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  A chuckle softened Chase’s words and Rhianna blushed. She had the feeling Rafe’s brother knew exactly what Rafe and she had been doing last night to make him so tired today.

  “He didn’t get any sleep last night,” she admitted softly. “Let’s let him rest.” She tucked the blanket around Rafe, then dusted off her hands. Rhianna knew her way around horses and cows. She might not be a top hand like Chase’s wife, Laura, but she could pull a shift. Rhianna looked Chase in the eye. “What can I do to help?”

  RAFE AWAKENED TO FIND Allison wriggling on his chest. He cuddled her closer, then realized by the noonday sun that he’d slept away the morning. While he changed Allison’s diaper and wondered where Rhianna had gone, his daughter took in the activities around them with wide-eyed wonder.

  During roundup, hands collected cattle from the range, sorted, counted and branded. Tyler had hired ranchers and cowboys from miles around to help, and the men rode out in different directions to gather in the longhorns. His brother had divided the men into groups, and each group gathered strays in one area of the range.

  Rafe had fallen asleep after breakfast this morning in base camp. He’d slept while the cowboys had taken fresh horses from the remuda, which was kept in a rope corral near the chuckwagon. The cowboys were returning for a hot meal at noon. And this afternoon they’d count the cattle already brought in, and sort according to their markings. Sick or weak animals were removed from the group and doctored. New calves were branded.

  But the most important work, choosing the cows for market, would be Tyler’s job. Sometimes the cows objected to their separation from the herd. Calves didn’t like being apart from their mothers. It took skilled cowhands on cutting horses to rope and brand the calves. They needed to finish the hot, dusty, dangerous work quickly in order to drive the cattle to market.

  As Rafe hefted Allison into his arms, he looked for Rhianna. Her long red hair shouldn’t be difficult to spot among all the men. He found her talking with Chase and Tyler.

  Clearly she’d been enjoying herself. Her face boasted a tan and a smattering of dust; her green eyes were bright with energy. She caught sight of him as soon as he stepped around the cook wagon.

  With quick-footed steps that showed off her long, lean legs, she met him with a kiss and reclaimed Allison. “You needed the sleep,” she told him before he could say a word.

  He half expected Tyler and Chase to rag him about sleeping on the job. But when he turned to his brothers, Tyler’s wind-leathered face had creased in a serious frown. “We’ve run into a problem.”

  Chase’s jaw had set in a stubborn angle that suggested Tyler underestimated their problem. Rafe slung his arm over Rhianna’s shoulder and braced himself for bad news. “Are we missing cattle?”

  “Don’t know yet,” Tyler said, his face bland. “But Rhianna rode out to Silver Pass and it was closed.”

  Over a hundred years ago, Silver Pass had marked the narrow passageway between two mountains that led to a rich mine. The mine had played out long ago, and now the Suttons used the pass to bring down the herd from the high pastures.

  “But don’t we have several squads up there gathering in cattle?” Rafe asked, confused and wondering if his nap had somehow impaired his thinking abilities.

  “The pass may have caved in after they rode through,” Chase said with a sigh. “The men may be trapped there with the cattle.”

  Rafe turned to Rhianna. “Can we clear it?”

  She shook her head. “Not anytime soon. The men can ride out but bringing a herd through is another matter. Either you had one mother of a rock slide…”

  “Or?” A sick feeling knotted Rafe’s stomach. For weeks, it had appeared as if their troubles were over. They’d had no scares, no troubles outside the ordinary one of raising money to meet Judge Stuart’s mortgage on the land.

  Had their efforts been sabotaged? Or was he simply being paranoid? He told himself that telling Rhianna he loved her couldn’t possibly have caused someone to undermine their roundup efforts, yet deep in his soul he didn’t believe it. Somehow he’d known for weeks that the closer he let himself and Rhianna become, the more danger it would bring to them all.

