Dangerous Ranch Threat by Karen Kirst

Author:Karen Kirst
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-10-11T19:57:42+00:00

THIRTEEN

Cassie managed to keep her distance from Luke the remainder of the weekend, choosing to ride with Remi to church on Sunday and have lunch at the Wilder ranch afterward. She was able to provide emotional support for her friend while avoiding her own inner turmoil. The respite couldn’t last forever, however.

On Monday, Luke accompanied her on the FFA field trip to Biloxi. He was quieter than usual, and it felt as if they’d reverted to their previous professional distance. His deception didn’t erase his many heroic acts, however, nor the dreamy contentment she’d experienced in his arms on the dance floor.

Jane and Titus, seated in the second-row of her truck, chatted during the entire ride. It was a welcome distraction from the man beside her.

“We’re here!” Jane gripped Luke’s headrest and peered through the windshield as they turned into the Adventurer RV complex. The January day was a sunny one, with clear blue skies stretching across the horizon.

“What are we having for lunch?” Titus asked. “I’m starving.”

Jane laughed at him. “You’re always starving.”

“Mr. Murphy, the owner, arranged for a barbecue restaurant to cater lunch.” Cassie entered the paved circular drive and drove slowly past a modest-size gray warehouse and a collection of new fifth wheels behind a chain-link fence.

Cassie checked her side-view mirrors. Her truck and trailer were the first in their caravan. The other five were either already behind her or in the turning lane. More parents had volunteered to come than ever before, and she guessed it was due to safety concerns.

Temporary fence panels had been set up to form a paddock for their livestock in the central field. On the other side of the circle were two more nondescript warehouses, one substantially larger than the other.

She pointed to the smaller one where people were gathered. “I suppose the luncheon and auction will be in that one.”

About fifty RVs were parked off to the side. Mr. Murphy had invited Adventurer club members to participate in this fundraiser event. Cassie estimated there could be one hundred or more people in attendance. She parked between the warehouses and close to the paddock.

Luke perused their surroundings. “How long has Adventurer been a sponsor?”

“Three years. This is the first year we’ve participated in this sort of event, though. Mr. Murphy is confident it could bring in several thousand dollars. We use donations to buy and repair equipment, to buy animal feed, farm supplies and more. Trips to conventions aren’t cheap. We’re extremely grateful for our sponsors.”

When the trucks and trailers were in their spots, parents and students began spilling into the parking lot. Her students were easily identifiable thanks to their blue corduroy jackets. Each one had the round yellow FFA patch on the back, topped with the name of their state.

Emerging from the truck, Luke cased the area with his astute gaze.

She met him by the hood. “I didn’t notice anyone following us, did you?”

“No, but it wouldn’t have been hard to blend in with the flow of traffic.”

Before leaving

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