Never Trust a Cowboy: Shadow Mountain Series, #1

By Laurie Gilbert

FROM NATIONAL AWARD-WINNING AND BESTSELLING AUTHOR, LAURIE GILBERT...

     Criminalist, Sabrina Eklund's life turns upside down when her sister and her husband are killed by a hit and run driver, leaving her with the care of their two young children, emotionally and financially tied to a cattle ranch 800 miles from her home. Co-owner of the ranch is her niece and nephew's uncle, Mitch Darnell, the man who broke Sabrina's heart and shattered her trust six years earlier. She wants to pick up the children and return to her home as soon as possible, but learning the deadly crash was no accident forces her to change her plans.

     When Mitch learns of his brother's financial troubles after his death, he realizes he needs to keep the children at the ranch and knows the only way to do that is to get Sabrina to stay, too. She agrees to stay for two weeks, in which time she hopes to uncover the whole truth about her sister's life and death, but that is exactly what Mitch fears most.

 

Shadow Mountain Series Book #1

The idyllic, rural small town of Shadow Mountain in southern Oregon has everything you could want...and a few things you don't.  No one knows that better than rancher, Mitch Darnell in Never Trust A Cowboy, Sheriff Nick Caldwell in Never Trust A Lawman, or former resident and wrongly accused carpenter, Matt Newman in Never Trust A Drifter. When the truth lies in shadow....

 

From the author of Hard Evidence, Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Winner for Romantic Suspense and author of Deadly Conspiracies, Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laurie Gilbert
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201377793

Book preview

NEVER TRUST A COWBOY

A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE NOVEL

Shadow Mountain Series Book 1

LAURIE GILBERT

Copyright

Copyright © 2021, 2022 Laurie Gilbert

All rights reserved

Second Edition

THE CHARACTERS AND events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Cover design by RL Design

www.gobookcoversdesign.com

Cover Image:

ID 112993099 © Michael Pelin Dreamstime.com

ID 6787706© Skoric Dreamstime.com

Dedication

For Justin and Betsy

Who else but a big brother would ever say, Don’t spank little Laurie, spank me instead?

Books by Laurie Gilbert

Medical Thrillers

Deadly Medicine Series:

DEADLY IMAGES BOOK 1

DEADLY CONSPIRACIES BOOK 2

(Winner of the Daphne Du Maurier Award

for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense)

Romantic Suspense Novels

Shadow Mountain Series:

NEVER TRUST A COWBOY BOOK 1

NEVER TRUST A LAWMAN BOOK 2

NEVER TRUST A DRIFTER BOOK 3

Single Titles

HARD EVIDENCE

(Winner of the Golden Heart Award

for Romantic Suspense)

Table of Contents

Copyright

Dedication

Books by Laurie Gilbert

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Books by Laurie Gilbert

Chapter 1

WHAT IF SHE’S NOT COMING? Danny clutched the worn-out bunny, Mr. Patches, under his arm as he chewed at his thumbnail.

A fist squeezed around Mitch Darnell’s heart as he squatted beside his five-year-old nephew. Despite his reassurances, the child had been glancing out the window every five minutes for the last hour. He placed a hand on Danny’s shoulder. Your Aunt Sabrina will be here soon. I promise.

Mitch prayed he was telling the truth, but with Sabrina Eklund, he could never be sure. His phone conversation with her had been brief and painful in more ways than he’d expected. He hadn’t let his frustration get the best of him when she’d been unreachable for two weeks after her sister, Caitlin, and his brother, Doug, had been killed, and for Danny’s sake he wasn’t going to let it happen now. But he sure as hell hadn’t expected to feel the kick in the chest at the sound of her voice. She had been gone for six years, but unfortunately, not forgotten.

He couldn’t believe what his brother had done. The Double D had been in his family for three generations, so he wasn’t surprised to be named executor with full responsibility for the children’s ownership of Doug’s half of the ranch to be transferred to him. The shock hit him when he’d learned they’d given Sabrina full custody of the children. It was another mistake his older brother had left for him to fix. And he would, no matter what it took.

What if Aunt Sabrina gets in an accident, too?

She won’t, Mitch said. With six-month-old Amanda snuggled against his right shoulder, Mitch met Danny’s uncertain gaze. Everything’s going to be okay.

Another moment past before Danny said, Are Mommy and Daddy watching over Aunt Sabrina, too?

Mitch swallowed, taking time to adjust his hold on Amanda before he answered. When Danny’s grandparents had died, Doug had told him that his grandparents were angels watching over all of them here at the ranch. To help soothe Danny’s tears, Mitch had told him the same thing about his parents, that their spirits would always be here at the ranch, watching over him and his sister. He thought about Sabrina’s latest extreme adventure trek and knew it would take more than a guardian angel to keep her safe. While she was under his roof her safety would be his responsibility. I reckon that as long as she is here at the ranch, they’ll be watching over her, too.

Danny pursed his lips as if to mull over the idea.

