* * *
SHERIFF CONROY TOOK a cautious sip of the scalding coffee. “I see Ramalda hasn’t changed.”
“Nope. I hope she never does.”
They heard the crunch of tires on gravel and the two young cow dogs snoozing on the porch jumped up and barked in response. Dani’s Subaru wagon climbed up the road from the creek crossing and headed toward the ranch house.
“Does Dani Jardine know anything about this business going on back east with Joe Ferguson?” Sheriff Conroy asked.
“Not to my knowledge.”
The screen door squeaked open and banged shut. Pony came out onto the porch and stood beside her husband. “Both guest rooms are ready,” she said, and Caleb felt her hand rest on his shoulder. “The filly just finished an entire bottle of milk.”
“That’s good news,” he said, covering her hand with his own, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Maybe she’s turned the corner.”
“Ramalda’s fixing supper for Roon and our guests.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve eaten Ramalda’s cooking. It’ll be a real treat,” the sheriff said.
Dani and Joe climbed out of the Subaru, along with her two dogs, who were greeted happily by the cow dogs. The boys, per Caleb’s instruction, stayed down by the barn and corrals and left Sheriff Conroy to question Dani and Joe. Caleb didn’t want them to hear everything the sheriff had to say because not all of it was about the shooting of the wild horses. Besides, they had a herd of dairy goats to milk. And Charlie and Badger were down there with the boys, coaching them on something they knew nothing about, but that had never stopped those two old geezers from dispensing advice.
“Come inside,” Pony greeted. “We’ve eaten but Ramalda’s fixing you a plate.”
They all gathered in the kitchen. Dani knelt beside Roon and the foal and ran her fingertips through the short soft wisps of curly mane. “She looks much brighter,” she said to Roon, and Roon nodded.
“Her spirit is strong now. I think maybe she wants to live.”
Ramalda set a big kettle of beef and beans in the center of the table with a resounding thump. “You eat!” she said to Roon. “Or your spirit will get weak and you will starve, and who will take care of her then?” She scowled at the sheriff and Joe. “Sit! Biscuits are coming. Eat while it is hot!”
Nobody argued. They all pulled out chairs and sat. Caleb and Pony had coffee while the others filled their bowls with stew and plucked fresh hot biscuits from the basket Ramalda put on the table. The food was so good nobody spoke until most of it was gone. Then the sheriff scraped back his chair, picked up his coffee and heaved a contented sigh. “Ramalda, you’re the best cook west of the Mississippi and that includes my wife, who’s darn good, which is why I’m so fat. And by the way, what’s said at this table stays at this table.”
Caleb grinned. “Amen.”
“Okay. So you have some photos on your camera,” Conroy said to Dani. “I’d like copies of them, if you could email a file to me.” He fished a card out of his shirt pocket and slid it across the table to her. “Tomorrow I’ll be talking with the forest rangers who patrol that district. I’ve already spoken with Ben Comstock. He filled me in on how many dead horses there were. He also said you had some evidence for me.”
Joe fished the plastic bag out of his pocket and handed it to Conroy. “Most of this was retrieved where the shooter parked, all except for the shell casing, which we found up on the mountain. He picked up all his shells except this one. I took photos of the tire and boot tracks with my cell phone.”
The sheriff eyeballed the contents of the bag for a moment, stone-faced, then tucked it into his pocket. “You flew out here two days ago?” he said to Joe.
Joe nodded. “That’s right. Came out for my sister’s wedding.”
“And some R and R, from what I understand,” Conroy prompted. “I’ve spoken to your sister. She tells me you were shot multiple times in an undercover drug bust gone bad with a high-profile organized crime cartel.” Joe and the sheriff locked eyes. “Molly also informed me that you’ll be staying here at the ranch until you head back for the trial.”
“That’s not necessary. Once the big cheese is rounded up, this will all die down.”
“Roon,” Pony said quietly. “Why don’t you go help Jimmy with the goats and I’ll keep an eye on the foal.”
