Chapter One

Eli crouched behind a tall, sturdy tree, his heart pounding. The voices of the rustlers floated through the air, their gruff tones sending shivers down his spine. He caught a glimpse of his fellow agents, Macaulay ‘Mac' Carter, Creed McBride, and Alex Reeves, huddled beside him, all tense and focused.

The group moved stealthily through the dense forest, their steps muffled by layers of fallen leaves and twigs. Eli's senses were on high alert as they closed in on the rustlers. When Creed gave the signal to move closer, Eli could feel his heart thumping louder in his chest. He saw Creed motion for him to call out to the rustlers.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped out from behind the tree, his weapon ready. The rustlers spun around to face him, their hands instinctively reaching for their guns. Eli knew it was going to be a showdown.

"Livestock agents, drop your weapons and put your hands up!" Eli commanded, his voice firm.

But he could see the defiance in their eyes, and he knew they wouldn't surrender without a fight. Mac, Alex, and Creed emerged from the trees; guns trained on the rustlers.

"You heard him! Drop your weapons and put your hands up!" Creed shouted. Then Eli heard him mutter, "Hell."

But one rustler just sneered at Eli before sudden gunfire erupted from all directions. Panic surged through Eli as he tried to find cover, but not before he saw Mac fall. His instincts took over, and he lunged toward his fallen friend, but a searing pain in his upper back caused him to collapse to his knees.

Despite the agony coursing through his body, Eli struggled to stay conscious. He had to reach Mac. Between shots fired by both sides, he could hear yelling but couldn't make out their words. Darkness crept in at the edges of his vision as he lay on the forest floor, determined to hold on until he could reach Mac and ensure his safety…

Startled awake, Eli jolted upright. Clasping his head in his hands, he cursed as the residual effects of the dream lingered. When would it leave him alone? His fingers traced the raised skin of the old gunshot wound on his collarbone, a constant reminder of that fateful night.

Gritting his teeth, he threw off the blanket and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He made his way to the bathroom, flipping on the light and wincing at the harsh glare. Standing in front of the mirror, he met his tired gaze. That night had almost claimed not only his life, but those of Creed and Alex as well. And it did claim Mac's.

Their department had been devastated by the loss of one of their own as they laid their fallen colleague to rest. Eli knew how dangerous their job was and always tried to be cautious, but sometimes the criminals were just too reckless.

The four of them had worked together for years, and each had the other's back. But on that night, Eli wasn't able to save Mac. He had failed his best friend.

"You blacked out," he muttered, shaking his head in frustration.

It shouldn't have happened. Mac was an exemplary agent, husband, and soon-to-be father. It wasn't fair that he was taken from them. And Eli couldn't help but blame himself for not getting there in time to save him.

Realizing sleep was no longer an option, he headed to the kitchen and brewed a cup of coffee. As he sipped it, he stood at the back door and looked out into the darkness. The clock on the microwave read three-thirty. Damn. He should be fast asleep right now, but that recurring nightmare always kept him up.

He knew he wasn't the only one haunted by those memories. Alex still struggled with them, and Creed had no recollection of that night at all. And to make matters worse, the rustlers responsible for Mac's death were still on the loose, their crimes left unpunished.

The lingering thought of the thieves still out there, causing harm and chaos, sent a wave of anxiety through him. He couldn't shake off the fear that he might run into them again, but he was determined to end their wrongdoings.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, he went to work. The crisp autumn air greeted him, carrying the earthy scent of fallen leaves. This was his favorite time of year; he would take fall over any other season without hesitation.

After parking his truck in the lot, he stepped into the building and pressed the button for the elevator. The doors opened onto his floor, and he walked briskly to his desk, ready to start his day.

"Hey, Eli."

"Alex. How's it going today?"

"So far, so good. But it's still early." Alex Reeves flashed a grin.

"No kidding, I didn't get much sleep either, so my ass will be dragging."

"Nightmares keeping you up again?"

"Yeah. You still dealing with them, too?"

"Unfortunately, yes. Dylan does her best to help me through them, but it's not easy. We need to find those men before they hurt anyone else."

"That's for sure. But it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack; they could be anywhere in the country by now."

"True. But we can't give up until we bring them to justice. We all want that, but no one more than you, me, and Creed."

