High Noon (Between the Veils Series, Book Two) by KRIS NORRIS Page B

small bottle in his hand. His gaze didn’t stray from the door as if he was waiting for something.
    Payton stayed tucked in his side, wondering if she should be tossing salt out the open door or doing something else more useful than sitting there, hoping Blake would take care of their unwanted guest.
    His hold loosened slightly and she eased away from him, reaching over and closing the door. Her hand shook slightly as she turned to face him, certain he’d see the fear beading her skin.
    He looked her in the eye, his gaze hardening. “You okay?”
    “Fine. I thought I heard something hiss at me.”
    “I’m sure you did.” He looked toward town. “We really need to get to the State Library.”
    “So let’s go.”
    When he glanced at her, his expression stole her breath. No man had ever looked at her with such intensity before, as if his life depended on hers. “I won’t risk your life, Payton. Not even to find out what this is all about. Maybe I should take you back to the church—leave you there while I investigate.”
    “Like hell you will.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “While I’m touched by your concern, I’m not about to hide while you risk your life. This ghost has been haunting me for months. I think I can survive one more day.”
    “The bastard hadn’t tried to hurt you before.”
    “Technically, he didn’t hurt me, he just dragged me upstairs.”
    “That classifies in my books.” He turned away, seemingly lost in thought for a moment. “Fine. We’ll go together. But if I’m the least bit concerned about your welfare, you’ll get your ass in this truck and keep it here until I say otherwise.” He stared at her. “Understand?”
    She sighed, knowing he wouldn’t compromise on this one. “Deal.”
    He nodded, though she could tell he wasn’t pleased with the situation. She reached out and squeezed his hand, smiling when he looked over at her. The simple act seemed to ease some of the tension and he leaned over for a quick kiss before heading toward Carson City. They drove out of the park and onto the highway, winding along the pavement when a blur shimmied across the road. Blake slowed the truck for a moment, glancing over at her, before hitting the gas again. Her back pressed into the seat as he accelerated, the needle on the speedometer cresting eighty. She reached for the handle above the door, wondering why he’d sped up when a dark mist materialized in the middle of the road, the wispy edges swirling into the shape of a man.
    Payton screamed, bracing for impact as Blake hit the figure head-on. A black veil surrounded the truck, plunging it into darkness as an eerie howl vibrated through the interior before abruptly cutting off. The cloud circled the vehicle, spinning skyward before dissipating as quickly as it had appeared. Payton gasped as the truck headed for a curve, the silver guardrails gleaming in the morning light. Blake reacted, skidding the truck sideways, spinning the tires on the soft shoulder. He counter-steered, keeping the vehicle straight as he waited for the rubber to get some traction, finally veering back onto the road. Payton glanced behind them, but all that lingered was the frantic beating of her heart and the pounding of her pulse in her ears.
    “Holy shit, Blake. What the hell was that?”
    He spared her a quick glance. “ That was one pissed off spirit.”
    She furrowed her brow. “That was the ghost cowboy? But why would he appear in front of your truck? Surely he couldn’t think he’d be able to stop us or anything.”
    Blake grimaced and she knew she wasn’t going to like whatever he had to say.
    He sighed. “Actually, if I hadn’t modified the truck by lining parts of the frame with iron, he might have been able to gain access and drain the battery or reattach to your energy signature. Whatever his motivation was, it’s made one thing extremely clear.” He caught her gaze. “He’s upping the ante and you’re his prize.”
    She nearly