Rancher Rescue. Barb Han
of daylight. All the men in the county are involved. A few want to keep going. The rest will pick up the search tomorrow.”
Matt handed the bag to Katherine. She immediately dumped out the contents, palming Noah’s pill bottle and inhaler.
“Did you let Coleman know?” Caleb asked.
Matt nodded. “Sure did. There’s something else you should know. Thanks to that little bit of rain we got the other day, one of the boys located four-wheeler tracks on the McGrath farm on the other side of the fence near where you said you found her.”
Matt couldn’t deny she’d told the truth now.
Katherine was already digging around the large tote, tossing snack bags and juice boxes onto the sofa. “It all happened so fast. I can’t even remember where I put my phone. I just remember taking photographs one minute, then the world spinning out of control the next. I wouldn’t even believe any of this myself if it hadn’t happened to me. I keep feeling like all of this is some kind of bad dream, and I’ll wake up any second to find everything back to normal. Noah will be here with me. My sister will be alive.”
As if shaking off the heavy thoughts, Katherine jammed her hand back inside her bag. Blood soaked through one section of the gauze on her leg.
“If you won’t let me take you to the hospital, you’ll have to listen to what I say. We have to keep this elevated.” Caleb curled his fingers around her calf and lifted, watching for any signs he hurt her. Based on her grimace, her darkening eyes, she was winning the fight against the pain. When the shock and adrenaline wore off later, she’d be in for it. He didn’t like the idea of her being home alone in Dallas when it happened.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m not thinking clearly. This whole ordeal has me scattered. Waiting it out will drive me insane.”
Caleb didn’t even want to think about the possibility of not finding her nephew.
Big violet eyes stared at him. “It’s gone. I must’ve still been holding it. They have no way to contact me. What if they’ve called already? What if they’ve...”
“Sleep here tonight.” Caleb ignored Matt’s sharp intake of breath. He hadn’t planned to make the offer. It just came out.
* * *
“I’DGETIN your way. Besides, you have plenty to do to keep busy without me underfoot,” Katherine argued without conviction.
“If you stay here, I’ll be able to keep an eye on your leg and get some work done.”
Going back to her one-bedroom apartment was about as appealing as sleeping alone in a cave. Her keys were in her purse, but she doubted she could drive. Even though Noah had only been there a week, she couldn’t face going home without him. Staying at the ranch, being this near Caleb, provided a measure of strength and comfort.
His warm brown eyes darkened. “I can have Margaret turn down the bed in the guest room. Doesn’t make sense for you to go anywhere.”
“I don’t want to be rude. I just...”
Frustration, exhaustion was taking hold. It had been three long hours since the ordeal began.
“No reason to leave. This is best place to be for now.”
Caleb seemed the type of guy who took care of anyone and everyone he came across. Cowboy code or something. Still, she didn’t want to abuse his goodwill. “Thank you for everything you’ve done so far, but—”
“It’s no trouble.”
Matt ran the toe of his boot along the floor. “Think they’ll call her house?”
“I saw no need for a landline.”
The cowboy sat on the edge of the coffee table. “Then it’s settled. You stay. Agreed?”
“For tonight.”
Matt quickly excused himself and disappeared down the hall. What was that all about?
The cowboy followed.
Her heart gave a little skip at the satisfied smile on his face. She refocused on the sheet of paper. Who would want something from Leann? What file could she possibly have? A manila folder? Computer file?
Why on earth would they think Katherine had it? If they knew Leann at all, they’d realize she could keep a secret. The last thing she would do was confide in her sister.
Maybe a trip to Austin would help? She could start with Leann’s computer.
She rubbed her temples to ease the pounding between her eyes. Other than playing with the pumpkins, had Noah spoken to anyone? Had she?
There had to have been at least a dozen other people around. Were any of them in on it? A chill raced up her spine.
Caleb reappeared, holding a crutch. “I should take another look at that ankle before you put any weight on it.”
“I just remembered something. There was a man talking to me while I was in line to buy tickets for the hayride.”
His rich brown eyes lifted to meet hers and her heart faltered.
“He could’ve been there to distract you.”
Panic at reliving the memory gripped her. She buried her face in her hands. “I’m so scared. What will they do to him?”
He cupped her chin, lifting her face until her eyes met his. “You can’t think like that.”
“He has to be terrified. He’s so vulnerable and alone. I’m praying they haven’t hurt him. He’s been through so much already. I was supposed to take care of him. Protect him. Keep him safe.”
“If he’s half as strong as his aunt, he’ll be all right.” She could tell by his set jaw he meant it.
She almost laughed out loud. Little did he know how weak and miserable she felt, and her heart was fluttering with him so close, which could not be more inappropriate under the circumstances. “I promised on my sister’s grave I would look after him. Look what I did.”
The weight of those words sat heavier than a block of granite. Panic squeezed her chest. Her breath labored.
Brown eyes, rich, the color of newly turned fall leaves, set in an almost overwhelmingly attractive face stared at her. Before she could protest, his hand guided her face toward his shoulder.
“Don’t blame yourself,” he soothed. “Talk like that won’t bring him back.” His voice was a low rumble.
This close she could breathe in his scent. He smelled of fresh air and outdoors, masculine and virile. His mouth was so close to hers she could feel his cinnamon-scented breath on her skin.
She’d felt so alone, so guilty, and then suddenly this handsome cowboy was offering comfort.
Caleb pulled away too soon. Her mind was still trying to wrap itself around the fact a room could be charged with so much tension in less than a second, and in the next she could feel so guilty for allowing herself to get caught up in it.
The sounds of boots scuffling across tiles came from the other room. He inclined his chin toward the kitchen. “Sounds like we have company.”
He stood and held out his hand.
By the time Katherine limped into the kitchen with Caleb’s help, the table was filled with men. As soon as they saw her, chatter stopped and they stood. There were half a dozen cowboys surrounding the table.
“Ma’am.” Matt tipped his hat.
She smiled, nodded.
Caleb led her to the sink to wash her hands and blot her face with a cool, wet towel.
“Take my seat,” he said, urging her toward the head of the table.
Matt leaned forward, staring, lips pinched together.
As