Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Desire Their Queen [Wyoming Warriors 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Read Free Page A

will marry and reign, as will our future children.”
    He was a handsome man, and she’d only been kissed once before. Warmth curled deep in her abdomen. She gasped when his hand cupped her breast and rubbed the tip of her nipple through her blouse.
    “You and me, Gala. We’re almost at the finish line. We can’t weaken now.” His tongue invaded her mouth and ravished the tenderness.
    When his hand clenched her breast harder, moisture flooded her panties. Her heart pounded, and it was hard to think straight.
    His dark-brown eyes appeared black as he stared down at her. A smile curved his lips, but it was more sinister than friendly. Gala shivered.
    “Come back to this spot this evening. I’ll show you how a real man treats his woman,” Pearce whispered in her ear. “And bring me some of the poison this time.” Then he kissed her again, and his hand slid down her body to her most private area. She was shocked when his cupped her mound, shocked and dazzled at the feelings rushing through her body.
    “I don’t get off until six.”
    “We’ll meet at seven.” He kissed her lightly again. Then he stood and pulled her up. He brushed the pine needles from her clothes. Cupping his hands, he gave her a boost up into the saddle. “Until tonight, my love.”

    * * * *

    Gala waved and rode off. Pearce waited a moment and followed. He had to find out where she kept the poisons. He’d follow her all day. When he knew where she’d hidden them, he wouldn’t need her anymore. She was becoming a liability. So she’d be the next victim.
    He waited outside her home. She changed and headed to work. Keeping back far enough so she wouldn’t notice, he continued to keep an eye on her.
    At the main ranch house, she went in the front door. He rode around to the back and hid in the circle of trees. Pearce tied his horse’s reins to a low-hanging tree branch, and then he sat to wait. The time passed slowly, but he’d learned to be a patient man. He was rewarded when Gala came out the back door and headed to the greenhouses. It was four o’clock. Was she on break, or did they grow their own vegetables? He noted which greenhouse she went into. She returned in about fifteen minutes, and her hands and arms were empty. It must have been her break. As soon as she’d gone in and closed the door, he crept along the edge of the trees, and then darted across to the greenhouse she’d gone into.
    Pearce walked slowly around the plants and flowers. He sat for a moment on a bench situated where the person could see and enjoy the best part of the gardens. A disturbed piece of ground caught his eye. A large rose bush, planted in a pot, had been recently moved to cover the spot.
    He pulled the rose bush aside and quickly dug into the loose dirt. His hand touched a bucket, and it had something in it. He laughed softly. Luck was with him again. This was her hiding place. Pearce got the bucket out and hurried to his horse. Now he’d find his own hiding place. Tonight, when they met, he’d take care of his biggest problem.

    * * * *

    Kira checked the ER. There’d been no new admissions. She got a list of the names and addresses of the victims of today’s attack. She’d decided to visit them individually and ask questions. The tiniest bit of information might crack the case.
    She started first with the couples who had both drank the tainted punch. As she went from house to house, people told her the same story. They got the punch and didn’t see anyone hovering around. But one family gave her new information.
    “My friend and her husband drank some of the punch earlier than us. Tina told us it was good, and she’d been able to get her drink from the smaller punch bowl set to the side and back of the grounds. There were long lines at the other refreshment tables. That’s why we walked back, and sure enough there was only one other couple, and they were leaving.
    “But my point is, Tina and her husband didn’t get sick. The poison must not