Lone Star Ranger by Renae Brumbaugh

Author:Renae Brumbaugh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

She had to be joking. Rett had figured out Elizabeth wasn’t an ordinary woman. But surely she knew going after Hardy was out of the question for her. Even Herrington blustered at the idea. The lawyer hefted himself to his feet and urged Elizabeth to stay out of the conversation.

Not that she listened. “I can ride. I’m actually quite adept. I’ve been trained in equestrianism since I was five.”

Herrington tugged at her sleeve, whispered something in her ear, but she pulled away. That was when Ray spoke up. “I know this is important to you, ma’am, but we can’t allow a civilian to get involved in a mission like this. Male or female.”

At that moment, her shoulders looked to be made of nails, her jaw of iron, and her eyes held a force that Rett didn’t want to cross. She reminded him of the time he’d stumbled upon a litter of cougar kittens, only to hear their mother screaming from a limb above him. Good thing he’d had his rifle loaded, or he might not be standing here today.

Herrington whispered something else, and she returned to her chair, though nothing about her demeanor changed. All the while that Cooper woman looked to be enjoying the show.

Ray nodded to the sheriff. “It looks like you can handle things here. One of us will stop by in a little while.” Then he motioned for Cody and Rett to follow him. They hadn’t spent much time at their own office in the past couple of days. At least there they’d have some control over who heard their conversation.

The three men walked the six blocks in silence, but Rett’s thoughts were far from silent. It would feel good to get out of town for a few days. He’d neglected Bear; his horse had been stabled at the livery since early the morning before. And this was one mission he couldn’t afford to fail. If he’d truly arrested the wrong man, it was his place to put things right.

And he couldn’t completely rein in his wandering thoughts that maybe, just maybe if he was wrong, if Elizabeth was telling the truth...maybe if he found the real Hardy, then perhaps he could pursue something with Elizabeth.

No. That was the dumbest thought he’d had in a while. She’d never consider him now, even if he helped free her brother. Not when he’d been the one to cause all this confusion in the first place.

Ray unlocked the office door and let the other two enter first, then locked the door behind him. No use taking any chances on someone barging in. “How long do you need to get ready?”

Rett ran through his mental checklist. “I’ll need to stop by the general store for a few supplies, and by my room for some fresh clothes. Millie at the boardinghouse always has some extra biscuits on hand. I’d say I can be ready in an hour, maybe an hour and a half.”

Ray pulled the telegrams from his pocket—he’d taken them from Goodman’s desk, and the man would be none too happy about it.

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