Not true.The person would have attacked her car. She might still be in trouble.
He kept one eye on her as he stood up and stretched his legs. Working out had been a lifesaver while Lynn was sick. Ranch work would give him plenty of physical labor.
It dawned on him that a screwworm had been reported to be infecting cows across the border. In response, supplies were being cut off so as not to infect cattle here. And that was a longwinded way of saying he could sell at a better price if he took cattle to market now. He’d never seen prices so high. Could a sale buy him some time to straighten out finances on the ranch? Allow him to hire help for Kit, if needed? It was worth a shot.
Carys ended the call, tucked the phone inside her handbag, and frowned as she walked toward him. “That didn’t go well.”
“What happened?”
“My boss knows about Rue. Called me out for saying I was sick. Told me to take the time away to make sure my priorities are straight.” She exhaled and pinched the bridge of her nose. “So, basically, I’m on leave now until I refocus and I have to take Rue to the orphanage tonight. My boss said she would be checking to make sure Rue is at Sister’s Love before bed check.”
“When is that?” He needed a minute to process and come up with a plan.
“A couple of hours,” she said.
Damn.
“I just had a thought,” he said. “What if Rue is safer at the orphanage than with us for the time being?”
“It’s been hard enough leaving her for the day. How am I supposed to drop her off and walk away?” The hurt and disappointment in her eyes stabbed him. She was right. Being away from Rue had been more difficult than he’d anticipated. The only reason he could fathom leaving her at Sister’s Love for the night was due to it being safer than the ranch. Would he worry? Hell yes.
“I know what you mean,” he said.
“Plus, if the people who are after us figure us out, they might be tracking our movements,” she continued.
“Sure,” he said. Every which way they turned, there was risk involved. Their next step would have to be about taking the least-dangerous path. “So far, they haven’t tried to shoot at us, which I take to mean they don’t want to risk hurting the baby.”
“If these bastards are trying to collect a reward or get in good with the head honcho, they can’t bring in damaged goods.” She quickly added, “I don’t see her that way, but she’s nothing but a means to an end for them.”
“They don’t want to get caught,” he reasoned. “Isn’t there security cameras or some form of failsafe at the orphanage?”
“It’s a small place that’s out of the way of the mainstream. I doubt they’d do much more than lock the doors and expect to be safe.”
“We can go there to investigate. If it doesn’t feel right, we’ll turn around and bring her back here.”
Carys bit down on her lower lip. “I can live with that.”
“I’ll see if Raiden can stay the night since we can’t leave Kit alone.”
The crunch of gravel underneath tires and the hum of an engine didn’t normally cause his blood pressure to rise. Until he saw it was just his brother’s vehicle coming up the path, his stress levels doubled.
Raiden pulled up next to Blaize and parked. Carys immediately went to Rue. She opened the door to the back on the passenger side and unbuckled the carrier.
“Where’s your Jeep?” Raiden asked.
“Long story,” Blaize said. They had a little time before they needed to get Rue to the orphanage. “I’ll tell you over a cup of coffee and a bite of food.”
“I’m starving,” Carys said, holding on to the baby carrier for dear life. The determined and protective expression on her face said she’d fight anybody who tried to take Rue away.
Rue was lucky to have someone like Carys in her corner.
He focused on helping Kit out of the car. “You gave us another scare. Is there something you’re not telling me about a medical condition?”
“Hogwash,” Kit said. “I’m peachy.”
“Two falls in two days say otherwise.” He lowered his voice to a gentler tone.
“All the more reason to sell this place, so you can put me in a home.” There was no conviction in those words.
