Preacher (Montana Bounty Hunters: Dead Horse, MT Book 2) Page 9

  Thankfully, he saw that Elaine was standing and leaning over Laura, looking as though she was getting ready to leave.

  Cage clapped his shoulder. “I’d stick around, but—”

  “You have your own woman to look after,” Preacher said. “Thanks again for everything. We’ll both sleep better tonight.”

  After Cage and Elaine left, Preacher walked around the table to stand beside Laura’s chair. He touched her shoulder. “Time for bed.”

  When she glanced up at him, her head visibly swayed. “Okay.”

  Everyone fell silent while Preacher pulled back her chair then bent and lifted her into his arms.

  Lacey swept up one of the bags Dagger had brought in, and then walked ahead of him, opening the bedroom door and striding toward the bed.

  Once he sat Laura on the edge of the mattress, Lacey waved him away. “I’ve got this, big guy.”

  Preacher glanced at Laura who gave him a nod.

  He guessed she felt more comfortable having Lacey help her prepare for bed. She likely needed to use the bathroom, too. “Thank you, Lacey.” To Laura, he said, “I’ll check on you in a little while.”

  She nodded, and he quickly left, not wanting to delay Laura getting rest.

  Back in the kitchen, Dagger and Hardman were helping themselves to a bowl of Elaine’s soup. Marti was already seated with her head over a large bowl of soup, crackers broken and swimming on the surface.

  “Elaine said she’d bring more soup tomorrow. There’s plenty,” Dagger said, pointing toward a stack of bowls on the counter next to the stove.

  Realizing he was starving, Preacher helped himself, grabbed a sleeve of crackers, then took a seat with the rest of his teammates.

  Hardman glanced at Preacher. “I’m ‘it’ tonight.”

  “You draw the short straw?”

  “No, Marti decided since I’m the noob, I get to keep watch.”

  “If you let me get a few hours of sleep, I’ll spell you.”

  Hardman shook his head. “Marti said she’d be here in the early morning to make sure I get some shuteye.”

  “Yeah,” Marti said, “he’s mine to train. Can’t have him slacking off because he needs his beauty rest.”

  Hardman grinned. “Ah, Marti, so you admit I’m handsome?”

  Marti paused mid-bite and gave him a glare. “That’s okay. Be a smartass. First time someone needs to crawl through mud to catch a skip, it’s going to be you. Won’t be so pretty then.”

  Preacher laughed. No one would accuse Hardman of being “pretty.” The man was ripped and tall, and his face was rugged—thanks to an angular jaw and prominent cheekbones. His nose was slightly slanted like it had been stomped on a time or two. Not pretty in the least. Marti’s comments were…interesting.

  He’d heard all about her park ranger boyfriend who’d rescued her from a charging bison, but he supposed maintaining a relationship where you only shared booty calls once a month didn’t really amount to much of one. And the fact it was Marti, a prickly pear of a woman, who valued her privacy and had worked as a bounty hunter without a partner for several years, told him that she wasn’t the hearts and flowers kind of girl. Likely didn’t spend hours on the phone with her “boyfriend” solidifying their connection. The fact she’d noticed how “pretty” Hardman was would sure make things interesting around the office for a while.

  Then he realized that if Hardman and Marti clicked, he’d lose his partner. Dang, and he’d just gotten used to her.

  Hardman gave him a wink then bent over his own bowl.

  Preacher dipped a cracker in the soup until it was nearly soggy, and then ate it in one bite. “Damn, didn’t know how hungry I was,” he said, groaning. “This is good.” The soup was savory with just a hint of spicy heat.

  “I’m not gonna mind babysitting duty if this is the reward,” Marti said, dipping her spoon in her mushy-topped bowl.

  Lacey returned and went straight to the stove, filled a bowl, and joined them at the table. Dagger stood to offer her his seat, since they were out of chairs.

  “There are folding chairs stacked against the wall on the porch,” Preacher said. “Bring in one so you can sit, too.”

