Free High Desert Haven (The Shepherd's Heart) by Lynnette Bonner Page B

care of shortly.”
    “What about that situation we discussed at our last meeting?” asked Rod Signet, owner of a ranch of well over 20,000 acres. “Does the man’s wife know anything about our plans? Do you think he spoke to her before—” He glanced around the room at the uneasy faces. “Before his accident?”
    William hid a chuckle as several of the men stared downward, fidgeting nervously. At their last meeting the vote had been unanimous that it was time to deal with John Trent, who’d disagreed with their land-grabbing plan of action. The lily-livered yellow-bellies had been prepared to draw straws for the undesirable task, until he had volunteered, much to the relief of everyone.
    Yet now there was Nicki, a potential problem if John had spoken to her. All eyes turned toward his end of the table again. William swallowed. It fell to him to keep Nicki out of this. She’d soon be his if he played his cards right.
    He leaned forward, tenting his fingers with a smile that he knew would calm even the mother of a kidnapped child. “Gentlemen, she knows nothing, I assure you. The situation is well in control. She will not be a problem. In fact,” he grinned, “soon she will be my wife!”
    A murmur of relief swept the room, even as Roscoe Cox spoke. “See that it is, young man. I didn’t work my hindquarters off to get my fifty-five just so I could lose it when some do-gooder decided some of my plans weren’t exactly moral. Just remember: you don’t have nearly as much to lose as the rest of us if this goes sour.”
    William carefully kept his anger hidden. If he had fifty-five thousand acres, he wouldn’t trust someone else to save his land; he’d take matters into his own hands. But then he was a man of action, and most of these men had come into their money through inheritance, not hard work. He’d worked hard for anything he ever laid his hands on, and he didn’t plan to stop now.
    His eyes traveled to Tom. Well okay, there was that one time when he’d been tempted to lay his hands on what he hadn’t worked for, and look where it had gotten him. “You have my assurance, Mr. Cox. And since Conner works for Mrs. Trent, I will make sure to convey our displeasure with his rebellion myself.” His voice was even, not betraying any of his thoughts.
    Roland nodded. “We’ll make him wish he’d never bucked us!”
    “Good. Then we don’t have any more to discuss. I hereby propose that this meeting come to a close.”
    The motion was seconded and all the men filed somberly out of the room.

    Nicki sat up and heaved into the basin she had been keeping by her bed. She had caught some kind of flu bug and, for the last two weeks since the funeral, she had been sick off and on, and tired constantly. Sawyer, his chubby baby cheeks flushed with sleep, turned over with a little moan but did not wake.
    Easing herself out of bed, Nicki pressed one hand to the small of her back as she made her way to the stove to put on some water for tea. Picking up the basin and its gruesome contents, she headed outside…and almost stepped on a baby lying in the snow. She jerked to a halt. The baby had a knife protruding from its chest! Horror clawed at her throat, and she almost dropped the basin.
    ¡ Querido Jesús! A scream died in her throat before it had time to escape. The fear left her just as quickly as it had come, taking the strength from her legs.
    She sank to the ground, remembering William’s warning. “So, it has begun.” The “baby” was merely a bundle of burlap, shaped and tied with string to resemble a small child. The handle of a blade protruded from its chest, pinning a crudely written note there. Get off or pay . The message was clear.
    Nicki rushed back inside to check on Sawyer before she could make herself go out to the creek. The morning breeze chilled her as she rinsed the basin in the creek, but at least the sun was out. She splashed water on her face, trying to ease her trembling. Anger set in. If