Читать книгу Rancher Rescue - Barb Han - Страница 9

Chapter Three

Matt’s black pickup roared down the drive. Caleb walked to meet his foreman. “Find anything?”

“There’s nothing around for miles. Whoever did this got away fast.”

The whole scenario seemed calculated, ruling out the slight possibility this was a case of mistaken identity. “You checked with the McGraths?”

Matt nodded. “They haven’t seen or heard anything all day. Gave us the okay to search their property and barn. I sent Jimmy and Greg over to the Reynolds’, too. Not a trace. No one saw anything, either. There’s nothing but her word to go on.” Worry showed in the tight muscles of his face. “I gotta ask. You think it’s possible she could be making this up?”

Caleb ground his back teeth. “This is real. She has the bumps and bruises to prove it.”

“It was a crappy question but needed to be asked. There’s no trail to follow. No other signs she’s telling the truth. Could the marks be from something else?”

“You didn’t see her. The terror in her eyes. The blood. I had to cut her free from the fencing. Dig barbs out of her leg.”

“Stay with me for a minute. I’m just sayin’. Where’s the proof she even has a nephew? How do we know all the mechanical stuff upstairs is oiled and the cranks are working with her?”

The point was valid. If he hadn’t been the one to find her, he might wonder if she was crazy, too. But he had been the one. Her tortured expression might haunt him for the rest of his life. She’d faced the hell in front of her with her chin up. He didn’t doubt her. “I hear you and I understand your concerns. I do. But you’re off base.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I just know.”

Matt cocked one eyebrow. “Okay...how?”

“Call it gut instinct.”

“Then I’ll take your word for it. I’ll give her a ride wherever she wants to go.” He took a step toward the house.

“Sheriff wants her to stick around.”

Matt hesitated. His doubt about the situation was written all over his face. To his credit, he seemed to know when to hold his tongue. He turned toward the barn. “Be careful. You have a tendency to get too involved with creatures that need saving. I’ll check on the boys out back.”

It would be dark before too long. The sun, a bright orange glow on the horizon, was retreating. “I’ll put on a pot of coffee.”

As soon as Caleb walked inside, Katherine hit him with the first question.

“What did the sheriff say?” She stroked the little yellow tabby who had made herself at home in her lap.

“How’d you manage that?” He inclined his chin toward the kitty.

She shrugged. “She hopped on the couch and curled up. She’s a sweet girl. Why?”

“Claws has been afraid of people ever since I brought her into the house.”

“How’d she lose her leg?”

“Found her like that when I was riding fences one day. She was in pretty bad shape. Vet fixed her up, and she’s been my little shadow ever since. Scratched the heck out of Matt the first time he picked her up. Usually hides when I have company.”

Claws purred as Katherine scratched under her chin. “Can’t imagine who would hurt such a sweet girl.” She paused, and then locked gazes. “You were going to tell me what the sheriff said.”

“That he’d contact me if they found anything. Do you remember what else you were doing before the men showed up?”

“We’d bought a jar of local honey. We were picking out pumpkins to take home with us.”

“Anything else?”

“That’s it. That’s all I remember.”

Caleb moved to the side table and picked up the empty soup bowl. “You drink coffee?”

“Yes.”

“Give me five minutes. In the meantime, sheriff wants a list of names. Anyone who might’ve been out to hurt your sister. Or you.”

He put down the bowl, took a pen and paper from a side table drawer and placed it next to her before moving into the kitchen.

She was making scribbles on the sheet of paper when he returned and handed her a cup. “Wasn’t sure how you took yours.”

“Black is fine.” She gripped the mug. “What’s next? How long does the sheriff expect me to sit here and do nothing?”

“Waiting’s hard. Believe me, everything that can be done is happening. The authorities have all their resources on this. My men are filling the gaps. It’s best to stay put until the sheriff calls. Give yourself a chance to heal. How’s your leg?”

“Better. Thank you.”

His bandage job looked to be holding. “What was the last thing you remembered before Noah was...” Damn. He hated saying the word taken out loud.

“I don’t know. After the pumpkins, we were going on a hayride. I’d gone over to tell him. He was playing with the really big ones on the edge of the patch. Near the woods. I took pictures of him climbing on them. If we can find my phone, I can supply the sheriff with a recent photo.”

“Think you might have captured the guys on your camera?”

“It’s possible.”

