Riding for Love (A Western Romance) (22 page)

“Nice try. You know darn well you left some clothes here the last time you stayed over. They’re in the laundry room. You even left your boots as if you either planned on coming back to ride or as a message you’ve given up riding.”

Denton chuckled and walked down the hall to the fetch his clothes. “Probably a little of both.”

“Well, get a move on, or Tom will be back wondering what’s taking us so long.”

Chapter 20

“Watch for any disturbed grass along the trail,” Denton told Eve a short time later.

Eve peered through the trees. “They could be made by animals, too.”

He guided his horse beside Eve. “Deer trails would be pretty obvious. Anything else would be disturbed grass. Anyone sneaking around would be pretty careful about leaving a trail.”

“This creeps me out,” she said, keeping an eye on the ground around her. “I have an idea we won’t find anything until we get to our lake. Anyone would be crazy to use these trails when we used them all the time.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Like the sound of what?” Her heart skipped a beat and fluttered. His eyes sparkled and his dimple deepened.

“Our lake. Sounds good. Permanent.”

“Me, too, Denton.”

“I want to marry you, Eve.”

She held back the grin starting in her heart. “I know, Dent.”

He stopped his horse. “What do you mean, you know?”

Eve kept her horse moving and didn’t look back. She rounded the bend in the trail, wondering if he was going to catch up. She was enjoying keeping him off kilter. His horse whinnied beside her, but she kept sweeping the ground for signs.

“Well, what about it?”

“What about what?” She held back a snicker at his sigh strong enough to rustle the leaves on the trees.

“Getting married,” he said, impatience ringing in his voice. “What about getting married?”

Eve casually shrugged when in reality she wanted to leap into his arms, horses or not, kiss his face silly, and scream at the top of her lungs,
YES!
“Ask me again when we’re not looking for bad guys.”

“What kind of answer is that?”

“Mine.” She stopped Tilly at the first lake and dismounted, giving him a sideways glance. His lips were turned up at the corners. “What are you grinning at?”

He swung his leg over the rump of his horse and dropped to the ground. “You.”

“Why?”

He led his horse to Eve and gave her a quick kiss. “’Cause I love you,” he said in a soft voice against her lips. Without looking back, he led his horse to the hidden path to their lake.

Eve stared after him and shook her head. The guy was going to keep her on her toes. But, man, what fun they would have. She led Tilly behind Della, and opened her mouth to tell him she loved him, too, when he put up his hand and placed a finger to his lips. He gave a signal for her to move closer.

“When was the last time you went to your lake?” he whispered.

“Not since we were here a few weeks ago. I’ve been too busy.”

“Look.” He pointed to some disrupted leaves at the entrance to their secret trail. “I think someone has been through here.”

Eve knelt and searched the ground and branches. To anyone not familiar with the area, the change wouldn’t be noticeable, but to Eve, it was obvious someone walked here and hadn’t camouflaged as she did.

“You’re right, someone’s been through here.” She pointed to fresh shoeprints a recent rain should have washed away.

“How quietly can we move?”

“We can leave the horses behind and make it more difficult for anyone to hear us.”

At his signal, they moved the horses to the other side of the lake. They slipped their backpacks filled with bottled water and sandwiches over their shoulders and hiked back to the trail. Cautiously removing the brush from the entrance, they stepped into the tree-lined path and re-covered the entrance in case someone came past from the outside. Within moments, they were on the other side, staring at the tranquil smaller lake, the scene of their first lovemaking.

Eve sighed and gazed wistfully at the canopy under the willow tree.

“I know,” he said quietly, putting an arm around her shoulders. “As much as I would love to make wild, passionate love to you right here, right now, we can’t until we find out what’s going on. I’m not taking any chances of someone trailing us.”

Eve laid her head on his shoulder and nodded. “Just the thought someone might have been watching us gives me the creeps.”

“Makes me angrier than hell.” He dropped his arm. “Hopefully, this will be over soon.”

“Whatever
this
is.”

“Let’s walk the perimeter of the trees and keep an eye out for any paths or trails. I think we should keep a low profile, so if anyone is watching, we’ll be harder to spot.”

