Page 8 of Will (The Cowboys of Calamity, Texas #3)
“In fact, he was in such a hurry that he was right on my heels and passed me in the parking lot. I’d bet he was planning to follow the two of you in his car.”
“Good thing I was two steps ahead of him,” Dave gloated, “even with my bum knee. When Joyce pointed him out to me, I realized he was the guy she’d been texting me about.
” He looked proudly at his wife. “I even saw him drive into the parking lot earlier when I was manning the motel desk, so I knew which car was his and got there before he did.”
Joyce beamed. “Everyone was so focused on the commotion around Honey’s car that they didn’t see Dave pretend to fall right behind the wheels of Mr. Whiskey Sour’s car. He was sprawled out on the pavement, moaning and groaning.
“And the steep embankment in front of his car,” Dave said, “prevented him from driving forward. He was well and truly stuck there.”
“You should have seen Dave.” Joyce’s voice filled with pride. “He was sprawled out on that parking lot, screaming in protest whenever anyone tried to help him up. In fact, he didn’t get off that wet pavement until you two were long gone. My hero.”
“That’s the good news.” Dave said. “The unwelcome news is that I saw Mr. Whiskey Sour take out his cell phone when he realized he was stuck there. But he had enough time to snap a picture of the back of Honey’s car as she was pulling out of the parking lot.”
“He’s got my license plate number.” Honey glanced up at Will.
“And I got his.” Dave grinned. “I was laid out behind his car long enough to memorize the number.”
“Well, that was handy.” Will scratched his chin.
“I’ve already sent it to a friend of mine at the DMV to look up the license plate and find out who it’s registered to.” He glanced at Will. “I’ll send you the information as soon as I get it.”
“Does that mean this Mr. Whiskey Sour could track down my license plate the same way?” Honey asked.
“Anyone in Texas can call the DMV to track a license plate number. Law enforcement can just do it faster.”
Honey’s brown eyes widened. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Neither do I.” Will swallowed hard. “Because now you’re in danger, too.”
* * *
Honey took a deep breath, trying to digest this added information. “Where do we go from here?”
“To Calamity,” Will said. “Together.”
“You want to go to Calamity?” she asked, more confused than ever. “Why?”
He moved closer to her. “I know you’re going to fight me on this, Honey, but I will not let you go home alone while you’re in danger.”
“It’s a solid plan,” Dave said, “given the circumstances. I think you should leave your pickup truck in the motel parking lot. There’s a good chance he’s put an AirTag or some other tracking device on it.”
“I thought the same thing.” Will hitched his thumbs in the loops of his jeans. “If he does have a tracker on it, that would lead him straight to Honey’s place. I’ll figure out other transportation once we get to Calamity.”
“The sooner, the better.” Joyce tapped her watch face.
“So you’re really coming home with me?” Honey’s heart leaped in her chest.
“That’s right. I’m going stay by your side twenty-four seven until this creep is caught.” His tone brooked no argument.
She had to bite her lip to keep from smiling. This was possibly the luckiest day of her life. To use a dreaded cliché, Will’s suggestion would kill two birds with one stone.
It would allow her the opportunity to grill him for information to use in her profile story for the regional news syndicate. And it would allow her to get to know him on a personal level.
The latter to be used in the story, of course, but she couldn’t keep her mind from drifting to thoughts of them sharing the same roof, bumping into each other in their hideaways and enjoying meals together during their evasion of the creep who was most likely tracking them even now.
Her lucky day. Not that she was making light of the danger—although it was difficult for her to be fearful of someone called Mr. Whiskey Sour. “I guess if you really think it’s necessary…”
“I do,” he said. “I’ll try not to disrupt your life too much, but after what happened last night, you need protection. And frankly, I need a new place to hide out.”
Honey couldn’t believe she finally had Will Pierce right where she wanted him. “Of course! You can stay as long as you want. Honestly, I’ll feel so much better with you there.”
“Good.” His shoulders relaxed. “I’m glad you’re not fighting me on this, because I probably won’t let you out of my sight until we know for certain that you’re safe.”
It was almost too good to be true. With full access to Will, she’d be able to put her profile story together in time to meet the deadline. Which meant her dream job would officially become a reality.
Then the enormity of the situation hit her.
Despite the risk to himself, Will was insisting on putting a stranger’s life before his own. This was going to be the best story ever!
Joyce’s expression changed as she watched them together. Her perusal was more curious than suspicious, but Joyce knew something was up.
Honey was about to reassure them she’d never let anything happen to Will—or purposely put him in danger, but before she had a chance, Dave clapped his hands to get their attention.
“Okay, kids,” Dave said. “It’s time for you to go.”
Will laughed. “You’re kicking us out already?”
“Well, you’re welcome to stay, I guess.” Dave glanced at his wife. “But according to our schedule, it’s time for Joyce and me to enjoy skinny-dipping in this beautiful lake.”
“You’re joking,” Will said, his gaze darting between the two of them.
“Actually, he’s not.” Joyce’s gaze lingered on Honey for long moment, then she turned to Will. “Skinny-dipping is one of our new hobbies. It’s well known that the sound and sensation of moving water helps boost creativity and focus.”
Dave took off his sunglasses and fishing hat, then placed them on the seat of his lawn chair. “You two should try it sometime. It’s very invigorating.”
“Thanks,” Will said, “but I think we’ll pass.” He looked over at Honey. “That sounds like our cue to leave.”
Honey nodded. “We are definitely leaving.”
“The sooner, the better.” Dave let out a chuckle. “Because everything is about to come off.”
Will was already walking through the tall grass on his way to Honey’s car. But when Honey turned to follow him, Joyce moved forward and grabbed her hand to stop her.
“Just one more thing,” Joyce said in fierce whisper. “Promise to keep an eye on my boy for me because I don’t want him hurt—by anyone.”
Honey got the message loud and clear, but she couldn’t help but be touched by the older woman’s affection for Will. She gave Joyce’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “I promise you—he’ll be safe with me.”