“I’ll notify the sheriff.”

Caleb phoned Coleman and provided an update. The hunt for her belongings intensified. They might find answers. At the very least, Matt would believe her if she could produce a picture of her nephew. Why did that seem so important?

“Think they saw you snapping shots?”

She shrugged. “Don’t know.”

“Did Noah scream?”

“They covered his mouth at the same time they grabbed him around the waist. Didn’t bother once we got out of range.” Sadness, desperation, fear played out across her features. “Please tell me we’ll find him. I don’t know what they want. If I can’t produce a file, I’m afraid they’ll take it out on him.”

Caleb moved from his spot on the love seat to the couch and draped an arm around her. “We won’t allow it. We’ll figure it out.”

“I wish I’d been thinking more clearly. I panicked. Dropped everything. If I had those pics now, we might have a direction.”

Five raps on the door—Matt’s signature knock—came before the door sprang open. His foreman rushed in holding a black purse.

Claws darted under the sofa.

Katherine strained to push off the couch. “You found it.”

“The boys did.” Matt’s gaze moved from Caleb to Katherine. His brow furrowed and a muscle along his jaw twitched.

“Any luck with my phone?”

“This is all we got before we ran out of daylight. All the men in the county are involved. A few want to keep going. The rest will pick up the search tomorrow.”

Matt handed the bag to Katherine. She immediately dumped out the contents, palming Noah’s pill bottle and inhaler.

“Did you let Coleman know?” Caleb asked.

Matt nodded. “Sure did. There’s something else you should know. Thanks to that little bit of rain we got the other day, one of the boys located four-wheeler tracks on the McGrath farm on the other side of the fence near where you said you found her.”

Matt couldn’t deny she’d told the truth now.

Katherine was already digging around the large tote, tossing snack bags and juice boxes onto the sofa. “It all happened so fast. I can’t even remember where I put my phone. I just remember taking photographs one minute, then the world spinning out of control the next. I wouldn’t even believe any of this myself if it hadn’t happened to me. I keep feeling like all of this is some kind of bad dream, and I’ll wake up any second to find everything back to normal. Noah will be here with me. My sister will be alive.”

As if shaking off the heavy thoughts, Katherine jammed her hand back inside her bag. Blood soaked through one section of the gauze on her leg.

“If you won’t let me take you to the hospital, you’ll have to listen to what I say. We have to keep this elevated.” Caleb curled his fingers around her calf and lifted, watching for any signs he hurt her. Based on her grimace, her darkening eyes, she was winning the fight against the pain. When the shock and adrenaline wore off later, she’d be in for it. He didn’t like the idea of her being home alone in Dallas when it happened.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m not thinking clearly. This whole ordeal has me scattered. Waiting it out will drive me insane.”

Caleb didn’t even want to think about the possibility of not finding her nephew.

Big violet eyes stared at him. “It’s gone. I must’ve still been holding it. They have no way to contact me. What if they’ve called already? What if they’ve...”

“Sleep here tonight.” Caleb ignored Matt’s sharp intake of breath. He hadn’t planned to make the offer. It just came out.

* * *

“I’DGETIN your way. Besides, you have plenty to do to keep busy without me underfoot,” Katherine argued without conviction.

“If you stay here, I’ll be able to keep an eye on your leg and get some work done.”

Going back to her one-bedroom apartment was about as appealing as sleeping alone in a cave. Her keys were in her purse, but she doubted she could drive. Even though Noah had only been there a week, she couldn’t face going home without him. Staying at the ranch, being this near Caleb, provided a measure of strength and comfort.

His warm brown eyes darkened. “I can have Margaret turn down the bed in the guest room. Doesn’t make sense for you to go anywhere.”

“I don’t want to be rude. I just...”

Frustration, exhaustion was taking hold. It had been three long hours since the ordeal began.

“No reason to leave. This is best place to be for now.”

Caleb seemed the type of guy who took care of anyone and everyone he came across. Cowboy code or something. Still, she didn’t want to abuse his goodwill. “Thank you for everything you’ve done so far, but—”

“It’s no trouble.”

Matt ran the toe of his boot along the floor. “Think they’ll call her house?”

“I saw no need for a landline.”

The cowboy sat on the edge of the coffee table. “Then it’s settled. You stay. Agreed?”

“For tonight.”

Matt quickly excused himself and disappeared down the hall. What was that all about?

The cowboy followed.

