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Jenna smiled. “No, I’m good. Thanks for stopping.” She noticed Rowley’s truck hurtling toward her at full speed and waved a hand toward him. “That’s my help now. I’ll be fine.”
The old man drove on and a minute later Rowley pulled to the side of the highway and slid out of his truck. “Some jerk ran me off the road.”
“So I see. Did you get a plate?” Rowley looked up and down the road and then leaned in her passenger window. “I did see a white pickup heading to town but I didn’t take much notice. They’re a dime a dozen around here.”
Relieved to see a friendly face, Jenna nodded. “Yeah, I’ve noticed and, no, the plate had mud on it. I’m concerned it might have bee
n the person watching me. Errol Dean maybe?”
“I doubt he’d tangle with you again.” He narrowed his gaze. “He wouldn’t be stupid enough—would he?”
Jenna shrugged. “Who knows for sure?” She pressed the starter again and nothing happened. “The truck is dead. Any suggestions?”
“It’s a rental, isn’t it?” Rowley smiled. “If you call them, I’ll tow it out of the ditch. They’ll send someone out to pick it up and drop off another rental.”
Jenna collected her things and nodded. “Okay, and while we’re waiting for them to arrive, can you drive me back to my ranch? I need to lock the gate. I left it wide open.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Rowley smothered a grin. “Left in kind of a hurry, huh?”
“Yeah, like my tail was on fire.” She smiled and made the call.
After helping Rowley attach a tow rope to the truck and dragging it back onto the road, Jenna checked the time. “They said they’d send a tow truck within the hour and asked me to go back with him to the rental place at the airport to pick up another.”
“I don’t figure that’s a good idea in the circumstances.” Rowley headed back toward her ranch. “If this is someone out to get you for whatever reason, maybe you should consider this accident could be an elaborate setup to get you into the tow truck. Best I take you to the rental place, but why don’t you consider using one of the cruisers? They’re old, but they seem okay. The one I’m driving runs just fine.”
Unsure of the local protocol, Jenna shrugged. “Yeah, but I’m not on duty twenty-four/seven, I can’t possibly use a cruiser for personal use.”
“Trust me.” Rowley chuckled. “You’re on duty twenty-four/seven, plus you’re the sheriff. You make the rules.”
Jenna raised her eyebrows. “Acting sheriff.”
“That’s not what is says on your jacket, ma’am. Wait here. It’s probably better if I shut the gate. No one is gunning for me.” Rowley pulled up at her open gate, took a long look around, and then jumped out, swung it shut, and clicked the padlock.
Chewing on her bottom lip, Jenna searched the woods, looking into the surrounding land. Nothing glinted and only the beauty of Montana greeted her. She turned to Rowley as he slid back behind the wheel. “Thanks. I’m annoyed someone has spoiled this place for me. It’s supposed to be my safe place, my forever home.”
“It will be.” Rowley backed out onto the blacktop and headed back to the highway. “You mentioned the security and alterations. I’m sure once they’re completed, you’ll feel safer. One thing, can you get an electronic gate? Stopping to open the gate could be dangerous, especially at night.”
Nodding, Jenna sighed as they pulled up behind the damaged rental. “Yeah, I’m putting in security fencing, CCTV cameras, and a remote-control gate.” She looked away, not wanting to mention the safe room in the barn. “I figure with a security system surrounding the house, I’ll be warned if anyone breaks through. I don’t like the idea of people sneaking up on me.”
“Then add a sign.” Rowley drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “People around these parts don’t usually walk onto a property posted with trespassers will be shot signs.” He grinned at her. “But you’ll have to be awake early to allow the snowplow guy access to your driveway, being as you’re alone and all, or come winter you’ll be snowed in until the melt. He lives right next door.”
Seeing the tow truck pull up, Jenna sighed with relief. “I’ll be sure to make his acquaintance well before the first snow.” She slid from the passenger seat. “I’ll go and speak to the driver. We’ll follow him out to the rental place. They’ll want a report for their insurance.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Rowley tipped his hat.
Twenty-One
The next couple of weeks went by without incident. What Jenna considered a problem at the time was just brushed aside by Deputy Walters, and when told about the accident on the highway, he made light of it by saying someone was just skylarking… whatever that meant. The paperwork on the ranch had come through at last, but she’d decided to remain in town during the alterations. Someone had spooked her and not being out there alone before the security went up was her best and safest option. Once the security was firmly in place and the furniture arranged, she’d move in and become one of the townsfolk. She’d been pleasantly surprised when Rowley had offered to go with her to oversee the alterations to the ranch. It was as if he understood her hesitation at driving out there alone. He had become a very helpful asset and treated her like his boss, which she appreciated, but in truth, having him around was like having a younger brother.
Each day she took one of the cruisers out on patrol with Rowley riding shotgun. They did their usual sweep of the town and detoured to the showgrounds to catch the preparation for a county fair and rodeo. People moved around the showgrounds, carrying saddles or moving horses and cattle. Cowboys leaned on corral fences, talking loud like a bunch of kids. People kept on looking at the sky. The festival was running late this year due to some freaky weather in other counties.
Jenna took her time, enjoying the Western feel, the smell of horses and leather. She asked Rowley a stream of questions and discovered the cowboys were holed up in trailers or had taken a bed in some of the bunkhouses around the grounds. Turning to Rowley, she pointed to a poster. “That guy is on all the posters. Is he the king of the rodeo or something?”
“That would be Walt Devers, last year’s triple-crown champion.” He smiled. “You’ll be down here keeping the peace, so you’ll get to see plenty of events.”
Concerned, Jenna took in the scope of the place. It was huge. How could she possibly maintain peace with one old deputy and a rookie? She cleared her throat not wanting to make Rowley feel inadequate. “Did the previous sheriff manage all this alone?”
“Hell no.” Rowley’s face broke into a wide grin. “He called in deputies from Louan and Blackwater.” He raised both eyebrows. “They’re the two closest towns and have a ton of deputies. Louan has sapphire mines and the town council is the leaseholder. They made a good investment. The town is rich and they have deputies to spare. Blackwater has more than it needs as well. “I’ll be happy to call them to assist. We’ll need them for shifts over the weekend.” He glanced at her. “We usually book rooms for them at the motel.” His brow crinkled into a frown. “I hope they have vacancies. Many people stop over for the rodeo but many come in trailers.” He sighed. “With us working as well, maybe eight would make life easier. The mayor picks up the tab. The rodeo is a big money spinner for the town.”
