Cassie's Cowboy Crave: Witness Protection - Rancher Style (Sweet Montana Bride Series) Read online

  He glanced down to see who he’d missed a call from. The small screen, glowing bright in the twilight hour, showed two names: Betty and Grant. “Aw, Blake. Why’d you have to go pulling them into this?” The phone beeped to let him know there’d been a message left, but Shane skipped straight to the call instead.

  Betty was bound to be all worked up over the idea of her bachelor son getting hitched to the next damsel in distress. Barely half-a-ring through and she picked up.

  “Have ya got her yet?” Boy, did she sound anxious.

  “No, Ma, not yet.”

  “Well, we’re getting the entire house ready.” Clanks and bangs sounded in the background. “When was the last time you cleaned this place?”

  Shane groaned. “It’s a house full of men, Ma. We’re out the door before the sun’s up. Give me a break.”

  “Mm, hmmm. Anyway, we’re giving her the room right across from yours.” She paused for a moment, grunting. “You better tell those boys if they can’t manage to flush a dang toilet around here they’re going to have to build an outhouse in the yard and use that instead.”

  “Why are you downstairs?” Shane asked, running a hand over his whiskered jaw.

  “I’m not about to let the girl move into some pig sty. Reese and Jade said the extra room hadn’t been dusted in ages.”

  “They’re probably right.” He didn’t bother asking about what they’d done with the things he’d moved into it. Not much of it mattered. Just a bunch of junk. “What about all the interns and ranch hands? Are they still going to stay with her living there?”

  “Well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. You know how things went with Reese,” she said. “And I know it’s just ‘cuz we weren’t expecting a girl. But with all the hands around here hootin’ and hollerin’ and causin’ a fuss, I thought it best that we just…” She broke off there.

  “Just what?” Shane hadn’t thought of it before, but as his mother paused in finishing her sentence, he saw the light.

  “It just worked out so much better with Gavin and Jade when they just told everyone they were, you know...”

  “Married.” The word barely escaped Shane’s gritted teeth.

  “It’s the safest way to do it, you’ve gotta admit. Protects her from whatever dangers are out there – her past life or other – plus it shields her from the ugly gossip in town about a gal movin’ into a ranch full of men. None of it bodes well for the girl, especially with her lack of experience and all; can’t exactly say you hired her to help on the ranch.”

  A rush of angry heat fired up in his chest. “I’ve got a reputation too. I’m supposed to cart this woman around like I’m married for … who knows how long only to look like the town fool when she up and leaves. Is that it?”

  “Oh, Shane, it’ll be fine,” Betty said. “Still, if you do decide to go the husband and wife route, you’d best plan on staying at a hotel there in the city for a night or two. Make it look real legit. So long as you keep your hands off that girl, Shane, and I mean it.”

  He rolled his eyes. “There’s no way I can spare more time away from the ranch this close to calving. We were set to herd them to the west pasture today.” He eyed the dawn-lit sky. “They getting a start on that?”

  “Yep. The men set out to the far pasture an hour ago. And the women are getting this place all cleaned up and ready for the new girl.”

  Shane took comfort in knowing life at the ranch had been disrupted too. No reason for Reese and all her excitement to go sleeping in at a time like this, not that she ever did much anyway with those two boys of hers.

  Still, the whole thing made him uneasy. There was no way in hell he’d pretend he was married to this gal. It was ridiculous. “You know, it’s not going to look so much like we’re married, is it?” he said. “She’s in her room. I’m in mine. Don’t you think the guys will notice?”

  “Heavens, no. All the ranch hands will be downstairs. Plus the bathroom joins your room and hers. We’ll keep her room locked at all times. Not with one of them pic locks but the real outdoor thing. She just needs to enter and exit through your room. Problem solved.”

  As Betty continued to prattle about everything from bedding to blinds, two words stuck in Shane’s mind: Problem solved. Those words couldn’t have been further from the truth. Even if he didn’t tell the whole town they were married, he’d still have to lie about who she was and why she was there. He never could tell a good lie; whether the cause was saving his own hide or one of his brothers, untrue words always seemed to get caught up in his throat.

