Page 46 of My Cowboy Salvation

My eyes are so heavy, and no amount of willpower or prayer is going to stop the dark, heavy sleep quietly waiting for me.

Is this it? Once I’m completely unconscious, is that when he’ll do it? Kill me?

But as soon as I think it, I know there is no way it will be that easy. Simon wants to punish me, make me pay for what I’ve done. Death won’t be that easy for me.

“If you’re wondering whether I was being truthful about leaving your new boyfriend alone once you’re gone, I’ll let you in on a secret. I wasn’t. I know his type. A man like Logan McCall will never stop trying to get to you. Eliminating him and his son will be the only way to ensure no one comes looking for you ever again.”

No. No. He can’t hurt him. This would all be for nothing.

But the scream that is building inside won’t be released and instead, the cold, black shroud I’ve fended off falls over me, and I’m lost in the darkness.

Chapter 24

Logan

It’s nearlyeight in the morning. Dylan’s usually downstairs by now, enjoying coffee before heading to Hope’s. I should be on my way to work as well, but something inside me is telling me I need to see her. Even if we barely speak two words, it’s a connection at least.

Heading upstairs, I stand outside her door and listen for any sign of movement. Nothing. She can’t still be asleep, can she?

I knock softly. “Dylan? You awake?”

I wait, but there’s no response. Opening the door, I see she’s still in bed. “Hey. Are you doing okay? Are you sick?”

That last possibility has me entering and coming to her side. I sit on the bed and place my hand on her shoulder—or at least where her shoulder should be, but instead it’s just softness. In disbelief, I pull back the covers and see that what I mistook as Dylan’s form are two pillows lying end on end on her bed. I blink as I see a note resting between them. My stomach drops as I read it.

Logan,

I can’t risk any more harm coming to you or Parker. I’m sorry for hurting you both. I’m moving on. New Hampshire. Maybe Alabama. Please, don’t try to find me. This is for the best.

All my love,

Dylan

She’s gone.She’s out there somewhere without my protection. I can’t believe it.

No. She wouldn’t leave here. Would she?

I want to rip the note up, shred it, or even crumple it into a wad and throw it away. But reason weighs on me, and I get up, bringing it with me as I return to the kitchen. I read it a few more times, trying to make sense of it. Then I make a call. “Hi Hope. It’s Logan.”

“Hi Chief. Is everything okay?” she asks, not surprising since I rarely have reason to contact her.

“I don’t think so. I just found a note from Dylan saying she’s gone. Has she mentioned anything to you about wanting to move on?”

“No. She hasn’t said a word.” Her voice is strained. “I-I can’t believe it. It doesn’t make sense. She was happy here. She felt safe. I don’t understand why she’d leave. And I still owe her for the week’s wages. Wouldn’t she need it?”

She’s right. Even if Dylan saved everything Hope paid her, it wouldn’t get her far. So why the urgency in leaving now?

There’s a truth whispering in the back of my mind. Taunting me.

Did she leave because I pushed her away? Did I hurt her so much she found the risk of getting away from me worth putting her life in danger?

“I’ve got to go,” I tell Hope.

“Let me know if you need anything. Please.”

I stare at the phone again, then dial. It goes to voicemail immediately, just as I expected. She’s probably turned it off. Hell, she might have dumped it already. Still. “Dylan. It’s me. Please call me back.”

I dial the next number and wait for the tone to leave my message. “Parker. This is important. It’s Dylan. Sh-she’s gone. Taken off.” I run my hand through my hair and take a deep breath.