The Right Cowboy

by Rebecca Winters

  * * *

  WHEN COLE GOT back to the ranch, he found Sam in the kitchen and explained his top secret plans. “Only Holden Granger knows what I’m doing.”

  “He’s a good man. You remember to call me anytime if you’re in trouble. You know where I keep the rifle if you need it.”

  “Yup. You’re the best, Sam.”

  They hugged before exchanging keys to their trucks. Cole gathered everything he needed and packed up the Silverado before going to bed. Tamsin had left another text message on his phone.

  How soon do you want to start a family?

  He didn’t have to think about it.

  Immediately.

  Her answer came right back.

  Good. That’s another problem we won’t ever have to deal with. Sweet dreams, Cole.

  He smiled.

  I guess you know you’re the star. Need I say more?

  After setting his watch alarm, he climbed into bed, but four thirty in the morning came around sooner than he would have liked. He dressed in Levi’s and a cream-colored polo shirt before stealing away from the ranch. With his cowboy hat pulled down low over his forehead, anyone who recognized the truck would assume it was Sam at the wheel.

  There were several eighteen-wheelers out on the highway driving both ways. At this hour of the morning, he loved the smell of the sage coming off the hills. In the distance he could see a large group of pronghorn moving swiftly on their limbs. They had a reputation for being the fastest animal in the Western Hemisphere. Tourists came from all over to watch them run.

  Another mile and he passed a pack of mule deer crossing the road. Whitebark was renowned for its native animal life that outnumbered the residents ten to one. He loved this world and could never live anywhere else. Thank Heaven Tamsin was a product of it, too.

  When he reached the truck stop, it was already busy. He waited behind a semi until it was his turn to load up with gas, taking inventory of every car and rig. With that accomplished, he drove over to the twenty-four-hour diner.

  Cole went inside and ordered a full-size breakfast that would hold him for half a day. He sat at the window where he could see the traffic along the highway. At seven thirty he walked over to the motel and checked in for a three-night stay.

  The older man handed the credit card back to him. “You here on business?”

  “You might say that. I’m a freelance wildlife photographer and am anxious to get some good shots out here in the hills. A few minutes ago a herd of pronghorn raced by. That was a sight any wildlife magazine would pay a lot for. I’m going to watch for them over the next few days.”

  “They’re a sight all right. Stick around this evening and you’ll see a family of moose and later on some black bears. They come down to the back of the motel where the tourists wash off after they’ve gone fishing at the river, hoping for food.”

  “Can’t blame them.”

  The older man chuckled. “No indeed.”

  “Thanks for the information. I’ll remember to check it out.”

  He took the key and drove his truck to Cabin Eight. Once he’d taken his gear inside and locked the truck, he carried his special goggles and a bottle of water in a flight bag and walked out to the highway. The summer traffic was picking up. He crossed over to the other side.

  It was a good thing the undeveloped property with clumps of good-size bushes on the other side of the Ellsworth ranch didn’t have any buildings he could see. No one would notice him as he retraced his path along the fencing and hid behind one of the largest bushes. From there he had a perfect view of the parking area behind the ranch house. The same vehicles were still there.

  Cole sat on the ground and trained his handheld special goggles on the Ellsworth property. He was looking for movement of any kind. After he’d been holding vigil for an hour, he saw a woman, maybe in her midfifties, come out the back door and get in the blue car. She backed around and drove out to the highway. If he could find out where she was going, that would be a start.

  He phoned Holden and gave him a description of the woman and the car. A few minutes later he saw whom he supposed to be Quentin Ellsworth come out and climb into the Ford truck. Cole made another call to Holden as the man backed around and drove out to the highway.

  Five hours later nothing had happened. No more movement. Cole hurried back to the motel to freshen up. He waved to the older man who was outside talking to some people. When the way was clear, he grabbed a late lunch at the diner and texted Tamsin.

  Wish you were with me. Today the foothills are teeming with pronghorn and white-tailed deer.

  He received an instant response.

  Am living for the time I can go with you. I hate texting when I’m dying to hear your voice. I’m halfway through hospital audit. Should be done by Friday. If you can, call me when you’ve set up camp tonight. Stay safe.

  That would be easy.

  Till tonight. Love you, sweetheart.

  Chapter Nine

  Instead of going back out there, Cole drove his truck to an area of the truck stop closest to the highway. With his special goggles he could watch for anyone turning toward the Ellsworth property.

  At four thirty his vigil paid off when he saw the silver Dodge Ram pass in his line of vision and caught sight of the driver. Silas Ellsworth looked a good fifteen years older than when Cole had last seen him, but his features were unmistakable.

  Another twenty minutes and he saw the red truck Ezra drove turn onto the property. Did this mean both sons still lived with their parents, or was this a gathering place while they made plans?

  At six, the woman he assumed was Mrs. Ellsworth returned. Cole would wait until dark and then return to the spot behind the bush to see what was going on. This would be the best time to eat dinner and send a text to Tamsin. He had a feeling he wouldn’t have time to get in touch with her later tonight, not if he needed to keep a close watch on the Ellsworth ranch part of the night.

