Chapter Four
The ranch ran smoothly with everything in order.
Needing to place some orders in San Antonio, Gage planned to meet some friends in law enforcement for lunch in the city just to shoot the breeze since he had a little extra time to kill that day.
Most of the property had been upgraded to handle at least two hundred cattle, even if Gage had no intention of adding more than fifty, which he had gotten at the auction.
Bill proved he was capable of handling the men he picked out.
After setting up the orders, he got a text from CJ to meet up at a bar and grille at the Market Square.
He parked his SUV in the parking garage across from the main entrance and walked toward the restaurant.
Two minutes into his walk, he sensed eyes on him.
Could it be one of the guys? They liked to goof around like any good-natured people, so he stepped to the side and took a peek.
What he didn’t expect was to have a small woman watching him over the top of her shades.
Yes, he was a handsome man, and women often took a couple of glances and even approached, but this was different.
She was different. Gage felt a shift in him that shook him to the core.
He even forgot to breathe for a second, catching himself with an unexpected gasp.
From across the street, she stared at him until his gaze fell hard on hers.
He had no idea why his heart suddenly started acting up.
It couldn’t have been because of the woman, he presumed.
Perhaps the heat had gotten to him, but since it was spring and only eleven, the sun hadn’t started baking yet.
He shook off the feeling in his chest and focused on her.
She blanched and pretended to be looking down at a large sign next to her.
Gage moved around to get closer to the woman in the blue tourist getup to get a better look and to test her motives.
She stole glances his way as if she was worried he was onto her.
Gage had never had someone trailing him, but he associated with a bunch of guys in law enforcement who had crazies willing to attack their families and friends, so he was bound to end up on the radar of some nutcase.
As he got closer, she moved away, but he was close enough to take in her beauty.
With slender curves and a head of shiny red hair that appeared natural, she was bringing out a side of him he hadn’t seen since his dad’s betrayal.
Lust shot through Gage’s veins as he imagined what happened once they finally met.
If she was genuinely stalking him, he had to say he was tempted to let her catch him.
His body craved hers in a way he never expected.
In fact, he made the choice to stalk her instead.
Psycho or not, he craved to see if she tasted as sinful as she looked.
Gage began following her around the Market Square, staying about ten feet back to surveil her.
He should be meeting with the guys right now, but he couldn’t seem to give himself a reason to head toward the restaurant.
Unfortunately, the choice was made for him.
She got away when a large crowd of drunk spring breakers exited the bar.
Yep, she was probably up to no good, but if he saw her again, he’d stop at nothing to get to the bottom of her surveillance of him, and her under the sheets.
Surrendering, he walked back to the cantina and stepped inside where Alex Savage and CJ Royce were sitting down.
“Ah, there you are. No job and still can’t show up on time.”
“Sorry, I got distracted,” he muttered, taking the seat that faced the front windows of the cantina.
CJ’s brows narrowed and lips twisted into a smirk as he repeated, “Distracted? Like a hot-chick distracted?”
“How old are you, sixteen?” Gage overreacted, giving the guys the answer they needed. Internally, Gage had felt a shift in him that resembled his need to drop law and move on to ranching. She sparked life into him with just a simple, light stalking.
“Ah, so it was a woman?” Alex laughed. He knew all about that, having had his heart taken by a woman that he almost lost.
“Fuck you both.” Gage grabbed the menu and grumbled as he looked for something light. His stomach suddenly didn’t feel settled. “I’m ready to order.” He set down his menu with both men looking at him expectantly. “What?”
“Well, who the hell is she? And did you get her number?”
“I have no clue who she is, and no, I didn’t get her number. I lost her in a fucking crowd of drunk shitheads.”
“Drunk at this time? Must be spring breakers.”
“Shit, if I didn’t have to go back in, I’d have a beer or two,” Savage added, sitting back in his chair. The waitress came over after the men put down their menus and took their orders.
“Damn, that’s all you’re getting?” CJ asked Gage after he only ordered a couple of steak tacos.
