Ren shook his head. “I’ve got a painting in my office that’s looked like that for ages. Putting it straight isn’t a priority,” he added with a grin.
“Come on up and I’ll loan you a pair of pj’s,” Paul offered. “I don’t guess you took time to pack anything.”
“Nothing,” Ren agreed. “I went straight to the airport the minute Randall told me Meredith was in the hospital.”
One glance at his rigid features was enough to make them understand how he’d felt. He still had anguish in his eyes.
“Let’s go up,” Paul said. “Rogers and Barton will keep watch.”
Ren followed the couple up the long winding staircase. “The dog was Meredith’s, wasn’t it?” Ren asked. “The one in the painting downstairs.”
“Yes,” Sari said. She paused and turned. “She told you?”
He nodded. “No one has ever hurt an animal on my place. We had a new hire who beat a horse. He could barely get to his truck when I got through with him. I had him arrested and I pressed charges for animal cruelty.” He shook his head. “Never understood how anyone could hurt a helpless animal.”
Sari just smiled. Apparently her baby sister had picked a winner. Unless it was just guilt that had brought Ren all the way from Wyoming in such a rush that he didn’t even stop to pack a suitcase. She admired that haste in him. It proved that whatever he felt for her sister, it was strong.
*
REN HADN’T EXPECTED to sleep, but he did. The bed they gave him was a king-size one, in a bedroom twice the size of the one he slept in at Skyhorn. He was so tired that he probably wouldn’t have minded a twin bed that his feet hung off of. He’d often slept on the ground in Iraq, using a rock for a pillow.
He woke at daylight. He was used to early hours on the ranch. After a quick shower, he phoned Willis to find out what was happening back home.
“Had a little excitement here,” Willis said, a whimsical note in his voice.
“What sort?” Ren asked.
“Well, Snowpaw flushed out an intruder.”
Ren’s heart jumped. “Was he carrying a sniper rifle?”
“Hell! How did you know that, boss?”
“I’m psychic,” Ren drawled. “What happened?”
“Snowpaw took off after him, snarling all the way. Even on three legs, he was quicker than the man. He took him down and mauled him a little before he got away. He managed to swipe up the rifle on the way. Jumped a fence flat-footed to escape Snowpaw. The killer was aiming the damned thing at him when I shot at him.”
“Did you hit him?” Ren asked.
“No such luck. It was dark and I don’t use the rifle that often. But I think I nicked his jacket. It was enough to make him run.”
Ren was livid. It was just as Paul had suggested. The hit man had staked out Skyhorn, thinking Meredith was still there. Apparently his cousin in Texas who’d hit the limo Meredith was in hadn’t been able to contact him yet. The driver was probably still in hiding, if he wasn’t looking for a doctor. Considering the mess the truck was in, the man driving it had at least some injuries.
“When did this happen?” Ren asked.
“Last night, about midnight. We searched this morning and found a couple of places where he’d hunkered down. Near the house, too.”
“On the side where Meredith’s bedroom was,” Ren guessed.
“Maybe you really are psychic,” Willis teased.
“Not likely. Get J.C. and a couple of the boys out there and have them stake out every single place a sniper could possibly camp. I doubt he’ll be back, but he might be.”
“We’ll do it. How is Miss Meredith?”
“Not well. But she’s still alive, at least, and they think she’ll be all right.”
“Hell of a thing, somebody hurting that sweet little woman,” Willis said. “Snowpaw loved her. He hates women as a rule.”
“I noticed. Keep things running smoothly while I’m away. I don’t know how long I’ll be here. I’m not leaving until Meredith is completely out of danger.”
“Will do, boss. Be safe.”
“You, too.”
*
REN WENT DOWN to breakfast. He wished he’d brought a change of clothing, but that was no problem. He’d go shopping when he took a lunch break. He had no intention of leaving Jacobsville anytime soon.
Mandy was home, bringing in platters of eggs and bacon and biscuits to the dining room table.
“Meredith’s doing well. And Mikey’s still there,” she told Ren when he joined them. “Sit down and eat before you go back to the hospital.”
“Thanks,” Ren said, smiling at her.
“I love her, too,” Mandy said, amused at his ruddy cheekbones when she said it. She finished putting food on the table.
“Did you sleep?” Paul asked.
“Not much,” Ren confessed. “I called Willis at my ranch this morning. They flushed out a man with a sniper rifle, who was camped out near Meredith’s room,” he added grimly.
“So he doesn’t know yet.” Paul nodded.
“Apparently not. At least, he didn’t know last night.”
“Did your men shoot him?” Sari asked.
“Nicked his jacket. But Snowpaw mauled him a bit on the way.”