  And what if the woman wasn’t game? He chuckled at the thought of her meeting his loud and overbearing family. Poor thing will wish she’d have stayed home instead. She’d probably as soon take her chances than play house with a bitter old cowboy who was afraid to love again.

  It was in that moment he spotted the odd couple walking toward the airport exit. Odd, due to the obvious difference in height and age. “I’ll call you back, Mom.” He wasn’t sure Betty had heard him, but he clicked the button to end the call anyway and tucked the phone into his pocket.

  Beyond the glass wall of doors, a tall, older man in black escorted a pretty little thing in business-suit grey. She had City Snob written all over her. Pale, un-freckled skin. Dark hair slicked into some type of bun at the back of her head. Her top was one of those button-up jackets, and her skirt covered more than its fair share of her slim yet curvy legs. Heels. The girl was wearing heels and a skirt.

  “Brother.” Shane gave his cowboy hat a tug at the front, grateful he’d had it in the truck. A few hours of sleep could really mess with a head of hair like his. While watching from beneath the rim of his hat, Shane noticed the girl glancing about nervously. Didn’t look nearly as confident as she had a moment ago. Shane figured she must be even more unsettled than he was. Least he’d get to stay in the comfort of his own home and town.

  For just a moment, the girl glanced straight ahead, perhaps catching sight of him, before diverting her gaze. He gave the rim of his hat another tug. When was the last time he’d shaved? Heck, he must look rattier than a tomcat pulled from the county creek.

  Who cared? He didn’t have to impress this girl. He just had to protect her. Give her a safe place to stay while her troubles passed.

  So why was it he could see himself getting lost in those big blue eyes? He cleared his throat. Playing husband to her may not be so bad after all.

  No; he couldn’t entertain thoughts like that. He was angry, irritated, and in no way willing to make this easy on that nosey family of his waiting back at the ranch. Still, that same thought recycled through his head as he prepared to greet her. Perhaps this wouldn’t be so bad.

  ~+~

  “Is that him?” Cassie felt her heart stumble like a young girl in a new set of heels. Wobbly. Uncertain.

  “Could be,” Gonzalez said, slowing his pace.

  Cassie turned to him as he came to a stop.

  “Listen.” He rested the bags at his feet. “I wasn’t going to tell you this now, and maybe I still shouldn’t, I don’t know. I just…” He scratched at the back of his head.

  “Well now you have to tell me,” she said. “What is it?” And did it have something to do with that intimidating stranger beyond the doors?

  “You saw that I got a few messages when we landed.”

  She nodded.

  The detective continued. “Well – and I only tell you this so you’ll know how important it is to refrain from contacting your loved ones.” He looked like he regretted telling her already.

  “What?”

  “There’s been another murder. Someone else from the jury. He was en route to a protected location, but, well, these guys are better than we thought.”

  Beats of panic raced through her chest. She looked around the airport, suddenly suspect of everyone in sight. “How many people do they have working with them?”

  “We’re hoping to find that out.”

  “You said the latest vic
tim was male. So it wasn’t Pam or Lisa.”

  He shook his head.

  “And it wasn’t Ryan, right?”

  Gonzalez stooped to pick up the bags once more, a somber expression on his face. “Like I said, Miss Lovell, I can’t divulge the names of the victims.”

  She stood in place as he started walking again. A miserable chill crept up her arms.

  “The names will be released soon enough,” he called over his shoulder.

  Images of the kid flashed through her head. Sweet, hilarious Ryan and all his sarcasm and wit. His addiction to coffee and all things black. His plans to increase the size of those gauges to fit the dumb tube of Carmex he always carried. What were his parents doing in this moment? And the younger sister he always spoke about…

  “Stay with me,” Gonzalez said. “I need to make sure you’re safe.”

