COMPROMISED SECURITY

When an armed thug attacks the only witness to a mob murder, Liz Madison Kennedy fears her hideout in rural Tennessee has been compromised. But a handsome stranger, who’s also staying at the Little Pigeon Ranch, saves her life...and makes Liz feel safe for the first time in ages. Undercover FBI agent Gabriel Decker has one mission: make sure Liz lives to testify. But with her location leaked, he can’t keep his identity hidden from her. Once his secret’s revealed, though, Liz no longer seems to trust him—or their fledgling friendship. Yet with a relentless killer in pursuit as they flee into the mountains, Gabriel is all who stands between her and a deadly bullet.

“Liz, I think we need a do over.”

Gabriel spied a bale of hay on the other side of the alley and pointed to it. “I’m going to sit down over there. When you’re through with what you’re doing, come sit with me and let’s see if I can’t make amends for upsetting you.”

Her mouth opened, but she didn’t speak. It was as if she was debating whether or not she wanted to listen to anything he had to say. Then she nodded. “All right. I’ll put Cricket back in his stall, and then I’ll be back.”

He smiled. “I’ll wait for you.”

A minute later, Liz walked back and stopped in front of him. “Okay, here I am. What do you want to talk to me about?”

“I want...” he began, but the words froze in his mouth at the sight of a red laser dot focused on the center of Liz’s forehead.

With a strangled cry, he lunged from the hay bale, tackled her around the legs and fell to the ground on top of her just as a bullet whizzed past their heads.

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed reading Ranch Hideout. I wrote this story because I wanted to impress upon readers the importance of relying on God. In this story Liz faced what seemed to be an insurmountable problem, but she knew she wasn’t facing it alone. She did what we all should do when we find ourselves facing something that threatens to overwhelm us—she put her faith in God. He has told us that He is sufficient to meet our needs, make our lives richer and give us peace. If you haven’t done so, I pray you will put your trust in God and experience the strength and peace that will come from it.

Sandra Robbins

SANDRA ROBBINS is an award-winning, multipublished author of Christian fiction who lives with her husband in Tennessee. Without the support of her wonderful husband, four children and five grandchildren, it would be impossible for her to write. It is her prayer that God will use her words to plant seeds of hope in the lives of her readers so they may come to know the peace she draws from her life.

Ranch Hideout

Sandra Robbins

www.millsandboon.co.uk

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.

—Psalms 28:7

To my husband who’s always there to support and help me

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible_Verse

Dedication

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Liz Madison realized her mistakes too late. First, she shouldn’t have dawdled in the theater lobby studying the posters for coming attractions when the movie was over. By the time she exited the building, the parking lot had emptied, and her car sat in its lone spot in the late afternoon’s gathering darkness. Second, she really should have been more attentive to her surroundings. If she had been, she would have heard the man’s footsteps behind her, and she could have made a run for it.

Now she found herself pressed face-first against the driver’s side of her car with her hands splayed against the window, her keys dangling from her fingers. A choking sound escaped her throat as a hand tightened around her neck, and her attacker pressed a gun against her head.

A sudden gust of wind swished her long skirt around her legs, but she trembled more from fear than from the cold. A man’s face rubbed against her cheek, and the fabric of the ski mask he wore scratched her skin. The smell of tobacco assaulted her senses as his warm breath rippled over her face. “Don’t make a noise, lady, or it’ll be the last one you ever make.”

Liz closed her eyes and tried to keep from retching. “Wh-what do you want?”

“Let’s start with your money,” he said. His body kept her pinned against the car as one hand pushed the gun harder against her head and the other rifled through her jacket pockets. He pulled her cell phone out and threw it to the ground before he reached back in for her wallet.

The reprieve of his hold on her neck gave her the opportunity to glance over her shoulder. His attention was directed to the cash in her wallet. A moment later, he snorted in disgust, and the gun pressed against her head again.

“Fifty dollars?” he snarled. “You only carry fifty dollars?”

“I—I never carry much money,” she answered.

He didn’t say anything for a moment. Then he laughed. “Well, I was thinking we’d take a little drive anyway. I see you have a debit card. Maybe we’ll make a stop first at your bank. You can go through the ATM and get some cash.”

“No, please,” she begged. “Just take the money and go.”

The gun dug harder into her temple, and she closed her eyes in anticipation of the bullet that was about to end her life. He chuckled and brought his mouth back to her ear. “It’s either go to the ATM, or we’ll end it right here with a bullet.”

“I-if I go to the ATM and give you the money, will you let me go then?”

He chuckled. “Sure I will.”

The mocking tone of his voice told her he had no intention of letting her go. If she left the parking lot with him, he would kill her. The wilderness of the Smoky Mountains provided the perfect spot to dispose of a body that might never be found. And to think, she had come here to be safe—to escape from the danger she’d left back home. How ironic.

Liz pressed her hands against the car window harder to keep from collapsing. If she was to live, she had to do something. But what?

The man released her neck and grabbed hold of her arm. “Now, don’t make a sound as we get in the car. If you do...”

Before he could follow through on his threat, his grip on her released, and he let out a strangled cry of pain. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him fall to the ground, and she whirled to see what had happened.

A man she’d never seen before bent over her attacker. She gasped as the mugger raised his gun. Before he could fire, her rescuer delivered a swift kick, and the weapon sailed across the pavement. He then slammed his foot down on her assailant’s arm and pinned it to the ground as he reached down, grabbed the man’s shirt tight enough to pull his head up and delivered a solid blow to his jaw. Her attacker fell back unconscious.

The stranger reached for the gun on the ground and tucked it into the waistband of his jeans before he turned to her. “Are you all right?”

She pressed her hand to her chest and nodded. “Yes, but if you’d been a few seconds later, I don’t think I would have been.”

“You’re safe now.” He directed his attention back to the man still on the ground, but he hadn’t moved.

He picked up her cell phone. “Is this yours?”

She nodded, and he handed it to her before he pulled his from his pocket and punched in 911. “My name is Gabriel Decker. I’m at the Cinema Theater. A man attacked a woman in the parking lot, and I’ve subdued him. I need officers right away.”

He paused as he listened to the voice on the phone before he spoke again. “Thanks.”

He ended the call and looked down at his prisoner, who was just beginning to stir. “I’ve called the police,” he told the mugger. “They’ll be here in a few minutes. Until then, if I were you, I wouldn’t try anything stupid. I know how to use a gun, and I’ll pull the trigger if you move a muscle.”

With one swift movement he reached down and jerked the mask from the man’s face. Liz took a step back to distance herself from the cruel eyes that glared up at her. She’d heard the expression if looks could kill many times, but she’d never seen such hatred on anyone’s face.

“Do you know this guy?” Gabriel’s voice penetrated her thoughts, and she shook her head.

She might not know him, but the threat she’d heard in his voice had set off warning bells in her head. She knew he’d meant to kill her. Had he picked her at random to target in a parking lot, or was it something more? Had the trouble she’d left behind found her again?

She slowly shook her head. “No, I’ve never seen him.” It had to be just a coincidence that she’d been attacked. She couldn’t allow this random crime to make her paranoid or she’d never feel safe going anywhere again.

The sound of a siren split the air, and a squad car with its lights flashing rolled into the parking lot. Two men jumped out and walked toward them. She recognized them right away. She’d met Sheriff Ben Whitman and his deputy Luke Conrad soon after she’d come to Sevier County a few weeks ago.

Sheriff Whitman frowned as his gaze swept over her. “Are you okay, Liz?”

She nodded. “I am, thanks to Mr. Decker.”

He turned his attention to her rescuer, who stuck out his hand. “Gabriel Decker, Sheriff. I’m the one who made the call to 911.”

Sheriff Whitman shook his hand and then tugged the brim of his Stetson lower over his eyes. “And where were you when this was taking place?”

“I had just come out of the theater when I saw the man push her against her car. I rushed over as fast as I could.”

“That was quick thinking.”

Gabriel shrugged. “Well, I knew it wasn’t a friendly encounter when I realized he had that gun pressed to her head. I’m just glad I could help.”

