Texas Lonestar (Texas Heroes Book 4) (7 page)

He did, watching her in his rearview mirror. When he’d gone far enough, she held up her hand, stood and went to work. For a few seconds, he sat there and then it hit him what she was doing–struggling with bales of hay bigger than she was. “Dammit!” he whispered, climbing from the truck. Where was his manners? “Here, let me do that for you.”

“I’ve got it,” she informed him with a smile. “I do this all the time, it’s not hard.”

“Not while I’m here, you don’t.” He took over and she let him, jumping to the ground and scattering what he threw over. “Thank-you. This will go much faster.”

He marveled at the woman. Was there anything she wouldn’t tackle? All of the females he’d ever been close to–dating, married, sleeping with or otherwise–had always expected to be taken care of. They would stand back and wait for a man to take the lead, fully anticipating their every need would be met. Even his mother had expected men to get her out of jams. Lennon just jumped in headfirst and tackled whatever job needed doing.

They didn’t stop until all the hay was spread and the cattle were munching contentedly. Lennon climbed up beside him and began to count, looking in all directions. “Let’s drive over the hill.” She pointed to a gentle rise covered in ocotillo and yucca.

Dallas jumped from the truck bed and joined her in the cab, following her directions. “Are there some cattle missing?”

She let out a frustrated breath. “Yea, I think so.” Once they’d driven up the ridge and saw nothing, he headed back to the gap. In a few minutes, they confirmed their suspicions–fresh tracks covered the ground.

“Son-of-a-bitch!” he muttered. “I should have camped out down here.”

“You couldn’t know,” she said. “There’s no way we can watch this fence all the time.”

“Yea, we can if I set up cameras.” He started making mental notes.

“I don’t think I can afford to buy cameras right now,” she murmured softly.

“You won’t have to. I have a budget for these things. Let’s go back and I’ll drive into El Paso to get the equipment we need and some of those instant alarms. Soon, we’ll have everything we need to make you feel safer and more secure. While I’m out, I’m going to visit a couple of auction barns and ask some questions, let them know what we’re looking for. When I get back, we’ll set our trap and see what we catch.”

They returned to the truck and headed back to the ranch house. Lennon felt a sense of peace encompass her. Having someone else to help shoulder the burden of worry was something she could get used to.

*  *  *

No two ways about it, Lennon wasted most of the day watching the road and waiting for Dallas to return. She’d managed to get her chores done, but her mind wasn’t on them. Even George and Sally knew she wasn’t herself. Would this be what it’d be like when this was all over and he was gone? No, it would be worse–because she’d know there was no hope of him ever returning.

Finally, about three o’clock, she heard his truck as he pulled through the gate. It was all she could do not to run out to meet him. Lennon controlled her impulse, there was no use scaring the man. She waited until he parked before leaving the house. He certainly didn’t go without a greeting committee, Sally met him with Tilly under her arm. “Do you want to play tea party wiff me, Mr. Man?”

Her hopeful little face touched Dallas. “How about we do that tomorrow? Could you fix some special tea for me then?”

“Oh, yes.” She patted his arm. “It’s a date.”

Lennon stood on the porch, admiring Sally’s self-confidence. Lennon wouldn’t have the courage to invite Dallas on a date in a million years. “Did you find what you needed?”

“Yes.” The temperature was about ten degrees warmer than normal for this time of year and he’d shed his jacket. Dallas was a bit shocked to see that Lennon had also. Her shirt and pants still overwhelmed her frame, but there was no hiding the gentle swell of her breasts. “Is George available to watch Sally or does she need to ride with us?”

Lennon was touched that he thought of Sally. “George is inside watching the Game Show network.” She bent to speak to Sally. “Go inside, sweetie. We’ll be back in a bit and have Chicken and Dumplings.”

Hearing the menu, Dallas felt his appetite rise. The hamburger he’d grabbed for lunch was long gone. “Come on, let’s take my truck so I won’t have to unload the gear.” He held the door for her, then closed it after she climbed in.

