Home For a Cowboy Christmas(53)

“Thanks.”

Nancy asked, “Do you need us for anything else?”

“No, head out,” Orso told them. “I’ll wire your money now.”

He hung up and sent the money from his phone. Then he reached for his cheese and crackers as he mulled over the information he had gotten. Had he not stopped at the store, he never would’ve learned that Dwight at the Riverlands ranch was hunting something.

Chatty people said all sorts of things they shouldn’t when they were familiar with their surroundings. It was how Orso got most of his information. If only people knew what others heard and picked up, they would never open their mouths without checking to see who was around.

He finished the cheese and crackers and opened the tea to take a long drink. He put the trash in the bag and reached for the Chex Mix. As he put each individual piece into his mouth, he considered the possibility of coincidences. From his experience, there was no such thing.

Which meant he needed to turn his attention to the Riverlands ranch and its owner, Dwight. It only took a little digging to discover that the owner of Riverlands was Dwight Reynolds. A quick background check uncovered that Dwight had worked for Homeland Security and the FBI, and had been in the military.

Without a doubt, Orso knew that Silva had gone to Dwight. Whether the marshal was on the ranch or Silva had dropped Emmy off, Orso didn’t know. Yet. But he was sure that Emmy was there.

An hour earlier, Orso had worried that he would have to finish the job on the steps of the Denver courthouse. Now, he could notify Joe that Emmy would be taken care of before Christmas, ending the trial before it even began.

He started to dial Joe’s number, then paused. Orso understood why Joe wanted to be there to witness Emmy’s death, but this situation needed to be handled carefully. No other outsiders could be brought in.

Orso called Tony instead. The instant he answered, Orso said, “I’ve located her.”

“About fucking time,” Tony snapped in a low voice.

Orso heard Joe talking in the background. “The situation is fluid.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“It means that she’s been dropped off with someone who can handle himself.”

Tony grunted and mumbled, “Hold on.” A few seconds later, he asked in a clear voice, “So?”

“Are you alone?”

“I am. Why?”

Orso blew out a breath. “She’s hiding out on a ranch. One run by a man who is highly skilled. On top of that, he’s got people looking for anyone trying to get onto the ranch other than through the usual ways.”

“I see,” Tony said after a moment.

“I don’t think you do. This man is dangerous. Joe wants to be here when the job is about to be finished, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Something we finally agree on.” Tony sighed loudly. “You take care of the issue however you see fit. No doubt the situation will be fluid enough that you won’t have time to put a call into Joe so he can fly up there.”

Orso smiled. “Exactly.”

“Don’t fuck this up, Orso. We’re all stressed about the impending trial.”

Orso carefully folded the map. “I always finish my jobs. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Good to hear.”

The call ended. Orso set the cell phone in the cupholder and put the car into drive to head to his motel. He had some planning to do. He wasn’t at all worried about Dwight’s training. Orso had been trained, too. What he needed was the element of surprise.

His gaze lifted to the sky as a smile formed. The impending storm would likely give him just that. No one in their right mind would venture out into terrain they didn’t know during such a storm—no one except for men like him.





Chapter 26


What a fucking long day. By the time he walked up the porch steps to the door, Dwight was exhausted. He couldn’t wait to get inside and see Emmy. The entire time he’d made the trek out to those helping him, all he could think about was her. He’d hated leaving her, but it was necessary.

He opened the door and stepped into the warmth of the house. Sam rushed past him and ran to the back, where the office was. Dwight hung up his hat and coat before taking off his boots so he didn’t track snow through the house. Then he followed Sam. Dwight found himself smiling when he heard Emmy talking to Sam.

As he leaned his shoulder against the door and watched the pair, he couldn’t help thinking how grateful he was that Emmy had come into his life. She lifted her head, her light brown eyes meeting his. Her lips curved into a smile. She stood as he pushed away from the door and walked to her. Dwight wound his arms around her and held her, breathing in her clean scent. He closed his eyes to enjoy the moment to its fullest.

“Long day?” she asked.

He pulled back to look at her, searching her face. There was no anger there. “Very. How were things here?”

“Uneventful. Carlos is nice.”

Dwight inwardly winced.

“Why didn’t you just tell me you needed to go? I would’ve been fine.”

He shrugged. “I had a hard time leaving after promising you I wouldn’t.”

“People are out there risking their lives for me, and they don’t even know it. I understand why you did what you did. I just wish you would’ve told me.”