“We’re trying to locate the owner of a vehicle,” Ellie said. “A big Hummer SUV. Any chance you happened to see a car like that passing through?”

“Nope, sure haven’t. And none of my guests have registered that kind of car.”

“If you see one, would you call my cell or the Diamond Bar Ranch?”

“Sure, be happy to.”

Ellie gave Nola her cell number. “Thanks, Nola.” She started for the door.

“You’re Kade Logan’s new girlfriend, right? Word gets around, and I saw you get out of his truck. That is some man you got there.”

Kade’s girlfriend. Ellie wasn’t sure how she felt about that. But Kade was definitely all man. “We’re umm . . . dating.” Not exactly, but the best she could come up with. “The two of us are just getting to know each other.”

Nola sighed. “If I were twenty years younger, I’d try to lasso that man myself. Be a hard man to tame, though.”

Ellie nodded. “You have no idea.”

She made her way along the street. Jonas Murray had stepped out of the store on an errand, but the sign on the door said he’d be back in fifteen minutes.

Ellie walked on down the sidewalk to Rocky Mountain Supply and spoke to Frances Tilman. Fran hadn’t seen a Hummer anywhere in the area, nor had any of the other people who worked in the building.

The day had warmed into the sixties. Ellie took off her jacket as she walked back to Murray’s. She found the door unlocked and Jonas behind the counter. She hadn’t seen him since their failed lunch date, but the look in his vivid blue eyes said his interest hadn’t waned.

“Hey, Ellie. I wasn’t sure you were still around. Maria comes in now. I guess she’s taken over kitchen duties.”

“That’s right. Mabel decided to stay with her family in Arizona.”

He took off his dark green grocer’s apron and came out from behind the checkout counter. His gaze slid over her, took in her stretch jeans and the sweater that curved over her full breasts.

“You’re looking great,” Jonas said. “Better than great. I really hoped you’d let me cook you supper, the way we talked about. The offer’s still open, if you’re interested. Give us a chance to catch up.”

“I’ve been busy. I still am. I just came in to ask if you or anyone in the store had seen one of those big Hummers in town or passing through on the road. It’s part of a sheriff’s investigation.”

One dark eyebrow went up. “That so?” It wasn’t a secret, and she figured she might get more cooperation if she mentioned law enforcement.