Wind River Wrangler (Wind River Valley #1)(73)

*

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.