Jodie took several deep breaths. Something else she’d have to deal with in the futura!
Tate turned back to her. “Go on,” he said tightly. “Why do you believe him?”
Jodie wished she’d never started this. Not any of it. When Rio had
left his coin outside her window to sum mon her, she should have ignored it. And today she should have let him run away. Not stop him, not offer to continue to help. Theft she thought of the girl. Of Crystal Hammond. Someone had murdered her and the child she was carrying, if it wasn’t Rio, it was someone else. Someone who shouldn’t be allowed to get off scot-free because law enforcement’s attention was directed at the wrong man.
Jodie straightened her shoulders. “He says he was playing cards with four other cowboys that night—all night. But he only knows one of them. A man named Joe-Bob, who’s supposed to be working on a ranch somewhere in West Texas. The others are friends of this Joe-Bob. So it’s Joe-Bob we have to find.”
“We?” Tate said sharply.
“You’re the only person who can help us, Tate! I’ve already called all the ranchers who belong to the regional association. None of them admit to having hired this Joe-Bob. But I have no way of knowing if they’re telling the truth or how to contact the other ranches—the ones not in the association. You do.”
“What’s this Joe-Bob’s last name?” Tate asked.
“Rio doesn’t know,” she said simply. She knew this was a weakness in her argument.
“Was it his babY?” he asked suddenly. “He says it was.”
“That must’ve hurt.”
Jodie had had enough of his baiting. She flared, “Look, I’m not doing this because of what once happened between Rio and me. He … Im”
Tate broke in. “You’re just doin’ it out of the goodness of your heart.”
“Actually? Yes, I am. I don’t think it’s fair that he”
Tate moved with the speed of a big cat, his strong lean body pressing against hers while his arms took her captive. “And I don’t think it’s fair that you’re wastin’ your time on someone like that. Jodie, wake up! The man’s probably a murderer, and the story he’s told you is just that—a story.”
Jodie struggled to break away.
“That’s what he’s eountin’ on,” Tate continued. “Tricking you again. Can’t you see?”
They continued to grapple. Then something in the intimacy of the moment caused the atmosphere to shift. Tate seemed to lose touch with the need to explain the behavior of people outside the law, just as Jodie no longer responded to the need to escape.
One look into his glittering eyes and her breath caught.
Slowly his fingers threaded into her hair. He seemed fascinated by the way stray moonbeams gave a milky wash to the copper-and-red strands.
All she wanted was for him to kiss her. She ached for him to kiss her.
She didn’t wait. She caught his face in both hands and pulled his mouth to hers.
An electric charge arced between them. The sweetness, the fire, the first fierce urgings of desperate need. It was a powerful combination. Jodie had never felt desire in this same way before. In comparison, everything else had been child’s play. Tate created feelings in her that frightened her at the same time as they thrilled her.
When she tried to draw way, he wouldn’t let go. His arms engulfed her, his mouth devoured hers . until she was shaken completelyo her core.
“Tate,” she murmured brokenly. “Tate.” Something, a semblance of memory, must have pierced his thoughts when she said his name. He lifted his head to look at her, looked at where they were, and his body stiffened. But even then he seemed reluctant to let her go.
Jodie pushed away and steadied herself. What had happened between them was a shock—the fantasies in her mind played out in real time! She smoothed her hair and settled her clothing into place, trying to think what to say next.
Tate must have been going through a similar introspection. He cleared his throat as he tucked the loosened tail of his uniform shirt into the back of his pants. “Um … Jodie…”
She shrugged, her cheeks hot. Always before in this kind of situation she’d been sure to keep the upper hand. Now she didn’t know where the upper hand was, much less who could claim it.
Tate insisted on having his say. “I didn’t intend for that to happen.”
An awkward moment passed.
Then, “If you know where he is, Jodie, you have to tell me.”
“No.”
“I could charge you with aiding and abetting.” “But you won’t,”
A muscle twitched in his jaw. “No,” he said, “I won’t.”
“He needs your help, Tare. He’s afraid of the sheriff in Colorado. Afraid he’ll hand him over to the Ham-mon ds then look the other way.” She stepped closer to him again, drwn. She rested her hand lightly on his arm. ‘3 told him you’re not like that. That you’ll listen to reason. That you’ll help. ” She paused. ” That you’ll at least check out his story. “
The instant she’d edged closer to him Tate’s body tensed. Was he afraid to trust himself near her again? Jodie was secretly delighted. She moved even closer and caught the lightest scent of sandalwood left over from his morning shave. What would it be like to be with him in the morning, she wondered, to watch as he went through his usual routine? Showering, shavingm
His arm jerked away.