  Cassie forced a nod, almost forgetting she’d set the kennel on the floor. She bent down to secure the handle in her palm, wanting to cuddle the furry cats inside and cry. Cry about the loss of a soul so kind and untainted by the cruelness of the world. Why had Gonzalez made a point to tell her? Especially then, before she stepped out to meet the guy who’d been compelled to take her into his home. Her lip quivered as she vainly fought back the tears. Tears that slid down her cheeks as she walked.

  Gonzalez was at the door, struggling to push it open while he carted the luggage. Cassie watched as the cowboy strode from his truck. He held the door open for the detective before the men shook hands.

  The stranger pointed toward his truck, secured one of her bags around his shoulder, and stepped inside the airport while Gonzalez headed toward the curb. Cassie wiped at the tears with her free hand.

  It was official. This was her guy.

  She held her breath as he approached, heart nearly stopping as he removed his hat. Their eyes met. Holy Moses – he was beautiful!

  A polite smile crossed his lips as he ran fingers through his dark, unruly hair. And though it was obviously nothing more than an obligatory grin, Cassie caught hints of a dimple nestled there in his left cheek. She glanced down at his hand as she extended her own. Warm, rough skin met hers in a firm handshake.

  “Miss Cassie?” His voice was deep and rugged. “I’m Shane Emerson. You’ll be coming home with me.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Cassie followed the cowboy to the truck in stunned silence. He’d taken the kennel from her, which left her nothing more to do with her hands than fidget with a loose strand of hair falling from her bun. How long had the thing been in, anyway? After several flights and a sleepless night, she must look like a train wreck.

  She watched while Gonzalez checked the guy’s ID, making sure he was, in fact, the right guy. “Looks good,” the detective said, pulling papers from his leather jacket once more. “Let’s see now. I got Reese’s signature when she signed you guys up last year. Got Miss Lovell’s too. That just leaves yours.” He gave his pen a click and handed it over to the cowboy.

  Hold up. Reese? Oh. He was married. Of course. That made sense. Why would they hand a single woman over to some single man? They wouldn’t. She’d be coming home with him. And then staying with him, his lovely wife, and their no doubt beautiful children. And no, that wasn’t disappointment she felt. At all. This was good. Better, in fact. She had Griffin. No need to complicate things.

  She eyed the cowboy’s left hand, reminding herself his name was Shane, and saw no sign of a wedding ring. Didn’t mean much. Maybe cowboys couldn’t wear their rings because of all the work they did. Not that she knew what any of that work was.

  Shane scribbled his name at the bottom of the final page. “We good?” he asked Gonzales.

  “All clear.” The detective turned to Cassie, the look in his eyes reminding her of the tears in her own only moments ago. “I’m sorry we’ve had to do this. Wish you could’ve just finished that dinner with your friends and been on your way. Sometimes fate has other plans.” He nodded toward the cowboy. “One thing I can say is this: You’re in good hands. The Emersons have been a part of this program for years now. Shane’s uncle, a retired Marshall in these parts, took in his first witness over twenty years ago.” He gave Cassie’s shoulder a few pats, followed by a firm squeeze. “You take care.” Turning his gaze to the cowboy, he added, “We’ll contact you once there’s news.” Then Gonzalez walked away. Leaving the two of them alone.

  Shane rubbed his palms over his Levis.

  Cassie looked down at the curb, clutching the leather strap of her purse.

  The parking lot lights hummed louder.

  Clearing his throat, the cowboy stepped to the passenger side of his truck and swung open the door.

  “Thank you,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

  The loud roar of the engine filled the silent space, allowing Cassie’s thoughts to veer back to Gonzalez’s disturbing news. He hadn’t exactly said it, yet she knew. He’d said enough to let her know her young friend had been killed.

  It wasn’t until they were out of the dreary lot and onto the main road that Shane broke the awkward silence. “So you’re from Seattle?”

  “Yeah. Though I’m supposed to say I’m from Vegas, I guess. That’s what my ID says.”

  “Right,” he said. “They change your name?”

  She pulled her eyes from the morning horizon to glance at him – mistake. The face on this man was a masterpiece that put the rising sun to shame. Strong, chiseled jaw. Full, angular lips. And eyes that somehow reflected daybreak and all its glory better than the sight itself. “What was that?” she asked.

