“Okay.” The single word felt inadequate against the rush of her pulse.
She watched as he walked to the cash register, his confident stride drawing glances from other diners. He gave Connie a credit card, signed the receipt with a quick flick of his wrist, and picked up the white paper bag containing his lunch. As he strode out the door, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the bright afternoon sun, Skylar couldn’t help but grin. Damn, that was hot.
****
Rawley waited for a break in traffic, then crossed the street, and made his way back to the office. It seemed like Dave had found out some things about the truck. He hoped so because if not, he just left an enjoyable lunch with a beautiful woman for no damn reason.
He entered the courthouse, strode toward the elevator, then pushed the button. The doors slid open, and he stepped inside. He pressed the number for his floor, then opened the bag and removed a few fries and took a bite of them.
The elevator stopped on the second floor, the doors slid open, and in stepped the woman from the other morning. He chewed quickly swallowed and touched the brim of his hat.
“Ma’am.”
“Good afternoon. That food smells good.” She smiled at him.
“If you know the diner, then you know it tastes as good as it smells.” Rawley held the bag out toward her. “Fry?”
She laughed but reached into the bag and took out a fry, then bit into it. She moaned while chewing.
“Now, I want to go to the diner this evening.” She smiled. “Care to join me?”
Rawley grinned. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize you were involved with anyone.”
“I just met her, but I like her.”
“Lucky woman.”
“I think it’s the other way around.”
The elevator stopped on his floor, he nodded at the woman, stepped out, and walked across the hall and into the offices.
He set the white paper bag down on his cluttered desk with a soft thud, hung his Stetson on the rack behind his desk, then strode to Dave’s office. He knocked on the door, and Dave waved him inside.
“Here’s the agent’s name in Autumn Falls. He’s been on the trail of those rustlers, same M.O. as your case. Eighteen-wheelertracks, identical tread, and this guy reckons there could be up to ten men running the operation.” He held the paper up, and Rawley took it from him. He studied the scrawled name and number under the buzzing light.
“How long has he been on it?”
Dave raked a hand through his thinning hair, frustration tugging at his features. “Six months. The previous agent ground away on it for almost five months and hit a dead end, so they pulled him off. Now Agent Saunders is on it, fresh eyes, all that.”
Rawley nodded. “Got it. I’ll give him a call.”
Dave crossed his arms. “He’s wound tight about it. Convinced it’s a big outfit moving cattle from town to town, Autumn Falls last spring, Helena, now Clifton. They vanish like ghosts. Ranchers are spooked. Saunders said he sent you an email, so go through those files.”
“Any of the cattle ever recovered?”
“Zero. I’m betting they slaughter them, move the meat and hides on the black market.” Dave’s voice dropped. “Worst part is, someone knows exactly where the herds graze.”
Rawley tapped the Post-it again. “This isn’t just a neighbor’s boundary feud. Whoever’s behind this has industry intel, roads, ranch names, every back gate. Beef country for miles.”
“Exactly,” Dave said, tone clipped. “You better keep an eye on your own herd, Rawley. You’re gonna need backup. Talk to Saunders, see how you two can sync up. We need to shut this down.”
“I’ll do my best, boss.”
A grin split Dave’s face. “Never doubted it. Sorry I yanked you back from lunch, but glad to see you could get it to go.”
Rawley smirked. “Couldn’t take the blonde to-go that I was having lunch with, though.”
