RESCUE AT CARDWELL RANCH by B.J. Daniels Page A

Cardwell. Bad timing or not.
    But she questioned whether he was interested in her as a woman. Or if he was just hardwired to protect the woman whose life he’d saved because he was a Texas cowboy and a gentleman.
    When she’d found the note under her windshield wiper, at first she’d thought it was an advertisement.
    Instead, scrawled words had been written on the sheet of paper.

    I’m watching you.
    This time you won’t get away.
    I am going to miss your long hair.

    The paper began to shake in her fingers. She had felt him watching her. It hadn’t been her imagination. He was out there and he wasn’t through with her.
    She read the words again, all easily visible in the diffused light from the closest streetlamp. All her bravado fell away. The man wasn’t giving up. He was out there. Maybe even watching her right now, wanting to see her fall apart.
    McKenzie slumped against her car as she looked out into the darkness, unable to pretend any longer that she wasn’t terrified. She’d thought she could go on as if nothing had happened. As if nothing kept happening.
    Suddenly, Hayes was at her side, his arms coming around her. “What is it?” His gaze took in the sheet of paper trembling in her fingers. Using his sleeve, he took it from her. “Get in my car. I’ll call the police.”
    She nodded and started for his rental SUV. Earlier, she’d told him how strong and resilient she was. She didn’t feel either right now. She wanted to lose herself in his strong arms. For so long she’d made her way alone, determined not to lean on anyone, not to need anyone. Right now, she needed Hayes—and more than just to protect her.
    Behind her, she heard him on the phone. Her gaze swept through the dark neighborhood. A breeze stirred the tree boughs, throwing shadows everywhere. Was he out there watching her? Enjoying tormenting her?
    McKenzie quickened her step, grabbed the passenger-side door handle and flung it open. She practically threw herself into the car, slamming the door behind her. Heart pounding, she tried to catch her breath. Anger mixed with fear, a deadly combination that had her wiping furiously at her tears.
    She’d never felt helpless before. It was a horrible feeling, one she couldn’t bear. Somehow, she had to make it end, and falling into bed with Hayes wasn’t the answer as much as she would have liked to.
    As Hayes finished his call and climbed into the SUV behind the wheel, she turned to him. “I have to find this man.”
    “I’ve called the police. They’re on their way. They’ll see if they can get a print off—”
    “He won’t have left fingerprints on the note he left for me. He’s too smart for that.” She shook her head. “Nor do I believe the police will find him. That’s why I have to.”
    Hayes stared across the seat at her. “What are you saying?”
    “I need to set a trap for him.”
    He held up a hand. “Hold on.”
    “No, I can’t let him continue to torment me. I have to find him and put an end to this, one way or another.”
    * * *
    H AYES DIDN ’ T KNOW how to tell her, but decided honesty might be the best approach. “I would imagine he will find you before you find him.” He saw her reaction to his words. “He’s fooling with you because you made a fool of him the other night. He has only one option. He needs to right this. Which means there’s a really good chance that he isn’t some psycho passing through town who just happened to see you the other night. He’s a hometown psycho who isn’t finished with you.”
    Her lower lip quivered for a moment before she bit down on it. “You sound as if you’ve dealt with this kind of...person before.”
    He nodded. “I’ve crossed paths with several. They’re calculating, cunning and unpredictable—and extremely dangerous.”
    She leaned toward him and he was reminded of their kiss. He could smell her clean scent and remembered the feel of her in his arms. “Help me set a trap for him. I don’t want to