Lennon’s hands trembled as she fastened her seatbelt. She’d never had a man open a car door for her before. There was no way this excursion into the pasture could be considered a date, but it was still nice.

When Dallas was beside her, he cranked up and started off. “I visited three auction barns and talked to the DPS unit in El Paso. They’re going to watch for cattle being transported, maybe stop a few for a routine license check so they can look at the brands. The likelihood of finding them that way is small, but it won’t hurt.”

“Thank-you. Just knowing we’re trying something makes me feel better.” They went to the gap and affixed a camera on a big cactus fairly close to the opening, then moved to several other places to plant cameras where they would have a good view of the fence and the road.

“There. And we have one left.” Dallas surveyed the area. “I just wish there was a big oak we could use for a panoramic view.”

“I know!” Lennon grabbed his hand. “The windmill! Come on. It’s old, but I’ve been up it dozens of times. You show me what to do and I’ll put it up. We’ll have a view of the whole road.”

Dallas let her pull him to the truck. He wasn’t so sure. By the time they drove over, he was convinced this was a bad idea. “It doesn’t look safe, Lennon.”

“Oh, sure. I went up there not too long ago when I had a calf missing. You can see forever from up there.” She waited while he showed her how to attach the bracket.

“Okay.” She put the small hammer and the screws in her pockets. “I’ll be right back.”

Before he could blink, she was climbing the rickety windmill. “Be careful!” He cautioned her. Dallas held on to one of the legs, as if he were bracing the huge structure. Holding his breath, he waited while she found an appropriate place, affixed the camera and made sure it was working.

“Got it, Dallas. I’m coming down!”

Dallas followed her progress and when she got close enough, he reached up, clasped her around the waist and brought her down. He didn’t intend to startle her, but he must have. She wiggled in his embrace, so he clasped her closer, unwilling for her to fall. In the process, his hands found a rounded ass and soft breasts were mashed up against his chest. By the time he got her on the ground, they were both out of breath.

“Sorry.” Her nipples were hard and she could feel her cheeks burning with excitement. “I’m not used to being held,” she whispered. “I’m used to doing the holding.”

Dallas read between the lines. He knew exactly what she was saying. “It’s time someone took care of you.”

His suggestion sounded good to her. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a queue of volunteers lined up outside her door. “Feel like some chicken and dumplings?”

“Sounds perfect.” They returned to the house and soon Dallas was seated across from George discussing immigration issues. Sally kept putting her hand on his arm to tell him about her day, and he didn’t even worry about the fingerprints she left behind. On the other hand, Lennon didn’t say much. Each time he met her eyes, she looked hastily away. He began to wonder if she was regretting the invitation.

“Are we going to mass tomorrow, Lenny? My Sunday School class is supposed to sing a song in big church.” Sally piped up with an expectant happy look on her little face.

Lennon blinked. “I didn’t even realize what day it was. Yes, of course we’ll go.” She turned to Dallas. “This was Saturday. You were probably supposed to have the whole day off.”

He shook his head. “While I’m on a case, I just do what needs to be done.”

“When do you think we should check the cameras?” she asked, remembering how it felt to be in his arms–if only for a brief wonderful moment.

“Let’s give it a couple of days,” he told her.

“You can watch a basketball game with me tomorrow.” George offered. “If you don’t have anything better to do.”

“Actually, I have a tea party. Remember?” Dallas watched Sally’s face light up.

“Yes!” She pumped her tiny fist in the air. “Lenny, we have to make cookies!”

“You could still watch the game,” George grumbled good-naturedly.

“Yes, I can.” Dallas found himself looking forward to both things.

Lennon wished she had something to offer him in way of entertainment. Try as she might, she couldn’t think of a thing she possessed that could possibly tempt him. Suddenly she just needed to walk. “While you all finish up; I think I’ll go feed the chickens this left over cornbread. I want to check on Bonita, she hasn’t been laying lately.”

Knowing everything that had been going on, Dallas wasn’t keen on her going out at night alone. “I’ll walk with you.” He rose, wiping his hands with a napkin.