Eve studied the span of tall grass between the lake and the start of the woods and crouched. He was right. It would be pretty easy from someone to catch a glimpse of them from the concealment of the woods.

“Should we crawl?”

“I’m too old to waddle like a duck. We may see something we wouldn’t if we were walking.”

Eve got down on all fours and peered over her shoulder at him. He wriggled his eyebrows and followed suit.

“Don’t get any ideas, mister.”

“How can I not get any ideas with your ass practically sticking in my face?”

“Well, keep your eyes on the task at hand, buster.”

“Impossible,” she heard him murmur.

Halfway around the lake, Eve was ready to scream. Her grass-stained knees hurt and the bugs, attracted to her sweating body, swarmed around her eyes, nose, and mouth. She longed to jump into the water so close to them.

“Stop,” Denton whispered, pointing a short distance ahead. “See that?”

Eve followed his finger. “Another trail?”

Denton inched his way in front of her. “Seems like it to me. Been used quite a bit.”

“Let’s follow,” he said, moving slowly to the narrow opening in the grass.

At her nod, he crept through the tall grass. Eve flinched at each rustle. It would be even more difficult to keep quiet when they got to the woods. If they were lucky, they would find nothing more than deer resting under the trees.

“When we get to the woods, be careful not to step on any fallen branches or twigs. I’ll go first,” he said in a low voice, as if he’d read her mind.

“Why?”

“If we run into someone, take off in the other direction and get back to the ranch. Got that?”

“I’m not leaving you.”

He grabbed her wrist. “Eve, I’m serious,” he murmured. “We don’t know what we’re going to find. Promise me if we run into trouble, you’ll go back for help.”

“I have my cell phone.”

“They might hear you. In fact, put it on vibrate. Promise me you’ll go back to the horses and call. Please.”

Eve crossed her fingers behind her back before nodding and following him. After a few moments, he put his hand up. She stopped.

Keeping his voice down, he asked, “Have you ever been out here?”

She shook her head. “Not in years. I usually only go as far as the willow tree and the little lake.”

Muffled voices carried in the distance, not loud, but enough to stop her heart in her throat. Her pulse raced. Another shot of deodorant would have been good. Denton turned to her. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead and ran down the side of his face. He signaled for her to stay down. Soon they would be shimmying on their stomachs, noses in the dirt.

Their forward progress was painstakingly slow. Eve thought turtles from the lake could pass them. After a few minutes, she peeked up over his head, expecting dim lighting from the woods. Instead, the sky turned brighter like there was an opening in the woods.

Denton motioned for her to slide up beside him. He eased the tall grass aside. To her right, two men sat on lawn chairs under the trees. Eve knew a little about guns, but the rifles each held across their legs were intimidating and the scariest she’d ever seen. Her hands went damp and her throat dry. On the left beneath some trees was a fifteen foot trailer. A camouflaged canopy was strung from each corner of the trailer out to trees at the edge of a field. A grill, cooler, table, several more lawn chairs, and a four-wheeler were in front of the trailer, hidden by the canopy.

She tapped Denton on the arm and pointed at the scattered plants growing in a field she didn’t realize existed.

“Weed.”

She raised her eyebrows. “On my land?” she mouthed.

He nodded and put a finger to his lips.

Eve wanted to ask him how he recognized the plant, but one of the men started speaking in Spanish. She’s taken Spanish in high school, but without the need to use it, she couldn’t remember more than
hola
and
gracias
. Besides, they were speaking so rapidly, no way could she understand them. But one word stood out like a cell tower in a desert. “Snook.”

She emitted an involuntary gasp. The men stopped talking. “
Que
?”

She held her breath as one of the men stood and listened intently. Both men laughed when a chipmunk bounded in from the woods, its mouth bulging with seeds.

“
Nada
,” one of them said and sat, resting his rifle once again across his lap.

Denton gestured for Eve to back up. Feeling like an elephant in a garden of thorny roses, she maneuvered in the other direction and stopped short. A noise behind her sent chills down her spine. The drone of a four-wheeler, a distant hum reaching her consciousness, grew louder.

Denton turned around and gestured at the two men walking toward the trailer. “When I tell you,” he whispered in her ear, “get up and run like hell.”

