till Tuesday. Is everything okay?”
“Perfectly fine, Mrs. Kirkland.” Bennett crossed the street and jogged up to the other woman’s porch. “Do you have a phone number for Mrs. Nelson?”
“I’m afraid I don’t. She doesn’t use a cell phone and her sister recently moved. I don’t have the new number. Marcy may call and check in with me though.”
He handed Jan one of his cards. “If she does, would you have her call me? It’s important.”
She accepted the card. “Of course. And please tell your mother the quilting circle meeting moved to Wednesday night, if you don’t mind. I have half a dozen other ladies to phone. It would save me a call.”
“Absolutely.”
He flashed Jan a smile before heading back to the truck. Emilia was already in the passenger seat. Bennett got in and started the engine. He flipped the heat on high to ward off the chill before pulling away from the curb.
“What’s the game plan now, Emilia? This case isn’t going to wrap up tonight, and I don’t feel comfortable with you heading back home unprotected.”
“Actually, I don’t need to. I never unpacked from my trip to El Paso, so I have a suitcase of clothes in my car. I just need a laundry mat and a hotel.”
“You don’t need a hotel. You can stay on the ranch.”
“That’s a kind offer, Bennett, but I don’t want to put your family at risk—”
He raised a hand. “The ranch has a first-rate security system. It’s the safest place for you, Emilia.” Bennett flashed her a half-grin. “Besides, if you stay in a hotel, then I’ll have to keep watch over you by sleeping outside in my truck. Save this old man from a backache and agree to stay on the ranch.”
She laughed and lightly smacked him on the arm. “You aren’t old.”
“Tell that to my back.”
“Okay, okay. You win.” Emilia smiled. “I’ll stay on the ranch.”
“Good decision.” Bennett turned onto the country road toward home. His windshield wipers swiped at the rain. “Fair warning, my mom will convince you to help with Christmas decorating. Make sure you’re ready for a lot of holiday cheer. It’s—”
Glass shattered. Something whizzed past Bennett and thudded into the dash.
A bullet.
His heart jumped as his gaze shot to the side-view mirror. A large vehicle, driving without its lights on, was tailing them. Cold air rushed in through the destroyed rear window. It was too dark to make out the license plate. Another bullet slammed into Bennett’s truck.
Bennett swerved and hit the gas. “Get down, Emilia!”
She bent at the waist. Out of the corner of his eye, Bennett saw Emilia grab the radio to call in their location to dispatch. Smart woman. It allowed Bennett to focus on driving. He dodged and weaved, attempting to put some distance between them and the shooter. Rain made the road slick, and his tires hydroplaned. Bennett gripped the wheel, struggling to maintain control before they careened into the ditch. Prayers slid from his lips.
A roar came from behind them as the shooter got closer. Bullets pinged off the vehicle and more glass shattered.
Emilia cried out.
Four
Bennett paced the length of the emergency room. Emilia was inside being examined by the doctor. A bullet had grazed her arm, and the wound probably needed stitches.
Tonight had been a close call. Too close. Bennett mentally berated himself for letting down his guard, even for a moment. Emilia was his Achilles heel. He liked being with her. He’d missed her friendship, and while chatting on the way home, it’d been like old times when their conversation was light and easy. But that was no excuse. He had one responsibility: keeping Emilia safe.
Bennett didn’t have a personal life. No wife. No children. His job as a Texas Ranger was everything. If he failed…he didn’t have anything left.
Mistakes like tonight couldn’t happen again.
His cell phone buzzed and Bennett pulled it from his pocket. The name flashing across his screen was a familiar one. Randy King, the former sheriff. Bennett answered.
“What’s this I hear about you causing a ruckus?” Randy’s voice boomed over the line. Bennett envisioned the sheriff leaning back in his chair, a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. “I leave town for two weeks to visit my wife’s family for Thanksgiving, and you’re digging into old cases and questioning folks.”
Bennett wasn’t surprised to hear from Randy. The former sheriff was retired, but he kept his finger on the pulse of the town. His thirty-plus year career in Fulton County had left its mark,