Deputy Conrad reached down and yanked the man to his feet. “Face the car and put your hands behind your back.”

Her attacker delivered another withering glance her way before he did as the officer ordered. When Luke had snapped handcuffs on him, he searched the man’s pockets for some identification. After a moment, empty-handed, he looked at the sheriff and shook his head.

“What’s your name?” Luke demanded.

His question was met with silence. “I’ll ask you again. What’s your name?” Still nothing.

Ben shrugged. “So he wants to play hardball. Well, we can, too. Read him his rights, Luke, and put him in the backseat of the squad car.” He watched until Luke had their prisoner secured, then turned back to her. “I’ve heard Mr. Decker’s account. Now tell me yours, Liz.”

For the next few minutes she related what happened from when she left the theater until the officers arrived. She ended by glancing at Gabriel Decker. “I really believe he meant to kill me. If Mr. Decker hadn’t come along, I—I d-don’t know...”

She couldn’t finish her sentence, and she covered her face as tears began to roll from her eyes. Ben Whitman stepped closer and patted her on the shoulder. “You’re safe now. I’m going to do everything I can to see that he stays in jail for a long time.”

Liz looked up at him through tear-filled eyes. “Do you think he might be...” She clamped her lips together and darted a glance at Gabriel Decker. He was a stranger, and she’d almost revealed too much.

Sheriff Whitman squeezed her shoulder and smiled. “Don’t worry about that now. He’s probably already in the system—we’ll know more once we run his fingerprints. We’ll find out who he is.”

Liz wanted to believe him, but she couldn’t. She had thought she was safe in this mountain community, but she hadn’t been this afternoon. The fact that her assailant had no identification concerned her even more. This whole encounter reeked of a professional hit. Had they found her? Was she in danger?

She pulled her attention back to Sheriff Whitman when she realized he’d said something. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“I asked if you’re okay to drive home, or do you want one of us to do it?”

Before she could answer, Gabriel Decker spoke up. “Sheriff, I’d be glad to follow her home and see that she gets there safely.”

An uncertain look flashed across Ben’s face, and he frowned. “I don’t know...”

Before the sheriff could finish, Gabriel Decker smiled at her. “Do you live nearby?”

“It’s a few miles out of town. I wouldn’t want to detain you if you have other plans for the evening.”

He shook his head. “No, I don’t have anywhere to be. I’ll just follow you and see that you get there safely.”

Liz started to decline. Gabriel Decker may have saved her life this afternoon, but she knew nothing about him. However, there was something about the way his dark eyes stared at her that gave her the feeling she could trust him. Before she realized what she was saying, she spoke. “That’s very kind of you. I appreciate it.”

Sheriff Whitman glanced back at Luke in the idling squad car and nodded. “Then we’ll get back to the station and get this guy booked. I’ll talk to you in the morning, Liz.”

“Okay, and thank you.”

He smiled and waved his hand in dismissal. “No need to thank me. That’s what we’re here for.”

She watched as he strode toward the car and got in. Then Luke drove them from the parking lot. With the absence of the revolving lights on top of the police car, the area darkened, and Liz shuddered. Next time she came to the movie, she was going to park in a more central location. That is, if she ever came again.

It was as if Gabriel Decker read her thoughts. “I’m sorry for what happened to you today, but you really should park in a more visible spot.”

Liz nodded. “I think I’ve learned my lesson.”

He cocked his head to one side and studied her. “The next time you should bring someone with you. A friend, or maybe your boyfriend.”

She chuckled. “I would if I had any friends here, but I’m new to this area. I haven’t had time to meet many people yet.” Then she realized she hadn’t introduced herself. She held out her hand. “I’m Liz Madison, by the way.”

He wrapped his fingers around hers. “I’m Gabriel Decker.” They stood that way for a moment before he cleared his throat and dropped her hand. “I must say our first meeting was different than any I’ve had before.”

Liz laughed. “For me, too.” She reached for the handle to open the car door. “I hope following me home isn’t taking you out of your way. Do you live around here, Mr. Decker?”

He shook his head. “Call me Gabriel, please. And no, I don’t live here. I’m staying at Little Pigeon Ranch for a few weeks, taking a breather before I begin a new job. I’ve always loved visiting the Smokies and thought it would be a good place to relax.”

She stopped and stared at him in surprise. “You’re staying at Dean and Gwen Harwell’s ranch? So am I.”

He grinned and looked down at her again, and she realized that her head barely came up to his shoulders. “It’s good to meet another guest. How long have you been here?”

“Only a few weeks, but I love it. Actually, I’m more of a working guest. Dean is letting me help with the horses and do some riding lessons and trail rides. I’m really enjoying it. When did you arrive?”

“Just this afternoon. I came into town to see what it was like and decided to go to the movie when I saw what was playing.”

Liz arched her eyebrows and glanced at him. “You wanted to see a chick flick?”

He shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a romantic at heart.”

The teasing way he said it made her smile. “Somehow I find that hard to believe.”

He glanced around as if checking to see if anyone could hear. “No, I’m serious.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice, but don’t tell anyone. I wouldn’t want it to tarnish my masculine image.”

She rolled her eyes and smiled. “Now I know you’re kidding.”

“I promise I’m not,” he said as he reached over and pulled her car door open. “You said you help with the horses at Little Pigeon. Do you like to ride as much as you like chick flicks?”

“Riding is my favorite thing,” she said. “I’ve been riding since I was a little girl.”

“I grew up on a ranch in Texas, so I’ve ridden all my life, too. Maybe we can ride together sometime while I’m at Little Pigeon.”

Her face grew warm, and she bit down on her lip. “Maybe.”

He grinned and winked at her. “Good. I do love to ride. It ranks right up there with Pride and Prejudice.”

She burst out laughing, and he continued to grin as she climbed into her car. Within minutes she was on the road to the ranch with Gabriel following. As she drove, she thought about the man who had come to her rescue and said a prayer of thanks that he was there when she needed him.

She wondered what kind of work he did. He said he was taking a breather from his job but not what that job was. He really hadn’t revealed too much about himself, but that wasn’t surprising. She hadn’t either, and she wasn’t about to, even though he seemed like the kind of man who could be a good friend. His quick wit when he teased her about being a romantic and his volunteering to follow her home caused her mouth to quirk in a slight smile.

Suddenly she stiffened and tightened her fingers on the steering wheel, the smile now completely gone from her face. What was she thinking? She couldn’t have a friend. One of the conditions of her being here was that nobody was to know who she was or why she’d come to Dean and Gwen’s ranch. She had to guard her relationships very carefully. One slipup about her true identity could be disastrous for a lot of people. Especially for her.

She looked up in the rearview mirror and caught a glimpse of his car behind her. No matter how grateful she was for his help earlier, she knew what she had to do—stay away from him as long as he was at Little Pigeon Ranch.

* * *

Gabriel’s gaze darted back and forth across the road as he followed Liz back to the ranch. His protective instincts were on high alert today, and his stomach clenched at the thought of what would have happened if he hadn’t been at the movie. His heart had skipped a beat when he saw the gun pressed to her head. He’d known there was no way she could escape the hold of a man who had to outweigh her by at least a hundred pounds. The thought had flashed through his mind that she was much more petite than what she looked like in the pictures from her official file.

The first time he’d seen a photograph of her, he’d been struck by her eyes. Their blue color reminded him of the waters he’d once seen off the coast of Bermuda, crystal-clear blue with just a tint of green. They were even more striking when seen in person. Her hair, which was held in place with a clip on top of her head, looked almost like a golden crown that sparkled in the dusk light. All in all, he’d have to say she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen.

Her friendly manner wasn’t at all what he’d expected, though. He’d expected to find a person who was private and suspicious. Most people in her position would react that way, but not Liz. Maybe the way they’d met, with him saving her, had been the key to allaying her suspicions. That was promising, since he needed her to trust him.

These thoughts were still running through his head when the ranch came into sight. She pulled up beside the house, and he pulled up behind her. Before he could step from the car, she was already hurrying toward the front of the house.

“Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it,” she called out to him.

“Wait!” he yelled as he jumped from the car. He caught up to her at the bottom of the porch steps. “Liz, I’d like to—”

Before he could finish his sentence, she interrupted him. “I hope you enjoy your stay at Little Pigeon. Dean has all kinds of activities planned for his guests. There’s a schedule in the office, and you can sign up for whatever interests you.”

“I’m not much into planned excursions. I like to explore on my own, but I’ll take a look.” He paused for a moment before he continued. “Maybe you’d like to show me around the area. We could go for a ride.”

Her forehead wrinkled as she studied his face. “I don’t know,” she finally said. “I stay busy. Don’t have much leisure time. This afternoon was the first time I’ve been able to get away all week.”

He nodded. “I understand, but I’ll check with you and see.”

“Okay.” She glanced at her watch. “I have to go now. I told Gwen I’d help with dinner for the guests, and I’m running late.”

“Then go on,” he said. “I’m eating in the dining room tonight, so I’ll see you then.”

A shaky smile pulled at her mouth. “We’ll see.” She backed away a few steps. “It was nice meeting you, Gabriel. I’ll see you later.”

“Nice meeting you, too, Liz.”

She didn’t say anything else, and he watched as she climbed the steps to the porch. Her demeanor had changed dramatically on the way back from town. She’d seemed more closed off once they’d gotten back to the ranch. It was almost as if the girl with the smiling eyes he encountered in the movie parking lot had disappeared and been replaced with a skittish woman who wasn’t quite sure about the stranger she’d met.

He narrowed his eyes and wondered if he had come on too strong for their first meeting. Maybe the best thing to do would be to give her some time for a day or two to get used to his presence here. Once she became accustomed to seeing him in the dining room and around the barn, she might feel more at ease with him. The last thing he needed was her running away every time she saw him. He couldn’t keep her safe if she wouldn’t let him near her.

When she reached the front door, she glanced over her shoulder and straight at him. He didn’t know if he imagined it or not, but her step appeared to falter for a moment. No doubt about it. She was suddenly nervous around him. He was going to have to do something about that.

His supervisor was trusting him to ensure no harm came to Liz before she could testify against a criminal kingpin. He was also trusting Gabriel to handle the assignment discreetly. If Liz knew that the FBI had assigned her a protective detail, she’d want to know why...and the answer might make her change her mind about the wisdom of testifying. That would be a disaster. He had to get this just right—had to keep her safe, no matter what...and he had to do it without letting her ever suspect that he was an FBI agent.

“You may call yourself Liz Madison, but I know who you really are, Elizabeth Madison Kennedy,” he muttered under his breath as she disappeared into the house. “So you’d better get used to me. I’m going to be around for a while.”

TWO

Liz put the last of the dirty plates in the dishwasher and glanced around the kitchen to see if she’d missed anything. Tonight they’d had more guests for dinner than usual. She’d stayed in the kitchen, but several times she’d stood at the door into the dining room and listened to bits of the guests’ conversations. The room had buzzed with chatter about trail rides, excursions to Cades Cove or hiking adventures on the Appalachian Trail.

This was just the beginning of the fall tourist season when the mountains came alive with brilliant colors. Once the leaves had faded, the holiday festival of lights would take over and draw thousands of tourists. Gwen said Little Pigeon Ranch was booked solidly to the end of the year. Liz couldn’t wait to participate in all the festivities.

She paused in closing the dishwasher and shook her head. What was the matter with her? She wouldn’t be here to see those things. If all went as she hoped, she’d be back in her apartment in Memphis soon, and her life would settle back into the routine she’d enjoyed before coming here.

The door between the dining room and the kitchen suddenly swung open, and Liz jerked her head around to see Gwen storming into the kitchen. She stopped just inside the room and placed her hands on hips. “Why didn’t you tell me you were attacked in the theater parking lot?”

The muscles in Liz’s throat constricted as she tried to swallow. “I’m sorry, Gwen. I didn’t have a chance. When I got here, you were in the middle of getting dinner ready to serve, and we’ve been busy ever since.”

Gwen pursed her lips and shook her head. “That’s no excuse, Liz. You know that Dean and I need to be informed if anything happens to you.”

“And I was going to tell you. I just haven’t had time.” Liz paused as a thought struck her, and she frowned. “How did you find out?”

Gwen’s expression softened as she studied her. “Mr. Decker told me.”

Liz’s eyes widened in surprise. “He told you? When?”

“While he was eating dinner. I stopped at his table to see if he had everything he needed. He asked where you were, and I told him you were in the kitchen.” Gwen arched an eyebrow. “Is he the reason you didn’t come out of the kitchen all during dinner?”

“No!” Liz blurted out without thinking. “I mean, I was busy.”

Gwen stared at her for a moment before she took Liz by the hand and led her to the kitchen table. When they were both seated, she leaned forward and squeezed Liz’s hand. “When something like this happens, you have to tell us about it.”

“I don’t think it was related to my testimony,” Liz offered. “I honestly think he was just a creep trying to rob me. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time—again.”

“Maybe,” Gwen said. “But maybe not. Dean and I can’t help protect you if we don’t know what’s going on. We feel a responsibility to take care of you while you’re here.”

Liz shook her head. “I know you do, and I’m sorry about putting that burden on you. I worry all the time about how I’ve brought my problems to your and Dean’s doorstep. If anything happened to you or Dean or to your daughter...” She stopped, unable to go on as tears filled her eyes.

Gwen’s pressure on her hand increased. “Don’t worry about us. We agreed to this fully aware of the risks. It’s your safety we all have to focus on.”

The tears pooling in Liz’s eyes blurred her vision, and she tried to blink them back. “I feel like I’m taking advantage of you and Dean. You’ve offered me a safe haven for now, and I don’t want you to regret it.”

“We would never regret it. I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through. We just want to help you.”

Her chest tightened. “You have. More than you’ll ever know.” She took a deep breath and wiped at her eyes. “Now I need to finish up in here. I’ve cleaned the countertops and the stove. All I need to do is sweep the floor, and I’ll be through.”

Gwen shook her head. “I’ll do that. You need some time to get over what happened this afternoon. You enjoy your time painting at night. Go on up to your room, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

Liz sighed as she stood up, took off the apron she was wearing and hung it on a peg next to the refrigerator. “I don’t think I’ll paint tonight. I think I’ll go on to bed. I want to get up early so I can help Dean muck out the stalls in the morning.”

Gwen pushed up from her chair and propped her hands on her hips. “Liz, you’re doing too much around here.”

“I like helping out,” Liz insisted. “It takes my mind off things.”

“You can’t keep busy forever,” Gwen said gently. “You aren’t going to be able to come to terms with what happened until you talk about it. I can find you a Christian counselor if you’d like.”

Liz sniffled and looked down at the floor. “I do need to talk, to release these pent-up feelings that are driving me insane. But I don’t want to tell some stranger.” She raised her head to stare into Gwen’s eyes. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve become closer to you than anybody else. Maybe I need to tell you about it.”

“Whenever you’re ready, Liz, I’ll listen.”

“Thanks, Gwen. I appreciate it.”

They stared at each other for a moment before Gwen smiled and pulled Liz into a hug. “Now you go on to bed, and don’t worry about anything tonight. We’ll get through this one day at a time.”

Liz let out a grateful sigh as she hugged Gwen. She was so blessed that the FBI had persuaded Dean and Gwen to take in a stranger who needed protection. They’d accepted her without question, and she would never forget it.

After a moment she released Gwen and walked from the room. As she trudged through the dining room, she caught sight of Gabriel Decker sitting at a table alone. He sipped from a coffee cup and stared at her over the rim.

Before she could make her escape to the hallway, he called out to her. “Liz, I missed you during dinner. Mrs. Harwell said you were in the kitchen.”

She stopped and turned to face him. She wanted to reproach him for telling Gwen about the parking lot incident, but she had trouble holding on to her annoyance with him at the sight of his beautiful smile, which reached all the way up to his eyes. “I was. We had a lot of guests tonight, and I helped the cook with the meal.”