  Dagger moved outside and returned with a folding chair that looked like a regular industrial chair but it was painted pink. “Woman likes pink,” he said, setting it beside Lacey who’d scooted closer to Preacher to make room for Dagger.

  “How was she?” Preacher asked quietly.

  “Exhausted. I helped her get into some pajamas, helped her with the bathroom—she’s not very steady on her feet.”

  He nodded. “I’ll stick close, whether she wants me to or not.”

  Half an hour later, everyone but Hardman was gone. Preacher cleaned up the kitchen while Hardman took a walk around outside. The house was quiet, and Preacher took his time checking the interior, looking inside every room and closet, and familiarizing himself with the layout—for security purposes, of course, but also familiarizing himself with Laura’s home. Soft colors were everywhere. But also, very few personal photos—and mostly of people and events around Dead Horse. Almost like her life had begun when she’d arrived here.

  Of course, his own personal memorabilia centered around photos of his buddies in the service and the places they’d been deployed, so maybe that wasn’t so unusual. His adult life had begun when he’d joined the Army.

  After letting Hardman know he was heading to bed, he let himself inside Laura’s bedroom and stripped to his underwear. Then he gently slid between the covers.

  Laura didn’t move, but he could hear her soft breaths. He moved closer and rolled to his side, wanting to be close so he’d awaken if she shifted. With light shining from the bathroom, he could see the pale bandage surrounding her head. Anger burned inside him that anyone had hurt her. But why? She was just a hardworking woman, trying to keep a business running, serving her community where she could. She was good people.

  Her example inspired him, made him want to do more as well, to earn the right to be in her life. Because he wanted to be there. Not just for now, either. Already, he could see himself with her, sharing a home, raising kids, growing old together. He’d never thought of those things for himself, not with a clear vision in his head of what he wanted for his future.

  He wanted Laura to be his wife.

  There, he’d thought it, and now that idea took root. He’d keep her safe, make sure her every need was fulfilled. Somehow, he’d show her he was the man she needed in her life.

  She shifted, turning slightly toward him. Her hand reached out and landed on his hip. “I like that you’re here,” she whispered.

  “I can’t think of any place I’d rather be,” he said truthfully, lifting her hand to kiss the back of her knuckles.

  “Head hurts.”

  “It will for a while, but tomorrow will be better.”

  “You don’t have to go back home?”

  “I’ll have to hit the motel for clean clothes tomorrow.”

  “You should pack up. Stay here,” she murmured. “I have room.”

  He smiled in the shadow. “If I move in, you’ll have trouble ever getting me to leave.”

  “And why would I want that?” Her smile gleamed.

  “Well, you can think about that tomorrow. Make sure it’s what you want.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it since I made you that lasagna. How nice it would be to have your dinner ready for you when you came home from some hunt.”

  “That long, huh? I have you beat. I’ve been thinking about what it would be like being with you all the time, loving you every night, since the first time you teased me at your shop.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. You looked as edible as your donuts.”

  She squeezed his hand. “I’m almost glad I got clobbered. I never would have admitted how fast I decided I wanted you in my life.”

  “Sure, you would’ve. You already did.”

  “When was that? At the hospital? Was
I even in my right mind?”

  “Last night, when I woke you to make love to you again, you told me you wanted to do it every night, forever.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “Swear. Of course, you were in the middle of an orgasm, so I wasn’t going to hold you to it.”

  She moaned. “Wish we could do that again.”

  “We will. Now, sleep, baby.”

  “I like it when you call me that.”

  “Shhh.” He moved closer so that his body aligned with her side and placed his arm over her belly. “I’m here. Sleep.”

  “You know, you’re going to have to love pink.”

  His chest shook. “I already do. Every pink part of you.”

  Chapter 11

  With Marti watching some YouTube video on her phone and Hardman snoring on the couch, Preacher left Laura’s house and headed back to his room at the motel the following morning. No, he wasn’t going to pack up all his shit and move in, but he was bringing everything he’d need for a week. When she was back on her feet and healed, they’d have that conversation again.

