Cochise_A Montana Bounty Hunters Story Read online

  He let himself out of his Expedition and walked the pea-gravel path to his porch. He made a face at the peeling paint. At least, the windows were no longer yellow with grime. He ought to just hire a contractor to finish out the place, but he’d wanted a project to keep him busy in his off hours. He just hadn’t counted on there being so much work, or the agency throwing him in the deep end so quickly.

  He unlocked his door and made a mental note to himself to hit the post office before he headed back to the agency, so he could pick up his mail. Not that he expected any letters from friends or family. He had none—other than his hereditary relationship with the Blackfoot Nation—not that he knew a soul on the reservation, but he had felt a sense of “coming home” when he’d chosen Montana as the next place he’d hang his hat.

  He sniffed the air then walked around the living room, lifting windows to let in a fresh breeze. Then he moved to the kitchen and pulled open the door to the cabinet beneath the sink. Last Monday’s takeout was the source of the sour smell. He pulled the bag from the trashcan and walked it outside, but the trashcans there were full. He’d missed trash pick-up day. Fucking hell. He placed the bag in the back of his truck. He’d dispose of it inside the bin behind the agency.

  After stripping, he carried his dirty clothes to the laundry room, filled the washing machine, but he didn’t start it. When the hell would he back to transfer the load to the dryer? He’d have another smell to deal with when he got back, after they got Ford.

  Cochise set the coffeemaker to brew a fresh pot and hit the shower. However, he had to traipse back to the laundry room to restart the water heater. Fuck, he didn’t have time to wait for hot water, so he took a cold shower, which at least woke him up. With fresh clothes, a repacked bag, and hot coffee in a thermos, he headed back out the door.

  He hadn’t been this tired since he’d been a private going through basic training. At thirty-seven, he was beginning to feel his age. A yawn caught him by surprise, but he didn’t slow his steps.

  He remembered he’d left windows open but shrugged. He didn’t have anything inside worth stealing. Thieves could have his TV. He rarely had time to watch it anyway. His photographs were the only things he treasured, and they wouldn’t mean anything to anyone but him.

  Inside his truck, he flipped down his visor and stared at the photo of his sister. He smoothed a gentle fingertip over her face. “Hey, sis. Still thinking of you.” Then he flipped up the visor, despite the fact the morning sun stung his eyes. Maria’s dark gaze and wide smile always hurt his heart.

  Chapter 3

  At the end of her next shift, Sammy tried her sister’s cellphone number again. She wasn’t particularly alarmed when the call went straight to voice mail. The kids were camping in the Kootenai National Forest near Eureka. They’d warned her cell reception would be poor.

  Before they’d left, Brady had put her mind at ease, explaining he had plenty of experience hunting and hiking there, because his family went several times a year to the area he’d shown her on the map.

  Still, she was a little annoyed she couldn’t reach her sister. Checking on her was an ingrained habit.

  Sammy lowered her phone. She was tired but edgy. And hungry. Deciding some fresh kolaches from the Bear Lodge Bakery were just what she needed, she turned onto Main Street and parked her truck right in front—one of the advantages of being up this time of morning. As she approached the bakery, she glanced through the window. Gladys was already serving a customer fresh coffee and goodies. The bell above the door tinkled as she pushed inside.

  She instantly recognized the blonde at the counter, or rather, the Malinois seated on the ground beside her. “Hey, Tessa,” Sammy said as she approached. Tessa and her handler, Jamie Burke, were well-known in the area, since Tessa was often called to search for missing kids and hikers. Although a bounty hunter, Sammy gave Jamie a pass because she was so friendly, and her service dog was a local hero.

  Jamie glanced to her side and gave Sammy a smile. “Mornin’. You just get off shift?”

  Sammy nodded. “Heading home. Needed sustenance first.” She glanced at the big box of kolaches Gladys was closing on the counter. “Hope you didn’t scarf them all up.”

  Jamie laughed. “I have plenty. You should drop by the office. Brian has fresh coffee made.”

  Sammy opened her mouth to give an automatic pass on the invitation, but then wondered whether Cochise would be around. It was early, so probably not, but she’d never been inside the agency and was curious. “You sure you have enough?”