“He doesn’t need my help. He knows everything about everything,” Roon said.
“Go help him, anyway,” Caleb said, and Roon pushed away from the table and left the room with a scowl. The screen door squeaked open and banged shut behind him. Caleb leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, and looked at Joe. “Turns out the big cheese, Marconi, flew the coop. He’s not in Providence—the feds have tracked him to Mexico. You need to touch base with your boss. Apparently a death threat’s been made against you. We all agree that it’s best if you stayed here for a while. This is a tough place to sneak up on. Not that anything’s going to happen, but just in case.”
“I’ll post a deputy in the area to keep an eye out for any strangers in town,” the sheriff said. “I’ll also contact the Bozeman police and fill them in on the situation, have them stake out your sister’s house until we know what Marconi’s up to.”
“With Badger and Charlie on the lookout, nobody can get into or out of Katy Junction without being seen,” Caleb added. “This really is the safest place for all of you, until this matter is resolved.”
“You are welcome to stay here as long as you like,” Pony said. “You, too,” she added, looking at Dani.
“Thank you, but I really have to get back to Helena,” Dani responded.
Joe panned the faces at the table like a cornered wolf. “If the feds say Marconi’s holed up in Mexico, there’s no need to hold me in protective custody. Marconi’s death threat is just a lot of hot air.”
“Was this death threat made against Joe specifically?” Dani asked.
“According to Molly, Joe’s testimony will crucify Marconi,” Caleb said. “Marconi’s had lots of people killed during his career, and more than a few were police officers.”
Dani looked at Joe, who shrugged. “It’s just their way of making sure nobody messes with the Mob.”
“So they make you a pair of cement overshoes and two years from now your body’s found at the bottom of the harbor,” Dani speculated.
“I’m not worried. The feds are hot on his heels—they’ll nab him soon. And after a while he’ll forget about me,” Joe said.
“I doubt he’ll forgive and forget so easily,” Caleb said. “Seems you got some lead into him.”
“Really?” Joe brightened. “I did my damnedest.”
“That’s how the feds tracked him,” the sheriff said. “There’s an excellent west coast surgeon who has a villa in Puerto Vallarta. This surgeon was on vacation and apparently taken against his will to keep Marconi alive after the shooting. Soon as he was able, he notified the authorities. He was also the one who passed along Marconi’s death threat. The surgeon said that Marconi holds a personal grudge against you now, since you almost killed him.”
“Great,” Dani said. “So what happens next? You get put into a witness protection program? New name, new identity, new life?”
Joe rolled his coffee mug back and forth between his palms. “This’ll blow over.”
“Or blow up,” Dani said. “They use bombs, too, don’t they?”
“Would anyone like a slice of apple pie with their coffee?” Pony said.
Her comment was so out of context that they all stared at her blankly for a few moments. “I’d love some pie,” Joe said.
The sheriff patted his ample stomach. “I don’t need it, that’s for sure, but I’d be crazy to pass that offer up.”
Pony cut slices of pie and distributed them. She poured more coffee and sat back
down, her dark eyes on Joe. “Molly’s right, Joe. You should stay with us until this blows over.”
“This is a school, not a safe house,” Joe said, picking up his fork. “You have a pack of kids here, along with a two-year-old toddler, as I recall.”
“Little Mary was picked up by her grandmother today. Her mother’s being released from the hospital tomorrow,” Pony corrected.
“Molly’s right,” Caleb repeated. “Nobody can get within ten miles of this place without being seen. There’s only one road in. If anyone comes snooping around, they’ll stand out like sore thumbs. Don’t worry, we’ll put you to work—no free passes here. We’re always bringing in people to talk to the boys. You can lecture them about careers in law enforcement.”
“Yes, you can show them all your bullet holes and then explain why you can’t ever go back home again,” Dani added. When Joe looked at her she flushed and dropped her eyes to her untouched pie. She pushed back her chair and stood. “Thank you so much for supper, Ramalda. It was delicious. Right now I have to feed my dogs. They must think I’ve abandoned them. Excuse me, please.”