Her heart gave a little skip at the satisfied smile on his face. She refocused on the sheet of paper. Who would want something from Leann? What file could she possibly have? A manila folder? Computer file?

Why on earth would they think Katherine had it? If they knew Leann at all, they’d realize she could keep a secret. The last thing she would do was confide in her sister.

Maybe a trip to Austin would help? She could start with Leann’s computer.

She rubbed her temples to ease the pounding between her eyes. Other than playing with the pumpkins, had Noah spoken to anyone? Had she?

There had to have been at least a dozen other people around. Were any of them in on it? A chill raced up her spine.

Caleb reappeared, holding a crutch. “I should take another look at that ankle before you put any weight on it.”

“I just remembered something. There was a man talking to me while I was in line to buy tickets for the hayride.”

His rich brown eyes lifted to meet hers and her heart faltered.

“He could’ve been there to distract you.”

Panic at reliving the memory gripped her. She buried her face in her hands. “I’m so scared. What will they do to him?”

He cupped her chin, lifting her face until her eyes met his. “You can’t think like that.”

“He has to be terrified. He’s so vulnerable and alone. I’m praying they haven’t hurt him. He’s been through so much already. I was supposed to take care of him. Protect him. Keep him safe.”

“If he’s half as strong as his aunt, he’ll be all right.” She could tell by his set jaw he meant it.

She almost laughed out loud. Little did he know how weak and miserable she felt, and her heart was fluttering with him so close, which could not be more inappropriate under the circumstances. “I promised on my sister’s grave I would look after him. Look what I did.”

The weight of those words sat heavier than a block of granite. Panic squeezed her chest. Her breath labored.

Brown eyes, rich, the color of newly turned fall leaves, set in an almost overwhelmingly attractive face stared at her. Before she could protest, his hand guided her face toward his shoulder.

“Don’t blame yourself,” he soothed. “Talk like that won’t bring him back.” His voice was a low rumble.

This close she could breathe in his scent. He smelled of fresh air and outdoors, masculine and virile. His mouth was so close to hers she could feel his cinnamon-scented breath on her skin.

She’d felt so alone, so guilty, and then suddenly this handsome cowboy was offering comfort.

Caleb pulled away too soon. Her mind was still trying to wrap itself around the fact a room could be charged with so much tension in less than a second, and in the next she could feel so guilty for allowing herself to get caught up in it.

The sounds of boots scuffling across tiles came from the other room. He inclined his chin toward the kitchen. “Sounds like we have company.”

He stood and held out his hand.

By the time Katherine limped into the kitchen with Caleb’s help, the table was filled with men. As soon as they saw her, chatter stopped and they stood. There were half a dozen cowboys surrounding the table.

“Ma’am.” Matt tipped his hat.

She smiled, nodded.

Caleb led her to the sink to wash her hands and blot her face with a cool, wet towel.

“Take my seat,” he said, urging her toward the head of the table.

Matt leaned forward, staring, lips pinched together.

As soon as she thanked the cowboy and sat, conversation resumed.

He handed her a plate of ribs and beans. She smiled up at him to show her gratitude.

He brought her fresh iced tea before making his own fixings and seating himself at the breakfast bar.

She looked down the table at the few guys. These must be the boys he’d referred to earlier.

Yep, he took care of everyone around him, including her.

* * *

WHENDINNERWASover, Caleb excused himself and moved to the back porch. Remnants of Katherine’s unique smell, a mix of spring flowers and vanilla, filled his senses when he was anywhere near her. He had to detach and analyze the situation. He needed a clear head. He could think outside.

Katherine had clearly been through hell. An unexpected death and a kidnapping within a week?

Before he could get too deep into that thought, the screen door creaked open and Matt walked out.

“Tough situation in there,” he said, nodding toward the house.

“You believe her now?”

“Hard to dispute the evidence.” He held his toothpick up to the light. “I didn’t mean to insult her before. I didn’t know what to believe.”

“Can’t say I wouldn’t be suspicious, too, if I hadn’t seen her moments after the fact.”

“I know you’re planning to help, and it’s the right thing to do, but is there something going on between you two?”

He clamped his mouth shut. Shock momentarily robbed his voice.

“No. Of course not. I met her five minutes ago. What makes you think otherwise?”

“You have a history of getting involved with women in crisis.”

“I’d help anyone who needed it.”

“True.”