  He’d already been gone maybe forty-five minutes, but his phone hadn’t chimed, so he hit the agency, too.

  Fig glanced up when he strode into the bullpen. “Hey there. Didn’t expect you in today.”

  “I feel useless. We aren’t catching any breaks so far as leads on Laura’s attacker. Lacey and Dagger are going to hit the realtor today to see who else wanted her building, but I need something to keep me occupied. Is there anything I can do phone-wise while I’m holed up at Laura’s place?”

  She passed him a folder. “I have notes about people to call to try to track down that 200k-skip, Frank Ludlow. If you can make some of these calls, it’d be a big help.” She jogged her eyebrows up and down. “So, I hear the new guy stayed at your place last night.”

  He noted how she’d said “your place,” like he and Laura were already committed, and he rather liked the sound of it. “Yeah, Hardman seems okay.”

  “You see how agitated Marti is around him? I think she thinks he’s cute.” She shook her head. “I almost feel sorry for that park ranger she’s been seeing.”

  “Didn’t see much of a future for him anyway,” Preacher said. “She said Hardman was pretty last night.”

  Fig laughed. “Damn, wish I’d been there.”

  “You should stop by. Elaine’s cooking at Laura’s. She makes enough to feed an army.”

  She nodded. “I’ll do that. Can I bring anything?”

  “Cookies. All I found in the way of sweets at her place were some graham crackers.”

  “She works around sweet stuff all day. Don’t blame her for trying to remove temptation when she’s at home.”

  Preacher shook the folder he held. “I’ll work on this today and give it back to you tonight.”

  As he moved toward the door, she gave him a wave. “Chocolate chips? Oatmeal?”

  “Oreos!” he called over his shoulder.

  Once back in his vehicle, he checked his phone. Lacey had left a text message.

  Take your time coming back. Ethan’s not back in his office until this afternoon. We’ll hang here

  He texted back to thank her, then sat for a minute thinking about what he should do. He decided that, before he headed home, he’d hit the hardware store and then swing by the bakery. Maybe he’d hit the sheriff’s office, too. He was feeling a little restless and completely useless. Something had to shake loose soon.

  At the hardware store, he found Bob behind the counter, ringing up a customer. Bob gave him a wave, and Preacher returned the gesture with a two-finger salute as he sailed past him. His destination was the woman in the back. Something about the woman, beyond her odd hairdo, made him uncomfortable.

  Edna was sawing two-by-fours for a customer standing beside her. When she finished with the stack and set them on the man’s cart, she turned her attention to Preacher. “Didn’t expect to see you out and about today.”

  “I had some errands to run.”

  “Well, what can I do for you?”

  “I’m thinking about doing a little project for Laura, maybe build a picnic table for her backyard,” he said, winging it.

  Edna’s mouth tightened a bit. “Do you have plans? Need anything ordered or cut?”

  “Do you have any suggestions?”

  She let loose a sigh, like he was beginning to annoy her. “We have some magazines and books over there,” she said, pointing toward a display. “If you find something in them, I can help you put the materials together. I can deliver them, too.”

  “That’s a service you provide?”

  “Sure is. I have two deliveries already today.”

  “That’s good to know,” he murmured. “I’ll just check out those books.”

  She gave him a nod and turned back to straightening her saw table.

  From the book rack, he kept an eye on her as she moved around, brushing off her table and sweeping up sawdust.

  Edna wasn’t a slight woman. In fact, if she wore a hoodie, from the back she’d be indistinguishable from a man. Plus, she was plenty strong enough to wield a heavy pipe. He pulled out his cellphone and texted Fig.

  Did Lacey have you do a check on Edna Posick at the hardware store?

  A moment later, she responded.

  I’m still looking through her arrest record

  He blinked. Arrest record?