He pointed to the chair across from him. “Would you like to sit and have some coffee with me?”

She lifted her chin and stared down her nose at him. “No, thanks. I’m tired and going to bed.”

“Will I see you tomorrow?” he called out as she stepped into the hall.

“Maybe.” She stopped halfway up the stairs and glanced back over her shoulder.

He had risen and followed her into the hall. He stood at the foot of the stairs with his hand on the banister. “I’ll look for you.”

The words were innocent enough on the surface, but her breath still froze in her chest. Back in Memphis there were plenty of dangerous people looking for her, and Gabriel’s remark had served as an unpleasant reminder of the danger she was still in. It was all she could do to make her legs climb the remaining stairs to the second floor. When she glanced back down, he was still standing there, his eyes on her.

She stiffened at the panic that spread through her body. Why was he being so friendly, and how was it that he just happened to be in the parking lot when she was attacked? Perhaps he wasn’t just a guest who had come to spend a few weeks at Little Pigeon. Maybe he’d come there looking for her.

Biting down on her tongue to keep from crying out, she rushed to her room, ran inside and locked the door. Then she leaned against it and closed her eyes as she tried to control her breathing. What was happening to her? Was she right to be scared, or was she overreacting? It was hard for her to trust anyone. She saw ulterior motives in even the most innocent of other people’s actions. She couldn’t go on like this much longer.

A whimper escaped her throat as she slid down the door until she was sitting on the floor, her legs bent and her arms circling her knees. She had to do something, or she was never going to make it through the next few months.

Maybe Gwen was right. She needed to talk to someone, and Gwen had offered. Now all she had to do was make herself do it. She gritted her teeth. She couldn’t put it off any longer. She would tell Gwen everything that happened that day, and she would do it tomorrow.

* * *

Gabriel watched Liz until she got to the top of the stairs before he turned around and walked back into the dining room. He sat down and picked up his coffee cup and stared at it for a moment.

“Something wrong with the coffee?” The voice behind him startled him, and he swiveled in his seat to see who it was. He relaxed when he saw that it was Dean Harwell.

He laughed and set the cup down. “The coffee’s fine. In fact, everything I ate for dinner was delicious. If that was any indication of the caliber meals you serve here, I may want to move in.”

Dean chuckled and slid into the seat across from him. “The cook here started working for my grandfather when I was growing up. We couldn’t get along without him.”

“I can see why,” Gabriel said as he pushed his plate aside and crossed his arms on the table. “So what have you been up to tonight?”

“I was out at the barn taking care of a few chores. Seems like there’s always something needing to be done.”

Gabriel chuckled and nodded. “I remember how it was when I was growing up on a ranch. Sometimes I think about getting a little piece of land and a few horses. I guess that won’t ever happen, though. In my job it’s possible I could be transferred at any time, so I’m afraid to put down any roots that I might have to leave behind.”

Dean studied him for a moment before he glanced over his shoulder and scanned the room. When he didn’t see anyone, he leaned closer and lowered his voice. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to you about your job since you arrived earlier, but we’re alone now.”

Gabriel nodded his agreement. “I was hoping I’d get a chance to see you tonight. Especially after what happened today.”

Dean’s eyes grew large. “What are you talking about?”

“The attack on Liz.”

“Attack?” Dean’s voice seemed to bounce off the wall, and Gabriel leaned in farther.

Gabriel raised his index finger to his lips to quiet Dean. “I thought your wife had told you about it.”

“No. When did you tell Gwen?”

“Not too long before you came in. But you can relax. Everything turned out all right.”

For the next few minutes Dean didn’t move as Gabriel recounted what had happened in the theater parking lot. When he finished, Dean’s eyebrows drew together as he stared across the table at Gabriel.

“I’ve been afraid something like this might happen. When I got a call from my old friend Bill Diamond in the Memphis FBI office wanting me to offer Liz a safe place to stay, I was uncertain what to do. I didn’t want to endanger my family. Bill promised me that wouldn’t happen, that you are one of his top agents.”

“I don’t know about being one of the top agents, but I’m dedicated to my job, Dean. I’ve been with the FBI for five years now, and I really like my work. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure nothing bad happens to anybody at Little Pigeon while I’m here. I’m sorry I couldn’t be here when Liz first came, but I was finishing up another case. Bill assured me that since you are a former police officer, you would be able to protect Liz until I could get here.”

“There haven’t been any threats until today. I’m glad you arrived before she left and could follow her to the movie. It might have turned out differently if you hadn’t.”

“Maybe so.”

Dean sat back in his chair and cast a quizzical look at him. “Why was the decision made for you to go undercover while you’re here? Maybe Liz would feel more at ease if she knew she had an FBI agent here to protect her.”

Gabriel rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “Daniel Shaw’s trial has all of us on edge. She’s the first witness who has agreed to testify who can directly connect him to a crime. If we can put him away, we have a better chance of taking down the rest of his gang. We’ve got to make sure Liz testifies. One of our snitches passed us some information that Shaw’s gang isn’t happy about his arrest and they’re going to try to keep Liz from testifying.” Gabriel paused, wondering if he should share the next part, then pressed on. “There’s a price on her head—a fairly high one. There’s some concern in the office that she might decide to take off if she found out. She has no family, no ties. If she decides to run, our whole case goes out the window. Bill decided we had to have agents here protecting her.”

Dean nodded. “Bill didn’t tell me the name of the other agent. What is it?”

“Her name is Andrea Cauthorn. She’s arriving tomorrow. Bill didn’t want there to be anything to tie us together, so he wanted her to arrive a day after I did. She’ll help me keep an eye on Liz. Then when the trial date arrives, we’ll escort her back to Memphis.”

A look of concern flashed in Dean’s eyes, and he tilted his head to one side. “Do you think the guy who attacked her today could have ties to Shaw’s gang? Or maybe have heard about the price on her head?”

“I don’t know. He had no identification on him, but Ben’s going to check it out. He’ll let us know if he finds out anything.”

Dean frowned. “I don’t like this. If that guy was specifically after Liz, that means they know where she is.”

“I don’t see how they could have that information. The only ones at our office who know Liz’s whereabouts are Bill, Andrea and myself. We’ll be on our guard all the time.” He paused for a moment. “Don’t worry, Dean. We don’t intend for any harm to come to your family or anybody else at Little Pigeon.”

Dean nodded. “Thanks, Gabriel, but you know I’ll also be on guard to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

A smile pulled at Gabriel’s mouth. “I guess once a cop, always a cop.”

“Yeah,” Dean said. “I was a cop, and a good one. But that’s not as important to me now as being a husband and a father. I don’t want anything to happen to my family, or to my employees and guests either.”

“Neither do we.”

Gwen walked out of the kitchen at that moment. When she saw Dean sitting at the table, she smiled and crossed the room to where they sat. She stopped beside Dean and placed her arms around his shoulders. “I didn’t know you were back inside.”

Dean stared up at his wife, and Gabriel’s stomach twisted. The love they had for each other shone in their eyes so bright that it almost blinded him. Every time he saw that look between a man and a woman, he felt as if his heart had been broken once again.

He scooted his chair away from the table and stood up. His abrupt movement startled Gwen and Dean, and they both jerked their attention to him. “Is something wrong?” Dean asked.

Gabriel shook his head. “No. It’s just been a long day. I think I’ll head up to my room. I’ll see you both in the morning. Good night.”

“Good night,” they called out, but he was already halfway to the stairs.

He hurried up the steps and strode down the upstairs hallway to his room. Once inside, he closed the door and stood there shaking all over. Seeing Gwen and Dean together tonight had brought back memories he thought he’d overcome. But when he least expected it, they resurfaced and kicked him in the gut.

He staggered across the room, sat down on the side of his bed and buried his face in his hands as the images he’d tried to repress came flooding back over him like a tidal wave.

