Free Rancher Rescue by Barb Han Page A

Noah’s suitcase? She could have removed part of the lining and tucked a file inside.
    Katherine dug around until she located the small Spider-Man suitcase Noah had had in his hand when she’d met up with them. That and the rabbit he’d tucked under his arm were all the possessions he’d brought.
    The Spider-Man suitcase had several pockets with zippers. Katherine checked them first. Empty. The lining was a bit more difficult to rip open but she managed without calling for help. Sorry, buddy. She hated to destroy his favorite bag.
    Nothing there, either. Katherine tore apart the seams.
    Zero.
    The clock ticked. The men would expect her to produce the file soon. She had nothing to give them and still no idea what it was she was looking for. Damn.
    When she returned to the living room, Caleb stood sentinel.
    “No luck,” she said. “She might’ve sent it over email.”
    Katherine dug around in the back of her coat closet to find her old laptop. She held it up. “This might still work.”
    “Your sister brought Noah to you. He was the person she most prized. Have you thought she might not have involved you because she was trying to shelter you both?”
    Katherine hadn’t considered Leann might be protecting her. It softened the blow. “We’ll see.”
    A soft knock at the door kicked up Katherine’s pulse.
    Caleb checked through the peephole. His expression darkened. His brow arched. “Gray-haired woman. Looks to be in her mid-sixties, carrying a white puff ball.”
    “Does she look angry?”
    “More like sour.”
    “Annabelle Ranker. She’s my landlady, and that’s her dog, Max. Big bark, no bite for the both of them.” Katherine got to her feet and his strong arm was around her before she could ask for help to walk.
    Caleb cracked the door open. Ms. Ranker cocked her eyebrow and looked him up and down. An approving smile quirked the corners of her lips. When Caleb didn’t invite her in, the skeptical glare quickly returned.
    No doubt, the bandages and blood wouldn’t go unnoticed. Nor would the fact Katherine was gripping her old laptop as though it was fine crystal.
    “Are you all right?” Her gaze traveled to Katherine’s hurt foot.
    “I’m fine. Got into some trouble in the woods. Turns out I’m not a nature girl. Caleb owns a nearby ranch where we visited the pumpkin patch yesterday.”
    “That’s right. You said you were taking Noah out of the city for the day.”
    “We got lost in the woods. Caleb found us and helped me home.” Katherine could feel heat rising up her neck. No one would ever accuse her of being a good liar. She’d kept her story as close to the truth as she could so her whole face wouldn’t turn beet-red.
    Ms. Ranker seemed reassured by the answer. “I wanted to check on you and the little boy. Where’s Noah?”
    Katherine swallowed a sob. She couldn’t afford to show any emotion or to invite unwanted questions. “I’m sorry. He couldn’t sleep...nightmares. We were...playing army most of the night. I’ve been trying to keep him busy since his mother...” Katherine diverted her eyes.
    “Such a shame.” Ms. Ranker shook her head, obviously moved by Leann’s passing. “Is he home? I’d be happy to take him off your hands while you rest that foot.”
    “He’s napping. Tuckered out from our adventure,” she said quickly. A little too quickly.
    The answer seemed to appease the landlady. She nodded her understanding. “I almost forgot. A package came for you while you were out. I went ahead and signed for it since you didn’t answer.”
    Katherine had scarcely paid attention to the FedEx envelope Ms. Ranker held in one hand. Her other arm pressed her prized six-year-old Havenese, Max, to her chest.
    “For me?” Katherine asked, lowering her gaze to the fur ball on Ms. Ranker’s arm. “Hey, big guy.”
    She patted his head, stopping short of inviting them in; Ms. Ranker’s arched brow said she noticed. Last thing Katherine needed was a long conversation.