Carla Cassidy - Cowboy At Arms

The blond-haired, blue-eyed man was definitely getting beneath her defenses far more quickly than she could have ever imagined. For the next few minutes the conversation turned to her desire to move out of the motel.

“I’d really like to buy a house, but right now it just isn’t feasible,” she explained. “I did find two rentals in the paper this morning and I think I’m going to check them out before I go in to work tomorrow. I want to make a move out of that motel room soon.”

“I’d be glad to go with you to check them out,” he said. “You know, kick the foundation and check out the roof.”

“I wouldn’t want to take you away from your work here,” she replied, although she wouldn’t mind having a second pair of eyes to see any potential issues that might arise.

“Our work schedule here is fairly flexible. Cassie doesn’t care how many hours we work or when we work them, all she cares about is that the daily chores get done.”

“Then I’d love to have you tag along. I’m planning on heading out around eleven. I have to be at work at the café by two.”

“Then I’ll meet you at the motel at eleven,” he replied with an easy smile.

Trisha was slightly surprised by her pleasure at the idea of spending more time with him the next day. Things were definitely moving fast between them, but she wasn’t at all sure that she wanted them to slow down.

“Is it time to go fishing again?” Cooper asked as he popped up from his prone position and rubbed his eyes with the back of his fists.

Dusty laughed and sat up. “Yeah, I think maybe the fish are especially hungry by now.”

“Good, ’cause I ’specially want to catch a big fish,” Cooper replied.

“Before we go let me hit you with some sunscreen again,” Trisha said and pulled a tube of cream out of her purse.

Minutes later Cooper once again wore his life jacket and the three of them were back on the dock with fishing poles in hand. Trisha watched in amusement how Cooper imitated not only Dusty’s stance but his facial expressions and actions, as well.

There was definitely a little bit of hero worship going on. Did she worry that Dusty might break her son’s heart? Absolutely, but she also wouldn’t take this wonderful experience away from Cooper for the world.

As they waited for a bite, Cooper asked a hundred more questions. Did fish have ears? Did they play games in the water? Did Dusty like fish sticks? Did he like fish sticks with ketchup?

Dusty answered each and every question with thoughtful consideration. And then it happened... Cooper’s bobber took a dive. He squealed and vibrated with excitement as Dusty hurriedly set down his own pole and helped Cooper reel in his catch.

Cooper whooped and hollered until they had the tiny perch on the dock. “I catched a fish! I catched a fish!”

“You sure did,” Dusty replied and crouched down next to the dancing boy.

Cooper grabbed Dusty by the face and kissed him on the cheek. Trisha didn’t know who was more surprised, herself or Dusty. He looked up at her with a stunned expression and then quickly gazed back down at the flopping fish on the dock.

“Ah, it’s just a baby,” Cooper said with disappointment. “It wouldn’t even make one fish stick, so I guess we’d better put it back and let it grow bigger.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Trisha said.

“Now I wanna catch a bigger one,” Cooper said once the fish had been returned to the water and his hook was once again baited and ready.

For the next half an hour nobody got any bites and Cooper showed all indications of becoming bored. Trisha had been surprised by how attentive he’d been throughout the day, but now that focus had been lost.

A glance at her wristwatch let her know it was almost seven. She was surprised by how quickly the hours had flown by. She was just about to tell Dusty that it was probably time for them to head back to the motel when he ripped up his pole and his line went taut.

“You got a fish, Dusty?” Cooper asked excitedly.

“I think so.” Dusty began to reel in with effort. Trisha couldn’t help but notice how his biceps popped with his exertion. Sunlight danced in his hair and she wondered how those golden strands would feel against her fingers.

Get a grip, she told herself even as the memory of their kiss played provocatively in her head once again. They were still early in their courtship—or whatever they were doing together.

“Is it big, Dusty? Is it a big fish?” Cooper asked.

“I’ve changed my mind. I don’t think it’s a fish after all,” Dusty said with a frown. “It feels like I’m reeling in a tree branch or a big stick.” He continued to reel in a little more easily.

Ripples appeared in the water and suddenly something bobbed to the surface. Smooth and covered with algae, the object shot a wave of horror through her. Was it...was it really...?

“Trisha, take Cooper over to the blanket.” Dusty’s voice registered a terse alarm.

“But I wanna see the big stick,” Cooper protested.

“Come on, son,” she said and grabbed him by his shoulder. “You’ve seen plenty of sticks before.” She hurried him away from the dock.

It wasn’t until they were seated on the blanket that she fully processed what had been on the end of Dusty’s line...a human skull.

Chapter 5

“I’m sorry about the way the day ended,” Dusty said two and a half hours later when they were finally in his truck and headed back to the motel. Cooper was sound asleep in his car seat and the deep shadows of night had moved in.

“You don’t have to apologize,” she replied easily. “I’m sure you didn’t plan for this to happen.”

He grimaced. No, there was no way in hell he would plan to fish up a human skull from the depths of the pond. The horror of the unexpected catch still rose up in the back of his throat.

“Thank goodness Chief Bowie was already on the property,” Trisha said.

Dusty didn’t reply. He knew why Dillon had been at the ranch. He’d been conducting more interviews with the men. If the skull turned out to be the one missing from one of the skeletons, it would only make the lawman look more closely at the cowboys on the Holiday ranch. And Dusty couldn’t imagine that the skull didn’t belong to the skeleton from the burial site.

“I’m just glad Dillon spoke to me away from you and Cooper and removed the...uh...item before Cooper got a glimpse of it,” he finally said. “I’d hate to be responsible for him having nightmares.” He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, surprised by the surge of protectiveness that rose up inside him as he thought of the little boy.

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