No one could have asked for a more perfect day when he arrived at the church that afternoon ready to say the words that would make the woman he loved his wife. The pristine blue of the sky and the white clouds floating along only served to enhance the happiness he felt. Soon he and Lana would be married and ready to start their life on the ranch his father had left him.

As the time grew nearer for the ceremony, he waited in a small room behind the church’s choir loft. The first inkling he had that something wasn’t right was when the appointed time arrived for the bridal march and nothing happened. A few minutes later the best man, who’d been his friend since childhood, walked into the room with a letter that had been delivered for him.

He opened it with shaking fingers, and the words on the page blurred as he began to read. She was sorry, she said, but she couldn’t go through with the wedding. It would be unfair to him when she’d realized that she didn’t love him. She apologized for the embarrassment and ended by saying that her parents would take care of letting the guests know and that she had left for New York.

At first he thought there was some mistake, but there wasn’t. She was gone, and he’d lost the woman he loved. A few months later she returned to Texas to quietly marry his friend, the best man who’d delivered her letter. It seemed they’d been in love all along and had fought their attraction because of their respect for him. In the end, though, they couldn’t overcome it. Soon after, he’d sold the ranch and applied to the FBI.

So here he was five years later, an agent with the FBI who lived out of an apartment in Memphis that he rarely saw. Lana and his former best friend had two children. Sometimes it didn’t seem fair how his life had worked out. He hadn’t done anything wrong, hadn’t betrayed anyone’s trust, and yet they were happy, while he was just going through the motions each day.

He didn’t want to ever place himself in the position of being hurt like that again. He doubted if he would survive it a second time. Now he put all his energy into his job. There was nothing and no one else in his life, and he liked that just fine.

The only sad thing was that he would never have a woman look at him like Gwen Harwell looked at her husband tonight. The thought made his heart ache, but he shoved the feeling aside, refocusing on his assignment—taking care of Elizabeth Madison Kennedy, or Liz Madison, as she was calling herself. He would do everything to protect her, and in a few months he would take her safely back to Memphis to deliver testimony that would bring down a drug operation. Then he’d move on to the next assignment.

That was the only thing he needed to think about at the moment.

THREE

The morning sunshine felt warm on Liz’s skin as she pushed the wheelbarrow out of the stable and headed toward the compost pile. She’d gone only a few feet when a voice behind her startled her.

“Good morning. I see you’re already hard at work.”

Her body stiffened in shock as she halted and jerked her head around to stare at Gabriel Decker, who was walking toward her. The big smile on his face turned to a frown when he saw her reaction. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Liz took a deep breath to try to calm her racing heart and attempted a smile. “It’s okay,” she said. “I was preoccupied and didn’t hear you walk up.”

His frown deepened, and he took a step closer. “Are you sure you’re all right? You looked terrified when you turned around.”

She nodded. “I’m fine.”

His gaze moved over her face, and she had the feeling that he was uncertain whether she had been honest with him or not. There was no way she was going to tell him that she was used to being terrified. She’d lived that way in a safe house under protective custody for months until the FBI told her they were sending her to stay with a former police officer and his family at the other end of the state. After all she’d been through, she wasn’t sure life would ever return to normal for her.

As she stared at Gabriel, she was once again struck by how handsome the man was, and this morning he looked especially so. Today he wore faded jeans and a chocolate-colored T-shirt that brought out the rich color of his eyes. He still had that bit of stubble on his face that made him blend in easily with the mountain men she’d met since arriving at Little Pigeon. She reminded herself that no matter how good-looking he was and how friendly he seemed, she had to be careful. She knew nothing about him, and she couldn’t risk getting to know him.

She turned back to the wheelbarrow and gripped the handles. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m mucking out the stalls, and I still have a lot of work to do.”

“I’ll help if you’d like,” he said as she started to go.

She stopped again and turned back to him, her eyebrows lifted. “You’re a paying guest, Mr. Decker. I don’t think Dean would want you to be cleaning out stalls. It’s hard work, and you’re on vacation.”

He grinned and speared her with his dark gaze. “I’m used to hard work, Liz, and I’ve cleaned out my share of stalls in the past. I’d be glad to help.”

She hesitated for a moment and studied him. He seemed like a nice man, and although she didn’t want to admit it, she had been lonely since she arrived. Dean and Gwen had been wonderful, but they had their own lives. She had tried not to interfere with that, which meant she’d kept to herself as much as possible. And really, what was the harm in letting him help? They were on the ranch property, with Dean and his employees all around. Even if Gabriel wasn’t someone she could trust, surely he wouldn’t be so blatant as to try to hurt her here.

After a moment, she smiled. “All right, Mr. Decker, I’d be happy to have the help.”

His grin widened, and his eyes twinkled. “Gabriel, please. I thought we were on a first-name basis after I came to your aid yesterday.”

She swallowed at the memory of the gun pressed to her head. “I appreciate what you did, more than I can ever tell you. But I’m trying to put that behind me, so I’d rather not talk about it anymore.”

His eyes grew soft, and he tilted his head to one side. “I understand that. I won’t bring it up again. Even though it wasn’t an ideal meeting, I hope it will only be the beginning of our friendship.”

Liz’s face grew warm, and she looked down at her feet. “That sounds nice. I could use a friend. I haven’t made any outside Gwen and Dean since I’ve been here.”

“Then consider me the first.”

She bit down on her lip and turned to put her hands back on the wheelbarrow. “Just let me dump this load at the compost pile, and I’ll show you what needs to be done in the barn.”

Before she could move, he was edging her out of the way so he could wrap his fingers around the wheelbarrow handles. “I’ll dump it. This looks like a heavy load.”

Without waiting for her to respond, he pushed the wheelbarrow toward the compost pile and left her staring after him. She watched as he heaved the manure and stall shavings onto the rubbish heap and then walked back to her.

“That wasn’t so bad.”

She shook her head and laughed as she turned and headed back toward the barn. They’d taken only a few steps when Gabriel spoke again. “What’s that building over there?”

Her gaze followed the direction he was pointing. “That’s an old bunkhouse. I’ve been told that Dean’s grandfather used it years ago when he had a lot of itinerant workers. It’s been deserted for years. Dean turned it into a workshop and a supply shed for medicinal supplies for the horses. He keeps it locked all the time, but he’s given me a key to it in case I need to get anything.”

“I’d think he’d keep the medicines in the tack room where they’d be handy.”

She shook her head. “No, the temperature can’t be regulated in the barn.”

“I see.” By this time, they’d arrived back at the barn. “Okay, boss,” he said, “show me what to do.”

Once inside, she pointed out the stalls that still needed to be cleaned and motioned toward a room at the end of the barn alleyway. “Pitchforks are in there. Muck buckets are, too, but feel free to use the wheelbarrow.”

He nodded. “I will.”

She studied him as he turned and walked to the room where the tools were kept. His graceful movements told her that he was a man who was confident and relaxed in who he was. It also said something about him that he was a paying guest who didn’t hesitate to offer his help with a job that most wouldn’t consider doing. Still, there was something about him that she couldn’t figure out. There were several young women staying at the ranch right now. They were much prettier than she was and wealthier, if their designer outfits were any indication. But for some reason he seemed to have singled her out for his attention. She couldn’t understand why.

Shaking the thought from her head, she turned back to the stall in front of her and began to clean it. From time to time she and Gabriel crossed paths in the alleyway as they completed cleaning a stall and went to another. Each time their eyes met, he smiled, and she found herself responding to his friendly nature.

When they’d completed the job and put away the tools, they walked outside the barn and stared at the trail that led toward the mountains. Dean and Emmett, his foreman, rode toward them with a line of riders behind them.

“That’s the early-morning trail ride coming back,” Liz said. “They’ll be hungry. I need to go get cleaned up so I can help Gwen and Shorty with lunch. Thanks for helping with the stalls.”

She started to turn away, but he reached out and touched her arm. “It was my pleasure, Liz. I enjoyed the morning. What are you doing this afternoon?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. There are some more guests arriving. I might have to help Gwen get the rooms ready. Why?”