  Once he’d eaten, he drove his truck back to the motel and would wait until dark to go out again. After Cole came out of the shower, his cell rang and he recognized the caller ID.

  “Holden? Any news yet?”

  “Yeah. You’ll be interested to know that Mrs. Ellsworth is the owner of Lindquist Dry Cleaners in Whitebark. She inherited the business from her family five years ago and reports there on a regular basis.”

  “So she works outside the home... You wonder how much she knows. That income would have helped their family financially when they went through the brucellosis scare three years ago. Get this—the Dodge truck wasn’t sold after all. Silas Ellsworth is driving it and he turned into the Ellsworth ranch at four thirty this afternoon.”

  Holden whistled. “That means Quentin probably gave it to Silas or else they share it. I’ve learned that Quentin cosigned on the loan when Ezra bought the Ford truck last winter. Ezra’s address is listed as the Ellsworth ranch and he shows no other place of employment. Interesting that both trucks are duallies that can carry fifty gallons of gas.”

  “Yup. I’m thinking both sons still live at home and have been helping their father set fires for the last two years. Tonight I’ll get the license number off the silver truck and send it to you. If you learn Silas has listed the ranch as his home address, it could mean the boys help their dad with the cattle ranching during the day and carry out all the dirty work at night.”

  “But we still need proof.”

  Cole was thinking hard about that. Once the arsonist poured enough accelerant, all he needed were matches rather than an ignition device like a Molotov cocktail. Setting hay on fire whether inside a barn or outside on the property made a conflagration easy because oxygen was plentiful. The hard part was carrying the gas to the area to be burned without being seen.

  “Give me a few more days and nights to look inside the truck beds for stashes of gas.”
/>   “If only it were that easy.”

  “I’ll figure it out.”

  “Watch your back, Cole.”

  “Don’t worry. Talk to you soon.” They hung up.

  Cole had his work cut out and needed to get it done fast. Earlier tonight Tamsin had texted him that she was going to go shopping for a wedding dress while he was away. Their marriage couldn’t come soon enough for either of them.

  * * *

  “WHAT DO YOU THINK, Mom?”

  Wednesday evening after work, Tamsin had met her mother at Sybil’s Bridal Boutique and had tried on three or four dresses. The ivory organza ball gown with the scooped neck and cap sleeves had caught Tamsin’s eye and she kept going back to it.

  “With the lace overlay on the bodice, it’s absolutely beautiful on you, honey.”

  “I like it the best of the ones I’ve tried on. I want it to be perfect for Cole.”

  Her mother rolled her eyes the way Sally did sometimes. “You know what your father says. The wedding is for the bride. The groom is only marking time until it’s over.”

  They both laughed. “Sounds like Dad.” She smoothed her hand over the material. “I’ll put this dress on hold until tomorrow. After work I’ll ask Sally and Heather to come and give their approval.”

  “I’ll tend the baby. She’s the sweetest little angel I’ve ever seen.”

  “I know. I can’t wait to have one just like her.”

  “First things first,” her mother teased, winking at her.

  First things first was right! Tamsin was going to have a coronary if there wasn’t a wedding night soon.

  That evening she texted Cole.

  I’ve found the dress for our wedding. It’s on hold until tomorrow. I can’t wait to get it. I can’t wait for you to come home.

  She didn’t have to wait long for a response.

  Ditto, sweetheart. Be thinking about a honeymoon. Where are you dying to go?

  Tamsin wanted him to make the decision.

  Someplace neither of us has been.

  His answer made her chuckle.

  That covers a lot of territory.

  She got excited.

  How about outside the US? Remember when we used to dream about flying to Australia and swimming in the Great Barrier Reef?

  It took him forever to answer.

  Shall we discuss a household budget first?

  How unromantic of him.

  No!

  His final answer didn’t give her much hope.

  Let’s talk about it when I get back on Friday. I can hear activity around my camp. Got to run. Love you.

  With no more contact from him, Tamsin had to let it go for now. She’d been so full of herself and her plans, she hadn’t even asked him how his work was going.

  Before she went to bed she made phone calls to Sally and Heather to meet at Sybil’s Bridal Boutique at five tomorrow. She wanted their opinion on a veil to go with her gown, too. Tamsin was so excited, she had trouble getting to sleep.

  By Tuesday afternoon she’d finished the hospital audit. After saying goodbye to the administrator, she left for the bridal shop. She’d been on a countdown all week. Tomorrow Cole would be back.

  Soon after Tamsin got there, Sally arrived. Heather hadn’t come yet, so her sister helped her get into the wedding dress she’d picked out. They picked a shoulder-length lace veil that suited her and the dress to perfection.

  Sally was all smiles. “No doubt about it. Cole won’t be able to take his eyes off you in this.”

  “That’s the idea, but as Mom reminded me, Cole won’t care what I’m wearing.”

  “Too true,” Sally agreed. “Lyle was much more concerned what I’d packed for our honeymoon. The less the better.”

  More laughter ensued. “Did you love the beach?”

  “It was great.”

  “Last night I told Cole I wanted to go to the Great Barrier Reef for our honeymoon.”

  “How did that go over?”

  Tamsin shook her head. “Not well.”