And don’t forget, Mitch added, I will always be here for you. We’re partners now, and nothing is going to change that.

Promise?

Mitch made an X over the left side of his chest. Cross my heart.

Danny threw his arms around Mitch’s neck and squeezed tightly. I love you, Uncle Mitch.

Mitch hugged him back. I love you, too, little partner.

Amanda and Danny were great kids and they’d always been close. Now more than ever, they warmed the cold places in Mitch’s heart. He was determined to be there for them the rest of his life. He wouldn’t back down from that responsibility. He didn’t want to. He couldn’t.

Danny arched his eyebrows in a dramatic way that reminded Mitch of Caitlin. Are we for-real partners?

That’s right. All three of us own this ranch now. You, me, and Amanda.

Mandy? Danny scrunched his freckled nose. She’s just a baby!

Mitch grinned. She won’t always be a baby. That’s the one truth I can tell you about women. They grow up fast.

That wasn’t the only truth, but it was the only one appropriate for young ears.

Waving one hand in front of his face, Danny pinched his nose. Pew.

Go pick out a bedtime story while I tend to Miss Stinky-britches.

Danny snickered.

You keep laughing and I might make you in charge of dirty diaper duty.

Danny made a zipping motion across his lips.

Mitch ruffled the boy’s hair. Make sure all the toys in your room are picked up and put away.

Danny ran for the stairs, then halted suddenly and spun around slapping a hand to his forehead. I almost forgot, he said, I promised my teacher that I’d bring cookies for my graduation party next week. Do you think Aunt Sabrina can make cookies?

Mitch tried to hide his apprehension. According to Caitlin, Sabrina had little time for anything but her career. I don’t know, but I’m sure Irene would be happy to.

Danny’s smile fell.

Mitch couldn’t handle the disappointment on Danny’s face. Tell you what. If Sabrina can’t bake cookies for your class, I’ll just have to put on Irene’s yellow polka-dot apron and bake them myself.

Danny giggled.

Mitch sighed with relief, but it was only temporary. He knew in his soul that all the promises and good intentions in the world couldn’t make amends for what he’d done.

SABRINA EKLUND EASED up on the accelerator as the lights of the cattle ranch first came into view. When she’d been racing up the interstate, she’d clung to a thin hope that it was all a horrible mistake. But now as she drove under the wooden sign proclaiming entrance to the Double D, she had to face the truth. Caitlin and Doug were dead and she had two small children who needed her.

At the end of the long drive stood the grand old farm-style house where her sister had lived for the last six years. Even in the twilight, she could see the well-tended gardens behind the white picket fence. A large wrap-around porch held a swing with forest-green gingham cushions. Purple and yellow pansies, Caitlin’s favorite, spilled over the sides of hanging baskets at the corners of the porch. In the distance she saw a large hay barn and the stable. A longing she thought she’d overcome lodged in her chest.

As a young girl, she had wanted to own her own horse ranch and had imagined how it would look in every detail, sharing her dreams only with her big sister. She shouldn’t have been surprised that her sister had transformed the Double D into that perfect image. Caitlin had made the Double D her home.

I’ve never been able to fill Caitlin’s shoes. What am I going to do now?

Sabrina banished the thought as she made her way toward the house. The simple truth was that she had no choice. The children needed her. She would not let them down.

She wondered if Caitlin had ever guessed the real reason she had stayed away for so long. She hoped not. The deep resonant sound of Mitch’s voice on the phone had nearly stopped her heart.

Sabrina clenched the steering wheel and repeated what had become her personal mantra on the long drive to Oregon. Focus on the children. Don’t think about Mitch. It would take her a few days to get their belongings packed, and then she could return to the relative safety of Los Angeles.

After parking the car in front of the house, she climbed out and took in a fortifying breath, embracing the nostalgic scent of spring flowers, hay and cattle. She grabbed Danny’s treats, and then trudged up the steps to the front porch, sending up one last prayer that Mitch would have a beer belly and thinning hair when he came to the door.

She rang the bell and the door opened almost immediately. If she could have formed a concise thought, it would have been that she should start going to church more often.

Mitch’s piercing gaze stole the breath right out of her. Faint new lines creased the corners of his blue eyes and added to his rugged appeal. His dark hair was as thick as ever and longer than when she’d seen him last. He’d gained a few pounds, but in all the right places.

Her mouth was suddenly dry and she had to wet her lips before she could speak. Hello, Mitch.

His gaze never left her eyes. Sabrina. He said her name with a polite nod as if it were a greeting in itself. Too late she’d learned he was a man of action, and too few words.

She lowered her gaze to get her bearings.

A black T-shirt stretched across his massive chest and hinted at the six-pack abs beneath the cotton. His jeans, she noticed, were old and faded, just the way she knew he liked them. His boots were a weathered gray snakeskin. She recalled how she’d once thought that even his feet were sexy.

See something you want sweetheart?

