Wyatt: Return of the Cowboy Read Online Free PDF

sheriff.”
    Wyatt gaped at Paige, almost tripping over his own feet. “Since when?”
    “Last election.”
    “Her brother Colt mentioned once she’d gone away to school.”
    “Police academy.”
    “No fooling.”
    They walked the few blocks to the sheriff’s station, with Paige filling Wyatt in on Dinah’s transformation over the years from lawbreaker to law enforcer. He was impressed.
    “I don’t suppose any of us is where we thought we’d be twelve years ago,” he mused aloud as they reached the station’s main entrance.
    Dinah wasn’t on duty; Thursdays were her day off. Wyatt received another shock when he and Paige encountered Duke Adams, Dinah’s cousin and another of their high school cronies. Correction, Deputy Duke Adams. He informed Wyatt and Paige that Dinah was at Thunder Ranch, having lunch with her mother and brother, Ace.
    They thanked Duke and, after a few minutes of catching up, left.
    “I’ll go with you to Thunder Ranch if you want.”
    “Are you sure? I don’t want to keep you from your errands.” Actually, Wyatt did want to keep her…from her errands and with him as much as possible.
    “The dry cleaner’s was my last stop.”
    Taking her elbow, he assisted her down the concrete steps. He didn’t immediately let go, not until they’d crossed the street. She didn’t try to pull away, either.
    “We’ll take my truck.”
    Fifteen minutes later, they were traveling the long driveway into Thunder Ranch. Not much had changed. The rambling house looked the same, as did most of the barns. Wyatt spotted a new building under construction.
    “It’s a mare motel,” Paige informed him. “The Harts are expanding their rodeo stock contracting business to include a horse breeding program.”
    They drove straight toward the main barn. Paige had placed a call on the drive over and learned Dinah and Ace were at the hospital pens behind the barn where Ace, a veterinarian, was treating a sick horse.
    Wyatt parked the truck beside an SUV with the county sheriff’s department logo on the side. Dinah stood beside the pens next to Ace. Wyatt recognized her instantly and waited for his heart to race like it had when he first saw Paige yesterday.
    Nothing happened.
    Not until he cast a sidelong glance at Paige. Then, his heart not only raced, it soared.
    “Oh, Wyatt! It’s great to see you.” Dinah rushed over the second he exited the truck and gave him an enthusiastic hug.
    “Great to see you, too.” He gently extracted himself from Dinah’s grasp as Ace sauntered over to join them. “Ace, how have you been?”
    Dinah’s oldest brother and head of the Hart family took hold of Wyatt’s extended hand and gripped it with the strength of ten men. He leaned in close until his face was inches from Wyatt’s and growled, “Hurt my sister again, and I’ll make you sorry you ever set foot in this town.”
    Wyatt squeezed Ace’s hand in return. He hadn’t gotten to be a two-time world champion by backing down from a challenge.

Chapter Four
    Paige gasped. Had Ace lost his mind? “Do something!” She looked worriedly over at Dinah, who rolled her eyes.
    “Ace, honestly,” she said. “Release him now or I’m going to arrest you for assault.”
    Ace stepped back—maybe an inch altogether. He didn’t take his eyes off Wyatt, who stood his ground with admirable courage. “He got you in trouble.”
    “He did no such thing. I got myself in trouble just fine without any help.” She gave Paige a conspiratorial wink. “That’s what I get for confiding in my big brother.”
    Paige was hardly amused. In fact, she was starting to panic. Wyatt’s hand, still gripped in Ace’s, had started turning blue. “I think you should put a stop to this. Now.”
    “Come on, Ace,” Dinah insisted, more sternly than before.
    “Look,” Wyatt said, “I apologize for any hurt I caused your sister and take full responsibility.”
    Ace considered Wyatt’s statement for a moment, then released him. “See