“I picked up a brochure in the den and saw a picture of a creek near here. I think it’s called Rattlesnake Creek. I was thinking that I might ride out there this afternoon. I wondered if you’d like to ride with me.”

Liz paused for a moment before she replied. Her earlier concerns about Gabriel’s attention to her returned, but they battled with her desire to make a friend and feel a little less lonely. “I don’t know,” she said. “Can I let you know after lunch?”

“Sure,” he replied. “I talked to Dean before he left this morning, and he told me I could have Buttermilk about two o’clock. If you decide to go, meet me at the barn.”

“I will.”

She headed off toward the house but slowed down when she heard Gabriel call after her. “I really hope you’ll decide to come.”

Liz gave a small nod and continued walking. Right now she didn’t know if she would go or not, but if she was really honest with herself, she’d admit that she wanted to. She wanted to find out more about Gabriel Decker and why he seemed interested in being with her. Maybe she’d take him up on the invitation after all.

By one o’clock the last guest had left the dining room, and Liz, Gwen and Shorty had the kitchen cleaned up. With the last pot stored away, Shorty took off the apron he wore and hung it on a peg beside the back door. “I need to pick up some things at the supermarket for the chuck wagon meal tomorrow night. Does either one of you need anything while I’m in town?”

Gwen and Liz both shook their heads.

“Be careful,” Gwen said as the cook turned and walked toward the back door. “Those hairpin curves on the way into town scare me.”

He grinned at her and nodded. “I’ll watch out, Gwen. Don’t you worry about me.”

When he’d closed the door behind him, Gwen turned back to Liz. “Shorty worked for Dean’s grandfather for years. So he’s really like a member of the family, and I tend to worry about our family.”

The concern on Gwen’s face sent a warm glow through Liz. With both her parents dead, it had been a long time since she’d known what family really was about. Then she’d come to Little Pigeon Ranch and had seen it in the way Gwen and Dean treated each other, their daughter, Maggie, and all the people who worked for them. They had opened their home to her also and given her a safe haven during a traumatic time in her life.

She swallowed the lump she felt in her throat. “You make me feel like family, too, Gwen.”

Gwen’s eyes softened, and she grasped Liz’s hand. “That’s how we want you to feel, Liz. We’re honored to have you in our home.”

Tears sprang to her eyes, and she wiped at them. “Not many people would have done what you have for me. You didn’t even know me, and yet you welcomed me with open arms, all the time knowing that you might be opening yourselves up to danger.”

Gwen stared at her for a moment before she motioned toward a chair at the kitchen table. “Sit down, Liz, and let’s have a glass of iced tea. I think you need a bit of cheering up after the busy day you’ve had.”

Liz nodded and dropped down in the chair while Gwen poured their tea. When she’d filled the glasses, she set them on the table and took a seat. “Are you sleeping any better than you were when you first came?”

Liz shrugged. “Some nights I do, but last night wasn’t very good.”

“I’m sorry, but I guess that was to be expected after what happened. Have you thought about seeing a doctor? You could probably get a prescription for something to help you sleep.”

She shook her head. “The doctor I saw in Memphis wanted to do that, but I don’t want to be induced into sleep. I want to get back to the point that my mind is relaxed and I can drift off into peaceful dreams instead of the nightmares I have.”

Gwen reached across the table and clasped her hand. “Liz, you’ll get there. It just takes time.”

Liz closed her eyes for a moment. “Every time I try to go to sleep, I remember what it was like that morning.”

She paused, and Gwen leaned closer. “You know I told you anytime you wanted to talk, I’d listen. Maybe for your peace of mind you need to take me up on it.”

“It’s been hard for me to live with it, much less talk about it. But sometimes I think I’ll scream with all the thoughts that run through my head. I think I do need to talk about it.”

“Anytime you’re ready, I’m here.”

Liz sat still for a moment, the memories of the day that changed her life pouring through her mind. She had been wearing her favorite blouse, the one she had to throw away later because of all the bloodstains. And she remembered how Kathy had looked, her hair pulled back in a ponytail and her sunglasses propped on her head. For a moment she didn’t know if she could bring herself to speak of what she’d seen. Then she inhaled, and the words tumbled out.

“It was a Friday, and I had taken the day off from work because I was leaving at lunchtime for a long weekend with my friend Kathy. We were going to a spa near Little Rock and were excited about getting away and spending a few days just being pampered. Kathy picked me up and said that she needed to stop at the mall before we left town and pick up a watch that she’d had repaired. When we got there, she pulled into the parking garage.”

A sob choked her throat, and she swallowed. Gwen squeezed her hand tighter. “Are you sure you want to share this with me?”

She looked at Gwen through the tears that blurred her vision. “I need to talk about it. I told the police, but I haven’t been able to tell anyone else. It brings back the terror that I felt that day.”

Gwen nodded. “Okay.”

Liz took a deep breath. “I told her I’d wait in the car since she would only be gone a few minutes. I wanted to check my email and texts. She laughed and said, ‘You need to put everything out of your mind but the fun we’re going to have, so I’m going to hide your phone this weekend.’ Then she jumped out of the car and ran to the elevator.”

She stopped for a moment, and Gwen said, “Go on.”

“I don’t know how long I sat there before I noticed a car pull in and stop two parking spaces down from me. A man got out. He was dressed casually and there wasn’t anything special about him, but something about him drew my attention. Maybe it was the way he glanced around like he was looking for someone. Before he could move, a car drove up behind his and blocked it. Another man, this one well-dressed and looking like some kind of businessman, got out. They began to talk, and the first man I’d seen held out his hands like he was trying to explain something. Then he began to cry like he was begging. The man who’d blocked his car pulled out a gun and motioned for him to get down on his knees. I could hear the man pleading and crying as he dropped down. Then I heard shots.”

“How horrible,” Gwen said.

Liz bit her lip. “He turned around and started to leave, so I sank down in my seat hoping he wouldn’t see me. That’s when I heard the elevator door open.”

Tears rolled down her face. “There were more gunshots, and I dropped down even lower in the seat. It seemed like an eternity before his car drove away. I sat up and looked around. That’s when I saw Kathy lying close to the elevator. I ran to her, but she was already dead. I called 911, but I was screaming, so the dispatcher had a hard time understanding me.”

Liz paused and closed her eyes. “There was blood everywhere. All over Kathy, all over me and on the floor.”

“And then the police came.” Gwen’s tone told Liz she knew how the rest of the story went.

Liz sighed. “Yes, and they took me to the police station. They told me that the man who was murdered was a member of a drug ring that had been operating in the city and he’d been on the verge of agreeing to turn over evidence about his boss, who was the head of the organization. They wanted me to look at mug shots, and I must have gone through a hundred before I saw him—the shooter.”

She shuddered remembering what it had been like when she saw the picture of the well-dressed man who’d pulled the trigger. “His name is Daniel Shaw, and he’s the head of a crime family that the FBI has been after for years. They’d never been able to pin anything on him before. Now they had an eyewitness to murder, and they wanted me to testify.”

“Which you agreed to do,” Gwen said.

Liz nodded. “I didn’t have a choice. I had to do it for Kathy. At the time, though, I didn’t realize the danger I’d be in. They kept me at a safe house in the city at first, but when they noticed some suspicious men hanging around, they decided I’d be safer out of town. That’s when the head of the Memphis office told me about Dean and how I’d be safe here until the trial. I’ve just been afraid that I was putting you and your family in danger.”

Gwen shook her head. “Don’t worry about that. Only Dean, Ben Whitman, Luke Conrad and I know your true identity. We’ll do everything we can to keep you safe.”

“Thank you, Gwen. I’ve tried to keep to myself a lot. I’m afraid I might let something slip, but it gets lonely. I miss my friends and my job in Memphis.” Tears pooled in her eyes again. “Most of all I miss Kathy.”

“Liz,” Gwen began, her voice hesitant. “Maybe you need to make some friends. I know a young woman who is a trick rider at the Wild West show. She stayed with us when she first came here. She’s married now to Ben’s deputy Luke, and she’s raising horses at their ranch. I think you’d like her a lot.”

