Calder Pride by Janet Dailey

Author:Janet Dailey [Janet Dailey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780061739866
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2007-10-19T20:00:00+00:00

FIFTEEN

Evening spread its thickening darkness across the high plains, blurring the dips and swells of the rolling terrain. Night’s first pale stars glittered dimly in the empurpled sky while below, twin headlight beams raced ahead of the speeding patrol car. Behind the wheel, Logan fixed his hard gaze on the halo of light in the near distance. He had been told the headquarters of the Triple C Ranch resembled a small town. It definitely threw the light of one.

He watched it grow brighter, his foot heavy, the speedometer hovering at seventy. Weariness pulled at him, adding its strain to his restless, irritable mood. He was conscious of the day’s grit on him and the hunger that gnawed at his empty stomach, reminders that what he wanted most was a hot shower, a cold drink, and a filling meal, not necessarily in that order. But all that would come later; he had a stop to make first.

It was the job that brought him to the Triple C. Nothing else. Naturally Cat would be there, he had no doubt. That knowledge hardened his features, turning them into an impenetrable mask.

The patrol car topped the last rising swell of land, and the lights of the sprawling headquarters broke brilliantly through the deepening cloak of nightfall. Logan slowed the car and swung it toward the white-pillared front of the big house that rose head and shoulders above the rest of the buildings. It was a rangeland mansion, not as grand or elaborate as others he’d had cause to enter, but a mansion nevertheless.

Parking in front of it, Logan switched off the headlights and killed the engine, then stepped out, a high tension threading its way through his muscles. His gaze lifted to the two-story house and the fanlike gushes of light that spilled from its windows, giving its solidness a look of warmth and welcome.

He crossed to the front steps, impatience lengthening his stride. There was no bell to ring at the front door. He lifted the heavy brass knocker and brought it down solidly three times. The hard clanging shattered the evening’s hush and grated on nerves already made raw with tension and fatigue.

There was a warning turn of the knob before the door swung open and light flooded the porch. A tall, slender blonde stood in the opening, her classically strong features composed in an expression of warm interest tinged with curiosity.

Before he could utter a word, her glance flicked to his uniform and a smile lifted the edges of her wide mouth. “You must be Sheriff Echohawk.” She extended a hand in greeting. “I’m Ty’s wife, Jessy.”

“A pleasure, Mrs. Calder.” He had long ago found formality was best. It subtly established a boundary that the average person preferred.

“I expect you’re here on business.” Releasing his hand, she backed away to admit him. “Please come in.”

“Thank you.” He stepped inside and automatically removed his hat, combing a hand through his hair to lift its flatness.

In that same fractional second, he scanned the interior area, visually fixing the layout in his mind from habit.

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