Undeterred, she smiled softly and touched his badge. “This means something to you. You don’t want to see the wrong man pay for what he didn’t do. I’ll tell you everything Rio told me. Word for word. Then you can see what you think. Is that a deal?”
She was aware of his quickened breaths and the growing heat of his gaze. She was tweaking the lion’s tail and enjoying it. So far.
“Why are you doing this?” he asked huskily. “Because you still love him?”
“Because I think he’s innocent?”
“You’re taking a big risk, then.” Seconds passed.
Finally Tate relented. “All right. Tell me what you know. But from over there.” He pointed toward the chairs.
Jodie gave an impish grin. “Why? Is something’ botherin’ you, Mr. Sheriff?.”
“You know damn well ” hat’s botherin’ me! Now if you want my help. “
Jodie slipped into the chair she’d used earlier and repeated, seriously, everything she knew about Rio’s alibi.
THE HAMMONDS arrived early the next morning. When their pickup truck slid to a stop only inches behind Tate’s patrol car, it sprayed gravel and dust all the way to the porch, where the lineup of Parker men, Mae and Tate waited. Not an hour before, Tate had received word that the Hammonds were in town and on their way.
Jodie had been told to remain in the house, but when no one was looking, she’d slipped outside, staying in the background behind the others.
The father and two sons bailed out of the truck. All three were big and burly, with heavy shoulders and heads of thick curly dark hair. The father wore a full beard that was graying, while the brothers, in their mid-thirties, had several days’ growth of stubble. One brother, probably the older, shared the same rough features as hisofather. The younger had a softer rounder face. None looked the least bit friendly.
The father was the first to speak. “I wanna talk to the man in charge,” he said curtly.
Jodie, standing directly behind Mae, saw her great-aunt’s shoulders flex. “We!I,” Mae said before anyone else could answer, “you’re just gonna have to make do with me. I’m Mae Parker. How can I help you?”
Rufus Hammond’s eyes narrowed. “You know
I am? ” he demanded.
Mae nodded.
“Then you know why I’m here.”
“We’re sorry for your loss, Mr. Hammond,” is said levelly.
The man arrogantly spit on the ground. “The o way I’m gonna believe that is when you hand over]
Walsh. ” The two sons shuffled menacingly. ” We don’t have him,” Rare said. ” That’s not what we heard. “
“Then you heard wrong,” Rare replied.
“We wanna look for ourselves!”
Rafe reacted instantly to the insult. “Are you say you don’t trust our word?”
“I guess that’s what I’m sayin’!” Rufus Hamrnt replied.
Tam inserted himself between the two factions. was back in full uniform—badge, hat, service belt holstered gun, pepper spray and handcuffs. “N that’s enough!” he directed sharply. “There’s noting to be any trouble here. Mr. Hammond, I’m ” I Connelly, sheriff of this county. I’ve spoken with Skiff Preston a number of times. I’ve told him, like ] tellin’ you, if Rio Walsh is in the vicinity, we’ll him. You don’t have to worry about that. “
“Do you think we’re stupid?” the older broc challenged. “We know how it work st You’re all protectin’ him because he’s one of yours?”
“Like hell he is!” Rafe snapped back.
“Then why won’t you let us look?” the younl brother demanded.
“Because Parker land is Parker land,” Mae decreed.
little girl is dead? ” Rufus Hammond
“my exploded.
“That doesn’t change a thing,” Mae said.
The older brother bellowed and rushed the porch. Tate, already on the steps, grabbed him, gave a compact twist, and before the man knew it, his arm was locked into place high on his back, a pained look on his sweaty face.
“You cause any more trouble and I’m takin’ you in. All of you !” Tate said through clenched teeth. “I don’t know how it is in Colorado, but down here in Texas we take this kinda thing pretty seriously. There’re certain rules and regulations I’m sworn to uphold. And anyone who breaks ‘em—anyone!—is gonna have to answer for it. Do I make myself clear?” A pause. “Property fights also count pretty high down here. If the Parkers don’t want you on their spread, you aren’t on it! Is that clear?”
