The Cowboy’s Protection (Naked Cowboys of Smoky Hill #6)
Chapter One
CHAPTER ONE
For a moment Doug Anderson thought he was dreaming. But his pounding heart and the cold wind whipping across his face reminded him he was wide awake. The moment he thought would never happen just had, and it seemed surreal.
“Doug? Are you there?”
“Yeah, Sheriff. I’m here. I…uh...I’m at a loss.”
“I know it must be hard to take in but you weren’t hearin’ things. We just now caught the real culprit.”
“How? Who is he? When did this happen?”
“We arrested him late last night. The guy’s name is Gary Hewitt. He was stopped for speedin’ and we found a rifle in his trunk. Damn if it didn’t come up as the weapon used in the hold up.”
“How can you be sure?”
“When the storekeeper grabbed it durin’ the struggle he left his prints and the gun was never wiped clean. Once Hewitt was told, we explained things would be easier for him if he cooperated and he gave us the whole story.”
“Damn…”
“Doug, it was just what you claimed. He stole your truck for the hold up, then put it back exactly where he found it. He was wearin’ a ski mask, but as you know the storekeeper described the truck and managed to get the plate number. It was just what Hewitt had planned, and it worked.”
“The storekeeper also said the guy’s eyes were brown, and mine are blue,” Doug exclaimed. “That should’ve been enough to believe me from the start.”
“Yeah, but that was the D.A.s decision, and, Doug, I’m real sorry about everything.”
“Sorry…” Doug repeated solemnly. “Sorry doesn’t return all the money I lost and the ranch I had. It doesn’t bring back the girl who walked away, the disdain of her family…and the bad feelings everyone in Danville has had about me. It’s my home town. I walk into the diner and people won’t even look at me.”
“I’ve already arranged for the local newspaper to run a front page story, and I’m personally going to make sure it’s on all the relevant websites. Everyone in and around this town and the nearby communities will know you’re an innocent man who was falsely accused. Anyway, I’m sure your lawyer will be in touch any minute so I’d better get off the phone. And if there’s anything you need, and I mean anything, just let me know.”
Just as the sheriff had predicted, Doug’s lawyer called moments later. But Doug kept it brief, then hurried into the house. Butch, the black German Shepherd belonging to Blake Coleman, the owner of the ranch, trotted along after him. Entering the kitchen, Doug grabbed a whisky bottle off the kitchen shelf, and with shaking hands poured it into a mug. As he sank into a chair and downed a large swallow, he was unable to hold back and dropped his face in his hands.
The nightmare had come to an end.
It had been almost a year of living in the shadow of a heinous crime he didn’t commit.
Butch suddenly barked, as if asking what was wrong. Slowly raising his head, Doug looked down at the big, smart dog.
“I’m okay, fella. I’ll get you a treat, just give me a—”
But before he could finish his phone chimed. Glancing at the screen he saw a number that seemed vaguely familiar, but not wanting to talk to anyone he let it go to voicemail. Quickly stepping across to the cabinet, he lifted a milk bone from the box and gave it to Butch. But the dog took it and dropped it on the floor.
“Okay,” Doug managed, letting out a breath as he sat on the floor next to him. “Here’s the deal. I just got some news, and it’s great news, but it doesn’t wipe away all the crap. I guess there’s nothin’ I can do except be relieved it’s over and try to figure out where to go from here.”
Butch immediately licked his face. Normally Doug would push him away, but leaning back against the cupboards he stroked the dog’s head.
“Thanks, fella. I’m glad you’re here. I’m not sure I could deal with any humans right now. Let’s go outside and visit Chief.”
Doug had owned his black and white paint going on fifteen years. When he’d lost his ranch, his close friend Blake Coleman had heard about it, and not only took in the horse, he’d offered Doug a job.
“Hey, I don’t believe for a minute you did what they’re sayin’, and I really need help. You’d be doin’ me a favor. There’s a small cabin in the adjacent field. It’s not much but it has electricity and water. We can fix it up and make it livable.”
Doug had gratefully accepted the offer. The ranch was almost two hours away from Danville, the town where he once lived. Far enough for him to hope no-one in the Smoky Hill area would know he’d been accused of armed robbery and assault. In the endless months that had passed, he’d only left the ranch when summoned back to Danville, or to meet with his lawyer.
“Come on, Butch,” he said, rising to his feet, “I want to give Chief the good news.”
Leaving the house he walked across the driveway to the paddock, silently saying a prayer of thanks. As if on cue, the cold wind died down, and the ominous clouds that had been threatening all day gave way to a bright sun. Pausing his step, he gazed up at the emerging blue sky, and the hint of a smile curled his lips.
He no longer had his ranch, but he had his life back.