The Cowboy’s Justice (Naked Cowboys of Smoky Hill #4)

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

Though William hadn’t been able to find a large, grey suitcase he didn’t care and had barely looked. He knew when he returned to Portia’s bedroom she’d be in no condition to pack anything. She’d be perched on the edge of her bed slightly dazed, or perhaps even stretched out and half asleep. Talking to her softly, he’d caress her curves, slowly remove her clothes, then strip off as he admired her nakedness. Coercing her into sex would be easy, and with his cock already stiffening at the thought he marched into her room. To his shock he found it empty and her coffee mug was on the nightstand.

Striding across the room and finding it half empty, a ripple of confused panic moved through his body. She should be lying on the bed totally out of it. Suddenly thinking she might be in her bathroom he hurried to the door and tried the handle, but it was locked.

“Portia!” he yelled, banging his fist against the hard wood. “Wake up.”

He paused to listen.

There wasn’t a sound.

Convinced she was passed out on the floor, he ran from the bedroom, moved out onto the terrace and around the side of the house. Striding past the pool and turning the corner, he moved quickly to the bathroom window. Though it was high, he was tall enough to peer through.

“What the fuck?” he muttered, a deep frown creasing his brow.

There was no sign of Portia, and looking across to the door he could see the locking button had been pushed in.

His mind began to race.

Something was wrong.

Something was horribly wrong.

He’d been in the garage so he knew she hadn’t left in one of the cars, and if someone had picked her up he would have heard them.

Could she have left by foot?

Bolting along the side of the house as fast as his long legs would carry him, he raced through the gates and down the drive. There was no sign of her or anyone else, though there were woods directly across the road. But she had swallowed half the cup of coffee and would be virtually incapacitated. Jerking his phone from his pocket he stared at the screen, wondering if he should call.

“Fuck. It can’t do any harm.”

* * *

In spite of the circumstances Portia was loving her impromptu ride on Marge. In the first few minutes Devlin had told her to hold the reins, but lightly, and if she felt out of balance to hold onto the saddle horn. Jethro and Jezebel ran beside them, and when they sometimes headed off to follow a scent Devlin would call and they’d come right back. As they turned down the track that took them across the hill and looked over the ranches, Devlin told her about each of her neighbors.

“When I was ridin’ to your place I was thinkin’ how crazy it was that my buddies had to rescue their ladies. Now here I am doin’ the same thing.”

“Really? I’m your lady?” Portia asked with a grin. “Does that mean I’m forgiven for hitting your truck on the freeway?”

“Not yet, you’re not, and as to bein’ my lady, that would mean I’m your man, and if I was your man you’d be ridin’ that mare on a sore backside.”

“What did you just say?” she shot back as her heart skipped. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“That’s what you need after that stunt you pulled on that packed highway, a good spankin’, and if we were a couple that’s what you’d get.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“As a rattler! But regardless, it sure is strange how you’ve landed in my life and the next thing I know there’s some jerk out to hurt you. What’s the story with him?”

“What do you mean?”

“How well do you know him. Why is he here with you? And why did he spike your coffee?”

“I honestly have no idea, but hold on, that’s my phone,” she muttered, lifting it from her pocket. “Oh, crap, it’s him. What should I do?”

“Let it go to voicemail and see what he says.”

“Should we call Sheriff Cooper?”

“I want to talk to you first and get an idea of what’s goin’ on. Don’t get me wrong, the sheriff’s a great guy, but I might be better off dealin’ with William myself. He’s a slick lawyer. He’ll probably have all kinds of ways to mess with a country sheriff. Now tell me, what’s the deal with you two?”

“There is no deal. He’s my attorney.”

“What’s he doin’ here?”

“He has some paperwork I have to sign and he needed to explain some things. I didn’t want to go back to Dallas so he invited himself down for the week.”

“Huh. Well, you can’t be alone with him again, and I’m bettin’ he’ll be comin’ to the ranch lookin’ for you. But I have another question. Why did you decide to build a home out here? Surely you have a life in Dallas.”

“That’s a story for another time. Do you mind?”

“Nope, not at all,” he replied as they started to make their way down the trail to his ranch. “As soon as we get there go straight into my house. I’ll let you into the cabin later.”

“Do you think William will show up?”

“I have no idea, but I’m playin’ it safe in case he does.”

“What about the coffee in the water bottle?”

“You leave that to me.”