* * *
DANI FLED THE kitchen and stood on the porch for a moment, breathing the cool evening air. The mountains were aglow with sunset and the faint murmur of voices and the rush of the creek reached her ears from down near the barn. Winchester and Remington were sitting on the porch waiting patiently for her. They rose to their feet like the true friends they were, flanking her one on each side as she descended the porch steps and crossed to the car.
Her thoughts were jumbled. First it was the shock of the wild horses being shot, and now Joe Ferguson’s life was in danger from a vengeful Mob boss. It was a lot to process on the tail end of a challenging day, but she had no idea why she’d just sniped at Joe. His life and how he lived it was none of her business. She’d have to apologize, but first she’d feed her dogs.
She rummaged in her pack for the sealed bag of dog kibble and the two soft-sided dog dishes she carried on her camping trips. The dogs jumped willingly into the back when she opened the hatch and waited patiently while she fixed their supper and then filled a third bowl with water from the jug she always carried in the car. “You’re such good boys,” she murmured, watching them eat. They were perfect traveling companions. They never chased after anything or ran off. They were cheerful in all weather and loyal no matter what. They would have waited all night on that porch for her.
Her eyes stung with self-pity as she thought about Jack’s infidelity, his matter-of-fact announcement that he’d fallen in love with someone else and would be moving his things out of the house they’d shared for years. Then she thought about Ben Comstock and his wife, Emma, and how clearly devoted they were to each other. Why did relationships work out for some couples and not for others? What had she done wrong? Had it been her fault, or had she just been a victim of Jack’s restless heart and his flying career?
Dani pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and rescheduled all her clients for the following week. She felt guilty doing so, but it was in her clients’ best interest. She was in no shape to advise anyone about anything at the present time.
She sat on the tailgate while the dogs finished their supper and checked her voice mails. One was from the law firm of Hacker, Whetstone and Swindleman in Bozeman, where she’d recently sent a résumé. A man who identified himself as Harold Swindleman left a well-modulated message requesting that she schedule an appointment for an interview and stating that he was impressed with her credentials and experience.
She played the message a second time before listening to a message from her real estate agent. She’d shown Dani’s house to a couple on Saturday. Apparently they loved the place and were going to make an offer. Dani stuffed her cell phone back into her pocket. Her spirits improved considerably as she contemplated the first stars of evening. At least one law firm thought she was worth an interview. And someone might be buying her house in Helena. She glanced over toward the ranch house. They were still talking inside, finishing up their apple pie and probably thinking she was quite a rude individual. They were right. But Dani couldn’t go back in there, not after how she’d behaved. Her eyes narrowed as she thought about her alternatives. She needed more than anything to talk to Molly, and Molly was only an hour and a half away. Molly and Steven lived very close to Bozeman, which was where the law firm of Hacker, Whetstone and Swindleman was located. If she climbed into the Subaru and drove off right this very moment, Joe would be stranded here, in a very safe place, which is exactly what Molly wanted. It would be rude of her to leave without saying goodbye, but she’d be doing it to keep Joe safe.
Plus, if she just sneaked off, she wouldn’t have to face him again this evening. She’d just call the ranch when she reached Molly and Steven’s place, and make her explanations, beg forgiveness, do whatever necessary to stay in Pony’s and Caleb’s good graces. It was a cowardly strategy but, at the moment, one that held a strong appeal. Dani slid off the tailgate.
“Okay, boys, how about we go for a little ride,” she said, quietly closing the hatch.
Sixty seconds later, she was stealthily driving the Subaru across the bridge over the creek, heading west into the sunset.
CHAPTER EIGHT
JOE ACCOMPANIED SHERIFF CONROY outside when the sheriff announced his departure. He was reasonably sure he could talk Dani into going back to Molly and Steven’s place for the evening, especially if he offered to drive. That would give them plenty of time to talk. Dani was peeved with him for some reason, and he wanted to smooth things over with her. He stepped out onto the porch and came to an abrupt stop, staring at the empty place on the other side of the sheriff’s vehicle, where Dani’s Subaru had been parked.