  “Your name. They give you a new one?”

  And that voice. Like sandpaper and satin all at once. “Uh, yeah. No. I mean, I got to keep my first name. My last name’s different though. Let’s see … I forgot it already.” Cassie bit her lip as she rummaged through her purse. She tossed a few things onto the seat in order to reach her wallet and pulled out the card Gonzalez had given her. The picture was the same as the one on her Seattle license. “Cassie Miller,” she said.

  He nodded, glancing at the items sprawled out between them. She followed his gaze to see the novel lying face up on the seat. A gasp sounded from her throat as she worked to stuff it back into her bag.

  “You doing a little research on me?”

  Cassie glanced up to see a devilish grin on his handsome face. “What?” she asked.

  “Didn’t that book have a cowboy on the front?”

  “I didn’t … this isn’t my book.” When she’d told Gonzalez that very thing it came out just fine. So why this time did it sound like an outright lie?

  He nodded his head. “Mmm-hmm.”

  “I’m serious. I’m not into that type of thing.”

  “What type of thing is that?” he asked, tilting his head.

  That felt like a trick question. “Um, reading romance novels.” She’d actually meant the whole cowboy thing but that was starting to feel less true by the minute, and what she’d said was still entirely true. She’d never read a romance novel in her life.

  “I see. My sister-in-laws devour books like those. I’ll be surprised if one or the both of them don’t already have a copy of that very one.”

  “Sisters-in-law,” she corrected before she could stop herself.

  “What was that?”

  Cassie looked up to see a puzzled expression on his face. “Nothing,” she said. “The plural for sister-in-law is sisters-in-law, not sister-in-laws.”

  He gave her a slow nod. “Hmm. You going to do that a lot?”

  “What – correct you?” Cassie shook her head as a nervous laugh escaped. “I hope not.” With everything stuffed back into her purse, she folded her arms and looked out the window. She may have been speechless on the outside, but inwardly she was screaming a mental note to herself: Do not correct this guy’s grammar!

  She sighed, hoping to ease the tension in her neck. He had sisters-in-law. Two of them. So far that was all she knew about him.

  “We’re h
eaded to Emerson Ranch. Property’s been in our family for generations. We raise cattle there. Got close to a thousand head right now. That’ll almost double once we get through calving season, which will come on real strong within the next few weeks.” He gripped the steering wheel as those broad shoulders of his tensed up. “How much did the detective tell you – ‘bout our history with the housing program?”

  Cassie shrugged. “Just what you heard.” She watched for his reaction, wondering what it was that seemed to have him bothered. His dark brows furrowed as he focused on the road through narrowed eyes.

  “My Uncle started out by harboring male witnesses. Those at an age good for ranching. Gave them a place to stay and a job to do all at once.” He glanced at her, ran a speculative gaze over her face before eyeing the length of her. She could swear the temperature of her blood rose in those brief moments. The heat of it was everywhere, but she felt it most in her face as his gaze met hers once more.

  He looked back to the road before continuing. “My father, Grant, joined in ‘bout ten years ago. Got a nice ranch hand out of it the first time.” He paused to let out a wry sort of chuckle. “But the second time around they sent out a woman. A pretty young one at that. It was quite the ordeal at first ‘cause we had plenty of ranch hands around, and my brothers and I, and it was adding up to be a fine mess. Until she took to my oldest brother, that is. Her name’s Reese. She’s one of the sister-in-laws I was referring to.”

  She bit back the urge to correct him a second time, working to digest what he’d said. “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope. Name Reese could go either way, if you think about it. Somebody hadn’t paid enough attention.”

  A smile crossed over her lips. Whether it was because she liked the love story, or because it meant he might still be single she wasn’t sure. “That’s … amazing. She just stayed there?”

  “Well, there’s a longer story to it than that, but they’re together now. Have a couple of boys.”

  “Wow,” she said, softer this time, almost to herself.