Eli nodded firmly; his jaw set in determination. He knew Alex and Creed shared the same fiery desire for revenge against those heartless bastards who had nearly killed them all. The thought of how many lives the rustlers could take before being caught fueled their rage further. Something had to be done, and quickly.

"Eli? Come into my office, please."

Sighing heavily, Eli followed his boss, Dave Merkle, into the small, cluttered space and sat on the worn leather chair. Dave settled behind his desk and shuffled some papers before finally looking at him.

"I'm sending you to the Palmer ranch," he said grimly. "He's reported some missing horses. Here's the address." He handed Eli a sheet of paper.

"Will do. Is it in Clifton?"

"No, it's in Hartland. Mr. Palmer expects you, so head out there as soon as possible."

"Got it," Eli replied with a firm nod.

"Eli?"

"Yes, sir?"

"How are you holding up?"

Eli let out a frustrated huff. "I'm trying my best, Dave. I would be doing fine if these damn nightmares would just stop."

"Have you talked to the psychologist I recommended?"

"Yes, but it hasn't helped with the nightmares. It felt good to talk about it, but that night keeps replaying in my mind. I can't shake the image of Mac..."

"It wasn't your fault," Dave interrupted sternly. "Mac knew the risks of this job."

"He left behind a pregnant wife."

"It's part of the job, Eli. We all know the dangers involved."

"I know, but that doesn't make it any easier."

"I understand your pain," Dave said sympathetically. "But you have to find a way to accept what happened and move forward. Have a good day, Eli. We'll talk more later." Eli nodded and left the office, his mind still consumed with memories of that fateful night.

Eli's eyes swept over the neat rows of desks and chairs, the walls adorned with framed diplomas and awards, before he reached his own desk at the far end of the room. He grabbed his cowboy hat, and placed it on his head before heading to the elevator.

The sun beat down on him as he climbed into his truck and entered the address into the GPS. The gravel lot crunched beneath his tires as he drove out onto the open road.

When the automated voice announced that he had reached his destination, Eli pulled into a long driveway lined with tall trees and followed it to a sprawling farmhouse. He parked his truck in front of the house and stepped out, taking a moment to survey his surroundings. The scent of freshly cut grass, mingled with the earthy aroma of horses, filled the air.

As he approached the porch, a man stepped out from inside. His weathered face was lined with years of hard work, and his red hair was streaked with gray, but there was a kindness in his eyes as he looked at Eli.

"Mr. Palmer?" Eli asked, extending a hand.

"I'm Marcus Palmer," the man replied with a firm handshake.

"I'm Agent Eli Hawkins with the Montana department of livestock. I understand you have some horses missing?"

"I do. Come on inside, son," Mr. Palmer said, gesturing for Eli to follow him.

Eli nodded, wiped his feet on the mat, and entered the house, removing his hat.

"Take a seat, son. Would you like a cup of coffee? It won't take but a minute. My daughter bought one of those fancy machines that makes it in less than a minute. I never thought I'd live to see that. I was dead set against using it, but it's quick." He grinned.

Eli laughed. "I know what you mean. My dad refuses to use one."

"We older folks don't like change. It took a while for me to use this," Mr. Palmer said, setting a cup of hot coffee in front of Eli.

"Thank you." Eli lifted the cup, took a sip, and set it down. "Tell me about the horses."

"My daughter discovered five were missing and a section of the fence was down."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Could someone show me where?"

"My daughter can. I don't get around too well anymore. Let me call her. She's in the barn."

"I can track her down. It would be easier for me to go to her than ask her to come inside."

"It's your call, son. She's probably tending to the horses, so you should have no problem finding her. Finish your coffee first."

"Yes, sir." Eli finished his coffee, stood up, and shook Marcus's hand before leaving the house and crossing the yard to enter the barn.

He allowed his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting before walking down the aisle, peeking into each stall until he found her working in one of them.

"Ms. Palmer?"

She turned to face him and his jaw dropped in surprise.

"Hello, Eli." She leaned her rake against the wall, took off her work gloves and tucked them into her back pocket.

"Lorna. I didn't expect to see you here."

"I'm sure you didn't. How have you been?" She smiled at him, and he couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked. Her dark red hair was in a ponytail, and her blue eyes sparkled as she smiled at him.

"I've been good. And you?"

