
THE END
Wanted by the Cowboy
Love in Ghost Lake Ranch
Book 5
(Can be read as a standalone book)
By: Amber Duval
Wanted by the Cowboy
Chapter One
After listening to General Frances K. Merlin thank him, Liam Boone said good-bye. He walked over to the kitchen window to look out at the grassy acres beyond the barns. Dotted with buttercups and clover, the rich pastureland would nourish their dairy cattle until the fall stock auctions. Over the last ten years Ghost Lake Ranch’s sterling reputation for producing prime, hardy Jersey and Holstein stock had grown and spread across Montana.
Liam felt proud of what he and his six brothers had accomplished. He’d left the Army to help make this ranch a success, but that wasn’t the only reason he’d come home.
His enlistment in the Army had ended six years ago, but the bond of the military lasted for life. So did the memories, which still woke him up covered in sweat and shaking in the middle of the night. Yet he wouldn’t hesitate to lay down his life for the man who had saved it.
The general sent him the promised photo, which appeared on Liam’s phone display. The young, tall California blonde with Pacific blue eyes stood in a wet suit by the surf. She had a board tucked under her arm, but she didn’t smile. Liam wondered if the shot had been taken the summer after her mother had died of cancer. Frank had stopped smiling that year, too.
“Buck?” Liam’s oldest brother Ethan came into the kitchen holding a bloody bandana to his head.
“He went to the farmer’s market.” Liam took down the first aid kit. “Pete do this?”
“No, I did, getting out of his way. The farrier’s here, and Pete still comes out of his stall like a rocket.” Ethan sat down at their cook’s work table. “Jessa thinks he’s been abused, but I’m thinking he’s just born ornery.” He grimaced as Liam inspected his head wound. “How bad is it?”
He gently cleaned away the blood with gauze and antiseptic. “Well, here’s the good news. You won’t need stitches.”
Ethan squinted up at him. “What’s the bad news?”
“I need to head out for a week or two.” Liam got some antibiotic cream from the kit. “Frank Merlin, my old CO, called from Fort Irwin. His daughter is camping out by Ghost Lake, and he wants me to keep an eye on her.”
“Why not invite to her to stay at the house?” his brother suggested. “We’ve got plenty of room, and she’ll be safe here.”
With a swab Liam coated the wound with the cream. “She’s not camping for pleasure. She’s trying to find more of The Reaper’s victims.”
“What for?” Ethan frowned. “Didn’t they hang that sick bastard back in nineteen-oh-one?”
“More like an angry mob lynched him.” Liam applied a butterfly bandage to the laceration. “Frank’s girl is a forensic archaeologist. Somebody writing a book about the murders hired her to come up here and dig for bones. Seems they never found all the bodies of the women he killed, or any real proof that he murdered them.”
Ethan sighed. “How do you play into this?”
“She’s been getting some anonymous threats, hate mail, hang-up phone calls, that kind of thing. She’s paid no mind to it, but Frank thinks she has a stalker.” Liam saw how his brother was looking at him and held up a hand. “Look, I know with Chris handling things at the Carson ranch, and Tom setting up shop in town you need me here—”
“You never take any time off. We’ll manage.” His older brother’s whiskey-brown eyes darkened. “But you’re not in the Army anymore, William.”
“Frank is the reason I’m here,” Liam said simply. “He sent a team in to retrieve me when I got cut off from the battalion in Kabul. I’d walk into hell for him.”
“All right,” Ethan said. “Does the daughter know you’ll be watching out for her?”
Now Liam sighed. “Not exactly.”
#
“Dad, please. Don’t do this to me.” Cat Merlin listened to her father’s calm, cool voice for another minute before she closed her eyes. “Listen, I know how important your men are to you. I appreciate their loyalty to you, too. But what the heck am I going to do with an ex-Army ranger on a dig?”
Ten minutes later Cat shut off her phone and walked out of her tent. Her team had already assembled at the big, battered picnic table where they would be eating, working and planning for the next two weeks. She sat down with them and tried to think of how to spin her father’s request.
“Did the book guy yank our funding?” Jason Sanders, Cat’s new research assistant, asked as he popped a stick of gum in his mouth. Although he was small and rather pudgy, he had a brilliant mind. Jason had also put together a huge database on the Reaper that rivalled that of the author underwriting the dig.
