RESCUE AT CARDWELL RANCH by B.J. Daniels Read Free Book Online Page B

just happened to be in the grocery store.”
    “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
    “I’m afraid I’m the one who made you uncomfortable. I apologize for staring earlier. I was just so surprised to see you again.”
    She nodded and touched her bruised neck, remembering the man’s arm around her throat and fighting for breath.
    “Are you sure you should be working this soon after what you’ve been through?” he asked.
    “I needed to keep my mind off...everything.”
    “Is it working?”
    She gave him a weary smile. “No,” she said and looked away. “I’ve felt jumpy all day and I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that someone is...watching me.” She glanced around again, the feeling still strong. She shivered, even though the afternoon was warm.
    What if the man from last night wasn’t through with her? Wasn’t that what had been in the back of her mind all day?
    * * *
    H AYES LOOKED PAST her. He saw people coming and going at a nearby small business complex. No one seemed to be looking in this direction, though.
    “You say you feel as if someone’s watching you?”
    She nodded. “I know I’m just being paranoid—”
    “Your best defense is your instincts. Don’t discount them.”
    She stared at him and tried to swallow the lump in her throat. “You think he’ll come after me again?”
    “I don’t know. Is there any way he knows who you are?”
    “I... The police think it might be a man I worked with. I fired him today. I have a restraining order—”
    Hayes scoffed at that. “Restraining orders can’t protect you from a predator. Where are you staying?”
    “I checked into a motel up here for the night—”
    He shook his head. “My cousin Dana owns a ranch not far from here. She recently built several guest cabins. I’d feel better if you’d consider staying there—at least until the police have a chance to catch this man.” Hayes knew from experience that there was little chance they would catch him—unless he did turn out to be this man she’d fired.
    “I couldn’t impose.”
    “You wouldn’t be imposing, trust me. My cousin Dana loves a full house and you would be doing me a favor.”
    She cocked a brow. “How’s that?”
    “I wouldn’t have to worry about you the whole time I’m in town.”
    McKenzie smiled. It was a nice smile, a real one, and he was suddenly aware of how attractive she was. She had long hair the color of caramel. Most of it was pulled up with a clip at the nape of her neck, but a few strands had escaped, framing a face that was all girl-next-door—from the sprinkling of freckles that dusted her cheeks and nose to the wide-set tropical-blue eyes. But it was her mouth that kept drawing his attention. It was full, her lips a pale pink. Right now she worried at her lower lip with her teeth.
    She had the kind of mouth a man fantasized about kissing.
    He roped in his thoughts, telling himself not to make a big deal out of this coincidence. But he couldn’t shake the memory of the first time he’d looked into her eyes. And now here she was, Tag’s real-estate agent. As a private detective, he’d never bought into coincidences. This was definitely one that had him thrown off-balance.
    “You’ll like my family and you’ll be safe.” After that, he didn’t want to think about it. Maybe the police would get lucky and catch the man.
    “Are you sure about this? I know you didn’t want to be involved...”
    “I am involved,” he said and smiled. Maybe more involved than he should be, he thought. “Do you need to stop by your motel to cancel your reservation?”
    “I hadn’t checked in yet. I can call.”
    “Why don’t you follow me to the ranch, then, and meet the Cardwells. Trust me. You’re going to love them and feel at home there.”
    * * *
    “W HAT ?” T AG SAID as they stood in the ranch house living room later. “McKenzie is the woman you saved?”
    Hayes nodded.
    “Talk about a small world. So you decided to bring her