“So you thought you’d pin the murder on the Double Diamond boys.”
“They don’t deserve to be doing so well when they were nothing but a bunch of criminal kids. And the fact that one of them became a big Texas Ranger is just wrong.” He hit the steering wheel. “Just damn wrong. But we’ll see how tough Lincoln feels when they toss his ass in jail for Sam’s murder—and for yours.”
He took a turn too fast and she went sliding into the door. The sudden jarring movement made her head feel like it was going to explode. Her stomach heaved and she took several deep breaths to try to keep from throwing up. Of course, it wasn’t just the lump on her head that made her feel sick. It was the thought of dying . . . and the thought of Lincoln being framed for it. With Lincoln having a previous relationship with Sam . . . and her, there was a possibility that Willaby could frame him.
The sheriff took another turn, this one onto a bumpy dirt road. Dixie glanced out the window. She knew this road. She had driven it when she’d been looking for Boomer. They were on the Double Diamond ranch. The sheriff was probably going to kill her in the same place he’d buried Sam’s body.
Her boobs started to vibrate and she glanced down and saw the edge of her cellphone peeking out of her bra. It was like a miracle from heaven. She waited for the vibrating to stop before she leaned down behind the seat and slipped it out of her bra. Keeping the phone hidden, she straightened and quickly texted Lincoln. She kept it short and sweet.
Help! Sheriff killed Sam. He’s taken me to DD ranch. Hurry.
She sent it and then prayed that he would answer. The reply came only seconds later.
Where are you?
He wouldn’t know the road she found Boomer on, but he would know a close landmark.
Just off the road that leads to the turnoff to Rattlesnake Springs.
Only seconds later, he replied.
I’m coming, baby. Then a second later, he sent another message. I’m sorry I lied. I love you.”
Dixie stared at the last three words. And even though she was about to be killed, she couldn’t help the leap of joy that filled her heart. Lincoln loved her. He loved her.
She started to text back that she loved him too when the sheriff suddenly slammed on the brakes and she slid forward into the front seat and her phone got knocked from her hands. Before she could pick it up, the back door opened and the sheriff stood there pointing a gun at her.
“Get out.”
Dixie froze. Her time was up and she didn’t have a plan. No plan at all. Her legs felt like Jello as she got out and she had to grab the door to keep from falling.
“Head that way.” The sheriff pointed the gun to his left.
She heaved a little sigh of relief. He wasn’t just going to kill her right there. He probably wanted to take her some place where he could bury her without being seen. Like the group of mesquite trees up ahead. Which meant she had a little time. She started walking, praying for an opportunity to get away. It came only a few seconds later.
The sheriff stumbled behind her and Dixie didn’t hesitate. She whirled and punched him right in the throat before she brought down her arm on his hand that held the gun. He released the gun and it hit the ground. She grabbed it and pointed it directly at him. She was trembling inside, but her hand was steady and her voice didn’t quaver.
“Get on the ground and put your hands behind your back. Now!”
The sheriff held his throat and glared at her. “Or what?” he croaked.
“Or I’ll fill you with so many holes you’ll look like a pair of fishnet stockings.”
“No, you won’t. I worked with you long enough to know that you’re too afraid to shoot.” The sheriff made a grab for the gun and Dixie pulled the trigger.
He fell on the ground and grabbed his leg. “You shot me.”
She had. She’d shot him. Thankfully, she hadn’t killed him, but she’d definitely shot him.
“Nice shootin’.”
At the words, she whirled around to see a man sitting on a horse. The horse was lathered like he’d been ridden hard. She’d been so focused on the sheriff she hadn’t even heard the horse and rider approach. Since she didn’t know if the man was friend or foe, she kept a tight hold on the gun.
“Who are you and what are you doing on Double Diamond land?” she asked.
She couldn’t see his features clearly in the shadow of his cowboy hat, but she could see his bright smile. “Actually, this is my land. And I’m here because Chester and Lucas got a call from a freaked-out Texas Ranger who said he needed their help. I saddled up Doris and set out.”
A distant barking had her looking to see another rider coming over the ridge. It had to be Holden because Boomer raced along beside his galloping horse.
The man laughed. “You must be pretty important for Lincoln to call in the entire cavalry.” He pointed to the north. Two more riders came from the direction of the Gardener Ranch. She didn’t have to guess who they were.
Before she could get over the fact Lincoln had called all his friends to come rescue her, she heard a siren in the distance. Only a few moments later, Lincoln’s white Ford truck came barreling down the dirt road with lights flashing. Lincoln didn’t park behind the sheriff’s car. Instead, he drove straight toward her, flattening shrubs and bouncing over rocks. He came to a dust-spitting halt and hopped out of the truck.
She
