Chapter 7

"What's going on, Amos?" Lauren asked as the four-wheelers left in a cloud of dust.

He studied her face for a minute, as if trying to decide if he should divulge the ranch's business. "Boss says somebody stole some of the herd. He's takin' the sheriff out there to see if they can figure out who did it so they can get 'em back."

She wrinkled her brow. "Are you telling me people are still stealing horses in this day and age? I thought horse thieving was something that only happened in old Western movies."

Amos laughed, wheezing a bit in the process. "It ain't happened 'round here for years, best I can recall, but my mama always told me the devil never really goes away, even if he does sleep for a while."

"Do you think it has anything to do withwith me?" She turned her face away from him.

"Why in heaven's name would ya think that, ma'am?" the old man asked her. "Surely you ain't the horse-thievin' kind if you ain't even learned how to ride one!"

"Well, the truth is, I come with some baggage."

"Yeah, I know. I saw yer fancy backpack you brought with ya."

She laughed, finding the na?ve old man endearing. "No, what I mean is, I've got a bit of a sordid history, andWell, I thought maybeI'm worried I might be the cause of trouble here."

"You talkin' 'bout them bruises on your face and neck, girl?"

"Yes," she muttered, embarrassed.

"Boss don't take too kindly to those who'd beat up on a woman or steal a horse. If the one who put them marks on you is the same one who took Mr. Chase's horses, the coyote won't be doin' neither againor for long," Amos said, leading Lucy into the barn with Lauren trailing behind. "Now, let's get Lucy groomed proper and back in her stall where she belongs." He handed her a bucket with some brushes in it and showed her how and where to use each one, and the two of them groomed the horse together.

When they finished, Lauren went into the bathroom in the barn and reluctantly washed her hands. She found she loved the smell of horses and leather.

She heard the four-wheelers before she saw them. A moment later, they rounded a curve and stopped almost directly in front of her.

Silence rent the air when they turned off the engines. The riders solemnly got off the machines. Chase talked quietly to Mitch while they walked to his car. The cowboy waved at the lawman as he started down the long drive.

When he returned to the barn, Amos and he shared a glance, and, to Lauren, it didn't look good. Nothing was said about their predicament, though, and she didn't feel it her place to intrude and ask any further questions. If Clint had anything to do with the horses that had gone missing, he would be caught and would pay the pricecourtesy of the law.

Before she knew it, Edie rang the dinner bell on the porch to let them all know lunch was ready. Lauren hadn't realized it had been so many hours since the housekeeper had practically chased her out of the house earlier in the morning. Where had the time gone?

She waited for the men to wash up in the barn's sink before they made their way together to the house.

Edie stood inside the kitchen door. She batted her eyes at Chase every chance she got during lunch, but Lauren felt the displeased glares Edie cast in her direction. As soon as the four of them had eaten their share of the large lunch, Edie disappeared, and Amos headed back to the barn.

* * * *

"We need to talk," Chase said as soon as they were alone. He ran his hands across his face and through his hair.

After his talk with the Sherriff, Chase realized he had nothing to go on, no reason to trust Lauren, and had no suspects. He hadn't pissed anyone off who would want some kind of revenge unless it had something to do with Lauren and who or what she was running away from. He was tired of all the secrets and not getting straight answers, and he needed them now.

* * * *

"Okay. What is it we need to talk about?" Lauren asked with dread. She thought for sure he'd tell her to hit the road. Her hands began to shake, and she clenched them together and placed them on the table in front of her.

"I've asked you twice where you came from, and you haven't told me the whole truth yet," he said in a soft voice, "so I'm asking you again. I need you to be honest with me. I'm not even sure I know your real name." He ran his hands through his hair, making it even more tousled than before. He'd taken off his hat when he entered the house and put it on a peg by the door, and his hat line remained very evident in his disheveled hair.

"My name is Lauren." She sat up straighter in her chair, surprised by his question.

"Okay, but what's your full name?" he asked in a voice that sounded slightly agitated.

"Lauren McCray," she answered timidly, still expecting to hear him tell her to leave.

"And where do you come from? And I don't just mean which direction."

"Michigan. Lansing, Michigan to be exact."

"What are you running from? The law?"

"No! It's not a 'what' I'm running from, but a 'who.'"

"And who might that be?"

"Clint Jackson, my boyer, my ex-boyfriend."

"Is he the one who put those bruises on your face and neck?" Chase's blue eyes stared into hers. Anger darkened his eyes and she knew he meant business. She wouldn't be able to forestall the truth any longer.

"Yes, it was him." She touched the sore spot on her cheek with quivering fingers. "That's why I stowed away in the back of your truck. He was at the diner. I hopped in your truck because Clint recognized my car, and I needed someplace to hide and a way to get out of there. Look, if he followed you or something, and if he stole your horses towell, to get back at me, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring you any trouble. You can take me to the nearest town and drop me off. I'll be okay," she began blubbering. Her lips trembled and tears welled up in her eyes.

When Chase reached over and put his hand on hers, she didn't pull away. She felt a shock rise up her arm, all the way to her inner core. "I think it's best you stay here for now, but I do think you oughta talk to the sheriff. You should tell him everything you know about this Clint fellow so he can be on the lookout. You're perfectly safe here, so there's no reason to leave. You're welcome to stay as long as you want."

Lauren looked into his understanding eyes. Their deep blue hue shone with sincerity and she found it hard to look away. With him still holding her hand, she didn't want the warm feeling of security his presence gave heror the warmth growing in her heartto end. She wanted to trust Chase, quit looking over her shoulder, and enjoy life again. "If you can get the sheriff back out here, I'll talk to him," she agreed. "I'll tell him everything."

"Of course, but first you need to tell me all about the SOB. I'll let Amos and all the ranch hands know what he looks like in case he dares to step his woman-beatin' foot on my property." His voice grew heated as he moved his hand away.

She nodded her head. "All rightand thank you."

"Ain't no need to thank a man for doin' what's right." He glanced at the swinging door leading to the dining room when it closed softly. "Let's talk in my study."

Lauren saw and heard it, too, and suspected Edie had listened to their conversation. She wasn't quite sure how to feel about her eavesdropping, but it was too late to do anything about it.

The cowboy stood and pushed his chair in. "You ready? You can bring your drink with you if you want."

"As ready as I'll ever be." She stood from the table, picked up her glass of sweet tea, and followed him into his study.