Matt didn’t have to remind him of what he already knew. He had a knack for attracting women in trouble. Did he feel an attraction to Katherine? Yes. Was she beautiful? Yes. But he knew better than to act on it. The last time he’d rescued a woman, she’d returned the favor by breaking his heart. She’d let him help her, but then deserted him. He needed to keep his defenses up and not get involved with Katherine the way he did with the others. Period.

That being said, he wouldn’t turn away a woman in trouble. Did this have something to do with his twisted-up childhood? He was pretty damn sure Freud would think so.

Tension tightened Matt’s face. “Just be careful. When the last one walked out, she took a piece of you with her. You haven’t been the same since.”

“Not going to happen again.”

Matt arched his brow. “If I’m honest, I’m also bothered by the fact there’s a kid involved.”

Figured. Caleb knew exactly what his friend was talking about. “My ex and her little girl have nothing to do with this.”

“No? You sure about that?”

“I don’t see how Katherine’s nephew being kidnapped has anything to do with my past,” Caleb said. Impatience edged his tone.

“A woman shows up at your door with a kid in crisis and you can’t see anything familiar about it? I’ve known you a long time—”

“You don’t have to remind me.”

“Then you realize I wouldn’t come out of the blue with something. I think your judgment’s clouded.” Matt’s earnest eyes stared into Caleb. His buddy had had a ringside seat to the pain Cissy had caused when she’d walked out, taking Savannah with her. Matt’s intentions were pure gold, if not his reasoning.

“I disagree.” He couldn’t deny or explain his attraction to Katherine. It was more than helping out a random person in need. He could be honest with himself. He probably felt a certain amount of pull toward her because of the child involved. No doubt, the situation tugged at his heart. But he’d only just met her. He’d help her. She’d leave. Whether she was wearing his favorite color on her underwear or not, they’d both move on. He had no intention of finding out if the pale blue lace circled her tiny waist. He was stubborn, not stupid. “Nothing else matters until we find that little guy.”

“Saw the sheriff earlier.” Matt’s hands clenched. “Heard about the boy having a medical condition. What kind of person would snatch a little kid like that?”

Matt didn’t use the word monster, but Caleb knew his buddy well enough to know he thought it.

“That’s what I plan to find out.”

“You know I’ll help in any way I can. Then she can go home, and you can get on with your life.”

Caleb chewed on a toothpick. “How are the men taking everything?”

“Hard. Especially with Jimmy’s situation. He’s still out searching.”

“Meant to ask how his little girl’s doing when I saw him tonight.”

Matt shook his head. “Not good.”

Damn. “Send ’em home. They need to be with their families.”

“I think most of them want to be here to keep searching. Jimmy made up flyers. A few men headed into town to put the word out. Everyone wants to help with the search. They’re working out shifts to sleep.”

“Tell ’em how much I appreciate their efforts. We’ll do everything we can to make sure this boy comes home safe. And we won’t stop looking for him until we do.”

Matt nodded, his solemn expression intensifying when he said, “You be careful with yourself, too.”

“This is not like the others.”

“You don’t know that yet,” Matt said, deadpan.

Caleb bit back his response. Matt’s heart was in the right place. “Tell Gus I can’t meet tomorrow. I know the buyer wants to stop by, but I can’t.”

“This is the third time he’s set up a meeting. You haven’t liked anyone he’s found so far.”

“Can’t dump my mare on the first person that strolls in.”

“Or the second...or third apparently. Every time we breed her, the same thing happens. It’s been three years and not one of her foals has lived.”

“Which is exactly the reason I don’t want to sell her. What will end up happening to her when they realize she can’t produce? Besides, she’s useful around here.”

“How so? The men use four-wheelers so it won’t do any good to assign her to one of them. I have my horse and you have yours.”

“I’ll find more for her to do. Dawn’s getting older. I’ll use both. Not all lost causes are lost causes.”

Matt’s eyebrow rose as he turned toward the barn. “We’ll see.”

* * *

CALEBHADBEENburied in paperwork for a couple hours when Katherine appeared in his office doorway, leaning on the crutch.

“Mind some company?”

She wore an oversize sleep shirt and loose-fitting shorts cinched above the hips. Even clothes two sizes too big couldn’t cloak her sexy figure. Her soft curves would certainly get a man fantasizing about what was beneath those thin threads.

“Sure. Where’d you get the clothes?”

