Treacherous Trails Read online

  He sagged in relief, wrapping his sister in a hug. Over the top of her head, he shot Owen a look.

  “Mission accomplished,” he said.

  Owen looked at them together, Ray and his sister. Suddenly a piece slid into place in his mind, heart and soul. He knew that he was going to need to have a very important conversation with Ray Cahill—one that might very well change their lives forever. If it lost him his best friend, so be it. But now was not the time.

  “Not fully accomplished,” Owen said. “Reed got away.”

  Ray flashed them a cocky smile. “Nah. While you guys were having a picnic down here, I handled things.”

  Owen felt a swell of hope. “What things?”

  “Look in the back of the truck.”

  Along with his brothers, he stared into the back of the pickup where they found Bruce Reed, bound at the wrists and ankles, silent and seething.

  “Saw him making a break for his car. Knocked out the front tire with my first shot, then fired another just over his head when he got out, close enough that he knew I meant business. The rest was easy.”

  Owen could not hold back the laughter. “Oh you were doing the shooting we heard. Thanks for the assist.”

  “Anytime,” Ray said, still holding his sister tight.

  “I’m not going to jail,” Reed snarled.

  Owen leaned over the truck bed, so Reed locked eyes with him. He wanted to make sure that Reed knew without a doubt that he was beaten and that he would never be free to poison anyone’s life again. “That’s where you’re wrong,” Owen said. “Very, very wrong.”

  * * *

  Ella remained at Betsy’s side in the hospital and Owen stayed with her, leaving only for a short while to shower and change. He didn’t say much, just listened to Ella and comforted her when she cried as she relived the tumultuous events of the past few hours. Tears flowed freely when she spoke on what Zeke Potter had done.

  Owen held her, stroking her exquisite red hair and thanking God that He had protected both Ella and Betsy from the enemy they’d known about and the one they hadn’t.

  The doctor checked in after another examination of Betsy.

  “She’s doing well. We’ve got her rehydrated and we’re giving her antibiotics. She will be here for a while, but I think she’s going to be okay. Right now she’s enjoying a nice nap.”

  Ella thanked him profusely. Owen took her hand and guided her toward the elevator.

  “Time for some fresh air.”

  “But...”

  He handed her a jacket his mom had brought. “The Thorn brigade will be arriving any minute, and there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

  “Are you bossing me?”

  He stopped and touched her cheek. “No,” he said softly. “I’m asking you.”

  She laughed. “Well, in that case, I guess a little fresh air couldn’t hurt.”

  They found a spot outside—a quiet, landscaped area which held a gazebo tucked away next to a cluster of pine trees. It was cold, the air heavy with the promise of imminent rain and the forecast of hail.

  She sucked in a deep breath, eyes closed, the delicate muscles of her neck working as she stretched. “It’s good to be outside. I’m still in shock over it all.”

  “Seems like a lifetime ago that...” He trailed off.

  “That you found me on the side of the road.”

  He sighed. “I didn’t want to bring up bad memories.”

  The rain began to fall then, pattering against the gazebo roof. “It’s okay. It will take me a while, but I will get over it.”

  “Yes, you will, Ella Jo. You’re one tough cookie.”

  Her smile went a little sad, he thought. “I guess I am. What did you want to tell me?”

  He took a breath and said it, making it real. “I’m not going back to the marines.”

  She gaped. “What? Why?”

  “Because I’m letting it go to pursue something that God meant just for me.” His pulse hammered.

  “The ranch?”

  “Not the ranch.”

  Her lips quirked in confusion. “What, then?”

  He let out a shaky breath. “You, Ella. I want to stay here with you.”

  Her shock quickly morphed into denial. “No, Owen. I don’t need you to give up the marines for me.”

  “I know you don’t need it. This isn’t about duty or obligation.”

  “What’s it about, then?”

  “Love. I love you.”

  She went still and quiet, eyes searching his face. He prayed she’d find the answer she needed there.

  Slowly she shook her head. “You’ll always resent me for it.”

  “I probably would have a while ago, but not anymore.” He tried to put into words the feelings that had been circling in his soul. “You told me you gave up your dreams to take up His cross. I didn’t understand how you could do that, give up on what you wanted so badly to follow His plan for your life. I understand now.”

  She touched a finger to his temple, tracing the curve of his cheekbone. “Owen, that is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard, but it will hurt too much to give up your dream, for me.”

  “Yes, it will hurt, just like you have been hurting, and I will struggle like you have, but His plan for my life is better.” He reached for her, laying his hands along her neck, thumbs caressing the silken skin. “What kind of fool would I be to turn my back on a future with the woman I love?”

  Tears glinted in her eyes. “I can’t let you do it.”

  “You’re right. You can’t. It has to be my decision, but not just mine. What you do have to say, Ella Jo? Do you love me?” The question made him feel helpless, caught on tenterhooks of doubt. What if...?