“No, actually, we’re going to have a local resident joining the team.” She checked her watch. “In about fifteen minutes. He’s lived here all his life, so he should provide some valuable input. His name is William Boone.”
“Call me Liam,” a deep voice said.
Cat turned around to see a tall broad-shouldered man dressed like a ranch hand walking into camp. He wore his dark hair military-short under a black and red UMW Bulldogs cap. His intensely blue eyes reminded Cat of the dark glacier ice, and his expression seemed just as cold.
For all that coolness something about him sent a slow surge of heat between her thighs. “You’re early.”
His mouth hitched. “Old habits.”
She eyed his duffle and sleeping bag. Was he homeless? Her father hadn’t mentioned that. “I see you came prepared to stay at the site, too.”
“That’s the plan.” Liam nodded to her team. “Where should I stow my gear?”
Before Cat could reply, Jason asked, “You’re letting this guy stay here alone with you? At night?” He snapped his gum nervously as he glanced at Liam. “I mean, well, he could be anybody.”
Cat felt like telling her assistant that Liam might be the one in trouble. “Boone served in the Army with my father, Jason. He’s completely trustworthy.”
“Oh.” The research assistant’s face turned a bright pink. “Sorry. No offense.”
“None taken,” Liam said. “And never apologize for looking out for the women, Jason.”
The research assistant preened a little, while the two female interns on Cat’s team both uttered dreamy sighs.
“This way.” Cat led him over to the pair of tents she had set up by their equipment pile. Once they were out of earshot, she said, “Have you ever been on an archaeological site before today, Boone?”
“No, ma’am.” He stopped outside the tents.
“We’re here looking for human remains. Victims of a nineteenth-century serial killer called The Reaper,” she told him. “Ten women went missing while he lived in Crystal Valley, and their bodies have never been recovered. We’re also hoping to find evidence proving he was the killer.”
“Sounds ambitious,” he said.
“It is. There are some restrictions involved, however. We can excavate and photograph and take some test samples, but under Montana law we can’t remove any remains or artifacts we find from the site.” She made a sweep with her arm to encompass the camp. “Bottom line, everything stays here, exactly where we found it.”
He nodded. “What do you need me to do?”
“Please don’t touch anything with a plug,” Cat said bluntly. “Also, watch your step. What looks like a hole in the ground to you is a lot more to me.” She waited for him to make a comment. “No objections? Smart ass remarks? Contemptuous sniffs?”
“I know your dad asked you to give me this job,” Liam said. “I appreciate the work. I won’t screw it up.”
Cat felt her heart melt a little, and tried to harden it. “You’re Army, so I assume you can handle camp duties. We take turns cooking, washing up, and making supply runs. Our work day begins at dawn and ends at dusk. You need
something to do, you see me. Any questions?”
“You’ll need firewood for tonight.” Liam tossed his duffle inside the tent. “Got an ax?”
Chapter Two
“Based on my analysis of the historic records, we should find at least nine more graves,” Jason said as he trotted to keep up with Cat and Liam. “We’ve been searching for a week and have turned up nothing.” He popped a piece of gum in his mouth. “Maybe you should seriously reconsider my suggestion to move north.”
“We know The Reaper took his final known victim from a chicken farm in Crystal Valley,” Cat told him. “He also spent his final winter in this immediate area. He’d have no reason to lug the bodies north before he buried them. The ground freezes here, you know.”
“My family is from Montana,” Jason told her with great dignity. “In fact, my great-grandfather used to own a pig farm not five miles from here. So yes, I do know.”
“Then you should know back then it was virtually impossible to bury anyone during the winter,” Cat said. “He would have kept them and waited until the spring thaw to dig the graves. Can you put it here, please, Boone?”
Liam carefully set down the big case with the portable ground penetrating radar unit.
“Jason, would you run back to camp and see if Nina and Sally finished excavating grid six? If they have, help them set up grid seven. Thanks.” She crouched down to open the case.
Liam watched the small man stalk off before he began clearing dead brush from the patch of ground inside the flagged stakes.
“You think I hurt his feelings,” Cat said as she came to help him. “Don’t you?”
“Can’t say. They’re his feelings, not mine.” Although her hands were almost as callused as his, Liam took out his spare work gloves and offered them to her. When she scowled at him, he said, “Snakes don’t care how tough you are, Doc.”
She took the gloves and pulled them on. “But you do think I’m mean to Jason.”
“You’re meaner to me,” he pointed out.
