The Wanted Cowboy (Cowboys After Dark Book 5) Page 5

  I’m not a judge or jury, I just follow the law. It’s my job to find you and bring you in, and that’s what I’m gonna do, and I’m sure as hell gonna protect my sister.

  His cell phone rang, interrupting his thoughts, and picking it up he saw it was Tess.

  “Speak of the devil,” he grinned. “Hey, Tess.”

  “Jeb, I just heard from him,” she declared breathlessly.

  “Luke, you heard from Luke?” he said sharply, jumping to his feet. “What’d he say?”

  Several other deputies in earshot moved quickly across to hear the news, including Dwayne who’d been wandering around the room looking for something to do.

  “He wanted to see me but I told him absolutely not,” Tess reported. “He pleaded his case for a while then finally gave up, said he’d be heading out of town right away.”

  “Did he say where, train, bus, horse? Any ideas?” Jeb asked urgently.

  “No, but I did have a thought,” she said slowly.

  “Tell me quick,” Jeb pressed.

  “There’s that 1 p.m. train, that nonstop. If he hopped that he’d be miles away fast, and with no-one getting on or off for a couple of hours he could relax for a bit. He sounded exhausted; if I was him that’s what I’d do.”

  “Tess, you’re a genius,” he exclaimed as he stared at the clock on the wall. “I’ll stay in touch.”

  “Larson’s been spotted?” one of the deputies asked urgently.

  “Yep, and he could be on that speed train headin’ up to Longville but we’ve gotta move fast. Listen up!”

  He barked out orders, picking the deputies who would ride with him, and sending others to the routes through town that Luke might take to get to the train station, then seeing Dwayne’s eager face he added, “and Dwayne, I know you’re off duty but if you wouldn’t mind sittin’ in your car over at his ranch just in case he shows up there, that’d be a help. If anything happens call in with your cell.”

  Jeb was sure the last place Luke would dare visit was his ranch, and the happy look on Dwayne’s face told him he’d made the right call; the kid would be out of harm’s way and feel like he was contributing.

  In her living room Tess watched the patrol car parked across the street burn rubber as it peeled away from the curb.

  Keystone cops. Luke, you really are a crafty fella.

  Letting the curtain fall back in place she headed into the guest room to make sure everything was as it should be, but as she picked up the used towel and wiped down the bathroom counter she felt uneasy.

  I can’t just stand around here, I’ll go out of my mind. Maybe I should go into the cafe early. Yes, that’s exactly what I’ll do.

  But even as she brushed her hair and put on her makeup she knew she was lying to herself. She had no intention of going into work, and walking into the garage and backing out on to the street she turned the car in the direction of the railway station.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “FUCK!”

  Rarely did Jeb swear, and especially not in public, but the fury burning through him could not be controlled.

  The ticket seller had confirmed that it was indeed the man in the poster, Luke Larson, that had bought a ticket on the nonstop train. Having missed the train’s departure by a full five minutes Jeb was marching up and down the platform in a rage.

  “We can radio ahead and have the boys up in Longville waitin’ for him,” Alex Brewster declared. Alex Brewster, a deputy who was relatively new to the force and wanted to be a detective, had quickly become fast friends with Jeb, and was often the voice of reason when Jeb’s temper got the best of him.

  “I wanna be the one to take him in,” Jeb growled, “and we’re headin’ up there. We might just make it.”

  “That train is a nonstop, it gets up to speeds of-”

  “I don’t give a shit how fast it goes,” he barked, “we’re gonna go faster, now let’s get the hell outta here. Rest of you boys go back and return to normal duties ’til you hear otherwise.”

  “I think I’m gonna stick around here if it’s all the same to you,” Alex frowned. “I’ve got an inklin’ about somethin’.”

  “Fine, you follow your hunch,” Jeb said impatiently, and racing through the station with his cohorts hurrying behind him, he jumped in his car, waited impatiently while they climbed in, then sped off in pursuit of the train.

