Rancher Rescue by Barb Han Page A

kidnapping, but did you actually see the kid?”
    No, he hadn’t seen the boy. That didn’t mean there wasn’t one. He’d seen the pictures of him. Had been there moments after Noah had been taken. He’d seen kid toys at her sister’s place and at Katherine’s. Besides, Caleb had seen the sheer terror on her face. He could still see the agony in her violet eyes. This conversation was going nowhere. He needed to redirect. She most definitely did not make this up, and he hated the fact she had to hear his friend’s accusations. “The kid has a name. Noah. Did you speak to Coleman?”
    “Sheriff doesn’t know what to believe. Said he’d follow up through proper channels to see if the men were legit, but it could take a while. He doesn’t exactly have ready access to the kinds of people who can verify something like this. Those men who showed up looked serious to me. They flipped badges, too.”
    “Doesn’t mean anything.”
    “That’s exactly what Coleman said. They looked pretty damn official from where I stood.”
    “Can Coleman find out if there is a ‘Kane’ involved in a federal investigation?”
    “He’s trying but he said not to hold out a lot of hope.”
    “Anything else?” Caleb tensed against the pain in his shoulder.
    “Take her to the nearest government building and turn her in, Caleb. Before this gets even more out of control.”
    “You know I won’t.”
    “I don’t think it’s safe for you here at the ranch,” Matt said quietly.
    “I won’t put my men at risk. I won’t come home until this is settled.”
    There was a long silence.
    “Then for God’s sake, be careful,” Matt warned.
    “Got it covered.”
    “I’ll keep things working here until you get back.”
    “Always knew I could count on you.” The pressure in Caleb’s chest eased. His men would be covered until his return.
    “How’s Jimmy’s little girl?”
    “Not good. They scheduled surgery for her in Dallas.”
    “They found a donor?”
    “Seems like it.”
    “That’s good news.”
    Jimmy’s daughter would get the chance she deserved. He’d ensure Katherine did, too.
    Caleb asked Katherine to end the call.
    She looked at him deadpan. “Why didn’t you tell me Matt thinks I’m involved?”
    “He’s not sure what to believe.” Caleb glanced down at her. She looked helpless and small. His protective instincts flared. He wanted to guard her from Matt’s accusations as much as the men chasing her. Those full cherry lips and chestnut hair stirred him sexually. Caleb would swim with caution in the emotional tide.
    “What about Jimmy’s daughter?”
    “She was born with a bad heart. They found a donor. Her surgery is scheduled in a few days.” Caleb hoped like hell he’d be around for it.
    Katherine frowned. “Children should get to grow up before they have to give up their childhood. They shouldn’t have to deal with sickness or death at such young ages. It seems so unfair.”
    “Agreed.”
    Her back went rigid as she took in a breath. “Okay. What’s next?”
    “We need to find a laptop or computer to figure out what’s so important on the disk. Coleman’s checking into the other. If the men who showed up turn out to be government, there could be anything on that CD.”
    “And now you don’t believe me, either?”
    “When did I say that?”
    Katherine set the CD down on the seat next to Max. Anger and resentment scored her normally soft features. “You didn’t have to. I was putting myself in your shoes.”
    “Don’t.”
    “What if they do work for the government but whoever’s behind this is paying them off?”
    “There could be one bad egg. Not this many. Besides, Coleman doesn’t think they’re legit. He’s expecting to find ghosts as he investigates. We can give him a call.”
    “Would he sit on this kind of information?”
    “No. He’d contact me right away.”
    “Whatever’s on this CD caused my nephew to be kidnapped. I want to find the bastard who did this and make