Page 27 of Setup In Montana

As he turned on his blinker and began to slow, she looked out to see rolling hills with freshly snowcapped mountains in the distance. It made her a little nervous that wherever they were headed wasn’t all that far from Grass Range and the murder investigation going on there. But Max was probably on his way to the Crawford Ranch in the vehicle Dub had seen, anyway.

They didn’t go far down the road before she saw log structures ahead. Dub drove past the largest of the buildings, over a rise and down by a creek before stopping in front of a small log house.

“This is it,” he said, cutting the engine and reaching for her backpack from the king cab seat.

“This is the guesthouse?” she asked as she opened her door and got out. While smaller than the other house they’d passed, it was still larger than any guesthouse she’d ever seen. Not that she’d seen many. Most people around Dry Gulch might have a guest room—but not an entire house.

“Should we be here?” she whispered as they walked to the front door.

“Don’t worry, I keep an eye on the place for my friend’s family.” He grinned. “That’s why I know where the key is.” He stretched to reach behind a large moose antler hanging beside the door and produced the key. “They usually keep the place stocked and ready for guests. Let’s see.”

As Clancy stepped inside, she couldn’t help but stare. It was all beautifully furnished with leather furniture and thick, fluffy rugs. Dub picked up a remote and turned on the gas fireplace. It instantly burst into flame. Not that they needed it. The warmth of the place told her the house was obviously heated.

She realized that if it was heated, the water was probably hooked up as well. She spotted a bathroom down the hallway. Drawn to it, she glanced inside and almost drooled over the size of the glassed-in shower. She’d never stayed in any place this luxurious.

“Won’t Tanner know where you’ve gone?” she asked as she found Dub in the kitchen.

“He doesn’t know everything about me.”

“What about your father? I feel so bad about deceiving him.”

“Hey,” he said, stepping to her to lift her chin with a finger until their eyes met. “My father is one of the fairest men I know. He won’t think badly of you, because we are going to prove that you’re innocent. I’m not going to let you become another victim of this killer, okay?”

Looking into his eyes, she couldn’t help but smile. He’d told her long ago at the convenience store that if she gave him a chance, he’d surprise her. She was starting to realize that while he was a smooth-talking, good-looking cowboy, he wasn’t like others she’d known. He was nothing like her father.

“I’ll rustle up something to eat. You must be starved since we missed lunch, and now it’s suppertime.”

“I’d offer to help—”

“But you don’t cook.”

“But I can set a table and load a dishwasher.”

He grinned. “Then you’re my girl. I saw you admiring the accommodations. Help yourself to a shower. I’m willing to bet anything you desire will be in there including a heated floor and towels.” He must have seen her hesitate. “You can lock the door, but you have nothing to fear from me.”

“I know,” she said, making him chuckle.

“You don’t, but you will. Take as long a shower as you like. I know for a fact that they have unlimited hot water. I’ve stayed here before. I’ll have food ready when you get out.”

The thought of a hot shower after working in the barn earlier was too appealing to turn down. Once in the bathroom, she felt almost guilty as she locked the door. She turned on the shower and quickly shed the bulky clothing Dub had given her. Stripped down, she stepped under the hot spray and let out a sigh. Had it only been a couple days since she’d gotten that text about Esther’s murder from Sarah? It felt like a lifetime.

Dub was right about the bathroom being fully equipped with anything she needed, from shampoo and conditioner to bath gel and soft warm washcloths. She thought of the small shower in the trailer she’d been renting and wanted to pinch herself. Hurriedly, she reminded herself not to get too comfortable or complacent. She still had all the law enforcement officers in Montana looking for her.

Not to mention a killer.

Chapter Twelve

Max couldn’t believe it when he got the call from John Crawford. He’d been relieved and furious with Clancy for not letting him know she was all right. John had told him about the temporary bridge that they were putting in and said they could meet at his ranch.

He managed to cross the bridge, but John had bad news by the time he reached the house. Clancy had taken off yet again. This time she was on the run with John Crawford’s youngest son, Dub.

Max swore, dragging off his Stetson to rub the back of his neck. “I’m going to need the license plate number of the rig he’s driving so I can put out a BOLO on the truck.”

“Can you hold off on that?” John asked. “I know my son. I’m sure he’s trying to protect her. He’ll call me and I’ll advise him to contact you.”

“Good luck with that,” Tanner, the eldest son, piped up. “He’s got something for this…woman. Trust me, he isn’t going to listen. They say love is blind. Apparently, it makes you stupid too.”

“Why don’t you go see to the animals, son,” John said not unkindly, but with steel in his tone.