The New Cowboy

He provoked a small smile from her. “That’s true, but this isn’t Crow land.”

“It used to be, and the tribe has united with the Federal Highway Administration and the Montana Department of Transportation to make certain this land is preserved.”

“Zane, the crew will be really glad to know you’ve been assigned here.”

He felt his pulse surge. “I hope that means you’re glad, too, because I’d like to enlist more of your help for this case.”

She stirred in the seat. “I’ll do anything I can. What they’ve done is not only criminal, but immoral.”

“How about coming over to the house tomorrow after we help Liz and Connor move into their new place? We’ll combine forces and get all the information entered in my files.”

If he wasn’t mistaken, her voice sounded a trifle unsteady as she said, “All right.”

Inch by inch, Lawson.

“I understand Connor has a ton of stuff stored at your ranch.”

Avery let out a gentle laugh. “You wouldn’t believe it. It’ll take hours just to transport all his trophies and awards.”

Zane grinned. “Then we’ve got our work cut out.” He hoped there’d be so much work, she wouldn’t be able to find an excuse to get away from him.

Once he’d pulled up to her ranch, he got out and walked her to the front door. He smiled down at her. In the faint light from the hallway, the classic planes of her features stood out. Between her fantastic coloring and the flare of her mouth, he could hardly tear his eyes away, but he had to. Something strange had happened when he’d looked at her just now.

Everything had been fine all evening, yet all of a sudden she was starting to pull away from him again. Almost as if he’d pressed a button by mistake and it had opened a secret panel. It wasn’t anything she did physically. Rather he felt her emotional withdrawal into that secret opening.

Puzzled by it, he said, “I liked taking you out on this case with me, especially one that impacts you personally. I’m going to bring it to a close soon.”

“I don’t doubt it. Good night, Zane.”

“I’ll be over in the morning in my truck and we’ll get the move done fast so we’ll have more time to devote to the case. The bureau wants to see it wrapped up in a hurry.”

She only nodded before slipping inside to shut the door.

He’d seen guys behave the same way after they’d retired from the SEALs. Their PTSD triggered flashbacks and attacks of nerves. Zane still struggled from a mild form of it. He saw a doctor in Billings periodically and was given medication that controlled it. But he’d learned enough about it to know it was a real illness and one not associated only with war.

You could get it after living through or seeing a dangerous event like a hurricane or a bad accident. PTSD made you feel stressed and afraid long after the danger was over. It affected your life and the people around you. Avery exhibited certain signs that led him to believe she might be suffering from it. What in the hell had happened to her to bring it on?

With his emotions in turmoil, he drove home and got ready for bed. His thoughts went back to the night Ned Bannock, Sadie’s cousin, had attacked Sadie in the barn while Zane had been in the house with Ryan. Thankfully both Connor and Jarod had caught him in time.

Ned, whose family had always lived on Bannock property, was still being treated at a mental health facility with occasional supervised visits home. Was it possible that sometime in the past he’d attacked Avery and no one ever knew about it?

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