  Rafe knew his reasons to remain a bachelor had been inconsistent since he’d met Rhianna. At first, he had never even considered the possibility of marriage—then Rhianna and Allison had burst into his life. And he’d begun to question why he’d always assumed he would remain single. He believed marrying Rhianna would put her in danger—but was that just an excuse? Rafe sensed someone wanted harm to come to the Sutton family. Too much had happened over the past few years for him to ignore the facts. His eldest brother had been murdered, and Cam’s first wife had been killed, too. Although both crimes had been solved, Rafe couldn’t help thinking that his troubles were somehow connected to other Sutton misfortunes. His thoughts might just be an excuse not to marry—but they were there all the same. And this recent misfortune of someone blocking the pass to prevent the roundup, the sale of cattle to pay off the mortgage, raised Rafe’s suspicions even higher.

  Rhianna shifted Allison to her other arm. “Someone could have blasted the rock. I’m no expert, but I think it’ll take some heavy-duty construction equipment at least a week to clear the rubble.”

  “Just enough time to ensure the cows won’t reach market on time.” Tyler ran a hand through his dusty hair. “We’ll have to sell the cows in smaller lots.”

  “We might do better with the art,” Rafe suggested.

  Tyler placed his hat firmly back on his head. “The auction house needs time to advertise the goods. They need to print a catalog, set a date….”

  “Maybe the auction house will give you an advance on the sale,” Rhianna suggested, “or auction them over the Internet.”

  Rafe nodded. “It’s a thought.”

  Tyler rubbed his chin, then gave Rafe a decisive look. “It’s time you picked up the art in Denver and left for New York.”

  “We’re on our way,” Rhianna agreed.

  Rafe, Rhianna and the baby rode back to his house. He made use of his cell phone, making arrangements with the museum to crate the art, calling the airlines for reservations and arranging for the art to be shipped. Finally, as they entered his house to pack, he took Rhianna into his arms and kissed her.

  “I should be back within a few days.”

  “We should be back.”

  Rafe battled with his conflicting emotions. He wanted Rhianna to come with him. The thought of sharing a few nights in New York City with her pleased him. He’d enjoy nothing more than taking her to the eastern racetracks, looking at the foals, contemplating his breeding program and discussing the merits of different animals with Rhianna. Yet he felt she’d be safer here on the ranch.

  He knew better than to vocalize his thoughts when he had no rational facts to support them. So instead he held Rhianna tighter. “Isn’t Allison too young to travel?”

  “She’s weaned and Chase said Laura’s volunteered to watch her.”

  Allison objected to Rafe holding them so tightly. She let out a squeal of protest, and Rafe and Rhianna broke apart. Rhianna wiped a smear of dust from the baby’s face. “She needs a bath.”

  “So do you.” Rafe reached for the baby, stalling, trying to think of a way to make Rhianna change her mind. But the discussion seemed to be over, and he wasn’t sure when or how he’d lost the argument.

  Rhianna had a way of manipulating him. And he hadn’t yet figured out how she did it. But he didn’t mind. He only hoped he could protect her.

  Rafe and Rhianna packed their clothes within an hour. It took another thirty minutes to pack for Allison. Rhianna didn’t bother to hold back tears as she left their daughter with Laura.

  Laura seemed to understand. “We’ll take the best care of her, won’t we, Keith?”

  Rafe’s dark-haired nephew, who looked like a miniature Chase, tugged solemnly on Rhianna’s hand. “I’m a good baby-sitter.”

  Rafe didn’t hurry Rhianna,
hoping she’d change her mind and decide to stay with Allison. But the stubborn woman wiped away her tears and climbed into the car beside him, blowing her nose into a tissue and letting out a sob.

  “Look. Why don’t you—”

  “Don’t tell me what to do.”

  “But if leaving Allison makes you this miserable—”

  “Then I’ll just have to be miserable, won’t I?” she retorted fiercely between sobs.

  “But—”

  “Don’t say another word. I’ll be fine once I stop crying. It’s just the first time I’ve left her overnight. But Laura is a wonderful mother and Allison will be well cared for and loved.”

  Was she trying to convince him? Or herself? Either way, Rafe didn’t say another word. Still he drove slowly, feeling as if with every mile they were leaving a safe niche for the unpredictability of the outside world. He couldn’t stop the feeling that having Rhianna with him was a mistake, that bringing her off Sutton property would place her in danger.

