High Country Hideout. Elle James

never would be.

      “That’s interesting.” Jo tilted her head. “A good-looking young man like you should already be settled with half a dozen children.”

      His jaw tightened. “The opportunity never came up.”

      “CW tells me you were in the army.”

      Angus’s entire body tensed. “Yes, ma’am.”

      “Were you deployed overseas?” Jo continued her interrogation.

      “Four times.”

      “Goodness. That would make it difficult to form a lasting relationship. Takes a special woman to marry a soldier and make it work.” She glanced across at Reggie. “A strong woman who can keep the fires burning on the home front. Reggie’s one of the most independent women I know. She can ride the range, round up cattle, muck stalls and still have time to read to Tad.”

      “Leave me out of this conversation,” Reggie muttered and turned to Angus. “And watch her. She’s an uncontrollable matchmaker.”

      “I am, and danged proud of it.” Jo set her fork on the table. “Angus, you want another one of those rolls?” She passed him the basket.

      Angus selected one and studied Jo Reinhardt. The woman obviously loved Reggie and wanted the best for her. She probably thought the young widow needed a new husband.

      Too bad she was barking up the wrong tree.

      His gaze shifted to Reggie. Her soft sandy-blond hair was drying, the curls springing up around her shoulders.

      A man would be lucky to have her as his wife. She wasn’t clingy or froufrou. Though she could ride and work animals like any other man, that was where the resemblance stopped. The way her sweater hugged her curves and her jeans caressed her hips, she was one hundred percent female.

      “Got a lot to do tomorrow.” CW’s words pulled Angus back to the table.

      The older man slathered his roll with butter. “Supposed to get down below freezing tonight. If the ground gets cold enough, that snow headed this way later this week will stick.” He glanced at Angus.

      Reggie nodded. “We need to get the rest of the cattle down from the upper pastures tomorrow.”

      Glad the conversation had shifted from him to the ranch, Angus took a bite of the smoked ham, enjoying the flavors.

      “You up for riding so soon?” CW’s gaze met Angus’s, making him wonder if Hank had told him the extent of his injuries.

      Angus swallowed. “Yes, sir.” He’d be damned if he showed a single ounce of weakness in front of Reggie. “It’s been a while since I saddled up, but I’m sure I can manage.”

      CW continued to stare at Angus for a moment longer and then his gaze dropped to the buttered roll in his hand. “Riding a horse is a lot like riding a bicycle. Once you learn, it’s easy to remember.”

      Angus hoped like hell CW was right. One thing he’d discovered in rehab was that, since his injury, he’d had to relearn everything to do with walking, running and riding a bicycle. Horseback riding would be an entirely different experience. He considered rising early to practice mounting without Reggie or CW standing around to witness his shame if it proved too difficult.

      “Gonna be a bunch of stars out tonight,” Jo said. “The weatherman reported there’ll be a meteor shower today and tomorrow.” She glanced at Reggie. “You used to love watching the meteor showers, Reggie.”

      “Really, Jo?” Reggie’s lips twisted. “Not in frigid temperatures. Now, if you don’t stop, you’ll run off our hired help.”

      “What?” Jo held her hands up. “All I said is that there’s a meteor shower gonna light up the sky. Tonight might be your only chance to view it.”

      Reggie finished her meal before everyone else and pushed back from the table. “If you will excuse me, I want to check on Jake’s leg before I call it a night.”

      Angus pushed his chair back and started to stand. “Let me.”

      Reggie shook her head. “I can get this myself. Please, don’t get up.”

      He waited until she’d slipped out the back door before he stood. “Need help with the dishes, Mrs. Jo?”

      “No, thank you, Angus.” Jo tilted her head toward the back door. “You go on out and help Ms. Reggie with that horse.”

      “Leave the kids alone, Mamma,” CW said. “I know a boy who would love a couple of your chocolate-chip cookies.”

      “Me!” Tad raised his hand. “I want some.”

      The boy’s delight at the cookies made Angus smile. To be so young and carefree that chocolate-chip cookies could make you happy was a gift. He slipped into his jacket and left through the back door, careful to let it close softly behind him. He thought about letting Ranger out for a walk, but didn’t want to frighten Reggie again. He’d let him out later.

      Reggie was nowhere to be seen, but a light from the barn glowed like a beacon, drawing Angus across the yard.

      Jo had been right about the sky being clear and the stars shining bright. Used to the big skies of West Texas, he did feel a little closer to the heavens in the higher altitude of the Rockies. And the air seemed cleaner, not dusty and dry like Texas.

      For a moment he stood still, inhaling the fresh mountain air, for the first time in a long time glad he was alive.

      Though Reggie hadn’t asked for help, as the new ranch hand he felt obligated to check in with her and make certain she hadn’t run into issues with the horse. And, based on his true job description, he was supposed to be keeping an eye on the owner and her family.

      He turned and headed for the barn.

      A scream rent the air, the sound coming from the direction of the barn.

      Angus kicked out his bad leg and ran as best he could to the structure looming in front of him. As he neared the door, a shadow moved to the east of the barn. At first Angus thought it might be Reggie, but it slipped out of sight and a horse whinnied nervously from inside the structure, the sound of hooves banging against wood drawing Angus toward the barn door.

      Had one of the animals broken out of a stall? Or worse, had Jake spooked again while Reggie had been in his stall? She could be lying at his feet, being beaten to death by flailing hooves.

      Angus ran in his lumbering gait for the door and flung it open to a darkened interior.

      “Reggie?” he called out, his pulse pounding so loud in his ears he was afraid he might not hear her response.

      Reaching inside the door, he felt for and tripped the light switch. Nothing happened. Earlier, he’d noticed a flashlight hanging in a charger on the wall by the door. He felt along the boards until his fingers gripped the handle of the flashlight and he yanked it from its cradle.

      Feeling as if he was taking far too long to check things out, he fumbled until he located the switch and turned it on.

      Light sliced through the darkness.

      Jake nickered worriedly and pawed at the boards of his stall.

      Angus crossed to him and touched a hand to his nose. “Shh, boy. Where’s Reggie?” He leaned over the gate and shined the light at the base of the horse’s hooves. Nothing moved. All that was there was fresh straw.

      The horse pressed his nose into Angus’s hand.

      “It’s okay, boy. I’ll find her.” Angus turned around and pointed the light toward the door he’d come through, and slowly shone the beam across the floor. Nothing moved in front of the stalls. The floor was clean except for loose hay and straw.

      As the beam slid toward the back of the barn it encountered a dark form lying in the shadows near the feed buckets he’d located earlier.

      His