“Margaret put these on the bed with a note saying they belonged to her daughter. Even said I could borrow them as long as I needed to. I managed to clean up without getting my leg wet. I took a nap. I’m feeling much better.”

Katherine sat in the oversize leather chair Caleb loved. It was big enough for two. Claws hopped up a second later, curling in her lap.

“Any word from the sheriff yet?”

“No. I put in a call to him. Should hear back any minute. If your leg is feeling better in the morning, I thought we could head to Austin.”

“I want to stay here and search for my phone.”

“We’ll look first. Then we’ll head out. Any chance you have a copy of your sister’s keys?”

“Afraid not.”

“We’ll get in anyway.”

She cocked her head and pursed her lips. “Tell me not to ask why you know how to break in someone’s house.”

Caleb cracked a smile as he rubbed his temples. “Misspent youth. Besides, some secrets a man takes to his grave.” He chuckled. “I’ve been thinking. You have any idea if Noah’s father knew about him?”

Katherine heaved a sigh, twirling her fingers through Claws’s fur. “I should but don’t. My sister’s relationships were complicated. Especially ours.”

“Families can be tricky,” Caleb agreed.

“When our parents got in the car crash my freshman year of college, I resented having to come home to take care of her.” Katherine dropped her gaze. “I probably made everything worse. Did everything wrong.”

“Not an easy situation to be thrown into.”

Katherine’s lips trembled but no tears came.

“Leann had always been something of a free spirit. Her life was lived without a care in the world. I was the one who stressed over grades and stayed home on Friday nights to study or to help out around the house. My parents owned a small business and worked long hours. I was used to being alone. Leann, on the other hand, was always out with friends. The two of us couldn’t have been more opposite. Sometimes I wished I could have been more like her. Instead, I came down on her hard. Tried to force her to be more like me.”

“You had no choice but to be serious. Sounds like you were the one who had to grow up.” She was a survivor who coped the best way she could.

“What about your parents?” She turned the tables.

“My mom was a saint. The man who donated sperm? A jerk. Dad, if you can call him that, didn’t treat my mother very well before he decided to run out.” Caleb’s story was the same one being played out in every honky-tonk from there to the border. “I rebelled. I was angry at her for allowing him to hurt her when he was here. Angry with myself for not jumping in to save her. Mom worked herself too hard to pay the bills. Didn’t have insurance. Didn’t take care of her diabetes. Died when I was fifteen.” The familiar stab of anger and regret punctured him.

“Did you blame yourself?”

“I know a thing or two about feeling like you let someone down. Only hurt yourself with that kind of thinking, though. I found the past is better left there. Best to focus on the here and now. Do that well and the future will take care of itself.”

“Is that your way of saying I should let go?”

“I did plenty of things wrong when I was a child. You could say I was a handful. Dwelling on it doesn’t change what was.”

She studied the room. “Looks like you’re making up for it now.”

Pride filled his chest. “Never felt like I belonged anywhere before here.” He’d been restless lately though. Matt had said Caleb missed having little feet running around. The wounds were still raw from Cissy leaving. Another reason he should keep a safe distance from the woman curled up on his favorite chair. She looked as though she belonged there. “TorJake is a great home.”

“I love the name. How’d you come up with it?”

“My first big sale was a beautiful paint horse. The man who’d sold him to me when he was a pony said he tore up the ground like no other. He’d been calling him Speedy Jake. I joked that I should enter him over at Lone Star Park as ToreUpTheEarthJake. Somehow, his nickname got shortened to TorJake, and it stuck. Had to geld him early on to keep his temperament under control. He had the most interesting, well-defined markings I’ve ever seen. Sold him to a bigwig movie producer in Hollywood to use filming a Western. The sale allowed me to buy neighboring farms and eventually expand to what I have now.”

“Was it always your dream to own a horse ranch?”

“I figured I’d end up in jail or worse. When I landed a job at my first working ranch, I fell in love. A fellow by the name of Hank was an old pro working there. He taught me the ropes. Said he saw something in me. He never had kids of his own. Told me he went to war instead. Became a damn good marine. Special ops. He taught me everything I know about horse ranches and keeping myself out of trouble.”

“Where is he now?”

“He passed away last year.”

“I’m so sorry.” Her moment of distraction faded too fast, and he knew what she was thinking based on the change in her expression. “You don’t think they’ll hurt him, do you?”

