Read Online The Lawman Meets His Bride by Meagan McKinney - Free Book Online Page B

every facet.
    She was not the type who scared easily, and Roger Ulrick’s threats about revoking her real-estate license angered her more than they intimidated her. He obviously considered himself pretty high and mighty. And maybe he was. But if she needed it, she had an “ace” to play, too—a crusty ace by the name of Hazel McCallum.
    The Matriarch of Mystery was also in the thick of Montana politics—one of the quiet power brokers behind the noisy political scene. She was the direct descendent of Jake McCallum, one of the state’s earliest pioneers. Thus, she could dial the governor’s personal telephone number day or night and be assured of his undivided attention. If Ulrick wanted to play chicken, Constance was sure she could make him blink first.
    Gradually her mood softened. It was the gorgeous morning that had a calming effect on her. White-gauze clouds dotted the sky, and even well before noon the winter morning felt like spring. Although the surrounding fields were still winter brown, it waseasy to imagine them brilliant with blue columbine and red Indian Paintbrush flowers.
    Every now and then her eyes flicked to the rear-view mirror. A gray sedan had been behind her for some time now, making no attempt to pass. She thought little of it—the road curved through hill country with few good opportunities to pass.
    When she figured that her cell phone was in range for clear conversation, she gave Hazel a call.
    “Lazy M ranch,” Hazel’s deep, throaty voice answered cheerfully. “Chief cook and bottle washer speaking.”
    “Hi, Hazel, it’s Connie.”
    “Morning, hon. How you doing?”
    “You won’t believe how I’m doing.”
    Briefly, Constance recounted the main points of her adventure since calling Hazel yesterday. While she spoke, her eyes cut to the rearview mirror. The gray sedan was still behind her.
    “Well, sakes and saints!” Hazel marveled when Constance fell silent. “That Quinn Loudon story was just on the news again this morning. But you weren’t mentioned. Matter fact, they said nothing about his taking a hostage.”
    “Thank God.”
    She didn’t need to tell Hazel the other big reason why she was so grateful—it had been humiliating enough when her former fiancé was arrested. She didn’t need to be publicly linked with yet another criminal.
    “Evidently Loudon’s still on the dodge,” Hazel added. “Or so the newscaster reported. And to think he’s in your Jeep. Do you have theft insurance?”
    “Mm-hmm,” she replied absently, feeling a bitguilty—she hadn’t even thought about that. She had worried more about Quinn Loudon than her stolen car. As much as she despised Ulrick, she had to admit he was right. She definitely was “sympathetic” toward Loudon.
    She frowned slightly when she checked the mirror again. The gray car stayed well back even though she’d slowed slightly, and on a straight stretch of road where it could easily pass.
    “The state trooper told me, last night, that the Feds would be impounding Loudon’s car and searching the Hupenbecker cabin immediately. I better drive up there later today—I’ve got the only key, which means they probably broke the lock. I’ll take a new one up there. No telling what kind of condition they left the place in.”
    “Hon? Would you mind picking me up before you go? I haven’t been up there since God was a boy. With the weather like this, it’d be nice to see the old creek and Jake’s bridge.”
    “Would I mind? I’d love to have you along,” Constance told her frankly. “Actually, I’m not too eager to go up there alone.”
    “I don’t wonder, poor thing. Just stop by when you’re ready. My afternoon is open.”
    Constance turned the phone off and put it back inside her purse. Two cars and a pickup passed her from behind. But the gray car held its precise distance behind her.
     
    “Hon, let them follow us,” Hazel scoffed.
    Constance wheeled the Ford through the stone gateposts of the Lazy M’s