"Fine, thank you. Are you here about the stolen horses?"

"Yes, ma'am. Could you show me where the horses were taken from?"

"Of course. Follow me." She grabbed her hat from a nearby nail, placed it on her head, and walked toward him. He was mesmerized by her blue eyes and didn't move until she raised an eyebrow in question.

"Sorry." He stepped back, gesturing toward the door.

"I have my truck parked out back," she said.

"I need to take my truck instead. In case I need anything from it."

She nodded in agreement and followed him to his truck. He opened the passenger door for her, and she smiled as she climbed into the cab.

Once they were both inside, he turned to her. "Where to?"

"Just drive through the gate and follow the road. I'll tell you when to turn."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Eli... call me Lorna, please."

"Lorna."

He did his best not to glance at her as he drove. Her presence had taken him by surprise. They continued past the gate until reaching a fork in the pasture.

"Take the left and follow it to the fence."

"Alright."

After parking beside the fence, he got out of the truck and heard her door close behind him. She joined him in front of the fence.

"It's right here. We fixed it but we didn't see any tire tracks."

"Yes, ma'am. I'll come back tomorrow and look around since the sun's starting to set, but I'm going to walk along the fence. I'll just be a minute."

****

From a distance, Lorna observed Eli striding along the fence. He was there the night her husband was shot and killed. Lorna still missed Mac terribly, but she knew she had to keep moving forward. Her daughter was her world, and she made sure to keep her father's memory alive in her heart. As Eli walked along the fence, Lorna couldn't help but notice how attractive he was. She was surprised at how much she admired his ass in those Wrangler jeans and his impressive height. Tall men always caught her eye. His hair was the shade of black coffee and slightly longer than usual, but it suited him perfectly. His eyes were the color of a clear sky on a sunny day.

When he turned and headed back toward her, Lorna couldn't help but bite her lip as she noticed how nicely his fly fit over his crotch. She had always been drawn to cowboys and Eli Hawkins was no exception. Despite being a livestock agent, she could tell he was also a true cowboy at heart. She let her gaze wander down his long legs and smiled when she saw his weathered cowboy boots.

Once they were inside the truck, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a notepad and pen before turning to face her.

"How many ranch hands do you have?" he asked.

"Only five," Lorna replied. "Dad sold all but fifty acres of land; he didn't want to manage it anymore."

"So, you won't be running the ranch?"

"I'll inherit it, but I don't plan on turning it into a working ranch again. I like it just the way it is now. We have ten horses, or we did until recently," she said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"I'm sorry to hear that they were stolen. I'll do everything in my power to help."

"I have no doubt about that."

"Do you know who bought the land from your dad?"

"The last name is Callaway, but I don't know his first name. He has been trying to buy more from my dad, but my dad refuses to sell."

"So, this buyer wanted all of it?"

"Yes."

"I'll see what I can find out about him. Can you think of anyone who might be responsible for the theft?"

"No, I have no idea."

"Okay, I'll see what I can find. Could you give me the names of your ranch hands? I'll need to speak with them as well."

"They wouldn't steal from us."

"I understand that you trust them, but you never know what circumstances someone may be facing. People can resort to desperate actions during tough times."

Lorna let out a sigh and reluctantly provided their names.

"I'll take you back home now and then head to the office. I'll keep you updated on any findings."

"If possible, could you please call me instead of my father? He doesn't always have his cellphone with him. I've been trying to get him to use it more, but he's stubborn."

Eli grinned and she couldn't help but blush.

"My dad uses his cellphone, but my grandfather only uses a landline."

"Some people are set in their ways." She returned his smile. "It took me a while to convince my dad to use the K-cup machine."

Eli chuckled. "Yeah, he mentioned that," he said as he pulled his vehicle to a stop beside the barn and turned to look at Lorna.

Lorna responded with a smile. "Please let me know if you find anything."

"I will. And if anything else comes up, don't hesitate to reach out." He handed her one of his business cards.

"Thank you. Have a good day and thank you for coming out." She stepped out of the truck.

"It's all part of the job. Enjoy the rest of your day." He touched the brim of his hat before driving away.

