Home For a Cowboy Christmas(4)

“Damn. She’s lucky.”

“And scared shitless. This will be her fourth place. The department chose the three others. If there’s even a chance she survives until the trial, I had to bring her somewhere no one would think to look.”

Dwight took a drink of his coffee as he turned over everything he’d just learned. “You chose right. Were you followed?”

“I changed vehicles every few hours. I also went different directions to ensure no one could follow us.”

Dwight quirked a brow. “But?” Dalton was too good at his job for there not to be a but.

“I’m going to keep driving. I’m headed to a safe house until the trial. If anything should happen, or if you can’t keep her that long—”

“She can stay as long as needed.”

Dalton parted his lips to say something just as the passenger door opened, and the woman stepped out. Dwight’s gaze locked on her tall form. She wore a dark green sweater, light jeans that encased her long legs, and boots. With her short hair, it allowed him to see her long, graceful neck. Then she turned her head to face them.

Dwight was taken aback by her startling beauty. Large eyes the color of autumn leaves swept the area. Her lips were wide with just the right amount of plumpness. When that mouth of hers turned up in a smile as Sam went to her, it was like a punch in Dwight’s gut. Then, she looked straight at him.

For a heartbeat, he forgot his name. And in that instant, he noticed two things—her vulnerability and her strength. Finally, he found his voice.

Her softly spoken, “Hi,” was lilting. That’s when he noticed the dark circles under her eyes. The protector in him immediately wanted to swoop in, but the wariness around her told him that now wasn’t a good time.

Dalton introduced them. Dwight could’ve stared at her all day, but her shiver reminded him that she was without a coat. He motioned to the house, and she said a farewell to Dalton. All the while, Dwight stared at her, taking in every beautiful detail of his guest.

Then she looked at Dwight once more. He didn’t know what prompted him to promise that she would be safe, but the minute the words were out of his mouth, she gave him a soft smile. It was so unexpected, so raw, that he could only stare like a tongue-tied teenager as she went inside the house with Sam at her side.

Dwight pulled in a shaky breath, trying to understand the emotions running rampant inside him. He swallowed and looked at his friend. Dalton continued staring at the door long after Emmy had gone inside. “She’ll be fine here. I’ll make sure of it.”

“I know.” Dalton ran a hand down his face in exhaustion.

“Why don’t you stay for a bit? Eat and rest before you head out.”

Before he’d even finished, Dalton was already shaking his head. “I’d love to, but I need to get back on the road.”

“How about some coffee for the trip?”

“Now that, I’ll take you up on.”

To Dwight’s surprise, Dalton didn’t come inside. Dwight filled a thermos full of coffee and brought it to his friend.

“She hasn’t slept in days,” Dalton told him.

“Understandable.”

Dalton moved the thermos from one hand to the other. “She’s a kind soul, and she’s stronger than she looks.”

“We’ll be fine. I’ll take care of her. I promise. Right now, I’m a tad more worried about you.”

“It makes me sick to my stomach to think someone would betray those in the marshal service.”

Dwight nodded. “It might be more than one person. And it might go higher up in the chain than you want to consider.”

“I’ve already thought of that. I can barely think of anything else between the leak and getting Emmy here.”

“You’ve completed one job. Rest easy on that. That gives you time to focus on the other.”

Dalton removed his hat and scratched his head before replacing the Stetson. “Getting her back will be another matter.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

“Right. Right.” Dalton’s dark eyes met his. “Thank you.”

Dwight shook his head. “Like I said, I owe you.”

“Then we’re even.”

They weren’t even close as far as Dwight was concerned, but he’d save that argument for another time. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

Dalton shook his head. “I won’t call unless there’s an emergency.”

“We’ll do the same.”

They shook hands again before Dalton got in the SUV and drove off. Dwight took a deep breath and entered the house. It was quiet. He went to the foot of the stairs and looked up, listening for sounds that Emmy was moving, but there was only silence. Hopefully, she was resting. He spotted Sam gazing down at him from the landing. Dwight chuckled at his dog, but he didn’t blame him. If he were able, he’d be up there lying next to Sam, waiting to see if Emmy needed anything.

“I can’t do that, though,” he mumbled to himself.

Dwight retraced his steps and went to the kitchen, where he heated leftovers from the night before for lunch. He sat at the table and ate while looking out the window. When the meal was done, and his plate had been rinsed and put in the dishwasher, he made his way to the barn. He worked nonstop until evening.