“A trick rider, huh? She sounds like an interesting person. Maybe you can introduce us.”

“I’d be glad to.”

Liz chewed on her lower lip for a second. “Actually, Gabriel Decker seems like he’d like to be friends. He asked me to go riding with him this afternoon.”

The shadow of a frown flitted across Gwen’s face before she straightened and cleared her throat. “I didn’t think you were interested in getting to know him.”

Liz shrugged. “I’m not, but I like to ride. It’s more fun if you have someone else along.”

Gwen studied her a moment. “So you’re going to accept his invitation?”

Liz started to say no, but then she thought better of it. Maybe all he wanted was a bit of companionship, and she wanted to find out more about him. She knew it was risky to trust a stranger, but she couldn’t make herself believe he wanted to hurt her. Not after the way he’d saved her the previous day or the way he’d spent all morning helping her. She’d stay on her guard, of course, but maybe it was all right to offer him this little bit of trust. Her decision made, she smiled.

“I am. I’ll go find him now and tell him I’ve decided to go.”

She pushed back from the table and strode to the door. Before she walked through it, she glanced back over her shoulder. Gwen still sat at the table, her brow furrowed and her eyes dark. For some reason Gwen didn’t look too pleased with her decision. A flicker of apprehension stabbed at her stomach, and she swallowed. No. I will not let fear rule my life, she decided. Then she squared her shoulders and headed out the back door.

* * *

Gabriel glanced at his watch as he ambled up to the barn. It was still thirty minutes until the time he’d told Liz he’d meet her there, and he wondered if she’d come. Even though he’d made some progress in gaining her friendship this morning, she hadn’t exactly jumped at the chance to go riding with him. He usually didn’t have trouble relating to people, but then, witnessing a grisly murder could cause anyone to be wary of the people around her.

They’d had a good time this morning even if they were cleaning out stalls. He’d found he really missed the physical labor that it took to do a job like that, and he’d felt a sense of accomplishment when they’d finished. Now the horses had clean stalls and fresh shavings on the floor...until tomorrow. Then the job would have to be done again.

He walked into the barn and looked around in hopes that Liz had already gotten there, but he didn’t see her. A noise in the far end of the alleyway attracted his attention, and he moved toward it. Dean stood inside the tack room cleaning a saddle. Gabriel stopped at the door and studied him briefly before he spoke.

“Hi, Dean. Need any help?”

“No, I’m fine. Are you going for that ride you asked me about this morning?”

Gabriel glanced at his watch. “Yeah. I’m hoping that Liz will go with me, but she hasn’t shown up yet.”

Dean came toward him, and Gabriel moved back so that Dean could step into the alleyway. “Where did you say you wanted to ride to?” Dean asked.

“Rattlesnake Creek. From what I saw on your brochure, it looks like a beautiful place.”

“It is, and it’s a nice ride up there.”

A voice from behind startled Gabriel. “Do you need help saddling Buttermilk?”

He peered over his shoulder at the young man, perhaps nineteen or twenty years old, standing there. In his worn jeans, a Western shirt unbuttoned at the neck and boots, he looked like any other ranch hand Gabriel had seen since arriving. Dean turned and stared at him. “Bart, I thought you had the day off.”

“That’s right,” Bart said, his eyes never leaving Gabriel’s face. “Didn’t have nothing to do. Thought I’d hang around here.”

Dean looked back to Gabriel. “This is Bart Foster, one of our hands.”

Gabriel stuck out his hand. “Gabriel Decker, Bart. Good to meet you.

Bart gave a curt nod as he shook Gabriel’s hand, his steely gaze giving no sign of friendliness.

A strong vibe of suppressed anger radiated from the young man. His eyes held no sparkle, and the closed-off expression on his face indicated that he trusted no one. Gabriel had seen it on so many other faces of nameless prison inmates before. It was as if all hope had been sucked from their lives, to be replaced by despair. He wondered what this boy’s story was.

“So should I get Buttermilk?” the ranch hand asked.

Gabriel shook his head. “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t want to impose on you on your day off.”

The boy shrugged. “No problem. She’s in the corral. I’ll round her up and throw a saddle on her.”

As Bart turned to leave, the collar of his shirt opened farther to reveal the tattoo of a small fish on the side of his neck. Gabriel recognized it right away as a piranha, the symbol of a well-known gang that populated juvenile facilities. In places where the gang had a foothold, they thrived on putting fear in the inmates with the same fierceness that the tiny fish with razor-sharp teeth did in its victims. Even guards were afraid to stand against them.

Bart caught sight of Gabriel’s eyes on his tattoo, and he lifted his chin challengingly. When Gabriel said nothing, Bart headed out the door. Gabriel frowned as he watched him go. When Bart stepped out of the barn, Gabriel glanced at Dean. “How long has Bart been working here?”

“A few weeks,” Dean answered.

“What do you know about him?”

“Nothing really. He showed up here, a hungry kid who’d been drifting around the country. We get a lot of those through here, and I always try to help them out when I can. He’s a hard worker. Keeps to himself. I can’t help but believe he’s carrying a lot of baggage. I don’t think I’ve seen him smile since he’s been here. Reminds me of how my life was at one time.”

Gabriel hesitated for a moment before he said anything. Then he decided Dean had a right to know what he’d just discovered. “Dean, you need to keep a watch on him and make sure your family keeps their distance. That tattoo on his neck is the insignia of the Piranha Gang, who thrive in juvenile facilities. They’re vicious and ruthless. Only trusted members are allowed to have the tattoo. So that means that at the very least, Bart was heavy into the gang at one time. It’s possible he still is.”

Dean’s eyebrows arched. “Thanks for telling me, Gabriel. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

They stood there silently staring in the direction that Bart had gone. One thing Gabriel knew was that once a Piranha member was out of juvie, it didn’t take long for the larger gangs in town to approach him. That could mean that Bart had already graduated to the next level and become a member of another gang. He wondered if Bart could now be tied to Shaw’s organization. It seemed suspicious that he’d shown up right around the time of Liz’s arrival. Yet on the other hand, if he was intent on attacking Liz, he wasn’t acting very quickly. It was a puzzle.

Bart Foster could bear watching in the future, and he intended to do just that.

FOUR

Liz spotted Buttermilk saddled and ready to go as she approached the barn. She stopped and debated whether or not she really wanted to do this. She hadn’t gone riding with another guest since she’d been here. Maybe she needed to turn around and go back to the house before Gabriel saw her. Then she could apologize later and blame the fact that she was exhausted after working so hard all morning.

She shook her head and frowned. There was no need to make excuses. If she didn’t want to go, she didn’t owe Gabriel Decker any explanation.

She turned to leave but faltered and worried her lip. The truth was that she wanted to go. She wanted to spend a few hours riding the trails that led into the mountains that ringed this valley, and she wanted to share the experience with another person who seemed friendly.

Before she could make a decision, Gabriel’s voice called out to her. “Liz, I was about to give up on you.”

She glanced over her shoulder and saw Gabriel leading Dandelion, the horse she’d been riding since coming here, from the barn. She was already saddled up, too. Liz hesitated only a moment before she took a deep breath and walked toward Gabriel.

“You didn’t have to saddle Dandelion for me.”

He smiled. “I didn’t mind. I thought we could hit the trail as soon as you got here.”

Dean walked out of the barn at that moment and raised a hand in greeting. “Liz, thanks for cleaning the stalls this morning. They look good.”

“No need to thank me, Dean,” she called out. “Mr. Decker did most of the work.”

Dean’s eyebrows rose, and he looked at Gabriel. “You didn’t tell me that.”

Gabriel waved his hand in dismissal. “She’s too modest—she did more than her fair share. As for my part, it was no big deal. I was glad to do it.” He smiled at Liz. “Besides, I enjoyed the company.”

