B.J. Daniels the Cardwell Ranch Collection (44 page)

“Yep. Are you going to tell me you do own a gun and know how to shoot it?”

“No.”

He laughed. “Go lock your doors. I’m on my way.”

* * *

D
EE
WAS
DISAPPOINTED
when she reached the ranch and found out that Hud was working late at the office. He was the only bright spot in a dreary day.

“I see your ankle is better. That’s good,” Dana said when Dee came in with the small presents she’d brought the kids. She hadn’t wanted to spend much, so she’d found some cheap toys. Mary and Hank thanked her, but she could tell she’d bought the wrong things.

Dinner was just the four of them. Dana had fed the twins and put them to bed. The house was deathly quiet since Mary and Hank were practically falling asleep in their dinner plates.

Dee walked around the ranch while Dana bathed the kids and got them to bed. The night was cool and dark. As she walked, something kept nagging at her about earlier at the sewing shop.

She hadn’t been surprised when Hilde had picked up the scissors and lunged at her. Just as she wasn’t surprised the woman was slow and uncoordinated, so much so that it had been child’s play to take the scissors away from her. Often anger made a person less precise, even clumsy, right?

Coming at her with scissors had seemed a fool thing to do, but Dee hadn’t questioned it. Until now.

She recalled how easily it had been to get Hilde to drop the scissors and how surprised she’d been when Hilde had stood there rubbing her wrist as if Dee had broken it.

Hilde hadn’t been trying to stab her.
Far from it. Then why—

The truth hit her like a ton of bricks.

The scissors.

She swore, stopping in her tracks, to let out her anger in a roar aimed at the night sky. All the pieces fell into place in an instant. The triumphant look in Hilde’s eyes.

The woman had gotten her fingerprints!

All the implications of that also fell into place. Once she had her boyfriend Colt run the prints...

Dee slapped herself hard. The force of it stung her cheek. She slapped herself again and again until both cheeks burned as she chanted, “You fool. You fool. You fool.” Just as her mother had done.

By the time she stopped, her face was on fire, but she knew what she had to do.

* * *

H
ILDE
COULDN
’
T
REMEMBER
the last time she was this excited about a date. Well, not exactly a date, she supposed. Dinner. Still she wore an emerald-green dress she’d bought and saved for a special occasion.

Colt’s eyes lit when he saw her. “You look beautiful.”

She
felt
beautiful.

“I don’t think you have any idea what you do to me,” he said, his voice sounding rough with emotion. “You make me tongue-tied.”

“I really doubt that,” she said with a small nervous laugh. The desire in his gaze set her blood aflame.

He took a step to her, ran his fingers along one bare arm. She felt her heart jump. Goose bumps skittered across her skin. His gaze moved over her face like a caress before it settled on her mouth. If he kissed her now—

“We had better go to dinner,” he said, letting out a breath as he stepped back from her. “Otherwise...” He met her gaze. “I want to do this right, you know.”

She smiled. “I do, too.”

“Then we’d better go. I made reservations up on the mountain. It’s such a nice night....”

She grabbed her wrap. Montana in the mountains was often cold, even in the summer after the sun went down. She doubted she would need it, though. Being this close to Colt had her blood simmering quite nicely.

They didn’t talk about Dee Anna Justice or the scissors and other evidence locked up back at the house. Colt asked her about growing up in Chicago. She told him about her idyllic childhood and her loving parents.

“I had a very normal childhood,” she concluded. “Most people would say it was boring. How about you?”

“Mine was much the same. It sounds like we were both lucky.”

“So your parents are professors at the University of Montana.”

“My mother teaches business,” he said. “My father teaches math. They’d hoped I would follow in their footsteps, but as much as I enjoyed college, I had no interest in teaching at it. I always wanted to go into law enforcement, especially in a small town. I couldn’t have been happier when I got the job here at Big Sky.”

He had driven up the winding road that climbed to the Mountain Village. There weren’t a lot of businesses open this time of year, but more stayed open all year than in the old days, when there really were only two seasons at Big Sky.

The air was cold up here but crystal clear. Colt was the perfect gentleman, opening her door after he parked. Hilde stood for a moment and admired the stars. With so few other lights, the sky was a dark canopy glittering with white stars. A sliver of moon hung just over the mountains.

“Could this night be more perfect?” she whispered.

When she looked at Colt, he grinned and said, “Let’s see.” His kiss was soft and gentle, a brush across the lips as light as the breeze that stirred the loose tendrils of her hair. And then he drew her to him and deepened the kiss, breaking it off as the door of the restaurant opened and a group of four came out laughing and talking.

“We just keep getting interrupted,” Colt said with a laugh. He put his arm around her waist and they entered the restaurant.