  Alex watched the cruiser peel from the parking lot, then wandered up to the ticket counter, leaned his elbows on the shelf, and smiled at the elderly gent behind the glass.

  “So you’re sure that was the guy?” he asked.

  “Oh yeah, that was Luke Larson all right,” he nodded. “Never knew the boy, but sure followed that story close. Could’ve been me! What kinda fella hits an old man like Nate? Bad business.”

  “Did you see him board the train?” Alex pressed.

  “Oh sure, right there, plain as day,” the old man declared.

  “Did you walk out on the platform at all?”

  “Yep, always do when the train pulls out,” he nodded.

  “Did you see anyone else, anyone who looked outta place, or anything out of the ordinary?” Alex continued.

  “Well, let me see, there was a fella in a suit, not a full suit, he had on a suit jacket and jeans, you know how the young folk like to wear a jacket with jeans? Makes no sense to me. Do you do that, mix the dressy stuff with the regular?”

  “Not too much,” Alex grinned. “Where did this fella head off to?”

  “Walked off the end of the platform near where the woods start. Didn’t see where he went from there.”

  “Okay, thanks for the help,” Alex smiled.

  “Any time. Sure hope you catch that Larson fella. Can’t have guys like that runnin’ around.”

  Respectfully tipping his hat, Alex walked back to the platform and stared across at the tall trees a short distance away; his gut was telling him something about the whole scenario wasn’t adding up.

  Why would he show his well-known face, then board a train that he has to stay on for two hours? He must know if someone recognized him there’d be a truckload of police waitin’ for him at the other end. Luke is not a foolish guy, and if he was gonna hop a train surely he’d take one that had plenty of stops so he could lose himself at one of them.

  Ambling slowly forward he headed to the end of the platform and into the woods.

  In front of the station Tess was crouched down in her car watching all the activity on the far side of the parking lot, and when the patrol cars began rolling out and heading back to town she broke into a relieved smile.

  Thank God, he pulled it off. Call me soon, Luke, I need to know you made it back to your ranch safe and sound.

  She was about to head home when she realized there was one patrol car that had not left with the others, and with her smile turning into a frown she drove forward. Leaving her car running she raced up the steps, through the small room that served as a waiting area and on to the platform; it was empty.

  Looks like everything went perfectly. Why is there still a deputy here and where the hell is he? Shit, he must have gone off to scout around in the frickin’ woods. Shit. I have to find Luke before he does.

  Running back to her car she drove it quickly to the edge of the small forest, and hurried into the thicket. It had been such a simple plan; buy the ticket and board the train, change clothes in the men’s room, covertly leave the train and head into the woods. Her brother would be off on a wild goose chase, and the rest of the deputies would be back to work as usual.

  All it takes is one small thing to go wrong, and you’ll be toast.

  Her earlier concerns echoing through her head she hiked through the trees, trying to stay quiet in the rustling leaves and dead branches lining her path. It was a flash of movement that caused her to stop short, and squinting ahead she saw something. Heart pounding she darted behind a wide trunk, and it was just seconds later that he came into view; the tall, wide frame in uniform was unmistakable, it was
Alex Brewster.

  Alex had asked her out a couple of times, and though she liked him she didn’t want to date a cop. Having grown up with a brother in the force she knew what it meant to be a cop’s wife, or even a cop’s girlfriend, and it was a life for which she had no desire.

  Hurrying forward she drew near, and staying parallel but out of sight, it was with relief that she watched Alex move stealthily through the trees heading to the right. She knew the general direction Luke would be taking to reach his home would be to her left, and veering off she quickened her pace.

  Are you keeping track of where you are. Good grief you don’t want to get lost in here. The trees are getting really thick.

  The warning voice caused her to pause, and as she stood still, making a mental note of landmarks, she heard a low voice.

  “Seventeen thousand satellites orbiting the planet and they can’t get cell service half a mile inside a small forest. Makes no sense!”

