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“Where is it?” she pressed, slipping into a long-sleeved T-shirt then covering it with a cashmere sweater.

“In that brown bag by the dresser.”

As she opened the bag and began checking the contents, Joe moved from the bed and padded across to the closet. He hadn’t expected the cold weather and wasn’t sure what to wear. Finally deciding on his thick track suit, he lifted it from the shelf.

“That won’t be enough,” she declared as he slipped the sweatshirt over his head. “You’ll freeze to death.”

“I have my winter trench coat. Once I put that on it should be.”

“Oh, yeah, I guess so. Just hurry up.”

He was used to her abrupt manner. When there was somewhere she needed to be she was always impatient, and with so much at stake he knew she was even more on edge. But as he began lacing up his hiking boots and thinking about the hours ahead, a deep frown crossed his brow.

“Courtney, are you sure about this?”

“Hey, he squealed to the show manager and the fucking cops?” she barked. “Why didn’t he just mind his own fucking business? Now I have to go into hiding while I find a way to get out of the damn country.”

“But kidnapping Heather Hunt won’t help. ”

“You know how I am! I have to get even! He’s fucked up my life and he has to pay. But don’t worry, I won’t hurt her. I’ll just freak him out and show him what a mistake he made messing with me.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

As Heather followed Blake back to the ranch she couldn’t wait to crawl into bed and snuggle against him. It was all she could think about until they turned into his driveway and she saw his headlights catch Butch racing towards the truck. Rolling to a stop, she climbed out only to be momentarily distracted by a blast of icy air.

“What a sweetheart he is,” she remarked, doing her best to ignore the chill as she watched the happy dog leap and bark with excitement. “He couldn’t wait for you to come home.”

“He’s not used to me bein’ out this late. Thank God for Doug. Let’s get inside. It feels like we’re about to have some freezin’ rain.”

With Butch still jumping up and down, they hurried into the house and found Doug standing by the stove stirring a pot.

“Thanks again,” Blake said gratefully. “You saved the day, or should I say the night.”

“Hey, like I said, no problem, and I’ve made some of my famous hot chocolate to welcome you home.”

“Your hot chocolate is famous?” Heather asked with a grin as she removed her coat.

“Yep, it’s just that no-one knows yet,” he added with a chuckle. “You’re lucky I had the secret ingredient with me.”

“Which is what?” Blake piped up.

“A very special brand of dark chocolate,” he replied, pouring the enticing drink into the mugs he’d set on the table. “I’d like to join you and chat for a bit but I need to take off.”

“Oh, my gosh! Doug!” Heather exclaimed, taking a sip. “This is absolutely fantastic!”

“I’m glad you like it, and now I’ll be on my way. But if you ever need a night out just let me know.”

“Thanks again,” Blake said as Doug pulled on his jacket. “I owe you one.”

“Uh, no, you’ll never owe me one,” Doug replied solemnly, then slipped out the door.

“What did he mean?” Heather asked as Blake found a milk bone for Butch.

“I helped him out of a jam once.”

“Can you tell me about it?”

“I’ll have to talk to him about that.”