Home For a Cowboy Christmas(49)
“Do you know how long it’ll take to get back to the interstate?” the woman asked.
Dwight looked from her to her husband. “Depends on the weather you run into. I wouldn’t chance waiting to get back on the road.”
“Thanks for your help,” the man said with a too-bright smile.
The woman waved. “Merry Christmas.”
Dwight touched the brim of his hat, tipping his head to her, and watched as the couple got back into the car and drove away. He had no proof that they weren’t who they said they were, other than that queasy feeling in his gut that told him they were scouts of some kind.
Did they want to see how many people were at the ranch? How friendly or welcoming he was?
“I didn’t like the look of them,” Carlos said as he walked from the barn to stand beside Dwight.
“Me, either.”
“Are they the ones you’re worried about?”
Dwight ran a gloved hand over his jaw and shook his head. “I have no idea. They fit the part they played, but anyone with the right training can play a part.”
“What do you want to do?”
Dwight squeezed his eyes closed and looked at the mountains. “I want to do some hunting myself.”
“Then go. I’ll watch the ranch.”
He met Carlos’s hazel eyes, saw the salt and pepper hair peeking from beneath his Stetson. “I can’t.”
Carlos searched his face for a moment before nodding. “You’ve not been far from the house since the first of November. That’s when all this started, didn’t it?”
“It did.” There was no harm in divulging that bit of news.
“That’s right about the time the woman arrived.”
Dwight blew out a breath as he crossed his arms over his chest. He didn’t say anything, just waited for Carlos to continue.
“That was the day my horse lost his shoe, and I brought him to the barn. I saw the SUV in the drive as you spoke to the man. Then the woman got out and went inside the house.”
“How do you know they didn’t both leave? Just as this last couple did?”
Carlos’s lips twisted ruefully. “I saw her out here with you a bit ago as you taught her how to take the horses to pasture.”
“I didn’t know you were around.”
“Since you didn’t tell me about your visitor, I decided it was best if I didn’t ask questions. Your life, your business. At first, I thought she was someone new you were seeing, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that something was up with you adjusting the cameras around the ranch. Not to mention buying new ones. You confirmed it when you asked if I would rotate keeping watch.”
Dwight stared at the man who was not only his top hand but also someone he considered a friend.
“I’ll do anything for you,” Carlos continued. “I told your father that, and I’m telling you. My loyalty is to this family and the ranch.”
“I couldn’t run this ranch without you, you know that. I trust you with my life, but it isn’t my life on the line.”
Carlos glanced at the house. “It’s hers. I saw the two of you together, you know. You make a good-looking couple.”
Dwight couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Emmy.
“So,” Carlos said, “does she know you love her?”
Dwight laughed as he shook his head in wonder. “How the hell did you come up with that notion?”
“It’s all over your face.”
Dwight could only stare in shock at Carlos.
“It isn’t exactly your fault. I was looking for signs of your feelings for the woman. Had I not seen the two of you smiling together, I wouldn’t have thought twice about her.”
“Stop,” Dwight said and put his hands on his hips. “You deserve an explanation, but I can’t give you one.”
Carlos nodded in understanding. “Men are natural protectors. We were made to keep our families and those we care about safe. For you, that protective streak is even wider and deeper. Just know that when it comes to your friends, we’re as protective of you.”
Dwight dropped his chin to his chest and clenched his teeth. When he raised his head again, he looked Carlos in the eye and said, “The people coming are after the woman staying here. She’s set to testify against a mob boss.”
“I appreciate you sharing. I also want you to know that the story won’t pass my lips.”
“The thing is, everyone helping me needs to know what we’re up against. Thinking it’s poachers or cattle rustlers is doing a disservice.”
Carlos looked over his shoulder toward the back of the ranch. “You don’t have to tell anyone anything.”
“I need to.”
“Call them.”
Dwight shook his head. “That’s the one way I would never impart information like this.”
Chapter 24
Emmy couldn’t concentrate on work. She finally gave up and walked out of the office to stretch her legs and get some water. As she came into the kitchen, she saw Dwight staring out toward the driveway. She followed his gaze and spotted the car pull up. The instant she saw the sedan, she stumbled back a few steps.
The instinct to run pounded through her. Then she looked at Dwight. He didn’t stand easily as he usually did. He was alert, his gaze locked on the couple. Dwight didn’t order them off his property, but he also didn’t say much. She wished she could hear the conversation, but she refused to go near the door.