Wind River Wrangler (Wind River Valley #1)(83)

Sarah stood. “You have my phone number, Shiloh?” And she handed her a business card. “Put this in your cell phone address book. Also”—she looked at Roan—“Maud and Steve Whitcomb need to know what’s going down. Tell them I’ll fax them over a copy of Leath’s photo and other pertinent info. That way, they can inform their employees and everyone will be on the same page. If Leath had the balls to go to the ranch once, he’ll do it again. Especially if he saw Shiloh.”

A new shiver of terror worked down through Shiloh. She knew more than anyone else what Leath was capable of doing.

“Got it,” Roan said. He glanced at Shiloh. “And I’ll be her big, bad guard dog.”

“Good,” Sarah said, relieved. “No one better than you, Roan. I know your black ops background.” She moved her gaze to Shiloh. “You won’t get any better bodyguard than Roan, so Shiloh, get some rest. And don’t worry, we’re going to find this dirtbag. We’ll be in touch.”

“God, I hope you can catch him before he hurts me . . . or someone else. . . .”

*

Shiloh almost felt like a convicted felon as she moved at Roan’s side as they walked into the grocery store in Wind River. He needed to get food for the cabin and wanted her input on what to choose since she was going to be living there until Leath was apprehended. She stayed close to him in the busy grocery store. It gave her a sense of safety when there was none left for her.

The sun was behind the huge Wilson Range paralleling the sprawling ranch from the west as Roan drove them back to the Wind River Ranch. On the way there, Shiloh had been silent, her mind running a million miles an hour. Only Roan’s quiet, calm presence allowed her some respite from the dread inside her. She felt a little relief as Roan drove them onto ranch property. He parked at the employee house, having agreed that they needed to move all her luggage and other items to the cabin.

As tired as she was, Shiloh regretted leaving the employee house. She liked it. But in a way, she was more looking forward to the warmth and intimacy of Roan’s cabin. There was peace and tranquility there. And it made Shiloh feel as if she were living within his embrace whether he knew it or not. Roan would probably laugh at her, but she believed homes had energy and expression. Each had its own unique personality. And there was no question Shiloh looked forward to living beneath Roan’s roof. And being with him every night, if he’d have her.





Chapter Twenty


Roan watched the exhaustion in Shiloh’s face after they reached his cabin by truck.

“Listen,” he told her, walking to where she was putting vegetables away in the refrigerator, “why don’t you go take a hot bath? That always relaxes you.” He slid his hand beneath her elbow, easing her away from the fridge and shutting the door. “I’ll take care of the groceries,” he said, searching her darkened green eyes. Roan could see she was on overload. Who wouldn’t be? He was sure Shiloh was replaying the day Leath stabbed her mother to death. That one moment was branded into her memory for the rest of her life. The line of her mouth was tight and Roan sensed she was holding on with everything she had not to cry. Not to lose it.

“Yes,” she murmured wearily, pushing strands of hair away from her brow, “that’s a good idea. I’ll do it. Thanks, Roan.”

Roan released her, watching her walk, almost weave, across the living room and down the hall to the bathroom. She’d forgotten to take her clothes so he picked up her luggage, carrying it to his bedroom. Opening it on his bed, he pulled out what he thought she might need, including a large bag that had her toiletry items in it.

Knocking lightly on the door, Roan called her name. “I thought you might like these things,” he said through the door. How badly Roan wanted to just walk in, gather Shiloh in his arms, and give her a sense of safety. He knew he could do that for her, even if it was just temporary.

Shiloh opened the door, dressed in her silk camisole and panties. “Oh . . . gosh, I’m not thinking.” She reached out for the items, giving him a grateful look. “Thanks, Roan.”

“Take a long soak,” he advised. Roan was learning that Shiloh put on a mask of sorts around him. It wasn’t done on purpose, it was just her reaction to a threat. He knew she needed to cry and he could see the tears banked in her eyes. She was still fighting them. Aching to help her, not knowing how, he stepped away and turned, heading toward the kitchen.

As soon as he had the groceries put away, he closed the drapes in the living room and bedroom. Night was coming on quickly. In the kitchen, he pulled the curtains closed across the windows. He didn’t think Leath was on the property, but Roan didn’t want anyone to be able to look into the cabin from the outside. Especially at night. The landline phone he had installed in the kitchen rang. Walking over, he picked it up and answered it.

“It’s Sarah,” she said. “We’ve got a hit from that list you provided us earlier. One of my deputies went over to a local B and B, showing Leath’s photo to the owners. The owners said a man that looked similar to him had left three days ago. And the name on the Wind River list is the same one he used at the B and B.”

Scowling, Roan asked, “What do you mean looked similar?”

“The owners said he did not have blond hair. He had longish dark brown hair and a beard. Same color of eyes, same face shape, mouth and nose, however. And same height and build. I’ve got my deputy going over that room with our forensics team to see if we can lift some fingerprints. That would confirm whether or not it was Leath.”