“I think sooner is better,” Molly said. “He’s starting to scare me. I don’t want to stay here any longer than I have to. Come to the house tomorrow and get him out of here. I may not get into the safe in one try, but having more time will help—even if it just helps me eliminate wrong ways to get that floorboard up.”

“Can you handle the combination?”

“I’ve practiced, like you told me, on the safe in his office.”

Wyatt thought of those account books they’d found in the office safe. He’d been going through them when he could stay awake, but tonight his head almost buzzed with fatigue.

“I’ve got it figured out now. I hope.”

Nodding, Wyatt touched her shoulder. “If he ever lays a hand on you, I will protect you. Even if that means we don’t prove he committed a crime, and we both get kicked out.”

“Agreed. If for any reason he fires you, I’m going too. I won’t stay here without you.”

He hesitated. His hand tightened on her arm. He wanted to talk to her of the future. Talk to her about staying at the RHR as his wife. Kiss her again. Wake up with her again.

It was all so impossible when he was in her room in the night. He didn’t dare begin anything until they could see each other in an open and honorable way. He’d be as guilty of mistreating a fine woman as Hawkins.

Well, maybe not that bad. At least his intentions were honorable and, he hoped, welcome.

So far, Wyatt had been able to keep his mouth shut and his hands away from her. But every night it was harder. Every day it worked on his mind as he cleaned the barns and herded cattle. Ordered the men around and put the ranch to rights.

He’d been up most of the night last night combing through account books. Tonight he had to sleep. As he went to the pantry, he listened to that layabout Hawkins snore, that man who preyed on women in his employ, and wondered if he’d even be able to sleep.

A possible murderer overhead.

A beautiful woman next door.

A few thousand underweight cattle who needed help to survive the winter.

Worry circled in his head, but he’d been up all last night and the night before. Worry chased him into sleep.

Fifteen

They rode hard all night.

The sun broke over the eastern sky, and Cheyenne, near to falling asleep on her horse, knew they’d make it.

They hadn’t followed the main trail, which would have taken them to Casper.

Cheyenne wanted to stay well clear of it. Her riding into Casper wouldn’t matter much, nor Falcon, that could all be explained somehow.