Falcon's Run

“Abby, you’re a good person, but don’t trust him. He thinks you’re keeping secrets from him.”

“What makes you say that?” she asked quickly.

A horn blared outside. “Mrs. Yarrow doesn’t like waiting. I better go.”

Abby watched Bobby hurry to the door, but before he could step outside, Preston stopped him.

“Before you leave, Bobby, how about giving me back my notebook?”

Bobby smiled. “Hey, yeah. You dropped it back at Carl’s place. Guess I forgot to give it back.”

Abby watched the exchange. “He picked your pocket, didn’t he?” she asked as soon as Bobby was gone.

Preston smiled but didn’t answer.

“Don’t be angry with him. I know it was wrong, but he was trying to protect me. In his experience, cops haven’t always been the good guys,” she said. “He’s afraid you might hurt me or the ranch and probably wanted to slow you down.”

“He’s a great little pickpocket—I’ll give him that,” Preston said. “It took me a couple of seconds to notice what he’d done.”

“Are you going to press charges?”

“Nah, I got it back, and I can’t fault him for wanting to protect a friend.”

“He doesn’t have many of those. There’s not a lot of common ground between him and the other boys at the foster home, so they tend to give him a hard time.”

“Kids often target anyone who’s different from them,” Preston said. “That can be especially bad at a foster home because you’re in such close quarters.”

“You’ve dealt with kids from foster homes before?”

“You might say that—I was one,” he said.

“You grew up in foster care?” she asked.

“Yeah. I had a tough time of it until Hosteen Silver, a medicine man from our tribe, decided to foster me. I met my five brothers there at his home,” he said and smiled, remembering. “It took time for us to become a family, but we’re all close now.”

“Bobby would love a chance like that. He wants to know about his tribe, but the only real contact he has is the cook at the foster home, Mrs. Nez.”

“Hosteen Silver was a remarkable man. He gave my brothers and me the confidence we needed to leave the past behind us and take charge of our lives.”

“The kids who come here are all facing tough times. They’re not in charge of anything—not their bodies or their lives. Helping them forget their troubles for a while strengthens them so they can continue their fight.”

He paused for a moment. “You love this ranch and are committed to the work you do. I get that,” he said at last, “but by holding back you’re not helping anyone, least of all yourself.”

Before she could answer, Michelle came rushing in. “We’ve got a problem. Stan was helping out by cleaning the camels’ pen but somehow he ended up in the corner. Now every time he tries to go past Hank, the animal threatens to bite him.”

“I better get over there. Without Carl, this falls to me,” she told Preston. “I think Hank must have misinterpreted something Stan did. Camels are practically famous for holding grudges.”

“I’ll go with you. Maybe I can help,” he said.

They reached the large enclosure a few minutes later. Stan was against the fence opposite the gate wiping a green wet mixture off his shirt. “Hank’s in a bad, bad mood today. He spit at me.”

“Actually, they don’t spit. They throw up on you.” She gave him a sheepish smile. “That doesn’t help much, does it?”

“No,” Stan said, scowling. “Now I’m grossed out.”

“We’ll get you out, then Michelle and I will finish up here,” Abby said, then glanced back at Preston. She was going to explain to him that Hank loved women and children, but when she turned, she saw Hank nuzzling Preston like an old friend.

Her mouth fell open.

Stan stared. “How did you do that?” he asked, quickly moving out of the pen.

“It goes back to something my foster father taught me,” Preston said calmly. “All things—including animals and people—are connected. I approached the camel enclosure with a Song of Blessing, what we call a Hozonji. I honored the link between us and the camel responded by doing the same. It’s all about showing respect and demanding the same in return.”

Abby wondered if he was trying to send her a message. Was he telling her to respect his profession and trust him to solve the case? His eyes held hers with an intensity that left her feeling bare…and exposed somehow.

Hank stretched his rubbery lips, trying to kiss Preston.

Abby laughed. “They’re really gentle creatures. They’re calmer than horses but they’re more…emotional,” she said after a beat. “How would you feel about volunteering here sometime?”

“After the case is closed, I’ll do my best to fit some hours into my schedule.”

“Good.”

Preston glanced at his watch. “I need to go now and check out a few things. Make sure no one goes into the areas that are cordoned off.”

“All right. Do you know how long it’ll be before the yellow tape can be taken down?”

“I’m not sure. Some details need to be handled first. I’ll let you know as soon as possible.”

Abby walked back to the parking lot with him. “Carl’s killer took the life of a very good man. He’s done enough damage. Don’t let him harm my ranch, too. Find answers quickly, Preston, please.”

“We want the same thing, but you’re holding out on me, Abby, and that’s slowing me down. Eventually, I’ll uncover whatever it is you’re keeping back. Save us both some time and come clean.”

He stopped walking and looked directly at her without so much as a blink. She shifted uncomfortably. There was an intensity about Preston that left her feeling off balance. She wasn’t in control—he was. The message was clear.

“I know nothing that can help you find the killer,” she said.

“Let me be the judge.”

She stared at the ground. Maybe he did deserve to know, but some secrets weren’t hers to tell. Finally looking up, she shook her head.

“If you want me to catch the killer quickly, Abby, don’t stand in my way.”

Before she could answer, he strode away from her with the long, confident steps of a man used to being in charge.

She watched him for a moment longer. He was all steady strength and power kept in reserve. For a second her thoughts drifted and she wondered what it would be like to lay in his arms, to touch and caress him until passion overcame all reason. It was the man beyond that iron will, the one hidden by the badge, who she wanted to see most of all.

Realizing the turn of her thoughts, she sighed. She was truly losing her mind.