Josh just grunted. “Let me know if you come up with something. Aside from heading for Phoenix and pounding him into the sand, I’m drawing a blank.”
A calculating look came into Linc’s dark eyes. “He’s a businessman, right? Real estate? I know people in Phoenix. Maybe it’s time for Damon’s company to feel the pinch.”
“It’s his dad’s company, unfortunately.”
“Might be even better.” Linc swirled the whiskey in his glass, shot the last of it back. “Let me give it some thought.”
Both men rose from their chairs. It was time to rejoin the women. The anticipation that moved through him wasn’t a welcome feeling. He was in real trouble with Tory.
And he didn’t see an end to it anytime soon.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Aside from everyone being on alert, life on the ranch went on as usual. The June weather was growing hotter, more humid, the sky overcast one day, the sun broiling down the next.
Worried about Ivy, they decided to leave her with Mrs. Thompson during the day, at least till things settled down. The older woman loved having her and it gave Tory time for her riding lessons and working with Star.
They still needed photos to finish the webpage, but Josh’s old camera wasn’t really up to the task, and now was not the best time to be out on the ranch. Since she’d done plenty of photography in the advertising business, Tory figured taking the photos herself would save money, and it would be fun.
Josh planned to buy whatever gear they needed, but for now, they were staying close to the house, concentrating their efforts on the stallion.
Star seemed to be growing more and more docile every day. As long as Josh was with Tory, the horse remained placid, even seemed affectionate. The stallion was in a separate pasture from the rest of the horses, but the animals stood together at the fence and they didn’t seem to bother him.
Josh wasn’t planning to use Star for breeding until he was sure it was safe, but Tory had every hope the stallion would be able to live a normal, productive life.
The afternoon slipped away. “I’ll see you at supper,” Josh said, striding off to the barn. Cole and Noah had gone off on the ATVs, out checking on the rest of the horses and the few head of Black Angus cattle Josh was raising. Tory knew they were also keeping an eye out for any sign of trouble.
She had just walked into the kitchen to start supper when she looked through the window above the sink and spotted a dark brown four-door Chevy Impala heading down the road toward the house.
The car pulled up, a rental with an Enterprise license plate on the front. The driver opened the door and stepped out and she recognized Detective Jeremy Larson, Phoenix PD.
Nerves sent her pulse up a notch. Removing her apron, she hurried through the living room and opened the front door to see the tall, lanky detective walking up on Josh’s porch.
“Detective Larson. What a surprise. Please . . . come on in.”
The detective ran a hand through his curly brown hair and stepped into the living room. Behind him, she saw Josh coming out of the barn, striding in their direction.
“I just got off a flight from Phoenix,” Detective Larson said. “Drove from DFW straight out here. I’m hoping you can help me.”
“Of course.”
The door opened again and Josh walked into the house. “Detective Larson. What’s going on?”
“I was just telling Ms. Bradford—”
“Tory, please,” she said.
“I was saying that I just arrived from Phoenix, drove straight out from the airport. I’m hoping Tory can help me.”
“That’s a long way to travel,” she said. “Why don’t we sit down at the table and I’ll get us something cold to drink.”
“Sounds good.” Larson and Josh both followed Tory into the kitchen.
“I’ll get it,” Josh said.
Walking over to the fridge, he brought out the pitcher of lemonade Tory always kept there, filled three glasses with ice, and poured them full. He carried the glasses over and set them down on the table. Larson sat down and Josh took a seat next to Tory.
“What can I do for you, Detective?” Tory asked.