  “Oh, thank, God,” she muttered.

  Heart in her mouth she hurried forward, and bursting through a small clump of young saplings she saw him; his arm was high in the air, his fingers clasping his burner phone as he searched for a signal.

  “Luke,” she breathed.

  Spinning around Luke stared at her in disbelief, and was about to scold her vehemently when she urgently brought her finger to her mouth signaling that he should remain silent. Quickly moving to his side she brought her lips to his ear.

  “Alex Brewster is close by. The last time I saw him he was about sixty yards that way,” she whispered, pointing in the direction she’d last seen the deputy.

  As if on cue they heard movement, and saw the flash of a brown uniform in the distance. Grabbing her hand he backtracked, leading her to an area that was more brush than trees, and crouching behind a thicket they waited, staring into the area where they’d spotted him.

  The songs of the birds was the only sound until a rush of excited wings taking urgent flight made Tess silently gasp and clutch Luke’s arm. He knew what it signaled; the deputy was close. Shifting slightly for a clearer view through the bushes Luke spotted him.

  The man looked like a bear. His chin was up, almost as if he was sniffing the air, and he was standing stock still, keenly listening, as if he’d heard something and was waiting to hear it again. Luke watched him move slowly forward, and picking up a small rock he held his breath, silently said a heartfelt prayer, and when the deputy’s back was turned away from him, Luke stood up and threw the rock as far as he could.

  Instantly dropping back down he heard it land with a loud popping sound, and for a terrifying moment he thought he’d made a fatal error.

  Damn, sound can be confusing in a thicket of trees. He could just as easily think it came from over here.

  Heart hammering he watched, unblinking; the cop froze, staring off towards the area where Luke had hurled the rock.

  Go over there, go on, Luke prayed, just move your feet.

  Unable to stand it Tess buried her head against his arm, clutching his jacket in fear. A few seconds ticked past, then Alex Brewster began darting around the trees, furtively moving in the direction of the sound. In less than a minute he’d disappeared, but Luke waited, making sure he was long gone before standing up.

  “I don’t know whether to scold you and promise you the spankin’ of your life, or hug you like crazy,” he said quietly.

  “The hug would be good,” she stammered breathlessly. “I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

  Wrapping his arms around her he held her tightly, wondering how they’d escaped such a close call, then breaking away he stepped back and scanned the ground at his feet.

  “Did you lose something?” she asked, “and where’s your lucky hat?”

  “Nope, this here’s what I’m looking for,” he replied picking a long, thin stick, “and my hat’s unhappily scrunched up in the duffle bag. I’ll put it on once I’m outta the woods.”

  “What’s the stick for?” she asked quietly.

  “Put your hands on that trunk, grit your teeth, and don’t yell out,” he said sternly, though still keeping his voice low.

  “What?” she whispered.

  “I can’t let you walk away from this without a quick, sharp dose of discipline,” he declared. “What you did was foolhardy, could’ve gotten us both in jail. I’m gonna spank you for sure, but you’re gonna take a cut right now! I mean what I say, and you need to understand that. Put your hands on that tree like I told you.”

  “Luke,” she whimpered, “I needed to warn you.”

  “No, you didn’t,” he scolded, “but we’ll talk about this later. Stop debatin’ me and get your hands on that tree.”

  A strange heat began pulsing through her temples, and nervously she turned around and touched her palms to the rough bark.

  Shit. Seriously? This is super intense. I can’t believe he’s going to whip my ass out here.

  “Arch your back and stick your bottom out,” he said sternly, “and remember, no crying out.”

  Gritting her teeth she pushed out her backside, closed her eyes, and waited. The rod tapped against her a few inches below the center of her cheeks, then returned with a blinding hot strike.

  Her hands flew behind her and she bolted upright, hissing in the air between her teeth.

  “Shit, shit, shit,” she whispered rubbing furiously.

  Dropping the stick he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into him, then pushing away her other hand he clutched her seat cheeks and dropped his mouth to her ear.

