Once a Rancher by Linda Lael Miller

same spot and even used the original foundation. Dark as a dungeon applies, believe me. It has lights, but the space is so big that you have to turn them on as you go. If any of that interests you, I’ll ask my boss if you could check it out. I doubt he’d mind. As a matter of fact, he’d be thrilled about the publicity.” She drew a deep breath then shuddered dramatically. “Count me out of the exploration part, though. Last time I was down there, I came eyeball to eyeball with a spider I swear was as big as my hand. I went straight up and called an exterminator.”
    Slater was fascinated by the research material she’d just described. He was also amused by what she’d revealed about this unexpected phobia. “Grace, you used to be a cop. I assume you carried a weapon and apprehended bad guys. A spider? Really?”
    â€œReally,” she replied firmly. “I don’t love snakes, mice or stinging insects, so I avoid them. My attitude is you stay away from me and I’ll stay away from you. But spiders send a chill up my spine.”
    Mick gazed at her, obviously enthralled. “You used to be a cop?”
    Slater found the expression on his friend’s face slightly irritating. It said, Hey, you can put me in handcuffs anytime .
    â€œIn another life,” she said. “Like I told Slater, I loved it in the beginning but the job can burn you out pretty quickly. When you work in law enforcement, just about everyone you come in contact with is unhappy, both the victims and the perpetrators. Here, I take care of minor glitches, but a lot of the people I interact with are on vacation and, therefore, in a good mood. I love to see smiling faces and hear that our guests had a wonderful time.”
    â€œI can understand that.”
    She rose. “Speaking of which, I need to go see if there is a crisis like a broken ice machine or housekeeping forgot new towels for someone’s room. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Branson. Oh, the drinks are on me.” She took a twenty from her purse and set it on the table.
    Slater objected immediately. “I invited you. No way.”
    â€œYou’d be doing me a favor if you’d pay for the drinks in cash and save the receipt. Please don’t get all gallant and pay for it yourself with a credit card. I’m conducting an internal investigation involving cash transactions.” Her voice was pleasant but there was a certain steely undertone. “Good night, gentlemen.”
    They both watched her walk away. “I wouldn’t mind her investigating me,” Mick murmured with a slight smile. “But not, shall we say, in a law enforcement capacity.”
    Slater nodded. “Yeah, I’m not surprised. I wondered about introducing you two.” A pause. “I like her, Mick.”
    Mick swirled the bourbon in his glass. “That came through loud and clear, my friend. I’m decent at reading people and I predict you have a shot.” His voice became businesslike again. “Her information about the hotel is a valuable contribution. I’m really starting to like this idea.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    S LATER C ARSON WAS trying to drive her crazy.
    A few days after their impromptu meeting with his friend Mick, he’d called and asked if he could take Ryder to a college football game. Not one nearby, either. Oh, no. They were going to fly out to Laramie with a friend of his and would be back that night but maybe a little late. Private plane and an experienced pilot, he promised. His friend Tripp Galloway had once owned a charter company and had been given the tickets by a friend and former client. Coveted fifty yard line seats. Did she mind?
    Not a bit. Grace really needed the break, and she figured Ryder did, too.
    First, Ryder had gotten into trouble for fighting at school. Now she’d received an email from the principal concerning an incident in English class. Apparently he’d been rude to