Page 170 of Dusty Spur Ranch Cowboys

She smiles, nods, and keeps following the trail until it takes her where she wants to go.

“I told her to call one of us before she got creative,” Willy says. “She promised.”

Promises don’t stand much chance once Arizona decides she’s close to an answer. “I’m heading over.”

The line goes dead.

By the time I pull into the rodeo grounds, Emmett is climbing out of his pickup with his phone pressed against his ear while Willy paces beside him, watching the road as though Arizona might decide she’d gone far enough and come driving back.

Emmett lowers the phone and shakes his head. “Straight to voicemail.”

He tries again while I look at Willy. “You really think she’s missing?”

“I know it.” He stops pacing. “This morning she’ll be looking for whatever she thinks we’ve missed before anyone gets hurt.”

I climb back into my truck. “We split up. Emmett, check the performer tents, midway, and every building between the main gate and the stage. Willy, search the barns, livestock office, and equipment yards.”

“You?”

“I’m starting where she’d start.”

The three of us pull away together, then separate once the rodeo grounds come into view.

Championship morning has already packed the rodeo grounds with riders, volunteers, and spectators.

I leave the truck beside the competitors’ entrance and head straight for the north arena fence because Arizona would’ve gone back to the damaged section before she looked anywhere else.

My phone rings while I’m checking behind the veterinary station, and I answer without looking at the screen. “Tell me you found her.”

Emmett’s breath comes hard through the speaker. “We found Beau behind the stock trailers, and he tried to leave when he saw us.”

“Keep him there.”

I turn toward the service lane and force my way around two men carrying a saddle.

By the time I reach the trailers, Emmett and Willy have Beau trapped against a flatbed with his hat lying in the dirt near his boots.

Sweat darkens his shirt, and fear has stripped away the confidence he’s worn through every lie he’s told us.

His gaze meets mine. “I didn’t touch her.”

I cross the distance, grab his shirt, and drive him against the trailer. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know.”

“Give me an answer that keeps me from taking this apart with you against it.”

Emmett steps closer without trying to pull me away. “We need him able to talk.”

Beau swallows while I keep him pinned. “I didn’t know Travis was going after her.”

I tighten my grip on Beau’s shirt until he winces. “Where is she?”

His breathing comes fast as his eyes dart toward the north end of the grounds. “Behind the north chutes. She found the damaged fencing, and he went after her.”

“What did he do to the arena?”

Fear flashes across his face before he answers. “He loosened the supports. He said the fencing would give way during the finals.”