Rufus Hammond’s tiny eyes glittered with rage, but he also had enough sense not to continue the challenge after taking into account the rifles held at the ready by Rafe, Morgan and LeRoy. “Yeah,” he said ungraciously.
Tare let the brother go and gave him a shove. “What about the girl?” the man snarled after almost staggering into his kin. “What was her name? Joanie? Jobie?”
“Jodie,” his brother supplied.
“Yeah, that’s it. Where’s she? Is that her back there?” He pointed straight at Jodie. “The one with the short red hair?”
Jodie’s blood went cold. She hadn’t expected them
to spot her. Otherwise she’d have stayed indoors. She felt the disapproving glances of her family, as well as Tate’s irritated look. Are you JOdie? ” the older brother demanded. Before she could answer, Tate said shortly, ” If you want to talk to her, you have to make arrangements through me. We’ll do it in a civilized manner, not like something’ out of a Wild West show. “
“She’s not talkin’ to anyone!” Rafe grated, contradicting Tate. “You got any questions, you talk to me. Jodie says out of it.”
The older brother looked at him. “From what we heard in town this mornin’, I’d’ve thought you had plenty of reason to hate Rio Walsh yourself. Seems you’d want to help us string ‘im up.”
“There’s not gonna be any stringin’ upi” Tate said coldly.
A nasty smile. “So you say!”
Rufus Hammond’s hand shot out, striking his son in the face. “Shut up, Tom, ‘fore you get us into worse trouble.”
“All I’m”
“I said, shut up!” Another threatened backhand and Tom grew quiet.
Jodie felt the older man’s malevolent gaze latch on to her, and she had to stave off a chill, She saw exactly why Rio was afraid of him. She sidled over a space, so that his line of vision would be blocked by Tare and Mae.
“I think maybe our business is over, don’t you?” Rafe murmured with deceptive ease.
Morgan motioned with the barrel of his rifle, which
he’d partially raised, for the men to be moseying along.
It had the authority of year of practice.
Tate stood steadfastly on he porch steps, like a rock, not intending to be moved.
Even LeRoy, whose quiet soul was happiest when he was working on a car engine, was up to the threat, united with his kin. His jaw was clenched, his lips a thin line.
And Mae . Jodie could feel the waves of hostility directed from her to the Hammonds.
Rufus Hammond grunted a command to his sons, who climbed back into the pickup truck. “All right,” he said as he, too, climbed in. “We’ll be goin’. But you haven’t heard the last of this!”
He gunned the engine on the final word and the truck took off, leaving, as it had arrived, in a swirl of dust and sprayed gravel.
Those on the porch watched as it raced out of sight. Then all eyes turned to Jodie.
“I thought I told you to wait inside,” Mae grumbled. “Aunt Mae…” Rare cautioned. “Well, I did! And if she had…”
“All her presence did was get things out in the open.” Rare turned to Tate, who’d rejoined them on the porch. “What do you make of it, Tate?”
“A bad bunch,” he replied. “I wouldn’t want to be in Rio Walsh’s boots if they catch up to him.”
“I hate that we’re put in this position,” Mae continued. “Having to defend that no-account4”
“I’m not overfond of it myself,” Rafe interrupted his great-aunt’s tirade.
Jodie wanted Tate to look at her. Wanted him to give
some sign he remembered what they’d talked about last night—his agreement to help find Rio’s card-playing friend. But he studiously avoided looking at her. Because of what had happened between them just before he’d agreed?
It had taken her hours to go to sleep last night. Hours to settle down. To be able to deal with her feelings. She wasn’t sure about anything, except that she wanted to spend more time with ‘rate, Had he come to the opposite conclusion. 9
She gave a start when she heard him say her name.
“Jodie should probably stick close to the compound for the next few days,” Tate said. “She wi!I,” Rare assured him. “She’d better!” Mae asserted.
When Jodie looked up, Morgan winked at he rand murmured to the others, “Don’t you think maybe y’all should do a little asking’?”
“If she has any sense, we won’t have to ask,” Mae snapped.
“She’s seen what they’re like,” Rafe agreed. Jodie’s jaw tightened. She hated to be talked about like she wasn’t there. It reminded her of the treatment she’d received as a teenager. And now even Tate had done it! “Excuse me,” she said tightly, and slipped around them to walk away.