The Rough and Ready Rancher by Kathie DeNosky Page B

the back of his neck prickled. He had the distinct feeling they were being watched.
    To hide her from the prying eyes, Flint held her close and glanced around. They had walked well out of sight of the house, so it couldn’t be Whiskers or Ryan. Besides, the eyes watching them now were sinister, filled with hatred. He could feel it in his bones.
    His first thought was to get Jenna back to the house and out of danger. Then, and only then, would he come back to seek out the identity of the voyeur.
    â€œJenna, I could stand here like this all night, but we’ve got company,” he whispered close to her ear. When she tried to jerk from his grasp, Flint held her tight. “I want you to stay right beside me. We’re going to walk back to the house like nothing’s wrong. But if I give the word, I want you to run like hell and don’t look back. You got that?”
    She nodded. “Who do you think it is?”
    He draped his arm across her shoulders and started toward the house. “I don’t know. But he can’t be up to any good or he’d make his presence known.”
    They walked at a steady, seemingly unhurried pace, and when they entered the study, Flint breathed a sigh of relief. He’d felt that same malevolent stare all the way back to the house and knew they’d been followed. Closing the door behind them, he grabbed the phone and alerted Brad, then went to the gun cabinet.
    â€œWhat do you want me to do?” she asked.
    â€œNothing.” He removed a Winchester with a scope from the rack and shoved cartridges into the magazine. “Just stay here.”
    â€œBut I could—”
    â€œI said stay put,” he ordered. “Brad’s going to meet me down at the barn. Whoever it was probably took off once we got back to the house.” He pumped the lever on the rifle down, then back up, loading a cartridge into the chamber. Releasing the hammer slowly, he readied the weapon for immediate action and headed for the door. “But I want to see if he left something behind that will tell me who he was and what he’s up to.”
    â€œBe careful.”
    Flint turned back to brush her soft lips with his. “Count on it, darlin’. We have unfinished business.”
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    The first fingers of light hadn’t cleared the horizon when someone knocked on the study door. Looking up from the breeding register in front of him, Flint called. “Come in.”
    â€œYou have a minute?” Cooper asked.
    â€œSure. Have a seat.”
    After Cooper settled himself in the chair across from Flint’s desk, he rested the ankle of one leg on the knee of the other, then hooked his hat on the toe of his boot. “Jenna said you’ve had some trouble lately.”
    Flint nodded. “At first it was just some missing cattle. But lately it’s started getting nasty.”
    â€œSo I’ve heard. Jenna mentioned someone watching you and her last night.”
    â€œBrad and I found some tracks, but that was about it,” Flint admitted. “Jed was down by the brood mare barn, but he didn’t see anyone, either. Whoever it was cleared out pretty fast.”
    Cooper laughed. “The rules of the game always change when a Winchester gets involved.”
    Flint watched the man’s eyes. He had more on his mind than trespassers. “You got something you’d like to say, Adams? If so, spit it out.”
    â€œI like you, McCray. You’re a hell of a nice guy.”
    â€œBut?”
    â€œThis thing between you and Jenna has me worried. I don’t want to see her hurt.” Cooper’s gaze clashed with Flint’s. “She’s already had more than her share.”
    â€œI don’t see how—”
    Cooper held up his hand. “I know she comes across as capable of handling anything. And to a certain extent that’s true. But when Jenna gives her heart, she holds nothing back.”
    Flint didn’t quite