“Are you sure? You don’t have to,” she assured him.

“I’m sure. I’ve never fed chickens. This will be an experience.” He took the pan of scraps from her hands. “Lead the way.”

Lennon felt herself tremble. “Okay. We’ll gather eggs while we’re out there. I didn’t have time to check this morning.”

“I don’t know how you keep up with it all.” He was telling the truth. “You amaze me. You do the work of three people.”

As they stepped into the night, Lennon felt as if she were glowing enough to light their path. “This is my world, it’s all I know.”

“I know, but some folks never do anything in their life but take from others. All you do is give.”

“That’s not true. George and Sally give me a reason to get up in the morning, that’s no small thing.” They walked companionably side by side. When they reached the pen, Lennon could see the chickens were all on their roosts. “We’ll leave this here. They’ll find it in the morning.”

“Did we eat a former member of this little assembly tonight?”

Lennon paused, trying to understand. “Oh, no!” She realized he was referring to the chicken which had gone into the dumplings. “I never eat anyone I know. I buy my meat at the grocery store. Do you find that hypocritical?”

“No. I think it’s sweet.” Heck, he thought she was sweet.

She eased the coop door open and stepped inside. The moon was bright enough they could see fairly well. “Let me check for eggs.” Walking back to the nest, she began gathering eggs. On some, she had to run her hand underneath the chicken to find them. “Oh, no!” she gasped.

“What?” Dallas was immediately concerned. “Did you find a chicken snake?” He’d heard of that happening.

“No! It’s Bonita.” She knelt down by the lifeless bird. “She was old. Poor Banty.” Dallas found Lennon speaking to a small rooster like he was a person. “I’m so sorry. You two were together a long time.”

“Let me help.” He carefully left the coop and walked to the barn where he remembered seeing some burlap bags. Returning with one, he lifted the dead chicken from the ground. The little rooster walked around, making low chirping noises. He looked lost. “Poor fellow. Were they a couple?” He meant to tease, but Lennon started sniffing.

“They’ve been inseparable for over eight years. No matter how many chickens came or went, Banty never showed interest in anyone else. He hovered around her, keeping any others away from her. He’s going to be so lonely.”

Dallas felt odd that a couple of birds could have a more meaningful relationship than he’d had with his wife. “Let me put the chicken in the barn. I’ll bury her for you in the morning.”

“Thank you. You’ve done that for several things around here lately,” she said, thinking of the cow and the deer that had been shot. He’d taken the backhoe out and dug a pit, disposing of the carcasses.

“You’re feeding me, giving me a free place to stay,” he murmured, not knowing what else to say. Dallas placed a hand on her back as she finished gathering the eggs. All the while, the small rooster followed them around as if he expected the pair to make things right for him.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a gunshot tore through the night and Lennon jumped, throwing eggs up in the air. “Damn!” Dallas exclaimed, placing a hand on his own gun and dashing from the henhouse and out into the dark.

“They’ve shot another cow!” Lennon cried, following right in behind him as he ran to his truck. As soon as they were in, Dallas headed out the gate and down the road, expecting to find someone fleeing the scene. Instead, he saw nothing. No one. Parking at the gap, he grabbed a flashlight from beneath the seat. “Let’s see if we can find anything.”

“Okay.” Lennon went with him, catching his sleeve to stay alongside. Without thinking, Dallas grabbed her hand. Once they were in the pasture, he scanned the area with the beam of light, seeing the herd grazing peacefully to one side. “What do you see?” she asked.

He started to say ‘nothing’, but then the flashlight beam landed on something… “My God,” he breathed. “It’s not an animal, it’s a person. Someone’s been shot!” Together they took off, running toward a form that Dallas could see on the ground about fifty yards in the distance.

When they arrived at the body, Dallas went to his knees, finding a man of obvious Hispanic descent. “This looks like someone who might’ve just crossed the river today. I bet he hid out till the sun went down, then decided to walk out.” He wasn’t unfamiliar with undocumented immigrants finding their way across the Rio Grande.