  A couple of misdemeanors for stalking. A restraining order against her for stalking some guy in Bozeman. Looks like an ex-boyfriend. It’s all I got so far

  Be sure to pass this along to the sheriff. Let me know if you find anything else

  Will do

  He didn’t think this sort of obsessive behavior, stalking a man, was very far from the attacks Laura had endured. Could she be the one? Was she trying to make sure she didn’t have any competition for Bob’s affections?

  Preacher started up his vehicle and headed toward the sheriff’s department.

  * * *

  An hour later, Preacher was back on the road. His conversation with the sheriff hadn’t been very satisfying. Sheriff Brown had seemed annoyed that the hunters had been the ones to find dirt on Edna, but he had promised he’d have his deputies follow up.

  Preacher was at the point where he was going to ask Cage to put Fig on installing some surveillance cameras and sticking a GPS on Edna’s vehicle. They had to do something.

  As he drove past the bakery, he noted it was open and stopped to check in with Katie. The shop was busy, all tables filled.

  Katie wiped her hands, said something to the next guy in line, then moved around the counter when she saw him. “How’s she doing? I feel awful that all that happened after I left. I should’ve stayed longer.”

  “You had no way of knowing someone would try something like that.” His glance went to the folks in the room. “Has it been like this all morning?”

  “It has. The cops have been in and out, gathering evidence, they said.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ve kept them in coffee and donuts. Now, I don’t make donuts like she does, but everyone seems happy enough. I didn’t want her to worry about losing any money by being shut down.”

  “I’m sure she won’t mind.”

  She gave him a small smile. “I was planning on dropping by with some food later.”

  “Katie, she’s not really up for company. Plus, Elaine’s cooking tonight.”

  She waved a hand. “No worries. I’ll wait until tomorrow then and just drop a dish leave. I know she needs rest. Tell her I’ve got things covered until she comes back.”

  “Will do.” He left, thinking that maybe he should have Fig check out Katie, too. Katie was the last to leave the night before, although he couldn’t think of a motive the woman might have to attack her boss or sabotage her own workplace.

  Preacher shook his head. He was looking at everyone as a possible perpetrator. He hated this, and could only imagine how Laura felt.

  Back at the house, he found Lacey a
nd Dagger in the living room, installing a video game system. Lacey caught his glance and shrugged. “We’ve got protection duty tonight. Dagger’s not good with being bored. We’ve got some time to kill before we meet with Ethan.”

  Preacher continued toward the kitchen where Elaine was sitting at the table, chopping tomatoes on a cutting board. She gave him a smile when he entered. “I’ve got chili on. I’m just making some pico to add to the cheese you can sprinkle to dress up the bowls. Should be done in about half an hour.”

  “You don’t have to do this, you know,” he said. “We could order takeout.”

  “I don’t mind. I’ve been bored out of my mind since I gave notice at the real estate office. I hated giving up my job, but showing properties to clients every day, including weekends, was getting to be too much. Cage told me to quit. Said I should think about whether I want to go back or be a fulltime mom, later.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m really thinking about staying home. Maybe I’ll grow a garden.” She laughed. “Look at me getting all domestic. I used to run a fight club.”

  Preacher grinned. “We’re all figuring out what we want to be when we grow up.”

  “True that.”

  He raised a finger and pointed down the hallway. “I’m going to check on Laura.”

  Laura was awake when he walked into the bedroom. She was seated with a stack of pillows behind her back. “Perfect timing. Want to watch me walk to the bathroom?”

  From her snarky tone, he knew confinement was already wearing. “Will you let me carry you?”

  “Nope.”

  He came closer and held out his hand. If she wouldn’t let him get her there, he’d make sure he kept close enough to catch her if she wobbled. He pulled her to her feet.

  Laura laid her hand on his chest. “Whoa, the floor’s moving. Give me a second.”

  When she drew a deep breath and moved back, he held her elbow and escorted her to the bathroom. At the door, she gave him a sideways glance. “I can manage the rest on my own.”

  He didn’t want to leave her, but he understood she needed privacy. “I’ll be right outside. Be sure you hold onto something.”