Sabrina’s head snapped up. She realized his attention and his words had been directed at the pink bundle high on his shoulder. Amanda.

Her heart constricted at the sight of her beautiful niece. The baby had pushed back the thin blanket and was grabbing at Mitch’s nose. He placed a kiss on her forehead and she gave him a toothless, drooling grin. He didn’t seem to mind the slobber or the little fist hitting his nose.

At another time the incongruity of the image of this untamable cowboy with the baby would have made her laugh. Now the sight caused a little twist close to her heart.

This little angel is Amanda, Mitch said.

Hello Amanda, Sabrina said, taking a step closer. She’s beautiful.

After a moment, he stepped back so Sabrina could enter.

Once inside, she glanced around the large open living room, avoiding direct eye contact with the man who had once been able to read her face like a book. Well-loved toys were strewn across the rug and a knitted blanket padded the baby swing, next to the sofa. She remembered when her sister had knitted that blanket, and a lump formed in her throat. Swallowing, she said, How are the children coping?

As well as—

A loud crash resounded from the kitchen, accompanied by the peal of breaking glass. Fear transformed Mitch’s normally guarded expression, and in unison they cried out. Danny!

Carefully supporting the baby, Mitch raced toward the clatter.

Sabrina ran after him. Concern for her nephew’s safety shoved all her other worries aside. She reached the kitchen a heartbeat behind Mitch.

Shattered bits of glass crunched beneath her shoes as she first spotted Danny amid the overturned chairs and a broken jar of pie cherries. Bright red splatters covered Danny’s face and pajama top. The sight sent an unfamiliar flutter from her stomach to her head. Hurriedly, she tried to determine how much was cherry juice and how much was blood.

Don’t move, Danny! Mitch’s firm command rose from beside her, breaking the shattering silence. Where are you cut?

Danny held out his hand, and his lower lip quivered. A short thin cut creased the skin of one of his fingers and blood slowly trickled down his hand.

Before she could move, Mitch bent down, hooked his free arm around Danny and hoisted him up to sit on the counter next to the sink, mindless of the mess transferring onto his own shirt. Sabrina will help you wash it and see if there’s any glass in the cut.

As a criminalist, Sabrina had seen more than her share of blood, not to mention murder and mayhem. So she knew it wasn’t the small cut on her nephew’s finger that was making her dizzy. This was different; unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Danny’s welfare was her responsibility. Momentarily overwhelmed by that realization, she froze.

Sabrina. Mitch said only her name, but his tone snapped her out of the hesitation.

Pushing past the fear of her new role, Sabrina stepped forward and took his small hand in hers, hoping he didn’t notice her fingers were also trembling. It’s okay, sweetie. I know it hurts, but you’re going to be fine.

Danny started to wail.

The cut doesn’t look deep. She wanted to reassure him. It’ll just take a few seconds to wash, then we’ll get you fixed up good as new with a Band Aid.

She turned on the water, but when she tried to rinse the cut, Danny pulled away screaming, I want my mommy!

The heart-rending plea made Sabrina ache for the poor child and the enormity of his loss. At one time she would have shrunk away in defeat, knowing she could never be as good as Caitlin, but that was not an option. I know, sweetie. But I’m here now and I’m going to help you.

Still holding the baby, Mitch stepped beside her and leaned down to get Danny’s attention. Okay, little partner, I need you to do something very important for me.

Danny hiccuped. What?

I need to see how strong you are with your good hand. I want you to grab hold of my thumb, and I want you to squeeze it as tight as you can. Just like it’s an orange and you’re trying to make orange juice.

He looked quizzically at Mitch, but his tears slowly started to subside.

Mitch offered his thumb.

Now, when I say, I want you to start squeezing, and keep squeezing as hard as you can, until I say stop. Mitch caught her gaze, and then nodded to the running water. Okay, one, two, three, go.

Sabrina quickly washed the cut while Mitch distracted Danny by making exaggerated faces of pain as Danny squeezed his thumb. Fortunately, she didn’t see any slivers of glass. When she finished, Danny was giggling.

All done, she said, unable to disguise her relief. She managed a nod of gratitude toward Mitch. She didn’t want to admit they’d made a good team, but she sensed he was thinking the same thing.

Danny looked down at his finger, surprised. What about my Band Aid?

Mitch retrieved one from a first aid kit under the sink and handed it to Sabrina. Thankfully, it was the kind pretreated with an antibacterial ointment.

She dried and covered the cut, then kissed the tip of his finger and said, How about some clean PJs to go with it?

Danny looked down at the stained front of his pajamas. Sheepishly, he glanced toward Mitch. I jus’ wanted some cherries.

Before Mitch could respond, Sabrina pulled out the bundle of cherry-flavored Tootsie Roll Pops and handed them to Danny. Will these do instead?

Danny’s face brightened. You remembered! He reached for the small bouquet of candy with his uninjured hand.

What do you say? Mitch spoke to Danny, but he was frowning at Sabrina.

"Thank