Liz’s face flushed at his words. She knew it was just his way of being courteous but somehow it lifted her spirits. For the past few weeks she’d felt like she was in a vacuum. Although Dean and Gwen had been wonderful, she’d been away from her friends, her job and everything that was familiar to her. And on top of the fear and the worry, there was also the aching sadness she felt as she mourned her friend. All because she and Kathy had decided to stop at the mall on that horrible day. She doubted if her life would ever return to normal.

Without responding to Gabriel’s comment, she took the reins from his hand and swung up onto Dandelion’s back. When she was settled in the saddle, she looked down at Dean. “We should only be gone a few hours. I’ll be back in time to help Gwen with dinner.”

“Don’t rush back for that. We can handle things. Just relax and have a good time. You’ve earned it.”

She nodded and glanced around to see Gabriel mounted on Buttermilk. He grinned and swept his hand out in front of him. “Lead the way, Liz. I’ll be right behind you.”

She gave the horse a nudge, and they headed out onto the trail that led to Rattlesnake Creek. She’d ridden there once with Dean and knew that the ride would take them through some beautiful country. Familiar with the territory, Dandelion plodded along the trail.

The path grew wider, and Gabriel rode up beside her. She eyed him and noticed how relaxed in the saddle he looked. She’d seen some of the guests riding since she’d been here, and sometimes it was quite comical the way they seemed to be clinging to the saddle. Not Gabriel, though. He rode as if he’d been doing it all his life. Then she remembered he’d said he grew up on a ranch.”

“I can tell you’ve ridden before. Where did you say you grew up?” she asked.

“Texas,” he answered. “We had a ranch there. My parents left it to me, but I sold it about five years ago and left the area.”

The way he clamped his lips together and grimaced told her that he wasn’t about to say more about his early life. “So what do you do now?” she asked.

He didn’t answer right away but then said, “I’m a consultant with a large organization that works with different agencies and businesses around the country to advise them on their operating practices. I’m taking a bit of a vacation for a while before I decide what I want to do next. What about you?”

“I’m a loan officer in a bank,” she replied. “Not a very glamorous occupation, but I enjoy it.”

“I’d think that would be difficult when you have to refuse to loan someone money.”

She nodded. “It is, but it works the other way, too. Right before I came to Little Pigeon, I helped a young couple buy their first home. Their happiness and gratitude made me forget about those I’d seen disappointed.”

He turned his head and stared at her. “I know the feeling when life hands you a disappointment but when you do something that helps someone out, it gives you a feeling that you’ve made a difference in another person’s life.”

A trace of bitterness laced his words, and she darted a glance at him. He stared straight ahead with his lips pursed as if he was lost in thought. Since she didn’t understand what might have triggered his reaction, she cast around for a distraction.

Her gaze fell on some plants ahead. They hadn’t been in bloom when she’d ridden here with Dean a few weeks earlier. She pointed to the brilliant display. “Look at that!”

A large group of Joe-Pye Weed plants stretched upward perhaps ten feet, and each of the stalks was covered with delicate lilac blooms. The sight took her breath away.

She pulled Dandelion to a stop and sat there drinking in the beauty. Gabriel halted Buttermilk beside her and rested his arm on the saddle horn as he gazed at the flowers. “What are they?”

“Joe-Pye Weed,” she answered. “They blossom in the fall in the Smokies. Dean and Gwen had told me how beautiful they are, but they weren’t in bloom the last time I rode this way.”

He shifted his gaze to her. “You sound like you really enjoy looking at flowers.”

“Oh, I do. When I was growing up, my mother always had flowers, and I would help with her garden.” She sighed. “Now that I live in an apartment, I miss being able to have my own little spot to putter in. Maybe when I can go back home...”

She stopped before she said too much. She glanced at him and saw that he was studying her with a somber expression on his face. After a moment he swallowed and looked back at the plants. “That’s certainly a breathtaking scene.”

Relieved that he hadn’t pushed her on what she’d meant to say, she reached in her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. “I think I’ll get some pictures.”

She fumbled with balancing the reins and the phone. Gabriel reached over and grasped the reins in his hand. “Let me hold these while you take the picture.”

She released her grip, shot a quick smile his way and aimed the phone camera at the flowers that towered above them. Before she could take the picture, Dandelion raised her head and whinnied. Liz tightened her legs on either side of the horse and grabbed for the reins that Gabriel held. She had just wrapped her fingers around them when a gunshot split the air. The bullet kicked up dust a few feet in front of them.

Dandelion snorted and lunged toward the right side of the trail, away from Buttermilk. Liz’s cell phone tumbled to the ground, and she tightened her grip on the reins in an effort to stay in the saddle.

“Liz!” Gabriel cried out, but she had no time to look at him.

She gritted her teeth and pulled back on the left rein. Dandelion’s head turned in that direction as if they were going in a circle. Then a second shot hit the ground in front of them, and with a loud whinny the horse jerked her head, reared up on her back legs and pawed at the air.

Liz tried to keep hold of the reins, but when they slipped from her hands, she grabbed the saddle horn in an attempt to stay seated. At the sound of a third shot, Dandelion surged forward. Liz tightened her legs on either side of the horse to keep from being thrown, but it was no use. Dandelion bucked once more, and Liz felt herself falling.

She screamed just before darkness consumed her.

* * *

It all happened so fast Gabriel didn’t have time to react. One minute Liz was taking a picture, and the next, bullets were flying. He heard the crack of the rifle and saw the dust kick up. His first thought was to grab for Liz, but Buttermilk lunged away in the wrong direction. She was as terrified as Dandelion. The second and third shots sent the horses into a panic.

He yanked on Buttermilk’s reins as he watched in horror as Liz fell from the saddle to the ground. As soon as Dandelion was free of her rider, she took off running and disappeared down the trail. Gabriel jumped off his horse, which gave a loud whinny and then galloped off after Dandelion.

There was no time to worry about the horses. He pulled his gun from its holster, aimed into the forest where the shots had come from and fired as he ran toward Liz. When he reached her, he grabbed her arm and dragged her across the trail into the trees opposite the shooter. Two more shots hit on either side of him as he pulled her to the shelter of the forest, and he returned the fire.

When they were in the relative safety of the woods, he released his hold on Liz, pulled off his jacket and placed it under her head. His gaze raked her from head to foot. He didn’t see any injuries, but she must have hit her head when she fell or she wouldn’t be unconscious. She could have serious internal injuries. He slipped his fingers into her hair and felt around her scalp but found nothing that seemed out of the ordinary.

He sat back on his heels, closed his eyes and pressed his lips together. He couldn’t believe he’d been so careless in bringing Liz out here. Instead of convincing her to go riding with him, he should have thought up ways to gain her trust without leaving the ranch. He’d only begun his assignment to protect her yesterday, and she’d already had two incidents that reeked of Daniel Shaw’s gang.

Now she lay injured in a forest, someone was out there shooting at them and there was no backup anywhere close by. The more he thought about it, though, the stranger it seemed. If the gunman was a hit man for Daniel Shaw, why were the shots aimed at the trail and not them? From such a short distance the gunman shouldn’t have had any trouble hitting them if that’s what he’d intended. Maybe this had been a warning, an attack designed to scare Liz and keep her from testifying.

He glanced at his watch and realized it had been at least five minutes since the last shot. Maybe whoever was out there had gone. Only one way to find out. He crawled to the edge of the tree line and peered across the trail. He saw no movement. Taking a deep breath, he raised his gun and shot into the forest opposite them. There was no answering gunfire. He shot once more. When nothing happened, he crawled back to Liz. She still hadn’t moved.

He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and punched in Dean’s number. He answered right away. “Hello.”

“Dean, we’ve had a problem. Someone took a few shots at us, and Liz was thrown. The horses have run off, and we’re stranded. Can you come get us?”

Dean gasped. “Are you both all right?”

“I’m okay, but Liz is unconscious. You’re going to need an ATV to get her. There’s no way we can get her on a horse, and I wouldn’t want to risk potentially aggravating any injuries she might have, anyway.”

“What about the shooter?”

“I think he’s gone, but be careful. He could be waiting until we come out of hiding.”

“Emmett and I will be right there. Where are you?”

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