bar and sat beside Maisie on the stool. “What do you have so far?”
Maisie took the piece of paper from her pocket. For the first time, she didn’t feel foolish for not having a business plan like Clara would. She handed Megan her drawing. “I’ve got the décor.”
“Wow,” Megan said, awe in her voice. “Maybe you could make this a monthly thing at the brewery. Or even host wedding receptions and things like that.” Her gaze met Maisie’s. “This is really beautiful, Maisie. Truly.”
Maisie’s heart swelled a hundred sizes bigger. “Thanks.” And for the first time, she felt like she was finally getting something right.
Hayes pushed away the documents on his desk and cursed. The case was going nowhere, and the day had already been long, even though it was only midafternoon. He’d continued to watch the surveillance videos from every angle the amusement park offered up, but he’d hit dead end after dead end. Hayes doubted the theft was by chance. Even though he spotted the guy who broke into his truck, dressed in a dark hoody, the thief clearly knew where the security cameras were and avoided being recognized. He also hadn’t slowly walked up the truck. He strode toward it with purpose, and had gotten inside fast, signifying to Hayes he already knew the truck and trailer were there. That he’d already scoped it out, meaning he had to have already been at the amusement park. Hayes stayed on this footage, watching every single person who came to the amusement park, feeling like the clue he needed to find another way to identify the criminal was right there. Hayes studied the lanky guy’s mannerisms. He had a subtle limp in his right leg. While Detective Stewart had seen this video too, Hayes still felt compelled to stay there to watch.
On top of that, thoughts of Maisie kept distracting him. He felt edgy, restless…uncomfortable. For a long time, she’d made all that go away. Determined to take the break he needed, and after a quick call to Nash’s brother, Shep Blackshaw, Hayes texted Maisie: Can you meet me at Blackshaw Cattle Guest Ranch?
What time?
An hour.
See ya there.
Wear jeans.
This sounds very PG rated.
Hayes chuckled. Will you be disappointed if it is?
I’ll let you know when I get there. See you soonish.
Hayes heaved a long sigh down at the papers strewn out on his desk. The answer was right there in front of him. He could nearly taste it. Frustrated, he checked his email once more, but Neil hadn’t sent anything along to indicate he was any further ahead in the investigation. The bigger problem? Time was running out. His father was being lenient by letting Hayes work this case. If nothing developed soon, the case would be considered cold and shoved aside. Hayes couldn’t allow that to happen. He needed this solved. For Maisie.
He left the station and drove the twenty minutes to the cattle ranch. When he arrived at the big gates, he headed past the wrought iron sign that read: BLACKSHAW CATTLE CO. AND GUEST RANCH. For years, the Blackshaw family had owned the largest cattle ranch in Colorado, but when their company faced hardship after Nash’s father died, they’d turned business into a working dude ranch. They’d found success there.
Hayes worked his way up the long driveway with mature evergreen trees hugging the lane. The narrow path soon opened to the guest ranch. Straight ahead was a stone farmhouse, where Nash grew up with his older brothers. On the right were twelve log cabins where the guests from the dude ranch stayed. In the middle was a large limestone fire pit and Adirondack chairs.
As he slowed his rental truck, he spotted Shep, Nash’s older brother, exiting the barn with two tacked up horses at his side. His eyes were a silvery blue, his hair dark brown, and there was nothing fancy about him. He was a homegrown country man, with a dark-brown cowboy hat, plaid button-down, worn blue jeans, and scuffed brown boots. Hayes quickly parked and got out of his truck. “Can’t tell you how much I appreciate this,” Hayes said by way of greeting. He needed a ride. The freedom. The quiet. And the dude ranch had well-trained horses.
Shep gave an easy smile. “It’s not a problem. These two could use a good ride out anyway.” He offered Hayes the reins. “Tie ’em back up at the corral when you’re done. Some of the boys are out on a ride with our newest guests.