Free High Mountain Drifter by Jillian Hart Page B

She blew out a sigh, checking over her shoulder. Yep, Lawrence stood there, rain drenched.
    "What are you doing over here?" He nodded once in the direction of the church. "Shouldn't you be in there picking out a pew with your sisters?"
    "They are the reason I'm here." She tossed her head and droplets fell off her hood. "Have you made any progress tracking Ernest?"
    "I picked up what I thought was his trail in the woods about a mile behind your house, up near the snowline." Grim, the corners of his mouth pulled downward, etching deep lines into his lean cheeks. He'd shaved this morning and the clean line of his jaw looked as invincible as the man. "Must have been him or his accomplice because it led me here. Tracks stop. He disappeared here."
    He pointed to the ground beside her. Two boot prints had filled with water, standing just behind the limbs of an evergreen tree at the edge of the church's property. Had it been Ernest? Whoever it was, her stomach twisted into a knot. She knew he hadn't gone far.
    "You were up on the mountain this morning." She glanced around the street. Muddy, with deep wagon ruts filled with water. A family was down a ways, huddled in their wagon, pulled by a big, gray-muzzled draft horse, heading toward church. Across the street were homes, some windows dark, some golden with lamplight. An icy wind breezed against her and she shivered. "You must be an early riser."
    "I worked all night." Muscles bunched along his jaw line. "That's when he's your greatest threat. He's attacked twice at night. Now, he might change things next time, but he'd be too recognizable during the day, at least around the ranch. His best chance of grabbing you is when you are vulnerable, when every one of your sisters isn't keeping a sharp eye out for him."
    "Right, because at night they'd be asleep, like last time," she finished. That's what she believed too. It's why she'd been able to talk her sisters into daytime outings to the store and church. "What about you? When are you going to get some rest?"
    "I'll grab a few hours' sleep after you're home from church." His gaze scanned the churchyard and beyond, methodically watching, searching faces, on alert. "I've got an advantage this time of year with the rain. With the ground soggy, it's tough not to leave a footprint. Craddock wasn't expecting me. Something tells me he's keeping an eye on the sheriff, or his accomplice is. That helps him stay ahead of the previous searches. Not this time."
    "But if he sees you coming, if he knows you’re here, won't that give him the advantage again?" Her stomach knotted tighter, and she could feel Ernest, as if he was so close he could reach out and touch her. She whirled around but she saw nothing.
    "It doesn't matter. I'll get him anyway. He won't know what to expect from me." Matter-of-fact, as if he were discussing the weather. "When I'm done here, I'll head out and follow his back trail. See if I can't find where he's hiding out."
    "If you do, then maybe this will be over quickly." Relief surged out of her, roaring like an ocean wave, buckling her knees. She reached out with her free hand and he was there, his hand wrapping around her elbow, keeping her from falling. The zap of sensation from his touch jolted down her arm, straight to her heart. Heat from his fingers pressed through the fabric of her coat and dress, scorching her skin like a brand. Her pulse kicked frantically, thumping erratically in her veins.
    "There's no telling how long this will take." He released her, watching her to make sure she stayed standing. "It's a process. I root him out. If I can't make a capture then, I force him out of his comfort zone. Take away his control. His home, his associates, his safe ground. I take it all away until he's run out of every contingency. He'll make a mistake, and I'll take advantage of that. I will win."
    He seemed absolutely positive. Verbena took some comfort in that as she tried to stay balanced on her wobbly knees. Her arm