He ground his back teeth. “I hope not. I don’t like this situation for more than the obvious reasons. This whole thing feels off. Your sister dies a week ago. Now this with Noah. Could the two be connected somehow?”

Katherine gasped. Her hand came up to cover her mouth. “I didn’t think about how odd the timing is.”

“Maybe she got in a fight with Noah’s father. Was about to reveal who he was. He could be someone prominent. Most missing children are taken by family members or acquaintances, once you rule out runaways, according to the sheriff.”

“Then what about the file?”

“I was thinking about that. Could be a paternity test.”

“If his father took him, at least Noah will be safe, right?” Katherine threaded her fingers through her hair, pulling it off her face.

“It’s possible. I don’t mean any disrespect. Do you think it’s possible your sister was blackmailing him?”

“He didn’t pay child support. That much I know. I paid her tuition. She enrolled in a social program to help with Noah’s care. Got him into a great daycare. I was planning to move to Austin in a few months to be closer. I work for a multinational software company scheduling appointments for our trainers to visit customer sites, so it doesn’t matter where I live. I wanted to be close so I could help out more. I can’t help wondering what kind of person would hurt the mother of his child.”

“I’m probably grasping at straws. We’ll start with trying to figure out who he is. See what happens there.”

“She was reckless before Noah. I thought her life was on track since his diagnosis. She got a part-time job at a coffee shop and enrolled in community college. She reconnected with me.”

His ring tone cut into the conversation. “It’s Matt.” He brought the phone to his ear. “What’s the word?”

“Jimmy found two things out at the Reynolds’ place. A stuffed rabbit and a cell. I told him to meet me at your place.”

“I appreciate the news. We’ll keep watch for you.”

Caleb hit End and told Katherine what his ranch hand had found.

“I hope I got a shot of someone. They wore dark sunglasses, so their faces might be hard to make out, but maybe I captured someone else involved. Like the man who distracted me.”

“Either way, we’ll know in a minute.” Wouldn’t do any good to set false expectations. And yet, hope was all she had.

Looking into her violet eyes, damned if he wasn’t the one who wanted to put it there.

A knock at the door had him to his feet faster than he could tack a horse, and tossing a throw blanket toward Katherine.

Caleb led Jimmy and Matt into the study. After a quick introduction, Jimmy advanced toward Katherine, carrying a phone. “Found this along the tree line by the Reynolds’ place. Look familiar?”

“Yes, thank you. That looks like mine.” Katherine’s eyes sparkled with the first sign of optimism since Caleb had found her in the woods. She checked the screen. “Seven missed calls and a voice mail.”

Another knock sounded at the door. Caleb walked Sheriff Coleman into the study a moment later, before moving to her side. The hope in her eyes was another hint of light in the middle of darkness and blackness, and every worst fear realized.

“Put it on speaker.”

“I’m praying the message is from the kidnappers, but I’m scared it’s them, too.”

Caleb tensed. “Whatever’s on that phone, we’ll deal with it.”

Her gaze locked on to his as she held up the cell and listened.

“What’s wrong with the boy? You have twenty-four hours to help me figure it out and get me the file. I’ll call back with instructions. No more games. Think about it. Tick. Tock.”

Click.

Caleb took the phone and scanned the log. “Private number.” He looked at Coleman. “There any way to trace this call?”

“Doubt it. They’re probably smart enough to use a throwaway. We’ll check anyway.” Coleman scribbled fresh notes. “You mentioned the file before. Has anything come to mind since we last spoke?”

Katherine shook her head. “I’ve been guessing they mean a computer file, but I’m not positive. It could be anything.”

Outside, gravel spewed underneath tires. Caleb moved to the window. Two dark SUVs with blacked-out windows came barreling down the drive. “Sheriff, you tell anybody you were coming here?”

Coleman shook his head. “Didn’t even tell my dispatcher.”

Katherine’s eyes pleaded. She wrapped the blanket around her tighter, clutching the stuffed rabbit Jimmy had handed her. “I don’t have the first clue what file they’re talking about. As soon as they realize it, they’ll kill us both. Don’t let them near me.”

“Dammit. They must’ve followed someone here. The sheriff can cover for us.” Caleb pulled Katherine to her feet as she gripped her handbag. He moved to the kitchen door, stopping long enough for her to slip on her sandals before looking back at his men.

“Can you cover me?”