“Wild Horse Ranch.”
“Hey, Reno,” Sheriff Pritchard said. “Hope I’m not calling too early.”
His sexy drawl gave her shivers. “Not at all. What can I do for you, Austin?”
“Now there’s a loaded question,” he teased. “I saw Wynonna at the diner today—talk about a morning person.” He laughed and Reno joined him.
“Wy definitely gets up with the chickens.” Wynonna sometimes ate breakfast in town on the weekend, lingering over coffee at the diner to chat with her friends.
“Anyway, she told me about your encounter with the poachers.”
Reno knew where this was going. Austin wouldn’t be at all happy to know Cade was stepping on his toes.
“I would’ve called you out if I’d been certain they would try something,” she said. “I was just following a hunch I had.”
“Yeah, well, your hunches can get you into trouble, Reno. You need to let me handle this.”
“Actually, there was a BLM ranger out there last night,” she said. “I’m sure you remember Cade Lantana.” Austin had become a deputy shortly before Cade hung up his badge.
“He’s with the BLM now? I thought he’d moved to Idaho.”
“He did, so I guess he’s not here officially. From what I understand, though, he’s got an agent friend in the Glenwood Springs office—Sam Grainger.”
“I know Sam,” Austin said. “He’s a straight-up guy.”
“Cade took a leave of absence to come help his mom and dad.”
“Yeah, I guess Estelle could use him here,” Austin said. “Well, the BLM may have authority over the wild horses, but I’m the law in this county. I’m coming out to have a look around.”
“Fine by me.” What was it to her if the two men got into a pissing contest? Besides, she enjoyed Austin’s company. “Come on up to the house and we can ride out to where the poachers were.”
“Will do. See you in a bit, then.”
Reno hung up the cordless and had no sooner turned back to the computer when the phone rang again. She picked it up and spoke without preamble. “If you’re wanting coffee, I’ve got the pot on.”
“Well, that’s mighty thoughtful of you. I can always use a cup.”
The deep, familiar voice prickled the hair on the back of her neck. “Cade. I thought you were someone else.”
“Does that mean I don’t get any coffee?”
She stiffened. How could he banter with her? “That all depends.”
“On…?”
“Whether or not Sheriff Pritchard drinks it up.”
Silence stretched across the line. “Austin Pritchard? He’s sheriff now?”
“Martinez retired shortly after you left. I would’ve thought your mom told you that.”
“We try not to talk much about the past.”
Reno ignored her churning stomach.
“So, Pritchard’s there—at your place?”
What was that she detected in Cade’s voice? Surely not the jealousy she imagined. Must be the macho territorial thing again. “No, but he’s on his way over.”
“You called him about the poachers?”
“No.” She drew the word out into two syllables. “Small town—news spreads fast. Remember?”
“He doesn’t need to poke around in this,” Cade said. “The BLM—”
“What did you want me to do, Cade? Ground him?”
He merely grunted. “Sam Grainger’s up in De Beque today, meeting with a couple of agents from the Grand Junction office.” Sam had gone to high school with Cade. “So I thought I’d drive out to your place and take a look around for him. My dad’s coming with me. I figured we’d take the back road and come in on the side of your property closest to the river. Maybe drive down near the canyon?”
“Fine by me. Who am I to interfere with what Sam wants you to do?”
“Well, it’s your property,” he grumbled. “Just thought I’d make a courtesy phone call.”
“I’m taking Austin out there on horseback,” Reno said. “I figured we’d get a better look around that way.”
“Suit yourself. Guess I’ll see you out there, then.”
“Okay. Bye.” She hung up the phone, then glared at it.
Great. Just what she needed. Cade poking around on her ranch. Of course, she’d known that was bound to happen. Even if he didn’t have official jurisdiction here, the BLM was a federal agency, and like any other brotherhood of the law. That didn’t make having him around any easier. Suddenly Reno was glad Austin was coming out. He could act as a buffer between her and Cade.
At a knock on the kitchen’s outside door, she hurried to let Austin in. “Morning, Sheriff. I’ve got your coffee waiting.”
“Appreciate it.” He smiled broadly at her, removing his hat. “And if you don’t mind my saying so, Reno, you’re looking lovely this morning. I’d say red’s your color.” He indicated the bright crimson, sleeveless Western shirt she wore.
“Thanks,” Reno said, pleased. She knew Austin liked her in red.
But then, so had Cade.
Reno shook off the thought. She barely had time for one man in her life, much less two.
And she sure didn’t need Cade messing with her head again.
CHAPTER THREE
“ARE YOU SURE you’ll be okay here, Dad?” Now that they were at Wild Horse Ranch, his father looked frail, if happy, sitting in the truck, his portable oxygen tank resting on the floorboards.
“Of course I will, son.” Matthew relaxed in the luxurious, upholstered seat of the Chevy pickup, leaning back against the headrest. “Don’t start sounding like your mother.” He smiled.
“I shouldn’t be long,” Cade said, strapping on his shoulder holster. The semiautomatic .45 pistol inside was loaded with nine rounds, and he had an extra clip in his pocket. “The keys are in the ignition, if you decide to turn on the air.” They’d parked in the shade of a canyon, and the morning was cool. “Here’s my cell phone if you need it. The reception up here can be sketchy, but—”
“Damn it, go on.” Matt waved him away. “I know how to work a cell phone.”
“All right.” Cade climbed out of the truck.
The sound of flowing water grew louder as he hiked closer to the Roaring Fork. There was a spot downstream a short way where the river pooled into a watering hole. According to Sam, the mustangs frequented the place, along with deer and elk. Picking his way through the sagebrush and scrub oak, Cade soon found it.
Sure enough, hoofprints lined the water’s edge. Fresh manure indicated the mustangs had watered here as recently as this morning, which surprised him, considering the scare the poachers had given the herd the night before. Apparently, the horses’ habits were deeply ingrained, and that could prove to be both good and bad. It would allow him to keep watch over them, but give the poachers equal opportunity to come back and find the mustangs easily.
Cade took his