Page 31 of Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire

Ten additional cowboys arrived. All armed for bear.

The cowboys slid from their saddles and ran into the barn.

When all were present, Travis spoke. “The stalker, Gordon Simmons, has taken Mindy. I mean to get her back without sacrificing her mother, who he wants in exchange. He’s at the north line shack. I want that shack surrounded but I don’t want him to see or hear you, so go way around to the back of the shack and then spread out. But most of all, stay hidden. If he sees you, he might harm Mindy. Any questions?” He scanned the group.

The men and Claudia shook their heads. “Claudia, you and Jason stand by here. I want the ‘copter ready to lift off at a moment’s notice.”

“Sure thing, boss,” said Jason.

“Okay, I’ll call you when we’re ready for you.”

Everyone mounted up.

“Willow, Sage is your horse. Can you ride?”

She nodded. “I can ride. That’s why I had Mindy take lessons. I was thinking about riding together on a regular basis.”

Travis ignored Willow for a moment while he gave orders. “We’ll have the place surrounded so he can’t get away, though it is a possibility, it is highly unlikely.”

She cocked her brow. “Just like it was highly unlikely he could find me here, or get on the ranch, or take Mindy. Just like those?”

Dan reddened. “I admit, I made mistakes. I’m sorry. As Travis’s head of security, I take full responsibility for these errors. But we will get her back. Except for Claudia, we were all Navy Seals before this, and I won’t give you or Travis any reason to doubt our ability to rescue hostages. Claudia is former CIA.”

She narrowed her eyes and poked Dan in the chest with a finger. “I don’t care what you all were. When I get my daughter back, I’ll believe in your ability.”

“Willow.” Travis took her by the shoulders and turned her to face him. “This is my fault. I took our illusion of safety too literally, and Simmons slipped through. I should have had guards with me. I’m sorry. She’ll be back in your arms soon. I promise.”

She shook off his hands. “I’ll do whatever he wants me to do to get Mindy safe. Anything. Whatever happens, you keep her safe. Promise me, Travis. You’ll always keep her safe.”

“You have my word.” Travis hadn’t ever had anyone’s life or death in his hands. He watched her shake in her boots, literally.

“Willow, I need one of your boots,” said Dan. “I want to put in a tracker he’ll find. I have to place it just right. I don’t want it to be too easy or he’ll know it’s a plant. But I don’t want it so hard he can’t find it. Because he’ll never let you out of his sight even for a minute, if he doesn’t find one. Even so, I’m not sure he’ll ever let you out of his sight.”

“Won’t my boot be fairly obvious?”

Dan furrowed his brows for a moment. “That’s the idea. I figure he’ll definitely look in the boots first, but it will take him some time. At least I hope it does.”

Willow presented a lip-curling snarl. “Yes, you better hope he falls for it.”

“He will. He’s smart and he’ll check when he gets you alone, but we’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen,” said Dan. “Let me have an earring. I’ll put one there, too. One he’s unlikely to find, because it’s so small.

She removed an earring and handed it to him before putting back on her boot.

Dan handed the earring back. “Are you ready? Do you need help to mount?”

“I’ve got it.” She easily swung up into the saddle. “The stirrups are a little short. Would you lengthen them for me?”

Travis stepped forward. “I’ve got this. Get with your unit, Dan, and keep track of Willow. I want you to make sure it’s working.” As he lengthened the stirrups, he said, “I thought you couldn’t ride. Mindy said you can’t.”

“I never told her I could ride. I wanted to surprise her when she finished her lessons this year.”

Dan walked over to Travis. “Here’s an ear piece. It’ll keep you up-to-date as to Willow’s whereabouts after you leave with Mindy. Remember, you must leave and not make him suspicious. Mindy won’t want to leave her mother. You’ll have to make her.”

“He’s right,” said Willow. “She’ll want to stay with me. You can’t let her, no matter what. I don’t care if you have to tie her to the saddle to make her go home. She must go with you. Now that he’s gone this far, I don’t know how much further he’ll go. I don’t want her anywhere near him.”

“I’ll make her go.” Travis looked up at her. “We have to keep up the pretense that he’s in charge and, for a moment, he will be. I don’t want you to be in danger. If we go in too soon, he’ll panic, and he’ll use you as a shield. But we have to get Mindy back first. That’s paramount.”

“That is all that matters. I’ll take care of myself, but you have to get her out, get her away. Get her safe. The longer she’s with him, the more danger she’s in.”