  “That’s what happens to disobedient young women,” he breathed, “they get their bottoms roasted, and I’m not done with you.”

  “It stings so much,” she bleated.

  “Good,” he replied. “I care about you too much to let you get away with something so dangerous. Do you understand?”

  “Uh-huh,” she nodded. “Thank you, and I’m sorry.” Shit, no-one’s ever done anything like that to me, no-one, not even when I was a kid.

  “You need to get back to your car and go home,” he said, his voice unexpectedly tender. “I’ll call you when I make it to the ranch. It’ll probably take me about an hour, maybe less, just depends.”

  “Okay, I’m going. Please be careful, I’m so worried.”

  “I know, but it’s all gonna work out,” he said warmly. “I can feel it,” and wrapping his arms around her he growled into her ear, “but I am gonna whip your butt properly for comin’ out here, just as soon as I can.”

  Breaking their hug she looked up at him and nodded.

  “Just stay safe,” she whispered, and with her bottom stinging she turned and moved slowly through the trees, keeping a watchful eye out for Alex, but it was only a few minutes later that she paused.

  I can’t do this. I just saved his bacon, and he may not have liked that I came out here but I can’t let him just keep going without any kind of backup. I’ll just follow from a safe distance, just for a few minutes, and if Alex shows up I’ll run interference somehow. Luke doesn’t even have to know, in fact I’ll make sure he doesn’t. I don’t need another stick bouncing across my ass.

  She pretended not to hear the warning voice in her head, the one that told her she was in enough trouble already. It was like a vague shadow on a cloudy day, and happy with her decision she turned around and started to return the spot where she’d just left him.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The hike to the back entrance of his ranch was a welcome break. It was God’s country, a combination of gentle hills hosting cows that lazily grazed, and patches of trees scattered across open fields. There had been a light dusting of snow the night before, but the sun was shining, offering its warm comfort on the cool day.

  Though she had asked, Luke hadn’t shared with Tess the most important part of his plan, the place he’d chosen to hide out, deciding it would be much safer for them both if she didn’t know. As he trudged closer to his home and pondered what some might call a questionable choice, he had n
o doubts it was the perfect spot; no-one would think to look for him there.

  Tyler Anderson lived on his father’s property in a large cabin close to the main house. It was a sprawling ranch next to Tess’s family home, and if Luke was going to expose Tyler he needed to be close to the man so he could spy on him, possibly break into his home to search for something, anything, that might be a starting point in proving Tyler’s guilt and his own innocence.

  There were several cabins scattered throughout the thousands of acres of the Anderson’s land, one of which served as a summer hunting lodge. It was a luxurious three bedroomed home, complete with satellite television, central heating and air-conditioning, and it also offered a six horse, well insulated barn.

  The first week in October the lodge was locked up for the winter months, then reopened the last week in April. It wasn’t so far from the main house as to be inconvenient, but settled in a cluster of small knolls and surrounded by trees it couldn’t be easily seen. The unique location offered visitors a sense of living in the great outdoors, while being conveniently close to the main house and its driveway back to the main road.

  Luke had been one of the young cowboys that had worked summers at the cabin, starting at just twelve years old when he would help tend to the horses and run errands. Through his college years he’d assisted those who were new to riding, guiding them on long rides that would last for several hours.

  With his deep knowledge of the surrounding area, staying at the lodge would give him an advantage should he be discovered, and it also gave him direct access to Tyler’s cabin. If he had to hide out he couldn’t think of a more comfortable or convenient place to do it.

  Smiling as he approached the back of his property, he climbed over the fence he’d erected with his own hands. Tess thought he was heading to his ranch just to pack a bag, grab some supplies, and check in with Robbie, but his main reason for visiting was to collect his horse, Ghost, a solid white quarter horse that he’d owned for many years. He intended to ride through the back pastures to the hunting lodge, settle his horse in the barn, and pray the keys were still kept in the same secret location.