Watching You: Red Willows, #2

CHAPTER 1

A re you seriously kidding me with this luck right now? Teena Mason kicked the front tire of her government issue SUV only to swear once more as pain radiated through her foot and on to her leg. The steam rising from the hood did little to improve her mood. Figures. The one time I step up and be nice to my coworker, I get stranded. She threw her arms up. "In New Mexico. On some hot ass day that I’m sure means Satan is renting out his home, to take a vacation somewhere nice and cool."

She winced from her dramatic behavior. Shouldn’t have done that, she muttered. She still bore battle scars from her latest assignment, injured ribs. My fault. Should have known better.

Teena dug her cell phone out of her suit coat pocket and wished she wore a skimpy camisole and short shorts instead. This pantsuit was hell.

See that, Satan. I’m apparently now in your armpit. I want to leave. I have places to be. Namely, her place in New Orleans, Louisiana. Of course, no bars. She moved back to the open passenger door. It may be Texas and it may be out in the middle of nowhere but she hadn’t lost the good sense God gave her to be hanging out on the side closest to the road. The interior was its own personal circle of hell as she sat on the seat, trying to activate her GPS service to call for assistance.

Nothing happened when she turned the key. At all. She rubbed the back of her neck and groaned. Not even any juice to call for help. Hopping down, she trekked to the back and opened the rear door. Reaching in, she drew out a bottle of water and uncapped it before indulging. There was an entire case in there. A habit she’d been ingrained with many years ago. With two more in hand, she returned to the front passenger seat.

Not even a breeze could be mustered up to blow and help alleviate the heat. She kept checking her phone, hoping a signal would decide to miraculously appear. No such luck. She also didn’t leave the safety of the truck, that would have also been an insane move. Here she had shelter, water, and the chance of being passed by a truck, car…hell, even a tractor.

She chuckled. I’d take a ride on a tractor if it got me to a phone that worked.

When the sun had begun lowering in the sky, she wanted nothing more than a shower and a bed. Christ, I’m going to be sleeping in this damn vehicle. You owe me big, Jason.

She leaned back in the seat and used a damp paper towel to dab the sweat off her face and neck. The whoop, whoop behind her, had her cranking her head around to peer out the window.

A large, older SUV with a cherry bar on top had pulled up and stopped, lights flashing.

Thank God. She settled back in her seat.

Evening.

How does one sound so damn chipper in this heat? Even Satan would be in a mood. But this man—at least his voice—sounded in a good mood.

Hi, she said angling her body toward the man in uniform.

You having car trouble?

She bit back her sarcastic remark. No sense in picking a fight with the local LEOs. Yes, sir. It up and died on me. Was steaming but now, won’t even turn over a tiny bit. Is there a town nearby I could get some help from? I don’t have any signal here for my phone.

He crossed his arms over a barrel like chest. Lot of dead spots along this here road.

Figures, there would be in hell, she muttered. She sat forward and reached for her purse.

Hands on the dash, nice and easy. The good mood had slipped away leaving with it the serious business tone of a cop.

Teena followed his demand, moving slow so he didn’t spook. Teena Mason, US Marshal. She placed her hands on the hot dashboard, biting back her moan of discomfort from both ribs and palms.

Badge.

Left inside pocket of my suit coat. She ground her teeth, pissed at herself for not identifying herself when he first arrived.

Two fingers, right hand. Then transfer to your left and give it to me.

Sure.

He snatched it from her.

She watched from the corner of her eye, having replaced her hand on the dash once it had been passed over.

Don’t move, he ordered.

Wouldn’t dream of it. I’ll never hear the end of this now, when it gets back to them. The people she worked with would have a field day with this.

Sorry about that, he said, the deep twang rolling off his tongue.

I understand. You’re just doing your job. Teena put her badge back. You saw a gun and reacted. No harm, no foul.

Let me call you a tow. How long have you been out here?

She settled back against the seat and thought about snow. Nice, cold snowy day with below zero temperatures. Going on four hours now.

Good thing you didn’t wander. We’re thirty miles from Melfa and I’m still not sure how you got on this road. Hardly used anymore.

Gathered that, her sarcastic remark spilled free. I should have stuck to the main road and headed to Taos without thinking this was a good idea.

Purdy little thing like you would get lost out here. How’d you become a Marshal?

Purdy lil’ thing. The fact it didn’t annoy her half as much as it typically would was a testament to how exhausted she truly felt. Worked my ass off. There was no heat in her tone. And technically, it’s Deputy Marshal.

Yes, ma’am. I’m sure you did. His tone changed a bit as if aware her goodwill was nearing its end.

She stood beside him and thought about her wrong turn. It’s my fault for thinking it was a good idea to take a short cut. Have I complained about that yet? No? Well, I’m sure I will again.

Come on, I’ll take you to town, you can get a hotel. I’m sure they’ll have your car fixed as soon as they can.

And there is cell service there? She swiped her bag and a few more bottles of water from the back.

Yes. Just none along this stretch of road. He held the door of his tan and green SUV open for her. Who sent you here, I mean this way?

As much as I’d love to blame someone other than myself, it’s all on me.

He climbed up and the vehicle rocked in response to his large frame. Unusual to find a fed who doesn’t blame someone else.

To you perhaps. For me, it’s a local LEO who isn’t pissed a fed is in their vicinity.

His booming laughter relaxed her along with the air moving over her. No, it wasn’t a cool breeze by any stretch, it was hot and acrid, but she took it willingly. The movement was more than enough.

I’m going to drop you off at the hotel. Travis will tow your suburban and I’ll have him swing by the diner to give you an update.

She fought a yawn. Okay. Wait, why is he filling me in at a diner?

Figured you’d be hungry. He could talk to you while you ate. Food’s filling and tasty. You’ll like it. He depressed the accelerator and they shot away faster as the first few stars popped from behind the dark indigo of the night sky. Unless you don’t eat.

I eat, she said gazing out over the vast pastureland. Before she’d been able to see the mixed greens of grasses but now it was nothing but