Read Online Cowboy Behind the Badge by Delores Fossen - Free Book Online Page A

the babies back to her. “But I’m glad Rayanne was there to help.”
    Yes, without her, Tucker and she might be dead and the babies stolen.
    â€œLet’s go,” Tucker said, and he led her into the kitchen. “Move fast and stay low,” he added before he darted out into the rain to get into his truck.
    He backed it up and then pulled it close until the passenger’s side was almost right against the steps. He threw open the door and motioned for her to hurry.
    She did.
    Laine didn’t want to be out in the open any longer than necessary, for fear the gunman was watching them. The moment she was inside, Tucker took off. Not speeding, as Hague had done. But driving at a slow, cautious pace, probably because they didn’t have infant seats for the babies.
    Tucker kept watch, his gaze firing all around, and Laine slipped low down in the seat. Despite what was waiting for her inside, she was glad when the massive white house came into view.
    The place looked different. Bigger. And there were more barns and other outbuildings than she remembered. About thirty yards from the main house, another structure was going up.
    â€œCooper’s new place,” Tucker explained, following her gaze.
    It made sense that his brother would want his own house. After all, Cooper didn’t just have a wife now. He was also the father of a toddler boy. Yet another McKinnon male who would no doubt grow up to hate her and her family.
    Nope, she didn’t feel one bit welcome.
    â€œI’ll run background checks on all the construction crew working on Cooper’s house,” Tucker added.
    Good. Because it seemed an easy way for whoever was after them to get onto the grounds. They already had enough security issues without adding that to the mix.
    As Tucker had done at his place, he parked right next to the porch. Mary immediately threw open the door and helped them into the foyer. It’d been a while since Laine had seen the woman, but she hadn’t changed much, except she now had some threads of gray in her auburn hair.
    â€œThe diapers and formula will be here soon,” Mary said. The look she gave Laine was frosty, but that frost didn’t extend to the babies. Mary smiled and eased the newborn girl into her arms.
    Laine hadn’t realized just how much her arms were aching until Mary did that, but Laine still wanted to snatch the baby back. To protect both of them. Too bad she was shaking too much to do that. If Tucker hadn’t been holding on to her arm, her legs might have buckled.
    â€œThis way.” He took her into the adjoining living room and forced her to sit on a sofa. In the same motion, he pulled out his phone. “Colt,” he said, putting the call on speaker. “Please tell me the fake cops have made a full confession so I can arrest someone.”
    â€œNo confessions. In fact, they’ve both lawyered up, and the one in the hospital isn’t saying a word. But I did get something from the one we’re holding at the jail. His name isn’t Hacker. It’s Gene Buford. The guy had a record, so I got a match when I fingerprinted him. Anyway, he had three photos in his pocket. One was of Laine, and it looks like it was taken with a long-range camera at some kind of ranch.”
    â€œThe baby farm,” she said. She hadn’t seen anyone snap her photo, but there had no doubt been security cameras. “Is one of the other pictures of a blonde woman?”
    â€œYes. Thin face, short choppy hair.”
    Laine pulled in her breath. “That sounds like the woman who was killed behind my office.”
    â€œThat’s what I figured. It’s the third one that’s confusing me. It’s a picture of you, Tucker.”
    â€œTucker?” Laine repeated.
    She shook her head. Why did the men have a photo of him? There was no way they could have guessed she would have fled to his house. Heck, she hadn’t even known that was where