RESCUE AT CARDWELL RANCH Read Online Free PDF Page B

Sheldon.”
    “Trust me. The guy would have brought her back quick enough.” Neither cop smiled, let alone laughed. He raked a hand through his hair. “Why would I try something like that in a grocery-store parking lot when I could have abducted McKenzie Sheldon any night right at the office?”
    His attorney groaned and the two cops exchanged a look.
    “Come on,” Gus said. “I didn’t do anything to her. I swear.” But he sure wanted to now. Wasn’t it enough that she’d fired him? Apparently not. She wanted to destroy him. Something like this could hang over his head for years—unless they caught the guy who really attacked her. What was the chance of that happening? Next to none when they weren’t even out looking for him.
    He pointed this out to the cops. “Get out there and find this guy. It’s the only way I can prove to you that I’m innocent.”
    They both looked at him as if they suspected he was far from innocent. But they finally let him go.
    Once outside the police station, Gus realized he didn’t know what he was going to do now. Of course, another Realtor would hire him. The top salesman in Gallatin Valley? Who wouldn’t?
    Unless word got around about Sheldon’s attack—and his firing. Everyone would think it was because he was the one who’d attacked McKenzie. How long would it take before everyone knew? He groaned. Gossip moved faster than an underpriced house, especially among Realtors.
    McKenzie Sheldon better hope she hadn’t just destroyed his reputation— and his career.
    * * *
    “I’ M ANXIOUS FOR you to see the building I found for the very first Big Sky Texas Boys Barbecue,” Tag said later that afternoon. “The Realtor is going to meet us there in a few minutes.”
    Hayes had taken a long nap after the breakfast Dana had made for him. He’d awakened to the dinner bell. Dana was one heck of a cook. Lunch included chicken-fried elk steaks, hash browns, carrots from the garden and biscuits with sausage gravy.
    “This is the woman who should be opening a restaurant,” Hayes said to his cousin.
    “Thanks, but no, thanks,” Dana said. “I have plenty to do with four small children.” As if summoning them, the four came racing into the kitchen along with their father, Hud, the local marshal. The kids climbed all over their father as Dana got him a plate. It amazed him how much noise kids seven to two could make.
    Tag’s fiancée, Lily McCabe, came in looking as if she was already family. She declined lunch, saying she’d already eaten, but she pulled up a chair. Introductions were made and five minutes later, Hayes could see why his brother had fallen in love with the beautiful and smart brunette.
    “We’d better get going,” Tag said, checking his watch. He gave Lily a kiss then rumpled each child’s hair as he headed for the door. Hayes followed, even though there was no purpose in seeing this building his brother had found for the restaurant.
    They weren’t opening a barbecue place in Big Sky. He wasn’t sure how he was going to break it to his brother, though.
    The road from the ranch crossed a bridge over the Gallatin River. This morning it ran crystal clear, colorful rocks gleaming invitingly from the bottom. Hayes watched the river sweep past, the banks dotted with pines and cottonwoods, and wished they were going fishing, instead.
    At Highway 191, Tag turned toward Big Sky and Hayes got his first good look at Lone Mountain. The spectacular peak glistened in the sun. A patch of snow was still visible toward the top where it hadn’t yet melted. This morning, when he’d driven to the ranch, the top of the peak had been shrouded in clouds.
    “Isn’t it beautiful?” Tag said.
    “It is.” All of the Montana he’d seen so far was beautiful. He could understand why his brother had fallen in love with the place. And with Lily McCabe.
    “Lily was nervous about meeting you earlier,” Tag said now, as if reading his mind. He turned toward Lone Mountain and what