Wrangled by BJ Daniels

Author:BJ Daniels
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-06-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“Oh dear, what happened to the two of you?” Emma cried as she ushered Zane and Dakota into the house.

Dakota knew they both looked a mess after what they’d been through last night. They were both dirty and exhausted, Zane’s scratches still prominent.

They’d spent the rest of the night at the sheriff’s department answering questions and being grilled about the dead man. Zane had been anxious to get to the ranch, so they hadn’t even eaten since yesterday at noon.

Hoyt stepped up to his son, reached for his hand and then pulled him into a quick hug. Dakota saw the fear in the older man’s face and knew how relieved he must be. Her own father would have felt the same way. She thought of him and felt her eyes blur with tears.

“What you must have been through,” Emma said to Dakota. Dakota shuddered as she remembered being taken captive last night. “Oh, sweetheart, it’s all right.”

Zane put an arm around her and pulled her close.

“The sheriff called and told us some of it,” Hoyt said. “But I’d like to hear it from you.”

Zane nodded. “This is Dakota Lansing.”

Hoyt Chisholm’s eyes widened in surprise. “Clay’s girl. I was sorry to hear about your father.”

She nodded numbly, and Emma ushered them into the kitchen where she served them hot coffee and cranberry coffee cake. Dakota ate two pieces; the cake was the best she’d ever eaten.

“Can I fix you breakfast?” Emma asked, no doubt seeing how Dakota had scarfed down the coffee cake.

“Not now,” Hoyt said, and waved a hand at her. Then he quickly smiled over at her. “I’m sorry. This is all so upsetting. First Zane is arrested and now this?”

Dakota listened as Zane filled them in on everything, from the woman he’d never seen before showing up at his door for the bogus date, to the shooting last night at the old mission graveyard.

“This woman is your sister?” Hoyt asked, frowning. “I guess I never knew Clay had another daughter.”

“Neither did I,” Dakota said. She explained how she hadn’t found out until her father’s funeral.

“How old is this sister?” Emma asked, sounding as shocked as Dakota had felt.

“Not quite two years younger than me.”

Hoyt got up and went to the cupboard over the sink. He pulled down a fresh bottle of bourbon and poured himself a drink, took a swig, then turned to ask if anyone else would like some.

“Hoyt, it’s eight in the morning,” Emma said, glad she’d dismissed Mrs. Crowley for the rest of the day. She’d hoped the housekeeper would go into town but as far as she knew, the woman had only gone as far as her room.

“How is it you never knew about this sister?” Hoyt asked. His voice sounded strained as he ignored his wife’s scolding.

Dakota explained about her father’s affair. “It had to be about the time my mother was dying or right after.”

“Thirty years ago,” Hoyt said more to himself than to anyone in the kitchen. He finished his drink and poured himself another.

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