Last Stand Ranch Read Online Free PDF Page A

know I’ll be working on that section of fence damaged in that last storm.” He glanced at Olivia. “It’s right at the boundary between Claudia’s property and ours, not too far away.”
    She shrugged as if it meant nothing to her.
    Then he made a point of pulling the pistol out of the waistband at the small of his back, and replacing it, as if he’d just wanted to make the fit more comfortable. Olivia kept her gaze on the gun the whole time. When she looked at him, it was with just a little bit less hostility.
    Good. He wanted her to know at least one person took her fears of being stalked by Ted Kurtz seriously. Even if that person happened to be a guy she didn’t much like.
    â€œBefore you got here, I was asking Olivia where she’d go if she didn’t stay here with us,” Claudia said.
    â€œGood question.” Elijah nodded. “Where would you go and how would you know when you were safe?”
    â€œWow.” Olivia looked him up and down. “You really know how to make a girl feel better.”
    â€œRunning off in a blind panic could make things a whole lot worse for you.”
    She hugged her arms over her chest. Elijah could see goose bumps on the surface of her skin even though she was standing in the sun.
    â€œI’m so glad to have you here,” Claudia said, reaching out to squeeze her niece’s hand.
    Oh, yeah, that. Sometimes Elijah forgot to say the warm fuzzy words. A fair amount of the time he couldn’t say them because he didn’t really believe them. But in this case he knew they were true. Claudia had been very excited about the visit.
    â€œI’m glad to be here.”
    In the bright sunlight, Elijah could see the purple half circles under her eyes. Probably been missing out on sleep for a while. She was pale for a woman who lived in Vegas. And her clothes hung loosely on her. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she needed all the help she could get.
    â€œYour house is beautiful,” Olivia said to Claudia, scanning the yard. Elijah watched her gaze settle on the junipers planted at the corners of the small guest cottage fifty feet away, current home of Raymond and Denise Bauer. Then she looked toward the numerous wooden sheds on the property, their interiors darkened and impossible to see into.
    â€œYou looking for Kurtz?” Elijah asked.
    She snapped her attention back to Claudia, ignoring his question. “Painted Rock is such a pretty, peaceful town. It’s everything I’d hoped for. I don’t want to stay and ruin it for you.”
    â€œIf you leave, you’ll break an old lady’s heart.”
    Olivia let go a laugh. “Please don’t try to guilt me into staying.”
    â€œI will if it works. And don’t forget about the job interview I lined up for you at the senior center. Are you going to throw away that opportunity after all the effort I put into getting it for you?”
    â€œYou’re merciless.” Olivia had already returned to scanning her surroundings. She looked toward Claudia’s corrals and stables, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.
    â€œThere’s nobody out here,” Claudia said, following her gaze.
    For a moment, there was only the peaceful sound of the breeze rustling through the trees and chickens clucking as they moseyed around the yard.
    â€œI’ve got too many dogs for anybody to sneak up on us,” Claudia added.
    â€œI don’t know how much help Jasper, Feldspar and Opal would be as watchdogs,” Elijah said.
    Claudia shot him a quelling look. Unfortunately, it looked as if today was his day to annoy Claudia as well as Olivia. Claudia obviously wanted to wrap her niece in comfort and reassurance. Elijah didn’t think that was a good idea. Not now. Not if it made her ignore the fact that she was still in danger.
    Now that he knew more about the danger she was facing, he wasn’t so anxious for her to leave town. He