  She began to pace in circles, heedless of the hail which had replaced the rain, tapping onto the roof above them. “Owen, I love you so much,” she said in a voice so quiet he almost missed it. “I’ve loved you since I was a kid.”

  Elation swelled inside him until she turned away, arms folded around herself.

  “But I’m afraid,” she continued. “I’m afraid you’ll stay here with me and spend your whole life missing the marines.”

  He picked up a piece of ice from the ground and held it up, the surface glinting in the porch light like a diamond. “Ella, did you know that new hailstones are too lightweight to fall to earth? They have to stay up in the storm, collecting water and getting bounced around like ping-pong balls until they have enough substance to fall down here.”

  Her expression was pained, but quizzical as he continued.

  “The marines gave me substance, made me man enough to survive the storm, but you...” He moved close and peeled her arm away from her body, stroking the soft skin on the inside of her wrist before he pressed a kiss there. “You made me want to come home and stay.”

  Her eyes were the green of spring grass. “Owen, are you sure?” she whispered. “Very, very sure? If you changed your mind it would...”

  Break her heart. But he would live the rest of his life making sure he treated her like the precious woman she was, a woman he could not live without.

  “I’ve never been more certain of anything else in my whole life.” With effort he moved away. “But how do you feel about it, Ella? Your brother would say I’m not a fit partner. I’m a hard-bitten ex-marine with a busted-up leg and a fixation on the weather.”

  She smiled. “Yes, he would say that.”

  He felt a trickle of uncertainty. “And he’d probably be right.”

  She nodded slowly. “Yes, he would be.”

  “I’ve talked to him about it.”

  Her eyebrows arched. “Talked?”

  “Well, bossed actually.”

  “Bossed Ray?”

  “Yeah. I told him you and I were meant to be together and if he couldn�
�t accept that—he could go soak his head,” he said.

  Now her eyes were wide as quarters. “How did that go over?”

  He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. You are part of our family already, always have been. But now—” he sank down to one knee “—I want to make it official.”

  “I think it matters, Marine,” came a growl from the gazebo steps. He looked up to find Ray, leaning on crutches, the hail bouncing off his baseball cap. Owen stood and faced him, chin up.

  “You’re not right for Ella,” Ray said.

  Ella started to answer, but Owen stopped her. “Due respect, Ray, you’re wrong and your opinion doesn’t matter here. If Ella loves me and she’ll have me, I’ll be the best husband I can possibly be.”

  “And if I still disagree?”

  He shrugged. “I believe we already discussed the head soaking.”

  Ray’s expression held firm for three seconds before he grinned, bursting into laughter. “Then I guess I’m just gonna have to give my blessing.”

  Owen smiled before he turned to Ella. “Ella Cahill, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

  The clatter of the hail tapered off, and for a moment the world was silent except for the wham of his heart against his ribs.

  Two beats later she leapt into his arms, laughing and crying all at the same time. “Yes, Owen Thorn, I believe I will marry you.”

  Turning her to shield them from Ray’s prying eyes, he went in for a kiss, his heartbeat joining in the joyful rhythm of the rain.

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed Treacherous Trails, look for the first

  book in the GOLD COUNTRY COWBOYS series:

  COWBOY CHRISTMAS GUARDIAN.

  Available now from Love Inspired!

  Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com

  Keep reading for an excerpt from TRACKING DANGER by Terri Reed.

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  Dear Reader,

  Did you ever give up on a dream that you wanted with all your heart? That hurts, doesn’t it? It’s almost like experiencing a death, in a way. In Treacherous Trails, both Ella and Owen come to realize that God’s plans for their lives are so much better than those they fashion for themselves, but the lesson is not learned without struggle and pain. That happy ending could not come a moment too soon for those two!

  In this book we’ve gotten a closer look at Owen Thorn, the second of the Thorn brothers. It was a joy to write about a close-knit family of brothers who support each other through thick and thin. As one of four sisters, I value so much the unconditional love of my family. I hope that you have experienced that kind of unconditional love, whether via a sibling or a close friend. These are the people that hold us up when our dreams lie broken at our feet, the earthly hands and feet God uses to carry us through the darkest time until the sun shines again.

  I enjoy hearing from my readers, so feel free to pop by my website at danamentink.com and leave a comment. There’s a physical address there as well if you prefer to correspond via letter. Friends, I sincerely thank you for coming along for this second Gold Country adventure.

  God bless!

  Dana Mentink

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

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  Tracking Danger

  by Terri Reed

  ONE

  “Wait!” Dill, Texas, Deputy Sheriff Serena Evans called to her fellow sheriff’s deputy standing on the porch of the one-story cottage. He placed the red rose and white sheet of paper, which no doubt had the words I’m coming for you scrawled in black script, into an evidence bag.

