Colton Cowboy Jeopardy (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“We can’t take action before a crime occurs. Depending on the facts and situation, we might do some surveillance. Most people don’t go from zero to killer in one fast leap. We’d look for other signs of smaller trouble. Who are you worried about?”

Surveillance wouldn’t work in this situation. There was no way to keep an official eye on Mia and her son without her noticing. “All right. That is helpful.” Except it wasn’t.

He suddenly understood why Asher didn’t want to use his father as bait to draw out the person who’d shot Payne several months ago. He wouldn’t feel right putting Mia in a killer’s crosshairs and he’d just met her. Not to mention she would never take that kind of chance with her son.

“All right,” he said again.

“Are you in trouble?” Spencer asked.

It felt like it, though the trouble he sensed didn’t fall into a category his brother could deal with as a cop. “No one’s threatening me,” Jarvis replied. “I’m thinking it’ll blow over soon enough. If it doesn’t, I’ll let you know.”

“Do that.”

“Is it a crime to have an extramarital affair?”

“What the hell is going on with you?”

“Just answer the question,” Jarvis snapped. “Please.”

“Well, yes, technically it is a crime in the state of Arizona. We don’t make a habit out of hauling in offenders or tossing them in jail. We typically let the divorce lawyers deal with that stuff.”

“Good to know.” So Mia was wrong about that; Regina’s affair was a criminal offense. “I’ll see you soon,” Jarvis said, ending the call before his brother could ask more questions.

He hit a drive-through and downed a burger and fries, his mind set on finding a way to help her. He’d hope that if his sister was in trouble, someone would go the extra mile for her. And the baby. He couldn’t get the little guy out of his mind. The kid was so tiny. Vulnerable. Completely defenseless if someone wanted to make sure he didn’t wake up from a nap. Whether or not Regina really did intend to commit murder, Mia believed she was capable of doing so and that was all that mattered right now.

He considered calling Spencer back, but his brother would need solid evidence, not a chain of text messages. Jarvis didn’t care about the video proving Regina was unfaithful; he was more concerned with her threats to harm Silas and Norton.

Jarvis didn’t usually worry over the welfare of anyone other than his siblings. He sure wasn’t the ride-to-the-rescue type, yet here he was, charging in to help Mia. She was on his family’s land, whether or not his grandfather’s story held up. And if trouble followed her, he had to be ready for it.

Instead of driving up through the service entrance used by the Triple R crew and support staff, he circled around, looking for the road she must have taken to get to that warming hut. This end of the property wasn’t neglected, but it wasn’t well used right now, either. Mia had made a smart choice with her hiding spot, though she couldn’t stay indefinitely.

The light was all but gone, the first stars winking into view overhead, when he found where she’d turned off the paved road and onto Triple R land. The access road was only a single lane wide. Not a high-traffic area, even when they were grazing herds up this way.

He still didn’t understand how or why Mia even knew to come out here or that the shelter would be available. One of several questions he hoped to ask without spooking her when he dropped off these supplies.

His truck lumbered over the bumpy road, rutted from the last time they’d h

ad serious rain. When his headlights flashed off the window of her car nestled into a dip in the landscape, he breathed a sigh of relief. She’d stayed. That small act of trust filled him up, smoothing out the parched sections of his soul he largely ignored.

He turned off his lights as he came around to the front of the weathered shelter and then cut the engine. His heart sped up, anticipating another view of her lush curves and sultry gaze. Not that she aimed that specific gaze his way in an inviting manner, but it was enough to remember it was possible. And yeah, certain parts of him were really into the idea of winning one of those famously seductive looks from her.

He left the cab and moved around the front end of the truck to open the passenger door and take out the gear and groceries. “It’s Jarvis,” he called softly so his voice wouldn’t carry too far. “You can put down the stick.”

He heard movement and a low exhale. Relief? Disappointment? A soft light flicked on inside the hut and Mia stepped out, her body a mouthwateringly curvy silhouette.

She’d changed from the dress to form-fitting shorts and a loose shirt. But the sneakers on her feet told a tale. She was ready to run at a moment’s notice.

“How’s the little guy?” he asked, hoping to put her at ease.

“Snoozing again.” Her raspy voice and half smile made him wonder if he’d woken her up. “Come in,” she said. “I didn’t expect you to come back.”

Best not to take that personally. She was clearly rattled and convinced that those dearest to her were in danger. “If my sister was in trouble, I’d hope someone would have the decency to help her.” Did that sound as sappy to her as it did to him? “I brought bottled water, too,” he said, setting the supplies in his arms down on the worn floor. “Give me just a second.”

Walking back in with a pack of diapers stacked on top of the water bottles and the strap of the sleeping bag hooked around one finger, he saw her swiping a tear from her cheek.

“What is it? Did I get the wrong flavors?”

Those dark eyebrows flexed into a frown. “No, the snacks are perfect. Thanks.”