Colton Cowboy Jeopardy (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

She moved to turn out the lights and crawl into her bed when she saw the glint of keys on the table. He had left her his truck. Which meant he was crossing serious acreage on foot, in the dark. She dashed off a quick text message.

Let me know when you’re home safe.

The reply came back within a few seconds.

I’m safe. Go to sleep.

Suspicious, she went to the window. Sure enough, Jarvis was in his truck, the glow from his cell phone highlighting his handsome face.

Relieved that he wasn’t crossing the ranch alone in the dark, she went to bed without inviting him back inside. She curled into her sleeping bag, hoping to dream of Jarvis and his talented hands and mouth.

Chapter 6

Jarvis left Mia’s hideout in the soft gray before dawn. The landscape blurred as he jogged toward the warming hut where her car was hidden. This might have been the worst idea he’d ever had.

Second worst, if he counted that kiss.

No. No, that was all wrong. That kiss didn’t belong in a negative category of any kind. It had been the best kiss of his life and though he’d slept lightly, Mia had been the star of his dreams.

Kissing her was better in real life than any fantasy he’d had in college. No matter how he tried to scold himself for crossing that line, he didn’t regret it. Her big brown eyes had been glazed over with longing when he walked out, beautiful and tempting. He wasn’t sure where he’d found the willpower to sleep outside when he could’ve slept with her.

The most important factor, far more important than slaking his desire, was that he wanted to help her. And as long as she needed his help, he should probably keep his hands and his lips to himself. Neither of them needed more complications right now.

When he reached the old warming hut, he dug her car out from under the various layers hiding the vehicle, grateful when it started immediately. He was already second-guessing his plan to drive it to town later this morning, but it would definitely get him to work on time.

In his room, he showered and changed and started plowing through the day’s task list. As time for the false court appearance neared, Jarvis tracked down Asher and asked for a couple hours off for an errand in town. He also offered to bring anything back for the ranch.

Armed with a short list for a stop at the feedstore, he swapped his dusty T-shirt and boots for a button-down shirt, his good belt and a clean pair of boots. He headed out through the back gate, just to avoid anyone near the main house who might recognize Mia’s car.

The ten-mile drive into Mustang Valley was uneventful, not that he’d expected trouble. Regina had no reason to think Mia was on the Triple R. Jarvis parked behind the courthouse with thirty minutes to spare before the fake hearing, so he decided to drop in on his brother at the police station.

Spencer was just walking out and did a double take when he saw Jarvis. “Look who came home from the range.” He gave Jarvis a one-armed hug. “Bella and I were about to grab lunch down at Bubba’s Diner. She’ll be happy to see you.”

“I need to take a rain check,” Jarvis said. He suddenly didn’t know how to explain himself. He’d wanted to ask Spencer for advice, maybe cajole him into hanging around the courthouse for an hour or so. He had no idea what to do if he was right and Regina showed up with the intention of trapping Mia and Silas.

“A rain check?” Spencer froze. “What’s going on with you? Did you—” His cell phone rang from his pocket, cutting off the query. “It’s the US Marshals office. Let me take this.”

Jarvis was grateful for the reprieve. He wasn’t in the mood for another lecture on what Spencer and Bella called his delusions of cowboy glory. Without Mia’s permission, he couldn’t give any details about why he was in town. So he stood there, listening to his brother’s end of the call.

“No record at all?” Spencer scowled at the street in general while he listened. “What about the other name, Luella Smith?” A pause. “Yes, I know what witness protection means. And I’m sure you know what interagency cooperation means.”

Jarvis tried not to listen too closely while he watched for any sign of Regina.

His brother shook his head, frustration stamped on his face as he ended the call. He shoved his phone into his pocket. “Don’t repeat this,” he said, donning his sunglasses. “I’m working to verify what I suspect is a bogus line Micheline Anderson fed me.”

Jarvis recognized the name. Anderson had founded the Affirmation Alliance Group and transformed a ranch near town into a retreat with a self-help focus. Rumors were swelling that the AAG was actually a cult, bilking members out of their money instead of offering a beneficial service. So far Spencer hadn’t found anything definitive, but for Jarvis, his brother’s suspicions was more than enough confirmation.

Spencer nodded, his brow puckered over the sunglasses. “She’s doing all the right things and the group has been a big help in the community, especially after the earthquake. But I have a bad feeling.”

“Then something’s wrong,” Jarvis said. His brother’s instincts were as dependable as Boris, his chocolate Lab K-9 partner. “Did you learn anything helpful?” he asked.

Spencer knew Jarvis would never blab about anything. Though the parts of the conversation he’d overheard raised questions, he wouldn’t press. The triplets shared a unique and innate trust. One more reason why he felt awkward keeping Mia’s dilemma to himself.

“I hope so,” Spencer replied. “Time will tell. Positive thinking is great, but I still can’t make the pieces of the AAG fit together into a wholly legitimate business model.” He clapped Jarvis on the shoulder. “Come on. Bella will chew me out if I’m late, unless you distract her. Get her talking about wedding stuff.”

Jarvis chuckled. “Not this time. I have my own crazy to-do list today.”

Spencer eyed him with an expression Jarvis figured he’d learned at the police academy. “Asher sure is leaning on you.”