  Serena and her K-9 partner, a red-and-white-speckled English springer spaniel named Ginger, hurried up the walkway of the home of the latest target of the serial killer known as the Red Rose Killer. The perpetrator had already claimed five victims.

  Thankfully, the latest intended target was still alive. The Dill Sheriff’s Department had a chance to catch the fiend before he made good his threat. And Serena anticipated this time the sheriff would give her and Ginger a chance to prove themselves. That he’d called her in on her day off gave her hope he was finally taking them seriously.

  Deputy Sheriff Mike Burnside paused with a quick glance at the open front door. “What?”

  “Let Ginger take a smell before you seal the bag,” she said.

  Mike frowned. “Bruno already sniffed them.” Referring to the department’s other K-9 officer: “Harry and the dog followed the scent to the road. The guy took off in a car, and they lost his scent.”

  “But Ginger won’t lose the scent,” Serena told him. “She’s trained for this.” Serena didn’t add the German shepherd was great at apprehension and protection but he wasn’t a scent hound. Ginger was a hunting dog, trained in wilderness air search.

  With another glance at the open door, Mike held out the opened bags. “Fine. Hurry.”

  “Sniff,” she instructed Ginger. The dog stuck her brown nose in each bag and then let out a woof, clearly ready to get to work.

  “Evans! Get in here,” Sheriff Dave Reinholt yelled from inside the house.

  Mike jumped with a grimace even though he wasn’t the one being yelled at and quickly zipped the bags before hustling away with the evidence.

  Serena braced herself and led Ginger into the house. “Yes, sir. I’m here, sir.”

  The sheriff, an imposing man in his sixties with white hair and broad shoulders, ate up space in the living room. He gestured to the early twentysomething woman seated on the couch. “This is Cindy Willis.”

  Serena recognized her from the Dill Main Street Diner. “I’m sorry you’re going through this, Miss Willis.”

  “Thanks.” Mascara-streaked tears ran down the younger woman’s frightened face.

  Empathy tightened Serena’s chest. Everyone in town was on edge.

  “You’re to take Miss Willis to the airport and make sure she gets on her plane safely,” the sheriff said. “She’s going home to Minnesota.”

  Serena’s stomach dropped. “But, sir. Ginger and I can trail the suspect.”

  The sheriff lifted one bushy eyebrow. “Are you defying an order?”

  Knowing he’d relish an opportunity to fire her because the mayor had strong-armed him into hiring her. He hadn’t wanted a female in his department. She straightened her shoulders and struggled to keep her irritation in check. “No, sir. I’ll do as ordered, sir.”

  His gaze narrowed. “I thought so. Then you can go home.” He turned away dismissively and left the house.

  A low, simmering anger burned within Serena, but she forced herself to rein in her em
otions as she regarded Cindy. “We should go,” she said gently. “The sooner you’re out of town, the better.”

  Once they were on their way to the airport, Cindy said, “I don’t know why I’m a target.”

  From what Serena knew of the killings there was no pattern. He was picking his targets at random.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Cindy confessed. “I just don’t know who to trust. I mean, the killer could be anybody.”

  Cindy’s words repeated through Serena’s mind long after she saw the young woman’s plane rise in the blue spring sky.

  Instead of heading home as ordered, Serena returned to the Willis house determined to plead with the sheriff to let her and Ginger work. He may not like having a female deputy, but surely he couldn’t deny them the opportunity to do what they were trained to do.

  Crime scene tape fluttered in the March breeze across the front porch, but everyone was gone. It took only a moment for her to decide what to do. She climbed out of the vehicle, released Ginger and put on the dog’s soft-sided working vest, then attached a long lead.

  “Let’s see if you can pick up the scent again,” Serena said to her partner.

  Ginger put her nose to the ground. Patiently, Serena followed as Ginger led her around the side of the house to the flower bed beneath the bedroom window.

  Two boot footprints marred the earth.

  Heart racing, Serena had a feeling these belonged to the Red Rose Killer who’d obviously stood here spying on Cindy.

  Though she knew the sheriff or Deputy Burnside would have already photographed and documented the prints, she snapped off a few images of the prints using her cell phone, noting the smashed Ashe juniper seeds in the tracks of the boot’s tread. She quickly glanced around. No Ashe juniper nearby.

  Serena pointed to the prints in the dirt. “Sniff.”

  Ginger put her nose to the earth and smelled the print and the grass all the way to the street, and then she lifted her head, nose twitching in the air. She faced east, her tail straight, one paw lifted.

  Anticipation revved Serena’s blood. “Go find.”

  The dog didn’t hesitate; she took off with Serena hurrying behind her, holding the end of the lead. Ginger stopped more than six miles later, panting at the fenced property line of the Double Pine Ranch. Serena hadn’t met the new owner of the ranch, Jason Hargrove, but she’d seen him around town and had heard from the townsfolk that he kept to himself.