“Look harder this time,” Logan saidgruffly.
The marshal frowned. “We did our job right on thelastone.”
“I’m not saying you didn’t, but maybe he made a mistakethistime.”
“Could be. Anyway, how’s she doing?” he asked as he noddedtowardKate.
“She needs some rest, but she’s going to be fine. One of your guys already looked her over,”Logansaid.
“If you need anything, you have my number. I don’t know what the arsonist’s endgame is, but he set this place up to burn to the ground. Bastard didn’t even let the horses out first. Whoever did this has absolutely no regardforlife.”
“Milton only cares about money. He’s got a greedy soul; you can see it in his eyes. I did my best to keep him away from Kate, but he came around yesterday trying to get her to sell. Hethreatenedher.”
“Did you go to the police?” the marshalasked.
“No. They couldn’t have done anything since it was a veiled threat. And even if he’d threatened her outright, what could they actually do about it?” Loganasked.
“Notmuch.”
“Right. Until the guy kills someone, that’s going to be theirresponse.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” The marshal tipped his hat, then set out to gather uphismen.
After they’d left, Mack, Brady, and Hankwalkedover.
“Which one of you was on watch?” Loganasked.
“I was,” Mack said. “I didn’t see a damn thing. Went off to take a leak and the next thing I know, all hell’s breakingloose.”
“How could you let her run into a burning barn?” Loganasked.
“I was on the other side of it. I didn’t see hergoin.”
“It’s not his fault,” Kate said as she stirred inhisarms.
“I know. I’m just pissed right now.” Logan’s bear clawed at his ribcage. He wanted out. He wantedvengeance.
“The sun’s coming up. I doubt Milton will come back today. She needs to get some sleep,”Hanksaid.
Logan glanced at the sky. Pale blue light washed in from the east. The sun hadn’t crested the mountains yet, but it wouldn’t take long. Hank was right. He needed to get her out ofthecold.
“I’ll watch over her today. I want someone on patrol at all times,”Logansaid.
“I’ll go talk to the other ranchers nearby and warn them,”Bradysaid.
“I’ll come over with Madison in a bit and bring you some breakfast,”Macksaid.
“Where’s Drew and Cody?” Loganasked.
“I sent them out to make sure none of the fences had been cut,”Macksaid.
“Goodidea.”
“That’s what we do, look out for each other,” Mack said. “Now you better get her inside before she catchesacold.”
While his brothers headed back to the Curvy Bear Ranch, Logan stood up and lifted Kate into his arms. As he carried her into the house, she wound her arms around his neck. He didn’t set her down until he’d reached thebedroom.
“It’s freezing in here,” she said with ashiver.
