Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 119746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
“What feeling?”
“The one that tells you to be afraid.”
We lead Duke back to the barn in silence. The morning sun is fully up now, but it feels colder than before. Jensen’s shoulders are tight, his movements sharp as he leads Duke into the stall and helps me untack. Every few seconds his eyes drift to the barn doors, to the mountains beyond.
“Your arms are shaking,” he says as I struggle with a buckle. His fingers brush mine as he takes over, and I try to ignore how my skin tingles at the contact. “Go get some breakfast from the main house if you want. Eli made enough. Then get some rest. You’ll need it for the coming days.”
“What was that out there?” I try again. “In the trees?”
He focuses on removing Duke’s bridle, taking his time before answering. “Could’ve been anything. Wind. Wildlife.”
“You don’t believe that, though.”
His hands still. For a moment I think he might actually give me a straight answer, but then Eli appears in barn aisle.
“Made some more coffee,” Eli says, tipping his hat to me and giving me a warm smile. Then he looks to Jensen with a grave expression. “Weather’s turning so Red’s gone to town for our supplies now. Cole’s checking the generators. The worst of it should hit tonight night but it will be on and off until then.”
“Good to know,” Jensen says. They share another one of those loaded looks again before Eli disappears into the barn. Jensen turns back to me, his expression carefully neutral. “Better get your fill of food. You’ve earned it.”
I want to ask more questions—about the storm, about what spooked Duke, about the silent conversations that seem to be happening around me. But Jensen’s body language makes it clear we’re done, so I exit the stall, giving Duke and appreciative pat before I do so.
At the barn door, I pause. The tree line looks innocent now, just ponderosa pines swaying in the morning breeze. But I can’t shake the feeling that something out there is watching.
Waiting.
7
AUBREY
After the riding lesson I try to make myself busy at the ranch but keep feeling like I’m getting in the way. Though Jensen was fairly kind and attentive while I was with Duke, he’s back to being grumpy and pretending I don’t exist, as goes for the rest of his crew (which, frankly, isn’t a bad thing since everyone except Eli gives me the creeps). It’s such a nice day, though, and I don’t want to hole up in the guest cottage, so I decide to jump in the car and head out to Lake Tahoe. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen the clear blue waters and being in civilization would probably help me stop ruminating endlessly.
It works, for the most part. I check out some stores, have lunch at a cute BBQ place, then grab a tea from a merchant and head out to the lake, finding a smooth boulder to sit on by the shore. The sun is high in the sky and strong enough that I peel off all my layers until I’m just in a T-shirt. I try to empty my mind and find solace in the natural beauty of the place, watching the azure water dance with the sun’s glare, but my brain is tugged toward Lainey, as it always is, then to Jensen.
There’s obviously something going on at that ranch. I’ve never met a cagier bunch of cowboys (not that I often meet cowboys) and I don’t have to be an FBI agent to know they’re all keeping secrets, even the affable Eli. What secrets, I don’t know, but I also know they’re more than just ranch hands. If I had to guess, I’d say that perhaps they’re involved in some local crime scene, which makes everything about this mission more dangerous. I’m not undercover, per se, but they can’t know my job, no matter what. They would immediately think that everything to do with Lainey is a ruse and if they find that out while I’m in the mountains with them, well…I’m not sure things would turn out so well for me.
I’ll have to be extra careful. Leave my badge hidden in the car. I should leave my gun there too, but it might end up being the only defense I have if things go south. I’ll just make sure to keep it hidden in my bag and if they ask, well, they shouldn’t be surprised that a lone woman would feel the need to keep a gun on her when venturing into the wilderness with five strange men.
As for Jensen, I’d like to trust him but at this point I can’t. I might need him to find Lainey, but that’s about all he’s good for. Yeah, he’s exactly my type but I’m self-aware enough to know that I have a shitty taste in men. Grumpy as fuck, with rough hands, plus a gravely voice, and potentially dangerous? Ticking all the red flags at once.