Colton Cowboy Jeopardy (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“Properly?” She bristled. How dare this cowboy come in and question her ability to care for her son? “Out. We are not your problem.” Her primary concern was whether or not he would become a problem for her. “All you have to do is forget you saw me.”

“As if.” He folded his arms over his chest.

Unless she went on the attack, there would be no budging him. She looked around and started to gather the items she’d brought in from her car, stuffing them into the diaper bag. Within a minute she could be out of here. But where could she stay without drawing notice?

“Mia, stop. Let’s assume you are out of her reach here. Have you sent the video to your father?”

She wanted to snap at him, this stranger who thought he knew her and was so sure he had all the answers. “Please leave me alone.” Contrary to Regina’s belief, Mia didn’t beg anyone for anything. “I don’t need you to solve this. I just need you to go.”

“I could take the video to the police for you.”

“Infidelity and sleeping around isn’t exactly a criminal offense.” Mia tugged at her hair. “She has the upper hand right now,” she added, her chest tight. “Just, just look.” She pulled out her phone and pulled up the text messages.

Having memorized the entire string of threats and pictures, she watched Jarvis’s face as he scrolled through. He stopped, eyes narrowed, and she assumed he’d found the first set of pictures.

First, at the restaurant her father had suggested for lunch, Regina was pouring red wine into two glasses, her showy wedding set obvious. The next picture was a sickeningly sweet selfie of Regina and Norton, cheek to cheek, glasses touching.

The text that followed posed a question regarding Norton’s medications and alcohol consumption.

“Is there an interaction risk?” Jarvis’s query confirmed her assessment of where he was in the sequence of messages.

“Upper hand,” she repeated. “There is a risk, but it’s low. She wouldn’t put an outright death threat against him in writing.”

He swore again, this time under his breath. “She certainly didn’t hesitate to threaten your son via text.”

“No, she didn’t. Knowing her, that means she has a plan to cover her tracks if it comes up.”

“So what’s your plan? You can’t hide here forever.”

She didn’t appreciate the challenge in his tone as he returned her phone. “Of course not.” She needed space to breathe and think and come up with a way to expose the woman who had, as of today, effectively shoved her out of the life she’d known. “I’ll think of something.”

She would find a way once she was sure her father and son wouldn’t pay the price. Her father had been her rock, her idol throughout her life. She hadn’t agreed with him on everything, particularly not his latest marriage, but they’d found a way to maintain their relationship. They weren’t as close as they’d once been, but close enough. For years, Regina had been undermining that relationship. Jealousy, selfishness... Her reasons didn’t matter. Mia knew she was wallowing out here, but she felt entitled to the time. Silas was safe. She could manage out here for a few days while she made up her mind how far and how soon to push back.

“If you could ignore us for a couple of days, I’ll be out of your hair.”

He stared at her for a long moment, then his gaze dropped to her son before cruising over the cramped cabin. “I can’t ignore you.” He settled his hat on his head. “I’ll pick up some supplies for you.”

“That’s not—”

His mouth flattened and a sharp head shake cut her off. “It’s necessary.” He walked to the door. “No one will know you’re here.”

“Thank you.”

He paused, halfway out the door. “My brother is a sergeant with the police department. If you decide you want his help, you’ll get it.”

“My pride isn’t worth risking my father’s life,” she replied.

His eyebrows flexed over those warm brown eyes again. “You really think she’d do it? Kill Norton?”

“No doubt in my mind. She’s gotten her way from the moment she married my dad, probably years before that, too.”

“All right. Relax. I’ll be back with some gear to make this doable.”

“Thanks,” she called after him.

There was no point wondering what lies Regina was spreading about why Mia didn’t make it home last night. Her father hadn’t called to check in, so she knew it had to be bad. And there was no point involving anyone, not even a police officer, until she could be sure the truth would be seen and believed.

Only when Regina was effectively discredited could Mia come out of hiding.