He continued observing the men until they were out of sight. As the vehicle came closer, he knew they needed to get out of there. Using the roar of the engine to cover their retreat, he pushed on Eve’s leg. “Go, but keep down.” Bending at the waist, he ran behind Eve, relieved she followed his orders, keeping her head down, running without looking back.

He didn’t stop until they were again at the edge of the lake. Sweat ran in his eyes and down the back of his shirt. He leaned his hands on knees. His chest burned, heaving up and down like a hand pump.

“Keep going,” he panted, pointing in the direction of the willow tree.

“I can’t,” she huffed.

Her red face and wet hair made him question his wisdom in pushing her on, but he couldn’t be certain they weren’t seen rushing from the camp. He grabbed her hand. “We have to. I’ll carry you if necessary.” Despite the situation, he smiled when she stood, threw her shoulders back, and gave him a defiant look.

“Let’s go,” she said, pulling him along, running around the lake.

Minutes later Denton wasn’t sure what scared him more—the idea they might be chased by men with big, powerful guns or that his horse was galloping down the trail to the ranch with him on its back. He didn’t bother to re-cover the entrance to the secret path. After taking a few seconds to call the sheriff and alert him, they’d jumped on the horses. Well, at least Eve did.

His horse, probably sensing his and Eve’s fear, kept backing in circles whenever Denton tried to step into the stirrups. Eve finally dismounted and kept his horse still until he mounted. Now he was holding on for dear life, trying not to think about what was happening as they raced down the path to the ranch.

Chapter 21

Dan stepped out of his cruiser as they came to a stop in front of the barn. Eve was off her horse, running to him before Denton had one foot out of the stirrups.

“That was fast,” he said, approaching the sheriff, trying to hide the fact he believed his insides were someplace back a few hundred yards on the trail. “Didn’t expect to see you here already.”

“I was actually on my way to talk to you.”

Denton leaned against the car and tugged Eve into his arms, hoping the action would hide his shaking hands. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“You guys look like you’ve been chased by a bear. You’d better tell me what happened. Eve sounded panicked on the phone.”

Denton nodded over Eve’s shoulder at his friend. “Like you suggested, we decided to search for any signs of trespassers.”

Dan glanced around the farm. “Is anyone working today?”

“A couple of high school kids, the cook. Eve has a dance coming up.” He turned toward the house. “Let’s get away from prying eyes.”

“Can we rub down the horses first?” Eve asked.

Denton waved one of the employees over. “Get one of the kids to do it.” He waited for her to give instructions and then followed Eve and the sheriff to the house.

“Anyone want something to drink?” Eve asked once they were seated at the kitchen table.

“I could go with about a gallon of water,” Denton replied, swiping his arm across his forehead.

“So tell me what happened,” Dan said as Eve handed them glasses of lemonade.

“We went past the first lake and to the second one,” Denton said, after downing his drink in a few gulps.

“You have two lakes out there?”

Eve nodded. “The smaller one is rather secluded and hard to find unless you know it’s there.”

The sheriff listened to their story, but didn’t react until they mentioned the guns and Snook’s name.

“This doesn’t sound like the sand issue, does it?” Denton asked.

Dan took off his hat and ran his fingers through his thick hair. “No. But it does answer the question of where Snook is getting his money.”

“What do we do now?” Denton asked.

“You don’t do anything. This is a federal case now since it involves drugs. I’ll call the FBI and DEA.”

“Do you need to?” Eve asked, her forehead creased with worry. “Will they raid the ranch? What will this do to my business?”

Denton ran his hand up and down her back. He wished there was something he could do to ease her worry, but other than single-handedly taking on drug dealers, the best thing was to keep her company.

Dan shrugged. “It shouldn’t do anything to your business right now. More than likely, the feds will take their time getting their ducks in a row. For now, stay away from the other lake. If you happen to run into Snook, don’t let on you found the field.” He stood and went to the door. “I’ll keep you in the loop.” He put his hand on the doorknob.

“Wait,” Denton said. “Why were you on your way here when we called?”

“Oh, right,” Dan said, snapping his fingers. “I stopped by the Nelson’s again on my way home.”

“Weren’t you there this morning?” Eve asked.

“Yes, but during lunch I got to thinking about what Tom said about the sand companies buying up land for big bucks. I wondered if they’d been approached.”