“You do realize that you need to eat more if you’re going to be working in the sun.” CJ snapped his fingers when he saw Gage wasn’t paying attention. He kept looking out the window. “I said you need to eat more.”
“I get it. I heard you the first time, but I’m not hungry. Besides, I’m not getting shit together for a while. The ranch is set up for the next round of cattle to arrive next week. So thanks for the advice.” Gage had bought more after the auction from a rancher who was selling off his property.
“I know what’s wrong with you. You’re looking for your stalker. I can’t wait to tell Willow about this. She’s been wondering if you were going to end up with the new DA.” Gage’s brows knit together at the idea. He’d had no desire to date someone in his old world.
“No way. I’ve no interest in Monica Santoyo.”
“Well, that’s clear now,” Savage chuckles, shaking his head. Alex and Willow had been dancing around each other until she was nearly killed. Now they are inseparable when he’s not working.
The waitress came back with our drinks. “Your food will be out in a minute, fellas.” She gave Gage a wink, then headed back to the kitchen.
“Hey, what is it? You got that smell going on or something? Are you testing some bull pheromones?” Alex teased his buddy, shaking his head and then taking a drink of his Coke.
“Fuck off. I can’t help that you’re a bunch of old bastards.” All three men were in their thirties, but Gage was the youngest.
“Well, you’re the retired one. So how’s your mama?”
“She’s good. She’s got a boyfriend. He’s the rancher down the road. He’d been eyeing her for the past ten years, but she wouldn’t give him the time of day after my father. She finally caved.”
“About time. Old Fred Willard has been pining for her for years.”
“I can’t believe it.” The guys erupted into a hearty chuckle.
The waitress came over with a large tray and passed out the plates for each of the guys. With Alex wearing his badge and CJ in uniform, they understood that more than likely they didn’t have much time before heading back in, so the service was quicker for them.
“Thanks for coming out, Gage. We know it’s a long drive in.” The food was piping hot when they brought it to the table, so the guys dug in.
Gage shrugged. “Well, I ain’t got a job at the moment, so I’ve got time to kill.” The guys talked about the job between bites. They all had no added drama to their days and enjoyed another twenty minutes before Alex’s phone rang loudly, interrupting the male bonding.
He doesn’t waste time being embarrassed, and just takes the call. “Savage.”
“We need you here at the office.”
“On my way.” He ended the call and tossed his napkin on his plate. “Sorry, guys, but I have to get out of here.” Alex reached for his wallet, but Gage stuck out his hand, stopping him.
“I’ve got this.”
Alex nodded after a moment, accepting without a fight. “Fine. I’ve got the next time.”
“Take care, Alex.” Both men said as he left the table. He waved them off and headed out to see what the problem was.
CJ stayed for another ten minutes when his phone went off. “Sorry, bud. I’ve got to go too. I’m still on duty for another four hours.”
“No problem, CJ. I’m going to finish up my food and head on back.” The men stood up, and CJ dropped the tip on the table.
“Don’t argue with me on that.” He smirked and walked away. Gage had loved hanging out with the guys. They had done it over the years as they worked on cases together. Gage stared out the window while chewing on a bite.
“Did you need anything, sir?”
Startled, he answered after he swallowed hard. “No, thanks. Just bring me the check, please.” He smiled up at her, hoping that his brash tone didn’t frighten the woman.
She returned the smile and said, “Sure thing, sir. Here you go.” The waitress set the bill on the table for him and started picking up the mess from the table. He slipped his card inside then waited for her to return with it.
In five minutes or less, he was out of the restaurant and searching for his missing woman. He knew that it was fruitless since she’d more than likely left, but the urge was something he couldn’t shake.
After twenty minutes more of looking around, he decided to head back home.
Gage lived just outside of Austin in Spring Water, which was still over a two-hour drive at this time of day.
He was about ten miles from home when he thought a stop at the local gas station for some beer would be a good idea, so he headed that way.