“What is it we’re doing?”
“Stealing livestock,” Rawley snapped, and noticed one of the men, a younger guy with a beard, flinch visibly, his eyes widening in alarm. In that moment, Rawley knew with absolute certainty he was right.
“Got any proof of that?”
“I sure as hell wouldn’t tell you if I did.”
“Then why aren’t we in jail?”
“In a hurry to get there?”
The man laughed. “You didn’t answer my question. I’d say it’s because you can’t prove it.”
Rawley shook his head. “I have a date I’m late for. Get on your way.” He turned to get into his truck, then faced them. “It won’t matter if you get scared and run. We will find you wherever you go.”
“Sure,” the man said with a mock salute, then they all climbed back into the truck.
Rawley watched them go and swore under his breath.
“Son of a bitch. I will get you. I promise you that.” He sighed, slid onto the seat, put the gun away, then pulled onto the road, but stayed back from them. They kept heading toward town as he pulled off to head to Skylar’s.
Chapter Thirteen
As Skylar sat on the sofa, her fingernails tapping against the armrest, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Call it women’s intuition or just a gut feeling, but Rawley was never late, not even five minutes. She jumped when her phone buzzed, its light illuminating the dimming living room. She picked it up and saw a text message from Rawley, but her stomach knotted as she hesitated to look.
“Come on, Skylar.” She pressed the button to read the message; her breath caught in her throat.
I’m on my way. Got held up a little. I should be there in about fifteen minutes.
She exhaled a shaky sigh that fogged the screen. At least he was okay. She sent a message telling him it was fine and she’d see him soon.
Yes, you will, sweetheart.
Skylar smiled as she set the phone back down, then she got up and paced across the floor, her sock-covered feet making soft padding sounds until she heard the familiar rumble of his truck’s engine in the driveway. She’d been so worried that her temples ached. Making her way to the door, she opened it to see him stepping from his truck. He opened the back door, and the eager dogs jumped down with a jingle of tags. She laughed when they noticed her, their eyes widening and their bushy tails wagging, then ran to her and sat down in front of her feet.
“Hi,” she said, her voice catching slightly.
Rawley looked at her with those dark eyes that always reminded her of a starless night sky, and her heart dropped to her stomach. She was so in love with him it physically hurt.
He walked toward her, then leaned down and kissed her lips.
“Hi. I’m sorry I’m late,” he said, his breath warm against her lips.
“It’s okay. I was worried though.”
“No need to be. I’m just running a little behind.” His voice was steady, but a muscle twitched in his jaw.
She stared into that handsome face, with its light stubble and knew he wasn’t telling her something.
“Okay. Well, let’s see how this goes.” She nodded at the dogs, who were now sniffing excitedly at the doorframe.
Rawley grinned. “I’ll hold on to them.”
“You’d better. You know how Cosmo can be.”
“Yes, I do. Lead the way, darlin’.”
They entered the house, the dogs’ nails clicking across the hardwood as they sniffed eagerly at unfamiliar corners, oblivious to Cosmo’s eyes tracking them from his perch on the window. The cat’s tail twitched once before he rose, spine curving into an arch, fur bristling along his back. His hiss cut through the air, a sound like steam escaping a radiator. The dogs froze mid-step, ears pricked forward, muscles tensed beneath shiny coats as they looked up at Rawley with identical expressions of canine uncertainty.
