Lone Rider Read Free Page B

surprised.
    â€œCome in, then,” Buckmaster said, waving both men inside. Once he’d closed the big door behind them, he asked, “Now what’s this about Bo?”
    â€œI was just talking to one of the wranglers,” Cooper said, jumping in ahead of Jace. “Bo apparently left Saturday afternoon on horseback, saying she’d be back this morning, but she hasn’t returned.”
    â€œThat’s what I heard, as well,” Jace said, taking the opening. “I need to know where she might have gone.”
    Both Buckmaster and Cooper looked to him. “You sound as if you’re planning to go after her,” the senator said.
    â€œI am.”
    â€œWhy would you do that? I didn’t think you two were seeing each other?” Cooper asked like the protective brother-in-law he was.
    â€œWe’re not,” Jace said.
    â€œWait a minute,” the senator said. “You’re the one who stood her up for the senior prom. I’ll never forget it. My baby cried for weeks.”
    Jace nodded. “That would be me.”
    â€œBut you’ve dated Bo more recently than senior prom,” Buckmaster was saying.
    â€œFive years ago,” he said. “But that doesn’t have anything to do with this. I have my reasons for wanting to see Bo come back. My sister works at the foundation.”
    â€œWhy wouldn’t Bo come back?” the senator demanded.
    Behind him, Angelina made a disparaging sound. “Because there’s money missing from the foundation along with your daughter.” She looked at Jace. “You said your sister works down there?”
    He smiled, seeing that she was clearly judgmental of the “kind of people” Bo had hired to work at the foundation. “My sister doesn’t have access to any of the money, if that’s what you’re worried about.” He turned to the senator again. “The auditor is down at the foundation office, trying to sort it out. Bo needs to be there. I thought you might have some idea where she might have gone in the mountains. I thought I’d go find her.”
    The senator looked to his son-in-law. Cooper shrugged.
    â€œCooper, you were told she planned to be back today?” her father said. “She probably changed her mind or went too far, not realizing how long it would take her to get back. If she had an appointment today with an auditor, I’m sure she’s on her way as we speak.”
    â€œOr she’s hiding up there and doesn’t want to be found,” Angelina quipped from the couch. “If she took that money, she could be miles from here by now.” She groaned. “It’s always something with your girls, isn’t it?”
    â€œI highly doubt Bo has taken off with any foundation money,” the senator said and shot his wife a disgruntled look. “Every minor problem isn’t a major scandal,” he said and sighed, clearly irritated with his wife.
    When he and Bo had dated, she’d told him that her stepmother was always quick to blame her and her sisters no matter the situation. As far as Jace could tell, there was no love lost on either side.
    â€œMaybe we should call the sheriff,” Cooper said.
    Angelina let out a cry. “That’s all we need—more negative publicity. It will be bad enough when this gets out. But if search and rescue is called in and the sheriff has to go up there... For all we know, Bo could be meeting someone in those mountains.”
    Jace hadn’t considered she might have an accomplice. “That’s why I’m the best person to go after her.”
    â€œHow do you figure that?” Cooper demanded, giving him a hard look.
    â€œShe already doesn’t like me, and the feeling is mutual. Maybe you’re right and she’s hightailing it home as we speak,” Jace said. “But whatever’s going on with her, I’m going to find her and make sure she gets