  Jamie’s grin widened, and she turned back to the wiry, gray-haired woman behind the counter. “Gladys, add a few more. We’re having company.”

  Sammy felt foolish as she followed Jamie back to her office. Several vehicles were parked in front, including one silver Expedition. Her heart began to thud, and her palms grew moist. “Jesus, he’s going to think I’m stalking him,” she muttered. As she stepped down to the pavement, she felt a blush heat her cheeks.

  Inside, she glanced around. A long low counter separated a reception area from a large bullpen filled with several desks.

  Jamie walked around the counter and glanced back. “Don’t be shy now. Follow me.”

  Sammy shook her head and trailed behind her to a kitchen area that had a large table and a counter filled with a microwave and a commercial-sized Bunn coffeemaker.

  “All the comforts of home,” Jamie said, sliding the pastry box onto the table. “Grab a cup of coffee. You must be dead on your feet. I’ll go roust the guys and let them know we have food. We pulled another all-nighter, and they caught a nap while I fetched breakfast.”

  Sammy searched the cupboard and found a coffee cup. She stood sipping the dark brew when Brian Cobb rolled inside in his wheelchair.

  His dark eyebrows shot upward. “Morning, deputy. Heard you and Cochise had some excitement yesterday.”

  Sammy shrugged. “He was a huge help.”

  He waggled his eyebrows. “We try to be good citizens. Mind handing me a cup? I could sneak one from the dishwasher, but you’re in the way.”

  Sammy blinked, not sure if he was irritated with her or teasing, but she hurried to the cupboard and got him a cup. She even poured the coffee. When she handed it to him, he winked.

  With another blush suffusing her cheeks, she glanced up to see Cochise stride through the door.

  His gaze locked with hers, and he paused in the doorway. “The sheriff need something from me?”

  Coming up behind him, Jamie laughed and clapped his shoulder. “No, I bought all the kolaches, so I invited her to have breakfast with us.”

  Cochise’s eyes narrowed a fraction, and his gaze trailed over her face. “Any more excitement last night?”

  She shook her head. “No bounty hunters shooting up the place…” She bit her lip. Maybe not the nicest thing she could have said inside their own house, but old habits die hard.

  “Have a seat,” Jamie said. “Sky’s grabbing a shower. Have you met my fiancé? He should be along any minute now.”

  Sammy shook her head.

  Jamie sat and waved a hand at the box. “Please, better grab a few before they’re gone. These guys can eat.”

  Relieved to have something to do, she took a seat and helped herself to three of the sausage-stuffed pastries. “Anything exciting happening in your world?” she asked as she took her first bite.

  The three of them shared charged glances, which heightened her curiosity.

  Brian wrinkled his nose. “We’ve been tracking a skip. Luke Ford.”

  Sammy blinked. “He didn’t make his court date?” She knew well who the creep was, but he wasn’t from Bear Lodge, so he wasn’t on her radar.

  “Nope, he’s in the wind.” Brian raked a hand through his shaggy brown hair. “We spent the last day and night trying to get a bead on where he’s at. I’ve been making calls to old employers and girlfriends, who are mostly freaked out about the fact he’s a ghost. These guys,” he said, tipping his head
toward Jamie and Cochise, “were up in Libby. He dumped his car in town. His family has property just north of there and a cabin up on a lake.”

  Jamie reached for a pastry. “We spoke with his cousin last night. He said he thinks Ford will make a run for the border. He’s spent a lot of time hunting around Eureka, so he knows the area well. From there, it’s just a long hike to Canada.”

  A wave of dizziness swept over Sammy, and she dropped her pastry to the table.

  “You okay?” Cochise said. “You went white.”

  “It’s a big area…Eureka,” she said, realizing her breaths had shortened.

  “Sammy?”

  She hadn’t realized Jamie had left her chair and was kneeling beside her. Maybe she was dizzy because she was tired. Her mind was working slow. “My sister and her boyfriend are in Kootenai. Hiking.”