  “He’s a mountain man.”

  “I know, and I wouldn’t change him.”

  “I know a man who’d give anything to be in his place.”

  They hadn’t discussed Dean until now. “Did Lyle tell him I’m engaged?”

  “We both did. It’ll take time, but I’m sure he’ll get over it. You were wise not to lead him on any longer.”

  She looked at Sally. “It wasn’t wisdom. I just didn’t have strong enough feelings for him. Blame it on Cole.”

  “Oh, I do!”

  Their laughter filled the dressing room before Tamsin’s phone rang. She saw the caller ID and picked up. “Heather?”

  “I’m sorry, Tamsin. Silas asked me to meet him for an early dinner because he’s leaving town tonight and won’t be back until Sunday. Will you forgive me?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive. Sally’s here and I’m going to buy the dress. When you can, come over to the apartment one evening soon and I’ll model it for you.”

  “Thanks for being so nice about this.”

  “Have fun with Silas at dinner. I’ll see you at work on Monday.”

  She hung up and turned to Sally who said, “Is Heather dating Silas Ellsworth by any chance?” Tamsin nodded. “I haven’t seen him since he left after high school to go to Arizona on a track scholarship. He was a really fast runner. I wonder what he’s doing now?”

  “I don’t know, but she’s seeing a lot of him lately.”

  “Maybe another wedding is coming up?”

  Tamsin smiled. “Maybe.” She turned her back to her. “Help me get out of this and I’ll take us to dinner before you have to go home.”

  “Have to go being the operative word since I’m nursing Kellie.”

  “You lucky woman.”

  “Don’t I know it. When will Cole be back?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “You must be sick of waiting around for him.”

  “But not for long. Once we’re married, we’re both going to arrange our schedules around long weekends so I can go with him. At least I’m saying that now. I have to talk to my boss first.”

  Sally undid the last button on the gown. “That sounds fantastic, but you can’t go on the fire truck with him.”

  “Nope. If I tell you a secret, you can’t tell a single soul, and that includes Lyle. Please don’t promise me if you know you can’t keep it.”

  “I’ll have to think about that.”

  “That’s what I thought. Come with me while I take care of the dress.”

  They left the fitting room and walked up to the front of the store. “Your secret is really that important?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then don’t tell me.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Tamsin—”

  * * *

  AT ONE IN the morning, all was quiet in the back of the Ellsworth ranch house. The lights were out and the two trucks and car had been parked for the night. Cole had been around long enough to know they didn’t keep a dog on the premises. A slight cloud cover helped.

  It was now or never if he was going to find the gas cans that were necessary to carry out their arson activities.

  After lowering his flight bag to the other side of the fence, he climbed over it and took off for the trucks parked in the near distance. At first sight he only saw a couple of bales of hay in each truck bed. There were tool kits along with spades and equipment for repairing fences, but nothing else.

  He hid behind the car, but didn’t see anything set near the house to draw his interest. The place appeared to be clean of incriminating evidence.

  One more look around brought the medium-size barn into view. The barn was the only place he could think of that might hide what he was looking for. Thankf
ul for the cloud cover, he hurried toward it.

  Damn. It was locked.

  Not everyone locked their barns. That in itself made him suspicious. He walked around the side to a small window and used his special goggles. All he saw was the inside of the tack room. To his frustration, he only spotted gear for the horses. No gas cans.

  He moved with care around the end of the barn to the other side. This side contained a larger window. Again he used his goggles. Most of the barn was taken up with horse stalls. He counted four horses. Near the front it looked like farm machinery—maybe a tractor—had been parked, but it was covered with a big tarp. While he considered breaking the window so he could get inside to look around, he heard a noise.

  Cole extinguished the light and flattened himself against the timbered wall. Someone was opening the barn doors. He crept closer to the front of the barn, still staying out of sight. That was when he heard someone start an engine. It sounded like a car or truck engine, not a tractor. He knew the difference.

  With stealth, Cole reached in the bag for his goggles and waited until the vehicle emerged from the barn. What he saw was a Ford F-150 in that hospital mint-green color with a US Forest Service logo on both sides of the doors. No doubt it was loaded with gas cans and ready to go, but he couldn’t get a fix on the license plate.

  Bull’s-eye!

  He pulled out his phone and called Holden. “I’ve got news!” Cole told him everything he knew.

  “I’m on it, Cole. Great work! Stay in touch.”

  Within a minute the truck made a stop at the rear of the ranch house. Two people came outside and got in. Everything Cole had suspected had come true about the Ellsworth family. But what he wanted to know was how they’d gotten hold of a US Forest Service vehicle in the first place.

  When the truck disappeared from sight, Cole hurried around to the front of the barn. Silas had left the doors open, no doubt to save trouble when they’d gone on another raid and needed to hide the truck in a big hurry.

  Once inside, Cole turned on the flashlight and looked around the area where the tarp had been removed. He spotted a workbench and beyond it a spray-painting machine with several empty cans of various green paint. How old everything was he didn’t know, but it was all here. They’d turned the barn into a workshop, maybe as far back as last year when they’d started the first set of fires. He had no idea how they’d manufactured the logo.