Hilde had never felt so alive. The night seemed to hold its breath in expectation. She could smell adventure on the air, feel it in her every nerve ending. She had a feeling that tonight would be one she would never forget.

* * *

O
VER
DINNER
,
they talked about movies and books, laughed about the crazy things they did when they were kids, and Colt found himself completely enthralled by his date.

Hilde was, as his grandfather used to say, the whole ball of wax. She was smart and ambitious, a hard worker, and yet she volunteered for several organizations in her spare time. She loved nature, cared about the environment and made him laugh.

On top of that, she was beautiful, sexy and a good dancer. After dinner, they’d danced out in the starlight until he thought he would go crazy if he didn’t get her alone and naked.

“Is it just me, or do you want to get out of here?” Colt said after they took a break from the dance floor.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

He laughed and they left. It was all he could do not to race down the mountain, but the switchback curves kept him in check.

Once out of the vehicle, though, all bets were off. They were in each other’s arms, kissing as they stumbled toward her front door. Once inside, they practically tore each other’s clothes off, dropping articles of clothing in a crooked path before making it only to the rug in front of the fireplace.

“Hilde,” Colt said, cupping her face in his hands as he leaned over her. He couldn’t find words to tell her how beautiful she was or how much he wanted her. Or that he had fallen in love with her. He couldn’t even tell her the exact moment. He just knew that he had.

Fortunately, he didn’t have to put any of that into words. Not tonight. He saw that she understood. It was in her amazing brown eyes and in the one word she uttered as he entered her. “Colt.”

* * *

L
ATER
, C
OLT
CARRIED
her to her bed and made love to her slowly. The urgency of their first lovemaking had cooled. He took his time letting his gaze and his fingers and his tongue graze her body as he took full possession of her.

Hilde cried out with a passion she’d never known existed as he cupped her breasts and lathed her nipples with his tongue until she felt her whole body quake. She surrendered to him in a way she’d never given herself to another man. His demanding kisses took her to new heights.

And when he finished, his gaze locked with hers, she felt a release that left her sated and happier than she’d ever known.

As he lay curled against her, one arm thrown protectively over her, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep feeling...loved.

Chapter Ten

Dee woke from the nightmare in a cold sweat. For a few moments, she couldn’t catch her breath. She swung her legs out of bed and stumbled to the window, gulping for air. Her heart felt as if it would pound its way out of her chest.

It was the same nightmare she’d had since she was a girl. She was in a coffin. It was pitch-black. There was no air. She was trapped, and even though she’d screamed herself hoarse, no one had come to save her.

She shoved open the screenless window all the way and leaned out to breathe in the night air. A sliver of moon hung over the top of the mountain. A million stars twinkled against the midnight-blue sky. She shivered as the cold mountain air quickly dried her perspiration and sent goose bumps skittering over her skin.

The nightmare was coming more frequently—just as the doctor had told her it would.

“Do night terrors run in your family?” he’d asked, studying her over the top of his glasses.

“I don’t know. I never asked.”

“How old did you say you were?”

She’d been in her early twenties at the time.

He’d frowned. “What about sleepwalking?”

“Sometimes I wake up in a strange place and I don’t know how I’ve gotten there.”

He nodded, his frown deepening as he tossed her file on his desk. “I’m going to give you a referral to a neurologist.”

“You’re saying there’s something wrong with me?”

“Just a precaution. Sleepwalking and night terrors at your age are fairly uncommon and could be the result of a neurological disorder.”

She’d laughed after she left his office. “He thinks I’m crazy.” She’d been amused at the time.

But back then she was sleepwalking and having the nightmare only every so often.

Now...

She looked out at the peaceful night. “This is all I need. This place and Hud and I will be fine,” she whispered. “Once I get rid of the stumbling blocks, I’ll be fine for the first time in my life.”

But that was the problem, wasn’t it? There were more stumbling blocks than she’d ever run into before. More chances to get caught.

“It would be worth it, though,” she said as she heard a horse whinny out in the corrals. All this could be hers.
Would
be hers. She deserved Dana’s happiness. She deserved Dana’s life—minus the kids.

After getting dressed, she sneaked out and made the walk into town. It was only a couple of miles and she’d walked it before and gotten away with it. If anyone discovered her missing, she’d say she’d gone out to the corral to check the horses. She wasn’t worried. So far, they’d believed everything she told them.

* * *

T
HE
NEXT
MORNING
, Colt tried to talk Hilde out of opening the shop. “Can’t you have someone else man Needles and Pins for a few weeks?”

Hilde touched his handsome face, cupping his strong jaw, and smiled into those blue eyes of his. He’d been so gentle, so loving, last night when they’d made love. At least the second time. Before that, he’d let his passion run as wild as horses in a windstorm.