Lorna looked at the card in her hand and couldn't help but grin. Elijah W. Hawkins. If he weren't an MDOL agent, she wouldn't mind getting to know him better. But after losing her husband, Mac, in the line of duty at just thirty years old, she couldn't bear going through that again. Becoming a widow at thirty was devastating enough. At thirty-three, she was still young and healthy and craved intimacy. She knew Mac would want her to move on and find happiness again. She didn't want to spend the rest of her life alone.

She made her way to the house and took off her shoes before stepping inside. She entered the kitchen and hung up her hat before heading to the living room, where she could hear the TV playing.

"Dad?" she called out.

"Hi, Cookie. Did the livestock agent find you?"

"Yes, I showed him where the tracks were." She sat down on a recliner. "Have you heard from Mr. Callaway recently?"

"He calls every damn day. I don't know what else I can do to make him understand that I'm not selling any more of my land. I decided to sell what I did, and I decided to keep what I want."

"I told Agent Hawkins about him. He said he would look into it."

"Why would he steal our horses, Lorna? He has no interest in raising animals, just building on that land."

"I hate that."

"I know, honey. I hate it, too. But it became too much for me to handle after your mother passed away. I have no desire to continue running this ranch and I know you're busy with your own life. You shouldn't even be here on your day off."

"I don't mind. This ranch means a lot to me, but you know I'm not cut out for managing it. My heart isn't in it, even if I hired more men or bought more horses. I'm sorry, Daddy."

"Don't apologize for being honest with yourself and me. It's fine. It's not much of a ranch anymore, just a peaceful homestead for you when I'm gone."

"It will be a long time before that happens." She smiled.

"I hope so."

"Are you getting hungry? It's been a while since breakfast."

"A little bit. Are you done with your work in the barn?"

"Yes, I'm heading upstairs to shower while Lily is still asleep. The smell of manure is all over me."

"You do smell like it."

Lorna gasped and then laughed.

"Now you know how it felt when you would come in from working."

Her father chuckled.

"Your mother always made me clean up before I even gave her a kiss after coming in from the barn."

"I miss her, and I know you do too."

"Every day, honey. She was taken away too soon."

"Yes, she was. I'll be back down soon to make us lunch."

"That sounds good." He looked at her carefully. "Lorna, are you okay talking with the agent? I know it must bring back some memories."

She sighed. "It does, and on top of that, he was one of Mac's closest friends and was there the night he died."

"Really? I didn't mention Mac to him. I didn't want to share your personal information with him."

"I understand. I had met Eli a few times before that night. He's a nice man, and I know he's a good agent. Mac used to talk about him, Alex Reeves, and Creed McBride all the time. He trusted them. They were all together that night."

"I'm sorry, Lorna. If interacting with Agent Hawkins is too difficult for you because of the memories, maybe you can request another agent."

"No, it's okay. It's been three years now, Dad. I'm fine."

"I know you are, sweetheart. You're a strong woman and a great mother to Lily, but if him being here brings back painful memories..."

"I'll be fine. Really. I better take a shower and then I'll head home after we eat. There's no way I'm getting in my car smelling like this. I'll be right back and then I'll cook us something."

"Okay, honey. I'll be here."

Lorna climbed the stairs to her childhood room, but before going in she wanted to check on Lily. She cautiously stepped into the bedroom where Lily slept during their visits. She approached the bed and looked at her little girl. It broke her heart knowing that Lily would never have the opportunity to know her father and how excited he was for her arrival. Lorna gently touched her daughter's head, leaned down to kiss her, and quietly returned to her room where she headed straight to the bathroom. She was grateful that she kept extra clothes here to change into after working up a sweat in the barn. As she told her dad earlier, there was no way she was getting into her car smelling like she did. Her father had suggested moving back home multiple times, but she preferred having her own space. One day, this place would be hers, but for now, she was content living with her daughter in their small home a few miles from town.

She had bought the house right after Mac had died. She needed something of her own. Eventually, she hoped to find a good man and settle down again. He would have to be someone special to accept her daughter. They were a package deal, and if a man wasn't interested because of that, then he could move on.

There had to be a good man out there for her somewhere who would accept them both.

****

Eli drove back to the office, entered the building and strode to his desk. Pulling the chair up behind him, he sat and opened the computer. He scanned files about recent thefts. He hoped this would narrow it down by finding similar thefts in the area or nearby, but when he couldn't find anything, he sighed, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

"Hey, Eli."

He glanced up to see Alex.