“Had they?” Denton asked.

“Sure enough, but they turned them down flat.”

Eve frowned. “I can imagine they did. The Nelson farm has been in the family and farmed continuously for seven generations. They take great pride in family tradition, and I can’t picture them giving that up for money, no matter how much.”

“Exactly what they said. Plus the eighth generation just came into the world not long ago,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m inclined to think this is only about the marijuana.”

“You don’t think the Nelson’s are growing it, do you?” Eve asked. “I can’t believe for a minute they’d do such a thing.”

Dan stepped onto the porch and replaced his hat. Eve and Denton followed. “No, I don’t. Their land is connected to yours so they might have seen something they attributed to your ranch. If they heard the four-wheelers, they may think you opened up a new line of business.” He strode to his car and got inside. “Guess I’ll stop back over there with a different set of questions. Remember what I said about going to the lake.”

Denton put an arm around Eve’s shoulders as they watched the car go down the driveway.

“Sure wish I understood Spanish and knew what those men said about Snook,” Eve said, taking Denton’s hand and walking slowly toward the house.

“They said Snook was on his way with more food and beer.”

“You speak Spanish?” She paused, surprise etched on her face.

“Had two years in high school and one of my college professors said to take more. In today’s business world, you never can tell where you will be working. Came in handy in California.”

“My two years of high school Spanish went in one ear and out the other, along with math.”

“Another reason why we’ll make such a good team,” he said, placing a kiss on her forehead.

She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I agree.”

“You mean you’ll marry me?”

She didn’t say anything as they went back up the porch steps.

“Well?” he asked, hope resounding in his voice.

“Hey, you guys,” Tom interrupted.

Denton swore under his breath. Tom loped across the yard, puffing from exertion. When the hell was he going to catch a break?

“I passed the sheriff driving down the driveway. What was he doing here again?”

Eve gestured for them to sit on the chairs on the porch. “I’ll get some more lemonade.”

“What about the sandwiches?” Denton asked. “We never got to eat them, and I’m so hungry, I could get back on a horse and ride into town for dinner.”

Eve pointed to the backpacks leaning against the railing and went into the house.

“So what about the sheriff?” Tom asked.

Once again, Denton relayed the story.

“Snook? That son-of-a-bitch.” Tom stood and headed for the stairs. “I’m gonna kill him.”

“Tom, wait.” Denton grabbed the older man’s arm. “We can’t do anything. What part of ‘they have guns’ don’t you get? Those men are dangerous, and we can’t let Snook find out we are on to him. Sit down and let’s figure this out.”

Reluctantly, Tom went back to his chair, then stood and paced.

“We need to let the feds do their job, Tom.”

He snorted. “Meanwhile, those assholes are putting Eve and everyone working on the ranch in danger.”

“I agree.” Denton watched Tom out of the corner of his eye. “I think someone needs to stay with Eve all the time.”

Tom stopped pacing and gave Denton a piercing stare. “You volunteering, boy?”

“What do you think, old man?”

“I think right now I need to punch something or someone, and since Snook isn’t here, you’re the next best thing.”

Denton cringed. Even in his sixties, Tom was a force to be reckoned with. With him this angry, well, Denton didn’t want to be on the stopping end of Tom’s fist. One crack and he would probably be on his ass or, worse, knocked out.

“I think you need to understand I am in love with Eve and asked her to marry me.”

Tom plopped down into his chair and stared at him. “You what?”

“I asked her to marry me.” Denton grinned. “If things had worked out between us years ago, we’d already be married with a couple of kids.”

“What did she say?”

“She hasn’t answered me, and I’ve asked twice.” He rubbed dirt off his pants.

“Smart girl.”

“Well, the last time I asked her, which was, by the way, not too long ago, someone came barreling up the driveway and interrupted us, old man.”

“Lucky girl.” Tom chuckled.

Eve came outside and handed them each a drink. After a swallow, Denton frowned. “What did you put in this?”

“Brandy. I thought we needed something a little stronger than lemonade to calm our nerves.” She took a dainty sip. “What were you guys laughing about?” Eve asked.

“Nothing,” they said in unison.

