Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1) by Jodi Burnett (literature books to read .txt) 📗

every move. “It’s okay, Ren.” Caitlyn reached into her saddlebag, where she kept a specific toy she allowed him to play with only as a reward. She handed it to him and tugged with him on it a few times before she released him to chew it on his own. She pulled her phone out of its leather case on her belt and took several pictures of the area. The dirt looked freshly turned, and the skin on the fingers hadn’t yet decayed. Caitlyn snapped photos in each direction, then remounted her horse, and whistled for Renegade to follow. He trotted along behind her, carrying his rubber chewy in his teeth.

They found the group waiting for them on the trail. Caitlyn hopped off her horse again, took the toy from Renegade, and stuffed it back in her saddlebag. She turned to the others. “Maybe he should be a hunting dog.” Caitlyn’s false laugh sounded flat in her own ears, but she wanted to distract the riders and not let them know what she’d found. It would be dangerous to upset everyone. “There’s a deer carcass up there. I don’t know what kind of animal took it down. Could’ve been a mountain lion—could’ve been a bear. Either way, it’s probably best for us to turn back to the ranch at this point, and not bother a predator’s kill.”

The tall woman reached forward and patted her horse’s shoulder. “When I dreamed of a ranch life, I always imagined it would be safe. I’m rethinking my fantasy already. What with a rattlesnake, and now maybe a mountain lion, or worse.”

One of her friends turned her mare around on the trail. “I agree. I think it’s time to head back. I’m fine with this being the turnaround point for today.”

Herb turned his horse too. “Yes, we’ve seen some beautiful views and have had a lovely ride. But I think it’s time to go back.”

Relieved that she had convinced them so easily, Caitlyn waited for the rest of them to turn their horses around. Often, trail riders wanted to stay out all day. “Okay, let’s return to the ranch. Let me get to the front of the line.” She guided Whiskey to the downhill side of the group. “As we head down the trail, help your horse keep his balance by leaning back in the saddle a little. Just relax and let your body follow the horse’s movement.” Caitlyn was pleased that she could maintain a steady voice, even though her heart galloped through her ribs and her ears rang. She couldn’t help wonder whose hand she saw and how the person came to be buried on the top of their ridge.

Caitlyn chewed at the corner of her lower lip and considered everything she had seen. They ambled down the trail at a decent pace, but Caitlyn had to resist the urge to push Whiskey into an all-out race toward the ranch. She was desperate to tell Dylan. To call the sheriff. To do something. But she held Whiskey at a slow gait so as not to alarm the other riders.

About two hours later, Caitlyn finally led the group through the barnyard and into the arena. Dylan stalked out of the barn. His brows knitted together as he gave Caitlyn a hard stare. “That was a quick ride. What are you doing back so soon? I didn’t expect you before lunchtime.”

Caitlyn communicated to him silently that something was wrong. She peered at him with wide eyes and wrinkled her forehead, but he seemed too irritated to notice her facial expression, so she gave him the excuse she’d told the tourists. “We ran into a rattlesnake, and then a recent deer kill. I didn’t want to come across whatever predator had killed the animal, so we came back.”

Dylan tilted his head and narrowed his eyes at her in question. “Is that so?”

“Help me dismount the riders so they can go on up to the ranch house. If Mom’s not ready to serve lunch yet, I’m sure she’ll be happy to get everyone a cool drink.” Caitlyn stared meaningfully at her brother, hoping he would cooperate.

“How did y’all enjoy the ride?” Dylan deftly switched his gears over to charming—back to the brother she knew and loved. Cold relief flushed across her brow. Caitlyn worked side-by-side with Dylan, helping the riders dismount and find their way to the ranch house. Their mother met their guests halfway, and Caitlyn passed the group off to her before racing to the barn.

“Dylan? Dylan!” Where is he? Caitlyn ran into the red building.

Her brother stepped out of a stall, sliding the door closed behind him, and turned toward her. “What the hell, Caitlyn? Those tourists paid for half a day’s ride. It’s expensive. They should get their money’s worth.”

“I know, but—”

“But what, Cate? We have a reputation to keep.” Anger glinted in his eyes as he stared at her.

“Dylan, listen to me. Renegade found a body. A dead, buried body! I didn’t want any of those people to know. I was afraid they’d become too upset to ride back.” Caitlyn grabbed Dylan’s arm. “We need to call the sheriff. Now!”

“What? What are you talking about?” Dylan pulled away.

“I’m serious, Dylan. There’s a fresh grave on top of the mountain, near the BLM gate.”

“How do you know there’s a body buried there?”

“Because it’s a shallow grave. Ren was running through the woods and found…” She swallowed at the memory. “He found a hand. The fingers were poking out of the dirt.” For the first time since she’d seen the hand, Caitlyn felt tears prick her eyes, and she ground her teeth against them. “I touched the fingers—you know—to be sure. They were cold. Dylan, we have to call the sheriff!”

Dylan narrowed his eyes like he didn’t quite believe her, but he pulled his phone from his belt. “I’ll call, then let’s get these horses put away. Leave Whiskey tacked up, and I’ll get Sampson. When the sheriff gets here, he can drive the