Her skin still tingled from the memory. She’d never known that kind of wild abandon. Just the thought thrilled her. She’d awakened feeling as if she could conquer the world. Hadn’t she always known that she could be anything she wanted with the right man—in or out of bed?

“I am not going to let Dee or whoever she is keep me from doing what I love,” she said, as she felt the rough stubble along his strong jawline. “Especially this morning when I’m feeling so...”

He laughed. “So...?”

“Invincible.”

Colt pulled her to him and kissed her. As he drew back, he said, “I love seeing you like this, but Dee will figure out that you have her fingerprints and DNA. She isn’t going to take this lying down. You have to know that.”

She nodded. “Remember? I know what she’s capable of. And I know she isn’t finished. How long before we know who she is?” Colt had left for a while before daylight to go to the office to run Dee’s fingerprints. He had a friend at the crime lab he’d called.

“You’re counting on her fingerprints being on file. She might not have a record. Also, she might actually be Dee Anna Justice.”

Hilde knew Dee was slippery. She might have avoided getting arrested. Might never have had a job that required she be fingerprinted. She might even be who she said she was. But all Hilde could do was hope that not only was she right about Dee being an impostor—but also that the woman had had at least one run-in with the law so her prints would come up. The sooner Dee was exposed, the sooner she would be gone from the ranch.

“I just don’t want you getting your hopes up. The toothbrush was a good idea. We might be able to compare Dee’s DNA to Dana’s.”

“I should have thought to get Dana’s DNA while I was at it.”

“Don’t even think about,” he said, holding her away from him so she couldn’t avoid his gaze. “I’m serious. You have to stay away from Cardwell Ranch.”

Hilde nodded. By now Dee would have realized that her makeup and toothbrush were missing. Hopefully she was running scared.

* * *

C
OLT
HATED
THAT
he had to go back down to West Yellowstone on the burglary case today. He didn’t like leaving Hilde alone.

“Can I see you for a minute?” the marshal asked, as he was getting ready to leave the office later that morning.

Colt stepped into Hud’s office.

“Close the door, please.”

He turned to close the door, worry making him anxious. Hud had always run the station in a rather informal way. Not that they all weren’t serious about their jobs. But Hud had never seen the need to throw around his weight.

“Have a sit,” he said now.

“Is something wrong?” Colt asked, afraid Hud had somehow found out that he’d sent Dee’s prints to his friend who worked at the crime lab.

“I wanted to talk to you about Hilde.” Hud shook his head. “I know, it’s not my place as your boss. Or even as your friend. But I feel I have to. Did you see her last night?”

Colt almost laughed. He figured Hud already knew that his patrol pickup had been parked in front of her house all night. News traveled fast in such a small, isolated community. Gossip was about the only excitement this time of year. It was too early for most tourists or seasonal homeowners, so things were more than a little quiet.

“Yes, I saw her,” he said, keeping his face straight.

“I’ve known Hilde for a long time. I’m concerned about her.”

“She’s been a little distraught,” Colt said. “She truly believes that Dee might be dangerous and is concerned about you and your family.”

“I gathered that,” Hud said with a curse, then studied him for a long moment. “I get the feeling you agree with her.”

“I think there is cause for concern.” He hurried on, before Hud could argue differently, knowing he was in dangerous territory. “You never laid eyes on this woman before she showed up at your door. You can’t even be sure she is who she says she is.”

“Dana sent her a certified letter that she had to sign for at her current address. And I’ve seen her identification.”

That surprised Colt. “Then you
were
suspicious.”

Hud sighed. “I had to be after the allegations Hilde was making. But she checks out, and Dana is enjoying her visit. She thinks Hilde is jealous. I can see that you don’t agree.”

“I’m just saying, you might want to keep an eye on her, that’s all.”

His boss looked as if there was more he wanted to say. Or more he was hoping his deputy would. But Colt held his tongue. His friend at the crime lab had promised to run the prints as quickly as he could.

Whatever the outcome, he hadn’t figured out what to do after that. Until then, there was little he
could
do.

“We finally got a positive identification on Rick Cameron,” Hud said, and tossed the man’s file across his desk to Colt.

He opened it, glanced at the latest entry and jerked his head up in surprise. “Richard Northland?” So he hadn’t been using his real name at all?

Hud nodded. “And before you ask, Dee had no idea he was lying about his name.”

Colt let out a laugh as he tossed the file back. “As your friend? Get Dee out of your house. As your deputy? I really should get to work.”

* * *

H
ILDE
WAS
LOST
in the memory of last night with Colt as she unlocked Needles and Pins. Dinner had been magical. The lovemaking had been beyond anything she’d ever experienced. She’d been lost in a dream state all morning.

That’s why it took her a moment to realize what she was seeing.

The shop had been vandalized.

