Cameron took off after her, his heart pounding against his ribs. Was he too late? Had whoever was responsible for all the killing already got to Hank Ward?
Before he cleared the side of the house, he heard the sound of a motorcycle engine revving.
Astride a four-wheeler, Jennie gunned the handle and spun around in the gravel headed straight for him.
Wait!
She dodged him and took off across the lawn and through the open gate leading out of the barnyard.
Cameron hopped on the back of another four-wheeler, kick-started the engine and spewed gravel in a tight turn.
Jennie was already halfway up the hillside before he passed through the gate. With a wide-open throttle, he sped after her, hoping his four-wheeling skills hadnt gotten too rusty to keep up.
Slow down! Cameron called out when he pulled up beside her. You wont do him any good if you kill us both in the process.
No way. He could be hurt. She twisted the handle sending more gas to the engine and the vehicle leaped forward.
After several minutes of hard riding they topped the rise and descended into a mountain meadow filled with blue columbines and wild irises. The leaves on the aspens were a fresh spring green. If they werent in such a hurry, Cameron would stop and soak up the beauty of being home in the mountains. Hed forgotten how much he missed the ranch.
But his focus remained on keeping Jennie in his sights. If he lost her, he might not find her in the vastness of the Flying W Ranch.
She topped another rise ahead of him, her vehicle slowing to a stop. Standing tall on her footrests, her head turned side to side.
Cameron pulled up beside her, set his cycle in neutral and rested his foot on the brake. Below them was another high mountain meadow. Cattle grazed, small brown specks amidst the lush green grasses.
We moved these cattle up here yesterday. He and Rudy, our ranch hand, came up to check on them today and fix the fence in the far west corner of this meadow, past that line of trees.
From his perch atop the ridge, Cameron scanned the meadow. Not a human could be seen, only cows. Come on. He shifted into gear and plunged down the side of the steep slope, dodging between the young junipers and firs dotting the east-facing slope.
Jennie followed and soon surged ahead. Skirting the herd, she led him toward a stand of old ponderosa pine. As she neared the far edge of the meadow, she slowed, allowing Cameron to close the distance and pull alongside.
As they entered the shadowy canopy of native forest, Cameron moved into the lead. Careful to dodge massive tree trunks, fallen brush and protruding roots, he hurried through the clump of trees to the other side. He could see sunlight ahead, and was that movement?
Hey! A voice carried to him above the roar of the motorcycle engine. At the edge of the clearing stood a young man Cameron didnt recognize. Leaning against him with his arm draped over the young man was Hank Ward, an angry scowl marring his face.
Jennie skidded to a stop ten feet from her father. She killed the engine, leaped off the seat and raced to his side. Dad, what happened?
Fell off my horse, he grumbled.
The young man frowned. He didnt just fall off his horse.
Hank glared at him, his expression fierce. Hold your tongue, boy.
What happened, Rudy? Jennie asked.
Rudy glanced at Jennie, a worried frown on his young forehead. Someone fired a shot at him. It hit the ground in front of Reds hooves. Spooked him so bad, he dumped Hank on the ground and lit out like his tail was on fire.
Damned horse reared so fast Hank shook his head. I havent fallen off my horse since I dont remember when.
Where are you hurt? Jennie scanned her father from head to toe.
Only my tailbone, my ankle and my pride.
Its his left ankle. He couldnt get it into the stirrup to mount and he couldnt balance on his sore ankle long enough to get on my horse from the other side.
I can walk just fine, Hank groused.
Yeah? How about you prove it? Rudy lifted Hanks arm from around his neck, but Hank stopped him.
Okay, okay. So my ankles botherin me. Id have been all right if my danged horse hadnt lit out of here.
Cameron finally stepped forward. Any idea which direction the bullet came from, Mr. Ward?
Hank focused on Cameron as if it was the first time hed noticed him. Who are you?
After ten years away from the ranch, six of which had been spent in the Army Rangers, Cameron had matured and changed.
Hank hadnt recognized him, yet.
With a deep breath he stepped closer, ready for the worst. Cameron Morgan, sir.
Dead silence ensued. Even the birds stopped chirping for the five long seconds it took for Hanks face to flush an angry red. What the hell are you doing on my property?
AS ANGER FIRED through her blood, Jennie stepped between them. Nothing ever changed. Why did her father have to be so pigheaded? Dad, youre hurt. Lets get you back to the house. We can discuss everything there.
Im not goin anywhere with a Morgan.
The hell youre not. Jennies lips tightened. She might have acquiesced when she was eighteen, but at twenty-eight shed lived a tough life on the ranch. Shed learned a lot about managing men by riding side by side with the ranch hands. Her father was a man, and a very ornery one at that. She wasnt taking any of his bull this time. You might be my father, but Im not putting up with stubborn stupidity. Rudy, get him to the back of my four-wheeler. Ill take him to the house.
Here, let me help. Cameron moved to one side of Hank.
The older man glared at him. I dont need the help of a Morgan. Theyve caused me nothin but trouble. And you should know that best. He shot a hard stare at Jennie.
Jennie hid a smile when Cameron ignored him and took his elbow, helping him to the vehicle.
Hank winced as he straddled the seat and eased down. Danged tailbone hurts like hell. You drive slow, Jen.
I will, Dad. Jennie slid onto the seat in front of her father.
Like to know who shot at me.
A cold, hard lump settled in Jennies stomach, and she glanced at Cameron. So would we.
Chapter Three
What do you mean someone might be trying to kill me? Hank sat bolt upright in his recliner, his face creasing in pain. He immediately eased back, relieving the pressure on his tailbone. Shoot fire, someone almost did today. But that doesnt mean I gotta run scared. A Ward doesnt run. He aimed a narrow look at Cameron as if to say some Morgans ran.
Jennie had called a meeting of the entire crew in the living room of the ranch house, against her fathers wishes.
Stan stood beside her father, Rudy sat on a hardbacked wooden chair and Doug stood near the door, looking as if being inside the living room of the house was as foreign as stepping into a queens palace.
If what Cameron is telling us is true, Jennie argued, we could all be in danger. Its only fair to inform everyone of what might happen.
I say its all a bunch of scare tactics by your bodyguard agency to get folks out here to hire you on. Hank lifted up to adjust the pillow beneath his bottom. Damn tailbone. I should be out chasing after the son-of-a