  “It’s a lot of forest,” Brian said, his voice soft. “Chances of them meeting…”

  “Slim. I know.” Sammy pushed on the table to stand, but she swayed.

  The next second, she felt herself swinging upward.

  Cochise held her in his arms. “There’s a couch in Brian’s room. You need to lie down for a minute.”

  “A minute,” she parroted. Her sister was in the forest. The same forest where Luke Ford might be. “I have to go.”

  “Not now, you don’t.”

  From her vantage, she noted the sharp edge of his strong jaw. A muscle flexed along that line. He carried her easily, although she knew she wasn’t light. “Sorry. Not usually such a wimp,” she said.

  “Your sister’s out there,” Jamie said, from somewhere behind them. “I’d be freaking out, too.”

  The whir of wheels sounded from in front of them. A door opened. Cochise lowered her to a soft surface, and then took a knee beside her. His expression was grim. “We’re going to find him.”

  “It’s a big area…” she repeated.

  “If you’re worried,” Jamie said, holding out a wet cloth, which Cochise took and lay against her forehead, “you can come with us.”

  Come with them? Bounty hunters? But then her mind clicked. They were hunting Ford. At least, she’d be part of a team. They’d cover more ground than she could alone… “I have a couple of days off…”

  “Call the sheriff,” Jamie said. “Tell him what’s happening.”

  She nodded and dragged the cloth from her forehead. She needed to go home and change. Pack. Get her shit together. She shifted and sat up, clutching the cloth. Her stomach clenched, and she worried for a second that she’d deepen her embarrassment by vomiting. “She’s all the family I have.”

  “I understand,” Cochise said. “We’ll find her. Then we’ll find Ford.” His glance cut to Jamie, who nodded.

  “What’s your sister’s name?” Jamie asked.

  “Sheri. She’s eighteen.”

  Cochise swallowed. “I’ll drive you home, so you can get packed.”

  “I can drive myself,” she said frowning.

  He shook his head.

  Sammy rolled her eyes. Not a good move. She flattened her hand against her stomach. “Okay, but I might have to pull over on the way.”

  He stood and held out his hand.

  Although she wished she didn’t need the help, she clasped his hand and let him pull her up. He held tight to her hand for few seconds, but when she proved she could stand without nearly fainting this time, he moved back.

  “If you don’t mind me riding along…” she said, glancing at Jamie.

  “We’d be glad to have you.” Her glance shifted to Cochise. “While you’re gone, we’ll pull up maps and print out everything we have so far on Ford.”

  He gave a crisp nod and cupped Sammy’s elbow.

  A gesture she appreciated, because she felt stronger when he touched her. Somehow reassured. She should be worried about that.

  * * *

  They took Cochise’s vehicle to her apartment. He walked up the concrete steps with their iron railing, following her only a step behind. After she let them both inside, he stood near the door and glanced around at the photographs on the counter dividing the kitchen from the living room. “This your sister?” he said, moving forward and picking up a framed photo.

  Sammy glanced at the picture of her sister, smiling with sunshine lighting up her blonde hair. She wore a pink sundress and a stack of pretty cord bracelets in a rainbow of colors on her wrist. “Yes, that was taken this year. We should take that. In case...” A shiver traveled across her skin.

  “You go get changed and packed. I’ll call the sheriff.”

  She frowned, a little irritated with the fact he was taking over again. “You two best buddies now?”

  His expression gave away nothing of his thoughts. “He’s a good man. He’ll want to know.”

  She nodded and trudged toward her bathroom.

  “Sammy.”

  She glanced over her shoulder.

  “Get something of your sister’s, something with her scent.”

  She sucked in a breath and nodded.

  After taking a quick shower, she dressed then brushed her wet hair and put it in a ponytail where it dripped on the back of her T-shirt. She dragged a duffel from under her bed and filled it with the bare-essential toiletries and clothing—jeans, tees, a light jacket, underwear, and socks. Then she went to her gun safe and placed her service pistol inside and took out her personal weapon, a Springfield in a holster, checking the magazine and grabbing a box of rounds. She added them to the duffel along with her phone charger.

