Rebecca bit back a smart reply. Prather wasn’t worth her anger. He deserved nothing but a cell in the nearest prison. Levi would come. He’d put an end to all of this, and then they’d never have to worry about Prather again.
I hope. Rebecca averted her gaze from Prather, irritated that she’d let him get under her skin.
Levi would come. He had to.
Because she loved him.
Chapter Nineteen
THE HORSE AND RIDERmaterialized like an apparition out of the darkness.
Levi came to a quick halt and drew one of his pistols. He said nothing, opting to sidle off into the edge of the trees. With any luck, the other fellow hadn’t noticed him.
For a moment, the only sounds were Levi’s careful breathing and the quick thump-thump of the oncoming horse.
Levi waited, as patient as he could be, until the rider drew nearly even with where he waited. Then he nudged his horse out of the shadows, extended his weapon, and ordered the man to stop.
The rider drew up his horse, clearly surprised at Levi’s presence. One hand on the reins, he lifted the other. And Levi recognized his neighbor to the south.
“Cooper?”
“Whiteside.” The man said his name with clear relief. “I was riding for your place.”
Levi eyed the man, trying to decide if he was friend or foe. He lowered his pistol some, not entirely convinced that Cooper wasn’t agreeable to Prather’s presence at his ranch. “Why is that?”
The man grimaced. “He’s got your wife. My cousin, Alex Prather.”
Although he was certain that was what had happened, the man’s words still hit Levi like a punch to the stomach. “Where are they?”
“My place.” Cooper’s broad face creased. “They likely know I’m gone by now. And he’s got my wife too.”
Levi’s gut said to trust Cooper. He prayed he wasn’t falling into a trap as he nodded. Perhaps it was best he kept the information that Sheriff Wright and his men should be along later to himself. Not that it mattered—he didn’t intend to let this last long enough for them to arrive. “Let’s get them back.”
Cooper nodded, his jaw set. He turned his horse back to the south, and they moved at a quick clip together.
They drew up to the spot where Levi normally watched the house. “How many men are there?” he asked as he eyed the place. Lamplight streamed from the kitchen window.
“Two besides Alex. Ruthless, all of them.” Cooper kept his gaze on the house as he spoke.
“You said he’s your cousin?” Levi glanced at Cooper, still considering where the man’s loyalty lay.
Cooper frowned. “Hate to admit it, but yes. On my mother’s side. He showed up here early last summer, looking for a place to lay low. I agreed to let him stay a few days. I didn’t much like it, but he’s family. He never left. And he didn’t take kindly to me hinting that he’d overstayed his welcome.” He turned to look at Levi. “I don’t know who you work for, but I gathered enough from Alex that you’re more than just a farmer. I want you to know that I’ll help in any way I can. And I hope that the law considers me coming for you at great risk to my wife and my own life against the mistake I made in letting him stay with us.”
Levi nodded. “I can’t make any promises, but you’ve got my word that I’ll do whatever I can.”