"Hey, Alex. How are you?"

"Good. Is that a new case?" Alex sat in a chair opposite the desk.

"Yes. The ranch belongs to Marcus Palmer. Five of his horses were stolen, and you'll never guess who his daughter is."

"Who?"

"Lorna, Mac's wife."

"Really? Did you see her?"

"I did. She seemed fine."

"I'm glad but I still hate that it happened. She's too young to be a widow."

"And her daughter will never know her father." Eli shook his head.

"I know. It's unreal. Are you going to keep the case, or do you think it would be too uncomfortable?"

"I'll keep it, unless she requests that I'm removed from it."

"I doubt it. She lost her husband, but she knew the risks. Just like we all do. I hate that Mac died, but we all knew it could happen. Did you get to meet their daughter?"

"No. I'm not sure where she was. I didn't see her inside the house when Mr. Palmer asked me in, and she wasn't in the barn with Lorna."

"She'd be, what? Three now? Maybe she was napping."

"Could be. What are you working on?"

"I've nearly wrapped up a case out in Whitefish. Someone stole a hundred head of cattle from a rancher, and we caught the thieves, but the damage was already done."

"That's rough."

"Those damn rustlers don't give a damn. As long as they get their money, it doesn't matter who they hurt."

"I couldn't agree more. It's a real shame."

"At least the rancher had insurance, but that's not the point. Stealing is wrong, especially from someone who works hard to provide for their family."

Eli leaned back in his chair. "I became an agent because I wanted to make a difference, but some days, it feels like I'm just going in circles. I love my job, but it can be so frustrating."

"And let's not forget about getting shot."

Eli shook his head. "I can't stop replaying that night in my head."

"Same here. Creed is lucky he doesn't remember anything. But I'll never forget it. I thought we were all goners."

"Me too. And I hate that I couldn't reach Mac in time."

"Eli, there was nothing you could have done. Mac knew the risks of the job."

"He did, but he also had a wife who was nine months pregnant."

Alex let out a deep sigh. "I know, and if I could have traded places with him, I would have."

"I should apologize to Lorna, but I'm not so sure about that. I called her once I got out of the hospital, but she barely spoke to me."

"She was still grieving, Eli. I'm sure she has moved on by now. It's been three years."

"Three years doesn't feel like enough time to forget, Alex."

Alex ran his fingers through his hair and let out a deep sigh.

"I know. Some days it feels like it just happened yesterday."

"Yeah, I know. We were lucky Creed got that call out for backup."

Alex stood up. "Yeah. I should probably get back to my desk and finish the report. Let's catch up over lunch sometime."

"Sounds good. Talk to you later."

"Alright." Alex walked back to his desk and took a seat.

With a heavy heart, Eli opened a file and focused on his work. But thoughts of Lorna kept creeping into his mind. He had always found her beautiful but never allowed himself to think beyond that. She was married to another agent, his best friend, so she was off-limits.

"She still is," he muttered, perusing the file before him.

He hoped to find a solution for Lorna and her father's case. He needed to make up for not being able to save Mac. He knew it wasn't his fault that Mac was shot, but if only he had reached him in time, maybe he would still be alive.

"Stop dwelling on it," Luke McCallister said as he walked past Eli's desk.

"It's easier said than done, Luke." Eli glanced up at him.

"I know, it's tough," Luke said with a sigh. "But dwelling on it won't do any good."

Eli let out a heavy breath. "I'm fine. I just saw Mac's widow today, and it brought back a lot of memories."

"I see. Hopefully you won't have to see her again."

"No, I will. I'm working on her father's case."

"Damn. Do you want out?"

"Not unless she specifically asks for it. She doesn't even live with her father. But she did ask me to update her if there are any developments."

"I understand. Good luck with it, Eli. We all know how much this weighs on you, but remember, it wasn't your fault. There was nothing you could do."

"Yeah, I know. I'll handle it."

"That's all you can do. Well, I have to run. I'm meeting Beau for lunch."

"Say hi to him for me. I haven't seen him in a while."

"He just got back from Butte, working on a case there. Talk to you soon, man. You got to let go of this, or it'll consume you."

Eli nodded as Luke walked out the door toward the elevator. He knew Luke was right, and he had to remind himself of that every day. Even if everyone else believed it, he just had to make himself believe it too.