Free Searching For Love (Contemporary Cowboy Romance) (Carson Hill Ranch series: Book 2) by Amelia Rose

couldn’t help but think had less to do with talking herself out and more to do with a heavy weight pressing down on her.
    “Then you know I do need you on this trip, and I don’t just mean for the driving. We’re walking straight into the lion’s mouth on this, what with Mack possibly hiding out somewhere on the ranch.”
    Amy went into full-on investigative mode without even realizing it. “Do you have any idea of why he’d be out there for revenge? What prompted him to start shooting up the place?”
    Carey told Amy the long story of two of Mack’s girls showing up on the ranch and seeking shelter. He even told her where the girls were at that moment, how far from the property they would be, who knew about their whereabouts, and such. Amy nodded as Carey talked, taking it all in.
    “So your dad just gave them a cabin to stay in, and hired a counselor to look after them? He’s either a saint or he has an interest in getting those girls away from Mack for some reason.”
    Carey bristled slightly, not sure what Amy meant but had the impression that she insinuated Bernard’s involvement went beyond just helping out. “What are you saying about my dad, exactly?”
    “I’m saying he’s putting himself and his entire family and staff at risk by taking in two females with a history of drug addiction and criminal activity. And judging by the very circumstances we’re speeding into, I’d say he either didn’t know the full extent of his actions, or he had a reason to act in the first place.”
    Carey chewed that over thoughtfully, fighting the urge to let his anger boil up at the callous way Amy assessed people she’d never even met. “You’ve met my father, even if it was only for a few minutes at a time. There’s not an evil, hard-hearted bone in his body. Two pitiful, frightened girls—still practically kids—showed up on his doorstep after having walked almost forty miles to warn his family of a threat, and he gave them food, shelter, and assistance. I don’t want to meet the man who wouldn’t do exactly the same thing.”
    Amy was quiet, staring out the window as she thought about Carey’s reaction. True, she didn’t know his father at all, and true, she might have let her work get in the way of seeing someone’s basic human kindness. Had her years as a cop and her struggles to fit in with some of the more aggressive, streetwise officers really made her so jaded that she couldn’t believe an elderly man might do something kind for two strung out, teenaged runaways?
    “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound judgmental, and I certainly didn’t mean to imply that your dad was anything but an honest, caring person. It’s easy to see where you get your sensitive side.” Amy smiled genuinely and waited, not pressing the issue after upsetting Carey so much. He paused before answering her, but finally spoke.
    “I’m sorry, too. I guess I just got really defensive. And I can admit that the whole thing might look suspicious to an outsider, but you’d just have to know my dad the way I do. He would rather die than turn someone away, especially someone in so much need.” Carey looked a little relieved to hear her explanation, but was still on edge at where the conversation had gone. That’s why Casey’s so good in these situations , he thought, wishing, once again, that his older brother was there to handle all of these things. He’s better at being…diplomatic…and boy, could I use someone who can take charge right now.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

C hapter Eight
     
    “Anders? Anders, please answer…” Bernard called again into the small handheld unit. It had been three hours since he’d last heard anything from Carson Hill Ranch. Both of his foremen paced around the small living space of the RV, their faces creased with worry as they tried to avoid bumping into each other as they paced. Terry bit nervously at a