Page 6 of Rancher to the Rescue

“She looks fine,” he said before covering the mouthpiece. “Do you remember encountering anyone? Falling? Hitting your head on anything?”

“Nope. I’m drawing a blank on the whole of today,” she admitted. Her cheeks heated with something that looked a lot like embarrassment.

He relayed the message to Lawler.

“Is the child okay?” Lawler asked.

“She looks healthy and just had a bottle that Casey brought up,” he said adding, “I can verify her lungs are in full working condition.”

This had to be one of those oddball situations that could be cleared up with a few phone calls. “There’s no one looking for a newborn?”

“Afraid not. Hold on.” The click-clack-clack of fingers on a keyboard came across the line. Then, quiet.

Adam didn’t realize he’d started tapping the toe of his boot on the tile flooring.

“Nothing on my end,” Lawler finally said. “I’ll head on over.”

Adam thanked the sheriff before ending the call and turning to Prudence. “While we wait for the sheriff, why don’t you tell me a little bit about yourself.”

She cradled that baby like the infant would have to be pried out of her hands. He wondered if she even realized she was doing it. Was she a mother?

“There’s not much to tell,” she said. “I run a pet-sitting business.” Something dawned on her because her face lit up. “I’m taking care of the Fritzes’ dog while they’re on vacation.” She glanced down at her dark sweatpants. “That’s why I have dog hair on me. I’d been out walking Henry.”

It almost seemed like her memories were going to come flooding back. Her jaw clenched and her hand fisted before she issued a sigh. “Nope. Nothing. I only remember walking Henry.”

Her face morphed from frustrated to determined.

“I have to get back to my job and take care of him,” she said as a mix of panic and resolve washed over her features.

“Hold tight. What’s the address to the Fritzes’ house?” he asked. He should probably know except that he’d never been one to keep tabs on his neighbors or anyone else in town. He’d been too caught up in Libby during their relationship and then licking his wounds for the past year since the heartbreak to notice much of anything.

Prudence rattled it off.

“How about if I ask Bronc to go over and see to Henry while we wait for the sheriff here?” he asked, figuring Henry was probably just fine at home.

She seemed to think about it for a long moment. “I guess that could work. Would it be possible for him to stay with Henry until I get there? He gets anxious when he’s left alone, and I have no idea how long I’ve been gone.”

“I can ask, but I doubt there’ll be any objections.” Adam didn’t mind speaking for Bronc. The ranch foreman had a heart of gold, especially when it came to animals. He wouldn’t mind checking up on a dog if it brought Prudence peace of mind. “In fact, I’ll text him right now.”

He did. The response came almost immediately.

On it. No trouble at all.

Adam showed Prudence the message, hoping the concern lines creasing her forehead would ease up. They did as she rattled off the location of the key. Adam sent the information to Bronc, who ‘liked’ the message.

“I shouldn’t stay very long,” she said. “I’m needed at the Fritzes’.”

“Someone wrote my name down and tucked it inside the blanket, so I’d say you are exactly where you’re supposed to be right now,” he countered. The fizzle of hope died out the minute she frowned.

3

“Tell me something about you that I don’t already know.” Adam stared at Prudence. His gaze dipped to her lips and an emotion she wasn’t quite prepared to identify passed behind his piercing pale blue eyes.

“I was in the same grade as one of your brothers,” she said, clearing her throat to ease the sudden dryness.

“Which one?” he asked.

“Fallon,” she supplied.