“Looks like she’s flown the coop,” Conroy said.
Joe rubbed his jaw and lifted his gaze to where the road threaded through the valley. He saw the rooster tail of dust trailing behind Dani’s Subaru as she headed toward town. “Looks to me like she’s driving over the speed limit,” he commented. Conroy grunted in agreement. They stood side by side, staring. “She’s really stressed out from everything that’s happened, probably shouldn’t be behind the wheel. Think you could catch her in your rig?” Joe asked, nodding to the sheriff’s battered white-and-gold SUV with the blue light bar on top. “If you could pull her over before she reaches the main road, I’ll drive her to Molly’s place. I’m sure that’s where she’s headed.”
Conroy nodded and started down the steps. “Climb aboard and buckle up.”
* * *
DANI DIDN’T MAKE it as far as the ranch gate before she noticed the flashing blue lights through the cloud of dust behind her and slowed to a stop. Joe walked up alongside her door. She rolled down the window but kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, hands gripping the wheel.
“License and registration please, ma’am,” he said.
“I don’t believe you have any jurisdiction in this state, Officer,” she replied, lifting her chin slightly and keeping her eyes straight ahead.
Joe leaned his forearms on the window ledge to bring himself down to her level. “Well, you see, Counselor, the thing is, I’ve been deputized by Sheriff Conroy. He thought you were driving at an excessive speed on a private road and wanted me to have a word with you about that.”
She turned to look at him, her expression stony. “I didn’t want to stay there,” she said, but her voice had a waver despite her attempt at bravado. “I need to talk to Molly about all this.”
“So you just drove off and abandoned me?” Joe shook his head. “That’s rude behavior. I might have to write you another ticket for that.”
“This isn’t a laughing matter. This is dead serious stuff. You were safe there, Joe. You heard what they said and I believe them.”
“But the thing is, if I’m a target, I don’t want to be a target surrounded by kids, and for that
matter, I don’t want to be a target at my sister’s home. So, if you’ll be so kind as to give me a ride back to Bozeman, I’ll hop a flight back east in the morning. That’s where I belong, in that concrete jungle where dogs eat dogs.”
Dani glared at him. “Dogs don’t eat dogs.”
“Maybe not, but they can get into some nasty fights and tear each other apart. So what do you say? It beats getting two tickets.”
Dani blew out her breath. “Fine. And, by the way, I’m sorry I said what I did at the table. It was way out of line. Your life is none of my business.”
Joe straightened up from her window. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said. “I was beginning to think things were going well between us,” he said. “Look, you’ve had a rough couple of days. At least let me drive you to Molly’s place, then if you want to go all the way back to Helena I’ll drive you there and you can drop me off at a hotel near the airport. I’ll go cut the sheriff loose if you promise not to speed away.”
She hesitated for a moment, then unlatched her seat belt, opened her door and walked around the front of the Subaru and climbed into the passenger seat. Joe waited until she’d buckled herself in before walking back to the sheriff’s window. “Thanks,” he said.
Sheriff Conroy nodded. “That’s a dangerous outfit you’re dealing with. I’ll tell my deputies to watch for anything suspicious, but you be careful.” He put the SUV in gear and pulled around them, continuing down the ranch road. Joe watched him drive away. This wasn’t how he’d envisioned his trip to Montana. He did a slow three-sixty, standing beside Dani’s Subaru, memorizing the mountains, the sky, the push of the wind, the smell of the wild places, the colors of the sunset. He wanted to remember it all, because after tomorrow, he might never be in a place this beautiful again.
* * *
THE DRIVE TO Molly and Steven’s began in stony silence. Dani sat with her hands folded in her lap, watching the scenery flow past. After a brief pause at the ranch gate, they were driving on the main road toward Katy Junction. The Longhorn Café was closed for the evening and the four buildings that made up the town looked as if they were from another century, standing side by side, bathed in the golden light of sunset.
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