Bolts of fabric were now scattered over the floor. Displays had been toppled, and spools of thread littered the areas of the floor that weren’t covered by fabric bolts.

She fumbled her phone from her purse, her heart pounding as she realized whoever had done this could still be in the shop. That was when she noticed the back door standing open. The vandal had left a large roll of yellow rickrack trailing out the back door like the equivalent of a bread trail through the shop.

“911. What is your emergency?” she heard an operator say.

“My shop has been vandalized,” Hilde said.

“You’re calling from Big Sky?”

“Yes. Needles and Pins.”

“Is the vandal still there?”

“No. I don’t believe so.”

“Please wait outside until the marshal or one of his deputies arrive. Do you need to stay on the phone with me?”

“No. I just can’t imagine who would—” That’s when Hilde saw the scissors. Six of them. All stabbed into the top of her counter just inches from where she’d pretended to attack Dee to get the woman’s fingerprints.

* * *

“Y
OU
LOOK
TIRED
,” Dana said when Dee came downstairs. “Did you sleep all right?”

“Like a baby.” Once she got into bed again. Last night’s exploits had left her exhausted. Clearly just what she’d needed since once she’d hit the sheets, she hadn’t had the nightmare again.

Dana was busy with the kids as usual. “It might be just as well that I don’t have anything planned for you today. Maybe a day just resting would do us all good.”

Dee didn’t know how the woman managed with four kids. She’d apparently just finished feeding the two oldest because she was only now
clearing away their plates. She sent them off to the bathroom to wash up.

The two youngest were in some kind of contraptions that allowed them to roll around the kitchen. They’d gotten caught in a corner and one of them was hollering his head off.

Dana saved him, kneeling down to cajole him before she asked, “I made Mary and Hank pancakes, Dee. Would you like some?”

The kitchen smelled of pancakes and maple syrup. Dee heard her stomach growl. She was starved, also probably because of all the exercise she’d gotten last night. She’d been careful to stay away from any streetlights, and she was sure no one had seen her leaving and returning to the ranch.

“I’d love pancakes, but let me make them,” Dee offered, knowing Dana wouldn’t take her up on it.

“It’s no trouble. Anyway, you’re my guest.”

Dee could hear something in Dana’s voice, though. Her hostess was tiring of her guest. Probably all the drama. Dana would be glad when Dee left.

Well, there was nothing she could do about that, because the drama was far from over. Forced to move up her plan, she said, “I’m thinking I’ve stayed too long.”

Dana turned from the stove. “No. I don’t want you to feel that way at all. I’m just sorry. I really wanted you to have a good time.”

“I
am
having a good time.” Dee went over and gave Dana a hug. “But I need to get back home and look for a job. I can’t be off work for too long.” Sometimes she couldn’t believe how easy lying came to her. She was more amazed by people who couldn’t tell a lie. Maybe it was a talent you were born with.

Or maybe you had to learn it at your daddy’s knee, she thought bitterly.

“I checked this morning about a flight,” she said with equal effortlessness. “I’m booked for Saturday on a nonstop flight to LaGuardia.” She knew Dana and Hud wouldn’t check to see if it was true or not. But Colt might.

Dana didn’t try to get her to change her mind.
Yep, it’s time.
She just said, “Well, I hate to see you cut your trip short, but you know best.”

“This isn’t my only trip to Cardwell Ranch,” Dee said.

“Well, I insist on paying for your flight.” Dana held up her hand even though Dee hadn’t protested. “No arguments. I want this trip to be my treat.”

“That is so sweet of you. I’m going to pay you back, though, and then some.” By booking the nonstop flight that was available only on Saturday, she had bought herself a little more time. It wasn’t perfect timing, but she’d have to make it work, especially after finding her toothbrush and makeup missing. She’d already put the wheels in motion.
Hang on,
she thought, because she knew what was about to hit the fan.

Dana looked visibly relaxed now that she knew her guest was leaving. Dee hated Hilde at that moment. The woman had been a thorn in her side from the beginning. If she had just backed off... But it was too late for regrets, she thought, and checked her watch.

Any minute poor Hilde would be crying on the marshal’s shoulder and no doubt blaming her.

* * *

M
ARSHAL
H
UD
S
AVAGE
stopped in the doorway of Needles and Pins and demanded, “What are you doing?”

“I’m cleaning up my shop,” Hilde said, as she placed another bolt of fabric back where it went. She was thankful that most of the fabrics hadn’t gotten soiled or ruined. Dee could have torn up the place much worse. Hilde knew she should be thankful for that.

She’d started cleaning up the moment she’d realized who’d done this. At that same moment, she’d known there was no reason to wait for the marshal. Hud wasn’t going to believe Dee had done this. And the only way to try to change his mind would be to show him the scissors and explain why they were a message from Dee.