She looked between the men. “Now why do I believe you’re both lying?”

Tom took a bite of his sandwich. “Actually Dent seems to think he should stay here with you until the feds do their thing and this mess is cleared up.”

Eve turned to Denton and raised an eyebrow. “Really?” She faced Tom. “Why haven’t you punched him out yet?”

“Thought about it.” He took a swallow of water. “’Cause I’d be happy to oblige you.”

“Sure,” she replied and grinned when Denton’s face paled.

“I hate to admit this, Eve, but I think Denton’s idea holds merit.”

She set her glass on the porch floor. “You’re kidding, right? You’re actually going to agree Denton should stay with me?”

Tom nodded. “Obviously those men have been on your land for quite some time already. I’d feel safer having someone with you in the house at night.”

Denton smiled in agreement. He wanted to rub his hands together and howl at the moon. He didn’t have to feel guilty anymore about staying at Eve’s. No more sneaking. He’d received Tom’s blessings, even if it was done grudgingly. “And since Snook seems to be involved, he may tell the drug dealers when you’re alone.” He stood. “So, until the feds clear those jerks out of here, I’m staying by your side.”

“And after?”

He planted a quick kiss on her cheek. “Up to you, babe. Up to you.”

Eve glanced warily between the two men. Something had happened while she was gone, but had no idea what it was. “If they come to the house, what can you do to protect us?”

“As long as they think you’re not alone, they probably won’t do anything. Besides, I have a license to carry a gun and, believe me, I won’t hesitate to use it.” He placed both hands on either side of her chair and leaned down. “I’m going to Mom’s to get some things. Tom will stay here until I get back.” He kissed her on the forehead and bounded down the steps.

Eve watched Tom as Denton got in his SUV and left.

“So you’re okay with this?” she asked. She couldn’t believe he would capitulate so easily.

Tom nodded. “He told me he asked you to marry him.”

“Yeah, he did.”

“And you haven’t answered him yet.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Need to keep him guessing, Tom.” She stood and kissed him on the cheek. “Need to keep him guessing.”

Tom chucked at her back as she entered the house. “Poor sap doesn’t stand a chance,” she heard him say.

Later that evening, snuggled against Denton’s side in her queen-sized bed, Eve ran her hand over his furry chest.

“How long do you think it will take for the feds to get those guys out of here?”

“Ready to get rid of me already?”

She giggled. “Not hardly. I’m ready to relax and only worry about whether I’ll have a full load of customers this fall to carry me through until we get enough snow for snowmobilers.”

“I’ll talk to Dan in the morning and see what he thinks.”

“Should I cancel the next group coming?” She felt like purring as he ran his hand up and down her back.

“No. Any change in routine will alert them that we know they are in the woods. Not a good idea.”

“Guess we’ll just have to make sure no one uses the trails alone.”

“I thought you didn’t let beginners go out on their own.”

“This isn’t a beginner’s class. There are actually two people from your group coming back,” she mumbled, her yawn so wide, her jaw cracked. The day’s events were catching up with her. “Remember the Hubers’, the older lovey-dovey couple with the southern accents? They’re arriving tomorrow.”

“I do. I remember thinking I wanted someone in my life to be as devoted to me as they seem to be to each other.”

“Mmm. I thought the same thing.” Her eyes were getting heavier. “Should I tell my employees to keep an eye out?” She was nearly asleep when he finally spoke.

“I think we should leave things the way they are, especially with Snook’s brother working for you.”

She sat up, no longer sleepy. “You don’t think he’s involved, do you? He’s nothing like Snook and I’d to think he was into drugs.” He didn’t answer right away and she followed where his gaze was focused. Sighing, she pulled the sheet over her breasts and, like a light switch, he clicked back to her.

“What did you say?”

She rolled her eyes.

“What?”

“So you can’t think and stare at my boobs at the same time?”

“Oh, I can think all right.” He reached out and placed a hand on her covered breast. “Just not about what I’m supposed to be thinking about.”

“So if I ever want to distract you, all I have to do is lift up my shirt?”

He pulled her into his arms, but not before taking the sheet away. “Or down. You can distract me all you want, babe.”

In that moment, Eve forgot all about being sleepy, drug dealers, and her cousin, Snook.