  All the way to the small airport, he kept checking the rearview mirror for a tail. And after they landed in Denver, he once again searched for anything amiss. He saw nothing wrong, spotted no one suspicious. But that didn’t mean there wasn’t someone out there.

  Chapter Eleven

  As they drove through Denver, Rhianna couldn’t help wondering if leaving the baby with Laura Sutton had been a mistake. While she knew Rafe’s sister-in-law would take good care of Allison, Rhianna still suffered from separation anxiety. No one knew a baby better than her mother. Rhianna knew when Allison wanted her dinner, knew when she needed a nap, knew her schedule without having to look at a clock.

  Despite her misgivings, she felt obligated to go with Rafe. That his family had to sell his mother’s art collection to pay the mortgage saddened her. The Suttons had given up so much for Rhianna, and now their land, their legacy to their children, was at risk. If only the law enforcement officials would find the kidnapper and the ransom money. The marked bills hadn’t shown up anywhere.

  With a sigh of frustration at the slow workings of the legal system, Rhianna tried to display some interest as Rafe parked at the Denver art museum. The marble-columned building shaded the busy two-lane avenue with its imposing height.

  Rafe opened her car door for her, and she suddenly wondered if, in her casual skirt and black sweater, she was dressed appropriately. The patrons entering and exiting the building looked as if they’d stepped out of a fashion magazine.

  “You okay?” Rafe asked as he took her elbow and escorted her up the graceful steps.

  “Just wishing we didn’t need to sell—”

  “Please stop worrying over the art.” He squeezed her hand comfortingly. “We were going to donate the collection to the museum and take a charitable tax deduction. None of the work would have ended up hanging on Sutton walls.”

  She could hear the truth in Rafe’s statement, felt how little the art meant to him. She supposed when one grew up surrounded by wealth, one looked at possessions differently. Rhianna’s parents didn’t have the money to collect art. But her mother had a pair of silver candlesticks that had been Rhianna’s great-great-grandmother’s. Rhianna wanted to give those candlesticks to Allison one day. She couldn’t imagine having to sell them to strangers.

  The museum’s interior echoed with the whispers of adults and the murmurs of excited school children on a class trip. Rhianna’s gaze took in the enormous crystal chandelier that lit the lobby, the stained glass window that shot arcs of light across the floor, and the elegant brass elevator run by a uniformed security guard.

  Rafe led her to the right, and they entered a private office. Inside, the curator, a tiny-boned woman with birdlike features, stood and greeted them. “Mr. Sutton, I’m Marie Valencia. Please come in. We’ve been expecting you.”

  We? Rhianna didn’t see anyone else in the room as Rafe shook the woman’s hand and introduced Rhianna.

  “We’re sorry to withdraw the art collection from the museum on such short notice,” Rafe apologized.

  “That’s why I’ve invited some of the museum’s other patrons.” Marie looked at Rafe over her glasses. “Maybe we can work something out.”

  As Hal and Janet Stone entered the office, Rhianna’s hand tightened in Rafe’s. His eyes narrowed a little at the couple and she remained silent.

  “Hal. Janet.” Rafe nodded a curt greeting and turned back to Marie. “We need to make a seven o’clock flight. Has the art been crated?”

  Marie gestured for everyone to be seated. “I’m hoping that won’t be necessary.”

  Rafe refused to sit. Instead, he folded his hands over his chest, gritted his teeth and waited.

  Rhianna could guess from his expression that he expected bad news. She half expected the woman to tell him there’d been a fire and the art had been damaged. Maybe the museum had insurance, because the Suttons didn’t? Or had the curator discovered the paintings were forgeries?

  “Your father had hinted to us that he intended to donate your mother’s collection to the museum,” Marie began. “And while your family has been very generous to our foundation, and your father had every right to change his mind and reclaim the collection, we have had certain expenses….”

  “What kind of expenses?” Rafe asked. His patience made Rhianna’s respect for him soar. While she sat on pins and needles and would have allowed her temper to reach the flashpoint, Rafe sat still, as if he had all the time in the world.

  “Nothing too drastic, I assure you.” Marie’s hands fluttered like a bird’s wings. “Brochures have been published, advertisements sent out. As an added expense, we’ve decorated the Rovell room to match his works.”

