The Cattleman Read Online Free PDF

glad you thought about me for a shopping trip.” Beth searched the occupants, too, giving the mechanic a closer look. He seemed too alert, watching his surroundings constantly. Almost like she paid attention to details and her surroundings. A well-toned body was hidden under his coveralls. He wiped his hands as if he was used to grease under his nails. Cord watched him for a couple of minutes, raised an eyebrow and the man left.
    “You’re the perfect excuse to take off for the afternoon,” Kate continued, smiling at her husband. “Just girls. Baby and husband free for the first time in months. Cord only trusts me to be out with someone licensed to carry.”
    “I’ve got a good reason for keeping you close,” the Ranger mumbled before turning to Beth. “You do have your weapon, right?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Kate ignored Beth’s response and her husband’s question, for that matter. “Shopping over the internet and in downtown Marfa’s just not the same as trying on clothes. And especially picking out things for someone else.”
    “Where can you buy clothes here?” Beth lowered her voice so the rest of the café wouldn’t think she was complaining. If her cover was going to work, she had to make them think she actually liked their small town. “The commercial part of Marfa is about the same size of one block in downtown Chicago. Comparing the two just depresses me. Sorry, I know this is your home.”
    “Not a problem. We know it’s a culture shock for most. I attended school in Austin. Cord’s originally from Dallas. Believe me, sometimes I really miss the convenience of a department store just a few minutes away.”
    The bell above the door rang and Andrea entered, the sheriff at her side. Kate waved and called the couple over. Beth wanted to tap “Jingle Bells” with her nails, she was so nervous.
    The last time she’d seen Pete Morrison, he’d been fanatically expressing his opposition to her being kept on the task force—agreeing with everything Nick said. Of course, she hadn’t been an asset rescuing Andrea from the gunrunners. She’d lost control of her horse, which had forced Nick to leave the group to rescue her.
    The two couples shared pleasantries and Andrea sat next to her. While Kate invited Andrea to join them in Alpine, Beth could just nod and smile.
    “Would you two want anything?” Brandie asked, handing Beth the iced tea.
    “You should take the afternoon off and come with us, Brandie,” she said. Then the conversation couldn’t be about all her screwups.
    “Sorry, I’d love to get some Christmas shopping done, but I’ve already sent the extra help home.”
    Rotten luck. Now it was inevitable that the afternoon girl talk would include men. The two women might even be bold enough to ask about her night in the mountains with Nick. She wouldn’t trade their night together, but the circumstances leading to it were consistently embarrassing.
    Evade, tell the truth or lie? Three options she wasn’t looking forward to. Before she could dwell on a decision, the ladies stood, handed off baby stuff—including the baby Andrea now held—and were ready to leave.
    Both women knew she worked undercover and both knew she was locating herself at the ranch as bait. But she still couldn’t let down her guard. She needed the shopping trip, but she needed to prove her abilities at the same time. From downtown Marfa, it was a thirty-five minute ride, straight highway with no traffic. She could keep things casual that long.
    “Cord wants you to be on your toes. Both of you, of course,” Kate stated once they were on the road. “Having a conversation with both law enforcement entities should clue whoever’s watching exactly which side you’re on, Beth. Bait the hook, so to speak.”
    “I figured.”
    “A day off from hiding while you’re here in Marfa should be nice,” Kate said.
    “Or hiding that I prefer city life in Chicago.” She couldn’t forget that she didn’t belong here. “My