  Then she headed to her sister’s room. It wasn’t hard to find something rich with her sister’s smell. Sheri hadn’t done laundry in a week. Sammy took an old tee from her hamper, wrapped it in a plastic bag, and stuffed that inside her duffel, too.

  When she returned to the living room, Cochise was standing in the same place she’d left him. His glance went to her bag, and he held out his hand. Suppressing the urge to tell him she was perfectly capable of carrying her own shit, she handed it over. He held open the door for her and followed her back to the SUV, where he stowed her duffel in the back.

  “You got your wallet?” he asked as he slid into the front seat.

  “And my badge,” she quipped.

  He turned the key and flipped down his visor, and then did something that made her breath hitch. He touched a photo clipped to the back of the visor, caressing the cheek of a pretty young girl with dark eyes and skin. She looked so much like him, Sammy knew they had to be related. So, he did understand about sisters.

  She settled back in her seat.

  “Seatbelt?” He raised an eyebrow, and one side of his mouth lifted.

  Giving him a small smile, she buckled up. He pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road.

  “You must think I’m cursed,” she mumbled.

  “And there I was thinking I was your bad luck charm.” He gave her a sideways glance and smiled. “We’ll find her.”

  She nodded and lifted her phone to dial her sister again. This time, the call beeped and went straight to her full voicemail box. “Wish she’d answer.” She didn’t like feeling like this, panic rising to burn the back of her throat.

  “Tell me about her.”

  She dropped the phone to her lap and drew a deep breath. “Like I said, she’s eighteen. She’s smart. She graduated in the top ten percent of her class. We’re waiting on letters from several colleges, but she hasn’t been exactly running to the mail box. I was getting worried she didn’t want to go. Now, I don’t care if she wants to keep working at the Dollar Tree or not.”

  “This boy she’s with…?”

  “Brady. He’s a nice kid. Cute. He’s a cowboy, works on a ranch. He’s…outdoorsy. It’s why they’re camping. She’s never been.”

  “So, he won’t get lost in the woods.”

  She knew what he was doing. Getting her to list reasons she shouldn’t be afraid. “No, he’s familiar with the area. His family goes out there to hunt and fish.”

  �
�That’s good. He’ll keep her safe.”

  “I hope so.”

  Cochise dropped his right hand from the steering wheel and captured hers. He gave it a squeeze then kept holding it as he drove. Gradually, she felt her panic lesson. She could breathe again. “Thanks,” she whispered.

  “Told you before. I have your back.” He cleared his throat. “We’ll take my vehicle.”

  She grunted. “Don’t trust my truck?”

  “No,” he said, dragging out the word. “Your truck’s great for one as old as it is. The engine’s in good shape. But I have gear in the back of mine we might need.”

  She nodded. “I wasn’t arguing.”

  “I wasn’t dissing your wheels.” He opened the hand that cupped hers.

  Knowing he was offering to release her, if she wanted him to, she threaded her fingers with his and give his hand a squeeze. Whether for comfort or because she liked him, she wasn’t ready to decide why she wanted to accept his gesture. She just knew she needed the connection.

  Cochise wasn’t an easy man to get to know. But she knew that neither was she. Her glance went to the visor. He had secrets. Maybe she’d learn a few on this trip.

  * * *

  By the time they returned to the office, another vehicle was parked in front. Cochise eyed the banged-up red Jeep and figured it belonged to the new guy. Good. They’d need more boots on the ground.

  He followed Sammy as she made her way inside. All the while, he couldn’t help but smile a little. The woman who had a beef with bounty hunters was about to immerse herself in a hunt.

  Everyone was gathered around Brian’s desk.

  Jamie was folding printouts of maps and handed one to Sammy. “Mark the place you think your sister and her boyfriend might be.”

  Sammy took a seat at an empty desk and pulled out her park map to compare.

  Cochise turned to the new guy.

  He stood beside Brian, leaning over his shoulder as they both read from the list of charges against Luke Ford. From the back, Cochise noted the guy was ripped. He wore a navy MBH tee that hugged his torso, faded jeans, and combat boots. His hair was cut short and was a medium brown.