  Rafe discreetly looked at his watch. Rhianna knew they still needed to see the art crated and loaded on trucks and driven to the airport, and Rafe didn’t want to rush the delicate job.

  Janet Stone stood and fluffed out her skirt, drawing attention to her shapely legs. Rhianna bit back a smile of satisfaction when Rafe refused to look.

  Rhianna was glad Rafe didn’t like games. While they were patrons of the museum, the Stones didn’t belong here, meddling in his business, and Rhianna wondered if the kidnappers had held her on the Stones’ property because it was isolated, or because the Stones knew she wouldn’t be found there by accident.

  Janet moved to stand behind her husband. “We’re sorry for your troubles, Rafe.” She smiled too brightly. “We thought we could buy the Rovell collection from you, donate it to the museum, and then none of the works would have to move.”

  Rafe frowned at Janet and Hal, then hid his suspicion behind a mask of unconcern almost as soon as Rhianna spied it. But Rhianna’s brain asked question after question. Why were the Stones so interested in buying what the Suttons had to sell?

  Marie fidgeted in her chair. “The sale would benefit the museum and help you sell—”

  “I’m afraid it’s too late,” Rafe said, without waiting to hear the monetary amount of the offer. Rhianna knew he’d never show his annoyance at his neighbors’ interference into his affairs, but she was aggravated enough for both of them. “We’ve already signed a contract consigning the Rovells to a New York auction house.”

  “Oh, how dreadful.” Janet’s tone turned overly dramatic, and Hal shook his head as if agreeing with his wife’s sentiments.

  “You can always bid on the art in New York,” Rhianna suggested, making her tone artificially sweet and catching a glimpse of amusement in Rafe’s eyes.

  Janet fingered one of her five-carat diamond earrings. “But it just seems such a bother to fly all the way to New York and bring the paintings back here.”

  Hal shrugged. “The boy’s signed a contract, Janet. He can’t go back on his word.”

  Rafe nodded and turned back to Marie. “I’m sorry, but we have a plane to catch. Could you take us to the Rovells and have your people start packing the works right away?”

  Rhianna thought the Stones would leave, but they trailed after Rafe and Rh
ianna as Marie led them to the room where his mother’s art hung. At least the curator was efficient. She had the room closed to visitors, and the packers arrived within minutes.

  Janet took Rhianna aside but did nothing to prevent the men from overhearing her false joviality. “And how’s the baby? I’m surprised you could leave her.”

  Janet’s tone didn’t have one iota of threat in it, but Rhianna tensed anyway. “Allison’s great. And she’s well protected on the ranch.”

  “I guess.” Janet leaned close to Rhianna’s ear, but her whisper must have carried across the room, because Hal flinched. “I’ve always wanted a baby, but it’s the only thing Hal refuses me.”

  “I’m sorry,” Rhianna said politely, wondering if the woman had a point for making her disclosure.

  Rhianna lost track of Janet’s patter as she listened to Hal’s and Rafe’s conversation. Hal stopped in front of a particularly dreary Rovell. “I thought the offer to buy these would help you out.”

  Rafe kept his composure and his smooth Western manners. “I appreciate the thought.”

  “You going to make the judge’s payment this month? I heard you had trouble at Silver Pass.”

  Word sure got around fast. Was Hal’s interest in Rafe’s business just neighborly? His showing up here at the museum had raised Rhianna’s suspicions. The Stones were natural busybodies, but until now she’d always figured they were harmless.

  She listened for Rafe’s response, knowing he didn’t believe in confiding in casual acquaintances or business associates. He shared his problems only with family.

  Rafe lined up several crates by the back door. “We’re going to be fine.”

  His voice sounded so confident. Rhianna only wished she could be as certain as Rafe sounded.

  RAFE AND RHIANNA LANDED at Newark Airport in New Jersey after the flight had been delayed a half hour. While Rhianna called Laura to check on Allison, Rafe arranged for a truck to transport the Rovells to the auction house—which was staying open late just for him. Then he and Rhianna watched the crew unload the crates from the plane and place them onto a truck. They followed the vehicle until it was unloaded, at which point the auction house signed a receipt for the goods.